Keeping Hair Healthy in 2020

I’m sure most of you will agree 2020 hasn't been on your side when it comes to keeping your hair in tip top shape. My last salon visit was in February to my trusty Aveda salon in Covent Garden, London. I can’t remember the last time I went a whole seven months without a cut and colour. For a brunette, my hair is pretty low maintenance, but I usually visit the hairdressers every 10 weeks. The moment salons closed with no reopen date in sight, it was time to limit heat usage, increase moisture and give my hair some at home attention.

For the past 6 months, I’ve been using Swedish brand Sachajuan - Minimalist, fresh, elegant, simple – but effective. Everything from the sleek packaging to the high-quality ingredients has been carefully selected to keep your haircare routine fuss-free. I first discovered the brand when staying in Hotel Grands Boulevards in Paris - one of the amenities was the Colour Protect conditioner. My hair had never felt so soft.

Detangle:

There are two tools I use on damp and dry hair. A large wooden comb, and the Aveda Wooden Paddle Brush. Both don’t snag at my hair. I also spritz the Sachajuan Leave in Conditioner. When combing, always remember to hold you hair at the top to avoid pulling at the hair, and never rub your hair with the towel as this will create knots and breakages. Gently squeeze the access water into the towel working your way from root to tip.

For Moisture:

If there’s one product I couldn’t live without it’s the Sachajuan Intensive Hair Oil. I use this on damp hair post wash. There’s something luxurious with all their products. Since using the oil, my hair has never felt more soft and shiny. And lets not forget the Aveda Damage Remedy Restructuring Treatment which I leave on my hair after conditioning for about 10 minutes once a week - it’s been on my bathroom shelf consistently for over 10 years.

For Scalp Health:

Dr Barbara Sturm Scalp Serum which includes Hyaluronic acid and Purslane - hydrates and protects against free radicals.

Fuss Free Styling:

Blowdrying has reduced these past few months. So on lazy days, I use the Schwarzkopf OSIS + Texture Craft Spray. It gives volume to your hair with a dry and tousled texture. The Spray also leaves no residue in your hair.

Now onto the colour... believe it or not I am naturally dark blonde, and the front of my hairline becomes a lot fairer especially with exposure to the sun. I am still trying to find a salon in Sydney, but in the interim I was introduced to BODA Hair Boutique in Melbourne. Yes, out of state - BUT, it doesn’t matter. With Melbourne in lockdown, I applaud the salon for thinking on their toes and finding an innovative way to keep Victorian clients happy, and hopefully other Australian states can experience the salon.

The BODA Home Colour Kit is designed to give hair an instant refresh during isolation and caters for all hair types including blonde, brunette, balayage or grey. Once purchased, a BODA stylist will compile the kit which includes a tailor-made colour for hair roots and ends, a bowl, brush and sectioning clip, just like the treatment experienced in-salon. 

For $119.00, the kit also includes a 30 minute virtual consultation with a BODA stylist, who will walk through the colour process step-by-step. New clients can also purchase a home colour kit and will be guided by a BODA stylist on the best colour treatment, based on their hair needs. 

I haven’t dyed my hair at home for over 10 years, but I think this is something I am comfortable doing again. I was assigned Prue, and she was so lovely and helpful. I think it’s also so nice to have that interaction with someone if you are struggling with being at home at the moment. Usually when I go to the salon I tend to switch off and enjoy the relaxing time. But this experience was more of a social one and it was actually quite fun!

The day after I coloured my hair, I booked a hair cut at Paloma Salon in Paddington. The trim was long overdue, and my hair is finally blunt and even again!

Shop the post below...

Images shot self-portrait

#Stylestructureselfportrait

Let's Talk Beauty...

Let’s talk beauty....

It’s a new topic over here, but wanted to update you on how my skin has changed quite a bit since moving back from Sydney. It’s only been the last year that I’ve really experimented with foreign products on my skin. I suffered from acne as a teenager, and it flared up after an allergic reaction to a face cream. It lasted throughout my university days and really hit my confidence. The cream I was prescribed would overly dry my skin (it would crack around my mouth and was so painful). I tried a light laser surgery and dermabrasion at about the age of 21 once my skin calmed down. I saw a slight difference in my skin, but as time went on I noticed my acne scars more and more. 

It was only after an ablative laser treatment in Sydney I really saw the difference in my skin. The ice pick scars were hardly visible after months of healing. I stuck with a chemist own cleanser and SPF (Australian QV brand), and was scared to put anything else on my skin. That was 3 years ago and I’ve slowly been trying and testing new products.  

I have to be honest and say I have been overwhelmed trying new products in the UK, and it’s taken me the last 5 months to really get into the swing of a good facial routine each day with products that work for me. The climate is completely different here and I was always under the assumption I had combination skin, but after seeing a few facialists here in the UK, it’s apparent I actually have dry skin. This shocked me! 

CLEANSERS 

I have been on the hunt for a new cleanser for the last few months. Some had that ‘squeaky’ feel which I hated and some just didn’t clean my skin deep enough. Last month I received a beauty box with tester sizes from Look Fantastic with a 30ml Eve Lom Creme Demaquillante Cleanser. Straight away I googled reviews and to my surprise I couldn’t find a bad one. It’s a cult brand, and the cleansing process is time consuming each night but your skin will thank you for it. It melts away make-up with the following gentle ingredients: 

• Clove Oil (has antiseptic properties to encourage clear skin)
• Eucalyptus Oil (helps drain away toxins)
• Hops Oil (tones)
• Egyptian Chamomile Oil (softens and soothes)
• Cocoa Butter (conditions) 

After massaging into the skin, you wipe away the days make-up with a warm muslin cloth. It even removes waterproof mascara. Finish off with cold water on the skin to tighten up your pores. 

I only used this cleanser for a week before I fell in love with it! So naturally I have also added the Morning Time Cleanser to my routine which is less time consuming and makes my skin feel moisturised and clean. 

MOISTURE 

So I’ve been through my fair share of moisturisers since moving home. My current go to is The Ordinary’s Natural Moisturiser, but still on the hunt for a good night cream! I recieved a sample of La Mer's Moisturizing Soft Cream which I actually really liked so will probably add that into my evening routine.

Serum wise, I alternate each night between Rodin Luxury Face Oil, and Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair face and eye. I was using both products in Sydney and feel they sink into my skin a lot more in the UK so feeling more of a benefit. If I need a little glow on my face, Vita Liberata do a nice subtle face tan which comes in serum form and glides on. Each day, I am also using the La Mer Lip Balm which I am sure I will see such benefit from when the weather gets a bit colder! 

SCENTS 

I loved Jo Malone in Australia, it’s definitely more of a household name in the UK and the majority of my friends and family wear their scents. It’s taken me a while to find my autumnal perfume, I tend to opt for more woody tones. I always wear different perfumes in summer and winter. I love coconut or fig scents in the warmer months (I’ve worn Maison Louis Marie No.4 for 3 summers) but my new go to scent is Velvet Rose and Oud from Jo Malone. My best friend is obsessed with Jo Malone fragrance combining. In case you're unsure, this is when you match a different moisturiser to the scent of your perfume which compliments all the notes. 

Thanks to my bestie I was introduced to the Pomegranate Noir Body Crème and now I have my mum obsessed, she has already made me aware this is what she wants for Christmas this year! Although tan can't really be classed as a scent, I beg to differ. Chanel L'Eau Tan is an absolute game changer in regards to the best smelling glow on the market and also the most natural. Plus the bottle is to die for, the perfect stocking filler (too soon?). On the sleep front, I am using The White Company's Sleep Collection, which includes body oil, diffuser, candle and bath soak with lavender, chamomile and clary sage notes. Perfect for a relaxing night.

I hope you’ve enjoyed my first beauty post. I have been wanting to write this article for some time, but felt my skincare regime was not quite there, whereas now I am actually happy with it. I can finally say I have found my groove in the skincare world with what works for me. It’s very hard to know what’s right for you. After all, we are inundated with the next best product that will transform your skin. I can assure you all the views in this post are genuine. I still have a lot to learn, but hopefully continuing with Hydra Facials (I now go to Beyond Medi Spa in Harvey Nichols) and continuing to educate myself more and more surrounding this area will help. 

On a side note, I regularly watch Emma Hoareau's (from Lolita Says So Blog) Instagram stories and she also has some really informative articles on her website. After my Hydra facial I was educated about Glycolic acid and Vitamin A, which Emma covers on her website on her acids article. Hoping to add these 2 into my routine this month, I am still reading reviews on different brands so will come back to you when I have tried them at home. 

Photography: Yours truly

A Classic Reinvented

The button down shirt. Probably the highest volume garment in my wardrobe. There’s something so timeless with this piece, and it seems to always reinvent itself throughout the seasons. I’m a fan of big sleeves (which seems pretty obvious by now) and stripes never become boring. There are so many ways to wear the button down, and for us in Australia summer comes around before you know it. So here are my styling tips:

1. Add delicates. Don’t always vision your button up worn so preppy. Unbutton a little and add a lacy bra let for a peekaboo effect. Keep this balanced with high waisted mom jeans and tuck the shirt in.
2. Think lines. Todays look if very structured and I’ve tried to mimic the sharpness of the sleeves and collar with an asymmetric skirt. There’s no rules with the length of skirt, play around with midi and mini.
3. Buy one size up. This year, I’ve been opting for larger sizes in shirts. Purely to have the extra room to pull off one shoulder or tie in a loose knot at the front.
4. Don’t be afraid of prints. There are so many cute styles around at the moment. From bright florals to monochrome polka dots, there’s something for everyone.
5. Add wrist candy. I love subtle jewellery, unbuttoning the cuffs to show a timepiece. Always keep your watch the same colour as your jewellery. I’ve opted for rose gold today to stay in line with the warm tone of my shoes.

I’ve kept the structure throughout the look with my new Marni shoes which have the coolest heels! Not to mention this toggle detailing on this Christopher Esber skirt. I’ve fallen head over heels for it and bought it in khaki also! Such a great piece, and will definitely get wear to of it with a relaxed fitting tee for a more everyday style.

Shop The Look:

Natasha Shirt: Nice Martin or Caroline Constas via Shopbop

Dual - Knot Resin Vent Skirt: Christopher Esber via Farfetch

Faye Medium Leather and Suede Shoulder Bag: Chloe via Net-A-Porter

Cutout Leather Pumps: Marni via Net-A-Porter or similar here

Rosa - Rose Gold Mesh Watch: Adrien Harper Watches

Photography and edit my myself