Beauty | Perfect Curls Wand

My favourite hair-do's usually involve curls and waves. I love the softness they add to your look, and also it seems like you've made an effort with your hair (when most of the time, you really haven't).

I thought I had found my perfect tool for creating said curls and waves a few years ago. I bought a Yogi Curling Wand, and it was amazing! I loved it so much - until it stopped working. Not literally, I'm not really sure what happened. It switches on and everything but when I use it to create curls they fall out within the first two hours (sad face). Maybe I wore it out?!

Reluctant to part with more money for something that seemed to only be effective for a short while I decided to wait it out until I came across something new, and something that came highly recommended.

Enter Blogger and You-Tuber Amelia Liana, and a rainy Saturday morning.

Amelia spoke highly of the Diva Big Hot Wand (I know, it sounds dodgy), and it was half the price of a new Yogi so I thought I would give it a try.

Don't you just love that Selfridges packaging?

Guess what? It's the bomb.

It creates the most perfect big, bouncy curls that last for days without any hairspray.

I have no idea what the science is behind it (maybe something to do with that Titanium coating) but here's the evidence for ya, excuse the awkward selfie's.

Day One 

Day Two

It's super easy to use, and heats up really quickly. I can curl my hair in five minutes flat, winner!

Just call me Curly-Sue from now on.

Image Source

Psst. This is not a sponsored post. None of the brands mentioned have any idea who I am!

Beauty | Spring Boots Haul!

It's been ages since I lost my mind in Boots and left with half the shop but that's exactly what happened last week!

After watching a couple of YouTube Beauty Bloggers I had quite a few products in the back of my mind that I wanted to try and then there was lots of deals on.....excuses, excuses!

Anyway, here are all the sordid details!

The first deal that grabbed me was the Maybelline 3-for-2.

I bought the Fit Me Concealer in Fair (£5.99) and the Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser (£7.99) which I've heard is an excellent dupe for the Benefit Porefection one. I got the Brow Drama in Blonde free (normally £4.99). This is also a dupe of the Benefit Speedbrow. It basically has a slight tint to it but it's main function is keeping those unruly brows in place, which it does exceptionally well. I'm a convert!

The Concealer is ok, but not as good as some other drugstore options and I've yet to give the Primer a good test.

Next up was a 3-for-2 on Soap & Glory Products.

I'm already in love with the Thick & Fast Mascara (£10) so picked up another one of those and then there was a couple of lip products I wanted to try.

I bought a lipstick for the first-time after hearing it was a perfect dupe for the MAC Lipstick in the shade Fanfare. This Soap & Glory one is called The Missing Pink (£9). So far, I really like it. It's hydrating and a really good colour - a sort of "your-lips-but-better" pink. I layer it with a slick of neutral lipgloss and it's really pretty.

Last but not least, the Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick in Bashful (I got it free but it's usually £8) is amazing! It's super-hydrating and easy to apply. And Bashful adds the perfect hint of pink to your lips. Great for every-day use.

The last make-up product I wanted to try was this Max Factor Cream Blush (£6.99) in the shade Soft Pink.

The real reason I bought it is kind of embarrassing.....

We've just had brand new CREAM carpets fitted at the house and I'm scared of ruining them with my make-up so I thought I would try a cream blush.....it's that or I just do what most girls do and apply my make-up in the bathroom!

I've tried it a couple of times and so far I'm a little bit under-whelmed. It's really handy for blush touch-ups on the go though so I'll keep using it for now.

After all that Make-Up my attention shifted to the Haircare aisle.

These Charles Worthington Salon at Home Volume and Bounce Texturising Spray's were two for £8 (normally £6.99 each). They're supposed to be a great dupe for the heartbreakingly expensive Oribe Texturising Spray.

It's so good! Not only does it volumize, it also has amazing hold. It will be absolutely perfect for creating beachy, undone waves in the Spring. But for now I'm loving it for some serious root lift - no more flat hair for this girl! #bighairdon'tcare

Finally, I picked up the L'Oreal EverPure Colour Care & Volume, Shampoo & Conditioner (2 for £9 but usually £6.20 each). I've used these before and really liked them. They're free of sulphates and leave your hair feeling really clean and fresh, as well as keeping your colour bright. I have highlighted hair and often find that some shampoo and conditioners can make my colour look really flat and yellowy. Not these ones, so whenever they're on offer I usually pick up a couple.

Do you guys ever go crazy in Boots/Superdrug? There's just too many tempting products for me.....! x

NB: This is not a sponsored post. Boots or any of the brands mentioned have no idea who I am. All products were bought with my own money.

Beauty | High (Hair) Maintenance

I try to keep my "girl-stuff" contained to one space, and this tray pretty much holds everything I need to get ready.

It hurts my brain because although my make-up is in a cute bowl and cups, the whole thing is pretty cluttered.

The other day I thought I would have a clear out = FAIL. I actually really do need everything! Including my five hair products.

Here are the culprits..... And when I say five, I mean not even including my shampoo, conditioner and hair mask. This is stuff I put on AFTER all that jazz.

I like to think I'm fairly low maintenance (Dan laughs like a maniac....), when it comes to being a girl. Give me 45 minutes and I can get showered, dressed, hair-styled and make-up done but I can't bear to give up any of these products. What the....? Here's the down-low:

Product One - When my hair is towel dried I take a pea-sized amount of Aveda's Damage Remedy Daily Hair Repair and run it through the ends of my hair.

Product Two - I then flip my hair upside down and spritz the Phyto Volumizing Spray into my roots, then I blow-dry.

Product Three - I switch the curlers/straighteners on and spritz a heat defence product through the mid-lengths to ends. At the moment I'm using the Lee Stafford Argan Oil Miracle Heat Defence Spray.

Product Four - Once I've styled it I usually finish with a quick blast of light-weight hairspray just to smooth any fly-aways and hold my do.

Product Five - I usually wash and style my hair every-other day. The days I don't wash I like to pep my hair up with a dry shampoo. The John Frieda Volume Refresh one is my absolute favourite. I used to use Batiste but always felt a bit weird and scratchy afterwards, not anymore!

So there we have it. Does this seem excessive to you? How many products  do you use on a regular basis and how many have you got stashed away as a just-in-case?

Help a girl out here, am I really that high (hair) maintenance?!

Beauty | Brand Focus, Korres

Our Athens break was a great trip, but one of the highlights for me was finding Korres products everywhere you looked! 

I first discovered this brand in the beauty aisle at Waitrose, and since then my love has grown.

There is a wealth of knowledge behind this fantastic brand on their website, but here's a quick overview in case you're interested. You know me, I like a good story.

Korres was founded in 1996 by George Korres, and this guy has some serious cosmetics credentials. Whilst studying Pharmacology he worked at Athens oldest homeopathic pharmacy, mixing natural pharmacy ingredients to create herbal preparations, natural remedies and eventually, cosmetics. A few years later he set up a homeopathic laboratory at the pharmacy and started developing his own formulas based on his passion for natural ingredients and his knowledge of over 3000 herbal remedies.

The first ever skin-care product was also launched in 1996. The Korres Wild Rose 24-hour cream (which I have yet to try), was and remains a complete hit.

Luckily for us Brits, in 2000 the beauty buyer for Harvey Nichols spotted the brand in a New York department store and bought it back to the UK. It didn't take long for the British consumer to fall in love with Korres, and they opened their first store outside of Greece in London, in 2002. Since then the brand has gone from strength to strength and is a global success.

George's philosophy towards cosmetics and skin care is evident throughout every element of Korres. They use high quality, natural and/or certified organic ingredients to create their products that are designed to "inspire and make us happy", whilst remaining affordable.

Which brings us nicely to the present day and my shopping spree in an Athens pharmacy.

Let's start with the make-up.

Ginger and Vitamins Foundation - "Lightweight, water-based foundation that balances skin tone and leaves the skin fresh and luminous." And it really does do just that. It is lightweight which is perfect for summer days but if you like a full coverage foundation this definitely won't be enough for you. I love it for day-time, it evens everything out nicely and keeps my skin looking fresh & hydrated.

Raspberry Twist Lipstick - This is like a chubby stick but so unbelievably moisturising! I love this more than I know how to describe....it's glossy, moisturising and really easy to apply. I got it in the shade "Innocence", which is nude and perfect for wearing on it's own or layering over other lipsticks.

Lip Butter - My second tub! I lost the first, and as I'm writing this I realise I have no idea where this one is either....(cue frantic searching of coat pockets, handbags and car). If you like a lip balm/butter for Winter this one is amazing, just go get it, seriously.

And then I bought two sets of shower gel and body milk. I got the Bergamot Pear and the Basil Lemon.

As you would expect the Bergamot Pear is fresh and fruity, whilst the Basil Lemon is also really fresh but zingy and makes me want to drink it....I love them both. The scent lasts on your skin but not in over-powering way. I'm using them like they are liquid gold and like a Lioness protecting her cubs e.g. absolutely no boyfriend use allowed, under any circumstances. Harsh but fair.

I can't wait to try more from Korres, and you know what? After using their products, I think I do feel just that little bit happier.


NB - Korres has absolutely no idea who I am and I have not been compensated in anyway for this blog post.

Whilst I've been trying to find a link I discovered that the foundation has been discontinued.

Tia says that the Watermelon Body Scrub is amazing.....I'm jealous.

Beauty | Rodial Dragon's Blood Hyaluronic Mask

I have one last holiday related topic that I need to tell you about, and by "one-last" I mean: there could be more, I just can't think what they are right now.

I am in love with this product!

It's absolutely perfect for taking away with you on holiday as it's super hydrating; great for skin that has been parched on the plane and stripped of moisture from the effects of sun, sea and AC.

I think the "mask" part is a little misleading in the sense that it's not a mask that you put on and remove. You simply pop it onto freshly cleansed skin and let it work it's magic, and the effect is pretty much instantaneous, although using it as your night time hydrator and waking up to plumped up smooth skin the following morning is great too.

I have no idea what "Hyaluronic" or "Dragon's Blood" are so here's an explanation from Red Online:

"Hyaluronic acid, or sodium hyaluronate as it’s also known, has become a serious skincare staple. It’s the body’s own hydrating molecule, able to absorb up to 1000 times its own weight in water and responsible for keeping our skin plump, smooth and supple."

And more info on Dragon's Blood from the Rodial website:

"Dragon’s blood hyaluronic mask contains the Dragon's Blood ingredient. Dragons Blood is sourced from the red sap of the ‘sangre de drago’ tree & works to form a second skin-like protective film on the skin. This  super soothing ingredient protects against environmental damage and contains anti-inflammatory properties to calm stressed skin."

So, there's the science bit sorted. This product is now a firm staple for when my skin is dehydrated and needs a little pick-me-up.

Beauty | Brow Talk

I love a good brow, I really do.

I wasn't always so obsessed, I blame my friend Annie who once berated my teeny tiny, over-plucked blonde brows and made me go to the salon for a tint and thread. Since then, it's all just become part of the daily routine.

First of all, I would fully recommend letting a professional look at your brows, they can tell you what works for your face shape etc. Although there are also plenty of online tutorials if you're brave enough to go it alone.

I leave the shaping part to the lovely Kelsy at BeautyBox (Clifton), and then the every day prep is up to me.

Here's what I do:

1. Brush them through with my Spoolie.
2, With an Angled Brush I apply some Brow Powder. Starting at the thickest point of your brow, not the point closest to your nose, I gently sweep some over my brows.
3. Then a quick flick of Benefit Speed Brow and I am good to go.

Celebrity brows I love:

Source: hubpages.com

Source: prweb.com

Source: tracyfensome.co.uk

Source: www.mrsmeganhopkins.blogspot.co.uk

Does anyone else get brow-envy? Or is it just me?!

Beauty | Holiday Ready Skin with Soap & Glory

We're going on our summer holiday next week! Yippee!

Whilst summer holidays are an obvious cause for celebration the thought of bearing your bikini-clad body to the world can also be a serious cause for concern.

With one week to go, there is nothing at all I can do about any lumps or bumps I wish weren't there, but I can make sure my skin is looking polished, hydrated and ready to tan!

My friend Maria kindly gave me a bumper pack of Soap & Glory products at Christmas, what better excuse to get them used up, pamper myself and prep my skin for sunny days all at the same time!

I start the process first thing in the shower by exfoliating my skin with the Sugar Crush Body Scrub, this smells like the best tropical holiday you'll ever have. Seriously, even if you already have a body scrub you should just go and smell this one.....sweet limes, almond oil and macademia grains, heaven. And so perfect to get you in the holiday mood.

I know feet are quite literally a blogger's car crash topic but this Foot Buffer is so quick and easy to use. 20 seconds on each foot in the shower, and you're good to go. Follow your buffing action with some Heel Genius Foot Cream and you will have pool ready tootsies with minimal effort.

Last but by no mean least, after you're done in the shower, slather on some Righteous Butter. It's really moisturising and soaks into your skin quickly. Perfect for us busy girls.

I know it's obvious but adding an extra couple of minutes to your morning routine will make a huge difference to your bikini-confidence. And if all else fails, just remember this. 

Source: Pinterest

So damn true.