Remington Volumiser Hot Brush Review

I have been intrigued by the Babylis Big Hair Hot Air Brush so when I happened to be in my local Boots and I saw a similar product by Remington at the sale price of £10 I couldn't resist!

The Volumiser Hot Brush is a brilliant product from Remington as it does exactly what it says on the tin. I have naturally curly, fine hair so I need hair products to help form curls and give me lots and lots of volume!

The volumiser heats up very quickly with two heat settings which is great if you are pushed for time. 

I washed, spritzed volumiser spray (did I mention I like big hair?!) and blow dried until my hair was about 90% dry. 

I sectioned my hair off from bottom to top as if you were going to straighten, grabbed the section of hair from the tip and gently rolled the hair up. Using the curl release button after about 10 seconds I untwisted the curl to form a bouncy volumised wave.  

To finish the style I used Frizz Ease's Moisture Barrier Firm-Hold Hairspray (my hair best friend).

This is the result... 

Before

After

 
I haven't used the Babylis Big Hair Hot Air Brush before so it would be unfair for me to compare, however I am very pleased with the result from using the Remington Volumiser Hot Brush. I can not believe a product this good only cost me £10 - I love a bargain!

Black & Red Winter Fashion

Happy new year everyone! 

I think I can still get away with saying that, it is still January after all.
 
It feels good to be back on the blogging circuit, I haven't published anything for over a month and I've started getting the withdrawal symptoms, so here goes...

Can you believe it yesterday was the first time this winter I have put on a thick winter coat. I get attached to thin jackets, thick cardigans and almost forget that I have about 5 winter coats ready to be worn. 

I bought this red coat from Evans two years ago, possibly in the sale (I can't remember). I really like the shape of this coat - almost knee length with a waist belt. 

The black jeans are from New Look, the plain black T shirt is from H&M and the black leather boots I recently picked up from the Office sale.

 I think these ankle boots have to be the best sale item I've purchased this January sale as they are so versatile - I can wear them under jeans, smartly under black work trousers or worn with leggings and dresses. Thanks Office!

'Glamour Daze' from Mac

Yet again Mac cosmetics have brought out a fabulous collection called 'Glamour Daze' from their Holiday range. Mac have steered well clear of the typical holiday colours such as; reds and mountains of obvious glitter and have designed a colour collection that is suitable for everyone which leads the way on an alternative glamourous, hinting on the 60's look.

I couldn't resist a trip to the Mac store when I saw the collection online, many items had sold out (not surprising) so I purchased the items I was drawn to the most. 

The first thing I picked up was an extra dimension eyeshadow in the colour 'A Natural Flirt', a gorgeous champagne/nude with a strong undertone of light pink, shimmery colour. Very wearable as a wash of colour on the lids or incorporated into a stronger smokey eye.

 

The second extra dimension eyeshadow I bought was in the colour 'Evening Grey', a sexy silver/light gun metal grey shadow with a heavy shimmer. This colour, I would suggest is more of an evening (hence the name) look which could be accompanied simply with a black eyeliner or used in a smokey eye. 

The last piece I purchased from the collection is a lipglass in the colour 'Talk Softly To Me'. I amazingly have never bought any of the Mac glass' so I was very excited to try this one - I absolutely LOVE it!

I know the pictures below aren't particularly clear but I wanted to show you my interpretation of the 60's glamour makeup using 'A Natural Flirt' and 'Talk Softly To Me'. 

 

Outfit Of The Night

BARGAIN ALERT!
I think I may have found the ultimate bargain, and found it was in Asda for £16!
George in my opinion are producing some gorgeous pieces that are; on trend, comfortable and very affordable without skimping on quality this season.

The bargain piece I'm raving about is this gorgeous Floral Jersey Wrap Dress:

This is what George says:

        With a relaxed cut that flatters grown-up curves and bold fabrics that spell confidence, the Moda collection injects personality into your look. Fluid pieces, rich colours and feminine details combine to create an organically chic capsule closet you’ll love. So make life less ordinary with exciting, elegant clothes that put you centre stage.

To me this dress just screams 'AUTUMN!', can easily be dressed up or down depending on the occasion, I went to see 'The Blue Dukes' perform in a pub near Old Street last night.  I felt totally comfortable in this outfit even after the second glass of rose. Admittedly I needed some jewellery to complete the look and will be on the hunt for a mid-length necklace and possibly a statement ring.

 

I teamed the dress with a navy blazer - also from George, a tan bag (I love a tan bag!), black leggings and heeled brogue shoes in brown. 

Outfit Of The Night

I went to one of those 'nice pubs' with great food and a real crackling fire last night for a family birthday in Oxfordshire. The bird print, sweetheart neck dress is from ASOS Curve, they have an almost identical dress in black (see previous post) a stretchy, easy to wear fabric. The jacket is also a jersey material which I feel gives the outfit a formal yet relaxed feel without looking like I'm going to an interview. 

Bird print dress - ASOS Curve

Navy blazer - George 

Leggings - New Look

Shoes - New Look

Belt - Evans

Bracelet - River Island

The black and gold belt was a last minute decision, which looking back at the photo could have been a different colour possibly a neutral/tan to bring the blues together and highlight the pale pink and gold bracelet. I like these belts below - the gold bow belt from ASOS curve and the dark tan and gold belt from Evans.

 The outfit was really comfortable to wear, I would recommend the bird print dress as it can be dressed up or down accordingly.

Outfit of the Night

It was my partner's birthday a few days ago - the big '30' so we went out for dinner last night to celebrate properly.

I'm always on the look out for the ultimate 'little black dress' with sleeves but it seems designers overlook the importance of a dress with 3/4 sleeves and it's very difficult to find! I'm someone that doesn't really follow fashion to the absolute point, I like to be a bit different.

At the moment all I see when I go out are girls wearing short dresses with sweetheart necklines and yes some of them look AMAZING! However, some girls really get it wrong.

So being the rebellious person that I am, I like to wear shrugs or sleeves with my never above the knee dress!

When I saw this dress on ASOS I had to get it! Diamonds and Pearls has also blogged about this dress which encouraged me to purchase after it looked so flattering on her.

Dress - Asos curve

 The shoes are from New Look and are surprisingly comfortable. The clutch is a Julien Macdonald cream with metallic snake effect bag. The broach is from Ebay and the bracelet is from Fenwicks.

Bridal Makeup

Hey everyone, I've finally found the time to blog and what a long time it's been! I feel like I've missed so much! I know how my afternoon will pan out :-)
As you know I'm getting married next year and I've have been doing lots of research - mainly on 'The Dress' and makeup top tips for the big day. I've watched lots of occasion/wedding makeup tutorials on Youtube, read LOTS of bridal blogs and created this look.

There are aspects of this look that I will change, this isn't the 'explored every possibility and this is my wedding makeup' look. I can't wait to try more products until I find the perfect combination.

I have oily/combination skin and I find it incredibly difficult to control oil and shine all day. I never really thought skin care was that important until realising the prep of your skin is number one. (I'll do a review on my skin care routine soon).

The first step in my daily routine is the wash my face with;
1. Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel foaming face wash.
2. Boots Tea Tree and Witch Hazel Cleansing and Toning Lotion.
3. Simple Clear Skin Oil Balancing Moisturiser.
4. Urban Decay's De-Slick Oil control makeup setting spray

The prep is done and now it's time for the makeup:
1. Benefit POREfessional primer
2. Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation
3. Estee Lauder Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear Concealer
4. Estee Lauder Double Wear Mineral Rich Loose Powder
5. Bareminerals brow colour 
6. Urban Decay Primer Potion
7. Eyeshadow; Grain, Orb, Wedge and Brun by Mac
8. Sleek's Eau La La Liner
9. Bobbi Brown eyeshadow used as liner
10. Maybelline's Volum' Express The Colossal mascara
11. Nars Laguna
12. Estee Lauder Rose Nuance blush
13. Mac's Creme Cup
14. Urban Decay's De-Slick Oil control makeup setting spray to finish 

The products I want to try are;
Smashbox's photo finish primer light, a lighter brow colour to give some depth, a natural long lasting lip liner, Nars Smudge Proof eyeshadow base, a slightly darker/cooler shade of lipstick, natural false eyelashes, a natural looking highlighter.

Anyone tried and tested any of these products or can recommend any long lasting products?