Pureology Shampoo and Conditioner
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner
I ALWAYS use the same brand and make of Shampoo and Conditioner, I don't know where I picked this habit up because my Mum isn't fussy at all but I simply cannot use a shampoo that's from one brand and a conditioner from another. Redken Extreme has been my bae for years but I thought it was about time I changed and started using something new... well its not new as I had used it before but I decided to switch over to the Pureology Hydrate range.
The shampoo has a smells lovely with notes of Ylang Ylang, Bergamot, Anise, and Patchouli. It's really lovely and refreshing. It lathers quickly and easily, rinses well without effort and doesn’t leave my hair feeling clean without being stripped or squeaky. The Conditioner is oddly cooling and has a very odd feeling on the scalp. I was worried when I first put it on that I was having a funny reaction but I've learnt to love the cooling feeling it has. I think it has some minty fragrance in it as it reminds me of when you use that Original Source Shower Gel.
It keeps my hair looking super soft and moisturised and perfect for drier hair types like my own. It's also sulphate free, cruelty free and vegan which is always a good line up in a product. I buy the 1000ml's from Look Fantastic which means I get tons and tons of uses out of the bottles. I think I managed to nab the two bottles for less than £45 which is a damn good deal for that much product.
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Pointed Snakeskin Toes
I'm really into wearing flat shoes at the moment and while on a regular ASOS browse I spotted these little babies and knew they needed to be mine. I've talked before about my love of printed/patterned shoes and how much I adore the contrast that they add to my predominantly black outfits. I wore them out at the weekend so they aren't as pristine as they were when I took this photo which makes me sad but I love 'em anyway! I might even buy these extremely jazzy white glitter toe capped ones but I really... really... don't need any more shoes in my life. Or do I?
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Burgundy Lips for Spring?
Stila Chianti is a new permanent addition to the Stila Stay all Day Liquid Lipstick lineup. I've got two shades from the Stila All Day Liquid lipsticks, which were infact my first ever foray into liquid lipstick many moons ago. The velvety, creamy texture is forgiving on chapped lips and dries to a soft opaque matte finish. I've worn this so many times since it dropped through my door a few weeks ago and I just cant get enough of it. It lasts so long on, but be conscious that it does rub off in the middle during eating and drinking!
Chianti is a deep dark plum that comes off very purple on me but I really like it. Purples and browns are taking over my makeup routine at the moment as I favour a more grungy look at the moment. It's an odd choice for a spring look but it somehow just works for me.
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What Foundation Do You Use?
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation £33*
While I'm still mourning the discontinuation and subsequent reformulation of my beloved Laura Mercier Silk Creme I THINK I've found my new favorite foundation. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation is hailed as a providing a flawless, poreless and long lasting base. Sounds good right?
I have two shades 4 and 5 which both suit me well but I think 4 is probably a spot on match. It's a pretty high coverage foundation but can be sheered out depending on how much you use. I use a buffing brush to apply but a stippling brush would give a sheered more refined coverage. It leaves the skin looking radiant and smooth without a sign on cakiness. It doesn't sit in lines or pores and has a pretty decent staying power on my combination skin. It doesnt break me out which is always a bonus. My skin seems to hate most foundations and ALWAYS freaks out whenever I try something new.
My favourite way to wear it is mixed with a generous pump of the Becca Shimmering Skin Tint in Opal. It results in a flawless lit from within medium to full coverage base that dreams are made of. The foundation is pretty glowy alone but I think adding the skin tint just adds a little bit of something to really boost it.
If youre familiar with Estee Lauder double wear then it's very similar to that in terms of coverage but doesnt give the face a mask like feeling like the Lauder one. I do really like this and I have repurchased it when I bought a different shade from the one I was sent originally so I guess I must like it. While I dont think it's ever going to take over my deeo love for LM SC, Having and affair with Charlotte Tilbury isnt bad.
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A Cleanser for Your Brushes
Lottie London Soap Star £6.99*
Washing my brushes more frequently is something that I make a beauty resolution to do every year but never get round to it. The Lottie London Soap Star is a solid brush soap which deep cleans brushes with ease and removes germs from dirty brushes.
To clean all you do is wet your brush and swirl it in the Coconut Oil and Shea butter infused solid cleanser to create a lather. Then simply swirl the brush in your hand and wash as normal and leave to air dry on a towel. Compared to using the baby shampoo method I used to use before my brushes are left cleaner and softer with a lot less scrubbing. The packaging is really cute and small, so it's travel friendly. It's also 100% vegan.
I really like using this, I've started keeping it in my bathroom cabinet for cleaning my deep cleaning brushes every week compared to before where I'd use every single brush in my collection before going to wash them. It's quick and easy and leaves my brushes clean and in turn my makeup application is much smoother.
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Jo Malone Orris & Sandalwood
Jo Malone Orris & Sandalwood £105 for 100ml*
It's a unique scent with notes of violet mixed with a heart note of Orris (apparently its part of the root of an Iris) and my personal favourite scent Sandalwood. It's a floral, heady but has power and depth without being old fashioned or talcum-powdery. The creamy Sandalwood notes set off the whole fragrance for me and gives it a woody base. I see a lot of people saying it smells like Parma Violets (It doesn't) but it is a very unique scent and you can definitely smell the violet notes coming through every now and again.
Colonge Intense's from Jo Malone really pack a punch in the staying power, they last really well and I always get extra whiff's throughout the day. Which is always pleasing to the nostrils.
While not cheap at all, retailing for £105 for 100ml it is a pricey option but it is absolutely stunning, unique and interesting. It's definitely worth a sniff if you're into your fragrance and looking for something different to add to your collection. Thumbs up from me.
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Hairstyling Staples
I thought it was about time that I reviewed some of my favourite hair products and the things that I use on the reg to get my signature bedhead style. I did a Hair Routine over on my Youtube Channel recently if you want a more jazzy way of seeing my routine if not keep reading!
Straight out the shower I pop on a few pumps of Redken Anti Snap, focusing on the ends of my hair as these are the driest. I've used this religiously for years and it's by far my favourite product for adding life into damage hair. It's a total must have in my routine and I hate doing my hair without it!
Then I liberally spray a generous amount of a mix of Bumble & Bumble Prep and Bumble & Bumble Surf Infusion. The Prep Spray helps untangle the hair and refresh it ready for styling. The Surf Spray is lighter than traditional Sea Salt Spray as it's a salt in oil mix. This makes it softly texturizing without any crunchiness or dryness that you get with sea salt sprays. It adds a nice bit of rough texture which makes the perfect base for my hair. My hair is super flat so I need to infuse products that add the roughness and texture I like.
Next up I use the Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce Spray. This is probably my favourite dry texture spray as it's cheap, effective and good value for money. It's very similar to high end counterparts but a fraction of the price. Perfect for that matte volumised look I afore.
Bumble & Bumble Brilliantine is a product I didnt know how to use for the longest time but it's a staple in my haircare routine these days. It was used on my hair during a photoshoot and it gives that perfectly undone feel to the hair. I put a small ammount into the palms of my hands and scrunch it up .It adds subtle texture, a slight sheen and that sexy slept in bedhead feel!
So that's the basic jist of my current hair routine! What are your haircare staples?
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Feeling Myself
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(Most of the items Im wearing in the photos has sold out so I've linked similar items where possible!)
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Photo by Jon D Barker, Edited by me.
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30 Outfits to Inspire you in January 2016
So it's the new year and it's about time we all considered switching up our wardrobes... wait isn't that what all the magazines tell us but its really a load of crap? Regardless I thought I'd start a new monthly feature on this blog called "30 Outfits to inspire you this month" it's basically just enough outfit inspiration to pretty much cover a whole month's worth of dressing. I was thinking about doing it as however many days there are in that month but 30 is just easier and almost covers all bases. 30 days has September, April, June and November... etc etc.
It's been a long while since I've done a regular feature on this blog. Yup, I deserve a slapped wrist for that one. But I think it' about time we sort of bought about some level of structure. Ahem.
So here are 30 fully shoppable looks to inspire you throughout the month of January! Hope it gets your sartorial inspiration juices flowing! Let me know which are your favourites!
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