Brand Review: Percy & Reed...

I've always favoured high-end hair products; my love affair with Tigi Bed Head has lasted longer than I can remember. There's something so much more luxurious about the packaging, the scent and of course, the results. I have no idea why, and needless to say this probably just applies to me, but normal drugstore hair brands such as L'Oréal or John Freida don't seem to work on my hair very well. There are some products from particular ranges that I like but very few. Then one day, after receiving a sample of the Wonder Balm in an issue of Elle, my heart turned towards Percy & Reed.

I love the Wonder balm (details below) and decided to go out and buy a few more of the P&R products; that's when I saw a handy little kit consisting of 6 products for £12.00 (a discounted price). So, I've tried quite a few products from the line; but I don't intend to stop there!

The loves:

• Wonder Balm - A miracle, weightless, leave-in balm that preps and primes your hair for styling (and makes following products work more efficiently). This balm is all you need for beautiful, healthy looking and flawless hair. It can be used on wet and/ or dry hair. 
• Dry Conditioner - My go-to product for when my hair is feeling dry, tangled or lacks shine. 
• Dry Shampoo - You can't go wrong with a good dry shampoo - I'd definitely say this is just as good as the Batiste one. 

The likes: 

• Texturising Spray - I think this is now continued but nonetheless, you may still to grab your hands on it. I like this product but I don't love it; it's really no different to any other texturising spray and if too much is used, it can make your hair feel a little dry and crispy. 
• Session Hold Hairspray - Again, nothing in particular that makes this hairspray stand out from others (apart from the incredible smell). 
• Bodifying Cream - This is a great product for an instant-look as it does offer great body to hair but I do find after a few hours it does leave the hair looking a little 'deflated' ha! 

The leaves: 

• Finishing Polish - Don't get me wrong, I still like this product and will continue to use it but it won't be one that I'll repurchase. It is a waxy cream that aims in giving a soft and flexible hold and moisture; which it does. However, I just find it leaves hair feeling a bit dry and matted; but this is a great product for every-now-and-then use to achieve styles like beachy waves.

On the 'to-buy' list:

• Intensive Treatment Oil
• Totally TLC Hydrating Mask
• Shine and Fragrance Spray  - (a hair perfume, yes really!)

Overall I really, really love Percy & Reed - it's my go-to hair line from now on (sorry Tigi). The prices are good, the packaging is lovely, the smell (in all the products) is gorgeous and above all, it's sold in Space NK (need I say more?).

Current Crave: Fedora's...

There's something that I always find so intriguing about women wearing typically masculine items. A fedora is the perfect example. Mysterious, androgynous, chic, simple, sexy and polished are just a few words that describe my current obsession for fedora hats. My style is ever evolving as of late (I'm trying out a few new things, still attempting to discover my true style) and that's where it all began.

However, my obsession ends before it really began; fedora's were 'on-trend' this autumn in shops and therefore I can't really find one now, and I guess they are typically a winter accessory (as seen above). But a girl can dream can't she, who knows I might just come across one sometime soon.

What are you currently craving? Ice cream? Me too.

The Olivia Look:

Top, jeans, shoes, lipstick
Olivia Palermo; always so classically chic

I'm Back!

Now that my exams are over (apart from three), I have a lot more free time on my hands for blogging! I've planned a lot of good quality posts that will make up for the three weeks I've been absent. Think updated everyday makeup tutorials, hair routines, photo diaries etc.

Well, that's it for today! Thanks for reading, speak soon!

Latest Beauty Inspo...

Currently craving all things beachy, messy and natural

My Beauty Firsts Tag...

I'm always coming across fun tags here on the internet and I recently stumbled across this one; the 'My Beauty Firsts' tag. Behold embarrassing photos and haunts of the past (i.e green metallic eyeshadow). This tag is all about makeup memories and beauty blunders. 

What's your earliest beauty memory? To be honest, I can't really remember. But through endless searches through my photo albums, I can see that my first ever bit of makeup was a pearly lipgloss/ balm when I was aged 9, that I either borrowed from my mum or stole from my sister! The picture is top left.

What was your first beauty purchase? It was most probably mascara! I think I once used an old mascara of my sister's that she threw in the bin and repurchased it a few weeks later!

When did you first wear makeup? I began wearing actual makeup when I was around thirteen. This was when I started getting spots and started to care more about my appearance! I started off with just mascara, then gradually it became concealer, tinted moisturiser, powder, lipgloss - a little bit more each year!

What was your first beauty disaster? Three words: green shimmery eyeshadow. Not good. As demonstrated by the bottom right photo (although, this picture does it justice - it was worse in real life!)

Who was you first beauty crush? It was either Lauren Conrad or someone like Cheryl Cole. Most likely it was LC as my sister, Jess and I watched The Hills from a young age and she bought a few of her books that I sneakily read too.

What was your first brand crush? I always settled for Maybelline and Rimmel when I started out with makup but there was always a place for Bobbi Brown in my heart! My first high-end product was the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer - which I still love to this day.

What's your longest beauty love? There isn't really a particular product that I constantly repurchase as I love trying new products but my most-loved product would be the Clinique High Impact Mascara. Perfect lashes in a tube.

What's your worst makeup faux-pas? I tag you all to do this post! Hope you all are having a good weekend!

Best Dressed at the 2014 Met Ball...

With the museum celebrating the opening of its exhibition dedicated to the America's first couturier Charles James, many embraced old school elegance in the most romantic of dresses. The result was a sea of ballgowns sweeping down the red carpet on the likes of Sarah Jessica Parker, Blake Lively, Katie Holmes, Karlie Kloss, Taylor Swift, and Suki Waterhouse. Here, I've picked my favourite looks from the night - I have to say, I originally had the idea of shortlisting it to ten, but there are too many that I love. Enjoy!

Blake Lively (+ Ryan Reynolds), Alison Williams

Emma Stone, Kate Bosworth

Marion Cotillard, Taylor Swift

Jessica Alba, Reese Witherspoon

Leighton Meestor, Suki Waterhouse

Karlie Kloss, Selena Gomez

Kendall Jenner, Lily Aldridge

Who was your fave from this year's Met Gala? My ultimate favourite was Blake Lively - beautiful from head to toe and she fitted the vintage-inspired brief perfectly!

Evening Skincare Routine.

Another four-step skincare routine; following up my morning regimen. Again, relatively simple but I find that if I use too many products at once my skin tends to break out (I feel like it can't really 'breathe' if that makes sense!). In the evening I like to use treatments and other special products that aim in getting rid of blemishes and also ones that hydrate the skin. Here is my evening skincare routine:

Step 1: Cleanse - My sister bought me the Nuxe Comforing Cleansing Milk back from her trip to Paris last October (yes, this product lasts a seriously long time - it's only just finished). I love it: it's super hydrating and calming but it still gets rid of oil, makeup and bacteria, leaving your skin super cleansed. As it is infused with rose petals, it smells amazing - another bonus. Use this all over the face including eyes and lips.

Step 2: Tone - I've talked about this product so much lately you're probably all sick of it! Here are a few posts where I've mentioned and reviewed it before: morning skincare routine and beauty review: refreshing sprays

Step 3: Spot Treatment - Who remember's this post? Well, I bought it! I'm probably going to write a full detailed review sometime soon but for now I'll keep it brief. The Origins Super Spot Remover is probably my new holy-grail spot treatment. For £14 I was a little skeptical as it's a ridiculously small bottle but honestly, you need the smallest bit. It almost feels like pure salicylic acid and if you place too much onto the skin it can be very drying but honestly my spots are so much better. I have less spots now and they don't leave behind any unwanted scarring!

Step 4: Moisturise - For night I love to use hydrating products so I wake up with luminous and plump skin. Luckily, this Body Shop Nourishing Night Cream does just that. It's super thick and rich but not too heavy that I feel caked in moisturiser or it leaves my skin tacky and 'wet-like'. And obviously, vitamin E has many skin benefits also

What does your evening skincare routine consist of?