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.

Spring/Summer Makeup Look With A Pop of Color

Hello Beautiful!

I know super late on this Spring Makeup Look as we are nearing, well, almost in Summers but let's just assume Summer starts for me from June, shall we? Thanks! :D
This look however is perfect for Summer with the over all fresh peachy bronzy look and a pop of Teal on the eyes. So let me put "Summer" right there in the title; okay done. Let's move on to how I achieved this look.

Products Used:

Face:

• e.l.f Poreless Primer
• Bourjois - 123 Perfect Foundation - 52
• Rimmel - Stay Matte Pressed Powder - Peach Glow
• Sleek - Contour Palette - Light
• NYX - Powder Blush - Pinched
• Becca x Jaclyn Hill - Champagne Pop

Eyes:

• L.A. Girl Pro Concealer - Creamy Beige
• Rimmel - Stay Matte Pressed Powder - Peach Glow
• Too Faced - Chocolate Bar 
• e.l.f - Baked Eyeshadow - Toasted
• OFRA - Blush Strips - Illuminating 
• Masarrat Makeup - Eye Varnish - Azul
• Morphe Brushes - Individual Eye Shadow - B.A.M
• NYX - Jumbo Pencil - Milk
• Maybelline - Colossal Kajal
• Kryolan - Cake Eyeliner - Black
• Jordana Best Lash Extreme Mascara.

Steps:

Eyes:

1. After priming my eyes (lids and up to the brow bone) with the concealer, I set it with a pressed powder.
2. For my crease and transition color I blended in Salted Caramel from Chocolate Bar palette and highlighted the brow bone with White Chocolate.
3. On a smaller blending brush, I took Milk Chocolate from Chocolate Bar and blended it on the outer corners of my eyes and also took it a little in the crease but mostly concentrating on the outer corners.
4. I darkened the outer corners a little with Semi Sweet from Chocolate Bar and highlighted the brow bone and inner corners with the pearly white strip from the OFRA Blush Strip.
5. I patted on Toasted on my lids and blended the whole look again to get rid of any harsh lines.
6. To brighten my waterline, I used NYX Milk and tight-lined the upper lash line with Maybelline Kajal.
7. On my lower lash line, I packed on Azul with an angled brush and layered B.A.M on top to give it more of a green tinge. I layered Azul back on top to intensify the color and then smoked it out a little with Salted Caramel on a pencil brush.
8. I decided to do a small wing for the eye look to keep it day time appropriate and fresh looking and finished the eye makeup with two coats of Mascara on my upper and lower lashes.

Face:

1. I primed my face with the poreless primer and blended in my foundation using Real Techniques sponge.
2. To set my face, I used my trusted Stay Matte Pressed Powder and lightly dusted it all over my face, with a Kabuki Brush.
3. I decided to contour my face lightly and used Sleek Palette for that with a fluffy angled brush, for a soft contour.
4. For Blush I used Pinched by NYX and highlighted my cheek bones with Champagne Pop which for some odd reason didn't show in pictures but otherwise it gave the most amazing glow!
5. I set the whole face with Skindinavia Oil Free Makeup Finishing Spray to keep all of it locked and fresh looking in this hot and humid weather.

I really like how it turned out, specially how smokey the outer corners of my eyes looked against the highlighted inner corners giving it a beautiful shape. For a more night time appropriate look you can definitely pair it up with a brighter lipstick, a bright pink would compliment the eyes so much and it'll look perfect for Spring. Also, you can switch the white in the waterline to a black to make it look more smokey and sultry.

Let me know what lip color would you wear with a look like this and don't forget to share your looks with me using the hash-tag #gulezehrasblog.

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.

April Favorites!

Hello Beautiful!

Oh my! Karachi needs to calm down! The temperature is rising with every passing day and hence the need to keep my face matte and shine free because I have given up on the idea of "sweat-proof/free" considering the humid and hot weather here where I live. My April Favorites consist of the products that didn't fail me in this weather and I didn't need to touch them up frequently, well not even once in some cases. Let's start with what my favorites were.

1. Bourjois - 123 Perfect Foundation - Light Beige 53.

          This has to be my best friend for the hot and humid weather. It is everything EVERYTHING I want from a foundation in this weather. It blends so smoothly with both my Real Technique Buffing Brush and Miracle Sponge, doesn't sit on top of skin, in fact blends in looking very natural. Sets completely matte and is shine free without looking Sahara Dessert dry or cakey. I absolutely love it and will be sticking to this all through Summers.

2. Makeup Revolution - Powder Blush - Treat.
          This is literally the only Blusher I used all through April! The formula is so soft and it blends seamlessly. It has a satin finish and gives the most beautiful peachy color to your cheeks. Also, it stays put for a good amount of time.I loved it enough to even travel with it.

3. e.l.f Cosmetics - Baked Highlighter - Moonlight Pearls.
          This is a re-discovered product from my stash and I fell in love with it all over again. I love to highlight the top of my cheeks, brow-bone and inner corners of my eyes with this. Read the full review here.

4. Morphe Brushes - Individual Eyeshadow - Caramelized.
          This is for my eyes what bronzer is for the face. All of you know by now how much I like to keep my makeup minimal and fresh and when I just a want a little extra for my eyes (apart from Mascara) I just blend this in my crease to warm up the eyes and for a natural contoured look. This buffed into my crease, inner corners and brow-bone highlighted with Moonlight Pearls and two coats of Mascara -and my eye look is complete.
Read the full review here.

5. Jordana - Best Lash Extreme Mascara.
          This Mascara is loveeeee the formula is neither too thin or too thick, just the right consistency and it gets better with each use. I love how just one swipe of this provides both length and volume. I have used this Mascara here.

6. Rimmel - Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer - In The Nude.

          I love to use this in my University days to eliminate the redness and for the well-rested eye look. I hardly get any sleep these days thanks to my studies and this helps me brighten up my eyes. The pencil glides smoothly on the waterline and stays put for a long time without any smudging.

7. Wet n Wild - Megalast Lipstick - Bare It All.
          The first time I got it I wasn't really impressed because I was use to Maybelline Coffee Craze which is a neutral toned brown where as Bare It All is a warm toned brown but with time it grew on me and I gravitated towards it the most all through April, so much so that with the beginning of May I had to remind myself to put this down and use something else. It is a beautiful warm nude shade nonetheless.

I make it a point to switch up and change the products I use every month so that I can share my favorites with you. April was all about keeping my makeup fresh, shine free and long lasting in this humid weather.

What were your favorite products to use in April? How do you keep your makeup shine-free and long lasting? I plan to do my makeup routine for

April with April Favorites, would you like that? Let me know in the comments.

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.