Aveda be curly™ Review

My natural hair is wavy/curly and on my lazy days I really embrace my natural hair! 

But ... It's that one annoying thing that makes you say "OMG I'm having a bad hair day!" ... FRIZZ. 

Whilst everyone else is like "No way your hair looks fine," Ergh, they never understand. Anyways, before I go off subject!

My hair sprays and de-frizzers are great, but I've always wondered if these shampoo and conditioners for unruly hair really work. 

Introducing Be Curly™ Shampoo & Conditioner by Aveda: 

Daily conditioning enhances curl, combats frizz and boosts shine on curly or wavy hair.

• part of our 4-step curl perfecting system that dramatically reduces frizz and defines curl up to 57%*

• wheat protein and organic aloe blend expands when hair is wet and retracts when dry to enhance curl or wave.

• a refreshing citrus aroma with certified organic lime, lemon, bergamot, orange and other pure plant and flower essences.

Shampoo: £17-£50

Conditioner: £19-£69

Here's what I thought ... 

• The Shampoo didn't leave me with that CLEAN feeling that I would normally expect from shampoo.

• I had to go for two helpings of shampoo for there to be enough product to work with. ( Bear in mind I have Rapunzel hair) Although one squeeze of conditioner was enough.

• My curls and waves were more defined and it left my hair with a healthy shine.

• After a day or so, once it had been styled etc. It felt unclean a lot quicker than usual. 

• Frizz was slightly more controlled. 

I give this product 3/5.

Your's truly,

Review: Jose Eber Styling Iron

Jose Eber Styling Iron. RRP: £120

Hey guys! Here's a requested review on the straighteners I bought at my Harrods shopping spree! Click here to read my 'Harrods Shopping Spree' post.

 Let's just say I was fed up of my £25 babyliss straighteners that would give my a wave rather than straight hair and curls that were basically non- existent.

 I have never heard of this brand before and I had only seen the stall in Harrods but they are also in Selfridges too. 

They work on damp and dry hair which really appeals to me because I am in a rush every day of my life! 

They're made of titanium and ceramic plates which are supposed to have some sort of benefit, mostly to help control any frizz and give smoother more shiny results.

I just hear the words and think " OoOoOo They must be good then". 

I'm not too keen on them being wide plated because I usually get thin ones but I thought I would give them a try. 

They also have lifetime warranty which is great, bearing in mind the small print says that doesn't include wear and tear (So what else do I need warranty for?! Blergh.) 

The plates can get VERY hot, and because they are wide plates I personally find it a bit harder to control then thin plates. I would recommend using a heat protecting glove.

This glove is one that I got along with my 'amika' hair curler, but i'm sure you can buy one separately. 

So here is an example of a finished look. 

The first picture is of my natural hair, freshly washed, no product and because I have naturally quite curly hair when it's brushed out it's disgustingly frizzy!

The second picture is of just strait hair. It's always best to take small sections but you can take bigger ones because of the size of the plates which is one advantage. 

The different heat settings allow you to choose how hot you want the plates to go but I always straiten my hair at 200. 

And finally, the third picture is of curls, styled with the straightener. I found it difficult to make curls simply because of the size of the plates, because they are wide it can be harder to control when twisting the hair around, the main reason I would suggest using a heat protecting glove. 

I didn't realize how useful it would be to have a straightener that could work on damp hair but OMG I love it! Of course you need to go over the hair a few times to get it dead strait but it doesn't leave a greasy feeling afterwards, if anything it is completely dry! 

I give this product 8/10.

QUICK TIP:

To keep your'e hair looking and feeling natural I would recommend using Bed Head's Spoil Me Spray! It control's frizz instantly without any feeling of product in the hair. 

Your's Truly,

PR Internship UPDATE. (Berkeley PR)

Hey Guys!

Hope you're all well. As promised here is my internship post about my two weeks at Berkeley PR.

The office was based in London's Reading area which isn't too far as I live in Middlesex, it was nice to drive every morning with my flask in the car's cup holder. (I felt like such a grown up! n'awww)
This feeling wore off after a while once the morning traffic and inconsiderate drivers pissed me off...

This internship wasn't paid, only travel expenses were reimbursed. However, when it came to being paid back there were no problems at all! Some internships have been rumoured to be very lazy when it comes to paying you back but I am pleased to say Berkeley were fantastic!

So what tasks did I do and was I always a busy bee or the office slave?!

Throughout this particular internship I was on the PC for most of the time, some PR experiences are very hands on which this was, but not as much as I thought.

Tasks Included:

• Preparing press releases
• Phoning journalists
• Securing media coverage
• Creating coverage boards
• Completing coverage books
• Using and learning about softwares (Excel, Word, Gorkana, Features Exec.)
• Using a binding machine 
• Learnt what a guillotine was ... I know you don't know what it is either! 
• Making refreshments for clients

I am proud to say I didn't feel like their b**** at all! If anything they made me feel like I was part of the team. Always making sure I wasn't overloaded with jobs and they were never annoyed when I asked stupid questions. 

There were times (very rarely) when I wouldn't have a task for an hour, but lucky for me I was sitting my exams so took every opportunity to revise! This can happen at sometimes but you should always go out of your way to get involved in a task if possible ... never just sit there twiddling your thumbs ... PR is an on your feet sort of job, so embrace it! 

Bare in mind that this was a technology and business PR firm rather than a beauty PR company. Although there were still deadlines the pace was slow and calm.

Overall, I would recommend Berkeley PR to any intern ... even if it isn't the field you want to go into, the experience and knowledge I left with was great and definitely worth it. 

I finished this internship on the Friday and started at Purple PR on the Monday. (I did say I was a work-a-holic!) at the moment im working 6 days a week and i've officially turned into a robot, but that's a different story!

I don't want to go into too much detail as it's only been my third day into it, but OH MY how it's different from Berkeley.

 How can I put this? I feel like i've stepped out of a stream of water right into A BIG FRIKIN' OCEAN. 

Remember 'Ugly Betty' ... I am her. 

On the other hand, I started my first day with a fresh faced makeup look and check out the freebies I got!

Instagram: @nssuri1
I wore my Tesco's Barbara Daly Glow Up Highlighter
 on my first day. One of my ultimate favourites!! 

The goodies I have received in such a small space of time is beyond exciting and I can't wait to fill you in with all the gossip and action! 

Keep in touch...

Your's Truly,

Review: Benefit's Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Foundation

Hey guys!

It's been awhile right? I'm back and I have so many post's to put up soon :)

So here's a very quick review on the 'Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow' foundation by Benefit Cosmetics.

The only reason I tried this foundation in the first place was because I had a Boots voucher to get a free sample, so there was nothing else that made me want to try it except that it was FREE! ha ha.

RRP: £25.50

So what does Benefit say?

Hello...it's flawless time! Our new oil-free brightening liquid foundation builds from light to medium coverage for a natural complexion you can believe in. It's you...just more luminous & healthy looking. 

• broad-spectrum SPF 25 PA+++ protection**
• oil-free formula natural finish
• hydrating benefits
• light-diffusing properties
• available in 9 shades

And what do I think?

• Okay so it has all of those protectants like SPF which is great!
• It's oil free? It sure does feel slightly greasy for a foundation that claims to be oil free. I personally found that by mid day my t-zone was a lot more oiler than it usually is.
• Hydrating benefits .... putting the oil issue aside, yes it was great for my cheeks which have the slightest bit of dehydration. 
• The luminosity it claims to have was most definitely there! My skin had a clear glow to it.
• As I am a brown person (I don't know why I wanted to say it like that) the pigment of foundation is SUPER important to me ... I am so sick of mixing this with that and using this corrector with that concealer. I have to admit this foundation was very good in terms of the undertone, no pink undertone for me! YAYYYY. 
• Buildable coverage? Most certainly. I was able to build my coverage without it looking cakey and it was very easy to blend.
• Would I pay £25.50 for it? No, I wouldn't ... only because a £25 foundation needs something that this one was missing, and that was to have all of the above benefits but without the oil it seemed to produce. 

The best part of all is that I was going through a bad stage of stressed out skin whilst testing this ....  

Before & After.
Colour: Toasted Beige. 

which means I was able to get a good idea of how well the foundation works on skin that is no where near perfect! There is no denying a clear change can be seen ... But what do you think? And have you used this foundation before? Let me know! 

Hope you're all well and thanks for reading :) 

Keep in touch for my PR work experience post, makeup tutorial and holiday posts! 

Your's Truly, 

My Harrods Shopping Spree!

How has everyone's weekend been?

Mine has been Harrods-tastic!! (It just had to be said. Haha )

This is just a haul post for all you nosey parkers out there. 

But before I start ... I would like to let you all know that this type of shopping spree is not an everyday activity for me! (sadly). Whilst studying and trying to have a social life, I travel from Nottingham to London just to work my a** off to afford such luxuries. 

I was also able to buy such beautiful things by having employee benefits from working for Harrods. A few times a year (and when I mean a 'few', I mean 3 times) Harrods employees get an extra 10% off on top of the original discount we get. 

I'm not too sure if I can go into detail because I know the company are very strict when it comes to things like this, so you're just going to have to deal with not knowing! OOO I bet you're itching to know ... hahaha Sorry guys. 

So let's begin! 

VW Purse, RRP: £159.00

The picture doesn't do the colour justice at all but it's a sexy bright pink with a more of a coral undertone. 

I am the sort of girl where I put my whole life into my purse so choosing one was a difficult process! 

For a month now I have had my eyes on a seductive Christian Louboutin purse. When I finally sat down excited to see it with my own eyes and not through a screen I was sadly disappointed. It only has 4 card slots a tiny coin pouch and a small slip in the middle. 

I then went to Burberry and actually bought a purse from them. It wasn't until my better half kocked sense into me and explained for the price of that one purse I could get two items. Like a complete MELON i went back and returned it. ( I may be brown but trust me I went bright red!) 

I finally found the love of my life ... Vivienne. I could have easily bought a Michael Kors or Marc Jacobs, but let's be real here ... Why be like every single girl out there?! For me, Marc Jacobs is more of a watch and handbag thing and Micheal Kors is a fashion wave, it has it's peak and then dies down. 

Hermes Perfume - Eau Des Merveilles 100ml, RRP: £93.00

What's your signature smell?

 It's weird how an environment can change your taste. I was only introduced to Hermes from seeing the bags on every Arab client I had. The bag's are truly a work of art... but for the price comparable to a  new car they should be! 

Not everyone would like the smell of this perfume, it's sweet but with a strong depth of smell to it and the smell is different on different people's skin. The reason why I love it!

True Religion Jean, RRP: £275.00

 I'm a sucker for figure hugging jeans that don't feel like cardboard.

 I'm a big fan of the brand ... not just for their legendary jeans but also their t-shirts! I was in two minds to get the jeans or jeggings, however, truey jeggings or jeans? Common'. 

The  only thing that attracted me to the jeggings was that it's tight on the ankle unlike these straight leg jeans, but a tailor who has been rumoured to be great with true religion jeans is going to fix the bottom for me, not just because I want them tighter but also because I am a proud 5ft petite female. And no ... not a midget/ dwarf! Just cute and petite (hahaha) 

Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm, RRP: £20.50

I can easily get Clinique products for a much cheaper price then I bought it for as I work for Estee Lauder companies. However, Waiting for nearly two weeks and not getting the bonus time gift is a bummer. So I bought something for the sake of the gift. Exactly what they want us customers to do! Hahaha. 

The take the day off balm is something I recommend every female to have!! And no ... not because I work for them but because I seriously mean it. 

It's for all skin types, from very dry to very oily. You just scoop the balm with dry fingertips and rub in circular movements to remove your extra face off. (Sorry, I'm in a cheeky mood. :P ) Then just wash your face as you would do normally with your face wash. 

Clinique Bonus time is a seasonal gift that contains different products, depending on what store you go to. This one is the Harrods bonus time gift which will be ending on the 20th of April. Some items are missing from the my picture but the promotional image above shows what you will get.

UGG Boots, RRP: £175.00

My snuggly wuggly UGG boots. 

I already have some brown ugg boots which are so worn out and stained that they have now turned into my "run to the shops for an emergency" or "I really can't be asked to make an effort today" boots. And I needed some grey colour boots in my wardrobe anyway! 

Jose Eber Styling Iron, RRP: £120.00

Let's just say I was fed up of my £25 babyliss straighteners that would give my a wave rather than straight hair and curls that were basically non- existent. I have never heard of this brand before and I had only seen the stall in Harrods but they are also in Selfridges too. They work on damp hair too which really appeals to me because I am in a rush every day of my life! 

They are titanium and ceramic plates which are supposed to have some sort of benefit, but don't ask me why because I really don't know! I just hear the words and think " OoOoOo They must be good then". 

I'm not too keen on them being wide plated because I usually get thin ones but I thought I would give them a try. They also have lifetime warranty which is great, bearing in mind the small print says that doesn't include wear and tear (So what else do I need warranty for?! Blergh.) 

Mainly, I bought them because my handbag on my arm was becoming heavy and my heels were beginning to turn on me. (Trying to look cute and shop is hard work!!)

.  

WOW ... What a post!! I hope you enjoyed it and thanks for taking your time out to read it :) Let me know if you want and reviews on certain products too ...

Lots of Love,

N x

The beginning of a new journey ... A beauty PR journey of course!!

Well hello there ...

If you've been reading my last posts then you'll know I had a very important interview to go to, and the results are finally here ... 

I GOT THE POSITION! What position I hear you ask?

You are reading a blog by a new beauty PR intern at Purple PR and a business and technology PR intern at Berkeley PR! (WOW I am loving those titles).

Now, i've had a great idea ... as i'm still a "newbie" blogger and as I will soon be a "newbie" intern, I thought it would be great to do updates of my days at both internships giving my readers a juicy insight on what a PR internship really involves. 

Both internships will be completely different which is great! It gives me a chance to broaden my experience and also help those of you that are interested in PR but maybe not so focused on the beauty pathway.

I will be at Berkeley PR first for 2 weeks in May and then a 4 month internship at Purple PR from June onwards.

I am EXTREMELY happy by landing myself with two internships especially during summer, a time where I can be the most productive.

If I didn't get these internships? I would be doing a 9-6 shift Monday - Friday working all summer... (Not very exciting or productive - not me at all.)

Oh it's all down to luck people say.... No. It's all down to YOU and how much time and effort you put in to achieving something.

For more than a month I was searching the internet for internships and PR companies, emailing people everyday. I nearly lost the internship at Purple PR as at times I would not get a reply, after a week or so I think they totally forgot about me, however, I called them back, left a message and an email and only then did i remind them of my interest and finally receive an interview.

If you are looking to work in a competitive career, don't be discouraged by how much effort it is just to get acknowledged or how much time it can take from your day, and most of all ... don't let competition get you down.

TIP: When I walk into an interview I always think I am the best candidate out of all the rest, no one can be as good as me. Coming across overconfident  snobby? Arrogant?, Maybe so. But when it comes to my work life this way of thinking helps me and so far it hasn't let me down, you just need to make sure you find the right balance. Find a way of thinking that helps you and you could be onto your own interview technique! Ha ha ...

So I look forward to you reading my posts and don't be afraid to ask me any questions at all ... I am SO exciting to share it all with you :)

N x

MAC - Honey Love Lipstick (Review) + OOTD

I've always been a bit put off wearing a nude lipstick, I guess I wasn't to keen on how 'pale' the face can look (I'm normally a bright pink lip sotra' girl) 

Another problem I had with a nude lippy is because I have a warmer skin tone I always felt a nude lipstick can make me look washed out. 

However, I had heard good things about MACs Honey Love lipstick. 

Here's a picture of me wearing the lipstick ... 

But how do we find the perfect nude shade?

1) A way to find a good shade is to swatch the lipstick on your wrist just under your palm, the shade should be 1-2 shades darker then the shade of your palm. 

2) Beige tones can tend to wash the skin tone a lot, try a peach or pink toned lipstick which can give a warmer and brighter hint of color. 

3) Don't have a nude lipstick yet? SIMPLE ... Just use a concealer which is also a few shades darker than your skin color, before applying it apply a lip balm to smooth out the lips as a concealer can sometimes be drying (MAC's prep + prime is a favorite of mine.) 

ON ANOTHER NOTE : 

I did say in my previous post I would show you what I matched my beloved city bag with and here it is ... 

Please excuse the dirty mirror! 

My OOTD for my internship interview. New Look blazer, ASOS dress, New Look boots from ASOS, Zara office city bag with River Island watch.