Not a Top Knot

I've come to realise that I have become too reliant on a Top Knot. It's like an old friend to me. After chopping my hair off earlier this year with a superb cut by Nic Davis it has since grown out to its current length.

I have to confess that for a hair lover I am not a very good example when it comes to regular hair cuts. My hair cuts depend on how I want my hair, either short (just above the shoulders short, not pixie crop short) or long. It's as simple as that. As I don't use heat regularly my locks tends to stay in decent shape for a while. BUT Nic would argue and say I'm useless and should keep my hair short as that's what suits me. But we don't always listen to those that know best do we?

I now feel like I have a uniform. Black specs and a high bun. How very original!!  It's gotten so bad that I've even found that with my hair down and specs off, clients of 3 years will miss me in the bar as they don't recognize me. I feel abnormal and not "me" if my hair is down. Even as I write I realize its definitely time to change. I need to push myself out of my comfort zone.

So that's my challenge, to venture away from the norm and mix up my daily hairstyles. Not to say the knot won't make an appearance but it shouldn't be EVERY day. I'll let you know how I get on.

Not For The Faint Hearted

So I took the plunge and I bleached. Elle told me I was too old when I told her my plans weeks ago, but I went ahead anyway knowing both Elle and my mum would probably not approve.

 I went to the only place it would be acceptable for a Virgin Bleacher to go - Bleach London @ Topshop.

I was put into the capable hands of Brad Baker, who talked me through the best types of dip dye, the best blondes, the best techniques and the best colours. I didn't for one second feel worried or nervous, I knew I was going to like the end product. The fact Brad had been responsible for Rihanna's brand new grey do the week before made me feel pretty smug.

After 3 hours of developing the bleach, chatting and mixing the perfect lilac/lavender colour I was done and I couldn't have been happier. I know the colour wont last long but I've been assured I can DIY and try all sorts of shades/tones at my leisure. But for now, I'm going to enjoy my new look and get used to saying the sentence "yes, its purple".

Not Enough Time

So it's exactly 14 days until I jet off to Ibiza with the girls, is that enough time to shift 2 stone?! Probably not!

After starting the year on a complete health kick, including a personal trainer, gym sessions, no alcohol and healthy eating I am now completely and utterly "off the wagon". I've been totally undisciplined ever since I got back from Greece. After relaxing for a week, feasting on gorgeous food and doing nothing but laying by the pool I lost all sense of motivation and haven't got it back since.

So for the next 18 days I HAVE to be good. The outcome if I'm not good does not bare thinking about. This "not a diet diet" includes:

- Limiting my carbohydrate intake to almost zero
- Plenty of salads
- No tea/biscuits/chocolate
- Frozen yoghurt no more than once a week
- No takeaway
- Only low fat hummus allowed
- Grilled or roasted meats/fish
- Loads of water

I'd love to say I'll get to the gym 5 times a week too but that's just not doable with workload and the amounts of evening plans I have scheduled. So I'm committing to swimming as often as possible! With the encouragement and forceful nature of my sister Connie.

By following these simple rules I can hopefully loose 7lbs before I go and whilst I won't be impressing anyone with this Bikini Body, I will feel a little bit better when the time comes!

 

Not A Detail Missed

Another week, another wedding. This time, for the lovely Gillian and Steve.

Thanks to a recommendation from my friend Laura (also the Bride's sister and Cheif Bridesmaid) and a succesful trial in June, I arrived at the The Savoy, coffee in-hand and filled with excitement, ready to help Gillian achieve the perfect hair for the perfect wedding. Spread across two adjoining rooms, with "Royal Service" available at any moment, it felt somewhat sureal to be involved. As the champagne flowed around me, I worked through the Bride and her four lovely bridesmaids to get them ready for the day ahead.

Audrey Hepburn-esque hair for Gill, and curls for the bridesmaids it was the perfect time to use the Babyliss Pro Curl. I curled and pinned all the girls and styled Gill with a gorgeous low bun to match her dress and veil.

It was an absolute pleasure to be involved and I cannot wait to see the professional photos.

Not Permenant Colour

It's quite possibly a quarter life crisis, but recently I have found myself eager (ok, desperate) to make a change. Naturally the change is going to be to my hair.

After hours on Pinterest, blogs, Instagram and scouring celebs for inspiration I kept coming back to Kelly Osbourne. I love that whilst completely changing her style for the better she has remained a little bit rock and roll/edgy. Her lilac hair is gorgeous, and looks good in a simple top knot but also on the red carpet in 1940's style curls.

But I have to be realistic, and realise that I am not a rock-god's daughter or living in LA. And I don't have a colourist on hand for a touch up every week. But whose to say I can't play with a bit of colour. So I have been. In the form of H&M's hair colour powder.  The powder comes in Blue, Purple and Pink in a 3 part pack and is simply rubbed onto the hair and sealed with hairspray. I have played with pink and purple and I absolutely loved it.

Now I'm thinking… do I make it more permanent?

Not A Hairdresser

Whether you stumbled upon this blog by accident or if I've actively encouraged your visit, I thank you for dropping by. I hope you like what you see and I hope you become a regular.

My name is Alice, I'm 25 and before I go any further you should know I'm not a hairdresser.

I style hair, I braid hair, I pin it and grip it and curl it and spray it. But I don't cut it. Or dye it.

I'm lucky to live in London and work for a cool design agency as their account manager, but outside of that I am perusing my passion for hair by using my self taught ways and my ideas to create this blog and help out the odd friend when they need it.

This blog will be mainly about hair but some of my life, loved ones and likes may also appear. I look forward to sharing it all with you.