NOTD - Essie "Brooch The Subject" Winter 2011

Today I am wearing one of Essie's new Winter 2011 collection polishes called "Brooch The Subject". It is a nude beige creme colour. The first coat was streaky but the second evened it out and was nearly opaque but not enough for me so I applied three coats. Overall I am pleased with the colour it really does give me the mannequin hands look! It looks so pale to me but lately I have worn so many vamp colours I think I went to the other extreme!

What do you think?

NOTD - Halloween Mani Essie "Wicked"

Today in celebration of Halloween weekend I am wearing a deep bloody red by Essie called Wicked. I used three layers to achieve full opacity. I always struggle with three layers as even with SV topcoat I still seem to forever dent the manicure. The application was good and gives a squishy jelly type finish - super shiny! I am pleased with the look it feels very vamp as it looks like reddy blood so perfect for Halloween!

Pay Day Boots Haul

Ok so lately I think Boots has become my second home! I am either in there browsing cosmetics or buying nappies etc for my 4 month old baby girl! Well today it is payday and I went with good intentions of buying Christmas gifts but instead I end up treating myself!

I bought the new Charles Worthington Salon at Home Straight and Smooth Hair Straightening Kit for Non-coloured hair. There is 1/3 off the price in store at the moment so instead of £19.99 cost £13.33. I have seen it advertised on TV and I thought if it stands up to it's word "lasting results up to 6 weeks" then this would be perfect for me as I straighten my hair daily. This would cut out some time in the mornings and with a baby to look after I need that time!!! Fingers crossed it will work for me .. I will post a review within the next week (hopefully try it out at the weekend need to do patch test first!) I am so excited to try it out hope it gives good results! My hair has had a bad day due to the rain today so hopefully this will fix that problem!!!

Next up I noticed there was an offer on Trevor Sorbie haircare. I usually buy Aussie shampoo and conditioner 2 for £6 and when I noticed this more expensive brand with the same offer I couldn't resist. Also should keep in line with the straightening theme as they are called "beautifully straightened protection shampoo and conditioner". I think the pink packaging is quite cute and I think they are usually in excess of£5 each so thought 2 for £6 is good value. It will be interesting to see what these are like with my hair and I will review soon!

Next I bought Barry M "Indigo" nail polish £2.99. In the bottle this looks so AMAZING!!! I sent some in a swap recently and have been meaning to buy it to try it myself. I will hopefully be posting an indigo mani sometime soon!

And last but not least ... No.7 Quick Thinking 4 in 1 wipes. I have been using these for about a month now and am really impressed with them as they are strong and feel soft and gentle on my face and fab for removing excess makeup. However, priced at £7 is excessive in my opinion but with the £5 off No.7 voucher I think they are worth it. I love the plastic opening at the top keeps the wipes crisp and fresh.

So that's my payday haul what do you think? Keep your eyes peeled as I will be posting reviews very soon!

NOTD - Essie Smokin Hot

Today I am wearing Essie "Smokin' Hot" that was sent to me in a swap. I believe this is from Essie's Winter 2010 collection. I absolutely love this colour it is hard to describe but it's a kind of purple/mauve greige type of colour! Perfect for Winter!!! I applied two coats and application was easy as expected with Essie and a lovely opaque creme finish very glossy! I think the colour is just so beautiful.

As you will see from the photos I have kept the accent mani finger with Barry M "silver foil" as base, two coats of Milani "Silver FX" and a layer on top of OPI "Servin up Sparkle".

What do you think?

Nail Mail - Essie's, OPI, China Glaze & Milani

Today I received some fab nail mail from a lovely MUA'er! I sent her some brand new Barry M polishes in exchange for a some brand new polishes from my wishlist and a few polish surprises from the US! I am over the moon with the selections that she sent and felt like it was my birthday when unwrapping each one this morning!

I received the following:- L to R

Essie "Very Structured"
Milani "Garnet Gems"
China Glaze "Brownstone"
OPI "Servin up Sparkle"
Essie "Smokin Hot"

I cannot wait to try them all out! I was so intrigued by Essie Smokin' Hot and so I have painted my nails with that first (pics to follow tomorrow!). Sorry the photos aren't up to much as they do not do the bottles justice but it was dark when photo was taken and from my iphone! Swatches and manicures will follow of these soon!





What do you think?

NOTD - 2true no.10 & Milani Special FX Silver

This week I have had navy on my mind and so I just had to nail (excuse the pun) my lemming!

I happened to stumble across this navy in Superdrug on the 2true stand. The name of the polish is "2true Fast Dry Colour Quick Nail Polish - Shade 10". I was a bit sceptical about the quality of a cheapie at £1.99 or 3 for £5.00 but it was my first time trying out this brand and for that price I couldn't complain! It just so happens that I absolutely love it! I am so impressed with the quality of the "new flat brush" which gave a great streak free and easy application! The polish is a very pigmented navy creme and is opaque in just one coat but as standard I always apply two. There is a good glossy shine without top coat. Unfortunately I cannot speak for the drying time as I just automatically paint each hand after the other without allowing for drying time (my bad). The only one thing I disliked was upon clean up where I applied the remover around the sides there would still remain a blue staining so I can only imagine on removal my nails will be well and truly smurfed! Overall I am super impressed and pleased I picked this brand and shade.

I also decided to add an accent finger for this manicure and applied 1 coat of Barry M Silver Foil followed by 2 coats of Milani Special FX Silver Chunky Hexagonal Glitter. I am looking forward to trying this out on all fingers as it reminds me of Minx and looks very bling!!! I am loving the navy and silver combination!

What do you think?

My First Post and it's a NOTD

Well this is my first official post and hopefully will be the first of many NOTD's.
Today I am wearing Essie Carry On from the Fall 2011 Collection. It is a deep plum purple creme. The formula is good and I used two coats to achieve complete opacity. The polish is vampy and perfect for fall! As much as the mani looked lovely on its own I decided to put some Color Club Covered In Diamonds of the ring fingers for something extra - not to mention the fact that I love the accent fingers trend ATM. I feel like the polish looks almost black on me and is perhaps a bit too dark but at this time of the year it is warming!

I used OPI Nail Envy as base and Seche Vite as Top Coat.

What do you think?