Anti-Ageing for your Hair with Julien Farel

When it comes to my daily hair care routine, I rarely stray from Pantene. Occasionally, if I'm feeling flush, I'll splash out on this (it really is worth a look if you like a bit of volume in your do) but usually it's Pantene all the way. I've used it for years and it's yet to give me a bad hair day.

But then I heard about Julien Farel products from Selfridges and my ears pricked up. Why? The collection is said to be 'anti-ageing', and while I'm not one for slathering products like this on my skin, I thought 'why the heck not for my hair'. After all, my do ain't getting any younger, especially if the years of hair dye application and chemical treatment is anything to go by.

Julien Farel haircare, exclusively at Selfridges

The New York hair stylist has unveiled the lien - dubbed 'a first-of-its-kind, cleanse-treat-condition formula'.

The brand suggests to use Julien Farel Restore -twice a week in place of regular shampoo and conditioner. You can use it on dry or wet hair, and it should be left on a good few minutes before rinsing in the shower.

I'll be honest, it took some real getting used to. I'm someone who washes my hair daily, so even washing every other day I felt a little grubby. But after just a few applications, over a couple of weeks, my hair was glossier and healthier-looking than it's been in a while.

The range isn't cheap, at £28 for the Vitamin Restore alone, but when you consider that you'll be washing your hair much less, it offers a bit better value for money than you'd expect.

The range is also formulated for colour-treated hair - another bonus for me and my jet black dyed 'do.

Have you tried anything by Julien Farel? Will you be checking the brand out on your next Selfridges stop?

Disclaimer: These products were sent to me for review consideration. I have not been paid to write this blog post, neither am I affiliated with the brand in any way. All views are my own and 100% honest as always.

Recent Empties: June and July

It's been some time since I posted here on ALTH, so I must ask 'Is anyone still out theeeeeere?' I do hope so. 

Thankfully, while normal service hasn't quite resumed here on the blog, it very much has when it comes to my product-buying habit. Here's just a few of the lovely products I've been slathering on my face and body this last month or so. Oooh, lucky me eh?

The Body Shop Blue Corn 3 in 1 Deep Cleansing Mask

I picked this up over a year ago, when my skin suffered a particularly bad hormonal break out. I used the mask religiously then, but it has since been abandoned to the back of my bathroom cabinet. Until recently, that is. Thankfully, my skin's love for this slightly exfoliating blue corn powder treatment hadn't waned, and it calmed down any redness and irritation a treat. Definitely worth a look if you're passing the Body Shop

Penhaligon's Bluebell bath and shower gel, The Body Shop Blue Corn 3-in-1 Deep Cleansing Mask, The Body Shop strawberry body butter, Eve Taylor Purifying Wash, Neal's Yard Rose Facial Wash

The Body Shop Strawberry Body Butter

Alongside my trusty Soap and Glory body butter, this one by Body Shop is a big favourite. It takes me back to my youth (reminding me of the lip balm of the same scent I used to use back at school), is moisturising and creamy and cheap, too - about a fiver per pot, I believe.

Penhaligon's Bluebell Bath and Shower Gel

On a recent holiday to Vegas (to celebrate my 30th birthday) I popped into one of the few Penhaligon's shops in the states and treated myself to the body lotion version of my favourite perfume ever. The very lovely male shop assistant (I wish I'd have taken his name to write a letter of thanks) gave me this shower gel, plus a body lotion as a birthday treat and I've been using both since. He tells me Bluebell was Princess Diana's fragrance of choice, so it has to be said, I've felt like royalty using this light and flowery gel in the shower.

Eve Taylor Lemongrass and Tea Tree Purifying Wash

Got oily skin? You'll love this gentle cleanser by Eve Taylor. It's an Irish brand, but I manage to get hold of it via my local beauty spa - and it's a firm contender in the battle for my favourite cleanser yet. Fragrant and light, it lathers up just the right amount and leaves my skin fresh and clean

Neal's Yard Rose Facial Wash

I'm lucky to know one of the best holistic therapists around and on a recent visit for a much-needed facial, she gave me a 30th birthday present (I know, I know - I've been spoiled haven't I?) of this gorgeous cleanser from organic brand Neal's Yard. It smells just like Turkish Delight (a huge bonus in my book), removes make up without aggravating the skin, and has left my face blemish-free. Result!

What have you been using up recently? Any product recommendations?

Until next time...

Smooth SPF-Protected Skin with Glo-Therepeutics

Regular readers of A Lauren to Herself may know that I struggle when it comes to my skin and suitable skincare. It's so temperamental and hormonal that cleansers and any other treatments that don't aggravate my skin can be hard to come by. To add insult to injury when it comes to a good skincare routine, my skin's massively pasty - which, of course, means I always need a good SPF close to hand.

Enter Glo-Therepeutics, then, and it's SPF 40 Facial Moisturiser - a super lightweight, and can I say, very sleek looking, protective moisturising product.

It's available over on the Glo-minerals website at £27, which is a little on the pricey side as far as I'm concerned. That said, in the six or so weeks I've had the product I've used it on a daily basis - a little blob covers the entire face and neck due to its thick, creamy consistency - and I've still to make a noticeable dent in the contents of the bottle.

 So, what does the product claim to do? It has anti-aging benefits, and provides protection from the sun's rays - ideal, then, if you're off on your holidays and need a high factor.

Application

As I say, this is a fairly thick product which goes onto the skin creamy and white. This is quite alarming on first application, but don't panic - it quickly sinks into the skin to leave a fine sheer coating of protection. It's practically fragrance-free and provides an ideal base for make-up application

Overall Thoughts

If you're off on your holidays, I'd seriously consider adding this product to your online shopping basket. It lasts all day and makes foundation application a dream, leaving skin glowing but not greasy. It's not too bulky a product that it can't be thrown in your beach bag, too.

Have you tried anything by this brand? Or can you recommend a good SPF face moisturiser?

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

Poolside Picks

This month, I'll be drowning my sorrows poolside in the hope of forgetting the fact I'll be leaving my twenties behind and entering my dreaded third decade. Ouch.

In preparation, I've been spending the past few weeks holiday shopping, picking up factor 50+ (my pasty white skin burns at the mere mention of the sun), selecting a new pair of sunglasses and searching for that all-important bikini.

I don't know about you, but I always take far too many bikinis on holiday - what can I say, it's nice to have choice.

Left: Joules French navy bikini, top right: Monsoon floppy black hat, bottom right: French Connection cat eye red sunglasses via Boots

In celebration of the fact I've lost a stone since joining the gym a few months ago (go me!), I'm ditching all-in-one swimsuits for a teeny weeny (not yellow, or polka dotted, mind) bikini. Thankfully there's lots of lovely ones in the women's bikini range from Joules over on the site. And along with a few less pricey, Primark two-pieces, I've picked out the rather fancy navy floral number you see above.

I'm planning on wearing said bikini with a beautiful sheer kimono-style cover up, this floppy Monsoon hat, and a pair of bright red cats eyes French connection sunglasses I bagged with a 50% off sunglasses voucher I got with my Boots Advantage Card - result!

If you're looking for a new bikini, there's a few lovely ones over on the Joules site, including pretty, retro-style all-in-ones, and a rather pretty printed pink bikini. I never thought I'd say that; I don't own anything in pink.

Are you off anywhere nice this summer? Or will you be picking up a few bikinis in the hope of baring all for a British stay-cation?

Until next time, folks....

Coloured Converse: How to Style Them

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens were two of Maria Von Trapp's favourite things. For me, mint chocolate ice cream and sugary, pastel shades are up there. With comfy Converse shoes.

So it was a joyful day when I spotted that two of my favourite things were combined online (not ice cream and shoes, you understand - that would make for messy trainers), in the form of Converse and the summery shade of mint. 

Meet my brand new summer kicks.

I've been a Converse wearer since my late teens; my sister was a huge fan in her early twenties and even had the odd Converse hoodie and t-shirt. As a skint teenager I'd borrow/nick said clothes and wear them out without her knowing.

The love of Converse - particularly the brand's uber comfy trainers - stayed with me though, long after I could actually afford to buy my own. I have, however, always stuck to neutral shades - greys, blacks and once, rather daringly for me, a pair of bright red high tops.

But that was until I spotted these rather pretty peppermint coloured Converse. And, as I'm sure you'll agree, trainers like this can't just be thrown on; your outfit requires a little thought.

I'm thinking high-waisted denim shorts, teamed with a little black and white gingham sleeveless shirt I picked up for a fiver in Primark, and my brand new post box red French Connection Dame Edna-esque sun glasses. I'm all for clashing colours, these days.

And here's how some much cooler people on this here inter web have styled coloured converse...

1. I love how the ridiculously cool 17-year-old Maria, seen here on LookBook has styled her bright pink high tops - with a mint green skirt, retro sunnies, and casual tee. Top marks, Maria!

2. Kayte has casually thrown on a red jacket with her turquoise Converse, in a look that's not too try hard but still oh so chic. Don't you agree?

3. Aleksandra spruces up her otherwise simple outfit with pink Converse in a kind of homage to US girl band Haim. Looking good, Aleksandra!

Are you a fan of coloured Converse? How would you style them? Or do you prefer to stick to the neutrals, like the old me?

Until next time, folks...

Disclaimer: The peppermint Converse shoes were 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 opinions are my own and 100% honest, as always.