Quick Skin Care Tip

My Dearest Beauties,

I don't even remember where I heard that we should wash our faces using cleansers for a whole a minute or more. It is supposed to help the medicinal components of your cleanser break up and act better on your skin. I have crazy oily and problematic skin and I always get treatments from my dermatologist, I usually end up getting good results but she never pointed out that if I take an extra minute of cleansing I would see better results.

Anyway, I have started to do this a little over two weeks now. I can say that my face has not changed drastically (maybe because of the little amount of time) but during the day I feel like my face gets oily at a slower pace and that on those days that I wear makeup; I find that my makeup stays flawless for a longer time. Not only, does it stay put longer but this also, helps my pores appear tighter.

I am not a doctor and I am not even sure how this works but I can tell the difference (oily girls will understand). Try it! It only takes your typical face cleanser and a minute or two to spare.

The cleanser I use on my face day and night; for those of you that are curious is the La Roche Posay Effaclar Foaming Gel, which was recommended to me by my dermatologist.

Photo retrieved here

Click on the links if you are interested in knowing more about the cleanser and the range.

See you later lovelies,

Samar

Shape Wear Discussion

My Dearest Beauties,

I thought it would be fun if we had a little conversation about shape wear and how good it is when it works and how catastrophic it is when it doesn't. I think I have suffered from shape wear malfunction, I mean who hasn't; it isn't the easiest task to get right from the first try. Sometimes the cut is not right and some other times it is too big or too small!

So I will share my tips with you and hopefully help you make your path to the right shape wear shorter:

1. Size is everything. Let the salesperson help you get the right size, and if they have a pair you can try on, then don't hesitate to try it on and feel it on your body while you move and even when you have clothes on.

2. The right cut. Think, what is my problem area? Do I wanna smooth or tighten? Is it my thighs, my belly or both? There are so many options out there, you will definitely find out a new body part.

3. Don't forget about comfort. I have to admit, shape wear will never be as comfy as your onesie but then again it's providing support for long periods of time. Try to go for the one pair that gives you the results you're looking for without making you feel like you're gonna puke when you get a bite. When it is too big it will gather under your clothes and give you no results, and believe it or not; it will do the same when it is too small. Again, this is pretty much dependent on the two points above and the one below.

4. Invest. We all like to get a deal and if you happen to find the good shape wear at the discount rack then go ahead and stock up. Otherwise, save yourself the trouble of buying many cheap pairs and invest in one that will give you comfort and great results.

Those are the main points I think about when I'm about to purchase a new pair of shape wear shorts which are my fave, because again, high waisted shape wear shorts is what I mostly use under my clothes. My favorite brands are Wolford and Spanx. I have tried both, and both have worked wonders for me. They are investment pieces but if you take care of them and wash them gently they will serve you a good amount of time.

These are the pairs I own from both brands.

Retrieved from Wolford

Retrieved from Spanx

Make sure to press on the links below the images to check out the names of these garments and others.

What are your thoughts on shape wear?

Much love, 

Samar

Designer Profile: Jean Pierre Tohme

My Dearest Beauties,

I present to you Jean Pierre Tohme an up and coming 23 year old Lebanese designer that specializes in couture gowns. I had a little chat with him and thought I would share the details so you can get to know him a bit better.

1.Tell me a little about yourself. 

My dad was a freelance tailor in Ghazir that was well known for his strong patterns. As I grew up I used to spend most of my time at the atelier, observing, cutting whatever piece of fabric I liked. My dad didn't really like it because he would have preferred me to be an engineer or a doctor but not a fashion designer because he knew that the industry was and is saturated with competition and to make your own way is very difficult. I still wanted to become a fashion designer so when I graduated school, I enrolled in CAMM. My first year at CAMM was very easy because I knew the names of fabrics, I knew how to sew and cut garments from scratch. That's when I got the idea of a couture lab, because I was looking for ways to make fashion from anything and everything, I wanted to make the clothes wearable and commercial even if they were made from unusual things. Even though I was doing well in university, at the beginning of the second year my dad started to get sick and financial difficulties started to come our way, on the parallel and thankfully I started getting clients from nowhere, so I started supporting my work and my family which was not easy at all, but my faith was always strong. So I was doing school, doing freelance and supporting my family and my father's treatment all at once, thankfully it all came together almost effortlessly, I would start a dress and I wouldn't even know how or when I'd be all done with it. 

2. What does fashion mean to you?

Fashion is my life.

4. How long does it usually take you to construct a collection?

When I finish one I immediately start the next without even noticing, sometimes I bring bits and pieces from the current collection to the next.

5. Who are your biggest sources of inspiration? 

I'm very inspired my the little things that happen in my life everyday. 

6. Who are some of your favorite designers?

Elie Saab because I identify with his story a lot, Stephan Roland and Maison Martin Margiela.

7. Define the Jean Pierre Couture Lab lady.

A lady that feels great in her own skin and that feels like my designs or any other design only make her feel like herself, not anything or anyone else. I love making custom made dresses that define her spirit and her character. 

8. What do you believe makes a quality article of clothing?

The process and the time invested in the piece more than the actual material, and the combination of stuff, because out of experience even the best materials used incorrectly will not make a valuable and high quality garment.

Here are some of his designs, but make sure to follow him on social media to stay updated:

Facebook
Instagram
JPCoutureLab

What are your thoughts? Leave them down in the comments!

Much love,

Samar

Product Review: Maybelline Super Stay 14 Hr Lipstick

My Dearest Beauties,

Matte, long wearing and pigmented; I say these are the main characteristics a lot of ladies look for in their lipsticks. Guess what? The Maybelline Super Stay 14 Hr Lipsticks have all of those three plus an amazing color selection and an impressive creamy texture that sets into a beautiful velvet feel.

They have been around for a while now and I think they are a very good option to wear out to work, or a brunch, or even a night out on the town. Their long lasting power is sure not to fail you.

I have three shades that I consider beautiful and pretty wearable. Judge for yourself!

The shades from left to right: Always Plum 260, Stay With Me Coral 430, Non-Stop Red 510

I'm wearing Non-Stop Red

Have you tried any of the shades? What are your thoughts on these lipsticks?

Samar

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Valentino Summer Shoe Cray

My Dearest Beauties,

I think that if I had enough money I would purchase all of Valentino's shoe collection, I don't know, something about them is just so special. I feel like other than being of amazing quality, they are just sooo beautiful and easy to simply stare at. I thought I would share with you what pieces I would pick up for summer (all Valentino).

Do you like them, which one is your favorite? The one I would buy in a heartbeat is the chunky high heeled Rockstud Leather Sandal. I think it is easy to style and it is a key piece to elevate any simple outfit.

All pictures were retrieved from Net-a-Porter where you can also purchase them.

Samar

Must Have Beauty Products

My Dearest Beauties,

Call it whatever you want to call it, makeup bag essentials, basic beauty products, or all the makeup I own; these beauty products are the building blocks of your collection and even your makeup routine. I think that some of you ladies that don't really care for makeup own at least one of the products I'll mention.

1. Concealer, because at one point in your life you thought I need something to cover the huge zit on my chin! Concealer is a must have and a savior because if you choose the right shade you get to be flawless in the most undetectable ways. No more under eye circles or blemishes.

Retrieved from www.makeupforever.com

2. Blush, because who doesn't like to look healthy and glowy? I know I do, and as a makeup junky I consider it very important because again I like looking healthy and glowy.

Retrieved from www.chanel.com

3. Eyebrow Pencil/Powder, specially as we get older our eyebrows start to get bald spots that make our eyebrows actually lose their purpose of framing our faces. Eyebrow product is a basic!

Retrieved from www.anastasia.net

4. Mascara, plus eyelash curlers. They go hand in hand, the eyelash curlers open up your eyes and the mascara helps your get darker lashes which will compliment your eyes and make them pop, no matter what.

Retrieved from www.lorealparis.com

5. Lipstick, in any shape or form, go for the formula and and variety of shades that make you feel like a million bucks. Creamy nudes, candy pinks or Valentino red shades, have the selection that works for you.

Retrieved from www.benefitcosmetics.com

These are the beauty products that I consider essential in any lady's beauty drawer, but, I would love to find out what are your must haves, leave them down in the comments.

Much love,

Samar

Super Light Summer Foundation Featuring Maybelline's Clear Smooth All in One

My Dearest Beauties, 

I was lucky to receive Maybelline's new Clear Smooth All in One Shine Free Cake Powder to try out. Even luckier that it turned out to be a winner product. This little powder claims to control shine all day, protect from UV, give fairer skin, conceal and smooth. It really does give you the most natural pretty almost weightless coverage for summer. I do enjoy it a lot, but as a very oily girl I have to blot my face a bit after around four hours specially around my nose. 

What I love the most is that it is not only easy to use but it is weightless and even good for your skin because of its 25 SPF sun protection. I see this product as a BB cream in powder form, honestly, for me it even results a lot better because I can't ever use a cream product in the heat without setting it with some kind of powder. I find that during summer the less layers I use on my face the more long lasting the makeup is which makes a good coverage powder with these qualities, hit the problem right on the head. The quality is outstanding particularly when it is paired with it's price point which is only 10.000 LL (6.66$).

Now that I am done expressing my love for the little powder I will walk you through my easy routine. So, after I've washed my face and slathered it with sunscreen I go on and conceal my panda eyes and my spots using Maybelline's Super Stay 24 Hr Concealer (very long lasting). Once Im done working that really well into my skin, I proceed to dip my beloved Ecotools Domed Brozer Brush into the powder and work it in circular motions from the center of my face out. I find that a dense brush is so good at buffing the product into place and making it look super smooth and natural. So that is it for my summer face makeup, easy, quick, long-lasting, natural, and light. 

Flash Photo (I look a bit white because of my really thick layer of SPF)

P.S.: I love the pearly pink packaging!

Much love,

Samar