My source of joy for the past couple of years has been going on road trips. With everything that has happened in my life and the country, I've found the best escape from reality to be getting in the car and driving far far away with my friends, discovering different parts of the country together, taking a ton of pictures, and trying all the good food Lebanon has to offer. This past weekend, we headed to Batroun, this was our itinerary.
Monday, April 4, 2022
Labels:
Batroun,
Chekka,
Colonel Reef,
itinerary,
Lebanon,
Lemonade,
Mseilha Fort,
roadtrip,
Roadtrip Bi Lebnen
Thursday, April 12, 2018
When the inspiration to write a blog post hits, you just gotta go with it! Since I write posts for a living, I have found myself never in the mood for writing for my own blog. Today, for some reason, I just felt like sharing, so here it goes! I'm currently in the middle of planning for my summer travels. Most of the logistical things are taken care of, so I've found myself dreaming of what I'll be wearing while abroad. My trip will be divided into a couple of parts, there will be a couple of days of vacation, followed by a conference, and some family duties, so my wardrobe needs to accommodate a variety of "situations". The most exciting part is obviously the vacation wardrobe. For the first time ever, I have a theme in mind. I want my summer vacation to be called "Havana Ou Na Na" (PS. the ou na na being the most important part) (PPS. I'm not actually going to Havana, unfortunately). I want my luggage to be filled with dresses and tops that show off the shoulders and an overdose of tropical, animal, and floral prints that would make any sane person dizzy. The desire for such a wardrobe naturally led me to my favorite website: asos.com (luff you!). I've been accumulating some favorites this week, and I will probably make an order soon (mom, stop reading this). Here's what I've been lusting over!
Leopard Print Boyfriend Blazer |
I've been lusting over this leopard print blazer for over a month now. I'm a bit worried about the fit. I wish ASOS would include more details on fit!! For a second, I even considered the matching pants, but it might be a bit much, even for my "Havana Ou Na Na" theme... I can totally see this blazer with a white or black top underneath, skinny jeans, gold pumps, with matching earrings, and red lipstick.
Add River Island Bardot Rose-Print Skater Dress |
Apart from the blazer outfit, I don't plan on wearing pants during my trip. I ADORE the floral/polka dot print on this dress. It looks very cute and comfy!
Yumi Plus Wrap Dress Floral Print |
For someone who is obsessed with the color green, it seriously is lacking in my wardrobe! I really love this dress, and wrap dresses in general, my only concern is the opening of the dress. I would probably have to secure it just in case, to avoid any Marilyn Monroe situations...
River Island Plus Cold Shoulder Floral Print Dress |
I don't know about you, but when I'm on vacation, I get more daring with my outfit choices. Nothing is too short or too "insert whatever factor here". Granted the model is way taller than me, the dress still looks short, but do I care while I "Havana Ou Na Na"?
Polka Dot Playsuit |
Playsuits are a hit or miss with me, but when they hit, oh boyyyyy do they HIIIT! For someone who doesn't mind showing off legs, I'm very insecure when it comes to arms. I love that fact that this playsuit has very "conservative" sleeves, but is shmexy in terms of neckline and length. PLEASE look good on me!
Easy breezy tops that are just too cute! I can just throw these over a pair of black or white shorts or jeans, and I'm out the door! (Obviously paired with my HOOPS!)
Koko Tropical Off-the-shoulder- Top, Lovedrobe Gingham Bardot Blouse |
ASOS Curve Culotte Shorts in Stripe |
Although I don't mind wearing short dresses, when it comes to shorts, I've trodden more cautiously. I have no idea how my thighs would look in these shorts, but I looove them!
River Island Green Block Heel Sandals, ASOS Red Block Heel Sandals |
Long gone are the days that I would buy uncomfortably high heels because they were pretty. I now only try to purchase "sensible" shoes. I want something bright and fun with a little heel. It's probably going to be one of these sandals, or something similar.
ASOS Friction Metallic Sandals, Red Stripe Tie Espadrille Slides |
Last year I got a pair of metallic slides from ASOS and wore them to absolute death (I still wear them as my house shahatas). They were such a practical yet fun pair of shoes for summer, so I definitely need something like them for this year. I haven't found any metallic slides, but I did find a very similar colored-sandal and a pair of espadrille slides...
What's on your summer shopping wishlist?? Any travel plans for the summer?
Add me on Snapchat: shoelady123
Labels:
ASOS,
ASOS Curve,
Asos Wishlist,
cold shoulder,
fashion,
fashun,
floral,
plus size,
River Island,
summer,
summer dress,
summer vacation,
travel,
tropical
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Add caption |
When your birthday takes place around the same time as a major (gift-giving) holiday, you usually end up getting one present for the occasion. Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday, all wrapped up in one. Although it seems a bit annoying and unfair, especially when you see others getting two gifts instead of one, you get used to it. It also sometimes becomes worth it because you end up getting one big present instead of two little ones. Anyway, regardless of present size, it has become somewhat of a tradition for me to make a Christmas/Birthday wishlist on my blog every year. In case you're new here, I'd like to point out that just because something is mentioned on this list, it does not necessarily mean I'm getting it. I just like to document what I'm digging every year, especially if the same item makes it on a list more than once. These are the things that I kinda sorta would like to receive this year ^_^
'A Column of Fire' by Ken Follett: I'm a big fan of Ken Follett, I read (and own) around 14 of his books. 'A Column of Fire' is the latest book and I have yet to get my hands on it!
Kenzo Kalifornia Wallet on Chain: I was supposed to get this present for myself while in Europe but I couldn't find it in store. I love the biker vibes of the bag! Maybe I'll get it for myself at some point in 2018...
Name necklace: No, I don't think I'm Carrie Bradshaw. I just want one a gold name necklace!
Vans Classic Checkered Slip Ons: I've been a big Vans fan ever since I was a little emo kid. I used to own a couple of pairs but they have since died. Although I currently own (and love) my grey and black pair, I'm really digging the classic black and white checkered ones!
A nice envelope wallet: I've been looking around for a new wallet for a while now and I can't seem to find anything that I like. Ideally, it would be envelope style with a zipper coin section, many card slots, and enough space for me to put in cash without folding it. Also, not bulky. Is that too much to ask for? The current wallet from Mango that I use meets these requirements, but the poor thing has seen better days. I've been browsing the Charles&Keith website, and for the first time in my life, I actually like something on there!
Rose Gold Black Wishbone Ear Cuff from Astrid & Miyu: I really love the way these bigger ear cuffs look on! It's like a new piercing, without the commitment and needles.
New iPhone 7 plus covers: I absolutely love the one I stole from Maya last year, but I think it's time for a new phone. Cute iPhone 7 plus covers are hard to come by so I'm still on the prowl. I really love the Beyonce formation cover that I spotted on Hoedy's Instagram account!
Balenciaga City Bag: This bag has been on my wishlist since 2011. Although I've saved up for it, I've never had the heart to actually hand over $1,200+ in exchange for a handbag. It's a lot of money for a handbag, and at this point in life, I find myself more willing to spend that kind of money on other things, such as travel. One day though, it shall be mine, in multiple colors and sizes. muahaha
What's on your Christmas or Birthday (if your birthday is soon as well) wishlist this year??
Add me on Snapchat: shoelady123
Labels:
Astrid and Miyu,
Balenciaga,
birthday,
Books,
Charles Keith,
christmas,
fashion,
iphone case,
Ken Follet,
Kenzo,
shoes,
stuff,
Vans,
wallet,
wishlist
Monday, October 2, 2017
Growing up I never liked my hair. My parents always wanted to cut it short and I always dreamed of having long hair. Negotiations would take place when a hair cut appointment was on the horizon. One time, my mother allowed me to highlight one "khesle" (small, small section of hair) so that I would get a coupe carré (remember the coupe carrés of the '90s, square-headed kids everywhere?). As I grew older, I had more autonomy when it came to hair, but I soon realized that I wouldn't be able to have the long pretty hair I always dreamed about. The reality was that I had (and still have) sparse, fine, curly, and frizzy hair, that takes about 50 years to grow a centimeter. I know it can be categorized as a #FirstWorldProblem but I wanted long pretty hair dammit! Then, one day, I discovered something that changed my (hair) life forever: Hair Extensions.
The first time I tried hair extensions was for my high school graduation. As the day to wear my cap and gown (and prom) approached, I started panicking about what to do with my hair. My mother took me to Paul & Mego and they clipped them into my hair for the first time. I could NOT believe that the reflection in the mirror of that girl with long hair was me, ME. I HAD LONG HAIR! The best part was that you couldn't (well kind of) not tell it wasn't my hair either! Unfortunately, I had to return the hair extensions two days later to the hairdresser, but I remember not taking them off that glorious weekend. Even though in hindsight my hair probably ended up looking like a birds nest after the second day, I didn't care, because it was long.
Hair extensions from Paul & Mego - May 2008 |
As much as I liked the hair extensions, it was a "special occasion" thing for me at that point in time, until my sophomore year of university when I started visiting another hairdresser who suggested I clip in one line of extensions to give myself a little volume and length. I began to wear the clip ins every day, and once they were on their last leg, I upgraded to two lines. Two lines became three, and the next thing I know, I had been wearing clip-in hair extensions almost every day for around four years (late 2009 to some time in 2013).
Clip in extensions - September 2010 |
Clip-in Extensions from Elio Constantine - sometime in 2011 |
One day as I was getting a blow-dry at the salon, my hairdresser mentioned that the area where I would clip in the extensions was getting sparse. I started to panic. I didn't want to have even more sparse hair, but I also didn't want to remove my extensions. After some period of weighing the pros and cons, I decided to give the clip-ins a break, I would only wear them for "special occasions".
Clip in extensions - October 2013 |
Dealing with my natural hair was and still is a struggle. Although curly, it's not the Myriam Fares kind of homogenous curly that has volume and looks pretty, it's a combination of super curly in the back mixed with some waves on the top and two strands of straight hair in the front. Over time I learned to just go with it. I would fill in any area that showed sparseness with dark brown or black eyeshadow and I would use a shit-ton of oils and mousse to keep everything in check.
Natural hair from my head - September 2014 |
Then I got bored. I wanted long hair again, maybe a different color. So, after taking a break for around five to six months, I headed down to Hair & More in Sin el Fil and I got a new pack of ombre extensions. From all the clip-in extensions I had tried, this was my favorite (and the most expensive, it was around $200). I wore them for a long time, and even got red highlights put into them at a L'Oreal Professionals.
Clip in Extensions from Hair & More - October 2014 |
Clip-in extensions, as with all extensions, have a life-span though. You can't buy a set and use it forever and ever, you need to take care of the hair you've got and make sure it lasts as long as possible, but the time will come where you have to say goodbye to them. Once the time came to say goodbye to this set, I decided to take another break. This time, I started to enjoy my short curly hair. I wore it "natural" for over a year, and I was proud of myself for having finally learned how to deal with its natural, God-intended state.
Natural curls from my head - March 2015 |
You have been reading for a while, but the story is not over kids. One day, while the best friend was getting her hair did at the salon, my hairdresser mentioned that he had gotten a new kind of extensions and that I should try them. Since I was on my "I love my short curly hair" high, I dismissed the idea but said thank you.
Natural Hair from my head - June 2015 |
The next day, I don't know what came over me, but the high was gone. I called him, booked an appointment, and got my first set of tape-in extensions. Tape-in extensions are a more "long-term" commitment. You cannot put them in and take them out as you please. Tiny strands of hair are taped to your hair and at the end, you're left with a more cohesive look. You can swim in them (although, in my experience, not recommended), take showers, workout, bungee jump, sky-dive... you name it. As your hair grows out, the position of the tape needs to be adjusted and if there are any strands that fall out, your hairdresser can glue them back in. They have a life-span of around two to six months, depending on the quality of the extensions, the way they're put in and how well you take care of them. My first set lasted me from March 2015 to June 2015, and I took a break for almost a year.
Tape in Extensions by Elio Constantine - May 2016 |
For an article that didn't end up making into Mondanite, my coworker and I went blonde for a day. This was my first experience with a wig. Juliano Asmar made us blonde for a day. They really do have fun.
Blonde wig from Juliano Asmar - June 2016 |
During this "break" I had the urge to dye my hair. I was browsing through YouTube and I came across "Wig Collection" videos. Next thing I know, I was adding a wig to my Aliexpress cart. This is where the "Girl With the Green Hair" phase began. The wig that I got was synthetic hair, so I knew it wouldn't be a long-term thing, but it was fun to have green hair for a month. Also, it made getting ready in the morning a breeze! Just pop on the wig and out the door.
Green Wig from Ali Express - December 2016 |
I got a second wig, this time silver/grey, but I ended up wearing it a hand-full of times because there was a problem with the cap and I could only wear it with a beanie or something covering the problem area. I still have this wig and I'll probably wear it for Halloween.
Silver Wig from Ali Express - January 2017 |
Once the wig died (may it rest in peace), I took another break. It was a good long break and my hair wasn't looking too bad during this time if I do say so myself.
Natural hair from my head - April 2017 |
Four months later, I got my second set of tape in extensions. This time, I even added strands of blue, then purple into the mix. This, along with the green hair, was my favorite look. I felt like I was always meant to have colored hair. As someone who's too scared to dye her own hair, colored hair extensions were the best. I had this set in my hair from June 2017 to September 2017.
Tape-in extensions by Elio Constantine - July 2017 |
Once I took them out, I decided to also cut my hair. This brings us to the present. I'm currently sitting at my desk with puffy-curly hair that doesn't even reach my shoulders in its dry state. Although it's not my favorite, and I had a bit of a drama during the extension-removal and hair cutting stage, I'm enjoying this hair cut. Hairdressers will ALWAYS cut more than you tell them to, that's just the way it goes. With that said, my hair feels healthier. Washing my hair takes about four minutes, and it dries in under 15. Although it doesn't always do what I want it to do, I'm learning to love it.
TLDR + FAQ:
I like hair extensions and wigs.
Where to get hair extensions from in Lebanon?
Most hairdressers sell hair extensions, and you can also find them at beauty stores.
Elio Constantine Hair & Technics, Hair & More, Harout Berberian, Wadih Challita at Beauty Lounge Ashrafieh, Paul & Mego are all places that I (or my close friends) have tried.
Can you order them online?
Yup, you can order the extensions online and have your hairdresser put them in. Try out 1001extensions.com and aliexpress.com
How much are hair extensions?
It all depends on the hair that you're getting. You need to consider all of the following: type of hair extension (clip-in/ tape-in etc), type of hair (synthetic, real, dyed, etc), length of hair, pack's weight (how many grams you're getting). You also need to add the labor cost of putting them in. In general, it can cost anywhere between $200 to $600+ (they can go up to the $10,000 mark depending on the type of extension and where you get it done).
How long do extensions last?
It depends on how often you wear them, on the quality of the hair, the way it was applied, etc.
Clip-ins last long from my experience because you don't sleep in them and you can take a break easily (so around six months to two years). Tape ins have a shorter life span, usually around two months to four months.
Do extensions ruin your hair?
In my experience, wearing clip-ins every day made the area where they're clipped in sparse. I also had to straighten my hair every time I wore them since my natural hair's curly and the extensions were straight/wavy. It didn't "ruin" my hair, but it wasn't good for it.
As for tape-in extensions, I felt like my hair grew out really well while I had them in. I was straightening my hair less and using less heat. With that said, having the weight of the hair and the glue in your head is not good for it either. You should check with your hairdresser and do research before trying them out.
Where do you buy wigs from?
You can find them at beauty stores like Hair & More, or you can order online from websites like aliexpress.com, amazon.com, and other specialized online wig retailers.
What type of wig should I get?
Whether you decide to get synthetic or real hair, make sure it's a front lace wig. This means that it will blend with your hairline much better and it makes it look supernatural.
How much do wigs cost?
Synthetic front-lace wigs start around $50 and they go up based on the quality of hair and all that jazz. Real hair front-lace wigs have a starting price of a couple of hundred. I personally haven't tried them out.
How do you blend in a wig?
First of all, make sure to get your hair as flat as possible underneath. Wear a wig cap. Next, trim the lace based on your natural hairline shape. Use concealer on the parting area to make it seem like it's your scalp. Trip the hair to make it more flattering for your head shape. Spray dry shampoo on the hair if it's too shiny in order to mattify the synthetic hair.
Can you make your hair grow more? What can you do to prevent hair loss?
You can take supplements and use Rogaine (minoxidil), but there's nothing that will give your hair an instant hair boost, it all takes time. Visit a doctor to make sure that everything is going right.
Why is your hair like this?
Because I was born with fine, sparse, curly hair, it's in za DNA. I also have PSO (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) which does not help my hair growth case.
What's your hair story like?
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Thursday, September 21, 2017
Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink - Believer |
Another day, another liquid lipstick review. Welcome to my Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick review (try saying that 5 times in the morning before having your coffee). I didn't hear much buzz about this product from the online beauty community before purchasing the lipsticks, whether locally or internationally, but I did watch Thrift Thick's Youtube review. Although I own way too many liquid (and nonliquid) lipsticks, I found myself adding the Maybelline lipsticks to my Feel22 cart one rainy Sunday afternoon (it was actually actually Wednesday and sunny, but that's not how the song goes). To *somehow* justify my purchase, I thought it would be wise of me to write up a review and share my thoughts on the Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick (it's still the morning, and I haven't had my coffee yet, typing that name out was hard, yo!).
As per usual, not all the colors I saw on beauty blogs abroad are available in Lebanon (or at least on Feel22, as I did not venture into a physical store to see if they stock the whole range). I had my eye on "Lover" as it looked like it would be the most flattering everyday mauve color, but it wasn't available so I settled for "Dreamer", which is a lighter more pink shade. Since I'm a sucker for all things purple lipstick, I also picked up "Creator" and "Believer".
First impression based on swatches, all three looked like colors I would wear. The prettiest being "Creator" since it looked like a liquid Heroine by MAC meets Colourpop's Lychee liquid lip. All three swatches were very pigmented but took some time to dry completely (around 7 minutes), once dry the swatches would NOT come off. I tried out "Dreamer" first since I was in the office and it looked like it would be the most "office appropriate" one. Honestly, I wasn't a fan of the color, it's a bit too much of a light pink for my complexion. With that said, I really enjoyed the other two! I'm totally going to be rocking Creator and Dreamer this Fall/Winter season :) Side note: I really like the names, they're very inspirational sounding.
Packaging: I like the packaging, it's matte and angular, which is different from most of the liquid lipsticks on the market. It's not the most beautiful, but I think it's cute for what it is.
Applicator: It has a unique applicator that has a narrow tip, it doesn't look like all the other doe foot applicators most other liquid products come with. This allows you to get a precise outline of the lipstick, which I really enjoyed. The smoothest to apply was Creator, Dreamer and Believer were slightly more "patchy" but still manageable.
Color Selection: Dreamer (light pink), Pioneer (Red), Heroine (Orangey/Coral), Romantic (Fuchsia Pink), Creator (Bright Fuchsia Purple), Believer (Purply Wine), Escapist (Dark Burgundy), Voyager (Burnt Red/Brown).
Texture: Smooth with a hint of tackiness. It doesn't feel like other liquid lipsticks since it's on the sticky side upon application.
Finish: Matte
Scent: Sweet scent, not overwhelming, it fades once applied on the lips.
Pigmentation: Creator and Believer were super pigmented, did not need a second coat. Dreamer, on the other hand, needed a second coat.
Longevity: Claims 16-hour wear and they ain't lying! In my Insta Story "Wear Test" Review, the lipstick stayed on for 15 hours and 40 minutes, I finally removed it before going to bed.
Feeling on the lip: When you first apply it, it feels tacky. It takes some time to dry (around 5 to 10 minutes) but once it is dry it doesn't feel too tacky. With that said, it doesn't feel weightless on the lipsticks, you still feel like you have something on your lips, although it is not an uncomfortable feeling. The stickiness goes away after a while, but not completely.
Removal: You need to remove this lipstick with a makeup remover, preferably one that works with waterproof makeup. I used the Body Shop Chamomile Oil Cleaner (my go-to) and it came off just fine. A fine stain is left-over, but that's very normal with purple lipsticks. I get the same stain when I use MAC Heroine...
Shades reviewed: 10 Dreamer, 35 Creator, 40 Believer
Price: $12 (use NouchalineFeel22 for 10% OFF, $10.80) in Lebanon
Rating: 4.5/5
Maybelline Super Stay Matte Ink - Creator |
Maybelline Super Stay Matt Ink - Dreamer |
Add me on Snapchat: shoelady123
Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post. The opinions mentioned are 100% my own. The lipsticks used for this review were purchased with my OWN money.
Labels:
beauty,
beauty corner,
Believer,
Creator,
Dreamer,
liquid lipstick,
maybelline,
review,
Reviews,
Superstay Matte Ink