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?

Contour Magazine

It feels so good to be blogging after all this time, you may have noticed I took a small hiatus from posting (although I did try) as I was snowed under with my final major project for university.  I handed in yesterday and spent the rest of the day celebrating in the sun, drinking Pimms with my friends.  My final major project was to create a magazine and of course, I decided to make one solely about beauty. CONTOUR is a magazine with a focus on skincare, something I found lacking in beauty sections of publications.  It was designed for an iPad and I plan to make it downloadable on there soon, once I've recovered.  It was a lot of hard work but it all came together in the end and I really hope you all enjoy it (you don't have to read, but if you do that would be lovely).  Theres something for everyone, a body painting shoot, articles about thigh gaps, acne, being a skincare junkie (ahem, me) and so on.  I'd love to hear your thoughts!  Normal blogging will resume tomorrow!

How are you all?!

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?

Ojon Instant Restorative Hair Serum

After being left extremely disappointed with Avon's Moroccan Oil offering, I turned to my hair stylist for advice whilst I was getting my roots done.  I wanted something light that would help dry my hair just as quick as Moroccan Oil and would also leave it as soft and shiny.  I was recommended Ojon's Instant Restorative Hair Serum from their Damage Reverse collection.  Ojon is a brand I've heard a lot about but hadn't tried because it wasn't that easy for me to get hold of. They now stock the brand in larger Boots stores, including my favourite so I made a special trip to pick some up.  

Ojon is part of the Estée Lauder brand and uses the oil in ojon nuts in their products, rather than the infamous Argan Oil.  Ojon claim that their must have ingredient, Rouge Oleifera, helps to strengthen weak hair as well as soften the hair too. I've road tested it for about a month now and I'm pleased with the results so far.  The product directions advises you to use two drops per application and warm between the hands before running through your hair.  I use between 3-4 drops as my hairs quite thick.  It smooths through my hair, sucking up the moisture allowing it to dry much quicker than if I hadn't used it.  When my locks are dry they feel silky soft and have the shine to match.  It's also a great frizz tamer on dry hair.  

The packaging is nice and simple, although I would have liked their to have been a space in the label to see how much product I had used.  It comes with a dropper applicator, which is different from what I was used to, but it means I don't use an unnecessary amount as it's controllable.  I have hardly touched the product, although I've used it every single time I've washed my hair. It has a musky smell to it with a hint of Terry's Chocolate Orange.  At £22 for a 50ml bottle, it's the most expensive oil/serum I've used, but if you've got the extra pennies to splurge (or perhaps throw it on your Christmas wish list) it's definitely worth it and you'll get your monies worth too. 

Have you tried any Ojon products?

Bleach Blonde Haircare

With bleach blonde hair, I can't afford to be sloppy when it comes to my haircare routine.  I use products both in and out of the shower that help to keep my tresses in the best condition possible after the strain I put it through with heat styling and regular bleaching.  Here's how I keep my goldilocks healthy, with a few tips and tricks thrown in for good measure.  

I wash my hair every two to three days as it's quite porous and will become dry and frazzled if I wash it everyday, plus I find that thanks to the bleach my mane doesn't get greasy too fast. Before washing, I always brush through my hair to get rid of any tangles.  I have a choice of two shampoo's depending on what my locks needs.  The first is L'Oreal's EverPure Colour Care and Moisture shampoo which helps to lock in moisture and prep my hair for conditioner.  The second is a tone correcting purple shampoo by John Freida, which helps to keep brassy yellow tones at bay.  I only use the John Frieda once a week as overuse can end up leaving a purple tinge to the hair.  I then follow up with a slathering of conditioner, which I comb through before washing out, to ensure the product is evenly distributed.  My favourite at the moment is also from the EverPure range.  Once a week I will go ahead and apply the EverPure Reinforcing Intense Mask, concentrating on my mid-lengths and most importantly, my ends.  It says to leave on for 3-5 minutes but for an intense treatment I leave it on for about an hour.  This is a great time to have a bath and read a good book.  

Fresh out of the shower I then brush through my tresses with a Tangle Teezer.  I think I would have a lot less hair if I hadn't had invested in this product.  It glides through my hair effortlessly, even without a detangling spray and it doesn't pull or snag, creating unwanted breakages.  If I'm going to blow dry my hair I will then go ahead and spritz some heat protection spray throughout, right now I'm using the EverSleek spray but I also like the TreSemme one too.  Another heat protection treatment I use is Kerastase Ciment Thermique, which actually requires heat to work.  This treatment helps reconstruct damaged hair and also acts as a heat protectant that needs to be replenished every five days.  Most times that I wash my locks, I like to leave them to dry naturally, so I will just use Moroccan Oil Light and get on with whatever I'm doing.  

Before I go to bed, I'll brush my hair and plait (braid) it, as it prevents any tangles forming through the night. Plus, if you're feeling lazy the next day, it's an easy, heat free way to get soft waves.  I hope some of you found this post helpful and picked up a few tips. My hair stylist is happy with the condition of my hair, so I must be doing something right! 

What's your holy grail haircare product or tip?

Full product reviews: L'Oreal Ever Pure Colour Care and Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner; L'Oreal Ever Pure Reinforcing Intense Mask