Kerastase Elixir K Ultime Hair Oil Review

In the lead up to my empties post, i ended up finishing all of my hair serums and decided it was time to finally purchase this cult product from Kerastase. I've always wanted to try it, and have read lots of rave reviews over the past year. I wanted to splurge on a high quality hair serum, and settled on trying this one. 

The Kerastase Elixir K Ultime serum is one of their best selling, and most iconic products. It has also been awarded by many top beauty magazines, including Harpers Bazaar most recently. It's also the Beauty Insiders Choice winner for 2012.  After using it for the past two weeks, i can definitely confirm that it's a fantastic hair serum, and deserves the praise that it has. 

The first thing that i love about this product, is the various ways in which you can use it. It's a 'versatile beautifying treatment' that can be used before washing as a pre-shampoo treatment, as a leave in conditioner on clean damp hair to control frizz, and as a finishing product on dry hair to add shine. I enjoy using it with all of these various methods, but i tend to use it most often after i have washed my hair, just through my ends and let my hair dry naturally. The scent is amazing- a mix of coconut and luxurious perfume. Although it is expensive at £35.00, the multitude of ways in which you can use it, and the fantastic results, definitely makes it worth the price. After i use this, my hair is smoother, sleeker, softer and shinier! My hair looks and feels so much healthier- practically erasing any signs of previous heat damage. It does an amazing job at controlling frizz, and enhances my natural waves when i let my hair dry naturally. The shine it provides is amazing and gives my hair a salon feel and look every time i use it. Best of all, is that it achieves this, without weighing down my fine hair or making it look greasy. 

A little goes a long way, and when i use it as a leave in conditioner, one pump is the perfect amount. Although it's pricey, i can see it lasting me a good six months because of the concentrated, high quality ingredients. It's a great investment for anyone that wants hair with salon quality shine, softness and frizz free ends. 

I highly recommend this hair serum, to all hair types. Whether you want to make your hair look healthier and hide the signs of heat damage, or you need something to control frizz and add shine, its a fantastic product. I think you definitely get what you pay for with hair serums, and although it's £35.00 it contains significantly more oils than your average, drugstore serum. The blend of four precious oils- Pracaxi, Argan, Maize and Camellia- provides outstanding results and long term benefits for the hair. It's made my heat-free hair routine much easier to maintain!

Love, Claudia x

What's In My Beach Bag?

This week, we've experienced a mini heatwave here in the UK, and as a result my beach bag has made a sudden appearance! I thought that i would share the contents of my beach bag with you. I have a few must-have products that always come with me to the beach, or by the pool. 

This year, i've been using my new Hollister canvas tote as a beach bag. I love how lightweight and comfortable it is to carry. It can also fit a lot of things inside, and has an individual pocket which can be used to store your phone or purse. 

Of course, sunglasses are a must! One of my favourite pairs are my D&G sunglasses. I also like to take my Victoria's Secret PINK water bottle, which is not only great for my Zumba classes, but for staying hydrated on the beach too! Reading material is another must for me. I usually take a selection of magazines, and my current book. I've just discovered that the US Weekly magazine is now sold at ASDA!

In terms of beauty products, i don't tend to take a lot to the beach. I usually wear minimal makeup and stick to bringing the essentials. Sun protection is an obvious essential. I really like the Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour sun protection range, which is oil-free and water resistant. The SPF 50 stick is great for quick touch-ups and the perfect size for your handbag too. It's great for your lips, nose and the tops of your ears! I also like to bring some oil blotting sheets, as i do have oily skin. The tangle teezer is another essential of mine. It's fantastic at brushing damp, knotty hair without causing any damage. I also love the Creme De La Mer facial mist, which instantly refreshes and hydrates the skin. It can also be applied over makeup as a setting spray. Hand Sanitizer is a product that i like to keep in all of my bags, and my favourites are from Bath & Body Works. Their body mists are perfect for taking to the beach too- the scents are light and refreshing, and the plastic bottle is much more practical than taking a glass perfume bottle. 

I hope your all having a lovely summer wherever you are, and enjoy the weekend! 

Love, Claudia x

My Summer Lip Combo ft. Benefit & Buxom

With the weather heating up in the UK at the moment, i've been loving the bright, coral lip colours. I've been keeping my eye makeup to the bare minimum with just a few coats of mascara, and letting my lip colour do most of the work! I love bright lip colours during the summer time, and recently, i haven't used anything other than these two products in particular. 

L-R: Buxom 'Nantucket' and Benefit 'Spiked Punch'

First, i've been using this Buxom Big and Healthy Lip Stick which is an amazing multi-purpose product. It can be used as a lipliner, lip stick and limp plumper! The formula is very smooth and creamy, and in the heat, it helps my other lip products to stay on for longer. 'Nantucket' is a peachy, apricot nude with a matte finish. I've been using it to line my lips, and fill them in too. 

Then, i apply my Benefit Lipgloss in 'Spiked Punch' which is a very similar peachy-coral shade. The gloss adds extra shine and creates a fuller effect- it also smells like a tropical cocktail which is perfect for the summer time! The formula is non-sticky and doesn't dry my lips out at all. These products paired together, create a beautiful peachy-coral lip colour which isn't too bright. Sometimes coral shades can look too red or bright for my liking, but these two products are a perfect peachy coral which i love! They also look great paired with my all time favourite blush colour, which is Benefit's Coralista. 

Love, Claudia x

New In: Summer Pieces at H&M

I popped into H&M today, and couldn't resist the beautiful selection of bright summer clothes! With the weather heating up at the moment, i thought i would add a few more pieces to my summer wardrobe. 

£12.99

 The first item that caught my eye, is this bright pink mini-skirt. I love the coral-pink colour, and the classic style. I think it's a versatile piece for the summer, as it can be dressed down with a simple tee, or dressed up with a blazer. 

£14.99

£12.99 

Next, i gravitated towards these beautiful vests! I love the bright summery colours, and the digital floral prints. They both feel and look very high quality- the material isn't too sheer, so you can get away with just a bandeau or  bra underneath. Again, they're very versatile pieces. They go perfectly with the mini-skirt, and will look equally good with my mint jeans and a blazer. 

£12.99

Lastly, i picked up a sports top for my Zumba and Bokwa classes. H&M have a fantastic range of sportswear at great prices. Everything is well made, with 'quick-dry' fabric which is my favourite. I just opted for plain black, which is great for providing a slimming effect. I also loved the racer back straps, and streamlined design. 

If your looking for some affordable clothes to update your summer wardrobe, then i definitely recommend checking out H&M at the moment. They have a great selection of summer trends, for amazing prices and quality. 

Love, Claudia x

Weekly Summary #1

I love reading these weekly summary posts, so i thought i would give them a go myself! 

1. Filmed a video on my hair care routine and no-heat update, 2. Finally, the sun has made an appearance over the past couple of days! 3. My recent 'arm candy' featuring my new Tory Burch wrap bracelet, 4. Saying goodbye to my old home, 5. Picked up the infamous Kerastase Elixir K Ultime hair oil- so far so good, 6. Enjoyed reading The Great Gatsby and now i can't wait to see the film! 

7. Painting my nails with my new favourite, Essie's Mint Candy Apple (review here), 8. Started taking Perfictil to help with my hair, 9. Excited when i found some American goodies at Asda- although the Fruit Loops don't taste the same as the ones in the States :( 

Let me know if you would like to see more of these posts, and i hope you all had a lovely weekend enjoying the sun!

Love, Claudia x

New Skincare Favourite: First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

A few months ago, i purchased some items from the US skincare brand FAB, otherwise known as First Aid Beauty, from my local Boots store. FAB products are mainly stocked at Sephora in the States, but fortunately Boots have started to stock this amazing brand both in-store, and online. The product that's impressed me the most, and provided the most noticeable results, are the Facial Radiance Pads. 

Firstly, i love the philosophy of the brand, and the fact that all of their products are catered towards sensitive skin types. Whilst my skin is oily and acne prone, it's also sensitive- particularly to alcohol, oil and fragrance. My main skin concern is preventing future breakouts, and also treating previous acne scars. These amazing pads are alcohol free (so they won't irritate or over dry your skin) and fragrance free, which will reduce the chance of irritation (blemishes). I really respect the brand for this, as so many similar products claim to be 'dermatologically tested', yet still contain harsh ingredients such as alcohol and fragrance. These pads are also free from; parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs and Triclosan!! They're ideal for sensitive skin types like my own.

I've been using these for about a month now, and i typically use three or four pads a week. They're designed to be used on cleansed skin, morning or evening. I like to use them at night, before i apply my moisturiser/serum and after cleansing. Each of the 60 pads are saturated with lactic and glycolic acids, which gently exfoliates the skin, leading to a brighter and clearer complexion.  I have definitely noticed a difference since using these. The next morning, my skin is always brighter and any blemishes have reduced in redness and size. They do a great job at clearing up blemishes, adding brightness and evening out the skin tone. I'm hoping that after a prolonged period of use, they will help to fade my acne scars too. They already appear less red/prominent so I'm hoping that the progress will continue with further use. Besides doing wonders for acne-prone skin, many other skin types can benefit from these. Whether you have dull, lined skin or large pores, the acids will address each of these issues. I think that all skin types can benefit from added brightness too! Because they are so gentle, anyone and everyone can use them. 

I really can't recommend these pads enough. Especially if you struggle with acne and oily skin, but find that a lot of 'acne treatments' just irritate your skin further. So many acne products are full of alcohol, fragrance and harsh chemicals, that just causes further irritation- leading to a vicious cycle of troubled skin. With FAB, you can guarantee that these pads will not cause any further skin issues as they only contain the essential ingredients your skin needs. The best part, is that even though they are gentle, they still work! They do exactly what the packaging claims, which i love. I would definitely repurchase these, and for anyone out there with the same skin type as me, i highly recommend giving these a try. You can find them at Boots for £20.00 here. 

Love, Claudia x

Favourite Lip Liner: No7 Perfect Lips in '20 Nude'

This is one of my favourite nude lip liners. I've repurchased it several times over the past year, and i think it's about that time i reviewed it for you! As you all know, i'm a big fan of the classic 'nude lip' especially when wearing smokey eye makeup. I've tried a few nude lip liners from the likes of MAC and Chanel, but i always come back to this one from No7. It's also a favourite of the Pixiwoo sisters, and supposedly designed by the fabulous Lisa Eldridge- no wonder it's an amazing product!

Firstly, the colour is perfect. It can be difficult to find the perfect nude lip liner, as there are so many variations. No7's '20 Nude', is a light pink-based nude with a matte finish, which looks very natural. It's not too brown or beige, which is a common fault with some nude lip liners. The shade is definitely a 'my-lips-but-better' colour, and so natural that it can be worn on its own with a slick of lip balm, for a naturally plump look. Or it works equally well with your favourite nude lipstick and/or gloss. It goes perfectly with my favourite, which is YSL's rouge pur couture in 'Blond Ingenu'.

The formula is also amazing- as the packaging states, it's very soft and smooth, allowing for an incredibly easy application. It lines lips effortlessly, creating a plump and full look that still remains natural and hydrating. Besides the fantastic colour and formula, the staying power is great too. I find it to be very long lasting when worn alone, but it also prolongs the staying power of my lipsticks too.

As you can see, the shade blends in perfectly with my natural lip colour, whilst still providing a well defined and fuller appearance. It's perfect if you love the pouty, nude lip look- a must for any fans of Kim Kardashian's makeup! 

I highly recommend this lip liner to all of you. Not only is the quality fantastic- it's also a steal at £7.50 from Boots, or if your in the States, you can find this at Target. So, if your looking for that perfect nude lip liner, or have a few spare No7 vouchers hanging around, then give this a try. It truly is amazing and the best that i've ever tried. 

Love, Claudia x

Healthy Hair Progress

First, i want to apologise for being a little MIA lately. Me and my family have recently moved home, and a lot of my time has been spent unpacking, cleaning and settling into our new surroundings. I thought i would get back into the swing of things, with a post on my hair story. For the past 3-4 months i haven't used any heat on my hair. This may not sound like a big deal to some of you, but for me it's a big change in my hair routine. I'm thrilled with the results that I've experienced, and want to share my story with you, especially if you've had a similar experience to me. 

I'll start by giving you a little background information on the history of my hair. From the age of 5-12, i had very thick hair- wherever i went, people would always compliment my long, thick hair. It was so thick that my mum would struggle to put it up in a bun when i had ballet class. Since I've become a 'teen', my hair has drastically changed. It has become much thinner and completely different to how it used to be. Whenever i look back at old photographs of myself, i can't believe how much my hair has changed. I blame this partly on hormones, but also, the use of heat. Whilst crazy hormones (which have also effected my skin), are part to blame, i also think that the thinning of my hair is linked to when i started using heat. So, four months ago i decided to try the no-heat challenge. I packed away my straighteners and blow dryer, and since then, i haven't looked back. The results I've experienced have encouraged me to continue with my no-heat rule. I've let my hair dry naturally whenever i wash it, and i style it in a top knot bun everyday. After four months of my healthier routine, I've seen such an improvement. I don't know if my hair will ever return to it's former glory, but it has improved. Using heat is such an obvious danger, and i never believed just how much it really effected hair until I've stopped using any. My hair is so much softer, smoother and even thicker than it was. I have very few split ends, and overall, it just looks so much healthier. 

Another addition to my hair care routine, is the use of vitamins. I purchased a months supply of Perfectil, which aims to maintain healthy skin, hair and nails through the use of essential nutrients. I've only been using these for two weeks now, so i can't comment on their effect just yet. Although my skin has been pretty good lately. I've also watched some very useful videos on you-tube about hair growth, and Folic acid (vitamin B6) seems to crop up frequently. It's supposed to make your hair grow quickly and healthily, so i may try those soon too. I think the best place to start with hair health is from within. Vitamins are absorbed straight into the blood stream, and therefore, they will heal your hair much faster and more efficiently, than any external product can. I will definitely report back to you once i've used them for a few more months. 

Lastly, I've also been using a new hair oil which has helped to pamper my hair recently. I ran out of my old hair serum a few weeks ago, and decided to give this cult serum by Kerastase a try. Its won numerous beauty awards over the years, and has many rave reviews online. I've been using this on the damp ends of my hair after washing, and also as a styling product to tame any frizz when i wear my hair in a bun. It's a fantastic, lightweight oil that adds lots of shine and smoothes the hair. It makes my ends feel very soft and healthy. Of course, it can only change the appearance of my hair, but the plant oils it contains are still very beneficial. The scent is amazing too. I'm very impressed with it and so glad that I've finally tried this. 

If you have experienced something similar to me, then i cannot recommend going heat-free more. I think the use of heat on the hair can be so overlooked in the beauty world- personally, i don't trust 'heat protectants' either. We all know that heat is bad, but i don't think we realise just how much it can change our hair. The results i've experienced already are impressive, and i'm very excited to see how my hair has changed in another six months or so. I urge all of you to try the heat free challenge. It's made such a difference to my hair- more so than any 'miracle product' ever has. It really is the secret to healthy, beautiful hair. 

Love, Claudia x

New Ralph Lauren Fragrances For Women

Ralph Laurens' 'Ralph' perfume (the blue bottle!) is a fragrance that i have always enjoyed during the summer time. However, I've always wished their collection of women's fragrances was broader. So i was very excited when i heard about the Big Pony collection for women, that was released this month. It accompanies the male Big Pony collection, and both offer four different scents each designed with a different personality in mind. I have scent 4, which is a 'delicious oriental fragrance' for 'the stylish woman'. To be honest, all of them smell just as good as each other! I loved all of them, but this one was my favourite.  

First of all, i love the preppy and sleek packaging. The 50ml purple bottle features a pink polo pony and  the scent number '4'. The sleek design means that you could easily keep it in your bag, and it's durable enough for travel. Most importantly, i really like the scent. The fruity-floral mix of wild cherry and purple amber is perfect for the summer time. It's very light and fresh, suitable for all ages. Although it's an eau de toilette, the staying power is very good. I could still smell it on my skin at the end of the day. 

I really like the new Big Pony collection for women, and would definitely recommend the range if your looking for a new summer scent. With four different options, there's a great selection for everyone. At £35.00 i think the price is reasonable too. You can find this collection from all department stores as of this month.

Love, Claudia x

NOTD: Essie Mint Candy Apple

As a lover of all things mint, i can't believe i've only just bought this colour! I had been eyeing it up for quite some time and was so happy when i received it for my birthday. I love Essie nail polishes, and 'mint candy apple' has quickly become a signature colour for the brand. 

The colour is a creamy mint green, and very similar to the infamous 'tiffany blue'. It's a great shade for the spring and summer, complementing the pastel trend perfectly. The formula provides an opaque finish with two coats. Mum picked this one up for me from Boots, as they have recently started to stock Essie products. The diffusion line at Boots is slightly different to the main line, as the brushes are thicker, and i think, easier to work with. 

Besides tiffany boxes, the colour also matches my 'aruba blue' converse very well too! Im so pleased to finally own this colour, and it's definitely met my expectations. If your looking for a pastel mint-green then i highly recommend this shade. For UK readers, you can now find Essie polishes at most Boots stores for £7.99 each. 

Love, Claudia xo

Tory Burch Leather Wrap Bracelet

I love bracelets. So when i received a Tory Burch Leather Wrap Bracelet for my seventeenth this year, i was so excited! I love 'arm candy', and stacking different bracelets together. The Tory Burch wrap bracelets are perfect for this purpose, but they also look just as lovely when worn alone. I love the discreet, Tory Burch logo which is engraved on the studs, and the edgy yet sophisticated style. The silver shade compliments my other jewellery, and also works well with any outfit. I couldn't be happier with it! I thought i would share my 'stack of the day' with you, and show how i decided to wear it.

Today, i decided to stack it with my other bracelets:

-Swarovksi Crystal Tennis Bracelet

-Tiffany & Co Bracelet

-Skull Thread Bracelet by Urban Nature

-Tory Burch Silver Leather Wrap Bracelet

I'm so thrilled with my new bracelet and can't wait to start pairing it with different looks. I think they're so cute and come in such a wide range of colours. Silver is a classic, go-with-anything shade, but you can also find beautiful pastels and brights. My parents purchased mine from Selfridges here.

Love, Claudia x 

17th Birthday OOTD

I celebrated my seventeenth birthday yesterday, and thought i would share my outfit with you. I had a lovely day with my family, and as with any special occasion, i really enjoyed getting ready and spending extra time on my hair and makeup! I also wanted to share a picture of me and my mum together- i talk about her so much, so its about time you met her! My mum is my best friend, and inspiration for everything that i do. It's also where my love for makeup and fashion began! 

I decided to wear my new dress from H&M, which was part of their Conscious collection this summer. Although it was raining, i was determined to wear it! I love the classic style and most of all, the gorgeous colour. The coral-pink shade reminds me of my favourite blush colours! I paired it with my Topshop Blazer, and gold Tory Burch Reva Flats. 

For my makeup, i stuck to my usual look- a bronze smokey eye, peach blush and nude lips. Although, I did do something different with my hair. I tried mum's Babyliss Big Hair rotating styler, and I'm really pleased with how it worked. It added volume and body to my hair, which can be difficult for me to achieve. I wouldn't use it everyday as i prefer to use as little heat as possible, but for special occasions it's great.

Love, Claudia x

Birthday Celebrations...

Yesterday, i celebrated my seventeenth birthday with my family. I had a lovely, relaxing day and received some beautiful gifts. I went out for lunch in the afternoon to a favourite restaurant of ours, The Kennels, at the Goodwood Club House. Later in the afternoon, my mum made a small afternoon tea for us, including my favourite cupcakes! 

I received lots of nice gifts, but my favourite has to be my Tory Burch leather wrap bracelet. It was a complete surprise, and it's perfect for 'stacking' which i love to do with my bracelets! I love the silver colour that mum picked, as it goes perfectly with my other jewellery. I also received some items from one of my favourite clothing stores, Hollister. I love the preppy style and their clothes are perfect for everyday, casual wear, when i go to college during the week. 

Love, Claudia xo

Laura Merciers 'Lush Nectarine' Blusher

You may of seen my latest blush purchase in my SpaceNK haul, and after using it for the past couple of days i'm happy to confirm that it really is a great product! I've tried a few of their other blush colours but 'Lush Nectarine' had been on my wish list for a while. I'm really pleased that i finally picked it up, and it's become a nice addition to my peach blush collection. 

'Lush Nectarine' is a soft peachy-apricot shade with a slight golden sheen. It's a great peach colour for light to medium skin tones, and the sheen gave my complexion a lovely glow. I also loved the fact that it didn't make me look orange- which some peach blushers tend to on my skin tone. At first, i thought it might be too similar to my beloved Benefit Coralista blush, but there's a definite difference. Side by side, Coralista has more pink tones, as opposed to LM's 'Lush Nectarine' which is more peach. For peachy-pink blush lovers, you can justify having both of these blushers- i promise! The formula is very smooth and effortless to apply with my NARS Yachiyo brush. The pigmentation is just right for everyday wear, and very long lasting. 

If you love peach blushers, i would definitely recommend giving this a swatch, but it's not unlikely that there are dupes for this colour. It's a beautiful shade for everyday looks, especially during the summer, and the small compact is ideal for travel. A very nice blush!

Love, Claudia xo 

Review: Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover

I've been wanting to try this product for quite some time now, and finally my local Boots store had some in stock! They must be very popular, as most drugstores seem to sell out of these very quickly. In a nutshell, i'm very impressed with this and it certainly lives up to the hype that has surrounded it recently.

Nail polish removal is one of those beauty chores that is such a pain to do, but has to be done! I like to paint my nails often and the process of removing previous nail polish does put me off sometimes. Now, with the help of Bourjois' cool new concept, removing nail polish has just got a whole lot easier! The little pink pot, contains a black sponge saturated in nail polish remover. All you have to do, is swirl your finger inside and voila, your nail polish is removed effortlessly. I love the fact that there's no need for cotton wool, or big bottles of remover which i often end up spilling! Not only is it very convenient for everyday use, it would be perfect for travelling too. 

Whilst it doesn't quite remove nail polish in the one second that it claims, it is much quicker than the traditional method. As you would expect, it does take slightly longer to remove glitter nail polishes but is still very quick. The scent is quite potent at first, but after a few minutes it leaves your nails with a pleasant vanilla scent. However, i wash my hands immediately after anyway. It's also acetone and paraben free which is great. 

I would highly recommend this product to anyone that regularly paints their nails, and for £5.00 from Boots i think it's a great buy. I love the convenience of it, and how travel friendly it is. It also reduces the waste of cotton pads, and any messy spills. Most importantly, it cuts out the tedious aspect of painting your nails, and encourages me to do it more regularly!

Love, Claudia xo