MUST-TRY BUDGET WEATHER-PROOF LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER

Hello everyone! If you are anything like me and suffer with curly/frizzy hair but always want your hair to stay straight and frizz-free, then you will have probably of tried your fair share of products to help avoid this from happening. Over the past couple of months i have been putting to the test this budget friendly leave-in conditioner that has proven to be a hair saviour for me...

So the product that i am talking about is the Argan Oil Strength and Shine Leave-in spray by the brand Creme of Nature. If i am being completely honest i had never even heard of the brand before and decided to pick up this leave-in conditioner up as part of an online order from Superdrug, when searching for a new Argan Oil leave-in treatment (which fyi argan oil is a frizzy hair saviour in general). The range is apparently specifically for afro, curly or frizzy hair and contains a bunch of different products from shampoo's, conditioners, styling products and even hair dyes (all available at Superdrug online and in selected stores).

Creme of Nature Argan Oil Strength and Shine Leave-in conditioner claims to be a unique two-phase formula that combines Argan Oil liquid shine and strengthening protein complex that improves hair strength, protects against damage, adds moisture and exotic shine. Usually when a product claims to do all those things they never usually tick all of those boxes but i have found that this one actually does, as well as keeping my hair straight and frizz free. Keeping frizz prone hair frizz free is a huge struggle, especially if it rains or the air is damp and i have found that this just locks your hair in place. The way i use the leave-in conditioner is simply only when i have washed my hair (which is two-three times a week) and all you have to do is shake the product before spraying to the lengths/ends of your hair whilst wet, before blow-drying/styling. What i love about this product is it is fuss free, easy to use, does as it claims and is a bargain at under £5. All of the women in my family have the same frizzy hair struggle as i do, so of course i had to share this product with them and they are all using/swear by it now also. 

shop creme of nature on superdrug: here

shop the argan oil leave-in conditioner: here

xo.

SUMMER BEAUTY HACKS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Hello everyone! Let's be honest Summer is pretty much the best season there is, right? I mean there is no better than feeling the sun/warm on your skin. That being said the warm weather can make your skin not be happy, leaving you looking like a sweaty mess when wearing your regular makeup, hair or skincare routine. With that in mind for today's post i thought i would share with you some of my personal favourite Summer beauty hacks, that actually make a huge difference...

 1. switch out your winter favourites, replacing them with summer favourites

Ditch the super heavy smoky eye looks, replacing them with something light/simple like a shimmery gold eye look or a simple neutral shade blended out. Step away from the vamp-y lip shades, replacing them with a simple nude/glossy lip or tinted balm. Natural glowing skin, is a summer must.

2. how to stop your eyelids from creasing

I know for me something i do struggle with when the weather is warm is eyeshadow creasing, which never happens during the winter months. This is where a good eyeshadow primer does come in handy, such as the Urban Decay Primer Potion as nothing will budge if you are wearing this. 

3. how to stop your mascara from transferring

This is such a simple hack but an extremely effective one to stop your mascara from transferring onto your under-eye area or eye lids, which is to switch out your regular go-to mascara for the waterproof version. I know waterproof mascara can be a pain to get off at the end of the day, but with the right eye-makeup remover you will be mascara free in seconds.

4. use the foundation you know works well for you

If you are opting for foundation or a tinted moisturiser in the summer, make sure it is one that you know is going to last in the heat or one that is specifically designed to last the duration. Some of my favourites are the Maybelline Fit Me, Estée Lauder Double Wear or Double Wear Nude.

5. exfoliate/moisturise regularly

When it comes to summer taking care of your skin especially your legs, as you are obviously going to be shaving/removing hair more often than you probably would in winter. Exfoliating your skin is super important as it reduces the chances of getting ingrown hairs, as well as any dead skin. Moisturise your skin straight after shaving, that is going to drastically reduce any irritation.

6. argan oil/oil's will be your best friend

Humidity can be a pain, especially on certain hair types (mine included) you can do your hair perfectly straight until you step out into the heat, then you look more like Simba from the Lion King. A simple trick to prevent/ease frizz is by adding Argan Oil to the lengths of your hair after washing and before styling. Argan Oil is really good for also keeping your skin super hydrated.

7. keep your feet feeling/looking fresh

Obviously in summer you are wearing sandals/having your feet on display a lot more than you would during winter. So keeping your feet and heels, looking/feeling fresh is a must and an easy way to keep the cracked heels away is to simply apply either vaseline or foot cream to your feet every night before bed.

 8. invest in a setting spray

Another great way of keeping your makeup in place all day long, is to invest in a good setting spray. You can apply a small amount before and after applying makeup to help lock it into place, as well as applying more through-out the day to freshen/re-hydrate your skin. Setting spray is a great way of avoiding applying layers and layers of powders, when touching up.

9. use more cream/liquid form products rather than powders

During summer wearing too many powder form products can feel super heavy on the skin, just like i mentioned with the whole using setting spray over powder for touch-ups. The products you can switch from powder to cream/liquid form are blush, contour and highlighter. Cream/liquid products once blended out, also look a lot more natural unlike some powders.

10. disguising those tan lines

Hate wearing a certain outfit that shows off a different outfits/swimsuits awkward tine lines? You can disguise/cover them instantly simply by applying a little moisturiser to the white line areas before applying a little self-tan to the same areas, making sure you blend it out of course to make it look as natural as possible.

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

FIFTEEN FOODS/OILS FOR HEALTHY SKIN + HAIR

Hello everyone! There are so many great different skin/hair products available that you can spend a lot of money on to help your skin and hair look/stay healthy looking, when it doesn't always have to be that way. Of course i am not saying ditch all of your products, but there are actually so many foods/oils you can be eating/using that are naturally good for your skin, hair and even nails. With that in mind for today's post, i thought i would share with you twenty of my favourite foods/oils which are great for achieving glowing skin and hair naturally...

1. oats

Oats are a filled with a great source of vitamins, minerals, fibre and antioxidants and great for repairing any breakage to your hair. Oats also have a lot of health benefits to, such as aiding weight loss, lowering blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. 

2. walnuts

Walnuts are filled with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which helps keep in moisture, giving your hair that healthy looking shine. The protein helps boost the follicles of the hair allowing your hair to look fuller and stronger. Walnuts are also a great source of brain food and also just like oats are said to help with weight loss.

3. spinach

Spinach is not only a great source of iron to give your strength, it is also a great natural anti-ageing as it is packed full of vitamin A. Spinach is also another great food for helping with the skins moisture.

4. red peppers

A fun fact (something i didn't know until recently) that red peppers actually contain more vitamin C than oranges do, who would of thought that? Vitamin C is a great antioxidant, aiding your skin to look more radiant and glowing.

5. kale

Just like spinach, kale is also the perfect anti-ageing/wrinkle reducing food but fun fact, kale is actually filled with more antioxidants than most greens. Kale is most definitely a win-win vegetable, as it has so many health benefits for both the inside and outside of your body. I also think it tastes delicious.

6. pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds not only taste delicious, they are also packed full of zinc for helping with your skins natural oils which help to protect and repair your skin. It is also said that pumpkin seeds can aid the natural growth process in your hair, as well as fighting against acne and boost your immune system.

7. lentils

Lentils are a great source of getting protein and iron into your system, especially if you aren't a meat eater. By eating lentils you can also boost the thickness and fullness in your hair, as well as being packed full of vitamins perfect for aiding with producing collagen in the skin.

8. coconut oil

Coconut is not only the perfect ingredient for adding/keeping moisture in your hair and skin, it is also a natural antibacterial. Coconut oil can be used for so many different things from dry ends of your hair, dry hands, a natural cleanser to break down makeup and you can even use it to shave your legs with.

9. macadamia oil

Macadamia oil just like coconut oil is a great way to keep your skin/hair looking and feeling moisturised, but it is also said that macadamia oil is also a great natural ingredient proved to help sooth and reduce inflammation.

10. jasmine oil

Jasmine oil can be used in so many different ways, either as a calming remedy or to give an instant shot of moisture to dehydrated skin. Jasmine oil is also proven to help fade any scars/imperfections to the skin such as stretch marks and acne scars.

11. garlic

Garlic is apparently one of natures best medicines, to help keep cholesterol and blood pressure low as well has helping with preventing brain diseases. That being said for the beauty side of things, garlic has been proven to help prevent breakouts and maintain clearer looking skin. 

12. eggs

Which ever way you prefer to eat your eggs, you are going to be helping your hair, skin and nails out tremendously. The nutrients that is jam packed into one small egg, is going to help not only reduce the size of pores, it is going to tighten the skin, add shine to your hair and strength to your nails.    

13. berries

Berries are a strong antioxidant and are jam packed with vitamin C, by eating berries they are not only going to help hydrate your skin/hair, they are also going to give you a healthy glow, boost collagen and they are also a natural anti-inflammatory.

14. tea

Tea is not only one of those things that taste good, it is also giving your skin a helping hand at the same time. Green, black and red teas are not only like berries rich in antioxidants and anti-ageing, they are also a great way of helping you to get a clear your complexion. By drinking tea it is also said to help reduce puffy eyes, dark circles and help prevent blackheads.

15. dark chocolate

Last but not least probably one of the most surprising foods, as usually anything containing dairy is said to be bad for your skin. Although it is said by just having a small amount of dark chocolate can help your skin fight against sun damage, anti-ageing and skin discoloration. Chocolate also releases brain endorphins making you feel happy, so naturally when you feel happy you'll look good.

Catch up on my previous post HERE...

xo.

BEAUTY HACKS I SWEAR BY | PART TWO: HAIR + NAILS

Hello everyone and welcome back to another instalment of beauty hacks i swear by! The previous instalment was all about the makeup and skin beauty hacks i swear by, which if you didn't read it already you can catch it here. Beauty hacks go so much further than just makeup and skincare, there are also a ton of different hacks that work and don't work for your hair and nails. With that in mind i thought i would share with you my favourite hacks for your hair and nails, that i use on a regular basis...

1. HOW TO FAKE A SALON BLOW-DRY AT HOME

Who doesn't love have a bouncy blow-dry just like from the hairdressers? but you just don't feel like spending a ton of money going every week for a blow-dry. You can achieve one at home yourself super easily and two different ways, you also only need a couple of products to do so. Either way you are going to do this, the way to achieve the best results is to pre-treat your hair with a nourishing hair masque. Then once washed you can either blow-dry your hair using an attachment on your hairdryer and a round brush, or you can blow-dry and straighten as normal then flick small pieces at the end with the straightener, by doing this it creates that bouncy finish to your hair. You can also check out the GHD website or hairstyle inspiration here. 

2. HOW TO AVOID SPLIT-ENDS

There are quite a few hacks that i swear by when it comes to avoid getting split-ends, especially if you have long hairs just as i do. The first hack is to always use heat spray before using any hot tool on your hair, whether that be a straightener, curling wand or hairdryer. The next hack is to always be gentle when brushing your hair, never pull at it and always brush your hair straight after washing. The final hack is to apply a hair oil or leave-in conditioner when you have washed it, i am obsessed with the new l'oréal elvive dream lengths no haircut cream at the moment and i noticed an instant result after using this on my hair. 

3. HOW TO KEEP YOUR HAIR FRESHER WITHOUT WASHING IT

I am pretty sure it is scientifically proven that it is better for your hair in the long run, if you wash it less therefore i only wash mine 2-3 times a week and there are so many great hacks to keep your hair fresher for longer without washing, that are perfect for when you are feeling lazy. First of all dry shampoo can be a girls best friend, but it can be annoying (especially if you have dark hair) if your dry shampoo is overly powdery and leaves your hair looking white. A simple way to fix this is to dry shampoo your roots, rub in and then go in with your hairdryer to blow away the leftover powder leaving you with fresh looking hair. More tips for fresher looking hair are to never apply anything other than shampoo to your roots, go easy on the conditioner, change your pillowcases often and wash your hair brushes as dirt/product can build up there.

4. HOW TO REVIVE YOUR MANICURE

Over the years i have discovered so many different hacks on how to either revive or make your manicure last that little bit longer, especially if you want to leave it longer in-between salon visits. The first tip is to make your mani last longer and that is to never skip on the top coat or base coat before and after polish, also you can apply top coat every couple of days to prevent chipping. My favourite hack is to add the shine back into your gel manicure by simply rubbing some oil onto your nails and cuticles, i love using the NUXE huile prodigieuse multi-purpose dry oil as it is one of those oils for everything, nails, face and even your hair.

5. PROTECT SKIN AROUND NAILS FROM NAIL POLISH
If you are not the neatest nail painter there are a few different household items you can use to place a protective barrier around your nails, such as vaseline, washable glue (which you can peel off) or nail polish remover on a cotton bud. Apply vaseline or washable glue before you begin to paint your nails, then wash off once nails are dry and you will be left with a perfectly neat looking manicure! If you are using the nail polish remover soaked cotton bud, wait until the nails are dry before going in very gently around the areas needed.

6. USE HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS TO DIY NAIL ART PATTERNS
Who said you had to visit a nail salon or be good at creating nail art patterns free hand? There are so many items laying around your house, that you wouldn't think they would make great tools to create nail art patterns. If you want to create stripes or lines, you can use cut down to size pieces of easy peel tape into whatever pattern you want and once dry simply remove carefully. To create dots you can add a small amount of nail polish to the end of an unwanted bobby pin (hair grip) and dot onto nails, in whatever placing you want. This could also work with applying glitter to the nails, just remember to always allow time to dry and apply a top coat to make nails appear shiny and make your manicure last longer.

Coming up on the blog.... Beauty Favourites: January

xo.

MY GO-TO HAIR PRODUCTS FOR SLEEK STRAIGHT HAIR | 2018

Hello everyone! For the past couple of months i have noticed that my current hair-care routine/product combination seems to be working in my favour, when it comes to achieving and maintaining sleek straight hair (as i naturally have frizzy/wavy hair). With that in mind and seeing has it has been about a year since i last did a hair routine post, i thought it was about time for an updated post.

1. ultimate blends coconut water dry hair shampoo + conditioner

So i first started using this shampoo/conditioner duo back in the summer time and i must admit i have switched up my shampoo from time to time, but i just keep going back to this combination as it works so well for my hair. As my hair type is frizzy/wavy it tends to get dry quite quickly so i often need all the help i can get for keeping both situations under control. Check out my first impression/review post on the Garnier Ultimate Blends shampoo and conditioner here. Whilst on the subject of shampoo i do only wash my hair between 2-3 times a week, as i find by not over washing it your hair benefits for it in the long run and looks healthier for longer.

2. l'Oréal professionel mythic oil masque
Every once in a while i like to go in with a hair masque or treatment, just to really nourish my hair and give it an extra shine. What i will do is apply to the ends of my hair, leave it in for about an hour before rinsing in the shower and then going in with my shampoo duo. By doing a hair masque every now and again can also simply cheer you up, by making you feel a little pampered. This particular one is a favourite of mine, as it really works well for my hair and out of every hair masque i have tried this one definitely has that "salon" quality finish to it.

3. ogx renewing moroccan argan oil

This product has been a hair saviour for me for so many years now, as it is truly that one product that will always protect and control the frizz. Just by adding a small amount of this and running it through the ends of my hair once towel dried, helps keep my hair soft yet manageable as well as protecting my hair against UV damage. Even though this product is an oil it doesn't leave your hair feeling full of product or "greasy" looking in the slightest, hence why it is always best to only apply leave-in products and conditioners to the lengths of your hair and not the root. The only thing i ever apply to my roots is shampoo or dry-shampoo on a non-hair washing day.

4. l'Oréal elvive dream lengths no haircut cream

This is actually a new product that i have been reaching for this month and one that i am really enjoying using, as i have noticed an instant change in my hair and it looks so much more healthy and has literally reduced the appearance of any hair breakage. Just like the argan oil i also apply a small amount of this to the ends of my hair before blow drying, which is where a lot of damage can come from not only from the heat but also from any breakage hair brushes can cause.

5. ultimate blends oat milk heat protection spray

Protecting your hair from heat is such an important step to keeping your hair looking and feeling healthy, as heat can be the worst thing when it comes to hair damage. This is a step i never skip before either straightening or curling my hair, at the moment this is my go-to heat protection spray as i picked it up whilst Ultimate Blends products were on offer for 3 for 2. I also figure that if oat milk tastes amazing in coffee then surely it is going to be good for your hair right? I also find ever since using this/the other combination of products together, my hair stays straighter for longer and i don't have to use as much heat on it as i would of had to before.

6. mark hill miracOILous nourishing hairspray
The final step to my sleek straight hair is always a small amount of hairspray, just to help tame any fly away hairs as well as adding more of a shine. I used to be super fussy with my hairspray but now i just tend to pick up which ever is on offer at the time, that being said this particular one from Mark Hill is a favourite of mine because it always tends to give a better finish to the hair and it doesn't leave any crunch/crisp to the hair like some brands of hairsprays can yet it still does the job.

the hair tools i use for blow-drying + straightening my hair:
| tangle teezer original pink fizz | ghd air hairdryer set | tangle teezer blow styling smoothing tool half paddle | ghd pink blush platinum styler |

xo.

FIVE OCTOBER FAVOURITES FROM SUPERDRUG UNDER £5

Hello everyone! Can you honestly believe that come Wednesday, October will be over? It has also been a hot minute since i last did any form of "monthly favourites" post, i believe that last one was my end of summer favourites. With that in mind i thought i would do a little spin on a monthly favourites, by sharing with you five of my recent favourite purchases from Superdrug that all retail for under £5. Superdrug is pretty much my go-to to get the everyday essentials from shampoo, to toothpaste, makeup etc and i always tend to order them online as it is free (with a beautycard), the delivery is quick and you don't have to wait in the busy queues.

garnier ultimate blends maple and castor oil shampoo 

So i just had to start things off with probably my favourite of the bunch i am going to talk about, because it is a must have product this autumn to have in your shower. First of all how rare is it to see any form of autumnal hair/body product in the UK? This is why i got excited and because it is actually by one of my favourite brands for shampoo, which i have to thank for keeping my hair frizz-free this summer (ultimate blends review). The smell of this shampoo is simply beautiful, with its sweet but not too sweet maple syrup fragrance. This shampoo and conditioner retails for £2.50 half price each currently at Superdrug.

garnier ultimate blends marvellous oil hand cream

Sticking with the Garnier Ultimate Blends theme and a new hand cream i have been reaching for this month, because with the weather getting cooler i have found my hands getting dry easier and i need to give them some serious hydration. Ironically now me and both of my sisters are loving this hand cream, because of how instant after application this hand cream leaves your hands hydrated and it has a very luxurious feel/scent to it. I picked this up from Superdrug earlier in the month for only £2, but the full retail price is £3.99.

mua luxe powder brow definer in the shade dark brown

For the longest time i have always stuck to my trusty Anastasia Beverly Hills dipbrow pomade and not really bothered giving anything a try, because i just found that worked for me so well. Until recently that is anyway as started reaching for brow pencils more, i found myself buying a few to put to the test and this one being one of them. This is probably the perfect dupe for the brow definer by Anastasia Beverly Hills, as it is dual ended with one end having a spoolie and the other having that angled shape with the product. Although as i say "dual ended" it took me a while to figure out there was a third part to the pencil, with a thicker tip in the centre and when i discovered it i had one of those "oh that's why it says 3-in-1 brow".

t-zone charcoal and bamboo nose pore strips

So i have tried nose strips out by this brand before but it was a long time ago and they wasn't the charcoal bamboo ones, i think they was the normal strips. That being said i decided to pick some up from Superdrug a few weeks back, as for some reason my pores were quite blocked and i had a few more black heads appearing and honestly from the first use these were so effective. I know you can get some by Biore but honestly if you are thinking of giving charcoal nose strips a try, just go for these ones as they are so affordable at £3.99 for 6 and the Biore ones are almost £10 for the same amount.

nip+fab makeup matte liquid lipsticks
I have mentioned in so many posts before about my love for the liquid lipstick by Nip+Fab in the shade Tart, as it is one of my favourite go-to and the most perfect pale beige/pink toned nude shades. That being said this was the only shade i owned, so i decided to pick up a couple of other shades and they were such a bargain on offer for around £3 each rather than £7.95 (current offer £5 for beautycard members). The two shades i opted for are Toffee (brown/beige nude) and Biscuit (pink/mauve beige nude), which i think are both perfect for this time of year. The formula of these matte liquid lipsticks are super pigmented, long-wearing and comfortable to wear as they are enriched with shea butter and vitamin e.

Catch my perfect nude lip combination post HERE...

xo.

BUDGET BEAUTY WEEK: THE LIGHT-WEIGHT IN SHOWER FOAM CONDITIONER

Hello everyone and welcome back to another post in my "budget beauty" week series! For today's instalment i just had to share with you the newest budget beauty friendly and super cool invention hair product, that i have been reaching for recently. You have probably heard of using a foam/moose-like product to style your hair or even the new ever so talked about dry shampoo foam by ouai, but you would of never of thought about a foam conditioner that can be used simply in the shower, as if you would any other conditioner.

If your hair needs some serious tlc and help to keep the frizz at bay, yet you hate the way most conditioners can weigh down your hair? Fear not i now believe that Pantene have now got our backs covered in the form of a foam in the shower conditioner, yes you heard right...a foam conditioner! The pro-v smooth and sleek formula gives your frizzy hair the conditioning and healthy sleekness that your hair needs, without the weighing down that regular cream-like formula conditioners do which is why i tend to only use conditioner on my hair once a week. The way i like to use mine is to apply an amount to my hands and run it through the length of my hair, like i would a regular conditioner but i also like to leave the product for around five minutes or so to absorb before rinsing away as normal. I love how i don't need to apply a de-tangling spray when i have used this conditioner like i normally would, as the conditioner does that for you. As this is a light-weight conditioner it leaves your hair with added texture and volume, which is what makes this so different because when a product weighs the hair down that is when it tends to look/feel like it is lacking volume and looks limp.

I think over-all so far i only have one negative thing to say about this product, but it is still nothing major and that is it isn't the easiest product to use in the shower as getting the top off with wet hands proved quite difficult, but if you think ahead and remove it before hand you should be good to go. You can pick the Pantene foam conditioner up in four different formulas, smooth and sleek, volume and body, repair and protect and colour and protect. The foam conditioners retail at a bargain price of £3.99 from Superdrug (currently on offer for £1.98 or 2 for £6 on selected Pantene hair products), Boots and selected supermarkets. 

Catch up on yesterdays budget beauty week post HERE...

xo.

SUMMER HAIR: GARNIER ULTIMATE BLENDS COCONUT WATER

Hello everyone! In my previous post beauty & random favourites: june, i mentioned how i had been loving a combination of products including a de-tangle spray from Lee Stafford, which was included in that post and a particular shampoo and conditioner. That particular duo is from the Ultimate Blends range by Garnier and is something i have been reaching for non-stop in the shower every single time i wash my hair.

Now that we are into the summer months i always need serious help when it comes to keeping the frizz at bay and my hair looking/feeling hydrated, as my hair type is dry. So with that in mind i always find that either Argan Oil or Coconut based products are the way to go, when it comes to doing just so. I had mentioned in a couple of posts tropical trends for summer and best of beauty: coconut that i had been reaching for the ogx weightless hydration coconut water shampoo & conditioner, but when i was all out and went to purchase some more this one from Garnier caught my eye. The Garnier Ultimate Blends Coconut Water and Aloe Vera shampoo/conditioner, claims to quench your hairs thirst when feeling dry/dehydrated in a freshly scented way to leave your hair feeling soft, smooth and full of shine. The claims/benefits of this particular blend of shampoo and conditioner, are super similar to the OGX coconut water duo but there are a few things that have made me like this Ultimate Blends formula more, such as the price and over-all effect of the product. The comparison of the two products is the OGX coconut water shampoo/conditioner retails for £6.99 each for 385ml and the Ultimate Blends coconut and aloe vera shampoo/conditioner retails for £2.50 offer price (usually £4.99) each for 400ml.

I have been using this shampoo for around two weeks now and usually i have to wash my hair every two day (three times a week), because my hair is dark it tends to look greasier quicker than a lighter hair colour would and the day after washing it i would need to reach for a hefty amount of dry shampoo. Since using this shampoo/conditioner duo my hair stays fresher looking longer and on that second day i don't even need to use dry shampoo, which hasn't happened in a long time. My hair is super shiny, full of moisture but not weighed down, soft, frizz free and i have also found it is a lot easier to style once dry also. How i like to use the products is firstly when in the shower i go in with the conditioner first, i only concentrate this on the ends/length of my hair and i leave that in my hair whilst i go about doing all of my other shower things. Once i have done that i rinse out the conditioner before going in with the shampoo, then rinsing again until all of the product is out. 

Shop the ultimate blends range here.

♥

DESERT ISLAND: BEAUTY ESSENTIALS

Hey guys, i hope you are all having an amazing day whatever you are up to and happy march! I am so excited that spring is on it's way and fingers crossed it brings some warmer weather with it, as i am getting fed up of this cold now. Talking of warmer weather, when faced with the challenge of only choosing a handful or so beauty items you could take with you onto a dessert island, what do you choose? Do you go down the oh so practical route such as mosquito sprays and anti-histamines? or do you go down the sun kissed glow goddess route? or even a mixture of both? It is such a hard decision to make when usually when taking a vacation or trip, you can just throw it all in one massive bag. Saying that after thinking about it carefully i put together a mixture of essential items that i would take with me, which has a mixture of practical and some holy grail items...

1. Garnier Ambre Solaire Dry Mist SPF 50 -

I put this at the top of the list as it is probably the most practical product in the mix, seeing as it is a desert island it is probably going to be incredibly hot and very sunny. You should always protect your skin from the sun by wearing a SPF a) so you don't burn and b) will help protect your skin from getting sun damage, which can be very harmful! 

2. John Frieda Frizz-Ease Miraculous Recovery Intense Masque -
Humidity and my hair will forever be enemies, if i step out in heat for a second without using some sort of frizz-ease product to prevent me from looking like Simba from The Lion King. This Intense Masque from the range is definitely one of my favourites to help keep that frizz at bay.

3. Maybelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue in Cool -
This is hands down my favourite lip balm at the moment, it is super hydrating which you would need for your lips in such weather and it also adds a really pretty shine. So in my opinion that covers both the practical and non practical sides in one!

4. Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer in Light -
Another amazing holy grail product for me by Maybelline ,this is my favourite concealer ever it's super brightening under the eyes and is very long lasting without creasing. One of the amazing things about this concealer is that it's a really good coverage without being a thick consistency.

5. Estée Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara in Extreme Black -
For me if i had to choose out of eyeshadow and mascara, mascara would win by a mile. Mascara just completely changes the way any makeup look appears and i would feel/look naked without it. In a more practical sense you would probably want to adapt to a waterproof version.

6. MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle -
This product is just one of those i couldn't possibly leave behind because i love it too much. I own a wide range of highlighting powders but none of them make the cut like this one does, it's just stunning and would look even more amazing with a killer tan.

7. Extras -
If even after all of those products you could sneak in a few more obvious essentials i would go for it and take items such as, shower gel, razor, shampoo and a good body moisturizer.

I would love to know if you have ever really sat down and thought what items you would take with you onto a "desert island"?
♥

JANUARY FAVOURITES

Hey guys, i hope you are all having an amazing day whatever you are up to! What the actual hell it is already the end of January, i swear it was only Christmas last week! I have actually had a pretty jam packed month and had lots of fun, but putting all that a side i have been loving a lot of new products as well as some old favourites in there. So here it is my January favourites...

Soap & Glory The Daily Smooth Body Butter -

I mentioned this a few posts back now in my "soap & glory favourites" and said how it was probably one of my favourite body butters of all time and this month it definitely has been. I can't quiet put my finger on how i can't find another as good as this one is, i love everything about it the smell, the way it leaves my skin feeling... just everything!

L'Oreal Skin Perfection Serum - 

In my last post i mentioned this product for the first time and how it had replaced my previous favourite serum which was the HydraQuench bi-serum by Clarins. I am so glad i gave this product a try because along with the matching moisturizer they make a perfect couple.

L'Oreal Color Riche Collection Exclusive Lipstick in the shade JLO's Nude -

I can't really say much about this lipstick as it is pretty much self explanatory as another nude lipstick... but a girl can never have too many nude lipsticks right? I have pretty much been wearing this on my lips everyday, perfect nude ever!

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in the shade Soft and Gentle -

This product has always been a favourite go to highlighter of mine but until recently i had thought i had lost it and very almost went out and got another one. Then by magic when i decided to actually try and sort out my makeup collection, it appeared..phew! So ever since then it has been placed firmly where i can seen it.

Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner -

This product was recommended to me by my sister as she swears by it as it really helps when coming to brush and de-tangle her hair. This product has done wonders for my hair because i don't know if this has ever happened to anyone but if you have long hair and you are wearing a coat mainly ones with a hood attached, your hair can get very tangled and full of knots - which is not fun!

Zoeva Blush in the shade Shy Beauty-
This is possible the most stunningly beautiful blush i have ever worn (besides my favourite rose gold blush by sleek), it is one of them blushes that just looks like your old regular standard peachy shade blush but when you apply it just wow! I really can't put into words how beautiful it is.

Rimmel Brow This Way in the shade Dark Brown-
I have mentioned this in a couple of previous posts now, i am one of them people that is very fussy when it comes to brow products, i have to find that perfect shade of dark brown that doesn't come across red and make my eyebrows look ginger as my eyebrows are that dark but black is way too dark. I like to mix the powder side and wax side together and it creates the perfect shade for me. Another great thing about this product is how affordable it is!

Too Face Beauty Wishes and Sweet Kisses Palette-
I received this for Christmas and it had been on my wishlist since i first caught eyes with it when it was first released. It is such a go-to everyday palette when you are in a hurry as the majority of your makeup is in one place, eyeshadows, bronzer, blush, highlight and lip gloss. I must make a confession though my favourite thing about this palette is not only the cute packaging but how it smells of chocolate and who doesn't love chocolate?

♥

AUGUST BEAUTY FAVOURITES

Hey guys, i hope you are all having a great day whatever you are up to. Yet again here we are at the end of another month and also the end of summer is very near, so for today's blog post i thought i would share with you my beauty favourites of this month...

1. Galvin & Galvin OH! Organic Head Detox & Purify Shampoo. 

I mentioned this shampoo in one of my recent posts and how much i loved the instant results and change in my hair. You can read that post here: 

http://katiebeautyshake.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/shower-power-morning-routine.html

2. Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clearing Gel.

This has been a savior for me this month as for some reason i have been getting breakouts (which is never fun) but this product is amazing at drying out and reducing the appearance of blemishes. 

3. Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation in the shade Bone.

 I got given a sample of this foundation to try out and i'm so glad i got that sample as i've always been put off from trying it because it's a lot of money if you don't like it. Although at the back of my mind i knew it would be good as it is raved about by many. Everything about this foundation i love the way it looks/feels and the packaging is so luxurious looking. 

4. Sleek Blush in the shade Rose Gold.

To be completely honest i forgot i even had this blush in my possession but when i was digging through my collection looking for a different blush to use i came across this and i have been pretty much using it everyday since. The colour is a stunning pink with gold shimmer and this is a perfect cheaper alternative blush shade to NARS Orgasm! 

5. Wild Argan Oil Body Lotion by The Body Shop.

 I also mentioned this in a couple of previous posts recently and how amazing and luxury this makes my skin feel, i like to apply this day and night. You can read that post here:

http://katiebeautyshake.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/wild-argan-oil-by-body-shop.html

What products have been your favourite for the month of August?

♥

TRIED IT OUT TUESDAY: TOP 5 FAVOURITE HAIR CARE PRODUCTS

Hey guys, i hope you are all having a great day so far! For today's post i thought i would share with you my top 5 favourite hair care products at the moment. I am one of those people who will not fully commit to a hair product, i always like to swap and change things as i always seem to think there is something that would work better for me out there. On a plus side change is always good they say... So here is my top 5 favourite hair care products that i am loving at the moment...

1. Tresemme 2804BU volume wand.

It's been a while now since i have used a curling wand, i used to have one a while back until it broke on me. I have just been using my straightener to curl my hair since then and i just don't think you get the same effect that you would if you used a wand. I got this one from Debenhams but you can pretty much get your hands on them anywhere even supermarkets sell them and they are so inexpensive at £20-£23 (prices vary from where sold). The wand itself is so good i can't actually believe for such a low price how good it is, it heats in seconds and the curls really last and even more so if you apply hairspray. My favourite kind is just to do nice waves, so i curl it away from my face using the larger end of the wand.  

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_324003004660MISC_-1

2. L'Oreal Studio Line Silk & Gloss Hot Straight Spray and Hot & Smooth Hot Curl Spray.

Obviously when it comes to using hair tools you have got to protect your hair from the heat. These two products are great because they not only protect your hair from heat but they also make your hair silky smooth and reduces frizz as well as making your hair stay either curly or straight, depending on which product you are using. 

http://www.boots.com/en/LOreal-Studio-Line-Silk-Gloss-Hot-Straight-Spray-200ml_1155334/

 3. Schwarzkopf got2b Oil-licious Weightless Dry Oil Mist.

While we are on the topic of frizz which is a huge problem i have with my hair type, so i'm all about taming that frizz. This is a dry oil mist so unlike a serum this doesn't leave my hair looking greasy and full of product but sorts out the frizz which a serum is suppose to also do. This stuff also smells so good which is always a bonus.

http://www.boots.com/en/Schwarzkopf-got2b-Oil-licious-Weightless-Dry-Oil-Mist-200ml_1422126/

4. John Frieda Frizz - Ease Miraculous Recovery Pot Strengthening Crème Masque.

Yet again another frizz product, but needs must. I have actually been using this product every time i wash my hair in place of conditioner and i have found that it is much more effective than using it on top of conditioner (i'm all for using less products). The Masque leaves my hair feeling super soft and topped with the other products above really helps my hair stay calm during the warm weather rather than ending up looking like Simba from the Lion King haha.

http://www.boots.com/en/John-Frieda-Frizz-Ease-Miraculous-Recovery-Pot-Strengthening-Creme-Masque_22683/

5. Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Texturizing Spray.

If you have been reading my posts for a while now you'll know how much i love this product and it is still a daily favourite/essential for me. As my hair is long and thick my hair can tend to be really weighed down and flat looking, so i apply this to my hair just to add the volume back into my hair. It is a great dupe for the oribe texturizing spray which is a lot more expensive than this one and it works just the same if not better in my opinion. 

http://www.boots.com/en/Charles-WorthingtonCharles-Worthington-Volume-Bounce-Texturising-Spray_1330139/

I hope you found this post helpful in some way when it comes to hair care and i'll be back with another post tomorrow. 

♥  

BOOTS HAUL

Hey guys, i hope you all had a great weekend whatever you were up to. So it's a new week and we now have new world cup champions Germany after the world cup final last night. What team were you routing for? I was definitely backing Germany for Europe and they have definitely been the team that has put in the best performances during the tournament. Anyway lets get down to business, today whilst i was in town i went into to boots to see if there was anything new/good deals going on and of course i picked up a couple of things. So i thought i would share with you the things i purchased and that i am excited to try out especially the "Coconut Balmi Lip Balm Cube" as they are my new obsession...

MY HAIR FAVOURITES

It's not just important to look after your skin but also to look after your hair, i mean who doesn't love keeping their hair looking and feeling nice? cause i know i do. So today i thought i would share with you a few products i couldn't live without in my hair care routine.

*Just a quick disclaimer, all the products shown suit and work for my particular hair type which is curly*.

Like i said above my hair type is curly and not the nice kind, i 100% hate my natural hair when it is left not styled. All the products i use really work to my advantage as i always wear my hair straight, even if i wear my hair curly or wavy i always straighten it before hand as it makes the end result look so much better.

1. GHD Straighteners.

GHD is by far the best hair straightener out there (in my opinion anyway). They are around £99 but are worth every penny as they last for years and i use them every day. Also with me using them every day i also use L'Oreal Elnett 3 Day Straight heat protector spray (not shown on image), i just find that this not only helps protect my hair from the heat but also helps keep it straighter for longer.

2. ORIBE Dry Texturizing Spray.

This spray is really hyped up by a lot of other bloggers and youtubers and so it should be, i can't get enough of the stuff! I also like the Charles Worthington Salon At Home Texturizing Spray, i think it is as equally as good as the Oribe brand and probably a third of the price. I like to give my hair some volume especially at the roots, this does the job and keeps the volume instead of becoming flat again within a couple of hours. 

3. REDKEN All Soft Heavy Cream.

4. TRESEMME Keratin Smooth 60 Seconds.

These two items i alternate between them when i want to deep condition my hair after my usual shampoo and conditioner routine. I like to use these treatments once a week.

5. TRESEMME Keratin Smooth 7 Days Shampoo and Conditioner.

I have fell in love with Keratin products as i have found they have dramatically changed the way my hair looks and is so much easier to control. The Keratin formula smooths and helps straighten hair, which actually works unlike some that claim to do this but don't dramatically work.

6. TANGLE TEEZER.

I have been using a tangle teezer for around 2 years now and i would never go back to using a regular hair brush. The brush always glides straight through my hair if it has knots which i tend to get with my hair being long and it doesn't damage your hair at all. Such an amazing invention!

What are your favourite must have products for your hair type?

Hope you had an amazing Easter Weekend...

GOODBYE FEBRUARY, HELLO MARCH

Saying that February is the shortest month of the year, it has actually felt like one of the longest. So March is finally here and we can start to say goodbye to winter and hello to spring time, pastel colours and hopefully some warmer weather. Here is some of my favourite things from the month of February...

Cream eyeshadows have been a real go to for me this month as they are great as a base for your regular eyeshadows or worn on itself. My two personal favourites are:

New CID Cosmetics i-colour long wear cream eyeshadow in the shade Romance.

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24Hr cream eyeshadow in the shade Permanent Taupe.

This month i had been wanting to try out a new foundation and had heard good reviews about the Revlon Colorstay foundation, so i gave it a try. I love this foundation it has a great finish to it and the lasting power is so good, i am not sure about 24hours though because i never have makeup on for that long but it definitely lasts all day long. At the end of last month the lovely Tanya Burr launched her range of lip glosses and nail polishes, so of course i had to make a purchase there. The quality of her products are amazing, i definitely recommend taking a look at her range.

Revlon Colorstay 24HR Foundation in the shade Ivory.

Tanya Burr Lipgloss in the shade Afternoon Tea.

At the end of last month i switched up my shampoo and condition as i thought my hair was feeling a little dry and lacking moisture. So i decided to give Aussie a try, i have never used any of their products before and i am so glad that i have now. I have seen the biggest change in my hairs condition just after the first use, it has made my hair super soft and in really good condition.

Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo.

Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner.

This month i have re-discovered The Body Shop and fell in love with a lot of their products all over again and also tried out quiet a few new things to me.

The Body Shop Moringa Body Milk.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Cream Cleanser.

This month i have been listening to these two songs non stop, i just can't get enough of them. 

Na Na - Trey Songz

Letter To My Ex - Pleasure P

Also i have been loving Marcus Cooper aka Pleasure P's new mixtape "Break Up to Make Up".

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/25899/pleasure-p-break-up-to-make-up.html

It has only been back for one episode after a mid-season break on the last day of the month, but Grey's Anatomy is one of favourite TV shows ever, such an amazing show!

So that is the end of my "February Favourites" what things have you been loving this month?
Hope you all have a great month of March and i will be back very soon...

Katie♥