Avon - Nail Experts Pearl Shine

Avon are not a brand of cosmetics that I have used a lot of over the years but since the whole Super Shock Gel Eyeliner thing that has been raved about recently (yes I did get one and yes I do love it) I decided to give a few other things a try.

AVON – NAIL EXPERTS PEARL SHINE (10ML normally £6 but currently retailing at £3!!)

What Avon say - ‘fortifies nails for a healthy buffed look without polish’

What I say – What a fab find! This comes in plastic bottle with the brush attached to the bottle neck. It is a thin substance that you squeeze from the bottle onto the brush then apply to nail. It dries quickly and smoothly leaving your nails with a healthy pinky glow. It doesn’t claim to be a polish but has similar ingredients. On this occasion I didn’t apply base coat but used OPI Nail Envy Matte as a top coat. After using the pearl shine I did wipe the brush through with some nail varnish remover.

Now don’t let the thin watery substance fool you, this has staying power! I applied it last Thursday and since then have typed, washed up (without gloves, not something I normally do or would recommend), pealed spuds, done housework, washed hair, used body scrub, etc etc – you get the picture all the things we all do every day BUT – this pearl shine has NOT budged! I can rarely manage to go 2 days without my varnish chipping or wearing at the tip. Also in the time I have been wearing it I haven’t broken or snagged a nail, bonus!!

This will definitely become a must have in my nail routine especially for those times when it’s just not convenient to wear coloured varnish or when I really don’t have the energy for the whole bottom coat, 2 coats, top coat, wait for ages for it to dry and then chip it 2 hours later routine!!!!

Avon products can be purchased from your local Avon representative (who im sure will be extremely grateful for your purchase) or on line at www.avon.uk.com.

Hope you have all had a good weekend.
Lots of Love, Debbie x

Kamillosan Stretch Mark & C-Section Soufflé Cream

This is one of the main reasons why I wanted to start this blog, because I wanted to share this with all you stretch mark sufferers. Now its safe to say, I wont be providing you with photos, because to be honest, none of you would want to see my mummy tummy/boobs/hips!! But it is fair to say I got it bad when I was pregnant with my daughter.

My history of the dreaded stretch marks!!
Up untill my 30th week of pregnancy, I managed to stay stretch mark free. I didn't try to avoid them, I didn't slather myself in oil or any other products because to be honest I didn't realise how bad stretch marks could be. But then I began suffering with pre-eclampsia, I became bloated and swollen and put on a stone and a half in fluid within 2 weeks - my stretch marks went mad. I was suddenly covered in them, all over my tummy, hips and the top of my boobs, not an attractive look! They didn't bother me at the time because I was proud of my body for creating a baby and this feeling continued even after the birth. I also had to have a c-section so I do have this scar along with a few others from previous gynaecology operations.


My thoughts on this product...
I can not begin to tell you how much this product has helped improve my stretch marks, especially the ones on my chest. It has made them less visible, less purple and they certainly don't bother me as much. It is incredibly moisturising but does not leave my skin feeling oily. On my tummy and hips it is taking a little longer to fade the stretch marks but that is to be expected as they are much worse in these areas. The smell of this product may not be for everyone, it is very overpowering but it is a natural smell and I tend to put this product on at night so it doesn't bother me too much.


Where to buy...
I found this product in boots and paid £11.71, although you can buy it online.

I would really recommend giving this product a try if you like me suffer from stretch marks for any reason, be it pregnancy or weight gain/loss.

I hope you enjoyed this post, let me know if you would like any more information.

Lauren xxx

Hello from Debbie

WOW!!! After months and months of talking about starting a blog, I go off to work, come home and my fab daughter has gone ahead and started one! Not only that, she has posted her first blog - I am a very proud mum!!

I have no idea where this blog will take us, but I do know that my daughter and I make a brilliant team and if nothing else, we will have so much fun on this journey. We will be chuffed to bits should any of you reading this decide to follow us and share whatever the future may bring.

If we make some friends along the way we would consider that a real bonus!

Thank you to all those who have already stopped by and had a read. If like me, you have always hesitated to leave comments on people's blogs for whatever reasons, please don't be shy, we promise to read and respond to anythng you post.

Oh, and for all those going to IMATS this weekend hope you have a great time and find lots of bargains, I look forward to reading all your posts.

Lots of love, Debbie x

Hello from GracieBelleBeauty!



Welcome to our new blog, GracieBelleBeauty! Over the last year, we have fallen deeply in love with cosmetics (how could we not!) and felt the time had come to create our own blog, after following many other wonderful bloggers and youtube gurus!

About us...

Debbie & Lauren!

Debbie has completed college courses, including beauty therapy, hairdressing, refloxology and massage therapy, she is currently practicing beauty therapy & hairdressing from home. Debbie has always loved health and beauty products where as Lauren has become gradually more interested after the birth of her daughter Gracie, as make up was something that could improve her mummy appearance without too much effort. As a pale, redhead with horrible spotty skin, Lauren will be aiming to bring you products that suit this colouring and skin type. Between us we work 6 days out of 7, as well as caring for Gracie, so when we do get days off together we like to spend it shopping and doing other beauty related activities! We spend our baby free evenings, reading blogs and watching you tube videos which has hugely inspired us and helped us to spend our money wisely!

Lauren & Gracie!

Beauty products help to improve the way we feel about ourselves, make up will always fit us, unlike clothes and will never make us feel bad. It's something we love experiencing together, you can't beat a good mother & daughter shopping day! We could spend hours in boots, superdrug or debenhams (and even the supermarket) just endlessly searching the makeup isles.

To make ourselves feel less guilty about spending money, we will be bringing you a variety of reviews (In between our busy mummy lifestyles that is!) We may also give you our thoughts on different subjects, such as baby care products. But mostly we are just going to give this our best and see how we feel about things as we go along! We will not pretend to be experts, but Debbie especially does have knowledge on the subject and hopefully the realness of our writing will keep you entertained! We are just getting used to the technical side of blogging so any advice would be greatly appreciated!

So for now, goodnight & we hope to hear from you soon!

Debbie & Lauren

xxx