Nail Varnish Collection Downsize…

I've noticed in recent months that my style is getting really minimal. My go-to outfit has been jeans boots and a grey t-shirt, my hair is left natural, and as long as I have lots of lashes and a bright lip I'm good to go out the door. So when I went to pick a nail varnish out of my collection recently, I was a bit overwhelmed with all my pinks, glitters, brights, nail effects etc etc etc. Don't get me wrong, I love pastels and brights and lots of colour on my nails, but I just felt I needed a real de-clutter. And by de-clutter, I mean throw all my glitter polishes in the bin. My life is too short to remove glitter nail varnish regularly. So, here's my collection post-clearout…

l-r Essie Grow Stronger base coat, Seche Vite top coat. 

Everyone needs a good base and top coat. I've been using both of these religiously for about 12 months, and I wouldn't use anything else. 

l-r Rimmel 60 Second Rita Ora collection in Pillow Talk, Lose You're Lingerie, Orgasm

These are my favourite new drugstore release by far. I adore all of the colours, plus it's in conjunction with Rita Ora, who I happen to have the biggest girl crush on. It's also worth noting that the middle shade above is a great dupe for Essie Fiji.

l-r Models Own Purple Grey, Rasberry Crush, Purple Passion, Purple Blue from the Beetle Juice collection. 

I used to have in excess of 40 Models Own polishes but I re-homed most of them with friends and threw away the ones that had gone gloopy and here's what I'm left with. The two pink colours I've kept specifically for toes especially with a tan in the summer. 

l-r Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in I Pink I Can, Midnight in NY, Mermaids Tail, All Fired Up

I love the formula and brush on these, they apply with one stroke down the nails and are almost opaque after one coat. I'd go as far as to say All Fired Up is probably my favourite nail colour. Ever. 

l-r Essie Mint Candy Apple, Fiji, Lilacism, Peach Daiquiri 

Ahhhh the classic Essie love on a blog. Who'da thought it?! I think Peach Daiquiri is quite a standard shade and wasn't too overwhelmed with it, but Lilacism is so beautiful and understated. 

l-r Sportgirl Aubergine, Collection (don't know the shade name, it's just black) Sportgirl neon pink, Gosh Lavender Love, Barry M Lychee 

These are my odds and ends that don't fit in any categories. A bit like Models Own, I threw away or re-homed most of my Barry M nail varnishes as I thought they chipped too easily but I do quite like the new Gelly formula so if you have any colour recommendations from this line I'd love to hear them!

Loves

xxx

What's on my nails #2...

BYS in Ferris Wheel

Do you ever have those days when you wake up and feel like Barbie? Well wear this nail varnish and as soon as you catch a glimpse of your nails through bleary morning eyes while you're putting the kettle on, you'll think you were the girl herself. This is my ultimate Barbie pink girlie shade, and I love how it complements a tan as well as looking cute against pale skin. Not so in love with the formula but it was just a cheapy from the drug store next to my work. 

What's on your nails right now?

Loves

xxx

Nails of the week #1...

It's been too long since I did a nail post! I downsized my nail varnish collection considerably and am trying to think really carefully about each colour I buy now otherwise it will get out of hand again... So this week I've rediscovered one from my favourite brand, Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Mermaids Tail. It's a buggar to get off but totally worth it when it's on the nails.

Gorgeous flecks of blue and green chunky glitter with a blue polish holding them all together. It does take about three coats to make it completely opaque but I love how it looks on the nails.

What nail varnishes have you been loving?

Loves

xxx

Beauty boxes...my first experience with BellaBox...

Back home I admit I was a big fan of the beauty box craze that went on, and I felt I was missing out a bit being out of the loop over here in Australia. I did my research and decided to subscribe to bellabox http://bellabox.com.au/. It's $15 per month and I'm only subscribing for 3 months, before I go home to the UK. This month was the February 'shimmer and shine for Valentine time' box. Sounds promising!

First up: packaging. Basically it's cute, but the colour doesn't interest me at all. I'm much more a pink, glossy, girlie fan when it comes to these boxes and this just didn't do it for me at all.

 

Inside, same kind of story, just a bit of love heart tissue paper, and the little card with all the products on, neither of which 't really fit in with the theme at all. Sorry bellabox, just not feeling you so far.

 

Inside, it got a little bit better...

  

What bellabox say: Batiste Dry Shampoo- Must Have! Our bb favourite Batiste is back  in their new pretty in pink packaging- we guarantee it'll be the new love of your life next time you need fresh locks fast!

Back in the UK there was some controversy when a mini Batiste dry shampoo appeared in one of the monthly subscription box. My opinion? When this stuff is SO expensive on the other side of the world, I'd class it as a luxury product! So far, so good. 

 

What bellabox says:U skin solutions clean and go exfoliating gel cleanser - super skin care. This two in one cleansing and exfoliating solution is perfect for keeping pores clear and clean. Caldendula, anti bacterial tea tree oil and super fine bamboo beads leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.

Forever on the look out for the magical perfect cleanser, andything that may be taking me one step closer to it is a winner for me. Tiny downside is that the product sample is, literally, tiny. 

Bioderma crealine H2O - cult! This cult cleansing water removes every trace of makeup (even waterproof mascara) as well as the impurities in your skin at a cellular level. Plus, it's safe on eyes. Wonder product alert!

There are no words to describe how much I have wanted to try this, it's provably the product in the box I was most excited about. I'm just a little bit worried that it's going to make me want to buy the whole thing, I don't think my purse can handle it!

 

Sally Hanson complete salon manicure - colour product. No time for a salon mani? No stress! Achieve the at-home trifecta: a gel-like shine finish, fast and easy application and chip resistant. 

Mine came in Mermaids Tail, a gorgeous blue polish with green and blue chunks of glitter. It's at least a three coater but so far it's lasted two days chip free - unheard of on my terrible nails!

 

Be in awe skin Samskrta skin polish - Luxe. Designed to remove dead skin cells and leave skin looking (and feeling!) soft and radiant, this polish combines cranberry extract, gluconic acid, vitamin B3 and co-enzyme Q10 with micro jojoba beads. Hello vibrant shimmering skin.

Again, anything that can help me on the path to the perfect complexion is a winner due to the fact I'm to stingy to buy full size products in the fear that they won't work and I'll have wasted money. 

Bonus product was a sachet of sun screen, always a good shout in the Australian sunshine!

In my honest opinion, too much skin care and not enough makeup. The packagine does put me off but I guess it's what on the inside that counts! Can't wait to get next months box and see what's in there (fingers crossed more makeup....)

Loves

xxx

Saturdays OOTN...

Shock horror...I wore a dress on Saturday night! 

Dress: H&M (£15 bargain!)

Wedges and handbag: New Look

Chain bracelet: Forever21

Belt: Primark

Necklace: Topshop

I've also fallen back in love with Topshop nail varnishes. I don't own many, but they do get pushed to the back of my collection until I remembered how much I love 'Mover n Shaker', really brightened up my dull day!

Current obsessions...

I'm so in love with lots of things right now....

Mythic Oil: My hair has grown so much over the last few months, and I think it's probably a combo of not using much heat on it, and using this most days...it makes my hair feel so healthy!

Kate Moss for Rimmel lipstick in 03: I think I've worn this nearly ever day since I bought it, amazing colour and staying power, a really perfect nude without giving a 'foundation lip' effect.

The Body Shop Eye reviver duo: This is packed full of vitamin c to make your skin really bright and refreshed, I use this every morning (the under eye radiance cream and cooling all round eye roll on) before my makeup to keep my eyes sparkling and make my concealer stay on all day.

Vivo blush: I have NO idea what colour this is as it's worn off the back, but it's a gorgeous subtle shimmery pink that I've been using so much recently to perk up my tired winter skin, I want to get all the shades in these blushes they're so good for the money!

Office boots: I've been looking for some boots like this for AGES and finally found some in Office (of course) a few weeks ago, these have been moulded to my feet ever since!

Multi-coloured nails: I haven't had all my nails the same colour for months, this is much more fun!

T-shirts: This is only a small collection of my t-shirts, I cannot stop buying them! I'm really not a shirt or 'pretty' top sort of girl, if I could live in t-shirts and denim shorts all my life I would!

Estee Lauder Double Wear: This is a bit of a cheat as I've only worn this once, but the obsession part comes from looking at it's beautiful-ness (real word, honest) on my makeup shelf, I can't wait to start using it more!

One Day: I CANNOT put this down, I'm so near the end and am dying to know how it ends. I'm definitely going to have to watch the film as soon as I've read the rest of this!

What are your current obsessions?

Loves

xxx

Always time to party....

This one's a few days late as it's about my weekend but I've been so busy! I went out for a randomly decided night out on Saturday with my friend Matt, went from 'a drink' to ending up in our local night club dancing until who only knows what time! As I wasn't sure where the night was taking me, I went quite casual...

LOVE this t-shirt, I picked it up in Birmingham from River Island ages ago and hadn't got around to wearing it, and we all know how I love a slogan t-shirt!!

Leather jacket: H&M

Top: River Island

Shorts: Forever21

Tights: Primark

Boots: Topshop Allegra's

And one without the jacket! The big chunky gold bracelet is from Forever21, as are the rings. Bracelets on my right arm are from all over the place!

My favourite part of the outfit were my nails, I used one of the magnetised nail varnishes from 17! I had so many comments all night!

(sorry about the neatness, was hard to get the cuticles perfect because of my gel nails, they're due to be filled in I promise!)

Has anyone else tried these? I thought they'd be a bit of a gimmick but I really do love them and they give such a good effect!

Loves

xxx

Nail Varnish Collection...

This post has been really highly requested, so thought I'd take advantage of having a bit of time before dinner when I had a bit of natural light (yes I was in the garden, hence the fence and garden fence in the background) and took a lot of pictures:

I don't really seem to have many reds, I just think red's red...no? Models own in Rasberry is my fave at the moment!

This gold polish by H&M is amazing, I haven't found another bottle since so I don't ever want it to run out!

Glitter is my new most worn thing on my nails, this one by models own is so glittery!

I seem to have a lot of lilac and purples! This 17 lasting finish lilac wears so well, last for about five days which is good for me!

This is my second bottle of Candy Floss by Collection 2000, I wore it nearly constantly when I had my gel nails on!

So there's my collection, doesn't really seem that many when they're all lined up on my garden path!

Are there any colours I'm missing out on that I need in my life???

Loves

xxx

Don't be blue...

I have absolutely no idea why but I'm seriously into blue at the moment, mainly in a really bright sky blue or navy, but it seems to be sneaking into most outfits I wear. I really want to venture away from black/brown/grey eyeliner and maybe try a navy blue with a really heavy black lash, if anyone can recommend a good but fairly cheap (I don't want to risk spending a lot of money and only wearing it once!) blue eyeliner that would be fab! Anyway over the past few days I've gone mad for this nail combination...

I love the colour but am starting to go off Barry M as much because they just seem to chip too easily on my nails, and I've found I can find just as good colour ranges in Models Own and Gosh nail varnishes.  I do love this one though, in number 294 Cyan Blue.

I obviously had to take advantage of the Models Own 50% off offer before I went on holiday, although I didn't actually get them until I got back which was fine....nice little package to return home too! I've got a dark blue from Barry M but it was going a bit thick and weird, and as I said I'm going off them a bit anyway, so decided to pick up Betty Blue, which is a really nice plain navy colour. I think this will be getting a LOT of wear over the winter months!

Loves

xxx

My week in outfits...

Cannot believe I haven't blogged all week! I've hardly even been on blogger to see what you've all been up to which has been annoying. Basically I've been so busy, worked every day then just had plans every night, nothing particularly exciting just dinner with the girls, drinks with friends, then I went out with work on Friday, recovered yesterday then went out with the girls last night! Busy week! Anyway I've tried to save a bit of money so not bought much, however I did manage a quick Topshop spree on Thursday to finally get my american flag denim shorts, which I actually wore Friday night and last night! Great purchase!

This was a work outfit on one of the cooler days at the end of the week, just a simple oversized shirt from Primark over leggings. I also wore my hair extensions straight which I almost NEVER do. And from this picture you can see why!

This was for a catchup with one of my best friends who came back from Maga, we just went the pub and it had been such a beaut day so I wore my dark denim high waisted shorts from Miss Selfridge with a baggy rose pink Primark tshirt. 

Now I do love this outfit, just not on me. It's one of those skirts that you want to be able to wear, but that looks hideous actually on me. The skirt was from primark and I wore it with my coral New Look wedges and just a plain black vest. Like I said...loved the outfit, just not on me! I was in look with my makeup on this, very plain but with one of my Sleek Pout Paints in Milkshake!

Easily my favourite outfit of the week! I went for a drink on Wednesday in town, and went for my Primark skinny pale blue jeans (SO TIGHT!) with my Office boat shoes and coral Urban Outfitters handbag. I can't wait to wear these jeans again!

This is pretty standard for me, denim shorts, tights, checked shirt and trainers. This was just for dinner with the girls, and this t-shirt was about a year old and I'd never worn it. So I ended up cutting the neck and sleeves out and made it a vest. The design is amazing, two skulls kissing surrounded by flowers and other random things. 

This one is pretty similar to the last one, I went to the zoo today with a friend so just threw on my old faithful New Look high waisted shorts with converse and checked shirt, plus the sunglasses of course!!

Lovely toilet picture here! Sorry about that! These are my new Topshop shorts, they horrendously short but absolutely worth it! I wore them with just a plain black Primark body, my Office shoes and urban outfitters bag. Lush outfit, I love it!

So that's it really, I also got a load of new Model's Own nail varnishes so hopefully have lots of nice nail of the day's coming up. I found an amazing nail combination this week, I'll definitely be wearing this all the time now. 

(without flash)

(with flash)

Just a really barbie pink from H&M, with Pink Fizz from models own over the top. SO girlie and glittery, can't go wrong!

Anyway hopefully I'll get back onto blogging again this week, I've got the Witch face primer to review for you, such an amazing product, and I promise you'll get my top 10 lip product post!

Loves

xxx