O’Sullivans@The Shard

If I could afford to, I would happily pay for someone to wash and blow dry my hair for me a few times a week, there is something about that freshly blow dried hair which makes you feel a million dollars.  Last week, I was given the opportunity to go along to The Shard Arcade and have my hair washed and blow dried at an amazing salon called O'Sullivans.

This was my first visit to The Shard Arcade and the boutique was really easy to find. One of two hair salons, O’Sullivans@The Shard is a place which offers you the perfect cut, expert colour or complete restyle, the group’s latest state of the art salon specialises in big bouncy and luxurious blowdrys which I was there to enjoy.

Walking into the salon, you cannot help but notice how quaint yet bright it is. Immediately welcomed, my confirmation of appointment was confirmed and I was shown to an amazingly comfy chair to await my stylist for the day. Morgan, my stylist, was amazingly friendly, bubbly and a delight to chat too as she washed my hair and then making sure to ask what I would like as my blow dry, I trusted her enough to say 'Free reign, do whatever you think' - a rarity for me in any salon. 

As my hair was dried, it was nice to look around and see customers come in and go whether it was for a hair cut, style or a manicure, another of the salon's offerings. Stocked with well-known brands of both nail polish (Essie) and hair care (think L'Oreal, RedKen and Kerastase) which I found really impressive and not forgetting to mention the pink hair styling tools!

As you can see my hair went from being poker straight to big bouncy curls which on the night lasted longer than they ever have before despite the rain and humidity.

My appointment lasted just 40 minutes which is incredibly impressive, a great service for those in a hurry and need their hair being blow-dried before a big event or just as a treat.  The service is really lovely and relaxing and if you are in need of a last minute blow dry then O'Sullivans is well worthy of your attention, even better you can book online with even less of a need to rush giving you time to take in the most amazing views of The Shard both before and after your appointment. Prices start from £15 depending on what treatment you have.

Thank you O'Sullivans and Morgan for my amazing bouncy curls, I am sure I will be returning soon.

*The service I received was complimentary and all words and views are my own.

New Badger Hair Rescue Oils

I am a huge fan of Badger Balms, infact I use a lot of the Sleep Balm when I need a little help drifting off, it is one of those products that works for me. 

Now there are three new hair rescue oils** which I have been trying out for the last few weeks.  There are three different ones to choose from - Dry & Damaged Hair, Dry Scalp and All Hair Types.  Each Oil is 100% natural and contain no Silicone or Silicone Dirivatives, no artifical fragrance, no colour or synthetic ingredients, no mineral oil and they are cruelty free.

It is said that over time hair is weakened by natural elements such as pollution.  Day to day pressures can strip away your hairs natural lustre and strength.  The people behind the Badger products have a simple approach to hair care which is simple - enhance the beauty, lustre and body of the hair by using 100% natural, nourishing products that are said to work in harmony with the whole body. Oil is a key component for healthy hair, I use a lot of hair oils that my hairdresser recommends, if used properly they can make so much difference.  Badger use a unique blend of carefully selected natural oils that easily absorb into the hair to help repair, rescue and protect.

Badger Hair Oil - Seabuckthorn, Apricot & Pomegranate Replenishment Blend is overnight antioxidant hair oil treatment with a blend of powerful oils which help to deliver naturally occurring vitamins A, B, C, E, and K to nourish and replenish hair. Using the ingredients of Seabuckthorn CO2 Extract and Pomegranate Oil promote hair strength and elasticity plus Apricot Oil to deliver moisture and shine. This oil also contains Rosehip CO2 Extract with regenerative properties to helping hair return to its healthiest state. 

It smells absolutely divine and to use, you apply the oil to dry hair and then massage it from root to tip.  You can either leave it on for an hour or overnight and then shampoo and condition as normal.  After using, my hair is soft, smooth and shiny, not to mention static free.

Badger Hair Oil - Argan, Jojoba & Baobab Damaged Hair Rescue is a nourishing oil is applied to damaged hair, it re-establishes its healthy balance and protects hair from heat, chemicals, and UV damage. Precious Argan Oil is rich in vitamins, proteins, and essential fatty acids, which strengthen and soften hair at the same time. Jojoba deeply moisturises the hair, while Baobab strengthens it. Each oil selected for this blend contains potent antioxidants that prevent free radical damage, and protect hair from the elements.  

To use, you apply the oil sparingly over damp hair, working it from root to tip and then style as normal.  As this is an oil designed to be left on the hair, you can use it daily and it isn't too thick an oil that it will weigh your hair down.

Badger Hair Oil - Jojoba, Rosemary & Tea Tree Dry Scalp Rescue is my favourite of the three oils. Is is described as being a "synergistic blend of plant oils designed to deeply moisturise, while soothing itchy and dry scalps and improving hair texture". The use of Rosemary, which is the traditional herb for hair health, stimulates the hair follicles, encouraging healthy hair from the root. Tea Tree and Rosemary deeply cleanse the scalp and help to deliver moisture, while Jojoba and Sunflower oils penetrate deeply into the roots, where they are most beneficial. Menthol and Peppermint cool and refresh, while imparting an energizing, cleansing tingle to the scalp. Sunflower Vitamin E nourishes dry skin and hair while generating a healthy shine.  

I suffer with a dry scalp which can become quite itchy especially if I am stressed.  This oil is a lifesaver and one I have used the most.  To apply you apply the oil directly onto the scalp and roots, I find sectioning my hair is easier, then massage your scalp until the oil begins to absorb and then wrap your hair in a hot towel for an hour or again leave overnight, then shampoo and condition as normal.

All three of these oils are brilliant and all work really well with my hair.  Each bottle has a pump action spritz to make application really easy, you can either apply direct to your hair and scalp, or onto your palms.  They cost just £17.99 each for a 59.1ml bottle and they are available from Superdrug.

Make your blonde, Blonde with John Frieda + Giveaway

Do you remember the days of Sun-in spray? I do all to well with the promise of my hair going a shade lighter actually turning a yellowy-orange shade instead, thankfully there was no such thing as social media back then!

I do still want my hair to be lighter than it is, I think it looks so much better but I am not a fan of bleaching or using peroxide on my hair. John Frieda, the world renowned hair stylist might just have the solution to my problem with his new range of hair products - Go Blonder.

Within this range is a shampoo, conditioner, an oil elixir, a lightening spray to name just some of the products. The range is designed to gradually lighten blonde hair for that brighter sun-kissed look. Thankfully it is also an ammonia and peroxide-free formula which uses a natural 'Lightening Complex' which gently reduces colour pigments to lighten blonde hair by up to 2 shades. It has been carefully developed for all shades of natural, colour-treated or highlighted blonde hair.

If this sounds like something you would like to try, I have very kindly been given a superb prize for one of you to win:

1 x Go Blonder Shampoo

1 x Go Blonder Conditioner

1 x Sheer Blonde Tote bag

This is a UK only giveaway. All you need to do is complete the entry form below, ensuring you adhere to those sections which are mandatory.  If you are under 16, please do get your parents permission to enter as I will need your address for the prize to be posted.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ochre Body and Skincare Range

Natural Skincare is something I am always interested in trying and one brand I have been using of late is Ochre Body and Skincare. A philosophy which states "Ochre Body and Skin is designed to care for you and our environment and to be affordable for everyday use. We avoid the use of any ingredients that could be considered harmful to your skin and minimise the amount of packaging in the product or used in delivering the product to you".

So, having been sent three products to try - Enliven Shampoo, Harmonise Conditioner and Cherish Body Lotion, each one brightly coloured and eye catching whilst sitting on my shelf in the bathroom.

Enliven Shampoo is the first product I used, in fact I enjoyed using it so much, there is just a small amount left. Described as being for frequent use this shampoo is suitable for all hair types. I tend to use it once or twice a week as a sort of in-between shampoo because I find it really gives my scalp a good cleanse, whether that was its original purpose or not, for me this is what it does. When you flip the lid and first use this shampoo, the first thing you do notice is the scent because it combines both Rosemary, which is used in many hair products to improve scalp problems and Peppermint which acts as an antiseptic, together they smell amazing. 

 There is also coconut and vitamin B5 rich panthenol included and they enhance the appearance of your hair by increasing body, suppleness and sheen plus there are sea minerals to condition, moisturise and protect. Putting all these together results in your hair feeling soft, smooth, hydrated and your scalp clean.

As someone who has dry ends and greasy roots, I tend not to put too much conditioner on my hair regularly, it doesn't like it, instead I tend to use it once a week and then at least twice a month, I use a conditioning hair mask.

Harmonise Conditioner uses arginine, which is a natural amino acid and an essential component of your hair to help your hair regain its natural thickness. Again using ingredients such as geranium and lavender oils to help regulate your hairs natural oils and stimulate the scalp, it leaves your hair feeling clean and frizz free. Also included is coconut, sweet almond oil and vitamin B5 rich Panthenol again to enhance body, suppleness and sheen. As with the Enliven Shampoo, there is also sea minerals to condition, moisturise and protect.

Once the conditioner is on your hair, if I use a small amount, my hair feels really hydrated and silky soft and being used once a week as a treat, my hair has really taken to this conditioner. Gone is the horrid straw like feeling I sometimes get. The scent is light enough that it doesn't overpower the senses but it is most definitely noticeable as you wash your hair and as your hair dries, whether naturally or with a hairdryer. What I do like is how easy the conditioner lathers as soon as it touches your hair and comes into contact with water, thus meaning you need only a small amount. I tend to use this everywhere buy my roots.

The final product from this trio is the Cherish Body Lotion. Packaged in the similar bottles to the shampoo and conditioner and like those two products it using nutrient-rich sea minerals to revitalise and renew. As a formula it is non-greasy and is really easily absorbed into the skin where upon which it is so gentle, you can use it on all body parts, though I have never used it on my face.

Ingredients wise, there is a combination of sweet almond oil which smoothens, softens and protects to help the skin retain its elasticity and suppleness. Arginine is again present and in a body lotion it is said to benefit the radiance and vitality of the skin to help it maintain its elasticity and suppleness as with the sweet almond oil. There is also Cedarwood Oil which on the skin helps to soothe itching and is great for those with oily skin, as a scent it is calming and soothing. Patchouli Oil which is very effective in helping to deal with rough, cracked and overly dehydrated skin and as a scent it is hosts grounding properties which calm and relax.

The reason I like this body lotion is because it is really hydrating, particularly after being in the shower or a hot bath. It goes onto the skin really smoothly, is quite luxurious and absorbs really quickly with a little going a very long way. It has been some time since I have had a body lotion that I have continued to use like I do with this.

  Ochre Body and Skin products are all free from sulphates, PEGs, parabens, animal ingredients, synthetic colours, synthetic fragrances and other potential irritants. So if you are a big fan of natural skincare or just want to try something new, then I cannot recommend these three products highly enough, they are an absolute delight to use and smell amazing.  You can find more information about Ochre and the rest of their product line HERE along with any other information you might need.

Beauty Boxes - Do you need them?

This coming week on my blog I am going to devote each day to a different Beauty Box. Why? Well they are a big part of the bloggers blogging life for me and they take me through a roller coaster of emotions each month/quarter when they are due to arrive or when I am notified by email I need to do some product choosing. But do we need them?

When I first stated blogging, I had only ever heard of Glossybox because some non-blogging friends has subscribed and they raved about how good it was, so I hopped aboard the bandwagon and now over a year later, I still subscribe.  Now there are more and more of these boxes coming onto the market and I have tried some amazing ones, many as a one off and some as I have mentioned I subscribe too.   Glossybox, Birchbox, Look Fantastic box, Wantable Box, You Discovery, My Little Box, Latest in Beauty, Love Lula Box, SoukSouk, Memebox, Fragrance Shop Discovery Club and Love Me Beauty to name all of the ones off the top of my head.  I have no doubt there are more, so if you subscribe to others, please do let me know.  

So why are they important to me? As I have said, it is all about those roller coaster of emotions when you know that something is on its way.  The one box I always know the contents of is You Discovery Beauty box because, unlike others, you get to choose two items from a list of products.  I am glad I get to do this with one box because, let's me honest, so beauty boxes have been shockingly bad and their contents really really awful, so knowing I am getting two products I have chosen, is a relief but still exciting at the same time.  The word excitement is also quite important with these boxes.  Not knowing what you are going to get within these boxes is exciting, even if your box turns out to be a bit rubbish, it is exciting until you unwrap it, the deflation afterwards is another emotion to deal with as well, the whole screwing up your top lip to form an impression of Elvis is something I have done on more occasions than I care to remember, but I still subscribe!  

The other reason I subscribe is because I love beauty products - whether they are for skincare, hair care, body care, foot care, face care, make-up, nail polish or beauty tools to name but a few things, I love them, want them and relish trying them out.  A lot of the products I have received over time are ones I probably would never have tried, had I not been sent it in a beauty box, on the reverse, I have come across products I would never use again.  So there is always a 50/50 chance with these boxes that you like or hate the enclosures.

My own experience with the boxes I have had, has been more positive than negative.  The brands I have come across, such as Caudalie, Rodial, Dr Jart+ and one of my holy grail products Dr Lipp Nipple Balm to name some of them.  

As always, people will have their own views on whether or not here boxes are worth the money we pay for them and how much better that money could be spent and I am genuinely interested in all of those views.  This week you will be seeing reviews on Birchbox, Glossybox, You Beauty, Look Fantastic Box and a new box which I was lucky enough to attend the launch of this week and I would love to know your thoughts on each and everyone of them and if there is a box you absolutely would recommend singing up too!

As for whether or not we need them, well probably not, but they are a bit of fun, you never know what you might come across and the rollercoaster of emotions you feel whilst waiting for the impending arrival is often worth every penny!  Do you agree?

So do you subscribe to Beauty Boxes? Do you have a favourite? 

Is there one you really want to try?

Old Wives Tail SOS Organic Anti-Hair Loss Oil Treatment

Every now and again a brand name pricks my interest and none more so than one called Old Wives Tail, I am sure after all, we all know a few!. When offered the chance to try one of their organic hair oil treatments, I jumped at the chance. The story behind the brand can be found HERE and it is one I found quite fascinating.

I was very kindly sent the SOS Organic Anti-Hair Loss Oil Treatment which is a 100% organic oil and it contains ingredients such as natural anti-bacterial agents that soothe and heal scalp infections and remove dead skin cells. SOS has stimulating properties that increase circulation and encourage healthy hair growth. So ingredients such as peppermint, lavender, almond oil and avocado oil and I should also mention that it is free from sulfates and parabens, as well as being gluten free, not tested on animals and suitable for both vegetarians and vegans - pretty impressive right?

My hair is always described to me as being particularly fine but lots of it, hair loss isn't something I suffer from (unless you look too closely at my hairbrush) but my scalp can be a right nightmare. If I am ill and stressed it turns into a snow storm and flakes quite badly not to mention becomes very itchy.  As it is, I have greasy roots and dry ends (if only someone would make that perfect shampoo) so I am very careful about which products I use on which parts of my hair, too much conditioner and you could fry an egg on it, not enough and I look like a scarecrow!  So To use the oil, you are directed to massage it deeply into the scalp, paying particular interest to the most dry areas.  Once you have applied the oil to your hair, ensure your whole head is covered, right to the end and leave it on your hair for an hour, or for the best results, leave the treatment on over night and wrap your head in a warm towel.  

Once your allotted hour is over, you need to rinse your hair with fresh water and shampoo it, repeat the process if necessary until your hair feels clean and product free and then dry and style your hair as normal.

I decided to try this oil overnight, using my Save The Blow Dry shower cap in place of the warm towel over my head, but I did have a towel over my pillow to protect it from any leakages.  As I did so, the one thing you would expect to find with a product like this, is the amazing scent, the peppermint and lavender being the two most dominant scents and two that I am a huge fan of.  

The following morning, I was straight in the shower, hair washed and was surprised to find it was really easy to remove the oil from my hair, I had expected to have to wash it a fair few times, but once was enough and then after finishing I allowed my hair to part dry and then finished with the hairdryer.  Usually I get a bit of static when I dry my hair with the hairdryer, but I did notice there was slightly less of it this time round, the peppermint scent was also still noticeable on my hair and once completely dry, my hair looked really shiny and was a pleasure to style.  

For me, this treatment is something I will continue to use weekly or bi-weekly, depending on how my hair and scalp feel, it is such a pleasure to use, more so knowing there are no nasties within it or that a poor little bunny hasn't been used to test it.  For 100ml it costs just £13.99 which is a complete bargain!

If this Old Wives Tales is something you think you would like to try, you can find more information on all of their products on the website and they also offer free worldwide delivery on any order. There is also a competition to win a hair mask of your choice and it ends on 1st November 2014.

Birchbox Away We Go - August Edition

I am in receipt of my very first Birchbox and it is the August edition, aptly titled Away We Go. Full of samples to take with you on a weekend away.  So when the little box was handed to me by my blog reading postie, I was really excited.

The box, which is slightly smaller than the Glossybox boxes contains five sample products, all of which are available in full size from the Birchbox shop.  This I quite like the idea of because you often get sample products, love them and haven;t got a clue where to get them from, now with Birchbox, you do!

The first item my eyes were drawn too was the chapter sampler, an amazing idea if ever there was one for us book lovers.  How many of, you like, own a Kindle and before buying a book which you are not too sure about, download a sample of it first? Well this is the same concept for me and having already read that sample chapter, I have ordered the book because I was gripped!  

The Proposal by Tasmina Perry features chapter one of the spellbinding and romantic novel, which spans 1950s London and present day NYC. Just 27 pages this long, this sampler did leave me wanting to know what happened next.

Next comes this very cute travel toiletry bag which is very summary looking in bright yellow and pastel blue shades and inside it has the following products:

Liaison De Parfum - Inside this envelope which boldly states "I dare you" which happens to be the name of the perfume, it is said to capture the romantic essences of life and travel. , With notes of vetiver, sandalwood, leather and amber. A 100ml of this has an RRP £105 which at that price is out of my price range, but is a scent I actually quite like.

Number 4 - Super comb Prep & Protect. This is a leave in conditioning spray to detangle and protect against heat and sun damage.  To use you simply spritz over damp hair and comb through before drying and styling. This is a sulfate-free formula sinks in quickly and has a pretty floral scent thanks to white freesia, amber, and musk.  A 200ml bottle has an rrp of £20

Supergoop - A Daily Correct SPF35 CC Cream.  A natural shade-adjusting CC cream with SPF to smooth fine line and even out skintone. This CC cream uses 100% natural ingredients and antioxidants to triple protect against UVA, UVB and infrared-A rays. Light-diffusing mica minerals soften the appearance of pores and wrinkles for a fresh, flawless complexion. I have two 3ml tubes in shade light-medium and it is just a little it too dark for my skintone, but mixed with my MAC foundation, it works perfectly well.

Wild About Beauty - Creme Eyeshadow. A paraben-free eyeshadow from Louise Redknapp and Kim Jacobs make-up range, which is said to give a long-lasting satin finish.  I have shade 03 Buster which is a dark bronze shade.  This is a full sized product with an RRP £13

Nude Progenius Omega Treatment Oil - Nude's signature treatment oil is a work of pure genius. Rich in omega 3, 6, 7 & 9, this pure and active treatment oil delivers a precisely balanced diet of vital skin nutrients.

The addictive oil redefines how we treat the skin, lighting skin from within. Created with 10 precious oils, the beautiful formula absorbs instantly, for deep and long lasting skin cell nourishment. Skin is instantly luminous and younger looking.   

Overall I am really impressed with my first box from Birchbox and I love the toiletry bag plus the book sampler, such great ideas.  For monthly subscriptions, Birchbox is £12.95 per month, including Postage and Packaging.

Are you a subscriber to Birchbox? Are you a fan?

If you have read my blog recently, you will have read that Birchbox have partnered themselves with Breast Cancer Charity CoppaFeel! which you can read all about HERE.

HER Haircare Rituals

Whenever I am asked if I would like to try some new haircare products, I always jump at the chance. As well as trying my best to ensure my skin is kept in tiptop condition, my hair is just as important.

HER Haircare Rituals is a brand I had never heard of until a wonderfully packaged lot of products arrived at my door. The brand, if you haven't heard of them comes from a place called Veneto in Italy and is co-owned by entertainer John Barrowman who is also the co-creator. From his own eyes, he has seen first hand what women’s hair has to endure on a daily basis. whether it is colouring and blowdrying to curling and straightening, a performer’s hair has no time to recover from these treatments. And neither does yours. It is said that the average woman’s hair endures a great deal more stress than most men’s. This is why John and HER haircare have designed these products which help combat the effects of daily styling, air conditioning and many environmental factors to reverse the damage caused by everyday life.

So in my package was the Nourishing range which comprised of a shampoo, conditoner, hair treatment and a nourishing oil. My hair is combination, it has greasy roots and dry ends, is quite fine but I have a lot of hair on my head. I tend to wash my hair every other day in the summer and every two days in the winter unless I feel it is necessary to wash it more frequently. Once a week or at least once every two weeks, I use a treatment on my hair as I have always been told to do by any hairdresser.

The first things to note about this range is the rather stylish packaging. Pure white bottles with black lids and the HER logo right in the centre of the bottle, they are sleek in design whjch wouldn't look out of place in an exclusive salon.

Nourishing Shampoo, £15.00. This is described as follows:

"This luxurious cleanser offers complete nutrition for dry, damaged hair. A blend of revitalising natural sugars with hydrolysed sweet almond, wheat and rice proteins, intensely nourishes the hair leaving it soft, supple and brilliantly shiny"

As soon as you open the lid, as I always do with any new product to smell it, this is most definitely a scent I really like. It has one of those fresh scents combined with a citrusy blend which makes for an uplifting scent and something you would probably like as a candle to create an atmosphere to give you that get up and go. Once on the hair it lathers with ease and you only need a small amount to cover your entire head, something I particualy like in a product as there is nothing worse than using half the bottle and only get minimal lather, it never feels as though you have washed your hair. It is as easy to wash out as it is to apply and once you have done so and my hair always feels lovely and soft, not lank or overly heavy.

Nourishing Conditioner, £17.00 described as follows:

"This velvety conditioner contains natural oils including Olive, Avocado and Brazil Nut which effortlessly nourish, to replace lost moisture and protect dry, distressed hair restoring weightless body and natural shine".

I don't use a conditioner everytime I wash my hair, I have found they weigh to heavy on my hair, but this conditioner I really really like. Again ti has a fresh scent too it, though totally different from the shampoo and you can get a definite scent of Avocado. Once this has been applied to the mid-lengths and ends of you hair, you leave it on for 30 seconds before rinising out, again an easy task which doesn't require a lot of rinsing to ensure every last trace is removed.

The final two products withing my package was the 300 Trecento Treatment and the Nourishing Oil.

The 300 Trecento Treatment comes packaged in a box which mimics the design of the shampoo and conditioner bottles, only inside the pot if black and looks even more exclusive. It won't surprised you to hear that this treatment smells good enough to eat, it is almost heavenly. Unlike most treatments, you actually use this before washing and conditioning and to use you ensure your hair is slightly damp, towel off any excess water and then apply from root to tip and leave for 300 seconds (clever name) or 5 minutes. You can of course opt for a deeper conditioning treatment which you leave on for 15 minutes.

This Treatment is described as follows:

"This weekly pre shampoo treatment is at the core of the Her haircare ritual. A one-step deep conditioning treatment clinically proven to rebuild and repair dry/damaged hair. A must have for anybody using hot styling tools.

In just 300 seconds (5 minutes) natural plant extracts including Shea butter, Olive and wheat protein penetrate the hair to rebuild, strengthen & moisturise from within. The Trecento Treatment creates a protective layer to restore resilience, strength and elasticity to minimise frizz, enhancing health & shine". 

Once you have had the treatment on which the allotted time, you simply wash out using warm water (not hot). When I used this for the first time, I had expected it to leave my hair feeling lank and greasy, a problem I have encountered with similar products, however it did neither of those and once I had completed the washing and conditioning process, my hair felt soft and smooth and really well conditioned. Given it is packed with oils, vitamins and natural ingredients like Shea Butter, Olive and Ginseng, it is no wonder my hair always feels so lovely after use and what's more, an absolute pleasure to style.

Finally the Nourishing Oil which is a clear see-through bottle this time, is described as follows:

"This luxurious, weightless elixir powered with four precious oils; Argan, Radish, Sweet Cherry and Moringa nourish, tame, detangle, and protect the hair leaving it feeling silky, supple, and with a lustrous shine".

To use you simply rub 2 or 3 drops between your fingers and run all the way through the mid lengths to the ends of the hair, it is easy to use because the bottle has a pump action dispenser to make life much easier. Once you have combed through and styled your hair as you would normally do, like me you should notice how super soft and shiny your hair is, not to mention how amazing it smells.

I have really enjoyed using these products, they smell amazing, they leave my hair feeling soft, smooth and super shiny and I just love the packaging.

Have you tried this range?  

Michael Van Clarke Event

Last week I was very lucky to be invited to attended an event at the Michael Van Clarke hair salon in London, not only that but Michael himself was present and it was so amazing to meet such a brilliant man who was able to explain so many things to us in such a straightforward manner, I probably know more about haircare now than I ever did!

As we (Kimberley from Kimberleysbeautyblog) arrived, I was already impressed at how fabulous the salon looked, everything exceptionally clean and sparkling and the greeting we got from the lovely receptionist was a great start to the event. As we had arrived a little bit early, it was nice to be able to wonder wonder around the salon picking things up, smelling them, taking photos and generally being made to feel really welcome with a glass of bubbles to start things off.

As the event was quite exclusive there was just around 10 of us in attendance, so when you have the chance to question Michael as much as we wanted and his knowledge is phenomenal. The evening began with a presentation from Michael about his first venture into hair care, how products were created and a little bit of educating along the way about ingredients found within certain products - namely silicone and what it doesn't do for your hair, truly scary and after the event I went home and checked every bottle of product I have for my hair looking for the names of ingredients that had been mentioned.

What I found really interesting about the presentation was the explanation as to how the structure of your hair is, essentially 97% protein and 3% water and with that how our use of certain products work and affect out hair, namely those containing silicone - serums, sprays, shampoo, conditioners and even treatments which essentially do very little to protect or repair our hair, just improve its appearance for a short time.

Then we were introduced to the Michael Van Clarke '3 More Inches' range which includes shampoo, conditioner, treatments, hairspray, mousse, supplements, hair tools and more. Described as follows:

"3''' more inches cares and protects your hair like no other product. Born from a scientific understanding of hair and decades of couture hairdressing, the 3''' more inches range has redefined hair care in the marketplace"

As we were talked through each product which took years to work on and perfect.  It was interesting to hear that the range was created from the perspective of what professional stylists look for when working on their clients hair and what the clients themselves look for in a product.  Unsurprisingly, none of the products contain those chemical nasties which have been mentioned earlier within this review and their purpose is to ensure that your hair does not get dried out as well as prevent the structure of each strand of hair getting more damaged. This means, after long term use your hair should be the same thickness all the way down and be far healthier.

Having heard all about the products we were then lucky enough to have a one to one hair consultation with Michael which for me was a great experience. I was bursting with questions that I wanted to ask him, namely why it is that hairdressers insist on your hair being washed before they cut it when one of his own methods of hair cutting is called the Diamond Dry Cut™ which means that by cutting the hair clean and dry allows Michael to work with the hair’s natural movement and texture, interpreted with face shapes and features, to create brilliant styles with an unrivalled level of precision and balance.  So it was nice to hear that was the reason for doing this.  He then looked at my hair a little more closely...look....

A truly amazing opportunity to have and Michael look at my hair, he was brilliant at answering questions about the condition of my hair, my scalp and even advised me on what haircut I actually should have as opposed to the ones I am given and went into great detail about the 'one bob, two bob' system with layering the hair and how my hair had been cut, he even managed to guess what I had asked for and then showed me what I actually got, which was quite eerie yet fascinating at the same time.

I had a fantastic time at the event and was very lucky to be a given a fantastic goody bag which will appear in a post on its own along with my thoughts on the products I was given. In the meantime if you want to know more about the range, read more about 3 inches or even the diamond cut, then click on their website here.

 Have you tried anything from the 3 More Inches range? 

Have you ever been to the salon?

Area H20 Hair Care

Living in London means hard water, very hard water which at times means is a nightmare for washing my hair and getting that 'clean' feel, instead it feels weighted down, becomes a struggle to untangle and i'm just left with that feeling of dirty hair, even though it has just been washed and it drives me insane.

I was recently introduced to Area H20 Haircare** which is scientifically tailored to water type, having become quite intrigued as to how this would work, I was very kindly sent a bottle of shampoo and conditioner to try.   Developed by Patrick Lehane, a hairdresser from London and a team of biochemists, they came up with Area H20 after 4 years of hard work. Now, I have to say having used it for the past 6 weeks, I am really impressed.

Living in a hard water area, it is suggested that the left over mineral deposits is limescale, it is formed after the water has evaporated and it is those insoluble salt residues that remain on my hair after washing. So, here comes the science which even I understand. By identifying your water type, Area H20 attracts the metal ions that are present within all types of water, like a magent and it is those ions which react with your shampoo and create what are referred to as mineral deposits which cling to your hair, having got their attention, this shampoo makes it easierfor you to wash them away much more easily than before thus leaving you with cleaner, healthier looking hair.

There are many benefits of Area H20 which include:

• Scientifically tailored to water type
• Gives a more thorough and effective cleansing of the hair
• Gives an improved lather using less water
• Metal ions present on the hair prior to washing are removed
• No known scum is formed
• Hair is less flyaway and has a noticeably smoother texture
• Paraben Free
• Both Shampoo and Conditioner contain a pH of 5.5 - the bodys natural pH

The shampoo itself is like a clear gel and the only way I can describe the scent is a fresh clean smell, one which remains on the hair after washing. For me this is not a shampoo I would use every time I was my hair but one I use at least once a week to ensure my hair gets a thorough wash and deep cleanse and then with the added luxury of using the conditioner, my hair feels just like I have walked out of the salon. I also find no irritation of my scalp, no drying feeling on my hair and nor does it feel greasy and dirty, instead it feels soft, smooth and easy to manage and style.

I had expected this duo to be really expensive but was surprised to find that it is not too pricey at all, costing just £8 each for the shampoo and conditioner or £17 for the duo which you can buy on the Area H2O website or sites such as Feelunique and LookFantastic.

Have you tired this shampoo and conditioner combination?  Do you find that living in a hard water area effects you?