Kerastase Elixir Ultime

Ive been hearing all about Argan Oil hair products for a while now, so I decided to try some for myself. The first thing I was tempted to try was Moroccan Oil, until my trusty hair dresser told me about this...

 

Along with Argan oil the Elixir also contains Pracaxi Oil, Maize Oil and Camellia Oil, which all are apparently very good for your hair!

You can use the Elixir in loads of ways, serum for wet hair, smoother for dried hair and a pre-wash treatment too.

  

It smoothes and softens my hair a treat, whichever way I use it.

I apply 2 pumps of the serum to the lengths of my wet hair, along with all of my regular hair products. Whether I wear my hair curly or straight it adds shine and softness. If my hair is ever feeling a bit dry, I rub in 2 pumps of the product about 20 minutes before washing. Problem solved! 

I always have the problem of hair oils and serums weighing my thin hair down, which this doesn’t do at all!

Kerastase also claims the Elixir protects your hair, which it definitely does, but I still use a heat protection spray when I'm straightening.

My hair is in much better condition since I started using the product and although it is quite expensive (around £28) I will keep using it. A very little goes such a long way.

So far I’m sold on Argan oil...

PPx

Gel overlays... best nail strengthener around!

Recently my nails have been in need of a little bit of reinforcement, especially on my right hand. I haven't changed my routine so maybe I was just being a bit rough with them. So I decided gel overlays were in order.

At the moment I'm trying Bella Forma, which used to be called CalGel. Bella Forma is a self leveling gel that you cure with a UV light. It comes in Clear and there is a range of coloured gels too. I'm using the Clear gel which can also be used to sculpt extensions. So far I've only used it for overlays.

You can paint straight over the gel with any polish, I added a base coat to prevent the gel staining. As long as you use non acetone nail polish remover you can change the polish as many time as you like.

You apply it with a thin, flat brush, it's actually no harder than applying polish.

• Very lightly buff the nail
• Apply OPI ChipSkip or wipe nail with non acetone nail polish remover
• Apply the first thin layer
• Apply the second thin layer
• Cure for 60 seconds
• Apply the third thin layer
• Cure for 60 seconds
• Wipe with non acetone nail polish remover to remove the sticky layer

My nails feel STRONG and smooth. They are slightly thicker than normal but not noticeably. The gel should last 2 weeks, I think I could actually get a bit more wear out of it.

The instructions say the gel will soak off in 10mins in acetone.
Hopefully this wont be too messy...

PPx

Water marbling - My first attempt

Now you have probably seen the YouTube clips and thought can I REALLY be bothered to make THAT much mess... well I'm glad I did!

The base colour is China Glaze Style Wars with China Glaze Happy Go Lucky and GOSH Hot Coral marbled over it.

Watch the link (at the top) to see how its done but basically you drip little drops of nail polish into the centre of a cup of water until you form circles.

Draw a little pattern, lightly, with an orange stick.

Dip your finger in (one or two at a time) and hey presto... your done!!

You have to tape around your fingers before hand to stop TOO much going on your skin, Scotch tape is the best thing I've tried.

If you get a lot of polish on your skin, wait for your nails to dry completely then soak your hands in water for a minute or two and just rub the excess polish off.

Much nicer for your skin than nail polish remover.

When you are picking colours to marble together the most complementary will be the ones opposite or next to each other on the colour wheel.

I really cant wait to try more!!

PPx

POW!! Double holo... GOSH Holographic and Fairy Dust

This is my day out in the sun manicure! Its GOSH Holographic 549 (3 coats) topped with China Glaze Fairy Dust (1 coat) and then a coat of Seche for good measure. The GOSH is quite hard to control but with a little bit of clean up, you end up with a good finish.

 This is direct sunlight, indoors it is less spectacular.

These pictures really don't do this glittery combo justice...

 Although this one is out of focus it really shows the sparkles!

(and who doesn't love sparkles)

PPx

OPI Crystal File

This file is the only file I ever use on my nails, it’s the best I've ever tried. It seals the free edge and stops my nails from splitting (which they are very prone to do) and it so easy to control to shape your nails too. You have to be quite gentle with it but it will repay you in lovely strong nails.

To find out what shape is best for your nails just look at your cuticles, technically you should mirror them. I say technically because I don't. Just experiment and find a shape that you like!

OPI claim the file won't wear out, so I don't really mind the price.
I found mine on Ebay for about £8.

It’s a 240 grit file, which I find is a good all round for filing down and shaping.
The higher the grit number, the softer the file is. This is a 'medium' file. The lower the grit number the more coarse the file.

Do you have a favourite file?

PPx

China Glaze Crackle Glaze Metals Collection

Crackles! Love them or hate them?? China Glaze have 6 new shades....

 

China Glaze Fairy Dust - SPARKLY!

China Glaze Fairy Dust is a teeny weeny specks of spangly holographic glitter in a clear base, it makes any polish really eye catching without detracting from the colour. It shows up well over black but makes reds and pinks ZING too.

Fairy Dust is easy to use with a good consistency. One coat gives you nice, even coverage. When its dry, its only ever so slightly rough but a splash of top coat can sort that straight out.

Its is a staple in my collection and can be used as a quick refresher to squeeze a few more days wear out of your polish.

This photo was taken in direct sunlight and you can see the rainbow of colours bouncing off, it is less colourful indoors though.

I'm going to try this over holographic polish, I have GOSH holographic 549, which will probably be a fun OTT manicure to keep me busy for a while!

PPx