John Frieda Everlasting Blonde Colour Preserving Duo

Now as you all know (or if you don't you will now) I am a huge Lee Stafford fan when it comes to my hair and taking care of it and have been now for the past year or so.
 But now and again I think to myself that stepping out of my little comfort zone and trying different brands is a good idea and I should really expand my collection of hair products (even though I don't even have enough space for them all as it is... it's a girl thing right?)
So when I was contacted recently about trying out some NEW products from John Frieda my hair and I jumped at the chance!

I'm going to be honest since watching a video from Fleur De Force a few years ago about a certain John Frieda range and the effect it had on her hair I have been a little reluctant to use their products. BUT saying this my mum had been using the same products for years and years and swears by them, so I suppose it is just personal opinion/experience. 

After reading the description for this certain shampoo and conditioner though - I was sold! 
These are the Everlasting Blonde, Colour Preserving, shampoo and conditioner and I have been using them for the past 3 weeks or so.
I have probably been using them only around twice a week even though it says to use every wash but I have to say I am highly impressed with the results.
These products are made to help maintain a bright blonde colour and are recommended for all shades of colour treated blonde hair.

I have my hair coloured every few months with a full head of highlights and I always try my best to keep the colour the same as it is the day I leave my hairdressers chair!
Sometimes my hair tends to fade and the blonde may become slightly duller/darker and just doesn't look like that vibrate light blonde I started with, so in the past I have used a number of different products. 
I've mentioned before the bleach blondes range from Lee Stafford which act like the "touch of silver" shampoos and conditioners that take out of the brassy or yellowy tones from your hair and are a purple coloured product.
 I was surprised to see that these products weren't also purple but I was actually kind of pleased as I find they dry my hair out alot. (FYI I have cut down using the bleach blonde range alot and only use them around twice a month now).
This month aswell I started wearing extensions again so keeping my hair the same colour is something I am desperate to keep up - extensions that don't blend are my worst nightmare. (I use Lush hair extensions in shade #60 'Lightest Blonde' and they are 18".)

After using this duo my hair feels silky smooth and soft. And not only is it shiny but and I can see a real difference in the lasting of my colour.
I last had my hair coloured at the end of August about 5 weeks ago and my blonde is still really bright and the tone is great.
I am soooo pleasantly surprised by the effect these products have had on my hair and I am so glad I went for it and tried them out! I definitely think this will be on my list of things to repurchase - hopefully it will help me stay away from the hairdressers (and the bleach) a little bit longer.... although unfortunately they will never cure my roots!
I believe these are £5.99 each from Boots but I'm sure prices vary and you can find out more about these here.


(***Disclaimer : This product was kindly sent to me by the lovely people at Forward3D. . All thoughts, opinions and ideas are always my own and I would never include an item or product on A Yellow Brick Blog that I didn't truly believe in.)

Growing My Hair & My Haircare Routine

Over the years I've been good with my hair but I've also been VERY bad with my hair! I'm the sort of girl who gets bored with it easily and loves having a change, whether it being a colour or a cut I love having a revamp at least once a year!

Throughout the last 10 years I have tried ALOT of different colours, cuts and styles which hasn't always been the best thing for the condition of my locks! (Especially the time I was dying my hair red weekly so it wouldn't fade.... oh dear!)
2009-2011 was probably my most drastic changes ( and not just my hair.... ) here's me as a blonde, a redhead and a brunette with a variety of fringes, yes this all probably happened within a 18 month period! (2010 and 2011 are with extensions)

BUT over the last 18 months I have realised that, for me, doing my hair myself was just NOT the thing to be doing and have been religiously heading to my hairdresser to get my hair done! 
Back in Spring 2012 I thought I'd get rid of my extensions (RIP) and have my hair cut alot shorter but after a while it had grown a bit and was still feeling a bit pants so in November 2012 I decided that the only way for me to get my long thick hair from when I was 17 back I was going to have to go for the chop and get a  proper bob - it was time to start a fresh and look after it well!

I have to say this was the best decision I have ever had for my hair and I actually loved having my hair in a bob, it was so easy and fun but.... I did start to get bored of the one straightened look I went for 24/7 after a few months!

In February for my birthday I received the whole Lee Stafford hair growth set and the Lee Stafford Argan oil and from this moment I have been on a mission to grow my hair out!
Since using the Lee Stafford products ( and a few others ) I have noticed such a difference in the condition of my hair and it HAS been growing alot faster in my opinion.

Aswell as using these products I have drastically cut down on using heat on my hair. Since February I have probably used heat on my hair less than 25 times - that is SIX months people, I think I'm doing well!
Unless I am going on a night out I will just let my hair air dry and either put it up in bun or in a french plait style! It may not look as good but my hair feels soooo much better from it all and it's actually a treat now when I decide to straighten or curl my hair.... I can also always notice a massive growth difference each time where I only straighten it every couple of weeks or so!

Here's my hair from the big chop until now  ....

 I go to hairdressers for a trim and a whole head of highlights every 12-16 weeks or so, leaving it this long does give me some major roots but it is so much better for my hair then going every 8 weeks, I love getting a bit blonder each time I go!

So..... I thought I'd share with you my hair routine and the products that I use! 

Number one is that I use a Tangle Teezer. (eww SO sorry about the strands of hair in the photo!)
I literally do not remember life before using these. I got my first one back in 2010 for Christmas and immediately fell in love!
If you haven't used these before I seriously urge that you do, they are so much better for your hair than a normal hairbrush, they don't pull, they keep your hair strong and they also help keep it shiny, I honestly haven't used an ordinary hairbrush to brush my hair in nearly 3 years!
I wash my hair probably 3 times a week and I near enough always use these, the Lee Stafford Hair Growth shampoo and conditioner. Like I said before I have been using them since February and I jut love the results they have. I know they are a little expensive for the size of the bottle you get (£6.99) but if you are sensible with the amount you are using you can make these last for weeks and weeks. (it is great if Boots have offers, it really helps save the pennies) I love love love the smell aswell!

Everytime I wash my hair and it is towel dry/damp I always use either the Lee Stafford Argan oil or my NEW favourite hair product the Moroccanoil Treatment from the mid lengths of my hair to the roots , both these products work so so well and I don't know how I lived before using oils on my hair! They are so amazing for keeping my hair thick, strong and healthy and they last for so so long, the Lee Stafford one is the same one since February!
Also if I am going to be using any form of heat on my hair I always spray in the Lee Stafford Heat Protection Spray for Straightening (even if I'm curling it... I'm crazy like that!)

Each Sunday (yes I have a set day!) I like to use the Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment along with my shampoo and conditioner. I put this on after my shampoo and leave for around 5 minutes and then wash out and use my conditioner as normal.
This stuff makes my hair feel so so amazing and I highly recommend it to anyone who it trying to repair or grow their hair or anyone has really dry hair.  (obviously it has the lovely Lee Stafford smell aswell!)
It is £7.99 and this normally lasts me about 8 weeks or so as I only use a egg sized amount once a week. As you can see I've stocked up (3 for £12 at the moment in Boots!) so this is likely to see me through until the end of the year!

If you have been following my blog then you know a good few weeks ago now I bought the Lee Stafford Bleach Blondes shampoo and conditioner to try. 
These products are toning products to help you loose any brassy or yellowy tones in your blonde hair (like the "touch of silver" shampoo that alot of people seem to be using). Originally I started using this once a week but I did find that it made my hair a little drier than usual so I have cut down to just using it once every 10 days or so! So far I think they have worked great and have definitely had a positive effect on the colour of my hair!

Now down to something that I only do once a month/ every 6 weeks!
 If I have a day off when I know that I'm just going to be at home for the day (and not be seen by any members of the public!)  I love to cover my whole hair in coconut oil..... in fact I am doing it right now!
Coconut oil is great for so so many things and it mainly used for dry skin (that's even what it says on the label) but I'd heard by quite a few different sources say it is also great for hair aswell, so i tried it! I've been doing this for the past few months and each time it has left me with lovely soft, thick hair!
Coconut oil is a hard substance (a bit like the Palmers coco butter original formula) but when a little heat is added it immediately turns to an oil, so all you have to do is rub it between your hands and you have pure coconut oil to slap on your hair! 
This stuff is super cheap aswell, I got this from Superdrug and it was 2 for £3 -  what a bargain for a product which has multiple uses!


I hope you have enjoyed this post - let me know what you think and what products you use and love!