The hair tool I could never live without - ghds.

So.... this post was meant to go up FOREVER ago... but a dodgey memory card and a crazy couple of weeks later and I've finally sorted it. (sorry for the wait guys!)

The brand ghd have been in my life since I was 13 years old and I received my first pair for Christmas 2003. Until last month these were the straighteners I had used.... yes that's right - for 13 years they had been by my side!
By far the best investment my parents could have made for me at that young age haha - they had seen me through the awkward teenage years, the girls night out (every weekend) years and the 'I should probably put some effort in' years!

So when ghd contacted me and asked if I'd like to try out the brand new platinum copper luxe preium gift set* .... I nearly through my phone across the room with excitement! It had been that WEEK that I had been talking to my work colleagues about how long I'd had my ghd's and that it was probably time for a upgrade.... I couldn't believe the coincidence!

Like I said this post was supposed to go up already but I have had some major trouble with memory cards and bits and bobs (life!) - which has never happened to me before... so frustrating - so some photos will be a different quality than others, I apologise in advance! (I have to be honest!!)

Anyway.... back to the fun stuff! 
Ghd challenged me to #Glitztheseason and create a fun party look for December with the exciting new ghds and the variety of styling products they had kindly popped over!

Within these products was the 'curl hold spray' so immediately I knew I wanted curls involved somehow, curling with straighteners has been a challenge for me but I think I've finally got it down!
Something a different for me when going 'out out' is having my hair up - and I actually do love wearing it up, it's at that awkward growing stage at the moment so it's not short or long so UP was a no-brainer for me!
At this point once again.... I'm not going to lie... I had a slight bit of help from my lovely friend (what a babe!)

The hairstyle below may look a bit fiddly and complicated.... but it really isn't!

Firstly I curled my hair in the biggest bounciest curls I could manage, using the heat protect spray and then the curl hold spray to make sure they weren't going to drop!

It was then time for a million hair grips, strategic placing of curls and a mountain of ghd shine spray and a tab of hairspray and ta-da a unique up-do ready for any party! Glitz yourself from head to toe a little more with a pretty detailed grips or some hair glitter!

Let me know if you give it a go - so fantastic for more or less any hair length ... you might just need a few more grips and a bit more hairspray if you're blessed with super long locks!

Weekly Round Up #1

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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A New Look : London Retro - Piccadilly Glasses

Why yes that is me - and yes I am wearing glasses, you like?

When I was asked if I'd like to try out a new pair of glasses from Glasses Direct - I jumped at the chance. It's been a loooong time since I picked out new frames and the ones I did have were so dated and made me look like a 46 year old librarian ..... they really weren't great.

So being able to try something completely new and giving myself a new look had me really excited!
I knew I wanted to go for something a bit bigger than my previous frames, I have a big face (yes I can except it.) so small glasses just don't really do me any favours!

I ended up going with the London Retro Piccadilly frames which you can see below in all their glory :)

London Retro - Piccadilly*

Glasses Direct are a fantastic website for both men and woman and have a huge range of designers to choose from.
It's also great for someone like me who is a little bit fussy and wants things just right - so to help you pick your favourite pair they offer a fab Free 7 day trial. (genius!)

Just pick 4 frames you like the look of and GD will send them out to you within 2 days. You can then try them out for real, pick your favourite and the order them! Easy peasy and no awkward ordering and regretting!

I am absolutely loving these from London Retro and definitely think I made the right choice with Piccadilly! They are plain black which I love as they go with everything (unlike my previous red things!) and I love the slight cat eye style.

I was also really intruiged to see that London Retro have teamed up with designer Nicholas King to create a limited edition range! This range of statement eyewear is to support the worldwide eye care charity Orbis - who you can find out more about right here.
Anything that helps a charity out is all good in my books, especially when you're getting something awesome for yourself at the same time, the range is available exclusively at Glassesdirect.co.uk and all profits will be donated to the wonderful people at Orbis.

So... what do you think of my new look?

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Video : Easy Curly Lob Hair Tutorial

After lots of requests I've finally filmed how I create my messy curly lob!
Everytime I upload a photo or video where I've curled/waved my hair I have lots of people asking how I do it and what I use so I thought it was about time I just went and showed you all.
 I love having shorter hair, cutting it off was the best decision I've made all year.
I'd love to know your thoughts on this - tutorials are a brand new thing to me.... it's a little nerve-wracking but I found it so much fun to film!

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Paul Mitchell Smoothing Super Skinny Collection

Since having my hair cut off into a lob I have been spending alot more time, pampering, styling and heat-abusing my locks! Short hair may be easier but I still seem to be using just as many, if not more, products.

I was recently asked by the amazing HQ Hair if I wanted to try out some products from the haircare giant Paul Mitchell.

 Knowing the positive and professional reputation that surrounds the brand and after using some cheap drugstore products over the past few months I was all in for a trying out something new and a bit snazzy.

Super Skinny Daily Shampoo* | Super Skinny Daily Treatment* | Super Skinny Serum*

After being given some options I decided to go with the 'Smoothing' collection.
 Since getting my hair cut and coloured I have been wearing it down alot. It's so nice to wear my hair down and not have it feel straggly or ratty, although I still suffer from those annoying fly-aways and slight frizzyness.
A collection aimed at cleansing, smoothing and softening the hair seemed right up my blonde street and I couldn't wait to try them out.

They came in a cute little bag which I've forgotten to photo because I'm an idiot and are all full sized products.

Products included :

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Daily Shampoo 300ml 

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Daily Treatment 300ml

Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum 150ml

First up lets talk about the scent - super yummy apples and lemons! Well I'm sure it's apples and lemons.... that's what my nose is telling me anywho! Really sweet, which I love, and really fresh - perfect for when you need a bit of zest to wake you up!

The shampoo leaves my hair feel deeply cleansed and rid of any products I may have lurking in there.

The skinny daily treatment is basically a posh name for a conditioner. A nice creamy consistency that I've been using from the mids to the ends of my hair. 

I have been using less and less each time I use this as I did have a couple of times where I used a little too much and my hair felt a bit over-done with treatment! (It felt like I hadn't washed it out properly... eww!)

Both these products are said to reduce drying time, which I actually hadn't realised at first but I did notice that I was having alot less time with my hairdryer.... although it could just be the fact I have half the amount of hair than I used too that makes me feel this way!

Before I dry my hair I have been using the super skinny serum. Serums are something that have taken a backseat for me over the last 2 years as hair oils have strongly taken over. This serum has had rave reviews from around the globe and won countless awards - which had me really excited to try it out.
It smoothes, conditions and seals hair strands helping to keep the hair silky, shiny and frizz-free in any weather.... thank the lord!
Again, I have been using less and less of this each time - I think the first time I tried it I kind of forgot that I had had my hair cut and didn't need as much as was left with wayyyy too much soaking into my locks!
This serum is currently my favourite haircare product - I've noticed a big difference in the frizzyness of my hair, plus it's looking alot shinier -  so it is definitley working wonders.

Bought individually the products are priced as : Shampoo £11.75, Daily Treatment £14.75 & Serum £18.95.

I've nearly used the shampoo and conditioner up now but I think the serum will probably last me about a year - no joke, it's huge and with my short hair a little goes a long way!

A fabulous treat for my hair, I'm really looking forward to browsing the rest of HQ Hair's website, the amount of amazing brands they have on there it's going to make my wishlist extra long, I can just tell.

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Hairspiration : The Lob

I know what 50% of you are going to say.... I also know what the other 50% of you are going to say! Either "DO IT" or "DON'T DO IT!" 

I've been growing my hair now since January 2013, I got a proper bob back in Nov 2012 and loved it but decided after a few months that long hair was going to be my goal for the next few years - and look, I did it!
But I'm a girl who likes change and to be honest it's been a long, long while since I did anything truly drastic to my hair which isn't like me at all! Seeing as there's noway I'm changing my hair colour anytime soon, I can't imagine being a brunette anymore, a cut it will have to be!
After spending probably an embarrassing amount of time on Pinterest and other social medias eyeing up fabulous shorter styles I've decided I'm going to go for the chop and try to rock a Lob!    (Lob = Long Bob)
I'm nervous but excited to have something different to play around with and style, here's some of my hairspiration! What do you think?

Don't worry.......... I've always got my extensions if I change my mind!

Wish me luck!!!

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