Hair Heroes #1 and brief introduction...

 This is the first in a series of blogposts I will be calling Hair Heroes. My hair is a source of much frustration for me- ever since I can remember it has caused me misery due to me having naturally curly, ridiculously frizzy, massive hair. I went through years of bullying over my hair at school, and many nights and mornings were spent crying, hating myself and wishing I could change my hair.

 

Thankfully all that is now over, and through years of trying and testing what I would imagine to be hundreds of products, methods and processes, I am finally happy and content with my hair and I think I am in a good position to reccomend products to you, and help anyone out going through the same thing.

If any of you would be interested in me doing a full hair history and detailing what I went through, and how I overcame it, please let me know and I will be more than willing to do so.  

The first product I am reviewing as part of Hair Heroes, is the Schwarzkopf (totally don't have a clue how to say that!!!!) Gliss Liquid Silk Express Repair Conditioner. At the moment I am desperately trying to grow my hair longer, and keep away from hair straighteners as they are just making my hair snap, hence my locks have been the same length for ages!

I have been spraying this on the ends of my hair every day and combing it through, and either wearing my hair down, or up in a bun. Firstly, this combats any tangles you might have and makes it so much easier to comb, it literally glides through afterwards. It smoothes down any flyaways, and gives my hair a really glossy shine. It sprays on really finely, like a mist so does not leave your hair looking and feeling wet, with no residue. It also has the most lovely smell, reminds me of that fresh linen smell when you have just done your washing, its really comforting! The bottle is actually really pretty too, with a gorgeous iridescent finish on it.

The main thing I use this for though, is giving my hair some extra moisture. Towards the end of the day I find my ends get really dry and frazzled-looking, but if I use this, they look really healthy, and my hair feels super soft. Schwarzkopf claim it targets damaged areas and repairs it deep inside and on the outside....now I know this is a big claim but since using this my hair has improved so much in condition, my split ends have lessened, and overall it just looks and feels so much more healthy and shiny, and it have grown by over an inch, so yes I do think it lives up to this! 

 I really cannot sing this product's praises enough! And the price is around the £2 mark, so you really cannot argue!   

  

Revlon Photoready Cream Blush

I am absolutely loving cream blushers at the moment, so when I spotted this alongside the new Revlon Kissable Balm Stains as part of their Summer 2012 collection, I had to snap it up.

I decided on the colour 'Flushed' instead of 'Pinched' as I am trying to steer myself away from peach coloured blush for a change. The colour looks quite intense raspberry pink in the pot, but when blended out on the skin its a softer colour which can then be layered to create a greater intensity.

What I really like about this is the texture. It has such a silky feel to it, not sticky and tacky like some cream blushers I have tried in the past. It is very lightweight without being too mousse-like, and for this reason it is so easy to apply when you are in a rush, you can literally swirl your fingers around the pot and blend into your cheek, et voila!! 

You can pick one of these up from Superdrug or Boots, for £5.99.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains

I went on a mini Superdrug shopping trip especially to get my hands on these bad boys! I had seen a lot of positive reviews from the US, so I was looking forward to trying them out for myself.  

Tempting though it was to buy loads (they are currently on an introductory offer of £5.99 at Superdrug) I settled on buying one nude and one bright. I got 'Lovesick' a hot fuschia pink, and 'Honey' a nude, brown toned pink.

In the bullet they are quite waxy, almost remind me of a Crayola crayon! But despite this they apply really creamily. Not the most moisturising of products, but better than what I was expecting!

What has suprised me most about these is how long they last! Usually a lipstick does not last very long at all on me, but these lasted a good 5-6 hours. I'm putting this down to the 'stain' in their name. With 'Lovesick' I even had traces of it left on my lips the next day!

Two other things I really like about the Revlon Kissable Balm Stains is the minty smell they have, and that you can twist them up from the base to reveal loads more product without having to sharpen!

I have had such a nightmare typing this, the letter 'i' is being tempermental, I have literally been thumping the keyboard to get it to work!! Computers :@!!!!!

First Ever FOTD

Face:

Maybelline BB Cream in Light

Mac Pro Longwear Concealer in NW20

Cheeks:

Illamasqua Powder Blush in Hussy

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle

Eyes:

BodyShop Shimmer Cubes in Warm

BodyShop Shimmer Cubes Lily Cole

Maxfactor False Lash Effect Fusion Mascara

L'oreal Paris Super Liner

Mac Eye Kohl in Heirloom

Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliner

Lips:

Mac Costa Chic

I have spent ages debating whether or not to put this up. I'm not the most confident of people, and unfortunately I am never happy with the way I look! My love of makeup far outweighs this though, so my current thinking is what the hell, why not!  

So, this is what I wore this evening to go out for dinner. I have been steering myself away from my usual smoky eyes and going for a softer look, but adding abit of a twist with lilac eyeliner.  I struggled with the lighting on my camera, and it washing me out, I don't look that pale really I promise! If anyone has any tips for taking photos I would be really grateful :)

June Empties

Empties are something that don't tend to happen very often in my household; by the time I am nearing the end of a product, I've already moved onto something new! However, last month I managed to finish a couple of items, and I actually feel really proud of myself- how sad is that!!! 

 

Lee Stafford Poker Straight Dry Shampoo (£5.49)

The Lee Stafford range has long been a favourite of mine, and I have tried quite afew different things. I much prefer this to the famous Batiste dry shampoo...this doesn't dry your hair out and leave that nasty white residue behind. As with all the Lee Stafford products, it has a very distinctive smell which really freshens up your tresses!!

Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub (£9.50)

This stuff is amazing! I love the retro packaging, and the play on words with the name. This oat, shea butter and sugar scrub literally smells good enough to eat, my mouth is watering just thinking about it! Apparantly it smells like maple syrup, but seen as I have never had maple syrup in my life I can't say! But hey, if maple syrup smells that good I am seriously tempted to go and buy some and smother myself in it! Breakfast Scrub sloughs away all your dead skin and leaves your skin beautifully soft. I was going to repurchase, but I won a new one in a giveaway from the Sabrina at http://www.alittleobsessed.co.uk/

Garnier Summer Body Gradual Tanner (£2.55)

I am really missing having super-tanned skin after years of travelling, at the moment I feel so pale and unhealthy! I use Garnier Summer Body to give me a very light wash of colour. Basically, it takes me from being white and ghostly, to a very pale golden tan. It sinks into your skin really easily and leaves it feeling very moisturised and supple.

Clinique Anti-Blemish Solutions Clarifying Lotion (£17)

I am going to do a full review on the Clinique Anti-Blemish range, but for now I will just give you a quick overview. This is my favourite thing from the range, it is basically a toner with added benefits- those being it exfoliates the surface of the skin, soaks up excess oil and unclogs pores. This (along with the cleanser and moisturiser) has made my skin considerably better. Even after double-cleansing, when you use this it picks up lots of dirt hiding in your pores, and makes your face feel zingy and fresh. I suspect people with sensitive skin would find this too harsh as it does sting a little bit, but I take this as meaning its working its magic!  

Body Shop Satsuma Shower Gel (250ml £4)

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!!! I may bang on about things smelling amazing quite alot, but this blows everything else out of the water! I am not a morning person at all but when I use this in the shower, its wakes me up and makes me feel alive, the smell is out of this world! I have just ordered a 750ml bottle from the Body Shop (which is currently on offer for only £7.50 here and if you use the code TREATYOU, you get an extra 30% off!) because I cannot be without it!