A Classic Timeless Makeup Look

This look is a no brainer...

The type of look you could really pull of anywhere anytime.

Read on:

The Look:

Products Used:

From Top: Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner, Glossy Stain by YSL in 4, Tarte Blush in Magic, Lancome Tient Miracle in 3, Chanel Bronzer Base, Essence Brow Pencil in Black, Prestige Lip Liner in Spice, Wet n Wild Walking on Eggshells Eyeshadow Palette, MaxFactor Falsh Lash Effect Mascara, Rubenesuq Paint Pot, NYX Stay Matte but not Flat Powder Foundation, Givenchy Mister Light Concealer, Prestige Intensity Liner In Deepest Black, Essence Eyelash and Brow Gel, Bourjois Ombre Stretch Eyeshadow in Black.

Brushes:

From Top: Sigma Angled Kabuki, RT Blush Brush, Essence Eyeshadow Brush, RT dome shaped Brush, Maybelline Gel Eyeliner brush, Sigma Blending Brush,  Essence Crease Brush.

Gimmicky Mascaras That Actually Work

Huge wands, thin wands, tiny wands, spiral wands, tapered, curved, combed, thick bristled, pear shaped, hour glass shaped, the types of wands and formulations of mascaras is endless. Makes for tough decisions too…but two mascaras that I believe were unique (in design at least) and revolutionized wand shapes is the Givenchy Phenomen’ Eyes Mascara and more recently the Avon Mega Effects Mascara.

My Go To Fall/Winter Cheek Look

You will have noticed that in this blog, I don’t put in the technical details of the products like where its made or what ingredients it has unless its relevant to the situation. These are just my opinions on the products I have in my stash which are a combination of all types of brands…mostly drugstore, but on occasion I enjoy a splurge product. In this particular case, I've been reaching for 3 splurge products which compromise my fall/winter cheek look.

And the unveiling:

Lancome Blush in Rose Boise

Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel Bonzing Base

And the stick is Benefit's Watt's Up Highlighter

Maybelline Baby Lips

So small things can make a huge difference. This was proved just a couple of hours ago when Dubai just won the bid to host the world Expo 2020 in Paris. There was serious competition between Dubai and Turkey, Brazil and Russia all bigger, older and more established countries, but hey, don't underestimate the small guy, he can surprise you (just like the kids will be in the morning when they find out its a holiday to mark the occasion). Back on topic though...these little balms that you'd not really expect to deliver much actually really surprised me. Read on...

Price: Here in the UAE just 15 dhs. 

Garnier BB Cream and Garnier Roll-on Anti-darkcircles Concealer

Ah the magic of beauty balms a.k.a. BB creams. The tech from the Orient that took on a fan base of epic proportions. A tinted moisturizer with added skin benefits...what more could a girl want. But there are so many and though it could be said they are simply glorified tinted moisturizers, I'm still partial to this particular one by Garnier which is perhaps the most famous of them all and side by side, its trusty sidekick the Anti-dark circles Roll-on Concealer.

The Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream and the Roll-on Concealer

Price: Both are easily available for about 25 to 35 UAE Dhs. Pretty good price for 2.5 fluid ounces which more than twice your average foundation amount and for the Roll-on which is .50 fluid ounces..also not bad. 

My Very First MAC Eyeshadow Quad

In the world of makeup, owning your very own personalized MAC eyeshadow quad is like a rite of passage of stepping into the grown up world of makeup...it makes you feel like you're finally in the big leagues of the makeup world. So I got to thinking how exciting it was to know that I was taking the plunge. Amongst the countless shades and finishes of the MAC eyeshadows which would become my destiny, it was mind boggling. OMG the choices were endless and totally impossible to make. After much deliberation and much mental turmoil, I ended up with the following combo:

Top 2 shadows: Woodwinked and Sketch

Bottom 2 shadows: Sumptuous Olive and All that Glitters

Rimmel Gel Eye Liner in 001 Black

As different brands boarded on the gel liner train, all of us got equally obsessed. The hunt for the better, more lasting, more intense product was on. What was not to like about these tiny little pots of magic that could literally transform your entire look. It was during this period of hit and trials that I got my hands on this little thing.

Price: This is available easily at all major malls nationwide for about 35 UAE dhs or thereabouts. Though at first glance this seems rather cheap you have to bear in mind it has lesser product too. So it averages about the same price, infact a bit more expensive than other drugstore gel liners.

Essence Pigments

Ever tried something that got you hooked from the minute you tried it….my experience with these gorgeous little pots was just that and I’m hooked…bad!

Price: For once, a product not too difficult to find here and surprisingly yet deceivingly cheap at 14 UAE dhs a pop. The base costs just 10 UAE dhs.

Packaging: These little plastic pots contain 1.8 grams of product which is not bad really, considering the itty bitty amount you need. I’d probably never run out. The sifter inside is also not bad in that it does not let the powder come out in crazy amounts. Infact, I found this product minimally messy…the lid twists and I don’t find powder falling out making a mess of my drawer. A base is also available for these pigments.

The twist down lids are secure as to keep the product from spilling out.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Airy Fairy

So there you are with your smoky eye on, the likes of which could set off your smoke detector…and there in front of you is your stash of lippys. Time is running out, the baby is yelling, your phone is ringing mercilessly. You cant screw up the entire planning that went into your ensemble by applying the wrong shade…but damn if you can decide….

Well ladies you need not take tension anymore…under such duress, just reach for this lipstick and voila…the whole look  magically comes together and its perfection.

Price: Here it costs anywhere between 40 and 50 UAE dhs.

Packaging:  It’s a simple plastic tube…nothing funky about it. Its decent enough, for the price you can't beat it.

This one is pretty well-loved......

Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Palettes: Comfort Zone, Petal Pusher and Blue had me at Hello

Who has not heard of these ‘Iconic’ palettes. The hype is well deserved. Its almost unbelievable what this brand has achieved with regards to their eyshadows, rivaling the likes of MAC and other higher end brands. Finally a product that delivers without breaking the bank.  I guess you are feeling the vibes here.

Lets begin shall we:

Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation

This foundation is like a super hero. If it were a food, it would be a staple in your everyday diet. What I am saying is that it’s one of those type of products that you really cant go wrong with, a good all rounder.

Onwards toward the review:

Nars Adult Content Blush Palette Review and Swatches

Those of us who are obsessed with blushes/highlights/bronzers know perfectly that getting your hands on something from Nars is more like a conquest, like a little victory. So to my delight I finally got my hands on a blush palette which is a limited edition item called Adult Content.

I know right....how cool is that! Especially someone who has been coveting a Nars blush for so long finally gets 4 in one sleek palette.

So on to the review:

Price: Here in the UAE we hardly get limited edition items, so this was a steal even though it was more expensive than the original price in dollars. Mega splurge!

Packaging: As with all Nars products, hefty and sleek. There is a little plastic thing inside which you could throw away or keep. A beautifully sized mirror is also handy.

The Product:  The site says: 

Play up cheekbones with a shimmering color pop, lavish them with a layer of lustrous highlight or smolder with a sophisticated sculpted look. Palette features four iconic NARS Blush and Highlighting Blush shades: Zen, Miss Liberty, Desire, Deep Throat.