A quicker way to make hair grow?

I am always on some mission or another. The first was to sort my skin out which I finally seem to have done (blog post soon to follow), and now my next mission is to try speed up the growth of my hair as I am so sick of having short hair. Typing this now I feel rather stupid as I know that there is nothing that will make my hair grow ridiculously quickly, but I have heard that certain things can help it a little bit, and even if I can make it grow a little bit more quickly, I am willing to try it. The other reason for me trying out these products is because I have noticed that my hair has become a lot thinner recently. I have always had fine hair but a lot of hair, so it always appeared thick. But since being on oratane for my skin, I have noticed my hair getting thinner. I believe oratane is the reason for this as it is one of the (less-common) side effects listed. I did not have this problem the last time I was on oratane, but then again, I have been experiencing symptoms this time around that I did not experience the last time. There are other possible reasons for my hair thinning so it might not be oratane. Who knows!

Anyway, so I'm hoping these products can help in some way or another. I did some research and apparently biotin (vitamin H) and coconut oil are both associated with helping hair growth, and biotin also apparently helps with thinning hair and it also is good for your nails. The only downside is that a number of reviewers said that taking biotin supplements made their skin break out. Luckily for me I am on oratane, so hopefully I shouldn't have a problem with that.

So I am taking 2 Prosana capsules a day, which are high in biotin. I am also using Palmer's coconut oil on my hair from time to time. I massage it into my scalp and hair in the evening and wash it out in the morning. The only downside I have found with this so far is that I found it quite difficult to wash all of the oil out. So in future I will use it only on my scalp and not only the entire length of my hair.

So I will let you know if I notice any differences in the length/thickness/strength of my hair, and also if there is any change in my nail growth/strength.

Love M xxx

P.S. Sorry for the bad quality pics. I took them with the camera on my phone.

Update: Redken hair care products

A few weeks ago I mentioned in a blog post (find it here) that I had bought a few new Redken hair products and I thought it was time to let you know my thoughts on these products.

I have definitely fallen in love with all of these products, especially the Extreme Anti-Snap treatment. That stuff is truly amazing!  Since using the All Soft shampoo and conditioner and the anti-snap treatment, I have definitely noticed a change in my hair – it is softer, less bird’s nest, less frizzy and just so much more lovely. I actually started noticing a change very soon after starting to use these products.

Redken are more expensive than regular shop-bought hair products, but I can see why and I am willing to pay those prices for the results that I am getting. I go through conditioner really quickly, but the shampoo seems to go quite far and I definitely won’t have to repurchase the treatment anytime soon because a little goes a long way, which makes it even more worth the price.

So I am loving my recent purchases but am always keen to try out other products so let me know your holy grail of shampoos, conditioners etc.

Love M xx

Garnier BB cream - finally!

I am so excited!

After reading copious amounts of reviews on how amazing the Garnier BB cream is, I am finally going to get my hands on it! You see, it is not available in South Africa yet. When a product is released in the UK, it usually takes a while to come here. I was just going to wait until that day finally arrived, but luckily I haven’t had to. My parents have just arrived in the UK on holiday and my mother has bought me the Garnier BB cream on a three for two special. Yay! So hopefully it will be just as amazing as all the reviews say it to be because when my parents return in a few weeks, I will have three tubes of the stuff (my sister will probably want to try one too, so actually only two). Anyways, so I am really excited and will let you know my thoughts when the stuff arrives J

Lv M xx

My two new Elizabeth Arden products

Hi all :)

I have recently bought/acquired two Elizabeth Arden products (my first ever), and I am very happy with them. The first is a Colour Intrigue Effects Lipstick in 03 mango cream.

My mom gave this to me as she had bought it and I was constantly using it whenever I saw her because it is just such a beautiful colour and I feel it really gives my face a lovely pop of colour. So that is my current lipstick of choice at the moment. As with all lipsticks I don't find it stays on that long, but it is definitely more moisturising than most lipsticks I have tried which makes it a winner in my books!

The second product is the Eight Hour Cream Sun Defence for Face SPF 50.

I got a few samples of this in a goodie bag a few weeks ago and I really liked it. It has currently replaced my Clinique City Block as I find this doesn't make my skin as oily as that one does even though both of these products are oil-free. I love the consistency of this cream and the feeling of it on my face. The only thing I do not like is the smell. Some reviews say it smells citrusy. I am not sure about that. It is not a terrible smell but it is just not my favourite smell. However, I find the smell goes away as soon as I start rubbing it into my face, so I am not too concerned.

Let me know if there are any other Elizabeth Arden products I should be checking out :)

Lv M xx

Mini beauty haul

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all having a fab weekend. I just wanted to do a quick post on a mini-haul I did on Thursday. 

My hair has been looking a bit dry and sad recently so I thought I would treat it to some proper salon products, so I picked up Redken All Soft shampoo and conditioner, as well as Redken Extreme Anti-Snap treatment. Whilst I have used Redken before and love the products, I have never used these specific products before, but Laura and Pammy’s blog posts made me decide to give these a try. After one use I am already seeing a difference, but I will do a full follow up blog post on all of these products at a later stage.

I also bought my tried and tested, and all time favourite treatment, Lee Stafford ‘For Hair That Never Grows Past a Certain Length’.  This product is amazing and you can see my previous blog post on it here.

I also bought Clarins Blue Orchid face oil. I use this when my skin is dry and it is a wonder product.

Lastly I bought NYX Felt Tip Liner in dark brown for eyes. I use their black pen eyeliner and have wanted to get a brown one to use for daytime.

 Hope you all have a great week :)

Lv M xx

Versatile Blogger Award

I am feeling super happy right now because the lovely Kaylie from http://pinkporcelain87.blogspot.com has awarded me with the versatile blogger award! I honestly feel so honoured especially because I am a new blogger. It is such a nice feeling to know that people enjoying reading my blog :) So thank you Kaylie! :)

These are the rules for the Versatile Blogger Award:

1. Nominate 15 fellow bloggers who are relatively new to blogging*
2. Let them know that you have nominated them.
3. Share 7 random facts about yourself.
4. Thank the Bloggers that have nominated you.
5. Add the Versatile Blogger Award picture to your blog post.

*I am doing only 10 as I am new to this and don't have that many blogs that i follow just yet

So, 7 random facts about me:

1) I love Days of Our Lives. I know that it is soapie rubbish but I just find it so relaxing to come home after a day's work and watch some mindless television where I don't have to think ;)

2) I am qualified make-up artist with an Honours Degree in Psychology who is currently working as a grade 5 teacher. Kinda random mix, i know! 

3) I am really shy and don't like the attention to be on me. i am much happier to blend into the crowd.

4) I don't like animated movies.

5) I have one tattoo and might get another one. I used to have my nose pierced but grew out of that phase rather quickly.

6) I love to bake and like to think that I'm not too bad at it either.

7) My favourite places in the world are Amsterdam, Lisbon and of course Cape Town (where I live) :)

Blogs that I nominate:

http://brownsboutique.blogspot.com/

http://pinkteddylove.blogspot.com/

http://hattieshideaway.blogspot.com/

http://dollymix962.blogspot.com/

http://aspirationsofglam.blogspot.com

http://www.louiselovesit.com/

http://futilitiesandmore.blogspot.com/

http://www.stylesocoy.com/
http://amandarose27.blogspot.com/
http://kaileentowery.blogspot.com/

Please check out these awesome blogs :)


Lv M xx

Skin care

I am not a huge fan of my skin. Not only is it extremely sensitive and becomes red and blotchy at the slightest touch, but it is also combination with an oily T-zone, so I always have to use oil-free make-up products, and then I still tend to look like an oil-slick. On top of that I used to suffer from acne when I was teenager, but then had beautifully clear skin after a course of Roaccutane. However, thanks to that lovely thing called hormones, I once again am suffering from it (definitely not as bad as before, hardly bad actually, but still just enough that it’s upsetting). Aah, I just can’t win!

So I have to use products that are designed for sensitive skin because otherwise my skin gets irritated and becomes blotchy and is more likely to breakout. I have found the perfect products that seem to be working for me. So if you have the same problems as me, give these a try.

My routine is as follows:

Morning routine:

Morning (from left to right): Clarins Extra Comfort Toning Lotion, Clarins Extra Comfort Cleansing Cream, Innoxa  Gentle Moisturising Lotion, Clarins Multi Active Day Cream

I wash my face with Clarins Extra Comfort Cleansing Cream. This is a super gentle product as it is from their dry/sensitive range.  You put some on your hands and warm it up by rubbing your hands together, and then gently pat it onto a dry face and then rinse off.  I then follow this with my toner which is the Clarins Extra Comfort Toning Lotion (this is also from their dry/sensitive range). I have previously found toners to make my skin feel tight after use, as though they are drying out my skin, but this one doesn’t. I end off with either my Clarins Multi Active Day Cream or Innoxa Gentle Moisturising Lotion.  I use my Clarins moisturiser when my skin is feeling more thirsty/dry. It is a lovely product and makes my skin feel amazing. It also is a wrinkle prevention cream, which is not the worst thing to have. I use my Innoxa moisturiser when my skin is being its normal combination self, which is most days. I have been using the Clarins cream more because my sky has been drier lately. The reason for this is because my dermatologist has put me on a super low dose of Oratane, which is like Roaccutane, to sort out my minor problem of hormonal acne. I hate the word acne; it makes things sound worse than they are. Basically I have some blemishes that just won’t sort themselves out.

Clarins Multi Active Day Cream

Evening routine:

I wash off the day using Innoxa Gentle Triple-Action Gel Wash. All the Innoxa products I use are from their sensitive range, so they are all really gentle on my skin. This gel-wash is soap free and just so lovely. I follow with my Clarins toner. I then use Estee Lauder Idealist Illuminator, which you are meant to use under your moisturiser. I follow with my Clarins or Innoxa moisturiser.

Evening (from left to right): Innoxa Gentle Triple Action Gel Cleanser, Clarins Extra Comfort Toning Lotion, Estee Lauder Idealist Illuminator, Innoxa  Gentle Moisturising Lotion, Clarins Multi Active Day Cream 

I truly love all of these products. I know Clarins is quite expensive but I am willing to pay for their products because I think they are worth the money. I know that Innoxa is a South African brand, so I am not sure if you can get them in other countries

I have only recently started using the Estee Lauder Idealist Illuminator. It was recommended to me by my cousin (who has gorgeous skin I might add). Apparently it helps brighten the skin, dull redness, reduce the appearance of acne scars and discolouration. I don’t have any of that except for the redness and that is why I thought I would give it a try. My skin has been looking better but I don’t know if that is because of this product or because of the Oratane. I have noticed a slight reduction in the amount of redness in my skin and I do love the way this product feels on my face after I’ve just put it on (my skin feels really smooth). It is very expensive so I will finish what I have and then see what my skin looks like without using it. If I notice a difference, I will buy it again. But so far so good!

If you have any products (skincare or make-up) that you would recommend for sensitive skin, then please let me know. I would love to hear your comments.

Lv M xx

PS. I am not sponsored by any of these companies, I just happen to love their products :)