Style & Beauty MNer's - I need your expertise!

[Bellebelle]

Wedding on Saturday, haven't had a chance to think about it so 2 days to prepare. I would love some recommendations as follows:

Conditioner - What is the best conditioner/deep conditioning treatment you've tried? I have long thick hair which isn't coloured and in quite good condition but I need something which will make it feel silky, get rid of frizz and basically make up for the fact that I can't get to the hairdressers before Saturday.

Face mask/cream - I look like a woman who hasn't had enough sleep in a year and relies heavily on caffine to get her through (because I am that woman). Any tips for a 'wonder product' which will perk up my skin? I already have beauty flash balm which is okay but a mask or something would be good to give my skin a boost.

A dress - I do have a lovely dress which I can already wear but I really fancied getting something new which I can wear to Christmas nights out but the shops seem to be full of black dresses (really don't need another of those) or purple (lovely but the bridesmaids are in purple and I really don't want to look like the understudy). I'm only willing to part with my cash for something 'wow' as I have a lifetime of expensive mistakes hanging in my wardrobe already. I'd like something in a 'jewel' colour, a stunning green, blue or red maybe. I am a size 10, 5ft 6 and my only requirements are that I need to be able to wear a bra with it. Has anyone seen anything which has made them go 'wow'?

Any other suggestions for anything which will make me feel fab are welcome. It's the first time DH and I have been out without the DD's in a long time so I really want to feel comfortable with how I look and 'transform' from the 'worn out mother look!'

Thanks in advance.

I'm no expert but personally:

1. Hair: I also have long thick hair which tends to frizz and although I use deep treatments occasionally, the best way to get that silky, frizzless look in my experience is with a hair straightener. I put a serum on tips and hairline first. If you def want a treatment, I have tried the Aussie 3 minute miracle and the John Freida one - both are okay and you can buy a sample size sachet to test them. My sister (even thicker hair) swears by Kerastase conditioners/treatments but they always seem too expensive for me.

1. Face mask/cream: Can't recommend a mask as I'm still looking for something "magic" but I always get good comments when I wear Avalon Organics Vitamin C Vitality Facial Serum under my makeup. Seems to brighten and tighten and plump or something!

1. Dress: hopeless with dresses. I'm sure someone with a lot more expertise will be able to help!

Thanks walnut, the Aussie treatment is my fall back, as you say it's okay and I do like the smell. I do have straightners but I've used them twice, I'm just too low maintenance and have so much hair! Might dust them off and have a trial run tonight though.

Thanks

Monsoon has a lovely silky orange dress (nicer than it sounds, honest!), which glows beautifully.

Or how about this with a bow on it? Not really a jewel colour, but it made me go 'wow'.

Fantastic red dress if you're happy to show your arms?

Push the boat out and go to Coast

jackieno thanks so much for the links. I love the pink bow dress but I can't normally carry off such a pale pink, might go see it in the shop though to see what it's like. Can't view the Laura Ashley one on my phone so will have a look on the laptop later. The Coast one is lovely too and might be worth a look as I've got that £30 off Coast voucher from Red magazine. It's a really big wedding though so the usual concerns about someone else having the same dress!

Yes, if you buy from monsoon or coast you do run the risk that there'll be someone in the same dress. How about:
Red ruffles
Mmmm - blow the budget on a Vivienne Westwood (not sure exactly what your budget is)

Dark Blue? but lovely. Maybe too dark though.
I wouldn't call this red
This in the midnight blue?

That Vivienne Westwood dress is to die for, her dresses are ultra flattering. If you have the budget go for it, it is timeless, and you could still be wearing i in 10 years, and then you could pass it on to your dds. So it seems like a bargain really

Good find JackieNo

I would love it, but sadly have no where to wear such a showstopper! Maybe it could be my school run dress?

It is gorgeous,isn't it verity. I doubt she makes them in my size () but if she did I'd love one too.

I really like the Vivienne Westwood one! There is a boutique where I live which sells Vivienne Westwood so I might go have a look - will have to be a knock out though, I only spend that much on clothes which will be worn for many years to come!

Re conditioner, I find what makes the difference is leaving it on for as long as possible. If you put it on, then put on a shower cap, then wrap your hair in a warm towel, and leave it on for an hour or so, your hair should be silky soft.

Re face, this is the best cosmetic product I have ever used, it takes years off me!

Thanks Verity, I keep on reading about 'By Terry' stuff but haven't ever tried them. Only thing is that I rarely wear foundation, is it quite light?

It is light, like tinted moisturiser, and magic