beauty
Irresistible Me Remy Clip-In Hair Extensions | Review
4 October 2016
Sheffield, UK
Since wearing full and part weaves, I have always worn remy hair. When I was around fourteen years old, I had my very first weave and I was excited; I would literally parade around school and tell people “my hair is basically going look like Beyoncé’s” because I was under the impression everyone’s weaves look as A-star as hers. Obviously, I didn’t rock up to school with £3,000 extensions, but I did fall in love with them. For a long while, I’ve tried multiple stores for extensions, and often switch between sewn-in and clip-in. Sometimes I even switch the two, just so I had add extra layers if needed. I recently received some remy extensions from Irresistible Me and couldn’t wait to try them out.
I can be quite sceptical of extensions as I’ve had some sent to me before, and didn’t even bother to review them because they were so bad. I’ve also ordered extensions myself in bundles online, and they ended up being really thin, lighter than the colour I always order (1B), or wavy when I prefer to have my hair straight. Little things like this really put me off online stores, and one bad experience can ruin it all for me. Last year I ordered a closure from Ali Express that was lighter than the site suggested, I still wore the lace closure with my extensions, and after I took it out and washed it thoroughly, it got so matted up, I couldn’t even get a comb into it.
Irresistible Me is a New York-based brand that specialises in 100% natural Remy clip-in hair extensions, hair accessories and hair tools. After receiving their clip-in extensions, I decided to try them with my own extensions to see if I could make them a little thicker and give my hair more body for an event. I already have a full weave, with a lace closer and bundles of hair that’s a mix of 16” and 18”. The great thing about the ordering process is being able to select exactly what you want, which I was impressed with. You can chose the thickness, colour, length & weight before completing your purchase.
I got the Silky Touch Natural Black extensions (1B)* and decided to clip them in during the day, and see how well they would attach to my hair as I partied the night away. Delivery-wise, they took a while to get to me, but I wasn’t in any rush to receive them. The hair is very silky, and the shine isn’t oily, nor is the texture too oily. Sometimes with extensions, you find the occasional wire within the hair, or a strand that’s bright blonde which looks very out of place, however all of the hair is 1B – luckily. I found the clips easy to attach to my own hair in between the tracks of my sew-in extensions and they felt very secure throughout the evening. One thing I loved is how ‘flowy’ the hair was, it felt real and not like the Barbie doll hair you can buy online. Check out the before and after above!
The clip-ins fit well with my extensions and matched the colour I already have, plus they are lightweight and only really feel heavy once they’re wet. One of the things I really loved, is that I could wear them with a weave, and they added to the body, not the weight. I did notice the extensions lost a little bit of shine after a wash, but they didn’t matte up or become coarse which is a huge bonus. The only downside to the extensions, is that after a while, they do start to wear. This is something I've found to be quite common with certain remy brands, and few YouTubers have also revealed that the hair can shed over a long period of time or can even become overly tangled. Despite this, I definitely think they're worth a try and work for me as I only wear clip-ins on a temporary basis.
Have you ever tried a product from Irresistible Me? What did you think?
W7 Colour Me Buff Eye Colour Palette | Review
21 September 2016
Harewood, UK
I’m crazy about eyeshadows. They’re becoming quite an
important factor in my life and I’m embracing the obsession. The number one
reason I love to collect shadows is because you can always mix it up,
especially with palettes. Eye shadows can be altered to suit any outfit, and
create any style. From the sexy smokey eye to a simple nude lip, I love ‘em
all!
I have a lot of bright colours with eye shadows, but a nude
palette is something I was lacking. I have reviewed both the Maybelline
and Collection
nude eye shadow palette, and finally decided it’s time to try another W7
review. I already have the W7 In
The Nude palette, which I loved, but I have to say I love the Colour Me
Buff palette that little bit more. The texture in Colour Me Buff is different
to In The Nude, as the shadows are a lot more silkier and apply very smoothly,
almost like a cream; whereas In The Nude is dustier.
The first thing I adore about the palette is that the shades
are much more like nudes. Although the shades in the In The Nude palette are a
little more pinky and are much lighter. I do like the shades, but as my skin
tone is quite dark, I’ve found that over time some of them blend together and
just look like the same colour. On the contrary, the Colour Me Buff palette has
the light shades but they have defined colours that show up well on my eyelids.
Sadly, I did initially swatch the shades on my wrist, but they didn’t show up
as well as I’d hoped (mainly because this skin on my forearms is a lot lighter
than my lids and a very different texture).
I managed to pick up the palette for £4.20 and a huge factor
for me is pigment, and luckily the palette delivers. The colours in the palette
are true to their shade and Onyx, which is basically black, actually shows up
black. I’ve used some palettes before that include black and it just shows up
as a dodgy grey. The shadows also stay put for a long time – very important. W7 is an inexpensive brand
so I wasn’t expecting a holy grail level of eye shadows but they definitely
work for everyday use. I’ve found that I don’t need to ‘top-up’ when wearing
them and they stay well for a night out.
I would totally recommend this palette to anyone who’s looking
for a simple set of colours that will work on all skin tones. They stay well,
and this could be because of a creamier texture in contrast to other W7
palettes I’ve tried. The twelve shadows are a lot of fun to play around with
them, and versatile for different looks - perfect for autumn!
Have you tried any W7 Eye Colour Palettes before? What did
you think?
Annika Nail Polish | Review
24 August 2016
Otley, UK
Since I stopped wearing acrylics, it’s my duty to now hunt
down as many nail polishes as I can. So far I’ve been doing pretty well, but I
do occasionally struggle with polishes that won’t chip within the first two
hours, like most I’ve tried. There are plenty of brands out there that provide luxurious
quality varnish… that costs more than a bottle of champagne. Barry M and Rimmel
are two of my favourite brands from nail polish, but I recently tried the Annika
Nail Polish line* by The Edge Nails it’s not just the name I’m obsessed
with.
I’m always open to trying new products, especially from
brands I’ve never heard of or bought from. When I received the Annika Nail
Polishes I was absolutely thrilled to try them out, and finally get some colour
on my bare nails. The line includes 30 different colours, from jet black to
bright yellow and I received Bella Ballerina, Pretty Pixie and Beauty Queen.
My first impressions of the colours was that they were
brighter than I expected and would look great on my nails as long as the formula
is strong enough. It’s really common to find nail varnish that’s a stunning
colour, but is almost like water when painted on the nails – major
disappointment. I get that quite a lot with glitter nail polishes, and hate
applying layers on layers, as I’m impatient and it takes too long to dry. With
the first layer of Bella Ballerina, the lightest shade, I was actually quite
surprised at how visible it was, despite the colour.
Regarding the formula of the Annika Polishes, it’s thick and
light without being too watery. The polish is easy to take off and doesn’t
stain my nails which is a big yes in
my book. I’ve also found that the varnish dries very quickly and doesn’t pool
on my nails. I don’t have the biggest and best nailbeds (hence why they’re not
splashed all over this post), so to have a polish that takes well to my nails
is a colossal advantage.
Luckily, the colours also dry the same shade when they dry,
and most importantly – they don’t chip. Overall, I would say Annika varnishes
have a lasting power of 7 to 10 days. I usually apply two layers, because the
colour is bright and pigmented enough for just two; plus I often find that
whenever I put on more than two solid layers on my nails the varnish struggles
to dry and ends up getting smudged no matter how long I wait. I wouldn’t go as
far as saying Annika Nail Polishes are chip-proof, but they last long enough
for me, as I get bored of the same colour quickly.
If I had to pick a favourite colour, it would be Pretty
Pixie, simply because I think I could wear it in almost every season and get
away with it. Beauty Queen is definitely more wintery, and Bella Ballerina is certainly
more summery – whereas Pretty Pixie is a happy medium for me. Overall, I would
totally recommend this nail line to anyone who is looking for an affordable line
of colourful polishes that are a great quality and so pretty! Plus, I absolutely love the name ;)
*The three Annika Nail Polishes pictures above were gifted to
me by The Edge Nails.
Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation | Review
15 August 2016
Leeds, UK
For as long as I’ve been wearing makeup, I’ve struggled to
find a good foundation. There have been some that work really well, but are
slightly too dark, a little too light or have the wrong tones in. I’ve even
mixed foundations to see if that works, but it is way too much effort for an
early morning. My skin has also become a lot oilier since suffering from acne, which
will also be due to the increase in moisturisers and creams I use on my face. After
a while of struggling, I almost stormed into Debenhams in search of a new
foundation.
My first stop was MAC, an obvious choice because it seems to
be one of the most popular makeup brands in the world. One of the first reasons
I didn’t buy from MAC is because the assistants are incredibly rude – they didn’t even help me! I asked for the most mattifying
foundation and the young woman showed me some eyeliner. So immediately, I
walked off and was kindly greeted by Lizzie at the Estée Lauder booth.
“What’s your most mattifying foundation?” I asked. Well,
this was the beginning of something special. After using the foundation finder
I received the best-selling Double
Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup foundation, skipping home to try it out. My first
impressions are really good, I like how well the product spreads and the
medium-to-full coverage it provides. The great thing is, that you can build on
each layer of the foundation, to provide full coverage. I used a brush to apply
the liquid foundation, and one thing I’ve found is that it doesn’t stick to the
fibres of the brush, making the brush easier to wash and the foundation easier
to apply.
Estée Lauder promises the Stay-in-Place Makeup (SPF 10 – bonus!)
has the ability to stay flawless for fifteen hours; through heat, humidity and
non-stop activity. So far, so good. I’ve used the foundation during a busy work
day, with and without powder, and it’s managed to stay in place the entire
time. The best thing about Double Wear is that I never have to top up, which
means I’m never worrying about creasing or any coming off. It was quite common
for previous foundation to come off on clothes, and as I have dark skin, I
never wore any white. Times have changed. Now I have Double Wear, I can wear
what I want!
The only downside to the foundation is the price, it is
£31.00 per bottle, quite steep in my opinion. I’m not much of a spender, so
when I have to really splash out on something it’s worth it. I’m on my first
bottle, so depending on how long it lasts, I’ll decide if I’d like another. The
lid is very simple but doesn’t have any sort of applicator inside, so it’s all
down to you. Luckily, not a lot of product stays in the lid (unless you tip the
bottle upside down), so I just tip a little only my hand – apparently you’re
not supposed to but it works for me.
My rating: LIFE CHANGING
I have to give this product five stars as it’s become my holy grail of makeup products. There are a crazy amount of shades available, and with the foundation finder – it must be impossible not to find the one for you. It’s without a doubt the greatest foundation I’ve ever used, no wonder it’s the best selling in the UK! Despite the opening, I love everything about this foundation, especially the way it dries so perfectly and can be applied even easier. The price is totally worth the product, and it’s Estée Lauder – how can I say no.
Have you tried out this foundation? What did you think?
W7 In The Nude Palette | Review
22 July 2016
Leeds, UK
When it comes to beauty and cosmetics, I love to collect eye
shadow palettes. It’s one of my
favourite ways to play around with colours and experiment with techniques while
spending little money and time. As much as I like to contour every so often, I
can’t always be bothered to do it every day, but a different shade of eyeshadow
can brighten an entire look. Since being about 12 years old, I’ve worn eye
shadow – bear in mind that was when I wore white eye shadow, or a navy blue
shade with absolutely no eyeliner or mascara. I know.
Now that’s I’ve matured (slightly), and have sat through
hundreds of make-up tutorials, from cut creases to smoky eye; I like to shop
for different palettes and try to collect a wider range of colour. On the
boring days, I stick to darker nudes (browns, maybe the occasional black), but
I have recently really gotten into pinks on my eyelids, as I think the blend
pretty well and can easily become a transition shade.
Shades from left to right: Teddy bear, Wonderland, Cracker, Happy, Lady Luck, Twister, Di Di, Delilah, Magic, It's a dram, Up in smoke & Dawn
I recently bought the W7 In The Nude Eye Shadow Palette from
Amazon
(only £5!) and was quite surprised at how much I liked it. Usually, when
cosmetic products are under £20, there’s a slight worry they may not be of a
high quality; but this palette could easily be a high street dupe for the UD
Naked 3 palette! I have never owned a Naked palette, simply because the price
is too high for me, but I think the selection of colours by W7 are perfect.
One thing I really liked about the palette was the pigment
of the eye shadows, it was incredibly strong, and I’ve been using quite a few
shades for a while, and have barely made a dent in it. I can use plenty of
different brushes and the shadows spread really well and don’t clump up on my
eyes. I have found that some eye shadows have a tendency to be too heavy which
becomes a struggle when it’s a time to apply liquid eyeliner, or they’re so
light and transparent, I have to apply layers upon layers which eyeliner
doesn’t respond well to.
Two colours I’ve been loving are Twister and Up in smoke as
they work really well together. However, it’s really easy to blend a few
colours together and create a girly and looks with the lighter shades, or a
darker look with the deeper purples. I sometimes worry that dark colours will
make my eyes look to small, but the shimmer in the shadows really helps to
bring out the bright in your eyes, and then I can use the lighter colours
around my tear duct if needed.
Overall, I really like this palette, I have been pleasantly
surprised by W7 (check
out my review of their setting spray) and I think, like Sleek, they’re
definitely a brand to keep an eye on as their products are constantly improving
and staying at an affordable price. My one wish, was that W7 products were
available in more stores!
The Magic of the Konjac Sponge
20 June 2016
Bingley, West Yorkshire, UK
The Konjac sponge* is a multi-ward winning product made from
the Amorphophallus Konjac plant root, which is often used as a healthy food source
or for medical purposes in Asia. The plant is loaded with fibre and filled with
an enormous amount of nutrients such as vitamins A, E, D, B1, B2 and C as well
as amino acids and minerals like potassium and zinc. Kojac is naturally an
alkaline, so it helps in balancing the pH of the skin – incredibly useful in
battling acne. I’ve had the opportunity to try out the Konjac sponge, and love
it so far!
How I Used the Sponge
I have used quite a few different exfoliating sponges and
products, and the most important thing I’ve learned is that the sponge needs to
be rinsed before. I prefer to use warm water, and thoroughly rinse the sponge
to make sure it’s clean. With the Konjac sponge, fully hydrating it is the best
way to get a good use from its properties, before massaging it into the skin in
a circular motion. You can add cleanser to either the sponge or the skin, and
then focus on problem areas such as breakout spots or pores. After each cycle
of exfoliating my face, I like to rinse the sponge again and squeeze out any
dirt and excess oil it has collected. One of the great things about the sponge
is that is has a string hooked through, which doesn’t come loose or get lost,
so once I’m doing washing my face I hang the sponge to dry, usually in a room
that will dry it quickly and never somewhere wet or damp like the shower. I
learned that harshly rubbing the skin isn’t necessary either!
Why I Love the Sponge
When I received the sponge, the first thing I noticed was
how rock solid it was. My immediate thought was “How on earth is this thing
going to work on my face?” With previous products, a rocky texture can make
acne and breakouts a lot worse and leave my skin feeling like a layer has been
torn off and extremely sensitive. As soon as the sponge hit water, it started
to soften and my mind was blown. It is a lot smoother than a flannel, and more
effective than my hands. I assumed the holes in the sponge would be sharp
against my face but were also soft too. Using the sponge has helped me to keep
my breakouts under control, especially as I have recently conquered acne!
I can use the sponge with or without a cleanser or soap, and
still get that freshly massaged feeling. There’s simply nothing I hate more
than washing my face and getting that dry and tight sensation that can come
immediately after I have finished a cleanse, the Konjac sponge leaves my face
feeling renewed and clean! The bamboo charcoal in my sponge is naturally antibacterial
and antifungal, which is ideal for my skin as it can become quite oily. I was
also amazed at how the sponge returned to the original size and texture when
dry. It’s amazing for removing make up and easy to clean afterwards as water
flows through it so quickly and easily.
The price of the sponges are between £5 and 15, and have a
life span of around three months, which is a good time to be changing the
product used to clean your skin.
I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who’s
looking for a new sponge to exfoliate their skin without tearing layers away.
There’s a wide range for different skin types and well as travel kits – I used
the Bamboo
Charcoal sponge, specifically for teen, oily or spot-prone skin!
Have you ever used a Konjac sponge? Did you like
it?
How Chic Is a Natural Skin Routine This Summer?
5 June 2016
Ilkley, West Yorkshire, UK
Don’t you feel like days you spent on the beach last summer
actually happened a million years ago? It’s June already and we can’t wait to
show off our new bikinis at the beach! Besides our thirst for salty waves, cold
lemonade, and the heat of summer, another feeling waking up is our desire to
implement natural ways into our daily routine. Natural skin care is very chic
these past few years, and for good reason – it is the best thing you can do for
yourself.
Soak in the real nature
There is no way you are going to have beautiful, healthy,
and glowing skin if you apply expensive serums and oils and barely ever leave
your apartment save from going to and from work. Your skin needs the sun and
wind, these are natural elements that remind us that we are alive, and add
plenty of essential vitamin D into our bodies. Of
course, you should always use sunscreen and limit the time you spend on the
beach, but exposing your skin to the sun will give you a nice tan and feed you
with vitamins, which means that you will be healthier and your skin will look
beautiful. If you are worried about not getting enough vitamin D in your
system, do not hesitate to use vitamin supplements and add more fish oil to
your diet.
Wash the toxins out
You know that you should drink at least six glasses of water
through the day to stay hydrated and health. This does not mean that you should
drink water when you’re thirsty (by that time your body is already dehydrated),
but try drinking a glass every few hours instead. There is only a certain
amount of water our bodies can absorb in an hour, so keep a steady flow instead
of drinking four glasses all at once. Making sure you are well hydrated from
the inside does not exclude the need of moisturizing, though. Applying rich
moisturizer every morning or evening will ensure that your skin keeps its glow,
especially the skin on your face. In addition, you should use vitamin C serum, which will
help your skin to keep its firmness and elasticity, especially when exposed to
the summer sun.
Exfoliate and cleanse regularly
Exfoliating is incredibly important because we should rid
our skin from those rough, dry layers which build up every day. Make your own
gentle but powerful body scrub using coffee, brown sugar, and coconut oil, and
use it at least once a week (better twice, though). However, exfoliating too
often can strip your skin from its protective layers too, so don’t do it every
day. On the other hand, unlike with exfoliating, you should cleanse your face
at least once a day; but since you are doing it on a daily basis make sure you
use a mild natural cleanser which will keep your skin soft and not strip it of
its natural oils.
Natural masks
It is best to avoid ‘shady’ chemicals that can be found in
pretty much any skincare product, and start making our own face and hair masks using
ingredients from our fridges and kitchens. Use ingredients rich with oil for
dry skin, for example avocado, honey, and coconut oil, and to soothe acne
breakouts mix oatmeal, warm water, unsweetened yoghurt, and a bit of honey. If
you would like to lighten your skin, simply use fresh lemon juice, honey, and a
bit of papaya. In addition to being completely natural and safe, these masks
are also delicious!
Remember, blindly following trends has never brought anyone
anything good, and just because everyone is talking about something, it doesn’t
mean that it is a good thing. Do your research, find out as much as you can
about products you intend to use, and don’t hesitate to give up using a product
if you notice side effects you don’t like. After all, your health should always
come first, not just this season, but always.
This post is a guest post by Zara from highstylife.com!
Images source: Flickr
Stila Cosmetics Face Haul
9 May 2016
Bingley, West Yorkshire, UK
There’s always one brand you go back to, no matter how much
you try to experiment with different products. For me, Stila has become that
brand. As the frugal person I am, spending money on makeup is one of my least
favourite activities (despite how much I enjoy owning it), but sometimes you
really have to splash out on a product that you love. I really like Stila’s eye
shadow palettes and liners, but their foundation and powders beat them all.
Stila
Stay All Day Foundation & Concealer - £29.50 (Shade: 06 Cocoa)
This foundation and concealer is absolutely perfect for the colder
weather and contouring. The foundation is faultlessly thick without being too
light and is very pigmented so there’s no need to go overboard with the amount
of product used. The foundation can be spread lightly because it is such a high
quality, and I don’t use a lot each time. I love that the foundation comes with
a mini concealer on the top, which is a lot thicker but still the same shade.
It works really well against the foundation and can even be layered on top. The
product really is Stay All Day as I
can apply it in the early hours of the morning before work and never have to
touch-up before going out in the evening – plus, it comes with its own brush.
Stila
Stay All Day Bronzer for Face & Body - £28.00 (Shade: Dark)
If I’m using a Stay All Day foundation I need the Stay All
Day bronzer right? Well, that’s my logic anyway. I have always been a fan of
Stila’s powder and bronzer range because they really help foundation to set and
stay in place and absorb oils and grease. I used to use the Stay
All Day Bronzing Powder (which is currently on sale for £9.00) but recently
started using the bronzer for face and body – and I just love it. The best
thing about the bronzer is the setting power, and that it doesn’t come off
easily. There’s nothing worse than finishing a base for makeup, and then
finding brown fingerprints all over my white walls and doors. The powder doesn’t
lift off easily, meaning less need for setting spray!
This foundation has become the perfect product for the
recent warm weather. If I’m ever going for a ‘no makeup’ makeup look, this
foundation is the one to use. It’s so lightweight, I often forget I’m wearing
any makeup. The light, bubbly texture is ideal for the summer or being in the
holiday heat. The foundation is a lot more hydrating that the Stay All Day foundation
and keeps my skin fresh and able to breathe. The foundation blends really well
with other concealers, and is an amazing base for powders. Like the rest of
Stila’s line, the product doesn’t come off the second you touch it, so I don’t have
to worry about waiting for it to set.
Have you tried any of Stila’s face products? Did you like them?
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