Hunza Valley | 7 Days Road Trip to Fairyland

A tribute to my Adventure Club members - a team of 3!

Hunza Valley - beyond doubt is heaven on earth, a fairyland surrounded by snow-capped mountains. When we, a team of three including myself, my sister and a close friend decided at the last moment to go for our dream trip last October (2014) none of us could imagine it would be our best adventure yet, even better than our last favorite trip to Lake Saif ul Muluk. This post is a way of paying tribute to this beautiful place called Hunza and it's beautiful, friendly people. Though I cannot justify the experience of this trip in one post, I would however like to share the most informative and beautiful photos along with the description so that if you ever plan this trip in the future this post could help you guys out a bit. Located in the province of Gilgit-Baltistan at an elevation of 8,200 ft (2,500 m), Hunza Valley is one of the most beautiful tourist destinations of Pakistan. It's a place you would want to visit time and again.

A peek into the past..

The majestic Rakaposhi (elevation: 7,788 m))

For centuries Hunza Valley provided quickest access to Swat and Gandhara for a person travelling on foot since the route was impassable for animals with luggage, only human porters could get though upon permission for the local authorities. Since the paths were often merely half a meter wide, Hunza Valley was easily defended and for centuries remained hidden from the rest of the world. This, no doubt made Hunza Valley the   mythical Shangri-La of James Hilton's 1933 novel Lost Horizon. Formerly a princely state, it bordered China to its north-east, Pamir to its north-west and Gilgit to its south. Hunza was an independent state for more than 900 years before the British gained control of it 1889 - 1892 and later was dissolved by Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in 1974.

Spectacular View and Peaks

Hunza Valley provides spectacular view of some of the most beautiful and magnificent mountains of the world including the breathtaking and one of my most favorite peak (after K-2 off course!) Rakaposhi 25,551 ft (7,788 m) situated in the Karakoram Mountain Range. I remember when we first visited Lake Saif ul Muluk in Naran Valley, the view was breathtaking. There was nothing like it, there is nothing like it. But I must admit, once we started traveling towards Hunza, the view was just amazing. It is like nothing I have seen before, something very different from what I have experience and visited before. Hunza is also surrounded by other majestic peaks like Hunza Peak, the famous LadyFinger Peak, Diran Peak, Ghenta Peak, Ultar Sar etc. Eagle Nest, a famous tourist spot at the top of Hunza Valley offers a view to seven of the surrounding peaks! Hunza Valley is also host to the ancient watch towers of Ganish, Altit Fort and Baltit Fort.

Karakoram Highway - KKH

Witnessing of the spectacular scenery in the valley of Hunza is made possible due to the world's highest paved international road, Karakoram Highway or KKH. The route of KKH follows one of the many paths of the ancient Silk Route. During our trip, the excitement of getting on to KKH and experiencing the beauty of the landscape from Gilgit to Hunza Valley was something that magnifies the overall experience of this place. KKH crosses Hunza Valley connecting Pakistan to China via Khunjerab Pass. Although we did not go further towards Khunjerab Pass, something that we couldn't manage because of the lack of planning and research, we did went up till Attabad Lake which was an experience in itself. Tip: Click, click, click while on the road, it's KKH! En-route to Hunza Valley we made a quick stopover at Rakaposhi View Point famous for its french fries and tea along with a breathtaking view of Rakaposhi itself right in front of us. We spent some time along the water stream till our fries were ready and took a lot of photographs. Tip: Look out for apple and cherry trees, grapevines and request the owners for some. We managed to get our hands on the juiciest fruits! Thanks to the locals for the hospitality.

That - is a pretty 'tanned' version of me.

The beauty of Hunza River

Two unkept, tanned, sun burned, vacation hands

Rakaposhi View Point

Much needed tea! (Nail polish: Artdeco 79 Orange Lush)

Haldeikish - sacred rocks of Hunza with ancient carvings is a cultural heritage of the valley.

Important message

Welcome!

Climate and Tourist Season 

Tourist season generally starts around May (temperature: 27 C/81 F) and goes up till October (temperature: 14 C/57 F). Hunza Valley is blessed with all four seasons.

Spring (March - April)

Summer (May - August)

Autumn (September - November)

Winter (December - February) 

I personally think Hunza Valley is an absolute beauty in autumn! Tip: Plan a trip in October to witness the colors of autumn in Hunza Valley. However, I am assuming spring time with Sakura all around will be equally mesmerizing. Since I haven't witnessed spring in the valley yet I would say autumn is the best as the valley changes colors to different shades of yellow, brown and red! During our trip from end of September till early October the weather during the day was comparatively hot but not too uncomfortable. We all got a bit of tan all over since we were roaming in the sun and enjoying the cool breeze. Tip: Want to wash those tees? Go ahead. My jeans were dry like an autumn leaf in the morning, along with the towel and leggings. My sunblock didn't help us much though as I was told upon return that I looked kinda kali (dark). Mornings were beautiful and pleasant and nights were pretty chilly where you needed blankets and some bonfire. We had a great time bbq-ing one night out in the PTDC Hunza premises. Tip: If you step out at night in Hunza Valley look up at the sky. It will be nothing like you have ever seen before. All three of us saw 'the milky way' that night and fell asleep dreaming about it.

Parked cars & motorbikes. We saw a lot of youngsters looking for gemstones down close to the river.

Autumn setting in slowly..

These beautiful roads..

PTDC Hunza - early morning view..

A glimpse of Attabad Lake

Famous Forts

We also had a plan to visit the two famous forts of Hunza Valley - Altit Fort and Baltit Fort. Besides its scenic beauty, this valley is also famous among tourists for these two ancient forts. Altit Fort is one of the oldest forts in the northern region built in the 11th century. It was originally home to the hereditary rulers of Hunza before they decided to move to somewhat younger Baltit Fort three centuries later due to the conflict between the two sons of the ruler thus making it the capital seat of Hunza. Altit Fort is built with great architectural design on a rock where Hunza River flows at its back side. It has also won 2011 UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award winner. Tip: Do go around the village to get the real feel of the vicinity. It's so peaceful and calm.

Baltit Fort is built on top of Karimabad foundations of which can be traced back to 700 years. Ayasho II, Tham (Mir of Hunza) in the early 15th century married a princess of Baltistan (meaning Land of Balti people) was the first to modify the face of Altit and Baltit Fort. Balti people had very strong relations of Ladakh territory in those times. Consequently, the structure of Baltit Fort was influenced by the Tibetan architecture with some resemblance to Potala Palace in Lhasa. Baltit Fort has also received the 2004 UNESCO Award of Excellence. During our visit at Baltit Fort we also witnessed, for the first time, an avalanche high up in the mountains. We were told by the tour guide that at one time the avalanche was so extreme that it came down to the fort and the valley!

Altit Fort

The Altit Fort apricot & orchid garden..

Vineyard full of sweet fruit..

Can you spot a beautiful bird?

Kha Basi Cafe - Altit Fort

Our tour guide..

Balcony overlooking the village..

From the Altit Fort balcony..

Baltit Fort

Royal thrown.. such a beautiful view.

Witnessed an avalanche high up on the mountains..

Looking down at the village from Baltit Fort

Eagle's Nest at Duikar View Point

One of the best attractions of Hunza Valley was the Eagle's Nest Hotel at Duikar View Point at the height of 10,000 feets above sea level. Since our small ride failed to go that steep up the mountain we had to get off our car! It is wasily accessible by jeep however. Eagle's Nest Hotel has plenty of rooms where you can stay over night. It is most famous for the magnificent view of surrounding peaks like Rakaposhi, Ultar, Golden Peak, Lady Finger etc which are easily visible through naked eye. When we reached the spot we found plenty of tourists in groups taking photographs of the sunset and making time-lapse videos. We, however settled with out digital camera and cell phones since I did not own a DSLR at that time. We visited Eagle's nest twice. Once during daytime to have lunch, the restaurant was clean, food was tasty and ambiance traditional and comfortable. The second time, we went around sunset to experience the twilight and almost missed it! Tip: Do NOT leave Hunza Valley without a visit to Eagle's Nest. 

We also made a quick stopover at the famous Hunza de Cafe for the best coffee and amazingly delicious Walnut Cake! We all had tea and Walnut Cake slices on the roof top looking towards the Baltit Fort and surrounding mountains. Hunza De Cafe not only offers the best kind of Espresso but also wide range of books and maps along with apricot oil, beauty soaps, pure honey etc made locally. Tip: Book your Walnut Cake for delivery to your hometown! We ordered 2 of them! I also filled my hot flask with Hot Chocolate and got a Brownie for breakfast.

Trees changing colors - autumn is here..

Needed a 2 minute break every minute! We were literally hiking at 45 degrees angle.

Our ride - yes! 
It was a Mehran (600cc) & yes we came all the way on that little one!

Lady Finger Peak! (Bubulimuting 19,685 ft)

The biggest pumpkins I ever came across! Almost every house had these.

The twilight.. the calm air..

Hot chocolate for me!
@ Hunza de Cafe

The famous Walnut Cake!
 @ Hunza de Cafe

The People of Hunza Valley

I've talked about everything that was beautiful and breathtaking but the best thing about Hunza Valley is it's people - Hunzakuts. Warmhearted, friendly and known for their hospitality, the people of Hunza Valley are probably the most friendly in the region and also the most literate (approx. 90%) as compared to other similar districts! It is indeed a 'role model' for Pakistan. Virtually every child in the valley goes to school and studies up to at least high school level.

There is a sense of calm and peace in this valley which is nothing like we felt elsewhere. Every morning when we used to wake up and prepare breakfast in the balcony (we stayed at PTDC Hunza) we saw kids, girls and boys, school teachers (wearing sneakers which was really cute) with books in their hands. Young girls and boys are often seen on the streets going to and from the schools and women doing everyday grocery shopping in the local market. Many times kids would wave and teachers (women) would smile a bit too, that welcoming smile. We hold them with great respect. And guys.. well they always smile, no? :) I think this is the essence of this beautiful valley. People are glued to their culture and traditions but the are open minded and welcoming. Most of the people of Hunza Valley are Ismaili Shia Muslims, followers of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan. The present Aga Khan has provided a lot of funding for the valley to help with agriculture and local economy through the Aga Khan Development Network. The Hunza region is home to people of three ethnicity.

The Lower Hunza area (Khizerabad - Nasirabad) mainly inhibited by Shinaki people who are Shina speakers. The Central Hunza area (Murtazaabad - Ahmedabad) mainly inhibited by Burushaski speakers and, the Upper Hunza area known as Gojal (Shiskat - Khunjerab) mainly populated by Wakhi speakers. 

I have so much to write and talk about but let's just say you cannot experience the entire beauty of Hunza Valley through my eyes - make a plan and visit! I can assure it will be a memorable trip. You can either fly to Gilgit from Islamabad and drive to Hunza Valley which is approx 2 hours. Or if you plan to go all the way by road then make a detailed itinerary. This is how our itinerary looked like:

Islamabad  >  Naran (1 night stay) 

Naran  >  Gilgit (via Babusar Pass and Chilas, 1 night stay at Gilgit)

Gilgit  >  Hunza Valley (4 nights stay)

Hunza Valley  >  Naran (1 night stay) 

Naran  > Islamabad

Oh fruit - how can I forget thee?

Tip: Do purchase any local fruits you come across. We got walnuts, apricots and apples!

This is a really hectic schedule with hours of non-stop driving so make sure you add a stopover if you cannot drive that long. We had plenty of food (dry, snacks) with us along with warm clothes, just in case. If you are as crazy as we are make sure you take a water-bath in the glacier water of Hunza River. Tip: Extremely cold! More than you can imagine, so keep dry, warm clothes handy! Also make sure you are well prepared for the trip in terms of your vehicle, accommodation, living etc as this will be a long journey. Most of the time, while we were in Hunza Valley and also uptil and ahead of Naran we filled our water bottles with fresh spring water which did wonders to my digestive system, I was craving for food every 3 hours! So do not worry about fresh, clean water. There is plenty.

Our friendly neighbor - @ KKH 

Hunza Valley trip to us has been the most memorable of trip ever. We plan to visit HUnza Valley again, this time during spring when Sakura is at full bloom. Until then we will cherish the time spent at the beautiful valley with its wonderful people.

What is your favorite trip ever?

Leave a link below and I will check it out.

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Pretty Picks for Mother's Day!

Hi Lovelies!

If you haven't yet decided what to buy for your mom this Mother's Day (Sunday, 10 May 2015) then here's a list of my top 10 favorites (and economical) gifts running out fast so hurry up!!

Pretty Picks for Mother's Day! by prettygloss 

                     

1. Floozie by Frost French Natural hibiscus applique small kettle bag. £ 35!

This lovely kettle bag from Floozie comes in natural and features a hibiscus applique and two pink grab handles, great for adding character to your casual look. 

2. Baylis & Harding Skin Spa Herbal Therapy Collection-Mulberry, Holly Hock & Thyme Gown Gift Set 

Was £ 45    Now £ 22.50!    50% off

A luxury gift to give someone that spa feeling everyday of the week. This extra special box presents everything you need to give yourself a delicious salon pamper in the relaxing environment of your own home. So just sit back, relax and unwind.

3. Givenchy My Fabulous Accessories Make-up Set. 

Was £ 24.40    Then £ 22.05!   Now £ 20.41!   16% off

My Fabulous Accessories make-up Set includes a Noir Couture Mascara in Black Taffetas shade and a mini Mister Radiant. The new mascara breaks new grounds in seduction for immediate volume and extremely sophisticated eyes. 

4. Victoria Green Debenhams Exclusive: Padstow floral Everyday Make-up Bag. £ 5!

Exclusive to Debenhams, this little cosmetics case is the ideal size to slip inside your handbag, but has plenty of room for your daily beauty essentials. 

5. Baylis & Harding Skin Spa 1 Wick Candle. £ 8!

A good-lifting mix of tangy citrus and basil to cleanse the mind. Indulgent gift set in pretty pastel, redolent with rejuvenating sweet fragrance of sugarcane. A fresh fragrance of hand care in every washroom. 

6. Red Herring Black patent Mini Bucket Bag. £ 25!

A great everyday bag, this black patent bucket bag from Red herring comes with an adjustable cross body strap and is accessorized with stylish pink polka dot scarf to the handle. 

7. Sweet Shop Giant Strawberries 1 kg Jar. £ 9.50!

Perfect for a gift, this 1 kg jar of Giant Strawberries, which are free from artificial colors and flavors. 

8. Dior Dior Addict It-Lash Mascara & Mini Dior Addict Lipstick Set. 

Was £ 22    Now £ 19.80!    16% off

Discover the Dior Addict It - Look in a complete set for the price of just the mascara. Dior Addict It-lash Mascara can transform the eyes in a single flourish for a fabulous impact, as if by magic. The gift set also includes a mini Dior Addict Lipstick (Shade 578 Diorkiss) a breakthrough formula with high shine that is totally addictive.

9. Lipsy ladies Gold Multi Charm Chain Strap Watch. 

Was £ 35    Now £ 24.50!    30% off

This ladies watch by Lipsy has a charm bracelet, featuring a Gold Tone Dial. This watch comes with a 2 year guarantee. 

10. L'Occitane en Provence Cherry Blossom Discovery Collection. £ 20! 

Laced with the soft and delicate scent of these early blooms, L'Occatine's Cherry Blosson Discovery Collection makes it possible to experience spring in Provence everyday of the year. this delightful collection contains five travel sized essentials from the Cherry Blossom family. 

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L'Oreal | Revitalift Total Repair BB Cream

Hi Lovelies,

I have been introduced to BB creams by a friend of mine who had a similar liking for light coverage as myself. After using my favorite Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream couple of time I thought it would be nice to try something new to have more options. I had come across L'Oreal Revitalift Total Repair BB Cream a few times and really liked the texture. This time when when I ran out of my current BB cream I thought I should give L'Oreal a try to see if it is a better option.

L'Oreal Revitalift Total Repair BB Cream is meant to moisturize your skin leaving your skin glowing, your imperfections covered, skin tone more even, skin texture more refined and fight 10 signs of ageing.

Immediate Perfection & Anti-Ageing Action 

1. Covers Imperfections   2. Conceals Dark Circles   3. Illuminates Complexion 

4. Evens Skin Surface   5. Refines Skin Quality    6. Hydrates 24H   7. Reduces Wrinkles 

8. Firms Up Skin   9. Reduces Dark Spots   10. Protects against UV

What attracted me to buy L'Oreal Revitalift Total Repair BB Cream was the fact that it was the first ever anti-ageing BB cream I had come across with a mentioned age range of 30 - 40 years. Any beauty product that has some kind of anti-ageing formula is a plus point for me. Hence, this is a unique BB cream that provides flawless complexion with additional benefits of anti-ageing skincare. It comes in a 50 ml plastic bottle with a pump. I generally like pump containers over jars since it gives you more control on product quantity and it is also more hygienic. This one is a bit tricky though, I have to be very careful when I press the pump otherwise I end up with a huge quantity on my palm!

Let's talk about application and coverage. The first time I applied L'Oreal Revitalift Total Repair BB Cream over my face I end up with more product on my palm than I usually apply over my face. I tried to blend in most of it but failed to do so as it was just way too much. Then I did something that I really hate since it consumes a lot of time especially when I have to step out - I washed my face. Second attempt : I carefully pressed the pump and successfully managed to get the desired quantity. Once I applied it on my face I noticed it blended really well and had a smooth finish. The only problem : I found the shade a bit darker for my skin tone. When I tried it on at the L'Oreal counter it did look okay but I only tried on my wrist (as show below) and not on my face. Though it comes in only one shade as I was told therefore I am assuming light on the packaging did not really mean light shade rather light coverage. I am only assuming, I cannot be sure since whenever I purchase any foundation or BB cream that says light, it is either as per my skin tone or lighter but never darker. I believe I need to reconsider my shade testing methods as well since testing on the wrist can be tricky. This was the point where I was a little disappointed. As I had to attend an event that day I did notice my skin looking less bright due to the shade mismatch. The same showed in the photographs. I did not look tan or darker but my complexion did not look as bright as it usually does with my Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream.

Not my shade! 

My final verdict is that if you have a slightly darker skin tone this might work better on you since it is a good quality product with light coverage and will even out your complexion giving you a flawless finish. If you fancy having a hint of tan to your skin this might be a good option. For me, it is not something that has worked well in terms of the shade. I am thinking of trying it on my friend to see what are her views about it since we have similar skin tone.

Have you tried L'Oreal Revitalift Total Repair BB Cream?

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Red Musk "Scandal in a Bottle" | The Body Shop

Hi Lovelies,

I think I have done more post for The Body Shop products than I did for any other brand. The reason being I have purchased more from this brand. The idea beauty of ranges dedicated to fruits and flowers and scents from around the world is quite appealing, so is the quality of the products that has always been satisfactory. If you remember, sometime back in February 2015 I was invited to The Body Shop Red Musk Fragrance launch. Invited to cover the event as a blogger I ended up with a goodie bag! Apart of other things it contained two lovely fragrances which have become my favorite from the brand - Red Musk Eau de Parfum* & Smoky Poppy Eau de Toilette*! In this post I will share my thoughts on Red Musk Eau de Parfum.

RED MUSK Eau de Parfum*

Like I mentioned in my previous post: loved by many, the scent Wood Musk by The Body Shop was discounted seventeen years back. The loyal customer waited eagerly rather pleaded The Body Shop to bring Musk back. The Body Shop re-launched Red Musk Eau de Parfum, the first man-made cruelty free musk. A distinctively different fragrance with spiced musk and hot notes of cinnamon and intense tobacco, Red Musk Eau de Parfum defies conventional fragrance - that's sexy! If you are not a floral or fruity person then do give this one a try.

It comes in red packaging (perfect Valentine's day gift!) with an ombre transparent and deep brownish, almost cinnamon-powder-colored (brown?) kind of bottle if you know what I mean. The bottle itself gives you that first-impression of the fragrance - warm and spicy! I understand that many of you might not appreciate floral and fruity fragrances. This is why Red Musk Eau de Parfum is the right fragrance for you! While most of The Body Shop's fragrances are floral, clean, sweet and delicate, Red Musk Eau de Parfum is the most unconventional fragrance by the brand ever. No flowers - just a bold blend of musk and spice!

Can you handle the scandal?

Red Musk Eau de Parfum is an intensely different feminine fragrance that is scandalizing the perfume establishment with its smoldering blend of spiced musk with hot notes of pepper, cinnamon and tobacco - and no flowers adding a red-hot note to the scandalous fragrance history of The Body Shop. In 1981, The Body Shop pioneered the iconic White Musk, the first fragrance with man-made cruelty-free musk rather than using the perfume industry's standard ingredient gathered from deer. The Body Shop in the form of Red Musk continues to challenge conventional ways but turning up the heat on codes of feminine fragrance.

The main ingredients of Red Musk Eau de Parfum are Pepper, Cinnamon and Tobacco!

TOP NOTE Pepper is an addictive note that adds a sparking dimension to the fragrance. This will give you a first impression of the fragrance - either it is a hit or a miss for you right at this point. A known aphrodisiac, HEART NOTE Cinnamon makes this fragrance intriguingly irresistible. BASE NOTE Tobacco is a smoky note that gives the base a mystery allure and almost impossible to resist. 

Image: The Body Shop website

When the master perfumer, Corinne Cachen of Drom Fragrances and creator of Red Musk Eau de Parfum was asked what inspired her to create an all-spice fragrance this is what she had to say:

Image: The Body Shop website

Red Musk Eau de Parfum is definitely not your conventional 'girly-girl' women fragrance. I would like to take a step further by saying it is almost unisex! The sensuality and warmth of spices combined with musk ends up in a unique fragrance which has an air of seduction to it and so hard to resist. Given the quality of this fragrance the price tag seems pretty affordable for something that stands out in the crowd of scents available out there. 

I will definitely recommend Red Musk Eau de Parfum if you really want to try a different fragrance and also if fruity and floral is not your thing. Next time you come across The Body Shop store (The Centaurus Mall and Jinnah Super) do step in and take a moment to check it out. One spray is enough for you to realize your LOVE/HATE relationship with this scent. I would also recommend this for your special one, I think this will appeal to men as well. This makes a perfect date-night gift given it's bright red packaging and lasting scent. This is an extremely unique fragrance and just like myself I am sure you might not have smelled anything like this before. Utterly scandalous! 

Have you tried Red Musk Eau de Parfum yet? 

Available Online // The Body Shop 

60 ml  £ 20

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Shiseido | ULTIMUNE Power Infusing Concentrate

Hi lovelies,

Today I will share my thoughts on the latest skincare serum Shiseido ULTIMUNE Power Infusing Concentrate that I recently purchased and added to my daily beauty regime. Shiseido, a Japanese brand is one of the biggest names in high-end beauty products and cosmetics. Anyone who is aware of high-end beauty brands must have at-least once heard about it. Launched in late 2014 Shiseido ULTIMUNE Power Infusing Concentrate is one of the most promoted products by the company ever.

"Powering skin's beauty - now and over time.."

As a teen I was naturally attracted towards cosmetics and beauty products. My mom's lipsticks and nail polishes seemed heavenly; to try these out was ultimate bliss. I still remember using one of my mom's beauty lotions on my hands all day long. In my late teens however I was more eager when it came to makeup and beauty routines as compared to my peers. This included regular beauty regimes mostly herbal and homemade masks for fresh face and beautiful, shiny hair. I must say I took good care of myself over the years but never overdid anything (very important)! I also did not experiment too much with my skin (fancy skincare products). My 20's have been really great, rather the best if I say so myself if I consider my skin. My skin looked fresh and beautiful and everyone noticed how I took care of it. I also regularly used sunblock to keep sun damage at the minimum. All the hard work paid off as I still, in my 30's have better skin than my peers.

However, now that I am in my 30's I have observed my skin condition to decline somewhat. This includes dullness, soft brown spots along with appearance of fine lines. I am not overly conscious about these signs of aging but I do want to take them into consideration. This led me to think about giving a more specialized skincare treatment to my skin than the usual drugstore products I have been using. While there are tons of skincare brands and products that can do the job for you, I picked Shiseido ULTIMUNE Power Infusing Concentrate to be the first one. One of the reasons I picked this one was that I had seen some of their products on duty-free shops and was quite convinced by the product line.

So what is Shiseido ULTIMUNE Power Infusing Concentrate?

It is an anti-aging concentrate that protects and treats the skin. It comes in a really interesting curved glass bottle with bright red and white ombre effect and plastic pump for controlled quantity. I must say the red bottle is pretty attractive and makes the experience of using the product more interesting. It looks beautiful standing on my vanity table. ULTIMUNE, a standalone product in the Shiseido's line of products has translucent white gel-like texture with light and refreshing faint floral fragrance. It's really impressive how this serum is quickly absorbed into the skin once I swirl it on over my face and neck. Equally impressive is the fact that it dries - in about 10 seconds - leaving skin instantly powdery and silky smooth! 

Let's talk about what Shiseido ULTIMUNE Power Infusing Concentrate actually does. ULTIMUNE protects your skin against wrinkle-causing free radicals. It hydrates and strengthens skin's natural moisture barrier. Shiseido's exclusive ULTIMUNE Complex is formulate with a unique botanical cocktail of Bulgarian Rose Water (moisturizers), Gingko Biloba Leaf (antioxidant) and Japanese Shiso (anti-inflammatory) along with In Pool and Yeast to help protect, strengthen and maintain a healthy looking skin. 

"Like your body, your skin has an immune system that functions less efficiently with time, environmental exposure and stress. ULTIMUNE helps boost skin's multi-defense powers while helping to strengthen its resistance to day-to-day damage and signs of aging. Overtime skin looks smoother and more resilient, making wrinkle less noticeable as your complexion begins to glow." - Shiseido.

Hence my decision to start off with Shiseido ULTIMUNE Power Infusing Concentrate was to try building up my skin's immune system as a very basic anti-aging and power-infusing step to help my 30-something skin. Having said this, ULTIMUNE is suitable for women of all ages and all skin types so if you are in your late teens or early 20's I would say go ahead and give it a try! My motto: prevention is definitely better than cure. We are all about layering skincare products these day, ULTIMUNE being a pre-serum, meaning it is used after cleansing and toning and before your serum and moisturizer seems to me as the perfect first step to a firm and resilient skin. 

I remove my makeup with a makeup remover followed by gentle cleansing. I usually skip the toner (you can add if you feel like). I use 2-3 pumps all over my face and neck which is effortlessly absorbed into my skin leaving it amazingly soft without any residue. Though it suitable for all skin types (I have combination skin) I prefer to use it only at bedtime. I personally do not like layering it under my daytime makeup as the approaching hot weather makes me a little uncomfortable (less is definitely more!) and also because I'm short of time. Bedtime works best for me as naturally it is the time your skin is relaxed, least stressed and away from environmental effects.

Since I've only recently started using Shiseido ULTIMUNE Power Infusing Concentrate about 2-weeks back so I cannot say it's working miracles at the moment. But I do feel a visible difference in my skin texture which has improved. I wake up looking really fresh and toned, my makeup definitely looks better. Officially, in 4 weeks my skin would show better results so I'll make sure I drop an update on my social pages and also at the bottom of the post so make sure you re-visit for updates. As off now, I would say yes it's a product you can definitely give a try to if you have a fat wallet. 

Have you tried any products by Shiseido? 

Which is your favorite high-end skincare brand? I'd love to know what works for your skin.

4-Weeks Update: So now after almost after 4-weeks my skin definitely feels smoother and refined. It is fresh especially in the mornings when it looks very bright and glowing *touch wood*. Overall, skin looks healthier and firmer than before. I have combination skin and even though Shiseido ULTIMUNE Power Infusing Concentrate is an oil-free formula I am always afraid to use anything moisturizing continuously out of fear of break-outs. Fortunately, I did not get any (wasn't meant to get any?) acne so that is a huge plus point. Also, my fine lines look smoother, these haven't disappeared but definitely look smoother than before. As far as skin's immunity to fight environmental damage is concerned, I believe with Shiseido ULTIMUNE Power Infusing Concentrate that is something I will see in time. Repurchase: Definitely! 

Available Online

50 ml   £60

Boots // Nordstrom // House of Fraser // Harrods

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Vincci | My Recent Favorite Shoe Brand

Hi lovelies,

Well.. I have never done a post on the shoes I wear. Not because I feel it's odd or because it's not something I would like to write about but mostly because I never got a chance. However, I recently purchased a few pairs from a brand named Vincci and could not help sharing a few photos with all of you. Vincci is a Malaysian brand that pushes the boundaries in footwear by introducing hot, off-the-runway styles. It creates high quality and trendy shoes, bags, sunglasses and fashion accessories with an affordable price tag.

What really inspired me to write a post about Vincci shoes was this most recent pair that I purchased for me sister's big day - her wedding! These are formal party sandal in soft pink and has peep toes with beautiful tone of silver lining and almost 4" heels in polished gold. In case you had the chance to manage a wedding you would know it is such a happening event. I being the all-in-one event manager had the least of time on my schedule to focus on ME! All I remember was that I put on my dress and these lovely pair of shoes and believe it or not I was running around - literally in these! Super comfy, soft lining and great finish, these were like Cinderella's slippers, everyone noticed and couldn't help praise.

I had purchased two Vincci pairs before as well. One black slip-on party sandals that I wore to The Body Shop Red Musk Fashion show and another short heel peep toes in shade of blue and beige I wore to a formal dinner. Both pairs are super chic and so comfortable to wear. I have worn all three pairs at least once or twice now and cant thank myself enough for choosing the best ones for each occasion. Do check these out next time you come across a Vincci store.

At The Body Shop Red Musk Launch.. @Instagram

At a formal dinner.. @Instagram

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Check out the latest Vincci collection online here!

What is your favorite shoe brand?

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