ColourB4 Hair Colour Remover

The first time I got highlights in my hair, my hair looked like a tiger with the orange streaks running through my dark brown hair. Fact!

I've been getting my hair dyed since I was 11 and it's been from the recent experience from doing the transition from blonde to brunette that I struggled to get it to the desired shade of brown. I put three dyes in my hair, each one making my hair darker and darker and making the green tinge more obvious. Whilst out shopping with Liam last week, I decided to do something about it and I picked up ColourB4 Hair Colour Remover Extra which removes dark tones and colour build-up.

The kit contains an activator, the remover, a buffer, instructions and gloves which is what you would expect. The idea is, is that you apply bottle A to bottle B and mix it together and keep on mixing for 5 minutes. Apply to your hair and wait 60 minutes. Yes, you read that right, a whole frigging hour. In somewhere warm as it won't work when you're somewhere cold. I won't get into the nitty gritty science of it but basically whilst this is in your hair and you're in a room somewhere warm, the mixture works better at getting rid of the hair dye particles from your hair instead of when you're in a room that's cold as it won't work to it's full advantage.

After the hour is up, you wash it out and keep on washing it out for up to 10 minutes depending on your hair length. After washing it out, you then have to apply the buffer, which is basically the shampoo and leave it in your hair for a few minutes before washing it out. Once rinsed out, you then use the buffer again, lather it up and then rinse until all the traces have gone.

I noticed that once my hair was dried, that it did look remarkably brighter and that most of the dark tones were gone. However, my hair felt really dry and damaged! A little bit of Macadamia Oil soon sorted this out!

I now have hair which I'm happier with - it's got many different shades of brown and blonde running through it which still looks natural. The green tinge is still there but it's hardly noticeable. Overall, I was and still am really impressed with ColourB4 and I would definitely recommend it to anybody who is wanting to remove the colour from their hair.

ColourB4 Hair Colour Remover can be purchased from Superdrug for £9.99

Shopping the Stash #1

I've been meaning to do a post like this for quite a while but it's been up to now that I've realised just how much make-up I own and how little of it I actually use. It's been people like Sophia from Tattoed Tea Lady who has inspired me to start shopping my stash, especially because she managed to create so many different looks during her spending ban with make-up that she already owned.

 I've decided to pick items which I could create a everyday look with that I'm comfortable in, instead of forcing myself to use a lipstick say that I know does not suit me at all. So with that in mind, let's see what I've picked for this week!

 Technic Hide It!! Concealer Palette

I received this for my birthday, tried it once and didn't like it. Now that I have quite a few concealers that I like, I'm wanting to use up the ones that I don't use starting with this one. It contains four different colours to conceal bags under eyes, blemishes and other skin imperfections.

Collection 2000 Light Diffusing Foundation in Cameo

You can tell I've had this for a while as it's called Collection 2000! I believe this was once my mums which I borrowed off her. I used to like this foundation but now I don't so I'm wanting to use it up to make room.

 

Maybelline Dream Mousse Bronzer in Bronze

My nan had given this to me, claiming that it was far too dark for her but I found that it was just the perfect bronzer when buffed in. I used to love this bronzer but since I've found a new one, I'm wanting to use this one up and see if I can fall back in love with it.

 

Collection 2000 Sheer Loose Powder in Translucent

This is the same foundation powder that Terri bangs on about every so often! I didn't get on with this purely because the powder got everywhere but I'm willing to let bygones be bygones and start using it again..

 

Natural Collection CoverUp Cream

This was the first concealer I bought back in March/April time before I start building up my collection. It's your average concealer, good but not that good. I need to use this up ASAP as I have a ton of unopened concealers to get through

 

17 Photo Flawless Primer

I remember seeing this reviewed and wanted it for ages. I then managed to buy it in a blog sale and thought that it was nothing that special. I'm going to give this another chance to redeem itself.

 

Natural Collection Sheer Natural Lip Colour in Lotus

I used to love this lipstick a few months ago and now I hardly ever wear it! It's a very neutral colour that can be worn for every occasion. Hopefully I will fall back in love with this.

  

ELF Blush in Gotta Glow

One of my favourite Youtubers Becca raved about this in one of her videos and I just had to pick it up! However, I found that it was far too chalky for my liking. Perhaps that was just the top layer? I will force myself to use this.

 

I'm hoping to post a FOTD or two throughout this week using these products and then on Sunday, I will do a review on each product and how well I got on with it.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Pore Minimiser

Pores look smaller, skin feels purer. Smooths, primes and instantly mattifies.

I never venture into the Body Shop for two main reasons - their products are overpriced for what they are and the staff seem a little uptight. It wasn't until I hopped across the pond to America and found myself browsing through the Body Shop at Duty Free, that I discovered how much I liked the products that they had on offer. This is the main product that stood out to me, as not many primers can say that we not only prime your skin but we also help keep spots at bay with our amazing fight kicking ingredient that just so happens to be tea tree.

Tea Tree is one of those ingredients that is purely amazing - it gets rid of spots with ease as well as those pesky little creatures in your hair if need be! Tea Tree Oil has been clinically proven to reduce the size of pores within atleast four weeks which means that it's a wonder product in my eyes!

The one thing that I like the most about this product, is how the silky smooth formulation of this glides effortlessly over my face, leaving my skin feeling smooth and somehow refreshed. It makes my make-up stay on that little bit longer which my other primers failed to do. I also don't mind using this everyday as I know that it will not only help keep my make-up on but it helps keeping spots at bays. 

I've been using this non-stop ever since I got back from America and I honestly can say that this has improved my skins overall texture as it just evens it all out. My skin looks brighter, my pores smaller and my face just looks even.

You can purchase this from your local Body Shop for £7.50/$18 which is a steal for what it can do!

And the winner is..

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations Laura from Laurzrah!

 I've just sent you an email and you now have 48 hours to respond! If not, a new winner will be announced.

Well done and a big massive thank you to everybody who entered. 

Stay tuned because I'll have another giveaway running soon!

Collection BB Cream

Last week, I was browsing Superdrug and noticed that they had recently updated their Collection stand. I even noticed that their lipsticks hadn't been messed up yet so I had a good few minutes swatching them all on my hand and falling in love with a peachy number.

It wasn't until I looked up from my lipstick covered hands that I noticed that Collection had bought out a BB cream in two shades - Light and Medium. I quickly swatched Medium inbetween the lipstick swatches and agreed that it was a pretty good match. It wasn't until after I bought it that I realised that just because it may look good on the back of your hand, doesn't necessarily mean that it will be the same story for on your face. 

BB Secrets - your new secret weapon! For that sheer, flawless face. No one need ever know you're wearing makeup.

That is a pretty bold statement for a Blemish/Beauty Balm. But it's a statement that I can't help but admit is partially true. As soon as I applied it and buffed it in a little, it did look rather orange. However, once you let it sink into your skin, the orangeness disppears and you're left with a golden tan like look. This product made my face glow whether that was just my mirror and the natural lighting causing that to happen. It didn't leave my face looking flawless and nor did it cover up any of my blemishes - it just evened out my skin colour. It's definitely a product that makes you look like you're not wearing makeup at all. A bonus with this is that it contains SPF 15 which means that you won't have to worry about burning your face whilst wearing this.

I haven't seen any other reviews of this yet so I'm keen to see if this had the same effect on other people like it did on me.

You can purchase this from Superdrug where it's currently at a introductory price of £3.99

PS Don't forget to enter my giveaway! It ends in the next few days!

Carmex Click Sticks in Lime & Vanilla

For some people, a lip balm can be a very expensive affair to find the one that is just right for you. I've been lucky and have found my perfect lipbalm which I've stuck to for over ten years. I may try out new lip balms but I always go back to Carmex simply because it's by far the best for me.

Carmex hasn't been available long in the UK so whenever we used to go to America, we would buy a fair amount back with us to last until our next trip out. Nowadays, you can go round a supermarket and guaranteed it will be there in either its little yellow pot or squeezy tube. But, if you're really lucky, you may just find it in it's click stick version. Maybe not so in its new flavours.

Carmex Lime is the one that I was most excited about purely because I have a little obsession with anything smelling of lime right now. Unlike the original click stick, Carmex Lime is a yellowish green looking colour but don't let that put you off! Whilst sniffing this as you do, I could very faintly smell Lime which was being overpowered by the Carmex original smell. It's only when you apply it, that the Lime Twist really kicks in. The tingling sensation is still there but its not so much which may appeal to people who originally hated it. However, it's when you lick your lips after applying this, that you can then taste the lime. I must admit, it is very faint but it's better tasting than the original carmex.

Carmex Vanilla is the one which definitely beats Carmex Lime on the smelling front. On first sniffs, instead of smelling the strong carmex smell, you're greeted with a nice whiff of vanilla - not real vanilla but more of a candy version. Once applied, I didn't find it to have a tingling sensation which may appeal more to people than the Lime version. On the taste test, you can definitely taste vanilla which dilutes the carmex taste. This overall makes it more edible as it were.

Have you tried Carmex's new click sticks in Vanilla and/or Lime?

August Favourites

This by far has to be the shortest amount of favourites I've had and I also find it a little ironic that it's filled with American products.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush

The Buffing Brush is a part of the Core Collection which can be purchased from both the USA and the UK. I decided to buy it in America as it'd be cheaper ($18 which works out to be £11.33 rather than £21 from Boots) I've found myself using this to apply foundation and it buffs it in so well. If you don't already have this, then you better invest in it! As I'm sure that I speak for most people when I say that I cannot live without it.

Organix Macadamia Oil

Once again, this can be bought in both countries but it worked out so much cheaper in the US. I'm not sure what had attracted me to this but I do know that my hair loves it. I apply this to my hair when it's wet and I simply warm it up by rubbing my hands together and then running my fingers through my hair. It makes my hair feel silky smooth and it some how dries my hair faster.

Essie Nail Varnish in Cute As A Button

This has to be my most worn nail polish throughout August. It's a orangey pink with slight red undertones that is just so perfect for summer. I think this is the old version of it as I bought it from America but despite that, I love it to pieces.

Owl Ring

I had purchased this from Claire's and it cost me a whooping $9 but I've been wearing it so much since I've bought it that I've justified it. It's simple yet has a lot of detail to it that just draws in peoples attention. I've had so many compliments on this ring.

eos Lip Balm in Summerfruits

This is literally the first beauty product that I picked up in America and I've been wearing it every day. I've reviewed this in more detail here

What have you been loving throughout August?

August Empties

Monthly empties are one of my favourite posts - I enjoy seeing how many products people use up and which products they did or didn't enjoy using. I find that these kind of posts help me choose which products to buy and which ones to avoid altogether.

I found that August flew by way too quickly - with the trip to America and spending a good week or two round Liam's afterwards, I didn't use up many products.

Lacura 3 in 1 Facial Cleansing Wipes x2

I use these for literally everything and not just for taking off my makeup. They're cheap, they're cheerful and they do the job. I would purchase these again and again.

Allura 75 Cotton Pads x2

I had taken a full pack to America and had a half pack hanging around in my drawer. They're pretty much all you can ask for in cotton pads. Definitely buy some more when my stocks of these are running low.

John Frieda Luxurious Volume Full Splendor Conditioner

I really enjoyed this conditioner - it helped my hair out when it was going through it's many bad days. It made my hair feel so soft and healthy. I may repurchase this in the future.

Australian Bodycare Argan Cream with Vitamin E

I cannot imagine life without this - it's the only moisturiser that I've tried that I enjoy so much. It sinks in quickly, it smells nice and it's pretty cheap. I will gladly repurchase this again and again.

VO5 Nourish Me Truly Shampoo & Conditioner Samples

I had used these the minute we had gotten into our hotel room in Salt Lake City and my hair couldn't thank me enough - it made my hair feel so nourished and full of life again after a combined 14 hours up in the air. I will definitely be purchasing these in full size.

Sanex Shower Gel Sample

I can't really say if this did much for my skin or not as I couldn't tell the difference. I prefer the shower gels that I use to this anyway. I won't be purchasing this in full size.

Palmers Cocoa Body Butter Sample

This little sample had lasted me a whole week as I had used this on my face when it was feeling dry. This definitely did the trick and helped my face feel normal again. I may buy this in full size.

Upper Canada Foaming Bath Milk in Warm Honey Nectar

This was something that my Grandma gave me and I could see why she didn't want it - as a foaming bath milk, I thought it would make some bubbles but I was so wrong. The scent was nice but I didn't enjoy it as it didn't make bubbles. I don't think you can purchase this in the UK so I won't be purchasing it.

Salon System Individual Lashes in Medium Ultra Black

I've been using these time and time again and I really like how they make my lashes look. They're so easy to use and really good value for money. I will gladly repurchase this again and again.

What did you use up throughout August?

Don't forget to enter my giveaway as there is less than 10 days to enter to win a bunch of American goodies!