Aloha from the Bloggers Love Hub (with Product Reviews)

             Bloggers Love has done it again! The Bloggers Love Hub convened every Monday this past November. I caught the last of the festivities on the 24^th, which were held at Kanaloa, a Tiki-themed bar. The inspiration behind the Hub was to provide a place where bloggers could network, explore new brands, and catch a fashion show or two – all with a novel liquid refreshment (served in Tiki or coconut beakers of course). Bloggers on site were there to provide advice to fellow bloggers, while beauty treatments (hair and nails) were a further added bonus! Oh, the life of a blogger is hard…

As a VIB (Very Important Blogger), I was able to secure myself a front row seat for the fashion shows (I loved seeing my name card waiting for me)! I chose a mainly black ensemble and paired my see-through crewneck with a lacy maroon bralet and long sleeveless jacket.

Backless styles are a cheeky way of showing some flesh when the rest of the outfit is more reserved (far left); neutrals elongate the body and are always a stylishly safe bet (top center); Fifty Shades of Grey is clearly having a moment and has permeated the fashion sphere with bondage-inspired details, like this leather "harness" as Mr. Grey would say (ahem) (bottom center); just in time for the glitz and the glam of New Year's Eve, sequins are a surefire way to get yourself noticed (far right)

Marilyn Monroe made the "little white dress" iconic in that 1954 photo. It has taken on many different forms since then to provide an angelic rivalry to the tried-and-true "little black dress."

             I personally always jump at the chance to chat to and meet other bloggers in person. It’s a really good way to spread the word about your own blog while gathering tricks of the trade and picking up new blog URLs along the way. Events like this one work to make cyber space that little bit less vast and anonymous. I might have attended the Hub alone, but I left for the Tube station with two fellow bloggers at the end of the night.  

Putting a face to a name: pictured with fellow blogger Joshua Milton of That Kid in the Bowtie

             After making my rounds at the Hub, I was loaded down with goodies, which I was eager to test. Now, I’d just like to interject with some information about the brands featured on the night and a few mini product reviews, because I figure it’s better to show you than to tell you!

             If you follow my blog, then you know that I’m a really big advocate of Umberto Giannini’s hair products for their effortless styling and staying power. If you’d like to have a look at my Grunge Glamour Tousled Salt Spray review, you can view it here and you can find the rest of my reviews for the Glam Hair range here. I am now adding two more of Umberto Giannini’s products into the mix to finish off the Glam Hair range roundup: the Princess Purrfect Hot Styler Spray and the Rock ‘N’ Roll Extreme Hairspray.

Princess Purrfect Hot Styler Spray

Step 1. Spray Umberto Giannini's Princess Purrfect Hot Styler Spray all over dry or damp (as shown here) hair before blowdrying or styling with a straightener or curling iron. Its claim? That it "holds like a hairspray, smoothes like a serum, and protects against heat damage."

Step 2. Brush the spray through your hair before styling as desired. I chose to curl my hair with the Diva Professional Styling Beach Curls Wand, which I swear by!

Step 3. Curl half of your hair on one side of your head first. I tend to leave the curling wand on for 20 seconds per section with the heat setting at 160 degrees Celsius, because I have fine hair. Remember: the less heat, the better!

Rock ‘N’ Roll Extreme Hairspray

Step 4. Curl the rest of your hair. Flip your head upside down and run your hands through all of your curls if you want to achieve beachy waves, opposed to tight curls. Then mist Umberto Giannini's Rock 'N' Roll Extreme Hairspray throughout your hair for hold. A little goes a long way! 

The finished result backs up the product's claim, leaving you with long-lasting, touchable curls!

 Explore the full range of Umberto Giannini haircare here or stop by your local Boots store for quality products at reasonable prices

Timeless Truth Bio Cellulose Apple Stem Cell Collagen Mask

Timeless Truth has a wide selection of beauty masks to choose from. This one is loaded with stem cells extracted from the Swiss Uttwiler Spätlauber apple, which help to nourish and stimulate the skin. Marine collagen reduces signs of fatigue and dehydration by boosting the skin's softness and elasticity. It's as simple as cleansing your face and then wearing the mask (which is hassle-free, unlike creams and other concoctions) for 15-20 minutes. After removal, massage the remaining essence into the skin.

I braved going bare-faced and channeled Hannibal Lecter à la Silence of the Lambs to reveal radiant and supple skin that provides the perfect make-up base. What you see is what you get; the only make-up I'm wearing is mascara and I haven't cheated with photo editing! For best results, repeat the treatment three-to-four times a week.

Try the innovative beauty masks out for yourself by ordering online here. There are two decadent ranges to choose from: Fusion and Luxury.

In Situ Cosmetics Face Scrub 

London-based In Situ Cosmetics very kindly offered to create a bespoke skincare product for me to pick up at the Bloggers Love Hub. I chose all of the elements to reflect what best suits my skin type,  from the texture, to my skin concern, to a mood boost, finishing off with what time of day I would like to use the product. I ended up with a face scrub for normal skin that firms and tones while providing a total unwind at night. It is literally "made only for you." As my personalized bottle suggests, this product is made specifically for my skin and me. Hands off, everyone!

 The clear gel-like face scrub uses natural micro-beads to exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells and impurities. Quillaja extract is naturally cleansing, orange boosts skin's firmness and elasticity, and sandalwood helps to calm and relax. Afterwards, my skin felt tighter and cleansed, while the scent of the scrub was refreshing and invigorating. The product is exactly what skincare should be -uncomplicated and 98 percent natural - but most importantly, it works!

You too can create your own indivdualized skincare here. Custom-made, paraben-free, color-free, and naturally fresh products are only a click away! Besides, who can resist the super cute name detail?

Vita Liberata

Vita Liberata created the world's first odorless tan in 2007 and became the first completely non-toxic tanning brand in 2011. Watch this space in January, because I will be collaborating with Vita Liberata to test out a product from their new NKD SKN Luxe Tanning Collection. This should be interesting, as I've never tried a self-tanner before, but it should do wonders for perking up my pale winter complexion.

At the Hub, Vita Liberata set up a selection of their Illuminating Skin Finish, which would act as a great highlighter for cheekbones. I tested it on the back of my hand and the result was a silky sheen with just the right amount of shimmer. For more information about Vita Liberata, visit their website here.

Slendertone

Also stay tuned to my blog for my review of the Slendertone System Abs Belt in the coming months. I will be charting my journey on a weekly basis during the recommended four-to-six week period. I'm holding off until after Christmas (I say with a box of chocolates next to me), precisely because it is Christmas where I get to eat, drink, and be merry. Although, come New Year, I will be buckling down and getting back into the routine of working out, eating healthily, and getting toned with the help of Slendertone. That way, I can show you the best possible results.

Slendertone supplies products that improve muscle tone and body shape. From abs to arms to your behind, and even to your face, Slendertone uses Electrical Muscle Stimulation (EMS) toning technology to create strong, deep muscle contractions to tone your body. 20 minutes using the Ab Belt is the equivalent of 120 abdominal crunches. Count me in!

If you'd like to learn more about Slendertone or are interested in what else they have on offer, check them out here.

Nadia Minkoff London

The London-themed jewelry I received at the Hub courtesy of Nadia Minkoff London was such a sweet surprise. Made with Swarovski elements, the charm bracelet and necklace perfectly depict certain aspects of the great city. The Eye is central to both pieces of jewelry with its candy-colored outer wheel, which is whimsical and unexpected. These are definite conversation starters!

I met the lovely Nadia herself at the Hub and was captivated by her electric teal clutch bags and the iridescent peacock tones infused in her jewelry. Nadia Minkoff London was first established in 1988 and stays true to the designer's roots: her home city of London. Learn more here.

             In keeping with the Hawaiian theme of the evening, I feel that a big mahalo (thank you) is owed to Bloggers Love for arranging such an enjoyable event. The eclectic array of brands on show made for a perfect combination of products and services, not to mention the delightful people in attendance. Get involved with Bloggers Love here and the Bloggers Love Hub here. Maybe I'll see you at the next event!

Product Review: The Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Range

A sampling of the Glam Hair range from Umberto Giannini

As women, we are all looking for that quick fix way to style our hair so that it looks as if we’ve spent hours on it. What we want is simplicity, and hair care line Umberto Giannini offers that expertly. I know that packaging often promotes products as being efficient and easy, but we all know how far from the truth that is sometimes. I would like to give a big thank you to Carmen Hubble for sending over a lovely bundle of Umberto Giannini hair products from the Glam Hair range. Now, allow me to show you just how effortless it is to incorporate these new go-tos into your daily routine.

Step 1. Wash and condition hair with Umberto Giannini Ditch The Dirt Volume Shampoo and Plump & Sexy Volume Conditioner before continuing.

If you would like to browse my review of the Grunge Glamour Tousled Salt Spray, which is also a part of the Glam Hair range, have a look here. Let me just preface by saying that I used the Ditch The Dirt Volume Shampoo and Plump & Sexy Volume Conditioner before applying any of the following products, so you should too! Consider this the first step to achieve any of the looks here. Staying within the same line of products will also optimize the final results.

I really noticed a difference by changing my shampoo and conditioner. These Umberto Giannini products work hand in hand to thicken and nourish my hair before I begin heat styling. Not only that, but they smell delightful. I can’t quite place my finger on the exact smell, but the first thing that comes to mind is of the beach – a clean, salty mix with hints of rose and vanilla that is girly but in the most sophisticated way possible. This is the way with all of the Glam Hair products, so interchanging them doesn’t lead to a scent discontinuity among which products you decide to use.

The only flaw in the packaging for the shampoo and conditioner would have to be that they don’t have pump or squeeze tops, but the product merely flows out. Due to this, it is easy to accidentally overload on the amount of shampoo or conditioner you desire. A nice touch to the shampoo however is that it is clear, but injected with silver glitter to amplify the elegant nature of the line.

While we are talking about packaging, can we just take a moment to appreciate the scandalous women that front these Umberto Giannini products? London-based Together Design thought up the very appealing “glamour girls” who cast their sultry gazes from the bottles. Combined with the matte black and silver color scheme, Umberto Giannini projects professionalism amongst shelves of products that scream for attention through bubblegum colors and overly intricate fonts.

Sex Bomb Massive Mousse

Step 2. After parting damp hair, apply Umberto Giannini's Sex Bomb Massive Mousse to roots.

This is the amount of product you should aim to use.

Step 3. Scrunch the product into your roots.

 Step 4. Blow-dry your hair upside down and the result should look something like this. 

Step 5. Get creative! Try styling this look with your hair pulled off your face, or...

 ...opt for a deep side part with swooping bangs.

Backcomb In A Bottle

Step 2. Apply Umberto Giannini's Backcomb In A Bottle only to your bangs to emphasize and boost your layers.

Step 3. Straighten the rest of your hair.

Backcomb In A Bottle: Look Two

Step 2. Spray Umberto Giannini's Backcomb In A Bottle all over hair. Section off the top half of your hair and pull it into a ponytail, but don't secure with bobby pins yet.

Step 3. Twist your ponytail as shown.

Step 4. Secure the top half of your hair with bobby pins while bumping it up slightly to achieve a bouffant effect. Backcomb In A Bottle essentially does this for you already!

Step 5. Twirl your remaining hair into a high bun on top of your head. 

Step 6. Keep your hair as is or accessorize with a bow (or other hair decoration), as I have done here.

Glamour Puss Crystal Mist

Step 2. Spritz Umberto Giannini’s Glamour Puss Crystal Mist all over hair as liberally as desired.

Here's what the product looks like – a fine coppery/golden mist that adds sparkle to your hair.

The finished effect is difficult to photograph, but I think the subtle nature of this product is what gives it its appeal. This product is perfect for a night out. Without being too over the top, it's dazzling and unexpected when the light hits your hair. 

Just a word of warning: don’t apply the product without draping a towel, or something else, around your shoulders first to prevent unwanted glitter. It goes everywhere, as you can see! 

Morning After Dry Shampoo

Step 2. This next product works most effectively on day-old hair, as I am showing here. My roots are looking rather greasy and the rest of my hair is a bit stiff and lackluster. 

Step 3. Spray Umberto Giannini’s Morning After Dry Shampoo to the roots of your hair from a distance and work it through the length of your hair with your hands. The result? Fresh, fluffy hair without any product buildup!

             Well, there you have it! I hope you have enjoyed my reviews of an assortment of Umberto Giannini products from the Glam Hair collection. Anyone could use them, and I am the living proof! My hair is probably what I spend the least amount of my time on when I get ready to go out or when I wake up in the morning, but I am confident in saying that these products are foolproof. The pictures I have posted for my reviews are as straightforward as they seem and I haven’t left out any steps, so I hope you get the chance to try the looks out for yourself.

Umberto Giannini is a sleek hair care company with a multiplicity of ranges for different purposes and hair types. The products are all easily purchased at any Boots store or online at prices that won’t set you back too heavily. I can attest to the fact that the Glam Hair range certainly lives up to its chosen name and I can’t think of a single woman who doesn’t want some added glamour in her day-to-day life. We all know good hair equals a good day, so don't compromise, ladies! 

             Discover Umberto Giannini here.