Review: Macadamia Oil

Absolutely months and months ago in the February JolieBox I received a sample sachet of the Macademia Oil Deep Repair Masque.

For some reason I rarely use hair products even though I own loads of them and so this has taken me a while to get around to using.

I have however had really dry hair that's felt really brittle and just generally not nice, so I routed around in my collection to find it and test it out.

Firstly, as I've had this for so long I only have the one photo which is pretty lame so I apologise for that. I thought I had more and used it and threw it out so I'll try not to babble on too much!

I'd heard great things about this sachet, not just about the contents but that fact that the sachet was so big it allowed you to have multiple applications of the product, which is always lovely as using something once can be misleading.

I managed to get 2 applications out of this as I have really long hair and slapped in on all over my head.

I could have got 3 if say, I'd concentrated it on the ends which is what I would normally have done if my hair hadn't felt so dire.

The other thing I'd heard was that it was a fabulous product that really worked.

Having never tried Argan oil or Moroccan oil before I had nothing to compare it to aside from other hair masks, and I have to say this is one of the best ones I've ever tried.

The mask felt really nice on my hair to being with, not too runny it ran onto my face but easy enough to spread around my entire head covering all of my hair. I've no idea how long I left it for but I showered and scrubbed etc in the shower meaning it was on for around 10 minutes.

My hair instantly felt softer and smoother after washing it out and after drying with my hair dryer as normal it felt in much better condition. I used the other half of the sachet 5 days later in an attempt to improve the condition further and keep the softness there and it worked a treat!

I would buy this in a heartbeat, especially as Cheap Smells have the entire range, with a huge 500ml pot of this retailing at £24 instead of the RRP of £36, bargain!

If this sounds a lot to you then let me explain, the sachet was 30ml meaning 15ml for each application for longer hair.

The 500ml tub contains 33 full applications working out at 72p each.

Pretty hard to say no to that isn't it??

I'm in love!

L xxx

When L told me she had this in her joliebox I was so envious. I adore the Macadamia products. My hair dresser introduced me to the range probably two and half to three years ago, the salon used this mask as a treatment. I also used to add this on when I went there and pick up this sachets.

It leaves your hair feeling so soft, manageable and really helps improve the condition. Unlike L I'm a hair mask  lover. I've tried my fair share. I'm currently using the Lee Stafford for hair that doesn't grow treatment (not entirely convinced it works but can't stop using it now I've started in case it does)

This product also smells amazing. I should add her I'm blonde and have never had problems with it and my hair dresser used it on me, as I did read in some posts people had been told it's not suitable for blonde hair.

The Macadamia healing oil treatment is amazing as well. Its on cheap smells for £13.68. Which is such a bargain. This bottle is 125ml and lasted me 6 months when I had it. It is by fair the best oil I have tried. Recently I've been trying cheaper versions to try and save myself  money and they aren't as good. While L has found it as this bargain price I'll be ordering. It'll work out at just £2.50 a month. Bargain.

Have you tried the Macadamia Range? I love it!!

Love M

xxx

Review: Origins Out of Trouble mask

So following my massive haul from America (post here) I've been using this like its water.

Origins Out of Trouble 10 Minute mask to Rescue Skin is a thick white mask that you apply for 10 minutes before washing off with a muslin cloth.

As I've mentioned many many many times before my skin has been playing up no end the past few months.

It's always been oily but for some reason has decided to become dry and giving me some marvelous breakouts, some of which are acne standard.

I manage to cover these up with make up but clearly this doesn't help the problem at all!

So I've been using this mask once or twice a week to help clear my skin of blemishes.

My normal routine is to cleanse my skin using Liz Earle C&P and then apply this whilst watching a film, reading, doing uni work etc.

It really does help to mop up excess oil, the cooling sensation and tingling helps calm any redness around spots and has managed to clear some spots completely in the time I've left it on for.

They recommend you leave it on for 10 minutes, I'd say do this as a minimum.

I often leave mine on for 30 minutes to ensure my skin has been cleansed as much as possible and think leaving it on for longer does work, and definitely doesn't cause any harm!

This contains Zinc oxide, Sulphur, Camphor and Salicylic acid so is a dream for problem skin!

I really can't rave about this enough.

I often follow it with the Drink Up Intensive mask to hydrate the areas of my skin that have been drier recently for a face mask double whammy though I only do this once a week max!

As you can see from the last picture the mask is thick and white which means when you apply it you probably don't want to be around anyone ;)

Have you tried this mask before? Do you love it as much as me?

It won't give you miraculously amazing skin after one use, but it was definitely cool redness, mop up oil and reduce the size and swelling of spots.

What other masks do you use? I've used so much of this I will NEED more....soon!

L xxx

A/W NOTD: Nails Inc's Victoria

After rooting around in my nail varnish box, I found this old Autumn/Winter favourite from Nails Inc.

It hasn't been used much, mainly as the job I had up until the beginning of this year was working with food and so wearing nail varnish is a huge no no!
So I was limited to wearing it when going out and I normally went for a metallic or glitter.

This year I will be making full use of the opportunity to wear whatever nail polish I like!

As I had my MSc presentation this week, I decided to dress up smart (charcoal wide leg trousers and a black blouse, then I added my studded pumps to mix it up a bit!)

This obviously also included my nails!

It was the perfect opportunity to keep things simple with a dark classic colour, so I went for Victoria.

I have loved the colour of this when I've worn it especially as I never thought I'd like it.

With a top coat on you can see what a gorgeous deep red brown it is and how super shiny it can look!

The colour from the bottle barely does it justice.

I can see myself wearing this a lot over the coming months as its so classic it will go with everything.

Do you own Victoria? Are you a lover or hater? 

I'm really looking forward to winter as it's my favourite.

I love summer clothes but as we rarely get the good weather I ADORE winter clothes for being able to wear them!

Jumpers, jeans, boots, scarfs i love them all!

I'm going to be doing a series of A/W inspired nail colours now that I can wear them all without being told off by my boss!

What's your favourite thing about winter?

L xxx

Bloggers Unite to Lose Weight - America this

Hey All

My first proper post since my holiday. I had lots scheduled for when I was away so posts would still go up on my days off. My holiday was amazing. I think I will do a nosey photo post of it soon as I love looking at people's photos. 

This was the gorgeous view I was greeted with when I arrived at the hotel. I love the moody sky.

Breakfast Day 1 part 1

So the past two weeks I've been eating what I want. I'd said in previous posts I was going to restrict myself on holiday as it's a holiday and it's America. Full of naughty food treats and boy did I go all out on the food. Who can resist pancakes for breakfast. Especially American ones. I didn't spend much holiday laid down and spent 6 full days out of 7 at the parks so I did walk a lot and swim a bit too.

Day 1 part 2

While there I had 3 breakfasts like this

So the bad news. Over the past two weeks I've gained 4 and a half lbs. Not too bad could have been worse and I'm thinking positive that I've still lost 9lbs in 9 weeks. 

This had to happen Chilli Cheese Fries (best thing ever) and spicy chicken (I did eat the celery)

Diet wise now I'm back calorie counting starts again tomorrow (my food shop gets delivered tonight). I'm going to be upping my weekly calories to 1500 ish now during the week and sensible but what I want food at the week. I'm hoping this will give me the best of both worlds, with tasty meals, not feeling deprived and still losing a small amount like 1/2lb a week. I think this will more be easy to stick to.

The most beautiful steak I've ever had

I will be back to logging my food on MyFitnessPal (if you have it send me your name.) I love this app. It's brilliant and I don't think I'd have stuck so long at my weight loss with out it. It makes tracking what you eat so easy and there are lots of lovely people around for inspiration on bad days.

Roast beef, cheese and gravy Man V Food style sandwich

Exercise weight I'm unsure of at the moment. My knees are back hurting lately so a trip to the Doctors is needed when I get round to it. I really need to motivate myself to exercise in the flat. Especially as winter is drawing in and running when it's dark around by me isn't the safest.

The Last Day meal

Winter makes it hard but I'm thinking lots of tasty soups and warming meals from The Hairy Dieters book. I'm going to do a chilli, ginger and butternut squash  and a minestrone soup this week so I'll try and include those recipes next week aswell.

Washed down with a mint choc chip ice cream

I also need to be better at resisting the Starbucks at uni, not only is it a waste of money it's not great calorie wise even though I do go skinny. I also need to get my partner back out of his Domino's addiction. A low calorie pizza recipe would be appreciated if anyone has one.

My gorgeous hand luggage!! How cute is this. Just had to share it.

Hope you are all doing well. Sorry for the photos of my naughty food from holiday if your diets are going well. As you can see I fully went for it. What are your winter weight loss tips?

Love M

xxx