Hair Day 

************************

Hair day! This week I have been trying a few products from the Macadamia Natural Oil Collection. I have tried the hair treatment from this range and was really impressed. For this reason I was excited to try a few more products from the same range. It is a little difficult to source these products so I had to buy online so once my order was placed I was excited for my delivery (I purchased my products from amazon.co.uk which is always reliable).

 

Macadamia Natural Oil Rejuvenating Shampoo

 This was the first product I tried. I was a little sceptical when trying this as I was afraid that oil would be a little heavy for my hair and maybe it would weigh it down a little. I was nicely surprised when in fact the opposite happened.

First impressions, this shampoo smells really nice. It has a rich consistency but is light to the tough (as in it is not glubly or heavy). When applied to the hair it lathers up really well and lots of bubbles are created – I like this in a shampoo as it gives me a feeling that a good cleansing is in operation. It also rises really easily.

This Shampoo is designed to add moisture and protection to all hair types and is said to be rejuvenating especially for dry, damaged hair. My hair is colour treated and has ombre on the ends so I was hoping for rejuvenation! It worked …..my hair was soft and shiny and felt in really good condition. Some of the characteristics of this shampoo include:

·         Sulphate and paraben free

·         Gently cleanses chemically treated, damaged hair

·         Replenishes moisture with no heavy build-up

·         Builds protection from harsh daily environmental elements

All of these properties are welcome when using shampoo. I really enjoyed using this product and will be repurchasing it.

Nourishing Leave in Cream

Again, a little dubious a leave in cream as I really don’t like any products that weigh down my hair I was nicely surprised by my findings. It is really nice. This Nourishing Leave-In Cream is a leave-in texturizing conditioner for taming unruly, difficult to manage hair. I left my hair soft and easy to style. I only needed a little blob. I can honestly say it is one of my favourite conditioners.

·         Detangles and tames the most unruly locks

·         Adds silky softness & shine

·         UV protection extends the life of color treatments

In short this is just a really good product that I will continue to use.

I was really impressed by the hair treatment from this range and I was equally impressed by the shampoo and leave in conditioner.

I intend to use the shampoo twice a week and alternate it with my current favourite volume shampoo and hope this will keep my locks in good condition.

Hope you found this post helpful.

Xoxo

Smashbox Bestsellers - The Try Me Kit

Smashbox Bestsellers

Keeping in line with my August posts Tuesdays means trial size multi pack reviews. Today I am going to share my thoughts on the best seller trial size products from Smashbox. I have not been a regular user of smashbox so I was excited when I saw this pack. It contains all the best selling products they have on offer. Each product is trial size but the size is enough to give you a change to develop an informed opinion. Titled the TRY IT KIT it really is a great way to have a go with smash box. 

The collection of Smashbox superstars in Irresistable Try-Me sizes contains: 

• Photo Finish Foundation Primer

This is the original foundation primer as Smashbox do other variations now such as a sensitive or correcting but this is the one I go back to. Easy to apply, so smooth and leaves skin foundation ready. Skin is silky and foundation is easily applied. Lovely!

• Photo Finish Lid Primer

Still in the Photo Finish family but for eye-shadow prep. This didn’t impress me, nothing startling here and I would prefer Urban Decay’s eye shadow primer.

• Limitless Eye Liner

Nice eye liner which didn’t drag on the eye lid and didn’t run. Nothing special.

• Full Exposure Mascara in jet Black

An amazing mascara with a great brush, is buildable and truly black!

• Lip Enhancing  Gloss in Illume

Nice lip gloss but a tad gloopy, can be a bit sticky but a lovely shade.

Over all I found this set a great opportunity to try out some of Smashbox favourites and best-sellers. An eye-shadow duo would have been a major bonus if it was included however I was generally happy with what I received. Priced at 25euro approximately I would recommend this to any one who is interested in trying these products. For more information HAVE A LOOK HERE. 

I really hope you found this post helpful. 

Until tomorrow be good (",) 

xoxo 

Ciaté Caviar Manicure - Mother of Pearl

Ciaté Caviar Manicure in Mother of Pearl 

Monday means Nails! Today I want to share a little something special as far as nails are concerned – Ciaté Caviar Manicure in Mother of Peal. This is a really delicate looking manicure that can be worn for a special occasion or simply on the ring ringer. Priced at approximately €22 it is on the high end of the price scale but it is as I mentioned rather special.

This is a three dimensional manicure, it has shine and gloss and can looks more like a salon manicure then a home job.

 Each pack contains

• ·         13.5ml - Snow Virgin Nail Polish
• ·         20g - Holographic Caviar Pearls
• ·         A little funnel
• ·         Instruction leaflet

The process of application is actually really simple compared to what I thought it would be. 

The steps included;

Step 1

Clean your nails – using an acetone free nail polish remover, remove all polish. I use acetone free just because it is gentler on the nails. Wash your hands.

Step 2

Paint one coat of the Snow Virgin Nail Polish on each nail. One of the things I like about the sets offered by Ciate is that the nail polishes which come with the sets are all beautiful individually. They are rich and strong wearing meaning you can easily wear them on their own. One each nail is polished leave to dry for a few minutes. This polish in particular is really nice. I find it so difficult to find a nice white nail polish and this one is by the best I have found.

Step 3

This step needs to be completed nail by nail. Place the plastic tray which comes as part of the packaging under your hand (the hand that you intend to paint the nails). Paint one nail. Take the Holographic Caviar Pearls pot and gently tip the pearls on to the nails ensuring the excess pearls fall into the plastic tray. Do this for each individual nail – paint and pearl, paint and pearl!

Step 4

All the excess pearls will now be in the plastic tray. Place the funnel in the pot containing and pearls and pour the excess from the tray back in to pot and hey presto no waste!!

Step 5

Paint each nail with a fast drying strong top coat. I think this helps the pearls to set better and ensure your manicure will last longer.

That’s it! Your Mother of Pearl Caviar Manicure is complete. I find that by using the top coat (I am a big fan of Seche Vite fast drying top coat) the manicure really does last and less pearls fall off. I really like this manicure, the pearls tend to pick the light or colours around them so they are glossy and shiny.

Please excuse my little chubby fingers - my sister likes to tell me they resemble a sausage.

There are a number of alternatives to this set offered by ciate, for example both Top Shop and River Island offer a similar product – CLICK HERE 

 – I have tried the river island version which was good but did not have great staying power.

So there you have it, Mondays Nails. I really hope you enjoyed this post and if you have tried or intend to try this manicure or a similar manicure please leave a comment below telling me your thought.

Hope you have a good week

P.S COMPETITION TIME STILL RUNNING CLICK HERE

Xoxo

Top Tip Friday

Top Tip Friday 

******************





Some times I dread washing my hair! If I have a a few days were I just threw my hair up in a top knot or wore it tussled, wavey or in lose curls I especially dread it. The reason for this is the tangled mess that it ends up in! 

Every one know attempting to brush your hair when it is in this state results in a lot of broken hair. No one wants that. So my to tip is this 

About 1 hour before you wash your hair liberally spay a detangling leave in conditioner on to your hair. Turn your head upside and spray spay! Leave the conditioner in your hair for an hour or so then wash as normal. I find the leave in condition does a few things all of which are good! 

* your hair is detangled- maybe not perfectly flowing but it is much more manageable. 

*it is much easier to wash your hair and brush it out after. Less hair is broken. 

*my hair is really soft and feels really well conditioned. The extra conditioner left in my hair for the hour or so helps strengthen my hair. 

These three benefits would , in my opinion, be welcomed by everyone. 

At the moment I really like using 2 leave in conditioners. These are; 










Both are excellent and do exactly what I want them to do so I would recommend both. 
One extra little tip for you - I also spray my hair with one of these products before I go swimming. I spray liberally and then pop on my swimming hat. I find that the extra conditioner really helps protect my hair from the negative effects of chlorine that's in the pool! 

So there you have it. My to tip for Friday - two little tips in one ! I really hope you find this helpful! 

Have a fabulous weekend 

xoxo 

OH and REMEMBER - COMPETITION TIME - running at the mo just CLICK HERE 

xoxo

Radiance - Give It A Glow !!

Radiance - Give It A Glow !!

******************************

My post last Thursday was all about the bronzer and comparing a high end product to a drug store product (click HERE if you fancy a quick read). Keeping it tune with that this week I want to focus on radiance boosting creams/balms and again look at a high end product and a drug store buy.

Radiance creams and balms are by definition a skin saviour for those dull skin days were you need a lift. These creams claim to offer the skin a helping hand  in achieving that "just awoke from a perfect 8 hours" look while also offering skin care benefits. I love the sound of this so I have tired a few products that claim to offer such benefits. I have chosen two to share with you!

Pro Radiance Illuminating Flash Balm by Elemis 

This beauty balm falls in to the high end category for sure priced at approximately €42.00 for 50ml or 1.7 fl.oz. This Product claims to offer skin flattering qualities while also offering rich moisturizing qualities. In short this product claims to offer the user 3 products in one:

• Moisturizer 
• Radiance Booster 
• Primer 

 I have had this product for a few months now and I have been using it very often. When I first got it I used it for a month non stop as I was curious to see if it was as good as the reviews. First impressions were positive. The cream itself is rich in texture meaning a little goes a long way. It has no smell at all and seems to glide on to the skin. I put in on in the mornings where some days I would wear make up and others I would not. The days I wear make up I find that it really does have good primer qualities. The balm itself glides on smooth and my make up tends to be glide over it just as smooth. My make up does not become blotchy or patchy (but this may have a little to do with the fact that my foundation suits my skin type). My skin does not feel dry so there is some level of moisture present in the product. As for a radiant look or glow, it is hard to be sure when you are wearing make up (and due to the fact I like illuminating foundations like NARS Sheer Glow). The real proof is when I am not make up free. I have to admit this balm does add a certain glow to my skin. My skin looks healthy and fresh. The dullness is not so evident. I think the real poof is in the fact that I genuinely do not mind going make up free once I have this product on - just a swipe of lip balm and  helping of mascara and I am good to go! Therefore on the radiance boosting scale this is a good product.
I tend to only have one issue with this product - I would like it to contain an SPF. I am not one for layer on my lotions and potions on my face so if I could get one product with all this product offers and an SPF I would be chuffed! Until then however I will continue to enjoy the benefits of using this illuminating balm - expensive but worth it in my opinion.

Garnier Skin Naturals Moisture Match Wake Me Up Revitalising Hydrating Gel

Priced at approximately €5.50 this is drug store product that is part of the Garnier Moisture Match Collection. It claims to lift dull skin, give you the bright and radiant look while also offering 24 hour hydration. This product is a gel consistency and is really light. I used it for two weeks solid  to see if my skin benefited. First impressions were a little mixed but positive also. 

I am generally not a fan of gel moisturizers but the one thing I did like about this product is the fact that it is water based and you could feel that in the products consistency. It has citrus extracts which does give it a nice subtle smell. Once applied to the skin I found it takes a few minutes to absorb fully. As I mentioned it a water based gel and my preference is a cream moisturizer and this only became more apparent when I was using this. my skin just did not feel 100% moisturized. As for the radiance boosting elements or the "wake me up" element. I found my skin did look a little brighter but again not to a great extent. Over all I liked this product but I did not love it. I wont be using it as my daily moisturizer. I would recommend it maybe for younger skin, maybe late teens early 20's as it may offer more of that the skin at that age needs. This range of products are a good idea and offer products for five different skin types. I just was not a favorite of mine. 

As can be seen from my shared experiences of the two products above  I will be sticking with the high end product in my pursuit of radiant skin. I am also a fan of Clarins Beauty Flash Balm which offers radiance boosting qualities and can be used all over the body. 

Do you use a radiance boosting balm? If so please share your experiences I love to hear them. 

Hope you found this post helpful and if there is a particular product you would like compared from high end to drug store please leave a comment below telling me. 

oh and REMEMBER - COMPETITION TIME - running at the mo just CLICK HERE #

xoxo

 

 

COMPETITION TIME -------------------

COMPETITION TIME -------------------

I have been writing and compiling this blog now for a little over 8 months and I have loved every minute of it. I have presented 100 blog post and to me this is a little achievement that I am really proud of. I really hope one or two of you out there have enjoyed one or two of my posts. 

As a means of marking my 100th post I have decided to run a little giveaway to thank you for dropping by my blog. Seeing as my 100th blog post featured what I believe is a great little find in the world of fake tans I want to give one ready the set I reviewed (to have a look at my full review click HERE) 

Hi Shi 3 Step Discovery Kit offers you all you need for a golden glow which can be built upon to achieve a rich dark tan. The set contains

•  He-Shi Exfoliating Bodywash 50ml
• He-Shi Express Liquid Tan 50ml
• He-Shi Miniature Tanning Mit
• He-Shi Gradual Tan 50 ml 

RULES OF THE COMPETITION 

The rules are simple. Follow each step below 

1. Be a member/follower of this blog and leave a comment under this post just saying HI ! 
2. Like my Facebook. CLICK HERE OR follow me on Twitter  CLICK HERE - which ever you follow or like leave me a comment saying HI!
3. This giveaway is open to every one every where 
4. The giveaway will run for 2 weeks - ending 28th August 2013. 
5. GOOD LUCK 

XOXO 

Hi Shi 3 Step Discovery Kit

Hi Shi 3 Step Discovery Kit 

**********************************************

Hi Shi 3Step Dicovery Kit 

Being Irish I am blessed with Celtic skin. This means that I am pale, pale and pink with a good dose of freckles . In the sun I burn and when I say burn I mean burn pink and it is very raw and painful. For this reason I tend not to tan at all. If I do it's just because ally freckles join together and become one big freckle! It comes as no surprise then that I have tried many a fake tan, therefore this week my trail size packs focus on fake tan. I have tried and tested many tan and I have to say this is one of the best! 

He Shi fake tan has been the popular choice for many but like all cosmetic products it is always great to try a small amount and be able to not spend a whole lot of money and then make up your mind. He Shi offer this 3 step discovery kit that offers us just that.

He-Shi Discovery Kit Contains:-



He-Shi Exfoliating Bodywash 50ml

This is a rich effective exfoliator that removes dead skin and gently polishes the skin. It smells amazing with a little hint of strawberries. Even if your not tanning this is a lovely body wash. 
He-Shi Express Liquid Tan 50ml






This is a tuned liquid tan that goes on to the skin really well. The dark tint really helps to ensure a steak free tan. There is no strong smell like other tans. The one thing I really like about this tan is the fact that it wears off really well. Over all it is a nice bronzed shade that can be subtle or built upon depending on the number of applications. 
He-Shi Miniature Tanning Mitt

Soft and strong - what more can you ask for ! 









He-Shi Day to Day Gradual Tan 50ml





A rich moisturising lotion with a hint of colour. Great for a mid week freshen up for your colour. Is not stick, streaky or strong smelling. 

This is the perfect kit to create a golden tan yet keeping your skin in really good condition. - Is Ecocert approved with 100% Natural DHA

- Is odourless + streak free

- Is suitable for face and body

- Is Paraben Free + Alcohol Free

- Is pH balanced for sensitive skin

- Is long lasting with its moisture lock technology infused within the range

I have used this discovery kit and went on to buy the full set in full size products so I think that is recommendation enough- this is a good tanning range! 

Do you use fake tan and if so what products do u use? Please leave a comment below telling me about your chosen products. 

Xoxo