Fashion Zafira Ahmed Fashion Zafira Ahmed

The Cowboy Boot Edit | Zafira

Hi!

I’ve been trying to stop myself from buying cowboy boots for months now but the more we delve into autumn, the more brands are releasing more and more varieties of the beloved cowboy boot. It’s pretty hard to stay away.

A cowboy boot is a great way to add a little unique touch to your outfits and can turn any basic outfit into something a little more interesting.

In this post, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite cowboy boots on the market place at the moment. They range from very expensive (they were too beautiful to leave out) to some very affordable cowboy boots to have in your collection this autumn.

1.INCH 2 - HIGH WESTERN BOOTS

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We’re starting off with an amazing brand called Inch 2. These boots are £512 which honestly make me feel a little dizzy but they’re so wonderfully crafted. Inch 2 is a brand that I found recently on Instagram and I’m so smitten with them. They create the most stunning shoes, boots and bags and if I wasn’t broke student, I’d buy everything from them.

This type of boot is great if you’ve got long legs because it’s quite a high boot. The heel adds a little feminine touch and the colour is perfect for not only autumn, but for so many outfits. They’ve styled the model in the pictures with a cute floral dress and I’d probably do the same. I love a good pair of cowboy boots with a pretty floral dress, maybe even an oversized v neck jumper or an oversized wool cardigan on top too.

2. BROTHER VELLIES

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I think Brother Vellies are who really started me on this insane obsession with cowboy boots. They do the whole ‘I’m a modern day cowgirl’ so so so well and in such a different way. I couldn’t pick just one pair from their brand so here’s a couple of the best things you could ever put on your feet. I love the mix between the animal print and doodles, it’s very cute. If one pair of these boots didn’t cost around £900, you’d be seeing me in a different pair of these everyday.

One thing that’s always stood out with Brother Vellies is their photography. If you check out their Instagram, you can see more cool photographs of their products. It looks very effortless and casual which is so different than other brands where they try and go very over the top. Also can we talk about how insanely good every model is styled on there?

3. MANGO

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Delving into our usual high street and into the more affordable (kinda) stuff, Mango have been playing the cowboy boot game better than anyone else. Their range of cowboy boots for a high street store is beyond words. I can see these boots lasting a life time and being a classic piece in so many people’s wardrobes.

Let’s start off with these two boots on top which are so beautifully made. The first is a similar design to the Brother Vellies Doodle boot but way way cheaper. It’s a really good dupe and also great if you’re not ready to put a £900 dent in your bank account. The second pair are a pair that will never go out of a trend. It’s a very classic cut and style of boot.

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It was so difficult trying to narrow down 4 pairs of boots from Mango because there are so many styles, colours and cuts. These two are a little different from the previous two because they’re definitely a lot more casual and suitable for everyday attire.

The first black pair are a perfect autumn boot and are a more subtle take on a cowboy boot. You could pull these off with a dress or even a pair of jeans. They’re super versatile and are a great staple boot, The second pair are a little more daring. I love the contrast of black and white because they remind me of cows which is indeed, very cowboy. The prettiest aspect of this boot is 1000% the the square toe. It’s unique and makes the boot, in my opinion, look so much cooler.

4. ZARA

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What would a fashion based post be on here without including Zara?

Zara has a pretty versatile mix of cowboy boots in this season ranging from a classic black booty to something quite dazzling and funky.

Let’s start off with the lady in red. I actually tried these on in store and had a little epiphany about how happy my life would be if I bought a pair (i didn’t buy a pair and now i’m sad and miserable) and they’re also the reason why this post exists! I think these are such a pretty shade of red, a very daring shade but so wonderful. I also love the steel toe cap, it’s such a nice touch to the boot.

The second pair are insanely good. They’re on the verge of being very tacky but I think the classic black with white stitching on the toe of the boot really help to balance it out. These are also probably the hardest style, I’m not even sure how I would style them. I think I’d probably just put them on display because they’re pretty beautiful.

P.S they also have these in black and white!

This last black pair are again, another classic cut. This is a very safe but amazing option if you want to try out the whole cowboy boot thing but not go over the top. I love how plain these are and I can see these being a staple and basic item in many wardrobes this autumn.

5. & OTHER STORIES

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When it comes to classic, timeless pieces, & Other Stories is always a good choice. This black cowboy boot is such a sophisticated, smart cut and would be perfect for work. I like that this cut is in between ankle and knee and especially love how pointed the toe is. I think this will make a wonderful addition to anyone’s wardrobe.

My second choice of boot however reminds me a lot of cheese. I can’t tell if I really hate it or really like them but I think they’re kind of stunning. I wish I was brave enough to wear bright colours like orange because these boots are actually really cool. I think it’d be interesting to pair these with either with an all white outfit or even maybe with some blue denim.

Thanks for reading! If you want to see more posts like this then let me know :)

Lots of love,

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Beauty Zafira Beauty Zafira

AW18: Skincare & Makeup Faves | The Zafira Edit

Hi!

Ever since Uni began, my skin has become a metropolis for everything that's just not cute. Whether that's a herd of acne, horrifically clogged pores or dry alligator-like skin, you name it, my skin has been suffering  from anything and everything. It's been quite the sh*t show.

To help combat all of this I've been using a range of things. I usually keep my skincare routine pretty simple and try not to change it that often because I know that since I have pretty sensitive skin, I have to be very careful with what I use. Because of this, I mostly use things that specifically say they are targeted towards dry and sensitive skin. 

Like I've probably mentioned a million times now on my blog, I'm a uni student now which means one thing and one thing only. I'm broke 24/8. Skincare used to be the one of the biggest dents in my bank alongside makeup because my mindset was that if it cost more then it would probably be a lot better but I was so so so wrong. A lot of the skincare and few makeup bits I'll be mentioning in this post are all things you can find in drugstores such as Superdrug and Boots. 

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 I love Rejjie Snow. I think he's talented and just super cute. I love everything about him so when I had heard he came out with a lip balm with a pretty great skin/body care brand I knew I had to get my hands on it. I actually ended up getting it as a gift for my birthday in June from my cousin but she ended up only giving it to me a few weeks ago lol. It's such a good lip balm. I honestly wasn't expecting anything as good as this. It's made with all natural products and it's vegan and it's the best thing you could ever put on your lips. I put this on a lot before wearing matte lipsticks and my lips don't get dry at all. I use this a lot at night too to keep my lips mosturised all night long.

*You can buy this here*

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I'd say the mini collection (well more like 2 items but ok) of Glam Glow products that I own are probably some of the more expensive items in my skincare routine but they are completely worth it. This is one of the quickest and most effective face masks ever. I use this nearly everyday because it really does refine your pores and make your skin look so much healthier overall. I am finally starting to look like I didn't just rise from the dead and it's truly amazing. You just pump out the smallest amount and apply all over. It's a funky purple colour but with Glam Glow, you're probably expecting the most vibrant and colourful of face masks. It applies like a normal face mask at first but after a couple of seconds it starts to bubble and turns into a frothy-like consistency. I like to use this in the shower because I just leave it on whilst washing my body and then wash it off once I'm done. It's fun, it's purple and it's a miracle. It's definitely something you should your hands on.

*You can buy this here*

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I've never been into products like this because I'm not a fan of super brightening and illuminating skin. I always find that I just look sweaty. I bought this in a set with the other Glam Glow product above and ended up trying it one morning before applying my makeup and it makes me look heavenly. The thing I love about it most is how mosturising it is. I have skin as dry as the Sahara desert and it still keeps it quenched all day long. It's not glittery at all but more luminous. It gives you the healthiest and most natural glow. It also smells a lot like children's antibiotic medicine which is a bit strange.

*You can buy this here*

Much like the Vitamin E mist that I mention further down, I've been using Bio Oil for years now. It's so essential in my skincare routine. I mainly use this to get rid of acne scars and old eczema scars too. I think a lot of people get annoyed when using this because they don't see results straight away. You have to use it quite consistently for about a month or so and then you can really see a change. It's also a pretty good mosturiser for the body.  

*You can buy this here*

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I was reading an article online that said that this is Bio Oil's first new product in 30 years. I saw this in Boots a week or so ago and I knew I had to pick this up. I've started to use this on my face and the gel consistency is wonderful. I don't even use the oil on my face anymore just this. It has a thicker and gel like consistency so it absorbs so much quicker into the skin and isn't as greasy. I could even get away with wearing this in the day now.

*You can buy this here*

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If you've been reading my blogs since the beginning then you'd know all about this baby. It's truly the love of my life. If I don't use this at the beginning of my day then I can 

100%

 tell that it is not going to be a good day. I use this just after washing my face in the morning as a somewhat pre-mosturiser, on my Real Techniques beauty sponge instead of using of water and then in the night after washing my face. It's one of the best things I've ever used on my face and it's one of the cheapest items in the my entire skincare routine.

*You can buy this here*

Once upon a time I was in Superdrug having a little browse round when I spotted one of these So...? Body Mists. I gave it a little spritz and it smelt so so so good. I ended up buying it just so I could throw it in my bag. And in present day, I pretty much use these body mists everyday. They are so inexpensive and so handy for when you're out and about. 

*You can buy this here*

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I am a massive face mask lover. I'm trying to get into the habit of using one at least once every week. It's the perfect way to relax and get healthier and happier skin. I've started using this sheet mask from Soap & Glory and it's a literal miracle just like it says. Since my skin is super dry, this mask combats the dryness so well and makes me look like I've bathing in mosturiser for days. It smells pretty good too just like most of the other Soap & Glory products.

*You can buy this here*

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I have never been a big eye shadow person but I think that was down to me wearing not a lot of colourful outfits. But now I've started incorporating a lot of colour into my wardrobe, makeup is starting to become a really fun and experimental thing rather than a daily chore. I recently bought a pair of flowy pants in this mermaid green colour and thought this was the perfect opportunity to venture out in the experimental makeup world. I also saw

this photo on Instagram

and fell in love with the look. I haven't had a chance to actually wear this eye shadow yet but just swatching it and seeing how well it reflects the light makes me want to cover my entire body in it.

*You can buy this here*

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In my entire life, I have only used one foundation. It was the Bare Minerals Pure Brightening Serum Foundation and it worked so well that I didn't even bother trying anything else. But it started to become a bit expensive using a £28 foundation on a daily basis. I decided to venture out and went for this Maybelline Fit Me Foundation. Now I know I have dry skin but after applying all my mosturisers and oils in the morning, the last thing I want to do is apply something dewey that is going to intensify the shine from my mosturisers even more. This works perfectly. It matches my skin extremely well and has an amazing finish.

*You can buy this here*

I think because I quite a few products before starting my makeup or thick products, my makeup tends to cake here and there which is not what I want

ever.

A few months ago, I decided to try out this powder from Collection and it's drastically changed my life. I've found that I don't get that annoying cake-like finish anymore and my makeup looks a lot more natural. I don't know whether it's the powder or just me finessing my makeup skills but my base makeup looks more set into the skin rather than just sat on top. I love this and it's so inexpensive!

*You can buy this here*

Thanks for reading! (All the backgrounds of my photographs are pages of the latest issue of Dazed magazine)

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