Hairway to Heaven

“You have such beautiful hair, Gabby. It reminds me of Mia Thermopolis”

“Thanks mum, but that ISN’T a compliment!”

Now that I think back on that…I really hope she meant AFTER her transformation. Besides, it’s not like she can talk! I saw pictures of my mum in the 80’s. Her hair wasn’t just teased – it was pissed off!

The truth is, I remain quietly afraid of the hairdressers, ever since I was 14 and she slipped while cutting the front of my hair. I promise, it’s not as bad as it sounds- its ten times worse. How do I say this without over-exaggerating… IT OBLITERATED EVERY SCHOOL PHOTO FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS! I had this chunk of hair missing from the front. What can I say? Hideous looks good on me. So to avoid wanting a pixie cut and ending up with a ‘Britney Shears’, I am going to share with you the “Hairdresser Terminology” that will tell your stylist exactly what you want. Because if you don’t know how to articulate the haircut of your dreams, it may never happen.

THE SIDE FRINGE

Why: A side fringe can easily give your hair extra glam, or can be pinned back while playing sport. Plus, it’s much easier to grow it out than a blunt fringe

Will it suit me: Opt for a side fringe if your hair is healthy and not super curly! Side fringes are especially perfect if you have a heart shaped face

What do I tell my hairdresser: You want a long, side swept fringe, with the rest of the hair only slightly trimmed

BANGS

Why: A front fringe  really can change your whole hair look, and at worst, can be pinned back if you don’t like it

Will it suit me: There is a general rule that says curly haired girls should avoid bangs, and it’s true! When deciding whether “to bang or not to bang”, I suggest looking at how high maintenance you are. If you are a wash and go kind of girl, this may not be the best hair cut for you

What do I tell my hairdresser: You want a straight across, choppy fringe, with longer pieces of hair on either side.  It should be cut while the hair is dry! (This is important as wet hair can shrink up when it’s dry, and end up too short)

THE TEXTURED BOB

Why: Remember when every little girl sported this hairstyle at kinder? Well The bob cut has come back bigger and better than ever!

Will it suit me: This hairdo will work on most hair types, but avoid really thick hair as it may be hard to keep it tame

What do I tell my hairdresser: You want a shoulder-skimming bob

THE LONG BOB

Why: A long bob appears effortless and chic, and can be easily styled for a night out

Will it suit me: This hairstyle works best on straight hair. The centre part accentuates a symmetrical face, so make sure you try out a few different parts in the mirror before booking your next appointment

What do I tell my hairdresser: You want a mid-length cut, with long layers and parted in the centre

LONG LAYERS

Why: Long layers look so elegant and glamorous when styled, but are super easy to maintain on a regular basis

Will it suit me: This hairstyle works well on most hair types, especially thicker hair like Lucy's!

What do I tell my hairdresser: You want long layers, with your hair parted slightly to one side, and framed around the face

PUNK ROCKER

Why: This hairstyle will definitely make you stand out of the crowd. It’s edgy and cool, and is an accessory all on its own

Will it suit me: Short hair a la Miley Cyrus requires trimming every six to eight weeks, as well as gel styling, so make sure you’re prepared! Also look at your face in the mirror to decide whether you would suit a shorter ‘do or not

What do I tell my hairdresser: Ask for a short haircut with an edge. With under-shaving at the back and sides, and more length on top. Forget it: just take the picture with you!

With this terminology, you'll have the haircut of your dreams in no time!

Xx

A Little 'Lush'ury

Why is it that when we are younger, we get so excited by the smallest and most insignificant things in life? 

When I was about 8 and started having showers on a regular basis, and I thought they were just about the coolest thing ever. Showers meant I no longer had to get into my younger brothers dirty luke warm bath water, and didn't have to share my bathing experience with numerous 'Action Men', 'Barbies' and 'Little People' who had consequently been abandoned after their insides had started to rot (yes, it is literally as bad as it sounds). So to say when I discovered the shower it was "a relief" is possibly the biggest understatement of the year. I guess I fell in love with the fact it was like warm steaming rain running all over your body, physically removing the dirt. Showers also came with the added bonus of being able to write secret messages on the shower door to Mary-Kate and Ashley, pleading them to adopt me (which I consequently found out from my mum were not so secret) and made my cover of the spice girls 'Wannabe' sound 10 times better.

By the time I was 15 it had been at least 2 years since I’d had bath, and it was defiantly not a regular occurrence. I think when we are older we become obsessed with time efficiency. We prioritise other things, and sometimes they aren't always the things which make us happiest. Well when I was 15 I rediscovered the bath and I absolutely adored it. I no longer had hand-me-down water from my brother, and those rotting bath toys were long gone. I loved the experience of being able to lie down and relax while listening to my favourite tunes. It’s just really peaceful, and is one of those times when you can be alone with your thoughts and enjoy life a little more.

But if you're like me and get a little bored with your own thoughts after a good 10 minutes and need a little something to spruce things up or make bath time a little more luxurious, then I present to you my top six (was meant to be top five but I couldn't decide) favourite ‘Lush’ bath products;

1. Floating island bath melt: Scented with vanilla, lemon and sandalwood. This bath melt slowly dissolves softening your skin and leaving behind a subtle creamy aroma, best for days when you can soak in the bath for hours on end. 

2. Butterball bath bomb: Infused with Cocoa butter which smooths and softens your skin, this sweet vanilla and musk scented bath bomb will add a bit of fizz and pop to your bath. If you enjoy subtle and discreet scents then this is the one for you as it is calm and not too over powering. 

3. Porridge soap: With a zesty citrus smell, this soap is sure to wake you up first thing in the morning. Compiled with oats, these two ingredients work wonders for sensitive skin as they softly exfoliate and leave you smelling fresh for the remainder of the day. 

4. Granny takes a dip: If you find that your bath could do with a little impulsive action then this bath bomb will provide the entertainment with psychedelic colours and patterns. While some may be put off by its synthetic appearance, like all ‘Lush’ products it works wonders for your skin by increasing circulation. Scented with lemon, ginger and pepper, this spicy citrus scent smells good enough to eat. 

5. Creamy candy bubblebar: Although I am not such a fan of the sweet smells and much prefer spice or citrus scents. this bubble bar is too good to resist. It creates thick, creamy bubbles and is perfect to enjoy those cold winter nights with a hot chocolate and marshmallows on the side. It leaves you smelling sweet, long after you've drained your tub! 

6. Dreamtime bath melt: Just as the name suggests, this luxury bath melt will send you off to sleep just as good as any lullaby. Scented with jasmine, lavender and sandalwood, the ingredients will smooth and soften your skin. Perfect for when your skin is feeling a little rough and under the weather.

Enjoy your baths (action-men free of course!)

Paris is Always a Good Idea

Something Audrey Hepburn didn’t prepare me for was how often things look better in Hollywood than they really are. There’s something so incredibly illustrious about being in Fifth Avenue, sipping veuve clicquot cocktails and eating a box of Godiva chocolate truffles in the Palace Hotel lobby,  something that does not translate at all into the ‘real teens of Ringwood’ parties I’ve been to thus far. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not spend my Sweet Sixteenth finding out people were fraternizing on my favourite sofa.

I’m going to need another drink to forget I just heard that - as if I haven’t heard all the possible excuses for getting drunk at sixteen:

“It’s medicinal…. Cramps!” And then dealing with our parents who say “Is she drunk?”

It’s like, I don’t know, would you like me to get you a urine sample?

Or take the wind flowing through your hair- expectation: instant glamour that renders you straight out of a 1940’s Old Hollywood movie. Reality: Wads of hair plastered to your face, a million strands working themselves into an enormous knot. What’s worse is when you’re wearing the wrong gloss, you know, the kind that looks wet but is really sticky?

It’s all fun and flirty until someone hacks up a hairball.

So, unfortunately unlike Gossip Girl’s Upper East Sider’s who charter a G5 and fly to France in incredible style; all while eating macaroons and wearing berets ***sidenote: If you don’t watch Gossip Girl I swear you are missing out on the BEST television show EVER*** I can’t go to the only place in the world where you can be a modern Marie Antoinette, dining at Drouant, and shopping at Yves Saint Laurent – ooh la la! Being in Paris is like dying and going to heaven (or so I’ve heard)… I surprisingly am still alive, and sadly, have not yet visited Paris. Sigh L Take a look at how you can add chic Parisian fashion into your wardrobe, if like me, you can’t be there in person.

As Audrey Hepburn wrote “Paris is always a good idea” and she couldn’t be more right!

Bisou Bisou (kiss kiss)