Monthly Beauty Favourites - October

Hey Guys! Hope your all well. I know I'm a little late with my monthly favourites but better late than never right?! I'v been super busy with my end of term assignments so you will have to forgive me for my sporadic blog posts!
The first thing I have been loving this month is my Seventeen Cosmetics Define and Conquer Palette. This contour and highlight palette is AMAZING. The formula of these powders are so creamy and buttery. They glide onto the skin so beautifully, and are not over-pigmented so you can build them up or sheer them out for a light contour. This is the cheapest contour kit I have found and the best quality for your money. Definitely a must have if your on a budget. It comes in two shades, fair and medium.

This can be bought here

The next thing I have been loving is my Forever 21 Shimmering Bronzer. I bought this so long ago when I was living in Canada and it has lasted me so long. With the cold weather setting in I feel like my skin needs a bit of a glow and this definitely does it. This is very dark and you need a super light hand with it but if its used correctly, its gorgeous. Its quiet shimmer but thats what i like for an all over bronze. Its a red toned bronzer so its quiet a natural colour.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find a direct link to this product but i'm sure if you had a little look on the Forever 21 website you could find it

Yes I did use old pictures of it cos its hit pan now and does not look as nice as it used to!

I have been searching for a good drugstore, everyday foundation as my skin tone has gotten super pale as the winter has set in. I didn't feel like spending 35EURO on another MAC Studio Fix Fluid for the couple of weeks i would be using it as its just not practical and plus I could spend a fraction of that money on something that does the same job. So, I took a wander down to Boots and picked up the Rimmel London 25hr Foundation. This stuff is so good! 

 I have an in depth review of this foundation on my blog here

The next product I have actually re kindled an old love with! Its my Nars blush in Taj Mahal. This is such a gorgeous blush but extremely pigmented so you only need the tiniest bit! Its i the most beautiful burnt orange colour with gold reflects. This looks fab with a deep tan. Definitely a holiday essential. I only wear this when I'm tanned or I have fake tanned as it can tend to look quiet harsh if your skin is lighter. It also looks gorgeous on the eyes too. I sometimes pop it in the crease for a very warm smokey eye. 

This can be bought here

I love this eyeliner. I actually bought this when I was in Canada and it is quiet hard to get a hold of in Ireland. They may have it in Brown Thomas but Im not sure. Anyway, Im sure you could get a similar eyeliner for the fraction of the price but i had this sitting in my make up collection so it needed to be used. I only used water proof eyeliners so this is perfect and its lasts all day!

A really good dupe for this formula is the Essence Liquid Ink Eyeliner. Its only about 4Euro and available nationwide.

This next favourite I am so excited about! The Nyx Butter Glosses are now available in Ireland. They are available from Sam McCauley pharmacies throughout Ireland. I am so excited about Nyx being sold in Ireland but my wallet isn't, haha! I currently have four of the glosses and am totally hooked. I will definitely be going back to purchase some more. They are so creamy and none sticky. Plus they add a gorgeous wash of glossy colour to the lips and are so quick and easy to use. No mirrors necessary ladies!

My favourites at the moment are Strawberry Parfait and Tiramisu.

Strawberry Parfait.

Tiramisu.

Amina xo

Review - Rimmel London 25hr Lasting Perfection Foundation

Hi Guys! Today Im going to be reviewing the Rimmel London 25hr Lasting Perfection Foundation. I was on the hunt for a new foundation as my Mac ones are now too dark for me as we have progressed into winter.  I had not seen very many reviews on this foundation so I decided to give it a go and boy was I pleasantly surprised! I have fallen in love with this foundation. 

I wasn't brave enough to brave my bare face but here I have applied a light layer of the foundation. I have pretty normal skin - oily in the T Zone during the summer and a little dry in the winter. I find this foundation super hydrating but not dewy. Its also not very matte. Its more of a natural/satin finish. Also this foundation does not oxidise at all! I have never experienced this in a foundation before. This shade, classic beige is a tad light for me but its nothing a little bronzer cant fix!

It does a good job of covering a few blemishes around my nose and cheeks and also the darkness around my mouth. I have very bad darkness under my eyes that nothing will cover though!

I really don't mind though and I was pretty comfortable with this one layer.

It does have SPF 20 so I think this would be a good everyday foundation and not something you would be wearing if you were taking pictures as the SPF would cause a white flashback on your face. We don't want ghost pictures!

After I did the rest of my make up, everything blended together really well.

As you can see, its about a medium coverage as you can still see some of my blemishes on my nose but thats fine with me.

I love this foundation for everyday. The undertone could be a little more on the yellow side but it does not really bother me.

Overall its a great buy and for under 10EURO you really cant go wrong.

Amina xo

City Chic

Hi Guys, these are just a few items I have put together to create a very chic look. Please find links to all clothing items listed below. I will be doing these almost everyday including other posts during the week. These posts are really quick and easy and keep my blog very active. I hope you all draw some inspiration from these posts and like them.
Amina xo

ESCADA turtle neck sweater
€785 - escada.com

H&M black waxed jeans
€31 - hm.com

Alexander McQueen spiked booties
€1.200 - alexandermcqueen.com

Michael kors purse
€1.040 - couture.zappos.com

Burberry cashmere shawl
€350 - burberry.com

Ray-Ban square sunglasses
€150 - selfridges.com

Women’s Lapel Wool Blend Trench Coat Asymmetrical Zipper Two Pockets...
€27 - bridgat.com

Monthly Lusts - Things I've Been Eyeing up

Hello Loves! I decided to continue the series of monthly loves that I started early in the year, My Monthly Loves! Basically, its just some things I have been wanted and lusting over all month. 

Firstly I made the mistake of taking a wander over to the Missguided website, I literally wanted everything! There was one dress that I thought was particularly lovely. 

 Really loving navy at the moment.

The lace looks so delicate and pretty!

PS - Misguided is having 20% off all footwear so get over there to take advantage of this amazing deal!

This dress can also be bought in a midi style which is slightly longer.

Buy this dress here

The next thing I have been eyeing up is this leather (faux) biker jacket from Topshop.

This can be bought here

Iv also been loving these jeans from Topshop too.

These can be bought here

Fall is my favourite season so iv been loving a darker colour palette and anything warm.

How beautiful are these heeled ankle boots by Kurt Geiger?! Obsessed. 

I just love the contrast between the black leather and the wood. 

These can be bought here

Thats all really for this moth that I have been loving, more fashion bits then beauty. I've been using the same make up products for a few months so I think ill have to change that around a bit! 

Amina x

Reflective Friday - Interior Design I Have Been Loving

Hi Guys! I hope your all well. As most of you know, I am studying Interior Architecture in University. I was thinking about slowly incorporating more design and architecture posts into my blog. In saying this, it will still be a beauty, fashion and lifestyle blog but we are just adding an architecture and design section as this is a really relevant and super important part of my life. These posts will be a little longer than my usual so sit down and grab your cups of tea! 

Also, I will be documenting my thoughts on going to university and how I survive it! My course is super intense and there is a tonne of work involved. I do only have classes four days a week but I am working on my assignments and studying 7 days a week, no joke. This is probably the most intense and stressful thing I have done in my life, period. But, in saying that, I am so grateful that my family have given me the support and encouragement to this course as I this is definitely what I want to do with my life.

So, before I turn into a rambling maniac, please find the interior design and architecture I have been loving below.

Absolutely in love with the arched, sash windows in this minimalist, period bedroom.

The owners style can really shine through in this simple office style with the use of interesting textures (fur, plants and wicker) and colours. These colours compliment the plain white canvas and simple furniture design beautifully. The carpet adds a softness to the room also.

As you can see i'm loving simple, modern design with splashes of colour and texture.

Really love how the windows are placed in this room. On the slanted roof, they add a great deal of light and make the room look a lot larger than it is.

Love the look of exposed timber beams on a white background.

All photo credits are from Tumblr.

Amina x

Moving Out & Going To College!

Hi Guys. This is the first time I have posted in a couple of months so please forgive me if I'm a little rusty sounding! Unfortunately, my blog has had to take a back seat for a couple of months as I have been working like crazy and have had to deal with a few personal issues. But, the good news is that I'm back and I have big news! I'm moving out into my own apartment and starting college in the next few weeks! I will be studying Interior Architecture and I'm so super excited. Its been something that I have been interested in now for a few years and am so glad now that I have been given the opportunity to do this. I feel very lucky and very blessed to be able to go to college and further my education.

Since I will be having my own place, I will be documenting my journey of trying to get it furnished and putting my own spin on it, making it my own. I feel like this will be super helpful for other students with extremely small spaces to live in as I will be living in a studio apartment.

I'm moving tomorrow and will be spending the day trying to unpack, go grocery shopping and get settled in with my dog!

Anyway, I just thought I would let you guys know what is going on with my life. Interior design posts will be on the way!

Talk soon x

YouTube - Yay or Nay?

Hi guys! So, I have been debating on whether to start a YouTube channel for a while now. Since I love beauty and fashion I thought getting into YouTube would make my blog come alive a little more!

So, as a first video iv actually edited and am now in the process of uploading a vlog of my trip to St. Lawrence Market in downtown Toronto. I have a corresponding blog post if you would like to check that out further back in my blog that goes into more depth about the trip. It was such a fun day out filled with lots of food! 

I thought a vlog would be a good way to transition comfortably into doing actual beauty and lifestyle videos as i'm a little camera shy!

I am hoping to film an airplane essentials video tomorrow before I go on my flight on this Sunday to correspond with my blog post. I may just film a March beauty favorites and edit that while on the plane for you guys too. I thought videos to go with my blog posts would be a great idea for those of you who don't like to read a big long speech about a particular product and would prefer to actually see me talk about it! 

Anyway, I would appreciate some feedback and any comment would be helpful!

Here is the link to my YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm1P-t2lDgVU-GaNPNMCcxw 

Happy Thursday!

Amina x

Current Beauty Favorites - March

Hey Ladies and welcome back to my blog! Its coming to the end of March and I cant believe it! Where are the months going at all?! Anyway, today I am going to be sharing my March beauty favorites.

Iv been loving a few things this month so I thought I would share them with you all.

My first favorite has got to be the Essence Get Big Lashes mascara. Its just fantastic for the price. It is under €4 and can be bought at nearly any pharmacy in Ireland. For my Canadian readers, this can be purchased at Shoppers Drugmart for under $4.

As you can see, the wand is nice and thick so it gets right over the lashes perfectly, creating a lot of volume and gets a good bit of product onto the lashes. This mascara creates more volume than length but thats my personal preference. So if your looking for a volumizing mascara than this is definitely the way to go if your on a budget.

My next favorite is a bronzer. Forever 21 recently came out with a cosmetics collection so i took a wander in there to check it out. I needed a new bronzer so decided to pick this one up. 

As you can see its a really rich brown color so its perfect for contouring and just all over bronzing. In the pan it looks like there is shimmer in it but once its on the skin you cannot see the shimmer whatsoever. Its very creamy and extremely easy to blend out. I was really pleasantly surprised by this product and ill definitely repurchase this again once i run out. It retails for only $4.80 and is a steal for the high quality of this product!

My next favorite is a lipstick from MAC. I needed a new nude lipstick and i just find that MAC has the best selection for women with a darker skintone.

I picked up the lipstick in the shade Hug Me (on the right). This is my absolute perfect nude color. Im not a fan of a lighter nude as i feel that it washes me out a bit because i have a darker olive complexion so i tend to go for darker, brown nudes. Its a lustre finish but there is no shimmer at all, it looks like more of a creemsheen when its on the lips. Its extremely creamy and easy to a apply and a perfect everyday lipstick. Pop a lighter nude gloss over top on a night out and your good to go! 

My next favorite is MAC Studio Fix Fluid. I absolutely love this foundation, its my all time favorite! I am quiet yellow toned in my skin so MAC really caters to that. Its the only foundation that has matched me perfectly. I have combo/oily skin so it really keeps that at bay also. 

I went to MAC to pick up a lighter shade as im usually an NC40 in the summer and came out with NC35 which is my perfect match in the winter/spring. Its very full coverage so perfect for a night out! But, for everyday, i mix a little bit in with some MAC strobe cream for a lighter coverage.

The next thing i have been really liking is this Essence XXL Shine lipgloss in nude candy. It looks so good over top the MAC lipstick! 

I have also been constantly lining my lips with this lip pencil from Essence in Hot Chocolate. It is a dark brown nude color and looks so good along side MAC's Hug Me. The formula is so creamy and just glides onto the lips! 

This next favorite has been a rediscovery of mine. Its a blush by Benefit called Coralista. I completely forgot i had this (hence the battered packaging!), but i absolutely love this! Its a pink-coral color that has a lot of shimmer in it. It is so nice for spring and summer as the shimmer in it really lifts your cheekbones. Its more of a sheen than a glitter so there is no need for a highlighter!

My final favorite for this month is a brush that i have been obsessed with. Its the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush. I was given this by a friend and have only recently started using it daily. Where has this been all my life? Its has taken place over all other foundation brushes as my favorite. This just blends your foundation out so flawlessly and is small enough to get into all the crevices in your face. I also use this to blend out my concealer. It gives you such a flawless, airbrushed finish and can be used with the lightest to the heaviest coverage foundation!

Anyway guys, thanks so much for reading! Have a safe week!

Happy Wednesday x