STYLING TIPS FOR FINE HAIR

We all have hair struggles - in fact I have several - early onset greys and Monica Gellar humidity-hair are my major complaints. I don't have fine hair, but my girlfriends that do tell me styling is a right pain in the Kim-Kardash's-defining-feature (aka. arse). When I learnt that my go-to salon - Headmasters - had collaborated with Nioxin (the No.1 brand for thinning hair) to create the perfect blow-dry for baby-fine hair, I was invited to the salon to try out the experience. Although I am not the target client for this treatment, I picked up some excellent tips for styling both fine and thick hair that need to be shared on LFF. I also had my hair lobbed off into Rosie Huntington-Whiteley 'WOB' (that's a wavy bob in hair-speak) on the same visit, which has been a pretty life changing decision, (a total dream to style) and also happens to be the perfect cut for fine hair!  

OPI RAPIDRY TOP COAT REVIEW

The secret to perfect at-home manis every time? I think I have found it. 

Last year I ditched my gel manicures in favour of at-home DIY polish jobs. It's an expensive habit, and my fortnightly visits to the nail bar were bankrupting me. However, I really couldn't stand painting my nails at home - I am an impatient Aries and waiting for varnish to dry is pet hate! To cut the chase - my colleague at the time (hi Alexia!) had amazing nails. She'd turn up at work with fresh manicure every other day and most impressively she shared that she painted her nails in the morning before heading to the office. Her secret? A quick drying top coat. I've tried a few  so-so quick dry products in the past, but Alexia's recommendation - OPI Rapidry Top Coat really works. I'm talking 10 min drying time max. The only downside is that manicures don't last more than 3 days before they start to chip. But if you're in a hurry, this product is the dream! 

Opi Rapidry Quick Drying Top Coat, Feelunique.com, £14.50. 

BEAUTY REVIEW - KADRIA SKINCARE'S BALANCING FACE OIL

There’s a common myth I want to dispel about beauty oils – ‘oils cause breakouts’ – well, put simply, they don’t. You’d be forgiven for holding this view, however - the magazines I read as a teen preached about the spot-breeding evils of oil – hey, even my non-metrosexual boyfriend questioned why I would risk using a facial oil when I told him I was trialling a new product [he kindly indulges me in beauty-related conversations from time to time]. Yet I can confidently say that subbing my bedtime moisturiser for oil has been one of the best decision I’ve made for my skin since I took the plunge a year ago. I’ve tried several oils in the interim, including Kadria’s Balancing Face Oil which I was recently sent to try. 

REVIEW: IMAGES BEAUTY SALON, FULHAM

I have an addiction to gel manicures. It's an expensive investment - but a worthwhile one in my opinion - nothing makes me feel more put together than a manicured set of talons, and a good gel manicure should last 2 weeks (if not more!). Having tried and tested numerous salons, I know the difference between a good and a bad gel mani. If you're based in London, I've found a beauty salon that offers the former - precise, professional gel manicures in on-trend OPI polishes.

NEW YEAR'S EVE HAIR-SPIRATION

Earlier this month, when I attended The British Fashion Awards, Headmasters came to my rescue (I'm incompetent when it comes to styling my own locks) and created an incredibly chic  'do for the event. The look - retro Hollywood waves - was surprisingly quick and easy to master and would be perfect for New Year's Eve, so I wanted to share it on here and talk you through how it can be recreated at home. 

A NEW SUMMER 'DO AT HEADMASTERS

It’s crazy to think that just over a year ago I was a brunette (remember when I used to look like this?). Fast-forward to 2014 and I am celebrating my auburn anniversary, having never looked back. I’m a pretty low maintenance kinda gal (although my boyfriend might beg to differ…) so a flaming red do works for me - I think it makes a style statement with minimal effort on my part in between salon appointments. My cuts and colours are the work of the follicle wizards at Headmasters, whom I trust implicitly with my barnet.  A couple of weeks ago I visited their Soho branch for a little summer refresh with Gareth from the Art Team, here’s how I got on:

The before

DISCOVERING NATURAL BEAUTY PRODUCTS WITH URBAN RETREAT

Last week I attended a fab event hosted by Urban Retreat focussed on natural beauty products. I have become a bit of a health-junkie of late; when I met my cousin for a catch-up over a green juice I had the sudden realisation that I'd morphed into one of those 'LA-types' - spirulina, smoothies and superfoods - you name it, I'm trying it! Instinctively, now I want to learn how my beauty regime can be infused with natural goodness too. A few natural beauty ranges stood out for me at the UR event, here are my favourites:

There's nothing worse than the chemical-laden 'biscuity' fragrance of fake tan, so Tan Organic is an exciting new discovery for me. This organic tan brand creates a golden glow without harsh chemicals and residual scent, I tested the tanning oil overnight and it is 100% fragrance free - incredible! 

Douvall's retail a range of Argan Oil based products. Sourced from the kernals of the Argan tree, this miracle ingredient is raved about by the beauty editors. Alicia Douvall, the brains behind the brand, is passionate about her product and it was great to talk through the range with her. Alicia gave me a sample of the Argan Oil bronzing lotion to try and it's completely gorgeous - it gave my skin a plump, moisturised sheen with a super-subtle hint of shimmer. 

We've all heard of drinking your probiotic's, but did you know they can enhance your beauty regime too? Aurelia probiotic skincare harnesses this anti-aging goodness; the Miracle Cleanser has received rave reviews. The brand also boasted prettiest packaging in the room, neatly boxed in blush pink with the sweetest ribbon-tied bamboo muslin cloths. I have tried & tested the cleanser - packed with beautiful ingredients including chamomile, eucalyptus, rosemary and bergamot it has a lovely herbal scent - and left my skin feeling squeaky clean whilst soft and plump. 

The Natural Kitchen & Urban Retreat laid on superfood-laden spread at the event, with nutrient rich kale and squash salads and seared salmon steaks. I sipped on a great wheatgrass green juice which gave me a much needed post 9-5 energy-boost. Over the next few weeks I will be trialling and reporting back on more natural products available at Urban Retreat, I have since sampled the gorgeous  Hydrating Balancing Aroma neroli flower face oil by Delarom Paris and it is a wonder product: non-greasy, residue-free and a beautiful bedtime moisturiser. A big thanks to Urban Retreat and all the brands involved in the event for introducing me to the wonders of natural beauty products. I'll let you know which become my beauty staples!

LFF'S TOP 5 NOVEMBER BEAUTY BUYS

Right now I am all about beauty products that combat the effects winter - so anything brightening and moisturizing is an instant winner. November's top 5 beauty buys are a combination of classics that I have used for years, but have come into their own now the temperature has dropped, and new products that have revolutionized my morning routine and left me wondering how I ever coped without. 

1. Mac Prep + Prime Natural Radiance, £29.

I only discovered primers this year, but now I am hooked. Mac's Natural Radiance primer contains illuminating pearl powders that reflect optic brightening. Put simply, it's can make my skin look fresh and dewy even when I'm over-worked, over-stressed and (occasionally) hungover. 

2. Benefit High Beam, £19.50. 

This pearly pink liquid highlighter is one of my all time favourite beauty products. I rub a dab on the apples of my cheeks each morning before applying my powder blush to add radiance and luminosity. On a practical note, it also happens to help my blusher 'stick' and last all day. 

3. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, £25 for 50ml. 

Thanks to my mum, I have been using Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream since my teens. However it's in winter when my skin turns into lizard-like scales that it really comes into it's own. Great for wind-chapped hands and cracked knuckles, this balm-come-cream moisturisers, soothes and protects like nothing else I have tried. 

4. Twistband, £10 for a pack of 3 from Birchbox UK. 

A hair bobble that doesn't leave kinks in your hair? Not possible you might think. But having tried and tested the Twist Band I can report that this US beauty phenomenon is well worth the hype. I used it to tie up my freshly washed hair and it remained kink free after several hours - a wonder product. Thanks to Birchbox UK at The Apartment for introducing me to this over London Fashion Week. 

5. Nip + Fab Spot Fix, £9.95. 

I have never been one to be concerned about break outs, but this month I have suffered some really painful inflammations that were impossible to ignore. Normally I would just leave my spots alone, but the Nip + Fab spot fix was lying unused in my draw so I gave it a go. I dabbed on the gel at bedtime and was surprised to see (and feel) visible results when I woke up. Most importantly the throbbing pain of a fresh spot that I am sure we are all familiar with disappeared much quicker than usual, kudos to Nip + Fab!

.......Do let me know if you've discovered any wonder products this month too, I'm slowly becoming a beauty junkie and love to hear new suggestions!

THE LFF OCTOBER INSTAGRAM ROUND-UP

Where did October go? Looking back at my Instagram pictures from the month it seems to have passed in the blink of an eye. Here's what I have been up to:

LFF'S TOP 5 OCTOBER BEAUTY BUYS

Welcome to a new feature on LFF - my round up of my top 5 beauty discoveries that I'll be sharing on a monthly basis. As a blogger I am in the fortunate position that I receive quite a few beauty products as gifts, meaning that I am regularly sampling new and interesting lotions and potions. I am quite picky about my beauty and skincare routine, so a product really has to work and deliver something different to become a new LFF staple. These are the five products that I am loving in October:

1. Nivea In-Shower Body Moisturiser, 400ml £3.55 

New to the market - I decided to give Nivea's In-Shower Body Moisturiser a try after finding it on offer in my local supermarket. The concept is simple: apply it to damp skin post shower gel and then rinse off. Initially sceptical,  I am now ADDICTED - I can't stand the sticky residue some moisturisers leave behind, so this product offers the ideal solution. It also saves vital minutes in the morning, which, as a routine oversleeper is always welcome!

2. Smooch Black Lash mascara, £8.95

Mascaras always tend to find their way in to press goody bags, so I have tried quite a few in 2013 - with hit and miss results. This bold black lash mascara by Smooch is my latest discovery and, given the full and thick lashes it creates, I'm quite suprised to find it is priced at an affordable £8.95. 

3. Color Club Nail Polish 'Reign in Spain'

It's no secret that I love a bit of neon - so this day-glo nail lacquer, shade 'Reign in Spain' by Color Club is a big hit with me. The team from Birchbox UK kindly gave me the polish to trial at The Apartment during London Fashion Week and it has been in circulation with my favourite nail colours ever since. 

4. Avon Nailwear Pro+ 'Viva Pink' £4

I love the shade of this Avon nail polish - it's a true Barbie pink for those days when you want to feel unashamedly girly! £1 from the sale of each of bottle is  donated to Break Through Breast Cancer too, making it an guilt-free beauty buy. 

5. Liz Earle Energising Body Lotion, 150ml £18

I was introduced to this fab product in the HandPicked Media lounge at London Fashion Week. Despite being branded 'energising', I actually like to use this Liz Earle body lotion before I head to the land of nod. It has a yummy herbal scent that I find really soothing and it sinks into skin instantaneously to leave skin smooth and supple. 

LFF'S COLOUR TRANSFORMATION WITH HEADMASTERS

When I turned 25 in April, I made a resolution to be bolder with my sartorial choices. Shorter hemlines, higher heels; you only live once and I want my style to reflect that! One style change I have always wanted to make (but never felt brave enough to commit to) was to colour my dark brunette hair lighter. I decided I was ready to take the plunge and contacted the team at Headmasters to see if they could assist with my transformation. They kindly obliged, and last week I found myself at their Mayfair address in the extremely talented hands of Colour Director Siobhan Jones. Continue reading after the jump to see how my new look was achieved...