MY HYDRAFACIAL EXPERIENCE!

Hey guys! 

Today I'm talking all things skincare! A few months ago I began to notice that my skin lacked its' usual glow and felt dull, possibly because my diet hadn't been the best - who knows! Coincidentally, I was offered the chance to review a skincare treatment with Health and Aesthetics, based in Elstead - Surrey. As I live locally to the clinic I had always heard various positive reviews through word of mouth and therefore opted for a Hydrafacial, a treatment that had always taken my fancy. If you are reading this thinking, what on earth is a Hydrafacial? Don't worry, I have popped all the information below for you.

I often had regular facial treatments, particularly when I was suffering with acne as a teenager yet, I'd never experienced a hydrafacial. I had always been keen to trial the treatment, particularly as I'd heard about the various benefits associated with the treatment.

From the minute I stepped into the clinic I immediately felt at home, from the bright and airy decor to the approachable and friendly employees. It was clear to me that every client mattered and that for me was something I particularly always look for when I'm visiting somewhere new for the first time.

Initially, I was taken into a treatment room for a consultation, this was my chance to discuss any skin concerns I had and any expectations I had from my treatment. During this time, in order to look further into my skin I was able to use a machine that was actually quite scary as it shows your skin beneath the surface. It was then that I established how red and sensitive my skin really is beneath the surface! Oh, and not to mention how many freckles I actually do have - time to vamp up the SPF!

After the fun, 'science' stuff it was time for my treatment, the therapist was lovely and very informative. As I was given a super helpful factsheet, I didn't feel the need to ask too many questions but my main question was of course, will it hurt?! I was told there may be some sensitivity and discomfort but I didn't actually find this and I have an extremely low pain threshold! The first step of the treatment is a deep exfoliation and a little tool was used to do this,  I actually found this quite relaxing and it tickled me! It really felt as though I was saying goodbye to all of my dead skin cells. After the thorough cleanse and deep exfoliation it was time for the extraction - my least favourite part of any facial but, the most effective part. I wasn't aware of how many blackheads I actually had (gross, but true) therefore I knew my skin would instantly feel a lot smoother after the treatment. The final step was rejuvination using LED lighting - used to reduce redness and stimulate collagen. I found this so relaxing and this part of the treatment took twenty minutes, I think I actually had a little doze!

After my treatment I didn't expect to see a difference straight away and expected a lot of redness. I was genuinely surprised to see how much my skin was glowing and how little redness there was. I could instantly see a difference, my skin looked far more radiant than I ever imagined and I was extremely impressed. The treatment starts from £125 which I know is a lot of money for us girls but honestly it is worth splashing out on if you can save up for it.  As soon as I arrived home my mum noticed the glow immediately and I knew that I had found a new favourite treatment.

I honestly cannot recommend the clinic enough and I will certainly be back in the future. I was given a prescription as I left detailing products that were recommended for my skin and I am actually going to be ordering them in the next few weeks. I have popped a video link below for you to watch the process of a hydrafacial and you can find a full range of treatments on offer at the Health and Aesthetics clinic here.

A video of the Hydrafacial process can be found here.

Thanks for reading,

Lauren-Faye x

I'd also like to say a huge thank you to the clinic and Sparkle PR for the opportunity! x

A few of my current favourites!

Hi ladies! 

Today, I wanted to share with you a few of my current favourite products / items that I think you'll also love too!

1. Twist & Spritz

AKA the best invention, ever! Gone are the days of carrying around a bottle of perfume in my handbag, I now have my twist and spritz mini perfume atomiser. Basically, it's a mini perfume bottle that you can fill up with your favourite fragrance (8ml to be precise) so in other words, it's handbag and travel friendly. I use mine for nights out, everyday use in my handbag and especially for travelling! Available from The Fragrance Shop. 

2. Monsoon Grapefruit and Vetiver Diffuser

I am absolutely obsessed with candles and diffusers, especially for my bedroom! I think I must get it from my mum as we always have candles on and so when I smelt this Monsoon diffuser, I knew I had to share it! Scented with grapefruit and vetiver it really gives a fresh smelling scent to my bedroom and I can't get enough of it! 

3. DKNY Nectar Love

Having always been a fan of DKNY perfumes in the past I was very excited by their newest launch, Nectar Love. I always find it a little tricky to describe scents but the best description is floral and fruity.  Another huge factor for me when buying a new perfume is the bottle design! Perhaps it's the blogger in me but they have got to look pretty on your dressing table, right?! 

4. Vita Liberata Gradual Tanning Lotion with Marula Oil.

Now that autumn is well and truly here,  fake tan has become my best friend. I mean, it always has been really but in autumn and winter I rely on it to give me a little boost! Anyway, I was kindly sent a box of tanning goodies and of course, decided to try them out! The reason I've picked the gradual tan as my favourite is because it is so simple to use and it is perfect to pop on before bed. It gives a gradual glow and it feels so smooth on the skin that I don't have to worry about any streaky, dry patches!

5. Revlon Youth FX Foundation

I don't often blog about foundations but I recently tried the Revlon Youth FX foundation in shade nude. I always opt for a full-coverage smooth foundation and this is certainly what I got with this product. Admittedly, I was sceptical at first as I am an avid MAC fan, however, I was so impressed that this has actually become my daily foundation! Definitely a must-try!

6. Le Mini Macaron Gel Manicure Kit

Seriously if this isn't the cutest thing you've seen then I don't know what is! The kit, containing a cuticle stick, nail file, remover pads, USB adaptor, gel polish and an led lamp, is everything you need for the ultimate pamper session! If you are girly like me, you will love the strawberry pink polish and it definitely saves a trip to the nail salon! I wasn't sure I would get on with the kit at first, but I am so impressed that my friends are actually buying their own kits! Of course you may prefer to have somebody else paint your nails but it is just perfect for an on the go mani!

I am thinking of regularly featuring a few items that I'm loving every month either on here or on my YouTube channel to keep you guys updated!

Thanks so much for reading,
Lauren-Faye x

My Current Skincare Routine / Review!

Good morning ladies, 

Not so long ago, I noticed that my skin began to look dull, dry and I generally felt as if I had lost my natural glow. As cliche as it sounds, I felt like I looked ten times older than my age and that my skin looked a little lifeless!

As you all know, I suffered badly with acne as a teenager and as a result, I have always been extremely self conscious about my skin. A few years back, infact many years back (around 7 I'd say), I used Dermalogica skincare - a brand that has always interested me. I used products specifically targeted to spot-prone skin (Clear Start range) and I found that although they really helped, I didn't need to use them continuously as my skin (luckily) cleared up.

Fast forward a few years, and as mentioned, I felt my skin was starting to look dull and I knew that I wanted to do something about it, I just wasn't sure what! I was then recommended a few Dermalogica products and unsurprisingly, I began to love the way they were making my skin look and feel! That being said, I filmed a Current Skincare Routine and decided that it would also be beneficial to review the range individually to enable me to go a little more in-depth!

My Top 3 Recommendations!

Pre Cleanse:

One of my absolute favourite products! Dermalogica believe in a two-step cleanse process and this is the product I use to effectively melt that makeup off my face! Sounds gross and actually pretty scary, don't worry it doesn't actually involve 'melting' anything! It's just the most satisfying feeling, it essentially feels like an oil and I smoothe it across my face gently using sweeping circular motions to soak it into my skin. As it's consistency is oil-based it literally feels so satisfying that your makeup is almost sliding off into your hands! I guess you're probably thinking, blimey she must wear a lot to feel like that but, I actually don't! 

Special Cleansing Gel:

My second cleanse process is the Special Cleansing Gel - a product that works very well with the Pre Cleanse. I apply a small amount to the tips of my fingers and mix it with water to create a foaming style wash. This product is again very light and I feel like you can actually immediately feel how clean and smooth your skin is! 

Daily Microfoliant: 

I use this exfoliant three times a week (maximum) and that's purely because I find it to be a little rough on my skin. Don't get me wrong, it definitely does a perfect job of exfoliating and getting rid of those awful dead skill cells but any more than that and I feel my skin would be a little red! One thing that's important to note with this product is that it is made up of small granules and if you are using this whilst in the shower it is best to keep the lid on the product to avoid the steam getting in and clogging it up! To see how I apply this product, head to my YouTube Lauren Faye!

Next, we move onto moisturising; an essential part of our skincare routine! I use the Intensive Moisture Balance - perfect for dry skin as it's really hydrating and also combats premature ageing - win, win! I use this morning and night, although some days if my skin is feeling particularly hydrated, I'll skip the morning. 

Tip: If you are going to use this every morning, I'd recommend applying around 45 minutes before applying makeup to ensure it completely soaks in!

Newness! 

There are two more products that I'd like to share with you as a kind of FYI! Although I don't incorporate them consistently into my daily skincare routine, they are products I would recommend if you have any concerns around your eyes or lip area. 

Stress Positive Eye Lift: 

This product is PERFECT if you feel you have visible signs of stress - which believe me, I most certainly do! The eye lift is designed to minimize the appearance of puffiness and dark circles. I have used mine a few times but as mentioned, I don't use it daily, this is purely because I don't feel I need to. I leave it on for 3-5 minutes and then rub the excess into my skin but if you feel you want to remove it you can do so! 

Nightly Lip Treatment: 

So I've used this product a handful of times so far, and admittedly I was sceptical at first! It is designed to smooth the appearance of laughter and feather lines whilst you sleep. I decided to give it a go and popped a pea-size amount on overnight and I was actually surprised to see that I woke up to smoother looking lips! I do feel that with the colder season approaching, I will be relying on it more! It is a little pricey so I would recommend it as a little treat rather than a daily skincare routine product. 

I have linked all of the products below and if you have any questions regarding these products or my skincare routine please feel free to message me!

Pre Cleanse: Available here.
Special Cleansing Gel: Available here.
Daily Microfoliant: Available here.
Stress Positive Eye Lift: Available here.
Nightly Lip Treatment: Available here.

Thanks for reading!
Lauren-Faye x 

Lash Extensions...My Experience!

Hi girls! 

Earlier last week I visited Agnes Dos Santos salon in Kensington for a full-set of lash extensions! I decided to share my experience with you as I have previously been so indecisive about whether I wanted them, I'm hoping it will help answer any questions you may have.

The salon itself is extremely popular and renown for expertise within the lash industry. When I was approached to visit the salon, I researched it thoroughly and really thought about my decision. I know it sounds silly, but I have lovely long eyelashes and I have always been wary about having any form of treatment on them as I was panicking at the thought of ruining them. 

I had a patch test 24 hours before my treatment and this included application of a few lashes - just to see whether I had an allergic reaction. The ladies in the salon are very friendly and extremely professional, I felt welcome the moment I walked in! After approximately 20 minutes my patch test was complete and I was free to go - super quick and easy!

After a discussion on the different types of lashes available, I opted for the 'Feather' lashes to create a volumizing, yet natural look. As you can see in the before photos, my natural lashes have a few gaps in them but I had never actually noticed this before and although they are long they never curl.

The procedure itself was very relaxing, I even had a heated blanked under my back which was a lovely touch. I didn't really feel much which actually pleasantly surprised me as I thought it may be painful or irritating - needless to say I panicked for no reason! As you can see in the below photos, patches are placed on top of your lower lashes throughout, again this was completely comfortable and pain-free.

After an hour and a half (and a cheeky nap) my lashes were complete, and I can honestly say I don't think I can ever be without them now! It feels so strange to wake up in the morning with my eyes ready to go! I love how full they are but the best thing is they don't feel heavy and weigh my eyes down. I seriously do not know how I went so long without them!

Before: 

After: 

Aftercare: 

So, you're not supposed to wear makeup for at least 24-48 hours and if you choose too, it should be water-based rather than oil-based. I have still not worn any mascara on my lashes and have only worn water-based eyeliner if I really felt it to be necessary. I have also brushed them daily with the little lash brush just to keep them in tip-top condition. So far, so good - I am a week in and haven't noticed any difference in the lashes! 

Prices:

Prices for a full-set of lash extensions start at £70 and increase depending on the technicians experience and the type of lash you go for. I would highly recommend the Feather lashes as they are extremely lightweight and achieve the perfect voluminous look.

If you are looking for a professional service with amazing results I would highly recommended visiting the salon - I promise you will not regret it! 

Anyway, I think I have covered everything but if you have any questions then please feel free to ask me! I can honestly say having lash extensions was the best idea I had - I don't think I could be without them now. I can't wait to visit Agnes Dos Santos again!

Thanks so much for reading!

Lauren-Faye x

Coco Loco by Lee Stafford!

                                                                               Hey everyone! 

I wanted to share with you a review feature after an intimate blogger event I recently attended. It was hosted by hair guru Lee Stafford to celebrate the new additions to his CoCo LoCo range. For those of you who aren’t familiar with it, it is inspired by everything coconut. 

Coconut oil is up there on my key items list, whether that be in the kitchen or in the bathroom! It contains essential proteins that nourish and repair skin, hair and nails. Hence why Lee has produced a range with coconut as a base product that nourishes, repairs and penetrates, which in-turn prevents damage and moisturises hair. I am a little obsessed with the scent of these products and they remind me of my fave suntan oil – Hawaiian Tropic, so of course, the range was already a winner for me. 

1. CoCo LoCo Dry Shampoo

Now, in all honesty, I would never have brought this product as usually I stick with Batiste for light brown hair, but I was pleasantly surprised with this product. I have to say I loved how it made my hair feel, I have particularly oily hair and so dry shampoo is an absolute necessity for me. I used to have to wash my hair daily but this product contains a very light powder that appears to be gentle on the scalp yet very absorbent on the roots. It didn’t look grey or dull as some dry shampoos do and it is a life saver if I’m having a lazy hair day. If you are looking for a product that makes your hair smell and look great, I would advise purchasing this! 

2. CoCo LoCo Mousse

Again, I’m going to be honest, I am not a fan of mousse and rarely use it myself. I am yet to find one that does everything that I want from a mousse but I went ahead and used this product several times. It certainly gave me volume but annoyingly my hair felt sticky after blow-drying and looked a little greasy at the roots. However, this may have been because I have oily hair anyway so it may have just been that it didn’t match my hair type. So for this reason I wouldn’t purchase this product for myself but if you are a fan of hair mousse I would definitely give this a try! I would love to know how you get on! It also smells great so that is a bonus. 

3. CoCo LoCo Hairspray

Well, let’s face it, hairspray is a key product in every girls getting ready essentials from everything to slick hair or everyday styling. This product gave me a long lasting hold and felt soft to the touch – unlike some other hairsprays I have tried in the past. Again, this product smells great which is obviously an encouraging factor. I love the fact it is formulated with UV absorbers so you can guarantee that even in the brightest of sunlight your hair is protected. A must for this time of the year especially! 

4. CoCo LoCo Light Serum Spray 

Although I have oily roots I have very dry ends, mainly due to colouring and heat styling. I am a little bit rubbish at looking after my hair so I always opt for a serum or suchlike to give my hair a little boost. This product is very light and similarly to most serums can be applied to both wet or dry hair. I found that my hair was a little shiny and definitely felt a lot softer, I could tell I had added a nourishing product to the ends. I have to say out of all the products the serum is my favourite, alongside the dry shampoo, and I feel they are a great combination together! So for me girls, this is a must-buy product. 

If any of you are planning to try the new collection I would love to hear your thoughts! 

Thanks for reading, 

Lauren - Faye x

My May beauty favourites!

Today, I decided to share with you a few beauty products I enjoyed using last month. 

1. L'Oréal Skin Perfection Micellar Water.

I am constantly discussing my problem skin and the fact I used to suffer badly with spot-prone skin. However, if I am honest, I am guilty of getting home late at night and grabbing a face wipe to remove my make-up, for no other reason than the quick and convenient aspect of it. All I want to do after a late night is crawl into bed, but, I also choose to grab a wipe to avoid waking up to make-up under my eyes or even worse, across my pillow. Anyway, after seeing this product in a few magazines and a friends recommendation, I decided I would give it a try! Although I am SO late to the party, I am so glad I did! I chose the L'Oréal  product, over many others in the market, because it is hypo-allergenic and doesn't contain any alcohol. I have found it very easy to remove my make up and it leaves my skin feeling silky smooth, there isn't any tightness that I have previously found with other make-up removing products.

This Micellar Water does claim to unblock pores and tone but I purely use this to remove my make-up and continue to use my go-to cleanser and toner in addition. 

2. Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub. 

I know this has been around for a long time now, but I have only been using it for the past few weeks.  Of course, the taste for me was a motivational factor, I don't think you can beat the smell of bubblegum! Seriously though, my lips have been very dry for a while now, despite using regular lip balms. I have found using this scrub before the application of lip balm has really helped, my dry patches have been removed and it creates the perfect base for applying lipstick or balm.

3. Revlon Lotus Flower All in One Hair Treatment*. 

When it comes to hair treatments, I am always willing to try out different products. I often vary between different companies and different price ranges as I have found that expensive products do not guarantee the best result, and of course, everyones hair is different. I am sure I can speak for us ladies in saying that if we can save money and still get terrific results we will aim to do so!

This product claims to repair dry and damaged hair, protect from heat and protect coloured hair with UVA and UVB filters. Crazy, I know, is there anything it can't do?! After washing my hair I sprayed the product directly onto my hair and then combed through and blow-dried as normal. I have to say, my hair did seem somewhat easier to comb through, something that is usually a bit of a nightmare as my hair is very fine but there is lots of it, and it appeared softer in texture.

I also used on dry hair prior to straightening and again it appeared to look, and feel softer. I also had a noticeable shine so, all in all I will continue to use this product. 

4. AYVA Make-Up Brush*.

"Densely packed with over 100,000 animal free, ultra fine bristles for that flawless application with an airbrush look. " 

AYVA are a UK based company having recently launched their first product, the AO6 brush, ideal for foundation and concealer. Upon application it felt a little odd at first as I hadn't used a product of this type before. I used to always rely on my beauty blender for foundation application but I am a big believer of trying new things! Once I had got used to what movements and motions to use to apply ,(circular and sweeping) I am amazed at the finish look. It creates a completely even look and takes half the time to apply! 

5. Girls With Attitude Eyeshadow Palette*. 

Finally, my current fave eyeshadow palette by the babes at Girls with Attitude! I am a big lover of nude and neutral colours, particularly as I have big brown eyes and so I was very excited to receive this. I am particularly loving how pigmented every shade is and the texture is incredibly soft and silky on the eye. Admittedly, I have been a little useless at blending in the past but this palette appears to blend in perfectly! I have actually used this everyday since I received it and have found that a little definitely goes a long way, so don't worry about it running out within a week! 

Thanks for reading! 

Lauren-Faye x 

Please note, items marked with a star indicate a gifted product but all opinions are 100% honest. 

#GoodShipBenefit

Good morning! 

Last week, I was lucky enough to attend my first Benefit blogger event! It was held onboard the Good Ship Benefit located minutes from Embankment tube station - something you HAVE to check out! I thought I would share an insight into my day with Benefit and explain a little about what happened.  

The event was held to showcase Benefits' new brow products, launching on the 24th June. Being a huge beauty and makeup lover, I was SO excited to see the products and have the chance to try the products out for myself. Upon stepping onto the ship I was greeted by the 'Benebabes' who showed us through to the arrival room. It was a chance to mingle with other bloggers and take snaps of the new products and the ship itself! I have to say, I fell into a girlie paradise as soon as I stepped onboard! As imagined, there was pink everywhere, little pink chocolates, pink chairs and cocktails, it was basically just a girls paradise! 

We began with a presentation of the brow products and received a little bit of information on each product and what they are best used for. Each product presentation followed a 'try it yourself' moment where all of us were able to try out the products and share our opinions. I have decided that I will do a full product review in a few weeks ahead of the launch and share with you my thoughts. 

There are 36 products in total (including the variety of shades) and as you will soon realise, some of the products are the classic ones that we have all been used to using! BUT, there are also some amazing new products that I genuinely think you are going to love. 

After the presentations finished we were taken on a tour around the ship and I loved the fact that virtually every room was themed to a specific product. There is a whole room dedicated to Porefessional, Lashitude and a little Rollerlash hub. It is genuinely a place that any Benefit lover would enjoy.  It was on the tour that I established the wide variety of things on offer to the public onboard the ship! 

If you're like me and love getting up on a Sunday morning for brunch, why not join Good Ship Benefit for yoga and a bottomless brunch? You can find all the information here and yes, book in advance to secure your place! It is something I am planning to do myself over the next few months! As you can also see in the images below, there is a pamper station onboard, complete with a brow boutique! The perfect way to get perfect brows whilst stocking up on your fave Benefit products! 

The Good Ship Benefit is open until August and I would strongly recommend you visit if you fancy experiencing something different! I thoroughly enjoyed the event and I would like to say thank you to the lovely girls at Benefit for inviting me! 

 Stay tuned for my full product review coming very soon! 

Thanks for reading,

Lauren-Faye x 

My Revlon Top 5!

Good morning!

I have decided to review my top 5 Revlon hair products today! I was lucky enough to receive a bundle of products a few weeks ago and it has been tough to decide which ones to review! I have chosen five of my favourite products that I think are perfect for a great hair routine. 

 Volume Shampoo & Conditioner: 

Annoyingly I have a major problem with volume! My hair is very long but also very flat on top and it is something that drives me crazy! I am constantly on the lookout for volumizing products and new backcombing brushes! I usually use normal shampoos and conditioners that aren't focussed on volume so I was particularly excited to give these a go! I wash my hair two to three times a week, and for the past three weeks I have been using these during every wash. 

The texture of the shampoo is very silky, whereas the conditioner is very creamy - I find these products are usually the best otherwise I find my hair to be slightly greasy after every wash. Generally after every wash my hair still remains very flat on top, but I have noticed since using these products that my hair naturally rises during blow-drying. Of course, as my hair is very flat I still use volumizing hair products alongside the duo, but I feel they complement my hair routine very nicely. The smell is gorgeous and my friend who was curling my hair actually asked me what products I had used as she loved the smell so much. I would highly recommend using these products if you also have flat hair or if you are looking for extra volume! 

 Hairspray Photo Finisher: 

I am not exaggerating when I say this but this is my absolute MUST-HAVE product at the moment. I often find hairsprays to be very sticky with very little hold so I am very picky with what products to use. However, I used the Photo Finisher and fell in love after my first use. It has a lovely scent that lasts and it keeps my hair in place, particularly the curls. My hair didn't feel sticky or rough and that is one thing I usually dislike with hairsprays. I also found that my hair didn't feel dry after brushing the hairspray out which is something I have found with some other hairsprays in the past.

Volume Amplifier Mousse: 

Moving onto the mousse...I have always been wary of mousse, I'm not the biggest fan of the texture and it doesn't seem to have much of an impact on my hair. However, I used this mousse and was pleasantly surprised, a small amount definitely goes a long way! I applied it to towel-dried hair and continued to blow-dry it as usual. I particularly struggle with the front of my hair and that is exactly the section I specifically wanted to target, the mousse certainly increased the volume on my fringe. 

All In One Hair Treatment: 

Shock horror.. I am a little lazy when it comes to looking after my hair! It is so long, yet so fine but there is so much of it so I often find myself neglecting it slightly! I have only used this twice but I will continue to do so as it has a whole range of benefits! It has definitely made my hair softer and it appears to have a nice little shine to it (even if I do say so myself)! It can be used on wet or dry hair and it is a leave-in spray which is perfect if you are rushing around! No excuse now, ladies! 

If it sounds like you have similar hair problems to me, why not give these a go? 

Thanks for reading, 

Lauren-Faye x