Working for Estée Lauder has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. However, I've come across a few issues which just confuse me? Such as why are people naturally judgemental when it comes to beauty? Here's my take on working in one of the worlds most controversial departments in retail... The Beauty Department. 

There's this stigma and unrealistic expectation which are attached to "beauty" girls. Let's name a few of them..

• We have faces like a slapped ass
• We are rude
• We think we know it all (This is subjective but just to let you know we know our shit but not other brands. End of.)
• We are expected to transform you into your desired celebrity.... (You must be taking the mick) 
• We have an IQ of a teaspoon

I mean, I could carry on for days but unfortunately, I don't have enough monkeys to give a damn what people think. 

First of all, let's start with the MUA title. I haven't added this title to my name, it most certainly isn't in my contract, neither is it on my CV and nor will it be on my marriage CV... Oh and my Instagram bio. I find it rude and personally think it's derogatory because I'm not an MUA but in fact a beauty advisor. My knowledge doesn't end on makeup but carries on to skincare and fragrance. So if you're going to label me then please use the label "Beauty advisor". 

Second of all, this post is for the girls who actually have done the course to get the title "MUA". Let's start putting some respect on the girls who've worked their asses off to get that qualification. These girls own that title because they've worked for it, whereas I didn't. I self-taught myself and still am learning as I go along. This isn't a post to disrespect MUA's because I think they are amazing at their job and I think they deserve more recognition for their hard work. 

It's hard working in the beauty industry because you're expected to make miracles happen. But unfortunately, I wasn't given a magic wand when I started working within the beauty sector. I've lost count of how many customers have given me sly remarks and sometimes been directly rude to me. Bear in mind, these people don't even know me and what I do... Like a girls gotta earn money to pay for her bills, are you going to pay for my bills? You sure as hell aren't.

I genuinely believe that a lot of people misuse and disrespect the girls who work within the beauty department; hence why you have a lot of faces looking like slapped asses because frankly we are fed up of the belittling and sly remarks. My favourite line has to be " Oh all you have to do is stand there and look pretty".... LOOL please ask me when I've just stood there looking pretty? As much as I love makeup and I can apply it on people, there's more to me as a person. I'm not just the girl who knows how to put on makeup and look immaculate but more than that.

I rarely speak about makeup or my work; it's not because I don't want too, I love my job. It's purely because of the way people perceive me... the way people assume that I'm inclined to do favours, the way people think that I'm an MUA because I work for a beauty company and also how it means that I should everything beauty related? I won't lie but it infuriates me when people slam the title MUA to my name. My job shouldn't define me, my job is my job and it gives me a platform to show my skills and knowledge. 

Before you approach the 'beauty girls" on a counter, please remember that we are human too. Please remember that we aren't made of stone. Please remember some girls are more than just "beauty girls". Please know that we can't transform you into Beyonce because if we could, we would've done that ourselves. Please remember that there are girls who have spent years getting qualifications to achieve that MUA title, so don't slap it on anyone you chose too.

It's like calling every doctor a doctor.... Every doctor you meet is a specialist within their chosen field ie Gastrointestinal specialist, Cardiovascular specialist etc. Ignorance is bliss and sometimes words can hold a lot of weight to them. So let's try to be understanding, considerate and appreciative of what each individual can do.. You never know, a stranger could possibly change your life if you chose to listen to them. 

This post is for all the girls who work their asses off in the beauty sector, for the girls who make every woman leave their chairs feeling like a million pounds, the girls who colour match all day and every day, the girls who get abused because of people who don't want to acknowledge that she's more than a "beauty girl" and finally to the girls who I've worked with, that have showered me with nothing but love and kindness. I appreciate and love you all.    

Love Akey xo  

Feels like a hot minute since I’ve sat down and written a blog post. I’m not going to lie I really do miss writing, because at one point blogging was my escape from reality. I’m disappointed that I let my blogging slip but I’m trying to find that balance and learn to love it again. 

As you may have noticed, I’ve changed the whole layout of my blog. So that it’s easier for people to access it and it also was a push for me to get back into things.

I’ve always said that I was never going to be on of those bloggers that get sucked into things. That statement is very much true till this day. This blog was made for me to write for you. It’s so important that us bloggers stand our ground and do what makes us happy. I’ve seen so many bloggers upset over Instagram, YouTube and whatever else is going on. It’s horrible when you work so hard on content and it’s not being noticed or shown to our readers.

I’m a very stubborn person. I’m stuck in my own ways and probably am my own worst critic. Once I say no, then nothing (I literally mean nothing) in this world can change my mind. Unfortunately, that’s how I felt with blogging. I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss doing my looks and doing random posts but life happened. 

Last year was exceptionally difficult for me. I went through certain things which a young person shouldn’t go through but maybe it was written for me to endure what I did. I’m a true believer that God has a plan, maybe he wanted me to learn something from last year or maybe wanted me to turn to him. There’s only so much your friends can do for you and pull you out but for me, it went beyond that. 

Mental health is serious. People don’t speak about it when it should be spoken about. Mental health is just like any other illness, just because you can’t see it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I remember when I went to my GP, I was literally on my last legs and she said to me “Why didn’t you come before when it wasn’t as bad as now?” And like any person I replied back with “ I wanted to come out of this myself and didn’t want to cause any grief to anyone”. The look she gave me was like a “Are you being silly right now” look. I remember word for word she said “So if you broke your arm, would you not come in and let it heal by itself? Would you just leave it till it got worse? So why do you think mental health is not an issue?”.... That shit got to me. 

It’s viewed as a stigma. Some people think mental illness means that your screws are loose or that you’re just abnormal. I can only speak for myself but living with depression and anxiety is not something you will ever want to live with... I wouldn’t wish this feeling on anyone. It felt like there was no light at the end of the tunnel, although this feeling is very powerful and overwhelming... You can overcome it. It’s hard and that’s the truth, over here you will not be getting glazed doughnuts with sprinkles. What took me years to overcome, may take someone else a day, week, month or years.

I was never comfortable talking about my feelings or issues since a young girl. I hate it. I guess I was possessive of myself and just “protecting” myself. But now I’ve seen so many people being brave and fearless and owning that they had a difficult time. We all do go through a rough time, it just depends if you can get yourself out of it. It breaks my heart hearing about young people ending their lives due to depression and anxiety. People need to be more vocal and show that it’s okay to feel the way you do. 

The title of my post is called “Reclaiming myself” because that’s truly what I want to do. I want to be able to enjoy myself, be proud of how far I’ve come in life, live up my final year of university, enjoyed little things, go out more and think about myself more. Being the person I am, I’m always there for my friends when they need me. But now I feel like I need them more because they're the reason why I’m moving forward.

I’m hoping that this post will give me the push that I need to keep putting up content. I miss being creative with looks and posts! Hope you all love the new layout. If anyone who reads this post needs someone to talk to then please feel free to email me and I will get back to you as soon as I can... Down below I will leave some help lines. Please don’t let your thoughts consume you, just like you there are more people who feel the same.

Sending so much love and light... 💕

Mind

MindInfoline: 0300 123 3393 

mind.org.uk

ChildLine

Helpline: 0800 1111

childline.org.uk

YoungMinds

Helpline: 0808 802 5544

youngminds.org.uk

Students Against Depression

studentdepression.org

The Samaritans

Tel: 116 123 (Free & 24hrs)

samaritans.org

Do you know what's the worst thing about having big melons? YOU CAN'T FIT INTO SHIT! That's right ladies, ya heard me. I call it "boob trauma".... Literally that's the right name for it!

I can't wear certain things because it will just look weird or like always there's an bust issue (ALWAYS!!!) I can't wear them cute tops or bralets because my boobs are just too big... What a kill joy. 

But I finally found a bralet that I can wear!!! I've always struggled to find the perfect one :( it's either too small and the boobs don't fit in or its just too flimsy. It's from Ann Summers (Behave yourself, don't get any thoughts in ya head!) Just looks so pretty and called Freya Strapping bra. I got a size up due to the cup size so if you are D-DD get the large size but anything below, get the medium or small. 

It fits perfectly and I can wear my jumper's with the straps peeping through... YASSSSSSSSS THANK YOU GOD! So all my big booby girl's, you can wear a bralet now!!!!! I would definitely recommend you guy's to check out their website.

Let me know if there's anywhere else you would recommend and if you tried any of Ann Summers Bralets?!

Lots of love 

Akey xo 

Cardigan: Forever 21

Bralet: Ann Summers 

Hi Guys! 

As you guys know, I'm trying to be healthy and whatever but it isn't like I wasn't before. I'm just being a bit more extra to get my self in a routine! I'm going to be real honest with you guys, I am the snacking monster aka Grazer (Sounds less like I'm a fatty eating everything). 

Now I'm really good when it comes to certain things and if i have mindset, then I can say NO! But lets face it,  if we see a chocolate bar and a pack of grapes what are you going to chose? THE DAMN CHOCOLATE BAR! Don't lie to yourself. 

Since last year I have been trying to fix this and find alternatives other than junk. Now I fully understand people that go uni and literally cba (Can't be asked* if you didn't know) It's easy to get astray and eat hella loada junk.... Yeah you know what I mean! The 5 for £1 doughnuts, massive pack Doritos for £1 and them disgusting hot food pastries (VOM).

In august I went Bournemouth for the day to visit a friend of mine and we had these fruit crisps (I'm not going to lie but guys it was the packaging that got to me!) THEY TASTED SOOOOO GOOD! They are called Emily Fruit Crisps, we had the pineapple and apple one which tasted amazing (They have banana too). They are literally the best things I have ever tried! They are crunchy and full of flavour which is the main thing. Like it says on the package "No Guilt, just love" and I assure you that you won't be feeling guilty eating these. P.S these are not dry/oily like other ones I have previously tried.  

I couldn't find these anywhere when I came back to London, until I went to Holland & Barretts and I found them there! (I live there guys... literally).  

Ever since then there is always a pack in my handbag! I take them to uni so during lectures I have something to eat and snack on which is perfect for me... I always have like nuts and stuff in my bag now so I don't reach out for a chocolate (I still eat chocolate but I'm controlling myself!) 

So this is my introduction to the snacking series! Hope you enjoyed it and I will be posting more healthy alternatives! Let me know if you have tried Emily Fruit Crisps and what would you recommend me! Let's get social, all links are above :) 

Lots of Love 

Akey x 

Emily Fruit Crisps £1.79

So as you know I said I wanted to eat good and stay fit but in order to do that I have to eat breakfast! I actually hate breakfast with a passion guys, like the thought of eating first thing in the morning makes me feel ill...... No lie, I'm being serious. 

But eating breakfast is important as you are "Breaking the fast" first thing in the morning. Your body needs to be charged up and ready to conquer the day! (This explains why I am asleep in lectures or literally in lala land) 

Let's face it, no one wants to wake up and make a fancy breakfast. I haven't got all the time in the world either! However I have made my own version of a healthy porridge but with a twist! So leggo! 

Ingredients:

• Porridge oats (Half a Cup) 
• Almond Milk (Cup and a Half.. Depends if you want it runny or thick)  
• Flax Seeds AKA Linseeds (2 Table Spoons)
• Desiccated Coconut (2 Table Spoons)  
• Agave Nectar Syrup/ Manuka Honey (Acquired to Taste)  
• Almond Butter (1 Teaspoon)  
• Raspberries (Handful) 
• Almonds (Handful) 

1.) Put the Almond Milk and Porridge Oats in a sauce pan together on a medium heat. Let it simmer for a bit until it starts to have a thick consistency.

2.) Once it has that thick consistency add the Flax Seeds, Desiccated Coconut and stir it all together. (P.s you can add anything like ground almond, dried fruits and nuts) 

3.) Once you got it at a certain consistency you can start serving it and add your own toppings! I like putting Raspberries, Almonds, Agave Nectar Syrup and Almond Butter. 

4.) EAT THE DAMN PORRIDGE! 

I hope you all enjoyed this post! It's something totally different and new but I actually enjoyed doing it. Maybe this can be added to my CV that I can cook and do blog posts on it... Lool! Let me know if you guys make it and if you add anything different. 

I am more than happy to do any posts on food or anything else! Follow me on my socials and watch me cook on Snapchat: akeykhatun 

Lots of love 

Akey xo

P.S Remember to love yourself before anyone else ❤︎ 

When it comes to a new year, I personally don't like keeping resolutions and plus I know I won't keep ones which aren't practical like "I'm going to stop eating chocolate" or " I want to look like Beyoncé at the end of the year"... Let's face it I'm not leaving chocolate for anyone and realistically I WON'T BE LOOKING LIKE BEYONCÉ ANY TIME SOON.

If anything I like keeping goals. Goals which are do able and that are realistic enough for me. 

-Try to keep fit and be consistent with it. Not to lose weight but to have a healthy life style. 

-Try to do amazing at uni and get the best grade possible 

-Try to be more active blogging and on social medias

-Try to be more sociable and go to events (Trust me, I hate going to social gatherings) 

I do have many more but I do have other things which I would like to stick too as well such as being a firm person and learning to say no. To be more open and give it a chance before shutting the doors. Also I would like to start videoing short clips for instagram on certain looks or products, it's a plan but it's all going to fall into place. I want it to all be perfect before I even do it so it will take time so bear with me!

I remember when I start this blog and it was on the 3rd March 2013. It's coming to nearly 3 years and a lot has changed since then, all good things! I am so blessed to have met some beautiful girls along the way.  I am blessed to have such amazing support from amazing friends and I literally hear 'youtube' every other day but that's another whole chapter! I'm blessed that blogging has opened many doors for me. I'm blessed that due to blogging, I have learnt to love myself and to be confident in what I do. Lastly I'm blessed that I have you guys!

Here's to 2016, let's make it a year that we don't forget! 

Love you all from the bottom of my heart and thank you for being apart of my world! 

Akey xo 

Follow me on all my social medias (Look Above)!

SnapChat: Akeykhatun

The majority of us (basically all of us) are so busy with our lives that we forget what really is around us. We are either working, studying, cleaning, driving and whatever else but I think a lot of people forget that we weren't born just to pay bills. 

How many of us have used this line "I'm tired" or "I don't have time"? Literally all of us have. I have come to realise there is nothing more important than family and friends. I would rather have a crazy family and yes you know what I mean! That crazy uncle that always talks about politics or your non existent love life and that aunty who compares you to your "amazing" cousin or has something to say even though her opinions are irrelevant.... 

I would rather have that then have no family members because lets face it, come 15 years later you will all be together and speaking about memories that only your family know! Same goes with friends, they are a reflection of you. You are who you surround yourself with.  Working is not life. Studying is not the end all be all. In life you will always have to make compromises and one thing you know is that you will have is your friends and family. 

Recently I have see the power of having a family. The way we all joined together to support one another and how we dropped everything to be there for each other. The same also goes for friends, I have seen how we all care for one another and will be there to support one another.  Now if you don't call that unconditional love then I don't even know what it is. 

Moral of the story is life is too short, there's more to life and it definitely is a dream. Make time. Go to those long family gatherings. Meet friends. If you need to say something say it. If you miss someone then let them know. MAKE TIME. There is no such thing as being so busy that you can't make time because before you know it, you might not even get that time again. 

Akey xo 

The last time I did my everyday makeup look was over 2 years ago! Let's just say a lot has changed since then and I gained more skills besides just doing a winged eyeliner... This is perfect time to drop that line "When bae loved you before you even knew how to contour" haha!

My everyday makeup is pretty simple and doesn't take me longer than 30min unless I'm putting on foundation. Seriously I'm lazy and I just can't be asked to wake up at 5am to put foundation on... Honestly just no. Here's quick run down of what I use (Foundation included if I'm not feeling lazy which is 99.9% of the time):

- Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick
- Illamasqua Hydra Veil Primer
- Tom Ford Eyeliner
- Shu Uemura eyelash curlers
- L'Oréal Paris Superstar Mascara
- Estēe Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara
- Estēe Lauder Double Wear Stay in Place High Cover Concealer SPF 35
- Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer
- NARS Blush in Seduction
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit (Light to Medium)
- theBalm Mary Lou Manizer Luminizer
- MAC Spice
- MAC Soar

So if I'm putting on foundation then I will apply hydra veil on first and then my foundation, I use a brush and blend it all in. If I'm not using foundation then I do a winged eyeliner (takes me like 5 mins but on bad days make that 30 mins!).  I use my eyelash curlers and use the superstar mascara first, after that I use the sumptuous extreme mascara.

My under eyes are just bad so I do focus on them a bit more. I first put on the Double Wear Concealer and blend it in with my fingers or beauty blender, after I do same with the Eraser Eye Concealer to give it more coverage than a sheer one. I use 'Banana' from Anastasia Beverly Hills contour kit to set my under eyes to make it last throughout the day.

I then contour using the shades 'Fawn & Havana'... Don't go crazy girls, easy on the contour! Remember bae saw you before you even knew how to contour haha! After that I use NARS Seduction Blusher as well as applying on Mary Lou Manizer Luminizer as well.

I recently been wearing MAC Spice and Soar together for a nudey pinky colour to keep it looking all natural and easy. Literally obsessed with this lip combo, try it out!

Thats all! I hope you guys liked it and let me know if you use any of these products! Also share your tips and tricks if you have any! 

Love Akey xo 

Recently I got my hands on some Charlotte Tilbury products and I thought why not share it with you lovely lot!

FilmStar Glow Bronzer & Highlighter (Light to Medium) £49

Who hasn't heard of this palette?! Everyones mum, dog, cat and whatever else has heard of it! This was on my list of things to buy and I thought why not give it a whirl...

This looks so pretty that I don't even want to use it! I have tried it on and lets just say 'DAYYYYYUUMMM'! Girl you will be poppin in every turn you make with your head! So if you do buy anything from Charlotte Tilbury then it has to be this! 



Luxury Palette: The Dolce Vita £38 

My god... I just love this palette! I love the glittery golden colour shade and I know that I will be having a lot of fun mixing up the colours. The pigmentation on the eyeshadows are amazing as well, so you won't be having issues with creating that dramatic eye look. 

Charlotte has also numbered the colours on the palette to help you create a look if you are struggling to do one! Check her website to have a look at the Dolce Vita Look 

Powder & Sculpt Brush: Rose Gold and Night Crimson £35

Well it's a brush.. It does what it says and it's perfect with the Filmstar Glow Bronzer & Highlighter. Its fluffy and get the right of product on the brush, one thing I love is the fact it doesn't roll of the table! It has that paint brush kinda look and not to mention it's rose gold! 

I will be doing a look with all of these soon! Also let me know if you have tried any of these and would you recommend me anything else! All of my social medias are above so let's get social! 

Lots of love Akey ox 

Click Here For Charlotte Tilbury

Hello hello! It's been the longest time ever and I'm ready to get cracking again so I will be posting as much as I can... Hopefully! Just needed to get my mojo back and feel the blogging vibes again so I hope you guys enjoy this post! Sorry it took so long but I guess life happened and we do live in a real world, not a technological world.

On Sunday 1st November I went to the Chanel Mademoiselle Privé exhibition in Saatchi Gallery. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had (Probably because Chanel is my favourite brand/designer). It's one of those things where you can't explain it but you see it instead. I will quickly give you a run through!

Chanel made an app called "Mademoiselle Privé" which you download and gave you a virtual tour in the exhibition. So in every room you went to, something would pop up on the app like quotes, Coco Chanel's living room and things about material etc. Pretty awesome app that they made!

I would have to say the most favourite room I went to was the fabric room where there was fabrics hanging all around the room that Chanel uses for their clothing. I also loved the Jardin À La Francaise ( French Garden) which was a maze like 18th century garden that was inspired by the intertwined C motif. Enjoy the pictures my loves and let me know if you went! Let's get social, all social medias are above!

Lots of love Akey xo 

   

How many of you girls have had hair drama? Like the colour isn't right, your hair texture is hay approved or you've been told something but the opposite has happened? Yes I have been there and experienced that all before! But not anymore because I have met my hair goddess, Nicky Lazou! I will talk about everything about Nicky and what she has done, I will also do another blog post on hair care routines etc etc..

In April I visited Nicky for the first time in Birmingham and I was soo nervous because I am really protective over my hair and the last thing I wanted was ginger/copper/reddy hair... That's not chic guys like seriously... I had previously dyed my hair but it wasn't the colour I wanted and I wanted a nice ashy blonde type of colour. I told Nicky that I wanted balayage and showed her the colour that I wanted and see did state to me that it would take at least 3 VISITS to get my desired colour.

Nicky does her own custom blends and also ensures that the hair doesn't get damaged throughout the process of colouring the hair as it can leave it dry and brittled. Every stylist has their way of doing balayage and Nicky has her own way, but her main concern is that your hair should be in the best condition even after colouring it.

I had to have my hair colour corrected as I had previously dyed it before and she applied the colour on. This was a long process but Nicky made me feel so comfortable that at one point I forgot that I was even having my hair done! We had coffee and girly chit chats about random things which I loved!

After 3.5 hours I got to see the final look and I have never been so happy with my hair! I did have a trim and I did get my inch off, not anymore than that! Nicky did add more ash tones but with every wash, my hair did become lighter.

This picture was taken on the 17th July when I got a blow dry. As you can see over time the colour has gone more lighter from when I first did my hair. 

I went to see Nicky for the second time and I told her that I wanted to go lighter as I'm still in love with my hair from when she first did it! We went a bit more ashy/silvery with the tips, she also face framed which looks amazing. Per usual we had chit chats, coffee and I got to play with her adorable puppy Balayage!

I can't fault Nicky at all because she truly is amazing at her job and she knows what do it! The service that she gives and the advice that she gives is brilliant! I love my hair more than ever and I can't wait to see her again, she truly is a hair goddess! If you guys have any questions then please feel free to tweet me, message me etc etc! Also go and check out Nicky on her social medias!

I will be doing another blog post on how I look after my hair and what I use! I hope you all enjoyed this post and like Nicky says "Remember to love your hair!"...

Twitter @Nickylazou

Email: info@nickylazou.com

Instagram: @Nickylazou

Youtube: Nicky Lazou