How I... Look After My Nails

I've recently started looking after my nails quite a lot. Before this routine, I pretty much just used to apply nail polish and that's it. And that's probably why my nail polish always applied gloopy and not nice. 

I start off by cutting my nails if they need cutting. My nails don't really grow that long but if they ever do then I'll use the Dirty Works Finger Nail Clipper* - £2.49. I then go on to filing my nails down. I'll either use the Dirty Works Printed Emery Board & Case* - £2.99 or the Anatomicals Nail File - £2.00. Both are great nail files are get the job done quickly but without breaking the nails and damaging them. The Dirty Works one is also great for travelling as it comes in its own case. I then use my No7 Nourishing Nail & Cuticle Care - £7.00 to soften my cuticle before pushing them back using the Boots Essentials Manicure Sticks - £1.00. The No7 Cuticle Care is something that I recently bought using the No7 £5 vouchers and it's such a lovely product. It does a great job of softening them and looking after them. If I need to trim any cuticles on the side of my nails then I'll use the Dirty Works Cuticle Trimmer* - £6.99 as it's really gentle, quick and easy. I'll then use the Dirty Works 4 Sided Nail Buffer Block* - £2.99 to make my nails look smooth and get them ready for applying nail polish. And finally, I'll use the Natural Collection Nail Colour in Clear - £1.89 as a base coat and a top coat as well.

 These are my nails. They aren't the most beautiful looking and that's one of the main reasons that I always use nail polish - to cover up them up. They're prone to breaking and they're very brittle but this routine that I do is pretty gentle and I've noticed an improvement in my nails since doing it. I'm hoping to invest in a base coat that strengthens the nails but I just can't bring myself to do it in case they don't work - it's weird how I'll always invest in skin care but not in my nails. So if you have any recommendations, please let me know!

And finally, I store all of my nail accessories in the Dirty Works Cosmetic Bag* - £4.99. It's a very nice bag that's just the right size. It's also great as you can just wipe it clean if it gets dirty.
How do you look after your nails?
xxx
*PR Sample

imPRESS Press-On Manicure Review

Ever since I first saw imPress nails in Boots, I knew I wanted them. But I'm a novice when it comes to false nails. I struggle to do my every day tasks when I'm wearing them so I didn't want to spend the money on them. So when I was given the chance to sample them, I couldn't say no.

 I absolutely love the packaging. Even my sister says  it's possibly one of the coolest things she's ever seen. The nails are housed in a sturdy nail polish bottle and the bottle comes with 24 nail covers in 12 different sizes so you're bound to find a nail to fit yours. The beauty of these is that you don't glue them on. You simple peel the tab off the back, push them up to the cuticle, hold for about 5 seconds and tada, beautiful nails in an instant.  

 I was sent the colour 190 Call My Agent* which is the most beautiful, true red I've ever seen. I love this colour because it's great to wear with anything and I can see myself getting a use out of these nails. The whole stick on effect only lasts once. Once you've peeled off the sticker, applied them and then used them, you can't use them as press ons again. But you can use them as normal false nails which is good enough for me!

They last a really long time - up to seven days. The pictures above are the nails are 4 days and they were still going strong. Only one nail started to fall off and I'm guessing that's because when I first applied them, I started fiddling around with them. But a little bit of nail glue and they're as good as new again.

I really love these and I'm a true convert. I can see myself buying more packs. I'm especially interested in Rock It, Estatic Cling, TGIF and Totally Busted. 

You can see more colours and designs here and these are available from Boots and Superdrug for £7.99 or £8.99 depending on the design you choose.

xxx

*PR Sample