TRESemmé Expert Beauty Full Volume Reverse System

I have tired many volume shampoos, many of which are great shampoos but they don't really give you that volume effect that it says of the bottle. Until I found this gem. This really does what it says on the tin, and to add to this it smells like a dream (if you dream of trips to a fancy hair salon of course). I love trying out new shampoos and seeing the result on my hair, so this one was exciting for me- not only it is a new volume shampoo but I also got to try out the reverse system, and let me tell you, I am a big fan. This reverse system paired with the shampoo and conditioner does wonders to your hair. 

If you want to know a little background on my hair type it's a little on the thin side and very straight naturally when air dried. So when I find something that gives it volume and a little bit of omph I am all for it. If you have the same hair type as me then this might have the same effect for you but I think this would suit all hair types. 

Let me know if you have given this shampoo and conditioner duo a try and what you thought of it. I 100% recommend this if you haven't tried it yet!

July Favourites

 I felt like some monthly favourite posts were definitely in need on this blog and July was a pretty good month to start. After being in America for a month and having a birthday in July, there were some new products to be tested out throughout the summer and these were the finalists that I have been using constantly throughout the month of July.

  Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush, Dim Infusion

For my birthday I received a Space NK gift card, so as you can probably imagine my excitement, I straight away made quite a hefty order of everything I have wanted but couldn't quite bring myself to spend the money on. I have heard a lot of amazing things about this blush so of course I wanted to give it a little go as well, and I was so glad I did. Lets start with the packaging and the look of the blush. The luxurious gold mirrored case and the stunning marbled blush that lies inside of it already sold it to me before even reading the reviews. Well the picture speaks for it's self. Once you apply this onto the skin it gives a lovely fresh peachy glow to the cheeks. This product has great colour payoff and is the perfect amount of pigmented for a blush. 

MAC Eyeshadow, Naked Lunch
In the summer I will usually opt for a shimmery champagne colour all over the lid. It's simple and takes no time at all, plus with a tan it looks even better.

Nars Bronzing Powder, Laguna

In the summer time my face always ends up being lighter than the rest of my body, as a result bronzer is one of my favourite products in the summer to add a little more colour to my face. After reading many blog posts and watching many YouTube videos of favourite bronzers, I found this one to be the most loved out of the lot. Alas, I added this one to the Space NK order and definitely have not regretted it. It has a slight shimmer but nothing that is too recognisable on the face if you're a fan of the matt bronzers. The colour just right by not being too orange or muddy, the perfect brown bronzer that enhances or creates a summer glow. 

Nars Radient Creamy Concealer, Vanilla

This is my favourite concealer I have tired so far, it is super creamy and blends to perfection. I use this for both under my eyes and on any blemishes, it does the job and never creases so a massive thumbs up from me.

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
This has come in so useful since I purchased this. I like to use very large brushes for my top lashes for extra volume, however on the bottom lashes it is a pain to apply as I always find it smudges underneath my eyes and I can never get to the outer corner lashes without making a massive mess of it. This mascara has a tiny brush that gets to the outer corner bottom lashes without smudging when you're applying.

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Powder

This adds such a lovely finish to your makeup without adding any colour. It is simply a setting powder to eliminate any shine and make your makeup last all day and works amazingly.

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

This is literally volume in a can. If you are like me and have very lifeless hair this is perfect for you. I just spray it in my roots and a little into the ends, it adds the right amount of texture without it being sticky in your hair (and smells great too).

Serge Normant Dry Shampoo

I was on the look out for a new dry shampoo, but with volume. This is just what I was looking for, it smells good, adds volume and gives your hair that freshly washed look. Ticks all the boxes.

    

xoxo

Summer Beauty Guide

For messy, relaxed beachy waves

In the summer, its all about messy, wavy hair for me. Something I can wear for a few days with a little extra help from some dry shampoo, because I think everyone can agree that washing hair is such an effort. 

If you are blessed with naturally wavy hair...

~ Towel dry your hair until damp.

~ Apply a texture gel or cream from roots to ends // Bumble and Bumble Texture Creme

~ Spray sea salt spray throughout the hair focusing on the ends // Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray or Toni and Guy Sea Salt Spray

~ After applying the products blow dry the hair upside down and scrunch the ends while blow drying, use a diffuser to create even more volume and waves. 

~ Once hair is dry, depending on how wavy your hair is naturally and how wavy you want the end result you can add a few more waves throughout your hair with a 1-1 1/2 inch curling iron. 

~ Then spritz a little more sea salt spray in the ends and scrunch. 

If you have straight hair...

~ Go through the same steps above but you will need to curl your whole head. When curling your hair use a 1- 1 1/12 inch curling iron and leave around 2 inches uncurled at the end. When curling swap directions for every curl you do, this will result in a more natural, messy look and won't look too overdone. 

~ Spritz a little hairspray at the roots and ends // Tresemme Volume & Lift Firm Hold Hairspray  

To make this style last for a few days, in the morning lightly brush through the hair then add some dry shampoo and a little sea salt spray for more texture. People with naturally straight hair may need to add a few more curls in the morning after two days.

For glowy, bronzed skin

~ Use a tinted moisturiser or a BB Cream with SPF instead of a heavy foundation. This will give you a healthy, natural glow and feels light on the skin in the hot summer weather // Origins Vita Zing or Dr Jart+ Water Fuse BB Cream

~ Add a matt bronzer on under the cheekbones and temples and using the rest to dust over your nose and forehead. This will contour and add colour to your face // Nars Bronzing Powder or Bourjois Delice de Poudre Bronzing Powder

~ Use a peachy cream blush and apply with your fingers onto the apples of your cheeks and work the rest up to your temples // Maybelline Dream Soft Blush

For natural, bronzed eyes

~ Dust a bronzed, champagne colour over the lids and work into the crease // MAC All That Glitters

~ Use a lighter colour to highlight the inner corners and brow bone // MAC Naked Lunch or Urban Decay Virgin

~ Curl your lashes and use a waterproof mascara on the top and bottom lashes to make sure the mascara doesn't budge // Maybelline Volume Express The Colossal Waterproof Mascara

xoxo 

Left image // Found via Pinterest

Right image // Found via Pinterest  

The Review // Living Proof Prime Style Extender

I have to admit when I first heard about this product, I thought it was a gimmick. Maybe because I don't really use or believe in primers as I have never really found they made a massive difference to my makeup. Having said that when I saw there was a hair primer, I was pretty curious as to how it actually works (and if it does work) so I figured I would test it out to cure my curiosity.

My hair isn't really one to hold a curl and as this product claims to "save time and forget the touch- ups" this compelled me even more to try it. And yes, Living Proof does live up to its name and it's claims. It also smells like you have been in a hair salon after you use it which to me, is always a bonus. Not to mention it cuts my dry time in half which is a massive turn on for little old lazy me (time to say goodbye to that hairdryer arm cramp). 

On top of all the other things I have mentioned of why I love this product so much, it saves your hair for another day without a wash. Washing my hair is seen as a chore for me so alas, brownie points for this. Having said this, I'm sure this product will be different for everyones certain hair type. My hair being thin, pin straight and not one to hold styles, this product helps to give it more of a mattified texture and not a rough, beachy texture. It still keeps the shine and movement in your hair by simply making it feel a bit fuller. The primer eliminates that annoying first day freshly washed hair that never cooperates. 

Have you tried this product and what do you think of it? 

xoxo

Hair Inspiration

I am stuck in a 'hair rut'. I'm sure we've all been there. In fact I have been here before but alas, I was just too darn lazy (and admittedly a bit scared) to do anything about it. However, I figure a new season, new chapter in my life with university, and a new found love in the Pinterest hair boards.... I thought a new 'do would be fitting right about now.

Thus, after hours of procrastination from my university assignments *slaps wrists* on Pinterest I have come up with a few ideas of what I have in mind for my new 'do.

 Image found via Pinterest

Image found via Pinterest

                                                                         Image found via Fabsugar

How can you not love these girls hair?! That effortless, slightly wavy look is my ultimate favourite. Especially because it would take me close to no time at all to style it in the mornings, instead of spending an age on my long mop- I will be having some quality time, just my bed and I.

What's your preference on hair length? Long, medium, short?

xoxo

Loose Curls Tutorial for Long Hair

When I get bored of my usual straight, flat hair I always go for big, loose curls. These will last all day on my hair and you can refresh it the next day with some dry shampoo plus a few more curls to finish it off.

Step 1 

After getting out of the shower I towel dry my hair until it's still damp. Then I grab my Bumble and bumble surf spray and scrunch and spritz all throughout my hair (from the roots to the ends). This gives me some texture and makes the curls last longer.

Step 2 

I then blast the hairdryer through my hair so it's 100% dry (I dry it upside down for some extra volume). The surf spray will add a gritty texture to your hair which you will feel when it's dried. 

Step 3

Now I get my tangle teezer and brush out any knots before I get to curling. This will ensure the curls are smooth and bouncy later. 

Step 4

Time for the fun part. I use my Remington Pearl CI9532 Pro Curl Hair Styler (32 mm barrel) which gives me loose, soft waves. I go for the top heat of 210c which I know is certainly not the best for my hair, but it's hard enough trying to get it to hold a curl because of it's length! If you prefer tighter curls go for a smaller barrel and larger curls go for a bigger barrel. This is by far my favourite hair curler and I have tried a lot, possibly too much for one girl! 

Top tip

For longer lasting curls, I hold my hair on the barrel for about 15-20 seconds. Then when it's done I hold it in my hand until the curl has cooled down. 

Step 5
It usually takes my about 15 minutes to curl from start to finish. In this time I pop on an episode of Netflix or blast on my favourite songs, and depending if anyone is in the house I will sing at the top of my lungs! That's just what I do to pass the time anyway. So back to the hair.... After curling I will spray the Tigi Bed Head Masterpiece Massive Shine Hairspray through my curls. This hairspray literally smells like apples and is never sticky or crunchy on my hair, so this is the one I usually go for.

Step 6
To add a bit more somethin-somthin to the hairstyle I spray some Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Backcomb In a Bottle in the roots and work it in with my fingers. Then I will give my hair a shake, mess it up with my fingers a bit and voila- loose curls for long hair.


xoxo

Wishlist #1

I like to think of this 'Wishlist' series as a 'window shop lineup'. Everyone has heard of window shopping I gather? Admiring the things you can't buy but wish you could, or rather just making a mental note of them the next time you finding yourself deserving a bit of a treat or some retail therapy.

This wishlist is here to give you some ideas of things you might want to try out or if you are simply just bored of an evening and browsing the internet because there's nothing else better to do.

1. Bumble and bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish

It's time my hair has a bit of 'omph' to it.

2. YSL Forever Youth Liberator Foundation

My skin definitely needs a bit of a pick me up and I have heard very good things about this one, however I don't think I can bring myself to spend a small fortune on my face.

3. Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette

I am a big lover of the Urban Decay Naked palettes and my addiction doesn't stop at this one. 

4. Living Proof Prime Style Extender

A primer for your hair to make the style last longer?! Yes please. 

5. Essie After School Boy Blazer

First, how cute is the name?! Second, this colour is just too amazing.

6. Imitation Leather Trousers

I may be ordering these as I type, just maybe.

What's on your wishlist?

xoxo

Lazy Girl // The Essentials

Lets face it, we are all guilty of being a little lazy sometimes/all the time. I though I would share some of my 'Lazy Girl essentials'...

Batiste, Dry Shampoo 'Tropical'

The ultimate ‘lazy girl product’, I don’t know about you but washing my hair is definitely seen as a effortful task. In the morning especially, when I would really prefer that extra time in bed rather than washing, drying AND styling my hair (that really sounds all too much for an early morning). Let’s be honest though, you don’t want to go out looking like a ‘scruff bag’ so I spray dry shampoo in my roots, let in soak in for a minute then work the products into my hair using my fingers. This also gives it a bit of ‘omph’ and makes it smell like a tropical paradise (what could be better?!).

Simple, Spotless Skin makeup wipes 

Makeup wipes are ‘lazy sibling’ of face wash. On more than one occasion I have been guilty of not being bothered to take my makeup off after a late night out (especially being a university student these come in particularly useful, as I’m sure you can imagine). This normally results in my skin breaking out, which leads to me needing more time in the morning with makeup trying to make my skin presentable, as Sweet Brown would say “ain’t nobody got time for that!” Anyway back to the product, I quickly use these to remove any makeup that night but I wouldn’t recommend doing this every time because your face still needs a good cleanse, just on those late lazy ones.

Seche Vite, Dry Fast Top Coat

Waiting for your nail polish to dry can be very tedious, especially for people like me who repaint their nails very often (maybe even too often). This topcoat is by far the best one I have found and speeds up the process 10x faster!

Tangle Teezer

I think I speak for my fellow ‘Rapunzels’ out there (and really any hair length) brushing my hair comes in a close second with the dreaded task of vacuuming. Sometimes (well actually all the time) I end up rushing through it pulling at my hair and can almost hear my hair breaking! The Tangle Teezer is so much gentler on the hair and gets the job done quickly, say goodbye to the days of the dreaded hair brushing! 

xoxo