Camp Batistion

Wowza! What a weekend at the Green Man Festival, a family friendly festival with delightful music, delicious food set it dreamy surroundings I would thoroughly recommend it and the camping was actually, surprisingly, alarmingly really fun! In terms of hair wise not washing it for 4 days was a first for me and one that I treated as more of an experiment than anything else, again though, it was fine and my hair withstood the test of blood sweat and beers, especially with the help of a trusty hat.

Our camp area got re-named Camp Batistion as all four of us girls were armed and taking no prisoners. The verdict after the weekend was that the Brunette version was not as effective as the original. Secondly I feel it is my duty to explain how vital rubbing the stuff in is because if I had a crumpet every time I saw a girl (or boy in some cases) with powdery, white roots you would’ve had to roll me outta there (not that I’m complaining as those “Strumpets with Crumpets” were insanely yummy!)

Equally this Osis Dust It powder was pretty nifty. It works in a similar way to Dry Shampoo but it also thickens the hair giving it lift and volume so great for those girls that like a bit of oomph! However, I did find that it can clump together after a few days and this lead to product build-up, it felt pretty heavy but fine if you’re in a position to wash you’re hair frequently, on a night out its great as it can give you that extra bounce but be prepared to wash it in the morning.

£8-10 and a little tip; do NOT shake the bottle because its magic and can turn liquidy

 

Highlight of the weekend had to be this little gem; Ben Howard.

 

Tramp Shamp; an in-augusteration

Hello there…

Armed with a hockey stick and wracking my brain for those moves I learnt in that one session of self-defense 5 years ago (throwing grit in someone’s eye gives you 10 seconds to run away) I managed to brave the riots and meet up with a friend who gave me some a tube of Burts Bees Soothingly Sensitive Aloe and Buttermilk Body Lotion. On closer inspection I noticed that it is free from all the baddies and bogey men and this is pure plant extracts at their best. Squeezed Aloe juice helps sooth and smooth making it a great choice of aftersun. It’s blended with Rosemary and Chamomile so smells delicious with compliments guaranteed and its hypoallergenic so its amazing for those with super sensitive skin too! 

What are you waiting for it only £9.99

Anyway back to the hairdressing as hair is where I lay my hat and a hat is what I will be wearing next weekend when I got to GreenMan Festival 2011. A long weekend in the Beautiful Brecon Beacons with the Fleet Foxes, one or two ciders and some old school friends. Since the ticket was booked I’ve been doing a serious amount, and I mean a serious amount of mulling over about my hair. I’ve even meticulously executed weaning myself off washing my hair every day and with the help of trusty dry shampoo, it’s now presentable enough to leave it three days between shampooing, now that’s dedication! Apparently if you spray it in your hair the night before it works even better, so I’m giving that one a whirl. As if I haven’t talked about it enough, I almost had a meltdown when I found out they had bought out a bottle especially for Brunettes so it comes out brown instead of white, I was torn between the geniousness and why hadn’t they done it beforeness? Go. Superdrug. Now. £2.96.

Give your hair a blast

I’m not one to lie, I’m a fickle girl. And right now I really admiring Jennifer Lopez, if I could give Jenny from the block any thing, it would be the big 10’s followed by a “go-sister.” Now I don’t need to sit here and talk about her trials and tribulations (recent questionable song releases and soon-to-be 3 divorces ahem) her highs her lows, her peaks and troughs as any one who reads this probably reads DailyMail online but I am always in awe of how flawless she looks, particularly her hair. It should be noted that she has had the same, or a variation of subtle blonde highlights since she was in the club surrounded by green lasers singing Waiting for Tonight. But the recent hyper-activity surrounding the woman has got me to stand up and take notice of the things that other people have missed, admittedly I have a keen eye for a great set of highlights but she’s the only person I can think of who can rock a bandana AND hoop earrings in a way that she only knows how, trust me, I tried.

Jennifer, right now I'm into you.

 

At least I know I can leave the bandana at home next weekend. So that’s all folks, I look forward to reporting back on all things hair at GreenMan so until then… 

 

Xx

 

One for the Boys

Its about time I focused on the male for a while, they have been neglected over the recent blog posts between hatinators and braids. So I wanted to bring to your attention the role of the male in a female dominated industry.  Men are spending more and more time and money on their appearance.

Aveda have some great male products. The Aveda Mens Pure-Formance cleansing shampoo or exfoliating shampoo remove dull, dead skin cells, excess oil, product build-up and other impurities to creates a noticeably smoother, healthier-looking and feeling scalp. The rich and spicy aroma leaves hair feeling cleansed and refreshed.

The shave cream and after shave is made using the same blend of essential oils and is a must have, especially for sensitive skin so say goodbye to red rashes. In terms of styling, whether you want hold, texture of moisture the high-performance product range includes something for all hair types. The Pure-Formance Grooming Clay adds both texture and thickness with malleable but strong hold.

Rub a pea-sized amount through palms and work through the hair.

In terms of Men Hair Styles the Beiber Fever epidemic has been cured and fumigated, this season is about clean, groomed looks that appeal to every generation, think James Dean influences with a contemporary, but American feel.

Fearne Cotton seems to have the ability to divide the nation, personally I’m a big fan of hers and genuinely think we could be good friends, naturally I can’t help but admire her new blonde bob. Cut by the stylist responsible for Jessie-J’s glossy locks, Fearne has opted for some darker tones going through the hair showing movement and texture, a perfect look for summer. She is also rocking Prada S/S 2011 sunglasses, if only they would look that good on me.

I am really enjoying Elle Mexico’s June Editorial with a DIY hair colouring session feel. Bubblegum pastels with matching eyebrows of course!

Anyway i’m off on hollyday for a few days so i’ll catch up with you on my return.

 

Have a nice day now

xx

 

Hat or Fascinator or Hatinator?

The best things off the John Lewis list are gone, the quaint pretty B&B’s you wanted to stay in are booked up and God only knows how your getting to the service because there is only one taxi company in the countryside! Sound familiar? Well its the perils of the wedding season, not only do we have logistics to worry about, an outfit (one that you can wear again but ONLY with another set of friends) but the big question is; hat or fascinator? 

Wedding season has been heightened this year by the perfect, blissful matrimony of our beloved Prince and his beautiful bride. Ahh so proud. However, the downside of this is that we have all been subconsciously forced to up-the-ante so to speak. Normally I would opt for a fascinator as its neat, fashionable, versatile and won’t disturb my hair but 2011 I am considering a hat? Is this down to the RW or am I just “maturing?”

Who knows, if your Phillip Treacy isn’t on order then get some inspirations from the big day itself. 

Sophie Winkleman, Lady Frederick Windsor wearing Phillip Treacy

Miriam Gonzalez Durantez flyign the Spanish flag with Miguel Palacia

Folly Fascinator £35.00 Hobbs

Make a statement with this Alison Tod Hatinator

If you’re after something a little more unique try http://www.whatahat.co.uk for a some individual inspiration.

Whether your the bride or a guest there is no excuse to have poor hair, none at all, especially when a decent Blow-Dry can cost no more than £15. But whether you are after romantic waves or a contemporary classic here are some of my favourites styles to suit any occasion. 

Any other ideas you want to share with me then do get in touch, until then have a great week! x

Along Came Holly

Hello!

Sorry for the lack of blogging last week, I wanted to give you a chance to practise your fishtails plaits, and they are surprisingly easy right? So now you’re probably all walking around parading your braids but as summer is officially here so its time to talk protection, and ladies we should all be using it! When hair is damaged from straighteners, blow-drying and environmental factors etc. there is very little we can do to repair the hair except cut it off to stop the damage spreading up the hair shaft, so get friends with your hairdresser as you should be seeing him or her every 6-8 weeks. 

Shielding hair from the sun is the most effective way of reducing hair damage, so invest in a floppy hat or fedora. Quick this is on sale in Urban Outfitters for £22. You can thank me later.

However, if you’re a tanaholic the next best option is intensive treatments and masks. They are great after a day in the sun, dipping in and out of the sea or pool but a favourite of mine is Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil. Its a handy little spray that you spray onto dry hair in the morning, it has lots of lovely essential oils such as green tea extract, coconut and sunflower oil so jam packed with Vitamin E. You get a lot for £17.50, not only does it protect hair and your colour from fading but it gives a gorgeous tousled effect and wait for it…its WATER PROOF. It will definitely be in my suitcase for my holiday in 3 weeks and 6 days. 

I don’t think I mentioned but I no longer have virgin hair! I opted for a change (not a dramatic one) and went for the root effect, so my natural colour on the roots which gradually fades into lighter towards the bottom. Being paranoid that it would totally ruin my hair I quickly whipped out and bought this L’Oreal Professional Treatment Mask for Highlighted hair. I use it twice a week and leave it on for 5-10 minutes and so far so good, my hair is silky soft and feels nourished and protected. Its £15.99 but used in conjunction with your normal conditioner should last you ages.

Money Saving Tip: As mentioned  earlier, regular trims are the way forward. If money is tight then find a good salon which offers trainee cuts, these tend to be heavily discounted or even free, and great if you just want a trim. Friends of mine use the Vidal Sassoon Academy in Manchester and Toni and Guy Academy in London but even small salons have trainees. I would advise that you try to quiz them as much as possible as to how much help and assistance the trainee has when you are in the chair. Bear in mind that it may take longer than a normal service time but if you feel confident that they have enough support and help during the whole service (including the consultation) then go for it. 

I also have some other good news. I now have a web domain, hooray! Some hair extension company took hairsandgraces so I have had to change the blog name to Along Came Holly (I think it is better though) so www.alongcameholly.co.uk Thats me! I will also change my Twitter name too. 

Thats All Folks…

 

P.S: I wish I was on the Apprentice last week.

Braiding Bunch

I am really enjoying a good plait, braid and hair accessory at the moment. If done correctly hair accessories can inject glamour into an outfit to give an individual feel, The Met Gala held earlier tis week showed stars doing just that.

Be it a hat, some lace or a feather its time to get creative!

Plaits give a sweet summer edge and if you’re serious about sunbathing, lock it out of the way. A side plait gives a school girl alternative, gently tease the plait to make it look “fatter” and with a bit of practice, a small one the front will be your new staple.

Perhaps you had a pony when you were growing up so this is all old hat. So if you’re feeling ready to take on a new challenge then a fishtail plait offers an alternative and more individual solution to the elegant braid. 

My good friend Aggie learnt how to do a fishtail from this video. Happy plaiting!

Hair Envy

Thanks to certain celebrities who pronounce their name like a jammed record in a village hall party (J-J-J-J Jessie J) block colour is going to be a favourite this year. If you’ve ever been envious that someone’s hair is shiner than yours, a better cut than yours, more stylish than yours then thank God you never went to school or work with Jessie J. Diane Kruger even asked her on the Graham Norton show whether it was a wig or not, annoyingly it isn’t.

A sharp, crisp cut and bold fringe maybe not be everyones cup of tea but it is not unattainable.  The secret is firstly down to a bloomin’ good hair cut, backed up by regular trims to ensure one length and no split ends. Secondly the colour; a dark colour not only makes the hair look more nourished but it reflects the light making hair look shinier. Jessie J probably has an army of hair stylists equipped with straighteners, serums and sprays but their secret weapon is a heat protector Phillip Kingsley Straight Hair      is a heat activated gel that smoothes, straightens and controls all hair types as well as protecting it from UV rays, straighteners and dryers. 

I would also like you bring to your attention that not only does she have amazing hair but she also has an amazing voice. Her Live Lounge on Radio 1 was a pivotal moment for me, one that turned relative ignorance into admiration. 

First Time Dyers

Today is meant to be the hottest day of the year so far so flip-flops? Check. Toe nails painted? Check. Sunglasses? Check. Now what have we all learnt so far? That hair is the most important accessory, so don’t let your hair let down your summery look. 

If you have what the call in the industry “virgin” hair then do not be afraid, the great thing about colour is that you can always colour it back to its natural base. The most important thing is to ensure you have an in-depth and thorough consultation with your stylist, make sure they show you swatches of colour so you can both be absolutely positive you are on the same page.

A few slices of colour can instantly update your hair and natural sun-kissed highlights can leave you feeling like you’ve just come back off holiday. This season is all about subtle apricot, caramel and honey tones which are perfect for first-time-dyers.

A Masterful weekend

I am very excited to tell you all about my first hair show. I was fortunate enough to attend the annual Aveda MasterJam Fashion Forward Show at Old Billingsgate, London. It is held at a different location around the world every year and lucky for me they chose London. The party began with hand massages, a Blow-Dry bar and flowing Mohitos and Margs, the latter leading to a good-idea-at-the-time Henna Tattoo which still hasn’t rubbed off! Then the real fun happened, a live show opened with the Dance Group Diversity followed by 6 shows presented by some of very best international creatives in the industry, show-casing new colours, fashion week tips and Avante Garde styles. 

The next day began with an intimate seminar with Antionette Beenders. Her work at 2011 Fashion Week has been well documented naturally a little girl  in a sweet shop came to mind! Her future trends involved “The New Shag” and pink razor cuts finishing with Louis Vuitton and McQueen creations. Woweeeee!