Living Proof Loves

If you've been reading my blog for more than a week or so you'll know that I have a long standing love affair with the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Treatment, the perfect minimal maintenance, all in one styling routine for my tempestuous hair. Well while I was styling my hair last week I realised, I very rarely talk about the other products from Living Proof that float my boat, so here we are. 

Not a hair wash goes by where I don't use the Living Proof Restore Instant Repair Treatment, I coat the lengths of my hair with it post shower to help tackle dryness and heat damage. This stuff is great, I notice a real difference in the quality of my hair when I use this, and it works double time as a de-tangler too. 

When I need my hair to go longer between washes, I reach for the Living Proof Prime Style Extender Cream, which does exactly what it says on the, err, tube. Depending how I style my hair, I can get an extra day or two out of my hair, which comes in handy a lot!

And lastly, for days when I'm opting to go au naturale on the styling front, I go to town with the Living Prime Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream. This heaven sent product fights the natural frizz of my curly hair and leaves me with sleek and manageable locks.

Have you tried anything from Living Proof?

Taking More Care of My Hair

Whilst my hair is in much better condition than it has been previously, I realised recently that it was in need of a little more TLC. I don't dye my hair anymore, but it undergoes a lot of heat styling, and even with a good heat protectant, it's taking a bit of a beating.

I've tried to be better about using less heat on my locks (I've been going wild with the Bumble and Bumble Don't Blow It), cutting back using straighteners or tongs to every other wash, and not using my hair dryer when I do heat style wherever possible. I've banished all normal hairbrushes and am in a monogamous relationship with my Tangle Teezer, which minimises breakage. And I've lined up a few products to help bring back that lustre to my locks.

I'm back to using my old favourite Phillip Kingsley Elasticizer, this time in the limited edition Geranium and Neroli scent. I use this as a pre-shampoo treatment at the weekends, it adds elasticity and shine back into my hair, in a noticeable way after each use. I've been using this once a week to give my hair a good boost.

I've switched out my usual conditioner for the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Luscious Long Deep Treatment, because my hair was in dire need of something stronger. This stuff is intensely nourishing and really adds a lot of shine back into my hair. Plus it's from Aussie, so it smells freaking fantastic.

And on a day to day basis, I've been using the Tresemmé Platinum Strength Stay Soft Leave In Treatment to give my hair an extra boost. Because you can never have too much extra moisture. This makes a difference to the softness of my hair, but doesn't leave it feeling greasy or oily. Good stuff. 

What do you use when your hair needs a little extra lovin'?

The Drugstore Dupe #4

It's not often I have a high end haircare dupe for you, because I don't really have much high end haircare. What I do have, is three Bumble and Bumble products I love that I talked about in this post a couple of weeks back, but since writing that post, I've realised as much as I love the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray, I have a much more affordable dupe for it already hidden in my stash.

If you missed the post where I talked about the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray, the gist of it is that it's a liquid hair spray that has a similar effect to a salt spray. I like to spray this into damp hair pre-blow dry, to add lift, volume and texture to my hair. It's pretty straightforward, but it's a nice product and it leaves my hair looking effortlessly good. The L'Oreal Studio Matt and Messy is a styling product I've had kicking around for a long time, I was obsessed with it about six months ago, but it kinda fell by the wayside to other products. I've had it back out recently though, and after a little comparison, have discovered that when spritzed into damp hair pre blowdry, or spritzed into the ends after straightening, it has an identical effect to the Bumble and Bumble offering. 

For a fraction of the price, I'd definitely reccommned L'Oreal's offering, however, I like that I can use the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray as a hairspray too! 

Have you tried either of these?

The Review: Bumble And Bumble

I've never been one for fancy haircare, since my obsession with higher-end beauty products began my hair has been ridiculously short, and a sore subject (moral of the story - don't dye your hair kids). But in the last few weeks, my hair has finally reached an acceptable length (you know that collarbone-skimming hairstyle that every blogger and their cat has adopted in the last few weeks? Yeah I had it first), and I've actually taken an interest in styling it, as opposed to hiding it under a hat, so I felt like it was time to dive into the stash of Bumble and Bumble products I've been saving for this very day.

The Bumble and Bumble Texture Undressing Creme is one I've been so excited to try. It's like a slightly tacky creme, you don't need much at all to do all your hair. I like to towel dry my hair to about 40% dry, and then take some of this (about an amount the size of a five pence piece) and rub it between my fingers, and then into the mid section of my hair. I then blast my hair with the hair dryer and it gives me a really nice wavy texture that holds really well, instead of the frizzbomb I'm usually left with. This is going to last me forever, there's so much in this tube!

Next up is the real multipurpose one of the group, the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Hairspray. I use this in so many ways, I spray it onto wet hair if I'm letting my hair air dry, and it kind of does the job of styling my hair for me, leaving me with soft waves without the typical crunch/wet look you'd get from a mousse or gel. I also like to use this after I straighten my hair, I normally section it in half and spray it into the roots of my hair, just to give a little volume. I also use this like a traditional hairspray if I'm wearing my hair up. I have a travel size bottle of this in my handbag at all times, if my hair starts to look a little flat (damn you rain and humidity) I'll just spritz this into the roots of my hair and give it a little massage.

Last up, the Bumble and Bumble Sumotech. This is like a really hard wax, I literally had to dig into this to get it started. You only need the tiniest amount of this, and it feels super sticky on your hands, but I just rub it between my fingers and then through the ends of my hair. If my hair is straight, it adds texture and definition, and if I've curled it, it smooths curls, gives them hold, and defines them. I have even used this in my roots for extra hold. Not one for on the go though, leaves your fingers really sticky!

It's worth mentioning too that all these products smell lovely! You also get a seriously decent amount for your money, and you only need a little bit of each one to achieve the desired effect. Yes these are pricey products, but I really do think they are worth it!

Have you tried any Bumble and Bumble products? What are your favourite hair styling products?

Empties #3

I've  been on a using stuff up mission recently, I mean, I had eleven mascaras open. Eleven. I'm going to try and keep this short and sweet, but if you want to know more about any of these products, just let me know!

Herbal Essences Soft and Smooth Shampoo - I picked this up when I went home for a few weeks and forgot shampoo because it was on offer and it smelt nice, but I actually really liked this. It left my hair feeling super soft and silky.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Bed Head Urban Antidotes Resurrection Shampoo and Conditioner* - I absolutely loved this shampoo and conditioner. It's lasted me forever, partly because I've only been using it every other hair wash, and partly because you don't need much. It smells good, and it has worked wonders on my bleach fried hair. When I use up the rest of the open shampoos and conditioners in my shower, I'm going to purchase the massive bottles of this.

Would I repurchase? Yes!

Frizz Ease Miraculous Recovery Intensive Repair mask - My favourite hair mask for improving the condition of my hair. I leave this on for around ten to twenty minutes in the bath instead of using conditioner, and then I try not to heat style my hair after that. I get through one of these every couple of months or so, I really does help my hair.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Tresemme Platinum Strength Deep Conditioning Treatment - I wasn't all that impressed with this, a lot of people talked about this and said it was great, but I really didn't think it did anything other than what a normal conditioner does. 

Would I repurchase? No.

Batiste Dry Shampoo for Dark and Deep Brown hair* - I use this to style my hair every day, to add volume and texture to my hair. I like this because it doesn't leave a grey residue in my hair.

Would I repurchase? Already have.

Soap and Glory The Breakfast Scrub - This is my favourite body scrub, it's super gritty and it smells delicious, really gets your rough bits gone. Because this is so intense, a little goes a long way, and this pot has seen me through the better part of two months.

Would I repurchase? Yes, I'm currently using the S&G Sugar Crush one, but I think this one beats it! Plus the scent is more wintery!

Nivea In Shower Skin Conditioner - I thought this stuff was gonna be a gimmick but I'm a convert. Crappy packaging aside, this stuff is great. Traditional Nivea scent, good hydration, super quick and easy. What more could you want? 

Would I repurchase? Already have!

Flourigard Daily Rinse Mouthwash - This is wildly unexciting, but since mouthwash is one of the few products in my stash I am loyal to, I thought I'd mention it. Yeah. It's good.

Would I repurchase? Already have.

Sicillian Lemon Oil Lamp Fragrance - my favourite fragrance for cosy nights in.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

 Gosh Blush in Electro Pink - The first blush I have ever used up. Gosh blushes have really good wear time & pigmentation, and this colour is gorgeous! 

Would I repurchase? Yes.

YSL Shocking Volume Mascara* - My favourite mascara ever. Good volume, length, doesn't go clumpy and looks amazing. Only drawback is the price!

Would I repurchase? Yes.

NYC Big & Bold Mascara - This mascara is about three pounds and it gives massive volume and length.  One of my favourite high street picks.

Would I repurchase? Yes.

Soap & Glory Thick and Fast Mascara - A decent mascara but there's no wow factor.  It did go ages before it started to dry up though. 

Would I repurchase? Probably not.

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer - My go to under eye brightener. I love this stuff, it's light with good coverage, doesn't crease or cake and wears really well.

Would I repurchase? Already have!

Lush Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask - This is my favourite face mask, I get through so much of this stuff! It's a total wonder product, banishing spots overnight.

Would I repurchase? Already have!

Rimmel Nail Polish in Black Cab - The first nail colour I've used up in a long time. I like this because it only really needs one coat and dries super quick. Rimmel nail polishes last ages on my nails too!

Would I repurchase? Yes.

What products have you used up recently? Have you tried any of these products?