Peachy Tones

After the lacklustre weather we've been having lately it does seem a bit premature to be rocking summery makeup in the rain, but I have been swayed by these peachy offerings this month.

Ok, I admit that the mask is peach- scented and the lipstick is more of a burnt coral, but still they are part of the same family. These were mostly treats for finishing my degree and I've been pretty pleased with them all.

 I have got at least two face masks on the go, but something compelled me to buy the Origins Drink Up Intensive as the high dose of hydration seemed appealing. It has become necessary if my skin is looking flat or dry, and applying a thin layer once a week leaves my skin glowing, plump and velvety in the morning. The Nails inc. shade You're a Peach was a freebie from Instyle in May (or April?) and managed to give a suitable alternative to a nude nail whilst still being work friendly. I have never really veered towards peachy tones on my nails before; but was complemented on the shade many times and it doesn't clash with my warm toned skin (something that orange nails tend to do!). Here's a swatch.

My stubby dinosaur claws fingers, everybody ;-) But you can see how this shade can suit many skin tones without looking too stark. The polish lasts around 4 days on me with Sally Hanson Double Duty Base and Top Coat. The lipstick I picked up is Vegas Volt by MAC. I feel somewhat late to the party reviewing this, but as this is my first bold MAC lipstick this is truly a showstopper. Ravishing looked slightly corpse-like on me, so Vegas Volt is a perfect substitute for deeper skintones due to the amplified finish. I like to mix things up by lightly dabbing on the lips for a peachy daytime look or applying directly from the tube for a neon orange effect at night. 

   
Most of these have been on heavy rotation throughout May and June, so this could serve as a monthly favourites of sorts. But generally I am in a bit of a make up rut as I want to be more bright and summery, but the clouds have other ideas... here's to a bit more sun!

Hair Oils

 

Using hair oils can either be an expensive investment or a budget fix depending on the products used. Brands such as Moroccan Oil have capitalised on this as the focus lay towards quality ingredients, but surprisingly the most hyped up oils tend to be loaded with silicones. As I have afro hair that gets dry quickly, I try to avoid these in favour for more nourishing options. Here are the oils that tend to work well for my hair.

Macadamia Healing Oil Spray - from £10.58 here

Alas, this is one of the silicone sprays, however this still delivers on the moisture and shine. I tend to use this when blow-drying my hair and the process is quicker as a result. It is lightweight and is perfect for fine hair - the spray gives a large amount of oil so I would suggest spraying into the hands and working your way through the ends. Despite the benefits of the macadamia nut, I probably won't repurchase this because of the silicone content.

Coconut Oil (pictured in clear jar)

However unassuming this may look in the old Nutella jar, this has become my saviour in recent months. The coconut oil is solid at room temperature and I warm it in my hands to work into the hair after and between washes. It also imparts shine and texture to the hair (I never like my hair bone straight anyway) especially when used for braid outs. This method of applying coconut oil to freshly washed hair and plaiting my hair for the night leaves me with the most gorgeous curls in the morning. This oil however is very thick, so it can help to tame unruly hair and not a lot is needed. This can be found in health stores (or Amazon) and is a multi use product - an absolute bargain.

An honourable mention goes to castor oil (another health store buy) as my mum has used it in my hair for years. I credit castor oil for my fast hair growth and for soothing any scalp problems. The only downside is that it smells pretty awful, but if I find any nice smelling versions, I will share them on here. I want to try pure Argan oil from Melvita next, but I have no excuse until I use up the Macadamia oil  Are there any oils that you can recommend?  

Hair Talk

I'm in a bit of a rut when it comes to my hair - since having it relaxed (chemically straightened) I've only alternated between a bob and a shoulder length cut. For my next trip to the hairdressers, I've been thinking about getting a pixie crop like Jessica Chastain, putting box braids in like Beyonce on that trip to Cuba or simply growing it out to see if I can get to bra-strap length. I can't decide for a full 5 minutes, so I thought I'd let you in on the products I use on a regular basis.

My hair is quite thick and can get unruly past shoulder length- I remember wash days when I used to get tangles as large as my fist! Now I take care to use nourishing products with less silicones and more natural products, which is why I use the Ojon Damage Reverse range. I first prep the hair before washing with the Restorative Hair Treatment (£16). This comes in a solid paste that you have to warm in your hands to get a nourishing thick oil. The chocolatey tobacco scent isn't to everybody's taste but I do love it and it comes out after shampooing anyway. There is an alternative with a more vanilla smell for those that can't handle weird smells that you can now get as a gift with purchase on the website, but I feel that the original one imparts more moisture onto the hair. It tells you to leave for 20 minutes but as my hair can get really dry I do stretch the waiting time by at least an hour.

Next, I wash my hair with the Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Shampoo. No other shampoo has left my hair so soft and shiny and the inclusion of castor seed oil amongst many others allows it to fully nourish the hair. Since taking this photo, I have purchased the full size and have not been this happy with a shampoo for a very long time. The range may be pricey, but I have found that ordering from the Ojon website allows you to trial new products and they often give generous samples with your purchase. Other options incluse purchasing mini tester bottles, which can be found in the bigger branches of Boots or on the Ojon website.

For conditioner, however the Ojon Damage Reverse one is just ok, I just had better results using the TIGI Catwalk Oatmeal & Honey Conditioner - which you can get from TK Maxx from £5.99. As this is a salon quaity product it leaves the hair baby soft and makes detangling a breeze. This is also formulated for damaged hair and the Oatmeal and Honey range has quickly become a family favourite (never leave your expensive products in the family bathroom!) Another budget conditioner that does the trick without weighing down the hair is the Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner. Although I wouldn't recommend the shampoo, this range is great for hydration, especially for afro and  chemically damaged hair.

As there is an emphasis on oils in my haircare routine, I'll let you in on the other products I use in a later post. Hint -  they are much cheaper and easier to use!

Forgotten Favourites #3

Well, I did say I would post more often.  Here are a few things I have rediscovered over the last few weeks. A few were buried in favour of other alternatives, others have become more necessary as the days get warmer, but there were definite moments when I wondered how I forgot about these gems...

Nars Sheer Glow in Tahoe- £30.50

This foundation has sat unloved for quite some time, as its medium to full coverage became unnecessary when my skin got better this year. After snubbing it for YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat in the winter, I crawled back when the colour match seemed more summer appropriate. I will say, that using the Real Techniques Stippling brush has made the world of difference as I can get that dewy glow whilst using less product - and it sits better on my skin compared to using a buffing brush.


Avene Hydrance Optimale Moisturiser with SPF 20 - £14.50

I have used this consistently last summer, but during the winter I used cleansers and moisturisers that sought to block environmental damage, like the Murad Essential C Cleanser and Ren Hydracalm Day Cream. Obviously as the sun started to make an appearance, I shopped around for alternative Spfs and had a nightmarish consultation where I walked out white as a sheet! Needless to say, if it ain't broke, why fix it? Having to wash my face in a public toilet is not a good look. This Avene moisturiser delivers on the spf protection without the chalk face or scrimping on the hydration. It caters to those with dehydrated skin, so for under £15 it's a steal. Get thee to Boots!

Elasta QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter Moisturiser - £3.99

For the last 2 or 3 months I had been exclusively using oils on my hair. Even though they are natural and moisturising, you can overdo it. I found over time that between washes applying oil became less effective and the buildup makes the hair less manageable. Enter Elasta QP. This sherbert-smelling moisturiser leaves hair managable and non-greasy. It works with curls instead of weighing them down and is useful in moisturising the scalp.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo - £13

I know I previously spoke of this product here, but it's not actually finished, surprisingly! I think at that time I was slathering it over my face instead of pinpointing the areas that need it most. This won't necessarily banish a spot overnight, but after a breakout there is still a significant difference as the blemishes reduce in size. This helped a lot during my stressful phase, but I wouldn't recommend it for sensitive skins at all.

Hope you enjoyed this, as I am just getting back in the swing of things. Over and out.

May Update

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, I have been buried by work and general tiredness. This summer I'm hoping to achieve a few milestones, the obvious one is graduating this summer. The others involve gaining confidence, losing at least one dress size and jumpstarting the career I want so watch this space! The last few months have been beyond stressful, and I have already begun rewarding myself with little goodies that will be shared soon enough!

My skin has improved so much over the last year, but other things that I would have previously shrugged off, like the efect of foaming cleansers and the advantages of oils I have now taken  on board. Exam period has brought on some spots, but thanks to a few tweaks to my routine, it hasn't been as bad compared to recent years and the scars are fading faster. 

Expect more posts as I actually feel more confident about my blog and sharing my opinions on things. Let me know if theres anything in particular you want me to address, as I have been avoiding certain subjects like hair even though mine is actually in good condition. I have been in a negative headspace over many months, which probably has reflected on previous entries. So please consider this a fresh start as I look forward to what comes next!

Thanks for reading x