KISS Couture Lashes Launch

Tucked on the corner of the Grey Street, at the intersection is Grey Street Hotel in Newcastle. The venue for the KISS VIP Event to launch their Couture lashes range. With a promise of a fun girly night filled with canapes & prosecco, I was looking forward to it. 

We arrived at the uber chic location, complete with lime green seating and neon signage to boot. Yes, I'm an interiors geek with no shame! We waited in the lobby and were taken down to the spa were the KISS event was being hosted. On entrance, we were greeted with a glass of bubbles (priorities), and were taken through to the lovely spa area. Not a large spa but cosy and a getaway from the hustle of the city view from the level above.

There was a nail bar set up and also lash stations in the side rooms. We headed for the lashes first, and got to choose a pair from their huge range to wear on the night. I was totally spoilt for choice and I'm not sure if any other high street lash brands offer that many shapes and variations of lashes. 

I opted for the Peony lashes which are a natural looking lash but with a little fullness and a fluffy finish. My regualar faves are the Whispie lashes from Ardell so these look like my style too... 

The lashes they were launching on the night is the Lash Couture Faux Mink Collection. A set of 6 in total, different lashes which claim to have weightless volume and non-mink which is a plus with many mink lash brands popping up. It really isn't necessary when there's so many decent non mink lashes out there. The contour range is bold so if you're wanting to make a statement look with some killer lashes these are the babies for the job! The lashes range from apx £4.99 - £7.99 in Superdrug if you're wanting to grab a set yourself.

Once the lashes had been applied, prosecco in hand, I went to explore their nail range. Emerging from the lash room... the even had filled up extremely quickly and obviously everyone wanted to get in on the action too. 

Canapes circulated the room but they surpassed me many times as I was waiting to get a look at the nail selection - also an impressively large selection for a high street range! The designs go from matte, pearlised, sparkly, matte, glossy, squared, talon shaped and the list goes on. The nails come in either press on manicure (which last some time from trying a set for myself) and traditional glue on sets. I've always been weary of the sticky back pre - adhesive type as they seem to ping of fairly quick but these have some staying power! 

In Superdrug, the nails retail from arounf £6.99 - £7.99 a set. Personally having tried these and knowing how long they last and the quality if the finish on the surface I think that is a very reasonable price. 

To top the night off, we were gifted with an amazing goody bag packed of their different products to test at home. thanks so much KISS for the generous goodies!

Until next time... 

The Original Redhead 

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Heatless Bouncy Curls?! Curls in a flash for NYE

So it's New Years Eve, and you've got to your friends house to get ready for the big night ahead. So far, so good. Pour yourself a glass of champagne and operation beautify begins... but you panic. You've forgot your curlers, straighteners, tongs!! In the excitement and last minute rush I have done this so thought I'd post this tutorial to show you how to create bouncy curls with no heated hair tools.

 

So firstly, these are the things you'll need.  Hairbrush, dry shampoo (I used Batiste), hairspray (Insette shown, but whatever you prefer), hair grips (although I prefer the silver crocodile hair clips you can buy from most hair shops) and a spray bottle filled with water.

 

 

 

 

So, keep sipping the champagne, spray your hair with dry shampoo if needed (I like it to add texture to my hair as my hair is so shiny and slips), then brush your hair and secure in a high pony tail.

 

 

 

 

The next step is to spritz your pony tail with the water. If you hair is super porous (like mine), you may have to repeat this step once you get about half way. You'll be able to gauge, but you want all of the pony tail to be pretty damp.

 

 

Then, in small sections, coil you hair around 2 fingers. Gently slip you fingers out of the coil of hair.

 

 

 

 

 

And secure in place with 2 hair grips (in opposite directions, for maximum security.) My hair has a mind of its own so I always double grip. The silver crocodile clips do hold my hair better, but wanted to show you hairgrips as most of your girlfriends will have those lying round!

 

 

 

 

If you love a varied size of curls like myself, then just alternate thinner and thicker sections of hair. This look was with strands from apx 1 inch wide to apx 2 inches wide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep pinning until all of your pony tail is pinned up. You need to leave in for quite a while so the hair will be dry once you unpin it all. Once all is pinned up, spray with hair spray. I find the most effective way is to spray from beneath upwards so you're spritzing the curls gently, not drowning them and making them heavier. This now allows you to 

1) Drink more champagne

2) Apply your make up and pick your outfit with your hair out of your face

 

 The longer you leave the curls, the curlier your hair will be. However, if you're pushed for time you can give them a helpful hand by drying with a hairdryer.

 

 

 

This is the final look, once the hair has been unpinned and also sprayed again for hairspray to hold them for the big night ahead. You can leave them in the ponytail or you can untie it and let your hair loose for a different style! I hope this helps a few of your girls, as I know the struggle can be real to look your best when the clock strikes midnight.

 

All images above are by Kirstie Mackin Photography.

 

 

Necklace is from Aphrodite Jewels

 

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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Looking for Legendary Lashes?!

With the party season in full swing, we're all in search of the beauty products which really make us feel glamorous. And after attending an event at Charlotte Tilbury earlier in the year, I couldn't help but treat myself to the Legendary Lashes Mascara.
 

 

 

 

For those of you who don't know about Charlotte Tilbury cosmetics, she's been on the scene for quite some time but has been making real waves as a household name within apx the past 5 years I'd say. Charlotte is a powerhouse of a woman, a redhead (something we have in common), and is truly obsessed by her craft as a make up artist. She was raised in Ibiza and the rose gold (gorgeoussss) packaging is a reflection of this as it is a representation of the Ibiza sunset.

 

 

 

Her love for products goes way back to her backstage catwalk days where she'd hand out little pots of her 'magic cream' to the models to get it out there. Fearless, tenacious & shrewd. I like her already. I've heard lots of good things about the brand but have been yet to try it until this purchase. The Legendary Eyes Mascara was on my list as I was in the market for a new black coat for my lashes anyway...

 

 

The packaging is really dreamy so thought this may have been a way of hiding a poor performing product (as I say, CT newby so didn't know what to expect.) And I've got to tell you on my first application I wasn't keen. I think it was the formula of the mascara, it feels kind of like a mouse, thick yet smooth. However, on more applications I fall more in love with this every time. I already have pretty long eyelashes but this manages to make them appear longer and the depth of black is so intense. If you're going to do black mascara, you've really got to commit to the pigment being as black as the night sky. Newcastle girls love the volume, the bigger the better. Hair, lashes, shoes... you name it. This product is buildable so you get to choose how intense it appears depending on the look you're going for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see the brush is full of tiny little bristles which means every millimetre of your lashes gets covered with minimum effort. I wore this Christmas day and loved it! I try to avoid wearing is on my bottom lashes as it can transfer on to some foundations (I think because it's so strongly pigmented), but if you're looking for length, intense black and volume from a mascara, Legendary Lashes really needs to be in your make up bag. I use this for special occasions because it truly makes me feel glam with the stroke of the wand.

 

Retails at £25.00

 

 

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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Brow Perfection & Cute Cupcakes

On Friday I was invited to a gorgeous little event with Benito Brow Bar. We live in a world obsessed with brows so I just had to go along and see what they had to offer. For those of you that follow me will know I'm a model so it's important for me to be groomed from my bows to my hair to my toenails and have a polished look ready for any photo shoot. I don't really trust people with my brows as I know they have to be just right and I know how I like my shape so this was a big step for me.

 

 

 

 

Benito is based in Debenhams in Eldon Square (and there is also one located at House of Fraser in the Metro Centre too.) They have been running for some years now and offer a wide range of treatments from waxing, threading, tinting, lash extensions and even male grooming packages. For those of you who aren't so sure guys would use this service, there was a chap in having his brows done next to me. The world is brow obsessed!

 

 

 

 

Come on, how cute are these Benito cupcakes?! You'll spot a Benito Brow Bar miles off from their unmistakable black and orange branding.

 

 

 

 

So here's what my brows looked like before my threading.... My eyebrows are naturally blonde despite my red hair. So I have to pencil them in, but admittedly they have been a little out of hand recently. So when Benito approached me I held off to make sure I could see the results. Thankfully, because they're so blonde I can get away with them being a little out of control ha!

 

 

 

 

 

 

So the first thing which happened was having my brows removed (just my make up version of my brows haha.) So the left brow is make up free to show the difference.

 

 

 

 

I was then talked through the process and asked what I would like from my treatment. I then explained how I love my eyebrows and what shape I'd like. The girl who seen to me was so lovely and listened to everything perfectly. P.s I look so engrossed, I'm obviously taking it very seriously...

 

 

 

 

We then went ahead woth my treatment, and after a crazy long day... Once I was in that chair I was so relaxed. It took about 5 minutes to actually thread my brows and for any of you who are scared about that pain it's not really painful at all. It's an odd sensation that kinda feels like Velcro. To ensure you get a really clean finish, you have to keep the skin taught.

 

 

 

 

 

The lovely Lisa from Tried & Tested admiring her freshly threaded brows!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You've got to check out the Sign Ups & Offers section of their site, they have some really great deals and competitions on. They have HALF PRICE on lashes all month so don't miss out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benito have a customer service which remains no matter which brow bar you visit. They have a series of different bars all over the country so check for your nearest one here. Threading costs £13.00 which is a great price for the service and how lovely the staff are! And if you're looking for something a little extra they can set you up with a package... and for all you truly committed brow lovers, they have a loyalty service which means you pay for 6 treatments and get your 7th free! I really love that concept, as when you are loyal to a brand and constantly use their service because you love what they do it's nice to get a little reward in return.

 

 

 

 

I am so happy with the result and my brows are so clean and tidy now. Threading really does give a clean finish and would totally recommend a visit if you're a threading virgin or a brow addict.

 

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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SHORTLISTED | Sunderland's Style & Retail Awards

If any of you follow me on social media, you will know I got nominated for the Sunderland's Retail & Style Awards! This is an awards night held every year which is made up from lots of categories from Most Stylish Blogger (which is what I was nominated for) to a Crowd Pleaser Award.

 

 

 

 

From the nominations, I was shortlisted to the final 4! I shared via social media and told friends and family who happily voted for me. I feel very proud and honoured to have been shortlisted to the final 4 from tonnes of applicants. We all attend this evening and they call the winner on the night (almost like the Oscars haha!)

 

 

The awards ceremony is tonight and I couldn't be more excited. The night promises a 3 course meal, a fashion show, the awards ceremony then entertainment from Lawson, Izzy Bizu & The Lake Poets.It will be a lovely evening to meet some new faces.  It will be hosted in the Bridges in Sunderland and we will then be escorted to the exact location.

 

Time to paint my nails, style my hair, apply my make up and step in to a gorgeous dress!

 

Until Next Time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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Juicy Shakers & Juicy Cocktails

With Lancôme being the leading in a lot of things in the beauty world I was super excited to attend their Juicy Shakers launch! I arrived at the launch at the Lancôme counter in Fenwick, Newcastle. We were greeted with fruity mini cocktails, friendly, informative staff and a lovely selection of colours from the collection. The product is a lipgloss made up of lip oils and pigmented colour which settles when left standing. This is where is gets a little more interesting...

 

The idea of the product is to shake to combine the oils and pigment together to create a gorgeous texture gloss which tastes and smells like a fruit basket!

 

 

 

Lancôme have really outdone themselves with the range of colours and scents. There seems to be something for every skin tone and everyone's unique complexion.

 

 

 

 

How cute are the mini cocktails?! AND they co-ordinated with the juicy feel of the collection too. We also received a little goody bag of skincare products to try out which I cannot wait to get testing and sampling. Before we left we got booked in for a free 15 minute treatment of our choice from their list. The list varied from hand massage, skincare consultation, brow lesson... I chose a specific eye make up lesson.



Shake it like a polaroid pictureeeeee.... I couldn't resist... And now you have that Outkast song stuck in your head, right?

 

 

 During our time at the launch we explored the different colours, the shaking at using the product. I have to say, this sits so well on the lips and leaves them feeling soft and 'juicy.'

 

 

 

 

 

 Adorable names and they are great mixed too!

 

 

 

 

The applicator is a cute little pointed sponge which you can just dab right on to your lips to create a fresh look.  The Juicy Shakers retail at £18.00 and are the perfect size weather you're on the move, going out with your girls or having a day relaxing on holiday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

They also ran a competition for the best pout and we had to write a little beauty note to our younger selves... I would tell myself to seek more advice about skin and keeping it clean, fresh and well maintained.

 

 

 

Until next time...

 

The Original Redhead

 

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