Rest your roots - 5 products for £5!

Your hair is weak, brittle and in need of some long-awaited TLC but payday is no closer than you are to being ‘Becky with the good hair’.

So how can you transform your dull, lacklustre locks to achieve strengthened, sumptuous and sleek tresses? (Especially when the likes of argan oil is so frickin’ expensive – 125ml of Moroccanoil Treatment is £31.50!)

Well my soon-to-be silky-haired friends, thanks to my nosiness which is nigh on impossible to curtail, I went into a Poundworld for some standard homeware bits and bobs, and emerged with an abundance of haircare products.

Say what you will, turn your nose up if you feel so compelled, but when I saw the sheer amount of argan oil products they supplied – all at the advertised price of a measly £1 – I knew I was onto something. Of the argan oil products, I only got the oil itself and heat protector spray suffused with oil, but there were about 8 other products all made with the pioneering heavenly oil-infused haircare tool  – if I used more than 2 oil-based products at once in my grease-prone hair, I’d look like a dripping buffoon, slimy and sopping.

My hair tends to have exceptionally dry ends, and it becomes greasy quite quickly, so for that reason I only use argan oil on the tips. On wet hair combed with a wide-toothed comb (helped by the divine-smelling Schwartzkopf Detangling Spray), I add a couple of drops of argan oil to my hands and rub my palms together to get an even coating. Then I bring all of my hair over both shoulders and run my fingers through it like a makeshift comb, focusing on the ends and applying the oil no higher than ear-height. If I have any excess oil left on my fingers, I massage it into my elbows, as it helps moisturise them and keep them soft and supple.

My top 5 Poundworld products that produced amazing results, for minimal money:

1. Argan Oil Hair Treatment
2. Schwartzkopf Detangling Spray (Strawberry scent)
3. Macadamia Oil Extract Hair Mask
4. Alberto Balsam Superfruits Shampoo & Conditioner (Mango and Passion Fruit)
5. Argan Oil Heat Defense Leave In Spray

To get more tips on growing your hair, click here

3-Ways Satin Jumpsuit

It's always handy to have several staple items in your wardrobe, especially when you're in a rush and need a gorgeous outfit, pronto. This navy satin jumpsuit from New Look £24.99 is wonderfully versatile and each outfit is chic yet affordable.

Lunch date

This sophisticated look is maximised by the skyscraper heels, although they are sensationally comfortable because of the wooden platform. A sleek outfit perfected with a slick of blood-red lippy.

Wool high neck jumper - H&M £9.99, Shoes - Steve Madden £40 (sale), Necklace & elasticated gold belt - Free (gift from fashion internship)

Work

I like the androgyny of this look, and the slight reminiscence of a school uniform - it makes it feel a bit cheeky. It has a playful edge yet is practical for the office, plus looks super cute with Kim Kardashian style French plaits.  

Chiffon/Lace blouse - Primark £8, Tassel belt - Primark £4, Patent rudeboy tassel loafers - eBay £12.99, Necklace - Free (gift from fashion internship)

Evening

My favourite part of this outfit has to be the Tom Ford-esque silver sandals. I died when I saw them and simply HAD to have them, and at £15 they were an absolute steal.

Shoes - Primark £15, Necklace - TU at Sainsburys £14, Pearl and chain circular earrings - Aldo £8, Clutch bag - Free (gift from fashion internship)

8 Tips For Growing Your Hair

Like many of us, I thought I would be brave and go for the chop, opting to cut off my 17 inches of hair and have a long bob. Although I did love it, come the third week I was pining over my lost locks, considering anything from Sellotape to a stretch-out strap to make it grow. Unfortunately the truth that no hair-grower wants to hear is that once it is off, it will take its sweet time to grow back. However, there is a light at the end of the wind tunnel hairdryer attachment; there are several things you can do to speed up the growth process, all of which are relatively cheap and easy:

1.  Never use a hairband to tie a ponytail or bun; try using a scrunchie; I’ve found that velvet ones work best. The tautness of a regular hairband pulls on your hair and can rip hair from the follicle. A scrunchie is much softer and less aggressive on your scalp, meaning your hair can be up without too much tension put on it. Claire's Accessories do some really sweet ones that you can wear both in the house and as part of an outfit.

All Claire's Accessories at £2.45

2. When drying your hair, avoid using towels as sometimes the coarseness in the fabric can be harsh on thin hair. Instead, try an old t-shirt (I find my Dad’s ones are perfect, as they are extra soft from years of washing) as it is much gentler on the scalp and gives the follicles a rest.

3.  If money is a bit tight but you want to buy a hair treatment, try using things from around the home. One product that works a treat is olive oil. Heat it in the microwave in a microwave-safe measuring jug (or just a mug will do if you can’t find one) for 2-3 minutes. Pour this over the head and leave for 5 minutes to work. Wash it out with lots of shampoo and see your new shiny, healthy locks. Please note, any longer than 5 minutes left on will not make a difference. Oh, and BE CAREFUL as the oil will be hot!

4. Try one hair-wash a week without using shampoo, just use conditioner. The reason for this is that shampoo is effectively a soap, and certain soaps can remove moisture from the hair. This can cause breakages and split ends which means a lack of hydration and ultimately, dry, frizzy hair in bad condition.

5. It sounds obvious but I cannot stress the importance of using a heat protection spray. I like Lee Stafford’s Poker Straight Flat Iron Protection Mist (£6.49) as it works brilliantly and the smell is divine but again, a cheaper option is Superdrug’s Style Expertise Heat Spray at £2.99. Use it every time you blow-dry, rough dry, straighten, curl or even roller your locks to avoid unnecessary stress and damage.

    6. When handling wet hair, it can be a pain to get to a reasonably manageable state, especially if you have thick, curly or knotty hair. Use a children’s detangling spray (L’Oreal are notorious this product but a home-brand also can work well) and spray well before combing. You can also get adult detangling sprays, such as Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Silkening Detangler (£6.50) but I find children’s ones are more equipped to combat the tantrums that ensue with hair brushing. This helps prevent any (painful) tugging and maximises hydration in the hair that will give a smooth and shiny finish for any hair type.

    7. Following the use of the spray, avoid the temptation to use a hairbrush to get your wet hair ready for blow-drying. Using a hairbrush can yank the hair from the root and take weeks, even months to grow back again. Substitute this with a wide-toothed comb (I think Wilko do one for about 80p) and slowly comb from root to tip in sections. If you have particular difficult or curly unmanageable hair, comb from about 3 inches from the ends of your hair downwards. Repeat this all the way to the section of hair until you get to the roots and can brush downwards in one smooth motion.

8. In the shower, I have a real habit (especially if I am in a hurry) of rushing my hair wash and giving no time or attention to it. Instead, give yourself a lengthy scalp massage, focusing on the roots, the crown and behind your ears when lathering. This stimulates blood circulation which brings more nutrients to your hair roots. Plus, who doesn’t love a cheeky massage?!