Beauty December 4, 2015

GIVEAWAY + REVIEW: illuMask

illuMask, as seen in Harpers Bazaar, Elle, InStyle & teenVOGUE.

You may have seen bloggers or stars using some kind of light therapy. Usually at a spa or skin specialists office. Well, good news! You can now do it at home! I know there were some smaller versions of something like this, but I have never seen a full face light therapy mask to use at home. I remember the first time I really got interested in light therapy was when I saw Jessica Alba’s instagram post:

I follow Dani Song (Blogger/Entrepreneur) on snapchat and for the longest time she ended her stories with a light therapy session, and then I got really curious! Waahh!! I can do this at home?!

I did my research and found illumask! Which by the way, at the moment their not selling on their website because their coming out with something NEW! I can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

What is it?

A really cool plastic mask with little LED lights (pink: acne/red: anti-aging) to clear up your acne or fix signs of aging for $1 per use!

How do I use it?

Prepare your skin by cleansing it first. You put it on and press the start button on the attached remote. A 15 minute session will begin. Easy peezy! The hard part is sitting for 15 minutes but it’s the best for those who have trouble unwinding after a busy day. Each mask comes with a 30 days use. Also taking the mask off early doesn’t mean those lost minutes will add up to your next days session. They’ll be gone. So do the full 15 mins. It shuts off automatically after 15 mins, so don’t worry about falling asleep with it on. Once your done apply your regular moisturizer.

How does it work and is it safe?

Yes it’s safe. The light emission is similar to what you get from your LED tv according to teen vogue author Dan Koday. The red light helps stimulate rejuvenation and blue acts as a bacteria-fighter.

I was really looking forward to using the anti-aging mask since the acne one didn’t apply to my skin type. However, I read details that the illuMask has not been tested for use while pregnant or breastfeeding and to use it at your own discretion. Womp womp. I’m BF’ing so I immediately put it to the test on more mature skin, my mom. She’s used the full 30 days and I must say her skin looks great! After 15 days I noticed her face was a lot more radiant and she says from one use her skin felt softer. She’s definitely continuing her light therapy routine and I’m looking forward to using it as well, when I can.

My teenage brother used the acne one. Yes, guys can use this too! He has the usual teenage mayhem on his face and within a week I could see his face clear up and acne scars get much lighter! I wish I had this when I had acne. Because he’s a teenager I had to remind him to use it, but after a while he actually got into it.

Get creative with your illuMask and draw on it or place stickers like Dani Song did!

Here’s your chance to WIN! Yaassss you can win of these masks! I’m giving away two. One for acne and one for anti-aging! Just fill out the below rafflecopter and GOOD LUCK! P.S This giveaway is open to Canadian and US residents only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fall December 2, 2015

Different shades of Camel

Camel, so many different tones and ways to style this classy chic colour. I think I first fell in love with this colour when I bought my first camel colour coat from H&M for $20! It was $100 regular price, so you can imagine how excited I was! I’ve had this coat for a few years now and I love wearing it. As you can see in the below images. 🙂

Pairing camel with anything leopard always looks really good! I usually wear a leopard print scarf with this coat.

Here I was going for that Kendall Jenner AMA’s look. Not 100%, but definitely 100% messy. I blame the windy day.

I was going for the @KendallJenner #AMAs look😊#beautyblogger #KendallJenner pic.twitter.com/tBy0VeE0US

— Humara Kausar (@HumaraKausar) November 26, 2015

Don’t be shy, try combining different shades of camel. Get a little risky and even pair camel tone clothing with sneakers! Preferably all white or all black. Do you love this colour? How do you wear it?

Sweatshirt: F21 // Booties: BCBG // Skirt: F21 Basics // Coat: H&M // Purse: F21

Food November 30, 2015

Roast Chicken with Persimmons and Olives with Persimon®

Let’s first get my confession out of the way before we start. I had never tried persimmons before and this was my first time! I always wondered what they tasted like but never saw them being sold in singles, only by the case. (Update: Singles sold in Chinatown or Harvest Wagon) Persimmons are sweet and sort of taste like cantaloupes, peaches or mangoes. The ones I bought are ready to eat as soon as you purchase them. Even better, they’re seedless, pit-less and you don’t have to peel the skin off! Persimon® are available November through January, if they last! I called 3 Sobeys and a Foodland. They were all sold out (End of November), so they are clearly high in demand. At the end I found a box at Metro! Yay!

This particular brand Persimon ®, are ripe and ready to eat, while other brands you may have to wait for them to turn soft and ripen. They’re grown exclusively in the Ribera del Xúquer valley near Valencia, Spain.

Roast Chicken with Persimmons and Olives with Persimon®

Confession: My first time trying persimmons!! Taste SO good & bonus good source of Vitamin A & C #PersimonSays pic.twitter.com/iDa9Q8Uvaw

— Humara Kausar (@HumaraKausar) November 29, 2015

What you’ll need:

1 Whole Chicken (3-1/2 pounds) cut into 8 pieces and breasts halved crosswise
(I used two large chicken breasts with no skin to feed two people. But you can get with skin and use a whole chicken for serving 6)
1 tbsp (15 ml) Paprika
(I used a paprika/lime mix, see below images)
1 tsp (5 ml) Salt
1/4 tsp (1 ml) Pepper
2 tbsp (30 ml) Chopped Parsley
1 Persimon®, topped and cut into 1/2-inch (1cm) wedges
(I used 1 and a half and ate the other half while it baked!) 🙂
1 fennel bulb topped and cut into 1/2-inch (1cm) wedges
(I didn’t use fennel bulb. But it’s a great option)
1/2 cup (125 ml) Cracked green olives, pitted and halved
1 tbsp (15 ml) Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper for seasoning

Method

Preheat your oven to 425 F (220 C)

Line a rimmed baking pan/sheet with parchment paper. I love this parchment paper because it’s strong compared to some other brands I’ve used.

Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl. Add the paprika, salt, pepper and half of the parsley; toss to coat. Place the chicken in the pan and bake for 20 minutes.

I love the smell of fresh cut parsley

[Tweet “#DidYouKnow a Persimon® with freckles=extra sweetness? #PersimonSays”]

Place the Persimon® wedges, olives and remaining parsley in a separate bowl. Add olive oil, season with salt and pepper; toss to coat.

After the 20 minute mark turn the chicken pieces over. Add the Persimon®, olives, parsley mix to the bake sheet and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, turning once halfway through. Bake until the chicken is cooked through. You can serve this with rice, salad or even on its own. You can also use persimmons in pretty much anything! Whatever you would add fruit too. I have some persimmons left, maybe I’ll make something sweet with it!

Voila! Your classic baked chicken recipe with a touch of Mediterranean flair. Yum 🙂

Events November 29, 2015

You’re Invited! Join an exclusive Globe and Mail celebration! #gmggoeslive

“You’re Invited! Join an exclusive Globe and Mail celebration!”…..

That was the title of the email I received two weeks ago. Of course I was really excited to go! The event was held at the Fermenting Cellar in the distillery district. After looking at two maps, asking someone for directions and then joining two girls who also couldn’t find it, we finally arrived! As soon as I got there I realized I had passed by it three times! And I had parked right in front of it. I guess it was just one of those nights. Air head kind of night.

It was really awesome of Globe and Mail to invite some of us bloggers/influencers to this celebration. It was full of opportunities to snapchat, vine, IG and tweet! It was hard to find anyone I knew because the venue was pretty big, so the inner Dora in me started exploring the place and noticed so many cool details that I probably wouldn’t have noticed if I had been with a group ~~chit chatting~~ networking. But it would’ve been nice if we could bring a guest. Sometimes I like to have a second photographer/friend. Hopefully next year! 🙂

The event was organized by Toronto’s top event planning duo Candace and Alison, who ran with a red theme all around the venue. There was a 42 ft matrix-inspired Twitter wall that showcased content of the new Globe Media portfolio and different zones for food, dessert, drinks and more! My favourite was the Fashion & Beauty zone by Globe Style Advisor. The live performance by electropop duo, Brave Shores was great but I listened on in a tad bit of sadness that I had forgotten to give my ticket with my name for the raffle. A chance to win a trip to NYC and an iPad mini?! New York is always a great idea for a trip! The gentleman standing in front of me for a fashion illustration won the ipad. Lucky soul.

I heard from the grapevine that the Fashion Illustrations idea came from Andrew Sardone! Absolutely brilliant! I love getting my face illustrated and caricatures. The last time I had one done was when I was at Social Media Week in New York a few years ago. There were two fashion illustrators and I got in the line to see Joce Teng. I love her signature of round circles on the cheeks of her illustrations. I’ve recognized it from her work with Louis Vuitton and L’oreal. She is so talented and really sweet to talk too. She also shared her illustration of me on her instagram account! Eeeeiii!!! 🙂

Had a great time tonight w/ #globeandmail! 😊 Details coming up #ontheblog so don’t forget to subscribe! My favourite zone was obvi the @globestyle #Fashion & #Beauty zone where I met the beautiful digital fashion illustrator @joceteng! Thank you for this😁 www.HumJK.com #gmggoeslive

A photo posted by Hum (@humjk) on Nov 20, 2015 at 12:12am PST

There was also a nail bar presented by Her Majesty’s Pleasure, I was on the waiting list but by the time it was my turn the event was over. From the looks of it, they were painting nails red. Oh well, I’ll have to check them out on King Street soon. This was my favourite spanish tapa: Petite Tartlettes

BONUS: Here some more pictures from when I curled up with Daniyal to read the Holiday edition of
Globe Style Advisor

Marketing November 28, 2015

How To Deal With And Catch Social Media Trolls

What is a Social Media Troll?

Someone who creates conflict on sites like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and blogs by posting messages that are particularly controversial or inflammatory with the sole intent of provoking an emotional (read: angry) response from other users. – Google

These social media trolls are lurking everywhere on the web and most are full of anger and jonzing to discourage people from just about anything they love. So according to google’s translation of a social media troll, these trolls create conflict with messages, but the trolls have upgraded to trolling a few more ways.

[Tweet “What is a #socialmedia troll? Here’s how you can catch/deal with these trolls:”]

Types of Social media trolls:

Comment trolls – They leave negative unnecessary comments anywhere they see the option to comment.

Post trolls – These trolls probably have subscribed to your blog just so they can be the first to comment under your post with links to their own websites, viruses etc.

Stalker trolls – They stalk your social media accounts everyday but never like or comment on any of your posts.

How do you catch/deal with trolls?

Don’t feed the comment trolls. On Twitter if someone is being Negative+Sarcastic, then you can reply in a Sarcastic+Funny tone to make light of the situation. If it’s on Instagram just delete their comment (you don’t need to see that comment again) and then do your IG fam a favour and block them.
Why do you post your site links when most commenting platforms allow you to make your name link-able after you’ve commented? It won’t help your SEO situation, so stop. Set yourself up with a spam blocker and a commenting system that allows you to approve the comment before it goes live.
Your like or comment won’t make that person insta-famous. Collectively maybe. I’ll be honest. I’ve seen some blurry IG pics or where the image should have been rotated to be right side up, but I still liked it. But then again I go a little like crazy and go on liking sprees. If you really want to know your stalker trolls, you can try to catch them by putting your account on private and see who sends you a follow request. Chances are your stalker trolls don’t follow you and will now try too. For those who do follow you and don’t like, favourite, re-tweet etc…relax, they either didn’t see your post or it sucks and you need to re-think your approach. Trial and error my friends.

Trollers gonna troll, so do you and carry on.

Winter November 28, 2015

How to style a chunky cardigan

I love chunky sweaters and cardigans. Like wearing a cosy blanket. Chunky sweaters can be really heavy and overpowering when trying to pair with accessories or other clothes. Chunky cardigans are easier. Not as heavy, still cosy and you get to show what you’re wearing under your cardigan. I love dressing comfortably. Whoever said you can’t be comfortable and fashionable at the same time was wrong.

1. You need a chunky sweater/cardigan

2. Skinny jeans/leggings

3. A statement accessory

<< For more inspiration check out this outfit >>

High waist jeans: F21 // Shoes: Kate Spade Keds // Crop turtleneck: F21 // Chunky Cardigan: No Name from Korea // Satchel purse: French Connection

KYOTO OOTD
TOBI SWEATER DRESS

Beauty November 27, 2015

#NYXINTHESIX Event & NYX HAUL

Two NYX events, one NYX store and a Rexall with a NYX section. Here’s my story…

#nyxinthesix lotus leaf — Photos by // Photagonist.ca

I was excited to be invited to the #NYXINTHESIX event at the East Room. So many top Toronto influencers that I recognized right away and some when I went through the hashtag #NYXINTHESIX on IG, at home… was like ohhhh yeaaaa. It was a perfect night for roof top shinanigans, photo booth fun, great music, bits and bites. So here are some pictures from this great event organized by Lotus Leaf.

east room toronto — Photos by // Photagonist.ca

Photos by // Photagonist.ca

#nyxinthesix 💄💋#torontoblogger

A video posted by Hum (@humjk) on Sep 26, 2015 at 9:55pm PDT

There was a time when you could only buy NYX products from a Rexall store, who by the way only have “some” products from the line and never have the ones that everyone is raving about, in stock. Hmph. But now not only can you shop online, go to Rexall if you must, you can shop at an actual NYX store! I’ve collected a lot of their products so here’s my mini haul with some swatches! (YouTube NYX review coming soon)

NYX HAUL

The packaging colour of these mascaras don’t lie. They really are bright!

nyx coloured mascara — **Colour Mascara in Blue & Perfect Pear**

I tried this lash primer and I have medium length lashes. The fibers in this primer made my lashes thicker and longer, giving the illusion of falsies! See for yourself (below image)

Top #makeup faves: taupe in MAC// browzings in Benefit// mufe hd found // Lash primer #NYX 💋👌 A photo posted by Hum (@humjk) on Oct 29, 2015 at 1:39pm PDT

nyx blush — **Blush in Baby Doll (left) Crimson (right)**

nyx black & white pencil — **nyx black & silver pencil**

I used this under my make up to moisturize and I didn’t have to use as much concealer as it had some coverage as well. There are no strong scents from this Beauty Balm.

NYX Soft Matte Lip cream Tres Leches (Left) Stockholm (Right)

I love these Soft Matte Lip creams. The texture of a lipstick but look of a pigmented gloss. The colour sets really nicely with a promised “matte” look. Although these colours look almost identical in their packaging, in reality Tres Leches is more on the pink side, where Stockholm is more beige/nude.

NYX highlighter liquid — NYX liquid illuminator sunbeam

I was a bit disappointed with this one. I was expecting a natural looking highlighter but this is almost sparkly. Too heavy for a daytime look. To be honest probably wouldn’t wear it at night either. It’s just too sparkly/bright for my liking.

NYX Intense Butter Gloss and soft matte lip cream — Intense Butter Top to bottom (Banana Split & Funnel Delight) and Soft Matte lip cream in red (Monte Carlo)

nyx solo eyeshadow — Punk Heart (left) & Smoke & Mirrors (Right)

The eye shadows are somewhat pigmented but will definitely need to build these shadows when doing a smokey eye look.

NYX matte lipstick and high voltage lipstick — Matte Lipstick Nude (right) Perfect Red (middle) and High Voltage Lipstick in Rockstar

So if you have olive skin tone then the matte lipstick in nude is not for you. Way too pale. The other two colours are gorgeous and go on pigmented. That’s it! In case you didn’t already know there’s a store at Square One and downtown on Queen Street. Enjoy shopping and let me know your NYX faves!

Food November 22, 2015

TerroniTO: Sud Forno Review

Toronto has an ample amount of cafés and coffee shops. But what sets others out from the rest? What do you look for in your next study or remote working place? Most importantly they’ve got to have really good drinks and desserts. So what draws you in? Interior, the food, free WiFi perhaps?

At first when you walk in you can see that it’s a small place with minimal seating. You get that feeling that you’re in a bakery. All their delicious baked goods to the left and straight ahead pizza! There are stairs to the second floor where you’ll find a big table with more seats. I didn’t try the gelato, but they have that too!

And then there was this yummy drink and cake! Ok, so Sud Forno so far has the best Nutella drink in Toronto. It’s funny and sad at the same time that Canada’s first ever Nutella cafe that opened up here in Toronto doesn’t have a hot drink figured out but there are places in our city where you can get such a drink.

Portland Variety also has a Nutella drink however their steamer machine when I went wasn’t working so I’ll have to check that one out another day.

I’m on the hunt for the BEST nutella drink in Toronto. Do you know of any places that I should check out?

Fall November 18, 2015

Hoods up, Sunnies on

Just one of those “hoods up, sunnies on” type of days. I got this sweater a while back online from The Bay. It’s from the Style & Co brand. When I first looked at their items I was a bit turned off from the styles and options they had but if you keep going through their items you’ll find something that speaks to you and your style. I opted for this sweater because at the time I was pregnant and loved the flowy idea for more belly space but I also knew it would be something I’d wear after as well. I guess most of my casual wear is loose fitting and flowy. My sisters call it “dressing cute“.

With all that black going on with this outfit I needed this sparkly clutch to add some pizzazz.

Sweater: Style & Co // Shoes: Aldo // Purse: Sergio Feretti

Fall November 11, 2015

Goodbye Maternity Jeans

My little one is almost a year old! Eight months to be exact and tell me why I’m still wearing some of my maternity wear?! And don’t say it’s because I haven’t lost the weight. Because I have. Not all of it. But still. To be honest, it’s because my maternity wear is just so darn comfortable! I’m sure other mama’s can relate.

These maternity jeans are from ASOS and the material is really stretchy so I was able to wear these throughout my entire pregnancy and even after. The stretchy band at the top however has gotten more and more loose on me over the months since I had my little one. And now the time has come to say goodbye and put them away. But seriously,
if you’re looking for trendy cool maternity wear then ASOS is your best bet! P.S Get their maternity leggings! Most tops you can purchase from anywhere and just buy one, two or however much you need sizes up. But with pants no matter the size it can look a bit weird or not sit comfortably around your belly/lower belly area. Or too loose on legs.

Shirt – Massimo Dutti // Maternity Jeans – ASOS // Purse – Charles & Keith // Booties – Nine West