Tuesday 30 April 2013

DIY Gel Nails with SensatioNail

DIY Gel Nails with SensatioNail
DIY Gel Nails with SensatioNail, £60 for the starter kit with LED nail lamp, £10 for each colour

I've always loved a bit of 'salon at home', so the opportunity to do my own gels was way too much of a temptation to pass. If you've got a steady hand and a bit of patience, then you'll be able to create beautiful gel nails whilst watching New Girl on the sofa/in your PJs/tending to a butternut squash risotto.
I'm no nail expert, but thankfully this kit is as easy as they come. The instructions are really straightforward, it's pretty much: Step 1. Apply base coat and cure for 30 seconds. Step 2. Apply colour coat and cure for 60 seconds. Step 3. Repeat step 2. Step 4. Repeat step 1. Rocket scientists, don't sweat it.

You're not tied to a salon appointment and it works out much cheaper in the long run. The DIY option isn't for everyone (I often relish those hours in the salon - and no doubt the finished effect is more professional) but if you're fed up of chipping and want to step up the hardiness of your varnish, then this is a quick and fuss-free fix. It's rather fun too.
I was also really impressed by the huge range of colours available. I love a dark, glossy gel nail so I opted for SensatioNail's 'Dusk til Dawn' shade for my fingers, and the more summery red 'Spoiled Diva' for my toes. Both looked beautifully bold, gorgeous colours for statement nails.


To remove I used Magis Foil Nail Wraps, £9.95 for 50. Never scrape off the gel - no matter how tempted - as this is bad for the nail bed.

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Sunday 21 April 2013

Quite Possibly The Best Shower Gel Ever...Original Source Coconut


I'm not normally one to rave about shower gels. In fact, I'm usually so underwhelmed by the fads of patchouli-jasmine-herbiscous shower 'foams', that I'd rather opt for the fragrance-free mild exfoliants instead. 

But as you may or may not know, I TOTALLY LOVE COCONUT. I'm nuts for it ('scuse the terrible pun) so I had to try this new edition by Original Source. It smells SO amazing that I now look forward to using it in the shower. What's more, it didn't dry out my skin at all. Afterwards I liberally applied coconut body butter by The Body Shop, and I got great compliments for the rest of the day. A shop assistant even asked what product I'd used. Coconut heaven! 

I occasionally have little outbreaks of psoriasis on my elbows, so I stay away from any moisturisers or shower gels with a fruit base. The citric acids can irritate skin conditions - the same goes for eczema - so avoid the fruity ones if you're prone. Nut based products like this one (along with brazil, vanilla, shea) have a much more soothing quality.

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Saturday 20 April 2013

Eyewear: Hot Trends for Fabulous Eyes

My latest beauty love is a creative sweep of shadow. You can make a real difference to your make-up look, without going OTT/drag-tastic/scary panda. 

My top tips are to blend, blend, blend. Invest in a decent shadow brush, as the applicators you get with palettes are usually really naff. And gradually build up colour intensity from light to dark, so you don't end up looking like Patchy McPatcherson. 

Pre dance floor last weekend, I put my new found love into action on a few of my nearest and dearest. Here's the results:

Look 1: Sensual Dusky Pink

Look 2: Molten Gold Feline Flick

Look 3: Soft Smouldering Bronze

What eye make-up look will you be wearing this weekend? Tweet @poutoutproud with your favourite eye make-up looks. xx

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Wednesday 17 April 2013

Skin Saviours: Australian Bodycare Face Cream and Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips

Australian Bodycare Teatree Oil Balancing Face Cream, £11.05, Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips, £7.99

Cleanse, tone, moisturise, hang upside down from the tree of life... there is literally no escaping the odd troublesome breakout. From the humble pimple to a smattering of unsightly blackheads, they are always waiting to pop up as we least expect.

To combat outbreaks, I rely on a face cream by Australian Bodycare after my cleanse and tone regime. It's thick without being greasy, and the tea-tree is amazing for soothing and repairing skin. I often find that I'll have a break out because my skin is dry from the weather, contrary to the popular belief that all spots are caused by oily skin, so this rich moisturiser really works for me. 

For the dreaded T-Zone (Why does this have to exist? Why?) I opt for Bioré Deep Cleansing Pore Strips for an occasional de-clutter. Never try and dig out a black head before it is ready as this will leave you with nasty open pores. If you can't resist the squeeze (guilty, your beauty honour) then wait until they are clearly raised to the surface, so quite dark in colour, and gently apply pressure on either side. 

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Tuesday 16 April 2013

ArtDeco High Precision Liquid Liner: The Best for Super Defined Eyes


When all you're friends follow suit and purchase a product after sampling, you know it's cutting the proverbial mustard. This eyeliner by ArtDeco has taken my social circle by storm - getting a perfectly framed wink by all. Here's why:


The fine tip of the application pen is brilliant for creating a super precise line, great for sensual feline eyes.  It passes the party-hard test too (5am and still smudge proof), and is gloriously rapid to apply. Whip off the pen lid, frame those peepers and you're ready to go.    


I love the soft finish of creamy gel-based liners, but this pen is a must-have for all make-up bags because it is so easy and compact. There's no need for extra make-up brushes, so I pop this little number in my clutch in case of the dreaded make-up emergency. If tequila is involved, these precautions are nearly always necessary. 

Before and after:

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Sunday 14 April 2013

Illamasqua Speckled Nail Polish in Fragile and Freckle Review

Calling all cool hunters, Illamasqua is the one to watch. A cult make-up brand with an innovative and daring art team behind it, their products have a bold, core strand of self-expression. Seriously creative, seriously fabulous, seriously cool. Take a look at their collections page, a fusion of breath-taking make-up techniques and show-stopping theatrics. Amaze. I'll be keeping an eye on their future work for sure. 

As part of the I'MPERFECTION range, designed to 'highlight the features other brands want you to cover up', Illamasqua has launched Speckled Nails varnish. 


I tried out Fragile (a delightful duck-egg blue) and Freckle (a subtle warm toffee) from the range, and I loved the finished look. Fragile is really beautiful and eye-catching, perfect for the warmer months. Freckle is perfect for those who want a more natural, nude finish with a twist. 


I was also really impressed with the durability of the varnish. It lasted much longer than any non-cure varnish I've used previously, a pure joy for us busy girls!  

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Wednesday 10 April 2013

Laura Mercier Luxurious Crème Smooth Lip Colour in Fresh Raspberry: Juicy NEW shade for Spring 2013


As you may or may not know, I'm a big fan of Laura Mercier products. I love the understated yet undoubtedly quality packaging, and the products themselves never fail to deliver. The brand new Fresh Raspberry shade of their Crème Smooth Lip Colour range is simply divine, it's fruity and fresh without being crass.


This lippy feels lovely and soft on the lips, and doesn't end up travelling across your face after a few glasses of bubbly. It ticks all my boxes: gorgeous eye-catching colour, moisturising, with stay-put-ability. Well worthy of the most fabulous of clutches. 

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Tuesday 9 April 2013

Millie Mackintosh Lashes... Fabulous, darling.


Made in Chelsea is back in our lives, and yes, I'm rather happy about it. Thanks to the MIC brigade, I do not think twice about popping on a faux fur head piece to nip to the corner shop and pick up a two-pinter of red-top milk. Thank you, Chelsea, thank you. 
I digress. This week, I invested in a pair of Millie Mackintosh lashes. Millie: Star of Made in Chelsea, fiancée to Professor Green (what a strange world we live in), and creator of fabulous lashes. I'd heard good things about the range, and I'm very pleased to say that the results exceeded my expectations. In a market of celebrity endorsements which can be, quite frankly, totally naff, these lashes are total pearlers.


The base of the lashes is really fine, so there's no annoying lifting-at-the-edges. They look gorgeously natural, and the glue is very worthy. I've used this range a number of times, and never had the 'why won't they stick?!' experience. Full marks Miss Mack.

Here's my finished eye make-up look, with the false lashes to finish:

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Monday 8 April 2013

Dermalogica AgeSmart Skinperfect Primer SPF30



A friend of mine recommended this little tube of primer, and despite being a bit shocked at the hefty price tag, it is undoubtedly the best primer I have ever used.

It leaves skin really well prepped and smooth, and my make-up stays put all day long. I love the trademark Dermalogica fragrance, I actually feel like I'm putting a treatment on, and whoever decided to make the primer skin toned is nothing short of a genius! A little goes a long way, and it's doing approximately a million things at once... I'd say that's a justified splurge, right?


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