2013 Beauty favorites

This year just flew by, it's really crazy isn't it. I am happy I have started this blog in 2013, I have been thinking of it since 2011. As I mentioned that I can't compile everything in one post, so I am having them in categories. I have already mentioned my Style favs and my Stuff favs, now I am going to talk about beauty. This is the last of this series and probably the last post of 2013. Anything related to skin, makeup, nails and scents that I fill in love with in 2013. here we go

St Ives Scrub

These stuff are amazingly amazing. For it's price, I would totally say it's a must have. It's supposed to be a face scrub, however I do use it on my arms and legs. It smells really really good, I will have a full review on it up very soon.

The body shop Plotting papers

I have already done a review on this product, click here if you like to read the full review. It's very affordable and nice. I am not sure if you can find it all the time, however they are worth the search. It soaks up any access shine, seriously. 

Oriflame eyelash curler

Remember her back from the mini Oriflame Haul, yeah? She turned out to be the best thing that happened to me lately, and yes I am referring to her as a real person. Curling my lashes has changed my life, maybe that's why I am all over this thing.

Victoria's secret Ultimate Studio Makeup Kit

Earlier this year I won the Chanel, Cupcakes, Cameras and Crayons contest. The great thing I won was a palette I have been eyeing for at least a month, click here to review.  Perfect for traveling, I love the eye shadows more than anything else. 

Intimate secret

This year, I have gone throw three different body splashes. Delon, Victoria's Secret and Intimate Secret. I was almost choosing the Victoria's Secret one as my favorite, however this one honestly one. It's body silkening which means that you get hydration and a fantastic smell, the scent is to die for seriously and it's light years better than the Delon one.

Ciate nail foil

Click Here to know all about this kit, and I am having a review very soon on this one as well. Seriously creative and unique, I love it. I really like the Ciate nail polishes quality and pigmentation, they come on really opaque and that's really what's important. What in the world will I do with a sheer layer of color on my nails. 

ELF tinted moisturizer 

There is a collective review over some ELF products I got this year right here. The tinted moisturizer is very nice, I am actually still done with it. It's kind of sheer coverage that gives a nice glow, doesn't make my skin shine or anything. Perfect for everyday usage. 

H&M donut bun 

I kept seeing this thing in H&M and thinking "who would wear such an ugly scrunchy?". After a little research I have done, I found out that this achieves the perfect donut bun. This baby is a life saver, whenever I am in a hurry and I want to look well put together I wear it. Seriously makes my hair looks longer and thicker than it actually is.

Vaseline Cocoa Little 

In 2011 I discovered the Vaseline lotions line and I instantly fill in love, I am having a collective review on it very soon. This baby does the same thing only much less price and an easier packaging. The product itself is heavenly, especially for drying skin in winter. The package is great for traveling and just carrying around all day in your handbag. 

Zara Woman Oriental

100 ml of heavenly sexy affordable perfume. I love love love it, it's very affordable and it stays for 3-4 hours. It's great for everyday use, and I do find it staying on my clothes if I really get close to it. I totally recommend this for anybody who doesn't want to spend a fortune on perfume, and still wants to smell good. 

Oriflame bronzer

This one was a little bit over priced compared to other Oriflame products, however not pricey compared to other brands. Even though I freaked out when I first opened it because it was covered in shimmer, I totally loved it when I discovered that it's matte. It's broken as you can see, however I will have a full review on this baby soon.

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2013 random favorites

I have started a little series called "2013 Love" which is basically saying what are the things I have used and liked through out the year. I have already mentioned all my Style a, this is one is a little bit different. Just Stuff that I think these are things you can try because I have tried them for you and telling you they will rock your world. Basically I am going to mention random things like food, gadgets, stationary, etc .... Everything I discovered in 2013. 

Beats by Dr.Dre solo

Actually I am going to have a review on this baby, because it's worth it. It became hard for me to listen to music in other headphone, except the beats studio and Bose which are a notch above the solo beats. I love music and If you love music, this one is totally worth the price. 

LAICA scale

I know that the scale doesn't define the weight loss, however you need to know at the end of the day. LAICA is really nice, it was just really nice to try electronic rather than the regular one. I think it looks really chic in my room. 

The batter half & co

In 2012 I was all about cupcakes and I really love it, however things changed this year. I still love cupcakes, however I discovered The batter half &co in Jan 2013. It's amazing and I love it, everything is mentioned in the review linked above. I wish they have a Maadi branch because honestly only Zamalek is not fair for the rest of Cairo residents.

HTC desire 500

Since 2011 I have been a blackberry user, then my BB gave up on me this year. I was considering t the scale doesn't define the weight loss, however you need to know at the end of the day. The picture is off the internet because I am taking these pictures with my phone, I will have a whole post on it soon. Light years better than blackberry and the built in beats studio, right on. 

Quick Oats

My daily breakfast is skimmed milk + honey + brown oats.I have tried more than one brands throughout 2013, however this one is just the best of them. I love the packaging because it's not plastic and that's better for me honestly. They are cooked easily and they taste better and they are actually the cheapest one I have tried, so totally recommend them.

Colorful Notebook

Love love love this baby, I love it so much I am using it very carefully. Look at how cute the colors are, I actually saw some furniture pieces in the same fabric. Excuse me in the back, but it has a PINK first page. I am really loving how dens the papers are, I think it would make a great notebook for sketch book portfolio for fashion or makeup. 

Di'Macarons

My friend shouted "Your ultimate love" when we were in city stars, this little stand that has only Macaroons. I swear If I can name my autobiography something funny, it will be the search of the best Macaroon. It's amazing, very soft crust and amazing rich creamy filling. I didn't find any traces of this place online or any other branches. I loved them and I will totally look for it next time I am there.

Food Scale

I know I am crazy, I weigh my food. My mom loves the measuring cup that it has on top because she uses it when I am not looking. Very high quality on this, there is even a grantee. It's not ruined, I have drops of water fallen on it as well as food and it's still working. Totally recommend this one.

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2013 Fashion favorites

With 2013 coming to an end, I have to say I have mixed feelings about this year. I am going to concentrate on the positives though. I was going to do 13 things I loved in 2013, however turned out I loved much more stuff than that. So I decided I am going to have a little series of blog posts. I am starting with style items, this is like a little mix clothes, shoes, jewelry and bags. They have chic's stamp of grantee. So let's get started ... 

Moustache Double Ring

Earlier this year I was obsessed with double rings, I had a huge crush on Moustache stuff. It was costume made for me by Nermeen from Nana's, because my fingers are too big and I never find my size easily. I used to have it on my hand all the time. I have to say I am not reaching for it as much as I used to do, however it's really a favorite of mine.

Only burgundy top

I bought the exact same top last year in black, this one I got for half the price because it was on sale. I have always been in love with the draped neck line, I think it's very flattering. I think Burgundy is my color and it's really in this year. I got it from Only jeans. The crazy thing is that I found online a similar Vievinne westwood top only for Price *10, so yay for me.

Adidas running shoes

This one I got on my birthday and it's gorgeous gorgeous as you can see. I am going to have a review on it soon, however you already know I love it. The color is just all me, as you can see it's gotten a little dirty cause I always take them jogging. 

Silver bracelet

I have awakened a passion for silver this year, that I didn't remember I had. I think this bracelet is like my diamond stable, Reference: The little black book of style. I think it's very Audrey Hepburn , it can class up any outfit and you can wear it with everything. Love this feminine bracelet. 

H&M black chiffon top

To be honest, I haven't been really into the whole short long trend, however this baby changed my mind. The fabric is seriously soft and I love the fit on this one very much. I got it from H&M in city stars, and I have to say the one we have in Maadi doesn't have all the goodies that the one in City Stars have. 

Payless glittery heels

 

I got this on new year's eve, so technically it's like the last thing I bought in 2012. Since I only wore it through the time between 2012 and 2013 and it got the best part of 2013, when would I have written about it. I got this from pay less, it looks like the one Carrie Bradshaw has in the movie "Sex & City". The heel is like 5 to 6 cm, with like a rounder toe so it's really comfortable and easy to walk in. 

Splash wings Necklace

Splash really doesn't attract me when I am window shopping, however when I actually get in; I always find good deals. This caught my eye as this kind of pharoa queen with the wings and all. The colors are really gorgeous, the royal blue with the torquise. I thought that the little chains can be tacky, however it just looking all over chic.

Splash Shoulder Bag

Click Here to see how much of a big bargain this bag was. I love bargains, and I love when bargain are actually worth it. This bag is really really cute, I actually saw the black version in a photo on tumblr. I love dark colors so whenever I am finding myself wearing black on grey or all black, this bag instantly gives a pop of color to the outfit.

Payless glittery evening bag

I got this along with the heels, so I wore them both on New Year's Eve. I do have a black clutch for evening, which is honestly more practical. I love this baby cause you get to put the bare essentials, just my ID, some money, lip gloss and barely my phone. It totally glams up any dull or dark outfit. 

Charles and Kieth wallet

This was also a birthday gift, and I needed a new wallet badly. I know it kind of looks purple here, however it's pink like the middle part of it. I love pink, I think we have established that. I am in love with anything quilted and the lock on this one is just lovely. It's very girly, I always need to make sure that I have no pens with its caps off in my bag. I think that the gold details makes it look expensive. There is also 2 colors still available in Charles and Kieth, you can get the clutch version as well (Pink, Beige and Black)

Allah silver pendent

I haven't had any thing that says allah since I was like 8 or 9. I think it looks very expensive and it's just a classic. I honestly didn't think it would look that good on me. I love it so much I was wearing it even when I am sleeping, then my mom discovered that and borrowed it. 

H&M floral top

I love flowers and this is like the dark side of floral. Very form fitting and slimming, this neckline is one my favorites. I love love love that it's long enough to fit in any pants, low rise or high rise. The dark berry mixed with purple is really in this season, so love love this top. 

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Ciaté very colorfoil manicure

Ciaté have managed to make the nail polish industry interesting over the last couple of years. I have been obsessed with their creations, because they are just so different than anything in the market. The caviar effect, Velvet nails, Feathery nails and now the foil nails. I managed to get my hands on the colorfoil manicure kit, and it is as awesome as it sounds. This post is just the story behind it and everything related to it, soon I will be posting a "How to Use" guide with a mini review.

It was launched summer 2013 with one limited edition version and two regular versions. The two regular ones are called "Carnival Couture" and "Wonderland", the limited edition one is called "Kaleidoscope Klash). Of course I bought the limited edition one. Each kit contains 30 "foil" sheet, one nail polish, fix gel and a plastic nail wheel. "Carnival Couture" has Ciaté "Kiss Chase" which is a salmon pink color. 30 "foil" sheets in colors Blaze, Babe, Bloom, Beaut, Brill and Bounce. "Wonderland" has Ciaté "Cream Soda" which is a light grey color. 30 "foil" sheets in colors Frost, Flash, Fling, Feisty, Fizz and Flirt.
The "Kaleidoscope Klash" has Ciaté "Pepperminty" which is a mint color. 30 "foil" sheets in colors Snog, Splash, Sing, Smash, Shout and Stomp. The "foil" sheets are very sequence and glittery in this kit which is not the case in the other ones.
All the kits give this sort of graffiti messy colorful look and honestly I think that the "Kaleidoscope Klash" is the best because it has all that glitter and stuff.

These are how this look when you receive them. I am not sure if they are available in Egypt or not, because I got them from Sephora @ KSA. I am sure they are available in the gulf area. 

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Greasy Hair

This blog post is requested for winter and all. Greasy hair, everything I am not . I do get greasy hair whenever I straighten my hair, so I do have an pretty good experience in that area. However the grease appears after at least 2 - 3 days. I have learned a couple of tricks for my hair, however this post is for all oily girlies out there. Also since the winter is coming up and a lot of us will be avoid the cold showers, there will be a lot of grease to fight. The following are all the tips and tricks that will help you with  your greasy hair. 

Greasy Hair:

The Wash:

-When washing your hair go with warm or cold, because washing it with hot water will flatten it and weigh it down 
-Rinse with Apple Cider Vinegar once every other week, they will cleanse the excess oil without having to strip them down
- You can use sulfate shampoo once a month so you can really clean your hair, however using it on regular basis will make your hair go stubborn and produce more oils as it's being stripped
-Daily washing is not a good idea at all, even though it might seem like a simple logical idea. Don't provoke your hair, think of your oily hair as an oily monster who will produce more oil if you try to take away his precious oil. 
-When conditioning your hair, don't apply conditioner to the roots of your hair; focus on the ends and don't splurge on it.

The Salon:

-This tip goes for all hair types, even if you are going to use heat on your dog's hair -in the unlikely event of that happening-; you should use heat protecting product before applying any heat in there.

-Using the spot on hair dryer is so much better than the regular one. It doesn't apply heat directly to your end and it gives a gorgeous wave, also it doesn't flatten the hair strand making it ready for the oils to slit right through it. 

-Using the old school straighter according to my hair stylist is better to delay the grease rather than use the ceramic "babyliss style" straighters. Personally I have tried this and it does take a longer time to grease. 

-Style it curly rather than straight. It's easy if you simply straighten your hair rather, it will make an easy road for oils to slit down your hair strand. The tighter your curls are, the harder is it for the oils to slit to the hair strand. 

-Blunt bangs are not the best idea for you if you have greasy hair, especially if you have oily to combination skin. Simply your bangs will touch your forehead a lot, this means you will be in the zone of mixing both hair and skin oils together. Go for longer bangs or side swept bangs to avoid this hair disaster. 

The Daily:

-Remember in combination skin post, I mentioned that we should stop touching our skin so we wouldn't make it more oily. Actually, same goes to hair; any dirt or oils or bacteria will instantly move to your hair by constantly touching it. 

-I know the Disney gave us an impression, that beautiful hair comes with a lot of brushing, however that is far from the truth. Try to un tangel your hair from the ends and don't touch the roots too much.

-Dry shampoo is your friend, you can try out Baking Soda as a cheaper alternative. I haven't used dry shampoo, however I heard good stuff about the brand batiste and I have found it in the salon I go to. I actually took a picture of all the types, excuse my photographing. They do have options for brunette hair, as many people complain about having powdery white roots from dry shampoo. 

-When you feel like your roots are getting oily, run to your dry shampoo. If you control your oils at the scalp, you will treat them right before running to the hair itself.

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My Vintage Collection

I woke up excited today because of this blog post, this is going to be one of my favorite blog posts ever.Young, fabulous and on a budget blog post, I have mentioned that we can shop from our mothers' and grandmas' closets. I come from a family of stylish ladies, who had something for fashion. Of course I couldn't get my hands on all of their collections -that would have been heavenly-, because we have a tradition in our family of giving to the less fortunate. These are their favorite pieces that managed to stay till I laid my hand of them. Every piece is unrepeatable and often has a story behind it. Today I am giving you some style inspiration in general and encouraging you to dig up your own treasures as well ...
In my

Houndstooth Dress

Straight from the early 90's this dress belonged to my mom's best friend -practically my aunt-. You guys know that the houndstooth pattern is really in this season, I actually have a skirt from H&M in the same pattern. The golden buttons says it all about this dress. It's very form fitting and it's very flattering. 

Velvet LBD

This one belonged to my mom in the late 90's, I actually remember when my mom had it custom made for a wedding we had to attend when I was 6 or 7 years old. I thought mommy looked stunning and I wanted to look like her. The crazy thing is I found a seriously Similar Dress (minus the diamonds) on ASOS for £56. I am removing the diamonds as well.

Sun Dress

Also from the late 90's, my mom had a thing for long sun dresses. The 

Over Sized Patterned Blazer

I have tried to find out the name of this gorgeous pattern and I failed, all I know that it’s fabulous. This belong to my mom’s best friend who welcomes me to dig up her closet as well. Early 90’s is all over this thing –I even removed the shoulder enhancers-. Never have I worn this blazer and not got tons of “Where did you get it?”s

Single breasted jacket 

This was my great aunt’s in the 70’s I guess from the style. This is not a blazer, it’s just casual button up jacket in a great purple colors. It’s very comfy and warming, and I always feel that it adds modesty and class thrown over anything basically.

Shimmery Lace

I actually saw a picture of my grand ma wearing this back in the late 70’s. She had a gorgeous sleeveless dress and she needed to cover up, so she got this custom made.  Being the fabulous diva she was, she actually thought it looked a little dull, so she made this flower shaped beading herself on the right breast area. 

Short Coat

This was also my great aunt’s, I am not sure which decade. Very warm short coat in this cute purple color. The only thing that caught my eyes in this, is the collar. I think the collar looks like a flower and I have never seen that anywhere in the current collections.

Christmas sweater 

Christmas inspired prints on this oversized sweater is the reason I keep going back for it. In the late 80’s, my mom bought this from a shop in Heliopolis that was owned by Moushir Abdelhakeem daughter. It costed her 100 EGP which was quite the number back then like 1500 EGP right now. She told me she would wear it on tight jeans and boots, just fabulousness.

Mohair sweater 

Mohair is really in right now and I have got it covered. Also in the 80’s my mom got this custom made for her and she paid 150 EGP, again it’s very big number and my mom didn't put a price on her style. The over-sized theme is obviously 80’s, I have to say you won’t find these easily right now.

Velvet shirt

Late 90’s it was all about these “Chemises” and of course my mom was in the lead. This one is kind of over-sized and needs an urgent visit to the laundry. Simple, causal and elegant in the same time, this strip pattern shirt has two over-sized pockets which for some reason is making me fond of it.

 Spanish inspiration

Long before the “Spanish” hijab trend, this word meant flowy sleeves and deep V necks. This form fitting brown sweater belonged to my mom in the late 90’s, I think I was with her when she bought it. I remember I used to wait till my mom went out and I would wear this as a dress just to move my hands and see the fabric on the sleeves flowing.

Flowers and pearls embellishments 

The reason I am not sure of the decades when it comes to my grand aunt’s stuff, is that I actually got them from my mom. I wear this on regular basis, and that’s why it needs to be ironed because it was just washed. From the style I would say late 90’s, the embellishment is just beautiful. It’s very form fitting and feminine.

Knitted Scarf 

If you are following me on instagram, you probably have seen this baby before. This incredibly long knitted scarf was my mom’s in the late 90’s, the neutral color made is super easy to style with anything. The crazy thing is that my mom actually thought it was too long and wasn't interested in it anymore, that’s where I came in. Needless to say, she became interested in it after seeing me styling it.

Silk printed scarf 

The memory I have with this scarf is “Warda’s song 7aramt A7ebak”, early 90’s classic with all the chunky gold print all over. Bold red and bold blue with a hint of silver, that’s how early 90’s rich and classic looked like. My mom used to wear it over her hair when we were in KSA, sort of a stylish take on the country rules. 

Plaids clutch

Faten Hamama had the exact same one in “Embratoryet meem” movie. My mom bought this in the early 80’s for “Shawarby” street for 50 EGP. The flap has a beautiful leather stitching and the lock still works. Just holding this clutch reminds me that the shops in down town used to have the best trends and high prices for classy college girls to shop there. 

Red necklace 

Obviously my mom loved red accents, however she never wore a plain red top or jacket; she tells me she was too shy. Late 90’s gorgeous red beads, the quality on this one is fascinating actually, because the strand has this metallic material to it holding these heavy pieces for that long. The lock itself is kind you roll to tie and untie. 

Burqou

Great grand ma probably in the 1910’s wore this long one, this might look a little funny but it’s the only thing I have left for my great nana. Excuse my puffy eyes, I was too thrilled to wait until I did my makeup for this shoot; I just wanted to showcase how this is worn. I am thinking it would come in handy in Halloween. 

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