Rebalancing after pregnancy : part 2 haircare!

If you have read part 1 of this series (thanks for visiting again!) you will know that after baby my skin shrivelled and dried up like old fruit and the very same thing happened to my head! 

When baba was about 3 months all of the gorgeous thick hair I had accumulated during my pregnancy began falling out in giant clumps , I heard this happened but holy crap I could of made 2 extra wigs with what came out in the first week. At the same time I got really bad dry scalp and a really sensitive scalp so the usual head & shoulders suddenly burned my scalp so was way too harsh to use. So began my looooong search for a cure. I tried so many different shampoos over the last few months before I found this combo that's been doing the job for me. 

First up is this fantastically scientific offering from Bioderma node ds+ €13.50

I apologise for this photo my before ones that I always take have disappeared ! 

This is an intense shampoo formulated specifically to eliminate dandruff whilst still being really gentle. 

So how this works is for the first 3 weeks you use this 3 times per week and thereafter 1/2 times per week depending on how you feel you need it. To use you leave it on for 5 minutes before rinsing off , the massive bonus for me with this was how soft it made my hair it was like using a really good conditioning treatment the second you start to rinse hair feels so silky. I used a kerastase treatment in the run up to my wedding and it was really similar to the results there. 

So back to the main purpose! By week 3 my dry flaky can't leave the house it's so bad scalp was finally cleared! Once I switched to the once a week use I started using

  Tresemme luxurious moisture think I got on offer for about €5 

shampoo for the in between washes this has been great as it dosnt bring the dry scalp back which others did plus it's just a great easy use shampoo. 

Next up in the series I'll talk about all the new make up I had to buy too (lol) 

This post contained a mix of pr samples and ones I purchased myself. 

Rebalancing after pregnancy :part one skincare

 Baby sparkle is now 8 months old and thankfully he now has a full bill of health. I'm not sure if it's the norm or if it's because I had a really difficult time after but my body just went crazy in particular my skin and hair. It took me about 6 months of trialing different products to finally get the right balance again, I am still searching for the right exfoliator to finish the routine so I'd love for you to comment with any reccomendations. 

I kept reading so much about a double cleanse I figured it would be a good place to start so I use 

Blumain organics cleansing oil

This is lovely as it's really gentle and adds moisture rather than taking away like most cleansers. This also has the added bonus of being completely natural. 

Rrp: €19.95

Followed by 

NIA cleansing balm 

This is a little touch of luxury for daily routine it comes in a fab tin with cloths included. You apply onto face with sticks provided( I couldn't get hang so used my fingers!) it feels lovely on leaves a really nice softness and again isn't drying at all. 

Rrp: €19.95

For toner I have been using 

Lotion yonka 

I absolutely love this it's pure luxury but really good value for money as the bottle goes very far. Just a little spritz adds lovely glow to your face and keeps it from drying. It smells amazing too a definite favorite that will be repurchased for many years to come. 

Rrp: €30.50

 For moisturiser and this little treasure from NeoStrata 

Its a really moisturising really comfortable cream and like it says on the tin it really does restore! 

My skin before was deeply lined, greyish looking and plagued with flaky patches around my nose, chin, hairline and brows. Even thinking back makes me shudder. 

My skin after is a lot more youthful looking its softer and holds moisture in a huge leap forward from the dehydrated mess I started with! 

Rrp: €46.95 40g 

As I said I'm still on the hunt for the right exfoliator as the ones I have always used are way too harsh for me now. 

Did your skin totally change with pregnancy? Let me know in comments x 

This post features pr samples. 

Voya Ritzy Spritzy

I was first introduced to Voya a few months ago during a trip to The Twelve hotel in Barna.
All of the products supplied in the suite were Voya and it definitely added to the luxury of our stay, fast forward a few months when I was asked if I would like to review Ritzy Spritzy I didn't think twice I was just like hells yeah they're products were amazing I definitely want to try more!
It also helped that I am in the final stretch of my third trimester and I was told that Ritzy Spritzy ( isn't the name amazing!) Would help to keep me cool in the hot weather, seeing as I feel like I'm on fire from the inside I doubted it could do me any harm.

So Ritzy Spritzy is an anti-ageing toner from Voya made with an impressive 94.5% organic ingredients the main one being Voya trade mark ingredient of hand harvested seaweed. Voya has very popular seaweed baths in Sligo which sound amazing and have made the top of my must visit list for next years summer holidays :-)
Voya prides themselves on the simplicity and honesty of their products and it really is something they should be proud of.
I tested Ritzy Spritzy daily for over two weeks before this review and each spray was as lovely as the one before. I used it morning after cleansing before applying make up and then at numerous times during the day to keep myself cool and just to refresh my face a little. The second that you spray it you get that luxury that you would normally associate with a salon treatment, one whiff and you can just tell how good the quality of the product is, I hope you understand what I mean by that? I find with lower end products they can be overly perfumed and just smell cheap.
My wrinkles are definitely less visible but I can't give all the credit to this as I am 39 weeks pregnant right now so I know my face is slightly more 'plump' than it would be regularly ;-) but I definitely notice it more hydrated which I will give 100% credit to Voya for. This worked absolute wonders for keeping me cool in the hot weather that we were having during the testing especially as I felt on fire from the inside out!
I was so impressed with the way that it kept me cool while giving me some luxury that the rest of the bottle is currently sitting in my labour bag waiting to provide me with some loveliness in what I am told is a tropical delivery room.

I am seriously impressed with this product and Voya as a brand especially because they are Irish, actually I may try to do another block of my beautiful Irish brands series and feature some more Voya loveliness in the future. Log onto www.voya.ie take a peek and get yourself some of their products if they are all like the ones I have tried you will not be disappointed. 

Whats in my hospital bags?

Hi everyone
a little break from my regular beauty posts to share what I have been packing into my hospital bag for my upcoming labour! I actually cant believe that I am at 36 weeks already this stage has just flown around for me and with the packing of the bag is now getting very real.

Lots of hospital lists are already out there and have such diversity so this is just my version I will be bringing a bag for labour, one for my hospital stay and as a beauty blogger the important one my washbag! I am a FTM so there may be some bits that I wont use and others that I will send for so dont judge me too harshly! I am just going to dive straight in and if anyone has any questions re quantities ect you can leave a comment at end :)

Labour Bag

2 nightdresses with button down front if you can get them
Maternity Pads-green pack
Long sleeve sleep suit
vest
Nappy
Hat & Mitts
Socks (adult ones!)
Glucose sweets
Cereal Bars
Water

Wash Bag 
This will be in my labour bag to start.

travel size where possible to save space

Shampoo- think I packed head and shoulders!
Shower gel - body shop vanilla brulee
Water Spray I've got LA Roche posay and avene and am considering adding in voya ritzy spritzy for making me feel lovely after! ( am I going overboard with these?)
toothbrush & paste
dental floss
deoderant
razor
2 face cloths
Lip balm - I've a Mia and Dom peppermint & lavender pot and LA Roche posay stick balm.
Simple moisturizer
Bioderma micellar water travel size
Hair band,clips & bobbins
Holos happy momma oil
Vaseline & sudocreme

All of this is housed in the beautiful eve wash bag from the quintessential .

Of course there is also my make up to consider , I will be going minimalist with it but I still need a little bit. It took me a while to decide what would come with me but I have decided on rimmel 25 hour foundation and my real techniques buffing brush for application, physicians formula happy booster blush its so pretty plus has the bonus of having a mirror if I can't get one elsewhere. I also would of added my physicians formula mineral wear powder but it got smashed and so would be far too messy :(
Next in is fuschia eyebrow kit and an angle brush for application, my rimmel scandal eyes mascara will also be making the trip as will wet n wild lipstick in pinkerbell to give me a pop of colour. So that's pretty minimalistic at only 5 makeup items especially when I imagine I'm going to need every bit of make up I can lay my hands on!

Main Bag

My main bag is mostly made up of very practical things

2 dark towels
Nightdresses & PJs - I got a tip from friend to get the button down front PJs, to wear a vest top with bottoms and then use the shirt part instead of a dressing gown for when I need it as in July it should be too hot to use gown.
Bridget jonses , lol you all know what I mean :-)
4 packs maternity towels
1 pack size 1 nappies - I've gone for pampers
Cotton wool
Water wipes
Cellular blankets
Baby towels
Muslin cloths
Baby hats & scratch mitts
8 baby sleep suits
8 vests
Cardigans- my mam knitted these as I couldn't find any and just couldn't get into the mind frame of knitting them myself.
Bibs
Breast pads
2 nursing bras even though I'm not planning to BF
Flip flops
Phone charger-very important for all the showing off after I imagine :-).

All of the baby clothes I have bought in size 0-1 as at 35 weeks baby is already 6lb and I've been told is gonna be a big baby!

I'd really appreciate if you would let me know any tips or anything you think I have left out in the comments so I can add more to my stash :-)

Mia & Dom skincare

Holding my hands up in apology as I start this post I'm a day late getting published! Had some pregnancy news that floored me a bit yesterday ( all good) :-) 
I've been testing these bits from Mia and Dom skincare which FYI is named after creator Jennifer's children which I adore and also wonder if there is a fast and furious connection?
I have tested out the calming baby massage oil, spearmint & lavender lip balm and the organic morning sickness balm.
As I am in my third trimester I have tested the morning sickness balm and the baby massage oil in slightly differ:-) ent way than intended but I think its good to show a products diversity :-) 

Calming baby massage oil
Starting off with the massage oil obviously as I am still pregnant it means that baby isn't here yet ( that's how it works ;) but I have been using this as a belly massage oil to soothe myself and baby when there is lots of kicking going on. Now this might be true I have no idea but I have wrangled a few lovely gentle belly massages from my lovely husband on the pretense that it is his bonding time with baby, I don't normally set out to trick but the massages are so relaxing!
This massage oil has a gorgeous consistency its just a little thick just enough that it doesn't run off your hands when you pump it on. Its not greasy feeling at all but just a small amount allows a good length of massage before it dries in. The massage oil also gives a lovely warming sensation while your using it. The oil left my skin feeling really soft and moisturized feeling very supple. I am very excited to use this on baby when he/she arrives and will report on that experience in the future.

Organic morning sickness balm

Oh how I wish I had this in the first 18 weeks of my pregnancy when I was suffering with hypermesis and living in misery! Fortunately the morning sickness went away but it does mean that this balm couldn't be tested properly for its true purpose. I have however been having a fair bit of nausea over the last few weeks not sure if its anxiety from impending arrival or if its from lack of space in my belly? So I have been using the nausea as a mild replica of morning sickness to test out this balm. To use you rub some under your nostrils and onto your temples. It has a really refreshing scent which I can imagine would help you feel better during morning sickness ( I used to smell Vick vapo rub!) So for a quick fix you could just open lid and take a whiff. I used as instructed and it definitely removed or greatly reduced my nausea, I have to admit I've been carrying this in my handbag not for any sickness reasons but just that I like how refreshed it makes me feel when I use it :-)  so although I haven't been able to comment on its true purpose I do like the balm.

Lavender and peppermint lip balm

When I fell pregnant something very strange happened , well actually lots of strange things happened but the one I'm referring to is that I started to really like lavender? it was my most hated fragrance before and since being pregnant is one of my favorites i have even used a lavender body oil the whole way through to combat stretch marks! 

When i saw lavender and peppermint in the same tin though i did wonder a bit its not really something i would of ever put together but i stand corrected because it is really really nice. You kind of get the refreshing tingle of peppermint with lovely relaxing slightly luxurious lavender. Its funny when you smellit in the tin too because you can definitely pick out the two distinct scents but they blend so well together at same time. THe lip balm is fab for keeping moisturised especially in this hot weather and this one has now made its way directly into my labour bag :-) 

I have really enjoyed testing these and will be rushing back to find more once baby has arrived to make sure he/she has lots of lovely things! 

You can purchase all of the products mentioned and more on 

Miadomskincare.com

And dont forget to give them a follow on their social media accounts too 

Facebook: mia & dom skin care

Twitter: @miaanddom

Apologies im on my phone just putting in these details but once home later i will change these to direct links x 

Spongelle Ireland Pedi Buffer

A quick blog post this evening I couldn't let the evening pass without posting immediately about the amazing Spongelle ireland pedi buffer. It has been a long time since I was this quickly impressed with a product. 

So with the gorgeous weather today my feet were in my sandals for the first time this year and after the day I was embarrassed to look down and see the absolute state of them! I've got 7 weeks left of my pregnancy and to be fair haven't seen my feet in a while so I allow myself a slight bit of leeway but I then remembered about the pedi buffer I've been threatening to use for the longest time. It has a soft side for cleansing and a buffing side for exfoliation. 

I'm actually so glad I kept it until now and I have fallen in love, it straight away eased my achey feet and made me feel like I was in the middle of a luxurious pampering session. Not only did it feel amazing but it has dramatically reduced the terrible look of my feet and made them look and feel human again. Excuse the yucky feet pics but they must be included for the sake of blogging! 

You can clearly see the dramatic difference in the amount of dry skin between both! 

The pedi buffer has 20 uses and I already know I am going to wear this right out. 

This is an absolute summer feet essential everybody ( especially pregnant ladies) should get themselves one. 

The pedi buffer retails at a very reasonable €12 and is available from Spongelle ireland - studio wax drogheda and a number of stockists nationwide. 

This is just a quick post to share how impressed I am but I will definitely be following up with a more detailed post including the fab success story of Michelle from Spongelle ireland x 

Waxperts Beautiful Body oil

A few weeks ago I recieved a lovely surprise of Waxperts brand new Beautiful Body Oil and have been putting it through lots of testing since.

I am a massive fan of Waxperts ingrown hair pads #wonderpads and was very excited for this new launch.

First Impressions were of fantastic packaging with a pin up girl on the inside of the bottle which is a signature waxperts look, the pump on the bottle is great as It lets out the oil in small amounts which I do find a problem with other oils. 

The oil is lavender scented which I normally hate because I find It so overpowering but Waxperts have managed to balance the scent where you have a milder lavender than you get in most cosmetics which was a massive plus for me. 

The oil is really lightweight and its not greasy at all. when you apply it it dries almost instantly and you get none of the stickiness that you can get with some body oils. 

The oil is formulated to be used after waxing but in waxperts style it is a multi use product. It can also be used for soothing sunburn and at night time to help you sleep.  I currently have baby no.1 on board and I have been using this on my belly to prevent stretch marks. I havent had much time to spend applying moisturisers so this has been amazing as It is really easy and quick to apply and dries almost instantly. I have found it really soothing and even used it to soothe my tummy spasms during my morning sickness. 

My skin has never been so soft and I have also been told by Waxperts owner Ellen that baby will remember the scent and I can use it on him/her when they arrive! 

This is a product that deserves as much praise as their first retail product and is very worthy of the #wonderoil. It will remain a staple for me throughout my pregnancy and far beyond. 

Waxperts Beautiful Body Oil is now available to buy on dolledup.ie and in waxperts salons for €9.99.