Polka Face

My new favourite summer dress is this no brand polka dot one recently bought in TK Maxx (£12.99). It looked so cutesy on the hanger though I don't think this translates well on me, especially in the awful changing room photo, ick. I feel a little like an overgrown toddler with the large collar but I love the length (not too short), the sleeves (it has them!) and the ever so slight 50s feel. Paired with my beloved H&M gladiator sandals and I'm set.



Is everyone is enjoying the marvellous weather we're having? I spent Monday lolling about in Hyde Park and only left at sunset. Think I may spend some of the Bank Holiday weekend there too as I don't think there are any Jubilee street parties happening in my area :(

I really do hope to be posting more often now that there's ample daylight to take photos. Speak soon xx

A little trip to TK Maxx

As I finished work earlier than usual I decided to swing by TK Maxx, specifically on the look out for some SLS free shampoos. I had a Brazilian blow dry on Friday and have to switch shampoo as the sulphates in my normal shampoo will break down the keratin and it won't last for the 3 month it's supposed to. My hair is SO greasy right now and tomorrow is day 4 so I'm going to run home after work and gleefully jump into the shower. Lank greasy curtains begone!

My sister uses Naked shampoo which is SLS free but it made my hair really dry and I had read that Tigi have SLS free shampoos which are meant to be good. There were quite a few of those large pump bottles of Tigi superstar shampoo but I bought a normal sized tube of Some Like It Hot which is heat & humidity resistant as well as sulphate free. It smells nice and I hope it works well. The shampoo section had so many great buys. There was Frederic Fekkai Shea butter shampoo for £6.99, Bumble and Bumble Creme de coco shampoo for £9.99 and lots of mini sets of MOP for £4.99.

I also found some Essie sets! A cool pale blue, a creamy salmon pink and the only one with the label still attached, 'Jam N Jelly' an iridescent fuchsia. All for a bargain sum of £9.99. The makeup section wasn't too impressive but I found this Stila bronzer for £3.99.

It's rare to find things you like or that are unopened in TK Maxx but when you do, it's brilliant. Have you found anything good recently? Also can anyone recommend a SLS free conditioner? I didn't manage to find one today.

Another lovely find from TK Maxx

I popped into my local TK Maxx this afternoon to get some new gym gear and whilst waiting to pay, I found this set of mini Essie polishes.

I have been longing to try Essie but can't afford to shell out £8.95 per bottle. However, this set has four mini 5ml bottles for the grand total of £9.99 (RRP15.95). A great way to try four different Essie polishes without breaking the bank! 

The other set on sale was Magnifique French, but I opted for Mega Mini Jewels.

The colours from left to right are: Really Red, Pink Glove Service, Vanity Fairest and Marshmellow. 

I can't wait to try that vibrant red out - expect some Essie NOTD's very soon!

Also if you're a fan of Nails Inc, they had sets on sale for £12.99.

It can hit and miss most times, but I love finding a TK Maxx bargain!

Benefit at TKMaxx

The only makeup I have ever seen sold at TKMaxx were packets of 4 Rimmel lipsticks (probably from 3 year old stock) so I was very surprised and delighted to come across Benefit. I really like Benefit at the moment, even though I admit some of their products are hit and miss - most notably Badgal Lash mascara. I really like the brush but it does nothing for me whatsoever. On the other hand, Erase Paste is my saviour!

What I really wanted though was a creaseless cream and my makeup dreams were answered.

There was only one and it was in a colour that I liked - Pre-nup. Benefit's official description of this colour is "rose metal". It looks like a warm brown in the jar but when applied it is pink. The thing I love about this is that it is very sheer but can be easily built up. I wear a slick of this with mascara to work and it's perfect - I can't wear heavy eye makeup so early in the morning. It doesn't crease at all but by 5pm the colour has slightly faded and what's left is the shimmer. However I don't mind this at all. Best of all? I paid £7.99 for this whilst the RRP is £14.

I also picked up this trio of face powders called Powder Pop which has the following: Dandelion, a brightening face powder; Hoola, a bronzing face powder; Dallas, an outdoor glow. I think this has been discontinued as I can't find it on the website but they do have "Powderazzi", which has Coralista instead of Dandelion.

These don't show up well on camera. I mainly bought this so I could try Dallas which my friend swears by. The other two I am not mad about - Dandelion  shows up as a pink shimmer when blended whilst Hoola is matte and makes my skin look dull/dirty? I quite like Dallas though, which I feel is more of a bronzer than Hoola. Overall not an amazing product but it'shandy to carry around in my bag and it comes with a mini brush! I think it used to retail at £24 but I paid £12, so not bad at all.

I've also seen some silky powder eyeshadows and "miss popularity" highlighters in my local store. The problem with TKmaxx is that products are not always guaranteed to be there and they vary from store to store . However it's worthwhile to have a look next time you go in. Try looking on bottom shelves and hidden behind other products!

Summer of love

I took advantage of the intermittent sunshine the other day to take some photos of what I've been rocking and loving this summer.

'Noodle' gladiators, £40, Topshop. Zip detail skinnies, £5, Topshop via ebay.

Heart quilted clutch, £8, Topshop via ebay. Liz Clairborn tortoiseshell style wayfarers, £12.99, TKmaxx. I bought these to replace my beloved Primark pair (RIP) and I heart them so much.

D&G canvas shopper £12, via ebay. I love the floral pattern on this, I only wish the logo wasn't so in your face.

I've nearly come to end of my product testing, then hopefully I can do some in depth reviews on here (as I'm not too sure if I'm allowed to?) but to update on my initial thoughts on Aussie Mega Shampoo - I freaking love it!

The next day I straightened my hair and you could still smell it, even though I had used a perfumed protection spray. I believe I was caught inadvertently sniffing my locks throughout the day. Plus it does what it claims to do - my hair felt noticeably cleaner and shinier. I would definitely recommend this shampoo. Priced at £3.37 for 300ml, it's great value for money and is currently buy one get one half price at Superdrug.