January Favourites

Hey beautifuls!

A very popular request was 'January Favourites', so here it is. I have decided to twist it up a bit by not keeping it strictly beauty related, so I am going to mention a few favourites of the month in different categories, including: Art, Beauty/Skincare, Events, Fashion and Music.

Feel free to comment your favourites of the month and if you have any recommendations for me to try out in February! I would love to connect more with the viewers I have on sanz.shares and get to know you all as well as finding out what you guys would like to see from me in the weeks to come. For any requests or suggestions, please comment or contact me using the contact form on the sidebar. You can also message me on my social media accounts which are linked on the sidebar as well.

Art

• Agnes Cecile, the Italian painter, has been a favourite artist of mine recently because I feel as though her work is so beautiful and I've been loving her black and white paintings in particular. She uses watercolours, acrylic, ink and oil paints for her masterpieces and the style of her work is just so incredible. I plan to paint some copies of her work soon, so please check out her work and let me know which ones you'd like me to try out.

• Newspaper art has also drawn attention to me in the past month because I love the effect it has and I feel as though painting or drawing on newspaper adds a little twist to the artwork and it enhances the art even more above the background.

• Recently, I have been loving black and white photography with added colour. I think these edits on photography look amazing and makes the photos pop. 

Beauty/Skincare

• One of my favourite lip products of the month is 'Viva Glam III' by Mac which is a matte lipstick. I have been loving this lipstick because it is such a deep winter colour and a very wintery shade. I definitely recommend this lipstick if you are into dark matte lips.

• My favourite skincare product of the month has to be the handcream I have been using: Sanctuary Spa Covent Garden hand cream. I have to keep my hands moisturised during the winter especially and this hand cream smells and feels so lovely. 

• Another makeup product that I have been loving this month is the Stila concealer in 'Caramel.' I do think that this concealer is a bit sticky but once I set it with concealer it looks really good. This also highlights my ender eyes really well. 

Events

• I think one of my biggest favourite events this month has to be the beginning of my blog and also the vlogging on Snapchat - sanyhaax. This has definitely been my biggest highlight as it has changed me in a way and also it has made me realise that I am able to put my mind to things if I really want to. I do have big hopes on where all of this will take me in the future, In Shaa Allah. I have all of you to thank for this too!

• Habiba Da Silva replying to me this month for the second time in my life was also a huge highlight for me this month because she is my inspiration for a lot of things in life and if it wasn't for her, I maybe wouldn't have though about starting to start a blog. She wished me all the best for my blog and vlogging which I am forever appreciative of. If anybody can share this to her, then please do because it would been so much to me!

• This isn't really an event but, another thing that has been really nice for me this month is the new friendships and closer bonds I have made with those around me and also friends that I don't see. I feel as though I now know who is there for me to support me and I feel like I can appreciate them more, knowing that I haven't shown that enough.

Fashion

• I don't usually change my hijab style during winter or any season to be honest unless I get bored of the same style but this month I have been trying out new styles which I have been loving. Hopefully I can make a blog post about different hijab styles soon!

• I have never been a very 'trainer type' girl but I have been loving so many trainers recently. I don't own many trainers at all but there are loads that I wish to purchase.

• Winter scarf wraps have been a well known trend this month which I have been loving this winter because they look so warm and the style is very practical.

Music

• August Alsina Ft. Chris Brown - Been Around The World
• Kid Ink Ft. Jeremih and Fabolous - Rounds
• Zayn Malik - Pillow Talk
• Nelly Ft. Jeremih - The Fix

I know that Zayn Malik's first song released only two days ago but I am in love with it and I definitely recommend you guys to go and listen to it! Also, I recommend you guys to check out Kid Ink's new album 'Summer in the Winter' and August Alsina's album which released last month, 'This Thing Called Life.' There are many other songs that I have loved this month so these are just a few of them. If you do recommend any songs, then please comment below or let me know!

This is the end of this week's blog post and I know this has been a quite long one but I do hope that you guys enjoyed it. There will be two blog posts next week so remember to check them out and please share!

Love you all beautifuls,
Sanyha xo

What's In My Bag?

Hey beautifuls!

Okay, so I'm not sure if the layout of this post will be presented how I want it to be as I am still getting used to this whole blog thing. So please do excuse any messiness during this post.

Quite a few people requested that I do a 'What's In My Bag?' blog post so here it is. I wasn't sure whether to talk about my school bag or a bag that I would use to go out, so I am going to mention both for you all.

Starting off with the bag that I would use when I go out, I have chosen this small packed sidebag from Primark. I'm not really fussed about the bags I use to go out, as long as it is the right size and it's in the style that I like. This black and cream Primark bag is very efficient because it is quite compact but you can also fit quite a few things inside it. The bag consists of a middle sized zip pocket and two little compartment pockets too.

My 'must haves' in my handbag:

• Phone (iPhone 5)
• Purse 
• Headphones (always need my headphones with me)
• A compact mirror
• The lip product that I am wearing
• Tissues (I always need them with me, especially in the winter!)
• Body spray
• Chewing gum

Although these are 'must haves' in my bag for when I go out, there are also a load of rubbish that tends to sit at the bottom of my bag like a lot of you guys might have too. Wrappers, tissues, receipts and even crumbs sometimes.
I do change my outing bag from time to time but I like to carry big bags around quite a lot. I don't know why but I find it more comfortable I guess. I don't own any expensive and designer bags really because I don't see much point of it for myself at this point. Honestly, I'm not a bag type person, so my school bag is my main bag for everything.

I don't know if anybody will find this bit interesting but there were quite a few people who wanted to see a 'What's In My School Bag?', so I will talk about it now. I use the black H&M tote bag for school which is pretty big. I'm quite weird with what I put in my school bag, I have to lay out this in a certain part of my bag and it has to be in a certain order. I don't know if I'm the only one who does this but let me know if you can relate to me.

I'll start by naming what would be in my school bag everyday, then I'll explain:

• All the textbooks and other books needed for the day
• School planner
• Pencilcase
• Phone charger
• Purse
• Hand cream
• Vaseline
• Perfume roller
• Water 
• Winter Scarf
• Extra hijab pins
• Tissues
• Compact mirror

My school bag isn't very interesting but I do make sure I have my essentials as well as the things I need for school. My bag has lasted a very long time during the school year which is very good because my bag is pretty heavy every single day during school. I'm surprised it's not ruined yet.

So, this is the end of my 'What's In My Bag?' I don't know if this was a very interesting post for you all but I still hope that you guys enjoyed it. Don't forget to share with others and comment below if you have any blog requests and what essentials you may have in your bag.

Also, a quick shoutout to my girl Maryam, who was originally going to collab with me on this post, but wasn't able to. Please go check out her Instagram page: @thxtgirlmaz - follow her.

Love you all beautifuls,
Sanyha xo

Snapchat and Instagram Q&A

1. Name one make-up brush and one make-up product which you love and would recommend and why?
- My favourite make-up brush at the moment is the Real Techniques Sculpting brush which I recommend because it is amazing at defining your cheekbones and jawline as it creates a realistic shadow. I love the Make-Up Revolution Baked Highlighter in White because it is such a bright and pigmented highlighter and it is very affordable.

2. What is the first proper canvas that you painted?
- A simple Arabic canvas saying 'Yasmin' for my friend's 15th birthday, with the help of my sister.

3. When did your passion for make-up grow?
- I think my passion for make-up and beauty started to grow while I was starting Year10 because I was watching lots of YouTubers and tutorials.

4. Would you like to start YouTube, if yes, then when?
- Yes, I do have the intention and hope to start YouTube (In Shaa Allah) in roughly two years. Or when the time feels right, also when I feel confident and comfortable enough.

5. What inspired you to start blogging?
- I think that I got the inspiration from other bloggers and YouTubers like Habiba Da Silva and once I saw them sharing their ideas about things, I became interested. Encouragement from friends and family also inspired me to start blogging because I was known by having a passion for beauty and art.

6. Any advice for people who feel insecure?
- It can be really hard to take advice about sensitive topics like this but I promise you that if you keep this in mind and you try your best, then you will slowly start to feel comfortable within yourself. Simply - don't take in what other people say about you or think of you. Their opinions are irrelevant when they are being negative because there is no truth within it. Learning to love yourself and be comfortable with who you are is the hardest thing ever, but once it is done, it's the best thing in the world.

7. What do you do after school?
- After school, I would usually get any homework/revision/coursework done first then I would spend time with my family to watch TV. Then I would do something to relax myself and make me feel good, so either my blog or talking to friends.

8. Which brand of perfume is the best which can be used for weddings and casually? (not too strong)
- I think Hugo Boss is a very good brand for a perfume to use casually and for weddings because it isn't too strong but the fragrance is strong enough to leave you well scented. Hugo Boss do sweet and fruity smells which is quite casual and I recommend the Hugo Boss Femme perfume.

9. What is your favourite drawing that you have done and why?
- My favourite drawing that I have done is my half skeleton and half human drawing because it is quite personal to me. I like to express my thoughts, feelings and experiences through my drawings so it it means something to me and people can see what I mean through my drawings.

10. Where do you hope to be in 10 years time?
- Hopefully, I will be successful in my YouTube and blogging career but I also want to become an art therapist to help young people.

11. What are your life goals?
- My goal in life is to be content with myself and the life I'm living as well as having a family of my own that I can look after and care for. I want to be able to make other people happy and be inspiring to those who need help.

12. What is your go to outfit?
- I love black and white so most of my go to outfits are those colours. I'd either say jeans and a jumper if I'm being casual.

13. What is one major thing that Islam has taught you?
- Honestly, that Allah(swt) is so so amazing and I've realised how much we take for granted but in reality, He has done so much for us whether we notice it or not. No matter what situation you're in, if you feel alone, just know that he is watching and listening to you, especially when you need Him most. The power of prayer is just so magical, it may sound cliché but honestly, it's the truth, if you have that faith in Him. Allah(swt) will never give you hardship that He thinks you can't overcome because it's just a test and if you follow the right path then He will guide you through it. He will never want to hurt us purposely.
(I know I said more than I was asked for but I got a bit carried away lol)

14. What is your favourite make-up look(name products)?
- I don't really have a favourite make-up look but I do love my everyday make-up routine. This look is an everyday look for school holidays because I don't really wear make-up to school day to day.
Products:
No.7 tinted moisturiser in Medium
LA Girl concealer in Pure Beige
Barry M Chisel Cheeks Contour Kit
Collection Work the Colour Eyebrow Kit
Bourjois Volumizer Mascara
MAC lip liner in Whirl

15. Do you prefer winter wear or summer wear?
 - I prefer winter wear because I can wear lots of layers which are easy to take off and the winter season brings out great new trends.

16. How long did it take you to learn how to do winged eyeliner?
 - By watching YouTube tutorials and self experimenting, I think it took me months to actually perfect winged eyeliner. It is really difficult to get used to it but once you find a product you are are comfortable with, it should be okay.

17. Would you be able to do a tutorial on blending eye shadow as well as on winged eyeliner?
 - Yes, I will be able to do a tutorial on both of these and I will upload the videos onto the blog once I have been able to film them. I may not be able to film this until a few weeks but I will keep you guys updated.

18. What has made you happy as you have come out of a hard time?
I honestly feel as though I haven't come out of that dark place yet but I definitely know that I feel much more positive and happier than last year. I think the main reason for that is because I have started to focus on what really matters and I have paid more attention to the support I am getting. I have goals and ambitions that I'd like to reach and I cant do those if I don;'t carry on and work for it. It will be work it in the end.

19. What is your favourite lip combination?
 - At the moment, my favourite lip combo is Nice 'n' Spicy lip liner by Mac and a brown concealer from my concealer palette.

20. What inspired you to draw the types of drawings you do?
 - I used to find it hard to express myself by talking and I found that drawing my emotions was the best way to let it out so that other people could understand how I felt. I also feel as though the drawings I do feel real and personal to me.

Sanyha xo