The Manicure Edit

My nail history isn't the best, when I look back I used to bite my nails so short that they hurt and whenever they used to grow they would break or split so they would return to being short. After wanting long nails I would go for fake nails, the pack of hundred where you had to shape and put a hell of a lot of glue on to make them stick well. This obviously destroys your nail bed and when its time for them to come off they take layers with them making your nails soft, weak and brittle. Not very nice!

A few months ago I said to myself that I want healthy, strong nails that were just long enough to go over the tip of my finger. It was a long time before they could actually even grow because of all the damage they had suffered. All this time I have maintained my nails and they are back to how they should be with this routine. I have tested these products for quite a long time and have really noticed the difference.

First things first I remove my nail polish with the Cutex Moisture Guard or the Strengthening remover, this gets off the chipped old polish while also protecting nails from breaking and over time making nails whiter.

Next I file my nails with a 4 way buffer, using all 4 steps ensures that you have shiny smooth nails before you begin. I go for the squoval look because I think it looks the nicest. Then I apply either the Sally Hansen gel cuticle remover or the cuticle eraser and balm, both work the same but the eraser and balm moisturise cuticles and is less messy but if you have overgrown cuticles then I would go in with the gel as this is more 'heavy duty'.

This next step is what helped my nails to grow strong and healthy so listen up all you nail biters! I go in with the Bert's Bees Lemon Cuticle Cream to protect and moisturise the cuticles. Then I use the Mavala Scientifique Nail Hardener. This is basically a treatment for the nails that soaks in really fast, but make sure you have something protecting your cuticles like vaseline because this stuff stings! After that I wash my hands to get off any oils that might bubble under the polish if not taken off.

Applying a base coat means that the surface of the nail evens out making a more even application of the colour polish that goes on top, I love Sally Hansen's Double Duty base coat because it dries super fast and is really shiny.

The fun bit, colour! My recent favourites are the Maybelline Super Stay polishes in the shades: Pink In The Park(L) and Uptown Blue(M) and also Essie's in Bikini So Teeny(R).

Time to apply a top coat. After about 2 coats of coloured polish I put Seche Vite top coat on top for quick drying and hi-shine results. Wait for it to dry (a good 10 minutes) to ensure no mess ups! After that your done, I always go in with a hand cream to moisturise my hands and to get rid of that nail polish remover smell.

What are you manicure favourites?

Clarins Fix' Make-Up

Now I am all for long-lasting make-up when it comes to a special occasion or a long day ahead and a setting spray is the way forward. Whilst wandering around the counters in boots I spotted this on the clarins stand. A refreshing mist that sets your make-up while prolonging its hold. It also provides an instant cooling effect once on the skin and makes you feel fresh and clean after a hot day. Not only does it refresh and hold it also moisturises and hydrates your skin without making your foundation look dewy which I know is what people don't like in these sorts of sprays and altogether puts them off form buying it.

The smell is the classic clarins smell but fresher, so it shouldn't irritate the skin with a strong fragrance as it very subtle. This product is a real luxury as the price suggests, but what your getting inside the bottle is worth every penny, and who doesn't like the chic, matte and slim look it has to offer.

Will I buy it again? I'd only buy it if I couldn't find anything else better, but if I were you I would go with MAC's Fix+ as its cheaper and probably works just as well.

Have you tried any make-up setting sprays?

Real Techniques Duo-Fiber Brush Set

I am a massive fan of the Real Techniques brushes but when this set came out I wasn't set on buying them. After a long time debating I finally splurged on the white handled duo-fiber brushes. Having these brushes for some time now I've realised that I use them a lot more then I thought I would.

The 3 piece set is amazing quality and they do really well to distribute the product without going on too thick and cakey. If you're looking for a lightweight application then you're reading the right post.

First in the set is the Duo-Fiber Face Brush (T). This is reasonably sized brush as it fits into all of those tricky spaces on the face such as under the eyes. I like to use this for powder as it brushes a light even layer of powder onto the face. You could use this brush for all powdered products and even liquids and creams for an airbrushed finish.

In the middle we have the Duo-Fiber Eye Brush. This is handy for blending, I sometimes use this for blending eye shadows together or for buffing in my concealer under the eyes or on blemishes. Again the duo-fiber bristles give an airbrush finish so I especially love using this for concealer.

Lastly is the Duo-Fiber Contour Brush (B), I use this for pretty much the same things as the face brush but the smaller size means more accuracy in those harder to get places, and like the name suggests it is very good for that all important contour. The thin small bristles fit perfectly under the cheekbones and blend for a natural look.

Have you tried the Duo-Fiber brushes for Real Techniques?

Revlon Matte Balms : My Picks

The Revlon Matte Balms have been around for quite a while now and all of the shades look amazing but the ones that have caught my eye and are absolutely loving are Elusive(T) and Sultry(B). These crayon chubby sticks are perfect for on the go as they are easy to apply but have great colour payoff and are so creamy with shea, mango and coconut butter that they nourish you lips as well as being matte. So velvety that they glide on with no hassle, leaving you with a matte look. No sharpener needed here neither with retractable properties that make life easier when in a rush. It leaves your lips with a minty fragrance that feels cooling as soon as it is applied.

First is the shade Elusive(T), the perfect pink rose shade but without the barbie look it is slightly darker and that looks good on just about anyone. It's a mix between cool tone and warm tone so it doesn't wash you out like a standard cool tone pink would.

Next is the shade Sultry(B), this is my favourite out of the two. This is a beautiful rosy brown colour with hints of berry. It is a dark colour on me but really suits my skin tone and every other skin tone too. Its still suitable to wear for everyday and throughout the evening. Sultry is really pigmented with just one swipe it is opaque on the lips and stays on for quite a while.

The packaging isn't cheap looking, as the same finish as the lipstick the packaging has a smooth matte finish and looks impressive for a drugstore product. These retail for about £7.99, so an absolute steal.

Have you tried these chubby sticks by revlon?

Solar Powder

Over the past 3 months I have been continuously using this as my bronzer. I find it hard to find a good bronzer in the drugstore that is just the right shade and mostly matte. The Soap & Glory's Solar Powder has been around for a long time but somehow I was reluctant to buy it even though all the hype. When I first tried it I was a little sceptical about the pink overlay that was over the upraised letters but I wiped that away and the pinkness was gone.

The bronzer itself presents two shades one dark and matte and the other light with a little shimmer running through it. The two shades swirled together create the perfect sun kissed look as it's not too dark and looks very natural on the skin. The powder is really creamy making it an easy to blend product. I apply this under my cheekbones, on my temples then down my neck in a number 3 shape, to bronze up my skin. Although my love for this product it is slightly let down by the packaging as its cardboard making it very breakable and not purse friendly. But that doesn't stop me from using it as the product inside is fantastic quality.

Have you tried any Soap & Glory products?

Deep Sleeper

After not getting much sleep recently I was grabbing this to help me switch off and sleep. Before I bought this I was convinced that these sorts of sprays were gimmicky and didn't actually work, but was I wrong, yes! The first time I used this I sprayed it on my pillows to hopefully send me to sleep quickly and it did. As the product says 'deep sleep' I can say that my nights sleep was a long and peaceful one. The second my head hit that pillow and inhaled the calming oils of lavender, vetivert and wild camomile I was fast asleep.

In the past I have tried a few others but I found that the scent was too strong and made me even more awake but with thisworks spray Ive found that the scent isn't too overpowering but just enough to calm you down and relax. As an added bonus it also makes your pillows and duvet smell really good and fresh!

Need a good nights sleep? Try this! - here