Face Masking: Part 2 | Beauty

Home-Made Face Masks

 It's okay to not want to go out and buy face masks- sometimes they can be quite expensive and the choices can be overwhelming. Not to worry though, there are always home recipes that have been tried and tested to reap great results!

1- Lip Exfoliator
If you're a lover of liquid lipsticks (which I'm sure you are), you'll know that they can be extremely drying. I personally have quite dry and chapped lips, which can be quite a nuisance. I believe that exfoliating your lips at least once a week can work wonders in getting rid of the dryness. I also believe that applying a lip balm is essential.
For years, I've been exfoliating my lips with the same home-made exfoliator. It's extremely easy, quick and affordable.
Mix together some sugar, honey and/or olive oil. Once (maximum twice) a week, vigorously apply the mixture into your lips, leave for approximately one minute, and then wipe off with a damp cloth. I usually apply a lip balm after to really soften my lips.

2- Under-Eye Facial Mask
As I mentioned in my previous blog post, I have horrendous "bags" under my eyes. It is partially a genetic problem, since my mum, gran and aunts all suffer from the same problem. I do get enough sleep, more than enough actually. For those of you who don't though, try to get in at least 8 hours of sleep every night as this does help with dark circles.
For my under eye area, I simply apply some rose water on a cotton pad and pat it onto my skin. I leave it to dry for 15 minutes before rinsing with cool water. Try to do this everyday to help reduce dark pigmentation.
P.S. Rose Water has many great benefits for one's skin and can be applied all over the face. It is something I do regularly and highly recommend.

3- The Acne-Preventing Face Mask
I'm lucky to have been blessed with relatively good skin. I don't generally suffer with acne. I have included a great face mask for those of you who are acne-prone. I really hope this helps!
Combine 1/4 cup plain yogurt, 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 banana. Form a paste and apply to the skin. Let it set for 10-20 minutes and then rinse off with cool water.

4- The All In One Face Mask
Sometimes I want to be extra-pampered and treat multiple areas of my face at once. This face mask is perfect for that! It's so simple and easy, and tackles a mountain of problems.
Crack open an egg and separate the egg whites from the yolk. Add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice to the egg whites and mix well. Then, add 1/2 tablespoon of honey to the mixture and again mix well. Apply the mask to your face and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Using lukewarm water, rinse the mask off and pat dry.
P.S The egg yolks don't have to go to waste- you can use them for something else- like the mask below!

5- The Nourishing Face Mask
Everyone wants moisturised and nourished skin and this face mask delivers exactly that! It's so easy, and really packs a punch when it comes to healthy, glowy skin.
Peel a banana, cut in small pieces and mash it up. Add it to the yolk of one egg and mix well. Then, add in 2 teaspoons of olive oil and again mix well. Apply the mask and leave on for about 15 minutes before rinsing with lukewarm water.

There you have it! A few of my favourite home-made face masks to help you achieve flawless skin. Remember to assess your skin first to see what your problem areas are. Also, it is important to repeat the facial mask treatment, since results don't just happen overnight.

Look out for the next post where I'll be sharing some of my favourite store-bought face masks!

Xoxo
Raeesa

Face Masking | Beauty

Taking care of your skin should be your number one priority. Aside from moisturizing and applying a good sun lotion every day, you should regularly exfoliate, cleanse and tone. Applying face masks can also do wonders to the skin. This week, I'll be centering my blog posts around good face masks- both bought and home made.

Before applying any face mask, it is important to know your skin type and what type of problem you want to tackle. You wouldn't want to apply a mask for sensitive skin if you don't personally suffer from sensitive skin.

My personal problem is my under-eye area. I have quite a lot of discoloration as well as puffiness. I also have dry and cracked lips because of over-using liquid lipsticks (oops). I usually exfoliate my lips at least once a week to help with my lip issue. I also have a few remedies that I like for the under-eye area. I also like to apply a energizing facial mask every now and then, just to liven up my face.

Look out for the next blog post, where I'll be talking about all my favourite home-made face masks!

Xoxo
Raeesa

Blooming Buds | Lifestyle

I've been working on a super exciting secret project lately and it's finally ready to be shared. Introducing: Blooming Buds!

 About our gifting:
Blooming Buds offers a wide variety of gifting options suited to both adults and kiddies.
At the moment, artificial flowering is taking over Our world and we want you to experience why. We've personally worked on all gifts to make sure you're getting something great packed with love.
All our pieces are one-of-a-kind and we only have one of each gift, just because we want yours to stand out. However, you'll have to order extra early to avoid being disappointed and missing out.
All our gifts are re-usable and are definitely NOT going to land up forgotten. Our trays and boxes can be used for years. The quality is the great, and they look amazingly on trend. What's not to love?
Our kiddies range is super cute too. The sweet-in-a-bulb gift is one of our favourites and for a very good reason! You'll definitely be a kid-magnet with this!

 

 

 More about our kids range:
At the moment, we're pretty much obsessed with sweet-in-a-bulb gifts!
Besides being super adorable and deliciously yummy, these make the perfect gifts for any occasion.
They come in two different bulb sizes and are made with kid-friendly re-usable plastic (yay to no mess and no damaged or broken bulbs).
They are personally filled and packaged by Blooming Buds so you know you're getting a whole lot of love along with some great tasting goodies.
You can hand-pick your filling- we have six fun and colourful choices to get everyone excited.
These can also be customised to suit your own genius gifting ideas.
To all our Muslim Customers out there, you'll be pleased to know that all candies are 100% Halaal.
And to top it all off, they're insanely affordable!
The only negative - we have super limited stock.

 

 

 Getting your stock:
At Blooming Buds, quality is everything. To prevent damage to our (very fragile) goodies, we unfortunately only offer pick-up points for all our gifting options. We do however have multiple different pick-up points for your convenience.

 Feel the love:
Every single gift at Blooming Buds is made personally with a whole lot of love. You can be rest assured you'll be getting only the best!

 Contact Us:
You can find Blooming Buds on Instagram @BloomingBuds1
You can also message us at 072 793 6482 and 079 268 7073

Cleaning made simple | Beauty

Cleaning makeup brushes and sponges seems like such an effort. More often than not, we spend hours making sure all our brushes look as clean as when we first got them. But, thanks a few new tips and methods I've learnt, brush cleaning got a whole lot easier.

 Makeup Sponges: I recently came across a picture suggesting using dishwashing liquid and coconut oil to clean out beauty sponges. Despite being a little hesitant at first, I decided to try it out. The results were amazing. My sponges went from looking like they've been in existence since 1853 to looking brand new (nope, no exaggeration there).
This process is relatively simple. I first rinsed my sponges out with some water and dishwashing liquid. I then rinsed them clean and let them soak in a mixture of coconut oil and water for a few hours. I then rinsed them again using dishwashing liquid, let them drain and re-rinsed.
*There are many proper brush cleaners out there and I would definitely not discourage using them. This tip is just something easier and cheaper that won't damage your sponges.

 Makeup brushes: My favourite tool to use when it comes to cleaning makeup brushes is the brush egg. Who would ever have thought a small piece of textured rubber would be such a great invention? Because of the different textures on the brush egg, all bristles are cleaned meaning gorgeous brushes. To use, I simply squirt a little brush cleaner or soap on the brush egg and swirl my brush around until it appears clean. I repeat the process a few times rinsing in between. When completed, place the brushes upside down to dry (placing the brushes upwards will cause water to drip down and loosen the glue, resulting in broken brushes). The brush egg is super affordable and can be bought from multiple online stores. I also recently came across an Express Brush Cleaning Glove on Swiitch Beauty's website (Find them on Instagram @SwiitchBeauty). It has 7 brush cleaning textures to effortlessly remove all dirt and grime from brushes. Just like with the brush egg, all you have to do is squirt on some brush cleaner and move your brush over the different textures.

 Eye Shadow Brush Cleaner without water: Vera Mona designed the most genius tool to clean makeup brushes while using them. Often when applying eyeshadow, it sticks onto your brush, thereby changing the colours of other eyeshadows when you use the brush again. Vera Mona's Colour Switch Duo allows you to remove all excess eyeshadow from brushes while using them so that you can re-use them without having to worry about mixing colours. Of course, you still have to wash those brushes after, but it still is a major timesaver.

Those are just a few of my methods to make sure my brushes and sponges are always clean. If you have anything different, let me know!

P.S If there's anything you'd like to see on Style Unboxed, let me know on Instagram @StyleUnboxed or email me styleunboxed@gmail.com

Xoxo
Raeesa

Beauty sponges | Beauty

I own hundreds of makeup brushes, it's obvious that I'm a huge fan. But if there's one thing I love more, it's a good face sponge. Almost always, I apply foundation and liquid products with a beauty sponge. I feel like the application is a lot smoother than that of a brush. Sponges, in my opinion, tend to leave no streak marks and give an airbrushed appearance, which is exactly what I love. Today, I'll be sharing with you some of my favourite beauty sponges and where you can get them.

1- The trusted Beauty Blender: The first time I felt a beauty blender was like heaven for me. So soft and luxurious, it's really any makeup lovers dream! The original beauty blender company makes multiple different beauty blenders- the original pink, the professional black, the new nude, the mini green and so many more. It's safe to say that I'm obsessed. These can be purchased from many stores in South Africa- I personally know that Muse SA (Instagram @Muse.Sa) and 27 Pinkx (@27Pinkx) do stock them. Feel free to check them out on Instagram.

2-The SwiitchBeauty Pods: I first seen this product on the SwiitchBeauty Instagram page and I instantly wanted it. Not only is it super affordable, it's soft and adorable too! Swiitch currently has the cutest under-eye pods, perfect for blending out smaller areas of the face, like the under eyes. Check out @Swiitchbeauty on Instagram if you're interested!

3- UBU Face Sponge: This was one of the first makeup sponges I purchased, and I loved it so much, I just had to restock on it! To this day, I use my UBU sponges, especially for applying foundation. It's unique shape allows you to cover the entire face and the colour selection is adorable. I purchased mines from Clicks.

4- General Sponges: If you are just starting out with sponges and don't want to spend crazy amounts of money of expensive sponges, Dischem and Clicks both have a huge range of affordable sponges. They might not be the same quality as a more expensive sponge, but they will do the job until you're ready to commit to your first well known brand's sponge.

Overall, I recommend sponges to everyone. It's something that permanently stays in my makeup kit and is something I cannot apply makeup without. The finish it gives is amazing. Just like with any other product, the more reputable the company, the better the quality is prone to be. I'd suggest checking out the ingredients of sponges, just to make sure there aren't any harmful chemicals or products used to make them. Also, I would suggest saving money to get something that you know is not going to damage your skin rather than just purchasing the first sponge you see. Usually stores like Clicks and Dischem, and online stores like Muse SA, 27 Pinkx and SwiitchBeauty provide the best option.

Xoxo
Raeesa

Knowing when it's time to toss | Beauty

There's no denying that perfect feeling you get when you buy new makeup. There's nothing quite like the feeling of new brushes, soft and gentle on your skin. Oh, and the joy when trying out a new lipstick or eyeshadow- pure heaven!
Unfortunately, makeup doesn't last forever and eventually we need to get rid of it all. Keeping makeup past its expiration date is extremely dangerous and can cause severe damage to ones skin. This post was created with the hopes of educating all girls out there about when it's time to (sadly) declutter our makeup draws.
Remember, old makeup causes acne and scars, which is something we don't want.

2-3 Months: As much as you'd hate getting rid of something so soon after you've bought it, it's necessary. Mascara, face peels and face masks should be thrown out after 3 months to prevent damage to skin.

6 Months-1 Year: Concealers and Liquid Foundations need to be thrown out after about a year. If not, applying it to your skin will cause aggravation and possible skin infections and rashes.

1-1.5 Years: Lipgloss, cream eyeshadows and eyebrow gels shouldn't be in your drawers for more than 1-1.5 years. If it's old, toss it out.

2 Years: Lipsticks and lip/eye pencils will generally last about 2 years. The same applies to any powder foundations, blushes and eyeshadows. Nail polishes should last you a good two years.

3 Years: Perfumes and hairsprays will last 3 years before its time to get rid of them. Spraying anything that's expired on hair or skin is extremely dangerous and can cause irritable skin.

If you feel before this time that your makeup looks expired (maybe your foundation's dried out or your mascara is flaky), get rid of it. No matter how much you love a product, it's not worth damaging your skin for it.
Regularly clean out your makeup drawers. It's okay to toss out something that's only half used, your skin will thank you later.

Xoxo
Raeesa

 

Be your own Hijab-bae | Fashion

This week, I was super fortunate to receive some stunning gifts from (w)raphsody and Jilbaab (Find them on Instagram @its_a_wraph and @jilbaab). Two stunning scarves, an under cap and a gorgeous long jacket-throw left me smiling.

I've decided to review and style these for you. Just a little warning, I have only good things to say so you might end up purchasing a few yourself!

 

 

 The first scarf I received was a staple black cotton piece. I'm someone who wears black very often and so this was very appreciated. I absolutely loved how this draped! I also loved the fact that it stayed on all day, without moving around and slipping (we all know what a nuisance that can be!).

I tried this scarf out in multiple different styles, just to see how well it would sit and I was very impressed!

The second scarf I received was an adorable red mesh and cotton scarf. I love love love the colour- it's so bold and bright. Pictures really don't do it justice. Just like with the other, this draped gorgeously and didn't budge at all.

What I love about these scarves is that they are so versatile- they can be used in so many different styles. For those of you who don't wear headscarves, they can be used as neck scarves! They are also super affordable (See Instagram for more details). The colour range is quite good- the scarves come in multiple colours, both neutral and bright, so they'll fit any wardrobe. There are also different styles of scarves available- from lace scarves to the newest Alwani collections.

Jilbaab was kind enough to let me style one of their to-die-for pieces. It's a simple black and grey long-length throw, perfect for any occasion. It can be kept simple -paired with just black- or it can be dressed up with different colours and accessories.

The fabric is light and flowy which is perfect. Long sleeves mean you can wear something short underneath in summer to stay cool or something long underneath in winter to stay warm.

Jilbaab has a gorgeous selection of abayas and throws to choose from at really affordable prices. The fabric is absolutely amazing and soft, something I always look for. The pattern is Islamic while still being modern and edgy.

All in all, receiving these products were the highlight of my week. I absolutely love getting new scarves and adding them to my already huge collection, and when it's quality as good as these, I know I'll be fully satisfied.

To find out more about these amazing brands, check them out on Instagram.

For more information about anything Style Unboxed, follow us on Instagram. Let us know what you'd like to see- @StyleUnboxed.

Xoxo
Raeesa

Sphere Brush Set | Beauty

Oval Brushes have been everywhere over the last few months and almost every makeup artist seems to have a set. I, of course, had to be a part of the trend.

Oval / Sphere Brushes can be quite expensive- most companies sell these at R1500 and above. Swiitch Beauty (Find them on Instagram @SwiitchBeauty) however, has these retailing at just over R800. What a steal! And to make it all even better, Swiitch Beauty had these at their pop-up stores at a 50% discount meaning I paid just R425! Eeeppp!

My first impressions:
Upon first playing around with these Sphere Brushes, I noticed the bristles were extremely soft and quite dense. The set contained 10 brushes which have multiple purposes- you really can do almost anything with them. The handle is a classy black and is relatively firm and easy to grip.

 Using the brushes:
I usually wash all my brushes before using them for the first time and I did the same with these. Simply wash out gently with baby shampoo to keep your bristles soft. Once dry, they are ready to be used.

These brushes have multiple different purposes and it all depends entirely on you. I'd recommend using the three largest brushes for foundation, and the fourth largest for concealer. The more straighter, linear brushes can be used for applying contour (I especially like this for cream contour products) and can even be used to apply eyeliner. The smaller, rounder brushes can be used for eye makeup, highlighting the inner corner of the eyes and tip of the nose as well as the Cupid's bow. These brushes are also so perfect to use for powder blush and highlighters. It all just depends on your face size (for example I have a smaller forehead so I use the second largest brush for foundation), what type of makeup you're using and where you're applying the product.

 My thoughts:
After using these brushes to do a full face makeup look, I have to admit, I'm in love. After seeing other peoples reviews, I did have relatively high hopes for these brushes, but the outcome really exceeded these expectations.

For foundation, I usually always use a beauty blender as I find brushes usually leave streaks. This brush however, left absolutely zero streaks. It was so soft and felt like a massage on my face. Due to its size, it applied product evenly and very quickly. I used the three largest brushes to apply my foundation.

I blended in concealer with the fourth largest brush. Using the linear-type brushes, I applied my face and nose contour.

Before using the brushes, I assumed they'd work well with cream and liquid products only. I couldn't have been more wrong! These brushes apply powder perfectly. I honestly believe I have found a new favourite brush for power blush and highlighter.

I used one of the smaller, round brushes to apply a nose highlight and I almost died and went to highlighter heaven. It applied that well!

Overall, I am really really impressed with the Sphere Brush Set. Not only is it super affordable, the quality is great and my makeup looked stunning.

 I would really recommend getting a set like this!

Don't forget to follow SwiitchBeauty for more great products!

Xoxo
Raeesa

Real Techniques Bold Metal Brush Collection Dupes | Beauty

When I first seen the Real Techniques Bold Metals Brush Collection a while ago, I felt like I was in heaven. I'm obsessed with anything gold and copper toned and I do love my makeup brushes, so I thought I'd pick them up. Real Techniques usually is an affordable brand and so I wasn't expecting to pay R300 and higher for a single brush. And so when I found a dupe set for it, I instantly ordered one.

 There's quite a few people that are selling dupes for the RT Bold Metals Brushes, but I went with @BrushShop_za (Find them on Instagram). In total, with delivery to my door, I paid under R400 which I thought was really worth it. The set includes 7 brushes and can be bought in a silver only, gold only, rose gold only or a mixed set version. I chose the mixed set.

The set consists of 3 eye brushes and 4 face brushes. The bristles are extremely soft and luxurious.

The first brush is a domed-shape powder brush. This works great with pressed or loose powders. Normally, I use this to apply my blush since it's quite fluffy and really applies product evenly.

 The second brush is triangle-shaped and is meant for foundation. I generally apply foundation with a sponge and not a brush, but I do like this brush to set my under-eye concealer since the shape is quite ideal for that purpose.

 The third brush is a tapered blush brush. I love how it applies highlighter- it is my go to brush for powder highlights.

The fourth brush is a flat contour brush. I am obsessed with this one. Its dense bristles and flat top ensure a super carved and sharp contour.

 The fifth brush is an angled liner brush. Its slanted head works perfectly when applying gel or liquid liner.

The sixth brush is a pointed crease brush. It is dense and slightly tapered. I use this brush to pack colours into my crease before blending out.

Lastly, the oval shadow brush. This brush is quite fluffy and not too dense, which makes it perfect for blending out eye shadows in the crease.

 Overall I would definitely recommend buying a set like this one. If you are willing to spend money on the original Real Techniques Brushes, I wouldn't stop you. Personally, I don't think it's worth it for a supposed affordable brand. The dupes, in my opinion, work the same. I use the powder brush, tapered brush and contour brush every day. The brush I use the least would be the triangle foundation brush and the angled liner brush, but this would just depend on your own preferences.

The original brushes can be bought from Clicks. The dupes are available from a few different people online. As mentioned earlier, mines was purchased from BrushShop_za on Instagram for a super affordable price.

Happy brush shopping!

Xoxo
Raeesa

P.S Thank you to my gorgeous reader who recommended I do this post. If there's anything you'd like to see, let me know on Instagram @StyleUnboxed or email me at styleunboxed.gmail.com

Great affordable highlighters | Beauty

Am I the only one who thinks "Move over Beyoncé, I'm here" when I finally get my highlight on? Probably not.
Highlighted skin is the new rage, and for a perfectly understandable reason. There's just something so majestic and wowing about glowing, shining skin.

Now that we've established that everyone needs a highlight visible from outer space, let's get down to the details. What are some good highlighters? It's easy to talk about Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kits and Mac highlighters- everyone knows all about them. But not everyone is willing to pay for them. And that's why I've decided to dedicate a post to affordable highlighters that are easily accessible, will give you a stunning glow and won't damage your bank balance. What's not to love?

1- Physician's Formula Natural Nude Shimmer Strips: If you've ever tried this out, you'd understand exactly why I love it so much. It is easily one of my most loved affordable highlighters. It gives a gorgeous glow and leaves the skin looking brighter and younger. This palette has 12 shades that can be used as bronzer, blush, eyeshadow or highlight. With its elegant gold and black lace packaging, the outside is just as beautiful as the inside. I purchased mines from Dischem.

2-Wet 'n Wild Mega Glo Illuminating Powder: This adorable little palette is made up of 4 shades, all with the perfect amount of shimmer. There is a bronzing shade, two blush shade and a highlight shade which can be used separately. You can also mix them all together to get a lovely glow. I picked this up from Clicks and just like all other Wet 'n Wild products, the price and quality both do not disappoint.

3-Catrice Blush Artist Shading Palette: Not everyone wants a crazy highlight and that's okay. Even though this palette is meant to be a blush palette, the lightest shade can be used to highlight the face. It gives a very subtle glow, and is perfect if you are just starting out with highlighters, or if you'd prefer being a little less shiny. I bought this palette from Dischem.

4- Physician's Formula Mineral Glow Pearls: I bought this highlighter a few months ago in the shade Translucent Pearl. It has an almost icy look that I am obsessed with. It glides on so easy, and a little product really does go a long way. I bought mines from Dischem.

Highlighters are amazing and can bring out your features in beautiful ways. I'd suggest using either a fan brush or a small contour brush to really emphasize the highlight. I also would suggest testing these highlighters out before buying them to see which shade suits you best. Hopefully this post inspired you to embrace your inner goddess and stock up on some highlighters.

Don't forget to check out Style Unboxed on Instagram: @StyleUnboxed

Xoxo
Raeesa

 

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipsticks | Beauty

I was recently out shopping for makeup when I came across these lipsticks. Normally, I'm all about keeping it matte, but after swatching these beauties, I decided I'd be a little different and try it out. I loved it so much, I ended up buying a few of the colours available!

The one thing that stood out about these lipsticks was the fact that were so moisturizing. My lips definitely needed a break from all the liquid lipsticks I've been using lately, and these proved to be perfect.

The colour selection is huge, meaning there's a shade for everyone. And the lipsticks aren't super glossy, which is great if you aren't a huge fan of glossy, sticky lips.

The lipsticks were also quite pigmented. After one coat, the colour was easily visible. Adding on a few coats just makes the look more vibrant.

The packaging is simply gorgeous. A black outer tube with a thin gold band strikes you at first glance. When opened, the tube is luxuriously golden.

I must admit, it did take a while for me to get used to re-applying the lipstick after eating, but other than that, I had no problems with the lipsticks.

I would definitely recommend trying these out. Revlon has always been a brand of outstanding quality, and these prove to be no different. Needless to say, I'll be getting some more of the Super Lustrous Lipsticks soon!

I picked up these lipsticks from Clicks but they are also available at Dischem, Edgar's and other makeup stores. I have the following colours: Brazilian Tan, Black Cherry, Toast of New York, Carnival Spirit and Sultry Samba.

Xoxo
Raeesa