Cocoa Brown Kind Shampoo & Conditioner | Review

So I'm starting off the year with a beauty review, but not just any beauty review.
The Kind Shampoo and Conditioner were hotly anticipated last year from well-loved Irish tanning brand, Cocoa Brown. Company creator, Marissa Carter had shown a sneak peek on her snapchat that set the beauty world into a tizzy and so I, amongst others were super excited to try these haircare products, specifically designed for sensitive scalps and hair. 

Firstly, I was keen to know why these are "kind" and what sets them apart from other similar products on the market?

These are Paraben, Alcohol and Formaldehyde free. The part that actually cleans your hair comes from natural sources- coconut oil and fruit sugars. And, because Marissa is always thinking 'tan', the ph level in these won't interfere with your tan, so you'll have a more even fade. 

This all means that they are suitable for anyone with a skin condition on their scalp, coloured hair or hair extensions.
I was able to tick off two on that list last year as I had dyed my hair pink and had hair extensions in for about 6 months (read about that HERE). I used both of these for the majority of that period and my hairdresser told me both my extensions and my hair were in good condition when I went to have them removed.
From my own perspective, I didn't notice any premature colour fading and both my own hair and the extensions felt well looked after- or, as well looked after as they can be when you have extensions, which ravage your hair, regardless of what anyone tells you. 

For me, the bottom line here is that these are a bit of a god-send for anyone with extensions- if you're planning on getting them or you have them in already, pick up these two. They'll look after your hair at a really reasonable price (Penneys have these in store from €3.50), which means you don't need to spend even more on your hair than you'll already have (extensions are great but horribly expensive). 

Have you tried the Kind range?

Thoughts?

To the comments!

XX

U.S Drugstore Buys

So we were in the states over Halloween and I of course had to stop at both a Sephora and several pharmacies for make-up. Drugstores over there (CVS, Walgreens etc) are not like our own; they sell everything from painkillers to ice cream with children's toys and random touristy crap in between.

There are also, of course, several make-up brands that we don't have in Ireland and ones that we do but with products we can't get here. 

Hence, a little splurge:

I had plenty of other things on my to-buy list, including the It Cosmetics CC cream, as recommended by the lovely @AinePrendo (on Snapchat) but I couldn't find a nearby Ulta so that was out. I did get plenty of other things however, including this super pretty Milani Rose Powder Blush.

I haven't tried anything from Milani but I knew I had to get a blush- what they're best known for. I had a baked blush in my basket but then I saw this beauty and sure it was too aesthetically pleasing to leave behind. I got the shade Tea Rose and it really is the perfect pink hue. It's ideal for pale Irish skin tones, although I will admit to being tempted by Coral Cove, also lovely but way too bright for me. This was around the $7 mark.

I had originally put a couple of Milani lipsticks into the basket but then I saw this Katy Perry collaboration with CoverGirl and I had to try them out.

While I'm not the biggest Katy fan in the world, I have danced my socks off to plenty of her hits and I enjoyed her movie on Netflix, especially the part where we were introduced to her cat; Kitty Purry. Granted, that is, somewhat egomaniacal but it's also quite cute so obviously I got that shade, which is a mauve and Cat Call, a brighter pop of coral. 

These are matte, which is good news for me as that's my current favourite type of lipstick finish.

These were, strangely also $7 each (I swear I didn't just buy things that were $7. My Sephora receipt will attest to that) but I thought these were great value for the price.

This was also an Áine/snapchat recommendation and although I've yet to try it, I am excited by the concept of a product that contains moisturiser, primer, foundation, SPF, colour correction and pore blurring. I'll be honest, I always thought that last one was pure nonsense but apparently, my pores don't agree with me. I know we have Physicians Formula in Ireland now but to be honest, I can never find a stand and if I do it's been ravaged by youths. 

This was an @SkinnyDoll (again, snapchat!) recommendation and I'm loving it! There were actually three variations in the Maybelline Master Primer range- one for oily skin and a colour corrector I think but I have dry skin and tend to always go for the illuminating primers. This fella also has that blurring property and an SPF 30. This works. My foundation has a healthy glow-from-within look to it with this underneath and it provides a nice base. I'd liken this to Benefit's That Gal except that this is way cheaper, obvs. This was $9.

These Kylie for Sinful Colours polishes were only $1.49 each, so I couldn't leave them behind. The cobalt blue shade, Kosmos (bloody K's everywhere) and the pale blue, Magik Touch are both colours I love and Sinful Colours are generally great quality so I could get over the Kardashian-isation for that alone.

This lot are far less exciting but due to our bags not arriving from JFK to New Orleans with us, we had to pick up a few essentials. I can't shower and not apply moisturiser afterwards so this massive yoke of Vaseline Intensive Care Aloe Soothe lotion was a must and worked well in the stifling heat. I couldn't have imagined lashing on a body butter in that humidity so this was ideal. Back in an Irish Winter however, and this loses some of its attraction so I'll be bringing it out again next Summer instead. 

Speaking of heat, SPF was a must and this one from Banana Boat was super handy; it sprays on clear and absorbs practically instantly plus it's factor 50. Perfect!

The Burt's Bees Ultimate Care Body Lotion for Very Dry Skin was purchased towards the end of the holiday. I love this brand and couldn't resist browsing the shelves for them at a slightly reduced price! I'm hoping this particular product is available here cause I am nearly finished and I love it! Containing Baobab Oil, Pumpkin Seed Oil and Green Tea extract, this both smells incredible and leaves my super parched skin softer than anything I've used before. Big thumbs up!

As I didn't have any hair products for a couple of days, I had to get the smart girls best friend; dry shampoo. I didn't know much about a lot of the brands they had on this shelf so I went for Pantene; ye olde reliable. Anyway, this works grand. It smells pleasant enough and does the job. Having said that, my scalp felt slightly itchy (not sure if that was down to the glaring sun also) and I think we have better options on this side of the water.

Lastly then is a packet of Burt's Bees Cucumber Face Wipes. 

I know, I know. Face wipes; the devils own beauty spawn but needs must and these worked a treat for the couple of days. After that I ended up using them up for perfecting our Day of the Dead face paint for Halloween. These were surprisingly non-abrasive on my skin.

And that is the lot!

I will go into further detail about my Sephora purchases at a later date but for now, have you tried any of these?

Anything there that you'd like to see a more in-depth review on?

To the comments!

XX

Great Lengths Hair Extensions: Two Weeks In.

It's a full two weeks since I got myself some hair confidence and so I wanted to do an introductory post about my extensions; why I got them, how the application went and how I feel about them now that I've had two weeks to get used to them!

My hair history

I've never had Samson-esque hair, it naturally veers on the straight, thin and weak side but when I became quite ill in my mid-twenties, my hair, skin and nails all took a bit of a battering.

Three years on and as I'm still on life-maintaining medication, my hair is also still in a heap. My skin is better than ever and my nails are somewhat improved but my hair, particularly at the back remains a disaster. I've tried every product on the market but if you have weak hair there's not a huge amount you can do.

I hummed and hawed about getting extensions and read all of the advice on them but eventually just decided to go for it. Sure look, it's only hair and money at the end of the day and if it helps me to feel even slightly better about my currently negative body image then, why not.

Before!

Choosing a salon

On the advice of my massive friend Eilo (she'll appreciate that), I went in to Cowboys and Angels on South William St. I've previously been in before for colour and cuts but my research and my Eilo told me this was the place for extensions. Valerie Patterson is renowned in Dublin for being an extension wizard and so she set to work on my limp locks (the previous Saturday she had re-pinkified and lightly snipped my hair too). She created a 50 piece blend of blonde, pink and orange tones to perfectly match the rose-goldy blonde I was currently rocking.

The application process

The process itself took a couple of hours. The extensions are bonded to your own hair using heat and a protein polymer, rather than glue, and are then trimmed to sit naturally with your own hair. For me, it was all about volume- I didn't particularly want hair down to my waist, just more body. Which I got!

My before and after shots don't really do it justice to be honest but my Snapchat selfies (below) probably will show you how very happy I am with my new hair!

I also really liked my experience in Cowboys and Angels. I'll say at this stage that I was not paid to write this and I did pay in full for my extensions!

Valerie only advised me to buy the Great Extensions brush, which allows you to brush your hair through from root to tip, without pulling on or damaging the bonds. When I asked about special shampoos etc, she told me not to waste my money and to use what I have, just to make sure the conditioner went nowhere near the bonds. As it happens, I'm already using a sulphate free set from Kevin Murphy that is safe for use with extensions but I really appreciated Valerie's honesty. She saved me a good bit of cash there!

Extensions, pre-application. And, eh..ignore the many caffeinated beverages in the second photo (bit hungover that day) but that's the beginnings of them in, pre-cutting!

So, my thoughts so far:

• It does take a little getting used to. The first few days my scalp was tender but it's back to normal now and there's no extra weight there or discomfort.
• Styling my hair also takes longer than usual; not a huge amount more but I have to factor in longer drying time and then straightening/curling also.
• It's a small thing but I need a bobbin on hand to plait my hair nightly; doing so eases the pressure on the bonds from your hair being pulled as you move around in your sleep.
• I can't just throw my hair up into a messy bun anymore- although I now have the hair to make the messy bun look good, I also have the bonds there so there has to be a lot more tactical hair arranging. 
• It's definitely worth spending the money on the Great Lengths brush, which makes life just a bit easier.
• I was worried you'd be able to see the bonds but honestly, they're not particularly noticeable (see photo)

I've exposed the bonds in the first photo to show you what they look like, while the second one is my own hair back in place over the bonds.

• I definitely feel more confident and feel better about my appearance in general. I've had people say they didn't notice the extensions and that's exactly what I wanted- they're not incredibly obvious to the naked eye. They sit perfectly with my own hair but I just have more of it now! It looks natural but enhanced at the same time, if that makes sense!

You know you're already obsessed when you start taking Snapchat selfies, immediately.

Would I recommend GL extensions?

Yes, most definitely. The hair that's used is real hair and is ethically sourced. It's very good quality and easy to style and it's given me a bit more pep in my step! I also love the freedom I have now- we have a lot of weddings etc this year and it's nice to know that when we're away somewhere, I'll be able to do my own hair and not have to try and find a hairdresser in the middle of nowhere. 

From the side and the back. Keep it in mind that it's very tousled here, hairdresser stylee ;)

Price

Price wise, it's different for everyone depending on how much hair you want. I went for one of the less expensive options as I got only 50 strands. You can get as many as you want which will obviously then impact how much you spend. Because my hair is light anyway, more than 50 might look a bit too much on me but if you have normal hair but want some more length, 75-100 strands might be more appropriate for you. 

Hopefully, I should get 5-6 months out of my extensions, if they're well looked after and if my hair continues to grow characteristically slowly. For me, that's another bonus as I don't enjoy going to the hairdressers and 5-6 months of hairdresser-free time is kind of glorious. 

Again, keep in mind both the hangover here and that I have had to filter said hangover from the photo. The hair, however, is unfiltered!

Have you been thinking about getting extensions? What's stopping you?
Or, have you had them and haven't gone back?
To the comments and let me know what you think!

XX

Come, Look At My Trash #5!

Yes, it's that time again. I've set aside all of my empty beauty containers for the last few months and now I have this little box crammed with used up skincare, haircare and a little smidge of make-up! I truly love a good empties post. It fills me with a great sense of wellbeing once I've finished a product, which, granted makes me sound unstable but it's just about that small sense of achievement really! I also love reading other bloggers empties posts because if they finished it and loved it then you know it's good and worth getting yourself!

Bioderma Make-Up Removing Micelle Solution

I got this at the launch of Bioderma in Ireland last year (review HERE) and loved it straight away. It removed all of my make-up easily, quickly and without any stinging or drying sensation afterwards. A great option for travelling, the gym and for after a night out- a much better alternative to face wipes. Sometimes I use this as a first step cleanser before then using a balm or a gel cleanser but that really depends on how lazy I'm feeling! 

I have already repurchased a new one and I've even bought one for my sister, such is my love for this cleanser. 

YSL Le Effet Faux Cils Shocking Mascara, Soap & Glory Archery 2-in-1 Brow Filling Pencil & Brush and Make-Up Forever Smoky Extravagant Mascara.

I've spoken so many times now about my favourite mascara from YSL that you're no doubt weary of hearing about it but here's another one finished. I get these in double packs to save money whenever I'm in the airport so I pretty much always have one on the go. It's kind of ruined me for other mascaras now because I'm so obsessed with the big false lash effect of this one. I'm still searching for a high street alternative though!

I tried Archery as an alternative to Anastasia Brow Wiz and you know, it's a pretty good match! I really liked the shade of this (I had blondeshell, although the writing has completely disappeared) which had no red undertones, it was easy to use and lasted well. Would definitely repurchase!

I received this sample size mascara at a MUFE event and I actually really liked it. The brush is cone-shaped, interestingly and does add a nice bit of volume to the lashes. I would buy a full size but I'm currently trailing about three other new mascaras so I'm sorted for the moment!

Soap & Glory Orangeasm Body Wash

This was one of the big bottles I got in last year's Christmas S&G set (HERE) and it has lasted until now. I did try out a couple of different shower gels while using this one too but also, this is a 500ml bottle and each pump goes a long way! I really liked this scent and like all S&G products, this works well and is one I would recommend. I just need to use something else for a while, you can get sick of the same scent day in day out!

Cien Acetone Free Nail Polish Remover

This was a couple of euro in Aldi, if memory serves me correctly. I'd actually tracked this one down because it has a handy pump built in to it, like in nail salons where you press your cotton pad down on the top and it pumps out the nail polish remover onto the pad. Handy! This one works really well for removing varnish and I like to think that the acetone free formula is saving my poor nails (but it probably isn't). I will say though that the pump function stopped working as well the longer I had it and my hand got covered in the stuff once or twice but it's still not a huge complaint for the price and overall efficacy of the product. Would buy again.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

The actual state of the tube in that photo. These are possibly the worst make-up product on the market, packaging wise. All the outside wipes off and the lid goes gungey but sure lookit, it's relatively cheap and cheerful and it is a great concealer, that can't be denied. I tend to pick one of these up every so often when I'm in between concealers cause it's an old favourite and so it's reliable! I don't think it's the best concealer ever but it's definitely up there. 

Nivea Q10 Anti-Wrinkle Serum Pearls

I reviewed a few bits from this range last year (HERE) and particularly liked this serum at the time. I liked it the whole way through to the end of the tube too and would definitely buy this again. I'm not sure that it's had any long-term effects but I definitely liked it while I was using it. 

Paese Automatic Eyeliner in Brown Glam

I used two of these in quick succession and meant to review it because I really liked this shade (smoky but slightly shimmery dark brown). It applied easily with no dragging and has a little rubber tip on one end for smudging on the go, which I greatly approve of! It is relatively cheap as I recall but unfortunately gets used up really quickly so I feel like you're not getting a whole lot of bang for your buck. The first time I bought it I doubted myself and thought maybe the pencil had broken off at some point so I got a second one to be sure, but no. I would buy it again though if I'm honest. It's a really good shade for lining blue eyes- I find black to be too harsh sometimes and this brown is a bit more flattering plus the pencil itself is a great formula.

L'Oreal Expert Volumetry Shampoo

I mentioned the conditioner of this in the last empties (HERE) and I really liked this set from the L'Oreal professional range. These are designed with fine hair in mind to add volume. I really liked these and would definitely get them again.

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream

I reviewed this little pot of Charlotte's Magic cream HERE. For a sample size it lasted a surprisingly long time. I really liked this when I first started using it and I do still like it now; it feels quite soothing for dry skin but I'm just not sure it's worth a whopping €90! 

Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan 

I'm a big fan of Cocoa Brown, which you probably already know by now. This has everything for me; a great formula, application is a doddle, good wearability, and all at an excellent price point. My only gripe with it is that the nozzle on the cans can sometimes be a bit temperamental so I think I'll be getting this travel version (it's travel friendly because it's plastic and not an aerosol and it's within the limit for liquids and air travel) in future as it seems to be free of that issue.

Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum

I bought this last year along with a La Roche Posay moisturiser (HERE) to sort out my poor Winter-ravaged skin and this was great. It's a light serum that feels lovely on but can take a little bit longer than you'd expect to fully sink in and be absorbed. Having said that it got on great with my dry skin so I would get it again!

The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Body Butter

I was sent a few bits from this range last year (HERE) and I LOVED them. I was very fond of this gorgeous body butter and the body scrub that was in my last empties post, HERE. These smell amazing and because they have a nourishing oil in them, they're great for dry skin. Would definitely buy again!

And that is the lot, for the moment! 

Have you tried any of these? What did you think?

To the comments!

XX

Come, Look at My Trash! #4

Yes, it's that time again. The time for me to photograph my beauty trash, put it on t'internet and discuss its merits for all to see. I've been building this lot up for a while so there's a bit of a mix of skincare and beauty.

I'm starting with the top left hand corner and the L'oreal Professional VoluMetry conditioner. I picked this up last Christmas along with the accompanying shampoo from Preen Hair & Beauty, where I regularly get my hair done. This range was recommended because my hair is quite thin and needs a helping hand with volume but without weighing down my fine strands. I found this conditioner did everything it said on the tin. I also love the shampoo (I haven't finished that yet) and I will definitely repurchase both. I tried using a cheaper range in the middle of trying these out but had to go back to these as my hair was virtually like straw without them.

I used Rimmel Instant Tan throughout my late teens/early twenties as it was perfect for lashing on last minute before a night out. Even now the smell of this brings me right back to that age! Funny how scent can do that to you. Anyway, Rimmel brought out a waterproof version a couple of years ago and so I have dutifully been using it up since. I'm quite sad to see this go as it's apparently been discontinued and it's one of the handiest products I own. I don't always have time for an overnight tan and this just solves that problem so well. Boo.

The Body Shop Argan Oil Body Scrub was sent to me for review last year (read about that HERE) and it's one of my favourite versions of their body scrubs that I've tried so far. It smells amazing and has the perfect ratio of gel to little scrubby bits so it removed old tan so efficiently! I especially like to use this on dry skin first to do all the hard work and then hop in the shower and add water to finish off the job. I would definitely repurchase except that I have three other full exfoliators ready to go!

African Paradise is a Body Conditioner from Lush. you apply this in the shower to wet, clean skin, leave briefly before washing off and it leaves you with soft, moisturised skin without having to add another skincare step to your routine. I liked this. It smells great and both helped out my dry skin and my time keeping skills. However, I didn't love the somewhat greasy residue it left on my skin in the shower- once I was dry that disappeared but it felt unpleasant while it lasted. I thought I could get over that but it turns out, I can't. Added to that that, this is expensive at €24.95 and so I don't think I'd repurchase it. It did last me a whole year though, so that is a huge plus. I reviewed this in full HERE.

I've spoken at length about the Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanse & Polish so I won't bore you to death again but this is one of my all time favourite skincare products. It smells and feels amazing, my skin is never tight or dry after use and it removes all of my make-up, even on my eyes! I generally buy this online because they usually have good offers and really quick delivery but I probably won't buy this again for while as I've several other cleansers to finish first.

Soap & Glory Hand Dream hand cream is the first to finish from my Christmas gift set (read about that HERE) and it's not that surprising really, I love their hand creams! Usually I use Hand Food but this is much the same to be honest. Himself uses whatever hand cream I do and he likes this one too. Would definitely buy again.

I bought Clarins Double Serum in the January sales because it's really very pricey. Normally it's around the €60 mark. Eep! Hence, sales! This is a combination of an oil and a water based serum. They're stored in two different chambers that join together when you press the pump down. I wrote about it in more detail HERE. My skin is dry and got on well with this so I would definitely use it again but only if I had the money, which I currently do not. Wah.

I waxed lyrical about the YSL Touche Éclat foundation HERE and my love has really only grown for it since. I definitely think I've found the perfect foundation for me with this and so I've already bought a new bottle. Love it!

I never actually reviewed the Anastasia Brow Wiz, which was silly really because I loved this! I had given himself a Sephora list (HERE) when he went to Canada last year and this was one of those items. It has a little spoolie on one end to shape your brows and then a twist up crayon on the other end to define. This was one of those perfect shades- I have this in Ash Blonde and it had no redness in it whatsoever. It was also easy to apply and looked natural on. Would 100% repurchase!

I've also gone on at length about the YSL Le Effet Faux Cils Shocking mascara but this is, as I've oft repeated, my favourite mascara. It's designed to look like you're wearing fake lashes and it does just that! My sister was so enamoured with how it looked on me that she is now also hooked! I'm already onto a new tube.

Last Winter I was on a mission to find a super moisturising, cold weather-appropriate moisturiser that would sort out my dry skin. After some ruminating (HERE), I went with La Roche Posay Nutritic Intense Riche (HERE). I did really like this, it was a good thick formula that then sank in well but I don't think I ever felt that tight Winter skin feeling dissipate completely so because of that I probably won't buy it again. 

Nuxe Reve de Miel is probably my all time favourite lip balm and this is only the second tub I've ever owned! I was hooked the first time I used this and would 100% buy it again. In fact I don't know why I haven't yet! Full review HERE. I should also mention that this little pot lasted just over a year, which is pretty brilliant really!

Lastly, I have D'Fluff, a strawberry shaving soap from Lush. Again, I got this a year ago now and it lasted really well. This was a lovely little product; it worked well for shaving, felt pleasant on my skin, smelt lovely and I never got that "fake" feeling from it like I do from other women's shaving foams etc. That could just be me being crazy though…Full review of this HERE. Would definitely repurchase. 

And that's the lot for the moment! Have you tried any of these? Do you agree/disagree with my judgements?! To the comments!

XX

Herbal Essences Clearly Naked | Review

A while back I was sent the new Clearly Naked range from Herbal Essences to try out and since then I've been using the shampoo, conditioner and sheer shine mist. All of the products contain 0% parbens and colorants while the shampoo also has 0% silicone. The fragrance throughout is white tea and mint, which smells beautifully fresh and clean. The idea with these is that they provide moisture in lightweight formulas and because they contain no baddie ingredients, they won't strip your hair either.

Here's my thoughts:

Shine Shampoo

If you have dry, rough hair this is the one for you. Since I last coloured my hair a couple of weeks ago, it's been brittle, hay-like and super dry. My hair feels so soft since I started using this, it's shinier and, it's clean. Like, squeaky clean. It actually squeaks. Because it's a lighter shampoo, it leaves no residue behind and it isn't weighed down by product. You can find it in Boots for €2.99 for 200ml.

Shine Conditioner

This is a very light conditioner that replenishes moisture from root to tip and leaves a natural looking shine behind. If you prefer a heavier conditioner for your locks, then avoid this. When I say it's light, it almost feels like a gel-cream but because of that, it spreads easily and evenly throughout the hair. Again, my hair is really soft from using this, I can't actually stop touching it. I'm surprised I like this so much because I normally prefer a thicker conditioner but this has been working really well for me so far. Again, this is €2.99 for 200mls in Boots at the minute.

Sheer Shine Mist.

Yes, I've lost the lid for this. It happens to every bottle/container that enters my house. Anyway, this is a shine-boosting formula that lightly conditions to revitalise your hair. This can be sprayed on wet or dry hair to add extra shine. I've tried it both ways. I use it every time I wash my hair; onto towel dried hair, pre-drying. I find I need to spray this fairly liberally to get the desired effect but when I do, my hair is noticeably shinier, which is no mean feat for a blonde. It also makes my hair easier to comb through when wet. I've used it dry for those Monica style crazy hair days too. I find that it doesn't last as long when I use it that way but that may be just my hair being weird. Overall though I really like it.

So it's two thumbs up for the new Clearly Naked Shine range. 

You can also get these in Volume and Moisture Rich options and there's a dry shampoo I'm interested in trying too. 

Are you a Herbal Essences fan?

Any of these tickling your pickle?

XX

What's In My Trash #3!

It's that time again! The time for me to save up my empty beauty containers and show you all my trash. A time honoured beauty blogging tradition.

Vichy Idealia Serum. I really liked this during the summer, it's a nice light serum with an illuminating finish so it sits well under make up. I've scraped every last bit out of this one but I'm using Vichy Aqualia Life serum at the minute so I probably won't get this again.

J'adore L'Or perfume by Dior. Himself buys me this as an anniversary present every year, which is great for him as it means he's sorted for life for a gift idea and it's great for me as I'm a little bit obsessed with this perfume. It still has undertones of the original J'adore (my wedding perfume) but is much stronger and perfect for the whole year round. Love, love, love it. I already have a new, unopened bottle, ready to go! Read a full review with base notes and all that jazz HERE. 

Cocoa Brown Gentle Bronze is one of my favourite products and I'm already on to a new bottle. I use this throughout the week for a tan top-up, it gives a natural looking glow without the need for full-on tan application and has a built-in moisturiser, plus it's great value. Such a good product.

Garnier Ultimate Blends 7-in-1 Dry Shampoo. I got this last year to try out when I found it on special offer and because I was wearying of the chalky white after-effects of Batiste. Low and behold, I love this one. It smells strongly of vanilla and won't do much by way of adding volume but it really will give you another day out of your unwashed hair, without leaving a powdery residue on your scalp. Already onto a second can. Review HERE.

YSL Shocking Mascara. My go-to mascara, I generally wait to pick this up on offer in the duty free cause it is rather spend for a mascara but it is also worth it. I've talked about it before HERE. 

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. I love this concealer, it's my all time favourite but I'm trying to hold off on a new one for the moment, in favour of a cheaper high-street brand, namely Maybelline's the Eraser. Unfortunately, I can't find that in my shade anywhere so I may have to bite the bullet and cough up for the Nars again. Eep. Full review HERE.

This sample of Benefit's "That Gal" lasted me for ages as you only need a small amount each time. This is a primer that has a glowy finish but also leaves a smooth base, ready for foundation. I had a full size of this before and really liked it, I would definitely repurchase this but the price is putting me off.

Eve Lom cleanser (review HERE). I had been rationing the end of this but was afraid it would go off so I made concerted effort to finish it over the last couple of months. I love this cleanser and would definitely buy a new one if that didn't involve me being stoney broke afterwards.

Bumble & Bumble thickening hairspray. I got this free with a magazine last year and although I like it, I'm not 100% sure it's the best out there for adding volume, so onwards and upwards now it's empty!

This sample of L'ancômes La Vie Est Belle has also lasted me a really long time, even though there was only about 5mls in it. I feel like this has some similarities to Victor & Rolf's Flowerbomb (one of my all time favourites) and I'm not alone as several people have asked me if that's what I'm wearing when I have this on. I would definitely buy a full size of this, it's a beautiful scent.

And that's my lot. Have you tried any of these? Any of your own favourites in there?

XX

The InStyler | Results & Impressions

I was sent the InStyler a while back to review and have been getting to grips with it since then. I like to give hair tools a really good trial because it usually takes me a bit longer than your average bear to get the hang of them properly and I like to make sure I'm giving a thorough review of the product. So here goes. 

The InStyler is a rotating, heated styling and straightening tool with a polishing cylinder and opposite to that, a heated panel surrounded by four rows of bristles. 

There are some great protective additions- a thermal shield that you can snap into place until the barrel has cooled down so you don't burn yourself and a heat proof bag/mat for travel and use on any surface. I particularly love that last one. I have some awful stories I could tell you about various parts of my body I've burnt by sitting on curling tongs (I know, I'm an idiot, apparently) and of course surfaces I've marked by leaving hot hair tools down on them. Doh! This is a smart and very useful extra. The InStyler also uses less heat than your average hair tool, which is also pretty remarkable as it does the job and still feels roasting.

Starting off, you plug it in and set it to one of three heat settings- the lowest (one bar) heats to 140C is ideal for thin, fine hair. The medium setting (two bars, 157C) is for thin to medium textured hair while the highest (three bars, 196C) is ideal for thick, coarse hair. 

The lights flash until it's heated and you're away. It's recommended you section off your hair and start with the hair that's underneath, which I did (just not in the photo below). 

When straightening, you position the InStyler with the heated barrel next to the scalp and run it down the section of your hair- the bristles sort and separate the strands of hair while the barrel polishes and straightens. 

I really like it for this purpose. I never really love the effect of a traditional straightener- I feel like they flatten my hair and leave it looking a bit stiff and unnatural, especially where my side fringe is concerned. The InStyler however seems to just smooth my hair and add volume but doesn't leave me with creepily poker straight hair, like a straightener would, which is a bit too 90's for my liking. This is a life saver in the mornings, especially when I've washed my hair the night before. I usually wake up looking like I've slept with a cat on my head but I run this fella over my hair and I look a bit more pulled-together. A minute's work and I'm out the door. Good times!

My hair is not natural curly by the way, I apparently do that in my sleep..

I've also tried it out for curls. For this you once again keep the barrel towards the scalp and wrap the piece of hair around the barrel from roots to end while holding the end of the hair and preventing the bristles from closing down. This part takes a fair bit of practice to get right and if like me, you're not hugely adept at all things hair related this may prove tricky for you. Using a regular curling tongs is certainly more straight forward but you can get to grips with this with plenty of use. It's not the best option for when you're running late though. My hair tends not to hold a curl very well as it's fairly thin and it was no different with the InStyler. The curls all fell pretty fast but I will say that what I was left with was an impressively volumised head of hair so there was still a good outcome! I've tried curls a few times now with the same result but I also lent this to a friend (hi Ciara!) who loved it and found it worked perfectly for her, so this is one of those ones that you need to do your research on- if you know your hair curls well ordinarily this may be a good option for you but if like me, curls don't last well with your hair type, this may not make a difference for you. 

So it's one and a half thumbs up only (not sure how that works) from me- I really like this for adding volume and straightening but I didn't love it as much when it came to curling. This is also pricey enough at €120 (HERE on the InStyler website) but the good news is that you can find it HERE on the boots.ie site for only €84.99!! That's a brilliant bargain, especially if you don't want to wait for Santa to bring it for you!

Have you tried the InStyler? What did you think? If not, is it on your wish list?

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Philip Kingsley Pure Silver Try me Kit | Review

I've been on the look out for a silver toning shampoo for blonde hair for a while now so when I saw this Try Me Kit from Philip Kingsley containing a Pure Silver Shampoo & Conditioner for "dull, discoloured, grey and brassy blonde hair" with an added Elasticizer to try out, I jumped at the chance to pick it up. The Elasticizer is one of those products always rated highly by bloggers but I didn't want to risk spending a small fortune on the big size as I  have a history of having poor results from haircare, no matter how fancy or expensive it is. This little kit came in at only €6.50, which I couldn't resist. Now it says on the packaging that each 20ml bottle is one application but like most mini sizes this has lasted me for four washes so far with plenty left so I'd ignore that.

First off, these smell incredible. Kind of like a mix of super fancy salon shampoo with a whack of lavender for good measure. Mmm.

The Elasticizer is an "intensive, super-conditioner" that you apply pre-shampoo to wet hair, applying in sections. After covering in a plastic cap (or cling film if that's all you have to hand), you leave it for 10-20 minutes before washing out. The idea is that this adds elasticity, manageability, bounce and shine. After washing out you use your shampoo and conditioner as usual. 

The shampoo and conditioner are created using violet hues and optical brighteners to add shine and take down any brassy tones that can happen when you dye your hair blonde. The shampoo doesn't lather up that much and you need about two squeezes to do your entire head while the conditioner has a light enough texture and is easily massaged into the ends of your hair. After drying and styling, my hair was noticeably shinier with more volume and definitely a bit brighter. I can't say that it was really a much brighter blonde afterwards but overall my hair looked healthier and in better condition. I wasn't sure if that was down to the Elasticizer, the silver shampoo and conditioner..or both combined so I tried them separately and while I like the shampoo & conditioner, I really love the Elasticizer and will definitely be buying a full size. I might keep on with my search for the perfect toning shampoo however. 

You can find various Philip Kingsley kits including this one HERE on Feel Unique.

Have you tried any of these? Thoughts?

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Irrational Hatred of the Hairdressers

Today I posted the below photo on twitter of me looking very sad after getting my hair cut, to which I got a huge response of "ah you look great!" (thanks everyone, yisser all legends) but also a lot of "I hate it when you don't get what you asked for". I'm assuming then that I'm not alone in vehemently hating a trip to the hairdressers. I generally will avoid it for as long as possible and although I'm pretty good at dyeing my own hair I have yet to master any vague sort of cutting skills so that is one thing I just can't skip.
I explained that I was trying to keep the length so I just wanted a small amount taken off and to freshen up my side fringe, no layers. Instead I got layers, an arseways version of 'The Rachel' circa 1996 and I'm also somehow now the proud owner of a long bob. Overall, this is not too dissimilar to the time my sister decided to give me a bowl hair cut mere days before my first Holy Communion, thus giving our mother a conniption at the same time.

This all came about because I was engrossed in a Dawn O' Porter article in Glamour at the time and honestly, she had the whole thing finished by the time I'd read those two pages. When I looked up (what felt like five minutes later) there seemed to be a lot gone but I thought once it was dried it'd be better. Well I was wrong yet again because she then proceeded to give me an insane Stepford Wives style blow dry. I know what you're thinking- you should have complained, but honestly, the blow dry was fixable myself (straighteners and curlers at the ready) and the cut was fine- it was just more off than I expected. Really, what can you do about that? It's not like she could glue it back. The manager spoke poor English and I just couldn't face attempting pidgin Italian and making a complete fool of myself. Instead I left quickly, repeating "hair grows back, hair grows back, hair grows back" on repeat in my mind, like Jack Nicholson but less axe murder-y. 

Then I got to thinking of all the times I've gone to the hairdresser and left in a foul mood because I didn't get what I asked for. Of course I've had some good experiences too with excellent hair stylists, it just feels like the bad outweighs the good. I honestly don't know whether this is in a similar vein to how I hate getting my make up done or not. In that circumstance I avoid it because it's never done how I like it and I really can always do a better job myself. But with my hair, even if I show them a picture of my own hair from a previous time and say "that's what I want", it still somehow rarely works out. 

Am I alone in this too or do you have a less irrational (some would say normal) attitude to getting your hair done? 

XX

L'Oreal Elvive Fibrology Thickness Booster | Review

I bought and used the Fibrology Thickness Booster up ages ago but wasn't particularly overawed. Luckily I got it half price at the time but didn't pick up any of the rest of the range, which may have been a mistake; I'll get to that later. So the idea is that this is a serum type of formula that comes in this tube with what looks like a handy "mixing lid"; you add it to your conditioner as an extra boost to help thicken your hair. 

Firstly, while that lid seems like a great idea for mixing the serum into your conditioner, it's actually a bit awkward to use. You squirt the serum into your hand and then struggle to get the lid back on, while trying to add conditioner into your hand and not spill the serum everywhere. Gah! Not as much of a time saver as I expected although instead of whinging like me, you could just apply this to the hair on it's own and then add conditioner over that. 

Only after I had started using it did I realise that suggested use is with the conditioner from the same range; I thought I could just work away and add it to my own conditioner that I was using at the time to give a volume boost but no, they expect you to buy a second product from the range to make the first product work better…eh, what now? That seems a bit much to me and had I realised that was the idea I probably wouldn't have bothered- I find that concept of trying to squeeze a bit of extra money out of their customers a bit icky to be honest. Surely the conditioner should work on it's own without needing an extra product to make it work better?

It also didn't make a huge difference to the actual volume of my hair, which makes me wonder if using the rest of the range would have led to better results, regardless of how annoyed I'd have been to have to buy two products when one on it's own should do the job.

While it's supposed to leave hair looking and feeling thicker with every wash for a cumulative effect (using revolutionary ingredient Filloxane apparently *sceptical face*), I only noticed the slightest of change on the first couple of washes and after continuous use until it was empty I can't say it made a huge difference to my naturally fine hair. 

This may well be just me as I've seen other more positive reviews; my hair tends to be reluctant to respond to a lot of products designed to increase volume at the best of times. Available from Boots for €7.99 for 30mls, they currently have a 3 for 2 offer on if you're interested in trying it out for yourself.

Have you tried anything from the Fibrology range? Did you fare any better than me?

XX

Garnier Ultimate Blends | Review

I had actually forgotten to review these until I was involved in a twitter conversation the other night where myself and a few other bloggers were all in agreement as to how great this range is. I've been using the Ultimate Blends Sleek Restorer Conditioner and the 1 minute Nourishing Repairer for a couple of months now. I haven't used any of the shampoos but I love their dry shampoo which I reviewed HERE. 

But back to these two, the conditioner contains coconut oil and cocoa butter and is for dry, frizzy hair to "weightlessly nourish while taming frizz and flyways " leaving hair "smooth and shiny". First off, this smells gorgeous, I love all things coconut-ty, especially for hair. It's a good formula; not so light that it slips off your hair but not so thick that it weighs it down either. I use this every second/third day and I've been liking it, it's a decent conditioner and considering I got 400mls for €2.75 (it was on sale, it's normally around €5.49), it's good value for what it is.

The real star of the show though for me is the 1 minute treatment, nourishing repairer. This one has avocado oil and Shea butter and is designed for dry, damaged hair, which is definitely well suited to my hair. As the name would suggest, this only needs a minute so it's perfect for when you're just having a quick shower and don't have time for a lengthy treatment. This is a much thicker formula and really does feel like a proper treat for your hair- it's more like a mask. I've been using this a couple of times a week and it makes an obvious difference to my hair, leaving it shinier and smoother. This was also half price at €4.68 for 200mls (it's normally around €6.99), so another bargain. It smells fantastic too.

While the former is a good bog-standard conditioner and will do the job just fine, the 1 minute treatment is as good as any higher end brand I've tried and is the one I'd recommend you go out and pick up- especially if you can get it at the reduced price (I got mine on offer in the ever great Meagher's pharmacy on Baggot st but you should also keep an eye out in other pharmacies/Boots etc for potential bargains). 

Have you tried any of the Ultimate Blends range?

XX

An Ode To My Babyliss Big Hair Styler

When we went away recently on holidays, I once again showed my stalwart packing skills by forgetting to bring ANY hair styling tools whatsoever with me. 

As in, I remembered shampoo and conditioner and my tangle teezer but somehow forgot an actual brush, my John Frieda Hair oil elixir (review HERE), a hairdryer, anything that could possibly add volume to my naturally thin hair and most importantly, my Babyliss Big Hair (yeah, I know, I'm clearly the worlds greatest beauty blogger). 

image source

Now, I got this fella well over a year ago, used it a couple of times and was all "whatever, don't see what all the fuss is about", stopped using it but then about six months ago I picked it up again and said I'd actually make an effort to use it properly. 

Big Hair is basically a spinning brush with different heat settings and an "airstyler"; like a hairdryer it's drying your hair but because of the rotating brush that sucks up your hair with it (don't be alarmed, it's supposed to do that), it's also styling it. Clever. 

I section off my wet hair while also using a volumising product (at the moment I'm trying out one from Bumble & Bumble, which I'll have a review on soon) and then use my Babyliss BH to dry off each section. It actually really does make a big difference to my hair; leaving it smoother, shinier and definitely with more volume going on. It often looks as good as a professional wash and blow dry when I really take my time so I'm saving myself time, money and hassle since I started using it. 

I'm pretty sure I got mine on sale when I bought it but I've just looked up the Boots.ie site and the "new" version (not sure what the difference is to be honest) is €59.99 (HERE). 

Aargh, I know, 'tis pricey but it has proved it's worth to me since I left it at home that time. Seriously; every time I washed my hair while we were away I cursed my forgetfulness. I had crazy bits of whispy hair flying about the place that normally would've been tame and in general I looked like I had the hair of an aesthetically challenged dog, like this fella but obviously less cute:

image source

So yeah, the moral of the story is, number 1) don't be the worst packer in the world and number 2) I love my Babyliss Big Hair.

Have you tried it? If so, what did you think? I know there's both a lot of love and hate for this fella out there so I'd be interested to see what y'all think. 

To the comments!

XX 

Come, Look At My Trash!

What's that you say? You're really excited about rummaging through my beauty trash with me? Yay! Me too! It's been so long since I've done an "empties" post that when I noticed I'd actually gathered quite the collection of recyclables I thought I may as well write it up. I quite like empties posts in general. It lets me know what a blogger truly thinks of a product now it's all used up and the crucial question; would they buy it again? Always a good indicator as to whether I NEED something in my life or not.

So on to the rubbish:

1. My beloved YSL Shocking mascara. I've gone on at length about this before and already have a new one ready to go. It's my favourite mascara.
2. Roger & Gallet Rose hand cream. I reviewed this HERE and loved it. I will most definitely be buying another one, it's a gorgeous product.
3. Rimmel Perfect Match foundation. I don't know why but I haven't actually done a full review on this yet, must rectify that. I like this, it's good quality and a good price with a decent skin tone range. It works well for my dry skin and lasts nicely throughout the day. I'm already on to my second bottle.
4. Clarins flash balm. I squeezed the bejasus out of this to get every last drop; I love the stuff. I use it as a primer and it brightens up my skin and makes me look far more awake then I actually am. Will most definitely repurchase. You can read more about it HERE.
5. This is a mini size of a L'ancome Hydra Zen moisturiser, one of my favourite products from the brand, which I spoke about HERE. I love these little tubs, they're so handy for travelling. I'm currently trialing about three different moisturisers but I would definitely come back to hydra zen at some point. I do prefer the one for sensitive skin though.
6. This is a surprisingly nice antibacterial hand gel from Tesco. I know it's boring but I'm including it because it was cheap and smells lovely. I've since found a new love in Soap and glory's hand maid but this is a great option for having in your bag.
7. I'm actually stupidly proud of this one but I finished a lip gloss. Yes, that's right. I don't think I've ever done that before. This was a Revlon Super Lustrous Gloss that I got in THIS haul and just couldn't stop wearing. It's a beautiful shade (Berry Allure), perfect for my skin tone with no shimmer, just pure deep pink pigment. I loved it and will definitely repurchase.
8. Boots acetone free nail polish. This was grand and cheap but again, I've moved onto a Lidl one with a clever lid that does the job far better and is super cheap so I wont be buying this one again.
9. This Ginger Burst Body Wash was part of an Origins set I got for Christmas and reviewed HERE. I love the scent of ginger and this was a lovely way to wake up in the shower on cold mornings; it's a very warming and invigorating scent. Would definitely buy again.
10. I was so sad to see the end of my Ziaja micellar water. This is an absolute wonder product, taking off all traces of make up with no stinging or tightening of the skin; it's part of their sensitive skin range that I reviewed HERE. I'll be buying a new one and I'd urge you to try it too.
11. Joico K-Pak Deep Penetrating Reconstructor hair mask. I spoke about this HERE. It's an unusual one in that it smells and looks a bit like mashed banana but is actually a really good hair mask. I had this for a bit long so it stopped working as well towards the end but I would buy it again if I didn't already have several other hair masks on the go. I like Joico as a brand in general.
12. L'Oreal Elvive Colour Protect Shampoo. This was one my hairdresser recommended to me when I dyed my hair red there a year ago and I guess it worked..it was hard to tell to be honest. The colour washed out of my hair at the same rate I think it would have anyway but I felt like I was doing something to help prolong it at least. I've used it since going back to blonde and the same thing really; not 100% sure of it's effectiveness. It's grand. Certainly a lot cheaper than a lot of other "colour extend" products on the market. I'm probably not going to buy it again as I have my eye on a purple toning shampoo for blondes instead.
13. Lastly, I forced myself to finish this Gentle shampoo from Viviscal which I reviewed HERE. I feel like I may have been a bit harsh in that review because I didn't also have the dietary supplements that go with the shampoo and conditioner and perhaps I could have had a different result had I done so. As it stands, I didn't like either the shampoo or conditioner and felt they did nothing for me. Will not be repurchasing.

And that's all my trash for now. Anyone tried any of this lot? Thoughts? Is everyone proud of me for finishing a lip gloss?!! Let me know in the comments.

xx