1 :2 :1 : Favourite Nail Polishes For Summer.

- I usually have painted nails (mainly because it's the only thing I get time to paint at the moment!) The Man always jokes that every time he sees me I have different coloured nails, but let's face it, he's away from me for weeks at a time at the moment!

- I thought I'd let you all see my favourite colours for summer, (to be honest, it's every colour, well. most.)

- There are plenty of nail blogs around such as Linda's, Camille's or Chloe's, and I could look at them for ages, along with plenty of Pinterest boards, but as much as I like painting my nails, I haven't the patience for complex designs, my varnish only ever lasts one day before it starts to look chipped!

- Looking at the nail trends from the catwalk there are a few predominant trends, but the nails (on the whole) appear to be kept short and square, with slightly rounded corners. I like this length of nails, they are practical, while the shape looks quite neat.

- It's summer, so obviously it appears to be the best time of year to play with brights! perhaps even a nod to the neon trend of 2012.

(Clockwise from left)

1. Bourjois 1 Seconde in 09 Lavande.

2. collection 2000 hot looks fast dry 5 with Claire's cosmetics nail polish in an unknown NEON pink colour! (The neon-ness of this does not show through, it's SO bright!)

3. Barry M Nail Paint in 304 Mint Green (My absolute favourite colour!)

- Bright colours are a summer no-brainer, and so are pastels, colours that evoke a feeling of springy-summer florals, unoffensive, feminine colours.

(left to right)

1. 17 High Gloss Nail Polish in Pinking Shear with Color Club 842 Sex Symbol (I do actually really like this look, the Pinking Shear is just a delicate colour you could get away with in work environments who weren't fond of over powering nail colour's and the sex symbol on the top just makes them glisten in the light, super hard to capture in a picture!)

2. Barry M Nail Paint in 308 Berry

- One of my favourite tricks with nail varnish is to paint a couple of coats of a glitter top coat onto my nails and create an almost foil-like texture. I once went into a night club with one of my friends, and handing over my money at the ticket booth the woman giving tickets stopped me and demanded I tell her how I did it! - it was rather a surreal moment for me, but I've been doing it for a while and it adds a little interest to an otherwise plain colour, my favourite glitter is a taupe colour! It's a good job that many of the design houses featured metalics in their collections this spring/summer!

- Although I think this gold colour would be best suited around Christmas time, I also see it working quite well on holiday after a day at the beach, when you go to a resteraunt! (Shame the Man is set on Barcelona this year!)

(Clockwise from left)

1. Barry M Nail Paint in 320 Foil Effects (I do like this polish, despite the blatant brush lines it leaves, would be nice with a clear top coat, but I wanted to just show the true colour)

2. Bourjois 1 Seconde in 14 Rainbow Apparition (So beautiful - I'm wearing that right now!)

3. Color Club 845 Art of Seduction

- Now if you are into more conservative colours, if you wear deep dark colours all year round, you're in luck this summer designers such as Naeem Khan featured dark colours in more autumnal shades

- I did try however to brighten up slightly the darker colours, for example a dusky pink, a deeper red and a taupe-y brown.

(Clockwise from Left) 

1. Maybelline Express Finish Lacquer in 77 Rouge Seductuion (I just painted a thin wash of colour, but this can be built up to a deep almost black colour in three coats, it does dry imensely fast as well, claiming "from wet to set in 40s". 

2. Collection 2000 Hot Looks in 2 Couture ( this colour is so uninspiring in the bottle, so you would almost never pick it up, but I love the way it looks on the fingers, a beautiful dusky mauve-y pink that compliments almost every skin tone) 

3. Barry M Nail Paint in 310 Mushroom. 

- Basically. . . . it's the summer! anything goes! inspire yourself and polish your nails for a super finished look. You're in luck, any colour you choose will more than likely be in vogue!

- All those girls who run full time nail blogs, you are wholly admired by myself, it is so hard to take a picture of your own hand!

8 :1 Hairdye Remover Review (Scott Cornwall Colour B4)

- I am going to say, there are very few products that I believe in, that I think will actually work when they have such LARGE claims. I especially didn't believe in this product. So, these are totally my opinions.

-Ever dyed your hair and then thought 'oh sh*t!'?'

- I've done it, we've all done it! Trust me, my hair has been many colours! The hardest to get out? RED! If you're not sure, don't do it!!

- My friend, has been adamant that she will not be dying her hair since I have known her. Then one day - she turns around and surprises us all and says 'I'm going to dye my hair', now my friends know I have dyed my hair a LOT, so she asks me what I think, to which I reply 'you should probably only use a semi-permenant colour, I mean, If you really don't like it . . at least you won't have to wait for it to grow out. . .'

- Did she take my advice? did she 'eck as like!!!

- So she dyes her hair this gorgeous purple colour. Not in your face purple. . but a dark brown that gleamed in the light. I loved it. She hated it. Twenty-something years of staring into the mirror and having a nutmeg colour looking back at her had marred her vision (or something to that effect)

- Therefore, we set about trying to remove it with something called Scott Cornwall Colour B4 Hair Colour Remover Extra. (moouuuuuuthfull!)

- I do know of a girl I went to school with who had some luck with this product, but the reviews are all over the place, with some people screaming it's praises and some wanting to bury it in the soil. Salons? yea, we could go down that route. . . but who has the money? (says the girl who has just had a full head of foils done - woohoo! no more dark blonde! another time Han, another time!)

- I know in America, they seem to have a lot more choice when it comes to things like this, but here, we had the choice of this. or err this!

- With that in mind we did not have high hopes.

- The mixture, when mixed together, smells like cat urine. (and it lingers, every time you wash your hair for the next fortnight, it's going to re-smell like cat urine.)

- Our bathroom stank, our entire house stank, the kind of stink that makes your eyes water and you want to stick cotton wool balls up your nose!

- Clingfilming of heads is actively encouraged! allllriighhhhtttt! (no, I'm not 8, I just act it!)

- Buuuuuuut, after hours of applying, stinking-out, and rubbing, if we are completely honest, it got her hair back to it's normal colour. If a little redder to begin with, over the next couple of washes, it almost completely came out and her hair is back where she started. With NO visible death to the existing hair. (i.e. doesn't feel like straw, like it does when you bleach colour out)

- I feel the need to also mention, that this is for the removal of hair DYE, not bleach, I mean if you've bleached your hair, you're stuck with it, you haven't added colour to your natural hair, you've removed it, and it's quite likely you may end up looking like this. . .

(I learnt my lesson a LONG time ago)

Store Lovin' #3 : Longwinterfarm (Some Gorgeous Cosmetics!)

-So, a couple of months ago, I don't know how or I'm not sure why, I think it was on my quest for a new perfume (damn you lacoste, bring back inspiration! it's my scent, without you I am scentless!)

-I really struggle to find perfumes that I like the smell of, perfumes that are not too sweet, not too flowery, not too musky, not too. . yada yada yada!

-Anyway, somehow I stumbled across Longwinterfarm on Etsy, and decided it was worth a bash, I bought a perfume oil and two lipbalms (me and lipbalm, you know! I can't get enough, I hate lipgloss - too sticky - feels like goosefat, but you can't beat a good lipbalm!)

-I bought the ginger peach lipbalm, the beachday perfume oil and the licorice lipbalm (which I don't appear to be able to find anymore - boo, it's awesome!)

- I LOVE these so much, I can't even explain it!

- The lipbalms are ace, and just superior quality, I get annoyed if I can't find one of them!, until now I have been an avid user of burts bees, but I tell you they have competition now!

- I've never really used perfume oil before so was uber curious. . and I'm so glad I chose to purchase, I LOVE this aswell - it smells so summery! I'm actually - as we speak (i.e. I'm multi-tasking which in my world is code for getting very distracted!) ordering some more goodies because I am so impressed

- I'm even throwing in one for my best friend Suki but shh don't tell her!!

 

chai, coconut limeade, turkish delight

- Chai! I have high expectations, especially due to the copious amounts of chai latte I drink on a regular basis!

black coconut, vanilla chai

- The only problem with these is the packaging (i.e. I chuck them around a lot in the bottom of my bag and they tend to get a little tatty) but, I can deal, means nothing to me!

- I also have REALLY dry skin on my hands, smoking, whatever, and I usually carry around  moisturiser with me, but I didn't have anything on me apart from my perfume oil, which I used, and oh my goodness how moisturising?!  Win!

- Go check out the shop, then buy some stuff, then realise why Im so in love!!!!!

- Oh and how ridiculously cute is their profile please?! This description made me smile silly amounts!

About me:: I'm a 30 year old mom of two living in western Maine, where I share my life with kitties, puppies, and my favorite boy, Joe. I'm a major craft addict, playing with sewing, knitting, spinning, felt crafts, candle making, embroidery, and of course, soaping! Yup, I'm one busy chick. Nope, I don't take naps.[. . .] About Joe: Joe's my very best friend, boyfriend, and business partner, and there's a good 50-70% chance he'll be the one packing your order. What's he like? Well, he's good at washing his hands, being pretty tall, having an Indiana twang, and randomly breaking into Rick Roll songs

RIGHTO off to spend more money! Toodles!

14. She's Crazy! Tigi Haircare Review : Bed Head & Catwalk.

- Why yes, I am probably the only insane girl with a bottle of conditioner THIS SIZE in my bathroom!! (2 Litres!)

1. TIGI BedHead Dumb Blonde Reconstructor.
2. TIGI BedHead Foxy Curls Conditioner.
3. TIGI Catwalk Fashionista Styling Spray.

- So, my hair, naturally is a level 8 light blonde (If you're not familiar with said level system here is a chart) darker at the roots and lighter towards the ends where the sun has caught it. (makes sense!) A couple of years ago I gradually took it lighter and lighter to the point of platinum, as a result my hair is pretty dry- It's not snapping off, and I don't have split ends, it's just DRY (as in, sahara dry- can't get a brush through it unless it's wet, dry!) But these products - in conjunction with very little heat styling, have returned my hair to it's former state, I was a little sceptical, but when I traded back to my previous products, I could REALLY tell the difference.

- The flat I have been living in for the last couple of years has RIDICULOUSLY hard water - which doesn't make sense, because you'd assume that because the water would come off the mountains, and wouldn't be so hard. . .alas, it is, and just coming home to England the condition of my hair improves ten fold. Having said that, these products have really helped both home and away!

1. TIGI BedHead Dumb Blonde Reconstructor.
- This product is gorgeous! It smells amazing! - I was previously using Aussie 3 Minute Miracle as a deep conditioner, and I liked it. There are so many good reviews about it, and they are true, it is nice, but this, this is better! This is actually my second tube of this. It claims to be packed with protein to help recondition hair that has lost protein through over-bleaching. It also says you can use it as an everyday conditioner or leave it on as a hair mask. I once read that for any deep conditioner to work properly it needs to be left on for five or more minutes, so I always look out for products that say on the label that it can be left on for over five minutes. A little goes a long way with this product. The first time I tried it I was so used to putting LOADS of cheaper product on that I did the same thing with this. I wasn't particularly impressed, but I discovered the less is more approach, I think if you put too much on it is a bit of a product overload and it doesn't have the desired effect. My hair is definitely left feeling so much more manageable, it gets rid of all the flyaways (I have curly hair- I have a LOT of those!) and prevents frizz. Finally a product that does what I want it to!

2. TIGI BedHead Foxy Curls Conditioner.
- I think the sheer size of the bottle shows how much I like this. I did go through three of the normal size bottles before I purchased this one! I love the smell of this, and the conditioner is so light it doesn't weigh my hair down, it doesn't leave it looking dull and my hair really feels softer! I don't usually leave my hair to dry curly, but when I do it is frizz free, and even when I blow dry it straight my hair doesn't frizz up. I don't think I could find a better conditioner than this (and I've tried a LOT). The only problem I have with this, is the bottle is too big to sit on the side of my bath, and I stub my toe on it in the shower!! I did buy this from TKMaxx, so it was a little cheaper than if I had bought it from the hairdressers (Im not even sure you could buy this size from the salon?) I paid £11.99 for this from TKMaxx and it is 2l so that is an amazing deal. My local TKMaxx is amazing for TIGI products (luuuckkkyyy!)

3. TIGI Catwalk Fashionista Styling Spray.
- I hate heat protector that leaves your hair crunchy/ stiff/ dry. I'm sure you know what I mean. I have tried so many heat protectors, mainly because I refuse to use heat tools (including the hairdryer) on my hair without some form of protection. All of the ones I have tried leave my hair crunchy, apart from Tresemme, but I don't really feel like that is protecting very well. This is such a good product, because it has some styling spray in it aswell, yet it still doesn't leave my hair crunchy (I do use some other products aswell) The only thing is, I don't like the smell (it smells like melon, not synthetic melon scent, real melons) but it doesn't linger, so I can get over that because I love it so much!

12. Fake It To Make It: Fake Tan Reviews Uk, The Best Fake Tan I Know.

- Fake Tan!

- My family and I are from Germany, I have a typically German complexion. I have naturally blonde hair, green eyes, yet my skin is not an 'English Rose' complexion. I tan easily, not a beautiful olive colour, Oh no! My skin naturally turns a beautiful *ahem* shade of orange. When I was younger, I used to make sure I got tan lines, so when someone asked "did you have an accident with fake tan?" I could prove, that no, in fact, I am naturally orange. Anyone else with this problem will feel my pain. Orange. Why orange?!

- Any article, in any magazine you read, will decipher that because I have light coloured eyes, and fair hair, I must burn the instant my skin even sees the sun. This doesn't happen.

- I tan easily, but I also lose my tan really quickly too. Like any girl, I feel better with a bit of a tan, but I'm never trying to full on fake a tan, just emphasize what I have. I admire the girls such as Nicola Roberts who is gorgeous when she's pale (Article here), but, it's just not a look I pull off well!

Clockwise from bottom left
1. Garnier Ambre Solaire No-Streaks Bronzer : Original.
2. Superdrug Solait 360 Dry Mist Bronzing Spray.
3. Rimmel Instant Tan Sun Shimmer : Fair Matte.
4. Clinique Self Sun Face Tinted Lotion.
5. Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze.
6. Dove Summer Glow.
7. Rimmel Instant Tan Sun Shimmer : Medium Shimmer.
8. Loreal Paris Sublime Bronze.
9. Clinique Self Sun Body Daily Moisturiser.
10. Clinique Self Sun Body Tinted Lotion.

- I'm pretty low maintenance, and can't be bothered with things that are going to make my life difficult. Therefore I'm always looking for the perfect tan enhancer, and my expectations are pretty high. It needs to be a nice colour, preferably not stink, apply easily, and fade nicely, none of this blotchy business!!

- Here are my reviews of fake-tans I use at the moment.

1. Garnier Ambre Solaire No-Streaks Bronzer: Original .
- I don't dislike this, but it is one of the worst I own for streaking. Which seems silly as it is the only one which claims to be No-Streaks!
- It does feel nice when you apply it, but it smells like fake tan. It may seem daft to say fake tan smells like fake tan. However a lot of companies are striving to make their products smell better. I was talking to one of my best friends, a bloke, and he said that when you can smell fake tan it is the most unattractive smell on a girl. (like wet biscuits!)
- I also don't think this develops to a particularly nice colour. Very Orange.
- It is one of the few fake tans I own which is closest to traditional fake tan, and I only tend to use it when I really can't be bothered to sort my skin out over a few days.
- All in all, not my favourite, and when I'm through this bottle, I probably won't repurchase.

2. Superdrug Solait 360 Dry Mist Bronzing Spray.
- I can't decide with this. It has a nice colour. It sprays OK. But it has the worst smell. It doesn't smell nice before it develops, and it smells even worse after. You may think that because it is Superdrug own brand that you get what you pay for, but it's not any cheaper than some name brands, so I really don't think there are many benefits to it.
- It does tend to spray out of the bottle REALLY fast, which makes it difficult to do bits of your own body, like your chest and arms, because you can't position the bottle far enough away to get a streak free finish. However I did my sisters legs for her, and it gave a really nice colour, that was, really even.

3. Rimmel Instant Tan Sun Shimmer : Fair Matte.
- This is, without a doubt, too fair for me. My sister (who is SO PALE) bought this, and it was too dark for her. I used it throughout the winter, when my skin was a bit paler, and I still had to layer it.
- I use this as a contour, only on my face, and it actually works pretty nicely, if you put a couple of layers on. It also dries really quickly and doesn't feel tacky or clammy, and doesn't look cakey like traditional powder bronzers. So I do actually really l ike this product, I just think that if I were to repurchase, Id definitely go for a darker colour.
- The only downside is. It claims to 'wash off' this should be losely translated to 'Will not budge unless you get the turps out' . . you really do have to scrub it off.

4. Clinique Self Sun Face Tinted Lotion.
- I've had this quite a while, and I'm not sure whether or not it is still available, I did check in my local Debenhams and they still had it in stock, so I presume it is!
- I really like this product. It doesn't have a smell to it, it leaves a really nice colour and I have never had it streak, even when I've just slapped it on when I'm on the train home. I've also never had it stain my hands.
- It is a little more expensive than some of the others, so maybe one for the duty free! It is totally worth it though!

5. Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Natural Bronze.
- This is what I have been using recently, and I really like it. It leaves my skin soft and moisturised, and it does leave noticeable colour behind.
- It is not a really orange colour when it is developed, which is also why I like it.
- This product claims to be daily moisturiser, and you are supposed to reapply every day. I apply it after the shower, but you do have to watch because it absorbs so quickly it is difficult to tell where you have been and it's quite easy to miss spots, but if you work it systematically there is no problem!
- I love the fact that it doesn't smell. At all. When it has developed. (I don't smell like wet biscuits!!!) And when you apply it, it just smells like regular cocoa butter.
- I do work as a cleaner, and I use a lot of chemicals, and this has survived - Im not entirely sure what is going to bring it off! (so definitely summer- proof!!)

6. Dove Summer Glow.
- Very average.
- Builds up daily, but does smell when it has developed.
- I do like the colour though, so if you can get over the smell this is a good one as it very rarely leaves streaks.
- Out of all of the generic daily build up tans readily available this is my favourite.

7. Rimmel Instant Tan Sun Shimmer : Medium Shimmer.
- I hate this
- I don't know why I own it
- It's blotchy, and doesn't wash off like it claims to.
- I actually used this for fancy dress. Slathered it over my face, put on a paper suit, and claimed to be from a tanning company. *slaps forehead*
- As much as I love Tom Jones; This is not a look I want to go for!!!


8. Loreal Paris Sublime Bronze.
- I don't really like this either
- I bought this because I had heard so many good reviews about it, but I find it to be no where near as good as the Superdrug own brand, and that is embarassing for loreal. The colour is pants. It doesn't spray very nicely, yet that is one of it's claims! It also claims to have a 'fresh citrus fragrance' . . . does it heck as like! It smells like your average wet-biscuit fake tan, even before it has developed.
- I could put up with it, and will probably keep using it. but, not a fan.

9. Clinique Self Sun Body Daily Moisturiser.
- Hands down, THE BEST FAKE TANNING PRODUCT EVER.
- Not just out of these in this selection, but out of all of the ones I have ever tried, ever.
- My mother is a bit of a slave to Clinique, which is why I ended up with this, it was a present from her. I'm not fussed by brands, and didn't really have any expectations with this at all, but Oh MY GOODNESS, I can't rave about this enough.
- It's a daily moisturiser so you can build up the colour, but in the winter if you just want to perk up your skin, one use is enough to make your skin glow.
- It smells like christmas! - Such an odd thing to say- but I think it has the faint smell of cloves before it develops, and has virtually no smell after.
- It has never streaked and the consistency is second to none. When you apply it, the lotion has a slight shimmer, but this dissapears as it develops, and I have actually found that it makes it easier to apply.
- It stays put until you exfoliate, and if you don't bother, it fades quite naturally by itself.
- I hate it when fake tan transfers onto clothes, and this never has, even if I've worn a white bra!
- Amazing stuff!


10. Clinique Self Sun Body Tinted Lotion.
- This is OK
- No where near as good as #9.
- It has a nice colour, and no smell as you apply, but it does have a slight smell as it develops.
- It does leave a nice colour, but it doesn't fade nicely and you will find it going slightly blotchy as it ages, especially in places like the inside of your elbows and the back of your knees. . Which is annoying, I've never had that happen before.
- A little dissapointing after owning other Clinique Self Sun products, and I wouldn't dive out and buy it again.

- I hope that this was helpful to someone! I know that there are a lot of reviews for fake tan out there, however I've noticed that they are usually for the St Tropez and Fake Bake. I know I haven't really read any for Clinique products, which are, my favourites!

- If anyone has any products they think are better, I'd love to know, I'm always on the hunt for the perfect tan enhancer!