Feeling Wild...

*Not my image*

Evening Everyone!

I know that I am arriving realllly late to the 'ombre' party, but I'm finally here! I decided yesterday on a bit of a whim to give my hair the 'home dip dye' treatment and bought myself a L'Oreal 'Wild Ombres' kit in colour No. 2.

Personally I was pretty nervous about doing this at home- although I've dyed my hair before I have never bleached it, and I have been severely put off from doing so listening to some of my friends' horror stories. In fact, I deliberated over this for ages in my bathroom at home, kit in hand, and even dug out an emergency semi-perm kit in case it all went horribly wrong!

As it happens I don't think it did go horribly wrong, although I wouldn't say that this is the easiest kit in the world to use. I chose colour No. 2 which is the shade for 'dark blonde to medium brown' hair, purely because I preferred the photo on the front (in the photo for dark hair the model's dip dye looks decidedly ginger..). The kit contained all of the usual suspects: gloves, powdered bleach, colour solution, nourishing shampoo etc, as well as an odd little brush to apply the bleach. The kit suggested starting midway down your hair and brushing through to the ends, but I worried that the ends would end up darker than the middle-bits, and so I found myself starting at the bottom and working my way up.

It's really nerve-racking trying to blend the bleach into your hair in a way that isn't going to come out all stripy. I did use the brush provided but found a lot of the bleach clung to the brush rather than to my hair, and so I ended up combing it through with a wide tooth comb. I also tried to do a little bit of backcombing to try and achieve a graduated colour effect.

L'Oreal suggest leaving the solution on for up to 45 minutes, although I was completely paranoid after 25 minutes and ended up washing it off early. I'm actually really glad I did- the effect I've ended up with is not blonde and thankfully not ginger; it is more of a caramel tone that blends quite nicely with my natural colour. I used barely half of the bleach solution provided and threw the rest away, but I would say that the key to this kit is to be cautious with it and to do the ombre in stages- if you are not happy with it then you can always do a second bleach at a later date. It is always a bit of a risk bleaching your hair at home, but I found that this kit was a great way to give my hair a bit of a lift and a revamp without the salon price tag. Plus I think it looks pretty cool!

Have you tried the L'Oreal Wild Ombre kit? Let me know what you think!

PS. OMG I almost forgot!! Thanks to all of those that entered my giveaway- it is now closed and congratulations to my winner Katie Nelson from Curled Fantasies who has won all of those Revlon goodies!

Rosie x

'Before' Shot

'After' Shot

Product Review: Revlon Photoready Sculpting Palette in 001 Pink Rose

Left to Right: Blush, Bronze and Highlighter

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all had an amazing Bank Holiday weekend. I spent mine in a wet field at Reading Festival watching Eminem, Chase & Status, Azealia Banks, Disclosure and loads of other amazing acts! I wanted to do a little lifestyle post about it today but unfortunately my phone died early on and I took absolutely no photos, so it probably wouldn't be the most interesting post in the world. Also I was put to shame by all of the trendy outfits that everyone else seemed to be wearing- for me it was a miracle if I could just about find a clean pair of pants in my tent!

Anyway, that was my weekend, now on to today's post: a review of the Revlon Sculpting Blush Palette. I was so excited to get this as it looks like such a useful product; a combination of a highlighter, blusher and bronzer all in one place. This is another sneaky Revlon product that isn't coming out in the UK, but I was lucky enough to pick one up through a friend. 

The first thing that struck me about this product is the size- the palette itself is a good, handbag-ready size but the product isn't. For some reason, Revlon have chosen to make the blush the biggest product in the palette and the bronzer and highlighter both half the size. This for me just makes no sense, as I can barely get my brush into the smaller sections, and I'm far more likely to use the blush more sparingly than the bronzer.

As you can see in the swatches, the blush is quite pigmented but the bronzer is less so, which is another thing that disappointed me about this palette. The colour of the blush and the highlighter are actually both really pretty on the face, although I found it difficult to see any colour from the bronzer at all and I certainly wouldn't use it for contouring. I also found all three products to be really powdery and already the blush has started to crumble after just a few uses. 

All things considered, I think this product is a great idea that unfortunately just hasn't been executed very well. It is nowhere near as good as the Sleek Face Contour Kit (here) but I do really like the fact that Revlon have thrown a blusher into the mix as well. This product could be hugely improved if they rethought the sizes, got rid of the tiny brush that is included as I don't think it's really necessary, and put in a more matte bronze that could actually be used for contouring. All in all a bit of a disappointment for me I'm afraid, although I will continue to use the highlighter and blush from time to time.

Have you tried this product? Let me know whether you agree!

Rosie x

Product Review - Dove Nourishing Oil Care Conditioner

Hi Everyone,

I recently switched up my haircare routine a little bit when I reached the end of my Tresemme Split Remedy Intense Repair Mask, a faithful friend of mine for sometime now. Instead I purchased this Dove Nourishing Oil Care Express Treatment Conditioner which was on offer in Superdrug for just £1.97 (because who doesn't love a bargain?!).

My hair has been through a lot in years gone by (bleaching, highlights, even a perm!) and I am trying to be kind to it at the moment, so have invested in lots of 'hair-friendly' products: from heat protection sprays to special hairbrushes and even a new hairdryer. I am particularly drawn to products containing Argan or Moroccan oil for its nourishing qualities, and so this Dove conditioner immediately stood out for me. It contains 'weightless nutri-oils' as well as Argan Oil, and claims to have 3x the nourishing power of a conditioner.

The texture of this conditioner is a thick cream with stripes of white frizz treatment and yellowy conditioner running through it. I really like the yellow and white stripes, I think it makes the product look very visually appealing, and you don't need to use much per application. I have been mainly applying this product to just the ends of my hair rather than all over to avoid any residue that might make my hair greasy. 

After trialing this product for 1 week it has left my hair noticeably softer to the touch and more shiny than before, so I'm a happy lady! I feel my hair was desperate for a change to my usual routine, and this product was so reasonably priced that I would be happy to recommend it to anyone looking for a break from their usual conditioner. 

One thing I really like about this product is that it is not a hair mask, although it acts like one, and therefore you can use it every day like a normal conditioner rather than limiting the use to once a week. This is a big plus for me as it means I can get that super-soft feeling I usually get from a hair mask every time I wash my hair! In summary, this Nourishing Oil Care Conditioner is a high street brand product that doesn't claim to do anything spectacular; it promises nourished, soft hair, which for me is exactly what it's delivered.

Have you tried this Dove conditioner? Let me know your thoughts!

Rosie x

P.S. There is still time to enter my giveaway!! Just click on the link here.

Current Lust List!

Hello!

Today I am doing another Lust List post, as once again my eyes are bigger than my wallet and there seem to be a million things that I'm lusting after at the moment!

The first thing on my list are these amazing studded boots from New Look. Like so many people, I'm a huge fan of New Look shoes as they're so reasonably priced and very on trend, even if the quality isn't built to last a lifetime. I would wear these either with tights and a floaty dress or punk it up a bit with skinny jeans, a leather jacket and a huge scarf (another one of my current obsessions!).

I also currently have a big clothes-crush on this Topshop dress, £36. I am not particularly edgy in my style and often find Topshop clothes a bit too 'trendy' for me, if I can say that without sounding like my grandma! In fact, I usually spend hours browsing and coming out with 3 plain vest tops and a necklace or two- I prefer to keep things simple and accessorise to dress an outfit up. This dress though I really like- I love all things lime green at the moment, and I think the splash of colour really jazzes this dress up and makes it ideal for nights out or even for work.

I've had a full basket on Fragrance Direct and Feel Unique for ages now, just laying in wait for payday! On my current wishlist is the Bare Minerals matte foundation in Medium Beige, which I still haven't tried yet. Recently in this hot weather I have been favouring a lighter coverage during the day and I'm hoping this will be the perfect everyday foundation for me that will last out on my oily skin.

I'm also dying to get my hands on one of the YSL Rouge Volupte lipsticks, preferably this one in Nude Beige. These lipsticks seem to be absolutely everywhere at the moment and I've heard nothing but good things, although at £24 each this is definitely an end-of-the-month type purchase!

Finally, to wear for work I also have my eye on this skirt from ASOS. I love the detail on this, from the hi-lo hem to the orange, leather-look stripe along the side. I would like to wear this with a white boyfriend tee, heels and a statement necklace for during the day, and maybe a cami and blazer in the evening. I really struggle with dressing for work in the warm weather and pencil skirts have become something of a staple for me recently as they can be worn so many ways.

That's the end of my Lust List for now, but I could go on and on as there are so many products that I'd love to buy if only my purse would allow it! Let me know what you're lusting after though as I'd love to hear.

Rosie x

PS. Please note that the images here are NOT my own.

Face Of The Day

Hi Everyone,

Today I am doing my second Face Of The Day post so that I can share with you my first EVER mineral foundation (yes, I know, about time!!). This is a new purchase for me but I'm already a huge fan- the powder formula is so silky on my skin and just last and lasts. 

I am using the ELF Personal Blend Mineral Foundation which I bought as part of my recent ELF haul. I have to admit that I'm not a huge fan of the packaging- the product comes with four different shades of foundation which you are meant to mix to find your 'personal blend'. Unfortunately, this makes it quite difficult to mix the exact same shade every time, and the powder does not come out as easily as I would like. Nevertheless, I still really like the product itself, and it is a fraction of the price of the other big mineral foundation brands.

On my face today I am wearing:

Prep:

Benefit The Porefessional Primer

Face:

Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector Oil Free - Light

ELF Mineral Personal Blend Foundation - Medium

MAC Mineralize Concealer in NW20

Brow:

The usual - GOSH Eye Brow Kit

Cheeks:

Too Faced The Bronzed and The Beautiful Palette (Chocolate Soleil to Bronze and Powdered Sun to highlight)

Maybelline Dream Touch Blush in No.2 Peach

Eyes:

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Natural Collection Eye Shadow Duo in Mink & Sable

Maybelline Eye Studio Colour Tattoo Eyeshadow in On & On Bronze

No.7 Stay Perfect Amazing Eyes Pencil in Black

Benefit They're Real! Mascara

Lips:

Barry M Lip Paint in 154 - Pale Nude

YSL Glossy Stain in 19 - Beige Aquarelle

I used my Real Techniques Expert Face Brush for buffing in the mineral powder, which made application really smooth and simple. The rest of my make-up I tried to keep relatively neutral so as not to detract from the nice, fresh-faced look of the mineral foundation.

And that's my face of the day, I hope you like it! Have any of you tried the ELF Personal Blend Foundation?

ELF Personal Blend Foundation

Feel free to leave me a comment as always and send me your links!

Rosie x

Product Review - Gatineau Purifying Almond Cleanser

Evening Everyone,

I've been tweaking my blog a bit over the past few days, I hope you like the new look. I'm so indecisive when it comes to choosing a layout, I seem to change my mind every day about what looks good!

Today I thought I'd review a skincare product that I've been getting quite a lot of use out of lately; the Gatineau Purifying Almond Cleanser. This product aims to 'melt away' impurities whilst removing make-up and re-balancing oily to combination skins. In other words, it's a big multi-tasker and I have been favouring it over my other cleansers recently in a big way.

If you have read my previous posts then you'll know that I have quite oily skin, and in general I stay away from creamy cleansers in favour of gel formulas as I find them more drying. This one is the exception, as despite its creamy formula it hasn't caused me any skin problems and it feels really luxurious and soft on the skin. I have been using this in the evenings before bed and find it really cleansing and refreshing, particularly after a long day.

One downside of this cleanser is the smell- it is scented with almond, although it struck me as being quite a strong, sweet marzipan smell. Personally I am not a marzipan fan and I was really put off by the smell at first, but I have persevered with this as I do think it's a great product that removes my make-up easily and leaves my skin feeling really clean and soft. 

I also really love the packaging- it's smart and simple, and despite knowing that this product probably doesn't offer any ground-breaking benefits I would repurchase it just for the treat-factor of having it sat on my bathroom shelf.

Gatineau was originally a French brand and can be purchased here for a pricey £35, but you get a free toner too! Also available on QVC and elsewhere online.

Have you tried any Gatineau products?

Rosie x

Product Review- Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation

In natural daylight

Close-Up

With indoor lighting

Hi Everyone,

Today I have been trialing my new Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Foundation which I received courtesy of my lovely friend Sarah at Revlon (thank you Sarah if you're reading this!). This foundation is not available in the UK but is a big seller across the pond, and having read some rave reviews online I was dying to try it.

Revlon claim that this foundation offers 'All day flexible wear without flaking, caking or feeling heavy'. The texture is described as 'mousse-like' although I have to say it was quite different from what I was expecting. Having tried Maybelline's Dream Matte Mousse I was expecting something similar in terms of feel, but this is a much thicker, liquid formula that I would liken to thick, whipped cream.

I was given the shade 'Buff' which honestly is a little bit lighter than I would normally choose for myself, although having tried it I was soon won over. Usually I opt for yellow-based or neutral foundations to offset the red in my skin tone, and in the pot this foundation looked very dull, almost grey in colour which did put me off a bit initially. Once I'd warmed it up with a bit of blush and bronzer though I really liked the finished look, and it certainly doesn't feel heavy or caked on despite the thick texture.

Overall I am really impressed with this foundation. It has great staying power and is very light and comfortable on the skin. I can also imagine it would work with most skin types as it is very matte without being drying. The coverage is light to medium and this will probably become a make-up bag staple for me during Winter when I'm a bit paler. Sadly Revlon will not be releasing this lovely foundation in the UK so us Brits will have to either stock up the next time we're Stateside (which for me is not very often!) or else turn to Ebay where you can pick up a pot for about £10. If you are a fan of lighter coverage and want a long-lasting, everyday foundation then I would definitely recommend giving this one a try- let me know if it works for you as well!

Rosie x

P.S. There is still time to enter my giveaway to win a haul of Revlon goodies- just click on the link here!