OUAI Hair Care Launch Party with Jen Atkin

If you are a regular reader of my blog and follow me on Instagram, you may have seen me going a little crazy about OUAI Hair Care products. You may be wondering how OUAI is pronounced, well it is pronounced as "Way” and I love this name as I feel posh whenever it rolls off my tongue.  I was so lucky to have had a chance to try out  a wide range of the products shortly before the brand was launched in the UK (Selfridges) and I fell absolutely in love. I have a full review of all the OUAI haircare products I got to try out over here if you fancy a read. OUAI Haircare was founded by Jen Atkin who is a celebrity hair stylist. She has an impressive celebrity client list including Jessica Alba, Katy Perry, Sofia Vergara and the Kardashians to mention a few. She is amazing at what she does and this is translated in the OUAI products that she recently created. 

OUAI Haircare was launched in the UK in April and was initially exclusive to Selfridges for a few months. It still remains a huge hit and it has become popular among many hair and beauty enthusiasts. They are now available on Cult Beauty which I know many people will be delighted about including myself.

I was kindly invited to this event by Mark McDonald Consultancy and was so delighted to actually meet Jen Atkin in the flesh. Of course, we all took so many selfies as you do and Jen was so amazing!! She is such a lovely and humble person and I love the energy that radiates from her personality. She had been on her feet all day giving audience to press, beauty bloggers and other beauty enthusiasts but she still remained cheerful and pleasant. She also had the time to take photos and selfies with everyone who wanted to and I just love her for that. There were loads to drink and some nibbles as well as you would expect and I loved the ambience of the event.






The event was held in Daniel Hersheson Salon in the West End and I've heard so much about this salon but never been inside so I was looking forward to it. I do have to say it is super impressive and it feels like a salon where you want to have a chilled hair date with your bestie. I cannot think of any other perfect venue for the OUAI Launch Party other than the Daniel Hersheson Salon! There were opportunities for quick hair makeovers from Jen's Pro Hair Stylist Team using OUAI products, of course.




I had my braids on so didn’t have any hair makeovers but I spotted some bloggers getting theirs done and their hair looked stunning. I am not surprised though because I have used OUAI products myself so I know they fall nothing short of excellence. I really enjoyed being there that evening as it was like a small reunion where I met with some of my blogger friends and other bloggers I usually watch their videos or read their blogs.




I had an incredible time that evening and it was such a good way to welcome me back from my travels and beating the holiday blues I was slowly falling into. We were sent away with such beautiful goody bags. Inside mine, I had the OUAI Clean Shampoo* and Conditioner*and some cute Daniel Hersheson hair accessories*. My OUAI Haircare collection is steadily growing and I am loving it. I am keen to try the OUAI Clean range and see how it fares against the Smooth range which I already own.



You can shop OUAI Haircare on the OUAI website, Selfridges and Cult Beauty. A massive thank you to Mark McDonald Consultancy for inviting me to such an epic event. I hope you enjoyed this post and pictures and I would see you in my next one. Have you tried any products from OUAI haircare?
*Gifted PR Sample+ Affililiate Links (Not Sponsored or obliged to blog about this event but it's Jen Atkin so why not), read my full disclaimer here

Laura Geller, Sachajuan and MUR Giveaway

This giveaway has been a long time coming but I was so busy these past few months that I never got around to it. I am very delighted that I can finally post it on here. As always, I want to say thank you to everyone who reads this blog, leaves a comment and share these posts of mine. I don't think anyone can understand how much I appreciate everybody and the amound of support for this blog. It means the world to me and even more. I have a little giveaway for one winner to win!! The eyeshadow paletes are sealed so I have not done proper closeups. However, I used my own BritishBeautyBlogger Palette for a closeup so you can see what it looks like (the prize is still sealed). These products are from brands I adore and I know that the lucky winner would enjoy it. I have made the rules as simple as always and do read them below to avoid any confusion.





Giveaway Prizes
One lucky winner will win the following amazing products and these products include:
1. Laura Geller 20 Shades of Shadow Palette
2. Sachajuan Volume Shampoo and Conditioner
3. Sachajuan Intense Repair Shampoo
4. BritishBeautyBlogger & Makeup Revolution Eyeshadow Palette "Fortune Meets the Brave"


Rules for the Giveaway
1. This giveaway is open to people in the UK only. (This is mainly because I've had issues with postage restrictions to some countries in the past)
2. You must be 18 and above to enter this giveaway
3. You can only leave one comment
4. This giveaway will run from 3rd July 2016 to 31st July 2016.
5. The winner will be chosen using random.org on 1st August 2016 and I will contact the winner via Twitter DM. (so ensure you follow on Twitter so I can send you a message if you have won)
6. The prize will be posted a day after I have contacted the winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway How to enter Giveaway
I always find the easiest way to enter giveaways is via Rafflecopter and it's so easy to track as well. I have added in the widget above so please complete it for your entry. It's very straightforward and all you have to do is Follow Fashstyleliv on Bloglovin, Follow Fashstyleliv on Twitter and Leave a Comment below this Blog Post telling me how your day has been. However, you have to enter through the Rafflecopter widget above to ensure your entry is valid. That's pretty much it. Good luck to everyone and thank you once again for all your amazing support!!!

Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade Review (Chocolate)

I am not sure when the Anastasia Beverly Hills (ABH) Dipbrow Pomade came into my radar but it went straight to the top of  my wish list. Everyone was talking about it and I had read/watched countless reviews on it so I knew it was something I wanted to try. However, I decided to go for the Anastasia Brow Wiz (review here) which I loved but I have not repurchased because I have found other amazing dupes. One of the main reasons I was hesitant in trying the Brow Pomade was that I was not sure of what shade I should go for. In the Brow Wiz, I used Dark Brown (Brunette) but I don’t think it works the same way with the pomades. After a lot of dilly dallying, I settled for the shade Chocolate which is a perfect shade for me. I have used mine for a couple of months now so I thought to share my thoughts on it.

Packaging

Don’t we all love amazing sturdy packaging? I am a huge sucker for packaging and I really like the ABH Dipbrow Pomade packaging. It comes in a glass tub which is quite weighted so it may not be the most ideal for travelling but I still travel with it. The lid is quite secure to prevent any drying out of the product and it has the ABH signature logo at the top. Overall, I think it is a lovely package. I do have to mention that although it looks like you get a good size tub, the product content is only 4g. However, I think it’s still substantial for a brow product and will last for ever as a little goes a long way.

Shade

I already mentioned that I chose the shade Chocolate which I would describe as a dark brown shade with a slight warm undertone. Sometimes, I think it has a neutral undertone but for the most part, it does look like it has warm undertones against my complexion. I believe there are 10 shades of the Dipbrow Pomade including- Blonde, Taupe, Soft Brown, Medium Brown, Dark Brown, Chocolate, Granite, Auburn, Ash Brown, Ebony and Caramel.  I love that there is a good variety for all kinds of skin tones and complexions and I think that's why the ABH brow pomades stand out from the rest. I almost purchased the Dark Brown (Brunette) which was my shade in the Brow Wiz but I am glad I chose Chocolate which is perfect for my complexion. If you are a MAC  NC45-50 and above, I believe Chocolate would suit you. I have seen a few people slightly darker than me who chose Ebony and complained it was too dark for them so one has to be careful when purchasing as they are mainly sold online. My advice would be to read as many reviews with swatches and watch YouTube videos as well to see how it truly applies on the brows.

How I use it

I am a huge fan of using brow pomades because they last longer and if you master the skill, your brows will look natural. I feel brows are very important to the face as they frame the face and make you look much more awake than any eyeliner, mascara or concealer can ever achieve. I usually start off with outlining my brows following its natural shape with a brow pencil (ABH Brow Wiz or Soap and Glory Brow Filling Pencil). Next, I use an angled liner brush (my favourite is from Wilko) and I pick up a little amount with it onto the back of my hands. This way I get to tap off any excesses to prevent crazy brows. Then, I apply the remaining to the tail of my brows and work my way up to top of my brows. I always use a light hand to give a natural look. I finish off with a concealer and I am done.

Results

One of the reasons I purchased the ABH Dipbrow Pomade was to have brows that look natural and last all day. My brows are  naturally sparse so filling them in is a must for me. Some people have oily brows so they may fade off during the course of the day but I don’t really have that problem. The ABH Dipbrow has a slightly creamy texture which allows me pick up the right amount of product and it also applies/glides on easily. I would not go as far as saying that it would never rub off but compared to other brow pomades I have tried, it is pretty long lasting. I love how light it feels on my brows and how easy it is to use in general. I am  really pleased I purchased it. I recently heard that it is prone to drying out after a while but I have not experienced that at all and I hope it remains that way. I would report back if it ever happens.

Cost // Link //£15

It retails for £15 which may seem a little crazy for a brow product but I think it is good value for money. It has beautiful packaging and houses an amazing product. Most of all, it would last for a pretty long time because a little goes a long way. I don’t imagine myself hitting pan at all any time soon and I use it almost every day. You can purchase the ABH Dipbrow Pomade from the Anastasia Beverly Hills website, Cult Beauty, Beauty Bay, Net-a-Porter,  etc. I purchased mine from Cult Beauty because they were offering free shipping on all ABH products at that time but I don’t think it is currently on. They are currently offering 15% off all orders though using the code “BIRTHDAY” which is great (every little helps!!).  However, Beauty Bay constantly offers free shipping on all orders above £15 so if you hate paying for shipping (like me), then it may be your best choice.

Overall Thoughts

I really like the ABH Dipbrow Pomade and I am happy I finally had a chance to find out what the fuss is all about. I would not go as far as saying it is a must try only because there are other amazing dupes such as the NYX Tame and Frame Brow Pomade which I love. There are slight differences obviously and the NYX version has limited shades. However, if you do want to treat yourself and your brows, I would recommend the ABH Dipbrow Pomade. That’s pretty much it!! Hope you enjoyed this post and I will see you in my next…xx
Affiliate links used, read my full disclaimer here

Magnitone BareFaced Cleansing Brush (Final Review)

I was super lucky to be challenged by the lovely team at Magnitone London to use the BareFaced Cleansing Brush for 30 days straight and share my experience. I was delighted to take part in this challenge because Magnitone brushes have been on my radar for a super long time and I was pleased to be kindly gifted with the Magnitone BareFaced Cleansing Brush in Aqua*. If you would like to know more about my initial thoughts when I first received the brush, hop on over here to this post. I thought it would be useful to share my full experience after using the brush for almost two months.

What does the Magnitone BareFaced Cleansing Brush do?

The Magnitone Barefaced Brush is he Magnitone BareFaced Cleansing brush uses their trademarked Vibra Sonic technology to deliver results. The Vibra Sonic technology is essentially a combination of sonic oscillations and electromagnetic vibrations which is equal to a skin workout (for the face). It works by cleansing deep into the skin via the pores to remove impurities that may have accumulated on the skin. It promises to boost circulation and provide healthy skin benefits consistently. You can read my previous review for more details about the history of the brand and the technology they use.

How did I use the Magnitone BareFaced Cleansing Brush?

I used the Magnitone BareFaced Brush for approximately 7 weeks (6 weeks non-stop and a gap when I travelled and then one week). I used it every morning and night with a choice of cleansers because I wanted to see how it works with different cleanses. I am happy to report that it works amazing with all cleansers regardless of their formula. I used it with my La Roche Posay Effaclar Cleansing Gel*, Trilogy Rosehip Cleansing Gel*, Ole Henriksen African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser, Dudu Osun Soap, etc. Each time it delivered super clean results but I think I enjoyed using it best with cleansing gels. It just glided across my face super easily compared to when I used it with a foaming cleanser. My routine is as follows: I wet or dampen my face, massage my cleansers across my face with my fingers, wet the brush under the tap, then I ensure I tap off any excess water from the brush (to prevent any splattering) and use it across my face. Some people apply the cleanser to the brush btu I prefer to apply to my face instead.

Did I experience any breakouts?

I think one of the reasons people avoid using cleansing brushes or devices is because they are scared of experiencing breakouts and with good reason. I have used other cleansing devices without any breakouts and I did not experience any as a result of using the Magnitone BareFaced Cleansing Brush. I know some people experience the purging phase but I did not experience that as well because I was already using other devices prior to using the Magnitone. I think it all depends on your skin type but I don’t think it should deter you from using the brush unless they are very serious. I did experience some mild breakouts in my 3^rd to 4^th week but it was hormonal and also due to me consuming cheese and I know this because they disappeared when the period arrived and I ditched the cheese.

What was my experience?

I have to say I was super impressed with using the Magnitone BareFaced Cleansing Brush and I still use it even after the challenge. It gives my skin a deep cleanse which I love especially in the evenings after a day out or after work. I wear makeup quite a few times in a week so knowing every single bit would be removed with using my Magnitone brush made me really delighted. I always use a makeup remover first for a first cleanse then dive in with a cleanser and my Magnitone Cleansing Brush for my second cleanser. A double cleanse is a must for good skin especially if you are out and about or you wear makeup.  I think people avoid wearing makeup because it is sometimes difficult to remove it but I find that using a cleansing brush such as the Magnitone one makes it a breeze.

What were my results?

My skin felt super clean, soft and smooth and that means a lot to me because I have previously suffered from acne and my skin looked pretty rough. I also have to mention that I went makeup free quite a few times during the challenge and I know the results I got (in addition to other skincare products I am trialling) were responsible for my new found confidence. I would highly recommend the Magnitone Brush to anyone who wants super clean, soft and smooth skin. I also found that my skincare products appeared to work better because my pores were clean and hence they could penetrate and work better. You can purchase the Magnitone Brush from various retailers including the Magnitone London website . It retails for £70.

What did I love best about the brush?

Apart from all the reasons stated above, I loved the fact that I actually have not had to charge my Magnitone Brush since the first charge. I have used it for 7 weeks and I only had to charge it the first day I received it. I am really impressed by this feature because I thought I would need to charge it a whole lot more frequently than this. So, if you were concerned about having to charge it, be rest assured that the battery life really lasts a good while provided you charge it to the fullest the first time you get it. Incidentally, this morning while using it, I noticed the red light which indicates that it may need a charge pretty soon. I am guessing the battery life can last for as long as 8 weeks if you use it day and night. I am also assuming it will last longer if you use it once a day or a few times a week. I am very, very impressed by this feature.

What didn't I like or work well for me?

The only thing I did not like about the Magnitone BareFaced Brush is the design of the charger. I know this is quite a petty thing to dislike but I will explain why. The charger has a magnetic head which slips on to the handle of the brush to get charged. I would have preferred if it had a regular USB slot (on both ends) for charging. I feel like it could easily shift and it would no longer charge . Also, if you ever forget the charger, I can imagine it will be difficult to find a good alternative as a result of the design. You can see it is a petty thing to dislike but those are just my thoughts. When I charged it, it felt quite secure as the magnetic attachment is a strong one so I guess the chances of it moving while charging is very minimal

Would I keep using the Magnitone Brush?

Absolutely!! I have totally incorporated it into my routine and I don’t see myself not using it. As I also have other beauty devices, I think I would use it mainly in the evenings. I love the fact that it gives my skin a really deep cleanse and I enjoy using it so much. It’s a real gem and I am so grateful I had a chance to try it out.

Would I recommend?

A big fat YES!! I would totally recommend it to anyone who wants visible results in the texture and appearance of their skin. It does not matter whether you wear makeup or not because you will enjoy the beautiful cleanse it provides. If you have sensitive skin, there is an option of buying the sensitive brush head which I believe is gentler. The one I have is the regular one and it does not feel abrasive or rough on my skin.  I would not say it is super soft but I like it that way because it works well for my combination-oily skin. Also, you need to be aware that the brush heads need to be changed every 3 months so it is an added expense. However, you do get a £5 voucher with your first purchase which is very handy. They also run competitions every month where a winner is chosen to receive a year's worth of brush head supply. You can find out more about this competition here. 

Overall Thoughts

What can I say? I have absolutely enjoyed using it and I did indeed see very visible results even from the 1st day of using it. I am glad I did not have to wait a long time to see results. The early results I got enabled me use it consistently during the challenge period and even beyond.  I was not the only one who noticed results on my skin as friends and family noticed as well and seriously, that made me very happy. I am totally loving the texture of my skin and skin seems to have an innate glow. I still use it because it’s now become a staple in my skincare routine and I am still seeing good results. That’s pretty much my update and I hope you enjoyed this post. Have you tried the Magnitone BareFaced Cleansing Brush?
*PR Sample + Affiliate Links used, read my full disclaimer here