Lifes a Beach

Bumble and bumble Surf Spray

When its super hot outside I really cannot be bothered to blow dry my hair.  Summer grooming is endless, so having the option of eliminating one beauty regime is a definite win.  My hair is bleached, so its quite easy to achieve beachy, tousled (messy) and windswept waves, however, this look can be created from a bottle using Bumble and bumble Surf Spray

Bumble and bumble Surf Spray is designed to thicken and lift hair to recreate that, sexy, salty, just got off the beach look.

I have been interested in this cult product for a while as pretty much every hair stylist I have ever known loves it.  I was under the impression like most people, that Bumble and bumble Surf Spray was for the beach. I used it on the holiday last year and was really unimpressed by its results.  This was because I was swimming a lot and didn't need to fake the beach hair. So, what it actually does is mimic the beach wave look, not create it on the actual beach.

Before discovering this, my bottle had gathered dust on my bathroom shelf, and I was actually gong to give it away.  One morning a few weeks ago, I discovered its amazingness when I was running late (as usual) to meet a friend and didn't have time to blow dry.  The results were incredible.  Since then I have been converted to its magic, and now I'm obsessed with it.  Its perfect for the city girls who want to create an effortless/bohemian/romantic or wild look - that's what summer is about right?  

Here's my air dried Surf Spray hair  

How to be  mermaid/surf girl...

 Simply wash your hair, spray onto the ends, or the roots (if you require volume) and let it air dry.  Easy.  

If you're a semi beach/city surf girl like me, and prefer a little more of a refined mess - blast your roots only with a hairdryer, to set your fringe and parting, or use a diffuser to dry.  Surf Spray works better on semi dry hair. I would finish the look with serum to add shine and prevent any potential frizz, but too be honest the extracts of sea kelp add shine and manageability leaving it looking super soft and shiny anyway.

Please note, results will vary depending on your hair type.  I get asked how I achieve my look all the time, but seriously, all I do is wash it, semi dry and add an oil because its naturally wavy.  Anyone with straight hair or curly hair would have to add additional products, and styling.

Available from Selfridges, Boots, Liberty, and Bumble and bumble 

£21.50 (125ml)

Ingredient - Ascophyllum Nudosum Extract: moisturising; elasticity, luster, softness, body, less flyaways

Macrocystis Pyrifera (Sea Kelp) Extract: shine, manageability

Magnesium Sulfate: astringent

Looking Buff...

2 Minute Manicure with MICRO Nail

I always wear nail polish.  I change my colour three times a week and have never been seen without it.  Surprising to most, I very rarely have a professional manicure unless it's a birthday, or a treat, as I consider it a necessity over a luxury, and use the money saved towards buying a new nail colour.

I do think it would be nice to go polishless sometimes, as au naturel lets your nails breathe, but the truth is, I would feel naked without it. However, now that I have discovered MICRO Nail by Emjoi I'm consider wearing clean natural nails for the rest of my life!

Makers of the award winning MICRO Pedi (which I also use) have launched a new revolutionary nail care product which I think is a game changer in home manicures.  Unlike any other product in the nail care market, the device’s pioneering micro mineral technology guarantees fast, salon smooth and hassle-free results in an instant all from the comfort of your own home.

It basically does all the hard work for you so no more arm ache, or hours spent buffing and polishing, this handy little electronic device gives you beautiful and natural shiny nails in seconds.

It's super easy to use as it comes with the batteries required which go into the bottom, as well as the rollers which can be easily added and removed.  The grey roller ‘MICRO Smooth’ is designed to buff away ridges, reduce staining and help improve the appearance of dryness.  The white roller ‘MICRO Shine’ works in seconds to leave nails with a beautiful, natural shine. 

There is a separate pouch for the rollers, and the fuss free, light packaging is so convenient to keep in the handbag, or on your desk, or dresser for any last minute touch (buff) ups. 

When I first used Micro Nail I was afraid.  The rollers spin faster than I had expected (Rotating at 360 degrees up to 1800 times per minute) and they are really powerful.  Fear not, the sound and fast action is deceiving because it is actually really gentle on the nails, as well as on the skin around the cuticles.  Avoid staying in one area too long.  The most effective way of using the product is by moving fast (2 seconds per nail) and forming a 'U' shape over the nail bed.

The results are fast and amazingly effective.  I couldn't believe how shiny my nails were, they looked like they had clear nail polish on them, it was unbelievable.  It definitely improved the appearance of my natural nails, and they looked smooth and healthy.  After a few months use, I would feel confident and comfortable to go out with natural nails.  For now, I will continue to wear polish because this product has really helped it glide on easier, as well as helping it to last longer as it acts like a primer.

(I know my natural nails look gross before and after, but you can see that 

the after nails look smoother and in slightly better condition)

I would highly recommend this product to anyone who loves painting their own nails at home, or loves to have shiny natural nails.  It really is a fast and effective way of keeping nails healthy, and looking great.

Unfortunately, I over did the buffing (with the grey roller) as I was making a video for my instagram page.  It left me with raw, over buffed, painful, and sensitive nails.  It was so painful, I had to dip my nails into cold water before going to bed.  Don't let this stop you from purchasing it.  MICRO Nail is an amazing product, just don't get over excited and wear your nails down like I did condition nails with a good moisturiser or nail oil after use.

Enjoy... and btw... 3 weeks later, they're still shiny!

MICRO Nail - £39.99 

Replacement roller packs - £12.99

Available from Boots

Crush of the week...

 SALON SCIENCE® RETEXTULUXE SHAMPOO & CONDITIONER

* The whole Retexuluxe Range

Unlike my skincare and makeup products, I tend to change my shampoo and conditioner quite frequently. And, like most great relationships, after a while, my hair starts getting used to certain products, I get bored, and eventually, they lose their magic!

Ok, so my hair's latest squeeze, is SALON SCIENCE®

Retexuluxe Shampoo and Conditioner. I discovered Salon Science a few months ago in Boots whilst shopping for Bumble and bumble. The bottle looked super boring, but I was promised by the sales assistant that its branding reflects the cutting edge scientific expertise used to formulate premium skincare. SALON SCIENCE® Retexuluxe contains Swiss grape seed procyanidins, natural tocopherol, and uses plant stem cells and bio-active technology within the formulations which have not, until now, been available in haircare.

She also promised it would intensely nourish, retexturise my lifeless, and chemically damaged hair, to create a radiant, and healthy finish. 

I totally fell for it of course! 

Unconditional love...

Upon first use, my hair felt so smooth in the shower, I wasn't sure if the conditioner had fully washed out! It's seriously that good! Also, I didn't even need my tangle teezer after, which is an actual miracle! My hair texture has definitely improved, and the colour looks a lot more vibrant, and shiny.  

Definitely a keeper ;)

Available from Boots

Prices start from £13.00

YSL Fusion Inc Foundation

YSL FUSION INK FOUNDATION

Good news party girls, YSL have created a new 24 hour foundation... 

and yes, it stays on all day, and ALL night!

Imagine a day where you can put on your makeup, go to work, followed by the gym, and then out all night without having to reapply your foundation? It seems that's what party girl du jour, Cara Delevigne, the face of the brand does, as this foundation is inspired by her all night partying, and waking up in last nights makeup.

YSL, Fusion Inc Foundation has been created using NASA-inspired technology, originally designed to capture stellar dust particles in outer space. Its radiance boasting base contains a super absorbing lipophilic active, which holds four times it's own weight in sebum (our natural oils) regardless of humidity, day and night.

It has generated a waiting list of over 12,00, so is it out of this world?

I managed to pick up a sample of the foundation in House Of Fraser so if you want to try it out, do it now, as most YSL counters are offering 7 day trials you can take home and keep until the weekend, which of course, is when the 24 hour party tests commence.

The first thing I notice about the foundation is the consistency, it's really watery. You have to dot it onto the skin and then smooth out. The coverage is amazing, so don't be fooled by the watery feel of the liquid. It dries instantly, leaving a perfect, velvety finish without caking. Also, the great thing about this foundation is that it saves you money, as there is no need to apply primer, or powder. Its brilliant for those with oilier skin, but if you have dry skin, or prefer a dewy look, this is not the product for you.

It lasted all day, and well into the evening without me having to reapply powder, but I have to admit, it didn't stay as matt, and flawless as the beginning of the day. After 12 hours, as your natural skin starts breaking through the foundation, it actually starts to look better. Maybe thats what they mean by 'morning after' foundation?

Im sorry, I haven't tested it out after the gym, straight out, and then sleeping in last night's makeup... alas, those days are almost over for me... but if Cara D can do it, I'm sure you can too!

Just remember to wash your face in the morning ;)

Available from YSL, Selfridges, House of Fraser, John Lewis, and Boots

£30.50

Crush of the week...

Bio-Oil

I know EVERYONE already knows about Bio-Oil and its benefits, but I wanted to remind you all how great it is.

I don't think theres a bathroom cupboard out there that doesn't possess a bottle of this liquid gold, as it received cult status around 10 years ago. I remember everyone talking about it at the time. We were all lathering ourselves up, waiting for some miracle to happen!

I recently found my old bottle, and started adding a few drops into my daily body cream to help rehydrate my skin. 

My skin has really dried out this summer due to sun exposure, tanning, and air con. After a couple of weeks use, I have noticed a significant difference. My skin is softer, its glowing all over, my skintone has improved, and even a few scars I had from accidents (I'm quite clumsy sometimes, and fall a lot...) have started to fade. I don't know why I ever stopped using it?!

If you have a dusty old bottle sitting on your bathroom shelf, I would recommend getting back on it, this cult product was definitely not a fad!

Available from Boots, Holland & Barrett, and Superdrug

Prices start from £7.99

For those of you who don't know Bio-Oil, here's what it does:

• Clinically proven to help improve the appearance scars, including acne scars, cuts, and stretch marks. It is also highly effective in helping to maintain the elasticity of scar tissue on joints and other high-mobility areas
• Can be used on the face and body. I would recommend using it daily by adding a few drops to your moisturiser. If you have scars, add a little directly onto the affected area in circular motions, and repeat for around 3 months
• Its great if you're pregnant.  Bio-Oil helps to increase the elasticity of the skin, thereby the possibility of new stretch marks forming is reduced
• It can also be used to hydrate ageing and dehydrated skin, as it improves the texture and tone of skin to prevent wrinkles
• Bio-Oil has won 183 skincare awards and has become the No.1 selling scar and stretch mark product in 17 countries since its global launch in 200
• Formulated with the following all-natural ingredients: Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Calendula Oil, Lavender Oil, Rosemary Oil and Chamomile Oil

Glowing for Gold...

DOVE SUMMER GLOW NOURISHING LOTION 

Even though I have dark skin, I like to use fake tan. Yes, I know this is quite a strange thing to do, but during the summer, I just love having that deep golden, just walked off the beach glow. 

 Im not one to buy high street products, however, I recently purchased a bottle of Dover Summer Glow after a friend had recommended it. Its an everyday self tanning nourishing lotion which gradually, and subtly, enhances your natural skin colour, even if you are fair, like my friend.

I applied it over my skin, in a fuss free way, meaning, I wasn't really looking where it was going, or how much I applied, as it doesn't require a mitt, doesn't streak, absorbs instantly, and does not transfer onto clothing. This for me is great. Any reduction in time saving from my daily routine is a bonus. I do however, think people with pale skin might need to be more aware of where they are applying the lotion, and the quantities, to avoid any accidents.

 Dove Summer Glow contains the unique DeepCare Complex, with natural skin nutrients and rich essential oil to help gradually improve skin starting deep down. The lotion itself, smells nice, unlike other tanning products, and it's slightly shimmery, making the skin glow instantly. 

After about a week, I couldn't believe how amazing my skin looked. The colour is more bronze than orange, and considering I have been using it every day, it really does look natural. 

 Dove Summer Glow is so inexpensive, I have decided to stock up on it and continue to use it every day, even throughout winter as it is available all year round.

Available in shades - Fair to Medium, and Medium to dark.
From all supermarkets and Boots
£4.99

* Please note, wash hands immediately after use