Barry M Matte Me Up Liquid Lip Paints | secondblonde

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All the drugstore brands seem to be launching new liquid matte lipsticks theses days, being a bit of a lipstick snob (normally wear MAC, NARS, Hourglass) I’ve been very curious about these Barry M liquid lip paints.

My first purchase was the one of the three lip kits (a lip paint and lip liners that comes in a cute box) in a nude colour called “go to” I then got the bug and purchased two more of the single lip paints in shades Paparazzi (red) and Minima list (pink nude)

I have to say I am very impressed with these little gems, their performance is incredible compared to the price point. The lip liner is a dream to use it’s soft and creamy and easy to glide over your lips without feeling waxy.

The lip paint is a very thin texture that is very easy to apply, great if you want to do a bit of over-drawing to enlarge your lips. It’s highly pigmented giving a seamless opaque coverage – no streaks here! It dries in seconds which is a big thumbs up and stays put for hours and hours – all day in fact. They last through eating too – depending on what it is I am eating of course, anything oily is of course gonna shift any lipstick however this one really does stay put – with only needing to touch up in the centre of my lips.

It’s good to prep your lips before applying (to rid of any dry/flaky skin and add some balm then tissue off) as they are so matte that the formula will sink into your lips and show up any imperfections so start with a smooth base.

  • “Go To” beige nude colour doesn’t suit my skin tone, I wanted to try it as I don’t own such a colour – now I know why!
  • “Minimalist” pink nude is wearable on me, I just need to get used to wearing an understated colour.
  • “paparazzi” bright orange/red is different to my usual blue tone red but looks great on and is more of what I’d call a fun pop of colour.

I am totally in love with these lips paints, the kits come in 3 different shades, the single paints come in 5 different shades. They’ve also added 3 new metallic shades in the kits:

Matte Me Up Matte Liquid Lip Kit’s £6.99 here

Single Matte Me Up Liquid Lip Paint £4.99 here

Hope you enjoyed this review. I’m so happy with them – go try them if you are looking for a drugstore matte finish lipstick you will love them.

Secondblonde x

My Top 3 Beauty Influencers | SECONDBLONDE

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Having worked in the hair industry for over two decades I've always been interested in beauty. I've been fortunate to come into contact with beauty journalists throughout my career that have been clients of salons I've worked also while I worked in Liberty. I started to become interested in serious skincare about 6 years ago when I first discovered Caroline Hirons and her extremely knowledgeable blog posts and vlogs. They are equally as entertaining as they are educational. I learn't so much about skincare (double cleansing for one) and how to use products and all from a person I could actually relate to, not a twenty something girl who has different needs to me.

This was a time when there were fewer "bloggers" on the scene than there are today. Caroline's blog inspired me to start sharing my own experiences so I created SECONDBLONDE

HERE'S MY TOP 3 BEAUTY INFLUENCERS AND WHY…     

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  1. Caroline Hirons  48 – A third generation skin care expert who's worked her way up from starting as a Saturday girl on counter for Aveda. Transforming her career from retail to the beauty industry. The list of her achievements in the industry is impressive she keeps going from strength to strength. Known for her skin care cheat sheets – check them out here and her brilliantly straight talking detailed reviews and vlogs which will also have you in fits of laughter. Followers/subscribers have even created a #carolinehironsmademedoit hashtag. She has recently launched her own products in collaboration with Pixie Beauty *fun fact – I was introduced to Caroline via a work college at Liberty Beauty Hall (Glroia Lomo) I can't really remember exactly what I said but I do remember Caroline giving me a very welcoming hug. img_0773
  2. Sali Hughes 42 – A journalist/writer/broadcaster who started out as a successful makeup artist who then moved into journalism writing features for all the glossy magazines to then become The Guardian's weekend beauty columnist which propelled her following. This was around the time I discovered her vlogs and was instantly compelled to watch – relating to her dry sense of humour. She is known for her brilliant "In the bathroom with" vlogs which are filmed in two parts –  featuring fellow industry infuencers being filmed in their bathrooms while Sali rakes through their cupboards. Most of the time sitting on their toilet seat. It's genius!! a must watch here and of course known for her straight talking honest beauty advice. Then as if it couldn't get any better Sali has written two books, Pretty Honest – the straight talking beauty companion (my beauty bible) launched in 2014 and Pretty Iconic – a personal look at the beauty products that changed the world launched in 2016. I think she is writing a third… I haven't met Sali but have seen her on few occasions while I worked in Liberty Beauty Hall when she has attended events with brands like Surratt. img_0774
  3. Nadine Baggott  54 – A celebrity beauty editor, journalist, and TV presenter. Nadine's hugely successful career is far too long for me to mention everything here. A familiar face on our screens over the years on daytime TV and adverts, also a regular columnist for glossy magazines. Nadine is extremely knowledgeable in her field and has decades of experience in what works. She lights up the room and has a wicked sense of humour. She recently started her own vlogs called "The Beauty Know it All" which are informative, packed full of insider tips and fun to watch. She is brilliant at sourcing/recommending  products for all budgets and answers every single question she receives. She is a true pro – when I watch her vlogs it feels like she is only talking to me. I've met Nadine on a few occasions at the salon and she is an absolute pleasure to be around and is always up for talking beauty! Go watch her now here You will never believe she is 54!

So there you have it my top 3 Beauty Infuencers, I could ramble on forever but that would make this post far too long. (p.s they all love cats)

Secondblonde x

 

Omorovicza Reviving Eye Cream | secondblonde

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I’ve been using this Reviving Eye Cream by Omorovicza for a few months now and as far as eye creams go, I’m really really happy with the results.

The Ormorovicza story is a beautiful one as the founders Stephen and Margaret found the Budapest ancient spa’s Moor Mud as well as Love – read their story here. Margaret is such a lovely woman beautiful on the inside and outside – I was lucky enough to meet and chat with her and tell her how much I loved her cleansing balm while I worked in Liberty Beauty. She was so inspiring.

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Being a luxurious brand it comes boxed – the detail of the inside of the box is cute. The bottle is frosted glass with the description and logo in silver. The pump applicator perfectly dispenses the correct amount of product which you can twist shut. It feels very comfortable in my hand to use, the size is 15ml which I’ve been using every morning for a few months and only used a quarter of the product.

On to the product itself, it’s a very light cream which absorbs into the skin really quickly. Great for me as I use it every morning so I’m often rushing. I use two pumps which I divide between both under eye area’s tapping in from corner to corner – any excess I tap it over my eyelids.

It smells of fresh cucumbers – don’t let that put you off as it’s very subtle and natural with no synthetic ingredients. It contains Vitamin K which reduces dark circles, arnica to reduce puffiness. Hazelnut peptides for a plumping effect and firmer skin. It’s powered by a potent blend of Hungary’s mineral-rich healing waters and their patented Hydro Mineral Transference™ delivery system. This is combined with the finest vitamins, essential oils and natural ingredients sourced from across the globe.

The results are amazing. It wakes up my tired eye’s in the morning in particular when I have puffy hay fever eyes. Although it is very light it hydrates my eye area for the whole day and creates a nice base for my tinted moisturiser. This keeps my eye’s looking youthful and fresh as it plumps up my fine lines. I also haven’t looked in the mirror lately and noticed any dark circles – so it must be working!

I would highly recommend this eye cream, it is quite pricey so it will be a beauty splurge buy but in my opinion worth every penny. Actually when you breakdown the cost daily it’s about 28p per application which now no longer sounds pricey at all!

Omorovicza Reviving Eye Cream 15ml £80 here

Secondblonde x

Rahua Voluminous Shampoo & Conditioner | SECONDBLONDE

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I’ve been trying out these Vegan 100% natural and organic hair products by Rahua. Rahua AMAZON BEAUTY  was founded by Fabian Lliguin a New York hairdresser and advocate for the conservation of the Amazon. Amazon Beauty® Inc. have devised its own standard called, Symbiotic®. Meaning a Symbiotic® ingredient must be harvested from virgin forests in the Amazon, cultivated and obtained using the same, traditional methods used by Amazonian tribes for centuries.

The bottles are really attractive with attention to detail such as embossed logo’s on both sides of the bottle and fancy gold flip top lids. I like that the bottles are completely clear allowing you to see the product inside and it’s consistency.

I’ve got the Voluminous range as my hair is very fine and gets greasy really quickly. It is also safe for colour treated hair. The smell is a love hate situation, although completely natural it is quite strong – you really smell the lavender and eucalyptus. I really love the smell it really turns shampooing your hair into a relaxing pleasant experience.

The shampoo lathers really well much more than I imaged for a Vegan/Organic free from everything shampoo (if I’m honest I do love a bit of man made silicon in my hair!) It rinsed out really well and left my hair very clean, almost raw feeling which I’m not sure if I love – perhaps just different. I applied the conditioner mid lengths to ends which again smelt beautiful and left on for a few minutes before rinsing off. When combing my hair it was slightly more tangled than usual so I needed to use a light prep spray to help comb through before styling. It did style well without going static which is always a good sign with my hair type. The feel of my hair when dry was smooth and I’m not sure what best word to use other than raw – perhaps I needed the regular conditioner as the Voluminous is very lightweight.

Overall I do really like Rahua as a brand and their ethos – how they support the rainforest, however personally I don’t think it will be my go-to daily shampoo/conditioner. It’s more likely to be my 100% natural alternative option.

There’s a whole range of beautiful hair shampoo/conditioner/treatments/styling and body products. I’ve heard amazing things about the results of the Omega 9 hair mask.

Take a look here 275ml Voluminous Shampoo £28, Voluminous Conditioner £29

secondblonde x

FrezyDerm Sun Screen Velvet Face SPF 50+ | SECONDBLONDE

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If you aren’t already familiar with FrezyDerm it’s an established Greek brand founded in 1986. I’ve received their breakthrough Sun Screen Velvet Face SPF 50+ which I’m really happy to try out and review.

The packaging is very smart and clinical looking which I think is attractive to both men/women and all ages. The shape of the bottle is easy to use and lightweight. It’s got a pump dispencer that you can twist to  lock and it’s 50ml so it ticks all the boxes for travelling or just having in your handbag.

The product texture is a transparent gel that does not smell. It’s like NOTHING I’ve ever tried before. OMG it is incredible!

A couple of pumps spreads evenly like a second velvet skin (that’ll be the revolutionary second skin technology innovation) It is an instant matte finish with no white marks or greasy residue. It doubles up as the perfect make-up base. I noticed my tinted moisturiser went on better and stayed put for much longer. And if that wasn’t enough my skin looked fresher and it blurred my fine lines and imperfections – win win win.

I also tried it on it’s own while sunning myself in my garden for a naughty couple of hours during the recent heat wave. In 30 degrees heat this sun screen did not melt nor did it make my skin feel uncomfortable or sweaty like other sun creams. It continued to stay matte, protect my skin and allow it to breathe.

I absolutely love this sun screen, I’m so impressed with it’s performance it delivers on all of it’s promises. I recommend it to anyone looking for a new SPF and think it will suit all ages/skin types.

Check it out here. £17.50 50ml

Secondblonde x

 

L’Oreal Extraordinary Oil – Facial Cleansing Oil | secondblonde

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FullSizeRender (18)If you are a regular reader you will know that I really like using cleansing oil’s and balms for my daily cleansing routine. I have a mix of luxury brands and high street brands. I base my reviews on the performance of the product in relevance to it’s ingredients/price point and my expectations. For instance I wouldn’t expect a cleansing oil costing under £8 to provide an aromatherapy like experience for the senses of that of a  pure high grade plant oil cleanser costing £45.

I popped into Boot’s on the Kings Road in my lunch break to grab a bottle of water – there was a queue so I started to browse the skincare shelves and saw this Facial Cleansing Oil from the L’oreal Extraordinary Oil range and it was on offer. Seeing as my lastest cleansing oil was on it’s last dregs I thought I’d try it…

FullSizeRender (19)The bottle is a comfortable shape to hold in your hand and easy to squirt out 3 pumps into your palm. I them rub together with my other palm and massage into my face using the flats of my palms. I find this to be the easiest way, using fingertips always gets too messy for me.

The texture is oily but light and not greasy at all, the smell is quite synthetic (what you should expect for the price point) however it is a pleasant fresh fruity smell quite like subtle oranges.

Sometime’s I just rinse it  off as it’s light enough to do so but mostly I flannel off to give my skin a light exfoliation.  As it’s promise on the back of the bottle “beyond makeup removal” it does live up to it’s claim.

It leaves my skin clean, eye makeup free, feeling fresh and nourished and not screaming out for moisturiser immediately. Also to my surprise it doesn’t sting my eyes.

FullSizeRender (17)Overall I am really impressed with this facial cleansing oil – a little goes a long way and it’s such good value even at full price it’s only £7.99 I got mine on offer at £5.29! I will buy this cleansing oil again, I have it to hand in the shower and my husband has also used it a few times and liked it too.

A letter to my younger self | Secondblonde

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I’ve just had my 42nd Birthday, the last time I posted about my age was just after my 40th Birthday and what I’d learn’t about myself upon turning 40. So here’s a letter I would write to my younger self..

Dear twenty something self,

It’s OK to make mistakes or make bad choices in life as that’s how you will learn and teach yourself to become a strong woman. Always listen to Mum and Dad’s advice as they’ve pretty much been right about everything…well not everything but most things during your twenties.

Don’t listen to your friends and work colleagues telling you that you are far too young to buy a flat at 21 years old and be tied down to a mortgage! It’s the best thing you ever did! And the biggest mistake they made not getting on the property ladder sooner. They have regretted it now still renting paying high fee’s or have had to move miles out of London to be able to afford a flat.

Don’t stay in a relationship if you are unhappy or just because you’ve been together so long and don’t want to admit it’s failed. Learn to have some self worth. Trust me on this one…In your late twenties early thirties you are going to have some new fun fun fun with a few surprise twists and turns that turn into an amazing new life and a relationship you wouldn’t of dreamed of!

Don’t worry about Dad just stay strong and keep positive, it’s going to be long and difficult seeing him at his lowest and weakest but he’s gonna be OK I promise. In fact he’s just got the 10 year all clear! 

Go for every single opportunity that comes your way and try not to care too much about work as it will only be you that suffers. Continue to do what you love and get paid for it, it’s OK to change your career path and you will do a couple times but you will always come back to what you love – so just go with the flow.

Have career goals and work at them every day, make a plan and stick to it, save some money and don’t touch it! ( I mean it, you really will wish you had savings in the bank in addition to the equity in your property) 

But most of all remember regardless of your financial situation or your career situation at the end of the day it’s only your family and nearest and dearest that really matter. 

Have no regrets I don’t think you have any really – just lot’s of learns which is good. But most of all you really need to learn to worry less about what anyone thinks about you (you will eventually conquer this in your 40’s) other than your family and cherish every moment you have with them.

Your Forty Something Self

Kelly x

 

NIOD Low Viscosity Cleaning Ester | secondblonde

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I’ve recently got round to trying this groundbreaking innovation from Deciem. A simple but new way of doing skincare. The lovely and generous Arly of Detail Oriented Beauty sent it to me (well actually she hand delivered it to me while I was working at Liberty Beauty Hall) and sadly we missed each other.

I was waiting for my latest oil cleanser to finish before I opened this. As you can see it’s quite different looking from most cleansers and almost looks like a bottle of white spirit. The smell is quite strange and takes some getting used to. Here’s the description on NIOD’s website:

LVCE is a skin cleaning system that respects dermal barriers and sebum production, cleaning the skin and removing makeup in a single step. LVCE contains no cleansing plant oils, no detergents and no water. It uses isolated sugar and avocado esters to remove dirt and makeup with or without water.

WOW I’m so impressed with the performance of this product…it’s so different to anything I’ve used before. It’s not an oil, it’s not a balm (but acts like them) it’s not a water either but looks like it is. This product removes EVERYTHING leaving my skin fresh and clean yet nourished and not tight, you don’t even feel like you have to apply moisture after. And you only need a few drops! You can apply – massage in and rinse off or you can simply apply to a cotton pad and that’s it! It’s so easy and so effective.

I do really like my cleansing oils/balms and nice smelling products that become rituals – of course I will continue to use such products but this has really blown me away. I really disliked the smell the first few times I used it however, I have got used to it. It now has a well earned prime position on my dressing table.

A huge thank you to Arly for the gift, go check out her blog and social media she knows everything about skincare and is amazing at taking photo’s. Link to her blog above.

Secondblonde x

Bath & Unwind Mayday 10% off first order | secondblonde

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FullSizeRender (12)Image Credit: Bath & Unwind 

What better way to start your May Bank Holiday with some online retail therapy. Bath & Unwind have so many fabulous luxury beauty brands from body, hair, skincare to makeup. They carry so many of my favourites.

Use a new discount code click here to receive 10% off your first order, just type in discount code MAYDAY at checkout. Plus free delivery over £40.

The only problem you have now is deciding what you are going to treat yourself to.

Secondblonde x

5 Drugstore Must Haves all for a tenner | secondblonde

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I recently popped into Superdrug to pick up some cotton wool and picked up a few beauty budget must have’s. The best part is that all these 5 items came in at just shy of a tenner, what a bargin!

Garnier Skin Naturals Micellar Cleansing Water 125ml £1.00 – I use this after my cleansing routine if needed to remove any last traces of make-up. It’s also a great product for a naughty lazy evening cleanse once in a while. Think it’s normally £2 but it was on deal when I got it.

Barry M Speedy Quick Dry Nail Paint – Pit Stop £2.99 – This is a really nice soft grey almost like a nude, a great alternative to beige nudes for summer. There’s nearly always an offer on these like buy any 3 for 2. Barry M is my preferred drugstore nail brand as they have a great colour selection and I find them to last without chipping easily.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick – Asia 77 £4.99 – was on offer so I paid less. I’m a bit of a lipstick snob, daily I wear a bold red matte lip, when buying reds I always opt for brands such as Mac and NARS and recently been introduced to Surratt and Hourglass lip colours.

I fancied a cheap and cheerful soft wearable pink and opted for this one from Rimmel. I’m not a total convert but happy with the results of this lipstick for it’s price point. The colour stays on hours and is very comfortable to wear although smells like haribo sweets! I prefer it when the creamy look wears off and it looks more matte – but that’s just my personal preference.

Cushioned Nail File & Cotton Wool – I can’t remember the price of these, just thought I’d mention them as they make up my five items. The nail file isn’t great so I won’t be buying that again – unfortunately in some cases you do only get what you pay for!

Secondblonde x