Save or splurge: Salt sprays

Summer has well and truly been and gone but despite the drab weather that's currently spreading across the UK, there's no need to say goodbye to sexy, beachy hair just yet. As a student, sometimes I can be strapped for time and a great way to create effortless volume, body and texture is to use a salt spray.

The Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray* is an absolute classic. It's the original. The best. And it's without a doubt a wonderful product. A few spritzes into wet hair and a quick blast of the hair-dryer will transform your locks from dull to "beach-perfection" in an instant. At £21.50 it's pricey but if you're not willing to splash out and invest just yet, they do offer a 50ml alternative which retails for £9.50.

Since the explosion of the salt spray, many different brands have brought out alternative (and much more affordable) options. Umberto Giannini’s Glam Hair Tousled Salt Spray* requires a bit more work but as it retails for £5.61, the extra effort is worth it. A similar concept to Bumble and Bumble's offering; a couple of spritzes into the hair, a blast of the hair-dryer and a tiny bit of hot iron curling and you're good to go for the day.

The better of the two? Nothing comes close to Bumble and Bumble's version in my opinion - it's so effortless - but when Umberto Giannini's offering saves you £15.89, it's hard to resist a good bargain. You can buy the Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray here and the Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Tousled Salt Spray here.

Do you use salt sprays? Which ones are your favourites?
*PR Sample
This post has been edited and adapted from this one by The Linc as I am the Deputy Style Editor of the publication.

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MAKE UP | Eyes Lips Face

ELF is a brand that I've delved into before. In the past, I've been impressed by their mineral blushers, a couple of their lipsticks and a few eyeliners. However, it's a brand that I've neglected a lot over the past few years. You see, I'm someone who likes to physically buy things - I still regularly go into HMV and buy a CD for example - and it's no different when it comes to make up. I like to see the product in front of me, give it a little test out and with ELF, that's something that isn't possible in the UK. After receiving a couple of products from the brand, I've become a tiny bit annoyed at myself as the quality - and price - is outstanding.

Studio Matte Lip Colour in Rich Red* - £3.75

As someone who is a big fan of lip crayons, I had high expectations for this. The colour itself is stunning and it's a true red with a hint of pink. The lip crayon glides onto the lips, making it easy to apply and the lightweight formula means that it feels comfortable to wear. I get around 4 hours wear on the lips with regular eating and drinking which isn't half bad at all. The lip crayon is enriched with Vitamin A, C and E to moisturise the lips and I haven't had a problem with this drying my lips out. However, I definitely recommend using a lip scrub and balm beforehand to ensure they stay hydrated. I've ended up being a big fan and despite the vibrant colour that scares me off sometimes, it's a lip colour I'm sporting often. I also have my eye on Coral and Tea Rose - they look more wearable and more "me."

Studio Shimmer Palette* - £3.75

I could literally rave about this palette all day long. As someone who is new to highlighting the skin, I was extremely excited when the postman graced my morning (or afternoon considering he doesn't usually arrive until 1pm) with this little beauty. The packaging is once again lovely and has an expensive, luxe feel to it. It includes a mirror and a brush - and the brush is quite decent. The shimmers themselves are stunning, which I'm sure you can see from the swatches above. They're nicely pigmented, creamy and really complete a make up look. I use these in my tear duct to brighten my eyes up, on my cheekbones and on my cupids bow and they give my skin a healthy and natural glow. What's even better is the fact that these last and last. I applied the champagne pink before a night out at 8pm and when I arrived home at 3am, the shimmer was still there. Intact and looking as vibrant as ever.

Have you tried anything from ELF before? What products would you recommend?
*PR Sample

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MAKE UP | Per-fekt Lip Perfection Gel in Melrose

Today, I have a story that I'd like to tell you. Sit back, relax and I hope that you enjoy the latest "product discovery" to grace my collection.

Once upon a time there was a young girl called Jemma who had a lipstick obsession. This lipstick obsession would've been all well and good if it wasn't for Jemma's awful lips. They were thin, unshapely and lip products tended to stick and highlight any dry patches. One day, there was a knock at the door. Jemma ran out of bed and twirled her way down the stairs and opened the door to see the Postman standing there in front of her. In his hands were a few parcels. Jemma twirled back upstairs and quickly tore them all open. In one of the parcels was a lip product. Jemma tossed it aside thinking to herself that'd be another beautiful lip product that she wouldn't be able to don due to her terrible lips. Fast forward a few days and Jemma was scouring her drawers when she saw the Per-fekt Lip Perfection Gel in Melrose* staring sadly back at her. After a bit of research, Jemma decided to give the product a go. The gel glided onto her lips, revealing the most perfect "my-lips-but-better" shade and instantly plumped her lips up and perfected them. It was love at first application and now, Jemma has found her "go-to" lip product for everyday wear.

The Per-fekt Lip Perfection Gel perfects and enhances the appearance of the lips as it works as a lipstick, lipgloss and lip treatment in one. It effortlessly glides onto the lips and improves the appearance of dry, chapped and thin lips while offering a hint of colour. It uses many different ingredients (such as hyaluronic microspheres, peptides, jojoba, vitamin A and C, spearmint and many more) which combine together to moisturise, reduce the appearance of fine lines, stimulate the production of collagen and taste great. The applicator, in my opinion, works as a lip scrub as it exfoliates the lips and buffs away any chapped skin leaving behind beautiful looking lips with a touch of colour. For a product that I originally showed no interest in, this lip gel has quickly become an everyday love of mine that I couldn't live without.

You can buy the Lip Perfection Gel here where it retails for £16.20.

Have you tried any products by Per-fekt? What are your favourite lip products?
*PR Sample

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WISHLIST | South Africa's equivalent to Primark & competition

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Just when I thought Primark was "the one", I stumbled upon MRP. Basically, MRP are the South African equivalent to Primark except their prices and clothing range are better and cheaper. The cheapest item in the collage above is just £2 with the most expensive being £12 - incredible. I've spent the entire morning (procrastinating as usual) browsing the website and falling in love with so many pieces. Above is just a small selection of items that I'll be ordering once my student loan graces my bank account. I've been in need of a new wardrobe for yonks now and MRP seems like the perfect place to start. They also ship to the UK for just £4 (or for free if you spend over £34) which is cheaper than some UK high street stores. 

What's better is that MRP are running a competition where you can win a years supply of clothing from them. All you have to do be in with a chance of winning is click here and enter a few details.

Have you ever heard of MRP before? Do you think you'll be checking out their website?

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MAKE UP | MUA One Direction Cheek Tint in Coral Cutie

After falling head over heels in love with the MUA One Direction Lipstick in Moments, I knew I had to explore the collection further and after seeing rave reviews about the Cheek Tints, I searched high and low in order to get my mitts on one. I went into four Superdrugs when I was in the New Forest for five days a few weeks ago and the majority of the collection was sold out. Southampton ended up being my saviour and I managed to quickly snap up the Cheek Tint in Coral Cutie.

As you can tell from the image above, mine sadly melted in the heat so although it's still usable, it's no longer as pretty looking. The packaging isn't as beautiful as the lipsticks (it's pretty childish if I'm being honest) but it's practical and makes the tint easy to apply. I dot this onto my cheeks and blend it by pushing it into my skin using my Real Techniques Stippling Brush. It gives the cheeks a hint of colour and despite there being no shimmer in it, it makes the complexion look glowing. The colour is beautiful and the formula is nicely pigmented. The swatch above shows the product heavily swatched but a couple of light dots of this onto your cheeks is more than enough. It lasts all day long once set with powder and for £3, it's an absolute bargain.

You can buy this Cheek Tint here where it retails for £3. You can also browse the entire MUA and One Direction collection here.

Have you tried anything from the MUA One Direction range?

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