Weekly Wishes

// Fashion

I was in desperate need for some comfortable shoes for work... something smart, but something that I can walk around in easily as at the end of the week, when I have the kids, I do the school run and then make a mad dash for the office! So basically a versatile style that can be dressed up or down. I'm still trying to stick to a capsule wardrobe and I don't have space for loads of clothes!

Just a week after I started drafting this post, I found a perfect pair of ankle boots that met my wishes... ta da:

Teresa boots by Dr Martens

I've been wearing them every day since!!

// Hair & Beauty

My feet are in a bit of a state. So much so that the littlest asked what was up with them and why was my skin so hard. Yikes! I bought a little buffer, pumice stone type thing but it's pretty rubbish. I think it's perhaps time to invest in something a bit more powerful... the likes of this came to mind:

Emjoi MICRO Pedi Power at Boots

// Home & Interiors

My home office area has been improved lately due to my new Made.com desk, and as a result I've got some new shelves that need to be styled. I've been looking out for magazine files and haven't been able to find anything in the shops as yet that takes my fancy. I still like these ones from Muji, but I think I need something a bit sturdier. I like this one from Brissi, but it's very pricey at £29!!

Brissi Woven Faux Leather Magazine File

Hopefully I'll have my space organised and I can film another wee YouTube 'room' tour for you :-)

This was how it was before...

Current Skincare, Hair & Make-Up Favourites

Firstly, can you actually believe we're nearly at the middle of August?? The summer is practically over (what summer!?!) and the schools go back this week.

I had vowed to do monthly hair & beauty favs, but life is kinda busy and I've not managed to write these posts as frequently as I'd like. That said, I thought I'd share with you now my current favourite hair & beauty products. Maybe I should aim for these to be quarterly for the seasons, so this would be my "summer" edition!

First up is Origins Clean Energy. I've been really enjoying this oil cleanser. I use it in the evenings to remove my make-up ahead and surface dirt ahead of a second cleanse with Elizabeth Arden PRO Gentle Facial Cleanser. It's fantastic at dissolving eye make-up and I then use a warm flannel to remove it. For a while I was using baby oil over my eyes to get rid of stubborn eye make-up,  but this is a step up and it's just lovely and feels great on my skin.

Origins Clean Energy Gentle Cleansing Oil, £23.50

For hair care, it's got to be Ojon's Rare Blend Moisture Therapy Conditioner (turns out Ojon is now part of Origins!). This thick, luxurious conditioner is more like a hair mask than a conditioner and it's fantastic at injecting some moisture back into my hair. My hair feels immediately softer and sleeker after just one use. It smells slightly bizarre - it's hard to describe - but I actually quite like it.

Ojon Rare Blend Moisture Therapy Conditioner, £23 *

 
Finally for make-up my go-to product at the moment is the Smashbox L.A. Lights Blendable Lip & Cheek Colour in Malibu Berry. It's a great colour that works well on both my lips and cheeks. The stick is really easy to use and at the other end there is a little sponge for blending (I'm finding it super useful for when I'm on the go or travelling). It's all very casual and you don't need to be precise in your application. In less than a minute and a few swipes, I've got my lipstick on and a bit of colour to my face. The colour is probably more one that I would use in Autumn... it has a lovely warm plum tones... but to be honest, the weather has been so mixed here in Glasgow that it actually feels like autumn right now. I've been wearing my North Face parka throughout the holidays!!

Smashbox Blendable Lip & Cheek Colours, £25 *

 

* I received a selection of Ojon and Smashbox products to try, however opinions are honest and my own

 

 

Hair - Time for a Change

I used to change my hairstyle frequently as I was growing up... you'll see them all here in this post from my archives. I had short hair then long hair, fringe then no fringe, short, spiky hair then long, smooth hair... and I've gone through various colours too! However for the past few years I've been growing my hair and haven't had more than a trim. I've also managed to successfully grow out my fringe (I started in August 2014, so that's been nearly a year!!). I have been feeling a bit 'meh' about my style recently though and it was definitely time for a change... there seemed to be a disconnect from my grown out fringe and the rest of my hair - I was keen to have a cut that brought it all together.

Back I went to Ellen Conlin in Giffnock for a colour and cut.

Settled in my chair ahead of my colour consultation. We decided to stick with the blonde highlights but to add some darker slices through the mid-section to give some depth to the layers.

This is me before!

Colour is on and I'm enjoying a wee glass of fizz (I wasn't driving!)

Time for the cut

Ta da... the finished hairstyle #salonselfie 

Later that evening Rick & I were out to celebrate being together for two years... cheers!

I absolutely love my new style. Here's hoping I can get it to look this good when I style it myself!!

Hair - Beach Waves with Bumble and Bumble

The weather doesn't seem to be making up its mind lately... one day it's sunny and then the next its torrential downpours.

Back in my twenties (seems like it was ages ago!) I went through a phase of letting my hair dry naturally with some mousse and it would give me a bit of a wave... Determined that the summer is around the corner, I've been harnessing my inner beach babe again these past few weeks!

A recent product launch from Bumble and Bumble is the Surf Infusion and I've been using this on either damp or dry hair to create what I hope is sexy, tousled beach hair. As a very busy, (part-time) working mum, products like this are ideal. I tend to do my hair at night as I just don't have the time in the mornings to be faffing around with hairdryers, straighteners etc.

I washed my hair as normal, then sprayed in some of the surf infusion before putting my hair in a loose plait before sleep. In the morning I took out the plait, added a bit more spray through the ends, and voila... easy peasy, beachy waves!

Disclosure: I received complimentary PR samples of the bumble and bumble Surf range. However, opinions are honest and my own.

Weekly Wishes

// Fashion

I'm in desperate need of a new pair of slippers as both of my pairs have got holes in them (so much so that one pair has already gone into the bin!).

I love the mahabis slippers - the upper is grey (you can choose dark or light) and then you can pick a pair of colourful soles... I quite fancy the yellow ones.

// Hair & Beauty

My skin seems to have worsened again... rubbish :-(

I ran out of Merumaya Luxury Facial Wash and since then my skin has deteriorated, particularly my chin. So I'm putting it onto my shopping list! I quite fancy trying the Melting Cleansing Balm too.

// Home & Interiors

I have a cheap set of lightweight cutlery that I bought from Amazon as a transition for the kids from plastic cutlery to grown-up cutlery. However, with it being cheap has meant that it's now ready for the bin; they haven't lasted well at all. So I'm now on the lookout for a new collection. Rick & I both really liked the gold cutlery that we spotted at Zara Home in London recently, but I'm not sure gold is a good colour choice given that most of my interior is grey, including the dining room.

John Lewis have a black set (which are dishwasher friendly!) and cost £10 for 16 pieces. Perhaps this would be a good interim set until the kids are able to use heavier forks and knives. They certainly look better quality than the ones I currently have.

Grey Hair, Don't Care?

For a while there I had stopped dying my hair, and do you know what I discovered... I had grey hairs appearing. I'm only 33! I really don't think I am ready to have grey hair just yet. Bex from The Olive Dragonfly has embraced her greys, but I've gone back to having my hair highlighted blonde and if there are any greys you can't really see them anymore.

What's more concerning is that I've also found a grey hair, down there.... Can I repeat, I'm only 33!!!

So now I'm in a predicament... what to do?? Remember when Samantha from S&TC had an accident when she dyed her hair??!! I really don't think I could face trying to dye my pubic hair; although apparently Miley Cyrus dyed hers pink. Maybe I could try a vajazzle to distract from the grey!?

There's an expectation for women to wax and trim and pluck their hair and it's exhausting. However I think I'm more inclined to partake in a full Brazilian given my new grey situation. I'm not sure what the trend is right now but I headed to Google and was amazed at the catalogue of pubic styles out there!

I've also noticed that since I've been taking much better care of my face with my oil, serum, moisturiser routines... it's only making my neck look wrinkly because I don't take care of it at all. 

I'm starting to look older, and I don't like it. 

Review - Anderson's Hair Salon

I had the most amazing experience at Anderson's Hair Salon the other weekend.

I was booked in with Keith for a treatment and blow dry to try out the new eco salon which opened in November 2014. The salon has a fantastic city centre location and was super easy to find. I went into town on the subway and had a relaxing afternoon at House of Fraser doing a bit of shopping before walking to South Frederick Street.

On arrival I was taken to a comfy seat at a reclaimed wood table. The salon is the only Davines exclusive hair salon in Glasgow and the interior has been designed to reflect the Davines ethos. Keith was committed to reducing the environmental impact with the decor choices and as such the salon features all reclaimed wood. It has such a calming feel as soon as you walk in the door...

{image source}

I had a relaxing complimentary head massage before being taken over to the sinks for my treatment & shampoo. Normally I find it difficult to get comfortable balancing my neck on the edge of hairdresser sinks. However at Anderson's they have special head rests and this may be a bizarre statement, but it was the best hair washing experience I've ever had! The chair also reclined so I had my feet elevated. I could have fallen asleep I was that relaxed. It truly was blissful.

Then during my blow dry I had a complimentary hand massage. I felt well & truly spoiled.

Keith is a fellow Aberdonian and it was nice to hear a familiar accent from home! He was full of interesting chat as I had my hair styled. I loved the curls that he created; it was just a shame that the weather was so windy and wet as my hair got a bit ruined on the way home *sad face*

Here's my weekend vlog which features my visit to Anderson's:

The Davines hair products are gorgeous. Keith gave me away a travel size Melu shampoo and conditioner which I've been loving. The texture and smell of the products is divine. I recently did a pamper evening at home (which you'll find on YouTube here) and after using an Ojon hair treatment and the Davines shampoo and conditioner my hair was super soft!

I thought you'd also be interested to know that new guests save 20% on their first visit and students save 25%!

I received a complimentary treatment and blow dry in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own.

Beauty - My Evening Pamper Routine

Last weekend I had a rare night to myself and so I decided that I would have a relaxing pamper evening. It was bliss!! In case you missed it, here's the vlog:

Beauty - March Favourites

Here are my March favourites, with a wee vlog at the bottom too :-)

Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask

After my success with the Origins Super Spot Remover, I went on to purchase the active charcoal face mask. This mask acts like a magnet to draw out impurities from the skin. I've been using it weekly, and I've gotten into the habit of applying it whilst the kids are in the bath of an evening. Multi-tasking at it's finest! It does feel rather strange on the skin as it dries, but it really does seem to do the trick. I've been using the Super Spot Remover less and less now and I'm rarely applying concealer.

Origins Clear Improvement, £23 for 100 mL

Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Face Mask

I bought this overnight face mask recently as part of a limited edition gift box from the Origins counter at Debenhams. I had wanted to try the charcoal face mask (above) and it made sense to buy the gift box as I got a few products for just £30 - the charcoal mask, this overnight face mask, a modern friction exfoliator and a facial brush. Anyway, this overnight mask has such a lovely thick consistency and it really is fantastic at injecting some moisture back into my dry skin. I've not been using Origins products for very long, but I really am enjoying this brand.

Origins Drink Up Intensive overnight mask, £23 for a 100 mL tube

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant

I got a small tube of this from Asda in their sale to replace a tube that I have finished. It really is the best product for chapped skin and I love putting this onto my lips before bed. It's a skincare classic, and probably something that I'll always have kicking about.

Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant, £26 for 50 mL

bareMinerals Complexion Rescue

Complexion Rescue launches in April but I was sent a tube of the Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream to try and I am super impressed. It ticks all the boxes for me and I think this is going to become a permanent feature in my make-up bag. It's so easy to apply, feels lovely on my skin and gives just enough coverage. You'll find my full review here.

Complexion Rescue, £26 for a 35 mL tube

Batiste Dry Shampoo

I wash my hair maybe twice a week after working out. In between washes, a few sprays of this dry shampoo can work wonders. It's great for making my hair feel a bit cleaner, improves oily roots and gives it a bit of oomph. Again, another staple item for my beauty shelf.

Batiste, £4.99 for 400 mL

Get Ready With Me

At the weekend I went out for dinner with the girls to Ingram Wynd. The food was nice, but the service wasn't brilliant. Guess it's just that time of year when restaurants are super busy and standards slip a bit.

Anyway, if you haven't seen it yet I filmed a 'Get Ready With Me' vlog which you will find over on my YouTube channel:



Thanks for watching :-)

Beauty - Bumble & Bumble, Smashbox and Ojon

I was invited along to Malmaison last week to hear from three brands: Bumble & Bumble, Smashbox and Ojon. I've previously used Bumble & Bumble (I had a tube of brilliantine which I got at my old hairdresser, MB Hair) and I've got a tube of smashbox primer in my make-up bag. But I hadn't heard of Ojon (please tell me I'm not the only one?). All three brands are stocked in Boots so you should hopefully be able to get your hands on them relatively easily.

The next day I tried out a few of the products that I was gifted for the purpose of this review...

Bb Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Travel Set (shampoo, conditioner & primer), £19.50

Bb All-Style Blow Dry creme, £23

The Bb shampoo and conditioner were lovely to use. The conditioner especially which had a nice thick consistency. Both products smelt gorgeous too. These products contain a blend of featherlight oils which help to soften, silken, tame, de-frizz, detangle and protect hair. 

Getting ready to blow dry... me not the cat of course!!

After towel drying, I sprayed my hair with the primer and then combed through some of the blow dry creme. Have you heard of using primer on your hair? I've got a few face primers, but never thought that you would need to prime your hair. The pre-styler spray works to protect against breakage, heat styling and UV damage. 

The all-style creme was also intriguing. If you put it on your hand, it's initially a cream consistency and feels smooth but if you keep rubbing it in, you can then notice that it has a powdery finish. Turns out there are oil-absorbing powders in the formula that will help keep your hair looking fresh. 

Anyway, the end result was fab and I thought my hair looked super glossy and sleek.

I also tried out a few of the make-up products, the contour kit from smashbox and the lip liner and lacquer. The Always Sharp Lip Liner is such a fantastic concept. I love it. A couple of clicks and you've got a sharp pencil again and again without having to actually use a pencil sharpener. Genius!!  (Turns out there is a tiny built in sharpener in the tip of the cap, so it's not magic!). 

The Contour Kit is going to take some practicing I think, but smashbox have some YouTube tutorials so I'm going to watch these a few times before I have another go! The kit comes with three blendable powders - to contour, bronze and highlight - and it comes with a specially designed angled brush. What's handy is the little diagram that you can see on the mirror below which is basically a cheat sheet that will help you achieve great results.

The palette is expensive at £35, and I'm not sure I could justify that much money on a contouring product. Maybe once I've mastered the art my opinion might change. However I think the lip liner and lacquer are well worth the money.

smashbox Step-by-Step Contour Kit with brush, £35

smashbox Be Legendary Long-Wear Lip Lacquer, £19

smashbox Always Sharp Lip Liner, £15

My new luscious, shiny locks and my smashbox lip colour (which lasted for the rest of the day without touching up!)

I've also subsequently tried some of the Ojon products. The Restorative Hair Treatment Plus was lovely. It's a solid balm in the tub, but you scoop out some onto your hands and then rub them together to transform it into a luxurious oil. I massaged this into my hair whilst I had a soak in the bath tub. This intensive hair treatment helps hydrate and improve the condition of damaged hair. The story behind the brand was quite remarkable; I enjoyed hearing about the founder Denis Simioni who discovered that communities in Central America used the oils extracted from the nuts from the native Ojon tree for hair and beauty remedies. Again, my hair felt in great condition afterwards. I'm going to keep using the products, so I'll keep you updated with my thoughts on them after a few uses.

Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment Plus, £19.00 for 50 mL

Ojon Rare Blend Moisture-Rich Cleansing Conditioner, £18.50

Do let me know what you think - have you tried any of these brands and/or products?

I received some complimentary products from each of the brands for the purpose of this review. Opinions as always are honest and are my own.

My new toy - the Parlux hairdryer

A few weeks ago I treated myself to a new hairdryer. My old one had pretty much fallen apart (my own fault, I threw it...very unlike me but I was raging at the time I did it) and recently it had started making noises that sounded unhealthy & it wasn't smelling too good either when in use...a bit burny for my liking.

In it's place I chose a Parlux, which I had remembered from a review by Mostly Yummy Mummy.

Can I just say I love my new hairdryer. I chose the Parlux 385 Power Light Ceramic Ionic Dryer.

I didn't think that it was possible to love a hairdryer. It's an appliance that blows air. I've always purchased cheap and cheerful hairdryers in the past. But goodness how my opinion has changed. For one, this hairdryer gets my hair dry in super quick time.  Secondly my hair feels sleeker than it did with old hairdryer. Is this possible just by swapping hairdryer? Could it all be in my head? Potentially yes. Do I care? Not really, I've got fab hair regardless! And finally, it's pink! There are loads of colours that you can chose from. Huzzah!

My sister borrowed my Parlux when she visited the other weekend and she loved it too. Can't remember her exact words, but the gist was that she thought the hairdryer was amazing.

It wasn't as quiet as I thought it was going to be, but other than that it's brilliant. Really pleased with my investment :-)

P.S. This may have come across as a sponsored post, but it isn't. I just really wanted to share my new toy with you all because I love it so much!

{Hair & Beauty: Growing out my fringe}

Since my last visit to the hairdressers (Ellen Conlin in Giffnock if you're interested!) which was in the middle of August, I've been growing out my fringe. I was able initially to wear it down, but it's now been 6 weeks and I have to do something with it as it's totally in my eyes :-/

At the hairdresser

The two hairstyles that I've been wearing are these...

Fringe pinned up with a side ponytail

Fringe pinned up with my hair down

but I've been scouring Pinterest for some inspiration for other styles to try as I'm starting to get bored!!

Thin hairband

Vintage style

Twist, twirl and pin

Middle parting

Twisted crown

{Hair}

I'm bored of my hair...

I was very close to going brunette again, but have been persuaded to stay blonde.

My hairdresser reckons that I should try a temporary pastel colour through my locks, but I'm not convinced.

Firstly, I wouldn't get away with purple or pink hair at my work and secondly, I just don't think I could pull it off.

Rose

Grey/Lilac

Apricot

I'll perhaps give it a go during the holidays when I'm not in the office!!

I've been getting lowlights at my past few hairdressing trips as I thought it would help eek out as much time as possible between visits, but it's just making me like my hair less and less. It's all a bit 'meh' at the moment.

Next visit I'm going platinum again.

Platinum Blonde

What do you think?