TK Maxx Bargains #2

Why hello there! Yes, my prolonged absence on this blog is mostly down to the painful transition of jobless graduate with little to spare for new things. Learning not to jump on every beauty bandwagon led me to treat myself on a few goodies after Xmas, some were old favourites but all of them were bargains from TK Maxx.

This wasn't exactly a necessary purchase, but considering how much something similar would usually cost, needless to say I pounced on it for £7. There was also an Environmental Shield one where I picked up my beloved Essential C-Cleanser, but I was too excited to use it and destroyed the box. Sorry Not sorry.  

There were a few O.P.I sets around, but the So So Skullicious was one of the most affordable ones afailable. I won't lie to you, the yellow shade Candlelight was promptly given to one of my friends but A-Rose from the Dead has become a firm favourite as a wearable midtone pink. Mourning Glory is a close second more suited to the winter months, but it's my first black nail polish where I actually like the formula.

I have more posts in store, but just have to find a routine. You can't help but feel that you can't start a beauty blog on a budget these days, but then again, it is more reason to be part of a blogging community when you don't have the funds to try everything out. If all else fails... TK Maxx?

Till next time,

Candice

Summer Essentials

There are very few things that I could call 'essential when it comes to bodycare products. I am often satisfied with whatever is lying around, but these are the few things I'm loyal to and repurchase time after time. Some date as far back as childhood, others a few months but they all have literally saved my skin in this heatwave now turned monsoon.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Massage Lotion for Stretchmarks - £2.69
Ever since childhood, I've always used Palmer's Cocoa Butter in some form. From using the thick butter that came in a tub as a kid, to the concentrated tube form in my student days it's nice to be using a lighter paraben free formula without scrimping on the moisture. Plus, I've always loved the scent. Some stretch marks have faded over months of using this, but I do think they must be recent for this cream to make a real difference. Particularly after tanning and in the lead up to summer this became a godsend for me, I cannot rate it enough. 

Antipodes Resurrect Facial Toner - £18.98
A good alternative to the Caudalie Beauty Elixir for those with more normal skin. Without a hint of alcohol this will hydrate and rebalance the skin with its impressive organic ingredient list (water, lavender and sage are the first three on the list). In the hot weather this has been very refreshing to use during the day, whilst using this after Clarins Exfoliating Toner works as a great combination every second night. Yes, I've been taking Caroline Hirons' advice on toner, and since then my skin looks clearer and not much makeup is needed during the day. Perfect.     

Mitchum Advanced Control 48 Hour Deodorant - £2.89
I particularly despise using aerosols in any form, but many roll-on deodorants fall flat and I usually concede defeat around April time. I'd heard this brand mentioned on blogs, but I only saw it on the aisles of a massive Boots Store (Westfield if you were wondering) I probably shouldn't go on about a deodorant, but this doesn't leave white marks on dark clothes and allows you to wear light clothes without the fear of unsightly sweat patches.

Garnier Ambre Solaire Protection Lotion SPF30 -£6.14
Okay, I'll admit that I probably don't need SPF 30 but people of colour can still burn in the sun! In 2009 I went to see Blur's comeback gig in Hyde Park and stood in the crowd from about 1pm until 10pm. It wasn't until the next day when I saw the peeling skin on my shoulders and the redness on my back from wearing a cut-out dress. Never. Again.

This is one of the few body spfs that don't make me look ashy or leave a noticeable white cast after application, so I'm sticking to it. It protects from both UVA and UVB rays and I haven't been caught short since using it.

Anna Sui Flight of Fancy EDP 50ml -£22.95, get £12.50 for 30ml here
My signature scent, this just reminds me of summer. About 6/7 years ago I gave this to my mum for her birthday, and I loved it so much I ended up buying one for myself! Fresh and fruity, this has top notes of lemon and lychee whilst not smelling overtly feminine. On me, more of the musk and rose comes through making it much more alluring and subtle than the ostentatious bottle implies. An oldie but a goodie.

There are a few new discoveries that I still have to share, but it's only fair I sing the praises of these gems first, right? Stay tuned.

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!