A Little Update...

It's safe to say that this has been a long and overdue post.

So, what has happened over the last half a year or so...well, I finally finished university so there are no more crazy deadlines and all-nighters for me, which surprisingly I actually enjoyed. The biggest thing that happened was that I graduated woohoo!!

I am so proud and happy that I finally did it, 3 years later and I can put a degree to my name. My university experience was literally over with a blink of the eye, I can't believe how fast the time has gone. I have met some of the most incredible people and had some of the most insane experiences of my life which I will never forget.

For now I will leave you with this short but sweet update :)

Thank you for reading

My Drugstore Everyday Makeup Essentials

Well hello there, 

Today I bring to you a new blog post revolving around my current drugstore everyday beauty essentials.

1. Starting with the base of any makeup look, FOUNDATION 

I have been using Maybelline Fit Me foundation in the colour 220 (natural beige) for the past half a year now. This foundation has medium coverage and is also easily build-able. The colour suits my skin tone perfectly, and I haven't been able to find another foundation like this yet. Personally, I don't like a heavy coverage foundation so with this foundation I only use 1 pump and I mix it with 1 pump of my current moisturiser. I use the Zoeva Buffer Face Brush in 104 to blend my foundation into my skin, I absolutely LOVE this brush for foundation as it provides an almost airbrushed finish. If you haven't got this brush in your collection you are definitely missing out!!

2. Hiding those under eye circles and brightening up the face, CONCEALER 

This is a new addition to my collection, and it is hands down the BEST concealer I have used to this day. It was hard stepping away from my beloved Collection 2000 concealer I used to use that for years, but sadly it has now been replaced by Maybelline Eraser Concealer, I use this is in the shade Nude. The spongy applicator is the best thing to have been invented it just blends out the concealer seamlessly. Now that the base is completed, I set the whole thing with a translucent powder from Rimmel. 

3. 3 things 'e', EYEBROWS/EYELINER/EYELASHES 

 

This has got to be my perfect eye duo. Again, I can't seem to move away from my beloved gel eyeliner from Maybelline. This eyeliner has a very creamy formula and is so easy to apply, the best thing about the eyeliner is that it comes with a brush which is also easy to use. I also use this eyeliner to lightly fill in my eyebrows. Which may be strange to some of you, but trust me in takes 30 seconds for me to do which is useful. I still need to go out and buy an eyebrow pencil but at the moment with uni work I have no time. Don't worry Anastasia Beverly Hills I am coming for you soon!!

If you have not yet tried Maybelline Falsies Mascara you need to go out and purchase this ASAP! It is THE best mascara I have used to this day. The curved wand, fits the eyelashes perfectly, providing enough volume and length to your already prepped and curled eyelashes. It just holds the lashes perfectly, giving you that 'false lash effect' the name of this mascara holds it part. 

4. Creating that perfect sculpt, CONTOUR & HIGHLIGHT

 

 This product is a true bargain, at only £6.49 the Sleek Face Contour Kit in medium is my go to product. This bronzer is no doubt the perfect shade for me, luckily I am blessed with cheekbones so with this I can go in lightly with the bronzer to enhance my features or I could also build the bronzer up to give a much more sculpted look. The highlight is a perfect light gold shade, which adds the perfect amount of glow to the overall look I am just OBSESSED with this highlight. I use the contour brush from Real Techniques Core Collection Kit, which is the perfect size to get into the hollows of the cheekbones.

 

5. Adding in that pop of colour, BLUSHER

I bought this Zoeva 'Sun Power' Bronzer and Blush Palette back in summer, so unfortunately it is no longer available on the website. These blushes are highly pigmented which means they will last a lifetime. Most of the time I like to mix blush colours together to get a unique shade. This is the best palette if you are a beginner with makeup as it has most of the classic blusher shades in one palette and is easy to transport around. 

6. Lastly, the 'My lips but better', LIP-LINER & LIPSTICK

 

My current favourite lip combo to date is using Rimmel Exaggerate in Eastend Snob and Mac Plink! lipstick which is a lustre finish formula. This combo for me is a 'my lips but better' everyday neutral look and I just can't stop using both the products!!

And that concludes my drugstore everyday beauty essentials!!

I hope you enjoyed my new blog post, if there are any things you think I should try please let me know and I would love to hear about your current everyday products too :)

Thank you for reading

 

'Zara Fashion Stuff' Feature

As the colder weather has finally approached the UK, the time has come to bring out our beloved winter essentials.

But in this case, I invested in a statement piece to add to my growing collection

Introducing 'Zara Fashion Stuff' navy waistcoat... 

This is an exact replica from Zara's winter collection of 2013, and it is safe to say that I am OBSESSED with this waistcoat. I adore the black faux fur which is attached to the waistcoat. The fur just gives the overall waistcoat a sense of effortless glamour. 

I paired the waistcoat with a pair of light washed ripped denim jeans, a thick knit buttoned jumper, ankle boots which are essential for winter and a statement colourful backpack which is another current favourite. 

On my nails I wore Essie 'Bahama Mama' the colour went perfectly with my backpack. This nail polish is my absolute favourite from the Essie fall collection, but I will talk more about that in a upcoming blog post :) 

I kept my makeup very light, with a subtle contour and highlight, exaggerated eyelashes and a short simple winged eyeliner!! 

Okay, I shall now leave you with more outfit images :)  because lets face it that is always the BEST thing to look at!!

 

 

Outfit Details:

Waistcoat - Zara Fashion Stuff (here)

Jumper - Zara (old - but similar here)

Jeans - Zara (old - but similar here and here)

Boots - New Look (old - but similar here)

Bag - New look (here)

Beauty Details:

Essie Nail Polish - Boots (here)

 

I hope you enjoyed my new blog post!

Thank you for reading 

Welcome to 'The life of Aqsa' ...

Well hello there!

I have been contemplating for a while now to re-vamp my old blog and start from scratch, and I finally had the time to do it!! I have been sitting here for the past few hours trying to think of how to begin my introductory post, and I still have no idea how to conduct the 'perfect' intro so I will just start typing and see what waffle I produce. So here goes...

First, let me introduce myself.

My name is Aqsa, I am a 20 year old student currently in my final year of University studying Digital Media. I first initially started blogging last summer for about a few months and then I just stopped, I guess I could say that I went through a bloggers block (get it haha, okay maybe it wasn't that funny)

Over the past few years I have grown to love everything fashion and beauty related, its something that I truly enjoy and I LOVE experimenting with it. As the quote goes 'Fashion is Art' and I truly believe in this saying. To me I don't think there is a guide to how one should dress or apply makeup it is all about creativity.

Okay, okay enough with the rambling. Lets get to the main point...

As you have probably already noticed I am hopelessly obsessed with all things beauty and fashion, so my blog will revolve around this. I may also throw in the occasional post relating to lifestyle just to make things slightly more interesting hahah 

I gain most of my inspiration from fellow fashion bloggers such as, Ascia AKF, Nicole Wayne from Gary Pepper Girl, Negin Mirsalehi and Jessica Stein from Tuula Vintage etc and beauty bloggers such as, Essie Button, Amelia Liana, Sona Gasparian from Makeup by Sona, Teni Panosian and Dulce Candy etc. the list could literally go on!

So stay tuned and welcome to 'The life of Aqsa' :)

Thank you for reading