Andrew Barton Haircare

So I still haven't found the hair products that do anything and everything for my hair yet, but it is of course a case of trail and error! Recently, I've been trying out Andrew Barton haircare range and I may have just found some products that do exactly what I want!

4 No Heat Hairstyles

One thing I hate doing is using a lot of heat on my hair to style it, especially since my hair is prone to split ends and going dry. Therefore I don't really tend to do a lot with my hair, but sometimes I really just want it off my face without having to rely on just a ponytail, which I personally don't like on myself.

Design.ME Hair

Hair, to me, is one of the first things you notice about a person so finding products that work with and for your hair type can be so hard to find. Design.ME is North American brand that has recently launched in the UK to help combat some of your hair woes!

5 Food To Help Your Hair Grow

At one point or another, we've all wished for out hair to grow faster, but did you know that they are a number of delicious foods than can actually help it to reach Rapunzel length? Saying that, we all know that some of the things on the internet for hair growth don't actually work or, in worse case scenarios can damage your hair! Exactly what you DON'T want! These food's have been recommend by nutritionists, so you should try and incorporate them in you diet.

Haircare Haul!

If you have read my recent haircare wish list post, you will know that right now I'm a little obsessed with hair products and this last month I have bought so many! With this in mind, it only seemed right that I tell you all about what I've bought in my second ever YouTube video - so here is my haircare haul!

Haircare Wish List

Right now, my hair isn't in the best condition and is in serious need of cutting - which I have book to have done soon, YAY! Therefore, I'm on the lookout for some new and amazing haircare and styling products to try out and to keep my hair looking the best it can.

Going Wireless With Lee Stafford + GIVEAWAY!

Although I love using my straighteners, curlers and obviously hairdryer the long, salon length wires can be so unmanageable at times, from getting knotted up to just getting in the way - we all know the feeling, right girls! So, can you imagine my excitement when Lee Stafford's cordless straighteners * dropped through my letterbox?

John Frieda Full Repair Repairing Oil Elixir

One hair care product I have been loving recently is hair oil and in particular, the John Frieda Full Repair Repairing Oil Elixir. This is a product I bought by chance a while ago but have only recently started using since the weather has changed and the heating has been turned on as this is when my hair starts to really dry out and go even more frizzy!

KoKo Couture Hair Extensions

Hair extensions seem to be having a bit of a moment right now and it is now wildly know, that many people in the public eye rely on them to create the flawless and enviously think hair we all lust over! However, they are one beauty thong I have never tried, even though I have thought about it many times and luckily KoKo Couture* kindly send me some of their new extensions to try out.

Salon Science Repair & Radiance Range

I don't know about you, but one of the first things I notice about someone when I meet them, is their hair so I am always conscious that this is what others notice when they meet me! This is why I am always on the hunt for hair care products that help to tame frizz and repair the look of split ends which are the two main things my hair suffers from. I was so excited to try Salon Science Repair & Radiance* range, as it was a brand I hadn't heard of but love that they use the similarities of skincare science to hair and that they are clinically proven to work and award winning!

label.m Organic Orange Blossom Shampoo

I don't know about you, but I always seem to spend way ore time on my hair during the summer months and that is why I have a new favourite shampoo in the form of label.m Organic Orange Blossom Shampoo, kindly gifted to me by Toni&Guy Southsea.

Moroccanoil Smoothing Hair Products

I'm always up for trying new hair products with my frizzy hair, so you can imagine my excitement when the Moroccanoil Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner* dropped through my letterbox thanks to The Hut!

Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment

Long, flowing mermaid locks are bang on trend right now, but what if your hair never seems to grow past a certain length and you don't want to resort to extensions? The answer is Lee Stafford Hair Growth Treatment!

 

Lee Stafford Chopstick Curler

I love curling my hair but I do normally stick to the more loose/beach waves look - defiantly inspired by the Victoria's Secret models! However, I recently saw on Instagram a load of images of very tight curls and most of them were created using the Lee Stafford Chopstick Curler. I haven't used any of the Lee Stafford hair products or stylers before, but I will defiantly be buying from him again!
The chopstick is just as the name suggests. It is a very small curler which is slightly oblong shaped and heats up in record time. I was personally so happy with this, as some curlers I have bought before have taken forever to get hot.

 

Don't Make These Hair Mistakes!

Hair behaving badly? Not doing what you want? You've probably been making these common hair care mistakes and by following these tips you will soon have the shiny, silky hair you've always wanted!


Mistake 1 - Towel drying your hair - with a towel
Now this is a fast track way to damaged hair as it is most venerable when wet. It can also make your hair frizzy as you are rubbing the stands the wrong way. Swap the towel for an old shirt for a more gentle drying experience and to promote shiny hair. I personally never use a towel on my hair other than to squeeze out excess water.

Mistake 2 - Wearing a ponytail too high
Or any style which involves tying your hair up, as it can weaken the hair, especially if it is always in the same place. If you do want to tie your tresses up, use something made from a soft material or a scrunchie.


Mistake 3 - Not using protection
Of the heat kind. You don't want burnt hair! Using heat appliances regularly without any heat protection can cause fizziness and can cause hair to break off. It can also make it very dry and hard to do anything with.

Mistake 4 - Brushing your hair wrong
When tackling your tangled tresses, always start from the ends and work your way up to the roots. If you start from the roots, you'll be pushing the tangles down your hair, causing your hair to become damaged.


Mistake 5 - Not drying hair before styling
Hair should be 100% dry before you let the straighteners/curling tongs anywhere near it, and this includes any dampness from products. If you don't, you are essentially boiling the product to your hair - not good, especially if it contains alcohol!


Follow these tips and you should soon have the hair of your dreams! (May take a while for these tips to work, so don't give up too early!)

To me Behati Prinsloo is a definite hair goal! Who are yours?

Love Laura xx

Get Model-Off-Duty Hair

Loose, un-done hair with a carefree vibe is defiantly the trend for SS15 and seen at every catwalk from Chanel to Chloe. This is the hair uniform of the fash pack, with everyone from models and IT girls to editors and also low-key tresses offset casual summer outfits and works amazingly well during the hotter months as it requires very little styling and time to achieve.

The Cut and Colour
Ask your hairdresser for a long layered cut that also frames your face. For the colour, go for naturally-blended balayage around your face and if you want to add a little brightness, go for an ombre as this suits layered hair.

Styling
Pat dry freshly washed hair with a towel before rough drying with a hairdryer to give a natural lived-in look. Add waves using a large barrel tong/wand (I use the Tresemme Volume Hair Tong) but leave around the last 2 inches so they look straighter. Remember to curl your hair in both directions to give it an un done effect. If your hair looks to 'done' blast with the hairdryer to separate the curls.

ESMIE STYLE

Lookout salons of Manchester, there's a new one in town - ESMIE STYLE! Set in the heart of Manchester at Piccadilly House, just 5 mins walk from the station, it is in a perfect location and also, who has been to a hair salon situated a grade two listed office block before? I certainly haven't! Defiantly something unique and exclusive, when you are inside you completely forget you are in a busy city. Director and founder Rebecca Gladstone has worked and trained at Toni&Guy and Trevor Sorbie, so she certainly knows her stuff when it comes to all things hair and this has been shown by the salon, as a business, achieving goals which were set for 6 months time in as little as 3 months - how amazing is that?!

Compared to how the salon space looked when Rebecca first got it to now is such a huge transformation. It did have lime green walls with purple carpet (who ever thought that the colours would go together is beyond me!) and filled with desks. Now, it is a big open, clean space with black and white walls and wooden floor. Big mirrors with gorgeous, classy fames are placed along one wall with comfy leather chairs situated in front. Love the fact that they all have cushions too which defiantly adds to the luxury element. The black and white theme runs thought-out the space and into their social media so it all links together nicely and you know straight away that it is the same brand.

Rebecca's aim is to 'change the way we perceive our hair one step at a time'. This means that your hair will be seen as part of your health rather than as just a cosmetic extra. She is also offering bespoke, but still fashionable and on-trend cut/style, so you will never have exactly the same hair as someone else.

While I was there, I was treated to a gorgeous, super sleek blow dry! Using own brand shampoo and conditioner, Rebecca took the time to make sure my hair blow-dried to perfection before I left. At other salons where I have had this done, it has always felt rushed and also like ever hair was being pulled from my head - OUCH! But at ESMIE Style, Rebecca took her time and remember there was someone attached to the hair - at times I almost forgot what she was doing! My hair has never felt as soft or looked as frizz-free, I was so, so happy with the result and had some lovely comments from people about it which is always nice. It also lasted for the next day too and still looked as amazing as it did when it was first done - a sign your hair has been done well when it's a day old!

Day after - still looks amazing!

 
After spending some time with Rebecca, it is so obvious why ESMIE STYLE is doing so well, as she is friendly and welcoming but not overbearing as I have found some hairdressers can be. You can see her passion and drive for the business and also the hair and fashion industry as a whole. She is combining the two to make a high end, luxury brand.

I can soon see this becoming THE salon to be seen in!

Love Laura x

*This product has been gifted/sent

for review by PR and/or the brand

Spray-in Hair Colour Chalk

Pastel hair is still going strong and this spray-in hair chalk colour from Superdrug is a great way to experiment without the permanent effects of normal hair dye and also it doesn't damage your hair in any way. This chalk comes in pink, purple and blue and it did show up on my hair colour, which is light brown colour. As my hair is quite long, I couldn't do this on my own so I did have to get my sister to help, but apart from this it was easy to use as you only have to spray it onto dry, clean hair. As it is a chalk, it does have to be 'set' with hair spray and this defiantly does make it last, so make sure you style your hair before you add the colour. I loved the shade of the purple chalk and it looked good against my natural hair colour.

It just brushes out at the end of the day, so there is absolutely no commitment at all, you can't even tell you had a colour in your hair! One thing I would like with this spray in hair chalk is for the can to be slightly bigger - it is only tiny and I pretty much used the entire can on only the bottom half of my hair, so Superdrug please can you do this?!

I would defiantly recommend this to anyone who wants to try the pastel hair trend but don't want the commitment - you could try all 3 colours in one style if your feeling brave! I can't wait to get my hands on the other colours!

What do you think? Something you would try?


Love Laura x

Fudge Urban Iced Raspberry & Vanilla Hairspray

I have heard a lot of good things about the Fudge Urban range, but have never tried anything until now. The Fudge Urban Iced Raspberry & Vanilla Hairspray is hard to miss on the shelf! The pink and orange can is bright and colourful - it defiantly caught my eye - this is what originally made me pick it up. I also love the fact that it says on the can it is scented. I did think when I was buying this if it actually would smell of iced raspberry and vanilla and I can confirm, it defiantly does. Although this scent sounds quite sweet, it's actually really nice and not too overpowering and the scent lasts for hours!

I have very fly-away hair, so I normally have to use quite a bit of hairspray to hold any up-do in place, but with this I only have to use a small amount and my hair stays in place for hours. It also doesn't have the straw like, stiff feel that a lot of hairsprays give and it is easy to brush out at the end of the day. This hairspray also does help with frizz slightly, but I don't feel this is really important for the product that it is. As long as it keeps my hair in place I'm happy!
I LOVE this hairspray and after trying it I don't think I could use any other. I love the smell of it, instead of the overpowering 'hairspray' smell you normally get that leaves you having a coughing fit. (Or is this just me?) I can't wait to try some of the other products Fudge Urban has to offer.


Have you tried this hairspray or any other Fudge Urban products?

Love Laura xx

Tresemme Conditioning Masque

After using so much heat on my hair in the last few weeks, it was in desperate need of a treat in the form of a conditioning hair mask. I normally use Tresemme products on my hair - I feel they work best for me - so I tried their Deep Smoothing masque. This is perfect for me, as my hair is naturally frizzy and was also quite dry from all the heat it had been subject to.

For one use, I used about half of the packet which I found was more than enough for my length of hair and it was easy to apply without it being too thick as some conditioning masks can be. The smell was also quite present - it actually reminded me slightly of sun lotion - but was not overpowering and you can only smell it when it is actually on your hair, not when it has been washed out. It does take a bit of time to completely wash out, but I feel this shows that it is actually working on your hair and some of it has 'stuck' to it to smooth and replenish your hair.
This masque defiantly does what it says on the packet, as my hair now feels so much more healthy and smoother but it doesn't feel heavy as some others can make your hair feel - no matter how much you may think you have washed it out!. I would recommend this to anyone, especially if your hair is dry and frizzy. I have a stash of these in my bathroom now!

Love Laura xx