Henna Hair Dye: Lush Cosmetics Henna.

So I have been gone for a very long time, apologies! With moving from Cork to Dublin and moving jobs also, I found it impossible to do anything social media related!

In the time I was away I got my hair lightened, my fringe to be exact. I had visions that it was going to be white/sandy blonde and I was going to look so fab. However with my hair being dyed numerous times it was impossible to achieve this without destroying my hair, so my lovely hairdresser Nicky got me to a nice, golden colour which was a big achievement in itself!! I had this for about 5 weeks but without proper maintenance it was starting to get duller and with that came the "ginger" comments, there is nothing wrong with redheads, I am practically one myself, but its not for me! With this i needed a change! I had the going blonde phase out of my system and wanted my brown hair back in full! As my hair was pretty damaged from the bleach I needed a safer, nourishing way to dye my hair back! So I decided on Lush Cosmetics' Henna hair dye!

Before and After

Lush's Henna hair dye is a safe alternative to colouring your hair! I have used it in the past as it gives you rich colours without the damage! Conventional dye penetrates the hair shaft damaging it whilst henna varnishes the outer layer of the hair protecting it. Unlike traditional henna which is powdered, Lush Cosmetics henna comes in a block form. It's packed full of cocoa butter, essential oils and Persian henna to give it this block form!

The henna blocks come in 4 rich colours; Noir, an indigo black, Rouge, a vibrant red, Brun, a rich brown and Marron, a deep chestnut brown. For my hair I used 2 squares of Brun and 2 squares of Marron. Its totally ok to mix and match colours. I wanted a dark but warm colour so that why I used 2 squares of each. Depending on your hair length you might need to use the whole block, since my hair is short I got away with using less.

Now for the fun part, using the henna. What you will need;

• Henna (obvs)
• An old mixing bowl
• A knife
• 2/3 pairs of gloves
• Hot water
• Lush's ultrabalm
• A pot
• clingfilm (optional)
• newspaper

I didn't take any pictures whilst doing this process as it can get quite messy and I value my phone too much. There are step by step instructions on Lush's website  https://www.lush.co.uk/products/brun .

Also there are various videos on YouTube that you can check out or you can always pop into a Lush store for help.

Step 1: chopping up your henna. This can be done with a knife (if you use a grater you'll be there for hours, trust me). I find you can break it down further by crumbling it in your hands after chopping into smaller pieces.

Step 2: melting your henna. place your chopped henna into your bowl and pour a small amount of boiling water on top of it. Don't put too much water in, always start off with less water so you can add in more if needs be. Mix your henna with a spoon and after a bit you can check for lumps. At this stage I just mix with my fingers and break down any little lumps with my hands. You are looking for your consistency to be that of double cream.

Step 3; keep your mixture hot. keeping your mixture hot means it won't set in the bowl and lose it colouring ability. Setting up a bain marie (a hot water bath) means you can ensure heat is kept. Fill your pot full of boiling water and place your mixing bowl on top of this (like you would for melting chocolate!).

Step 4: application. So I might not be the best person to tell you how to apply henna as I literally pick up handfuls of henna and coat my hair in it. I've seen people use tinting brushes and such which would be good for longer hair, but if you have short hair like me just apply with your hands and esure you have every piece covered, simples! Don't forget to use Lush's Ultrabalm (their natural all purpose balm) to put around your hairline and ears to prevent staining on the skin!

Step 5: clingfilm (optional). If you want more redder tones in your hair cover your whole head in clingfilm (bar the face, you need to breathe!). For brown or darker tones leave the henna oxidize.

Step 6: Leave it process. Leave your henna on for about 2 hours. I leave mine on overnight whilst I sleep, its not going to develop after a certain length in time but the cocoa butter will still continue to moisturise your hair.

i look so full of joy :|

Step 7; Wash yo hair!. Wash it out thoroughly with a good clarifying shampoo, I find Lush's I Love Juicy to be a good one to use after henna. Dry using old or dark towels and voila! you have nice henna coloured hair!

I would recommend Hennaing your hair to anyone who is looking for a safe way to dye your hair. If your unsure, Lush can give you a free sample of henna to do a strand test with,

If anyone has any questions on henna and the dyeing process just leave me a message!

• Have a nice day please, byeeeeeeeeeeee :)

Recent Purchases... (don't tell mam)

Hey guys I was wondering what blog posts would I do to ease myself back in with, and of course what better to start off with is, by showing ye some stuff I bought! These are things I bought over the last month or two. The following are companies I've purchased from;

• Boohoo
• Primark/Penneys
• H&M
• Apple
• Garnier 
• L'Oreal
• Lush Cosmetcs

Clothing

Clothing is something i rarely feature on my blog, but I bought a few pretty cool items of clothing I wanted to share with ye.

It's floral, it's leopard print, it's FAB! I got this gem from Boohoo.com. When I saw it I immediately had to have it. Summer is here and bright patterns are well and truly in, especially floral. I love boohoo as they always have some sort of a discount promotion going on and they're quality of clothing is exceptional. After discount it came to about 10 euro! BARGAIN!

My inner geek had to have this. Again from boohoo, this comic print jumper will be bright for our cold summers here in Ireland. Its not too heavy which is perfect, and I bought it in a large to wear it baggy so i could pair it with some skinny jeans. After discount it came to about 15 euro... how bad!

Penneys/Primark must have got a new buyer or something because of late they are catching up with current trends. I love the gradient fade towards the end of this t-shirt it kind of reminds me of acid wash. It's a very light material so I don't know how long I will have this but for about 12 euro I had to have it.

I like to wear this t-shirt and wink at boys....only messing... kinda.. I got this t-shirt in H&M it also has that gradient fade effect. I just discovered how cheap H&M really are, they're perfect for basic jumpers and shirts too. I think this was around 10 euro.. I need to hold on to receipts.

Miscellaneous

One quick thing first off, for the people who complain about all the lush stuff I blog about, get over it! It's a fab company. This is a reusable canvass bag from Lush Cosmetics. It supports their ethos of non animal testing. This has rapidly turned into my man bag.. Everything is in their. It's spacious so it's perfect for grocery shopping too.

Cosmetics

These are just a few bits and pieces I bought cosmetic wise. I have changed my skincare routine as my skin has changed drastically over the exams period.

My skin is just a complete greasy mess because of exam stress and in turn I'm getting blocked pores and pesky spots. I'm using Lush Cosmetics' Let the good times roll facial cleanser. First of all it smells divine! Kind of like cake in my opinion. It has popcorn, cinnamon, maize and polenta. It's perfect for unblocking pores, absorbing up excess oils and brightening up your face.It retails at 7.95 per 100g. It's a lifesaver for me right now. Also just to note I'm still using the tea tree toner water, it's fab too.

It is a sad day in the parish... I had to stop using my "gorgeous" moisturiser from Lush. It was just too rich for my skin. At half the price Vanishing Cream is my current fav retailing at 24.95. I used to use this years ago but I always come back. It's Lush's lightest moisturiser perfect for oily spot-prone skin. It has witch hazel to treat breakouts. I cannot rave enough.

So I bought these on a whim, the  LOreal Skin Perfection Wipes. Face wipes should never replace your cleansing routine but they are so handy for when you are lazy or just want to freshen up. I was apprehensive of buying these as my face reacts badly to wipes but these are totally fine. There is no alcohol in them which is great. Definitely repurchasing them

I know I'm a little bit late to the party with this one, but MY GOD I love it. An aerosol that leaves no residue and smells unreal, whats the catch? Garnier's Ultimate Blends Dry Shampoo is my new fav! I love the vanilla scent and how fresh my hair feels. Buy it!!!!

Technology

I caved!!!! I bought an iPhone.. Its the 5c. Why didn't I switch to an iPhone ages ago??!!? It's my everything. I named it Greg. I love him.

If anyone has any questions on anything mentioned above just message below, and if you have a suggestion for a post also comment below!

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :)

Product Review: Emma's Eco-Soy Candles.

Hello there Ladies and Gentlemen. So today I have a review for you guys. I'm reviewing products from the lovely home grown business that is Emma's Eco-Soy Candles. I was contacted by this business as a result of #swapbiz on Twitter, and I jumped at the chance to review their products especially since I'm a candle lover. If you don't have a bath, candles are the next best thing to relax, light a few candles, put up your feet and relax.

What makes Emma's Eco-Soy Candles different?

Made with only pure essential oils, Emma's are an all natural candle meaning there are no parabens, no synthetics or any badness. This is great as I tend to go for all natural cosmetics, why should my candles be any different. The soy in the candles is clean burning so it won't leave off any bad black smoke unlike regular candles. Also for all you Eco Warriors out there, the plastic containers for the wax tart melts are biodegradable which is all good!

What did I get?

I was pleasantly surprised at what I was sent. I got three full-sized products to try out. I was sent two wax tart melts and a 100ml candle.

Lemongrass Pure Essential Oil Candle

Yankee candle who now? This is my new favorite candle hands down! Oh my goodness it is magical! The lemongrass oils are a mood lightener which is good for those affected by SAD seasonal affective disorder. As well as that it makes the air in the room refreshed and clean. This sized candle is supposed to have a 20hr burning life. Emma can you make one that lasts forever? I literally haven't stopped burning it. My Mother is also obsessed with it! Her birthday is coming up soon so who knows, she might get one.

Lavender Wax Tart Melt

This can only be described as a warm comforting hug. Lavender has relaxing properties so this melt should be used before bed or when you just need to wind down. Pffft who needs a hot relaxing bath when you have a lavender wax tart. I sometimes have trouble sleeping so I put it to the test. I put it in my burner an hour before bed and blew it out before getting into bed (safety people) and I nodded off with ease. You can also get this fragerance in bigger size candles, which I will go into more detail further on.

Orange & Palmarosa Wax Tart Melt

This is so sweet, but a natural sweet. I liked the smell that diffused through the room, almost like someone was baking. It has a homily feeling about it. With this and all the other wax tarts your break a small bit off, put it in the oil burner and light the tea light below.

The wax will then turn to a nice oil, and it's only then will it emit it's beautiful fragrance. You don't have to use too much of the product as a little goes a long way.

Is there many fragrances to choose from?

Oh yes! You have 6 beautiful fragrances to choose from, one to cater your smelling need;

• Lemongrass
• Lavender
• Citrus Blend (lemon, lime & grapefruit)
• Orange & Palmarosa
• Neroli Fusion
• Harmony Blend (rose geranium & sweet orange oil)

Shapes, sizes and prices?

You can get each of the fragrances in; a 50hr glass tumbler for €19.95, a 20hr tin candle (shown above) for €9.95 and the cute wax melt tarts for €4.95

Where can I find Emma and her amazing candles?

You can contact Emma at info@emmas.ie or call on 00-353-87-4181014.

Overall I was delighted with my products from Emma's Eco-Soy Candles and would definitely purchase more, maybe a glass tumbler perhaps! Support home grown businesses and buy a lovely candle today

Don't forget to visit the website www.emmas.ie  

Have a lovely weekend everyone

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :)

February Favorites :)

It's a whole new month and you know what that means!!!!!!?
I have a look through all the things I enjoyed last month!
February is a month that goes super quick and can sometimes be forgotten (especially if you're single like me and there's that day that we won't mention and would quite gladly forget the whole freaking month!!!)..
Moving awkwardly along lets discuss the favorites of February.

Lush Stuff

Every month is a given that i have new Lush Cosmetics favs so we all just have to deal with it LOL.

Tender is the night Massage Bar

I always had a love/hate relationship with Lush's massage bars but this one is LOVE LOVE LOVE! It's a creamy vanilla and jasmine scented massage bar that leaves your skin so soft and smelling sexy. Jasmine is an aphrodisiac, meaning it gets you in the mood. I use this when I'm going out for drinks or dinner because being the Bridget Jones that I am I'm looking for my Mark D'arcy. Such a favorite this month.

Sea Spray

Over the past month I've noticed that without straightening my hair as much It has started to become more wavy, which is a good thing but sometimes it's not a nice wavy if you get me. Sea Spray from Lush has helped define my waves better. Made from sea salt it gives you that beachy look. I love it because it gives me shine and it also has a small amount of gel in it for hold. Spray - Scrunch- Go! simples! It has neroli oil too which is mood lightening which was something I needed this month.

Gorgeous Facial Moisturiser.

Last but certainly not least in this Lush section is Gorgeous. I have only started using it towards the end of the month but oh my god the effects were immediate! Made from the finest cold-pressed oils there is no expense spared with this one. My skin was dull and full of blemishes and after a few days use, it was clearing, smoother and looking more plump (in a good way). Retailing at €49.95 it is expensive but your skin is an investment. Totally repurchasing.

Garnier BB cream.

A guy who wears BB cream?.. I'm almost too gay to function. This is a product I wore a lot during February whilst my skin was bad. It conceals blemishes, evens out skin tone, covers pores and moisturises the skin. I work in Cosmetics and the last thing you want is to be buying facial care off a guy with bad skin. As my skin is getting better I don't use it as much, but if I do get a pesky breakout BOOM it has disappeared!. Guys should try it, it's 2014!! That reminds me, is guyliner a thing anymore? Let me know!

Pharmaton Vitamins

Cutting sugar out of my diet in the lat few weeks has been a long a tiresome (literally) process. Initially I had no energy as I was used to getting them from sugar. I read about pharmaton and decided to give them a go. At first I was no difference but after 4/5  days I started feeling great and I was full of energy. It has ginseng which gives you that boost! I'd recommend it to people dieting but also people who want to get the most out of their vitamins.

TREsemme Keratin smooth Heat protecting spray

This has been my favorite for many months now but I keep forgetting to blog about it. I have an old post about in my hair care routine if you want a look in depth about it. I never thought heat protectants were ever that good but after using this one my hair feels in such good condition! The Keratin in it builds back the condition in the hair making it softer and more smoother. Buy a heat protection spray, your hair is precious!

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Shine

To be honest I only bought it because it was 3 for 2 on Aussie and this was the only treatment that was left. However, I am glad I picked it! My hair since I have stopped dying it has become quite dull and this does the trick to make it look sleek and shiny. The scent is gorgeous too, it smells very sweet but not a false sweet either. It has ginseng and pearl powder to give you that shine. It helped brighten up my hair during this gloomy February.

Gaming.

Yes I admit it, I am a gaming nerd... I play minecraft in my spare time and I needed a mouse for my computer to help me play better. This is a wireless mouse from Logitech. It works really well! You just stick a small USB into one of the ports and it syncs with the mouse. Also it wasn't too costly which is a plus.

So that was my February Favorites! Hope you liked them! Any questions on the products mentioned just ask.

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :)

The Best Of Beauty Blog Challenge #BOBBLOGCHALLENGE week 5: Pince(ss) products.

Well hello there ladies and gentlemen. I was busy for last weeks #bobblogchallenge so apologies first off. This weeks post I found to be a difficult one as it's about expensive high-end products and as you know i'm a poor student, but with that said I have one or two things I would recommend.... and yes one is a Lush Cosmetics product. I work there yes but I get no special benefits for blogging about their products, they're just too damn good!

Paco Rabanne 1 million

I mentioned this glorious aftershave in a previous favorites post but this is the sh*t! Expensive as heck, yes! but so worth it! I got mine for €68 in boots, and to me that is a lot of money for an aftershave. I got the 100ml and it has lasted me ages. The scent is a manly fragrance with a fruity undertone almost (I smell things weird). Any guy who wants to impress the ladies (or gents) should have it! Total must have.

Gorgeous Facial Moiusturiser

A facial moisturiser fit for a princess!... No literally it is, or at least where it originated from. Gorgeous facial moisturiser from Lush has almost all the same ingredients that was in Princess Diana's facial moisturiser. It is Lush's most expensive facial moisturiser retailing at €49.95 for a 45g pot. This cleared up my skin within days of use! It has anti-aging oils such as evening primrose that can help improve elasticity in the skin. Don't take my word for it, take the leap and buy some, see it as an investment and you won't look back! :)

Any questions about this post or others just let me know!

Byyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :)

My little Lush Goodies.

Hello ladies and gentlemen, I hope all is well. So ye all know I LOVE Lush Cosmetics. I work there and i'm literally addicted! So today was the launch of their new Mother's Day and Easter range, and of course i had to pick up one or two bits for myself! They have amazing new products, as well as some returning favourites ;). It's worth your while going to your nearest Lush and having a look. So lets get down to the purchases shall we!

The Strawberries and Cream gift set.

I was very excited about this when I heard about it, the main reason being, it had my favourite discontinued massage bar in it, Strawberry feels forever... Words cannot describe my love for this massage bar. Its a strawberries and cream scented massage bar made with cocoa butter, shea butter and fresh strawberries. yummy! It leaves your skin feeling and smelling amazing Also in there you have a 100g size pot of Sympathy for the Skin hand and body lotion. Packed full of bananas it moisturises your skin giving it the TLC it deserves! These two used together are a match made in heaven!

                                   

The Carrot Soap 

This I feel is going to be my new favourite thing to wash with! To be honest i'm more of a shower gel type of guy but oh good lord this has me converted! It smells devine! Think tropical orange with a hint of something mystical. The carrot seed oil in the soap is so moisturising it doesn't leave you with that super squeaky feel. It's only available till Easter so get it while it's there.

Any questions about anything mentioned here or from the range just ask. Have a lovely evening also.

Byyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :) 

                                             

The Best Of Beauty Blog Challenge #BOBBlogChallenge Week 3: Makeup Must Haves

Hello Ladies and Gentlemen! Week 3 already! The time is flying and i'm enjoying doing these posts! Ok so week 3 is makeup must haves... but wait, i'm a guy surely I don't makeup and to an extent, no I don't, but its 2014 and what guy isn't a metrosexual using creams and lotions to cover up the wears and tears of life.  So with that i'm going to tell you my metro manly makeup must haves ;)

First up I have my favorite man tan from L'Oreal /men Expert called the Hydra Energetic with flash bronzer.
I did a review of this before on my blog if you want a more in depth look at the product. I love this stuff!! If you're worried about being pale and don't want sunbeds or to use bottle tan, the hydra energetic with flash bronzer is for you. Two pumps of the lotion onto your hands and rub it on your face will give you a healthy sun kissed glow instantly! A further two more pumps can give your skin a darker tone. At the end of the day simply wash your face and its gone! It has a nice fragrance that most of the men expert range has so it will blend in with your after shave. The bottle is made from hard plastic so its durable and with an open/close lock there is no mess.  It's a must have for men especially if they're from Ireland.

Next up I have another product from L'Oreal Men Expert, it's their Gradual tan moisturiser. Now you might be thinking why bother with this when the flash bronzer does this already, but it doesn't really. The gradual tan moisturiser for one actually moisturises your face, and with it being a gradual tanner the effects won't been seen straight away but they will last much longer. You use it every other day instead of your regular one and when you get to the colour you're happy with you stop. I'm still trial testing this but I'm seeing nice results at the moment. My skin likes it so i'll say no more.

Last but certainly not least is Garnier's BB cream. Oh God where have you been all my life? Lads don't be afraid to buy this! It's in the skin care section in most stores so it's technically not makeup. If you are too scared to get it make your partner or sister etc get it for you. It moisturises my skin perfectly, it mattifies your skin so there is no oily shinyness. What I love most about it is that it evens my skin tone! No more blemished red sore skin! I got it in a light shade because I'm a typically pasty Irish man but it comes in darker shades too. Seriously though guys, it might be a saviour for ye too, so give it a chance.

So that's it... My "makeup" favorites! Hope you liked them and as usual if you have any questions just ask!

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :)