Nail art in a patriotic style

This year has such been a homage to us Brits!

As well as the Jubilee, Euro 2012 and of course the upcoming Olympics we're all readily cheering on our wonderful country.

This nail art design consists of three colours, white, red and blue. To begin paint your nails entirely white, repainting if there's any gaps. Once dry apply a stripe of red down the middle of your nail followed by a blue on each corner.

The result is a stripey affect that will really help you fit in during this summer of sport!

Rimmel Traffic Stopping Shadow in Sharp Turn

The new collection of eyeshadows from Rimmel offer a selection of three eyeshadows in a simple plastic container with a applicator brush. Sharp Turn is a set of blue, black and pink with a guide of 1,2,3 in which you apply each colour.

The order of colours was mapped out clearly with a number representing each colour on the back of the eyeshadow. I applied the light blue to my lid, the black up to my brow arch and the pink near the corner of my eyes.

The blue eyeshadow went on okay but it seemed to fade a little near the corners of my eyes. The black didn't go on so well and I felt it was a bit smudged which is not a good look. Finally the pink just didn't really fit in with the palette of colours in my honest opinion. I think perhaps Rimmel could rethink this and keep it to a blue/pink colour palette.

The eyeshadow is quite longlasting and was still in place later in the evening. You can buy this eyeshadow from all good cosmetic drugstores and supermarkets.

Due to the slightly odd mix of colours and a few issues with the black not settling properly I'd give it a 2.5/5

Advantages

• You get three colours for one price, you can wear them all together as intended or alone
• The eyeshadow is long lasting
• Comes with a handy applicator brush

Disadvantages

• Black colour didn't settle too well
• Not sure the pink went so well with the colour scheme and did not fit in on the corner of the eyes

17 Instant Glow Pink Bronze Shimmer Brick

As the summer is approaching a little golden glow is the perfect way to update my look.

This 17 Glow bronzer comes in a simple plastic container with a block of four sparkly colours ranging from a very light pink, pale pink, light brown and caramel colour.The product aims to give off a beautiful pink bronzed glow that could resemble a mixture of blusher and bronzer together.

I swept a blusher brush through all four colours as advised and brushed onto my cheeks. My initial pale colour was transformed with a flush of colour that really made my cheekbones come out.

I think it's a great budget product that is perfect for summer wear.

I'd give it a 4/5

Advantages

• Nice range of warm colours
• Instantly brightens up your complexion
• Good value for money

Disadvantages

• For some people it may not offer the 'bronzing' they desire

Give your feet some tlc!

You'll put a lot of thought and planning into your summer outfit and makeup so why ignore one of your most important parts - your feet!

The skin on your feet is 20 times thicker then the skin on your face so if you want your tootsies to look set in that latest pair of kitten heels a quick rubbing of moisturiser simply won't do the job.

Dry Skin

If your skin is dry it means they're lacking vital nutrients. Use Scholl Dry Skin Exofliator (RRP £4.49) to smooth dry rough skin and promote skin renewal. To get the best results and return your feet to their former glory complete the process with Dry Skin Instant Recovery Cream (RRP £5.99)

Hard Skin

If you're prone to thick hard skin you could try Scholl Hard Skin softening cream (rrp £6.12), it uses salicylic acid to soften the skin in seven days. Once the skin is softened try using Scholl Hard Skin Remover (£10.61) which removes stubborn hard skin instantly and effectively.

Cracked Skin

When the skin on your feet gets stressed it may crack which can be very painful if there are active sores. Try using Scholl Cracked Skin Heel Repair Cream Active Repair Kit (Rrp £6.12) that stimulates skin cell regrowth and repair. Follow this up with Cracked Heel Profile (Rrp £9.18) to remove hard skin. Finally keep your heels rehydrated to avoid them cracking again with Scholl Cracked Heel Express Stick (Rrp £7.14)

Get them here:

L'Oreal Paris Lumi Magique Light Infusing Foundation: Feel the glow within

After my brand new Bourjois 123 foundation turned me a light shade of orange (even in the lightest shade!) I decided to try another L'Oreal foundation.

The foundation comes in simple packaging with a pump action lid, and a claim to reveal the radiance in your skin through foundation.

The foundation was pretty creamy and I applied a small blob to each part of my face (forehead, left and right cheeks and jaw). Instead of being faced with too much product, I felt it sank into my skin quickly and I had to apply more product.

Coverage was good and I wasn't left with any obvious foundation lines or orange indicators (always a good start)

At £12.99 it's about average price for a foundation, and really does offer a light luminous glow that comes from within.

I'd give it a 4/5.

Advantages

• Gives off a nice glow
• Good coverage
• No obvious foundation lines or orange glow left
• Evens out your colour

Disadvantages

• You may use more product then you expect to

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New Cid Cosmetics I-Polish in Peach Cobbler

Named after everyone's favourite dessert, New Cid I-Polish in peach cobbler is a vivid almost neon pink that is perfect for summer nails. It comes in rather stylish packaging with a glass bottle and a silver lid with a silver mould. With a light in the lid you can apply the nail varnish whereever you are, whether it's in the middle of a powercut or if you're stuck in a tunnel (god forbid!)

When applying the varnish it does go on quite gloopy to the brush and this results in a rather thin stripes on your nails. Often when the varnish goes on quite thinly in places it can be quite hard to displace the thicker areas without messing up the varnish that went on okay.

New Cid is one of the first cosmetic companies to completely eliminate nasty chemicals often found in nail varnishes including  Formaldehyde, Toluene and Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

I didn't feel I had to apply anymore then one coat to my nails and was surprised how quickly the varnish dried. Despite the shaky start I had with the varnish applying quite gloopily once it had dried my nails looked glossy and shiny.

You can buy New Cid I-Polish in peach cobbler for £10 from New Cid Cosmetics

I'd give it a 3/5

Advantages

• Gorgeous summery colour
• Dries really quickly
• Doesn't require more then one coat

Disadvantages

• Slightly gloopy when applying
• Slightly expensive for a nail varnish