The Two Week Manicure Chat

We've all done it. We've all gone to a beauty salon and emerged exclaiming that we could have done the job better ourselves. Whether its waxing, tanning, make up or nails, the answer is that with a little bit of practise; we probably can. 

Now, while I'm not quite sure that I am as good as a beautician with years of experience at applying a Shellac-type manicure, I make a good stab at it - and for free too. A few months ago, I invested in a Two Week Manicure kit that cropped up in a Groupon email. Yes!, I proclaimed.  Yes, I will start to do it myself instead of spending an exorbitant amount to have someone else to do so..

So many of you asked how I got on, how I apply the polish and whether its worth it and instead of writing a text heavy repetitive post (and believe me, Shellac is repetitive) I thought I would make a little video on it. Let me know what you think!

Would you be tempted to invest in your own two week manicure kit? 

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The Cleansing Edit

Cleansing milks, purifying waters, cold creams, mattifying masks and soothing lotions. The list is endless when we delve into the abyss that is skin cleansing products. With Neutrogena claiming to provide us with the best pore reducing products, Botanica offering us the 'natural' cleansing experience and La Roche Posay promising us everything in between, its easy to get bogged down in chemical jargon we will never grasp. Its a simple question: what will get remove make up quickly, discourage irritation and improve the texture of the skin?

Not so simple then. Choosing the correct skincare products is an art, one that includes many a discarded item and even more breakouts. While different skin types (oily, combination, dry, sensitive) force us to opt for products suitable to particular problem areas, some brands work in a way that ensures all the items within they're range are appropriate for all. While dry, sensitive skin is the category I've been lumped into, I've finally found a regime that panders to my every needs; a little time, a muslin cloth and beautiful products goes a long way.

Face full of make-up, I first soak a cotton pad with Bioderma Crealine H20 Cleansing Water and sweep it over the face, ensuring all traces of make-up are removed (especially pesky mascara and pigmented lip colours). While I only bought my first bottle in March, it has changed 'the cleansing process', and gets rid of make up like no other I have tried. Next, comes the beloved Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, a cleansing cream that is massaged into the face and removed with a muslin cloth soaked in warm water. Acting as a gentle exfoliator too, the muslin cloth quickly removes any lingering make-up remains and leaves the skin feeling soft, supple and hydrated. Liz Earle Instant Tonic Boost, much like Bioderma, is soaked in a cotton pad and swept across the face, closing off any open pores and leaving the skin refreshed. Occasionally, I will add a fourth step to this regime - the Liz Earle Eyebright* which I use on a cotton pad to remove any unmoveable mascara or on cotton pads placed on the eyes for five minutes to give a boost when I'm tired.

While not all of the steps, like the Liz Earle Eyebright, are completely necessary; these is the current skincare regime I've been using for the last few months and it has done wonders to keep it in tip-top condition.

What products do you find work best to cleanse your skin?

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*pr samples

I wish...

Leaving University has resulted in a few things; the move towards planning a future, a wonderful internship, and reverting back to more natural looks. Throughout college, hours were minimal meaning time to spend applying all manner of make up, take off and try something new. But getting up early every morning means this gap for creativity closes somewhat. So its always a bit of a treat to whack on a black liner, blend a few colours and see what the result is. 

Some of you may know that my best friend lives in Dubai, and I'm always fascinated by the clothes and makeup they wear (in truth, I idolise Aishwarya Rai far too much). So a few days ago I thought I'd work on something a bit 'Arabic inspired' and this was the end result. A decent helping of a medium to full coverage foundation is best, something like MUFE HD with the beautiful Tom Ford Shade and Illuminate used to (heavily!) contour my cheeks. Its the eyes that are my favourite, with a base of MAC Bronze and MAC Typographic smudged into the outer corner, along with loads of black eyeliner.

While its not something I'd wear everyday, its quite a nice change from my usual natural look. 

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Tom Ford Flamingo

Its one of those things, isn't it? One of those things you have on your list for years and when you finally get it you can't quite believe it. I've had this with a number of things, my Louboutin heels, my new riding boots (post to follow), and my Karma necklace.

A Tom Ford lipstick has been on the 'one day' list for many a month, realistically not being purchased until a first full-time job pay check is earned. And so, when work had a bit of a clear out the thing that first caught my eye was the glistening gold of this Tom Ford offering. Flamingo is a bright pink (quite like MAC Chatterbox) that glides onto the lips, and stays there all day. With a texture similar to a balm, it keeps the lips hydrated all day while maintaining its bright colour.

I love, from the beautiful colour to the embossed TF imprint, and it makes me so happy that I can wander around my house taking full advantage of the 'expensive click'.

*clicks away*

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Products Worth the Hype #1

Being beauty obsessives, we all buy copious amount of products - some that make our haul videos, our twitter feeds and our monthly favourites posts. But what happens after that? So many get thrown in the back of a drawer never to be used again, with only a small few making it to the coveted position of make-up bag and even fewer having the honour of a repurchase.

So after seeing millions of these videos on Youtube, I thought I would add my two cents and share some of the products I think are worth the hype and more importantly, worth the money.

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Lust List #1

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 

Online shopping always becomes more attractive when money is non-existent. After months of not buying much clothes or any make-up I am craving a few purchases. Winter is upon us (not like it ever left much) and I couldn't be happier. Winter clothes and colours make me so much happier than the non-stop floral and pastels of summer! I've never really been much into the rose gold watch phenomenon but when I spied this one on ASOS, I fell completely in love. Plain face and pretty colour makes me want to click 'add to basket' even though I know my card would be declined! The boots are another huge obsession of mine. Before we go any further, they are Gucci and I will never in a million years be able to afford them; but they're the first pair of knee high riding boots I've seen and am desperately trying to find a cheaper alternative. I quite like these for about a sixth of the price, has anyone ever had Next boots or shoes?

On a quest for a Graduation dress, I came across this much too informal Aztec style one, which would be perfect for the daytime. The only thing I really dislike about it is the awful back cut-out which screams 'tacky' to me! If only I could whack some material over the gaping hole it would be the perfect dress! Cute little KG by Kut Geiger pumps would make any outfit more interesting, as I'm so sick of wearing plain black ones in work.

The ring is another Net-a-Porter find; something bright and colourful that you'd love to wear but will never, ever afford. And finally, we have the two staples of my lusts: Ray Ban Wayfarers and a Topshop blazer. Ray Bans are the ultimate beautiful sunglasses and I'm dying to get a pair. I like to think of it as an investment..though I would probably sit on them and make them snap! And the blazer is something I should have bought a while ago - I have millions of them but they all seem to dwarf my body and make me look a little chunky. If only I'd opted for this petite Topshop one instead of six Zara ones!

What are you lusting after?

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Bronzed

I have to hold my hands up and admit that I was wrong. When I sauntered into the local MAC counter a few months ago and added a few eyeshadow pans to my list, Bronze didn't even make it. Lumped among the golden sparkles, neon brights and stand-out smokey shades, it blended into the background on the shadow stand and was labelled 'maybe, if its the only shade in stock'. So when the MAC Artist suggested it would go perfectly with my colouring, I begrudgingly walked up to the tills and handed over a hard-earned twenty euro note.

It was only when I brought it home and had a little play that I had to admit defeat. It's quite simple really, and as the name suggests is a true bronze. Warm, slightly shimmery and complimentary of any eye colour, its become my go-to shade for the everyday, being pigmented enough to last all day but soft enough to blend in one swish movement. Unlike so many, its a colour that needs no partner for it to look 'right' and works equally well all over the lid with black smudged into the outer edges for nighttime. While the Satin Taupe's and Patina's of this world will always gain attention for they're cult status, next time you pop into a MAC store swatch this beauty and watch it glow. Warmer, more unusual and beautifully eye-catching, it outshines all the rest.

Have you tried MAC Bronze shadow?