The Old with the New

Its been an insane past few months! I can't believe I havent had a chance to write! My skin's been doing amazing things these past few weeks, (aside this week) and I'm excited to review the following:

Tretinoin- Also known as Renova!
Paula's Choice BHA Liquid
Baking Soda
Ole Henriksen Night Gel
Lemon
Water
Laser Hair Removal
Derma Roller
Arbonne Skin Serum and Night Cream
Elf's Tinted Moisturizer


Ive clearly been experimenting in the past few months! But it wasnt till a month ago, I spoke to the Medical Doctor of the SPA Ive been getting Laser Hair Removal in reference to Fraxel, a laser scar removal/stimulating treatment. He basically broke down a lot of important things about the skin and what things to look for in facial products! So I cant wait to share! Bare with me, Im trying to balance school, my regular job and makeup career all at once and its been mental but amazing to say the least! I got to work with a few celebs, and attend the Inagural Ball w/ the Creative Coalition which was an amazing treat! So hopefully in the next few days I can wrap up with school and start blogging a bit more!!

Tootles X

For the girl who's always on the Go

I've been meaning to write this post for a while, since Ive been back from Chicago. 

Mainly for tips on how to pack for traveling.

I'm not a big traveler, and this was not for work, so I thought it would be the perfect entry for how to pack efficiently. Right before leaving, I started having like an anxiety attack (which is quite common when packing for anything) because of the TSA rules. 

This is LITERALLY Me when packing.
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 I looked through many blogs, like fashion blogs, traveling blogs etc, trying to piece together what to bring and not to bring. I even posted on FB what was the best way to go about packing makeup, which was directed to my MUA friends. Though I was not technically working, or planning to.. ( b/c I went to visit family) The girls asked me to bring Makeup/Teach them a few  tips and tricks which ofcourseI was super excited about.  I wanted to pack the right amount of things and not over due it. Have u ever had to pack for a trip, and u start packing stuff that you have never/used or barely have use for but for some reason u think, you may just miraclously use?. This is what being a girl is about. OVER PACKING. Though I consider myself low-maintenance, I too, tend to fall in the fashion woes of over packing. Its quite mental.

I haven't had the best luck at O'hare when checking in my bag (Due to their inclement weather delays and u know, every other issue known to man)  so I did not wanna take the risk..

Unfortunately packing a carry-on seems ridiculously complicated.  It's hard as hell in fact.. I did sift and re-sift through my Train Case trying to piece the right products to take without taking stuff I don't necessarily need. For someone who has a ton of makeup it was not easy. I love when James Cornwell asks to bring a Mini-Kit and I go nuts, but in fact, This is prob the only reason I have learned to pack sufficiently by bringing products that can be used on multitude of skin types, yet enough to carry in a small bag.

So here are some tips for packing and what I found useful: I didn't have to book a hotel so staying with girls who are fairly girly, cut down my list enormously: 

THE TSA RULE: 

Use a Quart Size bag, tho this is the rule, you can pack a gallon size bag (do check with your airport/airline to see if it's okay) BWI did not have any issues so I did pack a gallon size bag, but I did not fill it all the way. Also multiple bags are allowed.

Liquids: I was really conscious about what is considered a liquid? Liquid Foundation is considered liquid, but was cream foundation an issue? and Also what type of creme. I had a few cream palettes, as they were quite expensive so I was really conscious about having something like that removed had it not fit in the bag...

So cream palettes/foundations I kept in a semi transparent beauty bag in my carry-on. No issues there. Did not use a TSA approved bag for that stuff.

I remember all powders should be in a clear container when the TSA rules first came out, I did not see any specification on the website but I did have clearish cased translucent powders but they also remained in my carry-on. I did not have them with my TSA bag stuff.

I had a small spray bottle with rubbing alcohol to keep my brushes sanitized, tinted moisturizer, gel night mask,  contact solution, gel eyeliners, mascara, moisturizer were all in my TSA bag. These items are fairly small and did not take up much room.

* Tip: I took 2x2inch jar, put my moisturizer, SPF and serum all together. This lasted me about 2 weeks. One week there, and I still had some for majority of this week. Separately, I would have had 3 big jars, all less than 3oz, but would have taken a a lot of room. I was hesitant about the size of the jar, it happened to be empty sample jar for something/or travel size, I cleaned and washed it & added all  3 products, it was more than enough to last me. Also tweezers, razor and my lash curler that looks like a tweezer were all in an additional bag. Also a few LipGlosses, .I did have a lipstick palette which went in my carry-on, NOT in the TSA bag.

Organization: The TSA bags all stayed in my book bag. I think I had 2 bags. I know on my way back I did have 2.

This way it wasn't a hassle to take out and put back. Worked out perfectly.

Clothing: I literally over packed, thinking I could take one or 2 outfits extra in case I didn't want to wear certain things, or had to change or of course in my case, my flight got cancelled. This was retarded. I started to repack, when I was barely getting the carry on closed- Then I started packing enough for my trip.This was perfect.

I told myself, I did not 4 different types of black cardigans to take, and packed comfortable yet clothes that could be worn out. When you're in a city where your in or near downtown, like Chicago/New York comfortable and sturdy outfits are important. Cuteness is up there too but something that is versatile goes a long way. Looser fitting clothes helped.

This was super smart. One black cardigan, A warm coat, flat tennis shoes, sweater, ankle boots and leggings were essential in this. Black Cardigan came in extra handy for layer over lighter items and still not bulky for a fitting coat. The flat- coach tennis shoes (not super bulky) worked with skinny jeans and blouse/tunic tops but good for walking and Ankle boot wedges comfortable to walk a bit in without killing my knees and looked cute with my outfits. The leggings were to wear under jeans in case it got too nippy which I did wear for longer outings.

I packed a certain amount of brushes, majority of which were fairly versatile and all of my favs. 12 brushes is more than enough.

I packed 2 mineral powders, since the girls are really fair to olive skin tone, a translucent mineral powder (colorless), a few palettes, which all worked out.

The biggest hassle was my MK purse. It was big enough to carry for my DSLR but pointless. I didn't even use it much.

I packed a few scarves, and a hat I wore through out my trip. I should have packed ear muffles. The crochet hats aren't too warm for ears, since the holes are fairly large. Also I packed like 5 scarves which I did not wear all of them. I wore maybe 2-3 outfit 5 for sure. Waste of space. Multicolored scarves work, they are easier to pair up with solids.

I kept my makeup light and nice and it lasted all day. 

Another thing I did on a past trip, if you're going with a friend or staying with people.. divide up some of the stuff. Toothpaste I didn't have to take and hotels provide it, I meant to bring my curling iron and forgot it at the last minute. The girls had both a straightener/curling iron/blow-dryer. -didn't need those either. In a previous trip, a friend and I divided up our Hair Tools so that we wouldn't have too many things and ask the place your staying. I usually pack a temp toothbrush and stuff that I am gonna run out of so I can just throw it away before leaving. I also use a mineral deodorant which is like straight solid and I can throw that in my carry-on.

Take a 2-1. My old straightener curled hair fairly well, so I didn't need an additional iron for that, and hotels have blow dryers unless you're big on blow-drying, which I am not- I can generally air dry my hair and then straighten it (less heat is best for hair)  it works out. Or pick one look out. It won't kill you to lessen the mount of stuff. Travelling light feels amazing. I could also keep track of what I brought and what I had to pack so I was aware when purchasing extra stuff.

Hope this helps you out... I know sometimes the TSA rules get a bit confusing and are a tad vague. I feel like I was quite successful this trip! Not only did I realize I don't need a 1000 products to use to keep up with skincare but overall I learned to be efficient. I had all my necessities/packed into things that were trendy and fashionable. Win Win Win!

Good Luck!

If I didn't mention something you had a question about, please ask! If I have the answer I will most definitely share!

xx

Ammara

My next post I am gonna do my best to do an update skincare routine and a lot of makeup/skincare products that I have tried that are amazing!

Best Acne Wash

It's pretty hard to have one product to fight Acne, especially if you have you have Body Acne too. Most people talk about Acne products use 394304923 products just to keep Acne in control. This includes a specific moisturizer, face wash, toner and some sort of spot cream, acne mask, exfoliator etc. etc.
There are so many products out on the market and even the ones that cost $$$$ aren't fit for everyone!
I have used a ton of products myself, and sometimes they work very effectively and sometimes they dont so much.
Here's a product that i've witness perform miracles! My sister's secret:
My sister's not the biggest skincare expert and will spend money on the dumbest things. Sometimes I feel like its a waste of my life to advise her on anything...
Due to meds, and prob her diet she was breaking out like crazy. and I mean CRAZY. She was definitely wearing alot of make-up and not washing her face properly or even taking care of her skin..
She tried diff things, including prescription drugs, and antibiotics- Doxycycline. I've taken this once or twice but it makes me hurl. So yeah pass.
Doxy definitely helped her but this particular wash cleared up her skin almost IMMEDIATELY! I was shocked to see the difference. Almost really jealous! I have some sort of weird allergic reaction to Benzoyl so I can't use, ( trust me Ive tried) but in anycase 10% BP is very effective and this wash is for Face, Chest and Back. She washes her face 2x a day, hardly wears makeup now, and her skin is freaking amazing!!
If you have issues with Acne and don't have issues with BP its probably the best BP product out there! Available at local pharmacies! MSRP: 10.00

She recently bought it for a friend and my niece too..

* If your skin does dry out, use it every night but if not then 2x a day!

Christian Dior Graphic Liner DIY

My friend and I got together for a new look recently- I'm obsessed with the "graphic liner look". Christian Dior came out with Velvet Stick ons that go above the eye, creating different bold "eyeliner" looks. The velvet stickers are definitely awesome, perfectly symmetrical and wont smudge off. The color is super black as well, but they're still limited looks, so we did our own. I did end up using many black eyeliners, but it was definitely a fun and different look to go for! What do u guys think?

Great Masks for Great Skin

Sometime's the right product is right under your nose!
A few weeks ago, my skin was breaking out hardcore due to my insanely ridiculous eating habits :(
and I didn't really have any treatment products that could significantly tame my skin….so what did I do??? Look in my kitchen!!
Baking Soda, Lemon, Yogurt.. Oh my!
and something that works wonders.. Basen (chickpea flour) and Almond powder

Acne Prone Skin:
Take 2 spoons or a Teaspoon of flour, Baking soda and 1/2 a spoon of yogurt and mix until blended and pastey, add more or less if the paste is too thick or add more flour if the consistency is too thin..
It should turn into mousse
Apply on face wash when dry…. about 20 mins Do this 2X a week..
-Reduces Acne right away
-Creates an amazing glow (perfect to do the night b4 an event or outing)
-reduces blackheads/whiteheads

Oily Skin:
Use squeezed lemon juice with Basen instead of Baking soda and yogurt. Great to reduce oil!

Dry Skin:
Use Almond flour with Honey or oatmeal and yogurt/milk until pastey. Apply on Skin, wash within 10-15 mins.

Try these great masks! If you continue to use these masks regularly you'll see a significant change in your skin right away!

1 product that does EVERYTHING

Its always hard to find a product that u can have multiple use for, and if more products were like such, things would be so much easier! well... There is one product that you can totally use for EVERYTHING. Hair, Skin and body...!! So what product am I talking about?!?!?!!?!

Aloe Vera Gel! Yes! Not only can u use it for LITERALLY everything, its super inexpensive!!!

Aloe Vera Gel is usually used to heal scars, great for moisturizing skin, and keeping acne in control. BUT that's not all! It has internal benefits as well for joint pain and reducing inflammation, and keeping the digestive tract regular! 

I usually get the organic one from store, but I came across this one and its working just fine! The greatest thing about it is, I use it on my body, face and my hair!!!! 

It has been keeping my hair feeling AMAZZZZZZZZINGGG, soft and shiny!! 

So I take a little dab, while my hair is still damp and then run a comb or brush through to distibute evenly! It works as an awesome detangler and makes your hair feel weightless!

EVERYONE should have this and use it daily! Best stuff ever!!!!!! 

Aloe Vera Gel can be found at your local grocery store, drug store, and vitamin store!

For Acne this product is great, but u can add a few drops of Tea Tree Oil and apply it as a spot treatment, or all over!

Restoring Sun damaged Hair!!!

My Favorite product from Birchbox:

Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Conditioner

This product works wonders with dry hair. Especially when you're out spending hours at the beach or in the sun in general, hair tends to deal with the worst end of it. Hair becomes dry and fraily. This product is the perfect solution for dry dull hair! Here's why:

Why I love it so much? I've been using it for the past few days and it has made my hair amazing!!! Since I only had a sample --and my hair isn't very dry, its more normal if anything.. I mixed it with my regular conditioner and recently, Ive applied it just to my ends (since they end up drying out the most). Its made my hair feel stronger, smoother, extra shiny and it still has body. 


Product Detail: This lush, concentrated daily conditioning balm doesn t just sit on the surface. It actually surrounds dry, brittle hair with nourishing lipids including pure Ojon oil, nature s golden elixir, Brazilian Buriti Oil and Murumuru Butter. Helps seal in vital moisture and create the perfect buffer against daily damage. Instantly detangles. Hair looks healthier, silkier, smoother and shinier. 

Retail Value: 25.00 USD

Can be purchased at Ojon.com/ Sephora.com and other Beauty online retailers 

**Like many of you, I did sign up for Birchbox, My Glam and GlossyBox. I've cancelled my subscription to 2 of them and awaiting on Glossybox. But I won't get into why I did for this blog entry.