Shopping My Stash - Spring Nails ...!

Bonjour!

I've decided not to buy any new nail polish this Spring and just 'shop my stash' - I've fished out my 'Springiest' looking polishes to use ... pity the weather wasn't at it's 'Springiest' on the day I took these pics! Cheery little blighters aren't they?

This was one of those days when I'd done a load of housework (don't you just love those days!) and decided to do a quick paint job (it's always a quick paint job!) - in order to take these photos whilst the sun was still out ... unfortunately the sun went in just as I stepped outside ... typical! So here are the polishes with their original glossy finishes ...

I decided to complicate matters further/delay my return to household chores by having a bash with my No7 matte topcoat ... reminds me of those sweetie necklace type things from my youth!

After all this frivolity I then had to dash down to Sainsburys with multi coloured nails - just on the one hand mind - I didn't have time to do the other (!) - if anyone noticed they'd have thought I was off my trolley (absolutely no pun intended there - it just popped out - said the mistress to the bishop! I should stop this right now!). And now I can't decide on glossy or matte - I'm indecisive at the best of times!

Which do you prefer - glossy or matte? What polishes are you wearing this Springtime? Are you 'shopping' any of your stashes?

Jen x

NOTD - Barry M Matte Nail Paint in Crush

Bonjour!

I've been intrigued by the Barry M Matte Nail Paints for a while now but faffed around (true to character) picking 'em up and putting 'em back (as you do) and mulling over the problem of a topcoat etc  before I bit the bullet the other week when they were on offer in Boots. I ended up with a couple of the Mattes and this one is 'Crush' ...

*Note the collaboration shot just above with sleeping pooch!*

I haven't used a matte polish before but this was easy enough to apply. I needed two coats as just the one was streaky. Drying time was about average without my usual super-quick dry (but obviously glossy) topcoat.   Unfortunately it didn't last too well once on - just over a day before some wear on the ends - but my hands are constantly in and out of water when I'm at home. My young friend at work said it lasted approx. two days for her before she had to go over her nails again with another coat to patch things up. Neither of us used a topcoat. I found it very easy to remove, however, if that's any consolation! ;)

Regarding the finish, if we were talking Dulux I'd say it's more of a  'soft sheen' rather than 'flat matt'. The colour of a good red grape with a smooth leathered look to it (reminds me of those dark red Dr Martens I'm still lusting over!) there's a slight edgy vibe going on don't you think?

So ... despite the 'not so good' wear time I am quite taken with this polish - it has a different look to it which appeals to me and is reasonably priced at £3.99 (mine were £3 each on offer) . Going 'topcoatless' is not a practical option though so I've bought a matte topcoat this weekend which I'll be trying out shortly. Will keep you posted.

Have you tried the Barry M Matte Nail Paint? What did you think?

Jen x

Party Nails Are Go ...!

Bonjour!

Party season is in full swing and Christmas is just round the corner (slight panic as I type that!) so thought I'd share a few polishes I'll be favouring over the festive period. After all - if a girl wants to bling up her nails what better time ...?

Here are my picks left to right ...

Barry M Textured Nail Paint in Duchess
17 Fast Finish Nail Polish in Navy Glint
Seche Nail Lacquer in Iconic
Beauty UK Glam Nails in Gun Metal
Elf Nail Polish in Chic Confetti

I  had to move to the window to take the pic below as the light was fading fast and ended up waking someone up who had been fast asleep in his chair - sorry pooch!

Below pic taken in the evening with lights on ... you'll have to excuse the state of my cuticles but I had just completed  a marathon of potato and vege peeling for dinner! Blogging and 'mum' duties do not always go hand in hand!

17 Navy Glint and Beauty UK Gun Metal are from last year - you can see NOTD posts here and here. I received Seche Iconic in a beauty box last year and gave it to my mum but she's let me have it back for the moment! Elf Chic Confetti (would look great over another colour - can't wait to try that out) and Barry M Duchess  are a couple of sparklies I bought recently as I was getting into the Christmas spirit ...

Can't decide which to use for Christmas Day? Which is your favourite? What will you be wearing on your nails?

Jen x

Sinful Colors - Cinderella and (the) Unicorn...!

Bonjour!

No this isn't a variation on the old fairy tale! After I fell in love with Sinful Colors 'Sweet Nothing' which you can see in situ here - I returned to the scene of the crime with my girl whilst the 'buy one get one half price' was on at Boots and this was the result...

Sinful Colors in Cinderella and Unicorn ....

Unicorn just called to me - I never thought I'd work a creamy/pastel yellow at my age but I'm loving it.!  My girl um'd and ahh'd (she is her mother's daughter) at the various options and finally settled on Cinderella - pale blue with the teeniest tiniest bit of shimmer to it. Perfect for a little girl - or even an old one for that matter - I have no shame!

Now as you may be able to see from Cinderella, these paler Sinful Colors apply in quite a thin streaky fashion - my daughter has two coats on (she got bored) whilst I have three (good job it didn't take too long to dry) - this gave me better coverage and longevity. I was quite impressed with nearly three days of being 'chipless' (with base and topcoat) - it was a weekend and I'd cooked fajitas on the Saturday night and then a Sunday dinner the day after (obviously)!

So ... I keep promising myself I will try one of the more expensive polishes one of these days and I will. For now though - as these are £1.99 each - let's just say I may well be delving into this range again in the not too distant future!

Have you tried Sinful Colors yet?

Jen x

June Favourites ...

Bonjour!

Has June really come and gone - are we over half-way through the year already? Plans have already been made at work for the Christmas party - madness or what ...!

So...favourites over the last month...

Big Sexy Hair 'Spray and Play' Volumising Hairspray - got this in a beauty box a while ago.  I really like this hairspray for nights out - it adds volume, holds the style really well and lasts throughout the night.   It does leave the feel of product in your hair though so probably not one to go for if you like a more natural look and feel but works for me when I want/need extra texture and oomph!

Vichy Idealia BB Cream in Medium Shade - been using this for the last few weeks and - in an nutshell I'm impressed. Full review to follow.

Top Shop Nails in Stage Dive and Sinful Colors in Sweet Nothing - great combination of bright summer nail polishes I've been enjoying this month - like sun and sea these two (a slightly orange sun but sunny nevertheless!).  You can see my nail painting efforts here and here.

Batiste Dry Shampoo for dark hair - actually an empty - I can't seem to do without my dry shampoo. As well as drying up greasy roots etc it's great for extra texture and the dark brown pigment is ideal for my hair.  I think Batiste is on offer at Boots at the moment so probably a good time to re-purchase as it's not the cheapest and I go through it like cold water!

Liz Earle Healthy Glow Cream Blush in Rose - a lovely dewy summer blush. A little pricey but would like to save up to try another colour! Full review here.

Liz Earle Sheer Lip Gloss in Mallow - great everyday neutral lip gloss. Moisturises, gives the old lips a look of plumpness and very non- sticky I've found. A good one for popping on (without a mirror) on my way out of the door on the school run!

And finally...

I have a problem with this little lot of Peanut M&M's!  I only buy them when they're on offer (which they were last month!) but I'm addicted good and proper! I tend to take the bag with me into the front room at the end of the day to sit with hubby and watch TV. On more than one occasion I've had to send him out of the room with my M&M's in tow as I'd just eat the whole lot in one go - they're so addictive and I keep fooling/telling myself that nuts contain good fats so they can't be all bad - yes that's what I tell myself!  Anyway I did make one bag last for a few nights ... will try to stretch it a bit longer next time...wish me luck on that one!

What have been your favourites last month? Could you eat a bag of M&M's in one go?


Jen x

NOTD - Sinful Colors - Sweet Nothing

Bonjour!

I spotted Sinful Colors (over from the USA) in Boots a while ago and was immediately drawn to the vast array of colours and finishes - creams, pearls, glitter, shimmer and mattes (that enough for you or what!). I walked away and then returned a week or so later (must have been mad).  A couple of the colours I'd originally had my eye on had sold out but not this one ... there was one bottle left in the stand ... it was meant to be...!

Sinful Colors - Sweet Nothing...

I found the polish went on easily - brush and consistency wise, it was opaque with two coats and dried fairly quickly.  My nails had chipped on the ends after just short of two days (with topcoat) so pretty standard for me (sigh). I will continue in my quest for the most bulletproof topcoat for us Mums.

Let me just say though that the above pic shows probably one of the messiest paint-jobs in the history of mankind, not because of the polish but due to the fact that a) I hadn't had time to prep my nails/cuticles and b) I was trying to do three things at once - rushing to get ready to go out, get the kids dinner on and get these photos taken - yes folks - that's how I roll...! Anyway - try to imagine this gorgeous colour on a more worthy set of nails. I mean it's got a proper 'Blue Lagoon' vibe don't you think - you just want to take a dip in it!

I will be returning to the Sinful Colors stand in Boots this weekend (and hope they've replenished their stock!) There are just too many colours and finishes to try out and at £1.99 a pop (even less at the moment as Boots have buy one get one half price on) the temptation is too great. If you haven't seen the range take a look here - bet there's something for everyone within this lot!

So tell me - have you 'Sinned' yet? Which is your favourite colour/finish?

Jen x

Friday Night Nails - Illamasqua Style!

Bonjour!

Don't know about you but I'm not really a fan of these dark days with minimal daylight and need a bit of  'winter brightness' now and then whether it be lips, nails, clothes etc.  Went out last friday evening with my 'work-mates' so what better to reach for than Illamasqua Collide from the Illamasqua Mystery Box which I recently won!

By the time I had finished painting my nails the light was starting to fail and I had to move nearer the window to photograph - so apologies for all the reflection.  I love the colour (I have a couple of coats on) - it has a sort of vinyl effect and is brighter and more neon than is depicted in these photos but in a totally wearable way (even at my age!) and every time I look at my nails the colour cheers me up!

The polish went on really easily (nice brush I thought!) and dried quickly - which was a good job as I had to commence the mammoth task of getting ready for the night out and making myself look human!

It's now Sunday and I'm sporting a bit of wear on the ends of my nails - but I decided to cook a chicken curry last night (which incurred much chopping/peeling/handwashing etc) as I was feeling a bit rough throughout Saturday (more from lack of sleep than booze I should point out) - so I can't complain!

You can check out the full range of Illamasqua Nail Varnishes here - the range looks amazing!

Have you tried any nail polishes from Illamasqua? What do you use for 'winter brightness'?

Jen x

Glamour/Nails Inc Offer!

Bonjour!

Couldn't resist a quick post on the latest Glamour offer of a free Nails Inc Polish worth £11.00! Thanks to Sasha over at Ramblings of a Beauty Bird who reminded me in her blog post last week - I'd totally forgotten!

I don't buy magazines too often but now and again I can't resist when there's a good offer on and Glamour mag usually comes up trumps! Plus - you can't go wrong with a Nails Inc Polish now can you?

There are four 'hot-right-now' (love that tune!) colours to choose from. I imagine a complete nail-polish junkie may well end up with all four options.  I just went for the one on this occasion - St James - a classic 'pillarbox' red.

Strictly speaking I don't really suit 'classic' nails.  Much prefer the quirky thing - be it clothing, footwear, make-up or manicures!  However, I was completely drawn to this colour over all the others, just thought it would be nice to try out a smart red polish with my usual un-polished (no pun intended!) attire, just to mix things up a little.

And here are the old painted nails - still in my usual haphazard fashion with cuticles all over the place I'm afraid! That aside - I really like the colour, it's easily opaque after two coats (although if needs be one coat would do). It's glossy and vibrant and just makes a nice change for me -  fitting for this time of year too and a complete bargain!

Did you pick up any Glamour mags? Which Nails Inc polish did you go for?

Jen x

What the Haul.....? #1

Morning!

So where does this 'haul' thing come from I wonder - I mean - who was the first blogger to use the term and why - was it because they purchased so many items that they had to 'haul' them all home...?

Anyway ... just thought I'd share a few goodies recently purchased...

Took advantage of the recent MUA offer - bought my £8.00 worth of product (actually all came to £8.50 but who's complaining?)

MUA Nail Varnish in Frozen Yogurt - £1.00
MUA Extreme Volume Mascara in Black - £2.00
MUA 3 in 1 Contour Pen in Gunmetal - £1.50
MUA 12 Shade 'Undressed' Eye Shadow Palette - £4.00

I've been wanting to get hold of the 'Undressed' palette for a while but it's always sold out in my local Superdrug, looking forward to using this, it's a firm favourite with many bloggers - some lovely soft colours in there.  Swatches and reviews to follow (I won't be opening the mascara for a while yet - I don't think I need explain further...!).

And with the above products received a free 24 shade Immaculate Collection palette. Not that I need any more eye shadows but it was just too good an offer to resist! Some really lovely colours in this palette too - I imagine something for almost every occasion.  I really need to get back into my singing again and organise a few gigs - then I could really go to town ...smokey eyes, shimmery eyes, the world could be my eye make-up oyster.....!

Anyway - back to life/back to reality and a couple of offers on in my local Sainsburys  -

Dirty Works Bye Bye Dark Circles under-eye concealer - this was on offer in my local store - reduced from £4.99 to £3.32 so I grabbed it.  Not used it yet - but I always need a bit of help with dark-circles so let's see how I go on - will report back in due course.

Dirty Works You Soft Touch Hand Cream - selected Dirty Works products appear to be on offer at half price both instore and online so this was reduced from £2.99 to £1.49. I've not tried this hand cream before - the ingredients include Cocoa Butter and Jojoba Oil - it rubs in really easily and leaves hands feeling soft and conditioned but not greasy and with a very subtle cocoa butter scent. Now that the colder weather is here I'll be going through hand cream like cold water, so think I'll try and get another of these whilst it's on offer.

And how could I resist?  On offer at '3 for £12.00' - it would have been rude to ignore this lot...!

What would be your preference - red, white or rose?  Think I prefer white or rose but I do like a glass of red with selected meals!  Of course my hubby isn't nearly as fussy - good job seen as he ends up drinking most of  everything we get in!

So...any thoughts on the origins of the 'haul' type thing?  Who drinks the most in your house?


Jen x