Pamper your Pooch with John Paul Pet

John Paul Pet Grooming Pack* - £19.95

As much as I love pampering myself, there is nothing I like more than pampering my gorgeous dog Rory. Okay - so he doesn't really approve of it. Rory absolutely despises baths, detests being sprayed with anything and likes very much smelling like the scruffy little pup that he is. However, as he likes to spend a great deal of time snuggling up on my bed, I like to keep him squeaky clean. Also, I like to think that although me and my pup are notorious for looking a bit on the scruffy side (especially where hair is concerned) we actually scrub up quite well. 

I am a massive fan of Paul Mitchell haircare, and I recently discovered one of the co-founders actually has their own pet haircare line, John Paul Pet. So, when me and Rory were given the chance to review John Paul Pet's Grooming Kit we both (well, okay, me) jumped at the chance.

As Rory hates baths so much, I felt like these products would be the perfect alternative for him. Although he hates pampering of any kind, his main gripe is with water, so the fact water isn't involved in using any of the products in the Grooming Pack gets his thumbs up (if dogs had thumbs... I digress). In the Grooming Pack (which is for both dogs and cats by the way - we all know moggies aren't a fan of the wet stuff) you get a bottle of Waterless Foaming Shampoo, a bottle of Oatmeal Conditioning Spray and a Custom Grooming Brush - everything you need to get your furry friend looking (and feeling) a million dollars. 

A key thing for me when it comes to doggy grooming products is smell. Let's face it, even if your pet might be looking fantastic, if they're on the pongy side, it's never very nice. So, what do I make to the smell of these products? In a word; delicious. Honestly, if they sold a perfume that smelt like this, I would buy it. To be honest, once I smelt these products I debated using them myself, they smell so damn good. They smell amazingly like almonds and marzipan and all those gorgeously sickly sweet things, most of which make up my favourite scents. As soon as I started using the products on Rory I fell in love with their smell and was immediately sold. If you're looking some products to get your pooch smelling nice, get these. You will NOT regret it. 

As well as smelling totally and utterly gorgeous, the products in the Grooming Pack definitely work wonders. The Waterless Foam Shampoo gently cleanses without being harsh, whilst the Oatmeal Conditioning Spray made Rory's hair so soft, smooth and fluffy, giving it a fab conditioning treatment. The Custom Grooming Brush could be mistaken for a normal hair brush, yet it does a brilliant job of detangling hair as well as helping to work the products into the skin. 

Overall I am ecstatic with the results the John Paul Pet Grooming Kit achieved, and I will most definitely continue to use these products on Rory. I think he is very thankful for the reduction in baths using these waterless products has incurred, so everyone's happy! The best thing is? John Paul Pets products, like Paul Mitchell, aren't tested on animals. Happy paws all round! 

What grooming products do you use on your pets? Do you like treating them to posh pampering products?

Collective Clothing Haul

Apologies for not popping a proper post up this weekend but I thought I would show you my latest Collective Haul video, after you all loved my last haul so much! I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has subscribed to me - I'm nearly at 1,000 subscribers which is crazy! Let me know what videos you would like to see in the future and I really hope you enjoy! 

Also - for anyone who wants to know the lipstick I'm wearing in the video is the amazing cheapy MUA one I got in my Drugstore Haul a bit ago - it's SO nice. 

Guerlain Rouge Automatique in Shalimar Review

Guerlain Rouge Automatique in Shalimar* - £24.50

I really don't think there's anything better than treating yourself to a expensive lippy. I am always lusting over the premium makeup counters lipsticks and glosses, trying out a million on my hand before I bite the bullet and purchase one, going away feeling a little giddy, a little guilty and very very luxe.

Unfortunately there are some brands my local department stores are lacking, including Guerlain, so I'd never had the chance to try anything until recently. I have to say, I'm head over heels already. I was recently sent this Rouge Automatique lipstick in Shalimar and it is such a stunning colour, perfect for day or night and completely moisturising and silky on the lips. I don't think I own any colour quite like this (the nearest I can think of is Full Fuchsia by MAC) and it's the perfect deep fuchsia-pink that I honestly think would suit any skin tone. It's such a versatile colour and it feels like it's going on sheer to begin with but then reveals a gorgeously pigmented colour. This is because it has a second-skin like texture which makes it so light on the lips, you wouldn't even notice you have it on. I love how it feels on my lips and that it doesn't leave my lips looking (or feeling) caked on, but wonderfully hydrated and light.

Another thing I love about this lipstick is the packaging. The amount of times I've lost a lipstick lid dropping my lippy in a rush in the morning - this is no longer a problem with this nifty (and frankly beautiful) casing. With one hand you can quickly slide down on the packaging to reveal the lippy inside. I love this unique idea and it adds a bit of a novelty to applying my lippy!

Overall I am SO impressed with this lipstick and I'm already lusting after other lippies from Guerlain. You really cannot beat a prestige brand when it comes to buying a timeless lipstick like this one. J'adore! 

Begin Again

Playsuit*: Lavish Alice

Floral Headband: Crown & Glory

Shoes: Primark

Necklace: Topshop 

Watch: Michael Kors

I've been meaning to blog about this stunning velvet playsuit from Lavish Alice for absolutely ages, but for one reason or another I never got around to it. Better late than never though right? The weather hasn't been the warmest lately (nice weather lasted long didn't it!?) so I decided to wear it today as it definitely deserves a bit more wear. It's a gorgeous deep wine red colour that I absolutely love and is I think it would still look fab with bare legs if things decide to turn a bit warmer. I paired it with thick tights (as it's pretty chilly out there) and my goooorgeous Primark studded flatforms, adding some rose gold jewellery to finish it off. I couldn't resist popping my Crown and Glory floral headband on too to complete the outfit. 

There are SO many gorgeous things on Lavish Alice right now, they seem to be heading in a bit of a new direction and I must say they get my approval! I'm completely in love with this dress, although I'd have to wear it with a vest underneath as I'm not one for showing my bra (despite how booby this outfit post may be, eep). 

Just had to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone who has been commenting and liking and subscribing to my YouTube channel after my recent Primark Haul went up. I'm so glad you like it! I have another haul video coming up over the weekend so I hope you all enjoy that too! 

Barry M Texture Nail Effects

Barry M Texture Nail Effects* in Station Road and Atlantic Road

I'm a huge fan of Barry M nail paints, and in particular love the fact that their Nail Effects have lead the way in the nail art world. They've recently been releasing a plethora of new Nail Effects polishes, all of which I'm really excited about. I was recently sent a couple of their texture nail effects to play around with, so I thought I would pop a little review up to let you guys see what I thought to them!

The colours I received were Station Road, a gorgeous, sunshine yellow, and Atlantic Road, a pale sea blue shade. Both the colours are really pigmented and pack the punch that all of Barry M's fab nail paints do. They only need a couple of coats to get a gorgeous solid colour, and then all you need to do is wait patiently whilst the nail effects start to work.

The idea behind these Nail Effects is all about texture - similarly to the Nails Inc. Concrete polish I blogged about a little while ago, these polishes dry to leave a really texturised, interesting finish. If you're not a fan of not having smooth nails, these polishes definitely won't be for you, but in my opinion they're fab for spicing up your nail collection and adding something a bit different and fun.

The polishes last well and I'm really impressed with them. For £3.99 each I really don't think you can go wrong, so these are definitely worth checking out if you're debating embarking on the textured nail trend.

Have you tried Barry M's Texture Nail Effects? What did you think?

Queen Bee Salon Review

Queen Bee Salon Scunthorpe

If you read my post on SalonSpy.co.uk, you'll know that I recently started working with them on reviewing salons in my local area. So, last week I hotfooted it over to Queen Bee Salon in Scunthorpe for the pleasure of receiving a couple of treatments, courtesy of SalonSpy.co.uk. 

I was booked in for a facial with Kylie and a cut and blowdry with Jenny, and I was so excited at the prospect of having a pamper whilst checking out the salon. When I arrived, I was given a really warm welcome, was seated and given a skincare form to fill out as my facial was first on the agenda. The staff waited patiently whilst I filled things in, and once done I was lead up the stairs to the beauty salon area. I have to say, I was completely blown away by how stunning the salon itself is. It was decorated beautifully, with a deliciously decadent decor, and was by far the prettiest salon I've ever been to. 

I was shown into the treatment room, which again, was completely stunning, and made myself comfortable whilst Kylie had a look over my form and decided which facial would be best for me. At Queen Bee Salon they use Darphin products, which I've never used before so was really looking forward to trying something new. The Darphin Customised Facials are great because they are bespoke to your skin needs, and I was given the Stop Shine Purifying Facial, which was perfect for my oily, acne-prone skin. 

I have to say, the facial was completely luxurious and relaxing; I've only had a couple of facials before in the past but this was most definitely my favourite. The lights were dimmed and candles were dotted around the room, as well as relaxing music playing in the background. It was a really thorough treatment, which Kylie was extremely knowledgeable in, and she talked me through the products whilst filling me in on the Darphin brand, all of which I found really interesting. Essential Oils were used which smelt completely amazing, and I was given a gorgeous massage whilst the products worked their way into my skin. The face mask I was given during the facial was unlike any I'd ever had before; the mask was applied, followed by sheets which Kylie had previously asked if I would be okay with as anyone with claustrophobia might find them a bit unsettling, but I was fine and found the treatment really soothing. I was given an arm and hand massage whilst the face mask worked its magic, and once the facial was over I was given as long as I wanted to get up and go into the next room to sit down and wait to be called for my hair to be done. I was given a glass of water (a must after a facial) told to sit down and relax whilst being shown some of the products that were used for me to try out on the back of my hand, both of which felt amazing. I was handed over a 'Personal Recommendation' booklet with all the product details of what had been used, as well as instructions on application. I had a little read through this and then Jenny came to collect me to have my hair done. 

I was lead downstairs to the hair salon area, which was just as lavishly decorated as the rest of the salon, and took a seat in the hairdressers chair whilst Jenny asked me what I would like doing. I am really precious about my hair, so I stated I only wanted a little trim as I'm growing my hair out, which Jenny completely understood. I felt entirely at ease with her and whereas I am usually extremely nervous about getting my hair cut, Jenny reassured me she would only take off a tiny bit which put my mind at rest. I was taken over to get my hair washed and conditioned, and then lead back to the chair where Jenny talked me through the products they use. Queen Bee Salon uses only the best Bumble and Bumble hair products, which I was really excited about as I've never used them before. I explained to her that I love big hair, so she got a selection of Bumble and Bumble Thickening Products to use on my locks. She took no time at all to give my hair a nice subtle trim (no huge piles of hair on the floor here - phew!), and then proceeded to blowdry my hair. I'd never previously understood why people go to salons purely to have a blowdry - until now. The blowdry Jenny gave my hair was absolutely amazing - she explained she would give my hair lots of bounce and flicks at the end, and she carefully sectioned out my hair and worked her magic, blowdrying the sections, applying the thickening product and gripping my hair in place to allow it to set. Once done, she ungripped my hair, brushed it through and applied a bit more product, and I was utterly amazed at the result. I have always, always wanted to achieve that Hollywood, Cosmo-Cover, big bouncy hair look with loose waves and loads of volume, but I've never been able to do it. Jenny transformed my hair and made it look exactly like that - almost as if she'd read my mind. I was totally ecstatic with the results and really wish I'd taken a picture now, as I really doubt I'll be able to recreate the look at home! Once done Jenny handed me over a booklet with all the information on the products she'd used, and I left the salon feeling like a million dollars. 

Overall I am SO impressed with Queen Bee Salon. The treatments I had were completely amazing, and left both my skin and my hair feeling and looking gorgeous. The staff were lovely, the atmosphere was great and the decor was divine. The products they use are the best of the best and this completely shows in the results I was given after the treatments. The facial would have been £42, which I think is a great price, especially as my skin is now looking the best it has in ages - no word of a lie. The cut and blowdry would have been £45.00, which is more than I would usually pay, however I would most definitely pay this to have my hair done there again as my hair seriously has never looked so good as it did walking out of the salon! I have to say, hand-on-heart, that Queen Bee Salon is the best salon I have ever been to and I would not hesitate to go there again. It's a complete hidden gem and I am so happy I was given the opportunity to go there and receive these fantastic treatments - I was most definitely treated like a Queen! 

All the reviews for Queen Bee Salon on Salonspy.co.uk are fantastic and I can completely see why. You can follow Queen Bee Salon on Twitter here or 'like' their Facebook page here. 

*As stated above this was a complimentary service on behalf of SalonSpy.co.uk however my thoughts and opinions on the service are 100% genuine as always.*