Skincare Routine #1

As of the beginning of this year, I have focused my energy on committing to a skincare routine in hopes of making my makeup application improve. So far so good and here's the 411.

The team that is to improve my skin!

Makeup Removers:

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil

Soap&Glory Fab Pore Hot Cloth Cleanser

Bioderma Sensibio H2O

Annayake Gel Demaquillant (sample)

My makeup removal routine depends on how much makeup I am wearing. I use the cleansing oil when I have heavy makeup or have been playing around with editorial looks as it removes all my makeup in one go and isn't a hassle. I use the hot cloth cleanser when removing minimal makeup and it works just as efficiently. I find that the Bioderma toner is gentle yet efficient at removing eye makeup. However, the Annayake makeup remover does not perform as well as the others and feels thick and as if it has just moved your makeup about rather than get it off. But I use it to remove all the swatches from the back of my hands after visits to the mall. 

Cleanser and Scrub:

Annayake Active Cleansing Foam

The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion

I cannot rave about this cleanser enough! With the smallest amount it creates the most abundant lather and leaves your skin squeaky clean without leaving it dry. It has a very luxurious soapy scent.

I only use this scrub when I want a more smoother makeup application. It is quite harsh and I wouldn't recommend it to overly sensitive skin but it sure does leave your skin feeling new and smooth.

Pimple Treatment:

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo

Annayake Extreme Radiance Mask

The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil

Despite such a skincare routine, pimples are inevitable for me. I use the Effaclar Duo as a sort of spot treatment and it really does make a difference. After applying it to a budding pimple, the next day the redness, swelling and appearance has drastically reduced. As recommended by the sales woman for Annayake, I have started to apply the smallest amount of the mask directly on to my pimples. After 5mins, I wash it off and the appearance has reduced and I feel as if the impurities have been taken out! I only use the tea tree oil on really stubborn spots as I feel its very harsh but it helps overall.

Eye Creams:

Nuxe Anti Fatigue Moisturising Eye Cream

Annayake Soothing Eye Contour Care (sample)

Eye care isn't the main priority of my skincare however its never too early to start. I use the Nuxe cream in the mornings mainly. The Annayake eye contour care really helps to sooth your eyes and in my experience really helped reduce puffiness after binge watching Orange is the New Black and Hannibal. ( Why do I have to wait so long for season3?! *crys*)

Moisturisers:

La Roche-Posay Cicaplast

Jojoba Oil

Annayake 24hr Creme

Upon recommendation of the talented Lisa Eldridge I picked the cicaplast pro-recovery skincare. I use it mainly on dried up spots and it really helps in added some moisture back into it and helps concealing it easier. I use Jojoba oil mostly on acne scars and as a neck moisturiser. The Annayake 24hr cream is out of this world moisturising! You only need a little bit and use it as a night moisturiser. When you first apply it the cream its slightly runny giving you time to spread it around your face and then it almost thickens and your skin completely absorbs it. I wake up to such soft smooth skin now.

Lip Care:

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub

Nuxe Rêve de Miel Lip Balm

Being a matte lipstick lover, smooth lips are a must have. The lush lip scrub is a favourite of mine and although you can make your own scrub, I feel the results aren't as good or maybe I'm not good at DIY's? The Nuxe lip balm rave is one rave that you MUST follow! This lip balm adds so much moisture and waking up the morning after using it, my lips are still moisturised. I also like to use this before applying matte lipsticks because unlike other lip balms this one doesn't have a slippery glossy feel to it and is rather thick thus provides a more truthful matte lip whilst still having a moisturised lip.

Sun Protection:

Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Moisturiser

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunscreen

Living in a country where temperatures above 40°C are a norm, sun protection is a must. During the summer, I have been leaning towards the Aveeno daily moisturiser more due the SPF, although it does have a some glitter in it. Days where I know I'm going to be out for long I will apply a separate sunscreen under my makeup even if my foundation has a SPF just to be safe.

The skincare main skincare products are Annayake and I highly recommend their products. Although expensive, they live definitely show results. Some days I try not to put any skincare and makeup products on just to let my skin breathe a bit and just wash my face with water.

This will be the first of many skincare posts and hope you've enjoyed!

Shini 

INGLOT Jon Hennessey Workshop

A few weeks ago I attended the Inglot store re-launch at Al Wadha Mall. A makeup masterclass was held by makeup artist and Inglot Ambassador, Jon Hennessey, who is also the owner and creative director of NOBASURA Agency.

 I got to see the Perfect Eyes and Foundation Course where he spoke about pin point concealing, keeping eyeshadow well blended and where to place your cheek highlight. The eye makeup done on the model was slight smokey as the crease colour was blended outward and was very subtle.

Some questions that were asked by others were how to contour your nose where he suggested to follow the contour of your eye to your nose and for those who asked about keeping their skin matte and oil-free, he suggested a blotting powder rather than ordinary powder for more of an effect.

 You can slightly see the look he did on the model here.

Here's the makeup I wore. It was a very neutral eye look with a dark brown crease, beige lid and a baby winged liner. I wore MAC's Diva on my lips.

Those who were selected to attend received a certificate signed by Jon Hennessey himself acknowledging our attendance as well as a gift bag. I received a nail polish in 038 and a matte eyeshadow from the Freedom System in 389.

Overall I throughly enjoy the workshop and the event as a whole and look forward to more of these sorts of events done by Inglot!

Shini.

Me, Myself & Makeup

After seeing Lily Pebbles' post, I felt the need to introduce you to how my passion for makeup started.

Little me with smears of my mothers lipstick on my face.

As a little girl I had always admired the way my mother applied her makeup. A quick swipe of blue kohl on her lid, mascara, powder, lipstick and she was done. A vivid memory I have is of her blue tube of Christian Dior lipstick, which I broke and now live with the guilt. My beautiful mother was a stewardess in her early twenties and she's has always kept a strict skincare regiment and took all her makeup off even after midnight long haul flights! Its funny how it used to be me rummaging through her makeup and now I find her in my room looking for things to use. Oh how the tables have turned! 

My father bought me my first two makeup products since cheeky little me knew that my mother would have never let me. The first was the pink glittery powder from Marks&Spencer which I would never leave the house without. And then of course the iconic Lancome Juicy Tube which I still have as a memory that is surprisingly still going strong. I wore lipgloss religiously back in the day and now I'm the complete opposite and live the matte lipstick life.

I have a family friend who is 9 years older than me and whenever I went over she would let me play with her makeup. She had a drawer full of M.A.C makeup and would never complain about me rearranging her makeup. I can't believe how patient she was with me and that she let me pile on eyeshadow on her! She taught me to tap off excess eyeshadow; should have taken the hint.


When I was twelve I went to camp in Crimea, then Ukraine now Russia, with a bunch of girls from my ballet troupe. Three of them were sixteen at the time so they were all into makeup. I would beg them to let me look through their makeup bags and give me make overs. This trip was a highlight in my makeup addiction journey as my mother bought me my first ever set of makeup. Eyeshadow, a couple brushes, blush and lipstick were all mine to use! We had little discos every night, and that's  when I 'rocked' purple eyeshadow and thick swipe of silver glitter liner.


Since doing ballet one of my favourite parts to this day is performance makeup. It started off with blue eyeshadow all over my lids and some red lipstick and gloss. Now I spend about two hours before a show perfecting my double winged liner and making sure my contour is both natural and visible from stage. It really helps calm down my nerves. Once I get to the theatre, we all help one another and have a relaxed bonding experience over makeup before we sweat half of it off.

I discovered the makeup community of Youtube pretty young and continuously watched videos of Lauren Luke, Pixiwoo and Wayne Goss. Hopefully after establishing this blog I may branch out into Youtube? Who knows...

I think the real turning point for me was when I realised that makeup isn't just and only about trying to look better for others and to hide imperfections, but a way for one to self express. The possibilities for makeup are endless and every day makeup artists across the world create beautiful pieces of art with makeup. I don't think I'll ever stop loving makeup and I hope one that I will pursue my passion.

Shini

Rebirth?

After much consideration and procrastination about what I should do to make this blog an actual thing, I have decided to go full on with it. I've deleted some of my older, less structured posts to keep things organised. It is not the most ideal time with my A Levels just around the corner, but then again what better time than now? I will definitely try to post more often with good content and be a professional with my blog.


See you soon
Shini

Birthday Haul!

Holla,
It was my birthday on the 20th, yeah I know and a bit delayed but I promised myself this would be up by the end September and here it is. Just a disclaimer, I am in no way, shape or form boasting about what I have but I will boast that I have amazing family and friends, who made my day amazing with both their presence and presents.
So here we go:

Let's just excuse that weird wall thing

 

Illamasqua goodies!

Lipstick in Resist

It's more of a hot pink compared to the swatch on the site and its beautifully matte.

Cream Blush in Libido

You barely need to touch the blush with your brush and there is so much pigmentation. I used the Real Techniques stippling brush to apply it.

Eyebrow Cake in Gaze.

I've only used it once and have to say it's the perfect colour for my eyebrows and gets the job done.

Hydra Veil

So since I've only had this for 10 days, I don't know what to think about. It seriously refreshes your face in the morning. Once I get the hang of using it, there will be post about it.

Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate in Intensity 2 

I've wanted this for ages and ages and my mother finally gave in and bought it for me. It is just so perfect I can't even describe it. The contouring shade is perfect for my skin tone and the highlighting shade is reflecting rather than shiny.

M.A.C

Concealer in Pure Orange

Lipliner in Current 

I'm still on the verge on learning in how to use but so far I've been mixing it with my normal concealer and put it around my mouth and under my eyes where I have more darkness.

The lipliner is the most perfect autumn lip shade and I love that that it is creamy but it doesn't 'slip' on your lips.

Maybelline 

The Falsiess Volume Express mascara

Colour show Eyeliner

Finally got the Falsies mascara, yay! You really need to use all angles of the wand to get maximum results with the mascara. The eyeliner is pretty pigmented and average and a colour I don't have so yay!

I got a gift card from a friend for Inglot and really the only thing that I love from there is the eyeshadows so I picked up this beauty. I have no other colours like this, and the only way I can describe them is they are sort of like a desert and camel inspired.

Urban Decay Naked Palette 

Primer Potion

I'm so excited to try these out, especially the darker shades. Its been on the birthday list for 2 years now. I've tired out a friends palette and I like so far far. I would be perfect for school makeup and natural looks.

Illamasqua Lipstick in Shard 

I really think Illamasqua should love me for the amount of love I have for them and the amount of things I buy from them.

This is so beautiful, it's definitely creamy than the matte lipsticks I have but doesn't have that creamy/glossy finish which I don't like the feeling of. This colour also goes perfectly with the M.A.C lipliner in Current.

Last but not least I got another gift card but I didn't want to rush in and buy something since its valid for 3 months, but I'll make sure to post in a future haul.

Shini

A Very Belated Summer Haul

Holla,
As per usual, I haven't posted like I said I would. But this time, it wasn't out of laziness or me being forgetful but my laptop broke so I couldn't put it up as planned, plus a little bit of procrastination, I'm not going to lie.
I am going to apologise in advance for the bad quality pictures, I was so jet lagged and eager to use these products so  I kinda rushed. I also had extreme bad luck with my camera, well electronics in general during this holiday.
Anyways, here it is:

All I could afford from American Apparel was scrunchies and nail polish #poorlyf

I have only good things to say about the nail polishes other than the neon one. It comes matte and in weird thin, streaky coats, you have to layer a lot but a coat of Seche Vite at the end really helps.

(left to right)

American Apparel - Hassid, T-Shirt, Neon Yellow

O.P.I - San-Tan-Tonio

NYC - Sidewalkers

Seche Vite - Top coat 

(left to right)

Flirt! - Far Out in Brown and Agent Lash in Agent Teal

Covergirl - Lash Blast Volume

Maybelline - The Falsies Big Eyes

So far loving all these mascaras, would recommend. But if you get the Flirt! mascara in your eyes might as well pour soap in your eyes. it. hurts. so. much.

I recommend putting on of those water proof mascara maker mascaras on top.

My favourite one is the Big Eyes, my lashes have never look so long and lethal. It is beautiful!

After hearing so much hype about the colour tattoos, I had to pick them up. I went for colours I don't have. So far I'm pleased with them, I haven't been able to use it in a more everyday wearable look but I don't do the whole "no makeup" make up.

Maybelline - Colour Tattoo in 45 Bold Gold and 30 Pomegranate Pink

Excuse the old liner swatches...

I can't keep myself away from anything hologram or duo chrome so had to get the Nine West clutch wallet thing, from Ross of course! 

The J.Crew ipad case/ pouch thing was the best bargain of the summer. From $32.99 to $02.99!!! 

While in American, you must take advantage of the amazing colour range of drugstore (not so fond of using this to describe Walmart and Target) foundations! I got a uber light shade fo ma gurlfrands, who ask me to their makeup but there's a (major) skin tone difference so I will use that lighter foundation on them

I also popped into Macy's and the Laura Mercier counter were giving free samples, HAPPY DAYS!

Maybelline - Fit Me Foundation in 325, 330 and 350 

Fit Me Concealer in 30 Cafe Café

Laura Mercier - Tinted Moisturiser in SPF 20 in Walnut

Definitely the worst picture of the lot but the colours are true. The only thing I semi regret buying is the jumbo lip gloss because it make my lips tingle and smells funky but the colour is really nice.

(left to right)

 EOS lip balm in Pomegranate

Milani - Matte Lipstick in 07 Best Red

Covergirl - Jumbo Gloss Balm in 260

L'Occitane - Lip balm in Pear Aroma ( sooo fancyy)

Vaseline - Cocoa butter lip therapy ( sooo cutee)

BEST FOR LAST

REAL TECHNIQUE BRUSHES

i love them i love them i love them 

they are the best of the best

they are amazing

 you should get them 

they are beautiful 

Real Techniques - Core Collection, Expert Face Brush, Starter Kit, Stippling Brush and Blush brush.

Only negative is I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH, I'm currently trying to persuade my parents to buy me more and we'll se how it goes.

THANK YOU SAMANTHA CHAPMAN YOU ARE A GODDESS!

That's all folks, I'm still working on posting more, so please bare with me.

Shini

Collective Haul #1

Hollaa,
Here's a bunch of things I've kind of collective since May till now. Some were bought using the excuse that prom was just around the corner and the most recent items are what my papa got me just because he's a lovely person .

Illamasqua powder foundation in 240

-Being a powder foundation it does have a bit more coverage which I like and was my saviour when it was exam season and I couldn't be bothered to make my face.

Illamasqua gleam in Supernatural 

-This is so beautiful on darker skin tones and women of colour as the shimmer is golden and the base colour is sort of a rose gold tint. 

Topshop lip liner in Deception 

-This is my first lip liner ever and I have to say it really helps with prolonging the life span of your lipstick.

Topshop lipstick in The Damned

-Although I am not at all a fan of creamy or glossy lipsticks, I have to say Topshop lipsticks are the only ones I can stand. Its quite a pinky deep purple.

Topshop eye liner in Nightfall

-There was an offer at Topshop make up, 2 for 1, so I thought I should be a bit more outgoing and picked up this electric blue liquid liner. It first comes off as really bright but once it dries it has this almost leather like effect and I'm quite pleased with how long it lasts.

Inglot eyelashes in 17S

-I bought this thinking I would wear these to prom. No. It just didn't work out, I have no talent in putting on falsies. They are quite long and feathery which gives it a slight natural look.

Maybelline gel liner 

-I really needed a gel liner before prom and I wasn't in the mood to spend a lot of money on the Bobbi Brown gel liner despite its hype. A fair share of people said that the Maybelline liner out did the B.B one, so I thought might as well, its cheap and gets the job done beautifully.

THE BEST THING EVER OMG, I CAN'T EVEN! 

Illamasqua lipstick in ESP 

-I can not begin to explain my love for this lipstick. As you have gathered I am a big (BIG) fan of Illamasqua but after seeing and using this product, I feel like Illamasqua and I are more than costumer and brand. The lipstick is matte which makes a go to product for me plus it has a sort of blue shimmer/undertone to it which makes it to die for.

 The beautiful gifts from the father:

 Elie Saab Le Parfum

"The top note opens on a sun-kissed, radiant orange blossom, as an ode to light.
The middle note develops into a jasmine absolute, a legendary flower in perfumery, imparting voluptuousness and elegance to the fragrance. It combines with a pure, modern patchouli heart.
The base note unfolds into a cedar woody accord adding character and a lingering trail, while the honey rose envelops the composition in a beautifully addictive note..."

 When you initially put the perfume it is quite strong but slowly fades to a pleasant smell.

Bourjois Make-up Kits

-Smoky Boho Chic

-Bronze up!

Smoky eyes trio eyeshadow in #5 Rose Vintage

-Decent pigmentation, slightly powdery in my opinion. Not a big fan.

Black eye pencil

-Glides on like any other Bourjois eyeliner.

Volume Glamour ultra black mascara

-Does the job I guess. It lengths my eyelashes more than adds volume.

Délice de Poudre- Bronzing powder

-Just a tad bit darker than my skin tone and has a tint of gold shimmer.

Effect 3D waterproof lipgloss  #50 in Brun Exotic

-Personally, I hate to wear gloss but these glosses aren't too sticky and are more hydrating. The lasting power depends.

Little Round Pot Blush #35 Lune D'or

-It is way to light to use as a blush for me but its a lovely soft pink shimmer highlighter.

You also get a free kabuki brush which is a bit rough but gets the job done and free mini eyeliner which is of the same standard of all Bourjois eyeliners.

Bobbi Brown

-Bronze Shimmer Brick Set in Bronze

-Eye palette in Nude on Nude

Shimmer Brick

-It is a perfect warm tone highlighter. It is very pigmented and a little goes a long away. Each colour could be used separately as eye shadows. 

Mini Face Blender brush

-It is unbelievably soft and picks up just the right amount of products and buffs it beautifully into the skin.

Nude on Nude palette 

(from left to right- Navajo, Cement, Heather Mauve(Shimmer wash), Mahogany)

- Perfect selection of shadow for an everyday look. A inner eye colour (navajo), base colour (cement), highlight colour (heather mauve) and crease colour (mahogany) 

-The mini double ended brush is so soft and very useful while travelling.

Peace