How to ensure your nails are stunning every time

I know that for some people doing your nails is something you dislike, its like a minefield. How do people get their fingernails so darn perfect? If you take some time out of your day to focus on your nails you can really ensure they are on point. - Make sure your nails are clean and maintained. I mean all polish off, any nasty bits of skin polished clean, cuticles pushed and cut back as well as your nails being filed to create a smooth edge. Just a tip - use a crystal nail file as they are much gentler on your nails (without loosing the grit). Although this is a bit harsh as an extra clean I rub my nails with a nail brush and a bit of exfoliating wash to ensure they are sparkling and smooth! This may be too far but it works, just ensure to moisturise after to keep your skin soft... -Invest in a good base coat. I always look for something that adds something to my nails (whether it help repair or strengthen my nails). It also has to be quite rubbery to help the nail polish stay on for longer. -Make sure you paint around the tips of your nails to ensure your polish doesn't chip (or it takes a bit longer for it to start!). If you do this with your polish and your topcoat it will seal the polish around the edges to help prevent chipping. -The biggest secret to amazing looking nails is clean up. Before I learnt this I always thought people were magicians with a nail brush never getting a drop around their nails. How wrong I was and how easy it is to look like you are amazing at painting your nails. Basically, you need a fine paintbrush (I use a nail art brush I got in a set from eBay) and some nail polish remover, preferably in a little pot, with some tissue to dab the brush when removing colour. Then just use it to clean up like you would paint around your nail. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Be careful with colours like red though as they are harder to get off! -Lastly, don't forget to moisturise! If you don't moisturise on a regular basis you could have dry hands which will ruin even the best nail paint job. Either use cuticle cream or good ol' hand cream just make sure to give your hands some TLC. Please note that I am self-taught at doing my nails and have not had any training. If my tips work for you then great and if not at least we tried! Best of luck on your mission to have brilliant nails!

The Lush Series - Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter

I have to admit, I've been going a bit wild in Lush recently. I used to hate the place! The intense smell of Lush used to drive me away but since becoming a blogger it has drawn me in. Beauty bloggers posting rave reviews about the products has made me get over my fears and enter the strongly scented world of Lush.

Now I am over the threshold there is no holding back! Although it is quite expensive I find it so easy to pop something in the basket and justify it's cost later. This way of thinking has given me quite a few Lush products for me to try out and love.

First product is the one I've had the longest and love the most...

Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter

As you can tell, I took these photos earlier in the year when you could see the lovely green grass...

If you are into doing your nails then you should know that a cuticle butter is essential in keeping your nail beds/cuticles looking hydrated. Your nails could be painted beautifully but if the skin around your fingers is a dry mess then it really ruins it.

Lush's Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter promotes itself as not only being good for cuticles but other dry parts of your body, such as elbows, knees and toes. That has to tell you it is good stuff. The cuticle butter is a thick yellow cream that smells, as you can imagine, of lemons. It isn't tangy or sickly like some others are but it's rather subtle. I only need to dab a small bit of this on each cuticle and rub in. It doesn't sink in straight away so I usually use this before bed rather than on a daytime when I'll be touching other things. Due to the fact you don't need a lot for your fingers this will last me a long time!

I can definitely see a difference in the look and feel of my nail beds which in turn makes my nails look much better.

If you are on the look for a cuticle butter then look no further, I've found you the best one.

Lemony Flutter is currently £6.50 for 50g.

Have you tried this before? What are your thoughts? If you've review this then post the link in my comments!

Nail Essentials

I've been properly obsessed with nail polish now for about two years. My collection started small but when I got into Instagram and found out my manager had a suppliers card my obsession took off.

I've come very far with my preparation, application and clean up. I have all the tools but no qualifications, although I'd like them. My method for doing my nails has become a refined art now, here is what I use.

Preparation

Nail Envy - This is a product that many people rave about but honestly I haven't used this consistently enough to see a noticeable difference. Sometimes I use this as a base coat as I like to think when I am using it it makes my nails stronger, other times I will use it as well as a base coat. 

Revlon Quick Dry Base Coat - This base coat is a creamy varnish which gives your nails sort of 'matte' surface for your polish to stick to. The smell is a bit potent but it does its job well.

Tools

My mum bought me a set of about 8 double-ended nail tools from Ebay. Now don't be under any illusion that I know what they all do! I only use the cuticle pusher and the scalpel looking one (pictured). I use this to push my cuticles back and circle the 'scalpel' end around to remove any excess skin. I also have cuticle clippers that I bought from Superdrug to get remove any excess. Beware, don't go OTT with this or you will make your cuticles bleed! After all this, I use the base coats as above.

Also, everyone needs a good nail file! I get my use a glass one that I bought from Amazon as it isn't too harsh.

Finishing touches

Once I've finished painting my nails I apply the holy grail of topcoats, Seche Vite. This has to be the best topcoat on the market, it dries your nails completely in a matter of minutes. If this doesn't impress you then the fact it usually keeps my nails shiny and without chips for a week should (no lies).  After trying this I would never use another, that may be why my nails are always so shiny. Make sure you apply this to the edge of your nails to avoid chipping. I think Seche Vite should come up with a matte top coat so I can change up my look.

Although this is my routine, I welcome any suggestions to improve.