I haven't really experimented with makeup a lot lately. It's not like I can go to class with a cut crease or a crazy winged liner (..or can I?). 

 

What's your fav eyeshadow palette?

xox,

Laila

xox,

Laila

Ever since I started using MAC products, I saved the empty bottles (or containers), in the hopes of one day 'Back to MAC' them - and get a lipstick (there is, sadly, no 'Back to MAC' program where I live). So when I went to Poland a month (!) ago, I brought along twelve empty containers and left the store with two lipsticks; Rebel and Angel.

Can you imagine how happy I was?

 

Never throw away empty bottles; you never know if you can get one (or two) lipsticks for them!

xox,

Laila

 

 

On the left: damp sponge. On the right: dry sponge. 

 

I've been using the Beauty Blender for the past few months, and I'm in love. It's easy to use and leaves your skin looking like skin, which is why I prefer it over my usual foundation brush.

 

It should be damp defore you use it, in order for your product to not get soaked into the sponge. And I usually just squeeze it while running it in water, squeeze it dry and then wrap it up in a paper towel and squeeze it again. The sponge gets larger when it's wet (on the left above). And then it's ready to use. 

 

Since my weeks have been hectic with family flying in, projects and upcoming exams; I haven't been able to physically shop. In the midst of all the studying, I decided to shop online. Bad decision.

You see, the things I've featured above aren't the only things I've shopped.. I ordered from various sites and it all turned very therapeutical.

 

The reason I turned to online shopping in first place was because of the Institut Esthederm Eve Serum. I had searched high and low in many pharmacies all around Paris trying to find it - can you guess if I did? So I found it on beautybay.com instead - oh the joy! The Naked palette is another story.. 

 

Do you have any favorite online shops? If so, let me know!

xox,

Laila

 

I'm a nailpolish junkie. I just can't stand my hands when they're un-nailpolished (hello new word!).

Lately, I've been into reds and nudes. So when I found this pretty color by China Glaze, I just couldn't resist!

Although it's super sheer (I'm wearing three coats in the picture and applied a forth coat now), I really love the color and it doesn't streak. Also, if you don't have much "nail-space" (seriously, what's up with my choice of words?), you'll probably love the brush - it's thin compared to other brands. 

 

I also really enjoy fun beauty product names. I mean, Innocence is just perfect for this one!

xox,

Laila

 

To start off; this bleach reminds me of my early teens. I mean, let's face it - I'm Arab. While other girls were painting their toes, I was bleaching my hair.

I absolutely hate facial hair. Even the teeniest tiniest amount - it should be non-existent. Unless you want to sparkle in the sun and pretend that you're a vampire. In that case, go ahead.

 

Eventually I stopped using bleach and learned that wax was my bff (but that's another story). And also, that only vampires should sparkle in sunlight - so long, Edward.

 

As I was filling in my brows the other day (yup, I joined the brow-filling cult a couple years ago), I was being careful not to fill them in too much cause they're already pretty full and super dark. That's when I figured that I should bleach them. Hello? Experimenting with different brow shapes? I was sold!

So I ordered Jolene (which btw was on sale). 

 

Today when I woke up I was determined that it would be the day that I would bleach my brows.

And that's what I did.

 

Do I look like a sick frog? Yup.

Did I fill them in like crazy to try looking like a healthy human? Yup.

 

My brows turned copper.. Like proper Cu copper (hello chemistry). I'm gonna wash them with silver-shampoo tonight and pray that it will mute the brassiness down a bit.

Other than that, they look great when they're filled in (light brown). The problem is when I'm not wearing any makeup. Halloween came early this year.

 

Have you experimented with bleach before?

xox,

The wicked witch of Sweden

 

My Paris post is slowly coming up. I've been super busy with work so I've literally haven't had time. But it should be up next week. 

xox,

Laila

Can you think of a better way to throw a bachelorette party than a spa? Didn't think so!

I was invited to participate in the bachelorette party of my cousins fiancé last week, and since it was a surprise party, she was "kidnapped" with a scarf wrapped around her eyes to surprise her (obviously).

Throw a bunch of half naked girls into the same room and all you get is bad selfesteem and gorgeous glowing skin.Totally worth it.

 

I think everyone fell in love with Ystad Saltsjöbad, and it's a place I wouldn't mind re-visiting again.

 

The wedding on the other hand, was held this weekend. Talk about an epic stress! If you're Arab or have ever been to an Arabic wedding, you know what I'm talking about. Arabic weddings are like a red carpet event, which means that you need all day to get ready. So when my friend asked me if we could hang out an hour the same day, I almost cried of laughter (okay, exaggerating a bit). Your hair, eyebrows, nails, skin, face needs to be taken care of, and if you're like me - always doing things either the day of or the day before, you're completely stressed. And if you're not Arab, my entire face (including my eyebrows), hair and nails are jealous. But thankfully, I've learnt how to get ready fast for occasions like these - my version of fast.

 

Lastly, best wishes and a big congratulations to the lovely couple! 

I don't wear lipsticks anymore! 

The texture of these balms is increadible. It's moisturizing, easy to apply and it doesn't crease or turn disgustingly white at the end of the day. Although you have to reapply it a couple times, I still absolutely love it. 

 

I used to dislike eyeshadows with sparkle or sheen; I was all about the matte look. But I've discovered the beauty of sparkly/shimmery/shiny (you get my point) shadows this year - I even got an entire palette of pretty sparkles (hint: it's loved by everyone and their mothers - kind of. Review on that later).

 

Shadows with a bit of sparkle brighten up my very dull and tired eyes on an everyday basis.. I basically pat it on with a big fluffy brush (sometimes a damp brush to maximize the effect on evenings), coat my lashes with mascara and I'm good to go (well, my eyes are). 

 

And to be honest, some drugstore eyeshadows are as pigmented as high end ones - my personal opinion. But the downside is that they might crease, this one definitely creases, although that's nothing a primer can't fix (my DIY primer is actually pretty good - recommend trying it).

 

The color is beautiful and I wear it regularly. I'll definitely expand my collection of shiny shadows - they're gorgeous!

 

 

 

Aside from the deliciousness of this juice, it's got amazing health and beauty benefits due to the apples and spinach.

 

Apples have multiple health benefits. They are high in fibre, which makes controlling our weight easier because fibre fills us up. In addition to that, fibre increases the metabolism and cleans out our system, which is great for detox. Among the minerals in apples, iron help raising the levels of blood oxygen and also increases the metabolism. Red apples even boost up our immune system, specially when we're stressed out - because of quercetin, an antioxidant. 

 

There are studies that have shown that drinking apple juice could keep Alzhaimers away, protect us from developing cancer (even skin cancer due to vitamin C) and decreasing the risk of diabetes. Having an apple juice a day might even prevent asthma. In addition to all the above, apples are great for the skin, they eliminate dark eye circles, cure dandruff and enhances hair growth.

 

Spinach, just like apples, is high in firbre which means that they are great for controlling our weight. This leafy green contains zink and magnesium which makes us sleep better at night, which relaxes our body. Magnesium even helps in boosting our lost energy in seconds. 

 

Furthermore, spinach is rich in Lutein content, which prevents thickening of the walls of the arteries which reduces the risk of getting a heart attack. It prevents anaemia, as it contains iron, and it lowers our blood pressure. 

 

Just like apples, spinach is great for our skin as it prevents acne and works as a sunscreen because of the richness of vitamin B which protects us from the harmful UV-rays. It's great for hair growth and fights hair loss. 

 

Will you give these greens a try? (I highly recommend throwing them into a juicer as it turned out to be delicious!)

 

Since I neglected water these past few days, due to traveling (I don't like water in other countries), I've tried drinking as much as possible when I came back. Dehydration? YES!

That was the reason for this detox water - it's very hydrating!

 

I put cucumber, lemon and lime slices in my water - and ice - and with a fun straw, I'm ready to hydrate my body. It's delicious too!