Instagram post 2191330333998626248_3273331858 Gifted| Do you have a morning ritual?
When it comes to getting out of bed and helping me look like I’m one of the living, there are certain things I always rely on.
First is my @lumie.lights alarm clock. They’re not cheap but this has been a life saver for me. Granted, I’m not jumping out of bed, so excites to get to work but the gradual build in gentle light helps my body feel less attacked by that awful iPhone alarm and I’m often awake before it reaches full intensity!
The second is a cup of tea. I very rarely skip my morning cuppa. I wake up, make it and pop back into bed for 20 minutes just adjusted and preparing myself mentally for the day ahead. Plus look at memes of course.
The last thing is a good under eye brightener. I’ve been really loving the Flawless Eye Retouch from @transformulas to help me look fresh in the morning. Not too thick or matte, simply paint under the eye and blend. The light reflective particles instantly smooth and conceal to make my eyes look brighter but in a really natural way. I’m not about that heavy cakey makeup look and this is just amazing.
What’s your morning routine?
Instagram post 2189180982895414005_3273331858 Hello 1st of December, I’m ready for you!
Today is tree day. We’re having a big cooked breakfast, opening our advent calendars and decorating our new house for our first Christmas which I’m very excited about. Then to finish, a big roast dinner. The perfect Sunday!!
Also big big shout out to @lifeofpingkan and @hyphyhip. I just love doing photoshoots with these two. I only have to mention an idea I have and they help me execute it and photograph it better than I even imagined it! 💋
Instagram post 2187707010173471285_3273331858 TGIF! So excited for this weekend because it’s the 1st of December and you know what that means?!? Christmas Tree!!!! Have you put yours up yet or are you go for this Sunday too? 
Tonight I’m having a chilled one. Anyone else wake up and already look forward to getting home and doing nothing? It’s my absolute fave. Top choices are reading a book or I’m already on the fifth season of Bones and loving it!
Instagram post 2185528045044400754_3273331858 Bold Lips! 💋
I am a peachy nude girl through and through but there’s something about this @fentybeauty lipstick in Clapback that makes me feel kickass! It’s a rich navy blue and it’s the only non-conventional lip colour I’ve ever bought. Something about the shade and finish called to me the second I saw it! Never mind the Fenty Mattemoiselle lipsticks feel great on. Not a touch of dryness and the colour is beyond pigmented. 
Haven’t quite been daring enough to wear it outside yet though even though I’ve had it for a year though... whoops.
What’s the boldest lip colour you’ll wear?!
Instagram post 2167408175811453203_3273331858 Gifted| It’s the 1st of November and to me that means it’s the start of the festive season. Ok I’m not talking get the tree up and lights everywhere but little bits of fun and magic every day are a must for me this month. I’m talking mince pies, lots of chocolate, Greggs festive bakes 😋 and @pret Christmas sandwiches (I’m sooooo ready). Plus it’s time to get out the winter cosy pyjamas and relax in festive bubble baths. Which brings me on to one of my favourite bath products, the @lush Snow Fairy Bubble Wand! For starters it’s pink so it’s a win and I love how easy it is to swish round in the water creating swirls of sparkly pink bubbles, all with that classic Snow Fairy scent.
Instagram post 2166668354130372191_3273331858 Happy Halloween!!! 🎃🕸🍬👻🤡
What are your plans for this evening? Party? Trick or Treating? Or hiding away?! I’ve got my pumpkin carved (on the instastory) and my buckets of sweets ready! This year I’ve got skittles and of course the classic haribo packs. I wanted mini smarties but couldn’t find them anywhere! I’m not a big fan of sugary sweets like Swizzels so always get something I would actually eat. After all, a fair few packets will need to be tested by me for research purposes! 
What’s your favourite Halloween sweet treat? Any you really hate? Parma Violets = blerghhhh 🎃🕸🍬👻🤡
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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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