Nailing the 'At Home Manicure'

I love getting my nails done, there is something about having perfectly manicured and painted nails that makes you feel instantly 'put together'

I love going to a salon for a manicure, but there are so many times when its easier (and less expensive!) to do your nails at home. It did take me a little while to be able to get that salon finish myself. When it comes to nail painting, practice really does make perfect.

Taking care of your nails ensures that they look gorgeous, but it also helps prevent damage and dryness that may affect your nails, especially in the colder months!

The 'At Home' Manicure Kit: 

Nail Polish Remover
Cottons Pads
Nail Scissors
Nail File and buffer
Nail Balm/Moisturiser
Cuticle Clipper
Orange Stick
Clear Base/Top Coat - Using a combination product is easier and less expensive!
Optional- Quick Dry Top Coat
Nail Polish 

Step 1 

You are going to want to start with clean nails, free of any polish. 

I like to trim and file my nails first. Top tip when filing your nails- Never run the file back and forth on the nail. This causes friction and heat, both of which can cause damage and weaken the nail.  Move the file in one direction as you shape your nail. 

Go with the nail shape that you like the most, I personally opt for squoval or a rounded nail.

Just like your skin and hair, everyone has a specific 'nail type' Some nails are really strong, some are weak and hardly grow at all and some are brittle and break very easily. If you can very brittle nails or weaker types, keeping them shorter helps prevent them breaking. You can use healing polishes as a base coat, I love this NailGrowth Miracle from Sally Hanson. Or if you have seriously dry nails, try a keratin-based product to heal and repair the nail. I use this one from Rescue RXx you can paint over polished nails daily to help prevent damage!

Step 2 

Pop your hands into a small bowl of warm water, I like adding a moisturizing bath soak or a bath oil. The oil helps to soften the skin feels so luxurious! 

After about 5-10 minutes, when your hands have had a lovely soak, remove and dry.

I then use a nail balm, currently this one from Rose and Co Apothecary, and apply this generously, concentrating on my cuticles. Leave for a minute and then with an orange stick, start pushing your cuticles back. I use little circular motions, you want a clear nail so any polish you apply looks flawless. Pushing your cuticles back also helps encourage new nail growth.

If you have any excess that hasn't been removed I have found this little tool (pictured below) really helpful to tidy the base of the nail. You do have to be really careful using it. If you press too hard to it can strip the actual nail - which is not what we are going for. Use it very carefully to remove any excess skin. 

If you don't have one of these, you could use a 4-sided nail file- with the buffing side, and gently buff, over your cuticles.

nail balm, orange stick, cuticle tool and clipper

Step 3 

I always wipe my nails with a clean cotton pad to make sure they are clean, this just makes sure the polish lasts longer!
Start with a base coat, follow with 2-3 coats of polish and finish with a top coat. Sealing the edges of your nail helps to prevent it from chipping, with a tiny amount of polish run the brush along the top of the nail edge, do the same with the top coat.
I normally use a quick dry top coat to save time!

I hope this was helpful, I would love to know your manicure tips, let me know in the comments!

Olivia 

xoxo

Beauty On A Budget: Boots Botanics Cleansers

I love beauty products, there is no denying it. But when my purse isn't feeling as full as I would like it to, I resort to finding amazing products with a more affordable price tag! I was sharing a budget buy with a friend the other day and it has inspired a new Edit: Beauty On A Budget.

We all know just how expensive skincare can get especially when you walk into SpaceNK after one thing and you come out with five....oops. Whilst I do love luxury skincare and makeup, I can't help but love when I find a dupe of a Channel Foundation at a fraction of the price, or when I pick up an eye cream in Boots that does a very similar job to the Kiehl's avocado version that is sitting on the side in my bathroom. So when I picked up these two cleansers from Boots, I was pleasantly surprised to find just How good they are! 

They are both from the Boots Botanics range and as the name would suggest the range works on the 'Power of Plants'. Every product in the extensive range is based on natural products that are targeted to help your skin.

I went for the Cleansing Cream, from the 'Brightening Range' and I also picked up the Dual Action Cleanser from the 'Hydration Range'. 

The Cleansing Cream 'with Hibiscus' is a light cream formula that I use mainly for removing my makeup. Super easy to use, just apply to dry skin. Then pop a muslin cloth under a warm tap, wring out the excess water and use to remove your makeup with gentle circular motions. Hibiscus is a natural source of alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) AHAs work as a natural exfoliator. They remove any dead skin cells and dirt without being too harsh- which makes they perfect for sensitive skin! 

I love cream formulas for removing makeup, but sometimes they can be a little hit and miss with their effectiveness on things like thick foundation and waterproof mascara. The fact that I was impressed with this offering from Boots shows just how good this Budget version is! Stubborn makeup wasn't a problem. It didn't strip my skin in the process, I was left with a smooth, brighter complexion - and no makeup in sight! 

I was initially attracted to the Dual Action Cleanser from the 'Hydration Range' because it is targeted towards dehydrated and sensitive skin. This cleanser applies as a gel that turns into a cleansing milk when you add water. I found this worked really well as my 'second cleanse'. It is really hydrating so it works very well at cleansing the skin without stripping it- so you don't get that awful tightness or dryness! 

If you are on the look out for budget cleansers both of these are fab! 

What are your favourite budget buys? 

Nuxe Cleasner

The result of a Sunday evening spent browsing Cult Beauty and LookFantastic has lead to a few wonderful discoveries in the skincare department, and there is one is particular that I wanted to share with you!

Nuxe is a relatively new discovery for me and this offering from the Parisian beauty brand is a gorgeous addition to my collection of cleansers.

It smells just like roses, without being too overpowering and has a lovely thick cream texture. I pop it onto a cotton pad and apply it directly to my skin. You can also skip the cotton pad and apply straight to the skin if you are in a rush!

It is fantastic as a makeup remover - I have been using it as my 'stage one' cleanser, to remove all makeup before I follow up with my second cleanse, using a separate product. It is also great as a morning cleanser- I love the delicate rose scent just after I have woken up!

It is super gentle and doesn't irritate my sensitive skin or even my eyes when removing eye makeup. And boy can it remove makeup. Heavy coverage foundations and waterproof mascaras, and leaves your skin feeling clean and hydrated.

If you are on the look-out for a new cleanser - give this one a go, you won't be disappointed!

Olivia 

xx

A Favourite from Lancome

Lancome's Hydra Zen tinted moisturizer has been a favorite of mine for ages so I thought it was about time it got a mention on the blog!

It is super lightweight and moisturizing so it's perfect for everyday use. I love using it as a base for the gym, it gives a little bit of coverage without being heavy on the skin. It looks so natural on the skin creating the perfect no make up make look.  I have been turning to it pretty much every day lately because I love it so much!