Review: Gelish Manicure

A friend of mine is trained in a beauty treatments, so i decided to try something new before a week away, and booked in with her to have a spray tan and Gelish manicure. i was heading to a festival, and i cannot bear to have chipped nails, so i figured getting this type of manicure would ensure that i have chip free nails for my time away.

So what is a Gelish manicure? Well many of you have probably heard of Shellac, known as being a two week manicure. this polish is put on by a professional (although i believe they now make a home kit) and is supposed to last 2 weeks chip free- obviously ideal for holidays. Gelish is a similar thing, a gel based nail varnish cured under a UV lamp, but from reading reviews Gelish is supposed to last a little longer, with most people saying that it has lasted them 3 weeks.

Gelish manicures also slightly strengthen your nails- BONUS!

Now i wasn't hoping for a miracle, with a week camping i was just hoping that my manicure would last me till the end of my festival. But i have to say i was blown away with the results of the manicure.

I opted for a bright orangey pink, and had a shimmery top coat put on top. This is what my nails looked like afterwards- the polish is dry after a few minutes under the UV lamp, so no sitting around waiting, and no chance of smudging! 

I loved the fact that my nails looked so glossy afterwards, the Gelish gives a high shine effect.

This is what my nails looked like after 4 weeks. I was totally amazed.

During the 4 weeks, i spent a week at a festival, 2 weeks at work as a receptionist (which KILLS my nails) and a week and a bit of working in London at an internship. I wasn't particularly careful with my nails, i treated them as usual, not even using gloves to wash up or anything so i was stunned that they lasted so long.

I paid £14 for my manicure, so it was well worth it, i have previously paid double that for a regular polish manicure!

i highly recommend Gelish, and will definitely be going back to have it done again!

*Update*

After the success of my Gelish manicure, i booked both me and my mum in for a Gelish as a birthday surprise (as well as matching spray tans)

These are our nails, i chose a bubblegum blue with the shimmer topcoat while my mum chose a raspberry colour with glitter.

Has anyone else tried Gelish? What did you think?

Kayla xxx

Style Crush : Keira Knightley

I have always been a huge fan of Keira Knightley, i idolize her looks, and how she holds herself in the public eye. She knows when to remain private, and how to stay well known without being seen as a celebrity.

She has recently got married, and in a contrast to many celebrity weddings, it was all completed under the radar, even the guests did not know about the ceremony until the last minute. Instead of a dress costing thousands of pounds, she wore a simple white dress that she had previously worn to a celebrity event years before. The few photos that have surfaced of her wedding, look beautiful. She looks her usual, effortlessly chic (no doubt having a low key wedding has reduced her stress levels!) 

I believe she is someone to admire, and i know i would rather my future children look up to someone like her, than celebrities from reality TV or diva pop stars.

On a personal note i really admire the way that she has refused to change how she looks to make her more Hollywood  She has been plagued with constant rumors of an eating disorder due to her natural slender frame, something i can relate to. YES she is super skinny, but as pictures show, she has always been that way, its her natural shape. I always find it unfair when people make up stories and do not consider how it makes the person feel. I also think it is unfair when people call naturally skinny people 'too skinny'. I suffer from this and i cant tell, you how much it hurts to hear ' oh you are far too skinny, you need to put on some weight, it doesn't look good.' If i was not eating to look this weight- then fair enough, but the truth is, this is my natural form!  So basically you are saying i am naturally awful looking. Also i find it funny that its ok to call someone too skinny, yet most of us would consider it rude to go up to someone and tell them that they are too fat! 

Keira has also refused to have breast implants or any other surgery to further her career, and this seems rare in todays society!

Anyway, as well as all of this, she always dresses impeccably! These are just a few of my favourite Keira moments.

I love this whimsical look, it reminds me of A Midsummer Nights Dream

Luxurious red silk for Chanel

Looking beautiful and carefree on her wedding day

At a premiere

I want this outfit so bad, very cute, in Vogue

Green silk dress worn in Atonement

Beautiful rich purple

White grecian column dress

This dress was later auctioned off for charity

Who is your stle crush?

Kayla xxx

Downton Abbey Fashion

So it has been announced that a clothing, beauty and home wear range is to be made, by the creators of Downton Abbey. It is to be sold both in the UK and in America, as the show is increasing in popularity in the states as well as here.

Im not sure what to expect from the range, hopefully the beauty range will feature light powders for those of us with super pale skin like the characters, in decadent packaging. Im also hoping for beautiful hair accessories, and lots of lace and chiffon blouses. Im hoping it is a fashion range and not just a replication of the costumes, which may be hard to style!

What do you think, would you buy something from the range?

Kayla xxx

Air hostess.... I like the way you dress

I always fancied myself as an air hostess- travelling the world, seeing the sights, and i have always admired the appearance of air hostesses, always polished.

'Trolly dollies' are known for their good looks and smart appearance, so really i wasnt at all suprised to hear that Richard Branson has asked a top designer to create the new uniforms for the Virgin Air Stewards and Stewardesses. I was however auprised that said designer would be Vivienne Westwood!   With th uniforms usually quite simple and plain, i wasnt sure how this would remain with Vivienne Westwood in charge of the designs. That said, i forgot to consider her incredible knowledge of tailoring  and form.

The collaboration between the 2 british brands is sqid to be a longterm thing.... Suddenly im wondering if i should become an air hostess after all! 

The designs i have to say are lovely. There are indications that they are influenced by the 1940's, and of course they are beautifully tailored. The women are dressed in a red suit, while the men wear a burgandy 3 piece suit

The new uniforms are said to be introduced this month

What do you think of them? 

Kayla xxx