Don't Believe The Hype: 01

Hi guys, Sorry again about the delay on the posts, uni work has been taking up pretty much all of my time, and with this beautiful weather today, ive been catching up in the garden with the blogs ive missed recently.

So this will be the first installment of some of the products i feel have had lots of hype, but don't feel theyre much to write home about. Let me know if you agree/disagree. 

Vol 01: Collection 2000, Big Fake Mascara.

After hearing the hype about this, i, like most people, jumped on the bandwagon and bought it. Although i didn't use it straight away because i was half way through using another, i waited till i was done and gave it a whirl. 

The main thing i hate about this mascara is the wand. I hate wands that remind me more of a hairbrush than a mascara brush. I agree with most people that is is big, and it does make your lashes look slightly longer,  i don't feel like its the most amazing one i've used before. It feels dry, and even when you use a couple of layers, it doesn't seem to add a great deal of definition. My personal one also tells me that its two different colours, one label says 'black brown' the other says 'black' hmm. Its a shame because i don;t actually mind the collection 2000 range. Ive had a few products of theirs past and present, and really expected more.

Maybe it's just me though, i think with all the hype, i expected it to be so much better, but really it's nothing that special. I'd reccomend you spend your £5 elsewhere.

Tara Smith Big Baby Gentle Shampoo & Conditioner

A few weeks ago i was kindly sent some shampoos to have a try of. The name Tara Smith has been doing the blogging rounds recently, but for any of my readers that aren't familiar of the name, she's a famous hairdresser that has cut the locks of many famous stars including Demi Moore, Lindsay Lohan, Angelina Jolie and Orlando Bloom. 

Her new haircare range consists of four different shampoos and conditioners

Feed The Root

Big Baby 

Straight Away

C Curls

There are also styling products that work alongside these products

Base Coat Serum

Top Coat Glosser

Rock On Hard Hold Styling Gel

Tara Smith haircare range is completely natural and organic, only using 'friendly ingredients' that you would actually be happy putting in your hair. After doing lots of research recently, this is definitely a good thing for me as ive been persuaded to only buy natural shampoos and conditioners from now on.

The 'natural' smell in these products are somewhat of a change for hair care, and although having to adjust to putting something that smells so natural and pure in my hair, i soon got used to it, and actually enjoyed using.

The packaging is something i really like about the shampoo and conditioner. Its sturdy plastic bottles sit nicely on the shelf in the shower and last much longer than expected, and after use, they are easy enough to throw in the recycling box!

To find out more about the Tara Smith haircare range, click here and visit her website.

Product Review - Beautiful Ends

I love my hair products, they're always the thing i look at first when i go into shops like Superdrug or Boots. So i thought after buying this many many months ago, i should do a review for you all as i've tried and tested it.

Now the first thing i need to express is that this is solely my opinion, the product may work better or worse in your hair than it did in mine, but i feel as a blogger i should express the things i like and dislike about the products i spend my money on. (thats the reason i set up this blog)

Firstly, the thing that enticed me to this product was the fact its been made for split ends.

Clairol says:

"I daily defy and defeat split ends and breakage. My luscious formula with red raspberry and silk extracts leaves your hair protected and luscious."

My hair isn't in its strongest form at the moment, nor has it been for a while, but i can't get the hand of how to make this stuff work well in my hair.

The smell is absolutely gorgeous, and a definite selling point. Along with that, Herbal essence shampoo and conditioners tend to work well in my hair and i love the way they make it smell and feel.

The directions for use say to use around 2 pumps for mid-long length hair and rub through your ends and just leave in. 

After doing this, and blow-drying my hair, i can tell there's products in my hair (that feeling i never get when using products like heat defense) and it makes it fel dirty again. Also, when i straighten or curl it, again i can still feel the product and just constantly feel like i need to wash it out again.

On top of this, i can't tell that its made any difference to my ends. (only making them feel grubby!)

The only good point i can make about this stuff is that it smells like a dream and that does stay with you for quite a while.

Overall, i can say that im not particularly impressed with the product, which i feel is a shame, because the rest of the Herbal Essence range is a super hit in my book!

What do you all think? Do you like using Herbal Essence products? Would you recommend them?