Well here we are LOCKDOWN! I hope you’re all doi Well here we are LOCKDOWN! I hope you’re all doing ok?
I’ve been thinking about what I’m going to do over this time period and how to get the most out of it.
Being the final 6 months of my PhD, I will have to start writing my thesis now instead of later but to break that time up with more fun things (not that science isn’t fun 🙄). I’m thinking baking, play the piano and experimenting with makeup! It doesn’t matter that no one is going to see my makeup or hear me play, I’m doing it for me but at the same time I’m not going to force myself to do to anything I don’t feel like or feel pressured to learn something new or start something big just because we have this time. 
I think it’s important to take a break and reset without anything or anyone sucking your energy. Only do things that you really want to and help you feel better now and for the future when this is over.
What are your plans for lockdown?
For me makeup is art. Your face is the canvas and For me makeup is art. Your face is the canvas and the fact you can take any colour/finish/texture and create something that completely reflects your personality and mood is amazing and yes maybe it also fuels my need to have so many pretty palettes!! The @jackieaina @anastasiabeverlyhills eyeshadow palette is incredible! The colours are soooooo pigmented but still really wearable. It’s like a work of art itself.
What’s your favourite ABH palette?
It’s a leg up kinda Sunday! Currently away on a It’s a leg up kinda Sunday! 
Currently away on a mini weekend trip with @openingupcricket and loving all the things to see and do (and eat) in Glasgow. I’ve always loved Scotland and Glasgow is my all time favourite Scottish city. Is there a way to become an honorary Scotsman please?!
Have you ever been to Glasgow? If you could pick any other nationality to be, what would you go for? 📸 @lifeofpingkan 
#scotland #glasgow #scotsman #travel #traveltheworld #travelbug #sundayfunday #relaxandunwind #weekendaway #weekendbreak #liverpool #polkadots #isawitfirst #whatiwore #highstreetfashion #ootd #topshop #strikeapose #weblognorth #lpoolgirls
#ad | For someone who loves makeup, if you saw me #ad | For someone who loves makeup, if you saw me on a day-to-day basis, you’d have absolutely no idea! There’s enough to do in the mornings before work without having to spend half an hour doing up your face. However, when I do wear makeup, even just a little, I feel more confident, put together and ready to tackle the day. 
That’s why I’m loving @Primark.Beauty to create a super quick, everyday look to help me look glowing and more importantly, at really affordable prices.
Prep + Perfect Priming Hydrator Base -£3
Prep + Perfect Skin Illuminator -£3.50
Perfect Finish Foundation -£2.50
Brow Sketch -£2
Colour Grid Eyeshadow Palette -£3.50
Matte Bronzing Powder -£1
Blush -£1.50
Falsh Lash Queen Mascara -£3
Velvet Matte Longwear Lip Crayon -£2

Whether you’re an expert or makeup novice, all of the products from #Primark are easy to use and fantastic quality as well as being cruelty free. Everything blends onto my skin beautifully, with a couple of standouts being the foundation which lasted all day and matches me perfectly (hello, £2.50!!!!!), the £1 bronzer to add some much needed life into my skin and the Velvet Matte Lip Crayon that is beyond comfortable and lasts through eating and coffee drinking. In just 5 minutes, you can achieve the simplest of looks, that’s suitable for any occasion. #IWorkWithPrimark @Primark
Check out my Instastories to see my quick and easy morning makeup!
Who else loves earrings?! I really need to wear th Who else loves earrings?! I really need to wear them more often because 1. Jabbing them through the piercing that has been empty for months is no fun and games 😂 and 2. They just elevate your look to the next level!! Seriously, whether they’re long, studs, gold, sparkly, colourful, patterned, they make me feel so put together. 2020 is my year for accessorising!
Gifted| Back to work and I’m really not here for Gifted| Back to work and I’m really not here for it! What I am here for is these natural Wispies eyelashes from @ardellbeauty. I do love false lashes but because I don’t have a lot of lid space, I find they always look heavy and unnatural on me so I give up and they get shoved in a drawer. That’s why I was dubious at first with these but the second I put them on, I fell in love. The natural style adds volume to my lashes without looking heavy and really do pass as being my own, even in person!! They’re easy to put on as the band is nice and flexible and stay put throughout the day. These are my lashes for sure! Have you tried Ardell lashes before?
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Sensationail gel LED lamp and gel polish in My Cherry Amour
November 4, 2018 Nail Love•Nails

Don’t be Jelly of my Gel Nails

With a collection of nail polishes in the hundreds, you could say I am a manicure addict. Every colour of the rainbow in a variety of finishes, completed with a healthy dose of glitter, is how I would describe my selection of nail polishes. There’s no shade I won’t try or design too daring (I even have cute little sausage dog nail stickers) because having beautifully painted nails makes me feel… well more polished!

However, as much as I love getting my nails done, my job honestly couldn’t give two hoots. Working in a laboratory, wearing tight gloves and washing my hands constantly takes it’s toll on my manicure. We’re talking only a matter of hours before the polish chips and flakes away like my will to live. It doesn’t matter what brand, how carefully I apply it, my work makes no exceptions. As a result, I’m often having to pop my polish of choice in my bag and apply afterwards before I head out for any evening activities.

Since I also don’t have the funds or the time to get regular acrylics/gel nails done at a salon, being able to do my own gel manicure at home is something I’ve desperately wanted to give a whirl.

Sensationail gel LED lamp and gel polish in My Cherry Amour
Sensationail gel LED lamp
Sensationail gel LED lamp

The gel LED lamp by Sensational promises to cure all gel polishes in a matter of seconds for a no mess, no fuss manicure. Plug it in, paint and pop your hand under, simple. Armed with one of Sensationail’s own Express Gel One Step Polishes in My Cherry Amour, I was ready to nail my nails.

I found the formula thicker than normal none gel polishes but it still applied smoothly and evenly across the whole nail. Once on, I put my fingers under the LED lamp, which senses the presence of your hand. It stays on in intervals of 15 seconds before pausing and turning on again. This is so you can seal any base/top coats for 15 seconds and the actual polish for 30 seconds. I did have to spend a little while figuring out the best position to get my thumb underneath as well (thumb resting on index finger and wrist slightly bent out) but otherwise it was a doddle. After the recommended time, I withdrew my hand, held my breath and touched the polish. The result? Perfectly dry! I honestly couldn’t believe how quickly it set. Normally, I’m hanging round for ages waiting for polish to harden and just when I think it’s ready and I’m desperate for the loo, it still smudges! Not this one, straight away I went round my house cleaning, cooking and not a single dent.

Sensationail gel LED lamp and gel polish in My Cherry Amour
Sensationail gel LED lamp and gel polish in My Cherry Amour

In terms of durability, Sensationail say you can achieve damage-proof nails for up to two weeks. I found mine stayed chip free for around four days. This may not seem long to some but I’ve never managed to keep my nail polish looking good for this length of time! This was without a top coat too.

To remove gel polish you do have to have a proper kit and I found once removed I did have a slight orange tint left on the surface, so I definitely would recommend applying a base coat to protect your nails.

However, what do you do if you don’t have a gel removal kit handy or don’t want to commit to the same colour for weeks? After experiencing the wonders of my Sensationail gel manicure, I was dubious as to whether any gel-like polishes would be just as good.

Korres Gel Effect Nail Colour in Watermelon and Candy Pink
Korres Gel Effect Nail Colour in Watermelon
Korres Gel Effect Nail Colour in Watermelon

Korres’ Gel Effect Nail Colour has advanced technology to give maximum shine and long wear colour that lasts up to ten days. The free from formula (no silicone, acetone, phthalate, formaldehyde, camphor and toluene) claims to offer professional gel-like nails without the commitment. Application-wise, it’s like any other polish. Two thin layers provides intense colour with a high shine finish that dries hard in minutes. I do like to wait at least twenty minutes with a polish like this just to make sure I don’t ruin all my hard work but the result is beautifully smooth and glossy.

The Korres Gel Effect Nail Colour lasted a full two days before chipping at work, which is not bad going for non-gel polish. Enriched with sweet almond oil to keep your nails in tip-top condition, I think they make the perfect quick fix gel mani. 

Captial B Lips Pout

*These products were kindly gifted by Sparkle PR. However, all opinions are my own.

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Comments

  1. Mel says

    November 11, 2018 at 7:12 pm

    I love the idea of salon finish nails at home with this set

    http://littlemissmelanie.com

    Reply
  2. Alice Spake says

    November 11, 2018 at 7:41 pm

    Oh I have this!! I’m so much better at it now too lol it’s fab isnt’ it?!

    Reply
  3. Laura says

    November 12, 2018 at 8:45 am

    I have looked at buying this so many times as it looks really good, plus it would be so much easier to have my nails done at home! X

    Reply
  4. Lady Writes says

    November 12, 2018 at 10:48 am

    I have used SensatioNail for years and they never disappoint! x

    Reply
  5. Katie says

    November 12, 2018 at 12:15 pm

    I love this idea. If we were allowed to have our nails done at work – I would definitely get one of these because why wouldn’t you want salon finish nails from the comfort of your own home?!

    Katie x
    http://katie-middleton.co.uk

    Reply
  6. Jess want says

    November 15, 2018 at 8:08 am

    Ooo your nails look gorgeous. I do my own gel nails too far cheaper than going to a salon x

    Reply
  7. Nikki says

    November 17, 2018 at 12:13 am

    I am a bit jelly of your gel nails, I won’t lie! Your talons look fabulous, I can never grow mine xx

    Lovelaughslipstick ♥

    Reply
  8. bethan shufflebotham says

    November 18, 2018 at 11:15 pm

    that red shade looks perfect for christmas! I would love to gel my own nails!

    Reply
  9. plainsarahjayne says

    November 20, 2018 at 5:19 pm

    I LOVE having gel nails. I’ve always wanted to do them myself but never knew how, until now! x

    Reply
  10. alicia says

    November 23, 2018 at 8:58 pm

    Such a gorgeous colour! My sister has something like this and loves it! – Alicia xo

    Reply
  11. Sara says

    February 25, 2019 at 10:23 am

    I believe that the led lamp is safer for your skin than the UV light lamps, is this true? I was wondering which to invest in to cure my gel nail polish.

    Reply
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