Trendy Talons

I honestly believe there’s no better pick-me-up than having a gorgeous set of false nails. After trying them for the first time about a year ago after seeing a set of DIY ones from Boots, I’m completely hooked! Previously I’d always thought false nails were for chavs trying (and failing) to recreate the feisty R&B diva look, but I don’t mind admitting I was completely wrong. They create a clean, polished look which enhances your outfit, after all there’s nothing worse than putting together an outfit Alexa Chung would be proud of and spoiling it with my brittle, broken nails. Luckily for me, and the rest of us that aren’t blessed with beautiful, strong talons, Sheffield is full to the rafters with nails bars for all budgets, most of which do a student discount (woo!)

If you’re on a tight budget you can always buy a DIY pair, however, I find that they tend to pop(!) off at annoying or inappropriate moments (for me, at a recent job interview *ahem*) But you can always pick them up and glue them back on if like me, you have no shame. I recently had a quick browse of eBay to pick up my own acrylics and try my hand at designing my own but was quickly sucked in to buying 2 sets of predesigned nails for 58p each (Yeah, I know) so it doesn’t look like I’ll be unleashing my artistic side anytime soon. So now that you have no excuse not to own a pair, why not go for a fluorescent ‘tan-clashing’ shade that has promised to be a hit this summer.

Maxi Madness

I know we’ve barely stepped into spring but the world of fashion and beauty is already talking about summer. The catwalks this spring have been a sea of different colour trends, from bright 70’s brights to sweet ballerina pastels. However, after jumping on the 70’s trend bandwagon, the maxi dress has stood out the most to me. If I could only wear one outfit this season, it would be this sexy piece of fashion magic. Heck, I might even go the whole hog and get myself a Volkswagon Beetle to accessorise with. You literally can’t escape from them as the high street is adorned with maxi dresses in a million prints and colours that have me ‘Ooohing’ and ‘Ahhing’ as I peruse the aisles

What I particularly love about this dress is that you can work it into whatever your style forte is, just by teaming it with your favourite accessories (probably not a Volkswagon). Personally, I’ll be wearing mine with a statement necklace and throw on a vintage denim jacket when that typically British summer chill pays us a visit.

 However, only being 5’3” myself I always thought achieving this bohemian look was well out of reach for my sort *sob* so I was ecstatic when I saw models pairing them with 5” wedges. Not only will I be able to rock this look this spring, I’ll fall flat on my face too…but it’s a price I’m willing to pay.

With the festival season hot on our heels this is with be your new best friend, for me, there’s nothing that says festival goddess more than the maxi. Just don’t forget your wellies! Although, if like me you’re too poor to enjoy the many festivals this year, there’s no shame in treating Devvy Green as your holiday destination, the deck chairs outside Forum certainly help.

This trend won’t be going away anytime soon and will take you straight through to a (hopefully) heat wave summer.

Dirty Works 'Pore-fect' Face Scrub

I'm always looking for new ways to wake up my tired skin and couldn't help but 'Oooh' and 'Aahh' at the adorable kitsch packaging that caught my eye one afternoon in Sainsbury's. Dirty Works is a relatively new brand sold exclusively at Sainsbury's that if I'm perfectly honest is just a rip-off of Soap & Glory, right? 

To be honest, I was cynical it wouldn't do a 'pore-fect' job on my awkward, pesky skin, but bought it anyway because of the bargainous price and well, it's not bad to look at either is it?..

The consistency of the product is gel like which glides onto the skin and foams up like a dream. The smell has a certain 'pazazz' to it which I could feel tingling on my skin after I applied it. As I am a huge Soap & Glory fan, I was almost wanting to dislike this product but I have to say it does a brilliant job removing any nasties and leaving my skin sparkling clean. Just don't get it in your eyes!

What do you think about Dirty Works?

My Top 5 Beauty Products

1. Clinique Superbalanced foundation

Since I started wearing makeup at about the age of 14, I had been a constant foundation explorer. That is, until I stumbled across Clinique's Superbalanced foundation. It currently retails at £20, which is expensive when you compare it to other big name brands such as Maybelline and Rimmel but I have been using it constantly for the past 4 years and I can honestly say I've never strayed. For me, it is the holy grail of foundations. It comes in a sophisticated glass bottle which is an absolute bonus for me as there's nothing worse than cheap looking packaging (I want something to show off afterall!).


Pros: This product is wonderful if you like medium coverage with a natural finish. At first I tried this with a normal foundation brush and the end result was very streaky. However, I then used a stippling brush and it gave an amazingly natural, airbrushed-like finish. 


Cons: It doesn't cover up red breakouts at all so concealer is necessary for redness or dark under eye circles.   I have a rather oily T-zone so oil based foundations should be a big no-no for me, however, which a little bit of primer and a touch of powder to set it, it looks fantastic all day. 


8/10


2. MAC lipstick in 'Ruby Woo'

Being incredibly pale skinned, it was difficult for me to work the sexy 'Scarlet Woman' red lipstick look without looking washed out and well...downright scary. I then came across MAC's lipstick in the shade 'Ruby Woo' which was described as a vivid bluish red, as well as a cult classic. After some research I discovered that sunbed shunners such as myself should go for a bluish understone to red lipsticks so soon found myself purchasing my number 2 in my top 5.


Pros: The matte finish to the lipstick gives a stunning vintage feel to the look (think Paloma Faith) and the colour is eye popping!


Cons: It's difficult to 'stay inside the lines' which is probably more to do with my unsteady hand rather than the lipstick itself. 


8/10


3. Barry M Nail Paint

I'm a sucker for a bargain, but Barry M Nail Paints go beyond that. They have the most eye popping array of colours, more than any other brand I've seen, and not only that, the staying power is incredible! At £2.99 a pop, I'm well on my way to a complete Barry M collection.

Pros: Pure staying power, it just doesn't budge! Perfect if you like to play around designing your own (albeit, bad) nail art.

Cons: Absolutely none! You really can't go wrong with this brand.

10/10

4. MAC Fluidline eyeliner in 'Blacktrack'

A-MA-ZING! I think this product is so chic looking I'll never stray from its cute little charm. I bought it along with MAC's 210 eyeliner brush and I have never been so chuffed with a purchase. I have put this on in the morning, gone out that night and then slept with it on (naughty I know) and it still didn't budge. I would recommend buying it with the 210 brush (£14) as it's slim enough to do flicks but is still easy to maneuver. 

Pros: Stays put all day, but still comes off easily with a mild facewash.

Cons: None so far.

9/10

5. Daniel Sandler Watercolour Blush in 'Cherub'

When I first bought this I was disappointed with the size of the product, afterall I'd paid £12 for something that fits in the palm of my hand, I also had no idea how to use it! After painstakingly using a brush to try to blend the extremely watery substance I found (rather annoyingly) that using my fingers was the best option, the heat from my hand makes it incredibly easy to blend onto the skin, leaving a fantastic, airbrushed blush. I seriously couldn't live without this! I would also recommend the mascara from the Daniel Sandler range.

Pros: There's something oddly professional looking about this product, which I like, but I can't put my finger on. It gives an incredible airbrushed look which I've never seen before with a blush.

Cons: It has a slightly odd aroma, but it's almost like baby lotion so nothing to cry about there :)

7/10