Over A Cup Of Coffee... -with Nayab Najam!

Hello there!!

Wondering what the title means? Well read on to find out! :D

I'm suuuuper excited to start another series on my blog!!! YAY! I have an ongoing series on my blog called The Fall Series (which I will link at the end of this post)
So this new series is called "Over A Cup Of Coffee", where I will include Q/As, formal and informal interviews with various Bloggers, YouTubers and other personalities! Sounds fun right?! I think so too!! :D

Let's start with the first installment in this series!

Over A Cup Of Coffee...

-With Nayab Najam!

I'm so glad to start this new series on my blog with a Q/A or Informal Interview (if you may) with the beautiful Nayab Najam from www.NAYABLOVES.com

Nayab in her words:

A self confessed matte lipstick hoarder, I'm just an average 20-something desi girl that loves makeup, food and a bit of fashion. 

Nayab Najam started with her blog in 2011 who has now extended to her very own YouTube channel. Her blog is full of informative reviews, fun Nail Art, hauls and tid bits from her life. You're gonna love every post with her in-depth reviews, conversational style and great photography! 

I finally got a chance to interview her after she recently started her YouTube channel, a tutorial on a brown smokey eye that is very easy to follow, you must watch it! I got some really interesting questions for her and while the coffee is still steaming hot, let's begin.

Q1. How long have you been into makeup?

About the same time that I started my blog – couple of years now for sure! 

Q2. How would you describe your style?

Comfort over style always, I’m a no heel girl for sure!

Q3. Why did you start making videos?

My YouTube channel is basically an extension of my blog – nayabloves is always going to be my main focus – the channel is just there to compliment it.

Q4. What are the best aspects of running your own channel? What are the hardest aspects?

The uploading! Lol – with the YouTube ban in Pakistan – it takes soo soo long to upload the smallest of vids! The best part has to be the feedback I’ve gotten – I’m in my last semester of university so super busy with that and work, the blog and YouTube channel have definitely taken a backseat for now but I’m still really happy with the response I’ve gotten so far.

Q5. What are your personal favorites beauty Youtubers?

I love NikkieTutorials, FleurdeForce, ItsJudyTime – these are just the beauty vloggers. When it comes to daily lifestyle vloggers – the list is endless!

Q6. What do you do when you're not filming or blogging?

Studying, working, chores around the house. Trust me – there’s always something that needs to be done.

Q7. What's your daily makeup routine?

Lots of concealer for sure lol, liquid eyeliner on the upper lash line and lipstick are necessities. The rest I like to change depending on my mood.

Q8. Who is your makeup inspiration?

Anyone who does natural makeup! I love instagram artists and am in awe of their talent, but I can’t ever imagine going out with Instagram-brows and Instagram-contour, its just not my thing.

Q9. What beauty products can you not live without?

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer

Luscious Angel Eyes Primer (great for concealing)

Wet n Wild Lipsticks

Q10. Do you prefer drugstore or high end makeup brands?

I’m a drugstore girl through and through – rarely splurge on high end stuff!

Q11. What are your favorite places to shop?

Ulta and Target! Lots of variety!

Q12. Are there any trends you're particularly inspired by this season?

Bold lips – but that is a trend that comes around every year around this fall so it’s more of a classic by now.

Q13. If you had a thousand dollars to spend on makeup, what would you buy?

Haha – not sure if I will be able to spend that much in one go but lots of lipsticks and highlighters for sure!

Q14. Whats your most memorable makeup faux pas?

Not filling in my horrendous non existent brows till like two years back haha

Q15. What do you think about the YouTube community of Pakistan? How did you make your place?

I’ve only just started so barely having any footing now – I’ve come across a lot of girls! I had no idea about their channel before but I’m definitely loving seeing all these hauls with Sapphire and Pakistani brands that one can relate to you know

Q16. Any advice for anyone who wants to start their own beauty channel?

Make sure you have good internet! Seriously – doesn’t seem that important but it is! I have way too many videos that are ready to upload but the inconsistent internet is killing me! I usually get so frustrated and cancel the upload.

Q17. Where can my readers follow you?

Blog – www.nayabloves.com

Facebook – www.facebook.com/nayabloves

Twitter - @nayabloves

Instagram - @nayabloves

YouTube – www.youtube.com/nayabloves

Snapchat - nayabnajam

So that was Nayab Najam for you, she's so polite and sweet! So glad I got a chance to interview her. Don't forget to subscribe to her channel and follow her blog!

Also make sure you're subscribed to my blog for more in this series and in The Fall Series. If you have a suggestion for this series, please leave it in the comments down below or send me an email at thegulezehrablog@gmail.com or inbox me at www.facebook.com/gulezehrasblog.

I hope you guys enjoyed this because I certainly did. (:

Until next time, Good Luck and Ciao!

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Fall Series:
#1 : Lipsticks for Fall 2015
#2 : Start your Fall 2015 with HOBO by HUB

#3 : 5 Things To Buy This Fall!

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Don't forget to follow me for more in "Over A Cup Of Coffee..."

I Hauled! -Wet n Wild, Milani & Rosebud Perfume Co.

Hello beautiful!!

I have yet another haul to share with you! With this haul I crossed off two products from my September Wish-List which I shared with you. Also I bought a dupe for the lipstick I had in that Wish-List, I wanted to see how does the color look on me before finally making the splurge but too bad, I wasn't really into how it looked on me. Glad I got the dupe though!

What I Hauled:

a) Milani Baked Blush - Luminoso

b) Rosebud Perfume Co.- Smith's Rosebud Salve

c) Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color - Bare It All

d) Wet n Wild Color Icon Bronzer - Reserve Your Cabana

I bought these from Zensky on Facebook. My absolute favorite place to shop makeup from! The girl behind is super sweet and has the most reasonable prices!
I have a discount code for you guys through which you can avail free shipping on orders above Rs. 7500 and that is GULZEN75!!

I needed a lip balm for my lips as they tend to become drier in this weather. I saw this one in one of Wafa Khan's post where she shared her favorite lip balms and Lisa Eldridge video so decided to give this one a try. Milani's Luminoso was after Kathleen Lights raved about it and Reserve Your Cabana because it's one of Jessica Braun's all time favorite! I just got an idea for a post! Something like "YouTubers made me buy this! Haha! I'm sure Kathleen will top the list!! Since I started my blog, I've purchased a lot of products and just so you don't get bored of the many Haul videos -videos? no, posts (been watching too many haul videos I guess), I'll be posting them in between other posts. 

What did you haul in the month of October? Don't forget to share your hauls with me! <3

Until next time, Good Luck and Ciao!

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Previous Hauls:

a) The Palettes Haul.

b) Morphe Brushes Haul.

c) Masarrat Misbah Makeup Haul.

Don't forget to follow my blog!

Follow me on:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram

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Disclaimer : I am not affiliated with the website links and/or PROMO/Discount Codes provided in this post and do not earn or get anything in return in any form, if you click on or use the links and/or codes.

October Favorites!

Hello beautiful!

Just two months to 2015 -let that sink in! Just two months! Where did the time go?
As we start with the dry and cool November, it's time to share my favorites from October. I did not get to play with makeup so much except for when I did the Halloween Looks! I was the Half Skull, The Thirsty Vampire and Stitched Up Insanity. After all the crazy Halloween Makeup I had to give my skin the much needed care and rest.
To try to keep it minimal, here's what I used the most and loved!

1. ColourPop Super Shock Shadow - Fairfax

          Colour Pop eyeshadows have a texture of their own, wet and mousse-y to touch but has a powdery finish. Fairfax is a dark dark dark brown. It's described as a black brown on the website. I have been using it as a smudged eyeliner at the top lash line and it looks so cool! That is mostly what I did every time I wore makeup in October.

2. Nivea Body Lotion - Sensual Musk
          The only time I use lotions for my body is in Autumn and Winter. I bought this back in July solely for its fragrance. I love love how it smells, I'm into musky fragrances. This not only smells good but kept my skin hydrated without feeling greasy -and that's all I want from a moisturizer, hydrating without being greasy. I have used it all through October and keeping it near throughout Autumn and Winter.

3. Amarante - One Last Time
          I first came across this in a Kathleen Light's video and the music just stuck to my mind. There was something so soothing about it. When I finally found it on soundcloud, that's all I listened to. Amarante has such a beautiful variety of songs and there is some depth to each one of em -their lyrics and the music. This one in particular is my favorite!! I can't stop listening to it!! You must listen to it here and tell me if you liked it.

4. L'oreal Paris Hydra-Total 5 Cream
          I use this religiously every night in Fall and Winter. In Summer, I use it on alternate days. I also like to use this under my foundation. This hydrates my skin so well without leaving it greasy. This gets rid of all the dry patches and leave my skin feeling soft, supple and hydrated. I'll do a full review on this for sure!

5. Kryolan Cake Eyeliner - Black
          I used this a lot for my Halloween looks (see them here) and did all my winged eyeliners with it. I found it so easy to use. just a little water to make it creamy and it glides on so smoothly. I was able to create some really precise winged lines with this amazing product!

6. Real Techniques - Miracle Complexion Sponge
          This has to be my favorite for every month because this is what I use mostly for my foundation and blending the concealers! It blends so flawlessly giving that airbrushed look to the skin! It definitely is a steal for its price and the closest possible dupe for Beauty Blender. In fact according to Kathleen Lights and Jaclyn Hill, it performs exactly like the Beauty Blender! It's a staple in my makeup kit!

I wanted to do dome Fall looks but after the Halloween makeup my skin just couldn't take more makeup so I'll definitely do a Fall makeup look this month. Let me know if you want to see any specific makeup look, I am not a makeup artist but will try my best (:

Let me know what were your favorites for the month of October? You know I love hearing from you guys <3

Until next time, Good Luck and Ciao!

Trend Report for Fall 2015!!

Hello Beautiful!

Fall is finally in swing in my country, with cool dry breeze, chapped lips, hot chocolate and leaves ready to carpet the grounds. After being hooked to the Fall Fashion Runways and the Street Style I have finally gathered the top trends of this Fall 2015! Many styles and trends have made a comeback this Fall and the fashion magazines and online websites are full of them, but I have short-listed the trends that I see are gonna be big this Fall! So let's just dive right into it!

Culottes:

The Culottes have arrived and they are definitely here to stay. Culottes were spotted in many collections show cased in the New York Fashion Week and the street fashion came up with some of the most amazing culottes outfits. With the voluminous bottom and flattering hemline they sure will be a versatile item in your Fall Wardrobe. They were showcased by Delpozo, Boss, Narciso Rodriguez, Vera Wang and Rosie Assoulin. Here are some ways to style culottes. They look exceptionally well with crop tops and a blazer!

Fringe:

Fringes are no doubt one of the biggest Fall Trend for this season! From fringes-boots to fringed accessories, they can be seen almost in all the trend reports I have seen and read about. Also they were seen in a lot of collections on the runways for Fall such as Ralph Lauren, Marchesa, Prabal Gurung, Proenza Schouler and Saint Laurent.

Bohemian Vibe:

We could see a lot of boho chic style throughout the New York Fashion Week Fall 2015. The vintage-inspired and free spirited look made it’s way to the Fall runways this season with bold colors, big knits, mismatched prints and layered pieces including turtle necks, pleated dresses and skirts, maxi skirts, ponchos, blazers, leather jackets and a variety of accessories. Every look is made of natural fabrics including silk, suede, leather, denim, cotton, velvet, linen, fur etc. Roberto Cavalli, Kenzo, Matthew Williamson, Zero Maria Cornejo and Suno all had a bohemian vibe!

Suede:

Suede is no wonder everyone’s favorite fabric this season with so many designers incorporating suede in their collection. It’s that one trend that you can wear in multiple ways. It can be worn as the main piece in your outfit, or amp up a simple attire with a chic suede jacket. A suede skirt definitely looks sexy! You can also carry suede as a bag or those chic ankle boots! Suede was showcased by Chanel, Michael Kors, Chloe and Zimmermann.

Turtle Necks:

Definitely my all time favorite! Turtle necks can be so classy and casual at the same time. It’s like a neutral piece of clothing that can be dressed up and dressed down. It sure is a classic staple for your Fall/Winter wardrobe! It can be layered with a jacket or scarf for a casual look or styled with a tailored blazer and long statement necklaces for a classy and sophisticated look. Turtle-necks were spotted in Boss, Delpozo,  Narciso Rodriguez, Oscar De La Renta, Rag & Bone collections.

High-Waist Bottoms:

Whether it’s a wide-legged, boot-cut or skinnys, high-waists are back! From New York Fashion Week to Paris Fashion Week, high-waists were showcased by many designers and I’m sure this sleek style is going to be one popular trend this season! It looks so chic paired with a crop top or a slim fitted tank top tucked in. High- Waists were seen in Marc by Marc Jacobs, Rosie Assoulin, Isabel Marent, Louis Vuitton and Carven collections.

These trends are not only going to be big this Fall but also very easy to style from a casual look to a classy statement.

Let me know which trend you absolutely love this Fall? I'll be posting different looks and outfits according to these trends so make sure you're following me on all my social medias for tips and styles to incorporate these trends in your outfits. Don't forget to share your favorite trends with me!

Until next time, Good Luck and Ciao!

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Fall Series:
#1 : Lipsticks for Fall 2015
#2 : Start your Fall 2015 with HOBO by HUB

#3 : 5 Things To Buy This Fall!

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The Palette Haul!

Hello beautiful,

I'm gonna start with a huge Thank You for all the love and response on my last post, where I reviewed the newly launched JY - The Style Studio. Thank you so much for all the love. You guys keep me motivated! xo

So moving on, I have a haul to share! These products have been on my Wish-List for so long, SO LONG!! Since I rarely splurge on high-end stuff, these always took a back seat, although I wanted them so bad!! Well, I finally got them and boy oh boy, I am so glad I did!!

What I Hauled:

a) Too Faced - Chocolate Bar Palette.
b) LORAC - Pro Palette 2

I had been torn between LORAC Pro and Pro 2 but decided on Pro 2 as I was getting the Chocolate Bar with it and both the LORAC Pro and Chocolate Bar has the same theme.
Anyway, I'm so so glad I got these, it always feel so good getting stuff and crossing them off from the Wish-List (don't you agree?) and Chocolate Bar has been on the very top of my Wish-List!
What did you guys haul recently? Don't forget to share your hauls in the comments down below!

I got these from Zensky on Facbook! It's dealt by such a sweet and polite girl. I absolutely love ordering from there! She has the most reasonable prices!! I have a PROMO Code with them, with which you can avail free shipping on orders above Rs. 7500, i.e. GULZEN75 
Let me know if you want a complete review on any or both of these! I'd love to oblige! <3

Until next time, Good Luck and Ciao!

Disclaimer : I am not affiliated with the website links and/or PROMO Codes provided in this post and do not earn or get anything in return in any form, if you click on or use the links and/or codes.

JY - The Style Studio - The Next Big Thing! [Bloggers Meetup]

Hello beautiful!

Okay, I am super excited to write this post!! This amazing 'Style Studio' is opening up soon in Karachi and they had a Bloggers Meetup AND I was over the moon for being invited to the event by Husnain Minawala from Mystic Marketing. This was my very first meet-up after I started my blog and naturally I was very excited and nervous.
Before I dwell on my experience, I would like to introduce you to JY - The Style Studio!

JY - The Style Studio is not just a salon but a venue for beautification, relaxation and style. This venture is originated by Yasir, who has always been very passionate about new trends and style; and Javaid, the head stylist, who has 14 years of experience and expertise under his belt, in this field and industry.
JY - The Style Studio provides its customers with the most luxurious experience with an exquisite ambiance along with a skilled and dedicated team who cater to the customers' requirements and give them the experience of their life.

Bloggers Meet Up:
The wonderful event was organized and administered by Mystic Marketing on 30th October, 2015, to give the bloggers a chance to explore the aesthetic ambiance and enjoy the many services that were offered from Manicure and Pedicure to Hair Dos and Hair Styling. Javaid was personally available to help the bloggers and made them feel welcome and comfortable. The event started from 5 in the evening and continued till 9 pm.

JY -The Style Studio & My Experience:

The Style Studio is located in Khayaban-e-Bukhari, Defense Phase VI. It is a two-story studio with special care given to details.As you enter you have a reception area in front of you. On your left there's a little cafeteria to refresh while you wait in the comfortable seating provided right in front of the cafeteria. On your extreme right is a spacious area for men and beside that is a large split-level area dedicated to female customers which is fully equipped without being overwhelming. They have a very chic and elegant look to them.

Entrance:

 

Refreshment/Waiting Area:

Male Area:

A Panoramic View of The Male Area

Ladies & Bridal Area:

(Right to the Left)

The Second Area for Ladies Behind The Divider.

The Second Area for Ladies:

Basement:

The stair way (which is quite uncomfortable and creaky to climb, in my opinion, with quite big steps) leads to the basement which is designated for Manicures, Pedicures and for the relaxing spa experience.

O.P.I Nail Paints

It was a great experience meeting the beautiful personalities behind the blogs I've been reading.. Also it was my first time getting invited to an amazing event and bloggers' meetup after I started my blog back in August 2015, so you can understand my excitement.

I got a Manicure done by Shumaila who was very polite and great at it! My hands still thank her for the relaxing massage, I'm already looking forward to it again. The application of the nail paint, Essie's Aperitif, was very neat -exactly how I like it. I loved LOVED the blow dries and hair styling that other bloggers got done. That too is on my list now!

Essie - Aperitif. Manicure don by Shumaila.

I am very happy with the over all experience. This place is going to be a hit for sure! Their services are commendable! I plan to go back for a Pedicure and Hair Styling (I'll link the blogs reviewing their Hair Styling just so you can see how awesome they were!), so that I am able to provide you with more reviews on this amazing place!

Be sure to visit the JY - The Style Studio to have the time of your life and remember to get that bouncy and curly hair styling done (you'll thank me later *wink*) and give your hands a treat with a relaxing Manicure by Shumaila and don't forget to share your experiences with me <3

Until next time, Good Luck and Ciao! 

Disclaimer : I am not affiliated with the website links provided and/or the place mentioned in this post and do not earn or get anything in return in any form, if you click on or use the links and/or visit the place.