High street hair masks review

TRESemme - Keratin smooth deep treatment mask

300ml - £5.50 

Firstly the first thing I notice about this product is the smell. I wouldn't call it a nice smell but it basically smells like hair salon products. Now I know that doesn't mean a lot to very many people, well actually no-one but me, however it did make me think...ooo smells professional..must work. In fact I wasn't wrong. Let's be honest no hair masks every really give dramatic results, or if they do please share them with me. All I really want from a hair mask is for my hair to feel softer and look shinier. Now I'm not a scientist and don't know much about hair in detail so all I want is more shine, softer locks and less breaking. I've been surprisingly impressed with the Tresemme mask. All day I've been touching my hair as it just feels super soft. I've also notice there was no breaking during styling my hair. For £5.50 it's a real bargain. I've probably had 3 uses from the pot so far and there's still about half a pot of product left. 

Macadami - Oil extract hair mask

300ml - £0.99 - (Home bargains) 

I've tried to find a link for this online but I really can't find one at all. I picked this up in home bargains a few weeks ago although I've notice this in cheap shops such as pound land, pound world and all that jazz. Now for 99p I wasn't expecting much. I didn't notice any difference in my hair except it felt nice and conditioned. I'm not sure if this is simply as hair masks are left on for longer than a simple typical conditioner. Basically all I got from this was it made me feel like I was been nicer to my hair and didn't notice much difference. Although for 99p it's worth a try. 

Lee Stafford - Breaking hair leave in treatment

75ml - £7.99

I first picked this up and thought that's surely a little expensive for such a small hair mask. Although in my hair mask haul around boots I got a little shopper happy rather than reading the actual labels. When I got this home I noticed its actually a leave in product to smooth over towel dried or dry hair. I've been using this on slightly damp hair before I blow dry. I've found if I use the product on dry hair it makes my hair feel sticky...yep sticky. Although It does seem to prevent breaking when I use the product before styling. A little of this product does go a long was so it is good value in terms of an alternative to a hair mask but I'm not really sold. If i'm using a hair product before styling I much prefer hair oils and show beauty is still my favourite. 

L'Oreal Elvive - Full restore hair mask

300ml - £5.09

This is a product that has been out a while. Although L'Oreal sell some amazing hair care in there more luxurious ranges such as L'oreal expert I've never really used much of the regular L'oreal hair products. I tried the Elvive hair mask and I must admit I was very disappointed. Although I left the hair mask on for around half an hour instead of the 3 minuets as advertised. Seriously does anyone leave a hair mask on for just 3 minuets? What's the point applying one? Even leaving the hair mask on for a lot longer than required I found no change in my hair what so ever. Although the product is thicker than the TREsemme one and feels nicer to apply it didn't seem to make any difference to my hair at all. 

What are your favourite hair masks?

Sammie

February Beauty Favourites

Richard Ward - Keraine smoothing mist*
125ml £5.99 (exclusive to Waitrose)
Now if you've ever questioned who is behind the bouncy world famous locks of Kate Middleton than look no further than Richard Ward. Now I've never met the guy but something's telling me the beauty queen's famous lock's don't come cheap. However the good fella Richard Ward is, he has launched his own hair care range so we can all at least try and achieve something along the standard's of the Duchess's. The keratin smoothing mist is a leave in condition and helps restore some life back into dull dry hair. I found a few squirts of this left my hair shiny and smooth. Unlike some leave in conditioners that can feel a little sticky it left my hair feeling soft and refreshed. I wouldn't say this product had a fantastic smell but it smelt basically like a typical hair salon product. At £5.99 it's a bargain in terms of high end hair care. I've found I've been using this through the day to give my hair a little pick me up. I can defiantly say I will be repurchasing this product. 

Lierac - Cleansing oil
150ml £6.99 TK Maxx (In store)
Lierac seems to be a brand that seems to pop up on randomly and to be honest It's a brand I've not really seen much of in the UK. I have a few products by the brand already (not sure where from though) and I recently came across the cleansing oil in TK Maxx. I've been wanting to try a cleansing oil for a while and since the product was on offer (well in TK Maxx if that counts) I thought I'd try it out. The cleansing oil is perfect for removing make up and is very gentle on the eyes. It's perfect for removing the  likes of stubborn mascara and eye shadows and I no longer come out the shower with panda eyes. It leaves my skin feeling soft and doesn't leave behind and residue which was my main concern with a oil based product. Overall if you come across it's definitely worth a try for an inexpensive cleansing oil.  

La Roche posay - Effaclar duo[+]
40ml £15.50 - Boots
If you're a regular blog reader or youtube watcher you will of already read a million reviews on this product, it's really taken the beauty world by a little storm. On the other hand if your me you've only just purchased it. I never really jump on the band wagon of the next big product (errmmm yes you do Sammie) however I saw this in boots with a little sticker promising me my money back if I wasn't happy. On that note I finally made a purchase. Well the product really does live up to the hype, it's really cleared my skin as before I had a few breakouts around my chin what didn't seem to want to go. I've also noticed my skin looks a lot smoother and fresher with a more even skin tone. I best stop before I start sounding like an advert. Some people may consider this a little pricey for the size of the tube but a little does go a long way. 

Rootflag - Blonde root touch up*
$24.95

The concept behind this product is amazing, a lightweight hair powder to help hide my roots available in different tones. However I spent an awful long time trying to get the product out and fully working. The idea is to twist the base to release the product through the brush and brush over your roots. That aside the product did disguise my roots a little when I finally got some of the product out, there was no wow factor but it did help. On the grounds of the genuine idea here and the fact it makes going out with roots more bearable this product is making my favs list. I have since been informed the packaging has been redesigned so the application of the product is a lot easier. 

Sammie

This town ain't big enough ft Dresslily.com

Dress: Dress Lily *

Cardigan: Primark (old)

So recently I discovered Dress-Lily a Korean based fashion website with quite frankly amazing prices. I'm usually a little sceptical about ordering from these websites as it's usually a bit hit and miss when it comes to what size to order.  I ordered this gorgeous dress in a size medium. As all the measurements and size guides are on the website it made ordering a lot easier instead of my usual guessing method. I will admit though for about a 3 days I was in a little huff that the dress didn't fit until I realised there was a zip on the side on day 4.

I love the colour of dress and it's the perfect length for work or as I prefer taking a cheeky day of and enjoying cocktails. The dress is actually a perfect fit (I'm typically a UK size 10) and the material is good quality and flows nicely. Considering the amazing bargains to be had on this website I'm stocking up on dresses for the summer. The postage can take a little while but isn't it fab when you forget all about it then the postman brings you some goodies? 

I also thought I'd share with you a rather cool little bar I've found recently 51% bourbon.Hidden away on Hirst Yard this is such a little gem. Selling obviously bourbon the bar is set out like a scene from a western film, with a fairy light log fire (fairy lights are clearly in all western films I tell you) cask barrel tables, brick walls and exposed wooden beans running through the roof it's such a little gem. 

Sammie

Toning Halo hair extensions

So if you remember back in November I raved about Halo Hair extensions. Finally I had found hair extensions that were non damaging, non-permanent and easy to put in. However I had a little problem. My hair isn't really blonde, due to my love of toning shampoos it's now actually has more a lilac tint to it. Often at work I find colleagues and customers telling me how lovely and unusual my hair is and asking "how do I get it that colour?". You're probably all hoping for some amazing secret to be unleashed here but the truth is I simply use Lee Stafford's Bleach Blondes shampoo and leave it on for around 5 minuets each time I wash my hair which tones it pinky, lilacy blonde. P.S I colour my own hair done at the salon for my roots, after the 2008 dying my own hair bright yellow I stick to the professionals for that part. 

After falling in love with my Halo hair extensions I became a little dishearten when the colour wasn't a great match any more. I would occasionally put them in swish about like a little mermaid then lovingly put them back in the box with a little sigh. I then had a belated eureka moment and thought I would have a go at toning my hair exensions instead. Since the horror of 2008 I've typically stayed away from hair dye's myself. However fear not as if I could dot his any one can. 

You will need:

Halo hair extensions (20" Halo in bleach blonde 60#)* 

Hair Dye (Lorea Feria platinum power hair dye L01)

Toning shampoo (Lee Stafford's bleach blondes, purple shampoo)

Kitchen foil

Step 1

The first step is to bleach your halo hair extensions.Although the extensions are what anyone but me would call bleach blonde already toners generally stick better to bleached hair and I want to try get the extensions as light as possible. I used two boxes of hair dye and split the hair into two sections so I could work the dye in better and not miss any bis. I did find the hair is on two bands (this makes more sense when you see then) so I found after I separated the hair into two I then flipped the top layer over to apply the dye more evenly. Once the hair is dyed (simply follow the instructions on the packet) It's important to rinse the hair thoroughly to remove all the bleach and shampoo out (I used the same shampoo I'm using to tone the hair)

Step 2

The second step is to then apply the toner which comes with the hair dye. You will notice here some parts took very well and the purple streaks are already coming out which shocked me. I've since read online hair extensions take very well to toners and often quicker than your normal hair. 

Step 3

Apply your toning shampoo (at this point you could add a non-permanent hair dye such as crazy colour or directions). I simply massaged the shampoo into the hair and left the hair for 2 minuets. I actually sometimes leave it on my own hair for up to half an hour but I could see how much the toner was working after just a few minuets.

Step 4

Apply a hair mask. This is optional and won't affect the colour of your extensions, however you should treat your halo with as much care as your own hair. They will longer if your kinder too them. Then simply blow dry your extensions and your good to go. I know the pictures look such a deep lilac colour but trust me when you dry the hair of it won't look so dramatic. 

Finally style your Halo hair extensions (I'm not great and this was my first try) then since your looking your best it would be rude not to pop out for a cheeky cocktail.

Hope you found this guide useful.  

Halo Hair Extensions 

Sammie

miamoo travel kit review

miamoo travel kit - £15.00*

splashy wash 30ml – refreshing citrus shower/body wash, fresh locks 30ml – soothing shampoo for shiny bouncy locks, baba oil 30ml – heavenly oil, great for hair, body and baby massage, huggy lotion 30ml – a non greasy daily moisturiser, spritz and wipe 30ml – a refreshing citrus spritz packed with minerals that has multi uses, cheeky cream 30ml – a natural barrier cream great for adults and babies.

Since I suffer with sensitive skin I was rather happy to be introduced to the new brand Miamoo. Miamoo is a 98.5% - 100% natural skincare range designed for both mums and baby's. Now I'm not a mum and defiantly have no plans to become one any time soon but the idea of a skincare brand that is good enough for a baby's bum sounded good enough to me.  

The brand is the creation of former Apprentice candidate Saira Khan who herself suffers with sensitive skin. After 25 years of trying miracle creams and trying what must of felt like every high street brand out there she eventually created her own.  She realised a few key finds that although plenty of people suffer with sensitive skin there seems to be a new generation suffering with sensitized skin, caused by the increased pollution and general shift in lifestyle trends. One of her main aims became to eliminate key chemicals found in huge numbers of skincare products and substitute these with key natural oils. So after reading about such a well constructed product I couldn't wait to see how well all the research actually translated into the world of beauty. Here are my little thoughts:

spashy wash

The lemon oil in the product was such a lovely invigorating scent and I've found it perfect for the hazy morning "half awake" showers. A little went a long way as the shower gel foamed up well. My skin felt soft and the fragrant scent lingered on my skin all morning. 

fresh Locks

I love my hair, it's no secret. I spent lots on haircare and I'm rather scared of changing my shampoo for even one wash.  However the natural chemical free shampoo left my hair feeling soft and I did feel a little pleased I was been kinder to my hair. I often spend loads on hair treatments and styling products but often overlook any potential chemicals used in actual shampoos. 

baba oil

I had recently been trying out a new cleansing oil on my skin to remove make-up and have been pleasantly surprised. I have always been on of these who presumed adding any kind of oil to skin will make my skin greasy and cause breakouts. I was wrong. Our skin needs oils. The lavender in this product helps sooth my skin and it's perfect to use before bed so the oil can work it's magic over night. It's also useful for more dry areas such as elbows and knees.

huggy lotion

I really never thought I'd find myself using a moisturiser called huggy lotion but I have really grown to love this. It's a easily absorbent moisturiser and light enough to use on the face. Although it's a light moisturiser I have still found my skin has felt hydrated on cold winter days. 

spritz and wipe

The spritz and wipe makes a fab make up remover or cleaner although I've found I've used this more as make up remover. It's gentle on the skin and was sensitive for use on eye make up. 

cheeky cream

This cream is a lot thicker than the huggy lotion and takes a little while to absorb into the skin. I found this works better for very patches of skin to help treat little problem areas than as a typical daily use cream. I also suffer from very dry chapped hands and this makes a cute little handbag essential. I've found this like a luxury version of sudocreme. 

Overall I would recommend the miamoo travel kit, the kit contains everything you need for a full beauty routine and makes for perfect light packing for travel. The products all have a multi-purpose use what's fantastic. 

Sammie

They're gonna put me in the movies

Dress: Ark clothing: £26.99

Hair extensions: Halo*

This is by all means not a great photo of the dress and I can assure you my hair looked better than in the photo. I thought it's been a while since I did an outfit photo so thought why the hell not. This is a new favourite dress of mine, its so versatile for days out shopping to a  night out or even work wear. I wore this dress Sunday for a trip round a few cocktail bars with friends.

Sammie