How To: Upkeep a Dyed Blonde

Becoming older normally means one thing: You start to dye your hair and loose all memory as to what colour your hair is naturally. As I've entered my twenties, my hair has gone from a light blonde to a darker blonde, after putting off dying my hair for as long as possible, at the beginning of this year I took the plunge. Having a natural blonde colour meant to get a really light blonde all I needed was highlights, I had a full head of highlights and it took a good few hours to do! My hairdresser used a pre-lightener to get a light but natural looking blonde. Having highlights means to does look quite natural but it's still difficult to maintain! Here is some considerations for those thinking about going blonde and tips for those with the aftermath, like myself. Although I must say, I don't regret it, I love my new hair so much it's worth the extra products and pennies!

It's expensive - I'm not going to lie, I leave getting my roots done for as long as possible. Highlights in particular are expensive to have done, something to consider before getting it done is how much it will cost in the long run. My highlights cost an arm and leg, I have a full head and having long hair only bumps up the cost. To maintain my colour I have floods to keep the roots blonde every 8-10 weeks and a proper full head around every half a year. The price will depend on the salon, I don't go to the cheapest as I've finally found a stylist I'm happy with, and it's taken some time! I go to Sally Montague in Derby for anyone living up here - such a gorgeous, friendly salon.

My hair now splits much quicker and the ends are much dryer. To style I use:

• Kerastase Ciment Thermique - A reconstructing milk that's heat activated, the best thing I've tried for split ends. It's recommended you use this once every five heat applications, I use Lee Stafford argan oil in between. However if my hairs really split and nearing a cut, I'll use this for every heat application. It leaves ends so smooth and soft, well worth the £15.00-£18.00 price tag. 
• Living Proof Prime - A relatively new product from my favourite hair care brand - Living Proof. Prime is a 'style extender'. It repels dirt and oil, protects against humidity and moisture to keep your hair looking better for longer. I find it keeps oil at bay for a least an extra day - having oily hair this is a lifesaver. 
• Living Proof Full Thickening Cream - I either use this, or the Neal & Wolf product below. This is another winner from Living Proof for people like me that have hair that would rather flop about than look thick and luscious. Use with Prime for a long lasting full head of hair, it doesn't weigh hair down just makes my hair look thicker and much healthier. 
• Neal & Wolf Elevate - Blow dry your hair upside down with this bad boy for some serious volume! This adds body and volume a step up from Full Thickening Cream, I use it when wanting a more voluminous look for really showing off. 
• ghd Air Hairdryer - I can't tell you how much I love this hairdryer. I know this sounds bad, but others agree. When I go to stay at my mothers she often asks if I've brought my hairdryer, also when my friend stayed over she asked if there was something in the water because her hair was so soft, to which I replied no it's my hairdryer with a massive grin smacked across my face. It really does make a difference, it's powerful and it's ionic technology will leave your old hairdryer running towards to door. 

How do you maintain your hair style? Any products I should try?

Love Becca xx

Disclosure: Neal & Wolf Elevate and ghd Air are PR samples. Everything else mentioned paid for by myself. 

Philosophy Purity Cleanser

It's been a while since I've blogged about beauty! But here I am, on the other side of exams and coursework deadlines and getting back into blogging. Also, I'm learning Spanish, so if any of my Spanish speaking readers want to drop me a little email (beautybecca@live.co.uk) in Spanish I'll challenge myself to figure it out and I might be able to send a reply, albeit a simple one. 

This cleanser popped through my letter box a while ago now. It was my first Philosophy product and I had very high hopes as I've heard nothing but good things about their products. Purity is a foaming 3-in-1 cleanser for your face and eyes, it removes make-up and cleanses, but I'm not sure what the other 1 of the '3-in-1' is! I'm not convinced by the 3-in-1 selling point, it's a make-up removing cleanser - lets be honest there's plenty of those around now! 

The cleanser is a thick gel which takes a bit of squeezing to get out the bottle. You'll only need a little though as the cleanser foams and thickens as you massage it in with water. It's an amazing feeling that makes your face feel ever so clean and removes all of your make-up. Many foaming cleansers leave my skin feeling really tight afterwards, resulting in me running out the shower and straight to my moisturiser pot. Purity doesn't leave this horrible tightness behind at all, I still apply moisturiser just without the irritation beforehand. 

Overall: I use this cleanser in the evening to foam away the day. For morning I prefer to use a more exfoliating cleanser to help clear up my skin and provide a fresh feeling (my favourite being Bliss Fabulous Foaming Face Wash). Purity is available in a 225ml squeezy bottle for £17.00 from 'here'.  

Whats your favourite cleanser? Have you tried any Philosophy products? 

Love Becca xx

Disclosure: PR sample. 

On Friends & Feminism

Over the past couple of months I've been finding it really difficult to blog. We all admit blogging isn't always easy and with a full time degree and part time job I've been struggling to reach any sort of motivation. However, over the past few days I've realised why I love to blog so much, this is where I can write my little heart out, express my opinion and gather my thoughts without others shouting it down as soon as it leaves my mouth.

I'm just about to finish my second year at university. My first year was spent studying a course different to my current one, my first course consisted of a small female only class. When you tell this to people they often comment on how 'bitchy' this class must have had been, however, I entirely disagree. From purely personal experience, the problem starts when males are involved. My current course is a larger class size of both sexes, and I can tell you now I've had more insults thrown at me this year than ever before. Even to the extent of having a problem with me because I don't eat meat.

This is where the feminist in me stands up. Females don't stand up for each other, and we need too. If it's not males commenting on how our boobs are too small, it's females commenting on how we're too thin or too big. I understand a lot of females do this to makes themselves feel better, however, from personal observation it doesn't work as they need to do it over and over again in a continuous loop. Feminism is becoming a more widely used word, but many still turn their nose up at it. Feminism is about making women feel fabulous, making women feel powerful and in control of their own lives. For me it's about standing up for others and fighting for equality. It's not about being better than men as many may think, it's about being equal.  

From the past two years I've learnt so much and one thing I'll take away is this. You don't need lots of friends, you really don't. All you need is a good bunch of true friends, friends that will always have your back, friends you can call in the middle of the night, friends that empower you to be who you want to be, respecting your right to equality. I've had friends stand by and just watch while I've been driven into the ground by others. I read an article in a magazine years ago and it has stuck with me ever since, the message was that part of growing up is being able to choose your friends. The writers message was to surround yourself with the friends that make you feel warm, not cold - a little recipe for confidence and happiness.

Love Becca xx

Beauxoxo Hair Accessories

After attending the FABB event in Leeds I was lucky enough to win a Beauxoxo voucher as one of the attendees. I think it's fair to say I couldn't wait to receive my code and get shopping! I'd been lusting after some pretty hair bows for a while and was thrilled to see Beauxoxo sells an extensive collection of them. I chose the small sized bows as I wanted them to wear on a daily basis, they attach neatly to the hair and stay put. I totally forget it's there until I look in the mirror, so comfortable to wear. The colours I have are peacock and ruby red slippers. 

I just couldn't resist this gorgeous sparkly headband. I'm not a huge headband fan especially as I often wear glasses they tend to get in the way, but this one is fab for more dressy occasions in which I wear my contact lens. The piece I wear the most has to be the peacock hair bow, I'm like a magpie with sparkles and the colour is beautiful. The items came packaged in pink sparkly paper with sweets and chocolates, so girly and feminine, it felt like opening a birthday present! Beauxoxo prices are really reasonable, the bows were a bargain at £3.00, the headband a little pricy at £10.00 but so worth it! 

Overall: I love these pieces and look forward to more creations from Beauxoxo. I might order some of the pastel coloured bows next, perfect for summer - if it ever comes! 

Have you ever ordered from Beauxoxo? What do you think to the pieces I received? 

Love Becca xx

Disclosure: Voucher won through FABB events.