I Don't know if you've heard but...

These straighteners are doing the rounds!

This weekend I finally got round to trying out the Remmington Wet2Straight straighteners I was sent about a week ago. I think Remmington must have cottoned on to my slight obsession with them, after my continuous plugging of the Spin Curls hair dryer (I was never sent them to review or anything, I just got given them as a present and fell in love).

I will admit at first I was a little weary, purely as despite what they say, it has GOT to be bad for your hair just blasting it with 200 degree heat and ironing it until it's dry. Still, anything that gets me more time in bed and makes my hair effortlessly fabulous is great for me once in a while (hence my love for Spin Curls!)

My first attempt was... well... a bit of a disaster. I didn't bother pinning my hair into sections as I was feeling particularly lazy, so I found it really hard to separate my wet hair and the bits I had already straightened. I also noticed that it took quite a while for the hair to dry, so ended up going over some sections so many times it ended up being more time consuming than if I had've just blow dried it first. I do have quite thick hair though, so perhaps the finer hair folk would have better luck.

In the end, after about 30 minutes of faffing about whether my hair was dry enough, I decided that it needed more heat (some bits were still damp!) and had to blow dry it some more (eek!)

I thought I would then try out the dry function, and straightened my hair some more (it really took a bashing this weekend!) and this is where it really excelled itself. The plates smoothed down my frizzy hair and made it so easy to manage. I've had GHD's for 5 years, so it takes a lot to impress me on the straightener front, but these really did. And the best bit is, the next day I went out in the rain, and it didn't frizz up or even curl at the ends. Now either I have completely destroyed my hair, or these straighteners are amazing! I'm hoping for the latter. I also noticed that it didn't get greasy as quick as it usually does, despite using heat protecting spray, and getting rained on! I hope this is a permanent thing, as I hate having to wash my hair every other day.

Sooo, here's a photo of the end result:

What's that you say? I look different? Nooo!

(Cameras broken, so you have to use your imagination...)

I have only had a day or two to play around with these straighteners, but I am keen to try again and see if I have better results with them on the wet function next time. I really like the fact that you can choose what temperature to use depending on your hair, this is something my GHD's can't offer me, and something I take comfort in when I'm feeling particularly guilty for using so much heat on my hair!

My brother (a reformed metrosexual) has been eyeing them up so I think we may be seeing a little post with him as a product tester again, watch this space!

Huge apologies for the noticeable lack of pictures, my camera is in't menders (or in my drawer waiting to be sent off for mending...) but hopefully I will have a new one soooon.

-x-

*Disclaimer* This product was sent to me by a PR company, so all the PR haters, don't read if you don't like. Mediacom sent me these to give a detailed and, most importantly, HONEST review of the product. I do not endorse any products, and I will only ever post my true opinions whether I spent my own hard earned cash, or whether they were sent to me for free, because this blog is for normal folk like you and I and that's what it's aaaalll about. Capiche?! :)

Jibba Jabba

Yessss, sorry about the lack of posts recently! Here are a few excuses for you:

• I have been working very long hours and falling asleep at 10pm
• My dad has been trying to move his new woman in and there is huge family beef
• I can only blog on weekends
• I have been ill
• My boyfriend left me for the rain forest
• I haven't bought anything
• I ran away to join the circus
• My phone broke
• The Blogging community has gone sour
• My dog ate it

Fin? Yeah, I slipped a few fibs in there too, just to keep you guys on your toes...

In other news... What the hell has been going on in our nice little on line girly community? People quitting their accounts, going mental at each other and there just seems to be lots of bad feelings going about! I think we should all remember that us bloggers are here because we enjoy it, and it's our place to be as materialistic as we like without boring our 'offline' friends/colleagues/complete strangers (?!) to tears talking about the latest Mac collection, or line at Topshop.

If you get to the stage where blogging, Youtubing or even Tweeting is just not enjoyable any more, then don't do it, just don't be run off by people being bastards to you. Unfortunately there will always be people out there who get a kick out of hiding behind a computer screen and thinking they can be as nasty as they please for whatever reason. Just rise above it that's what I say!

Honestly, why can't we all just get along and play nice? :) Good I'm glad that's sorted.

Oh wait, can't believe I forgot to mention this, my camera broke!! I am so annoyed. I took it out to take photographic evidence of the crazy fireworks party we had at my house and it just froze. This is the second time my little Samsung has failed me and I am not happy one bit. I'm now saving up for an SLR as I want to take better pictures, mine are frankly poo and I am well aware of this!

I will have to find a quick solution so I can work my way through the list of blog posts without having no pictures at all. And a blog with no pictures is like erm, a face with no nose...

Continuing the theme of lists... here are some blog posts which I will (hopefully) get round to writing for you woo get excited!

• A review of Remmington's Wet2Straight straighteners (once I bother washing my curly mane)
• A run down of my latest (and pretty much only) Mac products. Expect a big rant on the shitty staff in the Covent Garden store
• Some of my current obsessions
• And maybe even a video! Can I point out that I have now recorded 3, each one being worse than the last. I am really not cut out for YT, but a big part of me wants to keep trying- I think I just love to embarrass myself!

Ok that will do, it's nearly X factor time :)

In the mean time, here's a picture of me dressed as Lady Gaga which I never got to wear in the end but rest assured I will be cracking it out again sometime soon. Watch this space.

-x-

Review: Garnier HerbaShine

I finally bit the bullet, stopped being a wimp, and coloured my hair! This was a big thing for me as it took years to grow out some dodgy colours I have used in the past.

One of many being the horrible incident involving a lot of bleach, the ‘cap of doom’ and a house hairdresser- you know the ones who randomly come to your house to cut your mum/nan’s hair because they’re probably not good enough to have their own salons? Well yes, I was a very ugly grey haired 14 year old because of that!

Back to the point…

I saw this product waay back at the Garnier event where I had originally chosen a light brown. Why? Who knows. So I decided that this colour wasn’t for me, and with it being Autumn and all, I opted for a nice bowny red colour- ice mahogany brown to be exact.

I don’t know why they rave about it only taking 10 minutes, if anything I think I would prefer it to take longer so I don’t have to rush like mad to apply it before it starts developing and I end up patchy!

Still, I donned the giant sized gloves provided (why are these always so rubbish?) and started applying the colour. I did get a tad freaked out when I was applying it and it was already looking so dark and red, but I persevered anyway.

After washing it out, staining the entire bathroom (sorry Dad!) and conditioning, I was actually very impressed!

You can't really see the red that much here, but it's better than it was before anyways!

The colour is exactly what I wanted, a rich brown with subtle hints of red. Another thing I have to point out is how soft and shiny my hair is now. I was really worried my hair would feel brittle or damaged but it looks and feels lovely, even if I do say so myself :)

I hope Garnier can make this into a permanent colour so I don’t have to keep dying it now that I have found a shade I really like!

Has anyone else tried these, what are your thoughts?

Near Far

I love stumbling across new (and inexpensive!) products and designers, so when my friend at work recommended this line I got incredibly excited and I am already planning things to order!

NearFar is an ethical clothing line which works with organisations in Sierra Leone, providing the unemployed with work in the tailoring industry, and fashionistas with gorgeous inspired designs.

According to the website: "Ten years of Civil War has left the country with many uneducated and unemployed young people. Many of the tailors have lived as street children, been victims of commercial sex trade or been subjected to domestic abuse. Through building relationships with these tailors, NearFar has been able to help them profit from their skills and rebuild a life of stability for themselves and their families. NearFar’s commitment to this cause is demonstrated by the fact that 10% of all sales is reinvested into the training"

The brand can certainly prove themselves as ethical and unique, but what about the designs?

NearFar claim to provide an 'alternative to the mass-produced and an antidote to the mundane.'

This is certainly clear in their bold West African inspired prints and fine tailoring. Although the selection is small, there is still plenty to choose from including handbags, dresses, shorts and skirts, and most items of clothing come in a variety of different prints.

I am a big fan of bright, funky designs and so far I am finding it hard to decide which I like the most! At the very reasonable price of around £35 for a pair of amazing high wasted print shorts, and £55 for a shift dress, it is easy to get carried away and want a little of everything!

If this all sounds like your cup of tea (fair trade, mind!) then head over to the site at NearFar.co.uk where you will find out a lot more information that is probably much more useful than my waffling :)

Shopaholics (not so) anonymous

I think I may actually be a shopaholic!

Since finding out I have a job about 3 weeks ago I have been shopping a RIDICULOUS amount of times. I think this is due to the fact that a) I was sick of dressing like a student (leggings, massive jumpers etc) and needed more smart clothes b) I will be earning a proper wage and will no longer have to rely on the overdraft or wherever the hell else my money used to come from?!

But still, I have gone a little overboard me thinks, considering I haven't even been paid yet and probably won't be for some time yet.

Off the top of my head I can recall blowing £100 on Asos, £80 in H&M, a fair bit in Topshop and more than I had expected in Dorothy Perkins- I told you their Autumn shoes are just too good! As for makeup I haven't splashed out that much at all. I have ordered some stuff from Mac which should be arriving soon but other than that it has just been a few essentials!

Anyway, is this really bad or am I just being stupid? I've got so many more things I want it's like I've unleashed the shopping beast I had in my first year of uni again oh dear!

On a more positive note, I might do another video of just an update and show you a few of the things. This is only a maybe, I am still camera shy yet! But, yes, opinions on everything please ladies! :)

xxx

Ginger drama and rant!

Hello folks, sorry for the lack of posts recently. I'm afraid it isn't likely to be much better as I start my new job on Monday and I am going to be busy busy busy but I will try and make time to blog whenever I can!

Back to the point...

I wanted to share with you my traumatic experience I received today, while having my hair cut at the Ginger Group hair salon in Enfield. For those who haven't heard of them you can read more info here.

The reason I went is because I have given up trying to grow my hair (of course) and wanted a nice wavy bob after seeing this picture:

*drools*

HOWEVER, I had a bad experience at my local salon (run by middle-aged chavs) after they cut my hair wonky and not short enough. I know, I know, but I was drawn in by the (very) cheap price.

So, of course I needed it done again and chose the Ginger Group as I didn't want to go to Tony and Gay and Adee's salon was booked up. Limited options!

It started off all well and good as a nice not-too-young-not-too-old 'Senior stylist' invited me over for my consultation. I told her all about my wonky barnet which she blatantly thought I did myself, and showed her a few pictures whilst subtly suggesting that if she mucks it up I will be one un happy customer.

THEN I had this chap give me the most vigorous shampoo known to man with scolding hot water. I literally thought he was trying to rip my head off or probe my brain with his bare hands. "Is this Ok for you?"

Well, I have no skin left on my head and you've given me a headache, but please, continue!

The next few minutes were a little better, the hair cut was good, no "Wevvers noice t'day aint it!?" and I felt like she was actually concentrating on what she was doing instead of just hacking away at my precious bob.

It all turned rather sour when she offered me the option of curling my hair (supposedly like in the picture above) instead of having it blow-dried straight.

Marvellous.

Little did I know that what she actually meant was she will spray an entire bottle of product on my hair, scrunch it, then sit me under a heater for 30 minutes whilst she went off on FACEBOOK! So as I sat there cooking under the dryer which was clearly failing at drying my hair, she went off for her break and popped back once or twice to whack another 10 minutes on the clock.

Eventually I got so annoyed with sitting watching my hair drip dry and not curl AT ALL, I decided to confront her and say that it wasn't what I asked for and that I just wanted her to dry it so I could leave.

By this point I had a complete frizzy mess and I was so red from the heat (and anger) I just wanted to run to my car and cry. She then tried to make things better by offering yet more product and scrunching it with her fingers which reeked of cigarettes, then making my hair smell too.

I was so angry and grossed out by my disgusting cigarette smelling hair that I just got up gave her the money and left as soon as I could! I paid more because I asked for a senior stylist, instead of a graduate, but honestly wish I hadn't bothered. When I got home and told my friend who said I definitely should have complained. I really wish I took a picture of the mess she created, but I had to wash my hair straight away to get the smell and product out! If your looking for a rough idea, this demonstrates it quite nicely:

Image lazily stolen from google images...

What do you guys think I should have done? I wasn't in the mood to argue I was so pissed off and wanted to cry!

Thanks for reading my massive rant, I love venting to you guys. xx

F.A.B Top Rated

Yes, its that time again!

Cheesy title AND a list of products/random things I am loving at the moment. Lucky readers :-P

1.) Aussie 'the best smell in the world' miracle shampoo and conditioner. I can't actually get enough of this stuff since receiving my samples at the Aussie event. Originally I could never understand how people could pay about £3/4 for a bottle of shampoo (cheapskate) but now every time I wash my hair it is so worth it! The gorgeous sweet, nutty smell lasts for days, even after blow drying and using products. I have actually caught myself sniffing my own hair at times. Slightly obsessive me thinks?!

2.) Maybeline dream mousse blusher. When I first saw this I thought it was something I wouldn't be using much, as it looked shocking pink in the pot and I had never tried a cream blush before. I live a sheltered makeup life... Anyway, I gave it a go and rubbed a little in onto my satin finished skin et voila! Instead of causing a blotchy, cakey mess, I got a lovely natural and surprisingly subtle blush. I will definitely be repurchasing this once its gone!

3.) Mini dresses and boots. Yes, the celebs were doing it ages ago, but I'm still not bored of it. Effortless sexy glam, a la Alexa Chung.

4.) Dorothy Perkins shoes. How good is their AW collection? I already bought two pairs! *Slapps wrists* And they are offering a generous 15% discount for students on certain collections so I say the more the merrier!

5.) Scholl Crackling Ice foot spray. This stuff is actually insane. I think Scholl may have actually created a weapon with this stuff. Remember popping candy, or space dust? The stuff that looks perfectly harmless until you put it on your tongue and your head feels like its going to explode from all the popping?! Well, this is essentially the same thing but in a mouse and supposedly for your feet. I say supposedly because, unless you suffer from numbness of the foot, or you never react to being tickled, then it is virtually impossible to spray it on your feet without feeling like your getting the tickling attack from hell! It's not just me who bursts into hysterics every time I use it, I have attacked various family members with the stuff and since been accused of 'foot rape'.

However, after you get over the initial 'Oh my god what is happening to me' feeling as the mouse crackles and tingles on your skin', it actually leaves you feeling pretty good and I have since found myself getting a little addicted to the crazy sensation and going back for more!

Alternatively, if you don't want to use it on your feet, as I said, it makes a very good mace for self defence purposes! :P

I think I'll leave it there with all the talk of macing! What are you all rating at the moment? Shaare! :)

Scholl Party Feet On Off Party (Picture heavy!)

So, yes, Saturday night was THE night! And what a great one it was too :D

The frolics started early for me and 'plus one' Bhavna (of Wardrobe) as we arrived at our gorgeous hotel at around 4. This left us two hours to get ready *thumbs up*, and no time to eat *thumbs DOWN*

Thank you for the outfit help ladies, I settled on this pretty simple dress in the end. The shoes were the best part but I have no picture of them :(

After a packet of crisps and a lot of sparkle later, we hit the lobby to meet the Scholl sista's (lol) and Myriad PR lovelies as well as the winner and other runner up and hit the party.

The event took place at 180 The Strand underneath the exhibition halls and in the same room as where the On Off catwalks had been taking place. And the catwalk was still there for us to prance around on and dance once we had some dutch courage!

Catwalk- (pre party)

As soon as we reached the door we were met with champers and some topless chaps who were handing out some much needed Scholl products- a very clever idea considering how most people had been on their feet all day at the catwalk shows!

We didn't waste any time getting this picture!

Hello there!

After polishing off our first Margaritas, Bhav and I decided it was time to work the room and do some serious shmoozing! This is when we stumbled accross fellow blogger Janaka and her friend Sindy and discovered that four were, indeedd, much better than two.

Amongst the crowds of designers, fashionistas and overly flirty french men, we then managed to spot Boy George(!) as well as Jodie Harsh and Martine McCutcheon. A random selection indeed, but a good one at that.

Flirty french man trying his luck with Sindy, Bhav and J!

Spoilsport George didn't want to have his photo taken, but we managed to grab Mr/s Harsh for a quick picture.

Boy George who?!

The night continued with a brilliant set from Soul II Soul and another from DJ's Pandora's Jukebox, coupled with a few more cocktails and some crazy stage dancing. (The party feet came in particularly handy at this stage!)

The party rounded off at around 11 leaving us with plenty of time to get back to our hotel and eat the biggest sandwich known to man, then fall asleep like the crazy party people we are!

Good grief that's a hefty sandwich!

All in all it was a really brilliant night and I am so happy and grateful to have been chosen. A massive thank you has to go to Louise Bowles at Myriad PR for everything, and of course the rest of the Scholl and Myriad girls for organising it all and treating us like princesses :)

And thank you for reading if you have made it this far, well done! xxx

Scholl party feet blog girl- Runner up!

So I didn't win the competition :(* but I did make runner up! Hurrah! :)

This means I don't get front seats at the On Off catwalk shows during London Fashion Week but I dooo get to go to the On Off party and mingle with all the journalists and possibly designers? I'm not even sure who's going but it is going to be mega. Also, I got £100 spending money, £100 of Scholl products, a pair of their new A/W '09 shoes and overnight stay in a plush hotel for two (not that I've decided who I'm taking yet ooops). NOT BAD!

Can you tell I'm excited?

Anyway, the point of this post isn't to brag (I'm not, promise!) but to ask for your help lovely bloggers. I don't know much about the On Off party *hangs head in shame* and I am getting in a right faff over what to wear. Obviously I have already been shopping. Twice. However, what ever I buy I'm thinking, is it formal enough? Is it too formal? I only have until Saturday, so if any one has any ideas for some killer outfits they think might be suitable, feel free to let me know! Right now I'm thinking black, studs, sequins and short ;)