Nail colour of the week

I fancied a bright pink colour today so I popped into Superdrug and bought the cheapest nail varnish I have purchased for a really long time. Appropriately enough it is called Bright Pink and it is by Barry M. It was a princely £2.99. I could have bought two for £4.99 but I didn't fancy any other colour.

I am impressed with it. Very easy to apply. We'll see about staying power.

Pureology Blow Dry Amplifier

I actually bought this product months ago when I was loving the shampoo and conditioner. I used it once and thought I didn't like it but I decided to give it another go recently and I'm glad. The problem, I realised, is that when I first tried it, I put it on wet hair and then pottered around for a bit. When I went to blow dry my hair, it had sort of set into crispy strands. Nice.

The key is to put this on damp (not sopping wet) hair and then blow dry there and then. It sort of sets your hair and gives it some oomph which is something that as my hair is getting longer, I appreciate. It feels natural too. I rather like it. I wouldn't say rush to buy it however if you are tempted, you can get it here.

Nail colour of the week

I got my nails done properly today. I have a long week ahead, I needed something kick-ass so I went with this little number from Essie. First Dance. A classic, tomato red. Perfection.

Body scrubs

It's the time of year beauty editors love. Pick up any woman's magazine and there will be a feature about how to get beach-ready skin in just five days! And the models will be all honeyed limbs of silky smoothness, taut and toned.

Being an optimistic soul, I believe I can achieve their perfection if I just found the right body scrub. Body scrub is a product that I don't believe the more money you spend, the better it gets. In the last few weeks I've been road testing two.

First up is Korres Basil and Lemon scrub. Lovely scent of course and a pretty good scrub - a good all-rounder. You could do a lot worse and it's not overly expensive but it's not cheap either - £12.

Then I bought Good Works scrub in Boots. Weirdly it wasn't with all the other scrubs. In my Boots it was by the water filters! Who knows what the logic of that is.

It smells divine. It's packed with essential oils and is gorgeous. It's much grittier than the Korres one and if you have sensitive skin, it might be too much. I found it fantastic on my feet which are now baby-smooth.

So I may not have a taut, toned and perfect body like the models but my feet at least are looking good!

Dolce & Gabbana Bronzer

Never has one picture needed so little words. WANT. Obviously.

Nail colour of the week

My nails were looking a little stained and pitiful so I went for a mani/pedi today and decided to go neutral on the hands so I picked an Opi pale pink. It may be this one above, it may be another one as I don't recall the name. It's so boring. How can people bear to have such dullness on their fingers? I bore myself just looking at my hands. Utter tedium.

A return to colour next week I think.

New Jo Malone scent

I've not been paying much notice to Jo Malone since becoming obsessed with Guerlain scent but it has come to my attention that there is a new perfume and it's Cherry Blossom. I do love me some cherry blossom. And doesn't it look pretty? I must investigate.

It has the word powdery in the description. Oooh, I am convinced I will like it.

Essie's Summer 2011 Collection

Inspired by Brazil. Want. Want. Want. Especially Too Too Hot and Super Bossa Nova. You can examine in more detail here.

Bring on the beach and the bikini please.

Fishy pedi - reporting back

I was going to post a picture from Google of fish eating feet but the faint-hearted among you may not thank me. Google it if you are interested.

Last week, as advertised, I paid to have fish nibble my feet. It was bizarre. You have to wipe your feet with a wet wipe first and then you literally plunge your feet into a tank of fish and they swarm round and start eating. I hated the first 60 seconds and wanted to pull my feet out but then I had a word with myself and settled in. It's deeply weird and icky but I must say after their 30 minute dinner, my feet were very smooth.

Having said that, I am not sure I'd have it done again as the more I think about it, the more I think urggghhhhh.

Nail colour of the week

Not done this for a while I know. It's been weeks since I've seen my lovely manicurist. Today I plumped for Watermelon and it is really nice - very summery and pretty.

Fishy pedicure

Tomorrow I am going to let fish eat my feet. Lucky fish. I shall be reporting back. This might be my shortest post ever. Has anyone else had a fishy pedi?

Working out and staying beautiful

My project for the summer is to get fit. Too long have I sat on the couch and made excuses and I am staring down the barrel of a significant birthday (21 since you ask sweeties) and so needs must and all that. I've enlisted a personal trainer as I am sadly lacking in any motivation when left to my own devices.

My dilemma is well, the sweat. The straggly hair. The chipping of nail varnish. The lycra darlings, the lycra. Must one? When your style icon is Alexis Carrington then the notion of getting sweaty is Not Good.

In Dynasty, I remember seeing her in the Carrington gym and she looked magnificent. But if I attempt the same look I fear people will point and laugh. It involved an electric blue leotard.

I look for hints in the following: how to keep your hair off your face when running. Regular tying back of hair doesn't work in the face of wind and sweat. What's the best anti-perspirant? I don't mind sweating as needs must and it shows I am working hard but I'd like to feel I am doing my best on the sweaty front.  How can I keep my face from taking half an hour to return to its normal hue. Beetroot red is not becoming.

Any advice is welcome and I apologise for the overuse of the word 'sweat' in this post. It won't happen again.