Review: envy professional style hero

You know when you get a blow dry in a salon, and leave with your hair bouncing and feeling amazing? I want that all the time! Granted most times I'm much too lazy to bother with giving myself a blow dry and generally just roughly blow dry, then style further if I want to. The Envy Professional Style Hero (£14.95 for 150ml) is a super lightweight serum type product that you use on damp hair before blow drying, or leaving to dry naturally that promises to give you the salon 'wow' factor.

It helps calm flyaways, and leave hair with shine and much more manageability. I found using this alongside texturising products helped to avoid a dried out, frizzy finish. It also helped enhance my colour thanks to the Keratin,Silk and Wheat protein infused formula conditioning my hair. I chose to ignore the directions on the back of the bottle, as thought 5-10 pumps was far too much product for my mid length hair. I went with three which was plenty and used a comb to make sure the Style Hero was evenly applied to my hair. I think you could even add this to your volumising mousse to give some super styling to your hair.

The Style Hero has got a great fruity scent to it, and this stays with the hair throughout the day. Because of the lightweight formula I found with a little blast of dry shampoo, I could go three days without washing and the casual beachy style waves I tend to wear still looked great, and the ends looked conditioned - something I always struggle with. I'd definitely recommend to those who want a professional result, without the effort. Just make sure you tailor to your own hair needs, a little trial and error may be required, but once you've got it the Envy Professional Style Hero* will certainly become a staple in your styling routine.

Reasons to be Cheerful #7

One...

Getting healthier. I'd really let my fitness slide due to long working hours and a love of a blanket nap. No more! I've joined my local Pure Gym - which is a bargain and a great way to gym if you are busy, and enjoy classes as much as being left alone to get on with your fitness plan. I have loved getting back to running on the treadmill, weights and spin classes. Okay, the last one, not so much - why do the seats hurt so bloody much!

Two...

Shopping. Especially when it's online. I've been using Octer, who make it so easy to shops LOADS of brands. They have soooo much, and you can search through tons of brands for a particular item or choose your favourite store. I really dislike going shopping, I find being in busy shopping centres a bit of a stressful situation so this is PERFECT. I sat on my sofa, on a rainy day, and had a good old online rummage.
I picked up some amazing new boots from ASOS, along with some basic tops from Boohoo. Also got some neckchiefs to add a little interest to my outfits, and to throw round my hair if I need to. That's my shopping for the month done, I always feel a little guilty buying clothes and make up, but when most of your money goes on bills and a mortgage I think that's probably natural.

Three...

Friends. Having moved away from my hometown when I was 18, I feel so lucky to have not only kept in touch with friends from school, but also make new very important friends. Our friend Sam is back from China this summer and I can't wait to see him. Time for BBQ's in our garden, gigs and plenty of beers and cheers I think! It can feel lonely up here with all my family back in the West Country, but thanks to Tom, and a great group of friends I feel very at home and like I have a great support network when I need them. Without being too soppy, I love the bones off of them all. Also, this photo makes me miss my longer hair and fringe...

Better Baking

So, I've got better at baking. Who knew eh! After years of cakes harder than a brick, icing runnier than water and brownies that were more black than brown, by Jove I think I've got it! And it's all thanks to getting the right equipment you see.
I asked for a food mixer for my birthday last year. Whilst a Kitchen Aid was in my sights, I had to get realistic and went for a more within budget option (but still as pretty) Breville Pistachio Stand Mixer. It's a great value mixer, that comes with dough hooks, beaters and a handy little recipe book.

My tips for keeping it simple. Start small - practice your basic mixes and for gods sake get some scales. I was trying to use cups and things, and it just doesn't work. Baking is science. Cooking you can lob in anything and balance it out, baking, no no no. Too much flour, knackered, forget the baking powder, trouble brewing. Don't try and substitute ingredients, I made that mistake with using butter spread rather than proper butter. Shortbread slid off the baking tray into the bin. Bake things you'd like to eat and give them a go. I don't like ginger in baked goods, so why would I cook with it? (love it in savoury, just not in biscuits and cakes) I prefer savoury so breads and buns have been my love. Google recipes or look to some fab blogs for inspiration. My favourites are Rachel Khoo, The Mother Cooker and Jamie Oliver and I always pick up Tesco magazine as the recipes in there are easy to follow and turn out pretty well.

Review: OSMO Extreme Volume Mega Styling Foam

I'm always on the hunt to find a styling product that will boost volume and give my hair a bit more bounce. OSMO have recently released a styling foam that promises mega volume and textured hold, so is it any good. In a word, yes.

It's a lightweight foam, not to be confused with a mousse. This would be great for those with finer hair who want to add some oomph. My mid length lob can sometimes look a little flat and with commuting it can take a battering. By the time I get to work and give it the post walk-from-the-station brush I can be back to boring and lacklustre. This stuff lends a helping hand to maintain lighter hair that can be scruffed up to give a textured finish. You simply pop some product into hair, concentrating on the roots and then blow dry in sections. The blowdrying in sections is pretty important, It helps keep hair from becoming - the only way to describe it - a claggy clump. 

It's got a fresh fruity fragrance and is great for those who suffer with frizz. Containing Soybean oil and Rice Protein, it helps hair feel thicker and fuller. Combined with heated rollers or even velcro rollers would definitely set and boost your style, a couple of pumps of the foam on mid length hair is enough once combed through. 

The OSMO Extreme Volume Mega Styling Foam (which contains UV filters and thermal protectors) is definitely a product I'd use when styling my hair and clients, and you can pick it up online from Amazon (prices vary from £6-£8 for 245ml)

Travel: Jetting off to Jersey

With a travel wishlist, and a budget, Tom and I have realised if we want to visit different countries we need to be a little clever in our approach. We had already had a lovely mini break over in Copenhagen, and decided the next would be a trip over to Jersey to see Tom's sister and her boyfriend. I'd never visited Jersey before, but was blown away by the beauty of the island, and we had such a great weekend.

We booked some cheap flights with Easyjet (who have recently started flying to Jersey) and the flight from Luton took around the same time it takes me to commute...making me thing I could easily run away to Jersey and just get a flight rather than a train to work! Booking in advance we paid around £70 for both of us (return flights)

As Jersey is a small island (9 x 5 miles) it's easy to see so much whilst you are there. We stayed in Trinity and managed to squeeze in *deep breath* a trip to La Hogue Bie, Durrell Wildlife Park, Smugglers Inn pub, Devils Hole, sunset at Plemont, lunch at the Hungry Man at Rozel Bay and lots of wandering around the beautiful coastline. Ooh, not forgetting an underground bunker (which was quite scary!) All in two days! The weather was amazing, and we returned home feeling relaxed, and rested.

Jersey is a great place to visit, and I would highly recommend a trip. It helps we had some fantastic tour guides in Stephi and Josh, but I think just driving around you could easily explore the island.

Definitely worth a visit - thanks for the memories Jersey!

Inspired by: Rita Ora, Met Gala

When I saw Rita Ora at this years Met Gala ball I had a little swoon. She looked gorgeous, from head to toe. Make up was perfect, and the gown was futuristic Swan Lake perfection. Know what else caught my eye...you guessed it the hair.

Such a great way to add some interest to shorter hair, and particularly slicked back styles. Whilst looking quite at home on the Met red carpet, it would also look fantastic for festivals. I didn't have any mirrored pieces to hand, but I did have some hair tattoos from Maddyloo. So easy to apply, and you can create so many different looks with the designs.
They work the same way as temporary tattoos (skin transfers) you used to get when you were younger, I remember them in bubblegum sweets, anyone else? You cut the design you want out of the sheet and remove clear film, then place on hair where you fancy. Use a wet flannel or some kitchen roll, holding over the tattoo for around 30 seconds. Gently peel away an edge to check it's ready and if so, slowly peel away the backing leaving the tattoo in place. So easy! I tried out the metallic range, but they also have a great glow in the dark range (amazing for dance festivals and nights underneath the stars) To remove I just popped some conditioner on my hair, waited a few minutes, then rinsed and shampooed as normal. Do not try and brush out of hair as you'll end up a sticky knotted mess!

Check out the festival style posts I did last year for some more inspiration, 

glitter parts and grip patterns to try out! 

And look out for a festival inspired giveaway coming next week...