The January Beauty Selection

Origins Calm to Your Senses stress relieving mask  //  Nars Sheer Glow Foundation  //  Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium  //  Bumble & Bumble Pret-a-Powder  //  Olivia Burton watch

There was a time when I'd do weekly favourites posts, but it isn't something I'll be starting again. These days, I find that I'm far more selective with my beauty purchases, and equally, they tend to remain in my affections for a great deal longer. I've long been one to do my research when it comes to beauty shopping, but at one point I was so eager that I'd buy several cleansers or lipsticks all at once, meaning that none of them received the chance they deserved, and my skin and hair had no opportunity to reap the benefits of the products I was putting on them. So, it's back to monthly round-ups, which personally, I find far more telling. If something has been able to hold my attention for several weeks or more, then it has to be worth some consideration.

Suffice to say, my favourites for January are all very well loved, and I can say with certainty that I won't be casting any of them aside the moment that February shows its face. All of my chosen five for the month have been featured here on the blog quite recently, and I like them so much that they definitely deserve a second outing. If you'd like to read the original reviews, then simply click on the names below.

The new Origins Calm to Your Senses stress relieving facial mask has become a firm bedtime favourite, with relaxing lavender and chamomile to soothe your skin as well as your mind. Although reasonably light in consistency, it's rich enough to pack a real moisturising punch, and a light layer massaged in before turning the lights out is all it takes to send me into an easy, peaceful sleep. In the morning, there's no sign of any residue, and skin is brighter and softer. This certainly isn't as rich as the iconic Intensive Overnight Treatment Mask, so if you find that one too heavy then don't be put off. A perfect multi-tasker for those who want to pamper themselves effortlessly, the Calm to Your Senses mask is a surefire winner.

The Nars Sheer Glow foundation is a repurchase, after I originally fell in love with the dewy yet flawless finish it provided back in October. Sheer Glow is absolutely one of those rare 'wow' foundations, and I can remember literally marvelling at the results in the mirror on the very first application. The only downside with this is that it doesn't come with a pump applicator, so I often find myself pouring too much of it out at once. That said, the medium, buildable coverage it offers is more than worth the hassle, and this is set to stick around my makeup back for years and years to come.

I received Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium for Christmas, and have been keenly spritzing it on ever since. It's been a while since I opted for quite such a sweet fragrance, but the undertones of vanilla and spices make this a sophisticated and mature scent that I just keep finding myself going back to. The packaging is definitely a plus point too, as in its glamorous black bottle with a subtle hint of sparkle, it looks the part as well as smelling it.

I certainly won't be the last person to sing the praises of Bumble & Bumble's Pret-a-Powder. This is one hair product that has achieved cult status for all the right reasons, and has become my trusted secret weapon against flat, oily or lacklustre hair. Perfect for freshening up a lank looking fringe, Pret-a-Powder's real power lies in its root-plumping qualities, and a light sprinkling of product massaged into roots equals instantly volumised hair.

Finally, a non-beauty item, which comes in the shape of my beloved Olivia Burton watch. With a large, rose-gold face and navy leather strap, it has instantly converted me from a non-watch-wearer to a wristwear obsessive, and I adore the way that it adds a simple air of sophistication to even the most casual of looks.

What have your favourite beauty products been for January 2015? 

Do you have any non-beauty picks?

xx

Review: Achieving Big Hair with Bumble & Bumble Pret-a-Powder

While many of you may brandish the straightening irons on a daily basis, my days of sleek, smooth locks are long gone. I'm not saying that every day is a bad hair day - though I definitely have my fair share of those - but that nowadays, I'd much rather plump for bouncy, voluminous hair with a bit of a wave or a curl.

Achieving lasting volume is no mean feat. Over the years, I've tried root-boosting sprays, mousses and powders alike, but the goal has never quite been in easy reach. Many of them - much like my hair - fell flat, leaving my hair limp and crispy with product. Or worse still, they left me with greasy-looking locks, despite having just stepped out of the shower. The closest I ever came to success was the TreSemme plumping powder, which when sprinkled into the roots and rubbed in, gave me the big hair I'd always dreamed of. It wasn't long, however, until my hair began to feel sticky and greasy, so much so that I'd race straight to the shower each evening after work to wash it out. So, it's fair to say that when the Bumble & Bumble Pret-a-Powder came onto my radar, I wasn't exactly racing to Boots, eager to join the queue.

Months later, things changed, and after hearing a torrent of complimentary conversations about the hair powder, I finally caved and bought it.

Bumble & Bumble Pret-a-Powder claims to be equal parts dry shampoo, style extender and volume, which immediately sets it apart from the other hair powders on the market. Priced at £21.50 for 56g, it's far from cheap, but given that you get the benefits of oil absorbency and volume all in one, it's a product that's worth a few moments of any beauty lover's time. If, like me, you are still putting off learning to blow dry your hair properly, or like most of us, you simply don't have the time, then Pret-a-Powder will be your best friend, adding extra oomph to lacklustre locks, and filling in the gaps between washes. 

To use, I sprinkle liberally through my roots and massage in with my fingertips, and hey presto, big hair is mine. You can use a fair amount of product before you start to look as though you've been antiqued, which means that you can go a little bit crazy in your bid for extra oomph, should your style require it.

While I don't find the volume this provides to last all day per-se, all it takes is a quick scrunch of the roots to get things looking as they should again. I tend to do this several times throughout the day, and never find it necessary to apply any more product once my hair is styled. Pret-a-Powder does an excellent job of freshening up day-old hair, and I keep a bottle in my handbag for those moments when you catch sight of yourself in the mirror and have a sudden urge to run home and start again.

In spite of the price, this has become a hair-styling staple for me, and although the bottle is a little bit on the small side, it seems to last a remarkably long time. It's ideal for anyone with oily, fine or lacklustre hair, and it definitely gets the seal of approval from me.

What are your favourite volumising products? Are there any other Bumble & Bumble products you can't live without?

xx

Hair Heroes..?

My hair can be a handful at the best of times, but with the cold weather drawing in, my poor, dried-out ends are in need of an extra boost..or three. So lately, I've been concentrating my (minimal) beauty-related shopping efforts on picking up a couple of helping hands for my dehydrated locks, the first and most notable of which being the Charles Worthington Salon at Home Secrets Collection Moisture Seal Intense Rescue Melting Balm (phew! Longest name ever!?) Thick and waxy in texture, this emulsifies into an oil when rubbed between the hands, and is spread generously through dry hair. Leave for twenty minutes and then wash and condition as normal, and hey presto - soft, bouncy, healthy-looking hair. Yes, I'm fully aware that I sound like a shampoo advert, but this little pot of magic really is something.

Next up, I've been brandishing this little Bumble & Bumble duo when styling my bonce (!) The Bumble & Bumble Thickening Hairspray (£7.50 for 50ml) is spritzed on generously and combed through while hair is damp, while the Shine On Finishing Spray is misted over the hair once styled for a glossier finish.

Now I may be about to shock some of you, given the fantastic reputation this stuff has, but I'm not at all convinced the Thickening Hairspray is all it's cracked up to be. In fact, I can't determine any notable difference between when I have and haven't used it.  I'm definitely glad I picked up the miniature version rather than immediately splurging £22 on the full-size! Bumble & Bumble do, however, recommend that this is layered up over their Tonic Lotion for best results, so it's a toss-up between giving that a go or shelving my spray for good.

As for the Shine On, this one does the job and makes a lovely finishing spray with a pleasant scent.  Used sparingly, it gives me a polished look which is perfect for the party season.

Which products have you been relying on to get your hair ready for the Christmas festivities?

If you haven't entered my Christmas giveaway yet then there is still time - enter via the widget below for your chance to win gifts from Yankee Candle, Ren, Bumble & Bumble, Bourjois and M&S!

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xx

The Weekly Selection

It's been a few weeks since I last did one of these, and suffice to say, there are one or two beauty treats I've been very much looking forward to sharing with to you. Ok, make that four.

I'm often found loitering around the Bumble & Bumble stand in Boots, desperately wanting to grab all they have to offer, throw it into my shopping basket and sprint for the till point. Alas, I usually have to summon the strength to peel myself away, as at pushing thirty pounds a pop, their products are definitely not cheap. Imagine my delight then, when I stumbled upon a little shelf of miniature Bumble & Bumble goodness, tucked sneakily away in the depths of the general haircare oil. For between £7.50 and £10, you can pick up all manner of coveted haircare products, for a fraction of the price of their heftier cousins, in miniature. Genius, I tell you. Needless to say, one or two items definitely did venture till-wards with me, one of those being the lovely Buble & Bumble Shine On Finishing Spray, £10 for 60ml. Granted, it might be still a little bit on the pricey side for the amount of product, but if you're a fan of trying before you buy full-size then this is a great idea. I've been spritzing this onto my dull mop after styling each day, for a bit of extra dazzle, and it's not half bad.

Speaking of lank locks, I couldn't help but pick up the Charles Worthington Salon at Home Moisture Seal Intense Rescue Melting Balm (aaaand breathe....), a novel concept if I may say so. Rather than slathering this onto wet hair as you would expect with a hair masque, this thick balm is rubbed between the palms where it becomes an oil, and slicked generously onto dry hair. Leave for twenty minutes, and hey presto, you're ready for your shampoo and conditioner as normal. Having only used this once, I'll reserve full judgement until later, but I did definitely find my hair to be more manageable after dipping my toe in for the first time.

Another new product welcomed into the fold has been the Ren Resurfacing AHA Concentrate, which has been on my shopping list for an age. I finally cracked last week, after much umming and ahhing over whether or not it was worth it, given that I already have and enjoy the Clarins Brightening Exfoliator Toner. Once again, we aren't yet full acquainted, but after a couple of uses I can report that this smells fruitily fantastic (much like the Glyco mask from the same range) and leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth in the mornings.I shall report back soon!

Last but not least is this delightful Indulgent Fig & Orange Oil Moisturising Hand and Nail Cream from M&S. Smells divine and does the job, which is all you can ask, really!

Candle-wise, I've been loving the warming scent of my latest Christmas Yankee in Fireside Treats - sweet and toasty, without being sickly or overpowering. Definite winner.

Which products have been floating your boat this week?
Have you entered my Christmas Giveaway?

xx

Mirror on the Wall: Christmas Giveaway!

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and in my eyes, there couldn't be a better time for a bit of a festive giveaway. Not only that, but for my first ever competition on Mirror on the Wall. 

Yep, that's right, in all the time I've been posting on here, never before have I given you the chance to win a bundle of fantastic treats, and now that I'm settled back in the UK, I just want to say a big thank you to all of you for getting me through my time living abroad. If you're a regular reader then you'll know what a difficult time it was, and finding the blogging world and making friends with some of the lovely people behind my favourite posts played a huge part in helping me push on through the final stretch!

I wanted to share some really great prizes with you, so with that in mind, I have lined up a bundle of goodies that I myself just can't live without.  To be in with the chance of winning:

1) Small Yankee Candle Jar in Christmas Eve

2) Ren Invisible Pore Detox Mask

3) Bumble and Bumble Shine Finishing Spray (small)

4) Indulgent Fig & Orange Oil Moisturising Hand and Nail Cream

5) Seventeen Quicker Slicker Colour in 'Potion'

6) Bourjois Colour Boost in Red Sunrise

All you have to do is fill in the Rafflecopter form below. I've made a point of not including a ridiculous amount of different entry options, because frankly I find that quite annoying! However, there are a few things you can do to get yourself into the prize draw, and I wish all of you the best of luck! 

The competition closes at midnight on Christmas Eve, and for anyone who goes getting any funny ideas about cheating, don't do it - I will be checking each entry to make sure there hasn't been any foul play going on, and if it does turn out to be the case then you will, of course, be disqualified. Just saying.

*All prizes will be brand new and unopened.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

xx

The Summer Shopping List

Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray  //  Tigi S-Factor Serious Conditioner  //  Jo Malone Cologne in English Pear and Freesia  //  By Terry Soleil Terrybly Hydra Bronzing Tinted Serum  //  Nars Multi-Protect Primer  //  Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder  //  Topshop Cream Blush in Head Over Heels  //  Oribe Dry Texturising Spray

Hi everyone, can you believe how long the sunny weather is continuing in the UK? It's almost unheard of these days that there be an actual summer, but this July really seems to be going above and beyond - it's almost as if it's trying to make up for all the dreary washouts of the past few years. It does make me laugh scanning my Twitter feed though, as inevitably the same people who were complaining about the bitter cold just a couple of months ago are now feeling all hot and bothered in the warm weather. I think complaining about the weather is something quintessentially British - we are never satisfied, are we!?

Anyway, with the soaring temperatures in mind (it's still roasting where I am too), this week I have put together a little bit of a shopping list, consisting of a few products that would get anybody through a long hot summer, with no need to compromise on looking up to scratch.

First and foremost, I tend to reach for texturising hair sprays at this time of year, and I'm certain I'm not alone on that score. Fortunately, my hair has a natural wave to it when left to dry naturally anyway, so with a bit of a helping hand from something like the Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray I'm well on my way to a laid-back, beachy look. For night time, the Oribe Dry Texturising Spray would be perfect - as well as giving it that tousled look, it claims to add incredible volume as well as absorbing oil at the roots - and let's be honest, who couldn't do with a bit of extra help in both of those departments when your hair is frizzing out and slicking itself to your forehead in a less than attractive manner? Speaking of which, it's impossible to get through summer without a good deep conditioning mask like the Tigi S-Factor Serious Conditioner. Spending long periods in the sun tends to dry out ends to the extreme, especially if you've got colour treated hair. I haven't tried this one yet, but it sounds like a really nourishing treatment that hair would drink up gladly a couple of times a week - and better still, it smells like strawberries, so it's pretty much a win-win.

Something else we could all do with is a bit of extra colour in our cheeks, and the By Terry Soleil Terrybly Hydra Bronzing Tinted Serum sounds like just the job for giving you a naturally bronzed-looking, sun-kissed complexion. Add to that a light dusting of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder for evening and skin should be glowing in no time without looking oily or shiny. Of course, to keep it all in place it's always a good idea to pop on a bit of primer first, and the Nars Multi-Protect Primer seems a good choice for both day and night, aiming to protect and soothe skin as well as keeping everything where it should be (it's SPF30, making it a great choice for summer, but it might be an idea to swap it out for a different primer at night to avoid the dreaded ghost face if you are planning on taking lots of photos!).

A pop of colour on the cheeks is a must, and I currently favour cream formulations, and having spotted Topshop Cream Blush in Head Over Heels I am keen to add it to my shopping basket. I already own Flush, which is a bright coral pink and is an absolute summer staple. Head Over Heels is a slightly more delicate, peachy coral, and would look fabulous with a tan.

At this time of year, I find myself wanting to smell like summer itself, and that means whimsical fragrances like the Jo Malone Cologne in English Pear and Freesia. In fact, there are a number of fragrances in Jo's collection that to me are the absolute epitome of summer - light fruity scents merge with delicate summer garden florals to create that perfect balance, and with choices like English pear, fig and nectarine they truly do sound good enough to eat.

What's on your summer shopping list?

xx