How to paint your nails perfectly

To prepare your nails you should firstly shape your nails and lightly buff the surface of the nail to allow smooth application of the polish. Shape the nail how you feel comfortable & if you are new to shaping your nails try not to change the shape of your natural nail too drastically.

 

Nail file & buffer

 

Next step to preparing the nails is to push back the cuticles and remove any of the excess with a pair of cuticle pliers. Once you’ve completed these two steps wash your hands to remove any of the particles left after filing your nails and apply a moisturiser to your hands as if you accidently get some polish on the skin around your nail it is easier to remove.

Pushing back cuticles

Removing excess

Cuticle pliers & 2 cuticle pushers

 

Apply a clear base coat to protect your natural nails to avoid the colour dying your nails once removed (red is the worst colour for doing this). If your nails are weak then apply a clear nail strengthening polish at this point.
 

Nails with a base coat

Sally Hansen 'Hard as Nails' & Barry M
Base & Top Coat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Add 2 to 3 layers of your chosen colour depending on the opacity of the polish. When applying the colour try to use as little brush strokes as possible – the best way to do this is by using the first brush stroke down the centre of the nail and then one smooth stroke down either side.

Nails with 2 coats of polish

Bourjour nail polish in the colour

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This step is optional but if you wish to add any extra details to your nails whether it be with a gem or a bead stuck on with a small amount of clear polish or using a nail pen or dotting tool and a contrasting colour of polish.

 

Beads & gem set & applicator

Dotting tool, Rimmel 60 Second Polish &
Barry M Nail Art Pen

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



Dots & lines added to the nail

Gem on the nail to decorate

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adding a top coat protects the colour and adds extra shine to the nails. Remember to leave 10-15 minutes between each coat allowing the layer of polish to dry thoroughly.

 

Finished!

 

Complete!

The next step is to clean away any small mistakes round the nail using a cotton bud dipped in nail polish remover.

Finally when the nails are completely dry massage cuticle oil around the nails and apply a hydrating hand cream to the hands to complete the manicure.

 

 

Cuticle Oil & Garnier Intensive Repair Hand Cream

 

10 tips to feel healthier and better about yourself

I am not a health expert of any kind but this is just my take on how to make yourself feel better about yourself and generally feel a bit healthier.
 

Tip 1

Drinking water - I know that everyone goes on about drinking litres upon litres of water everyday but do not get yourself down if you do not drink the amount recommended by experts if you are drinking a litre of water a day and before you weren't drinking any at all this is an improvement and you can build it up as you go.
 

Tip 2

Try to cut down on your sugar levels as sugar can be addictive and it actually has bad health effects on your body as it speeds up aging and bloats you and when the quick hit of sugar and energy wares off you feel extremely tired. Even though fruit has lots of good vitamins fruit juice is very high in sugar and the juice doesn't actually have as many benefits as eating the actual fruit as it has been stored for a while. Adding to this try not to overeat dried fruit as it contains the same sugar content as real fruit but is much smaller and easier to eat so you could be overeating sugar without realising. A good book to read concerning this is 'I Quit Sugar' by Sarah Wilson

 

Tip 3

 Try to eat whole wheat foods as opposed to your processed wheat. Processed wheat is much harder for your body to process and whole wheat has many more benefits for your body so try to opt for brown bread, pasta, etc. For more information on good foods for your body Dr Gillian McKeith's Book 'You are what you eat' is very informative.

Tip 4

Try to eat from scratch as much as possible - making your own sauces and sandwiches rather than buying them as you know exactly what is in them. Make your own healthy snacks rather than buying the "low-fat" "low-calorie" products advertised in the shops as they can often have high salt levels or lots of added chemicals to replace what has been taken out to make the product "healthy".

 

Tip 5

Take your time to enjoy your food as if you eat quickly you body doesn't always register how much you have eaten. As well as this be aware of your food choices and portion control to avoid over eating.

 

Tip 6

Try to increase your exercise levels gradually by making small changes like walking to the shops or a friends house rather than taking the car - small changes can make a big difference.
 

Tip 7

Joining an exercise class or exercising regularly with a friend can increase your motivation and dedication as you can encourage each other and discuss your progress as the week by week.
 

Tip 8

Try not to keep weighing yourself. If you keep weighing yourself and do not see a drastic change overnight you will become disheartened and slip back to old habits so avoid weighing yourself continuously and focus on how you feel – do you have more energy? Has your skin improved? Do you feel less bloated? WEIGHT IS NOT EVERYTHING. You can look extremely healthy on the outside but your body is extremely unhealthy on the inside and vice-versa.
 

Tip 9

Don't limit yourself - if you cut out everything you like from your diet you are more likely to slip out of your healthy eating habits and back into the unhealthy routine so allow yourself a little bit of everything you like. Moderation is key.
 

Tip 10

One of the most important tips which has been touched on in the previous tips do everything in small steps at a time rather than all at once to make it manageable and less likely for you to quit and slip back to unhealthy habits. Try not to push yourself too hard and expect too much.