I have a lovely organic produce shop near my house at university, and when I was in there recently I noticed that they sell natural body products in addition to food. I was on the look out for some more shampoo - I'd run out of Yes To Tomatoes which is 99% natural and, since I couldn't find YTT shampoo in any of my local Boots stores and couldn't be bothered to order it online, fancied finding a different natural alternative. I can't remember whether I've mentioned already that I am considering slowly transitioning to more natural hair and skincare products (says the girl who just recently bought the mineral-oil-heavy Eve Lom cleanser...)
I bought "Long & Strong Jojoba" for healthy hair growth and "Volumizing Lavender" to add body to fine hair and have been using the jojoba one for the last two weeks.
Results: my hair has definitely grown, though I can't necessarily say whether it's grown more quickly than usual. My hair felt squeaky clean after washing, but not dried out. However, I've noticed my hair doesn't look good for three days like it did with the Yes To Tomatoes or Pantene Pro-V Fine Hair Volume and Body shampoo that I used between YTT and Jason. Also, while the smell isn't unpleasant, it's a little hippy-ish for my tastes and does last after the shampoo is washed out.
I probably wouldn't buy that one again, but after using the lavender (volumizing) shampoo once earlier this week, I must say I was impressed. My hair felt light and soft and I do feel like it had some extra volume. The smell was also more pleasant. I'm looking forward to finishing the jojoba shampoo and moving on to the lavender one!
Monday, 25 November 2013
Sunday, 24 November 2013
Sweater Weather Tag
Favourite fall candle scent? As soon as it cools down I prefer warm, powdery scents. I like Colony's Powder Fresh and Wax Lyrical's Warm Embrace. Of course, it won't be long before I switch to Christmas scents. I have my eye on John Lewis' Winter Spice and Lily Flame's Snowfall.
Coffee, tea or hot chocolate? I used to be a coffee fiend, but now I'm turning more towards tea - I love Twinings' Lady Grey, Pukka's Vanilla Chai and Yogi Tea's Ginger (alternatively, simply adding hot water to chopped fresh ginger is amazing).
What's the best fall memory you have? Until a few years ago, I didn't like autumn at all, so I can't say I have any vivid memories associated with the season.
Which makeup trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged eyeliner? Dark lips all the way! I can count the times I've winged my eyeliner on one hand. It's unfortunate that dark lips are so much harder to maintain.
What is the autumn weather like where you live? In the last few years, autumn has been bitterly, bone-chillingly cold towards the end. It used to be relatively mild. Being England, it's also rather rainy.
Favourite Thanksgiving food? I don't celebrate Thanksgiving but there are plenty of incredible stuffing recipes on the Internet! I also love cranberry sauce and sweet potato mash.
Hats or scarves? I love hats but I don't own many. I wear a scarf pretty much every now that it's cooled down. My favourites are from markets in Oman and Morocco, and I also have a few from Zara and Urban Outfitters. We Are Owls and Yarnz scarves are the stuff of my dreams, though.
(We Are Owls scarf)
Most worn sweater? Last year it was a boyish, blue and purple striped affair by Le Mont St Michel x Urban Outfitters, but this year it's a tie between an oversized brown from Wallace for Madewell, and a navy striped Brora cashmere hand-me-down from my dad.
Must-have nail polish this fall? Chanel Paparazzi and Essie Luxedo.
Football games or jumping in leaf piles? Neither, thanks!
Skinny jeans or leggings? Skinny jeans, no question.
Combat boots or Uggs? Out of the two, combat boots, but again, neither.
Favourite fall TVshow? What is a fall TV show? I don't watch a great deal of TV but round about now I'm starting to feel like watching Christmas films...
What's the best fall memory you have? Until a few years ago, I didn't like autumn at all, so I can't say I have any vivid memories associated with the season.
Which makeup trend do you prefer: dark lips or winged eyeliner? Dark lips all the way! I can count the times I've winged my eyeliner on one hand. It's unfortunate that dark lips are so much harder to maintain.
What is the autumn weather like where you live? In the last few years, autumn has been bitterly, bone-chillingly cold towards the end. It used to be relatively mild. Being England, it's also rather rainy.
Favourite Thanksgiving food? I don't celebrate Thanksgiving but there are plenty of incredible stuffing recipes on the Internet! I also love cranberry sauce and sweet potato mash.
Hats or scarves? I love hats but I don't own many. I wear a scarf pretty much every now that it's cooled down. My favourites are from markets in Oman and Morocco, and I also have a few from Zara and Urban Outfitters. We Are Owls and Yarnz scarves are the stuff of my dreams, though.
Most worn sweater? Last year it was a boyish, blue and purple striped affair by Le Mont St Michel x Urban Outfitters, but this year it's a tie between an oversized brown from Wallace for Madewell, and a navy striped Brora cashmere hand-me-down from my dad.
Must-have nail polish this fall? Chanel Paparazzi and Essie Luxedo.
Football games or jumping in leaf piles? Neither, thanks!
Skinny jeans or leggings? Skinny jeans, no question.
Combat boots or Uggs? Out of the two, combat boots, but again, neither.
Favourite fall TVshow? What is a fall TV show? I don't watch a great deal of TV but round about now I'm starting to feel like watching Christmas films...
Saturday, 23 November 2013
Inspired by Temptalia: My Top 15 Products
Temptalia posted a great poll today asking readers to comment with their top 15 makeup products. I answered with a version of my top 15, and it inspired me to write out a more carefully chosen top 20 on here.
- Guerlain Cils D'Enfer Mascara
- NARS Night Porter Eyeshadow
- NARS Iskandar Eye Paint
- NARS Kinshasa Brow Gel (I don't own this but it's amazing)
- MAC Graphblack Technakohl Liner
- MAC Studio Finish Concealer*
- YSL Touche Eclat
- Guerlain Meteorites
- Dior BB Cream
- MAC MSF Natural
- Kjaer Weis Blossoming Cream Blusher / MAC Cremeblend Ladyblush
- Rouge Bunny Rouge Titian Blush Wand / NARS Penny Lane
- Ilia Beauty Polka Dots & Moonbeans Illuminator / NARS Copacabana Multiple
- YSL Glossy Stain #9 Rouge Laque (my favourite lip colour)
- Armani Lip Maestro #400 The Red
- Guerlain Terre de Sienne Lip Liner
- Bite Beauty Lush Fruit Lip Gloss in Garnet / MAC Pro Longwear Lipglass in Forever Rose
- Stila Lip Glaze in Black Cherry
- Chanel Rouge Allure in Rivoli
- Dior Ultra Gloss in Flash (discontinued - try MAC Lustreglass in Instant Gold)
*I picked this one as it's the one I've ever owned and liked. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer isn't for me. It's been about 4 years and I've used half the pot of the MAC stuff if that gives you a clue as to how infrequently I wear concealer, and therefore how little I know about which ones are good.
Concealer aside, take all these as solid recommendations! Some of these brands are harder to hunt down as they are not available everywhere - or at all - so I have added a more accessible (and in almost every case, cheaper) alternative.
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