Archive for category Reviews
Harley Teeth Whitening
Posted by belleamourblog in Reviews, Service/Event, Uncategorized on August 21, 2016
In recent times, teeth whitening has taken a huge interest in the beauty world (after contouring), albeit being around since the ancient times. Ancient Romans particularly had an interest in teeth whitening (why doesn’t it surprise me?!) and would use urine and goat milk in an attempt to maintain white teeth – extreme levels or what!? Phewww, we don’t have to do that anymore!
During my travels to Bangladesh earlier this year (March 2016) I have noticed how highly commercialised and readily available beautifying ones teeth has become; available in big towns, larger districts and of course highly skilled dentists available in Dhaka.
In London, we have Groupon/Wowcher promotions with Teeth Whitening deals being drilled to our inboxes, which I know some of you have either tried or thinking about getting.
Mind you, I have tried a “Wowcher” deal on teeth whitening before and it was not the best service, especially if you are a first timer! What you pay for is what you get!
We all crave for a beautiful pearly smile, personally for me, my teeth are highly important and I do take good care of them – it crowns our smile 😀
If you’re a bride to be, hopefully this post will give you an insight of what you’re looking for!
The treatment details:
- Clinic Name: Harley Teeth Whitening
- Name of Treatment: Pro-Advanced White (Recommended best option on most 1st treatments)
- Price – please enquire directly
Before your appointment:
I recommend brushing your teeth at least 40min/1hr before your appointment.
The Process:
Consultation: I had undergone a free Professional Consultation on my teeth. They assessed to find out habits (Smoker/Coffee drinker) and if I am suitable for the treatment. I enjoyed this part as you learnt a few facts about your teeth and service levels were great and very professional.
If you’re a first-timer, service and quality of care during treatment does matter a lot; Harley Dental clinic satisfied the excellent services.
During the assessment period, the dentist had a look at my teeth to find the current colour I was on via the Teeth Shade Sampler (below) then compared to the likely colour of teeth shade I will be on post treatment.
Purple: Rough current shade | Pink: New shade
A protecting gel is applied to the gums and petroleum jelly on the lips then teeth are coated with a “specially formed hydrogen peroxide solution” – this is the teeth cleaner.
Once the gum and teeth preparation have been complete, a high energy Blue Spectrum LED light is distributed to the teeth.
I’ve had three of the 20-30mins cycles, whereby each phase the dentist checks on progress, adjusts comforts or adds more whitening agent to the teeth.
In total, the treatment had lasted me 70mins, pain free (for me); however after effects may vary person-to-person and will be discussed during initial consultation.
Completion stage: Goggles are off, the world looks brighter (after dimming your visibility for over an hour :p ). The dentist provides you with a solution and water to wash your mouth out with.
When the mirror is provided to look at your teeth, you are in awe to see your teeth up in whiteness levels, the result is instant!
The dentist shows you the Teeth Shade Sampler again to see what colour you originally were, what they predict you’d be on (based from the consultation) and what it actually turns out to be. So, the colour the dentist predicted I would be on was correct, their expert “predictions” are always correct due to experiences with working on different clients with different habits.
Aftercare:
Teeth Whitening clinics will advise you:
- Don’t Smoke;
- Drink less Coffee (preferably from a straw);
- Adjust Diet to include white foods i.e. pasta, rice, apples, cauliflower etc…
- Please use Normal Toothpaste (I know! Normal is fine, don’t bother with whitening toothpaste)!
- Harley Dental Clinic also provided an aftercare helpful guide;
Try avoiding coloured foods for 48hrs as the pores in the teeth are open, so why pay so much money and give in to coffee (I am guilty, I had to drink tea right away, but drank out of a straw!).
My feedback:
During consultation, when the dentist shows you the Teeth Shade Sampler and tells you what shade you are currently on – usually this is not 100% accurate (they tell you this themselves) only because everyone’s teeth shade varies across the spectrum; especially of your lifestyle.
Verdict: It was a full smile treatment, which means that the laser treatment will try reaching as far back as well as front. I loved the high quality of service and care shown by the staff of Harley Dental Clinic; when something involves your health even cosmetically you always would want the best. The dentist ensured the treatment was followed with precise specialist process and ensured I loved the final results.
Was I satisfied with my treatment – Yes. I am always on social media, so when I run a cheesy smile, I know I have my pearly whites gleaming through the filters 😉 Not only photography which looked great (perfect for brides) but also in reality had many compliments. It has been a month since my treatment, I drink tea twice a day and the colour has not died down; which is excellent. But of course, if you want to maintain a white smile you also need to be somewhat watchful on your food intake.
Was it painful? The laser treatment itself is not painful (unless you have sensitive teeth, please consult with dental practise before undergoing any whitening treatments). After the treatment however, my teeth became a little sensitive and was throbbing throughout the night; it was not an unbearable pain, but you may suffer a little sensitivity. It will vary across different people!
Harley Teeth Whitening – The clinic was immaculately clean (as expected), classy decor (which I loved) with friendly and professional staff who were so welcoming and gentle. The staff did provide a personal tailored service with utmost care to ensure you were satisfied with your results. Conveniently, Harley Teeth Whitening have also followed up on an after care treatment at a reduced rate after 3months of treatment.
For any questions, I advise you directly contacting the clinic you’re planning on going, or enquire at my one: harleyteethwhitening.
With Love,
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Banarasi Babes ♥
Posted by belleamourblog in Fashion, Reviews on January 4, 2016
Insta: @BelleAmour_mua
Happy New year to all my dolls! I hope you have started the New Year with a fresh mindset, clear motives and clean objectives ready to conquer whatever challenges that may come your way!
So excited to be writing this much awaited post, as after months and months of organising and planning a close family wedding, finding the ‘right thing to wear’ for oneself always feels exciting as well as daunting. Exciting because I can dictate what my sister can wear and without a choice she has to agree 😀 Daunting, because typically in an Asian wedding everyone is always looking glamorous and trying to find something ‘unique’ can be a huge challenge. I am also sure some of you can relate!
The theme that I planned for the wedding (uncles wedding): Jhodaa Akbar (movie) taking ideas of fashion from the 15th century Indian Mughal Empire era. Psst! Watch the movie if you haven’t already 😉
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Right, theme chosen, now the clothes!
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After visiting the Pakistan Fashion show earlier this year, I came across Faika Collection during that time which showcased elegant regal looking attires which I always wanted to own, but didn’t have a reason to own. You know the whole issue with lack of wardrobe space; no upcoming events etc…Then, it all fell into place when a family wedding was happening and Faika was going to be a part of the celebration!
However, Faika Collection is based in Bradford, I am from London. To travel up North with extortionate rail fares wasn’t my cup of tea, but to my advantage when I checked their Instagram post (back in summer) I was lucky to find that they were doing a London pop-up exhibition at the Royal Garden Hotel. As ecstatic as you can imagine I was, grabbed my sister put the gas down and went to visit Faika Collection’s pop-up.
Here is what we chose:
Insta: @BelleAmour_mua
We picked 2 pieces of beautiful Jacquard Banarasi Lenghas: one in emerald green and gold jacquard style (which I wore) and sisters was black on gold jacquard style. The tops were plain black soft velvet with pearl buttons running down both sleeves. The Lenghas also came with chiffon duppattas. However on this photo, we have created and designed our own dupattas to go with our Mughal theme.
Insta: @BelleAmour_mua
Inspiration to drape the dupatta had also come from the Mughal era, where it is tucked at the waist and draped over the shoulders. If you have a theme for an event from a historic period, always do slight research to authenticate your entire look. It also gives you vision on the colours and style of accessories to choose from!
I ought to mention the type of shoes you must wear when wearing any type of Banarasi material – this is crucial! Due to the heavy brocade skirt, the silk weaving on the reverse side of the lengha pulls/tugs at the fancy diamante shoes; please ensure you wear plain/plain glam shoes without the crystals as you can ruin your skirt! Not pictured – I wore glittered heeled shoes.
Insta: @BelleAmour_mua
The Faika Collection Lenghas are elegant in style and a sleek ensemble. The best thing about the skirt is that it has pockets – yes! A very handy feature especially on Asian clothes which is quite different.
For the Asian women, Lengha co-ords is the smart ‘black-tie’ of outfits for every special occasion.
The eye catching Banarasi material was the perfect choice for this beautiful regal skirt as it was soft, very fine and absolutely comfortable. Due to its soft nature, the skirt was flowing beautifully as a lengha should, it was not stiff and the cut of the Lengha was much appreciated.
Insta: @BelleAmour_mua
However, my brother was not following the Moghal theme and opted for a contemporary dinner suit to staple a cold Autumn wedding.
Tip to trousers in Ted Baker and Shoes from ASOS.
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It is all in the details
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Looking for the perfect accessory to go with your outfit and theme can also be a huge challenge. From countless of searches in-store and online, we were on the verge of picking something very random. However luckily, I stumbled across Innaya Couture on Instagram and found a beautiful necklace.
From Innaya Couture, we have purchased their Mughal Kundan 7 tier necklace which complimented our Banarasi outfits.
Insta: @BelleAmour_mua
The “Ball and chain” weapon on my sisters wrist is actually a cute looking handbag :p This is from Southall – almost found in any accessories store.
The ladies at Faika Collection done a tremendous job in delivering what I wanted. Even though they were up north (Bradford) they ensured my requirements were met and truthfully, I was quite a troublesome customer – no joke! The only problem you will face if you order from any clothing stores which are far away is the fitting! Of course, if it is custom made the measurements can typically go wrong therefore Faika recommends to go in-store for fitting. So bear this in mind!
Do check out Faika Collection for their latest Istanbul Collection (very gorgeous…need another event to wear one of those!) and stay tuned for more!
With love,
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Algenist Multi-Perfecting Moisturiser Review!
Posted by belleamourblog in Products, Skin care on June 5, 2015
Here we have a premium gel moisturiser by Algenist – a skincare brand from San Francisco. We have been kindly sent Algenist products for review by Space NK, London. If you have big pores, oily/dull skin this could be the moisturiser you are looking for! Read more below…
Multi-Perfecting Pore Corrector
I would like to say that I ‘suffer’ from large pores on my nose, have an unbalanced skin texture (certain areas contain blemishes) as well as an oily T-Zone. Most of us ‘suffer’ from all types of conditions on our skin whereby looking for the right skincare could be a difficult task; it could be a waste of time, effort and investment!
For me, a good start to the day (everyday) is with a good moisturiser 
. I always take max 3mins to massage moisturiser in circular motions using my right hand with my index, middle and ring fingers. I take time with the moisturiser in the mornings whilst getting ready for work; the quick facial massage helps to relax my muscles and skin tissues before a start to a busy day. It is also one of my beauty secrets for a morning radiant look! 😀
What makes a good moisturiser is a product which does exactly what it says on the tin. I personally invest a lot of money on moisturisers as I do take them seriously; it is my morning skin breakfast! 😉
The moisturiser for review is the Algenist Multi-Perfecting Pore Corrector Gel Moisturiser. This moisturiser is for people with large pores, blemishes and combination skin type.
Algenist with Alguronic Acid 60ml for Pores, Evenness and Radiance
Upon feeding my skin with the goodness of the Algenist moisturiser, it adequately fed the right amount of ‘moisture’ to my skin without the ‘dry-like’ feeling that most oil-free moisturisers do. If your main skin concern is the production of sebum on the face, this lightweight gel formula will help regulate a balance on the skin as it contains salicylic acid which is good for acne/blemish sufferers.
The gel moisturiser is also refreshing in scent. It smells somewhat like seaweed and has a fresh botanical like smell.
If you are an OCD freak (like me) you may not be comfortable digging your fingers to get a lump of gel out the tub; I do not think I can share this product 
. Even if you were to get a spatula to scoop some product out, it made me ponder and question the active ingredients in this tub. Does the gel expire as soon as sunlight hits? Does the active ingredients stop working as soon as oxygen is present? Is the tub ‘good enough’ to hold the contents of the gel or is a pump better (to maintain hygiene AND perhaps maintain the ‘active ingredients’?)? Who thinks about a moisturiser so much (lol)?! 
(so you must be wondering) but due to the price of this product (£50 Space NK) you must be curious to see if it is worth your money! 😛
Then… ❗ it somehow made sense to why the tub was not fancy, but a matt grey film covering the glass thick container was to keep the sunlight out! Smart!
Retails for £50 and can be purchased from any Space NK stores from the UK or Algenist online.
Upon 3 months of use, here are my findings in a condensed bite sized summary:
- This gel moisturiser does not contain SPF (Sun Protection Factor). Therefore it is best to apply sun block to the face first then apply this moisturiser on top;
- If you plan to spend the entire day at home, I guess you can lay off the SPF and allow the ingredients to absorb into your skin; Enjoy!
- The cream unfortunately rolls when you over massage the face! I dislike creams which roll off, why o’ why! I recommend my beauty tribe to not use this cream the days you are wearing makeup/using it as a make-up base as over blending causes the gel to roll off;
- I find the cream at its best state when it is just the SPF and the moisturiser. The cream does not roll and does not look like dead skin cells (ewww);
- I have noticed the reduction on the size of pores on my nose and an even skin balance across my face!
- Provides adequate skin nourishment (especially if you have combination skin) whilst preventing production of excess oils.
- T-Zone area seems to be under control as face stays oil-free for longer!
If you are/were planning to purchase this product, I hope this blog post has provided you with an insight as well as contributing thoughts for an informed decision!
With Love,
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Beauty favourites for April – Top Picks!
Posted by belleamourblog in Products, Skin care on May 3, 2015
Find out what our top most favourite beauty products are {in no particular favourite order} for April and reasons why. . . ❓
1. The Body Shop Body Butter in Pink Grapefruit (£13) – The Body Butters are gorgeous in all flavours and are a tub full of goodness. I use this to keep moisturised in the autumn weather which makes my skin feel silky, smooth and very well moisturised. For my Muslim folks, after Wudu, this is a great product for dry skin – especially feet!
2. Topshop Highlighter in SunBeam (no longer available for purchase) ⭐ – This is the real bomb! This highlighter gives a subtle yet ‘showy’ glow on the cheekbones. This is our April favourite because this shade suits all skin-tones fair, medium to darker complexions. We have received many compliments on this highlighter as the cheeks look gorgeous once light reflects on the cheekbones. If you are a student, you can benefit from the 20% student discount available from TopShop!
3. Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder shade Warm Beige (3.99) – during the winter months, this powder has proved successful in maintaining a light matte look for combination skin. I find that if you have pores on your nose (like me) you will have to go VERY light on the nose as the powder seems to gather around pores unfortunately. Whether you wear foundation /BB/CC or nada on your face, dust this on your T-zone lightly and you will be camera ready. 🙂
4. Zukreat Artist of Makeup (AOM) Extreme Art Liner Pen (£18) – I use this pen every single day since the purchase and launch of this exciting eyeliner nearly 2 years ago! This eyeliner provides precision and buildable coverage where needed; so you can go very simple or even intricate due to the shape of the nib. The nib is oil and water repellent and great on hygiene as it minimises cross contamination; therefore it is used on clients and myself and everybody is always satisfied with the results. 🙂
5. The Body Shop Bronze Shimmer Waves Brick (£16) – You may have seen my Instagram/Facebook posts ranting on about this bronzing shimmer brick – that’s because I absolutely love this thang! If you have medium/tanned skin-tone you will love this too. This is one of my makeup staples and works nicely as a duo contour and blush. I also use it as a veeerrry light highlight – the play is endless! They also range in other shades too but bronze is the one for meee! 
6. Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Barcelona (£31) – Recent purchase and so far so good. Worn at many wedding events and other occasions and kept my face hydrated as well as dewy. I will not recommend this to dolls who have oily skin types, however if you have dry skin, this can work in your favour =^-^=. Spot the foundation on forehead, chin, and cheeks and buff in with your favourite brush or sponge; a little goes a long way!
7. L’Occitane En Provence Lip Balm (limited edition, not available for purchase) – This lip butter sinks and penetrates your lips with moisture and hydration – it really does! Before bed I would apply this on my lips and then by morning I have hydrated lipstick ready lips. The formula is very buttery therefore you only need a pea-sized amount to feel the moisture being locked in. In fact, this tube has lasted me over a year! I know Vaseline – Petroleum jelly is readily and conveniently available, but I find Vaseline lip balms tend to sit on the surface of your lips without any penetration or proper hydration. Although this version is no longer available, the standard lip balms by L’Occitane are still good enough!
8. Pure Virgin 100% Argon Oil – my favourite beauty purchase from Morocco last year. Soon as I landed on the grounds, I had to visit the factory to purchase. As we all know, natural oils all have their special properties and uses, one being Argon mainly for the treatment of good hair and skin. Use natural products where possible and ditch as many chemical/synthetic products where necessary. I spritz the Argon oil twice on the face and massage the skin until the oil is absorbed into the skin. A great opportunity and time to allow blood circulation AND face muscles also feel relaxed 🙄
9. Urban Decay Naked Flushed – Streak (£22.50) – Mario Dedivanovic (Kim Kardashian’s Makeup-Artist) actually used this product on Kim for her first wedding and that’s why I purchased. It is a soft and subtle bronzer, highlighter and peachy blush and has been very compact for my travels and short weekend breaks. It adds glow and subtle shimmer and I find it complementing with the Nars Sheer glow foundation. For medium to dark skin tones, this trilogy is buildable. As for Fair skin tones, one swipe is usually sufficient.
Those were our top picks for April! Hope you also had a mirroring favourite from our list here.
With Love,
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Kiss Cosmetics – Locked Lips; Exclusive!
Posted by belleamourblog in Reviews on April 23, 2015
Open up and read this blog post about our exclusive ‘never seen before’ review on lip products by a new British niche ‘lip focused colour cosmetics brand’ Kiss Cosmetics ❤
Kiss Cosmetics specialises in quality lip products focusing solely on lips for all skin-tones (finally a brand that cares!). They also cater for the “not so much” to “I’m very confident” dolls. Kiss Cosmetics have entered the market at the right time as lips have become a hot topic thanks to trend-setters like Kylie Jenner!
The development of the Kiss Cosmetics product has been influenced and shaped by one of many key stakeholders – Beauty Bloggers (bbloggers) and Make-up Artists alike. Kiss Cosmetics ensured to involve feedback where possible to bring the most realistic and best products into the market!
Just to add, for my brand conscious dolls, Kiss Cosmetics IS a local British Brand; therefore for those who are actively boycotting bigger beauty brands (*Estee Lauder group*) can find Kiss Cosmetics as a safer alternative. 😉
*We have been given Locked Lips to trial alongside the mini KISStick.*
Kiss Cosmetics Locked Lips RRP £3.50 @ 3.1ml/0.1fl.oz
Here is the Locked Lips. As the name states, it is a lip sealant to keep your lipstick woes at bay to ensure that lipsticks don’t cross the line and stay within your pout! So, when you’re drinking tea (like me) or biting into a messy burger (like me again) you should be confident that your lip colour is ‘locked down’ and truly put.
The Locked Lips is due to launch online on 29th April, 2015.
Locked Lips comes in a glass container (3.1ml) with a nail polish brush attached for use. For those who love the smell of nail polish, you will enjoy this smell! For those who dislike strong scents, unfortunately this lip sealant is slightly strong in smell.
Here are the ingredients:
Ingrediants: Alcahol Denant, Aqua (Water), Acrylates/Ethylhexylacrylamide Copolymer, Flavour (Aroma),Benzyl Alcahol
You need to ensure your lips are fully hydrated and not dry/chapped or cracked as the lip seal contains preserving alcohols which naturally gives a burning sensation. Please ensure you hydrate your lips before use!
How I Used This Product – PLUS a mini lip tutorial =D
- Once lips are hydrated (I use L’Occitane Lip Balm for hydration) I dust translucent powder on top of my lips to lock in moisture from the balm;
- Use your favourite lip liner to line your lips. Here is one method to lining your lips:
Rimmel London: Tips and Tricks
- Using Kiss Cosmetics KISStick in Frisky Fuchsia fill your lips;
- Blot the KISStick on tissue paper then dab and fill the lips with Locked Lips and wait for 1 min;
- THEN…as we say on Belle Amour > Pout. Wink… and Kiss! Voilla! You now have ‘woe free’ Locked Lips for 10 hours (trailed and tested), so be confident!
Personal Experience, Feedback and Tips:
We have used the Locked Lips for 3 consecutive days to bring you first-hand reliable feedback. Here are some main points we have experienced and found:
– Just like any other sealant, the Locked Lips is quite sticky when wet, so, if you close your lips early you may get slightly stuck. Do not close your mouth and allow 1 min to dry;
– Locked Lips gives a tingling sensation to the lips; for the dolls who love a plumpy pout, this can be in your aid!
– Once Locked Lips is applied, it provides an additional shiny glazed finish to the lips;
– After 4-5 hours, the thin film of Locked Lips looses its glazing shine and lipstick starts feeling matte yet slightly moisturised but not drying;
– Locked Lips showed no signs of cracking, peeling and does not leave a bitter taste on your lips;
- Make-Up Artist Tip: Increase the longevity of your client’s lipstick. Pour 2 drops of Locked Lips on a palette, use a synthetic lip brush and dab the product on your client’s lips 🙂
– Due to Denatured Alcohol being present in the ingredients, the nail polish brush stays hygienically clean as product build-up breaks down into smaller fragments. When using Locked Lips, it is apparent that the lipstick stain will transfer on the bristles; especially when you are switching between colours. Rest assured that interchanging lipsticks (when used in conjunction with Locked Lips) WILL NOT transfer onto your current colour.
For my busy dolls living a hectic life-style, topping your lips can be a pesky task. Sometimes I am booked with a day’s worth of meetings, therefore distancing myself from my desk vanity area. I have drank tea, ate foods to really give the Locked Lips a full-on trial.
Here is my tea cup, it has little harmless transfer:
Kiss Cosmetics KISSTICK:
Alongside the Locked Lips, a mini KISSTICK was kindly given in the shade Frisky Fuchsia. The KISStick has finally been launched yesterday (22nd April) available in 10 shades and I was lucky to get my hands on one of these cruelty free lippys!
KSL05 – KISStick – Frisky Fuchsia Now Available for purchase online
As I have an olive skin tone, this beautiful raspberry mid-toned shade went well with my skin-tone. Frisky Fuchsia is a pigmented creamy lipstick. For those who dislike matte lipsticks, you will enjoy the moisturising formula as it glides effortlessly on the lips.
Frisky Fuchsia Swatches:
Without Flash (left) | With Flash (right)
Whip your lips to shape with Locked Lips and feel confident that it is cruelty free beauty. Work the pout and be wise with your money as you invest in a cost-effective yet a quality make-up brand; now that’s a compromise 😉
Kiss Cosmetics operate on the following medias:
With Love,
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Illamasqua – The Blush up Brush
Posted by belleamourblog in Make-up looks, Products, Reviews on December 31, 2014
Are you looking for a brush which provides definition, contour, elongation and ease? A brush to help you as a beauty enthusiast or beginner to contour? Well, I may have found the perfect brush for you, by Illamasqua! This is one of the ultimate brushes (I’ve discovered) which provides a ‘3D definition’ experience: D.
The Illamasqua Blush Up Brush is priced at £28.50. If you have a Pro Artist account, you can benefit from the discount on the brushes. This is a highly recommended brush to own as part of your many brush collection and kit!
As you can see from the image above, it is a highly dense ellipse shaped brush. I have taken photos from all angles to illustrate the dynamics of the cut of the brush. So, the base of the brush is flat and angled and the sides being stiff to create definition.
Here is a look I have created using the Blush Up Brush. I have used Sleek’s Contour kit (compact contour) alongside Illamasqua Blush Up Brush to define my cheekbones. I am aware that many of my dolls who own the Sleek Contour Kit find this product heavy. During use you have to be very light handed and must buff instantly once applied; or else it’ll look like mud on the face (a big disgrace!).
Well anyway, with the Sleek Contour kit (as heavy pigmented it is) I used the brush to define the contour areas, in fact, it was defined really well.
Instagram: @BelleAmour_mua
Here is another close up of my cheek contour and a slight but subtle definition on the nose too.
One more final close-up of the makeup look 😉
The brush has certainly defined the contour areas (esp the cheeks) well. If used correctly, when your contour looks harsh, just use a fluffy blending brush and brush in an upward stroke. The technique is all down to the way you apply colour – how much/how little. Furthermore to merge the blusher with the contour and highlight so it looks ‘well blended’ but noticeable at the same time.
Tip: If contour is overly harsh, use a translucent powder (either compact or loose) and lightly dust the area in question and see how the harshness fades… 😉
Happy New year from the Belle Amour Team x
With Love,
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Huda Beauty Lashes
Posted by belleamourblog in Products on December 8, 2014
Do you have a love for lashes? Or, at least not mind wearing a pair for special occasions? If you are looking for an ultimate pair to own as part of your lash stack collection :p, your clientele or for the quality check out Huda Beauty Lashes!
Huda Beauty Lashes in Giselle
I was having an awkward moment doing the ‘Huda Lash pose’ (left) trying to align the packing to my face (hehe).
Huda is a top beauty blogger and Vlogger based in both Dubai and US. Known for her popular Youtube channel, Huda has certainly smashed the beauty industry with beauty tips, luxury beauty reviews and looks; even my peers who do not know much about beauty/makeup, know Huda – that’s impressive, an indication of success!
Huda has started her own beauty product line of lashes and nails, now shipping internationally! So all you dolls who have been waiting patiently, or been sending your Sephora orders to your friends and family, it is no longer required :D!
Fortunately I got my hands on these lashes through a competition I have actually won (on her Instagram giveaway)! Huda sent a range of her lashes to include: Giselle (pictured), Coco Jo, Claudia, Samantha and Candy.
The lashes are weightless, looks natural and certainly amplifies your look. If you are looking to get married, give these lashes an investment on your big day.
I will be updating this post at a later stage once I have pictures of me in them! However, for additional reviews and pictures of customers in Huda Lashes please do check out Hudas following social platforms:
To Purchase: HudaBeauty.com
With Love,
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Nip + Fab
Posted by belleamourblog in Skin care on November 24, 2014
– Nip + Fab – ig: @BelleAmour_mua
Since college days (Ahh yes… The good old days!) , I’ve somewhat known about Nip + Fab products. How? (So you must be thinking…), my friends used to frequently post about their beauty hauls on Facebook status where I initially discovered this brand (so it subliminally imprinted on my brain since). I followed up to see where you can purchase Nip + Fab from – turned out only selected stores or their e-commerce site stocked them (wasn’t an Internet shopper back then).
A few months onwards, Glamour Magazine once featured their products on the health and beauty section and mentioned how Nip + Fab is one of the Celebrity beauty staples; vaguely remembering the singer Jamelia using it for cellulite/body lotion fix.
Just last week, I popped in to a bigger Superdrugs store and to my surprise, I stumbled across the ‘raved about’ Nip + Fab products. I was so excited to see this product being available AND stocked locally too that I had to pick at least two items up.
What came to my attention was the price, it was an absolute bargain! But that was quite strange when a few years earlier, I was not intrigued to purchase a £20 lotion (due to being a student and living that typical student life). Looks like their pricing and brand positioning strategies have changed.
As you can see from the above picture, I purchased the Nip+Fab Yoga Blend Body Lotion for only £4.25 (left) and the Nip+Fab Detox Blend Body Lotion also £4.25 🙂 we could not get lower than that back in my days (damn I feel so old -.-) !
The verdict : If you scan through the Superdrugs online store, under the Nip and Fab section, you will notice there are a few products ranging from £15+. I’m certainly laughing (in a good and happy way) as those same products were only available full price before and now they’re quite affordable and very cheap.
So far, I have used the Detox Body lotion and am liking the non-greasy feel and quick absorption.
It is 490ml so you cannot go wrong, even more because it comes with a pump which you can recycle if you must!
If you like the fresh scents of subtle tea tree or jasmine with that fresh scent of cucumber, then I am pretty sure you will like this lotion. OR, you may be like my cousin who put the bottle down after testing ‘ERGH! That smells like toilet freshener’. either way dolls, test and smell before purchasing!
With Love,
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Invitation for the Liz Earle and Latest in Beauty event
Posted by belleamourblog in Skin care on November 19, 2014
I had the pleasure of being invited to the exclusive event held by Liz Earle in their flagship store in Duke of York Square, London.
Liz Earle – Duke Of York Square
It was a wonderful and somewhat festive evening (after work) as Liz Earle held the Christmas-themed event which included seasonal skincare hints and tips and expert advice from their brand and beauty ambassador Sarah Carr; not to mention the complimentary manicure, drinks and canapés!
It was a beauty carousel; you tour each section of the store to be educated and to learn more about their products and services – yes services too! Liz Earle (bigger stores only across the UK) has treatment rooms with bespoke facial treatments in private sanctuaries – it is slightly steep on pricing, but hey, Christmas is coming up so you may want to hint it to someone OR purchase gift vouchers for this amazing experience (money well spent!).
While I toured the store with a Belle Amour team member, we met Sarah Carr (Brand and Beauty Ambassador) who gave us product recommendations based on our skin concern whereby my concern were blemishes and pimple prone skin. I admired how I was not forced to purchase Liz Earle products, but was rather an informative educating session.
My initial perception of Liz Earle being a ‘mature skincare brand’ certainly changed; as now to me, is a fragile botanical skincare ‘resuscitator’. :p
However, how can I attend these events and come empty handed? Ummm… well not me! I purchased a few items to trial out to see how my skin reacts and thereafter, Liz Earle kindly gave us goodie bags which was also a treat!
Products purchased and received from Liz Earle goodie packs
So far, I have trailed out the Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser & Instant Boost Skin Tonic. Eager to try out the latter, after work to help remove makeup and residue (which is always the biggest skincare chore); I directly massaged the cleanser on to my entire face – even the eyelids! To my surprise, my eyes did not sting as it was very soft and gentle on my skin. I took this to my advantage to massage a little harsher around my eye area as the bottle says it removed ‘…grime and even stubborn mascara’ – very impressive. However, I DO NOT recommend massaging like a crazy cat to my Dolls who have highly sensitive skin/eye areas.
Liz Earle (right) Cleanse & Polish. Liz Earle (left) Instant Boost Skin Tonic
Once the cleanser was massaged I waited 5mins like a facial mask, prepped the cloth in warm tepid water then washed off the grime. The face felt nice and clean with no trace of makeup residue.
Finally, to finish off the program, with a cotton pad, I swept the facial tonic on face and neck to revitalise and tone the skin and did not bother moisturising as I did not feel the need to.
From my experience, if you are planning on owning any of the Liz Earle range, ensure the Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth is your starting point.
With Love,
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The Alum Crystal Deodorant
Posted by belleamourblog in Reviews on September 21, 2014
Had such an amazing time in Morocco last week, touring the city of Marrakesh and Essaouira; what a wonderful and hospitable country it is!
One of the activities I naturally enjoyed doing the most was shopping in Jemaa el Fna square; if you love to get yourself a bargain on many items (beauty, ornaments, accessories, jewellery to clothes) this is the place to be!
From visiting stand-to-stand, I have come across many ‘lotions and potions’ stands which intrigued me the most. I wanted to know what the native Moroccans use to beautify themselves; are they commercial products or secret natural goodness? What a typical product is and what they use in the heat to maintain perspiration.
From these stands and shops, I have acknowledged the popularity of Moroccan Argon oil, different types of mint teas, Rhassoul clay masks, rose water and Hamam pamper packs (each of which I have managed to purchase except for the masks) …and the Alum stones. Morocco is certainly known for natural organic herbal beauty; this is what greatly interests me.
With the interest of the natural Alum Crystal, I had to pick one up as I was shown demonstrations. In the past, during research, I have come across this natural earthly goodness but turned a blind eye and did not show much interest – I don’t know why!
Check this out:
The Natural Alum Crystal is used as an astringent and basic antiperspirant
This is the natural alum crystal or potassium alum which is a natural mineral found in earth and mined for many years. Popularly used as deodorant in the Far and Middle East. The Alum crystal contains many virtues due to its antibacterial and natural properties. It acts as a basic antiperspirant/deodorant (for your armpits and even feet!), astringent and styptic to prevent bleeding and closes pores. What’s more, you’re preventing yourself from using synthetic products on your skin and welcoming natural remedies.
From growing up, using deodorant/antiperspirants has become an automatic hygiene regime and I strongly feel the West is quick to pick up these ‘man-made’ synthesised products without acknowledging the harmful effects on the body and environment. But hey, we all live a modern life-style so we need something readily available quick and easy.
This Alum stone is considered safe for the family, especially to those who suffer heavy perspiration because it does not block pores and allows your body to perspire as usual.
How to use the Alum stone as deodorant:
- Wet the stone, leave it to damp;
- Apply a thin layer on the areas you wish to sweat less, this could be your foot or arm pits;
- Damp your stone again to keep it clean and leave it on a soap dish to reside;
Upon using it myself, I straight away felt dryness and smoothness which felt great. It is odorless and though the stone looks sharp, it does not feel rough on the skin as overtime it evens out. With its natural and economical value, I foresee this stone to last me at least 2 years (subject to size of stone purchased and the amount of usage). I strongly recommend my dolls to ditch the deodorants/antiperspirants and welcome natural products to your skin, as your skin is the biggest organ which we must take care of. Whatever you introduce to your skin it will always absorb into your bloodstreams hence why pregnant women are extra vigilant what they feed into their skin!
The Alum Stone is readily available in Morocco to purchase. Alternatively from the comfort of your home you can purchase from the following sites:
Do let me know if you are using/used the natural alum stone and your feedback on this.
With Love,
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