Hair Growth

I have been on the quest for gorgeous long and thick hair since I first saw Laura/Lollipop26 discussing hair extensions about 18 months/2 years ago.  Since then I have purchased numerous packs of other people's hair but only a year or so ago did it click that if I grew my own hair, I could kick my expensive habit.

I now invest in intensive conditioning treatments, leave in products and heat protectants.  I do forget sometimes and I do have a set of extensions for nights out but we're all human...

Here is my hair in April, looking a little bit sorry for itself:

And 7 months on:

So, 7 months of growth should = 3.5 inches of growth?

Probably about right!  But my hair is also thicker and just generally in a much better condition which for totally abused hair like mine, is an amazing improvment.  

HOW I DID IT

Products

• Shampoos and conditioners for heat damaged hair.  They don't need to be expensive - I love TRESemmé...
• Intensive conditioners as often and for as long as possible.  If I am not going out for a day I will just leave one on all day.  My current favourite is the Lee Stafford Growth Treatment as previously mentioned - makes your hair feel like silk and smells truly amazing!
• Leave in conditioners such as the Aussie Sprays, Redken Anti-Snap or my new favourite, Tigi Ego Boost.  I apply these to the lower half my hair to avoid greasy roots.

• Heat protectant - just cover your hair in the stuff!

Styling

• The main point is, only use heat when truly necessary.  Seems obvious but I was guilty of curling or straightening even if I wasn't going anywhere.  I find when I make no effort and just tie my hair up wet, it can look amazing when I take it down.
• If I do need heat, I only use it on the days I wash it.  The curls I put in it usually last for the next day too or I just tie it up.
• Experiment with tools that require no heat such as velcro rollers - I'm sure I helped my hair by being addicted to bendy rollers for a few months.
• Heated rollers damage your hair less than a curling tong.  Or at least I like to think so...
• Use the time you sleep to dry your hair/put it in rollers etc.  Uses less heat and allows you to have an extra half an hour in bed - and who doesn't want that?!

xoxo

Weather Appropriate NOTD: China Glaze - Recycle

In an attempt to succumb to the season I shoved my lilacs, greens and all other happy colours to the back of my nail varnish drawers and pulled out all the autumnal colours I could find including this recently purchased bottle from the grey family.

Overall opinion?  

Just. Not. Sure

I really, really want to like this...I want to look down at my nails and think "Wow, aren't I chic!"  

In reality, I just think they look a little bit drab...  

I wouldn't mind this so much but it is also a streaky mess to apply and it doesn't last well - in the pictures which are taken just after 24 hours after application you can see some tip wear. 

In general - Definitely not a repurchase but is it OK enough to wear on a regularly basis? 

What do you think??  It just doesn't fill me with happiness...

IN & OUT #3

IN

Revlon Colorstay - An old favourite that I've left unloved at the bottom of my make up stash for months and months.  I tried it out again yesterday and I'm back in love.  I always apply it with my fingers to give it a slightly lighter coverage than with a brush and I find I need no powder to set it and it lasts all day.

Lee Stafford Growth Treatment - After washing my hair yesterday I left this in for hours.  My hair now feels so smooth and shiny and my split ends appears to be banished.  This is obviously a very temporary cure for them but I can pretend...!

Simple Eye Make Up - I am obsessed with smoky eyes but I currently love just black eyeliner and mascara on the upper lash line only.  Pretty, simple, quick and makes you look so awake when you really just want to crawl back into bed.

New Shoes - I desperately need winter clothes but who cares if you freeze if you've got good shoes on?!  I will post some pictures soon...

OUT

Hair Extensions - I'm not quite ready to go without them on a night out but for the day I pretty much never wear them anymore.  I feel like my hair is now nearing the length I've been longing for - partly thanks to the Lee Stafford treatment I feel!  Cheers Lee ;)

Muji - 9 working days for payment to taken from me and then over 15 working days for delivery?!  Ummm, refund please!  What a joke..!

La Senza Lucy Lace Bras - Pretty but so incredibly uncomfortable..

Sibling Rivalry - My brother and I never really got on but in the last few months he has really grown up and we get on really well.  He has just started his degree at UCL and I am so incredibly proud of him.

THEN      

NOW

                                                                         

He definitely won in the height department....

Coming soon - Shoe haul, Weather appropriate nails and Perfume favourites..

St Tropez Tan Detox Bath Oil

We've all been there...a hefty fake tan application followed by a busy week/total lack of motivation to exfoliate and one ends up resembling a patchy, reptile with some strange skin disease.  OK, slight exaggeration but you know what I mean..!

I myself am notoriously lazy when it comes to sloughing off all the old tan - I regularly hide every inch of skin under scarves and long tops before taking a near whole tub of exfoliator and an hour in the bath to get it all off.

SO, imagine my delight when I heard about this product..

St Tropez Detox Bath Oil 

is described as a 'salon-inspired home treatment will remove all residue of self tan, leaving skin ultra soft and smooth. Tan Detox is a pampering bath oil that combines a luxurious blend of lavender, lemon and hazelnut oils to help create a calming spa-like environment at home.'

My question is, it is just a regular bath oil that costs £25 for the privilege of being branded with St Tropez and the inclusion of an exfoliating cloth?

Has anyone had an experience with this or use something similar to do the same job?  I'm not quite sure I can bring myself to part with £25....

All I want for Christmas is...

Who cares?!

When you can have a mini present EVERY DAY before hand?!

L'oreal are releasing this very special advent calendar featuring a mini product from their portfolio every day..I need this!!

A mini mars bar will just not suffice this year I'm afraid..!

NOTD: Essie - Luscious Lips

Things I love about this polish

- The colour is simply beautiful.  A feminine, creamy baby pink.
- It applies so smoothly - no streaks in sight.
- It lasts!  Days and days!
- It's amazingly cheap when ordered from America.

The 1 thing I'm not so crazy about

- It is really sheer and therefore takes about 3 or 4 coats to get a decent colour pay off.

BUT, as it lasts so long, I probably still use less as I don't need to change the colour after 1 day.  Swings and roundabouts.. :)

A definite permanent feature in my collection I feel.  It's a perfect, every day colour that's always appropriate and classy - I love my greens and purples etc but I just feel 'polished' in colours like this.

I really rate Essie at the moment - my next purchase will definitely be Merino Cool from the latest Fall collection.

Any other Essie colour recommendations?  I can always be persuaded to buy more...

The Essentials

As a self-confessed beauty product and cosmetic junkie I have a myriad of lotions and potions.  I always have numerous hair sprays, lipsticks, moisturisers etc on the go at any one time.

However, there are those special few items that I will never be without.  The loves of my life in the cosmetic world.  The items I stress about if I potentially lose or use up and don't have a back up.

Let me introduce you to:

THE ESSENTIALS

Clockwise from left:

Sudocrem - The only thing that clears my skin up when I break out.  My saviour.

Nivea Young Tinted Moisturiser - My daily essential to even out my skin tone.  Amazing on its own or as a base for foundation.

Olay Regenerist Thermal Skin Polisher - I should probably dedicated an entire post to this beauty.  Makes my skin feel incredible.

Boots Expert Build Up Removal Shampoo - I've talked about this before - thoroughly rids your locks of a multitude of products, leaving your hair clean and full of life.

Olay Complete Care Multi-Radiance Moisturiser - This is the only moisturiser I've found that provides a matte but radiant finish whilst keeping my moisture levels topped up WITH an SPF.  This deserves a medal!

Seche Vite topcoat - I honestly won't do my nails without this.  No waiting around for half an hour for polish to try and leaves my nails so incredibly shiny.

Neutrogena Visibly Clear 2 in 1 - I stopped using this for about 2 weeks and my skin went insane.  The moral of the story?  I will never be without this again!

Olay Eye Make Remover - My mum has used this for as long as I can remember and she turned me onto it a few years ago.  It just easily removes all my eye make up and doesn't sting my very sensitive eyes - all round winner!

Exfoliating Glove - Just turns any old shower gel into an exfoliator - perfect when my St Moritz turns me all patchy..

No 7 Créme Touch Powder - I have never tried MAC's MSF Natural (call myself a make up enthusiast?!) as  this provides me everything I want a powder to - slight coverage with a semi-matte finish that lasts hours.  I'm not taking the MAC off my to-buy list just yet though... ;)

If you want me to provide a full review for any of these, just let me know in the comments!  

As for me, I'm off to watch The Vampire Diaries.  Stefan, Damon, just how do you choose?!