Summer Ready Feet in Five Easy Steps

Here is my guide to getting Summer ready feet in just five easy steps.

I must confess the idea of going to a salon and having a pedicure is not my idea of fun, I much prefer to do it in the comfort of my home and using these tools it takes just a few minutes.

1. Soak feet.
2. Trim nails, going in a straight line (if you have thicker, more problematic nails use *Boots          Pharmaceuticals Toe Nail Clippers (£8.49) these are just brilliant as I can vouch)
3. Buff off hard skin from the soles of your feet - I like the Scholl Pedi Express which makes light work of it.
4. Deeply moisturise those feet - I am currently loving *Boots Intensive Foot Softener 150ml (5.99). It smelly lovely (no lavender here!) and really softens skin leaving it silky soft and it heals cracked heals thanks to the ingredient UREA.
5. Finally, choose a fabulously bright coloured nail polish and paint away! I hate waiting for polish to dry so I am using 60 Seconds Super Shine by Rita Ora for RimmelLondon in shade Bestival. One application is all you need for super shiny nails and it dries fast. Perfect!

Now dig out those sandals and show off those feet!

Nail polish - 60 Seconds Super Shine - Rita Ora for RimmelLondon - Bestival 

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Color Club Barely There Nail Polish - Nails Of The Day

Color Club's 'Barely There' Nail Lacquer was included in this month's Iconic Hollywood Edition Glossybox. I am a huge fan of nude nail polishes so I couldn't wait to apply this to my nails.

I think the description of 'barely there' is pretty much on the button, it is a gorgeous mannequin nails shade and perfect for no fuss, glossy nails.

I needed to apply 3 coats to achieve this look. I have to say I did find application quite tricky as the brush/lid design is quite long.  Also the product runs down from the top of the lid towards the brush causing drip so you have to be careful about that too.

Color Club 'Barely There' Nail Lacquer costs £4.10 

Collection Field Day Nail Polish In Peach Blossom - Nails Of The Day

This beautiful sunshine deserves matching sunny bright nails and I am totally in love with this brand new shade from Collection - Peach Blossom is from the Spring Field Day range.

You will need 3 applications for smooth, streak free application but the results are utterly gorgeous and at just £1.99 a bottle, it is a complete steal!

Collection Peach Blossom Nail Polish costs £1.99 - available mid to late March in Superdrug & Boots stores. 

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Zoya Nail Polish Payton - Nails Of The Day

Today's Nails Of The Day come courtesy of Zoya Nail Polish and the shade Payton. Payton is a pretty fully pigmented dark berry shade with holographic glitter running through it. This looks gorgeous in the sunlight but I found really hard to capture in a photo.

Zoya is a professional brand and it really shows in the ease of application and the consistency of the polish. The brush is absolutely perfect with application even and extremely smooth for a glitter polish (although this is fine glitter).

I couldn't fault it at all and on top of that I am impressed with how well it is lasting on my fingers which I shouldn't have been too surprised about as Zoya Nail Polish was named the longest wearing natural nail polish by an independent panel in Women’s Health Magazine.

Zoya is a natural brand and is free from the big 5

Free from Toluene
Free from Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde resin
Free from DBP (Phthalates) and Camphor 

Vegan friendly
Cruelty Free
Safe during pregnancy

That is not all, with over 500 shades in its collection from creme formulas to shimmer and glitter, there literally is  bound to be something for everyone. 

This was my first foray into the Zoya world and I would definitely try more.

Zoya nail polish can be found in most Natural stores like Wholefood Market and Nature Intended. Along with all major natural beauty websites like www.naturismo.com and www.lovelula.com and www.zoyapolish.co.uk  Many salons and spas throughout the UK also stock it.

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Gold Leaf Top Coat Over Black Nail Polish - Party Nails!

I absolutely adore today's Nails Of The Day. I applied L'Oreal's Gold Leaf Top Coat over *Wild About Beauty's Michael Black Nail Polish. 

I needed two coats of the Nail Polish to achieve opacity or you could get away with applying one thick coat but I prefer two thinner coats.

Another fabulous Christmas party look don't you think?

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Nail Inc Snowflake Whitechapel Polish over Wild About Beauty Michael - NOTD

Nails Inc Snowflake Whitechapel top coat looks pretty over a nude polish but as I suspected looks stunning over a dark shade. I applied a black polish - Michael from Wild About Beauty - under this fab top coat. It really makes it stand it and the gold glitter really glistens and shimmers when the light hits it. I still want to try it over a midnight blue shade so watch this space!

Christian Louboutin Nail Colour The Nudes Just Nothing - NOTD

At the weekend I fell in love with this sandy beige nude nail polish shade - Just Nothing from the Christian Louboutin Nail Colour collection. The bottle is huge but actually quite sturdy and substantial, so different from the usual polish bottle and so it should be considering the price tag!

Super glossy this perfect nude took 2 coats to achieve opacity.

A perfect item to pop on the Christmas List :)

Christian Louboutin Nail Colour £36

Ciate Paint Pots In Talent Scout - Nails Of The Day

Today's Nails Of The Day are from the October Glossybox - Ciate Paint Pot in the shade Talent Scout, a gorgeous and rich purple creme. Two coats achieved a glossy opaque finish that is perfect for Autumn/Winter.

L'Oreal Infallible Nail 001 Stay Nue - Nails Of The Day

Today's Nails Of The Day are from the L'Oreal Infallible Nails Collection - The shade (Stay Nue) is such a pretty shade of fleshy/peachy nude.. I love it!

L'Oreal Infallible Nails are inspired by a salon gel manicure, with glorious shine and up to 12 days wear. I am wearing 3 coats and managed 3 days before wear and tear started to show on one nail...

Nail Inc Whitechapel Snowflake Polish

Nails Inc Whitechapel Snowflake Polish is my Nails Of The Day today, it is a gorgeous and sparkly mix of gold glitter and white flakes to mimic the effect of falling snow. It looks super pretty under lights, just like glistening snow.

I popped it over two coats of the nude polish Colville Mews for this cool and snowy effect. However, I am thinking it will look incredible over a dark blue/navy polish too, so this is what I will be doing next with it. Party season is already looking up!

Nails Inc Whitechapel Snowflake Polish is £16 from Debenhams 

*PR Sample

OPI Skating On Thin Iceland - Winter 2014 Nordic Collection

Today's Nails Of The Day come from one of OPI's Winter 2014 Nordic Collection.

Skating On Thin Iceland is a rich plum creme shade that has a pretty glossy finish. This is two coats.

Available from Debenhams

The Lacquer Lab The Wonderous & Pocket Full Of Jewels - Nude & Glitter Nails

Today's Nails Of The Day come courtesy of The Lacquer Lab - A made in Britain nail polish brand that promises that it is "5 Toxin-Free” (no Toluene, DBP, Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde Resin or Camphor).

The Wonderous is an absolutely gorgeous luxe creme creamy pinky nude shade that applies smoothly and achieves full opacity in two coats. The brush is excellent for non messy application, I found it really easy to use and apply.

Pocket Full Of Jewels is an ultra pretty glitter top coat that combines a mix of gold glitter dust and shards of opalescent flakes. I only applied one coat of this for a subtle sparkle but for a more intense glitter effect you can apply multiple coats, I would recommend waiting for it to dry before applying more coats as glitter products have a tendency to lift off.

Available exclusively from thelacquerlab.com - each polish costs £9 and is available from Nov 1st 2014 

Max Factor Gel Shine Lacquer Vivid Vermillion - Nails Of The Day

Who says Summer is over?

I am making the most of the September sunshine with this gorgeous coral red, new Gel Shine Lacquer nail polish from Max Factor. Vivid Vermillion is bright, fun and glossy.

I only needed to apply one coat for opacity.

Love it.

Max Factor Gel Shine Lacquers costs £7.99 

*PR Sample

Nails Inc Colville Mews - Nails Of The Day

Today's Nails of The Day comes courtesy of one of my favourite nail polish brands. Nails Inc Colville Mews is a smart milky beige shade. It took 2 coats to achieve this opaque and glossy finish.

Nails Inc Colville Mews costs £12

Tanya Burr Penguin Chic Nail Polish - Nails Of The Day

I love this shade from the Tanya Burr Collection - Penguin Chic is a gorgeous dark greige autumnal nail polish. The formula is lovely to apply, smooth and even, it took 2 coats to achieve this rich and glossy finish.

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Tanya Burr Nail Polish - Little Duck - Nails Of The Day

Today's Nails Of The Day come courtesy of Tanya Burr Nail Polishes  - an exclusive collection by Eye Candy. This beautiful shade is called Little Duck and is the most wonderful mint colour. I love it and it is perfect for my skintone.

I have one major beef with the bottles, I couldn't open them! I tried and tried, hurt my hands in the process and had to resort to asking my husband for help (even he found them difficult, but obviously I had loosened them as he did manage to finally get them open). The square lid comes off to reveal a more user friendly shape. The texture on this particular shade is quite thick and gloopy, one coat is streaky, two is perfect. The finish is a bit lumpy but not bad to look at. Also this shade has great staying power - I applied this on Friday and it is still going strong today and looks as good as day 1.

I have a few more shades from the collection to try out and will let you know how I get on with them.

Tanya Burr Nail Polishes cost £5.99 for a 12ml bottle but are currently on offer at Superdrug for £3.99 

*PR Sample

Pink & Gold Nails - Nails Of The Day

The quickest way to jazz up your nails is with the addition of some gold in some shape or form, I chose a plain polish, I absolutely adore this one - Sandstorm from LOLA. If you only buy one gold polish  make it this. A must have in my opinion.

I added it as an accent on my ring fingers with the beautiful tea rose shade from Yves Rocher that came in this month's glossybox.

MUA Nail Polish in Bright Pink - Nails Of The Day

I have to confess to having had this bottle of Bright Pink polish for a while now.. it has the sweetest story behind it. My son (aged 6) bought it for me last year when he was 5 at the Mums and Dads Stall at the School Christmas Fayre as a surprise present for me. Bless him, he clearly knows I love makeup!

I always thought a Barbie pink shade was not for me, until yesterday! The sun was shining, I had matching trainers and I just had to put it on. I was pleasantly surprised, it looks FABULOUS in the sunshine. Bright and fun.

Good choice my little boy :)

MUA Nail Polish costs just £1 and has since been repackaged into Essie style bottles. I needed two coats for opacity. 

New - Starbucks Bottled Cookies & Cream Frappuccino

This week to celebrate the launch of Starbucks latest Bottled Chilled Drink - Cookies & Cream Frappuccino I popped down to the Nailberry Salon in South Kensington for a specially created Cookies & Cream Facial and Manicure from the KatyandTaty team ...

The Facial was relaxing and superb, with ingredients like oatmeal, pure cocoa powder, almond oil and fresh cream, it smelt so good I wanted to eat my own face. The facial left my skin feeling super soft and so incredibly clean and glowy.. I even did the school run with no makeup which I never do!

The Manicure featured a sugar and vanilla hand scrub with almond oil and Vitamin E followed by Nailberry's Iced Mocha polish and a bit of nail art with flecks of silver and black to represent the cookies and cream of the new drink.. Pretty!

As for the new drink.. well I am already a fan of the Starbucks Bottled Vanilla Frappuccino that features 100% Arabica espresso roast coffee that you find instore and this is now another firm fave! It is a delicious sweet, coffee drink with the taste of cookies and cream that is the perfect weekly treat.

Starbucks Bottled Cookies & Cream Frappuccino is in shops costing £1.79

LOLA by Perse Nail Polish - Tangerine Dream & Sandstorm

This orange and gold nail combo quite simply has to be my new favourite Summer Nails look..The orange representing the Sun and the gold representing golden sands on the beach. This just screams HOLIDAY!

LOLA by Perse is a new brand for me but already I am impressed with these nail polish shades, formula and finish.

040 Tangerine Dream is a gorgeous milky orange shade and 035 Sandstorm is the perfect shimmery gold shade.

LOLA Nail Polish 11ml is £8

LOLA Make Up by Perse is available from Marks and Spencer Beauty Halls and Online.

*PR Samples