The NYC eyeshadow palette is a cute little palette with simple packaging. The casing is plastic and not the most sturdy in the world but as long as you are careful all will be fine.

What I really like is the little plastic inserts that come with these palettes; on them you are told where to apply which shadow to create the classic smokey eyed look. It means you are only reaching for one palette and its almost fool proof as long as you blend, blend, blend!

Do not be expecting matt colours in these palettes, from the 2 I own now I can tell you all of them hold a little shimmer. However, if that doesn’t both you then you will be fine. Another great thing is they are easily buildable and blend together really well, so you are left with a smooth look rather than harsh lines.

If I was to liken the results of this palette to anything else I own (Which is a lot!) I would have to say that one of the most common looks I wear with this palette is almost identical to my Urban Decay Naked Palette! True you only get 4 shades with the NYC palette, but at £2.99 its a no brainer really!

I really love these little quads and am going to pick up another one when I go to town next. As with all eye shadows, if you put a primer under neath them you will get longer lasting shadow, its the same with these quads from NYC. On their own they don’t seem to last very well, but with a little primer underneath (Urban Decay Primer or Benefit LemonAid both work well) I find these shadows have good lasting power.

Here’s the look I created using this palette and have been wearing almost daily…

All in all these palettes are cute, quick to use and almost in anyones budget. They are available in Superdrug and cost £2.99 which I think is super value. Watch this space for the next one I pick up!

Have you tried the NYC Eyeshadow Quads?

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

Having reviewed the Murine Bright and Moist Eye Drops last year (I still use them now and find they really do brighten up my eyes after a rough week) I was more than happy to share with you my thoughts on their Hayfever Eye Drops.

Here’s a little information about the Murine Hayfever eye drops….

New Murine Hayfever Eye Drops contains Sodium Cromoglicate, which reduces the body’s response to the allergy by stopping the production of histamines and in turn prevents the symptoms, such as itchy, red and watery eyes, from developing.

New Murine Hayfever Eye Drops provides a straight forward, rapid and effective means of reducing eye discomfort caused by hayfever symptoms. 

Direction: Adults and Children over 6 years of age – Gently squeeze 1-2 drops into each eye 4 times a day.

*source – press release*

I think my eyes like many hay fever sufferers cover most the problems people suffer with; they get itchy, water frequently and will often be blood shot and sore (Usually down to my itching them frequently). I’ve tried some drops in the past and found they would sort a few of the problems but not all. The Murine Hayfever drops worked well with all my problems.

As I mentioned before, I don’t need to have a high pollen count to get issues. As soon as its dry here in the UK people like to cut their grass and my eyes will start streaming. I applied these drops first thing in the morning and found them quite comfortable. They didn’t sting like some can. I then applied them every 4 hours and found that my eyes had no irritation at all too the outside world.

To make sure they were working, I then didn’t apply them in the morning and waited for the symptoms to start. This was on the school run when my eyes decided to start watering. This is the first sign, I then waited till they were itchy and slightly sore (I’m a glutton for punishment!) and applied the drops to see how quickly I felt relief. I did put 2 drops in each eye as by this point they were a little tender. After about 5-10 minutes my eyes felt back to normal. They still looked a little red around the rims from the rubbing, but that subsided too after about 30 minutes.

I don’t think they are suitable for contact lens wearers, the packaging states that you should not use the drops while wearing soft contact lenses. So if you are a wearer of contact lenses I would avoid or speak to the pharmacy and ask advice about a product that would work for you.

This product will last up to 28 days after opening but then should be discarded (As with most eye drops for hygiene reasons).

You can purchase the Murine Hayfever Eye Drops  from Superdrug, Rowlands and pharmacies nationwide priced £4.99 for 10ml. I will happily continue to use these now throughout the Summer. They really worked for me and gave me relief from my hay fever.

If you would like to check out the other products in the Murine range please click here…

Have you tried any of the Murine products? Are you a hay fever sufferer?

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

I was sent 3 great products to share with you;

Moderate Protection 20 SPF Emulsion, Very High 50+ SPF Mineral Cream and Very High 50+ SPF Spray

Eau Thermal Avene Moderate Protect Emulsion SPF20

A little information about Moderate Protection Emulsion SPF 20….

I did find it a little thick and due to its ‘tinted’ colour, I found on application this one did leave a slight coloured residue. It is exceptionally thick in consistency and although you can massage it into the skin it wasn’t as absorbed as the Moderate Protection Emulsion SPF 20 or the Very High Protection Spary SPF 50+.

The little tube is perfect for slipping in your handbag and beach bag and as you don’t need as much of this product to get good coverage I feel it will last you a while. You will however probably need to wipe off your hands after as I found it was hard to remove the cream being highly water resistant.

A little information about the Very High 50+ SPF Spray….

*source*

The Spray is a good size and dispenses a good amount to the skin, a few pumps of the spray is more than adequate to cover an arm and shoulder. I also liked the consistency of this cream. It is thick, but blends in really well to the skin and doesn’t leave a pasty coating either.

There was also a really lovely light, fresh fragrance to it like the Moderate Protection SPF20 Emulsion. So, no smelling all synthetic and horrible like with some sun creams.

The spray is also designed for Sensitive skin, so for those of you out there like me with problematic skin, this product could be good for you (If you however have exceptionally sensitive skin which reacts to everything I would recommend using the Very High Protection SPF 50+ Mineral Cream instead). I had no reaction to this product at all, even applying it directly on top of my eczema.

Lasting power is a must for Sun Cream, this spray both lasted all day and protected my skin (On the one sunny day we did have recently). I didn’t test it for its ‘very water resistant’ claim as it wasn’t quite swimming pool weather – however I can tell you its hard to wash off even with soap, so I feel it does live up to its claim.

Eau Thermale Avene Very High 50+ SPF Spray Cream is 200ml for £19.50.

*source*

I was extremely lucky when I enquired about more information to be sent a sample to share with you. So, let me show you the Velvet Manicure and tell you a little more about it!

A few words about the Velveteen the Velvet Manicure…

Textured tips and nail finishes are this year’s hottest trend. Leading the way when it comes to manicure trends ~ from 3D to crackle coats, from matte and magnetic polishes ~ Original Sugar has launched the next big thing in fingertip fashion.

Our own Sam Biddle has created the Velveteen Manicure. Soft as velvet but built to last. Velveteen may give the impression you have dipped your fingers in fairy dust but it’s deceivingly hard wearing and waterproof too!

Available in 12 stunning colours this inexpensive product creates a rich, luxurious effect to natural nails or enhancements. Whether you are applying it to the whole nail or incorporating it within nail art it takes your design to a whole different level.  Combine with Swarovski Crystals, gold or silver leaf or other nail art techniques to give even more depth to your creations.

*source*

My first impressions when I saw Velveteen were just ‘Wow’. Something so simple and yet it really looks amazing. My first challenge was finding a blue that was close to the Velveteen I was sent (I believe mine is the Light Blue). It does say to use a colour polish close to the colour of the Velveteen for the best effect – I used Nails Inc Baker Street (Which as many of you will know if one of my favourite colours!).

I applied 2 coats of polish so I had a good finish. To apply the Velveteen is so easy and is actually quite fun too. Just apply your top coat  so your nail is wet (I would recommend using a top coat which isn’t quick drying, I found when I used a quick dry top coat the Velveteen didn’t last as long nor was the finish as nice. So, use a top coat that’s fairly wet.), then shake the Velveteen over your nail. Allow to dry and brush the excess back into the pot (I found doing it over a piece of paper, meant I got any of the bits of Velveteen I missed and then ‘funnelled’ those back into the pot too). You hardly use any at all and a small 5 gram pot will probably last a good few sets of nails if not a lot more. The nails after feel, well like velvet. Smooth and soft. Feeling it you would think it would just ‘flake’ or ‘brush’ off as its such a strange texture, but its hard wearing and durable.

To remove the velvet manicure, just take it off with your usual nail polish remover.

I love on trend products; crackles have been done to death, I’m even beginning to feel that way about nail caviar. But Velveteen, is so new its just exciting! I have not seen anyone with anything like it and am sure I’ll be getting a few questions on the school run and from friends about where the product came from!

As with many of the new on trend products for nails I think they can be a little expensive, but Velveteen by Original Sugar is just £4.95 a pot. With 12 colours to choose from there’s lots of fun creations you can make and try. I will definitely be ordering Hot Pink, Black and White as I can think of lots of fun designs to do to make my nails and clients more fun!

For more information about the Velvet Manicure as created by Sam Biddle, please check out the Original Sugar website.

What are your thoughts on the Velvet Mani? Would you have one?

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

A little information about the Nourishing Body Cream…

Ahava Deadsea Mud Dermud Nourishing Body Cream is a richly textured body moisturiser, ideal for dry skin.

Formulated with Dead Sea Mud, plus Vitamin E and Aloe Vera extract, it deeply hydrates skin, calming irritation and soothing sensitivity. Cracked and chapped skin is healed and skin is left silky smooth, with long lasting hydration.

*source*

The first thing I noticed about the cream was its consistency, its really thick. I was worried about using too much and not having my skin absorb it but was pleasantly surprised by just how much my skin drank it in! The cream was easily absorbed and left my skin feeling hydrated and moisturised. There was no sticky, ‘wet’ feeling on the skin after – just smooth, healthy looking skin.

I have exceptionally dry skin which also is sensitive due to eczema and psoriasis. Finding products that can help these conditions can be hard and often they are irritated by using products which have a  mild fragrance. However when I used the Dermud Nourishing Body Cream I had no reactions and also noticed my skins condition was improved too.

I have used this cream all over my body and noticed a considerably difference on my legs which are often dry and can appear slightly scaly looking. I also noticed that on my hands and arms my skin felt more ‘comfortable’ and less tight. Especially with the cold weather we have had lately. The Dermud Nourishing body cream is an ideal product at present where the weather is so changeable and its been effecting my skin badly.

This product is designed with sensitive skin in mind so is good for all skin types, but especially those which need some intensive relief and moisturising.

Ahava is a brand I trust, they may cost more than some products on the market but you are paying for quality. I also find you do not need to use a lot of this product to achieve good results. On my legs I probably use a 10 pence sizes amount and find this is more than adequate. Since receiving this product I have used it after showering and on several occasions when the weather has been especially cold and wet to protect my skin, I still have over 3/4 of the tube left so in my opinion I feel it is good value for money.

The Dermud Nourishing Body Cream costs £25.00 for 200ml (6.8 fl.oz).

The full range of Ahava products can be purchased online through Ahava and selected online retailers.

Have you tried any of the Ahava Range yet?

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

I have 3 favourite brands of nail polish and Orly has always been one of them. I find their nail varnish lasts really well, looks great and although a little more expensive than some is one I often use and trust on clients too.

I usually pick up my Orly shades from the wholesalers, but I had a voucher to use on Amazon and found this gorgeous ‘true red’ polish on there for £6.18. Slightly more than I usually pay for them, but still I’m not complaining.

The swatches below are with 2 coats of Orly Red Flare polish. I have not applied a top coat over it just so you can see it’s beautiful gloss finish!

Red is usually my Winter colour, but with all the rubbish weather we have had lately I wasn’t feeling my Spring Brights or Nudes.

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

This style literally takes me less than 10 minutes and that’s if I’m being a bit lazy. It’s my more worn style but with product applied too for a bit ‘rough around the edges’ curls rather than smoothed out.

Although, Diana Payne isn’t a permanent character in Gossip Girl (I believe she’s finished now), I still think she’s gorgeous especially for her age (Think there may have been a little work done there).

(Please note I’m not quite finished getting ready, just the hair)

So, here’s what you will need to recreate the style;

A large barrelled tong/hair curling wand. Preferably with a clip bit on the side – I use my Babyliss Glamour Wave and its nice and chunky and due to the side of the barrel can curl for this style in about 6  minutes.

A brush (But only to brush through your hair before you begin)

Heat Protectant (Goes without saying)

Hair Spray (To hold the style in the end)

Salt Spray or something that will ‘mess it up’ a bit

You will also need hair about 8″ below shoulder length near the shoulder blades, I am wearing my Halo from Halo Hair Extensions (Mine is in shade #6 light brown and 16″ in length). This is the 1 piece weft on a wire (For more details see this post)

First I popped on my Halo as normal and then applied heat protectant to all of my hair. I then brushed it through thoroughly so it was well distributed and made sure it was dry before styling.

Keeping my Babyliss Glamour Wave on a heat setting of 180C (360F for those anywhere other than the UK) I split my hair down the back so it was evenly split either side over my shoulder. I work on 1 side at a time and find this the quickest and easiest way to do it.

Taking about 1″ thick sections I then curled the hair away from the face each side working this all the way from to the back. I didn’t curl from the root at all and only curled up to about 2″ off of my parting on each side. For the method I used see my Serena tutorial (Click here) as its the same method but on shorter hair.

Once the hair is all curled, allow it to cool for a few minutes (Do your make up or something – I usually brush my teeth).

Then taking your salt spray (Or whatever product you chose), spray a few pumps into your hand and scrunch the ends together. Repeatedly do this to add volume, separate the curls and mess the ends up a little bit. Just do this from the hair that sits below your ears downwards, no higher.

Once you are finished spray and set your style.

The finished look with me dressed too.

This took me about 10 minutes (Maybe a minute or so more with the cooling part) and is so quick and easy to do. What’s better, the style lasts all day. Looks glam and put together but effortless as well. It’s my favourite style at present!

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial, I will be doing Blair next (The gorgeous Leighton Meester!).

Have a lovely weekend!

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

Yes it looks like the UK is about to get a little sun again which means many of us may be exposing a little bit of skin. Except mine is looking closer to a whiter shade of pale at present from not self tanning for a few weeks – or it was till I tried this gorgeous product that was sent to me and I wanted to share it with you too.

This post is for all of you beautiful pale skinned, English roses out there who are afraid to use conventional tanning products from fear of going orange – I may have a solution just for you.

A little information about Abi O’s Soft Self Tan For English Roses…

This medium tanning product contains BIO Active Aloe and 4.5% Ecocert DHA. This product is best suited for fair skin and has the essence of wild rose.

• Rose Hip Oil moisturises
• EcoCert approved DHA for a more natural and eco-friendly self-tan.
• Vegetable derived Glycerine to intensely moisturise the skin.
• Low allergen fragrance
• PARABEN FREE.

*source – press release*

Before I talk about the gorgeous colour results I wanted to mentioned the actual fragrance. Soft Self Tan for English Roses’s fragrance is of roses. Its refreshing to have a self tan that doesn’t smell like sweets! The other thing I would love to add is it doesn’t smell like my Nan (Why do Nan’s chose to smell like Lavender and Roses anyway?). The rose fragrance is subtle, fresh and reminds me of walking in an English country garden, much like the one of my grandparents when I was younger. I loved the scent on my skin too. Many will know, often self tans can leave you with that ‘biscuit’ like cereal smell which is neither attractive or lovely and is a dead give away you fake tan. Well, my skin didn’t smell like either of those things; not when I applied it, nor 8 hours after or when I showered. This is one of the first tans I’ve tried in a long time that didn’t leave that ‘fake tan’ smell that many talk about. It was uplifting to be honest!

The Abi O Soft Self Tan is a tinted cream, so application is really easy. You can see just where you have applied it and also where you need to apply more. I also found it gives you a nice healthy glow instantly which looks really lovely and leaves your skin really moisturised and soft. This self tan is one of the few you could apply in the morning and wear out straight away. It blends in evenly and looks so natural on your skin that you don’t have to worry about any tell tale signs that you are actually wearing it!

I’m not the most pale person in the world and have fair to medium toned skin. Although my Mum is olive toned, my Dad is pale and goes red like a lobster (Even though we have German Heritage on his side). I tan really well in the Summer naturally but otherwise I’m a pale looking yellow tone. Although this tan is designed for the pale skinned beauties among us, I still got a very good result from it. I made sure I had not fake tanned 3 weeks before using this product (So I was at my own natural colour) and also exfoliated and moisturised before application.

These 2 images were taken before using Abi O Soft Sun Self Tan For English Roses from the House of BeauBronz

The results shown in my pictures are of 1 application. I always apply my tans with a tanning mitt, these are inexpensive and you can wash them too. They also make for a good even application and I thoroughly recommend getting one if you are considering tanning. BeauBronze sell tanning mitts too (Click here for details).

These 2 images were taken after using Abi O Soft Sun Self Tan For English Roses from the House of BeauBronz

I’ve had several comments about how I was glowing on the school runs (No I’m not pregnant!!), several people asked me what I had used too which I always think is a compliment to a brand in its self. I have no tell tale marks, lines or patches. Not even on my face where I suffer with dry skin and can get dry patches.

I also had no reaction to this product; being someone who suffers with sensitive skin and has eczema and psoriasis I tend to not apply self tanning products to these areas. However I’ve a couple of patches on my face at present and arm and there was no issues there at all.

I also wanted to mention that I applied this tan 5 days ago and its still looking fresh like I just applied it. So, Soft Self Tan for English Roses has good lasting power too.

Over all, I was really impressed. This is the first product I have tried from Beau Bronze and the Abi O range. I definitely will be looking into purchasing others to try. Being a normally dark tanned girl I think next time it will be the Bronzed Goddess dark tanning mousse (Review will follow I promise!).

You can purchase Abi O Soft Sun Self Tan For English Roses from BeauBronz, it costs £24.00 for 200ml and it will last you a few applications too (The sample I received was 50ml and so far has been used 3 times and there is still some left).

Have you tried any of the BeauBronz range? English Roses, would you consider trying this tan?

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

I’ve tried nasal pore strips years ago when they first came out and wasn’t that impressed. They didn’t really do the ‘job’ and left a nasty sticky residue on your nose after. When I was sent the De-Clog Pore Nasal Strips from Montagne Jeunesse (From the new Skin Heroes range)I was curious, after being surprised by their Dry Skin Mask (Review Here) and really loving it, I wondered how the Nasal Strips would fair. Here are my thoughts…

Here’s a little information about the De-Clog Pore Strips and How to use them…

These ultra-deep cleansing nose pore strips contain natural citrus to draw out deep-rooted impurities for cleaner, less visible pores on and around the nose.

Remove pore strip from inner pouch. Wash face and leave nose wet. Remove strip from backing & dampen smooth side of pore strip. Apply damp side of pore strip to nose and press down for contact. Leave to dry for 10-15 minutes, carefully remove from edges and peel off.

Use strip immediately once opened. Do not use on any other areas of the face or body and do not use on broken skin. Do not use pore strips more than 3 times in any one week. Remove strip promptly when stiff, if difficult to remove do not pull, re-wet and gently peel off. Keep out of reach of children.

*source*

The first thing I noticed when I looked at the packed was that there was 3 nasal strips in there. So, you had more than 1 application available to you. They are all also individually wrapped, so once you open the main packed you wouldn’t have to worry about the product going off, getting contaminated or whatever. I also thought this was a great idea as the individual packets inside are really small, so you could easily keep 1 in your make up bag for if you were away from home.

The strips are attached to a piece of clear plastic once opened. They don’t have a fragrance and have a slightly smooth texture. They fit easily on to your nose. To prove the point, when I tested this product I also asked the house guinea pig (Mark, my fiancé) if he would like to try one too. It fitted his nose just as well as it did my nose, so 1 size fits all.

We both applied the strips following the instructions to the letter, he did some work on his laptop and I read my book for the 15 minutes it recommended. The strip didn’t irritate my nose at all, although I did have the urge to keep itching my nose while it was on. I’m not sure if this is due to the sensation of the strip on my nose or just my nose being slightly odd. Either way, it wasn’t unpleasant but the strips do feel a bit strange on your nose. Probably due to people generally not wearing things on their noses I would guess.

Once our time was up we removed the strips both closely examining them. I kept saying to Mark mine didn’t have anything on, in honesty I didn’t think it had worked. Then Mark told me to hold it sideways to the light – you then can see all the bits the strip has removed off of your nose. There wasn’t much on mine (Yay my pores weren’t too bad!!), Mark’s had a few bits on his though.

I think the biggest difference though was when I looked in the mirror in the morning. I could noticeably tell my pores on my nose were clear! My nose felt smoother and even the little blocked pores down the sides of my nose were clean too.

The Montagne Jeunesse De-Clog Pores Nasal Strips cost £1.49 a packed. So for less than 50 pence you can have better looking, clearer pores on your nose (Per application). I think that’s brilliant! My brother years ago used to suffer badly with blocked pores on his nose and used to go to a beautician to have them done in a treatment that cost over £20. The Nasal Strips take 15 minutes, don’t leave any residue and are really easy to apply – I think its a no brainer really when it comes to which is better value!.

You can purchased the full range of Montagne Jeunesse online, from selected supermakets and pharmacies.

Have you tried any of the Montagne Jeunesse range yet?

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

I was extremely lucky to be sent a few items from the Liz Earle Colour Range a couple of months back well before its launch. In those 2 months I have used the product I was sent regularly, so I could give you an honest opinion of them along with an introduction to the products in the range. I am also including products in the range I haven’t tried so you can see a full list of what will be in the new collection.

Here’s a few words from the amazing Liz Earle about the new range…

When it comes to makeup brushes I like to have good quality ones (Who doesn’t?) and will often pay for that quality too. In my collection I have MAC, Sigma, Real Techniques and some other random ones I’ve picked up along the way so a good selection to compare too I feel.

The Liz Earle brushes come in dark navy boxes, nice and sturdy and I felt it made a change from the usual serene packaging Liz Earle has – quite eye catching really.

Inside the boxes we are greeted with beautiful brushes with clear handles. On the handles is ‘Liz Earle’ and also what type of brush it is. Handy for those who are unsure of what the tool should be used for I felt. The handles feel really good quality and smooth, not too heavy in the hand so great for working products onto the face.

The proof of quality when it comes to brushes though is in the bristles themselves. They are incredibly soft both to the touch and glide across your face amazingly smooth. I was really impressed with them and I’ll be honest and say since I’ve received them have used them daily.

The powder brush is large and fluffy; great for applying powder around your face. It also works really well with dusting bronzer on and blending out harsh lines. At the tip it measures about 2″ across when flattened so its quite large.

The blush brush is an angled brush which measures just over 1″ at the tip. This blush brush works brilliantly with both cream and powder products. I have also found with it being angled its great for getting just under the cheekbone for contouring.

The precision brush is a bit of a multi purpose brush I’ve found. So far I’ve used it for packing running eyeshadow on my lower lash line, to apply my lipsticks and applying concealer. With the brush being nice and small it really is great for the smaller defined jobs you may have. This brush is quite stiff and holds its point well. It measures just over 0.5cm so is really small but don’t underestimate it just because its tiny.

All of the Liz Earle brushes are animal friendly and 100%man-made fibres.  They are the latest in synthetic technology which is why they are so unbelievably soft.

As for loss during use and cleaning them I have noticed none. Even if I give them a bit of a tug I don’t have any loss. This is something I have found even with MAC and Sigma brushes. They also dry quickly being man made.

The brushes aren’t cheap but you are paying for quality and I feel are more than worth their price.

The Powder Brush and Blush Brush are both £20 each. The Precision Brush is £13.

I prefer these over all my other brushes. I just wish there was a larger selection, although I have been told that they are releasing more brushes in the range but this won’t be till later this year probably – I’ll keep you posted on that information though!

These brushes will be available Mid-May time from Liz Earle online, Liz Earle Stores (London, Isle of Wight, Leeds, Guildford) and selected branches of John Lewis.

Would you consider trading in your brushes for some Liz Earle ones? Maybe you have tried them already, what’s your opinion?

If you want to check out my second part of the review on the Liz Earle Colour Range and see the make up and swatches, please click here…

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

I do wonder whether being blonde is more fun though? From past experience especially with men they often think my intelligence is somewhat less when blonde – yes I’m being serious. Many friends in the past who were male (And yes I do mean friends) would often tell me things they would ‘think’ I don’t understand. Yes I was blonde but that didn’t mean my IQ dropped 50! Yet being a brunette, they were slightly more cautious. Could this be because of the whole ‘ditzy blonde’ cliche?

So, this post is dedicated to all the gorgeous blondes out there; whether natural or fake!

I think the one person who always springs to mind for me is the very beautiful Reece Witherspoon. With her colouring and beautiful beach blonde hair she always looks stunning. Reece’s hair is naturally blonde and her style effortless. Legally Blonde (2001) is a great example of the blonde stereo type – although I think her character (Elle Woods) demonstrated that even blondes can be smart, beautiful and sophisticated.

Taylor Momsen a beautiful (If somewhat over done at times) blonde. I often feel the extensions are a little too much. I remember cringing watching as Jenny Humphrey (Gossip Girl)  went from teen natural dirty blonde (Her natural colour I believe), to blonde (Almost) plastic fantastic. The platinum blonde was a sharp change and yet seemed to fit the character. Now when I look at her Rock Chick looks I think the look is her own and nothing to do with the character she played. I guess I liken her to the beautiful Debbie Harry from Blondie.

The queen of pop – Madonna. This lady with her gorgeous hair needs no introduction and has changed her hair colour possibly more times than I have! I remember the days of ‘Like a Virgin’ when I believe her hair was highlighted from her natural colour – a brunette. Still somehow with her colouring Madonna can pull of the blonde looks with ease. From the time of the Blonde Ambition tour when she sported platinum hair to her golden locks now – Madonna I salute you (And think you look absolutely amazing for your age too!).

I think of Anna Paquin and automatically think of her in X-Men, yet most these days can’t forget our Miss Sookie Stackhouse from True Blood (Season 5 starts June/July I believe). Anna is not a natural blonde but pulls of the beautiful colour with effortless beauty. I think  the blonde is more ‘her’ than her natural darker hair. You can’t help but think with Sookie’s often ditziness that again Blonde is a type casted hair colour. Should we blame the film and tv casting people for this oversight?

My last blonde beauty I think is beautiful is the gorgeous Ashley Benson. For those who don’t want Pretty Little Liars, she plays the character, Hanna Marin. Both on the show and in real life I love Ashley’s style. I also think her hair is gorgeous, especially in her new long length bob she has been sporting this year. I would describe Ashley’s hair as a golden beach blonde which is more ‘achievable’ than some blondes people try to obtain.

Achieving a blonde ‘do’ is different for all as it really depends on what colour you start with, there is also the option of how much blonde you want. Whether its platinum (Usually best with bleach and a toner after) or the more beach look (Highlights whether cap or foil can be great to achieve this).

Blonde doesn’t always mean ‘bleach’ either. High lift tins can achieve a significant lift in colour and are slightly less damaging. I think people are too quick to reach for the bleach when they want to be blonde.

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Shampoo

Being blonde (If chemically treated to get there) means lots of TLC for your hair; do make sure you give your hair weekly conditioning treatments, use a good quality shampoo and conditioner and if a platinum blonde I would also recommend using a toning shampoo (Purple based) to remove any brassy tones from coming through on your hair.

Before jumping up and thinking, ‘I WANT TO BE BLONDE’ think of the upkeep too. As a hair dresser the one colour blonde I have never been is platinum and this is purely because I colour my own hair. I would NEVER consider being this colour without getting my hairdresser to get me there and also maintain the colour. This can be an expensive process. If you have dark brown hair and want to be a light blonde you also want to be thinking about getting your roots done every 4-6 weeks so you don’t have that shocking regrowth look – yes on some it can look stylish but on many just looks tacky. Being blonde can be expensive.

Would I ever be blonde again? I would yes. I like being blonde I just hate the upkeep of it. Granted if I am a medium to darker blonde this isn’t too bad but anything lighter and I have to get my roots done quicker and faster. Still I will never say never say never to being blonde.

So in closing, do blondes have more fun? No more than any other shade. What they do have is a stereo type which can be both a blessing and a curse – this means different things for different people, so in the words of Big Brother, ‘You decide’.

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

So, this week I thought I would share my currently ‘glitters’ eye of the day – I say glitters are my other is a matt effect. This look was created using;

Mac Mineralised Foundation NW25

Urban Decay Naked Palette (Naked, Half Baked, Smog and Dark Horse)

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner (In Moray)

17 Peep Show Mascara

Its a bronzed out smokey eye with a little Half Baked for a golden glow. I just feel the colours work really well with my blue eyes and make them stand out more.

For those wondering, the quote is from Prince’s ‘All That Glitters’ track.

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

After reviewing the Eau Thermale Avene Ystheal+ Eye Contour Cream (Review here) and being very happy with the results I got from using it (I still use it daily now and have since purchased a new one), I was more than happy to do a review on the Eau Thermale Avene Ystheal+ Anti-Ageing Emulsion.

Here’s a little information about Eau Thermale Avene Ystheal+ Anti-Ageing Emulsion…

*source*

One thing I love about Avene products is the generic packaging. Even more children can point them out in Boots when we are shopping. The Eau Thermale Avene Ystheal+ Anti-Ageing Emulsion is in a plastic pump dispenser. I usually find 1-2 pumps enough to do my face and neck. One thing I am not as keen on with this packaging is that you can’t tell how much is left in the bottle, even shaking it doesn’t give a clear indicator. However, as you will see from my review, some things you can over look with a great product.

The product is a lightly coloured yellow/cream, which I thought was strange as none of the Avene products have ever been coloured that I have used, it is also fragrance free. The product is for normal to combination skin.

Although the product states in the directions about a mild, light stinging sensation I have not noticed this at all when I use the product. However, I have noticed it when I use the Eau Thermale Avene Ystheal+ Eye Contour Cream over the top. It’s not uncomfortable but does last a minute or 2. As with all Avene products I can say I’ve had no reaction to this product at all on my skin. My eczema which has flared slightly under my eyes recently due to stress looks better once I’ve applied the emulsion as its quite moisturising.

The most important part of this review I feel though is whether it does help with anti-aging and also improve any fine lines/wrinkles that are already there. I am very lucky in that the women on my Mum’s side don’t seem to age that quickly. We have very good genes in my family and at 36 I don’t really look my age (Or so I am told). I have a few fine lines around my eyes, smile lines and my worst thing I have is frown lines. Since using Eau Thermale Avene Ystheal+ Anti-Ageing Emulsion I have noticed the fine lines around my eyes are less (Almost like when I use a face smoothing primer) but the biggest, significant thing I have noticed is the frown lines have definitely minimised. Although they are still there and not completely gone, they are less apparent. I am not sure how this product would work on someone who has deeper set lines, but for people who are just getting the first signs of ageing this product may be good for you.

Eau Thermale Avene is not the cheapest skincare range on the market for people with sensitive skin but in my opinion it is one of the best ones I have tried that works for me. Not all products work for everyone I know and I get a lot of emails and comments about the Avene range and how good it is. In my opinion I use their products daily and since using them have noticed a dramatic improvement in my skins conditions, not just my face but my body too. Their products are ones I have bought again and again after being sent samples which should tell you that I trust them as a brand.

The Eau Thermale Avene Ystheal+ Anti-Ageing Emulsion can be purchased in Boots for £22.00 for 30ml. I have been using this product now for nearly a month, twice a day and I think it will last me a while yet too.

Have you tried any of the Eau Thermal Avene range? Do you have a favourite product?

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

So, here is my review of the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum, a product many have raved about. When I am about to write may seem a little jumbled I guess, but its my honest opinion on the things I love and loathe about it.

A little more information about Boujois Healthy Mix Serum….

Give your skin a boost of radiance with Bourjois’ Healthy Mix Serum Gel foundation with a vitamin-rich fruit therapy formula for an even complexion and an instant anti-fatigue result!

Its fresh and instant blending gel texture blends and glides onto the skin for an even, natural finish with no mask effect. Imperfections are erased, signs of fatigue are smoothed and the skin’s radiance is boosted for up to 16 hours*.

Its instant anti-fatigue vitamin-rich fruit therapy formula is made from a fruity blend of litchi, goji berries and pomegranates. Available in 6 radiance-boosting shades.

*source*

The packaging of Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum is one of the points I do like. It is different to Healthy Mix, so easily found on the shelves in Boots and super drug. Also I like that its a pump dispenser so you can easily judge how much product is coming out and means less waste. I also like that you can unscrew the pump dispenser and use it directly from the bottle if that’s what you want to do. Another point which I think makes it better compared the Healthy Mix foundation is that you can clearly see how much you have used in the bottle. The other one isn’t as clear I don’t feel.

Another pro point for Healthy Mix Serum is the fragrance; its a slightly sweet aroma with a hint of fruits. I find it very refreshing while applying the foundation.

Being a Serum based foundation a little product goes quite a long way and layering the product for a heavier coverage works well too. I did find it gave my skin a radiant look. What I didn’t like though was this; I have quite dry skin and this often shows on my face especially around the nose, under my eyes (Where I have eczema) and around my hair line (Where I get psoriasis) – I would expect from a product that has quite a ‘serum’ (Greasy – I hate using that word but that’s what it feels like to me) like texture to be great for my skin and very moisturising in those areas, however I found if made my skin ‘shine’ like I had a permanent spot light on me all day. Even when I powdered over the top of this foundation, that greasy like appearance seemed to come straight back through. I looked like I’d smothered my face in vasaline!

I will say it does have good lasting power on the skin though. I was really impressed that my foundation still looked good after 7 hours of wear, I didn’t need to touch up the coverage of it – just the shine.

I think one of my biggest problems with Healthy Mix Serum is I can’t help but compare it to Bourjois Healthy Mix (Review Here) which I love. Which is wrong, both foundations give you that boosting glow I feel but the serum is slightly more ‘greasy’ maybe, or a better explanation would be that it gives your face more of a sheen. Although I own Healthy Mix in my Summer tanned colour and Healthy Mix Serum in my winter colour I don’t feel thats really made a difference to my liking it.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum (In 53 Light Beige) swatch

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum (In 53 Light Beige) swatch blended

After trying seeing review upon review of how many people love this product and also being a massive fan of Bourjois I really wanted to love it too. I keep using it and trying different things – the only thing I have found that works or makes me like it more is by applying a ‘mattifying’ primer under it to take out some of the ‘sheen’ it seems to give off on my skin. My other option is to heavily powder with something like Kermomask Finishing Powder which is slightly heavier than many of my other ones.

This product should be avoided by anyone who has a naturally greasy face or is normal to greasy skinned. Do expect a lot of shine along your T-Zone and a possible need to powder some areas to remove it.

So, it is with regret that as much as I have tried to love the Healthy Mix Serum for me I just can’t love it. I don’t totally hate it as I feel that a harsh and it does have some plus points in my books too, but I do feel it was a waste of money and don’t think I will be purchasing it again.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum costs £10.99 and is available in Boots, Superdrug and a few places online too.

If anyone can think of a suggestion I could try so I do like this foundation I would be happy to hear it? I’m trying so hard too but I just don’t think its for me right now.

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

As many of you may not have heard of Percy & Reed, who’s a little info about the brand….

First and foremost, we’re hairdressers. 

We’ve spent decades working with the best in the business, jet-setting around the world, 
tending to the locks of the famous and glamorous (and a lot of fun it’s been, too).

But we wanted what we’d learned to be available to everyone, not just the A-listers and the fabulously wealthy.  
So we teamed up and opened a salon in London.

And then we thought, What next? 
What next was our own range.  From Abundantly Bouncy Volumising Mousse to Wonderfully Wavy Texturising Shampoo, we’ve incorporated everything we know to give you products which really, truly work.

So now, the Percy & Reed style – modern, cutting-edge yet wearable for the everyday – can be enjoyed by anyone.

Which makes us rather proud.

*source*

The 3 lovely products I was sent to share with you are;

Percy & Reed Session Hold Hairspray, Bodifying Cream and Volumising No Oil Oil for Fine Hair

Reassuring Firm Session Hold Hairspray is a little bit of magic in a can. With the slogan ‘Hold it right there hair’ I instantly loved the design. The classic style hairspray can (Like the other products in the range) shows a sketched girl with beautiful locks. The 250ml can is a little large (In my opinion) for your handbag which is a shame as with such funky packaging this is the kind of product I’d like to take out with me!

The hair spray is ultra fine, so when on the hair it holds it in place but also can’t be scene. Unless you spray it too close, you don’t get that ‘crispy’ feeling and your style will hold all day. Its humidity resistant so a great product to use on those hot days or even when its slightly damp in the air. Your hair is left looking completely in place like you have just styled it but because of the fine mist of the spray it looks more natural.

Directions for use are like most hair sprays; spray 10 cm away from the head onto the hair. The Percy & Reed line also include little ‘Salon Secrets’ on their products which I absolutely loved, on the hair spray we are told; For a soft flexible hold spray onto a dressing brush and sweep through the hair (Dressing brushes are generally natural bristle brushes and perfect to smooth out waves and curls, plus get any ‘fly away’ hairs on the crown and parting by lightly swiping them over the area). If you like to back comb this hairspray is great for that too, just spray lightly over the back combing for supreme hold.

Although the Session Hold Hairspray has a very ‘hairspray’ type smell (I hope you know what I mean), it does also contain and undertone fruitiness to it. It isn’t over powering nor does the scent transfer to the hair.

I know many people with Fine Hair worry about using some ‘heavier’ hold hairsprays in case the product is too weighing on their hair and makes it lose what volume they have been able to create, I found with the Session Hold Hairspray’s fine mist it wasn’t heavy at all and was quite light weight. It holds fine hair well without weighing it down.

The mist is ultra fine as you can tell from the above image

The ultimate test with any hairspray I find, is applying it in the morning and having a hectic day – which is exactly what I did. This hairspray had to combat the recent bad wet weather we’ve had including; heavy ran, storms and strong winds (Like gales). I also curled my hair (And extensions) that day and gave my hair a mist all over to both hold the curls and the style. I don’t think I really could have given the hairspray a harder challenge if I had of tried! I’m happy to say the Percy & Reed Session Hold Hairspray did a fantastic job! My curls held really well and lasted all day. My hair did move (Which of course it would due to the wind) but it did go back into place and look great.

This hairspray would be perfect for those on a night out I think as whatever conditions you throw at it, it seems to fair really well!

The Percy & Reed Session Hold Hairspray costs £12.00 for 250ml, it can be purchased online through SpaceNK or you can check Percy & Reed’s Stockists Page.

Percy & Reed Bodifying Cream does exactly what it says on the packaging. This product is designed to give your hair that extra oomph that its been missing out on! On the Bodifying Cream we have another sketch of a girl, this one has beautiful long volumous waves. The slogan, ‘Let’s create a bit of a do’ which I love!

The cream its self is dispensed via a pump dispenser and is easily gauged as only a small amount of product comes out at a time. I found I only needed 1-2 pumps on my medium/thick hair, anymore and it would have been too much. If you have fine hair I would maybe only use 1 pump.

Directions for use are quite easy; This product is applied to towel dried hair, only apply a small amount. Work it from the roots to the ends and then style. My tip would be if you really want to create some oomph blow-dry  your hair in sections using a round bristle brush, really taking the brush to the roots so you are creating both movement and volume.

I was disappointed that we didn’t have a ‘Salon Secret’ on the Bodifying Cream, although I think adding a bit more to the root area for an added boost of oomph works well for me!

I’m very lucky in that I can create a lot of volume with my hair, my problem is usually keeping that volume there as its heavy and tends to be weighed down. I found when I blow-dried my hair using the Bodifying Cream the volume I created at the roots held, but there was still movement. My hair didn’t feel sticky, or weighed down like some products of this type can do. I also noticed a good shine on my hair which I was really impressed with.

The fragrance in the Bodifying Cream is gorgeous; its sweet, fruity and floral all in one. Not an overpowering scent at all and I did find my hair held the fragrance too, although not in a  heavy way.

Percy & Reed Bodifying Cream costs £14.00 for 50ml (Due to the small amount you will need it will last a good while!) and can be purchased online through SpaceNK or you can check the Stockists List at Percy & Reed.

Percy & Reed Volumising ‘No Oil’ Oil for Fine Hair is a multi-tasking product that really does do A LOT! The sketched girl on this packaging has beautiful straight hair and tells us to ‘Keep it natural ladies, easy on the silicone!’ again whoever comes up with the slogans I think you are fantastic!

Don’t be put off that its designed for Fine Hair as I’ve been using this over a week and my hair isn’t fine at all, because of its many uses it really is good on all hair types I feel. Although I would like to add they do also do a ‘No Oil’ Oil for Thick Hair too.

To use this products; Add 1-2 drops into your palm and apply from root to tips on towel dried hair. Then style as normal. This will create a smooth, silky finish with volume if you use a round brush too at the roots or a Denman D5 to lift the sections.

The ‘Salon Secret’ with this product is to add a couple of drops to your balm and warm it slightly in your hands first. Run a large blusher brush (Yes you read that correctly) over the oil. Apply to the hair with a brush, smoothing away fly-aways.

I also found this product works well as a serum like product too in many ways so you can apply a drop to your palms, rub them together to warm it and run it through the ends of your hair if it is damaged to make the ends look less dry.

Whatever way you use the product do not use too much! 1-2 drops is more than adequate and too much makes the hair look lank and weighed down. Remember its always easier to add more, but you can’t take away.

The fragrance of the ‘No oil’ Oil is the same as the Bodifying Cream. Its sweet, floral and fruity all in one. Although I didn’t notice that this product left the scent on my hair as much.

This product really is great on fine hair when you are worried about creating volume and weighing the hair down. I also found that it didn’t make the hair appear greasy which I’ve found in similar products. Over all, I was very impressed with the ‘No Oil’ Oil and will add it was my favourite product of the 3!

Percy & Reed No Oil Oil costs £14.00 for 60ml (Which will last a long time due to the small amount you will need) and can be purchased from SpaceNK or you can also check the Stockists List at Percy & Reed.

So there you have it, 3 really good products from Percy & Reed. They also do many other items in their collection – click here for details. I definitely want to try the Totally TLC Hydrating Mask and Really Rather Radiant Colour Shampoo and Shine and Conditioner look great too!

If you would like any more information about Percy & Reed please check out their website.

Have you tried Percy & Reed? Maybe you’ve visited their salon in Great Portland Street, London?

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

Surprisingly I’d never tried any Carmex products before but had always heard great things about them. The 3 products I was sent were;

Carmex Classic Lip Pot Lip Balm, Carmex Moisture Plus Peach Sheer Tint Lip Balm and  Carmex Cherry Lip Balm

Carmex Classic Lip Pot Lip Balm is a cute little pot of joy (Can you tell its my favourite?). I love cute tins as I find them the most secure in my bag. Even though I generally have to get messy fingers using them (Does anyone actually use a lip brush to apply lip balm?) I love the feel of them as they glide on my lips.

What I really loved about this application of this lip balm was the cool, tingling sensation it gave me on my lips. Not uncomfortable like a ‘lip plumping’ product, my lips felt almost ‘minty’ fresh.

The fragrance of the original Lip Balm is slightly menthol although not a true mint. Its rather hard for me to describe as I currently have a slight cold. Whatever the true fragrance, I really like it (You’ll have to buy some to find out!!).

I have worn this lip balm almost daily since I received it in the post and it has taken over my favourite lip balms in my bag (Not an easy feet when many of them are high end!). The Carmex Classic Lip Pot Lip Balm is available from Boots at £2.69 for 7.5g which will last you ages. A must for anyone who wants soft supple lips (Or wears a lot of red lipstick and wants it to not look cracked).

Carmex Moisture Plus Peach Sheer Tint Lip Balm is an ultra hydrating lip balm with an added extra of a little colour too! The packaging is like that of a lip stick, in that you remove the lid and twist it up to get to the balm and then twist it back down again afterwards.

This one also contains Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Aloe and also contains an SPF15 which is essential when out and about. Like the other Carmex Lip balms it makes your lips soft and supple giving them that extra moisture they need.

The lip balm is both sheer in colour and texture. It glides across your lips giving you the most gorgeous hint of colour – making your lips subtly better. More than a lip balm but less than a lip stick, it reminds me of a lip gloss but without all the stickiness that often goes with them.

I really liked the hint of colour I got and the sweet fragrance is lovely. Although the lip balm is labelled as a Peach Tint I felt it was more rosy but still gorgeous. I would happily wear this one daily when I am going for a natural lip (Which is often daily) as I loved the finish but also how it lasted on my lips.

The Carmex Moisture Plus Peach Tint Lip Balm costs £4.49 in Boots for 2g.

Carmex Cherry Moisturising Lip Balm is a convenient tube with a screw top lid. Perfect for fitting in your hand bag or even the pocked of your jeans. What I like about this product is that you can apply the product straight from the top onto your lips without using your fingers – so no messy fingers.

The product is designed for cracked, chapped lips and is also long lasting. It also contains an SPF15, very handy when your lips are as exposed to the sun as your face is, yet many people don’t think to put an SPF on their lips. It is also quite concentrated so you don’t need much product to make your lips look gorgeous.

I really loved the cherry fragrance; sweet and just like Morello Cherries. Its a gorgeous scent which stays well on your lips without being overpowering to the senses.

My lips felt soft, conditioned and looked glossy with the Carmex Cherry Lipbalm on. I was really impressed and will definitely be purchasing more of this once its ran out. The Carmex Cherry Lip Balm costs £2.69 in Boots for 10g.

For more information about Carmex you can check them out on Twitter, Facebook or on their website.

Have you tried any of the Carmex products yet?

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

I do love 17 Fast Finish nail varnishes, I think they are excellent value for money and on my nails seems to last quite well too. The finishes are generally quite glossy which is good (If you do like a gloss finish, which I do) and they dry quickly too.

Today I thought I would share with you Knockout Red – I’ve actually had this since the 17 Launch of the Miami Pop Collection last year (Review and Swatches here), but I’d forgotten about this free gift and just left it in a bag! So for your viewing pleasure, here’s my sexy vixen nails today!

The top image is most accurate but as you can see there is very little difference between either.

This is a rush red, what I call a true red. Not too dark or light and more of a blue tone than orange. Its what my other half would call a ‘Slutty’ red.

The finish is nice and glossy (Images/Swatches taken without top coat on) and 2 coats gives you really good coverage.

17 nail varnishes are affordable and come in an array of colours, I often find they can last as well as some high end brands and at a massive fraction of the cost! Although my bottle here was a freebie, they are usually £2.99 each! Bargain!

If you have a Boots near you they are also on offer at present – 2 for £4! I know where I’ll be going when I go to town next.

Do you think its a Knockout Red?

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

Rosebush by Michele Jaffe and The Locket by Stacey Jay

For full synopsis click here…

Rosebush was a book I got and put back on my shelf a few times, looking back I wish I hadn’t left it so long now. Although a young adult book this novel is dark and full of suspense. At times it was eerie and up until near the end I still thought one person was the ‘attempted murderer’ and it turned out to be someone else! This kind of book I love as I nearly always work out who did it.

Jane is a likeable character I felt, although maybe naive at times to her surroundings and friends, Michele Jaffe showed us an excellent insight into the mind of a teen. We saw first hand about peer pressure, relationships with our friends and how sometimes we may know something isn’t ‘right’ but go along with it anyway. I can’t really pin point another character in the book who deserves a mention as they all had their own parts to play in this story.

Although graphic when it comes to injuries and there is some talk of drugs and drinking, I still think 14 and upwards would be fine with this story. Its all dealt with in a good way. There is also aspects of loss, parents remarrying/new relationships, love, betrayal and of course don’t forget the ‘bitches’.

Even if you are an adult, if you like a bit of mystery and suspense I’d give Rosebush a go. I found it really hard to put it down and read it in one day. For a book to have this effect on me you know it has to be good.

I gave Rosebush 5 stars as it had everything I needed to be a compelling good read!

For a full synopsis click here….

The Locket is a book I got and forgot about, it wasn’t until I was going through my ‘to reads’ I realised and picked it up. Read in 1 sitting I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I’ll be honest and say it wasn’t what I was expecting – but then again I’d not read the synopsis at all and went just by the cover (Something I often like to do).

The book follows Katie a really likeable character who in every sense of the word is human. In that I mean she has made mistakes and is trying to ‘right’ them. The 2 male influences in the book Isaac and Mitch are both likeable in their own ways. You also can type case them to people you know at school, college or even work. At times I didn’t like Isaacs attitude towards Kate, but it was just the way he was built and I didn’t hold it against him.

There’s some nice twists in this story which I loved and the emotion Stacey Jay bought to the book made me feel Kate’s pain and anguish especially towards the ends. Desperation isn’t always easy to portray in a book especially one in the young adult genre but I felt it would covered perfectly.

This story is a good read for most 14 and upwards. Yes there is talk of sex but its minor and not detailed. Also language is fine and content is not too mature.

I really did love this book but only gave it 4 out of 5 stars, I just didn’t feel it quite deserved 5 stars and would have liked a few more scenes while Kate had the locket in use (Expansion of the cast party – that kind of thing). By no means though was this book not good and I’m glad I finally read it!

That’s my book reviews for this week, I’ll be adding 2 books that are part of a series next week for adults – great reads too!

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

The camera washes the images out a bit but I’m hoping you can see the gorgeous Max Factor Creamy Blush on the top image at least

To achieve this look I used;

Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint in Beige 02 (This is a new product from their new Colour Range launching in May)

Sleek Luminous Powder in Light 01 (This was used as a setting powder and also lightly dusted across the lids)

Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer in Light 02

Max Factor Miracle Touch Creamy Blush in Soft Pink 14 (Applied with fingers for a natural look and edges blended with Real Techniques Stippling Brush)

Soap & Glory Arch De Triumph

Avon ANEW Lash-Transforming Mascara and Serum

Carmex Lip Pot Original

Over all its a barely there, natural make up look to give my skin a little colour without being a full on face. It also makes me look less like I’m sea sick (Without any boats in sight!) which can only be a good thing at present. I still don’t look 100% but trust me in that its a vast improvement!!

Have you any ‘go to’ product you use for a natural look when you just want a good base that’s natural?

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

I filmed a video last year on applying your Halo but felt I really should film a new one, I have also included my tip on blending the sides of your own hair to the Halo so it looks more natural.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUP8UlIYQ_M

I hope you like my video!

If you would like further information on the new Halo form Halo Hair Extensions please click here.

If you have any question please drop me a comment below, or you can contact hair via their website, Twitter or Facebook.

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

The Halo from Halo Hair extensions (Not to be confused with the clip in hair extensions) is a 1 piece weft on a  wire – wore much like a Halo! The difference with the new patent pending Halo is that its fully adjustable when you get it, so you can fit it to your head for a good, comfortable fit!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQP_Y-BBKMo

I will be writing up a review early next week (Which I will link here once its up) to give you my thoughts on the new Halo. I hope you enjoy my tutorial and if you have any questions please drop me a comment below, or of course contact Halo Hair Extensions.

For more information on the new Halo make sure to check out Halo Hair Extensions!!

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

A while back I saw a few reviews on the Garnier Caffine Anti-Dark Circles 2-in-1 Tinted Roll On and was curious as to how it would fair with my skin. Many younger skinned people commented on how good it was, but with my eyes showing my age (Or starting too) would it work as well? Here are my thoughts…

Here is some information about the Garnier Caffine Anti-dark Circles 2-in-1 Tinted Eye Roll-On….

I liked the packaging of this product once it was out of the box, the fact it was a roll on meant it applied to just where I needed it. However, what I don’t like is that you can’t tell exactly how much product you have left in there. Chances are you are going to run out without knowing you are due for a new one. The screw top cap was quite secure which is something that narks me with many beauty products when they come loose easily (I bet you all think I am obsessed with packaging, but from a  design point of view its something that interests me).

The feel of the product as it glides across your skin is quite cooling, refreshing even. Its a great product for first thing in the morning when you are half asleep and definitely perks your eyes up just from the cold shot of the roller ball. It could also be due to the active properties in the formula but I’m not a technical person so will just say it makes me feel brighter when I apply it!

Garnier Caffine Anti-dark Circles 2-in-1 Tinted Eye Roll-On in Medium Swatched

Garnier Caffine Anti-dark Circles 2-in-1 Tinted Eye Roll-On in medium blended out

I chose the shade medium namely as I have been fake tanning and find the lighter shades can look a little too fair on my skin. It was a pretty good match I felt especially when I couldn’t test the product. So if you wear around a MAC NW25 (If you search my other posts for different foundations I wear you should get a better idea as to whether the shade will match your skin tone)medium would be good for you.

But the proof really is in the pudding I feel so I have taken 3 images for you of me applying the Garnier Caffine Anti-dark Circles 2-in-1 Tinted Eye Roll-On in the morning. I am wearing foundation under this which is Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation Shade 55 Dark Beige.

Before Application

Before Blending

After application and blended

When I blend it in I tend to use a patting motion with my fingers. I have tried blending with a variety of brushes, but I find the finger motion probably the most gently and accurate.

So do I think it works?

Hmm, yes and no. I don’t think the images are very clear as the lighting kept changing as you can see. As a rule I don’t photoshop my images to alter lighting or tones etc as I feel it can be ‘cheating’ somewhat. I trained in photoshop years ago and am very good with airbrushing and re touching photos. You’d be surprised at what I can do. However, all images I use on here are not altered (Just cropped to size as you can see).

I think on more mature skin this product works but not brilliantly. Its ok. Due to the formula being ‘lighter’ in texture than a normal concealer (Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection as an example) it means you don’t get as much ‘creasing’ and it can look more natural. But with regards to coverage I would have liked more. As I do suffer with eczema and psoriasis under my eyes and have some skin scaring there which can look more like bags and is actually just my bad skin this doesn’t help matters. So if you want a light coverage concealer for under your eyes and your face is showing some signs of age then this will be ok for you – more coverage than light and I would look else where.

I do feel that this product would be great for younger skin. I don’t think you can really build it up or layer it like you can with some concealers which is a shame.

From a sensitive skin point of view, this product was going onto one of my most sore troubled areas on my face directly. I had no reaction to it at all and my skin felt fine. So I feel it would be ok with more fragile skin.

At £9.99 (When I bought mine it was on offer in Superdrug for £6.99) I feel its ok but I won’t be rushing to buy it again. Formula/texture wise I really liked it, I’d have just liked to see more coverage with it too. This product in my opinion is definitely more suited to younger skin. I will continue to use this till its finished, but will no doubt continue my search for a light feeling concealer with medium/heavy coverage.

Have you tried Garnier Caffine Anti-dark Circles 2-in-1 Tinted Eye Roll-On? Do you know of any concealers that may suit what I am looking for?

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

The L’Occitane Pivoine Delicate collection is inspired by a rare peony flower found in Mr Rivière’s nursery, in the Drôme region of Provence, that is so exquisitely delicate it stands out from the rest. As it comes into bloom, its soft pastel petals resemble a silky fabric complete with a pink trim. Starting with a new Eau de Toilette, the collection also includes body products with a fine floral scent and make-up products with the most tender of textures.

I was sent 3 beautiful products to share with you…

L’Occitane Pivoine Delicate Limited Edition Hand Cream Tube, L’Occitane Pivoine Delicate Limited Edition Shimmering Powder, L’Occitane Pivoine Delicate Limited Edition Due Eau De Toilette and Gloss

Hand cream for me is a daily must have. I use it repeatedly throughout the day to keep my hands soft, my cuticles in good condition and help with the signs of ageing. The Pivoine Delicate Hand Cream is lovely fantastic in every way. I love the easy to use packaging which is common now among the L’Occitane hand cream products; to remove the cream you twist the lid and squeeze. Once you have finished just twist the lid to lock it back in place. Its good because you don’t need to fiddle with the lid and hold it separately or place it anywhere, meaning a quicker application.

The hand cream is extremely moisturising without being greasy and is easily absorbed into your hands. You are left with soft, supple hands with the amazing floral scent. The cream contains vitamin E and shea butter.

L’Occitane Pivoine Delicate Limited Edition Hand Cream Tube is priced at £13.00 for 75ml.

I like products that serve multi purposes for my handbag and the Duo Eau De Toilette and Gloss is fantastic for this. On one side you have a roll on eau de toilette fragrance which glides across your pulse points leaving you with a beautiful floral fragrance, the other side a pretty sparkly peach gloss which gives your lips a gorgeous shine without being sticky.

The Eau De Toilette is a lovely floral fragrance with powder accents. Don’t think because of its roll on capabilities that this product doesn’t hold on your skin, I applied this in the morning and could still smell the light, crisp, floral fragrance come the evening. It isn’t heady but is a fragrance I could smell on myself for a while.

L’Occitane Pivoine Delicate Limited Edition Lip Gloss Swatch

The Lip gloss for me was something new to try from L’Occitane. I was really impressed as it lasted me quite a while and needed minimal touch ups. The sponge applicator end means easy application and I found this gloss look beautiful on its own or over other lipsticks.

L’Occitane Pivoine Delicate Limited Edition Due Eau De Toilette and Gloss is £14.00 for 2x 5.5ml

Without a doubt my favourite of the 3 products the beautifully packaged Shimmering Powder screams elegance and sophistication. Based on the old style fragrance dispensers. To use the product remove the safety cap (Something I didn’t do at first which meant when I did I was left with a cloud of shimmers and sparkles!) and spray onto your neck line and chest, you can also apply it lightly to your hair for extra shimmer. If you want a longer lasting result apply this over lotion or body butter (There are many in the L’Occitane range).

The fragranced shimmer powder is ideal for illuminating the skin and hair, leaving it with the sweet floral fragrance. The shimmer powder has an iridescent finish so will leave you glowing and sparkly, perfect for an evening out.

L’Occitane Pivoine Delicate Limited Edition Shimmering Powder Swatched

L’Occitane Pivoine Delicate Limited Edition Shimmering Powder is £22 for 8grams.

L’Occitane Pivoine Delicate Limited Edition Hand Cream Tube, L’Occitane Pivoine Delicate Limited Edition Shimmering Powder, L’Occitane Pivoine Delicate Limited Edition Due Eau De Toilette and Gloss

The limited edition range is now available at L’Occitane (Please click here for more information)….

Prices range from £11.50 upwards.

Have you tried any of the L’Occitane range? What are your thoughts on this beautiful limited edition collection?

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

This is the Halo from Halo Hair Extensions, its a 1 piece weft on a wire (The wire is plastic and clear)

For this tutorial you will need;

Your Halo

Some hair grips/bobby pins

Hair brush

Hair band/tie to finish off the braid.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9DvYm4cBJg

This tutorial concentrates mostly on how to keep your halo in place when doing the plait/braid and some tips I used to do it. If you are unsure how to do a fish tail braid, please see my tutorial from yesterday.

This could easily be adapted for side pony tails normal plaits, or just sweeping your hair to the side.

As I come up with some new ideas for hair up dos with your Halo I promise to video the tutorials as I know there isn’t many tutorials out there for it when it comes to hair up.

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

For the past 14 years the seasons have dictated my hair colour. Friends would joke that I am getting my ‘Winter’ or ‘Summer’ coat like an animal with its fur. I don’t know why I started doing it nor can I pinpoint really when I realised it was to do with the seasons.

The beautiful Kim Kardashian with blonde hair

From March, sometimes April my hair would always be lighter – usually a medium blonde but sometimes a light one. This is usually done in 2 stages, one set of heavy high lights to lift the brown (Less I strip the colour first) and after that toning the rest of my hair and just colouring the roots lighter/blonder.

A lady who like me loves to be blonde and brunette - Victoria Beckham with her on trend longer bob this year

September/October I would then go back to being dark for the colder wet months. Again my hair usually is done in 2 stages for this, taking it to a light brown first and then to a darker one after – usually with a full head tint and then toping up or toning any high lighted areas with semi permanent colours.

My hair this year has gone back and forth from dark blonde to dark brown, these were my ‘darker’ days

But more recently in the past few years when we have had more ‘Indian’ Summers with the nicer weather appearing later (June onwards) my hair and mind have almost been in a confused state. I almost want to colour my hair lighter so I can bring on the better weather. When I’ve had enough out comes the brown hair dye to bring on the cold Winter months.

This was only March last year and I’m a light blonde

June last year before I went to a dark blonde

This year has left me in complete confusion with my hair. I started off with my dark brown locks, went to blonde, then light brown, back to blonde and now I’m a brunette again (All be it a light golden brown one). With the horrible weather we have had for the past week I can almost feel my mind suggesting that colouring my hair again is a good thing. But is this because of the weather or a personal choice?

Do I go back to light blonde, or take it to dark brown – as I’m not feeling light brown right now?

So, my question for those out there who do colour their hair or get the urge too (Maybe you don’t act on the urge), does the weather and seasons dictate your hair colour too?

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfzxQEDHLmM

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial. Please let me know if there is any other styles you would like me to film as I love getting suggestions!

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

A little information about the Montagne Jeunesse Skin Heroes Range…

Are you having a skin problem? Do you need help? Do you always ask yourself ‘which mask shall I use for my Oily/Dry/Spot Prone/Blackheads or T-Zone Skin? Fear not our NEW Skin Hero Range has landed and are raring & ready to fight for your right to clear, healthy skin the natural way; it’s your weekly essential for healthy, gorgeous, problem free skin.

*source and more information*

The Montagne Jeunesse masks come in sachets and are for one use only. Storage wise I find this idea as it means less packaging to have laying around in my bathroom. They are a 2 stage system; a face mask and then a hydrating serum you apply once the mask is removed. Getting the sachet open can be a little tricky but the best way I find is with a pair of scissors.

The first stage of the mask is to cleanse your face. As I had a full face of make up on I removed my make up with my facial wash. The mask is then applied to the face quite thickly. There is more than sufficient product in there for your face and neck I found although would not be enough for 2 applications. The next bit is the best bit; sit back and relax for 10-15 minutes and let the mask work its magic.

The second stage is to remove the mask, I did this with a muslin cloth and warm water. Once the mask was completely removed I then applied the second part of the Montagne Jeunesse Dry skin mask; the serum. There was quite a bit of the serum although I decided to use the whole part of the sachet you could probably use that twice if you went a little more sparingly. I massaged this into my face and neck.

I can’t tell you just how wonderful either of the parts of this treatment actually are when it comes to fragrance. Its a sweet scented Blueberry and Raspberry medley which is relaxing and refreshing all in one. This is not an overpowering scent nor does it linger on the skin for long afterwards. It is however really lovely!

The mask was really good, my skin felt great afterwards and I was curious as to how the dry areas around my nose and forehead were looking. On closer inspection I found that the dry skin was minimised greatly around my nose and my forehead you couldn’t even see any! After I applied the serum my whole skin felt moisturised and hydrated. You could not see any dry skin at all around my nose anymore – a first in a while I’d like to add!

Another thing I would like to mention about the serum is the appearance of it on my skin. With many serums I find your skin can look shiny, glossy even. Which if you apply make up afterwards can mean your skin almost looks greasy. However, with this Dry Skin mask my skin almost had a matt appearance like I’d used an oil control serum! Yet my skins was soft, hydrated and moisturised.

My skin had no reaction at all to the face mask or the serum. Even the areas on my face which are slightly more prone to oil (Along my t-zone) didn’t have an outbreak after using it. The psoriasis under my eye and eczema around my chin area both were fine with the mask and had no reaction at all.

Over all I was extremely impressed with this little sachet, I wasn’t expecting miracles and if I’m honest didn’t think it would work very well. But I am eating my words now. I will definitely be repurchasing this mask and want to see whether it keeps the dry skin at bay if used on a weekly basis through the colder, interchangeable weather months.

The Montagne Jeunesse Skin Heroes Face Mask range is available to suit all sorts of skin types and available in the following; Oily, Dry, Spot Prone, Blackheads and T-Zone Skin.

You can be purchased them directly from Montagne Jeunesse, pharmacies and some supermarkets and cost £1.49 each.

If you would like more information about the Montagne Jeunesse Dry Skin mask please click here…

Have you tried any of the Montagne Jeunesse masks?

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

Week 5 brings 2 books to the table that couldn’t be more different if they tried, although both of a supernatural nature one is a young adult book the other aimed at adults (Although not sexual in nature).

Here are the books I’ve reviewed for week 5….

Let’s get to the reviews!

For full synopsis click here…

When I first read the synopsis of this book I was totally intrigued and very excited to read it. However, then I made a mistake of reading some peoples reviews on the book. Many talked about a ‘disappointing’ ending and how it hadn’t met their expectations. This kind of clouded my judgement and with 80 pages to go I started to worry the book was going to end like many said it would, especially when I’d been enjoying it so much… I could not have been more wrong!

As I do not include spoilers in my reviews I will explain why the ending for some didn’t meet their expectations. If you read ‘Don’t Breathe a Word’ you will find in the last few chapters answers to many questions. Why things happened, what actually happened and some ‘uncomfortable’ situations (Although they don’t go into mass detail which I’m glad about). However, for the final scenes do not expect complete closure. Yes you are left on a slight cliffhanger with uncertainty for the characters. Who’s right? Who’s wrong? What is real? Do not expect answers, instead draw your own conclusions.

I can’t say whether I found the characters likeable or not really. When you are reading about Lisa the girl who disappeared when she was 12 to live with the fairy king you are reading from a younger person point of view. It isn’t hard going and although you want to throttle her at times for being so carefree and almost innocent, it does give you a very good perspective. I felt Lisa was a very well written character. I didn’t particularly like Sam her brother in the younger years, but found him more of a complex character in present time. I also felt his chemistry with Phoebe (Our heroine if you like) really well suited. Phoebe grew as a character and although the story started somewhat strangely with her I liked that we had ‘explanation’ as to why she was the way she was when younger and also how she became as she is in present time. She is probably as inquisitive as I am in real life and I understood her ‘need’ for answers.

The story has so many plot turns, twists and information that at times you wonder why Jennifer McMahon is telling you this. You may think is that relevant? Trust me when I say it will be, every bit of pre-thought information given in the build up and the flash backs is relevant to the story, so don’t skim! Even if you are tempted.

Although not the same kind of story, if you like classic eerie feeling horrors like, ‘The Devil Rides Out’ and ‘Rosemarys Baby’ that is how I felt reading Don’t Breathe A Word. There is a permanent undercurrent of a sinister nature. Its like one of those nasty true stories, you read it because you NEED to know but might not like what you read. This book is creepy, eerie and played on my mind and in my dreams. I found myself thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it – that to me made this book great!

I gave Don’t Breathe A Word 4 stars out of 5. The reason it didn’t get 5 is because I was a little annoyed at the end, I wanted closure, I wanted more. Maybe Jennifer will write a sequel? Although I don’t feel it is likely. I am however really glad I read this book and found it a gripping read. Content wise, this book is for adults and is not for children. Sex, language and some adult subjects (Can’t say what don’t want to give the story away) are mentioned.

For full synopsis click here…

First things first, do not read the synopsis if you haven’t read Vesper (Deviants #1). The synopsis will tell you one MAJOR thing about Emily the main character than you don’t find out till the end and it will spoil the book. I am not going to go into a synopsis at all as it will completely ruin the series if you haven’t read Vesper.

However, I can tell you I really love Emily – her character has grown so much! I especially love ‘Nighttime’ Emily with her carefree nature. I find her an ease to read and not heavy. She is also much like me in the late 90′s in her likes and dislikes – especially her love of horror films!

The book is fast paced and the ‘clinical’ report data is also throughout this book, giving it a ‘climatic’ edge. The characters are so likeable even the ‘bitchy’ girls.

Over all, I am really enjoying the series. The ending had me in complete shock as it was a nice twist to the usual reports throughout. Although it also left me with many questions as usual. Jeff Sampson is an amazing writer and you can clearly see and feel his love of Buffy and Angel type programs without it being cliche and boring.

I look forward to book 3 of the Deviants series, I don’t believe there is a release date for it at present – but I am hoping Jeff won’t make us wait long. They are supernatural young adult books and I would say suitable for 14 upwards. There is minor language, no sex but some ‘contact’ and the humour is aimed at teamed at teens.

I gave Havoc 4 out of 5 stars, purely as it left me on a cliffhanger. I would have liked Emily’s love life to ‘got’ somewhere other than in her head.

That’s my book reviews for week 5. I’m sorry I wasn’t giving too much information away with Havoc but I don’t like too when its a follow up book and others may have not read the first in the series.

Promise to post week 6s book reviews later this week. Please let me know if there is a book you think I may enjoy! I’m averaging 1 every other day at present so could do with some new reading material,

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx

Here is a little information direct from Keromask about their Professional Make-up Brush Kit….

Our brushes are specifically designed for the most natural application of the Keromask cream and finishing powder. The natural bristles help glide the product on to the skin for a smooth application – covering imperfections without looking heavily made-up.

*source*

The first thing I noticed about the brush kit was the casing it was in. I’m not one for keeping my brushes in cases (Unless travelling) and often have them laid out in pots. This is namely due to many cases being too fiddly to either get open or put the brushes in; often there is no covering for the brushes so the bristles  may get bent out of shape and if you have used products it can transfer too easily onto other brushes. That was why I liked this case so much. The opening was secure and magnetic so unlikely to come open. I also couldn’t believe how light it was in comparison to other brush cases I have (And also have discarded). Inside there is a plastic covering that goes over the brush heads/tips which is clear and easily wiped to remove product residue. The 5 pockets for the brushes are large enough to easily fit the brushes in but not to large in that they fall out.

The brushes themselves can cover a multitude of tasks. (Left to right)

The eyelash comb/eyebrow brush is a sturdy tool. I hate flimsy eye brow combs and this one felt good in my hand. The bristles got my brows into a good shape. I don’t often use eyelash combs but used this on my lashes to separate them after applying mascara and was surprised at how good of a job it did!

The small detailing brush is a bit of a multi tool. This is great for precision work, whether you are applying concealer to a small area or want to run some product through your brows or lower lash line. The brush holds its own and really worked well under all these conditions.

The medium detail brush is slightly fluffier and good for apply shadow to lids although I did find it was best at applying powder to any blemishes I had just set with concealer. If you prefer a slightly larger concealer brush than a small detailer this would be good for you.

The second from largest brush is idea for foundation application. It is good size for working product into your face but not so big that it can’t also double as a good blusher brush. I also have tried contouring with this brush using the tip and this worked well too.

Lastly, you have a large powder brush which is a good size and will work well for powder products such as bronzer and finishing powder (Perfect for Keromask’s Mineral Rich Finishing Powder!).

The handles of the brushes are nice, solid and feel good to hold. They are smooth and comfortable in the hand. The brushes aren’t labeled so you can happily use any of them for whatever task you like and not feel like you are doing it wrong!

The best thing about all brushes for me is the bristles themselves; these are super soft and I’ve not noticed any shedding during application of products. The natural bristles work really well with products although in my opinion work better with powders than creams (Although I have used the contour/foundation brush with cream product and it worked marvellously).

The professional brush kit is amazing in both quality and use, which is why it surprised me when I found out it was only £19.99! £4 for each brush is great value and this kit would make a grew starter to any make up artist. Definitely good value for money.

Although I have not tried it, Keromask also do a travel kit which is £14.99 and contains 7 brushes (I believe). For more information on the Travel Kit Please click here. This would be great for weekends away, especially festivals!

I am currently considering buying the Travel Kit as I think it would be a great addition to my brush collection!

What are your thoughts on the Keromask brushes? Have you tried any of Keromask’s products?

Lots of Love,

Mel xxxx