Holiday-Ready Nails with Rimmel's NEW Super Gel Shades
If I could pick three beauty-related things which make me feel sassy and confident it would be winged liner (that goes right first time), a bangin' red lipstick and freshly painted nails. Although I have a very and habit of picking and biting my nails, when I muster the strength to grow them to a decent length, I love taking time to give myself a little manicure, painting my nails and making them look pretty. There's something about perfectly painted, un-chipped nail polish that just makes you feel like you have your life together, isn't there? The latest polishes to grace my nails has been this new range from Rimmel, the colours within which just scream summer.
Classic & Classy: Leighton Denny Nail Varnishes
I own a lot of nail varnishes. In fact, I have so many nail varnishes I have to keep them in their own case (and that's after a clear out!). There's something so complete about having freshly painted nails; it makes you feel extra confident and like you 100% have your life together, plus it's even better if the colour matches your outfit (double sass points for you if you do this). Although my collection is quite vast, displaying a large array of brands, colours and nail art trends that have been and gone, I only wear a select few on a regular basis. Back in the day, I'd grab anything bright, fun and daring, however now, the only ones I really turn to are the classic shades that are known for timeless glamour. Perhaps it's working in an office where wacky nail art isn't really accepted, or maybe it's my personal style and taste developing over time, but these Leighton Denny shades are ticking all the right boxes at the moment!
INSTA GIRL: Primark Beauty Just Got Instagrammable
Primark isn't your usual place to go beauty shopping. It's great for picking up a bargainous outfit, but when it comes to make-up, it's not the first place you think of. However, I have tried a few bits and pieces over the years and have come to love some of it (namely their false nails, false eyelashes- which are surprisingly good- and nail varnish remover pots). Although they have their standard PS Love beauty range, Primark have just released a new collection which is oh so instagrammable...the Insta Girl range. Although I'm unsure about the concept for this (I for one hate the Instagram / blogger cliches that the range capitalises on), the makeup pieces that it has produced are pretty darn cute.
Fuss-Free Nails: KISS ImPress Press-On Manicure
Recently, a (what I think was slightly dodgy) gel manicure completely damaged my nails. On top of my permanent dermatillomania damage, this beauty treatment left my nails dry, damaged and literally crumbling. I've never had it before when my nails split right down the middle- and I'm not talking just the tip! My thumb nails have been agony recently where pretty much half the nail has come off (GROSS ALERT) and whilst I have let them to heal naturally for a little while, I really want a quick-fix in covering up the ugly mess that has been left. When they grew back to a very short but normal length, I gave these KISS Press-On nails a whirl to help make my hands look pretty once again.
Primark False Nails: Great Quality For A Quid
Since I was introduced to Elegant Touch nails by one of my friends, my obsession with false nails has somewhat been sparked. As I've mentioned recently, the product which has a reputation of damaging your nails has actually helped to cover up some self-induced dermotillomania damage and boost my confidence in the process. I'm very self conscious about my nails and cuticles, having compulsively picked at them for ages without thinking about the consequences (you can roughly see my odd thumb nail shape in the photos below). False nails have become a life-saver in disguising this, but I can't keep forking out for fancier branded nails. As a lover of cheap-and-cheerful Primark, I thought I'd try out there huge range of false nails to see what you really get for the £1 cost.
DinkiBelle: The Long-Wearing Nail Wraps You Need This Summer
As you might be able to tell from my Instagram, I'm getting very into doing my nails at the moment. When I started this site, it was actually supposed to be a place dedicated to nail art and the like, but it quickly developed into a much different being. I lost patience with nail art (something I developed a love for back in a school summer holiday), and found I just didn't have the time to faff around with tape and dotting tools. Whilst false nails are a great alternative, the glue can often damage your nails. Nail wraps, however, bring you wonderful nail art without having to dedicate 2 hours to the cause. What's more, these DinkiBelle nail wraps have to be the best ones I've ever tried; incredibly easy to apply, beautiful designs and astonishingly long-wearing.
Going Nude With Kiko Nail Lacquers
So, it seems that nude is the new 'colour du jour' in the beauty world and every brand is making the most of this trend. Whilst it may traditionally be seen as boring, it's comeback coincides with a call for classier, more wearable tones which compliments your look rather than making a statement. I don't know about you, but I always feel a bit naked without wearing nail varnish; my beauty look just isn't 'complete' without it. However, sometimes you just don't want to wear a bold pink or classic red and something a little more understated is needed. While many brands have offered their own selection of barely-there colours, I always believe Kiko gives the best range and quality for your money.
Little Ondine: The Magical No-Fumes, Peel-Off Nail Varnish (That's Cruelty-Free Too!)
Innovation is one of the most exciting things in the world of beauty. It's those moments when something is created and you think, 'why did nobody do that before?!'. My love for nail varnish has been a fraught one. When I lived in my parent's home, I adored painting my nails and trying out all forms of spangly nail art- it was a bit of creative 'me time'. However, it used to drive my Dad (an ex-paint sprayer) absolutely mad- the strong, nail varnish fumes gave him a headache and I was banished outdoors to decorate my talons. The smell of nail varnish is a bit like marmite; some don't mind it, others can't stand it. So, it's strange to think nothing had been done about this fumy scent...until Little Ondine came about.
Getting Festive! Christmas Gift Ideas For Beauty Lovers (For All Budgets)
It's that time of the year: festive songs are being played in shops, mince pies are being stocked in supermarkets, and your thoughts turn to the dreaded task of Christmas shopping. It's a part of Christmas that most people dread, but not me- I'm one of those weirdos that start their planning their Christmas shopping in September! Having written endless plans and lists of potential gift ideas for relatives (organisation is key in such a tremendous task), I thought I would do the job for you and compile a list of the best beauty buys that have started arriving in stores for Christmas. Whether they serve as Christmas gifts ideas for family, friends, or a little treat to yourself (go on, you deserve it), here are some of the best beauty gift sets available these holidays for all budgets.
Nail Gems: A Tacky Trend...But I Kind Of Love It
A few years ago, the latest craze in the beauty world was nail art. All forms of nail bling became available on the shelves of Superdrug, from a wondrous range of special effect top coats, to fiddly nail wraps and stickers, and the more impractical nail gems. The trend has since died down a bit, with most of us opting for a more classic, muted nail style which doesn't end up restricting us in our day to day lives. However, when these Qwerkity nail gems* were popped through my letterbox, it somewhat rekindled my love for these trends...and I'm not even ashamed of it!
Amazing AND Affordable: Barry M's Glitterati Nail Varnish Range
Who doesn't love having a bit of glitter and sparkle in their lives?! Barry M is a make-up brand that has a reputation of being cheap and cheerful, offering a range of decent quality products for a lower price than a Starbucks coffee. Despite the popularity of their contour kits and lipsticks, it is the HUGE range of nail varnishes for which ol' Barry is most famous for. They were always the first high-street brand to release the latest nail art trend, capitalising on the growing demand for 'effect' nail varnishes. Still as popular as a few years ago, the brand remains innovative and these Glitterati polishes are just another drop in Barry M's ocean of swoon-worthiness.
Primark P.S Love Beauty Haul; Why It's Not As Bad as You'd Think
Primark is incredible, isn't it? While it may often look like a jumble sale, you can pick up a multitude of bargains ranging from clothes, accessories and even cosmetics. Recently, Primark have done a lot to revamp the image of their P.S Love beauty range. The results show sleek-looking products that aren't as bad as you may think. Being so cheap and having the reputation of a budget store, it's easy to assume the quality of Primark beauty products is pretty naff. There are, of course, many things which fit this category (lotions, face wipes, and kohl eyeliners), but within the beauty shelves it is possible to find some real gems that shouldn't have the reputation of 'if it's cheap, it's crap'.
OPI Trend On Ten: The Classic Nail Varnish Essentials
I love nail varnishes nearly as much as I love cake (ie. quite a bit). This blog even started out as a site dedicated to all things nail art! While the world of nail art has died down quite a lot since its heyday a couple of years ago, it's still amazing how nail varnish can be used to complete, transform or co-ordinate an outfit. It's essentially an accessory in itself. Nowadays, there are a range of brands offering every colour imaginable to paint your nails with. But, despite all this, it's the simple, classic shades that we end up running back to, isn't it?
The £1 Wonder: Primark's Nail Varnish Remover Twist Pot
Always being one to try out the latest beauty hype or gizmo, I was especially grateful to be greeted by a little nail varnish remover pot sitting in my room when I returned back to High Wycombe for a visit. My mum, knowing my deep-running nail varnish obsession, had lovingly bought it for me to try out. Not having tried much of Primark's 'P.S Love' beauty range, I was sceptical about the quality of the product but definitely couldn't argue with the £1 price.
2True Salon Shine: 'Mila'
As summer has approached us, it's time to deck out our beauty regime with fun, bold colours. It's the time to try out those bright shades on your hair, lids, lips and nails. I love switching my nail colour up to suit my look and mood, so this orange shade from 2True seemed the perfect accompaniment to my summer adventures.
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