So, the winter was long and our motivation level was down. Hopefully things will be brighter and more motivating. 

1. Benefit Hoola Bronzer and Kiko Milano Blush:

The benefit bronzer is impressive, for a contour shade, it looks very good and it lasts long. As for the Kiko Milano blush, it is in peach shade which is really a good look for summer plus it is well pigmented.

2. Vichy 89 Mineral: 

So this is a good moisturiser, not amazing however and it get me through the dry months fine. I do love the packaging on the other side.

3. Marble Makeup Brushes:

How cute is this set, and it was so cheap from Aliexpress.  They do the job and I always use them.

4. NYX Total Control Foundation:

Hands down, my favorite foundation ever, very light feeling (like water) and covers really well. Very light weight and gives an airbrushed effect.

5.Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer :

A good coverage concealer, it contains benefits for the skin, however,  not perfect with dry skin.

6.L'oreal Elvive Hair Serum:

I used to use the elvive hair cream, but I find this better and more nurturing for dry hair.

7.Magazines:

Today I will show you 14 gift ideas that I really think everyone will like. Plus they're really affordable and can work as stocking fillers. Some of these gifts are things I bought for my friends (I hope they wouldn't see them). So grab a cup of hot chocolate and let's get festive.

Christmas Mug/treats:

Everyone loves a cute mug, especially in the time when hot drinks are so appreciated. Add a cute festive treats and you have the perfect gift.

Cute Hand Sanitizers:

Very affordable and very cute. Bath and Body Works is my favorite place to buy these gifts. A big range of scents and beautiful packaging. You can't go wrong with this one, because everyone uses hand sanitizer. 

Bins filled with goodies:

I've found these really cute christmas bins that I've been storing sugar sachets in. You can fill them with the person's best candies and they will reuse it for storing random things

Notebooks and stickers: 

This for someone who loves writing in a diary. They can decorate the pages with stickers. Plus they can use them as a normal everyday notebook for  writing notes.

Victoria's Secret PINK Body Care:

Victoria Secret is having a sale (15000LL) on there body mists and Body Care. So it's a perfect opportunity to stock up on some gifts. This gift is for someone who loves pampering products and enjoy using body care.

Cute Hair Brush:

I know everyone owns a hair brush. But do they own a cute one?

Backpack Keychain (literally!):

This isn't any keychain, it's a backpack keychain. Very helpful to hold money, So when you're on your way, you only grab your keys and your money is in there too!

Accessories:

If you know someone loves accessories and watches. You can find inexpensive cure ones on Accessorize, plus Aliexpress have the best inexpensive cute watches.

Fuzzy Socks:

It's okay if you gifted socks, everyone loves a cute fuzzy sock. Add something else that goes with the comfy theme.

Tea Bin:

I think many people have tea packets laying randomly around their drawers. So this christmas bins can organise all the tea or Nescafe packets. I have use it for storing tea and it's really cute.

Weekly Planner:

A weekly planner will motivate the recipient to be more organised and time managed. Especially with the new year, new you motto.

Megan Hess books:

The Fashion lover will adore you for this gift. Full of beautiful fashion illustrations and information. Megan Hess' books are delightful for everyone. And can be a really nice addition as a coffee table book. 

The Fashion Book:

Another beautiful coffee table book. This one however, is more for people who are really interested in fashion culture and would like to go deeper into the field. 

Ted Baker Evening Bag:

This is the most expensive gift out of them all, mainly to someone close. I think this bag is so useful for this time of year, going to a Christmas dinner or a New year party.  Perfect for all ages and a really classic piece.

Happy Holidays, xo Ghinwa 

Ready for a new Favorites post?This past two months I have discovered new products that I'm loving and will be sharing with you today.

Ocean Salt Scrub by Lush:

I really like Lush, their products are eco-friendly and cruelty free plus it's made of  natural ingredients. The Ocean Salt Scrub is one of their famous products and my favorite. I have never used something so effective and instant, it takes of all the unnecessary layel and waste on the skin and leaves with a really soft clear face (or body). 

Accessories by Accessorize  :

So I went to Accessorize store recently and I really liked their stuff. They are more durable than other affordable accessories . I picked up some of their  bracelets and have been wearing them every day, very chic and elegant, especially the rose gold hair clip I found , I mean how pretty!

Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara:

This is really good for not clumping your eyelashes.  I like how natural it looks and it feels light on your eyes. Very handy for daily usage.

Benefit Bad Gal Bang Mascara:

So when the lady at the store try it on me, it looked absolutely amazing,  it lifted my lashes while separating them. Anyway at home, it is being clumsy somehow. I don't know if I am applying it the wrong way or because it is new it has excess product in the brush. Anyway it is worth the try.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturiser(Anti-pollution ):

I ran out of the Moisture Surge one, so I decided to try this one. It say that it protects the skin from pollution which I think is very needed. But what I actually like is that it absorbs fast into the skin and doesn't cause any oily face issue.

NYX HD Foundation:

If you have dry patches on your face or a dull complexion , this will be very good for you.  So it gives a fair amount of coverage, but it keeps a subtle glow in the face. Plus it really sinks in to the skin and feels really light on.

XO, Ghinwa 

So the past month I've been buying and trying new products.  Part of the reason for that is because I've been invited to weddings and I was doing my own makeup, which made me excited to try new products.

L'oreal Paris Les Chocolates Liquid Lipsticks 

The ad featuring Camella Cabelo made me really exited about trying these lipsticks . I liked the idea of chocolate scents and chocolate-brown shades. I have Box o chocolate (top) and Volupto Chocolate (down). I have to say these are the longest lasting lipstick, really outstands water and food.. plus it smells like hot chocolate. 

Flomar Metallic Lip Charmer Matte in 02Appealing 

For me,this color is the perfect nude. It isn't very beige which deletes the shape of your lips, it has that brown to it which I love. It really looks good on, and feels light . It last a bit, but not all day. Plus it smells like chocolate !

Flomar liquid eyeliner 

This brand I recently discovered at the mall. Their prices are cheap plus they are good quality. I used this eyeliner every day and it was good, only thing is that it can be smudged easily. 

Maybelline Master conceal and Dream Matte Mouse

I had the Maybelline Matte mouse for a while, but I found myself reaching for it more this month. It saves you from using both foundation and concealer and powder. Plus it gives a good amount of coverage.

The Master Conceal is a new product from Maybelline and has a high level of coverage. The tube and consistency make it easy to use and blend.

Clinique Moisture Surge

I think this moisturiser is going to be my favorite skincare product. I heard really good things about it. I had it for a few days and can already see the difference it made to my skin. This product is suppose to lock moisture into your skin for 72 hours ,in addition to other benefits...

Givenchy Dahlia Divin Perfume pour femme 

This perfume was a gift for my birthday and I really like the packaging of  this perfume. And it's the one I've beenusing throughout September. 

The Fashion Business Manual (Fashionary)

One of my favorite fashion book. The Fashion Business Manual provides really good information about the business part of starting your own brand. I found it really helpful and easy to read, plus it contains many visuals to help understand.

Over the past months I bought some beauty products. Some are things I already use and love, and some are new.

Skin care:

L'oreal Paris Hydra-Total 5 day cream and cleansing milk

This is something I'm experimenting with. I bought it a few days ago because I needed something to moisturize my face. But so far it's good and it is absorbed fast which I love. It is light weight due to its gel consistency. The cleansing milk I haven't try yet, but it is supposed to remove makeup and clean the face gently.

Neutrogena visibly clear daily wash

Neautrogena face washes are my favorites. They always do the job. I've tried some other cleansers but they made my skin dry and irretated. However Neautrogena was suitable for my sensitive skin.

Makeup:

Maybelline Rocket Mascara, Fit me cocealer and baby lips

These are products that are basic and known. I always use them, the mascara is very good and it doesn't clamp. The fit me concealer covers up good and stays there. Baby lips are a known to be good lip balms and I love their packaging.

Lipsticks(H&M, Samoa)

(From left to right) H&M Cream Lip color in So Cocoa 008, Brunette Ambition L.04D, Samoa in Lip Romance 55. 

Basically these are the colors I go for. And I love these three. The H&M ones are sheer, but buildable and they have a sheen into them that I realy love,plus they are light weight and moisturizing.

Somoa is also leight weight and convenient to carry in your bag.

H&M Place in The Sun Glow palette(left)

I love this palette. Perfect for summer. It is subtle and gives a natural sun kissed glow. I would recomment it.

H&M Ready, Set ,Glow Eye Colour Palette(right)

I'm not that good at eyeshadows. But I bought this one because of the nautral, brown colors beacause that's what I prefer. But overall the pigmentation and consistency is good.

Hair products:

H&M Sea Salt Water Spray

This is a product I wanted to try for so long. So when I saw this one I grabed it. It is really good and  what I do is use it on dry hair and it engane your natural curl or I use it athe day after I curl my hair, and it gives it a really nice loose curls

That amazing feeling of summer is finally approaching! Beach,sun and warm summer nights! And what's more fun than preparing for this season? Today I will talk about some things that you can do that will definitely make your summer better.

✨Buy yourself something you want

Just a little thank you for yourself for all the hard work you've done this year, and a little symbol of relaxation and fun! I personally had my eye on this card holder from Victoria's Secret (linked here) and its a really fun color, perfect for summer!

✨Start writing a journal of your summer memories:

As much as this is cliche, but really it is very nice especially when you go back and read all about those memories, really priceless! You can have much fun with buying fun stickers and doodling a little even if your no longer a kid, this is your diary who's to judge.( I bought my stickers out of Aliexpress linked here )

✨Take care of your skin

Sun ,heat and UV rays can damage your skin as you know, so hydrate and moisturize. Do masks often and drink plenty of water.

✨Read a new novel

The relation you build with a book during summer is really special. Probably people tend to relax and have time more, so they really delve into a fun book. And it will be fun to take to the beach, the garden..

✨Switch up your makeup routine

Add some bronze and blush, for a sun-kissed look and highlight. It will look really good and it'll be fun and fresh to change your makeup routine and perhaps try some new products. My favorite thing to do is add contour and blush and a pop of dusty pink eye shadow.

✨Buy new pj's and mug

Something bright and fun! Drop off the same pj's and mugs you've been using all winter and add try something new. Fresh start!

✨Collect magazines

 

Whether its comic, fashion or whatever,they are fun to collect and read. And you will look forward for the upcoming issues. My all time favorite magazine is W.i.t.c.h , I always read it again!

✨Switch up your fragrance

A very easy way to get ready for summer. Choose something light and delicate. I chose Coral Sky by Victoria's Secret.

                                       

XO, Ghinwa