NEW IN: Lee Stafford Releases

When it comes to maintaining bleached blonde tresses, it's a tough deal. If I ever did get three wishes in life, being a natural blonde would be one of them. Somewhere in between a Malibu beach house and an endless supply of make-up, anyway. In my experience, eating heaps of spinach and using as little heat on your hair as possible are the keys to healthy hair and growth. But there are definitely products that help along the way, and Lee Stafford just gets it when it comes to haircare. So here are my first impressions of the new additions to the Bleach Blondes and Argan Oil range...

Tone Correcting Conditioning Spray* - Purple shampoo is my life saviour - so purple shampoo in a spray on bottle sounds pretty ingenious to me! This product is supposed to condition and moisturise whilst balancing out those orangey highlights to icy blonde shades. At first I wasn't convinced that this spray would really do the trick but I have definitely noticed that my hair looks more ashy than normal.

Nourishing Miracle Mist* - Argan oil really is a miracle in a bottle. I'm loving this so far as it gives my hair the glossiness which it lacks naturally. Plus, it genuinely is lightweight unlike a lot of sprays and doesn't weigh your hair down.

Argan Night Repair Serum* - Products that get to work whilst we sleep are always great for giving our hair the love it needs whilst being great time-savers. I haven't got around to using this yet but it smells like heaven and I'll be incorporating it into my weekend pampers.

Golden Girl Oil* - Oils are a daily part of my hair care routine as they can transform the mid lengths of your hair. This little bottle amplifies shine whilst neutralising brassy tones which is everything blondes need. I love applying this when my hair is still damp as it helps to keep my hair looking smooth and shiny.

Are you a fan of Lee Stafford?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

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PS Enter my giveaway to win tickets to The Clothes Show here 

The Night Out Line Up

I don't know about you, but my girl's night out make-up sesh is a real ritual. Nothing says girly time like spending hours getting ready, badly rapping Nicki Minaj and doing each other's hair and make-up.  Pre-drinks has always been an essential part of our night-out routine. At 21 we should probably be getting a little classier, but you have to love stumbling through your best friend's floordrobe and not actually leaving the house until 12pm, right? It never gets old.  For nights out, my fail safe look is a bronze smoky eye and red lips applied with products that I know will be sticking around until 3am. So this is what's on the line-up at the moment...

For my base I've been loving the new Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation. Flawless coverage that will hold up in a club? Check. I love this product as it gives a glowy finish but is semi-matte so can be worn without routine powder top-ups. As for concealer, the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection duo are staples in my clutch. Collection gives the coverage I need under my eyes whilst the NARS is the perfect formula for highlighting the face to tie your contour and highlight together.

Pacing your vodka before you get too tipsy to apply your make-up is an art form. One I have not yet perfected, which is why I never get too ambitious with my eyeshadow. The Charlotte Tilbury Fallen Angel Palette is the perfect quad for a metallic bronze eye. The creamy formula makes it  super quick and easy to blend and smoke out. For false lashes, I've been obsessed with the Ardell Wispies for adding a bit of drama without looking too fake. My days of ridiculous, spidery lashes are a thing of the past, guys... A thing of the past.

Moving onto contour, you know the drill by now, I never go anywhere without my Film Star Bronze & Glow. The buttery ash-brown powder is your one-stop to killer cheekbones that can be built up for an ultra contoured look. But as for highlight, I can't get enough of the new Anastasia Beverly Hills Riviera powder, a beautiful rose-gold pigment that will get any highlight obsessive's heart beating. A full review of that will be coming soon!

To finish the look, red lips are back on my make-up menu and Lost Cherry, is the perfect fuchsia red. Finally, I always apply a spritz of the Urban Decay Setting Spray which is too loved (read: grubby) to photograph, to keep my make-up looking fresh all night.

What is your go-to look on a girl's night out? Have you tried any of these products?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

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PS Enter my giveaway to win tickets to The Clothes Show here 

A Charlotte Tilbury Haul

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation*,  Matte Revolution Lipstick in Glastonberry*, Eyes to Mesmerise in Marie Antoinette*

So, the dream happened. Okay, well, not quite - Chuck Bass didn't land on my door step, but this parcel of Charlotte Tilbury goodies did, so I'm half way there, right?  

I have fast fallen in love with Charlotte Tilbury and would go as far to say that it's my favourite make-up brand. With the classic gold packaging, each product feels like a little luxury, and actually matches up to the price tag.

I can't say too much about these products yet as I've only had them for a few weeks, but so far, I'm in love. With Autumn tumbling in, I had been lusting after Glastonberry* as the perfect vampy lip. I love the Matte Revolution lipsticks for their creamy yet matte formulas which glide on like a dream and don't dry out throughout the day.

Next up is the new Magic Foundation*. This formula took 5 years to perfect and is designed to work like magic on all skin types. It's a much heavier coverage than I usually go for but gives the most flawless finish. I'll be updating you with a full review ASAP.

There's nothing I love more in a morning that one-wash wonder eyeshadows. The Eyes to Mesmermise are the best cream shadows I've tried. They feel like whipped cream and give the most beautiful wash of colour. I went with Marie Antoinette which is an oyster-gold, perfect for accentuating blue eyes.

Have you tried any of these? What's your favourite Charlotte Tilbury product?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

Palettes I Use Everyday

When it comes to make-up palettes, I'm a self-confessed hoarder. I love ones that have the do-it-all shades that you can throw in your cosmetic bag and know you're sorted with a make-up menu that fits any occasion.  I've filtered down the ones I use every day (okay, most days) - from contour, to brows, to a good range of blushes. So these are the ones always within grabbing distance...

Ah, the NAKED Basics. Everyone needs a good neutrals palette in their life. Don't under estimate the importance of some seemingly boring, neutral shades. With this, you have everything you need for a 2-minute eye look. 'Faint' is the perfect matte brown brow shade that stays put all day for simple understated brows. 'Naked 2' and 'Faint' combined together make a super quick brown smokey eye when you're on limited time. As for the white shades, you have 'Venus' to highlight inner corners, 'WOS' for the perfect matte base, and 'Foxy' with the right amount of yellow-under tone to subtly highlight the brow bone. Wack a tiny bit of 'Crave' in the outer V and you've got yourself the perfect everyday neutral eye.

I haven't stopped gushing over the Too Faced 'Cocoa Contour Kit', and for good reason. This palette really is the best multi purpose contouring product, ever.  A matte setting powder, perfect contour shades, bronzer and super pigmented highlight - I'm in love. This is a new firm favourite in my make-up routine. Full review here.

You didn't really think I could filter these down to just one contouring product, did you?  I talk about the Charlotte Tilbury 'Film Star Bronze & Glow' all the time on my blog - with its dreamy packaging, buttery bronzer and champagne gold highlight, this is a contouring dream team.  If you want your cheekbones to look chiseled and highlighted to perfection, this is the one. Full review here.

Last but not least-loved is the NARS Virtual Domination Palette. This is a limited edition palette so that I'm so glad I got my hands on.  This packs in some of NARS best seller blushes, including 'Deep Throat' along with the cult 'Laguna' bronzer. NARS is my go-to for blushes, and I absolutely love the range in this palette.

What palettes do you use everyday? Do you have any of these?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

Things I Wish I Knew About Hair Loss (Before It Fell Out)

We've had some rough times, my hair and I. When my hair started to thin dramatically, I did a huge amount of things wrong. So these are the things I wish I knew about hair loss, before it all fell out...

Dramatic weight loss can be a factor 
It took me a long time to make the connection between dramatic weightloss and undereating with why my hair was thinning. Dramatic weightloss can be a "shock" to the body and cause physical trauma that may cause your hair to thin. Not only did I lose about two stone, but I had quite an unhealthy relationship with food and was undereating. Of course this might not be the case for everyone, but if you are looking to lose weight, eating enough to nourish your body and doing it slowly is always the best way.

Smothering your hair in products is not the answer
So your hair is falling out, what do you do? If you're anything like me, when desperation strikes, online shopping calls. I spent a ridiculous amount of money on deep conditioners and moisturising products which weighed my hair down. I always thought that the more expensive or more products I used, the better my hair would be. WRONG. Before even blow drying, I would go through a detangler, hair oil, smoothing cream, a volumising product, heat spray and sometimes even a leave in conditioner, then once dry there would be even oils! If this sounds like you, then stop now. The best thing you can do for thin, lack-lustre hair is to use as little products as possible. A few months ago I discovered WEN which has absolutely changed my life and which I will be reviewing more in depth very soon. It's a cleansing shampoo which doesn't lather and has stripped my hair of all the built up residue, leaving it feeling and looking more like my old hair. Besides a heat protector and some moroccan oil I use nothing on my hair and it's the best condition it's been in a long time.

You're going to have to find a way to make it work, without heat
Hair loss is extremely upsetting, but you have to find a way to make it work.  Daily heat is never the answer and there are plenty of hair styles you can try so that you don't have to style it. Whilst investing in a good set of hair extensions helped my confidence, I wore them everyday which of course did my hair no good. My answer was a beanie all winter and wearing my hair in a messy bun and trying to only style my hair when either totally necessary or if I was going out. It'll take a few months but your hair will thank you for it.

Being unhappy won't make it grow back faster - in fact, it'll do the opposite
How our hair looks has a huge impact on our self confidence. I allowed it to completely consume my life, damage my self-esteem and limit my happiness. Focusing on your mental and physical health is extremely important if you're losing your hair. You can't always minimise stress, but you can find ways to manage it. I was so unhappy that I found it hard to get into a routine or stay on top of daily life, which of course, makes you more stressed and more unhappy.  Don't allow your hair loss to take over your life or be another stress factor that may contribute to it falling out in the first place. The best thing I did was buy an agenda, get organised, and start going to the gym. Focus your energy on doing the things that make you happy and know that it will grow back with some time and patience.

Have you ever lost your hair?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

PS Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win a Nicky Clarke Hair Straightener!

The Charlotte Tilbury Nude Lip

Sexy Sienna & Pillow Talk 

Given that I confessed my undying love for Charlotte Tilbury in this post last week, you won't be surprised to see another product up for review here on LydiaRoseXO. The Charlotte Tilbury 'Matte Revolution' range has to be some of my favourite lipsticks that I've tried. With their unique geometric shape, these lipsticks are easy to apply with the squared off bullet and creamy formula. They sit like a balm on the lip whilst still giving that beautiful matte finish.
The nude lip has been the ultimate blogger buzz word since the Kylie Jenner craze blew up. I tried to love MAC's 'Velvet Teddy' and failed, hard, as it just seems to wash me out. 'Sexy Sienna' is a gorgeous golden coral which I'm way more in love with. It's been my whack on and go shade all summer, not just for the easy to wear shade but for the longevity. The creamy formula means no messy application and lasts for hours without drying. The product is enriched with orchid extract for its hydrating properties, so no crusty matte lips here!
On top of that, whilst some matte lipsticks can flatten your lips (I'm looking at you, Velvet Teddy) this range has 3D glowing pigments which you can definitely see when applied. Okay, you might be sceptical of something which claims to give a '3D effect', but I have to say, I think it works! As someone who tends to feel boring with a nude lip, 'Sexy Sienna' is the total opposite to dull, dimensionless nude lipsticks I've tried in the past. When lined with the lip cheat in 'Pillow Talk', the ultimate your-lips-but-better shade, you have the perfect nude lip combination. You can go as understated or as overstated as you like, but a poutier, plumper lip without forking out for lip injections? Yes please.
I'm seriously in love with this range and definitely want some more Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks for my vanity table. Glastonberry is next on my list!

What's your favourite nude lip combination?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

The Base I Always Come Back To

When it comes to make-up, I have to mix things up a bit. I have my staple products that I know work, and even though I'll stray for a while, they're the ones I always come back to. Foundation is so important to get right, and what looks good on your favourite beauty Youtuber might just not look good on you. Regardless of whether it's in a pretty bottle or a hyped up new release, *sobs*. Once you've got your foundation BFF, you've got to stick together. You know what I'm saying?

For me it's always been NARS Sheer Glow in 'Gobi'. What I love about this range is that for girls like me who still resemble Casper even in the summer time, NARS have the perfect colours to accommodate. Where 'Mont Blanc' is ultra pale, 'Gobi' just has the right amount of a yellow undertone to give a glow to my pale skin. I can't speak for the other colours, but from what I've read, NARS shades get a unanimous thumbs up.

So onto the finish. This isn't a heavy duty foundation, so definitely not one for those looking to cover acne or break outs. But if you're skin isn't too troublesome, Sheer Glow has a buildable medium coverage that ticks all of my foundation boxes. Despite the misleading title, it's not actually sheer at all, but teetering on the mid point of a matte and glowy finish. There's no arguing that this foundation gives a flawless base, without the heavy and cakey feeling of a high coverage foundation.

Of course, I couldn't leave out the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. What I love about this product is that it's a concealer and highlighter in one, and actually does both things perfectly, unlike a lot of concealers I've tried. I absolutely love the finish of this when applied as a V-shape under my eyes to conceal dark circles and highlight my face. I always go for the lightest colour 'Chantily' which is perfect for highlighting.

What is the base that you always come back to? Have you tried these?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

Top 5 From Charlotte Tilbury

Here's the part where I try to justify my exorbitant array of Charlotte Tilbury purchases, and here's the part where I fail. Phew. Now that's over, let's just say that we all deserve a little bit of luxury in our lives. And of course, nothing soothes the soul like doing some damage to your bank account at the Charlotte Tilbury counter, right? Right.

Charlotte Tilbury has stolen my heart this year, so here's my top 5 must-haves so far...

It all started with the the Filmstar Bronze & Glow, a Christmas gift card purchase, this highlighting and bronzing duo is a contour lover's dream team. With a buttery bronzer on the left, and the perfect champagne gold shimmer on the right, you just can't go wrong. Nothing says high end like the signature rose gold packaging, but this product really does have the formula to match.

Next up is my first ever Beach Stick purchase in Es Vedra. A twist up colour stick, this shade isn't one I would usually pick, but looks beautiful applied to the apples of the cheeks.  Described as a 'mystic sunset coral', it gives a gorgeous dewy finish that fakes a holiday glow. What I love about the beach sticks is that they double up as a lip colour, too, for a brave hot pepper red.

As for lipsticks, I am obsessed with the Matte Revolution range for the creamy formulas and ultra pigmented shades. With the square bullet, these lipsticks apply like a dream without dehydrating the lips. Lost Cherry is a really unusual fuschia shade, a cherry red-pink, it feels incredibly classy to wear and makes a statement without being a typical postbox red. For the perfect nude lip, I'm in love with Sexy Sienna as brown-toned nudes have never worked on me. Inspired by Sienna Miller, it's a beautiful golden coral that looks perfect with bronzed skin.  Of course, I could not leave out the Lip Cheat in 'Pillow Talk', perhaps the most loved lip-liner in the beauty blogger world. This really is a your lips but better shade that does everything you'd want in a lip liner, allowing the right amount of definition to the lip without going too Kylie Jenner.

Are you in love with Charlotte Tilbury? What are your favourites?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

A Dreamy Spa Day | North Lakes Hotel

 When I was contacted by the luxury North Lakes Hotel to review their newly opened spa, it was an offer I just couldn't refuse! Nothing says perfection to me like a day of complete relaxation. It was the perfect chance for a much overdue mother and daughter day, too. My mum's best friend and her daughter - who is also one of my longest friends - decided to come along. Your mum, best friend, and a spa treatment is just a winning combination, right?  So off we headed to Penrith for a day of pampering...

 After soaking in the beautiful, scenic views of the Lake District leading up to Penrith, we arrived at the hotel which instantly had a warm and welcoming feeling. With its gorgeous wooden beams, it felt as though were were stepping into a classic country house.  The facilities of the spa are brand new and have everything you could ask for. With a huge swimming pool, sauna and jacuzzi, and a fully equipped gym, we were really impressed.  There was even virtual spinning on offer complete with a virtual instructor on a projector, so you could come and do the class at your own pace. We were taken into the spa relaxation lounge where we sipped on herbal teas before filling out our lunch choices for the day. The lady who looked after us was so friendly and accommodating and made sure that my awkward vegan food choices were catered for, which is always a huge plus.

 Next we were taken upstairs to the spa area, where there was a peaceful relaxation room with comfy recliners. The perfect place to just sit, read and empty your mind. There were also refreshments on hand throughout the day - fresh fruit, granola bars and yogurt parfaits were later replaced with more indulgent treats in the afternoon. We slipped into our complimentary fluffy robes and slippers then headed down to the pool for a few hours before our treatments. Along with the welcome area downstairs, you were free to come and go from this room throughout this day as you pleased.

I struggled to get a photo of the pool for privacy reasons, but trust me, it was something special. With its ambient blue lighting and towering arched roof, the pool definitely makes the hotel. I put my mermaid skills to the test and did plenty of laps - got to fit in some exercise there, right? We tried out the sauna and steam room which I could only manage for a few minutes from the heat. Our favourite part was definitely the jacuzzi, the perfect place to chill out and have a catch up.

After chilling in the pool, we headed down to the relaxation area for our much anticipated lunch! As a foodie, I was so impressed with the menu which had lots of healthy options, including a delicious super food salad. When I'm having a spa day, I definitely prefer the choice of healthy, nourishing options. It just doesn't seem to make sense to me to cleanse your skin and mind and then fill your body with unhealthy food. Of course I went for the super food salad of delicious crunchy veggies drizzled in a mustard dressing.  Mum opted for the salmon and Creme Brulee for dessert, which I didn't even manage to get a photo of before she demolished it! I went for the fruit kebabs with a gorgeous mango dipping sauce, yum.

After lunch, it was back upstairs to our private changing room to get ready for our treatments which we had picked out from the Taste of Relaxation package. With this package you choose two treatments with a choice of facials, back massages, body polishes and manicures. Both my mum and I opted for the YTSARA Lawan Facial and YTSARA back, neck and shoulder massage. We were taken into our treatment rooms which were filled with a enchanting aromatherapy scent. Before the facial, the therapist gave a brief consultation to tailor the products to my skin type. I went with YTSARA products as they're 100% natural and I'm definitely someone prone to reactions from new products. I've had quite a few facials in the past but I was really impressed with how thorough my therapist was. It's essential to communicate with your therapist to make sure you get the most out of your treatment! The facial was lovely and left my skin cleansed, glowy and exfoliated.

For the back massage, again the the therapist made sure which pressure I liked which has been a major problem in the past as I'm a complete baby with pain and pressure! She asked me if I had any problem areas so I let her know that I'd been having pain in my right arm and shoulder from typing essays for my degree. She spent some time focusing on this and the relief I felt in my shoulder afterwards was amazing. The massage was just the right amount of pressure to get all the knots and tension out. She also placed a hot bag on my lower back which was so soothing. My mum is way braver with massages than me and went for high pressure - and she came out saying it was the best one she'd ever had!

After our treatments we spent a little bit more time chilling on the recliners and chatting about how much we loved them. There was also make-up and ESPA products on hand to try so we of course took advantage of this! We finished off our day by spending some more time in the pool before heading home, feeling completely pampered and relaxed.

Overall, I really loved the spa and there was nothing I could fault. The staff and beauty therapists were incredible, the facilities were beautiful and lunch was amazing. I would definitely recommend a visit and all of us agreed that we'd come back! The Shire Hotels are part of a large hotel group so if Penrith is miles away from you, be sure to check if there's one near you here.

Are you a fan of spa days? Have you ever visted a Shire hotel?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

Too Faced Cocoa Contour Kit | Review

Too Faced Cocoa Contour Kit 

If I had to narrow down the things I love in life, chocolate and contouring would definitely be on the list. An unlikely combination, I know, but Too Faced have got it bang on with this chocolate scented contour kit. With its buttery powders and addictive scent, this has been my go to palette all summer.
I'm forever obsessed with the wonders that contouring and highlighting can work on my face. I have too many contour kits to count, but this one is definitely at the top of my stash. Besides the fact that it smells good enough to eat, this little kit has everything you need for gorgeous, bronzed cheekbones.
'Medium Cocoa' is my dream contour shade, an ashy brown, it gives a definition to the cheekbones that can either be completely understated or built up for an ultra chiseled effect. The difference between 'Fawn' in the Anastasia Beverly Hills kit is only slight, where Anastasia blends out to be more of a HD shadow on the face, the Too Faced powder works more for a bronzed, summery look. 'Dark Cocoa' is a dark brown with an orange undertone, this is definitely too orange on my pale skin to use as a contour shade alone but works beautifully as a bronzer. I sweep it over my contour on a fluffy brush just to darken things up and add more definition. I also used it as an eyeshadow as you can see in the photo and absolutely love the smokey, orange-brown Olsen twin smokey eye it creates.
As for the highlighting powders, I am reaching for 'Light Cocao' over my Anastasia banana powder for brightening all over my face. Seriously, this is a step you just can't miss out as the effect is incredible. Stippled on with a buffing brush, the powder is amazing when applied under the eyes and cheekbones for defining your contour even more. The 'Pop of Highlight' is a really fine milled highlight with chunky bits of glitter which adds a really pretty glimmer to the cheeks. But as a girl who usually ends up looking like a disco ball from overdoing highlighter, the effect just isn't quite enough for me.
At £28.00 for four high quality powders and an angled brush, I think this is an amazing all in one kit. There are a lot of contour kits out there that come with too many shades that you just don't use, but anyone can get full use out of these four powders. Overall I am absolutely in love with this palette and would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting chiseled cheekbones!

Have you tried this? What are your favourite contour products?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

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Zoeva Rose Golden Eye Set | Review

Zoeva Rose Golden Eye Set*

Have you ever seen a set of make-up brushes this beautiful?! The rose gold packaging, the crisp white bristles, the cute little box it comes in... Zoeva, you know the way to a blogger's heart.

I will never forget the day I ditched my sponge applicators for a real set of make-up brushes. Without sounding dramatic, it really was the day my make-up game changed. Gone are the traumas of patchy foundation and unblended eyeshadow.  Give the artist the right tools and she can create a masterpiece. Give her an eyeshadow kit with a foam brush and, well, you get my failed smokey eye photos circa 2010.

Zoeva are my go-to brand for make-up brushes now as 1) IMO they are just are on par (if not better than) MAC, 2) amazing quality and 3) have no ridiculous shipping/ tax/ importing fees. We don't have a whole lot of options for high quality brushes here in the UK. There's the extremely expensive high end options then the low end but nothing really in between. It's either stick with Real Techniques, shell out £20 a brush at MAC or order online. Zoeva are only about £7.50 shipping fees which to me is worth it given that these brushes work out to barely £4 each in this set. I reach for the 227 blending brush over my MAC 217 which cost me a crazy £17.

So, not only do these brushes look dreamy on my vanity, but they really do the job. Thanks to these brushes I can really get the make-up looks that I want and have complete control over application and blending. You have everything you need (and more) in this kit. My absolute favourites are the 227 for seamless blending, the 231 for packing on colour right into the outer v, and the 238 which allows you to have total accuracy for smoking out the eye with a tiny bit of dark matte shadow. Also, the 332 brow line is one of my favourite brushes - ever - for defining and highlighting my brow bone. It really does take your make-up to the next level.

Overall I can't recommend this kit enough to anyone who wants to up their eyeshadow game. At £50 for 12 brushes it's incredible value compared to high end brands and definitely rivals them in quality. I couldn't imagine doing my make-up without it now.

Have you tried this? Are you a fan of Zoeva?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

Benefit They're Real Push Up Liner & Mascaras - In Colour! Review

Benefit They're Real Liner & Mascara in 'Real Colours'*

We all remember the launch of Benefit's Cult 'They're Real' Push Up liner this time last year. As a lover of the 'They're Real' mascara, I was fully behind the hype of this revolutionary liquid liner set to answer all of our uneven flick woes. It was my first major beauty blogger event in London and I was so excited to one of the first bloggers to hear about it and try it. Armed with my goodie bag I thought about my perfect flicks all of the way home - only to be totally, well, deflated.
 If you're like me and stuck the liner in a drawer to gather dust alongside other disappointing releases, then this might be the time to get reacquainted. There are plenty of reviews of the liner out there, like the mascara, it's a marmite product where bloggers either are head over heels in love or really don't get along with it.
But when the colour range landed on my doorstep I just had to have a play around with them. This liner isn't like any others out there and does require a little bit of patience and getting used to. But trust me, anyone can get the knack of this, and once you've got it, you'll love it. My technique is putting the mirror right under my face and getting right in with the liner against my lash line and using it in small strokes. If you're wanting to drag this across your lid in one line, it's just not going to happen. The formula is amazing but dries really quickly so you don't want to be layering over it, just gliding it on slowly in small movements.
I went for big blue flicks with the mascara and I really loved this ultra dramatic pop-art look that I ended up with. What I really like about this range is that it encourages you to be a bit more creative, but it's really easy to work it in to your usual look. If you're wanting to do something toned down but with a pop of colour, the blue liner is more of a dark navy which makes a really easy alternative to black. The purple is also a really deep colour that is easy to wear but just adds that extra element to your make-up. At first I thought I would never be brave enough to wear these, but actually, it's opened up my mind to a whole new range of colours that usually I wouldn't go near. I'm also loving the green which looks surprisingly neutral and will look so beautiful on brown eyes. The browns are great, too, especially for minimal make-up days. But if I had to pick a favourite, it'd definitely be the electric blue mascara, especially with a plum smokey eye.

Overall I really like this launch and for any Benefit lovers it's a great way to repurchase one of your favourite products but try it out in a whole new range of colours. If you need any more inspiration, just visit a Benefit counter because the girls' takes on the colours just look so beautiful and will get you inspired to try something new with your make-up!

Would you try this? What do you think of the new colour range?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

The Beauty Blogger Made Me Buy It

Nothing does damage to your bank card like your favourite beauty bloggers. Back in late 2013 when I started this blog, I was pretty useless when it came to make up. Trust me, I didn't own a Naked palette until I was 17 and even then I just used to get whatever was on a deal in Boots.  Fast forward to now and make-up is one of my biggest passions with my drawers overflowing with products. Whether it's Suzie's perfect brows over on HelloOctober, Shaanxo's Get Ready With Me videos or Vivianna Does Make-Up's latest review, bloggers are the biggest enablers out there. But are these products worth the hype? Can you always trust what bloggers say? Here are the products that beauty bloggers made me buy...

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation | Full Review 
One of the most loved foundations in the blogosphere, the NARS sheer glow is one that always seems to make its way back onto the top of my make-up pile. You'll have heard the spiel by now - but it's not a sheer foundation at all. It packs decent coverage whilst giving an immaculate glow.

Charlotte Tilbury Film Star Bronze and Glow | Full Review 
My contour obsession knows no limits but the price tag on this is enough to make even your biggest beauty lovers gasp. I bought this with a Christmas gift card and it's one of my most luxury products to date. With its beautiful gold packaging, this is definitely one to get your heart fluttering. The palette is the ultimate power duo of a buttery bronzer and champagne highlight making it perfect for contour newbies. But with my extensive collection, this is a product which is just a little similar to my NARS Laguna bronzer which is the only reason why it doesn't blow me away. Do I love it? Yes. Would I buy it again? Probably not.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit 
It was one of the those nights. Cult Beauty discount code. Bank card within reach. No self control in sight. And the Anastasia Contour Kit was bought. This is brand new to my stash - so I don't want to speak too soon. But it's the ultimate contour kit with the bottom row of three contouring shades and the top row with a setting powder, banana powder, and highlight. Everything you need for a Kim-K contour packed into one pretty expensive palette, basically. Stay tuned for a full review on this!

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer 
The concealer I always come back to in between being a cheap skate and sticking with the Collection 2000 one for a few months. Nothing compares to this. A super creamy formula that highlights underneath the eyes with super high coverage - it's just the concealer that dreams are made of.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush
Life before make-up brushes, those were the dark days.  I'd never used a foundation brush before this (yikes) and it did my skin such a favour. It buffs foundation into the skin seamlessly and will always be my ultimate budget brush. These days I've moved on to Sigma and Zoeva but I always seem to come back to this.

NARS Tinted Moisturiser 
You know those products that you really just want to love, but just don't meet up your expectations? This is one on my list. If you're going to depart with your pennies for a high-end base product, I really just don't see the point in doing it for a tinted moisturiser. This one just didn't pack enough coverage to be worth wearing and turned me into an oily mess. Sorry, NARS.

Anastasia Dip Brow Pomade
Again, this landed with my Cult Beauty haul so I haven't completely made my mind up on this yet. It's not a product I find easy to work with and on lazy days I really can't be bothered. But with the right decision this can really work magic on the brows. Check back for a full review!

Have you tried any of these? Which products have beauty bloggers made you buy?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

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NEW IN | Bourjous Aqua Laque Lipsticks

Bourjois Rouge Edition Aqua Laque Lipsticks* L-R, Babe Idole, Brun'Croyable, Feeling Reddy

Prepare for some serious swooning, because Bourjois have just launched a new lipstick line-up. I always love a new Bourjois launch, so when these landed on my door step I was super excited to give them a whirl!

Aqua Laque is the latest addition to Bourjois' 'Rouge Edition' liquid lipstick range. Last year the Rouge Edition Velvet lipsticks were one of my favourite launches. With their velvety matte finishes and gorgeous shades, they definitely took up a prized spot in my make-up storage and set the bar high. But the Aqua Laque range is on the other end of the lipstick scale. Set to 'break all the rules', the watery formula and high shine finish teeters somewhere between a stain and a gloss.

But don't let the "gloss" word put you off. These aren't the uber shiny, low pigmentation and sticky nightmares you might have tried in the past. Liquid lipsticks are something that just shouldn't work, but somehow, they really, really do. When I first applied them, I made the mistake of whacking it on like your standard creamy lipstick formula. But the liquid can definitely be over done and it's best to apply a little bit of the product then smudge out to leave more of a stain. As a girl who usually prefers mattes, I'm really liking these lipsticks for all-day, no-budge, summer shades.

Unlike the heavier matte finish of the Velvet range, the Aqua Laque is a super light-weight formula that makes you forget you're even wearing lipstick. They last for a good three hours but fade out to a stain so your lips always have a little bit of colour.  With an 8 shade strong range, there's a shade that everyone will love, spanning right from girly pinks to killer reds.  The shades I have are 'Babe Idole' a gorgeous baby pink, 'Brun'Croyable', a classy brown shade with the right amount of red, and 'Feeling Reddy', the perfect fire truck red.

Overall, these lipsticks tick all my boxes and I can definitely see them becoming my go-to for summery lipsticks. Now just let me wear 'Babe Idole' with a Pina Colada on a beach somewhere and we're good to go...

Have you tried these? What do you think of Bourjois' lipsticks?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

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The Red Lipstick That Every Woman Needs

MAC Russian Red

If there's one make-up mantra that I go by,  it's to never underestimate the power of red lipstick. Having one on hand has been a life saver on the many occassions where I've been in need of a serious confidence boost. There's something about a red lip that can take you from binge watching Friends in bed to full on power woman ready to kick life in the ass.
 I've loved red lipstick since discovering Courtney Love, aged 14, when I first embarked on my teenage exploitation of inappropriate make-up choices. Nothing screams teenage rebellion than a bold red lip, right? Despite red being my favourite lipstick colour, when it comes to my favourites, the stash is pretty small. There's plenty that haven't made the cut - but some contenders are the NARS 'Short Circuit' plus an array of the budget Kate Moss x Rimmel shades.
But did you guess the red in question? Of course, it's MAC'S 'Russian Red', a firm beauty blogger favourite and the perfect step to a classic Marilyn red. With its creamy matte finish and blue undertone, it seems to suit every skin tone, making it an easy and classy shade to wear.

What's your favourite red lipstick?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

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Hair Growth Tips That Actually Work

We all want the secret to mermaid hair, right? Well, I've learnt a great deal about hair loss and growth in the past year or so. 2014 was the year of the hair disaster for me. I think I spent about 3/4 of it wearing a hat and the other 1/4 without a hat worrying about how my hair looked. My hair has always been my comfort blanket - so after a period of stress where it came out in clumps, an over layered haircut and bad bleach job, it felt as though I didn't have any of my hair left. When I finally had inches taken off, it seemed that the hair Gods hadn't quite had their fun and threw me some more bad luck.
I made the mistake of leaving in a dry shampoo that was full of metallic salts before getting my roots done. Short version of a long story: the dye sped up, snapped off a huge chunk of the back and left section of my hair, and from there began my hair misery. I tried to joke about it by saying at least my fringe didn't drop off, but humour aside, it sucked. Like really, really, REALLY sucked. Moral of the story? DO NOT GET YOUR HAIR DYED WITH ANY PRODUCTS IN IT, EVER.
Fast forward 9 months, the growth has been excruciatingly slow and I've learnt the sad reality that there is no magic potion on the high street that is going to make your hair grow.
But don't lose faith yet! If I had known a few things beforehand, I would definitely have been able to speed up the process. There are a heap of things you can do to keep your hair in its best condition and encourage growth. Here's what I've learnt after 12 months of hair disasters...

Start With Your Nutrition
What we nourish ourselves with on the inside shows on the outside. If your nutrition isn't great, it will show through your hair. As someone who doesn't eat meat or dairy, it's easy to think you're being healthy whilst actually letting your iron, protein and calcium levels drop, but this can be true for meat eaters too! A lot of us are lacking in essential nutrients like iron or B12. These days I plan what I eat around getting enough iron because it's not only essential for healthy hair but the general running of your body.  I have a green smoothie in the morning with a huge handful of spinach or kale which is loaded with calcium, iron and B vitamins with a spoonful of chia seeds which is also really high in nutrients. I also eat healthy fats like avocados and nuts, use tahini for salad dressings and in hummus, and add cacao to porridge, smoothies and vegan desserts. Yep, that's chocolate that's good for your body and hair, say whaaat?!

Wash it Less and Avoid Using Heat
Okay, I'll let you in on my secret. My hair has never been in better condition than when I went 5 days a week without washing it or using any heat products and wearing a beanie everyday for a few months. Gross? Yep. But did it work? Massively.
Obviously not everyone can be the secret greaseball that I was, but if you want to get your hair back in condition, washing it everyday and loading it up with heavy products is NOT going to make that happen. When your hair is a damaged, using heat is a vicious cycle. You find yourself needing to blow dry it for the volume and heat style it to keep the frizz away. Embracing your natural hair is hard when 1) you already hate it and 2) the condition is making it look terrible. But if you're like me and find it really hard to let your hair dry naturally, a product I'd recommend is the OGX Biotin & Collagen Amplifying Lotion*. I apply this all over my hair and blow it upside down for about 2 minutes and then blow dry my fringe with a Lee Stafford Barrel Brush just to give volume whilst mostly avoiding heat.
If you struggle with frizzy and damaged ends which just call out 'straighten me' then it's really hard to stay away from heat. I've been loving the Lee Stafford's Ubuntu Oils range for smoothing out my hair so that I don't have to straighten out the frizz. My miracle product right now is the Lee Stafford Moisturising Blow Dry Smoothee*. Since using this post-wash I have noticed a huge difference in the overall look and feel of the ends of my hair. Although its designed as a blow dry product, it works miracles on your hair when you let it to dry naturally so that it doesn't frizz up. It seals the cuticles and is loaded with moisturising vitamins and really does work magic.

B12 / Iron / Vitamin D/  Biotin Supplements 
Going back to nutrition, if I could go back in time and hand myself a heap of supplements to take last year, I would. I've stuck to a routine of taking all of these vitamins and supplements everyday and over the past month and a half is when I've really noticed a change in my hair. B12, Iron and Vitamin D deficiencies can all contribute to hair loss, along with anxiety, fatigue, depression and a whole other heap of nasty stuff. As I've been taking Biotin along with all of these, it's hard to say whether it's Biotin that has been making the difference, but given the rave reviews I think it's worth giving a go.

General Haircare
I've come to the conclusion that there is not really a shampoo and conditioner combination on the market that I truly believe works wonders. But three products I always invest in are; a good intensive conditioner, detangling spray and hair oil. I've been going back to the Redken Deep Intensive Conditioner for years, it's loaded up with proteins to repair the hair cuticle and always leaves my hair feeling amazing. I only use it once a week, though, as too much protein sucks the moisture out of your hair and makes it more prone to breakage. My go-to detangler is currently the Breaking Hair Detangling Spray* by Lee Stafford - I just can't get enough of Lee Stafford at the moment and this makes brushing my hair when it's wet so much easier. I always use a tangle teezer and start from the bottoms of my hair and gently brush upwards. As for hair oils, I swear by the Keraste Elixir Ultime* which does everything you'd want from an oil, a pre-shampoo treatment for super coarse hair, a blow dry product to tame frizz and a finishing serum to smooth out dry ends. But of course, nothing beats Moroccan Oil, I love the Glimmer Shine Spray for finishing off my hair.

So there you have my main tips, but the main things I've learnt is eat heaps of spinach, use no heat and take your supplements! 

What are your tips for hair growth?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

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Reasons to Love Roller Lash

Benefit Roller Lash

When it comes to launching a new product, Benefit just get it right. I tend to get sucked into cute marketing campaigns so I wanted to let the hype die down a little bit before giving my review. I've had the little freebie of Roller Lash for quite a while, so now that the Benefit-hysteria is creeping away, my verdict is in...
So let's be straight up, I'm definitely on the side of the beauty blogging fence that does like They're Real. It's one of the most successful mascaras - ever - but isn't a product that everyone seems to get along with.
This is a mascara definitely set to be They're Real's new rival. With it's retro inspired packaging, Roller Lash is inspired by hair curlers and claims to lift and curl the lashes to the point that eye lash curlers aren't needed. Have I ditched the curlers? Nope. They're still an essential in getting my poker straight lashes to keep a curl. But does this product actually do what it claims? I can 100% say that it does!
The first thing I noticed about the mascara is the incredible length that it gives. I don't think I've ever seen my lashes looking so long. And let's be honest, everyone just looks so much prettier with long lashes, right?!
The pink spoolie is smaller than They're Real's and has an angled curl to the brush, so that when applied you can feel the lifting effect it has on the lashes. The tiny hooks seem to grab onto every individual lash and get right into the roots to give a really lifted and lengthened effect. For bonus points - unlike They're Real which requires it's own remover to really get it to budge, this comes off really easily with your average make-up remover. So no panda eyes when you wake up or flakey, itchy lashes!
Overall, I really am in love with this mascara. If I had to be really picky, I don't think that it's as good as They're Real for giving volume. If Benefit ever brought out a mascara that met Roller Lash and They're Real somewhere in the middle, that would be my perfect mascara. But for long, spidery lashes that stay curled all day and isn't a pain to take off - it ticks all of my boxes.

What do you think of Roller Lash?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

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One Step to Killer Cheekbones

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow 

Contouring has to be my favourite part of applying make-up. Ever since the Kim K contouring tutorials hit Youtube, I have been obsessed with the possibilities of lifting and defining my face. As a girl who's lacking in the cheekbone department, any product that allows me to create the illusion of chiseled cheekbones has me swooning. 

The Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow is a product that seems to be dividing beauty blogger's opinions. With its dreamy rose gold packaging and hyped up reviews, I've been wanting to give it a whirl for a seriously long time. I found myself browsing the Charlotte Tilbury counter in London's Selfridges, and armed with a Christmas giftcard that had been burning a hole in my pocket, I finally made the splurge. 

It's fair to say that I've tried my fair share of contouring products - MAC Harmony had always been my go-to for dramatic contour, with the NARS Laguna bronzing powder my favourite for bronzed and sunkissed skin. The first thing I noticed about using the sculpting powder is the buttery texture. It's incredibly easy to blend out and doesn't risk the muddy effect that you get with MAC Harmony, which makes it a product I would definitely recommend to contour newbies. 

Although at first it isn't quite as dramatic as you might expect for an expensive contouring palette, you can definitely build it up to a more sculpted effect. I've been dusting it on with a fluffy brush and then going back in with an angled brush to give a more chiseled look. Either way, this isn't a product that you can screw up with. It stays put throughout the day and doesn't go patchy or muddy like MAC Harmony, the flawless blendabilty is what makes this a new contouring favourite for me.

But it's the highlighting side that really makes this product worth the extra pennies. The highlight is flawless - it's a yellowy golden powder that illuminates the face beautifully. In the pan it looks a lot like the Mary Loumanizer which despite being a great budget highlighter just does not compare to this. It's got the perfect amount of shimmer in it so that it looks more sheen on the skin without giving that awful shiney flashback in photos. With the sculpting powder and highlight paired together, I am just in love with the sunkissed and sculpted look this palette gives. 

If you already have the NARS Laguna powder, would I say the palette is worth it? Probably not. But as I've said, the highlighting side makes the product a winner for me alone.  If you're looking for the perfect contouring and highlighting duo, this is definitely a palette I would recommend. But after all, a girl can never have too many palettes... Right?

Have you tried this? What are your favourite products?

Lydia Rose,

xoxo

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