Do blondes have more fun? [review]

Do blondes have more fun? [review]

 

I had been growing my blonde locks for longer than I’d cared to realise.

As it turns out, the choice to chop it all off – for the first time in ten years – ended up an emotional one, and something I comically (for the most part) write about in the August 2017 issue of Get it Magazine (published soon).

My hair was happy to have a fresh cut and I’m liking it. The act of cutting it all off symbolised a fresh start. They’re often bittersweet, right?

Since I went back to my blonde bob of old though I’ve noticed this seems to be the summer trend, so I’ve decided to own it.

Best of blonde: luxe to less tried and tested

As it’s short, it’s imperative my hair looks blonde, fresh and fun. After all, why else go short and sweet?

These two brands got wind of my situation and wanted me to experience life as it should be for a brave blonde.

If you too are in the market for shampoo, conditioner and treatments for blonde hair, read on…

Joico

Joico’s new Blonde Life range cares for blonde hair which can tend towards feeling and looking dry and damaged in not too much time at all. These products also work to banish brassy tones, restore moisture and add shine – yummy!

The Brightening Masque is also part of the set – it’s a five minute moisture hit which revives blonde ends that are dehydrated and dry (sound familiar?).

Loved this range from the second I started using it. The promise is that hair is kept bright, smooth and shiny, as well as on-tone for up to eight weeks. Importantly, after using it my hair is easy to style and a nice colour. It’s obvious this is a quality range and I would absolutely buy it again.

Interestingly there’s no purple tones in these products – they are glossy and gold, yet they totally do the trick and maintain my colour.

– Blonde Life brightening shampoo 300ml, £15.50
– Blonde life brightening conditioner 300ml, £16.50
– Blonde life brightening masque 135ml, £17.45

More: joico-blondelife.com

Here’s my friend Jackie, and I, out and about; I could say blondes have more fun (especially after I just washed and styled my hair with these goodies), but I think she had a nice time at this masquerade party too!

 

Phil Smith

It’s difficult to tell what you’re going to get with products for blonde hair, and I can’t definitively say that all ‘cheaper’ brands aren’t as good as some of the more expensive brands. I’ve had experiences with products from all across the brand spectrum that have dried my hair out and left it feeling lifeless – literally. Not great!

This affordable range that’s exclusively available from Sainsbury’s however, has pleasantly surprised me.

Actually, I was using and loving the products before I even checked the price and expected it to be much higher.

Work ready…

The shampoo smells lovely, the treatment is violet-toned which is totally necessary for my hair which can tend towards gold; the products are vegan friendly too.

This is a lovely, gentle range of products that feel nice on the hair, offer brightness and softness and at a price that’s inexpensive for what you get.

Very happy to keep these products in my cupboard and on my shopping list.

– Bombshell blonde radiance shampoo 350ml, £3.50, Sainsbury’s
– Bombshell blonde radiance conditioner 250ml, £3.50, Sainsbury’s
– Bombshell blonde radiance intensive treatment 150ml, £3.50, Sainsbury’s

More: philsmithhair.com

So, do blondes have more fun? Yes, now I definitely am!

Top five beauty tips for travelling

By marmar gee

Heading off on your next holiday? While we’d all love to look like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday (or pretty much any holidaying movie star ever), we don’t want to take up valuable suitcase space lugging around every beauty product imaginable.

Not sure what to take with you on your next trip? Here are five great tips to help you condense your beauty kit into your cabin luggage…

Do your own downsizing

Lots of brands now offer travel-sized versions of your favourite products, with many making special travel sets containing all your essentials in one handy pack. However, if you can’t find a pre-made travel pack of your preferred products, for a few dollars you can pick up small travel bottles at beauty and travel stores and simply decant your products into them, leaving the larger bottles at home.

Make use of multi-taskers

Primer, foundation and powder? Ain’t nobody got time for that on holiday! Instead, invest in a multi-tasking product like a BB Cream. This miracle multi-tasker moisturises, helps to even out your complexion and provides sheer, tinted coverage. Even better, most BB Creams also feature SPF to help keep you protected from the sun, too.

Likewise, lipsticks can be used as blush; clear mascara will give your eyelashes definition and tame your brows; and a gradual tanner will keep your skin moisturised and your body beautifully bronzed.

Ditch the dryer

Hair tools are a heavy addition to any suitcase. Forget a hairdryer on your next trip (most hotels provide them anyway) and pack a travel-sized straightener instead, which can also serve as a hair curler. Just be sure to check that the voltage of your hair tool is compatible with that of your destination!

Packing a dry shampoo is also a great way to extend the lifespan of your wash and achieve added texture and volume, allowing you to get away with packing smaller bottles of hair product.

Avoid hairy situations

For those heading for warmer climates, plan ahead and schedule any hair removal for a couple of days before you set off. This will allow your skin to settle down before you reach your destination, yet still keep you hair-free for your holiday. If you’re travelling for a longer period of time, pack a razor or some cold wax strips for quick fixes.

Plan for purchases

Lastly, take advantage of duty-free prices and stock up on your beauty favourites before you board. But keep in mind that if you’re planning picking up some product at the airport, you won’t need to pack the same thing in your beauty kit!

What are your favourite beauty products, and what are your must-haves when travelling?

This helpful feature is by Debbie Black from beautyheaven, image by Marmar Gee