in:  budget,Get The Look   |   February 12, 2014 - 1:24 pm   |  by:  Amanda Browning

Rihanna’s Fishtail Braid vs Amanda Seyfried’s French Braid

Everybody loves a hair braid, and by everybody I mostly mean Rihanna and Amanda Seyfried in regards to this post!  Hair braids are easy-to-do (with a little practice) and can immediately transform your look whether it’s for a girly night out or an important meeting at work.

 

 

For those of you out there who aren’t familiar with the fishtail braid (and shame on you, if that’s you!), the fishtail braid is pretty easy to create once you’ve done it a couple of times.  It’s simply a case of sectioning your hair into two sections and taking a small section of hair from one side and bringing it over to the other side – you alternate this method until you reach the end of your hair.  There are soooo many fishtail braid tutorials on YouTube (which is how I learnt to do this hairstyle myself and honestly, if I can do it then anybody can!) which are incredibly easy to follow so you’ve really got no excuse for not giving this mermaid-esque hairstyle a fair chance.  There is even a fishtail braid tool available called the Scunci Criss Crosser (RRP £6) to help those of use who aren’t adept at creating majestic hairstyles which does all the hard work to make life for all those wannabe mermaids that little bit easier.

 

 

So what is it exactly that I love so much about the fishtail braid?  Well, for one thing – who doesn’t want to look like a mermaid?  Secondly?  It’s amazingly versatile – you can make it sleek and neat for a chic look or make it a little messy and have loose strands flying everywhere to create a more boho/festival-inspired look.  There’s no denying that this is a showstopper of a braid – it also has the ability to fool people into believing that you’re an amazing hairstylist due to its intricate appearance despite it actually being no more difficult to create than your standard braid or plait.  Even Blake Lively’s getting in on the fishtail act – and if it’s good enough for Mrs Ryan Reynolds then it is most definitely good enough for me!

 

 

However, who can forget the trusty old French braid?  The French braid stood me well throughout my younger school days, I mean, I would even sleep in French braids -it was a serious addiction which would result in crazy crimped hair the moment I unravelled my braid.  French braids are a classic, and I’ve recently started wearing them again which has renewed my once lost love for them.  The simplest way of describing how to do a French braid is basically just to do a normal 3-section braid but start higher up in your hair (well, as far up as you want the braid to begin – the higher the better I say!) and start off with a small amount of hair and add more to each section as you work your way down the braid. See a video here.

 

 

Now, why exactly have I reignited my love for the French braid?  This hugely comes down to the fact that I can start off with a perfectly coiffed and elegant French braid, sleep in it and the next day be rocking a shabby chic boho braid – two looks for the price of one?  YES PLEASE.  I have to say that I do find this braid slightly more fiddly when plaiting than the fishtail braid but that’s probably down to the fact that there’s an extra section of hair involved in this scenario but I’m ok with that and you should be too because the overall look of this braid is just as classic as it is contemporary – it’s a gorgeous walking contradiction.

 

 

So which braid wins? For me, despite it being minutely more tricky for me to do, I have to speak up for more inner 8-year-old self and opt for the French braid as I can get two days’ worth of looks from it which satisfies my slightly lazier side.  This doesn’t mean that I don’t still love the fishtail braid, it just means that right now the time is right for me and the French braid to make my hair look a little more……..Parisian and a little less……fishy?!

Any other braids out there that you love? We’d love to know so drop us a comment!

 

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in:  budget,Get The Look,London Picks   |   February 7, 2014 - 7:45 am   |  by:  Zoe Griffin

Tan Like A VIP: Discount

Feeling a bit pasty due to the rubbish weather we’ve had recently? Let’s change that! We want to help you get that VIP glow back.

In February, with Valentine’s Day looming big on the calendar, it’s more important than ever we’re confident about our bodies and having a tan helps contour the body. Everyone looks a bit slimmer when browner, trust us! So if you want a bum like Gisele or Heidi Klum or one of the other models that keep taking Belfies (bottom selfies) then we have a deal where you can get the look for less.

 

You can get a Mystic Spray tan at the luxury swimwear store Heidi Klein in London’s Notting Hill for just £13.75 (a 50% saving on the regular price of £27.50). And it is super easy – just phone 0845 206 2000  and quote VIP February Offer. It’s valid until 28 February 2014

Heidi Klein is located at 174 Westbourne Grove, London and is open Monday  to Saturday 10am – 6pm and Sunday 12-5pm.

Happy tanning

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in:  budget,Get The Look   |   February 4, 2014 - 11:32 pm   |  by:  Amanda Browning

Kate Bosworth and the Top Knot

I am all about the top knot these days and it’s all thanks to 3 things: Kate Bosworth, Kate Bosworth’s top knot and the humble hair doughnut.  To be honest though, I’d probably be a fan of anything that involved the word ‘doughnut’!

 

 

Top knots are one of my favourite hairstyles around as they’re so incredibly versatile and there are so many different variations (some brave souls out there have even done braided top knots which I’m sure must involve some sort of wizardry because they’re just so magical to look at!).  I personally don’t think that you can beat the standard top knot though, it’s simple, it’s elegant and it’s how I imagine all chic Parisians wear their hair (it’s important that no one ruins that fantasy for me, ok?).

 

 

For the standard top knot, all you need is a hair doughnut, hair grips and hair spray and that’s it, it really is a ‘no big deal’ but ‘look at me’ hairstyle.  Hair doughnuts come in a variety of sizes depending on how big or small you want your top knot as well as the length of your hair – obviously a massive doughnut isn’t going to work on a bob as there won’t be enough hair to cover it.  You need to make sure that you go for a hair doughnut in the shade that best suits your hair – the main three colours are brown, black and blonde.

 

 

 

 

To get a top knot that will give Kate Bosworth a run for her money, simply start off by tying your hair into a ponytail – the height of the ponytail is completely your call, it all depends on how high up you want your top knot to be – I personally think the higher the better!  Then all you need to do is grab a doughnut (not the edible variety – unless you want sugary hair……….which actually sounds quite delicious!) and place the end of your hair though that delightful inedible doughnut.

 

 

Now you begin the rolling part which I weirdly find quite therapeutic.  So, get the doughnut and roll it down your hair until you reach your hair tie.  Then finally grab your hair grips and pop them into your top knot to secure it in place and use a generous spritz of hairspray to make sure that it all stays in place.  It really is THAT easy.

 

 

For those of you that may want to attempt the top knot now but don’t have access to a hair doughnut then may I suggest using a sock.  Yes, you did just read that last sentence correctly and yes, I did mean to write the word ‘sock’.  This is what I used to do whenever I misplaced my hair doughnut and was in desperate need of my top knot hairstyle – I would take a, and this is important, CLEAN sock (because a dirty sock in your hair is probably crossing the hygiene line by quite a lot) and I would then cut off the toe end of the sock.  Bare with me here and you’ll start to understand how this now toeless sock can work in the same way as a hair doughnut.  I would then start rolling my sock from the toe end to the ankle end so that right in front of my very own eyes a doughnut shape  would start to appear and then ta da……………..a sock doughnut was formed and I was able to commence my top knot creation by using my sock doughnut just like a normal hair doughnut.

 

 

You can even have fun with the top knot, just check out my Rudolph-themed bun from Christmas – how better to spread Christmas cheer than to have a reindeer in your hair?!

 

 

Top knots are timeless and classic, just look at Audrey Hepburn rocking one for Breakfast at Tiffany’s back in the early sixties, even Bradley Cooper’s been known to work a top knot – so if they’re good enough for Kate, Audrey and Bradley then they’re good enough for us all!

 

 

 

Are you a fan of the top knot?  Have you tried the sock trick before? Let us know by leaving us a comment!

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in:  budget,Get The Look,London Last Night   |   January 31, 2014 - 9:35 am   |  by:  Zoe Griffin

Look Like A VIP: Studio 10 Beauty

Do you want to look younger? Do you want to look more beautiful without looking like you are caked in make-up? When I was asked these two things, I knew I had to get down to the launch of new beauty line Studio 10 Beauty to test out whether this was possible. It sounded too good to be true!

The launch party took place at The Imitate Modern gallery in Marylebone, where there was an exhibition to mark Kate Moss at 40. She looks fantastic for her age and certainly not 40, which is proof in itself that the right cosmetics can make you look years younger.

It was a cold night and I arrived at the gallery with a red nose from the cold. Thankfully, there were a couple of make-up artists doing demonstrations and they used a palette with a green powder to counteract the redness before applying concealer. I was very happy with the results. Cheers!

Studio 1o was developed by industry expert Grace Fodor, who helped launch Jemma Kidd’s make-up range. With years of experience, she’s developed products that feel fantastic (like silk) as you put it on your skin. You get coverage without it being super heavy.

And clearly, I’m not the only one to be excited about the range as the VIPs are on it already! Also at the party was the stunning Capital Radio host Lisa Snowdon, also in her 40s but looking 20-something.

Michelle Collins, who has flawless skin as you can see below, was another party guest and I also saw Melanie Sykes and make-up artist Gary Cockerill.

 

The products will be available to buy on 3 February so make sure you check the Studio 10 website then. I’m hoping to get some products to review so I can tell you exactly how they are.

PS In the meantime, I have one final VIP tip. Have you eaten at a Real Greek restaurant yet? Last night the canapes were catered by The Real Greek and they were good . I’ve just looked at the Real Greek website and seen that there are deals like two courses for £10 or 50% off on Wednesdays with the presentation of a cinema ticket. Now that’s a way to eat like a VIP for less!

What beauty products are you loving right now? Tweet @livelikeavip and let’s share our fave tips.

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in:  budget,Get The Look   |   January 30, 2014 - 11:44 am   |  by:  Amanda Browning

Iggy Azalea’s Long Lasting Makeup By Urban Decay

Getting make up to stay put is no mean feat yet it doesn’t seem to be a problem for those annoyingly beautiful celebrity stunners – just look at Iggy Azalea at a Grammys after party with her makeup still intact – but thankfully Urban Decay’s De-Slick Oil Control Makeup Setting Spray has made long-lasting makeup finally attainable for me (and hopefully for you too!).

 

 

Long-lasting make up has always seemed like a distant dream to me, I’ve tried everything, from primers to powders to a combination of the both but never quite found a solution to conquer this problem.  I suffer from oily skin, not crazily oily, but oily enough to affect the appearance of my foundation after several hours of applying it.  About a year ago, I decided to try out Urban Decay’s Eye shadow Primer Potion to keep my eye shadow and eyeliner in place and it was some kind of heavenly miracle because to my astonishment, it actually worked.  So when I was browsing at Urban Decay’s offerings recently, I came across this magical setting spray that in my opinion, seemed just too good to be true.  However, seeing that it was available in both a full sized bottle (£19.50 for 118ml) and travel sized bottle (£9.00 for 30ml), I thought ‘hey, why not take a risk and give the cheaper travel sized bottle a go and if it works, awesome, and if it doesn’t, well at least it didn’t cost as much as the full sized bottle’.  Internal monologue over, I ordered my setting spray and nervously awaited its arrival.

 

 

So it arrived and I decided to start off with a gentle test, I’d try the spray out on my normal daytime/work makeup look.  It’s really easy to use, just apply all your makeup as usual and once your done, you just spray it over your face in sort of an ‘X’ shape and then a ‘T’ shape so you’re basically covering all those sneaky, oily disaster zones.  It did freak me out a little at first as it kind of feels like a fine mist of water going on your face but it dries super quickly so my minor freak out dissipated as quickly as that mist of spray.  It does have a slight fragrance which I quite liked but even if you didn’t like its scent it wouldn’t matter as it disappears once it’s dried.

 

To my surprise, my makeup lasted all throughout work and by the time I got home, it still looked fresh.  This mind blowing result was a shock as work normally DESTROYS my make up due to the air con having some kind of vendetta against my skin.  So far so good.

Next came the most important test of all, and the most challenging, would the spray work for a night out?  For some reason, I was still massively sceptical but went ahead with my scientific experiment (just FYI, me going out was all in the name of science, I was merely taking one for the team because I’m incredibly selfless like that).  On went the make up (not going to lie, it was a fair bit more makeup than I wear during the day) and out came the spray and off I went ready to conduct my entirely selfless scientific study.

 

 

Everytime I saw my reflection, I braced myself and had my emergency makeup at the ready to freshen my face up, but weirdly I didn’t actually need it because my makeup was staying put.  By the time I got home and went to take my makeup off, it was still all intact and I was happier than Miley Cyrus gyrating with a foam finger.

This product is amazing, it works which shouldn’t surprise me but it does as half the time I invest in makeup products that don’t work so when they do, I’m normally in a state of shock.  My only regret is that I didn’t buy this beauty product sooner!  What I love as well, is the fact that Urban Decay are not just focussing on oily skin, they’ve also created a range of makeup setting sprays for all different purposes so either way there’s something for everyone.

 

 

So now when I see all the celebs out there with their perfect unmoveable makeup I don’t have to feel jealous as I know that my makeup isn’t going anywhere (well other than on my face. Obviously).

Got any other tips to make sure your makeup stays on all day (or night) long?  Fan of Urban Decay products? Drop us a comment and let us know!

 

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in:  budget,Get The Look   |   January 28, 2014 - 11:38 am   |  by:  Amanda Browning

Taylor Swift’s Grammys Nude Lip Look

It was all about the nude lip at the Grammys on Sunday with the likes of Taylor Swift, Anna Kendrick and  Rita Ora showing off the perfect pout.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m very much a fan of red lipstick but there’s something just so alluring about a nude lip that I have somehow managed to accumulate over the years a countless number of nude lipsticks and lip glosses which all reside in their own makeup bag in my designated makeup drawer.  The beauty of a nude coloured lipstick/gloss is that there are so many different shades to choose from, which means that anyone can work this look – from peachy toned to pink toned nude lippies, there’s something for everyone.

 

Once you’ve made the decision to go for this pretty lip look then you need to decide first on whether you’re a gloss girl or a lipstick lady and secondly on whether you want a sheer or matte finish.  Sheer finishes are incredibly subtle and allow you to go for a more heavy eye makeup look.  YSL’s Volupté Sheer Candy lipstick maybe new out but as far as I’m concerned it’s my HG sheer nude lipstick and why’s that? Well, because every time I use it, my lips feel ridiculously soft and moisturised.  It’s also perfect as it’s really understated but still noticeable plus there’s a range of shades so no matter what your skin tone, there’s a shade to match.  I mean, yes, it’s pretty expensive at £23.50 a pop but it’s worth it plus it smells like mango which makes me feel all summery even on the chilliest of mornings!  I use this in the shade Juicy Grapefruit as it has a nice pinkey base to it which flatters my annoyingly pale skin tone (seriously, I’m so pale I’m practically translucent!) but YSL have created some really flattering shades in this range.

 

 

 

For more of a matte finish a la Rita Ora then the perfect product to use is Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil which gives a highly pigmented finish.  The shade Paimpol is my personal favourite but if you have more warm tones in your skin then Belle de Jour is the perfect shade for you.  Again, a massive reason as to why I like this product by Nars is that even though it’s matte, it’s still incredibly moisturising to my lips so that they don’t feel dried out after using this lip pencil.  You can also a apply a slick of lip gloss over the top of this matte lip colour to create a more dramatic finish.

 

 

As far as lip glosses go, I don’t actually thnk it’s necessary to spend as much as you would on a lipstick as from my experience there are some really great quality cheap(ish) nude lipglosses out there.  Models Own do a stunning nude/pink lip gloss in the shade Ballet Pink at a bargain price of £5 (£5 for a lip gloss – is this real life?!).

 

I really don’t think that you can beat a nude lip (honestly, just try pairing it with smokey eye makeup and you’ll see what I mean!) – it’s subtle, understated, pretty and feminine.  So let your lips be naked with a nice nude lippy and perfect that pout like you just won a Grammy.

 

Do you like nude lipsticks? Which shades work best for you?  Share the lippy love and let us know!

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in:  budget,Get The Look   |   January 26, 2014 - 8:43 am   |  by:  Amanda Browning

Eyebrows like Cara Delevingne: Pencil vs Powder

With celebrities like Cara Delevingne, Lily Collins, Emma Watson and Keira Knightley all rocking the big eyebrow look, it has once again posed that age old question: ‘what’s better – eyebrow pencil or eyebrow powder?’.  So with that in mind, I think that it’s about time that we had a look at the pros and cons of pencils and powders so that you can get the best out of your brows and give Cara a run for her money!

 

In my experience, I’ve always considered eyebrow powder to give more of a subtle and natural eyebrow look as I find that with eyebrow pencils you run the risk of creating a more severe look.  However, provided that you use the eyebrow pencil correctly then there’s no reason that you can’t create a beautiful brow.  Eyebrow pencils are great as you can just throw them in your handbag so should you need to top up your brows whilst out and about then those perfect pencils are easily transportable.  I’ve always found eyebrow pencils much quicker to use than powder and I can guarantee that if I’m running late (which I somehow seem to do quite frequently) I’m far more likely to reach past my eyebrow powder and go straight for my eyebrow pencil.

One of the best brow pencils out there has to be MAC’s Veluxe Brow Liner as it’s incredibly soft and pigmented which means you won’t have any hard lines or streaks when filling in your eyebrows.  Also, because it’s so pigmented I find that I can either apply it lightly for subtle eyebrow definition or if I want a stronger and dramatic look then I can apply it a little heavier and hey presto, hello show-stopping eyebrows!  It also has an eyebrow spoolie (a little eyebrow brush) on the other end of the pencil so that you can brush through your brows before, during and after the application.

 

Although the eyebrow pencil is my weapon of choice if I’m in a rush, eyebrow powder is always my go-to tool if I’ve allowed enough time to get ready.  It’s just super soft which is what gives you that subtle and natural eyebrow look.  You can avoid any hard lines or streaks and get a nice even colour with powder because you’re applying it with a brush which is a far more gentle application process.  Throughout my many years of trying to attain the perfect brow, I’ve found that Benefit’s Brow Zings kit is as close to perfect as you’re going to get with a powder.  Benefit includes a brow wax in their kit as well which you apply to your brows beforehand and this shapes and defines your eyebrows.  You then follow the wax with the powder which basically fills in any gaps.

 

 

Choosing between powder or pencil for your eyebrows is a tough decision, I mean, if someone came up to me and was all like ‘You HAVE to choose, if you don’t make a decision I’ll shave off your eyebrows!’ (which is quite unlikely but you just never know in this day and age really) then I’d probably opt for eyebrow powder.  Even though powder takes a little longer to apply, I prefer the overall affect.  Really though, it’s whatever works for you and you’ll only figure that out by experimenting with different powders and pencils and seeing which looks best.

 

 

Your eyebrows frame your face so it’s important that you choose the best product to create the best brows and make those eyes pop (not literally of course because popping eyes would be pretty gross).  So don’t let Cara or Lily or Emma or even Keira be the only the eyebrow beauties on the scene, whether you’re a pencil pusher or believe in powder power –  give those starlets a run for their money and get bigger brows now!

 

What do you prefer to use, powder or pencil?  Are you a fan of the big brow craze? Let us know by dropping us a comment!

 

 

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in:  beauty,budget,Get The Look   |   January 23, 2014 - 8:00 am   |  by:  Jabeen Waheed

VIP Beauty: Schwarzkopf’s Model Product Launches

London’s Ice Tank venue is a cool space to have a product launch so when hair giant Schwarzkopf invited us to view a collaboration with Claudia Schiffer, we knew we were in for something special. It was an all day affair and I was so happy to get treated to a new hairdo and a hand massage as well as an in-depth description of their exciting new products that we can all buy right now. It’s not just Claudia Schiffer that has fab hair you know…

Claudia Schiffer has worked exclusively with the  Schwarzkopf essence ULTIME/Schwarzkopf blonde ULTIME ranges to create the ultimate hair product for anyone wanting to achieve hair like hers- and frankly who wouldn’t? Especially designed for women with blonde hair, the Schwarzkopf blonde ULTIME features a pearl essence which enables women to achieve a high performing shade of blonde. Claudia Schiffer’s personal shade is 10-1 Cool Light Blonde and is shown on the picture of the packaging. The Schwarzkopf essence ULTIME offers women luxurious all around hair care which Claudia Schiffer knows all too well about. Nourishing ingredients are used which repairs the hairs natural elasticity. With over 15 products in the portfolio every hair need is catered too! These products have been released this month so I encourage every blonde to see what the fuss is about; and it’ll be worth it!

Here is another perfect product for all you blonde bombshells – The LIVE Color XXL range has introduced the NEW LIVE Color XXL Toner Mousse which neutralises brassy, yellow tones and brightens up dull blondes. The mousse is available in two colours- Icy Platinum and Champagne Blonde. Get that perfect blonde shade now!

 

My personal favourite has got to be the Schwarzkopf Live Colour XXL- Ultra Brights range, which features a shade I am desperate to try- Turquoise Temptation! This vibrant and edgy shade has been featured on stars such as Katy Perry, Demi Lovato and Kate Bosworth! I would have to wait a little longer as this shade will be available from May 2014! In the meantime, there are other stunning colours which could tickle your fancy!

The got2be line is a unisex styling range that has launched its new got2be Oil-licious weightless DRY OIL MIST. This product contains argan oil and is fantastic for everyday use letting you create smooth and tangle free styles easily, complete with a glorious shine. The new got2be glued spiking wax keeps a strong hold on hairstyles without the sickly crunch. Perfect! There is also the got2be Rise ‘N’ Shine line which features the Rise and Shine soufflé,whipped mousse and hairspray. These products lets you create textured hair like Mila Kunis, luminous shine like Pixie Lott and a star-worthy hold like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Make me look like a celeb please!

So whatever your hair needs, Schwarzkopf most definitely have you covered Oh and they’re well within your budget. Bonus!

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in:  budget,Get The Look   |   January 17, 2014 - 2:41 pm   |  by:  Amanda Browning

How To Get Kaley Cuoco’s Beach Waves

 

Kaley Cuoco, why must you have such perfect salt spray hair?  Seriously, it’s so voluminous and textured and I’m just a little bit in love with it.  In case you hadn’t noticed, I appear to have a slight case of hair envy towards Kaley Cuoco and after seeing her tousled beach-waved mane at this month’s People’s Choice Awards it encouraged me to try out some salt sprays in a desperate bid to recreate Kaley’s laidback waves.  Here’s how those salt sprays went down:

Superdrug Style Expertise Salt Spray (£2.99 for 100ml)

The cheapest out of the bunch I tried, this salt spray was surprisingly good.  I felt that it worked best when sprayed onto dry hair as opposed to wet hair which I wasn’t expecting as in the past I normally find salt sprays give the best results when sprayed onto wet or as least damp(ish) hair.  I felt that the fragrance wasn’t the best out of the three but for £2.99 I wouldn’t really expect it to have a scent so it’s better than nothing.  Overall, this is a pretty decent salt spray and you can’t deny that it’s a bargain at £2.99!  7½/10

Umberto Giannini Glam Hair Grunge Glamour Tousled Salt Spray (£5.61 for 200ml)

Although more expensive than the Superdrug salt spray, Umberto Giannini’s salt spray actually works out cheaper as you get double the amount of the Superdrug one.  This was the first salt spray I ever indulged in and despite it being good, it has never stopped me from trying out other salt sprays.  I found that unlike the Superdrug salt spray, this one works best when sprayed onto damp hair and left to dry naturally.  It also works amazingly well if plait your hair and let it dry naturally after spraying on the salt spray (it’s probably best to do this before you go to bed otherwise you’re in for a very dull day waiting around for your hair to dry in pigtails!).  This also has a delish scent without being overpowering.  The only downside to this salt spray is that if you spray too much onto your hair then you risk it feeling quite crunchy which kind of lets this product down.  6/10

Toni & Guy Casual Sea Salt Texturising Spray (£7.19 for 200ml)

Despite being the most expensive salt spray out of the three, I find myself struggling to argue with the price as it ticks most of the boxes.  Much like the Umberto Giannini salt spray, this one works best when sprayed onto damp/semi dry hair and left to dry naturally.  Toni & Guy have created a salt spray that gives a fantastic matte texture to the hair which is far more noticeable in my hair than the Superdrug and Umberto Giannini salt sprays.  It also gives definition to my natural waves without there being any of that dreaded frizz which likes to ruin my hair on a regular basis.  This salt spray smells great too but I have to say that I prefer the smell of the Umberto Ginannini salt spray purely because it has more of a hair salon smell to it which I weirdly like (don’t judge me, ok?!).  9/10 

 

I’m a pretty fussy individual when it comes to hair products but I would be happy to use any of these products again as none of them were awful and most did what they said on the tin (or bottle to be more precise).  Annoyingly (and just my luck!), my favourite was the most expensive salt spray out of the three as it was as near to perfect as you can get and hey, at least it’s under a tenner!  Also, a quick tip for if you’re using any salt spray, apply some mousse (I love Trevor Sorbie Styling Invisible Hold Mousse £5.59 for 200ml) to your wet hair beforehand as this will help define those waves a little more plus it’ll help to hold those waves and stop them from falling out.  Hopefully this will help you in your salt spray quest, now if you’ll excuse me I’m off to go and stare at Kaley Cuoco’s hair a little longer and pretend that one day my hair will look just like that!

Which salt sprays have you tried?  Have you got any other tips on how to create those enviable beach curls? Let us know!

 

 

 

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in:  budget,Get The Look   |   January 15, 2014 - 9:38 am   |  by:  Amanda Browning

Lily Allen’s Leopard Print Nails

I don’t know about you, but as a nail art groupie, I’m all about finding easy ways to achieve awesome nail art (like Lily’s!) which is why I think it’s pretty damn important that I bring Konad to your attention.  Konad created stamping nail art which is possibly the most genius nail art invention I have ever stumbled across – it’s both easy to use and incredibly effective.

For those of you who have not heard of Konad’s stamping nail art, let me break it down for you,  there are 4 Konad items that are needed to create your nail art: the stamper, the scraper, the image plate and some Konad Nail Art  Special Polish.  You can get all these items from Amazon and there are lots of sets which cuts down the price but it’s all pretty cheap anyway (for example, you can get the stamper and scraper in a set for a little over £5 from Amazon). The process of this nail stamping reminds me of stencilling in a way (mostly because the image plate is like a stencil!) and it’s insanely simple to use.  You begin by painting your nails like normal so use a decent quality base coat and then two coats of your chosen base colour.  Leave your nails to dry, and this is important as if they’re not 100% dry then it’s not going to work so be patient otherwise you’ll only have yourself to blame!  Once your nails are fully dry, then comes the fun stamping part – choose your image plate (if you want Lily Allen’s leopard print pattern then use the Konad image plate M57) and use your Konad Nail Art Special Polish to paint over the pattern on the image plate (you must use the Konad Nail Art Special Polish as normal nail varnish won’t work and it’ll make you look a fool!).  Then using your scraper, scrap it over the pattern which will remove the excess polish.  Next, grab your stamper and stamp it over the pattern in a rolling motion and then carefully stamp the pattern onto your nail following your nail’s curve……….and you’re done!

You can finish off with a topcoat (Seche Vite Dry Fast top coat is my personal favourite) and that’s literally it.  For my leopard print nails, I decided to add a French tip just because I like to live life on the edge but they would have been just as nice minus the French tip.  There are loads, and by loads I mean HUNDREDS, of Konad image plates on Amazon so there’s a huge number of nail art patterns and designs to choose from.  What I love about Konad is that it creates professional looking nail art where little skill is involved so you really don’t have to be some kind of ambidextrous nail art-creating genius to end up with some amazing VIP-looking nails.  Give it a go and give Lily Allen a run for her money!

Have you used Konad before?  What did you think?  Leave a comment because we know you want to!

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