tips

Sometimes it’s the most obvious questions that get overlooked. We spend so much of our time asking which products will most benefit our skin and when to use them, that very often we forget to ask the simplest thing; how much should I be using?

So, if you’re confused whether ‘less’ really is ‘more’ or if you should be generous with your favourite products then this is the post for you. Let me break it down.

Cleanser – This depends on your choice of cleanser and which cleanse you’re doing:

Balm cleanser (used for first cleanse or make-up removal): a heaped teaspoon

Cleansing milk (used for first cleanse or make-up removal): a heaped teaspoon or two pumps, depending on your applicator.

Second cleanse or your morning cleanse – a level teaspoon or just one pump

Toner

Make sure you’re using a cotton pad. Dampen it with your toner until it’s ¾ wet. To make your product go further, use both sides of the pad.

Eye cream

The aim here is to cover your entire eye area, both below and over your eye. If you don’t struggle with a dry or overly ageing eye area, a small amount on the edge of your ring finger will be more than enough. Remember, you need not ‘rub’ in an eye cream. The heat from your fingers will do the work, so just pat the product in gently. If your eyes are dry or showing signs of ageing, then you may want slightly more. Remember, you can always add, but you can’t take away.

Serums 

I tend to find that products such as serums are easier to gauge because the majority of them come with a pump. The thought process here is 1 pump per application. Simple. But for argument sake, your looking for a 20p piece size.

Moisturiser

This will depend on the consistency, but as a rule, 20p piece size should suffice.

Night cream

Here you can afford to be a little more generous. Your skin does most of its regenerating work and moisture absorption while we sleep, so make sure to pack in the hydrating products now. I’d say a grape size amount will be more than enough here.

Seems simple, but so many of us get it wrong. Remember though, everyone’s skin is different. If your skin feels like it needs a bit more, then listen. It’s asking you for a reason.

It can’t just be me that craves that super touchable ‘swishy’ hair, can it? You know the type…think of every high street shampoo advert you’ve ever seen (herbal essences I’m looking at you). Always, always shiny swishy hair. Now you know I would never recommend high street shampoos (oh dear God..the silicone!), but I thought I’d share my top tips for achieving the best swish you can. 

So when I say ‘swishy’ I mean shiny, soft, glossy, bouncy and weightless hair. Let’s break that down:

Shine

I would always recommend using a leave-in conditioner to achieve the best shine. If you have fine hair opt for a light-weight variety, such as Happy Campers Hard-Working Moisturiser 150ml from Evo. Make sure you comb it through with a wide tooth comb to the mid-lengths and ends before rinsing as this smoothes the cuticle down for optimum shine.

Softness

The secret to this is moisture. Use an intense moisturising mask once a week and leave on for the full 15-20 minutes. Moisture masks get deep into the hair’s structure and nourish it from the inside out, increasing your hair’s flexibility and softness. Try Evo’s The Great Hydrator Moisture Mask 150ml

Glossy

This one’s all down to the previous two steps, and your blow-dry. Remember to always take around 60% of the water out of your hair before using a brush. Make sure to section your hair and use a natural bristle brush to get extra smoothness. If you’re more concerned about achieving body and volume though, opt for an acrylic bristle. Always make sure to point the bristle down the hair shaft so that all the cuticles are laying in the same direction.

Bouncy

If you struggle to get the volume you crave, start using a blow-dry lotion, such as L’Oreal Tecni Art Dual Styler Liss & Pump-Up 150ml. Apply to hair when wet and comb through so that the product is evenly distributed. Use section clips as before, but really take the time to dry the root area as this creates the shape. Use the cool shot on your dryer on your roots to fix them in place. Try rolling each section of dried hair as if you have an invisible roller and clip in place while you move on to another section. Once completed, leave to cool for five minutes and spray with a fine hold hairspray before unclipping. Run your fingers through for a natural yet voluminous look.

Weightless

It seems obvious to say, but don’t overload your hair with product. With professional products…less is more. A little goes a long way.

Now go and get swishing!

xoxo

I’m sure you can all relate to that moment when all your hard work styling your hair in the morning is taken from you with just one gust of wind. Those perfect curls drop and expand, your immaculate bob looks starts to kink in all the wrong places so you end up rocking a drab, matted mane before you even reach your destination. It’s enough to make you give up on your hair during the winter months. Fear not though; with this guide you can achieve salon smooth hair all year long.

It’s all in the cut

The easiest styles for flyaway hair are ones with texture. It might seem like the opposite of what you’d want to do, but flyaways are much easier to conceal in texture, as they stand out more in smoother styles. It’s also really important to keep your style in shape, so make sure you keep having regular trims to keep your hair in good condition and reduce flyaways. A great on-trend option is to to opt for a long bob as this keeps your look versatile an allows you to create waves and texture to disguise any little hairs.

Change up your technique

If you’ve got hair that is prone to frizz be sure to prepare your hair in the morning to get a good foundation in place. Make sure you lock down your cuticle by aiming your hairdryer down the hair shaft and be sure that your roots are completely dry before you step outside. If you suffer from static, make sure you don’t over-dry and straighten the hair as this may make it more susceptible to flyaway strands. A great solution is to use some serum through the mid lengths and ends to add a little weight and shine to the hair to keep it all together. I recommend GHD Smooth and Finish Serum 30ml.

Be prepared

A great way to rectify your style after your commute is to keep some styling dust on hand. I love OSiS+ Refresh Dust Bodyfying Dry Shampoo 100ml. It will work in a similar way to dry shampoo and encourage volume to revive your hair. It’s always a fab tip to keep some serum in your bag to smooth through your ends too, helps to avoid the dragged through a hedge look that no-one wants. L’Oreal Liss Control + Serum 50ml is a great travel size.

Hold is key

One of my top tips for reducing flyaways is to get your hair brush (preferably a paddle/flat brush) and spray a strong hold hairspray (try Bed Head Flexi Head Strong Flexible Hold Hairspray 385ml) directly onto the brush. Then simply brush through the top layer of your hair to smooth down any areas you need to and keep your style in place.

Give these tips a try next time you have to brave the lovely British weather. Or just move to a sunnier climate…I know which one I’m going for.

xoxo