Review: Herbal Essences Cleansing Conditioner.

I have never used a cleansing conditioner before. In fact, I don't think I've ever even seen one while shopping at home in Ireland. I am currently in the US however, and whilst browsing the hair care aisle at Walmart, this bright pink bottle caught my eye. I am easily convinced to buy products with pumps like this one has because I find them so convenient to use in the shower. This conditioner was in my clutches pretty quickly!

To be honest, previously I would've said that I don't like Herbal Essences at all. I was never a fan of the brand and after using their shampoo and conditioner numerous times in the past, I would've considered them a big "Avoid" in that department. I felt that they left my hair feeling weighed down and somewhat greasy.

I am glad that I decided to try Herbal Essences again though. This cleansing conditioner is designed to be used between shampoos in an attempt to prevent hair colour fade. Having recently darkened my hair, prolonging its depth and shine is important to me. I have been a girl who washes her hair every day for as long as I can remember and I find it SO hard to go a day without. For that reason, this is right up my street. I get the clean feeling of washing my hair, but without stripping my hairs natural oils so often. My hair still appears shiny and feels super soft too! 

The cleansing conditioner smells gorgeous. Apparently it is rose scented but I don't particular like that scent and yet I love this. My boyfriend has commented on how my hair smells since I've been using this so it is guy approved as well! If you have the opportunity to try this, do! It comes thoroughly recommended. I'll probably pick up another bottle to take home with me. 

What Is In My Travel Beauty Bag?

I am currently in the USA for over two weeks so I thought I would show you what I have in my travel beauty bag. I am posting from my iPad so I will be keeping this pretty brief! I hope you are all doing well.

I am carrying everything in a really pretty pale pink bag by Ted Baker. Mine was a gift from my two best friends. There are similar on the Ted Baker website - though not the exact one. It is the perfect size, in my opinion - large enough to fit a lot but small enough that you don't over-pack.

     

     

I tried to only take essentials because I knew that I would probably pick up some new products, especially skincare, on my trip. Below are my in shower bits and pieces.

      

Of course I have packed my favourite shower gel, Mint and Tea Tree by Original Source. I have a travel sized shampoo and conditioner - Bb Thickening. I brought a Wilkingson Sword Intuition razor because there is soap attached so no need for a separate shaving gel. To wash my face in the shower, I have Kiehls Ultra Facial Cleanser. I was given it for free when I bought some other items at a Kiehls counter. Samples are perfect for traveling. I like to take a body scrub so I have Scrub Of Your Life by Soap & Glory.

                                 

To take off make up, I have Clarins Pure Melt Cleansing Gel. I like it a lot. La Roche Posay Toleraine Riche is my day time moisturiser and Night A Mins by Origins is, as the name suggests, for night time.

      

Dove Original deodorant is in the bag, along with my current perfume - CK One Shock. I brought a mini Righteous Body Butter by Soap & Glory to moisturise with and I have my whitening toothpaste and my battery operated toothbrush which is a Colgate 360.

      

.     

The final odds and ends are some nail polish remover, some nail varnish, Q-tips, Lush Mint Julips lip scrub and hair bands. Overall I think my packing was relatively minimal!

2013 Favourites: Make Up.

L-R:

Sleek Brown Kit in Dark

Benefit Coralista blusher

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable lip stains

Laura Mercier foundation primer

It is SO hard to narrow favourites from one year down to five products! I am happy with what I have picked though. These are all items that I would re-purchase and ones which I use a lot, and over a continuous period of time too. 

The Brow Kit by Sleek contains a shaping wax (left) and a setting powder (right). I use this in the shade dark. I actually do have naturally quite dark brows so I was tempted to pick up Extra Dark but seriously, these kits are so pigmented! I could probably even use a lighter shade. People do often comment on my eyebrows so that is how I know that this little kit is worth it. It comes with a mini tweezers and also two brushes which I don't use, but that's still convenient! All for under ten euro! I love it.

Nevermind 2013, Coralista by Benefit is possibly my favourite blusher of all time! It is a warm coral-pink colour with some shimmer. This is my 'go to' blush. If I'm ever not sure what I want, this is the little box I will reach for. No other product makes me look so healthy. That is a perfect description! It instantly brightens the face. I think everybody should try this at least once in their lives!

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua is one of most wonderful foundations I have ever used. I find the coverage light to medium, which is exactly what I like. It has a scent - personally I'm not overly enamored with that, but I can see beyond it because this looks amazing on my skin. It lasts for hours and hours and though it is pricey, it's worth it in my opinion. 

If you have been reading my blog, you will be well aware that I cannot get enough of Revlon Just Bitten Kissable lip stains. I can't narrow it down to one shade. I simply like all of them - their formulation, their lasting power, the colour range. Everything! Best lip product I have tried in a long, long time. Now that there are matte versions, you can bet that I will be stocking up on those too!

Lastly, a primer I picked up on a whim in Sephora last summer - Laura Mercier foundation primer. I just have a travel sized version right now because I used up the full sized but I am going to invest in this again. It feels so smooth. I do also really like the primer by Smashbox and I'd say it's somewhat of a joint favourite but I don't own it right now and haven't for a while so Laura Mercier is winning the title.

Other notable mentions go to False Lash Effect mascara by Max Factor, Lasting Perfection concealer by Collection and Maybelline 24 Hour Colour Tattoo cream eye-shadow.

First Impressions: Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick.

I was never a girl who was particularly interested in lip products. I always favoured a more made up eye. Recently however, I have fallen head over heels in love with the Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains by Revlon. Therefore, I have been expanding my collection and feeling bold and brave enough to sample offerings from other brands. First up I set my sights on the Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Sticks by Soap & Glory. What a great name!

Packaging wise, these Gloss Sticks are pretty similar to the Revlon equivalent - a thick, chubby crayon type product. All of the Soap & Glory line come in black tubes, whereas the Revlon tubing is the same colour as the lip stain itself. Not that it is overly important, but I prefer the bright and vibrant approach from Revlon. I can see this getting lost in my bag way too easily!

I opted for the shade 'Raplumzel'. It is a nice, rich plum colour. As you can see from my pictures above, Sexy Mother Pucker is rather glossy. I guess the name 'gloss stick' gives that away though, right! Funnily enough, I wasn't expecting such a 'wet' lip stain. I think that this Gloss Stick is quite sheer in its application. For that reason, it is very wearable day to day. You don't have to worry about it putting it on on the go! It also smells so good!

Above is Raplumzel (bottom) pictured next to Revlons' Berry Crush (top). The shininess of the Gloss Stick is evident. If you are looking for a 'no hassle' lip product, which is sheer and quite moisturising, I would definitely check out Sexy Mother Pucker. If you are after a more matte and also more obvious lip crayon, Revlon is the way to go. Both are fantastic and I know they're going to get a lot of use by me, but from my first impression of this Gloss Stick, Revlon Just Bitten Kissables are still my absolute favourite.