HUGE 15 Product Beauty Giveaway! Are You In?

So as you may or may not know.... it's GIVEAWAY time!

On my Instagram page I am hosting a huge beauty product giveaway, perfect for treating yourself this summer.

All you have to do is make sure you're following me on there & comment on the giveaway pic with an emoji to describe the products! Good luck :D xo

ENTER HERE!

Open to US/CA/EU/UK residents only. Only 1 entry per person allowed. Applicants must be 18 years or over. A significant attempt to contact the winner will be made however I reserve the right to choose another winner should this be necessary. 

Stitch Three Coffee Morning: How Your Fashion Cravings Can Save Orphans...

If you're like me, you often have moments of complete sadness thinking about the state of the world, especially when it comes to the welfare of children who are suffering in poverty. It's awful to come to terms with the idea that children can be born into a life of hardship without asking for it. I think sometimes it's easy to forget and more so easier to distract yourself from the real issues. I do it all the time... it saves the feelings of guilt....

However, we can't always run away from the issues at heart. I think all of us can be doing things to help out people in need, whether its donating to charities, volunteering every so often or setting up fundraising events. Not only is it rewarding but it actually makes a big, big difference as I've learnt with my experiences (although I could be doing a lot more too!)

Anyway, I thought I would share with you an exciting event coming up where you don't actually have to do much at all, aside from maybe purchasing a few beautiful pieces!

Nida Azwer Iznkik 

I know it's a little short notice but if you have the time, why not pop down? 10% of all proceeds will be donated so you can shop a little more guilt free!

South Asian, high fashion studio and retail concept, Stitch Three, will be hosting a Coffee Morning in association with NGO, SOS Children’s Villages Pakistan, where they will be presenting a seasonal curation of the latest collections from some of Pakistan’s most lauded fashion houses.

SOS Children's Villages Pakistan works for the welfare of orphaned children, providing them with loving care, security, higher education and job training. 

It's taking place on Wednesday 8^th July, 10am – 2pm at a South London location. Please RSVP to info@stitchthree.com for further details.

Opulence & Grandiose Luxury: Anjalee & Arjun Kapoor Take the UK by Storm!

Walking into the new Anjalee & Arjun Kapoor store at East Shopping Centre for the first time was absolutely jaw-dropping. I felt like I was in a dreamland... the space was elegant & an air of opulence lightened up the room, yet it didn't feel intimidating... more so welcoming and peaceful.

As I walked around, I noticed these fabulous designs all around me, fit for the crème de la crème of society. Each piece was unique in its own way, it was like looking at works of art. These weren't just clothes or garments, they were paintings.

Interestingly, as you walk around the shop you can definitely see the transitional themes that are going on within the collections. With concepts such as The Phantom of the Opera & Persian Fantasy, this is no ordinary designer... what I can assure everyone is that you will be getting exceptionally unique pieces that are created with out-of-the-box concepts in mind.

The space is open & airy with lots of room to view all the designs & chill out on the golden furniture. You could tell that everything was immaculate from the designs to the setting. It felt so regal, unlike any other store I've ever been to. 

Meeting the Brains Behind it All...

All thanks to Bliss PR, I had the pleasure of meeting Anjalee a few days before the big launch. She was bubbly & full of life, very on-the-ball, welcoming & ready to talk me through her collections. As soon as she spoke, I could feel the energy & passion that she has for her babies. As I walked around staring in awe at the vibrant colours & rich materials, Anjalee mentioned her love of using silks, lace & Swarovski crystals which is fairly unusual in the industry. Some were very heavily embellished with crystals but they still looked so classy & glamorous, designed to make any woman in them light up the room with her presence.

I also noticed her use of sheer materials & pieces that looked more like gowns. With such dazzly pieces, it reminded me a lot of the huge trend going on right now on all the red-carpets as we've seen the likes of Beyonce & Kim Kardashian rock these show-stopping dresses with crystals everywhere, fitted to hug their silhouettes which is a point that Anjalee really focuses on a lot. 

It was apparent that there weren't too many typical pieces here. The lenghas had a twist to them, many with very intricate details inspired by Persian themes including their carpet designs. The anarkalis were far from standard... more like red-carpet gowns. 

'Why make something standard when I have the capacity to do something different', said Anjalee. 

As we discussed her big break in the UK, Anjalee mentioned that she has had other international stores but with her UK branch, she wants to stress that she will adapt to all her clients individually and does make hybrid Western clothing as well to meet everybody's needs. It was apparent that Anjalee puts her pride & soul into her work, as demonstrated when I was wrapping up. A bride-to-be came in for a consultation and I managed to have a nosy glimpse at how interactive the whole experience was. It was like watching something out of a movie. Anjalee was there discussing all her needs & as the bride came out, everyone just watched her transform into a princess & her family were   completely taken aback.

As I'm 20, I think it's fair to say I'm far from the marriage stage but when that big day comes, I would 100% want to choose somewhere like this store where I feel like all my needs are being catered to. After all, every bride wants that special treatment.

Aside from the glamour of the store & consultations, I noticed that the Anjalee & Arjun Kapoor photoshoots were absolutely phenomenal.

'We recently shot in Mykonos, Greece alongside the crisp blue waters. It was a stunning location and I wanted to do something different to shooting in a studio', she mentioned. 

How gorg is the shot below?! I just had to bring up these photos because I felt like they really made the clothes come to life and I love the element of adventure & spontaneity within these shots.

Unexpectedly, I was in for another treat during my time at the store. I had the privilege of watching Anjalee sketch a design in front of my very eyes. It was absolutely incredible.

From someone who just sticks to the writing to save people's eyes from my horrors, it was so fascinating to see the beginning stages of a design. Just like that, she was able to devote herself to a new creation & immediately she was able to say which gradients of colours she would use, where she would place the embellishments, what type of draping... just wow. Just remember, we brought it you first! Who knows, this may well be a sneak peek of the hit new design to be seen on Bipasha ;)

If that wasn't enough, I then went on to be styled in one of her exquisite designs. Admittedly, coming in with my ever-so casual clothes, it was a bit daunting to try on something so grand but as soon as I put it on, I realised how much of a difference such luxurious clothes can make to your whole demeanour. A boost of confidence came over me & I was stunned to see myself in something so beautiful. This is one of her wrap-around sarees and I must say, I was expecting it to be a lot heavier than it was. 

Surprisingly, it was very light & easy to manoeuvre in which is an absolute must on your special day. You don't want to be worrying about being uncomfortable, you just want to shine & radiate confidence which is inevitable in something like this. 

As Anjalee & I both agreed, to see these designs on the rack is one thing but to experience wearing one is an entirely different experience. I found her designs to be very well-made. As intricate & delicate as they are, they are made for women to enjoy being in & to ooze power & boldness. 

Anjalee & Arjun Kapoor regularly dress A-list Bollywood celebs like Bipasha Basu, Anushka Sharma, Kangana Ranaut, Katrina Kaif, Hema Malini, Mallika Sherawat, Lara Dutta & lots more.  

'One thing in common with all the Bollywood actresses in our designs is that they have all had lots of experience walking on the ramp & modelling. They have the star factor & they all share grace in their poise', Anjalee pointed out. I think we can all agree on that one...

Bollywood actress Neha Dhupia

So before I left, I just had to get Anjalee's thoughts on the new digital age & advice for young people like me:

'Social media is very important, I take it very seriously. People just don't have the time to read newspapers or watch TV like they used to. They want fast information now with the likes of Instagram, Facebook & Twitter. Social media is a must for branding yourself & if you want to get into the industry, be sure to stay focused on the goal and you will succeed if you have the knack for it. Make sure to market yourself correctly as marketing is everything.'

It's Show Time!

I had a 10/10 experience with Anjalee & Arjun Kapoor and I would recommend their designs to anyone looking for outstanding pieces for special occasions, especially weddings. Just pop in & you'll understand the true meaning of luxury, I promise you won't be disappointed.

Now I'll stop yapping & let you enjoy some images from the launch...

East Shopping Centre: A mecca for all things high-end Asian in one well-maintained, spacious building.
PC: Monir Ali 

Posing with Anjalee herself, as she wears one of her flattering foam gowns.

One of the oh-so feminine fairytale gowns that caught my eye!

Model rocking a gorgeous aquamarine outfit with gold accents.

Model working this lavish piece that embodies couture to another level.

A room filled with press, bloggers, models & fabulous people.

Further Info:

Address:
East Shopping Centre, 232-236 Green Street, 
London, E7 8LE.

Anjalee & Arjun Kapoor Facebook
Anjalee & Arjun Kapoor Twitter
Anjalee & Arjun Kapoor Instagram

When Paid Promotion Goes Wrong...

If you're an Instagram junkie like me, you'll now be used to scrolling through your feed & spotting the usual celeb suspects sporting their new protein powders, waist trainers, cheap dresses in their name... the list goes on.

Yes, it can be seriously annoying but I can sort of understand it when it comes to reality stars or people who work on & off. Sometimes you just need a bit more income coming in or hell, maybe they're just greedy. Aside from the low-list celebs, there are definitely some of the bigger names in the celeb world who I've noticed are doing a terrible job at promotions...

As a blogger, I know my fair share about sponsorships, promotions, collaborations etc. but even for those who don't blog or work in PR, sometimes it's pretty damn obvious when someone is just pushing a product in your face that they don't use.

Lilly Ghalichi: Razor Gate

Here's a screenshot from Lilly Ghalichi who has absolutely blown up all over the internet. I feel bad for discussing her because I've had so many good things to say in the past & I actually remember when she wasn't so huge & acknowledged my blog post about her. Now that she's become an absolute living doll, I've noticed that some of her promotions are really off...

Basically she's promoting these cheap 99 cent razors & telling us how great they've been for her skin sensitivity. Okay, let me compose myself. She's a gorgeous Persian woman & I have an Indian background... basically if you're from the exotic side of the world, chances are you're going to be hairier than most. Just being real! There is no way in the hell that this woman is shaving. It's absolutely laughable. If you read the comments, people are outraged that she would try and convince us that she actually still shaves & uses these cheap-o razors. 

Pic via @Lillyghalichi on IG

(Sidenote: I love that she's having a full-on photo shoot with heels in the shower... girllllll). 

Lilly has openly discussed her experiences with laser hair removal in the past & this PR promotion is a huge, huge blunder. She is losing credibility left right & centre. I'm happy for her success and as I used to read her blog years ago, I really admire her for wanting to show the world that it's possible to have brains & beauty. Having huge hair & fake tan does not erase someone's law degree. I just hope that her PR team can do a better job of choosing their collaborations because if she pulls something else like this again, it's not going to be pretty. 

Kylie Jenner: Old & Wrinkly

This is fairly old news now but it came to mind when thinking about this topic. When Kylie was first spotted promoting Nip + Fab I was honestly bamboozled. All I could think about was 'wow, that figure must be reaching 6 digits'.

The girl is 17 years old.

Photo via www.organicsbymelvee.com

I'll admit I don't want to go in on her too harshly because in some ways I actually feel sorry for her. Let's be honest, she most likely had little say and was probably just told that some new brand wants to work with her & she would get a ton of money. Also, you have to sometimes think of the strange circumstances that she has had to grow up with. Aside from the Bruce-Caitlyn change, she also has to live with the pressures of comparing to her sisters who have made their fame through looks.

I wouldn't be surprised if she actually does use the stuff. It seems more & more evident that she is following in Kim's steps with her aesthetic.

The media is brutal and for someone younger than me to have to face that, I'm sure it's difficult... hence her self-esteem issues about her lips. Everyone has struggles & I think we should stop being so quick to attack her (even I'm guilty of it) and realise that being rich doesn't mean people aren't going through their internal struggles. Sorry for going off topic! I just felt the need to voice that message :)

Marnie Simpson: Lol.

Some of you are probably like... who? She's a reality TV star on Geordie Shore (yes, I watch it please leave me alone). I just thought I'd add this for comic effect. She's always promoting something or the other & this pic just kinda screamed 'right, I'm tired as shit... gonna hold up these hair pills & then I'm done, PR ain't paying me enough to write why I like 'em or 'nowt like that!'

Pic via @marniesimpson on IG

Wonder App: Swiping Just Got More Fun!

For the last couple of months I've had the joy of helping to write some content for a new app to take the market by storm: Wonder. 

It's basically like Tinder, only instead of swiping right for hotties & left for serial-killer lookalikes, this app brings you the latest fun things happening in and around your city. So if payday is approaching & you want to find a new spot to splash your cash or you've got that mate that just always insists, 'I don't mind anywhere... no, no, you choose' (annoying right), then you can just swipe around for a bit until you find somewhere that takes your fancy.

With fashion, food & drink, exhibitions, concerts & much more, this app has a large variety to meet all your wants and needs. Right now, the main locations are London & NYC but keep an eye out for new cities that are coming. Oh, and I should mention that the app is aimed at towards the 20s demographic so you won't find anything bog-standard or boring. Phew.

So let's take a look at how it all works...

Above is a screenshot from the app where I came across Michael Kors (I know some of you will be yay-ing & some ew-ing). So what you'll get is a lovely pic that sums up the brand making it easy for you to see what you'll get in the shop, a price range, an info button, a share feature & of course an option to swipe right to save it into your wonders. 

I love this app for fashion places because I've found so many places I haven't even heard of before & it gives you that inspiration to go out & explore instead of hitting up the same places over and over again... Even if you've lived in London forever like me, you'll be surprised at the amount of cool things to do from the posh Bankside spots to the hipster pop-ups in Shoreditch. 

Plus there's a big selection for different price ranges. So it doesn't matter what your budget is, you can find anything from thrift stores to swanky high-end designer boutiques and there's lots of free places to visit too like exhibitions, festivals, landmarks, meaning that you'll never have to be stuck at home even when you've got to save up the pennies. 

As you can see, you've also got a detailed but brief description of the place so you can quickly see what the place is all about without going through hefty paragraphs as you would on a regular 'About Me' page for instance. 

You've also got a convenient 'visit website' button which will take you on it directly. The app is really good for doing everything on it at once instead of having to exit, get Google up, find the place & get the info that way. When I'm bored at home or need to kill time on a bus for instance, I like to get this app up & save a few wonders that I like the look of so I have a selection there ready. It's so convenient because the next time you're in charge of finding the club to go to or the restaurant to eat etc., it won't take you as long to decide.

Above is an example of what your saved wonders will look like. You don't have to worry about them going anywhere, they'll remain there for you to browse through as & when you wish. 

So if you're a fashionista, a foodie, a raver or a professional exhibition-viewer, you're bound to find some good picks on this app. Even speaking as a casual user of it, I find that it's super easy to use, quick to load up & features regular updates of new places. 

Let me know what you guys think & be sure to download the app here. It's free! 

Wonder Website

Wonder Facebook

Wonder Instagram

A UK Exclusive Interview with Sulakshana Monga

The Park Grand Hotel sets the stage for my interview with the legendary Indian designer, Sulakshana Monga. She's won several prestigious awards and continually produces elegant designs that transcend seasonal trends and phases. 

A big name in the fashion world, I was super excited to have the chance to sit down with her one-on-one thanks to Canvas International. I was eager to find out more about her collection & what she had to say about working in an extremely competitive industry. So sit back & relax with a cuppa (or champagne, why not) & gain an exclusive insight into her world...

First of all, I have to congratulate you on the success of your UK trunk show and the boutique in Birmingham... how do you think the overall reception has been here?

Everything has been very positive so far... the people in the UK are ready to wear experimental styles and it's been an amazing experience for me. People appreciate fashion here and they enjoy something different from the usual. When people enter the boutique we've found that one of the first things customers generally say is 'wow, this is different!'

Recently, we've seen that Western women really want to embrace Indian clothing. Years back, there didn't seem to be any in-between for women going to a party. You either had to wear a cocktail dress or a sari/salwaar... Do you think you'll continue to make modern hybrid piece that cross over the two cultures?

I think we'll make more in-between pieces with a global appeal. With our clothes, you can take the same look from an Indian wedding to a red-carpet event, that's the unique selling point. We try and cater to a diverse audience so that any woman can feel comfortable wearing the outfits. For instance, we have sari-dresses which retain the unique draping of a sari but have a modern touch and ease of wear, as though its a gown.

Do you think you tend to follow seasonal trends or do you keep to the classic & elegant looks?

We have to definitely follow the trends and we can't avoid them because if you want to stay in fashion, you have to stay young at heart. We still want to look classy but we try to live in-between classic and fun. There are some really playful unique pieces in each collection that the younger customers love to go for so we don't want to leave any demographic out, there will always be something no matter what the age.

So we've seen a lot of Bollywood actresses support your collections, with the likes of Deepika Padukone & Ileana D'Cruz for instance. What do you look for when working with these stars?

Everything depends on their bodies. For instance, when I worked with Ileana she has a heavy hip line so we have to give her something beautiful which can work with her body and with Deepika, she has a lovely tall height and a very long torso so she looks great in most choices. With every star we have to pay special attention their body types as each is going to be different but I love working with them as they understand fashion very well.

I was reading about your background including where you grew up and how you have managed to get to where you are now. I think it's amazing how you've managed to create such a huge legacy and develop your brand to this level after starting so small. Do you have any advice for young people like me who want to get into the fashion industry?

If you have a passion for fashion and you can justify the hard work, the hours & the patience needed, go for it. If you want to join the field just to earn money, then don't bother. You have to love the industry from your heart. If you're not authentic then people will never believe you. You can't always focus on money as it will come, just later on in the game. You have to achieve so many goals first to see the end results but if that's all your focused on, it won't work out.



Further Info:

Follow Soltee by Sulakshana Monga on Facebook
Follow Soltee by Sulakshana Monga on Instagram

Boutique Details:

Unit 2, 90-94 Soho Road,
Birmingham,
B21, 9DP
T: +44 121 554 7543
E: info@soltee.uk

Una Brennan: Super Facialist Salicylic Acid Clay Mask Review

Hope you all had a gorgeous basic-bitch free weekend! 

This is totally impromptu but it's currently 00:15 and I just used a new clay mask that I bought with some of my Boots Advantage Card points. I was really looking for something that resembled what spas or beauticians would use as the last facial I got consisted of a very rich algae mask which I loved the feeling of. 

I was browsing the Boots site to try and find the perfect mask and after coming across this, I was like... 'okay, wow'. What drew me in was the included salicylic acid, who wouldn't want to combat breakouts at the same time as doing their pampering sess? It also contains Dead Sea Mud rich in magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron for the perfect detox facial at home. In addition, the Avocado oil rich in Vitamins A, D and E with Acacia Honey further helps skin rebalance itself to reveal a clearer, refreshed-looking complexion.

Boots.com -- £9.99

I've been ill in bed for the last few days. We all know what that means... clogged pores and dull skintones. Bleurgh. This product really saved the day... 

What I love about it is that you actually feel the product working as your skin becomes super tight, meaning that all those clarifying goodies inside are active. I've tried a couple other masks which are great but you don't feel like much is really happening on the skin which can be quite disappointing.

After you leave it on for a good 5 minutes (I left mine for close to 10 to really get rid of all the bad stuff after being ill), you can immediately feel that skin come back to life. I noticed more glow on the skin's surface and redness was significantly reduced. If you want to see immediate results, I'd go for this 100% because in terms of complexion and brightness, you will be pleased.

Yes, Manita... take another mask selfie again D:

As for the acne benefits, I'm going to wait and see if I see a difference in the next couple of days but I definitely feel that the redness around my breakouts has gone and things all round look a lot less... gross. 

Oh, and lastly... the size you get is absolutely amazing. For £9.99 you get 125ml worth of product which I love because it means I can be fairly generous with my applications as I like to see all that clay properly. It also means your product will last you longer and at a tenner, you can afford to replace it more easily than say Laura Mercier (RIP bank accounts). 

I would definitely give this a go if you have oily skin or are prone to breakouts, it's simply amazing and I am confident this will now become my new staple mask. I'm also keen to try out more goodies from Una Brennan as I've seen such good customer reviews about her Super Facialist range so I will definitely keep you posted but let me know if you've tried anything from the range, I'd love to hear more about it! :)