Category Archives: make up

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When My Big Sis Got Wed…

My big sister got married recently. It was an intimate affair which stayed close to Islamic customs. It was also a fabulous opportunity to dress up and get glam.
An evening of henna and cakes
Islamic tradition sees the bride gather with her close female friends and family for an evening of fun before her wedding day – the Henna Night. Here the bride and the her friends have beautiful henna patterns cover theirs hands and feet as a sign of beauty. My sister had quite a lavish design, the rest of us kept it simple.

mmm delicious cakes made my other talented sister 

The Islamic Ceremony
My sister had her hair and make up done professionally while the rest of us chose to do our own. MUA Zeenat created a look to suit my sister while keeping strong the Arabic influences. Unlike western weddings, the eye make up is heavy and colours are strong.
The ceremony took place in a stunning Turkish mosque, followed by an evening reception dinner nearby.

the bride

Julie and I indulge in dessert
the happy couple share a giggle
the boys having a bromance moment
i loved my bangles
the groom and his mom

The Cheeky Tradition…
…and an opportunity to have a laugh. Tradition has it that the single sisters and friends of the bride should sneak into the marital suite and add to it a touch of fun/ romance/ naughtiness. I gained access to the wedding suite with Shahena and Julie and we made sure the newly weds would return to something amazing. I won’t divulge anymore xoxo

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Kissing With Tom Ford

Well, with my new Tom Ford lippy to be precise. A rather extravagant spend at £35, but am adoring it all the same. The shade is Pink Dusk, and as with all the TF lipsticks, it applies lusciously and smoothly. The creamy texture moisturises without any dry skin being highlighted (always a faux pas).

Pink Dusk is a natural light pink shade, perfect for everyday, and works great with the growing nude/ natural make up trends.

Goes without saying, the packaging is stunning. Understated luxe.

However, it appears that Mr. Ford is revamping his lippy collection, and early autumn will see new (possibly gold) packaging along with new shades. Seven of the existing lipstick colours will also get the chop (not Pink Dusk though), so if you have a current fave, pop over to Tom Ford and stock up ladies!

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Make Up Trend Alert: Back To Natural?

I may be jumping the gun a bit here, but i feel like make up trends are slightly shifting away from bold statement looks to a more natural, fresh faced style. Less of the false lashes possibly?
I personally would welcome this shift. There is no denying that i love make up. I love to wear it, love to play with it, LOVE to shop for it, and most definitely love to spend hours talking about it. However,  i always come back to a fairly natural application, some emphasis on eyes or lips but in a subtle fashion.
Many (not all), of the models at the A/W2011 fashion shows were sporting fresher, nuder faces. Could this be a clue to what is to come of make up trends? Also, with the newly crowned Princess Catherine opting for an understated face at the royal wedding last week, it may well be a look we will see take over as the world tries to emulate her princess style.
Natural and fresher faces graced the catwalks in London and New York:
Alexander Wang NYFW AW2011

Make Up Artist: Diane Kendal
Make up: MAC


Tory Burch

Make Up Artist: Diane Kendal
Make up: MAC

Sass & Bide LFW 2011
Make up Artist: Kakuyasu Uchiide
Make up: Shu Uemura

Topshop Unique LFW AW2011
Make up Artist: Hannah Murray
Make up: Topshop

Victoria Beckham NYFW AW2011
Make Up Artist Charlotte Tillbury
Make up: Lancome

Rodart LFW AW2011
Make up Artist: James Kaliardos
Make up: MAC

…and of course, a look many a girl across the world will try and recreate – soft and natural. Princess Catherine on her wedding day

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Topshop Sandstorm Collection Eyeshadows

If you pop into Topshop anytime soon, it’s worth stopping by the makeup section to check out the SS11 Sandstorm makeup collection. There are some nice pieces to play with, offering a slight leap in the quality of makeup a year on from TS’s makeup debut. I really like these two baked eyeshadows from the Sandstorm summer range – Meteoric (a deep plum and silver combination) and Solar Cell (a Charcoal and Turquoise mix). They both have a marbleised effect, the tones can be blended together or worn separately. They can also be worn wet for a more intense look, so very versatile. Both Meteoric and Solar Cell have some shimmer to them, just what you need for the summer. Am loving the cute gold pots too! You can take a look at the rest of the collection here.
Top – Meteoric
Bottom – Solar Cell
Photographed without flash
…with a flash
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Origins Make Up: Getting Even Made Easy

It’s not often i stumble across new make up and scream, yes literally scream ‘OMG, i love this’. However, a couple of items from the Origins make up range have really shaken up my daily routine. It’s actually the first time i have tried up their make up, usually i turn to Origins for skincare, but am massively impressed with these items of make up – they really deserve a beauty snog!

Origins Brighter By Nature Foundation:
This newly launched compact foundation from Origins is all about corrective coverage the natural way. Offering medium to full coverage, and packed with 100% natural ingredients, this foundation instantly transforms the clarity of skin by disguising discolouration, age spots and uneven skintone – something that more and more of us battle with as a result of negative environmental exposure.
I loved the way that excess oil was just sucked away, like it never existed, leaving my skin matte and flawless. Apart from the great coverage, and long lasting wear, skin is protected with SPF 30 protection – a must for preventing UV damage.

Available in 12 shades, i use 06 Light/ Medium – Neutral
Although in a power format, the texture is very smooth and creamy. It applies gorgeously. I have always shied away from powder foundations, which in the past have left me looking grey and cakey, this wasn’t the case with Brighter By Nature, my skin was illuminated and even. 
As an added bonus, the blend of essential oils contained, actually help prevent further discolouration to the skin. Overall this is not only a super item of make up but also works by protecting skin in various ways. Its definitely worth trying out if you like full coverage make up without the nasties. 
£24 from Origins
Quick, Hide! Concealer
For me, when it comes to concealer i just want it to do the job – and hide the unwanted. Its a simple ask but in reality there are not many products that do the job. Oh i have tried them all; concealer sticks, liquids, powder concealers, pastes, creams…the list goes on. After overcoming the issue of finding a perfect colour match, i would then have to deal with products becoming flakey and cakey, or settling into lines and instantly ageing me, sometimes i was better off without concealer!

Available in 6 shades, i use 03 Medium
So, honestly when i tried out Quick, Hide! i didn’t have much faith. BUT, this product actually does exactly as it says. It hides dark circles and blemishes, it is creamy and smooth and there is just no messing about. It lasts all day and does not creep into creases or lines.

At £12 this is well worth the investment, it will perk up tired eyes and hide those pesky blemishes.