DIY French Manicure | How I Do It

Don't you just love how clean and fresh a French Manicure can make your hands look? There's no need to pay salon prices when it's so simple and easy to do at home. There are quite a few different ways to do an at-home French Mani, like using tape or stencils for instance, but I want to show you the way I like to do it. It involves no awkward cutting/drawing - just a steady hand.

Tools You Need

Nail File

Pure Acetone

A Dish (or you could just use the cap of the acetone

An eyeshadow brush or paint brush

Base Coat

White Nail Polish

Sheer Pink French Manicure Polish

Top Coat

1. Start with clean, bare, filed nails.
2. Add your basecoat of choice. I like to use Revlon's Quick Dry Base Coat. It's the best I've tried so far.



3. Take your white polish and paint over the tips a little bit bigger than how you would like them. It doesn't matter how messy you are with this as it's gonna be tidied up soon. I use Barry M Nail Paint in Matt White, but any white polish will do. Add another coat for opacity and allow to dry.
4. Add a small amount of pure acetone into a little dish (or the cap itself). Dip the eyeshadow brush or paint brush into the acetone and neaten up the tips to the shape you like them. I find pure acetone works much easier (& quicker) than regular nail polish. I use a mixture of pushing (towards the tip of the nail) and sweeping motions in order to get the shape I like.
5. Repeat all steps to each nail until you are happy with the tips.
6. Add a coat of sheer pink manicure polish. I'm using the Miss Sporty Et Voila French Manicure Polish. It's cheap and cheerful, and leaves a lovely shine without making the tips look pink.
7.. Add your favourite topcoat and you're good to go! I adore Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat, and I can't imagine using anything else now!



VOILA! There you have it! It takes time and patience, but I love the results.
How do you do yours?

Nails: Think Pink!

Let's be honest, everyone loves a pink nail. Especially for Summer. I've picked out my 4 current favourite pink nail polishes, all of which are very different, so there's one for everyone here I'm sure. First up is your typical hot pink that looks so vibrant on the nail. Mavala's Vegas Pink, a colour cream formula, applies beautifully and leaves a super shiny finish. Gotta love hot pink. Next is a fairly new addition of mine that I've been absolutely loving. Essie's Cute as a Button is more of a coral pink with a slight orange tint that is super vibrant but not too harsh and in your face. Both Essie's brushes and formulas are top notch in my opinion and I think they are pretty hard to beat in terms of staying power. Next up is an ever so popular Barry M Gelly Nail Paint from the Spring 2013 collection. Barry M's Dragon Fruit is an an almost bubblegum pink with slight shimmer that only shows up very slightly. I think this is a really stunning shade that will suit the majority of skin tones. Great for if you want your pink to be a little bit brighter. Last but not least is the a polish I think I've mentioned quite a few times before. Rimmel 60 Seconds in Rose Libertine is for me, the perfect pink. Its a muted version of the Essie polish, but it's one of those where I find myself gazing at my nails lovingly throughout the day. It looks absolutely stunning with a tan, and the thick brush makes application a dream.



Cute as a Button looks a lot more orange on the swatch above, which is very strange as it doesn't come across like that in real life. Darn technology! lol
What are your favourite pink polishes?

My Hair History & Current Haircare Routine

Just wanna bore you all with a little history of my hair...

When I was younger I had white blonde, wavy hair that was always forced up into bunches by my Mam, lol. However, like a lot of blonde kids, I reached 14 or 15 and it started becoming a lot darker into a sort of mousey blondey/brown and I longed for my bright blonde hair back. I started getting highlights every now and again and I wish I'd just left it, as I've been colouring it ever since. I'm constantly changing my hairstyle/colour as I get bored quite easily. I think I've had every hairstyle under the sun. Remember the Victoria Beckham angled bob? Back in 2007 I went from super long, luscious locks to the 'Victoria Beckham' and I kept it like that for a couple of years, just colouring it myself and I loved it. 

But then things went wrong for my trademark blonde bob. I had a bad disaster when I went to the hairdressers one day to ask for my usual short bob but with a full fringe instead as I fancied something different..... I ended up looking like a 10 year old boy as they cut the bob WAY too short with the smallest layers I've ever seen! My hubby (then boyfriend) absolutely hated it and I've never had it cut into a bob since. It took me absolutely AGES to grow it out and in terms of condition it's really never been the same since. I've been trying lots of different styles over the past few years, as I honestly think trying to grow your hair has got to be one of the hardest things ever! I find the in between part the worst, which is why I end up getting bored and cutting it again! I had micro ring extensions for my wedding and yanked them out the next day as I hated the feeling and they hurt! Didn't fancy that on my honeymoon haha! In terms of colour, I've been blonde most of the time, but I've had a couple of spells of a light/medium brown just to give my hair a rest, including when I was pregnant as I don't think you're supposed to bleach your hair and I didn't wanna risk it!

My poor hair really has taken some hammer...

Anyway, my hair is now sitting just about shoulder level (pic third from the left on the bottom row is most recent) and I think I'm gonna try again to grow it. In terms of colour, I'm blonde, but I recently got the root stretch technique done at the hairdressers as I wanted something low maintenance and that's what they talked me into getting. I'm not too sure how I feel about it yet as I like to be all blonde so who knows what I ask for next time! Yes I know I'm a nightmare! Right, onto my haircare routine...

My Current Haircare Routine

Much to my annoyance, my hair gets greasy really quickly and I have to wash it every other day, and use dry shampoo on the day in between to spruce it up a bit. I have 2 seperate routines that I rotate just to keep things healthy and my blonde looking bright.

Routine 1: Basic Shampoo and Condition

For this, I tend to get something different each time I run out as I always like to try something new and there's always offers on haircare in Boots and Superdrug. At the moment I'm absolutely loving the Garnier Ultimate Blends The Silky Smoother Shampoo and Conditioner. They contain vanilla milk and papaya and smell absolutely amazing. They are aimed at repairing mid-long length hair with split ends, and as my ends are blonde and slightly dry, it works perfectly. I really love the results these give when used together. My hair feels really manageable and smooth.

Routine 2: Silver Shampoo and a More Intense Condition & Mask

I like to keep my blonde looking ashy and vibrant as I've had far too many episodes of the brassy yellow locks and it's not good. I recently bought the BLEACH London Silver Shampoo after reading numerous good reviews and I'm really glad I did. Each time I use it I notice my hair is looking much brighter. To my surprise, it lathers up really well and feels much more moisturising than other silver shampoos I've tried. Following this, I like to use a more luxurious conditioner, and for that I have been using the A'kin Macadamia & Wheat Protein Treatment Conditioner* for dry/damaged hair. A'kin haircare is fairly new to me, but they came highly recommended in the Natural Health Magazine Beauty Awards 2013, so they might just be ones to look out for. The conditioner itself aims to transform dry, damaged and tangled hair and restore it to it's natural shine whilst still being gentle on the scalp. I love how this makes the ends of my hair feel, and I'm safe in the knowledge that it's all natural and pure. If my hair is feeling particularly dry, or even if I'm just having a good old pamper session, I like to go in with a hair mask. At the moment the mask I use is the L'Oreal Hair Expertise Ever Riche Nourishing Intense Mask. The Ever Riche range is raved about and I really love this mask. It leaves my hair feeling super soft and smells incredible.

Drying & Styling
When I let my hair dry naturally it's a wavy mess with flat roots and it's really not a good look. Despite this, I still like to let it dry naturally now and again as it's just better for it. However, when I know I'm going to be going somewhere I tend to blow dry it with my Mark Hill Style & Shine Black and White Hairdryer and use my GHD's to style. For heat protection, I use the Tresemmé Heat Defence Styling Spray while hair is still damp. I then use the Argan Magic Intensive Hair Oil, which I absolute adore! It's non greasy formula reduces blow drying time, detangles and leaves my hair so hydrated and soft. Once blow dried, but before straightening, I use the L'Oreal Elvive Extraordinary Oil Mist and focus it just on the very ends of my hair. I like the mist as it's perfect for using on my fine hair when it's dry. It looks greasy to begin with, but my hair soon drinks it up and it doesn't leave behind any residue. I will almost always use the L'Oreal Studio Line #TXT Volume Supersizing Spray to add extra texture and volume and then I'm pretty much good to go!... until 48 hours later when I have to do it all again! DAYYYM! haha. For the days in between I use pretty much any dry shampoo I get my hands on, and at the moment it's the Batiste Dry Shampoo in Blush as it was half price in Superdrug!

Sorry for the absolutely mahooooosive post. But I love reading other people's hair stories so thought it was about time I wrote my own.

I'd love any recommendations of other products to try as I'm always looking for new hair friends! ha

Skincare Wishlist #1

I'm constantly changing my skincare routine as there are so many things I want to get round to trying, and as my skin is quite sensitive it often decides to freak out (at the moment, for instance, it's decided that it doesn't like one of the products I'm using and is behaving quite naughtily with dry patches and a few cheeky blemishes). So I think I'm going to have to switch things up a bit to see which is the culprit. This got me browsing the web for skincare, and thus created a wishlist. Hey ho.

Super Facialist by Una Brennan Rose Hydrate Calming Creamy Cleanser

The Body Shop Aloe Calming Toner

LUSH Tea Tree Toner Water

Boots Botanics Hydrating Eye Cream

The Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-in-Oil

Origins GinZing Energy-boosting Moisturiser

Give me recommendations!! ha!

My Highstreet Foundations: Bourjois, Revlon & Rimmel

Soo I've built up a little collection of highstreet foundations in the search for the perfect base. Out of the current 7 I own, I have a few that I absolutely LOVE, and a few I really didn't get away with. (I'm aware that the shades differ slightly (ok there are a few that are far too dark for me), but it's always nice to have a selection for when you're wearing false tan / different seasons etc lol). Anyway, I'll go through them in order of the photo...

Note: I have normal to dry / sensitive skin and I almost always use a brush to apply my foundation, as that's just the way I prefer to do it. Each to their own and all that.

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum
They say: Its fresh and instant blending gel texture blends and glides onto the skin for an even, natural finish with no mask effect. Imperfections are erased, signs of fatigue are smoothed and the skin’s radiance is boosted for up to 16 hours.
Ahhhh. A much loved foundation of mine that used to be my favourite, until one of the others from this lineup took it's place ;-) cheeky tease there, lol. This foundation has been raved about in the blogging world, and for good reason. It's the gel version of the original Healthy Mix, which is apparently more of a matte finish than the serum. It's a light/medium coverage foundation that is really hydrating and gives the skin that healthy glow. The lasting power is average, but by the end of the day I'm usually just at home doing tea etc anyway so I don't really care. I'd urge you all to try one of the healthy mix foundations as they have a really good reputation.

Bourjois Happy Light
They say: Velvety formula for a luminous, undetectable and natural finish.
This is a true 'liquid' foundation that is slightly on the watery side. I'd say the finish is of the satin variety. It sits right in between dewy and matte, which looks super natural on the skin and really does leave it looking flawless. The coverage is light/medium and looks great when buffed into the skin using my Real Techniques Buffing Brush. I'd say one pump should be easily enough to cover the face, and anything more may just become a struggle to blend.

Revlon Nearly Naked
They say: Blends seamlessly, creates a fresh, even look and covers flaws.
Another very liquid formula, slightly more watery than the above. I really wish I hadn't been rushing through Boots when I grabbed this, as it's far too orange on my skin, so I haven't got the wear out of it that I've wanted to. I'm thinking about getting a shade lighter than my skin and mixing it. Anyway, I do love the finish this foundation gives. Again, light/medium coverage that's buildable if you need it to be. This gives a much loved (by me) dewy finish without looking shiny. I think this sits a lot better on the skin than the Happy Light, as I find that takes a bit more work to blend in. One thing that annoys me with this.. NO BLOODY PUMP! Whyyy Revlon? I'm always a nervous wreck when I'm trying to pour a little of it onto the back of my hand!

Revlon Photoready (liquid)
They say: Contains photochromatic pigments that bend, reflect and diffuse light.
Hmm, this is one of the foundations that my skin just really doesn't get on with. It's a medium coverage that can be buildable to a fuller coverage. It's a litte bit thicker/creamier than the others, so a little goes a long way with this. With this being an oil free foundation, it's actually designed for those with more oilier complexions. So I'm not exactly saying it's a bad foundation, but it's just totally wrong for my dry skin. I find it struggles to blend and ends up clinging to dry patches and just looking cakey around my nose. It's one of the more expensive high street foundations aswell so I'm gutted as I really wanted to love this.

Rimmel Match Perfection
They Say: Traceless coverage with Advanced Smart-Tone Technology reveals a perfectly flawless you, no matter what the light.
Again, this is a typical liquid foundation. A perfect consistency in my opinion. But I may be biased as this is my absolute favourite highstreet foundation that overtook the Healthy Mix Serum and claimed the top spot! What I love about this foundation is the way it blends seamlessly into the skin, leaving behind no streaks and no harsh lines. You might be able to tell by now that I love a light/medium coverage foundation that adds a nice dewy finish to the skin. This foundation does just that. It smells lovely and fruity too. Without a primer it doesn't show it's true potential, but on top of a primer this is my perfect foundation that lasts a good 7-8 hours with powder.

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25hrs
They say: Giving a smooth lightweight coverage that leaves skin feeling hydrated all day.
On my skin, this foundation is a let down I'm afraid. It definitely does not leave my skin feeling hydrated, and in fact does the exact opposite. It clings to dry patches, settles into lines and leaves an overall cakey look to my skin. And while I'm on one - I don't know why companies feel the need to claim that foundations can last 25 hours, because a.) that's absolute tosh, and b.) who needs their foundation to last that long anyway? -"oooh I must have flawless skin whilst I'm in bed.. asleep!". Anyway, this foundation is pretty similar in consistency to the Revlon Photoready, which is probably why it doesn't work for me.  It's a light/medium coverage that leaves much more of a matte finish than I'm used to. Can't like them all can we!

Rimmel Wake Me Up
They say: A light, smooth texture for natural, 100% poreless coverage instantly eliminates signs of tiredness and lifts skin from fatigue. Radiance pearls illuminate for a healthy, radiant glow. 
This is another foundation that I absolutely LOVE. More so in the summer time, as it contains light-reflecting shimmer particles that may make you look a bit too much like Edward Cullen in the winter sun. It's probably one of the thicker consistencies of the bunch, but once applied to the skin it leaves a wonderful glow. I find this to be super moisturising and glides over the skin like an absolute dream. It's a light/medium coverage, but I do find I need to apply a little bit more than the others to cover the whole face. Not sure why? All in all, a lovely foundation, but if you HATE those tiny shimmer particles, then steer clear.

Hope this post was helpful if, like me you love a dewy, natural looking, affordable foundation.
What do you think of these foundations?