I worship at the house of ... TK MAXX

TK Maxx at the best of times can be like a massive jumble sale. But on occasion while sifting through open/used tubes of fake tan and man handled scented candles, you do come across a gem ... or two ... or three!

On my most recent trip to TK Maxx I came home chuffed as a chuffing chuff after picking up this lot for mere pennies.
As you can see this isn't a huge haul. I was pretty restrained and took home only items I knew I would definitely use.

First up - Benefit lipgloss - this just happens to be my favourite Benefit Lipgloss in the shade 'Didn't hear it from me'. It's a lovely 'nude' gloss which is great for toning down bright colours or just adding a little bit of gloss to your lips. I picked this up for a mere £5.99. I do believe it is usually £13-£14.

Here it is on naked lips ...
The next purchase was a real bargain. Nails Inc colour collection - 4 polishes for £12.99 that normally retail at £42.00! amazing.
left to right: Chester Place, Beauchamp Place, Drury Lane, Montrose Place.

In the past I have declared my dislike on this blog for Nails Inc polishes but I do find they apply and look much better on gel/acrylic nails. Since I have Gel nails for the time being I will definitely get my use of these. Particularly looking forward to trying out Drury Lane - a gorgeous coral.

My final purchase are these gorgeous Oscar de la Renta sunglasses. I have a growing collection of sunglasses but nothing beats a pair of oversized sunnies, it screams Glamour, Glamour, Glamour! I don't own any black glasses so that was the basis of my justification for this purchase. I am not sure how much these originally retail at but I got them for £12.99! Ka-ching! Oscar de la Renta for £12.99!! You don't hear that often!
Insert 'arty' (read: blurry) photos of me posing with said sunglasses ...
Who else enjoys TK Maxx-ing it?

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Bumble & Bumble - Creme de Coco

For months now, I have been unhappy with my hair. The style, the condition, the length - everything.

I have always been quite proud of my mane. It is usually thick, shiny and despite the obvious 'Ginger' insults, I really love the colour. Lately it has looked dull and lifeless.

I don't use many products on my hair so to avoid build up and tend to stick to Kerastase to shampoo & condition but could this be the source of the problem? I decided to switch shampoo to find out so last week while browsing Look Fantastic, I decided to place a Bumble & Bumble order.

I have heard a lot about B&B through friends but this purchase for me was popping the proverbial cherry! I chose the shampoo & conditioner from the Creme de Coco range. According to B&B the Creme de Coco products are moisture rich, contain murumur butters and help to restore shine, improve flexibility and minimise frizz.

Oh, and they smell like a holiday in the carribean ... lush!

The results?

So far, I am loving this shampoo & conditioner. My hair is soft yet manageable, smooth and sleek and finally the shine has returned to my locks! My hair looks and feels healthier than it has done in months. At last, my hair is making me feel glamorous again!

The only downside to using Bumble & Bumble is that it is quite pricey ... I was about £35-£40 for these 2 products. I do believe hair is very important in creating a polished finish to your look and presenting yourself well so unless I find a suitable substitute for these products, I will be looking to repurchase.

Anyone else like Bumble & Bumble? What other products would you recommend?

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NOTD - Revlon Lilac Pastelle

I have been sporting this colour for the last couple of weeks. It is such a fresh, pretty colour that veers more on the pink than it's Lilac title would indicate.

It took me a few weeks to acquire this polish as it was sold out everywhere I went so obviously it is a winner!

On natural nails, it applies terribly. Streaky, watery and can take up to 3 coats or more to achieve an opaque finish. However, on my gel nails (which need re-done in case you already noticed) ... one coat and the colour appears beautifully smooth, with very little to no chipping.

It's my summer fail safe nail colour.

What do you think of it? Have you managed to get your hands on one yet?

x

Benefit from a little Glamour ....

Unless you have been living under a rock by now you all probably realise about this freebie alert already but just in case you don't ...

Glamour magazine are giving away a choice of 3 Benefit products with this month's issue. You have a choice of Benefit It stick, eye bright or Bad gal liner which retail at £14 but you get them for the bargain price of £2 with Glamour magazine!! After work I hit the supermarket and managed to get 2 out of the 3 ... It stick and Eye Bright. Back on the hunt tomorrow for the bad gal liner ...

Enjoy!

x

Fifteen Quid Maxi

Yes, that's right. £15.

I picked this dress up in New Look never imagining I would get as much wear from it as I already have. It's jersey material makes it quite casual yet so versatile. It can be dressed up or down by switching accessories, bags or adding a belt.

I have had so many compliments with this dress and no one believes it only cost £15!

I usually go for a dressed down boho look with it but I even wore it for an evening out on the town this weekend and it looked and felt great on. Of course, I only wear flats - maxi's and heels just don't do it for me... something awkward looking about it.

New Look Dress by saskiathesalsafairy featuring TopShop

Here are 2 looks I have worn with this dress. One slightly more dressed up with oversized sunglasses, clutch and cute accessories, the other look is perfect for a day out shopping and lunching with a slouchy fringed bag, gladiators, chunky beads and denim jacket.

It really is a perfect Summer staple, whether you are dining, lounging, shopping or heading to the beach ... it is an easy, comfortable, stylish and to top it all, bargainous dress!

Has anyone else spied this New Look dress yet?

x

My new favourite: Clarins Wonder Length Mascara

I received Clarins Wonder Length mascara as a gift about 6 months ago and I'll be honest ... I looked at it with dismay, wishing it had been Chanel Exceptionnel, Lancome Hypnose or even the infamous L'oreal Voluminous. How utterly ungracious of me ...?!

As it turns out, this mascara is WOW! Housed in shiny silver packaging, it gave me no clue as to the power of the product. Because I didn't buy this mascara myself I had no idea whether it was supposed to be volumising, thickening, curling or all 3 and then some.

With no promise attached, I had no expectation.

With just one coat, this mascara gave me the blackest of lashes that looked silky and volumised. I don't always use an eyelash curler before applying clarins wonder length yet my lashes always appear longer and curlier than before. When i do curl beforehand I find this mascara holds the curl perfectly all day.

Here are my lashes with just one coat of Clarins Wonder Length Mascara

I don't feel the need to re-apply this mascara through the day other than my obligatory make up touch up before I leave the office ... even then, it is only out of habit.

In fact it was only this week that I found out the name of this mascara when I decided to repurchase. Yes, that's right - repurchase! That's how good it is!

This mascara retails at £18 so it isn't exactly drugstore pricing but it certainly is worth it.

Anyone else tried this mascara? what are your thoughts?

The Braidy Bunch - How to ...

One thing that has been rocking my world this weekend is the french braid.

Braids or plaits, whatever you like to call them, have been all over the catwalk and sported by celebrities from Lauren Conrad to Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Anniston. This trend has really been around since last year but I am only just putting it into practise now.

My hair is at that really awkward inbetween stage as I am waiting (im)patiently for it to grow into a mass of long luscious locks. I am pretty much over the quiff look and bobby pins just don't seem to keep my hair in place so a couple of days ago I attempted to french braid my fringe.

It's changed my life. Seriously.

No more pushing my hair away from my face or trying to pin it back with bobby pins. I braid it then forget it about it. It stays put all day and looks great!

This was my first go at it so was surprised how easy and quick I found it. So if you are looking for a quick and stylish hair fix, here is how I did it:

1. I divided my hairs fringe section and tied the rest back in a bobble. You can make the fringe section as big or small as you like, I went for quite a thick section as I have a heavy side fringe.

2. I then divided the fringe section into 3 small sections at the top in order to start the braiding. Each time I pulled one section of the braid over another, I picked up another small section from the sides of the fringe as I went. I continued this until I reached just above & behind my ear. This is what makes the braid a french braid and ensures it sits against your scalp. Once I had finished I secured it to my head with a bobby pin.

3. I then released the rest of my hair from my bobble and left it tousled around the braid for a relaxed, summer feel. This would look equally as good with straightened hair or tied back in a ponytail.

4. I sprayed with hairspray to make sure it stayed put all day. And it did.

Wearing my hair like this has made life so much easier. I just don't have to think about my hair as it's neatly tucked inside the braid. Perfect for exercising too ... not that I do much, ahem! ;)

Next, i want to master the fishtail plait .... but that looks hard and I'm not quite sure my hair is long enough yet. Anyone else know how to do it?

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