bloomzy /

OOTD: Black & Red

(Hat: Topshop, Jacket: Primark, Top: Pull & Bear, Skirt: Topshop, Tights: Primark)

This weekend was all about the hair!
I re-dyed it with my favourite Colour Restore for Redheads, if you hadn’t guessed.
My hair is actually brighter than when I first had it done at the salon with this stuff.
Anyway, I love it and I wanted to show it all off.
Without even thinking about it I unknowingly matched my tights to my hair.
Looking at the photos now though, I love the contrast at the top and bottom.
Even with my clothes being black it meant I could still stand out, thanks to my hair.
I wrapped up in layers to take the fiancé for a post-Valentine’s Day lunch at one of our favourite spots.
I guess I did look very Valentine-y decked out in red, not that it was intentional at all.
I also wanted to dress to impress as I was meeting with some wonderful people – more on that later.
What do you all think of the new bright hair?
bloomzy /

Review: Klorane Shampoo & Conditioner

Klorane Pomegranate Shampoo & Conditioner, for coloured hair*
Klorane is one of my favourite beauty brands, who I’ve mentioned several times on the blog.
To me the French brand’s products are natural, but also luxurious, which isn’t always easy to come by.
After attending an event for the brand I was curious to try out their shampoo & conditioner for coloured hair.
“This [shampoo], formulated for colour-treated hair, protects against progressive colour fading and loss of radiance. Hair colour retains its intensity and shine. Its cleansing base is enriched with regenerative agents so that hair remains soft, silky and easy to style.

Used in addition to KLORANE shampoo with pomegranate, this [conditioner] repairs and regenerates the hair fibre deep down to leave it soft and supple. Protected from fading, hair colour remains as intense and glossy as the first day.

Both are hypoallergenic.”


Pros:
+ Leaves my hair soft
+ Conditioning
+ Smells amazing
+ Great price
+ Brought out my colour
Cons:
– Shampoo doesn’t lather easily
Notes:
Certain brands of shampoo dry my hair out, even though I use a conditioner each wash.
So I was very happy to find that Klorane’s shampoo & conditioner didn’t do this to my hair.
Some people might find it slightly pricey at £6 each, but it’s actually cheaper than what I would usually buy. I’ve been looking to change shampoos for a while, but I haven’t found a natural product that looks after coloured hair for a decent price, so that’s a big plus for me. The only downside to the shampoo is that it doesn’t lather easily, but that’s a problem with using natural ingredients in a shampoo, and is not down to Klorane in particular.
You can purchase Klorane’s shampoos & conditioners in John Lewis stores or online, here.
bloomzy /

Review: Colour Restore for Redheads

Colour Restore Deep Red, for Redheads*

Colour restore for redheads uses concentrated red pigment infusions to keep colour.
Most of you will know how difficult red hair is to maintain, so this is a great product to have.
I recently became a redhead again, and even though my colour has maintained well I wanted a pick up.
So I was very thankful to receive this and try it out, and let me just say, I was very pleased with the results.
Colour restore can be used as a wash-in shampoo type product to keep your colour fresh, or for something a bit more vivid, you can leave it in for up to 25 mins. I needed to refresh my hair colour so I choose to leave it in for 25 minutes, on my first use.
Before and after

Pros:
+ 3 different ways to use
+ Vivid colour and great shine
+ Left my hair feeling conditioned
Cons:
– Stains skin easily, but can be removed
Notes:
This is such an amazing product for redheads who want to keep their colour.
It’s also a great money saver for those like me who have their hair dyed at a salon.
The only downside was that it did stain, but it was removed with water and another wash.
It was easy to use, and as only a tiny bit is needed the bottle can be used more than once.
It lasts for 12 months, so I plan to make the most of it and use it as often as needed.
For those who might be worried about using it often, it doesn’t contain any peroxide, harsh chemicals or ammonia.
There are also blonde, shine treatments, colour removers and strippers in the range.
You can view and purchase the whole range here.
bloomzy /

My 'Everyday Hair' Routine

ghd Style & Protect Gift Set*
Before Christmas I was gifted with this lovely ghd Style & Protect Gift Set.
I was then asked to create a post where I incorporated the products into my routine.
Luckily all the products are items that I would use in my everyday look.
What I use:

1. ghd Paddle Brush*
2. ghd Straight & Smooth Spray – Normal/Fine Hair – £12.95*
3. ghd Final Shine Spray – £9.95*
4. ghd Hair Clips (included in the set)* 
5. ghd Hair Straighteners – £99
6. Hair Dryer
Step One:
I give my hair a spritz with the straight and smooth spray, and work it through my hair.
This helps to straighten & smooth my hair, whilst protecting it from the heat from my dryer & straighteners.
You can also use the spray in between washes to help protect against heat.
Look at that post-shower fresh face!
Step Two:
Grabbing the paddle brush I gently detangle my hair (if needed).
Then using my hair dryer and the brush together I blow dry my hair straight.
This is always a challenge as one side usually comes out straighter than the other.
Step Three:
After drying my hair, I use the clips to separate parts of my hair, ready for straightening.
My hair isn’t particularly thick, but I do have layers so this makes it easier.
I then grab my go-to ghds and start straightening! 
Sometimes I curl the ends under, depending on the look I want.
Step Four:
If I feel like it, I take the ghd Final Shine spray and pop a little on my hair.
It isn’t too heavy and it helps to add a little extra shine, whist keeping away bits of frizz.
Instead of spraying this directly onto my hair (you can!) I spray into my hands and work through my hair.
Step Five:
After a little styling with the brush, I’m done!!
My ‘everyday hair’ routine may not consist of much but it works for me.
I love ghd as a brand and these products make my routine so much easier.
It was so much fun creating this hair tutorial!
I’m currently growing my hair out (again!) so look out for more in the future.
You can purchase all of the products shown at the ghd website – check out hairstyles by ghd for inspiration.
bloomzy /

OOTD: Nana Fancy Dress

(Jacket: Primark, Top: Japan, Shorts: Zara, Tights: eBay, Shoes: Barratts*)

On Saturday I went to a joint party for two friends, and of course there was a theme.
All the best parties have themes, and this one was ‘Cartoon Characters of the 90s/2000s’.
I don’t watch many cartoons but from the ones I have watched/watch I just couldn’t think of a character.
Then I remembered that one of my favourite fictional characters of the 2000s was originally an anime (Japanese cartoon).
So I may have cheated a little bit as mine was based on a live action movie character, but the thought was there.
Who did I go as? Nana Osaki (reference photo here).
I love her strong character, and of course her personal style!
I paired suspender tights with my new faux leather jacket, a staple for any Nana costume.
I also choose a skull motif top I bought in Japan (fitting, no?) and some ripped denim shorts from Zara.
The piece de resistance though were the wedge creepers that Barratts recently gifted me – I’m in love!
They are the comfiest, most badass pair of shoes I own at the moment and I want to pair them with everything.
They are perfect for the rock chick side of my personal style…and for any future fancy dress parties, of course.
I even created a short bob hair style using this cheat by Cheesie, and used a leather bracelet as a choker.
What do you think of my fancy dress costume?
For fans of the creepers, they also come in red, blue and purple – I WANT THEM ALL!
bloomzy /

Event: Birchbox Champagne Afternoon Tea

Birchbox – Joliebox Champagne Afternoon Tea event

As soon as my plus-one and I walked through the doors we were giddy. I’d invited her to the Birchbox event as we both share a love for champagne and afternoon tea. It was held at The Soho Hotel, which is fashionably fancy, as is the drawing room which we were directed to. The tables were lined with cakes, sandwiches, biscuits and scones – with jam and cream, of course!

We arrived early and were greeted by the lovely team behind Birchbox and Joliebox. We were shown samples of October’s Joliebox, whilst waiters offered us salmon sandwiches and champagne. I loved the effort that the team went towards to greet and have a proper talk with everyone, not just a 5min chat. I knew quite a bit about Joliebox but I was really interested in finding out more about Birchbox, an American monthly beauty sample box company which are now moving into the European market, hence the event.

We even got to meet Katia Beauchamp, one of Birchbox’s co-founders – an incredibly funny, intelligent and gorgeous lady – definitely a power woman if I did ever meet one. I thought having some of the American team there was a really great edition to the event and showed just how passionate they are about making it here in Europe. Although I won’t lie, the highlight of the event were the ornately decorated (and incredibly yummy) biscuits! I think we can all expect big things from Birchbox once it’s launched in the UK – I can’t wait!

Birchbox UK will be launching in January 2013.
Joliebox will now be merging with Birchbox and becoming Birchbox UK.

bloomzy /

Event: Avène & Klorane Bloggers Breakfast

Avène and Klorane Bloggers Breakfast

When I was invited to the Avène and Klorane Bloggers Breakfast I was so excited. I fell in love with Klorane’s dry shampoo earlier this year, and I am a big fan of pretty much all of Avène’s products. The breakfast was held at the gorgeous Delaunay Grand European Cafe Restaurant, in Aldwych – by Covent Garden. The breakfast itself was delicious and there were plenty of yummy treats to choose between, although the mini-pastries were my favourite – I think Sascha of Beauty Geek UK agreed with me on that too. However, the stars of the show were of course, the array of products by Klorane and Avène.

I was introduced to Klorane’s shampoo and conditioners, as well as being given some advice on which product would be best suited for my hair/needs. For me it was Pomegranate (for coloured hair). Also on show were 3 shampoos that will be released early next year into John Lewis stores – more on that at a later date. If you haven’t come across Klorane’s shampoo & conditioners before, they have them for every kind of hair type, and they all smell gorgeous!

I like to think I know my Avène products, just because I’m such a fan…and because I’ve bought so many. I was wrong though, which was actually a nice surprise as I was introduced to some new products I didn’t know about. In particular the Antirougeurs range caught my eye as it offers a variety of products to help combat skin redness. I hadn’t heard of the range, or seen it in any French pharmacies so I was very interested in finding out more. I’m hoping I can get my hands on some soon to review for you all!

You can find my previous posts on Klorane here, and Avène here.