HAPPY HAIR

Around 18 months ago, I made a huge mistake with my hair!  I had been blonde all my life when I made the disastrous decision to dye it cherry red and I hated it!  Don't get me wrong, the colour looked ok but it just wasn't me - suddenly my make-up and clothes looked wrong and I didn't know what colours suited me anymore, all resulting in an identity crisis.

I spoke to several hairdresser acquaintances I know and they all told me the same thing - trying to remove red  and return to blonde is a very tricky business best left to the professionals if I didn't want to end up with pink hair!  But funds being low I couldn't afford to go and spend all that money at the salon so to start with I toned down the red into a slightly better brunette and then slowly but surely I have made my way back down the home dye colour spectrum towards my goal.

All this colouring though had left me with dry coarse hair that seriously lacked shine if left unattended, so I began a search for a solution within my budget, trying range upon range all promising healthy looking, shiny hair - but none seemed to work and my hair remained stubbornly lacklustre.

Countless hair washes later I discovered the Pantene Repair & Protect range and finally I had found The One!  Just two weeks after trying the products and my hair was shinier, glossier and altogether happier.

Along with the shampoo and conditioner, I use the 2min Deep Repair Mask at least once a week and I also used the Split End Serum on damp hair before I blow dry and I can really see the difference.  Even my hairdresser commented on the change in the condition when I went to get it trimmed - he could not believe it!

Now, many months later and after getting my shoulder length style cut into a jaw skimming bob to remove the last of the old colour, my hair is finally starting to look like it belongs to me and some of my old confidence is starting to show through again.

So thank you Pantene for making my hair and me happy again!

xx

My desert island must haves

To start I thought I would tell you about my ultimate high st buys.  These are the products that I would most want with me if I became stranded on a desert island (hey a girl can dream!).

Firstly, you should know that although not overly sensitive, I do have really dry skin.  Without daily care my skin becomes drier than the Sahara and flakier then my favourite crumbliest milk chocolate (I try to resist, I really do!).

 OK so my top 5 (in no particular order) are:

1. Garnier Hydralock Moisturising Milk

This is the ultimate body moisturiser for my very dry skin.  It feels thick and luxurious when you apply and it doesn't leave any stickiness behind so you can get dressed straight away.  Moreover, it really does last the promised 24hrs cutting down on time.
The best bit has to be the price tag!  At around £5 for a 400ml bottle, it doesn't break the bank and its results are every bit as good as some 4x the price.  Can sometimes be a little difficult to get hold of (even the bigger stores don't always stock it) but I usually find mine in Superdrug.

2. Vaseline Lip Therapy tin - Rosy tint (around £2 per tin)
I don't have much time for applying make-up in the morning so I adore this little multitasker.  I apply to both my lips and cheeks to give them a lovely rosy, healthy look, and it moisturises too!
Definitely a hit in my book!

3. Bio-oil (normally approx. £9 per 60ml, although other sizes available)

Ok, so this product isn't overly purse friendly but believe me when I say it is worth every penny!
I originally tried it to help reduce a scar on my cheekbone and I admit to being dubious especially when the info leaflet went on to tell me it could take up to 3 months to see any benefit!  However, the scar was embarrassing so I persevered, putting it on the scar in the morning and then using it as facial oil every evening.
After just 4 weeks, I could already see a difference and now 5 months on, it is almost invisible!  I still use it as facial oil every night as it really helps with my dry skin to.
Currently on offer at Feelunique.com for only £7.65 for 60ml, and also at Boots where the 200ml bottle is £19.99 and on BOGOF.

4. Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB cream (currently on sale in Superdrug for £7.49 - should be £9.99)

I love this cream!  Even after only 4 hours sleep a quick application of this stuff leaves me looking healthier than Kate Moss on a good day (no, really!).
It moisturises, it protects, it evens skin tone and it's cheap as chips!  It really is brilliant, try it, I dare you!

5. Tweezerman Slant Tweezers (around £20 for a standard set)

Definitely not the cheapest tweezers on the market but the difference they make to your brows is amazing.

Factor in the lifetime guarantee and you can get them sharpened free at many Tweezerman concessions (see www.tweezerman.co.uk for details); providing you don't lose them, you will have them forever making them well worth the initial splurge.
Your brows will be eternally grateful.

So there you have it - my ultimate 5!  I am always hunting for products to add to my list, so let me know your 'couldn't live without' products so I can try them! 

Similarly, if you try any of my favourites, let me know if you agree!

Welcome!

Hi everyone!
Welcome to my blog for all things beauty.
My name is Becks and I am a busy single mum to my two gorgeous kids Alex and Holly.  I am on a mission to find my best ever beauty products.  I love to get value for money, but more importantly the product have to work and work hard cause I don't have time to keep re-applying
I will be telling you about my favourite products, the ones that I always go back to no matter what new products come on the market. Plus all the new products I try will be getting a mention whether they are bad or good!
I will also be posting my hints and tips and asking for yours in return.
Mainly I will be covering high street brands but there might be the odd high end product thrown in when I can afford it!
So come back regularly for news, reviews and tips on haircare, body, nailcare, make-up and any other random things I find to tell you about!