OLAPLEX - ANOTHER BEAUTY FACADE?

What is Olaplex?

"Our simple three-step process includes a patented active ingredient that works on a molecular level to seek out broken bonds in the hair that are caused by chemical, thermal, and mechanical damage. You can use Olaplex to restore compromised hair, or add it to another service to provide the ultimate breakage insurance."

^Credit: https://olaplex.com/

• Olaplex No.1 - Bond Multiplier
• Olaplex No.2 - Bond Perfector 
• Olaplex No.3 - Hair Perfector
• Olaplex No.4 - Bond Maintenance Shampoo
• Olaplex No.5 - Bond Maintenance Conditioner

Ok, so let's clear up any confusion. 

Olaplex is a salon treatment that you can now maintain at home. Unlike any other hair treatments, Olaplex works by repairing the bonds and it starts with adding the product into your dye. 

Whether you have dyed, coloured hair, or struggle with breakage from heat styling, the active Olaplex ingredients will help repair broken bonds for sleeker, healthier looking hair.

How do I use Olaplex?

I visit the hairdressers every 8 weeks (roughly) and each time I get my hair dyed I ask for OIaplex. My fabulous hairdresser Ashleigh aka Hair Queen at Salon 99, will then mix in No 1 and No 2 with my colours. I then  maintain the Olaplex treatment at home with No 3, 4 and 5. 

Can I just use No 3 or do I need to use the full system?

I would say if you use the full system you are going to get maximum results but I know I noticed a difference after one use of the No 3 treatment at home. 

I know the full system is expensive. I saved up my ££ and bought one bottle at a time and waited until I had all 3 before using them. Used together is like some sort of hair wizardry. I've honestly had people tell me how nice my hair is and guaranteed it's on the day I've used the full Olaplex system.

Is Olaplex worth the £££? 

100000% yes. Ok, so it is a little pricey and the bottles aren't the biggest but a little product goes a long way so they will last you quite some time. I noticed a massive difference in my hair after only 1 use. My hair was visibly smoother, shinier and it exuded health. It looked strong. No fly-aways and less tugs. 

I've been using Olaplex for quite a few months now and my hair has never looked (and felt) so good in my life. In my opinion, it's an absolute must for blondes. Olaplex is proven to reduce breakage and leave your hair stronger than ever and I can fully vouch for this.

I love being blonde but I know I put my hair through ALOT when I get bleach highlights and the constant use of straighteners, curlers etc. It's hard to keep blonde hair in good condition and I've honestly noticed a huge difference in my hair since I started using Olaplex. Not only does my hair look smoother, the shine on it is incredible. It looks and feels healthy and strong. 

There are other companies joining on the "bond repairing" bandwagon. Shwarzkopf's answer to Olaplex is their own FibrePlex and don't get me wrong, FibrePlex is good but it's just nowhere near as good as Olaplex. If you want to try a cheaper alternative to begin with, then I would recommend trying FibrePlex which can be found at some salons and online: Amazon and Escentual 

Olaplex can be purchased online: All Beauty,  Amazon and Cult Beauty

Disclaimer: 

My reviews are always 100% honest. I would not promote something that I do not use/believe in. I bought these products with my own money and have not been paid/sponsored/gifted anything.

MENTAL HEALTH IS A GOOD THING?

My work contacted Team Mental Health to conduct a Masterclass for the staff on Mental Health and it was brilliant. The Doctors from TMH were so informative and explained everything really well. They made a statement that really stuck with me. 

"Mental Health is a good thing".

Mental Health is a good thing. We all have mental health. It affects how we feel, think and act. A Mental Health disorder, on the other hand, is an illness and this is the confusion that many of us have. If you look up Mental Health in the dictionary, it describes it as "a person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being". It doesn't mention mental health in a negative light, so why do we associate it so negatively?

Why is there so much stigma around Mental Health disorders? What can we do to combat this? Honestly, in my opinion - we just need to talk about it more. The more people talk and share their knowledge/experiences the more people will begin to understand. 

Early Warning Signs:

Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental health problems? Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviours can be an early warning sign of a problem:

• Eating or sleeping too much or too little
• Pulling away from people and usual activities
• Having low or no energy
• Feeling numb or like nothing matters
• Having unexplained aches and pains
• Feeling helpless or hopeless
• Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
• Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
• Yelling or fighting with family and friends
• Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
• Having persistent thoughts and memories you can't get out of your head
• Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
• Thinking of harming yourself or others
• Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school

^Credit: Mental Health.gov

People who suffer from Mental Health disorders can be very good at hiding it. And in some cases, they don't even realise that they actually have a Mental Health problem in the first place! I know this first hand because I was in denial for so long. I was always seen smiling and laughing so people would see me as this really happy and bubbly girl who loved life. But behind that smile, was a girl so frightened of her own suicidal thoughts at times, too terrified to show her vulnerable side to anyone, she continued to force a smile and pretend everything was ok when it really wasn't. 

I've always been a pretty emotional person. I wear my heart on my sleeve, I cry at sad movies and when the people I love are hurting, I hurt too. It's been a few years now, since I was in my darkest place. I still have the odd day where I succumb to awful thoughts and feelings, where I just want to disappear from it all but I am a mum now. I have a 2 year old who depends on my very existence. Motherhood has undoubtedly been my saviour. 

I still don't think a lot of people really understood what I was going through when I was really depressed. I don't think anyone can fully understand a Mental Health disorder until they've gone through something similar. Yes, you can fully empathise and try to imagine someones pain but honestly, trying to explain to someone why you feel the way you do, when you don't even know why you feel a certain way yourself - is incredibly difficult on everyone involved. On the back of this, I now suffer incredibly with anxiety and it's cost me a lot in the form of friendships. 

I'm not ashamed to admit that I sometimes really struggle. I do watch what I share with people because I don't want peoples perceptions of me to change and for anyone to start avoiding me. I like giving off the impression that I am strong and give the allusion that I basically have my shit together even if I'm crumbling inside. I like being that "go-to" person. Someone that people know they can rely on and turn to when times are tough. I think it stems from me not wanting anyone to feel as low or alone as I have, so I've somehow adopted this attitude of wanting to take care of everyone but not really bothering about myself. Cue the downward spiral of pressure/stress/unrealistic expectations/scary thoughts.  The road to recovery is hard, again for the person with the Mental Health disorder and for those around them. For me, identifying my triggers has really helped me on my way to fighting off those dark days. Figuring out what sets off those feelings of hopelessness and unworthiness. During the Masterclass, I had a "lightbulb" moment where I realised 2 things about myself -

Firstly, I expect way too much of others. I assume people will treat me like I would treat them. But life just doesn't work that way. I can't expect people to think and feel the same way I do. I know that probably sounds like I am stating the obviously but honestly, it really resignated with me. I need to appreciate that everyone has different morals/opinions and ideas and although I may not agree with them, I have to accept it.

Secondly, I need to start putting me first. I need to learn to say no. Burning the candles at both ends is never going to end well. It ties in with the above because I try to never say "no" to anyone or let anyone down, so when people let me down or say no to me, I take it really personally. This is something I am going to have to work on probably forever but now that I've recognised that this is an issue for me and it triggers me on a downward spiral, I will try and focus on myself more, rather than being a people pleaser. 

I thought it was really bloody brilliant that my work arranged a Mental Health masterclass because quite frankly, we all bang on about being physically healthy but being mentally healthy is equally as important. The fear of being judged is usually one of the reasons people don't want to admit they have a Mental Health problem. So for a workplace to actively try and make it a "judgement free" "safe place" and want to have a better understanding is incredible and admirable. 

We need to stop stereotyping Mental Health disorders with someone looking sad. There really is so much more to a Mental Health disorder than what we physically see. A simple  comment like "how are you?" or "you've been quiet lately, everything ok?" could really make the world of a difference for someone. 

So remember, check in on your loved ones and don't just assume because they are smiling that everything is ok. There are so many signs that can show someone is struggling but there can also be no warning signs at all. If you do suspect someone you know may be suffering, encourage them to speak to their Doctor. Even the smallest things, like having a chat over a cup of tea can totally lift someones spirits. Small acts of kindness have the biggest impacts in life.

Be kind, always. 

For anyone looking for information on Mental Health - I've linked a few websites that provide professional healthcare advice. 

https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health

http://edspace.org.uk/

FRICTION FREE SHAVING? ... YES PLEASE!

I've been a customer of FFS for a while now. For so long, I actually had to trawl through emails and my instagram posts to figure it out. April 2016 is when I first discovered FFS and I've never looked back. Well.. I kind of did but with HUGE regret which I'll tell you about! 

So what is FFS? 

FFS is an online razor blade delivery service for a mere £9 per month. In your first box, you'll get your handle and 4 blades. From then on you just get 4 blades a month. You can choose between a Rose and Silver handle. There is no obligation to buy any add-ons but if you're an advertisers dream (guilty), they also sell shaving cream, balm and scrubs! 

What's the point when I can go pick up a razor in Boots?

Well. If you're anything like me, purchasing razors always slipped my mind, probably cause a pack of Venus sets you back £20 and who can justify spending £20 on razor blades?! Seriously, shaving is a chore. It's bloody scandalous considering I didn't ask to resemble a hairy gorilla! 

What's the catch?

Honestly, there is none. FFS send you 4 blades a month in the post, 1 for each week of the month.  No extra costs for postage and they just post it through your letterbox so no need to worry about being home for the postie. 

Granted, I've never used a blade just for a week because honestly, I don't shave as often as I should (sorry Chris) but really, who does? I'm a working mum to a 2 year old and you're lucky if I get a 5 minute shower in peace never mind a 20 minute shaveathon. 

What's so good about it?

It's an online subscription service that automatically sends you blades each month unless you stop/pause it so you should never be caught out. HOWEVER, remember how I said I don't shave as often as I should? Well I ended up with about 20 blades at one point!! So I thought I'd pause the subscription for a while and I completely forgot to renew it. Cue, me getting ready for my bestie's 30th birthday party, shiny new dress to wear and NO RAZOR BLADES. Hello gorilla legs. I reluctantly had to go to the shops and pick up a razor as time was of the essence so I just grabbed whatever was on offer; a £5 Venus Extra Smooth Razor. 

Let me tell you, I was not extra smooth. I wasn't even remotely smooth. For a brand new razor I expected to be looking like a silky smooth dolphin. What I was left with was razor bumps, friction and hair growth the next day. RAGING! I remember thinking that I didn't get that with my FFS razor. I always got the closest shave and no friction! It's in the name people!! 

They also do a "Referral Programme" where you get goodies for referring your pals! Venus don't do that do they? So at a fraction of the cost of Venus razors, FFS are more aesthetically pleasing (if you're into pretty things you'll fancy the pants off a razor) better results and a referral programme - you'd be daft not to sign up right away! 

"REFERRED BY A FRIEND?" If you use my referral code AM7K5D you'll get free personalisation for your razor, usually £6!

https://bit.ly/2RAM0jR

Let me know if I've convinced you to join the thousands of women already part of the FFS Family and let me know what you think of it. We can all be hair free and silky smooth together! 

PS. Just incase anyone is wondering, I paid for this with my own money. Not sponsored or anything just really love the concept of a razor subscription and it really is the best razor I've ever tried!

Winner of Best New Personal Care Product

‘The packaging and product is incredible – effortless shaving at its best’