Showing posts with label beauty tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beauty tips. Show all posts
I was lucky enough to get a hamper from the lovely team at Antidotestreet.com which included this gorgeous face serum from Yours Truly Organics, and I instantly fell in love!
I'm really fussy about the products I use on my skin, particularly my face as this can be quite sensitive. I basically judge when my hair needs washing on whether I'm having a mini break out! So when I was sent this product that was natural and organic, I wasn't scared to try it out.
I love the phrase 'true beauty starts with being yourself; I really think that it's important to look after your skin and hair, because what happens if one day there's a zombie apocalypse and we can't get any makeup products? Yeah so I'm basically preparing!
This product is the Fix me! Repairing Serum. It's a little steep at £28, so I must admit, I use it sparingly. When my skin needs some TLC or I am feeling extra oily, I use this particularly on my T-Zone and it works wonders.
Yours Truly Organics says it smooths, repairs and tightens your skin with this oat kernel enriched serum, so it does exactly what it says on the tin!
I apply this with a cotton wool pad before my face moisturiser, it smells super fresh and like I've really made the extra effort!
I was lucky enough to get a hamper from the lovely team at Antidotestreet.com which included this gorgeous face serum from Yours Truly Organics, and I instantly fell in love!
I'm really fussy about the products I use on my skin, particularly my face as this can be quite sensitive. I basically judge when my hair needs washing on whether I'm having a mini break out! So when I was sent this product that was natural and organic, I wasn't scared to try it out.
I love the phrase 'true beauty starts with being yourself; I really think that it's important to look after your skin and hair, because what happens if one day there's a zombie apocalypse and we can't get any makeup products? Yeah so I'm basically preparing!
This product is the Fix me! Repairing Serum. It's a little steep at £28, so I must admit, I use it sparingly. When my skin needs some TLC or I am feeling extra oily, I use this particularly on my T-Zone and it works wonders.
Yours Truly Organics says it smooths, repairs and tightens your skin with this oat kernel enriched serum, so it does exactly what it says on the tin!
I apply this with a cotton wool pad before my face moisturiser, it smells super fresh and like I've really made the extra effort!
I straightened my hair properly for the first in months last week, and I was a little bit worried about it not reverting, especially as I have been working so hard to get a good routine going! Luckily it bounced back (literally) bigger and better than ever so I thought I would blog about what I used to make the transition as smooth as possible.
STEP ONE
So first of all, before i washed my hair I made sure it was fully combed out, free from any grips, because they tend to get lost in there, and I sprayed it with some water to get the process going.
STEP TWO
I then washed it with my ALL TIME FAVOURITE shampoo, the Aphogee Shampoo for Damaged Hair. I think this shampoo is around £5.99 but it lasts quite a long time and is great at clarifying my hair, defining curls and reducing frizz.
You can see my wash routine here. However I am probably going to update it again soon!
STEP THREE
I then made sure that was rinsed out and then, if I am honest I then shampoo'd it AGAIN with Keracare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo. I find that this one adds a lot more moisture and adds a bit of 'juiciness'.
STEP FOUR
Then whilst it was damp, I separated it into four sections using clips and used the Shea Moisture Strength & Restore Treatment Masque throughout the sections from root to end. I then wrapped my hair in a plastic bag and then used the hairdryer on a warm setting over the top for about 20 minutes. This is to restore my hair after all the heat I used last week, I was a little sceptical about buying it as that little tub was £12.99 but all the reviews convinced me! I definitely think it is a good product, my hair is much curlier and springy and the shrinkage was more than usual!
STEP FIVE
I then washed this out and blotted the water out with a t-shirt. Then I applied a mixture of argon oil and coconut oil to the damp hair all over. I would usually added castor oil but I didn't have it with me this time. I then split my hair into four sections and made sure it was moisturised. I used the Keracare Hair Milk, Daily Hair Sustainer after that to lock the moisture in.
STEP SIX
I then got my Creme of Nature Argon Oil Twirling Custard and did a medium sized twist out. I slept on this in a pineapple style wrapped in a silk scarf.
THE NEXT DAY....
The next day may hair looked a bit flat, I still haven't mastered the twist out, so whilst I was in the shower I flashed some water on my hair to add some life back in and that worked a treat. I then got out the shower and shook it thoroughly and used the blowdryer on a cool setting to make sure it was fully dry.
THE DAY AFTER THAT....
I applied more oil each day and slept with it in a pineapple wrapped in a scarf. I took this picture 2 days after washing and as soon as I woke up so nothing is on my hair at this stage.
Disclaimer - I am not a professional and I am still learning, everyone's hair is different so things that work for me might not work for you and vice/versa. :)
I straightened my hair properly for the first in months last week, and I was a little bit worried about it not reverting, especially as I have been working so hard to get a good routine going! Luckily it bounced back (literally) bigger and better than ever so I thought I would blog about what I used to make the transition as smooth as possible.
STEP ONE
So first of all, before i washed my hair I made sure it was fully combed out, free from any grips, because they tend to get lost in there, and I sprayed it with some water to get the process going.
STEP TWO
I then washed it with my ALL TIME FAVOURITE shampoo, the Aphogee Shampoo for Damaged Hair. I think this shampoo is around £5.99 but it lasts quite a long time and is great at clarifying my hair, defining curls and reducing frizz.
You can see my wash routine here. However I am probably going to update it again soon!
STEP THREE
I then made sure that was rinsed out and then, if I am honest I then shampoo'd it AGAIN with Keracare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo. I find that this one adds a lot more moisture and adds a bit of 'juiciness'.
STEP FOUR
Then whilst it was damp, I separated it into four sections using clips and used the Shea Moisture Strength & Restore Treatment Masque throughout the sections from root to end. I then wrapped my hair in a plastic bag and then used the hairdryer on a warm setting over the top for about 20 minutes. This is to restore my hair after all the heat I used last week, I was a little sceptical about buying it as that little tub was £12.99 but all the reviews convinced me! I definitely think it is a good product, my hair is much curlier and springy and the shrinkage was more than usual!
STEP FIVE
I then washed this out and blotted the water out with a t-shirt. Then I applied a mixture of argon oil and coconut oil to the damp hair all over. I would usually added castor oil but I didn't have it with me this time. I then split my hair into four sections and made sure it was moisturised. I used the Keracare Hair Milk, Daily Hair Sustainer after that to lock the moisture in.
STEP SIX
I then got my Creme of Nature Argon Oil Twirling Custard and did a medium sized twist out. I slept on this in a pineapple style wrapped in a silk scarf.
THE NEXT DAY....
The next day may hair looked a bit flat, I still haven't mastered the twist out, so whilst I was in the shower I flashed some water on my hair to add some life back in and that worked a treat. I then got out the shower and shook it thoroughly and used the blowdryer on a cool setting to make sure it was fully dry.
THE DAY AFTER THAT....
I applied more oil each day and slept with it in a pineapple wrapped in a scarf. I took this picture 2 days after washing and as soon as I woke up so nothing is on my hair at this stage.
Disclaimer - I am not a professional and I am still learning, everyone's hair is different so things that work for me might not work for you and vice/versa. :)
It has been 1 month since I embarked on my journey of heat free styling!
The main reason for my decision to cut down on blowdrying/straightening was simply because of boredom. I was bored of wearing it the same everyday and I think that the natural texture of my hair has a lot more versatility. I follow a lot of the natural hair bloggers and pages on Instagram that inspire me and I didn't want to inflict any more permanent heat damage on my hair.
I'm not saying I won't ever blow-dry it or straighten it again, but at least I know what I can do with it now!
So here is a few things I learnt this month!
- Curls will come back! It's all about patience. As you can imagine I had quite a bit of heat damage on the ends (luckily not as much as I thought) so that initially put me off wearing it as an afro, but I just bit the bullet and you will see that straight ends will start to revert.
- It takes a while to learn what works on your hair and what doesn't. Not everything that you see hair bloggers use will work on you so prepare for a few rough looking days when things go wrong!
- It takes WAAAY more time getting ready in the morning now. I thought it would be the other way round!
- You don't need to have a lot of money to achieve different styles. My go to's are Ecostyler Gel and Water!
It has been 1 month since I embarked on my journey of heat free styling!
The main reason for my decision to cut down on blowdrying/straightening was simply because of boredom. I was bored of wearing it the same everyday and I think that the natural texture of my hair has a lot more versatility. I follow a lot of the natural hair bloggers and pages on Instagram that inspire me and I didn't want to inflict any more permanent heat damage on my hair.
I'm not saying I won't ever blow-dry it or straighten it again, but at least I know what I can do with it now!
So here is a few things I learnt this month!
- Curls will come back! It's all about patience. As you can imagine I had quite a bit of heat damage on the ends (luckily not as much as I thought) so that initially put me off wearing it as an afro, but I just bit the bullet and you will see that straight ends will start to revert.
- It takes a while to learn what works on your hair and what doesn't. Not everything that you see hair bloggers use will work on you so prepare for a few rough looking days when things go wrong!
- It takes WAAAY more time getting ready in the morning now. I thought it would be the other way round!
- You don't need to have a lot of money to achieve different styles. My go to's are Ecostyler Gel and Water!
So this is the first tutorial on my blog and I am very excited at how it turned out! I have a lot of improvements to make but we've all got to start somewhere.
L - This stands for liquid. As I said, this is a budget version so I just used water! Water is the ultimate moisturiser so you can't really go wrong! However most other tutorials use a water based leave-in conditioner, If I had it, I would have used the Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner.
O - This stands for oil. The oil works as a sealant to keep the moisture locked in. I used Jasmine Oil because it was to hand, but Coconut Oil is a popular alternative.
C- This stands for cream. I used Shea Butter as it is quite heavy, but really a styling cream is supposed to be used for this. Next time I would like to try the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie but I think this worked for now!
I then used Eco-Styler gel and twisted my hair to save myself some time in the morning to define the curls, I then put flexi rods and curlers at the ends because I do have some heat damage on the ends and it ensures that it is curly all the way round. I then wrap my hair with a silk scarf.
I will keep you updated with how this keeps the moisture in my hair, I have read other blog posts that say their hair stayed moisturised for a week, so let's see if that works!
So this is the first tutorial on my blog and I am very excited at how it turned out! I have a lot of improvements to make but we've all got to start somewhere.
L - This stands for liquid. As I said, this is a budget version so I just used water! Water is the ultimate moisturiser so you can't really go wrong! However most other tutorials use a water based leave-in conditioner, If I had it, I would have used the Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner.
O - This stands for oil. The oil works as a sealant to keep the moisture locked in. I used Jasmine Oil because it was to hand, but Coconut Oil is a popular alternative.
C- This stands for cream. I used Shea Butter as it is quite heavy, but really a styling cream is supposed to be used for this. Next time I would like to try the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie but I think this worked for now!
I then used Eco-Styler gel and twisted my hair to save myself some time in the morning to define the curls, I then put flexi rods and curlers at the ends because I do have some heat damage on the ends and it ensures that it is curly all the way round. I then wrap my hair with a silk scarf.
I will keep you updated with how this keeps the moisture in my hair, I have read other blog posts that say their hair stayed moisturised for a week, so let's see if that works!
I love a good bargain but I don't often skimp on hair and beauty products, I'd rather wait a while and then buy what I really want or just ask for it for my birthday or Christmas. HOWEVER These £1 nail varnishes by MUA, available in Superdrug or online here are so good!
It takes just 2 coats for full thick coverage which is about the same as any normal expensive nail varnish and the brush isn't like those cheap nail varnishes you can get with the thin wispy brush that can end up painted on your nail!
What do you think of this brand?
I love a good bargain but I don't often skimp on hair and beauty products, I'd rather wait a while and then buy what I really want or just ask for it for my birthday or Christmas. HOWEVER These £1 nail varnishes by MUA, available in Superdrug or online here are so good!
It takes just 2 coats for full thick coverage which is about the same as any normal expensive nail varnish and the brush isn't like those cheap nail varnishes you can get with the thin wispy brush that can end up painted on your nail!
What do you think of this brand?
I love layering on the mascara, I think it makes your face look softer and more feminine. Especially during the colder weather when you can end up looking a bit washed out, its a great way to make your features stand out.
In the past I usually used the Loreal Lash Sensational mascara to separate and lengthen my eyelashes before using a thicker mascara, but I find that these mascaras apply well and still make your lashes look lengthy. I still swear by Loreal Lash Sensational but these are two new additions to my makeup bag that can add that extra oomph during a dull January.
This mascara is called Thick and Fast by Soap and Glory. If you want big thick black eyelashes this is one for you my friend. With just one coat my eyelashes really stand out, and with two I look ready for a night out. The formula is thick, but doesn't feel heavy on the lashes, and Im sure it will last me a very long time! You can buy it here but I suggest getting the Whole She Bang Kit in Boots which is now just £18 and includes this and a load of other products too!
This mascara is the Clinique High Impact Mascara. The product pictured is just 3.5g, great for carrying in your handbag or for travelling. I got this in the Clinique Bonus Time Gift Set, but you can get the full one here. With this product you can build a really volumised lash, but if you want a more natural look you can achieve this with less application. I find that it isn't too hard to remove either, unlike the Thick and Fast mascara.
What are your favourite mascaras for full looking lashes?
I love layering on the mascara, I think it makes your face look softer and more feminine. Especially during the colder weather when you can end up looking a bit washed out, its a great way to make your features stand out.
In the past I usually used the Loreal Lash Sensational mascara to separate and lengthen my eyelashes before using a thicker mascara, but I find that these mascaras apply well and still make your lashes look lengthy. I still swear by Loreal Lash Sensational but these are two new additions to my makeup bag that can add that extra oomph during a dull January.
This mascara is called Thick and Fast by Soap and Glory. If you want big thick black eyelashes this is one for you my friend. With just one coat my eyelashes really stand out, and with two I look ready for a night out. The formula is thick, but doesn't feel heavy on the lashes, and Im sure it will last me a very long time! You can buy it here but I suggest getting the Whole She Bang Kit in Boots which is now just £18 and includes this and a load of other products too!
This mascara is the Clinique High Impact Mascara. The product pictured is just 3.5g, great for carrying in your handbag or for travelling. I got this in the Clinique Bonus Time Gift Set, but you can get the full one here. With this product you can build a really volumised lash, but if you want a more natural look you can achieve this with less application. I find that it isn't too hard to remove either, unlike the Thick and Fast mascara.
What are your favourite mascaras for full looking lashes?
Conditioning is more crucial than ever during Winter, it is more likely that the crisp weather will dry out your hair which will lead to breakage and no-one wants that! My hair goal for this year is growth, so here are just two of the products I will be using to ensure that I reach that goal and get through these Winter months.
Cantu Shea Butter - Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream.
As you can see from the image, the Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner is well used in our house. It's a product that me and my mum just cannot get enough of! In fact you could go as far as to say that it is my favourite Leave In Conditioner of all time. First of all it smells great. This is a real essential for me at the moment as I am trying to refrain from using heat on my hair, and having nice smelling hair is one of the bonuses of giving the straighteners a break.
Secondly it is a really vital product at this time of the year, as it locks in moisture to prevent breakage. At this time of the year with the cold weather it is more likely that you lose hair due to the frosty weather that can dry it out. It's all about conditioning and moisturising.
Thirdly it is affordable at around £3.99 and it does contain quite a lot of product in the tub. I like the fact that you just put your hand in and scoop it out rather than having a pump that you have to press hundreds of times to get enough product, especially if you have thick hair like me.
Cantu Shea Butter - Daily Oil Moisturiser.
It smells amazing and is ideal for untangling hair after a long day of it being open to the elements. I would say that this product can be used everyday if you use a small amount, but a little goes a long way and I guess that depends on how well your hair soaks in the product. It isn't too heavy so that it ruins your style and it is also very affordable at around the £4 mark.
I have seen a lot of controversy around the use of mineral oil in this product, but personally for me it works great!
What are your favourite hair moisturisers for Winter?
Conditioning is more crucial than ever during Winter, it is more likely that the crisp weather will dry out your hair which will lead to breakage and no-one wants that! My hair goal for this year is growth, so here are just two of the products I will be using to ensure that I reach that goal and get through these Winter months.
Cantu Shea Butter - Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream.
As you can see from the image, the Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner is well used in our house. It's a product that me and my mum just cannot get enough of! In fact you could go as far as to say that it is my favourite Leave In Conditioner of all time. First of all it smells great. This is a real essential for me at the moment as I am trying to refrain from using heat on my hair, and having nice smelling hair is one of the bonuses of giving the straighteners a break.
Secondly it is a really vital product at this time of the year, as it locks in moisture to prevent breakage. At this time of the year with the cold weather it is more likely that you lose hair due to the frosty weather that can dry it out. It's all about conditioning and moisturising.
Thirdly it is affordable at around £3.99 and it does contain quite a lot of product in the tub. I like the fact that you just put your hand in and scoop it out rather than having a pump that you have to press hundreds of times to get enough product, especially if you have thick hair like me.
Cantu Shea Butter - Daily Oil Moisturiser.
It smells amazing and is ideal for untangling hair after a long day of it being open to the elements. I would say that this product can be used everyday if you use a small amount, but a little goes a long way and I guess that depends on how well your hair soaks in the product. It isn't too heavy so that it ruins your style and it is also very affordable at around the £4 mark.
I have seen a lot of controversy around the use of mineral oil in this product, but personally for me it works great!
What are your favourite hair moisturisers for Winter?
December was strangely warm, so it seems that Winter has come back with a vengeance and is punishing us with 1 degree temperatures and now snow *screams*. So here are the moisturising products that I have been using to stay hydrated, smooth and chap- free during winter. I dabble in different moisturisers a lot but these are the products that have really stood out and are now my go-to favourites.
The Righteous Butter, Soap & Glory - £10.
I have used this before (but in the pump bottle) and it smells amazing. You can see more about the hygiene products that accompany it in the Whole She Bang kit here. This cream is much more of a butter, and it's consistency makes it feel like a high end product. It's like a coconut butter but without the horrible smell!
Clinique Turnaround Daytime & Turnaround Overnight - In the Clinique Bonus Time Gift Set.
I received the Clinique Bonus Time Gift Set and it is the most handy thing ever if you travel a lot. The full sized versions of these products are around £30 each, so it is definitely handy trying out the sample sizes before you invest.
Both of the products are so effective. They are unscented, I only wear unscented creams on my face because I am scared I will break out! The day cream is silky and doesn't feel too heavy, which is perfect for a day cream as you don't want it to be too cloggy underneath your makeup!
The night cream is my favourite as it is quite thick and makes your skin feel like it has an extra layer on. I use it in the day sometimes also, especially if I'm not wearing makeup that day.
Clinique Baby Tint - In the Clinique Bonus Time Gift Set.
This lip balm is great because it lasts a long time and it also slightly tints your lips, so if you don't feel like wearing lipstick you will still look fresh and ready to go! Also if you have long nails like me it is much more practical than using vaseline. It comes with a lid but I took it off so you can see the lip balm properly.
L'Occitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream - £8, Debenhams
I received this in a gift set from L'Occitane and it is the best hand cream I have ever used! I used to swear by Soap and Glory Hand Food, yet this one contains Shea Butter which is just good for everything. It smells really strong which is nice when you aren't wearing much perfume, but can be a little bit overbearing when wearing other perfumes. No matter how cold it is, wear this and you will have amazingly soft hands.
What are your essentials for the winter months?
December was strangely warm, so it seems that Winter has come back with a vengeance and is punishing us with 1 degree temperatures and now snow *screams*. So here are the moisturising products that I have been using to stay hydrated, smooth and chap- free during winter. I dabble in different moisturisers a lot but these are the products that have really stood out and are now my go-to favourites.
The Righteous Butter, Soap & Glory - £10.
I have used this before (but in the pump bottle) and it smells amazing. You can see more about the hygiene products that accompany it in the Whole She Bang kit here. This cream is much more of a butter, and it's consistency makes it feel like a high end product. It's like a coconut butter but without the horrible smell!
Clinique Turnaround Daytime & Turnaround Overnight - In the Clinique Bonus Time Gift Set.
I received the Clinique Bonus Time Gift Set and it is the most handy thing ever if you travel a lot. The full sized versions of these products are around £30 each, so it is definitely handy trying out the sample sizes before you invest.
Both of the products are so effective. They are unscented, I only wear unscented creams on my face because I am scared I will break out! The day cream is silky and doesn't feel too heavy, which is perfect for a day cream as you don't want it to be too cloggy underneath your makeup!
The night cream is my favourite as it is quite thick and makes your skin feel like it has an extra layer on. I use it in the day sometimes also, especially if I'm not wearing makeup that day.
Clinique Baby Tint - In the Clinique Bonus Time Gift Set.
This lip balm is great because it lasts a long time and it also slightly tints your lips, so if you don't feel like wearing lipstick you will still look fresh and ready to go! Also if you have long nails like me it is much more practical than using vaseline. It comes with a lid but I took it off so you can see the lip balm properly.
L'Occitane Cherry Blossom Hand Cream - £8, Debenhams
I received this in a gift set from L'Occitane and it is the best hand cream I have ever used! I used to swear by Soap and Glory Hand Food, yet this one contains Shea Butter which is just good for everything. It smells really strong which is nice when you aren't wearing much perfume, but can be a little bit overbearing when wearing other perfumes. No matter how cold it is, wear this and you will have amazingly soft hands.
What are your essentials for the winter months?
My new favourite hygiene products come from this set, and after a month of using them day in, day out, I thought it was about right that I did a little review.
Clean On Me- I have been using this EVERYDAY. My favourite thing about this product is that it smells amazing. This shower gel smells so opulent and flowery, it is like having a pamper every morning, even if you are in a rush. The only downside is that it doesn't lather up very quickly but if you really squeeze it into a sponge or a shower puff (I don't know the technical name for it) it makes lots of cloudy bubbles. You leave the shower feeling soft and ready for the day. Sometimes I think that really scented shower gels don't make you feel as fresh and clean, and it might interfere with my perfume but with this I think it just accentuates any scent you may be wearing. I follow this up with the Soap & Glory Body Butter which makes my skin feel super plump and moisturised. I will be doing a post on my current favourite moisturisers to follow this up, so I won't go into that too much now!
Peaches and Clean Deep Cleansing Milk - The first things that come to mind when I use this is 'it's nice'. That's all really. The formula is just like any other cleansing milk and I don't feel any tingling sensation when it is on my skin, which may be a good thing, but I do like to feel that the product is really doing something. I haven't noticed any fluctuation in spots or dry skin, which is a plus.
The Scrub of Your Life - IT ACTUALLY IS! This scrub is amazing, and it's so pretty! It works so well to leave your skin feeling silky, even if you haven't shaved your legs (it's cold out here). It smells just like the shower gel so that if you use both you don't leave the bathroom smelling like a sickly concoction of perfumes.
Overall, these products are perfect if you want to feel like a pampered princess everyday and now it is on sale I would highly recommend snapping it up, as it is certainly cheaper to buy this way than individually. You also get an amazing mascara and a selection of moisturisers.
Let me know if you have the set and please put any links below to your reviews!
My new favourite hygiene products come from this set, and after a month of using them day in, day out, I thought it was about right that I did a little review.
Clean On Me- I have been using this EVERYDAY. My favourite thing about this product is that it smells amazing. This shower gel smells so opulent and flowery, it is like having a pamper every morning, even if you are in a rush. The only downside is that it doesn't lather up very quickly but if you really squeeze it into a sponge or a shower puff (I don't know the technical name for it) it makes lots of cloudy bubbles. You leave the shower feeling soft and ready for the day. Sometimes I think that really scented shower gels don't make you feel as fresh and clean, and it might interfere with my perfume but with this I think it just accentuates any scent you may be wearing. I follow this up with the Soap & Glory Body Butter which makes my skin feel super plump and moisturised. I will be doing a post on my current favourite moisturisers to follow this up, so I won't go into that too much now!
Peaches and Clean Deep Cleansing Milk - The first things that come to mind when I use this is 'it's nice'. That's all really. The formula is just like any other cleansing milk and I don't feel any tingling sensation when it is on my skin, which may be a good thing, but I do like to feel that the product is really doing something. I haven't noticed any fluctuation in spots or dry skin, which is a plus.
The Scrub of Your Life - IT ACTUALLY IS! This scrub is amazing, and it's so pretty! It works so well to leave your skin feeling silky, even if you haven't shaved your legs (it's cold out here). It smells just like the shower gel so that if you use both you don't leave the bathroom smelling like a sickly concoction of perfumes.
Overall, these products are perfect if you want to feel like a pampered princess everyday and now it is on sale I would highly recommend snapping it up, as it is certainly cheaper to buy this way than individually. You also get an amazing mascara and a selection of moisturisers.
Let me know if you have the set and please put any links below to your reviews!
Friday
The preparation for a good start on a Monday starts on Friday. Try and complete all of your tasks at work an hour before you leave the office so that you can organise yourself for Monday morning!
Make sure you have replied to any emails by Friday afternoon, so that you don't have to worry about remembering what that person wanted on Monday and so that you don't forget to reply once your inbox is flooded again on Monday morning. You can also expect a reply on Monday morning, which will hopefully help you get on with the job.
Tidy your desk before you leave so that you have a clear mind. A tidy desk is a tidy mind and its awful when you start your day feeling all over the place!
Make a to-do-list before you leave work, I have been doing this religiously and it saves you trying to remember what that urgent thing was off the top of your head. It also leaves you a bit of time to grab a cup of tea in the morning and not feel so stressed.
Sunday
Make a nice lunch to take to work. This will give you something to look forward to on Monday and also saves time and money which means you spend less of your time on Monday lunch time queueing up for food! It can also contribute towards a healthier diet, because we all know its easy to pick up that sandwich and crisps... and chocolate.
Have a pamper session and pick out your outfit the night before. This will give you some extra time in the morning and ensure a smooth start to a new week. You may also want to pack your handbag and put a few rollers in so that your hair is full of life, without the hassle in the morning. My fellow naturalistas will agree with me that wearing a silk bonnet at night is a godsend, silky smooth hair that is easy to manage is guaranteed. Check out my sunday night pamper tips here.
Have an early night. Right now I am contradicting myself as its nearly midnight and I am up writing this post! Read a few pages of that book you can't put down and try and get 8 hours of sleep so that getting up isn't soooo bad.
Monday
Leave out a few minutes earlier. Getting to work just 10 minutes before you have to be there gives you a bit of extra time to grab a drink and not feel rushed to do things as soon as you have sat down. You may even want to put on a bit of makeup or something to make a monday morning not feel so drab!
Have breakfast. I am not to great on the breakfast front, but lately I have been having a banana for breakfast everyday and I can feel the difference. It doesn't seem much but with a yoghurt I stay full until around 12! I have recently been enjoying the Muller vitality yoghurt drinks.
Read the news. Sometimes it may feel like life revolves around work and that can be quite de-motivating. Reading the Metro on the bus/train or reading the news online when you get to work can remind you that there is a lot going on in the world! It will also help you to avoid any awkward 'faux pas' if there has been a particularly controversial crisis.
How do you prepare for a new week? Thanks for reading!
Friday
The preparation for a good start on a Monday starts on Friday. Try and complete all of your tasks at work an hour before you leave the office so that you can organise yourself for Monday morning!
Make sure you have replied to any emails by Friday afternoon, so that you don't have to worry about remembering what that person wanted on Monday and so that you don't forget to reply once your inbox is flooded again on Monday morning. You can also expect a reply on Monday morning, which will hopefully help you get on with the job.
Tidy your desk before you leave so that you have a clear mind. A tidy desk is a tidy mind and its awful when you start your day feeling all over the place!
Make a to-do-list before you leave work, I have been doing this religiously and it saves you trying to remember what that urgent thing was off the top of your head. It also leaves you a bit of time to grab a cup of tea in the morning and not feel so stressed.
Sunday
Make a nice lunch to take to work. This will give you something to look forward to on Monday and also saves time and money which means you spend less of your time on Monday lunch time queueing up for food! It can also contribute towards a healthier diet, because we all know its easy to pick up that sandwich and crisps... and chocolate.
Have a pamper session and pick out your outfit the night before. This will give you some extra time in the morning and ensure a smooth start to a new week. You may also want to pack your handbag and put a few rollers in so that your hair is full of life, without the hassle in the morning. My fellow naturalistas will agree with me that wearing a silk bonnet at night is a godsend, silky smooth hair that is easy to manage is guaranteed. Check out my sunday night pamper tips here.
Have an early night. Right now I am contradicting myself as its nearly midnight and I am up writing this post! Read a few pages of that book you can't put down and try and get 8 hours of sleep so that getting up isn't soooo bad.
Monday
Leave out a few minutes earlier. Getting to work just 10 minutes before you have to be there gives you a bit of extra time to grab a drink and not feel rushed to do things as soon as you have sat down. You may even want to put on a bit of makeup or something to make a monday morning not feel so drab!
Have breakfast. I am not to great on the breakfast front, but lately I have been having a banana for breakfast everyday and I can feel the difference. It doesn't seem much but with a yoghurt I stay full until around 12! I have recently been enjoying the Muller vitality yoghurt drinks.
Read the news. Sometimes it may feel like life revolves around work and that can be quite de-motivating. Reading the Metro on the bus/train or reading the news online when you get to work can remind you that there is a lot going on in the world! It will also help you to avoid any awkward 'faux pas' if there has been a particularly controversial crisis.
How do you prepare for a new week? Thanks for reading!
They say 'A Sunday well spent, brings a week of content' and I completely agree. After a night out for my friends birthday and a day of slobbing around with the girls eating dominoes and watching films it was the perfect Sunday, but I had chipped black nail varnish and they also say 'chipped nails means dirty underwear' so I had to sort it out ASAP!
I started off by removing the mess on my nails with this Elegant Touch nail varnish remover that I bought in New Look, I then filed them into this square shape, I am so happy that my nails are growing strong after years of wearing acrylics but I like to keep a similar shape.
Firstly my favourite nail varnish at the moment is this one, surprisingly from H&M. The shade is Rainforest Lake and I think it looks great on darker/tanned skin because it is super bright. My wardrobe is pretty much a mixture of grey, black and khaki and now it's getting towards spring, I thought I would add a flash of colour.
Anyway, back to the nails, I change my nail varnish all the time and I have a pretty big varnish collection but I get really impatient when it comes to drying them. As soon as I saw this Elegant Touch nail drying spray I was so excited and it really does dry your nails in 60 seconds! It also leaves a really nice shine to your nails and skin.
A woman is only helpless when her nail varnish is drying.... Well no more thanks to this £3 wonder!
They say 'A Sunday well spent, brings a week of content' and I completely agree. After a night out for my friends birthday and a day of slobbing around with the girls eating dominoes and watching films it was the perfect Sunday, but I had chipped black nail varnish and they also say 'chipped nails means dirty underwear' so I had to sort it out ASAP!
I started off by removing the mess on my nails with this Elegant Touch nail varnish remover that I bought in New Look, I then filed them into this square shape, I am so happy that my nails are growing strong after years of wearing acrylics but I like to keep a similar shape.
Firstly my favourite nail varnish at the moment is this one, surprisingly from H&M. The shade is Rainforest Lake and I think it looks great on darker/tanned skin because it is super bright. My wardrobe is pretty much a mixture of grey, black and khaki and now it's getting towards spring, I thought I would add a flash of colour.
Anyway, back to the nails, I change my nail varnish all the time and I have a pretty big varnish collection but I get really impatient when it comes to drying them. As soon as I saw this Elegant Touch nail drying spray I was so excited and it really does dry your nails in 60 seconds! It also leaves a really nice shine to your nails and skin.
A woman is only helpless when her nail varnish is drying.... Well no more thanks to this £3 wonder!
Here's a roundup of my everyday beauty faves and things I reach for most!
I like these posts when other people do them, so I thought I may aswell start now and then maybe I can start doing monthly favourites throughout 2014.
Sleek Shimmer Blush in Sunrise 924. £4.49 Sleek recommend this for darker skin tones and I love how pigmented the colour is, although it is hard to capture without natural sunlight! (swatch to the right) It works really well as a bronze as it comes out as a dark blush. Also works well with the Sleek Contour kit for a glamorous look and I use it to make sure I have a healthy glow! click here to purchase.
Sleek Face Contour Kit in Dark 886 £6.49
This Contour Kit probably comes up on a lot of beauty guru's favourites!
A lot of people have this palette and at first I was sceptical but I have been converted. The pigment is perfect and I mainly use the Dark Contour powder as opposed to using the highlighter. I am still looking for a plain highlighter that doesn't have glitter, so if you have any suggestions please comment below! I think this kit will last me a long time, and it around £6 its great value as you only need one swift swipe to add some element to your face. click hereMAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural in Dark Deep. £22
This is 100% my Holy Grail face product. I Swear by it. Apply a small amount of top of foundation to set it and add a healthy glow, or use instead of foundation altogether and it is just as good! I use this as an everyday face product and I have repurchased it since I bought it the first time. it is a nice chocolately brown that gives you a healthy look!
MAC Matte Powder Blush in Raizin £18
Although it is quite expensive for a blush, you can really see the quality of it when applied , as the pigment is great and it applies nearly as condensed as a cream, but it is a powder! Meaning it will last a long time. It is a really nice undertone deep reddish brown, and compliments dark skin amazingly. available hereRemington Sleek and Smooth Wide Hair Straightener. £36.99
Best buy of the year! and at least 3 people I know have bought them since. The wide plate is especially good for my thick hair and they heat up super fast, they also come with a heat mat and can go up to over 200 degrees. The ceramic plates really make a difference as they slide through my hair without me feeling like its being singed! also the plates are kind of 'floating' so they move with your movements. I also curl with these and love how silky it makes my hair feel, especially after using a tiny bit of caster oil.
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer £5.99I love to use this if I don't want to wear a full coverage foundation, it is quite heavy coverage so don't use it if you're prone to break out, but its great to use under the eyes and is a nice warm natural tone. What I like in particular is the doe foot applicator it comes with, so you can use it on the go. find your shade here
MUA Undress Me Too Eyeshadow Palette £4
This palette is perfect because it has the right mix of matte shadows and shimmery ones. It also has a great range of colours you can actually use together! it sounds obvious but its not always easy to find a palette where you can take just that with you if you're going away for a night out and you know you don't need anything else. Id describe it as a cheaper version of the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette, it just costs 10 times less, (literally). click here
Real Techniques Core Collection Brush Set £21.99
I had been wanting these brushes for so long but couldn't justify spending so much just on brushes! However it certainly works out better to buy the set, and you get the travel case that you can stand up as I've shown in the picture above. I'm so glad I went and got these as you can feel the quality every time! My favourite brush is the big buffing one, I use this for my foundation and the mineralise powder. and then the smaller round brush I use for my dark contour powder. The tiny thin brush I use to conceal my eyebrows, and the flat brush is just multipurpose for me, what I love about this set also, is that they are all different sizes so that you can use them for specific purposes. You can buy the set at boots as a lot of retailers sell the core collection brushes seperately .
TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Restoring Shampoo and Conditioner £4.99 each
Keratin as you may know is for smoothing and straightening hair, I love to use this because it smells SO NICE! and you leaves my hair without tangles and so soft to the touch, I often think I haven't washed the conditioner out properly as it feels so soft. What I like most about these products is that they do what they say on the bottle and control frizz. Obviously when I wash my hair it is a huge afro bush but it is a controlled bush thanks to these shampoos!
Last but not least…..
Jergens Daily Moisturiser (around £2.99 depending on where you buy it)
I use so many different creams and body butters and could possibly moisturise a small country. However I prefer creams that I can use all over, and as I don't use scented creams on my face and I have dry spots in this area, I prefer to have one particularly for dry skin. This one feels really silky when you apply it so at first I didn't think it would work but it proved me wrong and leaves me nice and silky!
So thats all of my everyday favourites and the things I reach for most of the time. I may do a part two with things I have left out, or a 2013 worst products to review also. Hope this helped! Leave links to your favourites below! See you soon! xx
Here's a roundup of my everyday beauty faves and things I reach for most!
I like these posts when other people do them, so I thought I may aswell start now and then maybe I can start doing monthly favourites throughout 2014.
Sleek Shimmer Blush in Sunrise 924. £4.49 Sleek recommend this for darker skin tones and I love how pigmented the colour is, although it is hard to capture without natural sunlight! (swatch to the right) It works really well as a bronze as it comes out as a dark blush. Also works well with the Sleek Contour kit for a glamorous look and I use it to make sure I have a healthy glow! click here to purchase.
Sleek Face Contour Kit in Dark 886 £6.49
This Contour Kit probably comes up on a lot of beauty guru's favourites!
A lot of people have this palette and at first I was sceptical but I have been converted. The pigment is perfect and I mainly use the Dark Contour powder as opposed to using the highlighter. I am still looking for a plain highlighter that doesn't have glitter, so if you have any suggestions please comment below! I think this kit will last me a long time, and it around £6 its great value as you only need one swift swipe to add some element to your face. click hereMAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural in Dark Deep. £22
This is 100% my Holy Grail face product. I Swear by it. Apply a small amount of top of foundation to set it and add a healthy glow, or use instead of foundation altogether and it is just as good! I use this as an everyday face product and I have repurchased it since I bought it the first time. it is a nice chocolately brown that gives you a healthy look!
MAC Matte Powder Blush in Raizin £18
Although it is quite expensive for a blush, you can really see the quality of it when applied , as the pigment is great and it applies nearly as condensed as a cream, but it is a powder! Meaning it will last a long time. It is a really nice undertone deep reddish brown, and compliments dark skin amazingly. available hereRemington Sleek and Smooth Wide Hair Straightener. £36.99
Best buy of the year! and at least 3 people I know have bought them since. The wide plate is especially good for my thick hair and they heat up super fast, they also come with a heat mat and can go up to over 200 degrees. The ceramic plates really make a difference as they slide through my hair without me feeling like its being singed! also the plates are kind of 'floating' so they move with your movements. I also curl with these and love how silky it makes my hair feel, especially after using a tiny bit of caster oil.
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer £5.99I love to use this if I don't want to wear a full coverage foundation, it is quite heavy coverage so don't use it if you're prone to break out, but its great to use under the eyes and is a nice warm natural tone. What I like in particular is the doe foot applicator it comes with, so you can use it on the go. find your shade here
MUA Undress Me Too Eyeshadow Palette £4
This palette is perfect because it has the right mix of matte shadows and shimmery ones. It also has a great range of colours you can actually use together! it sounds obvious but its not always easy to find a palette where you can take just that with you if you're going away for a night out and you know you don't need anything else. Id describe it as a cheaper version of the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette, it just costs 10 times less, (literally). click here
Real Techniques Core Collection Brush Set £21.99
I had been wanting these brushes for so long but couldn't justify spending so much just on brushes! However it certainly works out better to buy the set, and you get the travel case that you can stand up as I've shown in the picture above. I'm so glad I went and got these as you can feel the quality every time! My favourite brush is the big buffing one, I use this for my foundation and the mineralise powder. and then the smaller round brush I use for my dark contour powder. The tiny thin brush I use to conceal my eyebrows, and the flat brush is just multipurpose for me, what I love about this set also, is that they are all different sizes so that you can use them for specific purposes. You can buy the set at boots as a lot of retailers sell the core collection brushes seperately .
TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Restoring Shampoo and Conditioner £4.99 each
Keratin as you may know is for smoothing and straightening hair, I love to use this because it smells SO NICE! and you leaves my hair without tangles and so soft to the touch, I often think I haven't washed the conditioner out properly as it feels so soft. What I like most about these products is that they do what they say on the bottle and control frizz. Obviously when I wash my hair it is a huge afro bush but it is a controlled bush thanks to these shampoos!
Last but not least…..
Jergens Daily Moisturiser (around £2.99 depending on where you buy it)
I use so many different creams and body butters and could possibly moisturise a small country. However I prefer creams that I can use all over, and as I don't use scented creams on my face and I have dry spots in this area, I prefer to have one particularly for dry skin. This one feels really silky when you apply it so at first I didn't think it would work but it proved me wrong and leaves me nice and silky!
So thats all of my everyday favourites and the things I reach for most of the time. I may do a part two with things I have left out, or a 2013 worst products to review also. Hope this helped! Leave links to your favourites below! See you soon! xx
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