So I've discovered I loved styling hair...

I recently completed a course at Greasepaint Make-Up School, London in Hair & Make-up for TV, Film, Theatre and Airbrushing.  At the start of 2014 I decided that I wanted to pursue a career in make-up and so after working as a hair assistant for the start of the year I started the course in September 2014.   I knew that I would love the make-up side of it but what surprised me the most was how much I loved styling and cutting hair. We spent a month of the course focusing on period hair and make-up, all the way from edwardian cottage loaf hairstyles through the 20's, 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's. I loved the historical detail in creating these looks and the detail that went into making sure it was exactly of the era.

Even though I had been working in a hair salon prior to the course so was used to handling hair as washing hair was one of the main jobs I was yet to actually style hair until I started the course.  The styles that you can create with hair are endless, it is a form of 3D modelling that I have fallen in love with, so much so that I am going back to Greasepaint to study Hair & Make-Up for Fashion.

Handling hair can be frustrating and impossible sometimes but the feeling when you get it and you have created something that you are proud of is second to none. On my first job since finishing college I was lucky enough to be able to do the hair and make-up for a local theatre production which just reassured me how much I love doing hair.  Those four weeks of the TV & Film course were definitely my favourite and if I could I would relive them in a second.

2014 Most Loved Beauty

Makeup

Estee Lauder DayWear Tinted Moisturiser / Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque / Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer in Light 01 / MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Fling / NARS Blush in Deep Throat / MAC Eyeshadow in Patina / Max Factor Clump Defy Mascara / MAC Lipstick in Peach Blossom / Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Espirit

Skincare

Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanse and Polish / Liz Earle Deep Cleansing Mask / La Roche Posay Hydreane Riche

Hair

 Phytodefrisant / Moroccan Oil Light

Other

Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Toilette / MAC 130 Brush / Bobbi Brown Sheer Powder Brush

The Mid-Length Chop

Photos

The start of June this year I had had enough of my long hair which to be honest was not in it's greatest shape. I didn't like the layers that had been cut in a few years ago and it always looked a bit straggly at the ends. I also felt like I wanted a change, there had been a significant change in my life and a new 'do was needed. So to signify the end of my formal academic education I chopped my hair off and I have not regretted it for a second since. It went from about bust length to just below my collarbone, given that my hair has a natural curl to it so does appear slightly shorter. It was so refreshing not to have the extra length and it is so easy to manage. As strange as it sounds it also felt like I could move on to the next stage of my life. It's amazing how much a hair cut can change your perspective on things and I would recommend it to anyone considering it out there. It is worth it! And even if you're not so keen, hair does grow.

Hair Essentials

 Moroccan Oil / Phytodefrisant / Wetbrush

When it comes to hair I am very, very lazy. Fact. I will spend ages doing my makeup but my hair routine needs to be over as soon as possible. It's only in the recent months that I've found what really suits my hair. I recently spoke about the Phyto shampoo and conditioner I've been using. So I thought I'd share with you the products that go alongside this duo. My hair can get weighed down very easily, so I've found I don't need to use a conditioner each time I wash my hair. Instead I shampoo my hair twice in the shower and then once I've towel dried my hair then I will apply some of the Moroccan oil to the ends of my hair. I then brush it through with the Wetbrush which I have been using for almost a year now and it is amazing. I can't see myself straying from it anytime soon.

My newest holy grail, how-did-I-ever-live-without-it product is the Phytodefrisant. It's retailed as a Botanical straightening balm but I find that if I take a pea sized amount and scrunch it into the ends of my hair when it's been towel dried it just reduces the frizz that my hair can get. My hair can naturally be quite curly/wavy, it really depends on the day. I often have a few ringlets which are completely natural. Then I rough dry my hair very quickly to get rid of any of the evident dampness and I'm done.

Phyto Hair

It's been a long time coming but I think that I have finally found a shampoo and conditioner that completely suits my hair. The brand Phyto was introduced to me where I work. Phyto was introduced to the salon where I am currently working a couple of months ago now, which was a great oppurtunity for me to get to know the vast range of products and also use them on clients before buying any products myself. Phyto is a 95% natural brand which uses plant extracts in their products to achieve the different properties of each product and ranges within the brand. It was created in France, hence half the writing being in French on the packaging, but is now sold in Britain (namely in Selfridges).

In the past I have been recommended volumising shampoos but I have never found that they actually do anything and instead just make my hair greasier alot quicker. So I decided to get the PhytoProgenium shampoo with the Phytobaume Volume (conditioner). The shampoo doesn't claim to do anything fancy, it just cleans your hair without stripping or adding anything to it. On the packaging the shampoo says it is for daily use, but I find that my hair can last up to 2-3 days. It just means that the product is gentle enough to be able to use everday without completely stripping your hair if needs be.  As for the conditioners, you hardly need to use any of the product. I have found using the conditioner first and then doing two rounds of shampoo works best, as I have fine hair, so the shampoo will rinse off any excess conditioner whilst still leaving your hair moisturised.

Long story short, I can't see myself straying from these products any time soon. My hair has fallen in love with them!

PhytoProgenium Shampoo / Phytobaume Volume