Pantene Hair Master class

Pantene has been playing a vital role in creating awareness about hair care and common hair problems that we face as routine. A hair masterclass led by hairstylist Nina Lotia was held last week to discuss the most common problems hair faces: blow dry, breakage, heat & humidity. 

A detailed question answer session was held whereby allowing participants to address the common hair problems and their solutions. According to Nina women today are very experimental with their hair. The hair are being dyed, rebonded, chemically treated very often and as a result they become dry and brittle. Dry hair are prone to breakage.

Keeping this in mind,  Histidine is being added across Pantene’s conditioner range. These conditioners when used along with Pantene shampoos provide damage repair to hair shaft and its surface leaving it smoother, manageable and moisturised.

Overall a very informative session by Nina and Pantene both in telling us the importance of a good hair care routine. 

Pantene Pro V - Damage Blockers

Pantene Pro-V, Damage Blocker Range 

Recently I attended the launch of Pantene's latest range of shampoos and conditioners called the Pantene Pro-V with Damage Blockers, held at Cafe 44. Now I've been seeing the ads for quite some time and wondered what water damage is all about. Most of us have felt a noticeable change in our skin and hair while we are travelling specially upcountry. Also you must've heard people saying "mujhay yahan ka pani suit nahi karta" and also getting compliments on your hair/skin once you come back from vacations. 

Nina Lotia & Aamina Sheikh

The quality of water is actually an important part of our daily beauty regime. Most of us wash our hair on daily basis or every other day. Our hair is stripped off their natural oil whenever we wash them and if we are using hard water it goes through more damage. The water in our region i,e, Middle East and South Asia is mostly hard water with high content of minerals such as copper and limestone which makes the hair dry, brittle and more prone to hair fall. 

Pantene is known for solutions to all kind of hair damage: be it colour treatment, sun damage, split ends, dryness etc. It has come up with a new range of shampoos and conditioners preventing hair damage caused due to water. A detailed presentation given by renowned hair stylist Nina Lotia explained a lot about what our hair goes through during daily washes. She shared her experience of visiting the Pantene lab in Singapore and described how the product actually works through washes to reduce damage and recover hair. The new Pantene Pro-V range is gentle enough to be used everyday. The beautiful actress Aamina Sheikh (Pantene's beauty ambassador) was also present at the event. She answered various questions from the girls and shared her haircare tips with the audience. 

Nina Lotia & Aamina Sheikh

The new range includes the Pantene Pro V shampoo, conditioner and oil replacement. Although I have only used it twice so far, I can feel my hair becoming  smooth and manageable (just like how your hair feel after protein treatment!)  The oil replacement balm left my hair a bit limp in the first use but I reccomend using it sparingly  and not on the roots. A little quantity (dime size) is more than enough for shoulder length hair. 

Overall another good quality shampoo with the promise of softer, manageable hair from Pantene. 

The Pantene team 

Daniel Wellington in Karachi!

Its mid of January and Karachi has finally shed some centigrades. Pleasantly chilly and windy evenings are the best part of winters in Karachi. For the winters my go to outfit for evenings is a comfy pair of jeans with sweater & shawl or a simple leather jacket.

This time I am doing a casual evening look with a sweater and my newly acquired Daniel Wellington watch in Classy Winchester. I am carrying a classic Hub leather bag good for both office and evening wear. 

I had been an avid follower of Daniel Wellington watches on Instagram. There is no exaggeration in admitting that I fell in love with their watches the moment I laid my eyes on them. They are simple yet modern, no fuss, highly eye catching time pieces. They have an element of sophistication due to their classic dial; but then you can choose a strap available in vibrant colours to give the watch a totally high fashion, off the ramp look. The "NATO " straps are obviously inspired by nato troupes and have been the latest trend in watches. The straps are available in various colour combinations and are fun, functional and easily interchangeable. I ordered my watch through www.aliexpress.com and it arrived in 5 days. 


I am wearing a knitted beige pull over from Zara with my boot cut Levi's for a casual weekend dinner. The watch is accessorised with a lapis and jade bracelet. 



Bag: HUB 
Sweater: Zara
Jeans:  Levis
Shoes:  Charles & Keith
Watch: Daniel Wellington 

Michael Kors, Burberry, Armani at Daraz.pk now!

Recently Pakistan's biggest online fashion retailer Daraz.pk announced their partnership with world renowned brands Michael Kors, Burberry and Armani. I have been ordering from Daraz.pk but mostly clothing & footwear. They give very good service with cash on delivery option and also free delivery on orders above Rs.1500. My personal experience has been satisfying in terms of their customer service as they are very helpful in case there is some issue like size or color etc.   

So for a watch freak like me this is big news! I am in love with Michael Kors watches and have been looking for an outlet which can provide a wide range to choose from but sadly there aren’t many shops who stock them. But now with Daraz.pk's offering them online I can’t wait to check out these highly fashionable watches! I hope they also plan to bring the awesome Micheal Kors bags and footwear collection for online customers since they are the latest fad among all the girls these days :)

Other brands available are Burberry and Armani. Daraz.pk also plans to bring other luxury brands such as Rado, Raymond Weil, DKNY, Diesel, Fossil and Marc Jacobs soon for online shopping. This altogether a great venture for young fashion savvy Pakistanis who are well connected and well aware of global trends. Do check out their website wwww.daraz.pk to get a high fashion online store experience offering top brands.  

A brief background of Daraz.pk:

Incorporated in 2012, Daraz.pk is an online shopping portal featuring apparel, accessories, shoes and beauty products for men and women, as well as a wide variety of electronics and general merchandise. Daraz.pk currently offers hosts 1.7 million visitors on its website, every month. Headquartered in Karachi, it has delivered both internationally, as well as to over 200 cities in Pakistan. Daraz.pk is part of the Asia Pacific Internet Group (APIG) which supports some of the leading internet companies in the region. Founded by Rocket Internet in 2014, the APIG’s mission is to promote innovation and entrepreneurship throughout Asia and the Pacific and to support the development of a vibrant online culture. APIG’s network currently consists of 10 companies, which are operating in 15 countries.

GC on a Cafe Racer!

Just got my new watch from Guess Watches. It’s from the GC Femme Chronograph Collection - a classic timepiece with highly detailed mother of pearl dial. The watch is a brilliant stainless steel silver with knobs which gives it a very sturdy look.Like all GC Femme watches it features a scratch resistant sapphire crystal. 

The watch is perfect for daily use and can be paired with any outfit. However the look I am doing today is a different one. Since it’s a bike shoot so the watch is paired with black leather jacket, blue skinny jeans and brown leather boots.

The bike in pictures is a beautiful Honda CB 400 converted into a cafe racer. Those familiar with bikes would know that café racers typically have an elongated fuel tank with dents to allow the rider's knees to grip the tank, low slung racing handlebars and a single person seat. They are built for speed rather than comfort.  

Jacket: Mango 
Jeans: Levis
Boots: Ecco 

The Bling in Prints!

Eid is just around the corner and like everyone else the window shopping bug also bit me! Went on quick after iftar "malling trip" to DMC (malling: finally coined the term after endless trips to the malls :p)  

A hard to miss observation were the jewelry inspired prints at most fashion retailers. Among other prints like folksy ethnic prints, geometrical vibes, vintage coin prints and paisleys, jewelry prints have already made a strong statement internationally in the spring/ summer 2014 trends. And they are finally in our part of the world with a good variety to choose from. 

Nishat

Nishat has introduced some very bold jewelry prints to catch on with the trend. Prints comprise of enlarged pendants, necklaces and jewels on the neckline and all over the shirt. While they are very eye catching with a rich color palette, the prints are for the dramatic modern woman who dare to be different. 

So Kamal

Another shop tucked in the corner of DMC is the So Kamal store. Their jewelry prints are subtle and sort of have a classy touch to them. The imagery of subcontinental jewelry also ads a traditional touch to the prints. Fresh colors and traditional print elements make the jewles shine.    

Gulabo

Gulabo has already taken digital prints to a new level with their love for Pakistan and all things Pakistani. They came up with their Jhumar shirt way back in April 14 and are trend setters for print inspirations.  

Khaadi 

While Khaadi being the mass retailer that it is their jewelry print kurta is by far the most wearable and also affordable, nothing too fancy or bright just the right amount of color and print. It can worn casually or dressed up for occasions.  

Levi's Chukka Boots

Chukka boots are an essential item in a modern urbanised wardrobe. The design takes inspiration from the British Army boots and the term "chukka" refers to a period of play in the game of polo. The boots can be worn casually or can also be dressed up with a jacket or a dress shirt. 



If you've been on the look out for the perfect pair of boots to go with your favorite jeans then you must check out the Levi's Chukka Boots; a fun and trendy way to explore the city life.


The boots are super comfortable with gum rubber sole and can be worn with any pair of jeans or chinos. The upper part is suede and the lower portion is classic leather finish.

These boots are available in all Levi's outlets across Pakistan for the price of Rs. 15,000.

Pantene Bridal Couture Week - Day 2

Ana Ali of Lajwanti with models 

Bridal Couture weeks are becoming a regular feature in Pakistan's highly evolving fashion scene. With the ever increasing number of new designers such platforms are vital in showcasing their work to a wider audience. I was invited to the Pantene Bridal Couture Week's second day show at the Expo. The show started at 8pm with Lajwanti's classic bridal collection. The colours were beige, maroon, gold turquoise and emerald. Immaculately worked shirts with long flowing palazzos set the tone right for the upcoming wedding season.

Nadia Hussain in Lajwanti 

The second designer for the day was Madiha Noman with her bridal wear for 2013. Madiha is a new entrant in bridal wear but her work reflected experience in terms of colour and cuts. Knee length shirts with dhaka pants and shararas in a wide palate of colours gained applaud from the audience.

A Madiha Noman bridal dress

Ayan and Nadia wearing Maliha's jewelry 

Maliha Shaikh, the talented jewelry designed displayed her collection which was breathtakingly beautiful and very fresh. Her pieces were traditional with a modern twist to them; reminiscent of the rich South Asian traditional jewelry. She works in silver and 18 carat gold with semi precious stones. The models looked beautiful with Saniya Maskatiya's jumpsuit collection adorned with single pieces of Maliha's jewelry.

Maliha Shaikh

Butterfly effect!

So how many of you are Farmville freaks here? If you are or have been one you would surely love the new app Flutter. For those who are new to simulation games it is one of the most visually appealing apps for ipad/iphone plus it has an educational aspect to it as well.

As the name suggests it is about butterflies, attracting eggs, hatching into caterpillars, hanging as chrysalis and finally turning into a beautiful butterfly. Children would love it specially because of the appealing colours and aesthetics of the game. They will learn about new species of butterflies and would also be introduced to the concept of keeping pets. So much so that my 4 year old asked me to get her a caterpillar as a pet! (I eventually found one at the sabzi wala merrily chewing a cauliflower leaf, brought it home and kept it in a box for 2 days but on the third day it escaped and was never found :( )

This application is available free of cost at the App Store so download it and start growing your very own butterfly sanctuary.

A glasswing caterpillar 

Shoes Ahoy!

Winter has finally arrived in k-town and all of us are excited to wear our long awaited winter collections. The jackets, the boots, the coats, the shrugs are all out waiting to be worn in the short season. A pair of well fitted jeans along with comfortable shoes goes well with most tops/jackets during winter months.

The other day I was window shopping in Zamzama and landed up at Stylo Shoes. Now I am always on the look out for casual and comfortable shoes for everyday wear and I was happy to find quite an extensive collection of very wearable and affordable shoes at their outlet. I settled for the navy blue and white striped flats from their Impulse collection. These shoes can easily pulling off the classic "Nautical/Sailor look" and the best part is they are very comfortable!



These shoes can be paired with everyday wear specially jeans and a simple checked or plain shirt.






Shoes: Stylo Shoes
Jeans: Demin Co. by Primark
Shirt: Tesco

Bling Factor

In my quest for a fashionable and reasonably priced "chronograph" watch, I finally found this beauty from Guess Watches. Actually I had already seen one of my friends wearing it a few days back in golden. Such shine and bling! I couldn't take my eyes off of it :) It was just perfect with the chronograph look, the bling factor and the fine detailing.


I checked out a couple of other brands stocked at Lifestyle Collection before getting this one from the Guess Glisten range. But since this watch was at the back of my mind all this time, there wasn't an inch of doubt when I got it. Mine is a two toned one in rose gold and silver.

This watch can be worn everyday,  at work or even while dressing up for a party or gathering. The best part is that it can be paired with almost any type of outfit. It adds just enough glamour to a rather sophisticated outfit and lifts up the overall look from elegant to exciting and alluring.

For a casual stroll in the city, I have paired a red shirt with blue jeans. The shirt has intrinsic lace details at the front. A sleek rust coloured belt adds balance and gives a more edgy and modernistic feel.



Watch: Guess Watches
Jeans: Levi's
Shirt & Belt: Yellow

Leopard Queen

Amidst all the craze about animal prints, my favourite watch maker Guess Watches launched their leopard inspired collection in August this year. For me it was love at first sight! I got mine from Lifestyle Collection. There were 3 different designs to choose from so after much thought and lot of trials I finally settled for the gold toned stainless steel bracelet one. This watch is a beautifully crafted classic piece and a fiercely must have item for this season.

The important thing to keep in mind when wearing animal prints whether its a clothing piece, a scarf, an accessory, or shoes, is never to wear another print of the same family. Also do not merge too many prints together since animal prints do not actually go with any kind of prints. 

Stick to plain and solid colours. Shades of greens like teal, turquoise, jade and emeralds look very nice with yellow toned animal prints. Whereas other jewel toned colours (ruby reds, purples, navy blues) also look flattering with animal prints. And of course when in doubt always go for black, you can never go wrong with solid blacks and animal prints.

Shades of Grey

Today we are doing another chic look for a casual get together and  fun evening with friends. A classic pair of blue jeans (an essential item in a girl's wardrobe) is worn with a flared black shirt and grey peep toe shoes and matching bag.

Bag: Charles & Keith
Watch: Calvin Klein
Blue Jeans: H&M

Notice how the accessories are kept minimum for a hassle free and neat look. The overall look is very wearable and can be easily pulled of by anyone. The oversized CK watch being worn as a single piece of jewellery/accessory, stands out and adds glamour to the look.   

Neon Rush!

Don't you just love bright vibrant colours! We all know that the trend of neons is taking over the world but when it comes to carrying them off, not all of us are comfortable. Now I am talking about tricky colours like bubble gum pink, fuchsia, coral, electric blue and green. While the key to wearing neons is to keep one of the pieces very understated and neutral, you can always mix and match accessories for added oomph. 

We are going to do 2 different looks on how to wear neon pants. One is with coral pants and the other is the electrifying blue skinnies.

Coral pants: Splash
Cotton silk shirt: Spangle
Mary Jane shoes: Stylo
Leather belt: Yellow

Blue skinny jeans: Splash

Shirt: Outfitters

Shoes: Charles & Keith

The coral pants are paired with a white cotton silk shirt; a leather belt and matching shoes complete the look. The electric blue skinnies are worn with a simple black shirt. Red kitten heals make it a bit more chic.