Monday 17 June 2013

Bluebell

Wow! I haven't done this in a while...

Today's NOTD is from Nails Inc and was developed exclusively for InStyle magazine, gosh it must be over a year ago now! this polish has been sat in my nail polish drawers unused and unloved for too long, so I decided to pull it out and show it the light of day.

Bluebell is a very pale baby blue with a hint of lavender, maybe could be discribed as a Periwinkle blue, application was good, very few streaks and only took two coats. Bravo Nails Inc.

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Tuesday 4 June 2013

Tag Tuesday: Colours of Rainbow Tag - Nail Edition

Yes, I am jumping on the bandwagon!  

But heres the twist, incase you couldn't guess it, I'm going to be sharing with you my favourite nail polishes for each of the colours of the rainbow. These are my current favourites, they change a lot as I add to my collection and find new colours and formulas, but I  have tried to keep it to polishes that are still available.


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Lets jump to it!




Red - Nails inc Caviar base and top coat. I'm not really a red girl, so this is the best I could come up with. They don't apply red, but appear reddish in the bottles (I've heard other people doing this tag say the same, so it is allowed)! These two are staples in my collection. I use them everyday.




Orange - Essie's Fear and Desire, just a nice, bright orange that has quickly become my favourite over OPI's Flit a Bit.




Yellow - Again I have two, and it is the combination of the two I like - Nails Inc Glamour Glitter and No7 Gold Glitter, I love layering these two.






Green - No7 Paradise Love. I highly expect this is a dupe for Deborah Lippman's Mermaids Dream and only £6.50! I love, love, LOVE it!




Blue - Clinique Splish Splash




Indigo - Into the Night, not sure if this quite classes as indigo, but its a dark blue and its gorgeous, a nice alternative to all the light, bright summery shades because that can get a little boring some times. 




Violet - OPI Planks a Lot







Pink - No7 Daisy Darling, this polish reminded me a lot of Essie Lux effects A Cut Above but couldn't find it anywhere to buy (not even ebay). so when I saw No7 had their own version I snapped it up! a great little layering polish.

Multicolored - I'm saving this one for a NOTD post, so you will have to come back tomorrow to see that :)


I Tag everyone! if you have done this tag please leave your link in the comments as I love to read them :)

xoxo


I Tag:-
Chesters Drawers
MissJenFabulous
Freshbeautyxox
MissGlamorazi
Grav3yardgirl
Amarixe
Snowdrop85
Tales of a Pale Face

Monday 3 June 2013

Clinique Haul: A Different Nail Enamel

Todays post consist of a very small Clinique Haul. I had a gift voucher, that doubled with Debenhams 10% off Beauty event led to this.


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Lets get the boring part out of the way first...

This product was the sole reason I went to the Clinique counter. I had run out of my toner about a week before and it had left a void in my skin care routine, so I was in the market. I have long been an advocate of the Clinique Three Step Skincare System since I started using it probably three years ago, I think simple is best and I like to keep in a routine. So when I heard that Debenhams had 10% off I hot stepped down to the counter and picked up the biggest bottle of toner I could find.

Thats when I should have walked away ... but I didn't.

I discovered the display of the new A Different Nail Enamels. You know we are in dangerous territory now!

I had been eyeing Splish Splash online for a few days since the release. So I had a feeling I would be purchasing that one, some how I ended up with Hula Skirt too, how did that happen? I don't know!


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Splish Slash is a gorgeous, bright, cobalt blue colours a la Beyonce/Nails Inc Baker Street. Which I thought I had nothing like in my collection, low and behold, not only do I have one polish identical, I have two!! oh my.




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This is No7 Speed dry nail colour in Poolside Blue 01. I don't know if this shade is still available due to the recent reformulation of the entire No7 brand, but the second  is most defiantly still available. Barry M nail paint in Cobalt Blue 291. As you can see, in the bottles they all look IDENTICAL! bummer.


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Hula Skirt however I was on the fence about, do I need a bright green polish? do I have something similar to it. But I caved and bought it anyway.




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I would describe it as a light spring green. I did find one similar colour in my stash in the form of Essie Mojito Madness. MM is considerably darker in colour and more of a grassy green than Hula Skirt.


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The formula is rather interesting on these, its very thick, which is a good thing as they are practically opaque in one coat. However if you do want to apply that all important (if your OCD like me) second coat, the polish almost drags off your nail, much like GOSH Holographic. Maybe they are intended as one coaters and thats why? have you experienced the same thing? Either way they are both beautiful spring/summer colours that I know I will get plenty of wear out of.


So thats my haul :)

Have you tried any of the new Clinique Different nail Enamels? which colours do you recommend?

Next on my shopping list is probably Concrete Jungle.

xoxo


Tuesday 14 May 2013

Tag Tuesday: I Heart Spring Tag.

1. Favourite spring nail polish?

I can only pick one? oh my! I'm going to say Essie's Mint Candy Apple, I know I have only just got this polish, but I can already tell that it will be my go to spring/summer polish.


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2. What is your must-have lip colour this spring?

I love orange or coral lips for spring/summer, I'm currently trying to track down Mac's Ever Hip lippie, which just seems impossible! I'm hoping for a re-premote soon!

3. Show us your favourite spring dress!

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4. What's your favourite flower?

Peonies. That one is easy!


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5. Favourite spring scarf/accessory?

This is a beautiful turquoise (you know I love turquoise) bib necklace by Nali that I got on sale from Brandalley. I had never heard of the brand before, and if I'm totally honest since, but it was supposedly originally £40.00 and I got it for £17.00 The quality is nice, I have worn it a lot and it still has all the stones in place, it dresses up a plain maxi dress, or tank and I have enjoyed wearing it. I am looking for a similar necklace but for everyday wear, so probably not a bright, bold colour like this. I have my eye on a few from House of Harlow so expect to see that in a haul soon.



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6. What spring trend(s) are you most excited about this year? (Makeup, fashion or both!)


I tend not to follow "trends" If I like something then I will buy it and enjoy it. 
Just flicking through Glamour's Spring 2013 Fashion Trends Theres nothing I'm crazy about, maybe the beads? as I'm currently planning a trip to Venice for next year and was just researching Venetian beads this morning. So at a push that would be my answer :)


7. Favourite spring candle?


Yankee Candle Sicilian Lemon, I currently have it burning in my kitchen.


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8. Favourite body spray/perfume for spring?


I tend to gravitate towards either Vera Wang Princess, Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio, or Miss Dior, but I plan to buy Emporio Armani Diamonds soon, which  think will become my summer scent this year - I love freesia and vanilla scents. 

Edit: I got it and love it! a perfect everyday summer scent.


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9. What is spring like where you live?


Cold and believe it or not, very very snowy! But we have had some sun these last couple of days, but its turned cold and rainy again.

10. What's your favourite thing about spring?


Seeing all the flowers and the blossom and being able to go for long jogs in the evenings.



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11. Are you a spring cleaner?

Yes, but sometimes I will spring clean in August or December, whenever I fell the urge to do a big spring clean.

12. Any plans for spring break or an upcoming vacation?

Not this year, I don't think we will be going anywhere until Spring 2014, but it will be worth the wait, I'm already planning it!




Have you done the I Heart Spring Tag yet? leave your

 links in the comments. I love to read all of them!


xoxo

Friday 3 May 2013

April Favourites

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This is possibly my first favourites blog!

Hair: 
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L'Oreal Professional Mythic Oil.
I'm nearly out of this product, which makes me very sad. This was the first hair oil I used, thinking it would be too heavy for my hair and would make my tresses look greasy. But I have loved everything about this product.

It leaves my hair looking glossy and tamed, and smells divine. I like to run a little of this product through the ends of my hair after curling using my conical wand.

Organix Ever Straight Keratin Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner.
Possibly THE longest name for a shampoo - ever! I've spoken about this duo before, I still love it as much as ever. I did stray a little, but quickly went back to it, my hair just isn't the same if I don't use this shampoo. It leaves it sleek and ultra shiney.

Love, Love LOVE!



Bath/Shower:
I have one product for each this month, both Champneys...


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Champneys Spa Treatments Skin Comforting Shower Cream.
I had a little bit of dry skin on my back and shoulders from the long cold UK winter we have all had to endure all the way into April this year. So I bought this shower gel for its "Skin Comforting" properties, and it worked a treat! I have already gone through one tube of this, and even purchased the bubble bath - that did not bubble *insert V. unimpressed face here* and the body butter. The scent reminds me of almond milk and porridge, not quite sure why? considering it contains coconut oil and milk proteins, but I suppose I use it in the mornings before I have my porridge?? Does that excuse my wierdness?

Champneys Spa Treatment Relaxing Dream Bath with lavender and Patchouli.
This was purchased as a replacement for the aforementioned Skin Comforting bubble bath. I have no idea what compelled me to pick this one up, as I hate scents containing Patchouli, and I'm not too keen on lavender scented things either, but this isn't overpowering at all, and bubbles up a treat - big thumbs up!

As the name suggests, this makes for a nice, relaxing, night time bath.



Make Up:
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Rimmel London BB Cream. Light.
I have really gotten into beauty balms as of late. I received a sample of this to try in the post, and immediately went out to buy it. This has replaced my Clinique Even Better foundation in my every day routine. It is easy and quick to apply and offers good coverage, I apply with my fingers and blend it in using a kabuki brush and set with a powder and it lasts all day. Not bad for £6.99 from the drugstore.

MAC Mineralised Skin Finish. By Candlelight.
I was recently reunited with this product, I left it at home when I moved! how silly! This was the first MSF I purchased from MAC back when it was released with the Warm and Cozy collection, and it was love at first sight. It doesn't give an obvious sheen, just a glow from within appearance,  with a subtle  shimmer. I like to apply this with my Sonia Kashuk medium angled powder brush, and blend with using a kabuki. Now if only I could find my Mulled Cider E/S I would be very happy.

Bourjois Paris Eyes Shadow Pot. 04 Noir Precieux.
I love a little bit of navy and I've really enjoyed using this eyeshadow as a liner, its very pigmented. and you can use it wet or dry. I tend to use it as is on my top lash line with any neutral shade from my UD Naked Palette and an orange lip for an every day look.


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Scents:

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Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gioia eau de parfum.
I have always had a penchant for Armani perfumes ever since I discovered Armani Code, I picked this scent up on a whim one day in boots and ended up purchasing the gift boxed edition immediately.

Acqua di Gioia is a fresh, summery scent with notes of mint, lemon, and jasmine. I'm already half way down this bottle, this is only the 30ml.

I may be in the market for the pour homme version for C. I'm undecided between this and the Armani Diamonds.

Yves Saint Laurent Parisienne eau de parfum.
In contrast to the Armani, YSL Parisienne is a very girly scent with notes of rose, violet, peony, cranberry and sandalwood. But I like that this perfume isn't sugary sweet, and the berries provide an almost sourness.

If you like sweet, fruity, berry scents give this one a try, you wont be disappointed.



Nails.
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Essie Mint Candy Apple.
Enough said.


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Cuticle Oils...
of every shape and size, as I mentioned earlier, up until a couple of weeks ago here in the UK we were still getting snow and it was very, very cold. Cuticle is already a necessity in my daily routine but over the last month I have kept it everywhere, in my bag, in my car, bedside table, bathroom, at work ... just everywhere!

My Favourites have to be though the Burt's Bees Cuticle Butter, OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil in the handy little tube and Lush Lemon Flutter (which I desperately need to repurchase).


So thats what I've been loving through out the month of April, I'm hoping to keep up these blog posts as its a nice segway into fragrance and make up posts for me.

If you have a favourites blog or video please feel free to leave your link below, I love to read all your posts.

xoxo