They're Real

BADgal mascara from Benefit is a favourite for many people that I speak to. However the San Francisco based make-up brand offers an alternative mascara to the UK, 'They're Real'. Having recently tried a sample of the mascara I am a convert. The brush for the mascara is not as big and thick as the BADgal one however it suits my lashes much better. I am not one of those people who has been blessed with a gorgeous full set of long lashes and unfortunately have a stumpy set so a good mascara is essential to me. The brush has staggered plastic bristles separating the lashes individually and coating each lash individually. This separates, curls, lifts and volumises lashes to give your eyes a great defined outline. The brush has a rounded and customised tip which includes shorter bristles meaning you can coat that hard to reach corner of the eye and also fan the ends of your lashes, so glam.  The mascara has good wear and tear so stays on your lashes for most of the day, and like good quality mascaras, it doesn't flake off onto the face during the day. It dries quickly meaning that it is less likely to smug and I find I only need to do one coat a day. RRP of £19.50 but if only one coat is needed a day, then this should last you a good number of weeks. So take my word for it, I tell you no lies, it's all real, just like your lashes.

Benefit, They're Real Mascara £19.50

Example

Image source

Great Job

Soap and Glory are a brand that for some unknown reason seem to have passed me by. Many of my friends use their products and I was pointed in the direction of their daily moisturiser 'Glow Job' (I am sure that all pun was intended.) This is a great summer product for a number of reasons. Firstly, heavy foundation and moisturiser in summer is just a no go. It will only end in 'melty face' (a term I'm sure make up professionals use on a regular occasion.) It's good to let the skin breathe in summer and allow the vitamin D full access to your pores so that the body can soak up the goodness. Secondly, your skin undergoes so much wear and tear on a day-to-day basis that it's good to factor moisturiser into your daily routine. Many will be consistant with moisturising at night, but the morning is always such a mad rush that moisturiser maybe low down on the priority list. Thirdly, unlike many tinted moisturisers, which often feel too thick, Glow Job contains 'micro Bronzeburst Beads' that release temporary self tan when you rub the moisturiser into your face. This gives you the colour of a regular foundation with more of beachy natural look. Plus, as stated on the website, the moisturiser smells like 'orange peel oil and vanilla' and it truly does. Delicious.

Soap and Glory: Glow Job, Daily Radiance Moisturiser, RRP £9

At £9 a pop it could be pushing the boat out for some people, but you only need a pea size amount each morning so it should serve you all summer. Plus, there is no price on good skin. 

Even if you don't need a new moisturiser, or dont fancy one with a self-tanning element, then you should still head into town and browse the Soap and Glory products; the names of the items are genius and always provide some amusement on a quick lunch break. 

Soap and Glory - all images sourced from here 

Après Beach

This is my indulgent product. I love love love it. Oribe luxury hair care is onto a winner with this wave and shine spray. I blogged last year about Bumble and Bumble Sea Salt spray, well personally I reckon this is the next step up. The price difference is visible with Oribe wave and shine spray coming into stores such as Space NK apothecary at £33.00. However, if  you're in the mood to treat yourself or you may have just celebrated a birthday, then go and buy. You wont regret it. It tousles your hair without that horrible stiff feeling of salt and smells DIVINE. I've just finished mine and its now going to be a loooong wait until Christmas or a lot of trips to the beach. (Fyi: 300ml, used most days, has lasted me about 3 and a half months. Definitely worth your pennies!) 

Oribe, Après Beach Spray, Space NK Apothecary, £33.00

Manicure in Minutes

Having not been a huge lover of false nails in the past, I'm surprised at how much these new nail wraps have caught my attention. False nails and gel nails in the past have destroyed my poor nails and weakened them beyond belief causing me to stay well clear, however this has not damped my desire for long and manicured nails. Therefore these new nail wraps seem like a godsend. Easy to use and shouldn't rip off the first layer of your nails when removed. Available from most high street health and beauty stores and not to pricey, so why not add a little extra to your make-up routine this weekend. 

Superdrug, Broadway Impress Press on Manicure, £5.99 

Feeling patriotic for the Olympics, try Nail Rock, £6.65

Feeling a bit more jazzy, Rebel Nails Inc, Black Splatz Nail Wraps, £7.99

Dear hair, we’re sorry!

I’ve been using and abusing my hair recently in the ongoing battle for it to sit perfectly and exactly how I want it. Unfortunately, I must admit, with no prevail. Summer is always harsh on your hair with the heat frying it anyway, holidays causing us to be in and out of swimming pools (chlorine – our number 1 enemy) and the sea plus general day to day wear and tear. If you’re anything like me, the straighteners are on and off. I almost feel stabbing guilt whenever I put my hair between the irons. I know I should give my hair a rest for a while but I've got that annoying kind of hair that isn’t naturally straight but isn’t naturally curly and sort of just hangs in an unattractive manner. I think this is easily where my hair straightener addiction began.

What do we even want from our hair nowadays though? Straight is out of fashion, curly isn’t always the easiest style to get right and our desired ‘beach babe’ hair is so unattainable. Or so we thought.

The discovery of Bumble and Bumble sea surf spray. One word – incredible. This product is publicly known to be used by our beloved Blake Lively (and who wouldn’t want hair like hers?) After a week away in Mallorca (gorgeous country, strongly recommend to anyone) and dipping in and out of the sea I re-discovered beach hair, always a winner, but with the horrid weight and feel that the sea gives it. Well this is the answer, (I guess mostly because the sea is no longer right on our doorstep at home for some of us)and because you can’t feel any kind of product in your hair. I’ve been tracking this product for a while and due to the price of £19.00 in Space NK apothecary it took me a while to take the plunge but I couldn’t be more glad I did.

What is more, you can tell little white lies and say it’s your natural hair coz surely adding salt water is just a little extra help...

Happy styling! 

Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray

Practice what you preach

After going down south for a week for a festival, the return to reality from outside that field, living in that lack-of-personal-space tent, there are things I realised I missed more than I thought and things that if I could, I would quite happily eliminate from my life. One of the main things I was (I won’t lie) ecstatic to see was my skin care. As I write this I can hear my dad saying ‘that’s sad, get a life’ but my skin is something I’ve battled with for many years so once you find the perfect antidote it’s hard to let it go.

My skin care heaven = Simple. A few of my friends are greatly amused by my skin care regime and often just state ‘you’re mad for Simple’ but I really am. I cannot swear by these products more because they’re so easy on your skin. For any of you who also have this battle with your skin, I really do sympathise with you and I’m not saying that picking up some Simple cleanser and toner will fix the problem but it can only help. Harsh chemicals and strong solutions with strip your skin of its natural minerals and dry it out even if it still feels oily. Stuff like your skin and hair will only cooperate if you treat it well so a regular daily routine, lots of water and fruit will make even the smallest difference.

If your skin really is bad and upsetting you, do seek medical advice. It took me years to go to the doctor for mine and within 5minutes, I was prescribed Duac one daily gel and three months later it was looking better than ever. 

Keep the faith. 

Simple cleanser, toner, moisturiser and eye make-up
remover

Crème de la crème

I’ve got one of my sisters to thank for this discovery. We all know a good foundation is hard to come by and one that your friend loves and wears everyday may not suit your skin at all. It can also feel like you’re just clogging your skin up day after day with layers of foundation. So after having this discussion with my sister she pointed me in the direction of cream gel foundation by Rimmel.

At a very affordable price it was exactly what I was looking for. Light on my skin but a good amount of coverage. Due to it being so light, it is also perfect for summer and will definitely be in the suitcase in preparation for my holidays.

The gel comes in five different shades so no doubt you’ll be able to find a colour to suit your skin tone. Plus it comes in a handy tub so no more squirting too much on the back of your hand and not being able to get it back in the bottle (such a waste! I reckon that’s where most of my money goes).

I’d definitely recommend this for work, shopping, holidays and even evening drinks.

(Rimmel Match Perfection Cream Gel Foundation in True Ivory, £6.99. Mac Duo Fibre Brush, £32.50)

Simply perfect!