Umberto Giannini Glaminks Nail Paint Set

I'm a huge fan of Boots annual 3 for 2 Christmas offers when it comes to this time of year and often find myself wanting a huge array of things and although admittedly, I often end up buying them half price on boxing day, this year I've picked up a few bits for stocking fillers and completely unaware that Umberto Giannini had stepped outside of the world of haircare, this Umberto Giannini Glaminks Nail Paint set* was one of the stand out gift sets for me in the cosmetic aisle.

Complete with six perfectly festive shades, this Glaminks Nail Paint set consists of Soot- the Blackest Black, Oil- a deep Plum Aubergine shade, Oyster- a glittering Gold, Mist- a concrete Grey shade with a Green twist, Gilt- a gorgeous Gold and Cloud- a light Grey which I absolutely love.

When it comes to gift sets, there's often one or two shades that I don't find myself reaching for, but each and every one of these is really lovely and I'm sure the friends of mine that find one of these sets in their stockings will love them as much as I do.

Two coats of each shade gives amazing coverage on the nail and drying in reasonably good time too, for £12 for the six shades and a nail file, you really can't go wrong. 

Available online and in Boots stores now, this is the perfect gift set for girls and ladies of all ages. 

What's your favourite shade? Have you picked up anything in Boots 3 for 2 this year?

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Umberto Giannini 7 Days 7 Ways- Modern Up-do

The seventh and final look for the Umberto Giannini 7 Days 7 Ways campaign is one that I must admit I was a little bit weary of. In the style of a slicked back up-do, I was slightly concerned that it may turn out a little bit reminiscent of a face-lift hair style, similar to what I would have worn to school a fair few years ago, but actually, with a few slight tweaks, I'm really quite pleased with how it looks and more so, how quick it was to achieve.

By simply tipping my head forward and finding the most complimentary place for my ponytail to sit closest to my crown, I secured a ponytail with a tight band and made sure my hair was all pulled back as neatly as possible. I personally chose not to make it too tight or slick, but did brush out the majority of kinks and frizz with a brush and a spray of Backcomb In A Bottle for hold. Once the basis of the style was ready, I then went on to backcomb my ponytail in three sections, following with a little bit of Backcomb In A Bottle and then arranged sections of the backcombed hair around the band, pinning them all into place with kirby grips. I personally like the messy look, but if you wanted to achieve something a little neater, that's also really easy to do and would just need a little more attention when placing the hair around the band.

The 7 Days 7 Ways campaign has shown me how versatile the Glam Hair range is, in particular Backcomb In A Bottle and I can't wait to create some of my own styles, which will probably be similar to my favourite of the seven looks- Free Flowing Texture.

Have you been following 7 Days 7 Ways? What's been your favourite style?

The Umberto Giannini Glam Hair range is available to buy now in Boots.

*This post is in collaboration with Umberto Giannini 

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Umberto Giannini 7 Days 7 Ways- Casual Bunch

Coming up to the end of the Umberto Giannini 7 Days 7 Ways campaign is a look that's a lot more casual than the previous five looks- a casual bunch which is really easy to wear and is also incredibly easy to create.

Backcombed and loose, I created this look by simply backcombing the majority of my hair backwards off of my face, gathering my hair at the back into an untied loose ponytail. From there, I began to braid my hair towards the side to about half the length of my ponytail and then used a tight hairband to secure the hair. With a few spritzes of Backcomb In A Bottle to both add hold to the plait and add more of a textured look to the backcombed section of hair, I then went in with my backcombing brush, to backcomb like crazy the remaining hair left on my ponytail. This created a really rough, messy look- far from the conventional pretty side braid/ponytail look. I continued to backcomb, adding in a few sprays of Backcomb In A Bottle for further hold and texture and then played around with my hair until it sat how I wanted it to.

Loose, casual and really easy to wear, it's a style that could be worn day to day but also neatened up ever so slightly for a night time look and although I wasn't too sure it was a very me look, I like it.

Backcomb In A Bottle as well as the rest of Umberto Gianninis Glam Hair range is available to buy now in Boots.

What do you think of this look? Is a casual bunch your style?

*This post is in collaboration with Umberto Giannini

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Umberto Giannini 7 Days 7 Ways- Hollywood Siren

Of all of the Umberto Giannini 7 Days 7 Ways looks, this Hollywood Siren look has probably been the most the most difficult for me to adapt to my hairstyle. Best suited to layered hair in opinion, it aims to give you the look of shorter hair in a sophisticated fashion, but after having a go myself, I found I had to adapt it slightly, as my hairs pretty much one length at the moment.

To recreate this look, I started by loosely taking hold of my hair and twisting it at the nape of my neck into a simple yet effective pleat. I didn't take too much control of the rest of my hair, as realistically, I wanted as many loose bits to fall down naturally as possible. With my hair doing that on a good and bad day, I then took the sections that were loose and had fallen out and ran a curl through them with as small a tong as I could find. This created small barrel curls, which appear shorter and suit the look alot better. After all my loose hair was curled, I then sprayed a generous amount of Backcomb In A Bottle and finished the look by going in with my backcomb brush to give some lift around my face from my side parting.

Although it took slightly more work than I had first anticipated, I do think if I had a few more layers in my hair, I would have been able to recreate the look a lot more sufficiently. My hair didn't have as many loose bits at the back, which in turn didn't allow me to curl my hair all around to create a short haired look but I'm quite pleased with how it turned down nonetheless. 

I would definitely recreate this look for more of an elegant occasion, what do you think? Will you be rocking short hair in the style of Hollywood Siren?

All of Umberto Giannini products are available to buy now in Boots.

*This post is in collaboration with Umberto Giannini

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Umberto Giannini 7 Days 7 Ways- Rockabilly Glam

My fourth look for Umberto Gianninis 7 Days 7 Ways has been named Rockabilly Glam and is very much something I would and have been known to wear. 

Slightly more edgy and undone that a usual bouffant updo, I recreated this look by taking the top section of my hair and giving it a good backcomb, followed with a little bit of Backcomb In A Bottle for extra hold. Once the hair began to stand up on its own, I then used my hands lightly to pull back my hair, along with as many frizzy bits as possible and then pinned the hair into place with some kirby grips. With the hair having a fair amount of secure hold to it at this point, it's easy to manoeuvre and neaten up sections if need be. With the remaining hair that's falling, I ran a curling wand through it and finished by spraying with Umberto Gianninis Glam Hair Rock N Roll Hairspray, brushing the curls through to be a little looser. 

In need of a blow dry, my hairs ever so slightly frizzy at the moment, but apart from that, I'm really pleased with how this look turned out. It's an easy day time style, but I love that it can also be made into something a lot more glam, similar to the Messy Boho look.

Backcomb In A Bottle, as well as the rest of the Umberto Giannini range is available to buy now in Boots.

What do you think of this look? Is Rockabilly Glam a look you will be recreating?

*This post is in collaboration with Umberto Giannini  

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Umberto Giannini 7 Days 7 Ways- Runway Ready

My third and so far the most creative of hairstyles in the Umberto Giannini 7 Days 7 Ways campaign is Runway Ready and although I've taken inspiration from Tali Lennox selfie, I've definitely played it down a little as I'm not sure my hair could take extreme backcombing all over at the moment. Instead, I decided to wear it as more of an updo and something close to the backcombed beehive that I've worn for work in the past.

With nothing more than a backcombing brush and a fair amount of Backcomb In A Bottle needed for this look, although it can be time consuming depending the length and thickness of your hair- it's really, really easy. I took small sections of my hair and backcombed from around the mid lengths of each section to the root in the direction I wanted the hair to go, until the section pretty much stood on end, making sure to give each backcombed section a spray of Backcomb In A Bottle to ensure that it held and stayed standing up. When the majority of my hair was backcombed until it couldn't possibly take any more, I simply moulded it into shape with my hands and clipped it into a roll in the back, spraying down on any hairs that were too flyaway due to my layers. 

 With the vast amount of Backcomb In A Bottle and extreme manual backcombing, although it may not look as if it's super secure, it certainly is and didn't budge or change shape for a fair few hours.

As I mentioned before, this look is something I have worn before and think a style similar to this is perfect glam look for the party season.

Umberto Giannini products are available to buy now in Boots.

What do you think of this Runway Ready look? Is it something you would wear day to day or do you think it's best left at the runway?

*This post is in collaboration with Umberto Giannini

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Umberto Giannini 7 Days 7 Ways- Messy Boho

My second look in the Umberto Giannini 7 Days 7 Ways campaign is the perfect look to continue on from my previous hairstyle of Free Flowing Texture and has been perfected named Messy Boho. With the perfect amount of texture already running through my hair, I decided to leave out as much heat styling as possible, just running through a few sections of hair with one clamp of my waving tool, covering only a few inches of hair per section.

After my hair had a revived wave running throughout, I took to my Umberto Giannini Backcomb In A Bottle to spray generously all over, tipping my head upside down to get to access to the roots as much as possible. Following with ever such a light backcombing to the roots throughout my crown area, I then made sure I had two kirby grips to hand and from my side parting, pulled each section over and pinned into them place. I wasn't too tidy with this at all and didn't form perfect sections as I wanted to achieve a messy boho look as opposed to anything too prim and proper. 

Though slightly frizzier than I wanted, I really like this look and love that it can be worn as a really casual style or more delicately dressed for a more formal occasion. It's a hairstyle that I've worn frequently in the past, but I find that Backcomb In A Bottle sprayed onto a heat created wave works perfectly to create a texturised look and so I much prefer this quick and easy technique.

Umberto Giannini products are available to buy in Boots.

What do you think of this Messy Boho look? Is it a look you would rock day to day?

*This post is in collaboration with Umberto Giannini

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Umberto Giannini 7 Days 7 Ways- Free Flowing Texture

I was recently invited to join in with the Umberto Giannini campaign '7 days 7 ways' which surrounds their fabulous Glam Hair product range and is all about creating 7 different looks with the Glam products, over 7 days. Following the brand ambassador model Tali Lennox and her seven selfies of the looks, I've signed up to create my take on the looks that she has rocked over the next week.

The first look that I had to recreate was based around the Free Flowing Texture theme, which is personally one of my favourite kind of hairstyles to wear day to day. Pretty undone and super texturised, it's a really easy hairstyle to wear and is definitely a lot more me than a really finished waved look. 

Washed and rough blow dried with Umberto Giannini Ditch The Dirt Shampoo and Conditioner, I started of by using both a flat iron and a large hair waver on my hair to create a range of different sized waves and texture to my hair. After heat styling my hair, I then went on to spray a pretty generous amount of Backcomb In A Bottle to my roots, making sure that I sprayed the product from a distance to avoid any product overload, but also to ensure maximum coverage, which I exaggerated by also turning my head upside down. Following the spray, I then went in with my hairdryer to set the product slightly and to further ensure maximum lift at the root and after dressing it and calming any unwanted frizz, I was left really pleased with the final result.

I really enjoy wearing this style and love how much body and volume my hair carries with it. What do you think of the Free Flowing Texture look? Will you be picking up a Backcomb In A Bottle to recreate it?

Umberto Giannini products are available to buy now in Boots

*This post is in collaboration with Umberto Giannini

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Umberto Giannini Frizzi Range

Yesterday I attended a Science lesson-like launch for the new range of Umberto Giannini hair products, all aimed towards banishing the effects of the enemy- Frizz! 

The range is called Frizzi and is made up of eight hair transforming products, to suit the needs of all hair types that suffer with a touch of frizz every now and then or in my case- most days. 

Unfortunately with any type of humidity, damp or moisture in the air, frizz is never going to disappear all together but with the right products and the right care it can be tamed and controlled. 

Umberto Giannini have used lots of science and trials to figure out the best ingredients to put together this affordable range and the final eight products that the range consist of are;

Umberto Giannini Frizzi Bad Hair Day Smoothing Shampoo- £5.29 

Umberto Giannini Frizzi Make My Day Smoothing Conditioner- £5.29

Umberto Giannini Frizzi  Miracle Worked with Argan Oil- £6.99

Umberto Giannini Frizzi Transformation Fluid Silicone Serum- £5.49

Umberto Giannini Frizzi Rebel Without The Coarse Dramatic Results Styling Spray- £5.99

Umberto Giannini Frizzi Frizz Off Blow Dry Cream- £5.49

Umberto Giannini Frizzi When Nothing Else Will Do Intense Recovery Mask with Argan Oil- £5.29 

Umberto Giannini Frizzi Day After Day After Day 3 Day Extreme Taming Spray- £5.99

I was very kindly gifted these products, so I will definitely give them a go and let you know how they work for me. This is quite a huge range, so to get through them all may take a while, however if you are after a more speedy review of any particular product, do comment below and I'll try to get one put together for you as soon as possible. 

I must say I am most excited by the Intense Recovery Mask and the 3 Day Extreme Taming Spray, is there anything that stands out to you?

These products are all available in Boots and Umberto Giannini Salons.

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Umberto Giannini & Millie Mackintosh- Incredible Body Full Volume Hairspray

Image supplied from Umberto Giannini press release

With Made in Chelsea starting on tv again tonight and inevitable hair envy about to set in, what better time to tell you all about the products that Umberto Giannini have launched with the beautiful Millie Mackintosh.

They have put together the Incredible Body range that promises to give you weightless body with flexible hold and volume. 

I have been trying out the Full Volume Hairspray* and the Root Boost Volume Spray* and so far, so good!

I'm not new to Umberto Giannini products and always use there Glam Hair range, particularly the Backcomb in a bottle. I think as a brand they're mastering big hair, which I love.

The hairspray is exactly what is says, although other than holding the big hair do in place I don't think it plays any part in giving your hair the actual volume. It is definitely one of the stronger hair sprays that I have used, providing a lot of hold, without jeopardising the style by weighing it down or having that horrible crispy feeling on the hair. 

I don't really go overboard on hairspray, unless its completely necessary or for work because I don't always like the look that it gives. I like my hair to look more natural and for the volume to bounce and fortunately this doesn't stick the hair all together and does leave the hair pretty flexible and able to move. 

With some hair products you often get quite a dull coat to your hair, but this does leave your hair with a slight shine which I do like, especially after washing your hair and immediately filling it back up with product. 

If I'm going on a night out or somewhere particularly special, where bigger hair is even more essential I often like to use a hair spray underneath on my roots, rather that just on top- usually to hold my back combing in place. 

I mentioned that I already use some Umberto Giannini products, and that one of my favourites is Backcomb in a Bottle. I think that they have created another product that is fairly similar. 

The Root Boost Volume Spray is very similar to a hairspray, but rather than for all over your hair, it's just for the roots which for me is perfect. 

Again, this is more of a final product in the hair routine, so I think you would want initial volume to start with created from maybe the mousse or blow drying spray. This adds the final bit of volume and thickness which the hairspray like formula on the roots, then holds it into place. For huge hair, a spray on the roots is completely necessary so this works a treat. 

It's important that you don't spray this too close to the hair and at least 20cm as it says in the instructions, as being quite a strong product it won't spray evenly and will give you that awful, sticky, impossible to brush out overload and could potentially ruin the hair you've just put all that effort into styling.

The packaging for the range is absolutely stunning, I really love the Gold and Purple and would have probably purchased these purely for that.

The rest of the range really interests me especially the Shampoo, Conditioner and the Old School Setting Lotion. The Old School Setting Lotion sounds to be unlike anything I've ever tried, it's a quick drying lotion that achieves volume, bounce and hold. Quite frankly, this screams my name and I need to try it.

These products are both very good hairsprays, but as I mentioned, these are more the finishing products in the range and don't do a huge deal more than other products I already use.  

These products both cost £5.49 and are available now in Boots and Umberto Giannini salons.

Will you be trying anything from the Incredible Body range?

xx

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What I'm wearing.. Naked!

I was having a little discussion last night about what make up suits me and what I enjoy using the most. I'm really not very much of an eye make up girl, which I have said lots and so today I decided to have a little bit of a play with my Naked Palette.
My camera hasn't picked it up very well and has picked a random bit up in the picture below..but not one for touching up photos- especially FOTD's, I decided to post it anyway.

MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC35
Collection 2000 Lasting Finish Concealer
Fake Bake Beyond Bronze Bronzing Powder
Fake Bake Sunburn Blush
No7 Brown/Black Eye Pencil
L'Oreal Architect 4D- Black
L'Oreal Super Liner- Carbon Black
Urban Decay Naked Palette- Naked, Buck, Darkhorse, Hustle
On my lips I just have Carmex with a bit of foundation underneath that was accidently brushed onto them as I was a little messy today..whoops!

My hair has just been washed, whilst it was wet I sprayed it with Umberto Giannini Grunge Glamour Tousled Salt Spray which I forgot I had- it gave me amazing volume and I love it.

I'm still not overly loving eye make up on me, but I am enjoying it for today.

I hope your well sweethearts xx

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A Little Haul

This weekend I popped into Town to get a few last minute things for work- boring tights, underwear etc and picked up a few small extra little bits and pieces..

Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Backcomb in a bottle and Grunge Glamour Tousled Salt Spray. 2 for £7.50 in Boots Primark Goodies.. Bracelets- £1 each Ring- £2 Floral Lounge Pants- £6.. The most comfortable things ever! Basic Seamless Vest- £3

I had a couple of No7 £5 off vouchers and wasn't really too sure what to spend them on. I usually stock up on my face wipes and as much as I love them, since getting Liz Earles Cleanse & Polish I have decided I don't think I'm ever going to go back..for now anyway.

Initially I wanted to get some of the No7 Poppy King lipsticks, but if I'm honest, none of them screamed wow to me. I love the look of the packaging but the colours aren't very me.

I ended up with a foundation brush and a Moisture Drench lipstick in Iced Pink which is a lovely light pink- slightly more shimmer than I usually go for but its very pretty.

Foundation Brush- £12.50 before the voucher

Lipstick- £10 before the voucher

The Lauren Conrad Style Book that I have taken the photos on, I actually picked up a few weeks ago in Sussex Stationers for a bargain price of £3.99! Amaze.

These little Ballet Pumps are absolutely one of my favourite things, there so comfortable and easy to wear.

Last year I purchased two pairs of the peachy pink coloured ones and I was so excited when I saw this colour, they also have a lighter cream pair which I'm going to pick up.

Topshop- £16.

I hope your all enjoying this beautiful Spring weather.

Sorry this post is all so spaced out- its really playing up!

xx

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Umberto Giannini Glam Hair..Volume, Volume, Volume!

"The bigger the hair, the smaller the hips"

Introducing my two new favourite hair products..

-Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Sex Bomb Massive Mousse

-Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Backcomb In A Bottle..

They are FAB!

I am a huge fan of big hair. The bigger the better. The more volume, the better I feel.

I picked these two products up in Boots on a 2 for £7.50 offer, probably because of the packaging to be honest but I am very pleasantly suprised. I am forever backcombing, spraying, backcombing, spraying..and it does it no good whatsoever- but with these two products..this isn't neccessary.

The mousse comes in 200ml and is for all hair types. I use a little squirt of product and scrunch it through towel tried hair and blow dry upside down.. and voila- the biggest, beautiful hair.

I've used so many volumizing products and the majority of them leave my hair feeling sticky with alot of build up but this is really light and clean feeling, almost invisible.

The backcomb in a bottle comes in a 200ml spray. It promises to give instant texture and the volume of backcombed hair without the damage and thats just what it does. It also provides a really strong hold.

For work, I have to have my hair up- so I wear it in a huge bouffant quiff.. People are forever asking whether I have a hair piece in to keep it up so high but my secret is this spray. Its an actual wonder.

If your like me and are constantly on the look out for that volume product- this is it!

xx

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