Bye Acrylics

Yes, you read the title correctly!

I am no longer an acrylic nail veteran, au naturale is the way I've been living this past month or so.

Now, this change wasn't by choice, when you have to go out into the real world and have to get a job, one of the biggest requirements is to have natural or short nails.

In my case, natural nails was a must because I needed to match the ethic of the brand.

I've been having major withdrawal symptoms, I've just started getting used to it. I work in the beauty industry at the moment so I get to have my nails done regularly which has softened the blow a little.
I personally feel I needed this transition to natural, I've had acrylics nails on religiously for 5 years and I'm glad I've had this opportunity to be able to take a break and appreciate my natural-ness.

I'm still sticking to doing my favourite colour. . . nude.
My nails are quite damaged from the acrylics so I've been wearing lighter colours and using a cuticle oil to help repair them. My nails grow very fast and I'm already seeing the new growth looking so healthy. I'll do some before and afters later on in the year and what I've done to help repair them as I know having healthy nails is something that we love to have.

So that's me for now, au naturale (until further notice!)

Take care, Jess!

Time for Dr Martens

It's never too early (in my eyes) to whip out your Winter boots, I'm not a fan of being cold, my feet and head must be warm at all times so it's no surprise that I'm already sporting my Dr Martens. My manager was shocked (and quite amused) to see me wearing my UGGs to work one September morning.

If my feet are warm then I'm a happy girl!

I love my docs, they're perfect, they look good but also feel good. They can feel heavy when you first start wearing them but you eventually get used to them. I drove to work in them for the first time last week and I found my self pressing the pedals quite firmly not realising how heavy they were. After a couple drives, I got used to the pressure I'm supposed to apply. I'm quite a confident driver so it didn't put me off wearing them to drive, plus my feet were extra cosy so win-win.

These are my go-to at the moment, what are your go-to A/W shoes? Are you like me and are whipping out the heavy duty boots or are you waiting a bit for 'real Winter'?

Dr Martens Serena 8 Eye II Boot

Take care, Jess x

Beverly Hills Formula Professional White*

*This post contains gifted items by Beverly Hills Formula, all views/opinions/experiences expressed within the post are all my own.

Beverly Hills Formula

I am that person that has no faith in teeth whitening products, mainly because of fake advertisement by celebs and I don't feel brands take into consideration how long it will take to see a difference and it's usually not the '2 week transformation' they're promising on the label.

I was sent a toothpaste and mouthwash by Beverly Hills Formula to test out and this is my honest experience with it.

The products claims to eliminate bacteria causing bad breath, neutralise remaining odours and remove surface and deep stains without harming the enamel.

It advises to brush twice daily and to use the mouthwash after brushing.

So nothing too crazy promised on the packet which to me gives me some hope in the thinking the product will work. They haven't promised ice white teeth in 7 days, which companies usually do.

I was using it on and off for a month when I first received it, I wanted to compare the feel of it between my normal toothpaste so alternated between the two daily. I noticed that the BHF toothpaste made my teeth feel very, very smooth after use, almost 'pearly' like as opposed to my normal toothpaste that gave me just the fresh and clean feel.

After a month of on and off use, I started using it twice daily to see if I could see a difference in whiteness, to cut long story short, my teeth look brighter and slightly whiter but I didn't see a huge difference in the 2 months of using it.

I feel that long term use will be effective, I'm a huge tea drinker so it does stain my teeth and I have noticed my teeth to be so much brighter after use.

It doesn't promise white teeth and I was expecting to have white teeth after using it, I understood from the product that I'd have brighter teeth and a fresher mouth which I feel this product has done for me.

It's so easy for brands to mislead consumers and I am impressed that BHF hasn't tried deceive consumers when it's so easy to do so.

I've finished the mouthwash but I have a little bit of the toothpaste left, I'd definitely purchase it and make it 'my' toothpaste. I'll do an update maybe 6 months from now so you guys can see a before and after after a long period of use.

For now, I'm really pleased with the results and I'd say give it a try especially if you're someone that drinks a lot of coffee, tea or coloured drinks.

Take care, Jess x

Can be purchased at Superdrug.