'The One'

We all search for 'the one' who will be there for us through thick and thin, hold on to us and make us shine and I've found it! 

 

Unfortunately I'm not referring to a man ladies but Label.m's hairspray. A product that can offer more strength than a guy and certainly won't argue back. It's a win-win!

Label.m Hairspray: "contains pro-vitamin B5 and naturally derived conditioners to protect, hold and gloss. Contains a sunscreen for UV protection and is excellent for re-application without causing build up," according to the website. http://labelm.com/uk/product/358/label.m-hairspray

I can clarify this hairspray certainly lives up to it's claims. Perks of working in the beauty industry meant I got to try this product before I bought it. Before this I continuously bought different hairsprays hoping to find one that is weather resistant, for British weather plays havoc with our hair. A hairspray that has a lasting hold and doesn't leave hair with a strong enough stench to make any smoker scared to light a cigarette near you. Brushes out easily and doesn't leave a sticky residue, and I have finally found it! Label.m hairspray does all of this and also adds a glossy shine to your hair.

 

Look no further ladies you've found 'the one'. Have you tried this hairspray, what do you use?

Sssh… it’s a beauty secret!

We’re all guilty of it – eating chocolate behind closed doors or hiding expensive shoes from your boyfriend, but something not quite so obvious is throwing out old mascara because it’s become a bit dry or has come to the end of its life. Automatically we throw it away and replace it with a brand new one.

Stop right there young lady! Before you throw out your old mascara think again, because it could be your answer to long lashes. I know you’re probably thinking I've written this blog post high on drugs (I have not!) honestly it’s a beauty secret I swear by and believe it creates lengthy eyelashes.  

Alike a primer for your face, I consider the last of your mascara like a primer for your eyelashes. One coat of your old mascara preps and separates the lashes. It gives lashes a base coat before applying the thick stuff, this also gives the new mascara something to grab onto.

I promise you it works! When I've applied fresh/new mascara without my first coat of the old my lashes look wet and clumpy.   

Please note it’s recommended you change your mascara every 6 months, so just keep swapping.

Are you guilty of throwing out your old mascara? What’s your best kept beauty secret? I would love to know!

Monday's Miracle

bareMinerals Ready Bronzer, £24.00

Are you looking for a bronzer that offers a matte natural looking finish? bareMinerals Ready Bronzer could be the answer.


Having used Burberry Beauty Warm Glow Bronzer, £31.00, and Mac Bronzing Powder, £20.00, consistently for the past year. I decided it was time to broaden my horizons and discover a new bronzer. Little did I know I was going to find a new love - bareMinerals Ready Bronzer! 

With a vast range of bronzers on the market it was a little daunting to know where to start. My research consisted of flicking through magazines and looking at online beauty blogs for reviews. Before now I hadn't used the bareMinerals brand before. It's one thing trying a new product, another trying a completely new brand.   

It was when I read the bareMinerals bronzer contains: "antioxidants with cold-pressed carrot oil... and lasts for up to 8 hours" I had to try this! I was enticed in by the natural ingredients because my skin can be sensitive. It also claims: "this silky long-wearing formula delivers skin-nourishing benefits and firmer-looking skin."

Indeed it does live up to it's claims. It leaves my skin with a silky finish and a subtle warm glow. The longevity of this bronzer is amazing! The only time I have to reapply it is after a hardcore gym session. 

There are three shades available to choose from. I was recommended by the sales assistant to use the "skinny dip, light tan." As you can see above it looks very light on my finger, worried it was going to be too light, the sales assistant assured me it's a product that's buildable. Meaning the colour can be built up to the desired shade. So unless you spend ages applying coat after coat of bronzer, there's no chance this bronzer will ever leave you looking like an oompa loompa.

It comes with a handy mirror, perfect for carrying around in your handbag. It's £24.00 here: http://www.bareminerals.co.uk/bareMinerals-READY-Bronzer/Masterreadybronzer,default,pd.html  


If there's anything that will perk up your complexion on a Monday morning it's this bronzer!

Have you tried this bronzer? Do you rate it? I would love to know.

Monday’s Miracle!

 

“I don’t have time” is probably the most common excuse used not to workout. But surprisingly these people find time to sit on the sofa and watch Eastenders of an evening or socialise over a glass of wine. And I’m not suggesting for one minute you shouldn’t be able to do these things, but if you’re consistently doing them and avoiding exercise not only your waistline will suffer, your health will too.

The NHS recommend “at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as cycling or fast walking every week, and muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days that work all major muscle groups.”

If you can’t possibly find the time to commit to this amount of exercise a week, an app called ‘Daily Workouts’ is perfect for busy people who don’t have the time. You can exercise in as little as five minutes, the first level is free and you can workout wherever you go. Try getting out of this one...

The app has six exercise options; Ab, Arm, Butt, Cardio, Leg and Full workout. You have the choice to workout for 5, 7.5 or 10 minutes. Alternatively if you wish to increase the length of your workout, I suggest doing each exercise option for 10 minutes giving you a total body workout.

There are three levels to choose from. Level one consists of basic moves and is perfect for beginners. However if like you’re a gym bunny like myself you will have to purchase level 2 and 3 for tougher exercises. If you’re already hitting the gym after work, this is a fab way to tone target areas and feel an immediate effect.

This app has been part of my daily morning routine. As much as I feel inclined to stay in bed for an extra 10 minutes, I decide against it and instead do 10 minutes of exercise. Thanks to this app I don’t feel like I’m dragging my arse up the tube escalators.

Everyone has a spare 5-10 minutes a day and I guarantee you it will lift your mood on a Monday morning. Start the week positive and download the app today!  

Do you use this app? How do you workout if you don't have time? Let me know below...

You can find out more about this app here: http://dailyworkoutapps.com/dailyworkoutapps/Daily_Workouts.html

Pretty Gets Gritty

As London Fashion Week kicks off, it can only mean one thing Autumn/Winter 2013 is here!Depressing as it is, we bid farewell to bright corals and rosy cheeks and say hello to punk purples and ‘Vunk’.

Fashion guru Donatella combined the spiky edge of punk and glamour of Versace for her A/W 13’ collection earlier this year, giving birth to a new trend ‘Vunk’. The colour palette black and red showcased gothicism, fetishism and danger with occasional bursts of yellow, white and deep purple.

It’s set to be the hottest trend this season. So be the first to rock the A/W 13’ ‘Vunk’ beauty look and here’s how to do it. Pretty gets gritty this A/W13'

Find out how to rock the A/W13' look here: http://lovethatmag.com/be-healthy/pretty-just-got-gritty/

Monday’s Miracle

Giorgio Armani Maestro Concealer

If the bags under your eyes this morning looked as if you’d done your weekly shop at Tesco, you could possibly benefit from using Armani’s Maestro Concealer.

A weekend of socialising and partying can leave eyes looking puffy and weary. This is the perfect pick me up on a Monday morning.  

Honestly it’s a god send!

Priced at £27.50 it’s not necessarily cheap, however I bought this in January and I use it every day, there are no signs of it running out. It’s definitely worth every penny in my opinion.

My eye before the Armani concealer is applied. Notice the blue/purple tone around my eye. 

Apply a small line under each eye (like above) and with a small brush or your finger, blend it in under your eye and over your eyelids. When blended the eye looks hydrated and brightened.

As you can see by the pictures, the concealer has corrected the purple tone and dark circle under my eye that can be seen in the first picture.  

The result - The under the eye area looks hydrated and revived. It moisturises tired eyes and fades any blue/purple tones. The longevity is it lasts all day.

The only problem I have with this product is the name. Although it has been labelled a concealer, I wouldn't necessarily call it this, rather a corrector, as it 'corrects' the eye. I also wouldn't recommend using this product anywhere else on the face other than under the eye, it wouldn't conceal a spot and would most probably cause breakouts because of the hydrating texture.

Hurrah - no more Monday morning baggage!

Have you tried this concealer? What's your Monday Miracle? I would love to know! 

Battle of the bases

Are you waking up an extra half an hour daily to apply your make up before work? (Admittedly I do, guys have it so much easier, right?) Only to get on the tube, bus or car and sweat like a P.I.G. By the time you've reached your destination, you're several tissues down (from mopping your top lip and forehead) and look like an ice cream that has been sitting in the sun all day.  

Help I'm melting...

You have two choices ladies. Stay in bed for an extra half an hour or purchase a primer. If you're reading this beauty blog I expect you'd choose the latter.

With so many primers available today, it's becoming all the more difficult to choose one. I've done the hard work for you and tested my fair share of primers - here's my edit of the best bases.

Oil-free

Smashbox are renowned for their fantastic range of primers. Photo Finish Light, £25.00, is an oil-free, 60% water based primer. This is a great choice for acne prone or oily skin, as it contains an oil absorbing formula to reduce shine and keep your face matte all day.

This is my favourite primer by far! I have an oily t-zone and regularly breakout, I have found this controls both and doesn't aggravate my skin like other primers have done. The texture is silky and glides on smoothly.

If in doubt about purchasing this primer? You can buy it in a travel size version, £12.50, test it before making a commitment.

Blemish control

                                                              Introducing Smashbox's latest edition. Photo Finish Blemish Control, £28.00, is a little more expensive than the average Smashbox primer. However this is justified by it's a multi-purpose benefits. Not only is it a primer, it's a breakout treatment too. It contains Saliciyc acid to treat acne and claims to give you clearer skin in two weeks.

I found this product was a little drying on my face, however I did notice my spots appeared reduced after using it for a little while - which in my opinion, makes it a worthy investment. 


Get the glow 

My primer virginity was popped by Mac Prep and Prime, £20.50, and honestly it was love at first sight. It's a silicone based primer and the texture is a little creamy. Everytime I apply this under my foundation, my face looks flawless. It contains light diffusing particles, great for hiding imperfections and works as a great base for normal, dry skin in need of a glow.

However if (like me) you have combination skin this primer is slightly shimmery and doesn't control the oil on the t-zone area, which is why I only opt for this one on a night out. 

Bargain buy 

On a budget? Revlon PhotoReady Perfecting Primer, £11.99, is fab for creating a smooth base for your foundation to sit on. This primer is creamy and a thicker texture than the primers above. However I love how soft my skin feels after applying this. This is a purse-friendly option for creating the perfect canvas.

What are your favourite primers? Do you think the above are any good? Let me know your thoughts!