First Impressions:InstaNatural Dead Sea Mud Mask + Retinol Moisturizer

Assalamu wa Alaykum/ Hi,

Today's blogpost is going to be my first impressions on InstaNatural's Dead Sea Mud mask and Retinol moisturizer. I refer to this as a first impressions and not a review because these two products are skin care items and I've only had them for about a week. I normally like to use skin care items for a longer period of time before I voice my opinion on them. I will do a follow up review that will be more in depth. You can visit their website here. These products were sent to me for review. However, I will always offer my honest thoughts and opinions.

• Dead Sea Mud Mask

This mask is dark gray color. It's very thick but it feels like a gel. When it starts to dry it becomes tight. However, it's not the same kind of tightness you get from an ordinary mud mask. It's as if it get progressively tighter the more it dries. It's not uncomfortable though.  When I finally washed it off my face was soft and smooth. I'll need to use it longer to see the true effects this has.

• Advanced Action Retinol Moisturizer

This moisturizer  seems to be geared toward more mature skin, which I do not have yet. It's supposed to restore and renew firmness, elasticity, and thickness of skin. I apply this in the mornings after I've washed my face. I apply a sun screen and mattifying lotion after it.  I don't use this in the evenings because I use olive oil as a moisturizer at night.  Although this moisturizer seem a bit thicker it's not as moisturizing as I would like. Especially, since it's still cold out.

When I use this I notice that any dried acne seems to go away faster. It happened to me today actually. I just washed my face so I can record a makeup tutorial for my Youtube channel and I had a dried out pimple (hate that word!) on my cheek and the scab covering (I know, gross! I couldn't think of another word) came off while I was washing my face. It didn't start to bleed or anything. My skin feels very smooth after I apply it. I don't feel the texture on my skin as much.

So, That's it.

Have you tried anything from InstaNatural? What did you think?

Until Next Time,

Aleema :)

FTC: This a sponsored post.

Review: Glamglow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment

Assalamu Alaykum/ Hi,

Over this past summer my skin has been freaking out! I haven't broken out this badly since I was in the 7th grade. So, I have been looking for a mask to help unclog my pores. Although I've heard some really good things about the Glamglow mud masks I wasn't really looking at them as options because of their price.

A few weeks later I find the this mask, the Glamglow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate, in T.J. Maxx. This wasn't the only one there. They had the supermud as well. Which I believe is the one in the white bottle and they had the one for dark circles. I paid $30 for this instead of the normal $69. $30 is still a lot to spend on a mud mask but considering it's less than half of the original price I am perfectly fine with it.

The box for this is quite large compared to the actual product. In the box you'll find a brochure that talks about all of the different ingredients in the mask and there will also be a small pamphlet with instructions.

The actual product comes in a small metal jar. It's a greenish gray color with tea leaves in it.

Directions:

• Apply a thin layer to clean face.
• Stir before use to liquefy.
• Expect a Tingle-tastic Effect in 10 mins or less.
• Remove mask with water in Circular motions to exfoliate.
• Use twice a week or as often as desired.

When I first used this I stirred it. I don't anymore it doesn't really seem necessary to me. What they don't tell you about the 'tingle-tastic' effect is that it is PAINFUL! I know everyone reacts differently to a product, but this stuff made my face feel like it was melting off! I'm not exaggerating at all. Thankfully, as it dries the sensation goes away. I do like that this product is like a 2 in 1. It's a mask and an exfoliator. 

The claims:

• Leaves skin noticeably radiant and glowing.
• Activates collagen synthesis.
• Provides gentle resurfacing exfoliation.
• Helps to leave skin smoother, brighter, and softer.
• Provides tighter skin texture and tighter pores.
• Helps to provide a more youthful appearance.
• Absorbs impurities without removing natural oils.
• Helps to protect against free radical damage. 

My skin responded quite well to this mask. My skin did seem to be much smoother, softer, and glowing. Like any other mud mask, when it dries it tightens on your face. However, any reduction of pores that might have happened is only temporary. Although my skin is oily I do not like to be too dry. My skin did not feel overly dry. So thankfully, this product did not dry my skin out. As for a more youthful appearance, I can't really attest to that since I'm still young. I don't suffer from wrinkles or anything like that. I'm not sure if it protects against free radicals or not. I'm not really sure how to tell if it does or not.

Here are a couple photos of me with it on:

So, That's it.

Have you tried any of the Glamglow masks?

Until Next Time,

Aleema

Review: Bare Minerals Lash Domination Mascara

Assalamu wa Alaykum/ Hi,

This going to be my last review on the mascaras from the Lash Stash to go box from Sephora.  I didn't review the Lancome Hynpose Drama because I have previously written a review on that a little over a year ago. If my opinions change then I'll do another post about it, but I don't want to have too many mascaras open at the same time.

This mascara retails for $18 at Sephora. So, it's a little cheaper than most of the mascara's that come inside the Lash Stash box.

The packaging is made out of a silver reflective plastic. The wand has plastic bristles like I prefer. However, I find the shape to be a little odd. The bristles spiral around the wand.

Here are the claims on Sephora's website:

What it is:

A do-it-all mascara for larger-than-life lashes. 
What it does:This volumizing, lengthening, thickening, separating, long-wearing mascara does it all. The exclusive ProTwist180™ Wand is spiraled 180 degrees to curve around lashes and coat from all angles with intense black color. 

This mascara is volumizing. However, not to the point that it becomes clumpy. I'm not sure about the lengthening aspect it. My lashes are already pretty long so I didn't notice any additional length. It does separate very well. It's why there was no clumping. It fans my lashes out very nicely. It doesn't look like you're wearing mascara. I did notice that this mascara, like most mascaras for me, smudged on my right bottom lash line a little. Very few mascara don't smudge on me there. 

Also, I will be using this mascara in my next YouTube video that will hopefully go up on Thursday. So, if you want to see perform through video you should check that video out. If you like it please subscribe.

So, That's it.

Until Next Time,

Aleema

Outfit of the Day #16

Assalamu wa Alaykum/ Hi,

Today I wanted to share my outfit that I wore on Saturday. It was the outfit I wore in this Instagram picture:

 If you don't follow me on Instagram, I have button for all my social media on the right. So, you can follow me if you'd like. I went with a friend to the Cherry walk near the Hudson River. It was such a nice day out. We had frozen yogurt and did a lot walking around. Now, if only the weather could have stayed that nice. It's supposed to rain all week.

This is my outfit laid out:

The top can technically be used as a dress. I bought it from Forever 21. I don't remember where I got the long sleeve shirt. You could probably find something similar in the basic section of any clothing store. I've had the green cargo pants since high school, I believe they're from T.J. Maxx. The bag is from Target. I bought it online. It's smaller than I thought it would be but it still fits a lot of stuff. The scarf is from J.C. Penny. The pink inner head piece was from a local Islamic store in Brooklyn.

The sandals are also from Forever 21. I like the rose gold that goes across. It makes it a little more special than your average flip flop.

Sorry about the squinting in the picture above. The sun was really bright that day!

So, That's it.

Until Next Time,

Aleema

My Dubai Experience!

Assalamu Alaykum/ Hi,

My time in Dubai came to an end last Saturday morning. I thought that I would share my thoughts and experiences in Dubai.

When I was preparing to come to Dubai, I had preconceived notions of this grand and glamorous city. Dubai is like that. It is very grand and glamorous make no mistake about it. But, that's not all that there is to it. If that's all you care to see, then that's what you are going to see. However, if you go to the older parts of Dubai, to the Gold Souk and the Spice market in Deira. You will see 'Old Dubai.'

The difference between places such as Business Bay, the Marina and Deira is quite stark. 

Dubai Marina

Deira -Gold Souk

Dubai is not a walking city. Coming from NYC that was odd to me. I'm used to walking to get to my destination. It seems to me that people make up for it by going to the malls to walk around.Which can be quite annoying when you are actually shopping in the mall because it's overcrowded for no reason. Children are running around everywhere. It can just get a little chaotic.

While we are on the topic of children. It seems anybody that is anybody in Dubai or pretty much everyone has a nanny for their children. I've seen children with nannies before in NY but not so many of them and not when the children's parents are with them either. It just seemed so surprising to me. Because from what I learned of Middle Eastern culture family is very important. But, then it seems as if the children spend more time with their nannies than their parents. In one of my classes there, the professor discussed the problem. She said it's causing children to form a bond with their nannies and not their parents and it's becoming a problem in the Middle East.

The architecture in Dubai is amazing! The buildings are so grand. Would expect anything less from the city that has the world tallest building? I think the buildings felt so huge to me because they weren't all next to each other. In NY, there are building but they are so close to each other that you can walk right by them and not even notice their size.

I've been home for a few days now and I think I have reverse culture shock. When I went to Dubai, I didn't experience culture shock at all. But, at some point Dubai became the standard for me. NY seems so dull. I miss the glamour. 

It's not just me either. I became friends with other study abroads and it seemed like none of us wanted to leave. I definitely want to go back. I would love to be able to work there inshAllah. I guess I'll have to see what's in store for the future.

So, That's it,

Until Next Time

Favorite Makeup Look # 1

Assalamu wa Alaykum/ Hi,

I was going to do my November Favorites when I realized they're pretty much the same as my October Favorites. So, I decided to do something different. Instead of a Favorites post for the month of November I'll do a series of posts about the makeup looks I've been wearing the most recently.

So makeup look # 1

Lately I've been into pinks and purples. I don't know why because I was never really that fond of pink. But, it seems to be my 'Dubai color.'

I mostly used Urban Decay's Glinda Palette for this look. 

1.I put Magic on my lid.

2.Tornado in the crease.

3. I lined my eyes with Urban Decay's 24/7 eyeliner in Pervision.

4. Then I quickly smudged it out with a smudge brush.

5. Next, I applied the side of Aura that flashes bluish-purple in the inner tear ducts and the brow bone.

6. I took what was left on the smudge brush and applied along my lower lash line.

7. I applied Benefit's They're Real Mascara.

 I also darkened the crease using a color similar to Tornado except it wasn't as iridescent.

On my lips I'm wearing Maybelline's Color Sensational Highgloss lipgloss in 100 Raspberry Reflections. I have also worn this look with my MAC lipstick in Rebel. The palette and the gloss were both in my October Favorites.

So, That's it.

Comments? Suggestions?

Aleema :)