I have been suffering recently from what I can only describe as severe barnet boredom. I just don’t know what to do with it. Pre motherhood I used to have more time to do semi-interesting up-do’s, a messy bun, a bardot-style ponytail…..a bit of wavy gravy and whatnot. But I seem to have lost all motivation – lack of time playing a massive part of course.
As a result I wanted to find products that would give my hair volume and texture so that when I literally did nothing with it aside from a half-arsed attempt at using a hair dryer, my locks don’t appear lack lustre.
Parlux Compact Hairdryer £63.15
I really rate Parlux – but my trusty old silver dryer has seen better days (It’s well over 6 years old and I’d say that’s pretty good going). Plus I’d heard there was a much lighter more compact version available – the 3200 in pink. It dries your bonce So. Quickly. And I don’t notice any heat damage at all. Plus it fits neatly into most medium sized storage boxes and draws.
I bought mine at Look Fantastic as they seemed to be the most competitively priced and offer free delivery.
Bleach London Silver Shampoo £5.00
I have been faithful to my touch of silver weekly treatment for years. It’s gentle, it’s cheap and it works – admittedly using much more often than started in the instructions in my personal experience.
A few weeks ago whilst in the shower (and only two washes after a dye job i.e. a little on the golden rather than ashy side) I realised I had completely run out. I admit to throwing a small wobbler and scrabbling around in the bathroom cabinet for a miracle. That’s when I found the Bleach London version – I’d bought it on a whim during one of Boots many 3 for 2 deals.
Yes, I buy things on 3 for 2 and then leave them in the cupboard unloved and forgotten….you know how I was saying I need to declutter?
Anyway, it’s awesome. Absolutely not for the faint hearted – it’ll turn your hands and your scalp purple but my goodness it gives your brassy tresses the most beautiful silver grey hue. Quite a bit more expensive than my usual go to but guess what? Boots have currently got it on 3 for 2……
Charles Worthington Volume & Bounce Booster Mousse & Texturising Spray £6.99 each
Some of you may know I worship at the bronzed bottle of my 3 More Inches for an overall bouffy beachy type effect. No mousse EVER comes close. Except maybe this one – not quite as God like but almost. It creates a pleasing amount of oomph and is half the price of my usual, I bought it as guess what? I ran out of my go-to. I need to sort this situation out, not least because these morning beauty blunder meltdowns really need to stop.
At the same time as investing in the booster mousse I also purchased the texturing spray from the same volume & bounce range (buy one but another half price!). Spray it at the roots for a lightly backcombed effect and through to the ends as a kind of surf/salt spray alternative – I prefer this as it’s less crispy than most other brands I’ve tried.
You can treat yourselves to both the Volume & Bounce Booster Mousse and the Volume & Bounce Texturing Spray at Boots. Unfortunately they appear to be limited edition so apologies in advance if there are none available at the time that this feature is published.
Living Proof Full Root Lifting Hairspray £21.00
Ok so here comes the spendy product. I admit wholeheartedly to being a 100% marketers dream when it comes to this brand, I’ve seen it recommended EVERYWHERE and apparently Jennifer Aniston is an investor. Obviously that means we will all have a mane to rival hers if we use these items then.
Well not quite, but almost. Providing you figure out the technique and amount required for your particular hair type and length. The instructions recommend spraying 5/10 pumps directly onto freshly washed damp roots and to comb through. My hair is fine (but quite a lot of it) long (but not mermaid-esque since having a big ol’trim recently) and I definitely needed 10 sprays, plus you need to dry thoroughly with the dryer otherwise it won’t do anything except look a little limp. But my word. When you get it right it’s AMAZING.
Wow. Wow and WOW. I felt as though I looked like Farrah Fawcett for a minute there never mind Jen An.
You can now buy Living Proof at Marks & Spencers, I know – who knew?!
If anyone else has used Living Proof and can recommend or review additional products then please do let em know. Also any ways to get rid of barnet boredom with some quick and easy styles/tips would be super.
I’m forever on the search for new hair products for my fine hair. If I don’t comb it and I blast it with a diffuser it is curly but sometimes it looses volume and just looks meh!
What hair dryer do you take on holiday? as I have to use a diffuser but can’t take my normal hair dryer as it takes up most of the case. I’ve tried a travel one before but it would take about three hours to dry my hair!
Hi Stacey! I was planning on taking my Parlux, I don’t think I’ve had any issues with it before? In the States I bought a super cheap one at Walmart (!) as it seemed worth it to literally just use there (it was about $20) x
I use the living proof style extender after each wash. It is amazing. 🙂 i boggt it when i had a fringe and when hair is wet i rub it through my gair concentrating on ateas that get glat and greasey quickly. It is meant to shield your hair from grease and grine that every day can throw in your hairs direction. I was sceptical at first but it works. It neans i can leave it slightly longer between washes and you wouldnt knos you had sny product on. It aldo smells AMAZING. a hint of pink grapefruit?
That was written in a hurry on my phone! I just had to tell you about the stuff 🙂
ha ha thanks for the recommendation Faye! x
The Aussie volumising dry shampoo is amazing, non-greying on dark hair, and cheap! I carry a mini one with me if wearing a hat in Winter to avoid the pancake look
Ali anything mini sounds great for on-the-go!
Any tips on what to do with the lovely post baby “new hair” I seem to now have all around my hairline from ear to ear? Its all about an inch long now and i end up looking like I’m wearing a fluffy headband (it sticks upright..joy!) or a spray of hairspray takes me back to a 90’s slicked back look to keep it tamed down?? I hate it!!
Lucette have you try to embrace it? backcomb it a bit then pin it so it becomes part of a messy bun/ponytail style? x
Must be something in the air- I’ve got long hair, a one year old and limited time like you and am contemplating a Sienna Miller style messy bob but don’t know if I’m brave enough!
Love the whole Bleach London range- the reincarnation mask is the best conditioner I’ve tried for a long time, the only annoying thing about it is the metal tube.
Ha ha Lisa I too am contemplating the Sienna Miller messy Bob! I’m feeling brave – just not sure I have the time to always make it look messy in a “cool” way, I bet Sienna has a hairdresser on speed dial 🙂
Ooh I’ve been looking for an effective but small and tidy hairdryer for about three years! My old one works, but is the size and weight of a (large) electric drill and sounds like it too! So I tend not to use it so as not to wake up the bf. Yay, no more lank flat hair for me.
Do it Chrissi. The Parlux changed my life.
Ordered yesterday and delivered today, yay!!
@lucette – oh you and me both honey! My hair is still falling out in handfuls every morning, my 8month old pulls out the rest and I have a plethora of the aforementioned wispy baby hairs. I literally look like Honey from Notting Hill (google it and you’ll know what I mean…) Help. Is. Needed.
@lucette – oh you and me both honey! My hair is still falling out in handfuls every morning, my 8month old pulls out the rest and I have a plethora of the aforementioned wispy baby hairs. I literally look like Honey from Notting Hill (google it and you’ll know what I mean…) Help. Is. Needed!