Nails of the day: Sugar skull

As a self confessed lover of all things scary, Halloween is one of my favourite times of year! Although I must admit I am usually completely unprepared when it comes to my costume. Previous years it has been a last minute slap fake blood onto a completely unscary costume to make it remotely 'Halloweeny'. Not this year though! I started early, looking around for possible ideas when I came across Mexican Sugar Skull costumes; simple, creative and not too expensive. I particularly loved the fact I could incorporate my nails into my costume and here's how I did it. I used gel to create these nails but nail varnish can be used too, I just wanted my nails to last longer.

1. Start off by applying a few layers of your favourite white nail varnish according to how opaque your varnish is. My favourite one is China Glaze's Snow Speciality.

2. Once fully dry apply two flowers to each nail with nail glue to recreate the eyes of the skull. I bought my flowers from Ebay. If you don't have any flowers you could always paint them on using a smaller brush or dotting tools. Make sure you leave a little space above the eyes for decoration.

3. Then paint on the skulls' mouth and noise in black. There are different ways in which to create the skull's mouth. I picked this way as I found it was the best for short nails. I used my dotting tools to draw on the mouth.

4. Now this is the best bit, the creative bit! This bit is individualised, you can make your sugar skulls' as creative and colourful as you want. I added gems to the flowers to make them stand out more and used neon colours, which you really cant see due to the rubbish Iphone picture quality. If anyone can recommend a good (not massively expensive) camera please comment below.

This photo highlights the colours better

What nail designs will you wearing this Halloween?

Natalie xo

Wish List #1

1. Tan leather look cut out heeled boots - New Look

2.Eclectic midi and finger rings pack - River Island

3. Citybag with zips - Zara

4. Knitted fluffy animal jumper - Topshop

5. Navy floral embellished playsuit - River Island

6. Super spot remover blemish treatment -  Boots.

At first when I saw the trend for A/W boots with cut outs I couldn't understand it, my practical side instantly kicked in and thought wouldn't my feet get cold? But when I looked into the different ways they could be styled I was completely swayed. I saw these boots from New Look and completely fell in love! I have wanted to get into the habit of wearing heels on an everyday basis so this gives me the perfect reason to buy these on pay day.

I know I am a bit behind with the whole Zara Citybag hype but where previously I have been a skint student I haven't been able to afford/justify spending over £30 on a bag. I love the way its compartments are designed and its effortless style.

The Origins spot treatment doesn't quite fit with the other items on my wish list but at the moment my skin is in dire need of it. I have read so many good reviews about this product and am eager to get my hands on it and try it out.

What's on your wish list at the moment?

Natalie xo

My 'rest of the year' resolutions

So its fair to say I haven't been very good at blogging so far! Over the summer I kept thinking of possible blog ideas but life got in the way and I never got round to writing about them. But I have just finished my first half term of my new job and upon some reflection its time to sort my life out and get into a proper routine! So I've decided to set myself some 'rest of the year' resolutions.

Blog more 

This is a pretty obvious one but I need to blog more and develop some regular features on my blog.

Improve my fitness

Every since I got back off of holiday I just haven't had the motivation to go too the gym. I need to get into the routine of going to the gym straight after work rather than my usual straight home and into my PJ's. On top of going to the gym I want to try some other activities in order to keep fit like train for a run, pole dancing classes or join a netball team.

Focus on my health

Sorting out my health is probably my main priority. My skin is a real indicator of my health and at the moment it seems every day my skin has another break out of spots or a flair of eczema. I would love too have clear skin by Christmas and in order to achieve this I need to start eating healthier, sleeping more, drinking more water and taking supplements.     

Sort out my finances

I have never been very good with money. No matter how hard I try to budget and save I always end up spending all my money on tat and can never understand where my money has gone. This needs to stop! I have bought a money organiser for my Filofax to try and keep a record of where my money is going. I'm hoping this leads to me second thinking some of my purchases and ultimately leading to some savings!

De-stress 

This summer I was diagnosed with alopecia, it was a bit of a shock and quite daunting. But I was even more shocked when I got told the likely cause of it was stress. I had never thought of myself as a person who got stressed so I just couldn't understand it. But when I sat down and properly looked at my life I realised I do stress more than I think. I get stressed over the minutest of everyday things which over time I guess I had just got so used too. But now that I have recognised what stresses me I need to learn some techniques in order to de-stress myself.

 Can you think of any 'rest of the year' resolutions you would give yourself? Or any tips or advice to help me achieve mine?

Natalie xo

All Time Favourites

As part of my blog I am going to do a monthly round up of my favourite products but this time I am going to start with products that I love and are my all time favourites.

Superdrug - £3.99

For ages I had been looking for a good moisturiser which does not make my make up look funny or require a long drying time. When this product first came out I was instantly drawn to it as its both a moisturiser and primer. I know I shouldn't admit this but beforehand I had never used a primer, it was one of those products that I had intended on buying but never got round to0. So I bought it with the hope of killing two birds with one stone and it certainly did. This product is cheap, has a light consistency, dries quick and hydrates the skin. What more could you ask for?

Asda - £2.25

Ever since I can remember I have suffered from  problem, spot prone skin and I have tried what seems like an endless number of miracle products promising to get rid of my spots within one night. With the vast majority not living up to these promises. It was not until it was brought up on TOWIE (yes I know one of my guilty pleasures) that I ever thought Sudocrem could help reduce spots. I was a bit skeptical at first as when I think of Sudocrem my instant reaction is nappy rash and babies! But after a bit of research within the blogging community I decided to give it a go and bought it from my local supermarket. I am beyond glad I did, it really is for me a little miracle product! I put it on my spots before bed and by the morning they are significantly reduced.

Amazon - £11.99

I received a travel Tangle Teezer for my birthday and didn't really think much of it at first, thinking its just another brush for my bag. Oh how wrong could I be! Whenever I brush my hair my lap usually looks as though a very long haired cat has sat on it but with the Tangle Teezer there is minimal hair loss and damage. It is also really effective for extensions and brushing out curls. I loved this product so much I ended up buying the original Tangle Teezer as well.

Superdrug - £11.99

When it comes to make up I often change products or brands regularly as usually I am not fully satisfied, but not when it comes to Max Factors False Lash Effect Fusion mascara. I have been using this product for years now and have no intentions of changing any time soon. Luckily I have reasonably long and full eyelashes (thanks mum and dad) but I feel like this product just emphasises them without making them clumpy and spider like.

Amazon - £5.50

For me this product is the holy grail of top coats, I can not think of a negative thing about it. I bought it after it was recommended in the Wah Nail Art Book and have never looked back. It makes my nail varnish shinier and chip free for much longer and is fast drying so there isn't that vulnerable hour after they are painted where you are scared to touch anything.

Have you tried any of these products? What do you think of them?

Natalie xo

Nails of the day: Leopard Print

I cannot think of a better start to my blog than a leopard print nail art tutorial as it was the first nail art design I attempted (emphasis on attempt). It is relatively easy as it does not have to be perfect and there are so many different variations. 

I am going to show you how to do a simple pink, black and white design. Barry M recently brought out nail art pens which I think are really easy and effective for creating nail designs. I am going to use them for creating the spots but nail varnish brushes can be used as well. 

Start by applying two coats of your base colour. I used one of my favourite pinks' Essie's Lovie Dovie.

Once dry randomly add coma shapes in one colour

Then with your final colour draw broken outlines and add random smaller coma's

Once fully dry add a top coat my current favourite and has been for a little while is Seche Vite dry fast top coat. This is only one of many nails art posts to come so curious, what is your favourite nail art designs?

Natalie xo