OOTD: Blue

Hijab - Random Hijab Place

Coatigan - Primark

Top - Topshop

Jeans - Topshop

Chucks - Schuh

As-Salaamalaikum x

Review: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Hey guys, well I think it's been way overdue for me to review this new foundation I've recently added to my collection, if any of you didn't know already this little baby here is NARS Sheer Glow also known as my number one most favouritest favourite foundation ever in the history of my foundation collection. Personally I didn't think anything could beat MAC's pro-long wear foundation but NARS has blown MAC out of the water with this one. 

Now that the introduction is over, I shall get back to reviewing the foundation. I've been using it more or less everyday for the past couple of months so I feel like I can give you guys my honest opinion about it. This is the first ever NARS product I've used and after hearing everyone on YouTube and various other blogs rave about it, I thought I have to try it too. Besides anything that promises to give me flawless looking skin I'm a sucker for!

The lady that colour matched me said I was in the middle of the shade 'Barcelona' and 'Punjab' (snazzy names huh), in the end I went for the darker shade (Barcelona) just because I felt more comfortable with it on my face. Let me start of with the coverage, when I first heard about the name 'sheer glow' I assumed it was going to give me a really dewy finish and the coverage was going to be light.. To my surprise it was the complete opposite, the coverage is medium but very buildable, the finish is slightly dewy, but by no means glowing as the name suggests. The best thing about this particular foundation is, I don't find myself looking blotchy after applying it at 7am, which is another bonus for anyone that works during the day, speaking from experience this foundation won't let you down.   

When applying it to my face I find that the Real Techniques buffing brush works a treat, doesn't take a lot of effort to blend and leaves my skin looking radiant and some what natural. What I mean by natural is, it doesn't completely paint the face, if applied correcting and buffed in properly, you won't be left looking cakey in the slightest but more natural and evened out. If your like me and don't particular like looking dewy, I usually apply MAC blot powder over the top which gives me a matte look. As my skin type is a combination (oily T zone and normal everywhere else) I find I need to blot my face during the day but never have to apply more foundation. 

The only negatives I have about this foundation is the fact it doesn't come with a pump, after paying so much for the foundation alone, you'd think the pump would be thrown in. I think higher end brands should really consider making that rule mandatory (who's with me?) Also the price wasn't very impressive either, £30.50 for a foundation is pretty ridiculous but it does last quite a long time and is amazing so I guess I can let that one slide.    

With this foundation a little definitely goes a long way. Above are a few swatches to show you how nicely it blends and I hope you can see the coverage it gives too. I only have to use one pump for my whole face and for me that's suffice. In all honesty since buying this foundation, it's all I wear and would recommend it to everyone even if you have oily skin, like I mentioned earlier, it doesn't really give you a glow, I'd say it's more semi-matte so don't be put off by the name. I've never had more compliments on my skin since wearing this to be honest.. So purchasing it again is an absolute must!

Have you tried this foundation? If so what do you think of it..

I hope this review has helped (specially for those that asked me on Instagram).

Until my next post,

As-Salaamalaikum x

OOTD: Thrown on?

What I'd typically just throw on when I'm in a rush..

Hijab - Zara

Leather Jacket - Miss Selfridges 

Long Dress/Abaya/Kurta - Janan Boutique

Shoes - Primark (I couldn't resist, their so cute)

Bag - Zara

Take care,

As-Salaamalaikum x

How To Wear: Neon

Hey guys, so I thought I'd do a little bit of a different post for you all, your probably getting bored of my endless OOTD's lately.. Sorry about that! Well recently I've been loving wearing neon colours! Abit daring & out of my comfort zone.. Yes! But I've kind of come up with a way that isn't as daunting to wear so I hope it helps the rest of you that love neon colours as much as I do but don't really know how to wear it without looking like a rainbow. 

(Above are a few pieces I have in my wardrobe that are neon & as you can tell I've taken a liking to the limes & corals.. Such pretty colours!)

So basically the way I see it is, you can't wear 2 pieces of clothing that are neon at the same time. That for me is a big no no! By having just one piece of neon on, you'll make a statement with a little pop of colour instead of blinding someone. Below is a list of how I wear neon and what I'd wear them with.

1. White goes with everything - By wearing all white (skinny jeans, shirt & blazer/cardigan) and adding some neon coloured shoes or bag or even hijab, you'll be toning down the neon with the white whilst still making the neon the pop in your outfit. 

2. If not White, then any Neutral Outfit - Like the previous point, adding any neon accessory with a neutral outfit will still look on trend without looking too over the top. 

3. Neon top/Dark bottom and vice versa - If I'm wearing a neon top then I will make sure I'm wearing something darker on the bottom and vice versa.

4. STRIPES - Neon and stripes always look so cute together. Let's say you have a neon coloured blazer, pairing it with a striped tee, some boyfriend fit jeans and converse, will give you a nice laid back casual look whilst still looking bang on trend. 

5. Let your Shoes do the talking - If any of you caught my OOTD I posted not long ago, it's a perfect example of letting your shoes be the main focal point of your outfit. If you missed it, you can check it out here. Shoes are a good way for erm let's say new starters to neon (like me). Throwing anything on and adding some neon shoes always looks good.. Give it a try and see how you like it.

6. Neon Skinny Jeans - I don't actually own a pair myself (not that brave.. yet) but I've seen girls wearing them and they look so good depending on what they wear with them obviously. I think you have to be really careful with neon jeans as it's such a big part of your outfit and can't really be hidden so it's vital that when you wear them, you wear them right! In my opinion if you was to wear them during the day, pairing them with a solid colour tee or light jumper would be perfect. In the evening I would pair them with a dark coloured blouse and shoes, Black would look really nice.

7. Neon Jewelry - Understated and always gives it that little pop of colour. Neon jewelry can be found everywhere on the high street now and by adding it to any outfit you'll give it a nice little boost.

8. For us Hijab's! - YOU CAN ROCK ANYTHING ANYWAY SO YOU GO GUUUURLSSS!    

(Neon Cambridge Satchels.. LOVE!)

       (Some ways you could wear your neon pieces)

Why not pull your neon pieces out and experiment abit with them, your bound to find a comfortable way to wear them whilst looking amazing but hurry, Summer is leaving us fast!    

Show me how you wear your neon pieces.. 

Find me on:

Instagram - nk92

Twitter - @NazmaKahn

Tag me in , I'd love to see your ideas, it'll give me inspiration too! :)

Take care, until my last post,

As-Salaamualaikum x

OOTD: It's Eiddd

Hijab - Random Hijab place

Kurta (Long dress/kamees) - Bombay Stores 

Black leggings - Primark

Shoes - Jellies

Clutch - Primark

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - H&M

Eid Mubarak & As-Salaamualaikum x

OOTD: All Black Errrthang

Hijab - Random Hijab Shop

Black Peplum Top - Primark

Skirt - H&M

Bag - H&M

Necklace - New Look

Watch - Michael Kors

Shoes - Black peep toe flats (even though you can't see them) 

As-Salaamualaikum x

Ramadhan - A Month to Reflect

Salaam readers, so I know I'm a tad bit late with this post as were already in the middle of Ramadhan (can you believe it?) but I thought it would be nice to share with you my experiences so far. I admit I have found Ramadhan this year some what a struggle. I don't know weather it's the lack of sleep or the fact that the UK was experiencing a heatwave the week Ramadhan started. Nevertheless I am trying my best to make the most of such a blessed month we've been gifted with, Alhamdulillah. 

(Iftar time in Saudi Arabia)

To me Ramdhan is a month to reflect, to change our bad habits into good, to purify our souls, to learn new things and better ourselves as much as we can. If any of you are in the same situation as me that doesn't have a choice but to go to work during the week days rather then concentrating solely on Islam, it's difficult to say the least. There's so much I want to do during this blessed month but balancing everything out is proving a lot harder than I thought. 

So here's what I decided to do, at most peoples work places there should be some sort of contemplation/prayer room, I've been spending my dinner and breaks in there.. Being far far away from the nice smelling food the better, trust me! (Is it just me or does food seem to smell that little bit nicer when your fasting?) haha.. But seriously it does help, pray some Nafl salah, read the Quran, make dua, dhikr or even read a book. I promised myself at the start of Ramadhan that I wanted to learn something new everyday, and by going to the prayer room at work I'm managing to do just that, Alhamdulillah. Also just recently I have become inactive on twitter which maybe to some is unnecessary as there's alot of fellow Muslim brothers and sisters on there that tweet very beneficial things, but I felt like I was spending too much time on there re-tweeting when I could be reading the Quran and gaining ilm  in that time.. We shall call it a twitter fast! :)

I've also been carrying around with me a tally counter or dhikr counter as I like to call it, which I was gifted with before Ramadhan. It's become so useful, I don't leave the house without it. When I find myself doing nothing it comes in handy. A tasbeh is used for the same purpose also.

I always remember the Hadith..

 “Keep your tongue wet with the remembrance of Allah.”

and the verse in the Quran..

'Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace.' 
- Surah Ar-Rad, verse 28

I've also been trying to attend as many Islamic talks and lectures as I can at a local Islamic centre. In Ramadhan they tend to hold alot more classes and talks then usual. I'm making the most out of them, they can be so beneficial and again it's another way of learning new things about my deen. If there isn't a masjid or centre near you that holds talks then watch Islamic videos on YouTube, channels like TheMercifulServant and TheDailyReminder upload videos frequently of talks and lectures by sheikhs and imams that I personally learn alot from. May Allah be pleased with them.

I've also started to write notes when reading the translation of the Quran. By going through each surah and breaking it down, you start to truly understand the words of Allah, Subhana'Allah. I would tell everyone to do this insha'Allah. I feel like because I'm writing the translation down in my own words it makes it that much easier to understand. Alhamdulillah we've been blessed with really good technical gadgets these days, why not use them to best of there ability? I have various Quran apps on my iPad and iPhone but iQuran has got to be my favourite. It has different reciters but also different translators too so it's easier for us to choose which translator we understand best and on top of that, if your learning to read the Quran in tajweed or already read the Quran in tajweed, iQuran colour codes the rules of tajweed for you, making it easier to not forget to do idgham for example in certain parts. 

Lastly I've been reading books.. A whole load of books! I would trade anything in to just sit and read all day. My advice.. Bury yourself under books, obviously come out at salah time but then go straight back haha. Being an ultimate philomath, learning, discovering and gaining knowledge about new things is my favourite thing to do so books are my best friends. Take heed and gain ilm whenever and wherever you can, it will only strengthen your Iman insha'Allah.

So I leave you with this humble message..

  

I pray Allah {SWT} accepts our fasts, our Zakah and Sadaqah, our Umrah and Hajj, our repentence, our good deeds and insha'Allah multiples them and lastly accepts all of our duas made during this blessed month. I pray whatever good changes we've made to our lives, we carry them on after Ramadhan with the will of Allah. 

Aameen

Remember the reason why as Muslims we fast. Knowing that Allah's mercy is wide open to us during this month, truly is a blessing. Keep the less fortunate in our duas and give abundantly.

Those who spend (in the cause of Allah) privately or publicly, by night and day, have their reward with their Lord. And (on the Day of Resurrection) they shall neither fear nor grieve. 

- (Al-Baqarah 2:274)

Until my next post, 

As-Salaamualaikum x