Brighten Up Your Spring With Bourjois So Laque.

Spring is not spring without brightly manicured nails. My current fave is Tangerine Fatal in the So Laque! range by Bourjois. This vivid colour actually does stand the test of time and remains chip-free for days, unlike a lot of other nail varnish brands. The nail varnish is ultra shiny, and perfect for all those hazy, warm days.

Wow Factor Nails.

I have a friend who I recently discovered had a hidden talent; she is amazing at dressing up her nails with cool little designs. And she does all by herself with her own steady hand with no help from the professionals. It is that impressive I thought I would share her talent with the rest of the blogging world.

To experiment with patterns of your own, purchase Model’s Own Wah Nails Pen and create your own uniquely designed nails.

Designed for fashion blog Wardrobe.

The Best of 2010.

2010 has seen some great moments and some not so great moments, but as it is now behind us I thought I would take the time to remember some of the finer things the beauty industry allowed me to discover last year.

Rosy Lips Vaseline.

Ok, so I may have actually discovered this invention a little before 2010, but I only realised its worth last year, and discovered just how fond of the pink tinted balm I am. For starters it is Vaseline, a product I have always been fond of but usually only used at night time as I like a hint of colour to my lips during the day. So, not only is it ultra moisturising and soothing for dry lips, the Rosy Lips version is enriched with rose and almond oil too. It is tinted pink so perfect for day time antics, and it tastes delish too. This is definitely the ultimate way to achieve a perfectly kissable pout.

Strawberry Sundae Shower Gel.

As it comes in a huge bottle, this shower gel lasts for months, which can only be a good thing seen as it smells sweetly delicious. Oh and it is suitable for vegetarians too, so everyone can enjoy it.

Garnier Pure Active Skincare.

The combination of these four advanced skincare products really does leave your face smooth with fewer blemishes. Firstly the face wash has a fantastic brush in which the wash comes out of. It exfoliates away dead skin cells and improves circulation in the face. Next, the toner leaves skin feeling tingly fresh. The Spot-On Roll-On should be applied next to any blemishes which may be causing inconvenience. And finally the moisturiser should be applied to the face and neck. Amazing results happen almost instantaneously. This really is a genius invention. Thank you the wonderful people of Garnier!

Maybelline Super Stay 24 Concealer.

This is the best concealer I have discovered in a long while. As it is a liquid concealer it ensures to cover up any blemishes totally and flawlessly. I don’t think I could manage without it in my make-up bag now that I know it exists.

Number 7 Nail Paint in 40’s Starlet Stockings.

This limited edition nail colour is the perfect shade for groomed toenails. And fingernails too if you want to match them up.

Pink Ped Egg.

Lets face it, Ped Eggs aren’t the prettiest of beauty tools, especially when one knows what they are used for. But at least this version is a nice colour! And they make the task of removing hard foot skin a breeze without getting nasty foot flakes all over the floor. Brilliant!

So there you have it, my favourite beauty products of the past year. Let me know your thoughts!

New Year’s Resolution: I Will Keep My Nails Pretty and Perfect.

Why not make your New Year’s Resolution achievable and aim to have nicely groomed nails at all times. DIY manicures are easier than you may think, and a whole lot cheaper than taking fortnightly visits to the beauty salon. Follow these simple steps to keep your nails in tip top condition.

1: Remove any Nail Varnish.

An obvious start to any manicure. Use nail varnish remover to get rid of any tatty old varnish which may be on your nails. Quickies nail varnish remover is perfect for easily getting rid of varnish.

2: Shape and Buff.

File your nails in a square, oval shape as this is the strongest shape to prevent nail breakages. Ensure to file them in one direction only as sawing back and forth will only weaken the nail. Once the tips of your nails have been filed, proceed onto buffing. Gently push the cuticle in your nail bed down to expose maximum nail. It isn’t advisable to cut the cuticle unless you are a trained professional. Use the three-way nail buffer in steps. Use the rough side to smooth out any ridges, the next side to smooth the nail and the final side to shine the nail. This action also encourages nail growth, meaning that short nails will be long and strong in no time. Be careful not to do this every day as its actions may reverse and leave your nails weak and breakable.

3: Oil Up.

It may sound a little strange but it really does work. Rub a small amount of cooking oil into your nails for ten minutes. This moisturises the nail and also strengthens and smoothes out the nail. Try it for yourself to see amazing results. If you have weak nails you really will notice the difference. Do this once a week for optimum results.

4: Moisturise.

Invest in a decent hand cream and apply, not only in this stage of the manicure, but every night before you dose off to sleep. Putting on moisturiser before you sleep boosts the moisturising power leaving you super soft. And applying now will help moisturise the nail before the varnish is applied.

5: Paint.

The final part of your DIY manicure. Wait for the moisturiser to dry off then choose your favourite shade of varnish and paint those nails pretty. I've used Rimmel London Lasting Finish Fruities in Apricot Punch. Apply a line down the centre of your nail then a stroke either side next to it to prevent any of the varnish leaking onto the skin. In case this does happen keep a cotton wool bud handy to remove it straight away. The more adventurous of us can also paint pretty designs over the first layer of paint in a different colour too.

Voila. Perfectly manicured hands the cheap and easy way. There really is no excuse not to have gorgeous nails!

Sparkle Through the New Year.

Christmas might be over, but the celebrations are definitely not. Don’t return to your dull, bland make-up just yet, and make the most of the final few days of 2010. Add a bit of sparkle to your style to ensure this year really does go out in glitz and glamour.

Helen E does a great range of glitter which can applied wherever you wish. Simply paint the fixing gel onto your skin and apply the glitter over the top, for a shimmer that stays put all day, and all night too. For the best dressed eyes, apply your favourite glitter to your lids before heading out to town. Or for a more subtle look, just line your peepers with Urban Decay glitter eyeliner.

Add the finishing sparkling touches to your nails. Apply two coats of Barry M Glitter nail paint for the ultimate New Year look.