Big Hair

In my quest to transform my fine hair into a big volumised bouffant, I've tried many methods to achieve it. However, having very fine, silky hair, and not a lot of it, means this is a struggle. But I think I have now managed to perfect my big hair routine, and I've achieved as much volume as I ever will. Here are my steps to big hair:

1) Wash hair with a volumising shampoo and conditioner.

I'm not sure if these actually make a difference, but it's nice to pretend

2) Apply volumising mousse to the crown

I currently use VO5's Perfect Length's Bodifying Styling Mousse which seems to do the trick

3) Slick on some Tigi Bed Head Superstar Blow Dry Lotion

At around £10, I thought this was a little pricey at first, but it definitely works and I can see this product lasting a long time as only the tiniest amount is needed. I put this on the crown and spread it through the rest of the hair before blow drying. It smells delicious too!

4) Spray Tigi Bed Head Superstar Queen For A Day to the roots

This is a similar price to the blow dry lotion. Equally lovely smelling, this claims to give some oomph to the hair, and I think it really does. This product doesn't last as long as the lotion, but a little still goes a long way.

5) Blow dry hair upside down

6) Use a large round brush whilst blow drying

It took me a while to get the hang of this, but using a large barrelled brush really helps add height and bounciness to the roots of the hair

7) Clip hair in a big bouffant half-up do

...and leave it to fully dry that way. I think this gives the biggest boost in bounciness, due to the way the hair dries.

8) Back-comb like crazy!

although I find even after creating a birds nest, my hair drops back very quickly to being flat so I...

9) Spray with a lot of hairspray

This helps hold the hair in place. I'm still on the look out for a good hairspray that is inexpensive.

Most Used Skincare Products - Facial

Following on from my post on body products, here are the products I rely on to keep my face soft, smooth and clean.

Luckily I have normal skin, so I don't have to try and combat any sensitivity or dry or oily skin. My only problem area is my nose, which is prone to blackheads and roughness.

Cleansers:

Simple Purifying Cleansing Lotion

This has remained a favourite of mine for a few years. The thick, creamy consistency is soothing and cooling, leaving my skin feeling refreshed and completely clean. I massage this onto my face with my fingers (including my eye makeup, no need for a separate eye makeup remover), leave it to settle for a few moments then remove with a baby wipe. This removes every trace of makeup, whether it's waterproof mascara or the steadfast Revlon Colourstay.

Sensitive Baby Wipes

Any brand will do. I wipe off the cleanser with these instead of cotton wool as I find the added moisture makes it easier. I also prefer these to facial wipes because not only are they a larger size, there are more in the pack and at a much lower cost.

The Body Shop Vitamin E Gentle Facial Wash

Occasionally I'll use this facial wash. It's super creamy and effectively removes all traces of makeup. A little gem to keep by the shower.

Moisturiser:

The Body Shop Vitamin E Sink-In Moisture Mask

This pale pink moisturiser has a soft, delicate scent, and although the jelly like formula doesn't look too appealing, this is my favourite moisturiser. Only a tiny amount is needed for the whole face. It really hydrates my skin and leaves it baby soft. I use this every night at bedtime.

Exfoliators:

The Body Shop Vitamin C Micro Refiner

This is really efficient at removing all roughness on my nose and making it smooth and soft. The micro fine particles do a very thorough job at resurfacing the skin, so I just use this weekly for deep exfoliation.

Natural High Gentle Exfoliating Face Scrub

This smells delicious, it reminds me of yogurt. This is a gentle scrub so more suitable for frequent use.

Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips:

I'd been eyeing these up for years, but at £7.99 for 6 strips, they seemed a little pricey. I'd had experience of nose strips in my teen years to no avail so I was a bit sceptical. Fortunately, I was recently sent some to try, and they completely amazed me. I won't disgust you with a picture of what the strip looked like after I'd used it, but they work, it was incredible! These weren't too painful to remove, but left my nose a little itchy afterwards.

Overall, I'd really recommend the Vitamin E range for normal skin. After receiving it a few months ago in a goody bag from The Body Shop event, I've not felt the need to explore other products as these perform so well. I've heard so many good things about it that I'm keen to try more products from the line, particularly the facial oil and moisture serum.

What are your skin care must-haves?

The Body Shop Makeup Brushes

Around 6 months ago I received a few of The Body Shop's makeup brushes to try. Half a year on and I feel I've used them enough to review!

For me, one of the most important aspects of a brush is how soft the bristles are. The Body Shop's brushes have synthetic bristles that are super soft on the skin, so I was very pleased! Equally important is how the brush fairs in regards to shedding and withstanding washing.These are the only brushes I have ever used that haven't shed. Not a single hair in six months! Which can't be said for my recently purchased MAC brush (my first ever) which shed all over the place the first time I used it.

Blusher Brush - £11.25

This is a great little brush for applying blush or contouring. The slightly pointed tip is ideal for applying a soft stripe of colour which can then be buffed out.

Face & Body Brush - £13.70

This is a larger version of the blusher brush. When I first took this from the packaging, the brush was quite flat and pointed. However, with use the brush opens up and becomes more fluffy, making it a dream to apply face powder and bronzer to the face, neck and decolletage.

Foundation Brush - £11.25

I'd never used a brush for applying my foundation before this, however I started using this daily as it's less messy than applying with my fingers. It can cause a few streaks and needs a bit of blending at times, so I wouldn't recommend. I'll be using this as a temporary solution until I get my hands on the MAC 187.

These brushes have had great reviews on Makeup Alley and reportedly last years. It seems The Body Shop's makeup brushes offer a happy medium between high end brands which can be very expensive and drugstore brands brushes which although affordable can lack in quality. I'll be heading back to The Body Shop to add to my brush collection in the future.

Anybody else tried The Body Shop's makeup brushes?

Most Used Skincare Products - Body

After years of testing out different body products, I've finally settled on a few favourites that have become a staple part of my skin care. Here are the body products I use constantly and will continue to repurchase...

Garnier Sugar Scrub

This has a fresh lemon scent, a lovely smell to wake you up in the mornings. I find this to be more of a body wash with a few exfoliating beads rather than a hard core exfoliating scrub so I use this daily to keep my tan looking even.


Soap & Glory Scrub Actually

Packed with brown sugar, white sugar and apricot kernel oil to buff the skin, this is perfect for tackling particularly stubborn patches of fake tan or smoothing out rough skin (I've found it's the only thing that gets rid of the bobbly bits on the backs of my arms.) When applied the scrub gradually dissolves, releasing the kukui oil, mango butter and vitamin E leaving super soft skin. I prefer this over the Garner scrub as it's densely concentrated and feels as though it's actually exfoliating so this is the scrub I reach for when prepping my skin for tanning.

Garnier Hydralock

This is a light lotion that is easily absorbed. Perfect as a daily quick-fix moisturiser, this doesn't have a strong scent and is ideal for giving my skin some moisture before I apply fake tan the next day.

Soap & Glory Peachy Cream

Containing Shea butter, peach oil, cocoa butter and beeswax, I use this weekly or whenever I need an extra boost of moisture. The cream itself is very thick, but spreads easily and absorbs quickly. It smells heavenly, has a soft pink colour and feels luxurious when applied to the body. The scent lingers for hours and skin is left feeling super soft and silky. My all time favourite body butter!

Which body products do you use most often?