Review: Haircare Empties

If you read my blog normally then you will know that I am forever wishing my hair was Serena Van Der Woodsen long (I'm currently watching Gossip Girl), but alas I'm stuck with mid-length locks. Here's some of the products I have been testing out and if they get a yay or nay from me...

Kerastase Reflection Bain Chroma Riche Shampoo. I decided to splash out on some expensive shampoo and conditioner as a treat and picked up this shampoo and the Kerastase Cristalliste Conditioner. I really enjoyed using these as they are super light and left my hair feeling very soft and well looked after. However, would I purchase again? I'm not sure because the hugh street now have some great options like L'Oreal and The Body Shop own, so maybe just as a treat. 

L'Oreal Ever Riche Nourishing & Flowing Shampoo & Conditioner. It was really hard to locate the links for this particular pair from the range and they are always hard to find in store, bizarre. Anyway, these are a prime example of the high street doing its thang well. These are both great and this range is on offer at Boots right now my UK friends. 

Gliss Liquid Silk Gloss Hair Express-Repair Conditioner.  This is a re-purchase for me time and time again. I have the kind of hair that post-wash you could probably get about five hairbrushes wedged in there. A few sprays of this and my hairbrush slides right through. It's super cheap and lasts ages as well, which is perfect for a daily use product in my opinion. 

Batiste Dry Shampoo - Tropical.  To date I still think Batiste hold the title for the best dry shampoo. It has enough grit to it to really add some volume as well as eliminate any grease. I've kinda gone off all the scents though and am enjoying the original at the mo. 

TREsemme Extra Hold Hairspray.  I'm not a huge hairspray user to be honest. I hate the way that your hair can get crispy and look really over-worked, so I tend to only use it sparingly to keep in curls or waves. I like this hairspray, it seems to have a good formula and my hair doesn't feel really dry afterwards.

Lee Stafford Hair Mask.  Ok, so this mask smells really good and does leave your hair nice and soft, but I'm not convinced. I don't think my hair was in better condition and it hasn't grown like it suggests (not that I thought it would to be fair). Not a re-purchase for me!

Do you have any hair saviours right now?

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Everyone is getting the chop!

Images from Google, bottom three from Lily Melrose, I Covet Thee & Vivianna Does Makeup

The new year means a new look for many people and it seems like one of the biggest trends to kick-start 2014 is the mid-length chop. After seeing some of my favorite blogger/youtubers embrace the trend, I have to say I am a little tempted...

I've been 'growing' my hair forever now and all I ever seem to be left with is a disappointing straw-like barnett. I think it might be time I gave the ends of my hair a little life before I continue the quest for Rapunzel locks. A bit of a chop might be in order - watch this space!

Are you tempted to go for the chop? Or are you a long-converted mid-hair lover already?

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Current Favorites

I missed my November favorites, so thought I would round up what I have been loving lately...

Essie Favorites for Fall Duo. I did a post here on my recent essie purchases, as these were my first encounter with the brand. I think they are quite expensive for a nail varnish when you can get some really great ones for a few pounds, but they are seriously amazing. They are one of the best formulas I have ever used, hands down. I can see the beginning of a huge collection already...(this duo here looks too good).

Estee Lauder Pure Colour Lipstick in Fig (123). I used this in a recent fotd post here, and I absolutely love it! It's so perfect for Christmas and is a lovely non-in-your-face red. I've worn it a few times to work too by blotting it with my fingers and then putting a small amount of lip balm over the top. Highly recommend! 

Super Facialist Vitamin C+ Skin Renew Cleansing Oil. My skin has been in really good condition lately and I think this cleansing oil has a lot to do with it. I've been using it once or twice a week and I have had minimal breakouts, my pores look smaller and I've managed to ditch the foundation for just a bit of concealer and bronzer. I talked about this and the clay mask in more depth here, but I'll be sure to share my current skin routine soon.  

VO5 Volume Boost Weather Resistant Gel Spray.  This was just lying around my house, so since it was bought I think the packaging has been re-designed. I picked this up randomly the other day and spritzed it through my roots and then a little all over, flipped my head upside down and blow dried to discover gigantic hair. I wasn't expecting it to do much so blow-dried it a bit out of control and my hair was huge! I've been using it in a controlled mannar for a while now and I am very impressed.

Christmas! I've used the candle and heart made of bells to represent Christmas, which is my absolute favorite time of year. I'm one of those annoying people who get Christmassy in November and secretly sneak a mince pie and listen to a Christmas song way before December. I've been doing all my Christmas shopping, lighting gorgeous candles (this one was a gift from my friend Jess, I can't find the exact link, but NEXT have loads of great candles) and making things look festive! (the bell decoration was from B&M Bargains). I just love the whole season!

What have you all been loving lately? Leave your links below!

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Review: Denman Tangle Tamer

If you follow my blog or Twitter you will know that I am always wishing that my hair would grow (still wishing, I'm afraid) and as part of my quest for luscious locks I am always after quality hair products to help me out. Alongside my vast array of lotions and potions, I have quite a few top quality hair brushes including some from Denman. I was recently sent the D90 Dolphin Tangle Tamer to try out and this is what I thought...

Being a blonde, my hair gets quite dry and knotty from the highlights, so any kind of tangle eliminator is a must for me! I have used brushes in the past that have got stuck in my hair - not a good look. Thankfully, this brush glides through my hair even if I don't put any leave-in conditioner in there to assist.

The design of this brush is bright blue with some happy dolphins on the front and back. I can't say it's really my style, but for dolphin lovers, children or teens this is a perfect design. If your not a season ticket holder at Sea World the black or pink option might suit you better.

I've been using this brush for over a week now and I am really pleased with the results e.g. all of my hair is on my head still and not in the bristles! I would definitely recommend it, alongside the Denman D3 Kiss Brush (review here) which is a harder bristled brush and great for helping you get volume. 

Both of these brushes are super affordable, with the tangle tamer costing just £6.98. I don't know about you, but I don't think there is much you can get that is great quality for less than £10 - total bargain! I also have my eyes on their Head Hugger Hot Curl Brushes, which look incredible (again, less than £10 - crazy good!) and are selling out fast.

Do you have any Denman hair brushes? Do you think it's important to find a good quality brush? 

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March beauty favorites

As my brother just put it "It's like we've just gone straight from Winter to Summer and skipped spring" HELLO SUNSHINE! As the sun made an appearance, I took the opportunity to use my new camera (still practicing) and catch some rays - let's jump into it...

There have been quite a few beauty favorites I have been loving in March, so I will keep them as short and sweet as possible:

Lady Million Perfume by Paco Rabanne
It just smells so good. It's like the right mix of girly and edgy and it lasts really well. I mentioned before that two of my friends from uni Jess & Fran used to wear this all the time, so it reminds me of them and good times at University which makes me instantly happy. Does anyone else have fragrances that you go back to because of their nostalgic qualities? or just me creepily smelling my friends...

Max Factor Smooth Effect Foundation - Buff Beige
Always in my make up bag as its great for when I don't have much of a tan and need something a little more subtle. It has quite a matte finish I think, so it's good if you have oily or combo skin types. Only downside, its pretty small so I get through it quite quickly as it's not a very heavy coverage. It's only £7 ish though and if you shop in Boots every week like me you get money off and vouchers all the time anyways.

Benefit Erase Paste - No 1 Fair
I've only had six hours sleep can you tell? oh no you can't my friend. Still loving this, click here for more deets as I have over talked it already!

Topshop Ooh La La LipstickI mentioned this here and here as it's a recent purchase. It's so summery and just the right shade of coral that isn't too in your face - perfect for daytime and nights out!

MeMeMe Fat Cat Mascara
I got this mascara in a Glossybox a while ago, but only just needed to use it and I have to say I was really impressed. I was coming to the end of my mascara and thought it would be good to take a new one with me to Berlin. I was worried that I would regret taking a mascara I haven't used before in case I was disappointed, but I have to say this mascara made my lashes look super long and it didn't need a thousand coats to do so. It also managed to withstand the snow in Berlin sticking to my lashes without running a single bit - thumbs up.

The Body Shop Almond Hand & Nail Cream
Purchased a while back now and still going strong. Really love this cream as it dries really quick and hydrates my skin so well. I have hands like a lizard from being in Berlin at the moment so this is getting even more use than normal.

Real Techniques Stippling brush
Made it into the March favs as well as February's. No need to explain this to my fellow bloggers, but it's a great brush. Sturdy, no loose hairs, compact and leaves your foundation flawless - totes recommend.

The Body Shop Eye Shadow Blending Brush
A #TreatTuesday treat, this brush blends your eye shadow incredibly well. The bristles are super soft and it's a really good size. I use this all the time, especially when my smoky eye has gone a bit smoky face and I need to blend it all together.

Lee Stafford Hair Treatment
If you read my blog already or follow me on Twitter then you will know that I long for long locks. I bought this on one of my many #TreatTuesday 's and have been using it as much as possible to keep my blonde hair looking as fresh as possible. I definitely think it's helped with the ends of my hair especially and it also smells really good. I don't think I will be tripping over my hair anytime soon, but I am glad I chose to try this out.

Schwarzkopf Gliss Hair Repair
More of a life long fav this one as I have used it for a long time now. I really rate this stuff because my hair is so knotty and has the ability to break hairbrushes if it's in a real tangle. My Grandma actually told me about this a while back and I have to say my hairbrush glides through every time I use it AND it's only £1.99 from Superdrug or Savers.

Phew! Those are my March Favorites, leave me links for yours as I will need to explore some new stuff this month of course :)

 My cat was pretty interested in what I was doing...

 

Until she realised you couldn't eat it. Catching some rays was a better plan!

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Review: Denman D3 Kiss Brush & Lip Balm

Denman create hairbrushes to appeal to everyone from you mum and gran to world class hair stylists. Their brand is loved by household names such as Trevor Sorbie and their philosophy is simple: design and produce brilliant hairbrushes that make your hair look and feel amazing every day (simple, but not always simple to pull off!).

Knowing this brand is a big contender in the world of hair, I was really excited when I kindly got sent the Denman D3 Kiss Brush. The brush also comes with a lip balm - who doesn't love a free lip balm? Nobody doesn't, that's who.

Onto the review, the hairbrush is a good size which may sound weird, but sometimes they are way to big (housebound hairbrush) or so small it takes ages to get through all your hair. You could easily put this in your daytime handbag without it getting in the way too much.

If you follow me on here then you will know that I have really knotty hair which can be an absolute nightmare, with hairbrushes getting trapped in my matted locks! Because of this, I know immediately whether a hairbrush is good quality or not. I have to say this one is seriously good, it went through my hair with quite some ease and I had hardly any hair in the brush after ward, which is amazing (I'm worried I will be bald by 25 with some brushes!).

The kiss design on the brush is cute and not too much that it starts to look tacky. It has a slight glitter effect as well making it perfect if you are a girly girl. I actually think this would make a really cute gift for valentines day if you are into your hair and beauty (start hinting to your boyfriends now!). The lip balm is that classic white balm, which I always used to use when I was younger because it looks a bit like a lip gloss when it's on (beauty addict from a tender age). I've actually had this on non-stop since I got it through and it's taking a permanent spot in my handbag - mwah.

The brush and lip balm are only £7.31 (not sure why 31p!) from the Denman site here which really surprised me. I've used brushes in the past that have cost £20+ and they are nowhere near as good as this one. They have a load of really affordable brushes on the site, all around the same price. Since, I recently got a fringe I think I will be investing in some of their styling brushes (here) because a flat fringe is a friend to no one!

Hair groomed, lips balmed...pose!

Have any of you guys used any brushes from this brand before? Also, if anyone has any hair ideas for when you have a fringe (except straight) let me know!