Nail blogger secrets for pretty nails 6: Don’t go it alone (epilogue)

Here’s the final part of the Nail Blogger Secrets series (though there may be some addenda in the future). If you haven’t already, make sure you check out the other installments (links at the bottom of this post). Every polish journey is different, so I’m not going to tell you how to go about your glittery bidness. Except for this. …

Read more

Fact-check: The Dangers of Hydroquinone

This week’s Fact-check (it’s late, I know, sorry!) looks at another controversial skincare ingredient, hydroquinone. What is hydroquinone, what benefits does it have in skincare, why do people say it’s harmful, and is it actually bad? Let’s find out… What is hydroquinone? Hydroquinone (sometimes referred to as “HQ”) is a chemical with the structure shown below: It occurs naturally in …

Read more

Artsy Wednesday: April Fools hidden message mani

I hope you all had an injury-free April Fool’s Day! I spend mine frustratedly trying to find Mew (if you’re a sucker for punishment like me, try out the Google Maps Pokemon scavenger hunt). Here;s my mani – I’ve wanted to do this for a while now, but haven’t had the time. We start off with an innocent looking mani …

Read more

Project 100 Pan: Empties 71-80

More empties! I’ve been powering through samples while I’ve been in Europe, but unfortunately I’ve been buying a lot too. How can I not – so many new products to try! But I do feel proud of the fact I’m actually using products up these days, instead of using 2/3 of a bottle then leaving it to rot away in …

Read more

Fact-check Friday: What is a chemical peel?

Sorry for the delayed Fact-check Friday this week! We’re looking at something more hardcore today – not quite surgery, but not something you want to attempt blindly either: chemical peels. What is a chemical peel? Photo credit A chemical peel is a procedure for treating certain skin disorders, or simply improving the texture and appearance of the skin. It involves …

Read more

Nail blogger secrets for pretty nails 5: Nail addiction on the cheap

I’m not going to lie: I have spent a LOT of money on nail-related items. But probably less than you’d think, from the size of my collection. Being Asian, I take great pride in bargain-hunting – here are some of my favourite tips for being able to afford a polish addiction AND a place to sleep. More expensive doesn’t mean …

Read more

Cheap and awesome: How to wash your brushes with Daiso detergent

Daiso is a Japanese variety store that’s been quietly expanding in Australia over the past year. It’s the largest of Japan’s “100 yen” chains, and while 100 yen is technically about $1.05, everything in Daiso Australia retails at $2.80, which is still somehow an amazing bargain. I can never leave without picking a few things up. One of the cult …

Read more

Nail blogger secrets for pretty nails 4: Glitter isn’t normal polish

Part 4 of the Nail Blogger Secrets series looks at the most enticing, yet most frustrating of polish genres: glitter. How do you get it, how do you use it, and how do you get rid of it? There’s a special moment when a polish-lovin’ nail fiend first discovers glitter. Not fine, sprinkly glitter top coat (though those deserve love …

Read more