How to make your polished nails last longer

There is just something so soothing about painting your nails whether its a horrible week at work and you need to pamper yourself or you have plans that involve getting dolled up for like cocktails with the girls. 

I love having my nails done but sometimes you have to do it your self but one wrong stroke or rushing can lead to disastrous results so here are a few tips I've picked up, along with a couple of my fave nail art pics. 

Do not wash your hands before applying the polish as the natural oils from your skin stops the polish from adhering to your nails.     

                                                                                 
This goes hand in hand (get it) with my first point apply nail polish remover to you nails before you paint them.                          

                                                                                                                    
Give you nails time to dry between each coat I know that this is a given but I can not stress it enough.     

                                                                                                                              
Apply the polish with thin coats this allows the nail to hold onto the product better.      

                    
Roll the bottle in the palm of your hand and do not shake it as it will create air bubbles that can transfer onto your nails and you'll end up with a monstrous manicure an nobody wants that.

 

How To Buy From M.A.C On A Budget

The MAC brand is very well established within the beauty industry since it was founded in 1984, they have always managed to come up with exciting collaborations(Trolls, Star Trek, Aaliyah etc.) and concepts (Viva Glam) so it comes as no surprise that as the brand grows their prices increase but not to fret I have devised a little cheat sheet, it won't save you a boatload of money but you've got to start somewhere.

Travel Sizes

I know this is kind of a well duh, but travel sizes are definitely

a good way to try mac products without committing to their full-size counterparts the only drawback is it's limited to skin care and 4 mini eyeshadow pigments. 

Good Byes Tab 

Yep, you guessed correctly this is where MAC puts the products they are discontinuing as the saying goes out with the old and in with the new, typically this tab can sometimes be hit or miss but you do get the occasional gem from time to time.

(not all products on this tab are discounted)

Multi-Purpose products 

This is my second favourite 3-word phase and with good reason, I'm all about saving money but let's be honest who isn't?

the good thing is that most of their products are multi-use 

such as strobe cream, for instance, it works as a primer/moisturiser and liquid highlighter and hey presto 3 products in 1.

Free Samples

Not much else to say when the title kinda says it all.

30 Beauty Questions Tag

1. Do you remember your first makeup item?

My mom used to buy me Avon compact foundations that did not match my skin tone in the slightest (cringe), but if we're talking the first makeup item that I ever bought then it would have to be the lasting finish matte lipstick by Kate Moss in the shade 107 which in recent years has become a cult favorite in the beauty community.

2. Describe your perfect mascara. Have you found one that fits your specifications?

I have the shortest lashes known to man so anything that will lengthen them is what I typically lean towards when choosing a mascara, Benefit's roller lash is by far the best mascara I have tried it gives me volume and length but still gives me a natural look. 

3. What kind of coverage do you prefer for your foundation?

If its a night out then full coverage all the way but if I'm only going the supermarket I'd rather just go without if I'm being totally honest. 

4. Favourite high-end brand?

Charlotte Tilbury. 

5. What cosmetic brands have you always wanted to try but still haven’t?

I have yet to try any NARS products. 

6. Favourite drugstore brand?

L'oreal has some really amazing products and their collaboration with Balmain has gotten me really excited to see whats next.

7. Do you wear fake eyelashes?

Yes but only if I'm going on a night out, I am not the girl that can sit there for twenty minutes each day trying to put on a pair of fake lashes when I could save those precious minutes sleeping.

8. Is there any kind of makeup you can’t leave the house without?

I could easily go out of the house with no makeup on.

9. What is your most cherished beauty product?

My Charlotte Tilbury Limited Edition Opium Noir lipstick 

10. How often do you shop for makeup? Do you like to pick up an item here and there or get loads of goodies at once?

Not too often, I would rather save up the money and buy all the items at once. 

11. Do you have a beauty budget or do you spend freely?

I am quite the savvy saver and I do believe the phrase 'go big or go home' comes to mind whenever I go on a beauty spree.

 12. Do you utilise coupons, reward cards and sales when you shop for cosmetics? 

Yes, when I can remember to bring my boots reward card out with me and of course beauty sales are always a bonus, who doesn't like saving money?

13. What types of products do you buy the most?

You can quote me on this "lipsticks are my vice" 

14. Is there a brand that you absolutely cannot stand?

I feel all brands will have some underwhelming products during its lifespan as no one consumer is the same, what might work for me might not for someone else.

15. Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics like parabens or sulphate? 

 Anything heavily scented as it does not react well with my skin. 

16. Do you have a favourite place to shop for makeup?

Selfridges in Birmingham as there are so many options from Chanel to Illamasqua 

17. Do you like trying new skincare products or do you keep a certain routine?

I try to maintain a healthy diet and be gentle on my skin. 

18. Favourite bath and body brand?

Bio Oil.

19. If you could only buy from one brand, which brand would you choose?

  Charlotte Tilbury. 

20. What brand do you think has the best packaging?

See question 19.

21. Which celebrity always has great makeup?

Shay Mitchell

22. Do you belong to any online makeup communities?

I do on my Instagram.

23.  Your favourite Makeup artists?

Setareh Hosseini

Charlotte Tilbury

 Jamie Genevieve 

Johanna Herrstedt 

Ashley K Holm

24. Do you like multifunctional products like lip and cheek stains?

If you have read my blog for a while you would know how much I love M.AC strobe cream. 

25. Are you clumsy when putting on makeup?
All you ladies know the eyeliner struggle. 

26. Do you use a makeup base/primer for the eyes?
Yes if I can remember to. 

27. How many hair products do you use on a typical day?
Nothing to rave about just shampoo and conditioner.

28. What do you apply first, concealer or foundation?
Foundation and then concealer. 

29. Do you ever consider taking makeup classes?
Yes. 

30. What do you love about makeup?
The fact that we have been wearing it for the last 3000 years both men and women.

                                                  Beth xxx

73 QUESTIONS INSPIRED BY VOGUE

1. What's your middle name? Claire.

2. What’s your favorite season? Spring. 

3. Who is your favorite Photographer ? Mario Testino.

4. Would you ever leave Birmingham? Yes. 

5. What are three words to describe living in Birmingham? Birthplace Of RockNRoll.

6. What’s your favorite movie? Highlander.

7. Favorite movie in past five years? Ex Machina.

8. Favorite Hitchcock film? The White Shadow. 

9. Favorite TV show ? Game of Thrones.

10. What’s a book you plan on reading? War and Peace. 

11. A book you read in school? Of Mice and Men. 

12. A book you read in school that you never think of? Cant think of it haha.

13. On a scale of one to ten how excited are you about life right now? 8.

14. iPhone or Android? Android.

15. Twitter or Instagram? Instagram.

16. What would you save if your house was on Fire? Photographs.

17. Who should EVERYONE be following right now? Valeria Lipovetsky

18. What did you want to be when you grow up? And do you still want it?An actress ,Of course. 

19. What’s your favorite restaurant? Wagamama.

20. What’s your favorite food? Chicken sandwich. 

21. Least favorite food? Sprouts.

22. What do you love on your pizza? Pepperoni.

23. Favorite drink? Lemon iced tea.

24. Favorite dessert? Brownies.

25. Dark chocolate or milk chocolate? Dark chocolate. 

26. Weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten? Garlic poppadoms dipped in Cadbury's cream egg icecream. 

27. What accomplishment are you most proud of? Making a pair of trousers from scratch. 

28. What’s your favorite band? Def leppard. 

29. Favorite Music artist? Marina and the Diamonds .

30. Favorite lyrics? Too many to choose from.

31. If your life were a song, what would the title be? Iridescence. 

32. If you could sing a duet with anyone, who would it be? Def Leppard. 

33. If you could master one instrument, what would it be? Guitar. 

34. If you had a tattoo, where would it be? My ribcage.

35. If you could live in a different decade for a month what decade would you choose? The 1920's.

36. what is a skill you'd like to learn and why? learn a different language it would be a useful skill.

37. whats your star sign Pisces.

38. Dogs or cats? Cats. 

39. Kittens or puppies? Puppies.

40. do you like rainy day or snowy winter days more? Snowy winter days as long as I get to remain inside.

41. If you could witness any historical event in person, which one would it be and why? The fall or the Berlin wall.

42. What’s your spirit animal? Fox. 

43. Best gift you’ve ever received? My canon camera.

44. Last gift you gave a friend? Lipstick.

45. A person you want to have coffee with? Rankin.

46. A historical figure you’d love to have coffee with? Andy Warhol.

47. How do you like your coffee? Black two sugars.

48. If you could change your skin color to anything outside of the natural palette of skin colors, what color would you choose? Snake skin. 

49. What’s your favorite curse word? F**K

50. What is your opinion on 80's music? The BEST ever. 

51. What’s your favorite country to visit? Turkey (so far).

52. What’s the last country you visited? Czech Republic. 

53. What country do you wish to visit? LA.

54. Your favorite quote ? "We must stand together or fall divided" 

55. Can you write down your favorite word that starts and ends with the same vowel? Aura.

56. What’s your favorite color? Black. 

57. Least favorite color? Brown. 

58. something you cant help but spend money on? Clothes. 

59. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds. 

60. Cheap shampoo or expensive? Does Aussie count as expensive. 

61. Blow-dry or air-dry? Blow-dry. 

62. Heels or flats? flats.

63. What's a wardrobe Staple everybody should have?  A leather jacket.

64. favorite lipstick? Penelope Pink by Charlotte Tilbury.

65. First time you were truly independent? Last year exploring London.

66. Whats your biggest pet peeve? Hypocrites and Liars.

67. A song you have recently discovered? Froot. 

68. Do you have any hobbies? Photography. 

69. Best way to decompress? A long hot bath. 

70. If you had one superpower, what would it be? Super speed 

71. Can you describe an experience you felt most nervous? Year 11 exams.

72. What’s the weirdest word in the English language? Tosh.

73. what possession has the most sentimental value to you? My Nanny Doreen's Ring.

Beth x 

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