I should probably start just by clarifying that the title of this post does not mean that I looked beautiful on my birthday a couple of weeks ago. In fact quite the opposite. I was working from home, so I spent the morning in my PJs with no makeup on and my hair in the obligatory mum-bun. And in the evening Rich had arranged a Frozen-themed tea party (according to him, now we’ve got Lyra, my birthday is no longer about me. Rather, it’s about Lyra. Grr. I had one day. ONE DAY. I will remind him about this when his “special day” rolls around), so by the end of the evening I was covered in jam and party ring crumbs. I definitely did not look beautiful.
So this post is actually about birthday beauty treats. Firstly, the Clarins Opalescence Face & Blush Powder which was a present from my Auntie Maggie. And secondly, the L’Oréal Pure Resource Shampoo: a birthday treat to myself.
Clarins Opalescence Face & Blush Powder
I’m all for a multi-tasking beauty product – we’ve had a lot of weekends away recently due to weddings and what-not, and I am also guilty of doing my makeup on the train to work, so I love compact pieces that are easy to carry around and pack away. This powder was right up my street.
It consists of a trio of beautifully embossed shades and a smattering of gold – almost too pretty to use. Almost. So far I’ve used the powder as a blush – jabbing at just the coral shade is fiddly but gives a gorgeous rosy glow – and I’ve also swirled a brush over all three shades and swept over my cheekbones which makes me look sunkissed and healthy even on the greyest Monday morning. I’ve also used a makeup sponge to apply the beige foundation and am happy to say that it’s lasted all day.
Pure Resource Shampoo
I talked about my obsession with Simple products in my haircare post a few months back. However I’ve fallen out of love with their shampoo because my hair was getting greasy pretty much the next day. I’m also a firm believer in mixing up your haircare routine every once in a while.
I was drawn to Pure Resource for three reasons – firstly, it claims to rid the hair of excess natural oils. Goodbye grease. Secondly, I spotted the word ‘citramine’ in the description so I foolishly assumed that it was going to have a delicious citrusy fragrance. Thirdly, and most superficially, I knew the bottle would look good on my bathroom shelf.
I’ve now been using it for a week and it has definitely made my hair more lightweight and squeaky clean. The fragrance is more lavender than citrus – a scent that I would usually have steered clear of but now love.
As a purifying product it aims to remove build-up so it’s worth a whirl if you’re in need of a shampoo that rids your hair of all of the gunk in everyday haircare and styling products. Apparently it’s also a must for cleansing your hair of chlorine and hard water – I’m yet to test it post-swim but am confident that it would do an excellent job of getting rid of that lingering, chemical, swimming-pool-aroma.
Are there any other multi-tasking makeup products that I need to know about? Has anyone else been persuaded to buy solely due to pretty packaging?!
I think I might have to try that shampoo. When I feel like my hair needs to stay clean for longer (it’s super fine and more often than not needs washed every day), I’ve been using L’Oreal Extraordinary Clay shampoo and conditioner. It’s for greasy roots and dry ends, in their normal range rather than the salon one, so less expensive – and it’s not at all bad! It’d be interesting to see how it compares to yours Lisa.
Not strictly speaking a multi tasker, but the absolute best product I’ve bought in a long time is Nip & Fab Glycolic Fix exfoliator. It has AHAs as well as grains and it is A.MAZING. Everyone probably needs it. Oh, and it’s currently half price on the Boots website. #enabling
🙂
Yup it’s worth a try Tracy M. Off to check out your shampoo and conditioner and exfoliator now, you little enabler! X
Grr at your Hubby. I think post kids its even more important to have a little self indulgence on your birthday.
That compact is sooo pretty.
Tracey I’m a fan of glyolic fix pads and cleanser from nip+fab
I’ve heard good things about those pads Rachel – they might be my next N+F purchase… 🙂
THANK YOU Rachel! (Although I made him read this post this morning and he apologised…bless him).
It is super pretty – I was a bit reluctant to use it and spoil it at first! X
Another Nip+Fab fan here…just wanted to add that I find various Nip+Fab products at my local TK Maxx every so often for 1/2 off the price at Boots, so worth checking there as well!
Yey thanks Helena. Blimming love TK Maxx. X
Oo the Clarins compact is a winner. Re. battling the grease: I’ve been told by my Mum and my hairdresser (so must be true!) to avoid sulphates/sulfates in my shampoo, as they are detergents that strip the hair and then conditioner with silicon re-coats it in oil attracting nasties-both causing excess oil. For this reason I go for Matrix shampoo (about £10 from amazon or from salons) or if I can’t order in time I get this lovely citrus(!) smelling kids shampoo from my tesco online grocery shop- Paddys Bathroom organic squeezy lemon shampoo. More on why to avoid sulfates here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1DjRTHSCZK3h7V6dlxyHRdP/are-my-wash-products-damaging-my-skin
How interesting Corinne – thank you! Haven’t heard of Matrix or Paddys Bathroom before so definitely up for trying both. Love the look of the Paddys Bathroom products and I reckon Lyra will too 🙂
Yes – would be interested in what you think. The kids shampoo works on my curly 6 year old as well as my poker straight long hair. Just be prepared that any non sulfate shampoo doesnt lather as much. Worth it for getting an extra day or 2! out of a wash I think.
Definitely! Will report back. My first thought was – these shampoos look a lot like Ella’s Kitchen food pouches ?
Lisa – that is so funny! Paddy’s Bathroom is made by the same guy who invented Ella’s Kitchen!
Ah! That explains it! ?
It’s good to hear you still enjoyed the gifts that came from your birthday – even if the day is no longer all about you! That shampoo sounds like a great find. Definitely switching up your hair and beauty products is a great idea from time to time. There’s a lot of great products on the market and you want to make sure you find the ones that perfectly meet your needs.