Monthly Favourites

Hey guys!

So since the month of February is coming to an end, I thought I'd do a monthly favourites post. This is not something I am planning on doing monthly, which I know defeats the point of the title however I don't feel like do not try enough things/products every month, therefore these posts will just be very repetitive and boring, so this will be a so often thing.

So with that in mind, these are the few things that caught my attention recently....

*starting from the left*

1- Crasisins, these are chocolate covered cranberries, they are amazing! you see, recently I've been trying to snack on slightly healthier things and those are one of the things that really got me, they are so good and do not feel "healthy" at all.

2- Urban Decay Matt Lipstick in Bad Blood, this has officially beaten my Mac Brave Red this month for my most worn red, this is beautiful! its an amazing blood red and even though its matt it applies nicely and does not over dry my lips.

3-  Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighter in "Peach Lights", I remember it being a horrible rainy day in town and I rushed into the closest shop which just so happened to be Superdrug. I decided since I didn't own a proper highlighter I'd go on a quest to find one, however all the ones I could see had a bronzer with them which wasn't what I wanted at all. After a good 10 minutes of looking I found this one... I was spectacle at first but was honestly amazed by how good it is and I highly recommend it for those who are on a budget (as I'm pretty sure it retails at the £3 mark).

4- Palette Frads a Paupieres by Nocibe (a eye shadow pallet by a French band) now this has 3 beautiful colours that sadly do not show up so well on camera however this was a gift given to me (along with many other things from the same brand) and I didn't think much of it at the time, however when I decided to use it I can honestly say these are some of the beast eye shadows I've ever used, the pigmentation is beautiful and the colours (peach pink, brown, bronzed purple and gold) are beautiful and will be perfect for the spring and summer.

5- Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil, now I did mention this in my skin care routine so I will not dwell on it for too long but oh my gosh this stuff is amazing! my lips have been so terrible recently because of how cold it has been. After using it just once I could see a difference.

6- Kick Ass Concealer by Soap and Glory, this is a three step concealer that is so good for under your eyes, the first step is a pinky peach colour to cancel out the dark circles, the next is a darkish skin colour which just helps conceal really and finally a powder to set the whole thing. I'm sure you can use this on
spots too however I have preferred this for under my eyes.

 

7- Dairy Free chocolate raisins by The Fabulously Free Factory, these following the same trend from the cranberries these are the same idea but with raisins instead, these are also dairy free and suitable for vegans (unlike the others).

8- Lost has been something I have binge watched for the past 2 moths and I am currently on the last season (season 6). Its an interesting story line with amazing characters and the episodes do not drag even though they are 45 minutes each. The basic story line is about these people who end up on an island after a plane crash, and that's pretty much all I can say without spoiling anything. If you are into stuff like The Walking Dead this will definitely be up your street.

9- Finally these Kurt Geiger flats called Marcie, these have been my go to shoes for work as well as for just a causal day, they match with everything and the bow with the gold detailing just adds a bit of class. They give so well and are incredibly comfortable!.

Products mentioned.... 

•  http://www.waitrose.com/shop/DisplayProductFlyout?productId=387922
• http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_123932047199_-1
• http://www.superdrug.com/Makeup-Revolution/Makeup-Revolution-Highlighter-Peach-Lights/p/978760
• http://www.nocibe.fr/maquillage/nocibe-grande-valise-maquillage-_97203.p.html (this is a set, which includes similar eye shadows to the ones I have, I couldn't find the exact ones I had but hopefully this helps a little, also the website is French, so it might be a little hard to find your way around it) 
• http://www.boots.com/en/Clarins-Instant-Light-Comfort-Lip-Oil-02-Rasberry_1767733/
• http://www.boots.com/en/Soap-Glory%C2%99-Kick-Ass-Concealer%C2%99-Three-Piece-Camouflage-Kit-2-x-2-6g_1243294/
• https://groceries.morrisons.com/webshop/product/Fabulous-Free-From-Factory-Dairy-Free-Chocovered-Raisins/305610011?from=search&tags=%7C105651&param=fabulously+free+from+&parentContainer=SEARCHfabulously+free_SHELFVIEW
• http://www.kurtgeiger.com/marcie-black-suedette-41-miss-kg-shoe.html

*disclaimer! I do work for Kurt Geiger meaning I do get discounts on the shoes, however this is not sponsored and all opinions are my own!*

Thank you so much for reading and I shall see you again on Wednesday!

- Lana xx

Feminism or Islam

A few years back, when I was a confused pre-teen, I of course was trying to find my "place". I grew up in a Muslim family and always classed myself as Muslim, it wasn't something I ever questioned until I was in Qatar during the summer.

I was wondering around in a pair of Hollister shorts and a plain white shirt until I felt like I was being looked at. I was getting looks from other women and men that made me feel uncomfortable. 

When I got back to my aunts house I was confused, why were these people giving me dirty looks? why did they look at me funny when I spoke Arabic to my mother or my aunt? (who wears the hijab), I shrugged it off until one of my aunts old friends came to visit, during the conversation she discovered that I was fasting that day, her face dropped and she quickly excused herself and left. 

I was confused, but then it hit me... I didn't look Muslim and by showing my legs I apparently wasn't worthy of calling myself one.

Over the next few months I wasn't sure what to do, I loved my faith but I also didn't believe that a women should have to cover herself because men can't help but look lustfully.

That is when I read about feminism and finally understood where I belonged, everything they believed I did too! it was incredible I finally found my place however I thought that now I had to pick between my religion and something I was truly passionate about. 

.... My choice was feminism.

Over the next few months I was happy but I also felt lost, I found myself praying on occasion and talking to God, I was constantly trying to stop myself because I didn't feel like I was allowed to believe in God or call myself religious.

A year had passed and I still wasn't happy, I then read this blog post about this women feeling the same way I did, in her post she said that we shouldn't let other people's judgements define what you are. 

You see the reason women cover themselves is to express their inner beauty, the reason I wear shorts is because it makes me feel good and pretty which in turn allows me to express my inner beauty and be myself. 

When realising this, I knew I could be both.... a Muslim AND a Feminist.  

Top 8 tips for your skin

Hey!

So following the same theme I did for my last post I thought I'd talk to you guys about my top skin care advice. Over the years of being a hormone/acne infested teenager I've had a lot of advice on how to "get rid" of my acne.

Now none of this advice is going to permanently get rid of acne, I'm sadly not the acne fairy however I can say with confidence what I have to share with you will limit how much you get and hell even how much you get it.

1. Avoid touching your face!.
   
   I know this seems silly and kinda obvious but you'd be surprised how much you touch your face without even noticing, you come into so much contact with germs just touching your face can trigger a break out.
2. ALWAYS wash your hands.
   
   Whenever you are about to wash your face, apply make-up or anything wash your hands, this will prove to work wonders in the long run.
3. Keep all hair off your face.
   
   Yes, even your side/full fringe. Your hair gets oily, dirty and kinda sweaty, just imagine how many germs are forming under your fringe? the first time I got a spot it was under my fringe and no matter what everyone said I didn't want to get rid of it. A few spots later I caved and grew it out. I'm not saying get rid of it however pinning it up when you are at home isn't such a bag idea.
4. Tea tree oil is your new best friend.
   
   Tea tree oil does wonders to your skin, its all natural and helps to decrease redness and size of the spot, so do yourself a favour and pick some up next time you are in the supermarket.
5.  Never wash your face with the same towel twice.
   
   This was something I was told my a friend and at the time I wasn't convinced. You don't know how many germs have managed to get on the towel every time you flush the toilet or every time you dry your hands with it therefore get a fresh towel everyday. You don't need 7 towels but buying 3 alternating them isn't too much work.
6. Wash your make-up brushes as much as possible.
   
   I am guilty of keeping my brushes for months before caving and washing them, however its important you wash them frequently as a number of germs from the air as well as dust covers the brushes and I mean you wouldn't really want that on your face.
7. You need moisturiser.
   
   When I was younger I always thought that I didn't need to moisturise because I had oily skin however this couldn't be more wrong, when you wash your face you strip it of the essential oils and over dry it, your skin will then overcompensate by producing much more oil than you actually need thus causing a breakout.
8. NEVER be insecure about having spots.
   
   Having acne is the most normal part of growing up, everyone gets it at some point and don't let it control your life, you are so much more than "perfect skin" and you don't need it to be happy. People who really like you will see past it, trust me.
   
   
   
   I hope you enjoyed this post and I shall see you on Wednesday with a new one!
   
   -Lana xx

Skin Care Routine

Morning/afternoon/evening!

Today I thought I'd update you all on my skin care, now I don't have perfect skin, I have spots and scars and to be honest my skin has been my biggest insecurity for a long time... well since I hit puberty because apparently hormones and acne is a package deal.

Over the years I've come up with a really good skin care routine (for oily skin) and I thought I'd share it with you!


Step 1: Cleanse! this is so important especially if you wear make-up, a cleanser basically breaks down the make-up to make it easier to take off

The one I use is called Camomile Cleansing balm by the body shop, this is such a good price and honestly does the job so well plus it doesn't burn your eyes


Step 2: Wash your Face! I can not stress this enough! you wash your hands all the time, treat your face the same because it comes into contact with just as many germs especially if you wear make-up!

The one I used is called Tea Tree Squeaky Clean Scrub by the Body Shop, this is especially good at getting rid of all the gunk on your face without over drying your skin.

Step 3: I like to use another cleanser at this point, mainly because sometimes my eye make-up tends to smudge a little, the one I use is called Kind to Skin Micellar Water by Simple.

This is so good for sensitive skin and all you need to do is put it on a cotton pad and wipe it across your face and that's it.

Step 4: Once my face is clean I like to go in with a moisturiser, now even if you have oily skin this is a must, because when you wash your face you are striping all the essential oils off your face, when your skin realises its too dry it will over compensate by producing too much oil and this is not what you want

The one I recommend is by Clinique, they have a variety of different ones to pick from depending on skin type (I use the one for oily skin).

Step 5: Eye cream is another important step as it is actually the first area where you get wrinkles and no I'm not saying start with the anti-ageing creams but pick an eye cream that will moisturise the area.

The one I use is called Soothing Eye Balm by Simple.

Step 6: Something to treat those spots! the best thing I've tried is tea tree oil, tea tree is a natural anti bacterial and anti inflammatory, all you need is a few drops put directly onto the spot and you are all set

You can find tea tree oil anywhere however the one I use is from The Body Shop.

Step 7: Now this is honestly optional but I like to use either a lip oil or treatment every morning and evening especially in the winter

The one that has really stood out to me recently is called Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil by Clarins 

That's it for today, I hope you guys enjoyed it! also I'm very sorry about my posts being put up at different times, its because I'm being called into work more often which means I get home late much later.

- Lana xx



Products mentioned:

http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/shop-by-range/tea-tree/tea-tree-squeaky-clean-scrub.aspx
http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/face/cleansers-toners/camomile-sumptuous-cleansing-butter.aspx
http://www.boots.com/en/Simple-Kind-To-Skin-Micellar-Cleansing-Water-200ml_1657099/
http://www.boots.com/en/Clinique-Dramatically-Different-Moisturizing-Lotion-50ml-Bottle_1351288/
http://www.boots.com/en/Simple-Kind-To-Eyes-Soothing-Eye-Balm-15ml_53079/
http://www.thebodyshop.co.uk/shop-by-range/tea-tree/tea-tree-oil.aspx
http://www.boots.com/en/Clarins-Instant-Light-Comfort-Lip-Oil-02-Rasberry_1767733/

Treat yourself - chocolate covered strawberry's

Hey guys! so today I thought I'd post a really easy recipe for you guys to do, now I'm no cook but I promise you this is so easy and kinda healthy actually, and without any more rambling this is how to recreate them....






You will need....

1) a average sized bowl
2) a small but deep cooking pan
3)fresh strawberry's
4) a bar of chocolate of your choice
5) a knife
5) spoon
6) a saucer filled with sprinkles of your choice
7) a chopping board  
8) a tray (which isn't visible in the picture as I forgot to include it)

• To begin you'll need to fill the pan with water, enough to make sure the bottom of the bowl can reach the water, once you have done this place the pan on the cooker, apply a low to medium flame and begin breaking the chocolate piece by piece and put it in the bowl to melt them. (you can use other methods to melt the chocolate but I find this the best way as it does not allow you to over heat the chocolate).

• As the chocolate is melting this is when you can start cutting the stems from the strawberry's. continue to check on the chocolate and move the pieces around. Once the chocolate has melted completely and the stems have been cut you can start the fun part.

• Take the bowl full of chocolate off the pan, make sure you are wearing an oven mitt when doing this as the bowl will be hot, put it on the side, pick up the strawberry's one by one and start covering them in chocolate (you can use the spoon to help with this) and then dunk them in the sprinkles and finally place them on the tray.

• Now if you really want you can have them like that however I do like to freeze mine, so take the tray and place it in the freezer for 2-3 hours, once that time has passed take them out, place them on the side, wait for them to thaw, then enjoy :).

Thank you so much for reading this! and I'll see you on Wednesday with a new post!


-Lana xx

The Fashion Industry says you are not good enough!

Hey guys! now the reason I haven't been posting is purely the fact that I am currently dealing with depression and if you are familiar with this illness you'll know how hard it is to be productive. However I am back and I promise to be posting more in fact I'm hoping to be posting twice a week (Sundays and Wednesdays) and without any more excuses I shall get on.

About a month ago I went shopping in Cardiff, in the hopes to find a new pair of ankle boots as the ones I already had have well to be honest seen better days. I decided I didn't mind splashing out on a new pair, I went to all the designer/higher-end shops that were there but I got the same reply from all of them "sorry we do not stock size 8 in store" which puzzled me at the time seeing as I know many people who are a size 8 so it seemed silly they did not stock them in store especially since I was in a capital city.

Now to put this into perspective I am am around 5'8 so a size 8 is a perfectly acceptable size to have with that height but no, well not according to the fashion industry anyway. After we had hit the last shop on the street I was heartbroken as I was going to be leaving empty handed, I took a seat to be honest I almost cried with disappointment that's when I noticed a lady next to me who also looked pretty sad, after overhearing her conversation with the sales assistant I found out she was on the hunt for some knee boots but seeing as she was fairly short all of the boots she tried on went way above the knee and therefore did not fit her right, that's when it hit me the two of us were not the "ideal" look to be catered to.

Models are expected to be tall, skinny, have big boobs, small waists and average sized feet.. which is unrealistic but these shoe stores and hell even clothes stores don't stock for those who don't fit that profile!

Clothes they have on display are a size 8 (UK) the shoe's they have on display are always either a 5 or 6 (UK) they are secretly setting a standard that more than half the population do not have!.

Don't let these unrealistic standards define you! you are prefect and fit the profile!




Thanks so much for reading!
-Lana xx