Review: Beauty Blender.. Should You Take The Plunge?

Now when I first received this as a gift at an event, I was SO excited!! I've been wanting to try this out for the longest time but they don't sell the Beauty Blender here in the United Arab Emirates..

I just couldn't wait to try it!!

This is what the Beauty Blender looks like wet

My First Attempt: I bust out my Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation (review) and applied it with the Beauty Blender..

Result? Disappointment! It was nothing special at all.. I was like That's it?! That's what the fuss is all about?! But I didn't give up.. I tried it again the next day and still wasn't great.. So I neglected it.. And decided to continue using my hands or my MAC 187 brush..

My Second Attempt: It wasn't until just recently when I re-discovered my Chanel Mat Lumiere and my Estee Lauder Double Wear Light foundations, that I decided to give my Beauty Blender another chance..

Results? AMAZING! Honestly.. If you've been reading my blog long enough, you'd know that I'm not one to give in to hypes that easily.. But this sponge is truly amazing with the right kind of foundation..

Product:

- Must be used wet.. It expands when wet

- Very soft, squishy and just so fluffffy! =P

- Gives a beautiful smooth finish..

- Blends the foundation really well.. No streaks, no accentuated pores which many foundations tend to give me.. This makes sure that the foundation is placed nicely on the skin..

- Gives any heavy foundation (medium/full coverage foundations), a very light-weight feel on the skin

Application

- I apply a little bit of the foundation on the bottom of the wet sponge and dab it on my face working in sections.. Of course I add more as I move to each part of my face..

My Final Thoughts: This is a great tool to have.. I've been using it everyday with my foundation.. However, it did not work well with my Chanel Aqua for some reason.. So you have to make sure that you're using the right foundation with it.. It usually works best with heavier foundations..

Is it a Must-Have? I'd say it's nice to have but you don't NEED it.. It's lovely and I'm enjoying it heaps, but I do think it's still over-hyped for what it is.. The MAC 187 and the Sigma F80 both give lovely finishes too.. But I'm glad I've tried the Beauty Blender..

Dupes? I know that there are some similar shaped sponges that work the same way but are much cheaper.. Like the:

Sonia Kashuk Blending Sponge

& 

Cosmopolitan Blend Perfection Sponge

So I suggest you try those out first before taking the plunge on the Beauty Blender and see how you like the idea of applying your foundation with a sponge..

As for the

Sephora Precision Sponge

It is NOTHING like the Beauty Blender.. It's stiff and just doesn't give the same effect AT ALL.. So don't waste your money on it..

Would Re-Purchase? Hmmm I might.. Still deciding..

Have you tried the Beauty Blender?

Is it worth it in your opinion?

What I've Been Wearing.. On My Ears...

I love earrings! There are so many amazing designs out there.. But there's one problem... I have sensitive skin that reacts to anything that isn't real silver or real gold! And it's such a pain coz sometimes you just don't wanna always have to spend so much on earrings.. You wanna be able to wear things from Accessorize, H&M, Forever21 etc..

But I just can't..

So when I came across Talullah Tu jewellery and decided to take the plunge and order some earrings hoping it wouldn't give me a reaction.. I was blown away!!

Items:

- Don't give me a rash although it isn't real gold/silver

- Unique designs

- Impressive quality for the price

Here's what I got...

 I adore these! They're a rusted gold and the shape is funky!

I looove these! They're just so summery.. Very flattering on

Gorgeous right?! Only issue I have with these is that the bow isn't stable.. It flips and moves which is a bit annoying

These are clip-ons.. Such a pretty combinations of stones and pearls..

I'm in love with Talullah Tu! I'm always on the lookout for any new collections.. She does earrings, necklaces, bracelets etc.. Please do check her out,, She's worth it and her customer service is lovely!

http://www.talullahtu.com/home

Have you tried or heard of Talullah Tu?

Beauty of a Different Kind: Another Reason To Blame The Innocent...

It's so easy for us as human beings to point the fingers at others.. We like having someone to blame.. And that is such an ugly thing.. Coz sometimes, the fact that the person might be innocent is overshadowed by the need to blame..

If you're living in our world today, you would've heard about the bombings in Oslo, Norway.. Such a tragedy.. One that makes me wonder about the extent humans would go to just to see others suffer?

But what angered me about the whole situation is how it was directly blamed on Muslims before we even knew the truth! During the first few days after the attack, Muslims in Norway were harassed and beaten.. Innocent people where blamed just because they were Muslim??

And now, when the murdered has been caught, a Norwegian, Christian, White Man.. We did not see people harassing Christians for  the act of one Christian man, did we? We did no throw claims that the Bible promotes evil or that it's an evil religion, did we? So why is it that when one Muslim man commits a crime, his whole race, religion and country are called Terrorists, Evil, Uncivilized?

You tell me if that's fair..

Until when are we gonna blame Muslims for all evil acts just because of the action of a group of Muslims who do not even represent Islam in the slightest way!

God gave us brains to think.. Don't fall victim of the media.. Close your eyes for one second and think logically before you blame innocent people for the acts of others.. Read! Learn! And you'll the truth about what Islam is really about and how it condemns such evilness..

Please take the time to listen to this amazingly touching poem by Suhair Hammad, a Palestinian American, expresses what I'm tryna say through poetry...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fhWX2F6G7Y

My heart goes out to all those who suffered in evil inhumane acts..
May God grant you strength and peace of mind and soul

Peace

xoxo

Beauty of a Different Kind: Another Reason To Blame The Innocent...

It's so easy for us as human beings to point the fingers at others.. We like having someone to blame.. And that is such an ugly thing.. Coz sometimes, the fact that the person might be innocent is overshadowed by the need to blame..

If you're living in our world today, you would've heard about the bombings in Oslo, Norway.. Such a tragedy.. One that makes me wonder about the extent humans would go to just to see others suffer?

But what angered me about the whole situation is how it was directly blamed on Muslims before we even knew the truth! During the first few days after the attack, Muslims in Norway were harassed and beaten.. Innocent people where blamed just because they were Muslim??

And now, when the murdered has been caught, a Norwegian, Christian, White Man.. We did not see people harassing Christians for  the act of one Christian man, did we? We did no throw claims that the Bible promotes evil or that it's an evil religion, did we? So why is it that when one Muslim man commits a crime, his whole race, religion and country are called Terrorists, Evil, Uncivilized?

You tell me if that's fair..

Until when are we gonna blame Muslims for all evil acts just because of the action of a group of Muslims who do not even represent Islam in the slightest way!

God gave us brains to think.. Don't fall victim of the media.. Close your eyes for one second and think logically before you blame innocent people for the acts of others.. Read! Learn! And you'll the truth about what Islam is really about and how it condemns such evilness..

Please take the time to listen to this amazingly touching poem by Suhair Hammad, a Palestinian American, expresses what I'm tryna say through poetry...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fhWX2F6G7Y

My heart goes out to all those who suffered in evil inhumane acts..
May God grant you strength and peace of mind and soul

Peace

xoxo

Yet Another Blush Combo for the Summer!

If you've read my review on the Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric in #4 here, you'd know that although I really liked the formula and the colour of it, the fact that it applied sheerly (but buildable) did not impress me much.. However, now I have found a way to make that sheerness work for me beautifully..

Here's how...

First: I apply the GA #4 using my MAC 187 Brush

Second: Dust Illamasqua Powder Blush in Lover on top

The GA #4 turns Lover in to a deepened bronzy peach rather than the bright peach it is.. And it looks so flattering for the summer time!

Now most of you know how much I adore my Illamasqua Lover blush.. I found that it works sooo great with so many blushes (see how I used it in another combination here) and the fact that it's super smooth and blends effortlessly makes it one of my all-time favourite blushes!

Have you tried been combining your blushes to get that right shade?

The Blush That Took Me By Surprise!

The first thing I do when I visit a makeup counter is look at their blushes.. And it is not rare that I instantly fall in love with one.. But the reason this blush took me by surprise is because it's from Clarins.. Now don't get me wrong.. I really like clarins heaps.. Love their products, but I rarely ever look at the their makeup.. But walking past their counter one day, this blush was just calling my name! 

Product

- Not very smooth

- Applies sheerly but is buildable

- Very tiny shimmers that give a beautiful sheen finish

- Blends well

My Final Thoughts: I fell in love with the colour of this blush as soon as I laid eyes on it.. And it even looks just as pretty on the cheeks! The colour is so lovely and vibrant and it's my first ever Clarins blush.. Only thing I don't like about this product is that fact that it's not as smooth as my other blushes.. But still a great blush and I'm so glad I have it!

Have you tried any Clarins blushes?

Skincare Products: Oats & The Face Shop White Tree Snow

We all know that the key to achieving good skin, is by cleansing well.. I have gone through so many cleansers.. Some I enjoyed and some not so much..

Lately, I have been using two cleansers that have been making my skin feeling so clean, smooth and hydrated..

No your eyes are not deceiving you... It's oats.. Fresh organic oats...

When I Use It

- Mornings only

How I Use It:

- I take a small amount into the palm of my hands

- Apply a little bit of water to it

- Pat it with my fingers until I get a paste

- Rub my hand together and massage on my skin

What It Does:

- Gently exfoliates

- Nourishes & soothes your skin

What It Doesn't Do:

- Take off makeup.. Which is why I use it in the mornings only

Who Will Like This:

- Anyone who prefers natural DIY remedies

- Anyone who is looking for a cleanser that gently exfoliates and soothes

Who Won't Like This:

- Anyone who prefers a less messy cleanser as this is pretty messy

My Final Thoughts: I love how this makes my skin feels.. It's super gentle and it feeds my skin at the same time.. I've learnt this method from Bubzbeauty's video here.. Check it out as she demonstrates how its done and talks more about the goodness of oats as a cleaner..

The other cleanser I'm really enjoying is..

THEFACESHOP White Tree Snow Exfoliating Foam Cleanser

When I Use It

- Evenings

How I Use It:

- I take a small amount into my fingertips and massage it on to my skin gently

What It Does:

- Gently exfoliates (contains tiny beads)

- Removes makeup

- Brightens your skin

- Leaves skin feeling hydrated

What It Doesn't Do:

- Dry out your face

Who Will Like This:

- Anyone who enjoys a foaming cleanser 

- Anyone who is looking for a cleanser that removes makeup without stripping the skin of it's natural moisture

- Anyone who enjoys a gentle exfoliator for everyday use

Who Won't Like This:

- Anyone who does not like a foaming cleasner 

- Anyone who prefers to deeply exfoliate once a week only

My Final Thoughts: I was really surprised by this cleanser.. I bought it without really planning too and I'm glad I gave it a go.. It's very smooth and lathers up nicely.. It leaves my skin feeling very clean and the fact that it removes most of my makeup is a plus for me!

So both of these cleansers are working so well for my dry/combination, acne-prone skin at the moment..

Oh and another thing, these are also so great for those who are on a budget!

What's your favourite DIY skincare remedy?

And what cleanser are you enjoying at the moment?

Review: Korres Liquid Lipstick #22 Rasberry

Korres Liquid Lipstick.. Just the name itself is intriguing.. This is my first lipgloss from Korres and I need me some mooore of this!

Product

- Very cooling light water-based formula

- Feels like you're literally applying water to your lips

- Antioxidant

- Applies sheerly but colour is buildable

- Contains: Raspberry & Pomegranate extracts

- Claims to smooth lines and glide on with the creamy texture of a lip gloss and has the long-lasting, vibrant finish of a lipstick

Who Will Like This

- Anyone who likes to control the amount of colour in their lip glosses

- Anyone who is looking for a lip gloss that feeds your lips

Who Won't Like This

- Those who prefer more opaque lip glosses

- Those who don't like lip glosses to begin with

My Final Thoughts: Korres Liquid Lipsticks are coming close to my Chanel Glossimiers which are my favourite lip glosses.. I love the cooling effect it has when I apply it and I absolutely love the light yet pigmented formula.. But I don't find it long-lasting as it claims to be..

Would I Re-Purchase? For sure

What are your favourite Lip Glosses?

Have you tired Korres Glosses?

Beauty of a Different Kind: The Beauty of Appreciation

My dad always said "سوي خير وعقه فالبحر" which means "Do good & throw it in the Sea".. It's an Arabic proverb in our Emarati dialect.. It means that when you help others, don't wait for anything in return.. And that might sound easy, but sometimes a little appreciation means a lot.. Even if it were in just two small words "Thank You"..

I read once that..

"The Deepest Craving in Human Beings is to be Appreciated"

And ain't that the truth..

Photography & Words by: Delyteful Speaks

There's a tune that pain started
One which hope will now complete
So put aside the silent screams
And listen to the emancipation of my dreams
I'm more than what you see
Coz there's a person inside of me

Take the time to appreciate those around you.. What they've done for you.. However small..

Take the time to appreciate the simple things in life..

Take the time to appreciate the uniqueness of a culture, tradition, religion and civilization..

Take the time to appreciate who you are and what you've become..

Support One Another..

Love One Another..

Be Grateful For One Another..

Coz There's Nothing More Beautiful Than a Little Appreciation

Peace

xoxo

Possessions: Cream Eye Shadows

Since it's summer, cream products work so well as they're stay put better than powder eye shadows...

Here's my cream eye shadows collection...

So starting with the top row...

Makeup Forever Aqua Cream #13 - Lovely bright champaign shade with peach undertones but sets quickly so you gotta work fast with it.. I use this as an eye shadow but you can also use it as a highlighter..

Consistency: Light and smooth but can look patchy if you don't work fast with it

Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Enigma - I got this as a gift from my girl SJ and I really enjoy this product.. It makes a great eye shadow base.. However, I mostly use this for my under eye area and it eliminates my dark circles wonderfully.. Paler skin tones can also use this as a blush..

Consistency: Buttery smooth and blends so beautifully

MAC Constructivist Paint Pot - This is my first and only paint pot from MAC and I love this shade.. It looks dark but with a light hand, you can totally make this sheer.. It has tiny gold shimmers that aren't extremely obvious on the lids.. I wear this alone on the lids and on the lower lash line and it gives me such a lovely bronzey eye look..

Consistency: Not super smooth.. Has sort of like a dry smoothness texture if that makes sense.. Which why it can look a little patchy if you don't work fast with it..

Benefit Creaseless Cream/Liner Shadow in Flatter Me - I never wear pinks on my eye lids but love this shade! It’s so flattering and when sheered out it just gives a beautiful hint of colour to your lids.. Great for everyday..

Consistency: Smooth and easy to apply but can look blotchy

Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Eye Shadow in #6 Nola - This is the weirdest eye shadow formula I have come across.. It’s like a pressed pigment.. You do get a little fall out but nothing too crazy.. The shade is so unique.. It’s a bronzed khaki and I have never seen anything like it.. Looks amazing when worn sheerly as it gives that beautiful shimmery wet look to your eyes..

Consistency: Buttery smooth and blends like a dream!

Benefit Creaseless Cream/Liner Shadow in Birthday Suit - I thought that is would be so similar to the MUFE #13 Aqua cream but that one a bright champaign and this is more muted.. Gives your lids a hint of colour.. Makes a great eye shadow base..

Consistency: Again, lovely but high risk of patchiness

Julie Hewitt Shimmy in Cleo - I did write a review on this here.. It’s a nice very sheer bronze that is super easy to wear..

Consistency - Almost like a shimmery hard gel that melts on your skin and blends nicely..

NARS Cream Shadow in Mykonos - This is a muted plum.. I was kinda disappointed in this.. The shade is nice but is not long lasting on me at all when worn alone so I tend to wear Benefit’s Flatter Me first then this on top when I wanna rock a plummy eye look..

Consistency - Slippery and blends well

Bobbie Brown in Black Pearl - This is the most glittery of them all.. And I’m talking chunks of glitter.. Great for the night time..  It is a great sheer shade.. And is the most long lasting out of all of them.. But the glitter in it is very dominating..

Consistency - You gotta really work your brush in pot to get the product out and it does not blend easily because of the amount of glitter in it

And Voila!

What are some of your favourite Cream Eye Shadows?

Clarins Gives You More Than Just a Lip Balm

When Clarins came out with the Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector, I thought "Yah ok whatever.. Another hyped product".. And I ignored it for the longest time.. Until my lips started getting super dry and flaky which ain't pretty at all.. I thought I don't want just a lip balm.. I want something that could really hydrate my lips while adding a hint of colour.. 

And so I went to Clarins and thought I'd try their Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in shade 01 Rose Shimmer.. And was really amazed at the consistency of it, the hydration and the smell! And decided to just go ahead and get it coz it was too lovely on my lips for me to just walk by it..

Product

- Sheer nude pink colour

- Super hydrating

- Non-sticky

- Glossy finish

- Extremely subtle shimmer that does not show at all on the lips

- Smells and tastes like cotton candy

- Contains: Extracts of Shea Butter, Wild Mango, Derivatives of Vitamins A & E all which repair, soften and protect against free radicals

Who Will Like This

- Anyone who is looking for long lasting lip hydration

- Anyone who wants to add that little bit of colour to their lips while treating them

- Anyone who loves a sweet sugary scent

Who Won't Like This

- Anyone who doesn't like "nude" lips
- Anyone who prefers a lip balm that contains SPF

My Final Thoughts: This feels lovely on the lips.. And it keeps my lips hydrated all day without looking boring because of the hint of colour it adds.. I love love the way it smells.. Reminds me of my childhood.. I'm not a huge fan of nude lips, so I do wear a lipstick underneath it just for added colour..

Would I Re-Purchase? Yes!

Have you tried Clarins Lip Perfector?

Review: Burberry Sheer Eye Shadow No.09 Rosewood

After purchasing my first ever Burberry product, I couldn't help but go back and see what else Burberry cosmetics has to offer..

They didn't have any samples of their foundations so I couldn't try those.. But I was really impressed by the colour selection of their eye shadows.. Very pretty shades.. And in the end, after much swatching and blending, I settled for No.09 Rosewood..

Product

- Velvety and smooth texture

- Applies sheerly but is surely buildable

- Has a beautiful sheen finish

- Non-glittery

Swatches

Burberry Rosewood is a metallic violet/lilac shade and blended out it gives a beautiful subtle sheen with a hint of colour..

MAC Satin Taupe is has more brown to it..

My Final Thoughts: The more I try out Burberry products, the more I'm impressed.. Love this shade.. Such a beautiful soft colour that looks amazing with a winged eyeliner.. This will definitely not be the last Burberry eye shadow I purchase..

Have you tried any Burberry Cosmetics?

Review: Giorgio Armani Blushing Fabric #4

Although expensive, the quality of Giorgio Armani Makeup is amazing.. Their Foundations, Powders, Blushes, Eyes To Kill Eye Shadows are all so beautiful.. So when GA came out with the Fabric Second Skin line, I just had to try it.. And being a blush junkie, I of course went straight to the blushes and picked up #4...

Product

- Gel/Silicone consistency which I find is best applied with fingers
- Very smooth and light
- Blends well
- Applies sheerly but is buildable
- Non-streaky or blotchy
- Matte finish
- Shade 4 is a dark reddish bronze

My Final Thoughts: This is a lovely product.. Very velvety and smooth.. But I wouldn't say it is a must-have.. The fact that it applies sheerly might be good for some, but I like my blushes to pop.. So I have to apply a few layers to get the colour the way I like it..

Have you tried any Giorgio Armani Products?

Beauty of a Different Kind: Beauty Victim

"And even while the fashion brightest arts decoy,
The heart distrusting asks, if this be joy" - Oliver Goldsmith

I don't mean no disrespect when I say what I'm about to say and I do hope that no one understands this the wrong way.. I'm merely stating the way I feel about things and how I see them from my perspective..

I believe in our world today, we are all "galmorously" chained, hence the pearls around the wrist in the photo.. Our sense of style is not our own, but is the idea of what others consider as beautiful.. And I myself am not immune to it either.. I am a victim of the ideas of "beauty" that are set to us by a group of people we don't even know and who mean nothing to us..

And to me, that is oppression my friends. It isn't a covered Muslim woman who CHOOSES to be covered.

I believe that women in general are still oppressed.. Their oppression is indirect and is marked as an "aesthetic" choice.. This is done through the media where they manipulate the power and the importance of women by indirectly making them strive so hard to become the “right image” in order to get somewhere in life.. In order to be someone in life..

Today a thin, young looking woman with little fabric is considered as beautiful.. While in the Muslim world, a covered up woman, although to the rest of the world will be labelled as "oppressed", she is considered as respectable and beautiful.. Therefore, this constructive illustration that is presented to women is not less than the oppression the media has claimed Muslim women experience..

Freedom of expression is merely an illusion that is fed to us.. Because if a Muslim woman dresses the way she wants to be dressed, she is instantly judged and thought of as being forced to be covered when most of the time, that is far from the truth.. Let us not forget that nuns also cover up.. Are they oppressed?

There is a huge misconception about Muslim women in the world that we can't all deny.. And it's a misconception that can easily be fixed by doing a little more research and a little more thinking.. Let's not all fall victims of the media.. Let us not be bought by what is being sold to us.. It ain't right.. And it ain't fair either.. Coz at the end of the day, we are all the same.. Problem is, no one thinks so..

Feel free to disagree but that's just my 2 cents ;)

Peace

xoxo

If I Were To Pick One... Sunscreen

It would be...

Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 30

Product

- Light yellowish cream that when blended does not feel heavy at all

- SPF 30

- Antioxidant

- Hydrating

- No white cast

- Does not feel oily or greasy
- Smells amazing

- Claims to "absorb oil over time, giving continued oil control with a matte finish".. But I don't think it does give a matte finish.. For me it's more like a semi-dewy/satin finish which I prefer anyway

- Contains ingredients that provide anti-aging benefits such as Hyaluronic Acid which is a great hydrating ingredient that claims to help prevent premature ageing

My Final Thoughts: I love this sunscreen as I don't feel the need to apply a moisturizer on my combination skin.. I love that it's an antioxidant and it just smells so good! I feel that it also works as a good primer for me as it leaves my skin feeling smooth.. Only problem I have with this is that I have to order it online.. They do sell this product at a spa in Dubai but for a lot more than what I can get it online.. But it's definitely worth it..

Peace

xoxo

Discovery: YSL Rouge Volupte #11 & Revlon #440 Cherries in the Snow

Another great discovery!

I love Revlon's Cherries in the Snow.. It's such a gorgeous pink shade.. And I found that the YSL Rouge Volupte in #11 which I got ages ago is almost an exact dupe for it!!

Was so excited because if you read my previous Discovery Post, you'll know that I'm not a huge fan of the YSL formula..

Product

YSL:
- Very creamy
- Semi-Glossy finish
- Too slippery when applied
- Great colour pay-off
- Does not last long on the lips

Revlon:
- Smooth application but not as creamy as the YSL
- Semi-Glossy finish but less glossy than the YSL as it is less creamy
- Great colour pay-off
- Fairly good staying power

My Final Thoughts: It's pretty amazing how similar these two shades are.. And I definitely much prefer the Revlon one as the formula of it is just so much better for me.. I'm so glad I found that shade with Revlon because I really enjoyed it but never wore it too much because of the slippery creamy formula of the YSL..

Peace

xoxo