Hair Care Review| Kerastase Discipline Range

Recently the lovely team at Hillcrest Hairdesign allowed me to try a range of the products they had just gotten in store. Naturally, as the beauty fanatic I am I jumped at the chance and was very excited to give them a go. When I first went into the salon I sat down with Brenda (the owner) and Lisa who talked with me about my hair and what products and treatment would suit me best. They chose the Kerastase Discipline range for me and I took some samples to try at home. I came back a couple of days later into the salon for them to do the treatment from this range on my hair as well. They began by washing my hair with the shampoo and then applied a treatment from root to tip. This was then blow dried and straightened into my hair, and then washed out again. Then another product (I presume this was the conditioner) was applied to my hair and rinsed. Lastly they blow dried my hair one final time and added in some waves at my request.

I've been using these products all together for a week now and these are my thoughts

Pros

• Shampoo lathers up super easily so you feel like you are really cleansing your scalp
• When washing out the shampoo and conditioner in the shower I noticed a lot less hair fell out than usual
• My hair was easy to comb through when wet
• I feel as though these products cut down drying time for me
• My hair was sleek, smooth and straight just using a blow dryer, I didn't find the need to straighten it as well. It says on the website "Blow-dry styling becomes a true pleasure" and I totally agree with this
•  Again like it claims on the website, my usual frizz was reduced, even in humid but windy weather. It stayed just as sleek until the next time I washed it. 

Cons

• Conditioning treatment was difficult to wash out and took a long time
• If you like your hair to be very low maintenance this is not the product for you because you achieve the best result by using heat. 
• These products can be a little pricey so may not suit everyone's budget. 
• The in salon treatment was wonderful as a one off but anyone with a busy lifestyle might find it difficult to spare a couple of hours every so often for it. 
• Hair may get a little greasier faster with these products

To sum things up I am very grateful to Hillcrest Hairdesign for allowing me to give these products a go. If I wasn't a poor student I would definitely be continuing them. Perhaps something I can add to my Christmas wishlist! If you're looking for somewhere to get your hair done, definitely pop into the salon. The staff are lovely and super talented, and the atmosphere is always relaxed but fun whenever I get the chance to go in. 

How to: Not Wear Makeup!

Okay, I know what you're thinking. Why would I have to teach you how to not wear makeup if its as simple as, well, just not putting on makeup. But I know that for a lot of women it's not quite that simple. I've been unsure for a couple of weeks now whether to write this post or not since my blog is all about makeup. But going makeup free is something I feel strongly about so I finally decided I would. Getting back on topic, I understand that a lot of women don't have the self- esteem to be able to go without makeup which I feel really sad about. But I can also sympathize with them because I used to be the exact same, and sometimes I still am. In no way am I saying that you (and I) should never wear makeup. I'm just saying that going makeup free for a few days a week can be really beneficial for both your skin, and you confidence. These are just a few tips I use, and thought I'd share with you to help you feel a bit more confident going au naturel.

1. Use a Primer

On the days where I don't feel like wearing makeup I go in with a primer after applying my morning skincare. What some people don't realize is that you can still use a primer when you are not planning on wearing makeup. If you choose one that works well for your skin type it can make your skin look just that little bit better without caking on the foundation. Blur creams are all the rage at the moment and I love the 5 Second Magic Blur by Garnier. It fills in my pores and reduces any shine.

2. Curl your Lashes

 Every girl should invest in an eyelash curler whether they wear makeup or not. I got mine for around $6 from Farmers. Curling your lashes can really open up your eyes and make them look bigger without having to apply mascara. Its so simple and takes hardly any time but it's so effective!

3. Pop On Some Sunnies

If you're leaving the house and you feel a little bit uncomfortable showing your bare face, you can always pop on some sunglasses. It's a trick all the celebs use. Having your eyes and a bit of your face covered means you have a little less to feel self-conscious about. And don't worry, I guarantee you'll be able to go without them eventually, in your own time. Small steps!

4. Dress to Impress

Just because you aren't wearing any makeup doesn't mean you have to wear your oldest clothes and your hair in a messy bun. I know that's exactly what you feel like doing when you don't think you look your best. But sometimes wearing your favorite dress and styling your hair can give you that extra boost in confidence when you don't have any makeup on.

5. Tame Those Brows

Come on ladies, if we were all granted three wishes I bet perfectly tamed brows would be on everyone's list. A good brow can make all the difference when you don't have any makeup on. Giving them some attention each night when you do your skincare routine is a great idea. Then in the morning, spray some hairspray onto a clean mascara wand and brush through them to keep them in place all day.

6.Put on a Bit of Lip Balm

This is a pretty obvious one, but sometimes keeping you lips in tact can keep you looking a lot fresher when you are bare faced. No one likes the look or feel of dry chapped lips, so keep them looking their best with a bit of lip balm.

7. Look After Your Skin

If you want your skin to look good without makeup, you have to look after it. Pretty self-explanatory right? This means to get your skin in it's best condition you have to at least cleanse and moisturize your skin morning and night with products to suit your skins needs. Your face is what you present to the world so naturally you want it to look its best. Having good a good skincare regime is the best way to achieve this. I know for a lot of people the thought of going without skin makeup is terrifying. I still feel this exact same way. I get pimples, all the time. But you just have to trust in the fact that no one can affect the way you feel about yourself, but yourself. You have no reason to feel self-conscious because people are too busy to be worrying about the spots on your face. In all honesty, going without makeup is the best thing I could have done for my acne. It was awful to begin with, but you come a lot more comfortable as time elapses.

8. Smile!

Go stand in the mirror. First of all, stare at your reflection, expressionless. After a few second of this, try smiling at your reflection. Notice the difference? Which one do you think looked better? Sometimes simply smiling can make you look 10 times better, makeup or no makeup. Smiling also makes you feel better on the inside. Its a win- win!


For me, the best thing about not wearing makeup when I don't want to is that when I don't have time to, I still feel confident because I am used to it. On the days I go without, it literally takes me 20 minutes to get ready. It really is so liberating being able to leave the house without anything on my face. Its kind of like flipping the bird to society in a sense. I'm definitely not saying you shouldn't wear makeup because I love it. Makeup is so much fun! But when you start to feel as though you have to wear makeup as opposed to you get to wear makeup, something isn't right. No one should ever feel like that, so taking a break from makeup may be what you need.

My Lush Faves!

It's no secret that I am a massive Lush lover. I don't even want to begin to think about the amount of money I have spent in that store. I just love their whole philosophy. If you don't know already (where have you been?!) all of there products are fresh and handmade. Nothing is ever tested on animals, a lot of the ingredients are vegan and organic and they use little to no packaging. Not to mention the great charity work they do. So when you buy from Lush, you really don't have much to feel guilty about. I can guarantee you that any Lush store you go into will have the most amazing staff! They are always so upbeat and have such vast knowledge of all the products. You can't help but leave the store feeling a little more happy and inspired. I'm a regular at my Lush store so they pretty much know me by name now.

Creamy Candy Bubble Bar

1. My first favorite and probably my most purchased too is the creamy candy bubble bar. All you have to do is crumble it under the running water of a bath and it creates beautiful fragrant bubbles. You can also break it in half and get multiple uses out of it depending on the size of your bath. Its supposed to smell like custard creams, vanilla, hot chocolate and marshmallows. So if you're not into warm sweet smells it wouldn't be for you. But come on, doesn't that list of ingredients just make you want to devour it? Don't though, I have tried and it didn't go down so well.  .

Butterball Bath Bomb

2. I have only tried this once, but I loved it! It took me a while to actually purchase one because it really doesn't look that exciting. But I was so wrong! It smells like warm vanilla and is super luxurious. It would also be great if you are worried about your bath getting stained since it is colorless. But what won me over was the little chunks of cocoa butter inside. When the bomb disintegrates, the chunks are released into the water. You can either let these soak into the water leaving it to go lovely and soft. Or you can massage them straight into your skin like a moisturizer. When I got out of the bath my skin was the softest it had ever been, without the hassle of applying a moisturizer.

Catastrophe Cosmetic Fresh Face Mask 

 3. My third favorite is a fresh face mask. In fact it is so fresh you have to keep it in the fridge. This means that when you apply it it is so lovely and cooling. It has around a 3 week life but I've always just used mine till its gone and I haven't had any issues. This didn't have massive benefits for my skin and its quite messy, but I just liked how it was so calming. Its main ingredients are blueberries which everyone knows how great they are for any skin type. This is a clay mask, but it's so gentle that I really could work on any skin. Also, if you bring 5 pots back clean, you get a free one! I've just finished my 5th one. Yay!

Space Girl Bath Bomb

4. I've had quite a few of these bath bombs because they are so beautiful. They turn the water a dark but transparent blue color, with added red sparkly glitter. It's meant to look like the night sky. It's mesmerizing just to look at. It's meant to smell like black current so its deliciously fruity but also very relaxing for a night time bath. I love it!

Bubblegum Lip Scrub

 5. Everyone should own one of these babies. They're only around $12 I think and they last the entire year. Your lips are the only skin on your body that don't exfoliate themselves. So to get the best lips possible this is an unavoidable step. It also without a doubt helps lip products go on smoother and look better. What you do is take a small amount, scrub it on your lips, and then if you want to, lick it off. The main ingredient is sugar so it completely edible. The best part though is that it tastes amazing! It's not the only flavor, but its the only one I've tried.


So there you have it, my favorite products from one of my favorite stores. Head into Lush whilst they still have some of their limited edition Christmas products because they are awesome! If you have any questions or want any recommendations just send me a message. I hope you have a lovely relaxing evening!

Courtney Grace

No Heat Overnight Hairstyle

I'm currently growing out my hair, so I like to use a little heat as possible to prevent damage. The problem I found with this though is that I get into hairstyle ruts. My hair is a bit too crazy to wear out naturally, but I was sick of ponytails and buns. This hairstyle is so simple, you may have already tried it actually. But this is just the way that I like to do it to get the best effect.

I like to start with clean, almost dry hair. Obviously it's only a no heat hairstyle if you let it air dry. The shampoo and conditioner I am using at the moment are the Platinum Strength ones from Tresemme. When my hair is still damp I add one pump of the Tresemme Split Remedy treatment. The final product I use is optional but I think it adds a little more texture. I spray in a bit of the David Babaii Bohemian Beach Spray which I also think holds the wave a bit better. Any salt spray will work. Then I section my hair into two parts and do a standard braid. How tight you pull the braids will determine how tight the waves are. Personally I like to leave them a bit looser. Try braid down as far as possible so your ends aren't just straight. This can be a little difficult if you have layered hair though. 

Then, obviously as the title suggests, you go to sleep. Make sure your hair isn't too wet though otherwise it might not dry by the time you wake up, and the waves will just fall out. When you wake up, gently let your braids out. I'd then literally just run my fingers through them, and maybe add some more spray. You can run a brush through the top and your fringe, but I wouldn't recommend brushing through the waves, unless that's the look you're going for. The last step is to decide what you want to do with your fringe. It's quickest just to leave it out, but of course you could pin it back, or do something fancy. Play around with this style until you find how it best works for you.

And that's it! It's really so simple. All you need is the knowledge of  how to braid and some hair ties. Also, if you are growing out your hair like me, sleeping in braids decreases friction, therefore decreases hair breakage. So as well as having cute hair you'll also have healthy hair! Bonus. I think this is something I am going to be doing a lot over the summer when I don't feel like using heat. Its a great hairstyle for those beachy holidays as well.

I hope you've enjoyed this post, and that you're having a lovely evening. Let me know if you would like any more hair tutorials. Or any other post ideas as I'm running low! 

Courtney Grace

My Pamper Routine |A Night of Relaxation

One of my absolute favorite things to do is have a pamper night. At this time of year with exams looming it's the perfect way to de-stress which is so important! I make sure I have everything that I needed to do for the day done beforehand so I can totally relax. I also find it helps if you tidy your bathroom or bedroom first too. I don't know about you but for me a cluttered room means a cluttered mind which just leads to more stress. Its such a lovely feeling to go to bed feeling squeaky clean and pampered! So why don't you set aside one night this week to have your own pamper night. You don't have to follow all my steps and you can even add some of your own! I promise you won't regret it.

1. The first thing I like to do is light some candles. I think it really sets the mood. And come on, is there really anything more relaxing than candlelight? The one that I am using at the moment is Spiced Ginger Muffin scented. I bought it at New World for about $12 which is really great for a large candle! The smell reminds me so much of Christmas (which is so nearly here! *GASP*)

2. Next I begin to run a bath. If you don't have one I'd suggest having a lovely hot shower instead! I love to use Lush bath products and tonight I used half of a Creamy Candy Bubble Bar. You just crumble it under a running faucet and it creates mountains of delicious smelling bubbles. I've tried heaps of Lush Bath products so let me know if you want any reviews!

3. Then I would go in with the cleansing part of my skincare routine (I'll leave a link to that post). You could also then use a mask if you like for added luxury. Hot steamy baths are so great for your skin because they really open up your pores and sweat out all the toxins. Just make sure when you get out to rinse your face with cold water to close them up.

4. Then of course it is time to get into your bath for a nice long soak. I always make sure to have a cold beverage on hand just in case I get too hot. I like to have water with ice but in a wine glass just to make me feel a little more swanky! I also tend to get a little bored in the bath, so I love to watch Youtube videos (my favorite at the moment are from the funniest family called the SacconeJolys). You could also listen to music or read a book. Or, you could always just enjoy the peacefulness. I'd then wash myself with a shower gel. At the moment I'm using a Grapefruit Body Shop one which smells so summery and delicious. You could also shave your legs to feel extra pampered when you get out.

5. As soon as I'm out I finish off my night time skincare routine. If you wanted to you could also moisturize your entire body. I always do this after shaving my legs. I'm just using the standard Nivea one in the tub at the moment which is simple but nice. Then get into your comfiest pajamas!

6. I like to do some other little steps which aren't entirely necessary but make me feel extra pampered. I pluck my own eyebrows after a bath when the skin has softened so it's less painful. I don't know about you but for me there is no better feeling than waking up to nice clean brows. I don't always paint my nails because honestly most of the time I'm too lazy. But when I do my favorite formula to use is the Maybelline Color Show one. It is so long lasting!

7. Then finally I'll do something I enjoy like watch more Youtube videos, watch television or browse the internet. However I also think it is important to eliminate sources of light around half an hour before bed though. I've heard that light from technology peaks your melatonin levels which tells your body to be awake. So right before I go to bed I may read a book, or do some Yoga which is so relaxing! I always have the BEST sleep after a night of pampering and wake up feeling so refreshed.

So I challenge anyone reading this, whether you're feeling stressed or not to give this a go. Everyone needs a little pampering every now and then. And I promise you'll go to bed and wake up feeling a million bucks! As much as it is super fun to socialize at night, its also so important for our mental well-being to just take time out for ourselves. So if you're reading this, turn off your phone, turn off your computer, and go run a bath!

Thanks for reading and I hope this has given you some inspiration! Have a lovely evening!

Courtney Grace

My Skincare Routine| How My Skin Has Changed

I'm not going to lie, I take really good care of my skin. And I'm not going to be modest about it either because it's something I'm proud of. I can't remember the last time I went to bed with my makeup on because it's probably never happened. My skin has changed a lot this year. I've finally developed a skincare routine that I am happy with and works really well for me. However this is not to say these exact products will all work for you. My skin type is oily and acne-prone, so if your skin is in a similar condition, these products could be worth giving a go.

I'm in no way claiming that my skin is perfect, because it isn't and it probably never will be. But I'm finally in a place where I am happy with it. I don't mind going out without makeup on anymore which is something I used to be so uncomfortable with. In fact I love no makeup days and have many of these each week. As much as I love makeup, I seriously encourage you to go without a few times a week. I went through a period of about 2 months where I didn't wear any foundation and I think this is when my skin improved the most. It was hard in the beginning, but worth it in the long run.

Morning Skincare 

Cleansing and moisturizing in the morning is so important to me. I think it makes such a difference when it comes to makeup application. Most mornings I use Biore Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser.
I love how cooling and refreshing it is to use in the morning. It's also really creamy and luxurious feeling. I can't say that it has helped massively with reducing breakouts, but I leave that up to my night time cleanser. About twice a week instead of my cleanser I'll use St Ives Blemish Control Green Tea Scrub to exfoliate. This is an important step to get rid of any dead skin cells that have not removed them self and could possibly build up and clog pores. I like to exfoliate in the morning though so my foundation goes on a lot more smoothly. Again its not a miracle product, but it does the job. Lastly I will moisturize with Olay Complete UV Protection Moisture Lotion. Even if you have oily skin you must moisturize! If you skip this step your skin will over produce oils since cleansing strips it, and your skin will end up even more oily. I use a very light weight moisturizer specifically for oily skin (which it says on the bottle). I also think it is super important to have SPF protection in a moisturizer to prevent early aging, and this one is SPF 15!

Night time skincare

Always, ALWAYS, take your makeup off before bed. Please, if you take one thing away from this post, may it be this. Sleeping in makeup is the fastest way to make your skin age prematurely. Every night it use Cetaphil Skin Cleanser for Oily or Acne-Prone Skin. I use it once, just by wetting my hands and applying it to dry skin. I then massage it in all over my face, even my eyes. It removes makeup brilliantly! I remove this with a flannel and repeat. This product kills to birds with one stone which saves a lot of time. This cleanser is what I have to thank for clearing my skin. It has done the most work at getting rid of breakouts and I would recommend that everyone give it a go. Once or twice a week I like to go in with a face mask. My favorite is Catastrophe Cosmetic from Lush. It is a clay mask but I think it would be appropriate for all skin types. It is kept in the fridge so it is really lovely and soothing and cooling. I then use a more intensive night cream. My choice is Aveeno Positively Radiant Intensive Night Cream.  It does the job, but it is not one I will be repurchasing. I'm thinking of finding one for helping clear dark spots and scars. Any recommendations? Lastly I use a spot gel on any pesky spots. Witch Blemish Gel  is my favorite. I apply this on spots, or somewhere I know a spot is going to appear at night and it helps to reduce it while I'm sleeping. This is the best one I have tried compared to companies like Clearasil and Clean and Clear which do nothing for me personally. Most nights I use Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream as a lip balm as well before bed which is fantastic. `

My skin this time last year without makeup

My skin without makeup now

Last year

Now

Only now looking back at these before and afters have I realized just how much my skin has changed in a year. I can't stress enough to you how important it is to have a good skincare routine. It doesn't have to be expensive. And if you are having issues with your skin, just remember that nothing is going to change over night. It takes time. My skin has taken a year to get to where it is now, and it's still changing. But also remember that your skin doesn't define you! No one is going to be looking at that spot on your chin, or your dark circles. And even if you have terrible terrible acne, those who you choose to associate with probably couldn't care less. If it really bothered them they wouldn't hang around you. If you have any further questions feel free to email me, or message me on my facebook.   Here is a link to that! https://www.facebook.com/misscourtneygrace

I hope you've enjoyed reading this and I have helped you in some way. Have a great evening!

Courtney Grace