Sally Hansen InstaGel Strips

I have probably never been more excited about any product!Since my friend gave me Sally Hansen InstaGel Strips as a present after her visit to America I just couldn't wait to try them, but I had to wait a couple of weeks until one of nail broken nails would grow off...oh those were the two longest weeks of my life. I had to hide a box, so it wouldn't remind me about itself everyday.

And finally today after a thorough inspection I have decided that my defective nail is back on track and can handle some new product testing.

So you can get this product in two options. Option one is the starter kit which includes 16 strips, nail file, nail cleanser, orange stick, gel top coat and a mini LED lamp. Option two includes the same minus the LED lamp. So I had a second kit, because I'm and experienced gel user and already have a lamp!Yay!

So first of all, this product is absolutely fool proof. I just couldn't believe how easy it was to use.

You just need to shape your nails first and choose the strip which will fit your nail. After you've done that, just peel off the protective seal and place the patterned film on your nail. The film is very thin and has a sticky surface that goes on the nail, but it's surprisingly easy to apply, once you've spread the strip over the nail and made sure there are n creases, just file off all the excess. It's very similar to nail wraps, but easier to apply!

After all the nails got their strip, just put the gel top coat as you would a normal nail polish and dry it for a couple of minutes in the LED or UV lamp. And you are done!!That easy!

To take it off just use acetone remover.

The manicure should last for up two weeks.

I'm not quite sure if you can get them in UK yet, but you can have a look at Sally Hansen  website they have quite a big selection of fun colour options!

Have you heard of Sally Hansen InstaGel Strips? Are you tempted to try? 

Shampoo update

If you are like me looking for a shampoo that makes your hair squeak when you are washing it, then you might be interested in trying these shampoo and conditioner.

Sacha Juan Volume Shampoo and Conditioner are on my favourites list now , because I'm kind of obsessed with shampoos that make your hair squeaky clean and do not leave a slimy residue. I like that they feel very light , even the conditioner doesn't weigh down the hair, yet they leave your locks very shiny, voluminous, moisturised and smelling so fresh and nice.

If you're interested check out their website Sacha Juan, they have haircare catering to different needs such as dry, normal or coloured hair and a great range of styling products

Have you tried any of Sacha Juan products?

Hair

There are two hair products that I was quite excited to try, but still can't make my mind about how I feel about them.

Phyto Huile D'Ales is a hydrating oil treatment for dry hair. The box included 5 ampules with the treatment solution, little white plastic cap that you can see in the picture is for breaking the ampules safely and a little bottle where you can pour the solution and spray over the hair. The formula of this product is not oily at all and it's water soluble so it makes it pretty easy to wash off. It smells very nice, but gets very sticky, so you can not comb the hair after you sprayed the solution over the hair. The instruction tells to keep on the hair for up to 30 minutes and then shampoo your hair as usual. Hm.. I can not say I was really impressed with the results... My hair felt conditioned, but still a bit dry..Maybe I was expecting too much or maybe it's just my hair that is that badly damaged.

Rahua Omega 9 Hair Mask. I seriously could not wait for it to arrive after I ordered it from Cult Beauty. This American brand uses rahua oil that has been a secret of women of Amazon forest for centuries , it is known to make hair lustrous, thick and flowing.

It says to squeeze a generous amount and keep it for 10-15 minutes. I should admit that I experience a little (but very annoying) problem every time as to get a sufficient amount for my quite long hair I need to press the pump a million times and if you are doing it in the shower the bottle gets very slippery and it just turns into the battle. I really wish it was in a simpler bottle with the lid that you can unscrew.

I find it very confusing and still can not form an opinion about this hair mask as my hair feels different after each time I use it. Sometimes it's perfectly shiny and moisturised, sometimes it's dry and frizzy. Hm..maybe it's again my hair??

Have you tried any of these products? What did you think?

Skin Saviours

Probably like many others I suffer with very dry skin, especially in winter, when it's cold and windy. My elbows get super dry and at times I'm just scared to look at my hands- they are so red and sore.

I've tried so many different creams and lotions, but they seem to only work when they are still on the skin- as soon as you wash it off, you are back at square one. I should say that taking vitamin E helps tremendously, but I also have some secret weapon.

FSC Vitamin E Cream with Calendula is very rich cream that almost doesn't smell of anything. It's very calming and soothing, moisturises perfectly. I should say it's one of my favourites and I only have a tiny bit left and definitely going to restock, it's pretty cheap and a great value for money.

Egyptian Magic is an all purpose cream as it says on the packaging, but do not believe it, it's not a cream, it is more like a wax, you really need just a tiny bit as it is very rich, it instantly melts onto the skin, leaving it super smooth. It contains olive oil, beeswax, honey, bee pollen, royal jelly and propolis extract therefore it has very strong healing properties.

I purchased Goe Oil last week from Liberty and since I've tried it all I can do is rave about how good it is. This balm is an impressive blend of such oils and butters as monoi tiare oil, grape seed butter, jojoba butter  and kukuinut oil just to name a few. It comes out of the tube quite thick, but it's enough to warm it up between your palms to liquify the oil, it smells absolutely gorgeous and gets absorbed immediately. 

A great thing about this product that it has a million uses, you can even use it on the hair as a mask or a smoothing serum.

What are your skin saviours?

Molton Brown

Hey guys!

Just a quick one for today!

Replenished my shower gel strategic reserve and wanted to spread my excitement.

They are both from Molton Brown, the purple is one of my favourites Relaxing Yuan Zhi, it kind of reminds me of Escada perfumes, it's very fruity, warm and with a hint of spice.

And the green one is Warming Eucalyptus , which has very herbal and fresh scent.

What is your favourite Molton Brown scent?

Illuminating powders

Hello, beauties!

I almost always use some illuminating powder to set my make-up and add some radiance.

So here are an old favourite and a new friend

The one on the left is my favourite Soft and Gentle Mineralize Skinfinish by M.A.C that I got a long while ago and have been in love with it ever since . It gives a very subtle hardly noticeable bronze tint, it leaves skin amazingly radiant and looking absolutely flawless. Thanks to the microscopic shimmer it evens out the skin tone and hides all the imperfections. Love love love this product and just can't get enough of it!

The multicoloured newcomer is Bobbi Brown Brightening Finishing Powder in Porcelain Pearl. To be completely honest at first I didn't like it at all, but after using it a few times, I am actually growing  to love it. It's less obvious then the one by M.A.C and much lighter as well, but if you are looking for something slightly darker Bobbi Brown also makes it in Brightening Nudes , check it out here.

So, back to the Porcelain Pearl, when all the pastels mix when you brush them on, they instantly lift and freshen up your face; the skin just has this inner glow that is very attractive.

Have you tried Bobbi Brown Brightening Powder yet? 

Or maybe you tried the one by MAC or other brand? What are your thoughts?

Bobbi Brown and One Very Strange Product

Hey hey hey!

I recently purchased a lovely Bobbi Brown eye shadow in Black Chocolate that I wanted to share with you!

When I was flicking through pages online I saw that sparkly brown shadow that just caught my eye..and all I could think about : I must have one!It must have hypnotised me.

Very rich chocolate brown with bronze shimmer. It is a bit dry and because it has large shimmer particles it doesn't stick to skin as good as your regular eye shadows, so you need to really work it in and apply a few layers. But I think it's such a gorgeous shade and I can't wait to use it to create a stunning smokey eye. 

So, I also wanted to tell you about the weirdest product that I've ever tried, haha.

Meet the Balm

Basically, this balm is more like a wax (really similar to the one you would use on your hair) but it is made to remove make up. I should say I have never had that much fun removing my make up and my bf said I looked "freaky". First of all I absolutely love the packaging, it is so retro and pretty. You need to scoop up some of this wax with your finger, close your eye (don't open it all the way through, otherwise you gonna be left with some grease on your contacts , if you wear them), and spread it over your eye lid and massage it in a bit until the make up breaks down and then just wipe it off with the cotton pad! Easy and fun! Removes make up really well, it doesn't have any scent and is very delicate on the tender skin around the eyes.

Do you have your favourite Bobbi Brown shade? 

What's your favourite product to remove make up?

Dior Skincare

Little post on an awesome trio that I got from my bf a few weeks ago.

These are three Dior skincare products  that include Gentle Cleansing Milk, Gentle Toning Lotion and Capture Totale One Essential Skin Boosting Super Serum.

I really like that the cleansing milk has a pump, so it's easy to squeeze it on the cotton pad and you just get the right amount, instead of ending up with crazy loads of the product that you don't know what to do with. It's really gentle but removes make up really well , even my thick eyeliner.

The toning lotion leaves skin very fresh and energised  and doesn't have a sticky residue like some other toner do. 

Lastly, the serum that moisturises very well and feels very pleasant on the face without tightening it. I can not to talk about the wonderful scent it  has, it is so delicate and opens up when you apply it to the skin. It smells of roses and some other flowers and it is so nostalgic as it reminds me the scent of my grandma's cream when I was a child..so it brings back pleasant memories every time I use it!

Overall, I really enjoy using this skincare range: it's light, yet moisturises well and is definitely good for the summer when it's hot!

Are you using any Dior skincare products?

Eyes!

Happy Saturday!

Eye shadow update!

These ones are from the &Other Stories.. beauty basket that I got on my bday from my lovely girls.

Linen Beige Naquet was quite tricky to capture, as it is almost the same colour as my skin but with a bit of shimmer. It is definitely my favourite, there is a similar shade in my MUA palette that I've been using every day , so there is hardly anything left of it. So I'm glad I have a great replacement for it. 

Stockinette Nude is a very pale matte shadow, which I think is good to use under the brow or in the middle of the upper eye lid to give it some definition.

Foularde Marrakech is a highly pigmented matte purple..it reminded me of summer and figs..I love figs by the way.

And the last one is loose shimmery eye shadow which comes in a little tub with an applicator similar to those ones you get with lip gloss..it' s a bit tricky to apply as everything seems to stick to the applicator, so I find it is easier to put some on the back of your hand and then apply with the brush to eyes. I think it is a bit of a multitasker, it's great for highlighting the corners of the eyes, under the brow, or just dabbing a bit on your cheek bones for some radiance.

And these colours go together pretty well creating a smokey eye.

Have you tried any &Other Stories eye shadows?

Eyebrows!

Hello, beauties!

I thought I haven't done a post on eyebrows yet..what a shame!

I think eyebrows is the most important thing on the face (apart from the mouth, coz how would you eat otherwise?)

Eyebrows frame the face, give it an expression and a finished groomed look.

So here are my favourites!

I've been in love with Paul & Joe in 02 for a few months now. The thing I absolutely adore about it is that it comes in the plastic retractable case, so you just twist it to get some more of the pencil, so that means no pencil sharpener, which is great, as I can never find mine, plus your pencil always stays sharp.

Sadly, I almost used it all and when I wanted to re-order it from ASOS , it appeared that it was out of stock, so I was kinda forced to look for alternatives.

And this is when I came across NARS Ipanema, you can tell by the picture that it is almost identical to Paul & Joe one, but slightly browner and darker.

Both of this pencils are of a brownish-grey shade, which in opinion, looks much more natural and nicer than a usual chocolate or dark brown pencil, which is very obvious in the natural light.

I also like that these pencils are quite hard, so you need to apply them in firm strokes. I am not a big fan of softer pencils as I find that they smudge very easily (sometimes they do it while you don't see, so you have a surprise when you pop down to the lady's room and you have a monobrow)

The last but not the least is the ColorSport Eyebrow Definer, I got it from Boots while ago, it is like a thin marker, the formula is quite watery, but if you wish for a more intense colour you can apply a few layers. I find it is generally good for filling in any gaps in your brows, it looks natural and stays put amazingly well.

What are your favourite eyebrow pencils?