Nailgirls

Sunday night saw the stars come out for the BAFTA Television Awards and those looking for some style inspiration were not disappointed. Twitter was alight with opinions on who was the best dressed, but there seemed to be one clear favourite- Sienna Miller.

Sienna has always been known for her effortlessly cool style and her ability to never put a fashion-foot wrong cemented our style crush on her long ago, however her return to the British red carpet only served as a reminder as to why we love her so.

Whilst many attendees went for black and nudes (blame the miserable weather perhaps?), Sienna opted for a pretty, pastel blue dress designed by British designer Matthew Williamson. We were in love with the dress the minute we set eyes on it, but the infatuation deepened once we saw the understated iridescence that decorate the hemline!

The Charlotte Olympia Perspex clutch complimented the ensemble perfectly and we’ve definitely added it to our wish list!

If an exact replica of Sienna’s outfit is out of your price range, then we’ve picked some slightly more affordable offerings from the high street to help you recreate her show-stopping style.

If it was the Organza material of the dress that caught your eye then this pretty pink number from Topshop might be the perfect match for you, where as if it’s a bit of sparkle that you’re after then how about this lace skater dress from Miss Selfridge?

If you’re looking to keep your arms covered, then we’ve got two options for you; this lace lovely from Motel Rocks or this flattering mid-length sleeved dress from ASOS.

We scoured high and low for a transparent clutch that matched Sienna’s perfectly and the closest we found was the sparkly number from BooHoo; we love that it has the little purse inside! If you’re not keen on the idea of a transparent clutch then how about this super-cute white leather box clutch for Kurt Geiger?

Now when it comes to nails, we can give you an exact match! If you’re not looking for a whole new outfit but still want to steal a bit of Sienna’s style then why not copy her polish?

We gave Sienna a pre-BAFTA mani-pedi and we can tell you that the chic creamy colour on her nails was our Cotswold Cream Beige#3. We’ll let you in on a little secret, she also chose Navy Blue#5 for her toes!

Tweet us and let us know if you’ve stumbled across any other high-street pieces that are similar to Sienna’s BAFTA look!

Our last Prom post was so popular that we’ve decided to do it again (if only you could do that with prom eh?). This time we’re picking our top three picks from one of our high street favourites Warehouse, so if you still haven’t found the perfect dress or are yet to make a decision over which polish to go for then read on!

 The Roaring 20′s

Our first thought when we saw this dress was “Gatsby!” The 1920’s look is huge right now and this dress is the perfect way to bring a bit of vintage glamour to your prom night. The art deco pattern is gorgeous and the silk adds a real luxe feel to the dress. If you really wanted to make like Daisy Buchanan on your big night then add a fur stole or embellished shrug!

Matchy-Matchy

You have a few options with this dress, due to it’s rich colour palette. You could paint your nails completely in Mannequin Nude Beige#4 or Dark Navy Blue#5, or you could go for both with a half-moon manicure!

Dare to Wear

Metallics were big on the catwalk this season, so Champagne Foil Silver#1 is a great choice. The pinky, rose gold tone of the glitter will compliment the dress perfectly and add a touch of glamour!

Feeling Blue

This dress is the perfect ‘base’ to an outfit. A classic and flattering cut and a gorgeous colour, the right statement accessories will make this dress a show-stopper.

Matchy-Matchy

With a colour this bright and beautiful we think that matching your nails to the dress is no longer the safe option and would actually be a statement in itself. If that’s the look you’re after then go for Vivid Mediterranean Blue#2.

Dare to Wear

Because the colour of this dress is so bright, it really allows for you to contrast other bright colours with it easily. You could go for a bright pink or orange, but we think Canary Yellow#2 is something a little different.

The Little White Dress

The Little White Dress is the LBD’s younger, more daring, fit for summer sister and it definitely makes us think of Marilyn Monroe style glamour (just don’t stand over any air vents!). The lace and chiffon combine to create an angelic look; you can either carry this on to your nails or go for something a little more naughty!

Matchy-Matchy

Completely white nails are quite a daring look, so we’ve softened it down and paired this dress with the incredibly pretty Oyster Pink#9 for a pretty look.

Dare to Wear

If Marilyn is your girl then why not match your nails to your lippy and go for Traditional Pillar Box Red#5. This is a trend that we’ve seen on countless red carpets in the last few weeks!

Whatever you wear we hope you have a great time; you only get one prom! Remember, London prom queens can come and get mani/pedis ready for the big night at our Islington spa, or if you want to make a night of it then invite the girls round and enjoy our ‘At Home’ service!

We’re half way through the latest series of Made In Chelsea and it’s safe to say that Nailgirls HQ is hooked. While we’re crossing off the days on our calendar until the next episode, we thought we’d devote a blog post to the Sloane Street style that we look forward to each Monday.

We’ve picked some of this series’ most memorable looks from series’ favourites Millie, Louise and Rosie (with an honourable mention thrown in there too!).

Millie Mackintosh; Perfectly Polished

This look may be simple, but it’s definitely a stand out for us. Millie Mackintosh is the queen when it comes to looking effortless yet polished both at the same time and this look is a perfect example. From the super-pretty shirt to the dewy skin to the seriously-shiny hair; we love it all! We think a wash of Monochrome Pink#5 would complete the polished look perfectly!

Millie Mackintosh; Androgynous

Ok, so here we’re kind of cheating, as this look isn’t from Series 5, it’s actually from the Christmas special, but a look this ballsy can’t be ignored! Millie isn’t afraid to take risks and the androgynous look is not for the faint hearted, but she pulls it off with a feminine red lip. We gave a lot of thought to which polish would look best with this amazing suit and we finally opted for a coat of Translucent Nude Beige#6 with Classic Garnet Red#2 on the tips of the nails. Boy meets girl!

Louise Thompson; Nice’n’Neon

Although she had just marched straight to Millie’s from her bridge-side break up with Spencer, Louise didn’t let her style credentials slip. This neutral jumper with neon orange detailing is the perfect Autumn to Spring transitional piece and we think that all that’s needed is a few coats of Super Zesty Neon Orange#1.

Rosie Fortescue; Country Garden

A series of Made In Chelsea is not complete without a walk around the countryside and thankfully last week’s episode did not disappoint. However, trudging through mud doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on style. Rosie went for a brown and cream colour palette and made a statement with that gillet, so we thought that Toffee Apple Brown#5 would compliment it perfectly.

An honourable mention to…Victoria Baker-Harber

We couldn’t let a Made In Chelsea style post go by without mentioning this memorable ensemble from Victoria; very matador-chic! Although it’s not a look that everyone would choose, we love the detailing on the jacket as well as the mix of pastel and neon colours. We thought Hottest Pink#4 with Shimmering Gold#2 as an accent nail would be the perfect way to accessorise.

And there you have it, a quick guide to getting the Chelsea look on a budget! Don’t forget to tweet us your thoughts on the post and also let us know who your Made In Chelsea style icon is!

Ever since we saw the campaign shots of Beyonce’s swimwear campaign for H&M we’ve been on the edge of our seats waiting for the accompanying music video to drop and boy, did it not disappoint.

Filmed in the beautiful Bahamas, the video for “Standing on the Sun” shows Queen Bey embodying the four elements; earth, wind, fire and water. She also manages to flit effortlessly between brunette and blonde locks, if only it were that easy!

Inspired by the stunning campaign, Nailgirls HQ have picked out some polishes to match whichever element you choose to envoke this summer.

Earth

The fringe detail on this bikini makes it perfect for festival season and we can see our hippy-chic style crush Vanessa Hudgens wearing something similar. If earth is your element of choice and you’re looking to go back to your grass roots then you can enhance your look with these shades. You could keep it simple with chocolately Brown#4, especially if you’re wearing creams, greens and khakis.

If you fancy something a bit special then why not go for Green#2? This is an olive green polish with silver glitter and holographic particles that would glint perfectly in the sunlight as you strut your stuff on the beach.

Wind

If you’re a force to be reckoned with, like Mrs Carter herself, then the element of wind might be the perfect look for you. We love the statement that this billowing cover up makes and as a result you’ll need statement nails to match!

Blue#7 is the perfect stormy blue that will go great with a tan. If you’re more into your neutrals and are looking to whip up a sand storm then you could try Beige#2 to complete your look.

Fire

Red firey nails would be the perfect accessory to wear with this black dress, but don’t get to thinking that red is JUST red; there are so many shades! If dark, vampy nails are your thing then Burgundy#4 would be the perfect shade for you, whereas if you really do want flame-inspired nails then the combination of Red#5 with Gold#2 as an accent nail would be scorching hot!

Water

The graduating colour of this dress is not only really pretty, but also super flattering. We think that this is a perfect day-to-night dress, so we’ve come up with some day-to-night shades to accompany it! Blue#5 and Blue#3 match this dress perfectly; if you’re feeling really creative you could even try an ombre look on your nails! To take the look from the beach to the bar then add in a swipe of Silver#2 for a bit of glitz.

Choosing one look is proving difficult for us at Nailgirls HQ, so we might have to do a Beyonce and develop alter-egos so that we can have all four on rotation! Don’t forget to tweet us pictures of any element inspire nail art; we’ll retweet every one that we receive!

We feel like we’ve been waiting for the release of Baz Luhrman’s adaptation of The Great Gatsby forever; sneaky clips and trailers have kept our excitement bubbling for months and now we’re only a month away from the film’s release.
Carey Mulligan’s Daisy Buchanan is set to become one of this year’s style icons and by looking at stills from the film, we can see why!

The flapper-filled twenties were a time of flair and decadence and the costumes in the film really reflect this. The high-street has definitely embraced the embellished garments and art deco prints, but if feathered head-dresses and bejewelled dresses are too extreme for you then why not take inspiration from The Great Gatsby for your manicure?

Shades

In terms of it’s colour palette, the 1920s  favoured muted shades combined with glitzy metallics. Classic colour combinations include teals, mauves and creams alongside golds and silvers.

Embellishment

The movers and shakers of the 1920s embellished their clothes with precious stones, sparkling diamantes, fringing, feathers and pearls- sometimes even all at the same time! Whilst heavy embellishment can make for a heavy dress, you could start off by trying this on your nails first!

Pattern

Art-deco patterns were big news in the 1920s. They revolved around symmetry and repeated patterns. A simple design to ease you into art-deco inspired nails could be the “moon manicure”; we’re sure Daisy Buchanan would have worn this look at some point!

So there you have it, your express guide to going Gatsby on your nails. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter to find out details of our Real Nailgirls nail art challenge competition.

View the original post here.

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You’ve got the dress, you’ve got the shoes and you’ve even sorted the bag, but what about your nails?
The right choice of polish can really complete your look.

Before you break out the colour charts you’ve got to put in the groundwork and get your nails in to tip-top condition; this will ensure that your manicure stays put for longer and that the polish itself goes on smoothly and evenly. We would recommend using a nail hardener for at least 2 weeks before the big night. The Sheild is calcium enriched in order to nourish and strengthen nails, which in turn will prevent them from peeling and splitting. As an added bonus there’s also Arabic coffee extract in there to protect your nails from any invading nasties like pollution.

To go along with this, we would suggest using our Cuticle Conditioning Oil to really nourish the nail bed and cuticles; it doesn’t matter how much of a cute colour your polish is if your cuticles are dry and cracked! Applying the oil at night, right before you tuck yourself up in bed, is a good habit to get into as the oil can really sink in throughout the night.

Now that your nails are looking good naked, it’s time to find the perfect polish for your dress. Here are just three looks that you could go for-

Prim and Proper

If Kate Middleton is your style crush then we’re guessing your dress is a bit like this. The ‘prim and proper’ ladylike look has been huge on the catwalk for the last few seasons and it’s a trend that we don’t think is going anywhere. The beautiful brocade print has a very 50s and 60s vibe, (think Betty from Mad Men), however the off the shoulder detail keeps the dress young and fun.

Matchy-matchy 

If you want you want to steer-clear of “out there” nail trends and want to let the dress to the talking then Shimmering Blue Grey (Blue #4) would complete the look perfectly.

Dare to wear

Designers such as Marc Jacobs and Reg & Bone championed pale nails on the catwalks this season, and even though it may seem quite simple, it’s a look that a lot of people just aren’t used to. If you want to rock this trend then our Snow White (White #1) is made for you!

Glitz and Glam

If you’re looking for a dress that has the wow-factor then this could be it! It actually reminds us of the mermaid- inspired looks that we’ve seen a lot of over the last few months; it would look great with long flowing hair or a fish-tail plait!

Matchy-matchy 

If you want to let the dress do the talking (and we think this dress says a lot!) then we’ve got the perfect shade to match it; Blue #1!

Dare to wear

If you’re thinking that a statement dress deserves statement nails then why not try the “flash of metallic” like the models at this season’s Nicole Miller show. You could use Sparkling Star (Silver #2) as either an accent nail or as a stripe across a blue polish!

Bright and Bold

This dress really does say “prom” to us; it’s cute, fun and girly! We love the bright pinks and blues, as well as the bold pattern and think that you could style this in a thousand different ways depending on your personal style.

Matchy-matchy

If you’re going girly with this dress then Vintage Rose Cream (Pink #15) is the polish for you!

Dare to wear

Take inspiration from Roland Mouret and try the Two Tone manicure with this dress. The colour combinations that you could go for are endless, but one suggestion is a pale pink like Romantic Sheer Pink (Pink #3) with Lively Lilac (Purple #9) as an accent colour.

Whatever you wear we hope you have a great time; you only get one prom! Remember, London prom queens can come and get mani/pedis ready for the big night at our Islington spa, or if you want to make a night of it then invite the girls round and enjoy our ‘At Home’ service!

Jo & Lynda x

Flower nail tutorial and Nailgirls polishes review

I was contacted by the lovely Megan at nailgirls the other day to see if I wanted to try out a couple of their nail polishes- and being the nail art junkie that I am, I obviously said yes as I’m always on the look out for new brands to try!

Nailgirls have lots of lovely shades in their colour range but the ones I chose were ‘yellow #2 canary yellow‘ and ‘teal #2 pale green-blue‘ (it would of been nice if they had some cute names but oh well!). The brand nailgirls was created by sisters Jo and Lynda when they realised the amount of nasty chemicals such as toluene, formaldehyde and DBP that could be found in most of the nail polishes from bigger brands that many salons were using. Jo and Lynda decided to set about creating a new brand of nail polishes that are free from all of the nasty chemicals and that is where nailgirls was formed! They are also vegan friendly, not tested on animals and the packaging is recyclable- yay!

To try them out I have decided to do this cute floral design which is perfect for spring and summer- it’s super easy to do and would work with loads of colour combinations! It’s really simple to recreate but I included a tutorial at the top so you can follow along as I know people generally like it when I do that! I used a large dotting tool to do the circles (DIY dotting tool post here) but if you wanted you could always do the flowers smaller and fit more on your nail but I thought I would go for something a bit different to what I’ve done before so I decided on doing a large flower in the center of the nail instead.

I didn’t use a base or top coat with these as I wanted to see how well they lasted on my nails and so far it has been over two days without any chips (I posted a photo to my twitter @islaay_x yesterday if you wanted to take a look for yourself) but I will update this post in a couple of days to let you know how long they lasted!

The green is very ‘mint candy apple’ ish and it a perfect pastel for spring and I can imagine the yellow would look amazing with a tan in summer! They both applied really easy and they both are very opaque (the yellow was much better than I was expecting as I thought it could of been quite watery but it wasn’t at all!). Also the brush is quite long and a really good shape which makes the application process much easier!

Nailgirls polishes are priced at £10.50 each which puts them in line with the likes of OPI and Nails Inc. but what really sets them apart from the rest is that they don’t have all of the nasty ingredients which the other brands do like I mentioned earlier so if you want lovely polishes without the bad ingredients then nailgirls is the brand for you! As a reader of my blog you will be able to receive a 20% discount with the code ‘ISLAAY20′ when placing an order at nailgirls (they have a great range of colours and they also have matte and glitter polishes too!) so now there’s no excuse not to give them a go!

I would love it if you could recreate these and send me a photo as I love seeing them! I had loads of people recreating my easter bunny tutorial so thank you so much if you did!

Although the nailgirls polishes were sent to me for reviewing purposes this does not affect my opinion on them and my review of them is 100% honest as always.

Read the review here.