Shrink your pores mask

Oily skin tend to have larger pores than other types of skins, and since I am blessed with oily skin I have this problem. Larger pores double the risk of black heads, also having bigger pores make your makeup look horrible. You clean, you tone and you scrub so it would look better, however these little suckers need something extra to calm down. Here is what I do; after I apply my nose strip to unclog my pores, I apply this mask and it works wonders on my skin. I swear my makeup looks great after it, it's cheap and easy with all natural ingredients. I call it the retouch mask.

You will need:
2 Slices of ripe tomatoes
1 Table spoon of yogurt (I use non-fat cause that's what I have around my house)
1 tea spoon of vinegar

What this does: 
The tomatoes have skin renewal agents, it will also open up your pores and clean them. Vinegar is a natural cleaner and shrinker. Finally the yogurt works on softening and brightening your skin

Recipe:
Mix ingredients in a food chopper till it's mushy and apply it on your face.
Just leave it on your skin for 20 minutes and wash it off
I recommend removing the tomatoes chunky pieces before washing it, so you can avoid clogging the sink

Read More

Nour Abo Elela blogging in Style

Nour is a world traveler, a stylish blogger and a young mother, who is starting a change in the blogger scene in the middle east with "Love By N". When I read about Nour, I went straight to her blog "Love By N" and it was even better than I expected. A visual diary is a little different than regular Egyptian style blogs and Nour's style is interesting, unique and refreshing. She manages to pull of the best looks effortlessly. Nour is Egyptian / Lebanese / Swiss blogger, who comes from a family of creative designers. "Love By N" has gained popularity instantly, it caught the attention of brands around the globe and was featured in many magazines including Pashion Magazine , Lady Bird magazine, Laha Magazine and 7 ayyam Magazine .She has such a friendly personality and she so down to earth, talking to her made me feel like I knew for ages. Here is what she had to say ...

How did "Love by N" start?
Out of my boundless enthusiasm for travel and fashion off course! Started 6 months ago 


Do you have like a posting schedule?
I just snap but i do have a schedule for brand work off course.

Do you have favorite style/beauty bloggers? 
Definitely Peace Love Shea, Blonde Salad, Lovely Pepa, Bagsnob and many others i like them all...

What inspires your style? 
Travel i grew up in many different countries and all my family are jewelry designers

What do you think of the style blogs scene in the Middle East?
It's growing and its good to see

You were invited to NYFW. Tell us about it 
I get invited by PR company's, I get some to shows in Paris my and London and many backstage passes invites but i didn't make it to the last season as i had no nanny and didn't want to take my two year old with me! 

What are your must have accessory?
The classics Hermes collier de chiens and Kelly's! 

You are in a rush out of the door, what do you wear?
Printed Pajama pants and a plain top!

Who are your favorite designers? 
Elisabetta Franchi, Karl Lagerfeld and Chanel off course

What are your favorite trend for winter 13/14?
Plaids

Do you see "Love by N" turning into something bigger?
Yes maybe 

What do you recommend for new style bloggers?
Don't settle for one style and don't be brand washed! U can look good wearing no brands! Concentrate on the product, is it pretty? Does it look good on you?

What is in your purse right now? 
My house keys,credit cards, ID, mirror, Panadol, hairband and clip, tweezers, car charger and Dettol wipes

For amazing stylish inspiration, make sure to follow

"Love by N" Blog: lovebyn.com 
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/lovebyn00
IG: @lovebyn
Flicker: www.flickr.com/photos/lovebyn
Twitter: @Lovebyn
Tumblr: lovebyn.tumblr.com
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/lovebyn

Read More

No Makeup makeup

As most of you know I am a working gal and I happen to love my beauty sleep. Since the snooze button is my best friend in the morning I am usually left with no more than 20 minutes -usually less- to be out of the door. I always have to clean my face, brush my teeth, do my hair, get dressed, do my makeup and have breakfast in a rush. I like to look well put together and with the time constraints I have developed a little makeup routine that takes about 4 to 5 minutes. So If you like to get a natural look with makeup for everyday's rush, this post is for you.

After I clean my face and tone it with rose water, I let it dry while I get dressed. Then I start putting my makeup. 

1) Base:

For daily usage I use tinted moisturizer. Foundations usually don't give a natural look and I also have to consider that for 10 hours or more I will be wearing this on my poor pours, so I don't like clog them. The tinted moisturizer is easy to blind and doesn't give that much of coverage, just a casual glow and evened skin tone. It also has SPF and that's great for sun protection. I put it all over my face even on my eyelids, I am currently using elf tinted moisturizer in the shade sand. 

2) Coverage:

Since my base wasn't for much coverage, I hide any blemishes or redness with concealer. Mostly I don't need it under eyes, however it can be good to brighten under the eyes in the same step as well. I do this little trick where I actually pass the concealer on the bridge of my nose and on my Cupid's bow, as some sort of basic highlighting. I am currently using The body shop correction concealer in the shade 02.

3) Eyes:

Curling my lashes changed my life, and I am not exaggerating. In the morning I just curl my eyes and put mascara, and BAM change. I add black eye pencil on my water line just to give my eyes an Arabic sexy look. These 3 steps combined makes my eyes look bigger and I don't need any eye shadow.  I am currently using Oriflame Hyberstretch mascara, Oriflame eyelash curler and Lord & Berry matte kajal kohl pencil. 

4)Lips:

My number one go to lip product when I am in a hurry is labello lip balm. I am currently all over this pearly shine one, it had a bubblegum taste and a hint of shimmer with baby pink color. The color is light and it gives a really nice glow to the lips. I always have it in my bag just to adjust all day long. 

That's how I get my everyday look, it never looks like I am wearing makeup while looking well put together. Also I always carry my blotting papers in my bag, just to soak up any shine during the day. I hope it was benefital for you. Xx

Read More

The Olsen Twins release dual perfumes

Fashion designers, business women and empire owners, the 27 years old ladies are young stylish millionaires. Both of the ladies have a very distinctive style that manages to put them on the best dressed lists every where. With signature blond loose waves and daring outfits, they take bohemian rich chic to the next level. They decided to launch a new perfume through their Elizabeth & James fashion line. Everything comes in two with these ladies, the Dual perfumes named Nirvana.

Just a couple of days ago, the Olsen twines hosted the launch event for their dual perfumes Nirvana. After two years of "a labor of love" according Ashley, Nirvana comes to life. The official release to the market will take place in January 2014, excursively in Sephora. It's confirmed that the US and Canada will be the first countries to have these new perfumes, however it's not confirmed that the perfumes will cross more borders.

The bottles look identical with different colors. Inspired by the names Nirvana white and Nirvana black, each perfume is colored with it's name. The vintage style is not new to the ladies. Mary-Kate & Ashley designed the bottles themselves, their main inspiration was vintage golden mirrors.

So far there is no official advertisement with both the twins and the perfumes together, the only thing we have is this picture of them pictured with the perfumes in the launch event. The preliminary ad I would say is this minimalist ad with simply the two bottles standing beside each others.

Nirvana black is edgy and dark, while Nirvana white is sweet and light. Vanilla notes mixed with sandalwood  and violet is what makes Nirvana black woody. Nirvana white has a strong musk notes mixed with mugeut and peony for a floral scent. The 50 ml will be @ 75$, the 30 ml will be @ 55$ and the rollers will be @ 22$.

The twins say that they felt that Elizabeth & James will be perfect to launch their perfume, according to them it's not just a brand, it's a life style. On the topic of exclusively to Sephora, Ashley said " Elizabeth & James and Sephora together speak directly to out customer". As always a great business move and a stylish design. Whoever wants to smell like the Olsen ladies, will just have to wait 2 months in order to get their hands on Nirvana black & Nirvana white.

Read More

The Batter Half & Co in Zamalek Review

This sweet little place placed near Hilton in Zamalek, the Batter Half & Co is the perfect place to have the perfect dessert. In case you don't know the Batter is the liquid mix of cake before going into the oven. The name is different and smart, it is great as it's not restricting to cupcakes or waffles like many dessert places in Cairo are.  I have tried it back in January and I fell in love instantly, of course I kept going back. Last week, I took my friends there and they fell in love as well. I decided to throw in a quick review for this heavenly place you must try.

The shop itself is in Mohamed Mazhar street off Abo El Feda, right next to Voila. The windows are changed based on the current occasions (Valentine's, Halloween, etc...) and usually are cute enough to drive you inside. With two display refrigerators and a counter in the middle, there is cake everywhere even the counters have macaroons and bars. These refrigerators are faced with 4 shelves and 8 tall chairs for people who want to have their desserts in. The place is tiny, yet cozy and nice to have a 15 minutes off with your dessert.

If you decided to eat in, the guy behind the counter asks you to set down and he will bring you your order in a minimal white dish accompanied with a fork. After you eat, you can pay your bell and they are clear when asking if you are going with separate checks or collective. The place has few framed paintings and minimal branding to go with the simple decoration. You won't resist looking at the digital photo frame in the first counter, showing off some beautiful cake they have previously made.

If you are about to order and take your dessert outside, their packaging is so cute and unique. I can't promise that you will wait till you arrive home or at the office to indulge on these heavenly pieces.
The menu includes, macaroons, cupcakes, cake slices, eclairs, cake bites (which is a smaller version of cake slices), cake pops and more.

The cake pops are the best I have had in Cairo, with a moist creamy filing both the chocolate cake pop and red velvet cake pop were heaven in a ball. The cake itself poped off the stick both of the times I have tried it, however that didn't stop me from eating every bit of it. Each Cake pop are at an unbeliveable price 5 EGP.
The macaroons are 5.5 EGP/ piece and the pack of 14 are 65 EGP. So far I have had the chocolate, lemon, cream brulee, red velvet and pistachio, All are to die for. With a crispy light shell you break into a creamy moist rich filling that melts right away in your mouth.

I am not big on the chocolate cake thing, most of the time I get bored and overwhelmed. Both the chocolate and chocolate fudge cake slices have changed my feelings toward the chocolate cake forever. Medium layers of chocolate cake with creamy pure chocolate frosting between each layer topped with chocolate frosting, it's best to eat it vertically so you can get all the goodness in each bite.

Just when I thought I will never like a cake more than the chocolate cake slice, I was proven wrong again. Layers of red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting in the middle or each layer with a top of cream cheese. I quote Monica Geller "I would show this cake good time". Each cake slice is just 19 EGP.
Everthing is so sweet and it's actually enought to have one thing at a time. If it's a cheat meal just have a strong dessert from there and keep going for more.

They also cater and make costume made cakes for birthdays and events. They have very creative cakes, like sushi look a like, Loubtoutin cake, Tiffany boxes and more
It's a must go, if you are in for a mouth watering dessert at an affordable price.
Make sure to follow them on Facbook Here

Read More

Himalaya Neem Wash and Scrub Review

So when I was in India I got the wash from Himalaya and it was great. I saw the wash along with the scrub while I was shopping one day and decided since I had a good experience in India might as well repeat it in here. When I opened the package, I discovered that it's not the same one I used in India, the one I got in Egypt is gel based and green when the one I got from India was a foaming white wash. I have been using these stuff for 2 months right now. So without further ado, here is what I think of both the Wash and Scrub from Himalaya ...

The Wash

The Good:
It has a non sticky gel consistency that makes it easy to apply and cover all of the face. It helped it a lot when removing my Halloween makeup, really does clean everything up.

The Bad:
It leaves the skin dry and tight after usage, which makes it feel like I have just got some face tightening. It doesn't prevent pimples like it claims at all.

The Ugly:
I broke out, for the first time in my life I broke out on my cheeks and my forehead. My skin got really oily just hours after using the wash. I have never got white heads on my chin or cheeks, however after using this wash I got plenty of them.

The Scrub 

The Good:
It has a very soft texture which is great for sensitive skin. It's very gentle on the skin and it's face friendly.

The Bad:
The little blue scrubby balls sometimes hide while washing your face, then you are faced with them white brushing your hair or doing your makeup. It's sort of tricky to remove by washing only, you have get your towel in action for this one.

The Ugly:
It wasn't scrubbing enough for me. Compared to other scrubs I have used, I am going to say that this scrub is just plain weak.

Both are not a repurchase for me. XX

Read More