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Refresh and restyle at RUSH Farringdon

Have you ever just got up, looked in the mirror and thought, what is my hair doing? Or rather, what am I not doing to my hair? Although I am really good at maintaining my hair week to week and keeping it in good condition, I’ve not had anything done to it at a hairdressers since the last time I visited RUSH Shepherds Bush back in March 2018! So a whole year has passed far too quickly, and I was definitely thinking it was time for a refresh and restyle.

After watching several shows on Netflix trying to work out if I could pull certain hairstyles off, I finally made the decision to have a fringe cut. I used to have a side fringe about ten years ago, but this time I was older and wiser, therefore something a bit less teen and a lot more class was in order.

I made my way into London on a sunny Saturday morning and arrived at the brand new RUSH Farringdon salon just a few minutes walk from Farringdon underground. I was kindly invited by RUSH for my treatment, and I always look forward to working with the RUSH team every time we collaborate.

My stylist for the day was Romina, a Sydney stylist who had just relocated to London. I told her what I would like and she got really excited, knowing a big change was imminent. We took before and after pics against the coolest wall, and then got started!



I was confidently calm as the scissors took to my locks and it was over in about five seconds flat. My short fringe bounced unnaturally either side of my forehead, the roots clearly not wanting to settle on a new direction.


I thought it was amazing even before it was blow dried and styled.


before and after


I stepped out the salon and found a Byron Burger a few buildings down that looked practically empty. I chose a window seat so I could make use of the sunlight to take my first pic avec fringe! My sister interrupted the moment by calling me in a state of shock after seeing my Instagram story of my salon experience. She demanded to see pics instantly, to which I obliged and then she said she loved it- phew!


I’ve been blown away by all the positive and encouraging messages about my new look. I wake up every day happy with my hair and I want to thank RUSH Farringdon and Romina for helping me achieve it!

Saharasplash x

What do you think to the new do? When was the last time you had a refresh and restyle? If you’ve been on the fence about it, I urge you to take the leap and do it!

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My summer skincare routine

It’s been far too long since my last beauty post, and so I’ve pulled out all the stops for this one. I’ll be sharing my summer skincare routine with you all today, starting with the legs!

Connock London do the most amazing body products made from kukui oil to keep your skin looking 100% radiant this summer. I apply a little oil to my legs and arms. As IPL hair removal is so huge right now, this has promoted me to get my Smoothskin IPL device out too! I had to stop using it when I fell pregnant but I’m making the most of it in my summer skincare routine again.

A true life saver is a lip balm that works for you and your lips. Mine is from Hempz Beauty, and contains pure natural hemp seed oil which keeps my lips hydrated like no other product I own.

This next product is another key item in my summer skincare routine this year. It’s the Finishing Touch Flawless from JML Direct, which is just perfect for removing fine facial hair. I use this around my chin and upper lip as I can’t stand waxing or plucking these sensitive areas. It’s got an 18-karat gold head and so easy to clean with its microblade system. Where was this product when I needed it years ago? JML always brings out the most innovative products and I’m a true fan since I got my very first gel bra back in 2005! Retailing right now at £19.99, go grab one while this product is hot on the shelf!!

Another top pick from my skincare arsenal is this microdermabrasion polish from Botanics, available at Boots. I don’t use this every day, but when I feel my skin needs a refresh then I use this in the shower to make my skin feel great again!

My toner and micellar water are from SVR Laboratoires, a French brand which are dedicated to scientifically create products that are anti-allergy focused. Available on Feel Unique and Look Fantastic with prices starting from around £4 and go up to about £15 so great prices!

My previus blog post on Image Skincare will tell you all about this hyalurinic wonder. It’s been in my routine long before summer hit, and it will still be here when it’s over!

Another Botanics product is the all bright eye roll-on, which is very much needed after a bad night with Alice.

Finally, let’s talk about Heaven. If you haven’t heard of Heaven Skincare before now, let me tell you it is one of the best companies out there in the beauty world in my opinion. I first discovered the brand after a London blog event where I met the founder Deborah Mitchell. They were showcasing their bee venom mask range and since then, they have gone on to achieve some amazing things. The Heaven Skincare flagship salon also recently competed on a programme called Spa Wars, and obviously came away with a trophy. They are one of the biggest and most popular stalls at the Pro Beauty show in London each year, and I’m in love with so many of their every day essential products like this oxygen cream. Quality, luxury and pure heaven!

I hope you’ve discovered some fab new products and if you have any questions at all about my summer skincare routine then reach out with a comment below or on social!

Saharasplash x

My latest foodie post is such a good one, make sure you read new gluten free discovery at the Cosy Club Ipswich.

PR Samples included in this sponsored post, all thoughts and views my own

saharasplash

Invite to afternoon tea at the Berkeley with Sexy Hair

When I received an invite to afternoon tea at the Berkeley with Sexy Hair, you can imagine I had a lot of things going through my head. First- oh my yes indeed, second- oh no what about baby. Fortunately, my super duper husband was on hand to not only drive us to London, but take care of Alice while I ate a load of cake. For those of you who don’t know, Alice is a 100% breastfed baby, and although this makes me really happy, at times it’s difficult to go anywhere without taking her with me.

So, we arrived as a family and discovered the Berkeley had the most fanciest changing facilities ever- like even more fancy than our own changing station. They provided nappies and a beautiful little room big enough for all three of us to do what we needed to do before we parted ways.

Moving onto the event itself. I blogged about Sexy Hair last year (which you can read here) and cannot believe it had been a year since the last event. I’d just found out I was pregnant and now I was back again, without baby inside me, but still with one hell of an appetite!

Look who I bumped into as well- Nishi V! This was the first time meeting Nishi face to face, though we had spoken online for quite some time!

A fabulous array of gluten free treats were laid out at my table place. I always go crazy over good gluten free afternoon teas and The Berkeley didn’t disappoint.

So the cakes and biscuits had been especially designed around the latest fashions of the SS18 winter collections. Hints of Gucci can be seen in the chocolate parasol and edible sugar flower and a special white chocolate and orange ganache was made with sexy legs on top!

My favourite dessert was the Dolce and Gabbana inspired sponge with chocolate rainbow discs.

Just look at that pink mirror glaze- perfection!

Hair expert Ross was on hand to talk us through all the latest products in the Sexy Hair range, and we took home a selection to try too! 

I have been loving this leave-in treatment, Soya want it all! Available on Beauty Bay.

Thanks for reading my invite to afternoon tea at the Berkeley with Sexy Hair!

Saharasplash x

Feeling hungry? Why not check out my latest recipe- it’s gluten free and super easy to make. Click here for more details

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Talking about my skin saviour Image Skincare AGELESS total pure hyaluronic filler

Today I’m going to be talking about my skin saviour Image Skincare AGELESS total pure hyaluronic filler. Wow, that’s a lot of words to take in, but trust me I shall explain all and it’ll be worth it! So Image Skincare are a cruelty free, pharmaceutical- grade company that offers treatments and top of the range products that get remarkable results. The AGELESS total pure hyaluronic filler is perfect for dehydrated skin and for those looking for a filler without actually having to deal with needles! As a 27 year old woman, I have been struggling with my fine lines for a couple of years, especially two that are prominent (to me at least) on my forehead. I really do not like them, but I don’t feel I’m comfortable with having any injections either.

This product came into my life around about the time my daughter Alice was born. Needless to say she has been a life-changer, and I’m guessing that having a child doesn’t do your lines much help what with all the smiling and crazy faces you just love to make at them.

The hyaluronic filler (18% concentrated botanically-derived hyaluronic acid) helps to plump and fill those irritating lines without the hassle and price tag of actual dermal fillers. It’s infused with an apricot essential oil for hydration (so it smells so divine) and includes vitamins B5 and E.

The topical filler definitely delivers an immediate, noticeable boost of hydration to dehydrated or irritated skin, which goodness knows my skin needs these days!

Apply morning and evening, or whenever you feel your skin needs a hydrating boost.

Just look how luxuriously thick the serum is- a sweet wonder in a little bottle!

Image Skincare’s AGELESS Total Pure Hyaluronic Filler, 29ml, retails at £75, but I’m giving you the chance to win your very own one because I love you my fabulous readers! Enter by commenting below why you need this in your life. For extra entries, share this post on Facebook or Twitter and tag me so I know you’ve entered!

Saharasplash x

PR samples included. Competition is UK only, ends 28th February. Winner will be contacted via Facebook, Twitter or email. Talking about my skin saviour Image Skincare AGELESS total pure hyaluronic filler first appeared on Saharasplash.com 

 

saharasplash

Makeup Dupes Challenge with Beauty Base

Do you struggle when buying makeup? Maybe you’re not sure what foundation shade or coverage will suit your skin, or perhaps you are doubtful as to which brand will produce the best result. There are adverts flying around everywhere these days claiming that their brand is the best, with ‘proven results’. But what does that even mean? Do you believe that the higher end price tag will be longer lasting and a better quality product? I’ve recently written an article all about this from a fashion perspective, and now I’m here to show some rather interesting results in the beauty department! Here is my makeup dupes challenge with Beauty Base.

Beauty Base is a great site for many must have purchases in your makeup bag. I put three essential products from my own makeup bag to the test when I paired them up with similar items from the Beauty Base website.

Here are my regular products:

  • Vichy Dermablend Foundation: £19.99
  • Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette: £39.50
  • Kylie Cosmetics Lipkit: £32.25
  • Total: £91.49

Here are my makeup dupes:

  • Milani conceal and perfect Foundation: £12.95
  • LA Girl Eye Lux Eyeshadow: £6.99
  • LA Girl Matte Lipstick: £2.29
  • Total: £22.23

I applied each set of products to only one side of my face. Below I used the Urban Decay palette on one eye and the LA Girl palette on the other side- can you tell which is which? My face similarly has two types of foundation- budget brand on one side, higher end brand on the other.

Again for the lips, half my lips have the Kylie lipkit, the other half has LA Girl Matte lipstick. I was seriously impressed at my matching skills as well as the quality of the budget brand- just £2.29 for the lipstick and literally the same effect as the £30+ lipkit!

I had my face on for about 5 hours after applying and the lips, eyes and foundation stayed on perfectly from both sides.

Here is the reveal, my left side camera facing had the three budget products and my right side had my usual brands. The total saving works out at £69.26 difference which is a fair few pennies saved in your pocket.

If you are looking to try some different brands on a budget, head on over to Beauty Base and get yourself some damn good bargains while still looking hella good!

Stay tuned for a YouTube video of my makeup dupes challenge with Beauty Base on my channel at the end of the week to see how I did the look!

Saharasplash x

Thanks for reading! Head back to the homepage to make sure you haven’t missed any more February posts!

saharasplash

My visit to Crystal Rose Skin Clinic

Every Christmas, Paul and I make the trip to Ipswich to spend time with friends and family. Mostly all my family members still live there, so no matter where we are living, Ipswich always feels like home. Just a few days before Christmas I had an exciting trip planned to a newly opened skincare clinic in the Witnesham area. I was invited along by owner and founder Rosy Boulton to the Crystal Rose Skin Clinic to learn about and trial some  innovative treatments. Keep reading to find out more on my visit to Crystal Rose Skin Clinic.

Paul and I made it there just before it started to get dark. The clinic is a lovely space and decorated with Alumier products- more on these later!

Another blogger had a Glow facelift trial which looked wonderful. Rosy gave us a talk through demo where we could ask questions about what products were being applied and the benefits and effects they would have on the skin.

I had an Ultrasonic Peel which uses a unique comb with a microcurrent. This treatment helps to destroys bacteria, stimulates circulation and reduces wrinkle depth- result!


Next up, a bit of Microdermabrasion. I have had this before and it’s just the thing to help give your skin a deep cleanse. It also leaves you feeling super clear and smooth so this comes highly recommended by me!


Moving on, I then experienced the CACI Synergie Non-Surgical face lift treatment- an alternative to collagen injections. This was important for me to trial as I have been feeling the need to help reduce the appearance of my forehead lines, but am apprehensive about getting anything serious done.

What you see glowing in the photo is LED light therapy- the red light stimulates tissue healing and then a blue light works as an anti-bacterial aid with a calming effect on inflamed skin. Rosy used the prongs to give my muscles a workout, which was really weird but not painful at all. The microcurrent gave me a metal taste in my mouth when applied, but other than that it was absolutely fabulous.

Finally, a liquid face mask was the finishing touch and Rosy did some more lifting and toning with the CACI technology.


The Crystal Rose Skin Clinic is partnered with AlumierMD and the range was trialled before and during the treatments. The great thing about the AlumierMD products is that you can layer them up without weighing down your skin. We tried a range of the collection at the Crystal Rose Skin Clinic and I loved the HydraLight Moisturiser. It leaves your skin so soft and nourished. The entire range is fragrance, paraben and cruelty free too so a huge thumbs up from me!

Here are my before and after treatment shots- the redness was gone within a few hours and all that was left was a glowing face that looked more toned and definitely firmer.

It is recommend to have 10 treatments over a 5 week period, and from there you can have monthly top ups where required. All in all, my visit to Crystal Rose Skin Clinic was highly enjoyable. Rosy was an incredible host with heaps of knowledge in her sector. Do give her website and full treatment list a look here: https://www.crystalroseskinclinic.co.uk/

Saharasplash x

Thanks for reading my visit to Crystal Rose Skin Clinic, find out what Paul got up to at the Star Wars: The Last Jedi European Premiere here