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.

Beauty in Pictures #47 Instagram

As you may or may not have gathered, I'm a bit addicted to beauty products. I'm also a huge fan of the filter delights of Instagram, "ohhh, ahhh, filters!" So here's my weekly beauty-instagram-mash-up.

Featured (From top left): 1. Catwalk by TIGI Session Series Dry Shampoo (amazing, works miracles!) 2. Barry M's Ultra Moisturising Lip Paint 3. Me on a night out in Liverpool wearing Lipsy 4. Rituals Botanical Skincare Launch Party 5. HD Brows Palette in bombshell, 6. Pugs Not Drugs tee from Urban Outfitters (so cute!) 7. Lauren's Way Lashes 8. Getting ready for a night out with volume-boosting Dream Rollers by Lauren's Way 9. Ted Baker London Duo Nail Duo in Blue Moon and Space Dust

Tan-talise: The Best of Fake Tan

The Bronzing Mousse Break-Down

Bronzing mousses are easy to apply as you can instantly see where the product has been applied, ideal for those who are a bit nervous about self-tanning. 

St Tropez Self-Tan Bronzing Mousse, £30.64, available from St-Tropez.com

Colour: 5/5

Last-ability: 2/5

Smell: 5/5

Price: 2/5 

I've always been a firm fan of St Tropez when it comes to good tanning. The mousse is so easy to apply (use a tanning mitt for a flawless finish), doesn't streak, and smells great. No old biscuit-smells here, phew! The tan is a sun-kissed golden brown shade, which can be layered up for a deeper colour. 

My only negative points for this product would be the price, which is a touch steep, and the duration which the tan stays on the skin. I find that after two washes it has normally disappeared, even if I leave it 24 hours before the first wash. This can be a blessing in disguise though, as there's nothing worse than old shabby tan remnants imitating a strange skin disorder. 

Lauren's Way Self Tanning Bronzing Mousse (Medium), £17.95, available from LaurensWay.com

Colour: 4/5

Last-ability: 4/5

Smell: 4/5

Price: 3/5

A warmer brown tone, this is a tan for all you glamourous girls and boys. A deeper tan than the St Tropez, it definitely has that Essex-glam feel. It applied really evenly on the skin (again I use a tanning mitt) and dried instantly. What I loved about this tan is the fact that it lasts for days. Friday night glamour lasts right through to the Wednesday evening cinema trip. Perfect!

St Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse, £2.99, available from Home Bargains

Colour: 2/5

Last-ability: 4/5

Smell: 0/5

Price: 5/5

Here's a tan for the end of the month, when the luxuries of pay-day are just a distant memory. Okay, it smells pretty hideous. The tone is more of a dirty brown than a golden one. And there is a slight chance you'll develop a rash if you have sensitive skin. 

But hey, it's £2.99. And after a quick rinse-off in the shower, the colour is much improved and the smell isn't that intoxicating. Everyone needs an anti-pastiness contingency plan. This is mine. 

My Fave Wash-Offs
Wash offs are great for stress-free (and pong-free) tanning and they're generally more hydrating than longer lasting tans. Just avoid rain at all costs!

Pictured from left to right: Rimmel, Sienna X, Lauren's Way

Sienna X Instant Bronzing Gel, £12.95, available from FeelUnique.com (includes free delivery!)

Colour: 5/5

Smell: 5/5

Price: 3/5

A lovely golden colour with a slight shimmer, this tan is a thick gel so it doesn't run on application. It also smells fabulous, as it is the most heavily fragranced out of the three. Perfect if you're looking for a very natural, sun-kissed colour.

Lauren's Way Instant Wash Off Glow, £11.95, available from LaurensWay.com

Colour: 4/5 - if you want a darker tan then this is definitely the wash off tan for you!

Smell: 3/5

Price: 3/5

If you're a real tan-addict, then Lauren's Way is the way for you. This wash off is much darker than the others, has a very neutral smell, and was a bit runnier in consistency. 

Rimmel Sunshimmer Instant Tan (medium matte), £5.99, available from Superdrug

Colour: 3/5

Smell: 4/5

Price: 5/5

A good mid-way tan, Rimmel's Sunshimmer is lighter than the Lauren's Way yet has a deeper brown tone than Sienna X. It is however a touch reddy-bronze in some lights, which I'm not a huge fan of. But it is available at a reasonable price, applies well and smells pleasant. 

Hair A&E: Repair and Protect

I've been trying everything, short of buying a wig, to achieve a seriously healthy-looking mane. Here's what made the grade when it came to intensive hair repair...

1. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Pre-Shampoo Treatment, £26.25, available from PhilipKingsley.co.uk

It might be a bit of a splurge, but this product is an amazingly good thirst-quencher for hair. Apply to damp hair (concentrating on the length and the ends), and allow to absorb deeply for twenty minutes. A handy little shower cap comes with the product so you can tuck your hair up and out the way! Rinse off and shampoo/condition as normal. The treatment left my hair instantly replenished, and it felt REALLY silky smooth.

Top Tip: Ensure that you apply to damp hair as opposed to dripping wet, as excess water droplets will lessen the product penetration.

2. Charles Worthington Salon at Home Intense Rescue Melting Balm, £11.33, available from Boots

A quick and easy fix, this hard wax-like product should be worked into a rich oil by rubbing between your palms, and then applied to dry hair (concentrating on the length and the ends). Comb the product through hair, and leave for twenty minutes or so before washing hair as normal. It leaves hair feeling healthier, less frizzy when dried and smelling fabulous.

Top Tip: For really damaged hair, apply heat from a hair dryer for five mins after the product has been absorbing for twenty mins.

3. Tigi's Bed Head Ego Boost Split End Mender, 200ml, available from FeelUnique.com, £10.85 (delivery inclusive)

This product is genius. It works by bonding together the ends of your hair, preventing split ends. I use it every single time I wash my hair, and I have really seen the difference over the past six months. Apply a few squirts to damp hair after every wash and it will help your hair stay stronger for longer.

Top Tip: Start using Ego Boost after you've been for a trim, it'll lock down those naughty ends and stop them from straying.

4. Moroccanoil Oil Treatment for All Hair Types, £30.45 for 100ml, available from FeelUnique.com (delivery inclusive)

This product really does instantly soothe dry, straw-like hair. I've got heavily highlighted hair, so this intensive oil works a treat for an instant sleek revival. I apply a small pea-shaped amount (you DO NOT need a lot) spread across my palms, then work through the ends of my damp, clean hair. If your hair isn't that dry or damaged, then this product probably isn't for you. It's rather intensive, so can leave soft hair a bit weighed down. I'd recommend Catwalk by TIGI's Blow Out Balm for a lighter alternative.

Top Tip: Always apply to damp hair to avoid looking like an oil slick. Seriously, it's not a good look.

HD Brows: My New Number 1 Product!

If you're a brow fiend like me, you need to invest in this product. The HD Brows Palette, £19.95, is undoubtedly the BEST brow enhancer I have ever tried.

The application brush is really precise. You can create a fabulously accurate brow line with ease (see before and after pic below) No smudges in sight, ahhh!

The range of tones helps to keep brows looking natural and multi-dimensional. With a single shade brows can often look as if they've been stuck on. Not good. I use the 'Bombshell' palette for blondes (pictured)

It really does last ALL day, no top up required. I initially thought this product was a bit pricey, but the individual powders are packed with so much pigment that you hardly have to use any to create a brilliant brow.

I really, really love this product. Top marks to HD Brows.

Shine On: How to Get Seriously Glossy Locks

Oohhh, ahhh, shiny.

Yes ladies and metrosexual gents, your eyes do not deceive you. There is a brand new Aussie range available! Aussie Miracle Shine Shampoo and Conditioner, £5.99 each, available from Boots is for 'dull, tired hair, begging to shine.' Seeing as though I've abused my hair over the years in every which way possible (I'm so much more caring now, your beauty-honour!) and I've got lashings of shine-minimising blonde tones, I knew this was definitely one for me to try.

As always, five out of five for the sumptuous smell. It lathered brilliantly and my hair felt thoroughly cleansed after washing.

Before blow drying, I used Catwalk by TIGI's Sleek Mystique Straight Collection Blow Out Balm, £10.60, available from FeelUnique.Com (delivery inclusive in price) which protects hair from heat and adds an extra glossy shine, without weighing down fine hair. You only need to apply a pea-shaped amount to damp hair, but remember to work it across the palms of your hands first to avoid a heavy build up in one area. Again, this product smells totally fabulous, dreamy wafts of honeysuckle and dragon fruit all day long.

After blow-drying, my hair really had visibly improved in terms of shine. It looked healthy and glossy. Very impressed! A cautionary note... designer sunglasses may be required if these products are over-used.

Banish Dull Wintery Skin

There's nothing worse than dry, dull, wintery skin. And it's so easy to forget that those little skin cells need some TLC when they're permanently covered by layers of chunky knits or woolly tights. I must admit, I'm a repeat offender when it comes to winter-skin neglect. I often ponder about the potential train-wreck which would ensue should an unintended night of passion arise... Anyhow, I digress.

My luxury winter splurges are Champneys Spa Indulgence Distant Shores Body Butter and Scrub, £10 each, available from Champneys.com The exfoliating scrub banishes old, tatty skin and leaves you super soft and rejuvenated. It also contains grapefruit, lemon and orange peel oils which naturally boost the skin's appearance.

The Body Butter is wonderfully rich, perfect for a good dose of rehydration. But my fave thing about this pampering duo is the smell. Mangoes and citrus, a tropical holiday delight on the coldest of British evenings. Brrr!