Transitional Nails

The one thing that annoys me most about mid-January is the fact people tend to assume the UK will immediately launch into spring, the sun will be shining and we'll all be wearing dresses come February...

There is one setback; we are still in winter. I couldn't get into my car this morning since it was frozen completely shut and I can't even bare the thought of baring skin quite so soon and it makes me want to hide under my duvet until summer...

I'm of course being extremely negative; but there is one easy way to get that early bird take on spring, with an easy transitional nail colour.

Barry M Sequin Effect Nail Paint - SNP1

You know those sweets - the small (and sometimes huge) white chocolate disks with hundreds and thousands on them? Jazzles - I think. Well they are the one for me. My perfect penny sweet, well, not so much a penny any more but the point is... This polish reminded me of those, in a way.

On first impression (in the bottle) it looks promising, a milky white with red, blue, green and silver glitter pieces that made me excited (as much as you can get over a polish,) to try it. There was the whole Jazzles thing egging me on, too.

That's where the excitement stopped for me, I'm afraid. I applied this polish twice - the first time, pictured above, two coats of this stuff made my nails super thick so I was scared to do anything with them after that, plus it has that awful texture like concrete nail effect nails - if you like that texture, more power to you, but I cannot stick it. I'm a glossy/smooth girl through and through. 

So after that failed (they peeled off in the sun?) I tried another approach. I used just one coat of this stuff, then applied Essie's Waltz - a milky white polish over the top. It didn't work. The Barry M stuff seemed to suck it in to it's own formula - it still remained gritty.

However, despite it being a faff and hating the feel of them - if you do like concrete nails then you will love these. I really think two coats is too much - so it might do well just over a plain white so you're not left with uber thick nails. I so wanted it to work but just didn't anticipate the gritty texture.

You can buy the Barry M Sequin Nail Paints from here, and they retail for £3.99.

Have you tried this polish? Did you like it or hate it?

Peace!

Mini-Haul | Superdrug

I think it's safe to bet that if I have to pick up anything from Boots or Superdrug (Hot cloth cleansers, usually,) that if there is an offer on cosmetics, I will pick something up. This time, I picked up three little somethings...

First up was the Rimmel Salon Pro nail varnish in Peppermint. Oh, it had me at first glance - a perfect green-blue for Summer - plus the finish and longevity of the product is brilliant especially for the price point. 

Second, another polish. This time by Barry M - my Superdrug can sometimes fall behind on ranges when it comes to make up but recently they have undergone some changes to their stands (YAY!) and with it comes better stock lines for me to peruse. I picked up the Sequin Nail Paint in shade 1 (really, not a delightful name for this pretty product?) and it seriously reminds me of those penny sweets, my favourites, sometimes called white rainbow drops. I trust in Barry M polishes ever since my early teen years, and this doesn't disappoint. 

Last of all was Permanent Taupe - from the Maybelline Colour Tattoo range. I've had On and On Bronze and love it dearly so picked up this shade. I love it, of course. I usually use my fingers to apply these or the Detailer brush from Real Techniques (it's stiff enough to apply these kinds of products perfectly! A match made in heaven...) and the opportunity to build up in light layers is incredible. You can go subtle to smokey very easily. 

So that was my little pick me up, what was your recent treat to yourself, beauty or otherwise?

Peace!

Shopping the Stash #1

 The Mr gives the thumbs up!

I thought I would have a go at a Shopping the Stash kinda series, as seen on The Sunday Girl and Lips So Facto... Any objections, please let me know... :)

So the aim of this little series is to 'shop' what you already have and use your chosen products during the week and show them some love!

My chosen poor ignored products are...

Bourjois Ten Hour Sleep Effect - Shade 71 'Abricote Clair' - The main reason I tend to ignore this great light coverage foundation is purely down to the scent. I'm not used to a scent with any of my facial make up, so it has taken a while to get used to. That being said I'll be showing this some love whilst holding my nose...

Barry M Liquid Eye liner - No 1 'Jet Black' - I love this liner, adore the applicator but have been forgoing eye liner due to work issues... those being over now, I can define my eyes to hell and back this week!

No7 Exquisite Curl Mascara - Brown/Black - This is a really nice mascara (especially as it was a freebie,) leaves no lumps or clumps and really does curl and define the lashes. The only reason I haven't used it recently is due to having some fun with a new avon mascara as of late...

Barbara Daly Eyeshadow in 'Taupe' & Velvet Blush in 'Peaches and Cream' - No real reason for not using these pretty products, just a habit of reaching for the standard duo natural collection eyeshadow + a rimmel blusher I am experimenting with at the moment. This week, these two will be assisting me in a worthy cause where I must look my best... 

Are you going to be shopping your own stash this week? What products have you been neglecting?

Peace!

Top Five Spring Nail Colours

 Left to right; 17 Lasting Fix 'Glisten', No7 Stay Perfect 'Tangy', All About Nails 'Caribbean Coconut', Barry M 'Blueberry', MUA 'Shade 5'.

When it comes spring colours, I'm all for the pretty pastels and such like - but I usually like to go for a punch more colour like No7's 'Tangy' or Barry M's 'Blueberry,' so that when spring leads into summer - I am all set with my colours.

That being said, I like to keep the brighter colours on my toes - while the milder colours like MUA 'shade 5' and All About Nails 'Caribbean Coconut,' are usually on my nails - I find them more adaptable for what I'm wearing, and usually I can layer some glitter polish on top of the peachy colour when I want to add a bit of sparkle. 

And for special occasions I bring out the 17 Lasting Fix in 'Glisten,' - It has two tones, pink and coral with a gold shimmer. Perfect for a night out. Subtle and pretty, with glitter.

What are your favourite nail spring colours?


Have a great weekend!

Peace!!

Barry M Lip Paint + Natural Collection Eye-shadow Duo

Okay, so I went for a 'tiny' splurge, considering I have a lack of money that is.  But a gal just needs some coral lipstick, you know?

I went for the Barry M 'Coral' 53 shade, and it suits my skin tone down to a t! It's bright and subtle at the same time... Does that make sense guys? Slightly punchy, for my pale, freckled tone... haha! It cost me £4.19 at boots, which is a hellllluva bargain, if you ask moi. 

I also needed a neutral eye-shadow duo and came across Natural Collection at boots, which boasts all products are under £2. This eye-shadow cost £1.99, so I was dubious about the quality, but in the shots where you can see...(had to borrow my dads camera, which I cannot use! I miss my nikon!)... it is a beautiful neutral eye-shadow, and lasted me all day, with NO creases all day! I used No7 eye primer under mine, as always, so I'll give a little test to make sure it lasts without the primer too!

All in all, a very wise spend for me. So happy with these guys!

Peace!