Glossy, Model Worthy Hair?♥*

Since dying my hair last year, I became more cautious with regards to my haircare routine. I had slacked, as people do from time to time, but recently, I've been taking extra care. Lee Stafford is a brand that somehow always features in my routine, mainly because of all the different, available ranges, and their amazing products. Once again, the lovely people from nbpr (Lee Stafford PR) offered to send out some Lee Stafford products for me to try, and they've ended up in my haircare routine.

Lee Stafford Coco Loco Heat Protection Spray* - you may remember a post from a few months ago about the Coco Loco range (if not, you can read it here), and it was a range that I quickly fell in love with. The range has a coconut scent - one of my favourites - and when I was sent the heat protection spray from this range, I was over the moon. Heat protection is vital to use, whether you're only using a hair dryer or actually styling your hair, it will help protect your hair from heat, preventing any damage. Personally, I really like this product, I use it in my hair when it's damp before drying and it helps untangle any tangles, and leaves my hair feeling smooth and silky.

Lee Stafford Lived in Spray* - this spray is ideal if you're after a messy, textured look. It's best applied to the length of the hair, not the roots - I accidentally did this and my roots appeared greasy, oops. It gives volume to the hair, and sometimes, I use this in my hair before putting it into a messy bun so that the hair is easier to work with, and not as "slippy". It smells like the original Lee Stafford range which smells divine. It would probably be ideal for those with shoulder length hair or shorter for a more voluminous, casual yet easily styled hair.

Lee Stafford Hair Growth Scalp Scrub* - I'm undecided with this product. I mean, I think it's intentions are great, don't get me wrong, but it's just strange. Basically right, it's an exfoliator for your scalp - weird, yeah? Although it feels completely wrong (I feel as though I'm scrubbing a face scrub into my hair!), the results are worth it. When rinsed out - it's applied before any shampooing - my scalp feels fresh and healthy. Same as the texture spray, it has the original Lee Stafford scent, and after washing, my hair smells amazing. It's part of the hair growth range, and my hair is already really long (probably too long, aha...) so it's hard to see if I've had any progress lately, and because my hair has been in a bun lately, I couldn't say if I've noticed a real difference. If you were to use it along with the hair growth collection, you would notice vast improvement - you can find out more about the hair growth range here.

Using these products can help achieve smooth, shiny and glossy hair. You know those ads where the model always has thick, gorgeous hair? I genuinely think my hair resembles that look due to using these products (hehe).

*PR Samples

A Naked 3 Dupe♥

It's no surprise that majority of people love a dupe. I know for sure I do - it gives me an experience of the product before buying the real thing. W7 are famous for their dupes, and it's no shock why - they're amazing. Their products are similar to some of the big brands - Benefit, Urban Decay etc. They're well known for their dupes of the Urban Decay Naked Palettes. I like the look of the Naked 3, so what else did I do other than go out and buy the dupe, the W7 In The Nude?

The packaging is not identical but similar. It has the rose gold packaging, resembling the Naked 3, as well as a slight pattern on the tin. The packaging is sturdy and is quite metal like, so it will survive any bumps and bashes. The inside sadly doesn't contain a mirror, which is a slight disadvantage but nonetheless. The Naked 3 consists of mainly pink tones, hence why the colours inside this palette are. Inside, there's a gap for where a makeup brush comes. Don't get too excited, it's only a sponge applicator, however, it's actually pretty decent. There's a mixture of lights, pinks and dark colours; a mixture of mattes and shimmers; and a few glitters.

To me, this palette looks stunning. It's picturesque and photogenic. It's capable to create subtle day looks or dramatic evening looks, or in between. The shadows are pigmented and buttery, making them easy to blend. When used in conjunction with my Real Technique eye brushes, the finish is impeccable. I often leaving this palette sitting in the backseat, but when I use it again, I rekindle my love for it. The names are also adorable.

I've never tried the Naked 3, but some of my friends own it and say it's almost identical. Who knows, maybe one day I'll fork out the money and buy the Naked 3!

Do you own the Naked 3? Is this a good dupe?

The English Soap Company♥*

9/10 times, I use body wash, mainly because it's out of convenience and usually because I have a fair stash of them from Christmas or my birthdays. Recently however, I've been trying out some soaps - change is good sometimes you know! - and when I was contacted by The English Soap Company*, I knew I just HAD to try some of their soaps, their packaging was too adorable!

It's always more exciting when a brand sends you products without telling you exactly what they're sending. The first soap I received was their Green Tea Soap*, which is a rather exotic and unique. I wasn't sure how I'd like this soap however, because it's not like anything else I've ever tried, but despite this, I like it. It's a rich shea butter formula and it most certainly contains shea butter because it leaves your skin feeling intensely smooth.

Their Honey and Camomile Soap* is an interesting combination. It has quite a strong, distinct scent but smells fresh and exhilarating too. If the packaging isn't enough to draw you in, then the scent will. As it's different, I do quite like this, and it's perfect for using in the morning to really "wake you up".

As you can see, it's like a brick - it's a 200g block of soap which is guaranteed to last a life time. It lathers up really easily and then you're left with bubble-paradise. It's extremely creamy when lathered up and definitely hydrates your skin, leaving it feel silky smooth.

I have been impressed with these soaps! I've been looking on The English Soap Company's website and they have a wide variety of soaps available - there's even a Jasmine scented soap, ideal or what?!

Have you tried this brand?

*PR Samples

A Selection Box Better Than Chocolate?♥

I honestly cannot believe that in the 3 years this blog has been running for, I have never featured Benefit. I have no clue why because I freaking love the products I'm about to share with you all. Not only do I love the products due to it's outstanding quality, but the cute, quirky packaging also takes my heart. Last Christmas, I received the Best of Benefit Selection Box, which was comprised of their best selling products.

Benefit Boi-Ing Concealer; I actually hear about this concealer all the time on beauty chats on Twitter, and I can assure you it is worth the hype. It's incredible. It's creamy, meaning it blends without any difficulties, and the coverage is impressive. I personally use this for my under eye circles because I feel they require the most coverage but I believe it would work equally as good for spots and blemishes.

Benefit Porefessional; A primer which is meant to be a best friend for a girl (or guy) with oily skin. As it's only a miniature, whenever I use it, I only apply to where I require it most, which is round my t-zone. It definitely is amazing. It helps my foundation stay put and keeps shine to a minimum. 

Benefit High Beam; A liquid highlighter. 9/10 times, I will use a powder highlight but recently I have been LOVING this, it's subtle yet pretty, and is quite a pearl based highlight. On more natural makeup days, I like to use it alone to highlight my cheekbones, but on those days where I want to go all out, I use it as a base for my powder highlight on top. It is guaranteed to blind.

Benefit They're Real Push-up Eyeliner; Nope, not a fan. I'm not the only person who doesn't like it, I'm yet to hear a positive review, for the miniature size anyway. It's practically impossible to use because I find it difficult to get the product out, and when I do, it feels incredibly dry. Whenever I remove it (which is straight after trying to use it!), it crumbles all over my face. It's a no from Jasmine.

Benefit Rockateur Blush; If I were to go buy any blush from Benefit, I feel I'd go for this one. It's the perfect pink blush for a pale gal like myself, and suits near enough any makeup look. It's especially pretty throughout Spring and Summer due to it being a light shade. A benefit (hehe) to this blush is that it smells really good, for makeup anyway - it's quite sweet.

Benefit Hoola Bronzer; Hoola has seriously became one of my favourite bronzers. I cannot quite describe how amazing it is. Each time I use it, I instantly remember how much I love it. It's not on the orange side and isn't too dark either, so it's a win win situation really. It gives warmth to the overall complexion, as well as giving subtle definition. It's pigmented but even if you use too much, it blends flawlessly.

Benefit They're Real Mascara; I have a love/hate relationship with this mascara. At first, I couldn't use it because it was too "wet", so smudged and clumped really easily, but not that it's "drier", I get on a bit better. I do feel it's not fantastic on its own for some reason, but, I have a combination which makes me reach for it on a daily basis - I layer it with a lengthening mascara as it's a voluminous mascara. Game changer, seriously! Try it, honestly.

These miniature "tasters" into Benefit have made me want to try more products. Although some products are quite "pricey" (it is classified as a highend makeup brand after all), I do rate them really highly.

Do you have any recommendations from Benefit?

Vera Wang Lovestruck♥

Vera Wang's Princess collection has became one of my favourite ranges quickly due to it's beautifully designed bottles and sweet loving scents. Slowly but surely have I moved onto trying out the Lovestruck range, and for Christmas, received the original fragrance. As I knew how much I admired the Princess range, I knew that I would have high standards for this range too.

I must admit that the bottle is up there with Marc Jacobs - just look at it! It has such a plain yet pretty design, with the main focus on the lid. The overall aesthetics of the bottle are rather pleasant, and looks elegant too. It's one you want to keep on display for sure - why would you want to keep this beauty hidden away in a box?

The scent itself is sweet and girly yet not sickly or overpowering. It's definitely a wearable perfume for a daily basis, and I love it. Although it's sweet, I feel as though it has quite a floral tinge to it also. The notes are as of the following:

Top notes of Pink Guava, Angelica Flower and Mandarin.
Heart notes of Indian Jasmine Sambac, Tuberose Buds and Blue Lotus Blossom.
Base notes of Sheer Musk, Precious Woods and Vanilla.

As you can see, it's quite a vast mixture of notes, which all collectively create a wonderful perfume, one which I feel deserves more recognition in the beauty world. Not only does the scent smell divine, but the bottle just tops it off. If you haven't ever tried this perfume specifically, or even the Vera Wang range, I suggest you do as you won't regret it!