Makeup Products I used this Eid! | Eid ul Azha 2016 |

Hello Beautiful!

I hope all of you had a great time this Eid! For all those who don't like or eat red-meat, like me, Good Luck explaining why you don't as you politely refuse to all those meaty dishes. XD
Moving on to the fun part of Eid, getting ready of course! I used pretty much the same products on all three days except for the lip colors. I created three different looks using the same palette and used one face palette for Blusher, Bronzer and Highlight.

So, here are the details on the products I used.

Face:

• Primer: e.l.f Poreless Primer.
• Foundation: Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation - 52.
• Face Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte - Peach Glow.
• Bronzer: Becca x Jaclyn Hill Face Palette - Amaretto
• Blusher: Becca x Jaclyn Hill Face Palette - Pamplemousse.
• Highlight:Day 1: Presecco Pop + Champagne PopDay 2: Champagne PopDay 3: Presecco Pop
• Makeup Setting Spray: Skindinavia Finishing Spray - Oil Control

Snapchat: gulexehra

Eyes:

• Primer: Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation.
• Setting Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte.
• LORAC - Pro 2 Eyeshadow Palette.
  Day 1: Buff, Lt. Brown, Mocha, Plum.
  Day 2: Buff, Beige, Nectar, Lt. Brown, Cool Brown.
  Day 3: Buff, Nectar Lt. Brown, Rose.
• Eyeliner: Jesse' Girl Cosmetics Eyeliner Pen.
• Mascara: Maybelline Lash Sensational.
• Waterline: Rimmel Exaggerating Eye Definer - In The Nude (I forgot to picture it)

Snapchat: gulexehra

Lips:

• Day 1: Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick - 016 Heart Breaker + Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate Moss - 106.
• Day 2: Luscious Cosmetics Signature Lipstick in 08 + Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate Moss - 106.
• Day 3: Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick - 016 Heart Breaker.

Snapchat: gulexehra

You can follow me on Snapchat for more on-the-spot snaps of the products I use, swatches, quick reviews and tutorials. I enjoyed using the same products for creating three different looks, goes to shows that you can really mix up whatever you have and use it in several different ways to create different looks. I'd love to know what you used for your makeup looks this Eid!

Until next time, Good Luck and Ciao!

Why Liquid Lipsticks have serious Game? | Guest Post |

Hey!

Let me start by formally writing this down that there is no such thing as “too many lipsticks”. Be it a traditional black bullet of MAC lipstick or Kylie’s liquid lipsticks, we need them all! Remember those days when hunting for the perfect lipstick meant browsing the kiosks at Agha’s or D.Watson with a friend or sister? Well the scenario has completely changed, 

Enters Sephora and Super Drug products in Pakistan! *drum-roll please*

The lipstick market has diversified and spun around 180 degrees with hundreds of international brands like YSL, Stila , SMASHBOX ,Inglot, HUDA beauty, Jeffree Star at our disposal right away. A big fat THANKYOU to all the Cosmetic pages on Facebook and Instagram doing the noble deed of reducing the gap between makeup hoarders and a ton of new stuff everyday!

Last year many high end brands introduced us to a more “revolutionized” and “modern” version of lipstick, they called it a liquid lipstick. “Ease of a gloss and pigmentation of a lipstick!”, chanted every brand. All the YouTube beauty bloggers were thrilled while we had our reservations. Soon after, YouTube was overtaken by this product, I still remember each and every one of the beauty bloggers I followed on YouTube raving about it. What’s so special, after all?  I Wondered. I started noticing a huge number of price quotes being requested by masses on various social media makeup supplier pages. People have gone gaga over an over-priced celebrity makeup item again! Soon Drugstore brands like Revlon, Rimmel, Maybelline etc followed and resurfaced with affordable and better formulas that gave serious competition to their higher end competitors.

Weeks later I decided to test out the hype and got my hands on two shades of the Rimmel Provocalips 16 HR lip color and boy was I impressed! I LOVED IT! Intense color payoff in one swipe, stays put all day, totally comfortable on the lips, no feathering or turning into a melted mess in higher temperatures, survives eating and drinking and perfectly matte! BAM! I didn’t expected such genius formulas from the drugstore but boy I was wrong.

In the couple of months after I ordered a few more from the drugstore and higher end to test the theory and I had my fair share of hits and misses. Some drugstore formulas were totally comparable to their higher counterparts, some were opaque on single pigmentation but feathered after some time while others didn’t dry matte at all and kept staining coffee cups.

The very concept of a liquid lipstick had me impressed and perplexed at the same time. Impressing because it delivered long wear intense color payoff on every application and perplexed because there was no fixed definition of a liquid lipstick. Every brand came by their own names, lip lacquers, cream sheens, velvet mattes etc. Unfortunately every good product has a downside too. Here is what I gathered from my experience.

PROS

• ·         5 GOLD stars on providing intense color on your lips. The color you see in the bottle is the color you get on your lips every time in one single swipe! Now how amazing is that!? They definitely are melted lipstick in a bottle. Jeffree Star liquid lipsticks tops the list.

• ·         No need for reapplication or those frequent visits to the washroom to fix your lipstick. Most of the formulas out there ( the ones that specifically say all day wear, etc) donot budge for upto 8-9 hours straight. Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick and Rimmel Provocalips get you through the entire day.

• ·         Since it is a melted lipstick in a bottle no need to toss them in the fridge during summers. Throw them in your handbag and you’re good to go. No spills and no melted mess.

• ·         No need to wear a lip liner underneath. Try the trusted Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick.

• ·         The design of the doe-foot applicator ensures easy application. The tapered brush helps you apply the liquid lipstick easily with precision especially in the cupid’s bow and the inner corners of the lips.

• ·         Comes in Mini- versions or in value sets and gift packs during the holiday season. You can invest in either of these to try different shades and formulas at a lesser price tag. Log on to Sephora’s website to grab these goodie packs.

• ·         The matte ones set under a minute and when it does it doesn’t budge. Only a makeup remover can take it off!

CONS

• ·         Some brands have jumped onto the bandwagon without perfecting their formulas unfortunately. Look out for such “Big Claims”. Always read blogger reviews before investing your money.

• ·         EXPENSIVE! Higher price tag doesn’t mean superior formula. Watch out! These babies can burn a hole in your pocket hence do your homework before buying one.

• ·         Since most of the formulas out there claim to be absolutely matte hence they can settle into the fine lines and make them your lips look parched. Always exfoliate your lips and moisturize them before applying your liquid lipstick.

• ·         The formulas can be unforgiving on your lips. Some products are dual ended, with liquid lipstick on one end and a clear balm on another. The balm can be applied on top of the lipstick whenever they feel dry.

• ·         Some formulas like the Vivid mattes and Ultra HD’s do not dry matte at all. They will transfer throughout the day and re-application will be required.

• ·         Some formulas stay put for upto 8 hours but can start to fade in the inner side of the lips and corners of the mouth. Some will start to bleed hence back them up with a lip liner underneath.

• ·         Some are strongly scented. 

Wet Application

After it sets to a Matte Finish.

That was quite a post but let us know which products have worked for you and which ones have been disappointed. Love to hear back!

Fatiha.

Hello Beautiful!

Fatiha is 27 and obsessed with anything and everything beauty and fashion related. She has a Masters in Project Management and work as a freelancer but writing and beauty blogging is what makes her happy! Currently she is setting up her own blog but you can follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

This, for sure was an interesting read! I hope ya'll find it as interesting and informative as I did. I'd love to know what are your takes on Liquid Lipsticks also which ones are your favorite? 

If you want to guest post on my Blog, feel free to contact me at thegulezehrablog@gmail.com. I'd love to have you over.

Until next time, Good Luck & Ciao!

Rich Warm Brown EOTD Using Too Faced Chocolate Bar

Hello Beautiful!

So this look was inspired by the shade Amaretto in my Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette. I never really delved into the more "colorful" and dark shades in this palette as I mostly stick to the "nude" shades. One day I was just sitting and swatching the palette, for absolutely no reason, and this shade just caught my eye. It's a warm medium brown with reddish undertone and has a frosty finish. So here's the look I did followed by how I achieved it.

Products Used:

Eyes:

• LA Girl Pro Concealer - Creamy Beige.
• Too Faced - Eyeshadow Palette - Chocolate Bar.
• NYX - Jombo Pencil - Milk.
• Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara.
• Jesse's Girl Eyeliner Pen.

Tools Used:

• Morphe MB23
• Color Studio Blending Brush
• e.l.f Shader Brush
• e.l.f Small Angled Brush

Steps:

1. I like to prep my eyes with the concealer as it works as a base and hide the veins and any discoloration.
2. To set the eye base I used White Chocolate all over the lid up to the brow-bone.
3. I blended Salted Caramel with MB23 in my crease. I layered and blended until i was happy with the intensity. Salted Caramel is a beautiful transition shade.
4. With Color Studio Brush I took Milk Chocolate on my crease and blended it. I kept this focused in the crease, make sure you don't take it past that.
5. Then with a shader brush, I applied Amaretto on my entire eyelid. I also dampened the brush with Fix Plus and applied Amaretto again in a pat and slide motion. This helps in intensifying the shade and sheen.
6. On a more precise shader brush I took Cherry Cordial and packed it in the outer corners and blended the edges with Color Studio Blending Brush.
7. I highlighted the brow-bone area with White Chocolate and Champagne Truffle.
8. With a clean fluffy blending brush I blended the whole look again so there are no harsh lines.
9. I lined the lower lash line with Cherry Cordial with an angled brush and smoked it out with Salted Caramel and Milk Chocolate with a pencil brush.
10. After applying the winged-liner with Jesse's Girl Eyeliner Pen, I lined the waterline with NYX Milk and coated my lashes with Maybelline mascara.
11. I also concealed the under-eye area with L.A. Girl Concealer, blended it in with my ring finger and set it with a loose powder.

I really like how it turned out, loved how Amaretto paired up with Cherry Cordial. Hope you like it as much as I did and if you re-create it, don't forget to share it with me by using the hashtag #gulezehrasblog.

Until next time, Good Luck and Ciao!

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream - Ibiza |Review & Swatches|

Hello Beautiful!

I have to say this right now, I love how these smell! But is there more to it? I have reviewed a shade Zurich in this line before, but does Ibiza hold the same impression for me? Read on to find out.

What NYX says:

My Thoughts:

Packaging: It comes in a plastic bottle with a black cap that has a matte finish. The color of the bottle represents the color of the actual product. It is quite sturdy and travel friendly and the cap screws shut nice and tight. It has a doe foot applicator which is soft on the lips. I don't find it scratchy. The name of the shade is mentioned at the bottom. 

Color: Described as a "deep rose pink", on my lips it truly is a deep and bright rose pink. I love to pair it up with otherwise minimal makeup.

Scent: As mentioned before, I love love how this smells. Like a sweet Vanilla icing -YUM!

Formula & Application: With all the Liquid Lipsticks pouring in from every cosmetic brand on this planet, the only reason I'm not really big on them is because how dry they feel on the lips! I absolutely hate that feeling but with these the experience is totally opposite.

The formula is creamy and mousse like and goes on quite smooth on my lips. I'd recommend exfoliating and moisturizing your lips prior to application anyway. Unlike Zurich, this one isn't patchy at all and the applicator applies it smooth and not streaky. 

It applies opaque on the first application but i like to go over it once again sometimes before it sets.

The product sets to a smooth matte on the lips without drying them. I like how light and moisturizing it is on the lips and doesn't transfer after it sets.

Lasting Power: The longest it wore on me was for 4 hours until it started fading from um where my lips touch. The good thing is that it doesn't crack or crumble. 

Overall I really like this formula and the color and for that it gets a 5 on 5!

I bought this from NYX website for $6. Unfortunately they don't ship to Pakistan but you can buy it from Zensky, Endulgence, Amor and several other Facebook pages selling authentic cosmetics. It is also available at Just4Girls and Reforma.pk

I'd love to know your experience with these and if you have any favorite shades from this range.

Until next time, Good luck and Ciao!

5 Things To Buy at The Launch of e.l.f Cosmetics in Pakistan!

Hello Beautiful!

Yes yes, you read that right! Our favorite e.l.f is all set to launch in Pakistan at www.elfcosmetics.pk and they will be offering a 15% discount for their launch promotion on 5th & 6th of August. You can avail it by using Elf15 at checkout. Isn't it wonderful? Well then, what must you get to avail this wonderful offer? Let me help you with that ;)

Here are the 5 things you must buy at the launch promotion!


1. Contour Palette.

This is the only palette you will need to sculpt, bronze, highlight and brighten your face, The powders are soft, pigmented and blends seamlessly. The palette offers a warm bronzing shade, a neutral toned contour powder, a yellow toned powder to set and brighten the under-eye area and a subtle highlighting powder. This is one contour palette that you would love to travel with!

2. Under-Eye Setting Powder.

Want to achieve that bright, crease-less under-eye area without caking it up? Then set your under-eye concealer with this powder, which is so finely milled and gives the most smooth velvety finish and instantly brightens the area. If you've been wanting an inexpensive alternative to Laura Mercier - Secret Brightening Powder, then I highly recommend you get this!

3. Baked Highlighter - Blush Gems.

If there is one highlighter you need to get from e.l.f, it's this! The pigmentation is incredible and the baked product is soft and not powdery or patchy at all, that gives the most beautiful glow without any visible chunks of glitter. It's also known to be a dupe of MAC Soft and Gentle. You can read my full review on this beautiful highlighter, along with swatches, here.

4. Matte Lip Color - Rich Red.

Do you love a good matte lipstick? Well then you have to check this one out! I am in love with the formula! Creamy, glides on smoothly and isn't patchy at all! The pigmentation is incredible and so is the staying power. Also I love how easy it is to apply because of it's marker like packaging. This particular color, Rich Red, is one of my favorite shade of Red! 

5. Poreless Face Primer.

One of my absolute favorite primer!! Unlike other primers claiming to be poreless when in fact they do nothing, this one does! I use it on my mum and it really does fill and blur her otherwise large pores. I make sure I use it under my foundation when I really want my makeup to last for a long time because this one is pretty good at keeping my makeup intact. I've noticed that my foundation goes on and blends more smoothly with this underneath.

As much as I can go on and on about all the products that are definitely must-haves from e.l.f., these are the ones on the top of that list. So set your reminders for 5th and 6th August because now you know what you must do to avail the amazing 15% discount. Don't forget to enter the code Elf15 at the checkout and remember to share you hauls with me by using the hashtag #gulezehrasblog! 

Until next time, Good Luck & Ciao!

July Favorites!

Hello Beautiful!

It feels good to be back! This has been the longest that I was MIA but Gosh I missed this so much! Where have I been? Girlll, exams and assignments got to me and then went through a huge change in my life, but all for the better. I've finally learnt that everything happens for a reason and that God always always wants the best for you. So no matter what you're going through, stay strong, stay your ground, don't lose faith and you will come out of it stronger (:

I decided to resume this part of me with July's Favorites! Everything that I have loved using again and again through out July. So, in no particular order, let's start with my absolute favorites of this month!

1. Zoeva - Eyeshadow Palette - Cocoa Blend.
        This eyeshadow palette is loveeeeee! I have to say I got this after Kathleen raved about it and now I know why! The eye shadows are so pigmented and blend so well and easily! I don't have to go over them again and again, they just blend flawlessly without taking away the pigmentation. They're soft to touch and not powdery at all! You can create both soft and bold looks with it. I love it almost, if not as much, as my Too Faced Chocolate Bar!

2. Wet 'n' Wild - Color Icon Bronzer - Reserve Your Cabana.
          Although labelled a 'bronzer', it is actually a beautiful and subtle illuminating powder that gives that gorgeous "lit from within" glow! The powder itself is velvet-soft and even leaves a soft velvety finish when applied - which was the first thing that surprised me. I'd definitely recommend you to buy this if you've been wanting the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder. This is a spot on alternative to that. It is the only one I have been using to highlight my face this month.

3. Colourpop Super Shock Eyeshadow - Fairfax.
          I have been in a no-liner phase for quite some months but this month I loved using this eyeshadow as a liner for when I want a litter extra for my eyes. What I do is, I swirl an angled brush onto the product and then line my lash line by stamping and dragging the product for a more soft liner look. The consistency of the shadow is perfect for this technique and look.

4. Essence - Silky Touch Blush - Baby Doll.
          I am in loveeee with this Blusher! It is exactly what it says, "silky touch" 'cause it's so soft and goes on and blends on the cheeks like a dream! The Blusher has a pretty satin finish and gives a beautiful, natural looking pink flush to the cheeks. This looks great paired up with every makeup look, be it something minimal and soft or super glam and even pairs up nicely with a dramatic eye look. It even stays on for quite a long time which is definitely a plus.

5. Jordana - Powder Blush - Coral Radiance.
          This is such a beautiful Coral shade. The formula is soft, nicely pigmented and blendable. It has a matte finish but not powdery or patchy at all. I like how it's not too pigmented because that gives me more control with building up the intensity. I found myself reaching out for this more on the days I didn't wear the Essence Blusher.

6. Maybelline - Color Sensational Lipstick - Coral Tonic:

          This has to be my all time favorite for Spring and Summer! The color is a gorgeous, juicy, Coraly goodness that looks stunning in this season! I love how creamy and comfortable the lipstick is on the lips. The color is an instant mood booster for me and looks beautiful with minimal makeup. The lipstick doesn't go opaque on the first application but you can definitely build it up with two to three coats.

So those were the products I loved using all through July. I'm looking forward to switch up and use other products in August. These favorites series encourage me to use new and old products and help me discover and rediscover my favorites!

Don't forget to share some of your favorite from July in the comments, you know I love hearing from you guys (:

Until next time, Good Luck and Ciao!

Discount / Promo Codes:

GULZEN75 : Get free shipping on your order above Rs. 7500 from Zensky

ASHOOG12 : Get 12% discount on the whole Bag collection at Ashootabby. (Valid until 31st March 2016)

VIOLETTEG10 : Avail 10% discount on your total at Violette - Online Clothing Brand

GULLOVESCHIC : Avail a 10% discount on each item at Urban Chic.

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the website link(s) and discount codes provided in this post and do not earn or get anything, in return, in anyway if you click on or use the links -except Urban Chic & Violette -that I own.