HOW TO: Apply false lashes!

The question I get asked the most! If you follow my Instagram (IAMCLAUDIAWRIGHT) you will probably notice how many comments I get regarding my eyelashes! "How do you have the time to put them on every day?" "Does it not take you ages?" "Which eyelashes do you use?" So I decided to record a video to reveal all. Excuse the hideous lighting and my awful appearance, I have been living in the library lately and have been fully embracing the cave girl look.

Does anyone else struggle with applying eyelashes?
Hope this video helps!
Claudia
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Philip Kingsley Elastisizer: The Holy Grail for blondes.

As a natural brunette, any sort of product containing bleach is bound to damage my hair. About a year and a half ago I decided to get blonde highlights, just to lift the colour of my dark brown hair and make it more 'summery'. Gradually over time I have been getting more and more, and am now a fully-fledged blonde, the only downside being I now only own about three strands of hair.

Until about a year ago I had never bought a single hair product. (Apart from shampoo and conditioner, which don’t count) It wasn’t until I saw a tweet by Abbey Clancy urging all bleached blondes to invest in Philip Kingsley's 'Elastisizer'. I did a little research, and discovered that it had won the title of 'best deep conditioning treatment' for the past two years in a row. Although it was a little on the expensive side I bit the bullet and bought some. (£27.50/ 150ml) It works differently to the majority of other treatments, as you use it before you shampoo, as opposed to afterwards.

The instructions say to apply a small amount to the whole head, leave for around 30 minutes, then continue to shampoo and condition as normal. By looking at the tiny tub of treatment, and the length of my locks, I presumed I would use it all up in about three applications, but I couldn't be more wrong. I used just a little more than the size of a 50p and worked it through my hair from root to tip. The product comes with a plastic shower cap to wrap your hair in whilst the 'Elastisizer' works its magic, but a lot of the reviews I read recommended to use a warm towel to retain the heat and 'encourage the ingredients to penetrate.



During

After washing and drying my hair as normal, I could notice a difference straight away. I found it a lot easier to brush my hair, and found less hair was snapping off as I did so. I continued to use the product once a week for a month (as suggested for blondes with extremely dry and damaged hair) and have noticed my hair feels a lot stronger and looks visibly thicker and healthier. And the best part is, I haven't even used half of the tub yet! Definitely a product I will be repurchasing.



Before and After

Thank-you Abbey!

"Looking this good don't come cheap!" But how much are students willing to pay for beauty?

Adapting to life as a student is pretty tough. For those who move out, it becomes our first time paying bills, paying rent, and paying for our own food. Disposable income becomes almost non-existent.

My 'dressing table'

I moved out when I was 18, but since that day, almost four years ago, I have not let my beauty regime suffer. I think I would rather eat soup for a week than have to buy a cheap substitute for my Estee Lauder Double Wear. In fact, I think I may have even stepped it up a notch or two. Since being in first year I have worked two jobs, giving me a lot larger income than most students, allowing me the luxury to keep buying quality brands. I worked on the beauty counter at John Lewis for a while, which was fabulous for discovering new treasures, but terrible for my impulsive buying streak.

I interviewed other students to see the level of importance beauty products have during their time at university. Are big brand names still important? Or are students willing to purchase more 'drug store' brands like Rimmel and Barry M?

Also, if money was really tight, which three products couldn't we live without?

Bex Pope, 21

Brand names are important as I only use certain brands for certain things like MAC or Laura Mercier foundation and the Benefit brow kit. MAC is my ultimate favorite because I always seem to find myself going back to their products. Plus I find their products are better on my face than any other.

Foundation, brows and a good solid contour are the three things I couldn’t live without as I can't cope with my large round face!

Rachel Husband, 21

I don't wear make up on a day to day basis, because I'm on a budget. I usually spend around £50-60 every couple of months on brands like MAC and Benefit, however I regularly buy cheaper eye brow pencils, mascaras and lipsticks. When I do have more income I like to treat myself to Lime Crime as the colours are way more vibrant and they don't test on animals which is a huge bonus.

Beth Cooney, 21

On average I'll spend about £20 each month on my beauty basics. My favourite brand is MAC, especially for foundation and eye make-up. I also like Benefit.

Kelly Crampton, 21

I probably spend around £30 a month on cosmetics. Brand names are very important because I want to buy from an established company, and I like to spend more on high end products as I know they are better for my skin. MAC is my favourite brand because the products are faultless and always give me a good coverage. The price is fair for the quality of the products.

I couldn’t live without Benefit Brow-zings in dark, MAC Studio fix fluid in NW 13 and MAC lipstick in 'please me' because it makes my lips pop with every outfit.

Heather Milner, 22

I probably spend around £100+ on beauty per month. Brand names are important as they usually have more money/research behind them but I'd never buy a moisturiser just because it's Dior. I'd rather go for a reputable skin care company over a designer. My favourite brand is Bare Minerals as it's completely organic, lightweight on the skin, lasts all day, and gives a natural finish.

I couldn’t live without my HD brow pallet, Decleor BB cream and Estée Lauder mascara.

Tara Glover, 21

I'm only bothered about the brand if I know I'm paying for quality. I think you have to pay more for foundation and brushes, but you can get some real bargain lipsticks from Barry M and other brands in places like Superdrug. I do think MAC is the best for quality but I could never afford to have my make-up bag filled with it. My 3 favourite products are Benefit browzings, St. Tropez mousse/fake bake flawless and any mascara.

So it seems the students of Sheffield don’t scrimp when it comes to the slap. The obvious winners here being MAC foundation and Benefit Brow-zings, which at £24.50 doesn't come cheap, but lasts a couple of months. (Perfectly acceptable in my eyes.)

How much do you spend on cosmetics per month?

And which are your beauty must-haves?

Claudia

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