DISCLAIMED: This blog post is an advertisement fesature for a sponsored project with Schwarzkopf
You know what I love about being British? Well, many things. Proper tea, for example. And the fact that we have 21st century mod cons like electric kettles (USA, what’s the deal with the old-school ones you stick on the stove?) But after this weekend, I have a new list-topper: Port Eliot festival.
Port Eliot festival is an annual event in the grounds of the Port Eliot stately home in St Germans, Cornwall. They typically have local Cornish bands and DJs playing – but unlike most festivals, that’s not really the main event. The festival sprawls over the entire estate and activities are roughly split into areas like Wardrobe, Lark’s Haven (wellbeing) and the Hush Starry Garden. The day I arrived, I checked into the eco roaming spa down by the estuary, and Ashish staged his ‘glitter revelution’ show al fresco. As we navigated our way through ariel yoga bunnies and the sound baths, I overheard a camper debating the mertits of a tango lesson versus a Shakespeare reading, which posed something of a conundrum since the timings clashed.
I was there with team Schwarzkopf, who brought LIVE Colour and got2b Styling to Port Eliot festival for the first time this year. Their pop-up styling shed was just over the ribbon bridge, past the gypsy wagons on the left (legit directions), and was a haven of colour and fabulous-ness, headed up by Lyndell Mansfield (aka Hairdresser On Tour). Throughout the three day event, Lyndell et al braided, coloured and glitter-bombed festival-goers’ hair. And I’m really not kidding when I say that I don’t think there was a single moment from 10am ’til 6pm each day that there wasn’t at least a ten-person queue. Including the very many rain showers (England, remember).
I was there for two days, so decided to trial two different looks. On the first day, I went for space buns. Space buns are essentially an even more boho version of a half-up top-knot, and crazy cool. Lyndell accessorized mine with a pair of glitter clips.
On another note, look how cute the styling bar is! There were three styling stations, each with a huge mirror and a MAJOR amount of Schwarzkopf products. The bar had loads of windows so there was always plenty of natural light, and on the left was a retro vinyl player.
Having some of my hair loose and wavy around my shoulders made me feel like an elfin princess. Which – especially as the fairy lights came on after dark – was basically perfect.
For day two, I decided all the hair needed to be in braids, since the weather was threatening to turn any loose strands into a frizzy explosion of blonde (I have extremely thick hair). We went for double braids, pulled forward so they sat neatly on my shoulders. And then the fun part – we weaved mini faux sunflowers on sticks of wire sporadically up and down the two braids. Just call me Flower Fairy.
For both looks, Lyndell started with Schwarzkopf got2b Playful styling primer, RRP £4.07, which is a great tool for taming just-washed hair so you get a little more grip and control (this helps a look to stay). And we always finished with a generous spritz of got2b Happy Hour, RRP £4.07, a long-lasting hairspray that locks your style in place for up to 24 hours. By day two, I was also in need of a little freshen-up, so my roots got the dry shampoo treatment. got2b has five Fresh it Up dry shampoos, RRP £2.00, and all of them are free from white residue (and exclusively available in Primark). I went for the blonde root touch-up one because I love a multi-tasker. But if you have less crazy thick hair than me, the texture-boosting volume option is a handy lifter.
Because got2b is a styling brand, they’ve perfected their products into little problem-solving ninjas, thanks to consistent use backstage and on shoots. I’m yet to meet a hair stylist who doesn’t carry at least one of their products in their kit.
Some of the other girls I was there with decided to go all-out and experiment with LIVE Colour’s Pastel Sprays, RRP £4.29, plus smatterings of chunky glitter. The four sprays (Cotton Candy, Icy Blue, Apricot Sunrise, Mint Green) are a super speedy way to transform your blonde locks and give and instant splash of colour. They only last around three washes, so can have your pastel hair dalliance without the commitment.
Head to livecolour for more inspiration and stockists.
Olivia x
