Tarte BB tinted treatment primer- Review

Tarte Cosmetics was always a brand I was interested in but they never stocked the brand in Dubai or offer international delivery from their website. Sephora in Dubai just started selling Tarte a couple of months ago although ironically their website now offers international shipping too. 

Anyhow, the first Tarte product I decided to purchase is the BB tinted treatment primer. A couple of things attracted me to this. Firstly, it is a BB cream which I prefer to use instead of foundation. It is also a primer and the major plus point is that it contains SPF30, and lists zinc oxide as one of its active ingredients. What’s not to love? 

The texture of this BB cream is powdery when applied. It has light to medium coverage which is buildable. I usually apply it with a buffing brush or even with my fingers at times. I just need a light layer, and it immediately covers any redness and gives me an even skin tone. It is quite matte and does not really need a powder on top. Skin looks smoother, pores disappear, and since it is also a primer, it leaves my skin oil- free for about 8 hours at least. 

This would work best on normal /combination or even oily skin. Also, the zinc-oxide is known for healing the skin and getting rid of blemishes. What more can one ask for? 

My rating – 10/10

What is your favorite BB cream? 

Review- Gosh Contour N’ Strobe Kit

Hi friends, it’s been months since I reviewed a product so here goes… 

In terms of makeup, the moment I reach out for a particular product every single day, then I know this is it!! I love it and it is worth blogging about and telling people about it. 

The product in question this time is the Gosh Contour N’ Strobe Kit in the shade Medium . Anyone who knows me well, knows that my favorite contour palette is the one from Charlotte Tilbury and I haven’t found a good enough replacement until now. 

Gosh is a drugstore brand and none of its products have disappointed me yet. The darker contour shade in this palette is seriously the BOMB!  It is heavily pigmented, blends easily and gives a contour that is on FLEEK. I’m obsessed. The blush shade is also quite pretty and gives a natural glow. 

Only gripe with this palette is the highlighter shade. It is quite a pretty color but quite difficult to get any product on my brush for some reason. 

All in all, if you are new to contouring and want something that is reasonably priced, then definitely go for this. 

Gosh can be found in Centrepoint stores in the UAE. 

Do you recommend any other drugstore contour palette? 

Empties Part 1- Cleansers

Hello friends. If you wish to know what products I use in my daily routine that gives me near perfect skin, then my next few posts are a must read😊. 

I have loads of products I have used up and I have decided to divide them into categories and will be showing you my empties in parts. 

The first part contains all my cleansers that I have used up, be it morning cleansers, night cleansers / balms, makeup removers, etc. 

The Emma Hardie Moringa Cleansing Balm and the Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm are both essentially the same and I love both. Pixi is way cheaper of course so if you are on a budget, then this is definitely close to the amazingness that is Emma Hardie. (Ready my review here pixi nourishing cleansing balm review) They are used at night as a second cleanse and I wipe off with a face towel. Both can be found online at www.cultbeauty.co.uk

The MV Organics Gentle Face Cleanser is my first MV Organics product. I decided to try this brand because my sister raves about it. I used this cleanser in the morning and it is so gentle and does not dry the skin. 

I have reviewed the Vichy Purete Thermale before (Vichy Purete Thermale Review)  and it’s my favorite eye make-up remover and already almost finished with my second bottle. 

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel and the Tata Harper Purifying Cleanser are both amazing morning cleansers. Out of the 2 however, I would pick Oskia as my personal preference is a gel cleanser. Both have been repurchased several times. Both can be found on www.cultbeauty.co.uk.  

And last but not least, I have lost count of how many bottles of the Body Shop Chamomile Oil cleanser I have used and will continue using. I use it to remove my makeup every single night as a first cleanse. 

Read about my holy grail cleansers which I blogged about before on empties-my-holy-grail-cleansers

Stay tuned for more Empties post and please comment if you want me to post about anything in particular or any skincare review. 

My visit to Aveda Dubai Flagship Salon

I almost always do reviews of products in my blog but this time I thought I would do a post on my visit to a hair salon in Dubai. 

My sister and I decided to visit the Aveda Dubai  Flagship Salon in Dubai and all I can say is WOW! ! It is located on the roof of the Galleria Mall in Jumeirah and what a stunning place the salon is. 

Entrance to the salon

Firstly , you don’t need to go through the mall to get to the salon. There is a lift only for Aveda customers situated at the entrance of the mall. The salon is very spacious with separate areas for hair, nails, Aveda products and other services. There was also plenty of natural light due to the number of windows and a cosy area with tables and chairs at the terrace to relax if required . 

Service was excellent the moment we stepped in. We were initially shown around the whole salon and then seated at the hair section. Before starting on our hair we were given a shoulder, neck and head massage with one of the Aveda natural oils which we were made to choose. 

We were happy to know that Aveda products are more than 95% natural and the Aveda hair color that was used on us smelled fabulous. We usually hate the chemical smell of hair color. 

I particularly loved the wall of natural leaves facing the nail section as well as the wall showing the history and achievements of Aveda ever since the brand was introduced. They even had a flat lay especially set up for those who want to post a picture on Instagram . 

History and achievements of Aveda

Flat Lay for Instagram

Some of the ingredients used in the Aveda products

We made sure we left with an Aveda shampoo and conditioner and we will definitely be trying more products especially since they contain naturally derived ingredients and are paraben and sulphate-free. 

Amazing Aveda products for sale

We highly recommend the Aveda Dubai Flagship Salon and we will definitely be back. 

Sephora Nuit Kajal- review

The Sephora Nuit Kajals were released in Dubai about a month ago with huge hype so I was really excited to buy these and try them. I bought 2 colors- Fascinating Black and Charming Brown. 

Firstly, I love eye pencils that don’t need sharpening because I am lazy like that😁😶. YSL did release a similar design for a kajal previously which I didn’t like much and which I also hated because the cap would always slip off. Fortunately , these Sephora Kajals dont have that problem . 

I put these eye pencils to the test by applying it early morning before work- on the eyelid as well as waterline. I then use a smudger brush and smudge it slightly to create a subtle smokey effect and to make it look less harsh. 

Unfortunately , these do not last well at all on the eyes, especially on the waterline. By afternoon , it looks patchy (bear in mind I don’t have oily eyelids) . Also, if you love very dark black eye pencils, then this isn’t for you. The brown color lasts even less longer for me. 

I would give these a 6 over 10 and I have way better alternatives for eye pencils/kajals. Read my post on the blackest eye pencils https://naysdesires.wordpress.com/2015/11/14/the-blackest-eye-pencils/?preview=true

I am currently loving the Victoria Beckham Estee Lauder eye kajal in Black Saffron. 

What are your favorite eye pencils/kajals? What are your thoughts on the Sephora Nuit Kajals?