Products That Didn't Float My Boat #1: Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Intense Moisturising Treatment

When I first had my hair ombred, as I'm sure you've heard me mention before by now, the ends became really dry, brittle and unruly. When I went on a bit of a haircare spree, this was one of the products I popped into my bag in the hope that it would restore the lustre to my wayward locks, leaving me with a silky, smooth, hydrated mane.

Sadly, it wasn't to be. The first time I used this mask, I excused it's performance, explaining it away with the fact that my hair was in such terrible condition that it had a mammoth job to do, and that it couldn't possible repair the damage all in one go. So, I decided to give it a second chance.

A little bit about the product before I go into my experiences.

Containing Argan oil, which is present in many a best-selling hair product at the moment, this mask aims to 'penetrate the hair shaft, restoring shine and softness, while strengthening and creating soft, seductive, silky perfection', as proclaimed on the packaging.

Now, I hate to be so negative, but for me, the most important thing when writing a review is to be honest. I don't wish to denounce Organix as a brand, and I actually enjoy using their Nourishing Coconut Milk leave-in conditioner on a daily basis (review coming up shortly). But this mask really didn't do anything for me, and sadly, it left my hair in a sorrier state than it had been beforehand. My hair felt coarse and dry, but the real killer was that it left my hair in a huge matted mess. I had never seen my hair in such a condition before, and it took me a good couple of hours to untangle the mess, even having to cut bits out where it was beyond help. I actually saw a similar such review of this product on Makeupalley, and I remember thinking at the time how ridiculously negative and dramatic some people could be. It's only having used it that I am able to understand where they were coming from.

 However, as with all products, what doesn't work for one person sometimes proves to be an absolute gem for another, and vice versa, and I did see plenty of positive reviews on this, too. I'm really not sure why my hair didn't get along with it, so I'd love to know if any of you have tried it, and if so what your thoughts were. I'd be really interested to hear if you've had a positive experience with it.

Final rating:   I feel bad, but given my experience I really couldn't give this one many points. I do like the packaging and branding though, so for that this scores a 2/10.

Hope you're all having a great start to the week.

xx

Top Six Winter Lip Products

You may have seen me talking about my top six Winter products in this Youtube video, but as is often the case, I thought I would do a write-up on them for you as well, as I know that videos are not for everyone. Perhaps you don't have the time to watch them, or perhaps you catch up with blog posts on the go and don't have a chance. Or maybe they just aren't your thing. But as blogging has always been my primary means of sharing the products I love (and those I don't!) with you, I thought it would be nice to have a bit of a ramble about them on here, and perhaps say some more sensible things than when I am under the pressure of the webcam! Ha.

Now personally, I love a good, bright lip, so I have been like a moth to a flame when it comes to all the beautiful berries and reds floating around the beauty world this Winter. But equally, I have been enjoying a couple of more pared-down shades for those days where I just want something low maintenance, that I won't have to worry about smudging or fading awkwardly throughout the day in the same way that I would with something bolder (scroll down for more pictures and swatches).

In terms of those brights, my favourite of all has probably been my Mac Lip Pencil in Cherry (review here). I originally bought this with the intent of wearing it underneath a red lipstick, but found that it gave such a beautifully precise, matte lip on it's own that I soon took to going solo. It has a highly pigmented formula and glides on with ease, so there is no dragging or pulling, and it does last pretty well (although as I've mentioned before, nothing stays put for long on my lips).

I've also found myself digging out two Revlon Lip Butters which had been in hibernation for the past couple of months. Cherry Tart is a bright red shade, but the formula is really sheer and moisturising, so you can go for a more subtle look as well as layering it up if you fancy going a bit bolder. Raspberry Pie is a gorgeous vibrant berry shade, and is more pigmented than any of the others I've tried, so it does require a little bit more care and attention on application. Both leave my lips with a slight glossy sheen, and though they don't last long I find them fairly easy to reapply throughout the day, even in a hurry.

I couldn't bring myself to leave all my fuchsias behind in the warmer months, so I have been contnuing to turn to my L'oreal Color Riche Serum in Radiant Rose. Again, this is a fairly moisturising formula, and is fairly pigmented so only requires one coat. I love bright pinks, and this one is a really pretty, wearable shade. It also contains hyaluronic acid, which helps to plump up the lips, and it applies really evenly. I did post about this a fair old while back, so if you fancy having a little look at that then you can find it here.

In the Winter, I don't find there are thatmany nude lipsticks that flatter my skintone, so instead I prefer to go for slightly more muted versions of my favourite brights. My newest favourite in that category is Mac Amplified Creme Lipstick in Craving, described by Mac themselves as 'a burst of plum', but to me more of a dusky, plummy pink. This has become my daily go-to lipstick, as it's such a pretty, wearable shade, and suits me whether I am bright-eyed and bushy-tailed or wanting to hide away.

Last but not least comes my beloved Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey. If you watched my video on my Top Ten Hero Products of 2012 (here), or read my Best of 2012 posts (here), you will know how much I have enjoyed using this product, in various shades, and Honey is just the best 'my lips but better' shade I have ever come across. These chunky little crayons are just so convenient for slinging in my handbag and reapplying on the go, and don't even require a mirror. This is such a natural shade and is just what I need for those days where I don't really feel up to anything more high maintenance but still want to look fairly polished and give my lips a wash of healthy colour.

(L-R: L'oreal Color Riche Serum in Radiant Rose, Revlon Lip Butters in Raspberry Pie and Cherry Tart, Mac Lipstick in Craving, Revlon JBK Balm Stain in Honey, Mac Lip Pencil in Cherry).

So there you have it - those are the lip products that I haven't been able to leave home without over the past couple of months. Have you tried any of these? If not, what are your favourite Winter Lip products (aside from lip balms)?

xx

Weekend Wishlist

Cutwork Shirt  -  Studded Shopper  -  Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair Mask  -  Ombre Fringe Shorts  -  Paisley Shorts  - Studded Waist Belt  -  Enrapture Encode Totem Styler

Christmas has been and gone, and the January sales are still going strong, but with all the shopping and Christmas list-writing that's filled my time over the past few months - and I never thought I'd say this - I'm pretty much all wishlisted out. So over-zealous was I through the months of November and December that I am almost completely sure that everything I am currently lusting after has been covered and covered again, and for the first time, I actually struggled to put today's post together. It's not that I got everything on those lists, either. I just find that popping them in a blog post and obsessing over them for a while helps me to get over them - well, some of the time. But of course, as ever, there are a couple of items I have been reading up on and am now keen to try, and a couple more that caught my eye during an online browsing session. Note, I was only browsing in the first place for the good of this post, and it's apparent that I'm feeling uncharacteristically restrained from the rather sparse-looking collage above.

The only thing that's  really tempting me at the moment are the Enrapture Encode Totem Styler. I used to curl my hair every day, and have always preferred my bonce with a nice bit of bounce. I have been through styler after styler, and have never really found one that could create the desired effect, so when my ancient curling tongs ceased to function last year, I was unsure what to replace them with. Upon further investigation, I discovered that the sort of thing I was looking for would set me back rather a tidy sum, which is why you have been seeing me with straight hair in most of my videos and blog posts! I have had my heart set on this one for months, but somehow managed to suffer a mental block around Christmas time and failed to drop Santa any hints. With it being January, it's not likely that I'll be forking out £75 for this any time soon, but the more I see and hear about it, the more I find myself itching to get my hands on it!

I am also keen to try some Elemis skincare, and love the sound of this Herbal Lavender Repair Mask.  As well as lavender, it contains natural antiseptics rosemary and thyme to synergistically rebalance and purify the skin,  and sounds like the perfect weekly detox mask to use alongside my all-time favourite, Origins Clear Improvement.

And of course, no wishlist would be complete without some clothing and accessories thrown into the mix. This gorgeous studded bag from Accessorize is the perfect size for work, and it looks pretty damn good too. Add to that a cutwork shirt and some paisley print shorts and I'd have the perfect combination - I'm not sure  if I'd wear the waist belt with this outfit or with something else, but either way it doesn't matter because none of it is really going to be coming home with me. Last but not least, I couldn't cast aside these gorgeous fringed ombre hotpants, which just scream festival season and send me into a daydream of the upcoming season.

Hope you're all enjoying your Saturday and have had a good start to the new year.

xx

Video: December Favourites

Hello lovelies, what with all the excitement surrounding the end of the year, and trying to compile my favourites of 2012, I didn't quite get round to doing my December Favourites video. I tried out so many lovely new products last month, especially when it comes to makeup, and I really wanted to share with you despite us now being a few days into January, so I hope you enjoy having a little look at what I've been loving!

If you weren't already aware, I'm fairly new to Youtube, and I'm still learning when it comes to things like lighting, so please bear with me on that one. If you do like this video then why not hit the subscribe button or give me a thumbs up? I would never beg or insist that you watch my videos - that's entirely up to you -  but I always love getting a bit of feedback and reading your comments, as it's good to know what the general consensus is.

On that note, I will leave you to have a little watch if you wish, and I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

xx

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

With this being my favourite face mask, and having raved about it in both my October Favourites and Current Skincare Routine videos on Youtube, as well as my Top Ten Hero Products of 2012 video, I was sure that I'd already written a rave review on here to share this little treat with you. But when asked about this mask during the bbloggers chat on Twitter this Wednesday, I went in search of the link, only to find that I'd made a huge faux pas and not given this gem the write up it deserved.

So, in light of that, I thought it was probably time to rectify the situation and share my thoughts.

A bit of background on Origins as a brand.

Their products are formulated with cerified natural and organic ingredients, as well as 100% natural essential oils, and without parabens, phthalates, mineral oils and other nasties. They also manufacture using a combination of renewable resources, wind energy and earth-friendly practices.

If you're a regular reader then you'll know that I'm a huge fan of natural and naturally derived skincare, which is one of the reasons I love this brand as much as I do.

The Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask is a detoxing mask designed to give your pores a good, deep-down clean, removing all the dirt and debris deposited by environmental pollutants that leave the skin looking less than its best. Containing the active ingredient charcoal, which acts like a magnet to draw out  pore-cloggers, this mask also packs white clay to absorb pollutants, and lecithin, which will help to dissolve any impurities.

Having felt quite let down by many a face mask in the past, repeatedly feeling that they hadn't lived up to their claims, I was keen to give this one a go and see if it could impress.

Well, it certainly did that.

The product itself is thick in consistency, and comes in a transparent plastic tube, making it easy to squeeze out the amount you want. It is unscented, meaning it smells like most clay masks - in my opinion, not the most pleasant of aromas, but I'm glad to know that I'm putting something fairly natural on my skin as opposed to something packed full of additives.  In order to get the best results, Origins advise that you steam the skin before use, opening the pores and making them more receptive to the active ingredients. You can do this by either popping a towel over your head and standing over a bowl of boiling water, or simply by laying a hot wash cloth over your skin for a while beforehand. I must admit, I do prefer the former method, as I find that it yields far more impressive results.

Next, you pop a thick layer of the mask onto the skin, avoiding the eye area, as always. The product takes about ten minutes to dry, hardening a great deal in the process - so much so that I struggle to move my facial muscles at all with it on. Personally, I rather like that, as I feel that it's really getting to work on my skin.

To remove, soak a wash cloth in hot water and lay it over your face, allowing it to soak up the charcoal mask. This will require repeating a fair few times, but is the best way to remove the product as it will have left your skin feeling quite sensitive, meaning scrubbing it off is not advisable. I do usually use a clean cloth to remove any remaining residue in the end, before popping on some toner and moisturiser to finish.

The results of this mask are quite incredible compared to anything else I've used, leaving pores I didn't even know were blocked suddenly looking clean as a whistle. I love the look and feel of soft, smooth, purified skin it leaves me with, and it has fast become a weekly staple in my skincare routine, helping  to keep any nasty toxins at bay and avoid blemishes and breakouts. Any excess oil is absorbed, and pores appear toned

The one thing this couldn't do for me was completely clear the stubborn blocked pores on my nose, which have been lurking around since time began, but is does make them vastly easier to remove manually (sorry, I know it's not the most pleasant of thoughts!). I usually do this after removing the mask, and before toning.

In all, this is a fabulous mask, and one I will buy again and again. I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to give their skin a really good detox, or who is tired of disappointing clarifying masks.

Final rating:  9/10 

xx

Beauty Resolutions for 2013

Hello lovelies, how are you all? I hope you all had the most fantastic New Year's Eve, and that you're all as excited for the new year ahead as I am. This year, I've decided that alongside the standard resolutions I normally make, I'm going to try to keep to some beauty ones too. 

So, without further ado, they are:

1. Keep up the good work with my hair. I had neglected it for too long, assuming it was destined to be a little bit dull and dry on the ends forever, but after having it ombred I was forced to start taking better care of it. It  took a while, but I'm finally starting to see results, so I really want to keep up the decent haircare regime, which now consists not only of shampoo and conditioner, but also oils, leave-in conditioner, heat protection spray and anti-snap treatment on a regular basis.

2. I've already started on this one, but I want to be more adventurous with my eye makeup. I used to wear eyeshadow in the past, but haven't done for a couple of years unless I'm going out. However, lately I've been eager to create some nice neutral looks for day-time, and while it's never really been my forte, I am now armed with some great makeup brushes and a new neutrals palette (MUA Undressed), so there are new excuses.

3. I'm going to abandon my quest for the perfect under-eye cream. Why? Because I think I've been expecting too much. Nothing is going to completely get rid of dark circles, puffiness and fine lines, and it's time I just swallowed it and ended the vicious circle of spending money on things which will ultimately disappoint.

4. Start looking after my hands. I never use hand cream, because I've always assumed they picked up enough moisture from applying other types of moisturising products. Now it's time to invest in a proper hand cream and a good cuticle oil. If any of you can recommend me any good hand and nail care products then please do let me know in the comments below - I always love to try out your suggestions.

5. Try out a face oil. I suppose this is more an excuse to buy more skincare really! You know I love it.  But this is something I keep meaning to give a go, and haven't got round to yet, and I'm intrigued to see what it might have to offer me.

Have you made any beauty resolutions this year?

xx

Video: Top Ten Hero Products of 2012

Hello lovelies, I am so excited that it's New Year's Eve! The hubby and I plan to head down to a party on the beach where there will be DJs and bands playing and lots of fireworks, so that should be fun. But more than anything, I'm looking forward to the fact that tomorrow is going to be the start of a brand new year! Yes, I know thirteen is supposed to be an unlucky number, but I'm hoping to just ignore that and have an amazing year! Lots to look forward to, but anyway, more on that in the coming couple of days!

I know I've already done a two-part post on The Best of 2012 beauty products, but I also wanted to choose my top ten from those and have a bit of a rave about them on Youtube. Why? Because they really deserve it. Well, and because I like to talk a lot. Once again, an utterly stunning thumbnail to tempt you in - I promise the lighting isn't as bad as it looks in this delightful freeze frame, but unfortunately it isn't the best either. Thought I had good lighting nailed there for a minute, as I think it was pretty good in my last video, but alas, it seems I still have some experimenting to do before I can come up with a completely fail-safe combo. Never mind, we'll get there! In the meantime, do enjoy me wittering on about these fantastic products, have an amazing time tonight, and I'll see all of you in 2013!!

Mel

xx