Manicure Essentials

Nail care is something that I have only really got into in the past year. One of my 2014 new years resolutions was to grow my nails and this is possibly the only one that I have actually done! For the first time in my life I have naturally long nails, so have treated myself to one too many nail polishes and these are the nail care bits that have really helped me along the way.

Nail buffer / file / clippers - when I first started growing my nails I was very reluctant to clip and file even the shortest amount of nail as it felt like it had taken so long to grow. But I have now realised that they grow out looking so much better with a regular trim, just like your hair! The nail buffer is great for making your nails look smooth and shiny.

Burt's Bees cuticle creme and hand salve - I use both of these on my cuticles and the surrounding area. They are great for getting rid of dry skin and softening the cuticles.

Soap and Glory handfood - my all time favourite hand moisturiser. I have used this for years (not this exact one obviously) and it has remained a firm favourite. This mini is so cute and perfect for popping in your hand bag, for you know - on the go hand moisturising ha!

Chanel Nail colour - 167 Ballerina - This is my top car boot find at a steal of 50p! It is such a delicate pink shade that looks very natural, it also looks great when you add a white tip to create a french manicure.

Collection 2 in 1 top coat - and finally my favourite top coat. Cheap and cheerful and it does the job. It is really glossy and creates and a lovely smooth, shiny finish.

What are your manicure favourites?

Soap and Glory Review

I absolutely love Soap and Glory products, especially the body butters, Hand food and all of the creams in general! These are my three favourite products that I use on a regular basis, so I thought I would share them with you (not literally of course - they are all miney mine mine!)

The Righteous Butter - This a body moisturizer to get rid of and prevent dry skin. I think anybody who has smelt this will agree that it smells amazing! I am a bit rubbish at describing scents, but I would say it is very fresh, floral and extremely sweet smelling. You smooth it onto damp skin after a bath or shower, it sinks in pretty quickly and doesn't make your skin feel slimy at all, but I would advise that you just stay where you are until it sinks in, otherwise you will look like you have grown fur as all fluff seems to stick too it! The scent also lasts a while on your skin so you can smell nice all day.

Heel Genius - This is a foot cream (obviously) that is also designed to prevent dry skin. Now I think most people get dry skin on their feet, especially around the sides, toes and heels, and I would really recommend this to help it. Now unlike most of the Soap and Glory products that smell very similar, this has a much stronger smell but it isn't as sweet, (sorry I really a not good at describing scents). The cream itself is actually a blue-ish colour, but once you rub it in you can't see it at all. It takes a little while to soak in but overall it is really good and is apparently very good for your cuticules and nails aswell.

Hand Food - The hand food is my favourite product of them all. It is a hand cream that contains Shea butter, macadamia oi and... Marshmallow! Who would have thought you would find marshmallow in hand cream eyy? This has the well know Soap and Glory smell to it, very sweet and similar to the body butter. This also soaks in pretty quickly, however I personally find it leaves my hands feeling  little bit sticky, but non of my friends say it does this to them so perhaps it is because I have had this one a while now? Despite it being a little sticky though it does make my hands feel really soft (at least I think it does, but It's quite hard to feel what your own hands feel like)

 I really do love Soap and Glory, as well as the lovely smell of the products, It's the packaging that also sells it to me! I am drawn to anything vintage, pink, a little bit retro etc so I love this!