The Essentials: Perfect Manicure Favourites

Prep: Buffing your nails is a great way to remove ridges and ensure a smooth base for nail varnish. I use a Nails Inc 4 Way Buffer (no longer available) as it contains a file, ridge remover and buffer as well as a shine-giving side. It definitely helps to keep my varnish and nails looking smoother. However, it is reported that over buffing can weaken nails, and although I have never had a problem, I don't do this more than once a week. When it comes to filing I will only use this Bio Sculpture one (also not available - useful) which is many years old, and yes, is covered in Santas. But it's the best one I have ever tried, it isn't flimsy, so doesn't overly bend, and files with such ease without damaging my nails.

The Essentials: Best Beauty Tools

Today's post is a roundup of the unsung heroes of beauty, the unglamorous necessities. Makeup brushes aside, beauty tools are the boring side of any collection and are often overlooked, but finding the right ones can make a huge difference to your beauty routines.

Fist up has got to be haircare as finding the right hair brush is a real life saver (okay, not literally but you get the gist). Before I tried the Tangle Teaser I didn't understand how one brush could be different to another, but I was so wrong. I don't know what kind of sorcery it is but it makes taming the beast much easier and pain free. However, I have a new favourite, The Wet Brush. Where have you been all my life? It has the painless detangling power of the Tangle Teaser, but in an easy to  use, paddle brush form.