NOSE CONTOURING: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

I feel as if even the people that don't follow me on Instagram but just read my blog will really enjoy this one (don't look so guilty ;)). It's that one blog post that I spill ALL. My pet peeve is when I see obvious nose contour! As a perfectionist, harsh contour really irks me. I don't know if people know that they are doing it or are intentionally going for the drag queen contour? not that there's anything wrong with drag queen makeup, If you like it then that's ok. Each to their own.

If that's the look you're not going for then read on! I'm going to explain my knowledge on nose contouring as much as I can and I will include diagrams to show you. Many of you reading this have either a bulbous nose, hook, slight hook, drooping tip, wide bridge, crooked from the front, long, short...which ever shape you have there is ways to make it less prominent. I'm not a surgeon so I won't promise perfect results...just enough for it to look smaller? defined? Yes.

Some of you, like my sister Sonia might be blessed with a perfect sloped nose and others may have decided to choose to go under the knife and try rhinoplasty which is a personal preference. Some may fear of being unconscious and having their nose broken and reshaped. That's where contouring comes in (woohoo!)

The first thing to remember when contouring is: THE MORE YOU SHADE THE MORE OBVIOUS IT WILL LOOK! I see women in real life and all over social media and I am automatically drawn to the middle of their face because the contouring is either too harsh, too orange or too muddy making the nose look more prominent and masculine. 

The contour shade you choose for your nose must be lighter than the one you use for your cheeks and the rest of your face. Whether you're using cream or powder it always has to be a cool tone. Cool tones mimic the natural contours and shadows of the face. ORANGE IS A NO!

STOP following the contour pictures you see on IG, everyone's nose is different and seeing the same contour and highlight on everyone's nose bothers me.

HERE WE GO.

1. If you have a wide bridge concentrate on shading out the darker areas of this diagram and then connect with the sides of the nostrils. This is best done with a cream contour. It will take some practice before you perfect it.

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2. You want to make your nose appear shorter but a little wider too. down your nose use a concealer that's three shades lighter after that apply the contour shade. Concentrate on the tips and the sides of the nose. Blend well is a 224 brush by MAC until seamless. 

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3. STOP highlighting all the way down, you only need the tip highlighted. Shade out the bump, like shown in diagram. 

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4. Common mistake I see all the time. If you have a dent why make it look more obvious by adding darkness to it? Opt for the lighter concealer in this area. Don't worry it won't look funny, it's all about blending it well. 

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5. Use a flat concealer brush to apply cream contour for precision, follow where the light grey colour on the diagram. You want to stop where I have put the black line. Use a powder or a white eyeshadow in the centre, making sure it's a thin line. Buff and blend with any small blending brush.

Best done over your foundation because it shows more but not too obvious. the key is to blend. I took so much time out to do these images. It's pretty simple to follow the pictures that's why there's less description. Be patient and practice. I'm not promising miracles but it's a difference. 

Conquer that contour! wooop!

Fyza xoxo

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Dry skin tips and TOP 5 foundations for dry skin

Weather's getting colder and skin is getting drier. I find there's hardly ever any posts for dry skin people. I've worked with all skin types so it's come to a point where I know what foundation works best for what skin type. Dry skin is usually more difficult than oily, believe it or not.

I find there's so much on the market for oily and combination skin but dry skin barely gets  any attention. I get a lot of messages from girls that have dry skin and many emails from women who suffer from eczema and psoriasis. Eczema and psoriasis are both dry skin conditions. It isn't contagious because it's most likely genetic. A lot of foundations will look great when first applied on dry skin but after a few hours you will notice it can separate and cling on the dry patches that weren't even visible at first.

I like to prep a client that has any of those skin conditions well. The skin is always dehydrated and thirsty so it needs A LOT of moisture. I've talked about Ultra Bland by Lush Cosmetics before, It is a facial cleanser that contains almond oil, rose water, bees wax and honey. These ingredients work great for dry skin. When applying this it's best to use a decent amount and gently rub in the the skin not blending it in as well as you would a moisturiser. Leave it on the skin for approximately 8 minutes. You won't look crazy or funny whilst you wait because it's colourless once applied. You then run a few cotton facial pads under lukewarm water and gently remove the cleanser, tap dry with a face towel and you will be left with supple, baby soft skin. You then can start applying your regular skin care.

People that have dry skin like the glow, youthful foundation finish so I will tell you my favourite primers/bases and foundations to achieve this look. Applying a primer ill help your makeup last longer.

These products are in no order

Primers

1. Makeup Forever hydrating primer. Lovely consistency, blends to nothing and is light weight. You will notice after you have applied your foundation that this primer is great.

2. Smashbox Photo Finish hydrating primer. Lovely scent, very fresh. It is a blue colour but goes on clear. Feels refreshing and instantly perks up dry looking skin.

3. Charlotte Tilbury Wonder Glow primer. Gorg golden primer, not only is it great for a gorgeous dewy glow it gives a soft focus effect to the skin. Blurs out fine lines and reduces the look of pores leaving you with a Jlo-glow.

4. Bourjois Happy light luminous primer. The description is in the title! Light and luminous :) leaves you with a nice complexion and will look pretty when it shows through your foundation.

5. Lorac "I'm so sensitive" Primer. Free from oil, fragrance, silicone and parabens, this primer is perfect for sensitive dry skin. It is water based and hydrating. Helps your makeup to stay put for a while! It has ingredients that are beneficial to your skin too.


Foundations

I like to mix my products up. High end products don't necessarily mean they are better. You will find that sometimes drugstore makeup works just as good or sometimes better. It's all about personal preference and what your skin works well with.

Growing up I had super dry skin but as I hit 20's it got oily in my t-zone so I am now left with combination, unlike my sister Sonia who is just oily. I know a lot about dry skin, not only from my own experience but from clients too.

1. Dior Skin Nude. I always rave about this one but it has such a pretty finish and still looks and feels like skin.

2. Benefit Cosmetics Hello flawless foundation. Love the colour range, blends well and looks best when blended with a beauty blender.

3. Hourglass Veil foundation. Hydrating, evens skin out, smoothes fine lines and is perfect for every day wear.

4. Mac Face and Body. CLASSIC fave. I think it should be in every dry skin persons makeup bag! The coverage isn't full but it works well when you add this do any other foundation you are using (If you want more coverage). Better for day time, undertones are great, finish is like second skin and it is so light weight.

5. Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation. I think this brand is growing on me! It is a gel-like foundation and I know they are the best for dry skin. Makes skin look radiant and it contains vitamin-rich formula - FRUIT! litchi, goji berries and pomegranates. Long lasting and evens skin out as well as brightening.


These are my personal favourite's that I have used on so many of my clients and they have always been happy with their base. If you have dry skin be sure to try any of the recommendations and I can promise you that you won't be disappointed.


Glow on and try them!

Fyza xoxo

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Making your Beauty Blender last longer!

A quick post to share something I have been doing for a while, Actually It's something we both have been doing. I'm sure we all use Beauty Blenders by now...

Beauty Blender's make us always think 'what was I doing with my life before I discovered a beauty blender?' Beauty Blenders are what create your perfect, long lasting base. The problem with these little pink sponges is how long they last. You will notice after around five months of using your beauty blender it won't 'work' the way it did when it was fresh and new looking. They say to ONLY use the BB soap but it runs out so quick! 

I found my self washing my Beauty Blender with hotel soaps every time I had a booking in a hotel and I needed to go from client to client in a day. Since then neither of us have stopped using hotel soaps, It will make your beauty blender look like its brand new! Works just as good as the beauty blender cleanser except you're not paying for it, it's complimentary from the hotel ;)

Your Beauty Blender will feel and look like it's never been used. Avoid using shampoos, washing liquid and hand gel to clean them because it will ruin your Beauty Blender and they're not exactly cheap. We're talking about the real deal, Original Beauty Blender here btw. 

Beauty Blenders come in the classic pink, white and black. We suggest you use the white for things such as skin care - serums, moisturisers and primers. The black for your cream bronzers and contour and the pink for your foundation :)

We hope you enjoyed this quick post. who doesn't love tips on how to save your money!?

Happy blending,

Sonia & Fyza xoxo

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Tom Ford Exclusive Scent Dinner In Dubai

I did not expect this heat in October! That's the first thing I thought as I walked out of Dubai airport in my thick jacket and comfy joggers. I had just flown from London to Dubai for an exclusive event with Tom Ford. I was invited by Estee Lauder for a scent dinner with Tom Ford. What's a scent dinner? I've never attended one before so this should be interesting.

"Scent Dinners are the combination of fine dining with a stimulating interactive master class in scent & perfume, two parallel dinners, one olfactory and invisible, the other gustatory and edible."

Prior to the evening event I was invited to have a private makeup session with Matthew Tyler who is the International Education Director for Tom ford Beauty. I got to try the new products that had launched in the Middle East, I got to ask questions about each product as he told me what suited my skin tone best. It was such a great experience.

I know that many of you are huge fans of Tom ford products, espcially his scents. They are rich, long lasting and unique. Hearing how much thought that goes into a scent was very facinating for me. I love how we all have been thought about in so much detail when this scent was created. If you love Tom Ford scents as much as I do you will really enjoy this post. I want to make you experience it as much as possible through me!

The scent dinner was held at the Burj Khalifa and I was with around 10 other beauty bloggers from around the Middle East. I tried to take down as much information as possible so I could share it with you all. 

This was our menu. This dinner was for the new fragrance launch of Tom ford's Noir Pour Femme in the Middle East. Each course represented an element of the fragrance, so each course we were handed a stick with a scent which made up of the final scent. we weren't allowed to try the actual scent till the end of the meal. This is what our minds/imaginations were for. We had to guess what the final scent would be like based on the scent broken down.

There was Opulent, Addictive and Provocative. The three sides to a woman? maybe.

The first meal was Heirloom Tomato 'Tarte Fine' and it contained Basil, wasabi mustard, burrata and orange sense. From looking at the menu I instantly knew this scent has a fruity side to it which is definitely a favourite of mine. Once the dish was placed in front of us all we could smell the richness of this pizza looking first course. It tasted like the first scent we were given. it was so strange but amazing at the same time. 

 

The flavours together worked beautifully and the feeling of tasting a perfume you could smell is so hard to put in to words.

We were given a Ginger Sorbet with Orange zest to cleanse our palate for the main corse

"This represents the top note, citrus based, the opulent. citruses including mandarin orange oil, bitter orange oil and ginger. This represents more of the confident side because its open, airy. We like to call this opulent" 

- First Note Scent Description

The main course was Brittany Lobster 'Open Lasagne' which was Kulfi royal cardamom-saffron sense and pistachio crust. 

with this dish I didn't really know what to expect. We were told that the base was a Kulfi cream, the middle was a pasta with lobster and a pistachio topping. Matthew explained what kulfi is and where it came from. The history to it was that it originates from India and it was a dessert that was made for the royals at the time. It was meant to be a cold dessert, much like ice cream. Ice would be collected from the Himalayan mountains and then this milk like texture was mixed in and topped with rose petals and pistachio. It was a dessert fit for a king! I thought this was really great to share as I love history of all countries.

This was the second note. 'Addictive'

"Sensual heart of florals, orange flower, Jasmine and rose absolute. this is where the sensual femininity comes."

- Second note scent description 

This scent was my fave and at this point I couldn't wait to try the actual perfume!

The final note was Provocative - the dessert.

This was Dame Blanche 'Profiteroles' - Pear Cremeux, vanilla ice cream and 72% chocolate. there was chocolate sauce on the side to pour over. 

"These are the base notes and what we smell are vanilla, amber and Australian sandalwood."

I wish you could smell the scent that I was smelling through the screen! It's so hard to put into words but i'm trying my best, haha!

We were finally given the Noir Pour Femme to try! This is probably my all time favourite by Tom Ford. I wasn't expecting this. It's made for every woman. It reminded me a lot of Bukhoor - بخور 

Which is wood chips that have been soaked in perfume oils and are burnt to create a beautiful scent around the house - mainly used in Middle Eastern households. The scent is usually rich and long lasting so this is what the new fragrance reminded me of. It is powdery, floral, fresh, zesty and rich all at the same time and we all agreed on this.

 

This was my first scent dinner and I learnt so much, I loved the atmosphere and I'm glad that this scent is finally launching in the Middle East. Thank you so much to Estee Lauder and Tom Ford for having me and thank you Matthew Tyler for your time. It's always great to learn more, whether it's makeup or fragrance related. Thank you for the all the makeup too, super excited to add more Tom Ford to my kit and makeup bag! 

Fyza Ali xxx

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My New Foundation - Sonia

Long over due blog post guys! I'm currently in Istanbul, it's a nice evening and I'm just relaxing on the sofa on a Friday night and thought I better get this post done. I'm such a procrastinator and literally got a text from Fyza saying "do a blog post!" 

I recently started using a new foundation and concealer, I'm always searching for the ONE...foundation that is. I may have found the one but there's a drug store one and a high end one. I have oily skin so primer is a must, I'm using Maybelline baby skin Primer at the moment.

For every day makeup I go between L'Oreal True Match Liquid Foundation in W6 (I use a darker shade because of my tanning mousse) and Makeup Forever Ultra HD foundation in Y335.
I blend my foundation in with a Beauty Blender and use Tarte Creasless Concealer in Medium Tan for under eyes. 

To set my makeup I prefer to use a loose translucent powder, MUFE HD loose powder is great to buff everything together but make sure to blend this powder a lot to get the flawless finish that is awesome for photographs to.

I keep Yves Saint Laurent Touhe Eclat Blur Perfecter in my bag to control the shine on my face. This product is like an oily skin person's saviour in a little case! It oil control's the areas you want without removing or budging your makeup at all! It's weightless and the pretty packaging is most definitely a bonus.

If you have oily skin and have an olive undertone be sure to give these a try. Foundation has always been so difficult to find, especially for my skin tone so I had to share my current favourites :)

Sonia X

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READY FOR FALL! MY RECOMMENDATIONS

Autumn is around the corner which means darker tones for makeup! In this post I will be sharing my favourite products for lips, cheeks and eyes...maybe some nail colours too. The products I will be posting about don't only look great but they last all day! Perfect for Autumn.

Personally I LOVE matte skin with flushed cheeks for the fall but I like creating more of a highlighted cheek bone, brow bone and cupids bow for others. My fave highlighters are Topshop Glow dust in Radiate - it is a loose powder - If you have oily skin I suggest using a powder highlighter. Topshop Glow highlighter polish is more of a cream highlighter so this would be great for dry skin, it gives the perfect snowy/dewy highlight look. TheBalm Cosmetics Mary Lou Manizer highlighter - STONG highlight! BB+Illumination by Gerard Cosmetics - LOVE THIS, IT LOOKS GREAT UNDER OR ON TOP OF YOUR FOUNDATION, WORKS GREAT FOR STROBING. *TIP* Apply highlight on temples of forehead and connect with cheekbone to get the strobing effect.

Flushed Cheeks for fall 

Matte cream blush look great on the apples of the cheeks. My all time faves are Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Blusher in Plum, Cargo cheek activator in rose flush - OMG! do they still sell this? I'm trying to find out but it gives the most beautiful flushed look! It is a white cream but changes colour to compliment your skin tone! Topshop Cream Blush in Flush - gorg peachy tone and is matte! NYX cosmetics stick blush in Pink Lotus. Cream blushers are great for people who barely have time to apply a full face of makeup, they are multi purpose and easy to use, you can build the colour up or tone it down depending on how you feel, most definitely a must for all make-up bags!

Perfect tones for all skin types - I dare you to try them!

Barry M Gelly Hi Shine in Vega Cherry Red,  Kiko Cosmetics Intensely Lavish lipstick in 06 Melodious Wine, Nars Velvet Matte Lip pencil in Deep Aubergine, Kat Von D Everlasting Lipstick in Black cherry,  Dior Lipstick in Black Tie, MAC Cyber lipstick last but not least Wet N Wild Lipstick in Vamp It Up.

Always line your lips with a lipliner that's closest to your lipstick shade when using a dark lip colour.

NAIL IT!
Matte dark nails are so fall! The thing I love most is that I can recommend the same nail colours for everyone during autumn because they go with all skin tones. Here are some of my faves;

Barry M Matte Nail Polish in Burgundy Crush 
Nails Inc Hyde Park Court Gel Effect Nail Polish
Rimmel Nail Polish in Black Cherries
Essie Nail Polish in Decadent Dish
Leighton Denny Nail Polish in Graycious 

I have linked each product, just click the brand nail and it will direct you to where you can purchase :)

I hope you enjoyed this post and are GLAM ready for this fall. 

Fyza xxx

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My skin care - Sonia

Hi all, I'm currently going though my skin care list I wrote down and thought now is the time to get this post written. Growing up I always had good skin but a year ago out of no where I started breaking out and it got worse during the time of the month which is normal. I then realised I need to get a proper skin care routine. I will be telling you all what I use keep my skin fresh, clean, bright and how I stop pimples!

I have tried a lot of brands from Clinique, Origins, Glam Glow, Dr Nick Lowe, Lush, VICHY, Mario Badescu naming a few faves but now and then I do like to make some home recipes. I have red pigmentation on my cheeks and naturally I have a pale face which tends to look washed out without make-up so I love using a facial fake tan to even everything out. I like to get about 2 to 3 shades darker because I personally feel the darker I am the more healthy my skin looks. My skin is very oily so I have to be careful when picking moisturisers and makeup products.

For flights I also have a different skin regime and it changes depending on the country I am. I have learnt that even oily skin needs moisture, living in England with the harsh weather we get I have to have a separate one for when I am in the UK and a separate one for when I am in Turkey or Kuwait.

Morning routine facial wash for everyday
Origins A perfect world deep cleanser, using warm water then cold
followed by oil control origins moisturiser (I love origins, I discovered it through my aunt who recommended it as we have the same skin type)
If you have sensitive skin Lather’s Gentle Face Soap is also great, it calms the skin, while avocado hydrates it.

I always wait for my moisturiser to sink in before using any primer, I don't wear makeup every day but when I do I would usually apply Benefit Porefessional primer. For night time I cleans my face with Bioderm and a cotton pad after washing my face with warm water only (twice a week I will use Angels on Bare skin from Lush cosmetics, it's delicate enough to use twice a week and contains the most natural ingredients that have helped fade past acne scars and uneven skin) After I will spot treat pimples with Mario Bedescu drying lotion (it looks funny with pink dots all over my face but so worth it!) I leave this over night.

I go between Dr Nick Lowe oil control day cream and Origins Moisturiser depending on which ever is in stock. they are the BEST for oily skin!

The best way i have seen a difference my skin is when i use face masks, I use a face mask once every 3 weeks. I go between glam glow powermud mask, home made and sometimes the Montagne Jeunesse brand mask that you peel ones its dried - great for taking away dead skin.

Home Made recipe -MUST TRY!
Banana and honey face mask - I mash one banana and mix it with a table spoon of raw honey and I cut a fresh lemon in half only squeezing half into the mask. I apply this to my face with my hands, evenly. The lemon helps even and brighten skin. I leave this on for 15 minutes and rinse off with warm water followed by tapping cold water. Face masks make me feel refreshed and it's an instant boost to my skin. It's messy but effective!

My skin after 10 hours of makeup - After I applied the home remedy face mask, it was glowing because of the skin regime I used.

These are things I have tried for a while and what work best for me, if you have oily skin I highly recommend trying some of these brands!

SONIA xx

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ALL ABOUT FOUNDATIONS!

Hi, ALL! I wanted to write a blog post on this topic for a while but before I did I had to have tried most of these foundations long enough to give my honest opinion. It's been hectic with wedding season recently, as well as trials. Trials have given me the chance to try these foundations out, I ask them to keep me updated throughout the day with how their base is looking, whether it has oxidised, flaked, separated, etc.

A few things to know about foundation before reading my reviews.
If you are Middle Eastern or South Asian you will probably always need to mix your foundations, sucks I know but that's the only way you will get the result you're after. We tend to have a different undertone that's uneven. for example my client would have perfect even skin but it will be different from her chest and when she is photographed it looks odd.

Some foundations match perfectly as soon as they are applied but two to three hours later you will notice it will go grey or orange (oxidising) I think this is what the women at the counters get wrong because so many females complain that they get matched wrong, it may not be their fault it's usually the lighting of the store or by the time you get home it has oxidised and your NC30 no longer matches your skin.

When i'm applying foundation I go down the neck and on to the chest to make everything appear even. I use 2 shades, one for the face and one for the neck/chest. It looks really odd at first but my clients notice how after 15/20 minutes it looks the same colour. Have you noticed how your chest either looks more yellow toned or pink toned compared to your face?  that's why we use the two shades. One could be warm and one cool, it is basic colour theory.

If you find a foundation and one is too dark and one is too light opt for the lighter one because it will most likely darken after a while (plus with contour and bronzing it works out better). I have used the exact match on trials because that's what my client asked for and I would get a message 5 hours later saying her base was too dark, but I did what was asked. Now I try to explain to my clients as much as possible about colour theory so while they are looking in the mirror they don't get frightened.

To my current fave foundations that look great in photos and real life!

Atelier Waterproof foundation

I'm very happy to have come across this brand! This foundation has changed the look of my work completely! It gives the perfect sheen, almost like a filter. It's sweat and waterproof so all you crying brides this is the ONE! It is oil free and has hydrating agents to keep the skin looking refreshed and glowy. I really like the range of colours this foundation has, the tones are great for Middle Eastern skin tones. Scent free.

By Terry Densiliss foundation

I first tried this brand in the Middle East, They were one of my main sponsors for my workshop. I was amazed by everything especially THIS foundation. I talked to the lovely girls that worked for the brand and they gave me an insight on By Terry, they told me to try this foundation on my models and I thought why not, I love trying new foundations. I liked the slight scent, the colours were great, I mainly use shade 7.5 on olive skin tones. It was full coverage but at the same time light looking, if you know what I mean? It didn't have that cakey look I could tell it was skin. I came to discover that it had this lovely finish because it contains a serum...wrinkle serum! So that's why the skin looked so plump and glowy! It has a matte finish and it great to create an even skin tone.


Benefit Cosmetics Hello Flawless foundation

Whether you're looking for a everyday foundation or something for the evening this is an all rounder. I noticed how it worked well on a lot of skin tones, it gives a instant brightening look. I like blending this with my fingers because the warmth of your hands really works the product into the skin, you can layer this if you want it for an evening event and it will still look like skin. Works well with liquid highlighters and cream blushers. This foundation also has hydrating benefits.


Dior skin Nude foundation

I am in love with this one! Every time someone asks me "I want a foundation that evens my skin tone but I want it to look and feel light weight" this is the first product that pops up into my head. I love how this photographs, it gives the most stunning glow, yes glow not the sweaty look, haha. It has build-able coverage but i always suggest to conceal first then apply this you get a great result.You can use a face powder after this and that gorgeous glow will still be shining through. The only thing I have noticed about this that it dries darker! If you think you're a 030 go for the 020 shade instead.



Those are my most used foundations, when you mix your own I suggest you use one high end and mix with a drugstore foundation. Usually I go for brands like L'oreal, Revlon and Maybeline :)


I hope this post was beneficial to you.

Fyza Ali xoxo

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BEST LASH TREATMENT TO EXIST!???

Hey loves! I waited over two months to do this post, I was reviewing a lash treatment that I had done in Los Angeles. My cousin told me about a Salon in Beverly Hills because we were looking for somewhere to get our nails, hair and lashes done while we were there. We got recommended a few by some people but the service wasn't so great when it came to booking (manners are so important to us, once someone is rude we don't care how well known you or your business are we won't bother!) So my cousin gave me the contact details to Nail Bar & Beauty Lounge (321 S. Robertson Blvd. Beverly Hills, CA 90211)

The service here was impeccable, we felt like a part of their family straight away! Customer service is a huge deal for me, I can't deal with rude staff or attitude. They had the most amazing team for nails, the atmosphere was relaxing and the staff were talkative and bubbly, including the receptionists.

We originally went in for lash extensions but Elysee the beauty specialist recommended a new treatment to me that I had never heard of. It's a keratin lash lift that doesn't involve perming solution. I wasn't too sure about it because I've always had flat short lashes and nothing has worked so I didn't think this would make a difference. She showed me her customers before and after photos and I was gob smacked! I was sold, I had to try this treatment! The treatment is around one hour and five minutes, the most relaxing atmosphere is created for you with soothing music and I was SO comfortable, I almost fell asleep!

Here are some images

One hour and five minutes later, Elysee gently removed the tint and the silicon pads from my eyelids, not leaving a trace of tint (both top and bottom lashes were tinted), she hands me the mirror and I am in shock... I never knew I even had these lashes! She kept telling me that they were my own and not a single lash extension was used! It was like I had ten layers of the perfect application mascara, my lashes were touching my brow bone every time I blinked. She then explained the treatment in detail to me and I HAD to share this life changing treatment with you guys.

'Keratin Lash Lift' can achieve effective result on your lashes at a higher quality level compared to other cosmetic procedures. With Elysee's 'Keratin Lash Lift' & the special technique she developed, you not only significantly improve the visual effect of your lashes, but also improve the ciliary hairs. This is because it uses a KERATIN - base filler hair. As a result your lashes become thicker and thicker, increase the volume and become healthy. With absolutely NO chemicals. and it lasts up to 8-12 weeks. Keratin Lash Lift is a revolutionary European technique that adds mega volume to enhance your natural lashes. 

During the procedure she individually lifted each lash to add the appearance of extreme volume and length to my lashes. This is COMPLETELY different technique compared to everything I had seen so far. THIS IS NOT A PERM! It is safe, the results are breathtaking!

Each day for over 2 months my lashes started looking better, I showered, swam, went to the Middle East for a while and still my lashes were lifted. I barely had lashes so I can't imagine how this treatment would look on someone with good lashes. I'm looking for someone in London to do this treatment because my lashes have gone down and I am so upset, it made a huge difference to my makeup routine if I can't find someone here to do this treatment for me I will have to get on that ten hour flight to LA!

If you're in LA I highly recommend this place! I know this treatment is available in Russia but i'm not sure where else. If you know please let me know so I can share with everyone.

Thank you to Jennifer and her amazing staff at Nail Bar and Beauty Lounge not only for the best service but for her kindness, probably the highlight of our trip in California, haha!

Lots of Love from Fyza and Sonia

www.nailbarexpressbh.com

Instagram.com/nailbarandbeautylounge

@Soniaxfyza - Instagram 

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Fun Blue Make-Up Look

I love a little colour once in a while! Recently I thought I haven't done make-up on my sister, Sonia in a while...so on one of my days off I decided to do that. I didn't think of a look in my head I just went with the flow.

She already had a fresh tan with the help of Million Dollar Tan and the 48C Middle East sun, so I knew I wanted the skin super bronzy.

SKIN PREP
I started skin prep with Kiehls ultra face moisturiser, Primed with Benefit Professional primer and i let that sit on the skin for a while before starting on the base.

FACE 
Colour Correction - of course I can't do a make over with out this. I corrected the redness around her nose with green corrector, a salmon coloured concealer around her eyes slightly. Once I blended that into her skin I used Benefit Cosmetics Boing concealer to conceal any blemishes individual with a small brush and also the under eyes, I used the concealer to go over the areas I corrected with the green and salmon concealer.

Using Motives Cosmetics colour perfection quad in medium dark I slightly contoured below her cheek bones, nose and forehead- I did this before applying any foundation, concentrating on perfecting the skin with concealer, it's always best to use more concealer than foundation. Using a mixture of L'oreal True Match and MAC face and body in C4 with a Beauty Blender to blend the contour and concealer together. I take a while to blend it all together until it is seamless, you're not supposed to be able to tell where you started and where you stopped. The skin should be glowing and contoured to perfection at this point - no harsh lines or muddy looking nose (if you want to know more about tones to contour i have a blog post on that too!)

To add a little OOMPH! to the under eyes I used Maybelline Age rewind foundation in Classic beige, this brightened the under eyes without the ashy/grey look. Blend with mini Beauty Blender for the best result.

EYES AND EYEBROWS
Primed with Benefit Stay Don't Stray eye primer, as a base colour I used a black kohl pencil starting form the lash line, I smudged that up to the crease using a Wayne Goss #20 Brush, I created a wing with the kohl pencil and smudged it to give a smokey effect, using the colour Naked from the Naked Palette I applied it to the crease using a Wayne Goss #19 brush, for the main blue colour I wet my Wayne Goss #18 brush  and with L'oreal infallible eye shadow in midnight blue and pressed it onto the lid, this intensified the colour. I blended that in the a clean fluffy brush so it blended in with the Naked crease colour, I finished the eyes by smoking out a black kohl pencil on the lash line and water line, wetting the brush again with the midnight blue colour and applying that on the bottom lash line.

I highlighted her brow bone and inner tear duct with Laura Mercier candle light highlighter.

For brows I used MAC brow pencils in lingering and spiked, setting them with Benefit Cosmetics Gimmie Brow blonde - this technique lightens the brows!

SETTING POWDERS AND BLUSHER
I set the under eyes with Colourless Ben Nye loose powder, I powder contoured with Smashbox bronzer, Cheek bone highlight by Laura Mercier loose powder in candle light, blusher is MAC fluer power.

LIPS
Estee Lauder Lip liner in nude with Nars Lipstick in Chelsea Girl



I used the buffing technique to blend it all together at the end!
If you want to know more about the buffing technique I use you can watch this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7XjD4a7xv8


I hope you benefited from this post.

Fyza xoxo
Instagram.com/soniaxfyza
soniaxfyza@gmail.com

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Carli Bybel Make-up by @soniaxfyza

It's been a while guys! I've been sooo busy travelling that I've barely had time to actually sit down, I finally have the chance to sit in my bedroom and write this blog post for you guys as I know so many of you are interested...

I recently met the beautiful Carli Bybel and had the opportunity to do her makeup! We have been following each other for a long time and I have been a fan of hers for as long as I can remember, so to me this was a huge deal to be getting the chance to glam her. She has the most stunning features to work with! I wanted to play it safe because it was my first time doing her makeup I didn't want to load her with layers of makeup, a smokey eye or matte powdery face.

I decided to go for something that Carli was already familiar with, a gold two toned eye, dark smoked liner, bringing her blue eyes out and making the main focus on her skin. radiant and fresh!

Skin

I prepped Carli's skin with Charlotte Tilbury's magic cream - Carli was new to CT makeup products and I love introducing her range to people because it's one of my faves!

I then used Wonder Glow by Charlotte Tilbury, giving the skin a pretty glow.

Coverage

For her base I applied Dior Skin Nude foundation in the shade 040, keeping the glow by blending with a Beauty Blender. 

For under eye concealer I used Laura Mercier Secret Camouflauge concealer in the shade SC4

I contoured her cheekbones and nose with Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate intensity two using the 16 brush by Wayne Goss and again blended with a Beauty Blender.

Eyes

The base is done and blended, I take A LOT of time on blending! I primed her eyes with Nars eye primer, first lid colour - L'oreal Infallible eyeshadow in 021 Sahara Treasure, Charlotte Tilbury Eyeshadow quad in Golden Goddess: crease colour bottom right of palette, inner corner colour is the top left. I blended the colours with the base shadow colour using 03 Brush by Wayne Goss, Using Charlote Tilbury's eyeliner in bedroom black I lined the top lid creating a wing with the pencil (this pencil glides on so it's easy to create the shape, it goes on like a gel and dries like a tattoo!)

For her waterline I used a nude eyeliner from MAC in NC30, smoking her bottom lash line with Golden goddess palette by CT with two of the colours on the right mixed smudging it with 07 brush by Wayne Goss. I applied a few coats of full fat lashes mascara by Charlotte Tilbury.

Brows

Anastasia Bevery Hills brow powder in soft brown, 08 Brush by Wayne Goss I did a stroke technique that mimics natural hair growth making the brow appear fuller - think more Cara D than IG fade brow!

Setting the brows with Benefit Cosmetics Gimme Brow in Medium (tinted brow gel) - it gets rid of the grey grow look when you apply foundation over them by mistake.

Contour and Setting Powders 

Chanel loose powder

Smashbox Bronzer in medium to bronze forehead and add warmth to the skin with The holiday brush by Wayne Goss

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow to set Contour with 14 Brush by Wayne Goss

MAC blush in Style

Laura Mercier Candle light loose highlight powder for extra glow.

Charlotte Tilbury pressed powder in medium to buff everything together using Brush 11 by Wayne Goss.

Lips

04 Rose lip liner by Estee Lauder - Lining slightly over

filling lips with Hourglass Cosmetics Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in the shade Canvas.

Finishing off with my fave setting spray - Fix+ by MAC

That's every detail of the products I used,  Sorry if there is a lot of high end products, that wasn't my intension it happened without me realising. None of these images have been retouched or enhanced in any way! Hoping to do a dupe post on my fave products. I really hope you enjoyed reading this detailed post on the look I created for the beautiful Carli Bybel, she is such a sweetheart and I'm so happy I got to meet her and Brett <3

XOXO Fyza

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BANISHING OILY SKIN!

What's worse than looking like you could fry an egg on your face after 4 hours of applying your makeup? I say nothing! I always see posts and products for people who suffer from dry skin but barely come across anything for oily skin. My sister Sonia suffers from terrible oily skin which is why I have gone through a lot of products to get the perfect looking base.

There's a difference from "Dewy" and "Greasy" we all want the JLO glow but how can we achieve that without looking like a hot mess?! keep reading ;)
I find that greasy skin makes the face appear larger, if you have an oily forehead it looks bigger, same with a shiny nose and chin. You don't want to pack on the powder because it will start to look cakey and oxidise which is awful for your pores - poor pores.

A great skin regime is the first step to fighting oily skin so go over to my post about skin prep if you want to know more about that. Using a good moisturiser (remember every skin needs moisture no matter what skin type you are) is key!

BEST moisturiser for oily skin

Origins - Zero Oil Moisturiser 

This moisturiser is light weight - I'm sure we all hate the feeling of a heavy moisturiser. This sinks into the skin beautifully, one of the key ingredients is mint which has so many benefits for the skin. It hydrates, controls oiliness as it contains vitamin A, Soothes, Rejuvenates and refreshes the skin making it bright and soft. It contains Salicylic Acid which stimulates exfoliation at skins surface helping to minimise and unclog pores.



What's the best foundation for oily skin?
probably the question millions of the people working at make-up counters get daily! From doing my own research and buying the products myself I have a few good choices that I think are great for oily skin.

Full to sheer coverage

Estee Lauder Double Wear

If you want full coverage this is a great choice. So many of us love this foundation, the finish is lovely, great consistency, doesn't transfer.



Clarins Ever Matte Foundation

This foundation is COMPLETELY MATTE! If you love a matte finish then this is the one for you. You have to be careful when you match this one though as it dries a different tone from when it is first applied. Full coverage, givers a powder matte finish.



Lancome - Teint Idole Ultra 24H

Gorgeous liquid foundation that has a nice consistency, completely matte coverage without the powdery look, long lasting, velvet feeling and a shine-free finish!



L'oreal - Magic Nude Liquid Powder

Yes, it's a drugstore foundation! L'oreal is one of my fave beauty brands! So the Magic Nude Liquid Powder foundation is more of a medium coverage, dries matte, transforms from a liquid to powder, looks like skin, great for no makeup makeup look but only if you have decent skin to begin with. If you have blemishes i suggest you conceal them first before applying this. Best used with fingers as a brush or sponge would absorb too much product and it would be a waste. very "every day" foundation. This product is very watery! reminds me so much of Giorgio Armani maestro...*FUN FACT L'oreal and Giorgio Armani makeup are made in the same factory!


Remember to apply your foundation to well moisturised skin.

WE ARE LOVING...
YSL TOUCHÉ ECLAT BLUR PERFECTOR

Walking through Selfridges (as you do..) I see something from the corner of my eye at the YSL counter... what is this pink thing? the packaging is divine! I dip my finger into the tester and I am instantly amazed at this product as I am applying it at the back of my hand. It's a balm? It can't be a primer...could it be? So i ask the kind lady working there to explain what this is, I needed to know! Apparently you apply this OVER your foundation!? first thing that popped into my head was.. cakey!? but she had already answered my thoughts. It's an invisible foundation, you use it during the day for touch ups when you are oily. I wanted to try this so she scraped some out and put some at the back of my hand, I started to apply it on my super oily chin, WOW! was my first thought, it was so light weight, no sign of cakeyness and it made it look like I had fresh foundation applied. It's great for minimising the look of large pores, comes in the cutest packaging! I had to let you all know about this. It is around £30 which isn't what i had expected it to be. (thought it would be more pricey!) BEST thing for oily skin that I have tried so far.


TATCHA TATCHA BLOTTING SHEETS

Our fave blotting sheets! They don't budge your makeup at all and keep you looking pretty and matte during the day. Apparently a beauty secret kept by Japanese Geishas for centuries. Gold-infused papers remove excess oil and sweat without disturbing makeup or stealing moisture from the skin.




We hope this post helps you control your oily skin!

Fyza & Sonia xoxo

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