Stepping into spring with Diptyque Geranium ODORATA

The weather keeps on hinting to us that spring maybe on its way, so in my attempt to fool myself as the English weather is very hit and miss I've been putting my winter coats to the back of the wardrobe and been choosing my lightweight tops over those heavy jumpers.

Something else I've changed is my scent, my heavy winter scents just aren't cutting it I want a lighter fresher scent that remind me of sunny mornings and blossom on the trees.

The scent I've been reaching for is Diptyque Geranium odorata. Now I'm no expert when it comes to perfumes but I know what I like.

This just ticks all the "spring time" scent boxes, geranium odorata is rose scented with springtime blossom. 

One of the things I love about this scent is it's a great transition from the heavier winter scents as it's still got a masculine scent with a fresh floral feminine twist.

Geranium odorata is a unique scent which isn't full on feminine with notes of: Bergamot, Geranium Bourbon, Rose, Pink peppercorn, Tonka bean, Haitian vetiver, ledar.

So to round up my love for this perfume, this is a fab clean not overpowering scent. This maybe on the pricier side but this isn't something you have to keep spraying on you all day to top up, it's got good staying power so really should last you. 

Michaela xx

My current haircare routine for fine hair

Finding haircare that works for you isn't the easiest of things plus I don't know about you but it's a area I seem to scrimp money wise on even though after working over 10years in the hairdressing industry you would think I would know the importance of looking after those lushous locks!

I've gone from buying salon exclusive high end brands to high street and I've finally found the mix of products I'm happy with.

Having fine hair isn't easy but meeting so many women with different hair types I can safely say none of us are happy with what we have but it's all about making the best of what we've got.

The one thing I can't stand about having fine hair is it being limp and lifeless I'm forever trying to get body and give the elision of fuller hair.

Let's get down to the products and where the haircare regime starts, cleansing and treating the hair (in non salon talk shampoo and conditioner). 

This is were you are prepping your hair for what you want it to look like so what type of shampoo and conditioner is important. About a year ago I came across the loreal elvive fibrology range. I had never really gone down the high street route before with haircare but this had all the right talk about penetrating deep into the hair fibre (shaft) and giving fuller thicker hair. Fab!

This isn't anything new, salon exclusive ranges like Redken and kerastase (both owed by loreal if you didn't know) have had ranges out that do this for years but this to me was a first for the highstreet.

After the first shampoo I knew It was a good product and haven't looked back, the shampoo swells the hair shaft to thicken it, the conditioner doesn't weigh the hair down and it's not stripping my colour.

When conditioning it is always good to towel dry your hair before you apply the conditioner for it to really work to its full pretentioul.

I would recommend this to anyone who has fine hair it really does do what it says, I've tried the full range of the fibrology and am really impressed.

Next on to the styling ready to blow dry, my beloved loreal tec in art volume lift. I can't tell you how many of these I've bought over the years I've never strayed from using it. Volume lift is a salon product but can be bought from feel unique. Volume lift is a moose, it has a funny nozzle that is for directing the moose direct to the root of your hair to give volume straight from the roots. It really does do that I go through and apply this in sections volume lift is light weight and not sticky but don't hang about this needs to be applied then blow dry straight away or you may have a nice crispy mess.

Once my moose is applied I then move onto a good spritz up of my bumble and bumble thickening hairspray. 

I don't get why this has been called a hairspray as this is a pre blow dry product and can really confuse is customers. This is just another step to giving me that body I want (need), this I spay all over from root to tip to give body and also protect my hair from the heat. The b&b thickening spray can be sticky if left and not dried properly but it's lightweight and protecting.

So these are the steps I take to giving the elision of thicker fuller hair for my fine hair. I'm happy with the mix I have here it's simple but affective. If your in the same fine boat as me go give some of these a try. 

Weekend shopping list must haves....

Yay the weekend is finally here, if you are planning on hitting the shops and looking for a few things to add to your shopping list go no further, sit down and read on.......

I am obsessed with winged eyeliner and a smokey eye, I want quick easy products that have lasting power. The three items you need to pop in your basket (and not think about the price tag) are by terry ombré black star in shade misty rock and bronze moon and the laura mercier creme eye liner in shade noir.

We're to start first..... Let's talk about the by terry ombré black star. These cream eye shadows are the easiest thing to work with they literally glide on and are build-able in colour. I applied misty rock all over the eyelid up to the crease and blended out then in the crease line I applied bronze moon then blended upwards as I have more of a hooded eye.

After about one minute these set and dont budge which gives that fab kick ass lasting power I love. It's still enough time to blend and to be fare a good brush will do the work for you no real skills involved.

Now my favourite part my zen moment, I find my eyeliner time very therapeutic I don't rush, I take my time but since I bought the laura mercier creme eyeliner this part is so easy. 

I used my zoeva 315 brush and worked out on each eye a rough idea were I wanted my flick then traced down to the inner of my eye before filling them both in. I like to go back and forth between both eyes as this works best for me to try and get them as even as possible but if doing one eye at a time works best for you stick with it..... It's  all about finding your own technique.

This is by far the best eyeliner I've found it is creamy, glides on and is a true black plus it lasts.

It doesn't transfer or bleed down.

This combo is a dream team, it's a easy let the product do the work no brainer.

Happy weekend shopping.

Michaela xx

Ren clearcalm 3 clarifying clay cleanser review

So as I have mentioned before I suffered with teenage acne, I have combination skin that tips on the oily side with a good dose of being dehydrated at the same time. I know what your thinking sounds like a nightmare and your answer to that is yes it is.
Finding a cleaner that I like is hard but a couple of years ago I found one that ticked most boxes and I have repurchased countless times.

I suffer with the hormonal breakout along the jaw at certain times of the month and find that my pores (if left untreated) can be enlarged. The clearcalm really combats these problems, the cleanser is made to help combat and prevent breakouts.

When I do have a active breakout this calms it down from its red angry sore stage and turns it round quickly. 

Clearcalm kills off surface bacteria, absorbs oils and tones pores. Exactly what someone with my long list of skin type is craving for in a cleanser.

The constancy is creamy which you need to massage over the face and leave for around 2 minutes then I wash off with a warm face cloth. Once washed off my skin feels hydrated and calm not tight like I have used paint stripper for a cleanser!

If I wanted to do a at home spa treatment once a week I like to leave the cleanser on for longer to really get all of the benefits from the ingredients and my face really thanks me for this. 

The price of this cleanser leans more on the affordable side at £19, there has been many higher end cleansers that are costing a lot more that are doing the same thing so support this English brand and save some £££ at the same time.

Michaela xx

The hydration serum that has me hooked

I've been on the market for a new hydratin serum after my hydraluron had run out. Browsing the isles of boots I came across the  Vichy aquaria thermal dynamic serum.  I've used Vichy before and always been happy with the brand plus the price is on the cheaper side at £17.

My skin type.

When I was young I suffered with teenage acne, I have sensitive combination skin that is very dehydrated. I'm fair and noticed that if I don't put hydration in my skin it shows, my tone looks flat and dull.

The serum itself.

I've been using the aquaria serum morning and night at the moment. After the first couple of try's I just knew this was going to be a staple in my skincare routine. The serum is transparent in colour, it's light with silky texture and doesn't clog the pores.
 In the morning I apply this before my face cream and foundation. I absolutely love how much more of a healthier glow this gives me and makes my foundation look and sit so much better. Without this in the mornings my face looks lackluster.

Why do I love this serum so much? Well the serum instantly hydrates with the active hyaluronine ingredient, evenings I love to really slather this on as I love to wake up the next day and still feel like my skincare is working.

If like me you are on the sensitive side this is the Serum for you. Many people get scared of products that are for dehydrated skin as it sounds like dry skin which equals heavy rich serums and creams. This light velvet consistency has a secret kick that instantly hydrates and lasts.

I'm hooked and actually look forward to using it. If you are looking for a new hydration serum this is the one.

Have you tried this serum before? Or do you think there is another worthy of taking its place?

Michaela xx

Charlotte TIlbury filmstar bronze and glow review

The Charlotte Tilbury filmstar bronze and glow has been on my 'wish list' since it first come on the scene. It's pleasing on the eye in every way possible, from the gorgeous packaging that looks like something you would see on a 1920's dressing table to the stunning shades of sculpt and highlight. I'm not going to lie I love a cheeky little contour and yes boy this is pricey at £49 (ouch)  but I justified it as my beloved Kevyn Aucoin sculpting powder which is on it's last legs is £35 alone so saw I was getting much more for my money with the two products in the beautiful compact. So down to what I actually think about the Bronze and glow first impressions I love it. The sculpting side is a softer not as harsh contour as my Kevyn Aucoin sculpting powder and more on the bronzer tone and is versatile to be used as a bronzer with out contouring. Being fair this does not muddy my face it just gives me the healthy glow.
 My favourite side the highlight....... WOW!!! This stuff is good. I applied this on the top of my cheekbone down the centre of my nose and on my Cupid bow. I'm seriously in love it's like no highlight I've tried before it gives me that glow not a glitter ball look. Something I'm happy to wear in the day as well as the night.
Overall I'm chuffed with this compact, I feel a charlotte tilbury obsession coming on!

Has anyone else started a charlotte tilbury addiction? Time to remorage the house but so worth it.

Michaela x

My 'Thing' lipstick

So this year I'm turning the big 30 and I came to the realisation that I don't have a thing, you know a signature look. There are women who are known for that one look weather it be there gizzi erskine beehive or the Amy winehouse eyeliner. So I decided that was going to be what I was going to be on my list of things to do before 30.
Obviously I didn't want it to be anything high matenance and it had to be something I was compatable with wearing on a daily basis that fitted in with my style.
I wear the same sort of make up everyday and love a winged eyeliner but I wear minimal colour so my obvious choice was a lipstick. I chose to visit my local boots and found myself at the Dior counter after discussing with the Dior beauty consultant that I was looking for a lipstick that could be worn day to night that suited my pale skin tone. After trying on many different lipsticks I found my 'thing' the one.
Dior rouge Montmartre 765 this range is for that signature look and this shade is my perfect full lip pow colour that looks fab in the day but can still be worn at night with a smokey eye. I am head of heels with this lipstick it's not drying it has a good staying power, looks great against my fair skin and gives you that confidence you need on a drab I haven't had time to wash my hair day.

There are 24 shades in this range so there really is a shade for anyone, this is on the pricier side but if like me you are looking for your all purpose lipstick or your signature look it's money well spent. 

Michaela xx