Gels by Elise

Our Bangers4Ben Challenge 💛

On 1st October, Garrie and I are setting off from Inverness on a journey of nearly 3,000 miles in aid of BEN – the automotive industry charity.

The rules. Buy a car for £750 and dress it up in this years theme which is BACK TO THE 80’s.

We have the car, it’s 75% done. But we can’t say…. The rules say we can reveal the night before. 😁🚗

We’ll drive to Portsmouth, sail overnight to France, head south through Europe and into the Pyrenees and Spain, before turning around , a wee stop off in Manchester to hopefully collect an Autotrader Award then making the journey home back to Inverness.

All in a banger that’s worth £750 😁🤣🚗

It’ll be a brilliant adventure, but the reason we’re doing it matters far more.

I’ve spent pretty much all of my working life in the motor trade. It’s an industry full of people who work hard, solve problems and look after others every single day whether is customers or colleagues.

But sometimes, the people doing the looking after need someone in their corner too.

That’s where BEN comes in.

BEN supports people from the automotive industry and their families when life gets difficult, whether that’s through illness, mental health struggles, financial worries or simply finding themselves in a situation they never expected.

Our target is £2,000.

You don’t need to donate a fortune. £5, £10 or £20 all adds up, and every donation helps BEN be there for someone in our industry when they really need it.

Thank you for getting behind us. It genuinely means a lot.

Craig & Garrie
Culloden Cars | Bangers4Ben 2026

CLICK HERE TO DONATE - https://giving.ben.org.uk/pf/culloden-cars2026

halloween has started….

🎀 MEET ME ~ the girl behind Gels by Elise

i thought it was about time i properly reintroduced myself, especially as there are lots of new faces around here… hiiii, i’m elise! 🤍

i’ve been in the beauty industry for over 2 years now and Gels by Elise has become such a huge part of my life. what started with me doing nails has grown into offering builder gel, gel x, brows & lash lifts and i absolutely love what i do 🫶🏼

outside of the salon, i’m currently in my 4th year of my primary education degree 👩🏼‍🏫 so my life is basically a mixture of uni, assignments, lesson planning, clients and trying to keep everything organised 😂

a few random things about me…

🎀 pink will forever be my favourite colour
🍵 i LOVE a matcha
🐾 i’m completely obsessed with dogs and will absolutely ask to see photos of yours
🐴 i’m a massive horse girl and have had horses for years
💄 i love everything beauty — nails, skincare, hair, makeup… all of it
✨ i’m a perfectionist, especially when it comes to my work
🎬 Tangled is my favourite film and always will be
🕵🏼‍♀️ i love crime/SWAT type programmes
🛍️ a little shopping trip is one of my favourite things to do
💬 i LOVE a good chat, so your appointments definitely won’t be awkward or silent hahaha

one of my favourite things about this job is the relationships i’ve built with my clients. appointments are so much more than just getting your nails, brows or lashes done, i genuinely love hearing all your life updates, having a laugh and creating a space where you can switch off for a little while 🤍

i’m also constantly wanting to learn and improve. whether it’s new techniques, products, treatments or training, i’m always looking for ways to make Gels by Elise better and give you the best experience i can.

balancing uni alongside running a business can be slightly chaotic 😂 but i’m genuinely so proud of how much my little business has grown over the past 2 years.

whether you’ve been coming to me since the beginning, you’re a regular, or you’ve only just found my page, thank you for being here and supporting me. it means so much more than you probably realise 🥹🤍

so hiiii, i’m elise — the girl behind Gels by Elise 🎀✨ # # #

Let me introduce myself.

My name is Jennifer. I have been a stylist now for 8 years. I trained at Jigami in Malta while also working with them and went on to do some mobile hair dressing.

I am a Mum of 2 beautiful girls and moved back to the area with my family in 2023.

Occasion hair has always been a passion of mine and I love to help people feel glam.

So whether it's a ladies day, a wedding guest or you're the bride, get in touch to see how I can help you achieve your hair goals for your special occasion. 💖

mocha chrome ☕️✨

i am obsessed with the autumnal nails at the moment

💅

A little booking update for my lovely clients 🤍

I’m officially back at uni now, which means my diary is going to be a little more limited over the next few months 🫶🏼

If you’re one of my regulars, I’d really recommend getting your appointments booked in right through until the end of the year so you’ve got your preferred days and times secured ✨

From November until the end of December, I’ll only be working one day a week, so spaces are going to fill up much quicker than usual — especially with Christmas coming up 🎄🤍

I absolutely love seeing you all and will always do my best to accommodate everyone, but with uni I unfortunately won’t have the flexibility to squeeze in extra appointments like I normally would. So pleaseee don’t leave it until the last minute 🥹

If you’ve been meaning to book, this is your sign!! Get those appointments in the diary now so you’re all sorted for the rest of the year 🤍✨

As always, thank you SO much for keeping me busy and supporting my little business while I’m at uni. I appreciate you all more than you know 🫶🏼

💛⭐️🌻🌝🌼

using all nailsbycodiex products

💚 £962 RAISED FOR MACMILLAN 💚

I don’t really know where to begin other than to say thank you.

When I first decided to organise Manis for Macmillan, I never imagined we would raise an incredible £962. Seeing so many people walk through the doors on Saturday, donate, buy raffle tickets, have a coffee and cake, and simply show their support was honestly so emotional.

This fundraiser was always about so much more than raising money. It was about showing our support for Annie, someone we love so incredibly much, while also helping Macmillan continue to be there for other people and families going through something no one should ever have to face. 💚

Watching everyone come together for her was something I’ll never forget. Annie, we are all so unbelievably proud of you. You are surrounded by so much love, and we’ll continue to stand beside you through every part of this journey. 🤍

To every person who donated, came along, bought something, entered the raffle, baked for us, donated a prize, shared my posts or helped behind the scenes — thank you from the bottom of my heart. Every single contribution helped us reach this total.

And to all of the amazing local businesses who supported a little idea of mine and helped turn it into something so special — I will forever be grateful.

£962. 🥹💚

I’m genuinely overwhelmed by what we achieved together.

For Annie, for everyone fighting, for everyone we’ve lost, and for every family affected by cancer.

Thank you. 💚

Elise x

💚✨ TODAY’S THE DAY — MANIS FOR MACMILLAN! ✨💚

After all the planning, organising and incredible support from local businesses and everyone who has donated, Manis for Macmillan is happening TODAY! 🥹💚

📍 The Lounge, Forres
⏰ 11am–4pm
📅 Today — Saturday 5th September

Come along and join us for a lovely day raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support 💚

We’ll have:
🎟️ An amazing raffle packed with prizes donated by local businesses
🧁 Cakes & sweet treats
☕ Teas & coffees
💅 Press-on nails & cuticle oils
🍭 Lollipop station
🎯 Games for the kids
💚 And, most importantly, the chance to come together and support an incredible cause.

Whether you pop in for a coffee, grab some raffle tickets, bring the kids along or simply come in to say hello, every bit of support means so much.

I can’t wait to see everyone today! 🥹💚

11AM–4PM • THE LOUNGE, FORRES

Please share and help us make today as amazing as possible! 💚✨