New in: Summer Highstreet Hair Care Haul and other bits

Hi lovelies, I hope you all are well. I am back with a tiny haul. 

In February/ toward the end of March I made 3 changes to my hair care routine. Before I would shampoo and deep condition my hair twice a month (usually on a Saturday morning. I have always done that, ever since I have taken care of my own hair. "To have a change, you need to make a change." With that in mind I decided to shampoo and deep condition my hair 3 times a month (instead of only twice) and  I have added a pre -poo step to my hair care routine. 

Pre-poo-ing  (pre-conditioning before shampooing your hair) is not a new concept all the naturals I know pre- poo and a fair amount of the relaxed/ texlaxed girls. It is just something I haven't made a part of my hair care routine until now. For the last month or so I have been using the L'oreal Extraordinary Oils shampoo and hair mask. the shampoo has been lovely on my hair, not stripping at all and the hair mask has been great on its own as well as mixed with oils as a moisturizing hair mask. 

If you know me you know I like a good bargain, I saw that Boots and Superdrug were having 50%  off sale on L'Oreal hair products. I thought let me try a few of the other products, since I have been having a good experience with the Extraordinary oils range. 

I picked up a few other hair care products as well. plus some bits and bobs. 

1st Row

Tresemme Breakage Defense Restructuring Treatment Masque - this replaced the Herbal Essence Bee Strong Intensive hair mask as my pre-poo.

Vatika Virgin Oilive Deep Conditioning Hair mask - moisturising deep conditioner. This was 50p in Superdrug, total impulse purchase. 

2nd row

L'Oreal Elvive colour Protect Masque - moisturising deep conditioner 

L'Oreal Elvive Full Restore 5 Repairing masque - Protein/ strengthening deep conditioner. 

3rd Row

Trevor Sorbie Colour Enhance Mask - moisturising deep conditioner. 

5 conditioning masks might seem like a lot but, deep conditioning is the foundation of any good hair care routine. Plus I am conditioning my hair more often now. 

Gold packaging - L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil in cream leave in - all hair types. 

Brown packaging - L'Oreal Elvive  Extraordinary Oil in cream leave leave in - dry, rough, hair

Holland & Barrett

Avocado Oil

Peppermint Oil

Lavender and Coconut Hydrating Mist (don't do it)

Superdrug

Astral soft Face and Body Moisturiser - this is super light, absorbs quickly, perfect moisturiser for summer holidays. 

Marks & Spencers

Lemon Verbena Room Spray 

Well there you are my lovelies. 

My tiny haul of hair care and other things. 

If you have bought anything new hair things for the summer,

comment below and let me know. 

xx

Face Of The Day: Purple If You Please

Hello lovelies, my sister is down from uni and I roped her into being my photographer for today. 

This is just a quick face of the day post using a few of the snaps she took of me this morning. 

My camera is currently in Boston by way of New York,

 which is why I have been a bit slow with the posts this week. Not to worry, I plan on putting my lil sisters smartphone to work!!!!

Products

Murad Perfecting Day cream spf 30

Rimmel Stay Matte Primer

Laura Mercier Tinted moisturizer Walnut

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural in Deep Dark 

Mac Studio finish concealer - eyebrows

Mac moisture cover concealer - under eyes

Nars Blush in Taos

MAC Liner pencil in Magenta (tha boss!!!!)

MAC Retro Matte lipstick in Flat Out Fabulous (tha cross!!!!)

Urban Decay 24/7 glide on eye pencil in LUST

Soap and Glorayyyyyyy Thick and fast Mascara

L'Oreal Made For Me Natural eyebrow and duo eyeshadow for dark skin tones  (the one with the photo of Kerry Washington 

Lust on lower lash line, mascara on top lashes only

#PurpleIfYouPlease

The Skincare Edit - The Budget Friendly Version

The idea for this post struck me today when I was at work. One of the ladies and I were speaking about the summer sales and items we could purchase now to use as gifts for birthdays/Christmas.

 It came to me that with all the hype about the Emma Hardie Cleansing balm, the P50 exfoliating toner and the PIXI glow tonic. Where are the options for those who want to try these products but just do not have the money to buy the cult products. 

I recently posted my Skincare edit (which is subject to change so there will be updates soon), so I am writing this the Budget friendly version of my skincare edit. This would have been my skincare edit a year ago when I was a student, strapped for pennies.

Makeup Remover - L'Oréal Paris Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution 

Cleansing Oil  - L'oreal Cleansing oil (please remember this does have in mineral oil)

Cleanser morning - Neutrogena 2 in 1 cleanser & Mask 

Cleanser evening - Botanics 97% Organic Hot Cloth cleansing Balm 

Exfoliating toner - La Roche-Posay Effaclar Clarifying Lotion 

Hydrating toner - Botanics 100% Organic Rosewater Toning Spritz 

Serum - Avene Soothing Hydrating serum 

Sunscreen - Bioderma Photoderm Spot Cream SPF50+ 30ml, 

or Avene very high protection mineral suncreen spf50+ for very intolerant skin 

My current skincare edit is £125 in total. The budget version above total costs equal £85, at the moment a lot of these products are on reduced price offers, so the total would be even less. I recommend when purchasing skincare you buy one item at a time. eg when your cleanser finishes, then purchase a new one,  not before. Do the same in turn with each skincare item. Unless your skin is in a bad way, I would never suggest purchasing an entirely new skincare regime at once.  I love a bargain and the frugal person in me would never let that happen. I will stick to purchasing one at a time as items finish.  I hope that you guys find this post useful. 


Comment below and let me know if you have used any of the products above in the past. 

Happy Wednesday,

my lovelies.

xx

New stuff - Shop it, shop it up, look at all these bags

      A beauty blogger on a spending ban is not a good thing. As soon as I implemented my project 10 pan, (which turned into 20 lotions and potions pan) companies started dropping new releases left right hand centre. The one release which I was most in angst about was the arrival of the L'oreal Micellar water and cleanse off oil. I love a cleansing oil, I have reviewed the Origins Cleansing oil previously on this blog. I also love a Micellar water (which lead me to review my Bioderma Micellar water twice, can you say blogger faux pas). 

    However Project 10 pan is now over, like any good beauty blogger I have been shopping it up. There are some lusts, some necessities and the odd shower gel in this line up. What can I say I am a sucker for a good scent and some lather. 

Nivea Shower oils in Lemon, Water Lily and Melon

Nivea shower oil in Hawaiian bliss

River Island Nautical Earrings 

Zara Geometric Print Scarf

Laura Mercier Tinted moisturiser Oil Free sfp20

Sally Hansen No Chip Acrylic  top coat

Origins GinZing moisturizer

L'Oreal Skin Cleansing oil

L'Oreal 3 in 1 Purifiying Micellar Water (someone thinks they are fancy huh)

PIXI Glow Tonic 

Wonderbra Ultimate Strapless Bra

Dove Blue Fig and Orange Blossom Body wash

 

ORS Hair Mayonnaise 

There is is my  haul,

 not to worry I did it the Kanye way --> 

I did not spend what I did not have.

 xx

New Stuff - Doo Gro, L'Occitane, L'Oreal, Palmolive

Yea I know usually I would say this is a haul or something of the like, but everybody is hauling something or another these days. So I thought New Stuff, plus I like to plan my hauls. I save up my money make a list of things that I need to purchase, search different websites and blogs for deals that are going on and then buy I buy products. These are just products I have accrued over the last week. 

£2.43 this was on half price offer and I  am getting bored of my Infisium 23 (been using it religiously for over a year/ 12 months) so I thought I would give this one a try.

£1.01 this was on half priced offer as well, I bought it to suppliment my REN Morrocan Rose Otto body wash (£16  for 200ml that ish is not cheap). It smells exactly the same as the REN for wayyyyyyy less

£5.10 the most expensive purchase this week. I bought his to replace my beloved Aphogee Green tea and Keratin Reconstrustor, after nearly 2 solid years of service it is finished.

£4.80 I picked this up in the L'occitane summer sale. it was 70% off  So I thought I would treat myself. Also I have a few rose scented washes, so a lotion would be a good way to layer the fragrance. Did I mention it was 70% OFF. original price £16 for 100ml 

£4.80 same reason as above, I wanted to treat myself and it was 70% off.





what lotions and potions have you treated yourself to lately?
write in the comments and let me know.

Summer Skin - the new way to glow

    Though the sun has been fleeting here in the UK, other parts of the world are enjoying blazing temperatures. Trips to the beach and pool parties are well under weigh with travels to foreign lands on the horizon for individuals. Below are just a few things which can be used to keep us looking great while we try to keep up with the summer festivities.

Clean and Clear Morning energy skin brightening daily facial moisturiser - well that was a mouthful, lol let me have a sip of water before I continue. This is a non greasy moisturiser that in chock a block with shimmer. When applied ot the skin the moisturiser sinks in very well and you are left with a very healthy, glowy complexion (not oily). It smells great too since it is full of lemon and papaya extracts (which are supposed to brighten the skin over time by eating away at the dead skin cells, similar to the Elemis  Try-enzyme face wash).

Soap and glory Sweet Almond Dry oil body gloss  with ultra subtle powder glimmer for sexy long distance shimmer.  - there you have it what more can I say? I use this product mostly on my legs if I am wearing shorts + heels to an event. It does what it says on the packaging case closed and good night. lol 

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish - These are great for providing highlight for the face and décolletage. They also can be used as blushes, and eyeshadows. 

MAC Mineralize skin finish natural in Deep Dark -  everyday face powder, with SUBTLE shimmer great for wearing to work if you do not want to wear foundation, a bit of this, some coral blush, mascara and you are ready for the day. Looks amazing on skin.  

L'Oreal Paris Glam Bronze Bronzing power Long Lasting - SPF10 - Bronzing powder great for use as a blush to give your cheek bones a bit of oomph. Can be used to create a contour effect on paler skintones. 

Sleek Blush in Coral - a hint of coral (peachy orange) colour and a wash of shimmery goodness, looks great when accompanied by a smile, great everyday blush, especially if you work in an office or a corporate setting, also great for lunch with your girlfriends or just to a casual party setting. Apply with a light hand a little goes a long way, take care not to put it on the apples of your cheeks.

Sleek Blush in Sunrise -   a hint of pink colour and a wash of shimmery goodness, looks great when accompanied by a smile, great everyday blush, especially if you work in an office or a corporate setting. Apply with a light hand a little goes a long way, take care not to put it on the apples of your cheeks. Lovely on darker skin tones, as well as lighter skin tones. 

MAC Sheertone Shimmer Blush in Trace gold -  this is an excellent highlighter for cheeks and eyes, can be worn as an eye shadow if you so desire. 

Sleek Makeup Palettes in Jewels, Sunset and The Original - these 3 palettes contain all the eye makeup you will need. 

Eye Pen by H&M in Bronze -  great for giving your eyes a bit of colour.

Urban Decay  24/7 Glide on Eye pencil in Lucky -  great for giving eyes a hint of colour, excellent staying power.

Eyeshadow by H&M in Brown dust - A little pot of eyeshadow with great staying power, excellent for just a pop of colour or a wash all over the eyelid. 

Murad Skin Perfecting Primer (dewy finish) - This is a primer which contains very very fine particles of shimmer, best used under liquid foundation as it gives a natural glow to the skin and makes it appear nice and healthy.

Eyeshadow by H&M in Pearl dust -  A little pot of eyeshadow with great staying power, excellent for just a pop of colour or a wash all over the eyelid. When combined with Brown dust above gives a great Shimmery/bronzey smoky eye perfect for the summer. Great for providing inner corner highlight. 

Benefit High Beam - luminescent complexion enhancer aka its a highlighter, dab this along your nose and the top of your cheekbones.

The Body shop Shimmer Cubes - Shade 01 Pearly white found in Palette 18, Shade 02 golden sun found in Palette 15, Shade 02 Sea shell found in Palette 19. These are versatile litte nuggets, they can be used wet or dry and come in a cube containing 4 individually wrapped cubes of eye shadow. These three shades are great for providing inner corner/ brow bone highlight. they can also be used on the lid by themselves or combined with other shadows to create eye makeup looks.

Superdrug Vitamin E Shimmer Body Lotion - this is a moisturiser which contains body shimmer, excellent for giving your body a nice glow. Also this can be used to highlight specific areas, such as the décolletage, shoulders, arms, legs any specific area which you want to show off. The Superdrug vitamin E shimmer lotion is Tres fab, especially if you apply  fake tan on underneath it. What I do is if I have an event coming up I will apply the Palmers natural bronze body lotion for a few days before the event and then the day or night of the event I will apply the shimmer lotion on top…………the combo is positively amazing.   

Sidenote - The Body Shop also has a Coconut shimmer body lotion. I recommend that 4 friends/sisters split the cost of purchase, divide it into four equal sections. These four sections can be held in a small container with a cover until the shimmer lotion finishes. Remember a little goes a long way. 

Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan makeup in medium shimmer - This is a fake tan and body shimmer 2 in 1 product makes your body look great, excellent for nights at the club which you are wearing shorts rub this on your legs wait 10 minutes so that it dries COMPLETELY and then put on your clothes. 

"That Gal" Brightening Face Primer by Benefit - great primer makes your face look lovely when makeup is applied over it. 

Get to Glowing

xx

How much does your face cost.......

     Hey guys I'm coming to you with a post today, which stems from a tag I saw going around on the Beauty Blogs called "how much does your face cost."  The concept is that you get together the makeup that you would reach for on a day to day basis, on the days that you wear makeup and add up how much everything costs. Here I am going to go through mine bear in mind that some things may be used interchangeably eg foundation and tinted moisturiser or the eye shadows. However these are my staple  most used products here goes:

1. Mac Studio Fix  Powder + Foundation compact NW45 £19.50

2. Benefit "that gal" brightening face primer £21.50

3. Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural  Deep Dark £18.50

4. Rimmel Professional Eyebrow pencil 004 black brown £2.99

5. Rimmel The max volume flash mascara £3.99

6. Clinique Plum Seduction eyeshadow palette

7. Mac Studio Finish Concealer spf35 £13.50

8. L'Oreal Glam Bronze Bronzing powder £7.99

9. Boujois mineralise blush 74 Rose Ambre £5.99

10. Victoria Jackson eye palette part of a set that cost £20 (no longer available)

11. L'Oreal Made for me Naturals Brow and eyeshadow £2.99 (no longer available)

12. Sleek blush in Sahara £4.30

13. Sleek blush in Sunrise £4.30

14. Sleek blush in Flushed £4.30

15. Mac Prep and Prime eye Dark  £12

16. Hello kitty lip balm in blackberry £2.99

17. L'Oreal eyeliner 13 Noir intense (jet black) 4.50

18. Urban Decay tinted moisuriser £17

      This may seem like alot of stuff but remember things like blushes are used interchangeably please do not for a second think I wear 4 blushes all at once, chuckles to myself.  this revealed a things 1. I only bought 5 things on this list the total cost of those items £37.79,  the total amount of these items £168.34, and two of the items on this list are no longer available lol. Now the idea of this is that you find a dupe (cheaper version/own brand but with similar quality) for these products which costs less. 

    I quite like alot of these products here but there are two definites that I will be checking dupes for  primer - Gosh primer £12 from superdrug and Accesorize minieralise blushes which are a really good dupe for the Mac mineralise skin finish natural  which costs £6.50 also at superdrug. The tinted moisturiser you guys know I absolutely hate so I will be upgrading that with the Bobbi Brown oil free tinted moisturiser in May.

xoxo

Products I can't live without: Beauty Basics Edition

The everyday essentials that keep me looking great, feeling good and well preserved. lol

Radox shower smoothie - this particular one has in guarana and some other citrus smelling entities which is great for those mornings when I need a bit of zing to wake me up. Radox is a great cosmetic brand here in the UK. It is not too expensive but they make great products and quality is never compromised.

Palmers cocoas butter lotion - old faithful it has been especially great this winter period, because this cold has been on another level. The other fru fru lotions had to "get gone," like that guy in the irreplaceable video.

Elizabth Arden Red Door Revealed - this is my ode to Valentines day. Since I am single I decided that I am going to celebrate Valentines for the whole month of  february by wearing my valentines perfume all month. This is a really light, fresh scent, be careful not to spray too much though, it can get a bit cloying.

Secret invisible solid - It is invisible when your armpits are hairless, works well overall my go to everyday deodorant.

Seaweed toner, facewash and night lotion -  from the body shop. works really well a little goes a long way with these products so a light hand is necessary to get the most for your money. really good if you have oily skin.

St Ives apricot scrub for oily blemished skin -  I bought it, I use it, I dont like it, but I'm going to finish it because I paid for it.

Vitamin E face mask from the body shop - face sex in a jar, love this stuff. I apply it all over my face, then shower, come out of shower, rinse it off,  cleanse, tone, moisturise and I'm good to go. Again a little goes a long way with this stuff I have had this jar for over a year and I use it on my face twice a week like its my religion.

Nivea oil free mattifying day lotion -  works really really really really well. don't sleep on Nivea producs especially the lip balms and the body lotions. They are so good its stupid the lil bit of money they cost.

Side note - I decant my toner into a spray bottle, it lasts alot longer, compared to pouring it out directly from the flip cap.

Water -  I drink at least 1 litre of water a day.

Cod liver oil -  Two tablets a day

Vitamin c tablets -  I drink one of these every other day.

Fossil Watch -  I believe grown ups need to wear watches, checking the time on your phone is for teenagers.

Thomas Sabo - Charm bracelet with star charm

Links of London  - Sweetie Charm bracelet with clover charm (love me love me not collection)

Silver studs

And there you have it those are my everyday go to products. 

xx

Kae-Toya's Top Makeup must haves.

    For this post I must big up ma gf Kady....................before I went to university I was never big on the Makeup vibes. But Kady and I lived together for one year and at the end of it I was changed.............she always says she created a monster and yep she is kinda right, but I'm not doing drugs................so lowe me. :)

1. MAC studio fix foundation plus powder in one.

2. MAC lipgelee  in Moistly..............works for everyone

3. The Body shop shimmer cubes........you should get as many of these as you can, the can be used dry or wet and the colour payoff is awesome. you get alot of product for the price.

4. Rubie amd Millie i tools.........these are the travel make up brushes. Rubie and Millie brushes are the shyt............. cosmopolitan UK has compared them to MAC brushes for many a spend vs splurge. As the owner of quite a few I can tell you they are worth the money.

5. Sleek makeup palettes.............great colours, great payoff, great makeup brand, great price.

6. Bourjois Paris makeup brushes...............these are great brushes and are a great price.

7. Bourjois blush...................again great price and great product.

8. Urban Decay 24/7  glide on eye pencils.....................the best eyeliner I have ever used in my life hands down............................a great alternative to this is the Maybelline khol express waterproof eye liner pencil great product at a greatttttttttttttt price........... I mean come on £18 on one eye liner....................( can you see my waiting in earnest for the urband decay xmas eyeliner set............... I can lol)

9. Sleek hide it concealer with spf 15.................great product great price.

10. MAC prep and prime eye...................:)

11. Benefit concealer brush...........:) great item..................expensive but worth the price.

12. L'oreal Made for me naturals eye and brow shadow.

13. Mac mineralize skin finish natural....................this was recommended to me by a friend.  This is a product I will never stop using.

14. L'oreal glam bronze..............dont be sleeping on the bronzer........its great for a highlight and on top of a matte powder can be used to bring life to the face.

15. Estee lauder kabuki brush....................works great minimum shedding..............love love love this.............a great alternative is the jemma kidd kabuki brush which I also own.................love love love that brush as well.

16. Benefit that gyal face primer......................it works.

17. Maybelline Colour definer waterproof shadow stick...............great as an eye shadow primer to make the colours pop more. Great alternative to mac shadesticks.

xx