TIGI - BED HEAD - DUMB BLONDE

Hi All,

Well I am feeling pretty happy I have Monday out of the way! I have had such a productive day and I thought why not write a post... being that I am trying to write more!
As I'm wrapped up in my beautiful M&S Rosie Dressing gown after my lovely shower, I thought talking about the TIGI Bed Head Dumb Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner was the perfect time to write up about it!

I am not a natural blonde and after my last visit to my hair dresser I needed to invest in some new shampoo - I wasn't using anything special and she advised I needed to get some shampoo for dyed and treated hair. So I went in search.

I have heard great things about TIGI and after much thought I knew this was the brand I needed to try out.


WHERE I BOUGHT IT

I went onto feelunique.com (my new go to online shop) and saw the TIGI products they had to offer. Feel unique is a great website, offering amazing value for money, quoted as 'the net-a-porter of beauty' I have to say that I throughly agree.
Working directly with the manufactures you can guarantee great prices and 100% genuine product.

I got standard delivery and it took about 3 working days. It came in lovely packaging and I even received some vouchers... one for me and one to give to a friend, which for my was a great added bonus. (my friend really appreciated it as well) I think it is a great way to bring in newer customers as well and keep people coming back. I am a little obsessed with feel unique at the moment - which is definitely not a bad thing.

Now I am not a massive believer in spending over £15 for 1 bottle of shampoo, so when I saw feel unique offer the shampoo and conditioner set at £26.36 when the value is actually around £47 I knew this was a bargain not to be missed. When I got this as well I had a voucher as it was near my birthday... so I actually got the set for £16!! I was more than chuffed and knew I had a right steal on my hands!

ABOUT THE PRODUCT

TIGI Dumb Blonde duo is exactly what I needed for my hair. It is a pH balanced shampoo with keratin and milk protein which aids with reconstruction and care of chemically treated hair. It strengthens and removes the build up but doesn't dry out the hair. And a big one for me adds shine and vibrancy. After dying my hair blonde I have missed having the natural shine to my hair but with the duo I have really seen some shine and life added back into my hair. It really does what it says on the bottle.

I wanted to stop washing my hair every other day, as it isn't the most healthy thing to be washing it so often and after the first use, not only did I notice the difference and how soft my hair felt but also I went four days without washing it again. It didn't go its natural greasy state and I really feel my hair is in so much better condition for 1. not washing it as often and allowing for my natural oils to work their magic, but 2. for using the TIGI bed head.

Not only does it work but I have to comment on the smell. It is divine, it is very fruity and almost tropical scent, but I really do love how great it smells. The pump bottles are a god send. I do not think I could use a non pump shampoo/conditioner every again - it is so easy and you are more in control of how much product you use.
The shampoo is a lilac purple colour, whereas in stark surprising contrast the conditioner is yellow! it was a bit of a surprise to me as originally I was expecting a purple. But it just added to the whole experience. The bottle size is huge... and i know that it is going to last me a long time. So for me it is no a brainer - I will gladly from now on spend the £26.36 that is costs to buy the duo... as it is probably no more than what I would spend buying 2 lots of a regular shampoo.

I am actually thinking of buying the TIGI Bed Head Dumb Blonde toning spray - as this protects hair when styling, split ends and tangles - another thing that my hair struggles with. So once I get this, I will tell you all about it.

Have any of you tried any TIGI products? or any other products you feel are worth investing in? Please let me know as I would love to hear your comments.

Thanks everyone and good night,

Love,
E.L.K xxx

Must Have's - Feb 2015

So I thought a great little quick post would be my must haves or wish list that I am hoping to get when my next pay day rolls around.
I think if I do this every month, you can see what sort of products wether it be fashion, beauty, lifestyle, home... whatever you guys can check it out!

Seen as pay day came around a little earlier this month I have bought some of the things that were on this list... and instead of calling this my January I thought I would roll right into Feb and what I hope to buy when pay day is upon us once more.

My list is pretty short and sweet this month as I have already bought some of the things I really wanted! (wait for the posts)

All links to the products are in the titles (please note some of the products I could no longer find on the internet)

Also for some reason... my pictures won't load either... I am not having much luck today! But I wanted to share this post with you all!

BEAUTY

Charlotte Tilbury - Foundation
I have wanted this for some time now - I have been using the same foundation for well over 4 years and feel I am in need of a change

Charlotte Tilbury - Wonderglow
To go with the foundation I wanted to try the wonder glow to go with this! Can't wait to test this out

Real Technique Brushes
Everyone has been raving about this - and as soon as I saw the Instagram picture I knew I needed them. The price tag is a little hefty, so I will more than likely be getting one at a time.

HOME

Costco Rug
For my new room I really want a sheepskin rug. You can buy cheaper ones at Ikea for £30 - but this Costco one is massive and its real sheepskin.... I need this in my life. (I can't seem to find the link to the exact one I want, but it is in store.)

Curtains & Bedding 
I haven't really picked specific curtains or bedding - all I know is, I am going for a grey colour. My theme of my room is white, grey, black, with an accent colour of copper - So if any of you guys have any suggestions that would be really appreciated

CLOTHES

River Island - Waistcoat 
I had a pretty important presentation at work last week and I was looking for something smart but stylish to wear to it - I saw this and fell in love. Unfortunately my timing was poor and I wouldn't of got it in time. And when I went back it wasn't online anymore .... truly gutted is not the word. I am hoping it will come back in stock soon.




So... there we have my must haves for February... What are your must have items? Please leave me comments and let me know :)

Thanks guys,

E.L.K

MIA

Hey guys,

What can I say... I've been gone for the past couple of weeks! I didn't think work would be as busy as it has been and I have literally had no time to do anything but work and sleep.

But I am back... or so I hope to be back! I think you will see a few more Menswear posts up as I am having to really up my game at work, so I thought what better way to do my research and keep up to date with my blog, than to write posts about my research. So hopefully you will see more of them in the next few weeks!

To make an even more crazy 3 weeks even crazier... I have moved into a new house. It is really great and I am loving my new place... I will be doing a tour of my room, so expect to see home posts about things I'm in love with and things I want!

So yeah, things have been a little mental to say the least and I wish I had more time to blog. So I am trying to get back on the wagon and do some more posts! Expect to see more popping up within the next few days!

It feels good to be back!

E.L.K
xxx

Lee Stafford Argan Oil Twisted Curling Wand

 Id been on the look out for a new curling wand for ages and after endless searching I couldn't decide which I wanted! 

But I'd recently seen a photo of inthefrow (fellow amazing blogger) and she mentioned the Lee Stafford curling wand! So I went on my major research mission, after reading endless reviews I was pretty much sold, which was great as it was just in time for Christmas, so I popped it down on my list and at £29.99 I thought it wouldn't be a present that would break the bank. 

Come Christmas Day I was more than happy my lovely sister had gotten me it :) excited wasn't the word!
I had my reservations as I already have a curling barrel that does the job amazingly and I love how it does my hair! But it's too time consuming and was fed up with the same old curls! 
So on Boxing Day I set out on my first curling with my new present, but after I was done, I wasn't sure. It wasn't the curl I was expecting (don't really know what I was expecting) and I suppose it's like when you have a new haircut you're not always sure at first, I guess it's just the change from what your used to. But as I brushed it out a little it didn't look as serevre and once I had a little play, I took back all the doubt in my mind and replaced it with true love. 

The great thing about this is the actual barrel design, which was the reason it made me stop and really take notice, I had never seen anything like it before, which made me want it more! With the textured barrel each curl would be slightly different depending on where you placed your hair, which is exactly what I was after, seen as my other wand just does the regimented curl, so to have that point of difference made it a stand out product for me. 

Not only that but it is a cereamic barrel, infused with Argan oil which adds shine, locks in moisture and protects your hair from the heat, which was just the added bonus. It heats up super fast and your not having to keep the wand on your hair too long, which makes for speedy curling time. It has a stay cool tip at the top, to keep those fingers safe from the heat. I had read some reviews that a lot of people were burning themselves and at 200 degree max temperature I would recommend taking care while using the wand, it does have the cool tip at the top and me personally have never burnt my fingers on this. But I would say on your first attempt just be aware of how hot the wand is and because there's nothing but your fingers there to hold the hair in place, really take extra extra care.

What I loved most about this is when I woke up the next day... My curls were still intact! I hadn't thrown on loads of hairspray the day before and even when I brushed my hair the curls stayed in! A lovely nice curl that looked natural and could look great the day after... this just made me fall in love deeper! How could it not! Even the day after that, I popped my hair in a pony tail and it was still curly! Just topped it up in parts and I was good to go! 

I couldn't rave about this enough! A curl that can last for days... My idea of heaven! Perfect for me who loves to stay in bed for as long as possible, means I can do it the night before and wake up, brush it (maybe top a few bits up) and I'm good to go! I'm more than impressed! 

Which is exactly what I did last night! I have added a picture of me this morning after sleeping in it and just re curling the odd part of hair at the front (excuse the serious face- mornings are not my thing and it was the best photo I took that showed the most hair) 

And I have to say 24 hours later my hair is still impressively curly. I have had at least 4 compliments today on my hair, so I have to say I am more than smitten with this product.
So there we go, if your looking for a curling wand... This baby is it! 


I gave the link for this from Argos and at £29.99 how can you go wrong 

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1576344.htm#pdpFullProductInformation

What do you guys think to my review? I would love to know! Please let me know if you've used this wand or have good recommendations of what you do use to curl your hair. I would love to hear from you. 

That's it tonight guys, 

Love E.L.K xxx

MAGNITONE FACIAL BRUSH

So I've been looking at facial brushes for a couple of weeks now. I've read a few other blog reviews and I was sold on a facial brush... But which one was the big question. So I spent hours and hours reading reviews and watching tutorials trying to decide on which would be the best brush for me. 

THE SEARCH BEGINGS

The first and obvious choice was the Clarisonic Aria Brush, it really is the must have facial brush on the market at the moment. But with its hefty price tag retailing at £155, I wasn't sure it was worth the investment (and I couldn't really afford it) I've heard amazing things about the clarisonic and the wonders it does to your skin and I don't think I have read a bad review yet. I am all for looking after my skin but at this point in time couldn't justify the hefty price tag.

So then i started looking else where... I nearly bought the No.7 Beautiful Cleansing Brush which was completely at the other end of the scale in terms of price, much cheaper at £24.95 it seemed like a great starter facial brush. But then I read so many different reviews and all of them came with a warning, not to be used on sensitive skin. I wouldn't say I have sensitive skin but I just didn't know if my skin could handle the power that everyone else seemed to talk about. Yes it was a lot cheaper but I didn't want something hurting my skin. Now I can't say anything about this as I haven't used it, I was very tempted by this brush so it's not that I wouldn't recommend it but if you have sensitive skin, it's a no go. 

So finally.... I settled on magnitone facial brush. After reading a blog post on it I was really impressed. I then saw it was on sale... Which made it even more appealing. Originally £69.99 it was now £49.99, which for me is a great saving and probably the most I was willing to spend. Still undecided, I then saw it pop up everywhere on other blog posts over next few days and when looking into the reviews I took the plunge. I bought it!! And I couldn't be happier! 

ABOUT

I got mine at lookfantastic.com, they sell many different items from hair to beauty, it really is a great website to pick up your must haves. Magnitone brush comes in 4 colours and a limited edition Pixie Lott hot pink one. I settled on a aqua green colour, as I am not a massive girly girl and sometimes feel pink is such an obvious choice so I went for something more subtle. I got the discounted price and standard delivery which was free. A few days later it arrived and I was impressed with the delivery service. On my confirmation email I was told yodel (with a tracking number) would deliver my package, as soon as it was dispatched I got a text and then again on the day it would be delivered. I loved the service as it was great to be kept updated and I was happy with the speed of the order, it didn't take as long as I expected so it was a pleasant surprise when I got the text to say it was on its way.

It came in a big box, all nicely wrapped up. (Unfortunately I've thrown the box away now) and inside was my lovely magnitone brush. I couldn't wait to open it up and use it. I gave the instructions a good read through and charged it ready to use that night. It comes with a great wireless charger, that magnetically attaches to the brush and has a great 3 week battery life. 

Inside the box 

Magnitone lucid offers two cleansing modes, one deep clean and another sensitive. It's 100% waterproof which means you can use it in the shower or bath, which is perfect as I think it is easier to use in the shower as your skins already wet. It has a one minuet timer on it and every 20 seconds buzzes to tell you when to move on to the next part of your face. With 10,000 pulsed oscillations all you have to do is gently glide across your face and let the brush do the work. Easy.

The way the brush works is getting down into the skin removing make up and deeper pore impurities, exfoliating the face and the dry patches that may occur on the face. By having this deep cleanse it allows for the products that you do use (like moisturisers) go that much further and really work to its full extent. It also allows for your make up to go on a lot smoother and you don't have to use as much to get the same coverage. It says to not use your brush head any longer than 3 months and replacements are easy to pick up on the website as well. At around £15.99 for a pack of two I think this is more than reasonable.

The brush 

Side view 

Close up of the head

WHAT TO DO

As I wear a bit of make up I just start by removing my eye make up and giving a quick wash of my face removing what I thought was most of my make up.  So I wet my face and the brush with warm water and apply ESPA milk cleanser on the brush and begin at the forehead, gentely moving it across my face and when it buzzed moved to my cheeks and sides of my face. For me, a minuet wasn't enough as I didn't even get to my nose and chin within that time, so I do put it on for 2 minuets, as i have real trouble with dry skin around the sides of my face, so I give this extra attention the second time round. I was amazed that even though I thought all the my make up was gone but after I used the brush, more make up came off and my skin felt great.

After using my ESPA milk cleanser I do not feel like this is the best product to use, so I tried my ESPA Pro Cleanser which I felt was much better, so think I will use this from now. I am however on a search for something else, so I am going to nip into boots within the next few days to pick up a cleanser. Can any of you recommend one?

VERDICT

I have to agree with everything magnitone have promised. My skin feels so much smoother and softer since using it and my moisturisers goes on with ease. 

So far I am really impressed, as I said I have only used this a few days so I will do an updated post to keep you guys in the loop of how I think it's going. 

As said in the leaflet it does say that you may see changes within your skin, as it is bringing up deep rooted impurities, so I have noticed more spots that I usually get however this doesn't bother me too much and nothing a little make up can't cover.

One thing I must stress which is something that is again said in the leaflet, please be careful around the eye area, I think I must have got a little bit too close as I have developed some red marks that are a little painful to touch. I have much thinner skin around my eye area so I'm partly to blame for going a bit too close. As recommended by the leaflet I have stopped using this for a day and going to start again tomorrow on the sensitive setting, just to let my skin get used to the brush. 

This has not put me off using my magnitone lucid brush, as I would fully recommend investing in one for your skin. Just please be careful around delicate areas. All in all I think it was worth the money I spent, it isn't the cheapest product to buy however I think it's worth the money you pay.

Please let me know what you think? Have you got the magnitone lucid facial brush? If so tell me what you think in the comments below. And if anyone can recommend any good cleansers I would really appreciate it :) I would love to hear from you guys! 

I have popped all the links below to the websites and products mentioned in this post.

Thanks guys and speak soon 

ELK 

LINKS

Magintone Lucid Brush

Magnitone website: https://magnitone.co.uk

Look fantastic website: http://www.lookfantastic.com/brands/magnitone/lucid.list?affil=thgppc?&kwds=43700005671306879&gclid=CjwKEAiAw56lBRCs29jB9uOvkygSJADnD3-6VrItUdQLkGfHD9fFSrVZxeZ51Pd9nIBl5W7s_ZSz_RoCxi_w_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Magnitone replacement brush heads: http://www.lookfantastic.com/brands/magnitone/accessories.list

Clarisonic Aria Brush 

Clarisonic website: http://www.clarisonic.co.uk

Feel Unique website: http://www.feelunique.com/page/clarisonic-aria

No.7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Brush: http://www.boots.com/en/No7-Beautiful-Skin-Cleansing-Brush_1304042/

ESPA Milk Cleanser: http://www.espaskincare.com/face/cleanse-and-exfoliate/hydrating-cleansing-milk-bhcm200

ESPA Pro Cleanser: http://www.espaskincare.com/face/cleanse-and-exfoliate/optimal-skin-procleanser

WELCOME

Hi Everyone,

And welcome to The World of E.L.K

I am so excited to be launching my new blog. I have always thought about blogging and been 'um-ing' and 'ah-ing' over this decision. I've always talked myself into it and then right back out, wondering 'what's the point?' I will never be as good as the blogs I read at the moment. But then I realised.... I shouldn't be doing this for anyone else but myself and if any one else enjoys what I write then that's just the extra bonus! The blog doesn't look exactly how I want it, I am still learning so please be patient - hopefully I will get the hang of this sooner rather than later. I just didn't want to put off posting any longer.

My life is consumed by fashion as I have spent however long working towards my degree in Fashion Design and now as my job.  I work as a menswear buyer and at the moment that has taken forefront in my life (which I love) and I would love to get back into women's wear, so this blog will hopefully help me in that.

Over the past couple of months really re evaluated my life and thought I need to take better care of myself - whether it be the food I eat or the make up I put on my face I needed to make a change. That's where my love for beauty products has really taken over and I have found a new love for it and it's got me all excited again - which really did inspire me to go ahead with this blog and share all these new products I've found!

So here's what to expect from my blog.... anything and everything! It will be mostly fashion, beauty and lifestyle, but I love music and home interior so it will be whatever's happening in my life at the moment. These will be my own personal opinions - good or bad! However I only really plan on sharing the good.... as why waste time of the bad?!

I thought a great way for you all to know me a little better was to answer 24 general questions and you can get to know me a little better. Hope you enjoy.


My 24 Questions


1. What is your middle name?: Louise (the L in E.L.K)
2. What is your favourite drink?: Non - Alcoholic would be Green Tea & Alcoholic would have to be Champagne
3. What is your favourite song at the moment?: Blank Space/Style Mash up by Louisa Wendoff & Devin Dawson
4. What is your favorite food?: Ahhh tough one... at the moment I can't get enough of Duck Spring Rolls
5. What is the last thing you bought?: Was my new juicer - Breville Blend-Active Personal Blender (review coming soon)
6. Favorite book of all time?: Where the Rainbow Ends by Cecelia Ahern
7. Favorite Colour?: At the moment, would say Grey (boring I know)
8. Do you have any pets?:  Yes, my dog Riley
9. Favorite Perfume?: Flower Bomb by Victor & Rolf
10. Where are you from?: Yorkshire Born and Bred - in the city of Leeds, recently relocated to Leicester
11. Are you married?: Nope - Very much Single
12. What is your Job?: I work as a Menswear Fashion Buyer for a high street retailer
13. Favourite Beauty Product?:At the moment my Charlotte Tilbury Film Bronze and Glow
14. How many siblings do you have?: One older sister
15. What is your favorite store?: Asos - not really a shop but online
16. Favorite Designer?: At the moment - Mens: Alexander Wang Womens: Simone Rocha & Celine
17. When was the last time you cried?: The other night at an episode of Grey's Anatomy. Doesn't matter how many times I watch it, I can cry like its the first time.
18. Favorite Blog?: By far... IntheFrow
19. Favorite Movie?: At the moment.... I'm obsessed with Harry Potter (haha it is by no means my favourite)
20. Favorite TV show?: Scandal and Grey's Anatomy
21. PC or Mac?: Mac but I don't have one, so it's a PC for now
22. Date of Birth: 21/12/1989 - I am 25, which I wasn't so happy to except!
23. How tall are you?: 5'7
24. Can you cook?: No, one thing I want to change, I can bake though!



So there are my answers.... a little get to know me section. Hope you liked it and I will be uploading some new posts very very soon.