March Favourites

Hey guys! Today I'm going to write about my March favourites. I haven't done a monthly favourites in so long. This is just a post about what I've been loving throughout the month of March, whether it be beauty or clothes etc

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First up is the Sensitive Scalp conditioner from the Brand Human + Kind. I reviewed this on a previous post (link here) so I'll keep it short and sweet. I've been using this all month and it has helped my scalp so much. As ye may know I went silver from root to tip this month and It hurt my poor sensitive scalp. This conditioner with its aloe vera calmed it down instantly and helped improve the condition of my scalp as well as my hair. Hidden gem there guys.

Another hair care favourite this month is the Provoke Touch of Silver shampoo. Anytime I go blonde or silver this is my go to shampoo. In my opinion it's the best purple shampoo around. It keeps my silver hair from going brassy between toner applications. A major plus is price, it's one of the cheaper priced purple shampoos in the drugstores. I'm just finished a big bottle and have a little sample bottle from Dealz. This is a perfect size for people to try out but and are afraid to commit to buying the full size.

My next favourite is the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo +. I have this months now and I've only started using it religiously in the last 3 weeks. I was almost going to through it out because I saw no difference after using it in the past. This isn't an instant fix, you have to take your time with it. Now my skin is horrendous at the  moment as it's purging after the use of retinol products but this helps so much. It reduces the redness of any spots that appear. I pop a bit all over my face after my toner and before my moisturiser. One drawback is that it's expensive but a little goes a long way, well worth it.

Another skincare favourite this month has to be the P.S. Love To Glow face mask by Primark/Penneys. I have a review of this beauty on my blog (link here). This is one of the best dupes I have found in a while. Gorgeous glowy skin on a budget, what more could you ask for.

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Next is a body care product. I'm not one for spending time putting lotions on my body, I'm so lazy it's unbelievable but The Body Shop Black Musk body lotion is an exception. I'm obsessed! Any opportunity I have to put it on I will. I got the little travel sets in Tk maxx reduced to €1!!! Paul the bargain hunter strikes again guys!  So naturally enough I bought five sets. The smell is divine. It's earthy but still floral. They scent definitely lingers. I need to go to the Body Shop and get the full size ASAP!.

So that's what I have been loving in the month of March. I have picked up somethings in the last week or so that I'm trailing out and I know they will feature in my April favourites already so stay tuned for that. Thank you so much for reading.

Byeeeeeeeee :)

Review: Human + Kind Sensitive Scalp Conditioner.

Hey guys! Recently I met up with the lovely Roisin from Trends, Beauty and lifestyle Distribution. Trends are a company who work with beauty brands helping them to distribute their products in shops and salons around the country. Roisin has been working with  bloggers recently and when I saw she wanted to meet with more bloggers I jumped at the chance and emailed her straight away.  If any bloggers or Salon owners want to get in touch with Roisin and Trends you can contact them on 0858281813 or head over to their facebook page Trends, Beauty and Lifestyle Distribution. They work with amazing brands.

Roisin was so generous to give me a few products to try out from the Irish company Human + Kind. First of all can I say I love the ethos and the general branding of Human Kind. "Skincare with a conscience" is their tag line which I love. It means that their cosmetics are kind to humans, animals and the environment. As someone who has worked in a cosmetic store like this for years, it's refreshing to see Irish run cosmetic brand with a cruelty free ethos. This is a brand that is simple, natural and affordable, something that isn't that common in the cosmetic industry. If it's natural it usually is expensive or if it's affordable it's usually made with cheap ingredients. This brand has gone against that theory and produced some beautiful, affordable products.

One of the products given to me was the Sensitive Scalp Conditioner. I was excited to try this as my scalp is unbelievably sensitive due to having ezcema. It also doesn't help that I've been bleaching my hair a lot lately (It wrecks your scalp).  This product retails for a mere €7.95 for 200ml worth of product. I think that's great value as it's similar to drugstore brands but it's natural. Unlike most hair care Human +Kind don't use petrochemicals, colourants, SLS or parabens. Ingredients wise the lit isn't too long, some of the main ingredients include Aloe Vera to soothe the Scalp and a blend of oils (grape seed, cucumber seed and marigold) to hydrate the hair. It has a lovely light scent of apple which lingers in your hair.

So my thoughts on this product, I'm not going to lie I love it. I haven't reached for any other Conditioner since receiving this. Even though I have been always told not to use Conditioner on my scalp I think it's perfect to use on your scalp. It's so soothing on the skin, I always get itchy after the shower and since using my scalp is a lot less irritated. It doesn't make my hair greasy too and my god does my hair feel soft. I 100% would get this again.

Next week I'll be reviewing Human + Kinds body lotion so stay tuned for that. Thank you again to Roisin and Trends for giving me the opportunity to test out some fantastic products.

If anyone has any questions don't hesitate to get in touch.

Byeeeeeeeeee :)

Product Review: Primark's PS Love To Glow Face Mask and Serum.

Hey guys! Today I'm going to be reviewing the PS Love To Glow mask and serum from Penneys/Primark. If ye follow me on instagram or Snapchat ye know I've been reviewing these items the last few weeks. I heard that the mask was a dupe for the L'Oréal Pure Clay glow mask so I had to see if it's true. The Penneys mask retails €3.50 and the L'Oréal mask usually retails for around the €11 mark. Your know me and bargains, if there's one to be had I'm all over it. With the serum I was looking for a cheaply priced one  and this one was under a fiver so I couldn't leave it there.

The packaging of the mask looks a little like the glam glow mask (a very expensive alternative ) with its smooth sleek jar. The colour of the mask is cool too, It's a silvery grey colour. It claims to have argon oil and Vit E in it which helps to achieve the glowy look. When using it I apply it to a cleansed face for 15 mins then wash off.  I wash it off in circular motions as it has a mild exfoliant in it. This is very similar to the L'Oréal mask where it also has an exfoliant.

What's the verdict? I love it! It is 100% a dupe for the L'Oréal glow mask. It left my skin feeling the exact same way as the more expensive mask. My skin looked brighter, more even and glowy. The light exfoliant removes dead skin the reveal newer brighter skin. I actually am almost out of the mask already but I'm definitely repurchasing.  If your strapped for cash or don't want to pay €11 for a face mask give the PS Love To Glow mask a go and you can spend the difference on a Starbucks or something!

Next up is the serum.. I'm not going to beat around the bush here, I hate it. I used it 3/4 times and after each use I broke out. I put the serum onto the high points of my cheeks, the temples and my forehead. Each place I put it on I broke out. The funny thing was that it wasn't even a heavy serum, if anything it felt just like a normal cream. A serum under a fiver.. I wasn't expecting a miracle but I wasn't expecting a breakout either. It's been 4 weeks since my last use and I still have blemishes on my cheeks. Now what doesn't work for me might not, not work for you, this is just my experience and a little word of warning.

Overall it was a mixed review. On one hand the glow mask is now apart of my regular routine and I'm loving the fact I'm saving money and on the other I have a product that I'll never put near my face again. More times than not you really pay for what you get when it comes to skincare but it's nice when you find dupes such as the mask.

Feel free to leave a comment below if ye have any questions or if there's a product ye want me to review.

Have a good day! Byyyyeeeeeeeee :)

Product Review: Crocodoil 100% Pure Face & Body Oil

Hey guys! I'm back again with another product review to share with you. Today it comes from the British company "Crocodoil". I was sent this product to try out by the lovely Barbara and Lloyd. I have such sensitive skin so I was well up for trying this product out and the fact it has such minimal ingredients I had a feeling it was going to suit me well. I will leave all their links at the bottom of this post. Also just a little disclaimer, these are my own views of the product.

I was sent this product over a month ago and have been using on and off ever since I got it. I received a small sample size of 5ml. When I saw how small it was I initially thought how was I going to give a fair review if I only had a small amount. Well let me tell you, a little goes a long way! The full sizes come in a 15ml pump for £23.33 and a 50ml pump for £41.67. A great feature it has, packaging wise is the pump, you can control the amount of product that comes out so you don't waste a bit. However the most important thing to me about this product was the ingredients. It only has 3, yes 3 ingredients! It has crocodile oil, vitamin e and neroli oil.

Ingredients

Crocodile oil: it is an anti-inflammatory, non-comedogenic (non-clogging), and hypoallergenic.

Vitamin e: it is so healing for the skin, brightens up pigmentation and is a big antioxidant.

Neroli oil: helps with scarring and it is a mood brightener.

Before

This was my skin before. I suffer from eczema on my hands causing them to get sore, itchy and flaky. Half a pump did both my hands. I have a feeling that sample will last me a good long while. The oil absorbs almost instantly. It is a dry oil so it doesn't leave the skin sticky. Definitely a product for a person on to go and doesn't have "drying" time. The scent is amazing! To me it smells like grass, not freshly cut grass but it reminds me of running through long grass in the summer.

After

This was my skin after using the oil. No joke, this was after one use. This picture was taken almost a day after the first picture. I couldn't believe it guys! The itchiness and flakes were gone. I have used over the counter creams, steroid creams and herbal remedies and nothing has worked like this. I'm using every 2/3 days on and off and it is keeping my eczema from flaring up again.

In conclusion I would purchase this product in the full size and as well as that I am interested in seeing how their other product would work out for me. If you have ezcema, psoriasis or any other skin issues I would 100% recommend this product! The following are links to Crocodoil's website and other social media 

Website /https://crocodoilskincare.co.uk/

Twitter https://twitter.com/CrocodOil

facebook https://www.facebook.com/crocodoil/

If you have any questions for me you can leave me a comment or send me an email at pauliebray@gmail.com. I hope you find this helpful and give their website a look you might see something you like.

Byeeeeeeeeee :)

Product Review: L'Oréal Pure Clay Glow Scrub

Hey guys! First off I just want to apologise for the lack of activity on my blog with the last 2 weeks. As a lot of you may know, we got a little puppy. Little Ellie is settling in perfectly but has taken up all my spare time! I'm writing this post while she sleeps. I'm not used to motherhood at all. With that being said I have a product review for ye today. It's from L'Oréal's new cleanser/scrub clay range. 

Previously L'Oréal came out with their clay masks that are very popular and affordable, now they have a range or cleansers, exfoliaters and wipes. I picked up the glow scrub as I used the mask version and I loved the results and I was also In the market for a new exfoliater. I got mine I'm boots for €7.99 for 150ml.

You use it like any normal cleanser/exfoliater, if you need instructions then shame on you! It's a red terracotta colour and creamy texture with an exfoliant added in. It's made up of 3 different clays to help absorb oils and brighten the skin. It smells just like the mask which is a pleasent light fragrance that didn't irritate my skin. There is 150ml of product In each tube which is great value for money as I feel a tube will last me ages.

Results?.. I love it! I bought it 3 weeks ago, used it religiously and I love how my skin looked and felt after each use but I can also see the long term effects. My skins pigmentation is more even, especially in my cheek area where I'd have blemishes left over from old spots. In my opinion it's not the most scrubiest exfoliater in the world but it does the job all the same and since it's not too harsh of a scrub it's perfect for those sensitive souls out there. One bit of advice I'd give when using it is make sure you use dark coloured towels when drying your face. I had a lovely white towel covered in reminants of red glow scrub and a very annoyed partner after the first time I used it. All jokes aside i would reccomend this scrub highly.

As this post goes up I have a facebook competition going on and this L'Oréal glow scrub is in my giveaway. The link is here to enter. (competition ends 17/02/2017)

Feel free to drop me a message if you'd like me to review a certain beauty item or if you want me to cover a topic of interest. Thank you.

Byeeeeeeeeeee :)

Product review: "The Cure" Tea Tree sheet mask.

Hey guys! Today I'll be reviewing sheet masks from the brand "The Cure". I'm a maskaholic, I can't go 2 days without popping on a face mask. They are the ultimate pampering tool.

The Cure have a wide range of their Collagen Essence face masks to choose from. The one I was drawn to was the tea tree one as this caters to my skin the most. It has tea tree and witch hazel to treat spots. They have other masks such as honey, co-enzyme and lemon, just to name a few. You get 5 sheet masks in a box and for €6.99 that's a bargain! You can pick  them up at most Tk Maxx stores.

I have been using them for the past 3/4 weeks, so 1 box should last you 5 weeks. They come individually sealed In a airlocked pack. I love that freshness with sheet masks because if someone tried to open it you'd know, unlike most drugstore face masks in tubes.

So for application I cleansed and toned my face as normal. I removed the mask from its seal and popped it on my face. The nose and eye holes give good direction on where to put it on your face. I hate saying this but it was so moist... *shudders* It was like holding a wet hanky but when on the face it soaked right in. I left it on for 20 mins and after removing the mask I massaged the remaining serum into my skin. Side note, you can't not have a sheet mask on without looking like Hannibal lector.

The results were amazing after the 1st use. It gave my skin this plump glowing look to it and the redness from my breakouts and blemishes were definitely reduced. This is definitely going to be a mask I used before a big day or night out. I'm excited to try others from their range. I highly recommend it guys!

If ye have any questions on the masks don't be afraid to ask!

Byeeeeeeeee :)

Tips and tricks: How to keep your hair healthy when dyeing it.

Hey guys!. Today's post is all about healthy hair and what can be done to ensure you don't go as bald as a coot if you excessively dye your hair like me. Because that ain't cute. I have been various different shades over the past 2 years, going from deep browns to ash blonde and back again. I have had my hair dyed as much as 3 to 4 times a month depending on the colour change and people still compliment my hair for being full, sleek and healthy. So the following are my tips and my hair care routine to ensure you survive your next encounter with a peroxide bottle.

Tip 1: Use A Moisturising Shampoo

It pretty much common sense that you strip your hair when bleaching it, so you have to give back the moisture that it so much desperately needs. Your hair tends to feel like straw especially if you are lightening it. I go for non-sulfate shampoos usually as they clean but don't strip your hair. Some shampoos can intensify that hay feeling and leave you with knots and tangles. One shampoo i bought recently enough after hearing great reviews was the Macadamia Oil shampoo (pictured below). they usually retail in the €20's but they sometimes have them in tk maxx for €12.99 where i got mine. It has macadamia oil in it (duh) which locks in the moisture into the hair. I find it does the job perfectly. If you are having trouble finding this brand a cheaper alternative would be the Aussie miracle moisture shampoo which I have used for months previous.

Tip 2: Use Hair Masks As Your Conditioner

Now I'm not saying completely get rid of your conditioner but I have been using masks as conditioners every time i wash my hair and it is the best thing that has helped my hair get back into top condition. Think of them as a double strength conditioner. This is something you need especially if you just had a bleach up done. I have tired loads of different masks from various different brands but the one I haven't budged from is the Toni & Guy Nourish Reconstruction Mask. It is a lifesaver! It made my hair feel so sleek and like I never dyed my hair before in my life. I leave it on for 5 minutes after I shampoo and wash away. It doesn't leave your hair weighed down either which is a plus. Lads ye know i'm good for the bargains, so right now this is on offer in boots for €6.66 (creepy price) and the usual price is €9.99, ye could buy a coffee with that change!

Tip 3: Add MORE Moisture

When you think your hair is moisturised enough.. ITS NOT!. I never leave the house without putting my leave-in moisturiser into my hair. This step keeps the frizz at bay. Throughout the day dry hair can get fluffy and wild but with a leave-in moisturiser it keeps hair hydrated. I have only ever used one leave-in moisturiser and its the R&B from Lush Cosmetics. When i worked in lush a few years ago a colleague told me of this and i haven't looked back. It was designed for afro hair which is naturally dry. It is a blend of butters and has a divine smell of jasmine that lingers on the hair. A little goes a long way with this as you only need a pea size amount, run it through damp hair and leave to dry. A small pot lasts me over a year. It is a bit pricey at €15 for a 100g pot but as i said it will last you ages. Cannot recommend this enough!

 

Tip 4: Skip A Wash

Skip a hair wash not a body wash.. I might wash my hair twice a week most. I find that my hair is much healthier now than it was when i used to wash it everyday. It leaves the natural oil build up. Dry shampoo every so often keeps the tramp look at bay. Batiste dry shampoo always does the job. Of course I get the pink floral one. It smells pretty!

                                                     

Other Tips

Other tips which are very obvious include;

• use minimum heat
• wash your hair with cold water to close up cuticles
• get trims every few weeks to prevent split ends
• get a professional to colour your hair, no home jobs for the love of god!

Anyway those are my little tips and tricks for getting my hair back into tip top shape after dyeing. I hope it has helped some bit.

Thanks for reading.

Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee