REVIEW: L'Oreal Dream Lengths | Is It ACTUALLY Any Good?

Let's rewind back to Autumn last year, every beauty guru, blogger, vlogger in the entire social media universe was raving about these new products that claim to be a miracle in a bottle that could stop you from going to the salon as often. Every girls dream right? Because secretly we dread getting that trim when "a couple of inches" turns into a huge chunk of hair on the floor. Well L'Oreal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths collection answered our prayers and created a shampoo and conditioner that detangles and nourishes your long locks but also a "no hair-cut" cream that prevents breakage and split ends.

This was way too good to be true I'm sure you'll all agree so I was so hesitant of buying into their products at first because I find nowadays beauty influencers, as much as they claim to be "100% honest" tend to just promote for that extra little cash in their back pocket and most of them have salon perfect hair anyway so was I really supposed to believe them?

After a few stubborn months and allowing the hype to go down (as usual) I decided to bite the bullet and give these bad boys a try. I've been growing my hair since November, and I invested in the products back in June so my hair had grown alot so it was the perfect opportunity to test the products.

Let me tell you now, even after the first wash, I ate my words. I hadn't felt my hair so soft in years due to bleaching and heat damage. It honestly felt like I had a expensive hair treatment or something, I was strutting around swishing my hair like I was in a bloody L'Oreal advert. Because I'm Worth It!

Since using the Shampoo, Conditioner and Cream trio, I've found myself not needing to wash my hair as frequent either, it's long lasting that's for sure and my hair feels so much more healthy. That added few squirts of no hair-cut cream to the ends of my hair are doing wonders and it seems to be making my hair grow faster, I've been getting so many compliments since June so I 100% recommend if you want to grow your hair without the hassle. Other than the obvious different style, the truth is in the pictures; less frizz, less damaged, more sleek.

Drugstores like Superdrug are always having promotional offers on Dream Lengths so there are always a good excuse for you to try if you're sceptical without losing out on money. Boots actually have a bundle of the trio and also the saviour mask for extra nourishment, for just £12! Dream Lengths have just brought out a heat mask too that I am super excited to try.

Here are some links to save you a trip!

Dream Lengths Bundle

Heat Mask

Katie x

My Go To Make-up Products

It's July, Summer is in it's prime, which is a rarity for us English lot who don't usually experience sunshine quite this much, so you'd think whilst sweating in 28 degree weather make-up is the last thing on my mind but well, you'll be surprised!

In actual fact, because this heat doesn't allow for a lie in, I have time on my hands to pack on the layers to make me look less of a potato. I've also found a few new products I am obsessed with so I enjoy applying, even if i do look a bit extra for work.

The first product is one of the biggest hypes of this year. I wasn't 100% convinced when I read reviews that a £5 foundation could be so flawless and full coverage but this Revolution Fast Base Foundation Stick is a gift from the gods. Not only is it obviously super inexpensive, It is perfect for my skin. Being Casper the ghost, I feel like most foundations only have limited shades where even the lightest can be too orange for me but having 18 shades suitable for everyone, I really have hit the jackpot. F4 is perfect for me as it's not too pasty on my skin like F1 but it's just the right colour to suit with or without a fake tan. It's so easy to apply and blends like a dream, what more could I ask?

Next up is highlight. I didn't think bargain wise, I'd find one that makes me shine bright like a diamond until I discovered this Primark beauty. The shade is Brunch Club and the glow is just right without looking like you're just sweaty. I feel like Primark has really upped their game when it comes to beauty products, the quality is amazing and at £2.50? Who needs an expensive dupe?

Recently, I've incorporated lashes into my daily routine. I know this seems very "Beauty Vlogger" of me but honestly, I love how much they make a difference to my look. I have long lashes naturally so it's more for the volume and intensity but I'm currently loving it. It doesn't even take much more effort now I've had practice and I always used to think it was an expensive craze but like everything quality isn't always pricey. Now, surprisingly my go-to lashes are only £1! Although Primark lashes are my favourite, most days I grab mine from Poundland and although the glue is shocking, pair these with Superdrug own brand lash glue and you're looking glam for a fraction of the price, not to mention they are reusable!

Finally, who doesn't love a good nude? I feel like I've been on the search for a drugstore dupe of Kylie's Candi K for so long and they've either been too light it looks like I've got foundation lips, or they're too warm toned, however, this Velvet Matte Lip Lacquer by MUA in the shade Tranquility is £3 and I am in love. It just glides onto my lips and dries perfectly without taking too much moisture away as I suffer from chapped lips, also the colour is so versatile for so many looks. So impressed.

Shop here:

Foundation Stick - Superdrug

Lip Lacquer - Superdrug

Highlighter - Primark.

Lashes - Poundland

Entering 2018 Confidently.

Hey boos,

What a busy end of the year I had and definitely one year to put behind me. 2017 was a rollercoaster that by the end I was contemplating just jumping off before it finished it's course. But after 2 weeks off to relax at home with my family celebrating a very delayed Christmas, things are definitely beginning to look up. I've cut ties with anything toxic jeopardising my happiness, my progression in my job is just about to start and my best friend is one step close to moving up and working alongside me in the very near future. Let's just pray this level of positivity remains eh?

Along with positivity is confidence and 2018 is the time where I'm putting this into practice alot more and bringing back the Katie Pook that at 21 thought she could conquer the world. In 2 weeks I'm turning 23 and it's perfect opportunity to adjust back into that mindset and set myself up for the future. There's no better time than the present!

First things first I want to feel more comfortable in my own skin. I aim to take more selfies and post to Instagram daily. It may came across self-obsessed and vain and appearance isn't the key to confidence but it's 2018, social media is at it's prime and yes, I may be completely hung up on it but I'm only human and honestly It has (so far) made a difference.

Completely contrasting the heavily filtered, fake reality of Instagram, I have also taken a break from the gruelling chore of make-up and allowing my skin to breathe. Now, in the past the thought of channeling my bare-face in public without a hint of concealer freaked me out however, in a roundabout way it is evidently improving my skin with the help of moisturiser to keep my face hydrated. Again, this may not seem a big deal to many but after suffering from chickenpox 22 years late last year, noticable scars were left and my confidence plummeted, but just like everything else, it is part of who I am and it's my chance to embrace it.

Anyway enough self-love for one day. Let's make 2018 a year to remember, who's with me??

Veleza; The Go-To Beauty App!

Do you often seek advice on what beauty products to buy, have beauty products you just love to rant and rave about or just love all things beauty? Then Veleza is the perfect app for you!

A few months ago I was contacted by the community manager of Veleza telling me about a new app that is completely based on all things beauty and were looking for more bloggers to feature on it. Of course, me being a sucker for hints and tips I just had to sign up! Instantly I was obsessed. Once you sign up you answer a few questions on your skin type which is added to your profile which looks like this.

My blog is linked to my profile which only the owners can do currently if you have one you want to share. Here you have your own posts where you share your tips or a product you're loving for everyone else to see then people can "like" and "comment" very Facebook-esque. Then your Reviews, which when you add a new post {+ button} instead of clicking create a post click add product to shelf where you take a picture and then the system registers it for you to write your opinion on it. Perfect if you're someone like me who loves everyone knowing what you think!

A new feature was introduced the past few days which is earning gems for being active on Veleza so the more you post the more gems you get and the higher you rank! Just a cute added extra to motivate you to post.

What's really cute about the notifications section is you can see when people write a new post and review aswell as who liked yours and followed you. It's so much easier to catch up on as the Discover section doesn't have everyone's posts on there.

Here is where you can see other members posts! I've been inspired by so many of these and bought a ton of products others have tried and tested. The best thing about this is it's real people testing real products, no fake advertising, just pure love!

This section is where you can find products yourself based on what you want and are looking for. Most products on here are drugstore and affordable, even telling you the prices which is super handy!

Finally, my favourite bit of the app, the Discuss section! Here you can seek advice from your fellow app users for whatever you're after. It's like a beauty forum just ask a question then others comment suggesting the best products in their opinion. This is what makes Veleza a community app as a whole.

I hope you liked my little tour of the app and hopefully persuaded you to download this FREE app. Remember, blogger or not this is for everyone and I highly recommend it as everyone is so friendly and supportive on there and it's definitely something that is underrated and needs more exposure. Trust me it can be a lifesaver for your last minute beauty worries!

Here is the website link you can download the app straight from https://veleza.com/

Welcome to the community darlings!

Katie x

REVIEW: Outdoor Hands: The Intense Skin Therapy Cream

My hands have always been one of my least favourite parts of my body because nothing I did ever worked for them to look feminine. Like everywhere else, I do suffer from dry skin on my hands and they are sensitive to breakage as I've found out from getting my nails done which is frustrating for not only me but my friend who is a qualified nail technician. It doesn't help that the shop I work in is beyond freezing and I'm always handling rough metal cages during my shifts so my hands were in definite need of Tender Loving Care.

So, as you can imagine I was thrilled when I was sent Outdoor Hands; a new skin therapy cream launched by experts to relieve dry, cracked and tired hands without any added naughty bits.

"Developed using a unique blend of natural ingredients, Outdoor Hands is free from chemical preservatives, silicones and colourants; to help leave skin feeling soft, smooth and rejuvenated. The cream’s specialist formula is easily absorbed, resulting in a non-greasy finish for use on hands, feet, elbows and other dry skin areas."

And that was the main attraction for me, my skin is very reactant to highly perfumed and preservative ridden products so this seemed perfect for me without worrying about inflammation and redness, which instead claims it reduces that. It even smells quite nice, a kind of subtle citrus scent.

The other attraction was the fact they claimed it was "non-greasy" which I was a bit dubious about.  I've owned creams in the past that no matter how much you rub in, your hands remain sticky and slippery until your hands go dry again so you'd have to re-apply, it was a vicious circle so in the end I stopped applying anything making my hands dry and unfeminine. But I was surprised that when I used Outdoor Hands the cream did actually absorb without leaving any evidence, it looked like nothing was applied but my hands felt smoother immediately. Just a pea-sized amount left my hands feeling as smooth as a baby's bottom!

An extra plus is this is 100% British, so if you're all about being patriotic this is the product for you. It's skincare that can be trusted!

I'm brutally honest and choosy when it comes to products so believe me when I say that if you suffer from dry, cracked skin or even if you don't and just love touchably smooth hands, I highly recommend this. 

At only £6.95 Outdoor Hands is available through a variety of stockists including their website http://www.outdoorhands.co.uk where you will also find out more information.

Have a lovely, skin-loving day loves!

Katie x

REVIEW: Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes +

Today is going to be a beauty rave my loves since I haven't done one in a long time.

Have you ever wanted long lashes but absolutely loathe applying fake lashes? Then I highly recommend this product.

Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes + claims it increases your lashes by up to 400% with its micro-fibers and it couldn't be more true.

See I was lucky enough to be blessed with long lashes anyway so I was a bit sceptical as to whether it would be any good for me but it really does give that false lash effect and volumises amazingly. 

AND it's so easy to use;

First you apply your normal every day mascara onto your lashes, then you coat on the Transplanting Gel and then apply the 3D micro fibers straight away to create that lengthy look. It can be a messy job and you can repeat this step however many times you desire but just get a clean mascara brush and comb your lashes to remove the excess and seperate your lashes.

It originally is a bit on the pricey side if you purchase from the Younique website for £23 but you can get it for an absolute bargain price from £4.99 (sometimes cheaper if you bid!) on Ebay and it's the actual legitimate product.

If that doesn't persuade you, what will?

Katie x

First Post Of 2016 | Bedroom Tour

Hello my loves, and welcome to my first post of 2016! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year and like me, ate and drank that little bit too much!

I never mentioned this in My Goals for 2016 post but the one thing I've had my heart set on for years now, is to have a bedroom I am actually proud of. See over the years, I've always drawn the short straw, I live in a flat with my parents and I either shared with my sister or had the box room so my brother could have the bigger room, leaving no room for a space of my own but in just under a year I've finally achieved that and I wanted to share it with you!

Let's start from the beginning, the very first thing I did was plan the walls. After years of having posters plastered all over my room I finally decided it was time to grow up. (sad face!) Anyway, I love feature walls but I'm not a fan of patterns too "in your face" and extravagant, after all I do have to sleep in here! So, in the end I went for this gorgeous, cream wallpaper with roses on, it's so understated but definitely adds that little bit of character to the room.

Next up is my bed, oh I do love being single and having a double bed! No duvet hogging and overheating in the night just me, myself and I .. well ... and the cats when they break in my room 5 in the morning! Clever little buggers! The best thing about this bed is the leather headboard, I don't know why but I'm so inlove with the way it looks and it was literally the reason I chose this bed but its so comfy!

I never intended on the cream and brown theme, before I had pink bedding but since my mum bought me this duvet set for Christmas I've really grown to love it and I've bought curtains in Chocolate brown and now I'm on the search for the perfect lampshade! (I do get very OCD about these things!)

Now for where the magic happens .. my make-up table, that is actually my chest of drawers, which is actually for storage.

A quick little run through on whats on it because I know some people are nosey and like to know this stuff; 

Ari by Ariana Grande perfume which I got for Christmas, Impulse spray in Romantic Spark, Vaseline underarm deodorant, Cath Kidston make-up bag I got for Secret Santa this year which contains my everyday make-up essentials, Minnie Mouse wash bag from Primark which contains everything else from eyeshadows to nails, The Vintage Cosmetic Company tweezers in floral, Avon Care hand cream in Royal Jelly, two travel size tubes of La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo + cream which I was recommended by a girl on Twitter for my annoying breakouts, simply amazing! Avon Care Face Cream in Royal Jelly, Garnier Micellar Water, Make-up Wipes, Cotton pads, Tresemme Heat Protect spray and my Nicky Clarke Hair Dryer!

Whilst we're at in let's throw in my dodgy mirror above! This is what you get when parents try to do DIY together and clash ...

My cute clock that my mum literally give me about an hour ago that she thought would look cute and it's cute! How cute of her!

Here's my cute quote that, after having for about 6 months I finally decided to put up. This means an awful lot to me because if I'm ever having a bad day or a tough time, it reminds me of how many good times I've actually had in my life and the special people that I've met along the way. It just makes me smile. I've also had these colour-changing flower lights for a long time which I've only just put up too just to make it look a bit pretty and colourful.

Last but not least, my shoe rack ... and I don't even think this is all of them! Here's a picturesque version with my quote above it ...

and here's reality! 

Hey I'm not perfect!

So I hope you've enjoyed my little room tour, literally my room is tiny but like I said, I am finally happy with it .. for now. It's a cosy little space I can call all mine!

So Adios amigos, love from Katie and Phillip xxx

Blog For The Passion, Not For The People.

Recently I've been reading a hell of a lot of posts about how people are panicking about having writers block, not being happy with what they post and how their layout looks. 

My only advice is just STOP.

Stop what you are doing, stop panicking, stop comparing yourself to others and think back to the day you decided to make your blog. What inspired you to communicate your message to this crazy world that is the Internet?

Granted I haven't been blogging properly for very long but I think too many of us are hoping to be the next Zoella overnight that we're forgetting our own identities and we've stopped writing what we're passionate about and more about what we think others want to read. That's when the panic kicks in.

There are thousands of blogs created and it's inevitable you are going to feel drowned in a sea of bloggers all over the world, but this happens in whatever creative field you're in. Music, Dance, Acting. Everything takes time to graft, and make a success and a following comes with it but don't make that the reason you want to blog, blog for YOU not for other people. Think about the likes of Adele; she didn't release an album for 4 years until it was perfect, she didn't release an album every year that she was unhappy with and it was rushed just to make others happy.

Every blogger is wonderful in their own way and I enjoy reading several blogs and the ones I enjoy the most have an identity, it reflects them as a person not just 'lifestyle' 'beauty' 'fashion'.

Basically what I'm trying to say is; it's okay to feel passionate about blogging but stop putting so much pressure on yourself to be perfect overnight, to worry about your stats and your figures. Do it because you love to write, do it because you love to share your voice and opinions. Do it to express yourself. Be yourself.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

Katie X 

Day 15 of #Blogmas | Christmas Party Vibes With Boutique Of Molly

So it's Christmas Party season and no matter how many dresses you have in your wardrobe you always need one to suit the holiday so you don't understand my excitement when Boutique Of Molly contacted me to do a lil collaboration with them!

There were so many beautiful dresses and pieces it was so hard to decide but in the end I just went for the 'Georgia' Padded Sweetheart Dress. I must admit I was little worried incase it arrived and was way too short but I adore this piece SO much, it's so effortless to wear and the perfect length especially for this time of year. I figured it was a staple item to have in my wardrobe and perfect to dress up or dress down for a Christmas party or any occassion infact, completely versatile! It slips on with no zips or buttons and is made out of a stretchy material which hides all your lumps and bumps so you can snack on all the Christmas goodies all you want and still look sexy!

 

I teamed it with my Kelly Brook Fur Shoe Boots from New Look and added my Aspire Crescent Moon Pendant from Pluto's Ego to add some bling to a simple get up.

 

I'm a sucker for little online stores I find on Twitter but honestly I highly recommend this online boutique, it's only small but the quality is impeccable, sexy and affordable. I'll definitely be buying more things from there and I just know they're going to be a growing success.

Check out Boutique of Molly for yourself!
Website: http://www.boutiqueofmolly.com/
Twitter: @BoutiqueOfMolly
Facebook: Boutique Of Molly
Insta: BoutiqueOfMolly

Katie x

Day 7 of #Blogmas | A Day In The Life; Xmas Shopping!

So by being amateur in this blogging world I don't quite know how to "blog" a Get Ready With Me post so I just took a few pictures of my ugly mug this morning and hoped for the best?

So here goes;

woke up like dis // ootd // shower tiiime

all clean! // face routine // cuppa break!

time to dry ma hair // i can seee // foundation time

concentration face // mum brought me toast! // concealer time

looking fit // powder style // pouty

face is done! // pink lips+craay hair // tamed+ready

fur+sunnies aka diva. // forgot to brush my teeth // xmas shopping!

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYBODY

Katie x