Review: V05 Miracle Concentrate Elixir with Argan Oil

I randomly discovered this last week and decided to give  it a go! I just thought I'd share my thoughts on it with you all. Just for reference, I have very long (desperately in need of a cut!) dark hair which is very straight and tends to get greasy easily. I don't use a conditioner in the shower as I find it weighs down my hair too much. I'm quite lucky in that I don't get split ends or frizz so I usually just use an Aussie leave in conditioner spray in the lengths of my hair after I've washed it. 

Product: V05 Miracle Concentrate


Price: £4.99 from Superdrug or at other V05 stockists (prices will vary) - I got mine on offer in Superdrug for £2.99


Description: "Restorative power of an Elixir in its most potent form. Intensive leave in treatment"


What's Good About It?
I like this - I was initially frightened that it would make my hair really greasy and limp looking but it actually just makes it look healthier and shiny. It even seems a bit thicker than it usually does. You don't have to use very much, I've tried to show how much I use in the photo above, and it's easy to get the product out with the dropper. 


What's Disappointing?
I would say that I probably can't use this every time I wash my hair as I have found that it does make it become greasy more quickly. I not to wash my hair every day but feel with this product I do have to wash it every day. This criticism is only relevant to me or others with a similar hair type. I'd imagine this product could be used after every wash if you are someone who has dry, curly or frizz prone hair.


Overall Score & Comment: 7/10 - I think this is really worth trying. You can't go wrong if it's less than a fiver!

Have you tried this or any similar products?

Stace xx

Review/Overview of My Current Moisturisers - Origins, Clean & Clear and Embryolisse

I have three different moisturisers that I use depending on what my skin is like. My skin is combination and I am prone to breakouts, mostly on my chin (these are 'hormonal' apparently...) and sometimes get pimples in my T-zone area if I use a product that doesn't agree with my skin.


Previously I was using Dior Hydra Life Pro Youth Sorbet and was pleased with it but at £41 for 50ml it was pretty pricey and I did find that my cheeks were still a little dry from time to time.


Now I use a combination of the following...

L-R: Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre, Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturiser, Origins VitaZing

Product: Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentre

Price: £17 for 75ml from cocobeau.co.uk

Description: "Moisturising and nourishing care product for a smooth and elastic, supper and soft skin. Apply to clean, dry skin in the mornins and/or evening. Spread gently and leave to penetrate"

What's Good About It?

This is great for moisturising any dry areas on my face and it doesn't break me out in my T-zone. It claims to be a good base for make up and this is somewhat true but only on the drier parts of my face. I tend to use a different primer on oily areas over the top of this moisturiser. I tend to use this more often at night if I've used the Origins VitaZing in the morning. If I've used the Clean & Clear at night, I'll use the Embryolisse in the morning to put some extra moisture back into my skin. I like that it comes in a tube too, it's much more hygienic.

What's Disappointing?

I'm pretty pleased with this product so I don't have too much to complain about. I guess it is a bit more difficult to track down because you have to purchase it online.

Overall Score/Comment: 9/10 - I will definitely repurchase this and I think for the price, it's definitely worth it.

Product: Clean & Clear Dual Action Moisturiser 


Price: £3.46 for 100ml from Boots (available from most other chemists and supermarkets which stock Clean & Clear - prices will vary)


Description: Clean & Clear® Dual Action Moisturiser combines oil-free moisturisers which won’t clog pores with a proven spot-fighting ingredient to help prevent spots and blemishes.


What's Good About It?
I use if I have spots and only then. I don't use this every day because it would dry out my skin too much and also because I don't want my skin to get used to it as I feel that would make it less effective as a spot treatment. It reduces the redness of any angry looking spots so it does what it says on the tin. I can't say whether or not it prevents blemishes as I only use it when I get spots. It makes my face feel a little tingly and personally, I like that because it makes me feel that it's working. I usually only use this at night unless I have a bad spot in the morning in which case I'll use it then too.


What's Disappointing?
I can't really complain about this product as it does what it claims it will do. I suppose I wouldn't recommend using it all the time as I don't think it's moisturising enough.


Overall Score & Comment: 8/10 - I will always have a tube of this! It's unbeatable for the price and works for me.

Product: VitaZing SPF 15 Energy Boosting Moisturizer

Price: £25 for 50ml from Debenhams and other Origins stockists

Description: "Your skin hasn't a care in the world when stimulating Ginkgo Extract, firming Birch Extract and nourishing Soybean Oil fortify it with everything it needs to face the day in a positive way."

What's Good About It?

It's a nice daily moisturizer and makes a good base for most sorts of foundations (I wouldn't use it along with a really matte foundation as I think my face would look too flat - I'm not a huge fan of a matte finish!). It does seem to even out my skin tone slightly and there have been times when I have good skin that I just put a bit of MAC's MSF Natural on top. 

What's Disappointing?

I bought this because of all the hype and I don't think it's completely lived up to my expectations. Don't buy this to use as a tinted moisturiser as it, in my opinion, doesn't give any coverage. 

Overall Score & Comment: 6/10 - I like this as a moisturiser and like how it evens out my skin tone but I don't think I like it enough to buy it again.

Phew! I hope you found that interesting or at least a little bit useful!

Do you use any of these products? What do you think of them?

Stace xx

Heavenly Havaianas

I picked up a pair of Havaianas a couple of months ago in TK Maxx for around £8 - £10. They look like this:

Havaianas Top in Red

These are brilliant flip flops. I've pretty much lived in them since I've had them which is unusual for me as I don't really like clothing or shoes with brand logos on. They are *so* comfortable! I wear flip flops a lot so I don't have issues with pain from wearing toe posts but the pairs I was buying from Primark, Dorothy Perkins or Topshop were always wearing down on the soles and it felt as though I was just walking barefoot. The soles of the Havaianas haven't worn away or moulded to my feet so they're just as they were when I bought them and I'm sure I'll have them for years to come! 

I'd like to have a few more colours in the style I currently have as well as possibly a pair of the 'Slim' style and a pair from the 'Fit' range. Here are some of the pairs I'm lemming:

Havaianas Fit in Black (£25)

Havaianas Top in Navy Blue (£16)

Havaianas Top in Grey Atmosphere (£16)

I couldn't find a colour in the 'Slim' style that I really liked but I do like how they look so I will watch out for new colours!

I realise £16 seems expensive for a pair of simple flip flops; I used to think that too. But they really are totally worth the money! Especially if you're lucky enough to live somewhere sunnier than Glasgow!

What do you think? Are you a fan of Havaianas too?

Stace xx

NOTD: OPI - Suzi Says Feng Shui

(BarryM Base/Top Coat, two coats of Suzi Says Feng Shui, Sally Hansen Mega Shine Top Coat)

I really should wear this more because I love the colour but as you can see from the photos, I always get a lot of tip wear very quickly. This photo was taken after less than a day of wear and I didn't do anything too hardcore to cause this! Maybe I should have added a third coat. I will continue to go back to this shade though; it's the perfect mid-blue creme with a tinge of teal. Scrummy!

Do you like it? Or is this shade a no-no for you? 

Stace xx

Review: Dior Diorshow Black Out Mascara

I've held on to this mascara for much longer than I should have so I'm forcing myself to throw it out. Before I do, I thought I'd share my thoughts on it with you!

Brush Close Up

The Wand

Product: Diorshow Black Out Mascara

Price: £22 at Debenhams

Description: "Dior reinvents mascara by incorporating pro techniques into one ingenious product. Courtesy of Black Fix Complex - a unique blend of deeply saturated pigments - this creamy formula is the first to reproduce the intensity of kohl. Thickening powder adds staying power, while an Arabic gum extract provides a perfect charcoal-like finish and adds to its incredible resistance. Spectacularly intense!"

What's Good About It?

I do like how it makes my lashes look. This mascara definitely makes them look super black and gives them plenty of extra volume. The packaging is nice and the wand, although pretty large, wasn't difficult for me to use. Some people complain about the brush but I didn't have any problems with it.

What's Disappointing?

I have to say, I was disappointed with this mascara. Despite liking the look it gave my lashes, I found it smudged *so* much. Considering it's supposed to have great staying power, this is my main criticism of this product. I liked the look this gave me for nights out but always ended up coming home with mascara half way down my face. I thought it was just because nights out tend to be more sweaty but I tried this mascara several times during the day too and still had lots of smudging. This is the worst mascara I've used in terms of smudging so I was pretty miffed considering it was also the most expensive mascara I've ever bought. 

Overall Score & Comment: 5/10 - I love the effect but I can't deal with the smudging issue! If you want to try this mascara, I'd definitely suggest seeking out a sample size first so you can see if it smudges badly for you.

Have you tried this mascara? Did you love it? Hate it?

Stace xx