WINTER SKINCARE FAVOURITES

In today's blog post, I wanted to share some of my favourite skincare products and tips for keeping your skin hydrated this winter. Click on the images, where I've attached a link, to find the product.

1. OILS

I love using oils on my face, body and sometimes as a hair mask! Sometimes I use it on its own or add a few drops to my moisturiser. I prefer to use oils in the evening before bed, when my skin will drink up all the moisture, however, using it in the morning or even before applying makeup is great too. And, as I said, I use oils for my body and hair too. Especially as I have very dry skin, oil just keeps my skin, hydrated, plump and youthful.

My favourite oils are:

Jason vitamin E Pure Natural Skin Oil

Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate Oil

For hair:

Pantene Smooth & Sleek Leave - In Argan Dry oil

2. STICKING TO CREAM CLEANSERS

During the colder months, I stick to cream cleansers like the Liz Earle Cleanse And Polish which is my absolute favourite cleanser, I've mentioned it before on my blog. But seriously, this cleanser is amazing, it removes the makeup and dead skin whilst keeping your skin hydrated and nourished. You have to check out this cleanser if you haven't already!

Liz Earle Cleanse And Polish

3. FACE MASKS

I have an obsession with face masks and now that it's colder, I've switched mine up to more hydrating and moisturising masks. A while ago, Liz Earle came out with their new Balancing Gel Mask which I just had to try! The gel formula leaves your skin feeling so refreshed and hydrated, it's just so cool!

I also love using sheet masks mainly the ones from Garnier! They are perfect for hydrating your skin, very easy to use and travel with.

Liz Earle Balancing Gel Mask

Garnier sheet masks

4. LIPS

My lips are always dry no matter the season and I don't really do that much for my lips except from exfoliating them with a homemade lip scrub (that I make using sugar and a bit of honey) and using some lip balm like Vaseline. Exfoliating your lips gets rid of the dead skin, makes them plump and also gives your lips that natural pinky colour. I just use Vaseline for my lip balm, it's super hydrating and I apply this everyday, morning and night and touch up throughout the day. At night I like to apply a thick layer before bed so my lips can drink up all the moisture and in the morning my lips are super soft and hydrated!

EXTRA TIPS

Some extra tips include drinking water and wearing sun cream everyday no matter rain or shine. Also, keep your skincare routine simple and minimal.

I hope you enjoyed reading this winter skincare post!

Enjoy your weekend,

Lots of love,

Aleisha xxx

DREAMY DESSERTS IN THE DESERT

I recently traveled to Kuwait for the winter holidays and since I have already shared a post previously on the blog about what we got up to last time, I didn't want to share the same thing but instead, switch it up. I've been scrolling through my camera roll and just couldn't let some of my pics go to waste lol and I have decided to share a mini post of some of lovely cafes/dessert places we visited and ones you should visit and check out too, I'm sure you'll want to after reading this post or just start craving some dessert instead!

BOUCHON BAKERY

I have already visited this cafe and spoken about it in my last Kuwait post but, I really love this cafe and their amazing pasta and desserts! This time we only went for desserts and we ordered macarons, a blueberry muffin, a date and caramel tart and a chocolate cake - this was sharing with my family! In addition to the desserts, I also got an iced latte which complimented the sweet flavours. As always, everything at Bouchon was super tasty and a real treat for the family!

KOTTON BAKERY

Now this cafe is one that I hadn't visited before but my Mum actually mentioned it and wanted to go here. Kotton bakery are known for their Japanese cheesecakes. When we went to Kotton, we ordered three small Japanese cheesecakes to try and some iced lattes for takeaway. The Japanese cheesecakes were light and fluffy, perfect with the ice lattes! The cafe/shop was small but I loved the simple & minimalist decor!

DIPNDIP

Every time we go to Kuwait or Dubai, we always go to Dip n Dip, who are known for their signature way of pouring Belgium chocolate. We tend to just get their pyramid profiteroles and share it between us. My brothers absolutely love Dip n Dip, their desserts are so dreamy and heavenly! Check out Dip n Dip if you haven't already!

I hope you've enjoyed reading this post.

Enjoy the rest of your week,

Lots of love,

Aleisha x

MY AUTUMN FASHION ESSENTIALS

I am so happy that it's finally autumn! Not only is it easier for us Muslim women to dress, and I get to burn more candles (which my brothers absolutely hate! lol) but I'm very excited for the autumn fashion! The autumn colour palette and some of the trending fashion pieces. Which is why, in today's post, I'm talking all things fashion, mainly autumn fashion!

1. TRENCH COATS

Lets start with coats! I think trench coats are an absolute classic and staple in any wardrobe! They give just the right amount of warmth for the autumn time and are very fashionable and trendy! You find trench coats in many colours, I have one in pink, which I absolutely adore and find it adds that pop of colour. I also recently purchased a sleeveless trench coat, perfect for when you tuck a top in and need to cover at the back for modest reasons and also for when it's not too cold. Overall, I'd recommend a trench coat in your wardrobe this autumn if you haven't already got one. I don't own the trench coats below, I have similar ones.

1 - Burberry

2. Chichwhish.

2. TROUSERS

Next are trousers. For me, I'm not a big fan of jeans, you'll hardly ever find me in them but, I have been wearing them a bit more recently. They're the same jeans in my 'Big style in Little Venice' blog post, I really need to get another pair, maybe in a lighter colour. However, I've just been wearing them with a jumper tucked in. It's such a simple outfit but it can look really trendy if you style it right!

So, as I said, you'll hardly find me in jeans, but, you will find me in wide leg trousers or culottes. Not only are they super comfy (and make your legs look longer) but they are so trendy! If you're just lazing around at home or going to be indoors, be it at the mall or a friends house, you can just pair wide leg trousers or culottes with a jumper tucked in. It just feels as if you're wearing pajamas.

Recently, I purchased some wide leg trousers with a dog tooth print. I've tried them on multiple of times and find that you can really style it in many different ways! I also own some metallic pleated trousers in pink, green and grey! I don't own the ones below, however they are very similar to ones that I do own.

1. Newlook

2. Riverisland

SHOES & BOOTS

Lets talk footwear! When it was raining here in London, I pulled out my black ankle boots which I bought a while ago from New Look. They're still in good condition and I don't think I'll be chucking them out any time soon, but I'm really into patent ankle boots. I want them so badly! They look so trendy and can easily spice up any outfit! I haven't purchased any yet but I'm hoping too very soon! The ones below have a heel height that's too high for me! So I'm still looking.

Trainers are a great option for a more comfy casual day. To be honest, I don't wear trainers that much, but mainly when I just want something comfortable to wear and you can get very cool, stylish ones too!

1 - Public Desire

2 - Adidas

SCARVES

This includes both headscarf and the scarf to wrap around your neck. Lets start with head scarfs. Now, it isn't too cold here yet in in London, so I am still wearing my chiffon hijabs, mainly in the neutral shades. However, when it is a bit cold and I really just need a quick scarf to throw on, I'll opt for a jersey hijab. The soft, warm material will keep you cosy but you can still look put together. The great thing about jersey hijabs is that it requires no effort and no hijab pins or under-cap. The material isn't slippery like chiffon hijabs so you can just throw it on and don't have to worry about whether it'll slip. I've bought my jersey hijabs from local hijab shops or Dubai or Kuwait. The picture below is a jersey hijab from Haute Hijab.

The next scarf is tartan scarves. I'll probably still be wearing mine this autumn and winter whether it's trending or not. I bought mine from New Look a while ago, when they were the autumn fashion craze. But, I still like to wear mine. I've got mine in the typical autumn colours (brown, mustard, burnt orange) which I love and think it would look great with either a black coat, trench coat or even a camel coloured coat. And, Lets also not forget how warm they actually are, so its perfect for autumn. Both fashionable and warm. Since I bought mine a while ago, I couldn't find it on the website.

1 - Haute Hijab

BAGS

Bags and accessories are the last bit to complete your autumn look or even add that touch of detail. I feel like tote bags or larger bags just fit that autumn look. You can find so many bags now on the high-street from places such as Primark, New look or my favourite, Aldo or even premium high-street places such as Dune or Ted Baker. Bags in the colours, brown, black or even an orange-like shade.

I really enjoyed writing this autumn fashion post and hope you enjoyed reading too! Follow me on Instagram to stay up to date and I'll see you in my next post!

Have a lovely week,

Lots of love,

Aleisha xxx