REVIEW // COLAB DRY SHAMPOO

So surely nothing can beat Batiste when it comes to dry shampoo right...? Well after trying the Colab Dry Shampoos I stand corrected. Created by model and fashion blogger Ruth Crilly, it claims to have a revolutionary, sheer & invisible formula, available in five fragrances. It is said you will have no fear of white residue and longer clean hair.

I decided to buy the £10 travel kit from Feel Unique, so that I could try all the different scents and let me tell you, they weren't lying about the amazing fragrances. Unlike Batiste these dry shampoos smell so fresh and it almost feels as if you're wearing perfume. My personal favourite is the class scent London - great for work. 

I put the product to the test on 2nd day hair and as per the instructions focused on spraying it onto the root and massaging into the hair after a few minutes. It did not feel heavy and it was still so easy to run my fingers through my hair while adding a bit of volume at the same time. I didn't get that thick sticky feeling when I use Batiste and plus it really was invisible. 

This will definitely be my go-to dry shampoo from now on and for those who want added volume, there is also the Extreme Volume range. 

This travel kit includes five 50ml fragrances:

Paris: Floral fragrance, an enchanting floral bouquet of jasmine & rose with a touch of patchouli. 

London: A classic yet contemporary fragrance of bergamot, musk & magnolia.

Rio: Tropical fragrance, a carnival of tropical notes with papaya, pineapple & a heart of cassis.

Tokyo: Oriental accents of orchid & mandarin with an aromatic base of sandalwood. 

New York: Fruity fragrance, a fresh and fruity scent of apple & melon with a light amber finish.  

What's your favourite fragrance? Also let me know if anyone has tried the Extreme Volume range?

Love Nic x

FOOD // THE ROCKMOUNT

With the evenings becoming lighter and the weather warming up over here in Guernsey, it's no surprise that The Rockmount is busier than ever. 

Based on the island's west coast, diners can expect great food, a homely and relaxed atmosphere and most importantly a divine view, which lets face it many of us islanders take for granted.  

Having recently undergone a refurb I just love and I know it's a short post but I thought I would share what it with you all.

And here it is... my delicious pea, mint, new potato, feta and chicken salad! Maximum flavour without the guilt -  I would totally recommend. 

 And finally who can complain about the view...

Who else is looking forward to the summer and enjoying more nights like this?

Love Nic x

APRIL FAVOURITES

First up, a big shout out to Origins. Unsure of what products to buy I contacted the live team via email on their website to ask what night cream would be best for my skin type - normal - and for something to hide fine lines around the eyes... yes ladies I'm 24 but already seeing wrinkles :( The next morning I had an email from one of their consultants giving me a list of recommendations, including the High Potency Night-A-Mins Mineral-enriched renewal cream. I bought the cream from our Feelunique store in Guernsey and while I have only used it for a week I love it. It gives your skin all it needs for a great night's sleep, as well as renews and resurfaces the skin overnight to reveal brighter looking skin. You can also get the oil-free version but I love the essential oils that are perfect for bed time.

Another night time ritual I'm loving at the moment is the Lush Yuzu and Cocoa bubbleroon. Now I'm not overly keen on really sweet smells but this has such a fresh and uplifting smell it really is a treat. It has an orange chocolate fragrance, with exotic tropical undertone and a grapefruit note. As a bath-over-a-shower kinda girl you should have seen my smile when the I was covered in fluffy white bubbles. It also has extra virgin coconut oil and shea butter so I came out the bath feeling super soft.

A more recent purchase of mine has been the My Burberry fragrance. I'm such a sucker for nice packaging and Burberry did not disappoint. It is light floral scent with notes of sweet pea, bergamot, golden quince, freesia, geranium, rose and patchouli. Now again I really don't like super sweet floral smells but this is totally different to anything else I have smelt before. According to Burberry it is supposed to capture the fragrance of a London garden after the rain. It is really light and fresh and I love to wear it for work.

Moving on to hair products, there are two items I have been loving this month, the Bumble and Bumble Thickening Dryspun Finish and the Wella SP Luxe Oil. Firstly the dryspun spray claims to create instant fullness and texture and that's exactly what it does. I have quite fine hair and I'm constantly on the lookout for products that will add volume. Once I have dried my hair I spray this wherever I want a lift and airy texture. I would describe it as giving you that effortless hair/beach/just got out of bed but I'm rocking it look and I love it. I've nearly finished the can but I totally will be re-purchasing.

Finally the Luxe Oil has been a total fave of time. Once I've washed my hair I put about one pump on my fingers and massage into the ends of my hair before blowdrying. You can instantly notice a difference and my hair feels so much softer and smoother. With a blend of three luxurious oils it is also supposed to protect, define, repair and recondition the hair. It is quite expensive but I know it will last me a good few months.

Who else has tried some of these products? 

Love always, Nic xxx

SUNDAY BAKING!

If you're in the mood to bake... you have to try these! 

So after spending all morning watching TV and Youtube videos, I felt like I had to do something productive... the answer baking of course.

Compared to some of my friends I am quite the amateur when it comes to baking, but ever since I was given a Hummingbird Bakery cookbook for Christmas two years ago, I would say their recipes are pretty fool proof and ALWAYS deliver on taste. 

So with some unwanted bananas leftover in the fruit bowl, I thought I would treat the family to these little goodies!

For those who want to try the recipe out for yourself I have posted it below. Enjoy x

Recipe from The Hummingbird Bakery Cake Days makes 12 -16 cupcakes

For the sponge:                                                  For the topping:
80g (3oz) unsalted butter, softened                    500ml (18fl oz) whole milk
280g (10oz) caster sugar                                    1/2 tsp vanilla essence
240g (8.5oz) plain flour                                      5 egg yolks
1 tbsp baking power                                           100g (3.5oz) caster sugar
1/4 tsp salt                                                           30g (1oz) plain flour
240ml (8.5fl oz) whole milk                               30g (1oz) cornflour
1 tsp vanilla essence                                           100g (3.50z) tinned caramel
2 large eggs                                                         200ml (7fl oz) double cream
2 ripe bananas                                                     Shaved or grated chocolate

1. Preheat the oven to 190C (375F), gas mark 5, then fill a muffin tin with muffin cases and line a baking tray with cling film.
2. Using a hand-held electric wish or a freestanding electric mixer with the paddle attachment, beat together the butter, sugar, flour,baking powder and salt on a low speed until the ingredients  are well incorporated and have the texture of fine breadcrumbs.
3. In a jug, whisk together the milk, vanilla essence and eggs by hand. Pour three-quarters of this into the dry ingredients and mix well on a low speed, scraping the sides of the bowl to ensure the ingredients are all incorporated. Increase the speed to medium, add the rest of the milk mixture and beat until the batter is smooth, then peel and mash the bananas and stir in. 
4. Divide the batter between the paper cases, filling each one by about two-thirds. Any remaining batter can be used to fill up to four more cases in the second tin. Bake the cupcakes in the oven for 18-20 minutes or until the sponge bounces back when lightly pressed. Leave to cool slightly before removing from the tin and placing on a wire rack to cool completely. 
5. While the cupcakes are cooking, start making the custard cream topping. Place the milk in a saucepan with the vanilla essence and bring to the boil. In a separate bowl, mix together the egg yolks, sugar, flour and cornflour to make a paste, adding 1 tablespoon of the hot milk to loosen the mixture if it seems too thick. 
6. When the milk has boiled, add 4-5 tablespoons to the paste and stir together, then pour this back into the pan with the remaining milk and return to the heat. Bring the mixture back up to the boil, whisking constantly and continue to cook for a further minute to ensure the flour is cooked. Take the pan off the heat and stir in the caramel. 
7. Pour the caramel custard into the prepared baking tray, cover the top with cling film and set aside to cool for 30-40 minutes. Once cooled, tip the custard into a large mixing bowl and beat with a wooden spoon to break any lumps. In a separate bowl, whip the double cream to soft peaks, then fold the whipped cream into the caramel custard. 
8. When the cupcakes are cold to the touch, pipe the caramel cream on top of each cake, or use a spoon to do the, if you prefer. Decorate with shaved or grated chocolate. 

Let me know how you get on baking these! Also if anyone has a good recipe for cupcakes let me know and I will try.

Love Nic x

EXPERIENCE // FLYING WITH THE BLADES

Never in my life did I think I would see Guernsey from upside down .....2,000ft in the air. And let me tell you nothing compares to the adrenaline rush from being that high with one of the most experienced aerobatic display teams. 

Call me courageous or simply foolish but I eagerly jumped at the chance to fly with The Blades. 

It all started with a pre-flight briefing at the ASG Hangar with pilot Andy Evans, who has clocked more than 5,500 flying hours over seven years. 

He assured us that we would be in good hands and could go as wild or gentle as we liked once we had hit the skies. 

After the briefing I climbed into a black one-piece jumpsuit with matching shades - not quite the Top Gun look I was after but at that point I did feel the need... the need for speed. 

Having watched the Battle of Britain air display every year my stomach churned as I marched closer to the four orange aircrafts lined up on the hangar. 

I was tagged with the leader of The Blades, Mark 'Cutty' Cutmore, who helped me put on a life jacket and parachute just in case of an emergency evacuation - a great way to ease my nerves. 

As I hopped into the front seat of the seven-metre plane, Mark strapped me in, tight enough so I felt like I was part of the equipment. 

I was also given a sick bag for any weak moments I might have. 

The engine fired up and off we went along the runway and headed for the heavens. 

Seeing the island so clearly from inside the cockpit was literally one of the best views I have ever seen. 

My nerves had been drawn out of me by gravity and I was raring to go. 

Mark was in constant contact with me via the radio headsets and within what felt like only a minute in the air, he asked if I was ready for the big loop. 

My respond: hell yeah. 

Up and over we went and while some may compare it to being in a washing machine it was one of the most bizarre and yet best experiences of my life and one I would do over and over again. 

Hearing my enthusiasm, Mark then went on to perform more manoeuvres, including wing overs, aileron rolls, a lomcevak - also known as a headache/hangover more - and my personal favourite, a stall turn. 

The inverted roll also meant I got to see all 25 square miles of the island upside down and it is something I will never forget. 

We joined up with the other three aircrafts over the south coast and headed home. 

I had done it. 

And thankfully I didn't need the paper bag. 

As published in the Guernsey Press

Have any of you guys done this before? If so, I want to hear about it. 

Lots of love N x

REVIEW // PHIL SMITH DRYER AND PRODUCTS

Hey guys, so I recently signed up to a yearly subscription of Cosmopolitan magazine for a bargain price of £15 - each monthly magazine cost £3.20. 

I have been a reader of the UK women's magazine for years now and every time I read it I would always ignore the subscription offers and carry on paying for it every month. 

However, this all changed when I saw a hairdryer was up for grabs, as mine old one kept over heating and would switch off. 

It was so easy to sign up on Quality Magazine and within no time the postman soon delivered my magazine. 

If anyone is wondering whether they should subscribe then I would definitely recommend it. Not only do you get great value for money but it's great getting your face magazine right to your door step. 

I know Cosmopolitan do great subscription deals monthly so it's always worth looking out for something you fancy. 

The hairdryer came with a concentrator nozzle and a diffuser. 

I also received a 250ml ultimate glossing shampoo and conditioner and 125ml heat defence spray. 

Now I have fairly fine hair and I normally stick to volumising products, so I was a bit unsure of using the shampoo and conditioner. 

I must admit it did leave my hair really shiny and healthy looking but on the downside as I guessed it did nothing to boost my roots and I ended up having to back comb my hair...big time. 

The heat defence spray had a lovely smell to it and I always like to try and protect my hair so I loved using that product. 

Overall for the hairdryer, I don't have a bad word to say about it. Like most, it has three heat settings and three power settings as well as a cooler button. 

FAB freebies for subscribing to Cosmopolitan :)

Lots of love N x

REVIEW // MAC LIPSTICKS

Hey guys, so in the past year or so I have started to build my collection of Mac make up and with that comes Mac lipsticks. Personally I love the chic, simple design of the cases and for some reason I get a kick out of seeing them all lined up in my make up drawer. If you live in the Channel Islands, like I do where there are no Mac branches, then you can buy Mac lipsticks from House of Fraser or Debenhams. 

I think the quality of the lipsticks are fantastic, they last a long time and it's great that they come in so many different finishes. I like to experiment with different colours on nights out but normally stick to neutrals and pinks for work.  

Girls About Town 

This is one of Mac's permanent collection of Amplified and is one of the most raved about colours I see on blogs. Amplified is described by the beauty brand as ultra-creamy, quietly shiny and colour packed - and that it is!

It is incredibly moisturising and glides on the lips so smoothly. The darkened intense fuchsia with blue undertones means its great for making your teeth look pearly white too. 

I think this is definitely my go-to lipstick when I want to add a pop up colour to an outfit and to keep it bold I would advise to reapply. 

Ravishing

Mac calls this a clean light peach coral and I would agree. The lipstick is a cream sheen, so like Girl About Town it is very creamy, slightly shiny, glides smoothly on the lips and packs some colour. I noticed this lipstick lasted around 2-3 hours before I needed to reapply. 

I think this colour works really well when you have a tan and is great for making you feel summery. It made my face look fresh and gave it a pop of colour when I wore it with minimal eye make-up. 

I have worn this to work but I tend to wear it for a night out, especially when I am wearing peachy/coral clothes. 

I bought this lipstick before my holiday in Gatwick airport. The assistant pointed it out as a great colour for holidays and because I didn't have anything in my lipstick collection which is similar, I thought why not. 

Pink Nouveau 

This is one of my newest lipsticks and I love it! It is the perfect blue toned bright pink  and has even been described as a Barbie pink. 

The lipstick is a satin finish, so it is semi-matte but can be a little drying on the lips. To reduce this I would advise exfoliating the lips first with a little a bit of moisturiser and lightly scrubbing with a spare toothbrush. It does however have an intense colour and I find the more you apply the stronger the colour becomes. 

I think it can work very well on most skin tones but if you are not comfortable wearing this alone try adding a lipgloss so that it does not stand out too much. 

Impassioned

Impassioned comes in an amplified finish, which are known for their long wear, high pigmentation and for being extremely moisturising. I would say this colour comes close to Girl About Town when it comes to bold. 

I would describe the colour as a bright slight neon pink with a tint of colour.  It is so pigmented so you literally need just one swipe to get the true colour. I found it also last an incredibly long time and because it is so bright it does leave a stain. 

You definitely want to keep the rest of your make-up low key when wearing this because of its strong colour, but it adds brightness to any look. Another key lipstick for the summer!

Creme Cup

This was the first Mac lipstick I bought and as you can tell it is the most used. It is a pale nude pink colour that can be used everyday everywhere - I always wear it for work. It works very well with a bold smokey eye and I think makes lips look luscious. 

The creme sheen finish is probably my favourite because they are well pigmented and have a discreet glossy finish but without being too much. 

I found it to be very creamy and lasted for at least three hours before I needed to reapply. I think if anybody is looking to purchase their first Mac lipstick then I would definitely recommend Creme Cup. I would say it suits most skin tones - you literally cannot go wrong with this. 

I will definitely be re-purchasing this soon. 

Viva Glam V

This is one of those lipsticks when you want something easy and effortless on the lips - it is the perfect nude/pink colour and has a beautiful finish. 

As a lustre it has a slight sheer with a wet look and makes the lips so soft and smooth. It is ultra moisturising and just glides on. It  also has a very shiny finish and looks shimmery like a pearl. 

I wear this lipstick a lot for work and think it would suit all skin tones. I also found out that since Viva Glam V came out in 2004, the proceeds from its sale and those of other Mac Viva Glam lipsticks have gone to support men, women and children living with HIV/AIDS. 

A great lippy for first time buyers too - I would definitely recommend. 

For more information visit Mac website here. 

What do you think of these colours and which one is your favourite?

Can you recommend a colour for me to buy next?

Lots of love N x