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Wednesday 28 November 2012

How I Add Volume to My Hair

Although my hair has gotten quite long over the past year, it is still quite fine, and there isn't much of it. So every now and then (read, most of the time) I like to use products that fake the fact that I haven't got a lot up there.


First up I like to wash my hair with a thickening or volumising shampoo and conditioner  At the moment I'm using these two by John Frieda.* They have a lovely watermelon scent to them, and really lather up my hair, which itself makes my hair feel volumised, please tell me I'm not alone in this. They also don't make my hair greasy, which a lot of products tend to, nor do they irritate my scalp, which I also have a problem with.


After the shower, I like to spritz in some of this Bumble and Bumble thickening tonic.


I then like to scrunch it into my roots. And make a funny face....


I then flip my hair upside down, and dry it until it's around 80% dry-ish.


If I'm taking my time, I like to take a big round brush, and blow dry the ends (see above picture.) If not, I like to just take some salt/texturising spray, and leave it through the ends (see below picture.)


'Scuse the stupid face, but that is how it usually looks when finished.

I would love to hear some of your volumising tips, so if you have any, leave them as a comment, pretty please.

Laura xoxo

P.S This was my attempt at a hair swish; I tried three times, then gave myself a headache. I am a cool cookie!!!


*I was given these products for consideraton, I am not being compensated to post about them. All opinions are mine and my scalps!
They have however asked me to link to their Brilliant Brunette products, which I would fully recommend checking out :)

Tuesday 27 November 2012

A FOTD



When I was in Bristol, on her birthday, my friend asked me to her make-up for her. I had a little look through my MAC palette, and used Sable and Satin Taupe. I was really pleased with how well it worked together, so I decided to it myself in the evening, I also added liquid liner to make it more eveningy (yes, I'm using a non word!)


Base:
Rimmel Wake Me Up
Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer
Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder


Eyes:
MAC Sable and Satin Taupe
Loreal Liquid Liner
Rimmel Scandaleyes Liner
Max Factor False Lash Effect Mascara


Cheeks:
Nars Multiple in Portofino

Lips:
Revlon Berry Smoothie






Do you take inspiration from friends ?

Laura xoxo

Monday 26 November 2012

Review: No7 Deco Darling Eye Palette


I spotted this little guy whilst waiting for my friend when shopping. It had a sign saying 'Limited Collection' next to it, and I knew I had to take it home with me.


The colours in this palette make it perfect for Christmas and New Year. All are such wearable colours, and compliment each other extremely well, which you would expect really.


The pigmentation isn't brilliant  but it can definitely be built upon. The black shade however, I feel could be a bit stronger.


I love placing the lightest shade all over my lid, the darker bronze colour in the crease, then applying the blue and black along my water line.


I picked this up from Boots for £9!

Will you be getting this?

Laura xoxo

Sunday 25 November 2012

What I Wore this Week

Hello, I'm so excited that this time next week it will be December. I am totally in the Christmas spirit right now, and I can't wait to finally be allowed to listen to my Christmas CD's. I haven't really done much this week, although it has been a rather nice one! I did actually wear clothes on Monday, but left so quickly and got home so late, I kind of forgot. Thursday, I just didn't get out of my jammies, and the internet does not need to see that.



Tuesday: Top: Topshop // Jeans: Dorothy Perkins // Boots: Primark

Wednesday: Jumper: Topshop

Friday: Top&Skirt: New Look // Cardigan: George at Asda// Shoes: Topshop

Saturday:Top & Skirt: New Look // Cardigan: Topshop

Sunday: Jacket: River Island // Skirt: New Look // Scarf: H&M

Hope you have a lovely week.

Laura xoxo

Saturday 24 November 2012

What's in my Basket? #2


So I thought it was time I got around to switching up my basket again. I think it's so easy to get into a rut, and plus I may have got a few new products, but shhh, don't tell my mom!


Loreal Lumi Magique Base
Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation
Dior Forever Skin Foundation
Collection 2000 Foundation
Smashbox Primer


Rimmel Stay Matte Powder
No7 Vital Enlightening Highlighter
Jemma Kidd Dewy Glow


Benefit Hoola Bronzer
Nars Multiples in South Beach and Portofino
MAC Lovejoy
Chanel Bronze Universal


No7 Art Deco Palette - Review Soon
Urban Decay Half Baked
MAC Painterly 


Have you switched up your products lately?

:Laura xoxo

Friday 23 November 2012

Fashion Friday - Sparkle With Every Step


I spotted these beautiful boots, when shopping with a friend, however they didn't have my size. Then when I was in Bristol I struck lucky and managed to nab a pair.

The heel is hardly anything which makes them super comfortable, but still gives you a little lift.


I just love the sparkly detail on the back, I think it is perfect for this time of year.


I just had to share them with you, and you can pick them up from New Look for £24!

What do you think?

Laura xoxo

Thursday 22 November 2012

Throwback Thursday: Benefit Hervana Blush



This blush holds a little place in my heart as it was the first high end piece of make-up I bought. I used it constantly when I first got it, but then I got bitten by the beauty bug and it got cast aside for newer products. The other week however, I decided to bring this out and give it a wear.



The first thing that I always forget is how fabulous this smells. It is so gorgeous. I love all the light colours that swirl together to give the perfect light flush to your cheeks.


It blends and applies so effortlessly, and gives such a subtle look to your face.



Do you like/use this blusher?

Laura xoxo

Wednesday 21 November 2012

Review - Origins - Day to Night Gift Set


About a month ago I was browsing the Origins stand, as I heard a rumor they were doing miniature size products, which I think is a great way to try new products, without forking out the major money. However they didn't have any where I was looking, and I got talking to the sales woman, and felt like I had to get something, enter this. When paying for it I had to stop myself gasping at the £39 price tag, and was left with a big guilty cloud over my head, but since using the product, I have no regrets at all.


VitaZing Moisturizer - Probably the most hyped product in the box, and also probably my least favourite. It gives a gorgeous glowy effect to my skin, however the 'sheer tint release' although not strong, is a little too dark for my skin tone, which is such a shame.

GinZing - I really like using this eye cream, it hasn't gotten rid of my dark circles, but my eyes have looked a lot less puffy since using it. It is extremely creaming and moisturizing  but doesn't effect my concealer which is a winner. I probably won't repurchase this separately though as I don't think it justifies the price tag.


Drink Up-Intensive Overnight Mask - This was one of the products I was hoping to find a minituare size of, as I love the sound of it. I used it the night I got it, and have been using it weekly since, and I love it. First off it smells amazing, and the fact that it's clear is such a bonus (may have worn this to Asda when we needed food, but shhh!) My skin is left so much more hydrated and healthier in the morning. I love using it after giving my face a good exfoliation.

High-Potency Night-A-Mins - I always said I'd never buy a high end night time moisturiser, but this has changed my mind. I would re-purchase this again and again. I love the orange zest scent, the way it is so creamy, yet feels like nothing on my skin. I wake up in the morning and my skin looks so much clearer, brighter and replensished. I honestly can't recommend it enough. Plus this on it's own cost £33, and the set cost £39! (just saying!)

If you're looking for a good Christmas gift, or need to tell someone what to get you, I highly recommend this. Amazing!

Have you tried any of these?

Laura xoxo

You can pick it up here!

Tuesday 20 November 2012

A Face of the Night



This is the make-up I wore (bar the lipstick) when I went out for my friends 21st. The eyes were inspired by Alix's Video, and it was something quite different for me, and still I'm unsure how I feel about it. But I still thought I'd share it with you.


Base: 
Maybelline Dream Nude Airfoam (acutally wore Rimmel Match Perfection)
Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer
Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder

Eyes:
Maybelline Gel Liner
Nars Eyeshadow in Cordura
Max Factor False Lash Effect
Stila Damsel Pencil

Cheeks:
Nars Portofino Multiple

Lips:
MAC Dubonnet




What do you think of the darker look?

Laura xoxo

Monday 19 November 2012

Review: Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Foundation


Last week, I drove up to visit the ever so lovely Shen, and of course we only had one thing on our agenda. Shopping. Whilst out Shen mentioned she wanted to try the Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection foundation, and I thought, hey I'll try it out too. (YOLO)


If you read my blog regularly, you may already know that I am after a long wearing foundation that stays in place all day, so I was interested to see if it lived up to the 16 hour wear claims.


I really like the packaging of this bottle. It feels like frosted glass and a pump is always good in my books. One thing I don't like is that there was no seal around it, and many of the bottles had already been used, so be careful with that.

Nothing // Just the foundation

The colour match is pretty accurate for a high street (drugstore) foundation (there are six shades to choose from), and the coverage is very much medium-high. 


Now I wasn't a massive fan of the concealer, but this foundation impressed me. I wouldn't say its my favourite ever one, but it is pretty good. I didn't feel the need to powder up my skin, but after a few hours I noticed my skin got a bit greasy round my T-Zone.

I wouldn't recommend to for dry skin as it did cling to ceartain dry areas of my face, and started collecting ever so slightly.



It lasted pretty well, but not amazingly, considering I only had it on for around 7-8 hours.

Overall I'm impressed, but not blown away with this foundation. Maybe it will be a grower, but it won't be a negative item in my collection.

Have you tried this? What do you think?

Laura xoxo



Sunday 18 November 2012

What I Wore this Week

This week has been rather lovely in the fact I went up to see Shen wed-thur. The rest has been spent doing uni work/at uni. I'm now off out for Lunch at my uncles, which is why this is so short, as I've gotta get going really.




Tuesday: Top: Topshop // Boots: New Look

Wednesday: Top: Topshop // Skirt: Asda

Thursday: Top: Fat Face // Skirt: Asda // Scarf: H&M // Shoes: Primark

Friday: Cardigan: George at Asda // Top: H&M // Jeans: Dorothy Perkins // Shoes: Primark

Saturday: Top: George at Asda // Vest: H&M // Socks: Primark

Sunday: Top: H&M // Skirt: George at Asda // Shoes: New Look


Have a lovely week.

Laura xoxo

Saturday 17 November 2012

Worth The Hype? #5 Skin Care Edition


Over the last couple of months, I've really tried to invest in some good skincare, as I started to think, there is no point having nice make-up if what's underneath is in bad shape. Obviously I took to blogger hyped products, as there had to be something good about them.


Emma Hardie Amazing Face Cleansing Blam - I bought this in a set, with the exfoliating seeds too, and do intend to do a full review on this, but it is amazing. It removes every scrap of eye-make up, leaves my skin supple and soft, and is just so luxurious to use. Definitely the pricest thing here, but in my opinion, worth the pennies.

REN NO.1 Purity Cleansing Blam - I mentioned how much I loved this product earlier in the week, but I still had to include. I think if you can't stretch for Emma Hardie, then try and get this, as it is just as good. I actually prefer the smell to this product too.

I actually look forward to taking my make-up off and using these two products! 


Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask - I got this product in a set from Origins, which I intend to do a full review on, but I feel like this is a very hyped product so thought I'd include it in this post. I do really like this product, it smells amazing, and my skin is left super soft in the morning. I love that it is clear as I don't get funny looks off of my family when I were it too.

REN Glycoactic Radiance Renewal Mask - I'm still just using my samples, which I've managed to get about 4 uses out of each tube, but I can honestly say, that people aren't lying when they say that this is amazing. I love it, the next day my skin looks much clearer and brighter.

Hydraluron - I bought this after reading Caroline's post on it (which is definitely worth a read.) I was really on the fence about this product, seeing as it's £24, however, I didn't use this one night, and I could really feel the difference in my skin, it felt a lot drier and tighter. So yes, worth the hype.



Both of these I mentioned in my last Worth the Hype post, both I love.

So a very positive post today, have you tried any of these?

Laura xoxo

My other Worth the Hype posts: 1, 2, 3, 4!

Friday 16 November 2012

Fashion Friday: What I Wore







Dress: George at Asda
Necklace: Dotty Dolly

As I've mentioned, last week was my best friends birthday, which resulted in the usual night out to celebrate. I started looking for a dress to wear about two weeks before, and after numerous stressful shopping trips, the night before I was meant to drive down, I walked into Asda and saw this, for the bargain price of £14. Needless to say, I was rather chuffed. I love the detail on the sleeves, and just how simple it is. I borrowed my friends burgundy clutch on the night, and I was really happy with how it turned out.

Have you got any, saved the day pieces?

Laura xoxo