NOTD: Rimmel Lycra Pro Professional Finish In Fancy Fuchsia

I'm so excited for the return of Pretty Little Liars. Only four more days left. I thought I'd do a NOTD post in honour of Pretty Little Liars. I love the nail colour that is shown in the opening credits. It's such a pretty neon pink. I want to get my hands on the exact nail polish, but till then I've painted my nails a similar colour and started counting down the days till the return of PLL!

4 days left till Pll ( In Pakistan)

The girls on the show always have the most amazing colours on their nails. They're always rocking the latest nail trends. Over the next few weeks I'm going to do PLL inspired NOTD's.  

Okay, so I know this isn't the exact shade, but this is the closest I have to it right now. I have Rimmel Lycra Pro in Fancy Fuchsia on my nails. Rimmel nail polishes are probably some of my favourites nail, because of the 'mistake free' brush. I just wish Rimmel nail polishes had a wider range of shades.

Review: Benefit Watts Up!

I admit Benefit lures me in with their gimmicky products, but that does not mean that the products themselves aren't great. I always find myself reaching for Benefit products the most when I'm getting ready. Every time I use Bella Bamba, I get asked what I have on my cheeks. Watts Up has quickly become another favourite. 

I used to reach for NARS Albatross the most for highlighting. I'm someone who doesn't do a lot of make-up. With that in mind I start getting ready minutes before I'm about to leave, and that always results in me doing my make-up in a rush. You would think I'd learn from my mistakes, but I obviously haven't. I have to leave for a friends dance practice in a bit, and I'm sitting here writing a blog post. So yeah, I used to reach for Albatross the most because it did not require much effort. With Benefit High Beam I had to work a little to blend it to perfection.

Watts Up, has now become my favourite highlighter (that didn't take long). It's a shimmery champaign beige that looks a little scary at first, but when blended it transforms into a mega-watt glow. I just swipe it on to the desired places and blend a little. I don't have to work hard or use a brush.I recommend using your fingers, rather than the sponge tip that it comes with. I used the sponge tip the first time I tried Watts Up, and it smeared my make-up a little. 

It lasts pretty for almost the entire day. I've really had time to test it out because I've been on the go with one friend or the other this entire month, and I'd come home with Watts Up still lighting up my cheeks. 

I asked my friend Anum (aka- Fairy godmother) if she'd like to model Watts Up for me.

Even though it's expensive at 30$, it's well worth the investment. 

(Yesterday, when I tried Watts Up on Anum it looked so good she now wants to use it on her Mayon (a pre-wedding celebration).)

Review: Bourjois Contour Clubbing Waterproof Eye Pencil

These last few months I've been obsessing over finding an eye pencil or liner that actually stays on my waterline. I've tried a few high end brands from Urban Decay to NARS in the hope of finding one that works for me. I have watery eyes, and when I wear lenses it gets even worse. I bought the Bourjois 'contour clubbing waterproof ' pencil two months ago and it's fared better than any high end brand. 

The black one is a repurchase (proves how much I love it). The softness of this pencils can rival Urban Decays 24/7 eye liners. The Bourjois pencil is extremely pigmented and it glides on smoothly without tugging at the skin. The lasting power of these pencils is ah-mazing. These stay on for four to five hours before they start fading just a little. I don't mind the slight fading because I'm happy I don't get raccoon eyes. I've tried both these pencils with and without lenses. They work best with my glasses because, then my eyes aren't that watery. The only issues I have with this pencil is when I'm wearing lenses. After an hour or so it'll start spreading from my inner corner. That is the only place where I experience the spreading.

The softness of the pencil makes it easy for tight lining the upper water line. However the colour transfers to my lower waterline, which I find very annoying especially on the days when I just want to tight line my upper water line. 

My sister had the same problem as me, everything she tried gave her raccoon eyes. I suggested this to her and now her pencil lasts pretty much all day, without any hint of raccoon-ie-ness (note: she does not have to wear glasses/lenses). This is what I reach for to line my water line when I plan on wearing my glasses. Since I wasn't happy when I paired it with my lenses, I continued my search for perfection. Now Bobbi Brown gel eye liner is getting a test run. 

I highly recommend the Bourjois clubbing pencils for those who have problems with pencils/liners staying on the waterline. These come in a variety of colours and are cheaper compared to Maybelline and Rimmel pencils and are definitely worth a try.

Price: RS660

Available at Al-Noor Liberty. Pot Pourri, Al-Fatah. Hyperstar and Mall of Lahore

NOTD: Luscious Nail Lacquer In Valentine

I'm going out with one of my friends today. It's going to be another day of sitting at our favourite coffee place and talking about conspiracy theories (we've just started watching The Arrivals and trust me when I say its captivating). Sounds exciting doesn't it?! Ha!Ha! 

Since I'm going out I thought I'd paint my nails a bright red. Luscious nail polishes are always a hit or a miss for me. This red (in Valentine) is my absolute favourite!! It applies smoothly and lasts a decent amount of time, but the gorgeous shade is what wins me over time and again.

 Luscious nail polishes are inexpensive compared to some other high end brands, which is always a plus point. 

Price:225

Sana

Haul: NARS,Benefit, Bobbi Brown & MAC

My best friend decided to play the part of my fairy godmother yesterday, and showered me with things that have been on my wish list for ages. I couldn't even make myself open anything because it all looked so pretty. I'd look at the pretty Benefit bag which had all the amazingness inside and think aaaaaaaaaaaaaah ♥ (it's a dreamy aaaaah of contentment and disbelief)! Before I get too carried away with the dramatics, here's a peak inside my goodie bag.

I ♥ all the gorgeous-ness inside.

Who can resist a fairy in a light bulb? I for one, cannot! I've been resisting buying this ever since it came out because it's a little on the pricey side. After I saw it had been given a 10/10 on Temptalia, I knew I had to have it in my life. 

I'm still on the quest for finding the perfect pencil/gel liner that stays on my waterline. I've found a pencil that I adore (a review coming soon) but it's not ideal for tight lining. Beauty guru's swear by the Bobbi Brown gel eye liner!! Fingers crossed!

NARS is the best when it comes to blushes. This one is in 'Deep Throat' and it's SUCH a pretty colour. 

I'm a blush addict! There is no reasonable explanation for this one. I loved the swatches online and I thought I'd give it a try. I was hoping it would look like this 

I'm still wonderstruck at the moment with all this make-up gorgeous-ness! Maybe Anum should take the role of my fairy godmother permanently  ♥. 

PS. Anum, if you're reading this THANK YOU, and you know what's on my wishlist ;p

Sana

Beauty Trail: Permanent (Upper Lip) Hair Remover Lotion

I'm so lazy when it comes to getting up upper lips done. For me it's a nightmare. I'm such a baby, I start dreading the pain and keep delaying the inevitable. Today, I finally got them done (because I'm meeting my friend Aroosa, the moochain (moustache) inspector).
The girl who was did my threading, Alisha, told me that she has a 'treatment' that can get rid of the unwanted hair about four to five months. 

 'No need for a laser treatment'

'Removes unwanted hair from your face'

Without much deliberation I screamed out a "YESSS" (it was more like "haaaan", but you get what I mean). After she did my threading, she put this serum/lotion called the 'Permanent Hair Remover Lotion' on my upper lip for about ten minutes. When the serum/lotion dried she dabbed on some more. She did the same for the third time. 

Now I'm supposed to dab it on my upper lips before I got to bed tonight. I also have to apply it once a day for the next four days. After that I have to repeat the same process she did today (dab it on three times after it dies) after fifteen days (pheeew). That's a lot of dabbing isn't it?

Hopefully after that my upper lips will be hair free for the next couple of months. Well, that is if this tiny bottle lives up to it's claim! I have my fingers crossed. I'll keep you guys updated about this 'treatment'. 

It cost me Rs600, which is pretty reasonable when I think about the painless months ahead. It didn't hurt or burn my skin when she applied it. It did itch a little but it was nothing I couldn't handle. Otherwise it just felt like a cold, thick liquid. It hasn't caused my skin to break out either. 

Let me know in the comments below if this is something you're interested in and want to see updates on. Do you dread getting your upper lips done as much as I do?

PS. This 'treatment' can be used for most parts of the body

Sana

Pakistani Style: Ethnic/Desi Style Bangles From Milli

Along with being obsessed with make-up, I'm really in to jewellery as well. You can always see my standing googly eyed in front of the jewellery section at Accessorize. I usually tend to stick to my favourite places when it comes to shopping. I'm not a very adventurous shopper. However these bangles were a bargain I couldn't resist. 

I saw my friend wearing these a few days ago. When I asked her where she got them from I expected the answer to be either Funk Asia or Nishat. I was really surprised when she told me that she'd got them from Milli (it's a shoes and accessories store in Liberty) instead. 

Nishat and Funk Asia have ethnic/desi style bangles exactly like this, and they cost around RS1200. This on the other hand is a bargain at RS390. Milli makes bangles on order as well. You can tell them the colours and the material you want your bangles in. How cool is that?

Sana

I love these. These are an ideal way to dress up an otherwise boring outfit.

Pakistani Style: Khaadi Kurta's= Love

Out of all the boutique's in Lahore Khaadi is my favourite! I'm pretty much obsessed with it. It was my birthday a week ago and I got two new Kurta's. Yay! One I purchased myself. 

(Post's like these might be helpful for those Pakistani's who live abroad and want to know what the latest fashion these days is.It could also be helpful for all those who live here and haven't been to Khaadi in a while.)

My friend Aroosa and I were supposed to be window shopping the day I bought this one. I went to try a couple of the kurta's just for the sake of it, and both of us fell in love with this one. Obviously both of us gave in to the temptation (ha!ha!That does not sound right :p). 

 I also got this for my best friend who lives in Dubai. I showed it to my aunt and the next day she got one for herself as well.

This pretty white and blue frock has really exaggerated dropped corners and pleats on the sleeve and above the chest. 

Even though it looks really simple, when paired with white tights or churidaar it looks so GOOD!

This is one my birthday presents. This is something I wouldn't have gotten for myself. That is why I'm so happy I got it as a present because I got to try something I wouldn't have picked out for myself and still love it. I pair it with black tights. It's really loose and has a hint of dropped corners. The sleeves can either be worn normally or buttoned up half way.

I got this as a birthday present as well. I wore it to a friends get together last weekend and it got so many compliments. This is probably my favourite out of the three. This one has a dropped corner thingy in the middle which has pretty thread work tracing all around it. 

I haven't been to Generation in ages. Their quality has deteriorated so much this year. I would love to know which of the two you prefer, Khaadi or Generation?

Is there anything in Khaadi that is on your wishlist. (I have one on mine)

Sana

NOTD: Bourjois 'So Laque Ultra Shine' in Rouge Diva

Since I'm blogging after what feels like forever, I though I'd start with something small. A NOTD post seems perfect for my plunge back in to the blogging world.

I've been lusting after dark nail colours ever since YouTube beauty guru's started sporting them on their nails in the beginning of fall. My nail polish collection mostly consists of bright summery colours and I've been putting off buying any 'winter/fall' colours because I couldn't justify adding to my already large collection (and winter has barely started in Lahore). My sister and I stopped by the Bourjois counter a few days ago and I told her to get this colour for herself. Since then this is all I've been gravitating towards. Last night I was watching a new Juicystar07 video and she had a similar colour on her nails. (You can imagine the delight of this YouTube addict)

The Bourjois 'so laque unltra shine' is a little on the pricey side but I love the formulation and  lasting power (It's easy to love it because I wasn't the one who splurged on it). It  glides on smoothly, without streaking and it lasts for more than 5 days on my nails. Which is quite an achievement since nothing lasts on my nails more than two to three days at the most.

The shade I have on is Rouge Diva which is a pretty deep red.
Price: RS690

Sana

I'm Baaaaaacck ♥

It's been almost two months since my last post. Back then I was sure my camera would be back in shooting condition in no time. Sadly, the news wasn't good and I had to let it go. The mourning period is over and done with. A new camera (hopefully a pink one) is on the cards, but till that happens I thought I'd start blogging again. I missed it so!

New posts will be popping up soon ♥ . 

Make-Up Envy- Vanessa Hudgens

I love Vanessa Hudgens make-up in this picture. It's so simple, but I adore the effect the silver pencil is giving.   It's the perfect pop of colour without going over board, and without putting too much effort. I went and got myself a black and sliver pencil just to re-create (this extremely) easy look.

I'm always nervous when I try something new, especially when it comes to make-up. I tried the silver and underneath the black on one eye before buying the silver pencil, and showed it to Aroosa who was with me at the mall. It's safe to say I was relieved when she liked the end result.

I forgot to apply the silver on the other eye, and later walked around the mall with mismatched eyes. *blush*

Is this something you already do (apply silver pencil, not walk around the mall with mismatched eyes), or is it something you're going to try out?

Sana

How To: Rachel Zoe's Wavy Hair

Blake Lively, Gabriella Wilde and Nicole Richie

Demi Lovato

I've always been a fan of Rachel Zoe's subtle, effortless wavy hair. I've tried to recreate her look a few times, but my hair just has more curl to it than a subtle wave like Rachel Zoe. I've been noticing a few other celebrities with this look as well these last few weeks. 

I was going through Popsugar (I love my celebrity gossip sites) and I was so excited to see a tutorial on Rachel Zoe hair. I've tried it a few times. Yes, my hair still turns out a little more on the curly side (like Blake Lively's in the picture above), but I think I'm finally getting the hang of it.

It's a very easy tutorial and anyone can do it to create an effortless, yet chic hair style. (My hair is already on the wacy/curly side, that's why I tend to struggle a little).

Sana

PS.  My camera stopped working  a week or two ago, that is why there has been a lack of posts. Hopefully I'll get it back soon, fixed, and good as new. 

Review: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil

I had read so many reviews and seen so many video's that raved  about the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on eye pencils, that after much deliberation I decided to give them a try. My best friend sent Urban Decay Zero from the states a while ago and I got to try it over the Eid holidays.

On special occasions or events (like Eid) I tend to use my Tarte's Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder. It has magical properties! When applied over make-up, that make-up becomes sweat proof and smudge proof. You can try to smudge it as much as you want you, it won't move from it's place. That is what I thought the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on eye pencils were supposed to be like. I thought it was Zero that had the power to stay in place, rather than my finishing powder helping it stay in place (I'd applied the finishing powder under my water line). I started raving about Zero. Now, I feel a little silly doing the opposite.

On normal days I used it with the my everyday face powder, and the results weren't the same. I was second guessing everything. 'Maybe something is wrong with the one I have', ' maybe it's melted', 'maybe it's expired' or 'maybe it just doesn't work for me' were some of the things that popped in to mind (I'm the Queen of paranoia).

That's when I did some more research. What I discovered was, I wasn't the only one the pencil wasn't working for (*phew* I was a little relieved).

The Good

It is probably the most softest pencil in the world. As the name suggests it really glides on effortlessly and doesn't tug on the sensitive skin. The pigmentation is lovely, it's a deep dark black. However, it'not the blackest black one can find.

On the eye lids it lasts for a few hours. I don't have oily lids, and any eye liner works fine for me and this one is no exception either. It has a good staying power on the eye lids. (three to four hours in my case).

What I love about these Urban Decay eye pencils, is that they are available in a variety of (mouth watering) shades. Even though these don't work great for me, but when I see their colour range and their new limited edition pencils, my heart wants them all.

The Bad

The only reason I wanted this was to line my water line. I thought since these are supposed to be smudge proof and aren't supposed to budge from their place, Zero would be ideal for me. Well, its not. It hardly stays on for more than twenty minutes (at the most) before giving me raccoon eyes.

 Although they have better staying power on the eye lids, I've read reviews where people with oily lids didn't have a great experience with the Urban Decay 24/7 pencils. One can always wear a primer underneath to make the pencils last longer on the eye lids.

These pencils are not supposed to budge after thirty seconds. I thought maybe my eyes are too watery, and tried them on my hand to see if they smudge/budge. THEY DO! I smudged after more than thirty seconds and they easily budged. ( I thought these were going to be like the NARS or Make-up Forever pencil which don't budge at all after thirty seconds or more).

Final Thoughts

Zero, has been a disappointment for me. It took me a while to get over it! (Yes, I am a drama queen) These are great if they work for you, but there are cheaper pencils who work just as well. (I've found one that works even better). 

The Urban Decay 24/7 eye pencils are for 18$, and I was hoping they'd be the miracle pencils they claim to be. They're not. I suggest you either save your money and buy something cheaper or go for Make-up Forever's Aqua eyes. 

If you like creamy soft pencils that glide on like a dream, this one is for you. 

Would love to know if you've tried the 24/7 Glide-on Eye pencils. Would love to know your thoughts.

Sana