My Hair Transformation with TONI&GUY

London, UK

My Hair Transformation with TONI&GUY

Friday, August 2

 if you're familiar with the 'heartbreak bob' then hi! i went for it! i sure as hell (but slightly unwittingly at the time) went for it ... 

if you aren't, then it essentially goes along the lines of every girl wanting a drastic appearance overhaul and chopping all their locks off shortly after their heart has been smashed into teeny, tiny pieces... the proverbial comeback that is greater than the setback. fun, huh? and that's essentially it in a nutshell

THE CONSULTATION

before my consultation with TONI&GUY, we were discussing their Colour Menu - you see, I wanted to move away from the dull, one-toned brunette (pictured above) which took me back to my teen years, when i first started caring about my hair and boys and all that nonsense, yet i still wanted to keep it natural

but as time went on, a loada crap happened in my life and we moved closer to the actual consultation, all i could think of was 'i want to go back blonde'... oh and also 'can i chop all my hair off????'

so that was where we were at.

the Colour Menu was created to make the world of hair colouring a whole lot easier - you simply pour out your hair's life story in the initial consultation, discussing end results, past mishaps, hair length, hair style etc etc and voila! they suggest the most suitable route, colour options and personalised aftercare routine to achieve your best, desired result

we went searching through a giant book of hair samples, selecting the perfect colours to produce a multi-tonal outcome, which incorporated warm brown roots, copper and of course, blonde

as always, i did not make their lives easy...

THE FIRST APPOINTMENT

and lo & behold, we had ventured back to the light side again:

 goldeny, coppery, blondey goodness, using the corrective balayage technique, done by TONI&GUY's international technical director, Siobhan Golden. a highly appropriate name if you ask me

THE REFRESH

a few months later and naturally, i wanted more. there are always swings and roundabouts when it comes to coloured blonde hair - of course, it requires more upkeep, protection and maintenance, but more maintenance equals more trips to the salon and be honest, who doesn't love a good refresh, blow dry and head massage when they're at home? (/at the salon but i really wanted to use this phrase for alliteration)

i headed to TONI&GUY long acre this time, where the heartbreak bob came into full effect. i was long over it at this point, however the lust for further changes was apparently still prevalent

and so we went even blonder. and even shorter. and as blunt as can possibly be (something i've often been described as myself...)

THE AFTERCARE

having pre-lightened and heat-styled-on-the-reg hair means aftercare is a huuuuge part of my routine. my hair was naturally corkscrew curls but after a home-chemical-straightening-kit disaster in my early teens (after being told by a male human that it looked prettier this way, thank you so much!!), nowadays i'm left with, what can only be described as a horror of strange waves, ringlets and random straight sections which don't really know where they belong ... *laughs to pretend she's over it ten years later but actually her heart still hurts inside*

so, for now, the straighteners stay put.

after my initial colour, i was prescribed a strong course of 'treatment shampoo' and 'intensive repair conditioner', alternated with the 'colour stay shampoo' and 'moisturising conditioner' from label.m - i.e. the perfect product cocktail to keep both the colour and its condition tip-top. safe to say it works, as four months later, the blonde is still doing its thang despite a few grown out roots!

the two products pictured above (anti-frizz cream, rejuvenating radiance oil) are my hot weather saviours - the ones you use to avoid any monica from friends "it's the humidity" moments which would have absolutely occurred where these were shot, in bali. i'm a huge fan of hair oils and will never go on a trip without one in tow but i'll have you know, having tested my fair share, that it is entirely possible for an oil to be too oily. you know the thick, syrupy kind which leave your hair feeling all heavy, flat and sorry for itself? none of that, please. this one is a lightweight dream which, i swear to god, leaves it looking less damaged on immediate contact. a true miracle

for those unaware, the label.m brand is TONI&GUY's own professional haircare range which literally covers every possible category that locks could need. it's developed, tried and tested by their art team and now tried, tested and loved by me, so they clearly know what they're on about to be honest...

♡

*this post was sponsored by TONI&GUY, however all opinions, anecdotes and rambles belong to yours truly

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The Highs and Woes of Skincare : My New Routine

London, UK

The Highs and Woes of Skincare : My New Routine

Sunday, December 10

when i was younger, i surprisingly (despite my awful diet because i’m a fussy human to this day here), always had pretty good skin. it wasn’t until further into my teenage years, when that ol’ chestnut -late puberty- and hormones kicked in, that i began to run into some issues. that, and most probably using crappy £1 make up products, wipes and washing my face with whatever available foamy product was for-the-taking on the sink. 

i’ve never had acne as such, but becoming an adult (as much as i still like to pretend i’m not because oh lord is it a struggle) did bring me a whole load of random pimples on my forehead which i didn’t ask for, and i do react pretty rapidly to meds, vits and perhaps *occasionally* going overboard on the chocobons or accidentally sleeping in my makeup (we’ve all been there, kkkk? :| )

all of that aside, the thing that’s bothered me above all else is those damned dark circles which have set up camp beneath my eyes. being anaemic since childhood, combined with being a questionable sleeper in my latter years, has certainly not aided this and i was verging on making that desperate decision between ‘i need help’ and ‘do i embrace that i am officially half panda?’.

well, when panasonic decided to offer me some new tools, plus the advice of skin expert, louise thomas-minns as part of their ‘shaped around you’ campaign, i bet you can guess what i went and did ... i took it.

now i’m not here to sit and preach about the importance of skincare ‘cause you all know that by now and you also all probably have your certain routines and go-to’s. but what i loved about this campaign is that the whole idea is based on how these panasonic products can help enhance and seamlessly fit into your existing lifestyle. because change is great an’ all but us humans are a little scared of too much of it ...

i’ve been testing two products for a couple months now, and whilst initially skeptical over how much the micro-current facial enhancer (pictured left) and facial steamer (right) could actually do after not noticing a great deal of change within the first few weeks (i actually had to ask for a deadline extension, one : because i was pretty damn ill and looked like a zombie, whatever i tried and two : because i wasn’t convinced i’d noticed enough to write home about), the comments from both friends and strangers, online and in-person, helped me realise how far my skin had actually come. 

it’s amazing how much of a harsh critic somebody who looks at their own face daily can become without taking a step back to look at the bigger picture. 

the 3-in-1 micro-current facial enhancer, as the name suggests, comes with three skin-saviour settings which work alongside your usual toning and moisturising products :

purifying ~ a subtle heat and alternating current which helps to open pores and remove any stubborn dirt/grease, which wouldn’t otherwise want to let you live, with minimal effort (= more time for productive things like shopping and netflix)

moisturising ~ after applying your personal pick of face cream, the current helps to push its moisture-providing ingredients deeper down to where they’re most needed, making the most out of the product on which you choose to spend your pretty pennies 

cooling ~ my favourite of the lot. it’s like a refreshing spa sensation which soothes, tightens and firms your lovely face. this has been my dark circle saviour and leaves me feeling and -according to my colleagues- looking rather radiant too. i honestly think it would help me chill in the midst of a stress-fest (which occurs far too often these days, ty life)

speaking of spa sensations, the facial steamer is literally an at-home, mini version of that. whilst i don’t use this as often, when you live in london (one of the highest polluted cities in the world, please pray for our lungs), it’s a handy little machine to have about the house, whether you’re wanting a thorough facial detox or a quick pick-me-up after a cocktail-fuelled weekend. simply add water and you’re good to go. 

if only that rule applied to everything in life ...

on top of these, louise advised i also exfoliate less. yes, less. i became so obsessed with glycolic pads that i’d apparently been over-exfoliating, which was most likely making me break out more and adding to the oiliness mumma blessed me with in my t-zone. learn something new everyday eh?

so there you have it. all the improvements with minor changes ~ the updated skincare practice which is keeping me panda-free and radiant in winter.

you don’t need to alter your entire routine to make a difference!

♡

~ this post was sponsored by panasonic, however all opinions, anecdotes and rambles belong to yours truly

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My Laser Hair Removal Journey So Far // Part I

London, UK

My Laser Hair Removal Journey So Far // Part I

Monday, November 7

Ahhh, hair - that slightly taboo but wholly natural thing that's caused a lot of people continual difficulty, and the rest of them liberation, over the years. 

Before I go any further, I'd just like to mention the fact that I'm a total advocate of free-choice and doing whatever the hell makes you feel comfortable. Whether that be appearance, sex, career - you name it. In fact, I openly shout "hell yeah" to those who don't give a sh*t about the 'norms' of society, so please don't feel I'm in any way stating that this is a necessity. Just something I've always considered and when the opportunity made itself apparent to me... I took it *cheeky monkey covering mouth face* (not entirely sure I can get away with that but still rolling with it)

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Pixi Spring/Summer Make Up // Sponsored

Pixi Spring/Summer Make Up // Sponsored

Tuesday, May 3

With the warmer climates fast approaching (well, in the UK, one can only hope), it's time to start taking into consideration our everyday make up routines and discovering new ways to avoid that 'sweaty, shiny, cake-face' which the sun, so often, likes to provide. It's the season where make up is generally tossed aside, scorned or forgotten (I'm guilty) because, well, heat + heavy products? Nobody got time for that, seriously. Until now maybe...

Pixi are best known for their goddess-worthy skin care, helping women across the world to achieve that natural glow, but did they stop there? Of course they didn't. So, you've nailed your skin care routine, you're looking radiant as ever but sometimes, you're just missing that little extra umph or fancy adding a splash of colour. This is usually me, as my summer wardrobe tends to be lacking in the hue department, so I like to play around with lipsticks and eyeshadows to differentiate a tad between seasons and avoid that "is it still winter, Liv?", satirical wit that gets regularly thrown about. No, I'm pretty sure my make up is currently melting from my face, into a pool at your feet, so you and I both know it's not winter... **eye roll**

Thankfully, Pixi are saving us from any melted, puddle fiascos with lightweight, easy-application and most importantly, good-for-you products. Forget any last minute, BBQ invite stress - we're talking fuss-free fabulousness in mere moments. 0-100 real quick.

Stay tuned to find out your summer must-haves and how I wear them in an exclusive lil' video, just for you!

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Powder Beauty Drawer // The Beauty 'Box' You Need

Powder Beauty Drawer // The Beauty 'Box' You Need

Sunday, March 20

The 'beauty box' phenomenon is still as popular as ever, with more offerings appearing on the market every, single day to make your decision (or your boyfriend's decision when he's trying to buy you one as a gift) just that little bit more difficult. Now, I'd like to think I've experienced my fair few (granted, in the grand scheme of things, with the amount of them now out there, I've probably only tested about 10% but let's pretend that's not true) and can wholeheartedly say, I'm a huge fan. I mean, as a girl, or just a general beauty lover, what person wouldn't be over-the-moon to receive a package filled with new products to make themselves look/feel pretty?!! We all love a pamper. Even those guys who are ashamed to admit it...don't worry, we know.

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Hairfinity Results // My Hair Journey and Experience

Hairfinity Results // My Hair Journey and Experience

Sunday, March 13

Before I begin on the nitty gritty (and the stuff you actually want to hear), I'm just gunna paint you all a little picture - a 'hair story' if you like, and a flashback to what once was...

Picture a 14 year old, mixed race girl with half-Afro and half-English genes which blended together to create perfect, shiny, corkscrew ringlets all over her head; the kind of curls you only imagined on dolls and that could surely not be created without man-made tools?! That was me.

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Love Me Beauty

Love Me Beauty

Sunday, January 10

Beauty box, beauty box, beauty box...by now you will have probably all heard the term endlessly floating around the webosphere, with more and more companies stepping forward with their offerings to the now hugely popular trend. Most tend to follow a familiar format: fill out a quick profile based on your skin and hair colour, their condition, colour preferences etc. and the company picks a number of products based on these details to send out for you to try each and every month. All sounds pretty simple and innovative right? Until one month you receive a box full of products that you have little-to-no interest in testing or aren't particularly, entirely, suited to your needs...

Love Me Beauty, though a similar concept, acts as more of an online, personal beauty consultant that will suggest an array of products individually tailored to your preferences. And the products are just that - suggestions! You're then able to pick from these recommendations, exactly which ones you'd like to receive for that month or, if not any, move through to their boutique, where you'll have free reign over an entire library of products. It's kinda like when you ask for someone's help to make a decision, they give you an answer but then you always end up going with the alternative option...please say this doesn't only occur with me? It's a human trait, right? (happens far too often over here!)

Products in my box:

Cailyn Gel Eyeshadow Pencil 07 Mauve

Lanolips Banana Balm

Neal & Wolf Silk Smoothing Blow Dry Balm

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Or

Malin & Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser

I fell in love with the Malin & Goetz cleanser and can safely say it has become a firm favourite of mine (and apparently now the boy's too, who casually went off to buy half of their range on Mr. Porter), not just from what I got in my box, but out of all previous 'face wash' style cleansers I've tried. It's simple, fresh, leaves my face feeling like I've just sassily walked out of a spa and relieves my skin of its highly unnecessary excess oils (say hey to a less shiny Liv!). Yes, I liked it that much, I managed to (not even reluctantly) part with the £27 it costs for the full 236ml version and I'm showing no signs of regret.

The Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Or, ie. the 'bit of a mouthful product that hardly anyone can pronounce' came in a close second after the cleanser, once I'd come to the realisation that it wasn't a nail polish, thanks to a quick visit with my friend, Google. After clarifying that it is in fact a body and hair oil and hoping that it didn't turn out like those god awful, glitter body roll ons we had as kids, I finally gave it a try. The result was a subtle, sun-kissed shimmer that would fool anyone in to thinking you're fresh out the Caribbean, and it smells great too. Winner!

It's pretty hard to fault the quality of the packaging, brands and products featured here and I am overly impressed with the sample to full size ratio included. Totally ironic that the product I liked best and instantly went to buy was a sample, though, judging by the rate I go through it, I think a re-purchase was inevitable! 

Let me know if you've tried any of the things I received and if you're interested in trying the service out for yourself, you can use my code liv50 here for 50% off your first order, no matter which option you choose.

Happy trialling!

♡

*this is not a sponsored post, though some of the links used may be affiliate. I was kindly sent this box to review by Love Me Beauty as I was really impressed with their unique take on the standard 'beauty box'

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Beauty Review: Lord & Berry

Beauty Review: Lord & Berry

Sunday, November 29

Lord & Berry have been a brand I've been meaning to try since I first discovered the wonders of Lily Pebbles back in, probably around 2011?! Black packaging, clean branding and a whole load of lip stuff? Yep, that was me sold. I would sit in awe of her bold lip products and lipsticks THAT CAME FROM A CRAYON!! (this was innovative back then I tell you!) and put together huge wishlists of shades that I wanted but never actually got round to purchasing. I'm putting it down to a combination of not having much of a budget at 16 and staying loyal to my good, old friend MAC once I'd saved up some monies, and then, after becoming blonde, practically giving up on all the coloured lip products I own and wearing straight up vaseline for a few years. Adventurous, I know. I'm a self-confessed lipstick fiend but, as soon as I opted for lighter locks, those bright reds, pinks and tangerines that I once lived in just seemed to terrify me when I looked at myself with them on in the mirror.

Products featured: Lord & Berry Absolute Intensity Lipstick in 'Magnetic Smile', 20100 Matte in 'Adorable', Ultimate Lipliner in 'Nude' and Perfecto Liner

Portrait photos by @luzynsky

Saying that, I do still occasionally dabble in the odd bit of colour, but it tends to be deeper shades of burgundy and brown or dark nudes, alongside the 'your lips but better' naturals that get me through most of my days. Since I first got these babes in the post a couple of weeks ago, I've rarely gone out without this lipliner and crayon combo. The liner is the absolute PERFECT shade to add a natural, enhanced hue to the lips, which, me being a huge fan of MAC's Spice lipliner, is a tough seat to fill and, paired with 'Adorable' on top, it creates the ideal, subtle, feminine look. The dream duo in my opinion and a definite can't-leave-the-house-without couple.

It was the lipstick that looked a little more daunting and I'll admit, I did shy away for a while initially.  Intimidated by a lipstick - who'd have thought it?! No wonder they say to always wear bold shades, in the presence of men, in business! When applying, again over the top of the nude lipliner, it glides on like silk, producing a vivid, deep shade of magenta in one sweep...and it was a lot less scary than imagined (as applies to most walks of life!) This needed to be shown on, as its beautiful, rich tone didn't translate as well in the lifestyle shots. I wore it to the hairdressers (where it seemed to garner approval from those around me) and a good 3 hours, lots of chatting and countless amounts of sipping later - there it was, still clinging seamlessly to my lips, in full colour with no flaking. Safe to say it passed the test.

The 'felt-tip' style liner was another one I was slightly dubious about after trying countless ones from different brands to only discover them drying up within a week. That, or producing some kind of grey, watery mess on my eyelids, making me appear even more tired than I probably was. I don't usually wear eyeliner day-to-day but since this claimed to be '100% waterproof, smudge proof and quick drying with a last of over 24 hours', I was determined to prove it wrong. Stubbornness - Cancer trait, I apologise. I thought the hairdressers would also be a good place to test this, as, it being a long process, there are a few hair washes, heaters and products all around my face area for a prolonged period of time. After withstanding that, on top of the UK wind and rain and perhaps a couple of (secret) crying episodes when catching up on I'm A Celebrity (over-emotional, another Cancer characteristic!), it still wouldn't budge. Thank the Lord (and Berry *b-dum-tsss*) for micellar water is all I'm saying.

 So, in the words of Justin Bieber 'I never like to admit that I was wrong'...but this time, I was wrong.

♡

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Beauty Review: Silk Fibre Brow Enhancer

Beauty Review: Silk Fibre Brow Enhancer

Monday, November 16

We're back talking beauty over here and more importantly, what are arguably the most important part of your face - it's got to be the brows! Now don't get me wrong, I love a make up product as much as the next girl but if there's any kind of shortcut, or something that can let me get away with putting on as little make up as possible, chances are, most days I'll probably take it.

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Beauty Review: LAB 2 Make Up Brushes

Beauty Review:
LAB  2 Make Up Brushes

Wednesday, October 14

Yes, you're in the right place. No, you're not losing it...and I haven't lost it either (though some might say otherwise). Remember that little heart-to-heart I had with you the other month about change? Well, it's happening. I'm branching. And I have to say, I'm quite enjoying how this is going!

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Doubled Up

Doubled Up

Monday, February 23

I am wearing

c/o Woolovers cardigan // Charity shop coat (similar here) // H&M trainers // Zara bag (similar here) // c/o Hairtrade extensions

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