Essence Colour & Go nail polish review and swatches - 172 Splash

Essence, a brand that has just landed in the UK much to the excitement of many beauty obsessed girls throughout the country. I myself can't wait to get hold of some of these well priced bargains. I was lucky enough to receive a nail polish, an eye liner, mascara and a lip gloss from Essence to review. So I've started with my favourite, nail polish!

172 Splash - £1.59*
When this polish arrived I fell in love with the colour! Although metallics can sometimes look a little childish I really liked this and couldn't wait to try it out. A great thing about these polishes is the brush. It is small but well-formed holding a widespread brush which coats a large section of your nails with ease. It's really easy to hold and manoeuvre over your nail, meaning you can stay in control and it makes it easier to stay on your nail.
The formula is great and glides on with ease. Even though I use a Seche Vite topcoat with this polish it stayed on marginally longer than normal polishes and didn't chip!
I'd definitely recommend these polishes as they are a great product at an amazing price. I'll have them all, please!

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!

Graze Breakfast Boxes

I've been a fan of Graze for years now, choosing to opt-in and out of my weekly deliveries when I get a bit bored of them. Graze have really upped their game adding new snacks and different box types to their growing range. Right now I'm opting in and finding lots of new yummy treats including flapjacks, cakes, blends of tea and savoury bites. Now Graze has branched out and are now providing breakfast boxes full of granola and porridge.

In each breakfast box, you receive four packets each the perfect size for your morning bowl. Just as you would with Graze snacks, for the breakfast box you can go on to the site and choose what you like the look of and what you definitely don't want them sending you. I've enjoyed trying some granola I wouldn't normally pick up such as a rocky road one with bits of cherry and a chocolate orange one with chocolate curls and dried orange. I've received two boxes so far but haven't had a chance to eat them all so I think I'll get this box once in a while rather than every week. If you'd like a free breakfast box (new or existing customers) use this code - DanniY29