Hair Growth Shampoo Trial with Hair Jazz

A couple of weeks ago i decided i wanted to grow my bob/lob short hair out. It's been fun having short hair and I really have loved it (and will probably return to it at some point), but I have a craving for long flowing locks once again. 

When i make a decision i like the results to be instant, sadly growing hair takes time..boo! 

But maybe there is something that can help grow hair a bit faster.

Harmony Life off a range of products that promise speed in hair growth.

Needless to say I was well up for trying it out. Anything that can get these locks growing a bit faster I am willing to try.

I was given the Hair Jazz Mask Set (which is also Cruelty Free) and it includes:

1 Hair Jazz Shampoo

1 Hair Jazz Conditioning Mask

1 Hair Jazz Lotion

 I used this set for the first time yesterday and my first impressions :

• The product is a but whiffy, its quite a clinical smell, menthol almost (it reminded me a bit of the muscle run deep heat) But it wasn't so smelly that it was off putting, just different as i'm obliviously used to pleasant smelling shampoos. It didn't leave my hair smelling strongly though, which is good.

• My hair felt thoroughly cleansed, like it had had a deep clean, which felt really good, especially if you've had a lot of product in your hair prior to washing.

• The lotion I applied on towel dried hair left my hair frizz free and in great condition, leaving a bit of volume to my hair and it felt soft but not flyaway.

First impressions are, that it leaves my hair feeling pretty great actually, really clean and smooth, and that's just after one wash.
I'm planning on using this 2-3 times a week

And this is my hair now, not even hitting the mark on the rather nifty measuring t-shirt. Its longer at the front from where its been cut in on a gradient, but still pretty short at the back as you can see.

 

I am excited to see the results after 5 weeks and shall be popping back on with a progress report!

Have you ever tried any hair growth products?

5 Things to shop for in the SHOPBOP Black Friday Super SALE!!

Its the time of the year when Black Friday is upon us. It still seems strange as a Brit to say this, as for the longest of times we didn't have Black Friday sales, but we followed suit and with that comes some tremendous savings of course.

Now this is the PERFECT time to do a little shopping, whether that be for your Winter capsule (like me,which will start on December 1st), for some Christmas presents or just because you feel a treat is deserved. Bargains are to be had, and if you're going to spend your well earned money, now would be a great time as you will get more bang for your buck.

For me, a self confessed shopaholic in remission, I like to give myself a strict guideline so that I don't go off the rails, spending like a crazy lady and end up with a cart full of things just because 'It was well cheap'.. which has previously been my forte.

Not anymore.

For such sales I stick to stringent plan.

Write a list of things you allow yourself to buy:

Things you need to fill any holes in your wardrobe (jeans, sweaters etc)

Things you can give as gifts (Christmas is just around the corner)

Items that will prove useful (wellies, underwear,winter coats etc)

Then just search for those things. Don't wander the cyber isles endlessly looking through page after page of goodies. 

This is how i plan to shop the sales and utilise them to my advantage.

Here are a few things I would highly recommend Shopping for in the Shopbop Black Friday Sale

 The Biker jacket. The year round perfect companion. I could not be without mine which is the Vegan Blank Denim Biker jacket (on the left). Perfect with sweaters, dresses, jeans and skirts, it will work super hard for you and is worthy of the investment. I wouldn't be without mine and would love to add another colour (a burgundy or khaki perhaps) to my jacket armoury.

 I adore my Levi's which i got earlier this year (they are the dark indigo Mile High) and would now love to invest in another pair for my capsule. Reliable, no saggy knees, flattering cuts and comfortable. I have really fallen for the classic brand for the simple fact that they are great jeans cut well for a women's shape. Whats not to love?

From working and shopping with Shopbop for a while, Madewell had been one of the brands i discovered and love. Comfy, practical and well styled their clothes fit well, wear well and have some beautiful interesting factors.

My Knitted dress I wear constantly is from Madewell and I wouldn't be without it. I would love to add another Madewell Dress to my capsule (the checked on in the centre would look so great with a black roll neck layered underneath and over the knee boots don't you think?)

A winter essential for me: Sorel boots are the best boot for rainy, snowy, cold weather on all terrain. I bought my first pair this autumn and i wear them for dog walks most days and you'll probably catch me in them most weekend when out with the kids. They have a plethora of choices, but for me the waterproof mesh boots (mine are the red Cozy Carnival booties) mean no leather which is great for this vegan :)

'Tis the season to give and therefore the Black Friday sales are ideal for purchasing a few sneaky gifts for the festive season. I'm absolutely smitten with all 3 items here: the Dogeared bracelet, the Kate Spade necklace and the Star dish would be perfect in my newly decorated bedroom, but alas these gifts aren't for me, but the Gift Boutique has some absolutely beautiful individual pieces that make the most perfect gifts.

These are all things I highly recommend.

What will you be shopping for his Black Friday?

Brands excluded from this sale: B&O Play, Marshall, Pryma, Master & Dynamic, Larson and Jennings, Shinola, What Goes Around Comes Around, Canada Goose, Ray-Ban, La Vie by Rebecca Taylor, Tumi, Kate Spade New York, Acne Studios, Gentle Monster, Hanky Panky, Sydney Evan, Calvin Klein Underwear.

Brands with some items excluded from this sale: DVF, Wolverine, Birkenstock, To Boot New York, Converse, APC, APC, Frye, Stuart Weitzman, Karen Walker, Beyond Yoga, Free People, Veronica Beard, Herve Leger, Tory Burch.

Happy Shopping, let me know in the comments if you buy anything, and thank you for supporting the companies that support Rachel The Hat.

Pleats Are In (& #Passion4fashion Linkup)

Well, there's nothing quite like shopping your own wardrobe is there. I bought this dress about 2-3 years ago and blogged about it at the time and then didn't wear it again. Not even once.
Terrible I know. I look back and cringe at how much I would buy clothes and then proceed to hardly wear them. Granted I don't go very far to wear pretty pleated dresses, but this particular item is actually super versatile!

This past weekend was my Best friends sons christening, and i needed a dress or something to wear. My capsule didn't really have anything church/christening appropriate, because as most of you know, I spend most of my days pretty casual. I looked in the shops and saw lots of pretty christmasy outfits (there is literally sequins and sparkle everywhere right now!) But really i knew i could do with saving my money and putting it towards Christmas presents for my kiddos.
So I went looking in my storage and found this purple pleated pretty number.

Now taking in to consideration I bought this, say 3 years ago, but its fair to say that it is still bang on trend. Pleats are huge right now, you just have to look in your fashion magazines or you local high street and see that they are still very much having a moment.
I was actually looking for a pleated skirt as I really like the trend, but didn't buy anything because I'm still in my Autumn Capsule, but was thinking of adding something for my winter capsule.
Well it turns out I already have something that fits the bill and is also super versatile.

I will be including it in my Winter capsule (which starts Dec 1st) and I'm looking forward to layering it under a big chunky knit and with some knee high boots too!

Pleated Offerings

Shopbop

Left: Vince
Middle: Tibi
Right: A.L.C

Left: Maje
Middle: Monsoon
Right: Topshop

Are you in love with the pleated trend this season?

An InLinkz Link-up

Gift's For Him

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet?

I am pleased to say I am over half done (yay me) and I know lots of you will be even more prepared and will be almost done. But for those who are looking for some little gifts, some inspiration or just want to get a Secret Santa for someone (male), I wanted to do a few gift guides to tie in with my festive posts.  As i mentioned before i LOVE Christmas, I actually love to give gifts more than receive, maybe it's because I'm a pro-shopper, but i really do enjoy researching items and buying things that match their likes and personality.

Today I'm starting with the fellas for the first gift guide. Now, I don't know about you but I find that the chaps are usually hardest to buy for, normally because if there's something they want, they generally go out and buy it themselves.

This year myself and Salvatore (the husband) aren't doing gifts to each other (read why here) but the kids will still get him a few small pressies and I assist in the buying. 

So without further a do.. here it is!

1. Merchandise Tee

There are so many great band tee's out there right now,  I know my husband would LOVE this classic Led Zeppelin tee, but there is definitely a whole plethora to choose from with one fitting the genre of your man's choice. There's films: Marvel say or TV programmes: Game of thrones being very popular of course, so you can't really go wrong. These are also great for the wife/girlfriend to steal and wear 😉

2. Smart Watch

Men love a good gadget. I think its like their inner boy child that never grows up, the love for gadgets that are like toys to them.

These have come down a lot in price since they came out a couple of years ago, making them more accessible for all. I've gone for the Sony S3 smart watch here, with a slimline design and compatible with android devices and perfect for interfacing with your phone. 

3. Man Bag

Controversial? (are you thinking of Joey from Friends with his man bag 😂? ) But instead of them (them being the blokes) giving you their wallet, keys and anything else they can't fit in their jean pockets, how about heir own bag? My husband got his first man bag last year for work relates stuff. I will be honest, I laughed and laughed and laughed. But when i stopped laughing i saw it was actually pretty good. I think if you go for a more Indiana Jones satchel look it can be pretty useful. It can also fit laptops, and all the other male paraphernalia that they generally like to carry around. 

4. Gaming/ Computer Chair

Is your husband a gamer? Or does he sit at the computer a lot? Mine does both. For an avid gamer or even a hard worker, a great chair would be a brilliant practical present. The one I've linked to above is pretty suave too, just make sure it fits with you're decor or is out of the way, 'cos you're the one who also has to look at it ;)

5. Vinyl

Did you know Vinyl is having a major come back, to the point where even the bigger supermarkets are stocking records. Records have never gone from our house as Salvatore has collected them for years. But without a doubt, they make a perfect gift each year as there is always a new record to be found to give. If they don't have a collection, Christmas could be the perfect time to start a new tradition that could be built on year on year. Obviously if its new you may need to buy a record player too ;) This compact retro style is my absolute favourite. i think i could lay money on this being a great gift for almost any man. Buy a few records from their favourite bands and you have just become the ultimate gift giver 😉

6. Novelty Socks

Goes without saying really doesn't it? Perfect stocking filler, plus men always need socks, its a fact.

Love these Deadpool ones.

7. A Cosy Hat for the cold.

Thoughtful. Show you care with a nice warm hat for his lovely head 😁

Now there are a ton of things you could get, aftershave, the latest team kit, PS/XBox/PC game, personalised mouse mats, but hopefully these ideas have helped get the present ideas flowing for you.

Do you have any great ideas to share? Don't worry i don't think he'll be reading 😂