Product Reveiw- CoLab Active

 

Product Review: CoLab Active

Whatever happens in life us women and some men will always find time to make sure our hair is perfect. I remember a time when I used to have to squeeze in a hair wash even  if my time in shower couldn't be long, due to you know life being hectic, but I couldn't have greasy hair so I would make time! This being the case I bet you were all as relieved and excited when dry shampoo was invented!

These days there are loads of different brands from supermarket own to actual branded and loads of different types, safe to say I've tried and tested most, some have impressed more than others, infact I have wrote a review on another before you may or may not remember. Needless to say I had wrote that review long before I had tested this brand that I can tell you now I'm going to praise to high heaven.

I was going a long a bit of a dry shampoo surfer, never had a regular one, always chopping and changing, this was until Katie introduced me to CoLab. It opened my eyes to a new range of better dry shampoos! I also had fun smelling all their different ones which are named after  different cities, London being my personal favourite and my regular, yep that's right this dry shampoo surfer had settled. I was well and truly excited when they brought out their new one Active.

I was eager to try and purchased as soon as I could. To be honest I knew before I tried it, it was going to be good if their other dry shampoos were anything to go by. As soon as needed I reached for the can of dry shampoo and used it. I was amazed. It does exactly what it says on the tin. It is most defiantly invisible, this shocked me the most if I'm honest. Usually when dry shampoos say it they are not always completely invisible, but this one is, no white marks in sight which means a mirror is not necessary when applying. Go are the days of rubbing your hair like your insane to get rid of the white marks (which seemed like a bloody workout)! Conditioning, that's another thing it says it does, this couldn't be more true, after applying the hair looks a lot more fresh & feels better too, that's something I find unique to this dry shampoo. With a lot of others they make it so your hair is good to look at but at touch it don't feel that great, with this one you seriously wouldn't think I had any on. This lasts all day too, though I do like to top up but that's just personal! Lastly, the shine it leaves my hair with is beautiful, it looks like its not long been washed which is I guess what you want your dry shampoo to do. Retailing at about £3.99 in Superdrug it is well worth the money and you certainly get  what you pay for. Oh and by the way it smells gorg!

Whether your busy at work, with children or just life in general we could all use a little dry shampoo in our lives. Even if you think you don't...you do. There is simply no point in trying hundreds of different dry shampoos, get yourself down to Superdrug and pick up this quality dry shampoo. But be warned once you go CoLab you don't go back ;)
 Thanks for reading

Until next time

LotsOfLove
Beth...xxx

A Moan From A mum

As a parent you go through so many emotions and so many selfies for that matter. Now come on lets be honest these selfies portray such a shit image of life as a parent. Yeah they are all happy and sweet and cute, but come on realistic? No. Don't get me wrong it is like that..some days okay they are more often than not, but come on I cant be the only one who has such rubbish days that by the end of it I want to stick my head in a blender, now do people selfie them days? No.

This morning looked so promising, I woke up surprisingly un tired, which for me is a rarity. I'm usually walking around half asleep like a zombie at 9 o clock seriously, if you visited at that time you would feel like your on the set of the walking dead. But anyway lets get back to this morning and like I said I was feeling pretty good, I had to check the date because I thought I had been asleep for a whole three months. I felt that damn good. For a woman whom mother nature is calling I was pleasantly surprised, once the shock had worn off I started to get on with my day.

I like to have a look around the house before I start the day, lets be honest I knew the day was gonna be utter rubbish when I saw the flat was an absolute bomb site! I just closed my eyes took a breath and took myself slowly into see the girls. To be real I saw their sweet little smiles and they melted my stress. With that breakfast was next on the agenda as always. I set about making different breakfast for all of us. Ahh. I bit my lip swallowed the stress and got on with it, the girls needed food. It weren't their fault that they fancied different. But like come on it took me that long that when I sat down to eat my blooming toast it was stone cold and floppy! Come on. Really. Meanwhile I was still staring at the pig sty that sort of looked like my home. I had to tidy. Of course I had to I am Mum, cleaner, cook, launderette, ironing lady ... well the list is endless. But I am on my shitty period for crying out loud! I just want to curl up with a big bar of galaxy. (I have finished sulking). One puts herself in cleaning mode and now I'm thinking great I can recruit a little assistant, Ava. Like come on they are toys spread all over the living room floor, surely she will be all up for helping her mummy. I don't know if any of you have experienced I child that is dead against the idea of tidying up but if you haven't its like Godzilla has been unleashed. I had now started a battle which I was now aware was going to last hours. On my side of the tidying up, well that was almost non existent, I had  my little Bella perched on my hip, her bum seemed to be super glued there too. To be honest that I didn't mind. Made me feel wanted and with Bella at the age where she was always on the go I was grabbing cuddles where I could. But you know things had to be done, so along came one handed super mum. By this time I was well into a screaming match with my teenage wannabe 4 year old. No the tidying hadn't been done. But yes we had, had more arguments in half an hour than big  brother had, had in a series. Not to mention time is getting on and Bella is getting ratty! On the brighter side the living room was now gleaming. No Ava did mot cave, I did. Ava 1 - 0 Mummy. My clothes  are now finally on. The girls have been playing nicely. WOO. Nah ah. The bedrooms were well they weren't bedrooms they were toy pits. Ava time to tidy! This was not going to go down well. So now I am trying to do my make up one handed Bella in one arm make up in the other, I have one flip flop  on because the other one had seemed to have grown a pair of legs and my little teenager is gearing up for round 2. VICTORY. My make up is on, yeah its patchy as fuck but its made the face and at this point I really don't care plus I am still trying to get my 4 year old to tidy not good. This leads on to my next disaster, I thought lets guide Ava too her room, surely with it staring her in the face she will want to tidy it but apparently kids can stand mess more than us adults. Did I make it as far as the bedroom. No. What I did do was trip into a wall and stub my toe. OHHHHHH THE PAIN. I needed to go to A&E. It was broken. Okay, okay no it wasn't but it bloody felt like it. A stubbed toe is NOT for the faint hearted. Though my injury had its upside, its seems my hurting stops arguments and makes Ava tidy. Who would have thought it. Note to self, in future when needed to avoid toddler arguments and needing the to tidy their mess just injure myself, don't care how. As long as I'm in freaking pain. Ava 1 - 1 Mummy.  

Do you know what she did after she had tidied and my throbbing toe and shrunk back to normal size and after I had prayed to god to ease my day. She smiled. Simply smiled. No Ava don't do that. That's the bloody worst. It makes my heart melt. It makes me forget, the courage I had built up to confiscate toys, treats ect as punishment. It reminds me that no matter how testing a morning I have had as mummy. I am lucky. I would rather be pulling my hair out over my children than pulling my Hair out because I don't have them.

I love you both my little sunshines.

Thanks for listening to my little moan!!

LotsOfLove
Beth...xxx

Katies Hair Transformation By Beth

So at the weekend, I was in Essex and Bethany done a massive change to my hair.

I have always had long hair and because of one horrible haircut experience at 16, I feared to have nothing more than just a trim. I am naturally a blonde but have been dyeing it dark since I was 13 years old. Two years ago I made a decision to stop dyeing my hair and just see how it goes.. two years down the line it was time to get some colour on it. Over the past few months my hair has been getting so lighter but only on the top so my hair was really looking abit lifeless and I knew that I needed to have a hair transformation in order for my hair to be and look healthy. I have always kept my hair in good condition, with always using heat protector, hair mask and generally keep away from using heat tools so the condition of my hair is good, its just the colour and length was looking horrible. With loosing weight, I felt like I needed a hair change and knowing I can trust Bethany with my hair, it was time to change.

Bethany is an amazing hairdresser and also my sister in law so I knew she would do a brilliant job and I wasn't wrong. I literally said to Beth "Right I want my hair shorter, coloured to make it look more healthy, to be easier to manage and long enough so I can at least bung it up in a bun" and she didn't disappoint me. We planned to order the proper professional colours but we didn't have time so we went to Boots last Friday in Lakeside and I went for more darker than I imagine. With the help of Beth, well I mean Beth basically made sure I picked the right colour as knowing me if she wasn't there, I would of picked up a awful colour haha. So I went for L'Oreal Paris Preference 4.15 Iced Chocolate which I can't find on Boots online but they have it here in another colour. It was two for £11 so I obviously got two as we knew we would need two box dyes.

Beth did tell me that with box dyes, it never comes out how it looks on the box so just to prepare me for it to come out abit difference. Beth started the long process on Saturday about 4/5ish pm and was finished at 9.30pm so I am so thankful to Beth. Literally I went to the Salon I don't think I would of coped, I had to get a cushion for my back, got up/down and Beth was so understanding.

 

 

During the week, I had in mind that I was just going to colour my hair basically the same colour as it was but just to make it look more refreshed so I was looking towards the medium brown shade but when we went to Boots I changed me mind. Iced Chocolate seemed more interesting that just medium brown, I thought if I'm going to hair a transformation then I might aswel have a different interesting colour.

 

This was before... I didn't realise how long it was before to be honest until I saw this picture! You cannot really tell by this picture but my hair was more darker at the ends and then lighter at the top.

 

Look at all this hair!! 

 

Before and after.. This final result. I'm literally so happy with the result. The cut, the length and colour is perfect. When telling Beth how much I wanted off, I didn't really know but I was 100% certain Beth would get it right and she certainty did. It isn't too long or too short, its literally perfect length for me to still have down and still bung up when I'm not well. Beth put layers in for me which I never thought about when planning this transformation but it has made such a difference and I love it. The colour has sort of a red/brownie tint to if that makes sense which makes it looks healthy, I love it. Beth gave me a good blow dry which I wish she could do for me every morning haha.

I think the cut defiantly suits my face shape a lot better than my long hair did.

 

This was on Monday when I went out for my Granddad's Birthday and it was the first time using my GHD's with my new hair. I don't like my hair too straight so I the front of my hair more shape if that makes sense. I'm pretty sure I am saying all the wrong hair terms haha.

 

 

 

 

This was yesterday when I was used my Curlers and I was so shocked at how quick it took me! Before with my long hair I would easily of been there for about 20 mins at least and this literally took 5 mins.

 

 

Last night I washed my hair first time since Beth did on Saturday, and I was so happy that it didn't take forever to wash like it used to be. With my back it hurts to be standing there washing my hair but now its much shorter it means less time in pain. I used a hair mask so my hair is all soft and smooth. I left it to dry naturally which didn't take long at all. The other day I brought Toni And Guy Casual Rough Texturiser  as Beth purchased this last week and I loved this way her hair looked when she applied this so I thought I would give it a go and so far so good and then I also brought VO5 Give Me Texture Dry Texturizing Spray which I had used before so I knew it is good. I was becoming very lazy with my long hair and it was either up in a messy bun or in a long side plait. With having two chronic illnesses, it makes you feel like crap basically 90% of the time so making effort with my hair or makeup means a lot to me. I've gotten into a routine of getting up, cleansing my hair, applying my make up and now making effort with my hair and even if I am not going anywhere, I like to make abit of effort to make me feel abit better.

 

I have thanked Beth so many times and literally will be thanking her forever!! But I wanted to say thanks via the blog. Hair is just hair and yes it does grow back but its made a huge difference to me. I feel like my "old self", I used to have Dark/Black coloured hair when I was well and was happy so now I have dark hair again it has almost made me think back to the years I was happy old self . It is amazing how hair can make such an impact to your life. I honestly don't think I would of been brave enough to have this cut and colour if it was for Beth. She helped me pick the colour, choose the length, the layers ect and reassured me throughout every step. So thank you Bethany aka my best friend, sister In law and the best hairdresser.

 

 

Love Katie xx



Primark P.S. Love Your Hair : Moisturising Range

It's usually Beth who does the hair post as she is a hairdresser and out of us both she knows her hair stuff and I don't have a clue when it come to hair. But few weeks ago when I was in Primark in Lakeside I purchased these two as I wanted to try something new as I've been using TRESemme shampoo and conditioner for along time so fancied a change. What appealed me to this ones from primark was that both contained Moroccan Argan Oil and Keratin which I thought might be good for my hair. Although I haven't had my hair coloured since September 2013, I did start having it coloured since I was 13 and to make matters worse Im natural Blonde who had it coloured Dark Brown for years then Jet Black so it's fair to say my hair is damaged. Even though I've had nearly a two year break with no colour as I wanted to go medium brown naturally, I can still tell its damaged and dry from the colouring. My hair is very long so washing it is a massive effort to be honest but luckily I only wash it once/twice a week as it doesn't really get badly greasy. 

So yesterday I tried these Primark moisturing Shampoo and condition and I'm very impressed. The shampoo claimed to cleanse, restore and moisturises the hair which I have to say it does, you don't need a lot of the product which helps as I've got long hair and it felt clean and very soft. Then I applied the conditioner which claimed to help improve shine, locks moisturiser in leaving a silky soft touch and like the shampoo the products goes along way. I like to use my conditioner more as a mask so I do leave it on longer that I would if I was quickly washing hair. Once I rinsed off I instantly felt like my hair was more healthy and it felt so smooth. I leave my hair to dry naturally when I can but I apply an oil to the ends of my hair when it's damp. My hair did look really shiny not the greasy look, it looked like I've hair washed my hair with high end products so I'm really impressed.

What I loved most apart from the price tag is that the scent, it's not too overpowering but it does leave a nice fresh scent to the hair. The P.S. Love You Hair range was rather varied and there was a Brunette range I would like to try. I think Primark are doing really well with their beauty products this year. Me and Beth got one of their Lipstick Gloss in Red and it's amazing so I would defiantly recommend this hair shampoo and conditioner. I'm going to pick this up for Beth when I'm in Primark next to see if she likes it and shares the same opinon. 

I might do more beauty related posts  in the future what do you think? Also has any of you tried this range or any of the other ranges from Primark? Did you like or hate? Let me know :) 

Katie x

HAIR: Cheaper The Better?

When talking about hair products you initially think that the branded more expensive products will work better. I bet thousands of you look endlessly at all the different brands and think which one is actually the best.. They all say the same and all come with that whopping price tag. 

I personally have tried and tested so many branded mousses and hairspray. Tbh with all the branded ones I tried I was never satisfied, one either never worked or one didn't hold my hair for long enough or one was too tough to brush out. If I am fair the only branded one I found worked the best was treseme and is actually quality for the price the can will last you forever too! While I'm hear I will say as far as shampoo and conditioner goes I would get treseme all day long, not only does it leave your hair feeling softly fresh but it will last you a hell of a long time. Me and Katie where using the same bottle when living together and it lasted us over a month. 

Back to the subject now ... Ha ha. After going through countless products I have found one hairspray that leaves me satisfied in all alreas it lasts all day and is fairly easy to brush out too! This is Tesco own brand hairspray in the purple tin can.

 I have been using this for a while and it never fails to disappoint... Also with a lovely price tag of £0.70p you can't go wrong not complain! With this you can have lovely held hair allowing you to have your hair in any style you want in any weather even if you do live on a budget. This will be budget shoppers best hair friend :). 

I would also like to recommend another cheaper hair product. This would be dry shampoo. Dry shampoo has really took off and let's be homes it was only about time that stores started doing their own. 

I don't know about you but white marks on my hair when using it was a real pain in the bum. I had stopped using it due to this that was until I stumbled accross asdas own brand. This is the one in the blue tin. I can spray my hair creating a lot of volume and putting the greasy look off and not looking like I've aged early! No white marks. For this you will only have to pay £1.00. 

I hope this has showed you that quality and all in the price figures or the big names and to find quality its best to shop around trying things you may never normally try. I also hopes this reassures those who have to live on a budget that they don't have to hot with out and they can still have good hair products and create good styles. Remember "proofs in the pudding" as they say.

LotsOfLove 

Beth...xxx

HAIR: The Perfect Finish

Have you ever wanted a lovely salon finish to your hair from shine, to smell, to feel? I can recommend a definite way for this and that is Pearl Styler by Wella. 

This product is more on the costly side than the budget side. You know what I'm like I would rather recommend budget products as most people have to count the pennies these day. But I certainly believe you get what you pay for with this. You also don't need to use a lot of this each time, just a little will do this means it will last a while even more so if you are a person who will just us it for special occasions. 

I know some people don't do their hair all done up everyday. I mean the majority of people don't unless your in the cast of "The Only Way Is Essex" or "Made In Chelsea" but I still think it's good to invest in because when you go out you want to look a million dollars. This will seal the deal. 

I know you all probably think I'm some crazy hairdresser trying to sell you something I wouldnt recommend anything rubbish. I'm not trying to sell I'm trying to advise those of you who want to get shine and finish to your hair. 

How To Use 

So do your usual wash and blow dry, you can straighten or curl or even do a curly blow dry. You then squeeze a tiny pea sized amount into the palm of your hand then rub them together to warm the product up. You them run you hands gently through the hair styling  it in any direction  that you want, with curls you can mould the product through the Chris making them a bit more defined. It leaves your hair with a nice shine. 

You can get this product maybe from your hairdresser EBay or Amazon. retails from £7.99 on EBay and £7.50 from Amazon. I do apologise I haven't got a picture but it is in a silver and orange bottle. 

Hope this helps you all get a lovely finish on your hair. It's just simply a recommendation. 

This is the first of many hair posts I will be doing ranging from product to styles  to advice ect. If there are any hair things you particularly want to know about on this blog then please tweet us or Instagram us nam Essextowindsor. 

LotsOfLove 

Beth...xxx