Greasy Hair Quick Fix Tip

Hey guys,

A few years ago I got into a bad habit of washing my hair on a daily basis. When I tried to stop doing that my hair would immediately go greasy as it wasn't used to going a couple of days without washing. Now being a mum, finding the time to wash my hair some days is a challenge, and here's a way to keep your hair looking fresh even when it's not. 

So I wanted to share with you my quick hair care tip I use when I don't get the chance to wash my hair, or if I want to leave it another day, and I don't have any dry shampoo to hand.

All you need is to get some talcum powder, I normally use Johnson's Baby Powder, which is really cheap, as I always seem to have that in my bathroom. Just apply a bit to the roots of your hair, and either rub it in with your fingers or brush it through, and your hair will look great in no time.

The powder absorbs the greasy oils in your hair, and is normally scented so leaves your hair smelling gorgeous.

If there is still a little white colour to your hair from the powder, just wet your comb with a bit of water, and brush it through your hair again. You don't need to apply the powder to your whole head of hair, just to the roots. I'm always forgetting where I've put my dry hair shampoo, or running out of the stuff, and this is a quick and simple fix that I do on a regular basis :)

Hope that helps! Leave me a comment with a beauty tip you have for me, I love getting tips!

Lots of love,
Samantha Dawn
xoxo

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TOPSHOP LIPS Infrared Lipstick Review

TOPSHOP released their lipstick range back in 2010, and at first I wasn't too bothered about rushing out to try them. After a while I was on a hunt for a good orange lipstick and I decided that instead of buying the YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Le Orange that I was initially after, I would go for a cheaper alternative instead. That's when I purchased TOPSHOP's LIPS Infrared Lipstick; I had read such great things about this lipstick and I couldn't wait to give it a try, it sounded like the perfect alternative to the expensive high end brands.

The lipstick packaging isn't anything too extravagant, the lipstick sits in a black box, and the lipstick holder is white with a plain design, although for £8 I wasn't expecting anything too spectacular. 

On Topshop.com the lipstick is described as being a 'velvet finish lipstick to smooth, moisture and nourish lips. Apply for fabulous colour and moisturised, matte finish, wear alone or with gloss for a shiny finish.' First thing I want to do is address TOPSHOP's own description of their product. When applying Infrared, I do agree that it gives your lips some moisture and is smooth to apply, I'll even say it's a fabulous colour when opening the packaging. However, what I don't agree with from their description is that firstly this isn't a matte lipstick. If you see from my pictures of this lipstick, it leaves a shiny finish, there is no need for gloss. I think the shine the lipstick has when worn is probably one of the main reasons I dislike this lipstick.

I have to also be honest and say that when taking my Infrared lipstick out of it's packaging, the colour looked gorgeous and I was so excited to try this lipstick. After applying it to my lips I was immediately disappointed, I'm not sure why but I just did not like the colour on me at all. I have seen other beauty bloggers wear this lipstick and they have the same pale skin I do and it looked amazing on them. For me personally I found the colour to be too weak, and this lipstick will not last very long without further applications. It also needs more than one coat, whereas a similar (better) orange lipstick such as MAC's Morange is more pigmented and lasts longer.

This is the first and only TOPSHOP lipstick that I have tried so far, and for £8 I am rather disappointed with it. It isn't the most expensive lipstick, but I have purchased cheaper lipsticks that I prefer to this. 
I'm still intrigued to try the other lipsticks by TOPSHOP, but I'm not holding out on any of them being any different to this one. I would not recommend buying this lipstick, for £8 you are much better off trying out different high street brands, and if all else fails go for a high end lipstick, as they may be more expensive but at least they are more worth the money.

Let me know what you think of infrared, i'd like to know if you love it or hate it.

Lots of love,
Samantha Dawn
xoxo

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Clairol Nice 'n Easy Natural Permanent Hair Colour 101 Natural Baby

Hey guys,

I thought I'd tell you about my all time favourite boxed hair dye, which is Clairol's Nice n Easy Blonde Permanent Hair Colour in Natural Baby 101. I use this dye on a regular basis to keep my hair a gorgeous light blonde colour, and normally buy this from Boots, and is normally on offer there, but it's also available elsewhere.

When I was younger my hair was white blonde, and growing up it remained that way. In the last few years I've noticed the brightness of my blonde locks diminishing, and I'm slowly getting a more dull sandy blonde colour :( As you can see in this photo below my roots are darker, they look ginger here but normally they just look a dull blonde colour.

and with Nice 'n Easy's boxed hair dye in 101 Natural Baby I get to keep it this colour, (excuse the glasses it was fancy dress):

It's a very simple hair dye kit to use, you basically have three separate containers and some gloves, the first two bottles (the dye) are labelled 1 and 2. You simply mix the liquids in 1 and 2 together and you have your hair dye ready to use. The bottle labelled 3 is the conditioner you use once the dye has been washed out, to keep it looking bright and healthy.

If you've never used this hair colour before, I would definitely recommend you do a skin allergy test 48 hours before applying this to your hair.

I currently leave this hair dye on for the full 45 minutes to make sure my darker roots are completely gone. However, if you just need a little boost of colour you can leave it on for just 25 minutes.

What I love most about this hair dye is that afterwards your hair feels light and well conditioned. It also highlights and tones my hair, it's as though I've just stepped out of a hair salon, but without the price tag!

Personally I think this hair colour works best with dark blondes and light brown shades of hair. I cannot say that it would work to the same effect if you have dark brown hair, but it would probably still brighten it and give it a healthy lighter look.

At the moment I'm experimenting with my hair colours and am going to attempt to get my hair a silver white blonde, so look out for that tutorial blog post coming soon!

Lots of love,

Samantha Dawn

xoxo

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Soap & Glory's Glow All Out Makeup Review

Hey guys!

As you may have guessed from my Top 10 Beauty Buys for Summer post, I have a bit of a thing for Soap & Glory. Well today I want to tell you about one of my favourites from their make up range, which is Soap & Glory's 'Glow All Out', priced at £11. This is a luminizing radiance face powder that adds a gorgeous subtle dewy glow finish to your makeup.

A much used 'Glow All Out' powder!

I bought this powder a good year ago, but as I didn't have a blog then I kept this little gem to myself and would use it on a regular basis. To this day I still use it, which just shows you how much I enjoy it. Why not try adding a bit of Glow All Out lightly across your face, neck and shoulders just gives your skin that healthy radiant look without being too OTT. At 28 years old, the last thing I want is to have a face covered in glittery shimmering 'luminizing powder', and Soap & Glory steers clear of that look.

As you can see from the swatch above, it is a subtle powder that can give even the palest skin a warmer glow. It also works brilliantly if you have a tan, giving you that sunkissed radiant look. Not only does it glow when brushed across your skin, but it looks great in photographs too. As soon as the light hits the area of application, it really does 'Glow All Out'.

I recommend this product to anyone looking for a bit more oomph in their daily makeup look, this will make even the worst of sleepless nights look like a thing of the past with a fresh face each morning. The powder itself is very pigmented so you only need a small amount, and it lasts ages - the powder I bought a year ago is still going strong! If you live in the UK, Soap and Glory's makeup range normally features in the Boots.com 3 for 2 offer, so you could trial a few Soap and Glory items yourself and get one free! 

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