Natural Colour Works!

Colourist and owner Bradley Evans of Soho hair salon Jigami, is a very clever man. He took me, a virtual colour virgin (I say virtual because I can't deny many years of experimental colour in my teens and early 20's. Yes I've been blonde , copper toned , raven haired and varying degrees in between) but I had not had a drop of colour in my hair since 2006 thus making my hair , as a colourist would describe "Virgin Hair" . It was all my own , a rich dark brown which I actually really liked but after seeing the likes of Millie Mackintosh (Made In Chelsea) and Lily Aldridge (Victorias Secret model) with their sultry , subtley sunkissed locks I knew it was time for me to go back on the bottle (bleach not booze!). Or was it? Now as far as I was aware the only way to lighten the hair, aside from lemon juice in the sun, was to use bleach which wasn't ideal because of potentential long-term damage and the dry dullness it left the hair with after regular use. Bradley explained that the Natural Colour Works he would be using to lighten my hair was an innovative soya based colour completely free of ammonia and bleach which would absolutely be able to create the look I had in mind but be much kinder to my hair and leave it soft and remain shiny in between touch ups.
I trusted him to work his magic and when the time came for the big "reveal" as my hair was dryed off. I held my breath incase my hair was too blonde or stripey or brassy looking but I needn't have worried because it was exactly as I'd hoped it would be , maybe even better! My hair looked lightly , ever so subtlety sun kissed but it made such a difference. I looked younger, fresher , softer , the tone was spot on-it wasn't too warm or too cool-it was beautiful , it looked as it I'd spent a week on a beach but felt soft and looked shiny as Bradley has promised Natural Colour Works would leave it.
I didn't have to return to the salon for about 10 weeks to get the roots touched up and the colour didn't fade or go lighter or leave my hair dull looking as I'd experienced in the past from lightening my hair with bleach. My hair remained soft and healthy looking and I had numerous compliments from family, friends and even complete strangers! It has now been about 8 weeks since the second time I've had it done and I can happily say exactly the same thing as the first time-it really does look gorgeous and feels so healthy.
I would highly recommend Bradley Evans and Natural Colour Works to colour aficionados and colour virgins alike , you won't be disappointed. . . as I said he's a very clever man. Call the salon now on 02072870788 to get your appointment in time for summer (when it finally arrives!).

The Ultimate Nude Lipstick

Finding that perfect "nude" lipstick is like finding the perfect foundation or mascara -a real makeup bag staple for women and makeup artists the world over. And once you find the one that makes your lips feel luscious (one which doesn't sit in the cracks of wintery chapped lips like so many nude lipsticks tend to do), one that makes you look younger/fresher and one that goes with whatever eye makeup look that takes your fancy, be it a smoky Brigitte Bardot look or simply a slick of mascara and liner- you'll never want to be without it!
I do believe I may have found all of the above and more besides. With it's pure olive oil and vitamin E the Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Pèche by Laura Mercier glides on like silk and leaves lips beautifully soft,well hydrated and the colour is so flattering. It makes you look softer, fresher and is the perfect accompaniment to a cat eye makeup look and more natural looks equally.
The pigment is good without looking chalky or overpowering and it is just the right shade of nude with a peach undertone which would be flattering on women of all ages and most skin tones.
The packaging is sleek and glossy and most certainly a very welcome edition to my makeup kit.
Snap one up for yourself at any Laura Mercier counter in John Lewis, Fenwicks , Space NK or House Of Fraser for 20 of you Great British Pounds and you'll be mighty glad you did.

Get into Spring with glowing skin!

My lovely mummy who is a bit of a skincare junkie like me recommended I try this radiance inducing Rose Otto mask by Dr Organic. I have to say I am really impressed with the results- it leaves my pores non existant and refined and gives my skin a gorgeous glow as soon as I remove it. It's the best mask I've tried in a long time and at under £10 it won't break the bank either. Bonus! It gives me even better results than my favourite Manuka Doctor Rejuvenating Mask containing bee venom and Clarins Hydra Quench Cream Mask containing hyaluronic acid katafray bark , both much pricier at £49.99 and £28 respectively. The key ingredient is organic rosehip oil known for its moisturising, soothing and softening effects on the skin. It contains polyunsaturated fatty acids which are involved in cellular membrane and tissue regeneration. Furthermore it contains trans-retinoic acid, which is responsible for skin rejuvenation, quicker healing time and repairs skin subjected to excessive sunlight and the resultant photo aging.
If your skin is looking a bit dull and lacklustre this is for you.

Buy this in store at Holland & Barratt or online from the Dr Organic Website. http://www.drorganic.co.uk/rose-products.asp