Straight To The Point

Hi Guys,

I know it’s been a while (again) but I have decided to only blog about items I feel are worth writing about, rather than posting for the sake of a “once a week” post. So this time I have come across something which has made me want to blog literally the next day.

About 10 years ago I got my first pair of GHD’s (still going strong- touch wood). Although they were a lot of money, they were the best around at the time. As technology has moved on many stylers released have caught up with GHD. To be honest I am disappointed that for their price tag they have not come up with anything new or exciting except a range of colours. For a much lower price other brands are coming up with something just as good, sometimes better. I have said it before but I will say it again- it’s not always the brand and you don’t always get what you pay for so do your research before splashing out.

The Remington Pearl Straighteners and Heat mat
£36 from Amazon

These are the Remington Pearl Straighteners. My cousin who lives abroad wanted some new straighteners;  she’s not very high maintenance and asked not to spend too much so I did some research and came across these. They arrived last week, and yesterday I tested them to see if they hold to their gleaming reviews.

The digital display and control settings panel

The Pearl comes with a heat mat which you can also store the straighteners in, the tool itself is a lovely pearl white design with a temperature control setting on the side.  They can go up to 235 degrees (if you are worried it won't be hot enough for your own hair). 

I washed and blow-dried my hair as normal and then used these. I was in a rush, but they heated up quickly with a bleep to let me know they are warm.

I am so used to my GHD’s that it felt slightly weird not to have to grip so tight (these pretty much glide through). I only had to go over my hair once and the results were great. Considering a day out and about in British weather my hair remained straight until evening.

The Results
Please note I never wear my hair dead straight,
I curve in the bottom. 

It is now the next day, I have slept on my hair, and it’s still straight. I rarely get these results even with my GHD’s or a salon blow dry. I have not even had to retouch my hair this morning, even after tying it up to go for a shower and taking it back down.

I am so amazed that I think I will invest in a pair myself; they seem great to take travelling as they adapt internationally and the price tag makes it worth the risk of anything happening to them. If something is to go wrong they also come with a 5 Year guarantee which is a bonus. I have not yet tried them to curl or in another country, but I may do a short follow up post after my holiday and let you all know how I get along with them.

As much as I Iove my GHD’s for been loyal to taming my hair through the years I think that innovation has moved on and in order to keep up they may need to come up with something new, or possibly lower their prices to meet with competitors. My next venture will be the Remington Pearl wand. 

Do you always get what you pay for, or are you paying for the brand? 

K xx

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others. 

Beauty on a Budget

One common perception many of us make is the idea that make up has to be expensive to be worth buying. Wrong. For the past few weeks I have been exploring beauty kit items which have cost me less than £10 each. I have chosen my top 5; including products which already exist in my daily routine, and a few newbies which I have added to my collection.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

This is one of the products I came across from my hand swatch tests I tend to do in Boots. I tried this on my hand at lunch time and throughout the whole day (including a gross sweaty workout) the colour was still on my hand. It tingles slightly on your lips, but the colour is rich and the softening balm keeps lips nice and soft. I would state this is as good, if not better than some lip tints I have tried of luxury brands as it doesn't dry out the lips and the colour comes out just as vibrant as it seems in the packaging. I chose the colour "Lovesick" after searching high and low for a deep fuscia pink which I felt suited me. 

 Price: £7.99 from Boots or Superdrug

L'Oreal Super Liner Gel Intenza

My favourite basic, everyday product by far. I purchased my first pot of gel eyeliner about 6 months ago, and it is STILL going strong. I wear eyeliner on a daily basis, and to know how long this has lasted me makes me realise it was worth every penny. I have tried other gel eye liners, such as Rimmel, Barry M and Maybelline, but this was my ultimate favourite. It does not smudge even after a long day at work, and the brush it comes with is perfect for both thin and bold application. This is definitely an essential buy.  

Price: £9.99 from Boots, Superdrug or online

NYX HD Eyeshadow Base Primer

I bought this shadow primer from the Professional Beauty Exhibition last week, and I have to say I was skeptical but for £5 I thought why not? I am so glad I got this. I am constantly frustrated by the eyeshadow crease problem. There is nothing worse than spending a lot of time creating and blending the perfect eye make-up look, only for it to be ruined an hour later. This will definitely be incorporated into my eyeshadow routine more often. The formula is lightweight, and effortless. A great base for any eyeshadow. 

Price: £6.50 from the nyx website , although I paid slightly less at the beauty expo, it's still worth the full amount. 

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Shadow Stick

This is another product which survived my hand swatch test and stayed on my skin with vibrant colour after a whole day. I decided to go for a purple tone, as I think it works well with everyday and creative looks. I have used the eye shadow stick both by itself on the crease of the eye, and as an eyeliner at the bottom of lids to make an everyday eye make up look pop with colour. The shadow is easy to blend with the use of a good brush, I was pleased with the result and largely impressed with the staying power. 

Price: £4.99 at Boots or Superdrug

E45 Moisturising Lotion

I am aware its not make up, or in fact a real face moisturiser, yet it is somehow one of my favourite products that I cant live without. As mentioned in previous blogs I find it hard to be happy with a moisturiser, especially after spending much money hunting for one that suits my skin. I have decided until I ever come across the “perfect” moisturiser this will remain my go-to cream. Its cheap and cheerful and never lets me down, the perfect base for all my make up. E45 keeps my skin hydrated and feeling smooth whatever the condition it is in. 

Price: £5.50 for 500ml at Boots







As mentioned above most of these products are easy to buy on the high street or online, looking out for the Boots 3 for 2 can also be very useful at times. Although I still love my MAC, Bobbi Brown and Dior these products can be expensive to maintain and at times a cheaper alternative works to an advantage. 

Do make up products have to be expensive to be effective? 

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others. 

Las Vegas Sephora Picks

Hi Guys,

Another break on the posts but I have finally had a chance to properly test some of my goodies, which I picked up on my trip to Las Vegas in the summer. All of the below products are from what has to be my fave cosmetics store; Sephora. I have to say a massive thank you to the assistant who helped me at the store and really guided me to pick up some good items.

I specifically asked if I could have a few “American favourites” as I wanted to try a wider range of products to my usual collection. 

Bite Lipstick in Coral- No more expensive than my normal Mac or Bobbi Brown favourites, and I LOVE the pigment, colour range and the texture. The colour staying power is incredible and it was totally worth the money I spent, I will definitely be reinvesting in a more varied range of colours from Bite. The shade I went for is named "Coral" although I find it is more of a fuscia pink than coral. 

Bite Lipstick- $24  (£15.80) 

Lashes with the use of Sephora Outrageous Volume Mascara

Sephora Outrageous Volume Mascara- I have always been lucky enough to be blessed with long curly lashes and therefore I admit I am slightly lazy on the mascara hunt. but OH MY this has to be the best mascara I have ever picked up. For me the results imitate a false lash look and really volumise and intensify my lashes. The only downfall was the mascara wasn’t available in a waterproof version, as I have really sensitive eyes which tend to water a lot. The massive plus side is this was one of my steals at $15 which works out to around £9.54- bargain! 

Sephora Outrageous Volume Mascara- $15 (£9.54)

Kat Von D Palette in Poetica- I needed a new more colourful palette for my pro kit as I already own the Urban Decay Naked for my more neutral colours. The assistant in the store suggested the Kat Von D palettes. I did a colour swatch on my hand and found the intensity and pigments to be strong and easy to blend, just what I like. The palette is based on purple and orange tones, and has some pearl and glittery shadows included. I have used this on a few clients as well as myself and I love the results to vamp up a smokey eye. I love this palette as it includes varied shades rather than 8 shades in the same spectrum. 

Kat Von D Shadows, Poetica- $36 (£22.31)

Overall I love all of the above additions to both my personal collection and pro kit. I will surely be reordering online soon, or grabbing some on my next holiday to keep me going. I also wondered if any of you have been in a similar dilemma: 

Do you have any overseas favourites you would like to see in UK stores? 

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others.  

A Quickfix for Skincare Insecurity

Hi All, 

I know I have been slacking on the blogposts, therefore I thought I would use my Easter weekend to catch up. I wanted to dedicate today's short and sweet blog to possibly the BEST foundation/concealer I have used to date. 

As mentioned in previous posts I have an ongoing battle with my skin. Although I have weeks where my skin will glow and I need little cover up, this has not been one of those weeks. With my graduation, and an uncomfortableness to reveal marks on my skin I searched high and low for good camouflage make up. 

 Clinique Even Better Concealer £18

I picked up two products, one Clinique’s Even Better concealer and the other  Estée Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup. I bought the Clinique concealer based on online reviews, and I can’t help but say I was very disappointed. I love Clinique for their skin range, but I don’t think I will be in a rush to buy make up from this brand again based on this product. Considering a very small pot cost me £18, I found the concealer worked well to cover some minor blemishes but no better than my everyday concealer stick by Bobbi Brown. 

Disappointed with my first buy I asked friends for recommendations, and was told to try the  Estée Lauder Maximum Cover. Although it cost £27.50 for a small tube, I can really say this investment was well worth it. The product is marketed as a camouflage foundation, which means it’s great to cover more noticeable blemishes, marks and areas on both the face and body. Only a small amount is needed, therefore it is better applied like a concealer than foundation due to the thickness of consistency. 

As little as this amount of the foundation
was enough to cover half my face well. 

Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover £27.50

It felt and looked flawless on my skin and I can ensure it will be what I first reach for on a bad skin day. Due to the thickness of the product I don’t think it is one I could personally use daily as I prefer light make up for every day purposes. 

Before and after the use of 

 

  Estée Lauder Double Wear without the use of any other powder or product on top

All in all this has been the best foundation I have come across for full coverage, and would recommend anyone to invest in buying regardless of it falling into a higher price range. My blemishes are one insecurity I fell will always lie with me, we all have our own insecurities whether it be inside or out. I ask my readers today: 

How do you tackle your beauty insecurities? 

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others. 

Hair Growth- Is There A Miracle Cure?

Hi All,

I have decided to dedicate this weeks post to the on-going circle many of us go through; growing our hair. Many of us have taken the step of an impulsive bob or a trim which ended up becoming a 5 inches off the bottom, but what is the best way to grow out hair?

Truthfully, I wish I knew the answer. I have spent years searching for it, and in fairness I doubt my obsession for hair colour, straightening and tongs is helping the process. I have once again ended up with my last resort ; trusty hair extensions!

Having healthy hair is the number one priority when growing out hair. I have over the past year or so come across some products which I now rely on to saviour the state of my hair.





L'oreal Elvive Full Restore 60 Second Saviour Intense Conditioner

This is definitely my favourite conditioner, and it doesn't come with a designer price tag. I came across this a year ago whilst shopping for holiday toiletries. The shampoo and conditioner were on offer and I needed something cheap and cheerful to use for a week away. I ended up falling in love with this and have relied on it ever since. The conditioner itself is of a thick consistency, once applied for a minute it can be rinsed out. The smoothness can be felt even when the conditioner is being rinsed out and hair is still wet. When combing through there are no tangles and hair is manageable to style. I still can't believe how great hair can feel in the space of 60 seconds.  This is one hair product I really can't speak highly enough of.

Cost- between £2-£3.99 available at Boots, Superdrug ,Savers and online.






Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment

This is another shower based hair remedy. I have still not got around to using the whole range, but if the mask is anything to go by then I will need to invest in the shampoo and conditioner too. I have never real bought into the idea that the mask helps my hair grow, but I do believe it has improved the condition of my hair; giving it more strength and providing a better environment for healthy growth. The mask itself cost £8 for a tub, however I felt it didn't last very long even though I have only used small amounts twice a week. The mask itself is applied between shampoo and conditioning, it is massaged into your scalp for a few minutes and left on hair for 5-7 minutes (which does feel like a lifetime in the shower). I did instantly feel a change in the condition of my hair, even when wet and this is definitely a product I shall be investing in again.

Cost- £7.99 available at Boots






Pure Argon Oil

I know argon oil based products have recently hit shelves with a big response. I have been lucky enough to get hold of pure argon oil from the country of origin itself. I recently went on a family trip to Morrocco, and brought back lots of bottles of pure argon oil for the price of £3 a bottle (bargain). Although I still think I paid a fair amount post haggling, I have not seen any argon based products much cheaper in any stores or online in the UK. I have used this oil in two different ways; leaving it in on dry hair overnight and washing out and secondly post washing as a serum. Although I feel it has worked great both ways, when using as a serum I have learnt a small amount (a drop the size of a penny) is sufficient otherwise hair can look greasy. This has left my hair looking and feeling healthier even in the driest of conditions. Unfortunately I am unable to recommend any other argon based product, as the pure oil is all I have used.

Cost- £3, many argon based products available for £5+ in most beauty stores/salons.




I would love to hear any tips and go to's any readers have on specific products that have helped them grow out hair. After searching years for a solution I have not found anything which I felt has turned my mid length hair into rupunzel.

Is there a miracle cure for growing hair or is it all dependent on an individuals natural element? 

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others. 

Faking It: Has Natural Lost It’s Touch?

Hi Beauty Lovers, 

I wanted to use this blog to highlight a few of my favourite back to basic eye make up products, and also have a little rant about “faking it.” Just recently I have conversed with many in regards to fake lashes, drawn on and tattooed brows, lip fillers, botox and more. It feels as though TV shows such as TOWIE, Desperate Scouseives and Geordie Shore have brought forward trends which encourage both females and males to “fake” part of their appearance. Personally I feel natural is always in, its classic and will never make you look back and think “oh god, what was I thinking?.”

All of us do it whether it be a subtle change such as false lashes, hair extensions, heavy make up or a fake tan to bigger changes such as coloured contact lenses, or dying your hair. About a year ago I had hair extensions, coloured lenses, fake nails, and lashes. To be honest it was a lot of time, effort and expense to maintain. As time has moved on I have come up with alternative ways of working with my make up to get the results I want, without having to resort in drastic measures. 

My biggest fear has always been false eyelashes, the main reason being the fiddly bit; eyelash glue everywhere and in a bad mood I go. If you are using  false eyelashes I would highly recommend Revlon glue, it dries clear rather than white and is much better than the little tubes included in a lash pack. Although I think lashes enhance a look, I feel investing in some good mascaras can also do a great job.

My go-to with lashes would have to be Chanel Inimitable Waterproof mascara in black (£23) and Lancome Cils Booster (£21). Although they are a little on the expensive side they have pulled me away from fake eyelashes and I have never looked back. A coat of the Lancome Cils Booster as a lash primer gives an instant volume and length boost. I use the Chanel Inimitable on top to coat the lashes and add more volume without clumping. I have tried many mascaras and this combination is my favourite for a volumised look. I am lucky enough to have naturally long and curly eyelashes, so I tend not to wear much mascara in the day, however for evening and night make up looks these are perfect. 

The eyebrow definition trend is one which I feel many have gotten horribly wrong, it all comes down to the tools and technique. I shade my brows to enhance my natural eyebrow shape and add a little definition. I have recently invested in Benefits Brow-Zings kit in dark (£22.50). It was a tad more expensive than other gels, pencils and shadows I have used but has given the best results and most natural look. The end result is natural looking eyebrows with soft lines and blended colour. Harsh lines and bold colour should definitely be avoided unless you are going for the “scouse brow” look. A good angled brush is key, although the kit comes with a brush and tweezers I use the ecotools angled brush, which is available from Boots. 

It seems the trends of harsh brows, big lashes, layers of make up, and so much more are on going, however more dramatic treatments are also becoming the norm. We are in an era where a chemical peel can be done over a lunch break, or botox parties are the new social scene; it seems there is no end to how far some will go for the "perfect" image. I have had discussions with male friends who have voiced the opinion that they no longer know what females really look like, and natural beauty no longer exists. 

 Do you think natural has lost its touch?  

Please feel free to post any skin care tips, products or comments you may have which could benefit others.