I'm On A Haircare Kick!

A week ago I got my hair cut for the first time in a while, and I had lots of layers put in to boost my volume and to get rid of my insanely dry ends. Determined to make a new start and really take care of my hair, I've invested in some products I usually wouldn't have, and have stuck to this routine to keep my hair soft, bouncy, moisturized and shiny.

Here are the products I use:

Tresemme Luxurious Moisture Shampoo

I bought this after reading Roseanne's post, because her hair ALWAYS looks so nice, shiny and smooth. It was on offer at Boots so I snatched it up, and so far I love it except for the fact that at 900mL it's so heavy and I feel like it'll slip in my hands and hit my toes in the shower :P It's usually about £5.50 I think!

Matrix Biolage Fortetherapie Strengthening Conditioner

I was told by a hair dresser a month or so ago that it's better to invest in a high-end conditioner, and that it's a myth that your shampoo must match your conditioner. She said that she buys cheapo shampoos, but always buys good quality conditioner. I took her advice - have NOT looked back. This conditioner is simply amazing. Left in for a couple of minutes, it works MIRACLES - definitely deserves more attention in the beauty community! I work this into my hair with a wide toothed comb. Cheapsmells stocks the conditioner for about £8.10 :)

Umberto Giannini Mask

I bought this after reading through many hair mask tubs in Boots, and after trying it once I can feel a big difference in how soft my hair is, in addition to what the rest of the products had been doing until I used this. I got this for about £5.60, Leanne has a proper review on it here.

Asience Hair Treatment Oil

This was bought in Japan, and I'm almost tempted to ask my Mom to buy me another bottle and bring it over when she visits. It works so well in damp hair, and helps to keep my ends very soft.

Now it's hard to distinguish whether one product among the 4 is doing all the work, or if the 4 combined are a match made in heaven, but either way it's working. My hair is bouncy, smooth, supple, untangled and softer than it's ever been. I LOVE running my fingers through my hair, I can only describe it as finally feeling some life in my hair! :P The bounciness is addictive!

I'm almost out of my hair oil, and am thinking of switching to Lee Stafford's Arganoil - has anyone tried that or have any other suggestions? :)

What are your hair miracle products/routine? :)

<3yu

Blogsale Lipstick Purchase & Boots 3 for 2 :)

I can't believe it's still a month to go before Christmas and I'm doing my Christmas shopping!

So yesterday I went into town before my friend's surprise 21st (see left for cake candle-lighting disaster) to grab a few gifts, and decided on Boots' 3 for 2. Seeing as I was there to get gifts for 2 people, I decided to treat myself to the third free gift :)

And earlier that day, a post had arrived from ViviannaDoesMakeup, with my first ever MAC lippie, Faerie Glen from the Tartan Tales collection :) To my surprise, she'd also included a 17 Mirror Shine Lipstick in Nudist Peach which was so sweet of her. I've fallen in love with both of them, and thought I'd include them in my semi-haul post along with my treat from aforementioned gift-buying session! :)

So here they are:

 

I felt like there have been quite good reviews about this Umberto Giannini's Big Hair line, so I thought I'd give it a shot since I'm cursed with flat hair.. It's technically £10 for a mousse and a hairspray, and both are designed to give you, well, big hair (well done, Yu). The packaging is gorgeous, and the illustration is so pretty! And as far as I can tell, they are both full-sized, and, they smell GOOOOORGE! Definitely want to do a review on this soon :)

 And here are the lippies! The 17 one is quite sheer and kind of gives a peachy tint to my lips which is great for a lazy day :) It's quite moisturey and lovely! And the MAC one is just oh so gorgeous. The colour is something that I've been looking for for a while, it's like a pinky nude, but it doesn't wash me out at all. A great pink sister to my Rimmel Moisture Renew in Nude Delight. The consistency is really smooth, and at some point I feel like it dries a little bit but I think that helps the staying power..maybe? I have crazy pigmented lips and wasn't sure if a Lustre finish would be pigmented enough, and it was :) Yay! This being my farewell to my MAC lippie v-card, I've been exposed to the lovely smell and the gorgeous feel of the packaging of MAC lippies :) (which makes me want more.. eek!)

 (L: swatches of 17 Nudist Peach & MAC Faerie Glen; R: MAC Faerie Glen on lips!)

Anyway, I've been on a crazy shopping hype..
- Boots was sold out of Benefit's Her Name Was Glowla - PAIN! Will be persistent in search.
- Glitzy Glam customized make-up bag.. hehehe. Tempting!

Tonight, I'm heading off to the Birmingham Christmas Market with mine and Lisa's society - should be good fun (especially after a night at a Chinese all you can eat! Prepare for fat chunky Yu!)

What is No. 1 on your Christmas wishlist then ladies? :)

<3yu