Just a quick one today as not everyone may have seen my Instagram post about this…
Back in March I wrote about going to Prague and working on a hair campaign for L’Oréal – well, the final product is out there, people! It has been for a while now (since the beginning of June): the exciting content we were shooting was for an Olia hair colourant advert for British TV. To say that I’m excited about this is an understatement: I’ll do my best to keep the exclamation marks to a minimum. Just read this in your head with lots of exclamations at the end of every sentence, and you’ll be somewhere at the level I’m at while writing this.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(Had to get them off my chest. Now I can continue.)
So yeah… it’s kinda weird saying I’m on the telly (though I have to mention here that that’s what the British say when they are. I mentioned on Insta that my mum abhors the word “telly”, but I told her that if you’re on TV/on television, you HAVE to say “telly”).
Disclosure: I was paid by L’Oréal to shoot the ad but was not obligated to write this post (all content is original and opinions are 100% honest). This blog uses affiliate links (no cost to you). Full disclosure
I’ve only actually seen the advert just pop up unexpectedly about twice (one time I was sick as a dog with a 24-hour norovirus vomiting bug, looking like utter crap with unwashed hair and up I popped looking all glam and smug, and I actually told myself to Just **** off, lol). But from the messages I’ve received from friends, family and followers it seems it’s on TV a lot more than I think it is.
As far as I know it’s not on L’Oréal’s YouTube channel yet, but here it is as published on my Instagram feed…
View this post on Instagram
It is REALLY freaky to see yourself in a TV advert, knowing that it’s on when you don’t know about it, and popping up in people’s living rooms when they least expect it (I’ve had people say they were just in their living room not looking at the TV when they just heard me start talking).
In case you’re wondering – yes, this is the actual box colour I am currently using to dye my hair. So since March, my hair colour has been Garnier Olia Bold Shade 7.4 Intense Copper (available at Boots and Superdrug).
Not that I was contracted or obligated to keep it this colour or say that that’s what I use on my hair, but it is. And I’m also not obligated to say that for a permanent home dye it doesn’t stink, but it doesn’t stink. AT ALL. None of that “it smells so bad it makes me gag” ammonia smell, just… a neutral hair dye smell, really.
And the colour is CRAZY bright. I love it.
So a 100% honest review: the colour is great, the condition of my hair is great, the smell is non-existent. So all the time I want this shade of red, I’m going to continue using Olia.
Photo credits: L’Oréal
I can honestly say it’s one of my proudest moments – the last thing I ever, ever expected when starting on this blogging lark (and yes, it was a lark in The Old Days) was that I’d end up on TV, and doing anything even VAGUELY connecting to “modelling”. I say modelling with my tongue firmly in my cheek, because I am NOT model material, and I’m fully aware of that. But I know (and am glad) that times are changing, and thankfully brands are slowly coming round to the fact that consumers want to see more everyday, regular women rather than supermodel types.
A while ago I wrote about how brands should use fashion bloggers to model for them. It makes sense because we’re used to being in front of the camera, but we come in just about every shape, size and colour imaginable. And it seems brands are doing this more and more – I did a photo shoot last week for JD Williams along with another blogger and two professional (curve) models. Brands are slowly catching on, some more so than others.
But until sometime in Summer 2020, I can say that I’m on the telly. My 15 minutes of fame.
Have you seen me on the telly (if you’re UK based)? Tell me in the comments!
P.S. One day very soon I’ll also write a post about the actual experience of the video and photo shoot in Prague – four days of intense hair dyeing, wardrobe fittings, make up and shooting for L’Oréal (which happens to be the world’s biggest beauty brand). More than a little bit of imposter syndrome may have crept in that week (well, rather a lot actually)…
So all that’s left to say is – I’ve shared my thoughts/stories/tuppence-worth this week, now it’s time to share yours… LET’S GET THIS [LINK UP] PARTY STARTED!
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This is so FREAKING RAD I can’t stand it! How amazing, and what an honor. I bet it feels out of this world. Many congratulations to you Catherine. GAWD you’re gorgeous!!
Love,
Annie
Author
Annie thank you!! I still can’t quite believe it…!!!!!
Well Catherine I’m thrilled skinny for ya!! ( btw that is NOT a ‘sizeist’ remark, just an Irish figure of speech). You were one of the first bloggers I ever followed, and what’s always struck me is how generous you are with your advice and tips to other bloggers and how supportive you are of other women. I can see how hard you work ( although your posts look totally effortless, which is a sign of excellence, professionalism and attention to detail, otherwise known as very hard work indeed!!) So this ‘telly’ appearance is no accident but the result of talent, dedication and total fabulousness. Enjoy the experience, you look fantastic and it’s well deserved. I’m sure we’d all love to hear what went on behind the scenes so looking forward to that post. The same ads are usually shown over here so I’ll be looking gout for you on the tv / telly / goggle box! Keep doing it girl! Love & hugs from Anne x
Author
Oh my goodness Anne what a wonderful comment – thank you so much!!!! (Love that “thrilled skinny” expression, lol! 😉 ) That’s very, very kind of you to say those things… the BTS post will be an eye-opener, I can promise you!! x
I love reading about your experiences, Catherine. And I totally dispute that you are not modeling material!! It’s wonderful that you require the brands you work with to include real women with diverse backgrounds.
Your hair is beautiful!
xx Darlene
Author
Oh Darlene you’re such a sweetheart, thank you!!
Congratulations!!! I’m so happy for you!!!
Author
Kimberly thank you!!! x
Congratulations, you look beautiful and very confident in front of the camera.
You are one of the first fashion bloggers I started to read, and who I’m still reading (nowadays, I watch more youtube than read blogs), so I’m very happy that somebody who I’ve seen growing as “influencer” has got so far.
Author
Oh Maria what a lovely thing to hear- thank you so much!! That’s wonderful to think you’ve stuck with me all these years…!
Oh my gosh!!!!!!!!!! (see all the exclamation points) That’s so AWESOME and you did a great job! CONGRATULATIONS!!!
XOXO
http://www.coasttocoast2.com
Author
Hehe thank you for all the !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lisa!!!!!!!!!!! and of course all the love and support! xx
Oh Catherine, how wonderful! You are as brilliant as your hair in the commercial! They could not have a chosen a better suited representative for their product! Congratulations! Enjoy every moment!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
Author
Oh bless you lovely Shelbee – thank you!!!!!!!
Well done Catherine, a very polished, professional performance. I’ m glad you put it on your blog as I don’t do Instagram and very rarely watch TV. I hope other products take note and that you are offered more work in the near future.
Author
Thank you Justine – yes I always put everything on my blog… it’s more the other way round that I don’t do (I’m very lazy on Instagram!)) x
So proud of you Catherine, your hair and you look utterly stunning as always. Love the still of you from the shoot too. Hope to see you soon to celebrate, it’s been too long, much love, Vicki xxx
Author
Thanks so much lovely Vicki – and YES, it has been far too long!!
Oh wow! Congrats you look and sound amazing. You are inspiring.
Author
Hilda that’s so kind, thank you x
What an exciting opportunity! I’m happy for you 🙂
Author
I still can’t quite believe it, Cristina! 😉 Thank you x
Great job Catherine!
Author
aww thanks Patricia x
Catherine that is so exciting, I’m thrilled for you!!! And you deserve all the exclamation marks!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Author
Haha thanks Suchot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 😉
Wonderful – I saw you on telly and was saying “I know her – that’s Catherine” Lol – well I know I don’t actually know you – but I do know you!! It’s exciting to see people on telly! I was on TOTP’s back in ’82 and was the talk of the common room – I wasn’t even at the school then – I’d left and was at college! Anyway your hair looks amazing – and I love the style too! Well done I bet you’re so proud. Have a happy weekend Hun. Jacqui Mummabstylish
Author
Hehe thanks Jacqui – I do the same with bloggers I know (online only) when they’re on TV too!
That’s so cool about being on TOTP… do you ever see yourself on reruns?!!!!
I am so pleased for you Catherine. Well deserved! And beautiful shots.
Author
Many many thanks Sue! x
Just a few short years ago I contacted a pro blogger for advice. A conversation led us to meet with 3 more pro bloggers at an overnight blogger retreat. Our shared passion for blogging created a connection between us all but it was the honesty and determination to succeed emanating from one person that bonded us like glue.
That person was you Catherine and it’s still you. Nobody deserves this success more my darling girl and I couldn’t be happier for you xxx
Author
Oh blimey now water is coming out of my eyes for some reason, MT…!!!!
Thank you SO much, I couldn’t be prouder to be that glue and call you girls my friends, your support means everything xx
This is freaking FANTASTIC, Catherine!! CONGRATULATIONS!! I haven’t seen the ad on TV yet but I shall keep an eye out for it. SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!
Hugs
Suzy xx
Author
Thank you lovely Suzy!! I haven’t seen it come on for ages, think I might be watching the wrong kind of programmes, lol 😉
The ad looks great. You’re very natural. It must have been an exciting experience.
Author
Aww that’s so kind of you, Julie – thank you! Yes the experience was quite an eye-opener…!
Ooh I thought that was you when I saw it!!! Now I know it was! You look fantastic, very exciting and a huge well done xx
Author
It was, it was!!!!! hehe 😉 Thank you Michelle x
How fantastic is that! It must be weird, but you must also feel very proud!
Author
Definitely weird, Nancy…!! Thank you x
How incredibly exciting! And the hair colour looks great. Amazing how hair colourants have progressed in recent years
Author
Thanks Gail – and yes they really have. I’ve actually quite surprised myself that I want to continue using it…!
You look amazing Catherine. I’d love to do something like this but it would terrify me!
I want to go lighter and brighter too … so feeling very inspired.
Tracey xx
Author
Thank you Tracey – I’ve done a few videos (talking to camera) now and it definitely gets easier. Thank goodness I’d done quite a few before this one because otherwise I would have been bricking it!!!!!!!!!!!