My Hair History!

Hello Lovelies :)

I recently had my haircut and went for something a bit drastic, something that I didn't think I would have the guts to do. I chopped off all my hair! I always wanted princess locks for as long as I could remember, the kind that you could sit on y'know but I surprised myself the other day and when my step-mum asked me what I would like done, I replied with, "Take it all off!"

In celebration of my new hair cut, which I don't like by the way, I thought I would look back over my hairstyles that I have had over the years and share them with you.

So here goes..

1. Here I am aged about 14 (I'm on the left by the way). My hair is completely natural here and I believe that I was trying to grow it. I really liked this colour and wish I could go back to it now but I'm not sure how hard it would be to get there.

2. In this picture I am about 16 I think. This was taken on Christmas Day 2010 and it was my baby brothers 1st Christmas. I really hate my hair here and I'm not entirely sure what I was thinking haha. The majority of my hair is still it's natural colour but I decided to have blonde put through my fringe and front sections of my hair. Personally, I don't think the curls help matters haha. 

3. I'm 18 in this photo and I was going through a bit of a rebellious stage with my grumpy pose and lip ring. This is where my hair was at it's longest and I think if I could redesign my hair starting from scratch now I would have it this length and in my natural colour. However, here I have recently dyed all of my hair in what was supposed to be a purple colour but turned out more of a redish-brown. 

4. I very quickly got bored of my long hair after someone told me it made me look a lot younger than I was and so I cut a good majority of it off. It's still a redish-brown colour but I now have a short bob with full fringe and I do like this hairstyle a lot. I think I am still 18 here. 

5. As my hair grew out of it's bob, I started to train my fringe into a side swept style. I then dyed it a very vivid red and this is pretty much still the colour that it is today. 

6. This photo was taken just before Christmas 2013. As you can see I let my hair grow out of any style and was trying to grow it long again. It's still a vivid red but doesn't appear to have any real shape at all haha.

7. And here I am now that I've had all of my hair snipped. This is actually a bit long than it really is as after I had had it cut I decided that I wanted more off and so both sides are about an inch shorter than what you see here. I tried to take a picture of it again but I couldn't get as good a representation as this one. It is still red and although I would love to go back to my natural colour, I also know how difficult it is to get red out of your hair. I have tried several times to grow my colour out but after about an inch of brown roots, I just have to dye it again haha. 

Anyway, thank you all so much for reading and I hope that you are all having a lovely week!

Thank you and I'll speak to you soon :)

Charlotte xx

#nomakeupselfie for Cancer Awareness

Hellooooo :)

So who has seen this going around facebook? Maybe you've already done it or have been nominated?

This little hashtag has taken over in a big way and it is a lovely idea. Especially when you see cancer sufferers and survivors getting involved too! I encourage you all to go barefaced and exposed on the internet.

However, if we all donated a pound to Cancer Research or another cancer relatee charity instead (or as well as) imagine how much money we could raise!

I nominate all of you reading this to go makeup free and if you do it, then leave me a link in the comments so I can take a look :)

Thanks for reading and Ill speak to you all soon, xxx

Natural Spring Eyes

I wanted to try a natural look for spring and found an old palette that was perfect for helping me to create the look that I was aiming for.

Sorry for the horrid picture, it was REALLY hard to get a good one of my own eye haha

So hopefully you can see that I have a light pink on the lid and then a light, shimmery brown running through the crease. A thick black line, without the standard flick, lots of black mascara and white eyeliner on the waterline to help open up the eye and give it a bright, fresh look.

I really enjoyed experimenting with this look, although it's not that difficult to create, it's something that I wouldn't usefully opt for so I had a great time playing with the pink and the white eyeliner.

Here are the products I used to create this look:

I don't know if you can get this palette anymore but it should be really easy to find similar colours in your favourite brand.

Thank you for reading and I'll see you all again soon :)
Charlotte xx

Pastel Blue Eyes

I recently read that Pastel Eyes are going to be a spring trend and so I decided to give it a go. The only pastel colours that I own currently are blues in my Chilli Pepper London palette.

Here's the look I created:

With a more pastel turquoise colour on the lid and a darker blue blended through the crease, a thick black line and lots of lovely mascara, I think this is the perfect way to incorporate pastel colours into your look without it being too girly (which you all know by now, I don't like being too girly). 

The blues that I used were: 

As well as a Fearne shimmery loose eyeshadow and these other products: 

I know that this isn't the 'standard' spring look but I wanted to put my own twist on it. 

I hope you like it and I would love to see your take on the pastel trend :) 

Thanks for reading and I'll talk to you all again soon,
Charlotte xx

L'Oreal Feria Review and Thank You!

So first of all I just want to say a MAHOOSIVE thank you to you all!! In under one month I have reached 30 followers here on Hinata Showers and I am so grateful! I didn't even think that one person would be interested in what I said, let alone 30. I have loved writing for you all and I am so excited about the future of this blog. I have so many ideas and I can't wait to share them all with you, so thank you for all your support!


You asked about my hair and I wanted to let you know that the product I used was L'Oreal Feria in Hot Chilli Red and I actually really liked this product. It was easy to use and I really enjoyed the fact that it came with a high shine oil which you added into the dye and I could definitely see the difference in my hair. There was plenty of dye in this pack to cover my whole head and it didn't run at all when it was on. It actually smelt very nice and the smell of the after conditioner was lovely. Considering I had quite a dark base colour to start with, it came out a very bright red and it was also very soft and shiny. All in all, I really like this product and would definitely recommend it.

Thank you all for reading and I'll speak to you really soon :)
Charlotte xx

My Signature Scent

Whenever people see me, they always ask what perfume I'm wearing and it's always the same one! I have been in absolute love with Paco Rabanne's Black XS for as long as I can remember. It's always the one I ask for for birthdays and Christmas and I make sure that I am never without it.

The first thing that I love about this perfume has got to be its bottle. It's almost what I would describe as heart shaped and it is a beautiful dark pink in colour. The smallest size (30ml) fits right in the palm of your hand and I just think it's adorable.

I think this is such an interesting perfume, with lots going on. I've heard it described as a dark scent but I think mysterious is more what I would go for. It's quite fruity and sweet but woody also, and would be great as an evening scent. I, myself, wear it all day everyday but that's not for everyone :) 

It can last a long time before you need to respray but that is dependent on whether you've been outside or not. An average of about 4 hours sniffing is what I would say.

I love this perfume and it's 'rock chick' feel to it but I can see why this is not for everyone. If you haven't smelt it before then I would definitely recommend giving it a go!

You can buy this perfume here.. It comes in 3 sizes and costs are as follows:

• 30ml = £28.00
• 50ml = £38.00
• 80ml = £52.00

So there we have it :) If you ever want to buy me a present, you now know what to get haha

Thanks for reading everyone and I hope you're having a lovely Sunday <3 

Charlotte xx

Beautiful Skin - Inside Out!

We all know how important it is to have a great skin care routine. Cleanser, toner and moisturiser are usually the bare minimum now with so many other products sneaking their ways into our everyday regimes. It's all well and good using these products and hoping that they will make us look 10 years younger and as fresh as a daisy but without eating properly and concentrating on the basics, how well will they really work? 

I'm going back to the very basics, before all the magical creams, and take a look at what we can do ourselves to look beautiful. 

EAT YOUR WAY TO BEAUTIFUL SKIN

1. We all know how important it is to drink plenty but to get glowing skin we should be aiming to get about 6 glasses a day! And that does not include coke or coffee. 
2. Fruit and Vegetables!!!!! I can hear you all now, "5 a day, yes yes we know!" But did you know that carrots, broccoli, apricots, strawberries, watercress and oranges are all skin superfoods, so get them down you as often as you can! 
3. Chocolate hasn't been linked to having problem skin, so you can still indulge in your little choc-attacks. Within reason people! 
4. Skipping meals is a big no-go when it comes to healthy skin so make sure you're sticking to a regular, balanced diet. 

LOOKING AFTER YOUR SKIN IN SUMMER

Winter is on it's way out (thank goodness) and Summer is just around the corner so here's some things to remember for when the sun comes out.

1. Slap on that suntan lotion! Do it before you get dressed as part of your normal moisturising routine. 
2. Don't forget about the skin on your lips. They are so prone to burning and people often miss them out so invest in a lipsalve with SPF.
3. If you can stay out of then sun between 12 and 3. You're all shouting at me again, "We know this!" but how many of you actually do it?! 
4. Buy a fashionable summer hat, one that you really like, and WEAR IT! 

LOOKING AFTER YOUR SKIN IN WINTER

Although we may be seeing a tad more of the sun now, Winter is still lingering and so we need to be protecting our skin from the cold weather. 

1. Cold weather and freezing winds dry out the skin and make us itch so make sure you're covering up and trying to keep as much of your skin away from the elements. 
2. If you're layering up in this weather then make sure the layer closest to your skin is a light cotton as this keeps the skin warm and dry and is less likely to irritate it. 
3. I know you're all dying to hop into a nice hot shower or bath when you get in but the water dries out your skin! I'm afraid that if you want beautiful skin you're gonna have to turn the heat down just a little bit, and keep your time in the water to a bare minimum! 

So there you have it, just a few tips and tricks to save our skin without the expensive products. However, integrating these pointers with your usual regime will most definitely give you the best skin you have ever had! 

Thank you for reading and I'll see you soon,
Charlotte xx

Valentines Nails

Little finger, ring finger, middle finger, index finger and thumb. It's backwards I know, Im sorry!!

So whether you're going out on a hot date, relaxing with some friends or have a pamper night to yourself, you're going to need the perfect Valentines Day nail polish.

I've picked out 5 of my favourite colours that scream Valentines Day.

1. THUMB - Nails inc. South Molton Street
2. INDEX FINGER - Fearne Cotton (Boots no longer stock this but you can find loads of Fearne products on ebay!) 
3. MIDDLE FINGER - Lm Nail Polish Beauty in 22. (You can still find this in some shops, you just have to really search for it!) 
4. RING FINGER - This particular colour by Nails inc is called Chester Place and they no longer make this product however, Nails inc. Shoreditch is very similar! 
5. LITTLE FINGER - Fearne Cotton (Check ebay) 

There you have it! I hope you all have a beautiful Valentines Day whatever you get up to :)

Much love,
Charlotte xx

OOTD! #1

The detailing on my coat is just beautiful!

So today I went for lunch with a friend that I hadn't seen in about 8 years! I had such a lovely time and we talked for ages. Anyways, I really liked my outfit today so I decided to share it with you!

So the jeans are from H&M I believe and are boot cut. I couldn't believe how long it took me to find a pair of decent boot cut jeans that either weren't too long for me or too big around the waist. These are so comfy and I love the colour of them!

Jumper - New Look

Bag - Cath Kidston

Necklace - Claire's

Boots - Dorothy Perkins

Coat - Joe Browns From Russia With Love


Thanks for reading and I'll see you real soon :)
Charlotte x

Some Questions..

1. What is your favourite eye shadow colour to wear?
   
   I love Satin Taupe by MAC.
   
   
2. What's the one product that you wouldn't leave your house without?
   
   Vaseline. I love the Cocoa Butter one and never go anywhere without it.
   
   
3. What's your favourite make up look?
   
   Either a Smokey Eye or very natural (polar opposites, I know!)
   
   
4. Which feature do you play up the most?
   
   Probably my eyes, then I hide them behind glasses haha..
   
   
5. Which feature do you try to downplay/cover up?
   
   I have eczema so generally anywhere where it is really bad at the time.
   
   
6. Your favourite make up brand, if you could only pick ONE to exist?
   
   MAC
   
   
7. Which product have you repurchased OVER and OVER again?
   
   It's actually one of the cheapest products that I own but one that I just keep going back to and that is.. Natural Collection's Blushed Cheeks in Peach Melba. It's the only blushed I've found that doesn't irritate my eczema and the fact that it's so cheap is a BONUS!
   
   
8. Which product would you never repurchase again and why?
   
   When I was younger I bought a Miss Sporty waterproof mascara, it made my eyes water and itch all day. Never again.
   
   
9. One beauty treatment that you would always pay to have done?
   
   Probably a facial.
   
   
10. One beauty treatment that you would NEVER pay to have done?
    
    My hair. Since I was about 13 my stepmum has always cut my hair and I don't think that I would trust anybody else with it anymore haha.
    
    
11. One beauty trick that you can share with everyone?
    
    Always highlight the inner corners of your eyes, it makes you look more awake and youthful.
    
    
12. Best advice you've ever been given about beauty and make up?
    
    Always moisturise before applying make up. No excuses. 

Body Shop Vitamin E Range

Now, as an eczema sufferer, I'm not really one to buy products from The Body Shop as I have to be really careful and selective about the things that I put on my skin, especially on my face. I had, however, read somewhere that Vitamin E was supposed to be really beneficial for those with eczema and so I decided to give it a go. 

The Body Shop isn't always cheap and so my Mum said that she would buy me some Vit E stuff to try out for Christmas. (Side Note: I have since been into Body Shop and seen that this set was on offer for around £18 so not too expensive!) 

In the set you get 3 products: a Cream Cleanser, a Hydrating Toner and a Moisture Cream. 

First thing that I noticed, and loved, was this little step-by-step guide on how to use the kit. Now I know that not every needs to learn how to cleanse, tone and moisturise but I thought that this was a great little addition for beginners and it was super simple to follow. 

The cleanser does exactly what it's supposed to. Unclogs pores, removes make up and cleans all the dirt from your skin. It's very gentle and contains shea butter and oils. Despite this it does not leave the skin feeling greasy, even on somebody with a very oily complextion. 

The toner finishes off the whole cleaning process but getting rid of any left over make up, cleanser and nasties that may be on your skin. Again this one was very gentle, it smelt pleasant and it was alcohol-free; BONUS! 

Last but not least is the moisturiser. This had a lovely, soft texture to it and felt really refreshing on the skin. It did not leave the skin looking greasy like some moisturisers and my skin drank it up very quickly. 

Overall I really like this set, it's gentle and smells lovely. However, as I said earlier, I tried these products as part of my search to find an eczema friendly routine and I'm afraid to say that this is not it. I started off by using the products twice a day and at first it worked out just fine. After about a week however my skin started to get very dry and red patches started to show on my cheeks. I immediately stopped using these products and went on a very basic water and aqueous cream routine until my skin healed up. 

I have since restarted using the products as a once a week treat and it seems to be working out really well. My skin is looking better than ever and I have a lovely, healthy glow. I would not say that these are bad products, however I would advise that if you have eczema (or any other skin condition) then use them sparingly. 

Thanks for reading and I'll see you all soon,
Charlotte x

P.s. The little owl featured in my pictures was also from The Body Shop, isn't he cute?!