Moroccan Oil - A Miracle!

One of the rarest oils of the world, the tress that produce the miraculous Argan Oil are actually dubbed as the “Trees of Life”. 
The oil is 100% ethically sourced. The true Aragn Oil is 100% Paraben Free with no preservatives or additives, and is 100% Pure Deodorised.
 
It is EcoCert Certified, which means you are guaranteed to be purchasing the real thing!


This oil is anti-aging and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. It will visibly diminish the signs of aging.

It has natural repair and protection properties.

It will protect against the harsh elements of nature by hydrating the skin; it also contains a natural sun protection. 

This oil is great as it helps eliminate stretch marks! So get rubbing ladies or gents!

You can even rub it into your nails to make them stronger.

If you suffer from acne, blemishes, eczema, psoriasis or scars, then this oil with help reduce the effects of these conditions.

It absorbs easily into the skin and is very light and moisturising

It is great as a Hair Treatment, it will seal in moisture and help to restore amazing shine and seals split ends.

100% Natural so it won’t irritate the skin.

Guys you can use it if you have sensitive skin to shave with, or to use after shaving to help moisturise the face.

 
I use it all over my body after a shower to add moisture and to keep my skin supple. I use it on my face to help with my sensitive skin and I use it as a hair treatment once a week for condition and shine.

For Facial Use
On your face you only need to apply 1 or 2 drops gently work in and let dry. Start using at night until your skin is used to it, then you may use it twice a day if you feel your skin needs it. Your skin will feel silky and smooth.

For Hair Use
On your hair apply to the mid-length and ends after shampooing and leave for 30 minutes or leave it overnight for more damaged hair, use a gentle shampoo to rinse out. You can apply this to the scalp if you suffer from dandruff or the conditions above.
 
I use it everywhere! You really will love it!

Sofia x

DIY: Split Ends Be Gone!

Split ends. Nobody likes these bad guys, but unfortunately they are a fact of life. Hair gets old, hair gets manipulated, and hair gets damaged. When the hair has experienced a great amount of trauma or has simply reached a certain age, these little nuisances crop up with the intention of destroying our length and hair health dreams. While our hair will never be totally free of split ends, there are certain measures that you can take to ensure that they don't take the beauty away from your crowning glory. Here’s an easy homemade treatment for split ends.

Ingredients:

1 Egg Yolk

1 Teaspoon Honey

3 Teaspoons Olive Oil

 

 

Directions

 

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl

Gently massage this mask into your hair

Cover with a shower cap

Leave it on for half an hour

Finally, wash with a mild shampoo

 

 

 

Sofia x

EID UL FITR - Head To Toe Beauty Tips

As Ramadan comes to a close, we get ready to celebrate Eid-Ul-Fitr – The word “Fitr” meaning break.  This year Eid falls on the 8^th of August.  Traditionally Eid is observed on the first day of Shawwal, not as a celebration that Ramadan has ended, but to thank Allah for giving followers the strength to endure the fasting and abstinence from “evil habits”.

Some of you may be celebrating Eid on the 9th August, and I am sure that you must be well in to preparations for Eid-ul-Fitr, looking for that perfect dress, shoes and jewellery for looking perfectly dressed on the special occasion of Eid.

Whenever you celebrate Eid, here are my 8 tips to make you feel beautiful head to toe.


   


1.  Flawless Face

This Eid, let your eyes do the talking and keep the rest of your makeup elegant and simple.

Tip: After moisturizing, apply a shine-free foundation for perfect skin.  Set the foundation by dusting a light loose powder and a bronzer to add warmth.

 

 

 

 

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2.    The Eyes

Coloured eyeliners and mascaras are big this season. Switch your usual black eyeliners with a coloured one for a trendy change.  Using a coloured eyeliner with matching mascara can really make your eyes stand out.

Tip: Don’t match your eyeliner to your outfit.  Instead, choose neutral coloured eyeliners like olive green; which will actually compliment your eye colour.
Brown Eyes: Dark Blue/Green
Green Eyes: Dark Purple
Blue Eyes: Dark Brown

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3.    On the Lash

With so many new mascaras on the market, ultra-long dark lashes are more popular now then ever.

Tip: Try priming your lashes with lash primer before applying your mascara for longer & more full lash this holiday season. 

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4. Deep Dark Pout

From violet to burgundy, deep berry coloured lips are on this season. Keep the rest of your makeup simple and wear a statement bold lip to add some personality to any Eid event.

Tip:
Pale Skin: Try cool shades to prep your complexion
Olive/Dark Tones: Try warm shades to compliment your skin tone
If you prefer a softer option add a soft violet or burgundy hue with a lip gloss instead. 

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5.     Body Beautiful

For silky soft skin this Eid, massage a body exfoliator that contains papaya.

Tip: After you’ve exfoliated in the shower.  Mix half portion body moisturizer with half portion foundation.  Rub it in. The foundation gives the effect of sheer even skin, while the massage gives you a glow. 

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6.    Shimmer & Shine

If you’re going to a fancy party, glamour it up with some body shimmer. Dust loose powdered body shimmer with a large powder brush on your arms, feet or legs.  Also highlight the apples of your cheeks with a sheer mineralized blush for a natural shine.

Tip: For long lasting shine, apply shimmer body lotion all over the body and then dust on a matching shimmer powder for ultimate glow. 

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7.  Heavenly Hair

With all the busy activities of Eid, our hair can get pretty flat by the end of the day.  To help keep hair volume, try backcombing the crown of your head and spraying on some hair spray to keep it in place.  Ideally, it should be used to create volume without looking like it’s been backcombed.

Tip: When backcombing you can get a little carried away.  Use a hair spray that can easily be combed out just in case you add a little too much volume to your hair.

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8.  Nail Perfect Manicure

You don’t have to wear nail polish to have polished feet.  If you are worried about missing your prayers, keep your nails neat and short for real impact.  Go square to add an elegant touch!

Tip: If your nails tend to break easily rub fresh garlic on them before you sleep for rock solid nails for guaranteed results!!

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Eid Mubarak Beautiful's!

May Allah swt accept all our fasts and prayers. Hope you all have a wonderful Eid whenever you celebrate it.

 

 

Sofia x

 

HAIR VOLUME - The Dos and Don’ts

So we finally get some decent sunshine in the country! Now I don’t know about you girls, but this warm and humid weather has been doing quite a number on my beauty routines. Sweating off my makeup and my hair is so limp. Not. Hot.

But, while I can’t keep my eyeliner from not smearing at least there’s something I can do about my hair. Yes, those locks might seem to refuse to have volume but with a few tricks, you can retire that summer bun for good. Here are my 10 tips for getting luscious locks that defy this heat wave.

Do: Use the right cleaning products. Start with an anti-frizz shampoo and conditioner.. For curly hair, try moisturizing shampoo and conditioners to minimize frizz.

Do: Blow-dry your hair upside down if you’re in a hurry. Flipping over is my number one trick to getting volume—especially if you’re short on time. Add a little liquid texture, and blow-dry your hair upside down. Then continue drying your hair normally, and smooth only the top half as to not brush out the effort you put in on the under half.

Do: Apply texturizer all over. Celebrity hairstylist Mitch Stone, who has worked with Jennifer Lopez and Kyra Sedgwick, says that you might need more product than you think. He suggests applying texturizing spray all throughout your hair, concentrating at the roots but working it all the way to the ends.

Do: Blow-dry hair in sections. If you have time, dry your hair in ¼ inch sections starting right at the top of your head on either side of your part.  Take the first section and direct the hair to the opposite side from the way it wants to go, up over your part. I recommends hitting each section with some hairspray for added oomph.

Don’t: Be afraid to tease. Take those same quarter-inch sections and lightly tease them to lock in that volume and finish with firm hold hairspray.

Don’t: Use pump hair sprays. The biggest don’t for getting volume is using a heavier pump hair spray that will only weigh the hair down.

Do: Scrunch your hair if it’s curly. For real quick process, just walk away and continue scrunching your hair till it dries. If you have a little more time and want more control, flip your head upside down and slowly scrunch with the blow dryer until dry.

Do: Use rollers. I absolutely love my Babyliss thermo ceramic heated rollers. Add rollers after you have added texture spray into the hair: The texture spray will act a bond to hold the root straight out from the scalp creating a amazing volume finish.

Don’t: Leave the house with wet hair. For volume always, always make sure your hair and whatever product you’ve put into your hair, is completely dry. This locks in the style.

Do: Reapply product as needed: My favorite product for keeping volume throughout the day is Elenett Hair spray. You can get great hold and you’re able to reapply it as you need, as well, plus it won’t weigh your hair down.

Remember just have fun and play with it! Hope your all having an amazing summer.

Sofia xx

TOP 5 Hairstyles For Summer

From loose braids to beachy waves, here are my top 5 hairstyles for this season. With all the extra sunshine, the last thing you want to do is spend hours perfecting your hair, you can follow my easy tips to recreate each do at home. Then get ready to turn heads at your next barbecue or beach party!

 

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1. PRETTY PLAITS

 

 Pretty plaits at the crown are always a winner for the summer especially at festivals as they are easy to do, go well with any outfit and can easily be kept in all weekend or taken out to reveal wavy locks for day two!

 

 

 

Get the look

Prep the hair with some straightening cream and blow dry smooth to ensure hair is knot and tangle free.

Leaving a few strands at the front, part the hair deep on one side and begin two plaits from either side of the parting.
Try the French plait technique to add texture and secure on the head to survive all degrees

Work each plait towards the back of the head until they meet near the nape and tie the ends into a messy bun.
Finish with some firm hold Hairspray which comes in handy travel-sized bottles for on-the-go touch ups.

 

 

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2. MESSY TOPKNOT

 

The messy high bun is cool, flattering and low-maintenance. Plus it works best on unclean hair – bonus!

 

Get the look
 

 Damp the hair then blow dry with a large brush to ensure that hair is soft with lots of movement
Scrape hair into a high ponytail and secure with a band, in order to create the side plaits you will need to keep two small sections of hair out of the ponytail
Backcomb sections of the ponytail to create the height, then pin these sections into the base of the pony tail with hair pins
To add texture to your top knot simply plait the two remaining sections not in the ponytail and fix across your head with Kirby grips
Once complete mist all over with hairspray to hold
Wrap hair around the ponytail then secure with more pins; leave some strands of hair to hang loose for a sassy look - chic but effortless

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3. VINTAGE UPDO

 

This retro style is perfect for funking up a day look and disguising greasy locks.

 

Get the look
 

Apply some Volume Mousse into damp hair and scrunch dry 1980s style – do this with your head upside down to get loads of body into it
Once dry backcomb all the roots and twist the back and pin into a messy French plait
Next wrap a rolled up head scarf behind the ears, over the crown and tie off to one side - leaving your fringe out, or glam up with accessories
To finish, spray with maximum hold hairspray

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4. THE SIDE PLAIT

 

The side plaits are effortlessly sexy – the messier the better! Do a single plait or various sized ones and add a glam clip to show them off.

 

Get the look
 

Long hair or extensions are needed here
To begin you will need to split your hair into two sections then begin plaiting one section at a time, starting from the top of your head and working downwards
 Begin the plait quite loosely and then move onto a tighter plait towards the end of your hair
 To finish your style and ensure it lasts all festival long apply a firm hold hairspray throughout

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5. MESSY CHIGNON

Try the messy chignon for an easy-to-do yet elegant up-do.

 

 

Get the look

Gently pull back the hair into a ponytail in the middle of the head at the back and back comb the ponytail loosely with a wide tooth comb.

Then use pins and grips to fix the lengths of the ponytail back into the base, creating a messy chignon. For a variation, try pinning to one side to create an on trend asymmetrical style.

Leave the front or fringe natural or gently curled for an all-over messy effect and finish with some bursts of hairspray to keep flyways at bay.  Add some shine and hold hairspray to ensure hair shines all day and night long.

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Good Luck trying out these simple yet classy styles. Hope you all have a great summer!


Sofia xx

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Managing and Styling FESTIVAL HAIR

So its that time of the year again!! With Festival season in full swing, here are my tips to managing and styling you hair, with quick and easy tricks to keeping your hair looking fresh and fabulous through the festivities!

WASH - Give you hair a good wash the night before using a really good moisturising conditioner

HOLD - Whilst your hair is still wet add a good foundation product, like a strong holding mousse and let it dry in your hair, this will help hold any style you will create later giving your hair texture.

CURLS - Tong your hair! The bigger the better, this will give it movement and shape plus you have 3-4 days for it to drop and play with.

DRY SHAMPOO - A must have, it will replenish your hair and make it feel fresh. I would recommend Batiste XXL dry shampoo, just spray in to your roots and it instantly adds texture and builds up volume.

ACCESSORISE - Hair accessories are always huge in the summer. Bows, Berets and Headbands will add creativity to any hairstyle. Big this summer is flowers! I am loving the flower crowns if your daring or you can keep it simple with small flowers.

PLAIT - If you want your curls to stay in, plait your hair overnight to keep them in and it prevents frizz.

AVOID - Using too much product like serum and waxes, your hairs naturals oil's will show through so avoid anything that will make your hair oily. And avoid touching your hair as it will build up grease.

Most importantly remember your hair is a great accessory! Play with and have fun, it can be styled in many different ways. Look out for my Top 5 Festival Hair Do's I shall be posting on my blog soon and on my Facebook page. Have fun and enjoy the festivities madness. Mwah x


Sofia Qayyum x

12th Lux Style Awards

 

The 12th Lux Style Awards took place yesterday for the very first time in Lahore {Pakistan} at the Pearl Continental. A lot of deserved awards were given out with acknowledgements to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan who received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Music which was presented by Mian Yousaf Salli. The awards celebrate 'style' in the Pakistani entertainment industry and honour the country's best talents in film, television, music and fashion. The LUX Style Awards is considered one of the nations premier award show events and have been dubbed 'Pakistan's Oscars'. The CEO of Warid spoke and said "these kind of events are important because they show a softer side of Pakistan".

 

 

 

Humsafar swept the satellite television category bagging the best actor awards, best serial and director awards.

 

The Awards were a colour blast with performances from Sahiba (my all time favourite), Noor, Meera, Mathira, Ahmed Butt and many more.

 

 

 

Atif Aslam made an appearance with his beautiful wife Sara Bharwana (pictured below). Atif performed Nusrat Fateh Ali's Afreen Afreen with Aamina Sheikh and Humaima Malik. He blew away the audience with his Dholna performance.

 

 

My favourite had to be the ravishing Ayyan Ali (below) who shone on the LSA Red Carpet, in her dress designed by Deepak Perwani with her sophisticated look.

 

 

Ayesha Omar (below) lit LSA Red Carpet on fire, and surprised everyone after her debut music album wont best record award. 

 

 

 

 Mehreen Syed my favourite Pakistani Model bagged herself Best Female Model of the year, pictured below with fab designer Nomi Ansari. Her outfit by Mehdi

 

 

Here is the official list of winners as revealed by the LUX Style Awards on their Facebook page. 

 

 

 

Achieve 'Glamorous Hair' with heated rollers

Hello Beautiful's

So I have had many requests on how to create effortless glamorous curls. Curling your hair can be a real chore, but it couldn't be simpler, and the results amazing, creating volumised, thicker and healthier looking glamorous hair. 

 

I love my curling tongs but I think the best way to create a lot of volume starting from the roots is with rollers. My favourite rollers are the BaByliss Thermo Ceramic Hair Rollers. They heat up very quickly, the surface of the rollers is black velvet which keeps the hair in place and they are never too hot, so you don't get burnt whilst your picking them up. The rollers are also washable which is a big plus as sometimes styling products can build up on them.

 They come in three different sizes: large, medium and small. I use the large rollers at my crown to create that extra volume on top, the medium rollers I use in the middle and the small ones at the very bottom on my longer layers as they give a smaller curl. I always put the rollers in so I roll them away from my face. I usually put my rollers in, do my makeup and by the time I am finished, I am ready to take them out. I give my hair a good upside down shake and brush where necessary to create shape and hairspray to set.

 

I love these rollers and think they are a must have if you want to achieve effortless curls in half the time. Techniques improve with time, you become neater and quicker.

 

Hope you found this helpful.

 

 

Sofia Qayyum

xx

 

 

 

 

Baby I was born this way!

Many moons ago, lived a young girl who had hopes, dreams and aspirations to become someone really extraordinary one day! Little did I know what started off as a hobby would evolve in to my career and put me on the road to becoming a very successful hairstylist :-D

I have always had a passion for fashion and beauty. From a young age when I was gifted my very first doll, she had long silky, shiny, goldilock ringlets for hair, crystal blue eyes and plastic ivory skin. I was always sewing her little tube dresses (because it was the only thing I could sew). Plaiting her hair and making the most random styles.

Although I later graduated with a 2:1 in Law, it was never something I really enjoyed. It was more so I could get a picture on the mantle piece. As a self-taught hairstylist I have made many mistakes, (if you don't make them you cant learn from them), learnt so many tips and tricks of the trade so I decided to share my knowledge and what I have picked up along my journey.

I will try to update this blog as much as possible with latest hairstyles and trends, tips to getting that beautiful looking hair, all the crazy industry people I meet along the way, pictorials and soon video tutorials.

So let the confessions begin…