REVIEW || KERASTASE ELIXIR ULTIMATE OLEO-COMPLEXE 6 SHAMPOO & BALM

Kerastase is one of those brands who not a lot people speak about as they are on the pricey side of hair care products, but I can never resist buying new products to try out and see whether they are actually worth their high price tag. Now, these two retail between £20-£30 which seems ridiculous for a shampoo and an oil balm, as I usually go for products like VO5 which only cost around a quid and do a great job.

The balm has a weird consistency, it's like the Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream but dry? It makes my hair feel matted, but at least I get to wash out the product soon after applying it. I have used it several times but I'm not the biggest fan of it. The texture is odd and I don't think it does anything for my hair -I have definitely tried better products. I also don't see the point in using a hair treatment on dry hair? Not sure if it's just me, but isn't a treatment supposed to be used on clean hair?

The shampoo, on the other hand, is quite nice and smells great. I wouldn't say it's the best I have tried before but it does make my hair super shiny and soft - something that most shampoos can achieve.
Overall, as you can see I don't have much to say about these products as I don't think they're very good. You can find much better alternatives from other brands like Aveda or Matrix.

What was the most you have ever spent on hair products? Would you say it was worth your money?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

HOW TO RESTORE SEVERELY DAMAGED SHORT HAIR - MY STORY OF LOW SELF-ESTEEM DUE TO HAIR LOSS AND OVERUSING HEAT

Oh dear, my hair journey... ha! Where to begin? Let's start from the first time I dyed my hair - I was a very self-conscious 13-year-old who felt the need to do everything to not look like 'me'.
I was in a very bad place at the time because of bullying and trying to settle in my new school, but now I wish I never touched my hair.

I had beautiful golden blonde hair which was long and healthy, it wasn't very thick but it was definitely thicker than it is now. I begged my mum for months to let me dye my hair and she finally did which made me very happy. I kept bleaching my hair until the age of 15 when I decided I wanted to have brown hair?! - If you're thinking about dying your hair brown but you're a natural blonde, make sure you speak to a professional beforehand, because me going brunette was the worst decision ever. After a couple of weeks, I got bored of my dark hair and wanted my blonde hair back. Oh, boy was it hard to go back to blonde then! I bleached and bleached and bleached my hair until it went a horrible bright orangey-yellow colour and very bad condition.

For my prom, I wanted to have long and curly hair but did I f**k... The hairdresser I went to BURNT MY HAIR OFF!!! She burnt my hair off the DAY of my prom.... The condition of it was so bad that all was left for me to do is have it cut really short and re-grow it. When I say short I don't mean Pixie-cut short, I mean above shoulder-bob-length which I hated. Thinking back now, I should have sued the woman! She was so rude as well, not helpful when it came to me picking out a hairstyle at all... and the fact that she did not dry my hair properly and using styling irons which weren't suitable for wet hair on me made me so angry. But, you live and you learn...

After 5 years of trying to grow my hair out and dye it less, I can say that I'm finally happy with the condition of it due to this routine and these products:

My current hair care routine consists of scrubbing my scalp every time I wash my hair - 2-3 times a week, depending on my plans. Once I've scrubbed my scalp and got rid of all the dry skin, excess product etc. I then move onto shampooing and conditioning my hair as normal, I have recently been using the whole Lee Stafford Hair Growth range and I've noticed a massive difference in the quality and length of my hair already. Once a week I will use a hair mask to nourish my hair, I love this one from Lush and any of the Lee Stafford ones.

I used to wash and straighten my hair every day for at least a year, so I have cut down a lot on using heated tools. When I was regrowing my hair properly I refused to use any heated tools and just let my hair dry naturally and put it up using scrunchies or invisibobbles.
Now, I blow dry my hair every time I wash it because now that I'm older I take care of my appearances more than I used to, and from time to time I'll either curl or straighten my hair too. I have been really enjoying using Lee Staffords' Coco Loco Heat Protecting Mist as it smells bloody amazing, and works wonders for my hair too! Jeez, this sounds like a sponsored post but it really isn't! I paid for all these products with my own money and I only buy hair care products when they're on offer anyway.
Another issue which bugs me is that my hair falls out so much every time I brush it... I know it's normal to have up to 100 strands of hair to fall out but my hair is thin enough as it is!! Would you recommend any hair products or how to reduce hair fall out?

Have you ever been through something similar? What are your holy grail hair products?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

2017 || APRIL FAVOURITES

April, April, April... What a rollercoaster of emotions you were - just like the weather you brought to us this year! I must say I loved quite a few of the same items this year so it might look like a review - but I promise you they are so worth it.

First up, I've been really enjoying using the Kerastase Voluminifique Spray. I have very thin hair and it's difficult to keep it looking volumised and thick. I've been using this spray after every wash and then blow drying and styling my hair as usual, and I have noticed a change in the volume even after sleeping with my hair down. This is honestly a Holy Grail for me and I highly recommend it to all who haven't been blessed with thick hair.

The Collection Glam Crystals Dazzling Gel Eyeliner in Glitz was my first glitter liner from this collection. It makes creating glam cut crease looks so much easier and it's great for those who aren't very good at using loose glitter as it sticks to the eyelid without any extra glitter glue. I try to use these as much as I can, but the turquoise shade is hands down my favourite and will get a lot of use this Summer!

Bell sleeves - my true love this Spring. How beautiful is this top from Topshop though? Not only has it got bell sleeves (which are so in this Spring - read my 'What's fashionable this Spring' post here), but also the oh-so-cute pie crust neckline! This is the top that's in my pictures however, the teal colour seems to be sold out on the website. I know for a fact that I'll be getting some more colours soon!

What have you been loving this April? Other than the hot days of course!

Lots of love,

Maya xo

Review || Beaver Professional Hydro Repair Shampoo + Conditioner

Morning Everyone!

I hope you're all having a lovely first week of June! As soon as it turns June, it's officially Summer!
I recently subscribed to Birchbox, which is a beauty box that is shipped out to you monthly for £12.95 including postage and is full of great new/old products for you to try out!

In my March Box I received a sample of the Beaver Professional haircare products. I got the hydrating and repairing shampoo and conditioner. As you can see the conditioner is really small so it did only last me for one use, however the shampoo bottle was quite big and has lasted me a few washes, and I always double wash my hair so imagine how many times you'd be able to use this if you wash your hair once! Amazing bargain if you ask me!

I LOVE this combo. it is simply a m a z i n g!! The shampoo made my hair feel really nourished and clean, whereas the conditioner made it silky smooth and easy to manage. I adore the scent of these products as they're very floral but clean at the same time, if that even makes any sense haha?

I will definitely try and get these in full size when I run out of my trust Aussie products!

What do you think? Have you ever tried any Beaver products? What about a Birchbox subscription?

Lots of love,

Maya xo

Review || L'oreal Professionnel Paris Age Supreme Integral Shampoo and Masque

Hey guys!

I recently bought a couple of products from L'oreal's new professionnel range. My hair tends to break very easily and it lacks the oomph that every girl desires. Today I decided to review the products and share with you my opinion amd whether the products are worth purchasing.

The age supreme collection is perfect for over bleached hair which needs more than a lot of TLC. 

The texture of the shampoo is thick and soft, it is also clear so it is easy to tell that it doesn't contain a huge amount of parabens and artificial ingredients. The only disadvantage with using this product is that you need to use a lot of it each time you wash your hair as it's not very foamy. The shampoo made my hair feel quite dry after I rinsed the product off which I was quite disappointed by as most of the previous products I have used made my hair feel silky smooth. The fragrance of the shampoo is quite pleasant, but unfortunately it's not as fruity as other shampoos I have tried.

Let's move onto the hair masque now. It smells just like the shampoo, so the fragrance will linger on your hair for a while after the wash, unless you use other styling products e.g. heat protection spray which is also fragranced so your hair smells that tiny bit more fruity! The texture of the masque is very thick and silky, and gladly you don't need loads of the product to apply on your hair as it's very easy to apply and makes the hair very soft as soon as in contact. 

After I used both of the products, my hair is left feeling very smooth and soft, almost as if I left the hairdressers. After styling my hair I could see the shine that never existed, or died a long time ago when I started dying my hair. My hair also felt much stronger and looked more lively and full of volume. I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who is struggling with maintaining beautiful hair, but don't forget that you won't see great results after the first use!

Lots of love,

Maya xo

Review || Schwarzkopf Essence Ultime Omega Repair

Hey guys!

I realised that I haven't done a full review of a product for a while, so thought that I should review one of my recent purchases, which is the Schwarzkopf Essence Ultime Omega Repair Beauty Balm hair treatment by Claudia Schiffer. This hair BB is for damaged, depleted hair that needs a lot of TLC.

There are three different ones to choose from. I chose the Omega Repair as my hair is very dry and brittle from overusing hair bleach and heated tools. This product is the best hair remedy which works ASAP and makes your hair feel light, soft and extra bouncy. What I noticed after using this product is that it made my hair very easy to comb through and it didn't even look flat, like it usually does. So not only does this product save hair, but it also improves it and gives it volume!
I have been so excited for Claudia Schiffer's haircare range to come out, as I have always been struggling with the state of my own hair, and her being a blonde like me made it easier for me to buy as I know that she dyes her own hair the lightest shade of blonde. I have tried so many different products over the past 5 years since I first dyed my hair, and because I keep changing my hair colour between platinum, brown and blonde, it never is in the state I wish it was. I've been trying to grow my hair out for about 3 years now as it sued to be long and healthy but then boom! I dyed it brown and had to bleach it when I got bored with the colour. Ever since I keep damaging my hair intentionally and I try to stop myself so it finally grows out, but it takes too long and I, being a Capricorn, am very impatient!!

The packaging of this product is quite small and handy. It looks like something hairdressers would use at an expensive hair salon. It has a picture of Claudia on it, so everyone knows that it is one of her products. It explains what the product does at the back of the bottle and what type of hair it is for.

Here in this picture, my hair looks really soft and bouncy, - just what I was aiming for. The product's consistency is very similar to normal hair conditioners which you wash out. This one is to leave in after every wash. I recently had a haircut so I don't have split ends, however, some ends of my hair are still very dry as I didn't want my hairdresser to chop all of it off! This is where the treatment comes in and saves my life. Every time I use it, my hair feels like it's just been done by a professional hairdresser, and all I have to do is brush it because it doesn't need styling!

In this picture, you can see the length of my hair when it's only been brushed (excuse my lip scar). It is naturally wavy and most days I cannot be bothered to straighten it so I just leave it wavy or put it up in a bun. It's not as short as I thought it was and is much healthier than it ever was!

 Overall, I would rate this product 9/10 because it does an amazing job in keeping hair soft and shiny, with an anti-frizz formula (this is always a plus). I got it on offer for £3.49, but I think the normal price is £4.99 so it isn't pricey at all. Well worth spending money on, I will definitely buy this product again when I run out!! BTW my nails are by Barry M.

Lots of love,

Maya xo

March Wishlist

Hello everyone :)

In today's post I'm going to share with you a few items which are on my wishlist any why I really want to get them.

1) I really need a new purse as I broke the zip on my Louis Vuitton one, but then again I have had it for a while. At the moment I have a small brown purse from Primark and it is very cute and really good quality for the price. But I really want a new, big purse to go with my mew handbag. This white purse is from Burberry and is soooo glamorous but also soooo expensive :( I think I would have to save up for 3 months to get it!! It's very spacious, it has 4 separators for coins, notes, receipts and cards. Sounds perfect to me!

2) This Burberry scarf is gorgeous. It comes in different shades and patterns but this camel shade is my favourite and would match my Burberry bag. I have been looking around for a new scarf as well, as I'm pretty bored of my teal and gold one now.
3) My mum text me last night telling me to check out an online clothing store called 'sheinside'. I have immediately registered and added a few things to my shopping basket, including this cute bunny fashion t-shirt. It just describes me well. The well-dressed bunnies are so cute. I love bunnies. SEE!! This t-shirt is SO me! I need it in my life.
4) This Fiorelli bag is so pretty! It's from the SS 2014 collection, and it's a must have this season! I love pink as well. Pink is the way forward. I'm considering buying this bag as a treat to myself after my exams are over for all the hard work I have been doing :)

Lots of love,

Maya

Toiletries Update

Hey guys!

I recently went toiletry shopping because I was lacking hair care products! Obviously being me, I didn't just buy hair care products but also all the items I think I would need.

I was after a leave in hair conditioner which would leave my hair feeling soft and reduce the roughness of my split ends. I decided to get the Argan Oil leave in hair treatment in spray. I also got the Argan Oil hair mask for a weekly use to leave my hair looking more healthy. Then I saw the Argan Oil night serum for tired and dry skin so I thought that I might as well buy that to complete the set (I already have the hair oil), and also my skin needs some TLC at night as I don't feel like my moisturiser stays on the whole night. On the shelf above the Argan Oil products they had dry shampoos. I can't live without a good old bottle of Batiste! I was going to choose Batiste Tropical, but Treseme has caught my eye because it's in a form of foam?! I was shocked that they would make a foam dry shampoo as it would just make my hair wet? So I bought it!

Of course, every girl also needs some facial prpducts like face masks. I usually have some laying around my room but I couldn't find any last time I wanted to use it so I decided to buy a few more just in case I feel like exfoliating my face. Those face masks are some of my favourites as they come in two packs for under £1 each!

Ony way to the till I saw a few more products which caught my attention. I got the white nail tips from Nailene as I love having a French Manicure and I usually do it by myself. It saves money on acrylics! The last thing that I chose was Nair's facial hair roll-on wax. It's pink... Pink wax... haha my obsession has no end!!

Anyway, that's it for today :) Hope you're all doing okay!

Lots of love,

Maya xo