Friday 4 October 2013

September Favourites!

It's that time again where the end of the year draws even closer and I take a look to see what I've been LOVING this month.

I've ended up buying a lot of new products recently and, in a bid to save some cash, I'm trying to use everything up as much as possible. I've literally been leaving my bank card at home to prevent any unnecessary spending!

So without further ado, here are the things that have been floating my boat this September!

Thursday 3 October 2013

...And relax!

Hey guys!

First of all I want to say thank you so much for the overwhelming support I received after posting my last post about my smile issues. It was a difficult post for me to write and the responses I received on my blog, Twitter etc have been really touching. 

Secondly, without getting too much into it, I've been having a super stressful time recently with my day job. Everybody has their ups and downs but sometimes things can really get to me, particularly when although I DO enjoy my job part of me feels like it's not what I truly want to be doing. 

Going back to my first post though, Setting Goals and sticking to them, I shan't let it get me down and will keep onwards and upwards to living the dream which means that once in the while I need a bit of "me" time.

So when Jess over at Dungarees & Donuts tweeted to say I had won her Pampering giveaway I was over the moon! I was so excited to receive my surprise package (which Royal Mail decided to hold to ransom the meanies!) and have to say, it couldn't have arrived at a better time. 


My Prizes!

Wow! What a haul. Jess really outdid herself with this giveaway. First things first, was a Lush Bathbomb which was Think Pink. 

I LOVE Lush and am obsessed with their bathbombs. Mr Candy recently redid our bathroom which meant I couldn't have a good soak for ages and this will definitely be enjoyed. 

Think Pink is scented with Tonka and Vanilla. I'd like to say I know what Tonka truly is but all I can say is it smells nice.

Also included was a Shower Smoothie from Radox in Soul Soother. There's a reason it instructs people not to drink it, it smells AMA-ZING. Like berry yoghurts and yummy cranberries and blackberries. Mr Candy has already been caught sniffing this and asking when I'm going to use it again hehe :) Also a gorgeous body puff (I love these things) to make the most of all the foamy goodness.

At this time of year my hands have a tendency to get really sore and dry and I was super chuffed to find a bottle (and a big one at that!) of Possibility Amber & Lavender hand and nail cream. 

This smells really good and I'm normally a big fan of Lavender but this isn't too "old ladyish". The amber balances it brilliantly. This will be popped in my bag to keep me going throughout the cold months!

For a really chillaxed time there are three facemasks which I'm really looking forward to using in chocolate, vanilla mousse and Dead Sea clay and a gorgeous scented candle which, I cannot for the life of me tell you what it smells like, but will go very well with some calming time in the tub. 

Our bathroom has sparkle paint on the ceiling and rainbow sparkle tiles on the floor and kicks out the most amazing patterns in candlelight. SO excited!

Some of these products I've never used before so I shall be indulging and reporting back tout suite!

Thank you SO much to Jess. It was SUCH a welcome surprise to win and your blog is fantastic to read as well :)

Also, not related to Jess' giveaway but I was actually lucky enough to win one of Barry M's new Smokin' Hot Palettes on a Twitter giveaway. I was really pleased because I'd been reading reviews on other beauty blogs and saying I must check it out. Available now at Boots and Superdrug!


Barry M Smokin' Hot Palette

I'm going on a night out next week and will give the smokey eye look a go with this and perhaps a Get Ready With Me video if you fancy it!

Tuesday 1 October 2013

My Biggest Ever Beauty Purchase Tag

Hey guys!

So I thought today I'd mix it up a bit. I'm still trying to play catch up with my posts from when I went away. Later today I'm going to be doing my September favourites but whilst at lunch, and thinking about how I've been married nearly a year (!) now, I started to think of tag ideas.

We all have a purchase in our midst that was big. Even if you are a High Street lover you've got one bit in your toolkit that cost a bit more than most. So I've set up this tag for you all to write a bit about that purchase, what difference it made to your life, was it worth it and anything else you'd like to add.

My biggest ever beauty purchase was HUGE. It's not make up either but it was utterly and totally life changing for me and, despite the cost, was one of the best things I've ever done.



Sunday 29 September 2013

Blog Sale!!!! VERY PHOTO HEAVY

Hello! Sorry I've been a bit incommunicado recently but since getting back from Paris things have been hectic at work! I've not had a chance to stop, let alone blog!
So one thing I've been trying to do is clear out a bit of space and raise a bit of cash towards spending in New York! Mr Candy and I found an awesome deal and are going to be heading to the Big City at the end of January. I am SO excited.
So this means I've had a good rummage around in my wardrobe and ended up being super shocked at the amount of clothing I've got that I've worn once or even less.
I love clothes and fashion but I'm a bit curvier than most so I have a range of sizes from 12 up to 16. Take a look, if there's anything you want to ask drop me a tweet or email me on fluffycandyuk@gmail.com.
Postage is through MyHermes (so you'll get a tracking number) and I'll be dispatching on a Saturday and will be £5.20 per parcel, makeup will be £3 and through Royal Mail.
Payment will be via Paypal (and please select Gift so we can avoid pesky fees :)) and sorry, I can't ship internationally at the moment :)
I will accept BACS as well, please contact me by email or by DM on Twitter to arrange xxx
Check it out under the cut!

Saturday 28 September 2013

Paris Haul



WRITE YOUR BLOG POST HERE, IGNORE ANY CODE BELOW, IT IS YOUR SIGNATURE, ANY IMAGES YOU ADD I ADVISE TO MAKE THEM 700PX WIDE AND ALIGN THEM LEFT ON YOUR POSTS

Friday 20 September 2013

National Eczema Week - My Story*

Everybody, at one point or another, has had something happen with their body that they cannot control.

For many people their teenage years are a nightmare plagued by acne, greasy hair or having a brace.

I was really lucky as a teenager not to have any of these problems very badly. I had the odd break out and, as you're probably aware I've had my teeth woes as well.

My problem was far more irritating, in the literal sense of the word. 

Wednesday 18 September 2013

Tuesday 17 September 2013

Check Out My Readers' Survey!

Hey guys!

So, I've been running the blog now for a few weeks. The comments and support I've had in this time has been AMAZING and I cannot believe how far it's come in such a short space of time.

I've made no secret this is something I love doing and something I really want to take to the next level but I need your help to do this!

I've put together a quick, ten question, reader survey to get your honest feedback about the site and what I've been posting. Let me know what you think and I can then make it more relevant to your interests and your likes!

Thanks SO much and I'll post tonight!


Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Monday 16 September 2013

Monday Pause - Itty, bitty AW13 Haul


I always promised myself I wouldn't do a haul post... I thought, as much as I enjoy reading other people's hauls, it wasn't for me.

After a couple of weekends stuck at home, when Mr Candy said his friend was coming over to watch boxing I thought "Bugger it!" and headed into town.

I thought, whilst I was there, I might as well come back with something useful for Autumn/Winter 2013. For the first stop I made was to Primark...


Friday 13 September 2013

Friday Favourites

It's FRIDAY! Thank goodness. Just another four hours till I am free and the weekend is all mine! I've been thinking over the last couple of days about blog posts and then, whilst rooting around in my bag, I'm always carrying something that could be of interest.
So plucked from the depths of my (very messy) Superdry bag are two items I've been carrying about for a while.
The first item I've been looking at is the Body Shop's Hemp Lip Conditioner. Their hemp range whilst amuses the teenager "That has a big weed leaf on it" side of me is actually designed for those with really dry skin.

Body Shop Hemp Lip Conditioner - £4
Body Shop Hemp Lip Conditioner - £4
Body Shop Hemp Lip Conditioner - £4
Body Shop Hemp Lip Conditioner - £4 - In its full glory!


This came as part of a set with one of their body butters (very moisturising but stinks), a massive tube of hand cream (I've barely made a dent into into entire 10 months I have owned it) and also a foot cream (which is actually very good, albeit in a teeny weeny pot that barely would cover my feet!).

First impressions are that it looks like any other lip balm; it's brown, green and grey and could easily be any number of lip balms. It also has a hemp leaf on it which makes me look slightly suspicious when bringing it out in public.

Scent wise, there is a vague smell there. Although I'm not keen on the scent on any of these products they do smell more like rope than anything illegal which is a bonus! Application is pretty standard and goes on well but, as it's for VERY dry skin I find it really greasy.

I've always struggled wearing lip balms. Like lip-gloss I feel like they just "sit" on my lips and don't do anything. This one is no different. I feel like I have rubbed olive oil or butter into my lips. They may be hydrated but I feel like I could fry an egg on them!

As this was part of a set I probably wouldn't have picked this up myself. I do suffer a bit with dry, flaky lips but I don't think my skin is anywhere dry enough for this to be functional. My two favourite lip balms at present are Carmex (Menthol or Cherry - £2.69 from Boots) and Soap & Glory’s Smooch Operator (Coconut and Mint! - £5 from Boots)


The cost of the set was £22 at the time and looking at the site now a similar set is available for £16 but without this lip balm... in fact I don't even think they sell it now. This probably makes this entire piece redundant but I'm sure that it's still sold somewhere in the world and in the stores :) The lip balm itself was £4.


The second item I’ve been dragging around with myself for a long time is Avon Cosmetics Far Away Bella. I’ve got this in a big bottle (still wrapped actually!), this travel size and also a body cream (again, unopened).

The other items haven’t been opened, not because I don’t like it, but actually because this travel size is lasting SO long. I use it almost every day as my “work” perfume and find that a couple of squirts throughout the day will suffice.

Avon's Far Away Bella - Eau Du Parfum - Travel Size - 100ml £13
Avon's Far Away Bella - Eau Du Parfum - Travel Size - 100ml £13



Avon describes it on their website as “A free-spirited adventure awaits, with juicy Clementine from Italy and blooming magnolia flower from China, finished with intriguing Tonka bean from Brazil.”


Now, I don’t know much about perfume, but I know what I like. I love that it’s really floral and fruity without being to mature for me. The cost of it wasn't very expensive, just £8 for all three items but considering this I have been really impressed. In fact it’s only £6.50 now which makes it even better!

It’s a very summery scent so I’m not sure how well it will transition with me into the autumn season but in terms of being handy it’s great. I always get complimented on it and I love the ease of the size of the bottle. Even if I haven’t got as big a bag with me I can slot it into my sunglasses case and be on my way.

Downsides? I guess as a cheaper perfume the scent doesn’t last as long as something more high-end. I am a massive perfume fiend and have so many bottles on the go all at once however I like to keep some (Dior Addict and Miss Dior are my two favourites) for special occasions. However with the £8 price tag in mind and the fact when I order anything I’m helping a local self employed person always leaves me feeling happy!

Till Next Time,
FluffyCandy
Xx





Wednesday 11 September 2013

Collection Wednesday - What's In My Drawers?

Despite the title this honestly isn't a post about my underwear!

The one thing I've noticed from speaking to other bloggers and reading other sites is that the main drawback of beauty and fashion blogging is the cost.

KACHING!

Every week new products are launched, new styles become on trend, the latest gadget comes out (Case in point yesterday Apple released the iPhone 5S and 5C. Do I need it? No. Do I want one? Of course!)

Despite being a real life grown up now, with a job, a mortgage and some money to spend I, like many others, cannot justify spending loads of money each week and it got me thinking.

How many things, in my make-up collection and wardrobe, were potentially overlooked when they came out?

What is Collection Wednesday?

So this is where Collection Wednesday begins. Every Wednesday I'll delve into my collection for things that float my boat, question why I ever purchased them or are just a little bit ...mehhhhhh, I like it but I don't love it!

Of course if get a new release or anything new I will no doubt shout about it but let us give a bit of loving for the old friends we currently own that are still there after the launch dies down.

This week's stars are...

Pores No More.... more cement than miracle cure


Dr Brandt's Hint of Tint Pore Refiner
Dr Brandt's - Pores No More - Pore Refiner with Hint Of Tine - £33.15
I wanted to like this so much. I got given a tube by my hairdresser/wedding make up artist and she swore by it. The colour wasn't quite right and although the coverage was amazing initally it looked like someone has taken a trowel and slapped it on. 

The worst bit is when I had a bit of a tan and thought I'd pull it for another go I pumped it on the back of my hand and it just clumped and went an almost, peely skin consistency (see image below!)
Dr Brandt had dried right up :(

For £33.15 I wasn't expecting miracles but DO NOT LIKE.
HOWEVER this is just my personal opinion and lots of people I know love the stuff. The Pore Vacuum is really good as well. Available at FeelUnique.com

I LIKE it but I don't LOVE it
Urban Decay Primer Potion - £15
I remember when this primer was first released and it was AMAZING, every blogger swore by it and every vlogger used it in their how to's. Now I don't hate it but I just don't think it's the best. For £15 I had the original bottle and there is still quite a bit left, this is due to a couple of design flaws and thus why the packaging changed. Added to the fact the packing peels off everywhere and gets all over your face. Personally I find it useful but no more useful than using a concealer or a MAC paint pot. More often than not as well a lot of the shadows I use don't need a base (I like vivids! What can I say? :))
Available at Debenhams


Best eyeshadow pencils I have ever used!
Urban Decay Eye Shadow Pencils 24/7
Urban Decay - 24/7 Shadow Pencils - £12.60
I love vivid colours. It's probably why I don't wear make-up to work, I can't get away with neon pink eyeshadow in a Thursday morning meeting! These pencils are amazing and no matter what look I go for these are brought out again and again.

I bought one originally for Bestival a few years ago where I was rocking a Katy Perry costume and I picked up Clash which is a vibrant blue glitter reminiscent of felt tipping the sea in a picture when you were a kid. This stuff would not budge, which at a festival was amazing. I could wander along my merry way and not worry. 
Swatched Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencils
(L-R - Narc, Mercury and Clash. With Flash)
Swatched Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencils
(L-R - Narc, Mercury and Clash. Without Flash)

Shortly after I purchased Narc (a metallic khaki green with glitter) and Mercury (Metallic silver with grey tones) and they are so versatile. They can be worn on their own or provide enough base for any number of dramatic looks by working other colours into the crease and brow bone. I know when I put them on as well I don't need to worry about fall out either.

Only downsides are that they are so hard to shift you'll have trouble shifting without waterproof make-up remover and a wire brush, there are too many for me to buy all of them and also putting eyeliner on top can be quite tricky as well. Apart from that ,along with MAC shadows these are in my top 5. They are available at Debenhams.
Till Next Time
FluffyCandy
Xx

My "I got over 100 Twitter Followers" MAC Eyeshadow Giveaway

Yay! Giveaway time. I wanted to do this when I hit 100 but since I hit it I've had even more!

The premise is simple, I'm doing well and I want to share the love so in honour of my first 100 (ish) Twitter Followers I am giving one lucky reader the chance to win a MAC eyeshadow of their choice.

The competition launches today and ends on the 30th September where one winner will be selected to win the eyeshadow of their dreams.

Maybe you fancy a pot of Tilt? Or if duochrome is not your thing maybe a little bit of Shroom? Whatever your colour preferences as long as it's in the permanent collection then you can win it!


Just follow the instructions below and get yourself in with a chance. The winner will be announced on the 1st October on my Twitter and this blog page.


GOOD LUCK!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday 10 September 2013

Liebster Award

Liesbster Award


I've been nominated for a Liebster Award!!! How exciting. Big thanks to Mary over at Strike A Pose for the nomination! 

The Liebster Award is a way to give new bloggers with less than 200 followers to gain more recognition, help their blogs grow and let their readers know more about them.  The Liebster Award is a really great way of sharing and discovering new blogs and bloggers.


There are 11 questions and then you give 11 facts about yourself. Then you set 11 questions for those you nominate!

Here are the questions I was given!




  • If you were stuck on a desert island what three things would you take with you?
My D&G sunglasses (for the sun of course!), my iPad (fully charged of course) and lip balm


  • What one item could you just not live without?
Black kohl eyeliner. I feel naked without it


  • What is your favourite day of the year?
My birthday (28th August) because it's in the summer, it's my birthday and it's around the Bank Holiday so all my friends are about!


  • Which fashion icon inspires your style the most?
As mentioned in a previous post is has to be to Gwen Stefani. She embodies everything that I love!


  • If you had to, which TV show would you go on?
Catchphrase (if it's still about!) I always thought it was SO easy when I was at home and I could win money.


  • What’s your most embarrassing moment?
When I was 12 I went on the French exchange and got my eyelid stuck in a zipper. Yeah... that was fun.


  • What inspired your blog and the name you chose for your blog?
Fluffy Candy UK was my email address and username when I was a teenager. As I mention in my about me page, rather than being embarrassed of it I'm embracing it as a big part of who I am and how I came to be on the Internet.

Which 3 people would you invite to a dinner party?
Russel Brand and Stephen Fry for intelligent conversation and amusement and probably Kate Adie the war reporter, I bet she has some stories to tell!
  • Whats your favourite song to dance to in front of people?
Joy Division - Love Will Tear Us Apart. One of the most beautiful songs ever written and good times with my best friend dancing about in dingy clubs to it. 


  • Whats your favourite song to dance to when no ones watching!?
The Cure - Pictures of You. It's a proper swishy swooshy song and has a lot of meaning for me so I tend to get a bit emotional when it comes on too. 


  • If you could only shop in one clothes shop for the rest of your life, where would it be?
Easy River Island. Everything in there just fits so well!

11Facts About me!

1. I have a French Bulldog called Boris
2. I have been married for 10 months
3. I am half French Canadian
4. I speak fluent French... when I'm drunk
5. I've been learning to drive for nearly 5 years
6. I'm allergic to apples
7. I once interviewed Example in a little cafe in London before he was famous
8. I prefer Pizza Express to Nandos
9. I don't understand eyebrow pencil but use it all the time
10. Some of my front teeth are fake (different post, a different time!)
11. There is a 17 year age gap between my brother and sister with me. 


Now for My Questions to you!

  1. 1. North or South? 
  2. 2. What would you wish for if given three wishes?
  3. 3. What is your party trick?
  4. 4. Coca Cola or Pepsi?
  5. 5. Favourite colour?
  6. 6. What did you want to be when you grew up?
  7. 7. Beach or forest?
  8. 8. Most expensive piece of clothing you own?
  9. 9. Red lips, pink lips, nude lips or other lips?
  10. 10. Which beauty blogger/ YouTube Vlogger do you really admire?
  11. 11.Worst beauty purchase ever?



    I tag the following ( I couldn't find 11!)

Monday 9 September 2013

My Monday Pause - Having a go at blogging as a business

Slightly different tack today guys. As I mentioned in a previous post I've been blogging on Fluffy Candy for a full week now and, as far as first weeks go, it's been fantastic.

So each Monday, around lunchtime, I'm going to be doing a sort of self development, my journey post called My Monday Pause. Hopefully with a bit of advice relevant for you and also a bit of reflection on my journey as a blogger.

Starting Over

The one thing that has been really apparent this very first week is how much I've missed writing. Like REALLY missed writing.

When I was a kid all I wanted to do was be a journalist, every subject I took at school was media related, every A-Level, even my degree was in journalism. However, whether a mixture of lack of money (Living in London was SO expensive) or just the wrong timing it seemed like it was never meant to be.

Looking back now I'm sort of glad this happened, it's utterly frustrating to think that if I could have pushed on a little bit more I would have had it happen however, the path that I took not only led me to meet Mr Candy but also gave me some EXTREMELY valuable skills.

Moving To The Dark Side

I got into sales. Yep, I'm a sales person. It seemed when I first went for it like easy money and there were SO many jobs available too (there's a good reason for that! It's bloody hard!)

My first foray was at a teeny weeny office in Finchley, London, selling adverts in some magazines. This was literally the sketchiest office in the world. There was one computer between 5 people and people had made up their own names to sell ads. I wasn't there for very long (they kept forgetting to pay me) and in that time I sold adverts to Nokia and John Frieda and also got a bottle of Frangelico for coming in early and doing the vacuuming(!)

After having done my degree I assumed if I went and worked in sales at a magazine, which was an easyish job to get, that one day I would magically side step into being a journalist or writer. This is not the case. In fact it made it IMPOSSIBLE because whenever I applied for anything the advert sales side of things was deemed more valuable than my writing. 

Because at the end of the day, as much a writers and editors wax lyrical about informing consumers and business, the prizes and prestige that come along with an amazingly written piece. Magazines, TV, newspapers, websites are all businesses. More often than not the bottom line comes first even if you want the content to be key.

The Wrong Kind Of Cow
After my short stint at the strangest magazine publisher ever I then spent the next few years flitting between being a top performer at an ailing local newspaper and then dabbling into the world of b2b publishing (namely in the public sector).

I loved both jobs and hated them equally all at once. I loved being able to sell based on features and suggest features to the editorial guys. 

I hated the features coming out badly, editorial saying one thing and then doing another and then the occasional advertiser bashing that came out. 

Explaining to Mr Smith the butcher why his advert promoting British Beef is next to a 1,000 word rant about the evils of eating meat was never a fun job.

One of the worst instances of this was when I ran an advert for a local beef supplier (I sense a theme here?) who was appearing at a local food festival and thus had bought space in our official guide for the day. 

This supplier had a particular breed of cow that he specialised in. I got our art department to make up the advert and source all the pictures. Sent him the copy to proof which I got no reply from. 

In our contracts (something which I would never do myself!) was a clause that when sent it was deemed as "accepted" unless they got in contact. As deadline drew closer the guy didn't get in touch and so the ad ran as was.

On the Monday, after the food festival, I got a screaming call saying that I had ruined his business, he was laughed at by all the other butchers and I had made him the laughing stock of the local area.

All because the picture of the cow the art department had sourced had the horns pointing the wrong way.

Nightmare.

What's This Got To Do With Blogging?

Good question. The main theme from all of these events (though I'd label them incidents personally!) was a slightly incomplete feeling. I always felt I was either in the right place but doing the wrong thing or being creative and being able to express myself but in the totally wrong subject area (There is only so much excitement I can give about police pension plans....)

I had the skills but I needed an outlet that brings them all together.... and here I am a quarter life crisis, one Blogger and Twitter account and eight days later.

This is the beginning of something I've wanted to do for a long time. Having had the jobs I've done, the people I've met and the skills I've picked up along the way, these have taken to me to this point now and the question is where to go next.

I have a plan in mind and what I "envision" I'd like to be. The question is now simply getting there.

Just by reading this post and making a comment below you'll be helping me so much towards this dream. And the great thing is, success breed success! 

What I learn along the way I hope to be able to pass on to others in my position. As things develop and evolve I want to able to not only make an opportunity for myself but for others as well, whether it be advice on approaching potential advertisers, finding your own "voice" down to plain and simple supportive advice. 

If you have any questions, comments or what to learn a bit more please drop me a line either in the comments below or through my Contact Page. I'm really hot on my emails and will email you back pretty much straightaway!


Till Next Time
FluffyCandy
Xx



Sunday 8 September 2013

My Lust List - September 2013

Happy Sunday everybody! Hope everybody has had a great weekend so far.

So today I'm putting together a "Lust List". This is a list of five things I really, really want to buy but haven't been able to justify to myself and my credit card.

The one thing that drives me nuts the older I get is that you always end up having more money, none of which you can spend.

Mr Candy and I bought a house two years ago and, whilst being very fortunate to have been able to do this in our 20s there is always SOMETHING needing doing. In fact Mr Candy has just spent the last 5 months doing out our bathroom by hand. It's now lovely but no fancy dinners, no new make-up, no new shoes or anything for a while.

Is there anything you really want to get but haven't been able to justify it? Leave me a comment below and I'll see if I convince you to take the plunge!

Cute To The Core - Clutch in Black Leopard Print - £55

I LOVE these hi-tops. They are just so cute and look so comfy all at once. I'm usually a Converse girl when it comes to trainers but I just really like this brand. They only launched their website in the UK on Friday and I love all of it already. But, I can't justify another pair of trainers so quickly after buying so many clothes recently!

Illamasqua - Hydra Veil - £27
I've not actually ever bought anything from Illamasqua but its a brand I've wanted to try for ages. I've heard amazing things about their Hydra Veil which is part primer, part moisturiser, part amazing. The cost isn't too bad but for a brand I've never tried its a big plunge for me. 


Tatty Devine Head In The Clouds Collar Necklace - £150

I love Tatty Devine jewellery but this is one of the most ME things that I have ever seen on their site. However at an eye watering £150 got Perspex jewellery unless it majority comes down in price I cannot justify it :(

Wild fox - First Date Jumper - £99


I've always admired Wildfox stuff and its extremely wearable for compared to other similar brands of its price. However the cost isn't the issue this time but the size. I'm not a small girl and although Wildfox do do stuff in my size it sells out super quick. The only size left on asos.com of this jumper is xs and s. boo!

YSL - Poupre Intouchables -£24


The packaging is solo pretty and the colour and the formula I've heard raved about but every time I try and purchase something holds me back. Maybe if I could buy ALL the colours I'd do it but I'm always scared that one of the other colours would suit me better. Might pick some up in Paris perhaps?

Till Next Time,
FluffyCandy
XX

Saturday 7 September 2013

How NOT to apply stick on/glue on nails

Now normally on Beauty Blogs you are able to access a full range of "How To" tutorials, recommendations of fantastic products and tips and tricks how to make the most of your beauty collection.

This is NOT one of these posts.

For the last few weeks a few of the super glam girls at work have been rocking stick on nails. As much as I love make-up and beauty, in my day-to-day life I can be a bit lax and although I always have polished nails and a slick of lippy I don't pay as much attention as I probably could do.

Just to give you a bit of background, I've always been slightly nervy of stick on nails. When I was 13 my friend Katie and I would buy those horrific 99p glue on nails you'd get in cheapy shops. We'd struggle to get them on and then try and paint them and it'd always end up a mess. Then I'd somehow get glue on my face and glue my eyes shut. This is pretty much the same scenario if I try and put false eyelashes on now.

So, the ease of these stick on nails really appealed to me. I haven't got a steady hand do nail art and sometimes the same old colours can get a bit boring (though I'm constantly buying nail polish so should be able to mix it up a bit!)

So last night I was in Asda with Mr Candy and I spotted this press on manicure in pink, glittery zebra print. I'd like to think if unicorns existed they would have exotic pink, glittery unizebra cousins but that's beside the point.

They were £7.98 (weird price right?) and claim to last a week.

I purchased them and thought, this couldn't be too hard? Right?

Wrong...

Broadway Nails - Impress - Medium Length - £7.98 Asda
To be honest I don't think it's the product's fault. They seem very well made, were initially quite simple to apply. It was more my complete uselessness that made it go wrong. Here is a list of the mistakes I made.

Mistake Number 1 
Getting Too Bloody Excited 

Squee! I'm going to have beautiful nails..
I'm a normal person. I see pink, I see glitter and it all becomes a bit of a haze. The minute we got home I HAD to put them on. Not unload the groceries, not check on the dog, nope! I had to put these little babies on straightaway.


Mistake Number 2 
Guesstimating the Size

So the pack comes with 24 nails in 12 different sizes. What I SHOULD have done is sat down, at the dining room table or in my office and laid them all out. Sized them against my fingers and selected the most accurate ones. Then when I was happy, wash my hands and dry them as directed, use the enclosed "Prep Pad" and then carefully put them on. I just pulled them out the packet and willy nilly started sticking them on which led to mistake number 3.....

Mistake Number 3
Down Means Up and Up Means Down

I stuck the bloody things on upside down! I painstakingly stuck every sucker on and then read the packaging and realised that I'd fit the cuticle end to my tips. Cue facepalm where I poked myself in the eye as they were talon like at this point.

Mistake Number 4
"Ahhh, I'll trim them in the morning"

Let me fend off those wild beasties for you..

As previously mentioned these are medium length. It truly felt like a mix between being an eagle and on the cast of TOWIE. If they made fingertip knives to fend off wild creatures these would do very well. Basically by the time I had corrected my mistake it was late and couldn't find the scissors. I went to bed and three pinged off, not after Mr Candy told me to quite firmly to "keep away" with my "vile talons"

Mistake Number 5
Improper Equipment

Beautifully Butchered
So Saturday morning I woke up. Reapplied the three I lost with two amazing matches and one horrific index finger choice. I have apparently got very strange index fingers because I think I ended up with a thumb one. I then proceeded to hunt high and low for nail scissors and a nail file. 

I found the nail file easily enough but the scissors were nowhere to be seen. I had a driving lesson fast approaching and I didn't think the talon length was going to help. I needed to chop them. So trusty kitchen scissors to the rescue which then resulted in car crash hands. They looked AWFUL. I filed them as best I could but they were beyond saving.

Mistake Number 6
Believing The Box
Missing - One index finger nail. Last seen in a driving instructor's crotch area
Half way round a busy roundabout, whilst whacking on the indicator on my lesson my index nail pinged off into my driving instructors lap. It was a really awkward moment and then a seagull flew into the front window. It was ok but I do wonder if the shininess of the nails temporarily blinded him.

I felt after this I couldn't ask to delve my hand into his crotch area in an attempt to reapply it. They had done too much damage already.

So, in conclusion, as a product I think they are great. Knowing what I know now I'd be tempted to give them another go but take the time and attention that they deserved and also understand their limitations.

That and I've now purchased some new nail scissors, just in case. 

I am now minus one index nail and my right hand looks like my manicurist has been taking lessons on cutting out from a four year old with safety scissors. However after paying £7.98 I refuse to remove the others until a full week, purely on principal......

Till Next Time (where I'll still be wearing these!)
FluffyCandy
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