Triangle nails

Ease: ★★★★★
Effectiveness: ★★★★★


This is my last post in August. Since I started this blog a short while ago, I've clocked up just over 400 views. Thanks to everyone who has read and commented on my posts.

Anyway, back to business...


I saw this style of manicure on the Cute.A.S.Nails blog recently and decided it was something that a person of my novice nail skills could do.

I used my Rimmel nail varnish that I've mentioned before in previous blogs. I started off with a couple of coats of the marshmallow heaven, then used the matte finish top coat. Once it was fully dry I taped the points on the nails and used a thick coat of pear drop to create the triangles.

This is the finished result!

False eyelash applicator

False eyelash applicator: ★★★★★


I found this little gem in Poundland - it is amazing!

If you have ever struggled to get your false eyelashes lined up where you want them or you think you've got them stuck down then notice the corner hasn't stuck or it takes you 5 go's to get them in the right position, then you need one of these little beauties in your life.

It comes with an eyelash stand and the eyelash applicator clip.  You place your lashes on the stand...

Then use the clip to pick one up and apply the glue..

Finally, hold the lashes in place for 30 seconds, release the clip and ta-da!

Beautifully positioned lashes as easy as 1-2-3.

Muji make-up storage organiser

Muji acrylic storage: ★★★★★

Update: New storage


Recently, I stumbled across a video on YouTube of someone showing their make-up collection and storage system and I was transfixed first of all by the amount of make-up, but secondly, by the way it was stored! (Link to original inspiration here)

Then came my unhealthy obsession of spending far too long trawling the Internet looking for the perfect make-up storage solution for myself. I discovered Muji. If you search "acrylic" or go to the "acrylic storage" category on the Muji website you will find a range of different size boxes, drawers, pots etc.

To start me off, I ordered the acrylic box with 2 drawers (wide) and the 3 partition acrylic desk pot (large). Delivery is only £2.95 for orders up to £24.99, so I spent just under £20 on this. It arrived in about 3 days packaged very well in bubble wrap and other protective coatings.

I packed my eye shadows, foundations, blushers, lipsticks and things in the draws, then used the pot to store makeup pencils, lip glosses and mascaras. I'm really happy with the finished result and it looks great on my dressing table. Although I do still have some make-up in other drawers and make-up bags in my room, so I'm looking to expand my Muji collection in the near future.

The Muji products are all stackable. As you can see I currently have the pot on top of the drawers. I plan to order another set of the 2 drawers and the small 3 partition pot, stacking the draws, then putting the shorter pot in front of the taller one. I'll update this blog with a photo once I've got it.

 
If you are looking to organise your make-up without spending ridiculous money, then I'd definitely recommend Muji.

Update: New storage

Crest 3D Whitestrips 2 Hour Express

Crest 3D Whitestrips 2 Hour Express: ★★★


I decided to try the Crest 3D Whitestrips 2 hour express after seeing a recommendation on YouTube from Hollie Wakeham, she has lovely white teeth, so thought it would be worth a try.

I got one sachet (from eBay) for £6.99 + 30p P&P.

I put it on, on Saturday afternoon and went out to sunbathe for a couple of hours. My teeth did feel slightly sensitive during and after, but not unbearable pain like I've read in some reviews. I do use sensitive toothpaste, so I don't know if that makes a difference. Also, I didn't brush my teeth before or straight after, just rinsed my mouth with water.

They are really easy to use and stick on to your teeth well, and you can talk and go about your day as normal. 

Disappointingly, I haven't noticed a great deal of difference in the colour of my teeth. I had expected a lot more of a dramatic effect. However, I'm willing to give them a second chance and will try it again in a couple of months and update this review if I change my opinion.  I did drink water whilst having the whitestrips on, so don't know if this sort of washed away some of the gel. They seemed to be well sealed to my teeth, so I didn't think it would.Or maybe my teeth were whiter in the first place than I thought they were?

If you've tried them, please leave a comment and let me know how you got on.

Update: I've tried them again for a second time 3 months on and I've upped my star rating to 3. Although not a dramatic difference, my teeth do appear whiter. Next time I might try one of the other treatments rather than the 2 hour express.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain: ★★★★


The third and final lip product I've reviewed for Beauty at Tesco is the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable balm stain in 001 Honey Douce.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

Like the Rimmel 1000 Kisses the colour on this comes out darker than I'd expect from the packaging. It is a pink with a hint of plum. However, when it starts to wear off, you are just left with the stain it looks much more pink then.

The product looks like a pencil but it's actually a plastic casing and you wind the end to extend it. When you apply it, it makes your lips feel quite moisturised and has a fresh minty flavour to it.

The downside to this product is that the balm doesn't seem to last as long as the Rimmel or the Barry M, however the stain does last really well. But you'd need to keep reapplying to keep the moisturised feel. 

Barry M Lip Lacquer Crayons

Barry M Lip Lacquer Crayons: ★★★★★


This is another of the products I got sent by Beauty at Tesco. I've got it in two colours; no. 3 and 5 (pink and red).

The first thing I noticed about these crayons was how strong the pigment was. the colour is amazing, they've got a pretty sparkly edge to them too, particularly the pink. When you apply them it doesn't feel like you are wearing a pencil, more like a lipstick or lip balm, so they keep your lips moisturised.

They seem to last very well too, and don't end up on your teeth like I find lipstick does. I'm really loving the red one at the mo, very Rita Ora/Rihanna - would be perfect if I was going to V Fest this weekend!

If your into your lippy/lip glosses I'd definitely recommend you try these. Another great example of Barry M doing something different to everyone else.

The pictures below don't do the pigment of the colours justice, but give you a bit of an idea what they look like on. Excuse the quality, they were taken on my iPhone.

No. 3

No. 5

Rimmel Matte Finish Nail Polish

Rimmel Matte Finish: ★★★★★


Rimmel Matte Finish Nail Polish turns your nails from this...

To this..!

 

I absolutely love the effect of the matte top coat. I first discovered this top coat on www.thecraftyninja.com where it was used on black with a polka dot pattern. See below... looks quality don't you think?!

www.thecraftyninja.com

Then Rimmel bought out an affordable version (which by the way Tesco have on sale at the mo for £2.29) so I bought it. Definitely worth a purchase for all you nail geeks out there!

Rimmel 1000 Kisses Lip Tint

 Rimmel 1000 Kisses: ★★★★

Recently I won a competition to be a beauty panelist for the "Beauty at Tesco" Facebook page. Tesco have sent me four lip products and my job is to review them. Here is the first product I tried - Rimmel's 1000 Kisses in 100 Endless Blossom.

One end of the product contains the tint. It is like a felt tip and feels like you are drawing on your lips with a colouring pen when you apply it. The other end is a waxy balm to coat over the top of the tint that provides a glossy shine. 

When I first applied the product my initial concern was that the product comes out darker than it appears on the packaging. However, after a couple of wears the colour has really grown on me, although I think if I were to incorporate it in to my daily look I'd need to come away from the smokey brown eyes that I normally wear. I think the same rule applies with makeup and it does clothes, you know the one about either legs or cleavage but not both? Best to focus on either lips or eyes but not both.










You can wear just the tint, or you can apply the balm to make it glossy. The tint on its own lasts really well, however, when you apply the balm it makes the colour easier to rub off and I doubt it would last for 1000 kisses!

Overall the product is enjoyable to use, I really like the felt tip which gives a good application and even coverage and the fact that the tint tastes subtly fruity. With the balm on too, your lips feel pleasantly moisturised.The only thing to improve for me would be to make the balm not soak the colour up so that it could transfer on to your man should you give him 1000 kisses.

I think I would buy this product, but maybe the nude shade would be better suited to my colouring and go better with the colours I normally wear.

Making high heels comfortable - Insolia vs. Airplus Save My Soles

Insolia: ★★★★★
Airplus Save my Soles: ★★★

I love a pair of high heels as much as the next women. I don't know if it's just me, but have you noticed that in the past year or so all of the decent high heels are higher than ever?!

A couple of months ago I bought a gorgeous pair of shoes from Miss Selfridge to wear to a wedding. I had to have this pair as not only were they sooo nice but they were the perfect colour to go with my dress. The heels on them were ridiculously high though. I've used Scholl Party Feet before numerous times and have never felt that they make any noticeable difference. So I took to the Internet to try and find a way to help my poor feet stand this height (haha) for the duration of the wedding. After all, other girls seem to manage, so why can't I? What is their secret?!

The first product I came across was "Insolia". They are an insert that claim to transfer your weight from the ball of your foot to the heel making you able to wear your high heels for 3 times longer. They are not full length inserts, they only go about half the length of your shoe and you actually stick them on the heel end rather than the front. Also another point to note is that it's not a one size fits all, you need to buy them for your shoes size.

I put my shoes on at around mid-day and the inserts must have worked as I managed to wear them until about 8pm when I switched to my flat sandals after spending a while on the dance floor.I was pretty happy with that result. However, I did still have sore feet the next day, so thought I'd try something different for my next pair of heels.

Another new pair of heels arrived in my life that I had to have, again rather high! This time I ordered Airplus Save My Soles. These are one size fits all and they are an insert that goes the length of your shoe. They claim to provide "extra cushioning at heel and ball-of-foot for targeted relief".

These do make your shoes feel more comfortable on first impressions. However, due to the fact that they go the full length of your shoe I found that they made my court shoes really tight around the toe end and ended up causing slight blisters. I certainly wouldn't have been able to wear my shoes all day at a wedding using these. Bare in mind, these were new court shoes, so probably slightly tight anyway, so I'll wear them in a bit more and then maybe update the rating if I change my opinion on them at all.

For me the winner is Insolia!