Birdcage Beauty

Blog Move

2013-05-23T20:12:00.002+01:00

Hello!

Remember me? I've had a mahoosive break from Blogging, but I'm finally ready to jump straight back in. Although to show my dedication, I've gone and bought myself a domain! Please follow the link to my new blog, which should be up and running within the next few weeks.

P.S, please excuse the sever lack of posts and boring layout. It'll all change. I promise!

Victoria's Vanity Case

Leor Lavender Face Mask

2012-10-30T12:07:00.000Z

Leor Lavender Deep Cleansing Face Mask - £10*

I'm really into chemical free products at the minute, so when Paraben and Sulfate free brand Leor asked me to review one of their face masks, I jumped at the chance!

Alongwith chemical free, my other obsession at the minute is face masks If I could use one everyday without massively bothering my skin, I absolutely would. This mask is for deeply cleansing your skin to and exfoliate deep into your pores, which should be used around once or twice a week, depending on your skin type.

You apply this mask for about 10 minutes, then rinse off. I get a slight tingling feeling when using it, which I love as it lets me know that it's doing something! The scent may put people off, but I find it smells more like sweet oats then lavender. After using it my skin is left so smooth and feeling oh so clean.

There are 10 different scents to choose from, and they all sound gorgeous! A definite must try for any face mask lovers who like their products to be kind to the skin!

Leor are a sulfate and paraben free brand, and don't test on animals.

John Frieda Full Repair Hair Care Range - Speed Reviews

2012-10-23T20:55:00.001+01:00

I used to get up at 5.30 each morning to wash, blow-dry and straighten my hair. Ridiculous right? Now I take a much lazier approach. I wash it around 2-3 times a week, blow dry it about once every two weeks and now never touch straighteners. So due to this approach, I like to use products that give me results with as little effort as possible on my behalf.

Full Repair is for overheated, over-damaged hair. Now I haven't really used much heat on my hair in the past few years, but I have abuse it with dyes. I was really excited for this range as in the past, I've absolutely adored John Frieda.

John Frieda Full Repair Perfect Ends Deep Infusion Serum £6.99*: Hair oils have basically been all the range this past year, so serums have kind of taken a back seat. I'm hesitant on what I put on my ends, as product can leave it feeling really bogged down and a bit sticky. I only use this in the smallest amounts, and need to blow dry it to ensure it's smooth and soft.

John Frieda Full Repair Perfect Ends Sheer Mist £6.99*: Heat protection is one of those products that you apply to your hair, but can never tell how well it works. This smells lovely, and tells me it protects the hair from high heat, so I'm going to believe it. Hair doesn't feel bogged down, as apparently this is absorbed into the hair, rather than sitting upon it, which is good to hear! Sometimes I just spray this on my hair so it'll smell nice!

John Frieda Full Repair Style Creator Heat-Activated Styling Spray £5.99*: Unsure of the point of both this and the Sheer Mist? They both protect the hair with their lightweight formulas. It claims to have long lasting hold, however I would prefer to use something like hair spray for that!

John Frieda Full Repair Protecting Root Lift Foam £6.29*: This is probably my most used product from the range. This is a foam, rather than a mousse, so it's a lot lighter on the hair. Although warning, rubbing it into your hair too much can cause you to want to instantly run and wash it out! Less is definitely more. This adds a little volume to my fine hair without making it feel tacky.

I absolutely love the smell of this range, but I'm slowly trying to cut out all harmful chemicals from my beauty regimes, so this will be one I won't be repurchasing.

Have you tried this range? What was your stand out product?

L'oreal Super Liner Luminizer

2012-10-20T19:47:00.000+01:00

L'oreal Super Liner Luminizer

A few months ago, if you spent £12 on L'Oreal goodies, you got a little box of goodies worth £24. This eyeliner was one of those goodies, and it probably wouldn't have been a product I'd looked twice at, only because I'm very picky when it comes to eyeliners. I like my brush sturdy, thick, and extra black.

I've never actually used a nip like this, and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to apply. The nip is super bendy, and you can create the perfect flick with one simple swipe. It's also so easy to remove if you make a mistake, which is always a help! There have been far too many times when I've had to re-do my whole eye area after an eyeliner mishap.

Apparently this accentuate your eye colour, however I don't actually have brown eyes so can't actually judge that. This lasts all day, only budges if you accidentally wipe your eye (guilty) and comes off very easily.

What's your favourite type of eyeliner applicator?

MAC Fix+

2012-10-17T19:01:00.002+01:00

MAC Fix+

You know when you just get into your head that you need a certain product in your life. Everything you use will be improved and your whole life will be turned upside down. This was one of those products. I'd heard it'd set your make-up, give you a nice dewy finish, and even help it stay on a bit longer. I made a promise with myself that if I got the job I'd applied for, I'd buy it. I also said I'd buy it for myself even if I didn't get the job, as a little pick me up. Who doesn't love win/win situations?

Long story short, I got the job and have added this little spray to my ever expanding make-up collection. You can use it in many different ways, before your make-up, after your make-up, during the day if you're feeling a little hot and bothered... it really did seem like a multi-use product.

I like to use this after applying my make-up fr that healthy, dewy look. I find it gives a better finish than just skipping powder. I did test this on half my face to see if it made my make-up last longer, but it didn't. Sob.

Ifyou like a dewy finish but just can't brace skipping powder (not setting my foundation with powder just leaves me with a disgustingly-greasy looking face!) then I'd definitely suggest this. It'd be great for a hot holiday as well, as it'll cool you down. You can get a smaller size, and I do think this is basically glorified water... but I'm glad I bought it and finally got it out my system!

Do you completely obsess over products until you've finally bought them?

Good Things Ultra Rich Body Moisturiser

2012-09-24T19:38:00.001+01:00

Good Things Ultra Rich Body Moisturiser £6.49

I've been meaning to try out something from Good Things for the longest time, so when I noticed this was on offer at Boots, I instantly popped it into my basket. Good Things are one of the few affordable brands that sells 'good' skincare, e.g. no parabens, sulfates etc. I'd heard their stuff smelt amazing, which is always a bonus.

This comes in a nice large 300ml tub, which makes it easy to scoop up and massage onto your skin - there's nothing worse than having to reach for a tube to put on more lotion only to leave it all gooey afterwards. They mean it when they call this an ultra rich moisturiser. It's lovely and creamy, quite thick but sinks into the skin quite nicely.

So it seems that this is quite a nice sounding product no? Well, it would be if it didn't smell so foul! Strong words, but my word this smell is so off-putting! It's so strong (luckily it does fade to nothing in about 15 minutes) and just really puts me off reaching for it. That being said, this was the better smelling of the two moisturisers. I can't quite pinpoint what it smells of, but it's definitely not mango.

If the smell is a main reason you buy a product, look elsewhere. Or maybe take a sniff, it might be to your taste. It does to the task it's set out to do, which is always handy, but I do like my moisturisers to have a pleasant smell. That's not much to ask for, no?

Massive apologies if you like the smell, but it just makes me feel all a bit sick.

vo5 Moisture Soak Elixer Shower Treatment

2012-09-22T19:30:00.000+01:00

vo5 Moisture Soak Elixer Shower Treatment

I picked up the vo5 Moisture Soak Elixer Shower Treatment after hearing Lily talk about it, and let's face it, she has fantastic hair. I've wanted to try one of vo5's oil treatments for a while but just never got round to it.

This is a pre-shampoo treatment, which I just always seem to forget using. You wet your hair, and using the indicators on the side, apply it through your hair. I mainly focus on the ends as that's where it's most damaged. I think proceed to carry on with my shower chores, and then go on to rinse out and shampoo it. I don't like using conditioner when I use this so not to overload my hair.

Now in the shower, this does leave the hair feeling absolutely divine, and does so the next few times I was my hair. However when it's dry, I honestly don't really see much difference. I think I prefer just sticking to my usual conditioner and then adding a little oil on it once it's washed.

You can pick this up for around £5 at Boots.

Do you use any in shower treatments?

Montagne Jeunesse Peel Off Anti Stress Mask - Cucumber

2012-09-20T13:09:00.000+01:00

Montagne Jeunesse Peel Off Anti Stress Mask - Cucumber - £1.09

I love Montagne Jeunesse masks, they're cheap, good for your skin and do what they say on the tin. However, I'm personally not a massive fan of the peel off masks.

Montagne Jeunesse Peel Off Cucumber Mask comes out looking exactly like fairy liquid, it blends well and the pack holds enough to cover your face at least twice. One thing I do like with the peel masks is that you can't feel it on your face, it doesn't dry to an uncomfortable cement like feel like the mud ones do.

The point in the peel off masks is to help freshen up the skin by remove dead skin and impurities. This mask is apparently anti-stress, but I can't say my mood changed dramatically after using this!

This dried in about 10-15 minutes, and I must admit, peeling it off is quite a lot of fun. Afterwards, my skin was left so soft and smooth. It's suitable for combination, normal and oily skin types, and is suitable for vegans as well as being gluten, dairy and paraben free.

You can pick up Montagne Jeunesse masks from Boots, Superdrug and a range of Supermarkets. I've also just spotted that they do this mask as well as others in handy-dandy bottle sizes!

Do you have a favourite Montagne Jeunesse mask?

Origins Super Spot Remover

2012-09-18T12:42:00.000+01:00

Origins Super Spot Remover - £13

I've mentioned a few times not only my love for Origins, but also the massive breakout my face seems to be having. Now through blogging I've learnt quite a lot about skincare, and one of the things to avoid if your skin is acting up - high street skincare for blemish prone skin. Weird isn't it? The chemicals used are too harsh and just end up aggravating your skin basically.

The good thing about natural and 'good' skincare is that they actually want to help your skin, not make it worse. Origins Super Spot Remover is a gel which contains Salicylic Acid, which helps to speed up the healing of blemishes and scarring. Caffeine and Red Algae are also thrown into the mix, which helps to relieve redness. Perfect.

With this, I dab a bit on an ear-bud and pop it on the spot. To avoid spreading bacteria I use a different one for each blemish. I do find this helps reduce redness in spots, but personally I find they take the same amount of time than if I wasn't using anything.

You can use this whenever you fancy, on an already brewed blemish or if you feel something on the way. Over or under make-up. Although, it does dry quite crispy, which can be really embarrassing if you forget you have it on and are walking around with a nice white patch which draws attention to what you're originally trying to hide.

I do think there are better spot removers out there, but if you're prone to just a few time of the month spots or suffer from post-blemish scarring, then give this a go!

P.S, It does seem small, but you really don't use very much of this each time, it'll last a lifetime!

Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover

2012-09-16T11:46:00.001+01:00

Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover - £4.99

I'm always so drawn into blogger hypes, but always seem to put off actually buying them for myself. The Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover was one of those cases. I'm sure you remember when everyone and their dog was blogging about this apparently 'new' breakthrough in nail polish remover. Now this isn't anything revolutionary or new, but oh my it's super handy having it so readily available on the highstreet! I know they do a similar type at pound shops, but they're always so hit and miss with their stock.

Basically, with this, all you do is pop your finger in, twirl, and remove. Does it come off in one second? No, of course not. It takes around 3-5 seconds to remove a few layers of polish, just a little quicker than using cotton pads. There is some effort needed on your behalf, but it sure beats going through a load of cotton pads! This little pot is also so handy for removing glitter polish. It takes around 30 seconds, but it's all clean off - apart from Models Own Ibiza Mix. That sure is a pain to remove!

So if you like to change your nail polish a lot, or are just a bit lazy like me, then this will be right up your street. There's a reason why Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover pops up in so many bloggers monthly favourites!

Any other blogger hypes I should probably buy into?

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

2012-09-14T18:14:00.000+01:00

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush £9.99

I actually bought this to be a powder brush, but I think the bristles are a little too sturdy and don't have a lot of give, so the powder is accentually just sits in blobs on my face. However actually using this brush for its main purpose - buffing in liquid foundation - a complete dream.

I use this by first essentially 'painting' my foundation on in nice lovely stripes across my face. Then I use this to work that foundation into my face, therefore leaving me with a nice, flawless base. I think this works best with light, runny foundations. Dare I say it, sometimes I prefer this to my Sigma F80. It's not as dense, easier to wash and cheaper. Bonus.

What's your favourite foundation brush?

L'oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara

2012-09-12T11:38:00.000+01:00

L'oreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara - £10.99

I have been after this mascara for so long. Anna swears by this and her eyelashes always look so amazing. I picked this up a few weeks ago and have been using it on and off since for a variety of reasons.

First off, I found the formula of this really wet to begin with, and it was clumping my lashes. I always completely hype up things in my head, and this was no exception. I thought it'd end up being my holy grail mascara and we would skip off into the sunset together. My next con is the wand. On one side, (the top image) it's got nice fine bristles on a thin brush. However on the other side, (bottom image), it's a completely flat side. Why!? Sometimes if you're not paying attention, you'll end up wiping your lashes with it, leaving them lovely and clumped.

Now this does give nice, long lashes, I'll give it that. The formula is lovely, it's just... well, I hate the brush. It's one of those where you'll use it, then go over your lashes with a better one to make sure they're clump free.

I can't say I'd buy this again, as I don't think it's for me, but if you like the look of the brush I'd recommend it as the formula (once it's dried a bit) is quite good!

Alpha H Liquid Gold

2012-09-10T11:08:00.000+01:00

Alpha H Liquid Gold

I had my eye on this for such a long time before buying it. My favourite bloggers had all popped Alpha H Liquid Gold in their monthly favourites, claiming it was the best thing for your skin and would completely change your life. So it was no surprise I gave in to the hype and bought it. This is the 50ml version, as even though hyped products can seem like the bees-knees (as surely they must be if everyone and their mum is blogging about it) they may not be the right thing for you.

I was really excited to use this. I'd never used anything with Glycolic Acid in, which is like a skin exfoliant that works deep down to improve skin imperfections. Alpha H Liquid Gold has quite a strong amount in, so is advised to only use every other night or a few times a week, so I did just that.

You damped it over a cotton pad, swipe over your face, and by morning you're supposedly left with radiant, improved skin. You do get about 5 seconds of tingling, but I like that - shows you it's working! I like to wear it neat - without anything else on top. Simly cleanse of my face, followed by this and I'm ready for bed.

Has this changed my life? No. Would my beauty regime be all right without it? Probably. I think I had a lot of expectations from it, considering its price (it retails for around £33) and how much it'd been hyped up. Wherever possible, I really do recommend buying the smaller size of hyped products, because you still don't know if they'll be good for you!

Yes, the next day my skintone does look more even, and feels softer but my blemishes are still firmly in place. I really like Glycolic Acid products, especially a specific blemish one by MD Formulations - but more on that later!

Have you been sucked into a bloggers hype only to be left disappointed?

Sample Review: REN Omega 3 Night Repair Serum

2012-09-09T10:56:00.000+01:00

REN Omega 3 Night Repair Serum - £34 (Full Sized)

This was part of the Best of REN gift they did a few weeks ago. I haven't used a serum in my skincare since I finished the no7 one, so was happy to reintroduce one!

This Omega 3 serum does have the aroma of those Omega 3 capsules, but it's not overly overwhelming and off putting. This serum 'replenishes skin lipids to leave your complexion looking naturally smoother and healthier,' which it definitely does! I apply this after tonight and before my moisturiser, and the next day my face is just so heavenly soft.

I really like that it helps to renew skin, as I'm hoping that'll be the cure for my acne scars! It also helps to make all your other skincare bits work that little better, which is always handy to know! This handy sample has lasted me a good while and has opened my eyes to REN's serums.

Do you use serums?

Sure Women Maximum Protection Anti-Perspirant Deodorant

2012-09-03T13:58:00.000+01:00

Sure Women Maximum Protection Anti-Perspirant Deodorant - £5.80

Deodorant is a bit of a weird one to blog about, but it's a product that all of us (hopefully) reach for everyday. This new offering from Sure is said to be twice as strong as any other on the market, so I was quick to snap it up, as banishing odour is very important!

Now they say to pop this on before you go to sleep, and it'll last all day long. If you're not a smelly person, maybe this will be enough for you. I however don't trust it, and choose instead to pop it on in the morning, and it really does keep you smelling fresh all day.

It is a little pricier than your usual deodorants, but I don't mind paying for something that works. There are three separate scents in the range, this one being Cream Confidence. I know Dove also do a similar product, so I'd definitely recommend taking a look at what's on offer! Especially in this sticky humid weather!

Do you care about your deodorant? Or just pick up whatever's on offer?

Montagne Jeunesse Iced Crystal Masque

2012-08-29T19:10:00.000+01:00

Montagne Jeunesse Iced Crystal Masque - £1.09*

"An exfoliating facial infused with cooling Spearmint to cleanse and tone skin, Dead Sea Salt to remove impurities and Sweet Almond and Jojoba oil to hydrate the skin, leaving it soft, smooth and cleansed."

I'm a big fan of face masks (I've gotten to using a different aimed one every other day - whoops!) but have never used an exfoliating one. With this mask, you apply it as an exfoliator by massaging it into the skin for a few minutes, and then sit back and leave it to work it's magic for 10-15 minutes.

This mask has the faint smell of mint, which is really lovely and soothing. The formula didn't dry and leave my face really uncomfortable, which is always a plus! It was quite gritty, but I find those personally work best with my skin, however if find gritty scrubs too harsh on your skin simply massage it in with a light hand. Washing this off was nice and simple, and oh my did my face feel soft! I think this is best for those that don't do a weekly exfoliation session, or just want to try out a facial scrub before committing to a tube.

Another winner from Montagne Jeunesse!!

Montagne Jeunesse face masks are available nationwide in retailers such as ASDA, Superdrug, Tesco, New Look and Morrisons. All their products are vegetarian-approved, made from natural ingredients and paraben-free. Montagne Jeunesse is proud of its uncompromising natural credentials and ethos for ‘Conservation of Energy, Protection of Animals and the Environment.’