Haircare Archives - With love from Lou

Birchbox | June 2018 Edition

30/06/2018 by Louise 4 Comments

You guys may have noticed that I haven’t written a Birchbox review for a good few months now. And I have to be honest with you and say it’s because they’ve not been arriving until the very last day of the month, which hasn’t given me anywhere near enough time to try out the products and share my honest opinions of them with you guys. It was really frustrating.

Luckily, though, this months box arrived much earlier than usual. And I’ve spent the last couple of weeks testing out each of the products inside. So, for today’s post, I’m going to be giving the box a thorough review. I hope you guys enjoy reading all about it.

As I mentioned before, my Birchbox (or Birchtin as it was transformed into this month) was delivered a couple of weeks ago, and I was really impressed by the gorgeous design on the tin. It has a blue floral design on a white background, and it instantly reminded me of some of the pieces of Wedgwood crockery I have in my collection. It’s really, really beautiful.

The lid of the tin lifts off completely to reveal the products inside, and I have to say I’m really impressed with how tight-fitting it is. I can see myself reusing this when I do some baking later in the month as I think it will keep my baked goods nice and fresh inside.

So, back in May, Birchbox UK turned 5. And to celebrate, they decided to base June’s box around one of the most British things they could think of … the tea party! From the special keepsake biscuit tin to the launch of the Birchbox Beauty Awards, June is all about them thanking their wonderful subscribers for their continued support. Now, let’s get this parTEA started and let me tell you what I thought of all the products that came in this months box.

Ella Eden Compact Eyeshadow in Faith

The first product I received in this months Birchbox was a full-sized Ella Eden Compact Eyeshadow in the shade Faith, which is a deep, chocolate brown colour. The eyeshadow itself is a mineral one, but it’s been pressed into a compact to make it less time-consuming to apply. I love this idea! The shade I received has a subtle shimmer to it, and I like that it’s really pigmented, so I don’t need to use loads at a time. I’ve found that it blends really well with other eyeshadows, and it doesn’t tend to crease on the lid. It’s a really lovely product that I’m super impressed with so far. The eyeshadow retails at £12.99 for 3.0g, which I think is a little pricey for a single shadow. But I do think it’s a good quality product overall.

Benefit POREfessional Pearl Primer Mini

I’m a big fan of Benefit products, so I was over the moon to find a mini POREfessional Pearl Primer in my Birchbox this month. I have to say, I love the packaging of this particular primer. It’s really pink and girly, with a pearl finish to it. I’ve been a fan of the original POREfessional for more years than I care to remember, so I was really looking forward to trying out this updated version. And it didn’t disappoint! The POREfessional Pearl Primer is oil-free, lightweight, silky smooth, and adds a subtle glow to the skin when used. It definitely makes me look a lot nicer when I use it! I feel like it hides a lot of my imperfections, and whenever I use it under my makeup it sits better, lasts longer and looks better. I’ll definitely be repurchasing the full-sized version of this when I run out (which costs £27.50), as I can’t believe how much nicer it makes my skin look. I love it!

Number 4 Jour d’automne Smoothing Balm

Next up, I received a hair balm from a brand I really like called Number 4. I’d not tried this particular product before, so I was excited to give it a try. And boy, am I impressed with it! Not only does it smell great, but the product helps tame and smooth any frizzy, unruly hair that I may have, leaving it feeling silky, soft and smooth. I find I only need to use a little bit of product for it to work well, and what I do is distribute it evenly through damp hair, before drying and styling as usual. It’s honestly a fab little product, and I’m sure I’ll repurchase the full sized version, which retails at £24.50 when it runs out.

Polaar Velvety Sun Fluid for Face & Body

For me, one of the most important parts of a good skincare routine is using a good sun cream. So I was over the moon to find a generous sample sized one in this months Birchbox. The one I got was Polaar’s Velvety Sun Fluid for Face & Body, and it smells incredible! I’ve been using it every day since receiving it, and it’s kept my skin nice and protected from all the lovely sun we’ve been having here in the UK this last couple of weeks. It has a lovely velvety formula, which offers UVA and UVB protection, which fights sunburn and premature ageing. The cream absorbs into my skin really quickly, and it doesn’t leave any greasy residue. It’s awesome, and I’ll most definitely be purchasing this in full-size when it runs out.

Glamglow Supercleanse

If there’s one brand I’ve wanted to try for ages, it’s Glamglow. So I was excited to find one of their products in my Birchbox this month. The product I received was called Supercleanse, and it’s a cream-to-foam cleanser packed with a blend of three charcoals to detoxify and adsorb a range of impurities. Infused with kind to skin ingredients such as Mediterranean clay, eucalyptus leaf and bamboo, the gentle but effective formula helps to remove excess oils and makeup, leaving the skin feeling soothed and softened. I don’t think I’ve ever used a cleanser like this before, but I really like it. It has a lovely fresh scent to it, and I could see and feel a big difference in my skin from the very first use. I think it’s safe to say I’ll be repurchasing a full-sized version of this when it runs out. I absolutely love it. No wonder people are always raving about Glamglow!

Whittard of Chelsea Teabags

And last but not least, all Birchbox subscribers got an extra special treat this month. And that treat came in the form of one of my all-time favourite things … tea! Yes, this month we all got a box of Whittard of Chelsea teabags. The box contained 3 different types of tea – Earl Grey (my absolute fave), Mango & Bergamot and Lemon & Ginger. All 3 flavours were absolutely delicious, and I love the design of the box. I would most definitely purchase from Whittard of Chelsea again. And what a lovely way for us to celebrate Birchbox’s 5th Birthday. Cheers!

And there you have it, a mini-review of all the products I received in my June Birchbox. Overall, I was really impressed with this months box. For me, it’s been the best one I’ve received in ages, as I’ve continually used all of the products inside. And I know I’ll repurchase them again in the future. Well done, Birchbox!

Birchbox – £10.00 (plus P&P) per month ||link||

Have you ever tried a Birchbox subscription before?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on them!
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Birchbox | July 2017 Edition

07/08/2017 by Louise 53 Comments

Last month I mentioned that after taking a few months away from my Birchbox subscription, I’d signed up again as I’d spotted the June box on social media and thought it looked right up my street. Luckily, I was over the moon with it when it arrived and I soon found myself looking forward to my July box being delivered.

When it finally landed on my door mat I discovered that the theme of July’s box was ‘Summer Daze’, which is just perfect for this time of year. And I’ve spent the last few weeks trying out everything inside it so I could share my honest opinion of it with you guys. I hope you enjoy reading through it.

To match the summery theme of the contents, July’s box had one of the most gorgeous designs I’ve seen. It has an ombre sunset on the front, which goes down from a mid-blue shade, through to lilac shades, and ending in a fairly deep pink. And then on top of the ‘sunset’ are the silhouettes of six palm trees. I believe the design was voted for by Birchbox subscribers a while ago. And boy, did they choose well!

You may remember in June that Birchbox subscribers were treated to a bag instead of a box, and although I loved getting something a little different for a change, I’m glad the box is back this month. I love how Birchbox boxes have a little pull-out drawer in them. I stack them all up and use them for storing my ever-growing collection of travel minis!

When I opened the drawer last month I noticed that there were six products inside, instead of the usual five. But sadly, they were all sample sized. I did think this seemed a bit stingy if I’m honest, as I tend to expect at least one full sized product in a box like this. The products looked nice at first glance though, so I tried not to let it bother me. So, what did I get? Make sure you read on to find out …

Benefit GoGo Tint

Every Birchbox shipped in July contained a Benefit Lip and Cheek Stain, and I got the GoGo Tint, which I was super happy about as it’s the newest stain in their collection, and I haven’t tried it before, despite being a massive fan of the brand. The GoGo Tint is a bright cherry shade that you can use as either a liquid blush or a lip stain. I did worry that it would be a little too ‘out there’ for me, as I tend to stick to pinks and nudes when it comes to lip colours. But I really love it – it’s the perfect summer shade. I love that the tint is super pigmented and long lasting, and I can definitely see myself repurchasing this once the sample has run out. Go, go Benefit for making such a fantastic tint!

Balance Me Flash Cleanse Micellar Water

Every July Birchbox also contained a 30ml sample of Balance Me’s Flash Cleanse Micellar Water, which I was very excited to try out. I love Balance Me as a brand and very often use their products as part of my skincare routine. I’d never tried their Micellar Water though. In fact, up until receiving this sample in my box, I’d never tried any Micellar Water. Can you tell I’m not one to jump straight on a bandwagon?! Anyway, I’ve been using this in place of my usual balm cleanser to remove my makeup before bed, and I’ve been really impressed with it so far. It’s a 99% natural cleansing water which removes makeup and impurities quickly and easily without having to rinse your face afterwards. I’ve found this does a fab job, although I can’t use it near my eyes or they end up stinging like crazy. I should also mention that it has a lovely subtle-yet-calming scent to it that seems to help me relax as well. Will I repurchase? More than likely. It’s a great product that I can see me using again and again.

Percy & Reed Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Overnight Recovery

Next up I received a 30ml sample of Percy & Reed’s Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Overnight Recovery – try saying that when you’re tired or have had a drink! I’ve only used this product a few times so far as the idea is you apply it through dry hair, from roots to tips before heading to bed, and then shampoo it out the next morning. And sadly, I rarely know whether I’m going to need to wash my hair until I get up. I mean, I just hate washing it unless I have to! (It’s not the actual washing I dislike, it’s the time it takes me to dry and style it after. Urgh). Anyway, the product smells really nice, and it’s full of lovely conditioning properties, so on the times I have used it, it made my hair look and feel really nice. I can’t say yet whether I’ll repurchase or not as I haven’t used it enough, but I’m glad I got to try it out as I’m enjoying using it so far. Have you ever used it before? I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on it if you have!

Anatomicals Softening Eucalyptus Foot Cream

I have to admit, I get through a lot of foot cream. So I was really pleased to find one that I hadn’t tried before in my July Birchbox: the Anatomicals Softening Eucalyptus Foot Cream. It smells really nice, and feels super nourishing on the feet. I’ve loved using it! I’ve found a little bit goes a long way with this cream as it’s not super thick like a lot of similar products I own. The packaging seems to be aimed at a much younger person than I am, but it’s definitely summery looking! And as it’s only £5.99 for the full sized tube I can see me repurchasing this in the near future.

Origins RitualiTea Matcha Madness Face Mask

Last month saw Birchbox treat me to a 5g sample of the Origins RitualtiTea Matcha Madness Powder Face Mask, and as I love Origins masks I was eager to try this out! It’s basically a revitalizing powder mask enriched with Matcha and Green Tea, and you have to mix it with water before applying it to your face. I have to be honest and say I wasn’t blown away by it as it takes quite a lot of effort to apply compared to all the other masks I use, and I managed to make quite a mess when I mixed it up. It also smelled like Sushi, which I wasn’t overly keen on. It did make my skin feel nice though! Will I repurchase though? I doubt it very much. Sorry Origins, I’m not a fan of this one.

Catherine Malandrino Romance de Provence EDP

And the final product in last months Birchbox was a perfume sample: Catherine Malandrino’s Romance de Provence. I hadn’t received any perfume samples in a while, so I was interested to give this a try. And according to Birchbox, this is exclusive to them. So, what does it smell like? I’m rubbish at describing scents (as you may well know) but to me it smells very sophisticated – kind of like the scents I usually choose, but also a lot more daring! I imagined it to be quite a fruity floral kind of scent, but it’s not. It’s more of a musky, masculine sort of scent. It is described as containing layers of jasmine, orange flower, rose and violet with a backdrop of powder musk, amber and patchouli. For me, it’s a night out scent that I think I’ll probably repurchase in a full sized bottle as it’s different to all the other scents in my collection and I really like it.

Overall, I really liked July’s edition of Birchbox, and can see me repurchasing quite a few of the products in the box. The only downside for me was the fact that all the products were sample sized this month. I really think Birchbox should be including at least one full sized item each month. What do you think?

Birchbox – £10.00 (plus P&P) per month ||link||

Have you ever tried a Birchbox subscription before?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on them!
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Birchbox – October 2016 Edition

10/11/2016 by Louise 22 Comments

Well, we’re into the second week of November and I’ve just realised that I never posted my review of the Birchbox I received last month … whoops! I really need to work harder to get these reviews up during the correct month don’t I? I promise to be on time from now on!

Anyway, during October Birchbox teamed up with world renowned astrologist, Susan Miller, to bring 4 different boxes to their subscribers : Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The box we got was dependent on our star sign, and as I’m a Libra, I received the Air box.

I have to say I thought the box design last month was absolutely beautiful. It’s a midnight blue colour adorned with stars that actually glow in the dark! I love it. So, what did I get in my box last month? Make sure you read on if you want to find out …

LORD & BERRY 20100 MAXI MATTE CRAYON LIPSTICK IN INTIMACY

The first product I received in this months box was a full sized matte lip pencil from Lord & Berry in the shade ‘Intimacy’. I actually fell in love with this particular shade at first glance (if that’s even possible) and I wasn’t disappointed when I started using it! Intimacy is a beautiful pinky nude shade which is a lot like my lips (but better). Shades like this really suit me, and are the ones I tend to pick up when I’m out shopping for lip products.

I’ve never tried any matte lip products from Lord & Berry before, and I thought it might be a little too drying on my lips. But I needn’t have worried, as it didn’t feel dry at all. It lasted really well throughout the day too, with just the odd top-up needed here and there.

The Lord & Berry 20100 Maxi Matte Crayon Lipstick in Intimacy retails at £12.00 and I will definitely be repurchasing once I’ve run out!

BATISTE STYLIST OOMPH MY LOCKS XXL VOLUME SPRAY

The second product I received in October’s Birchbox was something I bought when it was launched last year – Batiste’s Oopmh My Locks XXL Volume Spray from their range of styling products. Now, I’ve always got on really well with Batiste’s range of dry shampoo’s, but their styling products really don’t suit me. I have really fine hair that I never seem to be able to add any volume to, no matter what products I use. I did give this product a second try so I could write up a fair review, but it still didn’t give my locks any sort of oomph!

What I will say though that the product is really easy to use – just shake, spray lightly on to dry hair, then massage in with your fingers to give it some volume. The mist is really fine, so it doesn’t leave your hair feeling like there’s loads of product in it. And it has a lovely light and pleasant scent to it. I just feel it would work better on thicker hair.

Batiste’s Stylist Oomph My Locks XXL Volume Spray is a steal at £4.29, but unfortunately I won’t be repurchasing myself.

DOUX ME PURE SPRING MIST

Next up I received the Doux Me Pure Spring Mist which, I have to say, has the most gorgeous packaging. I absolutely love the dotty design on the can. I’d never heard of Doux Me before, but that might be because they’re a Birchbox exclusive brand, and I’ve only been a subscriber for a few months.

The Doux Me Pure Spring Mist is designed to spritz onto your face to brighten tired complexions and hydrate thirsty skin. And although I love products like this, I see them as more of a summer thing than an Autumn one. I’ve used this a few times since receiving my box, and have found that it feels really nice on the skin when first spritzed on, but doesn’t really live up to its promises. My skin never looks any brighter or feels very hydrated after use.

I was really impressed by the size of the sample (50ml) but I definitely wouldn’t repurchase this at £16.00 for the full 100ml version. As the can only contains pure spring water it feels a little bit like daylight robbery!! It’s not for me.

NKD SKN PRE-SHOWER BUILDABLE TAN

October’s Birchbox also included a NKD SKN Pre-Shower Buildable Tan. Now, I don’t really get on with tanning products so I haven’t used this yet. And I haven’t decided whether I ever will or if I’ll pass this one on to a friend or family member. But I do have to say it looks really simple to use : you just apply to dry skin, wait for ten minutes and then wash away in the shower.

According to the Birchbox website, this tanning treatment is quick-drying, odourless and made from natural ingredients. Even I have to admit that it sounds great. And what’s more, the tan is said to last for up to 7 days. Wow!

The NKD SKN Pre-Shower Buildable Tan costs £13.95 for a full sized tube, which I think is a good price for something like this.

NUMBER 4 FLUORO5 ELIXER RESTORE & REPAIR OIL

The fifth product I received in my October Birchbox was the Number 4 Fluoro5 Elixer Restore and Repair Oil. I have to say I really wanted to love this product. But unfortunately, I didn’t. Hair oils have become big business over the last couple of years, and all my friends rave about them. When you have super fine hair like mine though, it’s not a product you can use. Why not? Because it leaves my hair looking limp and greasy instead of shiny and sleek. Which, believe me, is not a good look!

What I can’t quite understand, is that when I first signed up to Birchbox I filled in a survey to let them know what skin and hair type I have. Yet I keep receiving hair products that aren’t suitable for me. It’s a real shame.

I’ve had a quick look at some other reviews of the Number 4 Fluoro5 Elixer Restore and Repair Oil and it seems that people with thicker hair and those with dry or damaged locks found this product the most useful. So if you don’t fall into any of those categories it’s probably best to steer clear.

The Number 4 Fluoro5 Elixer Restore and Repair Oil comes in at £18.40 for the full sized 2.0 fl oz bottle, which I think is quite pricey, but would maybe consider if the product actually worked for me.

BIRCHBOX EYEBROW BRUSH

And last but not least in October’s Birchbox I received an eyebrow brush from their own range. This actually came at a good time for me as I’d left my only other brow brush at a friends house and was missing using it every morning! It’s a duo brush, so one side is for combing your lashes and the other is for tidying your brows. I always opt for brushes like this as I’m a big fan of multi-tasking products. The tool is a good size, well made and does what it’s supposed to do.

At £1.99 the Birchbox Eyebrow Brush is an absolute bargain, and I wouldn’t hesitate to repurchase it.

Overall I thought the October Birchbox was OK, but not as good as the previous two boxes I received. As we’re now on the run up to Christmas I’m hoping the products we get in the next two boxes outshine them all. Well, a girl can dream!

Birchbox – £10.00 (plus P&P) per month ||link||

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*Product purchased with my own money

Birchbox – September 2016 Edition

07/10/2016 by Louise 12 Comments

Ever since I signed up to Birchbox back in August, I’ve been looking forward to receiving my next box. And I have to say, it didn’t disappoint! The theme for September’s box was ‘Heroes’, and it was said to contain lots of lovely ‘hero beauty treats’. As soon as the box arrived I dived straight in and started trying the products out, and today I thought I’d let you guys know how I’ve been getting on with them.

September’s treats arrived in a really pretty box which had a pastel coloured pattern on. But instead of having a lid, like most of the other subscription boxes out there have, it actually has a pull out drawer! I absolutely love this idea as it means I’ll reuse it rather than just recycling it like I usually would.

This month I received 5 products – one of which was full sized and 4 that were sample sized. There was a good mix of products, from makeup and skincare to hair and shower products. So, without further ado, let me tell you what I got and what I thought of each product …

MODELCO CREME ROUGE IN JUST PEACHY

All boxes this month included a full sized product from ModelCo, and we could choose from a creme rouge (which can be used on lips and cheeks) and a highlighting trio. I went for the creme rouge and I’m really pleased I did as it’s a really gorgeous shade, despite looking super scary in the pan! I used it as a cream blush, and found it gave my cheeks a lovely, natural-looking glow that lasted all day.

This particular creme rouge costs £14.00 for 3.6g, and I’d definitely consider repurchasing as a special treat to myself in the future.

AMIKA BOMBSHELL BLOWOUT SPRAY

Next up I received Amika’s Bombshell Blowout Spray. This spray is designed to be used before blow drying to give the hair extra texture and lift while providing a weightless layer of heat protection. It contains sea buckthorn berry oil, which contains nourishing antioxidants to strengthen and repair any damage to the hair as well. It claims to be suitable for all hair types, and as I struggle to get any volume in my super fine locks, I was hoping that this product would help give me the lift I crave.

Unfortunately, as with similar sprays I’ve tried, this did absolutely nothing for me. It smelt absolutely divine upon application, but left my hair looking really limp and greasy. I tried it on both freshly washed hair, and on second day hair and I had the same problem both times. From reading other reviews on the Birchbox website, this seems to be a common problem so I most definitely wouldn’t recommend trying it at its hefty £14.99 price tag. On a more positive note, I loved the packaging to this, and some of Amika’s other products look more up my street, so I think I’d be tempted to give them a try.

THIS WORKS IN TRANSIT CAMERA CLOSE-UP

This month I was excited to find there was a product from This Works in my box! They’re a brand I’ve loved for a good few years now, but the product I received in my Birchbox was actually one I hadn’t tried before – their In Transit Camera Close-Up. I mention time and time again that I’m a big fan of multi-functional products, so I couldn’t wait to give this one a try, as it just happens to be a mask, a moisturiser and a primer in one handy little bottle!

The product itself is packed with hyaluronic acid, argan and starflower oils, and also has a hit of caffeine in, to really help brighten up the skin. I found that it smelt really nice, and it’s quick and easy to use. I felt it really hydrated my skin, leaving it looking brighter and feeling so much nicer than before. The only downside for me is that I didn’t find this product sooner, as it also has SPF 30 and would have been perfect to use as part of my summer morning skincare routine!!

The full sized version of the In Transit Camera Close-Up comes in at £30.00 for 40ml and I can honestly say that I’ll be repurchasing it again and again. It’s absolutely fantastic!

NUXE PRODIGIEUX SHOWER OIL

Nuxe are another brand that I really enjoy using, so I was thrilled to find something of theirs in September’s Birchbox. And again, it just happened to be something I hadn’t tried before – their Prodigieux Shower Oil. Now I have to be honest and say that I wouldn’t usually use a shower oil, as they tend to leave my skin feeling a tad greasy, and I’m always wary of it transferring to my clothes. But I didn’t find that at all with this one. Instead, it left my skin feeling soft, smooth and supple, and the scent lingered faintly on my skin throughout the day. That’s good though, as it smells really nice!

At £10.00, the Nuxe Prodigieux Shower Oil is slightly more money than I would usually like to spend on a shower product. But as I felt it helped nourish my skin I would definitely be tempted to repurchase it.

PURISKIN NURSE AID CREAM FOR HANDS & NAILS

And last but certainly not least I received the Puriskin Nurse Aid Cream for Hands and Nails. I have to be honest and say I haven’t tried this product properly as I thought my mum could make better use of it than I could. She’s suffering with really bad cracked skin at the moment, and there’s very little that she’s tried that has helped her.

According to the Birchbox website, this rich barrier cream has been developed with nurses and clinical practitioners in mind. So it’s formulated to help protect the skin from regular exposure to harsh alcohol-based gels and soap, caring for dehydrated hands and nails.

I gave it a quick try and found that it sinks into the skin really quickly and easily. And it didn’t leave my skin feeling at all greasy, which is great. I think if it works to heal my mums hands then it will truly be a dream cream. I promise to keep you posted!

The full sized Puriskin Nurse Aid Cream for hands and nails is priced at £12.99, which, if it works, I think is a great price. What do you guys think?

Overall I thought the September Birchbox was really good. Although I was super jealous of everyone who received a Laura Mercier product in their boxes as I love their stuff. I’m looking forward to receiving my October box now, which I hear is based on the astrological elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water. It sounds right up my street!

Birchbox – £10.00 (plus P&P) per month ||link||

Have you ever tried a Birchbox subscription before?
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*Product purchased with my own money

L’Oreal Extraordinary Clay Collection

15/03/2016 by Louise 16 Comments

Last month saw the release of the new L’Oreal Extraordinary Clay Collection – a fantastic new hair care range formulated for people just like me who suffer with oily roots but super dry ends. The products in the collection are designed to combat that exact problem when used together by absorbing excess oils from the roots, while leaving the ends nice and smooth at the same time. And this, in turn, eliminates the need to wash your hair as often. How awesome does that sound?!

The collection is made up of 4 products – a pre-shampoo masque, shampoo, conditioner and a dry shampoo. Each of the products contain 3 different types of clay, which work together in harmony to help solve the oily roots/dry ends problem that over 26% of us women seem to have!

First up they have white clay, to purify the roots, then there’s blue clay, to hydrate the ends, and lastly green clay, to revitalise the fibres of the hair. Now, I have to admit that I’ve tried products that work in a similar way to these before, but I’ve never had any luck with them (despite their hefty price tags) so I wasn’t overly hopeful that these 4 products would work for me. However, I wanted to give them a try anyway. I guess you just never know whether or not a product will work for you until you’ve tried it for yourself!

The L’Oreal Extraordinary Clay Collection has the most gorgeous packaging – it looks just the same as the other products in their Elvive range (which this is a part of), but it’s in the most gorgeous bright turquoise shade. I actually bought a new bath mat last week and it matches it perfectly! The scent is really lovely too, and despite the masque being heavily fragrance I found that the products were all really kind to my (sometimes) sensitive scalp.

Now, I’m sure you’re wanting to hear how I got on while using the products, so I’ll stop rabbiting on now and get down to business. Here’s a little rundown of how I used each product, along with my thoughts on them too …

L’OREAL EXTRAORDINARY CLAY COLLECTION CLAY MASQUE

The first step is the clay masque, which comes in a round tub with a screw-on lid. I really like the design of this because I can scoop out the exact amount of product that I need without any going to waste. The masque is designed to be applied onto dry roots using your fingertips, and then massaged in sections into the scalp. I thought this might be a tad messy to do, but as the mask is really thick and clay-like it actually clings to the hair really well and doesn’t budge.

You then leave the masque in place for 5 minutes to give it time to soak up all the excess oils and impurities from the hair, before washing it out. The first time I used this product I washed it out with shampoo, but I’ve actually found it’s better to rinse with just water until it runs clear, and then follow with the Extraordinary Clay shampoo and conditioner …

L’OREAL EXTRAORDINARY CLAY COLLECTION SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

Both the shampoo and the conditioner from the collection come in nice tall squeezy bottles, which are super easy for using when I’m in the shower. I lather up the shampoo from the roots to the tips, wash it out, and then follow with the conditioner, which I just use in the lengths.

The reason I do this is that it can be tricky to wash conditioner out of the hair, and I’ve found that if I use it on the roots and then miss some when I’ve washed it out, my hair just looks horrible. Think flat, dull and lifeless and you’ll get the picture! I hate it when that happens so I avoid using conditioner on the top of my head now. And it works for me doing it that way.

L’OREAL EXTRAORDINARY CLAY COLLECTION CLAY TO SPRAY DRY SHAMPOO

And last but not least we have the dry shampoo, which comes in a standard aerosol can like most of the others on the market do. I have to admit that this was the product I was most skeptical about. I think the words ‘clay-to-spray’ put me off a little bit if I’m honest. I don’t know what I was expecting – maybe for it to shoot out in clay form and then turn into a spray mid-air? Who knows!?

It doesn’t do that (obviously), and I just use this between washes when I feel my hair doesn’t need a full treatment but could definitely do with freshening up a little. I just shake the can before use, spritz onto the roots in short, sharp bursts and then leave it to settle for a couple of minutes before brushing my hair. The spray has a lovely, lightweight feel to it, and I like that it doesn’t leave any nasty residue in my hair once it’s settled either. It has a truly invisible finish, just like it claims to have on the can.

Overall, I’m really impressed with the whole collection. After using the three main products together I’m pleased to say that my hair looks and feels great! The thing that stood out for me the most the first time I used these products was that the hair on top of my head felt a lot drier than usual, and the ends felt lovely, silky and smooth. It was as if they’d switched places! And another thing I’ve noticed since I started using them is that I can go 3 days without washing my hair now rather than just 2. It’s amazing!

The thing I was most worried about when I first started using the L’Oreal Extraordinary Clay Collection was that it might strip away the colour that I have put in my hair – but in all honesty I needn’t have worried as it still looks lovely and vibrant, and I’ve been using these products for quite a while now.

So, if you’re like me and find that you have oily roots and dry ends then I most definitely recommend giving the L’Oreal Extraordinary Clay Collection a try. I absolutely love it!

You can also buy the clay masque, shampoo and conditioner as a bundle from Boots, which saves £3.79
L’Oreal Extraordinary Clay Haircare Bundle – £10.00 ||link||

Have you ever tried any of the products from this collection before?
I’d love to hear what you thought of them if you have.

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*Products purchased with my own money

Henara Goldshine Shampoo & Conditioner for Blonde Hair

03/06/2015 by Louise 31 Comments

Henara are a brand I hadn’t heard of until recently, when I was asked if I would like to try out their Goldshine shampoo and conditioner for blonde hair.

As I regularly have blonde highlights, I thought I would give them a go, as I’ve never really come across any hair products for use on coloured hair that I would recommend to my friends, family and you guys who read my blog. And believe me, I’ve tried a lot!

As always, I’ll start by sharing my thoughts on the packaging. The Henara Goldshine Shampoo & Conditioner cost just £1.49 each, and come in 250ml tubes which are a lovely bright yellow colour. In the top corner is a coloured band which tells us that they have a ‘new, improved formula’ and there is a matching coloured band towards the bottom of each product which tells us which product is which. The shampoo has a pink band, and the conditioner has a green one, and both products are 100% free from parabens and SLS.

Henara Goldshine Shampoo
The first time I used this shampoo, I squirted it into the palm of my hand and instantly noticed how lovely it smelt. With these sorts of products in the past I’ve not liked the scent as much as I did with regular shampoo’s, so this was a huge bonus for me.

It has natural Henna and Chamomile extracts to help enhance the colour of natural and coloured blonde hair, and I really feel that it cleanses and refreshes my highlights. My hair always feels super glossy after I use this product, and it seems to be a lot more manageable than it usually is.

You use Henara’s Goldshine shampoo just as you would any other shampoo – massage it in to wet hair and rinse thoroughly. You can repeat if necessary, but the only time I’ve ever felt the need to do this was once after I’d taken the kids swimming.

Henara Goldshine Conditioner
In the past I was always scared of using conditioners, as I always found that they left my hair feeling weighed down and kind of ‘icky’. But in the last 6 months I’ve changed my mind about them, and they’ve become an important step in my hair care routine.

The Henara Goldshine Conditioner is one of the best I’ve ever used, as it leaves my hair feeling super soft and much more manageable after I’ve used it – which is exactly what I want from this sort of product. And again, this has natural Henna and Chamomile extracts to help enhance the colour of natural and coloured blonde hair.

I always use this particular conditioner alongside the Henara Goldshine Shampoo (mentioned above), and, since my hair is super fine, I only ever use it on the lengths. I just massage it in and then rinse thoroughly. And I would never recommend repeating with conditioner. One application is more than enough!

Overall I am really impressed with the Henara Goldshine range. I find that my highlights have looked a lot fresher for longer than they usually do. The range has most definitely prevented premature fading, and I didn’t notice any of the usual brassiness coming through that I normally do after the first couple of washes following a cut and colour.

Oh, and I almost forgot to mention how lovely and shiny my hair looks after using Henara’s Goldshine range! In the past I’ve felt that my hair looks somewhat dull and lifeless after a few weeks, put these products really seem to give it some extra life. I love them!

I’m almost at the bottom of my tubes of Henara Goldshine Shampoo & Conditioner and I’m gutted as I can’t find any in my local Savers (who are the only store who stock it as far as I’m aware). I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for ones outside of my local area and stock up as soon as I possibly can!

A few of you also asked if Henara do a shampoo and conditioner for brunettes as well, and after a little search in the Great Yarmouth branch of Savers, I found that the answer is yes, there is a Bronze Shine version of this as well. Fantastic!

Henara Goldshine Shampoo & Conditioner for Blonde Hair – £1.49 each ||link||

Have you ever tried Henara’s Goldshine Shampoo or Conditioner before?
I’d love to hear what you think of it.

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*Products kindly sent for review consideration

Zest Beauty Wishlist

14/05/2015 by Louise 16 Comments

If you’ve been following me on Twitter, you’ll know that the pretty dismal weather here in the UK this week has left me feeling a little bit down and discontented. I think the main reason for this is because I have lots of lovely photographs I want to take for my blog posts, and with it being so dark through the lack of sunshine, I just haven’t got them done.

So, to make up for today’s beauty review not getting done, I thought I’d share a wishlist of things that have recently caught my eye from one of my favourite online shops, Zest Beauty. I hope that’s OK? Then let’s go …

Freedom & Discipline Steamcream – £13.95
The first thing on my Zest Beauty wishlist is Steamcream’s Freedom & Discipline tin. I admit that I was drawn in by the packaging of this, but I’ve heard lots of great things about Steamcream over the years so I’m sure it would be as fabulous as everyone always says it is! Apparently it is a multi-use cream that can be used all over the body, is easily absorbed and can change the appearance of the skin (for the better) if it’s used on a regular basis. No wonder I’m so keen to try it!

Elemis Spa Home Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow – £36.50
Ever since my visit to Ragdale Hall Health & Hydro Spa last November I’ve been obsessed with the Frangipani range from Elemis! It smells absolutely amazing and I’ve already tried out quite a few products from it that I loved. I would most definitely like to try the Monoi Salt Glow next as it sounds fantastic – it’s a gentle polishing scrub that helps to brighten the skin. And if it’s anything like the other products, it’s just bound to smell amazing.

Phytomer SeaTonic Stretch Mark Reducing Cream – £33.25
Next up on my Zest Beauty wishlist is a stretch mark reducing cream from a brand that I haven’t come across before … Phytomer. It’s designed to be used both in the morning and evening time and will make skin appear smoother and more beautiful looking. Well, a girl can dream!

Decleor Aromaessence Mandarine Smoothing Night Balm – £33.50
Recently I’ve been having a little trouble nodding off at night. I think it’s because I know I’ve got a lot to do and not enough hours in the day to do it all! I’ve used night balms in the past and found that they’ve worked really well to help me relax and drift off, but this one from Decleor sounds extra fabulous as it also helps to smooth those annoying wrinkles. What could be better than that?!

Moroccanoil Root Boost – £18.85
I’m a big fan of Moroccanoil products, but I’ve never tried their root boost before! I have really fine hair so I think that using this would be a great way for me to add some volume and hopefully get thicker looking hair.

Glamglow Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment – £49.99
Glamglow is a brand I’ve wanted to try for a good couple of years now, and I always hear good things about their masks. The Thirstymud Hydrating Treatment Mask caught my eye as since being poorly a few weeks ago my skin has gotten incredibly dry. Since this claims to hydrate, moisturize and restore and replenish, I think it would do my skin a lot of good.

Babyliss Pro Perfect Curl – £199.95
I’ve been wanting to try the Babyliss Pro Perfect Curl in what feels like forever. It features revolutionary new patented technology which makes it super quick and easy to use and everyone I know who has one says it creates beautiful curls in next to no time. Something I’d love to be able to achieve.

Elemis Pro-Collagen Hydra-Gel Eye Masks – £46.00
I’ve tried something similar to these from Bliss before, and I found them to work really well, so I’d love to try these ones from Elemis. They are clinically proven to instantly reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles … something I’ve noticed I’m getting more of recently. Eek!

And there you have it, my Zest Beauty Wishlist. I think it will be a while until I can afford to buy anything new though as we’re off on our holiday’s soon so I need to save every penny I can for that! Oh well, it will be worth the wait.

Are there any products you’d like to try from my Zest Beauty Wishlist?
Why not let me know in the comments below!

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