Great Expectations. Tips and tricks to growing long, strong healthy hair!!

Model Unknown

Here it is. At some point in all our lives we will be at a stage where we want our hair to g...r.......o........w...!!!!! Whether it's a drastic restyle that you regret, or layers you had put in that you now don't want, a fringe too short, a colour you need to grow out, or you want long hair for a special occasion to style or put up, I can confidently say we have all had that feeling of looking at our hair in pure frustration willing it to GROW!!! The pain staking examination of every extra millimetre in length and the determination to avoid a hair cut at all costs, well here I am to give you a few tips that I have learnt (as I am currently growing my hair at the moment and have been for the last TWO YEARS!!) and I can say they work, to encourage healthy growth. This advice is random and what I have followed myself, do so as you wish!

1. Have some inspiration....On your bedroom mirror put a photo of someone with hair that you want yours to be like (within reason of course) and look at it everytime you doubt yourself in your growth journey, because it will be tough at times!
2. Do not wash your hair everyday!
   When you think about it your hair falls out during its cycle anyway, but when you wash it you are putting it through brushing, scrubbing, rinsing, drying etc. which will cause added trauma! So by not washing your hair everyday you will save those few hairs on you head that aren't ready to pop out yet!
3. Use treatements as often as possible!
   Obviously if you feel your hair doesn't need one then don't do it too often, but when growing hair it can become dry and brittle, so to keep the ends healthy (thus keeping length), then a good treatement is worth the effort.
4. Moroccanoil is my hair growth aid (reviewed in previous post!)
5. Head Massages!By stimulating the blood to your scalp you are stimulating the roots of each hair and giving them a boost of nutrients they need and love! So a head massage everyday will encourage healthy growth.
6. Head scrub!!
   If you cannot get a massage then when in the shower really give your scalp a nice scrub when shampooing! It will have the same effect, and leave you feeling nice and fresh!! Not too hard mind I don't want to be responsible for sore scalps!
7. REGULAR TRIMS!!!!!!!
   I completely understand that when growing your hair the thought of getting it cut is horrible! And I myself don't LOVE getting my hair trimmed, but it is a must!
    When I first started growing my hair I didn't get it cut at all! Unfortunately after roughly 6 months my ends were so split and damaged I needed a good inch off!! So I felt it was not worth it at all. So please!!! A little trim roughly every 7-8 weeks and you will notice how healthy your hair is!!
8. Wear your hair up.If you try and wear your hair up as much as you can you will save any damage to your hair from trying to style it with curlers, straighteners etc. Also, when you wear it down you will notice it has grown since that last time you wore it down! Try going two weeks with it up and see how much difference there is!
9. Ditch the heat!We all know that heat damages your hair, and by damaging your hair you will need it trimmed more regularly, therefore not as much growth. So try to avoid your hair dryer, straighteners, curlers, rollers or any heated equiptment, I know this sounds tough but think of your goal!
10. HAVE PATIENCE!It will take time, but you will get there. That's one nice thing, whether it is super fast, or really slow, all hair grows, so it is not impossible. It is entirely possible, anyone can have long hair, but not only will you have long hair if you follow my tips, you will have long healthy hair!! And that is something to be very proud of!

Good Luck everyone, and I intend on making a post about my hair growth journey, so I can let you see how I am getting on.

Love N x

1940's Pin Up Girl hair tutorial

Hiya my fashion heads, here we have my first hair tutorial. I love this look, you can make it as vintage as you like or rock it your own modern way. Give it a go, and send me some pictures of your versions, would love to see them!

Love N x

Moroccanoil Review

  



 I have been a fan of Moroccanoil for years now, and cannot speak highly enough of the stuff!! It actually is a life saver, this is my 'one product on a desert island' item! Honestly couldn't live without it! The product is a golden 'oil' and has a similar consistancy to a serum, and it has endless uses! All which result in lushious healthy shiny locks! Here are some uses:

• For course thick hair to tame
• Smooths frizz
• Can even be used on fine brittle hair to encourage keeping it healthy and strong
• Prevents split ends
• Can be used on wet hair to detangle and condition
• Or on dry hair to add shine and smooth
• Can be left on quite thick as a treatment
• You can add a drop or two to your hair colour to help the condition during colouring!!

It really is a mirical product! I use it every day and I have quite fine hair and it is never heavy like other oils or serums. Also the smell is sooo nice! Some people say it smells like chocolate? It is definately a very spicy smell not sweet like most products which makes a lovely change. I have to admit that the item isn't cheap at roughly £30 for a 100ml bottle however they usually last over 6 months! Some people have the same bottle for over a year as you only need a tiny drop each time. The Moroccaniol company also have many other products in the range which I have used and they are also great, but this one is the staple product. If you want reviews on their other items let me know! Thanks my lovers N x

Fuck me pumps ;

When you walk in the bar,
And you dressed like a star,
Rockin' your F me pumps.

And the men notice you,
With your Gucci bag crew,
Can't tell who he's lookin' to.

Cuz you all look the same,
Everyone knows your name,
And that's your whole claim to fame.

Never miss a night,
Cuz your dream in life,
Is to be a footballer's wife.

You don't like players,
That's what you say-a,
But you really wouldn't mind a millionaire.

You don't like ballers,
They don't do nothing for ya,
But you'd love a rich man six foot two or taller.

You're more than a fan,
Lookin' for a man,
But you end up with one-nights-stands.

He could be your whole life,
If you got past one night,
But that part never goes right.

In the morning you're vexed,
He's onto the next,
And you didn't even get no taste.

Don't be too upset,
If they call you a skank,
Cuz like the news everyday you get pressed.

You don't like players,
That's what you say-a,
But you really wouldn't mind a millionaire.

Or them big ballers,
Don't do nothing for ya.
But you'd love a rich man six foot two or taller,

You can't sit down right,
Cuz your jeans are too tight,
And you're lucky it's ladies night.

With your big empty purse,
Every week it gets worse,
At least your breasts cost more than hers.

So you did Miami,
Cuz you got there for free,
But somehow you missed the plane.

You did too much E,
Met somebody,
And spent the night getting caned.

Without girls like you,
There'd be no fun,
We'd go to the club and not see anyone.

Without girls like you,
There's no nightlife,
All those men just go home to their wives.

Don't be mad at me,
Cuz you're pushing thirty,
And your old tricks no longer work.

You should have known from the jump,
That you always get dumped,
So dust off your fuck me pumps

Amy Winehouse a minor tribute, the beehive will be eternally hers <3

N x

I have a dream...

define:dream

a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep;ambition: a cherished desire; a fantastic but vain hope; indulge in a fantasy

Wedding Season

As it is wedding season you can imagine how many 'hair ups' are coming into the salon at the moment! I really love hair up as every piece you do is always unique and you can be as classic or as individual as you like. It's also lovely when you have a whole wedding party come into the salon, bride, brides maids, mother of the bride, photographer and they are all drinking champagne, it creates such a girly environment. There is also such a feeling of romance in the atmosphere. If I see a wedding is booked in the appoinment book I honestly look forward to it! Here are a couple of up do's I have done in the last couple of days!

I'll try and post more as they come along! N x

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

It's time for hair and all the trimmings!! Accessories, adornements, decorations, paraphanalia, embelishments, bit and bobs, WHATEVER!! Anything goes now ladies, if you can put it in your hair then do it! Raid the bins, your Nans sewing box, your siblings toy box! Just chuck it in!! It's all about adding something to your barnet to make a statement, it can be as subtle as you like, or as bonkers as they come!

Christian Dior Couture 2011-2012

Alexis Mabille Couture 2011-2012

A La GaGa

<3

Keep an eye out my fashion heads because I'm going to root around for some unique hair accessories so I can really show off an avant garde hair do!! Now the crazy lady down the road with tin foil in her hair doesn't look so crazy! Much Love Nx

Lust List!!

A quick post to show a few things I stumbled across today and am actually wowed by!
Firstly is WAH Nail Studio in London. I am actually stunned by the nail art that they have shown!! I love the concept! It's transfering fashion trends onto the finger nails! I am really inspired and will be reaching for the varnishing myself and trying to recreate these ASAP!

These are two of my favourite, I cannot get over the ice cream one! Yummy scrummyyyy.....

Also carrying on the scrumptious theme I fell upon this 'dip dye' image on the WAH nail website and I just love the neatness of it! I've seen some dip dyes that are quite rough, which isn't a bad thing but this one is so sleeeeek and the colours are great. Dip dye is seriously taking over the hair scene, whether it's neo fabulous like this one or more natural and sunkissed, there is no way of avoiding it!

Inspired Nx

Hair Nets and Colour Diffusions

So it's Tuesday! After having washed my hair yesterday the style I chose for today was the classic heated roller set. Last Saturday my boss went to a 1950's themed party and she looked fab and this inspired me to rock the rollers more often, and the red lips to accompany them, of course. As ever the process of strutting around you room with rollers and a hair net is as glam as ever and I can't help but feel like slipping into a black silk dressing gown 'a la' Monroe!

(here I have taken the rollers out and secured the rolls in barrel curls to cool)

... and here you have the final look!

Today when we had finished work at 5 we had a colour demonstration from Goldwell, the colour brand we use. We were shown a new range of red colours and techniques that were fabulous. Really amazing, the reds were so vibrant, and the technique was one I hadnt seen before.
 You apply the base colour to the regrowth as you would normally, but then you use the 'slabbing' technique throughout each section, mid-lengths and ends, applying a variety of colours to create such a funky effect. It great because it has more of an edge than foiling, but softer than panelling, can't wait to try this one out.

How lush are these!! Makes you want to take a walk on the red side doesn't it!

N x

Before I go!!

Yes it is late and I am in need of leaving my blog for some sleep, however and suggestions for posts?
I know it's early days and I think I have only had one veiw thus far ( probably myself :S hah ) but I would love a suggestion if anyone is interested in making one. Chances are I will do it because at this point I don't have a very large following! Thanks N x

Hiyaaa!!

By the way, this is me! Hi!

And so onto them, a Blog was born!!

So this is it! I've always contemplated publishing my passion about hair to the world, but was never too certain about whether to or not, but today 1st August 2011 it has begun! So I'll get you updated:

I finished my A Levels in 2009 achieving A in English Language, B in Media Studies C in Textiles Art and A in Fine Art. I left college with hopes of progressing to University to study some area of 'fashion', however I was never certain of what area I wanted to study, but didn't want to take up a course that was too 'broad'! I'd always had a natural flair for English so considered publishing, yet have also been artistically creative since a young age. Subsequently I decided to take a break between College and University to find out what I really wanted to do! In this time I decided to qualify as a hairdresser so that whilst at University I could work as a self-employed stylist. And this is where my passion started.

 I've now been working in a salon for over two years and have found what form of fashion I most love. There really isn't enough appreciation for the art of hair fashion. I believe that at some point in the future I want to be able to create something that gives people a place where hair can be celebrated for its fashion presence. Currently we are surrounded by the influence of celebrity hair styling, and don't get me wrong Cheryl Cole's hair stylist really does have something to be proud of, but I want to bring hair fashion back to the wonders of the unique! I want to be able to see hair and think, oh my god, how was that done? or oh my god,  how was that done!

 I'd like to give a massive thank you to HEAD magazine, it was a tremendous inspiration to my career in hair dressing and truly will be missed. A great hole has been left where this magazine once filled my head with the wonders of the industry!

 So to round things up, before I pour out my brains into one post (!!) I welcome all readers and thank you for whatever bazaar reason you stumbled across this blog for reading, and hope you return!
N x