Blush Couture By Almas: A Review.

If you are on Facebook and you hear the name Blush Couture you instantly think of the sweet, sincere person behind it all. As well as the stunning and versatile pieces of Asian style tunics and dresses, it is the sweet and sincere personality of founder Alman Maan that will catch your eye first.

I was very fortunate to be sent a gorgeous one off piece of a kurti dress in a stunning two toned colour to try out and review. Almas contacted and updated me every step of the way from dispatch and delivery times to right up to when I received the piece so it is clear that communication and customer service is definitely at the top of her list. Blush Couture is essentially an on-line business mainly operating from its Facebook page which can be found here. Also available are dresses, maxi gowns, Abayas and one off designer pieces. There is also an official website too where people can view images of the single pieces on offer so that they can get an idea of just how timeless and effortless the pieces are. Be warned however, these pieces come as a single piece and are just a one off, once sold, they are not restocked, so whatever catches your eye will need to be snapped up quick! 

*Before, I hop right into the review, lets look into the definition of a kurta/kurti? Essentially a kurta which is an Urdu, Punjabi, Begali and Gujarati word is a traditional item of clothing worn by men originating from the Indian Subcontinent. It is typically a loose fitting shirt that falls below the knees. When a woman wears a Kurta it is called a 'Kurti', which can sometimes be much shorter than kurtas worn by men and can fall mid thigh. Did you know however that the word 'kurta' actually originates from Persia and literally means a 'collarless shirt?'

The Kurti form Blush Couture came beautifully wrapped and packaged in a hot pink tissue paper complete with a label and ribbon, it looked stunning and would certainly make a great gift to someone for almost any occasion be it birthdays and weddings. It looks even more stunning in real life and the colour, embellishment on it and the fabric appears to be of a high quality. It feels comfortable to wear yet stylish at the same time. The beauty of it is that even when it will be pulled out of the wardrobe a few months later, it will still feel like a timeless classic as if you are wearing it for the very first time. 

As for the specifics, inner petticoat lining is included  which is really handy and they all come in one size. Chest measurements range from 32-40 inches and are up to 42-44 inches in length for both the kaftans and kurtis. The pieces do come in a lovely low cut style yet sleeves and waistline fits can be altered by a good tailor as per your preference and fit, bearing in mind that an alteration service is not available with Blush Couture. 

www.facebook.com/blushcouturecollection

Almas's overall mission when questioned is to "focus on sourcing the best and most versatile prints in women's Asian fashion wear for Kurti dresses and kaftan style Kurtis -tunic wear which always keeps in mind the UK's unpredictable seasonal climate along with the essence of fusing eastern and western styles together"

This choice of style and fashion has quickly become a designer favourite with more and more ladies opting to fit in kurtis and kaftaans in their everyday lives. For me, this particular piece represents designer style and fashion as well as comfort which I believe is the perfect combination when it comes to clothing. The biggest advantage of this is that it is perfect for all shapes and sizes, from the slim girls, to the plus sizes and is equally perfect for the younger girls all the way to the mature older women and even for pregnant nursing mums since it is so comfortable to wear. Whatever the preference, there is a piece out there for everyone.

I chose to pair my kurti up with a pair of black leggings but again the beauty of it is that the choice is endless. It can be worn with jeans if you are going for the casual look as well as pajamas, salwars, churidars or dhotis if you are opting for the more formal look. The option of footwear when wearing this is again endless from heels to flats, the choice is yours. Again, as the piece is so versatile it can be worn anywhere, taking you from the day time looks at events, barbecues and gatherings, to evening events, weddings, parties and even on holidays straight off the beach for that glam holiday look. 

Prices start from as little as £45 ranging up to £65 for the pure flowly gorgettes which is a bargain compared to if you were to purchase something like this from an established Asian High Street designer or boutique where the prices are likely to be double depending on the amount of embellishment, work and the print.The price range is very affordable yet still guarantees uniqueness and individuality.

I am definitely looking forward to wearing this piece for a hot summer wedding where I desire both style and comfort and the pretty colour is just perfect for it. I definitely think the pieces currently offered are amazing and I would highly recommend them without any doubt. Be sure to check out the Blush Couture collection to be equally mesmerised over on the following:

"Transition through seasons with Blush Couture

Styles of Distinction"

www.facebook.com/blushcouturecollection

Instagram: almasmaanblush

Twitter: BlushbyAlmas 

www.blush-couture.co.uk 

Did you know that you can now pre order with either a deposit or full payment for delivery for Februarys Valentines Day bonanza? Contact Alman on the above or on 07905154285 for the Spring 2016 sneak peeks. Prices start from £55 including postage and packaging.

I would like to take this opportunity to give my heartfelt thanks to Almas for sending me this beautiful piece to try and review and for having faith in me. She remains sincere and humble and is the sweetest person I have come across.  For any enquiries or pre orders please get in touch with her on her facebook page and she will be more than happy to help. I wish Almas all the very best in all her ventures as it is truly deserved. 

Have you checked out the Blush Couture collection?

Love and Lipstick

xxx

*Disclaimer- Product received for review purposes only, I am in no way or form associated with Blush Couture aside from reviewing this piece and I have not been paid to do this review. 

* Source: http://daily.indianroots.com/kurtakurti/

Picutres modelled by Samiya Khan. 

How to Successfully Blog Part Time.

Photo credit (See below)

I often get asked how on earth do I manage to blog, work full time, be a wife and mother plus fit it all of the other stresses and strains of daily life and so I decided to create a blog post on it. 
I would be lying if I said it was all a walk in the park, some days it is far from it. Lets face it, with two small toddlers in tow it is a constant juggle in itself, particularly working full time. 

I first created my blog in 2012 and had a bit of a break with it. I have since then vowed to keep up with the blogging and managed to successfully work with a few brands on a PR basis, again this is all down to devotion, hard work and organisation. Where there's a will, there's a way. 

From trials, errors and past experience, organisation, commitment and planning ahead are all key to managing it all successfully. 

I have created my five top tips down below on how to successfully blog part time and enjoy it. 

Organisation- Being organised is key. Blogging requires time, effort and commitment if you want to maintain a blog and keep your readers engaged. Organisation and planning ahead will really help keep it all stress free and smooth and make you that one step closer to publishing a good post. I tend to keep a little notepad and usually scribble things down as they come to mind so I do not forget when it comes to writing up my post. It is also a great way to remind myself of anything I may need to include or mention again taking the stress away of trying to remember everything. 

I also like to plan ahead and take pictures in advance. With the darker and shorter cold days here in the UK makes taking blog pictures difficult, hence I try to catch the natural daylight as much as I can. I then upload them right away onto my laptop so that I do not end up losing them and organise and clearly label them in folders so I know exactly where they are. 


Set goals- Whether short term or long term, goals will help you in knowing just how much time and effort your blog will require. Setting goals will help give you a clear idea of what your objectives and desired outcome from blogging is otherwise it will just all be aimless work and writing with no end goal to fulfil. Goals can be anything from posting a post once a week or achieving 100 bloglovin followers by the end of the month. Whatever the goal, keep it realistic.

Set an allocated time- Lets be truthful here, working full time, looking after the house and children will mean one thing, not having the time to dedicate to your blog on a daily basis, therefore it is best if you set an allocated day and time and stick to it. I personally prefer the weekends, Saturdays to work on drafts and ideas and take pictures and Sundays to type up the post, finalise it and spell proof it before publishing. Due to weekends being busy as of late, I do not have an exact time each weekend to work on my blog so I always do it either first thing early in the morning before the kids wake or very late at night when the kids are in bed. This way it means that I have the rest of the week to focus on my day to day routine with school runs, work and home life. Setting an allocated time and sticking to it will mean that you are more likely to meet your blogging goals. 

Be passionate- It takes anyone to simply create a blog and be a blogger but a successful blogger requires dedication and passion. it may seem like hard work especially when you have had a hard busy week and need the weekend to recuperate but it isnt a chore, think of like more like a hobby. This is where the goal setting really comes in handy. 
It is vital to be passionate and motivated about what you do, it is your own piece of work and you are reaching out to a large audience in the sense of obtaining readers so it is important that they see that you are passionate about your blog. I have come across many Beauty Bloggers across the blogging community whom I feel lack passion and creativity. Are they really blogging because they are passionate about what they do or are they simply looking to fill up their vanity tables with freebies from PR? Besides being passionate keep it fun so that your readers stay engaged.

Be original - Keep it real in other words.If you are an avid social media user, participate in blogging chats, join the blogging community and forums you will come across hundreds of bloggers like yourself. Really challenge yourself in taking inspiration and ideas from others without directly copying them. The key to blogging is creative awareness and the ability to write well. There is really no point in attempting to be a blogger if you cannot do the latter and pass off others ideas and work as your own without crediting the owner, its a big no no and can simply land you into a great deal of trouble legal wise. Don't be afraid to ask for help and tips from some of the more bigger experienced bloggers, there is absolutely no harm in it, even to this day, I find myself doing the exact same thing all the time. 


Love and Lipstick

xx



**Photo credit: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=computer+and+blogging&biw=1366&bih=622&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiy4fWT6MTKAhUCzxoKHZIpDOUQ_AUIBigB#tbm=isch&q=chic+bloggers+and+computers&imgrc=LhVPVl5JRJV6nM%3A

Review: Annes Hair Thickening and Nourishing Growth Oil.

When it comes to a product that claims to do amazing things to my hair, I am usually the first to get in line especially if the product continuously pops up with great reviews on my Facebook news feed at least ten times a day. I am talking about none other than the amazing Anne's Hair Thickening and Nourishing Growth Oil from Facebook, yes the very amazing orange coloured hair oil that I am sure you have all come across by now. 

At first, I was a little bit dubious about the product seeing as I had tried everything throughout the years and nothing seemed to deliver the desired results, but it wasn't until I started seeing the results on peoples hair in life as well as in pictures that I was intrigued. I was very fortunate to receive a bottle from Anne which she quickly dispatched to me within two days to try out. 

I was very excited and curious to see what this did for my hair that I used it that very night. The oil claims to nourish, grow and thicken hair when applied to be left overnight. It sounded like exactly what my poor hair was desperately in need of, harsh weather conditions, central heating and a bad diet left my hair feeling coarse, limp and lifeless. 

I applied the oil, approximately 5 to 6 pumps just before bed all over my hair concentrating on the scalp and the ends and massaged in a circular motion for up to two minutes to really penetrate the oil and let my hair soak it up. In addition to this, I upped my water intake as recommended by Anne to really get the full benefits of the product. Once applied, I tied my hair into a plait and washed as normal the next morning with my usual shampoo and conditioner. I could instantly see the results! My hair was tangle free, smooth and there appeared to be less breakage. I was amazed! 

The miracle in a bottle contains pure Olive, Almond and Castor oil, Vitamin A and E as well as Omega 3, 6 and 9 which is essentially everything your hair needs to be fed to nourish and shine. There are no other nasty ingredients or hidden harmful chemicals that may potentially cause damage in the long run, it is perfectly safe to use even on the most sensitive of scalps. One of the main things that appealed to me was that the oil is odourless, if there is one thing that is slightly off putting for me when it comes to hair oils are strong smells that linger on and stain fabrics. I was also happy to see that the product is free from alcohol which will go down well with those that observe their prayers and perform ablution. 

Annes Oil comes in a sturdy plastic pump bottle with a secure lock bit that is child proof and can prevent any accidental spillages which I thought was a good feature to have.The product ingredients, price and directions are clearly listed on the front of the bottle with an expiry date. I really like the consistency of the oil, it is not too thick or runny, it has just the right consistency which makes it very easy to use and apply to the hair. 

I have now used this product a total of four times (two weeks, twice in a week) and I have noticed a great difference to the overall condition of my hair, it feels smoother, thicker, more nourished and has less breakages. Another amazing discovery is that when blow-drying my hair with a large paddle brush, it dries straight and frizz free so I do not need to reach out for my hair straighteners. On my fourth use, I decided to really pamper myself and add five drops of the oil to a well beaten egg. I covered my hair with a shower cap and left it on for three hours whilst I did a few household chores. When I washed my hair, the shine and smoothness of it was absolutely amazing, my hair has never looked or felt better so much so that even the husband threw a little compliment my way!

I am certain with continued use of the oil, as well as adequate water and a good balanced diet, the length of my hair will increase over time too. (In all the excitement, I completely forgot to take a before and after picture to show you the fabulous results!)

The product is versatile and has multi uses. Men are also able to use the oil, it can be applied to strengthen nails, eyebrows and even eyelashes (being careful not to get any product into the eye) since it claims to nourish and thicken the hair. 

I would definitely without a doubt recommend this product to anyone that wishes to nourish and thicken their hair, it is suitable for all hair types and the results are amazing and noticeable after the first use, delivery is super quick, and Anne is easily contactable on her Facebook page over at Anne Bridal. The oil retails for £15.00 which is pretty good since the oil works wonders and a little does go a long way. The oil has been a huge success and quite rightly so, I would strongly suggest you give Anne Bridal a follow on Facebook if you are not already doing so as there are often promotional offers, great product reviews from equally happy customers, as well as the launch of a new lighter hair oil. 

It may be useful to know that Anne is also a qualified fitness instructor and Nutritional advisor so you are definitely in good hands. 

I would like to use this opportunity to thank Anne Bridal for giving me the opportunity to try out this amazing hair oil. I am definitely going to be placing an order once I have finished my bottle. I wish you the very best of luck and success in your amazing ventures. 


Have you given the Anneamazing Hair Oil a go yet?

Love and Lipstick

xxx





**Disclaimer- Product received merely for review purposes only, I am not an affiliate of the brand nor have I been paid to conduct this review. 

My Holiday Travel Essentials

Hi My lovelies,

I hope you are all doing well.

I did say I am going to make more of an effort with blogging so here I am with another post for you all!  As of late, I have been seeing (and envying!) may I say over many peoples check ins on holiday and snapchat stories so its only natural that I have been day dreaming about the very day I myself get to step off a plane and step straight on to a hot beach. 

Truth be told, It has been five long years since I have been abroad, with work, other family commitments and two small children has made booking a family holiday the last thing on the to do list. Rest assured, it still remains on the to do list!
As an avid flyer (thanks to daddy dearest for always working hard to get us a yearly holiday) has meant one thing, knowing the dos and dont's of travelling abroad so I thought I'd share my very own travel essentials with you all. 

 Less is more- Thats the packing I mean, I always used to make the grave mistake of overpacking and taking ten pairs of wedges, sandals and flip flops only to wear the same ones the entire time. I would randomly be throwing things in thinking I would need everything and anything, when in fact all it did was create a very heavy suitcase to lug around and coming home to things being unworn and unused. The last thing you want is aching arms from the heavy luggage you have to manage and lets face it, having a half empty suitcase can only mean one thing- using the space for any shopping! With the clothes and accessories, remember you can mix and match, you are likely to be in a swim suit most of the time and you can easily wash,dry and wear things again in the hot weather. With those all important makeup items and toiletries, I always try to condense things down in little travel sized bottles and try to use miniature and  multi purpose products so that I am carrying less around. I am not too bothered about shampoos and shower gels and things like that as some hotels provide these and supermarkets and pharmacies nearby will always have these to hand anyway. 


Hydrate-  When I was younger, I was always plane sick, it then later turned to really bad nausea and then thankfully wore off as I had gotten older. I found that drinking lots of water helped with this not to mention to prevent dehydration, help with jet lag, help with circulation as well as keeping the skin from drying out. Avoid caffeine consumption (lets admits the plane coffee is dreadful anyway!) Eating lighter meals help with warding off any plane sickness too and I have never been a big fan of plane food hence always stopping for some food before my flight. Going back to hydrating, I tend to wear as little makeup as possible, pack on my moisturiser and really let my skin breathe. 

Research- I always like to try and do as much as research as I can beforehand. Its the one thing I thrive on, does the hotel have a shuttle bus service hence saving you money on taxis? Does the hotel have Wifi so you can do those all important Facebook check ins? What about any excursions? You may be better off with you local travel agents here in the UK or can you get a better deal out there, it is really worth researching to try and get the best deals possible. What activities are on? Is there an on call doctor? I always refer to sites such as Trip Advisor and of course ask family and friends that may have been before. 
I also like making a little list in my notebook of things I would like to do/ places I would like to visit whilst I am there. I like to get the being spontaneous and planning ahead balance just right!


A few snaps of my last holiday in Dubai. 

Prep well-  Do not relax with things like vaccinations, meds and travel insurance. I always tend to pack a clear plastic zip bag with good old paracetamol, Ibuprofen, the all important Immodium, calamine lotion, vaseline, sunscreen, and hayfever and allergy relief tablets. I also pack a small first aid kit that you can buy from a pound shop and heres where my first aid training comes in handy. I am a right geek when it comes to medicine as it is paramount to be safe than sorry. My handbag always has a bottle of hand sanitiser and anti bac wipes, you just never know where those nasty germs could be lurking. On another note, have you let your banks know you will be using your cards abroad and to get a travel marker registered? It would be pretty embarrassing (and frustrating!) if your cards were blocked. Last but not least, I always pack a jumper and a pair of  cheeky socks in my hand luggage for the trips back home to the UK, it is always likely to be chilly when you step off that plane to come home!

A personal touch-  I used to always struggle sleeping in a strange bed no matter how comfortable it was. Some of the hotel rooms despite being immaculate would never feel cosy and I always found adding a few small personal touches always did the trick. My favourite is my lavender room spray and pillow mist to help me relax and unwind. My personal favourite is lighting a candle in the evenings before bed to really get that cosy atmosphere and of course to finish it off with pillows propped up behind me and reading a good light hearted book. I may be on holiday, but it doesn't stop me from reading!

So there you have it, some of my very travel essentials. What are yours? I would love to know, comment down below. 

Until next time, love and lipstick

xxx



*Cover Image source: Google Images. 

Blogmas: The Christmas Tag!

Hi my lovelies,

Hope you are all and winding down for the Xmas hols!

After coming across a Christmas Tag on Twitter by a fellow blogger, I decided to do the tag too, so here we go, I am going to jump right into it. 

1. What is your favourite Christmas film?

I love all Christmas films, but my absolute favourite is definitely Home Alone, even though I have watched it like 1000 times and know all the scenes off by heart its a must!

2. Have you ever had a White Christmas?

Probably when I was a child, cannot seem to remember if I did otherwise.

3. Where do you usually spend your holiday?

With my family, we would all get together, eat, slump on the sofa in front of the TV and give presents if we decide to, however as of late the presents giving has stopped as it has gotten so expensive as the family has gotten bigger! 

4. What is your favourite Christmas song?
I love all the Christmas songs, but when I worked in Retail back in the days, all they kept playing on the radio was 'All I want For Christmas Is You' By Mariah Carey over and over and I guess since then it has just stuck. 

5. Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve?

When we were kids we were allowed to open one small present each as we wouldn't stop pestering the parents!

6. Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer?

Rudolph, Dasher, Dancer, Prasher, I don't know anymore *Hides Face*

7. What holiday traditions are you looking forward to most this year?

We do not celebrate Christmas but we certainly take part, just mainly eating, being merry and spending the time doing so with the family under one roof. 

8. Is your Christmas tree real or fake?

We have never put up a Christmas tree so I wouldn't know. I'm guessing the fake ones look better though right?

9. What is your all-time favourite holiday food/sweet treat?

Christmas Crackers!

10. Be honest: do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better?

Honestly, Christmas or no Christmas I have always loved giving gifts and seeing the smile on their faces when Ive carefully thought out or made note of what they wanted and then surprised them with it. Nothing beats the smiles on the kids faces though, its priceless. 

11. What is the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received?

I honestly cannot remember, it was that long ago.

12. What would be your dream place to visit for the holiday season?

Definitely New York, I would snuggle up warm and really just experience the good times, there is more likelihood of getting a white Christmas and I don't think anyone does it better than the Yanks. Its a definite on the bucket list! 

13. Are you a pro-present wrapper, or do you fail miserably?

I would wrap the first two presents nice and pretty with bows and neatness but would probably give up after the third! I honestly just do not have the patience!

14. Favourite festive smell?

Definitely something with cinnamon or spiced apple. In fact the Christmas Eve Candle from Yankee Candles would be perfect!


15. Do you make New Years resolutions? Do you stick to them?

Truth be told, I always use to make resolutions but fail miserably to stick to them! The whole 'new year, new me' thing is a bit old now, I think positive changes can be made everyday in life. 


So there we go lovelies, that bring it to the end of my Christmas Tag, I hope you enjoyed this short blog post. Would love to see your answers and I tag all you lovely people! Do let me know if you decide to do it.

Love and Lipstick

xxx

My #Winter2015 Essentials.

Hi my lovelies

I hope you all are doing well in this oh so miserable weather.

 

I am a tad bit late for this blog post to go up but as they say, better late than never.

Since it is well and truly the start of Winter here in the UK with the temp dropping  I wanted to do a quick short round up of my winter essentials. Albeit the terrible winds, cold, dark days and lack of sunshine, Winter does not mean you have to hide away indoors or outdoors for that matter camouflaging yourself with layers over layers of clothing. I am definitely a summer girl, yet it is in fact the winter wardrobe I look forward to. The knitwear is always stylish and on point and lets face it you can still look incredibly chic in the winter too.

With cosy nights in, Winter Wonderland, rocking the dark nails and lips as well as the seasonal hot beverages (Nom!) and I could go on. Read on below where you will find my five favourite winter essentials that help make my winter days a tad more bearable.


 Drinks

For those that know me well will know that I am a HUGE coffee lover and participate in Starbucks seasonal drinks all year around. For this time of the year, I definitely like to indulge in their Egg Nog Latte. It is my absolute fav! But lets face it, Starbucks on a weekly basis can burn out your entire bank balance so when at home, I like to indulge in Nescafe's Limited Edition drinks. The one I am trying at the moment is the Orange Spiced Mocha which is lovely after dinner in front of the TV.

Candles


There is nothing quite like a scented candle flickering away in your home during the darker colder days, not only are they soothing and relaxing, but the fragrance of some of them can be rather uplifting. My first choice would definitely be the Jo Malone ones, (Pomegranate Noir) but at almost £40 a pop I don't think I could quite justify spending that amount on a candle. So Yankee Candle it is, there are quite a few that I like from their range and it is hard to choose just the one but at the moment I am loving Egyptian Musk. The scent is gorgeous! Have you checked out their new additions Bundle Up, Cosy by the Fire, Berry Trifle and Winter Glow that launched this October?

www.yankee.co.uk/Save-50%


Coats/Boots

Winter is not winter without a stylish coat on hand and for me, a good one can last at least a year or three! I don't believe they ever go out of style and a last season coat can always be styled with the latest scarf, snood and hat.
For me, this black women's coat with a fur lined hat from Moncler is perfect. It is stylish yet warm at the same time and can be used for  number of looks whether you are dashing to the gym in your gym wear or to the office in business dress. The choice is endless.

A pair of stylish boots are also a must in winter. Not only do they look effortlessly chic but are great in keeping your feet and legs warm. (Uggs who?!) They can be paired with both dresses and jeans and can survive harsh weather conditions such as heavy rain and snow and hardly go out of style. Due to the fact that I am extremely short, I tend to find that ankle boots suit my frame and shape better and this winter I opted for these leather look, quilted panel, rounded toe boots from New Look in dark chocolate brown.

New look - £24.99

Oils

Not the sort to put in your cooking, I am referring to the skincare ones. Harsh weather, central heating and cold can  only mean one thing, dried out hair, dry skin and cracked lips. The Body Shop's Wild Argan Oil Radiant Oil 125 ml immediately comes to the rescue. The oil itself consists of organic Argan Oil and is a luxurious and rich oil that doesn't feel extremely greasy providing that you use a tiny amount and a little goes a long way. It can be used on both the skin and hair and is perfect during these months for providing that extra bit of nourishment and moisture. At £14.00 for 125ml it is a little on the pricey side, yet a bottle does last you a while and it does consist of organic Argan Oil and you are not being fobbed off with the cheapy stuff. 

The Body Shop's Wild Argan Oil Radiant Oil 125 ml (£14.00)

 Makeup/ Hair

Of course make up and hair just had to get a mention as lets face it, it is an essential right?
Each year the makeup and hair trend changes and you would have seen it on a catwalk first. For winter 2015,I am definitely seeing a trend that has certainly moved from bare faced beauty and loose hair waves to the more sophisticated expensive look. Sleek up dos and lipglosses have made a return as quoted by Vogue Beauty.

In terms of the sleeked back hair and polished look, I am loving The Body Shops Wild Argan Oil Miracle Solid Oil. It is 70% solid oil and again is multi purpose which is what I love about this range. It comes in a little round tin and is perfect for on the go and popping into your handbag. I use it to treat flyaway and baby hairs to keep my hair sleek as well as on dry patches of my skin for that instant moisture glow.

#TheBodyShopUK Wild Argan Oil Miracle Solid Oil 50g £8.00


So there you have it lovelies, what are some of your winter essentials? I would love to know, comment down below.

Love and Lipstick

xxx


*Disclaimer- All images are sourced from Google Images and are not my own unless stated otherwise.

Beauty Blogger Collab with Glitterglosglo!

Hi my lovelies,

Hope you are all doing well. With the nights being much colder here in the UK that can only mean one thing, lots of cosy nights in! Now I know I have been so MIA lately and I am really sad that I cannot post a blog post as often as I would like due to so many other commitments, (and not enough hours in the day!) but rest assured, for the new year, my aim is to post at least once a week even if it means in short bursts. So watch this space! 

I am very excited for todays blog post however, It is my first ever collab with another Beauty and Lifestyle blogger! I came across Sabina recently through Facebook and her blog and since then we have just clicked! We both thought it would be fun to team up and do a Q&A asking each other a total of five questions each. In the meantime, do check out Sabina's blog over here. Its fab! 

Sabina

1) What do you do as your full time job?

Asides from being a wife and mummy which is lets face it a full time job in itself, I work for the RBS Group at their contact centre full time. 

2) Lipstick gal or Lipgloss babe?

I think I last wore lipgloss when I was 14! It was the Mac clear Lip glass. Honestly? I am not much of a lipgloss person, I hate the stickiness and how my hair sticks to it, so matte lipsticks all the way! Lipstick gal it is! 

3) How do you mange your time for blogging and 'normal' life?

That is a really good question, haha, lets just say some days I do not manage very well at all *Hides face*. 
Blogging takes up a lot of effort and time taking pictures and getting the creative juices flowing and with darker days upon us, makes it difficult to take photographs in natural lighting so it all needs to be well organised and planned out. In between, cooking, cleaning, kids, the husband and full time work as well as freelancing for the odd hair and makeup leaves me with little time for anything. Blogging is usually planned well in advance, working on several draft posts and completing on days off work when kids are at school or very late at night when the kids are in bed. Most of the time, it is a company or brand awaiting a review for one of their products they have sent to me so sometimes the pressure is really on, yet where theres a will, theres a way. 

4) What is your desert Island product?

If I had to pick just the one and depending on where the desert is, I would take a large tub of pure coconut oil, it is so versatile and has many uses. I could put it in my hair to keep it from drying out in the humid climate, apply it all over my body, lips, eyelashes, hands, feet and attempt to use it as an insect repellent and of course the scent of it is gorgeous too! 


5)Your fav quote of the day for inspo?

If I was to choose just the one it would prove too difficult. As I get older, I am steering more towards the positive vibes only outlook. For today, the two below would be my absolute fav and require no explaining. 

 

Hinnah 

6) Tell us a bit about your blog and the story behind it. 

I started my blog many years ago as I always loved writing and always thought I had a natural flair for it. Beauty and makeup has always been my passion so I believed the two combined together would be a perfect idea. It has since then grown a little with a few followers and thousands of page views a month. I have and continue to work with a few brands on a PR basis to review beauty and cosmetics products trialling them and writing an honest review. It is my little escape when I want to drift away from the stresses and strains of every day life and it always gives me great pleasure when girls message me asking for product advice or saying that my blog inspires them. There is still lots of work to be done to it and I am currently undergoing a blog revamp and looking at investing in new equipment for pictures. There is ALWAYS room for improvement! 

7) How did it all begin?

In a house full of four girls we always shared beauty magazines, tips, subscribed to Youtube channels and watched any beauty related programme, When I came across a few other blogs and realised how easy it was to set it all up, one afternoon I went ahead and designed my very own little blog and decided to call it Hinnahs Beauty Bites and since then, the name has stayed! It took a lot of time and effort as time went on to maintain it and work with brands to keep the content of it updated and keep readers engaged. Its hard work but well worth it.

8) Where do you see yourself in five years time?

When I was younger I often made short term and long term goals however, with age comes wisdom and of course you realise that what is written in your destiny will be no matter how much you plan otherwise. I try not to think that far ahead, I am pretty content with my life alhamdulilah (Praise God). Just as long as my loved ones stay happy and healthy that is all that matters really. 

9) What tips do you have for those that want to start a blog?

I am in all honesty no expert when it comes to blogging, I do not consider myself to be a top well known blogger who gets it right each and every time. Staying humble is key! However, what I would say is that blogging takes up a great deal of time and effort, Be passionate about it, the main aspect of it is writing so do make sure this is something you want to/ can do. It is far from getting freebies off companies simply for the sake of filling up your vanity table and believe me  I have come across such people which is a real shame. The beauty of it is putting pen to paper and coming up with something that readers will enjoy reading. It is not about how many followers or likes you can get, it is about how well you write and how good you are at keeping readers engaged. Try to use as many social media platforms as possible to target a large audience. Do not simply copy others, let them inspire you of course, but create your own ideas. Try to post blog posts as often as possible if time permits and networking with the right people is key and will create plenty of opportunities for you. Above all, stay humble, being snobby gets you nowhere!  

10) What do you do in your spare time?

I really thrive on having spare time and really like to make the most of it. Relaxing and taking time out is vital to recharge batteries. Typically, I like spending quality time with the husband and kids be it the the library or indoor soft play or places out to eat. For any ME time and I do like my own company, I like visiting the salon for a facial or massage, stopping in to the local city centre having lunch and a catch up with friends or simply stepping into Starbucks and wandering through the make-up isles in Department Stores if I really want to treat myself!

And there we go lovelies, that comes to the end of our collab! Hope you enjoyed reading just as much as we enjoyed putting it all together for you. Until next time.

Love and Lipstick


xxx