Essie Aruba Blue with Nails. Inc Soho Silver

I’m going through a bit of metallic polish phase the moment and I’ve fell in love with Essie Aruba Blue. It’s a really gorgeous metallic sapphire blue shade and according to the internet it is one of the polishes Emily Blunt’s character wore in The Devil Wears Prada. Like all Essie polishes, this a dream to paint, it’s not gloopy and unlike a lot of metallic polishes, it’s not streaky.

The silver shade is Soho Silver, it was one of the free nail polishes with December’s Glamour magazine. I’m a huge fan of Nails Inc polishes, Nails Inc was the first high end nail brand I ever used. However, I’m quite disappointed with this one. The colour is gorgeous and perfect for the festive season but there is something wrong with the formula. The consistency is quite thin and almost stringy, it doesn’t paint properly and when it dries, it bubbles up. Its very odd and unlike the rest of the Nails Inc. polishes so maybe it’s just mine or maybe there was a problem across the board.

What do think of these shades? Have you had problems with Soho Silver?

November Favourites

This month’s favourites are pretty short but the products are pretty amazing.

Dove Hair Care

This month I have only used Dove hair care and my hair looks really shiny and my hair feels really soft and hydrated. I’ve been using the Age Shampoo and although it isn’t aimed at me, it’s a fantastic shampoo. For conditioner, I’ve been using the Oil Treatment Conditioner and I’ve seen a huge improvement in knots in my hair. For styling, I’ve using the styling cream and the heat protection spray and I love both (I have full posts on both the styling products).

http://www.boots.com/en/Dove-Hair-Therapy-Nourishing-Oil-Care-Express-Treatment-Conditioner-180ml_1247386/

http://www.boots.com/en/Dove-Style-Care-Frizz-Free-Cream-Serum-100ml_1372037/

http://www.boots.com/en/Dove-Style-Care-Replenishment-and-Heat-Protect-Spray-200ml_1372033/

Rimmel Retro Glam Mascara Extreme

Firstly, there is no difference between this and the original but both are amazing. My lashes are really long and defined and it helps hold a curl.

http://www.boots.com/en/Rimmel-London-Scandaleyes-Retro-Glam-Mascara-Extreme-Black_1388117/

Essie Buy Me A Cameo

I only bought this a couple of days ago and I can’t believe I didn’t buy this sooner, its gorgeous. I have a full post about it coming up.

http://www.boots.com/en/Essie-Nail-Colour-Buy-me-a-Cameo-15ml_1343452/

La Roche Posay Cicaplast Lip Balm

I’m addicted to lip balm, I honestly can’t count how many I have but my justification is, my lips are dry all year and I need lots of lip balm. I have a full post coming tomorrow but I love it.

Available from Escentual

Keeping Your Nails In Tip Top Condition

I’m quite obsessed nail and hand care, I have a ridiculous amount of nail polishes and treatment.

I love looking after my nails and painting them, I don’t find it a chore like some people or unenjoyable. I’ve had manicures in the past and they’ve been nice but it’s something I love having, partly because it’s a bit of a waste of money because I change my nail polish really often and partly because my nails are in good condition.

This is my nail routine and how I do a “manicure” at home.

General Nail Maintainence

• At night, I massage a little bit of Elizabeth Arden Eight Cream into my cuticles and skin around the nails and trust me this makes all the difference – it keeps the cuticle in good condition and the skin soft and well hydrated.
• If I have nothing to do, I will massage a cuticle oil onto my cuticles. Oils absorb quicker than the Eight Hour Cream and provides quick hydration and just keeps the nail area looking more polished. My personal favourite is Essie Apricot Oil.
• I also really like nail treatment products for on the go, Burt’s Bees Lemon Cuticle Butter and Leighton Denny’s Cuti-Lips are brilliant for keeping in your bag incase you have a spare minute.
• Once a week I use Leighton Denny’s Renovate. It’s an amazing product, especially if you have really damaged nails and are trying to get them into good condition. The treatment is meant to be everyday but nails aren’t damaged but this just keeps them strong and healthy.
• I buff my nails with just a normal three/four way buffer, about twice a month.
• When my nails aren’t painted, I always have OPI Nail Envy on, it gives a shine and helps them grow.

Manicure

1. I don’t do the whole soaking the nails and massaging handcream. I start just by filling my nails with the Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File, this is simply the best investment if you want nice nails. I never clip my nails, I hate using nail clippers on fingernails. In terms of shape, just do what you like.
2. The next step is the cuticle area, I use a cuticle dissolver which makes it easier to push the cuticle back and remove horrible bits off the nailplate. Sally Hansen does a great cuticle dissolver, as does Leighton Denny and Nails Inc.
3. Third step is to wash my hands to get rid of any products. Then I sweep nail varnish remover over the nail this dehydrates the nail removing any oils which means the nail polish goes onto a super clean surface and it means your nail polish will last longer without chipping or peeling.
4. Last step is to actually paint the nails. First the basecoat, my absolute favourite basecoat of all time is the Nails Inc Kensington Cavier Basecoat. Then apply nail polish in two thin layers, leaving a tiny gap at the cuticle. Finally, finish off with a topcoat, my favourite is the Nails Inc Kensington Cavier Topcoat.

Links

http://www.leightondennyexpertnails.com/crystal-nail-file–in-aluminium-case–

http://www.leightondennyexpertnails.com/cuti-lips-10g

http://www.leightondennyexpertnails.com/remove-and-rectify-12ml

http://www.nailsinc.com/nailpolish/kensington-caviar-top-base-coat-duo/822/

http://www.nailsinc.com/nailpolish/striptease-cuticle-remover/333/

http://www.boots.com/en/Burts-Bees-Lemon-Cuticle-Cream_52134/

http://www.boots.com/en/O-P-I-Original-Nail-Envy_12618/

http://www.lookfantastic.com/essie-apricot-cuticle-oil-15ml/10553725.html

http://www.boots.com/en/Elizabeth-Arden-Eight-Hour-Cream-Skin-Protectant-50ml_9783/

http://www.leightondennyexpertnails.com/renovate-10ml

http://www.boots.com/en/Sally-Hansen-Cuticle-Remover-Gel_1261177/