Gel nails - Pro's and Con's

If some of you read a post of mine a while ago then you would know i was debating on whether or not to buy a gel nail kit. So a month or so ago i bought the Bluesky UV lamp and gel nails starter kit. 

Now, before buying this kit for myself i had never done gel nails before or had them done professionally before. I also didn't do much research on them at all so i taught myself a lot of what i know about gel nails now. But originally, all i knew was that they latest much longer than normal nail polish so they seemed convenient to me.

Pro's

1. They can last up to 2 weeks
2. They are much shinier
3. Its easier for your nails to grow as it provides a hard shell on your nails so they are more protected and less likely to snap or chip
4. You can achieve the same results that a salon can charge around £20 or more for a gel manicure
5. They look as shiny and professional on day 9/10/11/...(etc) as they did on day 1

Con's

1. If you manage to chip one nail and have the urge to peel it off, its not easy to 'just repaint' one nail
2. Applying a fresh set of gel nails can take me up to an hour or more. (time consuming)
3. You need to replenish a lot of the equipment you need fairly regularly. Including; base coat, top coat, alcohol wipes and possibly the bulbs in your UV nail lamp after a while
4. (One that won't apply to everyone but..) the short lead on my UV lamp limits the places i can do my nails

If i think of anymore to add i will be updating the post.

A Trip Down Makeup Memory Lane

Although I'm only 18 years old, i have had a passion for makeup for many years now. 

I bought a few makeup items from pocket money, but as soon as i got my first part time job and was earning a little bit of money, i chose to spend some of it on makeup.

Below i have added some of my Instagram photos from around 3/4 years ago of makeup. The quality of the photos are not great from a few years ago but gets slightly better as time passes! 

90% of the makeup shown i have bought with my own money. Some of the products shown are from Birthday and Christmas presents.

I had my eye on these brushes for so long and was so excited to get them for my birthday.

Even 3 years ago i had a lot of makeup!

MAC soon became my new obsession. I wanted to buy all the eyeshadow's in pan form to create my own palette.

I believe these are the presents i received on my 15th birthday. I would still be so happy with these now! Real techniques, Yankee candle & more MAC products!

I was so, so happy that my MAC lipstick collection was growing!

Me and my friend Alice went to France with her family. I would appreciate going to Sephora much more now! 

Looking back at this, i can't believe i had 3 MAC blushers 2 and a half years ago, i only have one more than that now!

I was pleased with the better quality of this picture after getting a new phone!

I had already been obsessed with makeup YouTubers for AGES now, and i finally got my hands on the Collection lasting perfection concealer! Still a favourite of mine now. Oh, and some black matte nail polish of course, for Halloween!

My MAC palette was coming along nicely! (I completed it today, 3 and a half years after i started it!)

I still love this style on my drawers, simplistic!

One more added!

A group picture for the MAC products! They seem to be growing quickly.

I caved in and bought all 3 at the same time, now the 4th one (Naked Smokey Palette) has released recently and I can't wait to get one.

3 more... 

These are still some of my favourite red lipsticks.

I ordered and relieved my MUJI storage after wanted it for so long.

More added! Second from the right on the bottom row is Cranberry, i love this eye shadow for autumn and winter.

One of my absolute favourite blushers, Benefit Rockateur

Some Christmas presents to myself....Oops

So beautiful and amazing to use.

My first Chanel product. A blusher from my brother for my 18th Birthday.

MAC soft and gentle highlighter. I dropped this on my carpet 2/3 days after getting this and it cracked! :-(

I bought myself the IKEA Alex 5 drawer.

My Mum and I went on holiday to Tenerife, so of course i couldn't resist the duty free.

So, so pleased with my collection and hope it doesn't stop growing!! Haha..

And today... I may of ordered a few things!!





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Ways to use Bio Oil

What is Bio Oil?

"Bio Oil is a specialist skincare product that helps improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone. Its advanced formulation, which contains the breakthrough ingredient PurCellin Oil, also makes it highly effective for numerous other skin concerns, including aging skin and dehydrated skin."

There are many different ways to use Bio Oil, here are some of my favourites;

1) Nails and cuticles

Rub a small amount of Bio Oil to your nails and cuticles to keep them soft and prevent dryness. This should be done before applying nail polish as it can make pushing back the cuticles much easier

2) Hair treatment

Apply a drop or two to your palms and rub together before applying to the lengths of your hair, this makes your hair soft and can prevent fly aways. Alternatively you could apply a small amount to your roots and scalp to treat a dry scalp, this should be done before a hair wash

3) Stretch marks

Bio Oil is famous for treating stretch marks, apply a small amount to the area and massage in. This needs to be done twice a day every day to see results and prevent stretch marks

4) Facial oil

Apply a drop or two to your palms and massage in to your face this should be done once or twice a week. It will keep your face soft and hydrated and can prevent ageing

5) Massage oil

Bio Oil can also be used as a oil for a massage treatment

For Sale: BENEFIT 'you're so party' makeup set!

Im selling a Benefit makeup set on eBay. (Link HERE)

**RRP £39.99 - worth £57.64**

+ £3.30 postage. (Open to offers)

Description as follows on eBay:

Amazing value for money as it contains a full size best selling mascara and bronzer as well as a 7.5ml POREfessional primer worth £57.64

Benefit You're So Party Kit includes:

- Benefit They're Real! Beyond Mascara 8.5g - Black
- Benefit Hoola Bronzer Powder 8g
- Benefit The POREfessional PRO Balm Primer Mini 7.5ml 

- Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss Mini in Hoola

HURRY this item ends in 6 days time!  X X

Get ready with me: Meal with friends

Last night i went out for a meal with my friends and i wanted to share the makeup look i created. 

I started by relaxing in the bath and applied my Soap and Glory 'no clogs allowed' face mask. This mask is really good for deep cleaning your pores. The instructions advise you to take a grape size amount, work it into dry skin, wet your hands and rub again. The water reacts with the product encouraging beads to burst which turns the face mask blue and heats up slightly. Its recommended that you keep the face mask on for 5 minutes.

After rinsing off the face mask with warm water i used the Simple moisturising facial wash just to ensure any residue from the face mask is washed off.

For makeup i started by using my Rimmel 25hr foundation. 

I then used some tape and put this on the side of my eyes from the outer corner. to the end of my eyebrow, creating a line for the eyeshaddow to follow.

I then took a skin colour shadow and applied it all over the lid to create an even base.

I used a matte mid toned purple gently through the crease and slightly on the outer corner.

I then used a matte black shade on an angled brush along the lash line and winging it out slightly.

After this i went over the black line with a liquid liner.

I then curled my lashes, removed the tape and applied mascara.

I decided to use a black kohl eyeliner to intensify the eye look more.

I then used false eyelashes and applied concealer under my eyes.

After this i filled in my eyebrows very slightly on the tails and set them in place with a brow gel.

I finished the face makeup by applying a matte bronzer in the hollows of my cheek bones to create a contoured look, and then used a small amount of blusher.

Lastly i set the makeup in place with a powder and applied lip balm (sadly no lipstick as i had a coldsore that had almost healed!)

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