Tuesday 25 February 2014

Gradient practice

So, firstly my nail posting has been pretty shabby recently - got a lot going on!
Second, these are not the best gradients ever.
Thirdly, that's why I'm practicing!

Couldn't get these to look great in the pictures which is why the picture is a bit weird with flowers in the background, but hey, love a bit of flowers. 
I absolutely LOVE gradient/ombre nails. Every picture I see on Instagram of them I can't help but like. I have done so many ombre nails and never been really chuffed with them. So I'm just going to keep trying until I get it perfect.
For these nails I used:
17 Lasting Fix Nail Polish - Parma Violet
(which I got for 50p, such a bargain!)
Sally Hansen - 640 Plum Luck
I think the sally hansen may have been a bit too dark for this gradient to work, I couldn't find my other dark purple.
How does everyone get their gradients so perfect?! 
Acrylic or nail polish?
I'm also upset because I left my acrylic paints at home so will have to get them sent here or something - upsetting times.
Thanks for reading. More soon, promise.
xox

Monday 17 February 2014

Birthday gifts!

I was so spoilt this year! A post of all my gorgeous new nail related birthday gifts.

Cool nail beads from my flatmates, cuties. They are 'Bourjois Paris' I am intrigued to see how they turn out when I use them - haven't tried anything like it! Has anyone tried these? What did they think?


From my wonderful mother. TKMaxx Sally Hansen beauties. The picture just doesn't do the colours justice they are amazing. 
(From left to right)
610 Red Zin
640 Plum Luck
419 Hidden Treasure
530 Back To The Fuchsia (one of my fave nail names) 


Also TKMaxx bargains, L'Oreal polishes. Really like the L'oreal colour I have so I'm sure I will love these too. The nude looks really pretty - a girl can never have enough nudes.
(from left to right)
690 Amazon's Flare
790 Raven's Dream
320 Charmed, I'm Sure
335 Mystery
168 Gorgeous Gold
So thank you to my mama if she reads this. Very grateful!


This was a present to myself today. I went into lush, not to buy anything in particular. I've heard so many good things about this cuticle butter - I couldn't not get it. Felt guilty until I used it. No regrets! Definitely recommend it. Smells 
lush!

This was a gift from my boyfriends parents which was very lovely of them. It smells so good too. I really like the fact it isn't really sticky like a lot of hand creams, it soaks in well. It has earned handbag must have! 


Last but most definitely not least... Another present to myself - it was only £3 so again I don't regret it. My other nail box is full. Excluding the boxes that I hadn't brought to uni (too many polishes) I absolutely love this TKMaxx buy, so pretty.
As you can tell I love TKMaxx. I have my mum to thank, she has taught me how to shop well and find all the bargains.



An amazing birthday with lovely people and wonderful gifts. Thank you to everyone. And thanks if you pursued this post and read this far down!

xox

Sunday 16 February 2014

Little bit of floral


Valentines mani, very late. I did these before valentines I just didn't have time to post them (my birthday is the day after). This is also why I don't have any better pictures :( I completely forgot about the horrible plaster on my finger. Now it is too late to take another because they have chipped. So this will have to do unfortunately. The polishes I used were the ones I use quite a lot (just love them) The base is OPI - My Boyfriend Scales Walls. OPI - Kiss Me On My Tulips. Nina Ultra Pro - Leaf Me Alone. And the black wasn't a particularly known brand. I used it because it already had a small detail brush. 
New nails up tomorrow - I got lots of new gorgeous nail polishes for my birthday! 
xox




Wednesday 12 February 2014

love, love, love

My second valentines mani - definitely a different one. And much harder than I anticipated - I did most nails twice! And whilst watching Harry potter which was very tense. 
I used Essie - Fiji (one of my absolute faves!)
A random black with no name. I got it from Barcelona 
And Essie - Fifth Avenue (again) 
I like this one because it's not a typical girly valentines mani. I also couldn't resist putting the base coat picture up - it is soo nice. 
More tomorrow - if I get enough work done in time!
xox 



Tuesday 11 February 2014

Queen of hearts


First valentines post of the year. I saw a similar design to this which was gorgeous so thought I would recreate. This mani doesn't look as good with square nails, so when I get bored and change nail shape I definitely want to try this one again.
I used: Essie - Millionnails base. OPI - My Boyfriend Scales Walls. Essie - Fifth Avenue. Fifth Avenue is a great colour. I never wear red nail polish because I just don't think it suits me that well - but I'm actually starting to like it. Maybe more red to come. More valentines nails to come + birthday nails. (15th!) Valentines baby.
xox 


Saturday 8 February 2014

No new nails to show however, I did learn an interesting nail related fact whilst being to and from hospitals. The thing they put on your finger to monitor heart rate is affected by nail polish. The monitor couldn't pick up the reading because of my nail polish so they had to put it on a toe! I thought it was pretty funny - I obviously need to get better and go out more! 
Anyway, valentines nails soon! 
xox 

Friday 7 February 2014

I have been poorly and in hospital late so haven't been able to post any nails :( Hopefully I will get round to it later. But in the meantime follow my other social media!



Wednesday 5 February 2014

Teabags have many uses

Fixing torn nails is a nightmare, so here is a fix! 
You will need - fairly sharp scissors, a nail file, a nail buffer, an empty teabag, nail glue (brush on) and a base coat. 
1.) Cut out a small square of the teabag that is only big enough to cover the breakage - you don't want it to cover the whole nail!
2.) Put a tiny blob of glue on the nail and then put the teabag on. Coat with more glue once stuck.
3.) Press lightly on the teabag - not too much though, don't want it to get stuck to you.
4.) Once completely dry file with the buffer making sure the bag is flush with the nail. 
5.) Then add your favourite base coat/nail strengthener, keeping adding where necessary and it will be fixed in a week or 2.
I always do this, it is a godsend. I find that is only works on small tears though.
xox


Monday 3 February 2014

slightly different french mani

This took me like 20 mins max and it's pretty cool. I used Rimmel London - Black Cab and Urban Outfitters - Turquoise 1. I got this one for £1 from a charity shop and it's such a good polish. 



Cheeky little selfie - thought I'd share what it looks like in black and white. I thought it was rather funky! 

Pastel and studs


Jessica has the nicest nail colours! This gorgeous one is 'Jemma Kidd'. However, the problem with this colour is that it takes a life time to dry with two coats. One coat isn't enough. If you have the patience the turn out is great - especially on toe nails! I got these studs from ebay (hundeds of them) for a pound or so. And I got a small pot of nail glue from boots which isn't too strong so works good and comes off nail polish remover.
Jessica polishes are a treat though - not cheap in my opinion.  



Sunday 2 February 2014

Starting feb with glitter


This is my first time trying half moon nails. I used... 
Essie - Fiji 
OPI - Thrills In Beverly Hills glitter.

The OPI was pretty gloopy so it didn't dry great but they are still pretty effective (when not too close up!) I LOVE this Essie colour - wear it far too often. Definitely going to try these again soon.