WOW Haircare Colour Security

   

Summer sun, sweat, swimming, styling ...

All these Summer factors can cause your dyed hair to look patchy, washy and dry, so it's important to find products that help prevent such damage and keep your colour looking fresh. 

This current heat wave, as temporary as it may be, has created the perfect conditions in which to test the Colour Wow Colour Security Shampoo and Conditioner that I was sent. 

Now I've been dying my hair purple for a good few months, using Directions vegetable dye, and as much as I adore the colour it does start to fade after two weeks or so, and to a sludgy, murky bluey green. 

I started using these products after having recently dyed my hair, just before the fading stage, and the effects have really surprised me. 

Before I go on to describe the effects, I'll say now that yes my hair did fade. Most certainly not as quickly as before, but it still faded. I do not interpret this as meaning that these products haven't done the job, as what I'll tell you in a second will prove that. The purple that I used when I first dyed my hair this colour had very strong blue undertones, meaning that's the colour that's been absorbed the most by my bleached hair, so the purple, being the weakest tone, will always fade from my hair, and I don't think that can be prevented in anyway, only prolonged. 

So, as I said before, my hair would usually fade to a swampy blue-green tone that was gross. I just wanted to re-dye over it as quickly as possible. Since using these products however, the purple has faded to reveal a vibrant aqua with subtle streaks of green that give my hair a two-tone look. The vibrancy really is amazing. I've had so many people gawp in awe at my hair, and they're so surprised when I tell them that this is a fade. 

So above are two pictures from my Instagram showing the colour my hair was just before it started to fade, and the colour that it is at the moment. I haven't dyed my hair in between. 

Hopefully from this you can see the vibrancy I'm talking about. I'm so surprised with this outcome, and I know it's down to these products because I haven't changed anything else in my hair care routine, and haven't changed the dye that I'm using either. 

Because of this, even though my hair colour changes, I can go a lot longer before re-dying because I love this blue shade so much. 

Based on the results I've experienced, I think it's easy to assume that if you use a colour that doesn't fade out as quickly as mine, the products will work wonders on its vibrancy and longevity. 

READ MORE

Magnitone - The 7 Day Challenge

So if you read my Blogger's Fashion Week with Bloggers Love post, you'd have seen that one of the amazing products I was gifted at the event was a Magnitone Lucid (Limited Edition by Pixie Lott) . 

If like me you read a lot of blogs, you would have heard amazing things about this product, which is why I was so stoked to get a chance to talk to the ladies behind the brand and find out what all the fuss was all about. Gina Akers was so lovely, and explained the science and technology behind the brand thoroughly. 

For some reason, I'd always imagined the bristles on the Magnitone products to be quite stiff, but I was so surprised at how soft and gentle they were on your skin. Gina gave us a demonstration and I was hooked instantly. 

My skin has been bugging me a lot recently. It can go from oily to dry very quickly, and I struggle to find products that don't clash with my skin's behavior. Recently, my T-Zone has been really dry, and no amount of exfoliating and moisturising seemed to solve the problem. This became a real pain when applying foundation, because no matter how good the quality of the foundation was, it would just cling to the dry patches and look awful. I was in a patchy-skin nightmare. 

I explained all of this to the girls at the Magnitone stand, and they explained that the Magnitone Lucid uses Active Electromagnetic Technology. What this basically means is that it sends electromagnetic vibrations into the skin which unclogs the pores, whilst at the same time sweeping away dry and dead skin cells. It also pulsates 10,000 times per minute. My bare hands and an exfoliating scrub just can't compete with that. 

So today is the 7th day that I've been using the Magnitone Lucid, and according to Magnitone's site, in that time I should have noticed a skin transformation. I thought this was codswallop at first, and that no way would I notice a drastic difference in such a short period of time. Especially considering you only use the product on your face for one minute, twice a day. 

BUT, I was well and truly wrong. The dry patches in my T-Zone have practically vanished, and my skin seems to have more life to it. It's dewy rather than greasy, and flushed with a natural glow rather than a matte dullness. The effects of the moisturising / toning products I've been applying to my skin for months are more noticeable and last longer too. As a result, my make-up sits better on my skin. If these are the results after only 7
 days, then I'm expecting things to only get better. 

It's not just the effects on the skin that are great about this product. A lot of thought has gone into the design to make it as easy and convenient as possible. It's entirely waterproof, allowing for use in the shower. Because of this, there are no insert points for a charger. Instead, the product charges through an electro-magnetic pod that's connected to the mains, allowing for the product to be used wirelessly once fully charged. 

My favourite feature however, is the bleeps that tell you when to move on to another area of your face. You're only meant to spend a minute using the product, starting on your forehead for 20 seconds, your cheeks for 10 seconds each, and your chin and nose for 20 seconds. The bleeps between each area mean you don't even have to pay attention to how long you're using it . After a minute's up, the product switches off automatically. Genius. 

READ MORE

Blogger's Fashion Week with Bloggers Love

Cupcakes, macaroons, bathtubs full of jewellery and an awesome DJ: Bloggers Love know how to throw a blogger event. 

I've been to many blogger events before, but never one hosted by Bloggers Love. This particular event was Bloggers Fashion Week (that's right, we get our own fashion week!) and it was awesome. 

In an unassuming 4th floor studio on Commercial Road in East London was a bloggers paradise. 

With over 40 brands showcasing their latest collections, it was lovely to take time getting to know the faces behind the brands instead of just taking them at face value. 

The ladies at Joe Browns were darlings, and the collection was in keeping with the upcoming 70s and bohemian trends. Definitely got my eye on that cherry blossom coat.  

Gossimer Wings caught everybody's eye with their vintage bath tub full of statement jewellery. The gold and blue pieces really stood out to me. I'm very rarely attracted to gold jewellery, but there's something about those blue gems that had me awestruck. 

I also got to meet the talented ladies behind jewellery brand Iridescence, who handcraft gorgeous pieces, some of which are very Victorian in style. The Victoriana trend is huge at the moment, with white lace and billowing silhouettes coming in for SS15. I was completely dumbfounded when they gifted me a stunning and very ornate bracelet with a gem that mirrored my hair. 

There were two other brands that I was really glad to have met. Umberto Giannini were there with some of their most popular products. I got talking to one of the girls about how my thick hair refuses to backcomb. They gave me some amazing tips and advice for keeping my coloured hair healthy, and also gifted me their Backcomb in a Bottle. I'm really looking forward to finally being able to achieve those hairstyles that have flopped (literally) in the past. 

Magnitone were also there. I was excited to speak to them most of all . I'd heard so many good things about their products, and have struggled with my skin for ages, trying a variety of different products, to no avail. The science and technology behind Magnitone makes a lot of sense, and sounds very well thought out. I was over the moon when they gifted me one of their products. I've been using it for the last 4 days and am already seeing a difference . I won't say too much though because I'm going to do a review soon, so keep a look out. 

I would like to say a massive thank you to Bloggers Love for inviting me, and also an even bigger thank you to the brands for their time talking to me, and for their generosity. It was so lovely to meet you all. 

READ MORE

My Hair Care Routine

Dyeing your hair is a commitment, and requires your constant attention. Since going purple, my hair has taken over my life, but I get a lot of people complimenting me on how healthy it looks, so I thought I'd put together a post all about the products I use and steps I take to keep my in good condition. 

I will say now that the commitment definitely applies more so to those who bleach their hair before dyeing. In fact, in all honesty, if you're not prepared to invest in conditioners and masks and frequent trims to keep your hair healthy, don't do it. Not only will your hair dry out and break, but the colour will look awful as a result. The more effort you put into your hair's health, the more you get out of it. 

Catwalk by TIGI - Headshot

You're probably reading this now and thinking 'There's no way I can afford that!' But before you panic and feel that expensive hair products are your only hair saviors, this product is here to actually inform you of the amazing deals TK Maxx do on hair products. I bought this salon sized bottle from there for just £12.99. When you take into consideration the fact that a small bottle of Aussie conditioner is £5, this is a steal. TK Maxx actually do a variety of salon products, from TIGI and Sebastian to Fudge and Wella, all at majorly reduced prices. Obviously the stock in each store is going to be different, but they do have a good selection online. It's definitely worth putting your money towards products like these. We all come out of a hair salon wishing we could make our hair feel that good at home. It's all down to the products they use, so now you can. I bought this particular bottle because of its intense conditioning qualities. The more intense the better I say! 

Schwarzkopf got2b Guardian Angel Heat Protection Spray

I've been using this product for a good few years now. I don't blow dry, straighten or curl my hair that often, but when I do I know that it's imperative that I use this. Not only does it smell amazing, but my hair doesn't feel brittle or dry after. You wouldn't get something out of the oven without oven gloves, so why apply heat directly to your hair? This is applicable to everyone with hair really, but for us with dyed hair, applying heat actually opens up the hair shaft, so colour can escape. Another one I'd recommend is the Tresemme Heat Protect Mist, as it has colour fade protection. 

Tresemme Instant Refresh Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo should be your best friend if you've dyed your hair, particularly if you've gone quite a bright colour. These colours fade so quickly, that sometimes the best way to make the colour last that little bit longer is to postpone washing it. I'm not suggesting you go two weeks without washing your hair, but if you wash your hair every other day, whether it's due to grease build up or just habit, you could maybe push it to once every three days and use dry shampoo in between. Now I know Batiste is probably the most popular, but I just don't get on with it. I find it quite claggy and drying and a bit sticky. Tresemme's is light on the hair and it doesn't feel like I've got anything in my hair after using it. I also find that this one lasts me so much longer than Batiste. 

 L'oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil: Coloured Hair

I wouldn't say this product is a must, but it's definitely handy to have around. There are days when my hair just isn't happy - maybe I've styled it too much or it's been a pretty cold and windy day and it's just been battered around a bit. That's when I use this gem. £10.99 seemed a lot at first, but I know Argan and Macadamia oils are a big thing at the moment and they're something like £12 for a bottle 1/5 of the size of this one. You only really need one pump and a quick ruffle through your hair, paying attention to the ends and you've got a quick moisturising fix. 

Other Steps

Another trick of mine is adding an equal amount of conditioner to the dye every time I dye my hair. Vegetable dyes like Directions are pretty concentrated anyway, so there's no harm in diluting it a bit with some intense conditioner. 

I also add a bit of dye to my conditioner, just so it's getting a top up every time I do wash it, and for a treat - if it needs it - a bit of the L'oreal oil too. 

I hope you've found this post useful, and it would be awesome to hear about any tricks you guys might have for keeping your hair in tip-top condition. 

READ MORE

The VIP Experience with Jaw Breaker and Voodoo Vixen

I don't mean to keep boasting about the amazing time I had at London Edge, but I was spoiled rotten and made to feel so welcome that I feel it's only right to give it a mention here on my little corner of the internet. 

So Jawbreaker and Voodoo Vixen were the hosts of the after-party and invited me and some other bloggers to be their VIPs for the day. Prior to the event we had to choose a dress from either brand which we would receive at the event, and get our hair and make-up done to match. 

Many bloggers got their dress and changed into it straight away, which meant London Edge was a sea of A-lines and victory rolls. It was like I'd gone back in time. 

As London Edge is an alternative fashion trade event, it was so interesting to see everyone's personal style, so I decided to change into my dress last minute. I've always loved vintage fashion, but I feel it's a style you need to commit to 100%; hair, make-up etc and I've only just mastered a fishtail plait. So I was intrigued to play around with it and see how I could make the style fit me. 

So after the blogger meet-up and looking at all the amazing brands, it was time to go get my dress and get dolled up.

The VIP area was like a mini salon, with a hairspray haze and hair grips used by the dozen. I take my hat off to the team though, who had been on their feet doing hair and make-up since 6am, but were some of the loveliest ladies I'd met that day. When it was my turn to sit in the chair, I had no idea what I wanted. I'd seen so many victory rolls , and wanted something different, so I told the lovely Nicola Abraham that she had free reign over my hair and could do whatever she wanted. I'd seen her do the hair of some other bloggers and knew straight away that I was in good hands. It was quite a weird experience having my hair done but having no idea whatsoever what was being done to it.

As you can see from the pictures above, she's one very talented lady. The end result was so me, and gave the vintage dress the grunge twist I never could have achieved myself. I was hoping to wear my Dr Martens with the dress but wasn't sure how it would look, but when I saw what Nicola had done to my hair, it turned out the boots would work perfectly.

It was also quite fitting that in the goody bag I received at the blogger meet up was a pink Miss Candy Floss hair piece which contrasted wonderfully with my hair and matched the dress, AND worked perfectly with the hairstyle Nicola had created.

 I was a little bit worried about the dress because I'd only seen one picture online, and I wouldn't really know what it was like until I'd seen it, but I was actually really pleased. I chose mine from Voodoo Vixen, and it's their Adeline dress which is an elegant floral patterned flare dress featuring cherry and cherry blossom motifs. It fit me really well and the material was really good quality, which surprised me as a lot of the vintage dresses I've come across in the past are amazing to look at, but are really poor quality.

The after-party was a lot of fun, with drag-queens, burlesque acts and magicians. The Jawbreaker and Voodoo Vixen crew really had pulled out all the stops. I only wish I could have stayed longer, but with luggage and a two hour journey home, I'd had a very long and eventful day and my feet were crying out for a rest. I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who organised such an awesome VIP experience and made me personally feel so welcome.

Until next time London Edge!

READ MORE

London Edge Trade Show and Blogger Meet up with Kat Williams

(picture by Rage Studios)

 

Last weekend I got to attend London Edge alternative fashion trade show at the Olympia Exhibition Center, London. It's an event only open to fashion buyers and press, and is a place where gothic, grunge, punk and vintage brands show off their latest collections to potential buyers. 

I heard about the event last year and knew it was something I had to attend, but underestimated how amazing the event would actually be. Not long after registering as a blogger I was invited to attend the Blogger Meet-Up which was to be hosted by the fabulous Kat Williams from RocknRoll Bride. 

I was overwhelmed by the range of brands and the variety of unique styles they presented. It's a brilliant place for seeing your favourite brand's latest collection before it's released, but also for discovering new brands that you just can't wait to spend your money on. 

Iron Fist and Killstar have been fixed favourites of mine for years now, so it was awesome to see what they've got coming up for SS15. I've already got my eyes on a few pieces. Keep your eyes peeled for sneak peak at the Iron Fist SS15 collection. 

I discovered some new brands that I fell in love with. Lip Service's sexy yet elegant use of lace, sheer fabrics, vinyl and velvet had me drooling, whilst Alice Takes a Trip were channeling some Cutester vibes for the Summer with adorable bee motifs and rainbow fur inserts. 

Jawbreaker and Voodoo Vixen were hosting the after-party, and many bloggers, including myself, were asked to attend the show as a VIP of the brands, and were given a free dress to wear to the after-party and a make-over, which included vintage hair styling and make-up. I decided to change into my dress last minute, but many wore theirs straight away. As a result the show was a sea of A-line silhouettes and victory rolls. It was quite a sight. 

The Blogger Meet-Up was a perfect opportunity for me to get to meet some like-minded bloggers. With free champagne, sweets and the biggest goody bag I've ever received, conversation was focused on how generous the brands had been. Many selfies were taken and Instagram names swapped. I always feel quite nervous about things like this, but it was a lovely atmosphere with a lovely group of ladies. I had the pleasure of meeting Emma from Emma Inks who's an absolute babe, and Claire from clairelouise.net

Kat Williams was a sweetie as always, answering our questions about blogging and finding your own niche, and walking around with us as we checked out some of the brands. 

The whole show is one big blur for me now, but getting my hair done by the talented Nicola Abraham stands out clearly as one of the best moments of the day. I'd wanted something a bit different and told Nicola that she had free reign to do whatever she wanted with my hair. The end result was epic (see first picture above). I'm actually going to do a whole blog post on the VIP experience, so watch this space to see the final look. 

READ MORE