Feburary Empties

Running a little behind schedule with the empties this month!

001. Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic c/o
In fact I've already brought myself another bottle so that tells you how much I love it. A little goes a long way and it gently gets rid in one swoop of any make up you've left behind. It feels soft on my contact wearing eyes - some toners can make my eyes feel sore. It's prefect to use in the morning to wake you up as it feels lovely and refreshing first thing.

002. Bioderma
Review here

003. Batiste Dry Shampoo Medium and Brunette
This is my favourite edition!
Review here

004. Dove Deeply Nourishing Moisturising Body Wash
I think Dove is fantastic. It brilliant value for money and always does a good job. This body wash wasn't any different. Did exactly what it said on the tin. If I didn't have the whole of Boots in my bedroom, I'd rush out and replace it. It's a great unisex wash too.

005. Marc Jacobs Dot Shower Cream
The smell wasn't too overpowering and tied in nicely when worn with the perfume. It has a gorgeous sweet smell. It lather very nicely indeed but you did have to put a generous amount on the sponge to make it last.

006. Seventeen Back Lash c/o
Seventeen reminds me of my wasted youth when I'd spend my £20 a  week wages from Next on the latest polishes and eyeshadows. I always think the brand is great value for money and have never tried a dud product. Along with eyelash curler this created a lovely long lash despite it being slightly wet on application. I'm finding this a lot with mascaras recently. Only me?

Have you tried any of these products?

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Liz Earle Bath and Body Collection

Liz Earle Bergamot & Ginger Creamy Shower Nectar and Liz Earle Tiare & Jasmine Silky Body Lotion c/o Liz Earle

 

Liz Earle can't seem to do any wrong at the moment. They keep bringing out gem after gem. These latest offerings are being launched next month so keep your eye out for them. The shower nectar is priced at £12.50 for 250 ml and the body lotion is priced at £14.50 for 250ml.

 

The zesty, citrus shower gel is the perfect remedy to wake you up in the morning ready for that long day at work. It lathers brilliantly and a little goes a long way so you won't run out in a hurry. I adore the flashes of ginger that seep through as you shower - definitely one of my favourite smells. The body lotion feels thick and luxurious.  I think jasmine leaves a gorgeous scent on your skin. With avocado and shea butter including in the ingredients, your skin is left feeling supple and soft - a winning combination!

 

Will you be splashing out on them when they hit the shops? 



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Beauty: January Empties

001: No7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser
Review here

002: Paul Smith Hold Tight Firm Hold Hairpsray c/o work beauty drawer
I am like a magpie and when I spotted this bright pink bottle peaking up from the depth of the beauty drawer I thought it was worth a shot.  It stated that it was a firm hold hairspray but it seems a bit flimsy to be unless of course you sprayed for a very long time. Then it turned a bit crispy. It wasn't the perfect partner for my curls but did the job if it was in a topknot. It's not the best product I've tried and I do think there are better hairsprays out there in the price point. It's not something I'd pick up and buy with my own money.

003: Schwarzkopf Osis+ Sparkler Finish c/o work beauty drawer
This was another product I picked up in the same binge at work - have I mentioned how much I love my job? I'm always a bit confused by shine sprays. They always remind me of the Emperors New Clothes - do they actually make a difference. Maybe it's because luckily I've never had dull hair and it doesn't need much of a boost to help it shine. A good shampoo does the job! Therefore I'm not convinced this made a difference at all.

004: L'Oreal Elvive Nutri-gloss Crystal Sparkling Conditioner
I picked this up as it was on offer in Boots and had tried a few L'Oreal shampoos and conditioner before. This was a good conditioner, nothing too ground-breaking but it kept my hair lovely and soft. I had to brush my hair before as it didn't cope well on knotted hair.

005: L'Oreal Elvive Nutri-gloss Crystal Sparkling Shampoo
This shampoo lathered up brilliantly and a little went a long well. It seemed like the bottle lasted forever! It was such good value for money and I did buy it again a few times. It did they job well and kept my hair in good condition. I'm onto something else now just for a change!

006: Witch Cleansing Lotion c/o
I won this from Witch Skincare's twitter in their Flawless Followers competition. This cleansing lotion did the treat. It was gentle around the eye area and took out the make up without too much rubbing. It doesn't beat my Bioderma but it did the trick. Well worth picking up if you're on a budget.

007: Marc Jacobs Daisy
I have gone through so many bottles of this I have lost count. It's always brought for my birthday from my nan. I think it's the perfect day time scent as it's not too heavy and smells lovely and fresh. I like to think of it as my signature now!

Have you tried any of these products?

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This week i'm loving: Clay Masks

Argiletz Laboratoire Yellow Clay Face Mask

Commuting really does take it's toll on your skin. Early risers and light nights do not go very well together, I brought this clay mask following a recommendation from Elodie whilst we were in Paris last year. I've been using it around twice a week for the last month or so to try and keep my skin into check. After using a hot cloth cleanser I put on a good thick layer of the mask and leave it on my face for around 10 minutes. Once the time is up I remove it using a lukewarm muslin cloth and slap on my night cream.

I've noticed a clear reduction in the unsightly blackheads around my nose and my skin has lost it's tightness. It feels a lot more smooth and less like sandpaper. I feel it's going to become a stable in my winter skincare routine and will be purchasing another as soon as it runs out.

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Liz Earle Radiance Glow Bronzer

Liz Earle Radiance Glow Bronzer c/o

 

I'm a bronzer girl through and through. I think it's the Essex girl in me and I very rarely venture over to blusher. If truth be told, the pink slightly scares me. When I was kindly gifted this Liz Earle bronzer I did a little happy dance.

 

As with the nail polishes, the bronzer is part of the limited edition that drops this Spring. With a subtle shimmer, it can be used to help to highlight the cheekbones for that killer look. The great thing is it can be used on the eyes too so you're getting two products in one.

 

It's such a shame that it's not as noticeable on my face as it really is so pretty in real life. As it does have a shimmer, I didn't want to pile it on and end up looking like a disco ball. It's a bit too much to be popping to the shops! It looks perfect on the apples of your cheeks adding a bit of glamour. I can imagine it'll look even better once I've managed to get a tan. It's quite pigmented so I found using a little at a time to build up the colour worked best. That way it can work for both day and night. It would be easy to go a bit heavy handed and end up looking orange. The lasting power is fab and you can get away for a most of the day without having to apply more.

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December empties

Toni & Guy Glamour Firm Hold Hairspray c/o
I picked this up when I was kindly invited to a Boots pick and mix style press day through work - I can't get over how amazing it was! My mum and I both picked one up and can't stop singing it's praises. It is quite expensive and will work out to be a costly habit if you use hairspray like my mum every day. But it's perfect as a little treat! It keeps every hair in place without being crusty and isn't a pain to brush out at night. Overall it's a pretty good buy! I'd buy this again as it's offers great support for nights out.

Batiste Original Dry Shampoo
Review here

Prada Perfumed Bath Salts
These were a gift from a while ago and only just gotten round to using them all up! They were the ideal remedy for a relaxing weekend bath with the sweet aromas wafting around the bathroom. I don't really know what the deal is with bath salts. They just seem to make the room smell nice! Therefore I'm going to judge these on that basis and they get a thumbs up from me!

Jurlique Hyrda Control Ultra Rich Body Lotion c/o
Admittedly Jurlique was not a brand I was familiar with until I was invited along to a press day but boy am I glad I finally became wiser! I usually prefer body butters to lotions as they're thicker and feel more luxurious. This lotion however proved to be a corker. It was non-greasy - something essential when you apply post shower - and worked wonders for dry skin. It kept my skin supple and soft throughout the day. The pump proved very handy indeed!

Tommy Guns Bergamot and Inula Shampoo and Conditioner to protect and prolong colour treated hair c/o
These were including in a goodie bag and initially I was a bit hesitant about using them as I didn't have coloured hair. The beautiful citrus smell hit me as soon as I squeezed a blob in my hands - the perfect wake up call in a morning shower. It's quite expensive for only 250ml of product and I do think there's better value haircare out there. But it had a good impact on my hair and who can say no to pretty, shiny locks? I noticed it felt visibly softer too.

No7 Protect & Prefect Night Cream
I picked this up when I had a no7 voucher a few moths back. I've found it's a good quality moisturiser for a very reasonable price - well worth picking up. It doesn't make your skin feel greasy and sinks in more or less straight away without leaving any residue behind. It smells like the rest of the No7 skin range which isn't overpowering. Nothing worse than constantly smelling the same smell as you're trying to slip away to the land of nod.

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Limited edition Spring/Summer 2014 Liz Earle Strengthening Nail Colours

Moonlight and Awakening c/o

Said to be inspired by the classic French Manicure, the wonderful people at Liz Earle are introducing two new limited edition shades in April 2014. You best be quick as they're only on sale for 6 months!

As an avid nail polish collector and Liz Earle hoarder I was very excited to try these out. My personal favourite was the gorgeous muted grey. Although marketed as a summer colour, I think it works perfectly for the winter months too. It makes a subtle statement and is certainly a talking point as it looks quite unusual. I can't really rave about Liz Earle polishes enough. They are chip resistant for a good few days like promised, look beautifully glossy even without a topcoat and come in such a good range of colours. I like my nail polish to be very opaque so I apply three coats but you can get away with just two. I'm just a little bit fussy!

Priced at just £7.50, you'll be a fool not to invest in them when Spring arrives!

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November empties

Soap and Glory Righteous Butter - c/o Elodie Russo
One of the perks of having blogger friends is when they pass along their unwanted beauty products to you. Obviously I never have enough... I've gone through numerous tubs of this body butter and it's one I come back to time and time again. It's the perfect thickness so it feel luxurious and sinks in fairly quickly which is a god send in the morning when you're in a rush to get dressed. The shea butter ingredient works wonders on dry winter skin.

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray c/o
Review here.

Batiste original Dry Shampoo
Review here.

Charles Worthington Front-row Rough and Tousled Salt Spray
Although I'm not as much of a fan as this as I am off the Bumble surf spray I do still think it does an ok job. I find it works better on bone dry hair, Pop it up in a topknot while you get ready and by the time you're ready to go out, you should have beachy waves. It works the best on hair with layers cut in.

Kiehls Creamy Eye Treatment With Avocado
This was brought on a recommendation from Michelle and I feel like it's made a hell of a lot of difference. I pop it on twice a day, once before bed time when I've removed my make up and then in the morning once I've moisturised. A little goes a long way! I find gently dabbing it works best. It takes a little while to sink in before you can put your make up on top. Now I just need a eye brightening cream to get rid of these dark circles. Any ideas?

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Medium
Review here.

George Lash X Trend Mascara c/o
I got this in a goodie bag from an Asda event a little while ago. I wasn't holding out much hope at first as the brush isn't my favourite - I like them to be big and busy rather than plastic as it hurts my eyes. Apart from being a little wet to apply I thought this mascara was a good budget buy. Complete bargain at £3.50!  It improved my lashes and didn't give me spider eyes which is one of my pet hates!

Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser Normal/Combination c/o
I am a sucker for Liz Earle. It's one of my favourite beauty brands and one that I can imagine staying loyal to the brand for a very long time. I'm already about to buy my third pot of this. Thanks to the thickness it doesn't feel greasy once it's applied and it sinks in almost straight away which is always a winner in the morning! My skin hardly ever breaks out anymore and doesn't feel as dry around my nose. The only thing that can improve the cream would be to add an spf in the formula. I'm getting worried about aging!

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What to buy for: The Beauty Lover

Ted Baker Diamante Bow make up bag £25, O.P.I Christmas Pastel Liquid Sand Mini Trio Nail Polish Set £8.50, Cowshed Gorgeous Cow Duo, £16, Cath Kidston Blossom Manicure Set, £13, Topshop Lipstick and Blush set £12

Benefit The Bronze of The Champions £26.50, Liz Earle Beautiful Skin Duo £28, Philosophy Peppermint Stick Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble bath £11.90, Marc Jacobs Daisy 50ml Eau De Toilette Gift Set £42.50

One of the best things about Christmas besides the mountain of cheese available - Wensleydale and Cranberry thank you - is picking out the perfect present for your nearest and dearest. I've decided to put together a few gift guides to help you out because I'm nice like that. First up is the ideal gift for the beauty fanatic.

With most presents under £30 you don't have to rob a bank to gain a gold star for the best present buyer in the whole entire universe. I've tried to pick out the perfect gift for the beauty mad lady in your life. Mums will adore receiving Liz Earle and Cowshed on the big day whereas you can't go wrong with a bit of Benefit or Topshop for your best friend. Need to buy a present for your sister-in-law? OPI is always a winner as everyone like a pretty colour on their nails! Finally treat your nan to some Philosophy so she can have a pamper session once all the mayhem has died down.

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This week i'm loving - Lotil cream

Original Lotil - c/o

I don't know about you but my skin takes a right battering in the winter months. It's always so quick to go dry and i'm constantly on the look out for lotions and potions to give it some TLC. My problems areas tend to be my knees, elbows, hands and heels. Lotil is recommended for dry areas and promises to rehydrate and soften chapped skin. After reading the instructions on the back, I applied on my problems areas after i'd had a shower before bed time. It smells quite clinical but it's not a horrible smell. Just non-offensive. Sometimes I prefer to lotions to not have a strong scent as it can be quite overpowering when you get into bed.  It's just the right thickness of without feeling greasy but a little does go a long way so there's no need to squeeze it on in bulk!

I used the product for nearly a month and have found some much-welcomed improvement. My hands in particular are a lot less chapped and feel smooth to touch. This little tube is a handy size to keep in your handbag. It's not made a huge lot of difference on my heels but I think they just need a bit more work as they are softening up slowly! It is a product you have to use religiously every night for it to make a difference. I think it's great value for money as it does last a fair bit and i'll add it to my list of lotions for the winter months,

Have you ever try Lotil?

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This week i'm loving - Liz Earle Lipstick

Liz Earle Peony - c/o

This is my first Liz Earle lipstick and it won't be the last! I love the fact that the lipstick is slightly sheer meaning you can build up the colour depending on how bright you fancy your lips. A quick sweep of colour for the daytime or a more intense pink for the evening. It's been my go-to lipstick for when I'm dashing out of the house for the past few weeks. It's a perfect neutral yet still manages to pack a punch. It feels lovely and moisturising on your lips although I'd recommend prepping your lips with a lip balm or scrub as it does tend to show up the dry patches. It has a fairly decent staying power - after a few hours it was still intact and visible.

Have you ever tried the make up range by Liz Earle?

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A/W hair inspiration with GHD

When Best British Bloggers challenged me to create my own take on an a/w hairstyle using products from the GHD range I puffed my chest out and racked my brains.

I'm not the most amazing at creating hairstyles but I can do simple and chic. I hope. After spotting side braids across the Valentino catwalk I decided this was the direction I wanted to go in. It's a little something out of the ordinary (for me anyway) and can work from day to night if you're hoping to paint the town red after you've finished work. It's also perfect for freshly washed hair or day-old hair you're trying desperately to hide and make look presentable.

After a giving your hair a rough towel dry, apply 4-6 sprays of the Straight & Smooth Spray before drying it fully. The pins really help to give you a sleeker finish as it's so much easier to blow dry in sections especially when you have a lot of hair like me - the big paddle brush was a god send! Give your hair a good ruffle at the roots and spray evenly with hairspray to give it some oomph.

Divide your hair into three even sections and plait to the side keeping it nice and tight. It might help to use some gum/wax if you have layers to keep the plait in tact. Simply run a little through your hair before you start. Tie the end with a snag-free hairband and give it a few squirts of the Final Shine Spray to give it the perfect shine and keep away those pesky flyaways. Add any colour ribbon to fancy - I don't think you can wrong with red!

Have you tried any hairstyle from the catwalk?

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October empties

October over already? Just where is this year going?!

Fudge Dry Shampoo mini
I think I received this in a goodie bag at an event. Mini toiletries are always life savers when you go away or to pop in your bag when you're going out after work. I didn't really feel like this was an amazing product. It took a lot of product to do the job to my satisfaction. It's not really in the same league as Batiste and I wouldn't buy this out of my own money.

Batiste Blush Dry Shampoo mini
I don't really think I can add anything about Batiste that hasn't already been said. It's good so buy it. Not this one though as the smell is very overpowering and I wasn't a fan.

Bioderma Cleansing Water
I gave into the blogger hype with this product and haven't been disappointed.  The lovely Elodie picked some up for me when she went home and the stuff lasts for an absolute age. I use it at night to take off my eye make up. It all comes off with such ease and feels very gentle on my face. I know it's going to be a staple in my skincare regime.

No7 Soft and Soothed Gentle Cleanser
I think I stole this off my mother when I'd run out of cleanser and my bank account was empty - it had around half a bottle left. It was a joint effort to finish this! It does the job nicely and feels lovely on your skin when it tales the grime away. I like the pump as it makes life a hell of a lot easier.

Daisy Marc Jacobs Bubbly Shower Gel
Daisy is one of my favourite day time perfumes and I got this in a gift set last Christmas. It's perfect for the evening when you want a longer lasting smell. It lathers up perfectly and of course smells gorgeous. Winner all round!

Ponds Institute Nourishing Anti-wrinkle Day Cream c/o
This is my first step into Ponds products. They've recently had a re-brand and you can buy them in Boots. It still has quite an old fashion smell but it doesn't tend to linger and it does actually smell quite nice. It glides onto your skin making it feel nice and refreshed. It a great thickness without feeling too greasy.

Nivea Daily Essentials Regenerating Night Cream
Review here

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This week i'm loving - Vibrant red nail polish

Knockout - c/o Liz Earle

There's one colour nail polish I come back to time and time again. Red. I like my red polish to be very bright and vibrant - it needs to make a statement. Many nail polishes fall short but I think i've found a keeper in this Liz Earle beauty. With orange undertones, it really is a bright pillarbox red. The best kind of red! I find I need to apply two coats for it to make the maximum impact.

Aptly named Knockout, this polish features avocado and borage oils to help strengthen your nails. I don't know about you but I find when i'm sporting coloured fingernails for a long period of time, my nails are very brittle and flaky by the time it comes off. So i'm very pleased this polish helping my nails in the long run.

It does promise to last chip free for up to 12 days but i'm afraid this doesn't hold true for me. I tend to get around 4 days before it starts to look scruffy. This is still nothing short of a miracle for me though. I work at a computer everyday and find my polishes are lucky if they last a few hours so I was very pleaased with 4 days! At £7.50 a bottle, I really do think they offer great value for money and will be purchasing more in the future.

Have you tried the nail polish range from Liz Earle? They have some very pretty colours!

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French skincare haul

While I was in Paris I did what any self-respecting blogger did and hunted down the gem that is City Pharma. Cliche? As Elodie, Olivia, Gemma, Kristabel, Lucy, Lauren, Charlotte and I all headed through the mean back streets of Paris, we were ladies on a mission. My, was it worth the trek! I felt like all my Christmas' had came and once and didn't quite know where to look first. It was very busy and overwhelming.

After making a beeline and picking up enough Bioderma to see me through for at least 6 months I hounded Elodie on what other skincare beauties I should lug back to London. I was on the lookout for a clay mask as working in London seems to be playing havoc with my face. It is not my friend at the minute. After evesdropping and hearing Elodie mention the Nuxe lipbalm was a winner I sneaked it into my bag as I was queuing. I hold Olivia fully responsible for the purchase of the red Sephora lip paint. It's not really something I would ever think to look at in a shop - lipstick is the way to my heart. But I saw it on her and decided I needed to own it right that minute. Baaaa someone say sheep?!

Have you ever tried any of these products?

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This week i'm loving: Barry M Matte Nail Polishes

Barry M Espresso and Mocha c/o

Nail polish is my vice. It's my favourite type of make up to buy and it's slightly embarrassing to admit how many bottles I own. Barry M is one of my favourite brands for budget polish. They're always at the forefront of trends and constantly bring out new collections and colours. The price point is amazing and I always find the wear to be quite long lasting. Plus the fact they're often on offer is a winner.

I must admit black isn't normally a colour I opt for but was pleasantly surprised. The matte finish makes it look sophisticated and ties nicely in with the monochrome theme that rears it's head every a/w. I think the matte finish helps to stop it from looking too harsh. It is a tad streaky after the first coat so I'd recommend a second coat to make it on the opaque side. It dries pretty quickly which is always a plus. Anyone get frustrated when they paint their nails for a night out and by the time they get in the taxi it's smudged all over the place?!

I love a good nude on my nails. I always think it looks so classy and perfect for a special occasion. This shade is my favourite out of the two. Once again the first coat does come out streaky so a second coat is a must but as it does dry quickly it isn't a hardship. The polish goes on nice and smoothly without any bubbles. There is nothing worse than lumpy polish! I'm looking forward to treating myself to the other colours in the range

The polishes hit Superdrug on 25th September so write that date in your diary!

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What's in my make-up bag - The holiday edition

By the time you read this I'll be enjoying myself on holiday in Warsaw hopefully eating and drinking far too much while soaking up the sights. I thought i'd give you a little sneak peak about what make up I take away on holiday for a city break.

This gorgeous Ted Bake floral make up bag was gifted to me from Surfdome. Surfdome stock such a lovely collection of Ted Baker bags so it's worth a look! It's just the right size to carry all your essentials plus some more!

Lips:
Chanel Rouge Allure 99 Pirate
F&F Lips Mistress c/o
Topshop All About Me
Revlon Crème Brulee Lip Butter
Carmex Strawberry Tube
Gosh Velvet Touch Lip Pencil in 003 Cardinal Red c/o

This year I've gotten into lipstick in a huge way especially a red lip. It's something I've always admired from afar but only just gotten the confidence to be able to wear it out. It's my favourite colour for when I go out for drinks or dinner. I've chosen to take a few different reds - terrified to smash the Chanel whilst under the influence! - and a vibrant pink for something a little different. The Revlon Lip Butter is the perfect shade for the day.

Cheeks:
Topshop Neon Rose Crème Blush
He-Shi Fusion Multi Bronze c/o
Bourjois Delice De Poudre Bronzer

I'm a bronzer girl through and through and very rarely venture into Blush. The Bourjois bronzer is perfect for everyday use as it's very matte whereas the He-Shi bronzer is my favourite for night time. It produces such a gorgeous colour and has just the right amout of shimmer.

Eyes:
Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Emerveille 82
Avon 8-in-1 Eye Palette The Nudes c/o
Bourjois Khol and Contour Ultra Black
Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer
George Lash Trend in Black c/o

This Chanel cream eyeshadow is such a beauty. Subtle yet it still packs a punch. It's the perfect eyeshadow to go from day to night and can be jazzed up with a touch of khol. The Avon Palette had my name written all over it - neutrals are the way forward! Concealer is a must when you're out all night partying yet have to be up at the crack of dawn seeing the sights!

Nails:
OPI The Spy Who Loved Me
Seche Vite top coat

Finally you can't go wrong with red nails eh? OPI is my favourite brand and I couldn't resist picking up the James Bond collection from TK Maxx. It had a slight gold shimmer in it that looks stunning when it catches the light.

Is there anything i've missed out in my make-up collection? What do you take on a city break?

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This week i'm loving - Bumble and Bumble thickening range

 

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Full Form Mousse and Bumble and Bumble Thickening Crème Contour c/o

I personally find the crème contour works best on my hair after I've used the surf spray. They make such a great combination. I spray on a liberal amount of surf spray on before using the crème to help define the waves. The saying less is more really does apply here. It's quite sticky and can get gloopy so you only need a tiny amount. I simply put it on the tips of my fingers and tap my hands together to even it out before scrunching my hair.

The picture above is my hair after I'd used the mousse. Admittedly the volume isn't huge but I don't have thin hair anyway so it was never going to make a lot of difference. But saying that I can feel a difference in my hair after I've used it. It really helps my roots and gives them a bit of a lift - my hair can feel very flat and limp on top. I think I have too much hair weighing my head down! I use just under a golf ball amount of the product and run it through my hair from the roots to the end. It takes a while to figure out the right amount you need as too much can make it feel too 'product-y' if that's a word! I then dry my hair upside down before drying and straightening my fringe.

Overall they're both products that have been welcomed into my haircare selection and I'd buy them again as soon as I run out.

Have you tried anything from the thickening range before?

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July empties

This month I seemed to have gotten through more make up than usual which was very well needed. My make up drawer is overflowing and slightly embarrassing to look at!

001. Etat Pur Biomimetique Micellar Cleaning Water
I received this in my goodie bag at the AX Paris event a few months ago and it helped me dip my foot into the cleansing water trend. It makes taking off make up 110% more easier - I'm a major fan. This didn't irritate my eyes and worked wonders getting rid of stubborn mascara. When I used to take off my make up I'd still look like a panda when I woke up the next day!

002. Schwarzkopf Silhouette Color Brilliance Hairspray
This was given to me by the wonderful Sarah and i've had to fight my mum for it all month. The scent is so nice and makes such a welcomed change from the usual hairspray cough-inducing scent. It held every strand in place without a sticky feeling and a little went a long way. I'm not actually sure if it enhanced my colour to be fair but it's on my list to buy again!

003. Garnier Fresh Essentials Refreshing Toner

004. Bourjois Volume Clubbing Mascara
This mascara was recommended to me on twitter after I asked for some drugstore mascaras who lived up to their claims. I loved the big bushy brush and the product glided on without any clumps. It really did do what it said on the pot - with a little helping hand from eyelash curlers but I use them anyway for some extra oomph. It dries very quickly and doesn't smudge. If I didn't have so many other mascaras to work my way through I'd run out and replace this straight away.

005. Caudalie Lip conditioner
This is one of the best lip blams I've tried. It's the perfect remedy to smooth on before you go to bed if you want your lips to be lovely and soft for when you wake up. I think it's the ideal lipstick prep and can be a winner for when I want to wear a red lip. This is a product I can see myself buying time and time again.

006. Superdry Neon Pink Female Fragrance
This was given to me at work and it's brilliant for an everyday perfume. With hints of vanilla, rose and pineapple it feels like a great summer scent. I wasn't too impressed by the hint of musk but that's just personal opinion. It isn't the longest lasting but then it's not going to be for the price.

007. Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Medium
I still can't get over the fact this product is under a fiver. It offers very heavy coverage - my favourite kind - and hides a multiple of sins. In fact, my dad tells me I look rough when I don't apply it. Charming! This shade matches my skin perfectly and a little goes a long way. I get a good 6 weeks usage out of this tube.

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This week i'm loving - S5 Replenish Serum

S5 Replenish Serum for Dry or Scarred Skin - c/o

I've never really had terrible skin or suffered from acne but when I do get the rare spot it seems to always unfortunately scar my skin. It leaves awful blemishes and doesn't really look very nice. This serum claims to reduce dryness, maintain elasticity and improve scarred and damaged skin. At £44 it isn't the cheapest product to try but thankfully it's an investment as it does exactly what it says on the tin. I've used it everyday in the evening after I've deep cleansed my face for over a month (I think - I'm useless with timing!). I leave it it sink in for around 10 minutes before I apply my moisturiser. I was a bit nervous it would make my face feel greasy at first because it's a oil but once the moisturiser has been applied all is fine and dandy. I must admit I'm not over keen on the strong smell but that's just personal preference and I'm willing to overlook as I've found it's made a difference. My scars on my face have significantly faded making them hardly visible and the dryness around my nose has improved too. The bottle seems to last forever as you only need 3-4 drops on a cotton pad to get even coverage. The cost per use will certainly even out and the 44 smackers will feel like small change. I'm now eager to try other S5 products.

Have you even tried anything from the S5 range?

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