New Hair

If you read my blog regularly, you probably know that I'm a fan of pastel colours and have previously dyed my hair lilac and pink, however the colour faded so easily and I decided to give it another go! I loved my blonde hair, but the reason I had bleached it originally was to go lilac. Here's another attempt!

I used the Bleach London bleach on my hair and it worked really well. My hair went from this: 

To this:

I then used the Bleach London 'Violet Skies' semi-permanent colour, and it turned the top of my hair a lovely lilac shade, but the ends were only toned! I've used the Bleach London colours before and for me they've only lasted one wash, which is a massive shame as they do some amazing colours. I didn't actually get a photo at this point as I knew I was going to re-do it with something else.

I ended up finding this Schwarzkopf bright pink / purple colour, and since I didn't want a colour this bright, I mixed it with white conditioner before applying it to my hair.

I needed a white conditioner to mix the dye with, so I used this one by John Freida. If the conditioner you mix the dye with isn't white, you won't have a good indication of the colour the dye will turn out. I gradually mixed tiny amounts of the dye into the conditioner with a spoon until I achieved the colour I wanted.

I love my hair now! Hopefully this dye will stay longer than ones I've used previously, but if it doesn't I still have 90% of the dye tube left since it takes so little to achieve a light colour.

🌸 Indy 🌸

September Birchbox

My September Birchbox arrived today!

I absolutely love the colour scheme and prints on the box, it's so cheerful (as is the whole theme of the box itself). 

I'm very pleased with the selection of products as well, a mixture of makeup / food / tools / hair care and home things.

This drawstring bag held all the products and it's really cute! I'll definitely use it to keep some of my favourite products in.

This Benefit eye cream is SO good. It's a light formula packed with peptides, instantly lightening underneath your eyes and even making you feel more awake. After a long day at school I've put some on and I really don't look as tired any more. I might have to invest in the original size, but this little sample is a cute version of the normal packaging!

I've always wanted to own some Korres products after finding out about them on Polyvore. It's a Greek brand that uses only natural ingredients that are highly concentrated (and all their packaging is fab). I can't wait to use this shower gel as it smells super fresh and clean.

This ModelCo power lash mascara has a brush designed specially to reach even the smallest lashes, making an even bigger impact than usual. I applied it over the little amount I had on from this morning and it really has made a difference:

Before / After

These baked mango things don't look too appetizing for something that's meant to be 'sweet,' as to me it actually looks like meat. But I tried one and it was lovely! It actually tasted just like a dried sweet, no meat flavours involved.

This hair healing oil by Agave smooths frizz, tames volume and polishes dry hair. It's made from the agave plant, as its amino sugars lock onto the hair to hold moisture, with other natural ingredients like coconut, sunflower and vanilla. I'll use this tonight!

This was by far the most interesting product I received. I actually thought it was some kind of stress ball at first glance, due to its unique egg shape and packaging. It's actually a makeup blender, with a cleansing soap! So cool. You're meant to wet the sponge, squeeze out the water and dab it into your foundation and then your face for a flawless base. I'll use this when I do my makeup in the morning.

I'm also using the 'Happy Days' photo holder in my bedroom.

Did you like what you received in the September Birchbox? Did you get anything different?

🌸 Indy 🌸

Birthday!

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days, I've been really busy this week with going back to school. School is fun as it's my last year, but there's a lot of final decisions to be made very early on, which is also stressful. I need to apply for 5 universities but I really want to go to Northumbria for the Fashion and Marketing course. If anyone knows of any other reputable universities that do a similar course (technical side of constructing and designing garments as well as the marketing aspect) please let me know!

On Saturday it was also my 18th birthday! I spent most of the day at work, but it ended well as I work with some lovely people and they surprised me with presents at the end of my shift. :) I then went home and spent time with family, then got ready at mine with friends and champagne to go round town. Here are some the things I got for my birthday;

This gorgeous Amy mini rose gold Marc by Marc Jacobs watch from Robbie (aka the best boyfriend in the world)... I also like the normal-sized ones but as my wrists are so bony we thought a mini would look more suitable, and I love it. It was way too big to begin with so I had some links taken out and now it's perfect.

Robbie also got me the Purple Oasis Reebok workout shoes I blogged about the other week! Yay! The classics were sold out but for some reason these appeared on the Size website in my size, and they're so comfy!

My Mum had bought me my T in the Park ticket in July as I'd begged to go for my 18th, so that was my main present. She also got me champagne, a wine glass and I'm getting a new phone hopefully tomorrow!

My nan gave me money and chocolates, grandma and grandad gave me money and a necklace, and everyone else gave me money and little cute things. :)

My Dad got me this cute '18' bracelet with a little love heart on the other side, money and a wine glass.

My friend gave me these lovely macaroons, they're so pretty I don't want to eat them...

Another friend bought me this amazing necklace.

Lots of champagne...

And lots of glasses to drink it from!

I couldn't resist spending some of my birthday money on these things...

White rubber platform shoes from Topshop, £46 - they're ridiculously comfy and so beautiful. I can't wait to wear them out this weekend... If you buy them I'd recommend going a size down from your usual size, as for me and a couple of reviewers on the website, their usual size was too big. 

These black Chelsea boots were from New Look for £30. Again, they're really comfy and there's no doubt I'll be wearing them as much as possible in the near future!

I also bought the jeans in the photo above from New Look for £22.99, they're a really soft kind of denim and very easy to wear.

I bought this cream/white plain cami from New Look too for £9.99! I realise I'm starting to sound like a massive fan of New Look, but I've only recently actually started going in there to buy things. If you look hard enough you will find some nice clothes! ;)

I bought the playsuit with this pattern from Topshop for £34(?) and wore it out on my birthday. If you buy it for yourself, I'd recommend going a size down due to the neoprene-type material. I got a size 6 and even that still had quite a bit of space left in it.

Robbie bought me these dogtooth print cigarette trousers from Topshop, £42. They're fab and look really smart. I'll wear them with my new shoes (either pair!) and cami.

Teen Girl Bedrooms

Your bedroom is one of the places you'll spend the most time throughout your teenage years (if not just wasting time, then sleeping), so it's important to make your room a place you'll feel comfortable and like being in. Girly colours, mirrors, pictures and CLOTHES are what makes up my bedroom - a 'tour' will come when my bedroom is looking less like a cupboard and more like a room.

I love these bedrooms I found on Pinterest. If you spot a bedroom you know, please tell me so that I can credit these lovely people - sources are way too hard to find on Pinterest, unfortunately. :(

Found on Fairy Nests. If you're looking for any more bedroom inspiration, look there for hundreds of cute spaces.

This cat is adorable. I want him. I must have him.

Tee Vee Dinner's bedroom.

"My bedroom was undeniably inspired by Kat’s room in 10 Things I Hate About You."

And finally, coolest teen girl ever, Tavi Gevinson's bedroom!

White Nails

White nails used to remind me of being bored in lessons and using a Tipp Ex pen as a makeshift nail varnish, though they are really 'in' at the moment. I decided to paint my own - using actual polish this time!

Before applying the base coat.

I always use a base coat for multiple reasons:

• it makes your nails smoother for easier application
• prevents discolouration of the nails
• ensures that the polish will last longer
• promotes healthier nails (most base coats contain calcium, vitamin E and aloe vera)
• adds shine

I use Barry M's all-in-one base coat, top coat and nail hardener. It's really easy to apply and dries so quickly!

This is my nails after applying the base coat. They look way healthier than in the photo above, and they're shiny and smooth.

I painted my nails using the white nail varnish that came with an old manicure set I found in my collection. It wasn't my first choice but I didn't have time to go out and buy a new one, and it did work!

You can also buy white nail varnishes from a number of brands I love; Maybelline, L'Oreal, Rimmel London (their 'Hot White Love' colour is by Rita Ora, Barry M and Opi (they have a whole range of white shades!)

As I am rubbish at painting my nails and always end up covered in nail varnish, I use a cotton earbud dipped in nail varnish remover as a kind of pen to remove any excess polish around the edges of my nails (and face or wherever it usually ends up)!

It's still not a perfect manicure, but my little perfecting trick makes them a lot better than before. I won't post a photo of the mess I made as it's more '5-year-old painting session' than '17 year old girl with years of nail painting experience'...

White nails tend to make skin look like it has a healthy glow, as well as being a shade that goes with absolutely everything you wear. I'll definitely be repainting my nails white when it comes off.