BLACK & BLANC: Clear Brow Gel

My everyday glow-makeup routine

, by Sana Ahmad

My Everyday Makeup | Stuff I actually use

I was scrolling through a few of my old posts, as one does, and quickly came to realise that I have not done an updated makeup routine on my blog ever since I first launched it, which is absolutely ludicrous to me! And what a better time than 'back to school' season just when everyone needs a little inspiration with basically everything. My makeup has changed drastically since the 1st year of College, back then it was all about the contour, highlight and the GLAM look but now my makeup is a lot more simpler, more everyday and more 'I can actually do my makeup in 10 minutes' which is perfect for when you're rushing in the morning, trust me we've all been there! So here it is:

+ First step | MOISTURISE

You already know I am a brand-loyal snob when it comes to my Nivea creme moisturiser and it's simply because it works wonders for my skin and has always worked for years on end. Nonetheless I do love switching between moisturisers especially when I am not wearing makeup like this Vitamin E cream from the BodyShop and this Dove cream. Personally for a good base always moisturise even when you don't have the time, it doesn't take long and you'll be doing your skin a favour, trust me. I always go in with this Vitamin E oil from the BodyShop first and then my Nivea moisturiser.

+ Second step | YOUR BASE IS KEY

When it comes to my makeup it's my base that does all the work, in the sense that if you have a good base then chances are the rest of your makeup will also look flawless. I like to keep things simple, when my skin is having a good day I go in with just my Garnier BB cream which has a sheer coverage because it's only a tinted moisturiser. When I want a little more coverage I use a concealer, I either opt for this MUA one or the lightest shade from my Technic Concealer Pallette. To set my base I have sworn my the Nip & Fab Contour Kit ever since I did a post on their new makeup, I use the first 3 shades on the top. I've ditched the contour and bronze for my everyday makeup but Blusher is perfect for making it look like you have a lot of makeup on but not really, currently I'm using this Sleek blush from their Contour Kit in 'Light'. If I really want to look like I've made an effort then I'll put a little bit of highlighter on my nose, inner corners and cheeks and yes I've been using the Nip & Fab 'highlighting palette' because it truly is a work of art on your face.

+ Third step | FOCUS ON YOUR EYES

I have always been a hater of heavy eye makeup during the day unless it's something special just because who really wants to spend their time removing it all, only to be left with two black eyes? I curl my lashes, curling your lashes can have a huge impact on your eyes whether you're wearing mascara or not, I then tightline my eyes with the W7 eyeliner or I opt for a brown eyeliner if I want something a little more soft and that's my eyes done. For brows I've started embracing the natural shape of my brows by brushing a little clear brow gel through them. I've also started to brush a little bronzer into my crease just to a) get rid of the creasing concealer line & b) to add a little something to my eyes since I like keeping it simple :)

+ Fourth step | LIPS

My ultimate default when it comes to applying lipstick is my MAC matte lipstick in Taupe, it looks good with everything, any makeup look and all the time. For when I really don't want to bother with lipstick and reapplying it and making sure it's neat I just use this BodyShop 'lip roll-on' it's basically a clear gloss-like lip hydrator that tastes great too! I adore my reds and darker shades and personally I think a bold lip colour looks great when the rest of your makeup is all fresh faced & au natural like this NYX soft matte lip cream in Copenhagen & this bright red Revlon lipstick.

Kudos to you if you actually made it to the end of this long-winded blog post, I've really got back into writing more in my posts and I have to say I've missed it!

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, by Sana Ahmad

BB cream

5 Minute Makeup Routine

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, by Sana Ahmad

B. beauty

Boxing Day Haul | 2016

Yet another boxing day spent hurrying around town in search for sales! This year we went as early as 9.00 am in attempt to reach there just as each store opened. Highcross was vacant, even more so than weekdays which came as a surprise but nonetheless it meant less people. Thus a much nicer shopping experience far from all the boxing day horrors! Boxing day sales in general have lost their overly-built up hype if I'm brutally honest I know we all think it, it's kind of like Black Friday sales. Aside from that let's get in to the haul!

- Zara Striped T-shirt

You can never own too many t-shirts, there's just no such thing! Zara t-shirts are the softest and paired with some jeans makes a basic yet comfy outfit. I adore the colour combination the red goes really well with the off-white & navy.

- Garnier BB Cream & Micellar water

Now this came in a little set and it was for a mere £2.50 I mean the BB cream is £9.99 on Superdrug alone so we can establish the fact that it was a pretty good deal. I've never tried a BB cream I'll keep you updated with my thoughts on it along with the Micellar water but we all know that's extremely hyped about on YouTube & Instagram.

- New Look Grey Sweatshirt

I was never one to wear sweatshirts outside but ever since wearing the Zidouri one I've been liking them more. This is a basic one with a turtleneck I love the slouchy-ness of this sweatshirt, I'd wear it with both skinny jeans and boyfriend jeans. I mean, why limit yourself? Right.

- B. Blending Sponge

Now I think this brand is exclusive to Superdrug but I could possibly be wrong. I've been in need for a new faux beauty blender and so I picked this one up and based on my sister's review/ experience with it, it's pretty good! It's super soft and it grows a little or should I say expand when you wet it with water.

- New Look Knee-high socks

I really don't know what there is to say about socks, I mean they are just socks that are black and knee-high. Pretty basic, I know but I needed a pair of longer black socks hence my purchase.

- MUA Concealer & Translucent powder & Technic Clear Eyebrow Gel

I thought I would just include these last few makeup bits in one, I've never tried a liquid MUA concealer so I picked one up. Along with their translucent powder which I've tried before, blogged about it too & repurchased it. Oh and I also bought a clear brow gel as my other one ran out, I love this for either setting my brows when I do them or just brushing this through my brows for a messy look for when I don't have time.

That's all I bought this year not much but atleast it's something, I'd love to know what you bought & your overall thought of Boxing day sales?

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, by Sana Ahmad

Back to School

College Everyday Makeup Routine

Now I know I've been a little inconsistent with blogging this month but in all honesty the past 2 weeks of college has drained the life out of me. Nevertheless here's a long awaited blog post of my everyday makeup for college, I did one of these last year but have switched up the products I use along with a few different brushes.

+ Nivea Creme Moisturiser

I'm pretty sure you get the jist of moisturiser it's pretty basic if I'm honest, the key to a good base is well moisturised skin! I've been pretty brand loyal when it comes to moisturiser simply because it just works wonders for my skin.

+ ReCover Cosmetics Concealer & MUA Pro Concealer

If you like a light to medium coverage like me then stick to just concealer I use the ReCover Cosmetics concealer in ...? all over my face and then the MUA Pro Concealer under my eyes to make them super bright oh and to cover my bags from all the late night essay writing.

+ Natural Collection Powder

I then set my base with this powder I mentioned in my last makeup routine I'm quite surprised at how well it has lasted despite the widening hole in the middle of the pan.

+ W7 Bronze & Glow or Sleek Contour Kit

It's finally bronzing time!!! I like switching between this Bronze & Glow palette from W7 or this Sleek Contour Kit in 'light'. Personally I've been reaching more for the W7 one but for the bronzer only and I love using this huge fluffy brush I mentioned here.

+ Collection Glow Bricks or Mai Couture Highlighter

I think my love of highlighter has died down just a little I mean don't get me wrong I still love looking like a glazed donut but I prefer a more subtle highlight. I've been really reaching for my Collection highlighter more than any other especially the darker more golden shades. This Mai Couture highlight is perfect for that 'natural glow' and the brush I've been using to apply them with is this extremely large fan brush.

+ Collection Clear Brow Gel

For my brows I really don't tend to do much apart from just brush them out with a clear brow gel. I've been really liking the super messy brow for a long time now, it's just effortless but still bold.

+ Eyelash Curler

I like my eyes super simple for college and that's because they are susceptible to rubbing and so I do nothing to them. That's right no mascara, no eyeliner just a little lift with the help of these trusty eyelash curlers.

+ Rimmel lipliner in 'Cafe au Lait' or MAC Taupe

These two shades have been my go to whether they're worn separately or combined together they look great either way. I love my nudes and browns they look good with any makeup look and they're less maintenance than a red lip.