My 10 confident reds.

TBH,


I've really missed writing blog posts for you guys. 
Wishing you all a very happy new year.

Today's inspo was RED LIPTICKS. ALL. OF. THEM.

In case you're not comfortable when wearing bold red lips, confused concerning the choice of brand and wondering about the final look,and NOT wanting to smudge it, which will ruin your whole look, I've got you covered: will tell you about my personal favourite red picks and recommendations, making it easier for you to dare and wear red whenever desired.

After all, with every red lipstick it's occasion. Red lips are both classic and classy, and never out of style. No wonder there's something so divine about women rocking red lips. 
Not to forget that red lips are attention grabbers, and attract compliments, which will eventually boost your self-esteem.

Eeennnough with the talking for now.

I personally never apply any lipstick, red or not - liquid or not - without a lipliner. The lipliner doesn't have to be red, nor match your lipstick colour, since that you'll only use it to define, contour your lips, to prevent colour bleeding and smudging and to enhance your lip features.

1- STUNNA Lip Paint

Surprisingly, I wasn't expecting this liquid lipstick to be that unique and that addicting, been using it a lot lately. Red is already kinda hard to apply, thought that a red liquid lipstick would make it harder, but with the easy-to-use applicator, and it's 12-hours lasting formula, it really is easy to apply on & stays all day long, even when eating. Perks of having it on : your lips will stay the same, your lipstick won't smudge nor stains around your lips AND touchups aren't needed at all, not even on the inner lower lip. Not to forget about how super white it'll make your teeth look.

2- LANI by GIGI Hadid x Maybelline

Not liquid, this  matte lipstick lasts for hours, doesn't smudge when spraying setting spray, at the end of your makeup application.

It's well pigmented so you get what you expect when you apply it. Few touchups needed during the day.

3- Chanel 36 - Lune Rousse

Considered burgundy on light skin like mine, the more layers you apply the stronger, more intense, and darker the colour. I usually dab it when dark colour isn't desired. However, it has a light formula, kind of greasy, but moisturising. Not too dark for daytime, yet dark enough to look pulled together and mysterious.  

4 & 5- MAC - Sparks Of Romance & MAC - Diva

Diva on the left, Sparks Of Romance of the right.

A limited edition matte lipstick, with a frost finish - with barely showing gold shimmer. Wears well, slightly dries the lips, and touchups are needed. Full colour coverage.

MAC - Diva

Deep burgundy-red, with a matte finish. Light texture, kind of creamy, but doesn't slide around over time, so touchups are needed since that it refuses to stay on the inner part of my lower lip. 

6- L'Oreal - Red Passion

Bright red, not for a weakhearted - a daring red that is worth the try. It brightens up the face instantly after it's application, especially in the case of minimal, simple makeup application. It has a bit of shimmer that barely shows.

7- Colourpop x Alexis Ren - Little Weapon

Super matte, transfer-proof, a true orange red. Lightweighted formula, very smooth on the lips & intense pigment, for the bold, matte look. This lipstick is considered long-lasting and 100% kiss proof lol - it doesn't transfer at. all, even when eating. This unique shade of read leans a bit towards neon, making your teeth look super white, no matter your skin tone.

8- Diego Della Palma - 169

Matte, long-lasting dark brownish-red. Just like 'Lune Rousse', I apply it by dabbing it when looking for a minimal dark-red lips look. Touchups are needed for the inner part of the lower lip during the day.

9- Yves Saint Laurent - Rouge Pur Couture - Vernis A Levres : 32- Rouge Avant-Guardiste

Glossy, tomato-red shade, does transfer, and wears-off after eating or drinking, so touchups are needed. If you're someone that enjoys wearing several shades of red regularly, or on a daily basis, then you' ll love this one.

10- Nars - Starwoman

Matte, liquid, medium-dark red, super pigmented, defines the lips perfectly,  covers the lips with only one layer. Not drying, but touchups are needed during the day, just as previously mentioned, for the inner part of the lower lip. - the one I have is in travel size -

These are my top 10 #TBHJOApproved ! Hope you enjoyed reading this and I hope it was beneficial. Let me know your favourite(s)red below!

Thanks for reading & stay tuned for more soon! Xo

TbhJo

  

BORDEAUX I LOVE U

Hello! 

I know I've been away for a while, but I'm back now. I wanted to post a little something about my trip to Bordeaux, France a short while ago, but faced some technical issues concerning the pictures, but now all is good. I hope you enjoy these!

So, it used to be weird saying, "I'm French, but I've never been to France." This summer, this finally changed, because I got to travel to my 2nd homeland, France, to attend Vinexpo, with Chateau St Thomas.

Chateau St Thomas is a Lebanese winery that I'm super proud of, and very loyal to, that also happens to be my own family's winery- a whole other blog post will be dedicated to this, where I'll be explaining everything and will be giving you a detailed tour, and closer looks -and that has been part of it since 2003.

 In case you didn't know, Vinexpo is the world's most prestigious wine fair, happening every 2 years, that gathers all wine buyers and producers from all over the world in one place, which obviously meant that my week in Bordeaux was already super busy. But, I still had a few hours to discover some of the must-visit places, in Downtown Bordeaux, that I got to visit. 

So, here they go:

1- Take a walk in Rue St. Catherine, known as the longest pedestrian street in Europe. This street is also full of small boutiques, to satisfy all of your shopping needs. All of my favourite shops in one street, super close to one-another, could it get any better?

2- Visit Le Grand Theatre, a historical monument in Downtown Bordeaux.

3- Tour Place Des Quinconces, known as one of the largest city squares in Europe. "Quinconces", because the trees there are planted in Qincunx, which is a geometric pattern consisting of five points arranged in a cross, with four of them forming a square and a fifth at it's centre. The statue next to the fountain, represents liberty, and the whole monument is mainly in memory of the Girondists- members of a political sect during the French Revolution- who fell victim during the French Revolution period. Loads of details, I know. Moving ooon.

4- Unleash your inner child, at Les Maneges De Bordeaux, 2 minutes away from Le Grand Theatre, for a spin on the carousel's ponies & kitties - oh and for great pictures haha.

5- Place De La Bourse, one of the most recognisable sights of Bordeaux, where also is Le Miroir D'Eau, the world's largest reflecting pool, reflecting the buildings of Place De La Bourse.

6- Tour La Cite Du Vin,a museum that's architecture looks like no other, it resembles wine twirling in a glass, which is really fascinating. This place allows you to know more about wine located in Bordeaux, which is really interesting, PLUS the tour ends with wine tasting of an international wine of your choice - Chateau St Thomas is even available there, proudly representing Lebanon.

 

7- Make sure you stop by and have diner/lunch at the original L'ENTRECOTE,I promise you'll fall in love with their famous secret sauce, and you will definitely come back again before your flight back home. 

Not to forget about the yummy Canelés, which are the specialty of Bordeaux. These French bakery confections are little fluted cakes with a rich rum and vanilla interior enclosed by a thin caramelised shell. 

The mini cake in the middle is a Canele

I was lucky enough to have a thrift shop, more of a vintage mini shop, next to the hotel where I was staying, that sells everything you could possibly think of, LITERALLY. From clothes, to bags & accessorises, designers' and regular ones, and ended up grabbing a pair of vintage black and gold YSL clip-on earrings, that show a bit in the picture below.

Hope you enjoyed! Thanks for reading! <3 

To Be Honest,  Bordeaux isn't to be missed, you should all add it to your bucket list.

Video and pictures are taken by Mathieu Fontana you can check his shots over here : https://www.instagram.com/mgfon/. 

Mathieu & I at Le Grand Theatre

TbhJo

UR'E NOT IN FASHION

Hey my loves! So, lately I've been posting some shots on Instagram taken from a collaboration I worked on with SAYA Productions, and the brand chosen to be featured and shown was:

UNIF Clothing, a lifestyle  brand from Los Angeles California, founded by couple Eric Espinoza & Christine Lai. 

  

It all began when he spent his late nights hand dyeing and sewing, making and designing clothes for friends, instead of partying; meanwhile, the creations were widely disbursed via Lai - cool chick blogger in the game. Their love for odd fashion concepts  grew in no time into more than a hobby, when the demand for their work rose, not long before the start of the designing process of full collections for their own brand that was far away from boring,that was worth all of the insane risks took. The line ended up giving fashionistas across the globe an alternative to traditional fashion apparel. Espinoza brings the sarcasm while Lai is responsible for the brand's dresses, ponchos and brightly coloured accessories. 

"Ur'e Not In Fashion" AKA UNIF, is inspired by underground techno and culture. The brand has been shaking the online and offline fashion community with their darker approach to fashion. They're super famous for their shredded, distressed cotton tanks, muscle tees, with weird and-UNUSUAL- quotes printed on them, just as seen in the pictures below. 

TBH, the brand is addicting. You have one of their tops and you're into them for life. literally haha. My first purchase was made 2 years ago when I first discovered the brand by mistake online, and ended up getting the famous "Mary Chains" 
platform studded heels - shown in some shots - that I got since that they looked really weird and funky-UNUSUAL- also them being limited edition. However, I never found the appropriate occasion to wear them. My 2nd purchase was a distressed cotton tank, with the emo quote "Hi. F*** you, always", later on I've brought the "Believe in your selfies" t-shirt, followed by the 
"Partier" cotton distressed tank, with a font similar to the famous jewellery brand "Cartier". 



My favorite thing about owning UNIF pieces is that each one is so unique. They don't mass produce as well, so everything made is already special. You can make any type of outfit stand out with one UNIF item, without overdoing it. A simple, yet extraordinary T-Shirt/Tank with a funky slogan or print with bare jeans or pants, and that's it; nothing too over-the-top, but something that looks different from everyone else's street style. 







The fabric used is very pretty and soft on one hand, dark and weird on the other. This is what makes the line recognisable no matter the prints. The designers' goal in the fashion industry is NOT to be mainstream or "the next DIOR", but  to stay true to the grunge roots. 

Makeup done by myself,

special thanks to SAYA Productions for the cool shots! x 
Thanks for reading! hope you liked it ! xo

TbhJo

Discovering Inouي Beyrouth

Hi my loves! 

A few weeks ago, I discovered a Lebano-French creative label called "Inouي Beyrouth". Safe to say, I fell in love when I got to know the story behind the brand and designs. That's why I wanted to share  my findings with you.


 Inouي Beyrouth launched in July 2016, with the aim of promoting  Lebanon and its crafts through affordable fashion, with a strong desire to produce 100% Lebanese products.

All the fabrics used are from Lebanon, and the factory producing the items is a family business, located in the North of Beirut. Also, the t-shirts are embroidered by hand by the grandmothers of the owners, and by women from ASHGHALOUNA, a community center. 

Inouي Beyrouth chose to include handmade embroidery in order to promote a very famous know-how that us, as Lebanese, are loosing with our way of consuming fashion; also, cause it helps building a community, by involving people so they feel that they belong to something happening.

Their items are not revolutionary and grand; they go for simple and effortless basic pieces, the white t-shirt and the grey sweater, which are made out of delicate comfy fabric with the best finishing, what makes them wearable in all seasons.

They focus on the embroidered words, that are a mix of Latin and Arabic alphabets, and designs referring to Lebanon, to mobilize the Lebanese sense of belonging.

Every item is unique,and uniqueness is something poetic to the brand itself. 

  It is well an object of pride for each person wearing it, and a tool to promote the country and it's culture, supporting Lebanese production.

I got a "Habibي" white t-shirt, an Arabic word, with the meaning of "my beloved". It is commonly used in Lebanon, making it well known. And TBH, I personally use it a lot, so it was my perfect match.

Feel free to check their designs online on their social media pages and at Sodeco Square, at Boutique Hub Beirut. Their items would make really cute, custom gifts.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inoui.beyrouth/?hl=en 

Points of sale: 

Website: https://www.inouibeyrouth.com/

Boutique Hub Beirut's Website: https://www.boutiquehubbeirut.com/