Brazilian Blow Dry, part 4

I am officially liking it. It's taken a while for my hair to settle down into it and I think I was expecting a radical change which I haven't had. However, my hair does have that glossy blow-dried look. Even the day after I wash it. I love the shampoo and conditioner I bought too - they smell lovely and you hardly need any for full-on foamy action.

Am off to 80 degree heat in Washington DC today so that will be a test of the frizzy factor. However, two weeks in and it's a thumbs up.

Today's nail colour

Essie's Sew Psyched. Yes, my manicurist had the new colours in. What a treat at the end of a long and particularly trying day. We played with them all. I can confirm that Merino Cool is very nice indeed. A sort of mauve grey. Tres chic. And the Velvet Voyeur is a proper dark, dark purple. I nearly went for it but decided to go completely different and have this.

I like it but I am not sure I would want to own it. It's very stylish but I am not in love with it.

Essie's Autumn Collection

Well, they call it Fall but I am having none of that. Ooohhhhh - look at them. I want Merino Cool and Sew Psyched. And that's just for starters.

Brazilian Blow Dry, part 3

I've never been so delighted to wash my hair in my life. It was bliss. My concern about the SLS-free shampoo was unfounded. It lathers up beautifully and you hardly need any at all.

So, my hair. Is it worth it? I say yes. It's super shiny and it's much easier to style however it does still need some styling and by styling I mean blow drying. But, the task is much easier and more satisfying. So far, I am impressed. But I am not blown away (pun, fully intended). I would not call this life changing but it does make a difference and I imagine the longer your hair, the better the effect. Mine is shoulder-length.

I shall keep you all informed naturally.

Today's nail colour

As previously mentioned, Autumn is here and it's time to dig out the darks. Especially today on a rainy, overcast nasty day. So I went for Racy not Lacy. A lovely dark, dark red - Rouge Noir territory. Perfect. Cruella da Ville is moi.

Amazing M.A.C cake

I don't normally post about cakes but check this out:

Unbelievably clever. This is taken from the Cake Wrecks blog and you can see a lovely big picture here.

Brazilian Blow Dry, part 2

Coming up to the end of the 72 hours with no washing and styling of hair. Hardest thing ever. Urgh. My hair feels disgusting. It would be bad enough for me to leave my hair three days without washing it normally but this is when it's been coated in keratin and is really heavy.

I am literally counting the minutes until I can leap in the shower. I forgot to mention on my last post that you have to use special shampoo and conditioner (which naturally is very expensive). Basically you can't use products with sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in them as it strips the keratin out of your hair. I am one who likes my SLSs! That's what gives you the lather.

I hope this is worth it...

Autumn colours

There is a slight nip in the air, leaves are falling, bonfire smoke can be smelt (well, if you live outside London I expect it can) and autumn is here.

I love this time of year. New beginnings, new school term, fresh pencils and notebooks. And of course, autumn colours to be worn. With clothes and make-up, I like to embrace the seasons. And none more so than autumn. There is something satisfying about warm woolly tights, tweed, knee high boots, scarves, cashmere. Mmmmmmmm!

I'm going to redo my nails today as the Forever Young has chipped a bit. And I plan to do them in Angora Cardigan. Another nail varnish from my recent visit to NYC. It's a gorgeous dusty purple/pink and so perfect for this time of year. It looks great with grey and with navy blue (something of an obsession at the moment in my wardrobe).

I am also embracing eyeshadow as opposed to eyeliner. Now the weather has cooled, it's much easier to wear without feeling overdone. So the wedding make-up is back on! As I said back in July, I had a Bobbi Brown makeover for my wedding. The eyeshadows I got are lovely. I have Ivory, Cement and Mahogany. You do the base in Ivory. The socket in Cement and the liner in Mahogany with one of those special brushes which you wet first. If that sounds like a faff, it's not. The whole thing takes me two minutes max. I prefer to wear darker eyeshadow as an eyeliner rather than buy a pencil. The effect is much softer. You, of course, blend all three. But you don't need me to tell you that.

And this week, the Chanel lipstick is being dusted off as well. It's time to look polished ladies. After all, the fashion is Mad Men. And you don't think those ladies wore lipgloss do you?

The Brazilian Blow Dry

At last I have had this done. I went yesterday afternoon to Fordham in Soho. A slightly scary salon when you walk in - the receptionist was wearing mini shorts and had the most interesting massive tattoo round her whole thigh. And she had long bleached blonde hair, massive false eyelashes and freaked me out a bit. As it turned out she was very friendly and nice.

The man who did my hair was beautiful. I mean, I know I am married and all but he really was very attractive. And Not Gay. No. He told me so.

Anyway, so they wash your hair but don't add conditioner. Then they towel dry it and paint on keratin in sections. Then they blow dry it. Then they take each bit and straighten in with irons to seal the product in. It's quite fun as loads of steam happens. It took about and an hour and a half but he was super quick. The keratin smells like chocolate. It comes in three flavours - strawberry, mint and chocolate. I thought he was kidding but he wasn't.

It looked so shiny and glossy while he was doing it (and still does). You are not allowed to tie your hair back, tuck it behind your ears or anything for 72 hours. This is the worst bit. I am only on day two and it's driving me mad. You are allowed to use dry shampoo which I think I'll be needing by tomorrow!

The real test is when I do finally wash it, how easy will it be to handle? I'll keep you posted...