No More Bad Hair Days

Dry Shampoo has become increasingly popular the past couple of years, with Batiste leading the way surIts perfect for giving your hair some ooomph when you go out for the evening straight after work, to freshen your hair the day after you washed it, and its a complete life saver at a music festival where running hot water is in limited supply.

I've used a few of the traditional spray shampoos, and I think they do a great job at elimiating grease, especially round the hair line. But am currently using the talc alternative called Batiste Nude. Its known as the eco friendly version, as its not a spray.

www.boots.com

I often found the sprays quite toxic smelling and needed to open a window to ventilate the fumes, so for me this is a great alternative. It is odourless and has a nozzle to give precise application to the hair roots.

I've had this for about 3 months, and its still very full. Where as the spray would maybe only last 6 weeks - so it works out to be great value for money at £3.56 from Boots.

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New Nails - Understated Glamour

This week I decided to go for a muted pinky brown colour, that I like to wear when I want sophisticated nails with a strong colour.

The shade is Highland Mist from No 7. (I'll try and wear another brand soon!). This nail varnish looks best with long oval nails - but as my nails aren't strong enough I've kept them short and neat.

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Shoe Wish List

After being tempted into Spring with a few mild days this week, my mind has wandered into thinking about what new shoes I would like to purchase this Spring. I would like to get a pair that would work well with both skirts, dresses and trousers, then I remembered this lovely pair from Bertie that caught my eye the other week.

www.bertieshoes.com

They are a taupe suede, that will compliment most outfits in my wardrobe, with the little wedge heal adding some glamour to day wear. They are a sophisticated take on the ballerina flat.

I haven't tried them on yet, but am hoping they'll fit like a glove when I come to buy them in a couple of months!

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A fresh look for eye makeup

After previously posting about Bobbi Brown's Long Wear Gel eyeliner in January, it now seems the perfect opportunity to review my new shade of this wonderful product - a dark green called Ivy Shimmer Ink. Its a great fresh new look for your eye makeup; a subtle change that will work well from spring through to summer when you don't want to wear heavy black liner on your eyes. So far I have worn it with metallic gold and taupe eye shadows, and I think it helps bring out the colour of my eyes (see below).

One slight downside is that I don't think it lasts quite as well as the black shade, I have found the colour to wear off slightly. Don't let it put you off as its still a great product.

I apply it with the Ultra Fine Eyeliner brush, again from Bobbi, as this gives a thick enough line to be able to notice the gorgeous colour.

Take a look at Bobbi Brown's website to see the other shades in the collection - I think the purple shade will go great with brown eyes.

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Tried and Tested - Ginvera BB Cream

I recently recieved a BB Cream sample from a company called Ginvera. It claimes to 'fight against free radical damage and help prevent fine lines' and contains 'Ginseng and Angelica to nourish the skin'. I can't prove if any of this actually works, and am just concerned with how it appears on my skin.

Although the colour didn't match my skin perfectly (it was a little too yellow), it gave an even finish and a surprising amount of coverage for a BB Cream - this could potentially replace foundation, especially in the summer months when you're skin may be in better condition. The finished look was very matte, so wouldn't compliment this springs popular 'glowing' skin. However it did mean that my skin didn't get greasy throughout the day. It had quite a chemical smell, which put me off and made me wonder what ingredients were in it exactly. But so far my skin hasn't reacted badly to it after wearing it for a day.

One huge advantage is that its got an SPF of 30, which is hard to find this high in most moisturisers and foundations.

This sample hasn't convinced me to make a purchase of the product, at roughly £15 to £20, I think I could find a better BB Cream out there.

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Chanel - Shade Parade

I love the latest TV advert from Chanel - featuring a whole load of very talented hands, with lovely nails. A catchy, happy tune too! Take a look for yourself here.

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New Nails - Neon Purple

Keeping with the purple theme, this weeks nails are in a shocking colour of neon purple called  'Violetta', that can look a different shade in every light. The quick drying formula from No 7 is best applied in two thin layers with a base and top coat. I've work it for 4 days now and only noticing the first sign's of chipping. Its a great alternative to wearing black or dark blue, and looks best on short square nails.

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Purple Eyes

Recently I have been on the look out for an eye shadow that will create a different look from the usual metallic creams and taupes that I usually go for. Bobbi Brown's Metallic Long-Wear Cream Shadow in Black Pearl fit the bill perfectly. It offers a subtle purple sheen with an iridescent sparkle, that looks great when worn on its own with just a slick of black mascara. This eye shadow does all the talking, so that you don't need eyeliner. I tried it out with the recently reviewed Gel Eyeliner from Bobbi Brown, and I found that the heavy liner distracted from the gorgeous texture and shade of eyeshadow. This is a delicate look, that will be best suited with glowing skin and a pink pearlescent lipgloss.

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Bye Bye Blemishes

Its seems even after teenage skin has gone, many women in their 20's and 30's still suffer from bad skin. Whatever the cause may be, I have found a cream that really does work. Its TriAcneal Treatment Cream from Avene. It doesn't come cheap at £23 from Boots but after trying out most spot creams under £20 this really is worth it. It can seem quite harsh on the skin at times, as it does dry it out and contains contains Glycolic acid, which is a powerful exfoliant to smooth skin's surface. But I think the cream needs to be this powerful to be effecttive. Even if blemishes do appear the healing process is dramatically sped up when this cream is used. The appearance of scars are also reduced. You are directed to apply it at night, after washing and cleansing. Even if you don't need to use it every day, its great to keep for when you have the odd break outs after a late night drinking, or when your skin is effected by your hormones.

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Neon Spring

Winter may be keeping its frosty grip over the thermometer recently, but I couldn't help but notice all the lovely bright neon spring wear that has been appearing on the high street. This weekend I purchased this lovely neon coral cardigan from GAP.

 I hope to wear it with white jeans and khaki capri's in the summer, but for now it will brighten up my dull jeans, adding a fresh spring touch to my outfit.

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Keeping Hydrated

This week I purchased this pretty water bottle from Urban Outfitters in the sale for £4. Its the perfect size for fitting in my handbag on days out, and looks very cute too!

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DIY Gym

Gym memberships are incredibly expensive, so I have been on the look out for an alternative work out routine that can be flexible with work and social commitments, and also doesn't break the bank.. After coming across Kettle Bells at a free personal training session last year, I thought these would be the perfect solution to help me keep toned in the comfort of my living room!

I chose a 5kg weight as I didn't want it to be too heavy that I couldn't do a decent amount of repetitions and sets of each movement. The shape of the kettle bell allows you to do a variety of movements -standing with a bicep curl, lunging, squatting or situps.

Clear a space in your living room, put a music channel on and chose different movements where you can push yourselve phsyically, raise your heart rate and break out into a bit of a sweat! Although kettle bells are a great tool for excercising, you still need to have regular cardiovascular activities every week, such as jogging or skipping - neither of which are expensive either.

Always remember to stretch one you've finished exercising too, this will reduce the amount of pain the next day!

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Healthy Hair

To keep your hair stronger for longer and reduce the amount of split ends use a hair mask at least once every two weeks. Its great to use when your hair has been exposed to harsh conditions such as chlorine, sun, extreme heat (from straighteners ), and extreme cold weather.

I have started using Pantene's 2min Deep Repair Masque this winter to give my hair a much needed injection of moisture, and although I can't say that it gets rid of split ends (I only think cutting hair solves this), it certainly makes my hair feel stronger, thicker, smoother and shinier for a few days after I've used it.

It certainly does the job in its advertised 2 minutes, but I like to leave it on for 30mins when I can. Make sure you squeeze a lot of the moisture out of your hair after shampooing, apply a thick layer of the conditioner from root to tip, then clip your hair up and put a shower cap on (the freebies from hotels work best). To boost the conditioning treatment, blow some warm air from your hair dryer on top of the shower cap (don't leave the heat in one place for too long), do this for a few minutes to make your hair warm, then wrap a towel round your head for the rest of the 30mins. Rinse out the conditioner with warm water to get most of the bubbles out, then for the last 2 minutes of rinsing use cold water. This injection of cold temperature makes your hair shiney and extra soft.

I try to let my hair dry naturally and not use straighteners when I use this conditioner, to really take advantage of its repairing properties.

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New Nails - In the Nude

This weeks new nail varnish is No 7's Stay Perfect 'So Simple'. I love wearing this nude shade, as I think its a fresh take on the French Manicure. The colour matches my skin tone, its seems to elongate my hands, giving an elegant touch..

You need two coats to give a full colour, and I think a 'squoval' shape (square with round edges) compliments this shade the best. The colour is quite chip resistant, but I would advise to wear with a base and top coat to make sure it lasts even longer.

I got this with a No 7 £5 off voucher from Boots the other week, bringing it to just £2! Its not on the Boots website, but its sold in most large Boots stores.

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Miracle Foundation?

I often get introduced to new products that I love through the freebies in magazines. So I couldn't wait to try Rimmel's  'Wake Me Up' Foundation free in this month's Elle (see previous post).

It claims to be Rimmels first foundation to 'visibly reawaken and illuminate the skin...instant anit-fatigue effect'. This all sounds too good to be true, who doesn't want fresh, flawless and radiant skin every morning?! It also has SPF 15, which is a good dose of sun protection from a foundation, and something that I always look for in facial products.

Luckily my skin looked extremely dull and lifeless this morning, allowing me to really put this miracle foudnation through its paces. The verdict? Does it wake my skin up? Yes! Does it give me a radiant glow? Yes!! And does it give a flawless, even finish? Yes!!! This foundation is quite thick, which makes sure that all blemishes and imperfections on your skin are covered up, get it doesn't appear too heavy on the skin which I think add's to the glowing effect.

Its on offer at Boots at the moment with £3 off (usually £8.99), even at full price I think its well worth the money.

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This Months Elle Magazine...

...has a free Soap and Glory 'Thick & Fast' Mascara worth £10.
The magazine costs £3.90, so at over half the price its well worth a try. And if you can get past the MILLIONS of adverts in the magazine, its quite a good issue with lots of inspiring fashion ideas to look forward to for the spring months.

I haven't tried the mascara yet, but have checked on the Boots website and its got great reviews. It even says in the magazine that its the 4th best selling mascara in Boots at the moment.

The magazine was released this week, and I don't expect stocks will last all month, so act quick!

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Beauty Icons - Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick

Every girl needs to know the go to beauty essentials that are worth investing in. These should be quality products that are versatile, wearable and make your final look well polished and professional.

Here is my first installment of what I think should be in every girls make-up bag.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick

Courtesy of bobbibrown.co.uk

Bobbi Brown currently has 5 shades in the iconic range: Bronze, Pink Quartz, Nectar, Rose, Beige. Each one a shimmering brush on powder, where you can blend together with a brush (shown above)to go over your usual blusher, giving an iridescent sheen; or use the colour individually to go for a stronger look - creating highlights on your cheek bones, brow bone, nose and forehead, or a natural eyeshadow combination.

Each compact offers a subtly different look, and its well worth investing in a couple of them as they work so well together. At £30.50 each, its not exactly cheap, but when it a blusher, bronzer, eyeshadow and highlighter all in one - its worth every penny.

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