The Wet Brush

About a year and a half ago I decided to grow my hair long again after having it extremely short for quite a while. My hair is now just below my shoulders and I've noticed it's becoming increasingly tangled. My precious hairbrush wasn't really dealing with tangles, it was pretty much just yanking the hair out of my hair, which could be quite painful at times. Noticing my hair was becoming a bit thinner than it's previously been so I decided to research some detangling brushes to ease my tangling issue and stop me pulling my hair out. From reading many blogs I decided that either a tangle teezer or the wet brush were best suited for the job. As the wet brush was a traditional brush shape I opted for it as I believed it would be easier for when I tie my hair in a ponytail. I do in the future hope to purchase a tangle teezer to compare the to brushes for myself. 

I purchased my wet brush on eBay for €9.68 which I found reasonable considering a tangle teezer is €15 in boots. Some people may still think this was expensive for a brush but I've spent less on brushes and they have melted with heat styling so I find it beneficial to invest in my hairbrushes. I selected a purple one as it's my favorite colour and it arrived a week after purchase. 

 

When opening the package I realised it was more a metallic lilac shade but hey is the colour of a brush really important? So what are the wet brushes claims: 

The magic of the Wet Brush™ is in the specially formulated IntelliFlex™ bristles. IntelliFlex™ bristles are thin, strong and very flexible. They have intelligent flexibility - flexible on one stroke and firm on the next. The adaptive flexibility of IntelliFlex™ eliminates all tugging, tearing, pulling and ripping. No split ends, no hair loss. It provides healthy brushing and detangling, creating the perfect transition from wash to style! 

I have to say from first use the brush has really impressed me. From detangling my wet post shower hair to detangling my hair after I've been out in windy weather it has had no problems. The wet brush doesn't tug on my hair as much as my previous brush did, in fact I barely notice it passing through tangles, it really does tackle them effectively. Usually after brushing my hair I would notice many extra hairs in my brush with the wet brush I've noticed considerably less. All in all I'm in love with this brush and would recommended it to anyone that's struggles with tangles in there hair. 

Talk to you again soon folks :) 

Beauty swap with Victoria Earls

Sorry I've been so quiet everyone but I've had a lot of stuff going on. Anyways a little while ago myself and Vicky decided since she can't get some of the brands she loves from Ireland over in the UK and some UK brands are not available here in Ireland for me we decided we would do a beauty swap. And I have to say Vicky picked out some amazing stuff for me.  

 

 

I was so delighted about the Sleek Rose Gold blush seen above the purple Dainty Doll shadow and below the MUA blush, I'd read so mush about this blush online that's I'd been lusting over it forever and now I finally have it thanks to Vicky! 

I've tried most of the products now but I want to use them all a little while longer before doing some reviews. I also hope to do some videos on my YouTube channel creating some looks with these products so keep an eye out for them. 

You can watch me opening all the goodies via this link: http://youtu.be/npQw3n0Vvq0

And please check out Vicky's video on the following link: http://youtu.be/HpFSgQYfIDE 

She also has a blog so check that out too: http://victoriaearls.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

Till next time bubye! :) 

The Autumn Tag

Hello every one, it's here my favorite season of the year, I just love the colours of the leaves at this time of year it just makes everything so pretty, so how fitting is it that my friend Vicky has tagged me in the Autumn Tag. You can check out Vicky's blog at  http://heartsstarsandtea.blogspot.co.uk/. 

 Favourite thing about Autumn?

My favorite thing about Autumn has to be the changing of the leaves from green to those lovely yellows. reds, oranges and browns. It just all looks so pretty. I also love walking through those crunchy fallen leaves, I guess my childhood love of running through them when I was younger to hear the crunchy of the leaves still remains.

Favourite drink?

I think this will be a favorite of most but it has to be hot chocolate and of course no hot chocolate is complete without some marshmallows!

Favourite scent/candle?

Vanilla...can't beat vanilla at any time of year. 

Best lipstick?

 Not big on lipsticks at the moment but loving the Catrice Pure Shine Colour lip balm in 050 Cherry-ty
 

Go-to moisturiser?

Currently using the Aveeno cream moisturiser its just lovely for helping with dry skin and hasn't caused any breakouts.

Go-to colour for the eyes?

 Natural shades really light and medium browns nothing to fussy.

Favourite music to listen to?

Been listening to ED Sheeran and The Orignal Rude Boys alot lately  

Favourite outfit to wear?

Skinny jeans, loose vest like top with a coloured string top underneath, cardy, lilac and white checked vans and my black and purple Superdry jacket for ventures outside.
 

Autumn treat?

Its probably going to be the honey bronzer from the Bodyshop

Favourite place to be?

 Home with my family or anywhere with my other half (well maybe not Old Trafford)

So who am I going to tag , anyone that reads this post :)

Thanks for tagging me Vicky!

Talk to you all again soon :)

My College Beauty Essentials

Hello again, today I thought I would do a post on what beauty supplies I packed in my makeup bag for heading back to college. During the college year I stay with my aunt as its to far for me to travel on a daily basis. Seeing as I only stay with her a couple of days a week I don't feel it necessary to pack a hug bag so I try to bring only the beauty products I need. So lets see what I packed.

Aveeno Moisturising Cream

I only purchased this cream a couple of weeks ago and I'm really liking it. If you read my previous Blog you would know I had been using the Boots tea tree and witch hazel moisturiser which I really like but I noticed with the change in the Irish weather my skin was becoming a bit dry so I thought I'd try something new. After reading Sophie's review of this moisturiser I thought it was worth a try and it seems to be working well. Check out Sophie's review on http://www.sophierosee.com/. I picked up this moisturiser in Boots at the very reasonable price of €5.99.

Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation

As I have ghostly pale skin its hard for me to find a foundation that is pale enough for me and Rimmel’s light porcelain shade is about as good as it gets for me, it’s a smidge to pink but I think I get away with it. The stay matte liquid mousse is a new foundation formula that has just be released by Rimmel. At first I wasn’t to impressed with this foundation as it seemed very thick and I wasn’t sure how to apply it so I tried using a Real Techniques expert face brush, my hands and lastly a Models Own blending sponge. I found the sponge gave the best application leaving a smooth, almost flawless finish. Once applied the foundation feels light, gives a medium coverage and isn’t cakey which I find a lot of matte foundations are. I find it stays matte for about 6hours but a touch of my favourite blotting powder on my T-zone and I find the foundation lasts all day. I got this on special offer for €5.95 so it was a great bargin.

Catrice Prime and Fine Eyeshadow Base

Basically this is my favorite budget eyeshadow primer. I love it and use it all the time now. It has a nice tackyness to it so to speak this basically helps the eyeshadow adhere to the eyelid and helps it last longer. I really like this and its definately a great cheaper alternative to the Urban Decay primer.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara

I actually just purchased this last week as sadly my Rimmek Scandaleyes Lycra Flex mascara was drying out. I'm liking the retro glam mascara its just as good as the Lycra flex mascara. Its just a really good buildable mascara and I haven't experienced any clumping so far.

Urban Decay Naked Palette

This is just my favorite eyeshadow palette ever! Its everything I need for college it has great neutral shadows for thouse daytime looks and great shimmery and darker shades for going out looks, it just has everything I need. All the shades are really pigmented and the colours last really well when your wearing them even without a primer.

Catrice Pure Shine Colour Lip Balm 

Basically these are Catrices version of the Clinique chubby sticks. Although I haven't tried the Clinique ones I have tried the Revlon balm stains and the MUA but the Catrice ones are my favorite so far. I have the shade 050 Cherry-ty which is a subtle red colour thats great for everyday wear. The colour doesn't last the longest but I don't find it as drying as the Revlon ones. I can't wait to try some more shades.

Soap and Glory One Heck Of Blott

This is by far the best blotting powder I have ever tried. It keeps the skin matte for hours and seriously a little of this product does wonders. Its a translucent powder which means any skin tone can use it which is great.

Soap and Glory Love at First Blush

As you can see in the picture below this blush has been through the mill so to speak. I have this blush for about two years and I use it regulary and still haven't hit the pan, how great is that? This blush provides a nice natural flush to the cheeks with a hint of shimmer that helps to give a healthy glow to the skin. I just love how it looks on my pale skin definately my go to blush all year round.

Well that's all I have in my makeup bag that is with me so until next time folks goodbye! :)

Review of some of the products from the Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel range

Hello everyone, like most people I know I suffer from those unsightly and sometimes painful spots. I've struggled with most spot treatments as I have senstive combination skin and alot of treatments have left my skin dried out, caused worse breakouts and at times left me with tight, painful skin. About a year ago I decided to try out the boots tea tree and witch hazel range and have to say this is the first spot treatments that have worked for me and if I stray away from using them I notice how my skins condition returns to its previously bad condition. In this blog post I will give you my opinions on the products I have tried from this range.

Shine Control Day Moisturiser (€4.89/£3.59)

This is by far my favorite product from this range. I find this moisturiser does exactly what it says on the packaging. The moisturuiser is a gel consistancy that absorbs into the skin quite quickly and it leaves the skin with a matte finish, I find this is great for a base for under my foundation and find no use for a primer any more. Although this moisteriser is light I find it provides my skin with enough moisture and doesn't cause it to dry out. 

Night Treatment Gel (€4.29/£3.59)

At first I wasn't sure about this night treatment gel as I found the consistancey more watery than the the day moisturiser and wasn't sure if this would have any effect on any breakouts. After using it for a week I soon realised this treatment gel really did do my skin some favors. I noticed that any spots I had would be noticably better the morning after applying the gel. I also didn't find this treatment drying my skin out which is a big plus as I've had so much trouble with treatments causing dry flaky skin in the past. I usually apply this after I've removed my makeup and used a face wash to clense my skin just before bed. 

Blemish Stick (€3.69/£2.59)

Prior to purchasing this blemish stick I have owned the the Witch blemish stick which I found really good so I thought this product would be a cheaper dupe. And I feel I was right. I apply this directly to spots and blemishes and I found it helps reduce redness, I also found my spots and blemishes seem to fade a lot faster when I use this blemish stick. I would reccomend this for anyone that loves direct treatments and for those whom have dry skin and can't use all over face treatments. I also found this helps reduce ichyness from insect bites for anyone that wants an alternative use for this product.

Peel Off Face Mask (€4.29/£2.99)

I bought this product on a whim as Boots had a three for two offer on. I have to say I'm not really convinced this product has helped my skin in anyway but then again I don't really use face mask so I don't know what makes a good or bad one. I did find however it left my skin feeling refreshed so thats a plus. The prodct itself has quite a thick sticky consistancy which I found made it hard to apply properly. Will I be repurchasing this product, I'm afraid not.

Exfoliating Face Scrub (€4.89/£3.59)

I tell you now do not buy this product at least not for a face scrub. This scrub is far to harsh to be used on the face the efoliating particals are to corse for the delicate skin on the face and I found my skin sore and red after only one use of this product. I did however find this scrub quite useful as a body scrub so all was not lost. Once again I will not be repurchasing this product.

 All in all I've been quite impressed with this range and plan to try the rest of the range. These products are all relatively cheap and made even cheaper by the fact Boots usually have a three for two offer on this range so this is definitely one for the bargin shoppers out there.

Review of the Urban Fudge Sea Salt Spray

Being fed up with my usual hair up or down and straight hairstyles I needed something new to try. I've tried mousse before to create that wavy texturised look but I just couldn't stand how it left my hair feeling crunchy. I have to say its definitely a pet hate of mine! So I hit you tube for some answer to creating an effortless, heat free, wavy haired look. And what did I find? Apparently the answer was sea salt spray.

On a trip to SuperDrug I noticed this brightly coloured bottle, have to say I love the packaging. The Urban Fudge Sea Salt spray was on offer so I decided to pic it up. 

 So what does the packaging say: 

"Texturising Spray for Raw Beach Hair.

Get that beach lovin' feeling with Fudge Urban Sea Salt tropic coconut mist.

Directions: Spray in and scrunch it up for that messy "out of the surf" sexy beach hair look or blow-dry in and pump up the volume for loads of natural texture and oomph"

The product comes in 150ml bottle which I like as the bottles small enough to pop in your bag for touch ups if needed.

So how have I found the product? Well I have to say I'm really impressed. The products smells amazing which I love, as I like products that make my hair smell good. I find the product really easy to use to create the style I want and it held the style all day. For to give you an impression of what the product allowed me to create I'll attach a picture below.

All in all I'm really impressed and will definitely repurchase but maybe I'll try a few other similar products for comparison too. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to try something different. 

Hope you enjoyed reading my review! 

Cocoa Brown fake tan review

So considering the lovely weather we're having my usual cheat of nude tights to take the blue hue from my extremely pale legs was not going to do for a wedding I was going to so I opted to fake it up. Since the last few times I used my go to fake tan (L'oreal sublime bronze tanning gel) had left me with a colour I wasn't happy with and a sticky residue even after showering I decided to opt for something new. Having seen the adds for Cocoa brown on the Irish fashion and beauty show Exposé I thought I would give it a try. 

On a shopping trip with my mother in Penny's(The Irish version of the UK's Primark) I noticed the Cocoa brown display. Seeing as the tan was only €6 myself and my mother thought it was worth getting to try it out and if it was a dud at least it wasn't to expensive. The packaging for Cocoa Brown is a very girly pink and although I'm not a fan of pink I did like the packaging. 

So now onto the tan, this tan is unique in that it takes just one hour to develop! You can leave the tan on for up to 3 hours before washing off for a deeper tan but after the 3 hours the tan does stop developing. After one hour the tan leaves a light natural glow, two hours provides a nice medium natural looking tan and three hours provides a natural looking dark tan. For an even darker tan you can reapply the tan the following day. The tan lasts for 5 days on the 6th and 7th day it's recommended you use an oil based moisturiser to help break down the tan and you are ready to reapply on the 8th day. As with all tans it's recommended to exfoliate a couple of days prior to application to reduce the chances of an uneven tan occurring. The tan is a mousse formula and has a pleasant sent. The application was very easy and the guide colour helps ensure you leave no patches without tan. The tan absorbs quite quickly which I liked and it leaves no sticky residue behind which I was really impressed with as I hate the sticky residue some tans leave behind. 

I left the tan on for two hours and was extremely impressed with the colour. The tan was perfect no streakiness and none of the tell tale signs of a fake tan around the ankles, knees or elbows. As you can see from the picture comparison below the tan really was an improvement on my naturally pale ghost like skin. 

All in all I love this tan it wore off evenly and didn't dry my skin out. I will definitely be using it again, not only is it great but its also an Irish product and I recommend any of you to try it out. 

The tan is available in pharmacies across Ireland as well as Penny's stores. As far as I am aware in the UK Primark is stocking this tan. 

I hope you enjoyed my review of this tan :)