Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Wednesday, 22 April 2020

SteelSeries Arctis 5 (2019 Edition)

I've posted photos of this headset a few times on my social media and get questions about it all the time, so I thought writing my experience with the Arctis 5 would be beneficial for those that are maybe thinking about purchasing it.At the time of posting this little review, I've had this headset for 10months.

These have been my go to headphones that not only do I use for just gaming, but also using it for video calls such as Discord and listening to music while I work or study.It offers amazing crisp clear sound and comes with a USB ChatMix Dial so you can find the perfect balance of chat and gameplay.This headset can be connected via the USB for PC, Mac or PS4, or the 3.5mm adaptor (which is included) for the Xbox, Switch and mobile devices.

The retractable microphone thats also bendable is in the left ear cup, along with the volume wheel and mic mute button at the back.This makes it very easy to not have the microphone sticking out on a stupid angle (or getting caught in your hair) and the mic lights up red when muted, so you don't have to worry about other users hearing your conversations.
 
The RGB lighting can be controlled via the SteelSeries Engine app (along with other features), so you can customise the colours and patterns.I tend to switch them to the same colour as my LED background so they match, without the pattern effect.

Comfort:

Being someone that has a huge amount of hair, it was always difficult to find a headset that would fit on my head without the worry of it snapping or not fitting on my head at all.This is the only headset from all of my purchases that fits on my head comfortably, with the added comfort of the velcro strap underlining the headband.You can also adjust the velcro strap to fit more comfortably on your head if you wish which I had to do when I cut all my hair off recently.

The ear cups are very well padded and were really put to the test when I cut all my hair off.I've sat at my desk gaming or studying for these to be sat on my head for about 13+ hours (only having a 15minute break every few hours) and you don't get that terrible ear ache after removing them at all.They don't feel heavy for me personally, especially since I have quite a sensitive head when it comes to headsets and headphones. 

Gameplay/Features:
 
My main game recently has been Ark Survival and if you're familiar with the game, you'll know that certain dinosaurs have a knack of sneaking up on you.This can make the game interesting to some by not always being able to hear them behind you, but for me I just found it annoying when I was trying to build my base in peace.I prefer using the default settings for this game and others I would rank at 95%, depending on what you're playing.The sound is incredibly clear on hearing dinos and other players footsteps, without having to hardly turn the volume up itself.Going underwater on this game sounds even more beautiful and sounds incredibly realistic with these, making gameplay far more enjoyable.
Overall, I'm in love with these and I don't bother picking up any of my other headsets that I've purchased.They occasionally have these on sale on Amazon between £70-£80 (I paid £73), but I would happily pay the full price which retails at £109.99.If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask :)
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Tuesday, 10 October 2017

LA Splash UD Wing Eyeliner Review & Swatches

LA Splash have recently released their new UD Wing Eyeliners, which is part of their Ultra Defined range.They were very kind enough to send me these in exchange for a review.This is not a paid/sponsored post and doesn't contain any affiliate links either.I've been a massive fan of LA Splash for a very long time, mostly favouring there liquid lipsticks, so being able to work with one of my favourite brands was truly exciting for me.

I actually had no clue they released new eyeliners, until I opened the PR box.What also fits perfectly with this, is that I've recently just started to practice eyeliner again so being able to try these was so exciting.The rose gold packaging was instantly a favourite of mine, because its already pretty obvious if you've read my other posts, that I'm obsessed with anything rose gold related.I also fell in love with the black sphere packaging that the eyeliner comes in as well, because its matte and I just love how its designed like the UD cream foundation too.
Top Left To Right: Saint, Enchantress and Nymph
Bottom Left To Right: Warlock, Medusa and Sinner
Each one comes with a seal with a little tab for you to be able to lift off and dip your brush in.I found it quite difficult to remove the seal without it getting a little bit messy, which you can see on Enchantress, Nymph and Warlock.The other three I decided to take the product directly from the seal which made it a lot more easier.I feel once I've used a certain amount, there won't be an issue with the product sticking to the seal every time you go to use it.

I've tried a lot of eyeliners in the past that were described as a "mousse" but none of them really were.This formula is pretty much the closest thing to a mousse like texture, but its more on the thicker side, hence the reason it kept sticking to the seal.When I applied it to the brush, it felt like I was applying an acrylic paint onto my skin, but without it drying my skin out.Its also described as waterproof, noting that it will stay put in situations like a first date, mountain climbing, swimming or gaming.I'll be completely honest...there is no way in hell that I would even attempt eyeliner for a first date with someone, because no doubt I would completely mess up my makeup and my nervous shaking hand wouldn't help either.

I decided to see if these were "Waterproof" as advertised, which you can see me demonstrating below:
I might of gone a bit overboard with the water, but I really wanted to test to see how well it worked with water and to see if it was in fact waterproof.All of them were super easy to apply and I only dipped my brush in once for each swatch.Its recommended to allow 3-5minutes to dry, which I think is a reasonable time as the formula is quite thick.

I applied the eyeliner with the Duo Sculpt & Fluff brush that I was also kindly sent from LA Splash, which is designed to apply liquid and powder based products.I remember looking at the brush thinking "I'm so going to mess this up"
I'll hold my hands up, the eyeshadow looks terrible only because I actually put the eyeshadow on after applying the eyeliner.I was worried so much that I would mess up the eyeliner, I went straight in with that first, however applying the eyeliner was super easy.I normally go in with a thin line and build it up, but I just went straight in with a full thick wing.You have to work pretty fast with it, because although it takes 3-5minutes to fully dry and set, it starts to dry after 30seconds from applying.As for the brush, its really easy to remove with a makeup remover or a wet wipe.

To remove the eyeliners, I use my trusty Nivea Double Effect Eye Makeup Remover.It breaks down the formula really well and you're not left there swiping over your eye numerous times to get it off.LA Splash also have there own makeup remover, which is called the Vanishing Potion.I have heard very positive things about it, but I'm unable to comment on it myself as I've never tried it.

These are currently only available from LA Splash directly for $16 (around £11-£12 each), but I'm sure Beauty Bay will stock them in the future.I will update this post once they become available to purchase within the UK.

Let me know if you're thinking of getting your hands on any and which colours are you favourite :)

xx
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Tuesday, 29 August 2017

My First Influenster Box: Bourjois Rouge Velvet Lipsticks

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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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Thursday, 27 July 2017

Garnier Ultimate Blends: Coconut Milk & Macadamia 3 in 1 Mask (Curly Hair)

Garnier have recently added to their Ultimate blends range, including more shampoo's, conditioners and hair masks.I had a great experience with their coconut oil and cocoa butter range, so I was really excited to see the new stuff that was added.I currently have enough shampoo's/conditioners (about 20+), so decided to purchase a hair mask instead.Garnier have a total of 8 hair masks to choose from and I decided to go with the coconut milk and macadamia mask.Its targeted for dry hair, which curly hair naturally can be, mostly more during certain seasons.I like finding hair products that give my hair extra moisture, without it being too much where its left greasy, so I decided to start off with this mask.

"Our ultimate remedy for nourished, soft and supple hair. Garnier Ultimate Blends Wholesome Nourisher for dry hair, enriched with natural extracts and Coconut Milk & Macadamia.Our créme de la créme hair saviour Coconut Milk and Macadamia are blended with love in a delicately scented, creamy formula to nourish hair, leaving it smooth and full of shine.Hair is replenished and nourished, to give it shine and luscious suppleness.Soak it up"

  • Wholesome blends for naturally beautiful hair every day
  • Enriched with natural ingredients extracts 
  • No parabens
  • 100% Recyclable Bottles
I like the way hair masks are now presented in a tub, instead of a bottle, because it can be an absolute pain standing there and shaking the bottle like mad.Upon unscrewing the lid, the strong scent of coconut is insane, and its DELICIOUS!.I've smelt a lot of coconut "based" products in my life, where it has that kind of chemical scent intwined with it, but this mask does not at all.

The texture is thick and creamy, melting onto the hair once applied and it feels so nourishing.This hair mask does have the option to apply to dry hair, to smooth and tame, but I personally prefer to use it on wet hair for suppleness.My hair is extremely thick, so I applied two 50p sized amount to my hair, making sure every strand was covered.I left it on my hair for 5minutes, and you can feel it working on your hair.I didn't want to wash it out, because my hair smelt that good and felt soft already before even washing it out.It was extremely easy to wash out and my hair felt so nourished and soft, I didn't even bother applying any curl creams or gels to my hair.
The top picture is my hair an after of drying, with the one below 6hours after
Despite not having curl products in my hair, the frizz is actually compared to what I usually get (BIG CLOUD OF FRIZZ!).Thinking about it though while typing this, its most likely my fault, as I cannot stop touching my hair because its so nice and soft.I have a little bit of shine to my curls, which is impressive as I normally have to use a shine spray to achieve it all over.

I'm happy to continue using this hair mask and no doubt I'll be purchasing this one again in the future.If I had the money, I would purchase all of them to try out and review, unless Garnier would like to send me them *hint hint*.Its currently on sale for £2.50 at Superdrug, with it going up to £4.49 next month.I would happily buy it at full price, considering that I've spent money on more expensive ones and I don't get these results.They are super popular too, with most of them out of stock at Superdrug, but you can also pick them up at Boots and Amazon.If you have any questions that I haven't answered or you'd like to share your experience on this mask, please let me and others know in the comments! :)
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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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Saturday, 29 April 2017

L'Oréal Hydra Genius Aloe Water: Normal To Combination Skin

YEEEEEES!The Hydra Genius Liquid Care has finally landed in the UK.L'Oréal have been teasing us the last few months on there insta story showing the Hydra range, and the reviews have been crazy.They kept it very quiet about it coming out over here, so once I saw it on Boots, I had to get one before they all sold out.I've compared some aspects of this product to the Skin Perfection Correcting Concentrated Serum, as they're both very similar and make a good comparison.
I decided to pick up the Normal To Combination Skin bottle, mainly because my skin tends to get oily sometimes during the summer time.I also like to have that extra moisture in a bottle as well, especially since I wear a matte finish foundation quite a lot.The other two bottles in this range for other skin types are: 
  • Normal To Dry Skin 
  • Dry And Sensitive Skin
The Hydra Genius has a lot of promises when it comes to looking after your skin which you would think are too good to be true, but where I've used and tested L'Oréal products quite a lot, they do live up to the hype.The few benefits of this product are listed below:
  • The skin instantly absorbs it
  • Water like texture that rehydrates and reinvigorates the skin
  • Leaves the skin with a natural looking glow
  • Leaves the skin hydrated and moisturised up to 72hours
  • Enriched with Aloe Water and Hyaluronic Acid
  • Can be used in replacement of a moisturiser
Firstly, I'm glad that L'Oréal decided to stick with a pump with this product, because it makes things so much easier to distribute it and the fact it doesn't take up a lot of space on my dressing table.I thought nothing could replace the ombre pink look the Skin Perfection bottle has, but I prefer the Hydra bottle as its a nice ice blue colour, with a greenish blue top.The textures are very similar, but definitely both leave a very different finish to the skin.I agree with it feeling like a water like texture and it absorbs very quickly into the skin.
This photo shows how similar they are when swiped just the once with one finger, also showing the serum having a beige colour and the Hydra Genius being clear.The skin absorbs the Hydra Genius a lot quicker, leaving the skin with a cooling sensation across the face, instantly leaving it moisturised.The serum takes a little longer, plus you have to massage it into the skin a few times until you feel it working on your skin.So are you ready for a zero makeup mugshot?
I don't have the best skin as you can see from the photo, but this is what my skin 20-25seconds looked like after it had been applied.One pump is just enough for the whole face, as it spreads across pretty well and the skin absorbs it pretty fast.This is my skin in natural lighting, and I wouldn't say that it leaves it "glowing", but it does certainly give the skin a nice finish.This is just by using it for the first time though, so maybe overtime it will leave your skin with a "glow" look, but I'm still pretty happy with the results.The Hydra Genius does have a scent like all of the L'Oréal skincare products, however this one is not highly perfumed.I've found sometimes with there creams (like the Extraordinary Oil day cream), they smell so strong that it gives me a headache sometimes, but this hardly has a scent and it goes away after about 5minutes.

I decided to keep my makeup simple and to test out the hydration first without a foundation, so I just applied one of my favourite lipsticks, which is the L'Oréal Nude Gold(my swatches video here). 
So my thoughts on this moisturiser?I think it really is amazing and its great that it doesn't cost a bomb either.The photo above is a few hours later from applying it, with my skin looking a lot more healthy and radiant (and thats in bad lighting).I also want to mention that none of this photos are retouched, which is probably obvious because my skin isn't exactly "clear".You can only currently pick this up from Boots with it being on sale for £6.66, with it soon going up to £9.99 for a 70ml bottle, which I think its really good for the price.

I agree with everything that this product has stated so far and have nothing negative to say about it at this time of this post.I'll update below of course if anything does change like a skin outbreak or if it changes my skin in anyway.I hope this review has helped you if you were thinking about purchasing a bottle.

MAKEUP UPDATE:
So as promised on my instagram, this is how my makeup after applying it and underneath is a photo of it being on a few hours.I used the Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation to put to the test, as its an extremely mattifiying foundation which can sometimes latch onto dry patches on my face.The Hydra Genius pretty much stopped this from happening, and if you zoom into the image, you can't see any dry patches on my skin anywhere.
A few hours later, my skin is still very hydrated and moisturised, leaving me seriously impressed.If you've read my Kat Von D Lock-It Foundation review, you know that this foundation sometimes leaves dry patches around my mouth and forehead, which eventually starts to flake (ew).This does not happen at all, even after a few hours after applying, my skin is still happy.I also didn't need to apply any highlighter, because my skin was given a lovely radiance from it, so I just added some lipstick, eyeshadow and mascara.

If you're someone that wears matte foundations on a daily basis like myself, I highly recommend this to not only moisturise, but also as a makeup base and to stop your skin from drying out.

Makeup Details:
Foundation: Kat Von D Lock It-Foundation
Eyeshadow: Morphe 35T Palette
Mascara: L'Oréal Miss Baby Roll
Lips: L'Oréal Pure Reds, in Blake Livelys Shade (love her!)



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Monday, 17 April 2017

Only Curls, Curly Hair Towel

Wash days were always a struggle and I'm sure I wasn't the only curly that had this problem.My hair would always frizz, especially when it would just touch a piece of clothing, it was absolutely ridiculous.There was no way I was going to walk around the house with my hair dripping everywhere and all over my shoulders, not worth getting a chill over that at all.Last month, I featured this in my post on brands to keep a look out for and as promised, here is my review on Only Curls.
This towel came in lovely pink packaging with the logo on the front.Its inside that really showed on how beautifully presented this towel is and its so soft to touch.The towel is 100% microfibre which leaves the hair cuticles intact and helps absorb the amount of moisture in the hair, so goodbye frizz!Before this I was using an old shirt instead, because it was a lot softer on the hair, but a lot of frizz would still happen, even if I applied product to reduce it.I never like the idea of wrapping my hair up either and would rather wear my hair down, so I would part my hair down the middle and have each side at the front.This will leave my hair to dry naturally in the style that I'd like it to be (whether I apply a curl cream or not), and will also leave my curls really soft.Its also great for stopping any excess dripping from getting all over your clothes.
This is an example of how I have the towel wrapped around my hair, making sure that everything is covered but also giving it some breathing space too.I applied some Curlsmith Defining Styling Soufflé to add some definition and shine, for when my hair had finished air drying.My hair dried a lot quicker too, which is another benefit of this towel as well if you're someone that is always on the move.
This towel would be awesome for any hair type in my opinion, but would work great for those that have thick curly hair such as myself.Our hair tends to get more frizzy and dry out more, whether thats with air drying or using a diffuser.I've been using this for a few months now and I've seen a massive improvement when it comes to wash days.My hair holds so much more moisture, meaning I don't have to apply a lot of product like before to retain as much as I can.Its no longer feeling dry, with my curls feeling really nice and soft afterwards.
These are the current products that I use on a wash and deep treatment day to keep my curls happy.My product/curl routine is constantly changing, because I've learnt since being natural that my curls stay hydrated by switching between products.I always make sure to include either a leave in conditioner or an oil based product to keep my curls moisturised, and a cream or gel to define my curls.It takes a little trial and error, but once you've found what works great for your hair type, it makes it a little bit easier to maintain your curls.

The towel is available in 3 colours: white, grey and black and can be purchased here

If you have any questions, please let me know and I'll glad answer them for you :) 


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Saturday, 25 March 2017

CURLSMITH Moisture Line

Surprise!I wasn't meant to be uploading this post until the end of the month to gather my final thoughts on this range, BUT, as I have so much to say about these products, I really wanted to get a post up for you all to read.Curlsmith launched earlier this month and I was kindly sent a box to review, to give them my feedback.
It arrived in a beautifully presented box and I loved the "Curl Code" message printed at the top.I remember the time when I used to hate my curl pattern and had friends that hated there tighter curls too.It was hard to find a brand that would not only cater for all curl types, but made us feel that all curl types were beautiful.Before I agreed to try out Curlsmith, I always do a little research on the brand, which involves me going through there website or there social media channels.It was so refreshing to see so many different girls with different curls types and with inspirational captions.I knew straight away that this was a brand that I wanted to know and get to work with.All of these products none contain any harsh chemicals, are vegan friendly and are cruelty free too :)


Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash:

"Say goodbye to traditional foaming shampoos which contain chemicals and soaps that strip the natural oils from your curls.This gentle, lightweight yet hardworking formula removes build-up and dirt, leaving curly hair manageable, soft and shiny.Suitable for color-treated hair and perfect for detangling.Plus its blended with rare ingredients like Andiroba to restore shine and Resurrection Flower to help curls retain moisture"

This product works as a co-wash, and I'll be honest with you, I was really worried about applying it to my hair for many reasons.I've tried many co-wash based products in the past, and 99% of them left my hair in a really bad condition.This was actually a few weeks ago, which was why I had to take a break from blogging on hair products, because I was super worried that this was going to happen again.However, from looking at the ingredients list, its organic and is handpicked:
  • Mashed Shea Butter
  • Resurrection Flower
  • Organic Coconut
  • Rare Andiroba 
  • Organic Avocado Oil
  • Torn Sage And Basil 
  • Black Pepper Oil 
This conditioner smells delicious, like I wanted to eat it.The cream is fairly thick, but thats just the way I like it personally.My hair that week had so much build up, which was perfect to see how well this conditioner worked.I applied a 50p sized amount and massaged it into my hair, making sure to focus on the scalp as well to remove that build up.I left it on my hair for 3minutes as recommended on the bottle and washed it out.This is probably going to be TMI, but I couldn't believe on how much dirt and buildup that it removed from my scalp, it was crazy.I'm a very clean person and this conditioner proved on how much it cleansed my scalp from EVERYTHING, without stripping my natural oils.My hair was left detangled, soft and moisturised, which of course made me very happy.You can leave your hair without applying anything else or you can follow it up with the leave in conditioner from this range.


Intense Deep Treatment Oil Serum:

"Our hard-working and versatile serum brings back sine, strength, silky softness and manageability to even the most damaged curls.Perfect for lifeless, dull, brittle, frizzy or roughly handled hair.Our formula contains Oats to enhance elasticity, Macadamia to protect against damage and  Apricot kernels for ultra hydration"

I remember opening the pot to this serum and wasn't expecting the texture inside.Of course I couldn't wait to use it as I was intrigued to see what it felt like, so I scooped on the outer side of the pot and kept it untouched in the middle so you can see what it looked like.The texture melts into an oil on skin contact and again smells absolutely amazing.I've applied this both on damp and dry hair, and personally I prefer to apply it on my dry hair on Day 4+ hair, as it re-hydrates my curls.I've provided a few of the ingredients in this oil serum below:
  • Infused Jojoba
  • Organic Avocado Oil
  • Silky Oat Oik
  • Rare Andiroba 
  • Macadamia Oil
  • Organic Apricot Oil
It recommends to use a teaspoon sized amount, but I use a smaller size, as too much can make your hair a bit greasy.This will vary on your curl type and how much hair you have, so its pretty much trial and error, but its worth it to have your curls nice and hydrated.Its great to use in the L.O.C method, which I do on days where I'm in a bit of a hurry, but want my curls to be fully moisturised.I've now introduced this for my L.O.C method, so its great for those that either have dry curls or curls that are needing that extra moisture.

Curl Defining Styling Soufflé 
"Our styling Soufflé is all about bouncy definition.It is perfect for creating flexible wash & go styles, braids and twist outs.It leaves no residue, is non-greasy and non-crunchy.Plus, its blended with Irish Moss for elasticity, Babassu Oil for moisture and Flax Seed for defined curls"

The Curl Defining Styling Soufflé was the first product that I tried out of the box and it has easily become one of my favourite curl products.I always like to keep at least 3 curl definition products for my hair on days where my hair is feeling temperamental: frizzy, lack of moisture and day 4+ hair.The products that I was using before didn't do too bad, but it was finding them working together that made it difficult, whereas this soufflé works perfectly.A few of the ingredients that are in this soufflé are listed below:
  • Indigenous Irish Moiss
  • Babassu Oil
  • Flax Seed Infusion 
  • Rare Andiroba 
  • Wild Rosemary & Sage
  • Organic Avocado

I took this picture on the 23rd March after a live stream, as I had a few questions about how defined my curls looked.That morning, I had actually washed my hair and normally after applying a defining cream, my hair would still shrink and have a lot of frizz.After stepping out of the shower with my towel on my shoulders to stop the excess dripping, I took a 10p sized amount, rubbed it between my hands until it turned into a foam like texture and applied it to my hair, whilst doing the scrunching method.Its one of those products that you really have to massage into the hair or it will leave a white residue, which is not a pretty look.It works great alongside the oil in cream for that extra moisture, but I'm perfectly happy with just using it on its own to achieve definition and happy curls.I'd also like the mention that the texture is a bit like a jelly, but turns into a foam like texture once you rub it between your hands as I mentioned above.

Curl Conditioning Oil-In-Cream:

"Our rich leave-in conditioner is perfect for TWA's, Wash & Go, L.O.C. Method, braids and twist outs.It can also be used as a curl primer in combination with other products.It doesn't flake, is non-greasy and non-crunch.Plus its blended with organic carrot, olive and aloe vera oils for extra strength, moisture and shine"

This leave in conditioner works absolute miracles and works so well alongside the soufflé.I love to use it mostly for the L.O.C method, because it gives my hair more moisture and definition.The cream is fairly thick so you literally only need a very small amount to work in the hair.I followed the instructions on the tub to scrunch in a upwards motion, as this gives me more volume from the root and softens the curls too.I love the ingredients in this one the most because it leaves my hair super moisturised:
  • Resurrection Flower
  • Organic Carrot Oil 
  • Rare Andiroba
  • Organic Olive Oil
  • Aloe And Basil Blend
As it works great as a curl primer, it makes it perfect to use as a base if you like to wear your hair up in a messy bun.I would normally just go in with a curl definition product for hold, but found that my hair would feel a bit dry a few hours later as a definition product wasn't enough.After wetting my hair, I take a small amount of the oil in cream, making sure that all of my hair is drenched in this cream, so its moisturised.I then go in with the soufflé for hold and style my hair up in a high bun, leaving a curl to hang loosely.Sometimes I will use the oil in cream on my edges afterwards so I can style them and of course moisturise them.
I'm really impressed with these products and highly recommend them to anyone with any curl type.I feel that not only would these work for anyone, but will be perfect for those that are just starting there journey of being natural.I would also like the thank Curlsmith for sending me these products to review and also bringing me amazing products that my hair love, and also the amazing message you portray for all curl types.A brand that will for sure will be making there way up to the top this year :D



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