It appears all I have been talking about this past week is nails, and the upcoming party season. I've put the two together, and have a mini edit lined up for you today. Glitter nails are the way to go when you want something a little jazzy to get you in the party spirit.
I'll start with the standard clear base, sparkly glitter options, and them move on to the more exciting options afterwards.
Starting with my personal favourite, this is Gosh Girls On Film which is chunky rosy-pinky toned glitter pieces and then smaller holographic glitter in it too. This is brilliant for an accent nail alongside any colour you own.
Then we have the 'Light Top Coater' Option. Unfortunately, this is discontinued now, but it is Gosh Magic Star which is a iridescent shimmer/glitter topcoat, which once again, looks great on top of everything. This is one to catch an eye on the dancefloor.
Then, we have a really affordable option, of Rimmel Disco Ball which was actually gifted to me in a Secret Santa at school (it wasn't all that secret, I found out this boy had picked my name out the bag in a matter of days...), but it is a classic. There's some silvery, purple toned small glitter in there, alongside a shed load of holographic-ness. I do love this one, though I don't wear it very often at all.
Moving onto the interesting ones. This is BYS Voo-Doo-Violet so will be super cheap if you can locate it. Basically, this is a purple jelly based polish, with chunky particles of silver, pale purple, and holographic glitters in a few different sizes, some of which sink to the bottom leaving it a little lumpy and bumpy, but the others stay at the top and it looks like you have put in some crazy effort for this mani. Not bad for a pound or two?
Finally, Gosh Holographic Hero or Gosh Holographic if you own that one too (like me, yay)! Strictly speaking, this isn't a glitter, but how can I not include a full on holographic polish in this post. This is full on rainbow effect, and people who don't know much about nails will be in awe of your digits. Beware of the early appearing tipwear, and some minor chipping in a few hours, but for your one party evening, get painting.
I don't think any beauty junkie can go past festive and party nails without thinking one thing, glitter.
I am not a fake tan user myself, but as the party season is emerging once again, and most of you will enjoy getting dolled-up, wearing tan, and buying pretty dresses, this post should cater for you.
Prep: To prep the skin, exfoliating and moisturising comes a one or two days prior to doing the whole tanning thing. My chosen exfoliating scrub is the Leighton Denny Sun Believable Expert Tan Body Exfoliator* or a Hello Kitty Liberty one, which works brilliantly at removing any dead skin which could make you look really patchy when the tan settles. Then, I moisturise with the E45 Nourish and Restore Lotion* or a H&M Citrus Passion one which I got a while ago. I prefer the unscented option as it won't irritate with the tan.
Tanning: I want something quick and easy. I have only used this once, mainly to try it out for this post. This is the Tantastic Instant Spraytan* which for me is simply too orange and noticeable, but for those who really love getting a good helping of tan for the party season, this one is for you.
Throw on some killer heels, dig out the shimmery pigments, (miss out the alcohol if you are underage, like me), and have a good time this Christmas.
It would appear that it has gone a bit nail focus crazy on the blog recently, but I just had to share this with you all. I didn't think of this idea myself, I saw it on a DailyMix video where Lily Pebbles demonstrated how a dot to each nail can make a difference to any nail colour.
I started with Revlon Colorstay Nail Colour in 'Provence' all over the nails, which is a dusty grey-lilac kind of colour, which I love. I prefer to use a pale colour for the base, and a darker one for the dots (black looks great), but you can do the reverse it you decide to, or even go one way on all the nails, and then the opposite on all the others - ooh, I know what I'm doing later.
Then I took Revlon Top Speed in 'Black Star' on the bottom of a broken bobby pin, and simply did a dot on each nail in the centre at the bottom. Black star is a black polish with a hint of silver shimmer running through it, and so it looked a little softer, and complemented the lilac colour really well.
This is such an easy nail art design, and even the people who have had no experience whatsoever with nails can probably complete this too, and I think it is a new favourite of mine now.
I know Autumn has near enough passed us now, and Winter is well on its way, but I am still in love with the berry colours, burgundy tones, and anything slightly darker. I have been bracing the dark nails, and I rummaged around in my stash and located a matching lip colour, and the two together look stunning.
For the nails, I have two options, and both are extremely similar. The first is Eye Candy London's Reddy and Willing*, which is just my perfect dark nail colour, and my go to. Then we have GOSH Avantgarde which has been discontinued which is a shame, but I thought I hated this, but after giving it another chance I have realised that it is so pretty. This is what I am wearing in the above picture I believe, and matches exactly with the upcoming lip colour...
For the lips, Avon Plum Seduction is such a match, as well as being a stunning colour. I wear this two ways, neither just as simple and slapping it on from the bullet, but it is worth the time. I either get a tiny bit on my ring finger, and tap it onto the lips for a hint of tint, or I apply it from the bullet, and then blot it down slightly so it isn't as scary looking. I just love this lip colour, heads up to Megan for handing me her extra one of these bad boys.
I definitely have an obsession with the whole matchy-matchy thing, and I'm sure in the next few weeks you'll be seeing a festive red offering of this...
I didn't think Bourjois could get any more praise on their range of base products, until their newest addition - dubbed the Happy Light foundation - hit the shelves. Although it isn't what I am reviewing today, it is on my shopping list, just when I finish this bottle of the Healthy Mix Serum Gel Foundation.
This is in shade 52 which is too dark for me, but I got it when I was tanned after my holiday, and so I just have to blend it down my neck and I'm all good.
I can't entirely blame it on this foundation, it could have been when I have used different skincare, but I noticed that when I use this, for a good few days simultaneously, I have been getting a few blemishes here and there. As I say, it could be coincidence, and I hope it isn't this, as I love this foundation. And trust me, it is no event when I get a blemish, more a daily occurence...
This is the 'good skin day' foundation. Light coverage, maybe teetering on the edge between light and medium, but buildable, and concealer can do its job where needed anyway. As for the radiance, I have combination skin, and so this doesn't look as good on me after a few hours wear as it would/does on Megan (her skin is normal/dry and it looks incredible on her all day!), but with a blot, and a powder touch up, it serves me well. And I do look healthy.
I think once I get through this bottle (which I must say is perfect for travelling), I will be skipping away to Boots to get my hands on the Happy Light offering, and lets hope there are no breakouts to follow.. *crosses fingers*
When it comes to skincare, I like to take care of my face, but not by splashing out this much. With the full size of this moisturiser retailing for around £40, I was so happy when my mum was gifted this luxury and deluxe sample at work, and she kindly gave it to me. I have little of this left, and I think I will miss it when it's gone.
I prefer to use this as a night cream, but it also isn't too heavy to wear in the day if my skin is feeling a little drier. It is a light consistency, which absorbs quickly, but is incredibly moisturising on my skin, and super soothing too. It claims to be 'anti-stress', but I'm not really sure how to manage this factor, but the 'soothing' claims are definitely true.
If I have any redness, or blemishes, (I used to have terrible redness round my nose and I haven't had it for ages, although I can't just say that is this moisturiser), I will apply this at night, and in the morning the redness is more pink, and any sore areas are soothed overnight.
I can't get over how much I love this moisturiser, and I will definitely be sad when I use the last sweep of it on my face. I am savouring the last few bits, but a little does go a long way with this.
I'm not sure how I feel about this kind of price tag. If I had millions the answer would change instantly, but otherwise, I'll give this a miss for now, despite how great it is.... *sighs*
I must say though, the inner blogger in me got very excited when I realised this could fit perfectly into the glass flower vase to photograph it...
Since the whole 'radiant glow' thing has become really popular this past year or two, I have been subtly been jumping on the bandwagon, what with my combination skin in tow.
I have been seeing these Rimmel Wake Me Up Instant Radiance Shimmer Touch products for a while, and after the rest of the Wake Me Up range has been getting some serious hype, I thought it would be a good idea to give these a go. I wasn't too sure about getting these, so when I spotted them each in a Poundland, it is the perfect time to trial them.
The 2 shades available are Shimmering Sand and Radiant Rose, none of which I use as a highlight, as they are just far too dark. I use Radiant Rose as a glowy, pale blush colour when I am feeling adventurous, and some people think it's crazy, but I love the way it looks on my skin tone.
Shimmering Sand is the anomaly of them, as I don't really know what to do with it. If you have darker skin, this would look stunning on the cheekbones as a highlight, but unfortunately for me it's just too dark. The main way I get use out of this is to either blend it in with some foundation, to create a really glowy base, or sometimes I apply it very, very lightly over the whole area of my cheeks and blend it well with a brush I used for foundation (the Real Techniques Buffing Brush that would be), and it adds a pretty subtle golden glow.
A nice way of adding glow, without the disco-ball aftermath. If you see these in a Pound Store, throw them onto the till and give them a go yourself...
