Wednesday 30 July 2014

Recent Empties #Haircare



If you read my recent where have I been post, linked here you will know that I have quite a few empties to get through. I decided the best way to go through them was by category, and decided to start with the one I have the most opinions on - Haircare.

Just a recap I have very fine hair with a very sensitive scalp, so am looking for products to give me some serious volume, without making it look greasy whilst also being kind to my scalp.

So here is what I have used up

Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner for Flaky/Itchy Scalps I really think if you have a sensitive scalp that you can't go far wrong with Philip Kingsley, I love love love the shampoo in this range and have got through litres of the stuff. That said my scalp still plays up as it's seriously high maintenance. The only way my scalp behaves is if  I religiously use the shampoo, toner and a mask once a week. As soon as I stop my scalp goes back to being flaky and not very nice. This did help my scalp and as I haven't repurchased my scalp is currently playing up - why haven't I repurchased I hear you ask? Well it's just so expensive for how often I need to use it. 250mls retails at £19 and as I wash my hair daily I get through a bottle in less then two months. I have read somewhere that you can make your own scalp toner by mixing Witch Hazel and mouth wash but as yet I haven't dared try, in case I end up bald. I know I will repurchase this at some point I just wish it wasn't quite so pricey. If you do want to give this a try it is available from feelunique.com for £19.00.

Phyto Phytobaume Volume Express Conditioner for Fine Hair I bought this after this brand seemingly to be recommended by everyone in the beauty world. First up I didn't notice that my hair had any extra volume because of this. I still have visions of finding a miracle product that will make my hair bouncy, thick and full of volume. Alas this is not that product, but it isn't bad. As it is meant to be rinsed out straight away it is thicker then I am used to, and you do have to be careful not to put too much in but with the right amount it does make your hair less knotty and smoother. I can't really say that this is bad, it lasted ages seeing as I only needed a small amount but can't say it did anything special. If this was on offer I might be tempted to repurchase but right now still hunting for my Holy Grail conditioner.  You can pick this up from spacenk.com for £14.50.

Toni & Guy Prep Heat Protection Mist I bought this after deciding that all drugstore heat protectors are the same and thought I would give this a try as it says it has Anti-Static Control. This product has made me realise that not all heat protection is created equal, this for instance is awful. There I said it, lets get the claim that it can control static out of the way first. My hair was more static using this, so much so that I had to use something to try and tame it, which I never usually have to. I could just about cope with that but what drove me nuts about this is the packaging, the nozzle fell apart every time I used it. So it is safe to say I will not be purchasing this again, if you want to give it a try it is available from boots.com for £6.99.

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray I got this free with Elle last year. I was so excited to try as have heard so much about the brand but never tried anything. Sadly like 99% of volumising products this was a disappointment. It did add some volume but was sticky and smelt funny. I can't describe what was wrong with the smell it just wasn't overly pleasant and quite strong. The other thing that let this down was the nozzle, it didn't spray an even fine mist which I feel contributed in the sticky result. I am glad I tried to cross it off the list but won't purchase this or the full size. This mini is available from boots.com for £8.50.

Please note that none of the above links are affiliate links 

Monday 28 July 2014

Mini Monday - Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle

I received this in one of my Birchbox's and was interested to see how I got on with it. I haven't dabbled with leave in conditions for years thanks to my fine hair and only use drugstore heat protectors usually.

This makes several claims on the back
  • instantly detangles
  • provide thermal and UV protection
  • seals cuticles
  • smoothes hair
  • locks in colour
  • add shines
  • is weightless, non greasy and suitable for all hair types.
On first use I thought I had a dodgy bottle as I just couldn't get anything to come out, but after a good shake it finally came out. This is more of a serum then a watery spray which I wasn't expecting. 

It is heavily scented of vanilla which I personally love but if you aren't a fan of scented products that may put you off.

Anyway scent aside did it deliver? Well yes I think it did. I don't know how you are meant to test whether it heat protects your hair and I don't have colour treated hair but I agree with all the other claims. 

My hair was noticeably softer and less frizzy, it also had more shine and needed less brushing. You do have to be careful with this as if I applied too much my hair did just end up looking greasy, but with the right amount it just looked like it was in really good condition.

I wash my hair daily so can't comment on how day two hair would look but as a daily washer this has become my holy grail heat protector. 

The only snag is the price and the availability. This appears to be a Birchbox exclusive and is £15 for 236ml available here

Wednesday 23 July 2014

TMI Tag

I have seen a few of these tag videos on YouTube most recently from leighannsays and thought it looked like fun, so here are my answers.

1: What are you wearing?
It's currently 10pm so I am sporting some rather fetching Thumper pj's from Primark.

2: Ever been in love?
Yes

3: Ever had a terrible breakup?
Yes - from both sides, had my heart broken and broke up with someone who didn't handle it very well.

4: How tall are you?
I am not 100% sure but I think I am around 5 foot 4.

5: How much do you weigh?
At my last Slimming World weigh I was 9 stone 6.5lbs.

6: Any tattoos?
Nope and can safely say I will never have any either, I am not against them but I am just too fickle.

7: Any piercings?
Only my ears and only the one in each ear, although I have had them pierced twice.

8: OTP?
I am so uncool I don't even know what that means!

9: Favourite show?
Probably the early series of The Big Bang Theory, but this season has been awful. I have been loving Brooklyn 99 - has anyone else been watching that?

10: Favourite bands?
Erm can't think of any current bands or cool ones, the last band I saw live was Elbow but that wasn't through choice. I really want to say Five - there I said it.

11: Something you miss? 
Being carefree, being an adult is not what I expected.

12: Favourite song?
At the moment Say Something, but can't think of my all time favourite one.

13: How old are you?
29

14: Zodiac sign?
Pieces  

15: Quality you look for in a partner?
Honesty and being able to cook

16: Favourite Quote?
I have a lot, but the one that has stuck with me is, just because you can doesn't mean you should.

17: Favourite actor?
Christian Bale, no big surprise if you follow me on Pinterest.

18: Favourite colour?
Purple

19: Loud music or soft?
I like my music loud and others soft. I hate hearing other people's music.

20: Where do you go when you're sad?
In my own little world.

21: How long does it take you to shower?
Too long according to anyone who has ever lived with me - 15-20 minutes.

22: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
About an hour and a quarter 

23: Ever been in a physical fight?
Only with my sisters

24: Turn on?
A confident man in a suit aka Bruce Wayne

25: Turn off?
Skinny men

26: The reason I joined Youtube?
Erm I am not on YouTube but started blogging as I love reading blogs and thought it would be nice to have a piece of the internet for myself.

27: Fears?
Everything, I suffer from anxiety at the moment so my main one is that I will be stuck with it for life.

28: Last thing that made you cry?
Oh God I cry all the time, anything and everything makes me cry, so I can't really remember.

29: Last time you said you loved someone?
Via an email to my Dad tonight.

30: Meaning behind your Youtube Name?
My blog name is a nickname I got when I was at high school.

31: Last book you read?
Was a Mills and Boon - I know I said I would quit them but I can't help myself.

32: The book you're currently reading?
Be Awesome by Hadley Freeman which is great and would recommend.

33: Last show you watched?
New Girl

34: Last person you talked to?
Ross my boyfriend

35: The relationship between you and the person you last texted?
Hannah my best friend

36: Favourite food?
Meat

37: Place you want to visit?
New York

38: Last place you were?
The last trip I went on was to Cromer.

39: Do you have a crush?
Is the Pope Catholic - I have a massive crush on Christian Bale. 

40: Last time you kissed someone?
This evening

41: Last time you were insulted?
Today by a colleague I am sure it was in jest, but I didn't find it very funny.

42: Favourite flavour of sweet?
I love Maynards Wine Gums.

43: What instruments do you play??
None I did start the piano but that was decades ago.

44: Favourite piece of jewellery?
My ring Ross got me for my 25th, have never taken it off.

45: Last sport you played?
Volleyball years ago

46: Last song you sang?
Say Something

47: Favourite chat up line?
I don't have a favourite one

48: Have you ever used it?
I have never tried to chat anyone up, I can't imagine it would be a good idea.

49: Last time you hung out with anyone?
I hang out with my boyfriend all the time does that count?

50: Who should answer these questions next?
Whoever wants to

Has anyone else done this tag?

Tuesday 22 July 2014

Where have I been?

Long time no see, as you may have noticed I haven't been blogging or posting anything for a while. I wasn't going to explain why not, after all it's no one business and no one was probably that worried. That said I decided to write this little post as an explanation.

It's not a secret that I have been studying towards my AAT Level 4 which takes a large chunk of my time. I had an exam in March and one in the beginning of July, hopefully that is it now unless I fail my last one. Please people keep your fingers crossed that I haven't. I tend to get very stressed before an exam ever spare moment is spent practising questions or re writing my notes for the 100th time.

Earlier in the year my grandmother was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and rapidly declined. Spending time with my family obviously became more important. She sadly passed away the week before my birthday and two weeks before my exam. My exam didn't seem that important and I spent as much time with my dad as I could. I debated about postponing my exam but decided to give it a bash and see what happened, luckily and surprisingly I passed.

Whilst this was all going on I still managed to post semi regularly but I found it had become another added pressure. I was trying to see my dad, study, blog and work full time. I was getting stressed out about not using something before I had taken photo's, trying to remember what I needed to post before it joined the empties pile - which was rapidly growing. I had bought and received stuff for my birthday which I wouldn't let myself use til I hauled.

Basically it was all getting a bit silly so I decided that is it I am done with blogging. I threw out all my empties, deleted all my drafts and most of my photos, and started using all the new products.

At first it was a relief but I started to miss posting, I still kept reading blogs and watching videos, and found some really good and not so good products. I have also been struggling with anxiety and have found it hard to find people who I know who are going through similar things.

I don't really know what will happen this little old blog, I started collected empties again a few month ago, many are mini's which I used up quite a while ago and not sure I can really give an in-depth review, but I might do a mini series none the less. I have also thought about writing about my anxiety, and just generally more personal stuff.

I guess this is actually just a post to say I have had a rough couple of months and my blog might change a bit. I hope you guys are all well and if there is anything you would like to see more of let me know.