The Game Changer: Oribe Maximista Thickening Spray

I'm just going to put it out there: my hair can be pretty shit to me. One day it's crazy and frizzy, next day it's flat, and after years of colouring the condition just ain't what it used to be. I'm also going to put it out there however, that lately I've been having some pretty alright hair days, actually to the point where people have been NOTICING the difference (never happens). I have one product in mind when I consider why this change has come about, and it is Oribe's maximista spray, which you use on damp hair before blowdrying to thicken and volumize. 

B.M, (that's before maximista) if you'd have asked me to pick one hair care brand I would choose to use for the rest of my life, (if money grew on trees) I would always have said Bumble and Bumble. However, after using Oribe's thickening spray and hearing rave reviews about their dry texturising spray, it may possibly just be a toss up. The spray itself has a slightly sticky hairspray-like consistency which when sprayed on smells incredible. When used before blowdrying (I use my babyliss new big hair tool which is also amazing) it works an absolute treat. I have grown up with very fine hair and been desperately envious of my friends' thick, luxurious locks and have never thought that look would be achievable for me. The Oribe Maximista gets me as close as will ever be possible, and is the best thickening spray I have ever used. It really does add so much volume and after fully drying your hair you can easily see the difference in thickness. If you scroll down to my recent outfit post (Lakeside) in some of the earlier pictures by the grass you can see the effects of the spray. 

As ever, there are downsides and limitations to the product (so don't expect to see me with fantastic huge Brigitte Bardot-esque hair all day every day). I find the spray to lose its effect fairly quickly, especially in any sort of windy weather conditions. It definitely does not have the same impressive effect the following day which means washing and blow drying far more often to achieve the big hair look. 

However, I do seriously love this spray and when scientists/farmers find a way for money to grow on trees you'll see me heading straight towards the Oribe counter to pick up their entire range. Have you tried any products from Oribe? What's your favourite thickening spray? 

B. 

Urban Outfitters Nottingham: Press and Blogger Event

What I wore! 

On Thursday morning I was invited to attend the press and blogger event for the new Urban Outfitters store in Nottingham. It was such a lovely morning and the new store is so beautiful. It was so exciting being invited into the shop before the opening party in the evening and before it was open to the public, and being able to get a sneak preview felt like being a child in a toy store after hours. As London Grammar was playing in the background and snacks were being passed round, we browsed the store, took photos and had a bit of fun in the photobooth!

I love how Urban Outfitters always manages to make each store unique in its design but still tie it into the overall image of the brand. As you can see from my photos above, the store has a hugely rustic feel as well as being urban and modern with its unique graffiti and bespoke designs. The shop space is much bigger than we had imagined and has a beautiful staircase which leads down to the men’s section and fitting rooms. The Nottingham VM team has done a great job making the store look great too; everything looks so put together and neat on the shop floor and just so Urban Outfitters-esque.

We were also lucky enough to be given the chance to pick any piece from the store to take home, which was massively generous of the guys at Urban Outfitters. I chose this gorgeous tartan skirt (see photos above) which I’m sure will pop up in an outfit post in the near future.

Head down to the new store if you’re in or around Nottingham, it really is beautiful and stocks a great collection! A huge thank you to the lovely people at Urban Outfitters for having me and generously allowing me to take home a piece.

B. 

Lakeside

 

Jumper: Zara

Skirt, hat & boots: Topshop

There's something so wintery and christmassy about being on campus right now and it's a nice feeling. I feel so lucky to go to a uni that is so beautiful too, and am trying to make the most of it all in my third year. What I wore today was pretty simple and nothing too special but did combine two of my favourite colours to wear all year round. There's something about navy on black that is so sophisticated and easy to wear. You may also notice that this hat is permanently stuck to my head these days; I'm ok with that. I also just really like these snaps because of how well they show off the pretty UON campus. They were shot by my friend Sarah who is a talented photographer and massive all round babe. I did nearly lose my hat several times though and I am seriously working (or trying to) the windswept look. 

B.

The US/UK COLLECTIVE HAUL

This Haul has been a long time coming, and I have to point out up front that this is a collection of things I have been buying since I came back to uni nearly two months ago! Admittedly I initially went a little mental when my loan came through, but who doesn't? 

I will start with the bits my Dad kindly picked up for me in the US. I had a long long list of things I wanted to try but whittled it down to a few of my most lusted after. I ended up asking for the Tarte Amazonian clay blush in Tipsy (which I am yet to use), the Makeup forever full cover concealer (AMAZING at covering anything), some Crest whitening strips (UK store bought whitening kits are known to be pretty appalling due to low bleach levels) and some more of my beloved Chanel Chance perfume from duty free. I also asked for the Weekender bag from Sephora but sadly they didn't have it at the store my Dad tried so he picked up the High Roller for me instead which I am now completely OBSESSED with. It has such a sleek design and cute labelled sections inside. 

Next up is Mac and Lush (and a little online purchase). I FINALLY got round to filling my Mac quad, which you can read about HERE. I also picked up a new 217 brush and a 239. Their Teddy Eyeliner was also on my shopping list; which is a gorgeous bronzey brown colour. When I went into lush there was only one thing on my mind: their Snow Fairy shower gel, which only comes out around Christmas. I picked up a big bottle because I can never get enough of the stuff. I also ordered the infamous StarGazer metallic look nail polish online, which I'm a little disappointed in as I expected much more of a chrome finish. 

Last up is Boots, which is always like going into a huge sweet shop for me, and the Nottingham store is so big and extra exciting! Bourjois' latest offerings made their way into my shopping basket; I picked up their new Happy Light serum and foundation and their Java Rice highlighting powder. I also grabbed a couple of the new matte Barry M polishes in the shades Crush and Mocha. I was also in need of a new night cream and the Soap and Glory sleek packaging drew me so much that I bought their Beauty Sleep accelerator cream. Lastly, I picked up a Bleach London Rose colour bottle (which I had massive hopes for, but sadly it really didn't take to my hair at all!). 

I hope you guys enjoyed looking at my collective haul! What have you been buying lately? 

B. 

The Mac Quad

Clockwise: Satin Taupe, All that glitters, Sumptuous olive & Cranberry. 

If any of you follow me on Instagram you may know that a little while ago I picked up a mac pro quad palette with the intention of filling it. Yes, days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months but the good news is that I finally got around (and found the funds) to filling it. I had wanted to keep it quite neutral but as I have my beloved naked palette I also wanted to pick shades I didn't already have anything similar to. The colour range at Mac is HUGE as you will probably know, and after scouting all of my favourite beauty blogs to see which colours they have and swatching my heart out I finally decided. 

For my most neutral shades I picked up Satin Taupe; a bronzey brown taupe and a firm favourite of Tanya Burr's. I literally could NOT choose between two shades for my lighter neutral shade, but ended up picking All That Glitters over Naked Lunch. It is such a pretty pinky golden shimmery shade which can be used on its own or blended in with other darker shadows. My third pick was Sumptuous Olive; a beautiful greeny gold which really compliments my dark brown eyes. Lastly, I picked a shade I had been hearing LOTS about: Cranberry. It honestly is the most gorgeous autumnal eyeshadow colour and can either be packed on if you're brave or blended out with satin taupe if you want something more subtle. So there's my current palette picks. Next on my list? I'm seriously lusting after Club, Smut, Vanilla and Omega for my brows. 

Which shades do you have in your palette? 

B.

The Liquid Lipsticks

Top to bottom: YSL glossy stain in number 9, Rimmel apocalips in apocaliptic, Rimmel apocalips in Nude eclipse, Hourglass opague rouge liquid lipstick in Riviera. 

Has anyone else noticed lately that liquid lipsticks have absolutely boomed in the past few months? I guess it started with the beloved YSL glossy stains which come in a glorious shade range and have a divine finish and pop of colour. The high street/drug stores quickly took note, and before you knew it brands such as Rimmel, Bourjois and Maxfactor were churning out their versions. I have picked out my favourites, which of course begins with the gorgeous YSL glossy stain in number 9. This shade gives the lips the most incredible hot orangey red glossy finish which I have to say cannot be rivalled. Hourglass's Opague Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Riviera comes the closest to the beauty of the YSL stains, but it is a far more unique, bright orangey shade which I am completely head over heels in love with. My drugstore faves have to be the Rimmel Apocalips which every beauty blogger and their mum went mad for when they first launched. In my opinion they have a much nicer texture and longer wearablility than both the Hourglass & YSL offerings, and my favourite shades are Nude Eclipse (a glossy nude) and Apocaliptic (a glossy hot pink). All in all the liquid lipstick offers a more interesting, shiny & glossy alternative to traditional lipstick which will be sure to see me through the Christmas party season :) 

What do you think about liquid lipsticks and stains? Do you have any favourites? 

B. 

October

Top, shoes, hat & coat: All Topshop.

Riding Pants: American Apparel 

Lips: Kate Moss Rimmel 107/ Chanel L'impatiente 

Watch: Michael Kors

Once again, long time no blog. The past few weeks have been so crazy busy..let me just put it out there: third year is a bitch. ANYWAY, this post pretty much sums up everything I have been coveting in October: my aa riding pants, Topshop flatform style shoes, dark autumnal lips and this damn hat which is just stuck on my head come rain or shine. I have also been OBSESSED with my new pink coat (yes, I jumped on the bandwagon) but how could I not be? Thank you to anyone who has been bearing with me and continues to follow me on Bloglovin'. If you haven't yet and would like to, you can do so HERE. 

What have you been wearing this October? Have you picked up a pink coat too? 

B.