Back Soon | Blog Re-launch September 17th!

It's been a while and I've decided it's high time I let you know what is going on and why I haven't been blogging. I have finally decided it is time to move over to wordpress so that I can have more control of my content and how it looks. It has been a huge effort but we are almost there and the blog will re-launch itself on wordpress on the 15th September *fingers crossed*!

I absolutely love blogspot, it's where this love story kicked off, but sometimes you have to take risks in order to move forward! Haha, sounds like a life speech. I'm clearly having too much fun.

Anyway I will be back to filimg and blogging in less than a weeks time and can't wait!

Thank you for sticking through my MIA antics and see you on September 17th! [date updated!]

x
Fi
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NEW HAIR | MercysHairExtensions U-Part Wig + Blending Natural Hair With Curly Weave

Happy Wednesday Loves!

Just in case you hadn't already snuck a peek at my new hairstyle well here it is, a juicy U-Part Wig using MercysHairExtensions.

I was sent this hair a good six plus months ago and decided I wanted to embrace my natural hair for a few months before opting for any protective/weave like styles, which meant after a few months a.k.a now! I was super excited to finally have this made into a U-Part and try out something new! Natural hair styling is a tonne of fun but definitely requires a lot of time which right now I seem to have very little of, so this unit has really been a God send!

Some of you may also know I've not used a drop of heat on my hair since Nov 2013 when I chopped off my relaxed ends, so I was so relieved when my flexi rod set made for the perfect ringlets which blended my hair quite well with the 'Deep Malaysian Curls' [of course I whipped up a quick 5 minute video on the blending process!]

I can definitely say I would wholeheartedly recommend this hair. I loved Creta Girl but she couldn't survive the storm, human hair over synthetic hair any day!

Before I sign out just some details on the type of hair used, bundles, inches etc followed by some video takes showing how I went from the yummy fro to the diva curls! 

 MercysHairExtensions

Malaysian Deep Curly

18' x 1

20' x 2

Natural Colour

3 Bundles

U-Part Wig made by @Mariahldn

www.mercyshairextensions.com

Old Twist Out, Fro Life!

'Braided Up', cornrows give me wrist cramps so braids for the win!

Shower cap or weave cap? Shower cap! Leaves me with super soft hair

Flexi Rods with Design Essentials Twist & Set Setting Lotion, previously used here

Avec amour… Fiona

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Detangling Tool Showdown + Tool Giveaway [CLOSED]

I recently hosted a detangling tool giveaway on Youtube and whilst I hadn't completely taken a break from all things Social media I most certainly put blogging on hold for a few weeks [explanation here]. 
Well as the blog of course remains my first love, there was no way I was not going to host the same giveaway on here too, so if you missed the Youtube giveaway then there's always the chance you'll scoop something here!
I've used a ton of detangling tools over the past few years and decided it was high time I benchmarked them all against each other. Some have wrecked a whole lot of havoc on my hair whilst others live in a glittery royalty box a.k.a my staples box. Hopefully this will help you decide which tool may just work for you.
 So here it goes, the detangling tool showdown… [giveaway entry below]

DENMAN CLASSIC D3 STYLING BRUSH
Cost | £6.99

Pros | Flexible bristles, great quality, very durable & good handle grip 
Cons | I find the spacing between the bristles is simply not wide enough which can mean more tension and manipulation on your hair when detangling. You can indeed space out the bristles however I would rather invest in a tool that is ready made and does not require altering. I prefer using this in the shower.
Rating | 3/5

FELICIA LEATHERWOOD DETANGLING BRUSH
Cost | £9.95

Pros | Flexible bristles as well as flexible bristle comb sections, great quality, durable & great handle grip
Cons | UK accessibility. I purchased this from Gidore.com but it has been out of stock for a while now.
Rating | 5/5

KENT AIRHEDZ PRO AHP6 PADDLE BRUSH
Cost | £10.20

Pros | Flexible bristle base, large surface area, excellent quality, great handle grip.
Cons | UK accessibility, may be sold in some larger Boots.com stores.
Rating | 4/5

TANGLE TEEZER
Cost | £10.99

Pros | Super flexible bristles, unique ergonomic grip
Cons | Bristles wear easily and can form bubbles which can catch onto your hair. I also think this may have been one of the main causes of a plague of single strand knots which caused me to have to trim not too long after my transitioner chop.
Rating | 1/5

To enter for a chance to win any two brand new detangling tools of your choice all you have to do is comment 'enter me' in the comments section below. Winner will be chosen at random and announced next week Thursday in this blog post!


***
UPDATE
Sorry for the late announcement of the Giveaway winner guys BA lost my luggage whilst travelling which took me off track for a few days. Nevertheless the winner of the giveaway is...

ORIANNA THOMAS
[Please send me an email within 24 hours to claim your gifts]

thank you to everyone who entered
***

Avec amour… Fiona

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Overcoming Your Past & Moving Past Regret

Hello Loves,

So where do I start? How about with my absence right! 

For the first time ever I only feel a little bit guilty for not posting on the blog. Now before you raise your brows and give up on me, let me explain! There are some super exciting changes that will be happening in my life in the next coming months starting from August, and the only way I have been able to prepare for them has been planning planning planning. I'm living in Excel sheets, my iPhone notes app and sending emails back and forth like a headless chicken #nopunintended #ithasreallybeenthatcrazy

But, the good news is I am back to posting and so excited to be here again. I posted this video on my youtube channel yesterday and whilst this is a blog focused mainly on haircare, I can't help but be myself and share snippets of my life, thoughts and dreams with you all. So thank you for being patient with me and enjoy...

'Overcoming Your Past & Moving Past Regret'

Till Thursday!

Avec amour...
Fiona

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Giveaway : Hair-ology Conference Tickets [closed]

I love educational hair events, don't get me wrong the hair fairs and shows are amazing but I must admit I can be socially awkward/shy and small intimate events like this are right up my street!

I had the pleasure of being one of the guest speakers last year and I can honestly say it was a great event. Getting hair advice and tips from the likes of the Philip Kingsley team and salon owner Darren Scott & James was nothing short of a treat.

Unfortunately I won't be able to make the event this year due to work travel arrangements but I've been given two free tickets to giveaway here on the blog, so this time you can fill me in on it!

All you have to do to be entered for the giveaway is like the Hairology Conference Page on Facebook and comment  'enter me' in the comments section of this blog post 

Winners will be chosen at random. All the best!!!

Giveaway closes on June 23rd midnight and winners will be announced here and on Facebook!

UPDATE: Congratulations Laolu A & Cosmicgirl80!!! Please drop me an email with your contact details

Love always...
Fiona

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Imperfectly Perfect: Unapologetically Myself

If there is anyone in my immediate family that could have been labelled the nerd growing up it was me. I wore the highest rise turtle neck, indulged in poem writing, doing well in school and absolutely loved to read. I can't however say the same for my older self, who finds most of her comfort reads in hair/fashion/beauty blogs, youtube and my iphone bible app!

Well, just a few weeks ago I challenged myself to read more and made my first book purchase as part of this new reading lifestyle I intend on making permanent.  I was looking for something inspirational or motivational that I could apply to my life but also to the life of five beautiful young ladies I mentor. So I started with 'Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience' by Dr steve Maraboli. A good read? You bet! But not for the reasons you may think!

I've come to learn as a mentor that it's so easy to encourage and motivate others with lines and parables about happiness, joy, overcoming hard times and being the best you can be, but before you do this it's so important to deal with yourself first, and Lord knows I had a whole lot of dealing to do, especially on the topic of my weight and how I perceive and embrace myself.

Just like almost every female on the planet I've had my fair share of weight issues, you'll be pleased to know it has never been an option to lose weight as I think you'd agree there would be nothing left of me! But the jungles and rivers I've jumped through and over in hopes of throwing some extra thickness unto my thighs has been no joke! Peakmilk, supermalt challenge, nourishment, dollops of peanut butter in every smoothie etc. Whilst it's considered a blessing to be able to eat all of the junk and food in the world and not gain a gram, it most certainly hasn't always felt that way. I've always wanted to be just a tad bit thicker.

 Well, the time has come to put all of that to one side and embrace more, love more and appreciate the way I was created just that bit more… and so should you!

“There is nothing more rare, nor more beautiful, than a woman being unapologetically herself; comfortable in her perfect imperfection. To me, that is the true essence of beauty.” 

Love always … Fiona
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Hair Talk: Things I Wish I Knew Before Transitioning

I know I know the past few weeks have been a whole lot of transitioner talk! I can't help it! With two friends and three blogger sisters [Ebony of Longing4Length], [Jen of JustGrowAlready] & [Lesley of FreshLengths] recently deciding to give the transitioning thing a go, the excitement has me wanting to pour out all of my experiences and reflections here on the blog - I'm almost jealous they get to relive the moment, though I'm not sure I would sign myself up to do it all over again!
Had I been able to turn back the hands of time [#IfOnlyRight!] Here are some of the things I would have liked to have known

I wish I knew... That it is best to have your big chop/ transitioner chop done professionally. Doing the 'chop' yourself may, like in my case lead to 'unevenness'. Whilst the thought of cutting off your ends yourself may have you twerking with excitement, the reality of needing a second chop a few months later to even things out probably won't! Get a friend to follow you to a reputable salon and record/take pictures of the moment for you.
I wish I knew… Texture fantasies almost never come true! The video [below] goes into more detail on this but be careful not to become too fixed on a texture that you want. Transitioning is more than just a texture change, challenge yourself to embrace naturalness in its entirety and find yourself a natural role model with a texture you've never imagined yourself with. Peep how your natural role model rocks their hair and how confident they are wearing it and slowly you'll make your transition and life as a newly natural a whole lot easier!
I wish I knew… Single strand knots just can't keep away. Thinking of doing a second chop because the  knots have plagued your hair? Well don't! Single strand knots are very common among naturals and not so easy to get rid of. Give yourself a regular enough trim to keep them at bay and get on with enjoying your natural hair already!
I wish I knew… to steer clear of too many detangling tools. I absolutely love my detangling tools especially the Felicia Leatherwood detangling brush, however, excessive use of these means a whole lot of manipulation on your strands. Your fingers are also great detangling tools and wreak less havoc on your hair. Try and only use your tools when your hair is seroiusly tangled or when trying to achieve a style that requires extreme smoothness.
& for the final I wish I knew fast forward to 9:13 in the video below


Avec amour… Fiona
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Hair : Flower Bun Hairband… When The Sun Comes Out To Play

Over the past few weeks I've found myself super uninspired to do anything with my hair. My weeks are pretty much a blur of Monday flights, hotels, clients, unpacking, re-packing and catching up on lost sleep. I've even found myself in frequent hate-offs with my headscarf! The thought of having to put it on at night feels like a 2 hour workout! A girl just wants to sleep!

All of that changed however at the weekend when the Sun decided to come out and play! I wish you could have seen how quickly I jumped out of bed on Saturday morning when the first rays of sunshine hit my window, I love the Sun!!! 

After a shower and delicious red pepper and onion omelet I whipped out my glue gun and some faux flowers and got to diy-ing.

I love how something so simple can add so much life to a simple hairstyle! What do you think? I love it!

[What You Need]
Glue Gun
Scissors
Elastic
Faux Flowers
*all purchased from Hobbycraft*

cutting flowers from the stem

naked bun

also squeezed in a video!

Avec amour… Fiona
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