Another apology!

I have been working like crazy lately and amongst that have a whole load of other things going on which has stopped me from posting! 

I would just like to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 

Lets hope 2014 will be full of joy, excitement and happiness all round. Inshallah.

I'm leaving you with some looks I have created that you can use for the party season!

Maryam x

Glow all out review and an apology.

Soo sorry for the absence I have been soo busy and poorly.
I've not been able to keep up my mini series series of recipes for health benefits. I thought I'd leave you with a quick review of a product I have been in LOVE with lately!

Yes, it's another from Soap and Glory (love them). "Glow all out" what they say...

"Use it to lift up your cheekbones or dust lightly all over for a 'moonlit' look. Featuring LIGHTSCRAMBLE™ Luminospheres Pigment Pearls and extended wear silicone technology."

What I think...
This is my go to product, I love love love this highlighter I use it on a daily basis and it has never disappointed. It last all day on some days it has been the only thing left on my face however it is not one of those products that is hard to remove with makeup remover, wipes etc. The luminosity of this powder is gorgeous with a healthu glow and blue and pink pigments going through it. It is a real must have and a definite re purchase! The packaging is also so gorgeous and eco friendly!

I had a look on the S&G website and couldn't find it so I hope they are not discontinuing it however it is still in Boots at the moment so go and grab it!

Maryam x

P.s please excuse the layout,  the blogger app is not so fantastic and I am without a laptop! 

Benefit Hello Flawless VS MAC Studio Fix Fluid

Benefit Hello Flawless

Shade: Toasted Beige 

Well what can I say this is truly a keeper! I wanted a light foundation I could wear on a daily basis but with still enough coverage. I went into Debenhams and got matched up at Benefit. The way the girl did my make-up was amazing and my skin looked flawless. When I got home and tried it my self I wasn't so keen but then thought it might be the primer so tried it without, it was ok but still wasn't perfect and I wasn't going to be repurchasing... That is until this morning when I decided to use Body Shops vitamin C skin reviver as my primer wow the foundation applied effortlessly and looked so smooth with even coverage and tone. I am now sold on this it is my favourite it is light enough for me not to notice I am wearing foundation, super blend able and lasts all day! I love the texture of the formula and how hydrating it is. Also a huge plus the packaging it is a pump which means minimum waste and so easy when your in a rush. I will definitely be repurchasing.

Overall thoughts: LOVE LOVE LOVE!

MAC Studio Fix Fluid

Shade: NC42

I used to LOVE this foundation I wore it everyday and then I stopped wearing it for a while. I find it a bit heavy at times but I think it was down to the wrong brush. I felt like it oxidised and made me look orange, saying that my skin changes and I switch my make-up regularly to keep up. It also helps to have the right moisturiser etc. at the moment my skin care regime has got a LOT better from my none existing one before. I tried my studio fix fluid the other day just to see how it would turn out and I fell in love all over the colour was perfect and I had ex foliated and moisturised before hand. The foundation lasted all day through the heat, sweat and rubbing on clothes etc. I realised why I used to love this foundation so much. The only problem is the packaging the glass bottle makes it kind of hard to get all the foundation off I have to leave the bottle upside down and I hate wasting product.

Overall thoughts: Great foundation for all kinds of coverage will re purchase.

Benefit Hello Flawless hands down WINNER!

MAC Studio Fix Fluid on the left and Benefit Hello Flawless on the right. The MAC foundation has more orange tones which can make you look a bit too orange at times whereas the Benefit make up works perfect with my skin tone.

Excuse the scratches I've got a kitten :) 

Maryam x

Turmeric - Cooking for illness

Turmeric

Turmeric is a member of the ginger family it is a root of the Curcuma Longa which grows in hot climates like India the plant needs between 20-30 degrees and mass rainfall to grow. The plants are gathered for their rhizomes (root mass) annually. You can use these fresh or in a powder or paste form.

My family being from Africa/India I have grown up with turmeric in my food and knowing about the healing  benefits of turmeric. It is an anti inflammatory and can be made into a mikly drink for sore throats. I have also used it to make the most amazing face masks leaving your skin glowing and fresh. It can be made into a paste and even used on cuts and bruises. The most popular use for it is culinary Turmeric is extremely good for your body internally and externally it is natural and therefore contains no chemicals or preservatives. It is a great healer for cancer patients as it will fight any bacteria entering the body and heal any parts of the body that need healing. It has anti bacterial, anti tumor, anti oxident and anti viral properties. My family use it in their food on a daily basis, as beauty treatments and for medical purposes.

Maryam x

Benefit Stay Flawless 15 Hour Primer - Review

I'd never used a face primer before not even on my wedding day I was always satisfied with how my makeup stayed or just thought there was nothing I could do about it. My sister in law has never treated herself to nice makeup, always using drugstore brands and never finding a perfect match so finally I dragged her into Debenhams. We both got a foundation match from benefit and ended up with more than we wanted like usual when we shop together. One of the products we were introduced to was their new primer so we both bought it. My sister in law used hers everyday and has finished it and im still using it. One thing I really hate is buying products and half using them I can't stand leaving products unfinished I have to finish them even if I dont like them. When the benefit mua did our makeup was perfect however when we did it our selves it would smear. The primer is quite thick and heavy later we discovered if you dont let the primer dry for at least a few minutes it would smear and be horrible on the skin. Both products mix together and look like when glue has dried and you peel it off which totally puts me off. It really depends on how and when you apply it, for example fingers are better then using a brush. My primer stick also whichis a disappointment as it is quite expensive. I had read that if you do not keep the tiny cap on the inside this does happen which may have been why. It is a fairly decent primer if you have hours to spend on your face in the morning having to wait for products to dry in between and buffing your foundation in rather then applying in sweeps with a brush.

Result: It does last a very long time but not worth the money and I will not be re purchasing. 

Stewed apples - Cooking for illness

Not everybody is a fan of fresh fruit but stewing different kinds of fruit and serving with a small dollop of cream/ice cream/custard can be a nice treat. I usually take a look at what we have and work with that this time I used about a dozen apples and half a pair. 《 Is that how pair is spelt or is it pare?  :/

All you need is your ideal fruit, some honey, cinnamon and a small glass of water. I don't really measure ingredients for this.

Method:
Wash, peel, de core and roughly chop your apples place in a large pan on low heat with honey and cinnamon to taste. Add the water and let it simmer, stir occasionally to ensure all the fruit is cooked. I like to cook it with still a bit of bite however this is just preference. Once it is cooked turn off and let it cool slightly before serving.

From experience I have learnt that stewed fruits get extremely hot! So please take care :)

Cooking for someone who is ill.

When your looking after someone who has an illness it's always hard with new medication and things they may not be able to do for them selves anymore. One of the best ways of helping someone either keep there illness from getting worse or to cure them is to make changes to their diet. I'm going to share some helpful hints and tips I've picked up along the way but please remeber to check the dietary requirements of either your self or the person you are cooking for.

Every Monday I will upload a new recipe that can help or just hints and tips for preparation etc to help you when you just seem to busy to be able to cook.

Soap & Glory

I've known about Soap & Glory for years!! But I only really became a huge fan recently as the more of their products I tried the more I realised how much of an honest brand they are and how much their products work well for me. If your anything like me and struggle with products to work with your skin/body then I would highly recommend S&G they seem to be the ones I go to when nothing else works so instead of wasting my money I just go to them first. . .

Here are a few I've tried and love!

-Hand food

-Make yourself youthful

-Heel genius

-Super sit tight intense xs

-The righteous body butter

-Scent sationalism 3 pack

Hand food and Heel genius are THE BEST hand and foot creams I have ever found! Heel genius works wonders for my dry feet they feel amazing and I want to touch them all the time. I don't use Hand food at the moment as I suffer from eczema so use Aveeno's moisture cream with oats.

I used Sit tight this morning and WOW does it burn but I'm hoping to see some results soon! Along with some exercise and healthy eating. I don't know what else to say about the products because I just love them all they all do what they say on the tin which is a huge plus for me. Also The righteous body butter smells like candy floss to me!

Maryam

x

OOTD

Outfit of the day... Summer time!  ♡

Amidst this heat wave I thought I would pick up my pen again (so to say) and start blogging... I think the perfect way to start this off would definitely be to share with you the products that are getting me through these sweltering days.

I have chosen the products I have been using the most these past few weeks and guess I will be using if this weather carries on. I wouldn't really complain if I could get hold of a fan, if anybody knows somewhere that isn't sold out of fans, please let me know. 

Garnier Ambre Solaire Protection Lotion

For face and body spf 50! Because I need it. I'm Indian with a mix of some other things in me and my skin is quite fair so I don't tan like normal people I go a red'ish brow and then just get the most ridiculous tan which will last me all year. I need a high spf as I catch the sun super quick and burn so I picked up this little on the go tube and it's great not sticky or oily at all.

Garnier Anti Dark Dircles Roll-on

I bought this when I saw Dina-Tokio use it in one of her videos I bought the lighter one so I could go for the Kim Kardashian lighter under eyes look. I have fallen in love with this as its super quick and easy plus the caffeine really does make you look more awake.

Heel Genius - Soap and Glory

So I went to stay with my Mum the other day (Love her) and I was telling her about how dry my feet have gone (I know gross) anyway she recommended one of her Christmas presents to me! It is super moisturising I didn't think it would work as nothing does for me but this really does, apply it as many times as you need and there you go beautiful moisturised feet!

Scholl Dry Skin Exfoliator

Another great product for disgusting feet it is the roughest exfoliator I have ever come across but it leaves your skin so soft and smooth. 

Neautrogena Visibly Clear - Pink Grapefruit Scrub

This is so light and refreshing for the summer my skin is not horrendous and doesn't need anything particularly strong as it's quite combination so this daily scrub is perfect to cleanse and exfoliate and it leaves skin feeling baby soft.

Aveeno Cream

I recently have been suffering from eczema I think it's stress and this cream works wonders for it, it has oats in it which is really good for eczema so I've heard :) 

Garnier Ambre Solaire After Sun 

This is a 24 hour soothing gel and it does exactly what it says on the tube it is also super moisturising for those who suffer from dry skin caused by the sun, it is also recommended to keep it in the fridge for extra soothing.

Garnier Body Tonic Sugar Scrub

This yummy apple scented scrub is amazing and so smoothing! I use this in the shower a couple of times a week and it smells amazing and is the best scrub I have ever used. I never find a scrub that is actually "scrubby" they're all too girly for my liking I need a "man" scrub something that is really rough and actually works and this does exactly that.

Vaseline

Lips, eyelashes, eyebrows (for conditioning so they're nice and long that's the eyelashes) and any other super dry parts, I don't have to explain this surely.

Nivea Tinted Moisturiser

It's a new one but so far I'm getting along with it really well it's cheap blends easy and actually moisturises plus it suits all skin types. (so it says) 

Dove Men+Care

Ok, so this one isn't mine but I use it because it works so much better than mine and is so refreshing! It actually works really well and in this heat and with my job it's just what you need!

Let me know in the comments of any posts you would like me to do!

Bye!

:) 

My tutorial

So I've been doing Mehndi/Henna for a few years now and I wanted to start making videos to get my name out... not having purchased a decent camera yet and doing an amateur video with a washing machine and noisy clock in the back ground here is what I was left with. 

p.s and filming with one hand and doing the Mehndi with the other hand.

Let me know what you think :) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93CStHqvZy0

And I haven't learnt how to speed it up... Sorry!