Palettes

Each year I see women create these amazing makeup looks, and when I ask what eyeshadow they used with the hope that I can make a purchase and try to re-create that awesomeness, they often say they used a HOLIDAY COLLECTION that was a limited edition, and is therefore no longer being sold.

Well, armed by this lesson, I have been scoping out the holiday palettes that have been released this year and making my must get list.

Why? Because holiday palettes are great value for money. You're getting beautiful makeup which has been specially created for this collection (who knows when next it'll reappear) at a reduced price. The value comes in when you calculate how many different shades of eyeshadows, lipsticks, or lip glosses  you are getting in that holiday palette and what you are paying are for it now, as compared to what you would have to pay to get all of those colours during the year- at which time you would have to purchase them separately, because they've only been packaged jointly for the holiday collection.

Here are two palettes that are presently on my list:

 The Bobbi Brown Deluxe Eye and Lip Palette is being sold for $80.00 USD  and has the following:
Palette includes:

1. - Ivory Eyeshadow: a creamy white.
2. - Sandy Rose Metallic Eyeshadow: a silver plum mauve.
3. - Chiffon Sparkle Eyeshadow: a pale gold.
4. - Antique Rose Eyeshadow: a rosy brown.
5. - Malted Eyeshadow: a soft grey-brown.
6. - Bronzed Pink Metallic Eyeshadow: a midtone shimmering pink.
7. - Cream Metallic Eyeshadow: a midtone shimmering pink.
8. - Black Chocolate Eyeshadow: a rich black brown.
9. - Pink Sequin Creamy Lip Color: a sheer pinky peach.
10. - Pale Mauve Creamy Lip Color: a sheer pink mauve.
11. - Blue Raspberry Creamy Lip Color: a blue raspberry pink.
12. - Black Cherry Creamy Lip Color: a rich berry red.
13. - Pale Beige Creamy Lip Color: a nude pinky beige.
14. - Coral Pink Creamy Lip Color: a bright warm pink.
15. - Rose Garden Creamy Lip Color: a midtone shimmer rose.
16. - Mini Eyeshadow and Lip Brush

At $80.00 USD, and given the quality you get from Bobbi Brown cosmetics, that's great value for money in my humble view.

Next on my list is this On the Rocks Photo Op Shadow Palette from Smashbox, it isn't a Holiday collection per se, but its on my list because its being sold for $36 USD by Nordstrom...and look how many colours you're getting.

Shades include:

1. Vanilla
2. Opus
3. Obsidian
4. Blacktop
5. Mist
6. Coronation
7. Confectionette
8. Bourbon
9. Midnight Emerald
10.  Chianti
11. Sapphires
12. Nutmeg

XX
Malika

Blush Board

Hi Loves, I decided to make a collage of blushes that you can try. 
XX,
Malika

Nars cosmetic
narscosmetics.com

Lancôme oil free blush
bloomingdales.com

Christian Dior blush
$47 - johnlewis.com

Blush brush
marcjacobs.com

Mac cosmetic
$32 - nordstrom.com

Powder blush
violetgrey.com

Blush
milanicosmetics.com

Monki blush
$7.51 - monki.com

Why we need to use Blush

When it comes to makeup, many of us spend a lot of time focusing on what foundation is right for us, and in the process, forget about the under-rated blush. Blush however, is an important tool in our beauty/makeup arsenal, and when properly used, it can result in our makeup looking perfect and complete.

Why do we need blush?

1. Healthy Glow- Blush adds warmth to makeup by imitating a slight natural flush and can be used to give us a healthy glow (or to fake a healthy glow);
2. Sculpted Cheekbones- When paired with a trusty highlighter, blush can be used to enhance cheekbones, helping us to achieve that sculpted look;
3. Look Younger - I know that conventional wisdom says that we must highlight one feature, either the eyes, or the lips. But if you're not highlighting your eyes or your lips, and instead going for a sort of low key look, then why not play up your pretty by subtly highlighting your cheeks with blush? The  flushed look will elevate your look by giving you a youthful glow.

Now that we have established what blush can do for us, let's look at how we use and choose it.

1. The key to using blush is that it must be applied to the face to give a finished look that looks natural (looking natural is the key to using blush). When you apply your blush my loves, don't just leave it to sit on your face looking bright and pretty, instead, blend that baby in (or blend that baby out, in or out, whichever word you prefer as long as you blend it). Blending it will remove that distinct line between blush and foundation, and give you that natural look.;
2. Our friend "Blush" is not a "one shade fits all" kinda gal, because of this, we have  to choose the shade of blush that is right for our skin tone. Selecting the proper tone of blush is what makes the difference between "hot" and "not", 'goddess" and "clown". If you have light or pale skin it is best to avoid bright colours of blush, if you have dark skin you should avoid light colours of blush, and instead choose darker hues of blush. Since olive skin has  green undertones, if you have olive skin you might want to try a blush that has a warm peach shade as it will make your skin glow, or if you want that pink look, you may want to use a rose coloured blush;
3. There are different textures of blush,such as liquid, gel, cream, stick, powder and mineral blush, so be sure to choose the texture of blush that is best for you.

• Liquid Blush  and Gel Blush are the hardest types of blush to apply, and not ideal for novices. As liquid gel is known for being too oily for some skin types, if you have oily skin you may want to reconsider using liquid blush. Gel blush on the other hand can dry too fast, and this in turn can make it difficult to apply. 
• Cream Blush is good for dry skin and Stick Blush is good for oily skin, both are very concentrated, giving you a heavy saturation of colour, because of this, these types of blushes have to be applied very lightly to avoid that heavy colour, and also to avoid that distinct line between your blush and your foundation (or your skin, if you are not wearing foundation);
• Powder Blush  is very easy to apply, and allows one to have control over the amount of colour, it also works well on all skin types with the exception of dry skin;
• Mineral Blush works well on all skin types, especially on sensitive skin, and  is fairly easy to use because of its fine consistency. 

 Thanks for stopping by loves, I will be doing another post soon on the best blushes that are out there for each skin type.

XX
Malika

Our Magic Moment

A few years ago I adopted the habit of beginning my day by expressing gratitude for what I had been given in my life, and saying daily affirmations. I found that by doing this, I was able to maintain a positive outlook  and develop a deep and abiding sense of gratitude that remains with me up until today.

One of my favourite authors, Paulo Coelho wrote a beautiful passage in his book Manuscript Found in Accra  about us having a magic moment in which we are able to change the things that are making us unhappy. I share it with you today:

Every day, God gives us the sun – and also one moment in which we have the ability to change everything that makes us unhappy.
Every day, we try to pretend that we haven’t perceived the moment, that it doesn’t exist – that today is the same as yesterday and will be the same as tomorrow.
But if people really pay attention in their everyday lives, they will discover that magic moment.
It may arrive in the instant when we are doing something mundane, like putting our front-door key in the lock; it may lie hidden in the quiet that follows the lunch hour or in the thousand and one things that all seems the same to us.
But that moment exists – a moment when all the power of the stars becomes a part of us and enables us to perform miracles.
Joy is sometimes a blessing, but it is often a conquest.
Our magic moment help us to change and sends us off in search of our dreams. Yes, we are going to suffer, we will have difficult times, and we will experience many disappointments – but all of this is transitory it leaves no permanent mark.
And one day we will look back with pride and faith at the journey we have taken.

I hope that you found the passage inspirational and moving, if it inspired you, then please share the post with one friend over Facebook so that they too may be inspired.

Thank you so much for stopping by.

XX,
Malika

Girls Night Out Outfit Inspiration

I was inspired to create this post by the ever-popular cropped top and pencil skirt trend. I added the red purse to give the otherwise all black ensemble a pop of colour, a gold cuff adds some further edge to the outfit, whilst muted diamond stoppers prevent the look from being "too much" or "too distracting" - which I felt big earrings would have been. The ever so high, So Kate Pumps were used to round off the outfit. Where would we ladies be without our  heels? Some people call them high heels, I call them power pumps!!!

Enjoy your weekend.

XX

Girls Night Out Outfit by fromstluciawithlove featuring a black leather top

T By Alexander Wang black leather top
$495 - net-a-porter.com

ONLY black pencil skirt
$50 - only.com

Christian Louboutin pointed toe pumps
barneys.com

Yves Saint Laurent leather crossbody handbag
$1,525 - selfridges.com

Nordstrom wide cuff bracelet
nordstrom.com

18k earrings
diamondwave.com

How is Your Heart? Open

Good morning and Happy Friday.

Yesterday I found myself thinking about love, and the transformative power it has in our lives. Have you ever noticed how amazing and "high" we feel when we are in love- deeply in love-with someone. We spend almost every hour thinking about them, we count down the moments until we can be in their presence again, and most of all our soul sings because of them. The love between two people is amazing, isn't it? We live for love, and at times, we feel we will die without it (which incidentally is perhaps why break ups are hard- I guess they're called break ups because they leave us broken).

Today though, I am asking you one question: how is your heart: Is it open to love?

If no, then, why not?  You don't have to answer to me, but you owe it to yourself to look inward, and figure out why, so that you can begin the process involved in changing this.

The love between two people; romantic love, eros love, that "you are everything I never knew I always wanted" Jerry Maguire kinda love- is Great, but it is only one type of love. There are many other types of love for us to be open to and allow into our lives; this is love in its awesome and wholesome entirety- this is the love that is truly transformative.  

This is the love that I want to be open to.

Love for God. Love for myself. Love for my neighbour. Love for my enemy. Love for you. Love for every person I come into contact with, not because I know them, not because I want to know them, not because they are beautiful, or successful, or super smart (and all the other qualities or attributes we believe people should possess in order to be 'deserving' of our love)- but love for them simply because they are my fellow human beings.

Healing flows from a heart that's open to love.
Forgiveness flows from a heart that's open to love.
And an abundance of happiness and contentment flows into a heart that has been opened to love.

Think About It. For Just One Hot Minute.

I love you.

Even though I do not know you, I love you. How can that be? You haven't done anything to earn my love or make you feel deserving of it. That's easy. You don't have to earn my love, I love you because I love you. You are deserving of every kind of love simply because YOU ARE.

This is my daily inspiration for today. In closing, I leave you with my love, and the words of the poet Rumi, who wrote:

It is love that brings happiness to people
It is love that gives joy to happiness
My mother didn't give birth to me, that love did
A hundred blessings and praises to that love

Have an awesome day, and thanks for stopping by.

Love,
Malika

P.S. If you enjoyed today's daily inspiration, please share it over Facebook, twitter or google so that someone else can be inspired (the sharing buttons are in black and white below this post). Thanks bunches *hugs*

fromstluciawithlove.blogspot.com

Get Glowing Skin This Winter: DIY Lemon & Sugar Face Scrub

I Woke up like this!

Since our skin is our best accessory, today I am sharing an easy to make and inexpensive DIY Lemon and Sugar scrub which removes dead skin and will give your face an amazing glow.

Are you ready to be FLAWLESS?

Why Should You Exfoliate? According to dermatologists, exfoliation rids the face and body of dead skin cells, and delivers a tighter, firmer, brighter, smoother look and feel of skin.

Why Should You Use This? Lemon is a great natural ingredient that helps get rid of acne, fade scars and dark spots, tightens pores, and brightens your complexion. Whilst sugar is a natural exfoliator and a source of glycolic acid, which is known for evening skin tone. 

With this recipe you will have enough for several uses, you can pour the remaining scrub into a clean container and store it in your fridge, or a cool place. 

Ingredients
1 Lemon
Sugar

Directions
Squeeze the entire lemon into a bowl. Pour enough sugar to create a paste.
 
Just apply the scrub to clean dry skin and gently exfoliate your skin for 3-5 minutes making upward circular motions (we always go upward because of gravity). Let the mask sit on your face for 5 minutes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat your face dry with a clean towel.

Thank you for visiting my blog. Enjoy your new glowing skin!

MAC x Prabal Gurung Collection for Holiday 2014

Mac Cosmetics recently unveiled its latest limited edition collection with fashion designer Prabal Gurung.

The collection which embodies the modern glamour that the designer is known for,  feautures smoky, gilded hues and is opulently packaged in custom gold casing.

Eager for Yours? Available online November 20th; November 26th at select MAC stores (North America); December 2014 at select MAC stores (International, excluding China), collection ends on December 24th.

MAC x Prabal Gurung Collection for Holiday 2014

MAC x Prabal Gurung Collection for Holiday 2014

MAC x Prabal Gurung Collection for Holiday 2014

MAC x Prabal Gurung Collection for Holiday 2014

MAC x Prabal Gurung Collection for Holiday 2014

MAC x Prabal Gurung Collection for Holiday 2014

MAC x Prabal Gurung Collection for Holiday 2014

MAC x Prabal Gurung Collection for Holiday 2014

MAC x Prabal Gurung Collection for Holiday 2014

Jumbo Pearls

Over the weekend I found myself searching through my jewelry  for something to accessorize my little skater dress with, as I searched for something edgy (I was going for a girly look with subtle edge) I was faced with the sad fashion reality that my accessory kit needs serious updating.

Never one to despair over a problem for too long, I quickly decided that something would have to be done to remedy this situation, and so, I decided to compile a shopping list of accessories I neeeeed in my life. One item that has found its way to the top of my list is the Pearl. 

You are probably thinking that "I have gone and lost my mind"- why am I talking about...pearls...that's so Granny-like (i.e. the pearls our grans would wear with a twinset, stylish for her, for us....meh,  not so much)

Oh but honey these are not those pearls.

I am talking about the jumbo pearls that Karl Lagerfeld sent down the Spring '14 runways, and whilst Spring '14 is definitely behind us, I believe that certain pieces can continue to be worn once they are well integrated into the outfit in a way that is harmonious and not overdone.

Daily Inspiration

Without a doubt, I am perhaps one of the most competitive persons you will ever meet if you and I ever play a board game, or a game of tennis. I am pretty much similar to Monica from Friends in this sole regard; I assure you, however, that we are nothing alike when it comes to being obsessive compulsive about cleaning. 

However, board games and tennis aside, when it comes to life, I am never competing with anyone else as I believe competing with others in life can either make us vain if we view ourselves as better, or resentful or jealous, if we view ourselves as lesser.

Focusing on yourself, and the achievement of  your own success or happiness, independent of others, is one of  the most freeing things you could ever do for yourself.

Daily Affirmation: I am beautiful, brilliant, and capable beyond measure, everything is unfolding in my life as it should.

Stripes- The Real MVP!

It has often been said that "trends come and trends go", and whilst this has proved true for many a trend which has achieved dizzying heights of success, only to become eclipsed by newer trends that are suddenly the rage du jour, one trend that shows no sign of slowing down is Stripes.

Amongst a plethora of trends, which the fashion industry is known for debuting with seemingly rapid speed, the Stripe Trend has proven itself to be the Real MVP - to which we say, bravo! bravo! Hats off to you dear trend, for defying the "out with the old, and in with the new" adage. 

Thin Stripes.

Candy Stripes.

Nautical Stripes

Bold Stripes.

Stripes in varying forms appeared on numerous runways  at the recently held NYFW, demonstrating that after being a big trend in Spring/Summer 2014, once again, it is poised to be the trend du jour for Spring/Summer 2015.

Here are a few looks from the runways for 2014 and 2015 runways. In a later post I will showcase some street style looks that incorporate stripes.


 Altuzarra 2014

   
Yigal Azrouel 2015

Altuzarra 2015

Edun  2014

*Images posted do not belong to me.