Collaborative / Partnered Post - Ways To Restore Your Hair To Its Crowning Glory*

Even though I'm not the biggest fan of having my photograph taken, I grew with a dad, who was a very passionate amateur photographer, so needless to say there are hundreds and hundreds of photos of little Louise! I often look through those photos, and the one positive thing that I always end up focusing on is my beautiful hair. It was long, just a tiny bit wavy, and super healthy! so what happened?

Well illness, and no doubt colouring, perming, and heat styling have all played their part, and whilst it can look okay sometimes, I still lose way more strands than I would like, and more often than not, it looks like a wavy, tangly hedge!

Sadly it’s not that uncommon for people to feel negative about their hair and how it looks, and feels. If you're having more bad hair days than good hair days, then it's probably down to the strength and overall health of your hair. Don't despair though if you're dealing with strands that just don't do what you want, or look the way you want, then there are some things that you can do to get your hair back in shape, and to make it healthy as it can be.

Don’t Expose Your Hair to Too Much Heat

This first one is pretty obvious, I don't know many people (both guys and girls!) that don't own at least a hairdryer and maybe a set of straighteners, or curlers! Whilst appliances now are way less damaging than they used to be (sticking your tongs in the fire anyone!), and there are now numerous products out there to protect your hair from heat styling, exposing your hair to too much heat can severely damage it and prevent you from being able to keep it healthy and looking how you want it to look going forward. You see those little flyaways that you get in the mid lengths and around your hairline? Breakage because of an obsession with hair straighteners!

I'm not telling you to give up your hair styling products completely, but do what I do now and try to use them a bit more sparingly, you really don't need to straighten your hair everyday, try have a few days off a week, let your hair dry naturally every now and then, and if you must use heat tools, try turning the temperature down a bit. Oh and whilst we're talking about heat, don't wash your hair in really hot water as that too can damage your hair, I'm not saying you have to end your shower with a cold rinse, just turn that heat down a bit for your hair wash at least!

Eat a More Balanced Diet

Another obvious one but you are what you eat and if you eat a healthy diet, then you should feel the benefits in all kinds of ways. Your body and your hair will certainly thank you and you’ll get the nutrients you require into your system as well. It’s as simple as that. So make sure that you’re always doing what you can to keep your diet as healthy and balanced as it can be with all of the major food groups, vitamins and nutrients covered. I'm not saying count calories, or deny yourself the food or drink that you love, just try to cover your food groups, and make sure your getting all your vitamins, and don't forget there are loads of specialised hair vitamins out there and multivitamins out there if you fancy giving them a try.

Leave Time for Hair Masks

I've reviewed a lot of hair products over the years, and as well as finishing products, shampoos and conditioners, I've also talked about and loved a lot of hair masks and deep conditioning treatments.

Washing and conditioning your hair is obviously something that’s very important but if your hair needs a bit of extra help then trying to integrate an intensive treatment or hair mask into your routine. Hair masks and the like can really help to repair and moisturise your hair in a way that regular shampooing and conditioning can't. There are loads of products out there that address all different types of concerns so have a little look at my Beauty Product Directory and all of my Trimming My Stash posts to find out more about some of my favourites, and some of the products that I've tried x

Explore the Benefits of Hair Transplants

I must admit I do tend to neglect the boys a bit on this blog, but this tip is especially for you. I think now more than ever, probably with the emergence of social media, and reality tv, men are now under the same pressure as women to look good, and they have their own set of insecurities, be that abs, or that perfectly natural thing, hair loss. If you’re a man who’s experienced male pattern balding there isn't a quick fix - obviously you can embrace it, there are loads of hot male celebs with little are no hair so there are some amazing role models out there but if you want to do something about it then that's fine too. and there are several things out there that you can look into . Hair transplants are more successful than ever before and the results can be very impressive. Be sure to check out these before and after pictures of hair transplants if it’s something you’re interested in and what to learn more about

Shield it From the Sun

Over the last couple of years, or so, most of us have probably haven't seen the sun that much, but with things hopefully getting back to 'normal', we can now start dreaming again of sunny beaches, and city breaks. Yes we probably all need that Vitamin D again but the sun can cause serious damage to your hair, especially if it's already coloured or over processed The more steps you take to keep your hair covered when the sun is out the better, so grab yourself a funky bandana, or a big straw hat, and a UV hair protector spray before you hit that beach or even that beer garden. It might not seem as important as protecting your skin, but your hair can get damaged as well over time if it’s exposed to UV rays so if you really want your hair to be your crowning glory then you should keep your sun exposure to minimum.

Hopefully putting some of these tips into practise will help bring back those good hair days, but if you're still struggling than maybe have a word with your GP, as some illnesses can lead to problems with your hair, and of course have a chat with your hairdresser, sometimes all you might need is a good cut and a pamper session to get you back on track x Wishing you many Happy Hair Days ! Now where's my Elasticizer...

*Collaborative / Partnered Post

A Little Purchase From December + An Update

Hey my loves just a quick little post to show you something I received in the post today. When I saw my bestie over Christmas on her finger was one of the infamous Scrabble rings. I really loved how it looked and being a bit of a Scrabble fan I ordered one from the lovely Dainty Dollymix
Excuse the bad nails - packing boxes etc hasn't helped my hands :(

Cute eh :) Thanks Sinead xx
Just a little update whilst I am on too, If you follow me on twitter you'll know that this week had mainly been spent packing my life into boxes ahead of the new central heating installation next week, I officially have no bed now too - my own bed didn't survive been dismantled so I am now getting my shut eye on a mattress, still after this hell is over I will be getting a nice new bed :) To be honest I wish this was all over it's going to be a nightmare I spent all day yesterday lifting boxes and stuff and I am really paying for it now :( I was in agony all night and I could barely move let alone walk, I had to get up early this morning because we had someone coming to move some furniture away from the root of the new gas and water pipes and I have to say I fell asleep on the sofa, bleurgh! Never mind after a trip back to bed I am feeling a tiny bit better so I am going to have a pretty easy rest of the day before a nice bath, some magazines and an early night x I had planned to do a few more posts this week but I'll try and get them up over the weekend - stay safe and enjoy the snow (again!) x x

A Review of The Day

Fooled yah - no not a beauty product review but I couldn't think of a catchy title for this post about my day so this is what you've got (evil giggle) LOL
As you know I had a doctors appointment at an unearthly hour this morning - I am pleased to say it went OK, my blood pressure and ears are fine, and he is leaving my medication at its current levels - wahoo!!! We talked about a few things and I have been left with something to mull over and look into - I am not going to say what it is at this stage because I may decide to take it no further but I have some serious thinking to do on something that could be life changing (or not!- maybe that is one of the biggest things I need to consider whether it would change my life- hmmm).
Anyways maybe more of that to come - I popped into Tesco as planned only to discover the absence of any magazine I wanted - no August issues yet boo :(. Not only that but despite the temperature being really high in Northern England today, the sun wasn't shining and the sky was actually quite dull. Obviously my planned afternoon of sitting in the garden reading a glossy mag just didn't happen today, I may have got some kind of tan even with the sky being dull but it just wasn't appealing anymore, so I spent the afternoon watching Christmas crafting on QVC can you believe it Christmas already!!! argh! I was going to watch some tennis but women's tennis doesn't have the same appeal to me - the Williams sisters dominance and all that grunting to be honest really puts me off :( so QVC it was.
One good thing did happen today though (apart from some yummy strawberries and cream - £1.99 for a punnet of strawberries in Tesco and you get a free carton of single cream :) ) my Avon came, and because I didn't get a magazine my mum paid for it :) I got two tubes of the Skin So Soft Targeted Firming Treatment for £5 (BOGOF :))

I am really persevering with this one these will be my 4th & 5th tubes. I can't see whether its making a real difference yet but it makes your skin so soft whether its down to the product or the built in knobbly rubber applicator which you use to massage the cream in I don't know but there always seems to be some sort of offer on this line so its well worth trying :)

My shopping trip on Thursday is still on up to now and I can't wait - the thought of Superdrug is making me particularly excited at this moment in time -GOSH, Barry M, Sleek - Bring it on!!!!

Product Of The Day - Stila

I was in a bit of a rush this morning due to my early doctors appointment, so my make up was done in double quick time using a lot of multi use products. On my eyes I used a Stila Shadow Pot Eyeshadow Mousse in Honey. I bought this a few months ago and apart from a quick test it has remained unloved since, so seeing as it was something I could just slap on my eyes I gave it a go and I was really impressed with the pretty finish but I didn't find it that long lasting - never mind it is ridiculously hot today and that may be why, so here are some pics - sorry its just a swatch but alas there is none left on my eyes :(

The pretty packaging



The product in the pot probably the most realistic shot colour wise


A swatch on my hand

Too Much Sun?

It is ridiculously hot in Northern England today - a few hours in the garden this afternoon and this happened - hmm - bring on the after sun