The Dior SkinFlash Primer | Thumbs Up

Hello Angels

Summer means more heat, more humid, more time spend under A/C and despite best efforts dehydration of skin. Hence during Summers i upgrade my moisturizers and Primer. For Primer i settled for Dior Skin Flash this time.

It is called the Anti Dullness Radiance Boosting Complexion primer , Yes a mouth full!! But the product does a fantastic job in boosting and bringing an instant glow to your face. Literally. 

It as a runny texture with pearl-like shimmer infused. Don't be intimidated, this will NOT leave your face white washed. It blends in like a dream and is quickly absorbed. My skin looks brighter, fuller and healthier. Days when you simply want to dash out with no heavy makeup, reach out for this baby and then set using a powder. 

Underneath your foundation, it works equally well and helps hold your foundation longer. Makeup looks even and flawless.

Test - one may not be able to tell the real difference or impact on a morning face, because you wake up fresh anyways. So i put it to test after a long day at work before heading out for Dinner. Result was evident.

Application - The smooth synthetic brush allows easy application. But i use my fingers or another brush for hygiene reasons.

Packaging is lush. Nothing less expected of Dior. Comes in a velvet posh and can be easily slipped into your handbag. 

The only drawback is the twist pen applicator. I wasn't sure of how many twists are required to get the product out. And at times end up with a lot more than needed. Though am getting better at it, i still prefer a pump any day.  

Cost AED215/USD43. When it comes to purchasing an expensive product, i always prefer testing it on myself before the splurge. And will advise the same too. 

Love

Night Skincare Routine

Hello my loves,

Skincare... Such a crucial crucial task one got to follow. Especially if you are into Makeup and all that Jazz...

My skincare routine fluctuates often. Products get added and removed constantly. Being a cosmetic addict, i love to experiment but at the same time i am mindful not to jeopardize the quality or state of my skin.

I have a normal to combination skin with no BIG issues (touchwood!). I lookout for hydration and deep cleansing in products. 

1. Cleanse - My daily night skincare begins with removing my makeup using Liz Earle cleanse and polish hot cloth. This product is holy grail. I begin by immersing the muslin cloth in hot water. Pump a small dollop of the product and massage my face and eyes for a good 2min. Then wipe using hot cloth. This process removes 97% makeup off my face (there is a unique sense of satisfaction when i see all that makeup\dirt on the muslin cloth!!) 

2. Cleanse again - To ensure am left with absolute no makeup, i go for another round of cleansing, this time using Bioderma Micellar water on a cotton pad

3. Wash my face with cold water and dab dry.

4. Moisture - To lock the moisture back in after all that cleansing and toning. I use either Origins Ginzing Energy Boosting moisturizer or Caudalie's Divine oil. Choice between the 2 depends on how my skin feels. If it feels too dry then i apply Caudalie and give it a good 3min massage. Face massage increase blood circulation and brings a natural glow from within. 

4. During weekends or days when my skin feels or looks dull, i add one extra step after 2.  Here i use the Sanctuary 5min Thermal Detox Mask. This product is an absolute winner for me and always does a great job (Full Review)

My skincare routine is quite simple and basic. There ain't tons of products i use. Even days when am dead tired after work i ensure to follow this routine before hitting bed (pat myself at the back!)

Do you spot a favorite here? How complex or simple is your skincare routine. I ordered Aesop Parsely seed mask the other day and i can't wait to try it out.

Love

A Day in Life | OOTD & FOTD

Hello Angels

Makeup this month has been a mix of some new and old favorites. Clinique chubby stick, Nars Dual Intensity eyeshadows and Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick has totally won me over. Despite not being a huge eye shadow fan, i constantly reach for Subra. Focusing more on eyes and keeping lips and cheeks simple.

Outfits are basic, simply and airy! Blue on blue is my personal favorite combination with a touch of color. On this particular day it was the Ted Baker Leopard print clutch. How chic...(if i say so myself!!)

Have a great weekend guys...

Love

OOTD | Weekend Edition

Hello Loves

Its been long long since i did a OOTD post. So this weekend i decided refresh my blog with some new OOTD/Fashion feed. 

Keeping things very casual here for the weekend. Now though it is Summer and one barely needs a jumper overlay, in Dubai we tend to spend more time indoors. Shopping malls, lounges, movies etc. And i have a low resistance to Air Condition cold. I can tolerate natural cold but not AC. Hmmm....weird?? I think so too....or is this common? (let me know!)

Moving on..

The Shirt is from H&M. A simple sheer baggy shirt. 'M' jumper from Mango. I love love this jumper. It adds a statement and looks very stylish. Leggings from Zara and my new kicks from Call It Spring. 

The outfit is very causal yet looks very put together!

How do you like or dislike this ensemble? 

Have a safe and lovely weekend ladies..

Love

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturizing Balm | Review

Hello Angels

Whilst slipping a Chubby Stick into my shopping basket, i was thinking in my mind ' mmm...let's see what all that fuss about you is, doll!!'

The shade i picked, Curviest Caramel is a nude pink. 

Lip Balm infused with Lipstick, is perhaps the best definition. Thumbs up on a  moisturizing and pigmentation front. Past 3+ hours it leaves a hint of color behind. I love when lipsticks does that, completely serves the purpose right?

The shade has a slight sheen to it but since am a 'no shine on lips' person, i dab my fingers after application to create a matte look.

All shades available are on the darker side except for this one i picked. So girls who love their light pinks and light nudes, this collection may let you down tad bit. It contains Castor seed oil, Shea butter and Mango seed butter, which explains the good moisture lock. 

I would definitely recommend the product and this shade especially, which is soon becoming my favorite after Nars Cruella.

Cost AED102/USD17

Are you a chubby stick fan? Let me know your fav shade if so......

Love

Beauty Updates #6 | Redken, X formula & Evian

Hello Darlings

Here are a few new discoveries from last week. Hope you enjoy the read...

Redken Body Full Volume Amplifier
I have a pretty good hair care regime (if i say so myself) but continue to struggle when it comes to adding some volume into them. Flat hair all the way. I've tried my luck with hair sprays from Lo'real and Tresemme. But none seem to work. I recently gave Redken's Body Full Volume Amplifier a try and this one as by far given me the best results. To say the least, satisfying results.

Use the product after shower on wet hair. Apply a generous amount to roots and length of your hair. The trick is to spray the product on to your hands, rub between your palm until they begin to slightly lather and then apply. This creates more volume and gives better, visible results.

My hair had comparatively more volume the next day morning. Plus it doesn't leave your hair greasy and smells amazing! Win Win...

Cost AED 102/USD25 for 100ml





Evian Facial Spray
With summer in full swing, i realized the need for a decent facial spray was a must.

With makeup on, one cannot afford to wash their face frequently. Especially during summer, i cannot resist the urge and that's where facial spray comes to play for me. I find this one quite refreshing and the impact stays for long.

Just like Evian water, this little guy is also quite expensive. I use the 50ml bottle. Convenient size that easily slips into my make up pouch. Also available in 150ml and 300ml. No fragrance. Cost AED25/USD7


Potent by X formula Sephora

Yes, i have a thing for nail polishes. And this one from X Formula is my new find. Baby pink with tones of purple to it. Three coats required for a opaque look. You need to be REALLY patient and wait for the 1st coat to dry before you go for the 2nd or 3rd. Else you end forming heavy streaks.

Pastel collection from X Formula is to die for. But yes, application requires patience. However, am pretty happy with the finished look here.

Do let me know if you have come across a better/reasonably priced facial spray. Have a great weekend.

Love

Sugarholic | Life Lately

Hello Angels

Hope you guys are having a lovely week. You must be pretty up to date on what am upto if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram. If you don't a) follow me now b) here is a quick brief up just for you...

My obsession with cosmetics equals my love for anything sweet. I indulge in several gramssss of sugar a day. Yes, not healthy. But am really not the type into diet. Also the quantity i eat really don't show up, so that's another reason for my care free sweet consumption!

Last week was mostly spent catching up with friends and family. This meant meet up over coffee, tea or lunch.

Weekend FOTD | Mint nails & coffee | Chanel inspired flower vase for my desk

Chewy, chocolaty cookies from Home Bakery | Kunafe cheesecake from Sukar Desserts | Cake from Cheesecake Factory | Pistachio Ice cream Espresso! 

Follow me on Twitter @angel_fato and Instagram @fathoosh

P.S. To all those on diet, am sorry for this visual torture. 

Love

Nars Dual Intensity Eye Shadows | O My My!

Hello Angels

I am not an eye shadow person neither do i experiment with different colors. I go for 'Safe' choices. Versions of Brown, light gold, taupe is what I've ventured into till date. Last month when invited to the Nars Dubai launch event, a product that caught my attention was the Dual Intensity Eye shadows.

The makeup artist generously gave me a full fledged Demo and since then I've been waiting for the official launch. After spending a decent amount of time, i settled for Himalia (lighter shade) and Subra (dark shade) 

Can we start with the packaging? How ADORABLE do these mini Nars boxes look! The boxes are magnetic and you can stack them up too. Cool! 

The texture is smooth and creamy. The dark shade looks intense in the pan but when applied is much sheer and build-able. The lighter shade is more shimmery/ but well pigmented at the same time. Moving on to the best part, using them wet. Holy Moly, am impressed. Simply wet your eye liner brush and take a generous amount of the product. No it doesn't transform into a gel liner consistency. Think of a gel cream eye shadow texture but 3x better. 

I prefer using them wet and then blending them out. When used wet, the color resembles more to what they appear in pan, the application is more even and creates a subtle metallic look. 

The product is yet to launch in Dubai. But available online at Nordstrom for AED114/USD29. Look out for the color Giove. This shade looks amazing too.

Love