Night Out Essentials

Big night out on the town planned? Add the following to your shopping list...

Heels... not really my forte if I am honest, I am pretty useless when it comes to high heels and nine times out of ten I opt for a more comfortable option, but on that odd special occasion I do love a good ASOS pair, the fit is always perfect and the range of styles available means you can find the ideal pair to go with any outfit, my current favourite pair are the ASOS Positive pointed black high heels, this style is incredibly classic and the curve design really elongates the legs. I will be truthful though, these are most definitely style over comfort, that burn you get after wearing heels for too long? Yep, these sure deliver on that -these babies will kill your feet.

If I am getting all dolled up for an evening out I always like to have big, bouncy hair with lots of volume, to achieve that I use the Living Proof Instant Texture Mist, this can be used to prep the hair pre blow dry or as a finishing spray. This plus a backcombing brush equals big hair, I like to keep everything in place with a truly classic styling product - the L'oreal Elnet Hairspray, available in a variety of hold levels means there is something for everyone. If I am working with freshly washed hair then I like to use a couple of Velcro rollers through my parting for added oomph.

Last of all on my list but certainly not least is a big, dramatic pair of false lashes. Currently I am loving the Eylure 212's, these are bold, black and very full. To secure in place I use the Duo Lash Glue in clear/white, a steady hand and a pair of tweezers. I find I always have to trim my lashes slightly to fit the shape of my eye so have a pair of scissors handy too. Youtube is great for tutorials on putting on falsies if you are a newbie.

So in summary I like big hair, big lashes and high heels, what are your must haves for a night out? Comment below.

Haircare 101

The low down on my current hair routine, the new products I am loving and the staples that are here to stay...

I truly believe once you find a group of products that works wonders for your hair then there really is no need to chop and change your routine, saying that though of all the things I experiment most with it is haircare - there are just so many products out there! I may have found however my staple shampoo and conditioner duo, enter the John Frieda Luxurious Volume Touchably Full range. The shampoo cleanses the hair without stripping it of all the essential oils needed to give hair its gorgeous shine, the clear gel like shampoo lathers up really well leaving you with squeaky clean locks that genuinely are touchably full, the formula also contains sea salt which helps to give hair added texture, the conditioner is great if your hair is tangle prone, a little goes a long way with this too!

If I don't have time to do the whole wash and blow dry thing I use the Batiste XXL Volume Dry Shampoo, this is not only great for getting rid of grease, it also helps to boost hairs volume at the root for a freshly blow dried effect. If I do have time for a blow dry then I use the Trevor Sorbie Volume Thickening Spray, formulated with body building ingredients this helps to give long lasting volume and texture for a professional look, it feels lightweight on the hair so is ideal for layering with other products like the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray, this works in a similar way to build volume and give the hair lots of texture.

Bumble and Bumble's Un-Dressing Creme is a product I like to apply to either damp or dry hair to give freshly washed hair that grit and feel of next day hair, another product great for that is the Bumble and Bumble Dry Spun Finishing Spray, I like this to be the final step to my haircare routine as it holds the hair in the desired style as well as giving further texture and body.

What are some of your current favourites? Let me know in the comments below!

The Nourishing Duo

After colouring my hair I knew I needed a shampoo and conditioner duo that was man enough for the job, nothing has compared to Garnier's Ultimate Blends Nourishing Repairer shampoo and conditioner...

I decided to go a little lighter with my hair recently so after a trip to the salon and a little bleach later I had a new do'. As nice as having your hair coloured is, it can often leave your hair feeling a little battered. Garnier's Ultimate Blends Shampoo and Conditioner with European avocado oil and African shea butter are specially formulated for dry and damaged hair. The duo leave hair feeling instantly smooth and soft and the lightweight conditioner means you are left with bouncy voloumous hair.

After using these for a few weeks the results are really starting to show, my hair is starting to feel restored from root to tip and is looking and feeling a lot more healthy, as well as being easier to brush! There is also a one minute treatment in the range which I am looking forward to trying out.

Have you tried these yet? What are your favourite products to use for damaged hair?

New Skincare and Haircare Additions

Disclaimer - Although I work for The Body Shop this in no way effects my opinion. 

Recent purchases that made it to the top of the favourites list.

When it comes to cleansers I have tried a fair few, oil cleansers however have never appealed to me mainly because my skin is oily and putting and oil based product onto my skin feels like a big no no, that being said however Kate from Gh0stparties recently revised the Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil from The Body Shop and loved it so I thought it must be worth a try, and I have to say I am now fully converted to oil cleansers. Of course it is a common misconception that an oil based product will increase the skins own oil production, this particular oil cleanser is gentle and effective and removes dirt and make up in an instant, I apply this onto dry skin and then add water to emulsify the product which produces a rich, soapy lather. Then using a warm muslin cloth I remove the product to reveal a nice cleansed face, If I am in a hurry however I will use The Body Shop's Vitamin E Cleansing Facial Bar which effectively removes dirt and impurities whilst providing the skin with hydration.

Another moisturising product on my list is the Origins Overnight Drink Up Intensive Mask, this is perfect if my skin is feeling dehydrated, I just pop this on right before bed and wake up to thirst quenched skin. The last product on my list is in the hair care

category, something not often mentioned on my blog as it takes a real backseat in my entire beauty regime, this product however deserves a mention, the NSPA Hair and Scalp Miracle Mask  is the perfect hair treatment, I was looking for a rescue and repair product that would not weigh down my roots and mid lengths but that would still be rich and hydrating enough for my ends, I had previously tried masks that direct users to apply only to the ends so as not to weigh down the roots, my hair however is incredibly hard to brush post hair wash so ideally I needed a product that would smooth and condition all my hair - not just the ends, that is why I love this mask, it is super hydrating at the same time it is great for my roots as it is so lightweight. As directed I apply this after my usual shampoo and conditioner routine, I massage this into my scalp working it right through the lengths of my hair to the very ends. I leave this on for around five minutes and rinse thoroughly.  I do this once or twice a week depending on how in need of a treatment my hair is.

That is it for my most recent additions, I am sure it won't be long until my next haul post... I may have made a few cheeky purchases already... Stay tuned.

Hair Styling Must Haves

The products you need for volume and texture all with a tangle free brushing experience ... Hello Wet Brush!

It wasn't so long ago that I was a wash n go' kinda gal, but since joining the gym I have been forced to wash my hair more than I would like to, no one likes sweaty hair! And as we all know the more you wash it the less volume it has. So in a bid to achieve more volume I have come across some real styling gems...

The Wet Brush - I have never got on with a Tangle Teezer, the no handle thing makes brushing a little bit of a pain, so when I saw The Wet Brush, which comes with all the same 'no pain, easy brushing..' promises with the added benefit of a handle I couldn't resist a purchase. This has changed my life! No lie I save about ten minutes with this brush! No more eyes watering because my brush gets stuck .. I have pretty unruly hair ok. Easier brushing also means I'm not using as much conditioner as I used to meaning more volume!

Toni & Guy Sea Salt Spray - This is beach hair in a bottle, It gives the hair such a lived in texture that can be quite hard to achieve with freshly washed hair, did I mention this smells divine too ...

Bed Head Colour Goddess - Leave in conditioner is a must if you have the whole ombre look, coloured ends need all the help they can get and this does just the trick. Apply this after towel drying for beautiful shiny locks.

Bumble & Bumble Dry Spun Finish - This lightweight spray can take your hair from fine and flat to full and thick, it really is magic in a bottle, unlike the Toni & Guy Sea Salt Spray this feels almost invisible in the hair. I spray this on the roots to add a little bounce to my barnet.

Bumble & Bumble Hair (un) Dressing Creme - This is a pre-blow dry creme that helps to give the hair a lived in gritty feel, it adds so much texture. This plus an upside down blast with the hairdryer and flat hair is long gone!

V05 High Volume Hairspray - I like to use a hairspray to keep all my hard styling work in place, I am currently loving this one by V05, it also adds a lovely shine to the hair to keep it looking super healthy.

 

What are some of your favourite styling products?

The October Favourites

I have not really done a monthly favourites post before, probably because I find it hard to condense things down to a blog post size amount, this month however there are a few products that have really stood out for me mostly because they are products that I have rediscovered in my stash. First up lets start with Beauty:

Mac Face and Body foundation, this lightweight base had fallen to the back of my draw so to speak but with the weather change and it's effect on my skin I have dug this back out and I am in love! The finish of this foundation is so perfect, it isn't too heavy and I find it to be really radiant and glowy. Next is the Sleek Blush Trio palette in Lace, it contains three gorgeous shades, two matte and one shimmery, these are really well pigmented and give a long lasting finish. Rimmels Scandaleyes Kohl Liner in black has been reintroduced into my make-up bag for taking my make-up from day to night, it lasts really well and unlike other pencil liners I have used it doesn't run.

Haircare wise I have been loving these three miniatures, from a recent Glossy Box it is the Toni and Guy Shine Gloss Serum, if I want a sleeker do it apply this to the lengths of my hair pre-blow dry for a chic finish. For a messier look I have been using Bumble and Bumbles Thickening Hairspray and their Bb Texture hair un-dressing creme to give my hair some oomph and a little texture.

What products stood out for you in October? 

Beach Babe

Lets talk haircare, I always stick to the same routine when it comes to shampoo and conditioner, up until recently I have been using the Headmasters Brunette range, after having my hair coloured I noticed that its current condition was looking a little unloved, after searching for a repairing duo I came across L'Oreal Elvive Triple Restore shampoo and conditioner, the packaging said that if your hair has a tendency break then this would do the job, so after using it for a couple of weeks I thought I would let you know how I got on. The shampoo lathers up really well and leaves my hair feeling super clean after just one shampoo, my favourite of the pair is the conditioner, I have definitely noticed a real difference in how my hair feels after using this, it is now alot softer and feels much stronger than before. Once my hair is washed then I get down to the styling...

Most days I like to rock the beach babe look as it is by far the easiest to achieve, I have naturally wavy hair so that helps alot, I like to apply the Wella Ocean Spritz onto towel dried hair and then rough dry with the hairdryer, next I neaten things up a little with my GHD straighteners just on the very ends and around my hairline where things can look a little wild. And there you have it, sexy, undone, tousled beach hair.

What is your favourite everyday hair look?

Kevin Murphy Damage Manager

A heat protector spray is probably one of the most important products you can own, if you dry, curl or straighten your hair then I am sure you already know this, but how many times do you get mid blow dry and realise you have forgotten to apply some protection? I know I am rubbish at remembering! That is until I started using the Kevin Murphy Damage Manager - this product is an instant heat shielding spray, it makes my whole blow dry process much easier, this also makes my hair easier to manage when brushing, and when I use straighteners after apply this they seem to glide over the hair instead of dragging. As I find this such a pleasure to use I hardly forget this crucial step of my haircare routine now!

This product is a little on the pricey side but you do get 150ml and this will last a while. Also Kevin Murphy products don't test on animals if that is something that you think about when purchasing beauty products.