I thought today I would share my
thoughts about something I’ve been loving ever since I picked up off the shelf.
I am now reaching for Benefit’s The Porefessional on a daily basis (Caitlin B warned me this might happen!) I
keep having to remind myself that, no, I do not need to waste it when I am
simply going to do the weekly shop! But believe me, I think it’s that good.
The lady at the counter informed that it
has quickly become the UK’s No.1 selling primer and I can see why! You simply
smooth a thin layer of the product over your skin and it not only acts as a
perfect base for make-up but also reduces the appearance of your pores, which I
am so grateful for! The lady also said that you can wear it alone, with out
foundation, which is true I guess, but it gives almost no coverage (considering
on the back it claims it‘s translucent). So don’t expect this to work similarly
to a lightweight BB cream, you may need to pair it with foundation or at least
concealer.
Although this may seem a little pricey, I
think it retails at around £24, I think it’s worth the splurge. Or perfect for
any upcoming birthday lists?
Let me know if you’ve tried it and what you
think!
Caitlin A
x
There was so much internet hype over the recent release of We Were Liars by E. Lockhart that I couldn't restrain myself from ordering a copy.
Here's the break down: The main setting is a private idyllic island off of the coast of New York. And the story is told by Cadence Sinclair who comes from a beautiful and well-off family. Although, who knows the secrets and lies that hide behind the perfect facade?
It's so hard to talk too much about the book with out giving away major spoilers. But I will tell you it's full of love and jealousy and revenge and mystery. And all of the things make a reader feel connected to a story. However, how the plot unfolds at the end, although is a little melodramatic, is something you'll never see coming! E. Lockhart's writing is so remarkable in this book. It is so beautifully poetic just at the right moments to engage you in the story, I read the whole book in just a day, I didn't want to put it down because I was so intrigued to find out what happens on the next page.
I think this was a pretty excellent read, and it's pretty short at just over 200 pages so I think it will make great easy summer reading! I would personally highly recommend!
Let me know what you thought if you've read We Were Liars too,
Caitlin A
x
Hey guys, a little different and non-beauty related today but I thought I'd share my thoughts on both the book and movie versions of the Divergent story for those of you that are yet to delve into that world.
Now, I did this totally wrong. Although I had planned on reading the book before the film was out, I had never got around to it and the film release was upon me before I knew it. I went along with a group of friends to watch it thinking it wouldn't make a difference, but when it came to reading the book I had essentially spoilt it for myself as I knew how the plot line would unfold; page after page.
Despite this, I still really enjoyed both versions. For anyone that doesn't know, here's a quick rundown with as little spoilers as possible. Beatrice Prior lives in a dystopian world where everyone in the city is divided into factions who have to live and behave according to their beliefs; brave, selfless, kind, smart or honest. When you turn 16 you can choose to leave your family and faction behind to live in another. Beatrice becomes Tris when she switches from Abnegation, the selfless, to Dauntless, the brave. Where she finds that maybe she can't be defined by just one trait, but there are horrible consequences in store if she makes herself known as Divergent...
The film definitely stayed true to the book, which I like in adaptations, with a few minor scenes deleted but that has to be expected in a 2 hour movie. The characterisation I felt was very good, and the movie saw these characters come to life. The casting was done extremely well, Shailene Woodley and Theo James play the protagonists exactly how the book describes. Although I ruined this for myself when I'd seen the film first so I knew how to picture them. (And it also helps that James, the love interest, is easy on the eyes!) The cinematography throughout the film is pretty good, as is the miss-en-scene. They managed to capture the desolation of the outskirts of the city after the war really well. The costume design was integral for this movie, as it's one of the main things that sets the factions apart. And I felt for the most part, the clothing was designed really well. However, the Abnegation faction are not allowed to be self indulgent and they aren't supposed to look in mirrors etc. however, for the most part of the film the members of the faction have perfect make-up on which annoyed me a little.
As far as I'm aware, this is Veronica Roth's first novel and she was fairly young at time of publication. Those things considered, I believe it's a very accomplished piece of work, with an eloquent, easy to follow writing style. She can engage an audience during the most soppy of love scenes all the way through to the most thrilling of action sequences and training montages. However, I felt the plot line towards the end felt really rushed and the villains became a little over the top for my liking, but for the most part I really enjoyed the storyline. And you will too if you are a fan of YA dystopian fiction and a good love story.
Let me know what you thought of either of these versions,
Caitlin A
x
Is it just me or is this the most beautiful, hollywood glam inspired hair style ever?! Now we all know Blake Lively is famous for the most beautiful golden locks in show biz, but the thing I really admire is her ability to literally pull of any hair style going. Im still watching old series of gossip girl and wondering how the hell she pulls off a ponytail plait without looking 12!
Now although we can't attempt to pull off all her amazing hair do's, heres one I think is actually really achievable with the right tools, so heres how I achieve my Blake Lively inspired waves.
I started by washing my hair with the Loreal Elvive Fibrology Thickening shampoo and conditioner, mainly because Blake Lively is the spokes girl for the product but secondly because it does give my limp and fine hair slightly more body which is definitely desired with this look, should be doing a review on these soon so let me know if you want to see that!
I then go on to spray in some Aussie Miracle Colour Insurance leave in conditioner, as I have highlighted hair, I use this every time I wash my hair, firstly to stop my colour from fading but also because it makes my hair much softer, and easy to brush, as I have very knotty hair! I then used Loreal Elnett Satin Heat protection spray, something I always use before applying heat to my hair.
Finally I spray Charles Worthington 'Turn Up the volume blow dry spray' into the roots just to add extra body and hold to my hair when blow drying.
When blow drying I start by tipping my head upside down and just giving it a good old blast, this gives a bit of volume, and the hair is easier to work with the barrel brush when its not sopping wet! I then use my barrel brush to give volume to the roots, working the brush from the root then slightly twisting my hand as i bring the brush to the ends to give my hair a slight bounce.
I then take the left upper front section of my hair and give it a little backcomb with a paddle brush to create volume and hold similar to Blakes in the pictures from the Met Ball 2014. I give it a slight twist before pinning it in to make a softer prettier look.
The key ingredient to achieve this look however is the Babyliss Waving Wand, it gives beautiful soft vintage style waves, which can be worn in a glamorous precise curl or can be messed up to create beachey surfer girl ready waves.
I then section off my hair and wrap each section around the wand holding it for 12 seconds.
Once I've taken the curl out of the wand I like to hold it for a few seconds to let it cool off before letting it drop, as this can cause the curl to drop.
Once ive curled the whole head and let the curls cool down I very gently brush the curls out with a paddle brush, as I feel this gives a softer prettier look.
I then like to use the Aussie Colour protection serum, to give my hair extra shine. I just pump a pea size amount onto the palm of my hair rub it between my fingers, then run it through the ends of my hair, to add extra shine and a glossy finish.
I then spray a small amount of Mark Hill's Style Secrets hairspray (the best hairspray I've ever used!) to hold the look throughout the day.
I really love this look and feel is could work as a pretty day time look or can be glammed up with beautiful makeup, accessories and a killer dress!
I styled my hair in the morning and it literally stayed in all day, which is rarely happens when I curl my hair with any other product, as I have such poker straight hair! So I love using this wand as I know it won't let me down and fall out as soon as the british weather hits me!
I hope this has been helpful! Let me know if you like posts like this and want to see more of them!
Caitlin B
x
So myself and Caitlin B were on one of our many trips to Boots when I realised that professional hair care was on offer; 3 for the price of 2! Well I just could not resist. My hair has been feeling really dry recently and was definitely in need of a pick me up! 2 of the purchases were made on recommendations from some of my favourite beauty gurus and one was on a whim! All of the products I chose were from the Charles Worthington Salon At Home range.
The Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Mineral Rescue Masque is a really easy to use hair mask (especially with its handy flip lid that's so easy for use in the shower!) This definitely does add moisture to your hair and helped with my dryness. I use it once or twice a week and my hair is always grateful for it! It's definitely worth a try, however, I do think there are better choices out there that can give your a hair a smoother touch and a glossy look better than this one does!
The Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Thick and Full 3D Boosting Crème is a styling cream that offers to give your hair both fullness and texture. I haven't ever used a product like this before, but I have very thin hair so anything that can give me me extra thickness has got to be a winner. You apply the product to damp hair and blow dry as normal. I do agree that the product gives me a little extra thickness and bounce than my ordinary limp hair, however, not a great deal of it. I liked this product, and I would recommend you give this a go if you have similar hair to mine, but it's nothing revolutionary!
And last but not least, a product that has had a heck a lot of praise here on the internet; the Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce Texturising Spray. Again, this isn't a type of product I have ever tried before and was really excited to try it after all the great reviews. However, I was left disappointed. Admittedly, it does do exactly what it says on the tin. Gives you really texturised hair with a lot of volume and hold and it's very impressive in that sense. But when it came to the end of the day or the next day when I tried to brush it out of my hair, the brush could hardly budge! It felt like I'd sprayed an entire can of hairspray in my hair and left it for days, even though I thought I had used the product sparingly! My hair felt dry and brittle and I hated it, I felt like I needed to wash it right away; forget a no wash day! This may not be the case for every hair type, but I'm scared of using this anymore!
Sorry for the negative thoughts, I promise I'm on the hunt for the perfect hair care to recommend!
Caitlin A
x
