Summer Makeup & Skincare | Zafira

Hi!

I had a lot of aspirations of glowing up this quarantine in preparation for summer, however it just wasn’t in the books for me this year. My skin and I have gone through a roller coaster of events. From breakouts every week or so to scaring like no other, it’s made me simplify my skincare and change a few things in my makeup routine which has led me to find some amazing products I want to share with you this week.

I’ve also filmed a little get ready with me because I haven’t done one in forever and I know a lot of you like when I film videos.

Here’s the products I used in this video as well as some other skincare and beauty bits I’ve been in love with recently:

Hyaluronic Acid

If you aren’t already on this Hyaluronic Acid kick then you are well and truly missing out on your skin absorbing all the moisture it needs.

I actually stopped using this for a bit because I was using a different serum that already had the hyaluronic acid within it but I’ve stopped using that and simplified the entirety of my skincare routine.

I had a really bad breakout on both cheeks over the past few weeks ago and with acne medication that dries your skin out like no other, moisture and hydration was something my skin definitely needed. I go in with a facial mist after cleansing and then I’ll apply this just before my moisturiser. It has brought back so much life into my skin.

You can buy this here.

GLOSSIER - INVISIBLE SHEILD

This was the only reason I was excited to go start going outside a lot more now that restrictions have eased up is this.

This might be the best thing I’ve ever put on my skin.

Since I do have a lot of acne scarring, one thing step in my daily routine that I’ve learnt is vital, is sunscreen. Exposure to your skin without suncreen can actually cause your scars to darken so it is incredibly important to add this into your routine.

I love this one from Glossier because not only does it smell amazing but it has more a gel texture and no white cast like your generic sunsreens. As a darker skinned girl, putting on sunscreen has always been a nightmare but this blends into your skin like a regular moisturiser or serum and leaves no residue whatsoever.

I was a little shocked by how small this was at first but you’d surprised how far one pump of this can go.

You can buy this here.

kiehls - ultra facial cream

As I said earlier, my skin has been suffering so simplicity in my routine has just been incredibly vital. This cream is the best because it just does what you want a moisturiser to do which is moisturise.

This is ideal if you have oily/combination skin because it isn’t greasy or really thick but still hydrates you skin.

I will never put another moisturiser on my skin ever again because this is perfect.

You can buy this here.

clinique - even better glow foundation in cream caramel

I’ve never been a full coverage foundation girl so when I tried this and realised it was basically a tinted moisturiser, obviously I fell in love.

It applies so smoothly and is pretty light so it doesn’t feel like you’re actually wearing anything but the glow and dewiness this foundation has is beautiful and has pretty decent coverage for a foundation that is so light.

Even after powdering, my skin has this subtle dew to it that makes it look healthy and makes me look awake and fresh.

You can buy this here.

estee lauder - double wear concealer in

6N Extra Deep

This is supposed to be an excellent concealer however, this shade is too dark for me to use as a concealer. So I’ve been using it to cream contour instead.

I know for contour, you’re supposed to use a very cool toned brown but I personally prefer something that is a little on the warmer side and this shade is spot on.

I apply this under my cheekbones, my nose, sides of my forehead and a tiniest bit on my jaw and blend it in with a beauty blender.

I also adore using this as a base before my everyday eye shadow. It’s a great primer and base and intensifies whatever shade of brown I decide to put on my eyelids that day.

You can buy this here.

mac - studio finish concealer in NW40

On the topic of concealer, this Mac Studio Finish concealer has been my best friend when it comes to covering scars and blemishes as well as my under eyes.

It’s a little more heavy duty than any concealer I’ve used before but I think that’s what makes it so good.

You can buy this here.

nip + fab - contour palette in dark

I was contemplating whether even photographing this was a good idea because it’s the most beat up thing in my collection.

I use this for everything.

I’ve hit pan on pretty much every shade because I use them all. I’ll use the two middle brown shades for contour/bronzer as well as eye shadow. The darker brown on the right for a more intense contour or in the crease for my eye shadow. I’ll use the pink shade as a blush but also will blend a little into whatever lipstick I’m wearing that day.

This is literally the most efficient and useful palette I’ve ever bought.

You can buy this here.

Nyx - ultimate shadow palette

I’ve slowly started incorporating more and more colour into my routine these past few months and the easiest ways to do that is by getting an eye shadow palette like this.

It has so many colours but my favourite at this moment is the lilac. I did a little look with this a few weeks ago. You can check that out here.

You can be subtle and use these are liners for a tiny pop of colour or you can be bold and use these all over your eye lids. The options and colour combos are endless.

You can buy this here.

smashbox + vlada - petal metal shimmer drops

This is amazing for any of you who love glitter but want something a little more subtle and easy to wear everyday.

I use this as a highlight sometimes, on top of eye shadow and even on top of my lipsticks.

It’s basically a glitter top coat but for your face. It’s truly great because it doesn’t mess up your makeup when you apply it, it dries so fast and has the prettiest sparkle.

I like to squeeze a few drops onto my finger and pat wherever I want to put it.

You can buy this here.

barry m - lip liner in chocolate

I will never in my life buy another brown liner that isn’t this.

I think I first bought this when I was around 15/16 and nearly five years on, it’s become a staple in my everyday routine.

I usually love using this as just a lip liner to fill and line my lips but recently I’ve loved using this as an eyeliner too. I do a little flick on the outer corner of my eyes with this to elongate my eyes.

You can buy this here.

Nyx - Matte Lip Liner in Alabama

At some during the beginning of this year, I decided I needed to change my everyday lip colour and went out and bought this liner.

On the rare days I do decide to switch things up a little, I’m a big fan of using this lip liner with either a nude/mauve lipstick blended in.

It looks like a red lip liner but it’s got this orange-y brown tone to it which I love.

You can buy this here.

If you’re curious about the products I used in the video that I haven’t listed in my current favourites then here’s a list of everything I used!

everything I used in the video:

• Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

• Clinique Even Better Glow Foundation in Cream Caramel

• Mac Studio Finish Concealer in NW40

• Revolution Conceal and Define Concealer in C10

• Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer in 6N Extra Deep

• Laura Mercier Translucent Powder

• Nip + Fab Contour Palette in Dark

• Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette

• Barry M Lip Liner in Chocolate

• Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

• Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in Rome

Thanks for reading!

Get Ready With Me: Autumn Edition | Zafira

Hi!

Every time I post a photograph of me of on my Instagram I get a lot of questions about what’s on my face. Whether that’s the lipstick I’m wearing, my foundation or even skincare and I thought the best way of answering all those questions was by filming a little get ready with me.

I do a lot of these. These are the only videos I film because 1. they don’t require me to speak (i hate my voice) and 2. they’re pretty straightforward and easy to film. Maybe one day I’ll venture out and become a full blown beauty guru but for now, I’m happy with my once a year get ready with mes.

Without further adieu, here’s me transforming from a dying Bella Swan, to an amazing catfish. Enjoy!

Products Used:

VITAMIN E HYDRATING MIST

I use this day, night, on my beauty sponge and literally whenever I just need to wake up it’s the best thing ever.

BUY HERE

hyaluronic acid serum

I use this day and night too and it’s amazing if you have dry skin like me. It’s especially great for this time of year when it gets a little chillier.

buy here

alpha arbutin serum

I started using this about a week or two ago and I’ve already noticed such a massive difference in my skin. I have a lot of scarring from previous acne and this helps a lot with pigmentation.

buy here

glossier invisible shield

I’ve recently started using sunscreen everyday because I don’t like that I’m getting older and any sign of ageing will 100% send me into a full on breakdown. This one from Glossier is what I’ve been looking for my entire life. It doesn’t leave you looking white or sticky or feeling like you have sunscreen on at all.

buy here

kiehls ultra facial cream

This is easily the best moisturiser ever. I suffer with dry skin so finding a moisturiser that does its job but also doesn’t feel too heavy on the skin used to be such a difficult task until I found this beauty.

buy here

glossier balm dot com

I think I enjoy eating this more than I enjoy putting it on my lips. It tastes so so so good. I’ve started using this everyday because it’s pretty and sparkly and also because it’s one of the best lip balms ever.

buy here

maybelline fit me matte and porless foundation

If you’re looking for a cheap drugstore foundation then this is your best friend. For £6 you really can’t go wrong.

buy here

revolution conceal & define

I never used to wear concealer mainly because I’m lazy and I’d rather just embrace the whole ‘I haven’t slept all night’ thing but once I used this concealer I never went back. It’s so good. I can’t leave the house without wearing it anymore because it makes me look so awake.

buy here

laura mercier loose setting powder

In the shade ‘Translucent’.

I’ve had quite the love/hate relationship with this powder. When I first used it, I found it really cakey but I spent £30 on this so I gave it another try a few months ago and now I love it. It makes my face look so smooth when it most definitely is not.

buy here

nip + fab contour palette

This is in the shade ‘Dark’.

This palette as you can see is so well loved. I use this not only for contour but bronzer, blush, eye shadow and even for lipstick. I’ll use a mixture of the top 3 brown shades for my contour, the empty brown shade for bronzer, the pink for blush and I also like to pat a bit of this shade on my lips. I think it looks really nice when your blush and lipstick match. I’ll also use any of the top 3 brown shades as eye shadow.

buy here

maybelline lash sensational mascara

I’ve been using this mascara for years and I don’t think I’ll ever switch because this is truly the best of the best. It doesn’t clump at all and makes my eyelashes fluttery and long.

buy here

mary-lou manizer

I’m not too crazy about highlighter, I think this might be the only highlighter I’ve used in my life. It’s such a great shade for brown girls too.

buy here

barry m lip liner

In the shade ‘Chocolate’.

I use this lip liner everyday and have done since I started wearing makeup. It’s the perfect brown lip liner. I use it before any lipstick I apply.

buy here

nyx soft matte lip cream

In the shade ‘Rome’.

Along with the Barry M lip liner, I’ve also been using this exact shade of lipstick ever since I started wearing makeup. This with the lip liner is my favourite lip combo of all time.

buy here

urban decay all nighter setting spray

Honestly, I only started wearing setting spray this year because I never felt the need for it but now I can’t even leave the house without being drenched in this. Not only does it keep your makeup on all day but I think it really helps with making your makeup looking a little less cakey.

buy here

Thanks for reading (and watching too i guess)! Let me know if you want to see more stuff like this on here.

Lots of love,

GRWM: Autumn Editon | Zafira

Hey!

Ever since I posted my summer GRWM in July, I've had a few messages asking if I would do more videos like that and honestly, I wasn't planning to since not a lot changes in my day to day makeup routine. But a few days ago, I was looking over photographs from over the summer and I look like a completely different person. It's crazy how much can change in a matter of months. 

I decided to make another GRWM anyway but an Autumn edition. I would love to do these seasonally so I'll see how this one goes and make my mind up from there. I'm trying to get into doing and trying new things so maybe these GRWMs will be a good reason to try things (at least on my face).

Here's a list of everything I used in the vid:

• Superdrug Vitamin E Mist

• Mon Amour Lipbalm by Rejjie Snow x Neighbourhood Botanicals

• Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation in 350 Caramel

• Collection Loose Powder in Translucent

• Revolution Contour Palette in Medium

• Mary Lou Manizer from The Balm

• Revolution Palette in Newtrals 2 (blush & eyeshadow)

• Revolution Soph Palette (gold eyeshadow)

• NYX Professional Tame & Frame Brow Pomade in Black

• NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Rome

• Barry M Lip Liner in Chocolate

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO STAY UPDATED:

Summer GRWM | Zafira

Hey!

I did a poll quite a while ago over on my Instagram asking what sort of video you would like to see next and the one that got the most votes was a summer get ready with me. My first ever YouTube video was a very glitchy grwm and a lot of people enjoyed that so I thought it would be perfect to an updated summer edition to switch it up a bit.

PRODUCTS USED:

• Superdrug Vitamin E Mist

• Burts Bees Lipbalm in Pomegranate

• Bare Minerals Pure Brightening Serum Foundation in Bare Espresso

• Maybelline Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation in 350 Caramel

• Collection Loose Powder in Translucent

• Revolution Contour Palette in Medium

• Mary Lou Manizer from The Balm

• Revolution Palette in Newtrals 2 (blush)

• Zoeva Cocoa Blend Pallete - only used Substitute for Love

• NYX Professional Tame & Frame Brow Pomade in Black

• Maybelline Colossal Volume Express Mascara in Black

• The Body Shop Lip Liner from about 10 years ago sorry this isn't available but any red lip liner will be more than okay

• Max Factor Long Lasting Lipfinity Lipstick in Ever Sumptuous

I hope you enjoyed it!

Lots of love,

FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO STAY UPDATED:

The Start of Something New | Zafira

Hi guys!

You're probably like wth is this blog post all about but finally after a long time of over thinking, I've decided to properly start my own YouTube channel. It's something I've always wanted to do ever since I started watching YouTube videos, the process of creating new content whether it's a video or a picture makes me extremely happy and excited. I'm overjoyed to join another platform where I can express myself. I'm not sure how often I'm going to be uploading but I'll try and get some vids uploaded whenever I can. In the meantime, enjoy this glitchy get ready with me which was so awkward to film lol.

PRODUCTS USED IN THE VID:

• Carmex Cherry Lip Balm

• Superdrug Vitamin E Mist

• Freedom Pro Conceal Palette in Medium/Dark

• Bare Minerals Pure Brightening Serum Foundation in Bare Espresso

• Collection Pressed Powder in Misty Beige

• Sleek Face Form Contour Kit in Medium

• Mary Lou Manizer from The Balm

• Revolution Blush in Sugar

• Zoeva Cocoa Blend Pallete - only used Freshly Toasted

• NYX Professional Tame & Frame Brow Pomade in Black

• Maybelline Colossal Volume Express Mascara in Black

• Barry M Lip Liner in No.6

• NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Rome

Follow me on social media to stay updated!