Blow Styling.

Tangle Teezer -

Blow Styling Hairbrush

 “Introducing our brand new paddle hairbrush. For all hair types the innovative teeth allows for free-flow tension so there's no pulling and tugging. Excess moisture is removed from the hair shaft to guarantee a quicker blow-dry. Your style is left voluminous and shiny with reduced frizz. You'll be blown away by the results!” – Tangle Teezer

This year Tangle Teezer have added to their brush range! Say hello to the Tangle Teezer Blow-Styling Brush; a new styling tool created for anyone to perfect an easy, at home, straight blow dry, quickly and with minimal hair damage. At first glance it looks pretty much like a regular hair brush, but if you take a closer look, the teeth are designed to not only grip onto the hair better but so air is diffused around the hair shaft creating a smoother look in less time and on a lower heat.

So this is a rather clever brush that will make drying your hair much quicker with smooth and shiny results. As a blow drying novice (I’m a rough dryer by nature), this really works for me. I can act like I am rough drying (no skill required), using the Tangle Teezer Blow Styling Brush as I go. Just brushing, no tricks! When I first tried this I was really impressed – I often struggle to keep the hair on the brush when blow drying my hair, making it tricky and repetitive work. The teeth also stop the need to stretch the hair shaft when pulling down and applying heat meaning the hair shaft is less damaged. After testing out the product at home I can vouch that this tool does in fact make blow-drying your locks straight very easy and quick. Although if you favour a rounder blow dry with more movement you will have to add that in with a barrel brush at the end. You do get a rather volumous blow dry from this brush however I tend to favour a flatter blow dry. Whenever I have attempted to blow dry my hair before, I always find that the brush ends up really pulling! None of that here – its super gentle yet really effective. I didn’t really bother sectioning; I just brushed through all over and even flipped my head upside to get the underside. This would usually result in very out of control hair but I just kept brushing as I went and everything was super smooth.

Repairing Blow Dry.

Bumble and Bumble -

Repair Blow Dry

“This serum-in-creme elixir for dry or damaged hair helps seal split ends and protects against heat, breakage and UV damage, too. Proven to help repair hair and keep styles looking healthy for up to 3 days.” – Bumble and Bumble

Not long ago I had a major hairdresser disaster, and even though it got sorted and I was left with very beautiful hair, it was in terrible condition. I have tried pretty much everything over the past few weeks to get it back into it usual amazingly soft and silky self, and nothing has worked. Until now! Bumble and Bumble Repair Blow Dry has become a form favourite of mine as its perfect for my hair as it helps to repair hair with every blow dry, with immediate and long term benefits. Best suited for hair that is in need of extra moisture and reparative care, this serum-in-creme helps to seal split ends for soft, smooth, healthy looking styles for up to 3 days. A conditioning blend including extracts from Rose of Jericho, hydrates and brings damaged hair back to life while hair repair technology helps prevent future breakage. This has a lighter consistency which dry hair will lap up. This is great for colour treated, bleached or damaged hair as it helps to repair the hair as well as allowing you to achieve a flawless blow dry.

Bumble and Bumbles blow dry does come in two other types. Straight Blow Dry was already in stores since years and the first one of the collection. It is a lightweight, heat-activated styling balm that helps to straight styles with movement. All-Style Blow Dry is for healthy, fine or oil-prone hair. This lightweight creme is perfect for a smooth, soft and frizz-free style.

Overall, this is amazing! It has truly transformed my hair for horrible to amazing in one simple step! I swear if anyone’s hair needs some serious TLC then you need to try this, its phenomenal!

Breath of Fresh Air.

Dior -

Diorskin Nude Air Serum Foundation 

“A pioneer in achieving a natural look, Dior innovates and broadens its nude makeup expertise with Diorskin Nude Air: a weightless, ultra-fluid serum as light and beneficial as a breath of fresh air, for an enhanced complexion with sheer correction. Like after a day in the great outdoors, the complexion has all the fresh, radiant beauty of a natural healthy glow.

Its weightless velvety freshness and incredibly fine and exceptional texture, made with oils that evaporate instantly, the talc-free Diorskin Nude Air formula deposits an undetectable film of makeup on the skin. Its high-precision dropper easily delivers exactly the right amount leaving perfectly natural-looking makeup in an instant.

The formula enriched with soft-focus agents and glazed pigments produces an even, radiant complexion in an instant for perfect correction with a sheer finish. The complexion glows with natural beauty and day after day, all the benefits of a breath of pure fresh air for your skin. Dior introduces Oxygen Activ™ technology, an innovative combination of a hyper-oxygenated oil, Cranberry oil, vitamins and minerals. Revitalised, the skin breathes and becomes more beautiful each day.” - Dior

Cleanse, Prime, Strengthen and Grow.

No7 -

Nail Cleanse & Prime and Strength & Grow treatments 

No7 isn't really a brand I have ever tried. My mum uses and loves their skincare, but I have never really been drawn to their counter. Maybe it’s due to the other higher end and shinier counters that tend to surround it! However, not long ago my mum bought me these two brand new nails treatments as part of her 3 for 2 and I was super excited to give them a go. I have to say…there are pretty great!

Tie Dye Summer.

Dior Tie Dye Summer 2015 Collection offers a range of sunny shades that bathes the skin in warm light. I know many of you were dying to find out about Dior Tie Dye Collection which promises to be the hottest summer 2015 Collection; I personally can’t wait to get my hands on most of it. You will definitely love at least of couple of products from this Tie Dye limited edition collection as the colours vary from jade to golden-brown amber to beige or sand-coloured lagoon blue shades. The lips shine in combinations of coral, pink, mauve and red shades, while nails are painted in a wave of grenadine trend colours of summer with a special twist. Let’s not forget about that gorgeous limited edition new Diorskin Nude Tan Tie Dye shades which are the thrill of this collection.

Fresh Glow.

Burberry –

Fresh Glow Luminous Fluid Base

“Discover Fresh Glow, our iconic Luminous Fluid Base. The effortless formula gives a spectrum of skin benefits and multiple effects – from instant radiance to moisturisation – while gently protecting against the elements. Ultra-fine illuminators give natural luminosity and light diffusion, anti-agers help restore skin elasticity and wild rose extracts increase hydration levels. The multi-effect formula can be used in a multitude of ways: On nude skin for moisturising illumination, as a hydrating and luminising primer under foundation or blended into foundation for a fresh radiance boost. To add highlights to nude or made-up skin – use it on cheekbones, the bridge of the nose, Cupid's bow and chin.”

-       Burberry

Idealist.

Estee Lauder –

Idealist Pore Minimising Skin Refinisher

“Dramatically refinish skin's appearance and texture. See more clarity, smoothness and luminosity as it helps your skin get rid of dry, dulling, flaky surface skin cells. See more highly refined, virtually poreless skin. Enjoy our most dramatic skin resurfacing benefits faster, more efficiently than ever before. Refines the look of uneven skin texture, flakiness and roughness. Pores appear 1/3 smaller - instantly. See more clarity, smoothness and luminosity. More highly refined, virtually poreless skin. Smooth on Idealist and instantly enjoy that soft, seamless, silky feeling you love. Includes 3 times more Glucosamine than original Idealist. Pore Diminishing Technology significantly shrinks the look of enlarged pores. Gentle-acting Chestnut Extract helps your skin get rid of dry, dulling, flaky skin surface-cells. It's as if you're seeing the skin you were born with, all over again: Virtually poreless and unbelievably soft and smooth. Skin looks incredibly clear and even-toned.”

-       Estee Lauder

Rain or Shine.

Burberry –

S/S15 Runway Palette

“Introducing the Burberry Spring/Summer 2015 Runway Palette, featuring an artwork from the Prorsum collection. The “Rain or Shine” motif, originally hand-painted in the Burberry studio reflects the synergy between Burberry fashion and beauty. This limited-edition powder palette uses colours from the womenswear collection: Pink Azalea and Bright Coral red sit alongside a nude cloud on a Hydrangea Pink background. Effortless to use, the shades blend together to enhance and highlight the skin with a radiant glow. Contour the cheeks to highlight the cheekbones or apply to the apple of the cheeks for natural radiance. 

-Burberry

Sculpting Must-Have.

Real Techniques –

Sculpting Brush 

‘Featuring a wide, angled head, specifically designed to help create defined contours, the sculpting brush is a must-have in your makeup bag to enhance your natural features, or to modify the shape and look of your face. Use with cream or powdered bronzers to define and contour the hollows of the cheeks. Apply a light sweep of blush for a soft rosy finish’ 

– Real Techniques

Natural-Looking Dimension.

NARS –

Contour Blush

“A duo of contouring blush shades to create natural-looking dimension for the face with a lightweight luminous finish. A deeper shade enhances definition while a lighter shade illuminates the high points of the face.” 

– NARS

Lipshine & Care.

Dior - 

Rouge Dior Brilliant Lipshine & Care Couture Colour 

Dior has created the Couture lip balm gloss with lip care oil, a Rouge Dior that is simply Brilliant. Rouge Dior Brilliant subtly shapes and brightens lips with precision thanks to a pen-like applicator that dispenses the “perfect dose”. Formulated like a liquid balm, its formula boasts an exclusive Dior mix of 3 lip care oils and a complex that teams vitamin E with an active ingredient known for reactivating collagen synthesis. It comes in a range of timeless couture shades.

▪   Swan (263)

▪   Paname (310)

▪   Miss (359)

▪   Bonheur (468)

▪   Hollywood (688)

▪   Times Square (760)

▪   Rose Harpers (766)

▪   Darling (775)

▪   Victoire (808)

▪   Royale (858)

▪   Soho (888)

▪   999 (999)

These are due for release some time in February and I'm beyond excited! I truly love anything that promises colour, gloss and lip care all in one!

Roller Lash.

I have been fairly vocal about the fact that I am not Benefit's biggest mascara fan; there was Benefit Bad Gal Lash, which did add volume and length, but smudged terribly on me, fast forward a few years and the brand launch Benefit They're Real Mascara. This is arguably one of the most successful mascara's ever and yet I couldn't hop on board - yes it added length to my lashes but it also weighed them down, flaked and generally irritated my eyes. To say I was less than enthused about Benefit Roller Lash Mascara was an understatement. However after trying it I have to say its nothing short of wonderful.

Fairy Grey.

Diorshow -

Mono Eyeshadow in Fairy Grey

"In a limited edition for spring, Dior's Diorshow Mono eye shadow flaunts the personal crest of Christian Dior in a holographic fairy grey. Use the dry applicator to create a light halo for a natural look. For a more vibrant look, dampen the applicator to apply."

Three of the Best.

At the moment mascara is something that I really cant live without. I’m up at 6 every morning and getting home from work around 6, therefore mascara is my must have for looking awake and refreshed…and like I have actually made an effort. Therefore, I thought I would do my 3 favourite mascaras. I have split them up into 3 different categories; the best budget mascara, the best curling mascara and the best overall mascara. This is because as someone who read a lot of blogs this covers pretty much everything people look for when they’re buying new mascara. 

Instant Light Lip Oil.

Clarins isn’t a brand I wouldn’t usually go to; I’m more of a Dior and Burberry girl. However, recently Clarins have been up top releasing some fantastic and interesting new products. I have two today to talk about.

First up is ‘Clarins Instant Light Lip Oil’ is a product that had me extremely intrigued when I heard of it launching last year, but the thought of using an oil on my lips, left me a little unsure as to whether it would be for me or not. I love my lip products and over time, have used all kinds of different balms and sticks to keep my lips as moisturised and supple as possible, but I don't think that in all of my years of buying beauty products, I've ever been presented with an oil formula, until now. Clarins Instant Light Lip Oil is the perfect in-between of a lip balm and a lip gloss- similar to that of maybe an Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector, though with a lot less pigment.  It's incredibly light and feels so far from the oily formula that I imagined it would carry. It's lightweight, comfortable on the lips and adds a beautiful subtle gloss finish to my lips, which continues for hours after application. Not at all sticky or heavy like some oils can feel, Clarins Instant Light Lip Oil has become a staple for me and infused with plant based active ingredients, if you're after a lip treatment with a slight twist, I really recommend trying this.