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Ivy Says

Lebanon's Lifestyle, Beauty and Fashion Blog

Benefit Cosmetics To Open in Lebanon

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benefit makeup lebanon beirut abc dbayeh

That’s right! Many of us in Lebanon wait to travel and hit up a Sephora in Dubai or Europe to get our Benefit Cosmetics beauty fix but not anymore.

I’m happy to be one of the first few to break the news that on the 1st week of December of this year, Benefit Cosmetics will finally be available in Lebanon at ABC Ashrafieh and ABC Dbayeh. The points of sale will also include my personal favorite, the Benefit BrowBar, where you can get your eyebrows Tinted, Waxed and Tweezed by a Benefit expert who is trained in the art of what the brand likes to call Brow Mapping! Learn more about that here.

Benefit Cosmetics Beirut Lebanon ABC

I was happy to meet with Benefit Cosmetics this week to bring you this news and will be sharing with you many of their latest updates and releases so make sure to follow me on Instagram and SnapChat IvySays for all the latest. Also you can now follow Benefit Cosmetics Lebanon on Instagram here.

I personally love this brand because of how fun and innovative most of their makeup is, it’s totally different in its catchy approach to beauty and original products and I’m also a huge fan of their unique packaging.

Benefit Cosmetics in Lebanon

If you’re not familiar with Benefit Cosmetics let me walk you through a couple of their iconic and bestselling products.

They’re Real Lengthening Mascara

This one’s all about drama! For extreme length and volume in your lashes. It’s an all-timer and favorite among mascara aficionados and beauty bloggers. It will really make you second-guess whether or not they’re real or fake.

BeneTint

This is one of my personal faves, it’s a lip and cheek stain liquid in rose tint. It will give your cheeks this barely-there sort of sexy flush you get only from a crazy cardio session, and it’s buildable and super long-lasting. It looks like a nail polish bottle, smells like rose water and can be applied with your hands.

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Brow Zings

The eyebrow kit of eyebrow kits. Whether you want to add definition to your eyebrows or simply fill in sparse areas you will love this set, it includes a pigmented wax cream and a setting powder. It also comes with a miniature angled brush, blending brush and tweezers for those last minute plucks. You really don’t have to be an expert to get nice thick brows with this kit. And the entire package is so compact it can fit in all our nano-bags.

Hoola Bronzer

It’s a universal medium-dark shade bronzer with an extra matte finish. It comes with a small cheek brush inside also for those last-minute touch ups. I haven’t used it before but I swiped some on my wrist and already love how well it blends. I also hear it’s the perfect blush for contouring so I can’t wait to try it out.

Benefit cosmetics in lebanon ABC

The Pore Fessional

This is sort of like a primer and loose powder in one, you can use this both under or over makeup to minimize the appearance of pores and help your makeup stay on for hours. It’s an oil-free formula and it feel so silky and smooth.

The Roller Lash

Another cult classic from Benefit, I haven’t tried this one yet, but I can’t wait to after reading the rave reviews it has. It’s supposedly inspired by hair roller, the hook’n’roll brush is supposed to grab lift and curl each lash to give you a wide-doey-eyed look.

Benefit cosmetics lebanon

Also read my detailed review on the Gimme Brow here

More Beauty Reviews

Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent

Makeup Must Haves from Beauty Concept

Make Up For Ever Pro Bronze Fusion

A Makeup Session With BOBBI BROWN

Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro

Too-Faced Lip Injection Gloss

Lancôme Miracle Cushion Foundation

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Makeup Session With BOBBI BROWN

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Bobbi Brown Hamra Ivy Says ReviewMakeup beauty blogger ivy says

Last week, I got to celebrate the first anniversary of  Bobbi Brown’s first stand-alone boutique in Hamra with a lovely makeup session by the brand’s international makeup artist Eliano Abou Assi. As may or may not know, Bobbi Brown is all about achieving a natural look, with a huge emphasis on good skin, which requires prepping the face with moisturizing and hydrating skin care products from the line before applying makeup.

But the Bobbi Brown philosophy is also centered around achieving that au naturel fresh-faced glow by using the right shade of both Correctors and Concealers followed by foundation. These steps alone should blend in naturally with your skin tone, even without requiring any additional makeup if a flawless wide-awake look is what you’re after.

ivy says makeup free no makeup look

The makeup artist opted for a warm nude CC Cream for my face followed by Bobbi Brown’s iconic Skin Foundation Stick that felt both weightless yet creamy. Although he meticulously applied the products, when he was done, I somehow managed to look makeup free yet my skin looked radiant, even and blemish-free, not like it was waiting for more makeup to applied, but rather it glowed in all the right places, made me almost wish I could actually wake up like this.

Bobbi Brown makeup Dana Khairallah look review

He completed the look with sheer finished pressed powder to help it settle and some bronzer and the Shimmer Brick Compact in Nectar. I requested a soft smokey eye and he suggested the lovely Art Stick in Sunset Orange to go with my cheeks. Loved how easy and fresh faced the entire look came together.

Ivy Says makeup bobbi brownBobbi Brown Makeup Chart Ivy says

Make sure to pass by the Bobbi Brown in Hamra to browse the entire extensive collection and request a personal consultation if you’re hesitant about the right shades that work for you, staff are more than happy and knowledgeable to assist in that department.

Ivy says Bobbi Brown

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Bassam Fattouh Cosmetics Nostalgie D’Orient

The Top 5 Perfumes This Season

Make Up For Ever Pro Bronze Fusion

Giorgio Armani Summer Must Haves

Ivy Says in Special Magazine

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I’m very happy to be featured in the August 2015 issue of Special Magazine out this Saturday. In the interview I’m attaching we discuss the idea behind Ivy Says, how it has evolved throughout the years and why City Centre Beirut is my preferred shopping destination in Lebanon.

Click on images to enlarge

Ivy says Interview Special Magazine Dana KhairallahIvy says Interview Special Magazine Dana Khairallah CCB

Check it out below and don’t forget to grab your copy!

A special thank you to the wonderful Special Magazine Team!

Read about my Big Reveal

More Ivy In the Press here

Wear It For Change

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Dana-Khairallah-CSB-ready-to-wear-it-for-change-1

I’m very proud to support Creative Space Beirut, a non-profit free school in fashion design that provides design education to talented individuals who lack the resources to pursue a degree in fashion. This school has been supported by renowned fashion houses such as Derek Lam, Diane Von Furstenberg and Parsons.

A month ago I was chosen by them along with some of Beirut’s most compelling women, “with innovative minds and huge hearts” and asked about the importance of free creative education and to be part of their new online campaign that aims to bring attention and raise funds as they launch their first crowd-sourcing campaign.

ivy says creative space beirut

It was the first shoot I did while appearing visibly pregnant and I chose this one-size-fits all gorgeous Twist Top in olive from their Creative Space Beirut Ready To Wear collection which I styled with a pair of my trusty black leggings, these Zara black scuba style heels which I love and my Saint Laurent Nano Sac du Jour. If you like this top which is also available in crème, grey, black and striped jersey you can check it out tomorrow at the debut of their Ready To Wear Brand at their studio in Mar Mikhael as part of Beirut Design Week 2015.

Shot by Ayla Hibra with a film camera.

Ivy says creative space beirut campaign

beirut design week ivy says creative space

In an effort to continue to work towards self-sustainability, they need as much support as possible from those who believe in their cause. You can click here to read their full story and donate online

Christmas 2014 Gift Guide For Him and Her

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Each year I know many of us draw a blank when we think of all the Christmas gifts we need to buy. It’s getting harder and harder to get more original and special ones so I’ve complied a gift guide that may just give you some ideas of what’s new for both him or her. So if you’re someone’s secret Santa or you’ve got someone who’s quite hard to please here’s my 2014 list in no particular order and with varying budgets.

sheen casio

SHEEN is Casio’s brand new watch for the ladies. The SHEEN series features exquisite materials such as titanium, ceramic, sapphire glass, leather and SWAROVSKI elements depending on a person’s style. I personally love it because it has that vintage classic Casio feel and can actually be dressed down or up easily with any look. You can find the SHEEN at all Sundial stores in Lebanon and win a gift here

The Comic Art of Guillermo Forchino

If you love comic strips and cartoons in a 3 Dimensional way, then you will love  The Comic Art of Guillermo Forchino.  These fully handmade and hand painted works of art are meticulous in detail with each figurine and scene telling satirical story complete with characters and a plot. It’s a collectors haven with different series (The Professionals, The Vehicles etc) and limited collections. I personally chose this hilarious rendition called “The PlayBoy” which tells the story of Calolo Oviedo who meets the young gold digger Delma and does the impossible for her to feel young and alive again. The Comic Art of Guillermo Forchino opened its first point of sale at Virgin Megastorelast month.

opuim by ysl

The recently released Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent is one of my favorite fragrances to date, derived from its 1977 classic Opium perfume, this one highlights the dark and mysterious side of the brand and trust me when I say smells just as good as it looks.  It has notes of coffee, pink pepper, orange blossom, jasmine, vanilla, patchouli and cedar and is one of those fragrances that lingers even after you’ve left the room.

moto 360

The MOTOROLA Moto 360 Smart Watch. This was supposed to be a birthday gift for my man, but getting my hands on one was more of a challenge than I had imagined. It was only released in limited quantities online initially and sold out in a just a few hours and hasn’t made it to Lebanon quite yet. It’s actually a surprisingly stylish smart watch that syncs with your Android device to become a second (touch) screen where you receive emails, whatapps and all sorts of cools apps. Better yet it takes voice commands so you can even reply to conversations by simply talking to your watch. My man’s smitten and I’m coercing him into writing a detailed review here after he’s spend some more time with it next month.

lacoste show 2

Since I was a merely a toddler, Lacoste polos have always been a classic staple in my closet. But to be honest, I rarely ever wear them during the winter as I’ve never bought a long-sleeved one. Lacoste Lebanon recently held a Winter 2014/2015 fashion show I attended with some friends and we all wore these new Stretch Knit Long Sleeve Polos which I’ve come to love under sweaters in this crisp weather. You can visit them at their ABC Ashrafieh branch to find this style in many colors.

octop 3

Meet OCTOP- 3, a smart new floor and table lamp design as part of prominent architecture and design firm id.beirut’s  2014 collection and their quest to add some light and warmth into our houses. I love the innovative and modern take of their unique designs and you can find this fixture and more at their showroom.

share a coke

One of the best campaigns of 2014 is Coc aCola’s Share a Coke campaign that allows you to customize your own can of coke. I think most of us have by now received one or sent one to a friend. And it just happens that the colors go perfectly with Christmas theme. My #BFFB Najib from Blog Baladi surprised me with this cute one that symbolizes our friendship. This would make the perfect secret Santa gift.

Absolut Vodka

I love how ABSOLUT VODKA gets so creative with it’s bottle designs and this season is no exception.Take a look at the Andy Warhol edition out now. The iconic Warhol first created original artwork for ABSOLUT in 1986, and this design was inspired by that painting.  It’s the perfect bottle to take along to the endless dinner gatherings and pot lucks this Christmas. I was lucky enough to get this lovely kit and you can win your own here’s how

 

 

 

 

 

Ivy Reviews: Casper and Gambini’s New Menu

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Casper and gambini Dunes Verdun Ivy Says 1

I feel confident referring to Casper and Gambini’s as an institution in Lebanon today. It’s mastered the art of consistency and has managed to strike the perfect balance between wholesome high-end cafe cuisine and excellent service. So this post isn’t about how much I like Casper and Gambini’s that’s already been established, rather it’s a review of their recently launched new menu.

I visited Casper and Gambini’s at their Dunes Verdun branch for the first time and I absolutely loved lunching on their bustling patio. I worked out quite the appetite on a photo shoot that day and managed to wolf down the grissini and their traditional complimentary labneh balls drizzled with thyme as I always do.

Casper and gambini Dunes Verdun Ivy Says 1 Crusted Eggplant

The first new item my friend and I chose was the delectable Crusted Eggplant Parmesan and when I say delectable I mean so good you may want to have one as a starter and another as a main dish. Casper and Gambini’s put their own twist on this otherwise classic dish by crusting the actual slices of eggplant with Parmesan and then lightly frying them. On top sits a generous helping of melted mozzarella, basil and a fantastico roasted tomato sauce. As I cut through the arrangement the ingredients blended together so harmoniously. This one makes it on my very highly-recommended list.

Casper and gambini Dunes Verdun Ivy Says 1 crab sandwhich

To counter the calories of the Eggplant Parmesan we had the crab bites, essentially made up of two portions of a mayonnaise-based mix of shredded crabmeat served on a thinly sliced toasted white bread and a side of green house salad. If you’re calorie counting then this dish is a good light and fresh option on their list of starters.

I knew I wanted a sandwich for mains but the new additions left me confused, how was I supposed to choose between a Philly Cheese Steak or a Chicken Quesadilla sandwich? Our waiter sensed my predicament and passionately recommended I try their Provolone Steak Sandwich, or what I now would call the most valuable player of the group. Be warned, this is not your average sandwich, this is a game changer.

Casper and gambini Dunes Verdun Ivy Says 1 steak sandwhich

Picture this; slow-grilled Australian beef medium cooked with a pink center, crisp smoked bacon, melted provolone cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and horseradish mayonnaise all inside a fluffy freshly baked cheese-flavored ciabatta The sandwich was soft enough to bite through while holding everything together so well, none of that soggy falling-out business. The flavors did a little dance in my mouth as I struggled to finish the mammoth thing. It was challenging. But legendary.

Casper and gambini Dunes Verdun Ivy Says 1 steak sandwhich 2

My friend opted for the Gourmet Mini Sliders which I have to say are as creative as it gets. Three mini burgers, the first a Mediterranean one with Halloumi cheese, a classic with provolone and a fiery Mexican one complete with avocado cream, mango and Emmental cheese. I favored the halloumi one and my friend raved about the Mexican.

Casper and gambini Dunes Verdun Ivy Says Burger slidersCasper and gambini Dunes Verdun Ivy Says 1 Halloumi burger

Price: On the higher end of the scale for a daytime cafe/restaurant; 2 appetizers, soft drinks and two mains for 97,000LL.

Verdict: Five star hotel service and a new menu that deserves all the hype. Casper and Gambini’s is revived and raising the bar.

More Food Reviews

IVY’s Best Burger Search Continues- Casper & Gambini’s

Frosty Palace

La Petite Maison Beirut

La Plage

La Serre Bistro Dubai

Sydney’s at Le Vendôme Beirut

Prune French Bistro

Métropole Brasserie

SUD

BarTartine

Couqley

 

 

One Year After #IVYsBigReveal and A New Ambassadorship

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ivys bid reveAL It’s been one hell of a year for me.

On August 13, 2013, and after more than three years of blogging anonymously, I started toying around with the idea of revealing my identity. The thought seemed far-fetched. I was safe behind my computer, almost untouchable, but I knew it was a false sense of security I was latching on to, and eventually if I wanted my blog to grow and expand my collaboration portfolio I need to come out of my comfort zone.

I remember having a drink with Fida Chaaban RAGMAG’s Editor in Chief at the time. I told her about my idea of staging an event behind the reveal. Her eyes lit up. She disappeared for a couple of weeks. I thought she had forgotten about it. Silly me, thinking people would care. She called me a couple of days later asking me for a guest list. For what? I asked. For #IVYsBigReveal she exclaimed.

Fida ran the idea by Roula Nahas, BestSeller Regional Marketing Manager and PR Queen. Roula immediately threw her weight behind it. VERO MODA and RAGMAG would stage it. Next, Beirut’s finest luxury boutique hotel Le Gray jumped on board, they presented us with their entire Rooftop and one of their opulent executive suites. And an amazing list of sponsors followed, Chopin Vodka, Pommery Champagne, Label 5 Whiskey, Bourjois and Beirut Nightlife.

150 of the city’s finest gathered to participate in one of the most-buzzed about fashion events of the year. I could feel the energy as both Roula and Fida accompanied me to the rooftop. And just like that I took a deep breath and stepped on stage. I spotted some familiar faces in the crowd smiling at me, faces I had known online for years but never met. The rest of the night was a big beautiful time lapse, selfies and cocktails and fast chats and dancing. #IvysBigReveal trended for 3 days. I did the right thing.

You can watch the #IVYsBigReveal  short video by BeirutNightLife right here

vero modaVero Moda (2)ivysbigreveal

A little over a year later and here I am. I’ve collaborated with many amazing brands including GAP, Adidas, ChouChic.com, Bassam Fattouh Cosmetics, Maggi Arabia and was even invited to have my own segment Talk of the World on MTV Season 6 of Talk of the Town.

dana khairallah gap ivy says styldbyGAPMaggi Arabiamaggie arabia dana khairallahDana Khairallah for Bassam FattouhELLE Ivy Says feature Dana Khairallah

Today I’m also happy to announce my new title as Brand Ambassador for Dunes Verdun, one of Lebanon’s first and most iconic malls that today serves as a landmark. Follow me as I bring to you my experiences and shopping adventures in this diverse yet cozy mall and share with you all my amazing finds from dining,to beauty, fashion and entertainment.

I also have one more exciting piece of news to share with you very soon!