Love is the the Hair

Happy Valentines Day! February 14th is about love, not just the real kind, the kind that means care and attention and that means YOU too! Lots of single people hate valentines because they feel lonely and sick seeing everyone else loved up but I see this as an opportunity to pamper yourself.

My hair has been getting quite dry lately, especially as I have to straighten my hair more now its longer. It has made me realise why I cut it off in the first place, but im not giving up yet. These are a few products I have already tried and there are a couple I want to try. These are just a few personal choices but there is loads out there depending on your hair type.

1 L'oreal Extraordinary Oil
I have been using a tester of this on my hair, I've tried it when my hair is damp and when it's dry and it works either way. It absorbs into your hair quickly and leaves it feeling silky smooth and as if its been freshly cut. I need to buy the full version to see the wonders it achieves over time, but so far so good!

2 Vo5 Plump It Up Lotion
I've been using this product for a while. It protects your hair against heat and adds volume and texture. I use this before I blow dry my hair as my hair is quite thin and needs some help on the volume side of things. I think this is great for adding texture to your hair, you dont need much as the product can build up quite quickly. I felt my hair was more manageable and definitely gave it a little oomph for the day! I think this is definitely one to try!

3 Phyto Detoxifying Shampoo
I haven't used this product yet but I have seen it all around the blogging world lately. I really want to try this as I have a problem with my hair becoming easily greasy and dull even without any product in. I would love to wash my hair less and have the feeling of freshly washed hair for longer so this is definitely at the top of my wish list this month!

4 Alberto Balsam Blueberry Shampoo & Conditioner
No one talks about this product as most people dont like it as its cheap and doesnt nesseserily do anything good for your hair. I got told that its better to use a cheap/own brand product as they have less chemicals in them, which is true. I gave this a try as I loved the smell and I personally really like it! It cleans my hair well and the conditioner leaves my hair super soft without the hefty price tag. win-win!

5 Lush No Drought Dry Shampoo
I got this as a gift for christmas and I was really keen to try it out as I'm a massive fan of dry shampoos! Firstly I love the smell of the lime in the product, it smells so fresh and lovely! Secondly it does wonders for my hair! Its makes my hair feel like its been freshly washed and adds volume to it too. The only thing I would say is that its better to put it in your hand first and then rub it in rather than pour it on your head as it can get too much and it will leave you with an itchy scalp. Also it can be kinda messy but thats the fun of it!

Those are just a few of the hundreds of products out there so buy something new and give yourself a pampering today!

Khrissie

February 2013 Wishlist

February is here, where did January go! Here's what I'm saving my pennies for this month...

1. French Connection Queenie Rae Classic Shirt

2. Black Dripping CC Tee courtesy of VIPXO

3. Chanel's 37 L'EXUBÉRANTE lipstick

4. Topshop Jacques Pantent (patent?) Midi Heels
5. Charlotte Olympia Toucan Suede and Leather Clutch at Net-A-Porter
6. French Connection Pyramid Clutch
7. Monroe Apparel tee - more of a wish it will come back in stock - LOVE THIS BRAND!

Trends Under £25: MONOCHROME

Dresses / Tops / Shoes / Accessories 

1 GEORGE ASDA £16  / 2 DOROTHY PERKINS £20 / 3 GEORGE ASDA £18 
4 RIVERISLAND £20 / 5 ASOS £20 / 6 NEW LOOK £24.99 / 7 ASOS £18
8 NEW LOOK £12.99 (Link black version)

Monochrome is a great trend for S/S13. Its so versatile and its an easy trend to mix with

other trends to. (such as neon). With monochrome you can't go wrong, all you have to do is find pieces which suit your style or you can add some classic key pieces such as the LBD for an instant wardrobe update. Buying new trends doesn't have to be expensive so I have hunted around to find some lovely pieces for under £25! This is also a great opportunity to try something new and daring, such a bold pattern! (check my NYE post)

So lets all stock up for spring as we are all dying for the sunshine to make an appearance after the lack of vitamin D we have been getting lately! Goodbye winter coats Hello Monochrome jackets!

DIY Top Tip's from Team ELLE

ELLE UK - February 2013

I have been a subscriber to ELLE for many years and would probably count it as my favourite magazine. This month (February 2013) they included an article featuring some Top Tricks from the ELLE team. Not one to ever pass up on a juicy tip I thought I'd share below for all of you who might not have seen them.

TIP 1

'If you skin is really dry or sunburnt, mash up a ripe banana and apply like a face mask leaving it for 15 minutes. Your skin will look calm and hydrated for next to nothing.'

Carrie Tyler - Digital director

TIP 2

'For post-spot scars I use a cotton bud with one end dipped in lemon juice and the other in argan oil. This breaks down redness and restores the skin'

Natalie Wansbrough-Jones- Senior fashion editor

TIP 3

'Add some salt to a splash of olive oil (until it's a gritty consistency). Pop it in the microwaves on the lowest heat for a couple of minutes (so it's warm not hot), then massage it into your hands for five minutes. Rinse off to reveal silky skin. Follow with a good dollop of hand cream.'

Gillian Brett - Fashion features assistant

TIP 4

'After a hot bath, I like to place a cool flannel on my face (I put a damp cloth in the freezer). It closes the pores and seems to help my spot-prone skin.'

Natalie Davis - Acting picture editor

TIP 5

'I keep Etat Pur Micellar cleansing water and cotton pads by my bed. It works better than face wipes and ensures I don't forget to clense off the day if I get in late.'

Espe De La Fuente - Fashion intern

TIP 6

'Fat is your friend! Since making good fats - salmon, avacado and coconut oil, as well as Perricone MD omega 3 supplements - a staple in my diet, my skin has been clear, dewy and plump.'

Amy Lawrenson - Senior beauty writer


Enjoy!

Dalmatians are forever!

Shirt H&M / Skirt EBAY / Necklace REPUBLIC

This was my last outfit of 2012 and I was really happy with how it turned out. I currently hate most of my wardrobe at the moment so I bought this shirt as the beginning of finding 'my style'. Im definitely into monochrome at the moment and its one of those on going trends which can change with seasons. Piece by piece I am determined to build up a wardrobe I am happy with, even if I haven't got much money right now. Ehay and Primark are going to be my 'go to' places for the mean time. So searching for a key wardrobe item at a good price is my mission for the next few months. Watch out for Bargain Buys coming to a post near you. 

DIY Facial

Photo taken with Instagram, apologies for poor quality.

Every month Khrissie and I will have a DIY feature that you can do from the comfort of your home and hopefully save you a bit of dollar. To start with I've decided to do a DIY Facial. I love doing these at home and try to do them once a fortnight to keep my skin looking larrrvely and clean! I am not a beautician or anything to do with dermatology, I just started doing these when I had a spell of adult acne and found they really helped keen my spots at bay and have continued to do them. 


Products I use:
* Decléor Natural Exfoliating Cream
* A bowl of boiling water and a tea towel
* One Lush teatree tablet
* Lush 'Angels on Bare Skin' Clenser
* Clarins Pure and Radiant Mask
* Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser


(This is just a guide and what I find works best for me, I have sensitive skin so most of these products are tailored for that. Basically all you need is a way to steam your face, an exfoliator, facemask and moisturiser).


* Firstly I fill the kettle to the very top and boil it. Whilst this is happening I apply the Decléor Natural Exfoliating Cream - I got a sample a few months ago in a Beauty Box and have just about got enough left to get me through a couple more facials, definitely going to have to purchase a big bottle! - I apply this and rub in circular motions as directed on the bottle to remove all the dead skin. Then I splash it off with some warm water.

* Afterwards I get the boiled water and put it in a bowl. Next I drop in the Lush teatree tablet. This starts to fizzle and gives off a fragrant steam. I cover my head with a teatowl and put it over the steam for about 10-15mins to open my pores. You can either time this on your phone or I just stick on a few songs and stop when they're finished. Then I pat my face dry.

* Next I get my Lush 'Angels on Bare Skin' clenser. You just need a small amount of product and a small amount of water to get it going and I use it almost like an exfoliator. I rinse this off with warm water and then apply the Clarins Pure and Radiant Mask and leave that on my skin for about 15-20mins whilst listening to some more tunes. Again I rinse this off with warm water.

* Finally after all of this is done I apply a good dollop of Liz Earle Skin Repair Moisturiser and leave that to soak in overnight and wake up with super nourished skin. Lovely!!


I hope you get some kind of wisdom from this feature and let us know how it goes!

NYE! DARING TO DO MORE!

Dress - Topshop 

So, for New Years Eve I decided I didn't want to drink my life away. I have moments where I like to party more and other times where I'm more of the 'quiet evening in' kinda girl. This year I was with my man, treating it like our christmas together as his parents live up north. We went to an indian called Lala's and it was amazing! I've never seen nan breads so big in my whole life. Afterwards we went back to his house, had a drink and lit some colourful lanterns with his parents. It was such a lovely evening and I couldn't think of a nicer way to enter 2013!

Before the event happened I went shopping with my mum, as I had to have a new dress, no matter what I was doing. After going from shop to shop and finding nothing my mum came across this. My first thoughts were, err thats abit much! but as soon as I popped it on (not being the bodycon kinda person anyway) I fell in love! It hugged me in the right places making me feel elegant and grown up. This gave me a new confidence to wear things which I don't usually wear, plus I'm still on my way to finding my own personal style and this has definitely helped me along the way.

I'd love to see what you wore for NYE! Whether it was a onesie for a quiet night in or a killer dress for a night on the town!

I hope you all had a lovely new years eve and you have enjoyed your first week of 2013!