As you know I love nail polish, probably a little too much sometimes! Each time I do my nails there's a few essentials I swear by to get the best out of my manicure and keep my nails in tip top condition. So if your just starting out or need a helping hand in deciding what should be in your manicure kit, check out my handy guide to my nail essentials starter kit.
What's your go to nail product you couldn't live without? Leave a comment below or tweet me.
1. Crystal Nail File - Not only does a crystal nail file last a lifetime, it's also a lot better for your nails than a conventional file, meaning you can go back and forth, without worrying your damaging your nails.
2. Cuticle Cream - Cuticles need to be looked after as much as your actual nails, to keep them in good condition, choose a cuticle remover cream or exfoliating one to remove cuticle skin with ease.
3. Cuticle Clippers - I don't recommend using these for cutting your cuticles, that's what the cream is for, for removing them safety. But these are good if you have any hanging skin or hang nails on the sides of your nails.
4. 3 Way Buffer - This is a great thing to have in your kit for creating a smooth surface ready for polish application or for giving a healthy shine to the nails if you want sport bare nails.
5. Cuticle Stick - I love this little stick for not only pushing my cuticles back but for cleaning up any unwanted nail polish around my nail using the flat side, dipped in polish remover.
Vasaline Healthy Hands, Stronger Nails
6. Hand Cream - This is a great essential product to have everywhere, in the car, by your bed, by the sink and in your bag. It helps keeps your hands moisturised and looking healthy.
7. Treatment Base Coat - A base coat is a must every time to prevent staining, but it's can also help treat the nail too. I love the Original Nail Envy by O.P.I and have done for years as it treats the nail, helping it breathe whether your have colour on or not.
Essie Ballet Slippers
8. Nude Polish - If your just getting into nail polish or want to build your collection, there is three main colours I recommend every girl should own. The first is a nude polish, I love a nude/pink like this one from Essie, it's just looks timeless and pretty.
9. Taupe Polish - Taupe nail polish has become more trendy over the past few years and is a great staple colour to have in your kit, as it goes with anything and looks chic and sophisticated.
O.P.I - Big Apple Red
10. Red Polish - A pillar box red is a must, as it's classic and will never go out of fashion, say no more.
Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
11. Dry Fast Top Coat - Back in the day when I first got into nail polish, a dry fast top coat was unheard off, you simply had to wait patiently until your polish was dry, which in my opinion never worked out as I always ended up with some kind of in print on my nails! But nowadays there is a wealth of dry fast saviours on the market and I think this really is a no brainer for a fool proof manicure.
O.P.I Avoplex Cuticle Oil
12. Cuticle Oil - Even if you don't have a hand cream, a cuticle oil is a must as it keeps the nails looking healthy and conditioned. Use it not only on the cuticle but over the whole of the nail too.
13. Cotton Wool - Kind of a self explanatory item to have in your kit, but a must if you like to change up your nail polish often. I always stock up if it's on offer.
14. Nail Polish Remover - Another must have item, try picking a remover that is acetone free as these are less harmful and drying on the nails. I would only recommend acetone removers for removing chunky glitter polishes as they tend to need a little extra help.
Last but not least store all your nail essentials in one place, like a make-up bag, so that when your ready to do your nails you can grab your bag with everything in it and set up your own nail workstation!
Over the past few years I have become a bit of a lip junkie! Don't get me wrong I love a good lipstick but for everyday I can't be without a lip balm. I have quite a few dotted around in the car, by my bed, endless handbags, on my vanity, the list goes on...... Today I thought I would share with you my top five lip balms.
What's your go to lip balm to keep your lips moisturised? Leave a comment down below or tweet me.
My Top 5 Lip Balms
1. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Protection Stick - I recently featured the original Eight Hour Cream in my May Favourites as this is a staple in my beauty cupboard, but sometimes it can get a bit messy so it's good to have it in a stick form too. This also has an SPF 15.
2. Coca Cola Cherry Lip Smacker - I love these lip smackers especially the cherry flavour, coca cola is my guilty pleasure and something I have given up on the countdown to my wedding, so this lip balm satisfies my cravings, as well as moisturising my lips too.
3. Maybelline Baby Lips Quenched - The majority of my collection is made up of the Maybelline Baby Lips, I just love these as they are affordable, have super cute packaging and come in so many great flavours. My favourite is from the original line up in Quenched, as it has an SPF 20.
4. EOS Vanilla Mint - EOS finally came to the UK recently and while they are a bit more expensive than the US, I just love the formula of these. My top pick is the Vanilla Mint scent as it smells divine and fells like a super buttery moisturiser on the lips.
5. The Body Shop Wild Argan Oil Solid Oil Lips - Although I'm not a fan of pot lips balms, where you have to dip your finger in, this is a beautiful balm for night time. If you've followed me for a while now, you'll know I'm a big fan of this scent in the body butter and pretty much love most of the Wild Argan Oil Collection, so this was a no brainer for me as it's a lovely thick luxury balm.
I recently did a post on my Winter Lip Essentials as it is that time of the year where we need to take care of our bodies more than ever. With the heating on full blast and the cold bitter days outside it certainly takes it's toll, so I defiantly like to have a good routine in place to soothe my dry, scaly skin!
1. This for me is crucial, exfoliating is the best for getting rid of the dead skin to reveal the new glowing skin. I love exfoliating gloves as they are easy and quick, I usually do this twice a week in the shower. If your looking for something with a grit then a body scrub is for you, there is so many out there but the one that never fails me is my DIY scrub simply made of sugar, honey and oil.
2. Next up is replenishing the body with moisture and I love a thick buttery body butter especially The Body Shop ones, they the trick perfectly, but as they are so thick I tend to use these at night so they have time to sink in well. My favourite is the Shea Butter but I am currently using the Vitamin E one which is perfect for dry skin and has a light scent.
3. When I shower in the morning I have to moisturise after other wise my skin feels tight and dry so I have to have a day moisturiser on hand that sinks in quickly and feel light on the skin. I am currently using this Vaseline Intensive Care Essential Healing* lotion which is especially targeted for dry skin and smells so fresh and clean.
*The Vaseline moisturiser was sent to me for review consideration
