Enrapture: Encode Totem Styler reviewed

My boyfriend bought me the Enrapture Encode Totem Styler for my birthday this month as I had been wanting a wand (everytime I say wand I think of Harry Potter, biggest fan).

I hadn't heard of the brand and was just going to try a low priced version first to see how effective a wand was and how hard it was not to burn myself or singe my hair (have you seen that YouTube clip? Traumatized!)

The packaging quickly established these were no £20 job! Gorgeous, stylish packaging immediately filled me with confidence that they were a good brand.  I like packaging having come from a design background.

The styler comes with it's own heat resistant pouch, perfect if you are off on a weekend away can store them safely.  The styler has a stand that flicks down to keep the hot wand directly off the surface.  Also included is a book with styling tips.  These added extras demonstrate the quality I think.  These are useful features that make the styler easier to use.  The website has tutorial clips too, to show you how to use the wand to create different styles including Boho waves and neat curls.  Again, another plus in my eyes.

I like a natural boho/beach babe wave to my hair.  My hair is naturally wavy but to create more defined waves and curls I have always used my straighteners to twist the hair.  I was worried about the heat on my hair damaging it as the styler is very hot but a few seconds on a chunk of hair is enough to create a defined curl.  You can then run your fingers through or brush them out slightly depending on individual taste.

I think they are very easy to use and the results look really effective.  I have long hair so for me it takes probably 30mins to curl the whole head root to tip, but some of my friends leave the top section smooth and just wand the lower section of their hair so that would obviously take less time.

I rarely use product on my hair as I dislike the feel of anything in my hair particularly sticky or dry products. Sometimes I will spritz some hairspray on after using the wand, however mostly I will leave the curls to slowly loosen and unravel for a more natural look.

If I wash my hair every other day or every two days I will use the styler 2-3 times a week so I feel this won't do too much damage especially considering the few seconds I hold the styler on each hair section.

I would definitely recommend this product to anybody wanting to try a wand, it is easy to use and gives great results. 

5/5

Kitty x

Tips for packing for a holiday

I love holidays. I love the build up, the airport, the flight. My favourite feeling is knowing you're off to a sunny place with a long stretch ahead of you with only what book to read first or what bikini to wear that day to think about.

I have travelled to Ibiza with a pink leather weekend bag, lived out of a backpack for 2 months whilst travelling the east coast of Australia and most recently a cheap and cheerful all inclusive week in the Canary Islands.

What to put in your hand luggage.

Always use your beach bag as your hand luggage if going on a beach holiday. 

Wear your straw hat so that it doesn't get squashed in the case.

I always buy a new pair of socks, usually pretty, kitsch ones from Topshop to put on once I've taken my seat on the flight. 

I put mini makeup samples in a clear zip up cosmetic bag to freshen up before landing or once at baggage claim eg mini moisturiser/tinted moisturiser, powder for shine and a natural mascara.

Sunglasses.

Book and latest magazine.

Pocket tissues.

Earphones.

Passport & travel documents.

Money - bank card and British pounds for flight and Euros/dollars for the holiday.

Spare pair of knickers.

Toothbrush & mini toothpaste.

Phone charger, phone.

Star Tip: Pashmina to use as a blanket or a pillow on the flight.

How to pack your case.

Look through your clothes you want to take and organise them into outfits. If you have already planned day trips, booked club night tickets, you will have a better idea of what you will wear on particular days. If not then you need the following:

1x outfit to fly in

Beachwear eg 3 bikinis per week, 2 kaftans, 1 beach dress. Flip flops. 

Days out eg boat trip, sightseeing. Wear the beach dress or shorts and a vest or if you've already worn an outfit on a night time you can wear it again in the day. It will look different with a beach bag, sunglasses and flip flops so don't have to worry about the photos. 

Nights out 7 outfits whether they are mix and match tops and shorts, or playsuits or dresses. 

Shoes - flip flops. Jewelled sandals. Converse if doing any sporty activity whilst there eg horse riding, bike riding.

So tips for packing. 

1. Roll everything you can, it creases less. 

2. Put shoes, clutch bags, accessories in the zip pouch inside the case.

3. Items that don't crease much like chiffon, crinkled fabrics, patterned items can go at the bottoms of the case.

4. The pouch pockets on the length and width of the case I use to keep my clean underwear together

5. I take a laundry bag to put worn underwear in too.

6. Toiletries are the heaviest so take as little and a light as possible so not a full bottle of shower gel for 1 week - use common sense. 

7. At home I cleanse and moisturise but just take a pack of face wipes on holiday.

8. Buy and use padlocks on your case.

9. If you travel once a year for a week or more you should invest in a good case, it will last longer than a poor quality cheap one.

10. Use ribbon, stickers etc to make your case recognisable to you for that annoying task at baggage claim.

  

When you've arrived.

I'm sure you'll head straight for the pool but at some point on the jest sat of night I would (if there is enough wardrobe space) hang all evening outfits, fold all bikini sets, underwear, pj vest and shorts sets in the wardrobe and drawers. Put shoes and bags together too. By the time you come go wear something any travel creases will of dropped out. 

Star Tip: hang particularly creased items on the bathroom so the steam from people's showers will remove any remaining creases.

Happy packing! Enjoy your holiday!

Kitty x 

What to wear for BBC Radio 1 weekend in Ibiza

Well aren't you the lucky ones jetting off to the white isle for a weekend of music, sun and cocktails!

I am sure you have had your outfits planned for a while but for those who have been tempted to book last minute (I nearly did!) I have some outfit ideas for you.

Airport and flights

Jersey maxi dress for comfort but glamour and it won't get as creased on than it would do in the case. Airports and aeroplanes can be cool so either take a thin knit slouchy jumper or cardigan. if you don't care about being comfortable when travelling swap the knitwear for a denim jacket. Your beach bag is perfect for hand luggage and gives you more room in your case. Make sure it has some zip pockets for important items or put a small zip pouch bag like a makeup bag or clutch or even a small cross over  in there. This could be the bag you plan to use as your evening bag so again, more free space in your case. A straw hat would get misshapen in your case so wear that in the airport. My main tip for the airport and flight is a pashmina. Plain or printed (depending on your outfit) use as a scarf in the airport, as a blanket or pillow on the flight as it is so cold. You can use a pashmina walking back from the beach or on a day trip to keep the sun off your shoulders. Also in the days when you're a bit pink through a pretty pashmina over a strapless dress or vest to and it looks part of the outfit and covers the unsightly burn.

 

Footwear

Obviously you'll need flip flops for the beach but just one pair will do. Ibiza's streets are dusty and uneven so any arks can be easily wiped clean. 

One pair of pretty flat sandals, I recommend a jewelled pair, neutral or multi coloured embellishment goes with most outfits. 

I recommend a tan pair of flat ankle boots to wear in the clubs with summer dresses as the floors are so scummy. Don't believe me?! Wait and see. Your flip flops, sandals and even Converse will get wrecked! 

If you want a dress up night take 1 pair of wedges but you really don't need heels of any kind on holiday.

Beachwear

If you are doing a statement bikini, keep the jewellery simple. Or vice versa. 

Kaftans are pretty and practical, take two. Denim shorts with a vest can look stylish but simple. 

Club

Summer dresses, playsuits, maxi skirts.. Choices are endless. Always accessorize. Take some jewellery but you'll buy there from the night markets or the souvenir shops.

Don't forget: 

1x pair of socks to avoid cold feet on the plane.

Sunglasses x1-2pairs.

Those harem pants that all the Spanish girls look amazing in, won't look the same on you back in Liverpool! Wear them there but leave them there too!

Have an absolute ball in my favourite place on the planet!

Kitty x

  

What to wear in this changeable weather

What to wear in this changeable weather

Right now it is 8pm and 20 degrees.  In Liverpool.  This rarely happens.  After three weeks of sunshine we are now getting storms as the air is so muggy.  We have had one short, sharp downpour today but it is still warm.  What do you wear for this sort of weather??  Well as a personal shopper I have picked up a few tips, let me share them with you.

footwear.. so the main concern is what to wear on your feet right? Like myself, I am sure you feel stupid wearing pretty, jewelled sandals whilst dodging puddles.  I recommend the following for days when we're forecast a shower or two.

1. Converse - your feet won't be too warm in these and will stay dry unless the rain is really heavy (then dig your wellies out) invest in white trainer socks otherwise your feet will stink!  I wear neutral coloured Converse so that they go with most colours and prints. I have had white before and now wear a charcoal grey colour which mark a lot less than the white did but still go with so much.  However, shiny new Converse are never a good look, get them worn in asap. I wear mine with playsuits, dresses and skinny jeans they also look great with chinos too.  If you wear simple plain clothes like Gap and Whistles you might prefer a pair of printed Converse, there are loads of prints and colours out there.

2. full shoes with a closed toe ie ballet pumps, boat shoes and leather loafers - again these styles work with most summer style clothes.  I love expensive looking leather loafers with chinos and a crisp t-shirt, accessorize it with a stylish handbag and a printed scarf and you're ready to go. Don't forget an umbrella though.

3. finally, flip flops - I know it might feel silly but they are practical for changeable weather as they are easy to take off and wipe dry if you get caught in a summer shower.  The shower may last 5-10mins then the sun may appear again for the remainder of the day and you'll be glad of them.

layers..

Cardigan or not? Hooded jacket or not?  Until early evening it is currently too warm for any type of jacket so I recommend an umbrella instead.

A thin cardigan is useful if the sun disappears for a while or if you are shopping in air-conditioned stores. If you pick a light colour or a floral print, it won't look wintery at all.

what to avoid..

1. maxi dresses/skirts and too long trousers/jeans- these will look awful if they trail or the wet ground during or after a shower especially white linen trousers (you can imagine!)

2. sunglasses - if it's clouded over or is raining, take them off your head and hook them in the neck of your blouse or in their pouch in your bag. Unless you have a valid reason, don't wear sunglasses indoors.

3. heavy parka coats - just because it has a hood and it's raining doesn't mean drag out your winter coat.  Find other ways to stay dry eg an umbrella and/or a light, showerproof jacket (light in colour and in weight)

my summer staples..  

1. neutral coloured chinos - these so versatile to dress up and down, the definition of smart/casual

2. summer dress

3. neutral cardigan

4. basic t-shirt

5. 1 smart casual closed toe full flat shoe

6. flip flops or jewelled flat sandal

7. neutral Converse

8. an umbrella

9. thin scarf and a statement necklace

10. sunglasses

        

             

Hope you enjoy the rest of the summer.  If you ever need any styling tips feel free to ask.