I did not know what to expect when I received my clip-in hair extensions from Irresistible Me. The original colour I was going to get was out of stock so I contacted them for a really simple colour match, you just send in a picture of your hair in natural daylight and they send over options that would suit your hair colour and type, they are so sure of their matching abilities that you can send them back if they are not correct. I decided on this set here in 24” extra volume as I already have thick hair. I was not sure they would match before they arrived, convinced they may be too dark, but boy was I wrong! They came beautifully packaged in a tube storage container and they were so thick and soft. The hair is very good quality and is 100% natural human hair with a 99% quality rating since 2013. They can be heat styled and washed as you would your normal hair. I have used many extensions over the years and these are by far the best clip-ins I’ve had. I only have half the hair in on this picture above to give me extra length and volume and the colour blend is perfect. I styled them with my irresistible me hair straighteners to create this curl. I had many compliments on my hair and no one thought they were extensions. Currently, there is a great sale on so get yours while they are on offer!
I have the NEW ”Irresistible Me” black diamond hair straighteners, woo hoo! I could hardly contain my excitement after owning my old red irresistible me straighteners for many years which I absolutely love for sleek, shiny, frizz-free straight hair. See the original blog post here. The new curved design did not disappoint, that is the difference between the two so these are going to be great for curling. They are also extremely stylish, I much prefer this classic black and rose gold titanium design. They glide through my thick unruly hair and make light work of my frizz due to the negative ion technology. They reach a temperature of 450 degrees F or 230 degrees C for us Brits with a turbo heat booster that gets to temperature within 15 seconds. You will need an adapter plug as it is American but they are only a couple of quid. They have a long 8ft cord with a 360-degree swivel so are easy to use, they are also surprisingly lightweight. I absolutely love the results these hair straighteners give me and can’t wait to get them to work on my new clip-in hair extensions from Irresistible Me. All products from Irresistible Me can be bought here.
Well, another day, another award winning Salon visit!
Everyone knows their hair is their crown and glory and I’m always nervous visiting different salons to review, however, I need not have been worried when visiting Collective Hairdressing smack bang in the middle of Newcastle town centre. They are the most reviewed salon in the North East of England due to their unique five step consultation. They listen, advise and educate all clients in the maintenance of their hair. Currently ranked 1st out of 7,355 UK salons as of the 23rd of September 2016. Winners in the English Hair & Beauty Awards 2015 for the Team Service of the Year. As of the 18th of February, finalists in the English Hair & Beauty Awards 2016 for not only Hair Salon of the Year 2016 but also Team Service of the Year 2016. (seriously check these guys out!)
Before my visit, I had a skin test which is most important when going for a colour. The moment I met Paul the owner, I felt immediately relaxed. He is fun, happy and more importantly has years and years of experience and really knows what he is talking about.
Never have I ever had such an in-depth consultation, which consisted of colour matching to my skin tone (we discovered I was cool tones), a discussion on what I wanted to achieve, an in-depth explanation of the products we were going to use and why and the current condition of my hair.
After explaining I wanted a deeper darker colour as I felt I was too light, Paul explained just by going cooler on the same level will achieve this. I also wanted slices of a vibrant contrasting caramel colour, Paul explained this is known as strobing and picked the perfect colour to marry with the dark ash tone. We then discussed the length. My hair was long but quite heat damaged on the ends, I went in not wanting to lose any length but I trusted Paul and understood that losing some of the length will not only make my hair more healthy but would also give me the body that my crazy thick, naturally curly hair needs.
So after The 30 mins consulting Paul was ready to get to work!
Paul started by cutting off the length (he would then finish my cut later). The lightened slices were added and then my all over dark brown colour. This was left to develop while I was looked after with offers of refreshments. The salon has a lovely feel, Paul makes sure your involved in any conversation and all clients speak with each other which is lovely.
The developing time was up and I had a toner applied to my lightened slices of hair at the basin. This is where the magic happens, not only with the toner but with the products used in salon. Collective hairdressing use Loreal Pro Fibre and this was used on my hair when shampooing and conditioning. I did not have the smart bond treatment we hear so much about when colouring, which keeps the condition of the hair throughout, however, I did get introduced to the pro fibre ”restore” range and have since been using this range at home with amazing results. I was very concerned how my hair would be after with the bleaching, but a combination of a good cut and using the right products, my hair is looking and feeling fantastic.
Once toned and washed Paul gave me an amazing blow dry so he could finish the cut. The cut was important for my hair type, curly hair with body needs cut correctly and Paul explained all this. He also wanted me to see my look curly so finished off by curling it for me.
I was over the moon with the results, my new look is much more on trend and my hair looks and feels amazing. I would highly recommend this salon ladies and if your a fan of Loreal products, they sell them all!
This week I finally got to visit the award winning salon Frances Marshall, located in Sunderland. I became aware of this salon when they won the Sun Fm ‘best salon’ award the same year I won ‘most stylish blogger’. From then I had them on my radar as one I needed to visit. Our paths crossed when once again the guys were up for another award I presented at the ‘made in tyne and wear’ awards and although they did not win they were shortlisted which speaks volumes. The owner, Amelia Hall was a guest on the show I co-host called Chatty Lasses and she was an extremely knowledgeable stylist.
After meeting Amelia on the show, we got talking and agreed next time my colour was due I must visit. I am very picky about who touches my hair but knew I would be in safe, experienced hands.
As a professional salon, I was asked to attend for a consultation and patch test first. Amelia was more than accommodating and allowed me to pop in when it worked for me. Sunderland is a good 40 mins away so I worked it round meetings I had in Durham.
On arrival, parking was a breeze and the salon looked very grand from the outside. I have to say the inside did not disappoint either. It was huge and beautifully decorated. The penny wall at reception stood out to me instantly and I was intrigued to ask how that came about. I was asked if I would like a drink and asked to take a seat. I opted for a coffee and these guys really pay attention to detail as you can see from the photo.
Amelia came over and asked what I fancied. I am one of those nightmare clients who show a picture and say ‘I want that’ which is exactly what I did. I was not going for a huge big change as I did like my colour but wanted it freshened up for my holidays and more ‘stripy’ as I described it. Amelia explained she would apply a dark colour and lighten a few stands so she needed to test my hair. She took some hair so she could make sure it would survive the process and popped some colour behind my ear to make sure I did not have a reaction to the colour. Amelia was confident that my colour could be achieved and I made an appointment for 2 days later.
Wednesday arrived and I was excited to get my hair done. Once at the salon Amelia explained that my hair had lifted well, however, she would be using ‘smart bond‘ to reduce any further damage. Opalex was also an option but Amelia went for smart bond for my hair type. Amelia used a ‘paint on’ technique painting the colour exactly where she wanted it rather than use the traditional foil system. she paid particular attention to blending with the new dark root colour too. I waited patiently for it to develop all the while drinking prosecco, reading trashing mags and getting excited as I could see it taking form before my eyes.
Once developed it was time to pop over to the basin where the colour would be washed off, a toner applied and not forgetting the 2nd smart bond product too. Within the salon, training was taking place for the newly qualified stylists. Frances Marshall pride themselves in a certain standard within the salon and give their qualified stylists further in-house training until they have reached that desired standard. This is why they win awards guys because all staff are at THAT level.
Back at my station Amelia gets to work on blow-drying my hair after explaining she will cut it after as I wanted that blunt cut currently bang on trend. Once dry the colour looks great and is exactly what I asked for.
Amelia is a great girl, lots of fun and an open book like me. I could have sat all day in that salon chatting with her. She has worked hard building her salon, is a great stylist and deserves all the recognition she gets. When it came to the blunt cut Amelia asked if she could use the clippers. Now I’d seen this done before on the internet so was up for giving it a blast. It is one way to get that real solid blunt line but don’t move for god’s sake. Next, she gave me that sexy, tousled, style to finish and I was extremely happy with the result. Check out my new do below and be sure to let me know what you think in the comments. I LOVE it and want to thank Amelia again.
If you would like to book an appointment at Frances Marshall please call 0191 5654080
I was sent some show beauty products to try and test. I was in the process of only washing my hair with conditioner following the ”Curly Girl Method” so the only products that were going to tempt and steer me off track would be these. Show beauty hair products are renowned as the creme de la creme of hair care and I have heard great things about the products brought to us by Tamara Ecclestone . I have also previously had the pleasure of visiting the show blow dry bar in House of Fraser Gateshead for a spectacular blow dry ready for a very special event where I won Most Stylish Blogger 2016.
(huge hair)
Show Beauty do the most amazing blow drys that honestly last all week so I was delighted when I was sent a selection of products to try.
I was sent the products below
Show Beauty Pure Moisture Shampoo
Restore a natural shine to hair with the Pure Moisture Shampoo from SHOW Beauty. The luxurious shampoo provides exceptional cleansing and nourishment to hair, balancing moisture perfectly resulting in healthy and lustrous looking locks.
Formulated with a blend of Caviar, White Truffle and Shea Butter, infusing the formula with Minerals and Amino Acids in order to thoroughly condition and strengthen fibers. A combination of Soy Protein and Pro Vitamin B5 boasts moisturising properties, hydrating hair and helping to control frizz
Show Beauty Pure Moisture Conditioner
Restore the hair’s natural moisture with the Pure Moisture Conditioner from SHOW Beauty. The deeply nourishing formula balances hair’s moisture, resulting in intensely soft and smooth locks.
Formulated with a blend of Caviar, White Truffle and Shea Butter, the conditioner works to infuse hydration to each fiber for added tensile strength and exceptional gloss and shine.
Formulated without parabens and sulphates.
Show Beauty Dry Shampoo
Designed to cleanse and refresh your hair without the need for washing, this Premiere Dry Shampoo from Show Beauty gives your locks a salon perfect look, with more volume and a rejuvenated feel. Formulated with tapicoa powder and rice starch to withdraw impurities and absorb excess oil, this luxurious dry shampoo contains aloe vera, mango, kiwi and ginger to protect against moisture loss and give a subtle, fresh fragrance. K.D.
Show Beauty Finishing Spray
Giving you that salon perfect finish every time, this Premiere Finishing Spray by Show Beauty gives you a weightless, firm hold that lasts throughout the day and night. Formulated with a polymer memory system that keeps hair in place whilst giving your locks a natural look and a brushable finish, this spray contains AC Kerazyme to protect hair against the intense heat of thermal styling. A must have product for picture perfect hair. K.D.
Show Beauty Volume Mist
An innovative volumising hair spray, this Lux Volume Mist from Show Beauty provides your locks with salon perfect style that will last all day. Working to lift the hair from the root, this mist should be applied onto damp hair and will give a natural, brushable finish. Boasting a formula containing a protein rich blend of aloe vera, lavender, mango and kiwi, the Lux Volume Mist is a must have for picture perfect hair. K.D.
(Styled by Hair By Gemma, Show Beauty Hair products used)
I have to admit I love them all, the shampoo is very luxurious and you only need a tiny amount. It cleans your hair so well you can easily go 3 – 4 days without washing again hence why I believe the blow drys last so long too. I’ve never known a shampoo clean as well. The conditioner instantly detangles and nourishes the hair leaving soft smooth locks. The scent of these products is beautiful and lasts for days too.
The dry shampoo is not talc-based so you don’t end up with white hair. It is a fine mist that again smells divine and just prolongs the no shampoo days. I’m all for an easy life as I have long thick hair that takes an age to dry and style so anything I can use that reduces shampooing is a winner for me, plus its better for your hair.
The finishing spray gives superb hold without the ”crunch”. It’s a natural finish that lasts, smells amazing and has heat protection.
The Volume mist is one I would not use that often as I have great volume already, however on trying this product I can see why it would be a welcome addition to anyone who has thin hair that needs a root boost.
One product I didn’t receive but I know is their best seller and the one product everyone talks about was the Show Beauty Pure Treatment Oil so if you have tried this please pop your reviews below. I would be keen to know what you think of it.
Ok so Show Beauty Products may not be the cheapest but they are definitely a luxury brand that delivers results and sweet smelling hair to die for. As I have said, you do not need to use much product so they last a long time. The bottles are beautiful and look amazing on your dressing table so keep them when empty or even fill with other products because they are far too nice to throw away.
If you want to try the products be sure to book a blow dry at any of their blow dry bars located up and down the country. As I have said, there is one in House of Fraser Metro Centre which I can recommend and they also have the hair washing facilities unlike some.
I hope you enjoyed this review, lots of love Lisa xx
My Facebook inbox has been on fire so I thought I would post what I do here in a blog!. Now what works for me may not work for you as there are many factors, hence why you have to Google and study the CG method but here is the basics. So I started my curly girl journey just under 2 weeks ago.
(1st CG wash and I was already ready to give up)
I have naturally curly hair but too much straightening and using the wrong products made me believe I’d lost my curly hair with age and damage, (how wrong was I)?. I studied the method for a while before I took the plunge believing washing my hair with conditioner was just wrong!…(again, how wrong was I)?.
I decided to embrace my curls after having my extensions removed and seeing just how curly my hair had grown in from the root after months of eliminating harmful sulfates and silicone’s, aiming to keep my extensions in tip top condition. You can clearly see from the picture how curly the new hair was coming in and how straight the ends were after years off abuse off nasty products.
The idea behind the method is that you cleanse your hair in a ”final wash” ritual to rid any coatings of shite on your hair. The wrong products leave coatings that weigh our hair down, make it dull, are not water soluble and basically ruin a curly girls life!. I used my clarifying extension shampoo for my final wash. What you use needs to be harsh enough to strip all the crap away so containing sulfates is always good. Next throw away ALL shampoo as you wont be needing that again and instead from this day forward shampoo with conditioner, yes conditioner!!! Crazy right? don’t knock it till you have tried it. I wash with this CG friendly bargain beauty from Aldi and I scrub my scalp till it squeaks and trust me it does.
I then prefer to condition with a different CG friendly conditioner but you would not have to, that’s just my choice, I like tea tree for washing. Please look up products that are CG friendly as there are far too many for me to list and I will only be listing what I use. I use Tresemme un done to condition, it seemed a popular choice!. All CG products are water soluble hence why you ditch the harsh cleansing and smoothing agents in shampoo and styling products, we don’t need them to remove CG friendly products.
I don’t rinse the conditioner fully out and scrunch out any excess water with a micro fibre towel as normal towels are too harsh. I run my fingers through or use a wide toothed comb. I then scrunch in MORE conditioner, yes more! Don’t be scared of the conditioner, it will not make your hair greasy or weigh it down and your curly hair will love it. I then scrunch in either of these two gels which are both CG friendly.
Next is the PLOP, you wrap your hair in a T shirt encouraging the curl (you will need to you tube this). I only PLOP for as long as I have, sometimes 30 mins and sometimes over night, just depends.
Finally I diffuse my hair, its been years since I used a diffuser and it is my new bestie. You can of course let your hair dry natural!
and that my friends is it, you can make its as complicated or as simple as you like but I promise you that just ditching the shampoo and washing with your CG approved conditioner will be a massive game changer !
Love and peace out, embrace your curls, I’m excited to see my results in 6 months never mind just 2 weeks.
A couple of weeks ago I posted a blog (check it out) about these amazing hair straighteners and promised to share with you all a different look created with the same tool.
As you can see I have very long thick hair but that was no challenge for these flat irons. These are beveled perfectly to create amazing curls and because you can adjust the heat setting there is no damage to the hair. Check out this video on You Tube for a tutorial on how to create the perfect curl.
If you want to purchase them yourself then visit here, they cost $149 which is around £122 but if you sign up on the website you get an extra 20% off!
Living in a house full of boys there is nothing I love more than taking myself off for a little ”me” time and ”me” time for me is what I call ”faffing”. Faffing with make-up, faffing with hair, I just love faffing!!! My popular Facebook group tried and tested came about after a night of ”faffing” creating hair styles with a new hair tool i’d purchased, so you can imagine my delight when I was sent this new generation of flat iron from irresistible me.
They were delivered within a couple of weeks and packaged well, the box is stylish and would make a great gift. The flat iron is bright red in colour and lights up with led lights when in use. It has an american 2 prong plug so you will need to grab yourself an adapter. I got mine from the pound shop. All the functions listed on the box looked impressive so I was very keen to give them a blast
a 360° mobile cord that swivels around following your every move
a thumb print and cool tips for a steady grip and to avoid burning your fingers
all buttons are on the inside so you don’t accidentally change the settings
shuts down automatically in 30 minutes
gets hot (450F/230C) really fast, in up to 15 seconds
intelligent heat display that lets you see the temperature all the time
it is super light and comes in a beautifully designed box with magnetic closing that you can use to store it
it automatically changes the temperature display to Celsius or Fahrenheit, depending on the supplied voltage, making it perfect for travelling
the 1” floating plate self-adjusts, eliminating any pressure points, so that the iron can work through your hair smoothly without pulling
Warranty: 1 year guarantee
I have very thick naturally curly hair so it takes a good flat iron to tame it. The good thing about these is the variable temperature control so you can have the cooler setting for thinner or damaged hair, however I ramped them up to 230 oC because my hair needs heat!!!. They have a great clamp on the hair but also glide effortlessly with no snagging. They ironed out my hair in no time and i’m sure you will agree that the result is impressive.
Stay tuned in to my blog for more styles with this fantastic flat iron and if you want to purchase them yourself then visit here, they cost $149 which is around £122 but if you sign up on the website you get an extra 20% off!
Ok, so when I was told I could have my own show on Made in Tyne and Wear called ”Confessions of a Beauty Addict”, I just knew that I had to visit a hair extension expert. So many ladies ask on Tried and Tested about hair extensions, ”what method is best?”, ”are they hard to maintain?”, ”where is best to go?”, ”what hair is best?” etc so I really wanted to cover this treatment on the show. I researched and found a salon that kept popping up as a firm favorite on my Group called Dreamgirlz Hair Extension Boutique in Jesmond.
I contacted the owner Vanessa and we arranged to meet. I instantly loved her, she was enthusiastic, full of knowledge and bubbly, great for the show!. Her salon is out of this world and every station has its own flat screen TV which is impressive, nearly as impressive as the huge crystal chandelier which is the centerpiece and the classy decor. Vanessa was keen to give me a hair make over for the show and who was I to argue he he. I wanted big hair, big, long, bad ass hair and Vanessa didn’t disappoint as you can see from the pictures. After a consultation Vanessa chose a weft for me as I wanted lots of volume and length and she thought this method was best. I was pleased as this was a method I had never tried and I love to try out NEW, on trend treatments and this is very much the method of choice at present. All the girls in the salon have this method of hair themselves. This is the kindest method to your natural hair. The weft is applied with tiny micro rings and sewn in so no braids needed. The hair is distributed evenly so no tension to the root of the natural hair either. This salon uses hair of the best quality and if looked after correctly can last 12 months + so is a long term investment. I will be going for regular maintenance every 8 to 10 weeks to have the weft removed and naturally shredded hair brushed away and the weft fitted again. My aim of the extensions is to give my own natural hair a rest and let it grow, hopefully having the length I desire in a year. I can, if I wanted dye this hair, cut this hair and treat it exactly like natural hair but you must make sure you use the correct products for hair extensions available also from the salon.
Vanessa was great on camera and very informative. I am absolutely over the moon with my new hair. She achieved exactly what I wanted and it is so comfortable, you literally don’t know its in. Vanessa does some amazing work with ladies who suffer from alopecia and other hair loss conditions. She says this is her most rewarding work and I can understand why. Hair is everything to a woman. You can step out with a full face of amazing makeup and dressed out of this world but if you have bad hair everyone will notice. Thanks so much girls, you have made Mrs T&T a very happy lady!
Now there is no denying my love of milk_shake products for the hair!!! I have said it before many times on Tried and Tested. The smell of these products is divine and they have helped my over processed hair immensely and for that milk_shake, boy am I grateful. Milk_shake use only natural and organic ingredients which is crafted with care to suit specific haircare needs Here is some of my staple products I can not live without which help tame my crazy curly mane.
Curl passion shampoo – Gently cleanses curly hair, giving hydration and condition, eliminating frizz. Formulated with coconut oil sugars and grapefruit, apple and peach extracts, it helps maintain long lasting curls, leaving hair elastic, conditioned and shiny.
Eco-mist styler hairspray – Eco-mist hairspray that protects your hair and the environment. Gives long-lasting flexible hold and humidity resistance, ideal for all hair types, it’s perfect for finishing any style. With UV filters that protect hair color. Gives medium, natural hold leaving hair voluminous and radiant.
Leave-in conditioner – A leave-in conditioning spray for normal or dry hair that gives manageability to hair whilst protecting its structure and moisture balance. Milk proteins give strength to the hairs structure and fruit and honey extracts revitalize and give shine to the hair. Integrity 41 and vitamin E protect from UV rays, helping to maintain hair color.
Glistening spray – Gives shine, eliminates static electricity and improves manageability. Formulated with date seed oil extract and abyssinian oil, it gives smoothness and helps to maintain the hair’s moisture balance.
Curl passion mask – A rich mask for curly hair that gives deep hydration and conditioning, eliminating frizz. Grapefruit, apple and peach extracts, jojoba oil and shea butter help to maintain long-lasting curls, leaving hair elastic, conditioned and shiny.
To purchase Milk_shake products you need to find a milk_shake salon or buy online. My products are from A-List Salon in Sunderland..check out their facebook page.
