The Second Hair One- Heat Protection Sprays.

 Hi there guys, I've had a hectic week so not sure where and when I'll get chance to post this but it's only a quick one. I am constantly on the hunt for heat protection sprays. As I said in a previous post I have naturally curly hair that I wear straight everyday and have done for years. This means I'm constantly blow drying and straightening it putting it under immense heat. Therefore I need a good defence for it.
 My biggest concern when I buy heat defence sprays is that sometimes they can make my hair look greasy, which is the biggest pain with my freshly washed hair. This might be because I'm spraying it too close to my head or using too much? I'm not entirely sure but I tend to follow the instructions on the bottle so this shouldn't be a huge problem.

The two heat protection sprays I'm using at
the moment.

 The first one is from the Lee Stafford range. As you might be aware I'm not the biggest fan of his products and this is mainly down to the smell of them. I did liken his Poker Straight conditioner to nit lotion in sense of the smell. This product also has that same smell but I shall bypass this as it works. The product I'm talking about is the Poker Straight- Flat Iron spray. This product says it has heat protecting agents in to protect against the immense heat from straighteners. It also has Green Tea which is an antioxidant in, it also has Pantheol in that provides long lasting moisture which is what my hair desperately needs. Finally it has a holding agent in to fix the poker straight hair. While I agree it makes your hair feeling soft and sleek, I don't think it does anything to keep my hair staying straight. I'll use this and by the end of the day my hair will be trying to wave. This could be because my hair is so curly that this product isn't strong enough to stop the curl returning.
 It sprays in evenly, but I find I have to dry my hair straight away or the products drys in a way that makes my hair looks greasy so then once I've finished straightening I'm having to go back and dry shampoo it, which annoys me as I've just washed my hair. I won't be buying this again mainly for the reason it doesn't keep my hair straight which is what I bought the product for and as I said in a previous post I can't stand the smell. But I have read other reviews from people who love the smell so this could just be me? If you do want to try it out head here and you can get it for £6.49, so is reasonably priced. Plus at Boots there is 3 for 2 across all haircare products at the moment.

Lee Stafford Flat Iron Protection Shine Mist.

 The second product is Garnier Ultimate Blends- Heat Protection Milk. It's for fragile hair which I'd say mine definitely is and it detangles hair (every curly haired persons dream.) It also protects the hair from heat of up to 230 degrees. It has protective Rice Cream and Oat Milk which is apparently what protects it from the heat. This is also one of the reasons I bought it I liked the fact it sounded like most of the ingredients were natural and organic. It also says it leaves hair feeling softer, easier to style and shinier. I definitely agree with the first two but I can't say it looks any shinier but that might just be my hair. I love the fact that once I've applied it (to damp hair before drying) it feels so light, it feels like I haven't put anything in my hair whereas with some products I feel like it weighs my hair down. Another thing I absolutely love about this product is the smell. It leaves my hair smelling so lovely, the scent of things I put in my hair is a big deal breaker and this one is definitely worth it. I get whiffs throughout the day and it's literally a dream to smell, unlike the Lee Stafford one.
 I don't really have any negatives it does everything it says on the bottle except making my hair look shiny, the only downsize I'd say if I was pushed to give one is that it's quite a small bottle so I'm not expecting it to last long but I will definitely re buy this one. If anything just for that smell.
 It's really affordable at £4.49 and you can get it here where there's also a 3 for 2 offer on all haircare products at the moment. I would definitely recommend. It does say on the bottle not to spray in dry hair, I'm not sure why and haven't found this one as with my Lee Stafford one you can spray it on hair before straightening aswell as before drying. But to be honest it doesn't feel like it's needed after drying anyway, a little goes a long way.

Garnier Ultimate Blend Heat Protection Milk.

 What heat styling sprays do you guys use? I'm not worried about cost as it seems a small price to pay for the protection of my locks. I have also just done a huge haul on my favourite conditioning range the OGX products, so my next hair post will be featured on that but may be in a while as I need time to try them all out and see how I feel about them. But I'm very excited about it. As always feel free to follow me on Instagram and Twitter. Leave any comments and follow. Speak soon.
Xx

The Fourth Makeup One- Contouring.

 Hello hello, two Blog posts this weekend because yesterdays was so short. Today we move on to Contouring.

 I love a good contour. I love watching videos on it and seeing all the different products that people use to create a flawless look. I love how it can just change the shape of your face and hide certain insecurities from the world. I also don't always have the time to follow these step by step processes, that can sometimes seem to go on for a while. When I'm rushing and getting ready for work I need quick products I can grab with quick end results. And alas I have found them. So let's begin.

  I have two different contouring regimes, one's a powder one and the other is liquid. I know with contouring alot of people are either strictly powder or strictly liquid which is why I wanted to try them both out.

 When I first started contouring I didn't really know how to work it so therefore wanted a cheap product I could practice with. I bought the Barry M Chisel Cheeks Contour Palette which consists of three powders. I got this because I like the Barry M range for when I'm shopping on a lower budget. Plus this also had a step by step guide on the inside lid to show me what to do and how to use it. Unfortunately I don't have a picture to include because I left it in a makeup bag full of products I barely use which I then left at A friend's house. But you can view an image here.

 Like I said it has three powders, a light one for highlighting, a medium brown for bronzing and a dark brown for sculpting. You pop the light powder over your cheekbones, chin and along your nose up to the centre of your forehead, Basically anywhere you want to accentuate. The bronzing you sweep over anywhere the sun would naturally hit and then tan so your cheeks forehead and nose. The dark brown powder you put along the hollows of you cheeks, blending out to the ears and along the hairline and also down the sides of your nose. It doesn't include a brush but I used my Real Techniques Contour Brush to apply and then my Real Techniques Buffing Brush to blend. I also used my Real Technique Foundation Brush to apply the dark brown along my nose- I am aware that this isn't what it's meant for but I found that as it's a thinner brush it easier to use here. You can get those brushes here as a set for £21.99. However if you don't want to fork out I also use a nose shadow brush aswell as a contour brush from a cheap set of brushes I picked up for £1.91 here. You get a set of 20 so obviously value for money.

The brushes I use to contour.

 Now the cost of this contour palette is £6.49, so definitely affordable, plus you get instructions on the inside of the lid. These are definitely bonuses however I feel that's where they end. The highlighting powder doesn't really do anything and you really need to build it up. I also find that it's quite hard to blend and it definitely takes a while to blend out. If you're short on time this isn't what you want. I also don't think it really contours I'd say it's more of a bronzer product and this is what I ended up using it for in the end.

 This put me off contouring for a while but I got back in the game with two products that aren't meant for contouring per say but I used them both for this reason. If you've read more than one of my posts you'll know that I love Benefits Hoola Bronzer which can be found here for £23.50. I would apply this to the hollows of my cheeks, in the T zone that the sun would naturally hit, along my jawline, down the side of my nose and also in two spots from where my eyebrow ends to my hairline. I would then blend this with my Real Techniques Buffing Brush. I would then pair this with a concealer, the one in question here being Maybelline Instant Anti Age- The Eraser Eye concealer, which can be found here for £7.99, with there being an offer on at Boots with buy 1 get the 2nd product half price on Maybelline so definitely check that out. I would apply this in two upside down triangles under my eyes, on my cheekbones, around my lips, and in a heart shape starting at my eyebrows and going down to my chin, I would then blend this with my Real Techniques Beauty Blender.

Benefits Hoola Bronzer and Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer.

 Pros are that these are both really good products, they both blend well aswell. With the bronzer you get a brush included with is long and flat so makes it easy to apply in places like down the sides of the nose or along the hollows of the cheeks. The down sides to this could be the price, if your shopping on a budget this could seem a little extravagant just for contouring. But I also use this as it's main purpose which is bronzing aswell. It lasts along time so you aren't constantly restocking, which is good at the price it is. The concealer is really easy to use, it comes with a sponge applied to it which you twist to make the product come out and then it's really easy to apply, it's also like a pen if that makes sense. It also gives great coverage which is always a bonus. If you don't like sponge applicators then that might put you off but if you can look past that it's definitely worth it. I don't really have any negatives myself except that it didn't least that long but that could be because I was using alot of product and often.

Benefits Hoola Bronzer

Sponge Applicator on Concealer.

 You might also not be thrilled at the idea of mixing a liquid and a powder to contour but it worked for me and I would definitely recommend. Also I realise that these products primary uses aren't for contouring but they work and that's all that matters.


 Moving on, I recently got bored of the whole powder for contour and wants a liquid contour kit for more dramatic looks for nights out etc. I stumbled across this little gem and was totally bought. This would be L'oreal Infalliable Sculpt Contouring Palette. On the back it says it's a cream to powder contour which sounded interesting and it also say you can go for a naturally defined to a dramatically sculpted look which sounded perfect because it meant I could use it for the day time aswell. It also has a diagram showing you where the shades should go aswell as instructions of how to apply it- great for beginners.Inside it comes with two shade a light one for highlighting and a darker one for sculpting, it also includes a mirror and the thing I loved most, more detailed instructions. It shows you how to apply the product in closer detail and also for your specific face shape which I loved as I haven't seen this with previous contouring palettes. It also comes in multiple languages so if you don't speak English (so therefore probably not reading my blog let's be honest) that's there for you.

Helpful instructions included.
A big selling point in my eyes.

The product itself goes on really nicely. The dark shade is my favourite it comes up really dark which I love, but if you don't do be scared because it blends out SO well. The lighter shade is also good but I do find I have to build it up a bit to get the colour I want. Like I just said both colours blend so well! I was surprised- especially with the darker shade at how well it blends and doesn't leave any streaks. I blend these two together again with my Real Techniques Beauty Blender.

L'Oreal Paris Infallible Sculpt, Contour
Palette

Sorry for the state of this. The inside of the
pallette.

  The negatives are because of the positives if that makes sense. I love this product but at £9.99 I feel like you should definitely get more product than what you do get. I got this palette a little over a month ago and as you can see from the images I have made a sizeable dent in it and it's not like I use this everyday. I don't really use it on a work day because I don't have the time to do so in the morning. So definitely not enough product. That is my only downfall with this product, but I do love it and will definitely be restocking up on it. If it sounds like something you'd enjoy get it here.

  I think if you're a beginner with contouring this would be a good product to use because there aren't loads of different shades to chose from and confuse you. It's simple plus there are detailed instructions for you. I got this in the shade medium/dark but I am quite light, I decided to go for this shade for when I tan etc. But even without a tan it doesn't look ridiculous. If you want a lighter look though there is a light/medium palette aswell.

Left- Light Highlighting shade
Right- Dark Sculpting shade.

 That's it. Contouring done. I hope you've found this helpful. I would definitely recommend all the products (bar the Barry M) I've spoken about on this post. But I'm always looking for a new contour kit, I did look at the NYX contour palette aswell as the Smashbox one. Has anyone used this that would recommend? Or any other good contouring kit? Especially for the more dramatic looks for nights out.

 As always please follow me on here. You can also catch me on Instagram here and Twitter here. I'm always thinking about new posts. I'm thinking my next makeup post might be either a Charlotte Tillbury haul or a foundation haul. I am also aware I do alot of Makeup posts I am trying to branch out in terms of skin and hair care so I can do more posts on those things aswell.

 Until then...
Xx

The First Skin One- My Evening Routine.

 I will hold my hands up, I have slept in my make-up after a night out. I have woken up the next morning false eyelashes stuck together, eye liner smudged everywhere, foundation and fake tan smeared around my face, I am not proud. I will admit to another thing aswell, I have used baby wipes to remove my make-up, no matter how rough they feel on my face and no matter that it feels like I am simply pushing make-up around my face until I feel I've made an acceptable attempt and can pass out in my bed. Both these things you may have guessed have resulted in my skin feeling dried out, rough and prone to break outs. Then something happened.

 I turned 21. I decided this was a time that I should behave like a proper adult and therefore do the adult thing and remove my make-up and let my skin breath, and so was born my night time routine. Now I won't lie, I have seen peoples night time routines that take about 79 hours, 5 million different lotions and potions and a singing bird or two to come and delicately wash their faces from the traces of shit that is left there from the day. (Kidding obviously, but you get my gist.) If however, you are one of those people I suggest you stop reading now as clearly I will be wasting your time.
 I am a lazy girl, there I said it. When I get into bed I want to hit play on One Tree Hill (or whatever I'm binging.) Then pass out into a peaceful sleep before my dreaded 5:30am alarm goes off. Therefore I want a quick and easy night time skin routine that still leaves good results, and I think I've finally found one that works. Plus an added bonus- it won't break your bank balance.

 I start by using Soap & Glory- Peaches And Clean. I want to begin by saying I LOVE the names S&G give to their products. Peaches And Clean (or P&C as I shall refer to them from now.) is a 4 in 1 wash off deep cleansing milk. It "purifies & clarifies" "dissolves makeup" and "energizes and smoothes." I totally, 100% back this up. I put two pumps onto my (clean) hands and rub it all round my face and down my neck and then remove that with a cotton pad, then I pump some more on to a cotton pads and get into stubborn areas such as the top of my forehead and around my nose and eyes and then rinse this off with water. Once I've done that I go over my face once more with a cotton pad just to be certain all my makeup is completely gone and what do you know? It's all gone.
 I also find that P&C lasts ages. I've had my bottle since December, I use it every night and I'm not even half way through it. What I will say is a little goes a long way. Sometimes I go a bit crazy with the pump and I'm leftover with excess lotion which is annoying. There is a fragrance to it which is (I'm sure you've guessed) peaches. If you don't like your moisturisers or lotions with an added fragrance then you probably won't like this but if you can bypass the smell, the results are worth it. If this sounds like something you want to try then head here, it's normally priced at £8.00 so it is affordable, however right now Boots have a sale on S&G products where you can save 1/3 on them so it's priced at £5.33 at the moment.

Soap And Glory- Peaches And Clean.

 Just a quick heads up, I am still working on the photo quality and set up; I realise the photos I'm currently taking are probably a cardinal sin in the blogging world.

 The next and final step, yes that's right my skin routine only involves two steps. Is to moisturise. I understand that the more expensive the product then maybe the better results. However I'm quite lucky with my skin that it's normally clear and I don't really get spots (but when I do get them, they take over my face they're so big.) Because of this I didn't want to spend loads on something I didn't need and I just wanted a light moisturiser. Enter Simple Kind To Skin Hydrating Light Moisturiser. 

 I love this. I love the fact that they have all the ingredients clearly on the bottles. For example on this one on the front it shows there are 2 vitamins, 2 skin loving ingredients and 0 artificial perfumes or colours. It then goes into detail on the back so I know exactly what I'm putting on my face. So just in case you're wondering in the light moisturiser the vitamins are: Pro vitamin B5 and vitamin E. And the skin loving ingredients are: glycerin and borage skin oil. Now I don't claim to know what they are but they leave your skin feeling super soft when you wake up in the morning. Plus it carries on working for 12 hours which is always an added bonus. If you're interested in this product it's super affordable at £4.19, however at Boots you can save a 1/3 on selected Simple products so it's £2.79, the same price if not cheaper than your average lunch. Even better head to Superdrug and get it for £2.65. There's also a 50ml bottle on the Superdrug website.

Simple Hydrating Light Moisturiser.

  And for the nights where I go out out too late or I'm just too tired then I resort to my emergency wipes. However these are wipes with a difference. Low and behold the No7 Beautiful Skin Quick Thinking Wipes. Now these don't come cheap (in wipes terms) they are £7 but in my opinion they're worth it. Even if I just use these without the moisturiser or cleanser and toner then I still wake up the next morning with soft skin. This would be thanks to the ingredients like Pro-vitamin B5 which moisturises and softens your skins and the witch hazel and fennel (fennel?!?! Who knew) which clears pores and "leaves skin feeling smooth and fresh." I for one have to agree. These are every lazy/tired/drunk/busy persons dream. If I was pushed to give a negative it would be that there aren't enough wipes in one packet so I find I go through them quite quickly but there always seem to be an offer on at Boots, for example right now they have 3 for 2 on No7 products so if you're buying something from there anyway, pick these up and give them a try. Go here if I have managed to persuade you to join the lazy girls dream.

No7 Beautiful Skin, Quick Thinking Wipes. (Yes that
is an empty packet, sorry!)

 So there you have it, an easy, Simple (Ha Ha..!) guide to my evening routine. Yes it's not the most sophisticated but you know what the results are amazing. My skin is definitely thankful for it aswell. A short but sweet Blog post, plus you're getting two this week to make up for the lack of Blogs from the weekend. Another bonus for me is that it's pay day weekend so I will be buying lots of new products to try out and review for you. Hurrah I hear you all cheer. I see a haul in the not so distant future.

 

 Don't forget to follow me on here, Twitter and Instagram (link is in the previous post.) Feel free to leave comments with your favourite skin products and any thoughts on how I'm doing/how I could improve, until then thank you and goodbye. 

Xx