Pantene Pro-V Colour Protect & Volume // Soap & Glory Scrub Your Nose In It

I mentioned yesterday that I've switched shampoo and conditioner and was inspired after reading another girls blog post about what she uses on her hair - here! I decided to go for the Volume collection rather than Smooth, as my hair severely lacks any sort of oomph.

For the first half of last year I'd been using Loreal Elvive Full Restore 5 - a la Cheryl Cole. This was great for my hair and really improved it's overall condition, as well as giving it 'some mojo'. However, after dying my hair RED in October and subsequently realising it's the most difficult colour to maintain, I felt I needed to switch to a colour-friendly routine. I have always used Elvive products so naturally went for their Colour Protect range, which worked really well at keeping my hair 'redder for longer', but left it looking quite flat and, well, boring. I decided to bite the bullet and alter my routine (and being a Taurus who doesn't like change this was quite something).

I've only used this three times so far, but can already see a massive difference in my hair. It doesn't feel weighed down anymore and, although not massively big and bouncy, it does seem to have a bit more life to it. The smell is gorgeous and the shampoo produces a lovely lather in the shower. After drying my hair, it felt really smooth and I could easily run my fingers through it (how unfortunate that I don't have a boyfriend for Valentine's this year...). Colour wise, it still looks great and shiny and there doesn't appear to be significant fading. I'm genuinely quite won over with this product and am going to invest in the concentrated conditioner when I get paid and dye my hair again in a few weeks. Verdict: great shampoo, nice smell, does what it says on the tin!

Next I want to talk about Soap & Glory's Scrub Your Nose In It. If you have read any previous entries on my blog, you will know that I am a massive S&G fan and swear by several of their products. One of the newest products I've tried is Scrub Your Nose In It. This product was part of the huge tote that Boots were selling before Christmas at the ridiculously cheap price of 25.00! Before trying this out my scrub of choice was Neutrogena Blackhead Eliminating Daily Scrub or St Ives Apricot Scrub. However, as I was moving to London I was limited to what I could pack, and so decided to throw SYNII into my case and give it a go.

I've only used it twice and I'm not sure what I think of it yet. First reaction when I applied it was that the smell was really minty and fresh, and not at all like most S&G products. When using as a scrub it felt like some form of mild micro-dermabrasion! You can use the product as a scrub and mask and so I decided to leave a layer on my skin for around 5 minutes... WOW... talk about feeling it work! My face was extremely tingly, like nothing I've experienced before! I washed it off and splashed my face with really cold water to help close my pores. When I sat down to moisturise I was amazed at how tight my skin felt. It was really dry though, and I had to use a considerable amount of moisturiser to make it feel normal and smooth. Alas, I don't quite know where I stand with this. On the one hand, I clearly felt the product doing something to my skin, and it definitely scrubbed away and dead cells, however the drying out concerns me a bit, and the insane tingling sensation. I have a problem with my face, that doesn't seem to affect the rest of my body. I can use pretty much any product on my body, no matter how perfumed etc. but when it comes to my face - super sensitive! I'm going to keep using this product one day a week, just to see if it makes a difference over time, but I'm sorta missing my old favourites left behind in my Glasgow bathroom... cest la vie... Has anyone tired this? Please comment below with your thoughts...

Finally, I found this languishing at the bottom of the make-up bag, never been used before. This looked pretty strange to me when it first came out, and still does today. I'm just not quite sure what the point in it was... Has anyone used this? What did you think - useful idea or just a gimmick?

Tonight I made dinner for my cousin, who has taken to staying with me at my aunt's house in London while she's still sunning herself in the Canaries! I come from a large family and my house is always so busy, so it felt strange arriving in London and being faced with a large house completely empty. I quite like him popping over to keep me company :) James said his dinner was lovely, whilst I was totally embarrassed at the sheer thrown togetherness of it! I've not been for a proper shop yet (I've not adjusted to living on my own) and so this was thrown together from stuff I found in the fridge and cupboards. This is what I did:

 

Boiled up some pasta, adding salt, for about 10 mins

Drained pasta

 Mixed the tuna with sweetcorn

 Added half the mix to the pasta, then the other half to pasta with mayo

 

 Mixed olive oil, white wine vinegar and herbs to make dressing

 Artfully presented the salad

 

 Added tuna, sweetcorn and pasta (and mayo for James)

 Wine anyone?

 a nice pomegranate and raspberry tea

 then the boring bit :(

Tomorrow I'm going for a walk around the local area, if the weather behaves...

17 Concealer does not hide the fact you are no longer 17...

Well, first things first... the interview went fabulously! It wasn't as formal as I had expected and the staff interviewing me were so friendly and nice. The interview was in an office just off Oxford Street but I found it really easily and managed to arrive early, looking not too windswept. They have basically told me that as soon as the General Teaching Council in England approve my registration (you must have this to be allowed to teach in a school) I can start teaching, and they have plenty schools for me to go to. I'm so happy today – literally have not stopped smiling!(getting very strange looks on the tube). 

Right, now on to the massive update! I was toying with the idea of either doing a mammoth post, or splitting it up into smaller ones – I've decided to just go with the biggie, so if you don't fancy a long read, you can scan the few the photos and be off... :P

Starting off with my review of the 17 products, I must say I wasn't that impressed. Apart from my most favourite lippie (see previous), I don't think I'm going to become a massive fan like I was in my youth. The Hide Away concealer is really dry and doesn't blend into my skin well at all. Obviously this could just be because I have temperamental skin, but I doubt it. I've tried it a few times now, before moisturiser, after moisturiser, before and after foundation, applying with my finger and applying with a brush – it just aint happening. It's really noticeable when it's on, and dries too quickly, therefore not blending correctly into the skin. For 3.99 I guess I shouldn't have been expecting miracles, but I think they might need to have a rethink of the formula and make it a bit less chalky and more blend-able. For now, it's a no no. If anyone else has tried this and has a similar or different opinion please comment below. The Shine Control Pressed Powder wasn't as bad, but I'm still not to keen on the one shade fits all. Shine-controlling? Yes. Flawless finish? Sort of. I think if this came in a wider variety of shades it might be a little more perfect for me, but I guess I wouldn't really know unless I tried that out. However, saying all that, it did prevent a shiny-face mid-afternoon and stayed put relatively well. For a budget option it's definitely a winner but I think this one will take a few more wears to win me over completely. It comes with an applicator but I've been applying it with a brush which makes it appear a lot less 'caked-on'. I'll continue with this a little longer and see if the product grows on me.

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation is surprisingly good and gives a nice even coverage, albeit the formula is a bit thick. I've been applying this with a foundation brush from The Body Shop and today I added a little moisturiser, which made the product go on a lot easier. I think I've chosen a shade darker than I should have, but the foundation itself is really good. I've been a fan of Maybelline's Dream Satin Liquid for well over a year now, but I would consider using Match Perfection as an alternative. I'm going to keep using this bottle until I get paid, and might try a lighter shade to see how that goes. Verdict – reasonably priced, good coverage, best applied with a brush.

If you're still reading after all that – waaaayy! Your attention span is great! Next on the agenda... a huge collection of images from the past few days:

Nails: No7 and Barry M

Faces from the past few days:

Clothes: Dress - Primark

              Cardi - Primark

              Tights - Topshop

              Bird Necklace - gift from my gran

Interview Outfit: Dress - Primark
                            Tights - Asda
                            Shoes - Primark
                            Clover Necklace - Gift from a friend

I invested in some new shampoo and conditioner, after seeing it mentioned on another blog, and will be updating on that tomorrow. So far so good, I must say...

Again, a massive thanks to everyone who has been reading and following – I really appreciate you taking the time and if you want to know anything/see anything on my blog, I'm all ears... :)

London Calling...

Apologies for not updating sooner, I got all caught up in packing for London and saying goodbye to my friends and family. I am now in London :D

I arrived yesterday at 6am and have just been getting myself settled in and what not. Feeling all Londonny already - after mass I popped into the newsagents to top up my Oyster card, cos using cash on a bus is so Glasweigan :P I've also just managed to get my laptop connected to the wireless so, again, sorry, I'll be much more frequent from now on!

Vanilla Latte, Belvita Biscuits and Cosmo = Happy Maggie at a 2am Service Stop :)

Caffeine Fix   = Awake Maggie at  6am in Victoria Station :)

Limited amount of clothes for next few months  =  sad time :(

I have an interview tomorrow morning at 11am with a teaching agency so will post a proper update tomorrow evening. I've half-written one and added some pics but I really need to get to bed, like now, and make sure I don't sleep in tomorrow morning! I'm sooooo nervous! I actually need to go find a suitable outfit too.

Thanks to the new people following me (it's great to know that I'm not actually talking to myself now). I will catch up with everyone elses blogs tomorrow, pinky promise!

If anyone was wondering about the 17 stuff and Rimmel foundation I was trying for the first time, that'll be in the update tomorrow, but let's just say, I'm not a fan of 17 Hide Away concealer...



p.s. Celtic drew 2-2 with Rangers today in the Scottish Cup and so the game will now be replayed at Celtic Park... my nails are green again :P

Boots Haul :)

I really should be banned from my local Boots store - a quick pop in to pick up some Soap & Glory goodies resulted in spending a lot more than planned! Still, at least my Advantage Card points are totting up nicely again :)

As stated in the previous post, Boots are doing 3 for 2 across selected beauty, including Soap & Glory so I took advantage of this to stock up on my favourites, so that they will be there waiting when my current ones run out. I was one of the lucky ladies to get one of the large totes for 25.00 before Christmas when it was on special offer, so I'm already quite well stocked up, but every little helps, especially when you're getting one free! I bought another pot of The Righteous Butter, a tube of Hand Food which is the ultimate hand cream (the mini version is also great for popping in your handbag) and Clean on Me shower gel, which I use everyday so I need a constant supply. I bought Replenishing Rich Mouisturiser by Simple because, as much as I love Soap & Glory, their face creams are too much for my sensitive face to handle and I've used Simple for as long as I can remember! I do want to find a proper face cream, especially as I'm nearly 24 and really should invest to stop any wrinkles when I'm older, but I've yet to find one that works for me. Any recommendations?

Once I'd picked up my goodies I headed for the tills, walking past the make-up aisles - big mistake! I didn't really want to be buying make-up this week as I'm moving to London on Friday and am meant to be budgeting (which I'm horrendous as). However, the 3 for 2 offer tempted me yet again, this time on 17 products. This used to be my favourite range, back when I was aged 17, although I have in the past few months gone back to this range, especially for my favourite lipstick. In June last year I was in Boots looking for a really gorgeous pale pink lippie as my favourite MAC one was getting a bit low. I decided to save the MAC for special events and look for an everday replacement. I spent forever looking for one, but having really dry flaky lips and a funny shaped pout, it was quite a challenge. A lovely sales assistant (I wish I'd clocked her name as I'd have sang her praises to the store manager) suggested 17 Mirror Shine on Lipstick in Beehive - I LOVE IT! I wear it all the time as it goes on really well and gives a gorgeous glossy colour. It doesn't go all flaky on my lips and is such a wearable shade.

However... on a night out a while ago my brother's girlfriend asked to use my lippie while we were in a club and she broke it! At the time, we drunkenly laughed but the next day I was gutted. I've been trying to salvage the last half by using a lip brush but tonight I decided to treat myself to a new one. I'm glad I can use it as a lippie again :) Has anyone else tried this shade? What are your thoughts? As well as the lippie, I also bought some Shine Control Pressed Powder, however was a bit disappointed it only came in one shade - Neutral? I'll give it a try tomorrow so hopefully the shade matches my skin tone. I also bought Hide Away Corrector Cream to give it a go. I finished uni in December and haven't found a teaching job yet so my sleep routine has gone to pot, and for the first time in my life I have dark circles :( I don't think at 3.99 this will be a miracle cure, but I thought the price was decent enough to give it a bash anyway. Will update tomorrow on how it works...

I am also trying this for the first time, mainly due to the fact Boots didn't have my usual shade of Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid. My cousin, who I was shopping with, has used this and said it's really good... we shall see how this pans out...

I'd really like your thoughts on this lipstick if you have tried it. I bought it months ago, keep putting it on then taking it off again before I leave the house! The lighting isn't really doing it justic here - it's very pink! It's 17 Lasting Fix Lipstick in Dreamy. It looks pale pink on the Boots site, but in person it's brighter and slightly coral-pink. I'm not sure if it's the texture against my rubbishy lips, or the colour... will try and take a pic of it on my lips, although I have a wonky pout :(

And finally, NOTD...

George make-up at Asda Living has some surprising little delights, including great nail colours and really cheap! These two were chosen to match a top I was wearing today. The orange is a bit brighter than I'd like, but orange shades are quite hard to find!

Today's Mask: Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid - Ivory ; Bourjois Little Round Pot - Rose De Jaspe; No7 Smokey Eyes Palette; No7 Amazing Eyes liquid liner; Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara; 17 Mirror Shine On Lipstick- Beehive.

Sorry for the poor lighting of the pics, I was shopping til 10pm so my room was really dark :(

Soap & Glory: The Righteous Butter

Today I want to post one of my most favourite products, a definite must have! Everyone is familiar with Soap&Glory and their fabulous range of bath and beauty products (and if you’re not, get yourself along to your nearest Boots store, where are the moment, it’s 3 for 2!!) and pretty much 70-80% of my beauty collection currently consists of S&G products. So, being a self confessed Soap & Gory addict, it is no surprise that the first product I have chosen to share on this blog hails from their range.

The Righteous Butter is something of a beauty staple for me, having gone through several large pots since discovering this product over a year ago. My first encounter was through a teeny little pot which was part of a set I was given by one of my pupils. Naturally, this didn’t last long as I was soon popping along to Boots for a larger pot. The Righteous Butter comes in quite a large pot, 300 ml, and a little does go a long way; I use mine constantly and it lasts for months on end. It has a gorgeous, creamy texture that just seems to melt into your skin, and doesn’t leave that greasy residue that most body butters seem to. It works best by applying a small handful to damp skin (I’m not sure why people say apply to damp skin, but it does seem to work) and then just massage it really gently into your skin. I like taking the time after a bath or shower to apply this product, and it can be very relaxing. 

What I also love about this product is the gorgeous smell. As soon as you open the pot you are hit with it: a sort of floral, fruity perfume, but not so sweet as to sicken you like most body butters. It also leaves your skin with a gorgeous musky fragrance, so perfect for Valentine’s Day ladies. The fragrance lasts for a good while after application and I have been known for having a ‘signature S&G scent’. Before using this product, my body butter of choice was The Body Shop’s Shea Body Butter, which is still pretty excellent, though is one of those sickly scented body butters. I haven’t bought another body butter since The Righteous Butter and will be going over to Boots tomorrow to pick up another tub to take to London with me on Friday. If you buy anything this week ladies, make it a pot of this! A large pot will set you back 10.00 (and remember what I said about a little going a long way?) or if you don’t want to shell out a tenner to try something out, Soap & Glory have very cleverly began selling mini versions of their most popular products, with The Righteous Butter Mini costing a recession-friendly 2.35! That’s cheaper than a Starbucks caffeine fix! I’m not sure how long the 3 for 2 offer will last, but I’ve got a feeling they run Wednesday to Wednesday, so take a stroll along and bag yourself some much needed pampering beauties. If you are looking for something else to make up your 3 products, I also recommend Flake Away, Calm One Calm All and The Scub of Your Life ;)

Finally, my nails today are inspired by Celtic, and their excelllent win yesterday over Aberdeen, sending them through to the Co-operative Insurance Cup final. This definitely called for some green, and what better than Barry M Green Glitter Polish! I love this one to death, it’s actually my 2nd bottle, and also have it in red, navy and gold! Barry M are fantastic for doing really great colours in their nail polish range, and so reasonably priced you can’t go wrong! This one does benefit more from a clear top-coat, but I didn’t have time to apply, and so gave it 3 coats of glitter and was off.

Thanks for reading and come back to me with your thoughts on The Righteous Butter :)

Haitus Over!... and I have a new name...

I completely forgot I even had this blogging account and a whole year has passed since I've logged in, but I can now safely say, I'm back in business. Since I last posted I have become a graduate - I have letters after my name and everything! I never thought I'd be one of those people who would write those letters next to their name, as proof of their brilliance (always thought it was a bit big-headed and in-your-face-ish) but I actually think I'm turning into one of them! Not becoming big-headed-and-in-your-face-ish, but just, proud really that I achieved something, and like, it's kind of who I am now. In case you were wondering, the new addition to my name is in the form of B.Ed (Hons). The (Hons) past is necessary - it's a whole other year added onto the B.Ed part, so it would be rude not to include it. So yes, I'm now officially a teacher and and no longer a student (I hate paying full price in Topshop/Cineword, but not so much as to give up my B.Ed (Hons) unfortunately) which means job hunting!

I am, as I type, getting ready to move to London for several months in the hope of finding a teaching job! Bold move from a recently graduated Glasgow Gal, but a highly necessary one given the current job market, especially in teaching! I hate to sound like one of those people who moans about the government, but to be honest, they are pretty much ruining this country right now and with it, a lot of innocent, decent folks' lives. I have spent the best part of three months 'job hunting' (and by that I mean literally applying to every available job going and handing out millions of CVs) only to have an inbox full of "Thank you for your application, unfortunately..." e-mails alongside the blatant non-response from employers. It's been less than delightful I can tell you. At present in Glasgow, and I'm probably right in saying Scotland as a whole, there are no teaching jobs. Not a single vacancy. On top of that, there are several hundred (probably more) teachers out there currently unemployed, or living on irregular supply work. This situation is not restricted to the teaching profession either, and worryingly, councils are announcing cuts and subsequent job losses every day. The rate of unemployment in this country is growing at an alarming rate and Mr Cameron/Clegg's wonderful solution... cutting benefits, raising taxes, cutting council budgets and therefore jobs, and to top it all, telling us all to get off our backsides and get a job! Well Mr Con-dem... where are these jobs we're meant to be doing? The majority of unemployed people I know are very actively seeking employment, are very willing to get off their backside and are very sick of the leaders of this country kicking them when they're down and being completely ignorant of the lives of everyday British people! I just wish the people in charge of this country would for once, think about the people they are being paid to serve and who voted (not me though) them in! Give us all a break eh?

With that little rant out of my system, I leave you with my newly painted nails, and the thing that inspired them...

Glasgow in Lights

I've been living my life in Glasgow for the past few months, yet have neglected to relay any of it on here. Very naughty of me. I will now vow to update this more often, which will be challenging whilst writing a dissertation, yet I have made the vow...

This seems a pretty perfect time to resume this blog, given that Glasgow is now buzzing with activity as the Christmas countdown begins. George Square is once again glittering with Christmas lights and the whole of the city seems to be under the magical Christmas spell. I love this time of year in Glasgow. George Square is arguably the place to be if you want to be filled with Christmas spirit, and I'm not just taking about mulled wine. What could be more Christmassy than holding hands with your best friends as you try to stable each other on the ice rink, or cuddling up with a loved one in the carousel as it spins you round and round and reminds you of those happy days of your childhood? Where else would a 30 minute queue to visit Santa not bother you at all, because the smile on a child's face as he leaves the Grotto makes it all worth it? How better to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas than being there for the blessing of the crib and admiring the beautiful Nativity scene encased in glass? There is plenty of cheap, mass produced and tacky merchandise around at this time of year, but visiting a place like George Square, where you are surrounded by people who share your desire for festive cheer, allows you to forget the mountain of work on your desk and just be a child again. There's no doubt the magic of Christmas does dwindle somewhat the older you get, but it's places like this that permit you that brief nostalgic moment.

Some may argue that this extravagant and 'glitzy' display distracts from the true meaning of Christmas Maybe it does a little, but as a Catholic myself I have to say that the glittering lights and festive atmosphere creates a happiness that is very much needed at this time of year, particularly as so many people are suffering financial hardship and employment uncertainty. I genuinely think people are thinking more about the true meaning of Christmas this year. Of course, not everyone is focusing on this being the season of Advent leading up to the celebration of the birth of Christ, but people are realising what is truly important to them; family, friends, happiness. I'm sure that the feeling that many of the children have when they meet Santa in his Grotto will stay with them far longer than the must have toy they unwrap on Christmas morning. The memory of your friends giggling as you fall bum first on the ice will still remain long after you have eaten the chocolates and drunk the wine you received from your 'Secret Santa'. Christmas isn't just about the glitter and the tinsel and it isn't just about Jesus (my priest may choke on his tea at that), not in 2009. Christmas 2009, for me, is about spending time with those you love, really thinking about what you have and appreciating it and having a little fun for a change. This December, I'll be spending more time in George Square and less time surrounded by books and a computer, making memories to last me a lifetime and sharing the Christmas spirit with everyone I can.