Disappointing Products

Generally if I don't like a product I can make it work for me by using it in another way, but occasionally I buy or receive something that really doesn't live up to my expectations or to its claims. I've been compiling this list for a little while which is why a few of the products have gone to different homes already, but each of the products below just really haven't been my cup of tea. [Apologies again for the slightly below par photos- I'm in between selling my old camera and buying a new one, so I'm still using my phone for a bit]

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water (£4.99)

I was really excited to see this Micellar Water on offer at Superdrug, as I thought it was the highstreet cleansing water everyone was talking about. But as I quickly found out, the one with the good reviews is actually the Loreal version! 

This Garnier version is not for me at all- it does a pretty bad job of removing foundation and concealer, leaving me either tugging at my skin or using about 5 cotton pads and even then I can't remove everything. For eye shadow it's not bad but it's useless for waterproof mascara (I never wear non waterproof) and it's like trying to rub it off using actual water. I've lost countless eyelashes (and my patience) trying to get everything off my face using this, but as it's a huge bottle I just want to finish it, so I've been using it liberally on my face and I'm back to Simple wipes just for eyes. I can't comment on how it performs with normal mascara, but if you use a long wearing foundation and waterproof eye makeup I would stay away.

Dove Refresh+Care Dry Shampoo (£4.59)

This is OK as a volumising product but it's not my first choice for dirty or greasy hair. It's quite wet when first sprayed out of the can and when I rub it in it feels a bit sticky. This dry shampoo doesn't have that very powdery grey look that others do, and it gives my hair some shine without really weighing it down, but the shine of greasy hair is usually what I want to remove when using a dry shampoo! 

I've been using it on clean hair to get a bit of volume without the matte look, but for dirty hair its a thumbs down from me.

Lumie Bodyclock Starter 30 (£59.95) (not pictured as I sold it on, £60 ain't cheap for an alarm clock you don't like!)

I bought this in the winter as I've noticed over the past few years I tend to feel particularly down from about October until the weather starts warming up again. Add to that dark mornings and an inability to get out of the bed at the best of times and you've got trouble on your hands! This clock houses a daylight SAD bulb and has a sunset and sunlight alarm which is designed to wake you up by mimicking natural light and make you a bit more cheery.

I found the clock quite difficult to set, the buttons are very loud and the actual face that shows the time kept me awake it was so bright (thankfully that was dimmable). You can use the light as a 'normal' daylight lamp during the day and it does give off a nice bright glow, but the light slowly fades and then suddenly turns itself off every 30 minutes or so. The biggest problem for me was that it made no difference to the time or mood in which I got out of bed. Sometimes it was pretty annoying to be woken up with a bright light, other times I slept through it completely!

I read a lot of good reviews before buying, but if I was to buy another product this autumn/winter it would be a simple light box as I think that would be easier, more useful and probably cheaper too.

Avon Colortrend Chopsticks Eyeliner in Night Star (£3.50)

Can we take a second to talk about the name of this eyeliner- chopsticks? What have they got to do with my eyes? Anyway, I thought this would be similar to a dark grey kajal eyeliner, but the pigmentation is quite poor and its difficult to get a precise looking line with the chunky tip. I use this if I'm in a mega hurry- I apply it messily then rub it in to give a little bit of definition, but I was hoping for something much darker and less glossy.

Vita Liberata PHenominal 2 Week Tan* (£37.50)

I have to admit I have only used this once as I was so disappointed with the results I didn't want to try again. This tan is designed to last up to two weeks- you apply two coats with a shower in between and watch in amazement as your tan fades evenly over the next 14 days. 

Well, the first coat went fine, the second coat was also fine after showering until I woke up the next day with marks everywhere! I had rings round my ankles where my socks had been, white streaks down my arms and an actual white hand print on my leg where someone had squeezed my knee! I was pretty unimpressed and I scrubbed it off that evening, so it's been sitting in my cupboard ever since. 

If you've tried this and had good results then let me know because I've heard good reviews and I don't know what I could have done wrong!

Barry M Waterproof Gel Eyeliner in No.4 White (£5.49)

I've been looking around for a light colour that will stay in my waterline but that isn't shimmery, and when I came across the affordable Barry M waterproof white eyeliner I thought it would be perfect. I like the design of the bottle- there's a brush in the lid which you upturn and clip in to give a long brush handle, and the pot of liner unscrews from the bottom. 

The product, however, is very dry and appears quite lumpy, almost moussey. That makes it very difficult to get a nice smooth line, and the lumps are very apparent in the waterline unless you apply it very thickly which obviously doesn't look right as its an unnatural bright white. It does seem last to last reasonably well in the eye but that's only when you've spent ages applying, wiping off and reapplying in order to get something that looks kind of ok. This product definitely need to be creamier as even on the back of my hand it looks like I've drawn a line in waxy art pastel.

W7 Style Eyes Brow and Lash Shaping Gel* (£1.99) (not pictured, in bin)

This is a decent sized tube of clear mascara, but unfortunately it's a very wet product and doesn't have much hold. I have quite unruly brows and this made them feel a bit sticky until it dried but didn't do a good job of holding them in place. W7 have some great products that I've written about in the past, but unfortunately this isn't one of them.

Cocoa Brown Day and Night Tan (£7.99)

As I've said in previous posts I love the 1 Hour Tan and I love the dark version even more, but this product didn't live up to my expectations. It's designed as a tan that you can wear on a night out, then wash off in the morning leaving more of a 'day time' colour. 

I found the guide colour (the 'night' colour) really dark, much darker than I would wear outside as I'd be worried about accidental runs or smears, and I didn't think it was a very natural shade on me. On washing off, I thought I'd be left with a colour similar to the 1 Hour Tan, but the shade was so light in comparison to the guide colour that it looked like it hadn't done anything at all. 

The formula is very nice- silky, moisturising and non streaky, and I'm sure it works well for people who like wash off tan, but I was expecting to get a darker end colour after spending the time on a full body application.

Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream* (full size £20)

This might be great for people with ageing undereyes or wrinkles, but for me it makes the skin around my eyes feel uncomfortably tight. Whether I use it during the day or at night, I'm not keen on the taught feeling it gives and I feel like I want to plump and soften my eye area, not try to shrink it.

Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder in Fair (£7.99)

Finally, this setting/face powder from Revlon- after swatching the three available shades in my local Boots I settled on Fair which, after double checking swatches online, I believe is the lightest shade. As I wear fake tan I'm not super pale, but I've found this powder so dark that after using it all over one day, I came home and was horrified to see how orange my face looked! The Fair shade is darker than my other setting powders in the pan so I don't know if it's that along with an oxidisation problem, but I'm really not sure how they can call this the lightest shade.

I bought this after seeing Mikhila from Miss Budget Beauty talk about it, and she also frequently mentions that she's quite pale, so maybe they have reformulated or mine just has the wrong label? If you also have this powder please let me know as it's such a nice formula but mine is orange!

What disappointing products have you tried recently?

Going To a Wedding? Stay Fashionable Without Spending A Lot!

Are you attending a wedding? How exciting! A wedding is a beautiful occasion where two people celebrate finding the love of their life and want to share that time with friends and family. As a wedding guest or even part of the wedding entourage, it can be a little scary to know what’s appropriate. It can be even more difficult if you are working with a small budget. 

You will be surprised that some people would go as far as applying for wedding loans just so they have enough spending money for the upcoming occasion. This way, they are confident that they are appropriately dressed and fashionable. The good news is, you can still be fashionable without breaking the bank or applying for unnecessary loans. Here’s how:

1. The outfit

It’s important to know how “dressy” you should be when attending the wedding. For sure, most couples would stipulate the expected attire somewhere on the invitation. If not, it is perfectly appropriate to call and ask the wedding hosts. If you already have something in your closet, then don’t feel the need to go buy anything special. If not, see if you might be the same size as a fashion forward friend and borrow something. 

Last, you might be able to find something perfect at a thrift store or a recycled clothing store that specializes in name brands. You can find great ideas here. Remember, for the most part the other guests will be looking at the bridal party, so don’t worry too much!

2. The gift

We live in an age where everyone already has everything they need, so you have to resist the urge to go big. Buying something meaningful or making something personal will mean a lot more than a new food processor. 

If your budget is on the smaller side, you might opt for a handmade gift. Use your talents and create a one-of-a-kind item for the happy couple. If you aren't artistic, then you could do something personal and put together a recipe book of favourite dishes from the couple’s friends and family. These gifts don’t have to be expensive to be beautiful and cherished. Looking for great gift ideas? Check this out.

3. Skip the gift

No, you shouldn't skip the gift completely. That’s rude. But let’s say you are an amazing baker or you can arrange flowers, or you have a DJ equipment, or you are a great photographer, you can offer to provide any of these services to the couple for free for their wedding. You may even offer to stay and clean up the venue, so the couple can get their deposit back. 

These are gifts that won’t cost you anything, but will help save the couple or the parents’ money. These will definitely be appreciated.

4. Accommodation

If you are travelling for the wedding, and you don’t have much to spend on a place to stay, reach out to the bride or members of the bridal party to see if anyone might be willing to share a hotel room with you.

 Also, you might be able to ask if any local friends or family of the bride might be willing to let you stay in a guest room. Everyone will be appreciative of your desire to attend and should be willing to help.

With these tips shared, you need not apply for wedding loans just so to be fashionable or cool. You can be both without the need to break the bank. Always remember, for the soon-to-be-wed couple, your friendship, sincerity and presence during their most important day is more than enough.

This is a guest post

Review: Old Wives Tail Melado Organic Hair Growth Oil Treatment

Because I don't use 'normal' conditioners, I'm always looking for new natural products to try out to keep my hair looking healthy and stop it becoming too dry or damaged. So, when I was asked if I wanted to try an organic oil treatment from Old Wives Tail, I couldn't refuse!

Old Wives Tail gets its name from a Portuguese grandmother who had a secret recipe for a treatment that would leave hair soft and silky, which she passed down to her granddaughter who now shares the secret (or at least the products made from the secret) with the rest of us. The grandmother is the old wife, and the tail is the long silky hair, a pretty nifty idea for a name I think!

I was sent the Melado Organic Hair Oil treatment to review, which sells for £13.99 for a 100ml pot. The treatment is handmade from a blend of four oils, including Argan and Almond which are a couple of the most well known for hair and body treatments. 

On first opening the pot to have a sniff, I was amazed at how the product smells- it has a very strong scent of lavender, but not that fake lavender that tries feebly to make your clothes drawer smell nice or send you off to sleep, a real woody lavender that smells exactly the bushes I used to have in my garden. The treatment also contains Olive oil but is much less thick than you'd expect, and it has a lovely bright amber colour.

On the first try I wasn't quite sure how much of the oil to use on my hair, as the directions just state to massage into damp hair weekly. I've found dipping my finger into the pot and rubbing into my palm about 5 times gives me an amount that will coat my hair and make it feel that it has treatment in it without turning it into a dangerously dripping oil slick. 

The oil is said to penetrate the hair roots and strengthen the follicle to encourage hair growth when massaged into the scalp. I must admit that I've only tried this once as I don't have much trouble growing my hair and its always been incurably greasy, but on the time I did try my hair was super-shiny afterwards.

So on to the results- has this treatment actually done anything for the long lengths and ends of my hair that I sometimes describe as pretty straw-like? Well, in short, yes! As a weekly product I was expecting the oil to take a while to work, but I saw results from the first use and I was pretty impressed. 

After applying the oil from my ears down, wrapping my hair in cling film and clipping it to my head for an hour, I was really surprised to find just how soft and shiny it was after washing. Occasionally it needs more than one shampooing to remove the product completely, but usually it takes a couple of weeks of using something daily for it to have much of an effect on my hair so I was pretty thrilled to see my hair shining from root to tip!

I've been using the Melado Oil weekly for about 2 months and it barely looks like I've used anything from the pot, so I reckon this will last for ages. As I've said I can't vouch for its hair growing abilities, but the amazing scent and the way it will make your hair look and feel means it's definitely worth a purchase.

Is it time to ditch your daily chemical filled conditioner and turn to a weekly organic treatment? In the case of Old Wives Tail Melado Hair Growth Oil, definitely!

Best & Worst Accessories from the 2014 MTV VMA Red Carpet

We kick off our best VMA accessories list with Beyonce and Nicki Minaj-  Beyonce wore huge black and silver statement earrings by designer Lorraine Schwartz that embellished her dress beautifully without being OTT, while Nicki toned herself down a little in a snakeskin print dress accessorised with a huge peachy coloured quartz ring.

Demi Lovato opted for gold accessories with her red dress while Rita Ora (shown here hugging Chris Brown) went for silver- Demi's triangle lobe earring and gold ear cuffs keep the look embellished but simple while showing her jewellery off with an undercut. 

Rita's look however was a little more lavish- her manicure reportedly cost $56,000 and includes black diamond polish, hand crafted spiders and ruby bows! With a ring for nearly every finger, she didn't go lightly on the Lorraine Schwartz hand jewellery either, which contrasts beautiful against her silky Donna Karen Atelier dress.

Teen Wolf's Holland Roden cracked out a cracking clutch for the occasion in metallic reflective silver with top embellishments. 

Model Natalie Gal's wrists and hands were stacked to the brim with bangles and rings in both gold and silver which almost stole the limelight from her very loud dress. This is a lovely modern take on the boho-esque stacked jewellery trend.

Our two awards for worst accessories of the night go to Katy Perry and Amber Rose. As if Katy Perry's denim Versace dress wasn't quite hideous enough, the tacky looking thick silver chain choker has been added to make the outfit that little bit more shocking, and the silver nose ring isn't doing her any favours. To top it off, Riff Raff's orange hair, patterned sunglasses and studded demin jacket is giving us a headache. Don't even get us started on his ring! 

Keeping with the silver chain vibe, Amber Rose seems to have forgotten her dress and skipped straight to the accessories. Thankfully she remembered her underwear because if there's a way to show much more skin on a red carpet, then we don't know about it! Half necklace, half dress, but not quite either!

What did you think were the best and worst accessories of the 2014 VMAs?

(image sources)

Cleaning and Caring for Fine Jewellery at Home

DIY Shoe/Collar Clips

These clips are a brilliant and simple way to rework a necklace you no longer wear- use them to embellish heels, plain flats or sandals, attach them to a shirt as statement collar clips, or even use them in your hair to jazz up a bun!

You'll need

1 necklace with large gemstones that you don't wear anymore (any will work but the cheaper the better as it will be easier to pull apart)

2 hair grips

A pair of pliers

Sandpaper

Glue (we switched to Araldite (a stronger resin glue) halfway through)

Instructions

1. Use the pliers to remove any links, chains or unwanted embellishments on the necklace.
2. Carefully pull the necklace apart so you have individual gemstones or small clusters if working with smaller crystals.
3. Arrange your design (remember you need two!). We went for a long angular shape but you could try circles or stacking to achieve something unique. Make sure the design is long enough to cover the hair grip.
4. Rub your chosen gems on coarse sandpaper if they have any sharp edges or pieces of metal sticking from the sides to give them a smooth shape.
5. Apply glue to the sides of the gems to stick them together and secure your design. Make sure to use a strong glue so the clips can withstand any knocks they may take, and follow the instructions on the packet to ensure it hardens perfectly.
6. Once the glue has dried and your new gemstone design is solid, apply a line of glue to the back and press the hair grip down firmly. We cut a cotton bud (Q tip) and slid a part of the stick it into the grip to keep each prong apart.
7. Once all the glue has dried, remove the cotton bud stick and you're ready to roll! Try out your new customised clips on everything from your shoes to your handbag to your hair to give your outfit some personality!

Let us know how you get on with this DIY, tweet us a picture so we can see!