Ultimate Blends - The delicate Soother ♡

Hi hunny's! 

Being a hairdresser, I like to try the high street products that you guys rave about so I can have an alternative to recommend to clients who buy from the shelves instead of in salons. 

Recently I have heard great reviews  on Ultimate Blends 'The Delicate Soother'. I LOVE some of the others in the Ultimate blends range so why not give this one a go!? 

 I picked these up in ASDA for £2 each! So £6 for shampoo, conditioner and a body lotion. What a steal!!

First of all the smell of this range is beautiful! I could smell it without even opening the bottle! The main ingredients are rice cream and oat milk. The packaging is sooo pretty and girly. Almost a little like the dove packaging as they always go for white and a neutral colour. 

Even the name 'The delicate soother' sounds comforting!! I was worried that it would make my hair lank as my hair is quite fine, but I gave it a go and was pleasantly surprised. This shampoo really soothes your scalp leaving it feeling moisturised and super clean. The shampoo itself is really quite thick, so you don't need much of it. It lathers up lovely and leaves your hair feeling so clean and moisturised. The conditioner is a lot thinner than I thought as I thought it would be more of a treatment style but never the less it did the trick, detangling and nourishing my hair.

All in all I am pleased with this product. And will defo re purchase! You will not be disappointed! 

Fran xx 

♡♡♡♡♡

Batiste Heavenly volume dry shampoo💆🏽💁🏽

Happy February lovelies! Hope you've all had a fabulous weekend, I am going to be reviewing Batiste's Heavenly Volume Dry Shampoo,

 As you can see the can is super pretty with pink and purple patterns that really catch your eye, it also looks pretty in your bag or on your dressing table.

Batiste is pretty much the only dry shampoo I turn to when I'm not washing my hair, Not only does it refresh your hair, but it gives it a bit of life too! I was a bit sceptical to the claim at first that it can also add volume, but since I have naturally straight, flat hair i thought I had nothing to lose.

I used this on Saturday night before I went out and yes, it does deliver show stopping volume, if you know me you know I like my back combing and height, so this is perfect for me. Like all other dry shampoo's in there range it is white but does disapear at the stroke of a brush. 

I picked this up from tesco for £2.99 but I'm sure you can get it from all kinds of retailers, boots, super drug etc. This is my hair on Sunday after using it on the Saturday night and as you can see it is still full of volume. 

I think this may be my new favourite from Batiste. I had a thing for the coloured deep brown spray. I'll hold tight and wait until hey make a brown volume spray! 😏

Thanks for stopping by

Fran xxx

QUICK & EASY:Hair mask!

 EGG, YOGHURT & COCONUT OIL HAIR MASK

  Now Here's a post I have been meaning to do for awhile, now we are in the winter months its time to give your hair some TLC.  The cold weather really takes its toll on our hair and It's time to bite back! We swap our moisturisers so why not give your hair a treat. The ingredients I am going to use are easy to get hold of and some of you will have them in your cupboards anyway!

Eggs! Yes Eggs can be a great source of protein for your hair. The yolk is rich in fats and proteins which is extremely moisturising. The whites contain bacteria eating enzymes that cleanse hair and scalp from unwanted oils. For normal hair use whole egg to condition; use just yolks to moisturise dry, brittle hair; and use just whites to treat oily hair. For me, I have a super oily scalp so this is a must. 

Yoghurt! Yogurt can help reverse hair damage caused by product build up and air pollution. After a weekend in London my hair felt sooo brittle & dry, and with it being the party season and all I haven't been the kindest to my hair (I'm sorry i still love you) The lactic acid in yogurt gently strips away dirt while the milk fat moisturises. Double YAY! 

Coconut Oil! Now we all know how amazing coconut oil is for our hair and body, this is a vital ingredient in our hair mask as it moisthurises, prevents breakage and is PACKED with nutrients to keep our hair strong and healthy such as Vitamin E, Vitamin K and Iron. Each of these plays a key role in keeping your hair soft and supple, and Iron can even eradicate dandruff from the scalp. 

If your thinking of having a go, Mix all these kitchen essentials in one and apply from tip to root, leave for 20 mins and rinse with cool water.  I like to wear it up in a bun and keep it off my face and skin because lets face it... it's raw egg!! Let me know how you get on I guarantee you will love it! 

happy hair masking !

whats your favourite? let me know, Fran xxx

Today's buys

Today's boots trip...

Lee Stafford flat iron spray! 

Wow, I haven't bought this for years! The smell reminds me of my childhood I used to use bottles of the stuff when I was younger, my mum used to preach good hair. I can't wait to try it see if it's the same as it used to be. Not only does it smell gorgeous it makes your hair soft and shiny whilst protecting it from hear damage! 

Batiste Dry Shampoo!

My lifesaver. My 5 more minutes in bed aid. What would I do without this! God love the stuff. I love how they have bought out coloured ones, i have the medium brown to brunette one so there's no more white roots! One obvious sign you couldn't be bothered! 

No7 Quick thinking wipes!

These wipes are brilliant. I loveeee them, Bought my  first pack of these with the voucher and with my discount card they go from £7.00 to 43p! I never looked back. Excellent for getting make up off and leaving skin clean and smooth, even heavy make up. I have used other make up remover wipes, but these are the best I have tried. I Always have a pack open and one in the drawer, as I could not do without them now, The scent is clean and subtle and they do not dry my skin or irritate the eye area. I usually follow cleansing with a cool rinse of water and the toner for dry skin.

The Comforter Bubble bar! 

I went into Lush and got lured in by this lovely looking bubble bar! It looks so dreamy with the pink and white stripes. It smells amazing! This fruity bubble bar gives the feeling of being hugged by a
jolly blackcurrant. When life is getting you down, crumble The Comforter under hot, running water for purple water and creamy bubbles. The warm aroma of cassis absolute is relaxing so relaxing that you’ll go to bed feeling happier and the world will seem brighter the next day.

babyliss heated rollers

Babyliss heated rollers, my new best friend.

This set has 20 large, medium and small, soft-to-the-touch, thermo-ceramic rollers that, give a smooth, shiny finish. The rollers line up on horizontal heated bars within the case, so they are easy to store.

It was difficult to source them as most of the heated rollers these days aren't smooth on the roller they have grips, where as these have velvet on which I feel keeps those stray straight ends at bay!

If your quick, there on offer at the moment in Debehnhams for £12.00!
http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10001_10001_325007016860_-1


These rollers are so easy to use, you just plug them in, wait for them to heat up, and put them where you want them. I like to do it in 3 layers so that it looks quite bouncy. 

These rollers come with crocodile clips and silver pins for fastening the rollers, I prefer the crocodile clips.

There are tonnes of different ways you can put them in for example you can apply them going forwards of backwards, forwards for more of a flick, and outwards away from the head for more of a curl. Its so much quicker than having to curl all your hair, 

I like to put them in and then do my makeup while they are in then voila! They are also a great idea when you have a few hours to get ready as you can leave the in for as long as you like and your hair won't burn as they will cool in your hair!


They give a smoother look compared to straightener curls and I'd say more of a wave/flick. Here are some photo's where I have used them.

Hair how to!

HAIR HOW TO ♡

In this post I am going to show you how to achieve this curly plaited look. This style is very versatile and can be worn day or night. The plait really finishes it off and makes it look bit more special than just down and curled.

First things first prep your hair, wash and blow-dry your hair so that its smooth and easy to work with, especially you curly haired girls you want it as smooth as possible for the bouffant! Then on to the good stuff....

you will need, 

-grips

-a hair weft

-paddle brush

-backcombing brush

-hairpsray
-pins

1.Section off and Curl all your hair with the tool of your choice, I wanted a more relaxed curl so I chose to use the wand, as i feel its more of a wave than a curl.

TIP: spray each section with hairspray! 

2. Repeat on all your hair until its all curled, I then like to brush out my curls with a paddle brush as this makes them fall together nicely rather them all being separate.

3.Backcombing!- my favourite trick. So you want a lot of height on the top and you don't want it to fall when you clip the plait in so girls nice and tight backcombing it is for this one! From root to about mid lengths id say and to just behind the ear. I like to use a backcombing brush instead of a comb as i feel it is firmer.

My choice of brush would have to be Vogetti's mighty brush, its £4.25 and if you got one you would not regret it. It creates instant height and provides you with workable backcombing.

 get yours now at http://www.feelunique.com/product/Vogetti-Mighty-Brush

3.HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN PLAIT HEADBAND

So, I bet your all wondering is the plait real, unfortunately not, I cheated! you caught me!!haha, I used a hair extension weft and plaited it loosely. I then secured it behind my ears with grips and pins and played around until I was happy with it. I had this in all day and it did start to get abit annoying towards the end of the evening, but it was defiantly worth it.

4. Spray to finish!- Hairspray is crucial to keeping styles in place its abit like glue! A little shine spray wouldn't go a miss either!


Throw on some red lips and your good to go!

This is Shannon's recreation of it ❤️

let me know how you got on recreating this look so that I can add your picture to the post<3

Fran xxx

EIMI Wella range.

Wella Proffesionals EIMI range

 Here is my next best kept secret. I haven't been on the blog for a while as I've been poorly :( 

Recently we've had in a new range of products called the EIMI range which includes volume, smooth, texture, shine and finishing hairpsrays.

I have used a few products in the range and got on really well with them. Here are some reviews on the products I have used.

Dry me, dry shampoo is amazing and creates volume and texture. I always struggle with greasy roots so this for me is a life saver. Most dry shampoo's leave a white residue on the hair making it hard to get rid of or hide, this one is clear when sprayed and doesn't need as much rubbing in. It is matte to refresh your hair and absorb any oils from the scalp. Great when you want a lie in! Compared to other Dry shampoo's e.g the trusty Batiste, it is quite expensive at£12.50. I know its quite steep but its worth it, it makes your hair look like its been washed that day. I suggest using this for special occasions and sticking to batiste for everyday use. I also like to use this even when your hair isn't dirty and you just want to add bit of volume to it.

 Sugar lift 

This is another winner in the range in my eyes. It's enriched with sugar to provide lift, shine and touchable grip on the hair. Apply to wet hair for a textured and volumed style or use on dry hair for a more settled style. This is great for people with fine or flat hair as it creates root lift and holds it. This is also Great for hair ups as it makes the hair more grippy and therefore stays where you put it and helps backcombing stay in!

 Eimi Stay styled hairspray
This is a lovely workable hairspray that is 

great to use when doing hair up's. I used to use the Schwartskopf Silhouette flexible hold hairspray. Until now I didn't realise how strong that was. Say for instance your client wanted loose curls and a braid, you need the curls to still be workable so that they separate when it comes to the plait. This hairspray provides exactly that and still has enough hold in to hold up on its own. I will most certainly be reordering this one. I do a lot of occasion hair and I usually use the a brand with a passion for delivering innovative and creative hair care products. This protects hair from the effects of humidity, harmful UV rays and heat damage caused by styling tools to leave you with smoother, frizz-free hair.

    

Garnier ultimate blends🐝

Hi girlies, I just have to share with you my new favourite shampoo and conditioner!

🐝Garnier Ultimate Blends 'The strength restorer' 🐝

The Strength Restorer is tailor-made for fragile, prone to splitting, damaged hair. This amazing shampoo is enriched with honey, royal jelly and propolis which  leaves fragile, damaged hair feeling healthier and smoother.

The shampoo is heavenly honey scented which is amazing. It leaves your hair smelling beautiful until you next wash it!

Since using it I've felt my hair is a lot stronger and healthier and unbelievably soft! 

If you grab it now, it's on offer in Boots for £3.89 for 400 ml!! It's also on 3 for 2 so you get the cheapest free. It's certainly part of my daily routine now!  Worth a go Ey!? Who uses it already or has done? What shampoo do you love? Let me know x 

Wedding hair!

With weddings in the air and Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan on everyone's lips I thought I would provide you with a few hair tips & tricks for the big day! 

Checklist!

-Review different bridal packages and costs.

-Review look books and photos of different styles. Up and down. Make a mood board of things you love and things you hate. Therefore your stylist can steer clear of the things you don't like and can give you what you do like.

-Trail run your hairstyle. This is a MUST. You can have your heart set on something and then when you see it on yourself you can realise it doesn't suit your face or you don't like your ears out!

-Photograph your hairstyle from the front, back and sides to make sure your happy with it.

-Confirm your final hairstyle

-Make an appointment for the big day, well in advance!

-If you change your mind, you'll need another consultation to avoid stress.

-Shampoo your hair the night before your trial run and do not flat iron or use styling products so that your hair is fresh and ready to work with.

-Wear a button down shirt to your appointment. The last thing you want to be doing is messing around trying not to touch your hair after it's been done.

Think about your neckline

If your dress has intricate detail on the back, wearing your hair down is the ultimate no no! If your dress has a high neck, you'll loose the shape of your dress so an updo will look fabulous. One shouldered dresses look great with a scooped side style. Maybe loose curls pulled to the opposite shoulder and pinned in place is the one for you. 

Colour

Colour helps improve the condition of your hair and it will look shinier and healthy. Hair colourants contain a lot of health boosting ingredients that will improve shine and condition. Alternatively, a clear gloss will help keep your hair super shiny.

Extentions

Extensions are a great way to enhance what you already have! There are many types on the market at the moment including semi permanent and permanent methods. For example if you are planning on keeping your extentions in after the big day I would suggest a weave or micro rings. If not then clips are fine to create that look on the day!

Keep it simple

Most people think that because it's a big event you need the most extravagant hair in the world when actually I think less is more. Bridesmaids hair should be relaxed and not too 'done'. For young bridesmaids, plaits and curls are perfect!

Wearing a hat?

Think about how you will wear your hat, whether it be to the side or central this will determine how you wear your hair. Some hats will look better with an updo and some better with a side down style.

Keeping your outfit simple and wearing a bold contrasting hat will be really nice and you're sure to make a statement.

How to recreat Michelle's gorgeous style

Michelle rocked the beach wave look with a bouffant at the back and a middle part. This look is easily recreated and I will tell you just how to do it! 

Want to create large textured curls or tousled waves for a

Glamorous effect? The Waving wand from cloud nine is your saviour. It's quite an investment at £99.95 but it will garantee you gorgeous waves. I've sneaked around and found it on Amazon for £83.55! You can get that HERE!

 A cheaper alternative is the BaByliss 2286U Waving Wand. Create effortless, natural waves with ease using the Waving Wand from BaByliss. Specially designed with a oval shaped plate to help you get perfect curls everytime! 

For the bouffant! 

Backcombing is key for this style. Whether they used a bump it or not there has defo got to be some backcombing involved to keep that bad boy up! My favourite Backcombing brushes are the old setting brushes, bristle. These can be hard to get hold of but this bad boy will save you! 

This Paul Mitchell mighty brush promises big hair! With a contoured handle for picking up segments and nylon and boar bristles to pick up your hair so that you can back-comb the perfect bouffant.

TIP: small sections make a bigger boof! 

TIP 2: make sure you turn your grips round so that the bumpy side is facing the head. This makes them firmer.

Hair care this month!

My favourite hair care products this month!

So here is a quick post on my favourite hair products this month. The best part is neither of them break the bank! yay!

 I recently discovered this little gem. Umberto Giannini Massive hair mousse. It gives your roots a lift like never before! My hair is so flat on top as I have fine straight hair and It's really hard to get some root lift. Apply a generous amount to clean, damp hair and squeeze into roots and mid lengths of hair. Honestly try it, you won't be disappointed. You can buy it here. At the moment you can save a third on hair care so this little baby is only £4.00 at the moment ! http://www.boots.com/en/Umberto-Giannini-Glam-Hair-Massive-mousse_1104348/

My other favourite for this month is Boots Coconut and Almond Leave in conditioner. This is for Normal to dry hair. Firstly with extracts of coconut and almond, the smell of this product is divine! I love coconut and to have it on my hair is 

a bonus! apply again to clean damp hair and spray on the mid lengths and ends. This is great for fine hair to give it the soft feel but without weighing it down. You can buy this here for only £1.49! http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Ingredients-Coconut-Almond-Leave-In-Conditioner-150ml_863451/

have you tried any of these? what are your favs this month? comment and let me know! <3

Silver Shampoo

SILVER SHAMPOO

Here is a small post about silver shampoos. Many blondes can benefit from using this. So i thought i'd share with you my review on this particular one.

Touch of silver Daily maintenance shampoo is my fav for brightening blonde, white or platinum hair. This sensational shampoo brightens and enhances silver tones. Resulting in fresh, health and great looking hair! I have tried a few silver shampoos now including Bleach London, Paul Mitchell and now this one and I must say this is my favourite one. It smells lovely and really makes your hair feel clean after using it. I use this once or twice a week on the ends of my hair as it is slightly lighter than my roots. It really works for me and takes the orange tones out of my hair.

I know clients that struggle to keep their highlighted hair the same colour in the weeks following an appointment as it is when they leave the salon. After a few weeks  hair can become dull, brassy, yellowy blonde. Something that none of us blondes / ombres want. This Shampoo is great for highlights, ombres and full head blondes.

I am reviewing  PRO:VOKE Touch of Silver, Twice a Week Brightening Shampoo because it was a bargain at just £3.00. A lot of the other purple shampoos are quite expensive, starting at £10. 

This shampoo is also great if you home dye your hair (which I don't recommend) and your hair is  slightly gingery or yellow. After a few washes your hair will be brighter and fresher.

Usage:

• Use the shampoo on every other wash. This shampoo can dry out your hair if used too much.
• Leave the shampoo on your hair for a few minutes. Do not leave it in for too long as your hair may turn white or even get lilac-y tinge (unless you want this look!)
• Use a good conditioner afterwards, your hair can become dry with this treatment so this will help help prevent it.

I also have the conditioner to this shampoo which is great as you can use either and leave both on.

You can get this from most stores including Sainsburys and boots

http://www.boots.com/en/Pro-Voke-Touch-of-Silver-Daily-Maintenance-Shampoo-200ml_1047907/

Have you used it? Let me know how you got on! 

xxxx

Top Hair tips!

1.  If possible,Try to wash your hair everyday, think how dirty your face gets each day and your hair goes wherever your face goes!
2.   Give your head a (mini massage) for two minutes daily, this increases the blood flow which = healthy hair.
3. rubbing your hair with a towel is the most damaging thing you can do! Try to pat it dry and squeeze the excess water out. Yep that's it girls, pat and squeeze!
4. On wet hair, ease out the knots with a wide toothed comb, starting from the bottom.
5. Use deep conditioning treatments at least once a week to keep your hair looking and feeling fresh.
6. To save time, blast your hair off to about 90% dry and then use a brush for the last 10% to smooth.
7. Tangle teezers are a great alternative to combs. They are 100% pain free! yay!take a look here. 
8. Scrunch hair with moose. I love Umberto Gianni's 'Massive Mousse'. Twist your hair up when it's still hot from drying, secure in a bobble and leave for as long as possible = Effortless waves!
9. Coconut oil is amazing for hair and face! Boots have a gorgeous 'Ingredients' range. I love they're  Leave in Conditioner & Intensive Hair Mask. They're usually on their fantastic 3 for 2 offer so you can save the pennies!

10.Only condition your ends and 3\4 of the way down, steer clear of the roots so that it doesn't look greasy.

instagram: @chescavenus

twitter: @chescavenus 

My Top 10 Hair Tips