Brilliant bargains in Karachi!

For the times when your wallet is light but you need something really bad, bargains are the problem solver. However, living in Pakistan, descent bargains in the beauty region are pretty hard to find. You have to make sure of a lot of things: is it a real product (as in an original rather than a copy), has it been tested before hand etc. There are some things and places where bargains are pretty darn good in Karachi. You really do "gain" something with a bargain. (See what I did there? he he)

* Make-up brushes: Why spend a lot on brushes when you can find the same thing, a whole lot cheaper? The only difference would be the brand of the brush but honeslty that really doesn't matter. Just remember to give it a good wash before-hand (that goes for all brushes). 

You can find make up brushes in Karachi on Tariq Rd behind Tariq Centere (the big, green building) in any of the make up shops.

* Nail Polishes: A couple of years back before I was on the make-up + nail polish bandwagon, I spotted the OPI nail polish in Bubble Bath in one of the shops behind Tariq Centre for three times cheaper than in an normal department store. I regret not picking it up till this day. Nail polishes are something that you have to take a chance with. Brands are that much of an issue, either the nail polish is a keeper or complete crap but it's better then spending a buckload on one polish rather than spending the same amount of money but for four to five nail polishes at the same time! BARGAIN! 

You can find nail polishes in Karachi on Tariq Rd behind Tariq Centere (the big, green building) in any of the make up shops.

* Rare beauty finds: Sometimes, if you're really lucky you may be able to find an awesome make-up product for half the price in these shops. But if you do, be careful and take care of the following things:
1. It's a sealed item. A lot of of the time, they have some pretty rad beauty finds (Wet'n Wild products, Covergirl) but the items have been used for testing etc. If you like a product a lot, make sure to ask if they have another piece that's sealed and never buy the item if they open it and test in front of you, that just means that they open other products as well. 
2. It's an original. How do you know if it's original? Just by the font of the packing. Every company has a specific font and if you look long enough you'll see a fake miles away. Also, the packing can give a lot away as well. You just have to keep a sharp eye. 
3. Don't trust what they shopkeeper says. In the kind of hops were bargains are possible, the shopkeepers are not the best salespeople. They'll sell you the product, but mostly with lies. Make sure you're smart about your purchase, don't let the shopkeeper talk you into a bad buy.
I found the Rimmel Glam'Eyes HD Eyeshadows in English Oak in one the shops, it was sealed and hadn't been tested and the best thing - it was HALF THE PRICE! I didn't buy (waiting to get paid) it but hopefully it'll be there when I go back in a couple of days. 

*Books:Other than beauty finds, there are some great places - online -where you can find books for a great price! Books in Pakistan are pretty darn expensive. I mean, you could also buy a fake (but my heart doesn't allow me to do such a cruel act) so I'm always on the lookout for a discount of original books.

 If you don't mind second-hand books, try Sunday Bazaars. They offer an array of books and magazines for a great price and sometimes originals and first-hand copies.

If you're like me and you want a new copy of a book, try READINGS. It's an online bookshop with amazing (and I mean mindblowing, phenomenal) discounts. 

Maybe if I buy a resonable amount of bargains, I'll post about it?

Have you found any good bargains lately?

Hope this helps! 

List of Stuff My Mind Says I Need aka A Wishlist # 1

There are three stages that occur during shopping for me.

Stage One: "Look at things and adore from a far" (aka I have no money)

Stage Two: "Think about that thing (s) throughout the entire shopping trip or day or week and regret not buying it with Mum's money."

Stage Three: "Go back to the store probably a month later and find out that that item was sold out."

Now my list isn't very long and consists of items I have drooled for months now. So without further ado here is my " List of Stuff My Mind Says I Need". 

1. Oh my Amy Pond! This collection from TBS smells like heaven. I'm pretty diverse in my scents and I love peaches. So when I smelt the line from TBS a couple of months back I knew I had to get it but I still haven't but have made it a priority to smell like peaches very soon!

2. You can read about my love for Sophie Kinsella here but unfortunately during the years I had given the books to other people to borrow but either got it back in a state of shock ( as in all torn and ripped) or never got it back at all! Because of that I now never give my books to anybody and I am the type of person that cringes if my pages get dog-ears. 

3. This three pack necklace set from Accessorize has a plane and a globe so it was instant love. 

So that's it for now mainly because I'm super sleepy but do be out on the lookout for more "List of Stuff My Mind Says I Need".

Jeepers. It’s been a long time since I’ve blogged but I have been super busy (in a way). My AS Level examinations have concluded and there are now 44 days till the result. Paranoia has upped its level in me that’s for sure. But seeing as though it is the 1^st of July, I think my favorite things of June are in order. And I realize that my ‘monthly favorites’ aren’t exactly always in order but I’m trying my best (: So let’s begin, shall we?

So last month I was busy in a fiction writing course from OpenLetters and may I just say how amazing it was! Back to the book, I wasn’t able to read much but I was able to add more books to my “Books I Need to Get” list. The book that I did read though was The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. Yes, I read this book purely on the basis of the hype on Tumblr.

I thought the premise of the book was smart and thought provoking. Emotions may rise and the best thing is that it’s not the typical love story. The book being so unconventional and daring crossed borders of the cliché type of love everyone seems to find tempting. All in all, the book brought forward three dimensional characters such as Hazel and Gus through using those simply complicated thoughts that arise in our minds and bringing them out in ink. Green created a world of imperfections and some way or another; the reader can always connect to the characters or simply the plot itself.

During the month of June I came across two TV shows that have added a new level of nerdy-ness and fangirling-ness in my life. A disclaimer before hand: if you do choose to watch these TV shows, be warned – they WILL take over your life. I didn’t choose the fandom life, the fandom life grabbed me by my hand and whispered, “run!” If you got the reference in that, then the fandom life had ruined you – congrats! Yes, I’m talking about Doctor Who and Sherlock. ASDFGHJKL. My love for these TV shows in from Pluto to Earth (and there is no Pluto anymore, so its’ the infinite kinda love) If I wasn’t enough of a self proclaimed British, these TV shows brought it to a whole new level. I don’t think I’ll be able to successfully convey my love for these TV shows in words but let’s just say, October (in which my 18^th birthday takes place) is of minor importance in comparison to November.

Long car rides back and forth in Karachi traffic is killer but a good playlist always helps.

Pink’s new song Just Give Me a Reason is on constant replay. The lyrics take the song to a whole new level. Other than that I’ve been pretty much obsessing over The Script and One Direction. You can head over to my online playlist to listen to more of my favorites.

Bright lips is all anyone wears but in particular what Zoe wears and Zoe being my beauty icon, well, I tend to lean towards what she likes. Living in oh so amazing Pakistan, the prices of drugstore makeup brands are through the roof but on some miraculous day I found the perfect lippy colour in the perfect price range.

 

The colour itself is a mix between a cherry red and plum purple. You can tone it down or amp it up with the amount of times you put it on. I love the intensified look so I amp it up. Berry lips and a simple winged eyeliner is my go to look for, well, every day.

That’s all for now,

Till the next time

hrhkulsoomhussain x

PS Oh and I’ve been addicted to Candy Crush. So very, very addicted.