Nails 2013 / Q3

A collection of nail looks (don't think they classify as nail art) from the last quarter of the year… I'm not super creative when it comes to nails but nails are always a popular subject… let me know if you like this type of posts! :)

Played with a bit of french manicure here:

Revlon Top Speed in 607 Hazy as base and Revlon ColourStay Longwear Nail Enamel in 180 Indigo Night for the tips. 

Blue polishes are my absolute favourites!

Execution leaves a bit to be desired but I think the matte/glossy combo looks fantastic!
I used Nails Inc in Lily from the Gossip Girl Collection; I don't really like Nails Inc polishes because they take ages to dry but I got to say that this colour lasted well and it's still fluid after few years. For the matte coat - I used Rimmel Matte Finish Top Coat.

I like the liquid sand effect of OPI What Wizardry Is This? It gives such foolproof results, especially if you're in a hurry. I added Pupa Lasting Colour Gel in 18 Delicate Crimson on my ring finger for a pop of colour.

Finally, a Christmasy look: I used a Ted Baker Gold colour from last year giftset and Essence Happy Holidays Nail Sweets that my sister brought me from Italy :)

I've also been using these Revlon Quick Dry Top Coats - one is a 'proper' transparent polish, whilst the second are drops. I like them both equally and don't smudge. I've used Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Speed Dry Drops in the past (which I like a lot!) and definitely recommend these too, for a cheaper alternative.

p.s.: sorry for the poor quality of these photos. Something went wrong when I uploaded them and I've already deleted them from the memory card :(

Nails 2013 / Q2

Essie Nail Lacquer in 47 Sexy Divide

Few weeks ago, I decided I wanted another Essie but I was overwhelmed by the choice in Boots.

I didn't want to get a dupe so after going through my collection, I realised I needed a purple.

AND-WHAT-A-PURPLE! What a stunning shade - very pleased with it!

teamed with Denny Leighton in Hanky-Panky

teamed with OPI What Wizardry Is This?

Been wanting to try the caviar look for ages - I used a MUA as a cheaper alternative to the OPI. 

Personally, I think it's just too high maintenance: the beads started to fall off within hours so I added a clear top coat and then it looked like all the beads melted together. Not happy! :(

Base: SAlly Hansen HD Hi-Definition Nail Colour in 14 Spectrum

Still loving the L'Oreal Colour Rich Top Coat Confetti... the fastest way to an effortless nail look!

Favourite combo? But with corals, of course.

teamed with Kiko Celebration Nail Lacquer in 419 Coral Red

OPI Which Witch Are You?

You may have noticed a theme developing between the release of the movie 'Oz The Great & Powerful' and some cosmetics companies; personally, I'm very happy about all the collaborations - a fantasy story like this can only result in exciting products.

OPI is the next in line to come out with a special collection that includes 7 polishes and 9 nail designs that you can create with the new shades (3 for every witch).

When Monkeys Fry is a clear base with gold and silver glitter

Which is Witch? is a top coat with holographic glitter

I Theodora You is a baby pink

Don't Burst My Bubble is a white with a pink undertone

Lights of Emerald City is a clear base with white and colour square glitter

Glints of Glinda is a peachy nude

What Wizardry Is This? is liquid sand effect 

Glints of Glinda* is one of the three sheer shades of the collection. It's very sheer: with only 2 coats you get the 'your nails but better' effect but you should do 4 coats, for full opacity.
Luckly it dries fast so 4 coats don't take that long and it also applies evenly and without streaks.
This shade is just up my street - it's elegant, it's very glossy and lasted 4/5 days without chipping. 

2 coats

What Wizardry Is This?* is a brown and gold liquid sand effect. I was mostly excited to try out this new finish and I wasn't disappointed... I love it!!!

I haven't tried any of these textured polishes yet so I wasn't sure what to expect, especially how rough they may feel on the nails but I can tell that the polish still feels pretty smooth, without subtracting anything from the effect.

 The colour is gorgeous, vibrant and really opaque and I find it very low maintenance because - of course - you don't need to worry about smudges too much... hehe ;)

Now I need to get my paws on Lights of Emerald City too - it looks amazing!

Have you see this OPI collection yet? Did you pick up any shade?

Btw, I still haven't had the chance to see the film... hopefully this weekend!

Nails of the Week - Pastel Rainbow

I'm sooo surprised how much I'm liking this look!

I've seen it on many blogs, recently - and I, actually, tried it only because I was a bit bored and I couldn't decide on which colour to use... but I'm pretty pleased with the result. 

The boy offered to take a couple of shots with the fisheye - I like how the colours pop. :)

I used:

Rimmel Apricot Punch

Topshop Celestial

Rimmel Peppermint

Zoya Kendal

OPI Sparrow Me the Drama

What do you think? Yay or Nay?

p.s.: I got an exciting post coming up tomorrow... stay tuned!! ;)

Nails of the Week

Another nail look using OPI Pirates of the Caribbean

OPI Skull & Glossbones

Nails Inc. Electric Teal

I also added Rimmel matte finish on top!

What do you think? :)

xx

OPI - Pirates of the Caribbean

How pretty are these OPI nail polishes? :)

I'm loving pastels recently - well, when I say 'recently' I mean last 8 months or so - and I decided this was the right mix of interesting colours; I really like these mini bottles - I could never go through a full size. This set came out months ago (I wanna say February 2011??) but I didn't mind to wait to get it a bit cheaper.

My favourite is Stranger Tides - the green one. Pastels are not typically autumnal colours but I think this khaki is very wearable any season.

I'm starting with Sparrow Me the Drama, 'cause I can't resist a pink either. :)

Btw, the longevity of this nail polish is amazing! I thought I had to show you the picture, to believe it. The image below is after 8 days and I only removed it because I wanted a change. Really impressed!!

Think Pink

October is the month of Breast Cancer Awareness.

Every year more and more brands decide to support the cause and release special edition products, donating profit or part of the profits to charity.

Elemis Think Pink Beauty Kit

This would also make a brilliant stock filler for your mum on Christmas.

Clarisonic Classic Skin Cleansing System Kit

This is actually going on my Santa's list - I've been wanting to try it for a long time!

ghd Pink Orchid Limited Edition Styler Set

Simply gorgeous and the plates are pink too. 

You can't go wrong with it: it's the best on the market!

Finally, OPI has launched the brand new Pink Shatter topcoat

You can get a bottle from www.lenawhite.co.uk and let's shatter breast cancer!! Genius!!

These are only a few examples - there're plenty more... have a shop around!

Hope this was helpful.

xoxo

Sharing my choice of nail-wear of the week!

Rimmel Coralicious & OPI Coronation

GLOSSYBOX #2

UPDATE 21/07/11: all right, it's been a month and i had time to try the products:

- Bioeffect Serum: i have been using this one, as directed, every night on my face, including eyelids and neck. Appplying only the serum without any cream... and i have seen an improvement definitely!!! it's really really good, my skin feels soft, pampered, nourished. But at over 100quid, i don't think i will purchase it.

also, I'm including swatches of lipgloss and nail polish. OPI has been a nice re-discover; i'm liking the glitter which is kinda holographic, the product stays smooth on application (some shimmering nail varnishes leave a rough surface), it's not super glossy (neither matt tho) but it requires few coats (in fact i prefer it as a top coat on a darker colour, as my ring finger in the picture.

The lipgloss - well, i still don't like it; it is just not my colour.

Finally, finally this morning I received my first glossybox!!! The May one was sent on 20th so I was expecting this one to arrive the same day... And I have - basically - been waiting for it all week!!!

First thought: a bit disappointed really. :( maybe because the first one was truly amazing and was expecting more...
Also, looking on the website, appears that they didn't send everybody the same 5 items; 3 stables plus 2 different ones (for example, the nail polish I would have preferred the other colour and instead of the lipgloss, one of the foot treatment product). Anyway, I didn't cancelled my subscription yet. I reckon I'll just a couple more - also because apparently they will start to charge for postage from September (so, I will probably get the September box too as I think few people will unsubscribe and maybe benefit from a very special box... If you know what I mean ;))




































Ok, so what we got here:

- OPI Nail Lacquer: this is a mini from Designer Series, I got the silver shade but as mentioned before I would have prefered the purple. Pros: I'm looking forward to try OPI product and the mini bottle is super cute.
Cons: looks too glittery for my personal taste.

Bioeffect EGF Serum: this is the item I'm most excited to try. I'm well into serum as I'm getting older and this is safe to use on eyelids and doesn't need to be follow by other night products. It also comes with a card that gives you £30 off if you buy a bottle in the next month - oh yeah, forgot to mention is £125. Must really be miraculous for that price.

Batiste Original: this is the most disappointing! Are you kidding me??! Wasn't it supposed to be 5 luxury samples? This bottle is like 3quid... Plus, I used it before, it's not for me (I don't think it's suitable for fringes which is the part of my hair which gets greasiest the most) and wasn't planning on purchase it again; now, I have 2 bottles that will last me for a lifetime.

Lalique perfume: this fragrance is called Perles de Lalique and unfortunately is not my taste. :( That's just bad luck.
I will probably give it to my mum, but it's cute, retro bottle. Plus, there's a guide to' Lalique parfumes and 10% off voucher if you wish to buy a full bottle ( 'suppose also handy if you need to buy a present).

Rouge Bunny Rouge Lipgloss: I'm sure somebody else would have loved this item... Not me. :( again, bad luck!
First, I don't use lip glosses in general and on top of that the shade doesn't really suit me. It's called Secret Places of Love #54, kind of coraly but too browny as well and also tooooo glittery ( sorry for all the yyyyyyy :P).
Cons: very smooth and not sticky.


Finally, the box which is worth mentioning I think... Sturdy & will come in handy to store jewelry or makeup.


That's it then, what did you receive? Happy with that?



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