Tuesday 28 September 2010

Day out at London Fashion Weekend

 On Saturday I went to London Fashion Weekend at Somerset House with my friends Naomi and Kelly for a girly day out shopping. There were so many fab designers exhibiting including Ducie, Sass & Bide, Mawi, DKNY Jeans, Beatrix Ong, Pauric Sweeney, Juicy Couture, Angel Jackson, Twenty8Twelve, Olivia Rubin, House of Harlow 1960, French Sole and Donna Ida. 

I got a gorgeous leather Juicy Couture handbag, and a necklace from Sam Ubhi which both had big savings (the bag was £80 and the necklace £15). We also had manicures from the lovely girls at Bourjois. 

Here are a few photos from our day! If you didn't get to go this year, then you must go next time. It's not as big as the Clothes Show, but it's something a little bit different and offers some great discounts on designer clothing.


Juicy Couture leather handbag



Kelly enjoying the Jacques cider!






 Contents of the fab goody bag for £8, plus a bargain Elle magazine for £1


Results of the gorgeous Bourjois manicure (£15)by a talented beautician who works for WAH Nails



Friday 24 September 2010

I ♥ my new snood from All Saints!

I ♥ my new Honeycomb snood from All Saints! Since I decided to follow All Saints on Twitter and Facebook I have fallen in love with all their AW collection! I couldn't resist this gorgeous snood which was pretty costly at £55 but keeps you so warm! It is also made ofLambswool and Cashmere so doesn't irritate your skin like a lot of scarves. 

Who else loves the new All Saints AW collection?

Thursday 23 September 2010

Illamasqua's Art of Darkness competition!


While I was away on holiday a few weeks ago, I missed out on the Illamasqua Art of Darkness Blogger Event which looked fantastic after seeing all the photos! Alex @ Illamasqua sent me some products to review, one of which is this lovely deep blue Disciple Lipstick. It's not really my colour (the bravest I am is a slightly deeper pink lipstick!!) so I am going to give it away to one lucky person! Just leave a comment saying 'enter me' and I will pick a winner at random next Thursday 30th September!

Here is a bit more info on the gorgeous new Art of Darkness range! 

Good luck! 

x


Deep in an enchanted forest, the scene is set for a sumptuous feast. The chosen have arrived. Where this night will end no one knows. Not even death is inevitable. 



Lured by the promise of immortality, a host of fantastical beings try their hand at creating the ever-elusive Elixir of Life. The resulting potions dazzle the eye and ensnare the senses, a beautiful array of jewel-like substances. They may not deny mortality, but they do make the theatre of life a more colourful stage on which to play.



It’s a melting pot of individuals, where ideas are exchanged, and new ones created. A surreal gathering from which the guests might never awake. Which is why this night can never end, and the game must be played for eternity.



So take your place at the table and let the banquet begin.



This is Art of Darkness.

Wednesday 22 September 2010

Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy - an essay!

I am sure you all know how long I have spent trying to find the perfect hair care products for my fluffy, wavy hair. Despite this, as soon as my hair gets subjected to wet/humid/windy conditions it all goes out of the window and my hair is a mess again! People tell me I have lovely hair anyway, which I am lucky to have as my hair is healthy and can be managed, however it’s down to my dedication/vanity that it looked half decent! Anyway, a few weeks ago after tweeting asking about keratin treatments, the lovely people at Haringtons got in touch and asked if I would like to try one out. YES PLEASE was the answer, after receiving positive tweets back from followers about how good it actually is.

Here is a little bit more info about the Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy by COPPOLA, which is the treatment I had. I understand there are various treatments on the market but this is the best on the market according to Haringtons expert Heather. The revolutionary smoothing system infuses Keratin deep into the hair cuticle, eliminating up to ninety-five percent of frizz and curl, leaving the hair smooth, shiny and luxurious. Results typically last 3 to 5 months depending on hair type. It rejuvenates and revitalises the hair, giving it a softer, silkier feel that everyone raves about. Unlike other salon services, the more you treat your hair, the healthier it becomes. With each treatment, the build-up of Keratin makes the hair smoother and silkier, straighter and shinier, easier and faster to blow-dry and close to being “maintenance-free". Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy encases the hair follicle with a keratinous bond to promote healing (which my hair needed after years of straightening!) block the effects of humidity (the bane of my life in summer and on holiday!!) and prevent environmental toxins from entering the hair.

The most important aspect for me when researching keratin treatments was seeing real-life photos, not photos of adverts or models which I struggled to find. Especially photos from the UK, where people have the treatment done in the UK. So here we go - a complete step-by-step guide to my treatment in photos!


1. This is a photo of my hair before the treatment. It's a mess as I couldn't be bothered to straighten it too much as I knew I was going to the hairdressers the next day! Once I got to the salon, they washed my hair to cleanse the hair of all products and then applied the keratin treatment to my hair. I then had to wait for 40 minutes for the treatment to settle in my hair, before my lovely stylist Heather painstakingly blowdryed every section of my hair! She then had to straighten every section five times with special Keratin Complex straighteners that heat up hotter than normal straighteners. This stings your eyes a lot and made my eyes water, as the fumes are quite strong apparently! Here is the final result 3 and a half hours later - poor Heather!


2. As you can see my hair was now very straight! It also felt a little bit processed from all the heat, but still felt very smooth and straight. The worse part of the treatment was to come - I was told I had to wait 72 hours until I could wash my hair!! So no sweating, no tying your hair up, no putting your hair behind your ears! If you are a sporty person like me you will find this very difficult or if you have greasy hair but it is worth it as the longer you leave it the better the results will be. I'm lucky my hair is fairly dry so it didn't look too bad but by Tuesday afternoon it was starting to itch and I was desperate for a hair wash and boy didn't everyone around me and at work know it! After going back to Haringtons yesterday for a wash using the recommended Keratin Colour Care shampoo and conditioner (which are included in the price) and a quick blow dry, my hair now looks like this!


3. Here is the final result! No straighteners, no blowdrying, no serum, no leave in conditioner, no shine spray! This is going to save me so much time when washing my hair and also styling it! Plus a fortune on hair products. 


I had my treatment at the gorgeous Haringtons salon, Southampton (02380 237414) which was fantastic. The stylist Heather was really lovely and very reassuring and informative. I recommend going to a reputable salon like Haringtons as you are spending a lot of money (my treatment costs around £150-£250 depending on hair type) so you want it to be done properly. 

Obviously I have just had the treatment done, so I can't comment on how long it will last or if there are any side effects, but I will give you all an update in a few months to see how I found it! So far I am loving it and am amazed how soft and sleek my hair is and no longer dread the whole hair washing process! Thanks to Haringtons for giving me the chance to try this out. Two of my friends are already planning to have treatments done with Heather!


Who else has tried the Keratin treatment and what do you think?


x

Monday 20 September 2010

Vodafone London Fashion Weekend


If you want a slice of the action at London Fashion Week, but don't get invited like me then London Fashion Weekend is for you! Get ready to clear your closets for some essential designer shopping from this Thursday 23rd - Sunday 26th September at Somerset House (near Waterloo station).



You can shop from over 100 designers all selling their collections at incredible discounts of up to 70% off RRP. Some of the labels include Ducie, Sass & Bide, Mawi, DKNY Jeans, Beatrix Ong, Pauric Sweeney, Juicy Couture (oh dear credit card at the ready!), Angel Jackson, Twenty8Twelve, Olivia Rubin, House of Harlow 1960, French Sole and Donna Ida. 




You will also be able to pamper yourself with beauty and haircare treatments from Elizabeth Arden, Toni&Guy, Glow, Superdrug and Bourjois or simply sit back and take in the stunning surroundings with a champagne and Chambord cocktail in hand! (sounds perfect to me!)



Visit www.londonfashionweekend.co.uk for ticket information and follow the event on Twitter @LFWEnd!I have never attended London Fashion Weekend before so am really excited to see what it's like and if it's worth the hype. What do you think? Is it better than the Clothes Show? Let me know your thoughts!

x

Thursday 16 September 2010

September Ins and Outs!

I have just got back from (another!)holiday in Spain and already have post-holiday blues! It's freezing here compared to Spain and feels like I have gone from Summer to Winter overnight! So after reading Amy Antoinette's post on her holiday, I thought I would write a similar one to cheer myself up! 

Ins

* Having a tan! 10 days in Spain has left me with a lovely golden glow which I am desperate to maintain for as long as possible! I think I will be slapping on the tan maintainer, as there's not much chance of topping up my tan in the UK now! My hair has also nicely re-highlighted itself thanks to the sun!


(Lovely view from my apartment balcony in Spain)

Nails Inc Coveted collection nail polish from Very.co.uk. I love the bright colours in the collection and have fallen in love with Brook Street, which is a hot coral shade. 


* I am having a Keratin treatment at Haringtons in Southampton on Saturday! My wavy, thick mop of hair is the bane of my life so I am very intrigued and excited to try this treatment. Only downside is I can't wash my hair for 72 hours... I don't know how I am quite going to manage that!!

* Before holiday I also won an Aussie Rescue from the Aussie Hunks! Ok it was a bit cheesy and the Hunks weren't really my cup of tea (they turned up late and changed in the car park opposite my office - doh!) but it provided some entertainment in the office for a Friday afternoon!



Outs

* The end of summer! Packing away my bikinis and summer clothes was v depressing this week. I am not looking forward to the cold weather and hate wearing jumpers :-( I also miss the long summer evenings and swimming in the sea on holiday. The salt water does wonders for my skin.

* The cost of clothes on the high street will rise by as much as 8% next year because of a cotton shortage and a planned VAT hike :( Not good for. the bank balance and a tragedy for the people of Pakistan whose lives have been destroyed by the floods.

* The poor performance of Southampton FC! Ok so not beauty or fashion related, and most of you won't even care but we have managed to lose four games in a row after being pre-season favourites to win the league.... enough said!

Hope you are all enjoying September - let me know if you have had a keratin treatment!

x

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