How To: Stiletto Nails at Home.

Being a girl that absolutely loves getting her nails done but them being a complete nuisance at uni (have you tried threading a needle on a sewing machine with stiletto bad boys on?), or end up ripping them off three days later because there is a new song I wanna learn on guitar, I refuse to constantly pay to go get them done.

So, this is how I've been doing my 'stiletto nails' at home for the past year & I always get a lot of compliments on them! First of all you're gonna need some of these acrylic nail tips. I got mine from Ebay, from a seller from Hong Kong (if I find the exact one for you I'll get it linked) & I swear they were like 4 dolla or something silly for 500. They come in 10 different sizes, so they're perfect for all nails big or small. 

Step 1: You're gonna need to identify a nail tip that will fit you're chosen nail. For example, this is size 1, which I use for my thumb.



Step 2: You want to file around the 'curved' side of the nail until it's rounded & would fit nicely onto your nail.



Step 3: Once glued onto your nail using nail glue, it should look something like this.

Step 4: You wanna take a pair of scissors & cut the top into a triangular shape. If you feel safer, you can do this before sticking it onto your nail, but I find it easier to achieve the desired shape this way.



Step 5: Take your nail file again & round the top off to get the shape you're after.

Repeat this with all your nails & then paint them however you like! I threw a white coat on top of this & then popped a black varnish over the right hand side to create a monochrome look.



& this is the finished look! It's a quick, cheap alternative to going to the salon & getting your nails done if you're in a similar situation to myself or you just prefer to play around & DIY yourself. The first few times can be a little time consuming, but once you've got the hang of it. 

Here's some other ways I've painted my stiletto nails: black with a sparkly top coat, neon pink, nude with a red back, & black with red back for a nod to my friend Christian.

I hope you like this 'how to'/tutorial.

What do you think about the stiletto nail trend?

Stay lovely,
Kirsty xo

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The Woman with No Fear

Discopants: Missguided // Black Vest/White Vest: Topshop // Blazer: h&m // Scarf: Alexander McQueen // Wedges: New Look (sale/old) // Socks: Topshop // Necklace: New Look

I wore this outfit to a final interview to work for h&m the other week, which I ended up getting the job for! YAY. I'm super excited to start & will let you know more about it I'm sure. They kept insisting we dressed 'comfortably'. Hmmmm. I went for this, & I guess it couldn't have been TOO bad since I managed to land it! 

Yes, I know I wore this blazer in another post recently, but I can't tear it away from myself little beaut that it is. These wedges I managed to grab in the New Look sale for £3. I know, I don't even know what to say on that matter.

Today however has been spent listening to the latest Paramore album (hence the post title - 'Proof' is a clear favourite already!), a spot of lunch out at the Forth Road Bridge & recieving cheeky Mac presents from New York, I'm a lucky lady indeed! I'm personally LOVING Hayley Williams' collab with Mac (to be fair, I'd love anything with her name on it, beaut that she is). 

Anything from the Hayley Williams/Mac collab you have your eye on?

Stay lovely,
Kirsty xo
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Ignorance Is Your New Best Friend.

attractive..

Jacket: Levi's vintage // Crop top: Forever 21 (old) // Discopants: Missguided // Converse: Office // Necklace: New Look // Lipstick: Wet n Wild's 'Sugarplum Fairy' & Mac's 'Rebel'

I guess this is an outfit that is slightly out of the ordinary for me. I'm never usually this dressed down but I like to switch it up a little every now & again. I can't even tell you how long I've been on the hunt for a vintage Levi's jacket in a small, but we were finally united a couple of weeks ago & it's been marital bliss since.

I picked up this cropped top from Forever 21 during one of my trips to London in the Summer for about a fiver or something. I do love the print, but it is the shortest crop ever which makes my wear of it very frequent. I was gonna be boring & go for white converse, but when in Rome..

Stay lovely,

Kirsty xo

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How I Cleanse my Make-up Brushes

I don't know about you, but I get quite OCD when it comes to my make-up brushes & germs festering on my little gems, & I like to wash them every fortnight where possible. This may seem crazy amounts to some people, but with breakout tendency skin, it is definitely a mundane task that is necessary. Thumbs up for the Wizard of Oz mug for storing my brushes in at the moment, number one fan over here.

I've used a few different products over the last little while to bathe my beauties in, but never liked to use anything with a strong or distinctive perfume in it, as my skin is quite sensitive. Then, I came up with the genius idea of using hand wash that I frequently get prescribed when my eczema decides to resurface (boo!). Super sensitive, no perfume, no extras, no unnecessary nonsense, just plain cleansing goodness. This little beauty is called Dermol Lotion. I'm not 100 % sure if you can buy this number over the counter, but I'm pretty sure (lets say 73%) certain you can do so at Boots.

'an antimicrobial emollient and moisturiser for the management of dry and pruritic (itchy) skin conditions, especially eczema and dermatitis, and for use as a soap substitute'

Step 1: I run my brushes under lukewarm water to get them damp.
Step 2: Squirt some of whatever solution chosen onto the brush, then rub the brush against the palm of my skin to create a lather.
Step 3: Continue this whilst horrifyingly watching all your foundation run off down the sink.
Step 4: Rinse brush & squeeze all excess water out.
Step 5: Lay newly cleansed brushes onto a piece of tissue & leave to dry.

Downfall: This process does take a while, & you have to choose your time wisely to ensure the next time you require your brushes, they will have dried.
Plus: Goodbye festering germs, hello flawless face!

I don't own too many brushes, so it doesn't take too long for me at the minute but I am looking to extend my collection. I don't know about you, but the following morning when putting on my regular face, I am always loving life & feeling fresh. Am I weird? 

What do you use to clean your make-up brushes/What brush should I purchase next?

Stay lovely,

Kirsty xo

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Buzzing like Neon Lights.

Dress: New Look (similar here) // Blazer: h&m // Scarf: Alexander McQueen // Boots: New Look // Belt: Urban Outfitters // Lipstick: 'Peach Bellini', NYX.

A pretty quick outfit of the day from myself this afternoon. It was sunny in Edinburgh today so I wanted to take some photo's in a different setting for a change. I know you wouldn't be able to tell it was nice weather as it decided to start raining as these were being shot, which resulted in making this quick. But I just HAD to show off my latest blazer to add to the collection, a gorgeous acid green number from the h&m sale for the bargainous price of £7!

Have you picked up any amazing bargains recently?!

Stay lovely,

Kirsty, xo

 

 

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Review: Autograph Neverending Lashes

Autograph at Marks & Spencer's - £8.50

I first discovered this little beauty strangely enough through my Mum. I was dubious about the idea of lashing on 'Marks & Sparks' brand mascara & falling in love with it, but oh boy was I wrong. I think she was a little sick of me trying to get away with stealing hers & popped one into my stocking at Christmas. I just recently repurchased it - it is love.

'Extend every last lash with this ultra-lengthening, eye defining mascara. The high tech formula and expert brush allow you to build up lashes for a longer look.'

The packaging is very sleek, simple & elegant which I like. Not too fussy, sophisticated looking rather than all the brights you see across the high street - I'm a sucker when it comes to detailing. I picked mine up in 'black'.

I don't usually tend to go for mascaras with thin brushes as I feel I don't get a lot of volume from them. Although this mascara's main priority is to lengthen your lashes, it does give you some volume as well. Application is super easy, & I can give it a good few coats & still don't have to worry about clumpage - hoorah! I also find that it gives a lovely effortless curl, even without the use of eyelash curlers. So if you're in a hurry you've got one less thing to worry about!

The lasting power of this mascara is a beaut, as for once it doesn't flake on my or rub off giving me that lovely panda look that we all adore, as a lot of mascara's tend to do this on my un-cooperative face. 

There are a couple of other mascara's in the Autograph range that I am keen to try, so I will keep you updated on how I get on.

Have you ever tried any of the Autograph make-up?

Stay lovely,
Kirsty xo

Friday's Face #5

Top & necklace, both New Look.
Photo courtesty of Instagram: krstyvns

So this photo was clearly taken on Wednesday, but since I am bed ridden with sheer laziness/aching from the gym & looking the least attractive as I ever have done in my entire life, you can have this one. 

I would love to report something exciting occurring in my life but unfortunately no such thing exists right now. University is taking over as the collection hand in date is looming & I have far too much work to do - top procrastinator over here. So a part from the occasional trip to the pub to watch the football, oreo milkshake with my favourite girls & nights in with Gavin & Stacey, my life has been pretty non existent.

My attempt at a spending ban is going pretty well - more or less due to the fact that I have zero pence to my name until the end of the month.. But I deserve a good air punch for that whether through intention or force, right?


Tell a lie, I'm on bloglovin' now, YAY. That's exciting. You can find the gorgeous little button to the right >.

Hope you are all well & are planning a fabulous weekend full of cocktails, heels, gorgeous dresses & handsome men. I however, will be tucked in bed watching comic relief with a glass of rose for my 7am start at work on a Saturday morning, woo!

Stay lovely,

Kirsty xo

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