Hair zapping! Week 2/3

So hair haters I bet you wondering how I've been getting on with my handy at home laser machine.

Well, I've now zapped my underarms three times with visible results already but my legs are lagging behind a little having only been lasered twice due purely to my laziness. No change to report there but it's very early days regarding my pins.

My skin and hair type:

I neglected to tell you in my previous laser post some vital information about myself which may help you to gage whether the Boots Smooth Skin is something you would also be interested in using.

My skin type is fair, although I'm not pasty white, I am on the fairest side of fair sans ake tan. I burn fairly easily when exposed to the sun and suffer from random bouts of eczema, so my skin is a little sensitive.

Hair wise despite my wishy washy natural blonde hair the hair on my body is surprisingly dark. It is a dark brown and grows incredibly fast meaning I often have to shave my underarms daily.

Ok, I'm not quite that bad. I don't have excessive hair but the hair I do have grows back super fast making shaving a somewhat monotonous chore.

Update on week three - Underarms.

I did have pictures to show you the results but for some reason I'm having technical problems getting them off my camera but I promise pics next update.

- Time taken - 5 mins each arm max.

- Virtually pain free, for 90% of zaps I can't feel a thing but on the odd go a sudden pang of heat.

- After just three sessions with the IPL machine I can already see the difference, there are small bald patches in places and it definitely isn't growing back so fast. After three days I can feel a slight stubble.

Update on week two - Legs

The underarms are a wizz to do but the legs are a totally different kettle of fish hence I've only done them twice so far. I have the attention span of a nat when it comes to zapping my legs, I'm not going to lie to you it's time consuming and boring.

The only way I can possibly get through the ordeal is to do one leg one night and the other the next day.

- First session each leg 45 minutes and no visible change.

- Second session each leg 35 minutes, a little quicker this time but still just as tedious, keeping the end result in mind spurs me on. I WILL be hair FREE!!!

Using the laser on a larger area is much harder to do, not technically but just the fact that I have absolutely no idea where I have and haven't been. I try and do it in sections but I have a feeling I'm going to get random patches of hair sprouting up.

So far so good! I'm really surprised and excited I'm seeing results on my underarms already just wish I could say the same for my legs. I'm hoping I'll catch my hair growth in the right stage soon and be fuzz free forever.

Pictures will be included in next weeks update to show my progress.

xxx

Gotta be in it to win it - CLOSED

NOW CLOSED, RANDOM WINNER ANNOUNCED NEXT WEEK! THANKS!

One lucky YM reader could win all this lovely loot above by simply being a follower and writing a nice comment below.

I just wanted to say a huge Thank You to all you lovely beauty bloggers and thought it was time for a giveaway. I love being involved in the beauty community and take so much inspiration from so many of your blogs.

You could win:
- Anna Lou makeup/wash bag (I have one and love it)
- Make Up Store eyeliner in Go Wild
- Revlon nail polish in Minted
- Mavala nail polish in Aqua Blue
- Mister Mascara light up mirror
- Topshop cream blush in Flush
- Revlon Peach Petal lipgloss
- PURE eyeshadow palette in Day
- PURE Kajal in Sophisticated Brown
- PURE lipgloss in Peggy

All you have to do is write 'Enter Me' in the comments below to be counted and of course be a follower.

If that isn't enough you also have another chance to win the following set of prizes on my YT channel simply by subscribing and commenting.

Both contests are open to anyone, anywhere and will close in one weeks time next Thursday at 12pm UK time.

One entry per person please.Just write 'Enter Me Please' below. The winners will be chosen at random.

xx

Do the twist

Please excuse my awful roots but I had to show you quickly this quick and easy but pretty hairstyle I've been loving for the past few days.

Inspired by my inner hippy and the current boredom I have with my fringe, which has grown too long and needs a good trim I picked up a hair clip (bobby pin for US readers), twisted and voila, cute hair.

I know it's nothing complicated but I'm not a complicated kind of girl. I don't have the creativity or time to faff with my hair most mornings.

The most I do is usually run my straighteners through the ends to stop the frizz and get rid of any kinks so I'm liking doing something a little different.

So if you have little time like me and are getting bored of the daily straight, pick up a pin and twist. Go Boho!

What hairstyle are you sporting?If it's quick and easy I'd love to know!
xxx

Quite possibly the prettiest lipstick ever

An innocent trip to pick up a meal deal at Boots turned into a YSL indulgence session. I hold the shiny gold packaging responsible, I can never resist it.

After repurchasing my must have mascara, Singulier and my all time favourite liquid liner, YSL's Moire in the number six I was just about to pay when I spotted this.

It is quite possibly the most beautiful lipstick I have ever seen. A lovely milky mix of baby pink and pale lilac.

I had to have it.

YSL undoubtedly make the best lipsticks. They smell delicious, feel seriously smooth, are never drying and come in the most amazing array of shades.

Number 93 is a Rouge Pure Shine from their latest Summer 2010 collection and also has a matching gloss in the shade 7 which I resisted buying today but will no doubt go back for.

This lipstick however does have a down side, it is a Pure Shine formula so it is very sheer and has little colour payoff. It is not a lipstick for those that love the look of lipstick, it is more of a tinted lip balm.

Personally, I don't mind this for the summer as it's nice to have a lip product that gives a slight colour to the lips while moisturising and looking glossy but also protecting from the sun with an SPF.

Although I know this is going to be my summer lip staple as it's so pretty I can't help wishing it was a Rouge Volupte shade. It would be truly amazing with just that little bit more coverage.

Are you a fan of sheer lipsticks or do you need more colour from your lippie?
xxx

Love and Loathe

This week's love and loathes. I will try to do this weekly from now on as there's always a few things I'm fond of or hating from week to week.

High Street jewellery is not something I buy often, not because I don't like the designs but purely for quality reasons.

So many times have I fallen for a pretty pendant in Accessorize or Topshop, got home, worn it only twice and the colour fades or it breaks. I know it seems cheap and good value but I'd rather buy one good piece for £60 instead of 6 things that I know won't last.

However, I broke my rule this week after browsing Accessorize for a gift and spotted this gorgeous set of rings. I knew the colour would fade which it already has and the pearls would drop out which they did on the first day but I had to have it.

I love the faux pearls, cute birds and tiny diamante's in their eyes. They look great alone or together and it's the first time in a long time I'm thinking it was worth spending £8 on something I won't have forever.

I'll be happy with a few weeks more wear!

On to this weeks loathing, it has to be my acrylic nails. I'd barely had them two weeks and already five had dropped off, the rest looked tatty and had grown out a lot, in my eyes I'd never get them done again.


It's a shame because they do look amazing and I loved having pretty, feminine and long nails even if wasn't for long but the durability factor has definitely put me off for life!

The harshest thing I do on a daily basis is wash up so I'm disappointed they didn't last longer. Barely two weeks is lame for £35.

After walking around with half talons half stumps for two days I finally decided to be brave and remove the rest of the acrylics myself. One word OW!

As you can see my poor nails aren't in the best of condition following the ordeal, weak and peeling. I'm now on a mission to repair and lovingly grow my real nails.

What have you loved and loathing this week? P.S I will do a Mac palette post this week after so many requested it !
xxx

Pretty eyes for the day in two minutes!

Perfecting my make-up routine and doing it within a reasonable time limit has always been a challenge of mine.

As a busy mum with a daily 'to do' list the length of my arm and a three year old to keep occupied, spending a long time getting ready in the morning just isn't an option.

The pursuit for the simple, time efficient but pretty make-up look has been a long one but I think I'm finally there now. Phew!

A year ago I used to allow at least an hour for doing my make-up before I was ready to face the outside world but now my routine has been honed and perfected in just less than 15 minutes, that's including hair too!

I'm the first to admit my daily face is nothing special, it's always simple, much of the time neutral and most importantly easy. The most complex thing in my routine which often takes longer than anything else is choosing which eyeshadows to wear.

However in the last week I've found a combination of shadows that eliminates all the umming and ahhing, leaving me with a quick and pretty look I love.

All you need are these three shades, two eyeshadow brushes, an eyeliner, mascara and two minutes of your time.

The trio above are Mac's Ricepaper, a soft peachy gold with shimmer, Haux, a beautiful purpley brown and Sable, an amazing plummy bronze. They are all gorgeous on their own but put together are possibly my favourite trio ever.

The plummy tones of both Haux and Sable compliment each other perfectly while Ricepaper adds a subtle hint of gold to lighten the lid and blend them together.

Ricepaper, Haux and Sable.

To get my simple, day friendly look I apply Ricepaper all over my lid with a fluffy brush (20secs), then I take a tapered brush, Mac's 224, dip it in Haux and sweep it across the crease and down into the outer corner creating a V (30secs).

On my fluffy brush to finish the look I sweep a tiny amount of Sable to the outer corner of my lid to blend it all together and add a little shimmer (10secs).

I then grab my gel liner or liquid depending on which ones closer and sweep it across my lashline with a tiny flick at the corner (30 secs).

Mascara of choice at the moment is Covergirl's Lash Blast ( in the UK it's MaxFactor's False Lash Effect) great for adding volume while lengthening at the same time. One coat = fabulous lashes (30secs).

Voila the 2 minute eye!

I just wanted to share this with you as I always find applying my daily eyeshadow a bit of a chore but with this trio it's quick, easy and I love the result. Pretty but not overdone lids.

Whats your fave daily trio of the moment? If it's quick and easy I'd love to give it a go!
xxx

Topshop make up purchases

I passed up going to see Mac's latest collection, Pret a Papier (a little drab and uninspiring in my opinion) and decided to hot foot it down to Topshop instead.

Having attended the press preview just over a week ago I knew there were a few gems I had to have in my make-up bag asap.

The packaging is very Topshop, simple and chic. I love the light-hearted scribbled spots and stripes they make a nice change from the glossy dark packaging most brands lean towards.

My lips have been a little dry recently so I decided to give their clear lip balm a go in the flavour Rose. I love anything that smells of rose, it was only £4 and really cute so it went straight in my basket.

I've worn it today and I like it, it feels nice on the lips, is non sticky and is moisturising but unfortunately the rose smell doesn't last at all when applied which is a shame, apart from that it's 'nice'.

One thing I thought I was going to LOVE was the only nude lipstick in the collection which was to be honest somewhat lacking, 20 plus nail polishes on offer and five lipstick doesn't make sense. Not to a lipstick lover anyway.

Desert in the tube looks like a pretty mid-tone nude, in store when swatched it looked promising, a peachy nude just the kind I like but when applied it is just not me. It is darker than I expected and has a browny undertone which personally I just don't like.

On the positive side it has no distinct smell, is easy to apply, feels velvety on the lips and lasts a considerable amount of time, unfortunately just not my bag baby! Oh and it cost £8 which I think is rather a lot, I think Gosh pricing at around £5-6 would be more appropriate.

Although the first two products are not exactly fabulous the next three however are and make-up totally for my initial disappointment in the nude lippie.

The star product out of everything Topshop has to offer has to be the cream blushers. They come in 6 gorgeous colours, offer great pigmentation, have a lovely cream to powder formulation and last well on even my oily skin.

I purchased the colour Flush which is a bright pink with a hint of blue undertone, I was instantly drawn to this colour and I love it.

It looks great on the lips as well as on the cheeks, a great quality multi-purpose product for just £6, well worth splashing your cash on. I'm also lusting after Neon Rose which looks amazing, a coraly pink which Laura of Lollipop26 just raved about in her latest vid.

The other Topshop must have are their nail polishes, they come in an array of great on trend colours, are creamy, easy to apply and cost a purse friendly £5. I know it isn't as cheap as Barry M but they are lovely and I think worth the price.

I chose two colours, both of which I love for spring, a bright coral and a pastely lilac.

Parma Violet is a gorgeous lilac, surprisingly is isn't like any of the many I own as it's more of a bluey lilac rather than the predictable pinky lilac most brands offer.

Art School looks more of a pinky coral in the bottle but when applied it is much brighter than I expected and more orange. I like it and think it will look gorgeous on my toes when I can be bothered to go for a pedicure.

All in all I rate Topshop's new make-up range but for me if you are going to buy anything the cream blushers are one not to miss. Check out my latest YT vid here for more thoughts and a haul.

Have you spotted Topshop's make-up at your store?Anything great I missed?
xxx

Permanent hair removal - My journey using the Boots I-Pulse Skin Smooth

Hands up those of you that are fed up with endless shaving or forking out a load of money every month on waxing? I know I am so when I was asked if I wanted to test out a permanent hair removal system I jumped at the chance.

It arrived several weeks ago and I'm going to be honest with you I was too scared to even open the box let alone give it a go.

The years of painful hair removal have clearly left me terrified. Epilation is a legal form of torture quite frankly. I had a machine, used it once and binned it, how women can do that every week is beyond me and waxing isn't much better either.

Although laser technology hair removal has been available in salons for quite some time it does come at a price. I know some women who have paid thousands to be permanently de-fuzzed and that's great if you can afford it but I certainly can't so over the next 6 weeks I'll be testing Boot's budget friendly hair removal system from the comfort of my home.

Two days ago I mustered the courage to remove the contraption from it's vanity case, on first impressions it doesn't look like a torture device, no tweezers or blades in sight which puts me at ease instantly.

Before I embark on my permanent hair removal journey a patch test must be done to see how my skin reacts to the intense pulsed light (IPL) technology. I shave a patch of hair on my arm and apply the cooled Smooth Skin Activator gel liberally on the area.

The machine is plugged in and on standby, I select my skin tone setting, fair and press ready. After thirty seconds or so it's all good to go but I just can't do it, ah it's going to hurt? burn me even?

I know the head of the machine doesn't look scary but lasers shooting into my skin does not sound very appealing and the unknown terrifies me. My friend has enough of me being a wimp and picks up the head places it on my skin until it lights up and zaps.

'Is that it?? I didn't even feel it? Did you do it properly?', I ask. So she does it again and to my amazement I feel almost nothing, if anything the tiniest warm prick and that's it.

So I'm left thinking this machine is almost too good to be true, not only does it get rid of my hair forever but it is virtually pain free. The only drawbacks I have with the Smooth Skin system is the size of the laser head, it is going to literally take FOREVER to do my whole leg let alone two of them and the fact that you can't fake tan whilst using it.

It's a tough decision, be hair free and pale or hairy and bronzed?

Being pale for just over a month is a small price to pay for never having to shave again so tomorrow I start my 6 week hair removal quest. I will be doing one session on my legs, underarms and face every week and will keep you updated every Friday on the results.

Has anyone ever else tried laser hair removal or thought about it??
xxx