Showing posts with label blogger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blogger. Show all posts

Wednesday, 25 October 2017

L'Oréal Paris Merry Metals: Glow Drops Review

The new Merry Metals range by L'Oréal has just dropped and I couldn't help myself but to purchase something.We all know how poor I am (especially when it comes to makeup), so I wasn't able to get my hands on the entire range, but I still wanted to get my hands on one.Five products are part of this range which I've listed below for you, with them only being available to purchase as ASOS at the time of this post:

Merry Metals Glow Drops
Merry Metals Eyeshadow Paint
Merry Metals Super Liner Eyeliner
Merry Metals Lip Paint
Merry Metals Glow Kit

I decided to go with the glow drops, because I absolutely love highlighters and I love comparing it to other expensive brands as well.A lot of brands recently have been coming out with these and I'm so glad that I waited for L'Oréal to release there own.No information about these are on the bottles, but this is what I was able to get from the ASOS website:

  • Glide on smoothly and blend seamlessly
  • Leave a high-shine glow
  • Liquid to powder formula 
  • Precision applicator for easy, one stroke application
  • Longwear formula that lasts throughout the day
The packaging is glass which I really love, as a lot of brands tend to go with plastic packaging.Some are ok, but others feel super cheap sometimes and having a glass one to me makes the quality so much better.The precision applicator is of course a dropper, which I was expecting as the formula is described as a liquid.
The formula is very watery, which I found quite strange as it loses its proper colour once I applied just one drop onto my face.I had to go in 2-3times of droplets until I actually got some colour out of it.The smell isn't really that pleasant either, which I was quite shocked about as normally L'Oréal produce some lovely scented products.This one smells a little bit chemically, and although it doesn't linger after applying, you can always smell it when you take the top off.

Not much information was provided when it came to blending it out, so for the first time I used my finger and the second I used a beauty blender.This was actually really hard to blend with both and actually dragged my foundation with it, leaving it streaky.To me its just too watery and its more of a shimmer, than an actual highlighter in my opinion.Its not that pigmented at all, which again I'm shocked about as L'Oréal usually deliver.It didn't set as a powder after leaving it on my face for 30minutes and even with applying a setting powder on top didn't really do anything.I didn't want to give up on this product just yet, so I decided to mix it in with a foundation to see how that works.It did work a little better at first, only slightly making it luminous, but it then began to break down my foundation,
I decided to do a swatch comparison to another highlighter that I own by L'Oréal, so you can see the different formulas.Both were applied with my finger with one swipe and without a base.Both were left on my arm for 45minutes, with the top formula starting to break down and the other completely set after a few minutes.The formula of the glow drops was still wet after an hour and in no way set as a "powder" as advertised.Out of the two, I would pick the Liquid Illuminator by far, purely because its:
  • Easy to blend
  • Can be used as a primer
  • Very Pigmented
  • Long lasting
  • Lovely scent
  • Cheaper than the glow drops (£6.99-£8.99)
This is the first negative review I've had to give this year on L'Oréal and I really hope they improve on this formula.I'm not going to allow one product to stop me from purchasing the rest of the range, but I'll be honest to say that I'm not as excited as before on trying the rest of them out.I would personally give this product a miss as I think its a waste of money, but of course its up to you whether you decide to pick one up or not.Let me know in the comments if you purchase anything from this range and what you think of it :) 

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Monday, 16 October 2017

Huda Beauty Faux Filter Foundation: Tres Leches (320G)

Huda Beauty Faux Filter Foundation is finally here on my blog and I'm so excited to talk about it.I'm sure many of you are trying to figure out your shade and to see if its worth the £32 price tag.I will try to answer as many questions on this post as possible to help you, but if I do miss anything, please let me know in the comment section and I'll add it to the post :)

I'm going to start packaging first as I know there is a little bit of confusion with it.Although it gives off a glass look, it is in fact plastic.I'm pretty fussy when it comes to foundation packaging and when I saw reviews of people complaining of it feeling like a cheap plastic, I was a little worried.In my opinion, I don't think it feels like a cheap plastic at all, and I'm glad Huda decided to choose this over glass, because their is nothing more devastating than seeing someone drop a glass foundation bottle to see it smash.Its like dropping food!I hope that clears things up on the packaging.

The first thing I had to do, was to completely guess my foundation shade, by finding my undertone with the corresponding shade on the chart.I'm not going to lie, I've never been so stressed in my life all over a foundation shade, but thanks to Huda and her beauty team, they created this chart to help us.I've provided the list for this shade on this post (which is owned by Huda not me) and to see the full list og the other shades, please click here
It was still quite hard for me to figure out my shade, because the majority of them I don't own or they are listed in a lighter or darker shade to me, so I had to use that as guidance.The shade Butter Pecan (330N) threw me off a little, because the NARS foundation Punjab alongside that one is extremely light, whereas I'm the shade Stromboli by NARS which is 3shades darker than Punjab, yet Tres Leches (320G) is above it on the chart.Pretty confusing right?The shade Latte (300N) also has one of my brands with the same shade, which is Kat Von D Medium 54, which is fairly light for me, even during autumn/winter time so I felt that Amaretti (310G) wouldn't be enough still.

Below I've swatched Tres Leches alongside my other foundation shades I use with other brands:
Huda's Tres Leches and NARS Stromboli are nearly identical to each other.What I've noticed with this foundation, is that after you apply it onto your skin, not only does it start to dry very quickly but it also starts to oxidise a little but not orange, just a little darker after a couple of minutes.Its more on the golden side compared to the NARS foundation which is perfect for me.

The formula is mixture of it being thick and liquidy, but not too liquidy where it runs down your hand.Huda recommended using just half to one pump for the whole face, which I personally thought would not work, as I don't have the smallest forehead.The foundation came with a sample of Huda's Complexion Perfection, which is a primer that can be used alongside this foundation.I decided to test it out, just to see if it made a difference when applying the foundation.
I took these snapshots from the first impressions review video that I posted on the 14th.The first image is me feeling my face after applying the primer.It made my face feel plump and supple, not leaving my face feeling sticky at all.You can also see I have quite a lot of acne going on at the moment on my forehead and chin, compared to my usual clear skin.I tend to get dry patches around the mouth during autumn/winter, with it being autumn right now in the UK.I felt this would be the perfect test for those that have skin problems.You can find my video on this foundation by clicking here
This is what my makeup looked like after applying half a pump for my whole face and it really does look like my skin has a filter on it.To apply this foundation, I used my Zoeva 104 Buffer Brush, which I swear by when it comes to liquid foundations.I didn't want to go for a full makeup look as I didn't want to take away the attention from the foundation, so I just applied some concealer under my eyes, mascara, liquid matte lipstick and some highlighter.This foundation is also scented, like it honestly smells really good.I did have a look at the ingredients to try and see what it could be, but its just listed as Parfum/Fragrance.

Huda recommends applying powder under the eyes and laugh lines so the foundation doesn't budge or crease, but I didn't do this as I already finished filming the video.The spot to your left on my cheek, I wasn't expecting the foundation to cover it completely as it was a fresh spot that was extremely bumpy, however it completely removed the redness surrounding it.

Later that night I decided to get some pictures of how my makeup looked after 8-9hours after applying.Each shot was photobombed by Louie and this was taken with the flash on.This is the only one that came out without his head in the way:
Makeup Details: 
Base: Huda Beauty Complexion Perfection Primer
Foundation: Huda Beauty Faux Filter Foundation Tres Leches (320G)
Mascara: L'Oréal Paradise 
Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape In Medium
Lips: Beauty Bakerie Cranberry Stiletto Lip Whip 
Highlight: Huda Beauty 3D Pink Sands Edition In Azores 

My skin stayed flawless the whole day and that was even without applying a setting powder.Nothing budged or transferred and it just looks like I've got a smooth filter across my face.It didn't crease into anything, no clinging to dry patches, nothing.To remove this foundation, I recommend using the Nivea Double Eye Effect Makeup Remover, as this removes the toughest of makeup products without it dragging it all across your face.It only costs £3.59 (£1.75 when on offer) from Superdrug and you don't even need that much to remove it all.

I honestly believe this foundation is well worth the £32 price tag, considering I've paid around the same or more for other brands that don't leave my face looking this good.If you can, I would highly recommend going in-store and trying the shades out, as this shade did oxidise slightly so I can't comment for the other shades.These can be purchased from the following authorised retailers in the UK:
Cult Beauty 
Selfridges 
Harrods
Makeup Details: 
Base: L'Oréal Skin Perfection Moisturiser
Foundation: Huda Beauty Faux Filter Foundation Tres Leches (320G)
Mascara: L'Oréal Paradise 
Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape In Medium
Setting Powder: Beauty Bakerie Yellow Flour 
Lips: Huda Beauty Liquid Matte In Heartbreaker 
Highlight: Huda Beauty 3D Pink Sands Edition In Azores 
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Tuesday, 1 August 2017

Herbal Essences: White Strawberry & Sweet Mint

Herbal Essences have always been a brand that I never really picked up when it came to shampoo's and conditioners, as I felt it wasn't for our hair types.I've had great experiences with their Bee Strong Hair Mask and Leave In Conditioner, but since them both being discontinued, I had no real reason to return.Whilst having my weekly browse on Superdrug, I noticed that Herbal Essences have come out with a whole new range, called Bio Renew.All of them are created with a blend of antioxidants, aloe and sea kelp, which are all good for keeping the hair healthy.It also doesn't contain any parabens, silicones, gluten or colurants either, which is great for my hair as these can sometimes dry my curls out.

I decided to go with the White Strawberry and Sweet Mint, for two reasons: 1. I'm obsessed with anything that is strawberry scented and 2. Its designed to clean the scalp and any product buildup, without removing your hairs natural oils in the process.I've provided the rest of the Bio Renew range below as guidance:

Argan Oil Of Morroco - Repair
Coconut Milk - Hydrate
Golden Moringa Oil - Smooth
White Strawberry & Sweet Mint - Clean
Cucumber & Green Tea - Shine
Rosemary & Herbs - Moisture
White Grapefruit & Mosa- Volume
I'm always someone that keeps up there hair routine, whether thats deep conditioning or wash day.I really wanted to put these products to the test, so during the week I skipped having a hair treatment and let my hair build up with product.I'll be completely honest, it was hard yet disgusting not washing my hair, because it began to look so yucky, I ended up putting it up in a bun to reduce the yuckyness.

Wash day FINALLY arrived, and I was so ready to wash my hair.Taking a "generous" amount (ha generous for curly hair), I applied it directly onto my scalp and hair that had the most buildup.It lathered up pretty quickly and smells absolutely incredible.Its scented more strawberry than mint, but doesn't smell like a knock off strawberry scent and isn't sickly at all.Washing it out of my hair was super easy and it was obvious all of the product buildup was being removed, because you could see it in the water as I was washing it out.Once the water ran clear and no more bubbles were being produced, I touched my hair and its felt amazingly soft.My scalp felt very clean, no longer having that yucky feeling and my curls were back to their happy selves.

Next was the conditioner which of course I was super excited to try out since I got really good results with the shampoo.Again taking a "generous" amount, I applied it all over my hair, making sure I got every strand covered, because who says you can't have too much conditioner?Taking a wide tooth comb, I began detangling my hair and it actually was a lot more easier with this conditioner, as it didn't matte my hair up like some conditioners do.The texture is more thick, being more like a cream and the scent is a lot more stronger compared to the shampoo.I personally don't find it overpowering at all, and although it still smells more of strawberry, you're more aware of the mint in the conditioner.Washing it out again was super easy, leaving my hair feeling a lot more moisturised, soft and surprisingly a little bit defined.As I always do after washing my hair, I follow it up with a curl cream to add that extra definition.

Below are pictures taken throughout the day to show the changes to my hair and you may notice the lipstick change too:
12:00pm: This is my hair still somewhat damp, but began to dry after 30minutes of being in the sun.I had a busy day planned ahead of me as well, testing out new makeup products and keeping myself busy, so it was interesting to see how long my curls stayed happy.
6:09pm: This is my hair approximately 6hours after the first picture, with it still being very defined and shiny.I wanted to capture it in natural lighting, just so you could see how shiny it looked.There was also minimal frizz, which was mainly caused by me constantly touching it (anxiety problems!).My hair is prone to shrinkage too (especially on wash day), however it wasn't as bad as it would normally get, and because my curls were happy, I was too.I didn't need to reapply with any curl cream as my curls were still hydrated and defined, and I didn't want to risk my hair feeling sticky with too much product either.
11:00pm: Last hair update of the day, 5hours since the last picture.I've spent most of the day rushing around, chasing my pets, testing new makeup, playing/raging at Crash Bandicoot and laying on my hair.I'm very shocked on how my curls are still so defined and feel incredibly soft.You can see on the left side of the picture, I have a little bit of frizz going on, which again is down to me constantly flipping it behind my ear and touching it.You can still smell a little bit of the strawberry, but its barely noticeable compared to what it was a few hours before.

These both retail at £5.99, but are often on sale for £2.98, which was the price that I paid for them.Would I pay full price?If I continuously get the same results like I did for the first time, then yes, because I've paid more for luxury brands that never achieved these results.You also get 400ml which is perfect for me shampoo wise, but if you have thick curly hair like mine, you need at least 750ml-1000ml worth of conditioner for us.I have nothing negative to say about these at all and I feel these will be a massive hit for those that have the same curl type.
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Wednesday, 19 July 2017

The Fear Of Wearing A Bikini: How Society Made Me Feel Too Fat And Scared To Wear A Bikini

I've been blogging for a good couple of years now and during that time, my confidence has been improving little by little.I began to start doing lingerie posts to help girls that were struggling to find bra's for larger cups, bra's that offered amazing support and pieces that didn't cost an absolute fortune.These were all done in the comfort of my own home, so being seen by anyone was not an issue.I want to mention that this post was extremely hard for me to write, and it actually took approximately 6days to write because I kept putting it off.This also has chapters of my life which still affect me to this day when it comes to my body and its quite a delicate topic to talk about, especially on a blog.I recommend getting some snacks, drinks and find a cosy place to sit, because this post is quite long and detailed.

The weather over here in the UK recently has surprisingly been very nice, but it got to the point where I was literally melting when I went outside that I needed to do something.I've also recently purchased a small swimming pool that was mainly to help my large dog be able to cool down in the garden and to have a little splash around too.She was unfortunately to scared to get into the pool and I wanted to help her overcome her fear of large water, so I threw on a beach dress that had a bra and undies underneath.I didn't feel too self conscious, because you couldn't really see anything, but that horrible feeling of dread was still in my stomach. 
I ended up having so much fun, but there was still a part of me that wished that I could just go around in a bikini.The next day I had a search through my stuff and couldn't find a bikini anywhere, so I ended up just throwing on two pieces that looked very similar to swimwear and weren't too revealing.
I ended up staying out in the garden longer than expected and although I felt quite self conscious of walking around in it, it felt good at the same time.My weight has been up and down my whole life too, mainly due to being bullied and my anxiety making it difficult to eat sometimes.This ended up causing my body a little stress, so I ended up developing a few stretch marks just to the side of my bum.This was another factor to why I didn't like wearing short shorts or a bikini, because the way the media seem to shame people (mostly women) for having them, make us feel super ugly.I would hate loading up instagram seeing all of these beautiful instagram models post lovely pictures, to find people hating on there stretch marks and gradually those models would edit them out entirely.I've never been one to edit my stretch marks out of pictures and to be honest I have been very close to editing my pictures purely so I wouldn't have to sit there and read the nasty things people leave under your images.I wanted to take the next step which meant I had to embrace my body even more, and that was actually buying either a bikini or a swimming costume.

Before even looking, I worked out it was approximately 4-5years or maybe longer that I've even worn swimwear outside, purely because I was terrified too.I was so used to receiving so many nasty comments during teenage years and mostly during school on my appearance, that I expected it to carry on still.I sat down and spent hours going through different designs, imagining myself in each one and closing the tab because the thought of my fat self wearing it made me feel sick.I eventually went back to one which I've wanted for a long time, but I felt like I didn't have the right body shape or figure to pull it off.Its quite daring too and I felt that this was probably the best choice to go for, to challenge myself.I had one day to prepare myself for it, so I made sure my skin was super smooth, not a single hair on my body (my preference) and tried to not talk myself out of it or cancelling the order.

The day arrived where my bikini came in beautiful packaging via Amazon and when I took it out of the bag, my heart dropped.My head went straight to the negative thoughts first thinking "I'm too fat, its not going to fit" "I'm going to look massive" "How is this a Large?".My thought process then changed to how pretty it was in person and the picture on the website did not do it justice.The lace embroidered roses were beautifully detailed, with them being reasonably sized to cover any nip slips.The top part of the swimsuit which is mesh,  a soft material which didn't cause any irritation when wearing it, which I was worried about.The bottom part of the bikini isn't thick or too thin, it covered everything perfectly and felt extremely comfortable.Pulling up the swimsuit, it began to fit snug to my figure, but the hardest part was yet to come.My mum helped me tie it up at the back as its a halter neck and normally I'm not a fan of halter necks, but the string is super soft on the skin.The real challenge now was going outside, with people and buses going past with me in full view of wearing this.It sounds a little dramatic I know, but please remember at this point, I was extremely terrified.
This is what the swimsuit looks like and at first I honestly couldn't even take a picture properly.I kept moving my hands across my stomach to cover the fat bits and stood extremely awkward.After about 5minutes, I began to calm down a little and kept telling myself that its ok and to focus.I think what made it worse for me too, is that my camera captures photos and videos in 4K, and although some of the quality is lost when uploading on here, it still picks up EVERY detail and flaw.I didn't want to pose too much, as that isn't what I was about.I just wanted to get a few nice images of the swimsuit and help other girls realise that it really isn't all that bad.
Since having the swimsuit which is 6days since writing this blog post, I've been even more confident of going outside and heading to the beach to wear this.I decided to even style it with my scuba skirt to just wear it in the garden if I'm not feeling like having my bum on show that day.I've been more relaxed when getting into the pool, so much that me and my dog roxi ended up napping outside whilst it was still filling up (picture below).

I'm so sorry that this post was incredibly long, but I wanted to get the point across that you shouldn't let society or bullies dictate on what you can and can't do.I think all body types are beautiful and even if you're not happy with yours, their will always be someone who will look at you thinking you have the perfect body.What you may think is a flaw to you, is perfect in someone else's eyes.I still maybe at war with my body on most days, but I'm still taking each step to embrace it.
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Thursday, 6 July 2017

Beauty Bakerie Makeup Treats: Flour Setting Powder & Lip Whips

Beauty Bakerie is a brand that I instantly fell in love with earlier this year and I'm so happy to write up this blog post talking about them.I'm a massive fan of liquid lipsticks with a matte finish, so after trying my first one (royal tea), I ended up purchasing another one the next day and its now my go to red lipstick.I'm also a full supporter when a company is black owned and even more when they have a backstory.Cashmere Nicole who is the CEO and founder of Beauty Bakerie, is an absolute inspiration and I've never known someone who carries themselves so well, whilst also taking the time out for her customers at the same time.Check her out on Beauty Bakeries Youtube, you'll fall in love with her too!

Ok, so I have quite a lot of liquid lipsticks (borderline addict?), mainly because I love to see which ones actually LAST.I remember seeing a video of the lip whip swatches on an arm, with someone running water over them.No budging.No Smearing.NO NOTHING.It was literally staying intact.At this point I was like "no way", so of course that was my excuse/reason to purchase one and to also do my own water test as well (see below)

Royal Tea (royalty get it?) was the first one that I purchased and this lip whip is metallic.I would describe it as a gorgeous berry shade, that leaves a lovely metallic finish.I'm usually not keen on metallic liquid lipsticks, mainly because I find that they transfer all over the place and leave my lips dry, but this one does not do that.It does last a very long time, without it moving around anywhere, but I have to say that I feel the normal matte lip whips last longer in my opinion.I think this is a common thing when it comes to liquid lipsticks, that metallics don't last as long, but I have no issue about this at all because this metallic shade formula lasts for a very long time.You only need to apply two coats worth to get the true shade of whats advertised on the model or the tube.Speaking of which, the packaging these come in are so cute, they remind me of little swirly candy canes.They do come in pretty boxed packaging too, which I think they all differ as I've received a white one and a reflective rainbow one.I'll get onto how these lip whips apply in the next section
Next is not only my favourite shade but also my favourite lip whip out of my collection, which is Cranberry Stiletto!I've honestly lost count of how many red shade lip products I have, but I was never able to find the right shade and it lasting for the whole day.I ordered this shade the next day after getting Royal Tea, because this shade had just come back in stock so I grabbed it super fast and put it on next day delivery as I couldn't wait.This shade is my perfect red to me, because it has no orange tint to it, just a little bit of blue, but still gives off that perfect red look.For this shade I only needed one coating to get the desired red that I wanted.

The foam doe foot applicator is really easy to work with and I normally struggle when it comes to apply liquid lipsticks or any type of lipsticks for that matter.It doesn't soak up too much product and the foam is so flexible that helps you get to those corner spots of your mouth without making a mess.I know its not 100% accurate on my mouth because I'm still trying to get it right, but these do make it so much easier for me.

The food and drink test is always something people want to know about when it comes to liquid lipsticks.When it comes to most brands they just straight up say "oh you can eat and drink whatever and it will still be intact".Beauty Bakerie have been very open and honest to say that these lip whips don't work well with oily based foods (or drinks for that matter), because it breaks the formula down.Although they made it pretty obvious about this, thats not going to stop me from trying right?

I tried it with some very greasy yet oily chips from a takeaway first and that was actually the last chip from the box.The only difference you can see from that image and the one above of me holding the lip whip, is that the colour had faded only a little bit and it wasn't looking fully matte no more.The second one I decided to try it with pizza, which I actually had for breakfast on a sunday, so it wasn't too oily.I'm not too sure if its obvious in that photo because of my cheeks, but I actually have two mouthfuls of pizza in my mouth whilst smiling.None of it faded and it still left a matte finish on my lips.I've also tried it with fizzy drinks, McDonald's (below), Starbucks and many other foods, and it did NOT budge, so Beauty Bakerie are very true to when they say about there long lasting lip whips.
You can purchase them from any of the retailers that I've listed below, or you can find them at the end of this blog post to save you from scrolling all the way back up.I also recommend checking out Beauty Bakeries website directly as many of there new products are released there first before arriving in the UK.Prices for these lip whips start at £16

Beauty Bakerie
ASOS
Beauty Bay
Cult Beauty

I've been saving this makeup product until last, because I have so much to say about it.If you've been following me social media for a while, I was looking everywhere for a powder that not only set my makeup, but actually matched my skintone as well.I was using another brand for a while, but it began to crease after a few hours.When Beauty Bakerie announced about releasing powders, I was straight on it, to then struggle on which shade to get.I left it far too long to the point where they sold out everywhere and I couldn't pick up the one I wanted.Beauty Bakerie were then very kind enough to send me a powder in exchange for my thoughts and review.

The packaging first is by far the cutest thing that I've ever seen, as it comes in a cute little pouch, hence the name "flour" setting powder.I did show it in the first picture of this post, but below I've provided another image of when it arrived in the delivery box, as it was just too adorable to not get a picture of it straight away.
I got the yellow powder, which is perfect for my skintone and also brightens the under eyes for me as well.After applying concealer to my under eyes with a beauty blender, I take a triangle shaped sponge and apply the powder.I prefer to use the triangle sponge instead of the other beauty blender that I have, mainly because the edges of the triangle sponge make it more easy to apply directly underneath the eye.Leaving that to set, I normally apply a lipstick and touch up my eyebrows a little bit before getting a brush to sweep away the powder.It literally leaves your skin feeling and looking incredibly smooth, also brightening the under eyes making your eyes pop!I do suffer from extreme dark circles on days where my anxiety is really bad and I've gotten zero sleep because of it, but this powder really does help make them panda eyes vanish.Below is a photo of my "natural look" makeup with the powder set underneath my eyes.No editing or filters were applied to this photo, its all natural lighting.
I can wear this powder all day, even in this crazy UK weather heat that we currently have and my makeup still stays in place.I would say it starts to crease around 17-18hours after applying and yes I've tested this because I literally do not sleep because of my insomnia.I would of taken a picture of this, but I don't think thats a picture the internet needs to see.This powder is retailed for £19.50 within the UK which to be honest I think is ridiculously cheap (like the lip whips) for the product quality, the application, the duration and the unique formula, so you're getting amazing deals on there products. 

Lastly all Beauty Bakerie products are cruelty free, however not all of there products are vegan.I've listed the below of what is and isn't vegan free, at the time of this post, but please check on there website (below) to see an updated list:

Vegan free:
All Matte Lip Whips, GELatos, Sugar Lip Scrub and Lip Whip Remover.

Not vegan free:
Neapolitan EyesCream Palette, Pancake EyesCream, Auburn BROWnies, Waffle Cone Metallic Matte Lip Whip and Pink Flour Setting Powder
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Thursday, 29 June 2017

Pretty Polly: Hosiery & Lingerie

Pretty Polly has always been one of my top favourite brands when it came to hosiery, because no brand came close to the quality of there tights.I decided to stop wearing them during my teens, mainly because of my confident issues that stopped me from wearing shorts or skirts most of the time.Since then, they've added more beautiful designs and have now added lingerie too, which I super excited about, because we all know how much I love lingerie!
The first item that I opened were these Nylon Lace Hold Ups, which are the first ones I've ever tried by Pretty Polly.I decided to get the size M/L because of my height, as I was really worried that they would be too big.I'm glad to say that they fit perfectly for my height and sized legs (which can be a pain to find hold ups that do both).I always wondered how hold ups would "stay up" but the lace band around the top helps it stay in place.These are 10 denier and have a gloss finish, which you can see better in the full shot below.
When it comes to comfortability, these are extremely comfortable to wear and I ended up keeping them on under a dress when walking around the house.I decided to match it with two different branded bra and undies, mainly because they don't do my size with bra's and the briefs don't have any attachments.I know these aren't suspenders, but I have a little obsession with them so I decided to try and see if I could clip on the attachments.The lace band at the top of the hold ups are fairly thick which I'm happy with and it helped secure into place when attaching them.These are in the shade black, also being available in the shades barely black and sherry.For the price of just £7.50, I think thats really good for the quality, the design, comfortability and the sheer gloss finish.
Next are these gorgeous Rose tights and if you follow me on instagram, you'll know how obsessed I am with roses.I tend to worry about nude tights, mainly because they are always too light for my skin tone.When I took these out of the box, I was so worried as they looked way too light for me, but once I got them on, they were a very close match.These are one size and I had to be super careful with them, as they didn't pull all the way to the top and I was really worried of tearing a hole in them, so thats something to keep in mind.

The roses are beautifully detailed on the tights and would look beautiful with any outfit (especially a skater dress).They kind of look like you have two roses tattooed onto your legs with the black print and the quality of the print is pretty good.You can wear the roses on the back like advertised on the box, but I personally prefer having them on the front and I'll style them with a knitted jumper with shorts.You can purchase them here

Lastly is the Nastasha Nylon Brazillian briefs which have become my absolute favourite.I normally don't purchase black undies, mainly because I find them a bit boring personally, but it was the lace design of these that made me want them.
I was going to get the matching bra to review, but unfortunately Pretty Polly don't do my size at this time, however when I contacted them asking about this, I was told they will be expanding the collection so hopefully fingers crossed thats soon!.The lace design on the back of these kind of remind me of peacock feathers, with the lace embroidered along the edges.They're extremely comfortable to wear, and although I'm normally not a huge fan of my bum as its not perfect, I feel quite confident when I wear these.It has PP initials/logo in silver on the front with a cute little black bow above.I got these in the size M and they cost for just £6!I might end up purchasing all of the colours, with 6 to choose from.
I'm really glad to see that Pretty Polly have expanded to lingerie now, because I now feel confident in purchasing lingerie items from them.I'll also be stocking up on some of there tights for the winter, since I'm now more confident with myself when it comes to having my legs on show and Pretty Polly do the best for quality and price.
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Friday, 23 June 2017

ST.Tropica Coconut Hot Oil Hair Mask: Hit Or Miss?

I love testing out coconut oil based products, because I absolutely love coconut oil.I heard so many positive things about this hair mask, but never got round to purchasing any, as I couldn't find any reviews for curly hair types.I was very lucky to be contacted St.Tropica back in May, asking if I would like to try and review them, and of course I accepted straight away.This review is not sponsored in any way and its 100% honest and based on my experience.
I'm not sure if the bow comes originally with the packaging but I still found it really cute.The box got a little damaged (thanks customs!) which isn't St Tropica's fault at all, so I was unable to get pictures of the box properly.The box contains 3 hair masks and a cap, which I thought was an added bonus as my current silk cap is pretty much ruined.The packets contain solid coconut oil, which needs to be melted with either using a microwave for 20seconds or a kettle for 30 seconds, which then you can either put the oil into a bowl or distribute it from the packet by cutting off the corner.I personally prefer cutting off the corner, applying the oil directly onto my hair or by putting it on my hands to then massage it in, making sure I apply it to my scalp too.

What the hair mask states that it can:
  • Repair damage inside and outside the hair cuticle
  • Locks in the moisture to eliminate any split ends and frizzy hair 
  • Helps strengthen the hair
  • Help with hair growth

I remember using this mask for the first time and honestly thinking nothing positive would come from it, as it sounded too good to be true.Firstly my hair absorbed this oil up so fast, I was tempted to use a second packet.It didn't leave my hair feeling heavy either, which some oil based products can leave my hair feeling like that which isn't nice.I also did use the cap that came with it, which did help to penetrate the hair cuticles even more, but I decided to stop using it as I personally feel silly using it.I decided to use my Kérastase Curl Ideal Cleansing Conditioner to remove it, as it works as a shampoo and a conditioner to provide the nutrients back into the hair.These are the results after using the hair mask for the first time, and after applying a little bit of cream to add that extra definition.

Each time I've used this mask, I've noticed a difference each time which are all positive.The normal frizz that I would always get on a wash or deep conditioning day has been reduced by a lot.I would love to say that I have zero frizz, but I constantly touch my hair so I can't really avoid it.I have quite a lot of hair already anyway, but I felt this mask helped with not only detangling the mess that it can get into, but also gave my hair more volume and bounce.I could of easily gone about my day without applying a curl cream, but I love having that extra definition.

My hair tends to get quite dry in the summer, especially because of the heat and the sun causes my hair to change either red or blonde.This mask does help lot with dry hair, leaving my hair not only soft afterwards, but extremely moisturised.The strength of my hair has improved a lot too, with not a lot of fallout when brushing my hair and I'm able to tie my hair up in a bun, without the worry of my hair breaking when taking the hairband out.I'm also able to style my hair in a bun with dry hair, which I couldn't really do before, as I had to constantly re-wet my hair to not risk it from breaking off.
I was worried about the scent of this product, because sometimes coconut oil based masks can smell a bit funky (like an odd smell).This mask smells really really nice of coconut and left my hair smelling really good.

The only difference which I haven't found with this mask, is the hair growth.I feel like I haven't used it that long to be able to see results or give my opinion on it, as its only been other a month.I would say that my edges have gotten thicker, but no new growth has come through yet.I also think where I've had less fallout with my hair, I will hopefully see a difference when it comes to hair growth.I wouldn't count this as a negative, because it does take 2+ months to see any difference.I haven't found anything negative to say about this mask so far either and I've been enjoying it so much I want more!
This is a picture of my hair which I took on the 21st June, using my last St Tropica mask and applying some curl cream afterwards.As you can see my hair is a lot more thicker, especially my curls.I have a lot more bounce to them now as well and I hardly get any frizz in this crazy summer weather.Depending on your budget, you can spend as little as £10 ($15) to £38 ($42) as a bundle on these masks.Since now trying this out and seeing the benefits that its done for my hair, I would purchase the 6 pack during the summer and the 12pack for the winter.My hair does get more dry during the winter time, because of the cold and the constant rain (yay for UK weather), so being able to treat my hair on a monthly basis would be perfect.If you're still not sure about this mask, then I would recommend trying it out by purchasing the cheapest option, that way you can see how well it works for your hair or feel free to ask any questions on here or over on my instagram @shanisemorgan

Below I've listed some more positives about this mask, which you may find beneficial:
  • Contains ZERO chemicals, parabens, sulfates, additives, stabilisers, preservatives or fragrances
  • Gluten free and soy free
  • !00% Organic ingredients 
  • Cruelty free
  • Vegan Certified 
  • Microwave or kettle safe
Ingredients: organic virgin coconut oil, organic biotin, organic horsetail, organic amla, organic hibiscus, organic green tea, organic coconut butter, organic coconut fruit extract
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Saturday, 3 June 2017

Flora & Curl Review

I'm so excited to finally be able to share my thoughts on Flora & Curl, because I have so many things to say about these products.I was very kindly sent these products by Rose to review and to of course let you guys know my thoughts on them.Before I go into this review, I wanted to mention a few things that are extremely beneficial about them:
  • All of the products are handmade
  • No harmful ingredients
  • No animal testing
  • Free from sulphates, silicones, mineral oil, additives, synthetic colouring/dyes and artificial fragrancing, parabens  
I love how Flora & Curl are based in the UK too, because its always hard to not only find brands that are designed for our hair types, but I love it where they're made where I live.It kind of has a bigger meaning to it in a way :) 

Jasmine Oasis Hair Mist
What it claims to do:
  • Restores moisture and instantly conditions dry hair 
  • Instantly softens and reduces signs of brittleness
  • Great for revitalizing hair throughout the day
  • Delivers manageability and ease of styling
  • Suitable for extra dry, brittle, dehydrated hair

I've been raving about this hair mist on my instagram story so much, as I've been using it constantly during this warm weather.I have days where I honestly cannot be bothered to do my hair at all either because I'm lazy or I'm having a bad day with anxiety.At the same time, I don't like my hair getting dry and not moisturised, so this is where this hair mist comes in.I choose to spray it onto my hands first, instead of directly spraying it onto my hair, mainly because I personally prefer this method.I feel like I'm able to cover all of my hair instead of using the nozzle.

I have to agree that it works fantastic at restoring moisture and stops my hair from feeling dry.It also adds a little bit of shine to my curls as well which is a plus.I applied it here on Day 3+ hair and you can use it daily if you want to get that moisture back.I personally don't need to use it on a daily basis, as it keeps my hair moisturised for a good 2-3days (depending on the weather) and overdoing it can leave the hair looking a bit greasy.If you're someone that likes to have there hair up a lot in a bun or a pineapple, this is great for adding moisture to your hair that lasts for the whooooooole day.

Price: £16.99     Purchase Me!


African Citrus Superfruit Hair Oil
What it claims to do:
  • Antioxidant-rich oil formula intensively seals and locks in moisture 
  • Vitamin C-rich citrus infusion stimulates the scalp and aids in growing, thickening and strengthening the hair
  • Delivers protection against split ends, environmental damage and breakage
  • Known to enhance natural sheen to create healthy shine lustre
  • Suitable for dry, dull, and damaged hair
Firstly this product smells incredible and I mean seriously it smells amazing.Its smells a lot stronger than the hair mist, but its not overpowering to the point where you'll feel sick.I love to drench my hair in this oil too, not just because it smells amazing but it leaves my hair so nice and soft, its hard to not touch it.Again I apply this on days where my hair is feeling a little bit dry and is lacking that moisture.You can also include it into your LOC/LCO method, which I favour to use it in the LCO method, as the oil works great on top of a curl cream/gel and gives it more shine.
I also find sometimes when it comes to oil based products, they either leave my hair with a lot of shrinkage or it can cause my hair to frizz a little.This oil works great as a base for when you may want to detangle your hair without causing damage or breakage, but your hair will still frizz up like a cloud if you do this.My hair is definitely stronger since using this oil and you don't need a lot of it to work a dream.I obviously love drowning my hair in it, especially on a "deep condition day" or as a hot oil treatment, as its such a lovely treat for your hair to bring it back to life.To some extent, I can say that its helped with hair growth, mainly because its made my hair stronger and hardly any breakage occurs.

Price £18.00     Purchase Me!


Flower Garden Hair Butter
What it claims to do:
  • Provides soft hold and definition without being crunchy or hard
  • Perfect for styles such as twists out, bantu knot outs, braids and perm rod styling
  • Nutrient-rich oils penetrate deep into all layers to provide all-day moisture
  • Delivers superior moisture locking ability to damp hair
This was the first product that I tried when I took everything out of the box and I've saved the best till last.I was actually really intrigued by it, mainly because of the colour (looks so edible) and because I love hair butters.Although the hair oil smells amazing, this scent of hair butter is out of this world as it smells like roses and its so sweet.Like we all know how obsessed I am with roses already, its embarrassing.The texture kind of reminds me of a jelly with sugar in it, but it instantly melts onto the hair once applied.I love applying this to my hair damp, because it penetrates the hairs cuticles much better compared to when its dry.It does provide really good moisture to the hair, not leaving it crunchy or feeling sticky.
I cannot comment on how well it works for bantu knots, braids or perm rod styling, as I don't do any of these for my hair, but it does provide really good hold when it comes to doing buns.I've been wearing my hair up in buns a lot recently, because I just cannot handle this heat with my hair down.I love to use this on my edges too when having my hair up in a bun, because if I don't style them, I'll be rocking the rest of the day with my fivehead.Whats another benefit of this hair butter, is that you can apply as much as you want, and it won't cause any build up or crunchiness.If I could apply this every single day, I would but I want to save as much as I can.


Price £14.00     Purchase Me!

I'm very happy and impressed with this range, and I cannot wait to see what other products Flora & Curl add.I'm hoping they will be adding there own shampoo, conditioner and curl product, because I have no doubt that they will provide amazing results like these.I also haven't found anything negative to say about these products either and I've been testing them for sometime now.If anything does change results wise or if Flora & Curl do add more products to there range, I'll make sure to keep this post updated :)
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