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Co-Lab Active Dry Shampoo*

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If you’re blonde, like me, chances are you have a few dry shampoos tucked away in your hair stash somewhere. I love how handy they are if I’m just popping out for a starbies or the gym, and can’t quite face the hairdryer. Even when my hair is freshly washed, I usually give my roots a bit of a blast just to give me some volume and texture.

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Colab has just released a brand new ‘Active’ dry shampoo that’s just perfect for getting rid of post-cardio ick. As someone with naturally dry, wavy hair, I pretty much write-off my hair after working out. It’s usually big, pouffy and a bit damp. Not exactly what you’re after, but now the gym has installed a whole range of GHD dryers and straighteners, I don’t need to look like quite the sweaty mess I’ve looked like in the past. Instead, I give my roots a good blast from the dryers, mist the dry shampoo into roots, massage in, then run the straighteners over everything. My hair looks soft and fresh, and I’m not left with any sort of residue. It means lunch-time workouts are now actually a possibility!

Colab Active Dry Shampoo is priced at £3.99 and is available here

 

The Bardou Amplifying Mist*

Bardou Amplify Mist

I first spotted The Bardou on Instagram – their feed is filled with the most glamorous of girls, all sporting hair you would kill for. You can bet money that the next time I’m down in London, that I’m heading in for a blow dry. But, until then, I’m content with using their products daily at home.

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All of the Bardou products I’ve tried so far are pretty much a blogger’s dream. Slick black packaging with rose gold accents look so chic in my pretty much all-white bathrooms, and I’m glad to say, they perform just as well as they look! Every morning, after shampooing and conditioning my hair as normal, I’ve been spraying a little of Bardou’s Amplifying Spray through my roots and ends then brushing through. It protects hair from heat styling, as well as providing volume and bounce, so it’s perfect for my AM blow dries! After a couple of spritzes, I get to work with a round bristle burst to get a smooth, bouncy finish. Since I’m not exactly an expert when it comes to all things hair, I do tend to finish the process with my trusty T3 straighteners. The Amplifying Mist means that my roots have lift that lasts all day, and my hair is super shiny, and has a lovely swishy, swingy feel that almost feels like I’ve just stepped out of the salon.

Bardou’s Amplifying Spray is priced at £12.00 and is available here.

Wella Elements Hair Strengthening Serum*

Wella Elements Hair Strengthening Serum

As someone who puts rather a lot of strain on their hair, I’m always on the lookout for products which might undo some of the damage. On a regular basis, I slather my ends in all sorts of lotions and potions, but I tend to leave the roots pretty much alone, so, when Wella sent over a bottle of their new Elements Hair Strengthening Serum I got rather excited.

Unlike most serums I use, this one is specifically designed to be used on the scalp and roots of the hair. Designed to strengthen hair fibres, create volume and maintain a balanced scalp, the Hair Strengthening Serum is part of the Elements range which is free of sulphates, parabens and artificial colorants. Although Wella say that you can use the serum prior to styling, it’s a little heavy for me, so I’ve been using the serum every second or third night. I love how easy it is to use – I simply spray a little of the serum on my roots, working my way from the front to the back, sectioning off my hair. I massage it in, throw my hair in a top knot and then head to bed. I’ve been using the serum for around three or four weeks now, and I’m seeings a noticeable difference, most obviously in those baby hairs. They seem to be growing more quickly than usual, and my hair feels smoother and sleeker too!

Wella Elements Hair Strengthening Serum is priced at £16.49 and is available here

Gift Guide: Vidal Sassoon Infra Radiance Hot Air Styler*

Vidal Sasoon Infra Radiance Hot Air Styler

By my own admission, when it comes to my hair, I really do try to be as low maintenance as possible. I believe in using a great shampoo and conditioner, indulging in some hydrating styling products and finishing my ends off with a straightener. It’s a pretty boring routine, but it’s one I’ve been loyal to for quite a while. Until now that is, as I have fallen absolutely in love with Vidal Sassoon’s Infra Radiance Hot Air Styler.

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Despite the long name, the Hot Air Styler is an absolute gem of a tool – it’s a hybrid of your round brush and your hair dryer, and in a word, it’s genius! Since I’m a bit of a klutz, the tool has been an absolute for me – I’ve pretty much abandoned trying to give myself a round brush blow dry. Instead, all I have to do is just use this gem of a brush.

Vidal Sasoon Infra Radiance Hot Air Styler 2

The brush has two temperature settings, as well as a cool blast, so it’s really easy to control the heat you need for your hair. Every morning, I’ve been sectioning my hair off, and using the Hot Air Styler instead of my usual hairdryer for the majority of my hair. Working in sections from the front of my hair, I simply work the styler through the hair as I would a brush. It’s amazing for adding volume and shine that lasts throughout the most hectic of days!

I’m absolutely obsessed with my Hot Air Styler, and I can’t believe I’ve never tried one until now! I think this would make a perfect Christmas present for any girl who loves salon-worthy hair every day!

Vidal Sassoon’s Infra Hot Air Styler is priced at £32.00 and is available here

Champagne Blow Dry – Electric Hair Edinburgh*

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I’m not sure that there’s anything quite as luxurious as having your hair blown dry. Sitting back and letting someone else brush, tease and gloss your hair just feels like such a treat, add in a glass of champers, and I’m practically in heaven. So, as you can imagine, when I was kindly invited to the gorgeous Electric salon nestled in Harvey Nichols, I was rather excited!

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The Electric Salon is tucked into the front corner of Harvey Nichols’ Beauty Hall. It’s a little haven from the bustling store, so, as you relax and enjoy a little primping, you can people watch everyone sampling the most divine perfumes and makeup. When I popped in for my appointment, the weather outside was the definition of miserable – rain, wind, and basically everything else that leaves your hair flat and fuzzy, so as you can imagine, I was in desperate need of a bit of hair help! Thankfully, Electric’s wonderful Scott and John came to my rescue!

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I was greeted with a much needed glass of icy champagne, and then after catching up a little, I was led over to for a shampoo. The salon uses the Electric haircare range, of which I’m such a fan! Since my ends were feeling a little frazzled, Scott used the Hydrating Shampoo, and followed it with Electric’s restricting treatment. As my ends were soaking up all the goodness, I was treated to the most heavenly head massage, which made all of my stresses completely melt away. John then discussed exactly what I was after with the blow-dry (smooth, glossy with a bit of volume) and got to work. I’ve never seen the technique he used before, but it was genius. Rather than the regular barrel brush from root to tip, he used a shorter brush to achieve volume at the roots, then finished everything off with the barrel brushes. The result was smooth shiny hair that had an amazing amount of bounce. I do wish I wasn’t the world’s most awkward selfie-taker, and it was an absolute work of art!  I felt so good with my new ‘do that I just had to go have a wonder around the store, and ended up leaving, not only with a glossy mane, but a new pair of winter boots, and a pot of the Restructuring Treatment too!

A Champagne Blow Dry at the Electric Hairdressing Salon is priced at £40

Thank you so much to Harvey Nichols and Electric Hairdressing for having me!

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