Ghd Eclipse | Review

When my Mum introduced me to ghd hair straighteners about ten years ago I immediately became one of those people who relies on using them on a daily basis. Sad I know. But when I discovered that I could actually get my hair to stay straight for more than ten minutes there was no turning back. 

I have the original ghds and will only replace them when they are on their last legs. So when my mum told me that she had replaced hers with their newest model 'eclipse' I was so excited to borrow them. 

The ghd eclipse is lighter in weight than the original and I think the plastic actually feels quite cheap. To be honest, I'm not a fan of the design in general but that's just my opinion and it doesn't effect the performance of the straighteners so I won't focus on that too much. 

One thing that I do like about them is that they make a noise when you turn them on and off as well as lighting up. I just thought was a really cool feature (so easily amused). The brilliant thing about these straighteners compared to the originals is that they are much easier to hold as the outside of them doesn't get too hot. Ghd have used 'breakthrough patented tri-zone technology' which means that there are three heat sensors on each plate maintaining a constant heat of 185 degrees C. This is incredibly clever and means the straighteners are a lot kinder to your hair. I've definitely ruined my hair by constantly straightening it on an extremely high heat for years on end. 

What I didn't like about these straighteners is that I needed to really take my time straightening each section of hair. They claim that there is a 'one stroke texture taming for all hair types' but I found myself having to run them over the same section of hair a few times. Now this may be down to the way that I was using them or the fact that they don't heat up to the temperature that I'm used to. But I found that even when I took my time and took smaller sections of hair I still had this problem. My mum said that she also found this. She also said that she didn't like the fact that the eclipse doesn't clamp all the way down onto the hair, which may be another reason we were finding it difficult to straighten the sections of hair in one stroke. 

These straighteners are great and I did find that my hair stayed straighter for longer which meant that I didn't feel the need to keep using them (well...use them five times a day like I usually do). In the long run it would hopefully mean that you would straighten your hair less, making it less damaged. 

Have you tried these straighteners? What do you think? 

February Favourites...Video

As I sat down recently to write a 'February Favourites' post I thought "why not film this one?". This is something that comes into my head almost every time I write a post on here...but this time...I actually did it.

I studied Television Production at university and both of my housemates are Cinematographers so I took full advantage of all of the filming kit we have around the house and went for it. It was so strange editing a video of myself but I can see why people enjoy making them. I had so much fun putting this together and I really hope you guys enjoy watching it. I don't know about you but I always love seeing the person behind the posts and feel like I can get to know them better through their videos.

Please let me know what you think guys, I'd really appreciate any feedback. If you make videos I'd love to see them too!

Highlights At Home | L'Oreal Kit

I went home last weekend to visit my family and my best friend (and my cat). I had decided that it was definitely time to get a hair cut. My hair had grown quite a bit but was in such bad condition that it had seemed to...stop growing. I booked an appointment with a hairdresser who had been recommended to me back home and decided to just go for it and get quite a lot off of the length. I'm so pleased with how it turned out and will definitely go back there next time. 

Seeing as I'd had quite a bit off the length the lighter bits of my hair weren't as prominent any more. This is when I decided that I was going to try and do something about this...at home! Why go and pay £70 plus when you can spend a fiver on a kit and do it in the comfort of your own home right? (That's what I told myself, hoping that I was right).

When I was about thirteen my mum helped me put highlights in my hair at home and it went horribly wrong. We used a kit that came with a little odd shaped applicator and I ended up looking like a leopard. So this time I decided to go with a kit that comes with a brush. I'll be honest, I was terrified. Especially as I was letting my mum do it. Neither of us have had ANY hairdressing experience. I watched a few tutorials online to get ideas about the best way to get more natural looking highlights and we eventually decided to just go for it. As soon as my mum started applying the product, mostly concentrating on the underneath and not taking it all the way to the roots (that's where we had the problem before) I began to trust her. The kit came with a cap but we decided to just apply the product randomly with the brush, taking different sized pieces of hair. She started by applying it half way up the bit of hair, putting more on the ends and then brushing the rest towards the roots.

We decided not to leave it on for too long so I washed it off after 20 minutes as I was trying to go for a more 'natural' effect. I'm actually really pleased with the result! No patches and most importantly no copper tones. I'm really tempted to apply a few more highlights in a few weeks time being a bit more brave, making them go all the way from the roots. If I do then I'll definitely use this L'Oreal kit again. It was incredibly easy to use and so affordable. 

Have you highlighted your hair at home? What was your experience like?

All Used Up #2

Long time no speak! I'm all moved in, so things should return to normal now. I took these photos a couple of weeks ago when the weather was still lovely in the UK. It's sunny today but it's turned really bitter outside (definitely coat weather) already and I'm stuck in the house with a pretty bad cold...It really is starting to feel like winter. It's a good job the products that I've used up are everyday essentials that can be used all year round. 

So I've done it again...I've actually managed to use up a few products instead of forgetting about them, hiding them away in a cupboard when they are still half full. 

I usually have a few different body moisturisers on the go but recently I've been trying to use up a whole tub before moving onto the next one. I got this nspa Shea Butter Body Butter from Asda a while ago and remember it being extremely cheap. I also remember being extremely surprised when I first used it because the quality is so good for the price. It has a nice, thick consistency and is not greasy at all. The smell is lovely and kind of reminds me of the smell of a packet of mini eggs (strange thing to compare it to I know).

I originally never intended to purchase this product. I looking for the Effaclar Duo but it was sold out in all of my local Boots. They had an offer on at the time where you could get two La Roche- Posay products for £15 and I wanted to try the Effaclar Mat (which I recently repurchased because it's so brilliant) facial moisturiser so took advantage of the deal by picking up this little beauty as well. 
It's supposed to target imperfections and stop breakouts from developing. I used this every time I had a blemish until it disappeared and did notice a difference. I still suffer from scarring occasionally but this product is perfect for me and would be for you if you seem to get one or two spots at a time. 

I've been a big fan of the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Frizz Remedy since I was a teenager. It leaves your hair smelling so clean and is one of those scents that reappears every time you move your hair throughout the day. I love having a product like this at hand to give my hair that extra bit of care a couple of times a week and will definitely be repurchasing it.

The Tigi Bed Head Control Freak is a serum that I've had for a while and had completely forgotten about. I'm so glad that I did find it hiding in my room because I've been using it recently and think I'll have to repurchase it. The serum itself smells a bit plasticy and almost like grapes (in a good way) and has little tiny bits of glitter in it which actually disappear when you work it into your hair. I apply this to the ends of my hair when it's wet and it helps keep my hair feeling smoother and flatter (no idea why but I'm obsessed with keeping buy hair flat).

This stuff is amazing. Smells like pear (childhood), costs about £1.99 and really helps get those knots out of your hair. That's pretty much it, this product is just a great all round.

Bigs came to join me...he's so nosy!

It's not often that I find products that I would repurchase so I feel like today's post has been pretty sucessful. Let me know which ones you have tried and whether you agree with me!

Hair Care

Lined up on the shelf are all of the products that I love to use when washing or styling my hair. Apart from this brand of hairspray which is a fairly recent  addition and the shampoo and conditioner, which I change every time they run out I've been using all of these products for a long time and have been so happy with the way they work on my hair.

So lets start with the products that I use first...shampoo and conditioner. Like I said, when these run out I will usually replace them with a different brand each time (whatever is on offer really). I received the Organix Macadamia Oil shampoo and conditioner for my birthday in June and have been using them for the past month or so. When I first started using them I loved the way that they made my hair feel shiny and soft. But after using them for a while I noticed that they were actually making my hair quite greasy so I have switched to Tresemmé for the time being. Has anyone else tried the Organix Macadamia Oil products? I'd love to hear what your thoughts are as I'm so undecided about them. I also have the actual hair oil which I've tried a couple of times and really liked, so maybe it's just the shampoo and conditioner.
If I'm not washing my hair then I'll use a dry shampoo. The best one that I've used is by VO5...to be honest VO5 is my go to brand because I've loved everything I've ever tried from them. I use the 'Refresh Me Quick' one and love the sweet smell it has. 

After washing my hair I love to use a de-tangler and believe it or not my favourite ones are from  Superdrug and L'Oreal for kids. They smell like pear...how cool is that?! Only a kids hair product would smell like pear, have a picture of a sheep on the front or be in a bottle shaped like some sort of animal. Is it just me or does that make the product even more exciting? Until recently I was using the Superdrug's own one but when I ran out I switched to the L'Oreal Kids Tangle Tamer. They both do a great job and only cost between £1.50 and £3.00.

I always use some sort of oil on the ends of my hair because it's so dry and brittle. I've been loving the Organix Weightless Moroccan Argan Oil. It smells absolutely amazing and leaves my hair feeling lovely and soft.

When I style my hair with heat I always use a heat protector. The one that I've been using for about two years now is the VO5 Heat Protect Style Spray. If I'm honest all heat sprays seem to do the same thing, I just like smell and very reasonable price of the VO5 one which makes it a winner for me. I don't really see the point in spending a lot of money on a heat protector, unless it does a few different things to your hair.

My hair gets so frizzy all year round so I love using the Trevor Sorbie Humidity Control Spray. When I first started using it I definitely noticed a different but I think that now I've been using it for a while it's starting to have less of an effect on my hair. I do still use it though, probably because it gives me peace of mind...and I'm determined to use up the bottle before starting another one!

I will lastly, always apply some hair spray. I had been using a mini James Brown one but heard such good things about the Fudge Iced raspberry and Vanilla Hair Spray that when I saw it on offer in Superdrug I snapped it up straight away. I like it because it smells good, helps fight the frizz and isn't sticky at all. But I'm not sure if I will repurchase it when it runs out as I'm still looking for that perfect hairspray. Can anyone recommend any amazing ones?

What products do you use on your hair? Can you recommend any that help fight the frizz?

I'm Loving: Bumble & Bumble Surf Shampoo & Conditioner

I was so excited when my friend gave me this Bumble and Bumble travel set for my birthday. I've been wanting to try some of their products for years. They've finally started selling Bumble and Bumble in our local Boots as well which makes them a lot easier to get hold of and having the 60ml bottles meant that I could try them out and then take the plunge and spend more money on the full sized ones if I liked them. I'd heard such amazing things about the Surf Spray (which also came in the set, yay!) so was really looking forward to trying out the much anticipated Surf shampoo and conditioner. I was not disappointed!

They claim to be for 'all hair types' and will give you 'body, texture and enhanced natural waves'. They do give my hair a really nice texture and actually leave it looking like i've been at the beach, especially when I team them up with the salt spray. They seem to make your hair thicker and messy...in a tame way, without making you look like Bridget Jones when she steps out of the convertible. My hair is quite thick and very dry and I try not to use too much heat on it to help this but i'm pretty addicted to using my straighteners. So, this probably isn't the best shampoo and conditioner to use on a regular basis as it can be quite drying. But it's perfect for using occasionally when you want that wavy, volumised look. What I really love about them is that they give my hair the perfect texture for styling. For example, when I wash my hair it won't actually do anything I want it to until the next day or a few hours after i've washed it. But after using this shampoo, my hair will be easier to work with. I have no idea why it does this but i'm not complaining. They also smell great, which is always a bonus with hair products!

Have you tried the shampoo and conditioner or anything else from Bumble and Bumble? I'd love to hear about any other products from them that you think are worth a try!

Disclosure: The views expressed are based on my own experience.

Fortnight In Photos #1

Flying back from the Alps after skiing

Filming a documentary in London

Two day trip to Alton Towers

Shopping with my mum

Attempt at making Sprite lollies

Biggie is gradually becoming more of a lap cat

Burrito at a friend's birthday meal

Curls made with straighteners that kind of stayed in overnight

Follow me on instagram @hannahcelder to see more photos