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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An Easter Delight: Nails Inc in Bruton Street and Jermyn Street

Illustration by Rose Sturdy

Easter is nearly here, hurrah! And the celebrations don't stop with the yummy chocolate eggs... Pop some Easter inspiration into your talons too.

A few coats of this dusky pink nail paint, 'Bruton Street' by Nails Inc, with the odd nail coated in a gorgeous layer of 'Jermyn Street' - a soft chocolatey taupe, will leave your fingertips a sweet delight. The finished effect totally reminds me of cute little chocolate mini eggs with their delicate pastel shells. 

Nails Inc London in Jermyn Street and Bruton Street, £11 each

I am completely in love with Nails Inc right now. So quintessentially British, the shades are unique and oh so sophisticated. Fast drying, glossy and smooth. Nail perfection. 

Happy Easter you gorgeous little bunnies xxx

New Maybelline Colour Show Nail Lacquers: Beauty Steal!

Maybelline Colour Show Nail Lacquer in 'Dressed to Kill', £2.99, available from Boots, ring from NOWseen

On a recent mad dash into Boots (awol tanning mitt disaster, no less) I spied this new nail polish collection by Maybelline. At only £2.99, and on a trusty Boots 3-for-2 offer, I considered grabbing the whole 40-strong range of almost every colour imaginable, but, alas, I had failed to pick up a basket in my haste.

Anyhow, I'll get to my point. For £2.99, this nail wear is a great budget buy. It might not last more than a few days without chipping, and it does need a good few coats to achieve the desired affect, but for it's nimble price tag I was really pleased with the results. A gel-based polish, it was nice and glossy on application, and dried reasonably quick. The range has some amazing colours, some very on trend right now, and kudos to Maybelline for the nifty Pinterest style website.

Have you tried the Maybelline Colour Show range? Tweet @PoutOutProud with your reviews/pics, and let me know your favourite shade xx

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Trendy Little Nails by Topshop!

Nails by Topshop in 'Daydream' and 'AWOL', £5.00, available from Topshop.com

How super cute are these little varnishes by Topshop?! The packaging is really trendy, and all the shades live up to the kooky-but-cool ethos of Topshop's fashion label.  'Daydream' is a powdery pink with enough girliness to make Barbie herself swoon out loud. I'm not usually a huge fan of blue varnish (always reminds me of nasty hygiene plasters) but 'AWOL' has just enough quirkiness to pull off the shade. Cute like blueberry milkshake. Both shades were lovely and shiny too...

At £5.00, these varnishes make really sweet little gifts (especially for Topshop-loving folk) or an extra little treat if you want to trend-up your talons.

Apply: Two coats (fast drying, huzzah!) over a decent base coat will last you a minimum of two days.

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Cute like Candy! Ciate Nail Caviar

So much LOVE this super cute manicure! How gorgeous?! 

Ciate Caviar Pearls in Rainbow, £18, available from Selfridges is my favourite nail accessory of the moment, the tiny little pearls of cuteness are so fun and playful!

The look is really easy to achieve too, simply paint on a healthy layer of varnish then tip over the teensy beads. Press the beads down gently and allow to set for fifteen minutes. Voila, cute like candy nails. Do not apply any top coat though, as the colour from all the little beady treats will run into a murky blue (not desirable!)

It may not be the most long-lasting nail effect, but I totally love it. A really unique and girly finish, that's easy to do. Perfect! 

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Get the Glitter Bug with Barry M Glitter Nail Paint

Barry M Glitter Nail Paint in Ruby and Amethyst, £2.99 each, available from BarryM.com

These nail paints by Barry M are so cute, ultra glitzy, and a total bargain. I wore the 'Amethyst' glitter on New Year's Eve for an extra glam addition, so eye-catching and packed full of shimmering sparkle! The 'Ruby' glitter paint is more subtle, with light-reflecting black and red flecks. I like to pop a coat on over black varnish for a cute finish. Be warned through, the glitter varnish is an absolute nightmare to get off... you may want to invest in some strong remover!

Pictured: Barry M Glitter in 'Amethyst' on top of a coat of black nail polish

Pictured: Barry M Glitter in 'Ruby' on top of a coat of black nail polish

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My Beauty Week on Instagram #48

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Featured (from top left): 1. Fairisle hat and scarf, available in Topshop 2. Advent Calendar, mmm festive treats! 3. Red Sparkling Nails, with Barry M Glitter Nail Paint 4. Festive Candle holder 5. Rituals Lipstick in Manderin 6. The cutest Christmas jumper EVER from Miss Selfridge 7. All ready for the work Christmas party! 8. Reindeer socks (too adorable!)

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L'Oreal Paris Nail Wraps

L'Oreal Paris Color Riche Nail Wraps (pictured in Diamond Eternal) £8.99, available from FeelUnique.com

Nail art is seriously BIG right now. And if you're not one to spend half a day sticking gems to your finger tips/eyebrows/hair/fave pair of jeans, then try out this super cute range by L'Oreal Paris. It really is as simple as peel, stick, trim. 

I only put tips on (and then added an extra coat of clear to seal the deal) as the whole nail looked a bit too bling for my tastes. 

The packet claims these transfers last for two weeks, which is rather optimistic in my opinion. I had to peel mine off after one evening as the corners lifted a little. And I did find that the transfers looked a bit bumpy round the edges. But in general, if you want a bit of fun nail art for under a tenner, then give these little transfers a try.

Feel the Magnetism: Barry M's Magnetic Nail Paint Review

I'm not going to lie to you all, I wasn't overly sure on the concept of magnetised nail varnish. In fact, I thought it would look absolutely hideous. But actually, Barry M's Magnetic Nail Paint, £4.99, was quite a hit. A glossy finish, rich colour, good shimmer... And the magnetic effect wasn't as childish as I had feared. It actually looked pretty damn good. I take it all back, dearest Bazza M.

Top Tips For Magnetic Perfection

This is not one for the impatient amongst us. Give yourself plenty on time, and be prepared to concentrate.

Prepare the nail. Trust me, it makes all the difference if you've got a great base to work with. I use Boots' 6 Way File and Buffer, £2.50 to remove ridges in the nail and shine the surface. I then apply one coat of Boots' Save The Nail 45 Second Coat, £6.99.

Take it one nail at a time. Apply a generous layer of the Nail Paint and then immediately hold the magnet (on top of the lid) a millimetre away from the nail surface. Hold it there for a few seconds. This was where my patience failed me, as I accidentally plonked the magnet on my wet nail four times. Seriously. FOUR TIMES.

Repeat this step with each and every nail. Only one coat required, yes!

Get as creative as you like. Here's my tasty 'mint humbug' inspired nails. I applied a black coat before using Barry M's magnetic varnish in sparkling silver.

Have Yourself a Very Glitzy Christmas!

I know, I know, we're not even in December yet. But the sudden wave of festive spirit (namely the John Lewis ad, which I must have watched and then re-watched every day since its release) has got me feeling wonderfully festive.

And then there's all the talk of Christmas parties. The black-tie work do, the informal house party, the meal between old friends. Yep, now is the time to do some fabulously festive beauty prep.

Which is why I purchased these Christmassy delights by Barry M, with more magical sparkle than you can shake a stick at. Last year I opted an overtly seasonal Red glitter, this year I've plucked for Aqua and Magenta. Simply paint a layer of the glitter paint over a base colour of nail varnish (I'd recommend Barry M's Nail Paint in turquoise for the Aqua, and pink for the Magenta.)

Sparkle up your talons as you deem fit; whether just one statement nail on each hand, the tips, or the full blown set.

Pssst! There's also a fabulous black and gold shade 'Gold Mine' which is bang on the current Baroque fashion trend. I love it!

All Barry M Nail Paints are available from Barry M for £2.99

Get Glossy: Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint

If you want glossy gel-effect nails without the 45 minute salon experience and a price tag of £20 to £30, then try Barry M's brand new offering. Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint by Barry M, £3.99, available from Superdrug, is the savvy girl's cheat to super glossy talons.

It might not last as long as a salon cured gel treatment, but this nail polish is a worthwhile purchase. Easy to remove (no need for acetone soaking) and fast drying,  I applied it while on a bus, ladened with several shopping bags, and remained smudge free despite only having a six-stop time frame. That's impressive. Good work, Baz!

My only grumble would be the limited number of shades, but that's mainly because I was seeking a deep, glossy black. No joy. Instead I plucked for Watermelon (pictured) but was also very tempted by the plum shade, perfect for the rapidly approaching festive season.