Hair and Hair Loss: Making The Most Of What We Have

I recently wrote a post called My Top 5 Beauty Finds For At Home Pampering, if you haven't already read it - head over before reading on.  My absolute favourite from that list still has to be the Babyliss Big-Hair. You see, my hair is what hairdressers call annoying! It's fine hair and there's loads of it, which makes it really difficult to hold a style. Aside from styling it though, it sheds a LOT. I'm forever being moaned at by the husband (like it's my fault?!) because nobody can't move without picking my stray locks off of their clothes. Oops!

Seriously though, I do wonder where it all comes from because trying to get a thick looking barnet is almost an impossibility. Just washing my hair is a momentary cause for concern but once I've dried it and realise there's still most of it left, I often think of those who genuinely do suffer hair loss. I mean, if I panic when what seems like fists full shed, what on earth goes through their mind? Do I really have a right to whine about how I can hardly ever wear my hair down or that doing something other than a top know makes me look VERY thin on top?

Trying to do something different to the usual top-knot!

From Wayne Rooney with his bold move in having a hair transplant at a relatively young age to Gail Porter with her well-suited embracing of alopecia instead, every little bit of publicity it gets is bound to help at least one person out there.  A quick search online brings you to the likes of the Online Doctor LloydsPharmacy, where you can find prescription-only privately available medication to stop or slow hair loss. Another thing I didn't realise was even a thing is hair thickening spray, something that was recently alleged that Rooney has been using to further help his hair troubles. Oh, and what about that beauty who wowed us all when she took off her wig on Channel 4's First Dates a few weeks back?!

Absolutely GORGEOUS!

Losing hair is a huge thing that affects both male and female sufferers. Until it starts to go, I guess we all take it for granted. So I'm going to continue using my Big Hair and be thankful that I still have something to work with instead of moaning... I can't say my husband will stop his whinging though next time he finds my strands in his cornflakes or whatever other exaggerations he comes out with haha!

Is hair loss anything that concerns you at the moment?

Leave a Comment Tags: hair, hair care, hair loss

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*Review* Stone Bridge Hair Accessories

I received an exciting email a couple of weeks ago from a company I currently 'like' on Facebook and follow on Twitter called Stone Bridge. They saw my hair handling hoo-hahs that I often write about and offered to send me a couple of items for the purpose of reviewing on my blog. 

Arrived beautifully packaged 

First a little something about the company itself, Stone Bridge offers something a little more different than the average hair accessory. They are made to suit your precise hair type, which should mean no more loose and useless clamps or overly tight claws giving you an unnatural facelift (c'mon, we've all been there!)

I was a little sceptical firstly as although my hair is fine, there is a lot of it, so it makes for difficult styling in that any 'up do' will usually fall due to the weight and a 'down do' is often flyaway with volume being an impossibility without heavy back-combing and a cemented still with hairspray.

Up first was the Super Comfy Half Inch Headband in Pale Plum (rrp £25) suitable for all hair types.

When I saw how much these retail at I was wondering why, or rather who, would pay so much money for a hair band. But I didn't let this stand in my way of reviewing this product fairly. It is way out of my usual price range for items such as these.

You can see from the pictures that the band has a very smooth finish in a kind of marble/pearlised design. There are no rough edges that will catch in your hair at all, and although it has a stiffness, it is flexible to your head shape - no manipulating the band hoping it doesn't snap whilst you do it!

The colour is one I wouldn't usually have chosen but the good people at Stone Bridge advised it would suit my hair colour and skin tone, which I actually do agree with having worn it on several occasions and received a great deal of compliments.

The comfort of this item is true to it's namesake. It is super duper comfy. You know when you wear a cheap headband and you get those pain behind the backs of your ears from the pressure of the band? This doesn't happen whatsoever with this product. You simply cannot feel it!

I have a wispy fringe, I usually have to use a kirby grip to slide it to by my ears. You can see from my pictures that once you put the band in place, any hair under it holds like a dream, just ease as much or as little out as you like using a fishtail comb or your fingers.

Next up I had this beautiful Cadre Rectangle Tortoiseshell Claw in Silver Shell.(rrp £33) suitable for fine to medium weight hair.

Again, a bit pricey compared to what I would usually look at, but you have to appreciate the workmanship that's gone into creating this item. It is stunning.
One thing I noticed was how tight this claw closes, I under-estimated how much force you needed to open this at first. I thought 'uh-oh... it's going to give me a face lift!'

I twisted my hair and clamped it up, expecting it to be far too tight, but wow! You just can't feel it in! Honestly, it was weightless and held my style just as I wanted it to - not too tight and not too loose.

It has a sort of 'window' on either side so you can still see the majority of your style, as well as the beautiful hair accessory itself. I hate it when people have a large claw clamp just stuck to the back of their head and you can't see any hair - just get a short back and sides if that's the look you want! (Quite nasty of me really, actually just surprised myself there - but it's true!)

Okay, so honest opinions now:
> Beautifully made
> Comfort to the maximum
> Holds styles perfectly
> Stunningly gorgeous!
>Tad pricey but you really do get what you pay for here.

10/10!

Have you guys found the ultimate when it comes to hair accessories?  

What are your thoughts on Stone Bridge Range?

WIN SET OF 2 SUPER COMFY HEAD BANDS 

AS FEATURED IN THIS POST.

Ensure all entries are completed via the rafflecopter in order for them to be registered.
All entries are optional however if you complete all entries, you'll unlock a free daily bonus entry. The more entries you do, the more chance of winning. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

T&C's

Closes 17/12/2014 at 11.59pm

Any entries deemed false will be removed prior to the random draw.

Winner agrees to details being passed on to StoneBridge Hair in order for prize to be fulfilled.

Whilst we endeavour to get your prize to you for Christmas,  we ask that you allow up to 28 days for any eventualities such as postal delays, weather etc. Good Luck!

44 comments Tags: accessories, fashion, hair, hair care, review, stone bridge, win

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*Review* Batiste Dry Shampoo

I was kindly sent 3 varieties of Batiste dry shampoo to test at the end of July. I have really taken my time to use and review these items as, well, being one for washing my hair everyday (usually) I was finding it a little difficult to get to grips with at first and wanted to make sure I was being fair, not frustrated!


I have just past shoulder length hair and although there is a lot of it, it is very fine. It leaves up-do's as the only option on most occasions as a down style will fall and drastically fail. Back combing is such a pain and very time consuming - something I just don't have a lot of.


I was sent the coconut scented one (as I usually use a coconut scent shampoo - I thought that would be the safer transition!) Along with the brunette variety and XXLVolume - both perfect for my hair predicament!

As I briefly touched upon before, At first, I'm not going to lie, I found it difficult to blend in correctly. And even when I did, my hair felt "tacky" like, well, grease and powder!

However, after 3 or 4 uses, I was beginning to see where I was going wrong. The label instructions on the can, although correct, are not quite clear enough for a serial hair washer like myself.

XXL: Ok,so not styled, but certainly not greasy: RESULT!

In my case, It's separate the hair into 2 inch chunks and direct spray at the root but with a distance of 30cm. 2. Tip head upside down and rub vigorously (handy hint: upside down head helps residue fall to floor, not on clothing!) and 3. Use fingers to style - or a thick bristled brush, combing or using a standard plastic bristle brush made for more 'tack' feeling and also started a very feint grey colouring, like the powder has become stuck (although I couldn't be sure... it might have been mine?!)

I was able to wear my hair on the side when I was using Batiste - something that is usually an impossibility due to my fine hair failing to hold. You can from the picture that it does look quite impressive and keeps a healthy shine about the barnet - not a grease slick.

COCONUT: Side do was possible!

Good grief, I'm making it sound like I'm an oil making machine, the way I'm commenting on grease! Bottom line is, I need to wash my hair every day. So having taken my time to get to grips with Batiste, I was slowly but surely gaining a God-Send!

I found the actual performance between the three varieties were equal, despite one of them claiming added benefits of  XXL Volume. I felt all three created it XXL Volume anyway so it should be incorporated in to each name - for me.

I used the brunette shade on a day when my greys were bothering me. I was very surprised at how natural it looked. I was concerned I'd look like a Just for Men customer gone wrong - especially with my earlier experiences of  the 'tacky' feel. However I was pleasantly surprised and again, was able to wear my hair in a side messy bun. The increase in natural volume (i.e without heated appliances) was also a fantastic benefit. My straighteners have recently blown up (no, seriously - blew up!) and I'm not the worlds best blow-wave expert either. My fringe usually sort of sits flat if I don't use hairspray and heat, but Batiste allows for a natural look without either.

Conclusion:
In all, once you've practised the application, Batiste is the best thing you could have in your bargain beautifying regime. It reduces the need for heat when styling, you don't need hairspray/mousse as Dry Shampoo doubles up, plus you save a wedge and a half when it comes to shampoo/conditioner - especially if you usually wash every day. You get rewarded for your patience, and with practice you can complete an entire 'hair-do' in just minutes.

There is NO difference with regards to the added volume after application. XXL is the same as the Tropical and Brunette and you get a good, quality ooomph every time!

I feel sorry that I've mentioned my 'awkwardness' with this product at first and I hope it's not put people off, purely for the fact that it really does work. Sometimes though, not everyone can see the obvious from the off :-s

I've checked out how much these would be to buy, I make it approx. £3.99 per variety for the 200ml size as I was originally sent.

My total score is be 9/10...  Marking this product down for just one reason, the fact I had to persist in practice. Eventually, I'm left with a gift from Hair Heaven!

8 comments Tags: batiste, dry shampoo, grey, hair care, review, shampoo, test, volume

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