Review: L'Oreal | Infalliable Fixing Mist |

L'Oreal -Infallible Fixing Mist - 100ml - £7.99

The British Summer has been weird. One moment its pelting it down with rain and very humid, the next its boiling hot up to 30 degrees! For all these changes in weather, a fixing mist has been essential in keeping my make up in tact.

I've been using the L'Oreal Infallible Fixing Mist for the past few months and have always been impressed, but the summer has definitely cemented the benefit of this spray. It is a bi-phase liquid that you need to shake up and then spray 2-4 pumps from arms length all over your face (they suggest an X action). It claims to not only make your make up last longer but also prevent fading and cracking.

I spray around 4 pumps onto my face and I like that the spray function is fine enough to not ruin your make up. Although my face felt wet for about 20 seconds, the formula is not sticky and once it dries and sets it feels like you have nothing on. It really helps lock in my makeup, reduces oiliness in my t zone and keeps even my eye make up looking fresh. This setting spray has really worked through all types of weather and for a high street product I am really impressed with the quality.

Having loved the Infalliable foundation, I'm not surprised this product from the range has also impressed me. If you have oily skin or problems with make up sticking around, I highly recommend this fixing spray as especially as it is such a great price point, available at the drugstore or online at Feel Unique, Asos and Look Fantastic.

What is your favourite fixing spray? xxx

Review: Clarins | Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil in '01 Honey' |

Clarins - Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil - Honey - £19 - 7ml

When these were launched, it was one of those products which went right to the top of my lust list. As you probably know, Clarins is one of my all time favourite high end brands for both make up and skin care. I had just run out of my previous favourite night time lip balm (Nuxe Reve de Miel) and thought this would make a good replacement.

First off, I wouldn't use this during the day as it is not something you can layer other lip products over the top of. Instead the blurb suggests using it over lipstick as a sort of gloss. It has a very thick, almost gel like cushioned texture, and does sit on top of the lips rather than sinking straight in. This is good for when your lips are really sore as it gives them a soft, protective layer. 

The applicator is large and soft, which makes application easy but I would be sparing with the amount you put on. Although the oil is the colour and consistency of honey, the taste and smell is more floral and there is no colour pay off on the lips. Key ingredients included are Hazelnut Oil to plump and soften, Jojoba Oil to nourish and add sheen to your lips and finally Mirabelle Oil to prevent dehydration. I tend to use this in the evening before bed, to protect and nourish my lips over night ready for the next day.

For a lip product, it is very expensive and a luxury product to have in your skin care kit. However, I really enjoy using this every evening and next on my list is the Raspberry version!

What is your favourite lip balm? xxx

Review: Fake Bake | Skin D-Luxe Dream Skin Cleansing Melt | Beauty At Home

Fake Bake - Beauty at Home - Skin D-Luxe Dream Skin Cleansing Melt - £17.50

A few months ago I attended the launch of Fake Bake's Beauty at Home range, which was full of new make up, body and skin care products. Subsequent to the event, I reviewed a body scrub from the new line which I adored. This is the next product that I trialed and unfortunately it hasn't won me over like the scrub did.

The Skin D-Luxe Dream Skin Cleansing Melt* (longest name ever) lives at my boyfriends house as my cleanser to use when I stay over. The three main (and only) ingredients listed in this product are Tamanu Oil to heal scarring and promote new tissue growth, Moring Seed Oil to nourish and moisturise and finally Palmitoyl Tripeptide 38 to stimulate cell renewal. It makes me wary that the other ingredients aren't listed as I am sure there must be a high content of mineral oil, purely because the feeling left on my skin is not at all pleasant. It feels very heavy and cloying rather than soft and moisturised, almost like a film has been left on your face that can't be removed with a wash cloth. For comparison, the Emma Hardie Cleansing Balm has Moringa Seed Oil in also and this does not leave me with this feeling at all.

The balm does melt into an oil quite easily, but it isn't silky smooth like others I've tried, both budget and high end. By applying to dry skin and then adding warm water, you turn it into more of a milk. This also is not very effect at removing make up, particularly round the eyes, even after double cleansing. 

The only positive I can really say about the cleansing balm is its smell and packaging, but unfortunately it fell short in many areas. For the price, I think it is really disappointing and you can get much better balms for much cheaper, for example The Body Shop Camomile Cleansing Balm (read my review here).

This may be better suited for drier skins, but overall I would not recommend it. The body range though is wonderful, so it would be worth checking that out instead.

Have you tried any products from Fake Bake Beauty at Home?

Review: L'Oreal | Color Riche Extraordinaire in 'Nude Ballet' |

L'Oreal Paris - Colour Riche Extraordinaire - 106 Nude Ballet - £8.99

I have to admit, the original reason I bought this is because it is apparently the nude lip that Kim Kardashian wears... a bit embarrassing but normally I wouldn't be drawn to a colour like this as it doesn't look like much in the tube.

The Color Riche Extraordinaire line claims to be a 3 in one product: a liquid lipstick/gloss/balm hybrid, with a soft applicator that delivers a highly pigmented and comfortable product on your lips. Nude Ballet has a light vanilla scent, is soft and nourishing on the lips, and almost gives a cushioned effect without being sticky in the slightest. I must say I was impressed with the pigmentation of this, and I like that although it is a nude, it has enough brown and pink undertones. I don't feel like the above swatch gives the product enough justice, so I highly recommend you give this a go yourself.

The wear time isn't the best, but as it is a soft nude shade it doesn't matter that much as its not obvious, plus the wear is quite even. This is a great colour for both day and night, as it is gives a pulled together look without too much effort. My favourite look to use this product with is a dramatic eye as it balances out the look well and makes it quite sultry and sophisticated.

I've been really impressed with this product and would love to try out some of the bolder shades too.

What is your favourite liquid lipstick? xxx

Review: Sleek | Face Form Contour & Blush Palette | 'Light'

Sleek MakeUP - Face Form Contour & Blush Palette - Light - £10

The other evening I was organising my photos - does anyone else have multiple digital albums which are all a bit of a mess? Anyway, I came across loads of photos I had taken for the blog from ages ago which I had kind of forgotten about. One set of these pictures was on this lovely palette from Sleek that I use at least twice a week and still love as much as I did when I first bought it and have been using it loads recently. So it is high time that I wrote a review on it!

One of the best things about this palette is that it is so travel friendly. You are sorted with a blush, contour/bronzer and highlight that are amazing quality and go with pretty much any look you need - I used this exclusively in Stockholm and didn't feel like I was missing anything. Plus you get a good sized mirror, and the pans are a really good size too. For the price point the quality of these powders are so good - really highly pigmented, easy to blend and no chalkiness in sight.

The bronzer is great for contouring as it is matte and more on the cool side, although you do need to make sure you blend it properly as it is very pigmented. The highlighter I wasn't sure on at the beginning, but applied with a denser brush like the Real Techniques contour brush, it looks so beautiful across the cheekbones and centre of the face. It gives a lovely glow without being glittery or really obvious. Lastly the blush is a fantastic dupe for Nars Orgasm and again is just as pigmented as the rest of the palette and lasts all day without needing a touch up.

The only thing to keep in mind if you have acne prone skin is that it does contain talc so if you have acne prone skin this may aggravate it.

There is also 4 different shades for varying skin tones from Light to Dark - so a palette for everyone! you can purchase this palette in Boots or Superdrug.

What is your favourite product from Sleek? xxx

My Top 5 Hair Styling Products

When it comes to hair, I'm not that adventurous, although I would like to try and step out my comfort zone this year. I have highlighted blonde hair that is easily damaged so I tend to use minimal heat and wash it about every 3 days. I'm also in a rush in the mornings so try and blow dry it relatively straight when I wash it so it will last the next couple of days without me having to use extra heat. Below are the top products I use to achieve this easy, fuss free style.

1. L'Oreal Elnett Satin Heat Protect Styling Spray: I love the smell of this product and also the bottle. The spray pump delivers a fine weightless mist to the hair so it doesn't feel weighed down or clogged with product. This version is meant to lock in your style for 3 days, but I'm not so sure it can live up to those claims but it does protect up to 230 degrees.

2. Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Texturising Spray: Texturising sprays can be a bit hit and miss with me, but this is definitely the best one  I've tried so far. I like that it is a dry mist so it doesn't mess with your hair style, it smells lovely and it adds grit and texture without being sticky or leaving a dirty feeling in my hair. I tend to focus it in my roots and and the mid lengths to add some volume although I don't use this every day.

3. Redken Straight Line Balm: I've been using this trusty product for years. My hair is naturally quite wavy so its useful to use a product like this to help smooth out any kinks. A 20 pence piece sized amount is all you need and I distribute it throughout the mid lengths to the ends of damp hair. Again, this is a non sticky or heavy product, and also helps to protect against damp/humid weather.

4. Kerastase Elixir Ultime: This oil has lasted me ages! I did a review of it on my blog about 2 years ago now and its still going strong, considering I use it on damp hair after every wash. Again I distribute about a 20 pence piece amount through the mid to end lengths of my hair. It helps to add softness, shine and smooth any frizz.

5. Redken All Soft Gold Glimmer Perfecting Shine Treatment: This is quite a thick and heavy product, so I try and use it sparingly. Normally it gets used after blow drying to smooth out the ends and any frizzy bits on top, as when I blow dry my hair it tends to get a bit poofy and unruly! When pumped out, it has a gel like texture that has glitter particles - but when in your hair it just makes it soft and a bit more shiny. Because of how heavy the product is I tend it focus it at the very ends of my hair where it needs it most and the remnants on my palms on the top to smooth fly aways if needed.

What are your top hair products? xxx

Review: Rimmel | Fix & Perfect Primer |

Rimmel - Fix & Perfect Primer - Boots - £6.99

If you watched this video, you may remember my first thoughts on this primer were pretty so so. In fact, normally I am not a fan of primers at all, and view them as an unnecessary extra step and layer to my make up routine on a day to day basis.

However, due to Autumn turning quickly into Winter weather-wise, central heating and pollution amongst the usual culprits, I've noticed a definite change to my skin in terms of hydration and therefore how make up sits on my skin. Having combination skin that is also dehydrated is a difficult thing to tackle. Make up started to settle in weird places, and look dry and cakey, so as well as tackling this with skincare, I decided to pull out the Rimmel Fix & Protect primer as it is much more smoothing and moisturising than other primers I have. 

Turns out this was an excellent choice as it has made such a difference not only to the look and feel of my make up but also its longevity. The reasons I love it now are why I didn't like it before funnily enough, but I guess that is because my skin is a lot different to in the summertime.

 This is very smoothing with a silicone like texture and definitely feels hydrating, yet not greasy (just). I don't see much difference worn alone, but all my foundations have looked instantly better when applied on top. Even my most matte of foundations are looking more skin like and glowy than cakey and dry. Not only does it help bases to not settle in pores or weird lines, it locks make up into place for a full working day, and gives my base a more airbrushed and even appearance.

In terms of oil control, I wouldn't say it aids in anyway, but at the same time it doesn't make me any more greasy which is a win. I've totally changed my mind on this product and would urge you to try it for yourself as it is a bargain at £6.99 at Boots.

Are you for or against primers? xxx

All Used Up #14 | Skincare Edition |

Once again, I seemed to have accumulated alot of empties over the past few weeks. A large proportion consisted of skincare items so I thought it would be fun to do mini reviews on those types of products I've used up recently for all you skincare junkies out there. Let's start with the cleansers:

- L'Occitane Shea Cleansing Milk: I used this up in my travel bag and it is pretty inoffensive and gentle but not the best for removing make up, so would be more suited for a morning cleanse rather than an evening. I prefer gel cleansers for first thing however, so I wouldn't repurchase. I did like the travel size and the bottle though.

- Tropic Organic Hot Bamboo Smoothing Cleanser: This was included in a set I was given at Christmas and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked the products. This was good at removing make up and was gentle with a clean smell. However for a cream cleanser, I like something a little bit thicker (think Liz Earle C+P). I liked the pump dispenser too but there are other cleansers I enjoy using a lot more. This is a good choice for people who use Vegan and natural products.

- The Body Shop Skin Clearing Facial Wash: Featured in my recent What's In My Shower video, I finally used up this giant bottle of face wash. It was a sad day as I loved this. Normally my skin doesn't react to Tea Tree but this was great at treating any blemishes that cropped up, smelt really nice, and did the job in the morning without being too harsh or stripping. I would definitely repurchase and love the toner too.

- Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water (Oily/Combo Skin): My favourite Micellar Water I've tried, you get a lot of product for your money and it does a great job at taking off the majority of make up (although not the best at removing mascara) without irritating or making you tug at your skin. I don't feel like the formula is any different to the original though so I would repurchase either types.

- Nip+Fab Glycolic Fix Treatment Pads: A surprising favourite which was featured in my updated skincare routine, I wasn't sure if glycolic acid did much for my skin before using these as I was left disappointed by Ren's Glycolactic Radiance Mask. You get about 60 pads in each tub, which are soaked in product and I tended to use them every other night as a toner. These really evened out my skin tone, made me look more radiant in turn and aided in healing both active blemishes and marks. I would definitely repurchase, but at the moment I am testing out Pixi Glow Tonic.

- L'Occitane Fresh Face Water: From the same Shea range as the above cleanser, I really enjoyed this product too. It is quite inoffensive and gentle, similar to the Liz Earle Skin Tonic, but for a reason that I can't quite put my finger on, I prefered this. I think the addition of the Shea made it quite 'soft' and left my skin refereshed without feeling tight. This is a great morning toner and I would repurchase.

- Vichy Normaderm Moisturiser: Last year I attended a Vichy event and this was featured in my goodybag, I have only just used it up after putting it on my face every morning so that shows you how long the bottle lasts! I loved the formula, it was hydrating yet not heavy, helped to combat oil without drying out my skin and was a great base for make up. I liked the pump bottle too and I would repurchase now if I didn't have a million other moisturisers to use up!

-Lush Mask of Magnaminty: One of my favourite products from Lush, I have just repurchased a new pot, but this time the self preserving version (you can see it in this video). This is great at treating blemishes and evening out oil production. I also like that as it isn't a fresh mask it lasts a lot longer than the other Lush masks.

What is your favourite skincare item? xxx

Review: By Terry | Light Expert Click Brush Foundation |

By Terry | Light Expert Click Brush Foundation | 2 - Apricot Light | £48 | Space NK

As you may have already seen, I went to the relaunch of the vamped up By Terry Light Expert Click Brush* (long name!) event and it was awesome. I was over the moon to be able to test out and review the product, especially as it is my first item from the brand. I've been using it pretty much every day for the last few weeks so am now ready to give you a thorough opinion.

Lets start with the pros. The packaging feels and looks high end, and is perfect for travel due to the no leakage click brush pump at the bottom. There are 4 holes within the dense kabuki brush where the product is dispensed, to give a more even coverage and finish and the brush can also be unscrewed and washed so is hygienic. I love that you can also take a look at how much product you have left too while doing this.

The elastic formula of this foundation is different to anything else I've tried. It is super light weight and buffs out to the most incredible natural and flawless finish while blurring out my pores, even though the coverage isn't very high. The texture is also great for touching up before a night out or generally on the go as it doesn't even go cakey or unnatural looking, instead it just builds really nicely. One of the most surprising features of the foundation is how long lasting it is. Considering how lightweight the formula is, I thought it wouldn't last too long but it lasts all day and on my combination skin I only needed to powder once during the day, which is amazing! Like all foundations I like to mix in a liquid highlighter, but to be honest this doesn't need it as the finish is luminous enough by itself. 

Onto the cons - firstly I don't really like the brush it comes with. It is so dense and small that I find it really hard to buff in the liquid evenly. Instead I like to dot it on my face and use my Real Techniques Buffing Brush instead. The shade range is also quite small, and they are all quite on the warm side so unless properly blended it can look a little orange (I have the shade 'Apricot Light'). However, with a tan it will be a great shade and the lead make up artist at By Terry explained that the reason they do not have a bigger shade range is because they have not been able to perfect the formula yet. I think this is a good reason and at least they are not putting out a product they are not 100% convinced by. It is also worth bearing in mind that the foundation has quite a strong scent - I quite like this and it smells high end (if that makes any sense) but those with sensitive skin may want to take note. I would also like the coverage to be a bit higher as I do have blemishes and dark circles to conceal!

All in all, this is great for all skin types and ages. Although it is quite pricey, I think it feels luxurious and is great for more natural make up days by giving a flawless texture and tone to your skin.

Have you tried this foundation yet? What is your favourite product from By Terry? xxx

Review: Yardley London | Bluebell Perfume |

Yardley London English Bluebell - £9.99 EDT 50ml - £14.99 EDT 125ml - Deodorising Body Spray £2.49 75ml

You've probably heard of Yardley London before as their Lavender and Rose scents have been popular for years with the older generations. I have of course heard of the brand but had never tried anything as it did seem like the products were focused for an older market. However, Yardley have recently rebranded and refocused on the younger woman, signified by their latest English Bluebell fragrance launch.

English Bluebell Eau de Toilette* is the latest addition to the Contemporary Classics floral collection that launched earlier this year (including English Lavender, English Rose, Lily of the Valley and April Violets) and has a light fragrance that is reflected in the pale blue colour of the perfume.

The packaging is sleek and pretty yet still classic and light enough to pop into your handbag. In terms of scent, the top notes are of bergamot, green notes and cassis and the heart contains bluebell, jasmine, lily of the valley, peony and peach. These sweeter scents definitely focus the perfume to a younger market but the addition of base notes of musk, sandalwood, cedarwood, amber and vanilla give the scent more of a grown up edge. The fragrance is light and sweet, perfect for all occasions in the day.

The Deodarising Body Spray is a great addition and perfect for younger women on the go - I like mine for freshening up after the gym. I found the scent of the spray is actually stronger and longer lasting than the perfume and at only £2.49 for 75ml its a bargain.

You can purchase the new launch at Boots, Superdrug, Lloyds and Sainsburys - coupled with price points of £9.99 for 50ml and £14.99 for 125ml, this perfume is easily accessible for the younger market.

I really enjoyed this perfume and consider it a fresh, light alternative for Autumn than heavy muskier scents. Also do you like my terrarium? We made them at the launch event and I love it!

Have you tried any Yardley London products before? xxx

VIDEO: What's In My Shower 2015

Last week I popped up a new video, featuring the current products I'm using in the shower ranging from body care through to hair care and tanning. I love these types of videos, so I hope you enjoy taking a peek into what I'm using at the moment. There are a few favourites but also a few disappointing products!

Products featured:

- Kerastase Resistance Bain Force Architect Shampoo £17.50 for 250ml.

- Macadamia Oil Rejuvenating Shampoo £15.75 for 300ml 

- Redken Blonde Idol Custom Tone Blonde Conditioner £21.50 for 196ml 

- L'Oreal Elvive Nutrigloss Crystal Conditioner £3.99 for 400ml

- L'Oreal Ever Pure Colour Care Intense Mask £7.30 for 200ml

- Tangle Teezer The Original in Pink Fizz £9.75

- The Body Shop Tea Tree Facial Wash £5.50 for 250ml

- The Body Shop Shea Shower Cream £4 for 250ml

- Champneys Mini Citrus Blush Body Scrub £2.50 for 50g

- Champneys Distant Shores Body Scrub £10 for 200g

- Dolce Dreams Coconut Macaroon Body Scrub £18 for 200ml - Read my review

- Soap & Glory Whipped Clean Shower Butter £8 for 250ml

- St Tropez Gradual Tan In Shower Lotion £14.50 for 200ml

If you enjoyed the video, please do like and subscribe :) xxx

Review: Fake Bake At Home | Dolcé Dreams | Coconut Macaroon Body Scrub |

Fake Bake At Home | Dolcé Dreams - Coconut Macaroon Body Scrub - £18 - Available at www.fakebakebeauty.co.uk

Did you know that Fake Bake have diversified and now do beauty products including make up and body care? Neither did I until I went to the Fake Bake Beauty at Home event a few weeks ago, and was pleasantly surprised about the array of products on offer - you can see some pictures from the event on my Instagram. 

One of the products I received to test out was the Coconut Macaroon Body Scrub* from the Dolcé Dreams collection. Everything about the product is great and pleasantly surprised me. I think the packaging is sturdy and cute, and the actual product is packed full of sugar to exfoliate, which means a little goes a long way. There is also enough slip due to the addition of coconut and shea oils, which leaves your skin soft, moisturised and smooth but it doesn't leave any oily residue which is a massive plus for me. The scent is also so good - it is sweet and reminiscent of holidays, but isn't sickly or over powering.

This would be a great scrub for exfoliating skin before tanning, which shouldn't be a surprise considering its manufactured by a tanning brand. I would definitely repurchase once this runs out and its become one of the favourite scrubs I've ever tried.

Have you tried anything from the Beauty at Home range? What is your favourite Fake Bake product? xxx

Take 3: Highstreet Concealers

Maybelline Eye Eraser in Light £7.99 - Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer in 52 Medium Radiance £7.99 - L'Oreal Lumi Magique Concealer in 1 Light £8.49

When it comes to drugstore concealers, I find it so hard to find the right shade and texture for my skin type. This means I tend to have to use different concealers for different needs and parts of my face, but I think with this trio I might have cracked it! I know 3 concealers seems a bit excessive but luckily these last for ages and they're all under the £10 mark and all have different uses.

Let's start with under eyes. Maybelline's Instant Anti-Age Eye Eraser in 'Light' totally lives up to the hype for me. Yes I might not need anti-aging underneath my peepers but the consistency, applicator and effect it gives is fabulous. You twist the product up so you can get the exact amount you need out the sponge as well as being able to see how much you have left which is a massive plus for me. The sponge applicator aids to softly pat the concealer into a V shape under my eyes and the texture is creamy yet light so gives great coverage without looking cakey at all. Blended in with a damp beauty blender this stuff looks airbrushed and skin like, whilst still covering dark circles effectively. My only niggle with this product is that I would like the shade 'Light' to be a tad lighter to give a more highlighting effect but in terms of coverage this is great and you could even use it on other parts of your face as a 2 in 1.

For all over concealing I've been using Bourjois Healthy Mix Correcting Concealer in '52 Medium Radiance'. I didn't get on with the foundation as it oxidised badly on me, but I really wanted to give the concealer a go after reading good things. You get so much product in this tube and the dispenser makes it easy to get just the right amount you need in a hygienic way. I tend to squeeze a little out and apply with my Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush and buff it over blemishes and any redness around my nose. It is relatively thick and quite creamy making it easy to blend and cover well. This lasts all day and I do not have to reapply at any point. I wish I had got a shade lighter as it can be a little dark depending on my base but with proper blending it isn't an issue and it doesn't oxidise like the foundation did.

Lastly the concealer I use for highlighting is L'Oreal's Lumi Magique Correcting Pen in '1 Light', which I have repurchased numerous times. This is basically a dupe for the YSL Touche Eclat, although the texture is more pigmented and thicker. I use this in the inner corners under my eyes most days to brighten the area up and if I'm going for a more sculpted or radiant look I will pat some in down the bridge of my nose, my brow bone, cupids bow and middle of my forehead. It is easily blendable with a light texture and although it is definitley highlighting it isn't stark or unnatural looking for every day.

I still want to try high end concealers but I'm pretty impressed with these 3 from the drugstore. What is your favourite concealer? Have you tried any of these? xxx

Review: OGX | Coconut Water Shampoo & Coconut Milk Conditioner

OGX - Weightless Hydration Coconut Water Shampoo £6.99 for 385ml - Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner £6.99 for 385ml

Over the past year or so I had heard good things about the brand OGX and so when looking for a new budget shampoo and conditioner at the end of last year I picked up two products from the Coconut range which sounded like they would be perfect for me. This was before my pledge to use more natural hair care products so these do contain sulfates.

Lets start with the Weightless Hydration Coconut Water Shampoo, which I'm afraid to say ruined my hair. For a few weeks now my hair has been looking and feeling really dry, frizzy and unmanageable and the colour has been looking very lack lustre and dull. I had no idea what was going on until I realised that the only thing I had changed in my hair routine was these products. 

I had high hopes for this shampoo because it sounded perfect -  coconut water appealed to me as it sounded hydrating yet light and it promised to transform 'dry and parched hair into silky shiny perfection.' When using this shampoo my hair felt very stripped and I had to use a lot of the conditioner to make up for this. However the conditioner couldn't do much to rectify it as whether I left it to dry naturally or blow dried my hair it would look so frizzy and dry and it actually started to make me feel really self concious! Due to this I have had to use a lot more heat styling when before I could leave my hair natural 90% of the time, which in turn creates even more damage. It did nothing whatsoever to hydrate or nourish my hair and actually made it more dry and parched than it was before. After switching to a much more nourishing shampoo, even after the first wash my hair was looking better. 

The Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner was again quite bog standard and was definitely not 'luxuriously creamy'. It smells good, although the scent doesn't linger on your hair, and it made my hair feel more soft after use in the shower but like I said above the effects didn't really last as soon as my hair was dry. 

Overall I think it's pretty safe to say that I wouldn't repurchase these and advise you not to waste your money either. It has put me off the brand and I'm not sure I would be willing to try any other products from the company. I am putting in an order to get this amazing duo from Paul Mitchell right now instead!

I would love to know if you have had a similar experience to me or have loved another range by OGX - let me know in the comments! xxx

The Best Winter Hand Cream

Garnier 7 Day Intensive Restoring Hand Cream - Shea Butter - Currently £2.13 at Boots - 100ml

When it comes to hand creams I tend to choose high end brands like L'Occitane or Crabtree & Evelyn due to the light consistency, the dreamy smells and the fact that they sink in easily while still moisturising effectively so you can get on with your day. However now the weather has turned quite bitter they aren't cutting it anymore and I've been searching for something deeply moisturising that repairs and protects.

Recently my hands have been dry and the skin around my finger nails has been peeling and cracked. I've been using The Body Shop's Hemp Hand cream which is great for before bed as it is quite sticky and takes a while to sink but it doesn't last throughout the next day and the formula isn't great for day to day business.

In comes Garnier's Intensive 7 Days Restoring Hand Cream. I only picked this up after using a colleagues and being seriously impressed. A few years ago I enjoyed using the 7 Day Intensive Body lotions (review here) but never thought to try the high street for an intensive hand cream as I thought they just wouldn't be up to standard. I was so wrong though as this is literally the best intensive hand cream EVER and for such a good price too.

I chose the Shea Butter formula due to being suitable for dry and chapped hands, the scent of which is light and inoffensive. It is a relatively light formula which sinks in very easily and leaves your hands feeling soft, smooth and supple and instantly my hands looked soothed and more hydrated. The hydration even lasts through washing your hands so you don't need to keep on reapplying which is awesome. I've noticed such a difference to the appearance of my hands over just a few days, which says a lot as I was constantly reapplying some of my favourite high end creams and didn't notice any difference.

This is now a staple in my hand bag and on my desk and I urge you to try it if you are looking for something intensive that won't break the bank.

What is your favourite hand cream? xxx

Review: The Body Shop | Tea Tree Flawless BB Cream |

The Body Shop - Tea Tree Flawless BB Cream - £8 - 40ml

The Tea Tree BB Cream is the first make up product I've bought from the Body Shop in years. The first BB cream that they bought out just wasn't right for my skin type so it was great when they bought a version out suitable for oily and blemish prone skin, and I decided to give it a go seeing as it was under a tenner.

A lot of high street BB creams are much more like tinted moisturisers and I tend to be a satin finish, medium to high coverage kind of girl. The texture of the product is a lot thicker but not stiff in anyway and blends out to be quite sheer and skin like while still evening out skin tone very well in addition to being buildable. I tend to use my fingers, a buffing or a stippling brush to blend this in depending on how heavy I want the coverage to be. You will need a concealer for extra coverage on blemishes and under eyes.

The shade range is pretty poor with only 3 colours - I picked up the lightest which I was afraid would be a little too pale but once it's blended out it adapts to your skintone, so even when I was more tanned in the summer this still suited me just about! Not only is the coverage impressive for a BB cream, I love that it is really long wearing too and also quite good at oil control without being drying. A lot of BB creams either oxidise or slip and wear unevenly throughout the day but I've never had any problems like that with this product.

I normally tend to mix all my bases with a liquid highlight, purely so my face isn't flat or dull. For the purpose of this picture I didn't do that so you could see the true effect of how it looks on the skin, but you can see this post here where I'm wearing it mixed with Seventeen Skin Wow.

I've used the Tea Tree BB Cream practically every day since the beginning of the year on both weekends and long work days in the office (think bright lights, air con etc) and it's been a really reliable base without being heavy or detrimental to my skin. If anything, the inclusion of tea tree oil has helped keep my skin as blemish free as possible.

It is one of the best BB creams and bases that I have used from the drugstore and I would recommend it to anyone who has the same skin type as me.

What kind of base to you like best - foundation or BB cream? xxx

Maybelline | Colour Drama Lip Pencil in '310 Berry Much' |

Maybelline Color Drama Lipstick in 'Berry Much' - £4.99 - Boots

To be honest, when these lip pencils were launched I wasn't desperate to try them. Lip products are my weakness but after collecting many different types of lip crayons I thought these looked a bit lack lustre. First of all they are much smaller than the jumbo lip pencils you can get from brands such as Bourjois and Revlon and I thought the packaging looked a bit cheap, although I do love that the colour of the product is on the end of the pencil.

However, I absolutely love both the colour range and formula of the Colour Drama Lip Pencils. Berry Much is a deep red berry colour which I would compare to Revlon's Kissable Balm Stain in 'Cherish' but is darker, more intense and and a thicker, more opaque formula.  The application is a breeze with the pencil gliding on easily, there is no bleeding throughout the day and the staying power is amazing without being drying on the lips. I do top up with lip balm throughout the day now it is much colder but compared to other mattes it does a great job of hydrating your lips. They also smell quite fruity without being over powering. The product is also an actual pencil so you will need a chunky pencil sharpener to keep the point.

I'm super impressed with the quality of the formula and will certainly be picking up some more shades as soon as possible!

What shades would you suggest I pick up next? xxx

Strip Teas Teatox | Review

Embarking on a Teatox has always intrigued me. I feel like its the perfect place to start if you are a bit too lazy to start committing to juicing every day but want to kick start your health regime. For an avid across the board tea drinker this kind of detox is something I can get on board with. It is great for winter as you get a guaranteed 3 warm mugs of tea a day, and it also helps with your hydration, skin and metabolism.

The Strip Teas (great name) Teatox lasts for 14 days, and you get three very cute packages of tea for morning, day time and night. The bags are also ziplocked at the top which is very handy at keeping the contents fresh as well as featuring cute quotes on the back of each sachet. Each tea bag consists of loose leaf herbs housed in fully biodegradable pyramid bags, which look quite swanky and let the tea move about so it tastes better. It is worth noting that for the Daytime Teatox you can choose between Original, Berry Burst or Vanilla - I chose the latter.

Lets start with Morning Wake Up*. Normally I need a strong cup of Yorkshire Tea before I can even speak first thing in the morning and I was worried I would miss my caffeine hit by drinking a herbal tea, but I needn't have worried. The ingredients included in this tea are: Chinese White Tea, Yerba Mate, Lemongrass, Liquorice Root, Orange Peel, Ginseng, Ginkgo, Eucalyptus and Spearmint. I'm not a fan of liquorice normally but it didn't over power the tea, instead the flavours of spearmint, eucalyptus and lemongrass were most strong for me. It did a great job of waking me up and getting my metabolism going gently.

The second tea of the day is the Daytime Teatox*. You are meant to drink this shortly after your main lunch time meal - I like it mid afternoon around 3pm when I'm starting to feel sluggish after lunch and would normally reach for a coffee. The ingredients include: Chinese Oolong Tea, Fennel Seeds, Cinnamon, Pu-erh Black Tea, Schisandra Berries, Black Peppercorns, Calendula Petals, Sunflower Petals, Orange Blossom and Vanilla Flavour. The floral scents of this stand out for me and you get a smooth vanilla undertone. This tea is meant to aid digestion which is definitely does and also reduced bloating for me as well as aid fat burning by keeping your metabolism high.

The final bag is the Sleep Tight* tea. Obviously, you drink this before bed to help you relax and unwind for a good nights sleep. The ingredients include: Rooibos, Ginger, Ashwagandha Root, Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Peppermint Leaves, Hawthorn, Vanilla Pieces, Lavender, Vanilla Flavour. Normally night time teas don't do much for me as I dislike Chamomile, but the flavours were balanced so it didn't put me off. It was nice to have something comforting which wasn't heavy or caffeinated after dinner.

With all these teas I would advise not to over brew - 3 minutes is plenty to get a well balanced and delicate taste that won't dry your mouth out. The best thing about these teas is that they aid an overall healthy lifestyle - there are no laxatives included, instead using natural ingredients to amp up your metabolism and supress appetite.

I've really enjoyed the process of this Teatox and would recommend you to try it if you're looking for something different to kick start your healthy regime.

If you would like to try it I have a discount code for 10% off: LILMISSLIFESTYLE10 which you can enter at the checkout. Remember to let me know what you think!

Review: Una Brennan | Vitamin C+ Brighten Dark Circles Eye Cream |

£12.99 - 15ml - Available at Boots

Una Brennan products are one of the unsung heroes of the high street to me. I've seen a few products featured from time to time on other blogs but they have been few and far between. Una has a range for nearly every skin problem with products ranging from face masks to cleansing oils and they are a really good price for how effective they are.

This little tube of eye cream has lasted me absolutely ages considering it is only 15ml. I used to use it morning and night but over the last few months I've been using it as my day cream, letting Estee Lauder's ANR eye do the job for the evening. The packaging is clean and pretty with an easy to use tapered dispenser. I have had trouble in the past with concealer looking cakey and creasing a lot under my eyes, which is why I started to use eye cream. This particular product is hydrating without being heavy or greasy, meaning it sinks in fairly quickly and therefore make up sits really nicely on top. 

Dark circles are one of the big things that makes me insecure about my make up free face. I've tried literally everything from drinking more water to making sure I get enough sleep but nothing really seems to help. The combination of Vitamin C and caffeine is meant to reduce the appearance of dark circles and lines. That is why I was drawn to this product so much, however in terms of brightening up dark eye circles I haven't really seen a difference in the short or long term unfortunately. The formula does not have any light reflecting particles so it is not meant to be an instant fix but over time there hasn't been a dramatic improvement either. I don't have many fine lines but a few creases under my eyes have been smoothed out.

In terms of a budget eye cream this one is really light, hydrating and great for the day time but if you are looking for something heavy duty to battle dark circles then I'm afraid this falls short.

I would still repurchase this product however for its other benefits and there are quite a few things from Una Brennan's range that I would still love to try such as the cleansing oil and the Neroli eye cream. 

Have you tried anything from Una Brennan? What is your favourite eye cream? xxx

Agadir, Morocco: Sun, Sea & Souks

Almost a month ago now Matt and I went on a long over due summer holiday to Agadir in Morocco. It was absolutely beautiful and we had such an amazing time that I knew I had to blog about it. Over the course of the week I didn't actually end up taking that many pictures, purely because we wanted to relax and immerse ourselves in the holiday rather than trying to capture everything on film (or should I say memory card!) We stayed in the Riu Palace Tikida Hotel which was 5* All Inclusive and one of Thomson's premier hotels so our flights, full board and hotel transfer was all taken care of. It was absolutely beautiful from the rooms, to the pool and the service we really didn't have any complaints at all. It's safe to say the week went way too quickly for our liking but we would absolutely love to visit the country again.

We flew from Gatwick (which has the most amazing duty free by the way) and the flight took us around 3 and a half hours. The transfer was pretty quick too on the coach and we were greeted with cocktails while we checked in. The hotel was huge and beautifully furnished but even though it was large it didn't lose any character. Our room was much bigger than we thought with it's own private balcony and one of the best bonuses was that the mini bar was free!! Luckily it is the same time zone in Morocco as England so we didn't have to worry about being jet lagged at all.

One of our favourite days was when we visited the Souks which was recommended to us before we went away. When you stay in a hotel it can be tempting to stay by the pool every day and not really immerse yourself in any culture but we really wanted to see the local life and considering it was only a short and very cheap taxi ride away it would have been a waste not to go. Unlike my experience in Egypt, the people in the Souks were hardly pushy at all. If anything everyone was very friendly and once they realised you weren't interested they were very gracious. The hardest part was bartering which is a massive thing in Morocco and something us Brits aren't very good at! We managed to get a few lovely bits in the end to take home as momentos which you can see below. The hotel served the most amazing mint tea (yes mint tea can actually be amazing!) so I was really excited to buy the proper herbs to make it at home. We had no idea that 5 different ingredients went into making the tea including dried stevia leaves, rose buds and three different types of tea leaves.

Talking of the hotel, we were lucky enough to be situated right by the beach as well as having the large pool. The hotel also offered so many other things including a spa, activities such as beach volleyball, aqua classes, a gym, an indoor pool, and entertainment every night which was always good fun.

Moving onto the food, we knew it would be a bit of a gamble as all inclusive can tend to go either way. However I am pleased to say the food was absolutely amazing! They had two theme nights in the week but the traditional Morccan food was so delicious featuring melt in your mouth meat and vegetarian tagines with cous cous and chicken pastillas to a pasta bar, loads of different meats and vegetables, and the puddings were incredible too! For breakfast there was a range of fresh fruits, cereals, cooked breakfasts, pancakes, doughnuts, champagne and more. They also had a snack bar open in between meals so it really was 24/7 food. I'm so pleased the quality was fantastic and the chefs knew what they were doing.

The staff were all incredibly friendly too and made us feel at ease in all aspects of our holiday. If you are thinking about visiting Morocco then Agadir is a little bit more touristy than Morocco but I highly recommend it if you are new to the culture. Thomson also offer a variety of trips which we would have loved to do if we were there for longer so you can really engage with the Moroccan lifestyle.

This was a bit of a whistle stop, generalised post of our holiday but honestly I can't say how impressed I was with the hotel and country xxx