The Weekly Selection

There hasn't really been anything to write home about this week in terms of new loves - I did go out and buy a few new beauty bits a couple of days ago, but I haven't had the chance to try anything more than once or twice, which means that my most reached-for products of late have definitely been the known and loved.

One product which has stood out to me, however is definitely the Balance Me Radiance Face Oil*, which has been lurking at the back of my collection for some time now, just begging to be loved. When I first received it, my skin was an absolute nightmare, and I had really scaled back my routine to the absolute basics as I was so afraid of making it worse. However, now that things are on a bit more of an even keel, I've been really enjoying slapping on a light layer of this before I turn in for the night. It's the nicest smelling facial oil I've ever had the pleasure of using, and leaves my skin feeling plump and nourished come morning. It also gives me a bit of an extra glow, which is something I'm always in the market for.

Next up is my beloved Mac Lipstick in Vegas Volt. This was my first ever Mac purchase many moons ago, and the vibrant coral shade still wows me as much now as it did back then. I actually went through a phase where I no longer thought this suited me, but when I found it at the bottom of my makeup bag last week and slicked some on, it was love - again. It's one of your typically perfect summer shades, and the creamy Amplified finish is an added bonus.
I've been enjoying using the Dove Summer Glow in light - medium to keep my limbs looking naturally bronzed of late (I know it has a different name in the picture, but that's because it's a foreign version!). I don't often go for this type of product, as I've had plenty of sunshine at my disposal for quite some time now. However, you do start to take it for granted after a while and before you know it you're looking a bit pale again as you haven't been out in it for a week.

Last but not least, it's the Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Leave-In Treatment, which has been a godsend following the DIY re-ombre-ing of my hair earlier this week. I first had my hair done some time ago now, and some of you might remember that my locks were left in a very sorry state afterwards, with weeks of complaining and attempting to nurse them back to help in the aftermath. Over time, I'd trimmed and trimmed the ends to the point where there really wasn't much of the ombre effect left, so this time I decided to take matters into my own hands, and do it myself. I have to say, I'm really pleased with the results - more so than when I paid to have it done professionally. And this time, I am determined to do right by my locks and give them all the strength and nourishment they need from the off.

Which products have been floating your boat this week?

xx

Helping Hands for Hair

Everyone's hair needs a little bit of a helping hand at times, and mine is no exception. Although I've got mine through it's terrible 'frazzled' phase of last year, the warm weather and sunshine can still dry out my locks and leave them feeling less than silky soft, so besides my shampoo and conditioner, I have an arsenal of little helpers on hand to get  things back on track.

My trustiest friend when it comes to keeping my hair in tip-top condition is the Joico K-Pak Revitaluxe, a liquid treatment which is applied to clean, wet hair for 3-5 minutes. I have never managed to ascertain whether or not this one is supposed to replace a conditioner, but when I use this once a week I do tend to apply an extra one afterwards, as with this being quite runny in consistency, I sometimes feel that my tresses are asking for a little bit of something extra afterwards. Revitaluxe is a Bio-advanced restorative treatment to revitalise, nourish and repair, and it certainly does just that. With each use, my hair becomes stronger, smoother, silkier and more manageable,and as I'm coming to the end of this tube the full-size version is a must for my shopping basket.

A couple of times a week, I run two pumps of the Redken Extreme Anti-Snap Leave-In Treatment through towel-dried hair after washing and conditioning (excuse the sticky label mark - couldn't get it off for love nor money!). Rich in proteins, this helps to strengthen each strand and minimise split ends - it can't be used daily though, as too much protein can have the same effect as none at all: breakage.

On the subject of split ends, I recently picked up the TreSemme Split End Remedy, a spray-in treatment which aims to reconstruct the ends of the hair. I've been spraying this on liberally after washing, despite my scepticism - I don't personally believe that split-ends can be 'mended', at least not permanently. But anything that helps keep any nasty fly-aways at bay is worth a try in my book.

After a coconut oil disaster some while ago that left me with something of an oil slick on my head, I might well have been put off hair oils for life, but I'm so glad I persevered with them as they are now an integral part of my post-hair-wash routine. I apply a couple of pumps of the L'oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil (don't mind my foreign version in the picture) to my hair after blotting with a towel (if I'm using the Redken Anti-Snap then I mix the two together in my palms before smoothing through), and it makes a huge difference to the final appearance of my hair after blow-drying, leaving it much softer, smoother and shinier. I rarely to apply this to dry hair, as personally I don't find it hugely beneficial, but I will occasionally add the tiniest amount if my ends are looking overly frizzy. Generally though, I much prefer damp hair as a canvas, as I find that my locks just drink it up, with no hint of greasiness left behind when dry.

Last but by no means least is the Agadir Argan Oil Hair Treatment, which I stumbled across by sheer accident when looking for discounted Moroccan Oil on Ebay. This is my best find in quite a while when it comes to hair products, and is far superior to the Elvive Extraordinary Oil (which is pretty darn good in itself). This is a slightly thicker, more luxurious oil and leaves my hair feeling healthier and shinier than anything else I've tried. Unfortunately I only picked up a handful of samples, so I have now made it my mission to find out where I can get my hands on a full-size bottle - if anyone has heard of this brand before and knows the best place to buy it then do please let me know!

What are your favourite hair saviours? 

Are you a fan of oils?

xx

Done and Dusted:January/February Empties

I don't often do empties posts, mainly as it seems to take me far longer to get to the bottom of a product than anyone else. I think I'd put it down to being easily bored, as no sooner have I ascertained that a product could be doing more for me, or that it doesn't quite live up to the hype, than I'm on the hunt for something new. The trouble is, finding something that 100% does do what it says on the tin can prove difficult, so at times it can be a fruitless search.
Anyway, more about that later. Let's see what I've 'got to the bottom of' over the past couple of months.

1. Redken All Soft Conditioner
This was one of those products that, for the first few weeks, seemed to be incredibly helpful to my straw-like ends, which were in a bad way back when I first had my hair ombred. Unfortunately, I can confirm that they are in more or less the same condition today -it seemed that after that initial period where it was making the difference that nothing else would, it suddenly ceased to have any effect whatsoever on my locks. My hair no longer began to feel silky upon application in the shower, and looked just as distressed once it had tried. On that basis, I'd have to say that I won't be repurchasing - it's not the cheapest of conditioners, and there are high-street brands that are just the same in terms of what they can do for me.

2. John Frieda Smooth Start Repairing Shampoo
I did quite like using this shampoo, but I think without a really good conditioner and mask, it's hard for any benefits it may be giving to shine through. I can't really say one way or the other what, if anything, it's done for me, but that's often the case with shampoos. They work best as part of a team, so while I might buy this again, I would feel inclined to get some of the other products in the range so that then I could really get a clear picture.

3. Origins Modern Friction
Now this one is something I do love. It's got a refreshing lemony scent, and is fantastic for those days when you've got a bt of flakey skin -which in my case tends to occur on my nose, if at all. Just massage a bit of this over the offending area for about a minute, add some water, rinse and voila - smooth skin. Repurchase? Why yes.

4. Origins Make a Difference Cleansing Milk
I got this for Christmas, as part of the Make a Difference Moisture Makers gift set. It smells absolutely divine (think fresh, juicy oranges), and was an absolute pleasure to use. The only downside is that, being a milk, I didn't find it that effective in removing makeup, so you end up using quite a lot of product as you have to double cleanse. On that basis, I unfortunately probably wouldn't purchase again, but if they made this into a cream/hot cloth cleanser then I'd be all over it.

5. Origins Make a Difference Skin Rejuvenating Serum
I absolutely adored this. Like the cleansing milk, it had that same fantastically fruity fragrance, and it left my skin feeling SO hydrated, soft and plumped. I would love to repurchase this and keep it for either morning or evening, as I feel that I need to be using an anti-ageing one too in my daily routine.

6. Origins Gin Zing Eye Cream
This is one of those products that was really hyped up, and at first I thought it was a complete disappointment. However, as I mentioned recently, I then tried a couple of other eye creams, and it was only  when I came back to Gin Zing that I noticed the difference it made. I wouldn't say it has any long-term benefits, but when you pop some on in the mornings it certainly brightens the under-eye area and improves the appearance of dark circles.. Don't expect it to completely banish them though, and the same goes for puffiness. But then, can you show me an eye cream that truly does? I think I will repurchase this, as it's become a morning time staple, and I'm yet to come across anything I'd replace it with.

Which products have you used up this month?
Hope you're having a lovely week.

xx

New Video: Current Haircare Routine - Nursing Damaged Hair Back to Health

Hello lovelies, hope you're all having a great weekend. I've been a bit quiet on the blog this week, and on Youtube for the past couple, but now that I've finished work for Christmas and have got some time off, I'm raring to get some posts written and videos filmed!

Today's video is about my current haircare routine. I've recently had to invest in some new haircare as my hair became really dry, brittle and damaged after having it ombred. It really was in a poor state, but thankfully some of these products have made a huge difference. Equally, some haven't, so I thought I'd talk you through what I've been using and my thoughts on each.

I will be writing up a full blog post on my haircare routine within the next week as I'm aware that videos are not for everyone, so keep your eyes open for that if this is not your cup of tea. I'll also be doing full reviews on each of the products.

In my previous video, I talked about my current skincare routine, and I'm aware that I still haven't uploaded a full blog post on that, so that's also coming up very soon - apologies for not getting it up sooner as I do like to be a woman of my word!

Hope you enjoy the video lovelies, do let me know your thoughts in the comments below as I love hearing your views on the products I've mentionedaswell as the videos themselves!

xx