So... Shellac

I recently had a birthday, for which I was treated to my first ever Shellac manicure.

I have been aware of the phenomenon that is the world of Shellac Nails but had always been a little wary of the idea of a polish being on your nails for so long. Weird eh? I just thought that something that sat on the nail for so long could be really damaging, despite what I was being told by reviews and nail techs etc...

I got mine done at Centre Parcs Aqua Sana Spa, by the fabulous Kylie, she is the Nail Specialist at the Whinfell Forest Centre Parcs and is by far the most amazing person I have ever met in the Salon and Beauty industry. She is really passionate and so welcoming - she even remembered me from the year before! Her customer service is second to none and you should deffo give her a visit if you're ever near there. Last year I was there for my birthday and she gave me a bottle of sparkling wine, and a card. Literally how many people ever go that extra mile anymore?

In the short of it, she greatly inspired me to continue with this blog and look at training in nails (more about that another time.)

So back to Shellac. I chose a metallic antique gold colour, which I thought would do for my birthday and would look nice everyday after for as long as it would last. Which is has - I didn't purchase any cuticle oil - which is suggested as it helps preserve the quality of the Shellac, instead I have been rubbing my Bio-Oil into my cuticles at night and that seems to be doing the job just fine.

I have had mine on now for two weeks, and they are still great - no chips no breakage of the nail and still looking as fresh as they did when I first got them done, and I've been doing other peoples manicures since using nail polish remover and other chemicals and they've been unaffected. So very impressed.

The only downside is that my nails grow really quickly so I have perhaps about as much as 1millimetre re-growth that is showing, but I have some ideas to use black polish and do a backwards french mani to help cover the re-growth so I can keep it on for a little longer.

You can remove your own Shellac by soaking your nails in nail polish remover and then gently scraping away the Shellac with a cuticle pusher. But as its my first time using Shellac I want to get it removed by a professional just so I can see it be done exactly, and will be able to then know exactly the technique to use - as I wouldn't want to go ahead and remove it myself to then do it incorrectly and ruin my nails!

I have attached some photos for you - one taken day of my manicure, and the second two weeks later so you can see how its lasted.

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Maybelline Colour Tattoos

Okay so I may be slow to hit the bandwagon with this one again, but frankly I always wait till the hype has gone down to test things for myself because after all it might just be that - hype. So my theory is if you wait and then that product is still getting good reviews than you hit it up!

One of those hype products that people generally still seem to adore, are the Maybelline Colour Tattoos - The high streets answer to M.A.C Paint Pots. They are cream eyeshadows in a darling little glass pot that pack a lot of punch in terms of pigment and longevity.

Once they are in place they sure as heck are going to stay there. The formula is really creamy and velvety, it genuinely feels soo smooth and sultry on the skin. Sometimes I find that with pressed powder eyeshadow in order to get the level of bold colour you wanted you sometimes have to really pack it on, which makes you very aware of the fact that you have a whole pile of coloured powder shoved onto your precious little eyelids. Whereas the Colour Tattoos one quick slick and thats all you'll need, you definitely get your moneys worth as a little goes such a long way.

They are versatile too, you can blend them out, or even blend them together with pressed powdered eyeshadow. So you can get the cool contrast of textures going which makes for a really dynamic smokey eye. And because of the cream/ gel formulation you can even double it up as eyeliner!

With the regular promotions Boots and Superdrug always seem to have on, you can also bag yourself a cheeky extra one with 3 for 2 that is currently on at Boots. So for £8 you can get 3 instead of having to fork out £12 for them. Something I like to use as justification when spending quite a bit on makeup. Plus it racks up those Boots points which you can use when money is tight but you 'MUST have' that item.

So overall I cannot complain about the Maybelline Colour Tattoos they're metallic colours are to die for, and blend soooo nicely together for a coppery bronzed eye, and at £4 a pop they are relatively cheap, and they last crazy amounts of time so that £4 goes a long long way. Definitely worth picking up a couple to try.

If you are trying new products my advice is to always go for the 'safer' colour. One that you wear everyday that way you know that you'll get wear out of it, even if its not your fav at least its in a wearable shade you can still use. Rather than getting a gregarious in your face bold colour that you may only use once in a blue moon - might become a waste of money if the product isn't for you.

So I would recommend popping along to Boots or Superdrug and picking up a couple whilst on offer!

Colours: left to right

65 -Pink Gold, 35 On and On Bronze

(I do also have Eternal Gold, but typical me, couldn't find it)