So, Factory F moves to London

I'm home! The past few months have been nothing short of manic, from work to settling in London and just enjoying life in a new city, I haven't really stopped. I've decided to take a few weeks to just chill out and relax, definitely well needed. Although the theme of this blog is primarily fashion and beauty, this post is slightly different. This is going to be more of an update on what I've been up to and I have to say, some of it has been really exciting!

Firstly, as I mentioned in a previous post I started working for two hair care brands at the beginning of the year; Goldwell & KMS California. This has been a really exciting and so far my role as PR & Comms  has been great. Working for such an established brand has allowed me to work on some really creative and large scale events; London Fashion Week being massive highlight for me.

Our brand sponsored the Bora Aksu show on day one at Somerset House. As this was my first time as LFW, I wasn't too sure what to expect but working backstage was definitively a privileged insight into understand the one of fashions most prestigious events. Meeting press, bloggers and stylists which I have admired from afar for years was overwhelming in the best way. Along with working backstage, sitting in the second row of one of the most talked about shows at this years fashion week topped this exceptional experience. The hair for the Bora Aksu show was styled by Sam Burnett, KMS California Ambassador. Read all bout the show and how to get the look here. 

So besides work London has been an adventure. After 7 months of living here I'm happy to be getting back into the swing of Factory F and returning to something that I love. I'm really excited to start sharing what life has been like over here; from fashion to food to art and back to fashion again. I suppose this has been a natural progression for this blog as interests have broadened since this blog first began a year ago. Fashion will remain my main focus but elements of lifestyle will drip feed through from time to time. Overall I feel this will be a positive change for me and for the future of Factory F.

Looking forward to sharing more exciting news with you

Love C X 

Purple Reign

So recently all I can think about is changing the colour of my hair. I've been blonde for about two & a half years now, so I think it's time to freshen things up a bit! I'm usually one to keep things safe when it comes to my hair but pastel purple hair has been done so well on other people that this perfection has transformed my safe thinking into bravery. That fear that I think everyone gets just before they dye their hair a new colour is very much present right now, but I really think I'll regret it if I don't do it now. 

At the minute my hair is ash blonde, it was much lighter & brighter but about two months ago I darkened it. I'm now thinking that this was a mistake as the purple would have taken much better to my hair. Oh well!My skin colouring is also quiet pale which I think works really well with this style. I may even ditch the fake tan altogether... maybe!

Below is how my hair looks at the moment! 

Have you dyed your hair recently?? If so, what colour?? Let me know what you think of this colour?? 

Love C X 

A Touch of Silver: Review

For the past month I have been trying out this new shampoo called "A Touch of Silver" which is specifically for brighter blonder hair. The reason I decided to give this a go is because I had heard such great things about it from people who I know I have used it before. I love having blonde hair but the one thing that really frustrates me is the up keep! I have to get it touched up every six weeks to maintain that fresh blonde look that I love. So really I have nothing to loose by simply giving this a go. I've decided to do this review in stages, this being stage one (based on a four week period). I will go through each week with you and how I think using this shampoo has made a difference.

Products 

A Touch of Silver, Dry Shampoo, 3.50 Euro 

A Touch of Silver , Twice-A-Week Shampoo, 3.17 Euro 

 I wash my hair three times a week so every second wash was used with this product. On the alternative wash I used my regular shampoo which is L'oreal. Between washed I used the dry shampoo to revive the freshness and it smells amazing!

Week One 

My hair was due a cut and colour so once I had done this I decided to begin using the shampoo. I thought this best as it would give a clearer indication of how good the product actually is depending on how long it would be before having  to get it done again. Just to note, a women told me that she didn't have to get her hair done for 7 months once she started using this product, so I have high hopes!

So my hair was initially bright and fresh starting this trial so I found it difficult to determine any significance of the product but my hair did smell really really nice from the dry shampoo.

This was my hair after being done and starting to use the product.


Week Two 

So my hair had slightly started to gain roots by week two (this is normal for my hair) but maintained that bright effect which would have usually faded by now. Being a natural brunette means that sometimes my hair looses that white blonde result when I dye my hair very quickly. But it did last that bit longer thanks to this shampoo. 

Week Three 

As you can tell from the picture my roots have not darkened much in the week, which I am really happy about it. At this point I am usually at my half way mark of needing to get my hair done but if it continues like this I will definitely get longer than normal. The brightness has maintained also and I have to say my hair feels and looks really healthy, considering how much I have coloured it over the previous two years. For my hair I wanted to achieve the "white blonde" look rather than the dirty blonde and this shampoo definitely adheres to this style of blonde.


Week Four 

So my hair has darkended a little but you can tell that the brightness has remained in the body. So far I am really happy with the product and will be continuing this review over the next few weeks to determine how long this great effect will continue for. Coming up to Christmas is an expensive time of the year and I am trying to hold off having to get it coloured before the new year (it ain't cheap being blonde) but I am definitely feelingt hat I am going to get longer than my average six weeks.


Keep an eye out for the next post review on "A Touch of Silver" and if you are a blondie give it a try. It's so cheap you won't even notice the money has gone!

Love C X 

Girl with the Iron Mask

This year I am really excited about Halloween. I love dressing up, but in particular I love dressing up in Gothic attire. I know Halloween is usually themed with death, blood and gore, but this year I am taking a slightly different approach. While in Paris I stumbled across this amazing costume shop (which was also really cheap) near Hotel Du Ville, and while looking around I found the most beautiful range of masks ever. After trying everything on I decided on a black lace masquerade style face piece and a matching black feather for my hair. This has pretty much been the focus for arranging my costume for this year. I have been racking my brain as to what clthes to wear with this, but I think I nearly have everything in place. 

The next big task when putting a creative costume together is figuring out what what to do with your hair and make up! For Halloween, the focus for your face is the crazier the better. I have this image in my mind that I am going to paint my face white, in contrast to the black mask for dramatic impact and bold black/deep purple lips. At the moment I am still experimenting with colours and styles of how this look will piece together on the night but I will do a follow up post of my whole look and how I put it all together. 

                     

 

                             

 

As I have blonde hair, I think the black mask will go well because of the disparity of tones. Similarly, I would advise that any brunettes to opt for a white or lighter shade mask for a resembling result. My plan is to use a silver coloured spray to add a "deathly" image to my look, crimp and backbrush. Lots of hairspray will be needed also so I have been stocking up! 

Although the last image above has nothing to do with the masqerade look that I am going for, I love it! Maybe this could be a look for next year :) 

Everything about my costume will be up very soon including what products I used and where they were bought. 

Love C X 

Wild and Free

So I'm in the process of trying to grow my hair longer. At the moment it is just below my shoulder, but for a long time I have wanted to have it long enough to recreate some of the amazing hair styles that I often see on pinterest. One of the reasons that I dyed my hair blonde two years ago was that I always find that the pictures you see of amazing french braids and loose curls, such as the image above, are always girls with beautiful blonde hair. So now I am half way there.  Poker straight hair has never been a thing for me, and come to think of it neither has even brushing my hair! Hair styles that I admire are usually the ones that look like  the least amount of effort has been required and are overall "messy". 

Generally, I tend to be a bit on the safe side with my hair, and this usually involves loose curls and just leaving it flow. I would like to say such as the image above, but that would me a lie (mine never looks quiet as nice as that). The problem that I find with curling your hair is that it never stays in place long enough, and I have yet to find the miracle hair spray. If any of you have happened to find it, please share the secret! 

The messy bun has been my "go to" hair style of late. It is such an easy style to re-create and also means that your hair is out of your face and styled for almost any event (unless very formal). You Tube is a great way to discover different ways of styling your hair, and giving you inspiration on what looks best suit your personality.

If I come across any tutorials that I find may be useful in creating the looks in the images above I will make sure to share with you. 

Love C X 

Bohemian Nights

Like all twenty-something girls I have been experimenting with various "looks" over the past few years to find a style that not only suits my body shape, but also my personality. Being a size 10 (basic average size) means that I have meat on my bones and this is the where shopping may cause a problem (depending on where you are carrying this weight). I have curves and therefore have never felt overly comfortable wearing tight fitted clothes. My style has also been loose on top and tight on the leg. Skinny jeans were my dream come true, and to this day I still stand by them 100%.But as I have personally evolved, so has my fashion sense and the one look that has always stuck by me has been "BoHo Chic".

 As I get older this look intrigues me more and lately I have found myself expanding this look to all aspects of my life; my home, work, gadgets and covers, decorating. I think it is safe to say that deep down I long to be a bohemian gypsy. When I saw this recent picture it inspired me to decorate my room exactly as it is in this picture, but as I am in the middle of moving I have decided to hold off for the minute but watch this space.....

The high street is a great way to pick up random jewellery such as rings and earrings, but for truly inspiring pieces it is essential to explore back street vintage stores (it is usually the shops that are harder to find are the ones with the best bits). I am very proud of my collection of jewels and other accessories and plan to add a section to this blog displaying them. I promise to post them very soon. But in the mean time I have  been trying to replicate this look. If anyone has managed to succeed please let me know (even though I will be extremely jealous). 

Another important feature in tyring to complete the BoHo Chic look is the way in which your hair is presented. I have two hair straighteners that are NEVER used. Using styling mouse is a really simple and quick way of achieving a tousled look, and along with the use of dry shampoo can be just as easily used at festivals or long weekends away. 

This hair style by Sienna Miller is my hair crush at the minute and I am searching for the quickest way to achieve this look, because lets face it I don't know any girl who has that much time in the mornings to style their hair! If any body has any suggestions on how to achieve this look please get in touch! 

Love C x