TRENDING: OLAPLEX – THE Kim Kardashian Hair Product? Worth the Hype? The REVIEW.

Insurance for Your Hair?!

For a while now I have read and heard about a glossing, repairing treatment for hair, from the U.S. that would repair hair whilst helping to seal in colour making it last for longer in between salon visits. I could not find a salon in Dublin that actually knew what I was talking about, let alone had something remotely like it on their in-salon menu.

Fast forward a little while later and boom – such a treatment, Olaplex is on the radar of every and any salon in the know!

I was recently, kindly invited to try the much hyped Olaplex treatment – rumoured Kardashian beauty ‘secret’ by Sakura Hair Salon – a well established, independent salon based at Laurker House, Deansgrange, Co. Dublin.

The Hype:

Kardashian Beauty Secret? Apparently this treatment is credited with Kim Kardashian’s transformation from black to platinum blonde and back to dark locks again in a short time-frame and with apparent ease!

What is Olaplex?

Olaplex is a single active ingredient within the treatment and is the brainchild of scientists Dr Eric Pressly and Dr. Craig Hawker.

The Claims:

Insurance for Your Hair – Olaplex.

Smooths and seals the cuticle reconnecting the hair strand structure from the inside out.

Restores hair integrity from the inside-out.

Hair is strengthened, is softer and manageable.

Hair holds colour for longer.

The Process:

The treatment is a two-step in-salon process using the Olaplex Bond Mutiplier and the Bond Perfector. There is a third at-home step The Take Home Perfector that is part of the professional experience which sees the client use once a week.

1.) The Bond Multiplier was firstly mixed with warm water and sprayed onto the hair. It was left in my hair for five minutes.

2.) The second step: is the Bond Perfector which was applied straight onto hair without rinsing the Multiplier out – this step was left on for twenty minutes. Hair was then rinsed followed by shampoo and condition as usual.

The treatment can be used mixed with a colour process or used on its own as a treatment.

The entire process with a wash and blow-dry took about an hour.

The Results:

{The post treatment results: glossy, sleek, strengthened, nourished hair.}

My hair felt stronger and nourished, like a seal had been applied to protect it from further breakage/damage and nature’s elements. I noticed that it was shinier and held my hair style for longer also.

I’ve let my natural colour return (rockin’ the natural balyage vibe) and haven’t had my hair cut since London Fashion Week in September 2015 – I know it’s bold of me but it’s been a busy few months since Fashion Week! Note to self…

My hair isn’t in bad shape at all as I do put the effort in to maintain its lustre but it definitely benefited from the Olapex treatment in an overall capacity, especially around my mid lengths and ends as they look and feel softer, not so…bitty, (reference to needing that hair cut again…)

The Recommendation:

Based off of my current hair state, my stylist recommended I get the treatment once a month or so, depending on the varying condition of my hair throughout the coming seasons.

It’s great to know that even though my hair isn’t in dire need of extra attention due to a high level of damage that Olaplex is an option for me should I choose to invest in the treatment every month to give my hair some extra special assistance in maintaining healthy luscious locks and help keep it in tip top shape.

Seal of Approval?

This treatment comes highly recommended. I was delighted with the results and my first experience of Olaplex – it didn’t add too much time onto my normal wash and blow dry time and felt like an investment in the condition and well being of my hair. It also added that extra bit of “me” time to the average salon experience of a wash & blow dry…definitely a bonus in itself!

Special Offer!

A single Olaplex treatment retails at €30 at Sakura. The best bit? Sakura are running a February Offer (which I was offered) of a Wash & Blow dry plus Olapex treatment for €40 – meaning the Olaplex treatment is half price for the month of Feb!

Sakura have a Facebook page and you can book appointments/consultations on: 01 207 0605. Opening hours Monday-Saturday 9am-5.30pm. Tell ’em I sent ya!

Thank you’s go to Greg Foley proprietor for the invitation and my stylist Lisa Derham for looking after me and snapping some results pics.

Thanks for stopping by

Gail. Xx

Photography: © Gail O’Connor.

Information source -the science bit: www.Olaplex.com

*Not sponsored.

REVIEW: KIEHLS Ultra Facial Cream – WINTER Skincare Saviour?

The quest for “our best skin.”

As we get older and experience “cultural stresses” and weather extremes, our skin naturally loses its ability to hold hydration and it becomes harder to keep dry skin at bay.

TREND ALERT: BAKING Your Make-up? The NEWEST Make-up Trend Explored!

Time to Bake?!

I’m telling you guys when I first heard about this new make-up method “Baking Make-up“ I thought “what in the world…does this require access to a kitchen?” Turns out the answer is NO. All you need is some translucent powder, a big fluffy brush and 5-10 minutes of “baking” time.
Cool beans. (Food pun totally intended.)

Hugely popular in the Drag community for years, Cooking or Baking your make-up is the new “in” thing…apparently Kim Kardashian’s MUA uses this method and say what you want about Ms. Kim K, the girl’s make-up is #flawless!

I’ve tried and tested this new “baking/setting” make-up method, without even knowing it was a method ( you know, social media distractions and the like whilst doing my make-up) but I made a conscious effort these last few days to actually focus on trying this method since hearing about it. After letting the translucent powder “sit” for about five minutes, I can report, it did actually make a difference to the staying power/longevity of my make-up throughout the day, especially in the summer heat – a.k.a. (mini-heatwave here in Ireland.)

Note: as always know your own skin! If you have dry skin this probably won’t be the make-up method for you. Oilier skin will like this method better, eliminating shine , therefore improving staying power. Combination skin: you can “bake” the usual areas where shine is unwanted as with your normal routine.   .

What to do?

Apply your translucent powder as normal and let it “sit” on the skin for about 5-10 mins – then gently and lightly sweep over the powered areas with a brush to blend, I like a medium sized – duo fiber brush for this.

Finely milled powders work best and can be applied by pressing into the skin rather than using brush strokes, for a more flawless effect.

The Laura Mercier Translucent Powder is just one of a host of recommended products to try with this “baked” method. I used the Rimmel Translucent Powder with lovely results.

Thankfully, for all the dewy skin lovers out there, we can still keep our make-up looking dewy and alive by using a dewy primer or misting/setting spray, after you’ve completed the look. #gimmetheglow

There you have it, whilst some people are still trying to get their heads around make-up technique “Strobing” – Baking your make-up pops up!

P.S.Speaking of STROBING, have you seen my recent blog post on Strobing – yep, that other beauty buzz word to do the rounds? If not, you can catch up and see what all the fuss is about: Strobing – the NEW Contouring?

Have you heard of this “BAKING” make-up method before? Will you be trying it? Let me know in the comments below and if you do try it, don’t forget to:

Tweet me: @DublinGail

Tag me on: Instagram: @littlegforce or –

Leave a comment on: the GlamForce Blog by Gail O’Connor Facebook Page.

Thanks for stopping by guys!

Gail. Xx
Images: Kim Kardashian’s Twitter acc.

TREND ALERT: Strobing – the new Contouring? The NEWEST Face Sculpting Make-up Technique!

Highlighting has got a NEW name!

Strobing (as in basically amplifying particular areas of your visage instead of just highlighting) is the latest beauty trend for S/S15, and is throwing shade actually make that, casting light upon the time consuming efforts of the masses – contouring.
Yes, folks that daily contouring ritual might just be replaced with a facial structure so bright it could be solar powered, thanks to this new face-sculpting technique!

I’m a long time fan of dewy, radiant glowing skin and highlighters, so when I heard the word “strobing” I have to admit I knew right away I’d love this trend.

Strobing will create a “spotlight” effect to the high points of the face, illuminating and freshening up the complexion. It is a more forgiving form of makeup application to define the features of the face than contouring, as it can be dubious work selecting and blending out contour shades from ashy grey to overly orange. Depending on the level of “strobe” you go for this trend could be a tad time consuming, so work out how much emphasis you’re going for and “do you boo“.

As with all makeup application, I highly recommend a consistent, dedicated skincare routine which aids in that radiant skin look we already talked about. Get yourself an awesome skin care routine and your skin will thank you for it, allowing “your best skin” to shine through, whilst allowing minimal makeup application – for a more natural approach to a “made up look”.

Get the Look:

I can’t but think of cult classic, MAC Strobe Cream. I mean MAC’s Strobe Cream was made for this beauty “trend” am I right? Any other fellow Strobe Cream fanatics out there? Oh and by the way, MAC also have a lotion formula in the “Strobe family” if the cream formula isn’t for you. Cutesy travel-sized bottles are also available. Perfect for holiers!

Becca Highlighters:

The status placed on Becca’s Highlighters is astounding with makeup artist and YouTube favourite Jaclyn Hill fangirling over these highlighters.

Finely milled, beautifully blendable, super pigmented these highlighters are legendary.

A budget friendly glow enhancer comes in the form of L’Oréal Lumi Magique a drugstore winner and favourite of this blogger on a budget!

All set?

Setting powder can still be applied with this look to make sure everything stays in place, in everyday situations, especially if you’ve oily skin.

Light reflective, finely milled powders with blurring technology such as Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder, are usually the powder of choice to use with this type of makeup technique, as the powder doesn’t dull the “strobe” effect too much, yet gives setting power without adding colour to the strobed areas.

P.S. “Listen” to your skin, when you know what skin type you are and what your skin can tolerate, you’ll know whether you need to powder or not!

Tip!

If the thoughts of a contour-free face frightens the “be-jaysus” out of you, then Cream Contour could be your friend to compliment the whole Strobing look! Just remember to blend, blend, blend!

Some suggestions:

Chanel – Soleil Tan de Chanel.
Clinique Contouring Stick.

What do you think of this new trend and will you give it a go? Let me know in the comments if you care to share!

As usual thank you so much for stopping by my little corner of the Internet world guys, (bit of a Gilmore Girls quote there, any fans?!) I really appreciate it.

Gail. Xx

UPDATE: Since posting this blog post last week I’m delighted to say that this blog post (my Instagram referring to this post – @littlegforce), was featured on both The Irish Examiner website on 16/06/15 as an example of the latest trend that “beauty addicts” are talking about and on the The Huffington Post Canada on 18/06/15. It’s always lovely to get some recognition for the hard work I put into the blog! Thank you SO much to the Irish Examiner and the Huffington Post Canada for the inclusion in each of their articles, alerting their readers to this new trend which has always been a favourite amongst some, and now that as it has been labelled a “trend“, is really starting to bloom in popularity!

Image: Issey Miyake – via getthegloss.com
Makeup: Alex Box for Issey Miyake.