Hello darlings,

Oh the long await has ceased. The one treat each month that I look forward to has got to be My Little Box. This box of French Pariesienne gorgeousness lands on your doorstep at the mid-way point of the month. However, this month it was a bit later on in the month due to technical difficulties or perhaps design issue?

Nevertheless, there is nothing nicer than receiving something a little bit different. I have to say it is refreshing from the normal beauty boxes and gives you more options for new items.

So without further ado...I will show you what it contained.

Kanako designs and draws the beautiful covers of each box. The box has a unique theme every month - with June being themed around the 'French Riviera'.

Sunglasses by Sarah Lavoine

These sweet little beauties are the most flattering sepia toned sunglasses perfect for most facial shapes. This will be a staple for my handbag, pool tote or generally just for summer.

Woven Printed Planters

Perhaps not something you'd expect to receive in a monthly subscription box, but such a cool item to add to your home decor. Adding plants or any pot into these woven pot stands create a cool aqua-theme you won't regret having around. Too cute.

Sailor Scrub - Salty Fresh

Summer is synonymous with smooth skin and body scrubs to achieve smooth skin. This is made with sea salt and ajonc water. One whiff of this beauty and you'll be transported straight to the seaside. Great way to get beach ready for those summer hols.

Kerastase Ciment Thermique

Having tried quite a few products from the range, a small whoop may have escaped my lips when I saw this product. This is actually a heat activated treatment (milky white in texture) to smooth out split ends, increases shine, stops breakage and creates a lovely smoothness. Having used this already, I can guarantee that it really works, smells great and leaves hair silky smooth.

Loved by Sarah Lavoine Nail Polish in 501

This nail polish is the prettiest shade of teal ever. I've already tried it and it looks lovely on the nails. I don't have any shade that is similar to this one, so that was a lovely bonus. Another summer staple from My Little Box.

The box is pretty - there is no doubt - but best of all it is filled with items that will fast become summer essentials for whatever activities you participate in.

Sunglasses by Sarah Lavoine

How on trend are these SL sunnies right now? They've got the perfect nineties vibe finished off in a sepia toned frame. Obviously they're the perfect addition to any handbag, pool tote, trekking rucksack... or whatever else you may be carrying this summer.

- See more at: http://www.ramblingofabeautyblogger.com/2015/06/my-little-french-riviera-box-june-2015.html#more

Sunglasses by Sarah Lavoine

How on trend are these SL sunnies right now? They've got the perfect nineties vibe finished off in a sepia toned frame. Obviously they're the perfect addition to any handbag, pool tote, trekking rucksack... or whatever else you may be carrying this summer.

Woven Printed Planters

Honestly, these are the last things I expected in a monthly subscription box. More over I didn't gauge just how excited I would be! I'm not massively into gardening but I have managed to keep a cactus a good friend gave me (and it's babies) alive since I was 7 and this would be the cutest way to give it a new home from its current terrarium.

Sailor Scrub - Salty Fresh

There is something about summer and smooth skin that goes hand in hand. After misplacing my beloved Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub whilst moving, this little miracle is about to get a ton of use. Plus, it will make the perfect bathroom addition - how cute are those anchors?

Kerastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique by L'Oreal

To me, hair care means anything I can do in 30 seconds or less and I can see this travel sized anti-roughness/anti-dullness blow-dry milk coming in handy for a no-fuss smoothing treatment.

Loved by Sarah Lavoine Nail Polish (501)

This nail polish is identical to the colour of my bathroom. It's bright, bold and beautiful. As soon as my Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Polish in Coconut becomes unwearable, we'll ignore it for a few days and then have a crack at using this.

- See more at: http://www.ramblingofabeautyblogger.com/2015/06/my-little-french-riviera-box-june-2015.html#more

Sunglasses by Sarah Lavoine

How on trend are these SL sunnies right now? They've got the perfect nineties vibe finished off in a sepia toned frame. Obviously they're the perfect addition to any handbag, pool tote, trekking rucksack... or whatever else you may be carrying this summer.

Woven Printed Planters

Honestly, these are the last things I expected in a monthly subscription box. More over I didn't gauge just how excited I would be! I'm not massively into gardening but I have managed to keep a cactus a good friend gave me (and it's babies) alive since I was 7 and this would be the cutest way to give it a new home from its current terrarium.

Sailor Scrub - Salty Fresh

There is something about summer and smooth skin that goes hand in hand. After misplacing my beloved Soap & Glory The Breakfast Scrub whilst moving, this little miracle is about to get a ton of use. Plus, it will make the perfect bathroom addition - how cute are those anchors?

Kerastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique by L'Oreal

To me, hair care means anything I can do in 30 seconds or less and I can see this travel sized anti-roughness/anti-dullness blow-dry milk coming in handy for a no-fuss smoothing treatment.

Loved by Sarah Lavoine Nail Polish (501)

This nail polish is identical to the colour of my bathroom. It's bright, bold and beautiful. As soon as my Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Polish in Coconut becomes unwearable, we'll ignore it for a few days and then have a crack at using this.

- See more at: http://www.ramblingofabeautyblogger.com/2015/06/my-little-french-riviera-box-june-2015.html#more

Haircare Routine

Good evening on this fine monday!

I've had a very busy weekend of digging and painting in the garden. Myself and hubby erected a fence and also painted our back fench and it was tremendously tiring!  But luckily we are now done...however, there will be more painting at some point.

How was your weekend?  I hope it was filled with fun and smiles!

Today, I bring you my daily or weekly haircare routine.  I'll illustrate with photo's and just comment on the items I use and why.

So on an ideal day, I wash my hair with the Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner (out of action sorry!).  I live in a 'hard' water area, which does mean that my poor scalp has a skits every now and again, which means that I get dermatitus/dandruff on my scalp.  These are the times when I use T-gel.

I'd then follow up the washing process by towel drying my hair and wringing out any excess water.

I'd comb out any tangles with my 'no brand' detangler comb.  I don't worry too much about brands when it comes to combs... I do however own a Denman brush.  Not sure if that is a popular brand, however I doubt it! Hahaha.

The comb just nicely removes any terribly tangly parts of my hair, and ensures that I can get any treatment products to the parts of my hair that they need to get to.  I then follow this up by squeezing about a small coin size of the Redken All Soft Soft Ends into the palm of my hand, and working it into the ends of my hair.  Approximately three quarters of the length of each hair will be coated by the serum, only the roots will remain untreated (otherwise you'll end up with greasy hair).

The Redken All Soft Soft Ends is a great treatment for your hair and definitely helps to reduce split ends.  Your hair also smells amazing and feels very soft to the touch.  I'll then continue with a heat treatment spray.  Currently I'm using TRESemme's Heat Defence Spray, which is easy to use.  You just spray the treatment directly onto your entire head of hair, and I then lightly scrunch it into my hair.

I'll then continue to comb through my hair to further distribute the products and to get rid of any new tangles.  That is when I'll start by just roughly drying my hair.  Once my hair is just damp, I'll finally finish the process of drying off by blow-drying the hair and then following that up straight away by straightening any kinks out of my hair.

This is very low maintenance and I'm dying to get my mitts on some new products.  So any suggestions are very welcome!

No bad hair days!

My new hair colour: Ombre vs Colour?

Hi guys and girls,

I'm sorry for a slightly later than average posting but I've been ever so busy SHOPPING!  Haha, I hit my local Primark store like a whirlwind.  For those that have never heard of Primark, it is a very cheaply priced clothing store.  I stocked up on new undies and bits and bobs that I really needed.  I was so surprised how amazingly priced most items were.  I love it when things that I need doesn't cost the earth.

I've been thinking about my hair lately, as I'm off to get a new hair cut again at the end of the month and I'd like to colour my hair at the same time.  I've currently got a beautiful vivid red/burgundy colour on my hair and it looks fantastic in the sun, but I'd like something lighter for summer time.

I'd like to keep the top fairly dark or in the medium brown ranges....but the bottom I'd like to change up.  So really I'd just like to share some of my favourite styles/colours and would like to urge you ladies to let me know which you think will work...

I'd also like to share my NEW Twitter account that is linked to this blog! Please follow me on Google Plus by clicking on the link in the top right hand or follow me on Twitter @sexyatmidnight.  Facebook is still under construction hehe!

Have a hair-tastic day!

New Hair Cut

So you know when you just fancy a change?  That happened to me recently and my change came in the form of a haircut! 

I've had my hair long, straight and without bangs for over 10 years.  My husband really doesn't want me to cut my hair short, because he prefers longer hair.

This is my 'before' picture...no bangs (or fringe)

This is my new hair-do....and I have a fringe!

I've got to say that I'm loving this look and loads of my friends, family and people around me have given me some great compliments.  The best ones are that I'm looking younger and that it really suits me.  This is a definitely more modern look that I can't wait to style in all different ways.

Let me know if you have any great ideas for styling this 'do'.

Autumn Trend Report

Autumn is definitely one of those seasons that I find to be beautiful.  This years fashion and beauty trends for Autumn has outdone itself.  Here is a list of those trends that I'm loving right now:

Lip noir

"Lip noir is our take on film noir," says Pat, global creative design director for Max Factor. Take a cue from the likes of Gucci, Viktor + Rolf and Yohji Yamamoto and channel your 1940s femme fatale. Although a full-bodied, patent pout might seem like it's only for the bravest beauty followers, it's definitely not a look to dismiss. Nail the look by blending a lighter lip shade on to the centre of your bottom lip to create the illusion of depth and dimension. Keep the rest of your look muted - let your lips do the talking.

The new age

Need something a little more pared down? Meet the look of modern minimalism: earthy hues juxtaposed with flesh-tones, creating a complexion that's both delicate and contoured. Models at Valentino, Dior and Louis Vuitton all championed the look. Pat says: "We were sculpting the face to create height and depth, adding contours and highlights around the eyes and cheeks - the result was beautifully minimal." Enhancing your bone structure is key to wearing this look well; practice using matte blushers and nude eyeshadows for contouring.

Undone chic

This season sees a more relaxed approach to glamour; give your hair a break from intense heat styling with this softened, unstructured look as seen at Burberry Prorsum, Lacoste and Markus Lupfer. "We've seen a lot of simplified hair," says Bumble and bumble stylist Neil Moodie, who created the look at Burberry Prorsum, by applying Prep and Thickening Hairspray to the roots and using a diffuser to encourage natural-looking texture and movement. Keep this look in your arsenal of foolproof styles; you can't go wrong with off-duty model chic.

Twisted up

It's rare that elegance crosses paths with practicality, but this updo, as seen at Donna Karan and Valentino, is the perfect combination of the two. At Valentino the style was neat, slick and restricted, while Donna Karan's models sported a side "victory roll" in a throwback to the patriotic post-war trend. To achieve a uniform twist that stays in place, give your locks a bit of grip by using dry shampoo as a primer. Gently coil your hair and pin into place, tucking the ends in. Mist with a glossy hairspray to finish.

Dress up

Vintage vixens will love this next bit of style inspiration, as seen at Moschino C&C and Clements Ribeiro. Created by Sam McKnight, Pantene Pro-V's global stylist ambassador, the voluminous updos were inspired by the "first taste of sophistication" of youthful homecoming queens of the 1940s and 50s. His weapon of choice for creating the look? Hairspray. Blow-dry hair upwards and back before dividing into sections and misting with hairspray. Backcomb and soften the look by creating a long, side fringe.

Pop art

Girly goes graphic in this nod to kitsch, comic-book art. Sharply-winged liner in vibrant cobalt adorned models' eyes at Anna Sui in New York while, over in France, Lanvin's illustration-inspired collection led Pat McGrath to create a "pen-and-ink sketch look" with calligraphic, jet-black eyeliner, teamed with a fresh complexion.

Let me know which look you love the most...

xoxo,
Angelique

Chic Easy Hairstyle for Wet Hair

In addition to the fact that about a billion stylists have beaten all of us over the heads with the warning that our blow dryers are frying our hair, I'm also just plain lazy with my locks. All that brushing and styling and heating — I'm exhausted just thinking about it. So, when I found some great ideas for how to fashionably style wet hair, I jumped at the opportunity and thought I'd share.

Taking inspiration from Alexander Wang and Chanel runways, these oh-so-simple tutorial will teach you some fashion-forward ways to make wet hair look impossibly chic, saving you time and effort in the a.m. What’s not to love about that?

The Swooping Bun

Modeled after the pearl-bedecked manes seen at Chanel's spring '12 show, this ladylike coiff effortlessly marries sophistication with cutting-edge style. 

Add some gel to your hair and create a slightly off center-part using a wide-tooth comb. Since this 'do is all about sculpting, I recommend using a stronger hold gel. I like to use a drugstore brand because cheap gel is always the best kind of gel for styles like this, where you want a more defined look. It stays wet-looking and helps hair maintain texture, so you don't show up to work with your hair looking one way, then have in-between frizz by lunchtime.

Comb back the sides around the ears; hold it parallel to the part, then comb down to the temple and sweep toward the back of the hair around the ear to sculpt the hair into an artistic shape.

Gather hair into a ponytail at the nape of the neck and secure with an elastic.

Run your fingers through the top of your hair — where the comb lines are from earlier — and wiggle them to help define those lines even more. 

Loosely twist the hair.

Hook your fingers near the top of the twisted tail and wrap the hair upward. 

Continue twisting the hair into a loose figure-eight. It should be a bit droopy and hanging down. Pin in place.

By keeping the comb lines very defined, it ages down the look and roughs it up, keeping it from looking too prissy or matronly. The sculpting combined with the styling gel helps create a defined, dressed-up 'do that's practically a work of art.

















And et voila, an easy way to make wet hair look great!  Hope this speeds this up for you in the morning.

xoxo,
Angelique

Hairstylists Secret Weapons

When Kristen Stewart wants to darken her hair color or Cate Blanchett wants to freshen up her highlights, who do they call? Celebrity hairstylists, and they have to be the most sought-after colorists and trendsetters in Hollywood. Case in point: Remember when January Jones was one of the first celebs to try out the color trend with those pretty rose gold highlights? That was the work of Jennifer J. Essentially, she is a veritable master when it comes to all things hair.

I found out about the products she loves most. She's familiar with just about every hair tool and professional hair product on earth, so obviously I was curious to know what got her golden stamp of approval. Not only did Jennifer J. have some fabulous tips for maintaining your color (she is one of the world's leading colorists, after all), she also had some great tricks for keeping your hair strong, healthy, and gorgeous -- whether you dye or not.

So what made the cut? Jennifer J.'s all-time faves run the gamut from luxurious splurge items to fantastic drugstore buys. Take a peek at her ultimate list and you'll be way ahead of the hair curve.

Kerastase Ciment Thermique

Blow dryers, straightening irons, and curling rods put our hair through major heat stress. That's why using a product that will protect your hair is non-negotiable. "The Kerastase Ciment Thermique, £16.05, is my favorite heat-activated product," says Jennifer J. "It conditions your hair as you use your hot tool," she says. And while it is a cream, Jennifer J. loves it because it's not heavy, so it won't weigh your hair down.

"Since I'm a colorist, there are times that I dye and style my hair, not even caring that I'm risking damage. I just want the look," she says. "But the Ciment Thermique restores my hair -- no matter what I put it through -- keeping it looking healthy and fabulous."

Turbie Twist Hair Towel

Instead of drying your hair with a regular bath towel, Jennifer J. recommends the Turbie Twist, £4.99, a mini-towel which makes creating the "post-shower towel turban" oh so simple. "This is the best money I ever spent," she says. The material is super-absorbent, so it dramatically reduces your blow dry time, which means less heat damage.

Jennifer J. also suggests wearing the Turbie Twist while you take a bath or shave your legs before going out. "Your hair won't get frizzy while you're running the hot water, and it'll save your blow out," she says.

Wella Professional Brilliance Shampoo and Conditioner

Want to get more mileage out of your highlights? Jennifer J. likes Wella Professional Brilliance Shampoo and Conditioner, £8 each, from the brand's shine-enhancing line for color-treated hair.

"A lot of people spend their money on color, but then don't want to spend even more cash on another product to help maintain their shade. Luckily this line is so reasonably priced, especially considering it will help you get the most out of your color treatment," she says.

Wet Brush

At first glance, the Wet Brush, £5.96, looks like your everyday hairbrush, so what makes this a hairstylist's secret weapon? "This brush is made specifically for wet hair, and it glides through tangles so smoothly," says Jennifer J.

"I use this brush on women after they have their highlights done, and their hair is still wet," she says. "I don't like using combs as much because they don't have a handle; you have more control with the Wet Brush."

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

The Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, £18, gives you glamorous hair in just a spritz or two. "This is a dry hairspray, which builds volume and gives your hair amazing texture," says Jennifer J. "But it's different from a hairspray or a dry shampoo, because you can brush it right out of your hair without any residue -- no need to wash it out."

So how does a dry texturizing spray work, exactly? "You just hold your hair up, and spray at the roots where you want to absorb oil and add texture," she says. "It's an awesome shortcut to volume."

Shu Uemura Silk Bloom Restorative Conditioner

"Out of anything I've ever used, this is absolutely the best deep conditioner you can buy," says Jennifer J. And yes, the Shu Uemura Restorative Conditioner, £27.65, comes with a pretty hefty price tag, but the product itself is so long-lasting that it'll take you forever to go through a whole tub. "It penetrates the hair, making it so soft to the touch." she says.

The key ingredient in the Shu Uemura conditioner is argan oil, so if you can't swing the £27.65, try Rusk Restorative Conditioner With Argan Oil, £15.50. But if you do feel like splurging on the Shu Uemura conditioner, Jennifer J. promises it's worth it. "It's one of those products that manages to moisturize better than any other I've used," she says.

Goody Spin Pin

The metal corkscrew-shaped Goody Spin Pin, £5.50, looks like something you'd buy at a hardware store, but it's actually the ultimate bobby pin. "This is the pin you want to use if you're putting your hair in a bun," says Jennifer J. Instead of cramming your head with a handful of bobby pins, you only need one or two Spin Pins. Just twist the pin into the area where you would place a bobby pin, and keep twisting it inward until it is entirely concealed in your hair. "I'm amazed at how tightly it holds my low, messy buns," she says.

T3 Single Pass Whirl Wand

Beachy, sexy waves are one of the most coveted hairstyles right now, and Jennifer J. swears by the T3 Single Pass Whirl Wand, £87.80, when it comes to getting the perfect waves. "The wand gets so hot, so you don't need to spend a lot of time curling. It majorly reduces your prep time before you go out," she says. "Plus, it creates a looser curl, which is so on-trend and pretty."

Malibu C Hard Water Treatment

You may not even realize it, but if you live in a place with hard water (meaning your water has a high mineral content), showering can dull your hair, leaving it brassy or even slightly greenish. But there's a way to fight this, says Jennifer J. Use the Malibu C Hard Water Treatment Packets, £10 for a 12-pack, "The Malibu Treatment will restore your hair from the damage hard water has done, leaving you with shiny, pretty color," she says.











I'm really sorry that this post is so late today, I was having problems with Blogger.  I hope you've enjoyed this look into a celebrity hairstylist and what her favourite products might be.

Have a fantastic weekend filled with fun and frollicks.  The UK is expecting some great weather, so I'll be enjoying a bit of tanning perhaps.  Let me know what your plans are.

xoxo,
Angelique

6 Easy Makeup and Hair Looks for your Morning Routine

We've all been in a terrible rush on an early morning before work, school or during our busy lives. This calls for a quick solution for getting ready - and this remains a constant 'work-in-progress' for me.

While we love a good cat eye and elaborate updo, there are times when we just want to look pretty and put-together without making a whole lot of effort. So I found six effortlessly gorgeous hair and makeup looks perfect for any occasion. And for extra help to get them done even quicker, I looked at celebrity hairstylist's and celebrity makeup artists for ideas.

One of their biggest secrets to speeding up your primping: multi-tasking products. By using these you don't need to reach for a bunch of different tools, which saves you time (bonus: multi-tasking products take up less space in your bathroom too). These looks are impactful and minimal at the same time and don't require a lot of different products. They're easy, effective, and everyone can do them.  Sounds good to me.

Hair: Fresh blowout

It can't get simpler than this. Even if you have course, curly texture, you can still easily get Lindsey Ellingson's smooth, volumized finish with a multitasking tool like the InStyler 1 1/4-inch iron, £99.99. It smoothes hair while creating body and volume, and leaves hair looking shiny.

Get the look: Apply volumizing spray in your hair and then rough dry it with a blow dryer. Then brush through your hair and take one-inch sections of hair and run them through the InStyler iron. You can straighten out your hair, while adding a slight wave to the ends.

Makeup: Monochromatic look

Forget trying to figure out which colors go together, and just wear the same shade for all your features for a simple and put-together finish like Jessica Chastain did. The monochromatic look is huge right now. Everyone can achieve it with a little effort.

Get the look: Choose a soft neutral pink or rose-y shade to use on your cheeks, lips, and eyes. He recommends Nars The Multiple, £29. The texture is perfect for an overall sheer, monochromatic look. Simply add mascara, groom your brows, and you're done.

Hair: Center-parted pony

Ponytails never go out of style -- if they're done well. This one is very clean and Malin Akermen's wearing it low which is very elegant.

Get the look: Use a tailcomb to make a center part. Then use a bristle brush to smooth the sides of your hair back and tie into a low ponytail with an elastic. Then wrap a small section of hair around the elastic to hide the band and pin with a bobby pin. Apply hairspray on the tailcomb and lightly brush your hair around your hairline to tame any fly-aways. If you want to de-emphasize a round face, use the tail comb to pull out some front pieces of hair to frame your face.

Makeup: Red lip

Even though red lips may seem intimidating to wear, they're deceptively easy to do. And Blake Lively's chic, shimmery glow is the perfect canvas for her bright red lips. The key to this look is to wear a matte lipstick so that it's complementary to your satin shimmery skin.

Get the look: For your skin, I recommend Stila All Over Shimmer Powder in Kitten, £15. The duo consists of a soft pink shimmer that can be used all over your skin, and to accent the inner corners of your eyes and below your browbone. For your lips, try Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl or Cruella,  £ 17.50.

Hair: Topknot

From Katie Holmes to Julianne Hough, the topknot is a celeb favorite on and off the red carpet, because it's an easy and versatile style. Plus, "Topknots are flattering, because they draw your eye up and visually lift and lengthen your face,". They're fun, festive, and a style that can easily translate from casual to dressy.

Get the look: Take your tailcomb and section the front middle section of your hair, and clip it out of the way. Then, pull the rest of your hair into a very high ponytail. Apply some dry shampoo to the ends of your ponytail before taking your tailcomb and backcombing a little bit. Then twist the pony around the elastic and pin it down into a high bun. Take the front section then very loosely wrap it around the top knot you just created and secure with a pin. Dry shampoo is a great multi-tasker, since you can use it to soak up any oil when your hair is dirty, and you can use it to add volume for finer hair.

Makeup: Bronzed look

Jessica Alba's bronzed face is a wonderful example of facial contouring, which is so important in looking finished. Jessica's cheeks and eyes are sculpted in the same, slightly matte textured monochromatic tone. While you can achieve this look using a matte textured bronzing powder, sculpting looks best in a neutral, taupey shade. I recommend Kevyn Aucoin The Sculpting Powder, £34.

Get the look: Use the Sculpting Powder, or a matte bronzer to contour your face. Add the bronzer alongside your cheeks to your temples like Alba did here. Then for your eyes, apply a neutral shimmer on the lids for the perfect complement.

Has these tips helped you with your morning routine?

I'll always be working on making my morning routine easier and quicker.  Let me know if you have any tips in this endless quest.

xoxo,

Angelique