My Hair Care Routine

I love my hair, shamefully it is not in the best condition however, it is still healthy! I use a range of products, so I thought I would share with you my top 7 hair products.

Here are my 7 must haves for your hair, I did try to narrow it too five to be easy but I simply could not decide between every product, I love them all! 

L'Oreal Elvive Fibrology Thickening Shampoo, 400ml RRP £3.99 

L'Oreal Elvive Fibrology Thickening Conditioner, 400ml RRP £3.99

Please excuse the camera flash glare, the packaging is very dark so it is difficult to get a satisfying picture of these beauty's. L'Oreal boast this duo to be a breakthrough in the science of hair, I call it magic, after one use of this perfect pair I noticed the difference, my hair felt stronger, thicker and had life with body and bounce- imagine my surprise when the results simply continue to get better wash after wash. 

If you take anything from this blog then make it a purchase of these, I am in love and would happily stand by this product 100%. For those seeking an outstanding result then simply purchase the accompanying thickening masque and thickness booster from the same line - you will be amazed!

Garnier Ultimate Blends The Nourishing Repairer shampoo, 250ml RRP £2.79

Garnier have very kindly embraced the wide range of issues that the average woman has with their hair and intruduced solutions in the form of there Ultimate Blends range. I purchased the nourishing repair shampoo, with avocado oil as a key ingredient, this shampoo is fantastic for dry, damaged hair or in my case, the morning after curling and hair spraying!  

No matter what I do to my hair it will always be gently restored by use of this shampoo, the only negative I have is that once the lid is opened it is difficult to control how much comes out of the bottle, it takes a while to control it! No matter however, as this shampoo smells of Shea butter, absolutely divine. If your hair is really damaged then Garnier kindly intruduced a conditioner to accompany this saver - I am yet to try this though! 

Tresemme 24hr Body Amplifying Mousse 225ml RRP £5.75

I have has this product for months, maybe even a year! It just goes forever. The mousse is a proffessional formula designed with volume control complex which gives voluptuous body and bounce to your style - boy does it! I only ever use this product when I am need for big hair for example when I am planning to curl my hair as it makes my hair thick, big and holds the curls for days! The only issue I have with this is how sticky the mousse gets if you do not massage it in to the hair roots correctly. However, we can look past that fault and just peel our eyes to the beautiful locks this product helps us to achieve! A great mousse for anyone looking for BIG hair. 

Herbal Essence Bee Strong Mask, 200ml RRP £4.79

Herbal Essence Beautiful Ends Mask, 200ml RRP £4.79

As part of the Herbal Essences family these two masks of course smell amazing, they both do what they claim, one gives your ends some care, nourishing any damage but more impritantly preventing damage whilst the other makes your hair thicker and more shiny - both as beautiful and beneficial as the other. I tend to alternate weekly which one I use depending on what products or heating tools I have used on my hair that week, defiantly LOVE these masks.

Moreover, many leading supermarkets actually do promotional offers on theses products, I myself got both of these for the price of one; as Sainsburys was running a promotion of both being half priced - therefore I snapped these up! I have since seen these out of stock in many places, not surprising but don't compromise, wait. This will be a holy grail after one aplication.

VO5 Give Me Moisturiser Hot Oil Treatment 4 X15ml, RRP £4.29

Every Sunday this is my hair treat, with a blend of 5 vitamins, active shine boosters this oil is great for giving your hair a nice little weekly boost. I have used this now every week for the past two months, it is extremely affordable and really shows results. This oil, unlike others I have trialled is very easy to apply, I place it in boiling water while I run a nice bubbly bath, then as I get into the bath I apply it all over my hair specifically the ends, after 10 minutes of relaxing I simply wash it out and that is me done for another week, simple!

I believe VO5 also do another set focussing on nourishing your hair shine, I have not tried this myself as I would rather focus on the condition of my hair then the shine but if it is anything like this little gem then I would imagine it to be just as good. 

So there you have it, 7 little gems you may not have known about but I can not live without. My hat goes off to some beautiful brands who are not only impressive scientists but hair gods/goddesses. 

Follow me;

Instagram - amybrooker345

Twitter - @amysjbrooker

July Glossybox 2014

Glossybox Review, July 2014 - Stars and Stripes Edition 

So it's that time of the month again when the little pink box (blue, red and white box this month) arrives full of beauty goodies. Yes. I am talking about Glossybox; a subscription service which delivers 5 products to your door, once a month to enjoy. The box itself costs £13.25 overall, that includes delivery, although the box gets cheaper depending on your subscription choice. There is four subscription choices; first the monthly subscription, 3 month subscription, 6 month and an annual option also - the price of the box gets lower the longer subscription you make.

So this months Glossybox is a Stars and Stripes theme, i.e American Hero beauty products. My guess, is that the American theme is in honor of the 3rd July, which of course is also known as independent day in America. Therefore, let me introduce you to the July 2014 Stars and Stripes Glossybox -

The box comes with 5 products in total, 4 of which are full size;
1. Bellapierre Cosmetics Ltd Mineral Lipstick in Mandarina
2. Absolute New York Perfecting Eyeshadow Primer
3. Classic Carmex  moisturising lip balm
4. Color Club Nail Lacquer in Glossy Seal
5. Pur Minerals Dirty Girl Detoxifying Mudd Masque








Bellapierre Cosmetics Ltd Mineral Lipstick in Mandarina, 3.5g RRP £20 

This product was actually a sneak peak given by Glossybox some time ago, therefore I expected it within the box just like every other subscriber. I believe there was three possible shades you could have received, I received Mandarina which is a beautiful dark orange shade. The product I received was also full size, therefore making it a great little gift and bargain for the £13.25 box.
This cult American favourite is formulated with natural waxes, mineral pigments, and antixidant including Vitamin C and Vitamin E, providing long lasting colour and protection against the sun.

As you can see from the image swatch the colour is very vibrant, it also very smooth on application and moisturising. However, my absolute favorite thing about this lipstick is in fact the smell, it smells gorgeous! Very much reminds of Galaxy chocolate, I know I will be fighting to not lick this all off. I am yet to test it for a full day to test the durability of the lipstick. The lipstick is also, although I can not yet confirm, supposed to add protection from the sun - if that is true then I will be sure to be packing this lovely summer color for the beach!

Absolute New York Perfecting Eyeshadow Primer, One Size 7.9g, - RRP $4.99 

This is again a full size product, I have never actually heard of this brand but defiantly looking forward to testing it. So the Glossybox leaflet describes this product as;

This oil-free, ultra-creamy formula evens skin tone around the eye area and keeps eyeshadow crease-free and colour-true for a lasting look.






Ever since I discovered eye shadow primer I have generally stuck to Urban Decay, having fallen in love with the formula. However, I am delighted to have received this little gem, which judging from the price is extremely affordable. Of course upon opening the box I was compelled to swatches this primer, and although it seemed very creamy and thick at first, once I had blended the product into my skin it appeared slightly oily - although this is not always a bad trait when you are perhaps placing powdery eye shadows on top. The product can also be used alone, without eye shadow as a neutralizer for redness on the eye lid and to make the eyes appear brighter.

Classic Carmex Moisturising Lip Balm, 7.5g/8.5ml - RRP £2.69

The third full size product is this Carmex lip balm. Carmex is a very well known loved brand and I am certainly not an exception, so I was pleased to have this in my box.
Loved by celebrities and makeup artists all over the world, CARMEX is the original lip balm and the only way to soothe dry, chapped lips. With menthol, camphor, and beeswax, lips are nourished, conditioned, and protected from the elements all year round. You need this staple in your bag!

This product is essential for dry, cracked lips which is what I find myself suffering from regularly, I apply numerous times in the day lip balm so I very much look forward to placing this little pot into my handbag. Carmex was invented in the USA in the 1930's and boasts a sale of over 130 every minute - an impressive portfolio that was defiantly well deserved in this Glossybox American hero's theme.

Color Club Nail Lacquer in Glossy Seal, 15ml - RRP $8

The fourth and final full size product this months Glossbox offers is this delightful, very appropriate coloured nail lacquer, here is what Glossybox had to say about it;
Color Club nail polish is proudly made in New York with only non-toxic, cruelty free ingredients. The shade Glossy Seal has been especially formulated for your July Glossybox!

Evidently, this appears a limited edition colour specifically for Glossybox, great! The image above shows two coats of the lacquer on my nail, without a top coat as I just applied the polish quickly, to give you an idea of the colour and its application. The formula is nice, shiny and fairly thick although, I would always recommend two coats just to give the colour its true pay off. I am not a big fan of dark colours but I am not going to complain as evidently this colour represents America - given its an American box I expected such a colour to appear. The product is nice if you like the colour, however, I am not too keen so therefore can not see myself using it too often although that is no criticism to the formula or application. Moreover, at $8 this is defiantly an affordable polish, even on the exchange rate.

Pur Minerals Dirty Girl Detoxifying Mudd Masque, 15g Sample - Full size 120g at £18

This is the only sample product I receuved this month, which is absolutly great! Glossybox in the past have been known for offering far too many samples, but it would appear they have really stepped up there game! Rather than attempting to explain the full effects of this masque I will offer you the Glossybox description;
Dirty Girl unclogs pores, cleanses skin and gently exfoliates. Pascalite Clay absorbs pore-clogging impurities while Salicylic Acid removes dead skin for a visibly fresher, more radiant complexion. Apply masque liberally to clean skin and treat for 5-20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

As far as sample sizes go this is not too bad. I would guess that I could possibly get two applications out of this small tube. However, if the product proves to be amazing, then Glossybox has included a discount code to receive 20% off any one purchase at Pur Minerals at M&S (Marks and Spencer). The product itself is a grey thick cream, as seen above it obviously, as described looks like clay. I am yet to try this product but from what I have read and seen it appears a nice little masque, coincidentally I have been breaking out so maybe this is exactly what I need! My only issue with this is the smell, its very potent, almost medical.

Overall I am in love with this months Glossybox, never have I found it this simply to write a review of so many products at once but this was easy. Some great little gems, if you have not already done so then I would highly recommend subscribing, I myself, was going to unsubscribe this month just because I have received three boxes so far and was not very impressed, however after this little treasure I will be keeping faith and loyalty with Glossybox for a little longer.


Follow me;
Instagram - amybrooker345
Twitter - @amysjbrooker

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, Light 1 Chantilly - 6ml RRP $29/£22

"Coveted by artists for its luxurious texture and luminous finish, new Radiant Creamy Concealer evens skin with lightweight medium to high buildable coverage. Enriched with hydrating, multi-action skincare benefits and light diffusing technology, it creates a softer, smoother complexion while instantly obscuring imperfections and diminishing fine lines and signs of fatigue"

This was another product I bought from America simply because NARS in the UK only stocks 7 shades whereas in the US they stock 10 - Chantilly being one of the 3 that the UK does not offer. In a nutshell this product regulary gets the hype and rightly so, having recently won "Best in Face" product in the Oprah Magazine, Spring 2013 this concealer really is essential. However, it is a little pricey therefore, I would not recommend buying this if your drugstore concealer is doing the job perfectly - it's great but you will not be missing out on too much.

Firstly, let's talk about the packaging , just like many concealers it comes in a tube with the lid acting as an applicator upon opening, the applicator itself is very soft making the application gentle and smooth. The concealer itself smells clean but strong - it is very difficult to describe when I say strong I do t refer to a bleach smell but more alcohol tint. 

Previously I have used drugstore concealers such as Maybelline Fit Me concealer and Rimmel London Wak Me Up concealer - both which worked wall, for short bursts but I found they never lasted all day without looking either greasy, creased or simply worn off, therefore, having heard so much about NARS and its radiant concealer I thought it may be the answer to my problems!

I always use concealer under my eyes generally, however, since I was able to get the lightest US shade I have taken to using my concealer not only to wake up under the eyes but to highlight also; meaning I use the concealer on the bridge of my nose, under the eyes, on the chin and above the lips. The verdict, I could nit be happier the concealer (as previously mentioned) applies smoothly and gentle, it glides onto the skin and even blends in perfectly, I have any many requests and compliments regarding my highlighting process since. However, contrary to NARS claim I have found that the concealer does cease after an hour or two of being applied, although this can be avoided by adding a small amount of powder after applying the concealer to your face. Since setting the concealer with powder I have nothing to complain about this product.

Overall, if you are looking for a beautifully designed smooth creamy concealer than this is where your search stops, NARS have perfected the formula to say the least, I could not imagine using my old drugstore concealers again, providing you have setting powder I can not see why this concealer would not be beneficial for every skin tones and types. 

What next?

Come back in 2 days to find a review on my July Glossybox - A special Stars and Stripes edition which includes American beauty Heros.

Follow me;

Instagram - Amybrooker345

Twitter - @Amysjbrooker