Rita Hazan; The Queen of Hair

I could write this blog post in a couple of lines; every time I wash my hair with this duo I get asked if I've had my hair dyed. If you have coloured hair, this is a game changer.
There you go... blog post done...

Not being one to publish such a short blog post, I will go on and tell you a bit more about the products and the absolute hair goddess that is Rita.

Beyonce, JLo, Jessica Simpson are just a few of the celebs that have their locks looked after by Rita so when I was sent the 'True Color' range to try, I couldn't wait to try it all.

After first wash with the shampoo and conditioner, I knew this was a match made in hair heaven...

The True Color line is aimed at keeping coloured hair as healthy and radiant as the day it was dyed and it addresses grey roots, colour fading and damage.
The products combine natural ingredients with advanced technology - the perfect mix for beautiful hair.

Firstly, the shampoo and conditioner smell incredible (Rita, when will you be releasing a hair perfume please?!) The packaging feels and looks super luxe and you can just tell when you squeeze the product out that it's nothing like that bottle in your gym bag that you bought for £1.. On hair wash day, if i'm not sniffing my hair, I'm stroking it.

The shampoo works to remove the build up of products without weighing hair down or stripping colour. With rice proteins and moringa seed leaving hair completely clean and nourished.

The conditioner again doesn't weigh hair down or leave hair feeling like it has any reside in - even with it being richly nourishing.
The Japanese camelia oil leaves hair looking and feeling silky and shiny.


Overall my hair is left looking so healthy, and manageable. I barely need to brush it after washing, which is practically unheard of with my birds nest! Haha.

While this review has been aimed at the Shampoo & Conditioner from this line, I also have the Ultimate Shine Gloss(which I am yet to try) and the Split End Remedy which I took on holiday and also love.

The line has recently launched at Selfridges (here) Will you be giving it a go?

Lauren x

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Lescale Cosmetics Luxe Lash - An eyelash serum that ACTUALLY works

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll probably remember that for the last half of 2017 I had Russian lashes done, and while I loved them, the last time I had them infilled, my eyes were super itchy and puffy for a few days afterwards, so I decided to have them taken off.

After having them on for 6 months, it's fair to say (and as I had anticipated) my lashes were very thin, short and straight, as if by magic, Lescale Cosmetics had sent me their lash & brow serum not too long before so it was the perfect time to put it to the test.

Like the good little blogger that I am (LOL) I took before and after photos. I am very sceptical when it comes to things like this and if I was parting with my hard earned cash, I wouldn't be trusting simply words for it - I want photos, and power point presentations ;-)

So, behold my lashes before - mid December...

And fast forward to mid Jan...

I applied the serum as the last step in my skincare routine at night, and the instructions say to run the serum just along the top of your eyelid, above your lash line, you don't apply it directly to the lashes.
It can also be used for your eyebrows and applied in the same way, by running the brush just above your eyebrows.

I have to say I am pretty impressed with the results - my lashes I appreciate would have grown naturally over that time, but I think using the serum has made them grow quicker, and I have to admit that I forgot to apply it some nights too with it being a new step in my routine.

I'll definitely continue to use this and maybe give an update in another 4 weeks.

The serum is available here, for £32.50

Have you tried an eyelash serum? What results have you had?

Lauren x

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Brand Focus; Absolutely Blendid

The ever so lovely owner of Absolutely Blendid, Nimisha contacted me via Instagram and asked if I'd like to try some of her handmade, natural beauty products - the rest, they say, is history.

You will all know if you've read previous blogposts, that I love to support local independant brands when I can, so being able to review and share Nimishas products with you all gives me great pleasure.
The story behind her wanting to create her own products is really inspiring, and shows you that if you want to do something and put your mind to it, you can!

Here's the box of goodies I was sent;

If you know me, you'll know I love anything cinnamon scented, so the body scrub, and lip products instantly caught my attention.

After using these products for a few weeks now my favourites are the Blendid Balm which is the most wonderful first cleanse and removes all traces of makeup, including eye makeup.
It is infused with sweet orange oil and has multiple uses. It can be used as a moisturising balm for stubborn dry areas, like elbows, knees or heels, or as I have been using it to cleanse and melt makeup away.

You need the smallest amount to cleanse with and it's only £5 for the cute little pot, which is ideal for holidays travel as it's small it can be packed and not take up too much room- this balm comes highly recommended by me!

All the products can be purchased online, here and if you're local to Yorkshire, you may see Nimisha with her Absolutely Blendid at some fares, shows etc - definitely go say hi and check out her products!

What's your favourite natural / handmade brand?

Lauren x

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Review & Swatches; Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte & Shine Lipsticks

I was kindly sent a selection of the Mary Kay lipsticks - a mixture of their gel semi-matte and semi-shine formulas.

This was a new brand to my makeup radar, so I was excited to give them a go.

The packaging is worth a mention - with the lipstick encased in a curvy black tube with a shiny silver emblem as the 'clasp' - it's all pretty elegant and sleek. I also like the feature of the lids having clear tops, so depending on how you store your lipsticks, you can see the shade through the lid.

From left to right (on the swatch photo) I was sent the shades;

Mauve Moment (matte) Haute Pink (shine) Powerful Pink (matte) Red Smolder (shine) Crushed Berry (matte)

I'm definitely more of a matte person when it comes to lipsticks and I found the formula to be very comfortable to wear, they were also highly pigmented and the colour pay off was impressive.
With them formula not being a matte matte, the wear time was approx 4 - 5 hours, but I'd rather sacrifice the wear time and have a lipstick that's comfortable to wear.

The lipsticks are priced at £14 each and available here

Have you tried anything from Mary Kay?

Lauren x

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Pink Parcel: Review

Ladies, we're talking periods today, and if you're anything like me, it's often a case of being unprepared, hormonal and Mr Makeup Maestro knows to give me a wide berth for a few days!

Anything that helps me get through those 4/5 days each month is hugely welcomed so when Pink Parcel offered to send me the November box, I was over the moon.

The box comes discreetly packaged and is slim enough to fit through most letterboxes, which is great - if I had to make a special trip to the post office depot for it, it might go against everything the box stood for!

Once opened, this is what greeted me;

Everything is neatly boxed / bagged up into sections which I think is a really nice touch - I popped the little black drawstring bag straight into my handbag as it's really easy and discreet way to carry what you need around while you're out and about / at work etc.

The "For Night", "For Now" and "For Later" all contain sanitary products, I was sent a mix of both pads and tampons - but this can be tailored to suit - more about that later.
The most exciting box is "For You" and it's packed full of those little pick me ups that we all need and just give us that virtual hug that we need at that time of the month.

The treats in Novembers box were;

Cuppanut Tea - Ginger & Tumeric flavour - erm, yum!
Cocoba truffles - Do I even need to comment? Anyone that sends / brings chocolates to me is a legend
Lipcote Lipstick Sealer - I did try this years ago- helpful for turning a non matte lipstick into one and making lipstick last longer
Swiss Clinic Cleansing Spray - I have been using these to keep my hands and beauty brushes cleansed and free from germs
Nail HQ All In One Oil - I've just had Shellac done, so this is ideal timing to keep my cuticles hydrated for the next few weeks.
The Beauty Crop Glamazon Stick - brightens, highlights and smooths - straight into my makeup bag!
Beautaniq Beauty Radiant Glow Face Mask - packed with vitamin C, this mask is exactly what my skin needs during the colder winter months.

I love the element of surprise with the "For You" box, and a mixture of goodies, skincare and makeup is perfect.

Having read the subscription details, Pink Parcel will allow you to completely tailor the box to suit you and your needs at that time of the month - you can choose to receive pads, tampons or a mixture of both. You can then even select the absorbency level and brand you want. These can then be amended at any point.
You can select the best shipping date to suit your cycle and best of all, you're not locked in and you can cancel at any point.
The cost of the box is £12.99 each month and this includes postage - I think it's really good value for money and to avoid getting caught short, to have had this delivered and know I'm covered is totally worth it.

It's definitely one of my favourite ideas for a monthly subscription box.

Have you ladies tried anything like this, do you think its a good idea?

Lauren x

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Feeling Fenty..?

I know I'm pretty late to the Fenty party, but late is still fashionable, right?

I waited until the hype at the counters had died down, the launch didn't excite me enough to be queuing, plus if you could see my foundation drawers, you'd understand why when I buy another one, its done so on a 'want' rather than 'need' basis.. all you makeup junkies know what I mean!

I had also been reading lots of reviews before I decided to purchase and had seen lots of mixed reviews - some raving about it and others saying it hadn't worked for them, it made me more sceptical but nevertheless, I really wanted to give it a go.

The foundation wasn't something I wanted to order online, with 40 shades to choose from - I knew it could be a risky, so I visited my local Harvey Nichols counter, where I was matched up with shade 150 - it's the perfect shade and blends in seamlessly.

Now, I'm never one to religiously buy the matching primer and foundation, but on this occasion I did. The two came to £50.00.

Since adding these to my collection, I've been testing them like I've never tested a primer and foundation before, i've literally scrutinised their every move.

Let's now get down to the nitty gritty of the duo.

Firstly, a shoutout for the packaging - heavy smoked glass bottles that look sleek, sophisticated and have pumps - huge tick!

The primer is very smoothing, moisturising and leaves a velvety base for makeup - I haven't tried it with any other foundation so can only review it on it's performance with the Pro Filt'r foundation.

The foundation has an extremely runny consistency, and I find you have to work pretty quickly with it to get it blended in. I found that the usual amount of foundation I would apply (2 pumps) got me a medium coverage, but I felt I needed more, it is buildable and never looked cakey, but I was surprised at much I needed.

Even with more foundation on my face than I would normally apply, it still feels lightweight and wasn't obvious that I had more on.

The lasting power, was hit and miss - for reference my skin is oily / combination - winter does leave me less oily, but I still experience a shiny T-Zone most days.
The duo seemed to work best for me on the days I experienced less oiliness - it looked flawless when I applied it, but throughout the day it didn't last as well and had started to start 'slip' in places and had exposed some pores on my cheeks too.

I think both the products are suited to more normal/ dry skin types (the primer is particularly moisturising) and it would be the perfect duo for someone with dry skin who still wants a matte finish foundation without looking cakey, or dull.

The duo aren't a complete fail for me, and I will continue to use them both, if ever there is a better time to use them it will be over Winter, but these will not be repurchases.

Have you tried the foundation? How did you get on?

Lauren x

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The perfect pout with Pixi...

It's no secret that Pixi is one of my favourite beauty brands, so the day I received this box of lip goodies, was a good day.

Their Matte lustre lipsticks have been on my radar ever since I visited the Pixi shop in London last year, they gave me a complimentary makeover and used the shade 'Honey Bare ' on me, then gifted it to me (along with a jumbo Glow Tonic bottle!) and I have enjoyed wearing it since...

I was sent 3 more shades of the Matte Lustre Lipsticks in the shades Rose Naturelle, Bitten Rose & Plum Berry and three of their Shea Butter Lip Balms in the shades Sweet Peach, Pixi Pink & Ripe Raspberry.

Let's start with the lipsticks first...

These are highly pigmented and extremely comfortable to wear. These apply like and feel like a balm and wear like a lipstick with a demi matte / satin finish.
With vitamins c & e these are super conditioning, add hyaluronic acid to the mix and you get nice plumped lips too.


Swatches from right to left; Rose Naturelle, Bitten Rose, Plum Berry

These are available in 11 shades and are £14 each, click here


Last but not least, the balms.
These are rich but lightweight, they add a good wash of colour to the lips and they are also very nourishing and soothing.

From right to left, we have Sweet Peach, Pixi Pink, Ripe Raspberry;

The balms come in 7 shades and are £8 each, here

What I love most about the makeup items I've tried from Pixi it that's it's fuss free, low maintenance and fab for those "no makeup" makeup days.


What's your favourite makeup item from Pixi?

Lauren x

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