Summer Smooth Service by L'Oreal Professional

This week I was invited to try out the brand new L'Oreal Professional Summer Smooth Service, which guarantees smooth, frizz-free hair for four days, even at 80% humidity. Hurrahs! 

As you can see from this quick snap, my hair is rather frizzy. I often look like a wild mountain bear in the morning. 

So I went along to Barbara Daley Hair & Beauty in Liverpool, a salon which offers L'Oreal Professional services, to see if they could achieve super smooth tresses in 45 minutes.

The treatment involves three steps of L'Oreal Professional Liss Unlimited products: cleansing shampoo, smoothing mask and SOS Smoothing Double Serum. The products are followed by a gorgeous blow dry (a party girls best friend!) then Steampod straightening.

The Liss Unlimited product range contains pro-keratin to repair hair's internal structure, evening primrose oil to sooth and nourish, and kukul nut oil to defend hair from humidity. 

The Steampod (only available in salons) offers a gentler, hydrating alternative to the harsh heat of straighteners, perfect to create the summer smooth look. 

My hair isn't the worst in the world when it comes to a frizzy mane, but I was really impressed with the transformation. I imagine that you would be totally amazed if you had really thick, unruly locks - which is what the service is really made for - as it could glossify the wildest of beasts.

As you can see, my hair is really smooth and soft. It gave a great shine too, which I've struggled to achieve since I over did it with the blonde highlights last summer. This is a great luxury treatment if you want gorgeously smooth hair for a glam weekend away, or if you're going to a festival and want to brave the elements with style. 

I generally have to wash my hair every day, occasionally every other day if I'm handy with the dry shampoo, so I was slightly sceptical about the four day promise attached to this service. However, I'm writing this blog on day number four, and although I'll be washing it tonight, it doesn't look like the bedraggled mess I'd expect. I was really impressed by how squeaky clean my hair felt after using the Liss Unlimited Shampoo, a great cleanser. 

Also, whilst I was at the Barbara Daley Hair & Beauty salon I had a perfect polish by Jade. I loved it so much I thought I should let everyone see the results. I trapped my hand in a taxi door (mega ouch) about six months ago, and I've been a bit ashamed of one rather damaged nail ever since. After 30 minutes with Jade though, my hands were transformed. Amazing colour, right?

Find which salons near you offer the Summer Smooth Service here. Recommended service price £15 - £20. 

Top Beauty Products for Yummy Mums-To-Be

Pregnancy may be a time of joy and excitement, but let’s face it, it’s not all youthful glow and ample bosom. Nine months of having a little life-form somersaulting at 3am, adding anything between 10 to a million pounds to your body, it’s exhausting. The days of negotiating an aisle with dexterity and grace are a distant memory.  But fear not, there are beauty products out there to help…

Illustration by Rose Sturdy

Combat stretch marks with… Clarins Stretch Mark Control, £37

Every mum-to-be needs a helping hand when it comes to stretch marks, no matter how supple their skin. Clarins Stretch Mark Control is a perfume-free lotion which contains a number of plant extracts to help fight the cause. Upon application you can feel a slight soothing tingle as the product stimulates the skin. It helps to protect the skin’s elastin, reduces redness of existing stretch marks and stimulates the repair of new ones – perfect! A top tip is to start applying before marks appear. 

Kick the cankles with…  Cowshed Udderly Gorgeous Leg and Foot treatment, £18.50

‘My feet look like pig’s trotters…’ Oh the joys of pregnancy. Hot weather and a big bump is a one-way ticket to the chunkiest ankles in town. Soothe swollen legs with Cowshed’s Udderly Gorgeous Leg and Foot Treatment, which is wonderfully cooling after a long day of being significantly rounder than before. 

Banish dark spots with… Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Corrector, £29

A common by-product of pregnancy is Melasma, the discolouration of skin, thanks to all those lovely hormones. Discolouration usually lessens several months after giving birth, but for the interim this serum by Clinique helps to even skin tone and prevents the appearance of new dark spots. In true Clinique style, this ‘damage eraser’ has a gentle formula, so it’s suitable for use on the face too.

Pamper and restore dry skin with… Lancôme Nutrix Royal £39 for 400ml 

This super nourishing body lotion by Lancôme is the ultimate pamper product if your skin is dull and tired. It smells like a holiday to Mauritius, and leaves skin seriously soft thanks to its intense lipid repair formula.

Cleanse and re-energise with… Champneys Blissful Bump Shower Cream, £6

The Champneys Blissful Bump range has a powerful punch of ginger, and their moisturising shower cream is a great way for tired yummy mummies to re-energise. It might not quite make up for a whole sleepless night, but every little helps!

What are your hero pregnancy products? Comment below, tweet @PoutOutProud on Twitter or write a message on the Pout Out Proud Facebook page xx

Urban Decay Fall 2013 Launch Preview!

Hold the front page. Urban Decay have a brand new launch for Fall 2013, available in stores from August 5th 2013. 

Most excitingly (for me anyway, a true lippy fiend) they're releasing a whole new line of gorgeous, seriously sexy lipsticks. Say hello to the new Urban Decay Revolution Lipsticks... The colours are AMAZING, the packaging is deliciously Urban Decay, they're super moisturising and genuinely long-lasting. I'm SO impressed. Here are the 20 new shades due to hit stores soon:

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick Full Swatch (excluding online exclusives), £14 each

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Shame, Venom and F-Bomb

How sexy is Shame, pictured above on the left? This deep sexy berry shade is UD founder Wende Zomnir's fave! 

My stand out shades from the range are: 

Bang - A fiery orange like no other, this is perfect if you like a knock-out pout. It's eye-catching and feisty. I love this for sun-drenched afternoons with extravagant cocktails. 

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Bang

69 - This red is perfect for those who usually fear the boldness of rouge. It has a slightly pink undertone which makes teeth look super white and warms the complexion. 

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in 69

Anarchy and Obsessed (used together) - These two shades blend together beautifully to create a super sweet petal pout. Anarchy is a really powerful, vibrant pink, while Obsessed is candy cute. Love!

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Anarchy and Obsessed

Urban Decay have also cleverly released a range of corresponding lip liners '24/7 Glide on Lip Pencil', so you achieve the perfect finish. 

Top tip: For the intense colours (reds, darks) line the lip and shade in with the pencil before applying the lipstick, for lip colour that lasts all night long.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Lip Pencil, £12 each

Urban have also brought out a totally transparent lip liner, Ozone, which can be used as a clever way to stop bleeding on any shade of lippy. Simply apply to the very edge of the lip to act as a sealant. 

Following on from the success of their Eyeshadow Primer Potion (their 3rd highest seller in the US) UD have revamped the existing formula, making it smoother and introducing anti-ageing ingredients. Guaranteed stay-put-ability with added extras. What more could you wish for? 

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, £17

To create a really flawless finish, UD have also brought out a finishing powder, available in light, medium light, medium, medium dark and dark. This super finely milled powder is pigment rich, so a little goes a long way. It has a slight shimmer as opposed to being totally matte, so it adds a slight luminosity without looking like an accident in Claire's Accessories has occurred. A handy product to reduce shine and minimise the appearance of those pesky pores. 

The best thing though is the light weight packaging. UD really understand the importance of having products which are handbag ready. 

Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Pressed Finishing Powder, £21

Hooray! Urban Decay is bringing edgy Nail glamour back. Having discontinued their nail colour ranges a few years ago, Vice and Addiction will be the first colours available again. Hyper glossy, long wearing and undoubtedly Urban Decay, I love these sexy shades. 

Urban Decay Nail Colour in Vice and Addiction, £10 each

Urban Decay have been getting all glam scientist it would seem, as they are the first cosmetic brand to engineer a spray which contains the vitamin B6. They claim that it reduces pores, minimises redness and absorbs oil - simply spritz the face before applying make-up for a boost of antioxidants. I haven't had the chance to give this product a trial yet, but I'm rather intrigued!

Urban Decay B6 Spray, £21

And last but not least, Urban Decay have redesigned their brow package. It handily contains everything you need to create brilliant brows, yet is lightweight and compact, perfect for popping into the handbag. With a magnified mirror as well as a standard one, two angled brushes, a duo palette to create the perfect shade and a setting wax (infused aloe, beeswax and coconut) this little box has it all.

Urban Decay Brow Box, available in Brown Sugar or Honey Pot, £19

So what are you most excited about from the new Urban Decay Badass Luxury Fall 2013 launch? What will you be racing to try? Let me know by commenting below, tweeting @poutoutproud or writing on the Pout Out Proud Facebook page xx

New Benefit 'Rockateur' Blush Powder Coming Soon!

Psst! Benefit Cosmetics are soon to be releasing a brand new blusher, Rockateur. I always love the Benefit blushes in their cute little boxes, so I'm really excited to give it a try. Rockateur will be available in stores from September 2013, and for ONE day only on Saturday 27th July in selected stores (see below) 

Related Posts

• See the preview of Urban Decay Fall 2013 launch now!
• Read beauty reviews about Benefit Cosmetics products

Illamasqua Screen Sirens Tutorial at Selfridges Exchange Square

The fabulously daring Illamasqua counter at Selfridges Exchange Square (Manchester, UK) invited me to a preview of one of their live make-up tutorials this week. The tutorials are free to all and take place every Sunday, covering a range of statement looks with that eye-catching Illamasqua twist.

I previewed a tutorial on creating a 'Screen Siren' beauty look, with make-up artist Grace leading the session.
There's a quality I really admire about the 'dare to be different' attitude of Illamasqua, there's a brazenness which you don't always find with other brands.
The step-by-step tutorials are a brilliant way to pick up new techniques. I really enjoyed the tips on contouring, creating high-definition cheekbones with the help of a handful of products. The tutorial was led by an expert in drag artistry, and what a drag artist doesn't know about contouring isn't worth knowing.
Although the featured looks by Illamasqua are seriously bold, even those who prefer a more subtle finish can learn a thing or two.

My stand out products from the tutorial:

Hydra Veil, £27 - an innovative rehydrating gel formula which acts as a moisturiser and a primer for a super flawless base.

Powder Blusher in Disobey, £18 - This soft biscuit shade is perfect for contouring, it's highly pigmented but finely milled, so light layering can achieve the exact level of intensity you're after.

Eye Liner Cake in Mislead, £15.50 - mix with water or Sealing Gel, £7 and apply with an angled brush for seriously dramatic eyes. This won't budge one bit... perfect for a long night out.

Psst! Selfridges Exchange Square beauty hall is holding a number of exciting events around their Denim Lovers campaign, now until August 3rd 2013. Tom Ford are offering complimentary eye makeovers using their cobalt rush palette, while MAC cosmetics will be sharing tips on how to integrate tones of blue into your beauty look.

*POUTOUTPROUD GIVEAWAY: JOHN FRIEDA FULL REPAIR RANGE*

ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN: John Frieda Full Repair Hydrate & Rescue Shampoo, Conditioner and Deep Conditioner, Repairing Oil Elixir, Flyaway Tamer

Pout Out Proud is giving you the chance to win a selection of John Frieda's brilliant Full Repair range, worth over £35! If your hair is showing the signs of daily wear and tear, then this one is for you. The Full Repair range is a great way of boosting hair health, leaving locks beautifully soft and hydrated.

To be in with a chance, all you have to do is:

1. Like the Pout Out Proud Facebook page

2. Share and Like the John Frieda Full Repair giveaway post! 

TWO winners will be chosen at random on Monday 22nd July 2013 - so enter now!

Hair Repair: Redken Extreme Review

After years of dying my hair every shade of blonde under the sun - heck, even a splash of pink here and there - my hair has finally given out on me. I thought I was invincible, but no. The glory days are over. Now no dressing table of mine is complete without at least a gazillion stands of freshly-malted hair... SO attractive.

Not one to admit defeat, (I've been growing my hair for quite some time, and I'll be damned if I'm giving in now) I've got my locks under serious TLC management. I've been using Redken Extreme range as part of my hair care routine for the last two weeks - shampoo, conditioner, CAT and anti-snap - and my hair has already visibly improved.

I use the Redken Extreme CAT Protein Reconstructing Treatment (£14.30) spray every few washes, spritzing to damp hair after shampooing and leaving for 5 minutes, before rinsing and conditioning. The spray contains ceramide and protein to rebuild hair strength, without adding excess weight (so no lank greasiness, phew!) 

My standout product from the range is the Redken Extreme Anti-Snap (£14.30), which I use after every wash. It acts as a great de-tangler, restores that much needed hair strength, and contains heat protection too. I was very impressed by how soft my hair felt after just one use, and there was no stickiness as a result of the extra product. 

*Psst! Damaged hair? SEE POUT OUT PROUD'S JOHN FRIEDA FULL REPAIR GIVEAWAY - Starts Monday 8th July on our Facebook page*

*NEW* Benefit Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer

Benefit Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer, £24.50

Benefit's latest release claims to act like a magnet, keeping your foundation locked in place all day long... and it does not disappoint. It's nice and creamy in consistency, and glides across the skin to provide a perfectly prepped base. My foundation didn't shift one bit until I hit the make-up remover in the early hours, it's a party girl must-have.