Stylfile from The Winner of The Apprentice

Last year I loved how beauty orientated The Apprentice was with Susie Ma's skin care range Tropic and in the last episode, we find out the that winner Tom Pellereau had previously designed nail files.

As Tom's Stylfile range is due to launch is selected stores this Spring I was sent a couple to test out for you.

I admit that when they were talked about on the show I didn't really get how an S shaped file or buffer would ease the process. However I am completely sold on the nail buffer. The movement round the nail with the S-Buffer means that you shine all of the nail compared to their traditional counterparts where my nail edges tend to be forgotten and un-loved.

I seem to constantly be buying nail files and never seem to have one when I snag a nail and really need one. Tom has also helped me out on this little life drama with the Emergency File, a mini nail file and buffer in his trade mark S shape wrapped in a girlie pink spiral casing on a key ring. This means that you can happily throw it in your hand bag without worrying that you glasses, iPhone, mulberry purse etc will get damaged. Phew.

The S-buffer (£4.99) S-file (£4.49) and Emergency file (£4.49) will be available from selected Sainsbury's, Sally Beauty, Lloyds Pharmacy, Boots and local Pharmacies in the coming months.

Nails of the day: Beauty UK Moonshine

Wedding season is now in full flow, with last weekend being no exception. Whilst I enjoy a good nuptial celebration, it does take up my Friday nights with intense preening ready to look my best for the happy couple's big day. (Lord knows what I'll be like on August 3rd!)

Posing with Mr blogmebeautiful at Phil and Dani's stunning wedding

One of my essential pre-wedding preparations is popping some polish on my nails, it instantly adds a little glamour to your look and shows you've made an effort! I was planning on wearing a blue/grey and white strappy number which influences my choice of nail shades, but decided that March might be a little early to get the shoulders out and went for this cream and black Ted Baker faithful.

When I started brushing it on my nails I thought it was overly glittery and sparkly, but as it dried it left my nails with a blue-silver opaque shade with a subtle shimmer.

This is the first time I'd used a polish by Beauty UK and I've been impressed. Two coats gave a complete coverage and 3 days later it is only just started to flake. Not bad for a polish under £3.50! Moonstone is part of their new Gemstone collection comprising of metallic pastel shades. I've got another to try, so I'll keep you posted! You can find these polishes directly at Beauty UK or from Superdrug.

OXY Seaweed Power

When you think of OXY I immediately think of spot-prone teenage skin, so I was slightly unsure when I was asked to try out their Seaweed Power range. Although I left my teens nearly a decade ago I am still prone to the odd breakout and as OXY claim the face wash and moisturiser is proven to reduce the number of spots in 48 hours, I decided to give it ago.

Containing jojoba micro beads, the Fresh Skin Wash is gently exfoliating and removing all traces of make-up leaves your skin feeling totally clean, but doesn't strip all of the natural moisture in your skin, which some anti-spot face washes can you. The product is also really thick and feels much more luxurious than I was expecting. (£5.99/100ml but currently only £2.99 at Superdrug!) The range also includes the Clear Pore Exfoliant which is really gritty, scrubbing away dead skin cells and cleaning out your pores.

The Deep Calm Balm is a much richer than I was expecting for an anti-spot moisturiser, leaving my skin fully hydrated and super soft (£5.99/50ml).

My favourite product in the range is the Emergency Spot Treatment Gel (£6.99/10ml). This tiny tube is a handbag essential as as soon as you find a blemish arriving you can zap it with the gel which reduces its size and redness within a  few hours, keeping your complexion picture-perfect.

Nails of the day No7 So Simple and George Jackpot

Saturday evening was a ladies dinner night at Mr blogmebeautiful's officer's mess, being a black tie affair I decided to sparkle up my nails. However, glittery nails can look a little naff sometimes so I went for a classier option by popping it over a nude base. 

Base is No 7 Stay Perfect in So Simple

With George's Jackpot over the top

Close up

Next to the rock!

I really like So Simple by No 7, it looks great with or without the sparkly top coat, although I had to pop on three coats to get the opaque look I was after. Having a £5 No 7 voucher was perfect as it came in at a bargainous £2, and Asda's George is always within budget at £1.75 for Jackpot.

Nails of the day: Revlon Frostiest Pink

This weekend was the first of many wedding this year (including my own!) so it gave me a chance to try out one of my possible W-day nail shades. This option is Revlon's Frostiest Pink which is really subtle pretty pink with a pearly shimmer.

It's pale and translucent if you apply one of two coats, but to build to the opaque shade you need three or four layers. I also think it went really well with my outfit choice for my friend's big day (Karen Millen's Autumn Winter 2010 Collection).

 

Revlon's Frostiest Pink is £6.49/14ml (Boots are currently running a deal with two of Revlon's Nail Enamels for £10 click here for details)

Benefit They're Real Mascara

Beauty editors went nuts over Benefit's They're Real Mascara a good few months ago, however, I've only just got round to trying it. My Boots points have reached the £20 and I could save them no longer.

The wand is cleverly designed to catch even your smallest lashes and I found with a few strokes I created the false lash look Benefit alluded to.

before and after in one shot!

all mascara-ed up

 I haven't had any problems with clumping or smudging as the formula clings to my lashes tightly. However, this also gives the products its only downfall, I do find it trickier to remove than other mascaras. My more sensitive cleansers have struggled, requiring a more robust face wash, which isn't ideal around the eye area. So maybe I'll use it when I want more striking lashes rather than everyday.

As you'd expect from Benefit its not the cheapest mascara out there (£18.50/8.5g) but think of the cash you'll save in false lashes!

Available from Boots and Feel Unique (£18.50) among others.

Nails of the day: Barry M Peach Melba and Shellac

This weekend was the hen party for the gorgeous future Mrs Sands and to celebrate we headed to the Pottery Cafe in Richmond. Before getting creative on the crockery I noticed that all of the girls had got all girlie and painting their nails - there wasn't a naked nail in the room!

engrossed in the pottery painting!

I had opted for Barry M's new shade: Peach Melba (£2.99) As I am currently obsessed with anything pastel (who isn't?) and peachy corals are my go-to-summer nail shade it is my of-the-moment favourite. But with so many of the pastel colours I needed 3 coats to get full coverage.

Many of the girls were loving the Shellac and with 2 weeks chip resistance its easy to see why. My stunning university friend Lara had nailed the party vibe with Shellac's light gold rockstar, I love the glitter! 

Nails of the day Barry M Mint Green

In my quest to welcome in the Spring, no matter what the weather outside, my talons have been donning some fresh shades since March arrived. I spotted this beauty on a post work shopping trip and as Barry M were running a promotion at Boots (buy 2 nail shades and get £1 off) it seemed rude not to take advantage.

I love ice-cream pastel shades but do sometimes worry that they are a bit teeny-bopper but I think that there is enough depth to this colour for me to get a way with it.

This sugary-sweet polish does need a good few coats (I used three) to get full coverage but as it dries nice and quickly it isn't too onourous to apply and gives a shiny finish so you can get away with no top coat.

Barry M Nail Paint is £2.99/10ml at Boots and other stores.

Clinique Almost Spring

I love hitting town when a new season comes in, and the biggest difference has to be between winter and spring. The fresh colours breath life back it to the dark blanket that has been covering the rails since September.

I get same new season satisfaction from the beauty counters with Clinique's new 'Almost Spring' offerings being a perfect example.

The range kicks off with some gorgeous Almost Lipsticks (£16) the super sheer stick adds a hint of colour whist allowing your natural lip colour to come through, giving you a unique shade to your lips whilst leaving them beautifully moisturised. I am a MASSIVE fan of 'Shy Honey' which has been gracing my handbag since popping through the door.

Left to right: spicy honey, tender honey and shy honey

I also love their Quickliner for Eyes Intense (£13.50) which is really creamy and easy to apply. Flick across your lash lines for a bolder look, or go sultry and smudge with the blender. The coloured shades are dark enough not to be obvious but can be used to help bring out the colour of your eyes, or go traditional with the classic Intense Black.

The collection also includes a limited edition Blushwear Cream Stick (£21), Moisture Surge Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15 (£21) and Naturally Glossy Mascara (£15) which I haven't tried yet, but the cream blusher looks gorgeous!

Revlon Posh Pink Nails

A few weeks ago I was slightly over enthusiastic with the vegetable peeler and managed to lose half my thumb nail. Yuck. This morning I decided that it had grown back enough to done some varnish once again.

So to celebrate I have popped on one of my favourite spring shades, Revlon's Posh Pink (£6.49 at Boots). It's a gorgeous girlie colour that's bright enough to notice but not too standout to take over your look.

No7 Floral Brights Limited Collection

Entering into March with the weather warming up I am waving goodbye to winter and welcoming spring into my life. No 7 have teamed up with the internationally renowned make up artist Lisa Eldridge to release a limited edition collection of Floral Brights.

I attended the launch event back in October where I meet the gorgeous Lisa and chatted about the new range whist having afternoon tea.

Afternoon tea and make up. Heaven.

I want the No 7 bedroom...

Whist nibbling our scones, the lovely Lisa told me "The spring collection showcases a bright new twist to the barely-there make up look that refuses to go out of fashion" which is certainly true of my favourite product of the launch, the Vital Brightening Eye Palette which is shaped as a gorgeous flower, featuring four nudes, pinks and brown teamed with a bright yellow colour pop, perfect for adorning the inner corners of your eyes for a straight off the Spring 2012 runways! Although the yellow looks super bright, it is much tamer after application, but if you're feeling daring you can layer up (£13).

The collection also features treats for your cheeks with two shades of cream blushers (£10). I recommend blending the Blooming Pink shade into the apples of your cheeks for an injection of colour and then sweeping the Vital Enlightening Highlighter (£13) across your cheekbones. The highlighter powder has peachy undertones which adds a youthful glow to the complexion.

The final touch to a fresh spring look must be gorgeous pink lips, as Lisa tells us "This pretty pink blows the cobwebs away and breaths life and energy into the face in an instant." Yes please! (£10)

Top: Blooming Pink Bottom: Blossoming Pink

And to finish it off the compacts are in the cutest compacts covered in florals which will look super pretty in any makeup bag. Hurry though as the collection is only available until 6th March and there is currently a 3 for 2 offer on all Boots No 7 products.

The collection, available exclusively at Boots.