Sexy Hair Detox Shampoo With Activated Charcoal

It's no secret that I suffer with really oily hair, so oily that I can have my hair washed in a morning and by that evening it has started to look oily. My hair became oily after my youngest daughter was born, before that my hair was normal so I have always put the shift of hair type down to the hormonal changes in pregnancy, but my hair has never returned to it's normal type and remained oily.

Over the last 20 years I think I have tried almost every shampoo and hair product for oily hair, some have been brilliant but some diabolical, I still always try any new products that launch or if someone recommends something I haven't tried, anything to get more than 1 day out of my hair. I particularly like to use detox or clarifying shampoo's as I find these work best with my hair.

When I received the Style Sexy Hair Detox Shampoo (£13.95) by Sexy Hair, I couldn't wait to try it. I have tried a few different products by Sexy Hair and I have liked everything I have tried and have re purchased some of the products I have tried, so I had high hopes for the detox shampoo. 

What Sexy Hair Says About The Shampoo

Colour Safe Detox Shampoo is the ultimate hair cleanser to ensure a fresh, clean start! This mild clarifying shampoo helps gently eliminate impurities and product residue that can cause dull, dry, limp or discoloured hair through the power of Activated Charcoal. It helps remove product buildup and minerals from the hair in a gentle manner to keep hair colour fresh for longer.

• Gentle Surfactant System - no SLS & SLES added, gently eliminates dirt and product buildup, keeps hair moisturised, safe for colour treated hair.

• Conditioning Agents - Weightless conditioning agents, increases combability, reduces breakage & fly aways.

• Activated Charcoal Powder - Gently eliminates oils, impurities and product residue that can cause dull, dry, limp or discoloured hair. Purifies, balances and moisturises hair.

My Thoughts

I have tried a few different products from Sexy Hair now and I really like their shampoo packaging, the bottles open by clicking one side of the lid to open the other side, I personally prefer this than having a cap to take off. 

The shampoo is transparent but has a pale grey tinge to it, I did wonder if it would be black like other charcoal beauty products I have tried but it isn't. The shampoo smells nice and fresh but isn't overly scented, the shampoo lathers up really well and rinses out with ease. The first time I used the shampoo my hair was really in need of a wash, I'm suffering with something called severe spontaneous chronic urticaria at the moment which is a very bad rash, I have had it for 3 and a half months now but it can be all over my face and head meaning having my hair washed is very painful and some days I can't even bear to have it brushed, so at the moment my hair isn't being washed as often as it would be, and I am using a lot of dry shampoo.

The first time I used the detox shampoo, my hair hadn't been washed for a week, it was extremely greasy and full of dry shampoo, it was gross (apologies if you're eating) and normally my hair wouldn't ever be in that state but because of the rash it couldn't be helped and to be fair, it was a great test of the shampoo. My hair was washed once and rinsed and then towel dried, to be honest I thought it might have been better if it had been washed twice but I thought I'd see how it was after just one was. Once my hair had been dried, I couldn't believe how clean it was, it didn't need two washes and was super clean, after it had been straightened, my hair looked lovely, clean and shiny and was super soft too.

Having blonde hair it doesn't often look shiny but it had a lovely shine to it, usually if I wash my hair with a normal shampoo, my hair can be washed in a morning and greasy by the same evening and if not the same evening, it will definitely be greasy the following morning and need some dry shampoo before putting in a messy bun. The first time I used the Detox Shampoo, my hair was washed in the morning and the following morning wasn't greasy at all, I managed to have it straightened again and wear it down and then the following morning it was a little greasy around my hair line at the front and at my crown but a bit of dry shampoo and a messy bun later and it looked fine, meaning I could skip a day between washing.

Both my daughters have been using the shampoo too,  my youngest has mid brown hair and her hair is so shiny, I haven't ever seen it so shiny and she said her hair hasn't ever been that shiny, it looks amazing and so healthy, my youngest also suffers with oily hair and she finds she can miss a day of washing her hair with this shampoo too. My eldest daughter is blonde and her hair is bleached so it doesn't get oily, but she uses a lot of hairspray and product in her hair and loves how clean and shiny her hair looks after using the shampoo, so it's been a big hit with both my daughters too.

The shampoo has also lasted really well, 3 of us have been using it for the last 5 weeks and we still have enough left for a couple of washes each, so the bottle will last approximately 6 weeks with 3 of us using it which isn't bad at all, a little bit really does go a long way. I also love that the shampoo is suitable for coloured hair, so many detox shampoo's aren't and can strip the colour but this is colour safe so I didn't have to worry about my colour, but of course you don't have to have coloured hair to use it.

Overall I am really happy with the Sexy Hair Detox Shampoo, it is a great shampoo, especially if you use lots of product and want super clean hair, or if like me you have oily hair, it is brilliant for being able to skip a day between washing, and it leaves your hair super shiny and looking amazing too. It's a really great product and as I type this post, my youngest daughter has another bottle on her after work shopping list, to buy later today,  it isn't the cheapest shampoo on the market, but it's so good and our hair looks and feels fabulous so in my opinion, it is definitely worth it.

If you would like to try the Sexy Hair Detox Shampoo With Activated Charcoal, you can find it here.

Have you tried the Sexy Hair Detox Shampoo? What's your favourite Sexy Hair product? Let me know in the comments section below. 

DHC Liquid Eyeliner EX

DHC are a Japanese beauty brand and over the last year or so they have become increasingly popular amongst beauty bloggers and I have seen their products feature rather a lot across blogs and social media accounts I follow. DHC have a wide range of products available including skincare, hair and body care, makeup and makeup accessories and I have heard some great things about the brand so I was really pleased when I was asked if I would like to try some of their products.

I was kindly sent a couple of products to try and when the products arrived I was thrilled and couldn't wait to try them, one of the products I received was the DHC Liquid Eyeliner EX (£16.00), a liquid eyeliner pen (there will be a review of the other products I received soon so keep an eye out for that post too) straight away I liked the packaging, and I was eager to try it but since my youngest daughter uses a liquid eyeliner pen as part of her daily makeup routine I asked her if she would mind trying it out too, she has used eyeliner pens for many years and also used several different brands and has a firm favourite so I thought her opinion on the eyeliner pen would be valuable.

I immediately loved the packing, the pink metallic finish box took my eye straight away, anything pink and shiny or sparkly and it draws me in, the box is a lovely pink shade and has the product name and logo on the front, with instructions for use on the side and an image of the pen on the other side. Once inside the pen is the same pretty pink shade with a black lid. 

The eyeliner pen has quite a long nib which slims towards the end and comes to a fine point meaning the liner can be used to create either a thin or thicker line, DHC claims the eyeliner pen is smudge proof, water resistant and easy to use. DHC UK do not test on animals or ask others to do so on their behalf. 

I don't wear liquid eyeliner, I have tried in the past to use eyeliner pens or a brush and gel liner but I am absolutely hopeless at applying it and having hooded eyes it isn't something I use because it doesn't suit me, but for the purpose of the review I wanted to try the pen so I could let you know my thoughts on it, but since my daughter Lissy knows her stuff when it comes to liquid liner pens, her opinion is much more important than mine. 

The instructions on the box are to shake the pen gently and press the tip of the pen on the back of your hand to encourage the liquid to flow, however I gently shook the pen but didn't need to press the tip on the back of my hand as the product flowed instantly. The first time I used the pen I was really surprised at how much more simple it was to use than I had anticipated, now I'm not going to be winning any makeup artist of the year competitions any time soon for liner application but for a total novice like me, I did find the pen easy to use, it didn't produce too much or too little product, and wasn't messy at all. 

My line and flick may have left a lot to be desired but that is purely my shoddy application, I found the pen easy to use and liked that I could draw a thin precise line or a thicker one, and I feel this would be brilliant for someone who is new to applying liquid liner or someone who struggles to use a brush to apply their liner, it is really simple to use, and despite my wonky application, I really liked how opaque the liner was, it is a real true dense black shade, it lasted really well and didn't smudge at all, and removed with ease. 

Lissy's Thoughts

Lissy has been using the liner pen since I received it and she absolutely loves it, she finds it very easy to use, it applies really well and is very long lasting but does remove well with a cleanser, makeup remover or her regular micellar makeup wipes. One of the things that Lissy said she loves about the pen is that she can create a very thin precise line and flick but also a thicker one too, she likes the way the product flows through to the nib of the pen and said it doesn't flood the nib at all or release too much or not enough product, it gives the perfect amount to create a perfect winged liner look and Lissy is really impressed by it. 

Something else Lissy noticed about the pen is that it is still exactly the same as the first day she used it and it hasn't dried out at all, not even slightly, this is a massive plus point for Lissy as the liner pen she had been using for 8/9 months, the KVD tattoo liner, dried out very quickly and she has to re purchase regularly, which is a real bug bear of hers. 

She is so impressed that the DHC liner is exactly as it was the day she opened it and that combined with the wear time, the way the product applies and looks, the style of the nib and the fact it creates such a fine precise line but also a thicker one, the DHC liquid eyeliner pen is Lissy's new favourite and she said in her opinion it is much better than the KVD liner and she will be purchasing the DHC liner pen from now on. 

If you would like to try the DHC Liquid Eyeliner Pen, you can find it on the DHC website here. 

Have you tried the DHC liquid eyeliner pen? What are your favourite DHC products? Let me know in the comments section below. 

Summer Makeup With Sleek

Sleek makeup have been around the beauty world for a long time and this is a little embarrassing to say and as a beauty blogger, embarrassing to admit, but up until recently, I hadn't tried any Sleek makeup products, so when I received an email asking if I would like to, I of course accepted. Sleek are a cruelty free makeup brand with over 20 years experience in the beauty industry, they have built up a loyal following among makeup professionals and beauty enthusiasts all over the world and they aim to make the latest beauty trends accessible and create products that suit each unique style. 

I received three makeup products from Sleek, the i-Divine eyeshadow palette in Acid, the Matte Me liquid lipstick in the shade Apricot Blooms and the Lip VIP Lipstick in the shade Backstage. I have been trying out the products for the last few weeks and today I'm going to let you know my thoughts.

Sleek i-Divine Eyeshadow Palette - Acid - £8.99

The i-Divine palette in Acid comes in an outer cardboard box showing the shades and shade names on the back of the box. Once inside the box the palette is in sleek (pardon the pun) matte black packaging with the Sleek logo on the front in sheen finished writing. Once inside the palette there are 12 mineral based eyeshadows, a double ended sponge applicator and a clear film overlay with the names of each shade. 

The shadows are a mix of formulas with some matte, some pearlescent and some shimmer shades, some shades are definitely more pigmented than others but I find the same across all eyeshadow palettes I own. 

I personally don't like to apply eyeshadow using the sponge applicators but all is not lost as they make brilliant tools for creating ombre nail looks, so I have kept the applicator in my nail kit. It's purely down to personal preference, I just prefer to use a brush to apply my eyeshadow. 

The acid palette is definitely out of my makeup comfort zone, I am a neutral eyeshadow girl at heart and have to admit I was a little scared when I first saw the shades, but I have still managed to make the palette work for me. I think this palette would also be fantastic for those of you attending a festival or festivals as you could create some amazing festival looks with it. The shadows apply well on the eye and much better than they swatched on my arm, they blended out nicely and lasted well, I didn't experience any creasing but I do always wear an eye primer. 

Swatches

I swatched the palette in two halves, so the left side first then the right side. 

Left side of the palette

Top row

Bottom row

Right side of the palette

Top row

Bottom row

I use Cream Fields as an inner corner highlight and it is very pretty, it also looks nice in the centre of the lid to add a touch of shimmer or all over the lid, Rave and Glastonbury both look lovely under the lower lash line with a neutral look on the rest of the eye, I love the contrast of neutral shades and the blue under the lower lash line with a coral or pink lip, it's such a pretty look. Full Moon I have used to line my upper lash line to add depth to my lashes, adding black close to my upper lashes and then mascara helps my lashes to appear much fuller. All the bright shades I have used to add a pop of something bright and different to a neutral look, applied subtly they have all looked lovely and the orange shade Full Throttle really surprised me as it looked really nice, especially with a tiny bit of Rave under the lower lash line. 

I used the palette much more than I first thought, and really liked the looks I created, so trying this palette has shown me that I need to step out of my comfort zone more often and try different things. If you love bright shades there are some amazing looks you could create with this palette but it goes to show that palettes like the acid palette aren't just for the more daring makeup wearers amongst us. There are 22 i-Divine palettes to choose from should the acid palette not be your thing. 

Sleek Matte Me Liquid Lipstick - Apricot Blooms - £4.99

I love liquid lipsticks they are one of my favourite lip products and I also like a matte finish too, so the Matte Me is perfect, they come in 16 shades and I have the shade apricot blooms, a pastel peach shade with a coral undertone. The lipstick has a doe foot applicator and I found it easy to apply, the applicator didn't pick up too much or too little product and felt comfortable on the lips. 

To create an opaque finish, I layered the matte me by applying one layer and allowing it to almost dry and then applying a second layer, I assume with darker colours that one layer would be enough but I found two better with this shade.

I don't suffer with dry lips at all so I didn't experience the lipstick clinging to my lips at all, it felt comfortable when first applied and once dry felt comfortable throughout the time I wore it. I got around 3-4 hours wear time from the matte me before having to top up, it wore away well and didn't flake or leave an unsightly ring of colour around my lips. 

When I first saw the shade, I was really pleased, as you all know, I love coral shades but unfortunately this shade really doesn't suit me, all is not lost though as it looks beautiful on my eldest daughter who has given it a good home. It is such a pretty shade for the summer and applies and wears well, I would definitely like to try out some other shades in the range. 

Sleek VIP Lipstick - Backstage - £5.50

I really like the packaging of the VIP lipstick, it has a black matte packaging, with Lip VIP in a shiny lettering on the lid, the bottom of the lipstick is clear which clearly shows the shade. The Lip VIP lipsticks are a semi matte formula, Backstage applied well and feels lovely on the lips, it feels moisturising when first applied and lasts well and I get around 4-5 hours wear time from it before re applying. 

Backstage is a coral shade with a reddy undertone, it is lovely for this time of year but I would wear it all year round, it looks lovely with lots of different eye looks and I did wear it when trying out the acid palette and it went well with the looks I created with it. I really like the formula of the lipstick, it isn't so matte it feels dry or uncomfortable but it isn't very moisturising either, I would say it has a similar feel to a MAC satin finish lipstick. 

Swatches - Lip Products

Overall Thoughts 

I have really enjoyed trying out Sleek makeup, I did have reservations on the acid palette at first but after trying it a few times and using different shades with different looks, I did enjoy using it. The lip products were both really nice and all in all, all three products were lovely, they all applied well, lasted well and are all affordable products and cruelty free. I would definitely like to try more from Sleek and to be honest, I have no idea why I haven't tried their products before. After having a browse on their website they have some really great looking products, so I won't overlook them in future. 

If you would like to try the products I have been trying out, you can find them on the Sleek website here, here and here. Or if you'd like to check out their other makeup products, you can find them here. 

Have you tried anything from Sleek? Are there any products you can recommend I try? Let me know in the comments section below. 

Eye Candy False Lashes - Review

False eye lashes are something that are used a lot in our house, my eldest is a professional makeup artist and often wears lashes but applies them to her clients on a daily basis, my youngest daughter wears lashes daily due to her suffering from Trichotillomania, and if I have an occasion to go to, my daughters will pop some lashes on me, so we all wear false lashes. 

When I was asked if I would like to try some lashes from the brand Eye Candy, I of course said yes please. I knew immediately that I would ask Lissy (my youngest daughter) to be my guinea pig for this post as she wears lashes on a daily basis and over the years has tried several brands and styles of lashes, she is quite the connoisseur of the lash world and being the most experienced lash wearer in our house, she is perfect. 

I was kindly sent 2 different styles of lashes to try out, one being a multi pack and one a single pair of lashes. Lissy has tried out both styles several times now and today I am going to share her thoughts on the lashes. 

Eye Candy Double Lash Style 301 - £5.95 

The 301 lashes are a double lash style and are ideal for creating a statement look, they are high quality and handmade, they also come with their own adhesive. 

Inside the packet there are also instructions of how to apply the lashes as well as the adhesive. 

I think these lashes are definitely more suited to an evening out or occasion and Lissy feels the same, she said they feel comfortable to wear and were easy to apply and they stayed in place well for the time she wore them and the band isn't too thick. Lissy prefers a thinner band rather than a thicker one but it's all personal preference. 

Lissy said the band on the 301 lashes isn't too thick and with them being such a statement lash, the band wasn't visible and Lissy applies liner over the band anyway,  she really does like them and said they are perfect for a night out. Lissy found the lashes easy to store too, she removed all the glue and then placed them back around the moulds in the case until she will wear them again. 

Eye Candy Lashes Multipack Style 008 - £18.00 

There are 5 pairs of lashes in the 008 multi pack of lashes, these lashes are more of a fluttery/wispy style that fan out at the outer corner, they are suitable for everyday wear, this pack also comes with a small tube of adhesive. 

The 008 lashes have a more subtle look than the 301 lashes, these aren't a double lash and are more of a wispy everyday style that fan out at the outer corners. Out of the 2 styles these are Lissy's favourites and she has worn them so much and considering she has, the lashes still look really good after several wears meaning this pack will last her a long time. 

Lissy finds the 008 lashes easy to apply and comfortable to wear, she has a part time job whilst on summer holidays from university and sometimes wears the lashes for 12 hours or more per day when she is working and she said that the lashes last well and feel comfortable to wear. Lissy likes that the 008 lashes aren't too dramatic and she said they are nice lash to wear everyday without being too dramatic. The lashes have a really thin band, which Lissy likes and they look really pretty on. 

Lissy Wearing The 008 Lashes

Both styles of lashes are really lovely and both look great for different occasions, the 301 double lashes are definitely more of a statement lash and look amazing for a night out but the 008 lashes are pretty and wispy and lovely for every day or for an evening out if you prefer something a little less dramatic.

The 008 lashes work out at just £3.60 per pair and considering the amount of times they can be worn, a pack of 5 will last a long time. Lissy has been wearing hers for the last 8 weeks or so and has pairs she hasn't touched yet so they are definitely a good buy, especially if like Lissy you wear lashes daily or often. The 301 lashes are very affordable too and especially considering they can be worn several times too, both lashes are affordable but look great too, proving you don't have to spend a fortune to have nice lashes, Lissy has some very expensive false lashes but reaches for the Eye Candy ones on a daily basis which says a lot. 

If you would like to try the Eye Candy lashes, you can find the style 301 here and the style 008 here on the False Lashes website, both include free first class delivery in the UK. 

Do you wear lashes? Do you wear them everyday or often like Lissy? Which style do you prefer out of the two? Let me know in the comments section below. 

Thank you for reading, much love as always

Zoë x

✿ Post contains PR Sample - Read my full disclaimer here. 

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