From Brunette to Blonde: Care Tips on a budget

I have recently lightened my hair and was fearful of the upkeep! Having had really dark brown, the transition from brunette to blonde was not easy on my hair. Having quiet silky and healthy hair I was worried that the harsh treatment of my hair would kill it! And being a uni student, expensive products was not so appealing...  But for all of you out there with the same first world problems, I have some solutions! 

I'm currently adoring, My Marrakesh Oil and Coconut Express Mousse Treatment (now with Organic Argan Oil) by Schwarzkopf. Just 3 pumps of this baby you have more then enough to lather through the ends of your hair. It's a leave in treatment and is best applied on wet hair. I don't know why or how it works, but It has helped my hair look and feel less stressed. 

Secondly, My beloved Moroccan Gloss Pure Argan Oil by Edward Beale. Love this! I apply just a couple of sprays on the tips of damp hair. Leaving my hair smooth and glossy for days. Argan Oil's of any brand have the same benefits, I have just found Edward Beale's one to not leave my hair feel or look oily and shiny in bad way. Its composition is great.












Lastly, I have found that when you have coloured hair, the more you wash, dry and brush the more brassy and dry you hair looks and feels. Being a serial shampooer myself,  I have thrown in the towel and have shifted to using dry shampoo religiously! It's like fresh new hair in a can without the washing and drying, so convenient and efficient! I use Batiste Dry Shampoo: Coconut & Exotic Tropical. I love its coconutty scent! Although there are dry shampoo's specific for brunette hair the end result hasn't been the same, I always end up back with Batiste!

These products are my top 3 right now, so affordable each under $15. So reliable and of designer brand quality! 

(So thankful for my hairdresser Gabby who gave me this look! Love her and all the stylists at Pierre Haddad)

Hope these tips helped all you guys on a budget, looking for reliable and easy to use hair products to banish the brass! 

Happy hair days! 

Let me know about your secret hair weapons! 

xox 

Brand Review: Toby and Rosie

During one market day I stumbled upon an aspiring skin care range, Toby and Rosie. Created by Toby and Rosie themselves, this homemade beauty therapy is organic, natural and alcohol free, products which are hard to find on the shelves today. I have a passion for finding and experimenting products that are eco-friendly and skin happy, because I struggle with irritation and harsh products that more often then not have adverse effects on my face and body. 

Toby and Rosie have acknowledged a gap in this market and are changing the world of beauty products. Their honest and ethical approach makes their products very appealing to those who are searching for healthy and safe products. Toby and Rosie base their products upon quality, and despite their reasonable and inexpensive pricing they do live up to the quality of significant designer brands.  

 'products are designed to not harm in any way and improve in every way.'

Visit their Facebook Page for other info: https://www.facebook.com/TobyandRosie 

So, I purchased: 

Pink Salt Facial Scrub

 This is good as a deep scrub and clean, pink salt has natural skin replenishing properties, it has left my skin feeling tighter and so so smooth 

Activated Charcoal Soap

 Once rubbed onto my skin it foamed up and gave me total coverage. Activated charcoal is said to remove toxins, it can help reduce acne and other skin impurities. It did wonders for removing my makeup!

Lip Balms

 I got the Apricot and Orange and the Watermelon and Mint, lets face it you can never have enough lip balm! At such a reasonable price, they are so high quality. They taste even better, good enough to eat. They have such thorough application and kept my lips kissable for a reasonable amount of time. Beeswax is a main ingredient along with other natural ingredients you can really smell and taste how natural and additive free they are. 

If you are Sydney based, Toby and Rosie are worth checking out, I'm sure in the near future they will be able to market to those nationally and internationally. 

So watch this space! 

Let me know of any organic products they you have tried or wish to know more about! 

xox 

Summer Must Haves!

So, as the weather is getting hotter so should you! This is my summer must haves (right now) for 2013-2014. 

Everything here has been an irresistible purchase desire. I love how florals, bright prints and the colour white is trending right now! 

This summer is all about colour popping and being bold yet beautiful! These pieces are on my list, for this summer as they require no effort because their simply beautiful alone! I love clothes that make you look beautiful rather than having to try make them look beautiful on you!

1. The Kimono (ASOS) 

2. Denim Denim Denim (Bardot)

3.Classic White Handbag (Michael Kors) 

4. Sailor Shoes (Betts)

5. Aviators (Lespecs) 

6. Colourful Lipstick (MAC) 

7. High-waisted Bikini (TopShop)

Day Trippn': Berry Buys!

Lovely family friends of ours, took us to Berry recently. They spoke of this towns tranquility and abundance of relaxation and retreat. As we drove into the boutique town I fell in love instantly, from the vintage architecture to the towns laid back vibe. 

Berry is quiet cultural in a sense of design and mood. There is so much to see, do and BUY! My shopping experience was exhilarating, although not leaving with much, I have keen memories and plans to return soon! 

One store that I could no resist was Scullys & Co. 

New Brand Discovery: Scullys & Co. 

(please use the link to visit their page) 

The store itself is a point of attraction. I loved the rustic and country warmth of its atmosphere, which is inviting on its own. Scully has a deliciously scented range of bath, body and home products including Lavender, Rose, Green Tea, Amberlily and White Gardenia and all products are made using the finest natural ingredients,  including essential oils and bio-active ingredients. 

Berry is home to Scullys only franchise, however all products can be bought from their online store. 

Despite the products’ high quality and beautiful packaging, everything is at a suitable and realistic price   

Here is what I couldn't resist!

(Furtherest to the right) The small blue vile. Scullys Cuticle and Nail Revive. Use this after Scullys Hand Scrub for cuticle and nail care maintenance.

Scullys Lavender Refreshing Mist: Love this! Relax's me so easy! Such a stress relief 

Scullys Lavender Hand Scrub: This product made my hands so silky smooth, it removed all my dead skin whilst massaging the lavender essence through to finger tips. Its such an organically soothing product. 

Trending: Lets Go Native; Brazil & Arica

Im currently loving Native inspired clothing and the abstract designs of Brazil and Africa especially! I would love for this trend to be brought to life this Summer, and I wish I could find more items like this!

The colours, bold patterns and entrancing impact of how each piece seems unique to each outfit, fits my style brief. I love loud and unique, so wearing these patterns are so much fun.

The Exotic and daring embellishments and crazy structures of these patterned pieces take me to the Carnival of Rio De Janeiro or the Jungles of Africa. 

Here are a few of my favourite pieces I have found around 

ASOS - African Shirt Dress In Elephant Print $88.72

Sportsgirl - Rio Scuba Body Con $39.95 (currently on sale) 

Sportsgirl - Braziliana Ponte Crop $79.95  & Braziliana Ponte Tube $59.95 

MinkPink-  Road Trip shorts $66 & Road Trip Tee $29 

Sass Clothing - Go Native Shift Dress $79.95

Let me know of stores that sell pieces to this brief, I'm also interested to learn of other Native pattern inspired clothing that you love! 

Update: Beauty Bits New Skin Routine

Hi guys, 

So on my last blog on my skin routine i told you all that I had been using EmerginC and Dermalogica products, now in my quest to my best fit - I found the brand Kiehl's.

I had heard about this brand a while ago but was reluctant to switch from my comfort zone, but i took the plunge and went for it. It is probably Day 10 now since I used it and the results so far have been promising. 

My skin is reacting well to my cleanser and toner. The cleanser that I have is Ultra Facial Oil-Free Cleanser (Blue tube) this is for normal-oily acne prone skin. It goes on so light weight and foams up so much which I love because you don't have to use more then a pea size to get full facial coverage!

Next I use my Toner, It is the Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner (Bottle with white lid). What I love about this product is it alcohol free and it is the only toner that doesn't sting my face! It's made from whole flowers and pure extract! (the flowers petals are actually inside the bottom!!) 

Probably one of my favourite new products is my Kiehl's Dermatologist Solutions: Blemish Control Daily Skin-Clearing Treatment,  This product is for the reduction of blemishes and helps the skin to repair and heal. Unlike other scar and acne clearing products it has not dried out my skin or caused irritation. It can be used all over your face which is great! 

Next, is my Moisturiser this one my sister brought home and Its great, its the Macro Skincare Essentials Natural Vitamin E Cream . Now it may not be ideal for everyone but I haven't had dry skin since i started this product and Its Vitamin E cream so it helps protect and repair the skin which is good for me  because I have acne scars. 

And finally, my eye cream although I don't encourage an eye cream so young this is more of a preventative measure, living in Australia and in such harsh climate's its important to protect your skin and help hydrate and repair what damage has already been done. My eye cream is the Kiehl's Abyssine Eye Cream with Survival Molecules and Corallina Extract. It is so smooth and creamy on application, in the morning my eyes are fresh and hydrated which is great! Makes waking up better! 

So, thats my new and improved skin care routine, I'll update my skins progress in the coming weeks 

I hope this helps, and If you have any other skin care treatments or routines share them with me! 

xox

Event: Creatives Uncovered

Sorry guys, I havent blogged for a very long time but I am now dedicating myself to blogging at least twice a week, Things have just been really busy, but Im back and full of ideas and inspiration, I hope you enjoy! 

I had the opportunity to attend a Creatives Uncovered Fashion Night recently. This event was also the launch of Ispire magazine. Creatives Uncovered has offered a platform of display and acknowledgment to the artists of tomorrow in fashion, music and art. 

This event was Africa all over, Creatives Uncovered brought Africa here, with the wild flavours and colours of vibrant Africa, designers from Australia and Africa came together in a night of high fashion and good vibes. I was lucky enough to witness such amazing designs that were showcased right before me, with the ability to buy straight of the catwalk. There was such uniqueness and attitude that these elegant yet street fashion lines had to offer. With the combination of colour clashing, structured patterns in the mix with elegant sheike i was in my element. Such fashion excites me, Its amazing to see where fashion is going and how far it has come. 

The coming together of culture and fashion is an amazing metaphor of community and equality, although such an unrelated concept to the night there was a sense of togetherness and belonging. 

Fashion is a passion that is shared with the world, a language that has so much to give and receive. The once materialistic ideas assumed of fashion has now changed and created a whole new meaning of ART! 

Keep an eye out for: 
Melinda Jenkins 
Coco Africa
Dalian Teppo
House of Bantu
Red Sky At Night 
Wa-Nyika

I hope you enjoy theses pieces as much as I did!