April 2015 Empties!

Aloha!

I don't know about you but I can't actually believe that we are now in May. There's no way we are nearly half way through 2015! Time is wizzing past me and it seems that there is little I can do to stop it, it's only a reminder that life's short and we need to grab each day by the horns! Moving on, I must admit I don't regularly do monthly empties post, which is a shame because it's a good opportunity to share with you guys what great products I have been using. So, I've decided to take the challenge and write monthly empties and favorites posts (yay, exciting things to come!)

Firstly, we have Garnier Ultimate Blend Strength Restorer, a one minute treatment for fragile hair, prone to breakage. I have long, fine hair that I need to take special care of and usually my trusty Aussie 3 Minute Miracle does the job. However, I wanted to branch out and since I liked the Ultimate Blends shampoo/ conditioner range, I thought I would give it a go! It uses honey, royal jelly and propolis to strengthen, nourish and protect from root to tip. You can tell it contains jelly, due to it's consistency. I found that I had to use more of the product than I would usually because my hair didn't seem to absorb it very well and, although it says to leave it in for one minute, I usually leave it on for about five- ten minutes to ensure I recieve the up most benefits. It did leave my hair feeling soft and smelling of sweet honey but I don't think it necessarily made my hair stronger. I did use the whole bottle although I don't think I would purchase it again. 

Next we have St Ives Invigorating Apricot Facial Scrub. Okay as most of you know this has been my favorite facial scrub for a few years now and it's no wonder because with 100% natural exfoliates it removes all the dead skin cells without damaging the surface of your skin. I wouldn't recommend using it every day as that can harm your skins natural repairing system but using it two- three times a week will leave your skin feeling fresh, soft and radiant. Moving on to Aussie Shower Smoothie, I was besides myself when I saw that Aussie were launching a body wash range! And although £2.99 seemed a bit pricey for a tiny bottle of shower gel I just had to buy it. I must admit it wasn't the magical Aussie love potion I imagined it to be, it's macadamia nut oil formula is supposed to leave your skin feeling super soft but I found it didn't lather very well and didn't make a noticeable difference to my skin. It smells nice but it could have been a boots own brand for all I knew... Personally I think Aussie should stick to what they know; hair care!

We now have The Body Shop Tea Tree Blemish Gel. I bought this on a whim, as I do get blemishes, and was pleasantly surprised. After finishing my night time skin care routine I just dab the gel onto the blemish. It has a soft applicator, kinda like a lip gloss, which means you can apply with precision. This isn't the product for you if you need an all over facial treatment but it's good for tackling precised areas. After the first use I found that my blemishes were slightly smaller, less red and had dried out a bit. Tea Tree is vastly known for helping with problem skin and I think it's safe to say you can't argue with mother nature! Okay so lastly, we have Muji Hinoki Wood Candle. This is my favorite candle of all time and you can only get it at Muji so last weekend me and Roneil took a trip up to London to visit the Natural History Museum, whilst we were there, we thought we'd catch the tube up to Oxford St. and of course I had to visit Muji. This hand made candle contains premium grade fragrances including Hinoki Wood. For those of you who don't know, Hinoki Wood is a sacred wood in Japan and smells devine! What I love most about it, other than it's scent, is that it fills the whole room with a luscious aroma and the entire candle melts each time so you don't waste any. Anybody who loves candles will love this and they have a range of fragrances to suit all homes. 

So there we have it, my April 2015 empties! What are yours?

Neeks ☯

The Hair Chronicle #2- Growing Long Healthy Hair

Aloha!

So clicking upon this post you're probably thinking something along the lines of.. *hair?!* *grow?!* *LONG?!*. Yes this IS what I'm going to be talking about but let's be realistic here.. I hate to break it to you but there is no magic potion that will give you long locks over night (trust me I've tried it all) but there ARE things you can do to encourage hair growth with these simple steps. Remember, I have naturally fine, straight hair that has never been permanently dyed and the below is just what I find works for me and my hair type :) There is a lot of information on this that i could write but I'll try and keep it brief and stick to the point! 

No 1. Bite The Bullet

The first thing you have to do is pluck up the courage to have a good chop! I know, the thought terrifies me too, but it has to be done if you want long, but most importantly, healthy hair. Saying ta'ra to those dead ends will be the best thing you'll ever say bye to because although some products claim to 'fix' split ends, the results are always temporary and the only real way to get rid of them is to cut them off! Otherwise they'll travel up the hair strands, leaving you with thin ratty ends, and we all know that's not a good look. I must admit I'm terrible at getting regular hair cuts but, I myself, trim the ends of my hair every couple of months, bare in mind, if your hair is more damaged, you may need to approach this step twice.

No 2. Have a Balanced Diet

Eat plenty of fruits/ veg and drink lots of water. Healthy hair and growth comes from within so although it's important to look after your hair on the outside, it's just as important to look after yourself from the inside. You can buy supplements but, in my experience, I've not found a supplement that makes a noticeable difference (if you know of any please lemme know!) Remember hair is made from protein and if you lack this in your diet your hair is likely to become brittle so eggs, nuts and red meat will help keep your hair strong! Not only that but iron is also essential for hair growth, as the hair follicle and root are fed by a nutrient rich blood supply so if you become deficient in iron it disrupts this supply and can lead to hair loss and even Anaemia. 

No 3. Stay Away From Heated Tools

I use my ghd's less than once a week, I know many people say they absolutely must straighten their hair every day but try and think of alternative hair styles, up do's, plaits, buns, top knots; the possibilities are endless and you may even discover a new fav hair style! Not only that, but your hair will seriously thank you for it in the long run! John Frieda 3 Day Straight is a great product for those of you that find it hard breaking away from the straighteners and if you are going to use heated tools be sure to use heat protection to prevent any damage; TRESemme Heat Defence is my current favorite, I can't fault it at all, it gets the job done yet doesn't weigh my hair down! Perfect. 

No 4. Give Your Hair Some TLC 

Try and avoid shampoos and conditioners with harsh chemicals and parabens in them, these can have an adverse effect and cause your hair to dry out. Instead use a mild shampoo with an ultra moisturising conditioner. I find Aussie and Garnier Ultimate Blends are the best affordable brands at the moment but use whatever works for you! Try and limit how often you wash your hair, and when you do, shampoo the roots and condition the ends; washing the ends can cause dryness and conditioning the roots can cause greasyness! I usually try and leave the conditioner in for as long as possible before rinsing it out and twice a week I'll give my hair a deep treatment, usually with trusty old coconut oil, it deeply moisturises the hair shaft and restores shine and elasticity. Moreover it's cheap as chips, you can buy it almost anywhere and it will leave your hair feeling soft and smelling gorgeous! It's also good for massaging, this will encourage blood flow to the scalp and stimulate the hair follicles thus encouraging hair growth. 

 Another thing to be careful of is brushing, especially when your hair is wet! When hair gets wet it's weaker than usual so rather than brushing it, spray the ends of your hair with a leave in conditioner and gently use a wide tooth comb to untangle it; remember to begin at the ends and work your way up, this will avoid creating more knots and breakage! 

More on TLC in The Hair Chronical #1 My Current Hair Routine.

No. 5: Time 

Nothing will make your hair grow faster than time itself and to begin with you may feel like you're not getting anywhere, but don't be disheartened, I felt the same. Bare in mind that the average hair growth time is around half an inch a month but the above steps can increase that. Also bare in mind that, based on genetics, your hair has a natural stopping length which means that no matter what you do, it will not grow passed a certain point. For some people it's bra strap length, for others it continues growing until they can sit on it! Find out what your natural stopping length is and when you get to it, have a trim to maintain it's healthiness. 

So I hope that some of you have found this useful, there is much more to talk about on the subject of hair, find out in my next hair post, 'The Hair Chronical #3'

Do you have any tips on hair growth?

Neeks x

The Hair Chronicle #1- My Current Hair Care Routine

Aloha! 

So it wasn’t until recently that I realised I hardly ever write about hair, which is surprising considering I do take great pride in caring for my hair and have acquired a fair amount of knowledge over the past 6 years or so- prior to that I wasn’t very ‘hair savvy’ (or make-up savvy for that matter). In essence I have fine, v.long, naturally light ginger hair that lacks volume but never the less is in good condition, despite its length and how fine it is. So I thought I’d share with you my current hair care routine and products that I find work for my hair type.

So without beating around the bush I probably wash my hair 3-4 times a week, depending on what I’m doing but the aim is to see how long I can go without washing it! Sounds gross? Oh no! Over washing can be really drying on our locks and can give a dull appearance. If you find your hair gets greasy really easy then try out some dry shampoo. I use Batiste Tropical Dry Shampoo because it absorbs all the oil without drying out my hair, adds volume (brownie points for that one) and is an instant life saver when I’ve over slept and realise I have 20 minutes to get out the door! (Plus it’s super cheap in Savers) There are other brands but this seems to work the best for me as it doesn’t leave a white residue like some of the other brands do and it smells like I’m on holiday.

 When it comes to shampoo I chop and change between a selected few brands I trust, just to avoid product build up, I used to use the John Freida Root Awakening Range but haven’t been able to get hold of it in a while so typically, I now go for Aussie or TRESemme. Aussie is probably my fav brand at the moment, and not just because it smells divine but also because I genuinely feel that it does hydrate my hair and consequently it’s softer and stronger, unlike other brands that are all talk and silicone. So when it comes to washing my hair I actually shampoo my roots twice with Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo. The first wash is to cleanse my hair of any products like dry shampoo or hairspray and the second is to really cleanse my scalp. I like to massage my scalp quite well to stimulate the blood circulation thus promoting hair growth. I don’t directly shampoo the ends of my hair because they don’t need it, plus when I rinse the shampoo runs down and cleans the ends anyway.

Next it’s time to condition, just before hand I gently squeeze any excess water out of my hair so I don’t dilute the conditioner.  Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner is my chosen product and I’m generous with it, concentrating it on the ends is best as these are the oldest and dryest hairs that need a little more TLC. I try to leave it on as long as possible so there is time for it to be absorbed and yes I do put a tiny amount on the roots, to help with shine, but also to prevent dryness as it grows. I don't see the point in waiting for your hair to grow and become dry before you condition it? I understand that some people find it can make their hair greasy but personally that only happens to me if I use the wrong products. Or maybe the problem isn’t the products you’re using but maybe the over washing, the excess oil production is happening because your scalp is trying to replace all the natural essential oils that you keep rinsing away. Ladies if your hair has the tendency to get greasy fast then next time you have a weekend at home, shove it in a bun and resist the urge to wash! Trust me your hair will thank you for it.

Admittedly, I probably have an unnecessary attachment to my hair, which I know is ridiculous, but hey there could be worst things to be attached to and on the upside it means that I actually love to pamper it with luscious moisturising treatments. 2-3 times a week I either use Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor (nuff said) or Inecto Pure Coconut Oil Repair Treatment. If I am just chilling around the house, in the evening, or if I'm not going anywhere then I will apply these to dry hair and leave it on for as long as I can (sometimes hours or overnight) before I rinse it. The reason I apply it to dry hair is because a hair stylist told me that the hair can absorb it better. I'm not sure if this is a 'fact' or not but I definitely noticed a difference and also it's more convenient because I can go about my daily chores i.e the laundry and don't have to be uncomfortable with wet hair. With my hair type, it’s prone to drying out so using these deep conditioning treatments are an essential part of my hair care routine.

So after I’ve washed my hair I actually keep my hair wrapped up in a towel whilst I do my make-up. That way by the time I'm finished my hair is about 50% dry and the towel also keeps it out of my face. After that I apply Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance from the middle to the ends because it is the only product I have found (and I’ve tried a lot!) that detangles my hair without weighing it down or leaving a residue. I then use a wide-tooth comb to gently de-tangle the ends and work my way up, in doing so, avoiding combing damage. I then part my hair and begin to dry it with a normal hair dryer, on a low-medium heat. I also ensure that when I’m drying the nozzle is pointing downwards, in the direction of my natural hair growth, this helps to smooth the cuticles and leaves a soft and shiny finish. When it's about 80% dry I comb it through again, using a normal brush this time, and add a small amount of LO'real Elvive Extraordinary Oil to my ends. This stuff is quite pricey but it lasts forever as you only need a tiny amount and it really helps with the shine factor. Lastly, I complete my blow dry, shake it out, and add a light spritz of my trusty LO'real Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray (Diamond Hold) just to add a little texture and volume.

Typically on a day to day I don’t ‘style’ my hair. I don’t straighten it as it’s naturally straight. The only time I use heated tools is if I’m going out for drinks or for a special occasion so probably only 1-2 times a week and when I do I use TRESemme Heat Defence Styling Spray (apologies for missing this out in the photo) this lightweight formula protects my hair from heat and doesn't interfere with my other leave-in products. I also haven’t dyed my hair and I think all these factors really help with preventing my hair from damage and dryness. Don’t get me wrong I have friends that have been bleaching their hair for years and considering this it’s still in amazing condition but my hair just can’t handle it so this hair care routine is essential for me; knowing your hair type and knowing your hairs resilience plays an important part in caring for it. Remember what might work for someone else might have a different effect on your so 'get to know' your hair and it will thank you for it.

What's your current hair care routine? 

Neeks x

2013 Beauty Favs

Aloha!

Well 2013 is coming to an end so I thought I'd reflect on all of my beauty life savers! There have been many ups and downs, highs and lows, bad times and good times (you get the idea) but these top beauty pics have never failed to support me so I thought I would give them the recognition they deserve and share them with all you beauty fanatics out there!

1) Nivea Daily Essentials Double Effect Eye Make-Up Remover- £2.99 Boots

I must confess I am a bit of an eye make-up junkie and this is the only product that will gently remove my primed eye shadow/ 24 hour gel liner and 3 coats of mascara mix. It gets absolutely everything off in seconds without having to rub my eyes and doesn't leave them red and puffy. 

2) Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor- £4.99 Boots

My hair is very long and fine so prone to combing damage and dry ends. Even after neglecting it with crimping, backcoming, curling, straightening (and the rest) this magic Australian potion brings my long locks back to life, leaving it soft, moisturised and doesn't weigh it down. Seriously I really don't know what I would do without this. 

3) Rimmel London Professional Eyebrow Pencil (Hazel)- £2.99 Boots

Naturally I have practically invisible blonde eyebrows that do no favours in shaping my face. I have had them tinted but it's hard to keep up regular salon trips so I usually only do that in the summer time. However, this eyebrow pencil has been my absolute brow savior and being a light redhead it's hard to find a shade that matches but this brow pencil in 'hazel' is a perfect match and cheap as chips. 

4) Nivea Daily Essentials Express Hydration Primer- £2.99 Savers

I did a review on this primer not long ago click here to have a peak. Thanks to this little pot of wonders my make-up stays put all day long and my skin stays heavenly hydrated . 

5) Salonservices Stippling Brush (403)- £8 ish Sally's Beauty Supplies

This was supposed to be for my uni make-up kit but after trying it out it made it's way into my personal brush wallet. Forget foundation brushes, sponges and fingers THIS is the brush to use to apply your foundation. It buffs the foundation right into the skin and gets in all the nooks and cranny's that an ordinary brush wouldn't reach, leaving you with a light and even complexion.  

6) L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin Diamond Hold Hairspray- £6.60 (400ml) Boots

You know how it is, you spend hours in hot rollers and styling your hair for a big night out with the girls. You spray your hair with a generous amount of so called 'strong hold' hair spray and BOOM after an hour in the club the humidity and dancing makes it look like you've just rolled out of bed and pulled on a party dress. Well not with this, this hairspray has got me through hours (and I mean hours) of dancing and getting merry on the dance floor with my friends. Now you can use this and go out knowing that even if you have one too many (we've all been there ladies!) at least your hair will still look fab! 

7) MaxFactor False Lash Effect Mascara- £10.99 Boots

This mascara and I are in a committed 5 year relationship. In those 5 years I have tried to find other mascaras that could be (dare I say it) better but I always come crawling back to my trusty False Lash Effect Mascara. I wouldn't say it actually makes your eyelashes look fake but it naturally lengthens, volumises, curls and fans out all the corners. Plus it has a big fat brush (which I love) and gets right to the roots. 

8) Urban Decay Naked Palette Original- £37 Debenhams  

I'm sure this is on a lot of people's top favs, this palette has got me through every occasion that could have possibly popped up (I'm sure you guys can relate) including a wideee range of.. 

work looks

everyday looks

dinner party looks

hot dates

birthdays

big nights out

trying not to look hungover

trying not to look ill

trying not to look tired

'i'm not wearing any eye make-up' 

day trips

photo shoots

fancy dress

it's raining outside..

breakup make-up

i'm a new woman make-up! 

work do's

gatherings

cinema looks

summertime looks

baby showers

holidays 

christmas

And probably new years eve aswell! Although I am debating on whether or not to use the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette click here for swatches, but I'll save that for another post! 

These are my 2013 beauty favs, what's yours?

Neeks x