NOTD - M&S Limited Collection Nail Polish in Storm ...

Bonjour!

Perhaps I should have named this post 'Nail of the Stormy Day' in light of recent weather ... I don't like storms but then again I don't like bitter cold, snow and ice ... I just don't like Winter - end of!  Anyway this is the Marks & Spencer Limited Collection Quick Dry Nail Polish in Storm ... I bought it a couple of months ago ... and yes ... it's taken me all this time to get this post out ... disgraceful I know ...!

The colour comes out richer on the nail than in the bottle and is a deep grey in colour, probably one of the darkest polishes I own but very wearable - even on hands of my age! I like that's it's almost black but not black.  It calls to my inner rock-chick - although I'm sure sophisticated ladies would carry it off with great success!

Have I mentioned that I have a bit of a 'thing' for these M&S polishes? They have a good glossy finish with average wear time and they are so easy to apply with a good sized brush.  I find the consistency just right - it's more on the thin than thick side but that's preferable to a gloopy mess in my opinion.  A steal at £3.50 each and very often on offer at buy one get one half price!

So ... would you be channelling your inner rock-chick or sophisticate?  Have you tried the M&S Limited Collection Polishes yet?

Jen x

A Very Merry NOTD Christmas ...!

Bonjour!

I honestly don't know where these last few weeks have gone and can hardly believe that Christmas Eve is here again ... !  I've had this week off work and have spent the last few days in what seems like a whirlwind of food shopping, cleaning and wrapping presents ... following by the custom of falling asleep on the settee every evening ... who's with me?  Distant memories of the Christmas Eve office parties of my youth with free booze provided from 10.30am - resulting in drunken antics involving various pieces of office equipment and riding up and down in the lifts (don't ask!) ... before we all headed off to a nightclub for the afternoon hired out exclusively for ourselves to dance the day away ... some of us would then make our way home nursing a hangover before the evening had even started ... and some would stay out and just carry on (as you do!) ... those were the days!

It's nice to be able to finally sit down though (for however brief a time!) and write up a quick post to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas!  And ... couldn't let this opportunity go by without a quick festive NOTD ...

Barry M Glitterati Nail Paint - Rockstar ...

I actually had no intention of buying any new nail polishes but when I was in Boots last week (buying my Christmas present from the hubby - best way to do it sometimes!) Rockstar just called to me and that was that ...!  This is my favourite of the Glitterati collection ... the other polishes are lovely but this one has something about it which grabbed me - must be the grey theme!

It's positively jam packed with different shades of  'reasonably' sized glitter  - I'm not so bothered about the 'great big chunks' variety for myself so this is perfect for me.  I think my camera was rather dazzled so had difficulty picking up on all the individual specks but you get the idea - maybe a proper macro lens is in order!  I'm not going all out bling with my Christmas Day outfit (do I ever!) - so it'll be good to wear something a bit sparkly on my nails.  Only problem is ... with the mountain of potatoes and vege I have to peel for tomorrow's dinner I'll have to get the hubby heavily involved to avoid Rockstar glitter in the sprouts ... ahh Christmas dinner problems!

This was only meant to be a quick post and I've waffled on for England so apologies if you're still with me!  I've only managed a handful of posts during December and am actually 'champing at the bit' to get back to a regular blogging routine. Plus ... I have a tonne of products to review and am running out of storage space ... my friend at work pointed out that I have a problem! (Thanks Amy!)

What will you be wearing on your nails this Christmas? Will there be any glitter in your sprouts? And once again Merry Christmas to all!


Jen x

NOTD - M&S Limited Collection Nail Polish in Putty

Bonjour ...

I've not done a NOTD for a while now - actually haven't bought a new nail polish for a while ... I was trying to 'shop my stash' but this all changed last week when I popped into M&S to pick up some edible goodies (as you do!) and then all of a sudden found myself in the beauty department - which is on a totally different floor ... how this happened I have no idea! The Limited Collection Quick Dry Nail Polishes (which are only £3.50 anyway) were on offer at buy one get one half price - after this discovery it all went downhill ... or uphill whichever way you look at it ... I'm waffling again aren't I...?

This is one of shades I picked up ...Marks & Spencer Limited Collection Nail Polish in Putty ...

No idea why I don't own more of the Limited Collection Nail Polishes as I have a bit of a soft spot for them - I find them really quick and easy to apply - the brush is user-friendly and the formula just the right consistency.  It's opaque in two coats, has a good glossy finish and is touch dry in a jiffy.  They also last quite well on with a decent base and top coat which is always a bonus!  Putty comes out with a richer purple hue than I expected from the bottle but has a touch of grey mixed in which gives it that bit more of a flat/neutral vibe which I really like - a good Autumn nail colour!

Have you tried the M&S Limited Collection Nail Polishes? Will you be buying any new Autumn nail colours?


Jen x

NOTD - Deborah Lippmann - Spring Buds ...!

Bonjour!

This is the second of the polishes recently sent to me from Lookfantastic ... Spring Buds by celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann ... here it is mingling with some Spring blossom ...!

I should point out that tiny droplets of rain may be evident in the above pic - it was one of those silly weather days and I was desperately trying to get this snapped before the heavens opened!  Anyway ... this is one of the polishes available from the Deborah Lippmann 'Spring Reveries' Collection - six of the softest 'very springlike' pastel shades which are easy on the eye - both in the lovely Art Deco type bottle and out of it!  'Spring Buds' is a creamy, pistachio green colour - a fresh and clean and glossy look which is ideal for this time of year!  The consistency was actually a lot thinner than I was expecting with quite a small brush but once you get used to this it's easy enough for a novice like myself to apply.  You do need two decent (or three not so decent I imagine) coats - I've used two in the above pic.  Wear wise (you know what I'm going to say here I bet!) it lasted just short of two days with topcoat but it did wear pretty evenly on the ends which may make it easier to touch up?

You can see the Deborah Lippmann range available from Lookfantastic here - between £16/£18 a bottle it's a bit on the pricey side  - although there are some gorgeous colours and finishes - see what you think!

Have you tried any of the Deborah Lippman polishes?

Jen x

NOTD - Nailtiques Protein Nail Lacquer in Maui...

Bonjour!

I was recently sent a couple of nail polishes to try from Lookfantastic ... here's the first NOTD - step up the Nailtiques Nail Lacquer with Protein in Maui...!

A little info directly from the Lookfantastic website ...

"Nailtiques have revolutionised natural nail care by pioneering a nail colour which strengthens nails. Nailtiques Nail Lacquer With Protein in Maui is a sizzling hot coral pink shade enriched with the award-winning benefits of the Nailtiques protein blend." source

I have only used the nail polish itself and - as I understand - it works in conjunction with the Nailtiques protein treatments, I therefore can't speak for it's strengthening properties. I have to say though - what a gorgeous pop of colour!  It's been grand to wear a 'sizzling hot coral' for a change - so vibrant and cheerful on a grey day (and we all know we've not seen the back of grey days yet!).  It has a good glossy finish - the above pic. was taken without any topcoat (on one of the aforementioned grey days!).  Easy to apply - with a decent brush and drying time was pretty standard.  It was opaque (enough for me anyway) in two coats - if you're a bit more particular about your level of 'opaqueness' you could easily apply a third coat.  Wear wise it lasted my usual 2 days once I had applied my topcoat.

You can see the full range of  Nailtiques Nail Lacquers (including current offers) over at Lookfantastic here.  I like the fact that they're based on well known 'worldwide' locations and I'm liking the look of 'Rio' myself!

Have you used any products from the Nailtiques range? Which 'worldwide location' would you choose?

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

NOTD - MUA Moody Mink!

Bonjour!

I picked this up MUA polish in Moody Mink a couple of weeks ago from Superdrug ... my daughter chose the colour - so well done my girl!

A dusky, muted, mauvey colour which fits in really well as an Autumn polish. My daughter wanted to use it but when she saw it on my nails declared that it was a bit 'grey' - in other words she thinks it's a bit too 'grown up' for her - fine by me, I can keep it all to myself!  I applied my Sally Hansen topcoat here - so that's giving it some extra shine - just so you know!

This is the first MUA polish I've bought since the bottle has been re-designed with the 'new and improved' brush and all.  In the past I have found the brush quite difficult to handle within the old chunky square lid. As a complete contrast, this was pleasantly easy to apply - so they've obviously sorted it!  MUA polishes don't seem to last that long on me and yes the bottle is tiny but it's only £1 for Pete's sake! (Who is Pete anyway?).  So - next time I'm in Superdrug I may well pick a few more shades up. Why not?

Have you tried the new MUA polishes recently? What did you think?


Jen x

NOTD - Maybelline Forever Strong - Hot/Rose Salsa

Bonjour!

Two hot weekends in a row - I could really get used to this! Speaking of 'hot' - just thought I'd put up a  little NOTD post with Maybelline Forever Strong Hot Salsa I picked up a while ago...

...or is it Rose Salsa...why are there two names...any ideas here?

...maybe it's Hot Rose Salsa...? Anyway...name aside...

I do like the Maybelline Forever Strong polishes - I think they're very reasonable at £4.09 and just find them so much easier to apply than some, that 100% precision brush must be doing it's job!  The consistency is thinner which means it's only just opaque after two coats but I'm happy with the result, nice and juicy - intense coral vibe - perfect for a hot summers day, perfect for a cloudy one even! And...they do seem to last better on 'mum's hands' before they wear on the ends after 3 days.  I can cope with that.

So...is it Maybelline Forever Strong Hot or Rose Salsa - either way have you tried it?

Jen x

NOTD - Top Shop 'Stage Dive'

Bonjour ...

I bought this polish a couple of weeks ago from Top Shop (obviously) in 'Stage Dive'.  I do love a good orange and it was just love at first sight ... (also bought a top which looked really good on the hanger but when I got it home it made me look like a sack of potatoes so that's going back!).

Anyway - got Stage Dive out in the sunshine over the weekend ...

This is my first nail polish from Top Shop and I found the consistency a little watery when applying and the first coat was pretty streaky. Still can see some faint streaking after the second coat but I don't think it looks too bad and may well be down to my useless application technique!   It was pretty standard 'drying time wise' - 10 mins or so? It didn't last terribly well unfortunately and had chipped within two days (I've now bought a new top coat so will try it out and see if I have better results).

To be honest though - I'm so head over heels in love with this colour - it's verging on fluorescent but not quite. It's just a lovely bright, sunny, happy colour and it cheers me up every time I look at it - sad but true! As you can see I applied it when the sun was shining over the weekend, now were back to normal with grey skies and pigging rain I'm going to need some 'bright nail therapy' more than ever!

Stage Dive is priced at £5 and you can check out the rest of the Top Shop Nail Varnish range right here.

Have you tried any Top Shop Polishes? What's your favourite nail varnish for 'bright nail therapy'?

Jen x

Last of the Summer Nails? NOTD Beauty UK - Bon Bon

Bonjour!

I became a little obsessed recently!

Having read Michaela's post 'NOTD - Island Girl Waikiki Color' over on her blog Lather Rinse Repeat (all the way from 'soon to be sunny' Sydney, Australia) which you can view here, I knew I just had to find a similar colour over in our neck of the woods.  You know when you see it, love it and 'have to have it' type of thing?

So what should I spot as I wandered round Superdrug but ..

Beauty UK Glam Nails - Bon Bon

I absolutely love, and I mean love this colour, it cheers me up every time I look at it! Gorgeous orangey-yellow with a tropical vibe going on - reminds me of the hot weather we haven't had - I'd hoped for a bit of an Indian Summer - pfft!  I know we're on our way into Autumn now but I'm going to drag the sunny colours out for as long as I can...!

I'm no expert in the polishing of nails (as I've no doubt mentioned before) but this seemed to go on pretty easily and although it's not totally opaque after two coats, it's got a good glossy finish (no topcoat applied here).  Not sure about the durability as yet but if it can withstand all the domestic chores my hands get up to it'll do for me!

Superdrug website didn't seem to hold much info about Beauty UK Nail Polishes, however, you can check out the full range of lovely colours directly from Beauty UK here. 

I have a feeling I'll be back in Superdrug very shortly ...

Have you tried any Beauty UK products?


Jen x