Irresistible Me Hair Extensions

 

I have been a hair extensions snob. And I only really wear one or two brands, not much else is acceptable for me. So what has happened here? I have been converted to another brand, one that doesn't break the bank and what for this - doesn't look like I am wearing any hair extensions (I hope), hello Irresistible Me Hair Extensions.

I opted for 200g of these human hair extensions at 16 inches ($74/£49 ish) as I hate my hair to look to Barbie-esque, and they were from their Silky Touch range (they do lots of others, and this is the cheapest). For us hair extensions geeks, yes this is of course remy hair, and with the option of 200g this is the thickest amount of hair I can find from a hair extension brand. 

When this little black box arrived, fully equipped with a colour test ready see-through plastic pouch, I  couldn't quite believe how much hair I had in my hands. So much so that I really struggled to photograph these without dropping on the floor. And then another complete shock, the colour matched perfectly. Only having two or three blonde options I had already placed these extensions in my 'well I'll wear them in a  ponytail' kind of extensions. But after a quick chat with the lovely lot at Irresistible Me HQ they helped matched me, and sorted out my weight issues - hair that is. Could you imagine? I am not entirely sure wear the Irresistible Me HQ is actually, but they are certainly not in the UK - yet they still arrived within four days. UK brands, take note please, when I order hair I need ASAP.

All that hair is divided up in to ten wefts of different sizes, so I can place them strategically around my head, depending how my hair has decided to fall that day. Each one has between one and four clips, depending on the width, and one super thick weft which looks like a wig on a strip. Yet this mass of hair blends in amazingly well with these easy to use clips, and it ridiculously light. In fact, the entire full head of hair is so lightweight, I did have a mid day panic that I had lost some along way as I couldn't believe I had a full set in. I hadn't by the way. 

The best thing about these, and why they have become my number one is that they are the perfect no hair extensions kind of extensions. They are thinner at the ends, but not as the quality is a bit rubbish, but so they mimic your own hair. Nothing is wrong with these at all; they style well, hold a curl, don't knot up, or as some have done, don't fall out my head. If youy can't tell already I am just head over heels for these extensions, and for a stupidly low price of about £49? (Excuse my conversion skills, blame Google) I am already eyeing up my next set in a slightly longer length....and then maybe some shorter ones for my lazy days...are hair wardrobes a thing? Well they should be, and full of Irresistible Me in my opinion. 

Have you tried Irresistible Me Hair Extensions?

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The Worlds First Beauty Chocolate

 

I don't think I have ever said 'yes' so quickly to anything in my life. But the words 'beauty' and 'chocolate' in the same sentence? Yeah I was pretty brisk in my decision. Luckily this isn't one of bad haste as I have right here in my hands The Worlds First Beauty Chocolate - Estherchoc. Yes there is now such a thing, and gone are the days when chocolate was bad for you and your skin. Problem there sorted. 

As after 10 years of extensive research, Cambridge Chocolate Technologies have launched this dark chocolate in bar form (and cute box), rich with some antioxidants which are 'scientifically proven to improve microcirculation and raise oxygen levels in the skin'. Not entirely sure what that means, but Estherchoc go on the say that when consumed daily (amen) this portion set bar can slow down the process of 'free radical formation inside the skin and, therefore, curb the ageing process'. There is more informative reading on their website, but cutting to the good bits; each bar has 38 calories, doesn't taste bitter at all and therefore guilt free so in my mind is worth the £35 for a relaxed mind.

Also available in a limited edition festive box, exclusively from Harrods and www.esthechoc.com, this is certainly a indulgent approach towards skincare, not to mention a good Christmas present for those people who have everything, and one idea I can see taking off. 

I haven't been eating this enough (and I have never said that about chocolate before) to see any results as yet as I would imagine I would need to get through the entire box (shame) and about 3 weeks worth of munching, but for the dedication to this blog I will fully oblige....

Would you try The Worlds First Beauty Chocolate?

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A lunchtime facial that is quicker than the food hall queue?

Well this does have a proper name, known as the Easy Phytic in the beauty. And boy did I underestimate this. I was lucky enough to go for a facial treat at my local No6 Clinic and I could honestly kiss the girl (hiya Beth) who did this mix of AHAs and antioxidants facial as my skin actually glowed after.

Any skincare that could be done in a lunchtime wasn't particularly on my radar, nor did I think it would really work, but seeing as this peel self neutralises over 12hours I can perhaps see why this worked. After I had the foamy peel applied, I just simply left it on my skin, and got Beth to apply some Jane Iredale powder makeup so I looked a little more human, and it worked its magic till I cleansed off my makeup in the evening. But the next day was when the results truly kicked in, my naked skin looked like I had applied a subtle highlight all over, and I would never of thought something that took about 10 minutes would make such a difference. Well worth a visit if you're near No6 clinic (or any of their facials really, my skin loves them all), especially as I got glowing skin quicker than the queue for the M&S food hall....move over blueberries, I have my antioxidants in espresso form. 

Have you had a lunchtime facial before?

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Chanel Le Crayon Levres...The Precision Lip Definer

You know when you ignore an entire makeup item, suddenly have a moment of madness and try it, then utterly fall in love? Well that happened to me. For whatever reason lip liner just wasn't on my makeup radar at all, maybe I just thought it was a old school type of item that my only a lady in her 60's wears, and often too heavy, too dark and just too scary for my unadventurous side.

I did dabble with a Barry M liner for a bit, and I have no idea what happened next, but the next thing I knew I was sitting at the Chanel counter with new lips. And a hole in my purse. Thanks to the very talented makeup artist, I picked up the Chanel Le Crayon Levres, the Precision Lip Definer in 34 (£17.50)

Coming with a lip brush and sharpener, number 34 is beige, pinky-nude, and apparently their best seller (or a clever selling tactic to make me buy it). This is one of those liners for a subtle fuller lip look as its practically the colour of most lips, mine at least. It applies without dragging and feels considerably softer than the Barry M one I've been used to. 

Even if you aren’t very talented with lip pencils (I’m not), this applies so evenly, and I would imagine it would be hard to go wrong with this. Admittedly you can't see the colour well in the photo, but then if you could see the lines I would be doing wrong, and Mrs Pamela Anderson would have to hang up her dodgy lip liner crown.... 

Chanel Le Crayon Levres, the Precision Lip Definer in 34 (£17.50)

Have you ever tried the Chanel Lip Liners?

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Makeup Revolution Ultra Cream Contour Palette

Cream makeup scares me. There is something in my head that can't quite figure how it doesn't slip off my face, and if it does stay there how do I not look greasy. See my problem? That would be till now the reason why creams don't cut it for me. The Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette is one palette I just don't leave alone, so when the cream version landed on my doorstep I just had to try it.

The Makeup Revolution Ultra Cream Contour Palette (£8) is another large black palette with 8 different contour/highlight shades. I would imagine these would be good for all different skin tones, and yes, they do work perfectly for my pale face. The four at the bottom are really creamy and blendable for contouring I've found, and the top row are where the highlighting fun starts. Again, the texture is the same and they are also nice and workable so if I do (and I do) make a application mistake I have time to fix it. The yellow one has also been a nice treat for under my eyes, and anyone who is faced with me in the morning.

The whole cream contour does take a bit of figuring out and practice, but if I can manage it you'll be able to. And yes, I have been proved wrong...not only is face not greasy at all, my contouring efforts do stay put. Oh how I hate being wrong....

Have you tried the Makeup Revolution Ultra Cream Contour Palette?

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Fake Tan Mitt Famous with Cocoa Brown

I am fake tan mitt famous. And yes, that is so a 'thing'. I've not used a a fake tan in while, as well its just been too cold for the drying time, but I decided to make an exception for the new tanning gels from Cocoa Brown I was craving my dark hues back. 

This arrived in the post with the Double-Sided Pink Velvet Tanning Mitt, which has my name on (did I mention that?), and works perfectly with the new matte and shimmer wash off gels that have been gracing my dressing table recently.

Both are the exact same to apply, the same in texture, smell etc, with the only difference being that one is shimmer and one is matte (duh). Surprisingly the shimmer gel isn't too glittery and has more of a dewy glow finish. Well I might of been covered in glitter but no one told me and I couldn't tell, and this is the one that will be making a strong appearance over the Christmas party season, this is the one in the top picture by the way. The matte gel is one for the day time, and blends out so well and didn't even make a run for it when I got caught out the rain. 

Like the originals they come with the signature Cocoa Brown Tahitian Gardenia fragrance  So with the lack of the typical digestive biscuit scent and easy application these two have become my tan of choice recently. But did I mention...I have my name on a fake tan mitt?!

Have you tried Cocoa Brown tan before?

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Hello Silentnight ‘Meaning of Dreams’ campaign

I don't preach often (I don't think?), but when it comes to sleep and beauty? I will. Perhaps just my face, but I really do need a good nights sleep to look presentable the next day. So when Silentnight (yes the bed people) involved me in their new campaign out this winter, the ‘Meaning of Dreams’. Looking to encourage people to have a more mindful approach to sleep through making a conscious effort to record and self-interpret their dreams. Easier said than done of course, I often can barely remember my dreams past 7.30am, but I have pulled out my Disney land pen the past few weeks to make sure I do. And that makes all the difference evidently.

Through the Meaning of Dreams campaign, Silentnight send me a box of goodies to try, which contained; Clipper Sleep Easy Organic Tea, this works Deep Calm Pillow Spray and Breathe In, plus The Complete A-Z Dictionary of Dreams by Ian Wallace and a Dream Journal. And potentially the cutest thing to arrive through my door in a long time, their signature Silentnight hippo in PJS with fluffy duck attached.

The Deep Calm Pillow Spray soon become a ritual for my bedtime, and whether it helps me sleep or not I don't really mind as it smells so so good, and that is helping me relax and get my beauty sleep...

So my dreams? Well, I don't seem to dream half as much as I thought, but I do have one recurring dream that made its way into the journal a few times. To cut a long story short, I am dreaming of my Grandfather at Christmas and we are doing all the festivities. The book offers a deeper meaning about furthering my character, but I do just think its a case of me missing him at Christmas time, or perhaps I am already dreaming of the chocolate selection tins.

Either way, this is undeniably one interesting campaign, and being such a preacher for beauty sleep it was interesting to see how my dreams could effect this. Well, they defiantly would if I am already dreaming of Christmas food half way through the year...

What are your most dreamt dreams?

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Going Nude This Winter

Sometimes there is nothing better than going nude during the winter. Nail wise of course, and when the appeal of darker red nails has literary chipped away there is nothing that makes me feel better than a nude nail. The ultimate 'I can't be bothered' manicure attitude, and it couldn't be more fitting this time of year. And who else would I fall back to for daily nails? Essie and my old favourite, Nails Inc. The new Nails Inc NailKale range (quite literally made with kale, apparently) had me sold purely on their packaging. And even more so when I realised that these are apart Alexa Chung's range for the brand. 

From the first superfood nail range its the Nails Inc NailKale in Westbourne Park Road I picked up for my nude fix, and although it looks more nude in the bottle, this is more a muted purple. 

My next nude fix is from Essie and their Cocktails and Coconuts. Again, sold not just on the colour, who doesn't like cocktails and coconuts? Exactly. This nude is a warm sand colour with a very subtle crystal-fleck glitter that Essie are pretty known for, and do oh so well.

Last up is Essie's Sugar Daddy. This is just girly-ness in bottle from. And strangely from this shimmery pink shade, it looks just as pretty with one coat applied as it does with three. So not only can the pale colour mean I can be lazy with chips, I can also just apply the one.

What colours are you wearing on your nails this winter?

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The One That Vibrates...Estee Lauder TurboLash All Effects Mascara

Well. If there was ever something to give you a heart/make you think you've gone crazy it would be this Estee Lauder mascara. And you want to know why? It vibrated in my hand. Yes, like a erm, toothbrush. And no I didn't know it did this, hence my shock when I unwrapped this and pulled out the wand, to find this unusual gimmick. Not one I was expecting from a normally 'safe' brand like Estee Lauder. So let me explain this first vibrating object to make it on my blog, somewhat unsurprisingly. 

Its the handle on the TurboLash mascara that actually vibrates, so as you apply it is supposed to mimic the movement moving your wand back and fourth (seriously, how quick do they think our hands move?), which we all know adds extra volume to lashes.

In order to turn this on you just twist the cap out and pull the wand out. It begins vibrating almost as soon as you twist the upper cap off and vibrates straight through application. Slide the wand back into the tube, twist shut, and the vibrations stop. Simple. 

You know how much I hate gimmicks, and I am forever telling myself I will not fall for such marketing....but I have. I got some incredible length with TurboLash compared to some other mascaras I used, and was able to build up some serious volume to my lashes which gave me that false lash look that I always crave. The brush itself is a full bushy brush that somehow grabs every lash, even while vibrating, and doesn't hurt my eye which was my greatest fear. I have serious images of me sitting in A&E with a mascara wand related emergency. My lash results are just what I expected from Estee Lauder, and even this is a bit pricey and gimmicky, oh I do love it. Maybe this just isn't one to pull out in the ladies toilets...

Estee Lauder makeup range on Harrods.com includes Turbolash All Effects Motion Mascara (£32)

Have you tried the Estee Lauder TurboLash All Effects Mascara?

*PR Sample/Gift

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More Freedom Skincare

I have more silver tubbed goodness. Remember the Freedom Makeup Pro Studio Priming Water? Well there is a entire range for me to get through it seems. But then Freedom hardly break the bank so I am all over these little bottles.

The Freedom Pro Studio Dramatic Sensitive Eye Makeup Remover (£5) was the first bottle I got my hands on and was keen to try, as erm I don't still use makeup wipes for my mascara or anything, and it didn't disappoint. I was wary as my eyes can be a bit precious (and obviously my justification for still using wipes) but luckily it lived up to its sensitive name sake and didn't irritate at all, and just managed to remove my mascara masses. Eye makeup remover does still make a lot of mess in comparison to wipes for me, so I will keep this ready for nights when I have a bit more time on my hand I reckon.

One thing I have, and will be, using daily is the Freedom Pro Studio Glow Tonic, which frankly beats all these high end versions I've tried. This exfoliating toner has worked its magic and has evened my skins appearance and has left me with clearer, brighter more glowing complexion (at least I like to think so.) I can't seem to find it on Freedoms website to buy separately which is a huge shame as this is one bottle of theirs you need, especially if you're a fan of smoother and softer more radiant skin while keeping a few spare pounds in your purse.

Lastly, is one item you can buy, and should buy, in the form of the Freedom Pro Studio Moisture Cream (£7). Even more so if you like the scent of marzipan, which this does perfectly. I'm not entirely sure if that was the intended idea with this line, but being a sweet smell sucker I am not going to question a thing. But does it actually do the job? Does a cream for under £10 really work on my super dry and sensitive skin? In a word, yes. Perhaps my skin is having a good month as normally budget creams and me don't get along, but I do think that this cream really keeps my skin hydrated and I have had my skin left so soft, so smooth and just on good form.

Have you tried any Freedom Skincare?

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Instagram Diary: Part Thirteen

Bath bomb heaven (again) | The beach inducing envy Birchbox | Manuka Honey fun | Fake tan mitt famous | Autumn Flowers | CHRISTMAS decorations | One of those tea days | Freedom Skincare | Makeup Revolution brush prettiness

Being Friday 13th on Friday (observant of me I know), I thought it was meant to be that my thirteenth Instagram diary happened at the same time. Well a few days late but it took a that long to click. Since last week I have in fact become fake tan mitt famous (thank you Cocoa Brown), spent too much time loitering around bath bombs again and starting thinking about my Christmas decorations. To be fair, the last one isn't my fault as I can blame shops for selling them too early, and yes I should I more self restraint....but when things are this white and sparkly its just not my fault. Its human nature, and I can't beat science now can I?

What have you been up too recently?

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Revlon Shine Addict Nail Buffer

Who would ever think that I would need a electrical nail device? A glass nail file is as far as my previous nail care routine went, so a file that is all fancy (and does the job 10 times quicker) is just the best thing to grace my makeup bag recently. Hello Revlon Shine Addict Nail Buffer (£29.99).

This pretty much does what it says on the box, and buff my nails up to get a lovely shine and make my nail polish painting attempts last longer. First up buff each nail for 2 seconds using the green roller, then polish each nail with the white roller for as long as I fell to enhance the shine that the green one left. Simple, yet so effective. I just wish the photos did justice to the shine, but I do realise my nails look the exact same and a bit shine-less in the photos.

This has really helped to sort my nails out though and restore any natural shine in only a few minutes, they instantly look like I've painted on a base coat. And someone could of told me this sooner as it is so much quicker than hand buffing my nails with those cardboard lumps you can get thanks to the micro-grain roller surface, and it buffs perfectly each nail in only two seconds. I might not of ever thought I would need such a tool, but there is no way I am going without this now.

Have you tried the Revlon Shine Addict Nail Buffer?

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Hello Manuka Doctor

Kate Middleton allegedly uses a bee venom cream (as if I could get the chance to actually ask her). Therefore I was sold on trying out Manuka Doctor (my own way of being a princess perhaps). I have seen Manuka Doctor floating around in Superdrug but never tried the brand inspired by nature and are the “only skincare range to combine the potency of patented Purified Bee Venom with the healing benefits of Certified Manuka Honey for authentic skincare solutions that work”.

The Manuka Doctor range is split up to four categories for different skincare concerns; ApiClear, ApiRefine, ApiNourish and ApiWellness. Not sure entirely what categorises which one, and to be honest I really don't mind as I am still sold on the Kate Middleton name sake. A bits I have been trying are the Manuka Doctor Skin Ease Repair Gel (£6.49), which has been calming down and cooling my skin, and my red bits on top of my cheeks have died down a bit since I opened this. Next is the Manuka Doctor CC Cream (£19.99), and I won't bore you with the details of what this tinted moisturiser does, as CC creams are pretty well known. This one part of the ApiRefine family really has the nack of brightening up my skin without looking like I have makeup on. Well, less for me at least.

Next is the Manuka Doctor Restorative Hair Mask (£14.99), which I didn't think my fine hair could handle, as it just can't handle anything past a light conditioner. In the few times I've used this, I  only use a tiny bit not to overwhelm my poor hair, but my hair defiantly has more moist (sorry I had to use that word) and a softer feel. On the mask theme is the Manuka Doctor Rejuvenating Face Mask (£49.99), and I can't say enough how much I love this. Even if its a tad too much for my T-Zone (hello spots) this is lovely and rich and nourishing cream which I apply and leave on for 15-30 minutes, then simply wipe away, or when I remember. It is honey scented as expected, but its balanced out with some yoghurt and milk smells, and its just so good. My skin loves loves loves it. 

Lastly, as a skincare post would not be complete without a serum, and it come in the form of the Manuka Doctor Radiance Serum (£17.99). Again like the mask, its a full on love fest over here, and I can't quite believe how much more radiant my skin looks from this. Somehow despite not being a greasy serum, it gives my skin a quick healthy looking fix, so naturally this gets a lot of use on a Monday morning.

Who would of thought smearing manuka honey (which normally ends up on my toast) on my face and hair would have such a good, and healthy, effect. But then, if its good enough for a Princess...

Have you tried anything from Manuka Doctor?

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Instagram Diary: Part Twelve

Waiting for curls to dropout | Bluebird Tea Co. | Surprise flower delivery | Major girl crush | Throwback to being a cat | Lush giving me magic wands | Bath bombs in cupcake form | Dove heaven | Jo Malone Christmas is here.....

I really am regretting starting this series actually spelling the number, not just '12'. Its putting my primary school knowledge to use at least. On the topic of decisions, I have been doing more of that 'lifestyle' theme recently, which is actually a bit easier than I thought. But then talking about tea, visiting Italy and walking around Lush was never going to be hard work really. And being a cat for a few hours? Just seemed oh to natural...

What have you been up too recently?

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The laziest primer...Freedom Makeup Pro Studio Priming Water

Do I really need another primer? Well yes, as if you would say no to a new primer in spray pump bottle. Hello a whole new level of laziness for me, I barely have to lift my arms and use my hands for this in the mornings now. Thank you Freedom Makeup Pro Studio Priming Water (£6).

Spritzed on like a normal primer (or in top of foundation if you're feeling fancy), all this needs is around 3 pumps to prep my skin nicely and leave it feeling refreshed and ready for my foundation layers, and it almost has a fruity scent, which makes a change from most primers I've tried. To keep with my laziness, this doesn't run off my face so I can skip any rubbing in, and still have hydrated skin throughout the day. And the best part? This priming water even keeps my foundation in tact all day without it sliding around. I can't speak for any other skin types except dry in saying how much I love this, but both me and skin love the quick and lazy hydration. Who would of thought spraying water on my face would have such good results?

Have you tried the Freedom Makeup Pro Studio Priming Water?

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