Scene Anime

I had a haircut!! Arrggghhhhhh! I am so so scared of hairdressers, just because I always seem to blow so much money on a cut and style that I didn’t even ask for, its just never how I want it to end up. However, last week I went with my friend to Rush at Lakeside, to watch her have a hair transformation; she decided to try out red hair (from brunette) and to have a trim.  She looked gorgeous at the end, the hairdresser did the best job and I was jealous, her hair looked healthy, with a gorgeous cut and colour! So I booked my own last week.
I haven't had a hair cut in a year and my hair (before the cut) it was pretty much all the same length.  I loved it like this as I could plait it and no random hairs would fall out, and because it was all one length, it was pretty obvious that I wasn’t wearing extensions as I think people assume that most girls with platinum blonde hair do wear falsies.  BUT, as I had no layers, my hair was completely flat and lacked volume and style, I did need a change. 
So these are my before and after pictures -


The Experience – Everyone in the store was lovely, very friendly.  The woman at the desk sat me down with some magazines, took my coat and offered me tea etc whilst my hairdresser was finishing off her last client.  I wasn’t waiting long when my hairdresser sat with me and we discussed what I wanted.  I asked for ‘More volume, I want some short layers so I can give my hair more style, I want to keep the length, but I don’t mind a small trim’. 
She was lovely and told me exactly what she was going to do with my hair; Wash it with some kerastase products to ensure its really conditioned, then whilst its wet she was going to trim the ends and add a few random layers all over, then she was going to dry my hair and cut a few shorter layers in.
The wash was lovely and relaxing, I think I had a work experience girl doing it though, but she knew what she was doing and did it well.  Then back in my seat, my hair was combed through… which was pretty agonizing and painful… My hair is dry, yes, but I can comb it through fine at home.  The brush and comb got full of my hair very quickly, which ended up in it making more knots in my hair, yet she didn’t empty the brush out… which I thought was odd.  Another thing which annoyed me was, she blow dried my fringe into a centre parting, when I told her I wanted to keep the side parting… so at the end when she styled my hair, it obviously kept falling back into a centre parting, which was very annoying and didn’t need to be like that. 
Over all I think I spent about an hour and fifteen minutes in the salon.  To be honest I wasn’t very happy with the end result, I always feel too shy to say anything like ‘can I have it shorter, can you change this please’, so I just kept quiet, which is probably always my downfall. 

In the second image above you can see how long the ‘shortest’ layer is… Not short at all, which I was quite disappointed with cause it hardly volumizes my hair, I wanted a lot shorter than that.  Also, quite a lot of length was taken off my ends which I wasn’t too happy about, along with the fact that its cut in a dead straight line, I’m more of a messy hair chick, not a dead straight line chick, if you get me!
I paid for everything myself, although I had a 50% off voucher from the friend who had her hair done before me (Recommend a Friend scheme).  So I ended up paying £22 for the cut, which without the discount would have been £44, which is extortionate. 
I’ve gotten used to the change now, and I do like it, it definitely needed some change and shape, which it now has.  I’ve since washed my hair, and to be honest it kind of does look exactly the same as it did before, no one has noticed the change, which, paying £22 for, I would want people to notice.
Conclusion – The staff were lovely, the salon itself was nice and clean and well laid out, but it is a bit over priced and I didn’t get exactly what I asked for, even though I made it clear at the beginning.  I enjoyed my experience there, although I wouldn’t go back unless I had another voucher.

I’ve been buying Barry M Dazzle Dust pigments since I was 17 and used to be addicted to them. I’d never before seen such a wide variety of colours and such good quality products for reasonable prices.
I decided today to swatch the ones I have for you and tell you what I like about them etc.


Top Row – L-R 64 (Fushcia), 74 (Purple), 34 (Cherry)
Bottom Row – L-R 29 (Yellow Gold), 44 (Bronze), 3 (Pink Gold)
64 – A vibrant pink, very bright, have only used this doing make-up for a theatre production.
74 – A nice deep redish purple, very charming, but again, would not wear this out unless blended smoothly with a black. Could wear this as an eyeliner though?
34 – I actually have two of this colour, and I have no idea why as I’m not too keen on it, it kinda looks like a bruised eye colour? Its a dark purple with blue speckles.
29 – A bright yellow, good for dramatic smoky brown eyes.
44 – The perfect bronze shade in my opinion. This is definitely one of the more wearable ones from my collection. I’m making a mental note to wear this shade more!
3 – The most adorable pink which shimmers gold in the light. So girly!

Top Row L-R – 14 (Khaki), 13 (Pale Green), 92 (Aqua Gold), 69 (Saphire)
Bottom Row L-R - (GLITTER DUST) 15 (Gold Iridescent), 4, 10 (Silver) (DAZZLE DUST)(Grey), 11 (Charcoal)
14 – This is a moody green pigment, very emerald and attractive.
13 – A cute pale green, very easy to blend.
92 – I’ve never worn this, again, it was for a theatre production of A Midsummer Nights Dream.
69 – Ugh, this colour is so gorgeous!! Its a blue which turns purple depending on the angle you look at it, its so pretty.
15 – A gorgeous shimmer which sparkles gold in different lights, I adore this colour and use it as a base on my eyelids, all the way up to the brow bone for definition on nights out. You could also use this as a cheek highlighter possibly? I will swatch it next to MAC’s vanilla pigment soon for comparison.
4 – A silver glitter dust, which in my opinion is toooo glittery. Literally chunks of glitter where everywhere after I used this. Its so pretty though, use for special occasions?
10 – Another one of my favourites, a gorgeous silvery grey, great for smoky looks. I like blending this over 15, with a touch of 11 on the edge for the perfect glamorous look.
11 – A dark dark black with a hint of white glitter shimmer, although not glittery at all and nice and easy to blend. Although it is very pigmented so you only need the tiniest amount!
Conclusion! - I only wear about three of these shades when going out at the most. Barry M are famous for having the loveliest colour collection and I’m so grateful that we have this choice on the high street, but obviously not all these shades are wearable on a day to day basis, but its good to have the choice. Slowly, make-up brands have been catching up with Barry M and creating new pigment shades (Gosh, for example), however Barry M’s cute packaging, originality and good pricing will always make them my favourite high street make-up brand.
I have a few of their lipsticks which I will be swatching for you all soon! XXX
P.S I was recently VERY lucky to win a competition by http://www.beautyjunkielondon.com/ to review clinques instant lift for brows – pencil. She wanted someone with dark eyebrows and a make-up blog to review it as her eyebrows are quite pale and I won through random generator! Once I get the product I will mail her the review and you will be able to see it on her site! Thanks Beauty Junkie!! XX
P.P.S – All the photographs are my own, please include a link to my blog if you are to use them anywhere else, and send me a link to where you’ve posted it. I bought all these products with my own money.

I was recently introduced to the New Cid range and I haven’t looked back since.  I think they might just be my new favourite makeup brand!  Read on to see why.

i-glow (Shimmery blush) in Coral Crush

When I first starting seeing this on blogs I fell in love.  I knew I needed it in my life and I absolutely adore having it in my possession.  Its absolutely stunning and just perfect for all year round!  Its a shimmery rose gold blush with golden veins running through it which gives you the most beautiful glow.  I’m ill at the moment (I have a cold) but I’ve been wearing this daily and it’s really putting the life back into my dull face.  The compact is handy as it has a big mirror inside.  I just love this blush, it retails at £24, which is pricey but I suspect its going to last forever as its domed shaped and I haven’t even made a dent it yet.  Its also nice and pigmented so you don’t need to use lots!

i-smoulder (Smokey eye pencil and shadow) in Ember

Seriously now, New Cid have got it going on.  This product is just GENIUS!  So it has a kohl pencil on one side (shaped skinny one side and thick the other as you can see in the photographs above – perfect for achieving thick or precise lines, see swatches for proof).  And then an eyeshadow on the other end, already on a sponge for easy application!  What more can you ask for!!!?  There is a pressed eyeshadow powder in the lid of the sponged side so that every time you close it and open it, its ready to go and coated with shadow. 

These smoulder pens come in ten different shades, ranging from silvers to purples to blue.  What I love doing is applying the shadow all over my top lid, then lining my eyes with the pencil.  You can even apply the pencil and then smudge the shadow over the top for a gorgeous and easy smokey look.  £17.50 – great investment I think, especially for when your travelling, you don’t have to carry around multiple products.

i-flick (Double ended liquid and kohl liner)

Why isn’t every makeup brand doing this?!  Another genius product, a liquid and kohl liner in one, pretty self explanatory but incredible for someone like me who uses both liquid and pencil eyeliner daily.  This has really helped me narrow down my makeup bag when out and about.  The liquid side has a felt tip like nib, but better because its moveable so it allows you to easily line and follow the shape of your eye (if that makes sense?).  £18.50 and only available in black I believe. 

i-groom (Eyebrow grooming pencil)

My new favourite eyebrow grooming product.  This has a eyebrow pencil on one side and a grooming brush on the other.  Normally I just pencil my brows in and always forget to comb them because I can’t be bothered digging the comb out, but with this it makes it so easy as they are together.  This only comes in ONE shade (Neutral), and it apparently matches everyone!  I think this is true – my eyebrows are really dark and it still fills them in perfectly.  The pencil has a waxy texture so your brows stay in place all day and its very gentle so its almost impossible to over do it with this, but easy to build up.  Again, a slanted pencil so that you can achieve thick or skinny lines.  £15.50.

i-gloss (Light up gloss with mirror) (shade Honey Pot).

I think this may be the prettiest lipgloss I own.  I have the shade ‘Honey Pot’ which is absolutely perfect for everyday use because its neutral but with gorgeous gold shimmer undertones to it.  The applicator is a brush instead of a sponge which is fab and the brush also lights up when you apply it for easy application (you can see the lights in the photograph above!).  The case also has a mirror on the side.  I’ve been trialling this on top of every lipstick I own and it suits them all. £16.

(will review primer in a separate post!)

What I think: If you can’t tell by all my gushing I am now a complete New Cid Cosmetic fan, I honestly can’t find any faults with any of the products I have tried. 

The fact that they are all perfect for use on the go is just perfect (especially for me who travels between my flat in London & my family home in Essex every week).  The prices may look a bit expensive at first, but if you think about it you’d probably pay £10 for an eyeshadow and £6 for a kohl pencil anyway.

Are you eyeing any of these products up?  What’s your favourite ‘on-the-go’ product?

X

This week Sleek have released a new lipstick range consisting of 20 lippies and I’m very excited to show you four of them today.  I’ll admit I have a few too many lipsticks, but I NEED these in my collection – they’re definitely up there on a par with the famous Barry M lippies!

L-R Amped (matte), Stiletto (matte), Peach & Cream (sheen), Barely There (sheen).

Amped - a vibrant, purple based pink – very bright and daring but perfect for nights out!

Stiletto - a stunning, dark, blue based red.  On my pale skin this lipstick looks incredible, but also drains any colour from my face as its such a pigmented, dark red.  I feel like a vamp when I wear this and I love it – although wouldn’t wear it every day, only on special occasions.

Peaches & Cream – As soon as I saw this I knew I’d love it and I do.  Its a gorgeous light, peach orange and I suspect this will be popular.  It is quite bright and pigmented though so I’ve been wearing this lightly dabbed on the lips.

Barely There – My ABSOLUTE favourite.  I adore this lippie, the colour is beautiful and like a pink nude with a tint of peach – I hardly look like I’m wearing anything on my lips.  Very comparable to Barry M’s #150, but a bit more moisturizing!

What I think – The colours in this new range are beautiful, very pigmented, really unique and eye catching, although some of the formula’s are quite drying (like Barry M lippies).  Barely There is definitely the most moisturizing which is probably one of the reasons it is my favourite.  Amped and Peaches & Cream do apply quite patchy and can be quite drying but this isn’t a problem as long as you apply lots of lip balm before use and take your time applying them evenly (you can even apply a clear balm or gloss on top to keep them looking soft).  These retail on Sleek’s website and in Superdrug stores for only £3.99 a lipstick – such a good price for a good quality, pigmented lippie! 

What’s your favourite high street lipstick?  Will you be trying any of the True Colour lipsticks?

xxx

I am all for organic and natural skincare and I love that there are more and more natural skincare brands popping up in our high streets.  When I was asked if I would like to try any products from the Purity Organic range I was very excited and chose out the facial deep pore exfoliator and the conditioning cleansing lotion – both products which I get through loads of and am always looking for new ones to try out.

 

Exfoliator £5.99

This is a gorgeous, really gentle exfoliator which is perfect for everyday use.  The exfoliating granules are actually ground coconut shell, and the creamy, liquid formula is ‘a blend of coconut oil, sweet almond oil and aloe vera’ – so natural and great for sensitive skin.  This exfoliator isn’t harsh in this slightest and so it scrubs away dead, dry skin gently and feels like its doing a good job of cleansing as well as reviving the skin.  As my skin is bonkers at the moment I am still using my St.Ives scrub once a week for an intense scrub, but I still use this whenever in the shower for a deep pore cleanse.

Cleanser £4.99

So it did take me about ten minutes to work out how to actually open this cleanser to use (you have to press the top which makes another section on the top pop up – very smart) so I’ve included a picture on how it looks once it’s open.  This cleanser is in fact lovely!  Its definitely on a par with my ‘Simple gentle cleanser’ which I also love.  This cleanser has hardly no smell except maybe a hint of rose water and  the formula includes avocado oil, amino acids, flower water, aloe and more natural ingredients to cleanse the skin.  I have been using this nightly to take all my heavy eye makeup off – I put a blob of it onto a baby wipe and then use it to cleanse the skin and remove m/u and it does a good job of taking all the grime off.  Also this doesn’t sting the eyes at all which is a plus. 

What I think:  You would normally expect natural, organic skincare to be quite pricey but I am overly impressed with the price of these two products, they are very affordable which makes them even better in my opinion (prices based on the Purity website, found here).  All of the products in the Purity Organic range are free from parabens, GM or petroleum-derived ingredients which is also a massive bonus.  Every product in the range is also certified by EcoCert and the majority of ingredients are from natural origin or organic farming!  You can buy Purity Organic skin care online or in Superdrug stores.

Have you tried Purity Organic Skincare before?  What’s your favourite natural/organic skincare range?

xx

So I’ve had a few people ask me what I use to keep my bleached locks soft and in good condition, and I’ll let you know every secret now!

Products I use - (Please note that these were all the hair care products in my flat at the time, and I have many more that I love in my parents house, but I will review those in a separate post!)

Shampoo and Conditioners -

Herbal Essences Shampoo and conditioner for dry hair – I keep these in the bathroom and they always leave my hair feeling and smelling delicious.  My hair holds on to their fragrances really well which I love as I always get whiffs of lovelyness when I’m out and about.  I think Herbal essences are affordable, smell great and do the job of washing my hair and keeping it healthy.

T-Gel Shampoo – I use this twice a month max, only when my hair is behaving badly and getting greasy really quickly after washing.  I will shampoo my hair with this twice, then condition, and then my hair will be back to normal once again and I won’t need to use it for another few weeks.  I personally wouldn’t use it every time I wash my hair as its dry anyway and I don’t want it to strip all of the moisture out of my locks, but my housemate uses this every time she washes her hair and her barnet is lovely!

Aussie Three Minute Miracle conditioner – Probably my most purchased hair care product, I get through so many of them!  I use quite a few big handfuls of this as a conditioner and leave it in for five minutes whilst in the shower.  Smells gorgeous and I really feel like this product softens my hair and keeps it looking healthy and shiny.

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Highlight Activating Moisturizing Conditioner (Platinum to Champagne coloured hair) – I can’t actually speak of the ‘highlight activating-ness’ of this product as my hair is bleached anyway and I’ve never noticed a change in my hair colour after using this, but its a lovely, thick, creamy conditioner that sorts my hair out when its feeling dry.

Masks -

Trevor Sorbie Ultimate Moisture Mask – I like to do hair masks whenever I remember (once or twice a month) and this is what I’ve been using recently and I adore it.  It smells divine and feels like a nice intense hair moisturizer.  Doesn’t leave my hair feeling greasy or heavy after.

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Hair Repair Conditioning Treatment – I just finished a tub of this - it smells great and really puts the moisture back in to my hair when it gets a little too dry or frizzy.

Leave in products -

Prive Serum – I’ve raved SO much about this product already, your probably all bored of hearing it, but I’ve never been one to use a serum but this will now never leave my vanity table.  Its smoothes out flyaway's, split ends and general frizz and keeps my hair tame.  I use this on dry or wet hair, on the ends of my hair and occasionally swept over the top of my hair if its behaving badly.

Prive Leave-in treatment – A lovely leave in conditioner, nice and natural ingredients. Prive reviews here!

L’Oreal Elvive Nurti-Gloss Leave in conditioner – I’ve been using this for years now and I know I can rely on it to detangle my hair after its been washed.  I literally sweep a blob of this through knots and it makes my hair easier to comb through straight away.

Aussie Miracle Hair Care Insurance Leave in Conditioner – This smells lovely and detangles really well.  Its light so it won’t leave your hair feeling heavy or coated in products after you apply, which is good!

Katie’s Top Healthy Hair Tips -

1) Don’t use heat on your hair!!

Its a simple one but one I’m sure would be very hard to give up for most girls now days, but just don’t use heat on your barnet!  I have never been one to use straighteners, just because I don’t think poker straight hair suits me at all, and to be honest, I just can’t ever be bothered to straighten it.  The ONLY heat I use on my hair is a hair dryer and I use it once a week max.  This time last year I noticed that my hair was in quite bad condition and frizzy, so I stopped using my hair dryer, and within a month my hair was perfect again.  I can’t express how much of a difference it makes.  The only time I use my hair dryer is if I’m in a rush out and even then I’ll only blow dry my fringe and ends.  Try it out for yourself!

2) Leave your conditioner in for at least five minutes!

Conditioner makes SUCH a big difference to the softness of my hair so I always leave it in for at least five minutes in the shower/bath, if not longer.  Sounds difficult and time consuming but its really not – just shampoo your hair really quickly, wash it out, apply lots of conditioner and whilst you wait just shave and scrub!  Simple!  If you have more time, comb through your hair whilst the conditioner is on so it really reaches every lock.  In general, the longer I leave the conditioner on, the softer my hair is after.

3) Use a leave in conditioner to detangle and keep hair soft.

I always use a leave in conditioner to help detangle my matted hair after a bath and I pretty much rely on it to get rid of evil knots.  I just use a walnut size amount of either L’Oreal or Prive’s Leave in conditioner, and comb in through the underneath of my hair.  Makes it so much more manageable and keeps hair soft after its dried.

I hope this helps!  I have a few more favourite hair products which I’ll write about soon.

What do you use to keep your hair in good condition?  Have you got any tips?

XXX

I’ve never really ever mentioned the makeup brushes I use so this post is well due.  I have been using TBS brushes for the past five years and they are staple pieces I use daily to apply my makeup.

 

Face and Body brush – The softest big brush I’ve ever come across.  Isn’t scratchy at all so it doesn’t hurt after applying powder which has happened with a few other brushes I’ve tested (Bare Minerals powder brush for example I found quite irritating!).  This brush holds my powder and lets it apply easily all over the face.  Nice fat long handle which is good for application but makes it hard to carry around if you’re travelling.  I’ve photographed it with the blusher brush below so you can see the size comparison.

 

Blusher brush – Love it, perfect size to apply blusher or to contour your cheeks.  Saying this, I am tempted to try a smaller dome/cone shaped blusher brush, just because I think I might find the shape easier to work with.  I have about three of these blusher brushes and I do use it everyday.

Foundation brush – I don’t use a foundation brush anymore, but when I do fancy using one I’ll use this or GOSH’s foundation brush.  This one is quite thin, depth wise, but applies foundation nicely, albeit a tiny bit streaky if you don’t blend it in properly.  I just find nowadays that using my fingers to apply foundation is a whole lot easier.

Smudger brush – My least favourite brush, I never ever use this.  I find it really unnecessary, just a bigger version of those cheap brushes you get in eyeshadow palettes.  I’d rather just use a normal eyeshadow brush, however I know a lot of girls who do use and love this brush, I just personally can’t see it!

Eyeshadow Blender brush – I have two favourite eyeshadow brushes and this is the first.  I adore it, its fluffy and just the perfect shape and density for blending out smokey eyes.  I use this daily to either apply a darker colour to the outer corners of my eyes, or just to blend it in general.  I also have another one of these brushes which I sometimes use to apply concealer – it works just as well as you can blend the foundation in directly to problem areas.  I’ve had this brush for about four years now and its still in great condition.

Eyeshadow brush – Nice, simple eyeshadow brush.  Nothing flashy, does the trick of applying shadow well.

Nature’s Minerals Eyeshadow brush – This is my other favourite eyeshadow brush.  Its like the normal one above, but because it’s intended to be used with mineral eye shadows, the hairs are denser and thicker, so they pick up more colour/pigment.  I use this daily and I love it.  You can tell them apart as this handle is sparkly and comes with a little pouch.

Slanted brush – I use this to apply eye shadow on top of my eyeliner to help keep it in place all day long and I’ve just started using this more when I do makeovers at work and I actually have grown to like it.  I’ve never used it with a gel liner but can’t see it being that fantastic for that, but its good for apply lines with powder eyeshadow.

Lipstick & Concealer brush – Standard lipstick and concealer brush!!

Line Softener – I think this is one of TBS’ unique applicators, just a spongey dome perfect for smudging eyeliner (like those you find on the end of some kohl pencils).  Perfect for that grunge, rock look.  I haven’t been using this as much lately as I’ve just purchased the No7 Smokey Eyeliner brush (which you can see here).  Basically does the same thing though!

Brow & Lash Comb – My brows are so unruly, so when I remember I use this to comb them through.

What I think – I really like all of TBS’s brushes; I think they are affordable (they range from about £7-£16) and will last you forever if you keep them in good condition (just wash them when you remember, I’m terrible at remembering but so far they are all still pretty perfect).  I love the fact that they are man-made hairs and not animals hairs, and yet they are soooo ridiculously soft, especially F&B and blusher brush.  Thumbs up from me!!

Do you have any of these?  Where do you buy your brushes? XX

After trying out and falling in love with Liz Earle’s Hot Cloth Cleanser, I was asked if I’d like to try out the toner and moisturizer to complete the whole regime, and obviously I jumped at the chance! 

Both smell gorgeous (in my opinion) – very fresh and natural and the packaging is again mature, neat and looks great on my bathroom shelf.

Instant Boost Skin Tonic

So lovely and refreshing, I use this after I take my makeup off and I’m always surprised at how much more makeup is left on the cotton pad – I feel like it definitely removes all dirt and leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean.  I also use this occasionally in the morning to wake my face up.  A lovely product to use and the 200ml bottle is massive, it’s going to last a very long time!

Skin Repair Moisturizer for Normal/Combination skin

I’m always weary about trying out new moisturizers as they are the most likely product to give me spots, and this was, unfortunately, no exception.  I really, really wanted this to work with my skin, after hearing so many good things about it on other blogs and makeupalley.com, but although it moisturized my face, it also brought me up in a few pimples.  I’m sure that if I’d kept on using it, my skin would have adjusted but I was so scared off being left spotty for the holiday season that I gave up after two weeks of use.  I’ll try this again in the summer, when this horrible cold, winter weather goes away and when my skin isn’t dry and temperamental anymore and of course I’ll update you all!

 

All in all, the whole Liz Earle range is very luxurious and makes me feel like a real woman, in a way that no other regimes I’ve tried have (as silly as that sounds!).  I love using a three step regime and these three products used together make my face feel clean and nourished, its just a shame the moisturizer gave me spots!

Do you use the whole Liz Earle range? What’s your favourite three step regime?

P.S – These products were sent to me free of charge however all opinions expressed are truthful and honest!

I’ve been using a few products from the Prive haircare range for about a month now and I’d like to tell all of you girls about it!  I was introduced to the range at a Beauty speed dating event last month and learnt a bit about the products and I’ve come to really adore their product and ingredient ethics.

 

Reparative Shampoo #6 and Conditioner #14 – Both designed for chemically treated or coloured hair, which is exactly my hair type.  They work to cleanse, rejuvenate and repair the hair.  The shampoo lathers up well, and is easy to apply evenly and the conditioner feels soft to apply to the hair and even softer to wash out.  Shampoo contains a Herbal Blendof Aloe, Evening Primrose, Heather, Jasmine and Orchid – but does unfortunately contain SLS, however it didn’t irritate my scalp at all.  The conditioner contains - Ginseng Root Extract, Rose Hips Fruit Extract, Blue Green Algae and Corn and Rice protein.

Leave in Treatment #24 – I’ve been using this as my leave in conditioner instead of my beloved L’Oreal one and it surprised me by doing the same job of detangling my hair whilst making it feel super conditioned and soft.  It somehow makes me feel better that I’m using more natural ingredients on my bleached hair than the ones found in my L’Oreal conditioner.  Contains Aqueous Herbal Blend of Aloe, Comfrey, Kelp, Spirulina and Honey.

Shine Serum #52 – This has got to be my favourite product out of the bunch, and I featured it in my November favourites.  I just adore it, how silky and soft it makes my hair feel and how it doesn’t leave it looking greasy or lank.  I apply this to my hair when its dry or damp, whenever I feel basically and I mainly focus on the tips of my hair, where its most dry and it gives the impression that my hair has never seen a bit of frizz in its life.  Love it! 

Thermal Protection Detangling Spray #30 – I don’t really use heated gadgets on my hair because I’m worried about damaging my hair even more, so I’ve been using this mainly as an extra detangler on the underneath of my hair which is most prone to matting.  It makes hair easier to comb through and I know this will last me ages and I only use around three spritz to detangle! 

Concept Vert Volumizing Froth #110 -  This stuff is quite hard to get used to but I’ve had loads of fun experimenting with it.  On the website they call it a ‘revolutionary non-aerosol mousse’.  You literally need the tiniest bit, about the size of a pea, you rub it around in the palm of your hands and style with it!  I’ve been using this near my roots to give some volume and it doesn’t leave my hair greasy or hard/sticky.  I haven’t had a chance to do a gorgeous up-do yet but when I do I’ll use this to style and let you know how it goes.  Contains Acai and Babassu oil.

  

Before and after – Before was obviously before I had used any Prive products, and After was taken after I’d used the range to wash my hair around three times, and with the serum, detangler, and leave in conditioner.  You can tell that afterwards my hair looks a lot more shiny and silky soft and a lot less frizzy.  Before my hair was hard to brush and comb through but its so much more manageable now.  Please note I didn’t straighten my hair in the after pictures either – it had dried naturally like that.

Smell of the whole range– All the products smell basically the same, like very fresh, floral, green smells.  Very natural yet clean smelling, which I think is great because men won’t be afraid to use the range either.  The smell doesn’t linger on after you apply the products so they’re not overpowering, which is also a bonus.

What I think – I’m really impressed with my before and after pictures and its great to see and feel a difference in my hair now.  Once the products run out I will definitely be purchasing some more, especially the serum, leave in conditioner and the reparative conditioner.  I love that the range is eco-friendly and that all the packaging is recyclable and that the products are sulphate and paraben free and do not test on animals.

You can read up on the Prive range on their website here - http://www.priveproducts.com/index.php and you can buy the products in selected salons in London and online here - http://www.luxuryhaircare.co.uk/

Can you see the difference in my hair now? Have you ever tried the range?

xxx

You’re probably all bored of me raving on about Barry M but I wanted to do some updated swatches of the lipsticks I have because they’re so pretty!  I’ll get right to it -

52 – Vibrant, neon pink!  Perfect for brightening up any outfit.

146 – A cute pink with slight blue/lavender undertones!  Has a slight gloss and sheen to it, unlike most other Barry M lippies, which is nice! 

54 – Love this shade when lightly dabbed on my lips with a bit of gloss.  It’s way too bright and neon (I find) to wear with a full layer (if that makes sense?) so I put the tiniest bit on for a hint of orange/peach which really brightens my face up.  Very drying when worn alone.

147 – One of my favourite Barry M lippies but one I wear less and less because its so drying!  Its a beautiful pink peach colour but it really emphasizes any chapping, flakes or dry skin so make sure you’re lips are in perfect condition when you wear this!

150 – The newest addition to my collection and I have been wearing it constantly!  Its gorgeous, a very natural blushing pink brown on my lips, you can hardly tell I’m wearing anything.  It’s not drying either, its surprisingly moisturizing which I love.  I think this colour will suit everyone, I really recommend it.

 

What I think – Barry M are incredible for unique colours and I always love looking at their makeup stands.  The lipsticks are great for colour choice but are so drying.  #52 & #54 are so dry in fact that its kind of hard to even apply straight from the bullet – you need to warm them up with a lip brush.  They really accentuate any dry patches on the lips so do scrub your lips before hand and apply lots of balm.

#150& #54 are my favourites and the ones I wear most often.  Barry M have also bought out a few deep plum, purple shades which I’m also dying to get my hands on, I think they’d be perfect for this winter!  I’ll let you know if I get them!

What are your favourite Barry M lipsticks or products?  Do you have any tips on making them less drying?

XXX