GLOSSYBOX & KAREN MILLEN September 2014

GLOSSYBOX have partnered up with KAREN MILLEN this month to create a limited edition London skyline box. I love the London skyline illustration and I'm pleased with the contents as it features some new interesting products that I haven't tried! Inside the box...

ModelCo More Brows Fibre Gel (*full size* worth £14.95)

This innovative brush-on fibre gel gives the appearance of fuller, thicker brows instantly. I'm not a fan of the fibre mascaras as I find they irritate my eyes but I'm really interested in trying this out. It looks quite similar to the Benefit version. However, it does seem pricey for such a small tube!

L'Oreal Professional Mythic Masque (worth £5.80) 

A hair masque to intensely nourish and replenish the hair. I am excited to try this as I love the Mythic Hair oil from the same range and I had no idea they made a masque. This is quite a decent sized sample too. 

SkinPep Enzyme and Acid Peel and Eye Cream (Acid Peel worth £6.10 and Eye Cream worth £6.49)

I haven't heard of this brand but the products sound interesting and I'm looking forward to trying. These products are super expensive!

Nails inc Westminster Bridge Matte Top Coat (*full size* worth £12)

I like Nails inc polishes and not tried a matte top coat but this sounds fabulous to turn any nail polish colour to a matte finish. 

Origins Anti-Aging Power Serum (worth £24)

This age-fighting serum claims to help visibly reduce lines and wrinkles in just 2 weeks! This is also a pretty decent sized sample!

This month's box had a great selection of products as recently the boxes have become a little boring. I loved the illustration on the box but the KAREN MILLEN partnership is disappointing. It would have been nice to have had a small item from KAREN MILLEN rather than a £25 discount voucher when spending £150 in-store. I have totted up the value of the products and it comes to roughly £69.34 which for £10 (plus £2.95 P&P) is brilliant value! You can find out more and order your own GLOSSYBOX here. 

What do you think of this month's GLOSSYBOX?

Lily Allen Loves Sheezus Stiletto Nails

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I had to share these AMAZING stick-on Stiletto Nails that have been designed by Lily Allen for Elegant Touch. I had these applied at Fashion Monitor's LFW event at The Mayfair Hotel last night and I've lost count of how many people have commented on them since! 

These are the Lily Loves... Sheezus design which are Cobalt Blue Stiletto Nails with a metallic gold design. They last up to 10 days and cost £8.99 and are available from Boots & Superdrug. 

What do you think?

Goldwell Kerasilk Keratin Treatment Review

Before & After Kerasilk Keratin Treatment

I have thought about getting a Brazilian Blowdry type treatment for a few years however I've read mixed reviews and was put off by the strong chemicals are used that can damage hair and make your eyes sting during the treatment! Funnily enough my old Brazilian flatmate told me that she has never heard of a Brazilian Blowdry - it does not exist in Brazil!

I recently tried out Goldwell's Kerasilk Keratin Treatment which is the first customisable long-lasting smoothing service for hair like silk for up to 5 months. It makes unruly, frizzy hair manageable, softens waves and smoothens the overall hair structure and reduces styling time significantly without using strong chemicals and is bespoke to your hair type and your required end result. 

Goldwell Kerasilk Keratin Treatment is a two-component system, meaning that it can be customised to suit individual client needs according to their existing hair type and texture and desired finish. Formulated with smoothing glyoxylic acid and additional keratin and silk proteins, the treatment penetrates deep into the hair to create new keratin bonds and stabilise the new hair shape for up to five months.

The service began with a consultation to discuss my hair concerns, my hair type and how I like to style my hair. My stylist explained that the Kerasilk Keratin Treatment is bespoke and customised to the individual and so we decided that the end result should take my hair from frizzy and naturally curly to be smooth but not poker straight as I like to wear my hair wavy.

To begin with my stylist suggested we chop off the dead ends and my hair was washed roughly blow-dried. Next the stylist applied the bespoke mixture of the two Kerasilk Kertain lotions (Rich and Ultra Rich formulations) and left on my hair for 15 minutes before my hair was roughly blow dried. There was no strong smell or discomfort at all, it felt almost as if just a conditioning treatment had been applied to my hair. 

My hair was then straightened using straightening irons in small sections, with each section straightened repeatedly four times. Afterwards my hair was washed and conditioned and the stylist applied Kerasilk Lock-in Serum before a basic blow dry. There is no need to leave in the product for several days after the treatment, the hair can be immediately washed, however it is recommended not to colour your hair for 2 weeks after the treatment. My hair felt glossy, smooth and frizz-free and felt much healthier and thicker but the real test of course was when I washed it for the first time at home! The whole process took around two and a half hours and I was given Goldwell Kerasilk shampoo and conditioner to use at home to help maintain the treatment. 

A few days after the treatment, I washed my hair using my usual shampoo and conditioner and used no styling products and only roughly blow-dried my hair without a brush. I am amazed at the results: smooth, glossy, thicker, no frizz and with the minimum of effort! Usually the hard water in London makes my hair even more frizzy than normal! I didn't need to style or use any products or further heat on my hair.

I am excited that my hair now needs minimum effort for the next 5 months - I can see this  treatment becoming addictive! For anyone who has frizzy unmanageable hair, especially when the weather is humid or hot, I would 100% recommend this treatment! 

Goldwell Kerasilk Keratin Treatment costs £120 to find your nearest salon please visit Goldwell. Have you ever tried a Keratin Hair Treatment? I'd love to hear what your experience!

The Perfect Manicure using Polish Pro

If you’re looking for products to help create the perfect manicure, it’s well worth checking out the Polish Pro range offered by NSI UK. Polish Pro products boast a light-cured polish formula that lasts for two weeks without smudging, cracking or chipping. In addition, the polish can be dried in a matter of minutes under a UV or LED lamp, meaning customers are able to walk away with fabulous nails in under 20 minutes. To achieve the best results, follow these simple steps:

Preparing nails

You should never apply new product before you’re 100 per cent satisfied that your nails are properly prepared. To do this, remove any existing polish with a cotton bud and nail polish remover. You should then exfoliate the hands before soaking them in a bowl of lukewarm water. This will soften the skin and make the nails more flexible.

After drying the hands on a soft towel, it’s time to shape them. Before you set to work with a file and clippers, define which shape and length of nail you require. To make the nails look longer and more elegant, gently push back the cuticles. This process is easier if use Vanish Cuticle Dissolve, which is a cuticle exfoliant and moisturiser. Before you continue, remove any leftover Vanish with a nail wipe saturated with Cleanse. This product removes surface oils and improves adhesion.

Applying the polish

It’s then time to begin applying the polish. Firstly, you should use a very thin layer of Polish Pro Base Coat. Apply this to all the nails and make sure you cap the edges. Ideally, you’ll then cure the nails for 10 seconds using a 36-watt UV bonding lamp. If you don’t have this piece of kit, the curing process will take longer.

Once the base coat is dry, you can apply a thin layer of Polish Pro in whichever colour your customer has selected. Make sure you cap the edges as you work. This layer should be so thin that it appears translucent. Cure the nails for two minutes before applying a second thin layer and curing for a further two minutes. Once you’re sure the nails are fully cured, it’s time to add a thin layer of Polish Pro Top Coat. This also takes two minutes to cure under a UV lamp.

Finishing touches

By this stage, your nails should look amazing, but your work’s not quite finished yet. For the best results, it’s important to remove the tacky layer using Cleanse and you may also want to pamper by using a drop of Nurture Oil to condition the cuticles. This product contains a blend of jojoba, soy, safflower, grape seed oils and wheat germ and it helps to prolong the flexibility and durability of nail enhancements.

Removal

One of the great things about Pro Plus nail polish products is the fact that they soak off, removing the need for scrubbing using harsh chemicals. To get rid of the product, lightly buff the surface of the polish to remove the shine. Next, pour a small amount of acetone into a bowl of water (just enough to cover the nails) and soak the fingers for around ten minutes. The layers of polish should then come away quickly and easily. Then all that’s left is to wash the hands and moisturise them. As long as you follow the right procedure, using Pro Plus products they provide professional manicures that gives a wow factor.