BEAUTY TECH | Babyliss Boutique Italian AC Dryer

I don't know about you, but I absolutely hate drying my hair, so much so that I have been known to let my hair air dry overnight, leaving me with a frizzy and hard to manage mane. For Christmas, I asked for a new hairdryer, my old one was tired and when I could be bothered to use it, it made my hair smell like toast - not ideal. After some online research, one particular model kept cropping up on Google - the Babyliss Boutique Italian AC Dryer (£74.99). Nine out of ten Grazia readers claimed it was the best  and fastest hair dryer they'd ever used - Grazia approved and claims to be fast? Sold. Low and behold I must have been a good girl in 2013 as Santa not only delivered McDreamy and McSteamy in boxset form but the aforementioned hair dryer too, and ladies after using it for almost a month I can confirm it is the best hair dryer I have ever used. 

Let's begin with size. The Babyliss Boutique is smaller than your average hairdryer but oh so mighty. It's compact size makes it extremely easy to handle and will be perfect for future travelling. It has two speed settings and three heat settings, including my personal favourite the "True Cold" setting. This machine packs a real powerful punch and can get my sopping wet hair dry in 10 minutes max. I start off using the highest speed and heat setting and rough dry my hair until it's about 90% dry, before using the included Thermal Brush to smooth out ends and style my bangs. I then blast my hair with the True Cold setting, which unlike most other hair dryers, blasts cold air rather than luke warm, allowing it to seal hair cuticles and leave hair so soft and beautifully shiny every time. I've also come to notice that my hair stays a lot straighter after use, another plus point of the True Cold setting, as the cold air 'locks' in your style.

This particular dryer is Italian made and has a 2400W motor, which is why it dries hair so quickly. In the box you get a thermal brush and ultra-slim nozzle for straight blowdrying, alongside a 5-year guarantee. The dryer features a 2.7m salon length power cable, ionic technology for smoothness and shine, as well as hanging loop and a removable filter. At £74.99 it might not be the most affordable appliance on the market, but if like me you hate blowdrying your hair or are in a rush, this hairdryer really will change your life. It's often on offer in Boots or on Amazon too - I know my Mum and Dad picked it up for around £50. 

What part of your beauty routine do you loathe?

Living Proof Prime Style Extender

Primers have become big business for the cosmetics industry over the last two years, with a boom in popularity and the high street market tackling the popular trend, so it was only a matter of time before a primer for your hair was invented.  A primer is essentially the glue that holds everything together - first helping to keep make up in place and now hair products and styles.  When I first heard about the Living Proof Prime Style Extender, I was initially skeptical but nonetheless intrigued.  

Living Proof claims that this will lock in your style for longer, that it's weightless, weather proofing and time saving.  When I first started using this product I wasn't sure what it was actually doing but as time went on I found that my hair was lasting better between washes, that I didn't have to apply so much heat to my hair, as it usually remained quite straight and that my hair didn't feel at all weighed down by the extra product in its routine.  The big test came when I curled my hair.  I, like many of you no doubt, struggle to keep my curls in place all day.  It seems the bigger the curling iron I use, the harder it is for them not to drop.  Using this and then spraying my hair with a curling product, I've found that my hair lasted a lot longer than it would have without.  

The product itself is a creamy gel, which can be used from root to tip and has a fresh, fruity scent - not dissimilar to Kerastase Ciment Thermique.  I use about a walnuts sized blob, warm in the palms of my hands before running through my hair and adding any other products I need and blow drying.  This is a product that needs to be used on wet hair, to help lock in those products and give you the longevity you require. 

At £17.00, it's an expensive extra to add to your hair care routine and by no means a necessity, but if you find that your hair needs to be washed every other day or your sick of your styles not lasting, I would say it's worth getting a sample and trying it for yourself. 

Have you tried any of the Living Proof range?

Beauty Roundup | NYFW

Happy LFW everyone! We're already a week into the Fashion Week period, with New York taking to the catwalks already.  My favourite thing to do over the Fashion Week period is to scour Style.com and peruse over the beauty write ups and images. There are already some great make up trends forming, here's my top three from NYFW.  

Diane Von Furstenburg

Jason Wu

Marc by Marc Jacobs and Thakoon

1.  The Colour Pop - This A/W is set to be brighter with designers favouring brighter colours, rather than the deep, berry tones we've come so accustomed too.  At Diane Von Furstenburg, MAC make up artist Karliados kept the eyes and base neutral and added a hit of neon pink to the lips using the MAC Chromographic Pencil in Process Magenta, mixed with a lip conditioner for a semi matte finish.  At Jason Wu, the colour inspiration came from the finale dress.  The base and lips were kept bare with a sweep of cobalt over the eyes.  Wu's make up artist, Diane Kendal used an inky blue pigment to begin, blending it out into the crease before adding a purple pigment to the centre of the lid for extra dimension.  Wu has created a make up line with Lancome, due out next season, and was off course featured in the make up look.  His Le Crayon Khol in Purple Dust was used on the lash line.  Other designers such as Marc by Marc Jacobs and Thakoon also sported the trend.  

Victoria Beckham

Alexander Wang

Calvin Klein Collection and Narciso Rodriguez

2.  Barely There - The 'no make up, make up' look has been around for a while, and next season is no exception.  At Victoria Beckham, make up was kept extremely stripped back; a soft base, nude lips, a no fuss eye and naked lashes.  There is a slight darkening around the crease, giving the eye more depth.  At Alexander Wang, Diane Kendal worked her magic to create a clean and polished look.  Colour was kept from the face, only using a NARS eyeshadow in Lhasa, a steel grey shade, across the lids.  With a light hand, the eyeshadow has a barely there look but finishes the look completely.  In contrast to Beckham's washed out look, gel eyeliner and mascara was used at Wang to create a thicker lash.  Calvin Klein Collection and Narciso Rodriguez also used a barely there look.  

3.1 Phillip Lim

Vera Wang

3.  Chocolate Chops and Black Forest Gateau - Dark lips are an A/W staple.  Some make up artists have been favouring the classic berry tones, whilst others have been mixing it up, creating chocolatey lips.  At 3.1 Phillip Lim, make up artist Francelle Daly created a blank canvas with the base, focussing the look on the lips.  NARS lip liner pencil in Kenya was used to line and fill the lips before applying a NARS eyeliner in Mambo on top creating a matte milk chocolate look.  Vera Wang kept it classic with a berry toned matte lip, fresh base and naked lashes.  

Marc Jacobs, Rag & Bone and Anna Sui

Jason Wu, DVF and Alexander Wang

If you're a fan of a smokey eye or a cat eye, look to Marc Jacobs, Anna Sui and Donna Karan for intense inspiration.  If Twiggy is more your thing, take a leaf out of Rag & Bone's book and use eyeliner in the crease for the ultimate 60s look.  Natural, soft waves reigned supreme over Diane Von Furstenburg, Vera Wang and 3.1 Phillip Lim's catwalks, whilst slicked back up do's featured in Alexander Wang and Jason Wu's shows.  

Have you got a favourite look from NYFW?

Charles Worthington Intense Rescue Melting Balm

I've tried my fair share of treatment masks to help restore my tired and broken ends.  They're usually thick and creamy in consistency, so I was surprised to see that the latest pot of hair mask to land in my bathroom was actually hard.  Charles Worthington's Intense Rescue Melting Balm from the Salon at Home range, has been making the rounds with beauty bloggers and with a 1/3 off at Boots, I decided to treat myself (and my locks).  

The balm is a pre-wash treatment that you leave in for around twenty minutes or longer, depending on how much of a boost your hair needs.  It's packed full with exotic oils, butters, lipids (fatty acids) and protein to rescue over-processed, damaged and thirsty hair.  The product itself as I mentioned earlier is hard.  Once you scoop out the amount you need, (a teaspoon size is recommended) you then warm it in your hands, turning it into a luxurious oil, which soaks into your tired locks and replaces the moisture that's often lost when heat is applied.  

I use this once a week, usually leaving it on for around 30-45 minutes to allow the product to really penetrate.  I find it easier to section off the hair and apply the product, to make sure you coat every strand.  You then need to give it a thorough wash to make sure all the oil is out before following up with shampoo and conditioner.  It smells amazing and leaves hair soft and much more manageable.  

If you're looking for a more affordable alternative to the high end hair masks on the market, at £16.99 for 100ml, this balm really does a great job.  It's often on offer in Boots too, which is an added bonus! 

What's your favourite hair rescue remedy?

Uniq One All in One Hair Treatment

I feel like I'm always trying new hair products trying to find that one product that does it all. Whilst I was at the hairdressers a few weeks ago, my stylist told me about a new product she'd just got in by a brand called Uniq One. I'd never heard of this brand but a quick Google told me they were stocked by Feel Unique, Cheap Smells and Salon Skincare to name a few.  Uniq One claim that this is the first leave-in mask (a glorified leave-in conditioner) which benefits the hair in 10 different ways:

1. Repair for Dry and Damaged Hair

2. Shine and Frizz Control
3. Heat Protection
4. Silkiness and Smoothness
5. Hair Colour Protection with UVA and UVB Filters
6. Easier Brushing and Ironing
7. Incredible Detangling
8. Long-Lasting Hairstyle
9. Split Ends Prevention
10. Adds Body

Although I haven't tried the It's a 10 Miracle Leave In conditioner, I would say it's definitely comparable as both products claim to do pretty much the same things.  On first impressions, you would think that this is product is a liquid as it's in a spray bottle.  Just like me, you would be wrong.  Inside the bottle is a thick cream, a bit thinner than a normal hair mask.  You apply the hair treatment to damp hair before drying, although be careful not to saturate your hair with the product - it doesn't need much!  I've definitely noticed a difference in my hair since using it.  For one, it feel instantly smooth without combing and when I do come to brushing it out, there are no nasty tangles.  My hair is less frizzy once dry and seems to have more of an 'oomph'.  As for hair colour protection, I currently have a semi-permanent dye on my locks and I found that using this religiously helped maintain the colour between trips to the salon.  

If you're from the UK and find that It's a 10 is difficult to get hold of, I would definitely recommend giving Uniq One's All in One treatment a go. It retails for around £12 for 150ml of product and is readily available online and in some hair salons.  

Do you use a leave in conditioner?

Beauties Best Kept Secret: Bellezo.com

As you know, I'm going on holiday next month (yay!) but with bleached hair, I need to be extremely careful in the sun (nay!).  I bought the Aveda Sun Care Protective Veil to take to the beach or down to the pool but I also need a shampoo that will remove all traces of chlorine or salt from my hair. I decided I'd get the Aveda Sun and Body cleanser, but didn't want to pay the £16 price tag.  I always check the Google shopping tab to ensure I'm buying the product from the cheapest place possible (usually Amazon).  A new website, Bellezo.com, came up as cheapest at £11.90.  I'd never heard of the website, but they were another beauty etailer like Feel Unique or Look Fantastic.  They sell brands like Bumble and Bumble, Bare Minerals, Morrocanoil and Pureology at discount prices (sometimes getting almost £5 off the RRP).

I must admit, at first glance I was slightly skeptical, their prices were incredible, so I turned to Google.  After a quick search for reviews, I decided they were legit and I placed my order. I ordered on Friday and it was despatched on Monday.  They offer free postage and packing, which is sent Royal Mail 1st Class, which you can't really grumble at.  I got in touch on Twitter about despatch and they responded right away - brilliant customer service if you ask me. I received my package yesterday via the Postie. My product was wrapped in bubble wrap and the lid was held down with sellotape.  

The Bellezo.com team also popped some Aveda samples in with my purchase, which was a nice added extra and certainly something none of the other beauty etailers do.  I've definitely converted to Bellezo.com - will you?

New In: Fashion & Beauty Haul

I've been doing a spot of shopping here and there for the past couple of weeks so thought I'd show you what I picked up.  I always find haul posts a bit long so I've done mine slightly different this time.  If you like the new layout, let me know down below (poet but didn't know it comes to mind...)

1. There comes a time (or maybe more in my case) in a girls life when you stumble upon the most gorgeous bag and pretty much know you need it in your life.  Walking around M&S, of all places, whilst my mum shopped for her holiday, I spied this beauty. It's a medium sized, leather structured bowler bag and is the perfect sized everyday bag.  It was a bit pricey (£79) but I thought it could be an early birthday present to myself.  

2. I've heard only good things about the Tweezerman tweezers and whilst in a lecture, my tutor kept banging on about them and as he's pretty hard to please in general, I thought they must be good. I picked these up at Benefit and were cheaper than any others I've seen.  

3.  A re-purchase of my new favourite concealer - Collection 2000 (soon to be rebranded as COLLECTION) Lasting Perfection in shade fair 1.  It covers a multitude of sins, breakouts, freckles, dark circles and I wouldn't do my make up without it.  Only downfall - the writing on the tube all rubs off after a few uses.  

4. If you're like me, YouTube has become my new TV and the Pixiwoo girls have become a firm favourite channel.  Sam released her own line of brushes called Real Techniques and received rave reviews.  They were quite hard to get hold of in the UK until this month, as they were launched in bigger Boots stores.  I picked up the Powder and Blush brushes as well as the Starter set for eyes.  I haven't used them yet but they are so soft! 

5. I rarely shop in Dorothy Perkins but they were offering 25% student discount so I thought I'd have a wander.  I picked up quite a lot, including this oversized, square cut top.  I live in things like this and it will look great paired with those loafers.

6. I placed my first ever order on Missguided and it came today.  The first thing I picked was these turquoise loafers, which look almost radioactive.  They are going to be great at adding a pop of colour to otherwise dreary outfits.  

7. Another of my Dorothy Perkins picks.  I bought an oversized silver triangle ring and an extremely long necklace with cross pendent.  I needed some silver pieces to go with my Links of London bracelet and hopefully my new watch (see birthday wishlist here).

8.  The main reason I went to Benefit was to get the new blush box in 'Hervana'.  The four colours swirled together are supposed to create a healthy rosy glow on the cheeks.  I'll let you know how I get on.  

9. I picked up another top in Dorothy Perkins, which has aztec print all over it.  Again, it's a baggy number and will get a lot of wear.  I'll either wear this with a plain black bodycon dress and tights or with jeggings.  

10.  My second purchase from Missguided was this leopard print skater dress, which I plan to wear for my birthday.  I was a bit worried it wouldn't fit as I'm top heavy, but it fits like a glove and I really like it.   It came with a black patent skinny belt, but I didn't like it so took it off.  I'll wear black tights, sky high heels, my biker jacket with this and plan to do my make up like this.  Would you like to see an OOTN?

11. While I was in Boots, practically happy dancing over the Real Techniques brushes, I noticed that all the Katy Perry lashes were in stock and I immediately knew I wanted to pick some up.  After the success of the Girls Aloud lashes, Eylure teamed up with Kitty Purry and brought out 5 different lashes.  I picked up Sweetie Pie (pink) for everyday and Oh, Honey! (yellow) for the evening.  

12.  Oh look, no roots! Fresh from the salon today my roots have been bleached up! My hairdresser was pretty surprised that my hair was in "excellent" condition, which I believe I have Macadamia products to thank.  Review coming soon!

Let me know your thoughts on the new way of doing my haul posts and feel free to ask questions about what I picked up in the comments section.  Have a lovely evening!

Hairography.

I had my hair cut last in December and it is due a trim soon, although it hasn't grown back as fast as it normally would have.  With this in mind, i've been looking around at ideas and one of my favourite Saturdays girls (yes, they are my non-guilty pleasure) has had her long golden locks chopped off and now looks more like Sienna Miller than ever.  Mollie King has always had long hair, and flinched at the thought of having a fringe cut in, but Nicky Tours got his hands on her.

As you can see, there's nothing fancy shmancy about this look, but I really like the simplicity.  I wear my hair in a middle parting most days now so I think I could rock it.  

What do you think of Kings new do?

Now, here's a Glee video for all of you Gleeks that got excited by this posts title.