Frizz killer

I have layered, naturally curly hair which I usually blow dry but my enemies are rain, damp or when the temperature rises: my hair either curls or goes wispy.  In summer, I often leave it to dry naturally because it’s not worth fighting the curls.

Enter Elvive ‘Dream Lengths’ Frizz Killer Serum (along with mousse) which has resisted the effects of winter damp and added lasting bounce to my blow dry.  I apply two squirts on rough dried hair, followed by a handful of mousse.  I divide my hair into about six sections (fringe, sides, top, crown, neck) and use a big round brush to get body and smoothness.  It takes no longer than five minutes.

Elvive ‘Dream Lengths’ Frizz Killer Serum, @£5, loads of places

Indola 4+4 Mousse, Sally Beauty, £8.99 

Blow dry or curly?

 

 

A gel answer for fragile nails

Some gel users have strong nails which hold polish for two-three weeks with no chipping and also don’t mind using acetone to remove them.

For my fragile nails which layer and split, I prefer peel off products as I think they are less harsh.  Alessandro Striplac is a great system but it’s pricey so I’m always on the lookout for less expensive alternatives.  Plus the shades on the bottles often aren’t true to the contents – I can’t count how failed many attempts I’ve had trying for a really dark burgundy..

I’m hugely impressed with three new buys, all rolling in around the £6.50 mark:

* Vena Lisa Peel Off base coat

* Blue Sky Hard Gel

* Vena Lisa Long Wear, no wipe top coat.

 

I did base, hard gel, two colour coats then the top coat for a durable shiny finish which lasted a whole ten days before I tired of the regrowth.  Often I was doing daily repairs.

When I eased the old gel off, my nails were more intact than I’ve known for years; there was growth and only about half of the tips had chips out.  A quick buff and I was ready for another gel manicure.  The blue I took off is an in-bottle mix of various blues (yes, you can!) whereas today’s colour is my new Urban Denim from Alessandro Striplac.  It’s a dense dark navy, black from a distance but, up close…ah, midnight.

Removal; trimmed nails; base and hard gel; finished manicure.