The mane event

If my mother taught me anything, it's the importance of a blow-dry. I have incredibly straight, flat hair, so I learned young to master my brush-work to add volume, bounce and shape.

Since I moved to mid-length a couple of years back, I've been on the search for the perfect brush, and I've finally found it courtesy of the lovely people at Denman.

After trying natural bristles, aero brushes, paddle brushes, synthetic brushes and everything in-between, I was sent the Headhugger DHH3 and can't believe I didn't go with industry fave Denman sooner. Here, in pictures, is my first bash at this brilliant brush:






After a 20-minute blow-dry, hair really did have the bounce, extreme shine and shape you usually only get from a pro, and I'd say I'm only an 8/10 when it comes to amateur styling skills.

The brush is also pretty lightweight, which makes it good for beginners, and I found it's almost impossible to tangle your hair in - I'm usually a bugger for doing that!

A small note on the products I use; I have a strange hair type - a hell of a lot of very fine hair - which is prone to being greasy, flat, and any extra product tends to weigh it down. I'm, therefore, fiercely loyal to Aussie Mega shampoo, which cleans the hair and leaves a nice fresh mane.
For the same reasons, I never use conditioner in the shower, but spritz Aussie Miracle Hair Insurance through the ends for protection and added shine without weight. I then use a small amount of Bumble & Bumble Surf Spray as a styling product - when it's blow dried through your hair it adds thickness, volume and the more 'mussed up' effect I usually strive for.

What's your hair routine?
P.S - Apologies for the cheeky drying rack that creeped in the pics - I realised way too late it was still out - oops!

Hair envy...

 Pic courtesy of Studded Hearts

Since I went into the hairdresser to lose my split ends, and left without half the weight thanks to some incredibly over-zealous use of thinning scissors, I have major hair envy for anyone with more than a bob. Drew is currently ticking even more boxes with her perfect beachy waves, incredible volume and fabulous ombre highlights... swoon.

[[Apologies to anyone waiting to see which boots I bought last week - I promised an outfit post, then my camera batteries died and I haven't got round to buying new ones... but it's coming. Bet you can't wait! (Note to self - never promise a post, it will inevitably not happen.)]]

Rain in the arse

Hear ye, hear ye, from now on I commit to more outfit posts. I've been slack, shy and a bit unorganised when it comes to the fashion part of this fashion blog, so starting today I'm going to try and do a couple a week... who knows, it might make me wear something other than leggings!

So here goes. I've lost my brolly, which means I had to drag this, my only coat with a hood, out of the back of the wardrobe.

Coat - Primark// Scarf - H&M//
The nippier weather also gave me the chance to wear my lovely new scarf. I'm actually pretty excited about autumn - I'm sick of having to put flesh on display!

Top - H&M// Watch - Michael Kors// Jeans - Topshop// Chelsea boots - ASOS
Necklaces - jumble and old Accessorize
The top's another new purchase - I could have done with a size smaller but they didn't have it, and it was such a bargain at £7 I had to make it mine. I look a little butch, but whatevs. I'm trying to wear things a little bit out of my comfort zone (can you believe that, for many years, I lived by the Trinny and Susannah rules for my shape. I love those women, but that's for another post.)

No detail shots I'm afraid - I got sick of my work colleagues mocking my impromptu photoshoot in smoker's alley... hence the following:


I also have a new haircut, which I'm not sure about... they thinned it. It's thin enough! Discuss.

Hair today, gone tomorrow

Let me share a secret - I don't wash my hair every day. I made a discovery that changed my life. Batiste Dry Shampoo.

Now, I know this won't be a revellation to many of you - it's not as if this brand hasn't been around for a while. And they've recently expanded the range to add new scents and colour-specific sprays, so plenty of people must be enjoying their product, but I'd just like to add my two-penneth.

My mane has its pros and cons - it's naturally very shiny (I don't even use conditioner, as it just makes it limp) but shiny hair is often oily hair, and for that reason I was tied to the hairdryer. Until I discovered this.

I was dubious at first - how can a spray just magic away the grease? But it does, and it lasts all day long. You just spray it on the roots, brush it out, and your hair really is fuller, more volumised and looks really clean!

I started with Tropical after sniffing them all in Boots (I regularly get told off for this). Now, Batiste are a little vague when it comes to the actual smells, but this is definitely coconut and I often get compliments on it.

Next I tried Blush - this is a girly, flowery, perfumey scent. Not my fave, but perfectly lovely.

Original is pretty dull. It kind of just smells... cold? But it's great if you already wear a strong scent and don't want anything to interfere with it.

Then things got exciting! Boho, Diva and coloured sprays - I've nearly tried them all!

Boho smells orangey, while Diva smells a little bit like impulse, or a deoderant. But brunette is chocolately and lovely and avoids those pesky white patches you get if you don't brush it out properly.

The other benefit of Batiste is you can use it to add volume to clean hair when doing plaits, pleats, messy buns or up-dos. If you haven't tried it already, it's about £3. The only drawback is the cans don't last that long - I go through about one every two weeks, but then I use it every other day.

P.S - never buy the Tony and Guy dry shampoo. It hardly cleans your hair, lasts about two hours and costs almost £7! The only plus point is it smells like Gucci Rush.

Do you guys use any other dry shampoos?

Humpday Hello!

There's nothing nicer in the blogosphere than connecting with a fellow blogger, so I thought I'd launch a weekly feature I'm calling the Humpday Hello.

It gives me a chance to profile someone whose blog has caught my eye, and I'm starting with the lovely Gem Fatale

Lady is fabulous for a number of reasons... she does some bitchin' DIY nails...

She has fabbo hair...

She has a jumper with zebras on...

And she's also running the most immense competition in all of blogland - there are seven seperate giveaways! Get yourself over there to check it out.

Happy humpday!

Hair to dye for...

I'm currently growing out a longish bob to long luscious locks (I wish) so I'm stuck in that middle phase, where I hate what's hanging on the top of my head. The frustration of 'neither nowt nor summat' hair has led me to consider some cheeky colour.

Throughout my teens I died my hair many different shades of red, then jet black in my last years of uni, but haven't touched it for a few years, so it's back to my natural shade, dark brown.

I love the ombre looks above, and think it would be a perfect beachy look for summer... but do I dare? Help, people of the blogosphere, i need guidance!

Top pic courtesy of fashiontoast, Alexa courtesy of justjared (obv) and erin... can't remember!

Give me those bright lights, all night...

 Reasons I love The City:

• Whitney's style (although perhaps not in the pic above)
• Olivia's glossy, glossy hair
• Erin's "bitch please" facial expressions
• Kelly Cutrone's no nonsense ways. The woman's amazing.

Watched the first episode of season two last night and found it genuinely moving when Kell shed a small tear... I need to get a life.

When will Kell on Earth come to the UK people?!

PS - Can't believe Whitney blogged about her work-out style just two days after me. That would have made my picture research much easier! I'd love to think she read my blog and copied me. Dream on.

Pa-pa-pa-poker straight

Oh my god they have the hair of my dreams.... unfortunately mine is straight as a die, and requires much cultivating to sport anything more than a kink.

How I long for such beachy waves.

Pic courtesty of olsens anonymous - offering inspiration and jealousy in equal measure.