Is This A Dupe For Bumble & bumble Surf Spray?

I love beachy waves but sometimes a dip in the sea just isn't convenient so any products designed to help create that hairstyle, I need in my life. No doubt you are familiar with the Bumble & bumble Surf Spray. As my bottle is coming to an end I'm on the hunt for a cheaper alternative, especially as it's �21.50 a go for holiday hair.

The Schwarzkopf Got2b Beach Matt Mermaid Look Texturizing Salt Spray (love products with ridiculously long names) promises to create that windblown, tousled beach look without the crunch. I like to use salt sprays on dry hair. After spraying evenly all over I scrunch my hair with my hands until it's wavy enough. The Got2b spray offers a matt texture and more volume than the Bumble and bumble Surf Spray. I found you have to go lightly with the Got2b version as it can make your hair feel dry if too much is sprayed. The Bumble spray creates softer looking waves whereas the cheaper Schwarzkopf dupe gives more defined, messy waves. If you want to see the difference between them both I posted this photo on instagram.

If you have fine hair I'd stick to the Bumble and bumble Surf spray but If you have thicker hair like me try out the Got2b Texturizing Salt Spray. 

The Schwarzkopf Got2b Beach Matt Mermaid Look Texturizing Salt Spray* �3.00 200ml

Bumble and bumble Surf Spray �21.50 125ml Both available at Boots. 

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New Year, New Hair

I've been umming and arring about going for the chop for a few months now. My Pinterest board is full to the brim with hair inspiration pictures and last week I finally made the plunge.

If there's ever a good time to try a new hairstyle it's at the start of a new year. So, last Thursday night I was feeling reckless. After oogling at photos of Zooey Deschanel and Suki Waterhouse I was ready to join the full fringe crew. I've never cut my own hair before but thanks to this YouTube video the process was a lot easier then I expected. Here's the finish result...

I'm really happy with how it turned out, new hair means new make up/clothes...right?

Anyone else fancy a new 'do this year?

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L'oreal Mythic Oil Souffle D'or Shampoo & Conditioner: Review

I loved a good oil-based product from dry body oils to cleansing oils - i can't get enough! I've never come across an oil-based shampoo & conditioner until discovering these...

Formulated to leave hair squeaky clean, nourished and looking shiny, this shampoo makes my hair feel light and airy. Both products are infused with Argan and Safflower oil which helps to restore dull looking hair. As you can see from the photos, tiny flecks of gold shimmer are suspended in both products. They look really pretty but unfortunately they serve no purpose as they wash out completely. I thought as these were oil-based products they would leave my hair feeling heavy, but after just one wash my hair is left feeling lightweight. I love the wispy effect these products give my thick hair, i just wish the gold shimmer didn't rinse out!

Both products are paraben and silicone free. They are more expensive then normal L'oreal haircare products as they're from their professional range. The L'oreal Mythic Oil Souffle D'or Shampoo* and Conditioner* are �13.00 each and available to purchase from The Salon Look website here.

*pr samples

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John Frieda Frizz-Ease: Review

You might remember i reviewed the John Frieda Sheer Blonde range back in March, read here if you missed it! I've recently been testing a few products from the iconic Frizz-Ease range. Because i regularly dye my hair, it can be very dry and prone to frizz; anything claiming to turn these frizzy locks to smooth curls i need to try! The entire Frizz-Ease range is packaged in a grey and purple design making it easy to spot when shopping for them.

Frizz-Ease Smooth Start Hydrating Shampoo �5.99
This contains Frizz-Mending complex and natural olive oil which replenishes lost moisture. I found you only need to use a small amount of this to get a good lather. Once washed out my hair feels immediately smoother. The light-weight shampoo would be great for those with fine hair as it leaves no residue.

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Frizz-Ease Smooth Start Hydrating Conditioner �5.99
Conditioning is essential for curly tresses.  The Frizz Ease conditioner is also enriched with a unique Frizz-Mending Complex and natural olive oil.  The texture is not as thick as some conditioners so doesn't leave hair feeling 'heavy'.  This helps to de-tangle hair and makes frizz more manageable. 

Frizz-Ease Dream Curls Enhancing Oil �9.99
This curl enhancing oil is suppose to add softness and shine to curly/wavy hair. To activate the oil you have to shake it. I put about 20 drops of this onto damp and and let it dry naturally. My hair does feel softer after using this but i'm not sure if it adds much shine. 

 Frizz-Ease Miraculous Recovery Intensive Masque �5.99

The conditioner itself is quite thin and runny but this doesn't effect it's performance.   Once applied to hair it feels like a typical conditioner would with the added extra of a lovely clean,fresh scent. I leave this on in the shower whilst i do the rest of my shower routine before rinsing out. For a more intense mask, leave this on for an hour.  Once washed out i can instantly feel that my hair is a lot softer and silkier.  

Overall, i've enjoyed using the Frizz-Ease range. If you have naturally curly or wavy hair i'd definitely recommend checking it out.  I normally see John Frieda on offer at Boots and selected products are 2 for �8 at the minute. 

You can purchase the John Frieda Frizz-Ease range on their website here.  John Freida also have a youtube channel with lots of helpful hair tutorials, you can view these here. 

*pr samples

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Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde range: Review

I love being blonde but it's a lot of up-keep. Fellow faux blondes will know that hair can't get a bit frazzled from the regular bleaching and colouring, so it's really important to use haircare products specially designed for blonde hair. I've been testing out the Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde Shampoo, Forever Blonde Conditioner and Forever Blonde Dramatic Repair.

The Forever Blonde range from Paul Mitchell contains KerActive protein which helps to repair damaged hair by hugging every strand to leave hair smoother and protected. It also boasts Safflower oleosomes help to restore lost moisture and add shine to blonde locks. 

Both the Forever Blonde shampoo and conditioner have a purple tint to them, this is something i look for in blonde haircare products as it helps to reduce pesky brassiness. I don't think my hair has every felt so soft after using a shampoo and conditioner, it feels ridiculously soft which is hard to achieve with colour treated hair. About once a week i use the Forever Blonde Dramatic repair spray which aims to hydrate dry hair as it helps to strenghten and seal the cuticle. It's very hard to judge whether it makes my hair stronger however it does make my hair look even smoother. 

The Results

The photo's above are before and after. I took the second one after using the Forever Blonde range for two weeks. You can see from the photo's that my hair looks softer and has more shine to it. My hair is slightly brighter too! If you're a natural or colour-treated blonde you might want to check out this Paul Mitchell range. Also, if sulphate-free or cruelty-free haircare products is something you look out for, Paul Mitchell products will be perfect for you. 

Forever Blonde Shampoo, Conditioner and Dramatic Repair �14.95 each. Available from Selected Salons.

*pr samples

*cheeky outtake!

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Colour Xtreme blue hair gel: review

Crazy coloured hair is something i've wanted to experiment with for ages. After browsing Pinterest for some inspiration, i found plenty of snaps of celebrities rocking the blue hair trend. Most recently Miley debuted a blue pixie cut. I'm not braze enough to go full-on blue like Katy Perry or Azealia Banks but Rita Ora's blue dip-dye looks quite....normal? Here's how i got on with the Colour Xtreme blue hair gel...

I like it! The gel was really easy to use but things did get a little messy (see here!) so make sur you use gloves and wear an old t-shirt. I used a brush to stop there from being a harsh line to the dip-dye. The blue is quite bright but it washes out straight away and didn't stain my hair - perfect for experimenting! I used up about half the bottle for this look. I feel braver after trying this out and want to try something more permanent, watch this space!  

Colour Xtreme hair gels are available online here and retail at �5.10 

Would you dare to try blue hair or do you think it's too Marge Simpson? 

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six different back to school hairstyles

The summer is nearly over as September looms around the corner. I normally spent the summer holidays bored but they always went too quickly! Back in the day we used to have to wear our hair up, so i've chosen six up-do's for you to re-create at home; whether it's for school,college,uni or work.

1. Rope Braid Ponytail
This look reminds me of the model's hair in 'Blurred Lines' & i love it! This braid is really easy to do and works best on those with long, un-layered hair. Check out my tutorial on this here - i did a side rope braid but the technique is the same.
2. Wavy Side Ponytail
For this look you'll need a curling iron and some salt spray to add texture. Simply part your hair to the side, curl one inch sections, spray in some salt spray and scrunch with your hands for messy waves. Scoop your hair to the side and tie in place.
3. 50's inspired high ponytail
I love this look but it does take a bit of time, so no lie-ins! Check out this step-by-step guide on how to re-create the style yourself.
4. Messy bun
Wearing your hair in a bun is perfect for those i-should've-washed-my-hair-last-night days. Firstly, gather your hair together as if you wear doing a ponytail. Then twist your hair into a knot and secured in place with some bobby pins - easy!
5. Five Strand ponytail
This braid is a little more complex than the standard one, but it looks so cool! It's quite hard to explain how to create this so i recommend watching this youtube video and giving it a go. Once you've got the hang of it, everyone's going to be asking you how you did it!
6. Fishtail braid plaits
I first saw this look in Company magazine and knew straight away that i wanted to re-create it. If you already know how to fishtail braid, this is a really quick and easy look to try. Once you've secured the braids in place, loosen them with your fingers and pull out a few strands around your face.


What look is your favourite? Let me know if you have a post requests in the comments below! 
picture source 1,2,3,4,5

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top festival beauty picks

So we are well into the festival season with Glastonbury coming up this weekend. I was a the Isle of Wight festival a couple of weekends ago (the Killers/Bastille/Jake Bugg were my favs!) and I had an idea for a blog post whilst roughing it..

For any beauty lover, the thought of spending the weekend in a muddy field without our favourite beauty products is a little daunting. Whilst crouching outside my tent at 7.00am getting my friend to splash water on my face to help me wash it I thought about putting together a capsule list of products that will help other beauty junkies feel & look as good as possible whilst roughing it. These products definitely helped me feel more confident and got me though the festival. Here's my best of fest beauty picks.

Floral Crown- handmade|yellow & blue box t-shirt* Lasula Boutique 

Pur Minerals 3 in 1 Universal Pencil in Cocoa Topaz �14.00*LINK
I like the idea of a multi-purpose pencil. Pur say you can use this on your eyes, lips and brows. I personally wouldn't use this colour on my lips but this is a brilliant eyeliner and stays put ALL day without smudging and you don't need to sharpen it.
LUSH No Drought Dry Shampoo �6.50 for 115g LINK
Greasy roots aren't a good look so dry shampoo is a festival must have. I've been using this one from LUSH. It has a refreshing grapefruit and lime scent to it and the powder has oil absorbing properties. I just puff it into my hand and work through my hair. It is a little messier than normal spray dry shampoo's but don't let that put you off it!
No7 Stay Perfect mascara �12.95 LINK
This is the newest mascara from No7, I thought it would be perfect for festi-season as it stays put all day and it really is waterproof. Unlike other mascara's you can only remove this with warm water! This is my current go-to mascara as hayfever keeps making my eyes water like crazy - cue awkward 'No, I'm not crying I promise' response.
Vichy Idealia BB cream �14.00* LINK
I've tried a few bb creams before such as Garnier & MUA but this one has to be my favourite. Firstly, this has SPF 25 which I love! It claims to be a 6-in-1 products by helping to illuminate, hydrate, smooth wrinkles, refine skin texture, reduce dark spots and contains UVA & UVB protection. I can't coment whether it's anti-aging properties really do work but it does help to hydrate my skin and instantly illuminates it. I wear this on it's own, it give a lovely natural dewy finish.
Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray �20.50 for 125ml LINK
I wanted something to give my hair texture all weekend and the best product for that is surf spray. I've tried a few others from Toni & Guy and Charles Worthington but this has to be my favourite. I love that it doesn't leave my hair feeling stiff or sticky. I use it on my mid-lenghts to give me texture & volume for a bed-head look. This is a pricey product but you can purchase a smaller 50ml bottle for �8.50.
Jurlique Essence of Rose roll-on �16.50* LINK
So after a few days of not showering I don't smell great. This is great to take instead of taking perfume. This is a life saver as you can also use it to roll under your nose before going to the loo - enough said. The dinky 11ml roll-on is prefect for popping in your handbag.
Burts Bees Replenshing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil �3.69 LINK
Lip balm is a must have for me. This one from Burts Bees goes on smoothly and has a light pomegranate scent. I also used it around my nose to stop myself from sneezing as my hayfever was really bad & it worked, so glamourous!
Tangle Teezer �9.99 LINK
I think I've expressed my love for tangle teezer enough on here. Best.beauty.invention.ever.
Soltan Moisturising Mini Spray SPF30 �5.49 for 75ml LINK
The sun doesn't normally shine on UK festivals but just incase I bought this little bottle of sunscreen to put in my bag for easy top ups on the go.

Are you off to any festivals this year? I've got the festival bug and want to go to more now! x

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9 beauty picks that get me ready for a sweaty, scorching summer (hopefully!)

Here in the UK it feels like summer is long overdue. I just want to ditch the heavy foundations and jumpers and embrace the sunshine. My usual winter/spring beauty products just won't work as well in the warmer months - make up gets all melting, hair gets oily and skin gets frazzled.
Summer primping poses some serious issues for me; hello sweaty, frizzy, greasy Kia. Luckily, the brains behind my favourite beauty brands have bought out an array of shiny new goodies for us. Here are a few summer beauty picks i wanted to share with you so we can all avoid looking like a hot mess.

 

Lauren's Way Mini Medium Lotion Kit �19.95 (link)
I was a bit spectical about trying this, but i put my inner beauty snob to one side and tested Lauren Goodger's range. Celebrity collabs can be a bit hit & miss; Alexandra Burke for MUA - hit, Mylenne Klass nail wraps - miss. I was pleasantly surprised using these products. They came in a mini travel kit which is perfect for testing out the products if your a newbie. The colour looks even once applied with a mitt and i even got a few compliments! It doesn't look orange or patchy at all and is a close favourite after my beloved Xen-Tan. I much prefer the body spray to the lotion, and they smell citrusy! 
Wella Hair Oil 100ml �10.95 (link)
I do love a good hair oil, this is my current go to one. Firstly, I love the big glass bottle it comes in, i only use 2-3 pumps at a time so this will last ages. This oil contains ingredients such as macadamia seed oil, avocado oil and Vitamin E. All these work together to leave my thick hair looking glossy & helps smooth frizzy ends. This has a really gorgeous sweet scent to it, it's just so luxurious to use!
Bumble & Bumble Surf Foam Wash Shampoo & Conditioner �18.50 & �20.00(link)
I've never tried anything from Bumble before, not even their infamous salt spray! I love getting beachy waves after taking a dip in the sea and the idea of re-creating this at home sounded right up my street! These hair products have a faint ocean scent and lather up nicely when applied. Bumble recommend you let you hair dry naturally in the sun (wind if you're living in the UK) which i normally like to do anyway. I found it did help to enhance my waves and left my hair feeling super soft. I was really worried it would leave my hair feeling dry but it didn't at all. The only downside to these is the hefty price tag. 
Especially Escada Elixir EDP �48 50ml (link)
If you like rose scented fragrances you'll love this. This is the latest release from Escada & i've been wearing it for about a month now - it makes the perfect summer evening scent. The rose isn't too strong, it has a delicate pink rose scent with note of vanilla.
KIKO Glow Touch in 04 Pleasant Pink Azalea �5.90 (link)
I use this on my lips and cheeks for a subtle wash of pink. It looks quite scary in the tin but it doesn't apply that bright! This smells A-MAZ-ING, i want to use it all the time! On the cheeks it gives a post work-out healthy glow which is normally really hard to achieve with make up. 
SP Sun UV Spray �11.95 (link)
It doesn't happen all that often but when it does it's just as important to protect your hair from the suns rays. This is also perfect for holidays as it's water resistant and doesn't leave hair feeling greasy. SP also do a shampoo & conditioner is this range which i recommend too!
KIKO Essential Bronzer in 201 Sienna Melange �15.90 (link)
What a hunk of a bronzer, it's a hefty 20 grams so will last all summer. The pigmentation on this is brilliant but you have to be quite light handed otherwise you end up with too much on your brush. Like the KIKO glow touch this smells like chocolate/vanilla - SO GOOD!

So that's my summer beauty sorted, anything caught your eye?

The best bit of blogging for me is talking to other bloggers & reading your comments (i read every one!) Thank you to everyone who read or commented on my latest beauty haul post. I few mentioned they wanted to see some product reviews so i'll try my best - here's a review of the Bumble & Bumble surf products are requested by Harriet. Beauty Bird, Alice & Sarah i'm in the process of writing your product reviews!

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5 different hair problems solved!

Whether they admit it or not, people care about their hair. I have been testing out a lot of different haircare products recently and I wanted to share with you my thoughts. My hair type is coloured blonde, quite thick and prone to dry ends. It dries naturally with a bit of wave to it and can get knotty after washing it. Below are five different hair products aimed to help hairy problems such as dryness, dullness and frizz. I do try to take care of my locks and I love seeing what new trends/styles come around each season.

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Perfecting Creme �5.49 (link) Best for: Frizzy hair
It's not very often products give instant results but this really does. The product itself has a thick creamy consistency which is easy to distribute throughout your hair. I've been using this on my dry hair, applying it to my frizzy ends. It definitely helps to reduce frizz and adds moisture. If you run your fingers through your hair after applying it you can slightly notice it but it doesn't leave hair stiff or sticky.

Aussie Miracle Shine 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner �4.99 (link) Best for: Dullness and dry hair
Oh sweet jesus this smells amazing. Seriously, give this a cheeky sniff next time your in Boots. I love using hair masks because my hair tends to get quite dry. I found this made my hair a lot softer and made it easier to brush through. It wasn't heavy and left no residue like others do, however i wouldn't say it left my hair very shiny. The smell lingers all on on your hair all day and the squeezable bottle makes it quick and easy to use - i just wish my hair had more shine to it!

Macadamia Control Spray �17.45* (link) Best for: Taming fly-aways
One thing that really puts me off hairspray is the strong chemical smell that you can almost taste. This hairspray actually smells quite nice! I've been using it to set my loose curls and to keep my top knot in place and I love how lightweight it feels. Some hairsprays can make your hair feel stiff and sticky but this sprays out a fine mist and is easy to brush out. I also really like that the spray has UV protection so your hair is protected from the sun. The only downside to this product is the hefty price tag. You do get a lot for your money, the massive 300ml bottle is going to last a good few months but it's still quite pricey and I don't think I could afford to repurchase this. But i'll be keeping an eye out for Macadamia in TK Maxx!

YUKO London Lock in colour shampoo and treatment �12.50 each* (link)Best for: Dyed/highlighted locks
This is a Japanese haircare brand, I don't normally try luxury haircare brands so I was intrigued to try these out. I found the shampoo lathered up well and whilst rinsing it out my hair instantly felt softer and smoother. The treatment was quite thick which suited my thick hair and left it moisterised. I also noticed, once dry, my bleached hair looked brighter and kepted it from turning brassy. I enjoy using these products but they are too pricey for me - they would be a nice treat!

V05 Instant Oomph Powder �4.07 (link) Best for: flat hair
Since getting this a few months ago I've had such a love/hate relationship. On my first use I wanted to wash it out immediately. But, I learnt my lesson and second time round I shook the product before use and didn't apply as much. Instantly my roots were lifted with a matte, textured look. My hair didn't stay lifted all day but a quick ruffle with my fingers gave it some extra oomph. 

What products do you go to save BHDs? I'm currently debating whether to chop my mid-length hair and go for a bob?! I've gone a bit pin crazy lately with hair-spiration pictures on pinterest - are you addicted too?

*pr samples

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dry shampoo - just for lazy girls or a life saver?

What's the longest you've gone without washing your hair? I've managed 4 days before and it wasn't that bad...Don't get me wrong, i love the feeling of freshly washed hair - but it's good to give your hair a break from styling products and let your natural hair oils do there thing.

I know some of my friends say they need to wash their hair everyday(who has the time?!). I must confess, I'm not one that kind girl. I think dry shampoo is one of the best beauty inventions, after concealer obvs. A quarter of all British women use dry shampoo and it's been around since the Victorian times. Dry shampoo isn't just for those lazy girls moments when you want an extra 20 minutes in bed; they are now seen as an essential styling product. I use mine to disguise roots or too add a little extra oomph.

Some people see dry shampoo as a life saver, where as others will turn their nose up at it. With DS accounting for 3% of shampoo launches last year and the rise of dry conditioner (no,really!) i think it is here to stay. Plus anything that gives you an extra half hour in bed is always a good thing.

Best Volume
John Frieda's newest collection is target towards fine hair. I found this did help to add volume however, the fine powder did leave a gritty texture in my hair.
Best for Blondes 
My favourite brand of dry shampoo has to be Batiste. This one has a yellow tint to match blonde hair. I find this soaks up the most without having to spray a lot.

Best Scent
So...? are more well known for their fragrences but they recently launched a range of dry shampoo. This one is Floral & Flirty which leaves your hair smelling florally. I found you do have to use quite a lot compared to other brands but this is a good budget buy.


Are you a lover or hater of dry shampoo? Would love to hear your thoughts!

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John Frieda Sheer Blonde Review

My Blonde hair and I have been together for four years now. Going from Brunette to blonde can be a tricky process. You have to change the products you use, adjust your make up and keep your dark roots at bay! Luckily, brands like John Frieda create specific products that help us out a lot with our haircare.

I've used Shampoo and conditioner targeted towards blondes before but never delved into the Sheer Blonde range by John Frieda. My blonde hair has been looking a bit dull lately so when i was offered the chance to test the range it was a hell yes from me. 

I've been using the products for three weeks now to let you know what i think! I like the tube packaging John Frieda uses for it's shampoo & conditioners - less wastage. The range smells....good. God i'm SO bad at describing smells! They say the products contains jojoba oil, sunflower and white tea; so i guess that's what they smell like, it's nice! After my first use I noticed straight away by hair looked a lot brighter. My hair also felt smoother and hydrated. It seems to leave your hair straight too.

John Frieda�s Sheer Blonde products aren't going to perform miracles, they will not colour your hair but enhance the blonde tones slightly and stop it from looking dull/brassy. If you've coloured your hair blonde and want to keep it as blonde as it was when you first dyed it, check out the Sheer Blonde range. 

The John Frieda Sheer Blonde range is currently on offer for �5.00 each or two for �8.00 at Boots. For more information about the Sheer Blonde range click here.

Hope you found this review helpful, do you struggle with keeping your blonde locks blonde?

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Feeling Girly With Revlon

In my continuing attempt to be unique this Valentine's Day I decided to dig out my recent Revlon purchase. I've used the new Revlon Enchanting a few times, but I never got around to using their new glitter I was so excited about. So here is a shot of Girly over Enchanting.

I'm really fond of this combo. Girly is a light purple/pink sheer base with purple, light pink, and fuchsia glitter. There are also some small holographic pink and purple glitter tossed into the mix. Overall, it really does make for a soft and girly mani.

What wasn't girly was my hair yesterday. Some of you will remember my adoration of The Freckled Fox's Posh Faux Hawk in my Blogs to Love Friday #1 post. Well, I went and did it! I am nowhere near an expert at doing my hair. Usually it's either straight and down, up in a ponytail, or curled in the off chance I'm not feeling lazy. Like I said, I'm no expert. Far from it. But I don't think I did too bad for my first try. I dressed in the cute striped top you see with some black skinny jeans and gray heeled cowboy boots; I love how this new hairstyle added some edge to the outfit. I will definitely be trying this again.

I also took a picture once I took my hair down. I felt like a true child of the 80s. :)

Here's hoping Valentine's Day comes soon because I am running out of unique V-Day mani ideas. You should want Valentine's Day to be over too because I have some really awesome St. Patrick's Day polishes that will be for sale in my Etsy Shop next week. I will be posting swatches after V-Day. If you can't wait, you can get a preview (and help name one of them) on my Facebook Page.

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blue and pink hair?!

When i first saw these purple and blue temporary hair dyes my initial thoughts were something like - 'there's no way i'm using those, what I am 10?' Silly, silly Kia look at me now. I started off by googling blue hair and found this picture of demi lovato, doesn't her hair looks amazing! So i went for it. On my first attempt i may have spray a little too much (whilst wearing my white work top,oopss) as you can see in this photo i tweeted. Luckily, it washes out really easily with a bit of shampoo. On my second attempt (above) I sprayed small sections of my hair whilst holding a piece of kitchen roll behind to protect my top. It kinda reminds me of Topshop's Sandstorm collection advertisement. I never thought i'd be that girl with coloured hair but i like it a lot.

Blue/purple hair spray: Colour Xtreme* �2.99 Boots
Lipstick: Natural Collection Crimson �1.99
Jumper: Ever ours

Make sure you use this in a well ventilated room as it's quite strong. Also, wear a cape or something to protect your clothes. They do all sorts of colours, go crazy :)

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Lush fair trade honey shampoo

I do enjoy a trip to Lush, even if it's just for a sniff. I love their bath products and i LOVE their showers gels but I've never tried their shampoo before...

Lush say - "This bottle is full of the power of flowers, collected and concentrated for you by the bees.

While they were collection the pollen, we searched the meadows for beautiful flowers 

to fragrance their work". Doesn't that make you want to try it even more?! 

Now then, I'm not really a big fan of honey but I thought this product didn't really smell like the kind of honey you'd eat. It has a very strong scent which is quite hard to describe, a bit florally with a hint of orange & honey - i quite like it! This lathers really well and once rinsed out, your hair will smell delicious. 

I use about a 10p sized dollop each time & for quite a small bottle it seems to be lasting for ages! I have dry bleached hair & i find this helps to restore shine and moisture to my over-worked locks. 

You can purchase this for �7 for 110g from Lush stores and online. 

What do you think of Lush? :)

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unicorn (rope) braid hair tutorial

Hello lovelies :) Today, i am going to show you a how to do a unicorn, sometimes called rope, braid. It's so simple & easy to do & it's suppose to be the new 'fishtail'. I wore this look to my friends birthday meal yesterday & it's quickly become a favourite hairstyle of mine. My hair inspiration for the look below came from this photo of Elizabeth Olsen, i LOVE her hair!

I am so bad when it comes to complicated hair styles, i haven't the foggiest how to do a french plait. The unicorn braid is extremely easy to do and only takes a few minutes. It's called a unicorn braid basically because it looks like a unicorn's horn! Unlike the traditional braid, you use two strands of hair instead of three. Here's how i did it...

1. Gather your hair into a side ponytail and split into two strands. I used the Denman Dressing Out brush to section my hair into a side parting.
2. With the two pieces of hair, twist them around each other, slightly twisting them individually at the same time.
3. You'll begin to see a rope like braid starting to form. Secure the end with a hair bobble.
4. Pull out a few strand to make the hairstyle look less perfect.
5. Pin any flyaways and apply a light coating of hairspray.
6. Lastly I used my Denman Dressing Out brush to add a bit of volume to the roots.

Products used

Hair pins from Sallys, hair bobble from Primark, styling brush from Denman, dressing out brush from Denman Mark Hill Big Night Out hair spray.

Let me know if you try out the unicorn braid. It's so easy - there's no excuse! I have a few more hair tutorials planned so leave a comment below or tell me on twitter @kiamakemeup what you'd like to see! Hope you all had a good weekend x

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John Frieda Full Repair Range - Review

Bit of a hairy confession, i know i damage my hair with all the bleaching and curling and blow drying i do but it doesn't stop me from doing it! I feel guilty for damaging my hair, but I think most people are in the same boat as me. So when a new range comes along claiming to help look after hair that has been styled & dyed i was over the moon & thought why have they not done this sooner?! I've recently brought the Babyliss Curling wand so this range has been perfect timing!

The Full Repair range contains Inca Inchi Oil, this Amazonian oil is rich in Omega 3 which is great for keeping hair healthy. John Frieda claims the range helps to repair both the internal and external structure of  hair.

My favourite product from the whole range is this one - Perfect Ends Deep Infusion(�6.99). I suffer from dry split ends & this hair oil helps improve the condition of them without making my hair look greasy or weighing it down. 

 I just took a quick photo of my hair whilst writing this because i wanted you to get an idea of what my hair is looking like after using the products.This was after using the shampoo, conditioner & perfect ends infusion. My hair does feel and look in better condition and ready for styling! Also, the size of the shampoo bottle is quite big (250ml) & i think it will last me a while.

With the styling products I'm really impressed by them all. There's nothing worse then putting product in your hair but then being able to feel your hair go greasy/crispy/heavy. Luckily the products from this range don't do this. I would recommend the mist for thin hair and the deep infusion for thicker hair. The mousse is great for adding body to the roots.

One product which i think isn't anything special would have to be the Deep Conditioner. I love treating my self to a deep conditoner every now and again to get super soft hair. But i felt because the conditioner was quite thin it didn't really differ much from the normal conditioner.

OVERALL, I don't feel as guilty using heated styling tools when i'm using this range. Also the condition of my hair has definitely improved and doesn't feel as dry - thanks John! I would recommend investing in some products like the John Frieda Full Repair range above if you like to dye/style your hair.

Prices range from �6.99-�5.59 but at the minute are on offer at Boots - 2 products for �7.50, bargain!
You can find out more about the products here and see some hair tutorials here.

What do you think of this new range?                                                                                        *pr samples

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stress free tresses

I Think I speak on behalf of all girls out there when I say our lives would be much easier without hair. I find that my hair tangles quite easily and it's such a chore brushing my hair. So, when I discovered the Tangle Teezer, & hearing lots of good things about it; I was excited to try it out! 

The brush comes with a leaflet telling you about the product & how to use it.

before 

I really wanted to photograph how well it works. It took about 10 seconds to brush this knot out. Sorry the pictures aren't brilliant but It's definitely worth checking the product out yourself. 

 I don't know how it works but it does. If you have hair you need this brush! It's compact, so fits nicely in my handbag for hair touch ups. This is a limited edition colour & cost 10.20 from Boots. Don't let the price put you off, you can tell the product is really good quality and that it will last you for years!

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