Favourite Products

Here I will elaborate on my favourite beauty products ever! I will list them in categories to make it easier to find. 
Feel free to leave comments on this page to alert me of your fave beauty products!

NAIL POLISHES

Zoya - Some of the most spectacular colours available and in 3-free formula!

Shellac Hybrid Nail Colour - Two or more weeks of perfect nails without any effort? Most of the colours are a bit tame for my liking, and you will need to get this applied and removed by a nail tech but it is totally worth £25 for that special holiday! You can get the colours layered to provide a different colour though so if the colours are not to your liking this is an option!

OPI GelColor - I love the concept of finding your fave OPI regular polish in a tough, supershiney gel polish version :) I find these are easier to soak off than Shellac and they also come in all the fantastic variety of OPI colours including 'Polka.com'!!

Minx - the original 'nail wraps'. There are now a staggering amount of copies including Nail Apps from OPI and Kooky, but Minx seems to retain the no 1 position, probably thanks to it's established celebrity following. I have been doing these on clients for 2 years now, and I've never had anyone say anything but "WOW!" when then see their nails wrapped with Minx... I wear Minx on my toes most of the year and have not had any bad experiences! My favourite of them all is "Gold Cheetah"!

Kooky Nail Fashionistas - an new-comer to the nail wrap market that has gone straight to my heart, it is a bit cheaper than Minx but the quality so far has been equal to Minx. It does have some cool styles including a gold zebra pattern!! As it does not appear to have established itself in the celebrity stakes yet, it is a bit cheaper to buy. My fave is the Gold Moon/Fuschia wrap!

Sally Hansen Nailgrowth Miracle - my Holy Grail base coat, I've been using it for about six months now and it is like crack for my nails. They grow even more quickly, but more importantly they have stopped peeling. Polish also lasts longer. I've tried a lot of base coats but this is definitely my favourite so far.

Bourjois So Perfect Gel Base Coat - this is not a gel as such but it is thick and slightly tinted purple to correct yellow nails. It's shown to me my go-to for smoothing cremes and protecting nails from crazy coloured neons!!

Sally Hansen MegaShine - I have been using this top coat since it launched some 10 years ago and even though I have played the field with others such as Seche Vite, Poshe and China Glaze FastForward, for me, none compare to this glassy super-quickdry top coat.

Seche Vite - the Holy Grail top coat of nail nerds everywhere, this is the speed-dry and shine that allows nail techs to comfortably send clients out the door within 10 min. I find it's thick texture quite useful for covering glitter polishes and nail art designs.

NAIL ACCESSORIES

Bourjois Magic Nail Polish Remover - stick  your finger in the hole, wriggle round and polish is gone in 4sec :D


Quickies Nail Varnish Remover Pads - These are totally retro but still so damn good! I normally use these with foil to wrap around tips instead of liquid remover as they melt through any polish including glitter but don't dry your cuticles out. You also now get them in a mini version, perfect for the office drawer, travel or your handbag!

Andrea Fulerton Cuticle Pusher
- not only is it pink but it is a high quality professional nail implement!

Elegant Touch Get 'Em Off Polish Remover - my Holy Grail liquid remover, it is relatively gentle on the nails and a little goes a long way. This will also soak off gel polishes if used with professional soak off wraps.

MOISTURISERS

Simple Kind To Skin Moisture Boost Hydro Cream - over-baked on the beach, or just dry skin? This will revive that scaly face in a couple of uses and give back that envious dewy glow of youth. So what are your waiting for??

Nivea Sensitive Day and Night Cream - these contain licorice extract and they are fragrance free. These have done wonders for my skin during a spate of very upset skin and I am definitely a convert!

Nivea Pure & Natural - the fact these products are free from parabens, silicones, colourants and mineral oils makes this a winner for me. I have used both the Soothing (dry/sensitive) and Moisturizing (normal/combination) versions and they are both playing very nicely with my skin. I think I will use the Soothing one in winter and the Moisturizing one in summer.

Vichy Idealia Life Serum - a lovely cream-serum which is for 'skin exposed to daily excesses: overstressed, pollution, uv overexposure, unbalanced diet'. I have seen a great improvement in my skin using it but with it's £30 price tag it's a guilty indulgence...

CLEANSERS

Soap & Glory Peaches and Clean - This wash off cleansing milk is great for oily skin! I love the smell of this, fruity and peachy.

Simple Kind to Skin Moisturising Facial Wash - this creamy and foamy cleanser is my staple cleanser. It doesn't dry your face and perfect for morning cleansing.

Garnier Pure Active Fruit Energy Gel Wash - I like this wash-off cleanser to alternate with my Simple cleanser, it has salicylic acid to exfoliate, which usually irritates my skin, but this wash works for me!

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water - I have tried a couple of different types of micellar water but this one is by far the best - and really bargaintastic! It makes short work of both eye and face makeup although you might need a few bits more of cotton pads if you have heavy waterproof mascara.

Clinique Take The Day Off - For a heavily makeuped face, melt that stuff off with this cleanser! Can be followed by a foaming cleanser if your skin is very oily.

SKIN CARE SPECIALIST TREATMENTS


Soap & Glory For Daily Youth - I love this moisturiser, it's light but potent and a little go a long way. It sits nicely under any foundation. However, I hate the new messy tube for this and am petitioning S&G to bring back the old pump bottle.

Simple Kind To Skin Moisture Boost Hydro Mist - If you are outside catching some rays or typing in an office, don't forget to pack this little baby - it will rehydrate your skin with a single spray!

Weleda Skin Food - this good old vintage cream is the only thing that un-chaps dry elbows, scaly facial skin and 

HAIR CARE


L'Oreal Professional EverPure - lovely formula and results, but I really HATE the squeezy tubes. They are almost metallic and wrinkle and when nearly empty, it's a workout trying to squeeze out product. The sulphate-free formula is great at keeping colour fade at bay and moisturise my dry hair though so I still keep buying it!

Batiste XXL Volmue Boost Dry Shampoo - You want 'Dallas' style voluminous locks? Look no further! Also, don't bother hitting the shampoo before hand as it's also an efficient dry shampoo!

TangleTeezer - It's not very pretty but it glides through tangles with ease and because of this, you get less damage and less split-ends. And they now come in a variety of new cool colours too! And they have a kids version that looks like a flower :) 

John Frieda 'Sheer Blonde' - I am forever being unfaithfull but I keep coming back. Nothing does that envious, sleek, silky blonde like these products! 

L'Oreal Elvive Full Restore 5 - I love this series for making straw like tresses sleek up and look soft and shiny!

L'Oreal Elvive Smooth & Polish - Wow, I thought that Full Restore 5 was good but this is  better! My tired bleached tresses look shiny and new again :)

Redken All Soft Argan-6 hair oil - Pricey but worth it, this hair oil absorbs quickly and doesn't make your lanky. I have long hair and use just 2-3 pumps. I use it on wet hair before blow-drying but you can also use it on dry hair.

MAKEUP

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Be gone, old dreadfully wasteful bottle, hello cute new squeezy-tubes! The old primer favorite is back with 3 new gorgeous coloured options in addition to the Original. For a killer natural look that doesn't fade, team the 'Sin' option with mascara and just rock on! Got get one now or forever suffer disappearing eye shadow!!

MUA Pro-Base Eye Primer - This is such a budget buy it shouldn't be missed by anyone! I find it actually works just as well if not better than UD Primer Potion...

Witch Anti-Blemish BB Beauty Balm - I would actually call this a light foundation but that's just technicalities. It has a light to medium coverage and light moisturising qualities suitable for oily to normal skin. It keeps your cheeks matte through the day but without pore clogging and zaps any little spots you may have. And, it's a bargain! But it's only for fair faces, unfortunately for the moment...

bareMinerals SPF Mineral Foundation - It may look like a powder but it's actually satin skin in a jar! Buff this on for a fresh, dewy look without chalkiness, caking or streaks, and it also has a natural SPF in case your skin is sensitive to the chemical filters in most foundations.

UNE Skin Matte Foundation - semi-matte, natural and long lasting. With no parabens or silicones in sight, it's perfect for the natural beauty or sensitive souls!

Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream SPF 30 - I love this new CC cream! I wasn't sure what to expect but one trial application and I was hooked :) You have to apply this with a good foundation brush (I use Real Techniques Expert Face Brush) or it will not apply very well but if you use a brush it gives a flawless finish!

MAC Blushcreme "Sweet William" - Rub this cream blusher onto the apples of your cheeks for a supernatural flush that lasts all day.

Benefit Creaseless Creme Shadow/Liner "RSVP" - For a natural look without effort, say hello to the budgeproof cream shadow from Benefit. Smooth "RSVP" on with your finger for a nude but shimmery look that is universally flattering!

FAUX TAN

Makebelieve Night Time Facial Self Tan - this is not only a self tan for the face but also a luxurious night cream! It doesn't make you orange or streaky, you just wake up with a well-moisturised, rested and sunkissed version of your old face!

Makebelieve Gradual Self Tan & Tan Extender - Forget spray tans. If you want a glow that leaves people wondering 'is it or isn't it fake', look no further. It smoothes on like a dream and is very hydrating. It does have that slight cookie dough smell but for results like these, it's worth it!

Xen Tan Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe - Have a bit more exotic skin colour? Fake tan junkie? Tired of not getting enough golden glow from the products aimed at the pasty UK market? Stop looking and get yourself a tube of Xen Tan Dark Lotion Absolute Luxe. Dark, gorgeous and doesn't make you smell like a horse while it's developing! Also fades evenly with regular exfoliation. So everyone will wonder, 'is it real, or isn't it?'...

BEAUTY ACCESSORIES 

Soap & Glory Face Massage Mini Mitt - It's pink and you use it with wash-off cleansers. The little silicone 'hairs' clean and massages your skin to leave you smooth and glowing everyday. Use it with a foaming scrub for a deep clean! I've used mine for over a year and it has not degraded or become dirty!


OTHER BEAUTY


EOS Lip Balm 'Summerfruits' - Not sticky, not full of petrochemicals, just really nice and fruity lip balm! I am addicted to this and may need rehab...

OTHER STUFF

Baby'liss Pro 200 Nano Mini Straighteners - Wow! Smooth and silky in a tiny package, perfect for super-fine hair like mine :) With it's small size it can travel everywhere too!

Quash 100% Natural Hand Sanitizer - Don't dry out those beautiful hands and nails with alcoholic hand sanitizers; just rub in a spritz of Quash and you have clean and beautiful smelling mitts!