NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream - Zurich

Hi there beautiful, (:

I got this along with some other products from NYX that I haul, I'll share the complete haul in an later post. Since out of all products I started using this first and have been using it more than the others I decided to finally review it.
There are a total of 21 shades in the Soft Matte Lip Cream line and they are all gorgeous!

I got 3 shades out of these and I'm gonna review and share swatches with you for Zurich.

What does NYX says?

I decided I'll mention the ingredients too.

My Thoughts:

These Lip Creams come in a plastic bottle with a smooth matte (I love how it feels) black cap and has a doe-foot applicator. The packaging is sturdy and travel friendly as the plastic is not that squeezy type but hard and sturdy. The shade is mentioned on the bottom of the bottle.

Zurich is a pretty peachy nude color. The formula definitely is buttery soft that dries down to a matte that is not drying on the lips, I find it a comfortable matte to wear but it doesn't go on smoothly, at least on my lips. The pigmentation is good but I'm honestly just meh about it wearing this on its own because I need to apply at east two coats to make it smooth and opaque. I tend to smooth it out with the pad of my ring finger because I feel the applicator makes it streaky. Am I being to critical? Well maybe but that's just how I feel with this particular color. I advise you to exfoliate and moisturize your lips before applying it because it tends to dry and look patchy and flaky if I apply it to my lips when they're dry and not exfoliated.

I really really like the color, I just do not like how it applies on my lips with the applicator. Also when I apply more than one coat in an attempt to smooth it and get the right pigmentation it dries down and look a little patchy.

I like to pair it with dramatic eyes and when I'm not wearing any makeup I smooth it down on my lips lightly with my finger, that gives a healthy look to my lips. Another way I have been wearing it a lot lately is to combine it with my Maybelline Coffee Craze. I'll share this combination too after reviewing and swatching Maybelline Coffee Craze.

Do you see that patchy-crusty area in the inner rim of my lips?

Well that was it on Zurich, I really like the color, I love to mix it in with my other lipsticks but not a fan of how it applies with the applicator and how it looks on my lips.

I hope this was helpful for you.

I'll rate Zurich a 3.5 on 5.

I got this for $6 from the NYX website. NYX does not deliver to Pakistan though.

Let me know how you find Zurich if you own one. I would love to read from you (:

Until next time, Good Luck and Ciao! (:

Free Shipping at Zensky!!! (For Limited Time)

Hello there! (:

I'm so excited to share this with you gals and guys! I have a code for all of you lovelies to get free shipping on my favorite online store! Read on to find out, I'm gonna keep this one short (:

I have recently been hooked to shopping at Zensky, they have the best prices to offer and the girl behind it is such a sweetheart, so polite and sweet in dealing with, answers all your questions and keeps you updated! I'll be posting my Hauls 'hauled' from her soon too (:
My experience has always been so smooth and hassle-free with her. So I decided get a special offer for all of you  <3

Before anything else, I am NOT an affiliate with them and do NOT get anything in return if you use my code.

Zensky is an online store at Facebook that offers from beauty products to fashion. You can either order from the In Stock section or pre order from them.

My Offer Code: 

Get Free Shipping (Karachi ONLY) at Zensky on your order ABOVE Rs. 7500 !!

Use the code GULZEN75

Make sure you avail this offer soon as it is for Limited Time ONLY! I'll give you a heads up 15 days and a week before the offer ends so make sure you are following me these social media sites:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gulezehrasblog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/gulezehrasblog
Instagram: www.instagram.com/gulezehrasblog 

Some of the In Stocks at Zensky:

Head on to www.facebook.com/zenskyfashion to get your favorites and oh hey Becca's Champagne Pop is available on the page ;)
Use the code GULZEN75 to get free shipping on your order above Rs. 7500 (Karachi ONLY)

Until next time, Good Luck and Ciao!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the website link(s) provided in this post and do not earn or get anything in anyway if you click on or use the links.

Masarrat Misbah Makeup Review & Haul

Hello there!
I'm so genuinely happy to write about the First Halal Makeup, in Pakistan, launched and owned by Masarrat Misbah.

Musarrat Misbah is one of the most successful, influential and respected stylist in the Pakistan fashion industry. She's not just a makeup artist, business woman and beautician but also a Philanthropist who opened “Smile Again Foundation” which helps female survivors of acid and kerosene oil burns in Pakistan, by providing them appropriate medical attention, shelter, reconstructive surgery and psychological/psychiatric support. She has received “President’s Pride of Performance Award” for her outstanding achievements. All in all she's an incredible person inside and out!

Masarrat Misbah launched her makeup line named "Masarrat Misbah Makeup" on 18th April 2015 and held a bloggers meetup at Depilex Bahadurabad which unfortunately I couldn't attend due to some health issues but I couldn't wait to try and get the products myself so one hot afternoon. I visited the Depilex Bahadurabad and from the time I entered to the time I left I was elated for the attention that was given to me and to whatever I asked.

The Kiosk set up there is well organized with the entire makeup line ranging from categories of skin to lips. I'll list the entire line with their current prices here for you lovelies.

Skin:

• Silk Foundation (Rs. 1,450)

• Silk Pressed Powder (Rs. 950)

Eyes:

• Eye Varnish (Rs. 470)

• Perfect Wear Eyeliner (Rs. 550)

• Lash Enhancer (Rs. 820)

• Lash Volumizer (Rs. 820)

Cheeks:

• Stay On Blusher (Rs. 850)

• Ethereal Glow (Rs. 950)

Lips:

• Lip Varnish (Rs. 750)

• Long Lasting Lipstick (Rs. 850)

• Liquid Lipstick (Rs. 1,100)

• LipGloss (Rs. 680)

The good thing is that it suits perfectly to our Desi skin tone (warm-yellow and neutral undertones) but I'm sure a cool-undertone will rock many colors from this line too! I am overall very impressed with the pigmentation and I don't remember swatching one product that lacked pigmentation. The Eye Varnishes are so incredibly soft, buttery and pigmented although I would have loved more matte shades.The Long Lasting Lipsticks are perfect if applied with a brush I feel, because they were a bit on the dry side when I swatched them directly from the bullet but they weren't patchy at all and again pigmentation was amazing!!

I was tested by Nighat Misbah (Masarrat Misbah's sister) for the foundation and I was over the moon when she complimented my skin :D So she prepped my skin with moisturizer and then applied the Silk Foundation to one side of my face to compare it to the other side (I was wearing Bourjois 123 Perfect Foundation in Shade 53 Light Beige) and rest of the experience will be shared later in my next post when I will review my haul.

What I Hauled: 

• Silk Foundation
• Eye Varnish in Velvet Azul
• Stay On Blusher in Shell Bronze
• Lip Varnish in Lust

You can further look at the entire line and order online from www.masarratmakeup.com and can also visit The Depilex Bahadurabad to try your favourites and buy them on spot.

I'm looking forward to review each one of these so please let me know if you want me to review anything first :). I would love to know what you love from MM Makeup and if you haven't tried it already then I urge you to give this brand a try and trust me you will FALL IN LOVE with the quality of the products.

Until next time, Good Luck and Ciao!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the website link(s) provided in this post and do not earn or get anything in anyway if you click on or use the links.

Huge E.L.F Haul!

Hello there! (:

I have a haul to share with you all (; 

I came across ELF many times specially in dupe lists and mostly read great reviews about it but what made me finally get them was Kathleen Lights (my FAVOURITE beauty YouTuber!!!). Her ELF haul videos made me finally finally get my hands on this brand! I made sure I got stuff she recommended of course! :D

So here is my very first ELF haul!

What ELF Says About Itself:

At e.l.f. Cosmetics, we believe that beauty comes from within all of us. Our line of luxurious cosmetics captures great looking skin with gorgeous colors and quality ingredients. Our products are designed to let your inner beauty shine through. 

Our Promise: Our vision is to empower and educate women to play in innovation without sacrificing their budget. We offer a complete line of makeup and professional tools—all at an extreme value price!

What I Hauled:

a) Studio Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls and Blush Gems.

b) Studio Cream Eyeliner

c) Studio Kabuki Face Brush

d) Studio Makeup Mist & Set

e) Studio Lip Exfoliator

f) Studio Glossy Gloss in Wild Watermelon

g) Studio Stipple Brush

h) Studio Small Stipple Brush

i) Studio Complexion Brush

j) Studio Blush Brush

k) Studio Small Angled Brush

l) Studio Flawless Concealer Brush

m) Essential Smudge Brush

n) Studio Matte Lip Color in Coral and Rich Red.

o) Studio Moisturizing Lipstick

p) Essential Shadow Lock Eyelid Primer

q) Mineral Eyeshadow Primer

r) Studio Baked Eyeshadow in Enchanted, Toasted and Burnt Plum

s) Studio Blush in Candid Coral and Tickled Pink

t) Essential Lipstick in Flirtatious

u) Studio bronzer in Golden Bronzer

v) Studio Prism Eyeshadow in Naked

I got all of this off the website www.eyeslipsface.com directly (they don't ship to Pakistan). E.L.F often has sales going on their website and sometimes they go 40%-50% off which is perfect if you want to order many many things! Subscribe or register on their website to get notifications of the sales and offers.Reviews will be up for each of the products very soon! Let me know in the comments if you want me to review anything first, I'd be glad to comply (: 

Until next time, Good Luck and Ciao! (:

Disclaimer : I am not affiliated with the website links provided in this post and do not earn or get anything in anyway if you click on or use the links. 

ColourPop Haul!

Hello there beautiful (:

I'm sure you must all know about ColourPop by now (well, duh)!! I first came across ColourPop through Kathleen Lights, you must know she's my favorite YouTuber. (: 

I fell in love with this brand when Kathleen first reviewed it's shadows and lipsticks known as Lippie Stix. I loved the eye shadows the most, their pigmentation just made me want to place an order immediately!! When Kathleen collaborated with ColourPop to create a Lippie Stix called Lumiere I knew I just had to get my hands on it! Lumiere is such a beautiful shade and it truly looks good on every skin tone. I have reviewed it, you can read it here. I'm really impressed with ColourPop for the beautiful products they've created and are coming up with.

What ColourPop Says About Itself:

ColourPop was born, raised and made with love in the City of Angels (aka Los Angeles) so we can react quickly to the latest and greatest trends and get them in your fabulous hands stat.We take the phrase “if you can dream it, you can do it” to a whole new level and specialize in making killer makeup in every shade imaginable at prices everyone can afford. We think that whole barrier between fancy and affordable is absolute nonsense. That’s why all of our products have luxury formulas at prices that won’t break the bank.Have an idea for a great shade? Shoot us an email. We love feedback from our customers. We find inspiration everywhere from the catwalk to YouTube and can turn what’s trending now into a shade tomorrow.PS. We are 100% fur baby friendly, bunny approved, and only test our products on humans – the ones in our HQ to be exact.

What I Hauled:

a) Super Shock Shadow in Fairfax (Matte Finish)

b) Super Shock Shadow in Sequin (Metallic Finish)

c) Lippie Stix in Lumiere (Matte Finish)

The beautiful variety of shades and finishes overwhelmed me and it was a hard task picking up what I wanted. I decided on Sequin after Jessica Murphy (another YouTuber) reviewed it on her channel and chose FairFax because i wanted a dark matte brown shade for the outer corner of my eyes. Lumiere was of course because of Kathleen Lights ^-^
Until then, Good Luck and Ciao!

I'm so so so glad I got these! Reviews will be up soon (:

I got these from Berries at Rs. 900 each. You can also get them from their website of course  where they are of $5 each which is a steal considering how amazing these are!!

Let me know in the comments below if you want to know anything specifically about them (: 

Until next time, Good Luck and Ciao!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the website link(s) provided in this post and do not earn or get anything in anyway if you click on or use the links.

NYX Haul!

Hello beautiful!
I have another haul to share with you. I remember how I first came across NYX, it was through Sara Hassan's Blog post on NYX Terra Cotta blush and I instantly fell in love with the copperish shade and how beautifully it showed up on the skin!

So here's what I got in my NYX haul:

a) Powder Blush in Desert Rose, Pinched, Terra Cotta and Mocha.

b) Soft Matt Lip Cream in Antwerp, Zurich (reviewed) and Ibiza.

c) Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk (which i forgot to include in the picture)

d) Lipliner Pencil in Rose Brown (which was sent to me along with my order! Thank you NYX!)

I ordered all of these from NYX's website.

Reviews and swatches coming up soon!  I'll link all of them here too. Oh yeah! Just4girls has stocked on NYX! You're welcome *wink* Don't forget to share your NYX hauls with me in the comments down below, I'd LOVE to hear from you guys!

Until next time, Good Luck and Ciao! (:

Brownies From Cake Mix!

Hello there! (:

OK I'm so excited to write this post! Why? Because I just discovered the most convenient way of making brownies with a gooey and chewy center!

How I discovered this recipe (and tweaked it for my own liking): My pantry is usually stocked with a couple of cake mixes and they are all cake mixes most of the time, so whenever I craved for brownies I had to make them from scratch (although that's nice and all but who doesn't want to save some time, eh?). Anyway this one day my cousin kept asking me to make brownies and as lazy I am, I reached for the Mixes in my pantry and found that I only had cake mixes and that's when I thought, how can I make brownies from this? Well, helloooo Google! The answer to all our questions!

I found that by adding 1/3 of oil and an egg to the mix I can make brownies out of the 'cake' mix! The brownies also called for some kind of soft candies but I had better things in my mind hehe!

I followed the directions with adding one of my own ingredient and whoa!! These were consumed within minutes of coming out the oven! They're the best while they're hot! Add in some Ice-Cream and Caramel Sauce anddd delish!! Heaven in mouth! Oh I'm so sure I'm making these again tomorrow this time enjoying them with some dulce de leche! 

So before my mind convince me to save this to the drafts and go make this deliciousness right now, I'm going to jump right into the recipe! As always, this I promise you is VERY easy!

The Chocolaty and Chewy Brownies Using 'Cake' Mix:

Ingredients:

1.     Chocolate Cake Mix    : 1 box (I used Betty Crocker's Dark Chocolate Cake Mix)

2.     Oil                                : 1/3rd cup.

3.     Eggs                            : 2.

4.     Chocolate                    : 100 gm (I used half a bar of Italiano Cooking Chocolate).

Method: 

• In a large bowl blend together the oil and eggs until thick and creamy.
• Add in the Cake Mix gradually and fold in or use a mixer to incorporate it very well.
• The batter will be like a cookie dough -a smooth cookie dough.
• Grease a square pan and with either clean wet fingers or a wet spatula smooth in half of the batter in the pan.
• Cover it with the chopped chocolate, press and smooth in rest of the batter on top.
• Bake in 350º/180º oven for 30-35 minutes. 
• ...or until the toothpick when inserted does not come out squeaky clean! Yes. Some crumbs and chocolate will come out sticking to it.

You're done! All you have to do is take it out of the oven when done and cool it a little so that you do not burn tongues, cut it in squares with a plastic knife for neatly cut squares and enjoy the heavenly brownies! Isn't this the smallest and easiest brownie recipe!! Except for those mug brownies of course which will be posted soon too ;) Now add in some ice cream or have them without, just pieces of pure deliciousness!

After you're done licking off the last of the crumbs please don't forget to comment down below and tell me how you enjoyed your brownies! I would loveee to know! 

The raw batter in the greased pan.

 The brownies straight out of the oven!

They were devoured within half an hour and they're the best while they're hot! Let m know in the comments down below if you like recipes like this, so that I can share more (:

Until next time, Good Luck and Ciao! (:

Chocolate Truffle Pie

Hi there (:

I always always find peace in baking, desserts specially. I'm sure many people feel the same way. Beating, mixing and whipping up something that not only others like but you enjoy the most. When the air is filled with that delicious aroma and it's so hard to resist grabbing your dish from the oven and just indulging in it while its piping hot!

My cousin and brothers kept asking me to bake something the other day, I thought of trying this recipe I once saved from a little recipe booklet from "Dream Whip".

I found the recipe easy and it turned out rich and soft. I only felt that there should have been lesser eggs than called for in the recipe. So I encourage you to add one egg less and let me know the results (in the comment box).

Chocolate Truffle Pie:

Ingredients:

1.     Semi-Sweet Cooking Chocolate : 225 g chopped.

2.     Whipped Cream : 1/2 cup.

3.     Eggs : 4.

4.     Ground Sugar : 1/2 cup.

5.     All Purpose Flour (sifted) : 1/4 cup.

6.     Toppings (optional) : Whipped Cream or Ice Cream.

Method:

• On lowest possible flame, melt and combine chopped semi-sweet cooking chocolate and whipped cream. Take it off heat when melted and combined well.
• Add eggs, sugar, sifted all-purpose-flour in the chocolate mixture and beat for a few minutes to blend it well.
• Pour in a greased pan.
• Bake for 30 minutes at 180 degree, until a toothpick when inserted comes out clean.

So the preparation time is like 10-15 minutes and baking time 30 minutes.

Although everyone at home loved it, they agreed with me that 3 eggs were enough.  My brothers and cousin loved it with Vanilla Ice-cream and I with the ice-cream and whipped cream both.

Let me know the toppings you'd like it with, maybe some cherries or mint leaves for the chocolate-mint lovers?

Oh while I was in the 'kitchen mood', I also cooked this Chicken with BBQ Sauce which I’ll share with you soon (:

Until next time, Ciao and Good Luck! (:

ColorPop Lippie Stix - Lumiere

Hello there (:

I first came across ColourPop on Kathleen Light's Youtube channel and I was so amazed by the pigmentation and was really tempted when she described the texture of the eyeshadows. Although I feel I'm a blusher and lipstick kinda gal but I have been getting into eyeshadows lately.

What made me place the order with ColourPop immediately was when they collaborated with Kathleen for this Lippie Stix. I was like YASSSS!! I also got one of their shadows for I wanted to see the texture, but I'll talk about that in a later post.

Coming to Lippie Stix, it looked absolutely gorgeous on Kathleen but I wasn't sure how it would come out on me since we both have different skin tones, she's fairer, but I went ahead and placed an order for it anyway because well Katheen made it (ColourPop made it possible) -reason enough. I'm NC 25-30. I'll add in her picture with Lumiere here for reference.

What ColourPop says?

The swatch on the website.

My Thoughts:

I really like the packaging, it's white which looks really clean and nice. The shade is mentioned on the box right next to where Lippie Stix is printed. The Lipstick is more like a marker and the packaging again is white. The lipstick has a slant surface for a better application and twists up and down. The shade of the lipstick is mentioned on the bottom. It's travel friendly because the packaging is nice and sturdy and the cap clasps shut well with that *click*.

Lumiere is a mauvy nude color which on my lips is definitely a mauve. It's different on my lips than it is on Kathleen's but again I had an idea because obviously it's different for everybody according to their lips' pigmentation and skin tone. I really really really like the formula! It's matte but not drying at all! It's more like a creamy matte, very comfortable on the lips. The pigmentation is incredible.

I first tried it on my lips prior to exfoliation and it did not really emphasis the dry areas but on exfoliated lips, it goes on so smoothly so I advise exfoliating your lips. It's matte, although a creamy matte but matte nonetheless, so exfoliating prior to application is a good idea.

I specially love it on days when I just throw on mascara and blusher for my makeup, it looks beautiful on the lips. It also pairs well with dramatic eyes. I'm so happy I got it and so happy for Kathleen who created this beautiful this color!

My Natural Lips

Lumiere Applied

Lumiere Applied

Wrist Swatch

I'll rate Lumiere a 5/5 for the amazing pigmentation, soft and buttery formula and for the reasonable price!

I ordered it through a Facebook page Berries for Rs. 950 where as it's available on the website for $5 but it does not deliver to Pakistan unfortunately.

I really like the shades Cookie, Frenchie and Frida and looking forward to order more from ColourPop soon, not that they're liquid lipsticks are out, I'm so tempted!! :D

What's your favorite color of Lippie Stix? Don't forget to leave comments below, I'd love to hear from you (:

Until next time, Good Luck and Ciao! (:

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the website link(s) provided in this post and do not earn or get anything in anyway if you click on or use the links.