Trying My Hand At DIY Nail Art Posted by Unknown |

I read this week that it's just not acceptable to have tatty nails anymore, even if you're British. Ever. Not the best news I've heard of late. I'm partial to a bit of nail polish and LOVE the results of a professional manicure but I just don't do it that often. Which is probably why the whole nail art thing has pretty much passed me by. Just not been that interested really, while the rest of the world goes mad for it. Then I saw Zoe Deschanel's cute retro film nails on the Golden Globes mani-cam and then I was sent these nail art tattoos to try out. So my appetite was whetted. And yes, I think, I'm beginning to get it. It's fun, looks cute and makes you feel like you've stepped into the world of ladies who take care of their nails, which must make you a lady, obviously a secret lifetime goal of mine ;) Apologies for the rubbish polish application – I can paint my nails well enough to be viewed from a distance, not close up. But I did like sticking on the various birds, hearts, stars and crosses. I did a basic nail and cuticle shape and hand moisture with my tools below. Then a few coats of polish, then I used the supplied tweezers (forgot to photograph them) to apply the tattoos. I finished with a coat of clear polish on top to keep them stuck down. LOVE the stars, and I think I like tonight's no-polish with tattoos the best. What about you? How often do you get your nails done? Is nail art just for special occasions?

Nail Art Tattoos available from Boots. 

How To DIY A Wash-Out Dip Dye Sock Bun Posted by Unknown |

Ok, I'm really the last person who should be doing a hair post. I never wear my hair down, I rarely brush it, only occasionally wash it... My everyday strategy is to create a scraped back messy scarecrow bun that just about passes my own personal standards, probably not the rest of the world's. However, since I was a teenager, when I first cut my hair short, I have been mad about hair colour – from white blonde, harlequin purple & red to every type of highlight, I pretty much did it all – except, what with growing my hair long so I wouldn't have to colour it while pregnant, I totally missed out on the dip dye fad. And that really bugs me, so much so that I'm considering getting it done for real, real soon. But in the meantime, I thought I'd try these Colour Xtreme Hair Art sprays (samples kindly sent – thankyou!). I won't lie, I wouldn't say the results were amazing. I tried the red, then the black. I think you really need lighter hair for the colour to really take, in which case I would totally go for pink or mix red and white as this, for me, is by far the coolest dip dye look. But still it was fun, and I quite like the results. Fyi I sprayed the ends with a towel around my shoulder, then I pony-tailed, rolled on my cut-off sock, tucked in my hair, pinned and added an elastic band around it all. Then I sprayed some more. It feels like a really heavy hairspray, so quite stiff – as if my hair wasn't birds nesty enough :) I'm thinking a couple of shampoos to wash out. If you want a more visual guide on how to do a sock bun, check out this video tutorial by Beauty Woo Me.

Available from Boots £2.99