Dip Dye Routine

I have dyed my hair in the past using wash in wash out dyes and also by going to a salon. Because I have ginger hair, it apparently makes it harder to dye. My colourist said that red hair doesn't take the colour as well as say blonde or brunette hair does. This means that you may have to colour your hair numerous times before you see a big difference in colour if you have red hair.

One of the latest hair trends is dip dye. This is something that I wanted to try and so I decided to get the L'Oreal Preference Wild Ombres dip dye kit. I use Number 3 for blonde to dark blonde hair (there are three different coloured kits!).

(make sure you brush your hair through well before you start!)

The kit is really easy to use and comes with everything you need and step by step instructions on how to prepare the dye and then apply it. Due to the dye containing ammonia and hydrogen peroxide, its best to apply it in a well ventilated area, such as a bathroom where you can open the windows because it doesn't smell very nice!

The kit

I have used the kit three times. The first time I followed the instructions step by step - using the applicator brush to apply it and leaving it on for the maximum but not over the time period stated which is between 25 - 45 minutes depending on the desired colour.

After applying the colour, leaving it, washing the dye out and drying my hair, I could see a noticeable difference in the colour of my hair but not the change that I was hoping for. I reapplied the dye soon after the first time I dyed it to give a 'boost' to the colour.

On the second application, I used my hands to spread the dye through (wearing the gloves that you're supplied in the kit!) and left the colour on for longer - probably an hour. When I rinsed my hair and dried it, I was really pleased with the results and it was how I wanted it to look!

Mixing the colour

The third application I did was on Saturday and that was because I felt the colour had faded and so I wanted to give it another boost. I was pleased because it hand't needed to be redone for a good four months.

The only issues I have with this product, which is something I found with all the dyes I have tried, is that it makes the ends of my (heat damaged) hair extremely dry and quite frankly, disgusting. This means I do have to deep condition my hair to restore it.

As I mentioned, the dye stinks and although you are supplied with a colour protect shampoo to wash the dye out with, I have washed my hair twice after dying it to get rid of the smell left on my hair.

Because this kit is only intended for dip dying purposes, you do not need to do a patch test as with most home and salon dye kits because in theory the dye shouldn't touch your skin/scalp. However, I am slightly wary with dye because my family has a history of alopecia and so I was careful not to get it too close to my scalp.

I am really pleased with the results and I am sure that there is a kit for everyone due to the fact that the longer/shorter the time you leave it on for the more/less intense the colour.

The end result

You may have also seen my OOTD post which showed quite well my recent dip dye!

Manicure Monday

This weeks manicure is from yesterdays Mother's Day lunch. As I said in my OOTD post, I was wearing Fiji by Essie.

This colour is being worn everywhere and everyone is blogging about Fiji and tonnes of other Essie colours. There colours are amazing! There are always at least three shades of each colour so you are bound to find something suitable for you skin tone/mood/outfit etc.

Essie also do really good topcoats (which I always use). They do a couple of different 'types' including a chip resistant one which is what I have, a strengthening one and a high shine one among others. I would certainly recommend any of their colours and topcoats.

Although I love love love Essie and their products, at first I was a bit wary. I had just brought a lovely new nail polish colour and when I tested it at home the consistency was rather watery and the polish seemed to bleed around my nail bed. After feeling slightly disheartened by the outcome of this amazing nail polish brand I decided to give it another go. This time was far better but I did sit and shake the bottle throughly for a while to shake up the polish.

Essie also makes a great alternative to Nails Inc. a nail polish brand I rave about and cannot sing their praises enough! They are also cheaper, retailing for around £7.99 compared to £11.

Anyway, I am utterly thrilled with Essie nail polishes now and shaking the bottle really well before applying is something I naturally do now before using this brand. I shake before using any brand but make sure you do really well with this one!

This manicure Monday's look is something like this....

Mothers Day Outfit Of The Day!

Today as it is mother's day, my family and I went out for lunch. We went to Loch Fyne and had a really lovely meal. Because the restaurant was quite casual so I wore jeans and a denim jacket.

My jeans are from Topshop and they are the khaki green Leigh jeans. Im also wearing Topshop desert boots and a black Topshop peplum top. My black clutch bag is from H&M and my denim jacket is my new Zara bargain!

The jewellery I'm wearing is my rose gold chunky chain necklace from ASOS and my gold moustache ring from Accessorize.

I was also wearing Fiji by Essie on my nails which you can see in tomorrow's Manicure Monday post!

I hope you all had a lovely mothers day and that you have enjoyed my OOTD post, comment if you want to see more of them! Make sure you check back tomorrow to see my manicure and I will also be doing a hair dip dye post soon!

Real Technique Brushes

Recently I brought myself the Real Techniques Core Collection brushes as everyone has been talking about them for so long and I felt I was in need of some new brushes.

I thought that the core collection would be the best set to start with as I have the MAC 187 brush which is a large stippling brush and so I didn't feel the need to buy the stippling brush separately! 

The collection comes with four brushes which personally I think are just as amazing as MAC brushes. They are also really reasonably priced at £21.99 at Boots - this also is great considering my 187 brush was nearing £35 for one!

Core Collection Brushes with stand/case

The first brush I am going to show you is the Detailer Brush. I should mention here that the on the back of the packaging it suggests what you use the brushes for which is handy if you want some help/inspiration! The packaging suggests that you use this brush for concealing problem areas or using it for lipstick. Many of the core collection reviews I have seen/read have said that this brush is a let down considering the rest are amazing. Personally I have only used this brush when applying a lipstick because the head is too small for anything else.

Detailer Brush

The next brush is the Pointed Foundation Brush which again I personally think is too small but I love to use it for things like primer where you don't need to apply the product to your whole face and just use it on target and problem areas. This brush is also great for blending in your concealer and touch ups during the day.

Pointed Foundation Brush

The Buffing Brush is my second favourite in the collection. It is ideal for full face coverage when using powder and mineral foundation. I like to use it for blending and running over any lines once my make up is done. Its also really useful when applying a setting powder or when doing touch ups.

Buffing Brush

The final brush in the collection is my favourite and from all the reviews that I have read seems to be most peoples too! The Contour Brush can be used to apply highlighter, blush and bronzer to the apples of your cheeks, cheekbones, or for contouring your face. The brush is nicely tapered so it fits to your face really well and is perfect for doing all the jobs it promises!

Contour Brush

(this brush is smaller and more delicate)

As I said, these brushes are amazing quality - they are so soft and do their job perfectly. Because the bristles are made from taklon they don't soak up liquid products because they are synthetic and so it means your not wasting product and you don't need to wash them as often! This said you should still wash you brushes every week! 

They are really affordable and I suggest everyone should own at least one! However, for one brush it costs anywhere between £7 and £12 for the stippling brush. Therefore, I would buy all three collections as I think it is better value for money getting all the brushes rather than just a few!

Many of you probably know that Real Techniques was created by Samantha Chapman from Pixiwoo which she does with her sister Nic, from YouTube. I 100% recommend that you go and look at their videos because they offer great tips, high street alternatives to luxury brands and they always look lovely!

Everyday Make Up

These are the items I like to wear everyday. They provide good coverage and a quick and easy look. This also is the foundation to other make up looks such as an evening look.

Two Faced Natural Eye Palette

Collection 2000 Cover Stick

Carmex Original Lip Balm

Benefit Moisturiser

Benefit Their Real Mascara

Rimmel Scandalous Eyes Mascara

Benefit Watts Up Highlighter

Benefit That Gal Primer

Nars Laguna Bronzer

Nars Desire Blush

Benefit Girl Meets Pearl Highlighter

Maybelline Stay Matte Pressed Powder

No.7 Lipstick in Classic Rose 

Mac 187 Brush

Bare Minerals Flawless Face Brush

Topshop Eyelash Curlers

Autograph at Marks and Spencer Foundation Brush

No.7 Eyebrow Brush

I like to keep my daytime make up simple, so I won't always add a lipstick and highlighter if I want a more natural and neutral look. There are only a few products included in this look and so it makes it really easy to travel with as theres not a lot to pack!