The Fashion Closet Archives - Page 21 of 29

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Fashion Closet, The Glorious North East

Boilerhouse Hair Ouseburn

If you live in the North East and more specifically Newcastle, then you’ve probably heard of Boilerhouse Hair. Their flagship salon stands proud at its Jesmond site and its industrial, steampunk styling is synonymous with the brand. Well they’ve since opened up a second salon over in the uber trendy Ouseburn end of town just around the corner from Ernest.

When Felix, the owner of Boilershop Ouseburn contacted me about a collaboration, I told him all about my hair disasters (you guys are well versed in my traumas by now but if you want to catch up then head here for the skinny) and he was very reassuring telling me that customer satisfaction is at the top of their agenda. Felix booked me in and I’ll admit, despite feeling worried, I kind of felt that I was in safe hands.

The salon itself is gorgeous, it’s everything you’d expect from the Boilerhouse brand and more, the signature industrial styling shines through but the Ouseburn salon has a distinct rustic vibe to it. With exposed wood and plants on show in a variety of glass bottles and planters, and a 50’s style pink SMEG fridge, it has some serious Instagram credentials. On the day of my appointment I had Plankton with me which could have been a complete disaster but the staff there are fantastic and there was one apprentice there who spent all day making sure he was happy. Kudos guys.

I was teamed up with Saskia who is the Technical Colourist and responsible for training all new Boilerhouse apprentices, for a full head of highlights and a very reluctant trim. Now if you follow me on social media, particularly Twitter, you’ll know that I’m participating in an Influencer project with Nature’s Bounty on hair growth and that I’m super precious about my hair given that it stopped growing completely for 16 months. You’ll also know that I’m held to ransom with my hair a little given my work with L’Oreal during Fashion Month and the fact that the Nature’s Bounty project limits how much I’m allowed to cut during the active project time frame – as part of the project it’s measured every three weeks.

Saskia gets to work mixing up a blonde for my highlights using Fibreplex bond builder to minimise bleach damage (it’s similar to Olaplex and Smartbond but made by Schwarzkopf). Saskia is a fast worker and before long I have a full head of foils and I’m chilling out with the perfect Americano and the latest copy of Vogue, but I’m a little thrown when she tells me that due to me not having had a patch test in advance, she won’t be able to tone my hair when the pre-lightener is washed off. Eek. I’ve seen my hair pre-toner and it’s not a pretty sight; also I was never asked to come in for a patch test prior to the appointment.

I’m taken through to the backwash area to have the foils removed; it’s a cute little room with a gorgeous wooden wall and in the time it takes to remove the foils, wash my hair and apply a conditioning treatment, three customers have asked where the wood came from, it’s that cool. Once my treatment is washed off and my hair feels silky soft, I’m taken back through to my section for a cut. Now I hate having my hair cut. I don’t even need to tell you this. it’s my worst thing, I have nightmares about it, my palms get sweaty, my face gets hot and I feel like panic is taking over my body. I just, HATE IT.

I’ve spent the last hour showing Saskia pictures of my hair disasters, some of them funny, some of them damn right shocking, all of them traumatic. For me anyway. She combs my hair and tells me that to get a good straight line and a nice blunt finish she would recommend taking off two inches and shows me in the mirror how that looks in terms of length. I almost faint, literally and before I’ve processed it I’ve already said the words “No way”. She laughs and asks what I’d be comfortable with and I tell her “an inch, at the most.” We agree on an inch off the length and nothing off anywhere else as my goal is to grow it all down to one length. Currently I’m sporting some fugazi layers which are completely unintentional and only there due to breakage from previous, long ago colouring trauma.

After cutting the length for what seems like ages, Saskia tells me that it would greatly strengthen my hair if we trim the shape around the front and I reluctantly agree, not wanting to at all but agreeing that she is absolutely right. After the cut is finished, she shows me the back of my still wet hair in the mirror and internally I’m freaking out, to me, it looks like I’ve had around five inches cut off and I can’t verify as the hair on the floor has already been swept away. It definitely looks a lot shorter and I’ve certainly lost more than an inch. That bastard Hairdressers Metric System has got me again.

AFTER

I opt for my usual beachy waves to finish and when it’s dry I can’t help but notice that there’s a distinct yellow band around the top section where my root regrowth has been touched up and that the colour isn’t as close to the root as I’d like. It’s a real shame about the toner and when I see the final style I make a mental note to go buy toner asap. I’m not so keen on the blowdry but that’s no reflection on the salon, I’m that unusual breed of girl who hates having her hair blowdried and much prefer it when I’ve done it myself, slept on it for 3 days and it’s just the perfect amount of messy/dirty.

When you’re reading this Voyeurs, remember that I’ve been tainted when it comes to my hair. Too many bad experiences have left me treating it like spun gold and with kid gloves, nursing it with treatments and supplements in an attempt to restore it to its former glory. A particularly bad experience left me with very little hair and it’s taken me around two years to get it back to this stage so I’m more damaged than you can imagine when it comes to hair, and way more dramatic than someone else might be. Saying that, the salon knew this in advance of my appointment.

So, the bit you’ve been waiting for, would I recommend Boilerhouse Ouseburn? Well that depends, if you’re someone who likes to be directed by the expertise of your Stylist and you’re not averse to a cut then yes, definitely. The quality of the cut is good, it’s not what I asked for or what we agreed on but I can’t deny Saskia’s skill as a Hair Stylist and she’s got good bants. If on the other hand you’re similar to me in that when you say an inch you mean an inch and no more, then probably not. Boilerhouse is a cool, urban salon in the heart of Ouseburn and it brings with it a youthful team of Stylists and new business to this thriving area. If you’re looking to update your current style and want to act on advice from a Stylist rather than having something specific in mind, then it’s worth booking in for a consultation at Boilerhouse Ouseburn.

Pixie xo

Categories: The Beauty Cupboard, The Fashion Closet

Peachy Fox Eye Gel

I don’t know about you Voyeurs but I have real trouble when it comes to selecting eye products that don’t cause irritation. From eye creams and gels, to eyeliners and shadows, they all seem to cause some form of irritation, itchiness or redness. I’m a person who doesn’t sleep a lot, you’ll know this from my many late night posts and Tweets, and as a result of that I’m often left with those unsightly undereye shadows and the dreaded puffy eyes. So whilst I have a need for a specific undereye product, I’ve never found one suited to my uber sensitive skin, until now….

Step forward Peachy Fox. I’ve been using the marine Collagen Eye Gel from the Youthful Eyes range, the mission statement for which is that it “Helps to reduce dark circles, puffiness and wrinkles”. Bold claims for a single product. The packaging is simple and in keeping with the brand’s focus on organic products, it’s definitely instagrammable.

The gel consistency is light and way more suited to my skin than a heavier cream or lotion and the application instructions are quite specific, stating that you dab the product around the eye area rather than rubbing it. You leave it wet on the skin to absorb on its own which takes around 20 seconds so you’re not really adding any time to your morning routine.

Personally, I love this product. I’ve tried a lot of different eye products including gels, powders and creams and each one has caused some degree of irritation or left visible redness in the outer corners underneath my eyes. I’d normally buy eyedrops in an attempt to counteract the reaction, but with Peachy Fox Marine Collagen Eye Gel, I’ve had no adverse reaction at all. The skin around my eyes feels less tight, the puffiness I have on a morning disappears quickly after first use and I use it again as part of my night time routine as directed.

I haven’t noticed any difference yet in the appearance of fine lines around the eye area, but I imagine it takes more than a few weeks for that type of effect to be visible. I’m just psyched I’ve found something that doesn’t irritate my eyes! It’s a lovely product to use at the end of the day after you’ve taken off your makeup, sometimes after I remove my eye makeup my eyes can feel sore and ‘scratchy’, this is soothing on the skin after toner and calms any post-makeup redness on sensitive skin.

I was gifted this product in return for my honest review and it’s not a brand I was familiar with beforehand so it’s unlikely I would have discovered it otherwise. Having used it now, it’s definitely something I’d buy and use as part of my skincare regime. Peachy Fox is an all natural skincare company and there are no hidden nasties in any of the products. Every ingredient is natural and organic and they’re completely cruelty free. The eye gel has no perfume (which can often be an irritant), colouring or sulphates so it’s very much a part of the natural skincare movement that’s being pushed heavily right now.

Why Should I Buy it?

There are a few reasons you should try out Peachy Fox, I’ve been using a few products from their small but perfectly formed range and they’re all pretty damn good and all have specific skin benefits. This is my favourite from the range.

It’s an Amazon Prime product which means you get guaranteed free next day delivery.
It’s affordable. At £12.97 for a 1.0 fl oz eye gel it’s comparable to high street brands like Olay and Garnier and it’s a better product.
Peachy Fox offer a satisfaction guarantee – Love it or get your money back.
It’s natural, organic and cruelty free.
It’s an amazing de-puffer!
You can apply a thick layer and use it as a mask if you’ve overdone it and your eyes need some recovery.
It’ll look pretty on your Instagram!

Categories: The Archives, The Fashion Closet

Primark’s Bee-autiful Transition Shoe

Stop everything Voyeurs, I’ve found the perfect shoe to get you through the transition between seasons, and it’s not a heel! You know by now that I love heels, in fact I have a collection to rival Imelda Marcos and maybe even put her to shame. I have boxes and boxes of shoes in the attic and garage and six shoe closets. I know, pretty cool/crazy right?! I bloody love a statement heel, anything a little out of the ordinary, you’ll never catch me in a plain old court shoe, even a Pigalle or a So Kate is too boring for me (soz Louboutin, still friends ok? – call me….)

I’m a big fan of a sneaker too, my sneaker collection is one that I’m proud of, I’ve built it up over the years and it’s made up of everything from Reebok classic high tops and essential Stan Smiths, to more obtuse pieces like Batman and Joker opposition Chuck Taylors and Chanel quilted high tops, I have some pretty amazing bespoke pieces that Nike crafted for me from their archive too. It’s a pretty awesome collection if I do say so myself. Anyway, we’re not here to talk about heels or sneakers….

So, the transition between Summer and fall is often a tricky one when it comes to footwear. If you’re in the UK you’ve probably confined your sandals to the closet and looked longingly at them on occasion wondering if the rain will hold off long enough for you to showcase your new pedicure. It probably didn’t. But on the other hand, it’s way too soon for boots and tights. The shops are starting to look to FW17 and eek in the new trends as the last remnants of SS17 sit on the shelves contemplating their uber short life span. What do you do when you’re at that in between stage? A ballet flat? A sneaker? A loafer? Any of these work, (if you said flip flop then log out, take your device back to the store and tell them you’re not fit to own it or have access to the internet.) But there’s something way better out there, and it’s available right now!

I’ve found you the perfect transitional shoe that works with jeans, cigarette pants, dresses and skirts. they come in two colours, teal green and boring black, they’re velvet AND they have embroidery. With this many trends in just two shoes you’re expecting a hefty pricetag right? Well get this Voyeurs, these little beauties are £8 from good old Primark who are coming up trumps with their Luxe range and new team of trend designers (more on that next time). Check out these gems….

Bee-autiful right?! These Bee-auties are on shelves in selected Primark stores right now and at £8 they won’t ‘sting’ you either! Ok I’ll stop with the bee jokes now… Seriously though, these shoes get a tick in the box for being on trend, they’re flat and so completely manageable, glam enough to wear for a night out and above all else, they’re actually comfortable. One thing, as with all Primark flats, when you get them home from the store and you’ve checked they fit and you’re definitely keeping them, rub the front section of the soles with some Wet and Dry sand paper. Primark flats are notoriously slippy and this helps to give them a little grip, you don’t have to go hell for leather with it, just rough them up a bit to take off the shiny coating.

Now, all that’s left to do is get to Primark, get these in your basket, then get them on your feet and wait for the admiring glances. You’re welcome Voyeurs…

Pixie xo

Categories: The Fashion Closet, The Glorious North East

Glitz & Glamour with Meridith Towne at Q Festival

Gateshead’s inaugural Q Festival is well underway, taking place in a traditional spiegeltent structure that’s been erected right in front of The Baltic on the Gateshead side of the Milennium bridge, perfectly positioned for some epic photographs of some of the best North East landmarks

The timetable for the festival is brimming with awesome and unusual activities for the whole family to enjoy and I was invited along to a fun fashion session called Glitz and Glamour with Costume Historian Meredith Towne. Admittedly I didn’t know a lot about what to expect from the session or what it might entail, but as a fellow Fashion Historian, I was definitely intrigued.

I arrived ahead of schedule to get my first proper look at the spiegeltent and true to Deutsch tradition, it was a solid structure with mirrors all around the outside. Guests were treated to a popup shop from vintage reseller Trendlistr and crafty goodies from The Crafthood. One thing it’s worth telling you early on is that the light in the spiegeltent was geared up for a performance so not that great for taking photographs, hence the poor quality of my images. Bloody bollocks.

Costume Historian and Dressmaker Meridith Towne took to the stage in a 1920’s style dressing gown with her hair pinned in low rolls and from the moment she first spoke I was riveted. Speaking eloquently and confidently about fashion through the decades in a way that demonstrated not only the fashion that you would typically see, but also the circumstances and social and financial climates.

Towne’s collection of original vintage and hand made gowns is impressive to say the least. Personally collected, found, and rescued, her vintage wardrobe includes beautiful original pieces such as Juliette caps, flapper dresses and original stilettos (by their intended and true definition). Towne offers the audience a chance to get up close and personal with the collection at the interval answering questions and making tongue in cheek jokes about her charismatic “glamorous assistant” who doubles up as her mum.

We’re guided through each decade from the 1920’s to the 1970’s with precision, detail and even a little audience participation with Towne’s signature panache. It’s hard to describe just how incredible this ‘show’ is because I don’t really know how to categorise it. Somewhere between a talk, a history lesson, a performance and a play, it hits the spot when it comes to getting an insight into how fashion was used to express femininity throughout time and you definitely leave feeling like you learned something, albeit in a super fun way.

Meridith Towne Diamante & Paste Accessories

From the rebellion of the 1920’s to the end of rationing in 1947 and into the 50’s, Towne’s Glitz and Glamour show includes every major fashion trend synonymous with the decade it appeared in and even a few more. As a speaker she’s fantastic, engaging from start to finish and very well informed, her ability to pull together a complete, era specific outfit is astounding and the part she plays when on stage only serves to add artistic flair and aids delivery superbly.

I was kindly gifted to tickets to the event because the organiser thought it was right up my street and she wasn’t wrong. With a face value of £15 per ticket, if you’re a fan of fashion, whether vintage or modern, it’s well worth that and I’ll definitely be looking out for the next in Towne’s series of shows on vintage fashion.

Towne tours the U.K. With History Wardrobe delivering ‘shows’ on a range of topics within the vintage fashion genre including The Art of Power Dressing, 100 Years of Hats, Victorian Lady Cyclists, A History of Shapewear and lots more. If she’s coming to a town near you then buy a ticket Voyeurs, I promise you you won’t be disappointed, this was one of the best events I’ve been to in a while.

Pixie xo

Categories: The Archives, The Beauty Cupboard, The Fashion Closet

SHOW Beauty Hair Care

You take time to select the perfect fragrance for each occasion right? Well I certainly do, as you’ll know if you read my recent post on vacation fragrances, I love taking the time to check out the latest releases from my favourite fragrance houses and love it when I find something that fits my look.

I definitely have a type when it comes to fragrance, I love something heady, something that leaves a lasting impression and Oud, Amber, Tobacco and Vanilla are my favourite types of fragrance. So, what about when it comes to your hair? We all have those days when we try a new haircare regime and get the scent of our freshly washed hair, but what if this could compliment your fragrance?

Well, in my opinion your hair is your best accessory. I’ve had my fair share of Hair Tragedies, which you can read about here (and marvel at some cringeworthy photos of said tragedies). A good haircut can make you or break you, and Karlie Kloss is testament to that. Once you have that, maintaining condition is crucial.

My bathroom shelf is chock full of haircare products that I use in my regime, remember that Vidal Sassoon commercial in the early nineties about not taking two bottles into the shower? I’m their worst nightmare, I have around 15 in there at any one time. From my L’Oreal Colour Correcting Silver Conditioner, to my weekly Brightening Shampoo, everything serves a purpose.

Currently as my regular, non-treatment product I’m using the Lux Volume range from SHOW Beauty – you already know I do a lot of work with this brand and they always look after me during London Fashion Week – when they asked me to road test the range I jumped at the chance after having attended the launch party earlier this year.

All of the SHOW Beauty products in the range are interchangeable and designed to compliment one another, they all have that heavy patchouli based scent reminiscent of Dior’s original Poison. So whether you opt for Moisture Shampoo with Volume Conditioner or a Repair Mask, the scent is the same and once hair is dry it lingers like perfume. They’re all as beautiful to look at as they are to use and have serious shelf appeal, designed to look like vintage cut glass, each bottle is a masterpiece.

With the Lux Volume range, you get weightless Volume with nome of that associates stickiness. Hair feels clean, has bounce and you still get that gorgeous scent that lasts all day and beyond. I have super thick, but very damaged hair so I was concerned that adding more volume might make me look like a dandelion clock but my hair stayed sleek and shiny but still felt light.

The only possible sticking point is the price. At £30 for each shampoo and conditioner in the range, £40 for a mask and upwards of £50 for finishing products it’s definitely an investment. After using the products myself, it’s an investment I’d recommend. Probably not for every wash, depending on your budget, if you’re short on cash and treating yourself to something from the SHOW Beauty range I’d maybe save it for when you have a big night out or a special occasion and use the L’Oreal Pro Fiber range in between which is a more modest £15 per product. Personally I’m a bit of a product snob and don’t use high street hair products, with my hair in it’s current state I doubt they’d do any more than Fairy Liquid would!

The real gem in using the SHOW Beauty Haircare range is that’s divine fragrance. You’ll know from previous posts that the brand uses a Parisian ‘Nose’ to create that dreamy scent and as it’s triple layered with notes, it lasts on your hair as your regular perfume does on your skin. After I’ve washed and styled my hair with Lux Volume Shampoo and Conditioner and Lux Volume Mist , I spritz a little Tom Ford Noir de Noir on my skin – the two fragrances work perfectly together – and I’m on my way.

Thinking of trying the range for yourself? Scope it out first, the range includes a product to address and treat most hair needs and you’re guaranteed to receive compliments on how your hair smells, just like the Elle Woods endorsed Bend & Snap, it has a 100% approval rating. The SHOW Beauty Hair care range really is luxury hair care at its very best.

Pixie xo