Models Own Scented: Blueberry Muffin

A Models Own Bottleshop opened in my local shopping centre recently and so naturally I had to go and have a root around! It takes the form of a giant nail polish bottle and I was handed a free eyeliner just for going in so first impressions were good!

They have so much to look at but I was instantly drawn to the Scented Fruit Pastel collection and after a lot of umming and ahhing I decided on the Blueberry Muffin shade. I love pastels at the best of times but this collection smells gorgeous too so at £5 a bottle I couldn't resist.

The colour is a beautiful powder blue and the smell is sweet but not overpowering, however I was let down a little by the application. The first coat was streaky but then an additional coat made it thick and gloopy and it took forever to dry. I was so excited to try it out and in my haste I applied it pretty messily, but it turned out okay considering (until I did the washing up and ending up taking chunks off left right and centre leaving me having to reapply).

Overall it's a lovely polish, but the application is a hassle! The scent is a great novelty factor and lasts for a few days before it wears off. I would not recommend using this polish when you're in a rush as it needs a while to dry properly, but a good top coat should help!

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick: Glum Plum Fulham

I'm not usually very daring when it comes to lipstick, in fact I rarely wear any at all and when I do they are of the nude persuasion, but I have finally found one I absolutely adore.

I'd heard nothing but good things about Rimmel's Moisture Renew range, and I've been lusting after a purple lipstick for a while and so I thought I would take the plunge with 'Glum Plum Fulham'. As expected, it is packed full of moisture and is really hydrating but it doesn't feel sticky or unpleasant.

Despite leaving purple marks over everything my lips touch, the staying power is really impressive - I can happily go out without taking the lipstick with me and not have to worry about reapplication for a good few hours.

I usually tend to shy away from drastic colours as I feel that they make my small lips look even smaller, but I really love this autumnal shade. It's not too purple but it's not too red either - it's perfect with simple makeup and it's a great way to dress up a casual outfit. For £6.49 it's great value for money too, I think I'll have to get a colour for each season!

Minnie Mouse Nails

Polka dot nails are so simple, yet they look s good! My favourite polka dot mani has to be this red and white Minnie Mouse inspired look. It's perfect for summer, but there's nothing wrong in breaking convention and ditching the trusty dark autumnal hues for something brighter.

Polka dot nails are so eye catching, and my friends are always asking me to do this for them - but here's the secret - anyone can do them! My tip for creating the polka dots is to use the round end of a hair grip - dip the round tip into a blob of nail polish and voila, you have a tool!

First Time Shellac

I am a nail obsessed maniac who always wants to change the colour of my nails the second they have been painted, and so the idea of Shellac has never really appealed to me. It is a type of non-chip gel polish that is set under UV light and can last weeks. The results are gorgeous and glossy, but the idea of committing to a colour for weeks is not one I embrace.

Nevertheless I love having my nails done at the salon, and so when my housemate persuaded me to join her on one of her regular visits I decided I would give Shellac a go. Unfortunately her favourite salon was fully booked and so we took a chance with a new one - this was a bad idea. I was sat waiting for two hours, despite us having an appointment, and the lady who eventually saw me made nearly all my fingers bleed when removing my cuticles!

Despite the terrible experience, I was impressed with the outcome. The actual process only took about 10 minutes, and it was just a matter of applying several layers of the polish after buffing the nail, and then setting each layer under UV. In terms of colours, I wasn't given a great deal of choice. I was presented with about 10 different shades of pink, each as out of my comfort zone as the other, so I decided to go all out with the brightest one out of them all.

Shellac 2 weeks after application

I think it looks lovely, my nails are glossy and have remained perfectly un-chipped for two weeks now. The only giveaway that they are two weeks old is the inevitable growth gap by the cuticles. As I expected, I am fairly bored of the colour by now, but the fact that I paid £20 to have them done (not a spend I usually allow myself) means I am going to leave these bad boys as long as I can.

Overall, I would recommend Shellac for holidays and times where you don't want to have to worry about your nail polish chipping, but I enjoy doing my own nails too much to have it done regularly - it's cheaper too!

Winter Skin SOS

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas; winter coats are getting dusted off, department store adverts are bringing tears to our eyes and it's getting dark before 5pm. I love this time of year, but my skin doesn't. Even those fortunate souls who don't usually have dry skin need to give their faces a little extra TLC during the winter months, and I think I have found the perfect combination.

Moisturising is absolutely key, and I swear by The Body Shop's Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream. I have been using this moisturiser for the past few years and I think it trumps even high end products - for a fraction of the price. At £12 for 50ml it really is worth every penny - you only need a very small amount with every application, and so I find that one pot lasts me around 6 months.

If (like me) your dry skin could do with a little extra nourishment, then your answer lies in Vitamin E Facial Oil. This normally retails at £11 but the Body Shop have an offer on right now where you can walk away with both products for only £14 - bargain! Rub the oil into your skin before moisturising to leave it feeling baby soft all day. It does leave a slightly greasy feeling however, so you only need a really small amount.

My third, final and favourite winter survival product is the Rudolph Fresh Face Mask from Lush. It really is one of those stores that I just can't walk past without being drawn in - and this week was no exception. It is designed specifically to get rid of the redness and dryness the cold air inflicts on our skin - the name Rudolph refers to the dreaded red nose that I am all to familiar with sporting during winter.

The pampering ingredients include cucumber, oatmeal and lavender oil (which it really smells of), and it must be kept in the fridge to keep it fresh for a few weeks. The application is a little tricky - the first time I used it I was left with more in the sink and in-between my fingers than on my face. If you mix the mask with a little water in your hands, however, it forms more of a paste and it becomes way easier to apply.

It costs £5.50 and I would guess at there being around 5-6 applications per tub, so at around £1 a go it's great value. Be warned though - it has a use-by date due to the fresh ingredients, so don't let it go to waste!

One thing I am quite disappointed by is that this face mask is supposed to come with a little reusable red nose inside, which you place over your own nose to nourish and reduce redness (and to add a little fun), but mine was missing it! Nevertheless, it's still a great product.

I love Lush face masks as they are completely natural, fresh and a little different every time. Unlike some face masks, this does not burn, itch, or leave you wanting to tear your skin off. In fact, the longer you leave it on the more soothing it feels. So run a nice warm bath, smother your face in Rudolph - and relax!

Essie - Matte About You

So I came downstairs this morning to find a little package on my doorstep and it gave me the perfect excuse for my first blog post! I have been hankering after a matte polish for a while and last week I came across this Essie matte finisher and thought I would give it a try.

The description on the pack is as follows, 'Instantly transform nail colour from high gloss to matte in seconds. Use with any shade from light sheer to dark crème to create a smooth matte finish'. The process is incredibly simple, just apply it as a top coat onto your polish and watch it turn matte in a matter of seconds. It goes on really smoothly and evenly, allowing for a nice easy application.

I opted for a black on black look. The glossy tips contrast subtly with the matte base, and I'm really happy with it! I think its simple and understated and really easy to do. I'm not actually sure what brand the black polish I used is, it's a fairly old one that has been in my nail polish collection for ages and the name has rubbed off. I applied the tips really quickly by hand as I was too impatient to do it properly, so excuse the messiness.

Overall I think it's a great product, I can't wait to try it out with different colours and start experimenting :) I recommend Matte About You - at £8.50 it is affordable and a great way to touch up a manicure when you get bored with it! You can purchase it here.