Sheer Blonde?

A while ago I posted that I bought the following products -

Sheer Blonde Colour Renew - Tone Correcting Shampoo - £5.89 

Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Tone Correcting Conditioner - £5.89

Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Tone Correcting Mousse - £5.59 

I have used these for a few weeks now and thought I would give you my thoughts on them.

Firstly I do like the range and I think it has helped lighten up my hair. 

Here is a picture after using the products for 2 weeks. My natural highlights are standing out a bit more than before.

I don't think there has been the change I was hoping for though. Maybe I need to use the products on a more long term basis maybe?

The smell of the shampoo and conditioner is pleasant but there are some chemically undertones.

My hair always feels clean after using the shampoo, not like it has a film on it.

The conditioner is quite light, I have fine hair but like to use a lot of conditioner and this doesn't make it limp of greasy.

I don't think I would re comment this to those with really damaged hair as I think it has dried my ends out ever so slightly. Nothing a bit of oil cannot fix thought!

I use the mousse when I blow dry my hair and it is okay but I have used better mousses which weren't quite as expensive! I suppose it is worth it if it lightens my hair but it isn't great for styling.

I am pleased with these products as they haven't irritated my scalp which quite a few hair care ranges do. But on the other had I have developed a bumpy rash under my skin on the back of my neck. The only products I have changed are to these. So my powers of deductions says that it is a reaction to them! It isn't itchy or red though so I am not too concerned about using the rest up! But if you do have very sensitive skin I would probably stay away!

I am not sure if I would buy this range again. I think I would try other blonde ranges first to see which is most effective!

Any recommendations?

Pr-emptive strike!

Just a warning post...

When I hit 50 followers I will be doing a little giveaway!

Nothing too fancy as I am saving that for my 100 followers giveaway!

Thank you all for stopping by and being interested in the babble I have to say!

Happy blogging!

Hyde Park Mews and Nails inc bargains!

Procrastination earlier led me to paint my nails!

Nails inc. - Hyde park mews.

You can get this colour for only £6.95 (+ £2 p&p).

*HERE*

What a bargain eh?!

I guess life just happens...

This is a post which probably won't really interest anyone but seen as this is MY blog I guess I can write whatever I like.

I am just feeling extremely reflective at the moment. I feel settled at the moment in my mind even though I am going through a big transition in my life. I can't hide the fact I have had battles with mental illness in the past and it is accepting this and understanding myself which has led me to be so content right now.

In the last 3 years I have really changed my life around and everything seems a whole lot brighter. I have plans for the future and I am actually looking forward to it! There were times that I seriously couldn't see further than the next day never mind years to come.

My boyfriend has been a huge part of this transition. I had already started getting myself together when I met him. Right from the first date I knew we were meant to be together... it took him a few months to twig on though! He is the most supportive, loving and patient person I have ever known and I have tested his qualities to the max and he has always believed in me and us. I in no way deserve him but I am glad he see's something in me I fail to see.

I hope I can continue to be as strong and fulfilled as I am at the moment but I am aware I could relapse at anytime. I think now I will be able to spot the signs prevent anything too drastic. 

I also just wanted him to know how much I appreciate him as well as my family for all their support.

Real Techniques Stippling Brush vs Elf Studio Powder Brush

So strolling through Boots the other day...I spy the find of the month! Real Techniques brushes just sitting on the bottom shelf in a tiny corner! I had to try! I thought I would go for the stippling brush seen as it has rave reviews. I found it similar to my ELF Powder Brush so thought I would do a mini compare.

Quality

The Real Techniques brush is in my opinion better quality. 

The brush is softer and the handle feels sturdier. However neither of them have shed at all which surprised me as I thought the ELF one would! 

The ELF brush is a bigger brush but I don't think that matters too much. Certainly doesn't stop it doing the same job.

Finish

I use these brushes with my Revlon Colorstay foundation and the both work a treat.

The Real Techniques brush does give more of a flawless finish but not by much. 

I think this is because it is softer and smaller so it blends everything in a little better. You can also get around your nose a bit easier.

If you worked with the ELF brush a bit you can create a similar effect though.

Price

Real Techniques Stippling Brush is £11.99 here.

ELF Powder Brush is £3.50 here.

Which would I recommend?

Well I think it all boils down to price. 

I have both and I would repurchase both.

If I am short of cash I would probably wait for ELF to do free postage and get theirs.

If I was feeling flash I would go for Real Techniques!

Even thought the Real Techniques is more expensive than the ELF it is relatively cheap for a good brush however, the ELF brush is an utter bargain!

If I was to go for a Real Technique brush again I think I would go for a set as they are around £21 and you get 4 brushes. 

I better stay away from Boots for a while or my bank account will look sad!

Budget Blog Buys!

So I have been splashing the cash quite a bit at the moment but I have tried to be a little bit savvy!

I have browsed through many a blog sale in my time but never purchased anything until now!

I found both of the blog sales from people posting on Twitter so keep your eyes peeled!

Firstly I bought from this lovely lady...

**CLICK**

I both these on separate occasions both time I paid £1.50 P&P

Benefit Powderazzi £8.00 (Hoola, Coralista, Dallas)

I bought this because I have been tempted to buy these in full size many a time. However, I have some of the other Benefit powders and have found them to be hit or miss. I love 10 and Georgia but I'm not overly keen on Thrrrob or Dandelion. So this was perfect for me to try them before spending some serious money on a full sized version (which are now smaller that the older ones!).

They were all used but still plenty left for me!

On my want list now are Hoola and Dallas!

MAC - Viva Glam II £8.50

I am not sure why I bought this but you can never have enough MAC lippies right?! This shade is slightly too dark for me but with a slick of gloss on top and its perfect for a night out! 

As you can see there was loads left, hardly used!

The next products were bought from this MASSIVE blog sale!

**CLICK**

Charged £3.50 P&P.

She even popped in a couple of lollies and a free sample!

Stila Smudge Pot - Kitten £3.75

I know that Kitten is their signature colour and I have never tried any Stila products so at £3.75 I couldn't pass it up.

I have seen lots of reviews on MAC Paint Pots and Maybelline Color Tattoo's but I have never been a fan of cream based products myself, I always find they crease and slide. 

I have tried this a few times now and if I only use a small amount it looks really pretty and doesn't crease at all. 

I think this would be a very good wedding day shadow!

New CID Cosmetics i - glow Compact Shimmer Powder - Ice Pop £8.00

I am always on the hunt for a perfect highlight and as I am not sure this is quite it. It is a very pretty shimmer and looks nice as a blush or as a highlight for a night out though. If anyone knows of a perfect subtle champagne powder highlighter that isn't sparkly then let me know!

This does look super pretty in the pan though!

So that's it! 

My experience of blog sales so far has been great! If you know of any more then comment below, they don't just have to be cosmetics!

I think when I have a good sort out I may try and do a blog sale myself!

Have you picked up any wild bargains on a blog sale?!

Loves xxx

Meadowhall is my weakness...

Haul time...

I have been having a nightmare at the moment with the hairdryer I use at uni. It is only a small travel one and now my hair is getting longer it takes ages to dry it and the past few times I have used it it has pulled my hair in the back of it creating lovely knots! I am scared that one day it will pull it all in and I will have to have it all cut off!

So when my boyfriend offered to take me to dinner in Meadowhall I took the opportunity to nip into Boots. 

I never really look at reviews for buying hairdryers I just pick a mid-priced one and opt for that.

This time I came away with this...

Mark Hill Raw Professional Style & Shine Pro-Power Dryer - Was £59.99 - Now £29.99.

What drew me to this one? Obviously the fact it is animal print!

I have had a look inside and it all looks fairly standard. I may do a review on this in the future but just on the design and price it gets a big thumbs up from me!

Tangle Teezer Compact Styler (Black/Gold) - £12.29

For Christmas I got a Tangle Teezer and I have used it everyday since and think it has made an improvement to my hair. It always looks smoother when combed with this. I have put the original in my bag a few times but it does squish the bristles a bit. So I decided to get the compact styler edition to keep in my handbag. I do think it is a little expensive but I will just have to live with that!

Sheer Blonde Colour Renew - Tone Correcting Shampoo - £5.89 (3 for 2)

Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Tone Correcting Conditioner - £5.89 (3 for 2)

Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Tone Correcting Mousse - £5.59 (3 for2) 

Burt's Bees Sensitive Night Cream - £14.99

 These products were bought on the recommendation of Lizzie (See her blog here!). 

My hair has been highlighted in the past but not for a very long time now and my natural colour is a dark blonde with natural highlights. I don't really want to highlight my hair again but I feel it is quite dull. 

When I mentioned this to Lizzie she said she uses the John Freida Brilliant Brunette range and maybe I should give the Sheer Blonde a go. So that is what I have done! I haven't used these yet but I am hopeful, I have read some good reviews about it and to be honest it can't make my hair any duller surely?!

She also recommended I try the Burt's Bees Sensitive Night Cream as I am having a few problems with my skin lately. I am always apprehensive about trying new skincare products because I do have very reactive and sensitive skin. I usually stick to products I know, even if they aren't amazing, just because they don't send my skin into a raw, red, painful mess. I am hoping this suits me because I am fed up of having to put up with bad skin.

Lastly I picked up a mega bargain in my opinion! 

Boots Re:Balance Re-Energise Effervescent Orange Flavour 60 Tablets - £8.99 each (3 for 2).

These are basically Berocca but so much cheaper seen as Berocca is £4.99 for 15! They were 3 for 2 but I gave a box to my boyfriend because I am nice like that! 

They are effervescent tables that you just pop into a glass of cold water, they fizz a bit and then you are left with a nice orange drink full of goodness!

Lately I have been feeling run down and decided that I needed to make sure I am getting the vitamins I need to boost my immune system. Usually I would say only take supplements if you have been told that you need them by a doctor but I have taken these for the past week now and I feel like they are having an effect. I do on the other hand have a virus right now so it could be a completely placebo effect! I am putting the virus down to mixing with new people at the start of term, dirty students eh?!

Anyway...I must stop going to Meadowhall...It makes my bank account cry!

Loves xxx