Wednesday 30 May 2012

And the Winners are...!!! [LYT Birthday Extravaganza]

Standing ovation, hand clap, victory, about time! Yes I'm 2 days late with announcing the winners but hey anticipation is good right?! I know naughty Fi, apologies, moving back home after 4 years away is one interesting experience, claiming my territory has been a real TV episode!!! 

Anyway I'd like to start off by thanking the wonderful, amazing, and kind brands/companies that sponsored the two week giveaway period. Besides their generosity I've also built some great relationships with some of the owners, and it's real encouraging knowing how supportive they are of their bloggers in the Hairsphere!

So a HUGEEEEE thank you to:

GidoreKeraCareSheaButterCottage/ Anita Grant
Black & BrownMahogany NaturalsBeUNIQUE

Now unto the juicy part... who won what!!! The winners of the following giveaways are:
#Drumroll please


Day 1| Philip Kingsley 400ml Elasticizer Extreme
- Regina Sharfat -


Day 2| Tangle Teezer [x3]
- Emily Paterson -
- Maureen -
- Hershley's Sweet Kiss -


Day 3| KeraCare Natural Textures Travel Set [x3]
- I want Long Hair' -
- Radmilamila -
- SheDel -


Day 4| BeUNIQUE
- Mango Twist = Debra C -
- Moisture Custard =Anna Moss No T - 

Day 5| Gleau [x3]
- Blessing Ofili-
- Emily Paterson -
- Michelle - 


Day 6| Mahogany Naturals
- Natalie Bea -


Day 7| Winner already announced!


Day 8| Original Moxie
- Chelle O - 


Day 9| Sheabutter Cottage Cioccolatina
- Simply Into My Hair -


Day 10| As I Am
- Rochelle B -


Day 11| Anita Grant
- B.L.E -


Thank you so much for participating everyone, I wish everyone could have won but can promise many more giveaways in the near future!


To every that did win please send an e-mail with your postage info to eaudefiona@loveyourtresses.com before 7pm this Friday 1st June , otherwise your prize will be reallocated. Sorry to sound harsh, I plan on posting the gifts I have at the weekend!



Avec amour... 
Fiona ❥

Tuesday 29 May 2012

Today's Hair | Wigs and Summer Hats!

Peeps it's official, I have completed my degree!!!! That's right I bombarded Twitter and Facebook with my finishing manifesto:

"4 years, 3 languages later, a year away, new friends, a dissertation, 8 essays and 5 exams. My degree is DONE!!!! Time to parttttaaaayyy!"

I'm so excited about progressing into this next phase of my life! Career start, a BUSY summer and best of all some serious blogging and family time!

In other news and more relevant to the post title, I just wanted to share my new friend... la summer hat!


Isn't she gorge? She definitely saved me from a bad hair day due to an unfinished wig. Did I mention I made a U-Part wig? It's A-MAZEBALLS! I'll save that story and pics for another day, till then look out for the winners of the LYT B'day Extravaganza in this evenings post.

So much love
Fiona ❥

Saturday 26 May 2012

Less than 4 hours to enter!!! LYT Birthday Extravaganza [NOW CLOSED]


As much as I have loved hosting these wonderful giveaways I am itching to get back to real time blogging! I've never been so blessed with so many sponsors and I would absolutely love for you all to win something, so before it clocks midnight UK time, enter as many of the giveaways as you can!!!

Here are the links:




Happy Entering!!!

Avec amour... 
Fiona ❥


Friday 25 May 2012

Events keep rolling in... Curls Unleashed UK Launch!!!


The lineup of hair events this summer is crazy! I have to say this has been the busiest year in the UK Hairsphere- keeping up has been no joke! #Jones'!


Well another event has hit the scene and this time everyone is invited! Once again Gidore will be bringing us another fab UK launch; this time of the new Curls Unleashed range from Organic Root Stimulator!

Here's an insight into what this evening of luxury has to offer:
This beauty lounge series is the ultimate pamper party, chock full of natural hair know-how, a VIP Beauty Blogger reception, live performances by entertainment artists, and of course über luxurious swag bag giveaways! Curls Unleashed recognizes the importance of looking and feeling fabulous everyday in every way!

Is it me or does that sound like an evening of photos, fun and of course what we all love... hair glam! 

Date | June 7th 2012
Time | 7:30 - 11 pm

There are only 150 tickets folks so please hurry and book your places now! Did I mention it's FREE!!!


See you there!!!

Avec amour... 
Fiona ❥

Thursday 24 May 2012

LYT Birthday Extravaganza Giveaway | DAY 11 - Anita Grant [CLOSED]


It's the final giveaway of the LYT B'day Extravaganza folks! To round things off Anita Grant [whose Creamy Cafe Latte has been my skins saving grace for over 6 months now!], has been graceful enough to give one lucky reader a box of her wonderful shampoo bars!!! If you aren't as forgetful as I am and can remember as far back as 5 months ago when I did a video review on the Anita Grant shampoo bars, you'll remember that they gave my hair a real good clarifying hook up when product build up decided to surge its way into my life!

There are a variety of bars you can expect in your goody box including my fave the Peppermint and Babassu shampoo bar!

Check out the varieties here and don't forget to enter... and hurry the giveaway ends this Saturday at midnight!!!


 

HOW TO ENTER
- Simply leave a comment on this post saying what exotic flavours you would love to see in a future shampoo bar! - 
[please be sure to include your e-mail address in your comment entry so that you can be contacted. If you are not comfortable with this I can contact you if you are an LYT follower on Google Friend Connect]

COMPULSORY
- Entrants must be at least 18 years old to enter. If not, guardian permission must be given -
- Entrants must be a blog follower of LoveYourTresses on Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin -
[links can also be found on the right hand side bar]

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES
To give yourself an extra chance at winning you can also:
- 'LIKE' Anita Grant on Facebook and post on their wall saying 'I would love to win the LYT giveaway sponsored  by Anita Grant!' -
[additional entries count as an extra submission only if you also remember to post the comment on this blog post first and also mention in your entry that you commented on the Anita Grant wall]

Entries are open worldwide!!!


NB: The LYT Birthday Extravaganza period and entries for giveaways will finish/close on 26/05/12. Winners will then be announced the following Monday 28/05/12 and prizes sent soon after.

Avec amour... 
Fiona ❥

Wednesday 23 May 2012

LYT Birthday Extravaganza Giveaway | DAY 10 - Gidore presents As I Am [CLOSED]

Remember my product spotlight post on As I Am? Well Gidore have hooked LYT up with not a first, nor a second, but a third sponsored Giveaway as part of the LYT Birthday Extravaganza! UK retailer Gidore is known for sourcing highly sought after products which UK hair lovers cannot easily access due to customs and all of the long winded joys of purchasing products from the US. I have yet to try the As I Am range but aspire to in the near future.

For the chance to win this huge 400g tub of the As I Am Cleansing Pudding [which is even bigger than the tubs on the Gidore website!!!], here is how to enter...

HOW TO ENTER
- Simply leave a comment on this post saying how your hair makes you feel on a good day! - 
[please be sure to include your e-mail address in your comment entry so that you can be contacted. If you are not comfortable with this I can contact you if you are an LYT follower on Google Friend Connect]

COMPULSORY
- Entrants must be at least 18 years old to enter. If not, guardian permission must be given -
- Entrants must be a blog follower of LoveYourTresses on Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin -
[links can also be found on the right hand side bar]

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES
To give yourself an extra chance at winning you can also:
- 'LIKE' Gidore on Facebook and post on their wall saying 'I would love to win the the LYT As I Am giveaway sponsored by Gidore' -
[additional entries count as an extra submission only if you also remember to post the comment on this blog post first and also mention in your entry that you commented on the Gidore wall]


Entries are open worldwide!!!


NB: The LYT Birthday Extravaganza period and entries for giveaways will finish/close on 26/05/12. Winners will then be announced the following Monday 28/05/12 and prizes sent soon after.

Avec amour... 
Fiona ❥

Tuesday 22 May 2012

Beautiful Textures UK Launch Ticket Giveaway Winner!

Before announcing the winner I owe Gidore a huge thank you for sponsoring this giveaway and for also inviting me along to a much needed evening of glam to celebrate finishing my degree! THANK YOU!!!

The wonderful winner of the ticket to the Beautiful Textures UK launch is... #drumroll

Miss MarOla
[selected by random.org]

Please send an e-mail to LYT with your name and the name of the friend you will be bringing along to the launch!

Avec amour 
  Fiona 

LYT Birthday Extravaganza Giveaway | DAY 9 - SheabutterCottage presents Cioccolatina [CLOSED]


I still struggle to remember how and when I came across SheabutterCottage but ever since then, I have yet to find a retailer of natural ingredients and oils as reliable and committed to fair trade ethics as SBC. My Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Henna powder, Hibiscus powder, Ayurvedic herbs, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil and a ton of butters and oils are all bought from SBC, it truly is the perfect one stop for mixtress cravings and hair recipe ideas!

The lovely Akua, owner and founder of this fantastic company has been so generous as to quench the product loving thirst of one lucky reader, with a gift box jam packed with several products from her very own brand Cioccolatina, here are the goodies in the gift box:

- Cioccolatina Rose Lip Balm -
- Cioccolatina Afro Shampoo Bar -
- Cioccolatinab Soothe Handmade & Natural Soap -
- Cioccolatina Sankofa Scalp/Hair Oil -
- Cioccolatina Babassu Hair & Body Wash -

All products are natural and handmade and come in a beautifully packaged box,  so to win this box of goodies make sure you enter and also check out the SheabutterCottage site!


 LYT Birthday Extravaganza Giveaway entries end this Saturday 26/05 at Midnight!

HOW TO ENTER
- Simply leave a comment on this post saying why you would like to win this yummy giveaway! - 
[please be sure to include your e-mail address in your comment entry so that you can be contacted. If you are not comfortable with this I can contact you if you are an LYT follower on Google Friend Connect]


COMPULSORY
- Entrants must be at least 18 years old to enter. If not, guardian permission must be given -
- Entrants must be a blog follower of LoveYourTresses on Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin -
[links can also be found on the right hand side bar]


ADDITIONAL ENTRIES
To give yourself an extra chance at winning you can also:
- 'LIKE' SheabutterCottage on Facebook and post on their wall saying 'I would love to win the Cioccolatina gift box' -

[additional entries count as an extra submission only if you also remember to post the comment on this blog post first and also mention in your entry that you commented on the SheabutterCottage wall]


Entries are open worldwide!!!



NB: The LYT Birthday Extravaganza period and entries for giveaways will finish/close on 26/05/12. Winners will then be announced the following Monday 28/05/12 and prizes sent soon after.

Avec amour... 
Fiona ❥

Monday 21 May 2012

Hairstyle Profile | Twist-Out... who's the boss now!!!


I've been grinding on this transitioning journey for a good 6+ months now and God knows if I had it my way I'd rock a middle part bun for the next 14+ months of this transition! HOWEVER, I'm tryna to keep the hubby and stay on top of my swag game so a lifetime in buns definitely won't cut it, hence where the urge to conquer my twist-out fear came into play on Saturday afternoon!

For those of you who have been ride or die supporters of this weird and wonderful hair journey of mine, you'll know I'm an ex twist-out hater! That's right, after been called Snoop Dog by my uni housemates and having one to many unsuccessful twist-out experiences, I decided those curly things just weren't for me… that was up until Saturday of course!

I gave my hair the usual weekend treat, you know the overnight pre-poo and then next day wash followed by a DC [all Original Moxie prods of course!], and then once finished threw an old t-shirt over my head to dry, and commenced to my boudoir for the real challenge! I sat in front of my mirror [the usual spot for haircare shenanigans] and then put on some loud gospel music in the background hoping God would get me through what was about to be one long twist-out attempt!

Guess what! It worked haha!!! A few minutes hours later I was whipping my perm rods back and forth feeling like a rockstar! Headscarf on and off to choir prac! Yep I jumped in the car and took my rods with me - #transitioninghairdontcare! 

As you can see I freestyled! No finesse just rods all over the place!
Waking up on Sunday had my stomach doing back flips, I knew there was no way I could redeem my hair if something went wrong because I had missed my early bird alarm which was put in place to give me an extra hour of hair fixing if all else failed and the twist-out went horribly wrong! Who created the snooze button anyway #Grr!

After finally dragging myself out of bed I jumped in front of the mirror and took my headscarf off, rods were still in place and nothing looked out of the ordinary so I reached for a homemade moisturising spritz, gave my hair some hair juice, and then warmed my finger tips with some Original Moxie Hair Bling and began to unravel… et VOILA!!!


 I have found the new transitioning style love of my life! Why didn't anyone tell me twist-outs where this easy huh? Shiii!

It was a majorly messy experience so I'll be mastering it real soon so that I can do a video, what do you think? Undercover natural or what! 

I have an in depth post on how I achieved this look using Original Moxie products with more pictures too! Feel free to check it out on my Original Moxie UK challenge blog page!


Avec amour...
Fiona ❥

Sunday 20 May 2012

LYT Birthday Extravaganza Giveaway | DAY 8 - Original Moxie Giveaway [CLOSED]


There's no surprise that your girl has a soft spot for Original Moxie, especially considering the fact that I am reviewing some products form the range and to top it off just yesterday I achieved a pretty fab twist out using only Original Moxie products! [Side-note: This is a big deal for an ex-twist out hater like myself!]

 Here's a sneak peek below just before I commenced with styling!

So far I've been enjoying the LYT Original Moxie Challenge, the products are very unique and I love the fact that each product is tailor made to specific hair needs and curl types, it really is original!

To celebrate my thus far success with OM products I figured I'd delve into my own pockets and invest back into Original Moxie; by hosting my very own giveaway!

One lucky winner can get their hands on two full sized Original Moxie Products of their choice. Entry is a walk in the park folks so don't be shy! Get entering already!!!


HOW TO ENTER
- Simply leave a comment on this post saying what you would like to see on LYT in the future and how to improve the blog! - 
[please be sure to include your e-mail address in your comment entry so that you can be contacted. If you are not comfortable with this I can contact you if you are an LYT follower on Google Friend Connect]

COMPULSORY
- Entrants must be at least 18 years old to enter. If not, guardian permission must be given -
- Entrants must be a blog follower of LoveYourTresses on Google Friend Connect or Bloglovin -
[links can also be found on the right hand side bar]


ADDITIONAL ENTRIES
To give yourself an extra chance at winning you can also:
- 'LIKE' LoveYourTresses on Facebook and post on the wall saying 'I would love to win the LoveYourTresses Original Moxie Giveaway' -

[additional entries count as an extra submission only if you also remember to post the comment on this blog post first and also mention in your entry that you commented on the LYT wall]

Entries are open worldwide!!!



NB: The LYT Birthday Extravaganza period and entries for giveaways will be finished/close on 26/05/12. Winners will then be announced the following Monday 28/05/12 and prizes sent soon after.



Avec amour 
  Fiona ❥


Saturday 19 May 2012

Diary of a Tress Lover : Nyla of Kulchic Beauty

If you've been an LYT blog reader for more than a month you'll remember that I attended my very first Haircare Event in March. I felt like a kid in a candy store seeing so many yummy heads of hair and meeting my all time fave UK Hair bloggers, Nyla being one of them! I love a blog that goes beyond hair facts and actually gives real life snippets into the journey towards healthier hair; Nyla's blog does exactly that, and she even does Makeup too! Do I hear double whammy?! She went from relaxed to natural with a daring BC so her story definitely is an exciting read...

- Hair Story -
I was a short term transitioner to be totally honest I did not know what transitioning meant at that time. My hair stopped responding to relaxers, it would not relax and I was experiencing serious breakage, so I stopped relaxing my hair. I kept my hair in weaves so that I did not have to deal with it or relax it. My natural hair grew pretty fast, so I kept doing that for about 5 months.
I did my first big chop in May 2011. When I finally did my first big chop I realised my mistake. I was texturizing the front of my hair to keep it sleek thinking that my natural curls would revert back, oh was I wrong! So a week after my initial big chop, I chopped it again. It was the perfect style and the perfect time to have short hair, it was during the summer. I have to say I felt so liberated after doing my second big chop. I received a lot of compliments from my friends and family, they loved the short look!
 However as soon as my hair started going out and most people realised that I wasn’t going to relax my hair again that’s when I started receiving negative comments; mostly from family members. That did not discourage me; I knew what I went through with relaxers, I wasn’t going back. A lot of people also thought I was going through a phase and once I got tired of natural hair that I would relax my hair again. Some people I knew would laugh at the way my hair looked. That did not discourage me, in fact I told myself that I would want to be an inspiration to people who also wanted to go natural.
 I have been on my natural hair journey for 12 months now and the 17th May 2012 marked my 1 year anniversary! I am so proud of myself, not just because I have been natural for a year but also because I have inspired a lot of ladies out there especially in my family. It makes me feel good inside knowing that what I am doing is helping people!
- Hair type and length -
My hair is type 4 hair and either 4C or 4B. I have different textures all over my head. My sides and back hair are really tightly coiled and the middle part of my hair has loose curls. As for the length of my hair, the last time I checked was when I was when I was 10 months natural. The front of my hair goes past the bridge of my nose, the side reaches my chin and the back goes past my shoulder.

- Haircare Regime -
I always do a pre-poo and I mostly use oils like Vatika frosting from Hairveda or my homemade oil concoction. I shampoo once a month with a clarifying shampoo but do not have a staple yet, I will be buying the Shea moisture deep cleansing shampoo soon to try. I co- wash once or twice a week with my Tresemme Naturals Conditioner. I do a deep treatment on my hair twice a month and love Organics Roots Stimulator Replenishing conditioner and Organic stimulator Hair Mayonnaise.  After every wash I apply a leave-in conditioner, I use Cantu Shea butter Leave in Conditioning Repair cream and moisturise daily or every other day with Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner or my homemade concoction spritz. I love to make my own oil mixture so I do not buy oils from brands, my favourite oils are Coconut oil, Castor oil, Grapeseed oil and Avocado oil.  And sometimes if I am too lazy to mix my oils I use Hairveda vatika Frosting (Coconut oil infused in herbs) it smells like hmmm cake icing so good!!!

- Top hair tips/lessons learned -
I love protective styles, weaves and braids were my saviour during my awkward stage of being natural. Because I did not know how to style my hair and I was still learning about natural hair, I started doing weaves and braids, especially during the winter it was great, my hair grew really well. I still took care of my hair underneath my protective styles and I made sure it was well moisturised. Protective styles helps to protect my hair from the harsh weathers and it also helps in retaining my Hair length.
The key to retaining length for me is by keeping my hair moisturised. Our natural hair loves water, it drinks it lol. One main thing I have learned whilst on this natural hair journey is to experience and test different products to find the best product for your hair. What works for one person might not necessarily work for you, even if you have the same hair type as the other person. I have had to study my hair and do so much research on natural hair because it was all new to me and I had to understand my texture and how to care for it. 

- Biggest challenges faced since being on your HHJ? -
When I first big chopped I experienced a lot of dryness on my hair and scalp, I tried so many products that did not work, it was frustrating and that was the biggest challenge for me. I kept searching for the right product to tackle my dryness and I found Cantu Shea butter Leave-in Conditioning Repair cream and Silk 'n' Smooth Styling Lotion. Those creams helped my hair to stay moisturised.


One month post BC!
- Three hair products you would take if stranded on a desert island -
If I was stranded on a desert Island I will make sure I have my Water, Tresemme Naturals conditioner and Coconut Oil.

- How can we keep in touch? -
You can keep up with my Natural hair Journey http://www.kulchicbeauty.comhttp://www.youtube.com/nyla115 . I am also on Facebook @ Kulchicbeauty

Nyla 2012!!!
P.s Nyla is hosting two giveaways on her blog which end soon so be sure to check them out here!!!

Avec amour...

Fiona & Nyla ❥