With the UK treating us to some warmer weather these past few months my hair has really taken a turn for the worse.
I mean dry, brittle and frizzy - it's never a look a girl wants - especially whilst trying to dodge styling and using heat to encourage growth!
Nothing I was using seemed to be helpful... until one day, whilst flicking through an old magazine, I spotted a random sachet and I decided to give it a go.
This sachet was for a new product from the Garnier Ultimate Blends range - a range which I have been a huge fan of in the past - the Weightless Nourisher Balm!
After using the sachet I was sold and went out straight away and invested in a full sized pot (which was on offer at the time! #winning).
This stuff is an intense conditioning treatment blended with Virgin Olive Oil, and Safflower Seed Oil!
With a creamy but light texture this balm is so nourishing without weighing down the hair at all.
I've become a complete addict. My hair hasn't felt like light, soft and naturally healthy for months and this product has become a firm fixture in my haircare routine, using it a minimum of once a week.
I've been trying to get my hands on the shampoo and conditioner in this range too but it's been sold out everywhere I go where I live at the moment - island struggles!
If your hair is in need of a pick me up and you're on a budget, I cannot recommend this product enough!
When it comes to my hair - wands are my best friend. I have a countless amounts of different sizes and styles and whatever length my hair seems to be when I want waves and curls - a wand is always the answer - tongs are rollers are so 2010. I have been meaning to feature this newbie in my life for weeks and weeks now but time has been running away with itself so quickly it has literally taken me forever to get round to it!
This is the Ellipse Wand from Mark Hill - a totally unique shaped barrell to give you a different wave every single time. When I had my hair cut shorter last month I was worried that I was no longer going to be able to use this as the shape is fairly large and I wasn't sure whether my hair would even be able to wrap around it... BUT it still works a dream - I love rocking a wavy bob! (Yes.... I've gone from a lob to a bob - scary times!)
Mark Hill Ellipse Wand*
So easy to use - I dry my hair as usual and then grab different sized sections from the top two layers of my hair to create different sized waves.
This creates a great 'tousled' look - one of my favourite to rock when I have a little more time on my hands!
The one thing I would say about the wand that I would like to change is the fact there isn't a temperature gauge on there. With other electrical styling tools I own there are heat settings where you can choose how hot the barrell/plates get - this just has an on/off switch which goes straight to 200c.
Saying this though my hair is always soft and shiny still and doesn't feel overly battered!
So that looks pretty messy haha - it wasn't I promise! So there we have it - the Mark Hill Ellipse wand! Another fabulous product to add to my collection! If I ever did decided to have long hair again or go back to using extensions too then this would 100% be my go-to hair tool - if it works this well on my little bob I can imagine it does amazing things to long hair! To find out more and/or order your own click - here. Follow
The constant up-keep is enough to make anyone reach for the brunette box dye but I love being blonde and I'm willing to put in the effort (and extra haircare steps) that comes with being a platinum-wannabe. I get people asking me all the time what products I use on my hair to keep my blonde as bright and brass-less as it is and I always have one simple answer - Touch Of Silver.
I have used Touch Of Silver products for years and years - the violet pigmented range is just the perfect addition to my haircare routine to ensure my hair stays as blonde, bright and healthy looking as possible. The lovely guys at Provoke recently sent me the perfect little bundle to make sure I'm starting out my 2016 right and not just when it comes to my hair.... but my body too.
Along with some of my haircare favourites (we'll get to that part in a minute) Provoke have sent me an amazing collection of fitness bits and bobs to make sure I'm totally set for the world of fitness - it's all about toning and not just my bob! In the package came a handy backpack, towel, water bottle and a fabulous yoga mat! (I've always wanted one of those!) I think you've probably all seen my social media posts over the last couple of months about loosing weight, exercising, feeling better, blah blah blah. Well... before Christmas I was so proud of myself - I was doing so well with my new diet, avoiding everything 'bad' and eating the cleanest I probably ever had.... that was until Christmas came and since then I have been so up and down with my eating I've got no idea where I am with it all and well.... I pretty much feel PANTS once again. *hangs head in shame*. I can't wait to start some exercise classes over the next month or so and get back to that eating routine that I was loving so much at the end of last year - I felt so much better on the inside and out and I'm striving to get back to that again as I was so happy! It's time to tone ... plus I seriously want to try out some yoga with my new snazzy purple mat. (With festival season fast approaching and the thought of the hen night I have coming up where a bikini is pretty much a given I seriously need some #help!) - Bring it on. Right now to talk about those pretty beauty bits.....
Provoke : Touch Of Silver Pre-Toning Primer, Brightenting Shampoo & Intensive Conditioner*
Two of these products have been in my haircare stash for months and months (probably years) on end and I've been through bottle after bottle after bottle. Those are the shampoo and the intensive conditioner. The shampoo is the classic Provoke product and most popular when it comes to the violet pigment range. This purple shampoo is the key to keeping my hair BLONDE, because I've just had my hair bleached I tend to just leave it on for a few minutes a couple of times a week and it works a treat. As my hair colour fades over the next 8-10 weeks though I'll start to leave it on for a little longer each time! The intensive conditioner is just the BEST. I cannot recommend it enough. The smell is divine and this leaves my hair feeling amazing - so soft and fresh, which, when you have a head full of bleach, is a struggle! If you're a blondey nd want tot treat yourself to something new - this is the product to try. The other product featured is the pre-toning primer. This little monkey creates the perfect foundation for even toning results before using the brightening shampoo! Just spray onto wet hair and comb through to make sure all the hair is covered then follow with the shampoo. It's as easy as that! (Plus it can be used as a handy leave-in conditioner too... amazeballs!) This three step routine is something I do normally once or twice a week and it seriously helps to keep my hair how it is, my heart always sinks when my hair colour becomes dull! Now.... want to know the best bit? This stuff is AFFORDABLE. All the products are under £5!
If you bleach your hair or are thinking about going blonde - THESE are the products to stock up on - tone,tone,tone.
1. & 2. Mockingjay Part 2 | 3. J-Law Hair Goals | 4. Pinterest Loving | 5. Being Positive | 6. A New Read | 7. Trying Protein Treats | 8. New Blog Set Up | 9. Finding Dory Trailer
1. & 2. Finally it's here.... and I don't know whether I'm happy or totally gutted about it! I've been a Hunger Games fan for years - I started reading the books in like 2009/2010 so it's been in my life for a while now and for the movie's to now be officially over it feel like the end of an era! I went to see this on Thursday night and surprised my bestie for her birthday - she thought she was heading for a date night with her husband but me and our other friend were there waiting for her! I LOVED the movie - although I clearly knew what was going to happen I was still on the edge of my seat, so tense and so emotional! Incredible. (I also had a popcorn treat which was bloomin' delightful!) 3. So I'm heading to the hairdressers on Thursday.... and this is the photo I'm going to take! I asked on Twitter last week if I should head back to the lob or keep on growing my hair and like 78% or something said lob so people... I'm listening to you! I'm thinking super blonde, about an inch off and maybe a couple of layers to give it some texture. 4. Oh my golly gosh I am so addicted to Pinterest again! Sometimes I worry about going on there as I think once I'm on there I will fall into the hole of Pinerest and not escape for at least an hour - I love it! Follow me here - KirstieLouiseS. 5. I've been trying to feel alot more positive recently and ever since changing my diet I've been feeling alot happier with everything and I'm getting super excited for 2016 and everything that could come my way! 6. After doing a spot of shopping recently I was about to walk past the magazine stand when I spotted Women's Health. Since my recent life overhaul I've been so interested in health and fitness and have been loving having something else to read through other than cosmo - how amazing does Natalie Dormer look!! 7. I've been trying lots of new snacks recently - my previous chocolate and biscuit addiction is long gone and I've been loving trying out alternatives. Trek's protein original oat flapjack is awesome - obviously I've only been having like 1 or 2 a week as they aren;t an everyday thing - I love Holland and Barrett and their range of different things to try. 8. Yes! I have a new blogging set-up! I mean the way I take my photos is still pretty much the same I just now have my on little set in my spare room and it's so handy I love it! I can store all my blogging bits in one place and finally feel a little more organised. 9. Last but not least.... it's here! The Finding Dory trailer is here! I mean anything Pixar is exciting in my eyes but I think we've all been waiting for this trailer since the movie was mentioned years ago! Bring it on.
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Yes - once again I'm harping on about a new Lee Stafford product.... but I couldn't walk past these in Boots and NOT buy them. I am a huge Lee Stafford fan, so seeing something completely new out of the shelf 1. took me by surprise as I like to think I'm on the ball with new releases (obviously not!) and 2. had me reaching for my purse.
Coconut oil is one of the greatest beauty secrets going really.... I mean it's not even a secret anymore is it?!
Recently my hair has just not been very kind to me, it's felt frizzy, dry and a hell of a lot of it is falling out (*cries*) so the Coco Loco range seemed to turn up at just the right time! (Plus it was 2 for £10 on offer which made it even better!)
I needed something to inject some moisture into my locks and this has really done the job.
The scent is gorgeous and really long-lasting, fan of coconut? - you're obviously going to love these as much as me.
The shampoo leaves my hair feeling so squeaky clean thatat first I was worried it was maybe a little dry but with the conditioner being so thick and rich once I've finished my hair routine it's feeling brand new, soft and hydrated.
I've noticed a real difference with the shine of my hair and the colour has been seriously rejuvenated aswell. My hair is bleached and I use toning shampoos weekly but this has giving me that little boost without having to pop anything purple onto my head, which wasn't what I was expecting!
Overall I'm really pleased with these (as I thought I would be!), I'm just worried that I'll use them up too quick... sometimes I get a little over excited with squeezy bottles!
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As a normal 25 year old female I am overcome more or less daily by my insecurities, but I mean.... we could have a whole other post about that... today I just want chat about a few particular products that make me feel better about myself. Easy peasy instant confidence boosters... because who isn't interested in those?! Yes, there are a few things out there that in my mind 'up' my glam game and give me that confidence that I'm otherwise lacking. From fake lashes to tanning lotions here are my favourite things to make me feel a bit better about myself :)
1. Fake Eyelashes I can't actually remember the last time I went on a 'night out' without a pair of fake eyelashes on. I think I've been wearing them ever since I went to Ibiza in 2009. For me, these are a MUST when heading out the door on a girls night out, I have THE shortest, stumpiest lashes and really small eyes so without them I don't ever feel like my make-up is finished or anywhere near as good as it could be. Favourites : Eylure Eylure Eylure- I love 101's and 107's ALOT and I do struggle to use other brands I'm not going to lie! I really want to try out Fleur De Force's new range aswell - maybe even the individual ones as I've heard they can stay on all weekend which would be amazing for Festivals and trips away! 2. Highlighters The world (and my face) would be a sad sad place without a good highlighter! I think I have a slight obsession, I don't think I will ever own enough. Ever since buying the makebelieve skin lmizer as a teen I have be striving to find products that give me that dewy glow that all the celebs rock with ease! Favourites : theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer, Seventeen Skin Wow!, Rimmel London Good To Glow, Benefit High Beam & Victoria's Secret Illuminating Powder. 3. Tan Tan Tan Not only do these products stop me from looking like a pale whale they also help to tone the look of the skin - a good tan can make you look a whole lot skinnier you know, I just wish I had more time (and patience) to use it more! Favourites : Anything St. Moriz.
4. Razors What feels better than freshly smooth legs? Seriously though - smooth, soft legs are the best - a major confidence boost in just a few swipes! Favourites : Venus Sensitive Embrace 5. Instagram Yes I'm saying it and you may think it's obnoxious and vain but in all seriousness - a good filter and a bit of editing can make me feel better about myself and I know a lot of you girls feel the same.... so don't act like I'm being fake and self-centered haha - you all love a good selfie! Follow me @ Kirstielouises 6. Blonde Toners Last but not least.... this is a big one for me when it comes to confidence. I am blonde, but I'm not a natural blonde, so I am always paranoid about what shade my hair colour is looking. My hairdresser is amazing and everytime I had my hair coloured I fall in love but after about 6/8 weeks I can see my colour fading and becoming dull - and sometimes even.... yellowish #booo! BUT there are products that can fix this and I have become a slave to them! Toning shampoos are totally and utterly fabulous and after getting over my initial fear of using them (I was paranoid I would have purple hair if I left it on for longer than about 45 seonds) I have realised how much they can help and if I feel like a pick me up this is one of the first products I reach for! Favourites : Pro:Voke Touch Of Silver Twice A Week Brightening Shampoo & Intensive Treatment Conditioner.
What are your favourite confidence boosters?
Get your own confidence boosters :
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Hair. Something which for me, changes all the time. I have always been one for change - whether it's the colour, the length, or my day-to-day style - I love mixing it up as I tend to get bored really easily! Extensions are something that I've used for years and after being through my fair share of sets, I'd like to think I'm pretty knowledgeable in the department.... sort of! So when Cliphair contacted me recently and asked if I wanted to try out their Double Wefted clip-ins I jumped at the chance to test them out! New hair will make anyone happy right? The set I have here is the Cliphair Deluxe Double Wefted 20" Full Head Clip-In Hair Extensions in shade #60(Lightest Blonde).
Double wefted extensions are something I've always been interested in, all my other sets I've had in the past (apart form Dirtylooks) have been quite thin and didn't make my hair that much thicker, only longer!
I own a quad weft which I totally adore and wear all the time but that's only one piece, so a full head set of double weft are bound to give my hair the thickness I've been after.
Set Contents:
Two 8 inch (20cm) wide wefts - 3 clips per weft
Two 6 inch (15cm) wide wefts - 3 clips per weft
Two 4 inch (10cm) wide wefts - 2 clips per weft
Two 2 inch (5cm) wide wefts - 1 clip per weft
Double wefted means that two wefts have been sewn together to create a thicker piece, therefore making the whole set twice as thick as the standard.
The clips are already attached so there's none of that to worry about and they are seriously secure, probably the tightest I've owned, so they won't be going anywhere!
I found these really easy to put in and even if you are a total extensions beginner you will have full, thick hair in minutes with ease!
Here's a few styles I've been trying out with my new set.
These are perfect if you're hair is getting long but looks a bit thin or even if you are just trying to gain a bit of length! I can really a notice with the double weft and the quality is fantastic - I was particularly impressed with how soft these felt, even after styling and brushes and spraying they were still seriously soft... alot nicer than my real hair!
This set is priced at £74.99, which I think is a great price - these will last for ages and you can do so much with them! Thank you Cliphair I can't wait to glam myself up and put these in!
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Bleach London are a brand I've drooled over for so long now.
Their funky wash in-wash out dyes are a dream and I WISH I was in a line of work that made it okay for me to dye my hair whatever colour I fancied now and again - but I think if I rocked up to work with bright blue hair they probably wouldn't appreciate it. Boooo!
(I do think I may go pink for when I head to Germany next month though #whynot?)
Anyway enough about the fact I can't have cool hair......... the hair that I can have is blonde and blonde is what I've been for a long while now!
I decided to go a bit blonder recently (I fancied a Teresa McQueen look!) and even though I knew what affect the bleach would have I went ahead and did it anyway!
For the first few washes after having my hair done I'm not going to lie my locks felt extremely knotty and dry (you know that slight cotton wool feeling? - eek!) - even with lots of conditioner and my beloved tangle teezer, so I knew it was time to invest in something a little more intense.
I had heard about this conditioning mask from Bleach a while ago was always intrigued to give it a go so when I spotted it in Boots half price at just £3 I snapped it up with utter delight.
The Reincarnation Mask is a treatment to help resurrect and hydrate thirsty, bleached or coloured hair - Ding! ding! ding! Winner!
The sunflower seed extract and micro wheat proteins help to improve the elasticity of the hair aswell as giving it great shine and helping reduce colour fade.
I followed the instructions on the packaging and after shampooing and rinsing my hair I slapped this all over my locks root-to-tip! It says to leave on the hair for 10-20minutes .... I was actually doing this in a slight hurry so I probably only just managed 10 minutes (next time I will leave it on for alot longer!).
It also says explains a great way to enchance the amazing results - by wrapping your hair in a warm towel and leaving it to work it's magic - I will definitely be trying this out at some point!
As soon as I rinsed it out and ran my fingers through my hair I felt an immediate difference! I grabbed my tangle teezer and enjoy brushing through my hair for the first time in a week or so!
This stuff is a god send for my bleached hair - it literally feels brand new! I'll be using this at least once a week from now on. If your hair is in need of some TLC and moisture then I highly recommend this stuff - it's only £6 normally and I think you'd get a good month's worth from each tube!
p.s. aren't you just loving my new camera? I'm obsessed!
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Hair, hair, hair. I feel like it's been a long while since I've done a hair post! Over the past 20months blogging I've tried extensions, hair pieces and countless amounts of products but today I have something brand new to me to share with you!
Hot Hair is a UK hair brand selling everything from extensions to wigs and I was really excited to be contacted by them and asked if I wanted to try out one of their popular ponytails!
I had actually been looking at buying a product like this a few months ago, I see so many celebritys wearing them and they seemed like such a quick and easy way to get a glamorous up-do in seconds!
After looking through the site I decided to get for the mermaid pony. The name 'mermaid' had me sold and I liked the look of the soft waves - alot more natural looking than a poker straight or overly curly.
The shade choosen for me was - Creamy Twist . I was a little nervous about choosing a shade as I has recently had my hair dyed slightly differently with a few darker blondes tones put through but I have to say though it was a great match!
Yes that picture is correct - it only takes 3 simple steps to get your normal plain Jane hair looking thick and fab! The comb slips into the top of your own ponytail and then all you have to do it wrap the attached piece of hair around the top to secure the piece and create a natural look!
I found this piece super easy to use. As you can see below I tried it in several different ways, my favourites being a low side pony and a standard high pony! I was worried that the hair would look super synthetic but once in it does blend alot better than I was expecting!
If you have thick-ish or similar length hair you may want to straighten it to make it thinner so it's easier to hide inside the piece, or style your hair in same style as the piece to help blend it! Make sure you have a few hair grips handy. The wrap around piece has velcro but also needs help being made secure but just a few hair grips has it done in seconds.
The Mermaid Pony is normally £25 but it's actually on offer at the moment for only £20 - here!
LEFT : Low Side Pony || RIGHT : Standard High Pony
(Shirt - New Look)
What do you think? Have you tried out any products like this?
Thank you Hot Hair I can't wait to wear this more!
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If you're a hair dye offender like myself (especially us blondes) you know as well I as I do how important it is to keep your hair in good condition! Dying, styling and general girly life tends to put such a strain on my hair and can leave it feeling dry, brittle and looking a bit pants!
I'm forever trying out new masks, oils and treatments for my locks and I've recently fallen in love with this intensive conditioner from Aveda!
Aveda are a brand I've heard so so many about now for a good couple of years. Their high quality products and services are famous in the haircare world and I've always wanted to get my poor little hands on some of their stuff!
I was lucky enough to be given this treatment from a lovely friend who wanted me to be able try it out for myself (and help save my hair!)!
The Damage Remedy Intensive Restructuring Treatment is a weekly mask part of a 3-step system aimed to strengthen damaged and chemically processed hair.
This thick creamy butter uses the power of pure plant oils teamed with some other magical ingredients to help restore health, shine and gorgeous silkiness.
My hair, like many others, is a bit pants. As hard as I try to keep it healthy it always seems to be a bit weak and dry plus I'm sure new spilt-ends pop up weekly! So this product was always going to be welcomed with open arms into my collection!
I have been using this every 7-10 days for the past month or so and have been loving the results.
The texture is thick and creamy, slightly like the hair butter from Lee Stafford and I cover my hair root to tip in it after shampooing. After around 15 minutes I wash the treatment out and reveal it's work!
This conditioner penetrates the hair shaft with it's quinoa protein, working from the inside out it helps to strengthen and repair alongside the phellodendron and barley which seal in moisture.
I like to leave my hair to air dry after using this, kind of defeats the object to blast it with heat doesn't it!
My hair is left feeling light and airy, smooth and alot less frizzy! It reduces the dryness alot which is the main reason why I lurveeee it!
The only problem is that it's not cheap, it's around £29.50 for this 150ml bottle BUT saying this where the product is so thick you don't need alot each time you use it and where it is so intensive you do only need to use it maybe once every 10 days - meaning 1 bottle will last you a good while!
Aveda salon's are pretty exclusive - try and google where the closest one to you is and maybe you can go in and give this fab treatment a go before you splash out and purchase it for yourself!
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Earlier this week in my Bestival post I mentioned how I loved my pink hair at Bestival and that I was going to share with you how I did it! So here it is, Fudge Urban Hair Chalk!
I'd used hair chalk before, at Bestival 2013 but I knew this year I wanted to use alot more of it and really change my hair! I picked these up from Boots at £5.99 each. (a little expensive compared to cheapy ones on ebay really!)
I went for pink and purple although on the day after I'd finish putting them in and brushing it through, it just looked all pink - artistic flare failed!
Hair chalk is so super easy to use! I'd recommend maybe doing it in some old clothes and wear a towel or something around your shoulders as it can be a little messy with the fall out. (Do NOT use when standing on white/cream carpets!)
This chalk comes in a little round pot which is cute but not as helpful as other brands' packaging! Because of this I use a plastic bag around my other hand when applying it to save my fingers from getting stained! Saying this if it does get on your hands it is pretty easy to wash off! I went for the dip-dye look because I'm 'totes original' - bahaha not! I think it looks cute, who cares if every other Tom, Dick and Louise has it!
After putting a fair bit through the fronts of my hair my lovely friend Megan - Hey Megs - helped me to do the back! Like I said before I tried to use purple and pink but they both seemed to fade to the same shade after I had brushed it through!
Brushing did hurt slightly, it just feels like there is alot of build up in your hair - but it was so worth it! I had lots of people ask if I had dyed my hair which I was really chuffed with - must have looked half professional right? And........ here is the finished product! Even though it felt like I had used quite a bit in both mine and my friends hair I've still come home with lots left in the pot! I'm tempted to take it on holiday with me to change up my looks on a few days! If it wasn't for my job I would dye it tomorrow - I love it!
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