Based between London and the Middle East, sisters Fyza and Sonia Ali are two beauty mavens who run the popular blog soniafyza.blogspot.fr. Fyza was trained by Kim Kardashian’s makeup artist and specializes in Middle Eastern beauty. Sonia is the face/model of the beauty blog.
Most of us like to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water during the Middle East summer but with the Ramadan fasts running longer than 14 hours this year, we need to look at other options to help keep our skin glowing, fresh, and plump. Going about the daily routine without food and water in our system can make us look drained and washed out; to make sure you don’t lose your healthy glow, here are some top tips to add to your skincare regimen this month (and beyond).
1. Exfoliate Once a Week
Some of our favorite exfoliation products are fresh and homemade, and gentle on the skin—with these, you can get away with exfoliating, even twice a week.
Angels on Bare Skin by Lush Cosmetics: We love Lush because it is all natural and vegan. The ingredients used in this exfoliator have multiple benefits and just a little of this product goes a long way. It is a dry product that is first made into a paste and then massaged into the skin with gentle circular motions. Rinse with water and feel your skin become soft and new.
Homemade Oats: Oats are great for buffing dead skin away and giving the face a natural glow, not to mention they are also soothing. Soak 1/2 cup of oats in water until you are left with a thick paste, then use it to gently exfoliate your face, concentrating more around the nose to get rid of the blackheads. Rinse with cold water to close the pores.
2. Natural Skin Brightening Remedies
Many women suffer from dark circles and pigmentation; natural remedies can help brighten the under eye area considerably. These tips are great for spot treating blemishes, darkness around the eyes, forehead, and chin.
Homemade Honey and Lemon Treatment: Honey and lemon can help brighten the skin and give you a glowing complexion. Even though you will notice a difference instantly, you should try to do this once a week. Mix one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of lemon juice and apply for 15 minutes (make sure your face is damp before application). Wash your face thoroughly with cold water.
Tomatoes: Yes, tomatoes—they have so many benefits even without being consumed; they enable your skin to take in oxygen, and delay aging and wrinkling. Using the tomato pulp, concentrate on the darker areas of your face and leave it for around 20 minutes on the skin. Rinse with cold water.
Glamglow Mud Mask: We’ve all heard of this mud mask; it works wonders and is a must-have for all beauty lovers. I love it as a spot treatment as well as an all-over mask for a glow before an event.
3. Hydrate With a Moisturizer
Water is definitely the best way to keep your skin hydrated, but these replacements also work overtime to keep your skin plump.
Olive Oil Cleanser: We love how multipurpose olive oil is; use a pea-sized amount and rub into your skin after exfoliation. Let your skin soak it up and after five minutes use a damp warm cloth to get rid of any excess oil. A simple and easy way to get supple, baby soft skin.
Ultrabland by Lush Cosmetics: This balm has been used by our families for years and has some of the best ingredients for the skin. Made with almond oil, rose water, beeswax, and honey, it removes all traces of dirt and makeup, leaving your skin hydrated and glowing. It can be used before applying makeup and to remove makeup. Apply a thin layer all over your face, leaving it for 10 minutes. Use damp cotton pads to remove all traces of the product.
Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Moisturizer: No matter the weather conditions, this moisturizer is great for all skin types and is a perfect base for makeup.
If you have a favorite moisturizer, add a drop of rose water and feel the difference.
–Sonia and Fyza Ali
