No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick - Gay Geranium

So I may have a teeny tiny obsession with buying lip colours! No matter how many shades, brands, styles or bargains I buy it never seems to be enough!
I'd seen this lipstick last week and have been umming and arrring for the past 140-odd hours weather to invest in it or not.... well clearly I choose too!

This is the Stay Perfect lipstick from No7 in the shade 15 - Gay Geranium (what a random but fabulous name, won't be forgetting it in a while!)
For me this is a pricier lipstick (I like my Barry M & Rimmel price tags) at £9.50 but with No7 make-up at the moment being buy one get one half price me and a friend decided to both get one so it made it cheaper for us both! 

It is a super bright orange with a slight subtle tinge of red. I don't actually own an orange based lipstick yet (that I can think of) - I think I've been being a bit of a wimp when it comes to brights/neons and I'm not happy with myself! The closet colour I have to this so far is the Kate Moss Rimmel lipstick in 110.

I've always loved orange and until I was around 15/16 my room was bright orange and I loved it! Earlier this year aswell my Mum's 50th birthday party was "orange" themed - this lipstick would have been perfect!

Even though this is super bright I don't think it look too OTT when it is on - it works so well with both minimal make-up for the daytime and a heavier look for a night out!
 It says it lasts 8 hours and although I haven't worn it for that long yet when I have worn it it has stayed on perfectly (and that arm swatch I have done is still not budging!)

Totally forgot to get a photo of it on my lips on my camera (doh! ... I blame the 9hour day at work) so here's one from my little friend I call Mr. iPhone - sorry the quality isn't as high and for the fact I look seriously tired! 

This would got PERFECTLY with Barry M's Gelly Nail Paint in Satsuma - they are so so similar!
I found the link to the lipstick for you pretty people right here! Let me know if you've tried any of these Lip colours - this is the first No7 one I've bought and I don't think it is going to be the last!
Have you got any fab orange lipsticks? - now I have 1 I want them all!

The 90s Tag

This is my 100th blog post - woooohooo yippee yay!
Ever since watching  Zoella & Tanya Burr do this tag in a video a few weeks ago I've wanted to join in and do it in post form on here!
I am the same age as Zoe as was born a month before her on 8th February 1990 - making me a hardcore 90s child, 1990 all the way baby!
So here we go .... The 90s Tag, with some hilarious photos for you all the enjoy....

1. Favourite Disney Film?
If we are talking about when I was younger I think I'm going to have to say The Lion King or Toy Story. I still remember standing in the huge line at my local cinema to go and see Toy Story for the first time when it came out in 1995 - it was so exciting because it was Pixar's first big movie! I remember always wanting the Buzz & Woody toys, I sound like a right tomboy! I'm still such a huge Disney fan, I always will be obsessed! (and yes that is my Disney DVD collection)


2. Favourite Music Artist?
Well clearly top of the list has to be the Spice Girls, I remember being 6 and going up to one of my friends in the playground and saying "Have you heard that song Wannabe?" - they were amazing and I even owned the Spice Girl trainers (yes they were a thing!)
I also LOVED Steps, my first ever concert was going to see Steps for my 9th birthday, my Mum even took me out of school early so we could go, haha like anyone could get away with doing that now! And yes I went to the reunion tour last year - it was awesome! I was a HUGE fan of pop music (and I still am) and loved all girls and boy bands going... S club 7, 5ive, A1 (the best boyband in my opinion), Aqua oh and I can't forget Britney Spears - check out my incredible CD selection!

3. Favourite Candy/Sweeties?
This list is endless! When I was younger I loved "Opal fruits" and I remember when they changed to Starburst! Do any of you remember that?
 Obviously all the 1p sweets you could get were just amazing, going to the corner shop and filling up a bag, when did this stop?!! I LOVED Wispa Gold's and am still extremely excited that they have bought them back! (ooo and I loved having Echo's in my lunchbox too :)

4. Favourite Game (Board Game, School Game etc)
Board Games... I loved Frustration and Kerplunk! Monopoly was fun but it always takes so long! My brother and I also had a Mega Drive which we were obsessed with - Sonic The Hedgehog and The Lion King were our favourites, we spent days and days on that machine!

5. Favourite McDonalds Happy Meal Toy?
Anything Disney!


6. Favourite Book?
Like all young girls in the 90s I was obsessed with Jacqueline Wilson books, I think I nearly read them all and I even met her at a book signing once (check out that photo!) When I was a little bit older aswell I LOVED Louise Renninson's books (The Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal snogging series.) - the movie was nowhere near as good as the books, I'd still read them now!


7. Favourite Clothing Store?
It has got to be Tammy Girl - I bloomin' well loved that store! My favourite items being a top which had a massive smiley face on it and was covered in badges and some super (and I mean huge) flare black jeans with a pink chain... oh I was such a skater girl!

8. Favourite NickJnr Show?
Well I didn't have NickJnr channel but there was alot of it on CBBC & CITV, I liked Rugrats and Alvin & the chipmunks! 
But when I was younger  my FAVOURITE show was without a doubt - Maid Marion and Her Merry Men - if you didn't watch this.. you missed out, it was amazing!

9. What would you watch when you got home from school?
What wouldn't I watch? Here's just a short list of shows I loved as a kid.... Playdays, Short Change, Byker Grove, Aquila, Madhouse, Jeopardy, Round The Twist, Rugrats, The Fresh Prince, The Simpsons, Buffy (which you all know if my fav show of all time), Clarissa Explain It All, Sabrina, Dinosaurs, Recess, Saved By The Bell, Hangtime, Stingray, Captain Scarlet, The Racoons, Kenan & Kel, The Secret World Of Alex Mac, Eerie Indiana, Arthur, Animorphs, Albert the fifth musketeer, Oscar's Orchestra  Dawson's Creek, Sister Sister, The Animals Of Farthing Wood, Alvin & The Chipmunks, Brum, Come Outside, Through The Dragons Eye, Live & Kicking, SMTV Live..... crickey the list is endless!

I wish there was more questions in this tag it's been so fun thinking back to my childhood!
Were you a 90s child?

Growing My Hair & My Haircare Routine

Over the years I've been good with my hair but I've also been VERY bad with my hair! I'm the sort of girl who gets bored with it easily and loves having a change, whether it being a colour or a cut I love having a revamp at least once a year!

Throughout the last 10 years I have tried ALOT of different colours, cuts and styles which hasn't always been the best thing for the condition of my locks! (Especially the time I was dying my hair red weekly so it wouldn't fade.... oh dear!)
2009-2011 was probably my most drastic changes ( and not just my hair.... ) here's me as a blonde, a redhead and a brunette with a variety of fringes, yes this all probably happened within a 18 month period! (2010 and 2011 are with extensions)

BUT over the last 18 months I have realised that, for me, doing my hair myself was just NOT the thing to be doing and have been religiously heading to my hairdresser to get my hair done! 
Back in Spring 2012 I thought I'd get rid of my extensions (RIP) and have my hair cut alot shorter but after a while it had grown a bit and was still feeling a bit pants so in November 2012 I decided that the only way for me to get my long thick hair from when I was 17 back I was going to have to go for the chop and get a  proper bob - it was time to start a fresh and look after it well!

I have to say this was the best decision I have ever had for my hair and I actually loved having my hair in a bob, it was so easy and fun but.... I did start to get bored of the one straightened look I went for 24/7 after a few months!

In February for my birthday I received the whole Lee Stafford hair growth set and the Lee Stafford Argan oil and from this moment I have been on a mission to grow my hair out!
Since using the Lee Stafford products ( and a few others ) I have noticed such a difference in the condition of my hair and it HAS been growing alot faster in my opinion.

Aswell as using these products I have drastically cut down on using heat on my hair. Since February I have probably used heat on my hair less than 25 times - that is SIX months people, I think I'm doing well!
Unless I am going on a night out I will just let my hair air dry and either put it up in bun or in a french plait style! It may not look as good but my hair feels soooo much better from it all and it's actually a treat now when I decide to straighten or curl my hair.... I can also always notice a massive growth difference each time where I only straighten it every couple of weeks or so!

Here's my hair from the big chop until now  ....

 I go to hairdressers for a trim and a whole head of highlights every 12-16 weeks or so, leaving it this long does give me some major roots but it is so much better for my hair then going every 8 weeks, I love getting a bit blonder each time I go!

So..... I thought I'd share with you my hair routine and the products that I use! 

Number one is that I use a Tangle Teezer. (eww SO sorry about the strands of hair in the photo!)
I literally do not remember life before using these. I got my first one back in 2010 for Christmas and immediately fell in love!
If you haven't used these before I seriously urge that you do, they are so much better for your hair than a normal hairbrush, they don't pull, they keep your hair strong and they also help keep it shiny, I honestly haven't used an ordinary hairbrush to brush my hair in nearly 3 years!
I wash my hair probably 3 times a week and I near enough always use these, the Lee Stafford Hair Growth shampoo and conditioner. Like I said before I have been using them since February and I jut love the results they have. I know they are a little expensive for the size of the bottle you get (£6.99) but if you are sensible with the amount you are using you can make these last for weeks and weeks. (it is great if Boots have offers, it really helps save the pennies) I love love love the smell aswell!

Everytime I wash my hair and it is towel dry/damp I always use either the Lee Stafford Argan oil or my NEW favourite hair product the Moroccanoil Treatment from the mid lengths of my hair to the roots , both these products work so so well and I don't know how I lived before using oils on my hair! They are so amazing for keeping my hair thick, strong and healthy and they last for so so long, the Lee Stafford one is the same one since February!
Also if I am going to be using any form of heat on my hair I always spray in the Lee Stafford Heat Protection Spray for Straightening (even if I'm curling it... I'm crazy like that!)

Each Sunday (yes I have a set day!) I like to use the Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment along with my shampoo and conditioner. I put this on after my shampoo and leave for around 5 minutes and then wash out and use my conditioner as normal.
This stuff makes my hair feel so so amazing and I highly recommend it to anyone who it trying to repair or grow their hair or anyone has really dry hair.  (obviously it has the lovely Lee Stafford smell aswell!)
It is £7.99 and this normally lasts me about 8 weeks or so as I only use a egg sized amount once a week. As you can see I've stocked up (3 for £12 at the moment in Boots!) so this is likely to see me through until the end of the year!

If you have been following my blog then you know a good few weeks ago now I bought the Lee Stafford Bleach Blondes shampoo and conditioner to try. 
These products are toning products to help you loose any brassy or yellowy tones in your blonde hair (like the "touch of silver" shampoo that alot of people seem to be using). Originally I started using this once a week but I did find that it made my hair a little drier than usual so I have cut down to just using it once every 10 days or so! So far I think they have worked great and have definitely had a positive effect on the colour of my hair!

Now down to something that I only do once a month/ every 6 weeks!
 If I have a day off when I know that I'm just going to be at home for the day (and not be seen by any members of the public!)  I love to cover my whole hair in coconut oil..... in fact I am doing it right now!
Coconut oil is great for so so many things and it mainly used for dry skin (that's even what it says on the label) but I'd heard by quite a few different sources say it is also great for hair aswell, so i tried it! I've been doing this for the past few months and each time it has left me with lovely soft, thick hair!
Coconut oil is a hard substance (a bit like the Palmers coco butter original formula) but when a little heat is added it immediately turns to an oil, so all you have to do is rub it between your hands and you have pure coconut oil to slap on your hair! 
This stuff is super cheap aswell, I got this from Superdrug and it was 2 for £3 -  what a bargain for a product which has multiple uses!


I hope you have enjoyed this post - let me know what you think and what products you use and love!

Kirstie's Travel Diaries #8 - The Hollywood Hills 2

Catch up with #7 here.

DAY 8 (07/03/12) - this day has been split into 2 posts this is Part 2.

Well I'm guessing if you have read this then you have previously read part 1 .... and if not then the link is at the top! 

I left the last post half way through our Wednesday afternoon and halfway through our exciting Hollywood Hills open top tour!
WARNING : This post is going to be very photo heavy.

After looking at some of the most incredible houses I've ever seen and hearing so much information and so many crazy stories we headed into the town and the iconic Rodeo Drive.
This is something I had seriously been looking forward too, somewhere you see so much on TV and in films you really want to know what it's like in real life! Is everyone walking round in heels with their amazing flowing hair and miniature pooch?

The first place we saw was Badgley Mischka which  is so super famous after it's scene in Pretty Woman (you know when they refuse to serve her?!) which I'm sure you all remember! Driving down Rodeo Drive was so insane because I recognised so so many places I'd seen on TV... especially on The Hills!

We saw our first cheesecake factory of the trip here (but we actually didn't even venture into one until we hit San Fran - obviously I shall be writing about that in the not so distant future!) and this is actually the FIRST ever Cheesecake Factory an opened in 1978! 
Seriously even from the outside this place looks amazing, I am a sucker for anything sweet so this is just amazing for me! Loveeeeee the cake!

 After going round Rodeo Drive we headed back to Hollywood Boulevard... via Sunset! We saw so many cool sights and so many famous places and landmarks! 
Honestly if you go to Hollywood  and you fancy having a classic tour I really recommend the Starline tours. The guide we had was just amazing, the amount of information he knew about simply everything was just fascinating. You could really tell he was passionate about his job and put his all into it - Thank you Andrew!
Check out some of the sights below, I won't bore you with the details to every single photo!

 Back on Hollywood Blvd and we popped into Starbucks for a well earned cup of tea and then went next door into Hollywood's Madame Tussuads! (I can't remember if I had mentioned before but with our tickets for the tour we also got free ticket to the Madame Tussauds which was super cool!)

Of course we had cameras out and were ready to pose with all our favourites! Some of them were amazing ... some.... not so much *cough* Zac Efron looked like a chipmunk*cough*!
Here are some of my favs!

After larking around for ages with all the waxworks we walked the 2 minutes back to our hotel before getting ready for dinner! We knew exactly where we wanted to go tonight and again it was only a 2 minute walk on Hollywood Blvd - Hooters!

We knew we wanted to have an earlyish night (and we also didnt want to be hanging out on the dodgy streets too late) so we thought Hooters was the perfect plan!
We headed down early evening and were seated by our waitress - Wendy (who was obviously tiny, gorgeous and had awesome boobs! - I wish I could rock that uniform!)
 We both had a chicken salad and I can say hands down it was my best meal of the trip so far - I LOVED it!
Of course being our first time in Hooters we had to get t-shirts -I love mine and still wear it all the time! I love that the location is on it aswell!

Sorry that this post has seemed to be very photo heavy - although at least they are slightly exciting photos.... well they are in my opinion! I loved LA and I hope one day I will be able to go back!
Keep a look out for the next Travel Diaries post as it's all about the day we went to Hollywood's Universal Studios!

Vlogumentary

YouTube is something I have watched daily for years.
 Whether it being Blair Fowler OMGHHKPing, Jenna Marbles doing a turtle backpack turtle spin or watching Shaycarl's daily life - I am obsessed! 
I'm sure no matter who you are or where you are from, if you have the internet I can guarantee that you have watched a video on Youtube.
 The Shaytards are a family I have been watching probably for the last 4 years or so and Shaycarl is someone I honestly see as an idol. All the hard work and creativity he has put into every single project he has done truly proves that you CAN live the dream. 
I believe if you put enough work and positive energy into something it will happen and turn into something amazing and if you love your job you will never "work" a day in your life. This is something I really hope for myself and I do hope one day I will be able to say I LOVE my job.
Shay and a few others have made a movie about YouTubers and how it really has changed entertainment and people lives! 
Check it out HERE - if it gets enough "likes" hopefully it will be shown in cinemas! So make sure you give it a thumbs up and share it wherever you can!
For me this is some really inspirational stuff - long live YouTube!
Who are your favourite youtubers? I have sooooo many!!

July Favourites

Wow is another month over again already? I can't believe I'm into my 3rd monthly favourites post already since being back in the blogging world!
It is August tomorrow - this is crazy, I know we always say it every year but the years really do fly by as you get older!

Bit of a mix of things this month as always, I can honestly say I have become addicted to a few things over the last 4 weeks.... (no make-up this month though .... I think I am unwell! But don't get me wrong I have still bought loads in July haha)

Now smells is a BIG thing for me. If a product smells good, I'm sold! I'd be waiting for this to come into my local Boots for ages and a couple of weeks ago I spotted it and even thought it is £10.50 (which is quite alot for my current budget) I whacked it in my basket and didn't look back!
 This is the Sugar Crush Body Buttercream from Soap & Glory. I have the scrub at home and have been floating between that and The Breakfast Scrub for a while now but can I just say, the cream, to me, smells SO much better than the scrub! It is really sweet scent with a strong zest of lime but also has a creamy cake mixture type smell to it aswell. Okay that sounds weird but I think it is the Shea & cocoa nut balm and almond oils! I am addicted to this product! Every time I see it in my room I have to have a smell and put it on either my arms or legs! I put this all over my body after my shower every morning and I love it, I cannot wait to get the body wash aswell!

Next up in my new purse. I like to switch up my purse/wallet alot as I get easily bored and this is one I've had my eye on for a while! Ted Baker purses are so gorgeous and the quality of them is amazing. I recently went to Gunwharf Keys in Portsmouth which has a Ted Baker outlet in it and thought I would treat myself. 
They are normally anything between £75 and £85 so this has obviously put me off in the past! But I went in and this was actually the first one I picked up. I loved the colour and as soon as I looked inside and saw the lining was French Bulldogs (my dream dog) I knew it was the one!
 It was £50 but because I'm a very lucky girl (and it was out anniversary) my boyfriend put £20 towards it so I only had to pay £30 for it! I know this is going to last me years and years and there is noway I'm going to get bored of this one anytime soon!

This is a product which was actually recommended to me from a friend (Hey Lottae!)! After alot of 7am and 7:30am starts recently at work (I am NOT a morning person) I have started to develop major bags under my eyes! I've never really had this problem before where they are so visible but this product is actually amazing at keeping them at bay! 
It is the Garnier Skin Naturals Caffeine Eye Roll-on for Anti-bags and anti-dark circles! You can apply this as many times a day as you feel necessary (I normally only use it 2 or 3 times). All you do is apply it to your under eye in light and gentle circular motions! It is a roller ball dispenser so you don't need to worry about how much to use or making a mess! I can say with confidence that this has 100% helped reduce the appearance all the bags under my eyes and always makes me eyes feel more alert and awake ... must be the caffeine!

Another product now which had me sold by its smell! With the weather getting a bit colder now my lips have been getting a bit dry and chapped once again. Normally I am all for Vaseline and I recommend it to anyone who says they have sore lips but I have recently stumbled across my new holy grail. 
I am usually very fussy with lip balms as I never feel like anything works as well as Vaseline for me but I saw the flavour of this lip balm/butter from Nivea recently and was immediately drawn to it. 
This is the Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia. I thought I'd give it a go and thought even if it didn't work as well as Vaseline at least I can enjoy the smell BUT I was pleasantly surprised after using it to find out it works just aswell! I now take this everywhere I go and have it next to my bed at night, definitely something I will be re-purchasing over and over again!

I won't bore you with a huge paragraph about this product as I have done a WHOLE post on it earlier this week! But it has to be in my July favourites as it is truly an amazing product. Check out all my thoughts on it here - Moroccanoil Treatment - My New Best Friend.

Soap & Glory's Scrub Of Your Life is a product that I first used years ago as a teenager. I remember buying it purely for the comment on the front of the bottle which states it can get rid of the horrible red bumps on the backs of your arms. Now, I am a major sufferer of this and I seriously HATE it, like where do they come from? Why do only some people get them? They suck!
I was thinking the other week about the time I had a scrub which really helped with them and after alot of detective work I remembered it was this! A few weeks later and I have to say that once again it has been working a charm and has helped clear the red bumps up alot. Not to mention its lovely packaging and smell - thank you Soap & Glory another great product!

Last but not least is some music that I have been loving this month (and for a while now!).
Ariana Grande is known best for her role in Victorious but since she released her single 'The Way' a few months ago I have been obsessed with her and her voice. ( I play this song - every single day.)
This girl has some SERIOUS talent, I mean Whitney and Mariah level. 
She is incredible, just check out her youtube channel (osnapitzari) and watch a few of her personal videos! My favourite is her doing impressions, her Britney and Judy Garland impressions are so so amazing, this girl can SING! (Oh and I did I mention I swear to god she is Cheryl Cole's mini twin!!!)
Here is her new single "Baby I" - this really reminds me of the sort of RnB I was listening to about 10 years ago or so - I love it! 
Also check out her song with Mika called Popular Song it is so catchy, I love a good pop song!


What have you been loving in July?