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 :(

Empties / June

Body:

Treacle Moon Iced Strawberry Dream: I won this bottle from a giveaway Evelyn @ We Were Raised By Wolves did last year. It smells incredible but it was a limited edition so not sure if you can still find it around. I kinda of rationed it, it's that good... hehe ;) It also fills the bath with loads of pampering bubbles.

 Repurchase: if I can get another bottle, absolutely. Otherwise, I'll try some other scent... I'm impressed!

Sanctuary Sculpting Anti-Cellulite Treatment: What an awful, overpriced product! First of all, the packaging is extremely awkward to use and you end up wasting a ton; secondly, the product itself didn't make any improvement to the appearance of my skin and it left a oily residue. BUT... it's totally my fault: I actually had already bought and hated this cream in the past... shame I forgot and bought again... what a muppet! :D

Repurchase: hell no!

Rituals Wai Wang Organic White Lotus & Yi Yi Ren Exfoliating Body Scrub: I got to say, if there's something I don't like about Rituals is their long, exotic names... enough already! Anyhow, I got this bottle as a freebie in a magazine and it was a pretty generous size for a sample. This particular scent is lovely and floraly; I liked the scrub too: it spread easily and didn't irritate my skin.

Repurchase: yes 

Nails Inc Vitamin E Oil Pen: I had high hopes for this pen... all irremediably crashed! I have really dry cuticles but I didn't feel any improvement whilst using this product. not even temporary! It's an oil so it feels  a bit greasy once applied but it dries really fast and you're left with the same dry skin as before. really really disappointed. I have to say that it lasted longer than expected, tho (a good 4 months, using it 3/4 times a week).

Repurchase: no

Face:

Apivita Express Beauty with Orange Mask: this is a revitalizing face mask with orange essential oils. What a lovely mask! I really loved using it: it felt fresh and left my skin soft and glowing. Perfect for summer.

Repurchase: yep!

Rodial Glam Balm Lip: I had to get rid of this lip balm. The strong rose scent was really starting to annoy me and it turned liquid-y towards the end. I really don't understand all the fuss around this item: I think it's overpriced and performing averagely.

Repurchase: nope!

Alpha-H Micro Cleanse: this is a really decent exfoliating scrub. It contains 12% glycolic acid, cucumber extract and rice bran and it was just the right consistency. Impressed so far with everything I've tried from Alpha-H.

Repurchase: yes

What's in your empties this month? :)

Nails of the Week

Still a bit messy - apologies - need to tidy it up... but I decided to try this combo, tonight:

What do you think? I like it! :)

I used: Topshop Celestial & Nails Inc High Society top coat (from the Gossip Girl Collection)

Which nail colour are you wearing today?

I've been very lucky again with giveaways, recently.

I won this book on the Beauty Balm.

Sandra offered 3 books in her giveaway and I picked Perfumes The A-Z Guide.

The descriptions are witty and interesting, plus there are added pieces of trivia here and there; 

a very pleasant read.

I won this on the Secret Beauty Hoarder.

Kerri's giveaway in occasion of the Queen's Jubilee - the Nails Inc polish is called Elizabeth Street - hehe :)

She also sent me these extras - Thanks, hun!

Finally, I won these goodies on Been There, Done That, Got The Lipstick - amazing, eh?!

I have already used the Clarins Extra-Firming Body Cream and I like it... looking forward to try Skin Doctors Eyetuck and Ysl Forever youth Liberator Serum! :)

*****

Now, it's time to announce the winner to MY giveway...

Congratulations to Emma Kershaw @ Beauty By Emma

... your prize will be with you soon! :)

xxx

Nails of the Week... with Nails Inc

I started 2012 with Nails Inc New Year Collection!

This pretty mustardy honey colour is the perfect shade to channel the current trend of strong neutrals...

if Hampstead Gardens - love the name as well - is too yellow for you, you can opt for Holland Park Avenue - a rich, more classic taupe with a hint of brown.

I paired it with a glittery purple!

* nails inc - pr sample*

FeelUnique Beauty Box Review - December 2011

This is quite a late review but I unsubscribed from this box anyway so this is the last one I received.

Now, having see the content of the January box, I'm glad I did!!! 

TIGI Bed Head Candy Fixations Sugar Dust

How disappointing! Are you serious, FeelUnique?

We already received an hair powder in the November box - honestly, I think this is really poor...

If you wanna keep reading my rant/my thoughts about this type of products, I refer you here because I don't have anything else to add... since last month!!!
This is a much finer dust than the Schwarzkopf' one, in fact it created an annoying 'cloud' when I tried to use it.

Annick Goutal Mandragore Eau De Toilette
A 25ml parfume - good size and pretty bottle, coming in an organza bag. I quite like this perfume so I'm gonna keep it but it could make a nice present too.

I would say it's quite spicy but fresh; pretty unique smell, not too overpowering and the ginger & boxwood notes are refreshed by the bergamot.

Clarisonic Refreshing Gel Cleanser 
I think it was unfair to include this product... My question to you girls is: who is going to buy a Clarisonic cleanser without having a Clarisonic?
I got a Clarisonic for Christmas so I'm using it in conjunction with the brush but if I didn't have one, It wouldn't be my first choice (with all the brands on the market!!!)
I, also, got the Gentle Hydro Cleanser (from the Clarisonic Box) and personally, I prefer the refreshing gel version: I find it easier to spread and emulsify on the skin.

Nails Inc. Oxford Circus Limited Edition Nail Polish
***yawn*** yes, pretty little cute bottle of nail polish but HOW BORING!!!
I wish they had sent different colours out so I could have swapped it for another colour, at least...
I, recently, got a similar pink from OPI Pirates of the Caribbean collection so I really don't need this dupe... ***yawn***

Figs & Rouge Sweet Geranium 100% Organic Balm
Personally, I really hate geranium smell so I can't use this on my lips.
Recently, I started using the Rose & Co balm on my cuticles and I saw a great improvement so I decide to give this one a go. Unfortunately, there's no comparison and the Figs & Rouge failed to hydrate or smooth or soothe or do ANYTHING AT ALL for my fingers.
I suppose, it's 100% natural as they say because it's got these granules that melt in contact with the heat of my fingers, releasing a very oily liquid... but my skin is as dry as before, once absorbed.

Living Nature Set
This is the bonus item of this month!
We got 3 satchels of Vitalising Cleanser, Extra Hydrating Toning Gel & Nourishing Day Cream coming in a neat folder with extra cards with informations... only criticism: words and words and words and no an hint or recommendation on how to use the products.
Yes, I'm a geek and yes, I'm the type of person that read manuals too!

So, my experience with FeelUnique box comes to an end: in conclusion I would say that these boxes have potentials (look at the amazing brands they sell!) but the impression I get is that there's not much thought behind them...

What do you think?? Did you receive the Janauary' box... Happy with it?

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

FeelUnique Beauty Box

Finishing Touches

- TIGI Bed Head Candy Fixations Sugar Dust

- Annick Goutal Mandragore Eau De Toilette

- Clarisonic Cleanser

- Nails Inc. Oxford Circus Limited Edition Nail Polish

- Figs & Rouge Sweet Geranium 100% Organic Balm

- Living Nature samples

Would you be happy with this box?

xx

Nails of the Week

A couple of days ago, I received this set in the post and I couldn't wait to try it. 

Nails Inc released a special collection, dedicated to Gossip Girl. Personally, I've never seen the show but I'm loving these nail sets.

In the box, you'll find a base colour and a overglaze polish and there're 3 different combinations available: Lily, Serena, Blair.

 The Lily version - which is actually my favourite - recommends to apply 2 coats of the Lily plum black polish and then finish with 1 or 2 of the High Society top coat.

Sorry for the messy nails but I forgot to take a picture. This was taken after 6 days wear - still not too bad I think.

I think they are both gorgeous! As you can notice, the glaze varies between green, yellow and orange depending on the light. I could totally use Lily on his own and experiment with High Society on top of other colours.

What do you think? Do you like the effect? :)

*pr sample*

Beauty Buys

I've never tried Nails Inc before - I usually don't spend a huge amount of money on nail polish. My favourite brand is definitely Rimmel and worst I ever tried is No7 (doesn't even last 2 days without chipping plus it takes ages to dry)... anyway, back to Nails Inc, I thought I give it a go since it was for free with Glamour magazine this month.

Colour: Jemyn Street

Pros: last ages!!! really really over a week before it started getting ruined; also, like the taupe/beigy colour.

Cons: the brush is really not good - tiny, soft making difficult to apply in 1 or few strokes.

Also, took advantage of 3x2 make up offers in Boots and got few essentials:

Benefit: The POREfessional - this is aaaaaaamazing!!! the skin feels so soft and flawless once applied, I reckon the tiny bottle won't last long;

Vaseline: with cocoa butter edition - i'm addicted to vaseline lips tins, I've tried them all... hehe;

Max Factor: lip liner in 12-Fire - J'adore red lips!

Rimmel: 3 in 1 Powder Blush in Spring Flower - read a good review about this, but honestly after trying it, it doesn't seem anything special to me.