Look Luxe For Less!

If there's one thing I love it's a glossy manicure! I was a huge fan of gel nails for a long time, shellac was a love affair for a while, and then I became hooked on regular polish. Nails are one of those details that makes all the difference, if you ask me! With all that said, I am a budget babe at heart, and I pride myself on looking incredible for a tiny price, so read on, and learn how I get an expensive looking manicure for less!




What You Will Need:

• Penneys PS False Nails,
• Nail clipper, 
• Nail file, 
• Polish,
• Topcoat,
• Nail accessories (optional) 

Penneys nails are the backbone of this look, and my favorite are the PS 24 Fashion Nails that you can pick up for €1.50. I go with nude because it's easier to work with but it's all up to you. Fit and glue the right sizes to your natural nail, and then move on to the next step!

Using a nail clippers, clip the sharp tip off the falsie, and file the raw edge off it. The file I like best is the Essence Banana File, which is a double sided file with a rough grit side and a fine grit side. This takes the shape of the nail from claw to almond with ease, and is less than €3.

Next up, paint your nails with the polish of your choice, any color you fancy. Two thin coats are best for maximum pay off. Essence do great polishes, as do Wet N Wild, NYC and Rimmel. If you couldn't tell, I'm a fan of budget brands. For this look, I went with Essence Colour And Go in 113 Do You Speak Love? and NYC In A New York Minute in 002 Full Metal Jacket on the ring finger as an accent.

If you want to apply studs or diamante details, now is the time. Add a small dot of nail glue and apply them for the best possible adhesion. You can pick up nail accessory wheels in most Penneys for €1.50. Then it's topcoat time! I'm a huge fan of the Essence The Gel Nail Polish Top Coat, it's glossy and dries quickly and you can pick it up nationwide for €3.09

To finish the whole process, I apply a dab of Skinfix Hand Repair Cream* and massage it in to leave my hands looking and feeling wonderful.

This manicure looks so lush and expensive, it will prompt compliments from people who will be shocked and delighted when you tell them "Thanks, Penneys finest!!". If you try this mani, do please let me know! 

Amy

xx

Twitter // Snapchat: redips_redhair

*This post contains an iten sent to me for consideration by SkinFix, which I reviewed in a previous post. 

Review: Nars Night Breed

Good morning, lovelies!

I'm a huge fan of a glossy black manicure, because it looks so chic with every look and it's pretty much effortless. My favorite thing about a nice mani is how it makes you look put together and polished with absolutely no other effort put in. This particular polish harks back to my teen years and my ever present black nails, but in a much more grown up and refined way.

I've been obsessed with NARS Night Breed recently, as it's a beautiful black polish with fine silver micro glitter, so it takes my beloved go-to nail look up a notch.

The brush is a standard slim brush that you would find in lower end polishes.
It applies well, really only needing one coat but I always apply two. It dries to a satin matte finish, so if you want a glossy finish, you've got to apply a topcoat.

As I type this, I've been wearing it for five straight days with no chipping, just a small bit of wearing at the tip of my nails. That's impressive!!

I'm absolutely in love with this polish, and will be wearing it regularly from now on. Have you any polish recommendations for me? 

Amy

x

Twitter  // Snapchat: redlips_redhair

Penneys PS Treats - Bargain or Bull?

Recently, on a trip to Penneys Mary St, I picked up some bargain treats from the PS range. I spent less than €5 on these three items, and I'm going to give you my honest thoughts today!!

PS Fashion Nails - €1.50

In this little box, you get 36 nails, glue and instructions. I picked out the right width nail for each of my natural nails, pushed my cuticles back and trimmed them, lightly filed my natural nail, applied a decent blob of glue to the nail-bed, and then applied the false nail firmly, pressing each one in place for 10-ish seconds. When they were all applied, I took a nail scissors to them and trimmed them to a length I could deal with, filed them down to round off the sharp edges, and then painted them a deep blue black color. When they dried, I somehow got the notion into my head to deep clean my room, and in doing so moved every stick of furniture to get the job done. Not a single nail was lost. The next day, I delved into my desk, product collection and bookcase, to really go through it with a fine tooth comb and once again, my nails were perfect!! Perhaps that was down to the amount of glue I used, but honestly, I think these nails are really resilient.

I'm seriously chuffed with them. I've had people ask me if they are gel or acrylic, and when I've said "Penneys finest!!" there has been gasps of "...No!! Really?!". Yes. Really.

PS Face Treats Dark Circle Reducer - €1.50

I have to say, these didn't make a huge impression on me, but they did feel quite cooling and relaxing on. They're sort of squishy and feel like they would be super moisturizing on, but overall they're just...meh! As far as brightening goes, they didn't do a whole lot but I would really enjoy them if I was after having a rough night and needing some TLC on your puffy eye situation. For the price point, they are lovely as a cooling treat, but don't expect them to work miracles. If you want bright under eyes, get a highlighting concealer.

PS Feet Treats Scrub and Lotion - €1.50 

This foot treatment was lovely. It was exfoliating and made my feet so soft, and the foot cream smelled so nice. I popped my feet into a basin to use the scrub, and I used an exfoliation glove to boost the scrubby quality on the soles of my feet. It really made my feet feel so wonderfully soft. When I applied the foot cream, it made my skin feel really cool but smoother and more supple. This is definitely worth investing in every few weeks especially coming into sandal weather!

Overall, I thought these products were a lovely treat for very little money and I really think that it's worth taking even €10 out of your budget and picking up a few treats every month or so, just to remind yourself to have some "you" time, even if it's only the time it takes to glue on a new false manicure or scrub your feet so you can wear new sandals.

Amy x

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Pamper Day Essentials

January. Freezing cold, howling winds, driving rain and the prospect of bills... Ick!!! Christmas is well and truly dead, folks!! With all the people aiming for healthier bodies, healthier minds and setting goals to blend the two together, it's important to remember the spirit. 

Pamper days make the whole body, mind and soul feel SO much better. From aching muscles to badgering thoughts and generally feeling run down, you need to take some me time. So, grab these essentials, and enjoy an afternoon to soothe your soul along with the mind and body. 

Music. 

I've been revisiting my favourite band in a big way lately, but whatever you are loving at the moment will do. Pure Heroine by Lorde is a wonderful album for playing in the background because of the beats, if you're open to suggestion! Not everyone can relax to Finnish Love Metal like I can, eh?!

A Hot Bath or Shower. 

If you have a bath, run it. Put some nice bubbly scented foam in it and let the warm water melt your stress away. If like me, you've only got a shower, then find some beautifully scented shower stuff and a pouffe. Wash your hair first, and apply a hair masque (Penneys have a great Argan Oil one for 1.50 a tube!), let that sit while you get washed and relaxed. I prefer showers to baths because I can think better for some reason, but you can do whatever you prefer!! 

Slap On a Face Pack.

So many brands make amazing face packs. Montagne Jeunesse make single sachets in a wide variety, that you can pick up in Penneys and pharmacies nationwide for under 2 euro. They do mud, peel off, exfoliation, you name it, and they combat a variety of skin issues. If you feel more upmarket, you can get the Boots Essentials 3 Minute Clay Mask, or the No.7 Beautiful Skin Pore Vacuum Mask. Both of these options are incredible and can be used on all skin types! If when you're done with your mask you need another, Image Skincare do the most amazing Vital C Hydrating Enzyme Masque which you can actually leave on overnight, if you want. 


Moisturise. 

Now is the time to moisturise yourself, and then you can hop into that awful onesie you have hoarded for this very occasion!! I've been shuffling between Cocoa Brown Chocolate Whip, Dove Silky Nourishing Body Cream and Argan Oil Body Butter, but obviously you can use whatever works for you. Once this step is complete, it's time for the onesie!


Do Your Nails. 

While your mask is doing the job, grab your nail kit, we all have one! Strip off the old chipped polish, and give yourself a nice manicure. I'm sure you know the steps, but if you don't, my gorgeous friend Kayliegh has you covered with her At Home Manicure Guide. Do your toes too, while your at it... I know you've been putting it off!! 


A Good Book. 

Put down the phone, flip down the laptop. Grab a good book, whatever you like to read. I always like to wind down with some good Chick-Lit or YA Fiction. LA Candy by Lauren Conrad is a great, easy, un-complicated read for just such and occasion!! If you need something more stimulating, you should pick up Woman in The Making by Rory "Panti Bliss" O'Neill. It's a riot, deeply moving and a wonderful love letter to Dublin City as it grew and changed into the city we know and love today. 

Pamper sessions aren't about looking good, but about doing things to make you feel good. The actions you take to relax and feel better will make you look lovely no matter what. Don't worry about your hair, you fabulous creature you!!! I know you're gorgeous under that turbie towel!! 

What are your go to Pamper Session Essentials?? 

Amy

xx

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June BBC Day 22: 5 Favorite Beauty Bloggers

Well girls, I just want to state for the record here and now, that this list is in no particular order! I love y'all equally! So long as we have that clear, I'll proceed with my list and I'll even gush a bit cause I can!

Audrey!

Audrey's blog The Nail Affair was the first nail art blog I ever came across when I was starting out on this journey of blogging! I remember seeing her post on the collection of nail polishes she had and thinking "That's....quite a lot of polish!!" and as far as I can see, now that I count her among my blogging peers, that number is ever on the increase!! Good on ya girl! There are worse things to be addicted to, that's for damn sure!! xx

Dani!

I remember first stumbling over Dani's YouTube channel back when it was under the moniker of FizzSedition! I think the "Sedition" bit was what caught my eye, since I'm good mates with a guy who runs a thing called "Sedition Industries" and curiosity got the better of me! It worked out for the best because I quickly found out she was a talented make-up guru and I hit the subscribe button! Her YouTube has since moved to the channel GlamourNazi of which I am a faithful subscriber too! Funny story actually, I may or may not have been that girl who came up to you at FFAF to say I really liked your videos!! *blush*

Girl Friday!

Last month, when I was on the look out for a challenge to partake in, GirlFriday was the challenge creator I was linked to! After 20-odd days of consistently reading her posts, I have decided she is among my favourites for mixing high-end and budget brands together in a way I just find wonderful! She doesn't poo-poo the budget nor is she uppity for the high end! Girl Friday seems to be the nice, all round beauty blogger that I wish I could be! Top marks!!

Kayliegh!

I've known Kayliegh for 2 years or more at this point and I can pretty much state for the record, that she has a brilliant sense of style! She blogs about celebrity style icons like Lauren Conrad and the Kardashians, as well as make-up and other girly things, and quite frankly, her blog is an education for someone like me! I love her blog and I highly recommend that you check her out at Kayliegh Land

Mags!

Another good friend of mine (huzzah for real life friends!!), but also a very talented blogger! She blogs about everyday things, my favourite of which was entitled "Nemisis of Nom" and pertained to her love affair with bread! I have to say, I am right there with her on the bread front...nom nom nom!! You should check her out for more lovely stuff!!

Who are your favourite bloggers? Do you like my choices? Don't forget to check out the 5 very impressive blogs I've linked up yonder! Have you any recommendations??

Amy,
xoxo

Essence Nail Art Express Dry Drops Review

In my local chemist, there's a sizable Essence stand... Which, if you're as obsessed with nails as I am, you will know, that its a bad thing! Every time I go in, I find myself gawking at the nail polishes, the nail treatments, the lipsticks, everything!! For the last few weeks I've been wondering if the "Express Dry Drops" are what they claim to be. Some quick Google searches told me that they are pretty decent so I figured I'd find out for myself.

Essence Nail Art Express Dry Drops

Another Update... Including TWIM Vol. 2

Hey guys! Sorry I haven't posted in well over a week. I've been thinking about this blog for days and days but I've been so busy getting ready for Chris's ball, and then I was sick and exhausted, but I'm here now and I'm getting back on top of things. Yay!

First, let me start by posting some nail pics!

I rocked this all of last week.
The ring finger is an Urbanista Nail Foil...

Currently rocking this shade...
Essence Nude Glam
Iced Strawberry Cream

Both of these Essence polishes retail for €1.89 and the quality is amazing, completely rivaling the formula of some higher priced ones. 

Next up!! 

Suited and booted, ready to rock'n'roll!!

This Week In Manicures; Vol. 1

So I actually haven't really done much this week, aside from threaten to write this blog-post, but until today, there had been pretty much no fear of that happening when I was in bed wallowing in the fact my back was in bits!!
 
But now, my back is feeling less "Argh!!" and more "Meh!", so here I am, with a micro-haul, a super interesting (not really) post about my nails, and some random things I'm loving at the moment...
 
Without Further Ado...
 

Nails, Nails, Nails!

In my last post I detailed my recent foray into self improvement.

This post...? Well, this post is going to be me being super vain! :P

Naked Nails...Ah! Scary!!

So, the story begins!

Self Improvement And A New Series...

"Self-improvement is masturbation," Tyler Durden, Fight Club. Thankfully, this opinion doesn't really resonate with me, because I believe that self improvement makes people better versions of themselves.

Since I'm 21 now, which means I'm older, and therefore apparently wiser, I've decided I need to dress a bit better, and put a bit more effort into myself. Not just for me, but I have a boyfriend of 2 years who I think deserves to not have his girlfriend live in baggy tracksuit bottoms and oversize jumpers (even if they are warm and fuzzy...and stolen from his wardrobe half the time!!) because, lets face it, when you do that, it gets boring. And I don't want to bore my lovely man!

So, I've made three decisions and I'm going to stick to them.

Mani-Q No.1 - The Fault in our Stars

Some back story...

Before Christmas, I went to a nail salon with one motive, and one only. To get some help to stop biting my nails. 


TFiOS Nails

I've Had A Little "Me" Time...

...And now I feel much more capable of being there for everyone I love!

This week got off to a bad start but today seems to be making up for it. Its been a very long time since I've had to lock myself into the bathroom and cry. Incidentally, I hope its a long time until I need to again! It wasn't something I felt nostalgic about or anything of the sort, in fact, it gave me a headache that I had for hours later... So at least I am happy about being very level lately! Thanks to Kayliegh for reminding me I'm allowed to have a bad day, I appreciate the reminder.

So between yesterday and right now, things that have made me smile are as follows...