Anastasia Beverley Hills Liquid Lipstick in 'Sweet Talker'

I thought I would type up a very recent blog post on the ABH Liquid Lipstick. She recently launched her range in Dubai a few months ago. I popped along to Sephora in Dubai Mall and had a play around with the highlighters and liquid lipsticks. I resisted purchasing a highlighter as I had already purchased 2 from other brands recently and thought it would be too excessive!

Anyways I ended up eyeing up 'Blush' and 'Sweet Talker' as originally I had wanted 'Pure Hollywood' but I wasn't too keen on the swatch. I actually only purchased one in the end and that was 'Sweet Talker' which is a hot pink almost barbie like. I only wore it a few days ago...at the weekend as I wanted to wear a scarf with a similar colour :P

I prepped my lips with Elizabeth 8 Hour Cream and then applied NYX Lip Plumper in Clear. I waited around 15-20 minutes until I had finished my makeup and then I applied it to my lips. I gave my lips 2 coats and it felt nice and smooth and a little moisturising. I was impressed with the pigmentation and colour payoff and only had to reapply once I had got home. So it wore for a good 5 hours whilst I was out shopping. Well done ABH!

It's a shame the makeup scene in Oman isn't so big. I really wish we had a Sephora here at least! Anyways one can only wish! I would like I'd like to pick up another shade of ABH's liquid lipstick but there are so many brands out at the moment like 'Dose of Colours', 'Colour Pop' and 'Gerard Cosmetics' that I'm tempted to try them. In fact I own 2 from Gerard Cosmetics and would definitely like to own more as their colour range is amazing!

I hope you enjoyed the post!

Love & Blessings,

Sara xx

The Review: Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipstick

Ah so I am totally a gloss girl when it comes to lip products but I have been intrigued by wearing more of a matte lip since I purchased MAC's 'Kinda Sexy' lipstick.

I was so GLAD when I found out Gerard Cosmetics was stocked online in the UK so when I was home in December I jumped at the chance of ordering a few products. I ordered  2 GC Liquid Lipsticks and 2 sets of Morphe Lashes along with 2 hair products too from Beauty Bay. I opted for  Next Day Delivery and it came bang on time so well done Beauty Bay!

The Background: If I am being completely honest I hadn't heard of Gerard Cosmetics until I saw a few makeup posts on Instagram and I fell in love with the look of the highligher 'Marylin'. However I didn't really look into purchasing at the time as I had already been using a few highlighters. But then more recently I was in Sephora Dubai, the weekend ABH launched her products, especially her liquid lipsticks. Now I'd read a few mixed reviews on how great the colour payoff is with some and then how drying others can be so I only picked up one 'Sweet Talker' which I actually wore today and love - not drying at all! Anyways, I was on Instagram again and saw a few posts of the GC matte liquid lipstick and knew I had to try one out!

Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Lipstick in 'Ballet Slipper'

The Review:  Okay so I am reviewing this after wearing both shades a few times now and I have to say I LOVE them. They come in a frosted packaging with a gold top with the shade labelled at the bottom. I picked 'Ballet Slipper' which is a cool toned pink and 'Serenity' which is a brown based pink for a more 'No makeup look'. I have worn 'Ballet Slipper' more and that's only because I have been wanting to wear more of a pink toned makeup look and so far so good. Also I seem to have only taken pics with me wearing 'Ballet Slipper' so I am afraid they'll have to do until I decide to wear 'Serenity' again :P

Close up of 'Ballet Slipper'

In terms of the application they are so smooth and silky. They glide on so beautifully. I usually apply 2 coats and I find that sufficient enough. They last so well too. I ate and drank water and the colour was still on my lips. The colour payoff is amazing and I really rate these products more so because they are so not drying at all. I really want to try out some more colours as well as more of GC's products too.

The Verdict: I am definitely without a doubt giving GC Hydra Matte Liquid Lipstick 10/10. They come in SO many shades which I want! They apply so nicely and evenly and what's better is that they last and really do hydrate the lips.  They're actually the only lip product I proudly own that actually hydrates and does not dry out your lips. So well done Gerard Cosmetics!

I hope you enjoyed reading.

Love & Blessings,
Sara xx

A Belated Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to you all!

 
                                             


I hope you all had a lovely Winter Break along with some fantastic celebrations into the New Year!

I was back in the UK for about 2 weeks which was lovely. I met up with some of my friends and spent lots of time with family. I'm now back here until July and then back home for a month in August.

Upon reflection, I had a good year, last year. I taught abroad in Kuwait and got to travel to a few countries too such as: Lebanon, Oman, Dubai, Greece, Cyprus and Qatar. I've been lucky to meet some fabulous friends too and have kept in touch with them since my move to Oman.

I have currently been in Oman for 5 months and I am really enjoying teaching here as well as living here too. Whilst it is on the quieter side, I have a smaller circle of friends and I have been able to do lots of things in my weekend that I wouldn't have been able to do if I was teaching back in London! i have also been able to explore the beauty of Oman more too.

I have lots of posts in store and I apologise for not being a regular blogger. I really feel like I have to be in the mood to blog. Whilst I have lots of blogposts saved, sometimes I can find it a little boring to do all the typing! But I am hoping to get back on track and at least blog once or twice a month.

I still have my travel diary, the review and favourites features which I shall continue to do. At the moment I have a lot of 'What look am I rockin'? posts coming up, Qatar travel diary, current beauty faves and Oman beauty spots!

So thank you for reading and do keep an eye out for my new posts.

Wishing you all a blessed year.

Love and Blessings, Sara  xx

The Review: Majlis Al Henna Salon, Al Khuwair

Last week I really wanted some pretty henna to adorn my hands and I cam across Majlis Al Henna Salon. I had called them previously for Eid Henna but they were fully booked so I thought why not try again.

I chose a really good time as only I was in the salon and  the service was prompt. I was given a cute tray with a mini tub of popcorn and a fizzy pink drink too. It's always the little touches that make a place special and unique.

The artists are from Kenya and are so very lovely. I had a lovely chat with her about henna and her  background and it was so nice. I decided to try out the 'blue henna' which was news to me as I had never heard of it before. The paste is different to regualr henna as it is more of a gel. I chose 2 patterns from their instagram page and sat back and relaxed. It took about 30 minutes but I stayed 15 extra minutes to dry off the gel - most of it was but I think next time I would prpbably stay a little longer and not pat it.

I had it on for a few hours and then I was at City Centre Muscat and went to he toilet and washed my hands and some of it has washed off so I decided to remove the rest. It left a faded stain which darkened quite quickly by the time I had gotten home. The next day it was blue-almost black and I loved it.

It has been a week and the design has faded which is fine as I wash my hands A LOT plus it's natural too. I think I actually prefer it over the normal henna because even though it has faded it looks much better than when brown henna fades.

Update: Since my first visit I have been back 2 times and I've loved each and every design I've chosen. The artists are lovely and I would recommend this salon to those interested in henna too.

Overall I rate it 10 out of 10 because I was impressed with the the clientele service and in salon treatment and outcome of the henna.

All Loved Up: November Beauties

Another new feature I hope to be committed to! All Loved Up is basically my favourites for the month.

#1 Nars Blush in Madly: I have missed using this beauty. This was one of first high end blush purchases and I have repurchased twice. It doesn't look appealing in the pan but such a gorgeous warm peachy brown tone to the face.

#2 Laura Mercier Creme Eyeliner - I have been using these for going out and love the texture, creaminess and colour payoff. I really want to purchase the black one now.

#3 Laura Mercier Highlight in 01 - the most perfect highlighter EVER. It is the best one I have used! It provides a soft highlight without too much shimmer and sparkle and really enhances your face.

#4 Sephora Eye Pencil in Black - I love the smoothness and softness of this eye pencil and have already used half since I have returned from the States. I wish I'd purchased a few more!

#5 Lipstick combo - MAC Cut A Caper with Rimmel Nude Delight - I have been wearing this pretty much every day since the start of October. It's a peachy/pink nude that is perfect with any look.

Unfortunately I seem to have put my creme eyeliner somewhere so there is no pic for this post until I find it! Sorry!

Love & Blessings,
Sara xx

Travel Diaries #3 : Exploring Abu Dhabi

Sorry this is an uber late post! During Eid a few months ago I decided I wanted to see the most magnificent Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Abu Dhabi, UAE. I decided to go during all of my Eid holiday so I spent 2 and half days in Dubai and 1 afternoon in Abu Dhabi.

Whilst I love the Middle East and the culture, Dubai is only worth visiting for shopping and of course a detour to Abu Dhabi.

So below are a few pictures of my visit to the splendid Sheikh Zayed Mosque. I would definitely recommend everyone to visit this Mosque as the architecture is just amazing and the interior so beautiful too.

Love & Blessings,

Sara xx

What Look Am I Rockin'?....Halloween Black Cat..Meow!

This blog is a 'Halloween Special' showcasing my simple black cat look for 'Dress Up' day at school.

From teaching in the Kuwait where Halloween was not really mentioned or celebrated due to it being associated with Paganism, I was surprised that Oman is tolerant to acknowledge it. Also in comparison to the UK where I don't recall celebrating it the schools I have worked at either it is a change! As a school we focussed on the fun and games and dressing up as ghouls and familiar characters. Each year group also designed a game for the 'Halloween Carnival' which the kids loved! I came up with the 'Pumpkin Toss' for Year 2 and it was a hit! The kids really enjoyed bobbing for apples too! All in all it was a lovely day for the kids :)

So, usually I would opt for the easiest option of being a witch but this year I felt that I wanted to experiment with using make up to create a look. I decided on the black cat (without the tail!) Haha! I did just want to focus on my face as I knew I would be outside for a large portion of the day and did not want to wear anything uncomfortable or something I would sweat profusely in. The weather in Oman is sunny and hot which is fine but when the humidity is high, it is not so nice.

Anyways, so I scoured Google and Youtube for a few cat looks and I guess I merged a few into one. First off I bought a cat ear hairband from Claire's which was super cute. The rest of the look was creating using a few bits of make up as noted below.

Close up of my Black Cat Look :)

Make up used:

Face: LM Tinted Moisturiser, MAC Prep and Prime in Peach Lustre and Bright Forecast, Giorgio Armani Maestro Concealer, ABH Dipbrow Pomade in Chocolate, LM Baked Highlighter.

Cheeks: NARS Blush in Madly, LM Baked Highlighter.

Eyes: Collection Liquid Eyeliner, Sephora Eyeliner, Huda Beauty Mink Lashes in Bridget.

Lips: Collection Liquid Eyeliner on upper lip, Rimmel Nude Delight on bottom lip.

How I created the look:

1. First I applied my base and then on my upper lash I painted on my eyeliner in the form of a 'Cat eye flick'.

2. On my lower lash line I used the a black Sephora pencil eyeliner.

3. After I applied Huda Beauty Mink Lashes in Bridget using Huda Beauty Lash Glue in Black with my tweezers. I must be getting good as I applied in one go and they were purrfect :P

4. Then using the liquid liner I painted on the nose and drew a line connecting it to my upper lip. I then painted them both in using the liner (amazing staying power in this heat and humidity too!). I extended the corners of my mouth to a little flick to accentuate the mouth better.

5. As I finished that, I drew 3 whiskers and 3 dots on each side of my face, going up towards my cheeks.

5. Using Rimmel lipstick in Nude Delight, I filled in my bottom lip.

6. I finished off with a spritz of MAC's Fix+ et voila my look was complete.

I hope you enjoyed my 'Halloween Cat Look'.

Love & Blessings,

Sara xx