Give your nails some TLC

I’ve never really looked after my nails. For the first seventeen years of my life, I was an avid nail-biter. I was that person who when I got nervous or anxious would be found nibbling my nails. 

I was incredibly ashamed of my half chewed nails, mostly because of the reaction and constant telling off that friends and family gave me. 

I used to look at people with their beautifully manicured nails and feel a pang of disappointment. Part of me wondered if I would ever have nice enough nails, that I could wear nail varnish. 

The good news is somehow I managed to stop and  you would never know now that I was ever a nail-biter. I managed to strengthen my nails using the following tips.

How to strengthen weak nails:

1. Be kind to your hands as we put our hands through a lot. Regular washing, using cleaning products without gloves and doing outside activities can all dry our hands and nails out. Use a moisturising hand cream regularly. I love applying a good coating at night.
2.Regularly cut your nails to strengthen them up. Keep them short until they gain strength they are also easier to manage. If you have just started growing your nails an oval shape works best. Less temptation to bite them.
3.Have a emery board and nail cutters in your bag so that if you get a broken nail your not tempted to bite it off. When filing your nails use one sweeping motion don't go back and forth as this weakens your nails.  
4.Use a base coat and top coat when painting your nails so as to protect your nail. 
5.Don’t forget to look after your cuticles: Don't cut your cuticles, either push them down or use a cuticle remover instead. For the best result soften your cuticles with cuticle oil. 

Nail Varnishes I'm loving:
For Christmas I was treated to some new Nails inc. nail varnishes: Wishes & Kisses Nail Polish gift set. It's currently reduced on the Nails Inc website to £14.50.

The first thing to say is that the packaging for this gift set is so pretty. The pack contains four full size nail varnishes (14ml), which is brilliant value given that one nail varnish costs £15. It offers a really lovely mix of colours perfect for both day time and adding some sparkle to a night out. 

Status Ready: I'm a creature of routine and if there is a go to nail varnish colour for me it would have to be red. 

I love having a pedicure and manicure before a holiday and red is most definitely the colour of choice. Status Ready is a striking and vibrant red with a lovely glossy finish. 

Applying a base coat, the nail varnish requires two coats to get an even finish. After a week of wear I was surprised at how well it lasted.  I will most definitely be picking up another one of these when it runs out. 

Life Hack:Now if I had seen this colour in a shop I have to be honest it wouldn't have been a colour of choice. But that's the wonderful thing about gift sets it forces you to try new things. 

Life Hack is a perky peach and perfect for summer, and a lovely change to my go to red. 

Glow on & Get It: Again this is not a colour I would have picked up but I love it. 

The nail-varnish has a chrome and pearl tone to it almost reminiscent of petrol marbling.    

One thing to note it did require an additional coat (three) to get a consistent colour.

Belsize Road: Everyone needs a bit of sparkle in their lives.

This beauty is a perfect addition to top off the nail-varnishes, helping to add some sparkle or perfect on its own. 

Stuck for time or fancy a treat, Nails inc also have nail bars throughout the UK who can do manicures and pedicures.

What's your favourite nail tip or nail polish? Share in the comments below. 

De Mamiel

I haven’t really tried any new beauty products in a while, partly as I’ve been trying to finish up products that I had squirrelled away. I’ve done really well in using up loads of older products, so I treated myself to something new.

The de Mamiel collection is made by Annee and to be honest without knowing it when purchasing, it’s a product and company close to my heart. 

The products were created when Annee was going through chemo and radiotherapy. Annee built de Mamiel out of a personal need to create a product that was moisturising, nourishing and perfect for sensitive skin at the same time. 

De Mamiel do loads of great products, but the Long Weekender (£80) set seemed the perfect way to try out the brand and experience the best of their products. 

I travel regularly and beauty products can take up loads of room and to be honest lots of my favourites just get left behind due to not having enough space.The weekender also has the perfect travel sized products that I can grab and run with, ideal for hand luggage.

The products come in a lovely makeup bag which you can have personalised. Sadly I missed this entirely when buying. 

On the purchase you just have to note what you want embroidered in the comments section. Perfect as a present for someone or a special occasion.

So what do you get?

Restorative Cleansing Balm 15ml:

Until I started using cleansing balms I used to think they were massively over hyped. But having seen great improvements in my skins appearance, I’m pleased to admit I was wrong. It’s the easy and lazy way of doing skin care. 

Taking a pea sized amount of this little beauty, massage between palms and apply to face. You then take it off with the lovely soft cleansing cloth included.

It smells divine of rose, geranium and lemon some of my favourite scents. If you can imagine the most luxurious spa, with low set lighting, burning candles and the gentle aroma of oil, this is that feeling in a jar. 

I love that it removes dead skin and the texture of my skin after applying feels really clean, smooth and wonderfully moisturised. I will definitely be repurchasing this even though it's expensive as a full sized product. Given the size of the jar and the amount you use each time, it would last for ages. 

The Exhale Daily Hydrating Nectar SPF30 5ml:
I have incredibly dry skin, mixed with this I burn easily, so I like to use a moisturiser that has sun protection built in. The Exhale Daily Hydrating Nectar SPF30 is perfect for me, not only is it moisturising but also has a built in SPF. 

The product does say that it has anti pollution properties and whilst I wouldn't buy it for this reason, living in London it is a great addition. The oil does have some skin coverage but it is not equivalent to using foundation, which for me is a big plus. I've been using it for a while and haven't even made a dent in it; the product just keeps going, great value for money. 

Intense Nuture Antioxidant Elixir 3ml

This product has some amazing ingredients, rapeseed, ylang ylang, Beaumont, wild rose, jasmine, lavender and frankincense. But for me it probably was the most underwhelming of the four products. It definitely gave my skin a moisturiser boost but I'm not sure I noticed enough difference that I would repurchase again at the larger size. 

Revitalising Body Serum 30ml:

This beauty is best used straight out of the bath or shower. A little goes an incredibly long way. It has a small amount of shimmer and definitely perks up the appearance of my skin. I did notice a reduction in my Keratosis Pilaris, the small bumps you can get at the tops of your arms. Which appears to be due to the plant oils that the product contains: argan, nut oil, sandal wood and prickly pear which are naturally high in vitamin e and antioxidants. 

Again the product smells divine with lemon and orange scents. 

Overall a great new brand that uses high quality ingredients and I've definitely found some new favourites that I will be repurchasing at the larger size, once I've saved some pennies up.

Have you tried any new skincare products recently that you would recommend?

www.demamiel.com

Arundel by candlelight

First things first, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and wishing you all a very Happy New Year. We had a lovely Christmas, for the first time Noah really grasped the concept of Christmas and the idea of Santa Claus.

We’ve had some wonderful firsts this Christmas; the excitement of a tree, unwrapping presents (Noah certainly enjoyed unwrapping his and everyone else's for that matter) and his first Christmas lunch. Like a true foodie he polished it off.

I’m currently wrapped up like a woolly mammoth as the temperatures in London have plummeted; it’s bloody freezing and we’re having a deluge of rain.

I’m not quite ready to acknowledge January, I'm in denial. So I thought I would do a flash back and share with you our visit to the Arundel by Candlelight festival. 

Every December the historic town of Arundel in South England holds a candlelight festival. 

Set against what Arundel is most famous for its picturesque castle, which looks like a scene from Hogwarts. 

Mary, Joseph, a choir of angels, an adornment of animals (including the prised turkey) and the three kings gather. They are here to kick the festivities off and sing all the famous carols.

Houses are adorned with beautiful Christmas trees, with white lights and traditional wreaths.

Shops become all festive, wowing me with their Instagram beauty. 

Choirs, musicians and brass bands add a beautiful backing track to the festivities as you wander round the Christmas markets and the children have a few cheeky goes on the funfair. 

I can recommend a yummy hot chocolate and Noah had fun racing in an old fashion car. 

The town has a wonderful array of traditional pubs, restaurants and antique shops. Shopping and food for me is a marriage made in heaven. 

So The Loft at Sparks Yard in Arundel has to be my perfect place; a lovely restaurant with beautiful views above a shop adorned with gifts and cooking goods.

Noah gave it a big thumbs up, as did we. 

We finished our day visiting the Arundel Brewery and getting some supplies for Christmas. 

Overall a wonderful day out and one I really recommend. We are looking forward to going back in the Summer months, when it is slightly warmer to look round the castle and taste more of the delights Arundel has to offer. 

What did you do to get in the Christmas spirit? 
Have you set any New Year resolutions or are you giving them a miss? Share in the comments below. 

www.arundel.org.uk