January Favorites!

Assalamu wa Alaykum/Hi,

It's been a while! I'm in my second week of my last semester in college. I can't wait to graduate! My mind is not for school work anymore. Anyway, this post is going to be my January Favorites. I'm only included things I haven't talked about in a previous favorites post/video. So, this post isn't going to be a long one.

1. Bobbi Brown Bronze Glow Highlighter
Okay, I lied. This highlighter was in my last favorites video on my channel. I love it that much. Everyone, on YouTube especially, raves about it. It's more gold than bronze on my skin tone. But, it's still beautiful.

2. MAC Conceal and Correct Palette in Medium/Deep
I've been using the Burnt Orange shade in this palette the most to conceal the darkness under my eyes and around my mouth. I mix NC 40 and NC 42, the two top concealers to conceal and highlight under my eyes.

3. Tarte Tartelette Palette
If you watch my latest tutorials you would know of my love for this palette. It's my first completely matte palette and I love shimmer. It's also my first Tarte palette. The shadows don't seem to swatch nicely but they apply well. I did a separate review video with swatches on my channel. That video should be in the video player on the right side of my blog. If it's not there already it will be there soon.

4. NARS Audacious Lipstick in Kelly
All the hype surrounding the NARS lipsticks made me want to get one bad. I picked this one up at the NARS boutique on Madison avenue. I was going to get a more natural color but my friend convinced to get something bright for spring. I guess when the makeup artist that was helping us heard spring she went all out because this color is so bright. It's not even the first one she tried on me! That one was even brighter! When I saw this on my first reaction was to take it off right away. But, that had more to do with me than the lipstick. However the more I looked at myself with it on, the more I came to like it.

This shade is exclusive to NARS boutiques. (and possibly Barney's? I'm not 100 percent sure.) That makes it even more special to me because it can't be found everywhere. It's a bright pink/coral color. I wore this lipstick in my December Ipsy video. The formula of these lipsticks are amazing! It's so creamy! I intend to get more very soon

5. Laura Mercier Invisible Loose Setting Powder
I received this powder in one of my previous Ipsy bags. I use this powder to set my under eye concealer/highlight and anywhere else that I've cream highlighted, such as the bridge of my nose, my forehead, and my cupids bow. Although it's invisible it brightens my under eye in a way that doesn't look unnatural.

6. L'oreal True Match Foundation in W8
I don't have that many drugstore foundations for winter. Most of the ones I have are for my summer shade. So, I decided to pick this one up and I'm so glad that I did. Since the weather is much colder and dryer now, my skin has gotten significantly dryer. This foundation isn't completely matte. It has more luminosity to it than say my BECCA Ultimate Coverage Creme foundation which I also love. I prefer to apply this foundation with my Urban Decay Optical Blurring Brush and it's perfect for every day. The coverage is medium and that's perfect for every day. However, I usually don't use it when I'm filming. My camera shows everything which is a good and a bad thing.

7. ELF Complete Coverage Concealer Palette
I bought this concealer palette mainly to cream contour with. It also has a shade that is perfect for me to spot conceal imperfections with. The concealers are creamy and pigmented. For only $3 that is a steal!

So, That's it.

What have you been loving in the month of January?

Until Next Time,

Aleema :)

Outfit of the Day # 12

Assalam Wa Alaykum/ Hi,
I should be studying but I decided to take a quick break and make this post. I've been slacking on taking pictures for this fall/ winter. But, I happen to have some that I have not put up and this is one of them.

I'm not quite sure how to describe the top I'm wearing in this. As you can see it is a button-down and it comes with a belt. I'm wearing a white inner shirt because it is sleeveless and black jeans. For my hijab I'm wearing a sparkly white hijab with a purplish-maroon hijab that has little baubles on the ends of it. I've shown the last hijab before in a haul I think. I'm not sure if I've mentioned this already but the only thing I don't like about it is that if you don't style it right the baubles will hit you in the face. That's it.
P.S. I have an instagram! My username is asanusi. So, check it out.
Until Next Time
Aleema :)

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Went To College

Assalam wa Alaykum/ Hi,
It's about that time of year again. Classes are going to be starting soon. I start next week. I can't believe I'm a sophmore. Three more years to go! Anyway, I saw some youtube videos on this subject and decided to do my own. This post will be about college related advice.
1) Get a Tutor
You may not think that you need one, but having is definitely helpful. I didn't listen to my dad when he told me this at first because I was lazy. But, when my grades started slipping. I quickly went and got help.
2)You Will Have a Lot of Free Time
Since most college freshmen have only 5 classes spread out over a week, there is a lot of free time before, between, and after classes. I remember during my first semester I had a 6 six hour break between classes on Tuesday and Thursdays. I used those days to do laundry and homework. It's best to plan for that time. I know it may seem obvious but I didn't realize the big break I had between classes until I actually started classes and I didn't know what to do with myself.
3) Budget Your Money (& Dining Dollars)
This is really important. It may seem like it is another common sense thing but it is really easy to forget that you need your money for certain things. Especially, if you are in the mall and you see something you really want. :) This happens to be way too much. Which is why I don't like going to stores unless I have money. You have to make sure you have what you need before you get what you want. Also, if your college/ university gives you money on your account that comes with your  meal plan to use at cafes and restaurants on campus (i.e. dining dollars), don't spend them all on smoothies or naked juices in one month. You will want them later.
4) Get a Job
I have always had a job. It was part of my financial aid. But, I do have friends who don't and wish they did or had a hard time finding one. A job will help with the big breaks between classes and it will help add to your resume.
5) There Are Crazy People Out There
When your mother warns you to be careful of strangers and the there are crazy people out there, listen to her! You don't know everyone's mental states, so be careful of who you bring back to your room (or alone with). At my school, I heard a girl getting raped at a party and then the whole campus received an email when a sex offender started attending classes. So, just be careful. Stranger Danger! Not to say that you shouldn't meet knew people and make friends, but be aware.
6) It is Possible To Keep in Touch
A lot of people assume that since you're going away for school, you can't keep your old friends. That's not true. I kept in touch with all of my close friends when I went away. Programs such as Skype, Oovoo, and Facetime makes it easier. The thing is, both sides have to make the effort. I have lost touch with a few friends because they were to busy to talk, hang out, or even text.
7) Dining Hall Food Sucks
No one makes food like your mom. That's a given but dining hall food can be an extreme sometimes. I've actually skipped meals because the food looked questionable or I didn't like it. Solutions for this would be (a) buy food for your room (b) learn to cook (c) order out. I have done the former and the latter. This semester I'm going to try cooking from time to time.
8) Prepare for the Weather
In college, you spend a lot more time outside than you did in high school. Your classes may be in different buildings. So, you're exposed to the elements. Make sure you're prepared for the weather for the day.
9) Buy a Planner and Use It
Organization is key! A planner will help you stay on top of your assignments and due dates.
10) Pack Light
In Dorm rooms space is very limited. Storage containers are very helpful. Bring only what you need.
Okay that's it. Is there anything you wish you knew before you went to college? Was this helpful?
Until Next Time :)

September Favorites

 Assalam Wa Alaikum/ Hi,

So, I'm on day 3 of a 4 day break and it's raining outside. I decided to do a favorites post to ward off boredom. This post will be about things that I really like and a review on things I've bought recently.
1) Urban Decay Naked Palette:

I absolutely love the Naked Palette. I've had it for a couple months now. I've kept the packaging because I don't have anywhere to put it without it getting messed up.

You can't really see how pretty the colors are in this picture.

This isn't much of a help either. I'll write out the name of the colors from right to left (top row then bottom)
Colors: Virgin, Naked, Buck, Smog, Toasted, Creep, Sin, Sidecar, Half baked, Darkhorse, Hustle, Gunmetal
Also, the one I have comes with a sample primer potion and a brush not 2 eyeliners.

2)Urban Decay Primer Potion:

I just bought the original one a couple days ago. But, I already know I love it because of the sample I got with the Naked Palette. The other one is in the color Sin. I usually wear that one alone because I rarely have a reason to layer it under and eyeshadow. I'm actually wearing it in these pictures I believe.

3)Stila lipglaze tri-cool:

Sorry it seems that the camera on my laptop turn the picture backwards. Anyway, these are the cool colors. They also have warm, I think. They should. I got this because I don't really have many lipglosses.  The colors are grapefruit, seashell, and raisin. (right to left I think.) However, I must say that these are the mini version. I didn't know that when I bought it. I don't regret buying it because Stila was doing online sale called Friends and Family, I believe, and they took 2 dollars off the original price and there was no shipping or tax. So, I paid a little over 9 dollars for it and the original price was 12. I pretty much like the colors and they come on nicely. But, it's not a lipgloss it's a lipglaze so it's not as slick.

4) Clinique Acne Solutions kit:

It's a three step skincare routine. Sorry for the glare. The first one(right to left) is the cleansing foam, the second is the clarifying lotion except it's more like a toner, the third is the clearing moisturizer. It also comes with spot healing gel. My skin is ver prone to acne. I don't know if you noticed in any of my pictures, you probably have, but I breakout a lot. I've always been on this constant quest to find something to get it to stop. So far Acne Solutions have been working for me. I'm not saying I don't breakout any more, but it's less. However, it also has this drying effect. I don't have dry skin. Quite the opposite actually but somehow it manages to dry my skin, usually around my mouth. So, I end up using another moisturizer. But, I think it's good. It comes with a bag.

That's the bag. One last thing...the size. The sizes for these are

1.7 oz Acne Solutions Clearing Moisturizer Oil-Free
- 1.7 oz Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam
- 0.5 oz Acne Solutions Spot Healing Gel
- 3.4 oz Acne Solutions Clarifying Lotion (Got info from Sephora).

I didn't pay attention to this when I bought it online. Yeah I really need to start paying attention to the things I buy.So, it was smaller than I expected, but I've had for at least 2 weeks and I still have a way to go. I'll probably by the regular sized ones next time.

5) 2 Samples from Sephora

-Coralista blush  & It's potent eye cream from Benefit

I got these two samples from my last trip to Sephora a couple days ago.

Coralista blush:

I so badly wanted to like this blush. Especially since I used my 100 pts to get it. I was happy with it when I first opened it. It was a pretty color and it smelled really nice. However, when I put it on I found out that it was too light for me. I couldn't see it and when I tried to build it up I was rewarded with this metallic sheen on my cheeks. I'll probably check out their blushes in a darker color...maybe. I usually don't wear blush.

It's potent eye cream:

They just gave me this eye cream. It was random but I didn't mind. I use it at night because I don't want it to mess with my primer if I wear eyeshadow. The little pot it came is adorable. I'm not sure if it's working because I've been using it for two days now. However, it does help with the dryness that happens around my eyes as a result of Clinique Acne Solutions.

6) Victoria's Secret Smooth FX Lip scrub & Balm:

I am a love of Victoria's Secret and this balm did not make that love wane :). This a lip scrub and balm in one. The scrub is on the bottom and it's made of sugar and the balm is the purple thing on top. It has a minty feeling to it. You could put lip gloss or lipstick on after the balm or just wear it alone.

7) Mia Hijabs

I recently bought two hijabs online from miahijabs.com. One was in one of my previous outfit of the days I think maybe 8 or 9 I'm not sure. So here they are:

The one on top was in one of my outfit of the day posts. For the one on the bottom, I have pictures but I have to post them. Will do...promise. Okay, the first one is mostly made of polyester so it very silky. Also, its very stretchy. I don't know if you can tell in the photo, but in the middle it looks like when you pull a string out one of your hijabs and that part gathers, it has that gathered effect but its stretches when you pull it. The second one is made of a jersey material. I love the accessories on the end! Just be careful how you style it. Put it too high and you will be constantly be getting hit in the head. One last thing the accessories are made of plastic so it doesn't hurt that much. :) So that's it. This took me all day. Hope people appreciate it. Comment...Subscribe please...

                                        Until Next Time

Outfit of the day #10

Assalam Wa Alaykum/ Hi,

So, you've probably noticed the change of background. I can't find one that I really like so I'm probably going to change it again.  Anyway, I wore this outfit sometime in May, at the end of the school year.

It's a blue and yellow maxi dress. I wore a black long-sleeved shirt under it. My teal multi-colored hijab with a yellow inner scarf. For accessories I'm wearing a necklace made of yellow circles and matching earrings and lets not forget my bow :). That's all for now I believe.

Until Next Time

Outfit of the Day#3

Assalam Walaikum/ Hey,

I'm on a roll with these outfit of the days. So, it rained...again. You know what they say about April showers. Anyway, I didn't let the rain put a hamper on my mood or my outfit today. So I'll post my outfit below:

Okay, today I wore a green top that ties. I've had this shirt for a while now. I put a yellow regular long sleeved shirt (inner) inside. I wore black jeans and Knee high boot s for the rain. Also, today people driving trucks decided it would be okay to just splash people. I almost got soaked so many times today. Anyway, for hijab I bought this scarf at a store called Rainbow. I wore black jeans and for accessories I wore multi-colored earrings. You can see them best in the first photo and an ithani hijab pin. An ithani hijab pin is a pin that is like a brooch and it has to part to clip, it is connected by a chain. So, thats it. :)

Until Next Time

Outfit of the Day#2

Assalam Walaikum/Hello,

It's another outfit of the day (obviously). So, today wasn't as nice as yesterday. Reality just had to come so soon. Okay, It wasn't as bad as last week when it snowed on the first day of spring. Anyway, it rained today. So, no pretty dress me. But, I still looked nice and this what I wore today.

So, today I did a layered hijab style to match the lace that was going on in my shirt. I wore a regular black long sleeved shirt under and black jeans. I wore knee high boots because of the rain. The only accessory I really wore today was a crystal beaded bracelet. It's on my left wrist (the wrist thats out) I don't know if you can see it but it's there. So, thats it.

Until Next Time :)

Outfit of the Day

Assalam Wa Alaikum/ Hello
I've decided to do outfits of the day. I've decided this because it would be nice to see people especially hijabis get more unusual and colorful with their outfits. Create trends instead of following them. So, this is what I wore on this  warm New York day.

So, what I'm wearing is a regular blue inner shirt under this halter dress, and I put a cardigan over it. For shoes I'm wearing black flats. But, you could wear white ones if you wanted. I just didn't happen to have them at the moment. The hijab is a scarf I bought at a local clothing store. So, thats it.

Until Next Time