Tag Archives: beauty

Ivy Reviews: Clinique Moisture Surge

IMG_5261I’ve never been one to moisturize religiously partly due to laziness and partly because I just couldn’t bare the dense consistency of most facial moisturizers on my face. I’m also profoundly sensitive to scents and even the most renowned creams made me uncomfortable and prompted me to wash my face immediately.

That was until my mother insisted I try out the Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief moisturizer. I was already a big fan of Clinque’s 3 step system since my late teens, having used their Liquid Facial Soap and Clarifying Lotion almost daily. So I brought my first jar of this award winning Moisture surge two years ago and have been hooked ever since.

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I instantly fell in love with the texture, which is actually more like a gel than a cream, hands down, it’s one of the softest pink sheer formulas I’ve ever touched and it spreads perfectly onto skin and gets absorbed instantly, like it was never there. But it’s there alright, because it will leave your face feeling super baby soft and refreshed, almost plumped. The best part is that’s its actually oil-free.

IMG_5258It’s now a fundamental part of my daily regimen and even managed to get my makeup to blend much better. Although it doesn’t come cheap (around $60 for 75ml in Lebanon) it will last for 3 months easy since you really need a very small amount to comfortably spread it all over.

Try it out and let me know what you think.

Enjoyed this beauty review? Check out some more below

Too-Faced Lip Injection Gloss

Bassam Fattouh’s Blush Tint and Lip Tint

The Body Shop Leona Lewis Collection

Fiber Lash Brush On Fake Lashes

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Ivy Reviews: The Body Shop Leona Lewis Collection

IMG_4856Last week I got my hands on The Body Shop’s new limited edition collection by gorgeous songstress Leona Lewis. The cruelty-free range recently hit stores in Lebanon and also includes a very playful musk-fragrance.

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I also got the chance to review my first BB (Beauty Blemish) Cream, the latest sensation to take the beauty world by storm.

First things first, I was invited to the summer opening of one of Beirut’s hotspots this weekend and complemented my look with the Shimmer Palette in Bronze from the range, which works perfectly as a blush or bronzer for contouring.

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I loved how well the colour transferred onto my skin and was a breeze to blend, a problem I usually face with most blushers. I even used some of the crème shimmer as a base on my eyelids and I must say the shade worked so well with the rest of my face. It’s one of those palettes that matches all skin tones to give you this subtle sun-kissed glow without looking over-the-top shiny or plastic.

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I paired my look with the Honey Bronze Lip Nectar which really felt like I dabbed actual honey on my lips, the gold tint in it really livened up my look and reflected so perfectly with the Shimmer palette.

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The formula is pretty viscous, so I suggest you give it a slight squeeze when applying and blend it really well with a brush to avoid unevenness. I’m not big on sticky glosses so I dabbed some powder from the shimmer palette on top to reduce it. I also tried and really liked the bright and fabulous shimmer-free Deelicious Fuchsia shade which I also paired with the Shimmer palette for a brunch the next day.

But before I applied all that makeup I used the Vitamin E Cool BB Crème which basically works as a (light coverage) moisturizer and all over hydrator.

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If you’re not yet familiar with BB creams, they serve two purposes; skin care and makeup in one- sort of like applying a really good moisturizer on your face with a tint that will not only even out your skin tone but also lightly cover up your flaws.

And if you’re like me and wear foundation occasionally, then this is for you. It doesn’t mean that it’s a substitute for foundation, but the light coverage when applied solo will give you a naturally radiant look perfect for those light makeup-free days.

It also serves as a base right before your foundation. Vitamin E Cool BB Cream comes off matte, very sheer with a light coverage and shine. If you have oily skin this one’s for you but if your skin is on the drier side of things than you may want something slightly more luminous with higher coverage like their All-In-One BB Cream.

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This new limited edition collection is available at The Body Shop stores across Lebanon but supplies are limited.

Enjoyed this beauty review? Click here for more reviews

Ivy Reviews: Bassam Fattouh Cosmetics Tints Collection

IMG_4487So I’ve been sneakishly using Bassam Fattouh’s Blush Tint and Lip Tint for the past month and thoroughly enjoying the compliments I’ve been receiving. Friends have been commenting on my “rosy” cheeks and flushed lips and I’ve been acting totally oblivious, “who me? Oh it’s nothing” Yeah right.

But before I dish about my latest beauty secret, let me tell you a little bit about Bassam Fattouh Cosmetics. As the name suggests, makeup artist extraordinaire and image confidant to a long list of celebrities including Haifa Wehbe, Elissa and Mona Abu Hamze recently launched his re-branded beauty line, collaborating with the likes of international fashion illustrator Liselotte Watkins and renowned graphic designer Rana Salam. The collection boasts an amazing selection of creative makeup tools with a twist from creamy eyeliners named Leyl and Feyruz, dreamy Orient liquid liners dubbed Sharm and Mikonos and a full range of velvety and matte lipstick and blush shades which are this season’s hottest beauty trends.

I prefer to keep things light when I don’t have to paint my face. Other days, I just want to keep my face makeup-free but still need a quick pick-me-up, especially if I’m late to a meeting or off to the gym. That’s precisely what both Blush Tint and Lip Tint are; the perfect remedy to some quick color without looking like you just swiped a ton of blush or lipstick on. But make no mistake; both can be used as base or touch-up with full makeup.

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The Tint line is made of a water-based gel works line a stain on your skin giving them a natural flushed look like you’ve just ran a mile. Lip Tint actually gives me the exact same result as applying on red lipstick and then wiping it off with a tissue (which I do A LOT.) minus the actual mess that comes with it. The best part is that it literally lasts all day. The challenging part is trying not to lick it off your lips, this stuff tastes like candy.

Although Blush Tint comes with a sponge applicator, I found that it works much better when you remove it and instead use your hands to dab it on your face.

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As for Lip Tint you can control the amount my twisting the bottom, just make sure you move it around fast on your lips as it could blotch if you keep it in one place for too long!

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I totally recommend you go for both products which will quickly become beauty staples in your bag. You can find Bassam Fattouh Cosmetics in department stores across the Middle East and Lebanon.

Curious about more beauty products? Let me know what you’d like me to review.

Also see

Too-Faced Lip Injection Gloss

Fiber Lash Brush On Fake Lashes

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LAU Hotties; The New FaceMash?

Remember how Facebook started off as Facemash, a tool Mark Zuckerberg developed for Harvard-only students that allowed them to rate each other on attractiveness?

Well, let me introduce you to another little thing I came across on my Facebook newsfeed yesterday, it’s a page called LAU Hotties (yup straight to the point) an unofficial fan page (950 likes) that I’m assuming does not officially represent the Lebanese American University though it does use their logo as their profile picture. This page posts pictures of “hottie” LAU students and allows people to like them. The picture that gets the most Likes has the honor of being selected on the cover page.

Lebanon’s love affair with beauty pageants baffles me, think Miss Mermaid Jounieh, Miss Lebanon 2011, Miss Lebanon Battle of the Twins, Mr. International, Miss Lebanon World Super Model.

I have a feeling LAU officials are not going to be too happy when they get wind of this, but for now I’ll say this, those are some good looking students! Students seem to be having a blast on the page and I’m hoping they’ve given page admins permission to publish their pictures.

Here are some pictures posted on the wall, I’ve blurred out the faces, although the page is open to the public I didn’t think it would be fair to publish the students pictures. To view the original photos click here

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Ivy Reviews: Too-Faced Lip Injection Gloss

Too faced Lip Injection

I’ve heard rave reviews about Too Faced’s Lip Injection Plumpers available at Sephora and I really wanted to see what the hype was about. It ‘s actually known to be one of the most effective lip plumper’s in the market right now and it’s a fantastic alternative for the botched Lindsay Lohan lips or surgically blown-up duck pouts we’ve been seeing everywhere.

I’ve also been warned that it stings, so I was slightly reluctant with the dose the first time around. I dabbed a small amount of the translucent gloss right on my lips (which is surprisingly non-sticky) and waited. At first, I felt nothing but around 5 minutes later I started feeling some sort of inflammatory reaction on my lips and a mildly burning sensation-Nothing intolerable or too dramatic, it was actually amusing and slightly tickled. So I waited a while longer and looked in the mirror.

My lips looked mighty plump almost like they’ve been pinched and then released. It actually works so well cause of the active ingredients that stimulate lips by bringing blood and moisture to the surface. I have average-sized lips but my man noticed my swollen lips as soon as he walked in the door. I knew right then this would be a staple in my bag. The down-side is that the effect will last for around half an hour before you’d have to reapply some more again. And as for long-term results claim, I think that is just a rumor, though Too Faced doesn’t claim that anywhere on the package.

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I recommend you wear this product right on your lips not over lipstick, so that it can react directly with your skin and you can feel its full potential. But if you must add color, just apply lipstick over the gloss, it can get messy but it’s worth it. It costs around $35 in Dubai but you can get it online for $22 if you’re willing to pay double of that in taxes and shipping.

Want More makeup reviews? Check out my take on Fiber Lash Brush On Lashes

Kim Kardashian and Sheikha Mozah: Separated At Birth

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Pregnant Kim Kardashian appears on the cover of the Arab magazine Hia this month in a Stéphane Rolland dress looking like she had raided the very fashion-forward Sheikha Mozah of Qatar’s closet. Yup, that’s the first thing that came to mind when I saw this photo.  What do you think?

Check out

Sheikha Mozah’s First Lady Fashion Face-OFF

Miss Lebanon Living It Up In Vegas

At the risk of turning into a pageant blog I couldn’t help but share with you recently released shots of our very own twin Miss Lebanon Rina Chibani doing her thing in Vegas. Sure, she’s pretty and tall and everyone’s rooting for her but come on, has anyone seen the competition? It is fierce. And I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again we have come a long way from Miss Lebanon 2011 but I don’t think we’re quite there yet.

Check out these shots of Rina and please take the time to watch her speak in the video below. Girl brings out the cringe with her awkwardness and sporadic hand gestures. (Awaiting Team Rina attack in 3,,2…

Miss Lebanon Rina in Vegas

(Don’t you just love how subtle everyone behaves in Lebanon, from Miss Lebanon’s outfit and sunglasses at the airport to the two guys who stopped dead in their tracks just to stare and photo-bomb her.)

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Mr. Lebanon is Mr. International

Meet  Ali Hammoud the Lebanese winner of the title: Mr. International 2012 recently held somewhere. I thought some of you ladies may enjoy looking at his six packs as much as he enjoys flaunting them. Boys you better not complain I think I provide you with enough eye-candy on this blog. Cheers!

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Somewhere out there Fiordelli guy is pissed

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Wrinkle Me Free

They say a girl begins the ageing process at the tender age of 25. Yes that scares me. A  Lot. But then again, I know we’re pretty much well equipped to defy gravity. Just look what that Felix guy did yesterday.

But what about premature wrinkles? I was invited to attend the very glamorous opening of Vis.Age Boutique last Thursday, a new store next to La Marina Dbayeh carrying a wide range of skin care products and make-up from Beverly Hills like Sormé and Refineé. The kind of lines used by Kim Kardashian, Salma Hayek and Penelope Cruz.  And according to the professionals there if you’re consuming anything from alcohol, cigarettes or taking that occasional stroll in the sun (check, check and check!)  you need to be treating your skin beneath all those layers of makeup, pronto. It’s about finding a balance between what’s aesthetic and anti aging. No matter how young you are, you are not immune to that skin creasing so moisturize, moisturize and oh yeah , moisturize!

Of course I indulged in some Champagne and hors d’oeuvres while I dabbled in all that make-up. I felt like a kid in a candy store.

I was even lucky enough to get myself a mini-makeover by one of the lovely owners and entrepreneurs who really knew to pick the right colors for my skin tone. She used the Wild Rose blush on me which I’m going back for soon.

Vis.Age is all about spreading awareness on skin care health and the team opens its doors weekly to anyone who’d take an appointment and like to go in and learn more about facial treatments through in-store demonstrations and pampering sessions.

I got to go home with a bottle of Refineé day lotion with green tea extracts, tried it on yesterday and it felt good. Apparently, it’s great for men too so I tried to get mine to put some on as well, but he wouldn’t budge. Oh well, more for me.