NOTD

By Sarah Redman

This is my first Nail Of The Day post for a while now. I have been partially distracted with cuticle tattoos (Tattoo Trends) and also by exams, etc (Cheating on Blogging with Magazines) to paint my nails.

That hasn’t changed – right now I don’t think I have the patience to do a half decent job with my nails. So I’ve made things a bit easier on myself and gone back to an old favourite. Nail Wraps.

On my nails at the moment are Elegant Touch’s Envy Wraps Bling Candy Sprinkles. Retailing at £5.00, these textured nail wraps are modern and fun. You can add a splash of colour underneath these clear films or just keep with your base coat for a simple yet striking effect. This ice-cream coloured, gem-encrusted design mixes a combination of pink, purple, blue, green and silver multi-sized dots – and each dot is surrounded by a simple gold ring.

In the past I have found some of these things a tad fiddly and if there is a straight-line to be found then I may as well pack up and go home. But with these wraps being clear asides from the design, even I found it hard to get it wrong.

My first one took about three attempts, but I think that was purely down to my lack of practice because the rest were simple. Just peal off, press down, shape to size and you’re ready to go.

I love this easy way to get super jazzy nails and have gained a few compliments in the days since having them on. These beauties last up to ten days, I’m on my third day with them and mine are doing pretty well so far.

What do you think of my super speedy nails? Do you like nail wraps or would you rather just wait for you polish to dry? Let us know and leave a comment below, Tweet us @thesarahsblog or post on our Facebook page.

TSSB Edit: Top 15 ASOS Swimsuits

By Sarah Redman & Georgia Thomas

This is TSSB’s first colab post so we hope you like it…

When summertime comes around most 20-somethings we know reach for the bikini – it’s simple, cheap, easy and you can even mix and match. So we thought we would step outside the box and dedicate a post to the cosy. No longer the black or blue sensible suit you used to wear when you learnt to swim; ASOS‘s collection offers something for everyone – different sizes, shapes and styles.

We have put together a collection of our favourite fifteen swimsuits on ASOS.com – trust us it took a while to narrow it down!

These are in no particular order – although we may have commented on those that are our personal favourites

1) American Apparel Tricot Maillot One Piece Swimsuit (RRP £31.00 – Sale price £22.00)

 

First up is this American Apparel number – its simple and elegant, yet still has that ‘something a little different’ element thanks to the metallic colour and the plunging v.

2) ASOS Cross Front Wrap Halter Swimsuit (RRP £28.00)

This one basically just looks like a bikini – but not split – just an intriguing wrap around in a fantastic pool side turquoise.

3) ASOS Deep Plunge Ruffle Swimsuit (RRP £35.00 – Sale price £25.00)

A personal favourite of Sarah (R)

The coral colour compliments a tan and this cosy covers you up whilst the plunging v is eye catching and the ruffles are not just fabulous but could hid a multitude of sins.

4) ASOS Kaleidoscope Floral Lattice Cut Out Triangle Swimsuit (RRP £30.00)

Weird tan line warning!

So much love for the pattern on this one and to be honest for the cut out too. It’s so quirky yet still girly and cute – although we think it might be struggle to put on if you’re not concentrating!

5) ASOS Leaf Print Cut Out Bandeau Swimsuit (RRP £32.00)

A personal favourite of Georgia (T)

We are loving a strong print this summer and this tropical leaf print is on point. Combined with the ever popular cut out this is simple suit with a beach feel.

6) ASOS Monochrome Feather Print Swimsuit (RRP £32.00 – Sale price £22.00)

A simpler style with a bolder cut out, this monochrome feather print cosy remains classic and stylish in an unobtrusive way.

7) ASOS Sunflower Cut Out Cupped Swimsuit (RRP £35.00 – Sale price £21.00)

Another cut out – clearly the only way to go with your cosy. This one has a colourful floral print and can be worn with or without straps.

8) Bikini Lab Fringe Ferdinand Monokini Swimsuit (RRP £52.00)

A personal favourite from both of us

It’s safe to say we love the fringing on this particular cosy. The relaxed bohemian style is fun yet elegant and would also look great with shorts not just round the pool.

9) Juicy Couture Wildcat Print Zip Front Swimsuit (RRP £105.00)

One for the animal lovers out there – this partially printed suit has a classic shape but still has lots of character.

10) Lolli Cake Walk Cut Out Bow One Piece Swimsuit (RRP £115.00)

A personal favourite of Georgia (T) & Weird tan line warning!

Yeah it’s going to look weird when you take this off and just have a patch of tan on your stomach – but it’s super cute on and really who’s going to see?! It may be pain old black which seems to be steered away from when choosing a one piece but the bow leaves this cosy with a youthful feel.

11) New Look Twist Detail Swimsuit (RRP £19.99)

Simple, elegant and classic. You can’t really go wrong with this one – its classic shape is also supportive and adjustable thanks to the halter-neck.

12) Oasis Digital Rose Print Swimsuit (RRP £45.00)

A personal favourite of Sarah (R)

We think this is an awesome floral print on this structured Oasis suit. This classic style still manages to look modern and fresh with this pattern. A great cover up for someone with a classic style.

13) Panache D-G Chloe Pippa Bandeau Swimsuit (RRP £46.00 – Sale price £19.50)

This suit is classic and demure, the cute pattern keeps the design playful whilst the coral band around the bandeau neck line gives this cosy a grown up feel.

14) Tommy Hilfiger Palm Springs Scuba Swimsuit (RRP £85.00 – Sale price £42.00)

Now this one is a little different, the look is more of an adjusted scuba suit but there is something for everyone on ASOS. The bright summer colours are eye catching and fun – and the chances someone else has the same suit as you?

15) We Are Handsome The Pantera Scoop One Piece Swimsuit (RRP £213.00 – Sale price £137.00)

A personal favourite of Georgia (T)

Finally the boldest one on the list. This suit is quirky and completely different, plus everyone loves a big cat with beaut eyes!

What did you think of our edit? See anything you like? Let us know and leave a comment, Tweet us @thesarahsblog or post on our Facebook page.

(All photos were taken from ASOS.com and all links back to the products are with the photos)

Add some sparkle with space dust

By Sarah Hugill 

With christmas coming up who doesn’t want their nails to match the festivities? 

 

I decided it was time to add to my polish collection. As you may have seen in a previous post, “Pearly pink for busy bees” I love Rimmel products, as they’re both reliable yet reasonable. Rimmel have recently released this “space dust” range for instant glittery polishes in a range of colours, but I went for this bright pink shade known as ‘Luna Love” in order to brighten up any outfit.  The coverage is great with the polish, even with one coat the colour is dominant! 

Have you tried the space dust range yet? Let us know @thesarahsblog 

Pearly pink for busy bees

By Sarah Hugill

I decided it was time to update my pastel nail lacquers, but fancied a shade with a shimmer.

As a fellow fan of Rimmel products, for their reasonable yet much loved products, I opted for “210 Ethreal” for a pearly pretty pink colour. The shade showcases neutrality yet glamour, with its shiny finish.

I always seem to forget about my nails, until the last minute, leaving little time for them to dry before I have to shove my hand through my coat sleeves, smudging the polish. That’s why I chose this particular lacquer from their “60 seconds” range, so within a minute you fingertips are touchable, perfect when you don’t fancy turning up to your lecture with chipped nails, but don’t have the time to or energy to wait for them to be no longer tacky, which often feels like a lifetime.

Have you tried Rimmel’s 60 second polishes or a fan of this shade? Let us know @thesarahsblog

Bluuuurrrrrrrrrrrr

By Sarah Redman

Garnier 5 Second Perfect Blur. Sold out almost everywhere when it was first released. It was the high streets new miracle primer for only £12.99.

This little pink tube promises to reduce wrinkles, imperfections, open pores and shine – all in one smooth, pink, gel like swoop. Whilst my house mate kindly pointed out that I’m not old enough for wrinkles, shine really winds me up and imperfections are rife. Being very pale even the slightest mark shows easily on my skin, so I was pleasantly surprised with this product. I did a half and half face test and I noticed an actual ‘blurring’ of imperfections and shine was reduced, leaving my skin with a soft silky feel and looking nice and matte. This product also created a great base for make up, which definitely stayed on for longer.

I have been using this product since it was first released and love its consistence performance. It really does work well for the price, whilst it may not be a super duper skin primer it is good if you need a little staying power in your make up or want that ‘blur’ effect, but you just aren’t too interested in the technicalities (and the price range) of the upmarket make up brands. I recommend completing your morning skin care routine as normal and waiting about five minutes after applying your moisturiser to let it sink in, then apply this primer and then continue with your normal make up routine. This is a great high street skin perfector which is suitable for all skin types.

Have you tried Garnier Perfect Blur or would you use a high street primer? Let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog

The Great Pink Bake Off

By Sarah Redman

Did you know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To promote this Breakthrough Breast Cancer have created a few events and money raising opportunities. All their efforts to raise this vital funding go towards continuing Breakthrough’s life-saving work, which improves early diagnosis, develops new treatments and works towards preventing all types of breast cancer. With 1,000 women dying from the disease each month in the UK alone, every penny raised is vital in order to help them create a world freed from breast cancer.

#GreatPinkBakeOff

So whilst this is a belated post / bake, i thought i would raise a bit of awareness for The Great Pink Bake Off even if i couldn’t hold a bake event myself on Friday 18th October 2013. I have been baking my famous cupcakes as per usual, although i branched out and went with a new Mary Berry vanilla cupcake recipe (keeping the Great Bake Off theme). Now my house mates need to get eating!

I also went for the Heels and Handbags pink and purple Asda cases just for that added pink to my pink marshmallow decoration.

Finally, I know you have all heard of Breakthrough’s award winning TLC (Touch Look Check) campaign, the earlier breast cancer is found the better the chances are of beating it. This is why it is so vital that women make regular checks. It is pretty self explanatory: Touch, Look, Check, being the basis but Breakthrough Breast Cancer have also released a free credit-card sized TLC guide. All you have to do is text SIGNS to 70500 or click HERE to download one.

Not only does the guide detail the key signs and symptoms of breast cancer, it also includes information about what to do if you notice anything unusual. Its handy size means women can keep it somewhere useful, such as in a handbag or on the nightstand, that will act as a helpful reminder to check their breasts. Bonus.

#MoreThanALump

Have you been baking or raising awareness? Will you be texting for your free TLC guide? Let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog

Neon pink at your fingertips

By Sarah Hugill

Make your nails noticeable with neon pink!

The mind boggling concept of what colour to paint my nails never seems to go away but Nubar lacquers are one of my favourites! No need for dozens of coats, a couple ensures that the colour is enhanced to its fullest potential.

Despite the day appearing dreary there’s no doubt that this colour will brighten up any outfit!

Do you like Nubar polishes? Have you become a fan of neon pink for any occasion? Let us know @thesarahsstyleblog 

Creative cones

By Sarah Redman
To me ice cream is never boring, especially on a hot day! However in a small ice cream parlour in France they have upped their game and created lovely rose designs out of the ice cream of your choice.

Straciatella (Ice milk with pieces of grated chocolate) rose cone

Straciatella (Ice milk with pieces of grated chocolate) rose cone

Fraise et Noisette (Strawberry ice cream and Nut ice cream) rose cone

Straciatella et Fraise (Ice milk with pieces of grated chocolate and Strawberry ice cream) rose cone
Have you had a fantastic ice cream lately or know anyone who prides themselves on food presentation? Let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us a picture @thesarahsblog

Candy floss nails

By Sarah Redman

It may be a baby boy or Prince George as he is now named, but before he was born I got really into candy floss pink nails. I have been raiding my sisters growing collection of nail polish whilst on holiday and found this lovely shade from Barry M – Strawberry Ice Cream 309. I wouldn’t normally go for such a girly shade but I think the heat has got to me because I can’t stop reapplying at the slightest chip. Although it does take a fair amount to chip it… Nevertheless I owe her a new nail polish! #StoleHerNailPolish
Whilst this is not one of their Gelly range, which I love for its simplicity in not needing a top coat and sometimes not even a second coat #QuickNails, I still love the polish. The colour glides on well (in an air conditioned room, I attempted to paint my nails in 35 degrees centigrade – lets just say I won’t be doing that again), this colour is quite light so to achieve the coverage I wanted I did need two coats.
I’m looking forward to mixing this colour with some of my pastel tone polishes back home, for a dip dye effect or my latest magazine nail lust, the linear style (watch this space!)
Have you found a new colour for summer or are you a fan of Barry M? Let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog

Flash of colour

By Sarah Redman
I’m not known to be one for false nails, to be perfectly honest they have always freaked me out a little bit. I could never understand the appeal. But recently I have noticed with the rise of gel nails that falsies have improved some what – at least enough to entice me.
So wandering through a blissfully air-conditioned supermarché on my way to find something off the shopping list, I was momentarily distracted by their cosmetics section, only to come across these rather fabulous concoction from Maybelline.

Maybelline New York, colour show nail falsies
Normally the fluorescent nail is a trend I pretty much stay away from. Although in these summer months and in the wonderful heat of the south of France the yellow, pink, and orange hues enticed me.
I will not lie to you, I am pretty much completely useless with these on, they are so long! Although saying that they have held up against clorine, washing my now ‘mermaid’ length hair, and making chocolate soufflés… Not too shabby. But I figured I am on holiday so why not.
Have you upped your nail game recently or are you a fan of nails you certainly won’t be doing the washing up in? Let us know and leave a comment or Tweet us @thesarahsblog