Tuesday 31 January 2012

Lil Miss Glossy: Macadamia Hair Masque review

I've recently had my hair cut, and now I want it to remain healthy and glossy. One of my recent (and more specific loves) have been hair masks.

I have heard many great things about the Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque. It has been mentioned on many YouTube videos as well as blogs. When I saw the product on BuyaPowa.com, I snapped it up straight away. (I will be expanding more on BuyaPowa at the end of the post.)


What exactly is Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque?

''Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque is a revitalising hair reconstructor for dry, damaged hair.''

A combination of macadamia oil and argan oil along with tea tree oil, chamomile oil, aloe and algae extracts rejuvenate and rebuild the hair, leaving the hair deeply nourished for improved elasticity and shine with long-lasting conditioning benefits. The Deep Repair Masque is an intense, revitalising hair treatment.


What's in it?
Aqua/Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetrimonium Chloride, Quaternium-80, Amodimethicone, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Parfum/Fragrance, Algae Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Limonene, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Citronellol, C11-15 Pareth-7, C12-16 Pareth-9, Trideceth-12, Trimethylsiloxyamodimethicone.

As you can see, there's NO PARABENS, NO ALCOHOL AND NO SLS (woohoo!). The product also contains argan oil (this is like miracle gold for your hair), tea tree oil, chamomile oil as well as aloe and algae.  

How do you use it?
I apply the product on damp hair and leave it on for about 7 minutes. I then remove the product from the ends of my hair using water and voila! All done.


How long have you used this for?
I purchased this product a couple of weeks ago, and I have used it approximately four times. The instructions on the packaging state that you should use it no more than twice a week.

Did you see a difference?
I noticed that the product made the ends of my hair very shiny and healthy looking. The ends of my hair are noticeably dryer than the rest of my hair. This mask has made the ends of my hair more in sync with the rest of it.

Advantages?
  • Great for your hair
  • It smells lovely  and fresh  :)
  • You can purchase it in all different sizes

Disadvantages?
  • The product is not very sanitary as you have to dip your fingers in it!
  • It is quite pricey... however, I have a solution for that!
 Buya what?
I purchased this product from one of my favourite websites, BuyaPowa!  BuyaPowa is a co-buying website. The more people who purchase a product, the cheaper is gets! I purchased the 250ml product for a mere £14, when it actually sells for about £26.00!

Good news
If you are interested in this product, it will be available tonight (or maybe tomorrow)! There will only be 80 available, so hurry up because some of these co-buys vanish before you know it. You can go on this page and leave your email under the Macadamia Masque (you will receive an alert as soon as the co-buy goes live).I have also added a widget on my blog, which will also alert you.

Bad news
If you don't manage to purchase the product from BuyaPowa, then you can purchase it from: BeautyBay, Amazon and Ebay (although they will be more expensive). 

Have you ever tried this product?

Thursday 26 January 2012

Lil Miss Astonished: Bioderma makeup remover review

One of the perils of wearing makeup is removing it - definitely eye makeup! I have tried many different eye makeup removers, namely: Amie, Simple, Johnson's and Botanics. None of these eye makeup removers haven ANYTHING on Bioderma. I received Bioderma as part of a gift for my birthday. I have been lusting after it for ages, especially after seeing many reviews on blogs and You tube. Even, Lisa Eldridge has recommended it.


What exactly is Bioderma?
  • Bioderma is basically a cleanser which removes your makeup. I use it to remove eye makeup - I haven't tried it on my face yet.
  • Bioderma is especially orientated for sensitive, normal and dry skin 
  • It is soap free
  • It removes water resistant makeup
  • It soothes your skin and prevents feelings of irritation often caused by cleansing

    What are the ingredients?
WATER (AQUA), PEG-6 CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC GLYCERIDES, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, CUCUMIS SATIVUS (CUCUMBER) FRUIT EXTRACT, MANNITOL, XYLITOL, RHAMNOSE, FRUCTOOLIGOSACCHARIDES, DISODIUM EDTA, CETRIMONIUM BROMIDE.
    As you can see, there are NO parabens and NO sodium laureth sulphate - which are bad for your skin and your health. There's also cucumber inside - which is great for your eyes.

     What are your impressions of Bioderma?
    When I first used this, I was astonished (hence the name of the post). Bioderma managed to remove every speck of makeup from my eyes. There was no residue, and I did not suffer from panda eyes the next morning.


    How do you use it?
    I poured Bioderma onto a cotton pad, and held the pad on my eye for 10 seconds. I gently removed any excess eye makeup using the cotton pad, and that's it! Everything was gone! I do not have to tug or pull on my eyes anymore to remove the makeup. This constant tugging and pulling can cause premature ageing. I haven't used it on my face because my skin is extremely sensitive (even though the product is formulated for sensitive skin). I may try it one day...


    Where can you get it from?
    This is definitely the downside of the product. Bioderma is available in France. I don't know anyone in France, but I do have friends who know friends. You can buy it online though (thank god!). I think my friend purchased it from this website.

    Advantages?
    • Fabulous product
    • Makeup artists around the world use it!
    • Great for sensitive skin
    • Massive bottle
    • Relatively cheap - two 500ml bottles cost £15.
    • You get 500ml of product which will last a very long time
    • Technically, it's great for anti-ageing, because you won't be pulling on your eye lids as much
    • NO MORE PANDA EYES!!
    Disadvantages?
    • They don't sell it in the UK. Not good if you need it in an emergency
    • Watch out for shipping prices!
    • The bottle is too big for travel (you can always decant it)
    If you want to find out more about Bioderma products, click here
    Have you tried this product before?

    Tuesday 24 January 2012

    Lil Miss Motivated: Workout inspiration!

    Working out is definitely something that is very difficult to start doing (and to continue doing so) ! I'm going to help by posting some inspirational photos. Enjoy :)




    Sunday 22 January 2012

    Lil Miss Healthy: My favourite, healthy dessert *

    As you may know, frozen yoghurt's are taking the world by storm! A few years ago, they were literally non-existent in the UK. Frozen yoghurt is basically a frozen dessert containing yoghurt. It is very healthy - and is a great replacement for cake! They are virtually fat free and are low in calories! (Score!)

    I was recently sent a YooMoo voucher! I have tried various frozen yoghurt's, namely Pinkberry and Yog. I was excited to try a YooMoo (I had only tried a small sample before). On Saturday, I went to the Finchley road O2 to sample out the YooMoo yoghurt.

    What I love about YooMoo is that their portions are big! I could not finish it off by myself, so I shared with my friend.

    My lovely, and healthy YooMoo

     I chose the Kickstartmoo, which includes: strawberries, banana and granola. So healthy and perfect for New Years (hopefully you all are sticking to your resolutions!) There are various other types of toppings, such as Oreo cookies, marshmallows, berries and so on! You can pick whatever you want!

    Unfortunately, I was not allowed to take photos of the concession! The staff at YooMoo were extremely friendly and recommended different flavours to me! They also gave me a loyalty card! Customer Service is very important to me, so I will definitely be paying a visit very soon!

    My only criticism is that I wish there were more toppings as there was a lot of yoghurt.


    YooMoo is:
    • Fat free
    • Healthy
    • Rich source of calcium
    • Vegetarian
    • Gluten free
    Me eating a YooMoo :)

    How is YooMoo different from other frozen yoghurts?
     YooMoo have a new yoghurt which is introduced to their famooly every single month. Also, in comparison to Pinkberry, the flavour of the yoghurt is very sweet.

    How much does it cost?
     The Kickstart moo costs approximately £3.50.

    Where can I try it?
    There are several concessions in the UK. Fincley Road 02, Stratford Westfield, Harrods, Canary Wharf,  Derby, Milton Keynes, Leeds, Bluewater, Bromley and Cardiff.

    You can find out more information by clicking here.


    Have you ever tried a frozen yoghurt before?

    Thursday 19 January 2012

    Lil Miss Happy: 100 things no. 3 +

    Hi everyone! Hope you're having a fabulous week! It's my birthday today! As I am celebrating it next week, I thought I would blog tonight - and reflect on the things that make me happy!

    Click here to view my previous 100 things posts 

    I was dreading turning 22 (21 is such a lovely age) BUT the older you get, the wiser you become! I'm not going to let a number make me feel down! I'm also grateful to be alive and healthy (I know this sounds super cheesy, but I'm in one of those moods!)


     1) Birthdays
    I love celebrating my own and others. It's your special day - so make the most of it!
    2) Sparkly nail polish
    The more glitter, the better!

     3) Giving presents
    I love watching people open up their presents - such a wonderful feeling!
     4) My iPhone
    I love my iPhone! I literally cannot live without it!









     5) Cuddling in my blanket when it's cold outside
    I just like to be cosy and warm - who doesn't?





    6) Dressing up :) 
    I love getting dressed up - only if I have lots of time though!
    7) Love stories 
    Anything that evokes emotion - I love!!
    8) Going on holiday
    I'm already planning my summer holiday - still deciding where to go....
    9)Pretty little liars
    One of my favourite shows! I love it!
    10) All things vintage
    I love pretty little vintage ornaments :)

    Sunday 15 January 2012

    Lil Miss Fluffy: Valentines inspired Denman hairbrush +

    As you may know from this post, I love Denman brushes! My favourite brush has to be the D3 Medium Styling brush. It removes tangles very quickly, and ensures that my hair looks shiny throughout the day!

    Currently, Denman have got a Valentines theme going on! I thought it was so pretty - so I decided to show it you all :) The Denman brush I love is now adorned with kisses - how perfect for Valentines day lol!

    This could be a great Valentines present - you could always ask your other half to buy it for you, or if you're like me, and love pretty designs you could always purchase it for yourself :) 

    I am going to give my brush to my mother because I love her so much :)



    There are currently three different colours for the Valentines themed brushes -  pink, black and red.

    Price:  £7.31

     You can purchase Denman brushes from their website, Boots, Superdrug, Sainsbury’s, John Lewis, and your hairdressers :) 

    P.S - The item was sent to me for consideration for review. This does not affect my opinion on the product :)

    Wednesday 11 January 2012

    Lil Miss Glittery: Orly nail polish in Stone Cold +

    As you may know, I go through several obsessions each month. This month's obsession is nail polish. I used to wear it once a week, and now it's several times a week! I have been loving Orly nail polish in Stone Cold, which is a dark blue polish with a surplus of glitter. I own several dark blue nail polishes but Orly is definitely the best. It has the longest staying power and a greatest accentuation of the glitter.

    This colour is from the Orly Mineral FX Collection.

    Here are some photos:

     Maybe it's not the most work appropriate colour, but you can definitely get away with it at a party :)



     This photo does not justify the polish!


    Summary:

    What is the packaging like?
    The packaging is very original and has a rubber tip, which makes opening the bottle so much easier! I've dropped the bottle several times and it did not shatter. It seems to be bigger than an OPI nail polish.  
    Any disadvantages?
    Make sure you shake the bottle well, otherwise the nail polish will separate! This accounts for all nail polishes, but I've noticed I have to shake more with Orly.

    How much does it cost?
    The price does vary. I've seen it for £10 in some places and £7 in others. You can buy the smaller bottles for about £5.

    Where can I buy it from?
    Amazon, Boots (mainly in store, the website has a small selection only) and  Beauty Bay (I have never purchased from this website so I can't be held accountable for its' service)


    Tuesday 10 January 2012

    Little Miss Organised: Pretty little jewellery holder *

    I'm all for making my life easier. I love cute little trinkets to store my jewellery. I have these on my dresser to alleviate the process of getting ready for work or for university. I have a lot of jewellery, but I only wear certain pieces for day to day life.

    I'm sure you can find these in an Indian clothing shop or even at Accessorize! I was given this by my cousin :)
    I use it to store my everyday earrings and my Om ring.
    I love this! It's actually a candle holder, but I use it to store my bigger rings.
    This candle holder looks so pretty on my dresser.
    Another shot ;)


     How do you store your jewellery?

    Thursday 5 January 2012

    Lil Miss Healthy: My healthy eating habits %

    No doubt that most peoples' New Years Resolutions (that is if they've made any) are to eat healthily, exercise more or maybe lose a few pounds.

    In this post, I'm going to show you what I do to stay healthy. I have to admit, I don't have the best diet in the world, but I do like to incorporate little things during the day. At the end of the day, you are what you eat. If you're filling your body with junk, you will feel like rubbish.

      I am going to do a series of these posts - hopefully it will give you ideas! Being healthy is about adapting to your lifestyle - just do what works for you!

    Green Monster
     I love drinking Green Monster's. Read this blog post to learn more. In summary, it is a mixture of banana, spinach and milk. It sounds disgusting but it tastes so good! Spinach is a great source of vitamins and antioxidants, making it good for your skin, bones, vision and so on! If you don't like the taste of spinach, I recommend adding it to a smoothie (you won't taste it, promise!). Benefits of bananas: helps improve your mood (I always feel so invigorated after drinking this), great for your eyesight, cardiovascular health, kidneys and bones. The milk provides you with protein and calcium. I want to substitute my usual semi-skimmed milk with almond milk or organic milk in the future.

    Water 
     I love water. Ask any of my friends or family - I am a water addict! I take a massive bottle to university or work everyday. I even take it when I'm out shopping! The bottle in the picture is 1.5 litres! You should be drinking at least 2 litres a day. Yes, my bag is always heavy, a few bags have ripped because of this healthy habit and I also have to go to the loo often but it is definitely worth it! Water is great for your concentration (did you know that your brain shrinks when it's dehydrated?), it's great for your skin (especially if you want to glow) and it's excellent for weight loss (your body cannot tell the difference between hunger and thirst, so always drink some water to check). There are so many benefits to drinking water! Read some more here.

    Apples
     I literally eat an apple a day. Apples always make me feel so awake, and full (making it good for weight loss). Apples are great for cancer prevention, they are a good source of dietary fibre (making it good for digestion) and apples also have vitamin C. The phrase 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away' was said for a reason.

    Quinoa
    Quinoa is a seed, but it can also be prepared like rice. Quinoa provides all 9 essential amino acids, and out of all of the grains, has the highest protein content. This is great for me because I'm vegetarian, and I work out a lot! I need that extra bit of protein. I purchased this pack from Holland and Barrett for under £3. I cook it in my rice cooker for 20 minutes (alternatively, you can boil it and let it to simmer). I add a pinch of salt as well as some Greek yoghurt. Sometimes I mix the quinoa with my curry. It tastes so delicious - and it keeps me full because of the good protein content. Why is protein important in our diet? Protein is important for the growth, maintenance and repair of all cells. It also helps with fighting infection, and helps keep our hair shiny and nails strong! Read more about the benefits of protein here.

    Warm water and lemon
     Warm water and lemon is one of my favourite drinks. It may not be so good for your teeth, but it's great for your overall health! Ideally, you should drink this first thing in the morning to help detoxify your body. It is even used as an acne remedy. Lemon is also a great source of vitamin C and is great for weight loss. Read here to find out other benefits of lemon water.

    Carrots
    I am a big fan of carrots. One carrot a day provides all the vitamin A you need for the day. Carrots are good for: your vision, your skin (!), dental health as well as helping to prevent cancers! If you cannot fathom eating a raw carrot, I suggest adding a dip. One of my favourite dips is hummus. Hummus contains chickpeas - which are a good source of protein. Hummus also has olive oil (which is a healthy fat). Hummus is high in calories, but just because a food is high in calories, it does not mean it is bad for you!

    How do you stay healthy?

    Wednesday 4 January 2012

    Lil Miss Reminiscent: 2011 in photos :)

     Happy New Year everyone! Enjoy each and everyday! :)

    2011 was a beautiful year - obviously there were many ups and downs (although more ups). I finished my placement in September and entered fourth year in end of September (which I am currently in). Here are some photos:

    I turned the fabulous age of 21 in January :)

     My friends and I :) We were all meant to pout.. guess I was the only one who did it lol!





    I received a DSLR  for my birthday - which I LOVE using! I have a passion for photography now :)


    Some of my favourite photos:




    I also met up with some beautiful friends who I met through blogging (Can't find photos) Kaushal, Sriya, Gulnit, Tass, Aysha and Amina - let me know if I have forgotten you ;) 

    In February (over a month late), I finally received my birthday presents! My brother and sister bought me 21 presents! How lovely! :)

    March and April were stressful months because I had to practise for my practical exams, as well as study and work 6 days a week! I don't know how I survived! 

    In April, India won the Cricket World Cup! This event made my year! I cried (due to being happy) because the last time they won was 28 years ago! I went out to celebrate and it was amazing! I didn't expect India to do that well!!

    I also found some time to go clubbing (something which I have NO energy for right now lol)

    My favourite dress :) 
    My sister and I :) 


    In July, I went on a girls holiday to Zante, Greece which I loved, but I don't think I could ever do a clubbing holiday again! My clubbing days are happily over! 
    Zante
    Clubbing in Zante

    2 weeks later, in July, I went to Morocco with my family. I've always wanted to go to Morocco. It is such a beautiful country, with an enriching culture. 

    Quad biking in the desert.
    Mosque in the centre of town.
    Near the souks
    Climbing down the mountain! My fear of heights was tested here.
    Being massaged ;)
    After Morocco, I sported a lovely tan! I celebrated my gorgeous nephews 1st birthday in August. Unfortunately, I don't have any photos with him because he fell asleep!

    My outfit :)
    My sister and I :)
    I also realised I love going out to eat and watching movies! My aim is to discover some new restaurants or cafes this year!
    Vapianos - try it!
    I love frozen yoghurt!
    Indian food
    Kipferl - I can't wait to go back!

    In September, I attended London Fashion Week! I was in the same room as Naomi Campbell, Olivia Palermo, Lisa Eldridge and Matthew Williamson. Thank you Halpern PR for inviting me!
    Naomi Campbell speaking
    Spot the celebrities! 
    The fashion show
    In September, I also went to Manchester with my friends to enjoy freshers week (although I am far too old to be a fresher lol) I also went back to uni a week later!


    In October, I celebrated my mothers 50th birthday in a restaurant. We booked out the bottom floor, and filled it with our loved ones. It was a brilliant night!

    My mother and I.
    I am trying to do the Inbetweeners 'Ooh Friend' pose.
    I also celebrated the Hindu festival of Navratri - which lasts for 9 days (although I only celebrated it for 2 days!)
    Caught in the middle of dancing.
    October was probably the worst month for me. We had a big loss in the family :( and I had the flu :( I haven't had the flu for years, and I hated being in bed for 6 days straight! I couldn't eat, go out, exercise or even have the energy to watch TV!

    In November, I went to the Rihanna concert with my brother and sister. This was the first concert I've ever been to!

    And I also celebrated my brothers 18th (so many milestones this year...)


    I also went to a comedy night for my friends birthday! I need to go to another this year.


    End of November and December basically included lots of studying! I had two tests just before the holidays so I was pretty stressed out!


    Christmas and New Years were celebrated at home with my family. I overindulged (naturally) so I'm working out hard to regain my figure back lol


    Hope you all had a fab year! If not, there's always 2012!