TURNING 26...

It's my birthday, it's my birthday, ima spend my money (lols not, it's mid January) but I am going to talk to you about what I got for my birthday on Monday :)

So on Monday I turned 26... the wrong side of 25, the age where I'm closer to 30 and the memories of my High School Musical themed 20th are just a mild flash in my 6 year memory...like seriously where did the time go? And after a little OH MY GOD where is my life going moment, I'm ready to except my new age and my wonderful presents! So here is the low down on what I got from my favourite people this year...

1.  Naked Smoky & MAC Whirl Lip Pencil

I feel like my birthday has been really dragged out this year with my first celebrations being back on the 6th with my gal pals from uni and of course they hit all the present goals with these babes! I've been hinting about this palette for approx 6 months, so basically the launch date. But when you have all 3 original palettes, the Basics, On the Run and a whole host of UD Moondusts in your make up drawer, the shopping guilt is oh so real. BUT..... when it's a present? Come to me my little beauty! I absolutely love anything Urban Decay anyway and this newest collection to the Naked Palette range is no exception. I am planning on writing a full review once I've had more of a play, but I am already loving High, Dirty Sweet and Radar and can't wait to step out of my comfort zone and go for a more grey toned smoky eye look. 

Oh Whirl... you little pencil of pure delight, I just love this. Again i'd been eyeing this up for a while but do you know how hard this is to get a hold of? So in the end I purchased the Make Up Forever Aqua Lip in shade 3C which I also love but it is a little more pink toned than this gem. I love the warm brown tones in Whirl and absolutely love the texture. It is easy to apply and also perfect for wearing all over the lip. Of course when I received this I knew I'd have to buy Velvet Teddy to compliment it, because well, duh? And oh boy, what a power couple! This has been my go to everyday look for work recently with even my beloved Relentlessly Red taking a back seat (soz bae). Probs going to buy Whirl lipstick too and i'm not even sorry. 

2. Diptique Candle 

So I've been lusting over/Instagram stalking these beautiful candles for a while now. I love the simplicity of the design and just how chic they look within an interior. I'll admit I'd never even seen one in real life before I received the Geranium edition for my birthday from the bf. however I knew straight away that it was a new favourite addition to our home, even the box it came in is just so pretty! Also, another confession, I haven't actually lit it yet because back to my previous point, it's just so beautiful but I can already tell from the scent it is going to be increds!

3. Chanel Compact 

I have been a Chanel fan since the days of The Hills and seeing LC and Heidi strut their stuff around LA with their multiple quilted Chanel bags, it was safe to say I was hooked! I've always said to myself that I know I will know I've been successful in my career when I can afford my very own black quilted Chanel bag. But ya know, until that moment comes, Chanel Beauty is my way of getting that fix.. My cousin has bought me a Chanel compact every year since my first ever one on my 21st Birthday. That's 5 of these I have known and loved and every year I'm scraping the barrel ready for my new addition and this year was no different. It's simply a translucent powder which is perfect for popping in your bag for shine free top ups throughout the day and there really is nothing more satisfying than getting out this beautiful little compact on the go. 

3. Polar FT4 Watch

Ermmm... so someone should probs call emergency services or something because I don't even know who I am any more! If someone had told me a year ago I would own one of these I would have literally lol'd in their face, but low and behold, Lauren Dougherty age 26 has a fitness watch and ya know what, she bloody loves it! As I mentioned in my previous post, I've got more into healthy eating and into my exercise and something that really spurs me on is seeing me burn away that lunch time meal when I'm exercising, so the pink edition (obvs) of the Polar FT4 seemed perfect. I mean don't get me wrong, there will most certainly be days where I'm scoffing a pizza and crying into my ice cream where I'm like WTF do I need you for?! But right now I'm loving this new addition to my healthier lifestyle. 

4. A Spiralizer

I'm not even going to explain this one. It makes courgettes cooler and that's basically my reasoning, K?

5. Gift Cards

Because girl needs clothes, asap! When my friends asked me what I would like, I never know what to say, especially with a birthday so close after Christmas. But what I did know is that I want to shop bad! I want to go to a shopping centre (hey Lakeside, i'm looking at you), shop until I have clothes that don't make me want to cry into my wardrobe everyday, eat yummy food in the cliché food court and just have a nice day. I can't remember the last time I did this and I could really do with some retail therapy in my life!

I got some other little bits and pieces too which I also love and I just want to say a big thank you to everyone that made my birthday special. So i'm 26, haven't got my own house, still have no money at the end of the month, am definitely not married with child (soz 10 year old me) but I do have a great boyfriend, friends and family, two little furry babies that rely on me, a lovely flat with all of the inner possessions being ours and well I own a Diptique candle, so if 26 means all of those things, I'm cool with it. (Insert sassy emoji here)

HOW I GOT THICKER & LONGER HAIR...

Hi, my name is Lauren and I have thin hair, yep I said it. You know that one thing you’re always self conscious about and always looking to change? For me it is my hair. This insecurity has led me to buying ALL of the thickening products on the shelves, you name it, i’ve tried it. Which leads not only to disappointment, a draw full of unused products but also to distrust in the market. I’m destined to live a life with flat, thin and boring hair no matter how many rollers, sprays, lotions and potions I use. So why am I writing this post? Well, you see I may have found a product that works, like actually, really works where I saw a difference just 6 weeks into the treatment. But first I should probably tell you how I discovered it…

Six months ago I started a new job with Nanogen, a brand typically known for their Thickening Hair Fibres for thinning hair and a treatment range to encourage healthier, thicker hair. Obviously, I was eager to try the range out to finally say goodbye to my fine, flat hair. So I know what you’re all thinking, i’m biased? But I can’t explain the results I saw only 6 weeks in without words like amazing, brilliant, the best, a miracle… ok maybe that’s a bit too far, but you get my drift...

So 12 weeks ago I started applying the Nanogen Growth Factor Hair Serum for women once daily to my hair. The serum not only encourages thick and healthy hair growth, but also protects follicles from free radical damage and supports your natural balance of hair growth signals. It has a handy pipette which means you can easily draw the serum into it ready for use. You simply add drops all over your scalp and massage in once a day. The fact it is only once a day is perfect as you can just add it in with your skincare regime. I tend to do mine in the evenings and unlike some hair serums, it doesn't leave your hair feeling greasy. If I forget of an evening, I will apply in the morning and simply spray some dry shampoo on after as the only thing it does do is leave your hair a little wet and i'm always in a rush, so dry shampoo is one of my besties for this reason!

This may sound a little silly but for those of you with fine hair, I think you will understand! My hair feels heavier, weightier and dare I say it thicker. Last weekend I went out with no extensions, no help from rollers only a spritz of another Nanogen product, Root Boost, my straighteners and a little back combing and I actually didn't hate it. In every photo my eyes are automatically drawn to my hair and in this case I was pleasantly surprised. 

I guess, the proof is in the pictures huh? Well here are my results and I think you'll agree they do all of the talking for me!

Picture 1: September 2015 - before treatment

Picture 2: October 2015 - 3 weeks in

Picture 3: November 2015 - 6 weeks in

Picture 4: January 2016 (this week!) 12 weeks in.

As you can see I am now 12 weeks into the treatment and bottle wise, I still have half of my third bottle left, but I will be honest there were days I did forget, so I think this is why as a 3 month treatment should usually be 3 bottles worth. But even with missing a few days here and there, my hair looks thicker, healthier, shinier and OMG longer and boy am I happy!

I really am so thrilled with the results and seeing this latest picture has just spurred me even more. I really couldn't recommend it enough if like me you have fine hair that makes you feel insecure. I would love to hear your thoughts if you try it too as it has definitely become a staple in my hair care routine.

If you'd like to try this product, you can purchase it here. I'd love to know if anyone else has used this before and if so what results did you see?

Love Lauren x

BACK TO BLOGGING...

So as you can see i've been a *pretty* awful 'blogger'...because ya know that little thing called life and finding every excuse in the book! No seriously, in the time since my last blog post, I have had a major back operation, rekindled an old romance, been promoted, left my job, started a new job and moved house, so yeah I've definitely been a bit preoccupied, but it is definitely no excuse and I never intended to leave my blog for this long, but before I knew it, bam, nearly 2 years on and here we are! So i'm back, with my tail between my legs and ready to invest more time in my blog to talk about my favourite things in my very own corner of the internet. 

Armed with my new Olympus Pen EPL-7 (although these pictures were not taken on it) and a makeup drawer big enough to set up a small shop, i'm ready to talk all things beauty, food, life and probably cats (soz). Going to put it out there now, I am a bit of a crazy cat lady, but it's totally justified when they're this cute...

Anyway back to why I'm back on inhershoes-x and what I want to share with you, so here are my 3 main reasons...

1. London School of Make Up 

I guess the main reason I want to blog more is because this year I have finally enrolled to do a 2 day course at the London College of Make Up in Makeup Artistry and I am SO excited. I have wanted to do it for a while now but have always been put off by the price tag, it's a little on the expensive side, but one evening I decided to just take the plunge and sign myself up and it's honestly the best decision I have ever made! I love makeup and experiementing with different looks and products so I can't wait to learn the real deal. Plus, one of my best friends is getting married this year and I am bridesmaid, AHH! Not only this, I'll be doing our makeup on the day adding to the excitement even more! I can't wait to learn new tips and tricks for my contribution to her special day. So yeah, get prepared for a whole host of makeup pics coming your way March 2016! :) 

I kind of want to experiment with vlogging, especially when it comes to makeup posts as I would love to do some tutorials for looks I like and the tips I will be learning, but there's something about it that makes me feel a little uneasy. Maybe i'll give it a go... we will see. 

Here's a look I created for my Halloween costume last year...

2. Home

I am also finally the proud tenant of a lovely new flat with my boyfriend and I just love it. I haven't lived out of my family home since uni and well let's face it, popping to Next Home, Dunelm and The Range is kind of out of the question when you're spending 80% of your life drunk and deciding if to buy that really expensive new lipstick or food. So being in my own place is the best thing I could have asked for. Not only do I have my own space, I can buy ALL the things, Next, H&M, i'm lookin at you! I love making it feel homely and adding my own personal touches on things and although we still have a long way to go, I love our little home more and more each day and will do my best to share any new home buys/inspo I like with you.  

3. Food & Exercise

Because, yeah food. I love food, every food, all food you name it, but as I am getting older (officially the wrong side of 25) I am definitely thinking more about what I am putting into my body. Pass me the green tea! However, although I am more conscious, it's not something that comes to easy for me as my mind takes over and wants all the naughty things! Therefore, I have downloaded the app My Fitness Pal to monitor my calorie intake, bought the Leanin 15 book and am going back to Kettlebells once a week and i'm actually enjoying it! I also know that for me, exercise really helps boost my mood too and feel ready to take on the world, or at least a day of work!

So there you have it, 3 of my main reasons as to why I am back and ready to conquer 2016 with the help of this little blog, I hope you enjoy! 

Lauren x