Good Things Come in Small Packages

Hey Dolls :)

I love perfume.  I can spend hours mooching around perfume stands and my bag is often full of old perfume sample cards.  This love of perfume often leads to being given lots of perfume on birthdays and Christmas and, more often than not, these are miniature sets .

As much as I love getting miniature sets, I always find them difficult to use up - I think this is because they don't come in spray bottles.  I would very rarely pick up a bottle of perfume I can dab on over one that I can spritz. 

After a quick google session, I found the Kingsley Mini Crystal Purse Atomiser which has been amazing for helping me use up my miniatures.

The Kingsley atomiser carries 5ml of perfume, which is the general volume of miniatures, in a small crystal bottle.  The cap does feel a little cheap but to be honest I wasn't expecting much as it only cost £3!  The atomiser dispenses a fine mist of perfume meaning that none is wasted.

Most of the atomisers I found where similar to the travelo, where you decant the perfume into the bottle by using the pump on the perfume bottle.  However, the Kingsley atomiser comes with a tiny funnel that fits perfectly into the neck of the bottle, making refilling easy and spillage free!

The atomiser only cost me £3 and while it doesn't feel like a luxury product, it doesn't feel ridiculously cheap either (the gold cap aside).  If you're looking for an affordable atomiser to either solve your miniature bottle problems, or to simply help lighten up your handbag, this is a brilliant, affordable option! I got mine from Amazon here.

Sleek Shiny Wavy Hair!

Hey Dolls :)

I've found recently that my hair loves have been changing.  Where I used to love straight, sleek, voluminous hair with a big side fringe, I have now been wearing my hair in a wavy, middle parting.  However, sometimes when doing this I felt my hair looked a little dull and frizzy due to my constant scrunching around the crown to avoid it looking a little limp (for some reason, I find it much easier to achieve volume in my hair when it's in a side parting!).  

Recently, Boots had a 3 for 2 offer on all hair care, meaning it was the perfect time to try and find some products that could help give me sleek, beautiful waves! Enter Oraganix Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner...

I honestly think both the Organix shampoo and conditioner have completely changed the feel and appearance of my hair.  Although this is advertised for straight hair, it hasn't affected my hairs ability to hold a curl when I use my conical wand.  After washing, my hair is so sleek shiny and soft.  The first time I ever used both the shampoo and conditioner, several people commented on how shiny my hair looked which to me says a lot! The range smells beautiful - coconut-y with a hint of chocolate (I'm a total sucker for anything that smells like coconut!) and contains keratin, coconut oil, avacado oil, and cocoa butter all of which help smooth and soften the hair's cuticle.

I also love that the shampoo and conditioner are sulfate and sodium chloride free and you would never know! In the past I've hated pretty much every shampoo I've tried without sulfates - I often feel they make my hair look dull and produce pretty much no lather - I need bubbles! However with the Organix range, you get beautiful soft hair without all the nasties (and it produces a lovely lather when washing)!

I bought these from Boots for £6.99 each and am now on my second bottles.  The Organix website has lots of information about all the ranges, I love the sound of their repairing awapuhi ginger range and would love to know if any of you have tried wither the 30 day keratin therapy treatment or any of the dry body oils? 

Happy Shiny Wavy Hair!

Lots of Love

Nicola

xx

Flavours of the Week

Hey Dolls :)

Does anyone remember the American Hi-Fi song Flavour of the Weak? Nick and I haven't stopped singing it all day!

I wanted to post about some of my make up 'flavours of the week' - all of which I think are perfect for summer!

Chanel Chance

A couple of years ago, Chanel Chance was my number one perfume - it would always be at the top of my birthday and Christmas wishlists...until I discovered my beloved Chloe.  However, last week, when my latest bottle of Chloe came to an end, I picked up a forgotten bottle of Chance and remembered exactly why I used to love it.

I am not a perfume connoisseur and so, when people rhyme off the notes in a perfume, I always feel a little left behind (I must not have a very sophisticated nose) but for me, Chance has just the right balance of spice and floral notes that make it a perfume both appropriate for day and night wear.  It is rather easy to go overboard with Chance, bringing on a perfume induced headache, and I have had to learn (as an expert over zealous perfume sprayer) that less is indeed more.  However, it lasts so long throughout the day that this isn't a problem and my morning spritz lasts!

Benefit's Bella Bamba

As you can see my Bella Bamba is looking a little tattered well loved - I never really understood what Benefit meant by a 3-d powder, but whatever it means it makes Bella Bamba pretty!  It is such a pretty bright pink (Benefit describe it is watermelon) with an amazing gold glitter that translates to the cheek as a lovely glow rather.  While the glitter particles are not particular noticeable as flecks on the cheek, they blend into the skin creating a beautiful, healthy glow that eliminates the need to use a separate highlighting product.  I can see Bella Bamba working on pretty much everyone!

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream

I've blogged about eight hour cream numerous times before but it has consistently been one of my most used, best loved products.  I use this in all sorts of ways - to help chapped lips, soften my elbows and knees before tanning, to act as a barrier around my hairline when dying my hair, to soften my cuticles and to help heal the numerous burns I get from my conical wand.  I know it smells a little funny, and can, at times, feel a little greasy, but is a product that deserves it's hyped up status.  I think it's going to be my best friend in Marbella in a couple of weeks!

Origins A Perfect World Deep Cleanser

I've tried the majority of Origins' A Perfect World range, and have yet to find a product that I don't like. The products mainly target the signs of anti-aging using white tea extract to help plump up and rejuvenate the skin. A Perfect World is a gentle cleanser that is activated using water - I typically use this at night after I have removed my make up and it cleanses my skin without leaving it feel dry or tight.  Unlike the other Origins Cleanser I use, Checks and Balances, A Perfect World doesn't foam up, instead when used with water it creates a light lather that smells lovely and clean without being overpowering.  It leaves my skin feel clean, smooth and refreshed, without being as harsh as Checks and Balances.

Essie Mint Candy Apple and Status Symbol

The whole of the U.K beauty world is in a bit of a tizz about Essie polishes coming to Boots - I can definitely see why! Mint Candy Apple was a given to be the first I bought and it is just as lovely and summery as everyone says.  Status Symbol is a beautiful pink/coral creme that applies like a dream.  Mint Candy Apple is a little sheerer and I would say it took me around three coats to get opaque coverage, however Status Symbol suffices with two.  You can see beautiful swatches of Status Symbol on Scrangie here.

I would love to know if you've tried any of the products mentioned and what you think!

Love Nicola

xx