Friday, March 28, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
The IT Palettes from Sephora
When I first saw the Sephora IT eyeshadow palette, I couldn't help but blaming myself of the years I locked myself with the neutral palettes for so long, that I forgot how cool was it to use a beautiful strong colour on the lip and blend it with other neutrals.
The Sephora colour "It" palette, has all the colour you can use on your lids, the shadows are so pigmented, you will only need a one or two strokes of the brush. The powder is so cream it spreads out evenly on the skin, leaving to creases of the powder, and perfect to apply your mascara above. It has beautiful 5 nude colors a long with the other vibrant colours such as greens, blues, purples and of course smokey black. It's a one palette for all.
Makeup tip: Use the blue, green or the purple colour on an edgy small brush and but on your lower water line, exactly as you use the eyeliner, it will open your eyes and add a glam touch of colour. Do this with neutral makeup at the upper lid, or even without any makeup. Also if you have small eyes, use the white shadow to put on the inner corner of the eye, it will instantly make your eyes look bigger.
Ever dreamed of carrying almost all of your makeup with you, and in one of your smallest clutches as the same time. I do every time I go out in a hurry ( almost all the time :) ) and wish I could have space in my make to put all my makeup, so I can use the traffic jams time, to put on my make.. (Busy working mom problems)
That why I loved the Sephora Spring in Soho" Palette, it have everything I can dream of, for my everyday make. A gorgeous set of eye shadows, a beautiful coral blusher, ohh and the lipsticks, just the right collection of colours, from pinks, to nudes, to orange to dark fuchsia. What else could you need to do your everyday makeup on the go, or retouch your lips, or eyes from now and then.
It's very tiny that it can fit in any bag I have, and it has mirror inside, and I know it sounds trivia, but I just love the smell of the makeup inside, I can't help but opening it to smell. hehe Crazy I know.
Check www.sephora-me.com/ to know your nearest branch, and don't forget to like them on FB, Click Here, to be updated with all the new Sephora products.
The Sephora colour "It" palette, has all the colour you can use on your lids, the shadows are so pigmented, you will only need a one or two strokes of the brush. The powder is so cream it spreads out evenly on the skin, leaving to creases of the powder, and perfect to apply your mascara above. It has beautiful 5 nude colors a long with the other vibrant colours such as greens, blues, purples and of course smokey black. It's a one palette for all.
Makeup tip: Use the blue, green or the purple colour on an edgy small brush and but on your lower water line, exactly as you use the eyeliner, it will open your eyes and add a glam touch of colour. Do this with neutral makeup at the upper lid, or even without any makeup. Also if you have small eyes, use the white shadow to put on the inner corner of the eye, it will instantly make your eyes look bigger.
That why I loved the Sephora Spring in Soho" Palette, it have everything I can dream of, for my everyday make. A gorgeous set of eye shadows, a beautiful coral blusher, ohh and the lipsticks, just the right collection of colours, from pinks, to nudes, to orange to dark fuchsia. What else could you need to do your everyday makeup on the go, or retouch your lips, or eyes from now and then.
It's very tiny that it can fit in any bag I have, and it has mirror inside, and I know it sounds trivia, but I just love the smell of the makeup inside, I can't help but opening it to smell. hehe Crazy I know.
Check www.sephora-me.com/ to know your nearest branch, and don't forget to like them on FB, Click Here, to be updated with all the new Sephora products.
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Lancôme is finally in Egypt
Two weeks ago I was honored to be invited to Lancôme Egypt's launching party. Finally after a long await, Lancôme cosmetics and perfumes are now available in Egypt.
Lancôme threw a fabulous party at Beymen Cafe by the Four Seasons Hotel, Nile Plaza, I am glad I had the chance to get to smell Lancôme's new perfume, and know more about their latest makeup lines, and now I won't be afraid of using up my favourite mascara "Lancôme Hypnose", as finally it is available in all the big makeup stores here.
I was also happy to meet a lot of Egypt's fashionasta, and some of my favourite celebrities, such as Dorra Zarouk, Sherine Reda and Rania Youssef.
So for all of you pretty ladies who have sending me messages to ask about Lancôme, it's finally here in C-town.
Lancôme threw a fabulous party at Beymen Cafe by the Four Seasons Hotel, Nile Plaza, I am glad I had the chance to get to smell Lancôme's new perfume, and know more about their latest makeup lines, and now I won't be afraid of using up my favourite mascara "Lancôme Hypnose", as finally it is available in all the big makeup stores here.
I was also happy to meet a lot of Egypt's fashionasta, and some of my favourite celebrities, such as Dorra Zarouk, Sherine Reda and Rania Youssef.
So for all of you pretty ladies who have sending me messages to ask about Lancôme, it's finally here in C-town.
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| Beautiful ladies |
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| Actress Dorra Zarouk, checking Lancôme's latest makeup collection |
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| Designer Deana Shaaban, Big fashionista Mrs. Heba Serag, and Me |
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| Mrs. Heba Serag and fashion designer Sama Essa with a friend |
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Mother's Day Gift from LUSH
As a young mom to a 3
years toddler if you have asked me what the thing I wished for,
especially during the first couple of years, I would reply without
hesitation "an indulging bath".
I remember having a shower for 5 min. felt like having a luxurious Cleopatra bath. I would leave the baby for my husband and get into the shower, than I would hear Hassan scream, and then I would panic and get out with the unwashed shampoo over my hair.
From that moment I really appreciated it having a proper bath time, and felt sorry for my mom having to go through all this when me and my siblings were young. That's why I was so happy with LUSH's mother's day gift boxes.
The amazingly wrapped LUSH gift boxes are a special way to say thank you for your mother, for that so many unfinished showers you have prevented her from enjoying, and for letting her now indulge in a luxurious bath and long showers.
For my mum I am getting her a bag that I know she wants and will pass by LUSH to pick her a gift box and place it inside it. What do you girls are getting for your moms ?
The orange part is made with carrot oil to moisturize; while the white bunny inside is made with cocoa butter to soften. The fragrance smells nothing like carrots however, as we’ve used fruity essential oils such as buchu, lemon and bergamot to really make your mouth water.
I remember having a shower for 5 min. felt like having a luxurious Cleopatra bath. I would leave the baby for my husband and get into the shower, than I would hear Hassan scream, and then I would panic and get out with the unwashed shampoo over my hair.
From that moment I really appreciated it having a proper bath time, and felt sorry for my mom having to go through all this when me and my siblings were young. That's why I was so happy with LUSH's mother's day gift boxes.
The amazingly wrapped LUSH gift boxes are a special way to say thank you for your mother, for that so many unfinished showers you have prevented her from enjoying, and for letting her now indulge in a luxurious bath and long showers.
For my mum I am getting her a bag that I know she wants and will pass by LUSH to pick her a gift box and place it inside it. What do you girls are getting for your moms ?
Happy Mother's day for all of us.
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| Thank You LUSH for the amazing gift |
Bunch of
Carrots
re-usable bubble bars …back from last year, this time as a
bunch of three smaller carrots, so each one can be used quicker when it’s at
its freshest. As a re-usable bubble bar,
place under the running taps to create lots of bubbles, then pop it on the side
for another time. Fragranced with the
same fruity oils as the Carrot soap, there’s also a little bit of nutritious
carrot oil in each one, which is rich in vitamins and an extraordinary skin
soother and rejuvenator.
Brightside bubble bar …
back this year and this time to stay, as it joins our all year round range
after Easter! A bright and cheerful
swirl of a bubble bar to give you a fresh and cheerful perspective. Scented with a trio of uplifting and
invigorating oils, there’s: Sicilian mandarin, tangerine and bergamot oil and
just a squeeze of lemon. All are energizing and also incredibly toning oils that will lift the spirits and clear
the mind. Crumble under the running taps
and watch as the water turns into a hazy red and orange sunset with frothy
white clouds of bubbles.
The orange part is made with carrot oil to moisturize; while the white bunny inside is made with cocoa butter to soften. The fragrance smells nothing like carrots however, as we’ve used fruity essential oils such as buchu, lemon and bergamot to really make your mouth water.
NEW Golden Egg bath melt ballistic …
a brand new invention, this egg is a bath bomb coated in bath melt
mixture. It will unexpectedly sink to
the bottom of the bathtub while the outer layer dissolves, popping to the
surface as the fizzing center is revealed. The outer bath melt mix is made using our
beautiful fair trade, organic, Colombian Peace Village cocoa butter and olive
oil from a brand new permaculture project that LUSH is working with in Palestine. Scented with the best selling and my favourite LUSH soap Honey I Washed the Kids fragrance, it’s
coated with PET free golden luster.
Inspired
by chocolate cream eggs, we reverse it and coated the hard bath bomb center
with a creamy bath melt shell.
Inhale Exhale bath bomb … Intensely
soothing
A
new bath bomb with two halves, each lightly scented with one half of the
two-part Gorilla Perfume fragrance, Breath
of God. The Inhale half fizzes quickly, allowing mum to breathe in the light
and fruity neroli and rose to relax. She
can then lie back, breathe out and enjoy the grounding effect of the Exhale fragrance, with notes of smoky
cedarwood and revitalizing lemon and grapefruit. This half fizzes more slowly to give mum an
even longer lasting soak.
Tulip... as well as being a beautiful
flower, tulips are also an emblem
of
International Women’s Day in Russia… so the perfect choice really. This one shares the same fragrance as our best selling
Sex Bomb bath bomb, a heady scent
that will revive and clear her mind.
Wonder Woohoo bubble bar … Recharge and rejuvenate
Inspired by Wonder Woman
and created for wonder women! Mums can channel their inner superhero when using
this bubble bar, covered in gold sparkle to replicate Wonder Woman’s gold tiara!
Packed
full of
sandalwood and Brazilian orange oil from our best selling Gorilla
Perfume, The Sun, Wonder Woohoo is ideal for overworked super mums in
need of a
little time to recharge and rejuvenate.
Rose bubble bar … Sweet and
uplifting
This beautifully crafted
bubble bar will instantly transform mum’s bath time experience into a rose
filled voyage through a mountain of skin softening bubbles. Rosehip oil and cocoa butter grated into the
mixture provide the softening properties; while rose and lemon provide the
fragrance.
This bubble bar has a brand new formula
… cornstarch has been added to the mix to limit the rising effect of our other
bubble bars. This means you get a more
condensed bar that can be broken in half and used over two baths. Or you can use the whole things for masses of
creamy, softening bubbles.
Picked
at dawn by local villagers and Roma Gypsies, in Senir, Turkey, our rose
absolute is the best we can get. We are one of the largest
users of Rose absolute in the world. Not
only is it a great smelling treat but the premium we pay on every kilogram of
oil goes towards the running of (and the initial building of), a local primary
school.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Authentic Saudi Lunch With The Entertainer
I love good food, and I love to explore new cuisines, my taste buds were trained over the past years to identify good food, from my years as a restaurant reviewer. As Egyptians we are very familiar to Lebanese and Syrian foods, but not so much to Saudi and Khaliji cuisines, as most of us only knew that Saudi food is only famous Kabsah.
But living in Jeddah for more than couple of years, taught me a lot about the Hijazi food, where I knew it much more than the Kabsah,which is not reall considered an authentic Hijazi food. With authentic Saudi restaurants like Aseil, helped a lot of us expats living in beautiful Jeddah, to taste and appreciate true Saudi food.
I had a couple of my dear Egyptian friends visiting Jeddah, and I wanted them to have a taste of the true Saudi food, and since I have the great and money saving application THE ENTERTAINER on my iPhone, I looked up saudi cusine, and found they have Aseil with them in the offers, was so over the moon from happines, as now we could enjoy so many great dishes and pay for half of it only.
The Entertainer is a smart phone application, that you download from your applications store, and then you pay something around 185 SAR online via your credit card (with your apple ID if you are iPhone user) and then all the Restaurants, Salons, Spas, Cafes, Hotels offers unlocks for you. You pay for one you get the other free. Nothing complicated, no tricks nothing, just as easy as you can imagine.
Read my first post about The Entertainer Here, to know more about the great app.
Download it from your smart phone or use this link. Click Here
Make sure to check The Entertainer website to know more, Click Here
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But living in Jeddah for more than couple of years, taught me a lot about the Hijazi food, where I knew it much more than the Kabsah,which is not reall considered an authentic Hijazi food. With authentic Saudi restaurants like Aseil, helped a lot of us expats living in beautiful Jeddah, to taste and appreciate true Saudi food.
I had a couple of my dear Egyptian friends visiting Jeddah, and I wanted them to have a taste of the true Saudi food, and since I have the great and money saving application THE ENTERTAINER on my iPhone, I looked up saudi cusine, and found they have Aseil with them in the offers, was so over the moon from happines, as now we could enjoy so many great dishes and pay for half of it only.
The Entertainer is a smart phone application, that you download from your applications store, and then you pay something around 185 SAR online via your credit card (with your apple ID if you are iPhone user) and then all the Restaurants, Salons, Spas, Cafes, Hotels offers unlocks for you. You pay for one you get the other free. Nothing complicated, no tricks nothing, just as easy as you can imagine.
Read my first post about The Entertainer Here, to know more about the great app.
Download it from your smart phone or use this link. Click Here
Make sure to check The Entertainer website to know more, Click Here
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| Restaurant looks so authentic |
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| Interesting item in the menu, love Al Madina Mint |
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| Our complimentary Arabic coffee and dates. |
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| That m fav. soup in the world, Shorbet Hab "wheat soup with chicken" |
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| A very Hijazi dish, Lahm bel Ajen" Saudi meat loaf" |
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| Another Hijazi dish, the Saleeq, me and my son's favourite |
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| Yummy Hijazy mixed grills. |
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Interview & What's in her bag with Amina K.
Ask any fashionable celebrity or even a normal fashion loving Egyptian girl about what's her favourite Egyptianready to wear designer, and she will answer without hesitation Amina Khalil. Amina the girl behind the prominent local brand Amina K. has sucessfully engraved her name deep in the Egyptianfashion scenewith her gorgeous authentic designs, that always manage to highlight our traditions and culture either through the fabric choice, or through the cut itself.
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Amina will be soon launching her latest summer 2014 collection through a fashion show that will take place at Amuse concept store next Saturday. We will be covering the fashion show live, so make sure you are following us on Instagram: (Nohayoussef) for the updates.
We had the chance to interview the young designer and take a glimpse of what's inside her bag.
- Tell us more about yourself ?
As being an Egyptian fashion designer now I would like to tell you that becoming a fashion designer wasn't a decision taken all at once it was a gradual development. My love for clothes was there ever since I was 10 years old. It is something I developed over the years as I was growing up. Although I wasn't an art student throughout high school yet I always enjoyed working with my hands. I started out in American University in Cairo studying Mass Communication for a year and realized that this was not for me. So I moved to London and started my Fashion Design and Marketing Degree and automatically knew this is my passion. Throughout High school, University and after I graduated I did various internships in different fields of the Fashion industry loving every side of it. So one thing lead to another and here I am making a career out of my love for clothes and accessories.
- How and why did you start Amina K.?
Amina K. started out first as a side project while I was still interning and studying in London. I used the concept I developed for my graduation collection as a starting point for my brand. I started by creating limited one off pieces and selling through trunk shows, open days and a few boutiques in Cairo. As the demand was increasing I realized that I needed to take this side project to a more professional level. So I moved back to Cairo, registered my Company and here it is now Amina K. 5 years later.
- How do you see the fashion scene in Egypt?
I think the fashion seen is growing. There is definitely a new fashion movement happening in Egypt. People are becoming more fashion aware and are constantly following new trends. There are many up and coming designers, new boutiques, new international labels, new fashion magazines as well as fashion blogs the fashion Industry in Egypt. But although we are moving forward as an industry I think we still have a long way to go.
- If you have to change one thing in the way Egyptian dress, what will it be?
I would change how Egyptians sometimes tend to follow trends that do not necessarily go with their body type or style in general but they still choose to wear it because they know it's in. People should learn to wear what suits their character what matches their body type in order to look good in whatever they wear.
-Who is you role model in fashion designing?
Karl Lagerfeld, because of his timeless deigns. He is able to maintain his brand image season after season using the same classic black and white Chanel look but always offering something new and fashion forward. He has been able to create a clear and stable image for the Chanel brand.
- Bags or shoes?
I have a weakness for both and I think they can both transform your look.
-Favorite clothing item you like to design?
I love designing dresses because there is so much you can do. So many fits, fabrics, cuts and different silhouettes that can be used in the making, which gives me the chance to become more experimental in my designs.
-So What do you have inside your bag ?
Sketchbook, wallet, Amina K. sunglasses, iPhone, car key, keys, hand sanitizer, lip balm, lipstick and hand lotion.
Amina will be soon launching her latest summer 2014 collection through a fashion show that will take place at Amuse concept store next Saturday. We will be covering the fashion show live, so make sure you are following us on Instagram: (Nohayoussef) for the updates.
We had the chance to interview the young designer and take a glimpse of what's inside her bag.
- Tell us more about yourself ?
As being an Egyptian fashion designer now I would like to tell you that becoming a fashion designer wasn't a decision taken all at once it was a gradual development. My love for clothes was there ever since I was 10 years old. It is something I developed over the years as I was growing up. Although I wasn't an art student throughout high school yet I always enjoyed working with my hands. I started out in American University in Cairo studying Mass Communication for a year and realized that this was not for me. So I moved to London and started my Fashion Design and Marketing Degree and automatically knew this is my passion. Throughout High school, University and after I graduated I did various internships in different fields of the Fashion industry loving every side of it. So one thing lead to another and here I am making a career out of my love for clothes and accessories.
- How and why did you start Amina K.?
Amina K. started out first as a side project while I was still interning and studying in London. I used the concept I developed for my graduation collection as a starting point for my brand. I started by creating limited one off pieces and selling through trunk shows, open days and a few boutiques in Cairo. As the demand was increasing I realized that I needed to take this side project to a more professional level. So I moved back to Cairo, registered my Company and here it is now Amina K. 5 years later.
- How do you see the fashion scene in Egypt?
I think the fashion seen is growing. There is definitely a new fashion movement happening in Egypt. People are becoming more fashion aware and are constantly following new trends. There are many up and coming designers, new boutiques, new international labels, new fashion magazines as well as fashion blogs the fashion Industry in Egypt. But although we are moving forward as an industry I think we still have a long way to go.
- If you have to change one thing in the way Egyptian dress, what will it be?
I would change how Egyptians sometimes tend to follow trends that do not necessarily go with their body type or style in general but they still choose to wear it because they know it's in. People should learn to wear what suits their character what matches their body type in order to look good in whatever they wear.
-Who is you role model in fashion designing?
Karl Lagerfeld, because of his timeless deigns. He is able to maintain his brand image season after season using the same classic black and white Chanel look but always offering something new and fashion forward. He has been able to create a clear and stable image for the Chanel brand.
- Bags or shoes?
I have a weakness for both and I think they can both transform your look.
-Favorite clothing item you like to design?
I love designing dresses because there is so much you can do. So many fits, fabrics, cuts and different silhouettes that can be used in the making, which gives me the chance to become more experimental in my designs.
-So What do you have inside your bag ?
Sketchbook, wallet, Amina K. sunglasses, iPhone, car key, keys, hand sanitizer, lip balm, lipstick and hand lotion.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Trend Alert: Go mad with clutches this season
It has been around three seasons or even more where we have been spotting crazier and crazier clutches and handbags. I have been always the clutch girl, and I love collecting weird looking clutches and oversized strapless bags, that why this is new trend came on screaming my name, and I had to start adding pieces to my exisiting crazy clutches collection.
Here are some of the many brands that have been adopting the concept lately:
And this my book clutch, what do you think ?
Here are some of the many brands that have been adopting the concept lately:
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| from Style Arabia |
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| From Style Arabia.com |
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| Yazbukey |
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| Olympia Le Tan |
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| Yazbukey |
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| Charolette Olympia |
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| Emma Stone rocking her Olympia Le Tan |
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| Charlotte Olympia |
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| Chanel |
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| www.style.com/arabia |
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| www.style.com/arabia |
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| www.style.com/arabia |
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| www.style.com/arabia |
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| www.style.com/arabia |
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| www.style.com/arabia |
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| www.style.com/arabia |
And this my book clutch, what do you think ?
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| Mug is by RIS interiors in Jeddah |
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