Top 3 Dry Shampoos | Philip Kingsley, Batiste, Dove

I love dry shampoo because I have a lot of hair, which takes ages to wash. Which means I can wash it less when using dry shampoo. Plus it adds volume, texture and vavavoom into my hair. Today I'll share my top 3 dry shampoos, and I hope you'll try one and fall as head over heels in love as I am.

Coming in 3rd place is... Batiste Dry Shampoo, £2.99/200ml

The 'hint of colour' one pictured is nice, but my heart lies with the 'original' scent - clean, fresh and it doesn't linger. This dry shampoo comes out white (with the original formulas) and then can be massaged into roots to add volume and absorb oil. The best from the high street for oil absorbtion, in my opinion, and the best value for money.

Our runner up is... Dove Refresh + Care Dry Shampoo, £4.59/200ml

Definitely the best for texture and volume is the Dove Refresh+Care Dry Shampoo. Because it is clear, it's great for all hair colours and can be sprayed into clean hair all over to add texture. A great alternative to Oribe for messy hair, and it smells divine!

And the winner is... Philip Kingsley 'One More Day' Dry Shampoo, £14.00/200ml

I received this sample in a beauty box, but I have to say I would splurge on the full size. It absorbs oil well, adds volume, texture and bounce. And, most importantly, it really leaves my hair feeling clean, like I've washed it sorta thang. I love this most, and although it may be more expensive *yeah, like 5 times, Liz!* but it is amazing!

What are your favourite dry shampoos? How often do you wash your hair?

Love, E X

17 'The Smokey Eye' Palette Review and Smokey Eye Look

My nan bought me this palette for Christmas, and grateful as I am, it didn't seem like something I would wear. So I challenged myself to come up with a look which was wearable and slightly smokey with this palette and here it is!

First up though, the shadows are quite powdery and a bit chalky, but are great to mix and are blendable enough to create a pretty look. The eye kohl is very creamy and the little brush is quite good for use on the lower lash line.

'Scuse the bedraggled appearance, it was late. The look I created is quite a top-heavy smokey eye, which would suit gals like me with hooded eyes as it's quite blended and doesn't include anything too jazzy in the crease - basic.

I began by using the eye kohl in my upper and lower waterlines, and then over the lid as a base - it worked quite well though I would suggest a primer for best wear. I then applied shade 3 into the crease and outer v, but applying none to my tearduct or central lid. I applied shade to to my lid, blending with 3, and then shade 1 to my tearduct area. Then I blended and applied a small amount of shade 2 to my lower lash line. Simple smokey eyes, done!

What is your go-to smokey eye look? Anything I need to try?
Love, E X

The Weekend Post #6: The TMI Tag!

Since the TMI tag seems popular on Youtube and Blogs recently, I thought I'd join the bandwagon and do it too. I don't think I've been tagged but if you did tag me tell me and I'll link to you!

Onto the questions...

1: What are you wearing? Jeans, blue tee and floppy cardi - standard sunday clothing
2: Ever been in love? Nope
3: Ever had a terrible breakup? No, I've been pretty lucky in my 14 years!
4: How tall are you? 5 foot 5
5: How much do you weigh? Ooh, cheeky!
6: Any tattoos? No, but I'd like something once I'm old enough
7: Any piercings? No, but I'll get my ears pierced eventually
8: OTP? Tricky... Shamy? I know... Caskett! {Look it up!}
9: Favourite show? Castle, for sure x
10: Favourite bands? The 1975, Train, Lawson, Of Monsters and Men, Mumm-ra, 5SOS
11: Something you miss? Snow, I want it bad!
12: Favourite song? Hard one, either Ben Howard's Old Pine or Coldplay's The Scientist or Cough Syrup by Young the Giant
13: How old are you? 14
14: Zodiac sign? Sagittarius or Scorpio (I'm on the cusp!)
15: Quality you look for in a partner? Kind to others
16: Favourite Quote? 'Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.' Marilyn Monroe

Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/marilyn_monroe.html#tmhT4ht2Ie3rXBcW.99

17: Favourite actor? Alex Pettyfer or Ben Barnes
18: Favourite color? Bright, acid green
19: Loud music or soft? Loud in the car, soft at home
20: Where do you go when you're sad? The Fridge!
21: How long does it take you to shower? I don't have a shower (we literally don't own one), but I can spend 5-30 mins in the bath
22: How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? An hour on the weekend, 40 mins every other day.
23: Ever been in a physical fight? Yes, but she started it!
24: Turn on? Tall25: Turn off? Loud, arrogant
26: The reason I joined Youtube? I haven't... yet!
27: Fears? Heights, Loud/Fast things, losing friends
28: Last thing that made you cry? My friend Becca, yesterday when she made me lean back on her chair not knowing it was broken and so it popped underneath me. I screamed, turned red with embarrassment because I was with a bunch of maths geeks, then cried with laughter.
29: Last time you said you loved someone? Yesterday, to my best friend after she gave me chocolate.
30: Meaning behind your Youtube Name? Well, my blog name is because I am a blushing blonde!
31: Last book you read? One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
32: The book you're currently reading? The White Queen
33: Last show you watched? Silent Witness
34: Last person you talked to? My dad, who asked what I was doing.
35: The relationship between you and the person you last texted? My best friend
36: Favourite food? Curry - Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Indian; I love 'em all!
37: Place you want to visit? US, Thailand, Norway, Switzerland
38: Last place you were? My kitchen
39: Do you have a crush? Now why would I share that with you...
40: Last time you kissed someone? A while ago, because I guess family doesn't count!
41: Last time you were insulted? Friday, but it was a joke
42: Favourite flavour of sweet? Black wine gums or sour lemons
43: What instruments do you play? I used to play recorder, but now I play a little piano
44: Favourite piece of jewellery? My 'LOVE' necklace
45: Last sport you played? Hockey, in the rain, on wednesday, during which my friend Nicole got pooped on by a bird. She was so cold she didn't even care.
46: Last song you sang? Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men
47: Favourite chat up line? Did you survive the Avada Kedavra curse? Because you're drop dead gorgeous. (or any other HP ones here)

48: Have you ever used it? God, no!
49: Last time you hung out with anyone? Yesterday, at maths (yes, nerdier by the second)
50: Who should answer these questions next? Alice, Georgie, Lizzie and YOU!

I hope you liked this tag, and feel free to leave me any other Qs you have in the comments!

Love, E X

Sleepover Week #3: What to do at a teen sleepover?/Sleepover ideas

Sadly, we have come to the end of Sleepover week - this post will be some ideas of what to do at a sleepover. I have 10 ideas - any more please leave as comments!

1. Gossip - we're 14 year olds in an all-girls school; there's gonna be gossip! We love to chat about who's up to what and share all our info!

2. Truth or Dare - I personally am more of a truth girl, but I still enjoy this game as it keeps us all on edge and we all have a laugh! We've had things from 'shout that boy's name out the window' to 'propose to my mum'!

3. Never Have I Ever - although we tend to play this with coke or sweets, this is traditionally played with alcohol (we'd never!). Basically, one person says something they've never done (ie never have I ever got lover than 50% in an exam) and if you have you have to take a drink. I love this as it's a load of laughs and you end up spilling a load of secrets.

4. Movies - one of my friends has NetFlix so we watch all sorts of TV and movies but sleepover faves are Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (did you see my tweets?!), Mean Girls, BigBangTheory, HIMYM and Twilight.

5. Making food - when it's one am and you're making brownies, you know you're with your besties. That happened at my friend's when we were hungry and had eaten all the other food, oops!

6. QI - we're big QI fans over at mine and so we love this book of fun facts like 'the centre of the universe tastes like raspberries' and 'The words written on twitter everyday would fill a 10-million-page book'. They're fun for nerds like us.

7. Makeovers - obviously my forte. I tend to bring over a large makeup bag and we all have a go at painting each other's faces. It all goes well until someone uses blue eyeshadow on cheeks and end up with 3 eyelashes. But it's all fun really!

8. Murder in the dark - best played before the parents are asleep. Pick a piece of paper which either says murderer, detective or victim but keep shtum unless you're the detective. You then turn the lights off and hide, then the murderer 'murders' someone. The detective then has to figure out whodunnit. More fun when played high on sugar and with a bunch of screaming teenage girls.

9. Twister - we LOVE twister so much; we all just end up lolloped on top of each other crying with laughter because I always lose.

10. Just Dance! - or any other wii or xbox games as we love to dance, and again, it has us howling to the hills!

What are your sleepover faves? Have you enjoyed sleepover week? What other themed weeks should I host?

Love, E X

Sleepover Week #2: Packing Tips and Essentials for a Sleepover

Obviously, we all have different circumstances in which to leave a sleepover - some may go home at 11 after a leisurely breakfast then drive home not to be seen by anyone. Me, however, will be sleepover-ing til late on Friday, then at 8am the next morning will have to leave (with Becca) to go to Maths where I have to look presentable etc (ie: mathletes don't like smelly people). So, this is what I'm packing and I hope this helps one or two of you x

This is the bag I'll be taking - it's from BHS sometime last year and the zip's broken, which means it fits a lot more stuff. Oh, and the massive yellow thing is my maths folder; I also have a pencil case, calculator and A4 notepad in there. It could fit a lot more if I wasn't mathsy.

First thing you need is an outfit for the next day - I tend to go for leggings or joggers and a tee if I'm not going anywhere afterwards, but because I am I went for jeggings-jeans hybrids, a pink tee, snood and grey cardi. I paired this with my smallest shoes, my pumps.

(sorry for the craperoo picture, lighting was awful)

You need cute PJs for a girlie sleepover, and Primark is the place - whether you're a shorts, joggers, undies or onsie kinda girl you'll find something for you there.

Next is toiletries - I try to pack light but it always fails, resulting in my friends thinking I'm crazy but having a mini-facial anyway.

So that's it all in there - what do you think? Am I missing anything? Yes - a bag for your dirty laudry, but that's it I think!

Love, E X

Sleepover Week #1: Beauty Essentials/What's in My Sleepover Makeup and Skincare Bag?

Welcome to the first post in my 'Sleepover Week' series - three posts dedicated to packing for and what to do at sleepovers. I hope you enjoy - I was inspired by my best friend Becca's sleepover happening this friday for her 14th.

My beauty bag is always overflowing, no matter where I'm going. But considering I'm only away from my dressing table for one night, I think it's okay to cut down and 'slack' on my regime. Although from the looks of things this is more skincare than most do everyday anyway...

I got this Toni&Guy hair set for Christmas and I love the bag - it's the perfect size for a couple nights away. As you can see, it's stuffed full. Here's a sneak peek:

Okay, it looks a lot but I promise it's not too much *liar*

For cleanser, I'm bringing my Peaches and Clean mini I got sometime last year, and I love topping it up and using the small tube, double cleansing with the REN Rosa Centifolia Gel. I'll use that with a flannel. For toner, I'll use the Botanics All Bright Toner to remove dead skin cells. Then in the evening I'll use my Clean and Clear Dual Action Moisturiser to control acne with Balance Me's Radiance Face Oil - I love the rollerball and consistency of this oil - followed by my REN Vita Mineral Eye Gel and Blistex Lip Balm. In the morning I'll use the Clean and Clear Moisturiser again then my REN Vita Mineral Day Cream for extra hydration.

For body, I'll shower using whatever my friend has in their shower, but I won't wash my hair due to time. Instead I'll use One More Day dry shampoo from Philip Kingsley and my Tangle Attack. For deodorant, I love carrying a mini and this Sure Clear Aqua doesn't smell to floral or powdery. I think it's handy to have a spare toothbrush set aside for travel just in case you forget.

Makeup - the fun bit. If I wasn't going anywhere afterwards I would skip it but I have maths so I need to perfect the complexion. I start with a primer sample - this is Garnier's Perfect Blur which I like. Skipping foundation, I use my Collection concealer and Stila powder as a coverage duo - they last forever! To add some colour I use my elf contouring blush and bronzer - the original one - with my ecotools mini kabuki. Eyebrows are essential so a spoolie, brow gel and a pencil are musts. For eyes, eyeko curlers and my Max Factor waterproof mascara are a fuss-free waty of waking me up. Then to add a hint of lip colour, Soap and Glory's Mighty Mouth is a great lipgloss-balm hybrid.

What are your essentials? Is it too much?

Love, E X