My Sephora Makeover Experience!

Assalamu wa Alaykum/ Hi,

So, to celebrate the fact that my birthday was yesterday I decided to use my complimentary Makeover at Sephora. I recently became a VIB at Sephora over the summer and the welcome kit includes a free complimentary Makeover. It's only one time though. As opposed to VIB Rouge members who can get it for free anytime.

I decided to go out to eat for dinner with my friends and I would get my makeup done during the hour and a half before. In the confirmation I was told to come 10 minutes early. I ended up being only 5 minutes early. It didn't really seem to matter because my skin consultant came at the exact time I was booked for.

She asked me what my skin type was and left to go gather products. Then my makeup artist came and asked what kind of make up I wanted to get done whether it be smoky or bright. I told her bright and that she could do whatever she wanted. I was up for anything. Then she left to go get products.

My skin consultant came back and prepped my skin. My eyes were closed for most of the time so I can't remember everything she used on me. I only remember the things she made a point to tell me that she was using. She told me she was using cleansing wipes from First Aid Beauty and an acne treatment from Clinique. She told that she used an oil as my moisturizer. I was concerned about that messing with the makeup that was going to be put on next. But, it didn't.

My makeup artist came back to color match me to what I believe to be the Lancome Teint Idole Ultra 24h. I don't know what shade but I think it's in 500 because I have a sample I'm trying out in that color. I didn't really care for the way this foundation wore on me when I tried it out previously but when she put it on it looked airbrushed.

Anyway, She showed me some purple eyeshadows from Make Up Forever's newly reformulated line and I gave her the go ahead. She spent quite a while focusing on my eye makeup. I don't mind at all because she ended doing a bright smoky eye on me and I know that requires a lot of blending. Also, she used the Benefit's They're Real Pushup liner and it seemed like she was having problems with it. It kept flaking onto my face. Even after my makeup was done I found a black speck here and there. She used the Anastasia Brow Wiz and the Dip Brow Pomade on my eyebrows.

She used a pinkish peachy eyeshadow from MUFE on my cheeks as a highlighter and it didn't emphasis my pores. She used NARS blush in Seduction on my cheeks. Lastly she used one of the new NARS lipsticks in the color Brigette I believe. She set my face using one of the Urban Decay setting sprays.

Here are some photos: I apologize my selfie taking skills were horrible that day!

After I ate. Some of my lipstick came off of course:

This one is after I returned. Was I wearing lipstick? Because I can't tell:

So, That's it.

Have had a makeover at Sephora? Did you enjoy it?

Until Next Time,

Aleema :)

August Favorites!

Assalamu Alaykum/ Hi,

August is gone and September is here! I'm excited because September is my birthday month and I'll be turning 21 on the 14th.  So, there are quite a few things that I have been liking in August and a number of them I have yet to mention here on my blog.

1. NARS Contour blush in Gienah

I am very grateful to NARS for making a contour color that actually shows up on my skin. The darker color seems to have a slight reddish undertone when it's applied to the skin. I use the lighter color to sent my concealer under my eyes.

2. Urban Decay FLUSHED Dual Ended Brush

I originally bought this brush to go with the NARS Contour blush. However, when I used them together I didn't like the results. I prefer to use this brush with blush. It applies more color than Ecotools blush brush I was using before.

3. ELF Complexion brush

This is the brush that I am currently using to apply the NARS Contour blush. Since it's tapered the top is flatter. So, it's very good at making a line for contouring.

4. Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in Dark Brown

I've recently started filling in my eyebrows, but I didn't have an eyeshadow color that was dark enough. So, I decided to just buy a product specifically for my eyebrows. The Brow Wiz is raved about by many YouTube gurus for good reason. It fills in your eyebrow but it still looks natural. Also, it comes with a spoolie conveniently placed on the end of it.

5. Benefit's Watt's Up Illuminator

I've had this product for months and have used it on and off. Apparently it's back on. It's very natural and doesn't look overly shimmery or glittery. You can use it over powder and it won't ruin your base.

6. Hourglass veil mineral primer and Smashbox Photo Matte primer

I've been trying  this combo ever since I saw Casey Holmes use it in one of her videos. I apply the Hourglass primer first all over my face but I focus it primarily on my T-zone. Then, I apply the Smashbox primer on the parts of my cheeks where I have huge pores.

So, That's it.

Until Next Time,

Aleema

September Favorites

Assalam wa Alaykum/ Hi,

I've been in Dubai for over a month now and I've only posted once...I think. Anyway, I love it here. I've been so busy sightseeing. But, since Eid is coming up (Eid Mubarak!!) I have off from classes and pretty much all my friends left Dubai. -_- At least I'll have some free time to post more. So,I haven't done one of these in a while so I figured why not.

 1) Benefit's Fake up: I have a separate review for this concealer. So, I'm not going to review it again now but I love it. All the evidence of my late nights disappear with this!

2) Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder: I've written about this powder before. This one is in the shade Deep, the darkest shade I believe. I bought this one just before I left NY. I originally had the shade Medium/Deep. I tanned and untanned repeatedly since I've been here. So, I'm glad I picked up Deep before I left. The powder is so soft.

3) Inglot blush palette: I originally made this palette for my trip to the Caribbean. However, I decided to bring it with me to Dubai also. I wore the darkest color on the left for my birthday. I had dinner with friends at the Cheesecake Factory. Sadly, I was slacking in my posts and didn't put up the pictures from that night. Anyway, I have a post up with the blush colors if you're interested.

4) Benefit They're Real mascara: I think I'll love this mascara until I die. I'm so infatuated with it. I just wish that they made a waterproof version of it because the heat and humidity here is really testing my makeup.

5) Revlon's Lash Potion mascara: I really like this mascara it gives my lashes a nice natural pretty look but They're Real is still my favorite.

6) Victoria's Secret palette: I'm not sure if this palette has a name but it is the first palette that I have ever owned and I'm rediscovering it. I have one main fav out of this palette for the moment. It is the mint green eyeshadow in the bottom row. I actually use as a liner in my bottom waterline because I can't find an eyeliner in this color. I've been looking everywhere! The only company that sells it that I'm aware of is Nars and there is no Nars in Dubai. They were out of stock of it in Sephora before I left too. :(  If you know where to find an eyeliner in a similar color let me know!

7) Sephora palette: I don't know the exact name for this one either but it looks like a Sephora shopping bag. I think it's the medium size one. I'm loving the black and brown gel eyeliners in this palette. Gel eyeliner is becoming my thing right now. As you can see I've started to hit pan on the black gel eyeliner.

So, that's it.

P.S. I've been thinking of doing a haul post but I don't know if I should do it as I shop like a 'Dubai Mall haul' or at the when I go back to NY as a 'Dubai Haul.' Let me know what you think.

Until Next Time

Aleema :)

Benefit's Fakeup Crease-Control Hydrating Concealer

Assalamu wa Alaykum/ Hi,

So, another Benefit review. I told you I'm currently obsessed. They recently came out with this concealer. I wasn't going to go for it at first because I don't normally wear concealer but I got a sample with my 'They're Real' mascara order from Benefit online. It's called the 'Fake Up' and it is a "crease control hydrating concealer."

This the box that it comes in. It also comes with a little pamphlet telling you how to use the concealer.

This is the packaging of the actual product. It looks like a lipstick. The design on the outside is very cute.

I got it in the darkest shade: 03 deep. This color is nowhere near being 'deep.' There are only three shades This is a problem that not only benefit should work on but many other makeup brands especially drugstore ones. However, Benefit's foundation 'Hello Flawless' has a decent range of shade but could also go a little darker.

I was very skeptical about this color matching when I got the sample but I said 'why not' and gave it a chance. This product really surprised me.  The color matched me very well. The product was very smooth and...soft. I can't think of a different word for it. Wait yes I can. Creamy. It was creamy. It went on nicely and blended well. Since we are having heatwaves back to back I did set t with powder and it stayed in place for the whole day.

In the picture on the left I'm not wearing anything on my face. In the picture on the right I'm wearing the Fake Up concealer. Under my eye isn't as dark and red after I put on the concealer.

On the packaging it says that: The crease-control hydrating concealer- with Vitamin E and apple seed extract- hides dark circles and diffuses fine lines for a silky smooth, ultra natural look. Fakeup never settles and neither should you.
This concealer pretty much does all that it claims to do. 

I didn't plan on buying this from Sephora when I made my trip there. I was looking for Benefit's 'Stay Flawless' primer that very recently came out, but the Sephora I went to didn't have it even though online it said they did. So annoying. I bought this instead. That was my first day trying the concealer mind you. It was about two weeks ago ago and I've used it every time that I've went out.

So, this product gets a thumbs up from me. Benefit should probably look into making darker shades, but besides that I love it.

So, that's it for now.

Until Next Time,

Aleema :)

Benefit's They're Real Mascara

Assalamu wa Alaykum/ Hi,

I'm finally able to do this review! Lately I've been exploring Benefit. I knew they had some nice things but now that I have experienced some of them I'm obsessed.

So this mascara is my all time favorite. I've recently bought my second bottle. The only thing though is that this is the travel/sample size bottle. I bought it for $10. You can find it either on Benefit's website, Sephora's website, or your local Sephora. They normally have it near the registers. The normal size is $23. Like Lancome's Hypnose Drama, I've been circling this mascara for a while as well.

 Okay so on the left I have no mascara on. On the right I have 'They're Real' mascara on. As you can see the length of my lashes are defined, my lashes are separated nicely, and it gives decent volume.

This what the wand looks like. It's spikey but not uncomfortably so, that it hurts. It get between your lashes very well to separate very nicely.  I like that the top has spikes so that you can use it for your lashes at the corners.

Claims of the Mascara: They're Real! lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts, and separates. Our jet black, long-wearing formula won't smudge or dry out. A specially designed brush reveals lashes you never knew you had.

94% saw dramatic length and volume.

90% saw base to tip curl.

94% saw visible lift.

100% saw long wearing results.

That was the mascara claims to do and they can be found on the box that like the one above or online.So, I'll go through this list.

Did I see dramatic length and volume? Yes, I did. For a while before I bought this mascara I was like 'Nah, there's no way.' Until I tried it. Now I am in love. This mascara definitely amplified the length of my lashes. Now I say amplified or maybe enhanced would be a better word because it doesn't try to add on to my lashes like some fiber mascaras do. So, I don't run into that the problem of the mascara not following the natural curl of my lashes.

Did I see base to tip curl? Did I see visible lift? I combined these two questions because the answers are relatively the same. I don't know. Curl and lift are not two concerns I have with lashes. They didn't look anymore curled or lifted than normal.

Did I see long wearing result? Yes, this mascara lasts until I take it off for the day. Unless you forget that you're wearing it and decide to rub your eyes. Then you may get some on your hand and around your eyes. That's because it's not waterproof. I don't believe there is a waterproof version. But, only a small amount comes off. Majority of it stays in place.

This mascara has a glossy finish so it looks more like real eyelashes than most mascaras. The only thing that I dislike is that a little bit too much product gets on the end of the mascara wand and I always have to wipe it off on the edge of the bottle.
So, that's it.
Have you tried this mascara? What did you think?
Until Next Time,
Aleema

Open Box: Sephora

Assalam wa Alaykun/ Hi,
I received an order I made from Sephora a couple weeks ago and decided to share it. It was a small purchase just one thing but I received a number of samples. I love getting samples. It's free stuff! So, I always utilize as many coupon offers as I can. So, let's get started:

I'll start off with the samples. The first one is La vie est belle by Lancome.

I love the way this perfume smells. I may consider buying it when it runs out. However, I'm also in love with Bright Crystal by Versace.

The next one is Marchesa Parfum D'Extase.

This perfum has a standard perfum smell. It's okay but I probably wouldn't purchase. The next one is Soap and Glory Face Soap and Clarity.

 I haven't tried this soap yet. So, I can't give any real comment about it. The next on is Benefit's Some Kind a Gorgeous in medium in a to-go size.

The packaging for this is cool! It's supposed to be a record player.

At first glance I thought the color matched me perfectly. And it did. It matched my hand perfectly. Which of course is much lighter than my face. Go figure!

Right now I'm trying to use it as a concealer. I'll see if that works. It's too cute to just throw away. Finally, my purchase for this order was Clinique's Acne Solution Clear Skin System.

So, far this has been working to clear up my face. It's going slowly though.

So, that's everything. 

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