5 different hair problems solved!

Whether they admit it or not, people care about their hair. I have been testing out a lot of different haircare products recently and I wanted to share with you my thoughts. My hair type is coloured blonde, quite thick and prone to dry ends. It dries naturally with a bit of wave to it and can get knotty after washing it. Below are five different hair products aimed to help hairy problems such as dryness, dullness and frizz. I do try to take care of my locks and I love seeing what new trends/styles come around each season.

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Perfecting Creme £5.49 (link) Best for: Frizzy hair
It's not very often products give instant results but this really does. The product itself has a thick creamy consistency which is easy to distribute throughout your hair. I've been using this on my dry hair, applying it to my frizzy ends. It definitely helps to reduce frizz and adds moisture. If you run your fingers through your hair after applying it you can slightly notice it but it doesn't leave hair stiff or sticky.

Aussie Miracle Shine 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner £4.99 (link) Best for: Dullness and dry hair
Oh sweet jesus this smells amazing. Seriously, give this a cheeky sniff next time your in Boots. I love using hair masks because my hair tends to get quite dry. I found this made my hair a lot softer and made it easier to brush through. It wasn't heavy and left no residue like others do, however i wouldn't say it left my hair very shiny. The smell lingers all on on your hair all day and the squeezable bottle makes it quick and easy to use - i just wish my hair had more shine to it!

Macadamia Control Spray £17.45* (link) Best for: Taming fly-aways
One thing that really puts me off hairspray is the strong chemical smell that you can almost taste. This hairspray actually smells quite nice! I've been using it to set my loose curls and to keep my top knot in place and I love how lightweight it feels. Some hairsprays can make your hair feel stiff and sticky but this sprays out a fine mist and is easy to brush out. I also really like that the spray has UV protection so your hair is protected from the sun. The only downside to this product is the hefty price tag. You do get a lot for your money, the massive 300ml bottle is going to last a good few months but it's still quite pricey and I don't think I could afford to repurchase this. But i'll be keeping an eye out for Macadamia in TK Maxx!

YUKO London Lock in colour shampoo and treatment £12.50 each* (link)Best for: Dyed/highlighted locks
This is a Japanese haircare brand, I don't normally try luxury haircare brands so I was intrigued to try these out. I found the shampoo lathered up well and whilst rinsing it out my hair instantly felt softer and smoother. The treatment was quite thick which suited my thick hair and left it moisterised. I also noticed, once dry, my bleached hair looked brighter and kepted it from turning brassy. I enjoy using these products but they are too pricey for me - they would be a nice treat!

V05 Instant Oomph Powder £4.07 (link) Best for: flat hair
Since getting this a few months ago I've had such a love/hate relationship. On my first use I wanted to wash it out immediately. But, I learnt my lesson and second time round I shook the product before use and didn't apply as much. Instantly my roots were lifted with a matte, textured look. My hair didn't stay lifted all day but a quick ruffle with my fingers gave it some extra oomph. 

What products do you go to save BHDs? I'm currently debating whether to chop my mid-length hair and go for a bob?! I've gone a bit pin crazy lately with hair-spiration pictures on pinterest - are you addicted too?

*pr samples

Bahoma London review & FREE £10 gift card

I love a good candle, don't you? I know they're are such a love/hate product. Some people just see them as burning your money away (literally) but i can't get enough of them. If you've not heard of Bahoma London before let me introduce you...

Bahoma London is a fragrance company which manufactures and designs it's own products in London. I love supporting British brands so when i was asked to test out some of their products i said yes! Their fragrances are designed by their perfumer Malgorzata Strug-Guzowska in their London studio. Here's my thoughts on some of the products i've been testing...

Bahoma London Grapefruit and Lime Luxury Candle £25.95

What a hunk of a candle, even un-lit it smells amazing. This has a crisp, fresh scent to it so it's perfect for the warmer months. The burn time is 75 hours and Bahoma recommend you burn it 3 hours at a time. I burnt this for a few hours last night and the smallest bit of wax melted, it's going to last ages! On their website they describe the scent as a cool,sparkling cocktail of grapefruit and bergamont drenched in aromatic notes of basil and lime all poured over a dry,woody background - couldn't describe it better!

Fragranced Reed Diffuser in Imperial 100ml £29.95

Since whipping this out, everyone who's been in my room has commented on the smell. I love the simple but elegant packaging this comes in. It also comes with a stopper so you can control how often you use it. 'Imperial' has woody,musky base notes with fresh and lemon scented top notes.

Vitality Body Scrub £22.95
I'm such a sucker for a good body scrub and this one is a joy to use. Unlike other body scrubs, this doesn't fall off in clumps when applying. The consistency is thick and left a citrus scent lingering on my skin all day.

Fragrance Bibliotheque £19.95
I love this little library of fragrance samples. It's perfect to test each one of Bahoma's fragrances in the comfort of your own home. My favourite scent has to be 'Passion' or 'Eau De Crystal'. I think this would make a great gift for fussy fragrance lovers.

If you're a candle lover but fancy something a little more luxurious and refined, Bahoma London will do nicely. They have been kind enough to give you lucky lot a free £10 gift voucher to spend online here - just enter the code #makemeup at the checkout. They sell a whole range of lovely products, have a little look!

dry shampoo - just for lazy girls or a life saver?

What's the longest you've gone without washing your hair? I've managed 4 days before and it wasn't that bad...Don't get me wrong, i love the feeling of freshly washed hair - but it's good to give your hair a break from styling products and let your natural hair oils do there thing.

I know some of my friends say they need to wash their hair everyday(who has the time?!). I must confess, I'm not one that kind girl. I think dry shampoo is one of the best beauty inventions, after concealer obvs. A quarter of all British women use dry shampoo and it's been around since the Victorian times. Dry shampoo isn't just for those lazy girls moments when you want an extra 20 minutes in bed; they are now seen as an essential styling product. I use mine to disguise roots or too add a little extra oomph.

Some people see dry shampoo as a life saver, where as others will turn their nose up at it. With DS accounting for 3% of shampoo launches last year and the rise of dry conditioner (no,really!) i think it is here to stay. Plus anything that gives you an extra half hour in bed is always a good thing.

Best Volume
John Frieda's newest collection is target towards fine hair. I found this did help to add volume however, the fine powder did leave a gritty texture in my hair.
Best for Blondes 
My favourite brand of dry shampoo has to be Batiste. This one has a yellow tint to match blonde hair. I find this soaks up the most without having to spray a lot.

Best Scent
So...? are more well known for their fragrences but they recently launched a range of dry shampoo. This one is Floral & Flirty which leaves your hair smelling florally. I found you do have to use quite a lot compared to other brands but this is a good budget buy.


Are you a lover or hater of dry shampoo? Would love to hear your thoughts!

what's in my holiday make up bag?

I take make up on holiday, is that weird? For me i don't even like to pop to Tesco without a bit of concealer so going abroad minus my make up bag - no, just no. I do shrink it down quite a lot and just keep the essentials in there. I don't think there's much need for brow powder, eye shadow or other eye products when you spend most of the time wearing sunglasses. This is why i packed my budget mascara from Natural Collection in Brown (£1.99) because i'll only brush on one coat. I made sure to pack my trusty Jemma Kidd Eyelash Curlers for days when i'm mascara free as it helps to make them look longer. To update my eye make up in the evening i took my Collection 2000 Kohl liner in Brown (£2.99) to smudge across the upper lash line. I also bought with me my Blink Eyebrow Gel in Cinnamon Spice (£15.00) which i can't live without! My eyebrows are quite big so this is a must-have to keep them in place. For my face i ditched the foundation and took Liz Earle's Sheer Skin Tint in Bare 02 (£21.00) which is a light tinted moisturiser with a dewy finish and SPF 15. To hide my dark circles i bought along the Collection Illuminating Touch Concealer 03 (£4.99) in a darker shade then i would normally wear. I can't stand having dry lips so i always have a lip balm handy. I'm loving this tropical scented Chapstick £1.99(tastes like pina colda!) I took two different lipsticks; a neutral nude colour and a red. I went for MAC Shy Girl (£14.00) which is a really wearable peachy pink shade and No7 Precision Lip Liner in Blush (£6.75) which i fill-in my lips with for a matt red lip.

As requested i'll post my Dubai holiday photo's up soon! Are you of anywhere nice this year or is there somewhere you'd love to visit? Let me know your holiday beauty picks :) x

pre holiday haul - h&m, tk maxx, asda...

If there's a time to brave new trends, it's on holiday. When I saw these floral trousers in H&M i was worried they'd be too in your face but then I saw they were 50% off and I was swayed. They had a few other patterns and they fit really well. £7.49 H&M.
On holiday I'm going to a water park so i need something that's going to keep everything in! Asda have some really nice swimwear pieces this summer. I saw some bikini's for £2.50 which looked nice. I opted for this bandeau floral print swimming costume with a control stomach panel. £12.00 ASDA.
After my little trip to Ibiza i've got heat rash on my face which is a pain in the bum. After doing some online research i read aloe vera gel is suppose to help & it has been a life saver. £2.66 Superdrug.
I've wanted a crochet waist dress forever! I spotted one about a year ago in Topshop for £50 but i just couldn't justify the price so i'm glad i held it off. As soon as i saw this i knew it was coming home with me. £19.99 TK Maxx.

So that was my little Dubai haul, I just hope we get a good summer so i can re-wear these clothes when i get home. Are you off on holiday this year? I can't wait to start wearing summer clothes again! 

my week in ibiza

You might not know this about me but i love travelling(even though i've not really travelled). I'm actually studying it at the moment in college. I'm so nosey i love looking at other people's holiday photos. I've just got back from a 4 day holiday so here are some pictures from my mini break to Ibiza last week cause i don't like to keep you guys out of the blue and you might be nosey like me! This was my first ever holiday without parents, i went with a couple of friends from college. It was nice not to have parents constantly nagging me - 'have you put sun cream on your nose, put your hat on, how much water have you drank today'....I guess they know best, I'm now at home recovering from heat rash and sunburn. Sorry mum. 

I'd recommend Ibiza if you want a girly break. The flight from the UK is about 2 hours, the beaches are amazing, weather was around 20 degrees and the locals seem really friendly. Visit in April if your not really into clubbing as the night life start May - October.
Do you enjoy these sort of travel posts? I'm off to Dubai on Wednesday so let me know if you'd like to see some pictures when i get back. Also, let me know if you have any holiday questions! 

Three outfits under £200

Even though my blog is mainly beauty I actually prefer fashion blogs! I love fashion and wished I had the courage to post outfit of the days like some of my favourite bloggers. Below I have created three different looks - beach, party and casual. Each costs under £200, i'm such a bargain hunter I don't think any of my outfits exceed over £200 in real life! I loved making these outfits, I'm not very good when it comes to technical stuff online so I actually browsed my newest magazines for clothes and images, ripped out the things I liked, glue them to paper to create a college then scanned it into my printer before uploading it to my blog! I know, bit of a kerffule but much easier than trying to use photoshop. Let me know what you think of the looks :)

This beach look is definitely inspired more by Miami beach than Clacton-on-Sea. I loved summer so creating this look was really fun(eeekk Ibiza on Tuesday!) I wanted to base this look on the neon trend which is going to be big this summer but I didn't want it to be too in your face so I focused on bright,playful accessories. Firstly, lets all take a minute to appreciate the price of this neon zig-zag bikini which is only £5 from Asda. Maybe not your go-to place for swimwear but they actually do some nice affordable items. I wanted to mix up this feminine outfit with a bit of menswear so I've chosen this grey oversized mens t-shirt from Primark £6. This will look great tucked into these denim shorts - a classic summer staple with a twist. I love the quirky print on these shorts from Bershka £25.99. I'm a highstreet kinda girl so I've chosen to tie together the look with a skinny neon green belt from FCUK £25. I found this matching neon satchel from H&M £39.99 which is big enough for some sunnies and suncream. Last of all are these beautiful fresh white heels with a hint of neon from H&M £29.99. Outfit total - £131.97

Party time - when you think of parties you think dresses so I wanted to do something a little different. This trouser suit will definitely turn heads. I fell in love with the paisley blue print with hints of gold embroidery. The trousers are £20 (on sale) from ASOS and the similar top is £45 from Miss Selfridge. I love the matchy matchy trend inspired by the lovely Florence Welsh. I thought these clunky(is that a word?) Zara wedges, £59.99, would be prefect for this party look. A big coat thrown over the shoulders will not only be practical but look so good. This faux fur coat is £35 from ASOS. To finish of the look I thought this prune coloured hat from Reiss, £39, and a slick of blood red lipstick would tie the look together nicely. Outfit Total - £198.99

Casual is what I like to wear most. This look is simple but with a few quirky pieces to make it more special and animal prints too keep it on-trend. How cool is this jumper, any jumper with an animal motif is cool in my books. This dark blue leopard jumper is £69.99 from good old Zara. I'm such a jeans kinda girl, i went with a straight pair from oasis for £48. As soon as I saw these pumps I instantly thought of those Marc Jacob shoes. These cute animal ballet flats with  a small heel from Javari are a much cheaper highstreet version and cost £34.20. Statement jewellery is going to be a big trend this summer, I thought this chunky gold necklace from Gogo Phillip, £15, works perfectly with this outfit. No look is complete without a handbag, I went for a simple black shoulder bag from H&M (instore) £14.99. Outfit Total - £182.18

If you would like to enter the Passion for Fashion Money Supermarket Competition be quick it ends Monday 8th April at Midnight. Check out the rules here. 

my march favourites

Is it really April already? 2013 seems to of flown by this year. I don't do monthly favourites very often because i don't normally find products that are favourite worthy! March has been quite a cold month in the UK so my favs reflect this poopy weather, hurry up summer!

Topshop 'K' motif jumper £32.00 LINK

This jumper was clearly made for me so it would have just been plain rude not to buy it. It really chunky textured knit jumper and it's cropped so you could still wear it in the summer over a dress or high waisted shorts.

MUA Undress me too £4.00

I was a big fan of the original palette so i couldn't wait to try the second version. MUA didn't let me down, i have a full review with swatches coming up soon.

OPI 'Don't Burst my Bubble'* £13.50

I'm so used to wearing really bright colours on my nails but this shade converted me. It's a sheer, delicate pink which is really wearable and perfect for spring. Check out my full review and swatches here. 

Revlon Lip Butters £7.99

Since doing my 'highstreet favourites tag' i have re-fallen in love with lip butters. I do love a matte lip but they are a lot of effort. I go for these lip butters if my lips are a bit dry or if i'm in a rush and i don't have time for the whole lipscrub/vaseline/lipline/lipbrush scenario. 

Chapstick Shimmer in Tropical* £1.99

My lips and skin has been soooo bliming dry this month. This new lip balm from chapstick has been a handbag essential this month. It smells like pina colada, what more could you ask for? 

Currently sat on the floor watching Lisa Eldridge's latest youtube video with my dog snoring next to me(i'll tweet a picture of him here!). Hope you've had a good Easter weekend, i don't really celebrate Easter. Does stuffing your face with chocolate and hot cross buns count? This cold weather has driven me to desperation so me and a few friends have booked a little holiday to Ibiza this month! I'll make sure i show you some holiday snaps when i get back :) x

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my week in paris

1.mobbing Cara delevingne and kate moss at louis vuitton PFW 2. visiting disneyland paris 3. panoramic of the louvre museum 4. love lock bridge 5. my breakfast (and lunch and tea) everyday 6. souvenir tees 7. sephora in paris 8. french soliders at the eiffiel tower 9. another cara pap 10. view from top of the effiel tower. 

About three weeks ago now i spent four days in Paris with some friends from college. I've never been to France before but Paris is just one of those cities you MUST visit. I recommend visiting the Eiffel Tower at night, taking a boat cruise along the river Seine and seeing the Mona Lisa. Above are just a few holidays snaps i wanted to share with you after some of you lovely lot said you wanted to see them! Paris is a very beautiful city but if you are travelling by metro be warned- it bloody stinks.

Have you been to Paris before? x

Oz the Great and Powerful for OPI - review

OPI do some cracking collaborations. The newest edition is the 'Oz the Great and Powerful' range(out this month). I love the Wizard of Oz it's such a classic film, yet to see the new one but it looks good! The colours are all quite soft & sheer, a nice change from bold shades and perfect for spring.

'Don't Burst my Bubble'(left) is a sheer soft pink shade. One coat doesn't really leave much, you definitely need 2-3 coats for this one. The colour is a lovely natural, delicate pink and it has a gel like texture to it.

'Lights of Emerald City' is a glitter polish with large white square chunks and smaller iridescent squares in a clear base. This top coat would look great with any nail varnish and i'm really impressed with how long it's lasted on me(6 days!) Is it really weird that I think this would be a good nail varnish for a bride?

If you're into your softer nail varnish shades you'll love this new collection. There are 7 shades in total ranging from glitters to liquid sand.  You can purchase the collection online here. Retail price £11.50 or try the mini collection for £13.95!

Witch(pun intended)shade from the OZ collection is your favourite? I love the look of 'When Monkeys Fly'!

*pr samples