Garnier Ultimate Blends The Strength Restorer Honey Treasures for Fragile Hair prone to Breakage

As a member of the website Bzz Agent I regularly take part in surveys and was lucky enough to be chosen to take part in the Garnier Ultimate Blends campaign at the end of March. I have long fine hair that gets greasy quickly but is prone to split ends and I straighten it every day so it breaks easily unfortunately! Now I have had time to try out the Strength Restorer range I got sent, here are my thoughts!

Garnier Ultimate Blends The Strength Restorer Shampoo

To me, this shampoo smells almost more like vanilla than honey which is maybe a good thing because I know some people hate the smell of honey! I found this shampoo to lather nicely and clean my hair well giving it a nice shine that didn’t make it go greasy any quicker than other shampoos I use.

Garnier Ultimate Blends The Strength Restorer Conditioner

This is a really creamy conditioner that feels more expensive than it is. I put this through the ends of my hair before shampooing as my hair can be quite oily and this way I can thoroughly rinse it out. It leaves my hair feeling lovely and soft and makes my hair nice and swishy!

Garnier Ultimate Blends The Strength Restorer 1 Minute Treatment

I really like the fact this is not a 10 minute treatment because if I’m in a rush I won’t usually do this step as it takes so long. This 1 minute treatment does the same job in a lot less time. I find this product to give my hair an extra boost in hydration and make it even softer than if I had used just the conditioner.

Garnier Ultimate Blends The Strength Restorer Serum

This serum is really runny but lightweight, I put it through the ends and mid lengths of my hair where it seals my split ends and makes my hair look way healthier than it actually is! The thing I am most impressed about with this serum is the fact it doesn’t make my hair greasy which I can find with some other serums I have tried!

I was also generously given an extra One Minute Treatment which I gave to my aunts and cousins to share and they also loved how soft it made their hair in such a short time and felt it was a generous amount of product in the tube!

Overall I think this range is great for those on a budget and I would especially recommend the serum for those with damaged split ends to make them look a little healthier without weighing your hair down! There are lots of different “blends” in the range that will appeal to people with different hair types too! 

Product Empties #1

I've been saving up my skin care, makeup, hair care and body product empties for the last month or so and here are my thoughts and whether I would repurchase! Quite a lot to get through so I'll try and keep it short and sweet!

Body

Bliss Fat Girl Slim 60ml

I got this in the Look Fantastic beauty box a few months ago and found it to be very liquidy – anyone else have this problem or it that what it’s meant to be like? Nice minty scent but unfortunately can't say I've noticed a difference on the area I applied it! Wouldn't repurchase!

Soap and Glory Flake Away Body Polish 300ml

This smells divine but if you are looking a scrub I highly recommend the Soap and Glory Pulp Friction over this, it's a bitch to clean out of the bath! I always get this in the sets they do at Christmas but would never buy it on its own!

Aussie Fresh Mate Body Wash 250ml

Picked this up on offer one day when it first came out and really enjoyed using it. Like the name says, it smells nice and fresh and like the Aussie shampoo it has an almost jelly texture. Would repurchase :)

Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream 300ml

I love this moisturising cream! It smells so fresh and clean and absorbs so quickly moisturising really well without leaving you feeling tacky. Already repurchased :)

Makeup

Revlon Colourstay Makeup for Oily/Combination skin in the shade Buff 30ml

This is a constant repurchase for me, full coverage foundation at a reasonable price (esp when on offer in Boots or Superdrug). Already repurchased and using :)

No7 Translucent Perfect Light Pressed Powder

Again I've mentioned this in previous posts but this is one of my favourite powders for mattifying my skin! I love the fact I don't have to reapply or touch up during the day and I'm confident I won't get shiny. Best to buy when No7 has their £3 off vouchers going. Again already repurchased :)

Skincare

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser 30ml

I got this in a beauty box ages ago and only opened it recently, found it to be a lot drier in texture than I thought it would be so I used a lot of product each time I used it. Had a nice fresh scent and removed my makeup well but I got through this so quickly I'm not sure if it would be worth the money when there are other cleansers I like that last longer and are cheaper! Haven't repurchased but would in the future!

The Body Shop Camomile Silky Cleansing Oil 200ml

Speaking of cleansers that last a long time and are reasonably priced, this one from The Body Shop is just that! One pump does my whole face and neck and leaves it feeling super soft too. I haven't repurchased just yet because I have a few other cleansers I want to try but will definitely be making a repurchase in the near future :)

Eucerin Even Brighter Day Cream 50ml

I have quite bad pigmentation on my skin from acne scarring so got recommended this by the nurse. I actually used this at night even through it’s a day cream because it's so rich. I found it moisturised well but I didn't notice a big difference in the colouring of my pigmentation so for that reason I won't be repurchasing (although I do have a night cream to get through in the same brand!)

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Astringent Lotion Micro-Exfoliant 200ml

I'm completely on the fence with this one, I used it like a toner so after I cleansed and before I moisturised but can't say I saw any difference and easily replaced it in my routine with something different. Won't be repurchasing!

Haircare

L’oreal Hot and Smooth Hot Straight Spray 200ml

When it comes to heat protectant I'm not loyal, this was a nice spray and it did the job but I will probably try something different next time!

L’oreal Elvive Fibrology Thickening Shampoo 400ml

Really like this shampoo it smells so good and doesn't weigh my hair down. However I can't say I noticed much thickening action but that's probably because I straighten the shit out of my poor hair so flatten any volume down! I would repurchase :)

Misc

Boots Sterile Saline 100ml

I thought I would include this as I wear monthlies every day (which I get from Specsavers) and I always run out of saline solution before my three month supply is up! I ran out of this extra bottle I bought too so had to repurchase (and I got the bigger size to be sure this time). Anyone else have this problem?

Apologies for this post being so long; I won’t let my empties pile up so much next time! Thanks for reading J

A BeautyBay Haul

I have a very bad feeling this blog is going to encourage my already out of control spending habits and just be a collection of hauls… Oh well, Beauty Bay had an offer on last week and depending on how much you spent you got 10, 15 or 20% off so I did a little shopping.

The first thing I picked up was the Laura Geller Flawless in a Flash set which includes the main reason I got it, the Spackle Treatment Hydrating Make-up Primer. I’m excited to try this! The set also includes the Baked Balance-N-Brighten Colour Correcting Foundation in Medium, the Baked Colour True Blush in the shade Catalina, the GlamLASH Dramatic Volumising Mascara in black and a mini blush brush. Not bad for £12!

I also added the Zoeva Luxe Colour Blush in Shy Beauty to my basket although unfortunately the 20% off doesn’t apply to Zoeva products but I couldn’t pass the chance to try it! It is a lovely peach colour and I can’t wait to see what it looks like on! The packaging is gorgeous too and really sturdy, even the box it came in had a beautiful silver inside. Ha, getting excited over packaging!

The last thing I got was the Louise Young Mascara Brush LY22 which I got with the intention of using in my brows. I tried it out this morning and have to say that while it does the job, the handle is extremely slim and I prefer something a bit thicker to get a better grip.

I also didn’t get the chance to photograph the Alpha H Liquid Gold I bought because my mum claimed it straight it away but it was purchased too!

When you spend over a certain amount you get to choose a free deluxe gift so I went for the Philip B set of three minis which are the Nordic Wood Hair and Body Shampoo, the Forever Shine Shampoo and the Forever Shine Conditioner. I haven’t heard much bout Philip B but I’m looking forward to trying the minis.  

Have you tried any of the things I mentioned? I may also have done a small Look Fantastic skin care haul and a slightly bigger Nyx and Wet n Wild Haul. Look out for those over the next few weeks! Then a spending ban will have to be enforced! 

Essie Limited Edition Wedding Collection Trio

This set contains three 5ml Essie nail polishes in the shades Hubby for Dessert, Vanity Fairest and Brides no Grooms.

Hubby for Dessert is described by Essie as a sheer candied lilac and it definitely looks like this in the bottle however on the nails I thought it looked a lot lighter, almost white.

Vanity Fairest is described as a shimmery sheer pastel pink. I didn’t actually notice the shimmer until I put it on my nails but it’s very subtle!

Brides no Grooms is a bright pink perfect coming into summer! I currently have two coats of it on my toenails under a Maybelline Colour Show clear coat and it’s lasting well so far with no chipping!

As with all the lighter colours of Essie I own, 3 thin coats is needed for an even coverage which can be  bit time consuming but definitely worth it!

l-r swatches: Hubby for Dessert (3 coats), Vanity Fairest (3 coats), Brides no Grooms (2 coats)

What's On My Face #1

I went for drinks over the bank holiday weekend and here's what I put on my face!

 When I want to make sure my makeup stays on, I use the Laura Mercier foundation primer.

I then used the Soap and Glory Kick Ass Blur and Brighten concealer crayon in light under my eyes and Amazing Cosmetics Amazing Concealer on any blemishes and pigmentation I have (which is a lot).

I then used my new Zoeva Silk Finish Brush to buff in Nars Sheer Glow foundation in the shade Deauville. Since two concealers clearly isn’t enough I go back in with my Soap and Glory Kick Ass Three Piece Flaw Camoflage Kit in light and use the peachy shade under my eyes and the yellow to go over any imperfections I am not happy with.

I then powder my face with the Soap and Glory One Heck of a Blot powder and contour with Soap and Glory Solar Powder. I decided to go with the Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in seductive pink as it has a subtle shimmer in it so I didn't have to use a highlighter.

Moving onto the eyes, I primed with Too Faced Shadow Insurance primer and then used the shades Resist and Stun from the Urban Decay Naked on the Run palette.

I used the Kiko single eyeshadow in 131 on the outside corner “v”, it has a very slight shimmer in the pan but doesn't come across on the lid. I've been loving using eyeshadow to line my upper lid instead of liquid or gel so put a thin line of Crave from the Urban Decay Naked Basics. I also lined my waterline with Soap and Glory Smoulder Kohl in Cocoa Bean.

For my brows, I used the Soap and Glory D-I-Y Brow Bar and as I went quite dark with my eye makeup, I decided to keep it low key on my lips and used one of my favourite lipsticks, Revlon Super Lustrous Shine Lipstick in Lovers Coral which as the name suggests is a lovely shiny coral colour! I then curled my lashes with my No 7 eyelash curlers and put two coats of Max Factor Clump Defy water resistant mascara on.

Although I clearly piled the makeup on before leaving home I don’t take too much out with me just my Soap and Glory Kick Ass Concealer compact as it also has a mini powder and mirror for top ups during the night and also my lipstick!

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Stuff I'm trying to use up #1

So, I have a lot of makeup. Before I start buying/opening more there are a few things I want to get finished up, either because I don’t overly like them anymore or I’m starting to feel I’ve had them for a long time. Really need to start writing opening dates on my stuff… 

Revlon Photoready Powder

I used to love this powder but it doesn’t mattify my foundation enough and I look shiny two hours after applying now. It has a subtle glitter/sparkle running through it and looks good when it’s just been applied but I’ve become so disappointed with its staying powder. I want to get it finished up but I won’t be repurchasing.

                                                                                                              

Max Factor Clump Defy Volumising Mascara in Black Waterproof

This and the Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara are my favourite mascaras and I have so many backups in my drawer at the minute because I always buy them when they are on offer. I feel like I have been using this for AGES and it is still not finished/ dried up. It makes my lashes volumised, lengthened and super black and has a curved wand so I like to so my first coat with the “thin” end then second coat with the “fat” end. This doesn’t flake or transfer on me

Maybelline Volume Express The Colossal Mascara in Black Waterproof

I’m a big fan of this mascara too and this one is definitely starting to dry up slightly now! Again I find it builds up both length and volume in my lashes with two coats and makes them look nice and defined. Again it doesn’t flake or transfer on me either unlike some waterproof mascaras I have tried on the past.

Max Factor Mastertouch Concealer

I’ve gone through loads of these concealers over the years and think this will be the last time I repurchase. They have a small colour selection I think of three colours so it can be hard to match to skin tone and I find the coverage with this is not as good as some other concealers I have. It has a twist up wand to release the concealer and I know some people won’t like the sponge applicator but I don’t mind it.

Soap and Glory Archery 2-in-1 Brow Filling Pencil and Brush

I’m a huge fan of Soap and Glory makeup and have owned the original Archery pencil that has the marker pen at one end as well as this. The little spoolie on the end is lovely and sturdy for brushing through brows and the pencil (I have the brown shade) is very thin and perfect for making brow strokes. I do really like this pencil but I also have the Soap and Glory D-I-Y Brow Bar kit and I prefer the finish of powders so I want to get this used up! I’ve also heard it’s meant to be a dupe for the Anastasia Brow Wiz but I haven’t tried it! 

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

I don’t really get the fuss with this concealer that seems to be everyone’s holy grail. I don’t mind it but I have better concealers so I want to finish it up. I don’t use this under the eyes, I really only use it for blemishes and use it to cover any I have up before following with foundation. It is however great of you are on a budget!

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Lovers Coral

I never thought I would get this far down in a lipstick but I love this one! It gives such a lovely shiny peachy pink tint to the lips and really brightens up my face. I already have a backup of this waiting to go it’s my favourite lipstick!