UNICO AND ME: An Australian Love Story.

Things to love about Unico, an eco friendly hair care line born and bred in my very own Melbourne. (I love this city!)

It's homegrown

Let's give a big shoutout to those fabulous Australian (sorry, Ozstrayyyyyan) brands that are proudly waving the beauty flag – Bloom, mor, Lanolips, Aesop, Jurlique, Grown… the list is endless and it is Proud. I am quite happy to now add Unico to that stellar list.

Unico was created by Melbourne hairdresser Sofia Basile. Melbournians might be familiar with the Unico hair salons, and finally they have their own darling product line to add to their empire. Applause.

It's eco friendly

Greenies, unite and give thanks – Unico products are designed, sourced and manufactured in our fair land. They don't have to be imported from overseas, so if you like to fret about your carbon footprint, this should help you sleep a bit better at night.

The products are chemical free and contain lots of sweet ingredients like vitamins, pure plant ingredients and essential oils.

Unico are living proof that hair products don't have to be created by some foreign hair guru with no understanding of our dry, barren land – I do love a sunburnt country, Dorothea Mackellar, but golly goshballs I hate what my hair does in an Australian summer. It's like it gets a free pass to play hookey and thinks it can spend the summer blissfully unaware of tress-tamed commitments I might be running in my social calendar. Let me tell you, mop: It Is Not On. You will behave and I will employ all manner of styling products and tools to whip you into shape.

They actually work

They put their money where their mouth is. Or their product where their promise is. Or something to that effect. I was lucky enough to choose a couple of products from Adore Beauty to try and honestly, I have been nothing but satisfied with these gems. For the purposes of this incredibly detailed investigation into the line (I take my hair seriously, people), I trialled the Leave In Spray and the Hair Serum, both with dazzlingly successful results.

Oh hello lovers – don't you look nice today.

In the green corner:

Leave in Spray, $21.95 for 250ml

Unico say:

Ideal for those who lead busy lives, designed to add shine and protect hair with the convenience of not having to rinse.

I say:

Spot on, dudes. How did you know I'm so busy?

I am, quite simply, allergic to leaving my hair product-free once I'm out of the shower. I can't remember the last time I let my unruly curls dry without some product slapped in to tame the beast.

This is rich in UV filters and ideal to protect your precious mane from a harsh Australian sun – it's all very well to slip, slop, slap your body and face, but hair is important too! It also has apricot (no overwhelming smell here, though) and protein (hint: good) to strengthen your hair, and repair it from any heat abuse you've been inflicting on your hair lately.

I have had these products for awhile and have been using the leave-in spray constantly – whether I straighten my hair or let it air-dry. It detangles. It makes it feel a little bit softer and more manageable. It plays nicely with my other styling products, or holds its own solo. I have only used this on wet hair but allegedly, you can also use it on dry hair. Further investigation required, obviously.

It's very light and doesn't give my curl any crunch, which is my pet hate. I was nervous to begin with about overloading my hair with this – I have fine hair that gets weighed down by too much product – but I could spray to my heart's content without greasy ramification. It's fine to spray this on my roots liberally.

Enter contestant number TWO:

Hair serum, $22.95 for 50ml

Unico say:

Designed to seal in moisture to split ends, adding shine and gloss (most effective when used before and after hair drying).

I say:

Hmm. I'll pay that. I really put this stuff through the wringer – I used it on wet hair, dry hair, mixed it with my straightening balm, mixed it with my curl products, used it with the leave-in spray, used it before AND after blowdrying, let it fly solo. It held up to all situations. I have to say I love this most used for a post blow-dry shine – honestly, a few drops after all that hard work gives me a lot of shine for minimal effort.

I have to keep reminding myself to be careful with this – please note: Less Is More. Literally, a few drops is ample. One pump is more than enough. I warm it up in my paws for a second and then get it into my mop.

The thing I like most about this stuff is that it isn't greasy in the slightest. It doesn't make my hair feel slippery. I don't feel like my hair's on product-overload on the second day. So many finishing serums just make my hair feel slimey but this one, using just a few drops, doesn't give me any grief.

It smoothed my hair wonderfully after straightening, tamed any frizz and was a sweet little antidote to any flyaways. Allegedly it's also very good for split ends, but I don't really have a good 'before' case to judge this. Given that it's been such a little star in all other areas, I'm just going to take Unico's word for it.

And in conclusion…

May I please remind you it does NOT say RSVP on the Statue of Liberty! Cue gum pulling.

My Cher Horowitz moment aside, I feel it's time for one big squishy pool of love for this range. I think the products are very well priced and the sizes are substantial – I've been using them heaps and have barely made a dent in them. Next up, I think I'll be buying the volumising shampoo and protein treatment. They're Australian. They work. They have slick packaging that looks nice in my bathroom cabinet. All in all, I would have to say two very enthusiastic thumbs up.

I need to watch Clueless this weekend.

You can view the entire Unico range at Adore Beauty here. Get. On. It.

STOP PRESS!

It has come to my attention that Rihanna was wearing Nars Orgasm Illuminator at a pre-Grammy awards party. (And then after this, some highly-paid minion advised her to wear that atrocious white feathered get-up to the main event. Rihanna, you can pay me squillions of $$ to tell you to LEAVE THAT SHIZ THE HELL ALONE.)

I had a squiz at the Nars Spring 2010 deets when they were up on Temptalia not long ago, I took firm note of the eyeshadows (that lilac is luscious) and went on with my day, making a mental note to go perve on the shadows in Mecca further down the track. Little did I know this little pocket rocket of glowy love was involved in these Spring release shenanigans:

Hello, lover.

Points for discussion:

Why, for the love of cheek illuminators, did someone not tell me there is an Orgasm Illuminator coming out in this collection?

Did you know I have been wearing my Orgasm Multiple to death lately?

Do you agree it's a perfect glow-get-her cheek colour for me and it plays SO sweetly with a bit of South Beach Multiple for some gentle contouring?

(Please note I mentioned gentle contouring. As much as I am loving Miami Social sick - it's my new favourite sobaditsgood show - I really don't want those concave cheekbones all those hags are sporting.)

Did you know Nars Spring hits Mecca on Feb 22nd?

Did you know the Orgasm Illuminator is out here on the 8th March?

Did you know they created this product especially for me? (Cheers, Francois.)

Did you know that's one big fat fib?

Did you rate RiRi's look at the Grammys?

Am I being overly critical of her white feathered thing? I didn't mind the shoulders, actually.



Cue visual:

Do you think if I whip up some feather-loving, sharp-shouldered, booty-enhancing mess on the Janome, RiRi or Gaga will come beating down my door?

What did you think of Beyonce's metallic hair piece tinsel things? I thought they were very Carolina Herrera (see further reading) and after I got over my initial eye-rolling, I then resolved to dig out some Christmas remnants and whip some up with tinsel. Watch this space.

(Is that some cleavage contouring gone awry on her underboob, too?)



Let's reflect.

Oh hai, loyal reader.

 

What up?

 

You may have noticed I've been a somewhat sporadic (try to use it in a sentence today, Tai) blogger lately. I know. I'm well aware.

 

I detest people using the 'hi love! sorry no contactzzzz lately! work hellish! spk soon xxxx' excuse for not actioning basic leisure tasks, but Imma whip it out now without fear. So much has been happening in beauty/pink dress/gaga/lilo-land lately but I just have not had the energy to bang out blog posts. Have I lost my will to blog? I'm not sure. Work has been absolutely hellish for awhile now, and honestly, generating editorial for eight hours a day on topics that don't interest me is a bit of a creativity killer. I come home from work (I'm going to start referring to it as the Coalface a la Faux Fuchsia, I've decided) after staring at a computer screen all day and all I want to do is eat something comforting, have a hot bath, snuggle on the couch and watch bad (awesome) reality TV.

 

To be 110% honest with you, I'm not really sure what direction I want to take with this blog anymore. I never want it to feel like a chore. I love the act of blogging and I love the immediacy and narcissistic pool of love it becomes to the blogger. Comments are like a blogger's crack, you know. When I started this blog, I feel like I had SO much to say and not enough blog entries to do it in. I've thought about chopping and changing and exploring something else entirely. I am madly passionate about other things and contemplated bringing those things to the blogosphere.

 

I toyed with the idea of starting a rugby blog, but then I realised rugby fans probably wouldn't want to read a blog with prose like 'OMG what's with the away jerseys? White does nothing for the 'pecs' of a prop. Hello is Chis going to be ok?? Wow, his guns are looking super massive this week. Ew, blood. OMG! Knock forward. What is with Drew's hair?? Wow Stirlo what a trooper! Wow, Marto is so funny. Oh! Coopy! Coopy! Coopy for PM!'

 

I thought about starting a baking blog, but let's face facts, I ain't no Pioneer Woman or Bakerella. I thought about starting one of those outfit-of-the-day blogs, but I'm not an exciting dresser, and how many pussybow blouses/prim cardis/cute ballet flats can a girl blog before it starts to feel tired? I thought about turning this blog into a Project 365 type affair, I do so adore reading those, but then I realised that given my current motivation levels, posting a picture daily might prove to be a bit too labour-intensive.

 

What I'm trying to say, in my roundabout, self-adulating way, is that I'm not sure what I'm doing right now. I simply adore beauty blogs but have never really considered my own blog to strictly be one. I'm not sure what kind of direction I'm going to take, but I promise, you'll be the first to know. I have some product reviews I need to post soon because I feel these impending raves are an urgent memo to the Australian people regarding some wonderful haircare, and in the interests of public education, I should not delay! I honestly don't know if this blog is going to become something else, and I hope you'll stick with me while I figure it out.

 

Meanwhile, I recently read Poppy King's book, Lessons of a Lipstick Queen, and it was amazing. I really adore Poppy and she has a great story. I have such fond memories of those Poppy Shine pots, and I had that Shine postcard on my noticeboard in my room for so many years. She is a brilliant entrepreneur and I highly recommend this book:

 

 

 

 

It also helps that as I read, I got serious about constantly reapplying Lipstick Queen Medieval Tinted Treatment and Five Minutes of Fame Gloss in 3 Minutes. Get amongst it.

 

 

Some burning life questions I'm pondering right now:

 

When did 'Stacie The Bartender' become 'Stacie, Kristin's Friend' on the Hills?

 

Why am I not sitting in a cushy corner office with a team of assistants at my beck and call? I've toiled at this corporate game for long enough.

 

Why does Ke$ha have such awful hair?

 

Why is the MAC in Lillyland collection going to be an online exclusive? I like perving and playing with new collections on counter.

 

Where is my stila kitten eyeshadow? It has seriously gone MIA.

Will we be getting Jersey Shores here? I am simply aching to watch.

 

If you can help me to solve any of my current first world dramas, I'd be much indebted to you. xx

An open letter.

 

Dear Serena,
 
I'm not going to lie, I was a little bit sad when I realised I wouldn't be seeing you tonight at Melbourne Park. You're meeting Samantha Stosur soon and look, I like her, but she is severely lacking in the blingy manicure department. I hope you win and keep bringing that glama to the court.
 
I notice you've been in Melbourne for days now and you still haven't called me to go get our nails did. S'orright. I understand you've been busy, frolicking on centre court and setting up for another Aus Open win this year. You go, girlfriend. I support you. 
 
We talked about your leopard nails last week and I'll be honest - I've been a bandit for the photo agencies lately, checking madly to see what kind of manicures you've brought to Melbourne.
 
I can't find anything, and judging by this shot from the other day, I'm guessing you're in a similar boat to me right now - lamenting the horrid state of your cuticles, cursing your hellish schedule lately, and pining for a much-needed manicure?
 
 

 

 

Call me, okay? You can't possibly think of winning that title again without a statement manicure. I'm totally free for some pampering. xx

Be still my beating heart.

I am not ashamed to say I am loving Serena Williams' leopard print nails SICK.

(In Sydney on Jan 10.)

They are so trashy and so right.

Meanwhile, not long now until I am sitting courtside at the Aus Open! Serena, please ensure that you and your fabulous manicure are on centre court when I'm there. Okay? Cheers.

image thanks to daylife.com

Really just a whinge-fest masquerading as a blog post.

I returned to work this week after having a blissful ten days off, where the only activities I actioned were delightfully idle ones like lazing around the house, flexing some credit at boxing day sales, watching chick flicks whilst happily ensconsced in my lounge room with an icypole for company, making best friends with the airconditioning. You get the picture.

The process of returning to my corporate prison this week, to the dreary mundanity of 9-5 life, is getting me down, people. Suddenly I'm back to wearing clothes with a real waistband, waking up before the Today show has finished, and slapping on a full face of makeup every day. Before 8am. It's hard to believe this time last week I was probably curled up on the couch having an afternoon disco nap.

I am hopelessly envious of all you layabouts who still have the good fortune to be swanning around leisurely on holiday time. It feels like everyone else is enjoying a lazy January while I bask in fluroscent light all day long. This week has been so ridiculously difficult. Do you know I let my hair go unwashed for three days after Christmas? I know what you're thinking. Revolting. Truth be told, it is Liberating. Thank the heavens for dry shampoo and ballerina buns.

This morning, as I slapped on foundation (stila oil-free natural finish FYI - it's lovely), patted some cream blush on my cheeks (MAC sweet william blushcreme, in case you're interested) and carefully applied my lippie (MAC long stem rose slimshine - so pretty), I suddenly felt so tired. I know first world dramahs like post-holiday-blues do pass eventually, but right now, I need to wallow. Good thing I slapped on some fake tan and nail polish last night – imagine how low my spirits would be if I were pasty and unmanicured right now!

Let's pop into a time machine and revisit my time off. Let's all dream of sweeter and happier days, where daytime TV reigns supreme, bulging Outlook calendars are but a distant memory, and there's always leftover Christmas pudding in the fridge.

  

Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturiser SPF 15 in Shade 01, $69 from Mecca

Last week I used this stuff nonstop. Sure, It doesn't have the oil-controlling, superbly mattifying prowess that my work makeup does. It doesn't look good on me past a few hours, it makes my face look like an oil slick when it's decided it's had enough of playing nice on my face. But jeepers, while it's good, it's GOOD. It's uber dewy so I set it with MAC blot powder (my saviour) and chucked some bronzer on over the top (I was loving my stila sun pressed bronzing powder last week). You know those times when you just want to pop out of the house for a spot of shopping, or a catchup with a girlfriend, or a movie? This was perfect for those times when I just wanted to look like I had great skin, if only for a few fleeting hours.

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer body mist sunblock

This stuff is my favourite sunscreen for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it's an aerosol spray can! Welcome to the future. Things don't get niftier than this, truly. This stuff is light and easy and reliable and convenient and I tore through my supplies of this stuff last week. I strongly believe I used almost a whole can on New Year's Eve. (Happy late year everyone, by the way!) I also like using its older sister on my face, the dry touch ultra sheer something sunscreen with helioplex thing. I'm far too lazy to look up the exact name, cut me some slack tiger, I should be snoozing in front of Oprah right now.

  

Sportsgirl 'You can't judge a book by its cover' palette for lips, eyes & face

Ohh, hello lover. Last week it just seemed that things like coordinating colours and choosing eyeshadow shades might be too taxing on my fuzzy, post-Christmas brain, and then this little palette came into my life and made things right again. Look at those colours! So summer worthy. These palettes remind me so much of the Too Faced quickie palettes (which I LOVE) – they are just so nifty. There's no guesswork involved. There's no opening compacts and looking for that blush shade and wondering where that eyeshadow disappeared to. I couldn't save a photo off the Sportsgirl site, so I even took my own picture to show it to you. That's how much I care. (Spot my pink leopard print mousepad in the background. It's amazing.) I spotted these on sale on Boxing Day so if you're lucky to find one, do yourself a favour and snap it up, quicksticks. And may I just mention, how impressed I am with Sportsgirl's very excellent makeup range? I have loved everything from the range. Interesting trivia: I used the Sportsgirl mango bodywash this morning. I bet you're grateful I shared that.

 

Unico leave in spray ($21.95 from adorebeauty) and hair serum ($22.95 from adorebeauty)

I am going to be quick here - this stuff is amazing. Let's be honest people - holiday hair, it doesn't always look good. It's generally messy and lazy and low-mai, and my hair was all of those things last week, but in the best way possible. I barely blowdried my hair all week, instead embracing my natural curl and using that hair-styling time to action more important tasks, like baking a birthday cake for my sister and reading overseas mags on the verandah. Both these products kept my hair smooth and happy and unfazed in the face of high temperatures. These products are SO good they deserve their own blog post, which they will get. ASAP. (Bosses who tack on ASAP to the end of every sentence - Fools.)

Lipsmacker in Cotton Candy

Nostalgia is the most powerful aphrodisiac, people. I was given a pack of SIX lip smackers for Christmas and golly, it takes me back. Remember collecting these in primary school? Cotton Candy makes me feel like a little girl again. Don't think I didn't also use the Bubblegum one all week, too.

OPI Chapel of Love and Zoya Barbie nail polishes

I do believe I mentioned how pretty Zoya Barbie is in my Christmas post - I was loving it sick last week. It is such a gorgeous pale pink that made me feel like a lady. No mean feat, people. Chapel of Love is the most adorable pink that has a tinge of watermelon or something in it and made my toes look like they were born to be on holidays.

  

I am off to the beach this weekend (mini break!) and am packing all of the above to take with me! I'll be spending the weekend on a magical little island where penguins roam free and teen superstars dine at local cafes - too bad Miley has gone home, I honestly thought her and I would galpal around Phillip Island together. Sigh. There's always next year. In the meantime, picture my beach weekend as looking something like this:

Happy weekend! x

ho ho HO

Happy Chrismukkah you guys! (HOLLER if you love and miss the OC.) 

I am a filthy cranky little blogger today as I realised that blogger chewed up my beautiful little gift ideas post earlier this week that I so earnestly slaved over - who's a naughty blog host? You, blogger. Keep this up and we'll break up.

But rage and anger are so not festive so let's put it to the side.

I love this time of year – I loosely observe a Retail Christmas*, meaning that in late October or early November I start thinking about the important issues in life. Namely:

What’s on my Christmas list.

What I'm going to buy for everyone else.

How I’m going to decorate my Christmas cupcakes.

What kind of decorations I’m going to work with on my tree.

What kind of cookies I can bake and approximately how many kilos of Christmas pudding I can consume before I start to look like a pudding.

How many hours I will spend tinsel-papering the lounge room with my little nephew. The level of intense amusement and fascination with a $2 strand of tinsel is extraordinary.

What kind of cartoon-themed advent calendar I can buy for boyfriend – you’ll be pleased to know he had a Simpsons one this year.

* Side note: As well as a Retail Christmas, I endorse a Retail Easter - it means that you can eat hot cross buns in January! Winner.

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas/festive season - I had a cracker. Hah. Getit? Cracker. Plenty more where that came from, people.

Don't think I don't have a pink tree - you'd be WRONG.

Don't assume I painted my nails a nice Chrismassy red - you'd be sorely mistaken. Instead, I painted them my most favouritest pink ever, OPI Strawberry Margarita. I tried capturing it in all its Barbie splendour and to show how it's almost a perfect match for my tree, but I failed. Or my phone failed, rather. Oh wells.

Interesting fact: I received Zoya Barbie in my Christmas stocking and it's a gorgeous pink creme. It's on my toes right NOW. I had to paint them as soon as I got home on Christmas night, I was that excited.

 

Don't think I didn't eat one of these cupcakes before the icing had even set. Om NOM NOM. You know it.

Don't think I didn't buy my niece a Britney onesie at the concert. In fact, if you think I pillaged the merchandise stand, you'd be CORRECT.

Don't think my man doesn't know the way to my heart - I am SO kitted out and am loving it sick.

On a side note, thank goodness I'm done buying gifts for awhile. That one for me, one for you game I love to play is HELL on the hip pocket.

Gifts and a Consumerist Christmas aside, my favourite things about Christmas this year have been the smallest pleasures - decorating the tree with boyfriend (it's an immaculate black and silver monstrosity, I am immensely proud), Christmas baking with my dear mother, playing tinsel games with my nephew... it really is the sweetest time to spend some time with the ones you love. I hope you did just that. xx

ps. My friend would like to pop her head in...

That's all.

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope Santa was good and your turkey hangover wasn't too intense. Be safe. x

Paging great hair to aisle 3

Do you know I worked in a supermarket for about seven or eight years? Geez. That's a long time to work under harsh fluroscent lights, people. Even now, years have passed and the sound of service calls or tills banging shut still makes my skin crawl.

It wasn't all doom and gloom though! I'm so grateful I spent so many years of school/uni there - without my humble little weekly paycheck, I wouldn't have bought nearly as much makeup over the years. I wouldn't be as fast at counting wads of cash, which will no doubt come in handy one day when I'm filthy rich and famous and need to count out my dosh to bathe in. Nor would I have read all the mags for free while munching on 'damaged' easter eggs, or cruised the health and beauty aisles regularly looking for newies.

The health and beauty aisles of the supermarket have certainly come a long way - it used to be slim pickings, but now there's a whole host of priceline-y brands for your perusal. Supermarkets have been the site of some of my favourite beauty purchases - like Palmers shea butter body wash, Covergirl Lash Blast mascara, or Garnier Clean sensitive something-yadda-yadda makeup remover. Is it just me, or are those late night dashes to the shops hell on the hip pocket? You pop in to buy bread and milk and end up buying three deodorants, a body wash and a mascara.

The other day when I was raving about the Pantene 3 minute miracle treatments it occurred to me that I should stop glossing over my other supermarket faves. They're all very worthy and very cheap and very friendly and would probably really like it if you gave them a whirl. Don't be mean. I'm sure there's room in your bathroom.

Pantene 3 minute miracle treatment, available in single packs ($2.99) and a 3-pack ($7.99)

I don't have much else to say about this stuff except for Get On It. See here and here. That is all.

Herbal Essences long term relationship shampoo, conditioner and treatment  

This stuff isn't actually an impulse purchase, rather, I was a lucky little beauty blogger and was sent these to try. Aww. Cheers, dudes. Good choice, because I am a tough taskmaster when it comes to hair products - Simon Cowell ain't got nothing on my harsh words of judgement.

I used the old Herbal Essences for years in high school, that green one, mostly because I loved the smell so much. With this one, please note, the smell is ahhhhhmazing. My god. When I opened the package I initially thought a bottle must have leaked because I could smell it instantly. Herbal Essences, you had me at 'a fusion of red raspberry and satin'. Hello, I would like to be the person who comes up with these phrases. The actual name, in my opinion, is a little bit gimmicky (don't be turned off, I certainly think this stuff is great for you short-haired people, I will not discriminate) but seeing as I am a vulnerable consumer and a sucker for marketing hyperbole, there is no doubt I would have been sucked into purchasing this at the supermarket.  

I have quite oily, long, fine hair - every hairdresser tells me 'it's fine but there's lots of it', whatever that means - and I have trouble finding products that feel like they're doing a decent clean but don't weigh it down. This shampoo is a triumph and gives me a very clean feeling without stripping. The conditioner was a little bit heavy on my hair but had that same delicious smell and I have used it a few times when I needed that extra OOMPH in the nourishing department. As an everyday conditioner, I think it would weigh my hair down but I have really enjoyed alternating. Today's life lesson: Switch your haircare up. It's key.

The treatment is the bomb diggity, it's quite thick and gloopy and has a great texture and just like the other products, it smells awesome. People, I know I'm nattering on about the scent but you should reserve all judgement until you sniff it yourselves. In fact, I just know that my sister, who has a deep love for heavily-fragranced 'poos and conditioners, will go nuts for this. Dear Sister, who kindly and patiently reads my blog, take heed. Get on this. See you at Christmas and bring me a pretty present. xx

Fact: I used the treatment one night, went to bed and the next day wore my curls AU NATURAL, WITH NO PRODUCT (who does that? not I) and they actually looked quite soft and tame. Epic win. And it's so cheap you won't be scared to really smother your hair in it.  I was really quite rapt with this range, to be honest. I will definitely purchase when these run out.

Fact: Flossie.com and Herbal Essences are offering the chance to win your very own Life Cast – CUTE.

Organic Care normal balance conditioner, $3.45

I bought this on a whim, on one of my late night 'pop in visits' when I found myself cruising the haircare aisle aimlessly. I took note of the price and to be honest, I bought it in a fit of disbelief and skepticism, because I refused to believe that they could sell a shampoo that is paraben free, free of petrochemical cleansers, etc etc, all of the good stuff, for a measly few bucks. I wanted to see if it was actually rubbish and boy DID I EAT SOME WELL CONDITIONED HUMBLE PIE. This stuff is hella good. It's light and gentle and if you want an intensely nourishing deep condition, stop reading this paragraph and forget about it. If you want a light conditioner, this stuff is great. I have so much trouble finding conditioners that don't weigh my hair down and this is a gem. So fab for oily hair. I will be trying the shampoo next. I mean, if I can scrounge up a few bucks and all.

Tresemme 24 hour body volumising mousse, about $10?

I actually saw the spray gel reviewed on Zoe's Primped blog, and like the obedient little reader I am, I took NOTE of her glowing rave and hotfooted it to the shops to snaffle myself one. Sadly, I couldn't find the spray gel, but I found the mousse. And it all worked out sweetly in the end, because I love this stuff! I had been using Tigi Root Boost, but I actually prefer the Tresemme. It doesn't make my roots oily and I notice a difference when blowdrying. It works. It's cheap. It's got pink on the bottle. It's a keeper. I need to try the spray gel version too, I saw it in a mag the other day so it had better be on the shelves now. Or else.

I hope you find some budget haircare inspiration here and this brings a little bit of love to your supermarket trolley. Happy weekend! x

Breaking news: Taylor got her GHD on.

 

I don't think I've ever seen Taylor Swift with straight hair. Have I? Or maybe I just haven't cared enough to notice.

 

Anyhoo, I am developing a bit of a soft spot for Taylor, and it has nothing to do with Kanye bullying her. I don't know, I am starting to come around to her, maybe it was her cute and self-deprecating SNL monologue?

 

Irrelevant!

 

Let's talk about her locks.

 

Here she is, out in NYC on Wednesday night with shiny straight hair, and out the night before with her trademark curls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you think? I really like it. Props to you for mixing it up, Taylor. Now please stop staying out late on school nights.

 

p.s. Taylor, your like-named boyfriend is a bit cute.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In other breaking news, I am wearing OPI Nicole Alert on my fingies and it's such a delightful non-fluro, non-gaudy orange. That is all.

 

 

images thanks to gossipcenter.com 

 

Gaga Watch: Lady, meet Queen.

(At the Royal Variety Show in the UK last night.)

I wonder what Lizzy thought of Miley's hotpant-wearing, crotch-loving performance? The mind boggles.

image thanks to dailymail.co.uk