Lucy Mary

Read my review of Bsubseach here.

I love the shade of this. I chose the brick colour as it's different and I love how sleek and stylish it is! Paired with a pair of shorts, a tee and sandals, it would make the perfect everyday Summer look! Ultimately, this kimono cardigan can be worn over a bikini or swimsuit while at the beach.

Now, this shirt is the epitome of wearing a beachwear item for an everyday look. Whether I wear it as an overshirt or tuck it into my bottoms to look like a normal shirt, it's a real wardrobe staple for the Summer! It's a breathable fabric, which allows you to remain cool while wearing this. 

Listen, I've been there, and I got the T-shirt...It is frustrating when the nail polish you've so meticulously applied chips after a couple of days. Over the years I've been using nail polish, I've learned some valuable tips for making my nail polish last longer between coats.

It doesn't matter what brand of nail polish you use; these tips I've found to be effective no matter what:

Nail polish will not adhere to nails that have any dirt on them. I clean them with nail polish remover before applying as it degreases them and gives me a clean nail surface to work with. There is a misconception that you need to apply a hand cream or lotion before doing a manicure - please don't! This can effectively allow your nail polish to simply slide off and chip after a matter of days, maybe even hours! I'm all for moisturising hands and using hand cream daily, but please wait until after the manicure before using it. 

Something I wished I had started doing years ago. Filing, shaping, buffing and polishing as well as cleaning them, really helps your manicure to stay chip-free, but it also allows the nail polish to glide on effortlessly. Filing your nails is key, as uneven nail shapes can make nail polish chip more quickly. Take the time to cut your nails with nail scissors or clippers (whatever your preference) and file them to an even shape for nail polish to be applied to. Buffing your nails is a must because it smooths out your nails, which results in a smoother nail surface. I use this *ColourBurst 4 Way Nail Buffing Block to do this.

A base coat is a necessity when painting your nails. Not only does it help the manicure stay chip-free for longer, but it also prevents the discolouration of the natural nail. Applying a clear base coat allows the polish to grip your nails, so it's definitely worth doing. 

I find this step very satisfying; let's be honest. Before you file, buff, shape and polish your nails, soak your fingers in some water - this makes the cuticles easier to push back and cut. There are simple cuticle tools to buy and use to complete this step, *like this set from Amazon. If your nail polish dries on the cuticles, it will lift and drag the rest of your nail polish off with it. So please push the cuticles back before even applying the base coat! Another key area relating to cuticles is the use of cuticle oil. Applying a cuticle oil is key for keeping your cuticles healthy and keeping your manicure fresh for longer. I use this one from *Rimmel and it works a treat!

Something I have been guilty of doing in the past is applying thick coats of polish. I believed that thin coats would chip more easily - how wrong was I?! Thick coats of nail polish don't completely dry on the bottom, allowing the increased risk of smudges, bubbles and creases. The key is to apply a thin coat, then once that's dry, apply another thin coat.

Applying a clear top coat allows the manicure to be sealed and decreases the risk of chipping. One coat of that should be fine. After about 2-3 days, apply another thin top coat to keep the manicure fresh and chip-free for longer. Nail chipping always starts at the nail tips, so sealing them with a top coat is always a good idea. 

Soaking your nails when washing up your plates increases the risk of chipping. Invest in a pair of marigolds or any other rubber gloves to decrease the risk of chipping while doing the dishes.