Strands of Love Hair Extensions #FanClub

My look has recently been completely transformed by Strands Of Love - the gorgeous hair extensions I can now sassily toss over my shoulder and the gorgeously vivid red colour that has me incapable of shopping incognito, courtesy of Goldwell Education Manager Craig Hopkins with Goldwell Elumen and the magical hands of stylists Cornel Moolman Nel and from Follicle Hair Atelier.

I'm thoroughly enjoying my new mane of mega femininity! I've never felt quite so close to passing for a mermaid! 

Although it's yet to be seen how my look will fair in castings and auditions this year? Not sure if I pass for your average #mommypart, but I certainly will be memorable! 

I've never sported extentions before and had to do a bit of reading up on the correct #haircare for my 'strands of love'!  

These are the major rules I've learned for myself: 

1. Don't overwash

This is my new look below for my hair's 'shower protection' - in order not to over wash and condition the hair. I can't for the life of me waste time in a bath every day (that's purely for when I can indulge with a glass of wine and a good book) so shower caps and creative water avoidance is at the order of the day. 

2. Do always dry

I use to be able to just allow my own hair to dry naturally but these babies prefer to be dried with some heat straight away, particularly close to the bonds and scalp. 

3. Brushing is the business 

So I'm yet to discover where in SA you can buy a 'looper' brush - had no clue what that was - see picture below. But the general rule is to use soft and gentle bristle brushes, to comb from the tip working your way up and to brush gently but often. 

4. Product protection 

It's important to wash with a good 'salon approved' shampoo and conditioner, but what has really been great advice from Julien Snyders of Strands of Love is to use Joico's Moisture Balm (love this product!). You can also use an argan oil to keep the hair hydrated and healthy. 

5. Don't freak out- they do fall out 

So when I lost my first strand I thought I had committed a crime and was wondering if I'm doing something wrong, but as stylist Shane from Follicle Hair Atelier explained, they do experience a certain amount of stress on the bonds and sometimes will release and come loose. Just hang onto your MIA pieces until you can get back to your salon and have them rebonded and attached. 

And I'm in good company, check out other lovers of Strands-of-Love! 

Here are some simple 'looks' I've tried since I have become an extensions-gal...

I'm having such fun with my new look! Hubby and I are pictured below at the TopModelSA event, shortly after gaining my gorgeous new Strands of Love.

So here's to happy 'hair days' for all my blog readers!! Go on, try something new - change is as good as a holiday! 

Chat soon,

Follicle Atelier Promo Shoot #BehindTheScenes

It's official, I have completely fallen in love with Follicle Hair Atelier.

And do not let the name fool you, 'hair' is definitely not the only thing they get their expert hands on!

Follicle recently underwent a full salon 'make-over' and expansion, while hardly skipping a beat with serving their clientele! They will be holding an official Cocktail Re-launch Party on Wednesday 1 October at 18h00 with the whole of the Waterkloof Corner Centre (where they are situated) transformed into evening markets, wine fares with wine testing, musical concerts (starts at 19h30), stores staying open until 22h00 and a whole bunch of high-profile VIP ambassadors milling about wearing Jenni Button and Arthur Kaplan for the evening!

The salon was already offering not only hair treatments, colour, cuts and styling but also a glam nail section and expert make-up service in-salon for pre-events, as well as 'on-the-move' at any function or film set. But NOW they have also partnered with the gorgeous Rococo Boutique next door which carries exquisite garments as well as the wonderful Stikki wooden accessory brand; they have added a male barber section and the Follicle 'Powder Room' which offers every beauty treatment and pamper you can think of! The salon is gorgeously roomy and oh-so-stylish, the service is impeccable and their passion for what they do is palpable.

Wow, I know I wax lyrical about them a lot, but really - it's impossible not to!

As an ambassador for their brand, I (together with hubby) had the privilege of being asked to appear in the promotional video they are creating for the re-launch event, as well as for YouTube and their website. I am sharing some of the behind the scenes moments with you in the mean time, until I can share the final edited promo video when it is completed!

Let's just talk for a moment about the incredible dress I got to wear! 

Not only is it a, wait for it... Jenni Button! (swoon), it is a one-of-a-kind 'once off' design and even without any prior fittings, it draped like a custom made glove on me! 

I was only really required for a few seconds of footage, yet I was pampered and styled like a fashion queen by both Hannes Greyling and Danielle Erasmus. The entire Follicle team were on site buzzing like bees and fussing over all the brand ambassadors ensuring the shoot ran flawlessly.

Hubby Ferdinand was filmed having a gent's cut done by the brand new stylist Shannon, and another new addition to the team is the handsome (and I'm told very talented) Shane.

Two's A Company Productions is the fresh new production company who filmed all the material of the day and they made everything run so seamlessly and smooth. It was great to see all the high-profile ambassadors from every sphere of industry come through to support the Follicle team in this way.  Here is a little sneak-peak video of the shoot...

What a fab day of fun, I can not wait to see the final product!

Chat soon !

Follicle Friends #MeMoments

Not one, but two visits to my favourite salon and all-in-one beauty stop, Follicle Hair Atelier this week.
(#luckygirl!) I really am blessed to have this amazing team I can rely on for advice, expertise and input on my 'look', not only for shoots but also for day-to-day beauty and image branding.

I love being able to sit around the large wooden table in the salon, catch up over a coffee, discuss colour options with the gorgeous stylists Cornel and Danielle (feels like 'the sisters of the wooden table'), debating over my hair as if it's truly a matter of national concern and see the two of them get genuinely excited over it. (Follow these ladies on twitter at @cornelnel_ and @Danielle_e91)

I believe it's called colour blocking.. you seperate triangular sections of the hair and colour every alternate section with a second colour that is close and complimentary to the first. And well - after coffee, biscuits and a snip here and there, it came out beautifully!

Two days later and I'm back in the salon. Why? Because I have a portfolio shoot! And who else would I go to for styling help? What an incredible team... they all jumped in, discussing options and advising how I could go about re-styling by myself for variety later on at the shoot. Complete with demonstrations and working the best options to keep my 'look' lasting longer, until the time of the first (and last) flash that afternoon.

Walter conceptualised, created and prepped every little curl, Cornel styled an 'up-do' of note, Glenda gracefully turned my nails into art, Hannes contoured, sculpted and crafted my face (including the detail of tiny lashes on the edges of my lids) and Glen advised and supervised with elegance.

You absolutely have to go and try them out, the salon is in Brooklyn in the Waterkloof Corner Centre (co Crown and Main str). Follow them on Facebook here, @FollicleH on Twitter and @hairaterlier on Instagram.
And watch their 'space' - it will soon be expanding with floor space, stylists, added beauty services and more!
I'm taking you up on that lash-tint Hannes! (follow him @hannesbgood) I can't wait!

Here is my 'magic team'!

Have a #folliclefriday!
Love,

Follicle Hair Atelier #FanClub

I am thrilled to officially announce that I am now an ambassador for the wonderful Follicle Hair Atelier, a full service salon (hair, nails, make-up), located in the Waterkloof Corner Centre in Main Road, Brooklyn.
(Follow the high-lighted link to their website for info)

With a fabulous wooden 'kitchen' table in the centre of the salon creating a stylish 'homey' feel and a perfect social atmosphere, the salon is not only gorgeous - it makes you want to go for a haircut just because it feels like you're spending a wonderfully cozy morning with friends over coffee.
And the stylists are all sought-after and superb. They not only style in the salon, but have 'mobile' teams called "Follicle on the Move", who work on weddings, music videos, fashion shoots and film sets. (A recent notable project the upcoming film, Forsaken which wrapped production last week.)

The Follicle Power Team: Walter, Glen and Cornel

Besides being fabulous and brilliant at what they do, they also do incredible charity work through their "Follicle Care Program" and I am most excited to become part of this initiative. One of their projects from last year, the Tutu Drive will be repeated this year and I just love the idea of it. Twelve teenage girls from the Jacaranda Children's Home get to experience what it's like to be part of a real professional photo shoot. Not only do they get their hair, nails and make-up done by Follicle... but fashion clothing is sponsored by the community, their looks are styled by the Follicle Ambassadors and they have a whole session with a pro photographer making them feel like a million dollars. So special!
Follicle is also planning a rooftop concert event in June and will be auctioning off the hot male ambassadors in the month of August - so watch this space!

Follicle even offers a variety of hands-on workshops in the line of styling and beauty, and I for one can't wait to take part in these. What girl wouldn't want to experience a blow-dry boot-camp or an iron-styling technique workshop.... bring it on! (Such a cool idea for hen's nights/ kitchen teas/ birthdays etc

I am truly excited to be associated with and supporting this great brand and company.

Thank you so much Follicle for bringing me onto your team, I am really excited for all that lies ahead!

I'm definitely part of the Follicle #FanClub!

Chat soon,