Lord & Berry smudge proof eyeliner pencil review

A friend of mine told me about Lord & Berry and asked me to apply from her eyeliner to test it. I purchased  it right away and ever since I have been using it. Here in Egypt we are known for our obsession with eyeliner, the Arabic "Kohl" tradition never went away. Almost everybody I know lines their water line and it's usually in black, other colors are also shining whether under the lash line or the classic wing. I think this review is for everybody looking for eyeliner pencil. This is how it looked when I first got, and of course the picture is not mine. The price is 90 EGP.

Here is a swatch of the liner before and after washing my wrest

The Good:

I have this pencil in the shade 701 "In The Black", which is a dark matte black color. The pigmentation is smacking on this baby, you only need to pass it by your lash line or your water line once to get an intense black line. It goes on very smooth on the eye, as it has a very creamy consistency. As soon as it dries -takes about 30 seconds- you won't have any smudging or melting. It doesn't smudge at all, hence the name. It stays for a long time,  it honestly stays all night. As you can see you have to wipe it with a makeup remover because this baby stands the test of water. 

The Bad:

In Egypt, Lord & Berry is not easily found. I personally head to Sephora Toi or La Beaute -both in mohandseen- to find them. Honestly it's worth the search. here is just a picture of my pencil, obviously I need to buy a new one.

The Ugly:

It doesn't have an ugly side :)

This could be the best eyeliner pencil ever. Paying 90 EGP for one pencil might sound a little bit too much, however it stays for a long time. This baby has been a repurchase for me for the last year and a half, I totally love it. 

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The talented Ahmed A"Zaam"

Ahmed Azzam with models Tara & Moe

I got to know "Zaam" in 2012, as one of the best selling brands when I worked for "Posh Boutique Cairo". Since then, the brand has been having one hit collection after the other. Ahmed Azzam, the man behind "Zaam" is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. He is truely dedicated to staying on top of his game and expanding his business. I am so happy to feature him on my blog. Here is how it went ...
Tell us about yourself. 
My name is Ahmed Azzam, I'm 24, I’m a faculty of commerce English section graduate. I have been working in the digital marketing field for 3 years. And I love anything related to fashion, it’s the place where I would like to proceed my life in.
How did the designing idea start? 
I started designing different stuff during college but nothing lasted for long…after graduation I was engaged in the corporate life for a couple of years but I didn’t find myself in it and I wanted to get back again to my passion, so I started to look up through the Egyptian young designers market trying to find where’s the gap to fill it. And there I decided to proceed with the bags designing. And my all-time inspirational designer is the brilliant Gabrielle Chanel or COCO Chanel.

Winter 13 collection

What inspires you? 
I get inspired from everything around, I Love to clear my mind and keep my eyes to catch from the surroundings.. But I always love to get back to the old fashion. I believe in the quote “OLD IS GOLD”. I also track the new fashion trends in everything except the bags, trying to keep and maintain the uniqueness of my designs.

Summer 2012 Collection

How do you create a new collection?
Well, the first phase when I create any new collection is to find out a theme for the collection. I believe it’s the most important phase when designing a new collection as it should be going with the latest trends and still having my own taste, then the drawings takes me around a week, after comes the manufacturing and production phase, I always purchase all the materials leather, accessories, fabrics…and manage all the production process on my own. The lovely and most interesting phase is the shoot day; the concept should be also be going with the collection theme

What is it being a designer in Egypt?


The biggest challenge that is facing me and most of the designers I know is the labor. We have good and talented labor but with no respect for time. Sometimes the season ends even before I get all the stock!
Being a guy where most of the fashion scene is dominant by girls is not an obstacle for me and if we lool at the most famous international designers we will find that most of them are men. Sometimes I just don’t feel comfortable, and this is the reason behind why I’m not participating in lots of open days, bazaars or events.
How did you get the name "Zaam"?
So obviously ZAAM is Coming from my surname Azzam, and when I chose the peacock for the logo I was looking for something that is feminine, beautiful and chic and not taken by any other brands.

Winter 12/13 collection

Describe yourself in 3 words. 
Dreamer, hard worker and persistent

Who are your fav designers? 
I have a lot and would like to start with the Egyptian young designers, in the apparel Nada Akram and Sara ElEmary…Accessories Menna Khalil. From the middle east region Ramy Kadi will be the one. And from the international designers Nicolas Jebran , Dolce and Gabbana and Marc Jacobs.

Tell us about your new collection. 
The theme of my new collection is the classic vintage; I tried to use different materials away from the leather such as the classic French goblin and the heavy sophisticated copper pieces. Entering the men’s market was planned. I wanted first to prove myself as a trusted designer and by time I’ll be designing all leather goods for men and women. 
Where can we shop for "Zaam" 
You can Shop our products through our Facebook fan page delivering all over the world.. Boho Gallery and eniGmashopping.com in Egypt…Deenas shop in New Jersey US.

Summer 13 Collection

What is in the future for "Zaam". 
I just launched the new men’s line and I’m trying to establish it well before introducing any new line or product. I’m planning to join the Cairo Fashion Festival – spring season with a new exclusive edition for the event. For the new markets, I have a couple of offers from Dubai but didn’t finalize any yet but for sure Dubai will be my next destination.


What are you doing nowadays.
As I mentioned above I’ll be a part of the Cairo Fashion Festival so I’m preparing the spring collection for the event.

Here is how to stalk Zaam

Facebook Page

Twitter @ZaamBags

Instagram @azzam_zaam

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Adidas Duramo 4 running shoes review

Anybody who is trying to start taking care of their health is surely in need for a kick ass shoes for working out. Mostly we start with cardio for fat burning, the easiest cardio is walking, jogging and running. I got my hands of this Adidas Duramo 4 last October for my birthday and I have a lot to say about it

The Good:
I am in love with them, they are simple and comfy. It's really cushioned from the inside making my feet feel like they are stepping on pillows when I am running. I don't feel any stones or cracks on the ground when I am running, because the sole is really strong and structured. The EVA insole and adiprene has built in shock absorbent which makes it easier to take fast steps without any pain, even if you are overweight. The nylon mesh body allows your feet to breathe, so there is never bad smells when you take this baby off. You feel like you are getting your feet inside a little pillow fort. This shoes work well for running and other workouts, I personally do my Pilates wearing them.

The Bad:

For some reason I have found that the mesh had some slight burns on the back of the shoe, personally I am not a smoker so I am just wondering where did that come from. The place of the burn is pretty up on the shoes, so I don't think it's a cigarette that I have stepped on or something. If I wear them for a long time say 10 -12 hours, my feet starts to feel a little bit uncomfortable. It's not painful or  explainable because it's not tight or anything, it just feels different that when worn for that long. Finally, The color pink and the weather Egypt, don't really go well together.

The Ugly:
There is no ugly on this one actually :)

I would totally recommend it for anybody who is starting to walk / jog / run you will enjoy your time at the gym as long as you don't pass 10 - 12 hours

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How to Use Ciaté colorfoil nail kit

I spent around two weeks trying to use this amazing colofoil kit from Ciate and failing miserably. There are instructions on the packaging  and in a little catalogue inside, however they all didn’t help me. I also wanted to know what to do with the nail wheel and there was nothing about that in there. So here is a little usage guide for anybody who is trying to do any look with the colorfoil kit from Ciate. Click here to read all about the kit and it's different editions. PS I still have no idea what to do with the gorgeous nail wheel

First, I am going to demonstrate on one of the nails on the nails wheel that came with it. As you can see I have ruined one of the nails on the wheel already, so I am going to make use of the other ones. I recommend trying on the nail wheel before doing on your nails.

Second, you need to apply 2 coats of nail polish to your nails. I usually go around all my nails with one coat then add the other coat in the same order.

Third, you will need to apply drops of the foil fix glue that comes with the kit on the nails. I do it in random pattern so I can get random foil coloring. Wait 30 seconds till the glue is tacky.

Fourth, grab one of the foil sheets and press the back part on the nail. I personally focus on the glued areas, so that the color would show exactly where I want it to be. You can do several colors on the same nail.

Fifth, apply a coat of clean nail polish over your nails. This will protect the nail foil and make it last longer. I forgot to take a picture of the clean nail polish bottle. 

Finally, you get this gorgeous gorgeous look on your nails. You can play with all the base coats and colors you want, style up your nails the way you like.

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Victoria's secret Ultimate Studio Makeup Kit eyeshadow swatches

Back in May I won a giveaway organized by blogger Nour, on her blog Chanel, Cupcakes, Cameras and Crayons. I gave a little review on the makeup kit, which was more of a first impression. Click here to read all about it. Since I have got it, I have been creating several looks with it. The eye shadow range is nice so I decided to create this post, I will be swatching all the eye shadow colors on my hands. Leave your comments below, if you would like me to create swatches for the lipsticks, lip glosses, blushes and powders as well. Here is how the eye shadow palette look in the kit.

The first line, you've got all the browns of the palette. 

From left to right. First you’ve got this creamy rose shimmery color with gold undertones. Second, there is this slightly similar color with more silvery undertones. Third, there is this light dusty gold color with shimmer in it. Fourth, this gorgeous dark oxide gold color. Fifth, a matte light brown color, great for contouring. Sixth, this dark brown metallic color.

The second line, all about the gorgeous greens.

From left to right. First this shimmery creamy white, perfect for the tear duct. Second, you have this dusty brownish shimmery olive color. Third, this stunning shimmery mint color. Fourth, another dusty olive, this one is dark with little shimmer in it. Fifth, a metallic greyish dark olive color. Sixth, a true dark green with metallic under tones.

The third line, the lovely blues.

From left to right. First a creamy white with light bluish undertones. Second, shimmery awesome lavender color. Third, a metallic sky blue color. Fourth, this blunt shimmery turquois, very versatile. Fifth, a dark navyish blue with a little bit of shimmer in it. Fifth, a metallic greyish dark olive color. Sixth, a very dark greyish metallic blue.

The fourth line, these purples.

From left to right. First this rosy powdery color with a little bit of shimmery. Second, a shimmery light lilac. Third, this unique orchid color with a little bit of shimmer. Fourth, a metallic dark grape color. Fifth, a metallic shimmery plum color. Sixth, this dark metallic maroon with purple under tones.

The fifth and final line, has all the blackish colors.

From left to right. First, a lovely light rosy color with yellowish undertones. Second, this powdery super shimmery carnation color with gold undertones. Third, a fantastic greyish cerulean, a great eyelid color with shimmer. Fourth, a metallic grey, perfect for a twisty smoky. Fifth, a classic glittery black. Sixth, a simple matte black.

That’s it for the eye shadow swatches. Stay toned for more swatch based reviews, in the meantime please comment if you would like to see me swatch the lip colors of the same kit.

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