Favourites in Hair Styling Products.

Hey everyone. A few days ago I posted about my current haircare routine and this post is just to describe the kind of products I use for styling my hair.

Now in the last post I mentioned Moroccan Oil, which is always a staple and a pre-styling product I use everyday. So with that in mind I use these other products whenever I want to style my hair.

Aussie Take The Heat Leave-in Spray.

This is a heat protectant spray which is filled with Australian Jojoba Seed Oil. I like to use this whenver I blow-dry or straighten my hair after using the moroccan oil. It is one of the best heat protection sprays I have used and I love the consistency in Aussie products. They do the job well and my hair is well managed and soft after I use this with Straigteners or Blow Dryers.

Aussie Dual Personality Hi-Hold + Hi-Shine Hairspray.

This hairspray contains Australian Sea Kelp Extracts which helps to keep your hair in place and adds a healthy shine. I really like this hairspray its one of the best drugstore sprays I have tried. (Of course nothing is as good as L'Oreals Elnett but I really like this spray and the large bottle is helpful in making it last a long time. I feel like you need little product to do a decent job) Again Aussie products are always nice to use on my hair and this hairspray has a firm hold to make sure my curls don't lose their style.

TIGI Bed Head Superstar Queen for a Day Thickening Spray.

I think I mentioned before that even though I have thick curly hair due to stress I lost a lot of it. This spray is amazing for covering up the fact that my hair keeps falling out! I just use it with a blowdryer and it gives my hair a bit of volume and shine. My hair feels so soft and light with this product. This like most TIGI products comes in a big size and a little goes a long way. I love the smell of this spray and I just spray a small amoung into my hands then run through my hair and blow dry accordingly. A definite buy for all those wanting a bit of volume!

TIGI Rockaholic Groupie Texturizing Spray Pomade.

In a previous post I talked about this spray, it is so amazing for adding texture to my flat curls. It defines them and adds a rough yet managed style to my hair. I love it so much. It is a much thicker spray than most so I normally spray it into my hands first than massage where needed for texture. The smell of this product is amazing and the spray has elements of Rosemary, Basil and Spearmint to work with your hair in adding a textured style. Again this is something I would recommend if you are going for a grunge type look and you want to add texture to dull hair.

TIGI Catwalk Curlesque Leave-in Conditioner and Curls Rock Amplifier.

I bought these two products as my hairdresser had recommended them to me for my hair. I love using these when I want to jazz up my curls. The Leave-in Conditioner is an intense cream used for nourishment and contains extracts of kelp and seaweed that work together to moisturise and revitalise my curls. I normally use this with my hands on damp hair and just run it through my hair near the ends just to add extra care. The Curls Rock Amplifier hold my curls and adds shine to them it feels as if I have curled my hair with a tong or straightener when I use them. I tend to use this product 5 or 6 minutes after I have used the Leave-in Conditioner and I use less of it when compared to the conditioner. I take a bit of the product in my hands and use my fingers to curl small bits of my hair to define the curls. After the product has been in the hair for about 30 mins my hair looks amazing. I always love my curls with the Curlesque range!

So these are the main products I use to style my hair. I love the TIGI and Aussie brands because they work best on my hair. What are you favourite hair styling products?
I hope that you are all well!
Ash xx

Perfume love...

I recently added two more perfumes to my collection one was a gift and the other was a purchase from Duty Free before going away for Christmas to Malta. (Did I mention I was in Malta? Probably not...it was a lovely trip and I will probably post more about it another time as I did make a few purchases there too!)

First shout out goes to Versace's Bright Crystal Perfume. This was a gift from my dad and I have noticed that there has been a Re-Launch in the perfume as there is a new advert and new face to the perfume, Candice Swanepoel is the model and the ads are photographed by Mario Testino. I really like this fragrance, it has a lovely floral tone to it. It includes Peony, Yuzu, Magnolia and Lotus Flower notes, with added pomegranate. It is a really fresh fragrance and under-rated in my opinion. I love the bottle and the smell does linger for a while which is just lovely!

My second shout out is to Love Chloé by Chloé. I bought this fragrance from a duty free shop at Luton airport...it was a bit slap dash as I was running late for my flight but I am very glad that I bought this. In reality I have wanted to purchase it for quite a while..but this time I got round to actually buying it. I like the way this perfume feels when you first spray it on. I find it to be one of those quietly sensual kind of smells. It includes notes of Iris Absolute, Lilac, Hyacinth, Wisteria Blossom, Orange Blossom and Pink Pepper. For me its a lightly floral fragrance which lasts all day. I love how simple the bottle and fragrance itself is. I also love the advert as Raquel Zimmerman is one of my favourite models. This perfume reminds me of the 70s...I can just imagine wearing this at that time with a pair of platforms and high waisted beige trousers...that is probably the advert talking. But I do love this fragrance. It is beautiful and classic.

 

Last I would like to comment on how much I love these two solid perfumes from Lush they are so easy to use and perfect for touch ups. I just cannot get enough of Lust and Karma. They are both powerful fragrances and I find them to be so nice in the solid form. They always go on incredibly strong but adapt to your own body temperature to release their oils and make it a much more pleasant experience. Lust Solid Perfume is filled with Honey and Jasmine notes which are incredibly sensual and intoxicating. Perfect for evenings in my opinon.  Karma Solid Perfume is refreshing and  has hints of patchouli and orange. This one is so perfect for the mornings and during the day when you might need to stay awake!

 

What kind of perfumes are you loving for Spring? 

Have a lovely evening everybody! 

Ash xx

NOTD!

Hello all I hope that you are having a lovely Saturday. I bought a few new nail varnishes from H&M recently and decided to do a Nails of the Day post.

Today I am sporting the Beauty Bandit Colour which is an amazingly vibrant Electric Purple. Which is nothing any of the other purples that I own. I love it so!
I have the photos below with and without flash so that you can get the idea on how vibrant the colour really is!

What is your favourite shade of Purple?
Keep smiling all!
Ash xx

H&M Haul.

I was in the shopping centre and I decided to go into H&M looking for a plain black jersey dress but they didn't have my size which was annoying. However I picked up a few other things instead.

I bought these two striped jumpers which are at a longer length. I liked the feel, price and colours of these. They are perfect for work as the longer length can act as an extra warmth barrier against the terrible weather! They were relatively cheap at £7.99 and £9.99. I love the H&M jumpers, they always know how to keep the trend up and always come in amazing colours. :)

I also bought three nail varnishes  which are all cream based in Beauty Bandit (Electric Purple), Polish Me Happy (Jade Green) and Peach Me Soon (Pale Orange). I thought these colours would be perfect for spring and I have been bored of wearing dark colours all winter!
I did also buy some plain black opaque tights (pantyhose)..which is very boring but the H&M tights are really good and last a long time! 

Hoping that you are all well!
Ash xx

My Current Haircare Routine.

Hello again all. This post is dedicated to haircare, I don't normally talk about this subject and I thought I would tackle it today! Recently my hair has been in horrible condition it has been unruly, neglected and my scalp has had many problems with it being itchy, red and filled with dandruff. This probably due to stress and the weather I am guessing because I have also lost a lot of hair. So I have adapted a new routine just to give it some life again. .

Snake Oil by Lush. This is a scalp treatment in the solid form.

Basically the bar is to be rubbed against your fingers to release the oils, then you can transfer the residue to your scalp to treat the affected areas. This bar contains Cade Oil, Cocoa Butter, tea tree, lavender and peppermint oils. This is perfect to treat my scalp as it softens and treats the affected areas. My scalp feels less itchy which is always a good sign. I would probably go on to use this around 3 times a week although I am not sure on how many times one should use this product..might need to ask my local lush girls for that. However I must insist that this product can be very difficult to use and you really need to work it into your finger tips. I think the best way would be to melt 1/4 of it in a bowl in the microwave so it becomes an oil like consistency. Then when it has cooled down you apply it to your scalp. (Although I have not tried it this way yet but the reviews on the Lush website suggest this.) I have yet to make a real judgement on this product as I have only used it twice so this review might be a bit unfair. However I have seen a change in my scalp so only time will tell if this is the real deal. Some people say that the smell of this product is too much but I don't mind it actually to me it smells more like peppermint which is always a nice wake up kind of fragrance.

The Hair Doctor by Lush.

This product is a hair mask which can be used to treat your hair in a desperate time of need. It contains peppermint, coconut oil, almond oil, Irish moss powder, rosemary, henna and a load of other ingredients to nourish hair and treat scalps by stimulating bloodflow and give a deep clean to the hair and scalp too. I feel like this product is amazing but you don't get a lot for your money. I have thick, medium length curly hair and can only get about two uses out of this. If you have short hair then you can probably get three uses and with long hair only around 1 use. So for £6.50 I feel like I should get more use out of it., Saying that this product did work for my hair, it was shingy, revitalised, nourished, and my scalp was less itchy. I did like th smell of this as it was like the Snake Oil filled with peppermint which gave my scalp a tingly sensation. You just apply it to hair 20 minutes or so before washing and then use a shampoo and conditioner after doing so. I do like this product but the price and quantity are my main concerns, I just feel like it doesn't live up but I would recommend it to all those with troubled scalps it does work and my hair has seen a decrease in dandruff and itchiness.

Soak and Float Shampoo Bar by Lush.

This shampoo bar is the third thing my local Lush girl recommended to me for my troubled scalp. It is designed for sore, itchy scalps and dandruff. It contains Rose petal and marigold petals, as well as lavender oil with cade oil (which does smell more like creosote). It does smell like a bonfire though...which might put some people off but it is growing on me. It is supposed to be an antiseptic treatment for scalp and provide balance to hair. This shampoo bar is overpowering but it does the job well. I am impressed by it, the dandruff and itchy scalp issues are nearly all gone. The shampoo bar lathers up very well and I feel like it works better with the snake oil and hair doctor too. My locks were really shiny and conditioned though. I would definitely recommend this shampoo bar if you have the same hair problems as I do. The fact that they last for a while is such a plus!


Jungle Solid Hair Conditioner by Lush.

I have spoken about this product many times and it is still my favourite conditioner. It smells so exotic and lovely that it lasts a while which leaves my hair soft, refreshed and shiny. I find that this is the best conditioner I have used out of many which says a lot really! The best way to use this bar is to make it into a paste with a bit of water, and I tell you a little goes a long way. My local Lush girl said that with the usage of the products mentioned above this conditioner is the perfect way to finish off my hair. I love love love this product and will recommend it to everyone everytime! :D


Moroccan Oil Treatment.

This oil is my staple it gives my hair the extra help it needs and I feel like the results have helped my hair in becoming more nourished with a natural healthy sheen. As far as I know the product is infact Argan Oil and can be bought from shops like Boots but I guess Moroccan oil is just the "posh" version. I normally use it after a shower with towel dried hair and let it dry naturally. My curls become more refined and it tames the frizz left in my hair. Alternatively  you can use this with towel dried hair and then blow dry to create a style. Either way this product is just wonderful. I would recommend it for ALL hair types and I love how a tiny pea sized amount of this can be enough for my hair. Some people have said that the smell of this product can be off putting as it smells manufactured and almond like at times to me. I can' really put a word on the smell in all honesty. But I don't mind it.  You really don't realise how great this product is as it lasts such a long time. I take this with me everywhere I travel and my hair just feels so soft and silky and most importantly conditioned. Now this is a pricey product (I think its over £30 for a 100ml bottle) however it will last you months and months and the product is just amazing so I would tell everyone to go and buy this!


So there you have it, these are the products in my current haircare routine. I will most likely do a Hair Styling routine/products post later on as I use different products for that routine as a whole.
I hope that you are all well and enjoying a fab Tuesday!
Ash xx

My favourite Teas.

Tea is a staple part of my life...which is proof that I am inherently very british indeed.
I feel like tea gets me through the day and there are so many varieties that will suit everyone. These are just a few of my favourites.

So from Left to Right.

• Yumchaa Notting Hill tea which is a Apricot, Strawberry, Marigold Blossom, and Cornflowers with Keemun black tea. It is a fruity sensation in a nutshell. My friend gave this to me as a present and I love drinking this in the middle of the day for a sweet pick me up.
   
• Sencha Vanilla flavoured Green Tea from The Tea House in Covent Garden is a recent discovery of mine. This tea is full of antioxidants and has a mild yet sweet flavour. I love the vanilla infusion it just adds a bit of balance to the green tea  

• The Emperors 7 Treasures flavoured green/black tea from the Tea House in Covent Garden. This as well as the tea mentioned above was a gift from a friend. This tea is infused with Rose Petals, Peaches and Sunflower blossoms. This is a more fruity/floral flavour and is perfect with desserts in my opinion. 

• Twinnings Lavender Earl Grey. I will admit this tea isn't probably to everyones taste. However I find it to be very calming. The Lavender flavour isn't too over-powering and it is perfect in the evenings! I also love the Jasmine Earl Grey, Blossom Earl Grey and Rose Garden teas from the florals selection at Twinnings. Each of these teas are so lovely. 

• Harrods Flowery Earl Grey. This black tea is my go to breakfast tea. I love the little flowers they give a bit of freshness to the flavour and I love the bergamont. It isn't too strong and is surprisingly refreshing. 

• Twinnings Aromatics Loose Leaf Lady Grey. This tea is just a more citrus fresh version of the regular Earl Grey.  It has hints of Orange, Lemon and Bergamont with added flower petals for brighter taste. 

• Harrods Rose with Petals flavoured Loose Tea. This tea has the best Rose infusion with added strawberry flavours. I love this tea at anytime. Its a real treat and the natural sweetness makes it moreish. 

• Asda Jasmine Green Tea. This tea is just wonderful. The Jasmine adds an oriental twist to the green tea and I just love it for Summer days. 

Well there you have it. A tea post by a real tea lover. I have learned over the years that Earl Grey is a real staple of mine and I just love the varieties too!
Do you have any firm favourites when it comes to tea?
Hope that your day has been filled with smiles.
Ash xx

My Current Skincare Routine.

Now this is not an exciting post. But I have added a few changes to my skincare routine as of late. Probably because it is winter and rather than faffing around with things to do with my skin I keep it nice and simple. Plus it is a time saver!

So these are the products that I am currently using on a day to day basis. It seems pretty simple but they all work wonders for me!

Firstly I have just discovered The Body Shop Passion Fruit Facial Cleansing Gel. (RRP £4.00) 
This has become my staple for the last few weeks, it is a mild cleansing wash that not only tones, refreshes and soothes my skin but I have noticed a big difference in my complexion. I just feel like my skin is revived, soft and glowing. I love how cheap it is, the size of the bottle, and the smell. I start off the day with this cleanser and it can even help to remove make up. I just love this product and will defnitely be re-purchasing in the future.

I still use The Body Shop Carrot Moisture Cream (RRP £4.00), this is still a staple in my skincare routine. It is so perfect for those horrible winter days and goes so well with the passion fruit cleanser. I have tried quite a few moisturisers and this is still the best at the most amazing price!

I think I have probably mentioned a few times before that I am not an avid foundation user, I haven't really felt the need to use it..even though I am a beauty product lover...although I have tried a few good foundations...I always feel that Tinted Moisturiser is always the way to go. It is so easy and simple to use and it gives me the coverage I need. This Nivea Visage day cream (RRP £3.99)  is one of the best. It is affordable, matches any skintone and gives my skin a healthy complexion as well as coverage.

As for removing make up I find that these Superdrug Baby Wipes (RRP 99p) are amazing. It might sound a bit bizarre to use baby wipes, but when you think about it they are probably the safest thing to use on your skin if they are being formulated for babies. To be honest they do the job well and don't harm my skin. So why not!

So there you have it...this is my skincare routine. I am looking forward to trying new products like the BB creams that have been around as of late and New foundations from Illamasqua, Chanel and MAC. But to be honest, for this moment in time I feel like this routine is the best and works wonders for my skin! :)
Hope that you are having a good Sunday. :)
Ash xx

All Apologies.

(Kudos to those who spotted the Nirvana reference in the title!)

There is only one word to describe my absence from Blogger and that is Laziness! 
I had a few things going on in my life that took over...and to be honest...I felt like I needed a little break from posting about things I buy. (Not that I have taken a break from shopping...oh no...I have many things to share with you all and I am excited about it.)

The construction on my blog is almost over. I have added pictures to the sidebars for inspirational reasons. They just outline the kind of things I like...I also added links to other social networking things i.e. Tumblr, Twitter etc..etc...

So now that it is 2012...a very belated Happy Christmas, Happy New Year bla blah blah...to you all. :P
January is one of those boring months where everything seems so dull...all the festivities are over and the weather (especially in England) can be a pain. My goal for this year is to gain atleast 50 followers on blogger. I would love that very much...but it can only be done by posting about things.

So my future posts will include: Skincare routines, Haircare routines, Lush Hauls,  Urban Decay Hauls, Cosmetics that I have been using in general, stuff I love right now..and the odd post about music, movies, TV shows etc..

So I hope that you are all well. And I look forward to getting back into blogging again.
Take care!
Ash xx