Autumn/ Fall Hair Trends & Ideas #AD

Hey Everyone!
It seems like all I talk about recently is hair (here and here!), how mine is boring yada yada and how I am constantly trying to find a hairstyle that is simple, quick and looks good. So, instead of having a good old moan today, I thought I'd turn to the A/W 13 fall hair trend reports for a bit of inspiration and give a few styles a go.
There seems to be a whole lot of low pony tails, intricate plaits and tousled down dos. Embracing your own hair seems to be big, rather than straightening or curling- which suits me perfectly! To try these out all I did was wash and blow dry my hair (I don't use heat on it a lot so this was a special day!). I'm currently using a strawberry Avon shampoo and conditioner combination which smells lovely. I also used Umberto Giannini Salt Spray and my tangle teaser as well as a few bobbles and kirbies. 
Instead of going to town with the teasing brush, mousse, hairspray and tongs, I decided to see what I could do with my naturally straight, pretty flat hair. Obviously my hair is pretty long now (yay) and you might struggle to interpret these yourself if you have shorter hair.  A possible solution to this is hair extensions which give you a bit more to work with and are great for instantly long locks without waiting for it to grow. These are available online at http://www.tedhair.com/ . Just always ensure you give your hair breaks from extensions and use a good conditioner. Shiny hair is a sign of health after all. 
The Down Do

Here we have the simplest of the simple: a straight blow dry side parted style. Although I do like the look of this in general, for me its quite impractical as my hair always goes in my eyes/ covers my face and it does my head in. I have lately been considering getting a side fringe but I'm worried the hairdresser would do it 'choppy' rather than 'sweeping' and blending gradually into my hair. Don't you just love the technical terms of hair?

To solve this 'half the face covered' problem, I popped in a little white rose kirby accessory (which Melanie very kindly sent me!). Admittedly, it is more of a summer accessory, but since I'm still a little peeved at how short summer was, I'm hanging onto every last drop of it! I do think it looks really pretty though and although I haven't specifically spotted the likes of this on the A/W catwalk, I think its a good alternative to the complicated mini buns and side plaits. I wear my hair kirbied when its down on an everyday basis so maybe I should switch it up a little and wear a cute accessory like this.

An alternative hair-down style is this swept look. It seems to be everywhere just now but I haven't quite mastered it. If I were to wear it out it would just flop. I'm mind boggled at how people's hair stays in place like this without falling into a shed (defying gravity anyone?). I think I'd need a whole lot more product and back colmbing to have even a chance. Let me know in the comments if you have any tips/ insider info on how to work this style.

The Fishtail Plait

Next up, a side fishtail braid. I've loved this style ever since it surfaced over a year ago and its popping up again everywhere this season. Its an interesting alternative to the run of the mill plait and is so simple to do once you get the hang of it. All you do it divide your hair into two sections and alternatively take small strands from each side and cross them over to the other. (Google a video tutorial if that makes no sense!). For a messier look, I tugged loose the braid and added the white rose kirby. I also like this style as it really highlights my ombre. 

The Up Do

Ok so admittedly, I didn't see one high ponytail while browsing fall hair trends, but I couldn't not include this as it is pretty much my go-to. Its simple, super quick and again, makes the ends of my hair contrast nicely with the top. I have a similar tutorial on it here (excuse the onesie).

This style incorporates two of the big hair trends of the moment: the bun and the braid (that sounds like a film!). Its super simple to achieve: just plait a high pony normally and twist into a bun. Its a versatile style and if you wanted to make it more relaxed and messy just partly pull bits out.

The Low Ponytail

Search 'fall 2013 hair trends' and pretty much every second result will be a sleek low ponytail with some sort of plait incorporated. I went for a simple plait to one side and tied it all at the nape of my neck. I then pushed the pony through itself to create this more intricate looking style. Whilst I like this for being elegant and something different, I probably wouldn't wear it on an everyday basis. I guess I'm scarred by my middle shed low ponys of my childhood haha.

What is your favourite hair style this season?

Sponsored post

The Sunday Post #16

Hey Everyone!
My Life I have been completely non-stop this week- I'm so thankful this is a long weekend (Friday/Monday off school woo!). On Thursday night I went to Nando's for the (kind of) first time. I went in New Zealand a few years ago but can't remember it at all so I've pretty much never been. Now I see what all the fuss is about! It was amazing: the atmosphere and the food were just fab. Friday was pretty productive: my friends and I visited the travel agents about a summer holiday next year, I took lots and lots of pictures for upcoming posts (I like to do them as lots), I planned my english essay (too bad I didn't write it though) and went to a family gathering. I've also worked 19 hours this weekend (yep, safe to say I'm sleeping and typing!) so tomorrow will be a life saver for catching up with everything. 
Update Can you believe that I've managed to stick to my posting schedule this month?! I'm pretty proud, even if I do say so myself, having missed only one sunday post (and let's face it these are just random rambles!). For October I'm going to be posting every Tuesday and Thursday at 5pm and the odd post on a Sunday (probably just if I have anything to share!).
Current Favourite I bought a new bag woop! Its been on the agenda for ages: my old brown one was literally hanging together by a few strands. 

This was £6 and I really like the colour as I think it'll go with pretty much every outfit. I also like the zipped compartments and the fact its slightly bigger than my last so I can fit an umbrella in there.
Last night I also watched The X Factor for the first time this year all the way through and really enjoyed it. They really do make it as dramatic as possible. I wish I had the time to keep up with it but I'll definitely be tuning in when I can. I also love Nicole's hair and makeup- its just perfect!
How has your week been?

Currently Loving... Candles!

Hey Everyone!

I'm getting stuck into my autumn bucket list with something fairly simple- burn my candles! I don't know about you, but I think candles are quite a wintery thing and I hardly use them in summer. Therefore, by this time of year, I'm extremely excited to get back into them.

I currently have a set of tealights from Wilkinson (possibly orange and ginger) which look cute in my little candle holders- but don't have much of a scent- if any. Then, I have this pink Ikea one which smells nice and has lasted ages. I'm actually really picky when it comes to candle scents- I only like about 10% of those I smell when shopping for them. I am also really easily frustrated when candles burn at an angle and leave loads of unused wax around the sides. Enter Copenhagen Candle Company with their three-wick bad boys. I bought the Fig & Herb one from TKMaxx last winter and burned it heaps- and I still have half left for this year. The smell is gorgeous and literally fills the whole house. I was gutted when I went back to TKMaxx and there were none left. Then, during summer, I saw that they had returned and couldn't say no to this Strawberry one- I can't wait to burn it but  I'm saving it till I've finished the others.

What's your favourite brand and scent of candles?

Maybelline Baby Lips in Cherry Me Review

Hey Everyone!
Over the time I've been blogging, I have managed to (somewhat) train myself to resist the hype of a product and only purchase it after making myself wait for a few months to make sure I actually want it. But, when I heard that Maybelline Baby Lips had launched in the UK- all of that logic went out the window and I wanted to get one immediately.
After searching quite a few Maybelline counters over the past few weeks, I finally found this at the very bottom of one in a small Boots store. What surprised me most was that they were well stocked and I could actually get my hands on the shade I wanted.

First off, I love the packaging. I think it looks really American and I like the young, bright and bold theme and clashing colours. I would certainly be drawn to these in the drugstore even if I hadn't heard of them. The actual plastic casing is however very light and seems a bit flimsy which I guess is only to be expected from such a reasonably priced product.

Bare lips

Wearing Baby Lips

As soon as you take the lid off, a yummy cherry smell hits you. The product is really silky and glides onto the lips really easily. It leaves a nice rosy colour on the lips which is impressive as mine are very pink anyway and it lasts a couple of hours. It does transfer a little onto cups etc but that's something we'd have to deal with with most other lip products anyway.
What I'm most impressed with is that, unlike Vaseline (my go-to lip balm), your lips don't feel dry when the product has worn off. Instead, they just gave a good, lasting dose of moisture.
For only £2.99- I think this is a great little product and will definitely be my go-to lip balm from now on.
Have you tried it?

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream Review

Hey Everyone!
I actually wasn't sure whether to do a review on this product as I don't get on with it particularly well but I came to the conclusion that if I share with you the products I love, I should also share those which I don't like as much. Also, the fact that I spent the Boots points I'd been saving for ages on this makes me want to get some use out of it, even if that use is a post topic.
I originally bought this at the beginning of the summer because I wanted something light and easy to wear in Africa. I actually got on ok with it there but only used it a few days so that couldn't be justified as a proper test run. I've used it a couple of times since I got back and I just don't like it at all, and I'm annoyed at myself for giving into the hype around it.
First off, the packaging is a bit cheap and cardboard like which is a bit of a step down from my favourite drugstore foundations from Rimmel which come in a class tubes. The shade is "Light" and the product comes out a bit orange looking but it blends into my own, quite pale, skin easily. I use slightly larger than a pea size amount for my entire face. 
Honestly, once applied, I don't notice a whole lot of difference to my bare skin. The cream brightens slightly and evens out skin tone a bit, but basically my skin (and blemishes) are still completely visible. More positively, it does sink into my skin quickly, I don't feel like I'm wearing anything and it doesn't transfer. I do find though that it doesn't last long on my skin and has worn off by the end of the day.  Someone mentioned to me on twitter that it broke them out, and I usually wouldn't blame a product for bad skin as I think it depends on a lot of different factors but I do notice that after a day of wearing this (and it could be a coincidence), my spots are more prominent/ severe.
I'm really disappointed in this product and resent wasting an almost full tube but I won't go on using it. I don't know if I'm expecting too much from a BB Cream because I'm used to a foundation albeit light/medium coverage but this just wasn't sufficient for me. I would only recommend this if you are looking for a very light/ no coverage product and/ or have perfect skin. 
Have you tried this? Did you have a better experience than I did?