Good evening on this fine monday!

I've had a very busy weekend of digging and painting in the garden. Myself and hubby erected a fence and also painted our back fench and it was tremendously tiring!  But luckily we are now done...however, there will be more painting at some point.

How was your weekend?  I hope it was filled with fun and smiles!

Today, I bring you my daily or weekly haircare routine.  I'll illustrate with photo's and just comment on the items I use and why.

So on an ideal day, I wash my hair with the Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner (out of action sorry!).  I live in a 'hard' water area, which does mean that my poor scalp has a skits every now and again, which means that I get dermatitus/dandruff on my scalp.  These are the times when I use T-gel.

I'd then follow up the washing process by towel drying my hair and wringing out any excess water.

I'd comb out any tangles with my 'no brand' detangler comb.  I don't worry too much about brands when it comes to combs... I do however own a Denman brush.  Not sure if that is a popular brand, however I doubt it! Hahaha.

The comb just nicely removes any terribly tangly parts of my hair, and ensures that I can get any treatment products to the parts of my hair that they need to get to.  I then follow this up by squeezing about a small coin size of the Redken All Soft Soft Ends into the palm of my hand, and working it into the ends of my hair.  Approximately three quarters of the length of each hair will be coated by the serum, only the roots will remain untreated (otherwise you'll end up with greasy hair).

The Redken All Soft Soft Ends is a great treatment for your hair and definitely helps to reduce split ends.  Your hair also smells amazing and feels very soft to the touch.  I'll then continue with a heat treatment spray.  Currently I'm using TRESemme's Heat Defence Spray, which is easy to use.  You just spray the treatment directly onto your entire head of hair, and I then lightly scrunch it into my hair.

I'll then continue to comb through my hair to further distribute the products and to get rid of any new tangles.  That is when I'll start by just roughly drying my hair.  Once my hair is just damp, I'll finally finish the process of drying off by blow-drying the hair and then following that up straight away by straightening any kinks out of my hair.

This is very low maintenance and I'm dying to get my mitts on some new products.  So any suggestions are very welcome!

No bad hair days!

10 Prom Hairstyles to Steal

Back in the day: Prom hair was stiff, sprayed, and pinned into place. You only had a few options when it came to the hairstyle, and all those options involved an updo. And once it was set, that 'do wasn't moving until long after the post-prom breakfast.

Now: Braids, half-updos, and loose, unkempt looks have taken over prom hairstyles. Nothing is off-limits and the more experimental the look, the better.

While the traditions of prom have barely changed over the years -- the wrist corsage, parents taking awkward amounts of pics, and the crowning of the King and Queen are all still kickin' -- the overall look of prom-goers certainly has. And I'm not just talking about the dresses.

That's right. No more perfectly coiffed hairstyles. Prom hair has undergone a major transformation in the last couple of years, with messy, tousled hair stealing the spotlight. (Let's not forget the current braid explosion as well.) The best part of these "intentionally messy" hairstyles? You can skip the salon and easily do them yourself at home.

As long as you have a few styling tools, namely a hair dryer, round brush, bobby pins, and some hairspray, and great how-tos, you can achieve some amazing styles on your own. It just so happens that I have 10 of the best prom hairstyles already picked out for you. So please do me a favor: Keep the corsage and the limo, but leave behind tradition when it comes to your hair.

Braided Bun

This look combines the classic prom hairstyle of the bun with the braided style that's super popular right now.

1. For this style, it's best to use dirty/day-old hair. Spray hair with a shine and texturizing product, like VO5 Give me Texture Tousled Style Spray, £3.89, and create a side part.
2. Using hair from the larger side of your part, take a 2-inch section of hair from where your part begins. Begin French braiding your hair along the side of your head until the braid reaches the nape of your neck.
3. Repeat with a similar braid on the other side of your head.
4. At the nape of your neck, braid the hair from both sides into one loose braid.
5. Wrap the braid into a bun at the nape of your neck, and secure with an elastic and bobby pins.
6. Gently loosen the braids on the sides using your fingers. Finish with a strong-hold hairspray.

Half-Updo with Curls

This is a popular prom look, and works perfectly with medium to long hair. Here's how to do it:

1. Apply shine serum to damp hair, and blow dry using a round brush. As you work, make sure to blow dry hair away from your face, curling your hair back around the round brush.
2. Once all your hair is dry, lift a large section of your hair at the crown, and tease the hair underneath. Spray with a strong-hold hairspray.
3. Brush your hair back and over the teased section. Take 1-inch of hair from around your face, at eye level, and twist it into a rope. Secure the rope at the back of your head with bobby pins. Do the same with the other side.
4. Use a 1 1/4-inch curling iron, and curl hair in 1-inch sections, wrapping your hair in a spiral around the barrel. Hold for five seconds and release the hair. Do this throughout your hair.
5. Pull a few strands out around your face. Finish by misting the entire look with a strong-hold hairspray.

Sexy Bob

This voluminous bob has a retro feel, but with an extremely sexy edge. Here is how to get the look:

1. Apply a styling mousse to wet hair and blow dry hair in sections.
2. Once hair is dry, spray with a heat protective product, then part hair where you normally part it.
3. Use a 2-inch curling iron to curl all your hair.
4. To get that loose curl look, run your fingers through your hair after you curl it. This will separate the hair and give it that tousled, beachy look.
5. For even more volume, choose a few sections of hair around the crown of your head and tease the hair underneath.
6. Finally, grab sections of hair and brush curls outward with a round brush. Side sweep your bangs. Finish with hairspray, like Elnett Satin Extra Strength Hairspray, £5.99.

Swooped Bun

This bun is the epitome of elegance. I'll tell you how to get the look:

1. Part damp hair slightly off-center and blow dry straight.
2. Once dry, section your hair into two pieces on each side (for four total sections). One section should be in the front of your ear, and the other behind your ear.
3. Tease the hair at the crown of each section.
4. Take the two back sections (behind your ears), and twist the hair into a messy bun. Secure with bobby pins.
5. Take the front two sections and loosely pull them back into the bun. Secure those pieces into the bun with bobby pins.
6. Spray style with a flexible-hold hairspray.

Retro Waves

This hairstyle is a '50s throwback, but still looks amazing today. Pair with a tea length dress for the perfect retro vibe. This is how to steal the style:

1. Apply a shine serum to damp hair, part hair on the side, and blow dry with a round brush.
2. Use six to eight hot rollers, depending on how thick your hair is. Make sure that each section of hair is the same thickness and length of the roller. Place the rollers horizontally, parallel to your part.
3. After the rollers have cooled, remove them and brush your curls out. Make sure while brushing that you don't separate the curls, but just brush your hair into a softened wave.
4. Spray look with a flexible hold hairspray.

Dual Headbands

This is a great casual look that is still prom appropriate. In addition to your normal hair products, you'll need two skinny headbands. This is how to get the look:

1. Apply a root lifting product, like John Frieda Full Repair Protecting Root Lift Foam, £5.99, to wet hair and massage in.
2. Blow dry hair with a round brush, making sure to lift your hair at the roots.
3. Section off a top layer of hair at the crown, no wider than a 6-inch piece. Pull the rest of your hair into a high ponytail.
4. Tease your ponytail at the base to create volume, then take sections and fold them in toward your head and pin them in place. After all your hair has been pinned, the ponytail should look like a bun.
5. Move back up to the top layer of hair that was sectioned off. Backcomb the bottom part of the layer and spritz with hairspray. When done, brush the hair back.
6. Slide the headbands on and move them apart. To get the extra volume between the headbands, use the tail of a comb to lift up and loosen the areas on top. Finish by spraying the entire look with a strong-hold hairspray.

Messy Half-Updo

This tousled half-updo hits that unkempt beauty mark right on the dot. I'll tell you how to get the look:

1. Apply a thermal heat protection spray, like Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray or Mousse, £5.50, to dry hair.
2. Use a 1 1/2-inch curling iron to curl several random pieces of hair. This will create more texture in your hair.
3. Leave out two sections of hair at temple height from around your face. Pull the remaining bulk of your hair into a low ponytail and twist before securing with bobby pins and an elastic (if needed).
4. Take the two sections of hair from around your face and loosely twist them back so they meet in the middle. Secure the twists with bobby pins. Use the twists to hide the elastic of the ponytail. Spray with a strong-hold hairspray.
5. Backcomb the hair around the ponytail's base for more of a messy look, and add in any additional curls if needed. Finally, pull a few strands of hair out around your face.
6. Mist the entire look with a strong-hold hairspray.

Braided Headband with Bun

This hairstyle is regal and sophisticated, which makes it perfect for prom. Here I'll tell you how to get the look:

1. Tease dry hair on the top and sides of your head.
2. Take a 1-inch section of hair behind one of your ears and begin to braid the hair. Wrap it up and across your head like a headband, and pin the braid behind the other ear. If your hair isn't that long, use a braided headband hair piece, like the HotHair Chunky Braided Headband, £9.75.
3. Piece out your bangs.
4. Rake the remaining hair back with your fingers and begin a French braid the back of your head starting at the back of your crown. Braid until you reach the ends of your hair, then secure with an elastic.
5. Pin braid up under the nape.
6. Spray the entire look with a strong-hold hairspray.

Edgy Bob

This look is perfect for girls with medium length hair. Here is how to get this edgy hairstyle:

1. Apply a volumizing spray to wet hair, and divide the hair into a deep side part.
2. Blow dry hair with a round brush.
3. To create the drastic side swept bangs, take the front section of hair and blow dry them away from your part.
4. Apply a wax sculpting product, like Redken Water Wax 03 Shine Defining Pomade, £15.95, to bangs and random sections of hair to get that piece-y appearance.
5. Finish the look with a strong-hold hairspray.

Finger Wave

Even though this look is from the '20s, it's never really gone out of style, judging by the celebs that continue to wear it on the red carpet. So here is a rundown of the look:

1. Prep washed hair for styling by applying a strong-hold gel throughout your hair.
2. Create a deep side part.
3. Lay your middle finger next to your part, firmly place your comb against the inside of your finger that is on the other side of the part.
4. To make the finger wave, pull your comb along your finger continuing to hold your middle finger firmly against your head. Comb through your hair without lifting the comb creating a nice wave.
5. Lay your index finger next to your middle finger, then use your index finger to hold the finished finger wave in place.
6. Hold the finger wave with your finger, pull the comb back the opposite way to create the next finger wave about 1-inch or so below the first one. You should have one finger wave with the waves flowing in one direction and a second wave with the waves flowing the other direction.
7. Place a clip on the tip of the wave being curled horizontally, parallel to your part. Alternate the direction of the clips after each wave, so the clip is going in the direction of the wave.
8. Carefully moving your hand, reposition your middle finger over the second finger wave. Hold the wave in place while making a third finger wave. The waves should flow the same direction as the first finger wave. Working your way down your head, continue alternating directions, until you've created the desired look.
9. Let your hair air dry or use a diffuser on low heat. Finish by misting the look with a strong-hold hairspray.



And that really sums up these super easy prom styles that can also be used for special occassions and brides!  I hope you've enjoyed how to create amazing hair and have a great day.

Hair Colour Voila!

Beyonce Knowles - Caramel

Reese Witherspoon - Champagne

Kim Kardashian - Chestnut

Christina Hendricks - Copper

Amy Adams - Ginger

Drew Barrymore - Ombre

The hottest colours for hair is shown by the current celebrities in the photos above.  One of the colours that really made a huge debut during the summer period was sported by Rihanna.  Yes you guessed right!  BRIGHT RED!  Saying that, ginger seems to be cool again! 

I'm currently bang on trend, as always (hehehe), for once!  I'm sporting slightly red hair with a darker tinge.  However, the good news is that all the colours are very wearable and now is the best time to start experimenting for the winter. 

 If you do choose to colour your hair, keep in mind that it is very important to look after your hair and also to maintain the colour.  There are many great products for coloured hair on the market with L'Oreal, Redken and Klorane being just a few.  Dove also has a very affordable range that is available at most supermarkets and drug stores.

Be playful with your hair colour!

Popular Hairstyles for Autumn/Winter

One of the most important parts of our beauty regime that epitomizes us as individuals, is our crowning glory.  That is our hair.  Most ladies look after their hair really well, making sure that it is styled, coloured and beautifully soft to the touch.

This brings me to the most important part of this particular post.  Exactly which styles are worth having this Autumn/Winter?

Style:  Long Bob

The Look:  Jennifer Aniston ditched her longer layered crop for a much shorter bob that skims her shoulders.  The look really makes her look more sophisticated and frames her face beautifully.  Most of the world swooned at the style, because as far as the world is concerned, her hair can do no wrong!  It is one of the most requested hairstyles in America at the moment.  Following closely behind is Rihanna's blazing red crop, however where Jennifer's crop is slightly more angular and following her jawline, Rihanna's bob is softer and cut to what the hair would look like when dried.  Again, it just looks great on Rihanna, especially with her blazing red hair.


The Verdict:  I love this look, however considering my own hair is very long, I will not be investing in this particular cut.  This look will suit anyone with a heart-shaped or oval face. 

Pro Picks:
A FHI one-inch flat iron “really brings out the lines of the cut,” says Ursula Stephen, a Motions celebrity stylist, who also uses Motions Light Hold Working Spritz on damp hair to add control and protect from heat damage. McMillan uses a root lifter for “height at the crown.” Try Fekkai Full Blown Volume Styling Whip.










 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Style:  The Long Bang


The Look:  The sweet, sideswept bangs of newlywed Reese Witherspoon secured the Elle silver medal, following Jennifer Aniston’s bob as the second most-requested style overall (with J.Lo’s wispier fringe coming in as a close runner-up). To keep “choppy” fringe in top form, stylist Mark Townsend, who first trimmed Witherspoon’s bangs in 2007, removes weight using thinning shears on the bottom half-inch of the bangs. To duplicate the style, start the shortest pieces near the eyebrow, with gradual layers extending to the ear.


The Verdict:  This look is very wearable and one of the styles we'll be seeing more celebrities adopt on the red carpet.  This particular style also suits most face shapes, especially the heart shaped face (like Reese Witherspoon) and the oval shapes (like J. Lo).

Pro Picks:
Opt for a Mason Pearson paddle brush when blow-drying “to avoid ’80s round bangs,” suggests Townsend, a Dove Hair celebrity stylist. Applied at the root, Sally Hershberger Plump Up Thickening Mist “prevents the look from going flat.” Townsend rubs Dove Nourishing Oil Care Leave-in Smoothing Cream on his fingers and rakes them through dry bangs to add shine.









 ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Style:  The Pixie


The Look:  For the second year in a row, the pixie landed third on the most-wanted list, with Emma Watson’s retro-adorable makeover and Halle Berry’s sophisticated coif taking first and second place, respectively. Rodney Cutler, who transformed Watson post–Harry Potter, paid extra attention to shaping “precise, rounded layers” that “conform to the head shape.”


The Verdict:  This style really is one of those that are created for the very brave!  You have to have an attitude to match the short style and personally I've had some bad experiences with this particular style.  I looked androgenous or like a boy.  I'll leave this style to those lucky ladies who can get away with it. 
However, this style can look beautifully feminine, especially if you texture the hair like Halle Berry.

Pro Picks:
To “polish” strands, give them a finishing mist of Cutler Specialist Shine Tattoo, a vitamin-packed spray. For a sleek look, “comb Redken Glass 01 through small sections of hair,” Cutler says. To encourage hair to lie flat by blow-drying with a fine-tooth comb instead of a brush, try the Goody Fine-Tooth Tail Feather Comb.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Style:  The Wave


The Look:  
It’s no secret that everyone tries to keep up with Kim Kardashian—her glamorous waves won fourth place, inching out Blake Lively’s Lagerfeld-approved curls. To create Kardashian’s signature strands, her stylist, Frankie Payne, applies a thickening spray, then blow-dries hair. Using a large-barrel curling iron, he grabs “small sections, starting around the face and curling outward.” After teasing the roots for extra lift, Payne “loosely” brushes the waves to look “natural and effortless.”


The Verdict:  I've been in love with this style since the day it first reared it's lovely glossy mane!  If this look is pulled off in the right way, it can look beautiful and glossy!  It is a style that could suit most face shapes and will look wonderfully feminine!  The best part of this style is that it can be worn down but also easily be taken up into a glamorous evening 'up-do'.

Pro Picks:
Wrap sections around a curling iron, twisting away from the face for “Hollywood glamour,” says Payne. Try Hot Tools one-inch professional curling iron. For maximum body and bounce, blow-dry hair with a Spornette Porcupine Rounder Brush. Lock in curls with TreSemmé 24 Hour Body Finishing Spray—it “holds the style for hours.”











~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Those are the current trends that are definitely doing the celebrity rounds and have been huge on the catwalks this Autumn!  I'll be sticking to 'the wave' and work that look endlessly along with sleek ponytails.  Stay tuned tomorrow for the must have colouring trends for hair.

Which styles will you be rocking this season?