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

Chelsea Bridge Massage*

Thank you Chelsea Bridge Clinic for inviting me down for a full body massage; it was sheer bliss. I met with my therapist Bianca (a stunning green-eye beauty) who got me to fill in the standard forms about the problem areas on my body (eg. back pain, joint pain) and then I was lead through the quaint clinic to a treatment room. Although offered, I declined the temporary underwear which were horrific... some sort of  confused grandmother mullet pants - Bridget Jones in the front, and tooth floss in the back. Having said this, I am yet to find a spa that offers sexy temporary underwear - a girl can dream.

The massage began and as soon as her lotion-lathered fingers touched my skin, I turned to putty in her hands... I was so relaxed, all I could do was grunt my muffled replies to "is this pressure okay for you?" and "how is the room temperature for you?"
Although I am normally a back and scalp kind of girl, it was when she began working out the knots in my calves and giving my tootsies individual massages of their own, that I thought I would melt into the bed with pleasure. She went to town on my chest and neck, gently alleviating the stresses I'd evidently been holding there by the various clicks and crunches, and then she began a snake charmer-esque wiggle movement with my arms and fingers that, although at first I found peculiar, ended with my shoulders feeling looser and freer than they have in years.

Finally was her personalised advice for my lower back problems that often stiffen me up and result in looking like the Hunchback of Notre Dame - she showed me a variety of exercises that enabled my back to loosen and release the taut muscular issues that were posture-related. She helped me with these to get maximum effect whereby I laid flat whilst she twisted me, stretching my lower back and initiating a resounding clunk, which I'm sure echoed down the hallways, reverberating for minutes afterwards!
It was a great massage with new techniques I haven't experienced before, made all the more memorable by the assistance and advice given to help me in everyday life to ease my aching lower back. 
Kudos for maximising this clinic's potential through the alliance with Très Spa - I will definitely be returning.

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)

Luscious Lips

March is here, and although we should be cracking out the pastel shades and floral prints, instead we have cracked lips because of this cold snap (some places in the UK have snow!)

So I have put together a little collection of lippies to help you re-moisturise and get your perfect pout back, ready for Spring.

We get dry lips because they don’t have any oil glands, unlike the rest of our skin. To tackle this, try a gentle lip balm to cool and moisturise;  my handbag essential is my Nivea Pearly Shine £2 lip balm. It lasts for hours and has a pearlescent sheen to it that can double as a lip colour, plus looks great with nude-style make up.

If you want a high pigmented, plump lip but you’re not a fan of the Kylie Jenner pout, courtesy of intricate lip liner and lashings of lipstick (plus a teensy bit of filler), then why not try Urban Decay products? Urban Decay’s Lip Junkie Gloss £13 uses Maxi-Lip, a bonus ingredient that claims to plump lips by up to 40% when used for a month that leaves lips creamy rather than sticky.

An alternative to precision lipwear that keeps a buttery-smooth finish is the wine-stained look. Use a dark pink/plum coloured lippy, such as Topshop’s Matte Lip Bullet in Get Me Bodied £8 and apply lightly before dabbing gently with your middle finger, until it looks slightly smudged and worn. For longer wear, easier application, and additional moisture apply a slick of lip balm before the lipstick.

If you suffer from the blighters that are coldsores (that come on as a result of being stressed, a change in the weather or just because they feel like you’ve not had one in a while, particularly hours before a party) then try Zovirax £4.85. The Acyclovir element will minimise the coldsore, targeting the virus and reducing the size and redness, just apply ever 3-4 hours. Alternatively is Blistex £2.69, which deals with coldsores but also relieves dry, chapped lips to leave them soft and smooth.

Let me know your favourite lip-plumping products or techniques for a chance to win a new lipstick in your choice of colour!

Maurice's Mantra

Voted 9th in Vogue.com's Most Stylish Men in Fashion, Maurice Mullen (Head of Fashion and Luxury Goods at the London Evening Standard) has been at the forefront of fashion publishing for almost thirty years.

Marking the beginning of Fall 2016 men's season, the Vogue.com editors weighed in on the well-dressed men they are eager to see, with Sarah Mower, Vogue.com Chief Critic, stating:

“To me, it’s Maurice Mullen of the London Evening Standard, who I always look forward to seeing at the London shows. I have never been able to comprehend the number of immaculate Savile Row suits he must have, nor his ability to deploy the loudest patterns and colors and the killer clashing pocket handkerchief—and plaid trousers on occasion!—while being the most gentlemanly and wickedly insightful neighbor to sit next to at a show.” 

I recently attended a lunch with him, where we were discussing the future and how we see ourselves making an impact within the media industry, specifically within the fashion and luxury goods sector. He shared with me a mantra that he often used to emanate ambitions and succeed when communicating that really boosted my confidence:

“In life, people can be radiators or drains”

He concluded that radiators give warmth and naturally draw people to them, contributing optimistically to others and enhancing their life in some way; they provide happiness and share joy with others whilst radiating positivity.

Drains are the opposite; they withdraw energy from those around them, emotionally exhausting them and only focus on their own issues. This is dispiriting to others, and means that they often take more from the relationship than they give.

Whilst I think this gives an extreme view of the world, it is definitely something to contemplate, both in a personal and professional capacity. It made me wonder if in life, I was being a resilient radiator, or a drag-you-down drain.

Thankfully, Maurice said he thought I was a radiator, with an outgoing personality and ambition to drive forwards but this isn’t necessarily true all the time. Everyone gets down days and it is okay to have them, and to seek advice or the support of others. Only when you start valuing your problems above everyone else’s can this lead down a slippery slope… or into a drain as it were!

Next week, Maurice is off to Paris Fashion Week to teach a class of 22 American students from Washington DC visiting PFW with their tutor for the first time - wish him luck/congratulate him using the below Twitter links!

Inspired by: Maurice Mullen and Vogue.com
@standardfashion  @ESMagOfficial #eveningstandardfashion

Yorkshire Beauty

Rolling hills as far as the eye can see, forested valleys, stretching moors and silvery vapours drifting over the landscape in the early morning sun; welcome to Yorkshire.

At this time of year, although bitingly cold, the Yorkshire moors are breathtakingly beautiful, showcasing the glory of nature and sheer magnificence akin to Peter Jackson’s portrayal of New Zealand in his Lord of the Rings productions.

Having visited for a funeral, spirits were duly low, but when I encountered the stunning landscapes, I could not help but feel a sort of living presence, pulsing in every aspect of the surroundings, breathing life and energy through me. The crisp air and dewy flowers were intoxicating, as was the river with its thousands of intricate reflections that you could stare into endlessly.

Bolton Abbey was by far the most captivating place I visited. In the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, the ruins of a 12^th century monastery exist in acres of woodland that are truly staggering and simply must be experienced. We walked for hours through the woods (muddy wellies accompanying) and skipped stones along the mirrored surface, topped off with a bowl (I mean it, it was a bowl) of hot chocolate plus whipped cream plus marshmallows plus sprinkles, and thankfully I didn’t have a coronary! If walking isn’t your thing (it wasn’t mine until I met my boyfriend’s mum!) then there are still places you can visit. There are about 9462 pubs in a 3-mile radius, all of which consist of roaring log fires, engulfing leather armchairs, a monstrously-sized roast dinner and as standard, an adorable pub dog. For afternoon tea, you simply must visit Betty’s Tea Rooms in Harrogate; nearly a century old, it boasts the most delectable cream cakes and extensive collection of tea and coffee (with over 300 breads, cakes and chocolates!). If you want to explore the town, there are hundreds of quaint little shops selling petite homeware bits that are perfect for gift-giving, or try the market in Skipton with thousands of books for sale as well as puzzles, fruit, vegetables and jewellery. There is a great buzz about Harrogate, and when we went we were lucky enough to catch the Pancake Day celebrations, with local radio stations and pancake-tossing competitions aplenty.

Don’t forget all the “Ye Olde Sweetshops” either – with pineapple cubes, rhubarb and custards, bonbons, humbugs, salted liquorice, jelly buttons (how much time have you got?) they have all the old sweets as well as some new!