New Look (for me, not the shop :))

[Eve]

Hi,

I'm thinking of having a bit of a revamp in the near future after I've had an operation in a few weeks. Felt crap for quite a while and not been making much of an effort and lost a fair bit of weight (about 2 stone over the past year or so) so thought I'd have a think about things in advance.

I want to go darker hair wise again, have medium-dark brown hair with a bit of red in which is pretty fine and below shoulder length (save annoying layers from back when I had a graduated bob). I'm hoping to get the ends tidied and embrace it having a natural wave a bit more to stop me hammering it with straightners.

I love the colour hair that Aria (Lucy Hale) in Pretty Little Liars has (http://people.desktopnexus.com/wallpaper/535
909/),
a warm dark brown which suits pale skin (also hoping to perfect more of the pale english rose look than just pale haha, and get that lovely kind of eye look - eyeliner just won't seem to stay put on me though, and I'm rubbish at getting that lovely clean line which is even both sides and looks really professional. In fact I love the look in that picture generally.

If anyone has a recommendation for a good shade/make for that colour I can go for I'd be grateful. I'm on a serious budget so nothing too pricy would be great.

Thank you :)

[bibblebub]

http://people.desktop...com/wallpaper/535909/ (just to make it clickable)

[erin-x]

I think the best thing to do would be to go into a shop like Superdrug or Boots or even just a hairdresser and ask for their advice on the colour. As for brands, I would steer clear of foam dyes. I used the John Frieda one and it's crap. If you're wanting a very reasonable price, Superdrug own brand dye is excellent. My mum has used it for years and always gets complemented on the colour and condition of her hair :)

I would pick Garnier Nutrisse second and go for Nice and Easy in third place. Saying that, i'm going to try Loreal's Casting Creme Gloss next because I like the packaging!! haha!

[karenmac60]

Try Covergirl Clean Makeup - it's a water based foundation (with a lovely spicy smell) and it's nice and light. Also try a cheek tint to give you the English Rose look, and liquid liner will stay on much better and give a nice clean line - but you might need to practice a bit. Good luck on the new you :) x

[karenmac60]

Damn - I read that as 'shade of make up'! I really should concentrate ;)

[mrs_overall]

As someone who has been dyeing her hair for, ahem, quite some time, I would recommend you stick to a well known brand (Clairol etc). I've tried several own brands and they always seem duller than named brands.
As for the makeup issue -why don't you book yourself a makeover in a local department store. If you don't feel up to being gawped at by the crowds, I can recommend booking a makeover at the Bodyshop. They aren't pushy when it comes to selling the makeup.

[pdust]

I have kohl made of ghee jenna, its so easy to use (theres a tiny little wand in it) and it stays put without smudging or rubbing off... its really cheap too, not sure where you could buy it on the high street but islamic sites sell it... think its about a quid fifty to 3.50

[Eve]

Wow, thank you all :) Cheers for sorting the link bibblebub.

That's great Karen, make up tips all good too! Just got stuck in a bit of a rut lately and looking for something more appropriate for me now - aging (I know, I'm not old but you know how your tastes, skin and looks change generally) and such.

I used to wear a fair bit of make up (not OTT but fare more than now, bit of light foundation, quick eyeliner and light lip pencil filled in) and dyed my hair a lot but all sorts of factors mean I've not done much for a while.

I got a lovely leaving collection from work (transferred to another office a few weeks back on a promotion) and want to get something memorable I can keep from it to remember them and do something special with it. I was thinking maybe one of those mini photoshoot things where you get done up and get a photo if I can find one cheap enough - probably those one photo deals (I know I'll probably get harassed to buy more though). I've always wanted to try it and would be great with a bit of a new look! Thought it'd be good to get my hair sorted for that - tied up and dyed.

Will definitely check out the Cover Girl make up - I've using a matt effort one at the moment which is doing nothing much for me and with my hair looking lighter and beng quite pale and feeling a bit crap I just look washed out. Always meant to try a cheek tint but worried I'll not be able to blend it in properly as they all look so bright! Been using Bourjois cream ones though had them for a while now as only use them on a night out.

I've got a liquid eyeliner but past experiments have ended in disaster (not least the traumatic black fake eyelash glue experiment)! Definitely need to practice more! I have a Bobbi Brown gel and a brush I'm better with and just use a kohl pencil in the day.

Might be something I can get in Manchester pdust, I live right by Rusholme (Curry Mile) which has a very diverse population and a fair few beauty shops which could sell it. Will see if I can find one on google so I have an idea what to look for.

Makeover is a good idea Mrs O. I had a few years back though it put me off as they all seemed to have an obsession with you looking orange and plastered in makeup though at least the natural look has made more of a comeback now :) MAC is my favourite though as they are brilliant but more for a sneaky one to get gorgeous eyes before going out. Will go check some out, need to be more assertive too about wanting to look more natural.

Will go have a snoop about Superdrug and such too, get some inspiration. Have a friend who is a hairdresser who did mine before the recession and huuuge salary drop came in, would feel bad asking her for tips as she knows me and my hair as I don't want her to offer to do it for cheaper or free as she knows I can't afford her to do it as I'd want to be able to pay her proper price for it and got travel cost on top too even though she is very reasonable. She has to make a living too and she's not well off either.

[Eve]

Whoah that was so much longer than I thought it was, sorry, got a bit overexcited and carried away :)

[pdust]

its in a little tube about the size of cold sore cream tubes jenna... have fun experimenting with your new look x

[lcg]

garnier nutrisse colour - no ammonia or stink/stingy eyes. also, garnier do an astonishing range of skincare and rimmel make up is much better quality than it was - i use the mousse foundation and it is really cheap on amazon. other make up you should investigate is wet'n'wild. very cheap, natural ingredients and a large range again on amazon. you don't have to spend a lot of money, but also get good tips. i've watched a news lady called emily noel on you tube and for the first time in my life(i'm 35 btw) i am able to choose, apply and be confident in my look. go for it!!!!!

[tinkerbell23]

Lovely look...i like the eyebrows too would you get them like hers? Mabye tinted and pencil them- i do mines like that and love them :0)

Good luck and have fun!!!

Ps groupon does good photoshoot deals ive just booked one ;0> x

[giveup]

Most hairdressers are always lookng for models for apprentices etc.(They are always supervised) My daughter used to do it and she had some gorgeous styles and colours.