My Purse Friendly Beauty Favourites

I find it quite a challenge to find good skin care and other beauty products on a budget- I would much rather spend my money on a high quality product that will give me incredible results than a cheaper alternative that won't work as well. Saying that, I have discovered a few affordable beauty treats that work just as well as higher end products (and some even better).

Una Brennan Super Facialist Salicylic Acid Purifying Cleansing Wash  (£7.99)
I've read nothing but good things about this cleanser, so the last time Boots were offering 3 for 2 on skin care, I decided to pick this up. This refreshing foaming gel is formulated with salicylic acid which deeply cleanses congested skin of excess oils and other impurities, leaving the skin more balanced and healthy. My skin feels purified and unlike many other foaming cleansers, this doesn't leave my skin feeling tight after use, just lovely and soft. I've only been using this for a few weeks and I'm so pleased with the results!

Avene Cleanance MAT Mattifying Emulsion (£12)
I am incredibly picky when it comes to moisturisers - they need to be oil free, light and hydrating, but not feel too greasy or heavy on my skin. I have tried a handful of high end moisturisers that have left me disappointed, so I was thrilled when I came across this offering from Avene, it's just perfect. As well as regulating oil production to keep the skin balanced, it deeply cleanses and purifies, resulting in a beautiful, shine free complexion. It feels lovely and refreshing once applied and sinks into my skin like a dream, which I just love. This is one of the best moisturisers I've come across for oily skin, I urge you to pick up a tube if your skin is similar to mine!

Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Intense Rescue Melting Balm (£10.99)
My favourite hair care brand to splurge on is Bumble and bumble, but many of their products never seem to last me long enough to justify the eye watering price tag. I could easily go through one of their masques in less than a month because my hair is so long and thick, so I was thrilled when I came across this. It's a mask that comes in the form a balm that melts into a silky oil, which intensely nourishes my dry thirsty hair. The formula is made up of a blend of exotic oils and butters which work quickly to help the hair soak up all the nourishment it needs without weighing it down.  This has transformed my dry and over styled hair, leaving it beautifully soft and healthy. 

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub (£5.50)
Flakey lips are my worst enemy in the colder months, so I need something that will gently buff away the dry skin - lip balm just isn't enough to keep my lips looking kissably soft. I've worked my way through a few of these pots of sugary goodness, they contain jojoba oil and caster sugar which slough away all the dead skin and leave my lips smooth, while injecting some much needed moisture into them. This is a great product to use before applying lipstick as it ensures it glides on smoothly as there will be no dry patches left on your lips for it to cling to, and stops the colour from bleeding too. 

The Body Shop Tea Tree Face Mask (£10)
This is the mask I turn to when I am suffering from hormonal breakouts or when my skin is just looking a bit rubbish. It works to soothe and cleanse the skin of excess oil and other skin nasties to reveal a clearer and more even complexion. It's instantly cooling and feels so refreshing on the skin, I love how I can really feel this mask getting to work! Along with tea tree oil, it's packed with skin loving ingredients which help to improve the skins healing process by generating new tissue, leaving my skin feeling calm and soothed, all in under ten minutes. The big tub lasts ages too!

Have you tried any of these products? What are your favourite budget buys?

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The Mid Week Pick Me Up's

I normally save my pamper sessions for a Sunday night, but lately I've been so busy and feeling pretty run down because of it, so a mid week session has been very beneficial for me. Sometimes a weekly pamper session just isn't enough, and treating myself to one mid week makes all the difference and makes me feel much more relaxed. 

I start by running the bath and popping in my favourite Lush Bubble Bar, The Comforter (£4.75). It smells so lovely and makes a bubble bath look even more inviting. While the water is running, I remove my make up using the Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm (£22) which is by far my most loved cleansing balm. It melts away every trace of make up and leaves my skin feeling so soft and squeaky clean. I then apply the Aesop Parsley Seed Facial Cleansing Masque (£27) which works really well in ten minutes to decongest the skin and leave it feeling purified. I'm really into using clay masks because my skin is quite oily and I'm always battling those pesky blackheads! As the mask gets to work, I take a teaspoon sized blob of the Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Intense Rescue Melting Balm (£10.99) and work it through the ends of my hair for a deep conditioning treat. The formula is made up of a blend of sumptuous butters and exotic oils which get to work quickly, helping the hair soak up all the nourishment it needs. My brittle and over styled hair absolutely loves this stuff.

After my relaxing bath, I slather my whole body with The Body Shop Vitamin E Body Lotion (£8). This has been a favourite of mine for years and I always come back to it time and time again.  This heavenly lotion absorbs into the skin like a dream and leaves it feeling beautifully soft, smooth and hydrated. Plus the bottle is super pretty too! I then warm a few drops of the Balance Me Radiance Face Oil (£30) between my palms and gently massage it into my face and neck. This oil feels lovely and light and absorbs beautifully into the skin, giving my complexion a sheer and healthy glow. Don't be put off using facial oils if your skin is prone to oiliness and congestion, they work to balance the skin and keep it hydrated too. 

Once I've dried my hair and climbed into my favourite pyjamas, I kick back with a cup of tea and some Netflix and paint my nails. I've been wearing the Essie Nail Polish in Fifth Avenue (£7.99) for months now, it's the perfect red shade if you ask me!

Do you treat yourself to a mid week pamper session? 

Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer

I'm slowly working my way through everything Bumble and bumble has to offer at the moment; I absolutely love everything I've tried so far and their products make such a difference to the condition of my hair. I'm always looking for new ways to control my dry, frizzy hair and protect it from heat damage, so the next product on my list to try was the Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer (£19).

This does pretty much everything you could ask for, the list is impressive! It detangles, protects against breakage, eliminates frizz, tames flyaways, protects against heat styling and UV damage and makes styling a breeze too. It comes in a fairly big bottle and is really easy to use, I just spritz it through my hair when it's damp and comb through, then blow dry my hair as normal. I love how lightweight this spray is as I never know if I'm using too little or too much when it comes to hair products- I always find it hard to judge as my hair is so long and thick! So even if I over do it, there's no risk of it weighing my hair down or making it feel greasy like many products containing oil can often do.

In the past few weeks that I've been using this, I've used it every day without fail. My coarse, unruly hair is so much more manageable, smoother and soft, not to mention I can style it with minimal effort. It's really given my hair it's life back and it looks so healthy and shiny. I think every girl needs at least one Bumble and bumble styling product in their hair care routine, and this is an excellent one to have.

Have you tried this? Are you a fan of Bumble and bumble?

Three for Damaged Hair

Just recently, I was going through a bit of a dilemma with my hair - I've mentioned before that my locks are damaged from years of colouring and heat, but it seemed to be even more dry, brittle and unmanageable which was driving me crazy! None of my trusty hair products were making any difference to it's condition, so I decided to switch up my hair care routine in an attempt to restore it back to health. I've been using the following products for the last couple of weeks now and my hair has never looked better. 

Toni & Guy Cleanse Shampoo for Damaged Hair (£6.49)
This is the first shampoo I've tried from Toni & Guy and I must say I'm really impressed. I've been using this along with the conditioner from the same range; it aims to repair weak, damaged hair to leave it strong and revitalised. I love it as it gently cleanses my hair and leaves every strand feeling so nourished. One of the biggest issues I have with my hair is it snapping off at the ends, but since I started using this shampoo I've noticed such a big difference - it's mended my split ends and reduced breakage too. I'm so glad I decided to pick this up!

Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Intense Rescue Melting Balm (£10.99)
The great thing about hair masks is that they work in no time to restore the hair's condition, and this one is no exception. This intensely nourishing mask comes in the form of a balm that transforms into a silky, sumptuous oil that leaves my thirsty locks feeling deeply conditioned and oh so soft. To use, I scoop out a teaspoon sized amount and rub the balm between my palms until it melts into the oil, then run it evenly through the lengths and ends. After twenty minutes, I thoroughly rinse my hair and shampoo and condition as normal. The formula is made up of a blend of butters and exotic oils which get to work quickly, helping the hair soak up all the nourishment it needs without weighing it down. It's been a life saver for my dry and over styled hair, and at only £10.99 a pot it's a real bargain too. 

Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Primer (£19.00)
Every hair care routine needs a Bumble and bumble product in there somewhere, they're easily my favourite high end haircare brand and I've never been disappointed by any of the products I've tried. This spray does pretty much everything you could ask for; it detangles, protects against breakage, eliminates frizz, tames flyaways, protects against heat styling and UV damage and makes styling a breeze too. It's really easy to use, I just spritz it over towel dried hair before blow drying and style as normal. This spray makes styling effortless and my hair is more manageable and soft; it's really given my hair it's bounce back and it looks full of life. This is a dream product if you have brittle, dry and unmanageable hair like me - keep your eyes peeled for a full review coming soon!

Have you tried any of these products?

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? 

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?

Bumble and bumble Straight Blow Dry

Being a girl with ridiculously frizzy hair (and a lot of it at that), I need a little help when it comes to styling and keeping my locks straight and smooth. I've tried my fair share of straightening products to try and tame my mane and make it more manageable, but none have ever compared to the incredible Bumble and bumble Straight Blow Dry. I've been using this for a good while now and thought it was about time to share my love for this styling product with you all.

Bumble and bumble Straight Blow Dry (£25) is a heat activated styling balm that smooths and straightens the hair, leaving it soft, sleek and more manageable with every use. The brands smoothing range features their very own formula that contains the magical sounding ingredient gemstone, which helps to loosen the hairs natural waves once you apply heat. This can be used throughout all of the hair but I prefer to use it only where I need it most. You only apply this to damp hair, so after washing I squeeze a small amount out the tube, rub it between my hands and work it evenly down the lengths and through my fringe. Even though my hair is extremely thick and long, a small amount goes a long way with this product. I then divide my hair into sections and blow dry it straight using a round brush, and finish by running my ghd's through my hair for a sleek finish.

This is the only styling product I use in my hair at the moment, it makes styling my hair an absolute dream! Blow drying and straightening is so effortless when I use this; it transforms my frizzy, unmanageable mane leaving it silky smooth and soft. My hair stays straight and sleek all day and looks beautifully healthy with a gorgeous shine. It's a bit more expensive than other styling products out there, but Bumble and bumble are such an amazing brand and their products never fail to produce incredible results.

Are you a fan of Bumble and bumble? Have you tried this?

Lush Ultimate Shine Shampoo Bar

I'm slowly working my way through everything Lush has to offer at the moment, and lately I've been trying out their Ultimate Shine Shampoo Bar  (£5.50). My hair is so long and thick right now and I go through shampoo so quickly because of this, so when I read that these small bars can last up to eighty washes, I was intrigued. 

These solid shampoo bars are really easy to use; you just use them in the same way as you would use liquid shampoo. I massage the bar into my scalp and through the rest of my hair, stroking it down the lengths to work into a lather. I was so surprised from first use at how well these lather up, I definitely used more than I had to the first few times I washed my hair with this. These practical little bars are said to be the equivalent of around two to three regular sized shampoo bottles as they don't contain water and are highly concentrated. I must say I agree with this as I can go through a bottle of shampoo in a week (I wash my hair every day) and this bar has lasted me just over three weeks! Pretty impressive indeed.

Like all Lush products, this shampoo bar is bursting with natural ingredients and essential oils, including Emeli Oil, Ylang Ylang and Floral Violet which are all great for the scalp as they keep it balanced and in good condition. My hair is always left with a natural, beautiful shine after I use this and feels oh so fresh and soft to touch. The only downside to this product is the smell. I wouldn't say it was horrendous, but I do like shampoos to have a gorgeous scent. Saying that, my conditioner replaces the odd smell that the shampoo bar leaves behind. 

I'm very tempted to try the other shampoo bars that Lush has to offer, they are such good value for money as they are so long lasting, plus they are economical and produce amazing results too. 

What do you think of shampoo bars?

Lush H'suan Wen Hua Hair Treatment

I'm a pretty big fan of hair masks, they really do make all the difference to my hair and I always make sure to use one once a week to keep my hair in tip top condition. My favourite Bumble and bumble hair mask was running low, so on my last (and very over due) visit to Lush I picked up their H'Suan Wen Hua Hair Treatment  (£9.50). There's actually a new store that's just opened up in Glasgow where I live, so I was excited to have a look around and see what they had to offer. 

Aimed at those with damaged hair in need of repair, this protein rich treatment deeply nourishes the hair and improves it's overall condition, leaving your locks feeling stronger and revived. Like all Lush products, it's bursting with natural ingredients rich in oils such as avocados and bananas, which deeply moisturise the hair leaving it beautifully soft. It also contains cinnamon leaf oil and bay leaf infusion which stimulate the scalp promoting healthier hair. This is the perfect treatment if you have dry hair, or if you colour and use a lot of heat on your hair like I do.

To use, I massage a good amount of this mask through my hair when it's dry, making sure it's covered in a generous, thick coating. I then pile my hair on top of my head and leave for 20 minutes before shampooing and conditioning as normal. My hair is so thick and long right now that I ended up using almost half the tub in my first use! But I guess if you don't have as much hair as me it will last a lot longer.  

This is the first hair mask I've tried from Lush and I have to say I'm really impressed. My hair wasn't in bad condition before, but this mask gives my hair just what it needs to maintain it's strength and leaves it looking incredibly nourished and healthy with a beautiful shine. It feels so lovely and super soft, I'll definitely be repurchasing this as I love the results.

Have you tried any of the hair masks that Lush has to offer? 

Hair Care for Stronger, Healthier Hair

I've always been pretty good when it comes to taking care of my hair, but not so long ago I was having a lot of problems with my hair snapping off at the ends, and on the whole my hair just looked damaged and felt weak. The products I was using on my hair before just weren't working, so I switched up my hair care routine and started to use products that would strengthen my hair and restore it's health. My hair has been looking so shiney and healthy recently and I know it's down to these amazing products!

For the past few months I've been using the John Frieda Full Repair Hydrate + Rescue Shampoo (£5.99) along with the conditioner from the same range. I absolutely love this range, the shampoo works to reverse damage with every use by deeply nourishing and strengthening the hair so it's always smooth and soft. My hair was very dry and brittle before I started using this, but I've noticed such a difference in it's overall condition; it feels and looks so much stronger and healthier. I would definitely recommend this range if your hair has been damaged from colouring and heat and is in need of some tlc. 

Another product I've been using for a while now is the Bumble and bumble Deeep  (£22.50), a weekly deep conditioning hair mask that repairs damaged, chemically treated hair. It's packed full of proteins that help to soften and revitalise the hair, as well as improving it's elasticity and making it so manageable. I love how amazingly soft and smooth this mask leaves my hair, while giving it the most incredible shine. Like all Bumble and bumble products it doesn't come cheap, but this mask is worth the investment as it's so effective and leaves my hair feeling so nourished. 

To protect my hair from heat styling, I use the Dove StyleCare Replenishing and Heat Protect Spray (£4.59). I use this everyday before I dry and straighten my hair, it always leaves my hair feeling softer and smoother, and the formula helps to strengthen and protect against heat. I really love Dove's hair care range, I've used their shampoos and conditioners in the past and they've always really impressed me, they do such an affordable range of great quality hair care products. 

Finally, I use the Redken Extreme Anti-Snap (£13) which also offers heat protection but I use it mainly for it's repairing properties. It's a leave in treatment that strengthens the hair and helps to reduce breakage and split ends.  I've always had issues with my hair snapping off at the ends and I am happy to announce that this has really worked miracles. I apply this to the mid lengths and the ends of my hair and it feels and looks so much stronger and healthier. Plus this product doesn't feel greasy or heavy in the hair, it's so light and makes my thick hair more manageable while blow drying and styling, making it look beautifully smooth and shiny.

Have you tried any of these products?

Bumble and Bumble Deep

Bumble and bumble are easily one of my favourite hair care brands, so I was thrilled when I got my hands on one of their hair masks, given to me by the lovely Kate of Ghostparties. I try to use a hair mask as regularly as possible as they do so much for your hair and can change it for the better over time. I wouldn't say my hair is in bad condition, but as a girl who colours and straightens her hair, a deep conditioning mask is a must when it comes to caring for my hair and maintaining it's strength.

The Bumble and bumble Deeep (£22.50) is a weekly deep conditioning hair mask which repairs damaged, chemically treated hair leaving it stronger and intensely nourished. It's packed full of proteins that help to soften and revitalise the hair, as well as improving it's elasticity and making it so manageable. This is such a wonderful product to use, I work it evenly through my hair after washing when it’s damp, then wrap it in a towel and leave it to work for twenty minutes. If I’m not feeling too lazy, I'll blast my hair with a hair dryer to add some heat to it to get the best results. I was so impressed from the the first time I used this, I adore how amazingly soft and smooth it leaves my hair, while giving it the most beautiful shine. My hair can be pretty frizzy and dry, especially at the ends, and I believe that this mask is responsible for my hairs current condition. It has completely transformed it and looks so nourished, sleek and super healthy. Perfect! 

I personally believe that Bumble and bumble hair products are some of the best, they are pretty pricey but worth the investment as they are so effective.

What do you think of Bumble and bumble hair care products? Have you tried this mask?