Summer Holiday 2015 Favourites ...!

Bonjour!


Can I really be writing about this Summer's Holiday favourites already?  Doesn't seem like two minutes since I was rushing around like an idiot trying to get the packing done (getting all stressed out as I do every year!).  And then we were there ... South of France, gorgeous villa,  fantastic weather (30+ degrees most days!), good food and company - what more could you want?  And then we were back ... and it all seems like a distant memory ... so here are few bits that I snapped whilst we were on holiday that stood out for me  ...

Bare Minerals Complexion Rescue - I knew this would be ideal for holiday and I was right! I only used a small amount to add a smidge of cover and it did a brilliant job of keeping in with the 'no make-up look' - will definitely repurchase for use again next summer. Full review here.

Vichy Ideal Soleil Mattifying Face Dry Touch SPF 30  -  I'll try and sneak a full review of this on here before  the Summer ends (which basically means sooner rather than later!) it did a good job  of helping me avoid that overly greasy feeling!

Mally Under Eye Brightener - this isn't only a summer staple - it's an all-year-round staple to help combat dark circles and under eye shadows! Reviewed here this particular pot was coming to an end so I just shoved it in my make-up bag as I didn't have a travel size to take. I've since reordered a kit with both the same size pot (which honestly seems to go on for a couple of years!) and a handy travel size which will be saved for next year's holiday!

Bourjois Cream Blush in Sweet Cherry and 1 Seconde Volume in Ultra Black - a couple of winners here from Bourjois! I reviewed Sweet Cherry last year here - it's a lovely natural looking everyday blush perfect for holiday. I'm about to write up my review of 1 Seconde Volume up but I think it will be a good one - say no more!

Philip Kingley Elasticizer and Daily Damage Defence and Color Wow One Minute Transformation Styling Cream - moving onto hair products!  I've used Elasticizer for years, this travel size came with a recent Elasticizer kit from QVC and is so convenient to use on holiday, just stick it on late afternoon, sit out in the sun to catch those last rays and then just wash out when you go in to shower - easy and effective!  The Daily Damage Defence is brilliant for reviving frizz prone hair, leaving it soft without any crispiness. Similarly the Color Wow Styling Cream smooths hair with a tiny bit of texture, yet doesn't weigh hair down or leave it sticky or greasy and you only need a small amount! I left my hair to dry naturally after mostly every wash on this year's holiday and these two styling products really helped to control the inevitable frizzies and stop me looking like an extra from the Hair Bear Bunch!

Batiste Blush Dry Shampoo - I picked up this travel size on a last minute shopping trip before we went.  It does leave a bit of white cast on darker hair if you spray too close but nothing that can't be 'rubbed out' once massaged in and helps to refresh and give hair a decent amount of volume at the roots. I'd buy again to take away!

Large sun-hat and and equally large box of French Rose - a couple of obvious favourites for a hot holiday ... I don't think I need explain why!

One more favourite ... (sigh!) ... the view from our balcony ... (further sighs!) ... lovely isn't it! 

What have been your holiday favourites this year?


Jen x

October Empties!

Bonjour!

How can it be Bonfire Night already?  I happened to casually point out to the girls at work that 'this time in a couple of months Christmas/New Year will be all over and done with' ... and was told to shut up!  Anyway ... on with last month's empties ...

L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise Everstrong No Sulphates Shampoo and Nourishing Intense Mask - I really like this range - I reviewed it back in March here and have used it on and off since then, in between other products. I still have some of the standard conditioner (always the case with conditioner!) but have finished up the shampoo and mask.  I like the way this makes my hair feel and will repurchase at some stage to dip in and out of whenever I feel the need to replenish and revitalise!

Balance Me Pure Skin Face Wash  - love this as a morning face wash - it's so zingy and refreshing! Leaves my skin soft with no dry or tight feeling, Full review here and I've already repurchased!

Gatineau Defilift 3D Eye Contour Cream - I do like this cream for a.m. use. Firming and tightening is important when you get to my age and I do feel like it does the job quite nicely, however, this bottle must have been a 'dud'! I've used quite a few Gatineau products and although quite pricey, they usually last for ages making them worthwhile.  This, however, has already run out after not long at all and it's not as if I've used loads as you only need a small amount - I think it must have been half full - big disappointment! 

Elemis Melting Cleansing Gel - another favourite cleanser that's had it's tube cut to scrape every last bit out!  Works well as a morning face wash but was also very effective as a refreshing and purifying evening cleanser.  I do switch to cleansing oil for winter nights but will repurchase to use come Spring/Summer.

Organic Surge Orange Flower Toner - I won this in a giveaway held by my young blogging buddy Sasha at Ramblings of a Beauty Bird.  A lovely hydrating toner suitable for sensitive skin with a subtle orange flower scent at a brilliant price of only £7.50/200ml.  I'm currently finishing off a travel size of the Liz Earle Instant Boost Skin Tonic but will be repurchasing this one I'm sure!

Dr Jart V7 Turnover Booster - technically used up in September so should have been included in last month's empties - whoops! I really like this for use  during the warmer months as it's cooling and refreshing and revitalises the skin.  Review here.

Clarins Blue Orchid Oil Face Treatment Oil and Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate - a couple of little gems! Been using up these sample sizes under moisturiser at night.  Love my facial oils once the weather turns.  Full reviews are here and here. 

Mandara Spa Island Paradise Moisturising Shower Gel - trying to make a dent in my huge shower gel stash. This one is so refreshing with all those grapefruits and lemons!  I can see me repurchasing at some stage - I have soft spot for Mandara Spa!


Have you tried any of these products? What have you used up last month?

Jen x

Mostly Haircare Haul ... !

Bonjour!

I need help ... it's true, my obsession with hair products knows no bounds.  Don't get me wrong, I love clothes, shoes and bags too,  but I can generally walk out of a shop having told myself  I don't 'need' a certain item ... doesn't seem to work so much with hair products!  In my defence though these items have been bought over a few weeks and not all in one go and everything you see is, as usual, on offer. I think our Chaka (Khan) hit the nail on the head with the lyrics "Baby, baby when I look at you, I get a warm feeling inside ...!"  - yep that's how I feel about buying new haircare products - sad ...!

Tresemme 7 Day Keratin Smooth and Deep Treatment Masque - both half price.  As soon as I've slept on my hair (what else would I sleep on actually!) it goes crazy curly at the bottom so ends up being tied up, I'm curious to see if the 7 Day Smooth keeps things on the straight and narrow and a hair masque will always come in handy.

Dove Hair Therapy Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner - half price in Tesco so it ended up in the shopping trolley - story of my life!

Dove Youthful Vitality Thickening Essence - definitely need some of that thang - the middle three words to be exact! Got it on 3 for 2 at Boots just before going on holiday (can't remember what the other two were - it'll come to me at some stage!).

Herbal Essences Dry Shampoos - Clearly Naked and Uplifting Volume - £1.50 each in Superdrug. I use dry shampoo mostly every other day and need shed-loads of the stuff so I'm always on the look-out for a cheaper alternative to ol' faithful Batiste!.

L'Oreal Studio Line Volume Supersizing Spray - actually my second bottle of this spray - works well to volumise - blaming Sam at Honey Go Lightly for this one when she did her 5 Texture Sprays series!


Well ... that's the hair stuff ... I did say 'mostly' haircare - this is the 'non-mostly' make up stuff. Believe it or not this is all I've bought in the way of cosmetics over recent weeks ... (I think!) ...

Make-Up Revolution Blush and Contour in Hot Spice and Romantic Smoked Eyeshadow Palette - finally gave into the hype which is all over the 'beauty blogging' place. At a tenner for the both you can hardly blame me can you?

Soap & Glory Super-Colour Fabulipstick in Perfect Day and a couple of  'No7ers' - Stay Perfect Superlight Foundation in Warm Beige and BB Lips in Blush Pink - reviews to follow.


So that's it for now - at this rate I'll have to grow another couple of heads of hair to use up my stash ...!  What's your shopping weakness -  what gives you a warm feeling inside'?

Jen x

L'Oreal Paris Everstrong Shampoo, Conditioner and Intense Nourishing Mask - Review

Bonjour!

Try saying this lot in one breath then ... 'L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise Everstrong No Sulphates Reinforcing System' ... actually - breathe here ... 'Shampoo, Conditioner and Nourishing Intense Mask' ... mouthful or what?

If you read my blog you'll be aware of my haircare junkie tendencies and my recent efforts to sort my barnet out.  I picked this lot up before Christmas when Boots had one of their 3 for 2 offers on.  The EverStrong range seemed a good option as my 'fragile, brittle hair' had been doing my head in and I wanted to try a 'No Sulphate' range ...

You may have seen my review on L'Oreal Elvive Triple Resist (here) which I do think helped with the overall state my hair and scalp.  I wanted to give the Everstrong range a go as it was targeting the same concerns but from the 'No Sulphate' corner and so used this shampoo, conditioner and mask for a solid month recently.

Once you've saturated your barnet the shampoo foams really well considering it is sulphate free and gives you that squeaky clean feeling.  The conditioner is effective but light enough to not weigh my hair down.  The mask is creamier in texture - I used this approx once/twice a week and left it on for the standard 3-5 minutes - as on the can (sometimes longer).  The combination of these three products leaves my hair soft, shiny and manageable with noticeable bounce - this is one of the things that first struck me actually - the bounce!  The rosemary and mint give the shampoo and conditioner a fresh and clean fragrance that lingers (the mask has more of a buttery smell to it). You know when your hair gets swished around in the day (mine only swishes a little but still!) and you get a waft of a nice smell - that's the one!

If you like going down the 'no sulphate' route then this lot may be worth a try - certainly with this particular 'reinforcing' range my  hair feels stronger and healthier, with no build-up, no itchy flaky scalp and as with the Elvive Triple Resist - not so much hair going down the plughole! The more hair I can keep attached to my head the better all round!

I have so many haircare products to use up (if I ever achieve this I'll have a party - seriously I have a problem!) and I am notorious for chopping and changing my shampoo/conditioners - I think your hair does benefit from a bit of a change (probably not as frequently as I have been known to in the past!). However, I can see me keeping the L'Oreal Everstrong range as a permanent fixture in the (heaving) bathroom cabinet! I recently tried yet another range and then went back to the Everstrong for a bit of extra nourishment.  It seems like the perfect product for me to dip into every now and again to give my hair a proper 'sulphate-free' spring clean whilst maintaining condition and strength.

Do you chop and change your haircare? Have you tried any products from the L'Oreal Paris Hair Expertise range?

Jen x

Kerastase Resistance Ciment Thermique - Review

Bonjour!

I've been wanting to dip into the wonderful world of Kerastase Paris for a good long while.  Their products are considered by many to be the 'creme de la creme' of haircare. So... for my first foray I went down the reconstruction route ... cue the Kerastase Resistance Ciment Thermique ...

Kerastase 'Resistance' is all about strengthening weak, damaged or fine hair from within.  The Ciment Thermique is a leave-in cream/lotion that works in conjunction with heat to help reconstruct damaged hair and according to the Kerastase website provides the following benefits:-

• Strengthens the hair fibre internally  • Protects the surface of the hair • Smoothes hair from root to tip • Hair is firm, supple and energised

(source)

It has the most pleasant, zingiest aroma ever, reminds me of freshly squeezed limes I'd say! The instructions say to use a walnut sized amount but I go for more of a jumbo cashew and apply mainly to mid lengths and ends before blow drying.  It doesn't weigh hair down but I usually use a volumising product through the roots for some oomph and this seems to work well.   After blow drying I can run the straighteners through lightly - without having to apply any additional product.

Although my hair is fine and thin it has always been very wayward and can, on occasion, take on the look of a brillo pad if not treated correctly - nice eh? I don't think anything has worked for me as consistently and effectively to give a sleeker head of hair - when I mentioned my intended purchase to Phil (my hairdresser) his exact words were ...'Oh you're going to love it - it makes hair so smooth!'.  I have to say he's hit the nail on the head - I'm kind of addicted to un-brillo-like hair and it definitely feels healthier through the mid-lengths and ends - a proper win! Just over half the tube has been used in two months - using every other day so not too bad for value. I have tried many many heat protectors and assumed they were doing their job but I feel this really works for me - we're talking big guns here!

I got mine on offer at £13 - it seems to retail from most 'beauty onliners' at around £15/£16 - probably one of the best lots of £13 I've ever spent?  Time will continue to tell I guess but for now I'm more than happy with my first delve into Kerastase and although I have other products to use up I think the Ciment Thermique will be a staple in my haircare routine!

Have you tried any products from Kerastase Paris? What's your favourite heat protector for your barnet?

Jen x

L'Oreal Elvive Triple Resist Reinforcing Shampoo/Conditioner/Masque - Review

Bonjour!

For a time back in November my hair felt like a pile of pants - seemed lifeless, limp, thinner than usual and was falling and breaking off.  I therefore decided to try out a few new products in order to try to improve the overall condition of my hair and sanity...! (Being a complete haircare junkie this didn't seem too painful!).

Kicking off with the L'Oreal Elvive Triple Resist Reinforcing Shampoo, Conditioner and Masque which I picked up from Sainsburys (in desperation!) whilst it was on offer.  I've been using all three for a couple of months so thought I'd sort out a quick review.

Aimed at 'fragile hair with a tendency to fall' (that's me!) the range is enriched with amino acid Arginine and Protein and is said to provide nourishment, strength and restructure from root to tip enabling the hair to become more resilient to breakage - sounds like a dream eh? You can check out further info about the range from L'Oreal's own website here.

So - I've used the shampoo and conditioner since November now and again with my Philip Kingsley Elasticizer (which worked well) and also using the Elvive Triple Resist Masque at least once a week. The products have a pleasant fruity smell, the shampoo lathers well and all three have a nice creamy consistency (the masque being slightly thicker), they rinse out easily and don't leave any noticeable residue.  The instructions say to leave the masque on for 3-5 minutes, I've gone for probably 5 minutes plus and have had decent results.

Now I will just say that I have also started using a lovely new heat protectant which I reckon is also helping with the state of mid lengths/ends (more on that later) but I do think my hair likes this range of products.  I do have to use a volumising product when styling, as although my hair feels very soft, shiny and in overall better condition than before (even more so after using the masque) - sometimes it's a bit too soft (but not lank) to do much with - but not a bad 'soft', just that freshly washed first day feeling!  Also, I don't know whether this is just a fluke but I don't think I'm losing as much hair - I say this because the drain hasn't become blocked with my barnet (a previous regular occurrence) for a good few weeks ... sorry if that's too much info!  Also well worth a mention is that although we're not looking at a sulphate-free range, my scalp has not been irritated or flaky whilst I've been using Triple Resist. I mean it all starts at the scalp - right - so if my scalp is happy it follows that my hair has a better chance?

This is the first time I've used anything from the L'Oreal Elvive range of shampoo/conditioners and in a nutshell I am really pleased with these products. As an inexpensive drugstore range (plus they were on offer when I bought them so worked out at around a ridiculous £2 each for the 400ml shampoo and conditioner and something like £3.50 for the masque) they have performed really well.  I've already repurchased to put away for a rainy day and there is also a reinforcing spray in the range which I'm interested to try out at some stage - told you I was a haircare junkie!

Are you a fan of L'Oreal Elvive? Have you tried the Triple Resist range?

Jen x

Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defence - Review

Bonjour!

We're talking hair again - 'oh no not again!' I hear you say ... yep sorry -it's my obsession of the moment!  I bought this duo of Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defence (from QVC) back in August just before holiday (seems so long ago now).  It's not cheap at approx £20/250ml but I'm a big fan of the iconic Philip Kingsley Elasticizer and so was certainly intrigued to try the Daily Damage Defence.  For those who aren't aware my hair is super-fine, curly, frizzy and thinning - good (not) combination eh...?

It contains ingredients to help smooth, strengthen and provide more elasticity together with heat and UV protection, and aids anti-breakage, frizz fighting and general manageability.  I took the mini bottle on holiday and have been using the larger one for the past few months.  The spray is easy to use with a super-fine mist and you don't need to use much, hence there is still loads left in each bottle. It doesn't cling to the hair or weigh it down and is not sticky or crispy. Plus - it smells lovely!

On holiday - I found this a brilliant product for enabling me to wear my hair curly, helped with the frizz whilst leaving my hair to dry naturally (something I don't often do - trust me it's frightening!), sprayed lightly after washing and also in the mornings to help tame and define curls which had succumbed to my usual overnight holiday hair madness! Yes - I do remember reaching for this most mornings!

Back home - again, sprayed lightly through mid-length/ends and layered with whichever other styling product I happen to be using -it does (usually) leave my hair softer and fairly frizz free - however I do still have bad hair days (when nothing I use seems to work!).  What I have found is that the Daily Damage Defence doesn't so much stop hair from becoming frizzy if I'm caught out (hat and hood-less) say on a damp school run but is great at rectifying the matter to a degree. I just spray lightly over the affected areas, which will have curled and frizzed up.  It renders the curls much less frizzy, softer and wearable.

Unfortunately - my hair is still prone to breakage in places,  maybe due to missing my haircut appointment?  I do think, sometimes, no matter how lovely the product you are using, if you let yourself get run down and stressed (as I have done recently) then it shows in the state of your hair (and skin) - well it does in mine anyway.

For me the Daily Damage Defence is a brilliant product for fighting established frizz. Not sure about the long term effects as Phil the hairdresser says he didn't see a vast improvement in the condition of my hair but then again it wasn't in as bad condition as I thought it was anyway - confusing!  I'm not sure I'll re-purchase immediately as there are similar products I want to try but it will be interesting to see what happens once it runs out - although I'll be saving the travel size to take away on holiday again next year...!

Have you tried the Philip Kingsley Daily Damage Defence? Which leave-in conditioning spray do you use?

Jen x

'Such A Good Feeling' and John Frieda Full Repair!

Bonjour and Happy Hot Friday!

Well...finally... and about time too - this is how Summer should be - this is how it used to be when I was a youngster.  Sooo nice to not be wrapped up in multiple layers, to have an excuse to get one's legs out and get a dab on...in no particular order! ... Not sure our piggies would agree though - they've both been laid flat out in their hutch and we've been giving them frozen bottles of water wrapped in hay to keep them cool! Anyway for those of us without fur...it's such a good feeling I had to play this tune out loud...


Brothers in Rhythm - Such a Good Feeling!

Released in 1991 - it's a happy 'house' vibe that I remember well and has a real 'feel good factor' to it...

You may or may not notice the blonde girl in the crop top and bell bottoms, I had an outfit  just like that complete with 90's platforms no less - that was a proper 'get your groove on' outfit!

Speaking of  'good feeling' look what I won in a recent giveaway run by Nic of Strawberry Blonde Beauty Blog  (fantastic blog) - thanks Nic!

From the John Frieda Full Repair range  - Hydrate and Rescue Shampoo and Conditioner, Deep Conditioner, Repairing Oil Elixir and Flyaway Tamer Smoothing Wand.  Seriously... what haircare junkie wouldn't be over the moon with all this lot ...? Cannot wait to get stuck in!

What gives you a good feeling? (No rude answers please!)


Jen x

Giovanni 2 Chic Flat Iron Styling Mist & Ultra-Sleek Leave-In Conditioning & Styling Elixir - Review

Bonjour!

The Giovanni 2 Chic Flat Iron Styling Mist and Ultra-Sleek Leave-In Conditioning & Styling Elixir were recently sent to me from Skin Nutrition - online beauty retailer offering a range of natural/organic skin and body care and sister company of the Nutrition Centre.  Giovanni Eco Chic Cosmetics is a family owned company in Los Angeles founded in the 1970s aiming ...  "to create hair products inspired by nature but that were still compelling, high performance formulas....the products are as natural as possible without sacrificing total performance."  According to the Giovanni website their products use lauryl and laureth sulfate free latherers and are paraben-free. 

Both products are suitable for all hair types and contain Giovanni's Dual Smoothing Complex made with Moroccan Organic Argan Oil & Brazilian Phyto-Keratin which are said to smooth and soften, help with the frizzies, whilst providing condition and protection against heat damage.  I've used each product on my daughter's head of medium textured, long, abundant hair and my own short, fine mop. They both have a subtle coconut 'holiday type' aroma.

Styling Elixir  - used on damp hair  before drying - only a small pump is needed for myself - I'd say more like two pumps for my daughter and concentrate on mid lengths to ends - if too much is taken too close to the roots it can feel a bit greasy. It's helped to tame and smooth our collective locks and keep frizziness at bay. My daughter's hair is very tangle prone and this has kept her hair from doing it's usual 'wild thing'.  Also a good one to apply to damp hair if leaving to dry naturally - I've done this a couple of time since the weather has become warmer and it prevented my hair from turning into a frizz ball so I imagine a handy product for holiday evenings.

Flat Iron Styling Mist - can be applied either to wet hair before blow drying or to dry hair for straightening.  I don't straighten my daughter's hair very often so have used it on both our hairs before drying and for myself before straightening. It doesn't weigh hair down at all and leaves it shiny and conditioned - especially important for me now I've had loads of colour put through - I'm desperate to keep the ends from doing their usual 'drying out' trick and so far they look and feel ok so fingers crossed!

Both these products have been great for keeping hair 'tamed' and neither are sticky or crispy.  My daughter's hair has been kept under control with the minimum of tangles, so much so that she's managed to brush and style her own hair in the mornings - apparently my next task is to create the 'Taylor Swift' curls look - whatever that is - wish me luck!

There is a whole range of Giovanni hair and body products available on the Skin Nutrition website here with a current 20% discount. The Flat Iron Styling Mist and Leave-In Conditioner are down from £7.99/118ml to £6.39.  I've really enjoyed using these products from the Giovanni 2 Chic range and being a complete haircare junkie can see myself making a few sneaky purchases pretty soon...the question is which product(s) to go for...too many to choose from!

Have you tried any Giovanni products?  Will you be making any purchases (sneaky or otherwise) from Skin Nutrition?

Jen x