As a teenager I could not get enough of Avon products. I fondly remember the days of scanning through the new catalogues and filling up the little form with makeup and other beauty goodies only to have to wait a month or so for them to arrive. Well those days are long gone, hell I don't even know any Avon ladies now and it's not really somewhere I head to for my beauty treats anymore.
Although I don't tend to wear Avon makeup anymore, there is one product I have always loved purchasing from that little book - Perfume. I've been wearing Avon perfume ever since I can remember and even now that I have my higher end favourites, I still head back to Avon for the budget scents I love.
Last week I decided to have a little splurge on Avon perfumes. So here is what I got...
Rare Pearls - This has been my go to since I was a babby. It smells incredible and I always get compliments whenever I wear it. I took a bottle of this good stuff to Greece with me on my first ever proper abroad holiday when I was 15 and now whenever a spray it across my skin memories of long days by the beach and cocktails at the bar come flooding back to me. Cheap perfume doesn't get much better than this.
Little Black Dress (1 Full Sized & 3 Minis) - I love this little beauty so much I bought it 4 times. Well one full sized version and 3 minis for my handbag. This is another scent that reminds me of good times as I took a bottle to Amsterdam with me the first time I went. I picked up the minis as I thought they would be the perfect size to pop in my hand luggage and we all know how much I like to travel light these days!
Soft Musk - I vaguely remember buying this once and I'm sure I liked it? It was only a fiver so I was willing to risk it. It's probably one of the uglier bottles Avon do if I'm totally honest but as long as the spray smells decent I'm happy!
Eau De Bouquet - Yes this is the shitest perfume name I have ever heard but have you seen that gorgeous bottle? I'll be completely honest with you, I've never smelt this perfume before in my life but I thought the bottle would look cute on my dressing table. Is that a stupid reason to purchase a perfume? Oh 100% but I like to live life on the edge.
My Everything Mini - This was a complete impulse buy if I'm honest. It was £1.50 and I thought if it smells like crap I can just bin it off for that kind of price. As it turns out it smells really quite nice, it has an almost chocolatey scent to it which I really like. It's probably the best £1.50 I've spent in a very long time!
So that was my cheap and cheerful Avon perfume haul which cost me a grand total of £40!!! Do you still wear Avon perfume or is Marc Jacobs more your thing now? Let me know your favourite perfumes!
Thanks for reading!
x
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Want to read more beauty posts? Here are a few recent ones...
- Blogger Hair Care Favourites
- Why I No Longer Exfoliate My Face And What I Use Instead
- Blogger Holy Grail Products
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Want to read more beauty posts? Here are a few recent ones...
- Blogger Hair Care Favourites
- Why I No Longer Exfoliate My Face And What I Use Instead
- Blogger Holy Grail Products
I've said it before and I'll say it again, taking a solo trip was the best thing I have ever done for myself. If you've been here for a while, you'll know I've had my struggles with anxiety and going places alone, so to hop on a plane and head to a new country on my own really was an achievement for me. That being said, my trip didn't go as smoothly as it could have...
The Duke of York Pub
I chose to visit Belfast. A few months previously I had be convinced to visit the city by a very charming Irishman (a trait I would soon discover most Irish males possess) and my trip was booked before I'd even had time to think about it.
On my second night in the beautiful city I was feeling confident. I survived my first night alone and even went to the pub on my tod, I was doing well. So why not venture a little further I thought? I really wanted to have a drink in 'the most famous pub in Belfast', the Duke of York, and I wouldn't be disappointed when I got there. But it was a half an hour walk from my hotel.
Back home in Birmingham I would never have walked it, a 30 minute walk? No thanks! But when I'm on holiday a half hour walk is nothing. I was happy to see the city along the way and so I left the comfort of my hotel to walk the streets of Belfast on a chilly January evening.
Following the map on my phone closely I quickly walked through the city centre. Maybe it was the time of year or maybe Belfast is just a quiet town, I'm not really sure, but the streets were empty. This was a little unnerving to say the least.
During my walk I was mindful not to look lost or give away the fact that I was following directions. I walked with purpose and confidence and was always aware of my surroundings. That's when I spotted him. A man maybe 10/15 foot ahead of me walking along the empty city centre road. I had noticed him looking back at me a couple of times and then he slowed down. No worries I thought, I'll take a quick look at the map and then walk past him.
With a solid plan in my mind and my phone now firmly away in my pocket I picked up the pace, overtook the man, and turned off the main road. What could go wrong?
"Excuse me", a voice from just behind me called. The man had taken the same turn as me. "Excuse me" he said again, "Do you know where the Berliner is?" By this time he had caught up to me and I could see that he was fairly attractive and not much older than myself. He was Irish but maybe he was visiting Belfast himself and needed directions to the pub? I was trying to make sense of the situation. Naively I slowed my walking and told him that I was sorry but I had not heard of it. This was a mistake.
By responding I invited him to strike up a conversation as we both walked down the narrowing road. Thinking back now I can't even recall what he was talking about, but I do remember him telling me he was a local. That was the red flag I needed to get myself out of there. He was not a lost tourist, he more than likely knew where he was. Alarm bells were ringing, but then as if by some miracle, I noticed a pub just beside us - The Berliner.
I thanked whatever guardian angel was looking over me and notified the man, who was walking ever closer to myself, that the pub he was looking for was there! "Oh" he responded 'Thanks". And off he went towards the doorway of the bar.
Murals Square (next to the Duke of York)
My heart still pounding I walked on. Problem solved, I thought. Then I turned back only to see him standing in the doorway. He hadn't gone in. I turned back and carried on walking. It was by this time that I noticed the road narrowing even further. Was this a dead end?! How could this be I thought? I was following my map so carefully!
I turned back around looking for an exit to the dimly lit road to realise that the man was now walking straight towards me. What did he want? Maybe he was going to mug me? Or maybe worse. My heart sank at this point.
I took one last look at my phone. I needed to get off this street. In my previous panic I hadn't noticed that the road did indeed finish here but there was a small alleyway that continued on through to another main road. The alleyway had no lights but it was my only escape.
I powered through that ally quicker than I think I have ever walked in my life. I didn't want to overreact by running which seems silly thinking back now. Once I was out the other side I just kept going until I turned another corner. It was only then that I looked back to be sure I was alone, which I now thankfully was. You never really notice just how empty streets are until you think you might need to call for help.
Continuing on my way I was even more aware of my surroundings than before. My senses were heightened and even little noises set me on edge. I was still determined to get to the bar, after all where else would I go from here?
I did eventually arrive at the pub (which is well worth the trip) and swiftly ordered a vodka coke to calm my nerves which were just about shot at this point. For the rest of the evening I chatted to other tourists and enjoyed a spot of live music before choosing a very different route home.
Thinking back to that night my memory is beyond fuzzy. The details are warped at best and I would never be able to identify the man if I ever saw him again. I've since looked at maps of Belfast and I can only assume that I must have taken several wrong turns on that night because the route I originally walked doesn't make any sense.
Would I have done anything differently if I was to relive that night again? Honestly I would have never responded the the lad when he originally spoke to me. I was so scared of coming off rude or a bitch that I put myself in a very scary situation.
I've since been called a bitch on several occasions when I've told men in bars that I'm not interested and while it's not nice, it's so much better than accidently inviting unwanted attention.
That night could have easily ended up very differently. I'm very lucky that I spent the evening enjoying a few drinks and not at the police station, or worse.
Spending a long weekend completely alone has done wonders for my confidence and I would recommend it to anyone, but please please just be careful.
Thanks for reading!
x
The Hotel Heritage sits just streets away from the world famous Belfry of Bruges, in fact you can see the landmark from the sundeck (yes you heard right) and even some of the rooms. Are you looking for a budget stay? You're in the wrong place. But if you're after a plush boutique hotel in the heart of beautiful Bruges read on...
Hotel entrance
The hotel, which is part of the Relais & Chateux group, has the luxurious look and feel of an old victorian mansion house whilst having all the comforts travellers like myself have become accustomed to.
On entering the hotel reception we could have be forgiven for thinking we'd stepped onto the set of Downton Abbey. The vintage style furniture and continuous playlist of classical music are a complete contrast from the busy streets of modern day Bruges. Here we found the most helpful receptionists and unlimited ice water, flavoured with either oranges or lemons - a welcome refreshment after a long day of sightseeing. Also on the ground floor is the breakfast/ dining room, a small bar, a cosy drawing room complete with a piano and an open fire, and even a secret garden tucked away in the centre of the hotel. Whilst these areas are breathtaking, the luxury continues up into the rooms too.
Hotel Reception and Bar
After check in was complete we were invited the join our luggage upstairs, but this isn't when the service stops. A member of staff then gave us a tour of our temporary home, explaining how all of the technology works and pointing out any important features. We were then left to unpack, unwind, and enjoy the treats left by house keeping.
In the room we found modern comforts such as USB plug sockets, a mini bar, bottled water which would be topped up daily, miniature grooming items, fresh fruit, dressing gowns, slippers, a coffee machine, an Ipad, and a digital heating system.
Slip into a fluffy white dressing gown and feast on the complimentary fruit or get out and take advantage of the free walking tour provided by the hotel, the choice was ours and we of course chose to do a bit of both.
Bedroom in the Deluxe Room
On our first night we were given an invitation to join the owners of the hotel in the reception area for drinks. Whilst we didn't get chance to chat with them, we did enjoy the complimentary champagne, a treat we would get used to over the following days.
After guzzling down a glass of fizz in the hotel, and having several drinks in central Bruges, we headed back to our room to find it had been turned down for the night and each of us had been left a small box of chocolates. Accompanying the treats was a personalised goodnight message from the hotel, something I'd not come across before but would happily receive each night of our stay.
The following morning, eager to get down to breakfast, we almost missed the small card which had been slid under our door at some point during the night. The slip informed us of the weather for the day ahead and this again was not something I had seen before, but a lovely touch I looked forward to each morning.
Sitting room and sofa bed in the Deluxe Room
On entering the breakfast room we were greeted by our waiter, a very attentive member of staff who served us each morning. He gave us our drinks options for the morning which were a hot drink and a selection of fresh fruit juices. I chose the strawberry and apple juice everyday as it was just delicious.
After bringing our drinks over and serving them to us our waiter would bring a small starter to us each day. The miniature appetizers seemed to be delicacies from that region as I'd never come across any of them before. The first day we were given a small salad with seeds, nuts and a tasty dressing, on the second day we were given cured meat and melon, and on the last day it was a pot of yoghurt and granola. We were then given the choice of how we would like our eggs cooked, during my stay I had both poached and fried, both were equally tasty.
Sitting room and bathroom in the Deluxe Room
Whilst some of the dishes were cooked fresh and served to us, the majority of the breakfast items could be found on the buffet. Here we had the choice of; bacon, sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, several types of cold meats, several types of cheese, cereals, a variety of milk, yoghurts, fresh and dried fruits, a selection of bread, chocolates, cakes, pastries, and my favourite - unlimited champagne.
Once we were finished with our buffet plates sweet treats were brought over to ourselves by our waiter, followed by fresh cooked waffles if we chose. The waffles were unlike any I had tried before and my mouth is watering right now just thinking about that delicious batter melting in my mouth.
Breakfast
During our stay the receptionist was on hand to help with any questions we had. They also provided us with a city map which they happily marked up with points of interest, and a discount card for many of the cities museums.
On check out of the hotel we were given the option to store our bags for the day which we did. We were also given a bag of complimentary water to take away which I thought was a very nice touch.
Hotel highlights:
- Unlimited champagne breakfast
- Complimentary chocolates each night
- View from the sundeck at the top of the hotel
- A separate bath and shower in the room
The only faults I could find in the hotel were the lack of a plug socket near a mirror which seems to be a common occurrence in hotel rooms and the coffee machine which seemed to stay broken throughout our stay even though we mentioned it to the hotel reception.
Hotel Reception
All in all we thoroughly enjoyed our stay in the high end Hotel Heritage. It made a once in a lifetime trip to Bruges just a little more special and the small touches, such as the goodnight chocolates, really left a lasting impression on all of us. Next time I stay at an Etap or Premier Inn I will remember this luxury Belgian hotel fondly.
Thanks for reading!
x
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Looking for more hotel reviews?
- Sofitel Victoria Warsaw
- Burlington Hotel Birmingham
- Whittlebury Hall Northamptonshire
- Raddison Blu Birmingham
Quite a while back I posted about the holy grail beauty products that bloggers just can't live without. Well now I'm talking hair care and jesus christ have I got a list for you! I asked the blogging experts about the hair care products they love and they delivered. I'm not sure you're ready for this list of goodies because I definitely wasn't!
But first here are the hair care products I personally think are fab...
TRESeme Heat Defence Spray - I would be very surprised if I hadn't already spoke about this on the blog before but I don't care because its great. I've been using this spray to protect my hair from daily styling since I was a babby and I haven't found anything that beats it yet! It has slowly been going up in price but I don't think I've ever paid more than a fiver for it!
Touch of Silver Brightening Shampoo - "But Grace you're not blonde anymore!" I can hear you shouting at the screen, and whilst that is partially true I do still have a head full of highlights that don't show up that well on camera. I use this every few weeks to give them the treatment they deserve. Although I'm not the blonde I once was, after using this bad boy my highlights are much lighter and brighter.
Batiste Plumping Powder - How I managed to get to the ripe old age of 24 before I tried this little beauty out I will never know! It gives my hair an unreal amount of volume and its ideal for travelling too it's not a liquid like most of my other styling products. I don't care how thick you think your hair is, you need this product in your life! Just be aware that brushing your hair can be a bit of a struggle the day after using this, but you can't have it all!
Now here are the hair care products that bloggers swear by...
Holly from littlepicklesmom.com - I've got a bit of a thing for Tigi Foxy Curls cream at the moment - I can run a little bit through my hair when it's wet, and can get away with letting it air dry. Without it, my hair looks like a frizzy, wavy nest unless it's blow dried.
Sarah from boxnip.co.uk - Ingenious Beauty Ultimate Collagen+ Capsules. They make my hair thicker, shinier, stronger and it grows so much quicker too! They are these clever capsules that you take at night & they go to where they are most needed. They're brilliant for your hair - I know because I lost all of my hair Dec 2017 & these have helped it come back, thicker than ever! As an added bonus they are fab for skin & nails too! Honestly, if I had to go to a deserted island this is the one product I'd not want to be without!
Emily from www.emilyaagaard.com - As someone with a lot of hair (and I mean A LOT), I’ve found the Tangle Teezer to be an absolute miracle. I have the type of hair that will manage to entangle itself within 3 minutes (my mum calls it velcro hair!), so imagine how it gets after a single night of sleeping on it. Painful, that’s how. Which would always lead me to putting off brushing it even longer to try and avoid the pain. Which leads to more pain! With the Tangle Teezer, I literally just grab hold of a portion of my hair and have at it. Hey presto. And no pain or damage at all. I’m now 1000x more likely to brush my hair every day as I’m no longer subject to that pain!
Annemieke from beautyonreview.com - I love my Fudge Urban Sea Salt spray and could not live without it! It's the only thing that really works for my fine hair. It protects my hair from the heat of my hairdryer, it adds texture and volume and it smells divine!
Naomi from tralisty.com - I’ve got naturally curly hair so I have to find products with no sulphates or nasties and need to try loads of different products to see which ones suit my hair best. So far, I’ve found Shea Moisture Manuka Honey conditioner and Curls Unleashed leave-in conditioner to be the best ones I’ve found!
Laura from missljbeauty.com - As I have very blonde hair. I use bleach London silver shampoo every other wash to keep my hair from any brassy yellowing. It’s by far the best silver shampoo in the market. After I always use a deep conditioner as any sliver or blue shampoo can be very drying. I love Aussie 3 minute miracle.
Emma from beemoneysavvy.com - I absolutely love Herbal Essences bio-renew Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo! I’ve been using it for a month now and and it has completely repaired my dry and damaged hair! I’ve never had a shampoo like it! I got it on offer at Superdrug for £2.50!
Suzi from raisingbadgers.com - I love OGX shampoos and conditioners. My hair walks on the wild side and these are the best, non-super-pricey products I’ve used for keeping it in line! I'm using Coconut Milk at the moment, which keeps the frizz under control, but I haven’t tried one I didn’t like!
Katie from studentskint.com - For hair care I would say a microfibre towel! It reduces frizz and is a lot better for your hair. I use a cheap Claus Ohlson sports towel that cost about £3.
Poppy from poppymayy.co.uk - My favourite hair product is the Phillip Kingsley elasticiser hair treatment. After dying my hair for so many years it had become weak and brittle. After just 3 months of using this my hair had become thicker and stronger with less breakages. It also smells wonderful too and is super easy to use!
Naomi from www.ohsixeleven.co.uk - My favourite is the OUAI Leave in Conditioner, as it is a quick and easy alternative to conditioning in the shower, perfect for anyone with a busy lifestyle! It tames flyaways, helps combat frizz and also protects your hair from the heat of dryers and styling tools. I've noticed a huge difference in my hair since I started using this before blowdrying, my hair looks so much more shiny and so healthy.
Jenni from www.misstillyandme.co.uk - At the moment my hair is struggling with me being pre menopausal and I have discovered L'Oréal Elvive clay shampoo. It is perfect for my greasy roots and dry, bleached ends. It's the only shampoo that was affordable that I could find.
Jenny from mamafoodie.co.uk - Mark hill shampoo, conditioner and argan oil. My hair never looked so good.
Sam from gridcoregraphics.co.uk - The Lee Stafford Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner is great to grow out your hair (it actually works and you can expect to see results in a month!) It also smells nice and can be found on offer in most places so pretty affordable too!
Sarah from sarahjennajayne.com - I mess with my hair pretty much constantly! Forever dying and bleaching! Because of this I need protein treatments! I love the aphogee 2 minute protein treatment and the bleach London reincarnation mask. Both are miracle workers! I think my hair would of all snapped off by now if it wasn't for these products!
Helen from www.naturalbeautywithbaby.com - Tabitha James Kraan haircare has transformed the way I care for my hair. No more stripping natural oils from my hair by washing every day! This system respects my hair and scalp and my hair gets better over time.
Claire from www.dailydealsblog.co.uk - As a money saving blogger I always research everything to ensure I'm getting the best buy and for my hair masks I swear by Aussie Deep Treatment 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor - It has the exact same ingredients and results of the similar masks that are being charged £30+ except you can get it for less than £5. I use it once a month and my hair feels amazing.
Frankie from thoroughlymoderngrandma.com - I’m trying to reduce our plastic waste so have switched to a solid shampoo bar. My favourite is Wild & Sage’s Rosemary and Lavender. It’s 100% natural with Rosemary infused Extra Virgin Oil so leaves your hair really soft. It lasts for ages and there’s no plastic as it’s wrapped in recycled paper.
Amy from shessowilsy.com - Argon oil is my favourite hair product right now. I got compliments about how shiny, smooth and healthy my hair was after using it just the once. And guys... my hair is naturally course, frizzy and wavy! You can buy pure argon oil for around £5 a bottle and it lasts me for several months. I massage it in to my scalp and run it through to the ends of my hair and leave it on for as long as I can. I often put it on before I go to bed and wash it off in the morning with ordinary shampoo and conditioner. It's such an easy addition to add some healthy goodness in to your hair. Even if you only have it on your hair for an hour when you get home from work to the time you wash it, every little bit helps! Weirdly, I'm also able to wash my hair even less after adding argon oil in to my hair routine. It's a bargain really and you know it won't have any nasty chemicals in it - I've been using it ever since!
Lucy from www.lucyearnshaw.co.uk - I love the Ouai Dry Shampoo Foam - I suffer with seborrheic dermatitis (also known as adult cradle cap) so this is much better than an aerosol dry shampoo which irritates my scalp. It’s easy to use and smells amazing!
Emma from themoneywhisperer.co.uk - As a naturally curly girl, my hair is quite dry. Water based lube (yes you heard me right!) is great for my hair.
Ruth from ruthmakesmoney.com - I've got very thick hair that's prone to being dry and quite wild, and it needs a ton of conditioning. The best solution that I've found is using a little coconut oil. The supermarkets' own brands are great. I use it sparingly on the ends, and a little goes a very long way. It's also great to have in the bathroom for removing makeup or tackling dry skin, and it smells amazing!
Jane from www.shoestringcottage.com - This may be a tad unusual, but I love Lush's solid shampoo bars, particularly the Godiva bar. It leaves my hair lovely and soft, smells lovely and - bonus - no plastic waste!
Dorota from www.beautydramaqueen.com - For me it’s all about Philip Kinsley Elasticizer! I can’t imagine my routine without it! It’s just pure magic. Especially now that my hair has been highlighted so much, it’s a miracle worker. I currently add toner to it, stick it in my hair for 30-60 mins then wash it off. Hair’s super soft and manageable afterwards. Coconut scent is the best too!
If you made it to the end well done, I know that was a hell of a lot to get through! I hope you managed to take away some hair care recommendations from this post, there were certainly enough of them!
What are your favourite hair care products?
But first here are the hair care products I personally think are fab...
TRESeme Heat Defence Spray - I would be very surprised if I hadn't already spoke about this on the blog before but I don't care because its great. I've been using this spray to protect my hair from daily styling since I was a babby and I haven't found anything that beats it yet! It has slowly been going up in price but I don't think I've ever paid more than a fiver for it!
Touch of Silver Brightening Shampoo - "But Grace you're not blonde anymore!" I can hear you shouting at the screen, and whilst that is partially true I do still have a head full of highlights that don't show up that well on camera. I use this every few weeks to give them the treatment they deserve. Although I'm not the blonde I once was, after using this bad boy my highlights are much lighter and brighter.
Batiste Plumping Powder - How I managed to get to the ripe old age of 24 before I tried this little beauty out I will never know! It gives my hair an unreal amount of volume and its ideal for travelling too it's not a liquid like most of my other styling products. I don't care how thick you think your hair is, you need this product in your life! Just be aware that brushing your hair can be a bit of a struggle the day after using this, but you can't have it all!
Holly from littlepicklesmom.com - I've got a bit of a thing for Tigi Foxy Curls cream at the moment - I can run a little bit through my hair when it's wet, and can get away with letting it air dry. Without it, my hair looks like a frizzy, wavy nest unless it's blow dried.
Sarah from boxnip.co.uk - Ingenious Beauty Ultimate Collagen+ Capsules. They make my hair thicker, shinier, stronger and it grows so much quicker too! They are these clever capsules that you take at night & they go to where they are most needed. They're brilliant for your hair - I know because I lost all of my hair Dec 2017 & these have helped it come back, thicker than ever! As an added bonus they are fab for skin & nails too! Honestly, if I had to go to a deserted island this is the one product I'd not want to be without!
Abi from whatabigailsays.co.uk - My absolute must have is the Living Proof restore hair mask - it leaves my hair so smooth, reduces frizz and sorts out my split ends!
Amy from www.writingintotheether.com - I always use MUK hair products to dye my hair - the colours are just so so vibrant! And Aussie for my curls (Gets rid of the frizz).
Emily from www.emilyaagaard.com - As someone with a lot of hair (and I mean A LOT), I’ve found the Tangle Teezer to be an absolute miracle. I have the type of hair that will manage to entangle itself within 3 minutes (my mum calls it velcro hair!), so imagine how it gets after a single night of sleeping on it. Painful, that’s how. Which would always lead me to putting off brushing it even longer to try and avoid the pain. Which leads to more pain! With the Tangle Teezer, I literally just grab hold of a portion of my hair and have at it. Hey presto. And no pain or damage at all. I’m now 1000x more likely to brush my hair every day as I’m no longer subject to that pain!
Annemieke from beautyonreview.com - I love my Fudge Urban Sea Salt spray and could not live without it! It's the only thing that really works for my fine hair. It protects my hair from the heat of my hairdryer, it adds texture and volume and it smells divine!
Naomi from tralisty.com - I’ve got naturally curly hair so I have to find products with no sulphates or nasties and need to try loads of different products to see which ones suit my hair best. So far, I’ve found Shea Moisture Manuka Honey conditioner and Curls Unleashed leave-in conditioner to be the best ones I’ve found!
Laura from missljbeauty.com - As I have very blonde hair. I use bleach London silver shampoo every other wash to keep my hair from any brassy yellowing. It’s by far the best silver shampoo in the market. After I always use a deep conditioner as any sliver or blue shampoo can be very drying. I love Aussie 3 minute miracle.
Emma from beemoneysavvy.com - I absolutely love Herbal Essences bio-renew Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo! I’ve been using it for a month now and and it has completely repaired my dry and damaged hair! I’ve never had a shampoo like it! I got it on offer at Superdrug for £2.50!
Suzi from raisingbadgers.com - I love OGX shampoos and conditioners. My hair walks on the wild side and these are the best, non-super-pricey products I’ve used for keeping it in line! I'm using Coconut Milk at the moment, which keeps the frizz under control, but I haven’t tried one I didn’t like!
Katie from studentskint.com - For hair care I would say a microfibre towel! It reduces frizz and is a lot better for your hair. I use a cheap Claus Ohlson sports towel that cost about £3.
Poppy from poppymayy.co.uk - My favourite hair product is the Phillip Kingsley elasticiser hair treatment. After dying my hair for so many years it had become weak and brittle. After just 3 months of using this my hair had become thicker and stronger with less breakages. It also smells wonderful too and is super easy to use!
Naomi from www.ohsixeleven.co.uk - My favourite is the OUAI Leave in Conditioner, as it is a quick and easy alternative to conditioning in the shower, perfect for anyone with a busy lifestyle! It tames flyaways, helps combat frizz and also protects your hair from the heat of dryers and styling tools. I've noticed a huge difference in my hair since I started using this before blowdrying, my hair looks so much more shiny and so healthy.
Jenni from www.misstillyandme.co.uk - At the moment my hair is struggling with me being pre menopausal and I have discovered L'Oréal Elvive clay shampoo. It is perfect for my greasy roots and dry, bleached ends. It's the only shampoo that was affordable that I could find.
Jenny from mamafoodie.co.uk - Mark hill shampoo, conditioner and argan oil. My hair never looked so good.
Sam from gridcoregraphics.co.uk - The Lee Stafford Hair Growth Shampoo and Conditioner is great to grow out your hair (it actually works and you can expect to see results in a month!) It also smells nice and can be found on offer in most places so pretty affordable too!
Sarah from sarahjennajayne.com - I mess with my hair pretty much constantly! Forever dying and bleaching! Because of this I need protein treatments! I love the aphogee 2 minute protein treatment and the bleach London reincarnation mask. Both are miracle workers! I think my hair would of all snapped off by now if it wasn't for these products!
Helen from www.naturalbeautywithbaby.com - Tabitha James Kraan haircare has transformed the way I care for my hair. No more stripping natural oils from my hair by washing every day! This system respects my hair and scalp and my hair gets better over time.
Claire from www.dailydealsblog.co.uk - As a money saving blogger I always research everything to ensure I'm getting the best buy and for my hair masks I swear by Aussie Deep Treatment 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor - It has the exact same ingredients and results of the similar masks that are being charged £30+ except you can get it for less than £5. I use it once a month and my hair feels amazing.
Frankie from thoroughlymoderngrandma.com - I’m trying to reduce our plastic waste so have switched to a solid shampoo bar. My favourite is Wild & Sage’s Rosemary and Lavender. It’s 100% natural with Rosemary infused Extra Virgin Oil so leaves your hair really soft. It lasts for ages and there’s no plastic as it’s wrapped in recycled paper.
Amy from shessowilsy.com - Argon oil is my favourite hair product right now. I got compliments about how shiny, smooth and healthy my hair was after using it just the once. And guys... my hair is naturally course, frizzy and wavy! You can buy pure argon oil for around £5 a bottle and it lasts me for several months. I massage it in to my scalp and run it through to the ends of my hair and leave it on for as long as I can. I often put it on before I go to bed and wash it off in the morning with ordinary shampoo and conditioner. It's such an easy addition to add some healthy goodness in to your hair. Even if you only have it on your hair for an hour when you get home from work to the time you wash it, every little bit helps! Weirdly, I'm also able to wash my hair even less after adding argon oil in to my hair routine. It's a bargain really and you know it won't have any nasty chemicals in it - I've been using it ever since!
Lucy from www.lucyearnshaw.co.uk - I love the Ouai Dry Shampoo Foam - I suffer with seborrheic dermatitis (also known as adult cradle cap) so this is much better than an aerosol dry shampoo which irritates my scalp. It’s easy to use and smells amazing!
Emma from themoneywhisperer.co.uk - As a naturally curly girl, my hair is quite dry. Water based lube (yes you heard me right!) is great for my hair.
Ruth from ruthmakesmoney.com - I've got very thick hair that's prone to being dry and quite wild, and it needs a ton of conditioning. The best solution that I've found is using a little coconut oil. The supermarkets' own brands are great. I use it sparingly on the ends, and a little goes a very long way. It's also great to have in the bathroom for removing makeup or tackling dry skin, and it smells amazing!
Jane from www.shoestringcottage.com - This may be a tad unusual, but I love Lush's solid shampoo bars, particularly the Godiva bar. It leaves my hair lovely and soft, smells lovely and - bonus - no plastic waste!
Dorota from www.beautydramaqueen.com - For me it’s all about Philip Kinsley Elasticizer! I can’t imagine my routine without it! It’s just pure magic. Especially now that my hair has been highlighted so much, it’s a miracle worker. I currently add toner to it, stick it in my hair for 30-60 mins then wash it off. Hair’s super soft and manageable afterwards. Coconut scent is the best too!
If you made it to the end well done, I know that was a hell of a lot to get through! I hope you managed to take away some hair care recommendations from this post, there were certainly enough of them!
What are your favourite hair care products?
Thanks for reading!
x
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If you haven't already been bored to tears with my latest holiday photos on Instagram then I'm sure you will be soon. For anyone who missed it, back in January I spent 3 amazing days in the beautiful city of Belfast all on my own. It was amazing and little bit scary at the same time but I am SO glad I did it
I got the chance to walk around most of the city, and I ticked a fair few things off my list. Three days however is not a massive amount of time to really see the guts of a city so there were also quite a few things I didn't get chance to do.
But before we talk about that, what are the top 5 things I think you should do in Belfast?
- Free walking tour - If you know me you will know this is the first thing I usually check myself onto in a new city. Virtually all small cities will run a free walking tour and in my opinion they are the best way to not only get your bearings in a new place, but to also meet people from absolutely everywhere!
They are also super budget friendly which is always a bonus in my book, just tip the tour guide what you think the experience was worth at the end!
- Drink at the crown - So this is probably one of the most beautiful pubs I've ever seen, honestly it's unreal. I won't go into too much detail as I think this is one of those things you need to see with your own eyes, but believe me when I say this is worth stopping for. Another bar I would highly recommend is the 5 points. It's slightly out of the city centre but there is live music on every night and the atmosphere is fantastic!
- Tour of Falls Road - Whether you walk it alone or with an organised group, a wander around this residential area is a must. The history here is unreal and it will likely shock you, especially if you've grown up in mainland Britain as it's not really talked about at all. Brits, take note of what happened here because you won't be taught about it at school. There are multiple memorials in this area so please think about that and be respectful whilst touring the Falls.
- The Giants Causeway - Okay so not technically in Belfast but it's just too close to miss! The Causeway will probably be like nothing else you have ever seen before and it is well worth a trip in my opinion. It's so beautiful I actually teared up a bit whilst I was there and I'm not even ashamed to say that. Yes it's touristy but who cares? It's amazing.
- Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge - Again not in Belfast but virtually down the road from The Giants Causeway so you might as well do them both. This creeky little bridge is suspended around 100 ft above sea level and is owned by the National Trust. Whilst you'll likely have to queue to cross, no trip to this area of Ireland is complete without tiptoeing over to Carrick-A-Rede Island.
- Wander around the cathedral district - Filled with bustling pubs and bars, a quick trip to the cathedral district is a must. Here you will find the most famous pub in Belfast - The Duke Of York. It will probably be busy but it has everything you could want from a little Irish pub.
As I said, I didn't really have time see everything I planned to. This usually happens when I go travelling to be honest, I always find more and more things I want to do whilst I'm out there and no amount of planning would help me fit it all in. So what do I do when I fall in love with a place and still have half an unchecked to do list? I go back. And that is exactly what I'll be doing this Wednesday!
So what am I going to make sure I see this time?
- Crumlin Road Gaol - A must for any history geek, Crumlin Road Gaol was in operation for 150 years. In this time it had housed over 25,000 prisoners which included men, women, and even children.
- Titanic Museum - I actually missed this museum off on purpose whilst I was in Belfast last month as I had heard nothing but bad reviews. That being said they were mostly from Belfast residents who had likely been a thousand times before on school trips and such, so I'm going to give it a go and see what it's all about.
- Political Tour - Whilst on my free walking tour I was told about the Political Tour which can also be taken. The tour is lead for the first half by an ex IRA member and in the second half it is lead by an ex Loyalist. I would really like to make time for this next week as it would be very interesting to hear about The Troubles from people on both sides who were actively involved in it.
- Kelley's Cellars - This was firmly at the top of my to do list in January so I'm not really sure how I missed it but this time I am going to prioritise a trip to this 250 year old pub.
As always I would love to hear what you would recommend I see whilst in Belfast. What did I miss from this list? Let me know in the comments or over on Twitter!
Belfast Town Hall
I got the chance to walk around most of the city, and I ticked a fair few things off my list. Three days however is not a massive amount of time to really see the guts of a city so there were also quite a few things I didn't get chance to do.
But before we talk about that, what are the top 5 things I think you should do in Belfast?
- Free walking tour - If you know me you will know this is the first thing I usually check myself onto in a new city. Virtually all small cities will run a free walking tour and in my opinion they are the best way to not only get your bearings in a new place, but to also meet people from absolutely everywhere!
They are also super budget friendly which is always a bonus in my book, just tip the tour guide what you think the experience was worth at the end!
- Drink at the crown - So this is probably one of the most beautiful pubs I've ever seen, honestly it's unreal. I won't go into too much detail as I think this is one of those things you need to see with your own eyes, but believe me when I say this is worth stopping for. Another bar I would highly recommend is the 5 points. It's slightly out of the city centre but there is live music on every night and the atmosphere is fantastic!
The Giants Causeway
- The Giants Causeway - Okay so not technically in Belfast but it's just too close to miss! The Causeway will probably be like nothing else you have ever seen before and it is well worth a trip in my opinion. It's so beautiful I actually teared up a bit whilst I was there and I'm not even ashamed to say that. Yes it's touristy but who cares? It's amazing.
- Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge - Again not in Belfast but virtually down the road from The Giants Causeway so you might as well do them both. This creeky little bridge is suspended around 100 ft above sea level and is owned by the National Trust. Whilst you'll likely have to queue to cross, no trip to this area of Ireland is complete without tiptoeing over to Carrick-A-Rede Island.
- Wander around the cathedral district - Filled with bustling pubs and bars, a quick trip to the cathedral district is a must. Here you will find the most famous pub in Belfast - The Duke Of York. It will probably be busy but it has everything you could want from a little Irish pub.
Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge
So what am I going to make sure I see this time?
- Crumlin Road Gaol - A must for any history geek, Crumlin Road Gaol was in operation for 150 years. In this time it had housed over 25,000 prisoners which included men, women, and even children.
- Titanic Museum - I actually missed this museum off on purpose whilst I was in Belfast last month as I had heard nothing but bad reviews. That being said they were mostly from Belfast residents who had likely been a thousand times before on school trips and such, so I'm going to give it a go and see what it's all about.
Bobby Sands Mural Falls Road
- Political Tour - Whilst on my free walking tour I was told about the Political Tour which can also be taken. The tour is lead for the first half by an ex IRA member and in the second half it is lead by an ex Loyalist. I would really like to make time for this next week as it would be very interesting to hear about The Troubles from people on both sides who were actively involved in it.
- Kelley's Cellars - This was firmly at the top of my to do list in January so I'm not really sure how I missed it but this time I am going to prioritise a trip to this 250 year old pub.
As always I would love to hear what you would recommend I see whilst in Belfast. What did I miss from this list? Let me know in the comments or over on Twitter!
Thanks for reading!
x
If you liked this post don't forget to click here to follow me on Bloglovin!
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