Review: Lee Stafford CoCo LoCo Irons

Recently Caitlin had her hair straightened for the first time at the hairdresser and loved it so when we were asked to test the Lee Stafford CoCo LoCo Irons, she was very keen!

My hair is now shoulder length but Caitlin's hair is long and thick with a slight curl (how I envy her!)

The straighteners are nicely designed and are a great girly colour. They are lightweight with a decent 2m length swivel cord.

We liked that you can lock the plates and can also vary the temperature anywhere from 120 degrees c up to 200 degrees c. The temperature is helpfully displayed on an LED screen.

The ceramic plates in these irons are infused with coconut oil to keep hair shiny and smooth. I wasn't totally sure about this addition and I was expecting a coconut fragrance which wasn't there.  There is nothing obvious to see.

That said, the straighteners did a good job on Caitlin's thick hair and were very easy to use. The lightness of them helps I found and they are long enough so that your hands are not too near the heated plates when you use them.

We found they heated up very quickly so you do need to be careful. I did not use any product on Caitlin's hair and we followed Lee's instructions by combing downwards with a tail comb and then following with the straighteners.

Lee recommends that you use a heat protection spray which we will do the next time we use the irons.

Caitlin loves her straight hair and went straight into her Instagram pose!

I think this is a great value for money straightener, ideal as a first time buy and it compared favourably to my GHDs.

I also liked that the product switches itself off automatically after 45 minutes, although you obviously have to be very careful where you leave it!

You can use these straighteners to create curls and flicks too and there's a guide in the instruction booklet that comes in the box.

There's also a 24 month guarantee for this product if you register your purchase with Lee Stafford.

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How to make your hair naturally beautiful in 6 easy steps

The cosmetic industry has seen a huge rise in hair product sales in the last 20 to 30 years as well as in the types of hair product available to buy.

Whilst this undoubtedly gives us a lot more choice, it can be really hard to tell what kind of ingredients the average products has. Some of them may even contain volatile ingredients which could put the health of our body and skin at risk.

Luckily, we are more aware of the variety of chemicals that go into our products and today, more than ever, we are trying to turn to natural solutions and products.

Here are 6 great tips to keep your hair naturally beautiful from Nick Stoyanov, content strategist for  HollywoodMirrors.co.uk , an online family-run business in the UK helping to bring glamour to the home with lighted mirrors.

Start with your diet

No matter what you do, it is necessary to start with your diet. Hair receives a lot of nutrients from your food such as vitamins, minerals and proteins.

If you’re malnourished, this will affect your cells leading to loss of hair and lower quality of follicles. You can make a huge difference to the condition of your hair by eating more foods such as salmon, oranges and carrot.

Be careful when buying hair products

A lot of women make a mistake by using the wrong products for their hair type. First of all, you should always be suspicious about products making grand claims and offering instant results.

Although the product may be good for your current appearance, it may lead to long-term damage to your hair.

In fact, you should choose products that have a smaller number of ingredients. With each additional ingredient, the risk of hair damage increases. Simply put, you can never know how your hair will react to something. Try to focus on natural products instead.

Too much treatment

If you’re a neat freak, you probably comb your hair often. In fact, you probably comb it too often.

Like most other systems in our body, natural processes work to keep our hair healthy such as the secretion of sebum.

Excessive treatment (for example, too much washing) can remove natural oils from your hair making it more susceptible to damage.

Let your hair be wild from time to time. Give it a rest by avoiding combing it in the evening unless you are going out.

Avoid heat 

Similar to combing and washing, heat is something that can ruin your hair. It dries out both your scalp and the hair follicles making them rough and easy to break which can lead to split ends.

Ideally, you should wash your hair several hours before going out, then use a drier just a bit so that it remains damp. After that, it will dry out on its own while you’re still at home.

Check your scalp 

Besides your follicles, the skin on your scalp can also pose a problem. Various issues such as hair loss, hair thinning or dandruff may be caused by scalp issues.

There are numerous problems you can have with your skin. For example, it may be dehydrated or perhaps it doesn’t have enough natural oils.

Stress and malnutrition are also common causes of hair issues.

Condition your hair with natural oils

Oil is crucial for your hair but some people deplete their hair's natural oils by over-treatment.

This is why you should add some artificially. A good choice is tea tree oil or coconut oil - the purer and more natural the oil the better.

By feeding your hair with them, you will definitely see an improvement in its condition.

Like everything else in life, you need to be moderate when it comes to hair care. Overdoing it can only endanger your cells leading to various health issues.

Make sure to use a lot of natural products and place emphasis on vitamins and minerals.

With such a strict regime, you will have beautiful hair that will last for ages.

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Review: Philip Kingsley Elasticizer For Hair

Some products are just too much of a faff I find these days, but I had heard of this particular product many times so thought I'd give it a go.

I'm sure you've heard about the 'reverse washing' trend - where you condition hair first and then shampoo.  This product is arguable ahead of its time for that reason.

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer is a pre-shampoo conditioner which you massage into your hair (in sections it is advised) and leave for 10-20 minutes with a plastic cap on so that the heat can do the work. It is priced around £17 for 75ml.

For a start, on a cold winter morning, wandering around with wet hair looking for a shampoo cap (no such luck) is not advisable.

It's true that the product does have a lovely geranium and neroli fragrance but this I suspect is to distract you whilst you hang about waiting for it to work and in any case it is shampooed straight out.

If you have longish hair, like I do, you'll also go through a tube quite quickly.

I remember once reading that Marie Helvin (one of the original supermodels) recommended using mayonnaise as a conditioning treatment and a jar of Hellmans would certainly be a lot cheaper.

The problem I have with many of these 'hero brands' is that they seem quite cold and clinical, standing aloof in bleak cosmetic 'boutiques' like Space NK.

In fact many of today's brands look more like potions stolen from a secret lab somewhere deep in the Swiss Alps.

You need a GCSE in Chemistry just to understand the ingredients.

Busy mums struggling with cash and time don't want to be bamboozled.  We just want products that do the job.

We also want brands that engage with us appropriately.

Somewhere in-between Benefit (desperate to be liked - "look at us, we're pink for heavens sake and we make teeny tiny palettes suitable for elves) and Mac (don't bother talking to us right now we're too busy being fabulous).

And somewhere decidedly south of No.7 (come in No. 7 your time is probably up).

Anyway I duly applied, shampooed, rinsed and used my usual conditioner and yes, my hair did have a little more oomph but not £17 worth of oomph.

Some of the reviews I've read suggest that you need to use this product consistently to see results but it is time consuming when you struggle to get into the bathroom before the husband and kids!

A product to add to your Christmas list rather than your shopping list.

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Win Amazing Anti-Hair Loss Products From folliOne

When you get to a certain age, particularly around the menopause, or perhaps after surgery or medical treatment, you may find your beloved hair starts to get thinner and that your scalp starts to make an appearance.

There's no denying that it's hard enough for a man to lose his hair but there is far less social stigma about male hair loss than there is for hair loss in women.

These days there's no shame in talking about this issue and there are more and more treatments available to help cope with this distressing condition.

Did you know that nearly 40% of women experience some form of hair loss by the age of 60?  But you need to be sure of the cause.

Women’s hair loss may appear at times of hormonal change and is identified by overall thinning as opposed to a more patchy loss.

Common causes of women’s hair loss include: starting or stopping birth control, having a baby and just before and after going through the menopause.

Women rarely go completely bald but the end result is a visible decrease in the density of the hair in the affect areas.

Also, there's a difference between Alopecia and the kind of hair thinning which may be only temporary - for example after you have had a baby.

With Alopecia, the reason for the hair loss is thought to be a sensitivity of your follicles to the hormones in your scalp, in particular the hormone DHT (Dihydro-Testosterone). This is why treatments for female alopecia include DHT blockers, and antiandrogens, just like the treatments for male hair loss.

If you are suffering with this distressing problem, you should talk to your GP for advice and support but there are products that can help with thinning hair.

I have discovered one such range of products from folliOne who offer a range of treatments including Growth Stimulators, Anti Hair-loss shampoos and liquid hair nutrition to help maximise hair growth.

I tested two of the three following products, the anti hair loss shampoo and the liquid nutrition.

folliOne Growth Stimulator for Women

This non-alcohol based formula is designed to gently strengthens your scalp, allowing the ingredients to penetrate the scalp without evaporating or crystallizing.

Diaminopyrimidine Oxide, one of the main active ingredients in folliOne Growth Stimulator For Women, has been shown through clinical research to disrupt 5α-reductase activity and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) production, these two substances are linked to hair loss.

It also contains Oxothiazolidine Carboxylic Acid to stimulate new hair growth and prevents further hair loss, and it also delays the ageing of the skin in the scalp.

folliOne Shampoo for Hair Growth and Recovery

This shampoo is formulated to stimulate hair growth and prevents hair loss whilst supporting a healthy scalp, new hair follicles, and the growth of hair cells.

It reduced sebaceous secretion from the scalp (oil in the skin) and targets dandruff caused by hair loss. It is also designed to enhance the body’s ability to prevent the recurrence of scalp itching, irritation, redness, and flaking.

This is quite a runny shampoo with a strong medicinal smell and it is quite strong and rather drying. This is what it is designed to do though! You will need conditioner and possibly some conditioning hair products afterwards.  Because it is strong, I would caution against using it on coloured hair - certainly freshly coloured hair.

It does contain the magic ingredient that seems to be the latest buzz word in preventing female hair loss - caffeine and the product is not tested on animals so full marks for that.

I found that this shampoo boosted the volume of my hair and did not irritate my scalp or my skin. In fact, I found my facial skin looked smooth and had more of a glow which is an interesting side effect!

I think it is certainly worth persisting with if you can find a way of conditioning your hair afterwards.

folliOne Liquid Hair Nutrition for Hair Growth

folliOne Liquid Hair Nutrition is a daily dietary supplement designed to give your hair the essential vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and protein it needs for normal growth.

You can take it on its own or mix it with fruit for an easy smoothie.  It has a pleasant orangey taste and the daily dose is 15ml which you can drink straight down - far easier than taking bulky pills.

As well as the usual vitamins you would expect to find, there's biotin, iodine, folic acid and selenium. It is certainly a specific blend rather than a standard liquid nutrition supplement and it is a more powerful way of getting these vitamins and minerals than ingesting them from natural sources.

To give you an idea, you would have to contain 750mg of amino acids from your foods to get the same benefit as 15ml of folliOne Liquid Hair Nutrition.

If you would like to try folliOne products I have a great giveaway for one winner to win two folliOne products of their choice from the range worth £30.

You can find more information about the range at www.follione.co.uk.  You can also find help and advice about hair loss at www.hairlosstalk.com.

Entry this time is via the Gleam app below and the giveaway ends on 28th December. Open Worldwide.  Terms and conditions are on my competitions page.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW

Win a choice of any two Follione products #3

Good luck!

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Simple Tips For Hot Healthy Hair

All women are probably guilty of looking at another woman’s hair at some point and wishing they had it. Our hair is considered our crowning glory, and can make a huge difference to our appearance. 

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Some women are born with naturally gorgeous tresses, but others aren’t. Some have thin, lifeless hair. Some even have less than desireable hair because of the things they’ve subjected it to over the years. Good news! With these methods, you can finally have hair other women are envious of…

Don’t Wash Your Hair Too Often

Washing your hair too often strips it of the all important natural oils it’s infused with. Moisture will leave your hair, and it might even become greasy more often. Your hair will get used to not being washed as much. If you’re worried about grease, a good dry shampoo can help to combat that. There are some people who rarely wash their hair at all, and have incredible locks!

Stay Away From Heat

Using too much heat on your hair is a one way ticket to snap city. Unless you want split ends, frizz, and other problems, you shouldn’t use heat on your hair too often. When you do use heat on your hair, use a protectant spray to ensure you’re not damaging it too much.

Take Supplements

Supplements can be amazing for hair. There are supplements formulated especially for the skin, hair, and nails. Obviously, you should make sure you’re eating a healthy diet alongside your supplements. Getting plenty of healthy fats in your diet should improve the condition of your hair. If supplements just aren't cutting it for you, you may want to try a medication. Looking at a price comparison of propecia hair loss tablets could help you to figure out if it’s the right route for you.

Use The Proper Type Of Brush

Make sure you’re using the right kind of brush for your hair type. You should also make sure you’re selecting the right brush depending on whether it’s wet or dry. Tangle Teezers are great brushes and can minimize damage. Never tug on your hair with your brush!

Protect It Before Bedtime 

Protecting your hair before bedtime can be a good way to nourish your hair as you sleep. Rather than tying it in a bun or plaiting it, try using a silk scarf or head wrap. Pile your hair on top of your head before putting on your head wrap. The silk will evenly distribute your hair’s natural oils, giving you a natural conditioning treatment. Not only that, you should notice an improvement in thickness, split ends, and other problems. When we toss and turn on our regular pillows all night, we can damage our hair in all kinds of ways!

Use Products That Suit Your Hair Type 

Make sure you know your hair type and you’re using products to suit it. You can find products for thin hair, fine hair, colored hair, and so on. It’ll help the condition and enhance your locks!

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When You Lose Your Crowning Glory - Hair Loss & Caring For Thinning Hair

Our hair is often referred to as our crowning glory and the condition and style of our hair can really affect our confidence - either for better or worse.

As we approach menopause we find that our hair is no longer as strong and voluminous as it once was.  And our colour starts to fade as those pesky greys appear.

There is a new school of thought that says we should celebrate having grey and white hair and I'm sure you have noticed some of your friends throwing away the hair dye and embracing the grey.

For many of us though, grey is synonymous with 'old age' and we'd do anything to disguise those tell tale signs of maturity.  Not only that, but many of us have to cope with thinning or falling hair.

It's not a problem faced by men alone.

So what causes hair loss?

The most common form of hair loss is determined by our genes and hormones and it is estimated that around 30% of Caucasian women are affected before menopause.

There are three things which speed up the rate of hair shedding - advancing age, an inherited tendency to go bald early (for men), and an over-abundance of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) within the hair follicle.

Basically changes to the hair's growing cycle means more hairs are shed with the hairs becoming thinner and thinner until they are too fine to survive daily wear and tear.

Other physiological factors might cause hair loss. Recently, a group of Japanese researchers found a link between excessive sebum in the scalp and hair loss. This is because the excessive sebum (oil) which often accompanies thinning hair enlarges the sebaceous glands and leads to malnutrition of the hair root.

Although this condition could be hereditary, they believe diet is a more prominent cause. The researchers note that Japanese hair was thick and healthy, with a small gland and little scalp oil, until more animal fat crept into their diet after World War II.

Hair loss is often increased by stress, dieting, poor circulation, steroid use, mineral deficiency, genetics, pregnancy or moving to a new country or change of environment. These can cause a change in the body’s hormones and effect DHT  – the contributor to hair loss.

Psychological distress can also makes matters worse. The more hair we lose the more we worry about it – and then the more we worry about it, the more hair we lose… It is a vicious cycle!

Caring for thinning hair can also add to your stress.

Most doctors agree that if you have a oily scalp with thinning hair, you should shampoo your hair frequently. This is because shampooing can reduce surface sebum, which contains high levels of testosterone and DHT that may reenter the skin and affect the hair follicle.

You may think that more frequent shampooing is the last thing you should be doing if you are worried about thinning hair or hair loss but there are some effective, yet gentle, shampoos on the market.

I was recently sent a selection of shampoos to try by hair loss specialists The Harley Street Hair Clinic, who are world leaders in FUE hair transplant technology and are the only clinic in the UK to specialise in follicular transfer hair transplant technology.

They are finding that, as more high-profile patients speak candidly about their hair transplants (for example their client Wayne Rooney), more men and women are getting in touch for consultations.

Whilst I am not losing my hair, I have definitely noticed that it is getting much drier and coarser as I get older - and admittedly, colouring my hair is probably not helping!

Swopping to a gentler shampoo has definitely helped.

Phytojoba Intense Hydration Brilliance Shampoo

This one had a lovely coconut smell and left my hair with more volume. It contains Jojoba Oil, which is a genuine liquid wax to smooth and add shine, soothing Cornflower and Mallow and a washing base derived from Coconut Oil to help your hair rapidly regains an optimal level of hydration, shine and suppleness. 

Sachajuan Ocean Mist Volume Shampoo 

Sachajuan’s brilliant blue Ocean Mist Volume Shampoo contains the brand's signature ‘Ocean Silk’ technology – a cocktail of marine algae extracts which works to enhance strand-strength, suppleness and shine.  This mimics the bed-head effect of the spritz, to create texture and body without adding weight. It is suitable for all hair lengths and textures, but especially those with fine hair .

I loved the fragrance of this shampoo which really does remind you of the sea.  I didn't find this one quite so moisturising though.

Korres Shampoo For Thin/Fine Hair with Rice Proteins and Linden

This Korres shampoo is designed to strengthen and add volume to thin / fine hair and contains rice proteins to increase hair elasticity and density while adding natural, lasting volume. The Linden extract forms a protective film on hair surface, improving its sheen and appearance. I loved this one. It definitely left my hair smoother and sleeker.

Kloraine Shampoo With Citrus Pulp

Klorane Citron Pulp Shampoo with vitamins is suitable for all hair types and can be used as frequently as necessary and by the whole family. It has a fresh invigorating fragrance and it neutralises hard water to restore vitality and radiance.

Whilst I loved this one and it's light citrussy scent, I found it a little too strong for me since it is for normal to oily hair.

So there you have it - a selection of great shampoos which will help nurture dry and thinning hair.  You can find out more about hair loss, both male and female on The Harley Street Hair Clinic's website and, if you are worried, a chat with your GP may help to rule out other causes such as an underactive thyroid or vitamin / mineral deficiency.

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Review: L'Oreal Paris Magic Retouch Instant Root Concealer Spray

I spend quite a bit each year on disguising my grey roots.  I always joke that I've no idea what my true hair colour is because nobody's seen it for years!

When I was young, it was the lovely reddy gold colour that Ieuan has now but I actually think my real colour now is a dark brown, almost black with the odd grey.

I recently had the chance to try L'Oreal Paris Magic Retouch Instant Root Concealer Spray and I chose the brown shade to test.

The product comes in a little spray can which promises enough contents for up to 30 applications. The product is also supposed to last until you wash it out.

The size of the can makes it ideal to slip into your make-up bag or handbag.

I got the Husband to apply the spray for me down my center parting (cue much shouting of "keep still") and it took two good blasts of the spray to cover the roots.

The greys are also a lot less visible with just those couple of sprays.

The only issue I have is that I chose the shade to match my roots but this does not blend in with my dyed hair.  I would have been better off selecting the dark blonde shade and plan to give this a try.

If the dark blonde shade gives as good a coverage as the brown one I tested then I think I could extend the time between salon colour appointments by a good couple of weeks.

At the moment, my salon offers a root touch up service where your roots can be dyed literally down your centre parting and you have the choice of either paying for a wash and blow dry or going home and washing it off yourself.

Currently the charge for this is around the £10-£15 mark (the wash & blow dry is extra of course) but you do have to find the time to get to the salon.  Not so easy with the kids in tow!

This does, of course hide all the roots and the greys.

The Magic Retouch spray, on the other hand, retails at £8.99 in Boots and comes in 5 shades - Light Blonde, Dark Blonde, Brown, Dark Brown and Black.

And, as you can see, it does a pretty respectable job with, if not total grey / root coverage, almost total.

If you want to eek out your salon colour and possibly save yourself some money into the bargain, I think this product is well worth a try.

I'd rate it as an 'emergency' product for those times when you want to look groomed and you just haven't got the time or cash to go to the salon.

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