Salon-style Waves with the BaByliss Boutique Curling Tong

I've always envied people with curly hair; since the advent of straighteners, they've had a choice how to style their hair. Curly or straight. For me, though, it's not always been so simple. My straight hair rarely holds a curl for more than an hour or two, meaning I'm forced to have it one way (straight and a bit drab-looking, if I'm honest) day in, day out.

So when the team at BaByliss got in touch to see if I'd like to give one of their latest curling tongs a go, I thought: 'why ever not?'

Introducing the Salon Soft Waves tong. It's different in that it doesn't have a clamp to hold your hair down once you've created a curl. Instead, you've to hold your hair in place yourself (hence the addition of a glove to protect you against burnt fingers), which is a new one on me.

So, how did I get on then?

I've got to admit, I'm not the best when it comes to creating hair styles. I can just about manage a high pony tail and a fish tail plait. But that's where my creativity ends.

I've never been too good with heated appliances like curling tongs, and I've still yet to master creating curls with straighteners. 

When it comes to curling my hair, I always end up spending 20 to 30 minutes trying, before realising my hair looks no more wavy than it did before I started.

The Boutique Salon Soft Waves: Top left: the protective glove (for safe hair curling!), top right: the product's box. bottom left: the curling tong unboxed, bottom right: gorgeously subtle soft waves - done!

At £40, this is a relatively cheap hair styler - and one which couldn't be easier to use. You simply plug in, get it to temperature and away you go! Pop on the protective glove and begin by winding small-ish sections of the hair around the barrel, holding them in place for 20 or so seconds each before releasing.

Do this for your whole head of hair, run your fingers through to loosen the curls and spray on a little hair spray to hold your finished look in place - it really is as simple as it sounds.

Designed for people with longer hair, this styler has long been featured in YouTube videos - even Tanya Burr's a fan.

With a maximum temperature of 210°C and five variable hair settings, this wand heats up in just 30 seconds. As you can see from the picture above, the tong offered a really subtle look. Definitely a product and brand to try if you like your curls on the natural side.

If you're looking for a relatively cheap curling tong and you're an amateur like myself, you'll love this.

Have you tried the BaByliss Boutique Salon Soft Waves curling tong? Let me know how you got on by commenting on this post below. Next on my hair curling wish list: the BaByliss Curl Secret!

Fancy finding out a little more about the BaByliss Boutique range? Simply head here for more information. Alternatively, you can watch a Boutique Salon Soft Waves how-to video by heading over here, or keep up-to-date with Babyliss news and product updates on the brand's YouTube channel.

Disclaimer: This product has been sent to me for review consideration. I have not been paid to write this post, neither am I affiliated with the brand in any way. All views are my own and 100% honest, every time.

Need an Energy Boost? You Need This...

One of my goals for 2015 (aside from blogging a bit more; I've yet to write about the two boxes which came before this January one from My Little Box!) is to get back to the gym.

 

Early last year, in a bid to shed some weight ahead of my 30th birthday, I managed to lose a stone by caning it at gym classes and eating well.

 

I decided, as clichéd as it is at the start of a new year, to once again incorporate a class, a stint on the treadmill or a swim into my daily routine - and the latest box from France's answer to Glossybox has spurred me on. It's called the My Little Energy Box and features a host of fitness-inspired goodies.

 

What I love about My Little Box and its subscription service is it doesn't just feature the beauty products. In the last few boxes alone I've received everything from a knitted sparkly headband (the Fleur de Force box), to a polka dot hand warmer and coffee mug (the 'Cosy' box), and even a fancy scarf (the Diane Von Furstenburg box).

 

Of course, you still receive a few beauty products (they always come in a cute drawstring bag - a nice touch), but each box has a distinct theme - and sticks to it.

The Energy Box is no different...

Top left: the beauty goodies in January's My Little Box, top right: the box itself, bottom left: a handy 2015 calendar, bottom right: a cute gym bag

 

 

As always, the box contains a few products; this month's were a deep red NailsInc polish (looking forward to giving this a go), a face moisturiser by a brand called Talika, and a handy lemon scented facial spritz.

 

The best bit? A mini gym bag, which, when it arrived, pretty much gave me the kick I needed to pack it and head off to the gym. I know, easily persuaded.

 

As ever, another impressive box of treats from the folks over at My Little Box. If you haven't checked it out yet, pop on over here. Until next time...

 

Disclaimer: This box, as ever, was sent to me for review consideration. I have not been paid to write this post, neither am I affiliated with the brand. All opinions are my own and 100% honest, as always.

ALTH Advent Bonanza, Week 3: And the Winners are...

We're nearing the fourth and final ALTH Advent Bonanza giveaway - so make sure you stay tuned! 

For now though, those of you who entered last week's competition to win one of two skincare gift sets by Korres may well be itching to find out if you're a winner.

Without further ado, then...

....the two ALTH subscribers who've bagged this gorgeous Beautiful Blooms gift set (above) are:

Isabel and Beano54!

Congratulations! Get in touch by finding my email address here on the 'Contact' page on my site and I'll make sure your prize reaches you asap.

Don't forget to keep your eyes peeled on my blog for the fourth and final ALTH Advent Bonanza giveaway; it's a good one!

Until next time...

Looking for a Last-minute Gift?

When it comes to Christmas shopping, it doesn't matter how early I start; I still always find myself rushing around at the last-minute. But this year, I've vowed to try and stay away from the chaos of the high street. After all, there's absolutely nothing festive about getting pushed and shoved in too-hot shops when all you need is a couple of Christmas cards and a handful of stocking fillers.

So, with just a week until the big day, I'm bringing you a handy last-minute gift guide. It features some of my favourite online retailers (a couple of them are local businesses or friends of mine - so I thought why not give them a festive plug here on the blog, eh?), and they're all delivering in time for Crimbo. Yee-ha.

Top left: David Bowie's Diamond Dogs vinyl picture disc clock, via Vinyl Clocks, top right: Esprit sequinned clutch bag Bottom left: Greenwood Organics' Frankincense bath salts, via Not on the High Street, and Anthropologie's gold letter mug

1. Vinyl Clocks - Stuck for a last-minute Secret Santa gift? Maybe you don't know what to buy your hard-to-buy-for brother-in-law? Easy! Get him a vinyl clock. Simply search via the Vinyl Clocks site for his favourite record, and have it immortalised in clock form. Delivery is available before Christmas and you can pick up a clock from little more than a tenner, depending on what you're looking for. I love this (slightly pricier) David Bowie Diamond Dogs one, do you?

2. Esprit - I remember Esprit from my youth - and the brand still offers stunning clothing at really great prices. I've got my eye on one or two things over on the site, but I've earmarked the Esprit sequinned clutch bag you see pictured above. It's a perfect size for everything from Christmas nights out, to storing your toiletries for a winter holiday (exactly what I plan to do in January). Pop over to the site and see if there's owt that takes your fancy, too. And don't forget to enter the brand's Christmas competition while you're there!

3. Greenwood Organics - Zoe Greenwood of Greenwood Organica is a pal of mine. I first tried her lovely products a few years ago while working for a natural health site - and the brand has been a favourite of mine since. Combining natural ingredients and beautifully aromatic essential oils, Zoe's products are perfect for a spot of pre-Christmas pampering. Don't forget to check out her gorgeous Frankincense bath salts and fill your home with the scent of Christmas!

4.Anthropologie - Hooray for Twitter! Someone tipped me off about Anthropologie's sale this morning and a quick browse over on the site revealed there was more than a few things I'd like to get my hands on. These letter mugs are great for the home or office and at just £5 in the sale they're a perfect little stocking filler, to. I expect these will sell out fast, so get in there before it's too late!

Looking forward to Christmas? Don't forget, there's still two chances to win in my A Lauren to Herself annual Advent bonanza giveaways; just head here for your chance to bag one of two Korres skincare gift sets. And don't forget to keep your eye on the blog next week for the last Advent giveaway of 2014.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

x

ALTH Advent Bonanza, Week 3: Win One of Two Korres Gift Sets

We're absolutely roly poly-ing our way to Christmas now, aren't we? I can't believe it's less than a fortnight away. Without further ado, then, here's my third and penultimate giveaway in the ALTH Advent Bonanza you all know and love.

There's a brand new prize up for grabs this week - so you have another chance of bagging something before December 25. Good luck, folks!

Don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post, too, to see who's taken home the beautiful Natural Empathy candle I featured in last week's bonanza.

Up for grabs in the bonanza this week is this gorgeous Korres Blooming Beautiful gift set. Guess what? There's two chances to win, as well - as those kind people over at the brand have agreed to give a prize to two folks this year.

Contained in the gift set, which is available to buy via LookFantastic is a Korres Jasmine Shower Gel, a Jasmine Body Milk, Rose Mandarin Lip Butter Stick, and a Wild Rose 24-hour cream.

This is a really stunning gift set which anyone would be delighted to receive this year; don't forget to pop over to Look Fantastic for all the details.

How to Enter

* Subscribe to my blog by finding me on Bloglovin; you'll find the Bloglovin icon over on the right hand side of the blog - simply click it and subscribe. Or let me know if you subscribe via any other method - it really doesn't matter which.

* Leave a comment below telling me what your favourite Christmas song is

* Enter by December 19 at noon

* For five extra entries, simply tweet the following: I want to win a Korres gift set  in the @lauren2herself Advent Giveaway Week 3: www.alaurentoherself.com

Don't forget to keep an eye on my blog next week for the final prize in this year's bonanza - watch this space!

Pssst! So who's won the Natural Empathy candle featured in last week's giveaway, then? Why, it's Vicki from Let's Talk Beauty. Congrats Vicky, simply email me to claim your prize - you'll find my address in the Contact section here on the blog.