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Balayage is a hair colouring technique that has been popular for a long time now. It involves colouring sections of the hair to achieve natural looking highlights, weaving the colour through the hair. However, reverse balayage is the next big thing.

Reverse balayage involves colouring the hair darker through the ends, as opposed to putting the highlights through the ends. It may look less natural – it will usually be more obvious that the roots have been coloured, whereas traditional balayage is designed to look more natural. However, it is a good way of making a statement, and it is currently a very popular look.

When choosing the colours for reverse balayage, it is best to speak to a stylist and get their advice. There will be different shades that can be used and different levels of bleaching will be required, so they can advise on keeping the condition of your hair as well.

Going from one colour to another is a big step. It is going to take time, money and a skilled hairdresser to apply the colour for you. It is highly recommended that you don’t carry out a colour change yourself – even colouring your hair on a regular basis with a home colour kit isn’t really recommended. You need someone with skills and experience to complete your colour change for you.

Discuss the colour you would like with your stylist to make sure you have realistic expectations. There is nothing worse than thinking you will be able to achieve a beautiful shade of red or blonde and finding out it will take multiple appointments to reach, or that it will never work with your base colour. Your stylist will be able to show you colour charts and talk you through the whole process so you can decide whether a colour change is going to be appropriate for you.

Chemical straightening is a more permanent way of straightening the hair, which can keep the hair straight for longer. It involves a trained hair stylist applying chemical formulas to the hair and then waiting for it to develop, in much the same way as a perm. Recently, new methods of chemical straightening have emerged which are better for the hair, like the Brazilian blow dry. However, some people may feel that this is not as effective for all hair types.

You should consider chemical straightening very carefully. It will not work for all types of hair, so speak to your stylist about whether it will be suitable for you. It can also be very damaging, so is usually not used on fine hair. Damage may include breakage and very dry ends that need to be trimmed.

If you decide against chemical straightening, other methods of straightening include blow drying and using straightening irons.

Hair extensions require a long appointment with your stylist in order to put them in. It doesn’t end there though. Extensions also require a lot of maintenance to keep them looking good and to make sure they don’t begin to fall out. If you are thinking about having hair extensions put in, you need to make sure you are fully ready to commit to looking after them.

Hair extensions are not cheap and if you do try to get cheaper ones, they just won’t look good. They will probably be made from synthetic materials as opposed to real human hair. Most of the cost involved is the consequence of having a qualified stylist to put the extensions into your hair. If you skip this step, you are asking for trouble as the extensions will not bond properly.

By all means, choose hair extensions. They are going to look gorgeous. Just make sure you have the time and money to look after them properly.

Eyeliner is considered a beauty essential by many. Lots of ladies say they wouldn’t leave the house without it on and many swear by it to make their eyes look bigger and bolder. It can also complement other features very well, like hair, eyes and lips.

To apply your eyeliner, first, decide on whether you are applying it to the top of bottom of your eyes. Both can make your eyes look smaller, so be careful. You may want to apply it to both but if you do, perhaps consider using slightly different shades. If you use all black, the effect could be too severe.

Be very careful when applying eyeliner, especially to your bottom eye area. Begin to draw along the lash line, very delicately. It is best to create a thin, faint line and then build up the colour and thickness. Apply mascara to your lashes once your eyeliner is in place.

Semi permanent hair colours can have a lot of benefits for your hair. They allow you to change your hair colour quickly and easily, without having to have a permanent change. If you don’t like the colour, you can simply wash it out in a few washes and use a harsher shampoo to get rid of the colour faster.

It is also good for your hair to have a semi permanent colour applied. It is less damaging and is therefore good for hair that is dry or brittle. If you are thinking about changing your hair colour, speak to a professional stylist for advice. They will be able to recommend colours that will suit you and you will get a professional colour application. They will also use high quality products, so the colours they use can be very gentle on your hair. If you are worried about your hair condition, get a hair treatment too.

It’s a big step to book in your child’s first haircut. It is an acknowledgement that they are really starting to grow up, and once you book the first trim, you will have to keep getting their hair cut on a regular basis. Whether you have a special occasion such as a christening or it’s just time to get a trim for your child, it’s important that you go to someone you can trust.

Never be tempted to cut your child’s hair yourself. It might seem like the easy option and you will certainly save yourself some money but a hairdresser will be able to do a professional job for you. Book into a salon that is child-friendly – check reviews to see how they have treated other people’s children.

You might be able to ask your regular hairdresser if they are able to cut your child’s hair for you. It helps to have a hairdresser who understands and knows you as they are more likely to create a cut that you are happy with.

Makeup on a night out can be tough. It can be really difficult to get it to stay looking good, without making it look like you are wearing a lot of makeup in the first place. However, there are things you can do to help. Here are some of our top tips to make your makeup last:

• Use good quality makeup. This will last much longer and will give your skin a more ‘polished’ look. The makeup itself will also last a lot longer, so you will be able to use it for many nights out to come.
• Apply a base coat. This can be really quite thick and solid as it will form the base for all the rest of your makeup. As long as it is well blended, it won’t look like you have too much makeup on.
• Use an anti-shine cream underneath your makeup. This will help to keep your skin looking matte and fresh. It’s the perfect way to avoid that greasy look you can get after a few hours spent on the dance floor!
• Use a makeup setting spray. This will help to seal your makeup on your face, preventing it from running and fading. Some people even use hairspray to do this – we wouldn’t recommend this option, as it can cause irritation to the skin, especially if used around the eyes.
• Seal your makeup with powder. This will help to keep it in place for longer by setting the creams/ foundations you have used underneath. You can use a loose powder for a translucent finish, or a pressed powder if you’d like a little bit more coverage.

Follow these tips to get gorgeous makeup ready for any big night out. Your makeup will be the envy of everybody!

Beauty is a great gift to give for Christmas. People always love a Christmas treat that lets them pamper themselves and allows them to unwind for a while. This is always beneficial after the festive season, when people tend to be busy getting things organised and then overindulge on food and alcohol. If you would like to get someone a lovely beauty gift this year, here are some ideas for you:

• Treat them to a spa day. They will enjoy the opportunity to relax and unwind, using the spa facilities and perhaps getting a massage or facial as well.
• Get them a voucher for a treatment at their favourite hair salon. Think head massages and conditioning treatments that will leave their hair looking fabulous. This is the kind of thing people don’t often treat themselves to, so they will really appreciate it as a present.
• Get them some new makeup. Find out a brand they like and get them the latest eyeshadow or eyeliner. These things can be expensive, so they will know that you have bought them something really special.
• Buy them a manicure or pedicure. You could always go along with them as well, so the present will give you some time to relax together and have a good catch up.
• Take them shopping for beauty products. This way, you will be able to enjoy a day out shopping together and they will be able to choose the products that they want.
• Get them an at-home pamper kit. Have a night in applying face masks, putting on nail polish and maybe having a cheeky glass of wine.

People will always appreciate the thought that goes into a beauty gift at Christmas. It shows that you pay attention to the things they like and that you want them to relax. It’s the ideal gift for the festive season.

Let’s face it – our feet get quite a rough deal. We walk around on them all day, and often don’t think to give them the attention they deserve. However, during summer it’s important to make sure your feet don’t let you down.

File down the dead skin on your heels and make sure you moisturise. Your feet need it as much as (or even more than!) the skin on other parts of your body. Use an intensive moisturiser overnight and let it soak in to make your skin soft and smooth. You might also want to exfoliate.

Paint your toenails to make them look pretty and feminine in sandals. This will make a good finishing touch for any outfit and will look summery and attractive.

Get a professional pedicure every once in a while, too. They will be able to sort out your toenails and make sure your feet look as pretty as possible. It will also make your feet feel more comfortable.