James Corbett Hair

My gorgeous UK (and non-US) readers need to bear with while I work myself through some recent New York activity!

On my recent trip to the Big Apple I was given the opportunity to get coloured by the extremely fabulous James Corbett. Well, I say, 'opportunity', I was frog-marched to his salon and told 'he's the best in the world, sit down' (in the nicest possible way).

James is very discreet about his clientele but a little googling will tell you that he is responsible for colouring people such as Kendall Jenner as well as ensuring that Christina Hendricks stayed a glowing red as Joan Holloway on the set of Mad Men.....

James trained under Frederick Fekkai and Louis Licari, and honed his skills with industry legend Jose Eber.

His salon in Midtown is an unexpected hidden treasure for niche brands - across hair, colour and skincare but the nicest part of the operation is Hair 2 Help, the non-profit that James set up to provide free of charge, holistic healing, wellness and beauty services to cancer patients and their caregivers.

The services provided by Hair 2 Help include wig styling, reflexology therapy, acupuncture therapy, makeup application lessons, nutrition counselling and meditation.

Not just a pretty face. ;) I cannot recommend James and his team highly enough.


Thank you for having me JC.


James Corbett can be found at:
25 West 19th Street - Ground Floor
New York, NY 10011
+1 212-388-1296

For more information on the salon and services: www.jamescorbettstudio.com

For further information on Hair 2 Help including how to donate: hair2help.org

Swell Giveaway

If you have fine, limp or thinning hair, you may have come into contact with Swell at some point in recent years. Developed specifically for those of us with perhaps not the 'thickest' hair, Swell met a gap in the market that was definitely there. Jonathan Stallick and Andrew Bidwell founded the brand in 2013 and it is now available in Boots, Marks & Spencer and Whole Foods amongst others, a sign of it being up to 97% naturally derived.

The team at Swell are giving one lucky UK reader:

Ultimate Volume Conditioner
Ultimate Volume Shampoo
Ultimate Volume Root Complex
Ultimate Volume 3-Step Kit (grab bag perfect for travelling)
Ultimate Volume Masque
Ultimate Curl & Bounce Tonic
Ultimate Protect & Renewal Serum
Ultimate Volume Dry Shampoo 

Ten runners-up will each receive an Ultimate Protect & Renewal Serum.

To win simply enter via Rafflecopter below in the usual fashion. 

More information on swell including retail outlets is available on www.swell.co.uk - Thanks chaps!

twitter: @swellhairuk@SwellHairUK

Facebook: www.facebook.com/swellhairuk

a Rafflecopter giveaway

12 DAYS OF GIVEAWAYS - DAY TEN - STOCKING FILLER - UNITE

One of my favourite discoveries of 2015 is up for grabs as Day Ten continues with a complete Unite 7Seconds Collection. 

If you have seen my vlogs/videos on YouTube recently you will have seen me waxing lyrical about the unite Seven Seconds Leave-in Conditioner Spray. These beautiful sulfate-free products have helped save my Rod Stewart hair this year.

Well the lovely people at Unite are offering one lucky UK reader the entire collection - including amongst others, the gorgeous shampoo and conditioner from the range.

YOU COULD WIN:

7SECONDS Refresher
7SECONDS Shampoo
7SECONDS Condition
7SECONDS Glossing Spray
7Seconds Condition Spray

Thank you unite! And Good Luck everyone! Full list of the T&Cs can be found here: www.carolinehirons.com/12-days-of-giveaway

www.unitehair.co.uk/7seconds

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hall of Fame - Neutrogena T/Gel

Bit of an odd one for me I know, but bear with.

Ever since son no.2 was born, he's suffered from scalp problems. When he was a baby it was cradle cap, that went all the way through almost to school when it was clear it was seborrheic dermatitis, and that it was here to stay. He's now 20 and has suffered from it in one way or another his entire life. Not to the extremes that you see if you google 'images' (don't) but it was always present on his head in one way or another - his entire life.

I tried everything. Literally every single thing you can think of - usually depending where I was working if I'm honest - everything from Aveda, every hair product in SpaceNK, all beauty brands, everything from the doctor, creams, lotions, potions, tablets, even homeopathy (I know I know).

Last month I was a Judge for the Johnson & Johnson Skincare Awards and there was a bottle of T/Gel in the goodie bag. I passed it to Dan almost nonchalantly - kind of 'May as well try this love..'

To say that the difference in his scalp has been life-changing is no understatement. His scalp is completely clear. Completely. Clear. His hair is shiny in a way that it has never been - he's wearing it longer after years of keeping it short for ease of maintenance. 

When it ran out he went out and bought his own bottle. A large one. If you're the mother of boys you'll know the significance of that alone. 

I now have major guilt that I never tried it on him years ago. One thing's for sure. We absolutely will never be without it again. T/Gel - I salute you. Thank you for fixing my baby's head. 

*Yes, he's 20 and 6'4. Still my baby.

Air Motion Hairbrush Giveaway - CLOSED

Ever used a certain infamous brush designed to eradicate tangles and removed a clump of your hair with it? Or accidentally jettisoned said brush across the bedroom because you can't grip it properly and your hair is so GD long and tangled that it drives you to distraction?

Not just me then?

The Air Motion brush is what I call my 'grown-up' version of the aforementioned tool that my daughter so loves (or at least she did until recently).

Complete with handle - JOY (suitable for left and right handed folk) - the Air Motion is literally designed in a similar way to a good old pair of Nike's in that the brush is designed to glide across the hair effortlessly without pulling/tugging and has pockets of air in the paddle to absorb any bumps in the road (so to speak). Basically - if your hair is really tangled, the brush moves within itself to work around them - rather than just removing the clump of tangles via removing your hair in the brush!

More information on Air Motion can be found on their website www.airmotionpro.com and the brush is available at HQ Hair.com,www.lookfantastic.com and www.beautyexpert.com.

The guys behind Air Motion have very kindly offered 5 readers the chance to win a brush.

Simply like their Facebook page and leave a comment below with contact details - that's it. Say bye to tangles without throwing your brush across the room. :)

T&C's:

• 5 brushes are on offer
• Open Internationally
• Giveaway closes Friday 29th March at Midnight

Paul Mitchell and Cruelty Free International unite against animal testing.

Starting with $700 in 1980, Paul Mitchell and John Paul DeJoria launched 4 products under the brand name Paul Mitchell. 32 years later they are sold in over 80 countries and have over 100 products in their stable.

From the beginning, they took the decision to test their products on humans, not animals. In 2010, after being on sale for many years in China, the Chinese government changed their policy on imported cosmetic goods, demanding that they be tested on animals before being allowed to retail in their country.

Paul Mitchell's response? The company ceased trading immediately and pulled out of China. In an industry where ethics are dispensed of as quickly as the cheque can be cashed, this for me, deserves to be roundly applauded and shouted from the rooftops.

Paul Mitchell have now joined forces with Cruelty Free International and are the only professional hair care brand to be awarded the Leaping Bunny - the most rigorous international no-animal-testing certification.

'Since Paul Mitchell was founded in 1980, we have been cruelty-free. We do not conduct or condone animal testing on our products, and we will not attempt to market our products in China until alternatives to animal testing methods have been accepted by the government. Paul Mitchell always has been and always will be cruelty-free!' says DeJoria.

To their credit Paul Mitchell have no problem with the Chinese people. They kept their offices in China and are working with the Government and regulators there to bring about change: 

'They're not bad people - they're just doing what they think is right because of what they have been told. We can change their thinking.'

I asked John Paul if he had any advice to other brands thinking of insisting on no animal testing for their brands:

'Do it now and tell your customers you are doing it. Do it immediately! If you believe in something you better walk that walk. We are totally committed. Money is not the issue.'

How refreshing. People putting ethics before the dollar. 

Are you listening beauty world?

Paul Mitchell is available in official stockists nationwide.

2012 Awards. Gadget Launch of the Year - ghd Air Hairdryer

I have never been in on the ghd scene. I don't own the straighteners - and I didn't know that ghd stood for Good Hair Day. Makes perfect sense though - I had an old boss that we privately nicknamed PBHD - stood for Perpetual Bad Hair Day (in our defense it was horrific). But ghd's? I wasn't on that bandwagon. Yes, if there was a hair-awareness rock - I would be under it. 

Until around a month ago when my hairdryer blew up in my hand - and I literally on the same day received an email from ghd asking if I would like to try their new Air hairdryer. If I'm honest, I said yes purely out of laziness. The timing was right is all. 

Thank GOD.

This little, stylish, compact machine has LITERALLY saved my hair. Killed my frizz. Halved the time it takes to dry. It's quick, quiet, comfortable in the hand and I am now aghast that I didn't upgrade my old (and I mean OLD) hairdryer sooner.

ghd Air Hairdryer is my Gadget of the Year.

*orders straighteners, gets on bandwagon*

*PR Sample - thank GOD.

Not an affiliate link.

Frederic Fekkai - Some faves

Totally gratuitous picture of the quite-frankly-all-too-handsome Mr Fekkai

I've been using Frederic Fekkai products on and off for over 10 years.  I first tried them when they were the amenity of choice in a hotel I was staying in. I fell in love with the Technician Range and the Shea Butter Body products on the spot. 

Fekkai have enjoyed huge success since those days and the selling of the company to P&G in early 2008 saw the expected influx of cash to the range - and meant that the brand could branch out and offer amongst other things, supersizes of the products - which predictably I am slightly addicted to.

Although the body products are STILL NOT AVAILABLE in the UK (WHY??) except through dodgy grey market sites that I wouldn't touch with a barge pole - these are - and they rock.

The Essential Shea range is the one I've been using lately - it's perfect for this weather that can never seem to make its mind up and hair that behaves the same way. It's also the only way I can get a hit of the gorgeous smell in the absence of the body products.

However, taking a look at my 'hair box' of products that I have on hand for everyday use - this little beauty is what I have used consistently over the years:

The Brilliant Glossing Cream just works for me. No matter what I attempt to do to my hair. It smooths frizz when I wear it down, defines curl, sleeks the straightened hair and is THE product for any kind of up-do or bun - which I tend to rely on a little too often to get me through a day full of meetings. A little goes a really long way, do be careful not to be too heavy handed. 

I am always trying other products and it's not the only thing I use - but it's consistent. 

Fekkai is available pretty much everywhere from ASOS to onliners to SpaceNK. 

Go and have a play. Tis lovely.

New Launch for 2012 - Aveda Invati

Let's set the scene. The picture above shows my brother, my father and my uncle. Oh and me. Spot the difference? I'm the one with hair. Well, not counting Dad's moustache. As you can see from said picture my father's genes run strong in our family. And that's just with the cheeks. Since I hit 40 (yes a few years ago now) I have noticed more hair in the plughole after a shower and a definite thinning in the front parting. People say they can't notice but I can.

So I was more than a little excited when I attended the launch of Aveda's newest range and discovered it was for ages 35-40+ who were concerned with thinning hair. Bliss.

Invati is the first major launch from Aveda haircare for years and from my impressions so far, well worth the wait.

There are 3 products in the initial offering.

Exfoliating Shampoo £18.50

Thickening Conditioner £20.50

Scalp Revitalizer £41.00

Invati is 97% naturally derived and improved hair loss by 33% in trials. It is specifically for women who are concerned with hair loss, thinning, loss of volume, lack of density and a tight or dry scalp - all signs of ageing.

The Invati range is designed to invigorate and stimulate the scalp thus exfoliating the hair follicle and removing the build-up of sebum and product that can inhibit healthy hair growth. Using a mixture of ingredients but primarily naturally derived salicylic acid, turmeric and ginseng so far - it does what it says on the bottle.

I felt a difference in the thickness of my hair after the first use and there is definitely less hair in the plughole. The fact that it does all of this without coating it in silicone (M*r*cc*n Oil anyone?) and chemicals is not just an added bonus - it's bloody genius.

Also, being Aveda and to my mind the most eco-aware brand on the planet - they have partnered with Indian farmers to source Ayurvedic organically-grown herbs while supporting local communities through projects to repair ageing water systems in two villages. Aveda don't just talk the talk - they put their money where their mouth is. Something I'm glad that the Lauder group continued after their acquisition.

The only thing negative is that I will run out of the shampoo and conditioner before it launches in January.

For more information on Aveda, their products and current projects around the world - here.

Product of the Week - Tigi Bed Head Colour Goddess Conditioner

Surprise to myself this one - I never used to be big on spending that much money on haircare - I go through so much of it that it seemed 'wasteful'. Idiotic really when I take into account how much I spend on colour and highlights etc every month.

I'll keep this one simple: it's a conditioner that does what it says on the box. It helps protect from fading, keeps my hair bright and very shiny without feeling like it's coated in silicone, it keeps it conditioned and importantly for me, doesn't aggravate my scalp like so many others. It's also sulfate-free and it doesn't affect my highlights in a negative way.

I like the shampoo and the leave-in conditioner that are part of this range too - but the conditioner is my favourite - and it's called Product of the Week. Not 'Group of Products of the Week.'

Tigi have very kindly offered up 2 sets of shampoo, conditioner and leave-in conditioner to Beauty Mouth readers.

Simply leave your email or a valid twitter id in the comments section below. Good luck! And thank you Tigi.

Tigi stockist information is available here and on 0844 844 90944. The conditioner is priced at £11.15.

* PR samples.
    I realise that POTW overran last week - blame the Bank Holiday and my lack of understanding on scheduled posts.

FOUR London - Review

Aah my hair. My over-processed-refuses-to-get-it-cut hair. My grey-since-the-age-of-19 hair.

Over the last year or so people had stopped saying 'oh your hair looks nice..' and started saying 'have you done something to your hair?' for which read: 'You hair looks odd/hideous/strange?'
My husband took to calling me a badger. Tres charmant.

My regular hairdresser of the last few years does his best bless him (love you Paul) - but he's faced with me every month saying 'No. that's not what I want - do this.' 'No. It doesn't need cutting.' 'No, you don't understand - I WANT it dark at the front and stripey on top.' I know he utterly despairs of me.

So when FOUR London offered to take me in hand I figured I would stop channelling Daphne Guinness on crack and go and see some colour professionals.

You know when someone really wants to say something like 'JESUS!' but they just say 'Okaaayyyyyy. Let's take a look.' That would be the lovely Charlie from FOUR.

The four Ladies from FOUR. Charlie on the right. Don't be fooled by the pretty face. She takes no prisoners.

Despite being booked in for highlights and a quick blow dry I ended up having a complete colour change. A total stripped-back-to-basics colour change. A five-hours-in-the-chair colour change. Numb bum anyone?

SO worth a numb bum. Have a look for yourself:

Much calmer, less two-toned, the colour is now more fluid throughout.

FOUR London is the brainchild of four friends who all met when they worked at Jo Hansford.They have over 40 years experience between them and it shows. During their career at Jo Hansford, as ambassadors for the salon, they travelled worldwide educating other hairdressers in the art of colour correction and highlight placement techniques.
They are basically - Specialists. Hardcore Specialists.

Whether your hair needs help, you're thinking of going into colour for the first time or are looking for a change - I can highly recommend FOUR. The salon is remarkably calm and relaxing, the teams are all at the top of their game and the results - for me - were exactly what I needed.

FOUR London is at:
62 Conduit Street, London W1S 2GB
For appointments call 0207 297 9600
www.fourlondon.com



*small print -  I was invited as a guest of FOUR London.

Paul Mitchell Luxury Haircare Giveaway

Going on hols? Fancy a little help with your hair? Those lovely peeps at Paul Mitchell have offered 10 - yes TEN - lucky BM readers the opportunity to swan off with this gorgeous Limited Edition travel set worth £24.99.

The set is available in Paul Mitchell salons in July and August and contains Shampoo One - a gentle 'tropical' shampoo, The Conditioner - multi-use and leave-in (well handy!), Soft Sculpting Spray Gel - to keep your hair contained but not stiff! and Freeze and Shine Super Spray to hold it still and give it shine all whilst protecting from the sun.

Nice eh?
 

To be in with a chance simply be a follower of BM and leave a comment below with your email or a twitter ID.

• 10 prizes of the above kit
• Winners will be chosen at random
• Giveaway closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 21st June.

Good luck everyone!

CEW Finds and Favourites - Living Proof Full Thickening Cream

I was sceptical when I first put this on my hair. I have a lot of hair. A lot of fine hair. A lot of very coloured, very fine hair. When I backcomb I make Amy Winehouse look restrained. My hairdresser usually has to do something like this to get ANY kind of volume:

Although clearly perfect if I want to go to a fancy dress party as a member of the B52's - this look doesn't exactly work dans Le Office.

So am thrilled to say that this little beaute of a product is currently rocking my world:

This cream reaches places that no other 'thickening' cream has so far. It gives bounce, volume and yes, makes me feel like I have a head full of hair without feeling tacky, sticky or looking greasy after 1/2 a day. I use about a 20p size and apply it all over my hair.

Living Proof says:
Full Thickening Cream is a lightweight formula that features Poly Beta Amino Ester-1, a new technology invented by our scientists that creates a micro-pattern of thickening points on each strand.
I say:
It works - to the point of almost being a revelation. I highly recommend.

I have to admit I have previously tended to stick to the big chemist chains when buying styling products for my hair. Which probably explains my lack of success thus far. This product sells in SpaceNK for £20 (ouch). But based on its performance so far - not only will I be purchasing - I'll be putting this in my basket too:

Living Proof are silicone and paraben free - full inci:

Water/Aqua/Eau - Poly Beta Amino Ester-1 (Hair thickening active) - Fragrance/Parfum (Fragrance) - Polyacrylate-13 (Viscosity increasing agent) - Myristyl Alcohol (Emulsifier/Light conditioning agent) - Xanthan Gum (Viscosity increasing agent) - Polyisobutene (Viscosity increasing agent) - Oleth-10 (Emulsifier) - PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate (Light conditioning agent) - Phenoxyethanol (Perservative) - Polysorbate 20 (Emulsifier) - Methylisothiazolinone (Preservative) - Linalool (Fragrance Component) - Citronellol (Fragrance Component) - Limonene (Fragrance Component) - Butylphenyl Methylpropional (Fragrance Component) - Citral (Fragrance Component) - Geraniol (Fragrance Component)