Claims to fame

I recently saw Kim Kardashian's photoshoot for PaperMag. Now we all know how she became famous in the first place so to be honest I wasn't shocked at what I saw, saying that I wasn't expecting to see a total full frontal! I mean how is she ever going to explain to her children what she is really famous for?! 'Hi North mommy became famous by being naked most of the time' I mean come on I thought motherhood is supposed to change you but she has clearly gone the opposite way. She has the dorkiest, creepiest smile on her face whilst parading around totally naked balancing a drink on her big fat ass. Wow what talent this woman possesses (!)

I used to quite like Kim Kardashian I liked her hair and makeup but that's about it...her style has progressively gotten worse since she started dating Kanye. I will also admit that I do watch the show and the other spin offs. 

What sickens me the most is how much money this woman has made from doing absolutely nothing apart from taking her clothes off and endorsing stupid products. I mean I have 3 sisters I could've been just as famous lol but we have more morals than that family. 

The saddest part is that young girls nowadays aspire to be like her...all I see are clones of her with the dark hair, big lips and funky outfits. What has happened to looking up to women who actually have talent and are still gorgeous and smart? Angelina Jolie for one is stunning but she doesn't sexualise herself she can actually act, she does SO much work for charity and you can just tell from the way she dresses and holds herself just how down to earth she is. I would rather look up to someone like that. 

What do you all think? 

Xx

MUA Eyeshadow palette

I recently ran out of the amazing Urban Decay naked eyeshadow palette and thought I would try another brand, this being MUA. I saw this palette for £4 I couldn't believe how cheap this makeup brand was and I must say I was pleasantly suprised. The pigment is amazing, they have so many different palettes whether it's neutrals or brights and best of all it lasts all day! I don't know about anyone else but I'm more than happy to pay £4 sometimes instead of £42 for Urban Decay! 

Another permanent fixture in my makeup kit I can't wait to try this on my next makeup job! 

Xx

My daily makeup routine

I have worked in the beauty industry for 7 years now and have learnt a lot along the way. I have had a huge passion for makeup from a young age. I never did a makeup course I taught myself which I found to be more rewarding. I tried different looks as often as I could and was always trying out new products. I have yellow undertones and am blessed with having a subtle tan all year round thanks to my Pakistani background. I also unfortunately suffer from some mild acne and scarring. I have spent a ridiculous amount of money of trying to find foundations and concealers to cover my scars without looking too cakey and am finally at peace with my choices! As well as having a full time job, I do makeup as a hobby on the side. I don't have a website or anything I use my Instagram on a regular basis and a lot of my clients have come through word of mouth. I must be doing something right!

 I love sharing tips and talking about my new makeup obsessions!

(1) It is crucial to start with a fresh clean base. Cleanse, Tone and most importantly Moisturize! The best primer I have used is the Benefit Porefessional. It glides onto your skin and conceals open pores as well as making your foundation look totally flawless. Less is definitely more with this product

 

(2) One of my favourite foundations I use is the Mac Studio Tech compact foundation. A creamy foundation and easily blendable as well as giving amazing coverage! Be careful not to overuse this product as it can start looking cakey if you dont use it correctly. I apply it only where I really need it; my cheeks and a little under my eyes. You MUST use a really good brush in order to get great coverage as well as look beautifully blended. I recommend using the real techniques foundation brush which is by far the best brush I have ever used for foundation and blending. It will literally change your life!

(3) Concealer-I have had a love hate relationship with concealers and have spent a stupid amount trying to find one that works for me. My dark circles (they may not be obvious to others but they sure are to me!) bother me a lot and when I havent had enough they look even worse! I need something heavy enough to cover my acne scars and dark circles but something that doesnt look like I've been applying my makeup in the dark. I have used Mac studio finish for a while now mainly for my dark circles and I must say I am a fan! Its great for dark circles and if you blend properly it doesnt look cakey, For my acne scars I use the dermablend pallette which is actually camouflage makeup used for covering tattoos, birth marks and scarring. I dot this on to my scars, pat it until blended and then finish with a face powder.

 

(4) Powder-I like using Corn Silk powder. This powder is a little bit messy I must admit as its a loose powder but this is probably one of the best powders I have ever used. It give a beautiful finish to your skin without looking too "powdery". It's available from boots and also online. For an everyday natural finish I like using the Real Techniques powder brush but if you have a party or wedding ect then use a Kabuki brush so you can really work it into your skin to give a flawless look to your skin. 

                     

          

   (5) Mascara-I have tried every brand of mascara whether its Mac, Chanel, YSL, Maybelline, Collection 2000 ect but I always go back to Rimmel Volume Flash curved brush mascara. I'm quite fortunate that I have naturally long eyelashes but they're not very thick. This mascara makes me look like I'm wearing falsies. The only day I wore falsies was on my wedding day. Mascara is one thing that takes up a lot of my time when I'm getting ready...I am a bit of a perfectionist! I use tweezers to separate any clumps I may get and this works a treat...just dont poke your eye out! I also use mascara as lower eyeliner. It doesnt smudge and gives a real wide awake look. I just dip a small thin brush into the mascara and apply carefully against my lower lash line. Trust me this looks fabulous!

 

 

  (6) Lips-I keep my lips quite simple to be honest I literally just use Vaseline and maybe any neutral Mac lipgloss. My favourite one to use is creamsheen lipgloss Just Superb by Mac. Just a simple light pink cute gloss.

 (7) Blusher- I used Mac Peach Twist when I need some colour! Less is definitely more, I once made the mistake of over applying this and it looked WAAAAAY too bronzed for my liking! It's a beautiful peachy bronze colour and really gives you great cheekbones if you use it for contour (which I am a fan of!)

So there you have it. My daily makeup routine with my favourite products. If any of you try these products I would LOVE to know your thoughts on them :-)

Xx

'Real Beauty' Another cliche?

I've lived with my husband for just over a year now...we knew each other for a long time before we got married and started living together, needless to say it has been quite a journey...a journey I wasn't quite prepared for.

I have always had my own room, own space and everything always done for me (ok quite spoilt too!) so of course I expected things to be different when I was to become a woman of my own house but boy I had no idea how difficult it was going to be. Don't get me wrong I adore my husband and couldn't dream of moving back home now, but there are times I wish I could just have one day of doing all the things I did when I lived at home and not worry about what my other half thinks!

When we first started living together I didn't let him see me without makeup for weeks until I just couldn't be asked to wake up extra early just to put a few dots of concealer...my sleep was getting interrupted and I am NOT a morning person....but I was so desperate to have the ' I woke up looking like this' in the end I just thought F*** it, if he doesn't like me without makeup then he's a shallow asshole! Fortunately my husband is amazing in every way that I actually felt a bit silly trying to hide my flaws...we all have them it's just about accepting them and working with what you have!

Since the age of 14/15 I have suffered from major low self esteem. I've always been worried about my weight and my skin. I have always suffered from a mild form of acne that gets worse when I'm stressed (which is most of the time!) and I have tried everything to try and cure it but nothing works! I just know how to control it now and more importantly how to cover it!

Nowadays there are so many campaigns about acceptance and real beauty blah blah blah. Now I'm all for believing in yourself but if I walk out the door with no makeup and feel like total shit...I'm going back in and at least apply a tinted moisturiser!  I'm sorry but if that helps me with my confidence why should anyone else question it?! I have accepted that my skin is just the way it is  and that's a big step for me. If someone does notice my bad skin it's not the end of the world...I could look a lot worse .

My point is ladies...you do and wear whatever makes you feel happy and confident, don't always give in to the cliche of ' beauty comes from within'  it might come from within but if you still feel like shit you go and put on that dress that makes you look hot or you go and wear that lipstick you love so much if it makes you feel good, sexy and most of all...confident!

A Parisian Dream

I have visited Paris many times in the past. I went again a few months ago after a very long time and each time I go I am still mesmerised by the beauty, architecture, history and of course fabulous fashion. 

The last few weeks I have been thinking about the way we live our lives and I ask myself...is it worth it? Let me paint you a picture...

I wake up everyday at 6:30am, get ready for work, maybe have a bicker with my hubby over something silly, get on the train with totally rude commuters who have no manners, wonder why the train keeps stopping and starting every 5 minutes, arrive at work and start my day. 

The day is over usually at 5:30pm or 8pm. Again get on the train arrive home make something for dinner have a 10 minute conversation with my husband who doesn't get back till late most nights and go to bed. 

This is pretty much my daily routine, I mean it's not the worst routine in the world but I do think that maybe I would like more in my life...the last few months have been quite tough to be honest and it has led me to think we work our asses off and for what? 

Maybe I watch too much TV or maybe I am just very naive but I am seriously considering moving to Paris, taking some time off work and try to find myself again. We get so caught up with work and daily life that we completely forget about ourselves. 

There is nothing more I would like to do other than walk around the streets of Paris (I am perfectly aware that it isn't all glam!), indulge in great food, soak up all the culture,  become fluent in French shop till my heart is content and just relax for a few months. Question is do I go for it or it just a dream? Do we dare to dream?