Life updates, Why have I been so quiet? Whats Been going on?

Hi all,

Well, I'm back after a very long time away, There has been a lot going on here in the last 6 months and I simply feel like I haven't had time to sit and write.

I have a new job
I have had Hernia Surgery
I have got hair extensions
I have a new car

I now work for the national trust in the catering team at Clumber Park. I LOVE it! I feel like I finally belong, and have found a job I love to go to and get up in a morning and look forward to it. Yes, I have taken a pay drop and had to rearrange and reassess my spending. But its well worth it for actually feeling and being truly happy. My family have all commented on how I seem genuinely settled and happy.

I around easter found a lump in my stomach that was very painful, which ended up being a "paraumbilical hernia". I was signed off work and was operated on within 3 weeks. It was a painful recovery, and now 4 months on I am still not 100% strong in my core and stomach, but it has made me concentrate on eating well, and gentler forms of exercise and the process of building back up.

My hair never grows, and if you have been here for a while I have documented this. I have tried biotin and millions of different products. So finally I have taken the plunge and got tape in extensions, (I am now on my second install). They have lasted me about 8 weeks before needing to come out and be retaped and reinstalled. I have been truly amazed at how much my hair is growing while I have them in. I think its a mixture of the extra heat on my head and the sulphate etc free shampoo I am using to maintain them. I know it is growing as I am needing my roots doing every 8 weeks, and I can usually manage 12 weeks. I think they will be installed 2 more times and then my hair should have grown to my desired length.

I had a big life change last year when my sister died, and one thing I have learnt is that life is true too short and if you want something go out and do it. Well, I have always wanted a convertible "Sunday car". And I worked hard and saved hard and thankfully I went and bought it just before the summer weather started. I have been very thankful and happy to be driving around with the top down and tunes on over the last few weeks. Whenever I have felt low this has been a sure way to very quickly pick me up.

At home hair colour transformation

Hi all
Recently I had been going to a hairdressers for my hair to be cut and coloured after it was getting lifeless and boring looking by my at home colouring.
However I felt that every time I went it was getting darker and darker (not exactly what I asked for)
I researched how to get my hair lightened (i dont like highlights) and the best option was a colour stripping product, then a toner / colour to get back to the desired colour.

I enquired on prices for this and I was looking at around £100 (wow!)
So I started my research, of if I could do it at home.

I prepared myself and purchased online from superdrug: https://www.superdrug.com/Colourless/Colourless-Hair-colour-remover-Max-Effect/p/705718
Its was in the sale reduced to £6.99 from £9.99

I also bought 2 nice and easy no ammonia 24 wash colours ready to get my hair to the new colour (if the stripper colour wasn't right) https://www.superdrug.com/Save-%C2%A31-on-selected-Nice-N-Easy/Nice%27n-Easy-No-Ammonia-Hair-Dye-Dark-Ash-Blonde-90/p/576756


I knew my hair had been dyed to a dark nearly black brown, and I am naturally a light mousy brown, but my hair has had many shades of blonde and browns in between. From my research I knew it was quite likely that I would go a reddy / orange shade, and to get an ash toner product to calm this down.

So today was the day ... I got up and quickly washed my hair and blow dried it (as the instructions wanted clean dry hair)
On goes the stripper, just like any normal colour, maybe a little runnier, the smell wasn't as bad as i expected however you do want to open all windows etc.
Once finished and combed through I put the cling film on and waited (and used this opportunity to catch up on a kardashinas)

When it is working you dont see any changes. Then i jumped into the shower, washing the stipper out I didn't notice any colour coming out in the water either. I carried on and used the "shampoo" pot and again no colour noticed. This was the first time I caught a glance of the end of my hair and realised it looks a bit red.

Out the shower and a comb through and quick blow dry, this then showed my hair was between a rose gold / copper / orange. It was deffo lighter than before, and about my natural lightness, however very much a warmer colour than I am. My hair felt a bit drier than usual, however I had not used any conditioner at all, so I am no surprised.

However the reason I went for this brand over others was you can use this as a stripper directly before other colours. Other brands say to wait at least a week, (however there is no way I was staying this colour for that long).

So after having lunch I set to adding my toner, usual mixing and put it on, wait 15 mins and rinse out. I also after this step left the inbox conditioner on for about 10 mins.
Out of the shower and voila! glossy silky light brown hair.

The pictures dont overly show it (blummin weather) but it is chocolatey brown, no doubt that im anywhere near black, I am aware as i wash my hair this will lighten a bit (and thats my desired effect). I had chosen a colour dark ash blonde, however this is for sure a light to mid brown.

I would not hesitate to use this again, however I am planning on not getting my hair too dark again. But its good to know there is a useful product in case of a mishap again.

Babyliss Big Hair 42MM & Thermo heated roller review

I have recently gone into a bit of a mode to look after myself and my skin and hair a little more,
I was toying with idea of extensions, however I have decided instead to do what I can to look after my hair and treat it well, while it grows.


I am going to wash with good shampoos, and treat weekly (or twice a week) with a rich nourishing hair mask. I am looking to start taking a supplement such as biotin too.


I am aware that adding more heat to hair is not a good idea and both of the products I am reviewing are heated products, however I am very lucky that my hair holds the style for days. So if I do my hair Monday it will hold until I need to wash on Wednesday night / Thursday morning.


Babyliss Big Hair 42mm,
I love the smoothed bouncy effect when I go to the hair dressers and they finish my hair with a "bouncy blowdry". I wanted to find a way to make my hair replicate this at home. I have naturally frizzy curly hair and didn't know how / if I could get the smooth effect myself without straighteners.


I have never been able to manage the blow dryer in one hand and brush in the other system at home, therefore seeing the big hair was very interesting.
If you are not aware the big hair basically takes the two tools and turns them into one. The hot air comes out, and the brush end spins and finishes your hair.


I went for the middle size brush for my long bob / shoulder length hair. I used this one evening when I had time to play, and from shower to finished was 10 minutes! I was shocked at how easy it was even on first play. I did need to get used to pressing the buttons in the right direction for the side of my head, (curl under or curl over)


I am very happy with the full effect this gives, with the smooth finish. (please ignore the lack of makeup - it was about 9pm)

Thermo heated rollers,
I wanted a day with tighter curls and a little more vintage look so out came the rollers, I put the rollers on to hear while I had my shower (they take about 10 minutes to heat up) and then after the shower blasted my hair with the dryer (making it a big frizzy mess). Brushed through and started with the rollers. I used the biggest sizes and started on the top on my fringe / parting sections, easly securing with the comb clips. They felt secure and not tight (like pervious roller experience) I then sat down and did some work for about half a hour while the rollers cooled.
Simply hold the end of the roller and unclip the comb - once all out the hair was a tighter curl, so I simply swooshed the hair a bit (think because I'm worth it lol). I was very happy, leaving a different look.
I know that there were 3 sizes and the size of roller used and length of time you leave in can give different effects.

What do you think? Or what can you suggest of looks to try.


Nicola

A weekend off for a wedding photographer. - by going to a wedding

This weekend I shall be having a weekend off from my "day job". By attending a wedding, but this time as a guest.
Therefore what does this mean? 

• Hair & and nails are being done
• Makeup is being done
• The outfit has been planned to perfection
• Overnight bag is packed
• And the most scary one ...... not a camera in sight

I don't know if it is strange that I am half dreading not having a camera with me, however firstly and most personally, I have been asked to be a guest therefore I should enjoy the day and "live" the moments.
Also for vanity, I cannot fit one in my handbag. I will struggle to get my phone and lipstick in there, never mind my DSLR and varying lenses.


I am just awaiting the temptation of someone leaving a camera laying around, or potentially being directly handed one by another guest to take a picture.


I did get the opportunity as my gift to take the engagement shots for the couple, however tomorrow everything will be left to another photographer.

Nicola