Columbia Road Flower Market

I recently went to East London's flower market on Columbia Road, which I think is the perfect place to spend your Sunday morning if you're obsessed with flowers like I am! As soon as I arrived, I didn't know where to look, it was like a sea of flowers. It was quite overwhelming because everything was so bright and colourful! Being surrounded by such beautiful things, I obviously had to bring out my phone to take a few snaps!

There were so many different types of flowers which included hydrangeas (my all time favourite!), peonies, sunflowers (which I find look quite scary for some reason), cyclamens, kalanchoes, even banana plants (quite interesting!) and so much more!

The East End banter between the market traders created a lively and loud atmosphere which made the experience of being there even more enjoyable. You could hear them chant 'two for a fiver!' as you squeeze through the crowds.

It was quite hard deciding what to buy! I was so tempted to leave with a few bunches of flowers but I managed to control myself and only bought pink cyclamens and an orchid! I've been wanting an orchid for ages! 

The flower market is open every Sunday between 8am to 2pm. If you want to avoid huge crowds and grab the nicest and most fresh looking bunch of flowers, get there early! However, you can hang around until closing time to grab the best bargains!  

As August is coming to an end, I hope you have had a nice summer! Now bring on autumn and winter! 

 

How to make your nail polish last longer! Tips!

Wouldn't it be nice if your nail polish could last up to at least a week? Here are some useful and easy tips to follow in order to achieve long lasting glossy nails. I'm not a professional nail person or nail technician, these tips are just based on my own experience.

What products am I currently using?

Sally Hansen- Hard as Nails, Rimmel- Soul Sessions, Barry M- All in One Clear

I have been wearing different nude shades for a while now and I don't think I'll ever get bored of them! Firstly, I apply one coat of Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails as a base coat and let that fully dry. I then apply one coat of my favourite colour which at the moment is Rimmel's Soul Session from Kate Moss' collection. You can apply two coats of colour but one coat is usually enough for me especially if it's a nude shade and I want that natural look. To finish off, I then apply one coat of Barry M's All In One clear nail polish as a top coat

You're probably thinking this is such a long process and three coats of nail polish is a lot, but using a top coat and base coat really makes a big difference! The base coat protects your nails and creates a nice even foundation and the top coat locks everything in, preventing any chipping or wearing. 

Tips:

*Ensure your nails are clean of any previous nail polish. I use an acetone free nail polish remover as it is less drying and less harsh on the nails.

*Don't mess around with your cuticles. I don't really do anything to mine as I feel that playing around with them makes things worse. 

*Apply a base coat

*For a smoother application, avoid putting too much product onto the brush as this will result in a blobby thick layer. Three thin coats of nail polish is going to last longer than two thick layers which will easily peel off. 

*3-4 strokes are usually enough! Too many strokes will make things look messy and lumpy and you'll end up with streaks.

*The most important thing is that you have to be patient and allow each layer to fully dry before you apply the next. Do things in between, read another chapter of your book or go on YouTube. Nail polish always goes on better on a fully dried surface and that results in a smoother finish, you don't want to ruin the first coat by dragging that brush through a wet surface! Sometimes I apply the second coat an hour or two later, after having dinner or something and then I'll apply the topcoat before I get into bed. I try to spread it out. This might sound like a long process but the wait is definitely worth it when you end up with smooth glossy nails as if you've just got them done at the nail salon!  

*Avoid those evil bubbles! Don't shake your nail polish, instead, gently roll it in between the palms of your hands. Shaking it will create bubbles which will then be transferred onto your nails and you will end up with a bubbly lumpy effect. The annoying thing is that the bubbles appear after the polish dries so it makes you think you've done a good job until you look closely at your nails and see them! If you forget and end up shaking your nail polish, don't apply it straight away, give it a few minutes for the bubbles to settle down, if you have time, give it 30 mins!

*Apply a top coat

My nails usually last for a week and sometimes even longer with some wearing or peeling around the edges depending on what I do and how rough I am with my nails. I would highly recommend the products I have mentioned for stronger long lasting nails! I don't need to worry about them when I am doing some cleaning or washing up...without wearing washing up gloves! Yes that's a brave move!

Some of you will probably already know some of these tips but I hope this post helps at least one person in one way or another!

(The flowers bloomed and looked lovely so I thought I'd share with you a pic of them!)

Enjoy painting your nails!

Hard as Nails by Sally Hansen

I know there are a thousand things that are more important in life but sometimes a chipped nail is pretty depressing, especially for someone who enjoys painting their nails. It's annoying when that one nail decides to chip and break off making everything look odd.

I am currently in this phase where I am obsessed with my nails and want them to be perfect. Now that they are healthy and long, I want them to last and not chip or split. So I thought I'd find something that would strengthen them and keep them in good condition. 

I heard that Sally Hansen did a good selection of nail strengthening products so I thought I'd try the 'Hard as Nails' one. I have tried various base coats and this is by far the best! After using it for nearly a month, it has made a massive difference! My nails definitely feel harder and much more stronger than before. They just feel healthier in general.

The special nylon and retinol formula prevents your nails from chipping and splitting. My nails usually start to chip and split when they get to a certain length so I always have to cut them so they're all even, and then wait ages for them to grow back again. However, after using this product, they have definitely stopped chipping and splitting and I have noticed that they are growing longer and stronger than before. I don't need to worry about accidentally bending them or being a bit rough. Yes, I have been trying to bend them to see how hard they really have become! 

The consistency is really nice and thin so it goes on your nails like a dream. The brush is a nice flat shape making it easy to apply. It also dries super quick too, literally in five mins! You can use it on its own with two coats but I have been applying one layer as a base coat. I have also noticed that by using it as a base coat, it has made my nail polish last longer too! You can also use it as a top coat as it has a nice glossy finish. 

It is available in two shades, nude/clear (which is the one that I got) and natural. I purchased mine from Boots for £4.75 and they're currently on offer too!