Mary-Lou Manizer Review

I like a good highlight, I mean I am no strober but I do know my Albatross from my Watts Up.  As you can see Mary-Lou Manizer is beautifully pigmented but blends out to a fine sheen.  The gold undertones work really nicely with my skin tone.  Pink toned gals I personally would go for Ciindy-Lou over this one.  The quality of the product is so much better than I expected to be honest, and unlike some other highend highlighters I very rarely get any fallout from this product. The powder is so finely milled it is so soft to the touch.

The packaging is lovely and very unique.  If you haven't seen any of The Balm products I would suggest you take a browse, its one of the quirkiest out there. The Balm is now really accessible on the highstreet in Debenhams and Superdrug and online at Feel Unique and Amazon. At £17.50 The Balm is that bridge brand that is slightly more expensive than highstreet brands but doesn't quite fit into that highend category either.  However highlighters last such a long time, especially as the Mary-Lou Manizer is so pigmented you hardly need anything, if you were to buy one treat for yourself I would chose this one.  A mini secret Santa to yourself if you will. 

I apply mine to the tops of the cheek bones and the smallest amount on the bridge of my nose.  Sometimes when I'm feeling adventurous I use to highlight under the brow and on my cupids bow. If you are feeling crazy though take whatever is left over and lightly dust above the arch of your brow it gives the most radiant finishes to the skin. 

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick - Shade 5

I have been waiting for the opportunity to share possibly the most aesthetically pleasing lipstick I will ever own.  The Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick in the shade 5. A beautiful bright, yet sophisticated pink. The lipstick glades on so smoothly even with dry chapped lips I always find this instantly makes my lips feel perfect.

Due to this being the shine formulation it means these are quite sheer and has more of a gloss or sheen to them.  Depending on your confidence with brighter lipsticks, for me I can wear this in the evening or on a hot summers day.  But if you are looking for an easy way to wear a bright lip I would recommend the Volupte Shine lipsticks. It is light on the lips and very comfortable. This shade I will would work on a range of different people, warm tones as well as paler ones.

However I do remember the first few times of wearing this shade I was a bit worried that as the formula is so hydrating that it may easily transfer across my face.  Something I do not need when tucking into a hot dog at a friends BBQ. None the less I have yet to experience any such disasters only compliments when I wear it.

Encased in gold tubing and boxing I keep my collection on my dressing table, I really like the center of the tube where the shade of the lipstick is shown through the YSL logo.  I think these are such elegant lipsticks.  At £28 they obviously carry the highend price tag, and to be honest I think I have always bought mine a duty free. But I can see why they are that price, I don't think there is anything on the high street that competes with this at the moment.

If there is one lipstick that instantly picks me up it is this one.  A brilliant shade for the work Christmas party, and a lovely gift if you are looking for some inspiration for Christmas presents this year.  

I am hoping to show you my Rouge Volupte lipstick collection soon so please let me know if you would be interested in that.

Favourite Hair Masques

My hair always needs a bit of tlc, even though I am happy with the moisturising conditioners that I use I do enjoy a good hair masque to give it that little bit extra. I have used all different treatments from drugstore to highend and I have picked my favourites from each and added an extra just for good measure.

Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Mineral Hair Rescue Masque - £5.99
I hadn't tried a lot of Charles Worthington but I took advantage of a deal that Boots had a few months ago. Ever since, I have been loving this hair mask and use it once/twice a week. It leaves my hair feeling smooth and soft. I have noticed my hair looking healthier and not as dull. It has the added bonus if smelling amazing too! A random thing to mention but I really like how the lid flips back into place easily so no water can get into the tub and ruin the product.

Kérastase Nutritive Nutri-Thermique Masque 200ml - £20
My first tub of this beauty was a Christmas present a year or so ago and I fell in love.  Not only does Kate Middleton use this brand to keep her amazing locks in shape but it feels so luxurious. I try to avoid using this anywhere near my roots as it is so smooth and creamy it can make my roots look shiny. It leaves my hair so smooth and I have found how tangled my hair gets when I don't use this. Now addicted to highend shampoos oh no!

Lush Hair Doctor - £6.95

This is the first hair product that I've bought from Lush, I usually head straight for the bath bombs. Having a sensitive, dry and flaky scalp I have found T Gel and Head and Shoulders do not quite do the job of encouraging the hair goddess in me. Specifically made to cleanse and moisturise the scalp I had to give it a try.  Once a week I smear a thick helping of this mask onto my scalp and leave for around half an hour.  Having such thick hair it took a while to get used to the clay texture but it is definitely worth it.  This was a massive improvement and lasted longer than I had expected.

What hair products have you been using to help dry and sensitive hair?

Best Beauty Finds of 2013

2013 was such an amazing year for me, I graduated, went on my first cruise as well as a girls holiday to Aiya Napa, started my YouTube channel but above all that I was lucky enough to roll straight into a full time job in my chosen career.  So I would like to take the time to point out that I am very grateful for 2013, I like many others, anticipated an unlucky year, but mine was far from it.

I would also like to show my appreciation for some absolutely amazing beauty products that were released in 2013 both highend and highstreet.  Makeup world you never fail me.  And for that I filmed a little video showing what my favourite beauty finds of 2013 were.

Enjoy and I hope you all have a prosperous 2014.