• Read the instructions if it’s your first time applying and take your time to apply. 

• Prep your nails!! Never miss this step. Prepping includes; cleaning, filing, moisturising and cuticle care. 

• Match your nails to the correct styles all at once instead of applying one and finding the next size. I match the sizes up then line them up in pairs ready to apply. 

• Start from your little fingers, apply from the outer side of your hand, leaving your thumbs until last. 

• Apply before bed as this is the longest time you’ll not get your hands wet for, I find my nails last longer when I apply before bed. 

• And finally, carry some spare nail tabs or glue in your bag for any nail emergencies; as you never know. 

Kiss lashes are always in my makeup bag now and as a girl that not so long ago was a novice to lashes, I’m now wearing them regularly especially for nights out, events or if I'm feeling a little fancy one day. I've found Kiss lashes to be the easiest to apply as I would say I'm no expert and its does take me while to apply lashes but I find this brand so much easier. You can read my first review of Kiss lashes here.

So we are here to talk about a pair of the nicest lashes I've ever tried and they are the sleekest too but first let me fill you in on the KISS brand itself. Kiss products are available in over 90 countries world wide after the brands success took off in the US in the earlier days and it wasn't long after the brand became stocked internationally. They are the worlds largest manufacturer and suppler of professional nail products and their lashes are very popular in many countries. You can buy Kiss products from Boots, Superdrug and Asda in the UK and many stores across the globe.


Kiss have many different lash styles and collections but I think this 5th avenue set is much more glamorous than the others even from the lash packaging to the full look of the lashes when they are worn. The 5th avenue collection is from the lash couture range but its been amped up a little, there are 3 styles available to choose from and here I have the 'Opulence'* style which I was kindly sent to sample.


For starters as I've said above the packaging is just gorgeous and feels glam in my opinion, they would definitely catch your eye in a store. The lashes come in their own little plastic box which is great for storing them in after each wear and it even has adhesive included too although I've been using one of Kiss's lash glue which has Aloe Vera in it. The plastic box can also be used to store other sets of lashes in the future too. The lashes themselves looks so voluminous in the box and feel so soft to touch.




You can pick up Kiss lashes in Boots and Superdrug stores as well as online. Let me know which styles you pick up in the comments. I'll pop a selfie on Insta of me wearing the lashes so you can see them in action so make sure your following me, search @gemsupnorth.

Have you heard of Hempz? They create skin care and hair care products using natural hemp seed oil which is super good for the skin and hair. I've recently been using some of Hempz skin care range, I was kindly sent a moisturiser, body wash and body scrub to sample and let me tell you I've been loving using the products especially the moisturiser.

Hempz have a few ranges to choose from including this Pink Pomelo and Himalayan Sea Salt range which I've been using over the past few weeks. Each of the three products is enriched with 100% pure natural hemp seed oil and is paraben-free, gluten-free and 100% Vegan; what's not to love about Hempz? Pink Pomelo has rich Vitamin C properties so this helps to rejuvenate the appearance of your skin whilst Shea Butter gives the skin essential nutrients and helps to protect against free-radicals.


Pink Pomelo & Himalayan Sea Salt Herbal Body Moisturiser*
This was my favourite of the three products to use as it smells beautiful and the scent is long lasting on my skin. I also particularly like that this bottle has a pump so its so much easier to apply and you never use too much product; I use one to two pumps of cream per leg so it does go a very long way. The moisturiser soaks into my skin beautifully and isn't sticky at all, I can apply this then put pants on pretty much straight away so theres no waiting around for the product to dry. I love that the moisturiser is natural and hemp seed oil is great for the skin, my legs can be dry so I try to use a lot of moisturiser especially after shaving my legs, I've been using Hempz for a few weeks now and I feel like my dry skin has lifted; my legs also look really healthy and smooth even the day after shaving.


Pink Pomelo & Himalayan Sea Salt Herbal Body Scrub*
I use a body scrub around once a week, usually before shaving my legs so I can get a closer shave. When using body scrub I want to feel like my skin is fresh, clean and free from any dirt, built up or nasties. This Hempz body scrub is really soft on my skin and wasn't rough when being used, the product isn't greasy like some scrubs can be and none of us want to be sliding all over the tub so this was a real advantage for someone as clumsy as me. Again the scent is beautiful and really does stick around for a while on the skin, I can use this before bed, apply the moisturiser and wake up in the morning with the lovely scent on my skin. Hempz body scrub has all the natural elements inside just like the moisturiser but also has vitamins A, C and E which help to protect skin from any natural oxidants or elements again fighting free-radicals. I believe this scrub gives my skin an extra boost of softness and works well with the moisturiser to smooth my skin.


Pink Pomelo & Himalayan Sea Salt Herbal Foaming Body Wash*
Lastly to complete the trio of products is a foaming body wash so your Pink Pomelo & Himalayan sea salt skin care routine starts with this body wash. Enhanced with all the same natural ingredients as the other two products and with the same scent, I can't get enough of this body wash; my shower is filled with a beautiful scent, clean and fresh skin and lasting results. The wash foams up so less product is actually needed, you can use this on a shower puff or just use your hands to cleanse your skin. I don't seem to of used much of the wash at all as the foam spreads out and just a few pumps are needed; yes this product also has a pump action lid which again is an advantage. This nourishing body foam is the start of my skin care routine and again works really well with its sister products to help my skin feel; soft, smooth, clean and fresh.


Hempz is available from a few online retailers, you can see their stocklist here and they are affordable too. With small bottles of moisturiser priced at £3.99, I think this is great natural and budget brand that should be in everyones skin care routine.

A few weeks ago I received the most gorgeous PR package and was blown away by the thought and effort that must of gone into the package. As I opened my front door to the DPD man who stood with a large box half the size of him; I was like what the blooming’ hell is this? I spotted that the side of the box said fresh flowers then I got a beautiful floral scent as I opened the box up. Inside was a massive bunch of flowers with lashes inserted into the bunch as features, the flowers was from Kiss Products to promote their Blooming Lash range.

“Dreaming about being an actress, is more exciting than being one” -  Marilyn Monroe

imPRESS Nails are a KISS (bring the salon home) brand, KISS is the worlds largest distributor of professional nail products. They were the first company to bring professional-quality artificial nails and nail art products straight to the consumers to use at home. imPRESS nails was a new generation of press-on nails in 2012 when they launched and introduced new designs in 2013 after being so successful.

I have to admit I'm a complete newbie to false lashes and have only worn them a few times for special occasions or fancy dress purposes however lately I've been sampling some new lashes from KISS. The brand's PR kindly sent me 2 sets of lashes to try; the *Gala and *Midnight styles are both from the NEW Lash Couture Faux Mink collection.


KISS recently launched the new Faux Mink lashes in 3 lash styles including the two styles I was sent; they have also got Lash Couture adhesive in black and clear in the range on the US website. KISS lashes are available in Superdrug and they have the new Faux mink lashes on the website here for just £7.99 each; there are 3 styles to choose from; Gala and Midnight have a more intense look and Little Black Dress are more of a natural look.

KISS have created a patent pending mink effect design with an exclusive knot free lash band giving us natural looking layers of lashes with soft faux mink hair. Each of the lashes are soft, silky looking, lightweight and can used up to 10 times. The lashes have multiple lengths, curls and angles to really give you that natural but dramatic look.


As I've said above I'm a newbie to lashes but always been keen to try them so I was pleased to receive these lashes to try out. I read all the packaging information on how to best apply them which only has 3 steps involved and went ahead wearing them a few times a week.

Application

I found the application of the lashes a little fiddly at first due to me not being used to applying lashes, I'm sure the pros and false lash fans would have them on in no time. I felt the lashes in the convenient travel case that they come in and they feel soft and silky. The packet said to measure the lashes to my lash line and trip down if needed, I did have to cut a small amount off and did this from the inside leaving more of the voluminous lashes to go on the outer corner of my eyes. Since the lashes don't come with glue included like some other brands do, I used some I had left over from another set of lashes. I applied this to the knot free lash band and waited 30 seconds before using tweezers to place the lashes above my own eyelashes and holding them in place. The glue dried quickly and I was left with a comfortable fit and weightless lash.


Wear and Comfort

My eyes aren't used to wearing false lashes and sometimes when I've tried them in the past I've been able to feel them all the time and became irritated with them. This KISS lashes are so comfortable to wear, I had them on for full days without any irritation or reaction from my eyes. The lashes felt like I was just wearing mascara but I could see them a little bit then I was blinking; not that this is problem. I also got a couple of compliments from people when I had them on.


Removal

The packet states to gently peel off the lashes starting from the outer corner and then remove the glue from the lashes and wash them with water before leaving them to dry in the case provided. I went ahead and pulled gently on the lashes pulling from the outer edge of my eyes, the lashes came off with only a small pull which I didn't expect as they was well stuck on. The removal process took me all of 20 seconds, then I washed them under cold water and placed them back into the case to dry. Once dry I gave them a brush with a clean mascara wand just to separate the lashes and they was back to new again! I think if I keep looking after the lashes like this and caring for them I will get more than 10 uses out of them which is fantastic value.


Over the last couple of weeks I've worn both pairs of lashes a few times each and there both still in perfect condition and I've got a little better at applying them too. If you want a more dramatic look than what you gain with just mascara then I'd highly recommend these KISS Lash Couture lashes and they are cheaper than some mascaras too.