HD Brows

I've been contemplating whether to give the HD Brow system a go for several months now and never plucked up the courage to book an appointment....until now!

I have never really done anything to my eyebrows, only simply plucking stray hairs away for a simple tidy up and occasionally pencilling them in for nights out. I've always been a bit scared to change the shape myself & also a little intimidated to book into a salon. However, I finally took the plunge and decided to go for it.

I went to a local beauty salon that offered HD Brows as a treatment. I did look into a variety of salons and found that prices varied from £25-£45 so I would definitely recommend shopping around. I went to a place based on recommendations and because of this I got 50% off!

There are 7 steps to the HD Brow system and took around 30 minutes. It involves a combination of techniques including tinting, waxing, threading & trimming. At first the beauty therapist cleans the eyebrow area and marks where your eyebrows should start/end & where your arch should be. They then tint your hairs, I opted for a shade close to my natural colour. Once the dye had taken, it was cleaned off and the waxing commenced!

As I mentioned before, I have never had waxing nor threading so was a little concerned about the pain factor. I honestly don't know what I was worried about. Yes there is a slight discomfort when the pads are whipped off but it lasts for a second, if that and you could already see my new brows taking shape.

I've always wanted to give threading a go and was intrigued to find out what it felt like. Several of my friends thought that it is more painful than waxing but I in fact disagree. Both techniques have a little discomfort involved but nothing major and as the saying goes, 'no pain, no gain.' Each step is done so quickly that there is no need to worry about whether it will hurt or not and everyone is different.

They only thread the top part of each brow and once complete, both brows are filled in using eyebrow makeup. HD Brow do have their own palette for this but the salon I visited used a Christian Eyebrow kit in the shade Irid Brown.

These include 3 stencils; thin, natural or thick. Surprisingly I was advised to use the thick stencil, I was a little concerned that this may result in a scouse brow but I was very pleased with the end results, see below:

Prior to having the HD Brow session, I hadn't plucked my eyebrows for quite a few weeks. This was to help reshape my brows. The beauty therapist has left a little of the regrowth as I had over plucked one side near to the bridge of my nose. This is why using an eyebrow kit afterwards helps to disguise any grow back in order to help get the perfect shape.

I would definitely recommend giving it a go, I am really happy with the overall results and think it's a great way to instantly transform your eyebrows/look and helps get the perfect brow to suit you. I do feel the price tag is a hefty one to pay monthly but it is ideal for anyone who wants to grow their eyebrows and correct their shape. Once you have corrected them by having a couple of sessions of the HD Brow system you'll only need to book in for a wax of thread session which should help keep costs down a little!

I for one already know I'm hooked and shall be looking forward to my next appointment!

GLOSSYBOX - June 2012

I've actually had quite a few GLOSSYBOXes through my door but never blogged about one so thought it was time I did. Most people will have heard of them and even more people would have ordered at least one by now.

Just incase you don't know what it is, every month, GLOSSYBOX delivers a mix of 5 exciting product miniatures packed in a beautiful box for you to test at home. You can give your feeback/thoughts on each product you receive & the company will award you with 20 glossydots per review and once you have 1000 dots you can get your next box free!

Below are a few snaps to show you how it arrives - even the postage is kitted out head to toe in Glossybox. The actual box it comes in is the usual pink colour and I love these because they make great storage boxes. 

I love how each month every box arrives all wrapped up and it's that little extra touch that makes it feel special - almost like another birthday!

My 5 products this month were:

1) GLOSSYBOX Serie Exclusiv Pro Beauty Brush

2) HD BROWS Precision Tweezers

3) BM Beauty Summer Warmth Bronzer

4) Caudalie Eaux Fraiches

5) Vichy Dermablend Ultra-Corrective Foundations Cream Stick

This should retail at £15.00 so I was really happy to find I had bagged myself one of these. It's soft, not as soft as my Urban Decay brush but it is made from goat hair and think it's a great size for travelling.

I was so excited to see something from HD Brows. I noticed quite a few people got something of theirs in the last box & I didn't so Glossybox have made up for it now and I'm a happy girl indeed. Especially as my boyfriend decided to blunt all my expensive tweezers by using them instead of screwdrivers - I was not happy to say the least! These retail at £19.95 which to some maybe pricey but with tweezers you definitely get what you pay for and would recommend these or Tweerzerman any day.

I did get a very mini pot of Bronzer by BM Beauty which I am yet to test out but fingers crossed it shall have me glowing for the summer.

There were 3 different scents you could receive in your box this month from Caudalie and I got the yellow version, Zeste De Vigne. I'm not sure if I like this, yes it's 'Zesty' & citrusy but to me this scent just reminds me of those hand wipes you get on a plane after your meal or from KFC....classy! Whilst the scent was settling I then thought it reminded me of Aftershock, again it's not the sort of thing I want to smell of during the day. I have now been wearing it for an hour and can't smell anything so this definitely does not 'refresh my senses' and at £26 for a full size, I think i'll be sticking to the free hand wipes!

The final product I received was the Dermablend Ultra-Corrective Foundations Cream by Vichy. I am also yet to try these but they look like they would be great at covering up any scars, birthmarks, dark circles you may wish to hide. What I love about this tester is you get the chance to play around with several different shades so you'll find your exact colour. The packet also opens up to reveal a handy guide on how to apply the product. The full size comes in a stick and retails at £19.00 & if it does what it says on the tin, then I may be tempted to purchase the real deal as nothing seems to hide the bags under my eyes!

All in all this was a good box for me and I am happy with the majority of samples I received. GLOSSYBOX is £10.00 + P&P each month and as you'll see from above you do get your monies worth. I was tempted to have a break from it but since seeing all my new goodies I think I'll carry on for a few more months!

xxx

Candy Colour Gloss Shines

Colour Me Happy!

Oh My! Look what we have just stumbled upon - we just had to share it!

If you're a lover of the pastel parade then you need to hurry & get your mitts on this Limited Edition range of Candy Colour Gloss Shines by Daniel Hersheson. Available in 4 cute pastel shades; peach, baby blue, baby pink and lilac, these are a fab way to jazz up a dull hair do.

These are suitable on pre-lightened or natural blonde hair & perfect for applying all over, a few streaks or simply the tips of your hair - wherever you fancy really. What's so great about this product is it's a wash in wash out colour, so if you're like me & get bored pretty quickly then now you can be forever experimenting with your hair style and colour!

Everyone is going mad for these ever since Pixie Geldof tweeted about them & so far they are only available to the U.K so here's hoping we get our hands on one!

XXX

I've been slacking some what on the blog front so thought I'd give you a quick update on what I'm currently loving!

West country cheddar, red onion and chutney focaccia

Hot mango salsa

             

Sweet and sour nuts

Kalamata olives with herbs

This is my second graze box & it's amazing! I suppose i like it for its novelty value; the idea of little treats being popped through your post box for you to enjoy throughout the day but I also love it because it tastes so good too.

Every week Graze send you your own personalised nibble box. Each box is perfectly balanced to give you loads of essential nutrients and help prevent those choccie cravings we all get come 3 o'clock. You also get your very own a mini booklet that contains the nutritional information for each punnet, highlighting which ones contain antioxidants & vitamins. 

If you fancy trying this too (& I suggest you do!) then you can use the code below to get your first one free!

RDBB24Y

SCRUB A DUB DUB........

I was given a Konjac Sponge to try out & can honestly say it's great. I have never used one of these before and it feels fantastic on your skin. 

There are several different versions in the product range, but I use the one pictured above as it is for dry & sensitive skin. All of them are made from 100% natural vegetable fibre sponge with nourishing mineral rich French clay.

I didn't realise that Konjac is known for its health giving properties and used in Japan for over 1500 years! They are a fantastic way of cleansing and gently exfoliating your skin.

One other great thing about them is you don't just use them one then throw them away, they can be used for several months & when it is finally time to discard it can actually be composted after use!

If you fancy trying one out then they are available at Liberty's or simply visit their website.

www.konjacspongecompany.com

Take a Look!

We're on LookBook.nu!

 Check out Olivia wearing our Lolita Cameo Necklace here

We are in love with this look! Olivia has captured this stunning gothic/victorian style by combining our Lolita Cameo Ring with a soft lace collar blouse.

View this look here

ninety2wo.blogspot.com

Fashion blogger, Sophie, has also posted a few photos of her Dolly Up Ginger jewellery - we love how she's teamed up our Sail Away bracelet with a pair of red denim shorts - perfect for the Summer!

If you own something from Dolly Up Ginger, then what are you waiting for?

Send in a picture of you wearing it to dollyupginger@gmail.com & not only will you find yourself in our Dolly Booth album on Facebook, but you shall receive 15% off your next order!** T&Cs on our info page at www.dollyupginger.co.uk

New Summer Range!!!!

Dolly Up Ginger

Great new lines just in time for Summer!

Here are some of our favorites from the new range......

Visit our online boutique www.dollyupginger.co.uk

&

Join our Facebook Page for the latest news & special offers!!!

xxx

'Let Them Eat Cake...'

These cakes are amazing!!! - Yes, believe it or not they are indeed cakes!

Each one has been crafted by Brighton based company, Choccywoccydoodah and although many of you may have seen them featured in their very own 10-part series on Sky TV, they are just simply amazing so I had to add them to my blog! 

I absolutely love this one (above)...but how would you cut into it!?! In fact I wouldn't want to, it's too pretty! The pastel colours compliment the tea party themed objects so well.

If you can imagine it they can create it! I certainly know where I want to go for my next day trip. I'll be heading straight down to Brighton for a day by the seaside filled with chocolatey gooey goodness - what could be better!

This would be my perfect home, shame it's a cake! Don't worry, I've kept this short so you don't dribble over your keyboard. But hopefully you too can appreciate just how amazing these works of art are.

xxx

Shoes To Make You Go Gaga...

NORITAKA TATEHANA

Noritaka Tatehana is a fashon designer based in Tokyo. Not only does he design each pair, but also manages the entire process from dyeing & embossing of the leather to crafting each shoe by hand. His work is just amazing and I find it rather difficult to put into words. You may recognise these weird and wonderful creations from Lady Gaga as she is frequently photographed wearing his collection.

ARTISAN COLLECTION 2010 / ACCESSORIES

Coral

'The theme of Artisan Collection 2010 is "Metamorphosis" which makes you meet with nature through unusual styles and materials.' - www.noritakatatehana.com

His collection makes you question whether they are solely works of art that should be displayed in a gallery or just innovative structures thus forming a new style of footwear that will slowly trickle down to the high street with time.

I see them as wearable pieces of art, where the designer has blurred the devision between art & fashion. They are amazing statement pieces and I love how the heel has been completely removed - something we would consider a must for functionality but the designer, Noritaka Tatehana, has defied this rule.

Noritaka 

The Purrfect Pair.....

Although I do like a bit of Hello Kitty from time to time, it's everywhere nowadays and can't help but start to be a little bored by it all. However, whilst browsing the net I stumbled upon a quirky collaboration between Sanrio & Reebok.

I think I'm starting to become a sucker for anything with a bow on it so the fact that each pair of Reebok PT-20 INT Plush Kitty comes with a big fat red HK style bow on the side gets my vote!

It shouldn't be to anyone's surprise that the Hello Kitty brand is now featured on casual footwear, it's on everything else! But what I think gives this collaboration a unique twist is the fact you can quite clearly see the 2 brands working in harmony with each other. The classic Reebok shape hasn't altered and still stands out from the HK features. Even the furry finish helps give it that kitty look yet the consumer still knows it's a Reebok.

Another part I love about these trainers are the soles. Even though you don't necessarily see them, it's just that little extra detail that adds to the cute factor. 

I personally prefer the black & white pair just because I feel they are more subtle yet their quirkiness still stands out. The furry fabric in bright pink is a bit O.T.T - even for me! & for some reason it just reminds me of a granny's toilet...so I think that colour's a no go!

*These are limited edition and I believe are currently exclusive to Japan...surprise, surprise! They are available from a store called Atmos, but fingers crossed the rest of us will be able to get our hands on them soon!