The Sunday Manicure - Three Product Staples

If my nails are not looking tip top, then you know I'm either A: unwell or B: temporarily parted from my nail product stash. The rest of the time I make sure they are primped, primed and polished - literally. I genuinely do this routine roughly once a week, usually on a Sunday and I can honestly say that I enjoy every minute of it. I've said it before and I'll say it again, 'nail time' for me is like therapy. It sounds a little dramatic, but it's true! So, today I thought I would introduce you to three nail product staples that I will definitely be repurchasing for the foreseeable future.

Step one in my routine and key to keeping my nails looking healthy and in a neat condition - Sally Hanson Instant Cuticle Remover. This stuff works Fast. Pop it on, wait just 15 seconds, then gently push back your cuticles (with a tool obviously) and voilà you're done. Just make sure that you wash your nails properly to get any remaining residue off. This stuff is also strong and I can imagine it doing a lot of damage if it is not used correctly.

The nail strengthener and base coat in one? Well, that would be the OPI Nail Envy - in Original to be exact. I love this polish and you can find a full review here if you want to check that out! It dries quickly, I usually use two coats and I've been using it for about 2 years now, which says it all really.

Lastly, I bring you the 'perfect polish' and this comes in the form of Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Polish - FYI, I'm wearing the shade Raspberry in the photo above. Yes this part of my post is a little bit more bias - if you're an avid reader of my blog then you will be aware that I praise this polish at every chance I get - but I do genuinely love it (you can find my full review here). Great price, great quality and great colours. Seriously, what's not to love?!

What are your nail product staples?

The Sunday Manicure - Deep Plum 'Glitter Bomb'

As I haven't shared a manicure post before - which is actually shocking as I always have my nails painted - I thought it was about time that I did. As we are unfortunately heading into the winter season *long sigh* I decided that if you can't embrace vampy nails now, then when can you?! The nails polishes of choice - Barry M Hi Shine Gel Effect in Deep Plum and Technic Polish in Mad Alice (which cost only 99p! at Bodycare). I'm not sure if the latter is actually a dupe of a more high end polish? I say this as I own a fair few and they are usually a cheaper replica of an OPI polish. Anyway, they are both stunning and as always I just cannot fault the Barry M gelly polishes. I'm seriously going to end up owning the entire range - woops. I've done a pervious post on the range here if you want to read my initial swooning.

Mad Alice is a beautiful purple based polish which also houses glitter flecks that come in different colours and sizes. It manages to compliment the deep plum base, whilst also adding that little somethin' which really makes my nails stand out from the crowd. I also think that this combination has a very salon-esque finish, which is great for when your after a very sleek and polished look. This type of manicure also usually attracts a lot of attention, which is a godsend when your trying to distract from a certain feature - aka my horrendous skin at the moment! - More about that in a later post...

Apologises for the poor quality photos! Note to self: Don't attempt to take photos in the evening...

Nail Envy - Barry M Hi-Shine Gel Effect

Painting my nails is one of my favourite things to do when relaxing. Its almost like therapy for me and for this reason I like to indulge in a regular nail 'session'. Although I would love to splurge on regular salon manicures, it just isn't practical and to be honest it would be a waste of money. Especially as the quality of the majority of high street nail polishes is so spot on, Barry M is particularly bringin' it at the moment.

I love the new Hi Shine Gel Effect range and I admit, I do own a fair few. They are so long lasting and give a shellac looking finish, which I just can't get enough off. My favourite colours so far have to be 'Blood Orange' which I would describe as more of a red than a true orange, 'Prickly Pear' which is a perfect pastel lilac, Blue Grape which is the best Nails Inc. 'Baker Street' dupe I've come across and 'Satsuma' which is a bright orange that just completes an outfit and would look incredible with a tan.

I want have to purchase some more... Blueberry, Passion Fruit, Plum and Mango, you're up next!