Tuesday's Tips & Treats

Different styles or methods suit different people but today I'm going to share a few of my tips that work best for me, and for the purpose of this post, you!

Rinse out conditioner with cold water 

You may have heard of this before but most likely it's gone in one ear and out the other. That was certainly the case for me. It wasn't until two weeks ago when my mum found out about this tip and decided to test it. Result: she loved it! Instantly buzzing about how soft her hair was, I couldn't help but hold the first hand proof that this works in my hands and give it a shot myself. 

I loved it too. I felt an immediate different in the softness of my hair and also how tame my hair was. The cold water must have reduced any flyaways unlike hot water, where the intensity and heat from the shower to your hair seems to frizz it up. Don't worry, there are no unturned pages when it comes to this trick: just do your usual conditioning routine/method and replace hot water with cold. 

I can imagine you're fretting and worrying that 'how on earth can I enjoy a shower when it's the equivalent of bathing in the Arctic Ocean?!' however there is simply no reason to worry! The heat from the hot shower water before conditioning will have warmed your body up inside and out, so chances are the cold will only act like a soft mint to the tongue and refresh your skin and act as a soft wake up call for your brain if your shower is first thing in the morning when the bird's start singing. 

Blow dry your hair completely

It's fine to strut your stuff in a hair turban after a shower, just not for too long! I find blow drying my hair leaves it totally straight and volumised and doesn't require any further straightening and will last until your next wash. Leave it long enough for the towel to soak in any major moisture but make sure your hair is still damp. To test this, squeeze your hair gently with your hands and it should still feel wet, just not dripping. Brush your hair through (this is easier and more pain-free if you used conditioner whilst washing it) and then comb it through (using a detangler if you must) to abolish all knots and then rack your hair dryer up to full blast and maximum heat. 

If your hair is thick like mine, it may be easier to pull it forwards so that your two sections of hair rest on your shoulders. Make sure that your parting is in place too. Whilst brushing your hair through, point the nozzle of the hair dryer onto your hair still brushing it through and just work your way through each layer of hair until you cannot feel any damp at all. 

It is important that your hair is bone dry because if any part of your hair is still damp it will dry naturally and wave, which is not what you're after if you want totally straight hair. This tip is brilliant and since I started doing this after every wash I haven't stopped. NOTE: even if it rains, your hair shouldn't return to it's natural state but instead curl softly. This is what happens to mine but I'm sure it depends on the thickness and texture of your hair. 

In my case, I cannot fault these tips! 

Enjoy teasing your friends with your secret to flawless hair! 

Chloe. xxx

OOTD

I've been stuck on ideas for what to write about so like confused kids would with a sack load of homework, I resorted to google. One of the first results suggested that I write about what I am wearing today.

Three guesses for what I have decided to blog about!

I chose to blog about what I'm wearing over the many other suggestions because it would provide you with an insight to my every day fashion sense and it's also quite a fun topic to write about because I myself know better than anyone else about what I like to wear!

Instead of using my own photos to show you exactly what I'm wearing, I'm going to be a bit more creative and search the items of my outfit on the internet and from various shops and put together an adventurous outfit concoction which hopefully bears the most resemblance as possible to the original one. If I'm able to, I'll try and find an exact match!

Seeing as it's early October the weather is getting chilly and my need for warm comfortable jumpers is growing, the first item of my outfit is:

This is a very similar cream/beige jumper to my current one. It's from Topshop and only £42.00 but mine was from Forever 21 for (if I remember correctly) £32.00 (so cheaper)! It's cool and neutral coloured for a low-key and casual day. The second item is: 

These look like a perfect match! I'm wearing khaki coloured (my current fave shade) skinny jeans and I can't remember where I bought mine but these are currently on sale at New look. Don't miss out! The third item is: 

These are a similar pair of beautiful gold flower earrings that I put on the instant I get home form school on a Friday. I got them as a Christening gift years ago and the other day during the inevitable childhood rummage we all have from time to time my mum produced these from the precious box. I fell in love with them instantly! (When I'm old and alone with my cats, it'll be okay. I'll have these). The final pieces to my look are: 

Now these are all exact matches, except for the mascara which I do have just am not wearing today! Seeing as today is a stay-indoors day, nothing fancy is required. No bright lipsticks or big eyes just a tinted Vaseline, faint eye liner and soft mascara to do the trick. You can get these at boots.

So that completes my outfit and look for today! Soon I will be doing a monthly review of some of my favourite items or products to do with hair, fashion or beauty and why I loved them so much so keep an eye out there for some success-guaranteeing must-haves that will hopefully work a treat.

Chloe. xxx

Find Your Perfect Parting

Little did you probably know, that your parting can have a massive impact on the accentuation of your facial features. Wrong part; you get the wrong look. It all depends on your face shape. 

Before reading the post, I knew a surprising fair bit about partings as my face shape is oval/heart - according to my oh so salon professional mother - and during the admittedly embarrassing years of my childhood I lived in great naiivity with, embrace it, a middle part. 

Not great. 

Due to this, my mother constantly mentioned (on purpose? Of course) how I looked, to quote her, 'Victorian' and did I like this? Not much: but not enough to actually do something about the drastically drear look. 

Now I am a bit more self aware and am discovering how a deep side parting suits my longer face much more and causes my face to appear wider in shape, instead of stretching it out and making it longer. I found out this is exactly what a middle parting does, on those days where I feel like trying out and experimenting with different partings (as there's such a wide range) which only feels like I'm rubbing salt into a big deep wound as I reminisce of the days in my youth. 

If you're in desperate need - or maybe just interested - of a change in your parting you may be grateful after reading more about which parting suits your face shape best.

If you're unsure what your face shape is (because staring at yourself in the mirror everyday has simply made it no clearer) then find out here.

Happy discovering! 

Chloe. xxx

The Braided Crown

The braided crown certainly makes you feel like royalty! The other night my friend decided to sit me down and try out something on my hair. 

Half an hour and two tries later...

I ended up with this! (And a mega achy neck). 

They may be a few little outcast tufts but I'm not kidding when I say this is all my hair, and it wrapped so prettily into the middle creating a spiral like style (as you can see). 

What I love about this hairstyle is that it keeps all your hair out of your face and if you French plait it (like here) it will stay in for days on end! It's perfect for highlighted hair too as it really shows the two different colours - you can really see my ombrè. 

Thanks Issy! 

Chloe. xxx

My Wishlist

I've adopted a habit where in every season I write a wish list. It's actually quite fun (downside: it makes you realise how you're probably not going to get any of the things) but it's cool to see the type of person you are just by looking at things you would like. I thought I'd share some of the things on my autumn wish list, and I'll say whether I actually have the things now or not as well!

1) A watch

I'm hoping for the birthday.... For now I simply rely on my phone for the time (or my poor friends).

2) Trouser dungarees 

Went into topshop, saw them, looked at the price, left. 

3) Light blue boyfriend jeans 

Did someone say Christmas is coming up?

4) White tee

GOT IT!

5) Grey tee

NOT YET. 

6) New dressing gown 

These are so snugly and comfy for when it's chilly. But no, haven't got one.

7) Gold chain necklace
Before you ask, I don't mean rapper gold chain 'bling'. I mean a simple gold chunkier-than-usual necklace to add a bit of voom to an outfit!

8) Cute white bobble hat

I literally cannot be more specific than that! 

9) Red bow

I bought a white lace one from Greenwich if that counts? I adore Greenwich market.

10) Lipstick

Seeing as it's currently school time, I don't think I'll be needing one of these for a while! 

11) Onesie

I know I'm so late with this but I'm the only one of my friends left without them and I'm sure I'd practically live in it. 

12) Patterned jumpers

I bought one from Forever 21 and it was all I wore for about a week (not literally).

13) Bangles
Seriously want some of these, at the moment I just have loads of random holiday-bought coloured ones but I'd like some silver or gold ones. (note the gold theme?)

14) Tartan Scarf
This is my absolute want. Can't find them in any shops (sad face) so I have been spending most of my time on the internet, shopping! (Which is what I do anyway really).

So there's my wish list so far. No doubt I'll be adding to it as the month precedes! What's on yours?

Chloe. xxx

Plait Fun

When it comes to plaits, 'I'm a total sucker' for them is probably an understatement. Right now I just can't get enough of them! Speaking of which, are plaits the understated look of the season? There are countless things you can do with a pretty braid: from wrapping it over your head to teasing it, the list is endless. 

How to 'work' a plait however, is a different story. Nobody wants to be scuffing around school or the shops trying to pull off the 'school girl pigtail' image. It's frankly a crisis, (unless, of course the prehistoric Viking look is what you're going for) That's right - plaits are not supposed to dangle from above your ears like a curtains cord. Who remembers dear Amanda from Matilda? Say no more. So ... that's why I've equipped this post with some picture inspiration for you to get braiding!

Chloe. xxx

The Messy 4-Braid Updo

"Ugh, I wish I knew how to do that."

... is something you won't be saying. When I saw this step by step tutorial I was surprised at how easy it was! There may be many stages but none of them require the hair dresser knack and this is GREAT for the days when your hair gets in your face and falls out of place (which, let's face it, is every day). Love it. Simples!

Chloe. xxx