A Trip to Paris

It's been nearly three weeks since I've been back from Paris and it's only now that I've got around to writing about my trip! I had so many photos to sort through and edit, plus I've been suffering from a dose of the holiday blues which was stopping me from posting about it sooner. Me and Marshall spent our four days there doing all the typical touristy things and seeing the sights, we managed to squeeze in a lot during our time there but I wish we had stayed another day or so, I didn't want to leave! Here's a rundown of what we got up to.

We flew from Glasgow on Saturday morning which was quick and relatively stress free (however we did get a little lost on the metro when we got to Paris), but we finally arrived in Bastille around 5pm where we were staying. We booked a really cute apartment that we found on air bnb which was perfect for us; it was typically Parisian with so much character and very homely too, it was much more comfortable than staying in a tiny, over priced hotel room. We were pretty tired from all the travelling, so after dumping our stuff in the apartment we spent our first night mooching around Bastille and having a few cocktails. Bastille is a really fun area of Paris, it's full of lovely restaurants, cute bakeries and great bars, which was handy as we were exhausted from all the walking we did every day, so it was great having so many places to choose from that were only a short walk from our apartment. 

On our first day, we slept late and headed for brunch at this amazing little place called Koff that I'd read about online. The food was incredible and it had such a good atmosphere, they do the most amazing looking burgers too which we didn't get to try, although the people at the table next to us seemed to be really enjoying them! After stuffing ourselves, we braved the many, many steps to visit the Sacré-Couer. The walk to the top is well worth it - the view of Paris is truly amazing and the stained glass and architecture inside the church really does take your breath away. We then jumped on the metro and headed for the Notre Dame, we were too late to go up to the top when we arrived which was disappointing, but we did manage to go inside and have a walk around. As expected, it was beautiful.

We did a ridiculous amount of walking on the second day, city breaks really take it out of you! We headed out pretty early to take a stroll around the Père Lachaise Cemetery, I'd been before on my last trip to Paris and I just love it. It's so beautiful in Autumn and I could easily walk around for hours and hours looking at the tombs. We could of stayed for longer but we had so much planed for the rest of the day, so we decided to grab lunch and head to the Eiffel Tower. We ordered a cheese board at a lovely restaurant close by with a view of the tower which was really dreamy, I wish I could remember the name of the place or where it was but all these Parisian restaurants look so similar! 

After lunch we walked over to the Eiffel Tower but didn't go up as we were saving that for our last night, so as it was a beautiful day we decided to grab a crepe and take a stroll around the area before heading to Palais De Tokyo, a modern art museum not far from the Eiffel Tower. I found the exhibition a little disappointing if I'm honest, I just think modern art is a bit hit or miss, not to mention extremely pretentious and doesn't require much talent. Saying that, some of it was very eye opening and it is worth a visit if you go to Paris, even if you only get photos in the old fashioned photo booth which makes a lovely souvenir to take home with you. 

The third day was a little more relaxing than the previous two, we spent most of it shopping on Avenue Des Champs Elysees, the most famous street for shopping in Paris. I treated myself to a few new pieces of make up from Sephora and candles from Zara Home, but on the whole I didn't spend too much money. As the Arc De Triomphe was close by, we headed there next for a proper look and decided a visit to the top was a must. The stairs almost killed us, but the view of Paris made it all worthwhile. 

Our last day was another busy one and we were up early again to visit the Musée du Louvre. A visit to the Mona Lisa was a must, but we underestimated how big the museum would be and how much time we would need to see everything. We managed to see most of the paintings and had a look around the Egyptian Antiquities, but sadly we didn't have enough time to see anything else. The museum itself is truly beautiful, I was in awe of the incredible ceilings and the architecture throughout. 

After having our last lunch (sob) in a cute cafe called Loulou close to the Notre Dame, we took a stroll down the Seine and headed for the Pont de I'Archeveche, or more commonly known as the Love Lock Bridge. As a couple visiting Paris together for the first time, we couldn't possibly leave without putting our lock on the bridge! It's super cheesy, but I think it's a lovely thing to do and we can try and find our lock if we ever visit again. It was starting to get dark, so we jumped on the metro and headed to the Eiffel Tower. We waited for quite some time in the queue, but once you get to the top it's so worth it. Paris looks even more beautiful when the city is twinkling below you, it really does take your breath away and it was the perfect way to end our last night in Paris.

Have you been to Paris?

Packing for Paris

Tomorrow morning I'm jetting off to Paris with Marshall for a well deserved city break, and I couldn't be more excited! I've been to Paris before, it was around this time two years ago, but it was for Pitchfork Music Festival which didn't leave much time during the day to really explore the city. I managed to squeeze in a visit to the Eiffel Tower and a stroll around the Pere Lachaise Cemetery, but that's about it. So I'm determined to explore Paris properly this time and fit in as much as I can in four days.

One of my favourite things about going on holiday is deciding what I’m taking with me; I love outfit planning and deciding what make up, skin care and other essentials I’ll be bringing with me. I wish I could be one of those girls that can pack light but I just can’t. I’m not high maintenance, but I like to be prepared for everything, so I always end up packing more than I need. These photos don’t represent everything I’ll be taking with me, just the bare essentials...

Comfort is going to be my main priority when it comes to my outfit choices, I’ll be living in my black Dr Denim Plenty Jeans (£45) for most of the trip, they are the comfiest jeans I’ve ever owned and I love the fit- they’re super skinny! I’ll be packing most of my jumper collection too and a scarf to keep warm, all my jumpers in the photos above are from Topshop, I adore their knit wear at this time of year, they have so much to choose from! I also recently treated myself to this gorgeous Window Check Print Curve Hem Shirt (£38) and this Stripe Rib Funnel Top (£14) from Topshop, they both look effortlessly stylish worn with my black jeans and Dr Martens.

As for make up, I don’t want to stick to just one make up look while I’m there, so I’ll be taking a couple of blushers and lipsticks with me. MAC's Pro Longwear Blush in Rosey Outlook (£20) is one of my favourites, it’s a pretty, rosey pink shade that creates the most subtle and natural looking finish. Another favourite of mine is the NARS Blush in Desire (£22.50), its such a pretty pink that looks so striking against my fair skin, and has incredible staying power too.

I've been obsessed with my MAC Lipstick in Peach Blossom (£15.50) for months now, it's a lovely pinky nude and is the perfect colour for everyday wear. Like all cremesheens, the formula keeps my lips nourished and soft while making my lips look so kissable. I'll also be taking the Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturising Lip Colour Balm in Roomiest Rose (£17) which is the most perfect shade for Autumn! It's a warm, pinky berry colour that really stands out and looks oh so flattering against my fair skin. 

I'll definitely be taking the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint (£29) which is my absolute favourite base product; the light and buildable formula blends seamlessly into my skin to even out imperfections, resulting in a dewy matte finish that gives me the skin I've always dreamed of. If you have oily skin like me I'd highly recommend this, it contains anti oxidants that allow congested skin to breathe and controls shine, keeping the complexion fresh looking all day.

I never wear much eye make up apart from mascara, so I'll be relying on the LO'real False Lash Telescopic Mascara (£10.99) to make my eyes stand out. It creates incredible length and volume and makes my lashes look so doll like which I love. My lashes are never complete without curling them with my Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers (£20) to give them a little more oomph, I never go anywhere without these.

I don’t want to bring too much skin care as I’m planning on buying a few bits and pieces while I’m over there, so most of my usual lotions and potions will be staying at home. I’ll just be packing the essentials; the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm (£22) will definitely be coming with me as it removes make up like a dream and leaves my skin feeling lovely and refreshed. I’ve also got the Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Cleanser (£18) which I’ve been using as my morning cleanser and as my second cleanser in the evenings. It provides gentle exfoliation and sloughs away all the nasties that clog pores, while keeping my skin balanced and healthy looking. I’ll also be taking my favourite moisturiser, the Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser (£23)which keeps my skin hydrated all day and really perks up my complexion. Oh, and I never travel anywhere without an eye cream! I’ve been loving the Clarins Eye Revive Beauty Flash (£29), it’s really gentle and illuminates my whole eye area making me look bright eyed and more awake.

Have you been to Paris? Make sure to follow me on Instagram to keep up with my Paris trip!

Recent Homeware Additions #2

It's been a quite a while since I purchased some new bits and pieces for the flat me and my boyfriend share; life has just got in the way and getting the place organised hasn't been my main priority. But with my ever growing homeware wish list getting out of control, I decided it would be sensible to purchase a few things on it before the list got any longer.

Firstly, if you are wondering what the background to the above photo is, it's this amazing Cats Map of the World Print (£20.99) that I purchased from Etsy. The walls in our flat are so bare and I've been looking for some different pieces of art to hang up for some time now, so when I seen this I just had to have it! I can't resist buying anything with cats on it; I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a crazy cat lady, I fully embrace it and this poster is really quirky and very me. I still need to buy a frame for this, I can't wait to finally get one so I can display this in our living room. 

Oliver Bonas is one of my favourite stores when it comes to homewares, they have such an incredible range of beautiful products that are amazing quality too. On my last visit to the store I treated myself to this Zig Zag Frame (£18) - I adore the cool design, it really stands out and goes perfectly with everything in our living room. Me and Marshall are going to Paris in less that two weeks and I think a photo of us with picturesque Paris in the background will look perfect in this frame. I also picked up this Champagne and Elderflower Scented Candle (£18), a limited edition candle from the brand that smells incredible. 

I guess this is technically not homeware, but I thought I would still give this Design Bloggers at Home Book (£19.99) a mention. I have quite the collection of interior books now, they are great sources of inspiration and this one is no exception. Written by journalist Ellie Tennant, she introduces us to the beautiful and unique homes of some of the worlds leading design bloggers. The book is full of stunning photographs and so many clever styling ideas; it even has a chapter at the end offering advice on setting up your own blog too.

Finally, is there anyone out there who doesn't have these cute little cactuses (£4.50) from 
Ikea dotted around there home? Plants add so much life to a room and cactuses are so easy to care for and last forever, so they are a good investment. I decided to put these on a shelf high up in my kitchen so that they are out of reach and my cat Rory can't get near them (he loves plants and is always trying to chew them). I love the little white pots they come in too; so simple but chic and they're such a bargain. I'm planning another Ikea trip soon to buy a coffee table and possibly a few other essentials, so I'll definitely be picking up more cactuses and a few more plants for the rest of my flat. 

What do you think of my latest purchases? 

Jouer Anti-Blemish Matte Primer

Can you believe that up until a year ago I never used primers? I had actually never heard of them before I started reading beauty blogs- it's hard to believe now that I went so long without using one as priming is an essential step in my make up routine. I have quite the collection now but I couldn't resist adding the Jouer Anti-Blemish Matte Primer (£29) to my shopping basket while I was repurchasing a few things from Cult Beauty. 

This primer is quite different to any other primer I've used before. As well as instantly blurring imperfections and controlling oil, it aims to improve the skin over time so that your complexion gradually becomes naturally flawless. The clever oil-free formula is lightweight and contains Salicylic Acid, which works to alleviate congested skin and unclogs blocked pores while fighting any existing spots and stopping new ones from popping up. Now I don't suffer from too many blemishes, but I do have enlarged pores on my nose and my t-zone is very oily. It also contains skin friendly ingredients such as Vitamin E which provides anti-oxidant protection, and Aloe which works to soothe and calm the skin. 

To use, I squeeze a pearl sized amount out of the tube and smooth it all over my face, paying particular attention to my t-zone. It has a gel like texture which smoothes over the skin and dries in seconds to create a natural looking, semi matte finish. I've been using this every morning after moisturising for the past few weeks to prep my skin before applying my make up; I have to say I haven't noticed a huge difference in my skin, but it does help my make up last longer and my skin looks so flawless once I've applied foundation over the top.

As much as I do like this primer, it's not impressed me as much as other products I've tried from Jouer. It is a really good primer and it's lovely to use, but it's just not as good as other primers I've used in terms of oil control (nothing beats MAC's Prep and Prime Skin Refined Zone Treatment in my opinion) and I think it's a little over priced. Saying that, when I first started using this primer I had a few spots on my forehead and they cleared up in a few days, and my skin has been looking really clear too. If you suffer from blemishes and other imperfections I'd highly recommend this though.

Have you tried this?

Face Masks for Oily Skin

There’s nothing I enjoy more than getting home after a long day and sticking on one of my most loved face masks. I have quite the collection of face masks now and I always make sure to use them regularly to keep my skin in check. Here is a rundown of my current favourites.  

Origins Out of Trouble Face Mask (£23)

I absolutely adore origins, they’re one of my favourite skin care brands and this mask is one of my all time favourite products. It's a clay mask that works in ten minutes to decongest and deeply cleanse the skin, while absorbing excess oil and removing impurities. I always notice instant results when I use this, it does an incredible job unclogging my pores and lifting away any dirt and grime, leaving my skin looking balanced and clear. It's the perfect mask if your skin is in need of a detox too, it feels incredibly cooling and gives amazing results!

The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask (£10)

This is the mask I turn to when I’m suffering from one of my hormonal breakouts – despite my complexion being generally clear most of the time, I do have several blemishes to deal with during those dreaded few days of the month. Like the Origins mask, it’s instantly cooling and feels so incredibly refreshing on the skin, you can really feel this one working! It soothes and cleanses the skin, while removing impurities and absorbs excess oil to reveal a clearer and healthier complexion. Along with tea tree oil (natures wonder ingredient for oily, spot prone skin), it's packed with skin loving ingredients including tamanu oil extract which helps to improve the skins healing process by generating new tissue; just what I need when my skin is freaking out. This mask really does help my skin get back to it's good old self, and it's so affordable too.

Elemental Herbology Facial Detox Purifying Facial Mask (£27)

This mask is very similar to the Origins mask, it’s anti-bacterial and deep cleansing action helps to balance and decongest the skin, while gently exfoliating and unclogging pores to reveal a softer and more radiant complexion. It's packed to the punch with natural skin loving ingredients such as amazonian clay, which helps to eliminate  toxins from the surface of the skin while gently softening and exfoliating, plus oat flour, fig extract and essential oils, which work to resolve congestion, balance sebum production and protect against pollution and environmental extremes. The list is pretty impressive!  The price tag put me off at first, but it really is worth the money as you only need a thin layer and it’s lasted me quite some time.

Aesop Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque (£27)

The most recent mask to be added to my collection is this offering from Aesop; it was a pay day treat for me last month after lusting after it for what feels like forever! It’s been a much loved and raved about product amongst the beauty blogging community and rightly so; it deeply cleanses the skin, brightens up the complexion and gently draws out impurities and debris clogging the pores. Along with Rosehip and Parsley Seed extracts which pump the skin full of anti oxidants, it's formulated with superior clays which decongest the skin and Aloe Vera which leaves the skin feeling impeccably. I’m really keen to try more skin care from this brand after being so impressed with this mask. 

What are your favourite face masks?

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My Autumn Make Up Look

As the seasons change, so do the contents of my makeup bag- the pretty pink blushers, understated lip colours and tinted moisturisers I've been wearing all summer are replaced with warmer, bolder shades and heavier bases more suited to the Autumn months. This look will most likely be my standard Autumn make up look over the next few months. I've been wearing these products for the past few weeks and I just love them, many of them have been stored away my in Muji drawers for months and there's nothing I love more than rediscovering old make up favourites and getting the chance to wear them again. I've listed below all the make up I'm wearing to create this look, let me know what you think in the comments!

Face

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch  (£26)

Clinique Stay-Matte Oil Free Make Up in Fair (£22.50)

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly (£22)

Estee Lauder Invisible Powder Makeup in Spice Sand (£29)

MAC Pro Longwear Blush in Rosey Outlook (£20)

Eyes

LOreal False Lash Telescopic Mascara in Magnetic Black (£10.99)

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler (£20)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo in Ebony (£17)

Lips

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense Moisturing Lip Colour Balm in Roomiest Rose (£17)

More Autumn Wardrobe Additions

So I've been very spendy again this month, meaning I am now officially on a shopping ban....until I go to Paris in November of course. I only just published a post a few weeks ago on some of my recent wardrobe additions (you can read that post here ), but that’s not stopped me from picking up a few more things. There are just far too many lovely things in the shops at this time of year, it’s impossible to walk into any of my favorite stores and not be tempted by anything.

I’ve been on the lookout for a black shoulder bag for months now, and it was love at first site when I spotted this beautiful Croc Bucket Bag (£29.99) from Zara. It’s exactly what I had in mind and was the last one on the shelf too, so I snapped it up. It really is perfect in every way; it looks so chic, it's ideal for everyday use and is just the right size to hold all my daily essentials. The thing I love the most about this bag is that it can be worn casually or more dressed up depending on the occasion. I’m already getting so much use out of it, there’s not one day that’s gone by since I purchased it when I've not used it, it’s amazing quality too and it goes with absolutely everything in my wardrobe. 

I also couldn't resist treating myself to these gorgeous Lace Up Leopard Print Pony Effect Boots (£75) from Office. I normally stay away from heels as I just don't feel comfortable in them and I don't have the best balance either (ha), but these are just the right height for me and super comfortable too. I've only worn these once and I was so pleased at how easy they are to walk in. They are quite pricey, but boots like these are a good investment as they will never go out of style and complete any outfit.

What do you think of my latest purchases? 

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Kiehl's Rare Earth Deep Pore Daily Cleanser

Kiehl's are quickly becoming my favourite skin care brand, I've tried a number of their products this year and I've been so impressed with everything I’ve used so far– the results have been incredible and their products do so much for my skin.  My most recent purchase from the brand is the Rare Earth Purifying Cleanser (£18), I’ve used their Ultra Facial Oil Free cleanser in the past and loved it, so I was excited to give this a try.

This gentle, mildly foaming cleanser is formulated for normal to oily skin types to deeply cleanse and purify the skin, resulting in a healthy and fresh looking complexion. The mineral rich formula provides gentle exfoliation to slough away dead skin cells, toxins, surface debris and other nasties from the skin which can clog your pores; perfect for me as my enlarged pores are my biggest skin complaint. It is also packed full of amazing ingredients including Amazonian White Clay, a wonder ingredient that has so many benefits for every skin type - it removes surface oil, hydrates, improves skin texture, helps correct and balance, and gives an overall smooth and even appearance to the skin (Oooft). A pretty impressive list indeed!

This cleanser has a very thick, creamy consistency and feels lovely and gentle on the skin. To use, I take a generous amount and massage it into my skin for a minute or so, then rinse with warm water. I’ve been using this morning and night for the past week now and already I’ve noticed such a big difference in my overall complexion. It looks brighter, clearer and so much healthier. And most importantly, my pores are clear and look so much smaller. I've been a little run down lately so my skin hasn't been looking it's best, and I believe that this cleanser is just what I needed to restore my skin back to it's good old self. I'm so happy I purchased this as I'm so pleased with the results!

Have you tried this cleanser? Don't forget to follow me on Instagram and Twitter to keep updated with my blog!

Make Up I Couldn't Live Without

All the beauty fanatics out there will agree that no matter how much make up you own, there will always be those few products that you repurchase time and time again and simply cannot live without. Here are some of my favourites. 

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint (£29)
This product really is perfect in every way, I don't have a bad thing to say about it! When it comes to bases, a matte finish is always top of my list and I'm a big fan of light formulas which offer buildable, natural looking coverage. This moisture tint blends seamlessly into my skin to even out imperfections, giving a dewy matte finish that lets my actual skin show through. The oil free formula contains antioxidants that allows my congested skin to breathe and keeps my complexion shine free and fresh looking all day. This really does give me the skin I've always dreamed of, my complexion has never looked so perfected and flawless!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo (£17)
Ever since purchasing this in the States last summer I’ve been hooked. I use this along with the Anastasia angled brush, the duo consists of a pair of complimentary shades that you can blend together to create the perfect match for your brows. Up until I purchased this brow powder I had always used a pencil to fill in my brows, but I sometimes found that using a pencil could leave my brows looking quite harsh and unnatural. This powder however helps me create beautiful natural looking and defined brows with minimal effort.

Benefit POREfessional (£24.50)
This is the one product I never leave the house without. I always remember the first time I tried this primer, I received a sample of it along with a Benefit product I had purchased and I couldn’t believe how well it worked to minimise the appearance of my pores. I was so impressed that I rushed to my nearest Benefit counter the next day and picked up the full size tube. This is definitely the best primer I’ve come across in terms of blurring the appearance of pores and controlling shine; the finish is so natural and makes my skin look 
so flawless. It’s perfect for touch ups and you only need a tiny amount, so the tube lasts 
ages.

NARS Blush in Desire (£22.50)
In my opinion, NARS blushers are the best in the business- the formulas are incredible and their staying power is second to none. My all time favorite is the shade Desire, a striking, bright pink powder blush with a matte finish. NARS are famous for their bold and intense shades and this one is no exception, it’s very attention grabbing but still manages to look so flattering and pretty against my fair skin. I love how it really lifts my complexion and gives a fresh look to my cheeks, it creates an almost doll-like look which I just adore. I hardly ever need to touch up when I wear this, the colour never seems to fade even after hours of wear, it still looks so bright and fresh. A word of warning though, you really need the lightest hand possible so you don't go overboard as it’s very pigmented!

MAC Lipstick in Peach Blossom (£15.50)
This has been my most worn lipstick in the past few months, it’s the perfect everyday lipstick as it’s so understated and wearable. It’s a very pretty, pinky nude shade and always seems to go with whatever other make up I’m wearing – perfect for days when I’m rushing about in the morning and don’t have time to think about what lipstick to wear. It’s always in my bag, and the formula is super creamy so it keeps my lips feeling soft and nourished.

Eyeko Black Magic Mascara (£18)
I never feel that my make up is complete without a few coats of mascara, it transforms my whole look and makes my eyes stand out. This mascara is truly amazing, the bristles on the curved brush grab every lash, even the tricky ones at the corners of the eye, making lash building quick and effortless.  There's not a clump in sight and gives my lashes this incredible 'doll eyed' effect which I just adore. They look so long, pretty and fluttery-  it gives my lashes such a boost! I also love the packaging, the squeezey tube meaning there’s no waste and you get every last drop of mascara out of it.

What products can you not live without? Have you tried any of these?

Beating Dull Skin

I've spoken countless times about the products I love to use on my oily skin to keep it balanced and clear, but being a girl with oily skin also means my complexion can often look dull and lifeless too. Along with products to control oil, my skin care routine is made up of products that brighten my complexion to give it a natural, radiant glow. Here are a handful of the products that I'm currently using at the moment. 

The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion (£14)
The key to a brighter complexion is to slough away the dead skin cells that build up and make your skin look dull and lifeless. I use this once a week and I have to say it's the most gentle exfoliater I've ever come across. Some exfoliaters can feel so harsh on the skin, but the thick and creamy texture of this is so lovely and gentle. My skin always feels so smooth and super soft after use! It's packed with skin loving ingredients like shea butter and Amazonian camu camu which transforms my tired looking skin, leaving it looking fresh and radiant with a natural healthy glow. The Body Shop always have incredible products that are so effective but purse friendly, so this is one to add to your skin care stash. 

Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturiser  (£23)
I absolutely adore this moisturiser, I use it every morning without fail as it wakes up my skin and the orangey scent smells incredible too. I can be pretty fussy when it comes to moisturisers; they have to be light, oil free and hydrating, but not feel greasy or too rich on my skin. I love this as it absorbs quickly and doesn't feel heavy on my skin at all. It feels lovely and refreshing once applied and really perks up my complexion. It certainly revitalises my skin an makes it look so radiant! Origins never disappoint and this is one of their many skin care products I cannot live without. 

Balance Me Radiance Face Oil (£30)
Facial oils have so many benefits no matter what your skin type; I always presumed that using one would make my oily skin feel even more greasy and clog my pores, but how wrong I was. I have only been using this facial oil for the past week and already I'm really impressed! I warm two drops between my palms and massage the oil all over my face in a circular motion just before I go to bed. It feels lovely and light and contains skin loving ingredients which combat congested skin and make the complexion look radiant with a vibrant glow. It's quite pricey, but facial oils last forever so it's worth investing in a bottle if you don't already have one. 

Have you tried any of these?

Redken Extreme Strength Builder Treatment

Ever since I started colouring my hair and using hair straighteners, my hair has been more prone to breaking and snapping off, especially at the ends. I've always found hair masks to be the most effective treatment to repair my poor, over processed hair - they work so quickly to give great results, and with regular use can really transform your hair. I recently purchased the Redken Extreme Strength Builder (£15.90) after trying and being so impressed with a couple of the brands other products from the same range. I've been quite lazy when it comes to looking after my hair (which isn't like me) and I was beginning to get really concerned about it's condition, so I decided to give this a try. 

First things first, I love the smell of this - it's so dreamy and reminds me of sweets! Scent isn't too important to me when it comes to skin care and make up, but with hair care it's a must. This intensely nourishing mask works to repair and strengthen distressed hair by improving it's overall condition, while leaving your locks feeling soft and healthy - just what my brittle and dry hair needs. It's formulated with proteins that help to revitalise the hair, as well as making it more manageable and shiny too. This is the perfect mask if you have abused your hair with too much heat and colouring like I have.

I don't see the need to put this all over my hair as it's only damaged at the ends, so I just work a generous amount evenly through the ends when my hair is damp and leave it to work for fifteen minutes. You can leave it for less time if you wish but I like to leave it on for longer for a more intense treatment. I was so impressed from the first time I used this, my hair felt so much stronger and softer, and looked so much healthier! I've been using this mask weekly for the past month now and it's completely transformed my damaged hair - there's much less breakage and it feels so nourished. Another Redken product that has failed to disappoint!

Have you tried this? 

Autumn Wardrobe Additions

I always spend so much money at this time of year, Autumn is my favourite season when it comes to fashion and I can never seem to leave any of my favourite clothes stores empty handed at the moment. As you can see from the above photo, I invested in some new pieces to update my wardrobe that will get me through the cooler months.

Topshop Ribbed Grunge Sweater (£36)
Slouchy jumpers are a wardrobe favourite of mine, I already have quite the collection but I just had to have this one too. It's the perfect jumper to throw on with a pair of skinny jeans when you're having a lazy day as it's so effortlessly cool and stylish. I've been wearing this jumper constantly since I purchased it a few weeks ago, the fit is just beautiful and it's so snug. 

Topshop Fluffy Sweat  (£29)
I actually bought myself this exact same jumper around the same time last year, but my current one has been worn to death and is quite tatty looking, so I decided to pick up another one to replace it. I still adore this jumper as much as I did when I first purchased it, it's so fluffy and cute and goes with everything - jeans, skirts, shorts, you name it! I remember this jumper being available in black last year too but I didn't buy it at the time, but I think I'll treat myself to it if Topshop decide to release it again this year. 

Dr. Denim Plenty Skinny Jeans (£45)
I've been in desperate need of a new pair of black skinny jeans as my current ones are looking so faded. For me, black jeans have to look 'black black' if you get me. I'm pretty fussy when it comes to jeans, they have to be perfect in every way and I'm pleased to announce that these tick all my boxes. They are easily the comfiest jeans I've ever owned, they're really soft, stretchy and I love the fit- they look like they have been sprayed on. Just what skinny jeans should look like! These are the first pair of jeans I've bought from the brand and I'm so impressed with them that I might stock up on more colours. 

Dune Loris Leopard Pointed Flat Shoes (£69)
My favourite purchase of the lot has to be these beautiful leopard print brogues! They were quite pricey and a little more than I'm normally prepared to pay for shoes, but I managed to get a 20% discount on them which brought them down to a more reasonable price. These shoes just make an outfit, most of my Autumn clothes are quite plain so they go perfectly with everything in my wardrobe and really stand out. I'm not going to lie, they killed my feet the first few times I wore them, but now that they are worn in they're so comfy.

What do you think of my recent purchases?

Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Masque

Providing you haven't been living under a rock for the last year or so, you will have noticed that the Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Masque (£27) has been a much loved and raved about product amongst the beauty blogging community.The brand have so many products that I'm keen to try but their Parsley Seed mask has always been at the top of my list. I use clay masks regularly to give my skin a good detox as it's oily and becomes congested easily, so when a handful of my favourite clay masks all ran out at once, I decided it was finally time to give this a try. 

It does everything I hope for when I purchase a new face mask; it deeply cleanses the skin, brightens up my complexion and gently draws out impurities and debris clogging the pores. Along with Rosehip and Parsley Seed extracts which pump the skin full of anti oxidants, it's formulated with superior clays which decongest the skin and Aloe Vera which leaves the skin feeling impeccably soft and fresh. There's nothing worse than a face mask that leaves your skin feeling tight and uncomfortable after use. 

Before applying, I like to thoroughly cleanse and exfoliate my skin to get the best results. I smooth a thin layer over my face and wait fifteen minutes before rinsing it off with cool water. My skin was looking quite dull and I had lots of blackheads on my nose, but straight away after using this mask my complexion looked so much healthier and my pores were clearer too. I'm so impressed with how effective this mask is as it works in no time to transform my skin. It really manages to perk up my complexion and leaves my oily skin looking balanced and clear.

This mask has really lived up to my expectations, it's the perfect weekly skin treat as it does so much to improve the overall appearance of my skin. It's made the perfect addition to my face mask collection. 

Have you tried this mask?

Tips on Styling and Cutting Your Own Fringe

A lot of people always seem surprised that I’m brave enough to cut my own fringe; I’ve had one for years now so I’ve had lots of practice learning how  to make my fringe look just as good as a hair stylist would. Well, almost. Here are some tips and tricks that I’ve picked up…

Invest in a good pair of hair scissors
If you’re considering trimming your own fringe, then purchasing a good pair of hair scissors is a must. Don’t even think about reaching for the kitchen scissors! I have lots of bad memories from my teens when I would use them instead of professional hair cutting scissors, they’re just not designed to cut hair and you will end up with an unsightly fringe. You can get a good pair for around £10, the ones I use are a pair I picked up from Boots a few years ago and they’re still going strong.

Use styling products and conditioner sparingly
My fringe always gets greasier faster than the rest of my hair, so I try not to use too much conditioner as this can make my fringe feel oilier and weighed down. I only use the tiniest amount as I don’t think conditioner is completely necessary for a fringe, but I still like to use a small amount anyway. As my fringe is really thick and prone to frizz, I like to use a styling cream that makes my hair more manageable and leaves it straight and smooth. I recommend working a small amount of the Bumble and bumble Straight Blow Dry (£23) through your fringe before blow drying to make styling a breeze and to ensure your fringe stays frizz free and smooth.

Use a big round brush when blow drying
I’ve always found that styling with a round brush makes such a difference to the way my fringe sits, it just looks so much nicer and smoother. After I have applied a small amount of styling cream, I take a large circular brush and gently blow dry my fringe on the lowest  heat setting, wrapping the hair around the bristles and pulling it out slightly so it blow dries straight. I’ll also smooth the brush over the top of my fringe to ensure a sleeker finish. Even though my fringe is already really thick, styling in this way gives it so much more body and volume too.

Don't cut your fringe when it's wet
My fringe grows quite quickly, so I have to trim it often so that it stays sitting above my eyebrows. I never cut my fringe when it’s still wet; hair always looks longer when it’s wet so it’s easy to make a mistake and take too much off. I always cut my fringe when it’s clean, dry and straight; I either use my fingers or a comb to hold my fringe in place so I can see where I need to trim.  I then take my hair scissors and trim a little off the ends, working my way across horizontally until I’m happy with the result.  Always remember to keep your hand steady and take your time! Don’t rush as you could easily make a mistake.

Do you have any tips on styling and cutting your fringe?