Tresemme Keratin Smooth hair mask

I keep thinking I've already done a post on this! I haven't have I?! I do actually think I'm going a bit senile of late. Just the other week I reversed over my sisters rucksack when just a second before I saw it on the floor ready to go in the boot. Oh dear. Suffice to say she wasn't impressed! Thankfully her laptop or phone wasn't in there or I don't think I'd be here to write this!
I got this mask (or masque as the tub actually says) a while ago as my hair tends to feel a little dry and knotty after washing it. I also want to keep it in better condition that I have done in the past especially as it's dyed. I'm actually thinking of going a bit browner but I'm not sure. The underneath sections are already fairly dark but I dyed it brown in uni for a bit and felt it looked a bit flat. I did just do it myself though with a box dye so maybe if I had it done properly I could still have a few lighter bits. Anyways enough of my musings! I use this pretty much every time I wash my hair, about 2/3 times a week. I use it in place of a normal conditioner at the minute but I'll often use a mask with every wash-my hair needs all the help it can get! It claims to make hair smoother, straighter and easier to style. All of which I agree with. As I'm rinsing it out I can already feel the difference. It also says it is gentle enough for colour treated hair and for use after a salon keratin treatment. It has quite a runny texture but it's sort of sticky, for want of a better word, at the same time! It's definitely not a 'mimsy' mask. It says to apply it from the mid lengths downs and to work anything that's left through the roots. I normally just whack it all over but I think I'll be going more lightly over my roots as I do think that although it leaves my hair silkier and less pouffy it does make it go greasy quicker. I also feel this mask could be too heavy for those with fine hair but I suppose it depends on how much you use. As for the scent it is quite strong and not one I'm very keen on but I can live with it. It's a 300ml tub and it's £5.50 from Boots at the moment but I'm sure I've seen it on offer elsewhere. I would really recommend it though if your hair is feeling a bit parched or unloved!

Buried Treasure!

I went to town again today for a short while and whilst at Superdrug I noticed they had a load of GOSH stuff on clearance. So I had a good rummage and lo and behold I found the holographic polish that I've heard a lot of people going on about. Well read really, the people being bloggers! I think it's a love/hate relationship? Least with this first version. Apparently it looks great but chips really quickly. I don't care though coz I've already put it on and I'm amazed by it-it's so eye catching and really does give a holographic effect especially in the sunlight. The best thing is it only cost 99p! It's a full bottle too, albeit with a little chip on the bottom. Suffice to say I snaffled it up quickly! This is the discontinued version, GOSH have brought it back recently with a one night only claim and I think it costs £4.99. It took 3 coats, 4 on some nails, but it's definitely worth it for the effect and it dried quickly.



549 Holographic

 

 

Bargain Hunting!

Yesterday I had a day off so I went to town with my sis to have a scout around the pound shops and other cheapy shops our town seems to have in abundance! I was actually quite disappointed this time as there wasn't really much good stuff around. Always the way though isn't it? Sometimes they have loads of stuff you want, other times there's nothing!

I have to say I've let myself down again and bought more nail polish. Shame on me. I got 4 new ones yesterday and another one the day before. I'm quite pleased with them though, especially with my Essie polish in Muchi Muchi with I found on my local market beauty stall for £1.99. I wanted to get this one from Fragrance Direct but it had been snapped up by the time I looked at it again. I think it'll be a good shade to wear to work when I'm in schools. Hoping it's not streaky though, as I find that happens a lot with pale pinks. In Pound World I got a two pack of NYC polishes in Big City Dazzle, a sparkly blue, pink and gold top coat and Lincoln Center, a dark red/brown. I only really got this pack for the glitter one though-looks so pretty! I also picked up a Sinful Colors one in Serena and Chloe as I thought it would be perfect for Autumn and Halloween. I'm thinking it's going to be sheer as it's a jelly base so I'm going to try layering it over an orange and maybe a bronze shade.

 

 

I also got this Barry M Chameleon colour change polish in Chameleon Blue on Wednesday just to see what they were all about. I was pretty impressed although my creativity only stretched to some wonky stripes! It also chipped quickly but I don't really mind as it's not a polish I'd have on my nails for any length of time anyway!

 

£3.99 at Boots

At Boots I also picked up a Natural Collection body spray in Apply & Lime. It was a bit of an impulse buy really- I saw it on someones haul on YouTube so thought I would try it out. I haven't bought anything from this part of the range in ages- I used to love it when I was younger, ah takes me back! Anyways it smells light and fruity and the mist is refreshing. Would have been a good choice in the summer kept in the fridge. Maybe next year!

 

£2 from Boots-lots of other scents available too

At Home Bargains I got a foot pack and a face mask. The foot pack consists of 'booties' you put on for 20 mins. It says 'Intensive foot rejuvenation booties are rich emollient moisture treatments that help soothe and soften rough, dry and chapped feet.' Now I don't have high hopes, I'm thinking they're more of a novelty item, but in any case testing these out should be interesting! I tried out the grape self heating mask last night and wasn't  bowled over. It had a nice smell, like American grape sweets, but it didn't get hot at all really and it was fairly sticky. It didn't break me out further but it didn't do anything amazing either. Probably won't repurchase as I really didn't like the texture.

 

I think these cost about a pound

 

Think this cost less than 50p, you really do get what you pay for sometimes!

I also popped to Aldi to get some more face wipes. I've tried these before and really liked them and for under a pound ( I can't remember exactly, I want to say 80 odd p?) the quality is really good. I thought I would also mention their cotton wool pads as they are also of a high quality and a bargain at 99p for a two pack. I hate ones that disintegrate and leave fibres everywhere but these are pretty strong and are non-fleecing. Boring but an essential!

 

 

 To help me get in the Autumnal mood I got a apple cinnamon candle from the 99p store, which reminds me of apple pie and actually scents the room unlike some cheap candles, and from Pound World some more cute Hello Kitty tat (not to get me in any mood, I'm just a big kid!!).  I'm not even that into Hello Kitty, honestly! Just I'm a sucker for a surprise, haha.

 

 

Was hoping for the one with the squirrel or the mouse but can't have everything eh?

 

So I hope this post hasn't left you in a comatosed state! Do love a bit of bargain hunting though, even if I don't necessarily need the stuff! Seen any bargains yourself lately?

 

 

 

 

 

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream

This is definitely my favourite BB cream that I have tried so far! I sent off for some free samples of it and fell in love so I got my sis to buy me the full size for my birthday. True story there.
I took this away with me on my little impromptu holiday (I didn't go abroad but I did go to the seaside and get to have a nice paddle and an amazing doughnut with ice cream. I may dream about that beaut for a long time!) and it was the perfect choice as it was fairly warm so I didn't want anything heavy, but my skin isn't looking that great at the moment so I needed some light coverage. This BB cream boasts 8 benefits-

• Creates a natural glow
• Compliments skin tone
• SPF 30 UV protection
• Hydrates all day
• Blurs imperfections
• Oil free, non greasy
• Looks visibly smooth
• Feels fresh

All of this spiel I do actually agree with! I have found it to be very light in texture thanks to the gel based formula. I think my oily skin appreciates this as others I have tried have left me looking a little too 'dewy', more 'sweaty get' actually. I've got this in the shade Light and it's a great match and blends in lovely-I can be quite sloppy application wise with this and doesn't require too much buffing in. In comparison I find I have to really blend the Garnier one out in order for it to not look too dark. I have been using this over a mattifying moisturiser and my skin hasn't felt overloaded at all. I have used it without but I find my skin feels a tad tight after cleansing so I do use a bit of moisturiser most times. I do think it's a little pricey at £7.99 for only 30ml but that seems fairly standard with BB creams. It doesn't put me off repurchasing though, which I think I might do at the rate I'm using it.

The Beauty & Brains Tag

I saw this tag on Midnight Violets (fab blog, really need to check it out if you haven't already)  and thought it would be good to do myself :)

Favourite Book

This is a tricky question as I do love reading but I tend not to read a book more than once. These are both children's books but I've read these numerous times- The Ghost Drum by Susan Price and Ballet Slippers by Noel Streatfeild. I so wanted to do ballet after reading this, I would spend ages, looking like a loon I suppose, trying to get on my points!

Favourite Quotes

'We don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents' -Bob Ross

'I feel like crap on toast' - Michel Gerard (Gilmore Girls)

 

English or Maths

Definitely english, I hate maths and had to resit it at GSCE but was A's all the way with english.

 

Science or Art

Probably art though I wasn't very good at either! Art was more enjoyable at least, and I despised physics! Just went over my head completely. All I seem to remember is the teacher jangling a slinky.

 

Name five music artists or albums that changed your life

It sounds awful but I'm not really that interested in music. I never know whats in the charts and I'm always asking the children I work with what they're playing! I do like a bit of cheese though and I also like Rachael Yamagata, Feist, Jack Johnson..hmm I like all sorts when I think of it just nothing definite springs to mind!

 

Favourite and least favourite subjects at school

My favourite subjects were english, cookery, child development and german. Least Favourites were P.E, drama, maths and welsh when we had the horrible teacher- I actually liked it when we had a nice one! I particularly hated being made to play netball though- I'm really not sporty at all! Also as I'm shy drama was always so cringe worthy :S

 

Favourite 'Celebrity With A Brain'

Has to be Stephen Fry. And I like Ray Mears too for his bushcraft knowledge haha.

 

If you could study anything, anywhere, what would it be?

I think I'm pretty much done with studying after starting a primary education degree, quitting in the second year, having a sort of gap year then doing 2 more years of Childhood Studies! Although not really studying I would love to have a proper job based around working with the gypsy children in Romania. I've been on two volunteering trips working with them and I have absolutely loved it.

 

What's your nerdy little secret?

Hmm not that excting but probably that I won the Child Development award at my high school ROA night. woo.

 

Favourite Beauty Guru (s), who you admire for more than their love of beauty/fashion

This is a hard question as I enjoy reading loads of blogs and many bloggers seem genuine, down to earth and generally lovely! I can't decide!

 

If your channel/blog didn't focus on Beauty/Fashion, what would it be?

Well my blog was initially going to be food blog, in particular reviewing snacks and other junk! Hence the name really, but it never turned out that way! I do want to include more foody posts as I love cooking.

 

Name some things that you are obsessed with that other people would find strange or geeky

I'm pretty obsessed with watching food and cookery shows. I'm nearly always watching Food Network or Good Food channel. Faves are Barefoot Contessa, Man V Food, Diners, Drive in's and Dives, Nigel Slater, Ace of Cakes, Heston Blumenthal, Masterchef, Hairy Bikers- I really could go on!

 

Name five people (excluding friends and family) who inspire you

I'm not really inspired by other people to be honest. I just do what feels right to me!

 

Who's your intellectual soulmate?

I have no idea. I'd like to think I'm one of a kind!

 

Well there you go! I hope it was vaguely interesting and I tag whoever feels like doing it also :)



Bedtime Beauty

This is just the small selection of products I keep on my bed frame ( I don't have a bedside table unfortunately) and slick on before I go to sleep.

Lush Whip Stick lip balm- I love this, possibly for the smell alone!  As a choc orange fiend this is the balm for me- it smells delicious. It's also really effective as it's full of moisturising ingredients such as almond oil, beeswax, glycerine, olive oil, shea butter- lots of good stuff!  A little goes a long way too, I've had this for ages and there's not much of a dent in it.

The Body Shop Almond Oil Daily Hand and Nail Cream- I'm trying to use this up at the moment and it's ok, nothing special. I used to like the smell more than I do now. When I smell it now I seem to get notes of furniture polish- oddly enough! Whilst it is light and does sink in quickly I reckon there are better creams out there.

Gwdihw Nail Wizard Balm- How cute is the owl on the tin?! It's also a really good nail and cuticle balm. Well I say balm, it's more like an oil really once it's melted on your finger. I love the ingredient list, it's simply coconut and olive oil, beeswax, cocoa butter, calendula and lemon essential oil. Thanks to the lemon oil it smells so refreshing and I open it sometimes just to have a sniff! It's also handmade in Anglesey so quite a local product for me :)
I was bought this from www.mypure.co.uk where they sell all sorts of other balms from this brand.

A Little Treat

This has to be the cutest lip balm I own! It's a Pillsbury Ready To Bake Sugar Cookie flavour balm and the Pillsbury dough boy is just too adorable haha!
I got this from Cybercandy for £1.99 (see the rest of the range here), along with a chocolate chip pancake one for my sister.
It's not the best formulation around obviously but it feels nice on the lips and helps protect them. It has a more 'waxy' texture than a slippy one, if you know what I mean! Which is good as it means it stays on and lasts longer. The smell is actually quite subtle but I do still get a vanilla biscuit aroma.
No doubt I'll be reaching for this, along with my thousands of other balms, as Autumn gets underway and it gets colder. Urgh, depressing! I especially hate that it's getting darker earlier :(
As you can probably tell my camera struggles with close up things- it's getting on a bit now!

 

Aww, he's so happy :D