Pages

Friday 28 December 2012

Daxon's Blogger Network

If you've never heard of Daxon before, they are the 3rd largest home shopping organisation in the world. They offer top quality clothing for all occasions, to give effortless style. Whats more, it won't break the bank - they stock stylish items at low prices, while also offering superb quality. If it's your first time hearing about Daxon, why not check out their site where they're currently offering £10 off your order for new customers! 




Also, they are currently running a blogger network, which you can check out by clicking here.

If you're wondering what to buy with the £10 off for new customers, here are some of my favourite items..








Ring with White zirconia - £55 and Cubic zirconia stud earrings - £15




Will you be checking out Daxon?

xxx

Saturday 8 December 2012

Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask - Review

Following trying (and reviewing, here) Moroccanoil, I was eager to try more of their products. Moroccanoil is the only hair product I need to ensure my hair stays silky smooth and straight all day, and I couldn't wait to see the effect one of their masks would have on my hair.

Hairtrade.com is one of the UK's leading online retailers of hair extensions, and also stock a plethora of hair and beauty products






I blow-dry my hair three times a week and straighten it everyday (very bad, I know, I know!), so it's no surprise that it can easily become riddled with split ends and frizz. Moroccanoil's Restorative Hair mask contains argan oil and claims to help to reconstruct and rebuild hair, reverses damage done by chemicals and leaves hair shiny and moisturised. After shampooing, you apply a generous amount to the hair and let it penetrate for 7 to 10 minutes. Then, you wash it off and apply conditioner as usual.




I was quite surprised to see the consistency of the mask was similar to a thick foam. I was expecting a cream texture, but it smelt gorgeous none the less! When I washed off the mask for the first time, my hair didn't feel particularly soft and silky, the feeling I'm familiar with from various other hair masks. Instead, it was tangled and felt quite tough. This was to be expected, as the instructions say to condition after. So, I conditioned my hair and was still surprised at the fact that my hair didn't feel exceptionally smooth. After drying my hair, it definitely felt different. It wasn't silky soft, but instead it felt genuinely strengthened. It's a hard feeling to describe, but it felt slightly matted and heavy (but not in a bad way). I have noticed that since using the mask twice a week, my hair has barely any split ends and feels in a better overall condition. However, it is a bit of a chore to have to apply a hair mask, and then condition -  I don't know about you but I like to have the two in one. 

If your hair is very damaged and you're looking for a quick fix, I'd give this a go. A 250ml tub costs £29 from Hairtrade and will last you quite a while, as it's literally huge! I've used it 6 times now and there is over 3/4 remaining. However, if you're looking for a moisturising mask, their Intense Hydrating mask will be more suitable. 

If you're wanting to try a couple of Moroccanoil products, I would highly recommend this set from Hairtrade, containing 5 trial sized versions of their products. It would also make a gorgeous christmas present, I'm planning on buying it for some of my relatives!



Have you ever tried any Moroccanoil products?


xxx

Friday 30 November 2012

Fabulous Freebie - 33p Nail Polish?!

So, not technically a freebie, but a damn good deal none-the-less! Gosh's Berry Me Nail Lacquer is currently on sale for 49p at Superdrug, and also coincides with the 3 for 2 deal they are currently running on cosmetics. So, you can pick up 3 fabulous nail polishes in a gorgeous wintery berry colour for just 33p each with FREE delivery! I'm not sure if this offer is in store too, but you may as well order online seeing as postage is free! I've already ordered three and a couple of other bits, as they will make lovely additions to the beauty hampers I'm making my friends for Christmas!




Have you spotted any fabulous offers recently?

xxx

Sunday 18 November 2012

Lust List #005: Autumn Style




Orly "Goddess" - £8.94
Mac "Rebel" - £14
Bobble Hat - £6.99
Moroccanoil - £12.95

Berry shades are huge this autumn - pair them with a cosy, fur-lined parka, chunky neutral knits and a bobble hat and you're ready for the impending cold weather! It doesn't stop at clothing though - berry accents for makeup are also making an appearance all over cat walks. I love Rebel by Mac for a perfect plum pout, and Orly's "Goddess" for a gorgeous deep burgundy manicure! My favourite autumn hairstyle is poker-straight: Moroccanoil is perfect for keeping frizz at bay during unpredictable weather! No autumnal outfit is complete without an oversized knitted scarf - my favourite is this striped one from Topshop - throw it over any outfit for those cold, dark mornings.



What are your favourite trends this Autumn?

xxx

Tuesday 6 November 2012

Moroccanoil Hair Oil - Review

Hair oils are all over the blogosphere at the moment, and with the impending cold weather looming, it's more important than ever to keep your hair in tip-top condition. I've never tried any hair oils before, so I jumped at the chance to try one extensively raved about by many bloggers.

Hairtrade.com is one of the UK's leading online retailers of hair extensionsand also stock a plethora of hair and beauty products. I received Moroccanoil to review, and here are my thoughts on it!



I like to use Moroccanoil in two ways. Normally, I apply it to the ends of my hair before drying it, however when my hair is in need of a little more TLC, I'll mix a few drops with a hair mask and apply it to the whole of my hair. The latter leaves my hair extremely soft and shiny, I just make sure that I wash it off really well so it doesn't make my hair greasy. Originally, I was worried about this oil weighing my hair down as it is quite thin, but I can report nothing of the sort. In fact, it leaves my hair poker-straight and silky smooth. Moroccanoil also comes in a light version for Blonde hair, but I found that the original was fine for my hair so I don't think it makes much difference. One thing I really worry about in the winter is my hair going frizzy. The combination of rain and strong winds play havoc with my hair, and leave it curly and frizzy by the end of the day. However, when I applied Moroccanoil during my lunch break, my hair stayed silky smooth all day - yes all day! I can see why there's so much hype around Moroccanoil, and if you're not yet 100% convinced, here are some photos.

The top photo shows my hair when I left in the morning on a day where the weather was particularly bad, and the bottom shows when I got home in the evening.





As you can see, there is literally no difference, which is amazing! Between the two photos, I applied Moroccanoil and brushed my hair once. I am thrilled with the results and can safely say I will repurchase Moroccanoil when it runs out, which won't be for a while as you literally need the tiniest amount!

Have you ever tried any hair oils?

xxx







Saturday 6 October 2012

A Simple (yet effective) Skincare Routine for Sensitive Blemish-Prone Skin

In my experience, blemish-prone skin needs very gentle treatment. I feel it is just stressed out from all of the lotions and potions we slather on it, so it needs a little break! Whenever my skin starts to freak out, I always revert back to this fool-proof routine, and feel I've perfected it enough to share with you!




I start off by cleansing with Cetaphil. It it white in colour and has a gel-cream like consistency, and I massage it in to my skin for around 30 seconds then remove it with a muslin cloth soaked in warm water. I find folding the muslin a couple of times helps it to retain the heat, therefore cleansing your pores better and making for a more spa-like feeling! It is extremely gentle yet effective, but it doesn't remove makeup very well so make sure you remove it beforehand. Cleansing with a muslin cloth is ideal, as it acts as an exfoliator. This means you don't have to use a separate product, and reduces the amount of products you need to use on your skin. Less is more with spot prone, stressed out skin!

Depending on whether it's night or day, I will apply a specific moisturiser. For the day, it is imperative to use a moisturiser with at least SPF 15. When spots heal, you may notice the area goes purple/red. This is because the new skin is especially prone to UV damage. If you don't use SPF, your skin won't go back to its normal tone, and you will have purple spot scars (not very nice!). A light moisturiser with SPF is therefore, a must. And yes - oily skin does need a moisturiser! If you don't moisturise, your skin will just create more oil.

Finally, if I do have any troublesome spots, I will apply a little Nixoderm. This is a white cream which smells quite strong, but doesn't irritate my sensitive skin. It is antibacterial and has a plethora of uses, and I find it gets rid of spots in no time. What's more, it is dead cheap! I don't think I paid more than £2 for mine on Ebay.



So there it is: my extremely simple and effective skincare routine. I would highly recommend anybody who suffers with spots to strip their routine back to just the basics, try not to over-load your skin and be very very gentle! It may not seem like much is happening at first, but give it a couple of months and your skin will look and feel miles better!




How do you tackle problem skin?

xxx

Tuesday 2 October 2012

Blogger Buzz: Miu Miu Sunglasses Style Contest!



Hi everyone! I have compiled an entry for the Sunglasses Shop MIU MIU style contest, and I would love for you to check it out! If you don't already know about the competition, they are offering one lucky blogger a pair of the gorgeous MIU MIU 10NS sunglasses (full range here). All you have to do is make a Blog post on either your favourite celebrity icon who owns the sunglasses, or an outfit you'd wear the sunglasses with. I chose the latter, and here's my entry...







I tried to make my look as Autumnal as possible - I combined the wine jeans with a girly floral top, and added a biker jacket for a hint of edge, and especially those cold mornings! The sun is always in my eyes when driving to college in the mornings, so the sunglasses would be a life-saver. They would also complement the jeans perfectly, and add a sparkle to the outfit! I added the Chelsea Boots as a final finishing touch as they're bang on trend this autumn! There is a reason why all of the items I've chosen are from Topshop: they have 20% student discount until Thursday! I've already got a virtual basket full to the brim of stuff I would love, I might have to make a cheeky order (it would be rude not to, right?)


Do you like my entry?

xxx


Wednesday 19 September 2012

The £12 Dupe to Zara's Bucket Bag

Ever since I laid eyes on Zara's leather bucket bag, I really really wanted it. Being a student, I definitely couldn't justify the £80 price tag, so when I saw this dupe floating around on the blogosphere, I had to get it!




This beauty cost me just £12, yes, £12, from Primark! It is amazing quality and also has a longer strap which is very handy. It also comes in black, which I can see myself buying in the near future! I think it is an amazing dupe for the Zara bag, and although it isn't real leather, it's £68 cheaper! I know which I'd rather... It is bigger than I thought it would be, making it perfect for lugging my text books and folders around college.



Have you been able to get your hands on this dupe?

xxx



Wednesday 5 September 2012

My Villa Rosie Phone Case

Hi everyone, just a quick post to let you know about my gorgeous new phone case - I am over the moon with it! When Jo @Shopaholic Jo posted about hers, I bought one immediately after! It was from this ebay seller, and cost me just £8 including postage, which is amazing seeing as they are hand made to an exceptionally high quality. At present, villa-rosie offers a series of standard sizes, but she will also make you one of a custom size for no extra charge! I have a Samsung Galaxy S2 with a protective case on, so I let her know that and she made me one which fits absolutely perfectly! I ordered it just five days ago, which is incredible. Here's the pattern I chose, which is by Cath Kidston and called Hampton Rose.



I purchased this case with my own money and I'm not being paid to rave about this case - I just love it so much that I had to spread the word! The attention to detail she puts in to the items is unbelievable. My case came with a tiny tag containing the brand logo, a business card and a note thanking me for my custom. It is so refreshing to have excelllent service from Ebay, as I normally have so many problems that I just don't use it! I would highly recommend villa-rosie to each and everyone of you - she can make custom phone cases for every phone, and even kindles/iPads!



Will you be checking out her store?

xxx

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Meet Mia... (Clarisonic Mia!)

The biggest of my recent skincare splurges recently... I finally caved in and bought a Clarisonic Mia! After hearing so many amazing things about it, umming and aahing for a good year, and wincing at the thought of handing over 120 hard earned pounds, I closed my eyes and pressed the Checkout button at Current Body.




Mine is the limited edition colour "Peony" which I am actually in love with! Currentbody offer a two year guarantee on their Clarisonics, and also a 60 day money-back guarantee! They also offer a price match on other sites, so should you find the Clarisonic cheaper anywhere else, just email their extremely friendly customer service team who will match the price! I ended up paying just over £97 for this baby, which I am over the moon with. I can honestly say I have never been more excited to wash my face - I just have to wait 24hrs for it to charge.. Boo! 

As with all of my recent skincare purchases, I will be sure to keep you updated with how I find them. Just one question for all you lucky people with Clarisonics: which cleanser(s) do you use with it? I'm a bit overwhelmed and not sure what to use!




Have you been tempted by a Clarisonic before? 

xxx



Tuesday 21 August 2012

Recent Skincare Purchases...

I love reading posts like this, so I thought I'd share with you some of my latest skincare purchases! My skin has been really bad recently so I decided to invest in some new items...







I bought this as Zoella has raved about its ability to get rid of acne scarring. It contains the same sort of ingredients as Bio Oil, but in a moisturiser form. I was really surprised how light it is, despite containing all sorts of oils. I can't wait to start seeing some results!

Another spot treatment here. I have heard a lot about Etat Pur on blogs, and my skin is pretty bad at the moment, so I caved in and bought it. My skin has also reacted well to Salicylic Acid in the past, so I'm expecting good things from this!

I first heard about this from Ruth @Amodelrecommends and it has recently exploded in the blogosphere! From numerous reviews, it uses 5% glycolic acid to exfoliate the skin, refine pores, clear up breakouts and fix scarring. Sounds like a miracle in a bottle! I am so excited to try this, and will definitely review it soon!

This seems to be the cult spot treatment on blogs at the moment, so I just had to hop on to the band wagon and try it out! Now, Bloggers have mentioned how small this is, and I thought yeah ok. They weren't kidding - this thing is tiny! My mouth actually dropped a little bit when I first received it. "I just paid £13 for that?!" The bottle is literally comparable to a penny! It better show some amazing results..

Ren is another brand very popular with bloggers at the moment, so I decided to try one of their face masks. I've been in need of a good one for a little while now, and feel it'll do the world of good for my skin! Here's to hoping...




What are your favourite blemish busting skincare items?

xxx




Sunday 12 August 2012

My Miracle Nail Strengthening Products: Part 3/3 – OPI Nail Envy


I have definitely saved the best until last for my strengthening nails series. Forget all of the other nail treatments, which promise to make your nails stronger than diamonds, (ahem, Sally Hansen, I’m talking about you!) OPI Nail Envy actually works.  



I apply this once a day following my Lush Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter to ensure my nails remain strong and healthy. The Nail envy features an extra wide applicator brush, meaning application is incredibly quick and easy! I have been using this for a good few years now, and I believe I first noticed a difference after I applied it religiously once a day for two weeks. The instructions say to apply once a day for a week, then remove the polish and start over again, to ensure you see optimal results.  Follow this, along with a good cuticle moisturiser and you’ll have strong nails in no time!




OPI Nail Envy retails at £18.55 here for a 15ml bottle, which I don’t think is too bad at all! A bottle lasts me a good few months, and it is well worth the investment in my opinion. It also doubles up as a great top coat! You can also purchase a Maintenance version of the original (right in the photo), which you are supposed to use having used the original for six months. To be honest, I haven’t noticed much difference between the Maintenance and the Original, so I say sticking with the Original is your best bet!


I hope you enjoyed my Nail Strengthening Series and my advice has helped you on the way to strong, healthy, gorgeous nails!


xxx

Monday 6 August 2012

New Look's Holiday Hop

Following Michelle's blog post about New Look's Holiday Hop, I unleashed my creativity and compiled an entry! The brief was as follows...


"Imagine you are going to Ibiza for a long weekend. Create a post on your blog stating which items from the New Look store you would wear to complete each of the following outfits on your holiday. You can create one of five outfits, so get creative and show off your style with the items you would wear and tell me why you'd wear it."



So, here are my entries! I wanted to capture and combine some on-trend pieces, but make sure the outfits are ideal for the Ibiza climate, and also has a sophisticated, rock-chick edge, so it wasn't too girly, and more grown up! I have also shared these looks on Facebook and Twitter, so please hop over and like/retweet!

"Arriving at the airport, I am snuggled up to the comfy grey hoodie as the definition of a British summertime is rain and grey skies! I keep telling myself I'll soon be in warm, sunny Ibiza, as Venga-boys is on replay on my iPod. Wooooah, we're going to Ibiza! Ohhh, back to the Island! For ultimate travel comfort, my advice is to throw on a zip hoodie, like this one from New Look. Don't worry - as soon as you hit Ibiza, you can just take it off, and have a super-stylish holiday-ready outfit underneath! Two outfits for the effort of one! Add an element of style to the outfit with a gorgeous sheer floaty top, teamed with vintage-look mini shorts. My outfit for travelling:



My hair would be in a messy bun for effortless style, slicked back and out of the way with a few bobby pins and a super stylish cross-link headband. As soon as I arrive, I'd add the beautiful turquoise flower to get me in the summer spirit! Think Jessica Alba for the perfect messy bun...





Upon arriving at Ibiza, an overwhelming sense of serenity overcomes me, as I throw the hoodie in to my luggage, let my hair down and hit the beach! After all, I had to as I've worn my bikini on the plane all the way from England! My best piece of advice for hitting the beach is to mis-match your bikini - it's the perfect way to show off your individuality and create a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind look!

After a couple of hours relaxing and recuperating on the sun-soaked beaches, I hit the Ibiza clubs! I would stay in the bikini top, due to the sizzling Ibiza climate. It also doubles up as a super-cute bralet! In addition, I'd throw on a light and airy skirt to add a stylish edge to my club outfit. The skirt doesn't take up much space in a beach bag, so it's perfect for just throwing on after a long beach day! I would swap the over-sized beach tote for a sparkling clutch and I'm ready to go! My Beach to Club outfit:

Tousled beach waves would be perfect for both of these looks. For the day at the beach, I'd wear the gorgeous feathered hair clip for a laid back beach look. Then, to transform the hairstyle to club-ready, I'd clip back small front sections of hair with these sparkling bobby pins. I'd get inspiration from Miley Cyrus...



Following an amazing night at Ibiza's best clubs, I'm feeling a little delicate, so a day by the pool is exactly what the Doctor ordered! Cut-out costumes are HUGE this summer, and I love this electric blue number. After a quick dip in the pool, I'd add a kaftan as a little cover-up, as it's too hot for clothes in the blazing Ibiza sun! My accessories for a poolside outfit would definitely be a straw hat and over-sized sunglasses, to keep the sun off your face while you're having a cheeky pool-side read! My outfit:


A loose plait would be perfect for relaxing by the pool. I'd want my hair out of my face, but still looking pretty and also relaxed. I would add a few bow hair grips to make the look cute and ensure it's not too plain. They also go perfectly with the sunglasses! The queen of plaits has to be Fearne Cotton...






After a day of relaxing, I'm raring to go again! I met a guy at the clubs last night, and he's invited me out to a local restaurant! I can't wait to see him again - he's gorgeous! I really want to impress him, so I've chosen my outfit carefully... I chose the deep red as the colour pop for my outfit to transform my outfit from flirty beach day to sophisticated date night. Studs are huge this season, so I incorporated them in to my outfit in the form of the shirt. Its light flowy material is perfect for warm Ibiza nights- highly recommended by me! Its important not to go overboard with studs though - you don't want to scare your date off! You definitely need a quick sweep of glittery eye-liner over fake eye lashes, and killer heels to complete the look.

To ensure my outfit is sophisticated, I'd use one of New Look's super handy hair doughnuts to create a neat bun. For inspiration, I'd look to Kim Kardashian, whos hair is ALWAYS perfect!




The date went so well last night! We're meeting at the beach today, which will be SO much fun! I've kept my outfit nice and casual, and I'm looking forward to a fun day out before I leave the gorgeous Ibiza this evening. I kept my outfit stylishly simple, as you don't want to over-do it on the beach! I would recommend one focal point for the outfit, then a few small extras, don't go mad! After all, you want all attention to be on your newly-acquired tan! The beaded bikini was my focal point, then I added a simple hat, shorts, and sandals. When walking around the seafront, I'd add the bracelet, worn as an anklet, for a little summer sparkle!



For my final day on the beach, I would plait the front sections of my hair and clip them back with some lovely flower hair grips, which would complement my bikini and nail polish perfectly! I would leave my hair wavy and down, but if it gets too hot in the Ibiza sun, I'd put it in to a pony tail with a chic spiked hair band. I would look to Pixie Lott for this hair style...



I have the most amazing time in Ibiza, I don't want to go! I will definitely be back soon, and I have got my date's number, so who knows what will happen? But for now, it's off to the airport..."


I had SO much fun entering this competition and have my fingers and toes crossed that I am lucky! Thank you so much to Michelle and New Look for hosting such an amazing competition! I hope you all found my advice helpful if you are lucky enough to be jetting off to Ibiza soon! Don't forget to retweet my outfit on Twitter and Like it on Facebook!




What do you think of my outfits? Which is your favourite?


xxx

Sunday 5 August 2012

My Miracle Nail Strengthening Products: Part 2/3 – Lush Lemony Flutter


Part two of my guide to achieving strong nails features one of my all time favourite and most repurchased Lush item! I even have my Mum hooked on this, I feel it’s one of the main reasons my nails are in such a good condition, in addition to my Crystal Nail file of course!



I smooth this gorgeous moisturising butter on to each nail and cuticle every night to leave them wonderfully moisturised by the morning. The butter is a little greasy, which is why I only apply it at night. Any residue works fantastically as a hand cream, though! You only need the tiniest bit to cover all of your nails so the pot lasts forever! I only have to purchase one a year – it’s amazing value!




Lush have packed this butter full of Organic, fresh ingredients: Shea Butter, Avocado Oil and Lemon Infusion to name but a few.   There are a lot of products similar to this – I know Burt’s Bees do a cuticle cream and OPI do a cuticle oil, but I feel this is superior – it’s a holy grail for me! My nails have never been in a better condition, and I will continue to purchase this for a long time! 

Lush have several stores up and down the county, or alternatively, you can purchase a 50g pot of Lemony Flutter online for just £5.95 – click here.


Do you use a cuticle butter/oil to strengthen your nails?


xxx

Tuesday 31 July 2012

This Month's Giveaways - August-September

Hi everyone, just a quick post to let you know about giveaways August-September!


Carissa is giving away OPI polishes here!

Angie is giving away a Mac lipstick of your choice here

Huge international giveaway by Tattooed tea lady here

The black pearl is running a huge international giveaway here!

Glossyboutique is giving away some beauty goodies and a surprise here!

Fantastic international giveaway here

Fabulous illamasqua blush giveaway here!

Meg is giving away a Mac lipstick here

Shesaidbeauty giveaway here

Sarah's giving away some revlon goodies here!

Great sleek palette giveaway here

Win some great MUA products from Georgia's giveaway here

Great makeup bundle giveaway here!

Amazing international giveaway here!

Win great Topshop and essie goodies here!

Amazing Dahlia fashion giveaway here

Michaela is giving away a big beauty bundle here!

Great makeup and nail giveaway here
xxx