Apologies again...

Apologies again, this is now my third post in a row on nails. I am going through a bit of a nail obsession at the moment. There are a few reasons for this. One is that during the winter, there is one thing that always works for me and that is my nails. It can be raining outside and my hair will turn into a ball of frizz, the freezing wind can blow in my face all it wants and my skin can dry and my lips crack, but my nails will usually always stay ok, if not get better. During the winter we eat better, more wholesome foods and more often to keep warm and our energy levels up. Therefore, this is why I am in love with polish, as the efforts of shaping; manicuring and polishing are rarely in vain. Unlike the 45 minutes or so it takes to blow dry, straighten and ‘set’ my hair simply to go outside for 5 minutes and whoosh – frizz ball! The other reason is that I am engagement ring shopping so am conscious that my hands and fingers are being looked at, moreover, if and when I/we find the ring, I want it to be worn on perfectly manicure nails.

Therefore, what better way to continue my nail obsession than a little look at the new launch from God himself, Tom Ford. It is almost like everything this man touches turns to gold and this new launch is no exception.

Tom’s Scarlet Chinois, it my favorite of the range. The key according to colour choice is according to the experts 50 per cent what you like and 50 per cent what suits you. I’ve never been a big fan of the greige look, my hands end up looking dead and pale. Red all the way!

This colour is the perfect American red. It is extremely versatile and looks brilliant with this seasons camel, black and navy. The bottle oozes glamour and screams FABULOUS! I am dying to try it and as I have been informed by a reliable source that it glides on with no glooping or bubbling, dries efficiently and stays put. However, at £25 a pop I'm don't think I'll get the chance to test it out anytime soon!

Ax

Fabulous Friday Nails

Ok so it is my second nail post of the week sorry, but I could not help myself. Sitting in my office I look at my nails and think – how dare I leave the house without out polish on. So I rummaged through my handbag (thinking there must be something in here) Ah ha! Mavala I love you! Onyx, a deep luxurious dark red almost black/brown. Two coats and bam! I am ready, as well as for my appointment on Monday with the jeweller. While on holiday a few weeks ago, my darling boyfriend, or should I say, fiancée proposed and I said yes. Monday we are ring shopping, so my nails must look their best – obviously!

Therefore, amid this excitement I am literally typing this post while my nails dry! Multi-tasking at its best!

Mavala – little pots of love like dim sum - £4.10 – Debenhams, John Lewis and Online

Ax

The Gatsby Nail

To me nails are the easiest way to jazz up any outfit and change your look and mood. Therefore, this is why, over the coming months you will hear (read) a lot from me about nails. Winter to me is miserable – I do not like crisp mornings unless I am in bed or do not have to go outside. For me winter is hell for hair, skin, and wardrobe! However, one thing I can almost guarantee is that my nails will be ok! During the winter, month’s people tend to eat more wholesome foods such as the classic ‘meat and two veg’ and more of it. This leads to healthier bodies (if you are not just eating biscuits and cakes), which in turn leads to stronger and healthier nails.

This season is all about showing off, whether you have long talons or short neat nail, you can be as create, as you like – there is not limit on colour or pattern. This season Illamasqua, whose roots stem from the dark and illicit 1920s club scene, have created a dark and sensual nail colour collection to make your mouth water. The Theatre Of The Nameless collection features four autumnal toned rich colours that will match any winter outfit in your wardrobe.

Taking from their 1920’s origins Glenis Baptise tells us how to achieve The Gatsby, a look adorned by Dita von Teese, quite possibly on of the most mesmerising women of our time.

The Gatsby – Get the look

 A classic look, the Gatsby Nail leaves the half-moon at the cuticle end of the nail bare for a very 1920s finish.

Start at the centre of the nail plate, about a third of the way up from the cuticle, then sweep the brush towards the nail tip in a single stroke. This creates your centre line.

Next, angle your brush so that the bristles form a curve from the edge of your centre line to the corner of your nail bed. To complete the half-moon shape, repeat on the other edge of your nail.

Don’t worry if you make a mistake, you can tidy up the half-moon using the pointed end of a cotton bud soaked in acetone-free nail varnish remover.

Leave to dry for a few minutes before applying a second coat, then apply Illamasqua Top Coat for a perfect finish.

Ax

TOMA-ly On Trend

The beauty world is an ever changing and fast pace industry. If you blink, you’ll miss the hottest trends. There are so many new techniques on make up application, colours, new products and formulas, sometimes you can feel like you are standing in a minefield. However, there is one beauty trend that is very easy to follow and that is nails.

Nail trends are simple, colour, pattern, shape and style. Done! Dressing your nails is the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to get yourself ‘on-trend’. Nails used to be an after thought for many, but today nails are your own way to show a little bit of creativity.

The colours you choose to wear on your nails tells people, that you are aware of the trends and have been able to incorporate them into your look, without buying a whole new wardrobe. (Hello savvy ladies!)

So when it comes to this seasons nail colours, anything goes, but brights seem to be the big winner. Yellows, pinks, blues, green, oranges and purples, the more neon, the better. If you need some colour inspiration take a peep at TOMA’s Tutti Frutti Collection, at just £7.25. There are 6 different colours in the collection so you have plenty of chose from in order to best reinvent your wardrobe.

TOMA Tutti Frutti Collection

I tried Blueberry Sorbet and Strewberries & Cream. Now, I am usually an Essie or Mavala girl and was extremely surprised at the quality of these TOMA nail varnishes. The lacquer is just the right consistency for two very long lasting coats. The colours are so deep and rich, they are simply delicious. While, the brush allows for even application and doesn’t drag the varnish over the nail, rather it distributes evenly. 

Strawberries & Cream

Blueberry Sorbet

The finished result...

Ax

Red Red Wine

I would like to think that I have quite a classic sense of style when it comes to both fashion and beauty, to which I then add my personal twist to.

When it comes to nails however, I like to stick to the rules. A French manicure is great, but no sparkles, gems or glitter please! On trend seasonal colours defiantly work, as long as they tone in with your outfits. Personally, the only colour that you can wear with any outfit of any colour is red. You can wear it with purple, yellow, blue, green, black, brown and orange, no one cares because red is the God of nail colour. Dark red, pale red or prostitute red, they are all allowed.

I brought a bottle of Revlon’s Revlon Red last week and to me this colour is THE ONE. I have worn it with fuchsia pink, leopard print, black, blue and purple. (It lasted that long on my nails). The varnish itself is lovely, not too thick and not too runny. The brush is good quality and glides across the nail well with an even spread of colour, which dries quite quickly. The bottle is probably a little large as I doubt I will finish its contents before it dries up, but I am more than happy to be proven wrong!

Revlon Revlon Red

I recommend always using a base coat before applying colour to your nails. This helps protect the nail bed from discolouration as well preventing the varnish from chipping or peeling off. I also suggest using a treatment base coat to suit your nail needs. If you have dry brittle nails go for a more conditioning base coat or if your nails are soft and thin use a hardener. I am currently using Essie First Base Base Coat. It is designed to help the nail varnish adhere to the base coat meaning that your manicure will last longer.

Essie First base Base Coat

NEVER apply less that two coats of nail colour, it simply won’t last a week. It is better to apply two layers of thin varnish than one thick coat. This will prevent it from smudging.

ALWAYS apply a top coat.  Otherwise, all your efforts will be in vain. Colour will inevitably always chip or wear off. I choose to use Seche Vite, to me it is the only top coat I have ever found that prolongs the life of your manicure, gives a super high shine to the nail as well as drying in less that one minute. What more could a girl want?!

Seche Vite

Plan wisely...have you ever spent ages doing your nails in the evening, after work, ready for a big meeting the next day, only to find when you wake up in the morning that you have a fabric print on your nails because the varnish didn’t have chance to fully dry! Nightmare and a complete waste of time! So make sure you do your manicure at least an hour before you go to bed.

Ax