Your New Best Friend

Okay. This might not be new to you, but on a recent lurk around my local Boots, praying they had more than just Batiste for dry shampoo offerings - I spied this Toni&Guy Casual Matt Texture Dry Shampoo. New in the ridiculously small line up of offerings in the small branch. 

From the same 'casual' line as their beloved sea salt spray, I bought two. Because I was that sure of my purchase. And it was on offer. Same thing, really.

September Favourites

Given that I spent the first half of the month on holiday, it seems fitting that all of my favourites are what I took with me...

Empties #8

Another day, another small lot of empties to talk about. With this lot, I actually feel like weeping because they have all been fantastic products to use - so needless to say they'll be going back on the shopping list as soon as possible!

Empties #3

It's been a while that I've done an empties post - it's just usually the hatred of having any empties lying around for a certain amount of time when they should be in recycling... 

These past few months (and I mean only a few, otherwise this post wouldn't of happened at all due to impatience and no where to store empty bottles and tubes,) however I actually used a fair bit up and keep the empties for this little show and tell.

First is the Dove Colour Radiance shampoo and conditioner - I really loved this combination and so far it's been adding a healthy amount of radiance to my coloured hair. I always have a problem making colour stay in (I dye mine a copper/red/orange combination,) and it's nice when a shampoo and conditioner actually do their job for coloured hair. I did notice although these products aren't sulfate free, they are lower in sulfates than a standard shampoo/conditioner - which is always good to know.

The Toni & Guy Sea Salt Spray has been a long term favourite - I've tried a few on the market (not the bumble and bumble, that's next on the list,) but this one just adds that perfect beachy texture and volume. I prefer to add this on damp hair before I go to sleep so I wake up with insane hair. The beach bed head. ;)

A while ago people raved about the Nivea In Shower Body Moisturiser - and it was something that appealed and luckily for me there was a sample in a magazine so I gave it a go and fell in love, then promptly bought a tube of it. I'm now on the second bottle of it. What I will say is that I personally still need a light lotion after this, but I'm sure for people who don't have dry skin this could be a time saver during the week when you're in a rush.

I loved Bioderma for getting rid of my make up but for some reason if I used more than two days running it was breaking me out (so disappointed,) so I was on the hunt for a make up remover/cleanser that would be suitable for dry and sensitive skin. Enter the Nuxe Reve de Miel cleansing gel. It's super gentle, smells amazing and gets rid of make up very well (even pesky eyeliner and mascara,) obviously when paired with a flannel or muslin cloth. I have nothing bad to say about this product and will be repurchasing when my Avene Cold Cream gel cleanser runs out.

The Palmers Cocoa Body Scrub is perfect for winter, I'd say as it is quite rich so definitely feels nourishing whilst obviously exfoliating as well. I've gone through about four tubs of this stuff and love it. I've just picked up a different scrub that doesn't feel half as nourishing as this, but I will use it up and then probably repurchase this one. Definitely a must for dry skin in particular.

Last but not least is one of my favourite toners, ever. The Vichy Purete Thermale Hydra-Perfecting toner is my favourite hydrating toners around (I use the pink version as I have dry/sensitive skin but the blue version is just as good which is meant for normal/combination skin - I've used that too,) as its free from parabens, alcohol and is hypoallergenic. It leaves skin feeling soft and supple so you're ready for serum afterwards. It just helps my skin feel much more plumper too. I'm currently using the Avene Gentle Toner which is just as good, so I'm in a pickle as to which one to repurchase! 

So that's it for a while, and I'm pretty pleased that all of these products have been rather nice - it's not to say I don't end up with rubbish products of course, but at the moment I've been doing pretty good with my purchases. Score.

Peace!

Hair Care Routine

When it comes to hair I've always been of the opinion 'less is more' - I don't like to pile on products every single day and I sure as hell won't use more than one or two styling products - because if I have to use more than that - then I know that the products I'm using just ain't working and should be ditched for something that does work.

I've had a bit of a switch up with my shampoo and conditioner as of late. Mentioned here, the L'Oreal EverPure shampoo and conditioner are sulphate free (essential for not ruining coloured hair,) and while they are not completely free of 'nasties,' I've seen a radical difference in regards of itchiness on the scalp and helps keep my colour bright. 

Standard shampoo and conditioner wasn't working anymore, to the point where my hair was actually dry... I never had dry hair before, it's usually always soft (but because I have a fringe, that tends to get a bit greasy before the rest of my hair,) and my hair is always well behaved. 

I'm really loving these two at the moment so if you're looking to start going sulphate free or just fancy a new shampoo/conditioner combo to try - give these ago, especially if you colour your hair like I do or if it's quite dry. 

Moving onto masks/treatments I've also been using the L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise EverPure Reinforcing Intense Mask aimed to help coloured/dry hair, I've been loving using this. I only use it once a week as to not overkill my hair completely - and I must say I love the way it feels afterwards. It doesn't weigh down my hair and it smells gorgeous. 

Also in the treatment section is the Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment. I usually use this product about three days after the L'Oreal mask - if I haven't mention already I am trying to grow my hair out - and whilst I don't think this a wonder product - I think in time it has gradually helped with growth and keeping my hair healthy at the same time. 

In terms of styling - I don't do much. A simple sea salt spray is all I need, along with a spritz of hair spray if it's being truly unruly - but I like my hair looking a bit like a lions mane. I only use heat defense products (usually Aussie,) if I blow dry or straighten/curl my hair which never happens really. I hate using them and loathe when I have to get them out of their drawer.

So that's my favourite hair care products, what's yours?

Peace!

Favourites & Constants

I'm picky most of the time. With food, with interior choices and of course with beauty products. If I find something that works for me, especially for my body - I'll stick to it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, right?

Some of my constants that I couldn't be without, the top three that are always to hand are the E45 Intense Recovery Lotion - perfect for dry skin and sufferers of eczema alike this product is a god send. Although there is that unique E45 scent, I couldn't care less as it soon goes away, I always come back to this if my skin flares up. The Toni & Guy Sea Salt Spray is my best friend. I rarely style my hair in any way and just spritz this on for a tousled beachy look. Applied on damp hair over night whilst it's in a plait? Genius. Of course no one can be without Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream. It's just that product. The scent is bloody awful, but it lasts ages and I couldn't do without it. When it runs out I'll pick up the scent-free concoction but I swear by this for dryness, impromptu lip scrubs (use a cotton bud and go crazy,) and even on nail cuticles. Truly a life saver.

Second to these, a tub of Carmex for pre-bed time soothing, Burts Bees Hand Salve for particularly bad cuticles or dry areas on the hands, a good hand cream - I either use any L'Occitane hand cream because they are just beaut, Body Shop Hemp Hand Protector during winter but at the moment it's Neal's Yard Bee Lovely hand cream. It smells incredible. My favourite shower gel is Creightons Vanilla and Macadamia Cocoon (available at Morrisons,) - it smells so so amazingly yummy and really hydrates and under £2 - who the hell am I to argue with that? I've just ordered a case of them. Oh yes, I'm in love... and for post shower/bath feet treats it has to be Soap and Glory Heel Genius. What's there to say? It's a classic, smells divine and really works. 

The new up-and-comers are Bioderma's Sensibio - I love, I adore. I purchased a bigger bottle. It gets rid of all make up before a thorough cleansing and honestly my skin is grateful. Lastly, Burts Bees Facial Cleanser - it feels partially like an oil, partially like a balm and has really gentle exfoliation to it too - perfect for mornings when you want a burst of orangey-goodness to wake you up.

What products can you really not do with out?

Peace!

Haul | Superdrug & Boots

So a little thing happened. I went into town to drop off my car at the garage and then thought "Oh, Superdrug has Original Source on offer, I'll pick some up..."

The face masks are Superdrugs own brand, currently on a 4 for 3 offer - who can say no? Original Source is only £1.13 at the moment, I picked up some more face wash and some cocoa butter lotion (I love this particular stuff and for under £2 I don't feel guilty when I slather it on,) and not to mention a cheeky Barry M nail varnish in Lychee.

This was my plan - only to pick up bottles of delicious Original Source. Then I got distracted by everything. The product I am most intrigued to try is of course the Wild Ombre kit from L'Oreal - I'll be putting this into action once my hair has been re-dyed. I have no idea what will happen to my ends in terms of colour, it very well may come out orange - but I am not worrying. It's only hair.

In boots I had only wanted some Hand Food and thought to go for the 3 for 2 offer. Of course I needed some more Heel Genius and picked up some Hand Maid sanitizing gel too. Then Toni and Guy are on offer - 3 products for £12... Oh god help me. Then you know, Revlon. BAM. In the basket.

What had been intended was a simple trip into town turned me into red-wrists. When you buy things, and then they weigh you down and give you red wrists. Red-Wrist Guilt I call it. ;)

What have you been splurging on this week?

Peace!

P.S, Thinking about doing some vlogging, yay or nay?

Empties...

Toni and Guy - Casual - Sea Salt Spray

Liz Earle - Hot Cloth Cleanser

Batiste - Dry Shampoo

Aussie - Dual Personality Texturising Spray

Caudalie - Beauty Elixir

No7 - Extravagant Volume Mascara

Hello lovelies! More of a reasonable post today for you, which is by the way of empties. I won't lie a majority of it is hair care, but I digress.

This collection of goods have really surpassed expectations for me. The sea salt spray is fantastic for putting on damp hair before bed to actually give my hair some subtle waves. I will be repurchasing shortly!

The Aussie gel spray is similar but I spritz this on dry hair, usually when I want more volume. I've already gone through about four bottles of this stuff this year - so yeah, a cult pick for me, and so readily available and usually on offer. 

Dry shampoo is something I'd been looking out for 'cause of my current job at the moment. I work odd shifts sometimes so I don't always have time for a hair wash beforehand. I tried the mini bottle (so cute!) and it's worked amazingly well. The other half actually uses it too - and we've since purchased the cherry flavoured one. My idea, of course...

Liz Earle + Caudalie are hot on the blogosphere and have been for a good while now, and shamefully I adore them also. I love the scent of the cleanse and polish - and the scent of the beauty elixir actually relaxes me first thing in the morning... perfect combination...

And for the mascara? I really does curl my lashes and lengthen perfectly. But then again, I've always favoured No7 mascaras anyway....

Peace!