COMPETITION | Curlformers Blogger Competition

Curlformers are running a bloggers competition to win a £100 ASOS Voucher and I am lucky enough to be the judge! Details of entry are below and the Terms and Conditions can be found at the bottom of the competition post on the Curlformers blog. I have also created a sample post which can be seen below.

How to Enter

·      Write one of the following types of blog posts

o   Create an outfit post (with links to all products) including a curly hairstyle of your choice stating which Curlformers you would use to achieve it with a link back to the product page.

o   A post with a montage of curly hair/hairstyles images stating which Curlformers you would use to achieve it with a link back to the product page.

o   A how to/tutorial demonstrating how to create your favourite curly hair style stating which Curlformers you would use to achieve the initial curl type with a link back to the product page.

o   If you have Curlformers please fill free to create a post with your Curlformers tips and which Curlformers you frequently use.

·         Let other bloggers know they can enter by pointing them to this page.

·         Send your entries to Nazilla.Allahiary@freshegg.com

·         A sample post can be seen below.
The Competition closes at 23.59 12/11/2012. Entries received after that date and time will not be considered. 

   Curlformers Blogger Competition

loose wave curls - curlformers long and extra wide /dress - missguided /shoes - misguided / tights - misguided

      I'm off on holiday next week! So thought I would look at an outfit to go out in one evening. I like to wear my hair down, it gives me more confidence, especially if it is full of volume and shine. To achieve this look I would blow dry my roots to give them a boost and then apply Curlformers Long and Extra wide to the ends of my hair and then leave them to dry. 

      Once dry I would remove the Curlformers and separate the curls using my fingers or a wide tooth comb and apply a bit of shine serum all over and some hair spray. Curlformers curls last longer than 'tonged' curls so my hair will maintain the curls throughout the night and as there is no heat used so create the curls they are softer and shiner than 'tonged' curls too.

      I'm going on holiday near Marbella, and Puerto Banus is glam central, so I have teamed together this beautiful sequined dress with these red soled killer heels. The dress covers my arms, which I am quite conscious of and the cross over style will flatter my shape. To add a bit of fun and 'me' to the look I have added these cute tights with the heart 'seam' at the back.

      Hope you like the look and good luck to anyone who enters the competition!

       Love Lilla xx

HAIR | Behind the scenes of the Curlformers Photo Shoot

Last week I was lucky enough to be invited to hang out at the Curlformers photo shoot at the Electric Hairdressing Studio in Brighton. Whilst I was there I also took over their Twitter account to tweet about the shoot! I love Curlformers so much, my favorite type is the Wide and Extra Long, as I like casual beach curls! The photo shoot consisted of two days of capturing pictures for eight products. Each model had their photo taken before the Curlformers were put in, with a full head of Curlformers, with a few taken out and then finally once the hair has been styled after they were removed.

I learnt some exciting news about up coming product so keep your eyes out! Also I learnt some great tips from the hair stylist on set, which I believe Curlfomers will be blogging about in the coming weeks. One that I found really useful was to part the hair in zig zags, which I will be trying next time I use them.

I had a fantastic time on the day and would like to thank the Curlformers team for inviting me along.

Love Lilla xx

LIFESTYLE | Weekly Portrait #1

Sorry about the extra large shot of my tired mug! In future they will look better (hopefully). I've decided to start a weekly portrait for a couple of reasons, mainly because I would like to document my last 3 stone of weight loss.

So this morning Sega (one of my cats) woke me up at 7am for feeding and as I was awake I decided to write this post while catching up on Geordie Shore (I'm not ashamed, Im addicted).

Yesterday I was treated to some pampering at Dove HQ as I am taking part in the Dove Colour Radiance Challenge. I'll write a proper post about the challenge tomorrow and let you know about my day. Do you like my new ombre? It's a lot mote subtle, and I love it!

This week I will be taking over the Curlformers Twitter for Tuesday and Wednesday while I cover their latest photo-shoot, really looking forward to that, you can follow the activities on @Curlformers.
On Wednesday I am also attending my first ever launch event as a blogger! Exciting! I'm going to the Dove Colour Radiance Launch. I will post about everything.

Today I will be spending my day with my O/H relaxing and if the weather holds we will be heading down to Paddle Round the Pier.

Have a good Sunday   :)

Love Lilla xx

BEAUTY | Argan Oil - Whats the deal?

Argan oil, also known as Moroccan oil is an organic oil pressed from the seeds of fruit from Morrocco's Argan tree. Traditionally used as a cooking oil, in recent years it has been exported as a treatment for skin and hair problems such as acne, dry skin and damaged hair.

When I was doing #30daysnoheat, Argan oil seemed to be hailed as a magic cure for my damaged locks. Since completing the challenge and making a few changes (using a natural bristle brush, detergent free shampoo, heat protection spray, condition mask and using my straighteners less) my hair is in incredible condition. I don't have the problem, where my scalp would be dry, roots greasy and ends dry and frayed.
Taking all of this in to consideration, I thought it was about time I saw what all the fuss was about.

I tried two types of oil one for my hair and one for my skin (Argan oil is high in vitamin E, so I am hoping it will help improve the appearance of a scar i have on my forehead.).

The first one I tried was Rodin olio lusso Rodin by Recine Luxury Hair Oil. My main concern was that the oil would make my hair greasy so I applied a few drops to damp hair and then styled it. My hair was definitely softer and shinier. I also found that putting a few drops on to the ends of dry hair seems to bring it back to life! But be careful about how much you use, I rub it into my palms and then through my hair.

You can buy the Rodin by Recine Luxury Hair Oil on their website for $65.

For my skin I tested the Kahina-Giving Beauty's 100% Organic Kahina Argan Oil, which is described as being rich in Vitamin E and antioxidants. Again when using the oil on my skin I was worried about my skin appearing really greasy as a result, but the oil is absorbs very quickly and left my skin feeling smooth and soft. Not only did I notice my skin was more even than before, but I noticed that the spots that I sometimes get near my hairline have more or less vanished.

This product can also be used for your hair, but I found it was a tad heavy for my thin locks, my OH on the other hand found that it absorbed perfectly into his thicker mop.

This oil can be purchased from the above website and ranges in price from $36-$82 for 30ml-100ml or from Beauty Works West for £74.

The oil may seem expensive but it is well worth the investment and when you consider how little you will use each time the product will last for ages!

HAIR | #30daysnoheat and beyond....

I finished my #30daysnoheat challenge on the 10th October. I know it is now the 17th but I have a lot to tell you! I was so used to not using heat on my hair that I actually carried on until the 13th without realising! Then the day after I washed my hair and as I was working from home just sprayed some leave-in condition in it and left it to dry (usually I load it with various products and give it a scrunch to help with the waves) and it was relatively straight and frizz free!


So what have I learnt from #30daysnoheat?

I actually prefer using Curlformers to curling irons.
Yes curling irons are more convenient in some situations, but I find the results aren't as good or long lasting. Where Curlformers curls will last me the whole night and are shiny bouncy curls, curling iron curls last a few hours and are a bit too loose, also the amount of hair spray I have to use to keep my curls for these few hours make the curls look dull and lifeless. I can also use Curlformers with my hair extensions without damaging them which means they last longer!
Also if you put them in the night before you go out or before you do you make up and spend 30 minutes trying on various outfits (during which I usually give my boyfriend a mini fashion show whilst he plays COD or what ever video game and pretends that he is interested) then they aren't that time consuming. Alternatively as I can now use heat I might try using a hood attachment to my blow dryer like Tanya Burr.

I don't need heat.
Yes that is right! Although I can use heat now, and I will, I don't not feel like I need to do it to all the time. I think I am going to be using my hair straighteners a lot less, I personally find that they make my hair a lot flatter than blow drying and I like the look of a good blow out!

A well suited hair cut is essential.
My hair is quite thin and frizzy, by giving myself some time dealing with my natural hair I have realised that the longer my hair is the more manageable it is I.E. straighter and frizz free. Therefore I am on a mission to grow out my layers!

Shampoo and condition properly.
When I first started this challenge, one of my major hair issues was that my roots would be greasy and my ends straw like, this has now changed! Not just because I haven't been sucking all the moisture out of my hair, but also because I have changed how I wash my hair! Firstly I now use a clarifying shampoo which has helped quite a lot (I am also going to try a sulphate free shampoo soon), I also only massage it into my scalp and just let the water take it through my tips, this means the shampoo doesn't strip away all the moisture from my hair. I only apply conditioner to my ends leaving it for a few minutes also once a week I apply a hair mask.


No Heat Survival Essentials Count Down

5. A Natural Bristle Brush

Made my hair a lot shinier and the ends less dry! Also a lot softer on my hair with tangles!





4. Gliss Liquid Silk Express Repair Leave-In Conditioner

This product is amazing, my hair is shiny and soft and you can apply to damp or dry hair so if my ends are looking a bit nasty I just give them a spray and brush (i have even caught my O/H using it too!)

3. Argan Oil For Face Body Hair Nails

Argon Oil is great for adding extra health to your hair! If you are using heat apply a little to the ends of damp hair before blow drying it or to dry hair if you are straightening it.

2.Elvive Hair Mask
Since Regan at Ruby Hair Designs recommended this product I have become obsessed. If I'm really treating my hair I will apply and then wrap my hair/head with cling-film and leave it for half an hour (you can leave it over night) before I wash it out. The cling film holds in the heat released from your head, this will help your hair take in more of the goodness!

1. Curlformers Long and Extra Wide
These have been my life saver! I have used them for every party I've needed to go to, or if I was going out with my friends. People even commented on how shiny and soft my hair looked. Some even said, I didn't know your hair was naturally like that! These have been fantastic. I also have the Long and Wide ones, but my little sister has kidnapped them and refuses to give them back because she 'neeeeeeds them' (imagine irritating child voice with sad eyes).

So there you have it! I never realised I was going to learn so much about my hair by doing this! I also thought it would be a lot harder to go without heat for 30 days and thought that by the end of it I would be gagging for my GHDs!

HAIR | Day 7 #30daysnoheat #curlformers and Fishtail plaits!

Here I am experimenting with different styles without heat. I have used natural clip in hair extensions, Extra-wide and Long Curlformers and Velcro rollers. I will post some pictures tomorrow :) I love the look of a fish tail plait!

HAIR | #30daysnoheat Curlformers results :)!

Here is the video of me taking the Curlformers out! I loved the curls I achieved. They also lasted ages so I've a picture of them that evening down below!

HAIR | #30daysnoheat Using Curlformers

Curlformers Short and Narrow at hair show

Here is the video of me putting in Curlformers. I found them very easy to put in and it was a lot quicker than I thought it would be!

HAIR | Day 1 #30daysnoheat Curlformers

Here is day one of 30 days of no heat. This is my first ever video blog so apologise for the ums and sos! /
You can tweet them here: @Curlformers or they have a Facebook page here.

Please fill free to leave suggestions in the comments or Tweet me @LillaJade