Welcome back!

I was sitting on the tube the other day scribbling away in my notepad about all the of ideas for my blog I had in the past 24 hours. Just as I was doing this my email pinged. I went to my phone to check it and it was The Blogger Hangout inviting me to the blogger London Fashion Week event. Obviously, I said yes please! And that's where this first impression Fridays idea developed.

Basically first impressions Friday will take place on the last Friday of each month and it will feature all of the lovely things I had picked up that month be it from events like BLFW like in this post, purchased myself or been sent to try out. I will carry out some more in depth reviews but for now I will just talk about my first impressions. So without further delay, let's get into the goodies from this month!

I lied... before we get started I just want to let you know that this edition will be a little different as I will include photos of the BLFW event too.

Upon arriving to BLFW we were greeted by the lovely team at ZEO who offered us a refreshing drink before we went to snoop around all of the other goodies. I had the mixed berry which was so yummy. It wasn't sugary sweet like other soft drinks, it was almost dry like a nice rose wine.

THUMBS UP NAILS

The first booth I stopped by was the Thumbs Up Nails stand. It was full of a beautiful array of nail foils, nail wraps and accessories. The kind lady at the stand even showed me how they worked on my own nails. You just simply find a wrap that looks relatively close to the shape and size of your nail, stick it on, peel off the sides and then file down the top. Easy-peasy!

Thumbs Up were even kind enough to gift me their cleo nail wrap pack, a nail file and compact mirror. I am so excited to try out these beautiful wraps as they were so easy to apply and looked just like you had painted them on yourself.

MAGNITONE LONDON

The next stand I arrived at was the Magnitone London stall which was already on my list to see. I've heard so many good things about their facial brushes and was dying to see a demonstration.

I know I already own a Braun facial and body cleanser brush that works similar to these, but it definitely doesn't come in pink! 

As I glided the brush across my hands I instantly felt the difference. The Magnitone isn't as harsh and the bristles are a lot softer and forgiving against my sensitive skin. This is now officially on my lust list! 

PAUL MITCHELL

I don't know about you guys but I just love having my hair done. That's why when the very talented Amy from the Paul Mitchell team offered to do my hair in a beautiful Elsa braid I couldn't say no. All of the products used on my hair were made from high performance ingredients and most importantly (to me, at least) weren't tested on animals. 

Amy was more than lovely and did an amazing job on my hair. I just wish I could have her do my hair like this everyday! The products Amy used to create this beautiful full braid were the express dry wash dry shampoo and the express dry stay strong hairspray which both smelled lovely by the way. 

And here is the finished look! How beautiful is that? As I've said I wish Amy could magically come to my house every morning and do my hair. The Paul Mitchell team were all so lovely and even featured me on their Instagram and Twitter (thank you!). They also gifted me a wonderful mini set complete with the dry shampoo and hair spray (which were both used on my hair) as well as the extra body collection serum, conditioner and shampoo all kept neatly in this super cute leopard print bag.

I literally just tried out the shampoo and conditioner last night in the shower and what can I say? I loved them. I awoke today with full thick locks. They both lather up nicely and left my hair silky smooth, bouncy and shiny.

STVDIO 5

Aren't these just the most adorable bath treats ever? Stvdio 5 create the cutest vegan cosmetics. They are all handmade and made with natural ingredients. I can tell you that they all just smelt divine. Lush eat your heart out.

NADIA MINKOFF LONDON

The first brand I stumbled upon in the gifting lounge was Nadia Minkoff London. It was so lovely meeting the team and learning about their brand's story. Nadia Minkoff is a quintessentially British brand with frequent nods to vintage inspiration.

Looking at the products they were everything I look for in jewellery- statement pieces without being too in your face. I like delicacy when it comes to accessories but I also like them to be a bit different. My favourite piece was a pair of black dangling skull earrings which I could see myself rocking with an outfit like my black sun ootd.

Nadia Minkoff also do some really gorgeous bags. They are all classic shapes from the over-sized slouchy day bag to the structured evening clutch. They are all made with high-quality materials and ooze luxe. I was lucky enough to receive a free gift from the brand which was a beautiful dachshund necklace, complete with floral bow detail and dangling gem. You can see a photo of it over on my Instagram.

THE CURL COMPANY

I must admit, as a lady with slightly frizzy but curly hair I was very excited to see what The Curl Company had to offer. Their whole line is dedicated to people with wavy and or curly hair. Each product is designed to enhance and define your curls whilst making them look and feel beautiful. The Curl Company team were so lovely listening to me ramble on about my "curly hair problems" and assured me that these problems were exactly why they created their products.

The Curl Company were kind enough to gift me a whole set of their products. I received a styling gel, a curl cream, defining mousse and a leave-in conditioner. After every shower I have had since receiving the products I have used the curl cream on the ends of my damp hair. I must say I have seen a considerable difference. My hair has no frizz since applying the product and my curls look bouncier, fuller and shinier.

AMIE NATURAL SKINCARE

I was originally enticed over to the Amie Skincare stand because of the beautiful packaging. I mean what girl can't resist a pretty pastel colour palette complete with matching marshmallows? The skincare range is all natural and not tested on animals. So far, a huge thumbs up from me. What I loved most about the brand was the story behind it. Amie was created by the founder Fiona for her daughter Samantha to solve many skincare problems we all face but so many skincare brands fail to solve.

Amie Skincare were so kind as to gift me with a few of their products. I received the exfoliating polish, micellar water, moisturiser and facial wash. I have already tried out the micellar water, moisturiser and exfoliating polish. All of which smell beautiful. The products are all easy to apply and use but most importantly don't leave my sensitive skin red and itchy. Stay tuned for an updated skincare routine featuring these products!

WELEDA

The Weleda brand's best selling product Skin Food has actually turned 90 years old this year. The brand started out as a pharmaceutical lab with its own medicinal plant garden. That's why Weleda products are still all made with natural ingredients today. The very kind team at the event even demonstrated the skin food cream on the back of my hand. It smelt natural and refreshing with a smoothing and moisturising after effect.

Weleda were kind enough to gift me their world renowned product skin food. Although I haven't tried out the two products yet I am excited by the fact that you can use it as a face mask. So stay tuned for a little update on how I got on.

PURE POTIONS

Another natural skincare brand Pure Potions is made from all natural ingredients. The brand is directed more so at those who have dry skin (I internally rejoiced when I heard this). The Pure Potions stall was full of a range of products from oils and serums to balms and cream.  

The lovely Pure Potions team allowed me to pick any products on the stall I liked to take home and try. I decided on the Bath and Body Oil. I have very dry skin especially on my upper arms and elbows so I thought it would be a great product to help me combat that. The helpful lady at the stand also said you could use the oil as a make-up remover. I also picked up the Arnica Rescue Salve. This balm is specifically for first aid purposes to aid with bruising. I dance alot so this will come in very handy.

SENSATIONAIL

I already have a Sensationail kit with the UV lamp and a few nail polishes so when I saw the stand I cannot tell you how excited I was. I couldn't grab any snaps of their beautiful set-up as it got so busy. I already know that I love the Sensationail brand so when I was offered to try out their new Polish To Gel Transformer I couldn't say yes quick enough. I have already tried out the product with a regular drug store nail varnish and it works perfectly! To see photos you can go to my Facebook or Twitter.

I was also lucky enough to be gifted some LAB 2 make-up brushes from the Sensationail team. Although I haven't tried them out yet I am excited to test them out. I was even thinking of doing a comparison between my Beauty Blender I already own against this LAB 2 one. What do you think?

IOMA

One of the last brands I met at the event was Ioma. Ioma is a luxury personalised skincare line which tailors skincare around your skin and its different needs. The coolest part about this brand is that they have a device which once scanned over your skin can create a skincare regime specifically made for you. Everyone's skin is different so I think that Ioma has hit the skincare nail on the head.

Did you go to the The Blogger Hangout BLFW event? What were your favourite brands? Link your posts down below so I can have a look!