Time Travel

Remember when people used to get dressed up in their Sunday best whenever they went travelling? No? Me neither.

I feel like I missed out on that era though; like I was born in the wrong time. All those pictures of 1950'50/60's nuclear families: the kids in knee-high socks and saddle shoes, mom in her tweed skirt suit and matching pill box hat... *sigh* Dressing for travel always gives the impression of going someplace better, never knowing who you'll bump into.

It seems like a dying art form. Now we're all about yoga pants and whichever recreation of leggings/jeggings/treggings that we had on hand. Although there are a few people who manage airport-glam very well. Celebrities mainly, but there's always THAT woman at the check-in looking impossibly chic in her designer jeans and blazer making everyone in the place feel extremely bourgeois.

Anyway I'm off on a little train journey with both my little ones tomorrow and was thinking I may just put in the effort that families used to do in bygone times...and then I pictured myself tripping over my heels and getting the pushchair stuck in the "gap" whilst simultaneously losing the favourite teddy and I've gone 360 back to jeans, tee and high tops. I'll leave the glam to the big guns and just go cute mum instead. Yup.

See you at the station. x

Best Bitches x

Remember in the 90's when you shared "best friend" necklaces with the little hearts broken in two (or three)? I loved those. I mean, how many did you have? Honestly? We used to get ours at Claire's in the mall, and I'm sure I got through a few.

I have now found the grown-up version. They're on Etsy and they are completely awesome!!

I came across them completely by accident while browsing Etsy one day. I knew I wanted to get my besties (mwah! Love ya buddies! xxx) and I some matching jewellery, but I was thinking more along the lines of friendship bracelets (we got those as well  at a stall at Farm Festival for my 30th Bday, so it all worked out!) but I wasn't expecting these.

"Best Bitches".

Could not have said it better. I knew they'd be perfect so I ordered them four months in advance of Christmas (no I'm not really that organized, just didn't want to wait!) from "Ouroboros Designs LA" on Etsy (shop here: OroborosDesign'msLA ). 

Tara is the shop owner and she could not have been more kind and obliging if she were Mary freaking Poppins! Especially as I was fussy about the postage and packaging and changed my mind on order dates about three times...she kindly looked past all of that and still provided me with awesome personal service and friendliness! 

She makes all of her pieces by hand, many of which are made to order, and can even make bespoke pieces should you so wish. The prices were reasonable and the quality excellent! I've been wearing mine since New Year's Eve when I bestowed the broken heart upon my best friends. 

Tara also creates beautiful Native American inspired pieces and charming woodland creatures. I like the look of the Art Deco rings and earrings, and the black diamond ankh ring. 

Deco-Tribe earrings

I had a really cool shopping experience with Tara and Ouroboros Designs and I'm loving the necklace like crazy! I feel a huge trend stemming so go and get your best bitches their nametags!

Find Tara at: www.etsy.com/shop/OuroborosDesignsLA

And on Twitter: @OuroborosLA

perfect 10

I love painting my nails. I wish I had more time to paint them more often but it's almost a no-go these days with two little monkeys running around! And going to the salon to have it done? Like a beautiful, rare, now extinct creature. Gone for good (or at least until they start school).
Before I broke up with full-time nail painting I perfected the art of the perfect brushstroke by carefully observing my beauty therapist's technique during manicures. I will share with you what I have gleaned.
Here's what you'll need:

I'm using Barry.M gelly nail paint in "Greenberry". I absolutely LOVE Barry.M nail polishes! Love!! They have the best variety of the coolest colours..and the all-in-one top/bascoat is the best I've ever used. I switched for a while, kind of before I realized how devoted I was. I ran out and decided to try another brand (a more expensive brand, might I add!). Fail! I bought another Barry.M clear coat without using the "other" clear coat ever again, and I haven't looked back.

So we have a base/topcoat, nail polish in a colour of your choosing, some trusty cuticle oil as well as polish remover and a q-tip.

First you gotta shake the sh*t outta your polishes. I like to do it with one in each hand to save time. Pow. You need clean, dry and UN-moisturized hands (obvs, but hey, gotta say it!). Painting on top of oil or cream will make the paint go all weird and wiggly and it won't stick to the nails. I am constantly using hand cream during winter so I had to consciously stop myself putting it on about for 30 minutes before this mani! Now a base coat. This helps the colour stick to the nail but also prevents staining.

I always paint right to left and leave my thumbs for last. In my mind it seems to make sense and I smudge less using this method.

 TIP: Don't start a nail job too close to bedtime. Your nails will be tacky for at least four hours (!) and will be all crisscrossed and smudged in the morning. Boo.

When the base coat is nice and dry, it's time for colour! Wipe the brush so you have a decent amount of paint on it, but it's not dripping down the brush. You only need 3 strokes to cover the whole nail. Do not be tempted to do more! This keeps the polish even and smooth and shiny! The only exception to this rule is possibly the thumbnail as it's a bigger nail. Start at the centre of the nail and push the brush flat before you stroke up and away along the nail. Make sure you don't go too close to the cuticle; you want to create a line of polish that follows the cuticle but doesn't touch it. This is what gives your mani a professional look.

Middle stroke first..

Now repeat this stroke on the left side of the nail by overlapping your first stroke. This will build coverage ready for the second coat.

Repeat again by overlapping on the right side of your nail, like so:

Push the brush down gently as you polish to get a thin even coat, and leave a space between the edge of your finger and your paint. This creates a nice clean line and minimizes the amount of polish around the edges of the nail. Wait 1-2 minutes before polishing your other hand. The first coat will look a little thin. Don't worry about any patchy bits; they'll get cleaned up in coat #2!

Here's what the first coat will look like.

Once you have finished the first coat on both hands and given a few minutes to dry, it's time for coat number 2! Repeat the method above, using three strokes to apply your second coat. You can use a bit more polish for this coat to smooth out anywhere that looks a little thin, but stick to the 3 strokes! That is the key here.

Uno

Dos

Tres

Once you have finished your second d coat, relax for a few minutes (good luck if you've got kids around!!) and don't touch anything! You don't want to ruin all your hard work so far. Next, top off your colour with a clear topcoat, being sure to paint up and over the tops of your nail to seal on the paint and prevent chips.

I managed to finish all my nails without smudging or bumping the skin around; this time! If you were not so lucky, this is where your cotton bud and polish remover come in. Use a tiny bit of remover on the q-tip; do not soak it! If it's too wet the liquid will drip into the nail bed and ruin your manicure! A tiny bit will work. Scrape off any booboos you made while polishing and just let the liquid dry on its own. Once your nails have completely dried you can wash off any residue and properly moisturize again.

Now finish off by brushing oil along your cuticles and let dry some more. Nail painting is a waiting game. If you are not patient it ain't gonna happen! For the perfect finish don't do ANYTHING for at least an hour! Have your phone/tablet next to you or the telly turned on BEFORE you start so you don't have to dig around in your bag or in the couch for the remote! The longer you leave 'em drying, the longer they'll last. If I do a really good job I can get a week out of one colour which i could say the same about any professional main I've had done.

I would like to mention that I did not give myself a proper manicure before polishing, so if my dry cuticles offend you, well, sorry. I would recommend giving your hands a proper once over before polishing, but as a busy mama even managing to get polish on is a bloody miracle sometimes! I will cover a hand scrub and buff on StyleSurround some time, but as this is the last post in my first ever Beauty series, it's gon hafta wait! So here they are, finished product. Hope this helps you get a better finish on your nails!

If you think you might like to see this in a video, please let me know (and I'll consider it!) ;)

Adios!

Makeup Review: "B." exclusive to Superdrug

I was shopping for an all-important eyebrow pencil yesterday when I came across the B. range at Superdrug. The prices were super reasonable and upon closer inspection it turns out to be cruelty-free and vegan! (I don't think you're meant to eat it, no.)

I purchased the "B. Groomed eyebrow kit" in 006 blonde. It has a pencil tip, a wax tip and an eyebrow brush and it was on offer for £2.19 from £4.19. Bargainous, don't you think? Being the price it was I felt no qualms in also bringing home the "B. All mascara" in 001 Black for £4.99 from £9.99. I go through tons of mascara so I almost always need a backup.

I tried the wax before pencilling in the first eyebrow but felt the pencil didn't stick to the skin, rather it slipped off and didn't leave enough of a mark- this may be because of my inexcusable lack of actual eyebrow hair though. My eyebrow products need to work HARD as I actually have to recreate the whole thing and try and make them it look at least ssupernatural. If you have a decent natural eyebrow that needs only a little correcting and the hairs taming I think this would really work for you! That said the colour is really nice, it's hard to find blonde coloured pencils that actually draw on blonde and not brown!

soft n' natural

The B.All mascara I really like! I find so many inexpensive brands so disappointing. I usually end up spending on two or three mascaras the same as if I'd bought one mid-in range tube in the first place! It took five or six coats to get the volume and coverage I like, but that's the same with most high street brands for me. This one is def a keeper!

For me, this is pretty thick! I have fairly sad eyelashes as well as eyebrows so am continuously on the hunt for good products in this area!

I'm very happy with the discovery of this makeup range, and can't wait to get my hands on more while at these crazy good prices! The packaging is slick and not too "brandy", and even though it's not a designer brand I'd  have no shame if anyone was to see it in my makeup bag! I noticed some beautiful eyeshadow palettes and the nail colours look really pretty too..a new high street go-to?

Have you tried any of the B. range at Superdrug? Tweet me your thoughts! @LCseriously #B.forbeautiful

Shop the range at Superdrug B. for Beautiful .

one step ahead

The days are finally getting a teeny bit longer and I'm already dreaming of summer. Alongside these dreams is the overwhelming urge to start body prepping for those long, warm, flesh-baring days ahead. Let's start with toes:

If you haven't already, take off your toenail polish! I usually take mine off end of October, as no-one is going to see them except my husband and possibly my football friends in the change room; in neither of these instances does it matter as neither care what my toes look like. You now have a chance to grow out any staining (fan of red polish anyone??) and it gives you a chance to see the state of the nail so you can guide it into the shape you want as it grows.

If your nails are short, let them grow for 3-4 weeks before trimming them, depending on your rate of growth. Follow the natural shape of the nail and gently file any sharp edges after clipping. Don't trim too far back but neither should you let them grow longer than the end of your toes. Once you are happy with the length and shape, leave them alone for another couple of weeks!

Tonight before you go to bed get out your trusty pot of Vaseline and slap that stuff all over your feet. Rub it in to the corners that are especially bark-like, then slap on another layer. I always rub it into my hands as well; two birds with one stone and all that. Now for weirdness: clingfilm each foot before putting on socks for bed. This helps the goop soak into your foot instead of your sock.

Mmm attractive...

Tomorrow morning before you get in the shower, remove wrapping and using a foot file or pumice stone, file your heels, toes, and any other bits on your feet that need buffing! Use the file while it's dry and you'll slough off twice as much, twice as fast. (Make sure you are giving your file or stone a wash with antibacterial soap when you're done to prevent any gribblies growing on there.)

Once you're in the shower use a foot or body scrub on the whole foot and even the calf and lower leg while you're there - I like the Soap & Glory range of scrubs; they're nice and coarse and I feel like they actually make my skin soft. But if you don't have one already just use a handful of coarse sea salt or granulated sugar for each foot! Use a foot cream or a yummy-smelling body butter on your feet before you dress.

Try and do the Vaseline, file and scrub at least once a week between now and Daylight Savings Time and you'll have super soft and shiny footsies, ready for display. Once it's warm enough for your feet to be out facing the elements, you may want to scrub more often, especially before and after any sandy days out or holidays, as feet really take a beating then!

To get stains out of your toenails, soak your feet in warm water with a whole lemon squeezed in. I like to add baby oil as this helps counteract the drying effects of lemon on the skin. You can also use a whitening toothpaste. Just keep your old toothbrush, use a pea sized amount per each set of toes and brush each nail until frothy. As a bi-product both methods make your toes smell nice! Make sure you give your feet a wash afterwards to rinse any leftover product (or fruit) residue and moisturize to keep them soft.

On top of all this try to use a cuticle oil once a day. It's a good habit to have for fingers and toes; although I usually forget until I do the soak and scrub..oops! BUT some is better than none in the long run. The saying "summer bodies are made in winter" applies to beauty as well as fitness; put in a bit of prep now and you'll be sashaying along the seaside with a bag full of body confidence come summer.
xxx

grapefruit scalp treatment

I found this one on themotherhuddle.com and the author seemed to be a recent beauty student which made the recipe seem more legit somehow. Basically I was a little wary after my experience with the bananas *yuck*.

The recipe called for coconut oil but I substituted with olive oil. I know these are not the same but I can't quite justify spending six quid on a little pot of gunk; I'm bringing myself around to the idea, but I'm not there yet. ANYWAY here's the recipe that I used:

4tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp grapefruit juice (I just squeezed the fruits into the measuring spoon)
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 drops teatree oil

The original method suggests using a brush to apply to the roots before massaging; I'm assuming it's because all of the citrus might sting your hands and dry out the cuticles. Since I used olive oil the consistency was a bit runny and would've taken an AGE to apply with the tiny brush I've got, so I just slipped on some gloves left over from a box of hair colour instead (gasp, yes, I colour my hair at home). I gave my scalp a massage for about two minute, rubbed the mixture into the ends of my hair and clipped it up.

The blog I read said to leave it on for 20 minutes, then wash and condition as usual. I got properly stuck in to a game of Covet Fashion on my Kindle and subsequently left it on for 30. It took a lot of rinsing to get the oil out, and a very vigorous wash, but I didn't need as much conditioner as usual, and now next day my hair is really soft! If you have naturally oily hair, you might want to leave it on for less time or maybe wash twice before conditioning.

This is meant to be a scalp treatment to help clear any product residue and build-up, so keep in mind if you have sensitive skin and maybe try a skin test 24 hours ahead of time to rule out any reactions! If he lets me I might give this a try on my husband's head as he's a committed head-shaver and I think this would make a big difference to his scalp health! I'll let you know if it happens ;)

Leave your feedback or treatment recipes below or on facebook.com/StyleSurround

Enjoy your healthy head! xx

Amy's Beauty Must-Haves

Amy Hamilton and I met 8 years ago at a Cancer Research UK charity shop which she was managing at the time. She has since opened her own impossibly hip vintage store, Rhubarb Jumble, in Bristol. She's a humanitarian eco-warrior with a deeply awesome sense of personal style. I've always known of her love affair with beauty products so I asked her to share her top picks with Style Surround. Here's what she said:

As Laura knows, I like my products although I'm a lot more frugal these days so I invest wisely.

I'm not too fussy with what I wash my face with, (any face wash that doesn't have microbeads in them as I heard they are bad for the environment because they never break down).

I always use oil of Olay moisturiser- cheap and cheerful! I just love Laura Mercier primer and tinted moisturiser, it lasts for ages and has excellent lightweight coverage, so is worth the investment. I've used it for about 7 years and have never been tempted to stray!
Laura Mercier primer

Max factor do a great imitation 'touché éclat' which is so reasonable and often on 3 for 2 offers! I generally think number 7/ maybeline mascara is great and well priced. I love Benefit blushed in Dandelion, and that's me!
Benefit Dandelion Blush

I really like luxurious shower gels, like Molton brown and l'occitane but don't use them all the time. l'occitane have a range in lemon verbena which is just lovely; fresh citrusy and clean smelling! I have the perfume...shower gel...and body lotion!

l'occitane Lemon Verbana

 I also love Jo Malone perfume in Earl grey and cucumber (it's the only perfume Malx has ever commented on me wearing!)
Jo Malone Earl Grey and Cucumber 

During the summer, I would really recommend Ambre Solaire gradual tanning body lotion, it doesn't smell, moisturises well and gives a really even natural coverage, even for my pasty skin!

My hair is really fine and I've recently discovered l'Oreal fibrology thickening shampoo and conditioner, I think it actually works (although I hate l'Oreal as I'm not impressed with their attitude towards animal testing, so I buy with a bit of guilt).

Hope that's enough..I could go on!

Go and say hi to Amy at Rhubarb Jumble in Bristol; you'll get a face full of vintage fashion and quirky finds in store, plus Amy is just really nice to chat to. xx