recent hair favourites

a lot of products i post about seem to be either make up or skin care related so, for a change, i've decided to write about some of the hair products i've been using and loving recently. 

my natural hair colour is dark brown but after a few years of dying my hair red and then more recently brown with at home box dyes i've decided to start having my hair highlighted gradually at the hairdressers to (slowly) become blonde! my hair is very 'delicate' according to my hairdresser so having a full head of highlights every 8-10 weeks is a lot better than me whacking a box of bleach on at home and hoping for the best. even though my hair is still in pretty good condition despite the regular bleaching, i want to keep my hair feeling and look it's best so i've been turning to these products for the past couple of months and definitely haven't been disappointed.

john frieda sheer blonde highlight activating moisturising shampoo for lighter shades

RRP £5.59 available here

i've been washing my hair with this shampoo pretty much every day for the past month and i must admit, at first i was skeptical as to whether it would actually 'brighten and bring out my highlights' without the use of bleach, especially seeing as my hair is still fairly dark in places. i have, however, been pleasantly surprised by this shampoo, i would say it has definitely had an effect on my hair and brightened my highlights. when i visited home recently after a couple of weeks away at uni my mum actually commented that my hair looked lighter and the different shades of blonde seem to blend together a bit better, something i'm definitely putting down to this shampoo. it is a little on the expensive side for a shampoo but it lasts ages,  lathers up really well and i've been washing my hair with it almost daily for a month and i'm no where near the end of the tube. it has a very subtle floral, fresh scent and leaves my hair feeling clean and soft, there are no harsh bleach-like chemicals so it doesn't leave your hair feeling dry and damaged. the shampoo obviously won't magically turn dark hair to blonde but it's perfect for anyone with dyed blonde hair or highlights who wants to keep their hair looking bright between trips to the hairdressers.

lee stafford hair growth treatment

RRP £8.49 available here

i've seen loads of beauty bloggers rave about this hair product but always felt it was just a bit too expensive to pay the best part of £10 for what's essentially a conditioner. however, a couple of months ago boots had a 3 for £12 offer on (!!) which meant buying this product made perfect sense and i actually bought two tubs and a frizz protection spray (see below) and ended up saving about £17, bargain! boots actually have a 3 for £20 on lee stafford RIGHT NOW so if you're thinking of buying this then go go go. basically, this is a moisturising hair treatment which you leave on for 5 minutes between shampoo and conditioner, concentrating on your scalp to 'nourish hair at the root'. it's designed for 'hair that doesn't grow past a certain length' a sentence that definitely sums up my hair, it feels like it reaches a maximum length and then just stops growing! years of dyeing and using heat on my hair probably hasn't helped it so i thought i'd give this a whirl and see if there was any effect. 

i'm not claiming that this has made my hair grow inches overnight and i'm not suddenly blessed with rapunzel locks but i would say that since using this (i'm now onto my second tub) a few times a week between shampoo and conditioner my hair definitely looks and feels really healthy and has actually grown longer than it has been in years. i have been having regular trims so i can't say exactly how much my hair has grown but i would say this product is worth a go. if nothing else, it's a wonderful smelling, luxurious hair treatment which leaves your hair lovely and soft afterwards and if it helps your hair to grow too well, that's a bonus!

lee stafford frizz off keratin spray

RRP £10.99 available here

this is something i picked up as part of the 3 for £12 offer at boots, i wouldn't usually splash out on something like this on a whim but i was saving a ridiculous amount of money in the offer and wanted a third product to add to my 2 tubs of hair growth treatment. i decided to try this as i have naturally frizzy hair, especially when i dry it with the hairdryer and this product promises to reduce frizz, protect hair from heat and strengthen with keratin. i spritz this onto towel dried hair after getting out of the shower, comb it through and then blow dry my hair and i have been quite impressed with it. i must admit, i'm really bad and never use heat protection spray so that's the main reason i'm using this but it does seem to reduce frizz and you only need a few squirts meaning this will last ages. one thing i would say is you don't need to use much at all and try not to spray too much near your roots as it can make hair look a little bit greasy. when used properly this leaves hair feeling really soft and silky and like the hair growth treatment it smells gorgeous, it's quite a strong smell which won't be to everyone's taste but it's quite a deep floral, perfumed scent which lasts all day.

tangle teezer compact styler

RRP £12.49 available here

i was generously given this tangle teezer by my boyfriends mum and i haven't used another hairbrush since i got it. my hair is really tangle prone and can get so knotty, especially when i get out of the shower. i used to find myself dragging a hairbrush through it and losing loads of  hair in the process but the tangle teezer has literally changed my life (i realise how dramatic that sounds). it's something you have to try to appreciate but basically this detangles my hair without any tugging, pulling or ripping out massive clumps of hair. it just glides through, i don't know how it works but it must be some sort of hair witchcraft! the bigger tangle teezers are actually a bit cheaper but this is a slightly smaller, more compact one designed for taking in your bag as it comes with a protective cover for the bristles. i take this everywhere and i'd definitely buy another. the price may seem expensive for a hairbrush but if you have one of these, you'll know what i mean when i say it's definitely worth the money, you'll never want to use another hairbrush again. if you haven't got one, then you really should go and buy one! they're perfect for anyone who struggles with brushing knotty hair or is sick of losing massive clumps of hair everytime they run a brush through it, my hair feels so much healthier and thicker since i switched to using a tangle teezer.

save or spend - lipstick

a few weeks ago you may have seen i did a post comparing different mascaras from a variety of price ranges (if not then you can read it here) to see if it's worth splashing out on pricier brands or if cheaper 'budget beauty buys' can do the job just as well. today i'm going to do a similar thing but this time with a favourite of mine, red lipstick! i generally stick to red if i'm wearing bright lipstick as i think it suits me and it always leaves me feeling like i've made an effort even if i had to rush to get ready (i'm always running late!). so here are my comparisons from a wide variety of brands to see if it's worth spending a bit more or saving your pennies when it comes to lipstick!

natural collection moisture shine lipstick

in the shade 'cherry red'

RRP £1.99 available here

i absolutely love these lipsticks. firstly, the price is amazing, less than £2 for a lipstick and there is always an offer on the natural collection range at boots where you can get any 3 products for £5 (!!), insane! these lipsticks are available in a wide range of colours (i also own the shade raspberry) and they are so pigmented and creamy. as someone who suffers from dry lips i find most lipsticks can really dry out my lips and look quite unflattering but this is a really moisturising product which doesn't need reapplying too often. it also fades evenly rather than leaving a sort of ring of lipstick around my lips when i've eaten or had a drink! this is cheap enough to just throw in my bag and reapply whenever and i find myself turning to the moisture shine lipsticks for most of my day to day lipstick needs!

would i recommend? yes! these lipsticks are fabulous value for money and the packaging might look a little basic but this is a perfect product for everyday wear.

rimmel kate lasting finish lipstick

in the shade '001'

RRP £5.49 available here

i really wanted to love this lipstick, i think the packaging looks great and they're really hyped up but honestly? i don't like the kate moss lipstick range. i also own the shades 016 and 005 which are more pink and i find them really difficult to apply, the lipstick isn't creamy and doesn't glide on, i end up having to use a lipbrush. all 3 shades also cling horribly to dry skin on my lips so unless you've got ultra flawless lips, this lipstick probably isn't for you. the 'lasting finish' part is true but unfortunately the lipstick only seems to last around the edge of my lips and fades really quickly in the middle meaning i have to reapply ALL the time, something you don't want to be worrying about when going about your day. the shade 001 is actually a nice red but it just doesn't wear well on my lips and i wouldn't buy any more lipsticks from the kate moss range.

would i recommend? no, these lipsticks aren't exactly a bargain price and just aren't creamy enough for me. they're very pigmented but don't wear very well and tend to fade quite quickly, not suitable for anyone who's prone to dry lips.

avon ultra colour lipstick

in the shade 'perfect red'

RRP £7.50 available here

i recieved this lipstick as part of a gift set from my grandma and i have absolutely loved it. i've used some avon products before, especially when i was younger but this is the first time a product of theirs has really impressed me. this lipstick is really pigmented and very creamy and gives quite a bold look so i usually use a lipbrush to make it a bit more precise and neater. you could however blot it on gently to get a more subtle look as it's really easy to apply and the colour transfers to the lip really easy, something i wasn't getting with the rimmel lipstick. the packaging is really pretty and looks very high quality in my opinion and i think that £7.50 is a really reasonable price for this lipstick. i carry it around with me all day to reapply but a little goes a long way and it's lasted me absolutely ages.

would i recommend? yes, this lipstick is really good value and gives a really good creamy, pigmented finish, everything you want in a red lipstick. i've actually recommended it to my mum and she has since purchased 2 shades (which obviously i'll be 'borrowing' from her...)

max factor colour elixir lipstick

in the shade 'chilli'
RRP £7.99 available here

the lipstick i've got has different packaging to the ones i can find online so i'm not sure what's going on there but basically this lipstick is bit sheerer than the others i've talked about and is a much darker red with a sort of shimmer going through it, it's really nice for autumn. as it's quite sheer, it's also a bit more subtle and easier to quickly slick on, it doesn't require as much precise work with a lipbrush (and a lot of cotton buds because i always smudge lipstick when i put it on!) in terms of price, £7.99 is quite expensive for this lipstick in my opinion as i'm not totally wild on the shade, it feels a bit more like a shade my mum would go for as i favour a brighter red. that being said, it is a really good quality lipstick and goes on easily with a creamy consistency. it wears fairly well and evenly without too much need to worry about reapplying.

would i recommend? yes, if you're looking for a less pigmented and bold lipstick then a max factor colour elixir lipstick is probably for you. there a loads of different shades available so it's worth having a look.

mac lipstick

in the shade 'russian red'

RRP £15.50 available here

now, i really wanted to love this lipstick. it's the first mac product i've ever owned and it seems like everybody raves about mac lipsticks, especially this shade. however, it wasn't my favourite lipstick. it really upsets me to say that but for £15.50 and the hype that surrounds mac, i just expected so much more. the lipstick is very pigmented which is great and it's a really flattering shade of red for my skintone but as with the rimmel kate moss lipstick i find it very hard to apply. it doesn't go on well at all straight from the bullet and i have to painstakingly apply with a lipbrush meaning it's something i only really reach for on a night out when i've got plenty of time to get ready and make a bit more effort. it also really clings to any dry skin on my lips and makes them look a lot drier than they are and i tend to get that dreaded ring of lipstick if i don't reapply enough, something you don't want to be thinking about on a night out!

would i recommend? maybe..it's worth trying to see if you like this lipstick because so many people seem to and obviously this is only my opinion! it is a beautiful shade of red and i will continue to wear it and buy mac lipsticks in future but maybe i would go for a sheer lipstick next time or one with a creamier texture.

thanks for reading! i feel like these posts can get a bit long with my rambling on but i always have so much to say. so if you manage to stick with it right to the end then well done and thanks! i really appreciate anyone reading my posts and especially all you lovely people that have followed me!

my new primark winter coat

coat - £25 primark

black turtle neck jumper - £5 primark

leopard print skirt - £38 topshop

black patent loafers - £15 sainsburys

so this is my first proper fashion post where i'm actually 'modelling' the clothes, albeit very awkwardly and in my garden. please excuse the awkward poses (kate moss i ain't!) but i just wanted to show off my lovely new winter coat which is surprisingly from primark! i've been at home this weekend and so took full advantage of the good lighting and got lots of pictures for some blog posts i'll be writing up later in the week! 

i was so shocked when i saw this coat in primark because it is just so lovely and definitely looks worthy of a spot on the rails of topshop/zara etc. i was even more surprised when i saw the price tag, can you believe this beauty was just £25! i got this very bright 'tomato' red shade as i quite like coats in bright colours, especially as most of my wardrobe is black/grey. it's also available in a gorgeous camel colour which to be honest i would've preferred but i cannot for the life of me find it anywhere, i have checked in three different primarks! i can only assume it's been snapped up because it's such a bargain and looks much more expensive than it is! if you've managed to get hold of one then i am very jealous of you!

as well as being very fashionable and lovely to look at, this coat is really good quality. it's made of a wool blend material and feels like it will wear really well. it's fairly thick which means it'll keep me snug even on very cold days and it's actually quite generous in size, this is a size 6 and fits me perfectly whilst keeping the oversized boyfriend look. the faux fur collar is detachable which means this coat will be really versatile and is even wearable right into spring, let's face it you need a coat pretty much all year round in england! the collar is also really soft and doesn't feel or look 'cheap' like some faux fur collars i've seen on coats in other shops, plus it feels like it won't shed hairs all over my clothes.

primark has a really wide range of coats, all in a similar price range to this and all really fashionable and on trend. i was pleasantly surprised at how many coats caught my eye, if you're looking for a winter coat but don't want to spend £80+  as most high street shops tend to charge for a coat then definitely pay primark a visit. you could even get two coats for the price of one and mix it up a bit, you can never have too many coats!

i've now reached 60 followers on bloglovin which is amazing, i didn't think anyone would read my blog at all so it really means a lot to me and encourages me to keep posting!

soap and glory cosmetics

i have been a massive fan of soap and glory for ages, every single christmas without fail at least one of my presents under the tree contains a selection of some of their gorgeous bath and beauty products. from shower creams and shampoo to body mists and lotions, i've tried a huge array of soap and glory products over the years and i'm absolutely in love with the brand. the retro packaging, amazing quality and gorgeous, girly scents have meant soap and glory has been a staple part of my bath or shower routine for a long time but surprisingly i had never tried any of their cosmetics range, until now.

i have had my eye on the 'kick ass' concealer for a while and on a recent trip to my local boots found there was a 3 for 2 offer on soap and glory make up. naturally i used this as an excuse to pick up a few more of their products to try out and i have not been disappointed. as with the bath and beauty range, the soap and glory make up also has the trademark retro, quirky packaging and is a little more pricey than other brands but is definitely not unaffordable, especially when most of the time there is some sort of offer on in boots!

kick ass concealer

RRP £10, available here

The 'kick ass' concealer is a 3 in 1 concealing kit which contains 2 concealers and a translucent setting powder as well as a mirror and a small pad to apply the powder. i purchased the kit in the shade 'fair' as i'm very pale and the shade suits my skin well. the shade on the left is designed for concealing under your eyes as the apricot tones counteracts purple/blue tones and the shade on the right has yellow tones and is designed for counteracting the redness of blemishes and spots on your face. the concealer has a really creamy consistency and blends really well, a little goes quite a long way. i found the shades blended into my skin very well and i was especially impressed by the way the apricot shade covered my dark under eye circles, perfect for making me look a bit more awake on early, winter mornings!

the concealer palette also contains a translucent powder and powder puff (see above) which really helps to set the concealer but is not at all cakey and doesn't cling to dry skin which other powders can tend to do. 

i am really enjoying using the kick ass concealer as an alternative to my trusty collection concealer. the fact there is a powder and mirror in the palette makes it feel a bit more luxurious and special to use and the packaging looks so pretty, it's almost a shame for it to be hidden in my make up bag!

kick ass instant retouch pressed powder

RRP £12 - available here

i've been alternating between using my stila pressed powder and the rimmel matte powder for ages now and whilst browsing the soap and glory stand, this pressed powder caught my eye. it promises to have 'superblur technology' to perfect your face and so i thought i would give it a try! i really like the compact as it comes with a mirror and is quite nice to whip out of your bag in public to 'powder your nose'. the powder actually lifts up to reveal a space to keep a powder applicator but i was disappointed that product didn't come with one included. 

the powder is fairly translucent and didn't leave my face feeling cakey at all, it didn't set into the creases around my nose or cling to dry skin like some powders tend to do. for the price i would've expected slightly more from the powder i.e. an applicator and i don't think this is as good value for money as the kick ass concealer, however i do like the product and it's worth a try if you're thinking of buying it yourself.

archery brow tint and pencil

RRP £10 - available here

archery is a double ended brow product with a 'felt tip' at one end which contains a tint and a brow pencil at the other end. the idea is to use the tint to brush on small strokes and fill in the colour of your eyebrows then to use the pencil end to sketch and perfect the shape of the brow. i bought this product as it was essentially 'free' due to the 3 for 2 offer (which is still on by the way!) and because i wanted to try out an alternative to filling in my eyebrows with my along came betty brow powder and real techniques brow brush.

i found the product very easy to use. the tint is quite subtle and brushes on gently and easily to fill in the sparser bits of your brows with a bit of colour. i then used the pencil to further define and shape my brows, the pencil is a bit more waxy to apply which really helps to set your brows in shape. 

the photo above shows swatches of the tint (top line) and the pencil (bottom line). as you can see, the tint isn't too pigmented so it doesn't leave you actually looking like you've filled in your brows with a felt tip pen. the product is only available in two shades, 'love is blonde' and 'brownie points'. i obviously went for brownie points as i have quite dark eye brows but found the pen wasn't too light for me so would probably suit all brunettes. it wouldn't be suitable for anyone with very dark or black eye brows but i did see other soap and glory eyebrow products which have slightly darker shades so they could be worth checking out if 'brownie points' is too light for you.

all in all i have been really impressed by the soap and glory cosmetics i bought, even after just a few uses. they are quite expensive compared to other drug store brands but it's nice to treat yourself every once in a while, especially when there is a 3 for 2 offer on. i would recommend you have a try of the soap and glory make up, especially if you haven't already done so. the packaging and names are gorgeous and really perk up my dressing table and so far i am loving the quality, especially of the kick ass concealer and archery brow product.

let me know if you've tried any of the soap and glory make up range, is there anything you recommend or would definitely never buy again?