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 

*PR Samples 

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 Cosmetics Field Day Range For Spring 2015

I love Collection Cosmetics for its affordable yet brilliant and on trend makeup. I have found quite a few gems in their range and so was excited to see what they had in store for Spring 2015. I have already shared one of the nail polishes from the range - Peach Blossom earlier today and so I have the rest of the Field Day range to show you.

The Field Day range inspired by florals evokes gentle Summer days, think lazy days of afternoon tea and picnics...

Swatches of the Field Day Collection 

There are three lipsticks in the collection £2.99 each

Fuschia (gloss)
Pink Rose - (matte) a pale pink
Tulip - (matte) my fave!

Tip - If you are using the matte shades ensure lips are suitably smooth and exfoliated before application.

I adore the Eyeshadow Pencils £3.19 each - 

These shimmery shadows can be used all over the lid or as a highlighter on the brow bone or in the corners of the eye. Coming in two shades - Summer Meadow (a gorgeous pale green) or Golden Sun (a wonderful pure gold shade) They are waterproof  and super long lasting, they just do not budge. However, they are gorgeously soft to apply!

And finally to complete the range are three shades of nail polish £1.99 each - Peach Blossom, Peony (pink) and Heather which I will be sharing with you very soon.

*PR Samples

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. 

*PR Sample

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.

*PR Sample

L'Oreal Makeup Gift With Purchase Offer - L'Oreal Paris So Couture Gift Set

I have had my eyes on a few makeup bits from L'Oreal MakeUp for a little while now and so when I saw they had a GWP in Boots worth £30 (which incidentally came with the mascara I was wanting to try) when you spent £14.99 I had to indulge.

I bought the following items

L'Oreal Paris Color Nail Gold Leaf Top Coat
L'Oreal Paris L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick by Color Riche in Nude Vibrato and Nude Ballet

*I spent £22

and received the following 

Gift With Purchase -  L'Oreal Paris So Couture Gift Set

Containing all full size products of

L'Oreal Paris Million Lashes So Couture So Black Mascara

L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Lipstick in Scarlett Creme 

L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Nails in Exquisite Scarlet

L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Le Khol in Immaculate Snow  

I'd say that was a bargain!

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?

*PR Sample

Nails Inc Snowflake Whitechapel Over Navy Nail Polish

Today's Nails Of The Day features one of my favourite ever top coats from Nails Inc - Snowflake Whitechapel over No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in Blue Patent. As I suspected it is utterly gorgeous!

*PR Sample

Three Sparkly & Glitzy Glitter Top Coats For Party Season

The fastest way to bling up your nails for a party is by adding a sparkly top coat.

I have three fabulous glitter top coats in my collection that I absolutely adore.

First up is Nails Inc Nail Jewellery in Diamond - Burlington Arcade. This is a silver based glitter polish and features glitter and flecks of silver that glisten like diamonds

Another Nails Inc beauty is the Snowflake Top Coat in Whitechapel. 

This is a stunning top coat that features silver glitter, strips and white hexagons that resemble frosty snowflakes and is just perfect for the winter season. It looks good over light and dark polishes.

And finally The Lacquer Lab has come up trumps with its Pocket full Of Jewels - this classy top coat contains gold glitter dust and opalescent flakes for an altogether grown up and elegant glitter top coat.

So whether you opt for a statement nail or fancy adorning every nail with glitter...Bling it on!

All that is missing from my collection now is a gold flake top coat that would look amazing over a black nail polish. I have spotted one from L'Oreal that is just £4.99.. watch this space!

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...

October 2014 Glossybox - Andy Warhol Inspired Pop Art Collector's Edition Box

Ooh I absolutely love the print on this month's GlossyBox! The Andy Warhol Pop Art design is so apt for a beauty blogger and is bright and cheery for this dreary October ... I will have no problems recycling this after I have used the contents.

As ever though, the outer is very nice but do the contents live up to expectation...

What's inside the October Glossybox

Inside my box features no less than 4  full size products, a fairly generous perfume sample and a bonus sample product.

From Left to Right -

Etre Belle Cosmetics Liplift Peel € 12.95 (Full Size)

They say - Get replenished and defined lips in an instant with this moisturising lip exfoliator. The gentle formula removes dead cells, refining the skin's surface for perfectly soft lips.

Out of all the products this is probably the one I am least enthused about getting use from as my lips are in pretty good condition, but you never know with the changing weather this could come in useful.

Yves Rocher France Quelques Notes D'Amour 5ml sample (Full Size £33 for 30ml)

They say - This scent encapsulates the feeling of falling in love through fusing notes of Damascus Rose , Guaiac Wood and Patchouli.

I like perfume samples and this is handy to pop into my weekend bag. This scent is lovely too, a bit like a delicious Turkish Delight.

So Susan Cosmetics Flutter Mascara £14.95 (Full Size)

They say - An intense carbon-black mascara formulated with hyaluronic spheres to help you achieve the darkest, curviest lashes possible.

I am always up for trying new mascaras and this sounds good, watch this space for my review!

Nuxe Creme Fraiche de Beaute Mask £19.50 (Full Size)

They say - A 24hr moisturising mask which hydrates and soothes the skin, instantly reducing discomfort or redness. Skin is left looking radiant and relaxed.

I am a big fan of Nuxe products so I am looking forward to trying out this mask which sounds ideal for the Winter months.

Ciate London Paint Pot £9 (Full Size)

I received Talent Scout a purple creme shade that be dressed up or down.

Bonus product - Rimmel London BB Cream Matte (sample size)

They say - This mulitasking 9 in 1 skin perfecting makeup cream with a natural formula contains kaolin, witch hazel and salicyclic acid for a flawless matte look.

I haven't tried this BB Cream so I will be interested to see how I get on with it, watch this space for the review..fingers crossed it is shade perfect!!

Final thoughts

This month's box represents outstanding value and with a great mix of products enclosed.

Thumbs up.

*PR Sample

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.

*PR Sample