Good evening everyone, hope you're all enjoying your weekend.

Over the last week or so I've been posting some of my favourite products for those of you with blonde hair. So far we've had;

The first time I had my hair lightened this year was in April, only a couple of days before I was lucky enough to be going on holiday to Egypt for 10 days. You hear these horror stories about bleach and chlorine not mixing well together and people's lovely blonde hair turning green. I did not want that to happen so I rushed off to boots to find a gentle violet toning shampoo & conditioner. I'd used the provoke touch of silver shampoo & conditioner before and didn't particularly rate it as I found it quite drying, so I was quite happy to spend a little more on something more luxurious. That's when I first came across the Bleach London range. Am I the only one guilty of having a quick google of product reviews before buying a product? There I was in boots googling these items to see what other bloggers thought of them and it only took a few rave reviews for me to be convinced to try them and at £5 per bottle it wasn't a massive splurge on my behalf.

I was unsure of how pigmented they would be and whether it would be safe to use them everyday whilst on holiday after being in the pool, sea and sun so I took another shampoo (just in case). So firstly, the shampoo. It wasn't the best latherer I've ever come across so I did find myself using a little extra shampoo than I normally would. Having said that it felt quite gentle on my hair and didn't strip it of natural moisture. I didn't find it particularly hydrating but at the same time it didn't dry out my hair, it seemed quite neutral. It definitely isn't as pigmented as the Fudge Clean Blonde Shampoo that I reviewed here which is why I feel it's safer to use more regularly but it certainly leaves your hair feeling clean, fresh and brass free.

The conditioner was really the one that pleased me more. It isn't very dark in pigment in comparison to others I've used, so again I feel it's safer for every day use as a pose to a weekly violet toning treatment. One complaint I do have is that the product isn't particularly easy to get out of the bottle, however once you get passed the hand bashing action required to get a decent sized blob you'll realise it's worth it. The conditioner doesn't feel particularly creamy and luxurious in your hand but once it's been left on your hair for a few minutes you'll begin to realise how effective it is. I always comb my hair through in the shower with a wide toothed comb once I've got conditioner on, and this made it so easy to manage. When washing it out, I could feel how soft it was leaving my hair without leaving it feeling weighed down or greasy.

Since I was without a hairdryer and straighteners on holiday I went Au natural for 10 days so I can't comment on how my hair felt after heat and styling. However my hair dried into frizz free curls and felt really smooth to touch, so smooth in fact that I don't think styling it would have gone down too well since it was so soft. In conjunction with each other, the shampoo and conditioner really seem to work and there wasn't a touch of green or purple in sight. Only soft, bouncy, ashy blonde curls. I was very impressed with this shampoo & conditioner and although I am using others at the moment this is one that I will definitely go back to in the future.

Let me know what your favourite products are for blonde hair :)

Coming next is a new styling product for blonde hair, so watch this space Blondie's!

Just a little collaboration of photo's to start by showing you what my hair has been through in the past few years. It's been bleached to the fullest, grown out into a natural ombre, wildly coloured, bleached some more and to do all of that without any damage is quite frankly impossible. Hands up, whose made the mistake of trying to do a DIY bleach job and ended up frying your hair? (hand flies up)! We live and learn, and I'll never do an at home bleach again! Ever!!! 

At the end of last year I had the chop because my hair was becoming such a pain to manage and since I loved the 'lob' fashion, that was convincing enough. Having cut my hair above my shoulders I had cut out most of the previous bodge job bleach blonde, so my hair was fresh, natural and in the best condition it had been in years. I was determined not to go down the slippery slope again, hence the reason I visited the hairdressers. In the past few months my hairdresser has lightened my hair gradually. You need to have patience with these things. We all want to have instant ash blonde hair without having to go through any brassy phases, but the reality is that without doing severe damage to your hair, that just isn't possible or recommended.

So after two appointments at the hairdressers I have now achieved an ashy blonde hairdo that I am proud to call my own, and I can honestly say my hair is in great condition. I've been through enough products to know which are good for my hair and which are a waste of my money and I truly believe that without the products I am currently using my hair would be a lot worse off. Earlier this week I shared with you my two favourite violet toning treatments which help to keep my blonde locks looking ashy and without brassiness. You can find that post here! But today I want to share with you my favourite hair mask for treating bleached or coloured hair.

Introducing Bleach London Reincarnation Mask...

I originally came across this product when I bought a Bleach London colour kit. It came in a sample size and I was amazed at how it made my hair feel so I went and bought the full size. At just £6 for 200ml it's a lot cheaper than hair masks I've bought in the past and you only need to use a small amount so it will last for a long time. I like to use my products for quite a while before I review them, so as you can see quite a lot of this conditioner has been used. 

This product claims to hydrate thirsty, bleached or coloured hair and to improve elasticity. Now does it do what it says on the tin? Yes, absolutely! Previously when I'd bleached my hair I found that I lost so much hair when washing it, it was so bad I'd end up blocking the plug hole (absolutely gross, I know). But since I've been using this product my hair has remained strong and healthy, without losing excessive amounts of hair in the shower. I rarely lose any strands when washing or combing my hair because the strength is amazing. In terms of hydration and moisture this mask works like a dream. It contains Sunflower Seed extracts which help retain moisture in the hair and also add shine and this is something it achieves outstandingly. After I've used this mask my hair is so soft, manageable and easy to comb through. I actually get excited applying it because I know how much my hair is going to thank me for it. It doesn't weigh my hair down at all, it leaves it feeling soft and bouncy with a shine that my hair has never known before now. Basically I could not live without a bottle of this, I use it about once a week and only need to use a small amount since my hair isn't too long anymore, I apply it from the mid lengths to the ends of my hair and leave it on for about 15 minutes and it works like a dream.

I would strongly recommend that those with dry bleached or coloured hair try the Bleach London Reincarnation Mask. I understand that every ones hair reacts differently to products but for me this has been a lifesaver at preventing my hair from becoming dry and brittle from bleaching. I love it.

So check out my earlier post if you're interested in violet toning treatments for blonde hair below;

Hi everyone,

Since going blonde again in the last few months I've been taking extra care not to let my hair get any unwanted brassy tones. There's nothing better than that fresh blonde look after every wash. In the past I've tried numerous different hair care products specifically for blonde hair and now I can happily share with you my absolute favourite treatments.

Before I go on to review these two lovely products I would like to mention that I only use these products once a week at most as a treatment. The violet toning pigments in these products will leave a purple tinge in your hair if used too often - which is fine if that's what you're aiming for - so it's better to use them every couple of washes as a pose to religiously each time you wash your hair.

Fudge Clean Blonde Violet Toning Shampoo Review

The Fudge Clean Blonde Violet Toning Shampoo is one that I've used before and always find myself coming back to, with good reason. Firstly this shampoo lathers really well but doesn't leave you with that squeaky clean feeling as though it's stripping too much moisture from the hair. I really dislike shampoo's that leave my hair feeling squeaky clean, so this one already has a major advantage over others such as the provoke touch of silver shampoo which I can find quite drying. Unfortunately this shampoo does contain Sodium Laureth Sulphate - which is against my usual nature - however it is jam packed with moisturising goodness such as Keratin, Hydrolysed Silk, Moringa Seed, Wheat Proteins and Guarana. Of all the shampoo's I've ever tried this certainly is one of the most hydrating that I've come across and it smells really sweet and fresh too.

The Fudge Clean Blonde Violet Toning Shampoo is definitely one of the most pigmented shampoo's I've come across and this is partly the reason why I love it. A little really does go a long way because it lathers up so well and gets to work like no other. I have to be quick when using this product as it can stain my hands if I get carried away giving myself a miniature scalp massage. You simply need to apply it to wet hair, lather evenly and leave it for up to five minutes. I would not advise leaving it on for longer than this, there is a time limit for a reason let me make that clear! It will - I repeat, it will - leave your hair purple if it isn't washed off before five minutes has passed. I would recommend leaving it on for a shorter time than five minutes the first time you use it and adjust the time according to your results.

This product does an excellent job of keeping brassy colours from my hair and I will never look any further for a violet toning shampoo. I've never paid more than £10 for this product and for 300ml I think it's really good value. I usually buy this product from either Beauty Bay or Amazon, whichever is cheapest and offering free delivery.

Kevin Murphy Blonde Angel Colour Enhancing Treatment for Blonde Hair Review

I've had my hair gradually lightened twice now and both times my hairdresser has used this product - The Kevin Murphy Blonde Angel Colour Enhancing Treatment for Blonde Hair -  and let me tell you this stuff is so wonderful that I bought it after the first use. It's crammed with softening and moisturising ingredients such as Mango, Shea and Murumuru butters along with oils such as Olive, Linseed, Sunflower and Jojoba. Yes, Wow that's a lot of yummy, scrummy hair loving ingredients. As you can probably imagine, this stuff smells delicious and the scent subtly lingers on your hair after washing.

I don't find this product to be quite as pigmented as the Fudge Clean Blonde Violet Toning Shampoo so I do find it is safe to leave it on for a little longer than the suggested one minute, but again, be very wary of this and test it slowly until you get your desired effect. I usually add this just to the ends of my hair that are blonde and leave it on whilst I wash my face and body. This leaves my hair silky soft, smelling delicious and makes it manageable without tangles. When I've used this product I can comb through my hair so easily and it works like a mask would as well as toning blonde hair.

This treatment is a bit more expensive at around £20 for 250ml however, I would argue that it's worth it. This product can be bought directly from Kevin Murphy or Amazon.

When I use these products in conjunction with each other I get the best results I've ever had. Brassiness is minimal and my hair is in the best condition I've ever had it, even after having it lightened. These two products give me the desired fresh blonde look as well as quenching it's thirst, so my hair never looks dull or lacking moisture.

I would strongly recommend The Fudge Clean Blonde Violet Toning Shampoo and The Kevin Murphy Blonde Angel Colour Enhancing Treatment for Blonde Hair whether they are used separately or in conjunction with each other.

Let me know your thoughts on these two products if you have tried them or tell me your favourite treatments for blonde hair.

These candles look simple yet beautiful taking position on your dresser or window ledge and they smell absolutely amazing. I've already burnt it for about 10 hours and you can see it's still got a long way to go. I haven't had any memory rings left in the candle even after burning it for only an hour or so. I dread the day when this baby runs out because it's doing a stellar job of making my room smell like an old fashioned sweet shop.

I will definitely repurchase this lovely candle and may even try out some more scents from Lily-Flame.

What's your favourite Lily-Flame Candle?

Hello there lovelies,

French manicures have been taking my fancy a bit this week, however I didn't want to stick to a plain and simple french. Delving around in my nail drawers I fished out my nail fimo canes (bought from ebay) that I haven't used for aaaaaages, thought they might make a cute addition to a regular french. Then I got carried away adding pearls and glitter. I set out unsure what I was going to do with my nails but on this occasion it seems improvisation turned out well for me.

Here's a little step by step of how I created these nails :)

-Firstly I added O.P.I Nail Envy base coat which is my go to base coat

- I then added two coats of natural nail colour which was one out of a ted baker set I received as a gift last christmas

-Next I painted on the white tips using a Sally Hansen french tips polish

- I then sliced some fimo canes as thin as I could manage so that they weren't too bulky, and applied these to my thumb and ring finger using a clear nail polish

- Then I decided to add some pearls to the mix, just dotting a few around the area of the fimo using the pointy end of a wooden orange stick

- Finally I added some silver glitter of the tips of my nails that didn't have any nail art on to jazz them up a little.

And voila, seal everything with a top coat once it's all dried and you're done. I'm not too confident these nails will last a week like they usually do due to all the nobbly bobbly bits but I think they look really pretty and I might experiment with french tips more often.

Here is an unedited picture so you can see how pearly the nails are.

I hope you like them :)