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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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,
We have a new home! (and a new name) | Zafira
Hey!
I’m happy to say after a months off, I’m back and better than ever.
a new space for us
I started my blog over on Blogger around 2014/15 and for the longest time, it felt like the perfect place to host my site. It was what all the bloggers where using back in the blogger days so I didn’t question or fault it. However, in the past year or so, it felt like a really outdated platform to be hosting my blog. I tried lots of different templates but they never looked like anything I wanted my little space on the internet to look like.
I tried a few other sites too such as Wix, Wordpress and so many more but Squarespace was the only site I felt like was a flexible and easy to manage platform for someone who has no idea how computers or anything within that topic works.
So this is where you’ll find me and all my stuff!
A new name (well not really but you get the point)
I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve changed my blog name at this point. I thought I’d keep The Zafira Edit for a while but after a few months it felt too ‘bloggery’. It felt like I had to sit and write about what makeup I was loving that month when I’ve literally been using the same stuff for about 2 years now.
What I’m trying to say is, I was looking for a name that suited me and who I am at this moment in time and what better name than my own? Something simple and something that will always be constant no matter how much me and content changes.
My content will change a bit too over the next couple of months. I don’t want to only write about what clothes I’m wearing or what products I’m using but about current topics, more cultural and opinionated pieces too.
Thanks for being patient and I hope you enjoy all the new content I’ll be posting!
Lots of love,
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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!
Thanks for reading! (All the backgrounds of my photographs are pages of the latest issue of Dazed magazine)
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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
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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,
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Christmas Gift Guide 2017 | Zafira
Hi and welcome to my blog!
It's insane how fast this year has gone, it's already November and I can feel the Christmas spirit starting to kick in. The atmosphere around this time of year is so lovely and I spend all year just waiting for it. I don't really celebrate Christmas but me and my family do love to do a game of Secret Santa and I love receiving and giving gifts to my friends. Sometimes I really struggle on what to get to get people, it can be quite hard trying to find the perfect git but don't fret! I'm here to help with my ultimate Christmas Gift Guide!
1. Makeup Gift Sets (for the wannabe beauty gurus in your life)
I don't want to stereotype most women and shove this in there but it genuinely is something that most women will love. When buying sets, try to stick to popular and well known brands with a range of various products.
Here's a few that are looking quite good this year:
Makeup Revolution Makeup Set - This is very nicely priced is quite good for younger teens who like experimenting with makeup. It has everything you'd need for a full face of makeup.
Yves Saint Laurent Lip Gift Set - This would be pretty cute for someone special like a wife or girlfriend. YSL is quite an expensive designer brand but the quality is amazing.
NYX Matte vs Metals Vault - I've seen so so so many of these around and these would be perfect for anyone who loves makeup, you get such a great selection of lip shades.
2. Perfume and Candles (for the people that smell in your life)
Everyone likes to smell nice, it's nice to be somewhere that smells nice too. Here's a range of perfumes and candles that are smelling nice this year:
Glossier You Perfume - This is great for those trendy girls out there that like to keep up with stuff going on in the social media world. Glossier is a pretty minimal brand but I smelt a tester of this and it's so so so good. It's a perfect stocking stuffer or a small gift for someone cute (like me)
Yankee Candles - You could buy a Yankee Candle for anyone really, they have a vast range of scents and everyone loves a good candle.
Snowella Fragrance Gift Set - When I was a lot younger, I loved Zoella and this gift set would be perfect for any teen.
3. Jewelry (for the blingy people in your life)
I know this again is quite a stereotypical gift but these are some great places to get some cool and unique pieces:
Piccolina Jewelry - I found this company because they sell a lot of their pieces at COW in Manchester and I've always thought that they'd make such pretty gifts.They're good for anyone that likes to dress indie or even a bit hippie. I think I might have to get myself a few pieces from here soon...
Accessorize Jewelry - I love the jewelry from Accesorize and it's a really good gift to give anyone. They have a vast range of pieces to chose from so there's bound to be something you can find as a gift. I quite like the Z collection as they have a lot of dainty, everyday pieces.
4. Wallets/Purses (for the people who's wallets and purses are hanging on for dear life)
This is such an easy but great gift idea. Everyone needs a place to put their cards and money and the best place I've found to get a range of different ones is at
. They have a bunch of designer ones too that cost no where near their actual retail price and they'll make a wonderful and practical gift.
5. Bags (for the people that have too much stuff to carry in your life)
I appreciate a handy bag much like many others. I think for the special people in your life it's worth getting something that you know will last a long time.
MAHI Leather have a range of bags to suit whoever you're buying the bag for. They're maid to order with full grain cow leather and are up to 50% cheaper than other high street prices. It'll make the perfect gift as you can get the bag with personalised embroidery and a cotton dust cover to protect the bag. Not only will it make a great gift but $1.50 from every bag is donated to the FRANK Water Charity so you'll be helping to fund clean water in India and Nepal.
TK Maxx have such a wide variety of designer bags at such an affordable price compared to the retail price and is one of the best places to buy a bag as a gift or simply for yourself. I buy bags from here all the time because they have any style you could possibly want and everyone loves a good designer bag at a discount price.
Accessorize are not just amazing at jewelry but they have the prettiest of bags. I really adore their clutch bags as they're perfect for so many occasions and would make a great gift for anyone who enjoys a good night out. They also have a range of travel, day, totes and much more to help you find something that fits the style of the person you want to gift it to!
6. Terrariums (for the plant loving millennials in your life)
I like a good terrarium. I think they're super cute and perfect for anywhere in the house. Whilst browsing for some gifts, I found this super cool
which would be a super cute gift for anyone.
7. Retro Games (for the gaming nerds in your life)
I was browsing around in Urban Outfitters the other day and I came across the most amazing thing ever. It was a little mini Tamagotchi style toy which made me have a little epiphany and realise that little gadgets like that could be such an amazing gift.
Here are some pretty cool ones that make me feel like the 90s kid I never was:
Pixapet - it's basically a Tamagotchi that comes in some cute colours.
8. Neon Lights (for the people that need you to
light up their world like nobody else
)
Ornaments are a quite a nice gift to give but sometimes, you just need something with a little more life. I have always felt like I've needed a neon flamingo light in my room and in my late night window shopping sesh, I found such a good Christmas gift along with a couple of other amazing gifts.
Neon Flamingo (you and I both need this)
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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
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Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette Review, Swatches + Looks! | Zafira
Hi!
For my birthday, I was kindly gifted the Zoeva Cocoa Blend Palette from my cousin and since then, I've pretty much been using it everyday which is why I thought I that I would share it on here! I've never been an eyeshadow kind of girl, I usually just put a bit of bronzer or my contour shade on my eyelid and blend it out but once I started playing around with this palette, I fell in love instantly.
From what I've learnt in the makeup world (which honestly is not a lot) is that Zoeva is mostly really popular due to their brushes which I haven't tried but from the using this palette and seeing how good quality it is, maybe I will have to give them a go.
The packaging is super cute, but the one thing that stood out the most was how thin and lightweight it was. It's not bulky whatsoever which makes it perfect for travelling and on the go. There's no mirror which is kind of annoying but the eyeshadows definitely make up for that.
The product contains 10 shades which are:
Bitter Start - Palest matte nude.
Sweeter End - Shimmering duo chrome nougat.
Warm Notes - Glittering cranberry purple.
Subtle Blend - Metallic deep bronze.
Beans Are White - Deep cocoa brown matte.
Pure Ganache - Pure and luxurious metallic gold.
Substitute For Love - Toffee brown with subtle shimmer.
Freshly Toasted - Rich mahogany brown.
Infusion - Matte dark brown infused with golden glitter.
Delicate Acidity - Berry toned brown shimmer.
I think these are all quite versatile colours and can be used either day or night and for any occasion. My personal faves are Freshly Toasted and Infusion. All these colours are pretty warm toned and would look amazing on any skin colour. On the website the palette is described to be inspired by '
warm truffle colours, delicate nougat shades and shimmery marizinpan tones for a seductive glamour look
' which is very evident in the range of shades,
The colours are pretty pigmented especially for the price but nothing crazy which makes them really effortless to blend. They aren't chalky at all and swatch and apply very very very smoothly. They have no fall out whatsoever which is amazing and is the perfect affordable high quality palette!
Just look at how beautiful that pink looks! As you can tell, I've been trying out this palette and I'm pretty much in love with it.
'Pure Ganache' is another one of my favourite colours, it's such a pigmented and lovely gold shade.
The two shades I use the most are definitely 'Subsitute for Love' and 'Freshly toasted with the tiniest bit of 'Pure Ganache' in the inner corners but most of the time I usually use a bit of my Mary Lou Manizer in the inner corners also for a less intense look. A warm orangey/brown eye has been in since Autumn and I still see so many people with this look and the Zoeva Cocoa Blend palette is a great way to achieve it! I've pretty much been wearing this look everyday since my birthday. It's the perfect everyday eye.
Another look I've been adoring and wearing especially when there's a special occasion or event is using 'Freshly Toasted' in the crease and 'Pure Ganache' all over the lid as well as the tiniest bit of 'Subtle Blend' on the outer corner of the eye just to darken the gold shade. Throw on a bit of eyeliner and some mascara, maybe even some falsies if you're in the mood and it's the easiest look for any special occasion.
This is a look that I've been dying to wear but I've just not had the occasion or the chance to but it's so so so pretty, look at that pink! The shades I used for this look were a mixture of 'Substitute for Love' and 'Freshly Toasted' in the crease and then I packed 'Warm Notes' all over lid. It looks really cute and fun and girly and the pigmentation is amazing.
Overall, I'm blown away my this palette and I can't wait to start trying out a lot more Zoeva prodcuts, I'm thoroughly impressed!
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Prom! | Zafira
Hello!
So I decided to this weeks blog post on prom. I had my prom on Friday 15th July and it was probably one of the best days in my life! I had so much fun with all my friends dancing the night away and just enjoying myself. I thought it would be quite cool to try out a lookbook sorta thing with this post and show you what I wore, how I did my makeup and jewelry!
M A K E U P :
For the base I used:
L'Oréal Paris Infallible Priming Base - I don't wear primer because I usually don't wear enough makeup to need a primer but this is decently priced and does the job. I applied it around my nose and on my forehead where I get shiny the most.
Bare Minerals Pure Brightening Serum Foundation in the shade Bare Espresso - I'm not much of a foundation person, on a daily basis I'll usually just use concealer and a pressed powder with a little colour or just the powder on its own but when I found this foundation I was so happy. It's very very very light, I felt like I had nothing on all day. It's very liquidy so you can tell it's going to light. The coverage is amazing too, it's very buildable but I'm not a huge fan of full coverage so I usually only stick to one thin layer. The only issue I had with this is that it's not a long wearing foundation. When I came home after prom, I saw that areas like my chin and parts of cheeks had little or no foundation on them.
Freedom Pro Conceal Palette in the shade Medium/Dark - This is the second palette I've owned of this concealer and I love it! Again, I'm not a huge fan of full coverage but this covers enough and Freedom do a huge range of colours that suit many different skin tones which is amazing.
Collection Pressed Powder in Misty Beige - This is a pretty good, cheap drugstore powder as it only costs around £2. It doesn't have a very orangey undertone which is great and keeps your makeup in place. I just wish that I used it all over my face at prom rather than in certain areas.
Sleek Cream Contour Kit in Medium - This is a really good drugstore cream contour, I love the variation of shades and how you get a range of highlights and contour colours.
Sleek Face Form Contour Kit in Medium- This is my all time fave contour and highlight. More contour as you can see from the first picture as I've used nearly all of it up. I love this so much!
For brushes I used:
Real Techniques Core Collection - I love this collection. It has every brush I would need to do my base makeup and it comes with a case and I think it's very handy to have this.
Sleek 7 Piece Brush Set - As you can tell, I don't have all the brushes from the set in the pictures as I only use the eye ones and the blush brush which is use for putting powder on or highlight. They also fit pretty snug into the Real Techniques case so I have all the brushes that I need in one place.
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge - I think this is a great alternative to the actual Beautyblenders, they're so much more cheaper and affordable. Even though I haven't used the Beautyblenders, I think the Real Technique sponges do an amazing job at blending everything together and creating a more natural and smooth appearance.
For lips I used:
Barry M Lipliner in No.6 - I love this lipliner so much. I think it's probably my fave. It's a pretty chocolate brown that you can wear on it's own and it stays on all day long or you can pair it with other lipsticks like I had done for prom to achive a nice browny nude.
Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate Moss in shade 08 - When I first bought and tried it on, I really didn't like it. The colour looked too light on my lips but when I paired it with the Barry M lipliner it created the most beautiful nude.
For eyes I used:
Makeup Revolution Palette in Redemption Iconic 1 - This works excellent seeing as it only costs £4. What I did for prom was wet the my brush a little and then picked up some eyeshadow in order to make it really pigmented and stand out but the colours are pretty pigmented on their own.
Collection Brow Kit in Brunette - I don't have brunette hair obviously but I feel like the three shades that come in this particular kit are less harsh and look very natural. I usually use the brown shade in the middle and then a little black right the end of my eyebrow just to make them a bit more fleeky. I also used the lightest brown shade in the crease as well as the darker brown in the outer edge and then put the gold eyeshadow from the Revolution palette more towards the center and inner part of my eye.
Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof Mascara in Black - I love this mascara. It's what I use on a more daily basis but for prom this was a necessity as I didn't want mascara all down my face as I was sweating away at prom. You can definitley build up the layers and it doesn't become clumpy at all. I was planning on wearing lashes at first but that was too much hassle and I can barely put them on.
Miss Sporty Studio Lash Liner in Black - This is so good seeing as it's drugstore and so cheap! It's probably one of the best eyeliners I've ever used. The brush is really thin so if you have small eyes like me and only want a thin line, it's really easy to do.
Here's the finished look!
O U T F I T :
I got my dress from a nearby Asian clothing store called Resham. They have amazing quality clothes and I love my dress so much. It's probably one of my fave Asian pieces.
I got my shoes from New Look. You can buy them here:
They're really comfortable and matched my dress really well. They were great to dance in too!
J E W E L R Y :
My earrings are from Dorothy Perkins. I tried looking online for them but I can't find them unfortunately but they're supper pretty and matched my necklace well.
I'm not actually sure where my necklace is from but I'm sure many places sell ones similar to it.
P H O T O G R A P H S :
I didn't take my big Canon EOS 60D because it would have just got in the way. However my dad let me borrow his Canon Powershot G10 and did the job perfectly. Follow me on Instagram as I'll be uploading some pictures from prom on there soon!
The End As We Know It & Update | Zafira
GUESS WHO'S BACK?
Me!
Hi, it's been a while since I've done a blog post but if you've read my previous post that I did in February, you'll know that I've been preparing and doing my GCSE exams. But, they finally finished on Friday which means it's time to chill and start working on this blog as well as producing some really cool photographs! Before I get into the real purpose of this post, I just wanted to update you on a few cool things that are happening and some changes too! As you can see, my layout has changed and I'm not sure whether the layout at the moment will be permanent so a couple of changes will happen throughout the next couple of weeks. I have also decided to sell a couple of my prints this summer so keep a look out in the next few weeks as they should be available soon! I'm not 100% sure what my uploading schedule will be like this summer but I want to post as frequently as I can. If you have any suggestions for any blog posts that you would like see then comment them below or my Instagram. That's about it so enjoy today's blog post!
I wanted to do today's post on something life changing that happened to me a couple of days ago. After 5 seemingly short years of high school, I finally finished. It's very strange as to how the past 5 years have gone so fast. Each year felt like it had dragged but by the time I had reached Year 11, my final year, time flew past within a blink of an eye. The teachers had all said that this year would go fast but I didn't believe them because I thought it would have been like every other year but it wasn't. It was weird how quickly it became exam season and even weirder how fast it went. It felt like my exams had lasted no longer than a couple of days but in reality they were two very stressful months. High school is always something I'll remember, from the students to the teachers and to the building itself. I experienced so much within 5 years. I just want to say the biggest thank you to my friends, teachers and classmates for making the past 5 years great and good luck in the future. I'll see most of you at prom! Here's a couple of pictures of me and my friends, they're a strange bunch of kiddiwinks. There's a bunch more over on my Instagram! The link is at the end of this post or you can click the tab at the top of this blog.
the famous HSM pose
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