Hey everyone,

I was recently sent the Pixi Retinol and Jasmine Collection* and thought I would share it with you as I know a lot of people may be interested, as Retinol is one of the many skin care products that has actually been proven to work on fine lines. Retinol is part of the Vitamin A family and it directly increases the production of collagen and cell turnover, hence giving you more youthful and even looking skin. If you are anywhere over the age of 25, it is definitely recommended as this is when the skin begins to mature. As I am currently breastfeeding, I am unable to use it in my routine and therefore unable to review it, so instead I thought I would give you a quick run down on what each product has to offer as this would be a great starting point if wanting to introduce retinol to your routine.

Hi Everyone,

I recently received the Rodial Collagen Boost Lip Laquers from a fellow beauty addict Safiyah Tasneem and I was so happy to receive them. I have tried bits and bobs from Rodial but this mainly focused around their skincare. If you aren't aware, Rodial have been around since the 1999 and are a beauty brand that groups its products into particular skincare concerns. They also have a more affordable sister brand, Nip + Fab which I too have used many times. You my be familiar with some of their ranges because of the unusual names, such as,  Dragon's Blood (great for hydration), or Bee Venom (perfect for those looking to target the signs of ageing). Rodial's makeup collection launched in 2014, so is relatively new. But from what I have tried I have been impressed, particularly with their concealer and perfect contour shades. 

Hi Guys,

So I have just got back from a Hydrafacial* at the MediZen clinic in Sutton Coldfield. I left there feeling educated and enlightened about skincare as they were having an open day and demonstrating all the treatments they had to offer. I wanted to share a few of the specialist and innovative treatments they offer, as like me, you may not even be aware that some of these exist! 

I have had what I call a 'machine based facial' before, see my post here. The society we live in these days is very skin focussed and I for one have been drawn into so many skincare products recently without properly understanding the benefits of the ingredients. I usually go by trying the products and if it works or I see a change in my skin then I repurchase. However high street or even luxury skincare can only take you so far. And this is the biggest thing I have learnt today. High street products can only contain a certain percentage of Retinol for example. But when you go to a clinic for a facial, because the aestheticians are qualified they are able to prescribe more. 

When I book in for a facial, I no longer want a facial which essentially is products being massaged onto our faces and wiped off, which we could really do ourselves at home, I want something more. This is where the Hydra facial comes in. The HydraFacial gives immediate results and consists of six stages which detoxifies skin, removed dead skin cells, extracts debris and provides lasting hydration. All this is done using the Vortex Fusion Technology. Firstly there is a cleanse and peel where a new layer of skin is exposed. The next stage is to extract and hydrate, nutrients are delivered directly to the skin and penetrate the skin to a deeper level, while at the same time the Hydradermabraision wand vacuums away dead skin and black heads. Finally fuse and protect, where antioxidants and peptides are saturated into the skin.

 It is recommended to have this treatment monthly but what you can expect is immediate results. My skin looked plump and tight, pores appeared smaller, my skin also looks more even and is glowing. There was only a slight discomfort around the neck area and this comes from the micro dermabrasion tip, it literally felt like a scratching sensation, but felt more comfortable on the face. The great thing about this treatment is that it is suitable for all skin types and can be adjusted for different skin concerns. To be honest the area I most notice a difference in is my nose! It hasn't felt so clear and soft in years! The extraction really worked its magic.  At the end I was also shown what I can only call the 'muck' that had come out of my skin! I was shocked as I cleanse every day but it's normal I was told. I can't wait to see how long the results last. I will keep you posted.

MediZen is a clinic in Sutton Coldfield that provides a whole range of treatments, from injectables to Laser Hair Removal. Some of the other treatments that really intrigued me were the Mira Dry Sweat & Odour reduction treatment and the Cool Sculpting fat freezing treatment. With the Mira Dry heat is used to treat the sweat glands and it can leave you with a 80% reduction in sweat! This treatment isn't just for those people who suffer with heavy sweating but for anyone. People I spoke to who had the treatment done said they no longer needed to use deodorant and the treatment had also reduced their armpit hair. What a great side effect! The Mira Dry sounded amazing to me, especially as only one treatment is needed. Maybe it was also the fact that I had three layers on as it was a cold and windy day but then the heating was on full blast so I was definitely perspiring!

Cool Sculpting is a non invasive way of having up to a 25% reduction in fat in a particular area. The fat cells are basically frozen to the point where they die. Results are not instant and can be seen up to 3 months later. I think this is a really good solution for people like me who can't seem to shift those muffin tops and need a little help along the way.

So there we go. I hope you learnt something new, I definitely did. Let me know any skincare treatments you have had in the comments below!

Amina xx

*Complimentary treatment. All opinions are my own.

Hey guys,

Recently I was sent a box full of skincare products from Dermalogica to try out. I was really excited as Dermalogica are a brand that I have heard of numerous times before. Their products are often recommended to me when I go for facials, yet I had never actually tried their skincare before. I had previously used their Climate Control Lip Treatment but that was about it. I think the reason I had never purchased before was because I always considered Dermalogica a brand to use for serious skin issues, which I never really had. By serious I mean things like acne or very oily skin etc. But actually Dermalogica cater to all skin types and issues, whether it's acne, ageing or general maintenance there is a product to suit everyone. My skin is normal sensitivity and combination, in that it is oily in the T-zone but can be quite dry else where. I occasionally get the odd spot here or there but luckily I have never had any issues. 

This is the fist time I have used dermalogica and I have been using the products for over a month now so thought I could talk to you about products that really stood out to me and give you a little introduction to some of my faves.

1. Precleanse

This is one of the products I really enjoy using. By precleanse it basically means it is the first step in your cleansing routine because we all double cleanse right? This is perfect for removing make-up, you simple rub into your dry skin and watch the make-up completely disappear. Simply wash off with water and there should be no traces of makeup left. I really like this, and if you haven't tried an oil  cleanser before you will love. I find it quite similar to DHC cleansing oil, I think I prefer DHC a little more as I find it's thicker in consistency so really removes makeup from the oily parts of my face. The precleanse may suit those who are a little less oily.

2. Special Cleansing Gel

The next step for me is to use the special cleansing gel as my second cleanser to really remove the dirt under the skin's surface. This is soap free and you basically lather it up in your hands with water and then apply to your face. Next you simply rinse off and my face is left feeling squeaky clean. It literally has a squeak to it. And once you get this complete cleanse your skin never quite feels as clean without the squeak, so this is why I have continuously been going back to this. It is quite addictive.

3. Daily Microfoliant

Another fave of mine has been the Daily Microfoliant. This comes in powder form, you pour a little bit into wet hands, rub it together until a paste is formed and then rub into your skin. I have always been told to exfoliate maximum twice a week however because the exfoliant is so gentle it is suitable for everyday use. In particular my forehead has been of concern to me recently as I have really broken out and the exfoliant has really reduced my spot size. I'm not sure if my breakout is hormonal or even related to my hair products, but it is really starting to bug me. So I'm hoping continued use will help them to vanish!

4. Skin Smoothing Cream

Once I have cleansed I then Tone using my Pixi Glow Tonic, apply my Kiehls Creamy Avocado Eye cream, and Murad Porcelain Skin Serum. I then apply the Dermalogica Skin Smoothing Cream. It is the nicest moisturiser I have used in a while. The reason I say this is because the consistency is just right for me, it is not too greasy but not too weightless. I like my moisturiser somewhere in between. Once applied my skin feels so supple and looks really healthy so I have been using this daily. The thing is that my skin feels moisturised from within and not just on the surface which many standard moisturisers do. It is full of antioxidants and vitamins which also help to shield the skin from environmental factors, so all in all it's a keeper.

5. Skinperfect Primer

The final step in my skin routine is usually some sort of SPF. I was sent the Skin Perfect Primer with SPF 30. In terms of a primer I think this is a good product, but honestly this is probably the product I have used the least as I prefer a higher SPF and this is the only reason. The primer is slightly peach tinted too which is great as it corrects some of my uneven skin tone. I really like the fact it comes with a tube slider so you can really get all the product out of the tube, it's a clever little gadget. However I absolutely love my Biore Watery Essence SPF50 and will probably stick to using that, as SPF is one product you do want to be weightless!

Out of all the products I will definitely be purchasing the Special Cleansing Gel, Daily Microfoliant and Skin Smoothing Cream once I have run out, as they definitely leave my skin feeling cleaner than before. I can't wait to try more Dermalogica products! There is such a wide range and definitely something for everyone! What should I try next?

Amina xx

*PR Sample. All opinions are my own.

Hi everyone,

I am currently on summer holidays and really enjoying time out from blogging and work in general. I can't remember the last time I felt so relaxed and destressed. I recently got back from a holiday to Ibiza for my 30th Birthday which you may have seen on my Instagram (there is a stories highlight on my profile if you want to catch up) and it was my first holiday away from the kids, it has been over 5 years since I've been on holiday without them. They say travelling is good for the soul and this trip really was. I had time to myself and time to think without being interrupted. My thoughts were allowed to wander, to work themselves out, to understand. And this is how I have come to this post today.

I came to the realisation that the last decade had been quite a crazy one. I almost felt like I had lived a lifetime in 10 years, graduating, getting engaged and married, having my first baby, buying my first house, having my second baby, buying my second house. I realised I had been doing a lot of chasing, trying to reach goals, always wanting more, always trying to achieve more. But now it is finally time to accept. Accept what I have, what I have achieved and to be satisfied with it. 

Acceptance is so important, just being able to go yes I am where I am and that is ok can change everything. I think social media makes it very hard to accept our lives. We are constantly watching people with lives that are so much more luxurious than ours, that it sometimes becomes a bit of a normality. It can be a good thing as it makes us ambitious, working harder to earn a bit more money to buy that designer handbag, or in my case coffee table. I'm obsessed with home interiors at the moment, especially since I moved house. My Pinterest account is full of ideas. But anyway, it can also be a bad thing as sometimes some of these ambitions might be unrealistic which can in turn make us unhappy with what we are unable to achieve. Accepting where I am and not knowing what the future holds feels good for once.

I've learnt to accept people change. I am at a different place now with what I want. Things that made me happy a few years ago, no longer mean anything to me, relationships I had, no longer mean anything to me. Accept not everyone is going to be genuine and on your side. One thing I have learnt is it is important to make and break relationships, especially toxic ones, or even ones with people who just don't do anything for you. Relationships are all about give and take so don't be afraid to end relationships where it is all take.

Relationships take so much more work when you get older. Life gets busy, you need to make more time to see those family and friends who are important to you, I lost two friends last year one very suddenly and the other to a long term illness, but it taught me to really value those people who mean something to me and make time for those relationships. It's so easy when we are younger to see your friends and family all the time. But in the real world relationships become so much harder.  So if you are in my life at the moment, it's because I genuinely value you and love you.

I have honestly learnt to accept myself, love myself and my flaws. I don't care as much for my appearance anymore, I'm so much more interested in being a good role model for my girls. Showing them it's ok to be completely natural and still own it and be confident. Don't get me wrong, I still love to get my glam on as you can tell from my Instagram, but it just doesn't matter as much anymore.  I think finally at the age of 30 I am learning to love my natural curls, although it is always a love hate relationship as they have a split personality.

Accepting yourself and loving yourself is really hard but essential for happiness and maybe with age mentality changes a little. Accept not everyone will like you, I care less about what others think about me now and more about what I think about myself. People will always judge and there is no point putting energy into things you can't control. Since I have started thinking a little more selfishly for myself and my family, I have genuinely become happier.



I have also accepted not everything has to go to plan as there is a bigger plan and bigger picture. So I  go with the flow a little more and have learnt to be a little more spontaneous. I have got so much more I want to achieve in life, charity work, write a book, start my own business, maybe more kids? Ahhhhhh. I said MAYBE. But what I know is I have achieved so much already. By the age of 30 I am  married, have two babies and have bought my second home and have my shit together - kind of. But for once I am owning it. I am not chasing anything. I have everything I need, I am grateful and I accept it. Thank God.

Amina xx

Hi Guys,

This week I am bringing you a round-up some fantastic 'drugstore' products that I think are more than worth the money they are priced at. By drugstore I mean shops like Boots and Superdrug who stock a large variety of high street make-up brands. Some of these products are cult products that have literally become staples in any makeup addict's collection. But what's really great about these brands is that it just goes to show, you don't always need to spend money to get a luxury feel. I have been really surprised by the quality of some of these and I hope I inspire you to explore your 'drugstore' or chemist, whatever you prefer, a little more. 

First up I have the Sleek Summer Solstice Palette (£9.99) . I remember the hype around this when it first came out and I convinced myself I wasn't going to buy into the hype of it and I didn't. But the thing is the hype never died with this product. People still go on about it now and I can see why. It has 4 beautiful shades, two cream formulas and two powders, which are gold, bronze, pink and a champagne colour. So really, apart from silver, every shade of highlight you will ever need. I think this may be why it is so popular. Of course if you are an addict like me and drawn to shiny things one highlighter palette could never be enough, but for a normal person I'm sure it would be! Sleek eyeshadow palettes were also some of the first I ever owned, so always have a special place in my heart.

Now no drugstore post would be complete without mentioning Revolution Beauty, this brand has gone from strength to strength and even though I am not always a fan of there duping strategy, they do have a large range of makeup and brands within drugstores and you can always manage to find the type of product you need with relatively good quality. More recently I have been really impressed with their pro range. I mean just look at these swatches! You can read more about my thoughts on these here. But in general if you haven't tried Revolution Beauty, or one of their sister brands then you really should!

One brand that I keep going back to is Nip+Fab, I was actually first drawn to their skincare, in particular their Glycolic pads, which I love and use daily, but I have more recently tried their make-up and am also really enjoying it. I spoke about my admiration for their liquid highlighters here but wanted to focus in on these fantastic Lip Toppers (£7.95)*. These look beautiful on their own or over a lipstick and remind me a little of the Jouer lip toppers, but at half the price. I am totally in to my sparkle and these would work great as a sparkly/glossy eye too.

Right to Left: starlight, hypnotic, shooting star, galactic, pink rockets

swatches top to bottom: starlight, hypnotic, shooting star, galactic, pink rockets

One of my favourite drugstore products that I use everyday are the Loreal Infallible foundation/highlight/blush sticks (£8.99). These have been added to my everyday make-up routine purely for ease of use and how quick they are to blend. If you haven't tried the foundation yet click here for my in depth review or head to my Instagram stories highlights for a tutorial using them. I have been using them for 6 months and don't see myself stopping any time soon. Loreal telescopic mascara is also one of my all time faves and I own a number of their lip products.

I couldn't write this post without including NYX. The first time I used NYX was when I was a teenager, selfridges used to stock them and I remember my sister purchasing some of their eyeshadow. Even as a teenager I found the pigment and blend ability amazing. Then I started purchasing from IMATS, and when I heard they were coming to Boots I lost my sh*t and overloaded on products. Now I have calmed down a bit I still think their products are great quality and are professional quality too. Their correctors are some of my fave and I loved these Cosmic Metals Lip Lacquers from their range.

So these are my top five must try drugstore brands. There are so many more I could have chosen and I really think drugstore has grown leaps and bounds the past few years. I don't feel the need to splurge in order for it to feel like a treat or luxurious. I am more than happy browsing the tiles of boots or super drug looking for good quality makeup. So if you are a makeup snob and  haven't tried any of these yet you are missing out big time! Who would your top 5 be?

Amina xx

*PR samples. All opinions are my own.

Hey Guys,

Last week I got invited to an event hosted by Umberto Giannini at the Botanist in Birmingham city centre. It was a great night celebrating curls and some of Umberto's fab curl products. I literally felt like I was in curl heaven as I was surrounded by beautiful curly haired ladies, had curly haired products at my finger tips and even had my hair done by Umberto Giannini's Artistic Director Anastasia. If you've read my blog before you will have read about my curly hair struggles and saviours in previous posts (click here) and the products I swear by.

Having such a fab time at the #umbertogiannini #curlsarein event! @umbertogiannini Just had my hair did by the Artistic Director @anastasiastylianou Can’t wait to try all the products out! Swipe left and Head to my stories for more! #curlyhair #curlyhairstyles #frizzfree #frizzfreecurls #frizzfreehair #curly #curlylife #curlygirls #curlyheads #beautyblog #birminghamuk #wocunite #curlyhairproblems #curlyhairproducts #naturalhair #hairstagram #balyage #balayageombre #curlwhip #curljelly #bbloggersuk #birminghammua #hairstagram #hairgoalsachieved #curlycoils #curlyhairdontcare #embracethecurls #discoverunder5k #brumbloggers

A post shared by Amina Ali Ulhaq (@aminaali_mua) on Jun 6, 2018 at 12:02pm PDT

A few weeks ago I was sent the HAX Cut Crease Kit (£20) which is available exclusively to ASOS. Cut crease eyeshadow has become one of those Instagram trends that I just love and is great for making a statement. It is not the easiest look to create, so when I heard about this kit I was intrigued as it claimed to have everything you need to get that perfect cut crease look, but I did have my reservations. Could it really help me to 'master the cut crease like a pro'? Read on to find out.

So in the kit you get an eyeshadow palette with three colours, light beige for the lid, dark brown to cut the crease and medium bronze to blend through the transition. You also get a double ended brush, liquid liner, stencil (to use as a guide for the cut crease and liner) and an instruction card to guide you.

The first thing that stood out to me was that there was no cream base to cut the crease with or prime the lids with. Usually in my experience this is necessary to get that really clean defined line. I was really determined to only use the products provided in the kit however, as it is marketed as a complete tool kit to get the cut crease look. See what I created below.

As you can see the look I created with the kit is no where near as defined as the cut crease on the box  however I still think it comes across quite nicely. It is definitely more of a subtle look and this is largely due to the fact that the eyeshadows were not as pigmented as I hoped they would be. Also as I said previously no cream base is included in the kit so it is really hard to create that clean definite line, however the stencil provided does help to create a somewhat defined crease. The stencil also works really well with the liquid liner to get the perfect flick. One of my favourite things in the kit has to be the liquid liner. It's consistency was perfect and the nib on the liner was the right size to create that defined look. 

Another pro is the double ended brush. One end is fluffy which helps with the blending and the other is very small and rigid in order to create the line for the crease. I can see myself adding this brush to the rest of my collection.

I think this kit would be perfect for a make-up novice who doesn't have their own collection of makeup at home to get this look, or for someone who maybe just starting their collection and practising their techniques, or even as a gift. I would love to see a cream base added and even false lashes as I added my own here (Kiss Lashes in 'Midnight') to complete the look. The stencil and liner in the kit is definitely a selling point for me, especially if you struggle with your liner as it saved me a lot of time.

What are your thoughts on the Cut Crease? Have you ever used a stencil to get a makeup look?

Amina xx


*PR sample. All opinions are my own.

Hi Guys,

This week I am bringing to you a review of the Revolution Pro Lipstick Collection in 'Noir'. Revolution Pro are a brand under the umbrella company Revolution Beauty London, formerly Makeup Revolution. I have a few pieces from their vast range of brands in my make-up drawer but I must admit it has been a while since I have purchased from them. So when Safiyah Tasneem asked me if I would like to guest post I was more than happy to oblige.

Compared to the other brands under Revolution Beauty London I feel like Revolution Pro is less about the packaging and more about the product. Which is always a good sign. It is a little more serious than it's sister brands and this also matches the name as I'm guessing by having Pro in the name these products are targeted to those looking for high end products at an affordable price. They have a comprehensive range of products from foundations to primers, from eyeshadow palettes to highlighter palettes.

I wasn't sure what to expect, especially when I saw the price tag, £7 for 5 lipsticks! That works out to £1.40 per lipstick. But I wanted to give them a chance! Don't judge a book by it's... price tag... and all that. Anyway, in the box you get 5 lipsticks, as this particular one was the Noir collection all the shades were quite dark in tone, however they also have a pink, red and nude collections and matte versions too. 

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the whole lipstick in general. The first thing I noticed when I applied was definitely the texture of the lipstick. It was so creamy and soft to touch and felt  very moisturising on the lips. I then noticed how amazing the colour pay off was. When it comes to the wear test I would say the lipstick lasted a good 5 hours. And even then I did have a stain left on my lips so they weren't completely naked, however I felt like I needed to re apply after this time. Bear in mind I had eaten during this time too. This really impressed me as the whole time I was wearing the lipstick my lips felt really conditioned.

However the softness of the product did lead to one of the lipsticks breaking when I swatched later on my arm. This could have been due to the fact it was 27 degrees outside, but also the product is very creamy so be careful. But like I was saying, it applies like a dream. I would definitely recommend wearing a lip liner as with the softness they were also prone to bleed a little from the lip line, however this was expected and was quite minor. 

The pigmentation of the product really blew me way. The swatches seen here are one swipe swatches so you can see just how much colour applies. The shades range from a purple to terracotta and back to a deep berry colour. I think if you are in to your darker shades then this would make a great purchase. I am definitely into my nudes so will definitely be purchasing the nude collection. I love that revolution beauty are making make-up affordable for the masses. Don't get me wrong, I love my high end products, but I think these are fab for every day wear and for those of us who need to count our pennies. I don't feel like the product resembles the price tag whatsoever. I would never guess from wearing it that my lipstick only cost £1.40. It definitely has got me thinking about the money I spend on make-up!