NAILS!! (Part One)

If you have an Instagram or Twitter account and happen to follow me (sorry!) then you'll know I have a slight (ahem) obsession with nails.

In fact, my housemate Sally said just the other day "Have you painted your nails...again?". Oh yes.

I thought it high time I shared some of my top nail tips, including:
- how I store the 36 nail varnishes I own (how did that happen??)
- my favourite shades
- my secret weapon for salon-quality nails
- how I care for my nails
- my thoughts on gel / Shellac / Bio Sculpture
- my little black book of the best nail bars in London

(To avoid this post becoming the new War and Peace I've split it into 2 parts).


NAILS: PART ONE

Nail varnish storage

What I use:

• 1x shoe box
• 1x GlossyBox box (these make amazing storage boxes for makeup, photos, greetings cards. Love them!)
• Some tissue paper (optional. I used the paper that came in the shoe box)

My favourite shades

Below are some of the shades in my collection that I think are utterly amazing and that I return to time and time again.

1. Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
2. Butter London in 'Kerfuffle'
3. Color Club in 'Jackie O' 
4. OPI in 'Big Apple Red'
5. Sinful in 'Adultress' 
6. Nails Inc 'Porchester Square'

1. Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat (from £7) - not really a 'shade' as it's a top coat but I'm gonna mention it anyway. I've already blogged about this award-winning nail product and never tire telling people about it. It is, quite simply, the fastest way to get salon-quality nails and takes mere minutes to dry.

Basically, I wish I had shares in the company.

2. Butter London in 'Kerfuffle' (£12) - a birthday present from my sis last year (thanks G-nôme!). Absolutely love the colour (a pale, creamy coral) and the name (great word, non?). It's also one of a handful of shades which I think works well on both long and short nails.

Do my nails look neon in this? Er, just a tad :)

3. Color Club in 'Jackie O' (only £2.50! Buy here) - #OMG. I discovered this spell-binding neon earlier this summer whilst treating myself to a mani-pedi at one of my top secret nail salons (see Part Two for My Little Black Book of London Nail Bars). People were literally stopping me in the street. After some hunting I found a UK company (tnbl.co.uk) who sell the Color Club range at utterly amazing prices. Color Club varnishes deliver a consistently creamy finish to rival that of OPI or Essie. (Tip: buy 2-3 shades so you make the most of the postage).

4. OPI in 'Big Apple Red' (currently just £7.17 on Amazon!) I paid £12 in Liberty :( - I have a real soft spot for this shade. I was out in Australia (Melbourne) in January visiting my family and trying to heal a broken heart. A local salon had a mani-pedi offer on so I decided some pampering was most definitely in order (nothing like a good mani-pedi to perk a girl up and make her feel just that little bit brighter). A very close second to this particular shade of red would be Nails Inc's 'Victoria & Albert' which I adore.

5. Sinful in 'Adultress' (£4.41 here) - I was given this nail varnish by a beauty therapist a couple of years ago who was doing manicures at a friend's hen. I think it's utterly amazing and used it very recently on a shoot for Rigby and Peller. Again, unbelievable value and feels luxe. It's my go-to shade in the Autumn/Winter and to wear it feels just like its namesake :)

Image credit: cilucia.blogspot.com

6. Nails Inc 'Porchester Square' (£11 approx) - 'Greige'. What a great word. There are countless copies of this shade but very few are capable of matching Nails Inc's unique lilac/beige/grey shade. (Btw, I wonder which came first... Chanel's 'Particulière' - a slightly darker/warmer greige - or 'Porchester Square'? Let me know if you know!).

According to Vivianadoesmakeup.com Barry M's 'Almond' is a fantastic dupe of 'Porchester Square' and only £3.99. Perfect excuse to try a 'greige' if you haven't already done so.

Seche Vite and Mini Me (5ml). The Mini Me comes away with me on holiday.

My (not so) secret weapon

My sister (not G-nôme, another one...Kels) introduced me to this two years ago and it has completely taken the hassle out of painting my nails. I. Love. It.

Having tried countless other top coats including OPI, Nails Inc, Sally Hansen and Essie, for me, Seche Vite's award-winning formula is unparalleled (let me know if you disagree!)

Simply place one coat over any nail vanish - even a cheapo brand - and it will give your nails a high-shine, gel effect that lasts for up to 7 days. It also 'does exactly what it says on the tin', drying nails in record time. (Click here to read my 'hand washing' anecdote).

Tip: Seche Vite can get quite gloopy/bubbly if you apply too thick a coat so try and paint it on thinly.

NAILS!! Part Two will be posted in a day or two...

xx

Have you heard about this amazing eye makeup remover? (and enjoy 20% off)

Like most makeup artists and beauty bloggers I get pretty excited by certain products. And this one is right up there for me.

I discovered micellar cleansing waters* two years ago and have tried various along the price spectrum from Melvita's Rose Nectar Fresh Micellar Water, £15.50, John Lewis online which smells reassuringly natural, to Botanics All Bright Micellar 3 in 1 Cleansing solution (£2.99 from Boots) which I found stung my eyes A LOT (so not a fan).

In my opinion Bioderma's Sensibio H2O Micelle Solution (formerly Crealine) knocks both these and most other eye makeup removers out of the park.

Reasons to try it:

- removes all traces of eye makeup, including waterproof mascara, beautifully and effortlessly

- non-oily

- unperfumed

- great for all skin types, particularly sensitive skins

- removes the need for washing with water which can strip the skin of its moisture

20% Off

The lovely people at escentual.com are currently offering 20% off ALL SIZES which means you can currently buy 500ml for just £11.60! (I remember when 250ml was once £12 so this is a great price).

I recently purchased the 100ml bottle for my kit (definitely worth snapping up at £3.59 and perfect for taking on holiday) and I've been using the 250ml bottle for a week now. In fact, I've been so impressed with it I've just ordered the 500ml.

For those of you with more oily/combination skin be sure to check out Bioderma Sebium H20 Micelle Solution (available in 100ml and 250ml).

I'll leave you with some quick facts about micellar waters and Bioderma, the company:

* What is a micellar water?

We have the French to thank for this wonderful skincare invention. She Said Beauty has written one of the best explanations on micellar water here: 

"A micelle is a microscopic cluster of oil molecules suspended in soft water – the clusters are hydrophobic and oil-loving, therefore grabbing and absorbing dirt and makeup without ever breaking or upsetting the skin’s natural lipid barrier like a foaming or rinsing cleanser would. Alcohol and soap free, they can be used as a gentle makeup remover, after-cleansing toner or as a non-rinse cleanser for sensitive skins."

Did you know that makeup artists and models doing the European shows used to smuggle micellar waters into the UK (hehe!), such was their cult following...but, thankfully, there are now heaps readily available and many from well-known brands including Lancôme, L'Oréal and Rodial.

Bioderma 

Based in Lyon, the French Dermatological Laboratory Bioderma has been investigating breakthroughs in skincare for more than 20 years. They claim to have created the first commercial micellar water (the one I've been banging on about above) as well as the first 'biologically-active sunscreen ingredient that counters the long-term damaging effects of UV exposure' (visit escentual.com for more information on Bioderma's Photoderm range).

The mistake you probably don't realise you're making with your eye cream

Picture this...

It's 10:33pm and you can't wait to flop into bed. 

You've almost come to the end of your nightly beauty routine. You've removed your eye makeup with a micellar water and are now reaching for your cleanser (is it an oil? A lotion? A foaming wash?) to remove the remainder of your makeup. You've even remembered to apply an alcohol-free toner (gosh, aren't you good) knowing that this helps to rebalance the skin's natural PH levels that are altered when washing with water.

Your skin is now squeaky clean and most probably crying out for some moisturisation. You fumble for your pot of moisturiser-du-jour, apply a little (or a lot!), blending it quickly into the skin as you yawn (your bed is calling after all).

You then reach for your suspiciously expensive eye cream, dab a little onto the very top of your cheekbones and at the outer corners of the eye (like they showed you in the beauty hall). You stand back and enjoy the warm feeling that comes from pro-actively doing something about those crows feet (well done you).

But wait. This last bit - the eye cream bit - it's ALL WRONG! How so?

Believe it or not, the thing we think we're supposed to do - i.e. apply eye cream AFTER our moisturiser, is actually the wrong thing to do. 

Logic Rules

The skin around our eyes is 50% thinner than the rest of our body. Basically it's 'wafer thin'. Applying rich moisturisers directly under the eyes can overload the skin and cause puffiness, hence why we have eye creams. Stylist's Samantha Flowers explains here: "By applying the eye cream first you are forming a barrier against a heavier moisturiser that can cause puffiness."

Makes TOTAL sense, no?

So there you have it. Whether you have an expensive or an inexpensive eye cream, be sure to get the most out of it by applying it before your moisturiser. 

I'd love to know if you notice a difference by making this small change. Do the 5 day challenge with me? I'm starting tonight! :)

IMAGE CREDIT: bodyandsoul.com.au

The allure of the cult

Credit: 'Immaculee', Alana Zimmer photographed by Miles Aldridge; (2007)

Nope, I'm not talking here about the allure of the religious cult (a post for another time perhaps? Perhaps not!)...but that of cult beauty.

Take my recent obsession with a blusher my gorgeous sister Steph wore over Christmas.

Like me, my sister is pretty pale and this blush was the perfect shade of shimmery peach. It just looked so pretty on her every time she wore it I was intrigued to find out which brand it was!

My nephew Charlie has clearly found something interesting on the ceiling!

After delving into her makeup bag I discovered said blush was from none other than Nicola Roberts' 
makeup line, Dainty Doll (shade: 'You Are My Sunshine'). I was aware of the line but had never tried any of her stuff so was immediately curious. Also, as a makeup artist I could see instantly that 'You Are My Sunshine' was a fantastic dupe for NARS 'Orgasm' - one of the most famous blushers of all time. Score!

Dainty Doll powder blush 'You Are My Sunshine' RRP £13.50

NARS powder blush in 'Orgasm' RRP £22.50

Image courtesy Mscocglam

Cultivating desire
I've used NARS 'Orgasm' for years, going through several replacements. Given that the NARS is nearly £10 more expensive one could say, in theory, I've had the better product all along. But seeing the Dainty Doll blush on my sister simply made me want it all the more!

I recently tried to find 'You Are My Sunshine' online. Talk about a mission! It's either been discontinued or they're changing the formula because that particular shade is pretty much non-existent right now. I managed to track one down on eBay. She was selling it for £9.99 (even though on Amazon I could see they'd sold it previously for £4). The seed had well and truly been planted so I just had to have it... (hoping it will arrive any day now!)

Of course limited availability only helps further cement the longing for a product.

 "Great products aren’t anointed by product gurus. Only customers can decide if a product is great."

                        - The Cult of A Great Product, startup-marketing.com

What makes a cult product?
Cult no longer means expensive. At one point it probably did...the allure of the 'slightly beyond one's financial means'. But nowadays kudos can come from the cheapest of items.

Take the rise of statement necklaces for example. It's perfectly acceptable, and dare I say it somewhat aspirational, for a woman to wear a white silk top from Reiss and set it off with a statement necklace from Primark. In fact, she'll arguably gain more kudos for her outfit when she admits the necklace is Primarni and not some expensive designer.

Same goes with makeup. 'Tonight Matthew, I'm wearing YSL Le Teint Foundation in B26, Benefit bronzer in 'Hoola', No 7 Instant Radiance concealer pen, Rimmel Exaggerate eyeliner and Chantecaille Longest Lash Mascara'. Here, the kudos goes to the woman who combines expensive makeup products with inexpensive versions of cult classics.

My Top 3 Cult Beauty Products

1. Bioderma Sensibio H20 (formerly Crealine)
- I remember the first time I worked at London Fashion Week and all the artists were brandishing their bottles of this cult French miscellar water cleanser and makeup remover.

2. Lucas Paw-Paw
I blogged about this wonderful healing balm following a trip to Australia late last year. I much prefer it to Vaseline and it keeps my chapped lips and dry elbows in check all year round. I've also been known to dab a little on spots which are healing in the knowledge that the Paw Paw's vitamins and minerals will help nourish the skin and help it to repair.

3. Benefit 'Hoola'
I could bang on about this matte bronzer forEVER! Have been using it for 10+ years. It always gives my skin the most subtle warmth and is buildable for a slightly stronger tan. Love love love. Was also voted UK's No. 1 Best Selling Bronzer for 5 Years. Not that I'm at all surprised.

Do you have a particular cult favourite?
Where did you first hear about it?

She Had Me At 'Dolce Vita'

You may have come across one of her tutorials for net-a-porter... or perhaps you've spied the beautiful burgundy and rose-gold packaging in Selfridges.

Either way, here's why you need to know CHARLOTTE TILBURY.

SOME KEY FACTS:
- she assisted makeup matriarch Mary Greenwell (we're not worthy *bows head*)
- she is one of Kate Moss's close friends/'go-to' artists(!)
- Selfridges gave Charlotte her own 'pop-up' last year which was filled with her favourite products from other brands (genius)
- She has red hair (always a winner in my book)

I am not Charlotte

The Charlotte Tilbury Makeup Range:
Back in Feb I was invited to attend a pro artist event at Charlotte Tilbury's show studio in Queen's Park. It was a chance to get to know the products outside of the shopping centre environment (always appreciated) and I have to say, I was mesmerised!

Why Charlotte's range is a WINNER:
- Charlotte Tilbury is the makeup artist behind the Tom Ford beauty campaigns of recent years. Not only are her makeup designs luxuriously femme fatale (see above), but if you lust after Tom Ford makeup but weep at his prices, Charlotte's helps you edge just that little bit closer to decadence.
- She makes it easy for everyday women to be inspired and 'copy' a look based on our mood
- I have a 'thing' about rose gold. So does my sister Kelli. Whilst it's not about the packaging, it is SO about the packaging... (and the makeup ain't bad either).

I am Charlotte

Here's a closer look at what I chose to invest in from Charlotte Tilbury's glorious range...

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:
- Powder & Sculpt Brush (£35)
- 'Dolce Vita' Luxury Eye Palette (£38)
- Brow Lift in 'Grace Kelly' (£22.50)
- Colour Morphing Eye Shadow pencil in 'Champagne Diamonds' (£18)

EASY TO FOLLOW
Charlotte's eye shadow quads make application easy by explaining what each shade does:

E.g. working clockwise:
- Top left is PRIME (all over)
- Top right is ENHANCE (i.e. socket)
- Bottom right is SMOKE (i.e. lash line/more socket)
- Bottom left is POP (overlay)

CHECK YOU
I've worn the 'Dolce Vita' palette several times now (it's my new go-to smokey eye!) and on more than one occasion someone has told me how beautiful my eye makeup looks. "Wha' thaaaaank you!"

WANT TO TRY?
Here are some fantastic investments, whatever your budget...

Dip your toe:
Full Fat Lashes Mascara (£22.00) - There's a reason she's only got one.

Birthday Blowout:
Wonderglow Primer (£38.50) - I used this on a client the other day and was visibly taken aback by how literally radiant her skin looked. Wear on its own and with a touch of concealer at the weekends to feel glowy and carefree.

Investment Piece:
Eye Shadow Palette (any, £38) - Even though this is a similar price to the Wonderglow I would describe this as an investment piece because ANY eye shadow palette you buy you simply MUST get a lot of wear out of (otherwise, what's the point?).

Be sure the shades you choose are RIGHT for you and that you'll have the balls to wear them...a feeling that's all too present amidst the euphoria of purchasing in the beauty hall but which quickly fades the moment you're back at home. My personal faves: Dolce Vita and The Uptown Girl for wearability.

Do you have a favourite Charlotte Tilbury product? I'd love to know...

All images Charlotte Tilbury.com plus some iPad snaps

When one door closes...

aviola.com/breakupquotes

Two weeks ago my laptop was stolen from a noisy pub in Shepherd's Market.

For some bizarre reason (and very unlike me) I decided not to rest it on my lap as I normally do but rather, wedge it between the wall and the stool. I mean, I didn't even wrap the bag strap around the leg of the stool. What was I thinking??

As my dear friend B and I sat there gassing away the realisation that someone had stolen it suddenly hit me like a bucket of cold water and I just knew it had gone even before I looked down.

:(

That, coupled with the fact it's been quite a six months...well, it would have been very easy for me to start a downward spiral.

'When one door closes another opens'

Those of you who know me will know that I'm a sucker for affirmations and positive thinking. It doesn't come naturally and I really have to work on it but I truly believe in its power.

Losing my laptop, as upsetting as it was, has meant I've had to use my iPad more to blog and to my surprise (and with the help of a devilish little gadget called the Logitech Bluetooth Keyboard!), I actually find it a lot easier. 

Similarly, but on a much more profound level, heart-breaking situations of recent months (the breakup of a four year relationship) have opened up the way for moments of pure joy (watching my one year old nephew take his first steps).

I've not revealed my favourite Charlotte Tilbury product* in this post but I hope I've reminded you to look for the positive in every situation. Because it's always there. 

* coming soon

Sudocrem: My Little Skin Warrior

This is me with nappy cream on my face.

Why? Because nappy cream - and more specifically well-known baby brand Sudocrem - is impressively brilliant at reducing scarring from spots.

If you're like me (and...*cough*....I'm talking to the over thirties among us☺), then you may have noticed that any spots that come your way...well, they don't seem to fade as well as they used to. They leave red marks. Annoying marks, which you probably feel obliged to cover up lest anyone think you've got The Plague.

This is where Sudocrem has become my absolute saviour.

Not just for babies bottoms 

Having had pretty good skin throughout my teens, my early thirties heralded an onset of mild adult acne, or 'stress spots'.

Aside from taking an honest look at my diet and trying to find ways to reduce my stress levels (haha) I decided to treat the problem 'head on' (ahem).

For me, the most effective topical treatments included:
- Origins Super Spot Remover Treatment Gel (£14)
- Duac cream (GP prescribed)
- ...and good old fashioned toothpaste (try it!)

It was great to see the spots begin to disappear but the marks they left behind started to get me down. Not being one to go in for laser, I decided it was time to give the bottom cream a whirl (well why not?!)

I also come in a handy tube.

I can't remember who or what it was that first prompted me to try Sudocrem but it appears to have since become a bit of an urban legend amongst acne sufferers. 

What you may not know is its active ingredient: 'zinc oxide' (commonly found in sunscreen but not in such high quantities), helps to regulate the activity of the oil glands and accelerates the renewal of skin cells.

And having used it for many years now I can verify that it really does:
a) calm the redness down 
b) speeds up the healing process

2 QUICK TIPS:
1. Reach for the Sudocrem only after the spot has been squeezed (gross). Applying it to a new spot won't really do anything and you want whatever gunk is in there to come out naturally.

2. Apply a little, dabbing it onto the area/s you wish to heal. Use it over 3 or 4 consecutive nights or until you're happy it's started to work its magic.

Image source: Sheknows.tv

I don't know about you but I quite like going bare faced every now and then. There's something about clean skin, curled lashes and a swoosh of soft blush that makes me feel...well, girlie and zingy. (Add to that 'a bit sexy too'...)

So thanks Sudocrem for being my little skin warrior.

Do you have a skin warrior? What is it? I'd love to know...