Don't we all love beauty devices that make our lives easier, saving us time and money in the process? I'm always looking out for products that can elevate my beauty routines and allow me to achieve salon-worthy results from the comfort of my own home. So, when I discovered both the Sunmay Electric Nail File Set and the Sunmay Voga 2-in-1 Cordless Hair Straightener, I had high hopes that they could work wonders, but how have they fared?
When you leave a salon after a much-needed cut, colour or luxurious treatment, your hair looks and feels healthier than ever, but how do you manage to keep your hair in this healthy state long-term? Today, I thought I'd share some of my favourite tips and tricks to ensure hair remains in the best condition possible at all times between trips to the hairdressers.
When it comes to makeup, skincare and hair products, I love mixing things up and discovering new products. But, I'm the total opposite with my hair tools. I couldn't be without my precious GHDs and I've been loyal to my Tangle Teezer and Denman Paddle Brush since I first discovered them years ago. So, when I was sent a couple of brushes from Tangle Angel, I certainly wasn't expecting to love them so much that I'd use them non-stop. Move over Tangle Teezer, there's a new miracle worker in town!
Hair Xpertise is a brand that never seems to get much coverage in the beauty world, but their haircare range is so impressive that they deserve some recognition. I've dabbled with a few of their products before - their Kera 10 Treatment is one of my favourite leave-in conditioners and their Argan Oil Treatment leaves hair so sleek that I'm always complimented on my tresses whenever I use it. Most recently, I've been trying out the new Hair Xpertise Argan Renew Shampoo and Conditioner*, which are aimed at strengthing and protecting the hair, using an anti-aging blend of ingredients.
My hair has always been long and that's how I like it; I never dabbled with a 'pob' or pixie cut when everyone started copying Victoria Beckham and, although I've been tempted to get a long bob à la Rosie HW, I doubt I'll ever trade-in my longer locks until I get old and grey. I've just always wished I could click my fingers and give my hair a boost of thickness and volume, which it can be lacking. Fortunately, Irresistible Megot in touch with me recently and asked whether I'd be interested in trying some of their hair extensions and I jumped at the chance to add some extra body to my barnet.
Following on from my 2015 makeup picks, we have my haircare favourites of the year. You may notice a pattern with the type of products I rate highly - I like them to drench my locks in moisture, fend off frizz and smell beautiful. Having very long hair that has to endure continuous heated appliance abuse, brushing and styling, it's imperative that I use an abundance of nourishing formulas throughout my regime, in order to keep my barnet healthy.
Some months I struggle with cobbling together a post full of favourites and then others, my picks are glaringly obvious and it's a complete doddle. This time around, it's the latter. The past month was one of the busiest I've had for a while and it felt like I was away more than I was at home. With all that travelling, my makeup bag was stuffed with the same line-up for the whole month and, the new products that I did try, happened to make the cut into my monthly edit immediately after giving them a go.
Dry, frizzy hair is never a good look. During the summer, the mixture of strong sunshine, high humidity and salty seas can wreak havoc on my long locks, leaving them desperately craving some nourishment. Lately, the Charles Worthington Intense Rescue Melting Balm has been my haircare hero and using it religiously has stopped my barnet from turning into a tumbleweed. No exaggeration.
I always think that A/W is my favourite half of the year, until Spring arrives. What's better than the crisp air, warming sunshine and beautiful dainty flowers appearing everywhere? Unable to wait before cracking out the pinks and pastel-tones, my berry lipsticks and navy nail polishes have already been shunned to the back of my collection. Soft dewy makeup is what I'm currently loving and my March favourites include some products that help to create that fresh glow that everyone's after.
February was just another cold, miserable month for me, up until my boyfriend and I hopped on a plane and headed to Dubai. Apologies for my lack of posts recently; I thought I'd have a little break and switch off from the Internet as much as possible, whilst on holiday. Regular uploading has now resumed. Thanks to my time in the sunshine, last month's favourites include some holiday-only additions, which wouldn't usually appear on the blog until May, at least.
After giving you a run-down of my makeup and skincare favourites of the past year, we're onto haircare! In 2014, I scrapped my silicone and sulphate-free haircare routine, stopped reading every ingredient list of every product I bought and went back to using products full of them. Personally, I haven't noticed a change in the quality of my barnet and my hair is as happy as ever.
With the big day only one week away, this gift guide may be a bit last-minute, but realistically, I leave my Christmas shopping until the last, two weeks of December. I'm all for organisation and forward-planning and I'd love to have all my presents beautifully wrapped and under the tree as soon as it goes up, but that's just not me I'm afraid. So if, like me, you've still got some gifts to buy, then never fear, this beauty guide could give you some final inspiration!
