Hair products I'm currently using

Hi guys!

Since going AWOL in June I've had a slight change up in the hair products I am using. Just change for the sake of change. Here are my thoughts :)

I always need some sort of hair serum or oil to be able to comb through my wet hair. I am currently using got2b's "oil-licious" styling oil. Despite the cringey name, this is a decent product. I do really like got2b/Schwarzkopf  products. This hair oil (gifted by mummy so not sure how much it was but goggle would suggest around the £4 mark)does the job well without being too oily. Initially I was using one pump but even if I get too excited and use 2 pumps my hair is still manageable and doesn't feel overloaded with crap.

I don't often use these types of products through my hair when it is dry, but on the few occassions that I have, again, it doesn't leave my hair looking overly oily. (If I do use this on dry hair, I go for not even one pump...teeny tiny is the way to go.)

Next up we have a product that I never thought I'd be writing about on this blog - hair mousse!

The last time I used hair mousse I would have been in secondary school #90skid Wow. Seriously though, hair mousse and gel were the way forward 15 years ago (omg I am old whaaaaaaaat) and everytime I think of hair mousse the word that springs to mind is "crispy". Second word would be, "crunchy". Third word, "no".

But then I heard whispers that hair mousse in the 00's (is that what we call it? I'm confused. The 2000's?) was no longer about crispy and crunchy and so I thought, let me be the brave warrior I am and give it a go.

V05 is often on 2 for £5 in superdrugs so I picked up this Plump it up mousse with my usual heat defense spray. The heat defense spray long finished before I worked up the guts to use the mousse.

I imagined that the first day would be ok but I was more fearful of day 2 hair.

So?
I like it. A lot.

I won't say I love it because I don't use it after every wash but I do reach for it often. This doesn't give me a ton of volume but maybe it poofs me up a bit. but I do like the overall extra control it has on my hair without weighing it down or looking greasy. And when I wake up the day after, my hair isn't much worse than it would normally be (I'm also a bit oily at the roots on day 2 no matter what).

Mousse in general - I will definitely be buying more mousse products in the future. Yay mousse. 

Superdrug has a new (?) own brand hair styling product line out.

I decided that you couldn't go wrong with a 2 for £4 offer so I got two heat defense sprays.

To be fair, I am no expert,  I just assume it is trying its best to defend my hair from heat damage and aside from that, it doesn't do much else.

I am never too sure if this is the sort of product that is better the more money you spend on it.
If you read my blog you will know that I am no brand/product snob, but I know for sure that the more you spend on washing up liquid, hairspray and mayonnaise, the better. I am happy buying a ton of stuff from the 99p store, but when it comes to the aforementione products, it has got to be Fairy, Elnett and Heinz. Heat defense spray? I dunno.

My heart kinda tells me I don't like this particular product. It stings my scalp, but so does Bumble & Bumbles thickening spray and I'm on my second (makes me wanna die expensive) bottle (thanks V!).

I just don't like it. I can't put it into words. (Shit blogger).

On that note, can any recommend me some heat defense sprays and mousse (volume) please?

Thank you for reading xoxo

Mini drugstore haul + Loreal Infallible 24h foundation review

Hi Guys!

Picked up some stuff at Boots and Superdrug the other day.

First up is the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - if you tink you've seen this here before you are right. This is my second brush. I loved it so much that I had to get another one. I use this every day to apply my foundation. I love how dense it is and its so easy to use. It washes beautifully. I keep one on my vanity and one in my handbag. (rrp £9.99 but I got mine as part of Boots 3 for 2 promo).

At the moment I'm using Loreal's True Match and since it hasn't broke me out I thought I'd give another Loreal foundation a go.

In all honesty I meant to pick up Infallible 16h but picked up Infallible 24h instead but its all god in the hood. I got mine in shade 140, Golden Beige.

RRP around £9.99 but again, mine was part of the 3 for 2 promo (third and free item is not shown here...picked up Falsies mascara, review to come once I use it!)

Back to the foundation:

It's slighty thicker than True Match and I much prefer this consistency. It's a medium to full coverage I say and it blends really well. It looks great on my skin when 'i first put it on: not cakey, not too matte but not shiny.

However, considering its called Infallible 24h I'm not too impressed with its staying power. The positive point is that it fades well and isn't patchy, but the negative point is that it wears off toooooo quickly. The (slightly) warmer weather probably isn't helping but  this stuff just vanishes off my face I feel.

I like this and don't regret giving it a go but definitely won't be repurchasing this. If you are less sweaty/oily maybe this will work for you?

On that note, would anyone recommend I still try Infallbile 16h? 

Random purchase but it was on clearance for £1.75 at Superdrugs. If you can still get your hands on this I would definitely recommend this night cream.

I have used Superdrug's Optimum line before and its so so but this Line Decrease night cream is like heaven. So smooth on the skin and leaves my face feeling plump and hydrated when I wake up.

Due to the clearance price I assume they are discontinuing this product and I can't imagine why. I wish I had picked up more when I had the chance!

Rimmel Wake me up foundation review

Hi Guys!

My mum has become a youtube addict. Addicted to beauty gurus to be exact. I have no idea where this has come from - prior to this she only wore make up at my graduation. As a result of her new found hobby she has purchased a few make up bits and pieces but inevitably she gets bored of them (since she doesn't wear make up duh!!!) and I get the hand me downs - for which I am really grateful.

Ok that was a long spiel. Basically, my mum gave me this foundation - Rimmel's Wake Me Up (shade 201 classic beige). I won't talk about shade too much as obviously this was for my mum's skin tone but actually it's not too off from me, maybe one shade too light, but nothing a lot of bronzer and shizzle won't fix!

Ok - so what do I think of the foundation?

I don't like it for one main reason - it broke me out really bad within a week - left me with horrid red and painful (ooooowwwwwww) bumps all over my face. So yeah, that's a bit crap.

Aside from that, it was an ok foundation for the price point. Buildable to a good medium coverage, lasts the working day with touch ups, not a cakey finish. I didn't like the shimmer shimmer but I think for other people that's part of the selling point.

If this hadn't broke me out I wouldn't have repuchased anyway but I would have happily finished off the bottle. (And since we're on the subject - I love the bottle, pump and lid.)

Have any of you tried this? Anyone have a bad reaction?

Nail polish haul

Hi Guys,

Picked up some nail polishes from Superdrugs (hello 3 for 2, I love you!)Maybelline's Burgundy Kiss; Blackout and NYC's Pinstripe White.

The Maybelline's Color Show range is amazing. £2.99 RRP and a very nail formula. Unfortunately the brush in my burgundy kiss bottle was damaged but as you can see the black and burgundy are nice and opaque. The black is only one coat!!! The burgundy and white is 2 coats; the white I bought for nail art purposes - Christmas is coming up and that will mean a snowman on my nails I'm sure lol

Face time :)

Hi Guys :)

I wanted to talk face products. Back in the day I was quite picky about skincare and I equated high end products with high end results. To be fair, most of the products I used worked and saved me (dramatic much?). Origins Dr Weil's Mega Mushroom range made my skin much better but most of all, it made me feel better about myself and those green potions were like a security blanket for me.

Then came the time when I felt it was time to switch it up and I tried other brands (Clinique and clarins) and these were ok and then when my skin hadn't freaked out too much from the changes I legged it to the high street!

Moisturiser-wise I went for the simple approach. Vitamin E cream from the health food shop. Went through tons of the stuff and then over time the price went up and up. I started off paying around £3 for a tub and now it's about £8-9. I don't think so sweetie.

So then I headed off to Superdrugs and just picked up a bunch of whatever was in offer. When the stuff is around the £4 mark it's ok to have a few misses!

So anyways I won't go through every single product because I am sure you're already getting bored.

This is the stuff I'm currently using. My skin has changed a lot again recently.
My skin was 'normal' and then when it went crazy it was super dry and sensitive and now? I don't know! I feel weird saying its oily because I've been so use to treating it as super dry. But the truth is I've got some shine going on.

First up we have Elizabeth Arden's 8 hour skin protectant. This is a cult product and for good reason. It's nice and thick. It has a smell some people don't like, but I can't smell it so I'm ok! This is fantastic slapped onto my lips at night but I try not to do that cos it aint cheap. My dad got it for me and was all "£25 for that?!?!". You can get some good deals if you search online. Currently looking for dupes but in the frame of mind that since this works I might as well stick with this for a while. We'll see. Anyway, the main use is on my nose. And if you know me, you know what I'm talking about. That constant nose rubbing and Vaseline applying? It's all about the 8 hour cream!! The side of my nose is where all the skin drama started and if I'm honest, I guess that small part of my face has taken over my life and blinded me to the rest of my face needs. Next!!!

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo. This is another cult product but to be honest I'm not getting along too well with it and I got it cos I am a sheep and I want what everyone else has. This looks great on and applies well but it breaks me out like a mofo. As not to waste this I've been applying it on my forehead to ease the shine and I haven't broken out there. Everyone seems to love this though and it's suppose to make skin better so do some research and you might find it saves your skin. Not a repurchase for me though!

Now this product I'm loving. Superdrug's Optimum super antioxidant grape ultra protecting eye cream. Bloody hell, let's just say eye cream yeah? 15ml rrp £9.99 but I got it for £4.99 and will be stocking up. This is everything you want a decent eye cream to be. Light but moisturising. It sinks in and it doesn't sting like a bitch. I use this day and night. Previously I'd been using another Superdrug product, vitamin e eye cream for about £3. Pile of shit. I didn't finish it even when I didn't have a replacement. It was so bad that using nothing was better than using that! But anyway, so I though that this grape stuff might be better and I was right and me and my eye area are happy :)

Last up we have the Nivea cream. I was going to go for the old school navy blue tin stuff but this was on offer for £1.45 so I had to try it! Do I love it? No, but it's ok. It does what it says but it's nothing special. If it was still £1.45 I'd definitely repurchase but since it's back to normal rrp I shall be flirting around with some other cheapy products. Look forward to my Superdrug trip tomorrow :)

What do you use? Anything to recommend me? Anything to avoid like the plague?

(Apologies for any
errors, too lazy to proof read!)

February Loves

Hey Guys!

[ABOVE: Me in the snow with my fur and earmuffs - and totally bewildered obviously lol]


Can you believe it's nearly March?!

Hope February has been a good month - and a belated Happy Valentine's Day to you all <3

I love Valentine's Day - it's a pink and happy day.
Next exciting day is St Paddy's day and I can't wait :)

I just wanted to do a update - I've not blogged as much as I want/usually do. Weekend's have been busy; I haven't even been doing my nails properly!

iPenny had a recent trip to the Genius Bar; I've never been before and I had a really good experience. The Apple guy I saw was just excellent. But anyway, iPenny died and now I've got iPenny 2 (who shall just be called iPenny to avoid getting too complicated!)

And here are a few bits into my life this Feb 2012:

[ABOVE:]

Forgive the terrible terrible paint job!!! But AY gave me a nail polish and I wanted to try it out. Similar to peach melba, a pastel peach but applies much better.

[ABOVE]

MY fav Kit KAt Chunky - peanut butter. I love this so much. I'm not even a big fan of peanut butter - that texture just me me *gag* but peanut butter and chocolate is a winner for me.

[ABOVE]

My current face wash - it's the tea tree foaming face wash from Superdrugs.
I really like their tea tree range; I use their normal face wash and scrub but this is the first time I've tried this and....I like it. Make's me clean, hasn't broken me out, easy to use.

The only thing I find weird is the instant foam thing - am I so lazy that I can't be bothered to lather up my own face wash? I dunno, I just find that weird. And I'm also interested to know how cost effective this product is and how long it will last. Will keep you updated.

[ABOVE]

Last random thing; Sky Flakes!! I got this in the Chinese cash and carry - is this just an oriental thing? Basically crackers. Light and yummy.

What have you been loving this month? How was your Valentine's Day?

Superdrug's Beautycard

Hi Guys!

Superdrug's has just launched a Beautycard - basically, you buy things and get points and then points = money off.

In other word's, Superdrug's now have their own Boot's Advantage Card.

Which is about time. Which is great.

However, frankly, DISAPPOINTING. You get 1 point per £1. Once you get 100 points, you get £1 off. Which means you need to spend £100 to get £1,. Hardly bloody worth it is it.

The slightly good news is that you get 10 points per £1 spent if you shop online (have you seen how shite superdrug's website is?!) and at the moment - I think until June - you can earn 50 points for every £5 spent (aka 10 points per £1 but I guess they want you to spend more) on Superdrug branded products.

But I think, for me at least, Superdrug's is the type of place you end up in regardless so any points scheme is better than nothing. £100 expenditure for £1 seems stupid but in my lifetime I would have earned a good few pounds off my shopping by now just by buying my shampoo and toothpaste.

And the best thing ? The card has a reflective surface and so can double up as a mirror. Big whoop(!)

Have you got your hands on a beautycard yet?

Barry M - Black Magic Instant Nail Effect

[crap close up]

YAY!!!

I am very happy, I have managed to get my hands on Barry M's 'Black Magic, an instant nail effect paint.

I wrote about it on a previous post not long ago and I'm happy I got it so quickly. And the better news is that I got it for a bargain price. I heart bargains :)

RRP is £3.95 but I got it when a 2 for £5 offer was on at Superdrugs (bless you Stratford. So I got 2 black magic's for a fiver instead of £7.90, but not because of my usual bulk-buy tendacies, but for my mate R who wanted one too.

Anyway, lets get to the fun bit, photo time!!!

[naked nails]

[chosen base colour was Barry M's Lemon ice cream]

[YAAAAY!!!]

Pro's

Super duper cool!
Does what it says on the bottle, no hassle instant effect.
Very fast - the black magic dries in like, 10 seconds!
Bargain price, even at normal RRP
You can change the effect (big/small cracks) by how thick you paint your nails

Con's

Tooo fast!!! - Because my nails are long, I could barely paint my nail before it dried and started cracking, and overlap of black magic is a no-no, but I think it's still great.

Conclusion?

I love it!!! It's really fun and watching it dry is fascinating lol I can't wait to try it over different colour bases and see the different effects.

If you like what you see in the pictures then I would recommend you to purchase it to. Obviously it's not everyone's cup of tea.

One concern I have, and this is a personal concern, is can I rock this nail look at work!? It's a bit OTT and flashy....and not very 'professional' (unless I was a trendy hooker lol). But I am going to wear it tomorrow and hopefully I won't get any frowns of disapproval.

What do you think? Be honest!

xoxo

[EDIT!! FYI: Really important to let the base colour dry. And also, once my base colour and black magic were on and dried, I slicked on a coat of clear polish. ]

Nail Paint Stalking Session

Hi Guys,

OMG OMG OMG!

It's been a while, but I have fallen in love and am on a major huntage for a nail polish. Barry M's Black Magic to be precise.

It's not a normal nail paint, it's a 'nail effect'. Basically you paint your nail in whatever colour you want, wait for it to completely dry, then you paint the 'black magic' on top and you end up with a crackle effect, with the base colour showing through the black 'cracks'.

AMAZING!!!!

Searched my local superdrugs with no luck :( but i will not give up ...(i ain't desperate enough - yet - no pay for postage and package!)

This crackle effect polish is not a new invention, a few brands did it a while ago but i guess since we (I) are more nail obsessed these days and barry m is so accessible in the UK it has a whole new lease of life.

Fingers crossed I get my hands on this, can't wait to show you!

********************

The image below [thanks google images!] shows an example of the crackle effect using 'mia secrets' in blue...barry m only has black at the moment.

So the person painted their nails in...I don't knowm nude or a grey? and then painted a layer of blue crackle on top. As the blue dries, it cracks. The lighter you paint the smaller the cracks, the thicker you paint the bigger the cracks. COOL!

:)