Masterclass with k2 Hair and Push Makeup

Hey lovelies, I hope you are all well! I am back today to tell you all about a great day out I had with the team from K2 Hair and Push Makeup.

The team were holding a masterclass and I knew I had to be there! They are so creative and even though I am not a hairdresser or MUA I knew there would be loads to learn, not to mmention lots to buy from the amazing Joico range and their own makeup brand Push. I already had a few bits of Push and trust me you need them in your life!

So I got in contact with Victoria from Dotty Diamond and we decided to travel together to the gorgeous Jacksons Hotel in Ballybofey. We had crazy laughs on the way down and for the 1st time meeting Victoria I swear we knew each other years! 

So we arrived early and after a rendition of Sias Chandelier (if you ever have been in Jacksons you will know what I mean) we ascended the Titanic style swirling staircase and were greeted by the team! 

We all went in and took our places and of course everyone scrambled for their goodie bags while we waited on the class to start. I am sure you can tell from the picture everyone was super impressed. This has to be one of the best if not the best goodie bag from any event I have been to.

We were all eagerly awaiting the class to start and out comes Glenn to tell us all about the day. As I said to Katrina he is a total asset to the company. He kept us all well informed and was really good at keeping the conversation etc flowing. 

Katrina started her first look by doing this amazing celtic braid on her model with some waves and if you see this type of braid you would swear it took hours, but Katrina made it look so easy, thats whay I love aout these types of events you can see up close how someone is doing something and you are able to take notes. Obviously she finished off the look with the famous Joico Hair Shake and the difference this syuff makes is unreal! 

Karen was the MUA for the day, and this was her first time doing the demo and she was so nervous. If you didnt know it was her first time you would have thought she had been doing it years, she was so informative and she answered any questions brilliantly. Karen done a gorgeous spotlight eye as her focus and we got info sheets to take away with us to help us recreate the look. Again Karen made it look so easy!

Katrina did a gorgeous look on her model using the Bonnie eyeshadow and it just made me know I needed it in my life for sure!

We were encouraged to ask questions and Pennys had generously gave spot prizes of 50euro vouchers and people who asked questions were able to win these. I am not the sort of person to shout over people etc and when Glenn saw that I had been trying to ask a question he came over to me and told me he would get Katrinas attention, which he did then proceeded to give me one of the vouchers, eeek I was chuffed!! Again another reason as to how vital he is to the team and the workshops.

We then had a wee break for lunch, and the team very generously gave us sandwiches and prosecco how glam!! We had a chance to meet the team at this stage and finally after months of chatting with Katrina I finally met her! She is one of the sweetest, funniest girls I could have met. She just loves to chat and help people and what that girl can do with hair and makeup is unreal.

In the break we had a chance to shop till we dropped, with lots of Joico products and push makeup there. I currently use the Joico shampoo for toning hair and I highly recommend it. I bought the Hair Shake and I must admit it is fab! The volume I get on my curls now is insane! This was 25 Euro and will last ages. Onto push makeup and my eyes lit up, there she was Bonnie the eyeshadow! I knew I had to have her! I also wanted the White Diamond Highlighter but unfortunately it was out of stock, but the team were offering anyone who ordered on the day the chance to have it shipped for free, which again is fantastic customer service!

After lunch we went back into the gorgeous room, and the team set up for the next looks. Katrina did a stunning beachy look on her model then followed on with a gorgeous up do that again looked so simple but really had the wow factor. She finished the demo off with a gorgeous vintage wave.

Karen did a gorgeous eye look again using the black caviar gel pencil and using just a few steps made it into a glam smoky eye! 

We learned so many tips and tricks and the girls and Glenn had some great advice, Snippets of gold included:

Its important to change hands whilst styling hair to get used to using both hands- Katrina

Always document progress, as its motivational and good for clients to see- Karen

Practice, practice, practice and get social media involved- Glen and Katrina

Use small baby steps, using a light hand on eyes- Karen

You don't have to follow the rules!- Katrina

I honestly do believe this is a company and a team that are going places. They have a unique way of interacting and making everyone feel they are involved. The Push products themselves are amazing and Katrina is so passionate about them. Darcy her little girl was the driving force behind the brand and she believes in having 

"The push to try something different"

Overall, I had an amazing day with Victoria and all the team, since the day I have tried being more creative and getting to grips with more techniques.
Everyone should attend one of these classes if you get the chance.

Hope you enjoyed that wee post on my fab day out. Till next time preeners, keep smiling
Ali xxx

Check out Push and K2 Hair at the following platforms
Katrina Kelly Snapchat      katrinak2hair
Push Makeup Facebook "Push Makeup"
Push Makeup Twitter  @PushMakeup
Push Makeup Instagram  "Pushmakeupire"
k2 Hair Facebook "K2 Hair"
K2 Hair Twitter @katrinak2hair
K2 Instagram "k2hairandmakeup"


Also remember to come say hi on my other platforms
Instagram   passionsandpreening
Twitter passionandpreen
Facebook  passionsandpreening
Email passionsandpreening@gmail.com

L'Oreal Extraordinary Clay Collection Review

Hey lovelies, I hope you are all well today! I am back with a little review of the new Clay Collection from L'Oreal.

This is a new range to the Elvive family, and it is specially formulated for us ladies and gents with oily roots but very dry ends. Rejoice something that will give me an extra day or two and hopefully will erase the issue of the oil slick.

Years ago I never had a major issue with oil production, but with the introduction of new medication, my hair seems to have decided to not play ball. Due to medication etc my hair falls out easily, so I try and make my washes last as long as possible. So when I read about this new collection I knew I had to try it. 

The range includes:

Pre shampoo Masque Treatment

Re-balancing Shampoo

Re- balancing Conditioner

Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Dry Shampoo

I decided to pick up everything apart from the anti- dandruff shampoo, so off I popped to Superdrug where they had them on a half price offer. I had high hopes and was very excited to try them. The packaging is a gorgeous bright turquoise blue and goes well with the blue colour of the product.

The main ingredients in the range are three different types of clay. A white clay to purify and cleanse the roots, a blue clay to hydrate the ends of the hair and a green clay to revitalise and perk up the whole hair fibres. 

So did they actually work?

Pre Shampoo Clay Masque

This is the first step in the range and you apply a generous amount of the product to the scalp and roots of dry hair and leaving it on for around 10 minutes. This masque is quite scented, but it didn't aggravate my scalp and it felt lovely and purifying. After 10 minutes, I jumped in the shower and rinsed it off.

I really did feel this masque helped my hair and the production of the oils. I am easily getting an extra day or two from using this masque, but what I would say is, that I would advise only using it once a week as you don't want your hair getting dry and stripped of the natural oils.

You can purchase the mask here on boots for £5.99.

Re-Balancing Shampoo 250ml

Next I used the shampoo and it felt lovely and cleansing on my hair. It lathered up nicely but also had a gorgeous creamy, luxurious feel to it. I was worried that with all this clay my hair was going to end up very dry and matted, but I had no need to worry, my hair felt squeaky clean but not dry. You can buy the shampoo here for £2.89 from Boots. There is also a larger 400ml option available for £3.99

Re-Balancing Conditioner 250ml

I finished off with the conditioner, again it has this gorgeous clean smell to it and the gorgeous blue colour. It's very lightweight feeling on the hair and in no way did it leave my hair feeling weighed down. I wouldn't say that the conditioner blew me away the same way the shampoo and masque did but it was definitely nice to use. You can buy it here again in Boots for £2.89 with the option of the bigger one available again.

Dry Shampoo 150ml

This with the masque were the products I was most excited to try. Unfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations. It made my hair feel wet, and didn't really absorb any extra root oil. I have tried this a few times but I still am not getting on with it. You can get it here for £3.99.

Keep an eye on Boots and also Superdrug, as they frequently have offers on these ranges, and you can pick them up for less than half price

The mask has became a staple in my routine now and I really feel for anyone suffering with an oily scalp it is worth trying. I will definitely be repurchasing the shampoo, conditioner and masque but for now I will stick to my normal brand of dry shampoo.

Hope you enjoyed this little review, and please let me know if you have tried any of the range.

Come say hi on my other social media links

Until next time

Ali xxx

Major Love Monday featuring the most inspirational lady I knew

Hey my lovelies, I hope you are all really well. Firstly can I just apologise that this series wasn't on last week, if you follow me on social media, you will know that my Daddy was very poorly with urosepsis and obviously my priority was with him. He is doing loads better now and him being in hospital actually led me to change my lady for this week.

Normally I do someone that we can all go follow and get inspiration from, but this week with everything going on, I felt that I wanted to share with you the most amazingly lady that ever walked this earth, my mummy.

Mummy sadly passed away just over 5 years ago, but every day I still feel inspired by her, and this week especially I felt her strength with me.  My mum was the life and soul of the party, who was the 1st on the dance-floor and the last off it and always had a smile, but deeper than that she just always knew the right words to say at any time to either console or spur you on.

Her attitude to life was infectious, she could make the darkest days bright and even when she first took unwell she still managed to smile. She was able to inspire not only me, but Daddy, Scott and anyone who she met. She fought life and this spirit lives on through us everyday.

She inspires me to fight my illnesses and never let them beat me, she inspires me to pursue my dreams and she inspires me to be the best daughter, wife and friend that I can be.

If any of you knew my Mummy, you will know that she never gave up and this is my gift to you for this Major Love Monday. Never give up on anything, whether it be a dream, illness or dark days. Always know that you are worth it, and know that you can smile and achieve anything.

I hope you all feel a little inspired by the woman who in her darkest hour was still able to push me and everyone around her on.

This was just a little quick post to really say that even though our loved ones may be gone, they can still inspire us today.

Lots of Love to you all, and I will catch you in my next post

Remember to come say hi on my other social media
Twitter passionandpreen
Facebook passionsandpreening
Instagram passionsandpreening

Ali xxx 

Major Love Monday featuring Louise McDonnell from LMD Salon

Hey my lovelies, today I am back with another Major Love Monday, I am loving how well this series has been received. I think sharing all this positivity is great for us all don't you think! 

So todays lady in line is the fabulous Louise McDonnell from LMD in Portglenone here in NI. I hope you enjoy todays instalment let me know in the comments below.

Louise has her own salon that specialises in Hair and Makeup in Portglenone but ladies don't fret she is opening one very soon in Magherafelt so keep an eye on my social media at the end of the month and I will let you all know any further details. Louise has a team of amazing stylists who all have great craic in the salon but are so professional its a great balance they have. (you need to check out officialLMD snaps for the after work madness, trust me a night out with those girls looks crazy)

Louise opened her own beauty salon at the age of 18 and everyone would always come in for makeup and this is where it all started for her. She remembers from the age of 3 getting makeup from the toy catalogues at Christmas so it definitely was fate for her.

The salon itself has had the pleasure of doing many high profiled celebrity clients over the years and this just proves they are a force to be reckoned with here in NI. They have a very unique glam style and every woman that walks out of that salon looks a million dollars. 

OfficialLMD are one of the snap accounts that I will religuously watch for the banter, styles makeup and stunning hair designs! I really need Louise and her team to just come and live here and be my glam squad every day! but the main reason for watching the account is Louise. Her great tutorials and information on everything from skincare to the best foundation for your skin type are informative yet very light hearted. The flip side of Louise is that you see her go on days out to MAC with her fella and have such a laugh with him and her sisters, it really is a lovely mix on Snapchat. Louise herself lives and breathes makeup and you can tell at times she can be unsure of herself on Snapchat which is actually very endearing, she is always saying excuse how i look or when she was told she should join snapchat as people thought she would be great in front of the camera she wasnt sure, but trust me she is a natural.

Makeup is a hobby to her and this is easy to see as she is so passionate about everything she does which in her industry is a rare thing these days. She is a woman who wants to make others feel beautiful and amazing with the skills she has gained over the years, and that to me is an amazing trait to have. I adore her relationship with her boyfriend and family and its clear to see she is just a very sweet hard working girl who will stop at nothing to reach her goals.

Her hard work is certainly paying off as the salon has their own range of brushes and products available to purchase, and let's be honest we all need need more makeup and brushes in our lives, and she is bringing out her own line of lashes very soon.

Louise and her team including Michaela her sister travel nationwide and internationally for weddings and special occasions and again this just shows how highly skilled her team are and how well they are regarded in their chosen field.

You should definitely check out all of their social media below and you could spend hours flicking through instagram and facebook at their stunning makeovers. I wish Louise, her team and LMD Salon nothing but the best for the future and I know there are big things to come from them. 

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Snapchat    OfficialLMD

I hope you have enjoyed another major Love Monday come say hi on  my social media and let me know what you think!

Lots of love for now preeners

Ali xx

Quick and easy Fritatta Recipe

Hey lovelies today I am back with a very simple recipe,which is perfect for a lazy lunch or even a picnic. This fritatta is soo yummy and can easily be adapted to your tastes! Go wild and change it up but be sure to let me know what you throw in 😊

Ingredients
6 baby tomatoes quartered
5 mushrooms sliced
1 to 2 sliced peppers
3 tablespoons of sweetcorn
3 slices of cooked ham
Half an onion finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes
Salt and Pepper
6 beaten eggs

Method
Spray oven dish with lo cal spray
Preheat oven to 180c or 170 fan
Place all ingredients into dish
Cover tightly with foil
Baker for approx 30 mins till egg is set
Uncover and bake for another 10 mins to brown top
Let stand until cool and cut into wedges

What did I tell you it's that easy! We have enjoyed it for a quick lunch or even a healthy snack.

Let me know if you make this, until next time lovelies xx

Major Love Monday featuring "The Makeup Fairy" Joanne Larby

Hey lovelies I hope you are all well today. It's another week of love here at Passions and Preening and I am sure by the title you are all well aware of who I have chosen for this week.

Joanne decided to expand her skills and jump into blogging when she had been pursuing a successful career in styling and makeup artistry for a number of years. It gave her an amazing platform and from this she has undoubtedly become Irelands leading female blogger and personality. 

One thing that strikes me from following Joanne is that yes, she has all of these brand deals, a book published etc but yet she is down to earth.

pic credit: Joanne Larby website

She wants to empower women to be the best they can be, not only in their career but in their physical and mental self, and this is what led me to really take an interest in her and everything she stands for. She is a curvy girl and she believes in strength and health and this has led to many women including myself wanting to take better care of themselves not only for looks but for health.

Joanne snaps her gym sessions and food intake and its great to see the changes in her body, inspiring! She gets a crazy amount of hate for doing this but you know what, haters gonna hate and I honestly feel it's a reflection on them and their lives. I like many feel inspired every day by Joanne and wouldn't want her to stop.

This is a girl who wants other women to succeed and that's what pulls me in with her. Not the amazing instagram pictures or the snaps of her lunches, which always are amazing by the way, but its her quotes, her inspiring words and the way she could be talking to thousands of followers but you can take something personal out of the things she is saying.

She is a great role model for girls and women and she has done a lot for blogging in Ireland. You should definitely go check her out if you don't already!

Website Joanne Larby

Twitter Joanne Larby

Instagram Joanne Larby

Snapchat   themakeupfairy