Beauty Night In

End of weekend relaxation involves a little pamper, heavily scented candles and some relaxing bath oil. This sunday it was home alone for me, blasting Adele with a house full on candles and bubble baths - bliss!

Candle light is an essential part of my evening pampers, relaxing aromas, my latest candle Diptyque Amber Oud, which is part of their Christmas releases (post here), graced the halls of my bathroom. A warm and spicey scent that isn't too sweet - really gets me ready to sing some Christmas carols! 

I started off with a mini facial from my lovely Ren stash. Firstly lightly exfoliated with Jojoba Microbead Purifying Facial Polish then headed in with two masks - Ren Invisible Pores Detox Mask (post here) to cleanse and draw out impurities followed by Ren Gycolactic Radiance Renewal Mask which is a honey like texture that aims to encourage cell turnover leaving skin glowing and smooth. (Spot the Ren lover anyone?)

As I'm letting this mask soak in singing along to Someone Like You i'll have a bath, throw in some of This Works In The Zone Bath & Shower Gel for some bubbles along with some Aromatherapy Associates Relax Bath & Shower Oil for some seriously calming scented bubbles. 

Whilst sitting in the bath I'll sort out the dry ends that form at the end of a long weekend, Bumble and Bumble Deeep not only smells incredible but is a protein mask that helps repair damaged hair and really leaves my locks feeling soft, smooth and looking glossy. I'll run it though the mid-lengths to ends of my hair and leave on for 20 minutes. 

I'll then throw on some body lotion, usually my bottom half tends to need more moisture so Vaseline Essential Moisture Vitalising Body Gel Oil (post here) gets slapped on there whilst Aesop Rejuvinate Intensive Body Balm (post here) gets the top half. I'll then coat my hands and feet in Balance Me Super Moisturising Hand Cream, massage Neal's Yard Nourishing Melissa Nail Balm into my cuticles and add a thick layer of Dr Lipp Original Nipple Balm For Lips all over my lips just before wondering off to sleep. 

It's very rare I get this much spare time so when I do I really go all out, just writing this all has made me want to do it all again...mmmm....

Post-Shoot Damage Control

Yesterday my hair was washed multiple times, pulled left right and centre and heat was applied more than I have every used in my life and by the end of the day I could hear my hair crying. Makeup was applied and reapplied and reapplied some more. Yes, if you haven't seen on my twitter or instagram feeds already, I was on a shoot (more on what I was doing at a later date      )

On returning home it was a jump in the shower to detangle the backcombing and time for some self pampering..

As my hair had been shampooed over 4 times that day  I opted out of shampoo but hair was given a seriously good condition,  I slathered on Bumble and Bumble Creme De Coco Conditioner and made my way though my backcombed locks with a brush. This really helped smooth hair out and avoided me tugging against my hair - a fantastic conditioner for those with long locks! After washing that out it was time for some extra moisture, I applied L'Oreal Professionel Mythic Oil Nourishing Masque and left it to soak for 5 minutes, this is quickly becoming one of my favourite hair masks as it just makes my hair look and feel incredible. 

After cleansing my skin with Emma Hardie Amazing Face Moringa Cleansing Balm (post here) I toned and applied my latest skincare love, Darphin Purifying Balm (post here) to calm any redness and help avoid any breakouts. On top of that it's also fantastic for hydrating my skin! 

Still feeling like I needed an extra boost it was time to cleanse from the inside, I went natural with Thalgo Les Infus'Oceanes Bio Draining Organic Infusion tea in Red Fruit flavour, which smells amazing and feels calming too!
So there you have it, my post-shoot damage control. I think I'll be applying more than one hair mask this week       ....In the meantime here's a sneak peek of one of the looks we shot! 

Instagram Username @AmeliaLiana

Getting Beachy With My Hair

I've mentioned my usual high maintenance routine going totally out the window on holiday, that being said the same applies to my hair. The hairdryer is no longer an option as the suns rays dry my hair for me and any sort of straighting or curling is just a no-go zone.

While I'm at the beach and I'm letting my hair dry naturally with the sun I've been spritzing a couple of salt sprays in it to keep it from getting a little dull. I've spoken about the Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray before here, but it's great at providing texture as well as instant lift. Making that whole beach babe hair look a little more easier to achieve for those with straight slightly frizzy hair like myself.

L'Oreal Studio Matt & Messy £3.56 here, Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray £20.50 here

A fantastic dupe is the L'Oreal Matt and Messy, also a salt spray that provides pretty much the same result as Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray! All in all aiding to achieve that perfect imperfect look. Neither of them feel dirty in my hair or make my roots feel greasy although I do get a little gritty feeling, nothing to complain too much about though.

At £3.56 as opposed to £20.50 the L'Oreal Matt & Messy is a fantastic dupe and definitely worth checking out if you've had Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray sitting on your list! 

Beauty On Location: The Beach!

It's not often I venture out to the beach, I'm more partial to sitting in the comfort of my own home totally sunscreened up looking all white and greasy      
Minimal products only here, of course going to the beach means sunglasses are on which rules out eye makeup, and knowing me they are massively oversized which also rules out quite a bit of face products causing me to only reach for concealer!

When I'm not applying too much on my face I like to apply something really lovely to my nails to make myself feel a little more polished. Beachy makeup isn't really my thing, it gets sweated off (lovely) or washed away by the sea water, this 'On Location' post is a little more than what's included on my face, it includes hair nails and body too! 

Nails

- Essie Tart Deco - a gorgeous bright peach that really enhances a tan

Body

- For some sun protection I've been using Institut Estederm Adapta sun (post here) which doesn't work like a typical sun protection with SPF but instead uses ingredients to help your skin adapt to its environment. I've still got a little left in my UV InCellium Spray which I'm using as a refresher whilst tanning (post here)

Face

- Chantecaille Ultra Sun Protection SPF 50 PA+++ o (post here) for some sun protection as it leaves absolutely no white residue on my face and leaves a lovely matte finish. Followed by Make Up For Ever Waterproof Concealer on any blemishes or redness (post here) 

Hair

- Alright so my hair is a little on the frizzy side in this humidity and to combat that I use Fekkai Silky Straight Ironless Serum and a little bit of Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray to enhance beachy waves and add some texture and volume. If the wind causes some out of control knots a little spritz of Klorane Leave In Detangler will sort that out. 

The dress I'm wearing was a market find from Ibiza and I'm in love with it! It's probably my most worn item this summer, something that's so easy to throw on and will go with anything      

What do you wear to the beach?

The Reviews: Volumizing Hair Products

Let's face it big hair rocks, I'm definitely someone that thinks when it comes to hair, the bigger the better! That said, getting volume in my long thick hair is something that doesn't come without the help of products. From left to right here's my thoughts on what I've been using (not all at once of course!)

Warning: You'll probably read 'apply it through the roots of my hair' about 50 times in this post, but what did you expect! It is a volumzing post after all and that's where I apply all the product to achieve some volume in my unruly locks...

Ojon Volume Advance Volumizing Styling Spray £20 (post here)

If you've seen my previous posts you'll know this is a winner for me, I use it when hair is dry and styled, solely in the roots for some added lift as well as an all over hairspray. It has the ability to lift my hair without making it feel overly crunchy. It's exactly like backcombing hair in a bottle!

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray £18/£38 (post here)

One of the most luxury purchases but one that I know I won't be without for its amazing effects! Sprayed throughout dry hair after styling creates instant lift without feeling gritty. It's for good reason this is applauded by beauty editors and stylists, what I would describe as volume and texture in a can!

Bumble & Bumble Extra Strength Holding Spray £17

A recent purchase after my hairdresser used this and I saw how amazing the effects were! Sprayed throughout wet hair, only along my roots crown of my hair and I could feel the texture it created. It also can be used as a finishing hair spray as it has amazing hold.

Bumble & Bumble Thickening Hairspray £7/£21.50

Again, I applied this throughout damp hair before styling all through my roots in the crown of my hair. I didn't notice too much of a difference when using this, perhaps I'm a little too used to 'feeling' a lot of product in my hair and this was practically weightless, or perhaps it didn't make too much of a difference on my already thick hair. Bumble & Bumble online do have mini bottles available for purchase which is perfect if you're interested in testing products out, which is why I'm a little relieved this is only a small size that will now be going to my friend who has much thinner hair!

Kerastase Volumactive Volume Expansion Spray £16.10

Another product I didn't notice too much of a difference when using, perhaps I'm too used to thick creams and sprays but I didn't feel as though this made any difference to my hair or helped give it any lift when used on wet or dry hair.

Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray £8.50/£20.50

One of my favourites of the bunch, named a salt water spray that I spritz a couple of sprays throughout the crown on damp hair before styling as well as on dry hair for instant lift and texture. All in all giving a beach babe hair effect. Unlike a lot of the other volumizing products this I felt lasted all day and even two without changing the oil levels (aka making it more greasy!)

Fekkai Full Blown Volume Styling Whip £20

Firstly the nozzle is the perfect size for running throughout the crown at the roots of wet hair, which I then follow by massaging in and blowdrying upside down. A little goes a long way so I would be careful not to over apply in fear or hair clumping together or feeling crunchy. Unlike other mousses I've tried I didn't find this to alter the state of my hair. It didn't leave my hair sticky, make my hair greasy or look unwashed. After blowdrying my hair would actually be huge! It gives such amazing amazzzzing lift!

Bumble & Bumble Texture Cream £9.50/£21.50

What I would describe as a volumizing, texturizing and holding cream which formula reminds me of thick PVC glue. A little goes a seriously long way with this stuff, I tend to use about a 5p dollop and run it through the roots of damp hair and run my hands through the lengths of my hair with whatever is left over for a messy toussled look.

I tend to favour products with formulas I can actually feel in my hair causing some grit and friction which is probably why I didn't get on too well with the Bumble and Bumble & Kerastase as I didn't feel it in my hair like the Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray or Oribe Dry Textuizing Spray. 

My top picks would be the below, if the above ramble hasn't given that away already!

Fekkai Full Blown Volume Styling Whip
Bumble & Bumble BB Texture Hair (un) dressing creme
Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray
Orible Dry Texturizing Spray

After using Fekkai Full Blown Volume Styling Whip & Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

Expect a separate post on lower end volumizing products shortly! In the meantime, do share... Any you recommend?