Monday, 23 September 2013

I don't normally lie or like to deceive but....

But as much as i love Directions dye and raved about it in my other posts, i have found myself queering other makes.
Don't get me wrong i do love directions dye for the reasons ive stated in my other posts, but recently ive had a reply to the lovely Holly Hagan from Geordie shore as she has wonderful hair and a just as equally lovely personality.


Anyways, she has recently been advertising the hair dye she uses, which is the Manic Panic range. Shes been black to bright red to purple and dip dye! All very vibrant colors and seem to keep for ages, also she bleaches her hair so at leas we know its safe to use on bleached hair!

So as a keen hair dye enthusiast i tweeter her about the dye and the issue i had with mine, which is that when i have it freshly dyed it transfers onto my clothes and wherever i put my head (luckily i have black bedding)




After sleeping on a towel











the color transfer on my pajamas (it does wash out though)




I have tweeted (and annoyed) her a little more asking questions about the dye as i am quite keen to use it, my other issue is that with the directions dye i can not wash my hair in our home shower as it is all white and on holiday i stained the marble shower floor red with the dye that comes out, which is a lot and very vibrant. Which is irritating, but my lovely father has made me a hair dye part in the home where i have a steel basin with black splash tiles up the wall and it is surrounded by blck worktops to avoid and flicking of the dye haha!

So guys take a look at the website and if you use the color id love to have your opinions and views on it before i take the plunge.
Manic Panic Hairdye

I aslo need your help on what colour to go if i do choose to!?

I really like hollys purple but i dont want to be seen as a 'holly wannabe or copycat'

So i reaallyy need your help guys!

thanks!

Zoe x

Every Day look, some sort of normality and products i can not live without

Helooo you beautiful people!
hope you are all ok!

Today i have decided to show you that i do have some sort of normality when it comes to everyday and work makeup (shock i know) but believe me i don't walk around looking like a 120 palliated drag queen (no offence, i DO love drag queens) but living in stoke and being a barmaid and lifeguard i do unfortunately have to tone it down. And if your wondering why its so bad to live in stoke i advise to educate yourself on it by watching the T.V Series 'Shameless'. Its uncanny.

Anyways back to business, i know i will get some bitch comments made about this photo and whatever but i really don't care, no ones and oi painting in the morning.


So this is the holy hell of my morning face and hair, i do feel sorry for the other half waking  up to this angry morning troll.
Before i go to bed and when i wake up in the morning i do my ritual of Cleanse, Tone then Moisturize. My favorite brand so far
is the Simple range as i have sensitive skin, hard scrubs and tea tree often burns and makes it go red. (Even though Simple has been question for its organic ingredients, i still find it the best, and cheap too!) So yeah with clean cotton pads i do this every morning and every night, and maybe again before makeup application for a night out, just to get all of the grossness and daily sweat and crap off before clogging the pores back up with makeup. Its cheap to buy and i get mine from the local Home Bargains for like £1-£3 for each product.


So here are the products i use (and my feet with odd socks! oops!) and here's my routine:
1. Using the Maybelline concealer stick £4.07 i cover my dark circles and any spots
2. Using the blending sponge £3-5 or usually a foundation brush i apply the Loreal CC cream in purple £9.99 ( to counteract the dullness in my complexion, there are other colors for other complexions too) its really good and when it comes out its purple but as you apply it, it changes color into a foundation, you even dont have to worry about the color outcome because it matches to your skin tone! Technology today!
Check it out!
Loreal CC Nude Magique Cream

Then with a large soft brush i apply the MUA Matte Perfect loose face powder 2.30, this is to dry and set the liquid foundation, but also it gives more coverage and helps it to stay better throughout the day ( which is greatly needed as i have to walk up and down a hot sweaty poolside for hours on end!)
Next i apply the blusher, this one is from Look magazines own make £8, which can be found in most Superdrug stores. I have one in red and one in a golden brown with glitter (one in the picture) depending on how i feel. After i apply my eyeliner using an angles brush as the one that comes with the Sleek gel liner £5.49 is too small and is not slanted so i find it harder to use. Then onto the eyebrows using the Barry M mascara in hot pink £5.19 (tutorial in past post) and then finally applying mascara ( Maybelline colossal) £7.19 and a choice of lipstick or lipgloss, today i wore NYX black label lipstick in Italian Chic.£1-( i got from a factory shop)
(All product prices checked through google and the Superdrug Website 23/09/13)

Outcome! Plus straightening and doing my natural (no extensions) hair......


a bit more human like .

Hope you enjoyed!
Zoe x


Sunday, 22 September 2013

Eyebrow issues


One of my pet hates is women who have light blonde hair but have dark brown/black eyebrows, especially if
they are drawn on. It does suit some people, mainly models with amazing bone structure and high cheekbones. But still its like WHYYY! if you want to make your hair look natural then why not your eyebrows? coz that sure one place i look for natural hair color.

I must admit that it isn't as easy as throwing the bleach on your head onto your eyebrows whilst in the hairdressers chair (and i would be highly silly). But there are kits out there which can color facial hair without the risk of burning your face off in the process, for example boots, as the lovely Claire from Stylingo.co.uk tested herself and came out with great results!
Check it out!:

Stylingo.co.uk - How to lighten your eyebrows

So, for me having pinky/red hair and black eyebrows had been one hell of a fight, from dark brown to stupidly geometric black ones and concealing the hell out of them and then to finally finishing the correct recipe!

Phew!

What I do do doo!







 1.Using Barry M Lengthening mascara in shocking pink


 2. wipe a slanted or a small stiff eyebrow brush onto the mascara until there is a good amount








3. draw and outline the desired eyebrow shape and fill in, keep pumping the mascara to get more on the brush and stick to wipe off
 4. When dry using the mascara brush coat the eyebrow hair and brush into the desired direction







5. Find the desired color in eye shadow, i used the mauve color in the 120 palette off Ebay










6. Pack on the color and apply or pat onto the wet mascara. sometimes to coat thoroughly i brush backwards to the hair as well as forward



Et voila! fairly matched pinky/red eyebrows!
Hope this helps you who have crazy colored or bright hair.

Mascara
and
eye shadow

Simples!


Zoe x



Monday, 16 September 2013

Hair care and everyday styling products

Herbal Essences Bee Strong
 I'm one of those people who can never find the perfect product that i can stick with and as soon as the advert comes on the tv, AMAZING NEW BE ALL AND END ALL PRODUCT! AAAAAHHHHH!!! yeah i'm an impulse buyer, and i'm not ashamed. But so far apart from the Wella SP products i mentioned in the hair history chapter, they are not cheap or come in large sizes. Not good for someone who does not have a full time job income.
So throughout  my quest i came across Herbal Essences Bee Strong shampoo and conditioner. And i must say it is brilliant! especially the conditioner. With my hair being quite weak still its more important to me to keep my hair rather than keep my color vibrant. I usually shampoo my hair twice because the first wash gets all the products and grease out then the second gives a clean slate for the product to be soaked in. Then with EVERY conditioner i put it in and comb/brush it through and leave it in as long as i can ( i usually do this first and then leave it in while i wash). Then when it washes out, its amazing! my hair feels as soft as cashmere. So far the best and greatest value for money so far.


Dove's intensive repair mask
 Once a week or whenever i have time, i sleep or spend a lazy day with a reconstructing hair mask in. This was promoted by my hairdresser when my hair was falling out. After washing (but don't condition) i pat dry my hair and apply the product and brush through. Then using a hair wrap towel, i leave it in for hours or sleep in it and wash it out at night. This is just so the hair has plenty of time to penetrate and reconstruct the hair strands. With its protein rich formula it reconstructs and prtects the hair from further breakage and heat styling issues by coating each hair with a protective coating which also smoothed down split ends and ragged bits.



Directions conditioning color in Cerisé
 Usally for a pick me up for my hair color and a nice refresh i usually add a few spoonfuls into a pot of hair mask (like the one above) and leave it on for half and hour or so. The color is just as vibrant and it makes the pots last so much longer.








Dove's hair therapy color radiance and Wells SP Luxe oil
 After washing or treating my hair I spray on Dove's hair therapy : Damaged solutions- color radiance leave in conditioning spray and care spray. The lightweight spray is great for detangling, conditioning and keeping my hair color more vibrant. after spraying the whole head and brushing through i then use 2 or 3 squirts of the Wella SP Luxe oil into my hands, rub together and ONLY apply to the mid length to ends of hair as it can make the roots greasy. then brush through the ends. I have found that the luxe oil is 100000X better than morrocain oil. The moroccain oil didn't smooth the broken ends of my hair and one squirt make it super greasy as my hair is quite fine and all it does is smooth hair and hydrates, whereas the luxe oil adds keratin for protection, oil and protein to rescue damaged hair and reconstructs the hair too. All this and makes it as soft and silky as na newborns hair! love love love it! not cheap but you get what you pay for. Usually it can be found cheaper on Ebay or beautybay and feel unique, basically shop around for the cheapest price.

Nicky Clarke - Tease me instant backcombing
 I'm constantly backcombing my hair for the big and messy look, but it does take a huge toll on the hair, often it knots up and i have to literally rip it out and the follicles weaken and snap. Is it worth it? erm, im not really sure, probably not. But Schwarzkopf and Nicky Clarke have made these backcomb powder in a bottle products, i prefer Nicky Clarkes to Schwarzkopf's  as theirs makes my hair greasy the next day and it harder to sort out the next day. The product is applied in sections and the nozzle sprinkles the dust which reacts with the heat from the head to make a waxy texture so when roughed up gives a lift and boost to the roots and a dynamic texture without the stress on the hair of back combing. Far better.

Denman Large, Tangle Teezer and smoothing brush
Hair brushes, they may not seem that important when it comes to hair care and styling but it really is, especially if you hair often gets knotted and is prone to snapping then the tangle teaser is great (middle brush), its great for the first morning brush and brushing out a style as the specially designed bristles reduce stress and tension in the hair strands to avoid snapping and the different levels help slowly untangle. It is also great for when applying conditioner as it helps to evenly spread the product into the hair.
The end brush is the smoothing brush, with loads of fine bristles it can either help to smooth down flyaways and create a sleeker look, but also it is great for using it the opposite way and back combing, with the bristles not deeply knotting the hair but creates a more bouffant effect for underneath boosts.
Then my recent purchase to the left is the famous Denman styling brush. Ideal for smoothing and styling with rounded pins for comfort when brushing. The red rubber pad at the end ensures anti-static in the hair if it is fine and this brush is hygienic and endurable, you buy one and it will last FOREVER, providing you take care of it and wash and remove excess hair from it.

Tresemme Volume Styler
Finally, i don't very often blow dry my hair (or even heat style) unless i'm going out. But when i do blow dry i found it bloody annoying and exhausting for my arms to blow dry my hair as well as brushing it up with the rolling brush to add volume. Then the clever sods at Tresemme made this beautiful gadget, and i must say it is a godsend!
What it is is basically a hairdryer and brush in one, so one hand can be free whilst the other uses this. Starting from the roots and rolling it and brushing the hair to the ends creates a boots at the root and the keratin covered brush smooths the ends of the hair so you don't have to get the straighteners out to tame down the broken bits. With 3 heat settings it is a must buy! But do remember to use hair boosting products like a mouse and ensure it has heat protection to, this is just to keep the style helt all night as you don't want it to fall after 1 hour.

Anyway that's enough babbling for one day!
I hope those who have read this have found it helpful, any questions don't be shy!

Zoe *

Friday, 13 September 2013

Black and unusual colored lipstick, yay or nay?

Black and unusual coloured lipsticks for day and evening wear, yes or no?

So guys i need your opinion, black, blue, green, yellow, orange and multi-colored lipsticks. Are they a yay or nay?

The reason i ask nis because i have a wonderful set of colorful lipsticks which i use for my makeup looks on instagram, but the thing is..that's all i use them for.

Why i hear you ask?

to be honest, im not quite sure.

I  think it might be the fear of rejection from those around me, not like my friends because they know what im like, but if i go out for a drink, i know someone is going to go 'why do you have black lipstick on, you a goth or something.' then more than likely the local idiot chavs will try and beat me up.

Because im wearing black lipstick or whatever colour

Sad isnt it?

is it just cool for beyonce? or can i?
When we see celebrities starting a new trend its amazing, its great, lets find that product, i want to look like them. But wait.....im not.



Pale skin and black lips?

Irritating i know, that little voice in your head that makes you wonder and feel how those around you are going to react, whether its a new hair colour or lipstick.

But then again it may just be totally the opposite, why should we be scared to do something different and to question those who question us?

Next thursday i will test this theory by going out (to alton towers because its my friends birthday) and I will wear my black Barry M lipstick and report back to the reactions, comments and how i felt.
Like  a field test :)

In the meantime, enjoy and leave us a comment!
Zoe *




Lady Gaga Artpop Makeup

Lady Gaga Artpop: Applause inspired makeup

Yes! yet another amazing video and song from mother monster! 
We love mother monster!
Quirky, beautiful, colourful, inspirational...the list goes on when it comes to her!

Ive seen a fair few renditions of this artpop look, all are fabulous! well you cant really go much wrong with this look? I must say it was very fun and simple to do, and it doesn't matter if you do it wrong as it seems that the places and colours can change with the wind as long as the 'basic idea' of 'why just wear eye shadow and lipstick on eyes and lips?' and why just wear one or the same colours?

SOD IT GO WILD!


Products used
  1. To start with i put on my Estee Lauder double wear foundation and concealed my eyebrows because they are black :/
  2. Then using an eyeshadow primer ( i used MUA Pro base) i blotted it onto the parts where the eyshadow was going, this is to get the staying power and the best vibrancy from the pigments
  3. Using two 120 pallettes i purchased off ebay i matched the colours and places on the face and applies with a soft blending brush
  4. Finally apply red lipstick, mascara and eyeliner! I used Boots Number 17 supreme shine lipstick in 'Hot stuff' and maybelline colossal mascara and eyeliner

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!








Ok, so its not exactly day wear or even going out wear, but its fun to do!
So unfortunately i dont have the guts, respect or anything like gaga to wear this out of the house unless im going to a nfancy dress as i may actually either get punched, shouted abuse at or offered a job at a child birthday party as a clown. But yano.


Hope you like and have a go! its very fun!
Zoe * 

Thursday, 12 September 2013

Directions Hair dye : Review


Directions Hair dye by La Riché : Review and my hair history.

Hi guys! hope you are all ok!

So, today review is on La Riché's Directions Semi- permanent hair dyes, and also after a month and 2
Ewww Roots
weeks worth of root growth i can finally afford to get then sorted! But I am still awaiting payday :(

I LOVE LOVE LOVE directions hairdye! I've been using it for as long as ive been dying my hair (since i was about 17), the colours are unique, vibrant and conditioning. There a huge range of colours that go from neon green to black and even a silver and white toner for blondes. 
However you do need light or to pre lighten the hair to get the desired bright colours, which directions do supply their own bleaching kit too, with a range of peroxide percentages.

Me having the toner on and the colour i use - Cerise
However as much as i love directions, i do not recommend bleaching your hair at home as i have made this mistake too many times myself. So like me i recommend going to a good hair salon and get the professionals to do it, its worth paying a little bit more than risking loosing your hair.
Directions are perfect to use after on bleached hair as they are conditioning and only semi permanent, you can even mix the colours to create your own unique shade!

If you are interested in this product here's their website:
YAY!

My hair history

I wont bore you, or we would be here for days, but i have done EVERYTHING to my hair, from going jet black to bleach blonde (worst mistake ever) and all the colours of the rainbow, even green!

Ive got really dark brown hair, practically black, so i always have to lighten my hair to get even somewhat of a colour on it. Last year i had XXL black on my hair and chose to go bleach blonde. So i went the hairdressers and the journey started there, all went well, i went through the highlighter orange phase and finally to the blonde. I was very happy, i put multicolored strands in and even went pastel purple! very happy.  However my hair was not, when i washed it and combed it so much was coming out! then i went for a routine root touch up. As the hairdresser was blow drying my hair i could hear it ripping with each stroke of the brush. I went home and stupidly kept running my hair between my finers, all i could hear was *plink *plink* *plink* and most of the hair would be between my fingers.
A couple of days went by and i just brushed my hair into a center parting and i noticed a tiny Mohawk of broken-off hair where it was all falling out.

Devastated.

I rang up my hairdressers crying down the phone and they rushed me down to assess my hair, diagnostic: it was wrecked.
No more bleach.
They gave me this product for free which was Salon Professional Rescue shampoo and conditioner and for over 3 weeks i had to sleep with conditioner in my hair and it wrapped in a towel in order to get the moisture and protein i had lost back in. When it finally started to grown i had them dye it back to brown and i left it for a good year.
Before, the XXL Black
After :)
During - Ginger Ninja
Amazing multi colours by Directions

Pastel purple - Mixing Violet and Lavender Directions together alongside lots of conditioner to weaken the colour




now my hair is back to normal all i do is have the roots lightened with a special toner (NOT BLEACH) and my directions put on. 
Ahhhhh *breathes a sigh of relief*

My view after all of this

Bleach is evil

Sleeping in conditioner and masks are a godsend
and so it Salon Professional products, they saved my hair and saved me from getting a pixie cut, which i do not have the face or stature for. Id look like G.I.Joe.

There are many places to buy salon professional products but it isnt cheap, but YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. Also their hair oil is 100X better than Morrocain oil, I usually get them cheaper off either:
 
Feel Unique
or

Beautybay



Peace out and happy colouring!
Zoe *



Oh yeah i wore a wig out most times- but shhhh! ;)

Wednesday, 11 September 2013

Maybelline Brow Drama : Review

Maybelline Brow Drama Review

Heaya there!
Hope y'all having a good day!

This review is on the brand-spanking new Maybelline BROW Drama, eyebrow mascara.
So once again, thrilled by the thought of bushy statement brows which can be done with the ease and simplicity of rubbing some mascara on them....well that was what I hoped.

Looking at the brush, it looked hopeful  like a mascara brush with a ball at the
end like the mascara that gets the end eyelashes. Anyhoo, i brushed it on.....well at least i thought i had, no difference. 
So like mascara, I let it dry and added another coat, but brushing in the opposite direction to the hairs before brushing them up and into the desired shape. Still not much of a difference, to be honest it did make them thicker, darker and they held their shape, but i  feel to use this product you have to already have quite thick bushy brows and this product will just accentuate them more.
So for my thin, sparse, over plucked and straggly caterpillars, its time for nature to take its course and put the tweezers down. 
Hopefully in time i can grow eyebrows like the gorgeous Audrey Hepburn 
So in a couple of months for those who see me, i do apologise for looking like chewbaccas lost cousin.


But from hereon I shall carry on using my Hot Pink  Barry M mascara and red eyeshadow on top which matches my hair colour (to an extent)


What do you guys think of this new Bushy/ Power Brow trend?
And will it last, or will we be dusting off the tweezers?

Zoe *

.