Sleek looking hair with the GHD Arctic Gold Drying Giftset

Finally I think I've found a hairdryer to suit me. Myself and my boyfriend were previously using one I won in a competition and while it is a super duper top of the range one, it's incredibly heavy, not good when it takes a while for my hair to dry completely. It also had that weird 'new' smell, which we thought would pass, but it never did and my boyfriend wouldn't stop going on and on and on about it. Now I can finally shut him up because we have the very lovely ghd Air Arctic Gold hairdryer to use...not that he has that much hair to dry anyway!

I actually received the ghd Arctic Gold Drying Giftset, which makes a gorgeous gift at anytime of year and comes with not only the very lightweight 2,100w hairdryer, but also with a styling nozzle and handy sectioning clips. The set is currently on sale so you could buy it now ready for next Christmas or give yourself a post-Christmas treat.

The hairdryer itself is really gorgeous with an almost rose gold finish and what's most important to me is that it's particularly kind on the hair. It's designed to be delicate on the hair too as we all know too much heat can damage your hair. Helpfully, the hairdryer has a removable air filter, which allows a high pressue air flow, therefore reducing drying time. Like any other hairdryer it also has power and temperature controls. I like to set these pretty low so as not to blast my hair with seriously hot air and you would think using a lower temperature and power setting would mean a longer drying time but that isn't the case at all. It dries in no time and thanks to ionic technology, my flyaway hair is much more sleek looking and soft once it's dry.

The hairdryer is compatible with the ghd Air Diffuser too, which you can use to create curls and waves, perfect for the party season. Or, like me, you can opt for something sleek and sophisticated. The giftset is currently £79, down from £99. I'd definitely recommend picking it up if you're in the market for a new hairdryer.

Have you tried a ghd hairdryer before? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

*This post contains a PR sample

Korres Almond and Linseed Shampoo

I've never had the chance to try many Korres products, so when my local chemist (of all places!) started stocking the brand, I was overjoyed!

I didn't exactly need a new shampoo as I've got a few in rotation but the almond and linseed shampoo smelt like the best one on the shelf, so it had to be mine. It was a little pricier than what I'd normally spend on a shampoo at £10 but I'm definitely getting my money's worth.

I've been trying this 'new' thing where I don't wash my hair every day and use as little heat on it as possible so after two or three days of unwashed hair, the Korres shampoo is a godsend as it nourishes my hair and helps prevent damage and split ends, something I really need at the moment. It leaves my hair feeling super soft and clean after using and not only that, it smells amazing and leaves my locks smelling of almond all day long.

A short but sweet post today! Have you tried any Korres products? Let me know in the comments.

COLAB Extreme Volume Dry Shampoo

COLAB Extreme Volume Dry Shampoo - £4.49
During the past few months I've gone on a real dry shampoo journey. Previously I washed my hair every day and while I'm still stuck in this rut on the weekdays, I have managed to break away on the weekends and this is where dry shampoo has come in. I've tried your general Batiste sprays but haven't found them too successful. I've also tried dry shampoo powders from Lush and Herbal Essence's own dry shampoo, of which I'm semi on board with, but at the moment I'm loving COLAB's version of the magical spray.

In case you don't know, the sprays are made with model and blogger/Youtuber, Ruth Crilly, and the reason I picked one up and gave it a try is because I've seen Ruth on Youtube and read her blog and really love her stuff. I think she's pretty hilarious and so down to earth, but even if you don't know who Ruth is, I'd still recommend picking this up because it seems as if Ruth hasn't just stuck her name on something, but she's co-created a really fab product.

There are a couple of different scents available in the range, all named after well-known cities. I picked up New York and am happy to admit it was because I like the city and have been there myself but I also preferred the scent on this one as well. It's lovely and fresh/fruity and it really lingers on the hair, so you get the odd whiff every now and then, yum!

It doesn't leave the hair feeling sticky or straw like, which I've found happens with lots of others. It actually leaves my hair looking as if it has been washed that morning. I did a sneaky little test and asked my family if it looked like my hair needed washing or not and they said no, which is great…if they were being honest with me (I'm sure they were!).

£4.49 is a bit on the pricier side for a fullsize version of the spray but you can pick up the smaller 50ml versions for £2.49 if you don't want to go all out. I'm now really keen to try some of the other fragrances and I'm also excited about what is going to come next from Ruth.

Have you tried the COLAB dry shampoo? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

Charles Worthington takeaways

I do love a takeaway on a Saturday night...oh wait. I'm not talking about Crispy Chilli Beef-y goodness from my local Chinese, I'm talking hair product 'takeaways' from Charles Worthington, or to put it more simply, miniature size products that are perfect for trialling.

I don't know if you've noticed but hair products have become pretty pricey recently. A decent sized bottle of shampoo can set you back £4/£5 or even £6+, but what if you want to try a new brand/range but don't want to splash out that much in case you end up not liking it/it doesn't work as well as you thought. This is where the 'takeaway' products swoop in…

Now, I know they're not exactly 'new', but when I was recently browsing the shelves in Boots I noticed this new 'angle' on what is otherwise just a travel/mini version and thought it was a pretty clever take on it. The takeaway products are priced at the £2+ mark, which is very purse friendly, so if you they don't work out for you then at least you haven't wasted too much money. Once you know you really like the product you could go on to purchase the full-size version or, you can keep making your way through the 'takeaways' and trialling lots of different things. They also make great travel products too.

I personally think these are such a good idea and I will definitely be picking up some more!

What do you think of the Charles Worthington 'takeaways'? Let me know in the comments.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway to win some Makeup Revolution Lip Lacquers here.

Love is in the hair…Invisibobble Sweetheart Collection

Invisibobble Sweetheart Collection - £4 per pack of 3*



I've always been really interested to try Invisibobble and now I have finally had the chance, hooray! I was recently sent some of the hair rings from the new Sweetheart Collection, which has been released just in time for Valentine's Day. The collection includes a choice of metallic purple or silver translucent glitter hair rings and four different styles of packaging to choose from.

I'm sure most of you have experienced the kink in your hair when you take the bobble (or whatever you call it!) out. It can be a bit annoying if you need to have your hair up and then take it down for some various occasion. Usually you'd have to re-wash the hair or straighten it to get the kink out. The Invisibobble aims to combat the hair kink and let you have it up during the day for as long as you need and then take it down and style it for the evening.

The hair rings are made with what looks like telephone cord and once wrapped around the hair it places uneven pressure around the ponytail, which means there's no obvious mark left when you remove it. Normal hair bobbles place even pressure around the ponytail, leaving an obvious indent.

Although the bobble lookes like cord, it's very comfortable in the hair and doesn't snag or pull at all. They stretch really well and pop back into shape with no problem. They're super ideal for using if you've got a date/special occasion to go to in the evening but need your hair up in the day during Uni/work, they're pretty genius if I'm honest.

Have you tried the invisibobble? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

*This post contains PR samples.

Lush No Drought Dry Shampoo

I am not usually a dry shampoo lover. I can't get on with those Batiste sprays as they don't really do anything from what I can see, except make my hair smell a bit fruity. I wash my hair pretty much every day and I really know I shouldn't, however, back in August I got the chance to try the Lush No Drought Dry Shampoo and I was converted.

Instead of a spray this is a powder, which you simply dust over your hair and work into the roots. You barely need any product at all so this is going to last absolutely ages. The powder is scented with grapefruit and lime so it leaves your hair smelling lovely and fresh.

When you apply this and rub it in it does leave your hair looking a little grey/white but I find rubbing it in even more will help and eventually as the powder absorbs the grey/white will disappear quickly.

I now don't usually wash my hair at the weekends and instead I use this on a Saturday morning. It really works wonders and leaves my hair looking and feeling as good as it did the day before. The powder also helps give the roots a little boost as well, which is great for creating volume.

Have you tried Lush's No Drought Dry Shampoo yet? What did you think?

Dove Oxygen Moisture Advanced Hair Series

Dove Oxygen Moisture Advanced Hair Root Lift - £6.99
Dove Oxygen Moisture Advanced Hair Shampoo - £5.99

I saw a post about this range quite a while ago on another blog and I was really intrigued by it. Every time I went into Boots I had a quick scan of the shelves but until now it hadn't been in stock in my local branch. When I finally saw it I rushed straight over and picked up a couple of pieces, a shampoo and root lift.

The range aims to combat limp and lifeless hair (aka, mine!) with Oxyfusion technology and give it 95% more volume, which was something I was VERY interested in thanks to my continuous journey for the best volumising products. The Oxyfusion technology combines glycerine for added moisture and silicone for smoothness and shine.

I really enjoy using the shampoo as it's gorgeously lightweight to use. It leaves my hair ridiculously soft and shiny, better than it's ever been before but I have to admit I'm not impressed with the volume boosting technologies at all. It does say you can create added volume using a round brush when styling but I'm looking for something that really just lifts the roots a bit for me and gives volume throughout without me putting much work in and I feel this didn't really. I'm equally disappointed in the root lift spray as well as it doesn't really give a lot of volume to the roots.

Luckily it's really lightweight on application and it doesn't leave your hair feeling straw like or sticky but I would need to use up around half the bottle to create any volume.

I'll carry on using both products just because they leave my hair looking super shiny and really healthy but I wouldn't recommend them for their volume boosting properties, despite them claiming to boost your hair by 95%!

Have you tried this new range yet? Let me know your thoughts.

Old Wives Tail Hair Treatment

Jojoba & Clove Oil treatment - £13.99*

I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before but I don't often condition my hair. Conditioning every day leaves it really greasy so I just do it every now and then and try and give my hair some kind of weekly treatment to keep it in good condition.

I usually use a Toni & Guy treatment once a week but I was recently contacted and asked if I'd like to try something from Old Wives Tail, which is an organic hair treatment brand. The products are chemical free, natural and environmentally friendly as well as being completely animal cruelty free. 10% of the company's profits are also donated to animal protection charities.

I've never used an au natural hair treatment before but I chose the Jojoba & Clove Oil treatment as it claims to treat dull, brittle hair and make it strengthened, volumised and textured. I am absolutely always looking for more volume and texture and anything that helps split ends and my very fine, brittle hair is a bonus.

The product comes in a cute little pot and you simply massage it into your scalp, which is lovely as you can give yourself a little head massage at the same time. I wouldn't recommend popping this treatment on if you're in a rush to get ready as you need to leave it on your damp hair for around an hour before rinsing and shampooing as normal.

The treatment contains antibacterial and stimulating properties, which naturally sooths and and stimulates your roots to encourage healthy hair growth.

As I mentioned you simply massage this into your scalp and leave for an hour. I prefer to use this on a Sunday morning, which is usually my 'lazy day'. I tend to spend the morning sitting on the laptop and watching TV so this is the perfect time to have the treatment on and let it work its magic.

After an hour I rinse the product off and dry and style as normal. Because the treatment is quite thick and oily I thought it might leave residue behind but it really doesn't. After use my roots are definitely more volumised and it feels like the treatment has already worked wonders into the hair follicles as it feels lovely and soft afterwards. The treatment itself smells amazing as well and will last absolutely ages as you get quite a good amount for the £13.99.

I am really keen to make this a regular treatment as it can only do good things to my hair and I am already seeing benefits. I can't stop touching my hair!

Have you tried anything like this before? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.

This post contains PR samples

Adding texture to your hair

Ever since I can remember I have been trying to add texture to my hair. My hair is the flattest of the flat and the straightest of the straight. Lots of girls wish for poker straight hair but I wish for the exact opposite and those with some texture and thickness are really lucky!

I recently realised that I had built a bit of a collection of texturising/thickening products and so thought I'd write a dedicated post to them. The first products to make the cut were three Bumble & Bumble samples I've picked up during the past year or so. These aren't particularly new and they're only sample sizes but I'm really surprised to have three of this brand that I really like as it's usually so hit and miss for me.

Bumble & Bumble Texture Hair (un)dressing creme. 60ml. £10.
This is similar to a thick serum you work through damp hair. It's best to build this product up, starting with a little, working it through and adding more as per what you prefer. Fab for adding a bit of volume and ideal for using alongside the other Bumble & Bumble products.

Bumble & Bumble Thickening Hairspray. 50ml. £7.50
I picked this sample up as a magazine freebie and it's got to be the best freebie I've ever used. It's lasted an absolute age and I use it on a regular basis. My hair is very fine and after a few sprays of this onto damp hair, it leaves it feeling impressively thick and much easier to work with and add volume into. The spray itself is very fine and doesn't leave the hair feeling sticky or straw like.

Bumble & Bumble Thickening Full Form Mousse. 40ml. £9.50
This is a new purchase for me. My local Boots store has just started stocking miniature sizes of Bumble & Bumble products. I guess they're trialling them out in the hope of stocking the full-size range. I really hope they sell well as I'd love to have the entire range to choose from. However, £9.50 for a sample is a little steep if you ask me. Luckily I'd just got paid and was feeling rather flush so I picked this up. Again, this leaves the hair feeling extremely thick and unlike many mousses I've used it doesn't leave the hair feeling hard and sticky.

The quest for thickening and volumising hair products will be an everlasting one for me. I like to mix it up a bit and don't like to stick with the same products all the time. These three are staples of my collection and while I'm not using others, I'll be picking these up for sure. They compliment each other very well and using all three creates a really textured and volumised look.

Have you tried any Bumble & Bumble products? What are your faves?

Mark Hill 'Big Blow' Volumising Spray

Boots: Mark Hill Big Blow! Volumising Spray - £5.99

I've been getting really fed up with all of my volumising hair products recently. They all leave my hair feeling sticky, tacky and straw like so I wanted to try something new. I spotted the Mark Hill Big Blow! Volumising Spray in Boots for £5.99 and decided to take a chance with it.

Finding the perfect hair volumising product is a trial and error process. I'm not sure this certain product has been particularly successful though!

The spray is aimed at people like me with fine, flyaway hair and it claims not to overload the hair no matter how much product is used. The spray also claims to boost hair thickness and texture after spraying onto damp hair.

After spraying into the roots as well as all over and drying, there does seem to be some extra volume, but sadly it doesn't seem to last. I've not noticed extra thickness in my hair either and it still leaves my hair feeling a bit straw like.

I do admit there is some volume which is nice but I've yet to find a product that makes it last all day. I'm sure if I had shorter hair it would work a lot better so the quest continues!

Have you tried this spray, what were your thoughts on it?

Enrapture Encode Totem Styler

Enrapture Encode Totem Styler - eBay £30

When I saw the blogging community going nuts over the Enrapture styler I didn't understand why. It's just a hair curler right?

I didn't even want or need a new pair of hair curlers. The last time I curled my hair was nearly two years ago at my Graduation and that was using some cheap ones from Superdrug.

When Leanne posted about the Enrapture styler for £30 on eBay I had already bought one before I realised.

The reason it was so cheap was because the box was a bit damaged and scratched. I was expecting it to be extensive damage as it's almost half of the original price but to be honest there was nothing too bad. The product itself was fine and I'll probably end up throwing the box away or using it as storage so I got a real bargain!

The product comes with instructions, a style guide and a heat proof bag. The styler has three different heat settings that can be mixed and matched for different types of curls.

Usually I am absolutely useless at anything hairstyling related. I had to get my mum to help me curl my hair at Graduation but I found these curlers really easy to use. I opted for heat setting two which gave me quite loose curls.

The curls stayed in for a good few hours before I went onto the very windy seafront! I was impressed with the finished effect and after doing it for the first time properly on my own I found it really easy to use. A good styling spray and a good amount of hairspray would see the curls stay in for possibly the whole day.

I'm still yet to play about with all of the heat settings but I absolutely love this styler! I urge everyone with long enough hair to curl, to get one!

Glossybox May 2011

I know everyone is probably sick of GlossyBox posts but I've tried to make this blog post a few days after the initial buzz and I've also tried to include more information than simply what is in it. Apparently the GlossyBox is the UK alternative to the US Birchbox. I'll be honest and tell you that I'd never heard of the Birchbox and only found out about the Glossybox after someone posted about it on Twitter. I was intrigued of course, but it took me a while to actually decide to sign up. The Glossyboxuk team were extremely helpful and answered every one of my silly questions. I do love a brand that keeps in touch with their customers and I feel like the people behind the Glossybox are lovely and friendly!

I was initially wary about signing up to a contract that takes £10 out of my account every month. At the moment, I do have a good paying job so I can spare £10 a month, but when I move back home and am on more basic wages, I'm not sure I'll be able to continue 'wasting' £10. However, until that time, I'll stay signed up and keep receiving the boxes. You are able to cancel the contract at any time which is reassuring. Now, let's get on with the juicy stuff...

100% for effort and pretty packaging! The products were presented nicely in their little box and there was a lovely welcome message, information about the products and a 10% discount code for one of the items.

What was in the box

NARS Orgasm Illuminator
This silky, shimmering highlighter creates instant radiance, giving skin a perfectly dewy spring glow. Universally flattering on all skin types.

All for Eve Red Lipstick
Eve Red Lipstick was created by celebrity make up artist Daniel Sandler. This long lasting colour was designed to instil courage and poise in all who wear it.

Bionova Lab Bioactive Cleanser for Normal/Dry Skin
This cleanser gently removes all traces of impurities without damaging the skin's natural barrier system. Suitable for both skin types: Normal and Dry

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Rapid Repair Spray
Treat your hair with this vitamin packed finishing spray that immediatly transforms the look and feel of hair. The lightweight spray can be used throughout the day, restroing vibrancy to dull and dry hair.

COMO Shambhala Invigorate Body Lotion
Refresh yourself with this light hydrating body moisturiser. Skin-softening eucalyptus, mood enhancing lavender and stimulating peppermint make this the perfect wake-me-up

The rumours that a NARS product was in the box had been floating around Twitter for a few days, but I had no idea it would be such a generous sized version of one of NARS most popular items. The Illuminator alone is worth more than £10 so to say that we got our moneys worth is an understatement. I refuse to pay the retail price for these sorts of products so I'm extremely pleased that this was in the box and I just hope that the boxes to follow will also include at least one full sized, exclusive product.

Although impressed with the product I was also a bit scared of it. I've never used anything like this. It says it can be used all over your face, mixed with foundation, but the fact that it's pretty shimmery puts me off slathering it all over my face. Instead it can be used as a type of blusher which I feel more calmer about. The fact that I only wore blusher for the first time in my life on Thursday meant that this new liquid magic was still a little daunting, but after trying it a few times, I think it's a little bit great. No longer am I a ghostly freckled figure, but I now have shimmering, radiant cheekbones. Lol. One quick question to my readers though...what sort of brush would you use to apply this? I must admit that I ended up using my fingers to apply this product!

The remaining products were ones I had never heard of before. The 10% discount code was for the COMO Shambhala Body Lotion, but I probably won't use it if I'm honest. I have so many body lotions already and although the body lotion claims to soften skin, refresh you and wake-you-up, I was a bit disappointed by it. The smell is overly minty, so much so that it smells exactly like the menthol crystals I use to help my Rhinitis.

The lotion is nice and creamy but takes a little while to sink in. It says on the bottle that contact with the eyes and face should be avoided. Stupidly I didn't see this until after I'd applied it to my face so my face is currently tingling away. Hopefully there's not too much of a bad reaction. After this stupid mistake I applied it to my hands. At first it left them feeling a bit clammy and eventually left them a little softer, but not dramatically.

Also included in the box was Bionova Lab Bioactive Cleanser for Normal/Dry Skin. I have pretty sensitive skin so I'm admitting now that I don't fancy using yet another product on my face. I'm currently set with my current skin care regime, thanks. The sample was the smallest of the lot, making me think it's probably one of the most expensive, but it looked like those little perfume samples you get from Avon. I'm sure it will work wonders for some people but I've yet to use it. If you've used it, do let me know what it's like!

The Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Rapid Repair Spray was another interesting product. Not only does it look expensive but it also sounds expensive thanks to the word 'Caviar' in it's name. The spray claims to repair, hold colour and immediately transform the look and feel of hair. Saying that something will work immediately is a big claim, no? I do feel like my hair is shinier and softer though and the smell while spraying it was very lovely, however I think the results will really show after a week or so of use. I think I'll definitely be using this regularly!

Last but not least is the All For Eve Lipstick in 'Eve Red'. I'm pretty scared of most make-up as I worry that if I apply anything too dramatic or expensive, it will go horribly wrong and I'll end up looking like a cross between a TOWIE star and a clown. Bright red lipstick scares me the most. Although it is 'fashionable' again, it still reminds me of a clowns smile or those over 40 women that still think their 20. I also feel sick when I see lipstick stains on coffee cups, eurgh! Despite this, I was brave, and tried it out, just for you guys!

I have to say it's not as bright as I expected but I personally don't think it suited me. I also found it a bit hard to apply as I'm completely useless with stuff like this. I felt like a 6 year old using my mum's make-up. I also managed to catch my nail in the stick and take a big chunk out of it...now do you believe me when I say I'm useless?

All in all, the NARS and Alterna products were big hits for me. The rest will probably be donated to other people or gather dust in my make-up bag. Of course, you have to expect that you won't like all of the products, but I'm not disappointed because with the NARS and Alterna products alone, my £10 was definitely put to good use. Hopefully, in the next box, there will be a few more bits that I like.

I hope that the quality of the boxes remains at quite a high standard as the GlossyBox is a brilliant incentive for people to try new products that they'd never usually go near. I'm a perfect example of that.