Curlers for Long & Shorter Hair- Babyliss Curl Secret and Nicky Clarke Diamond Shine Wand

I've learned the hard way that not all curlers suit all lengths of hair; some will easily create a smooth flowing spiral on long hair, while others will (quite literally) chew it up and spit it out!

Because electricals tend to be on the pricier side of beauty products, I want to make sure that the tools I'm using are right for my hair, especially when it can bounce between lengths and textures. The two curlers I've chosen for todays post are the Babyliss Curl Secret for shorter hair and the Nicky Clarke Diamond Shine Pro Salon Styling Wand for long hair.

Babyliss Curl Secret (£119.99)

We'd all seen the videos of women effortlessly creating perfect curls with the Babyliss Curl Secret, so I was super excited when I received this glittery purple gadget as a present a year or so ago and I thought I'd be using it pretty much every day. The problem is that the tool isn't meant to be used on hair that goes down past the bust and (disregarding the fact that everyone has a different length torso and boob height so the thought of a 'universal bust' is impossible, and weird) my hair did. 

I really wouldn't recommend the Curl Secret for long hair- this tool works by automatically rolling a section of hair round a barrel in the 'ceramic curl chamber' when its clamped against the hair, and I suppose the barrel is just too small to cope.

I found the tool was constantly beeping at me to let me know the hair hadn't been wrapped properly and I needed to re-clamp, or it was getting stuck in my hair and pulling it out when I went to release the curl. A couple of times it got so stuck that I had to unplug it out of fear of burning my hair off as I tugged hard to release my locks from the thing. The sections of long hair needed to ensure the curler works properly are so small that it makes it more time consuming and prohibitive than using a normal curling tong or straightener (especially as it's quite heavy to hold in the air for a long time), which in my eyes defeats the point.

However, after I had an extra big trim not too long ago, the Curl Secret worked much more as it should and does prove to be a useful tool that makes life much easier. I need to have a mirror handy to make sure the hair sections are tangle free and inserted correctly, but with the heat on high and the time option set to the middle of three, I get bouncy and long lasting alternating curls that can be separated with my fingers or brushed out to a lovely wave. 

I love curly hair but the constant wrapping and waiting can be difficult to master with some wands, so a curler that produces consistent results with less effort is exactly what I needed, even if I can't use it when my hair is at its longest. 
Its a bit of an investment, even though you do get a free heat mat and dust cover, but if you have short to mid length hair then the Babyliss Curl Secret is a tool you'll definitely reach for in order to make curling an easier task. 

Nicky Clarke Diamond Shine Pro Salon Styling Wand* (£34.99)

I'm always up for trying out new hair tools but it was the inclusion of real diamonds in this wand that intrigued me the most. The Diamond Shine Pro Salon wand has a diamond infused ceramic coated barrel that uses tourmaline technology to help transfer heat evenly, avoid damage and moisture loss, and leave a smooth shiny look to the hair.

While this wand would also work well on short hair, the 25mm barrel is exactly the right size for my hair now that it has grown out. Smaller sections produce tighter curls but the barrel can quickly heat through larger thicker sections of hair and its easy to get the hair flat against the barrel and avoid twists that produce an uneven curl.

The Diamond Shine wand reaches a maximum of 210⁰c and I use the middle of the five heat settings at around 170⁰c. With my hair held for 15 seconds against the barrel and a few seconds resting in a gloved hand, I get a really nice curl that doesn't drop too much. I'm not convinced that there's all that much diamond in this curler, but it's doing something right as it produces curls which are much more even and uniform than some I've tried. I get trouble with visible split ends and increased dryness with some tools, but thankfully with the Diamond Shine the ends of my newly bleached hair look smooth rather than frazzled.

For longer hair, the Nicky Clarke Diamond Shine Styling Wand is a hit- the high heat transfer of the barrel but lack of damage makes it a really useful tool and, if like me you're not a pro with hair styling, it will definitely speed up your curling routine! 

Which tools do you find work best for your hair length?

Faith in Nature Pomegranate & Rooibos Shampoo and Conditioner

When I was asked recently if I wanted to try out a shampoo from Faith in Nature I jumped at the chance- I'm very cautious of highstreet shampoos because of allergies, but I can't tell you how bored I'd become of baby shampoo! It does the job, smells nice and is easily available, but after about a year of use it has become seriously dull!

I chose the Pomegranate & Rooibos Shampoo (£5.50 for 400ml), and Faith in Nature were also kind enough to send me the matching conditioner. These products are vegan and cruelty free, don't contain artificial colours, fragrances, parabens or SLES, and in each of the list of ingredients there are only two (Sodium benzoate and Potassium sorbate) that aren't either vegetable derived, organic or from essential oils.

I find the scents quite unusual- quite herbal and earthy but they seem to change each time I open the bottle. Sometimes I can smell orange peel, sometimes cut grass and even a few times I've smelled Christmas trees as I massaged the shampoo into my hair. I can't remember the last time I actually ate a pomegranate, but that's definitely in there too! 

I like the smell a lot but if I'd sniffed them in a shop I might have gone for something just a little more sweet and fruity, even though it doesn't really last on the hair.

The shampoo lathers up well which I really like in a hair product, and it makes my hair feel super clean and light after use. I chose one of the range that was 'for all hair types', but other Faith in Nature shampoo scents like Rosemary are designed for normal to dry hair. 

Over the past few months I've cut down hair washing from 7 days a week to 4 or 5 days a week (a big deal for me and it took a while!) but the cleaning and de-greasing power of the Pomegranate and Rooibos means that 2 day hair is easy and even 3 day hair is possible for my oily noggin. It also detangles really well which makes life easier as my hair is so prone to knotting.

The Pomegranate & Rooibos Conditioner (£5.50 for 400ml) is light in texture and coats the ends of my hair easily. It also helps to detangle not just while in use but also afterwards so I can get a brush through my hair even after it's been dried. I've been using this a few times a week for about 3 weeks and although it hasn't made a difference in the way my hair feels, it does look shiny all down the lengths and ends. 

Faith in Nature also make a wide range of other scents of shampoo and conditioner such as Chocolate, Hemp & Meadowfoam, Pineapple & Lime and Seaweed & Citrus, which all sound delicious, as well as skin care, baby products and soaps. 

You don't have to be into natural or organic products to give this shampoo and conditioner a go, but the Pomegranate & Rooibos would be great choice if you have oily and easily tangled hair like mine.

Review: Old Wives Tail Melado Organic Hair Growth Oil Treatment

Because I don't use 'normal' conditioners, I'm always looking for new natural products to try out to keep my hair looking healthy and stop it becoming too dry or damaged. So, when I was asked if I wanted to try an organic oil treatment from Old Wives Tail, I couldn't refuse!

Old Wives Tail gets its name from a Portuguese grandmother who had a secret recipe for a treatment that would leave hair soft and silky, which she passed down to her granddaughter who now shares the secret (or at least the products made from the secret) with the rest of us. The grandmother is the old wife, and the tail is the long silky hair, a pretty nifty idea for a name I think!

I was sent the Melado Organic Hair Oil treatment to review, which sells for £13.99 for a 100ml pot. The treatment is handmade from a blend of four oils, including Argan and Almond which are a couple of the most well known for hair and body treatments. 

On first opening the pot to have a sniff, I was amazed at how the product smells- it has a very strong scent of lavender, but not that fake lavender that tries feebly to make your clothes drawer smell nice or send you off to sleep, a real woody lavender that smells exactly the bushes I used to have in my garden. The treatment also contains Olive oil but is much less thick than you'd expect, and it has a lovely bright amber colour.

On the first try I wasn't quite sure how much of the oil to use on my hair, as the directions just state to massage into damp hair weekly. I've found dipping my finger into the pot and rubbing into my palm about 5 times gives me an amount that will coat my hair and make it feel that it has treatment in it without turning it into a dangerously dripping oil slick. 

The oil is said to penetrate the hair roots and strengthen the follicle to encourage hair growth when massaged into the scalp. I must admit that I've only tried this once as I don't have much trouble growing my hair and its always been incurably greasy, but on the time I did try my hair was super-shiny afterwards.

So on to the results- has this treatment actually done anything for the long lengths and ends of my hair that I sometimes describe as pretty straw-like? Well, in short, yes! As a weekly product I was expecting the oil to take a while to work, but I saw results from the first use and I was pretty impressed. 

After applying the oil from my ears down, wrapping my hair in cling film and clipping it to my head for an hour, I was really surprised to find just how soft and shiny it was after washing. Occasionally it needs more than one shampooing to remove the product completely, but usually it takes a couple of weeks of using something daily for it to have much of an effect on my hair so I was pretty thrilled to see my hair shining from root to tip!

I've been using the Melado Oil weekly for about 2 months and it barely looks like I've used anything from the pot, so I reckon this will last for ages. As I've said I can't vouch for its hair growing abilities, but the amazing scent and the way it will make your hair look and feel means it's definitely worth a purchase.

Is it time to ditch your daily chemical filled conditioner and turn to a weekly organic treatment? In the case of Old Wives Tail Melado Hair Growth Oil, definitely!

Blue Hair, Don't Care

Since Kylie Jenner posted her first blue ombre Instagram pic in May, and girls everywhere fawned over that picture of her and her sister at the Billboard Music Awards, blue has been on the agenda for hair trends everywhere. In June, Vanessa Hudgens dabbled in blue hair chalk, transforming her into a boho mermaid with flower crown and big turquoise ring, and this month Pixiwoo's Nicola Chapman has been sporting a bright blue dipdye, and make up artist Chrissspy donned an icy blue wig.

Blue hair has been spotted on celebs since 2011, with Kate Bosworth kicking off the trend, followed by Demi Lovato, Katy Perry, Alexa Chung, Rita Ora and even Cher Lloyd, in varying hues of dark blue and turquoise. 

Celebrities are still jumping on the blue bandwagon, but what do you think of the dip dyes and ombres? Is blue here to stay, or will another colour take its place? 

Hair Tool Storage With The Polder Style Station

While I'm not the most organised of people I do like everything in its place, and the floor is definitely not the place for storing hair styling tools. The tangled bundle of wires not only offended my eyes but also confuddled me, and I was forever plugging in my laptop and wondering why my straighteners weren't heating up.

After some searching on Pinterest and Google (and dismissing some very overpriced pieces of metal), I found the perfect way to store my hairdryer and brush- a 5 Hook Over-Draw (or door) Hanger that works a treat and was only £2.48 including p&p! It has more hooks than I have things to hang, but it's definitely always better to have too many than too little in my opinion.

When searching for a holder for my other tools I had some trouble, the few products that looked they would do the job weren't available in England, and any of them that were were far too expensive. I finally happened upon the answer to my prayers- the Polder Style Station (£19.99) (they also do a Mini £16.99) available exclusively from Lakeland, with silicone pads and stainless steel mesh that means you can put your hot tools away straight after use.
The Style Station has three round compartments with the largest big enough to store a hairdryer, but I've also found it perfect for my Babyliss Curl Secret. In the other two I keep my Remington straighteners and Braun straighteners (review here). At the back there's a large hook (supposedly for hanging the holder from a towel rail), a hole for wall mounting and a section for storing the cables. I've found this section too small for storing the cables of all three tools and have instead been winding my Braun stylers wire and securing the loop with Velcro for easy access. Luckily though the wire pocket makes a great place for my Yogi Heat Proof Glove!

I keep the holder next to my plugs and I think it looks really attractive and neat as well as actually doing the job of housing my hair styling tools and cables. I knew there were over-door hooks available but I wasn't really sure if anything actually existed that would be suitable for the rest of my tools, so I'm so pleased to have found the Style Station as I've finally put my storage and messy wire woes to rest! 

Braun Blogger Challenge with the Satin Hair 7 SensoCare Styler

A little while ago I was asked if I would like to take part in the Braun Blogger Challenge to recreate one of three hairstyles created by UK Style Director Peter Beckett with the Braun Satin Hair 7 Sensocare Styler*. These straighteners really are the bees knees and use clever new technology in the plates that detects the moisture levels in every strand of hair 20 times a second, and adjusts their temperature accordingly during every stroke to minimise hair damage. When you first turn it on, the styler asks you to create a 'profile' of information about your hair- the length, thickness and whether it is coloured, in order for it to heat to the right temperature. The heating time for my profile is about 60 seconds which is amazingly quick compared to others I've used! 

In order for the Sensocare technology to work properly your hair needs to be thoroughly dried and you need to move slowly down each section; the stylers let you know whether you're moving at the right speed by showing a graphic after each stroke, ranging from a happy face to a rather grumpy face when you go too fast. I wasn't sure whether I wouldn't notice any difference from this new intelligent styling technology, but after the first use I was actually really impressed- using straighteners on my hair usually leaves the ends looking a little crisp and my splitends very dry and obvious, but with the Satin Hair 7 the effect is really minimal and my hair looks kink-free and healthy. 

As well as the SensoCare technology, these straighteners also have rounded edges for curling, floating plates, and tips that stay cool enough to hold which I've found really handy during styling. You can also set up to three hair profiles, or choose not to use the profile function and decide your own temperature if you need a specific heat.
Of the three hairstyles I was challenged to recreate I chose curls, which in this look are created by wrapping and pinning the hair. Keep scrolling to find out how to recreate the look and how I did with the challenge!

I was quite pleased with my attempt at the pin curls and I really enjoyed trying something new, curls drop quickly out of my hair because of the weight in the length but this style gives them a chance to set and helps them hang on for longer instead of turning straight into waves. Pinning all my hair to my head was a bit tricky (especially at the back!) and a few of the kirby grips didn't want to stay in place, but having the hair cooling out of the way would be really handy when I need to finish off my makeup or get changed for going out.I finished my style off in the photos above with a bit of dry backcombing spray and hair spray to hold the hair and make the look a bit less sleek and defined as I dp like a messy 'do.  

If you're on the hunt for a new pair of straighteners I would really recommend the Braun Satin Hair 7 SensoCare Styler (£89.99), the SensoCare technology really does make a difference to the hair and I don't think you'll find many others with as much intelligence as this one!

Andrew Barton I Love Volume Big Hair Lifting Spray

As I mentioned a little while ago, my hair has been a bit long and limp recently, not helped by static from central heating (and synthetic jumpers) which seems to make it either stick down flat or stick straight up. The Andrew Barton I Love Volume collection is created for hair in need of a body boost, and is presented in simple purple bottles and tubes which I think makes it looks a lot more expensive than it actually is. Andrew Barton himself is described as 'TV's Favourite Hair Expert' (he appears as the hairdresser on 10 Years Younger in case you don't recognise the name), and each of his 5 hair product collections are available exclusively in Asda. The triangular bottle of Lifting Spray contains a generous 250ml with a scent similar to pineapple squash which I really like, and is a bargain at just £3.90.

The spray is used on damp towel dried hair and the nozzle creates an even mist through the roots and lengths. I like that the packaging doesn't expect me to be one of those women that sits there for hours with a round brush and aching arms- the instructions tell me to 'go for it with your drier', and that’s what I do for about 4 minutes until my hair is dry. Although I actually use a hair dryer not drier (slightly worrying that an Award Winning Hairdresser didn't pick up on the spelling mistake). The spray definitely makes a difference without feeling either crunchy or powdery- it reduces static and gives the hair more grip, especially when used in the evening and slept on. I wash my hair every night and often find it hard to create texture as it feels quite silky when clean, but this spray gives it a slight amount of tackiness that helps give hold to the lengths where I’m now a bit lacking in layers.

I've heard people talk of using this spray as a style refresher on dry hair, but I've made the mistake of spraying too close to the roots and had to follow up with dry shampoo as it felt a little greasy and sticky, so I stick to using on damp hair. I’d also caution against using this on the very ends of the hair as for some reason it makes mine look drier and more split, so a mousse or gel spray is a better option.

I’ve had this bottle for a good few months and seem to have barely made a dent in the liquid, so I can’t fault it for value for money, and I’ve also been complimented on the scent of my hair which is something that I don’t think has happened before. If, like me, your hair tends to hang limply and look stuck to your head, I would definitely recommend the Andrew Barton Big Hair Lifting Spray for adding some much needed texture and hold.

VO5 Give Me Texture and Plump It Up Styling Sprays

I've been working on trying to grow my hair recently (by working on it, I basically mean not cutting it), but since the layers that were once around my ears are now down below my shoulders I've had more of struggle when trying to create thickness and volume. I wash my hair every day and it usually feels soft and flat, when I would much rather have it bouncy and messy, so creating style and texture that holds now that my hair is long again has become a bit of a challenge!

I was scanning the haircare aisles of Asda when I came across V05's large range of styling products, and as I used to swear by their Mega Hold Weather Resistant Gel Spray when I was at school, I thought I would try out a few of their newer releases.

Designed to give the hair 'volume and thickness with natural bounce', Plump It Up Amplifying Blow Dry Lotion (£3.65) also includes heat defence to protect it from damage. This is sprayed onto damp hair before blow drying and I find it gives my hair more shape without it feeling sticky or greasy. It has a wide spray that makes it easy to coat the hair, and has a lovely fresh sweet scent.

The Give Me Texture Tousled Style Spray (£3.89) is meant to create texture on layered hair, when sprayed into the lengths and scrunched. I like a messy slightly wavy look to my hair but don't usually use tongs or curlers so I thought this would be the perfect product for me, unfortunately though it's the one I've used the least. I find a lot of product comes out of the pump at once which can make application patchy and, although V05 claim it creates a 'touchable finish', it feels quite hard and crunchy in my hair. I thought this would give a similar result to a mousse, but instead seems very much like the gel sprays which hold hair in place by making it crisp.

The final spray is designed to be used instead of backcombing for up-dos, but I find it great on my hair when it's down and I've been reaching for the Plump It Up Dry Backcombing Spray (£3.79) a lot over the last few weeks. While it doesn't give such an intense look as backcombing, it acts like a dry shampoo with less powder and more grip. I spray this into my roots and down the lengths of my hair where it removes the softness and flatness of my clean hair and makes it easy to mess up. The instructions say to 'jujj' hair into shape, which is exactly what I do, and it gives me much more texture and volume at the crown, and down my layered lengths which can otherwise hang limp below my shoulders.

This is definitely my favourite of the three as it works so well on my hair and it actually makes it feel thicker between my fingers. If you like sleek shiny locks then this spray might not be for you, but if you struggle with flatness and dislike products that make the hair hard then this is well worth a try!

The VO5 styling range is really affordable, with almost every product being under £4, and there is such a large choice of products that you're bound to find something to suit your hair. I'm pleased that I've found two out of these three products work really well for me, and having heat defence already built into the formula of one of them is a definite convenience. I'm sure I'll be having another snoop down the aisle soon!

Have you tried any styling products from VO5 recently? 

Allura Shower Comb

This is a product and idea I hadn't come across before, and at first thought it was a bit strange- a big comedy sized comb that you use on your hair in the shower. But as I thought about the amount of time I spend running my fingers through my tangled lathered up hair lengths, it seemed like an obvious solution to the problem of hair that knots when it's wet, and I wondered why I hadn't seen one before.

I know that it isn't good for your hair to brush it when wet, the hair soaks up water which makes it stretch when brushed and can easily snap, but if I don't at least run my fingers through it while shampooing then it will be very difficult to brush when damp, and almost impossible when dry! My hair has always been easily knotted, when I was a kid I was often sporting the birds nest look, and it doesn't help that I wear my hair long and down as it just seems to tangle so easily.

This comb came in a packet along with a facial pad, flannel on one side and a kind of large mesh on the other, which I've put aside as I felt it was a bit too fancy (and rough on the skin) for my face. The only fancy thing about the design of the novelty sized comb is the hooked end, that means it can be hung on a shower rack or bath handle, which is simple but actually really convenient. The Allura Shower Comb is two to three times the size of a normal comb, with thick widely spaced teeth that make working through the hair easy and pretty pain free. Combing from the bottom upwards is the way I like to detangle, and this comb pulls out much less hair than I do with my fingers (hair which would probably be naturally shed, but causes problems when the bulk of the days' shedding attacks my plughole at once).

I really wish I could remember which shop I found this comb in, googling hasn't given me much information except that Allura has a very small reasonably priced Amazon shop. If you're looking to buy a shower comb there are quite a few options available, from a Babyliss Pink Shower Comb (£3.95) to a Paris Presents Shower Comb 4 Pack (£7.59, Paris Presents is the company behind Real Techniques), and it seems the concept I'd never considered is actually quite widespread!

This comb has made detangling my hair so much quicker in the shower, and I can run a paddle brush through it with no problems once it's towel dried, so would really recommend something similar if you have long easily knotted hair. 

Trevor Sorbie Catwalk to Salon Event

Last week Holly and I headed down to Brighton's Trevor Sorbie Salon for the Catwalk to Salon event. The weather was dreary and wet but inside the bright salon we were greeted with drinks, nibbles and the sunny faces of the Salon team and Brighton Bbloggers.

Two hairstyles from the AW13 catwalk were demonstrated by Anna and Fergal, Trevor Sorbie Stylists who had worked at London and Paris fashion weeks. The first style was from Marc Jacobs and was inspired by the big backcombed hair of the 1970s. The hair was first parted low to the side, then curled with a small wand and each section was pinned to keep the curl in shape. The hair was teased carefully with a Mason Pearson type brush to give huge candy floss style volume and then sprayed with dry shampoo for hold and to make it easier to style into place. Anna left a few inches either side of the parting unteased to avoid the 80s permed look, and used her fingers to position a side fringe before pinning into place.
I really like this look, its quite dramatic for everyday wear but slightly toned down I think it would be a great bouncy almost messy look for a night out, and definitely a head turner! 

The look created by Fergal was a wet look sporty ponytail from the Peter Pilotto London show. Fergal first ran mousse through the model's hair before scraping it back with his fingers into a ponytail square with the eyes. The placement of the hair was key with this look- it need to be high enough to look sporty and it was aimed to be placed as an extension of the jawline to reference the features of a horse's face. The hair was then wound with lengths of black elastic that held it tight in place extended from the head to emanate the way a horse's tail is elevated during dressage. Water and oil were then sprayed across the head and through the lengths to keep the hair looking textured and wet.
I'm not sure I could pull off the wet look aspect of this style but I do like the idea of extending the hair out from the back of the head to make a normal ponytail more interesting and fashionable.

After the main demonstrations we were each treated to a little demo on our own hair of looks we'd seen in magazines and on the catwalks, and I got some great hair tips from Fergal. Fergal showed me how to do a Milkmaid Braid style look with fishtail plaits that Ive been seeing all over the internet recently and I was so pleased with the results! I havent quite perfected my braiding skills yet but am really looking forward to trying this style myself as I often find it hard to think of up-dos for my hair.

It was lovely to meet everyone from the salon, including Kate the salons director and colour specialist, and I had a really lovely evening chatting hair with everyone! As we left we were given a goody bag which so kindly included a complimentary colour and/or cut and a few other goodies that I will be posting about soon! 

The Trevor Sorbie Brighton salon offers cutting, colouring and blowdrying services as well as a nail bar and complimentary fringe trims for all clients, and I will definitely be back soon!

Girlz Only Dry Shampoo

I tend to use a lot of dry shampoo, not just for refreshing hair between washes but also to add texture and volume when creating a messy or tousled look.

Girlz only is by far the best dry shampoo I've tried- it smells fresh but not too strong or perfumey and leaves my hair looking nice and clean without the strange white/grey powdery look that Bastiste gives me. I currently have this dry shampoo in the fragrance 'Dawn til Dusk' (they also do 'Party Nights' and 'Hazy Days') and I actually like the packaging a lot more than Bastiste's retro style bottles.
The only edge Batiste does have over Girlz Only is that they also do little bottles of 50ml that are great for popping in your handbag. Girlz Only is quite a bit cheaper than Bastiste- £1.50 for 150ml vs £2.99 for 200ml.


Girlz Only Dry Shampoo is available online or from Tesco.