John Frieda Luxurious Volume 7 Day Volume in Shower Treatment Review

Oh why, oh why! My sister has beautiful long hair that bounces when she walks and swishes like a vale of copper glitter. Me on the other hand...my hair is fine, brittle and can't decide if it wants to be blonde or brown.

I like to try the latest hair products, promising the hair you dream of in small squeezy bottles! The fresh face on the scene is the new John Frieda Luxurious Volume 7 Day Volume In-Shower Treatment...*puts tongue back in mouth*.

What they say: An innovative treatment with volume boosting polymers, penetrates fine hair to thicken individual hair fibers and enhance thickness and fullness for volume building style.

What I say: After shampooing and conditioning as normal, I apply 3 pumps to the palm of my hand and rub it through damp hair. I have really flat roots, so I make sure I concentrate on that area. Once I am happy I have covered my entire head I leave it to work magic for 4 minuets. Have a bit of a sing in the shower or shave my legs.

Once that is done I just rinse it off with semi warm water. I dry my hair upside-down with the hair dryer to create as much lift as possible!

There is definitely a noticeable difference, my hair feels thicker and their is more of a lift at the root. I use this if I am going on a night out, it holds a style really well. Only negative point is that I wash my hair every day, so it doesn't last for me 7 days.

John Frieda Luxurious Volume 7 Day Volume in Shower Treatment £9.99

Have you tried this volume boosting hero?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Bare Minerals Complexion Review

Like many acne sufferers I rely on heavy foundation to cover up blemishes and scaring. It can be hard in the warmer months as heavy based liquid foundations often run and melt into patches. One way to avoid this is to try a tinted moisturiser but trade for coverage. 

I was recently given the new Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue Gel Cream and I gave it a whirl. 

What they say: New to our UK collection, a multitasking genius that combines skincare benefits and naturally radiant coverage in one. The best of a BB, a CC, and a tinted moisturiser...with a 215% increase in skin hydration after just one week. This tinted Complexion Rescue gel cream alleviates the need for a heavy foundation, giving a smooth tint to your face and evening out your complexion in the stroke of a brush. 

What I say: There are 10 shades in the range, which is pretty good if like me your skin tone doesn't fit into light, medium or dark category. The gel based texture is lovely and light, using a brush to apply it I found the cream blended amazingly well onto the skin. 

As it says this is quite sheer but it did a pretty good job of evening out the skin tone and I only need a little concealer to finish the look. It isn't a cheap option, but if you are looking for skin benefits then this if for you - plus a little goes a long way!

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue, £26.00

Do you recommend any tinted moisturisers?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Drugstore Holiday Haircare | John Frieda Beach Blonde Review

When it comes to my hair I have to say I have never been faithful to one brand. Like many women I suffer from a period of commitment phobia which drives me from product to product, each promising me something new and exciting. I guess I am always looking for something better, something that will do exactly what I want so much so that I would happily commit and not stray down the Boots hair isle ever again. 

I am currently in a pretty stable and committed relationship with a brand called Windle & Moodie. I am currently so obsessed that I talk about the brand when ever I can and it has actually changed my hair so much that I think we may start going steady. But more on my hair boyfriend later.

Holiday hair is something we all get. Parched from the sun, dry from the pool chlorine and crispy from the sea air. We can't all pull off tousled salty waves like a beach goddess and when I get home all I want is to re-hydrate and wash away the sand stuck in my scalp and this is where John Frieda Beach Blonde knocks the ball out of the park.

The John Frieda Beach Blonde range was discontinued a few years ago but there was such uproar on Facebook that they had to bring it back! And I for one would offer John a pat on the back for that decision. 

These cute minis are perfect for holiday hand luggage and the scent of mint and coconut just screams summer sun. One sniff of this and I am back on a warm beach, slathered in coconut sun oil and eating an ice lolly - In fact they should make a perfume! 

The shampoo and conditioner cleanses the hair to remove and clarify all the environmental build up. Also, don't let the name fool you! The Beach Blonde range is not actually just for blondes, infact there is nothing in the product especially for any hair colour and it wont lighten it either!

I would say this is a bit of a dupe for the Bumble & Bumble Surf range, but with out the awful price tag. These little guys are always on 3 for 2!! I really liked how clean my hair felt after using this little combo and the ends definitely felt hydrated. I have stocked up for all of my holidays coming up!!

John Frieda Beach Blonde Shampoo & Conditioner Travel Size, £2.00 Each

Do you remember the original Beach Blonde range?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Eylure Pro-Brow Tinting Review

If you are blonde and you are looking for away to add some more permanent colour to your brows this summer, then I can't recommend tinting enough. There are two ways of doing this; either you go to a beautician and pay a whack for a 5 minute process or you buy a kit and do it at home. This isn't as scary as it seems and Boots have a couple kits that are reasonably priced.The product lasts a while so it was worth the £10 I spent on it.

This one is the Eyelure Pro-Brow tinting kit in Dark Brown, which I thought would tint my eyebrows to a natural shade of brow. 

The kit includes:

- a small stirring stick

- a tube of tint

- a spoolie

- Activator

Start by mixing two drops of activator with one blob of tint paste and mix it together using the little stick they provide in the plastic dip of the packaging. 

I apply cream onto the skin around my brows to stop the tint staining any of the skin. Next I scoop a little bit of the tint onto the spoolie and brush it onto the brows. First in the opposite direction of growth to get the underside and the back over the top, smoothing the hair into place with the tint.

Now I sit back and relax for 5 minutes to let the colour develop, but you may want to give it less time. I like my brows quite dark, but I think this kit was a little too light! 

Once the timer goes off I wipe the product off with a wet cotton pad to reveal the result. Best thing is that if the colour isn't dark enough you can re apply and do the process again.

Eylure Pro-Brow Tinting Kit, £7.49

Stay beautiful

xoxo 

Luxury Skincare | Luna Sleeping Night Oil Review

When it comes to my skin I am seriously picky. Having suffered from acne most of my life I am terrified of causing any flare ups at all and for a while I wouldn't move from my safe little zone with Clinique. Then I started my new job with Sunday Riley and her inspirational words of skin wisdom coaxed me out of my acne black hole with one little word....Luna. 

Luna is the first over night oil created by Sunday and with good reason, she wanted it to be perfect! Like many products this one contains Retinol but what makes this one unique is that it is a sister form called Retinol Ester, a less abrasive form which results in less irritation. This makes it perfect for a variety of skin types from sensitive, oily or dry this little guy has got you covered. 

The Retinol is housed in an oil form because creams allow too much oxygen to come into contact with it and this breaks it down making it less effective. The oil sucks out the troublesome oxygen making the Retinol more powerful, clever huh! 

The oil is also this weird greeny/blue colour which can be a little off putting. But this colour is completely natural and caused by the Blue Tansy flower. The colour acts like a kind of indicator and the more you rub the more it has sunk into the skin and the more the colour will fade! 

Another fun fact is the reason the bottle is blue! Not just because it is called Luna, it is actually to stop harmful UVA rays penetrating the bottle and breaking down the Retinol. Retinol is obviously very sensitive and at £85.00 so it should! 

Now maybe you think I am being biased and perhaps you would have been right, but that was before I actually tried it. I have been gently rubbing this on to my cleansed face for about two weeks and the results are just amazing. My acne scaring is fading. Fine lines on my forhead are reducing and the texture of my skin is silky soft - almost glowing! 

So the final question is would I buy this again....My answer = If I could only ever use one thing on my face again this would be the it, I honestly don't think I can live without it!

Sunday Luna Sleeping Night Oil, £85.00

Have you tried anything from Sunday Riley?

Stay Beautiful

xoxo

Molton Brown Oudh Accord & Gold Review

I got this body wash as a gift and it is so pretty I just had to take some pictures and show you guys. Rather than using it as a body wash the smell is so delicious that I mix it into a warm bath! The gel has tiny flecks of gold leaf, making it extra luxurious and the smell is incredible.

The scent is warm and nutty and almost reminds me of a those special coffees Starbucks make at Christmas. If I have had a bad day it is like a warm hug, but one that smells amazing. The bubbles are frothy, would you expect anything less from Molton Brown? The wash is intensely moisturising and my skin feels like velvet and silky!

This makes a perfect gift for anyone or a special treat for yourself! I mean who wouldn't want a bath full of bubbles and gold leaf?

Molton Brown Oudh Accord & Gold Body Wash, £20.00

Every had a bath of gold?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Sweet Dreams with Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Review

I have often heard people talk about having a signature scent. There are pages dedicated to them in my favourite magazines. Like having one great love that they can't live without, something that reminds them of a time of youth, a holiday or a person. I am in a quest to find such a fragrance and in my journey I have had some fleeting crushes which never seem to last very long. 

Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream called to me because of the cute bottle, I am a sucker for anything cute looking. I have the original Daisy fragrance which reminds me of my time working at Vogue magazine - sweet, strong and young. Perhaps that is fitting, being in the throws of youth I was drawn to candy tasting lipgloss and and sickly scents. Moving on I see this as Daisy's big sister, fresh and clean.

Daisy Dream has left carnivals and candy floss behind and now spends long weekends in fresh french air, running through fields of long grass mixed with cool fresh air. Still can't think of the scent... well it is crisp, fruity with a slight twinge of apple. 

Although this may not be my great love affair it is a relationship I will enjoy for a while at least until the weather changes and I need something warmer.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream, £52.00

What do you think of this scent?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

MAC Lipstick in Pink Nouveau Review

So continuing my MAC Pink Series, next up we have Pink Nouveau. Another one of my all time favs. This is a subtle pretty pink that looks great with blue eyes and can easily be worn during the day. Un-like Please Me, there is slightly more pink pigment and a shine with this shade it is more noticeable but without being Barbie-like. 

I think this is a super cute shade and one I wear a lot, it lifts the tone of my skin and balances out any blue I may have. 

MAC Lipstick in Pink Nouveau

Do you love this shade as much as me?

Stay beautiful 

xoxo

MAC Lipstick in Please Me Review

This is one of my favourite MAC pink lipsticks as I am having a bit of a love affair with matte lips at the moment. This MAC lipstick is Please Me, a beautiful petal pink matte shade that doesn't dry out the lips and adds a pretty flush of natural colour. Your lips but better I like to think. 

I also find with the matte MAC lipsticks they last a lot longer than the more moisturising ones as you don't need to re-apply quite so much. 

MAC Matte Lipstick in Please Me

Do you love this shade as much as me?

Stay beautiful 

xoxo

Next in my MAC Pink Series is Pink Nouveau

MAC Lipstick in Candy Yum-Yum Review

First in my MAC Pink Lipstick Series is Candy Yum-Yum. This is a brave shade to pull off and one that isn't for the faint hearted, the photo above is the colour with no editing and using natural light only. As you can see it is highly pigmented with a slight sheen and is a shock of neon pink.

I love this for a big night out and team it with a subtle smokey eye so ultimate drama. It's certainly attention grabbing!!

What do you think?

Stay beautiful 

xoxo

Next up on my MAC Pink Series is Please Me

A MAC Lipstick Haul | Pinks

When times get tough and I need to de-stress my favourite job is tidying my makeup draw, crazy perhaps but it is so therapeutic! During a cleanse last week I found that I had quite a supply of pink MAC lipsticks ranging in colours and tones, so I am going to do a little swatch and review of each in a pink series! 

The lipsticks in my MAC Pink Series are (from left to right):

1. Candy Yum-Yum

2. Please Me

3. Pink Nouveau

4. Giddy

5. Raspberry Swirl

6. Viva Glam Lusture

So keep your eyes open for my MAC Pink Series, which will include swatches of me wearing each shade so you can see what it looks like on a pale skin tone. 

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser Review

Oh Aurelia Probiotic Skincare you have done it again with the Miracle Cleanser! This super cute pot of creamy goodness is a bit of a game changer, may I introduce the Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Miracle Cleanser! 

What they say

Combining probiotics and peptide technologies with BioOrganic plant and flower essences to hydrate and sooth dull and dehydrated skin to promote a luminous, dewy, radiant glow. 

Fragranced with a blend of Eucalyptus, Chamomile, Rosemary and Bergamot this creamy cleanser buffs away dead skin cells and makeup whilst stimulating the skin. Increasing cell turnover, resulting in brighter complexion with fresher, younger skin cells ready for hydration on the surface. 

What I say

Now it's not just the smell that is dreamy but the Aurelia Probiotic Miracle Cleaner's buttery soft cream melts into the skin. The bamboo muslin cloth that comes with the cleanser buffs away any dead skin cells leaving my skin feeling fresh and smooth. Unlike a lot of cloth cleansers my skin didn't feel tight after washing and it even removed the waterproof mascara that often leaves panda rings under my eyes! 

To top it off I like to use the Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Cell Repair Night Oil (review here) to lock in any moisture. 

Aurelia Probiotic Miracle Cleanser*

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Cell Repair Night Oil Review

How pretty is this bottle?! It is just so cute and it looks amazing on my bedroom shelf! I did a brand background on Aurelia Probiotic Skincare (here) a couple of days ago and thought I would do a little review of each product for you as they are slightly on the premium price bracket but the quality speaks for itself. 

The Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Cell Repair Night Oil is 100% BioOrganic, so only kind ingredients which are ethically sourced will be touching your skin as you sleep. The small chemist style brown bottle comes with a delicate glass pipet to extract the exact amount your skin needs. 

What they say

An intensive overnight booting treatment which works in tandem with the skin's nightly repair mode. Kalahari oil provides abundant essential fatty acids, Mongongo oil reconstructs and regenerates the epidermis, Kigelia firms and tones, Baobab delivers precious Omega 3, 6 and 9. Hibiscus contains antioxidant properties fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. 

What I say

Sounds fancy ey? I was sold on the on the Baboba oil...... When this little beauty landed on my desk the first thing that hit me was how nice the packaging was. No detail was overlooked from the cute little pipet to the fine while lines that ran through the pale pink label and the gold letters that hugged the elegant curve. 

I have quite oily skin and I have always worried about using oil, it seems to go against everything my brain is saying- how can oil fight oil? After cleansing I apply a few drops into the palm of my hand and warm the oil in-between my finger tips before gently rubbing it onto my face. 

This has become a bit of a night time ritual, mainly because of the incredible smell. I often has problems drifting off into the land of nod and perhaps it is a coincidence but I find the scent incredibly relaxing. A mixture of lavender and other essential oils reminds me of having a massage. 

Within a few days of applying the Aurelia Probiotic Cell Repair Night Oil seemed to be having the desired effect. I certainly felt like my skin was softer and the tiny lines under my eyes appeared to have been plumped so they were less visible. 

The price of this little bottle of miracle oil is slightly on the pricey side, but I have to admit that if my skin continues to look this good from a few drops of oil then my heart and my skin are 100% invested. From the packaging to the oil to the results, what's not to love about Aurelia Probiotic Skincare!

Aurelia Probiotic Skincare Cell Repair Night Oil*

Have you tried any of the products? What do you think of oils?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Brand Focus | Aurelia Probiotic Skincare

Skincare is something I have always struggled with; I often swap from one product to another in the endless hunt to banish my acne scars or reduce my rapidly appearing fine lines. As a beauty PR this is a bit of a sin, I have access to so many different brands and yet I just don't use them. As for premium skincare, I would rather pay £50 for a new dress and a night out than a cream I may not see any difference in.

I recently attended a CEW mentoring talk held by Claire Vero, founder of Aurelia Probiotic Skincare and fell in love with her story and the beauty of her products. So much detail has gone in to every aspect of the product, from the ethically sourced ingredients to the high quality Italian card used for the packaging - it is a product of my dreams. You can see this is Claire's baby; the joy it has brought her over the two years since it has launched and the many awards it has already won are a credit to her and her determination. 

I will be the first to admit I have no idea what probiotics are, in-fact I thought it was the bacteria you got in some type of yoghurts. Aurelia Probiotic Skincare's ingredients work to manage the levels of inflammation which is the main cause of skin ageing. It also prevents DNA damage and boosts hyaluronic acid and collagen levels. 

I was kindly sent a couple of products to try and not only to I love the smells of each but the packaging is so beautiful that it looks amazing on my bedside table. I am going to be reviewing each of the products separately but get excited as these two beauties have given my skincare routine a kick up the bum! 

You can read all about the Aurelia Probiotic Skincare range here.

Stay beautiful

xoxo

A Red Lip for Pale Skin | LOLA Lipstick in Chilli Red

I have always been nervous about wearing a red lip. I have fairly pale skin and different tones of red can leave me looking washed out. I was recently sent a LOLA Lipstick in Chilli Red to try after seeing one of their fabulous PR girls wearing it and totally falling in love! It thought I should be brave and grab the red lips but the smacker and give it a try. 

What they say

Enriched with antioxidant vitamins A, C and E, with Hyaluronic Acid to moisturise, plump and condition the lips. 

What I say

LOLA Lipstick in Chilli Red packaging is sleek, matte black which is small and compact enough to fit perfectly in a clutch bag. When I opened the lid I have to admit I was terrified of the colour, it smacks you in the face with a perfect red punch. But as soon as I started to apply it the buttery soft texture melted into my lips and I fell in love.

The red lipstick is moisturising and after blotting some of the colour off the stain is so pretty and lasts through a night of cocktails with only minor touch ups. 

I can't wait to try some more products from the range! You can pick up some products in your local M&S beauty hall. 

LOLA Lipstick in Chilli Red*

What are your favourite red lipstick's ?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Soap & Glory Archery 2in1 Brow Filling Pencil & Brush Review

I have been using the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz (review here) for a couple of months and after it coming to the end of its life I just couldn't bring myself to pay another £15.00 for a brow product! So I went in search of a dupe. 

I stumbled on the Soap & Glory Archery 2in1 Brow Filling Pencil & Brush , £8.00, when I was buying a gift for my sister. After forgetting to give it to her I decided my need was greater and gave it ago on my sparse hairs! The Soap & Glory Archery 2in1 Brow Filling Pencil & Brush comes in two shades Blondeshell and Hot Chocolate. I have Hot Chocolate and it suits mid tone brown hair. 

What they say

Super skinny, retractable brow filling pencil and brush. Giving you maximum control for a thicker, fuller and more natural finish.

What I say

The first thing I noticed about the pencil was the formula. It isn't as good as the Anastasia Brow Wiz, it drags across the skin slightly and so the colour pay off can be a little patchy. Having said that I was able to quickly fix it by blending it into the hair using the little spoolie brush. I love that you don't need to sharpen it and that the little brush comes attached, saves carrying a separate tool.

The effect is very natural and you can easily spend time drawing on little hairs if you want to make it look even more brow like. I often don't have time, but even for a quick morning brow the Soap & Glory Archery Brow Filling Pencil does a pretty good job. I even prefer it to a lot of powder products I love!

It would be great if there were a few more colours to pick from, luckily this shade is perfect for me but wouldn't suit everyone! This product is perfect if you don't fancy splashing out £15 on the Brow Wiz!

Soap & Glory Archery 2in1 Brow Filling Pencil & Brush 

Which product do you prefer?

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Easy Contouring | Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour Review

I am always looking for the new cheat for chiselled cheek bones. I suffer from baby face, a condition passed on from my mother where the face is cherub and round, no matter what diets you go on (*this is not a real condition). It also means that no matter how old I get I still get asked for proof of age when I am buying a lottery ticket or a packet of paracetamol. 

I love contouring! I have different powders and creams at various price points, all promising me cheeks like Angelina Jolie. I used to work at the Clinique head office and I really love their stuff so when I heard they had launched two new contouring products I was quick to snatch one up. The new Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour comes in one shade but there is also a highlighter to match. 

What they say

Glide onto bare skin or foundation to hollow out cheek bones or define the jawline. The swivel design means there is no need for a sharpener.

What I say

I applied my base as normal using my favourite Joan Collins Timeless Beauty First Base Foundation (review here) and used the Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour over the top. The texture is really creamy and it is very matt, so there is no simmer that you get in a lot of bronzing products - perfect for this. I ran it along the hollow of my cheek bones and put a few dots on my temple. 

When I first applied the Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour I was a bit scared of the colour. I am pretty pale and this is quite bronze so I thought it would really stand out. But after using my foundation brush to blend the product in I was really impressed with the result! The effect is subtle but noticeable, if that makes sense? Also... hello cheek bones! Where have you been hiding?

Perhaps this isn't a product I would use every day. It is quite a lot of effort to go to for my office job of sitting at a desk all day. But I love this for a night out or a special occasion, basically any time I may run into my future husband. 

Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour

Have you used any contouring sticks? Any drugstore recommendations?

Stay beautiful
xoxo