MANICURE MONDAY: Barry M Gelly "Sparkling Ruby"

Bring on the reds! I am so ready for the holidays (especially the time off work part...). I went a-looking for a nice red in my Helmers this morning to bring on the Xmas spirit. I took one look at this and stopped looking; it's amazingly sparkly, bright red and shiny! I think this was a Xmas limited edition at some point, so apologies if you can't find it in stores...

This is 2 nice clean coats with a top coat of Barry M Wet Set quick dry top coat. I feel I need some hot chocolate, cosy socks and shit TV to go with it - love it!! I am not convinced yet that Barry M Wet Set will replace my beloved Sally Hansen MegaShine in terms of shine and speed drying, but it is vegan and cruelty free, which is something I am moving towards now in my beauty regime.

Are you cracking out the reds yet?? I think I might be pairing this with a nice red lipgloss tomorrow...

Manicure Monday: Barry M Crystal Rock "Pink Tourmaline"

Yep. I still love textured nail polishes! This is brand new stuff from Barry M, and if like me you're old and been in the game for a while, yes, it's a throw-back to 2013 😃

So I am probably in the minority however I love these crystal liquid sand polishes. It occurred to me as I was writing this review that there will be first time buyers of this formula, people who were too young to remember the previous wave of these in 2012/13! I am seriously getting old, and so is this blog (coming up on 13 years...).

I have a number of these types of polishes in my collection from a variety of brands. I find they are so easy to apply and quick to dry, a perfect last minute fix. But those of you who 'pick' you might find they annoy you with their gritty texture...

I did 2 coats here with no top coat, I find that a top coat will dull the sparkle on these, and they dry quickly due to the formula so it's not really necessary. These polishes don't like the camera, so the nails actually look a bit dull but they are not!

I have 3 of the 4 colours of this release, so stay tuned for the other 2 in due course...

MANICURE MONDAY: Essie "Rustworthy"

I said in my previous post there were TWO polishes from the Essie fall 2019 collection I "needed" and this is the second one!

This went on really smooth and is  a definite one-coater. I did 2 coats here but you definitely don't need it. It's surprisingly thin and easy to paint with in formula for being so pigmented, and it dries just that slightly satin shine, so I say it's quite similar to a matte metallic polish, such as Orly "Glam Rock"? I topped it with a slick of Sally Hansen MegaShine cuz I love a shiny metallic. And I need a speedy drying time.

Love this - definitely another Top Ten of 2019 entry!

MANICURE MONDAY: Essie "Sweater Weather"

It's very rare nowadays that I see a nail polish I immediately "need". Usually nowadays, with a collection of 500+ nail polishes, all the new collections all seem the same. But there are not one, but two, polishes in this collection from Essie that I "needed"! This is the first one.

So it's September - and autumn - already?? I can definitely feel the autumn vibes now. I only had my 'summer holiday' a couple of weeks ago, but the weather has definitely turned now. So this kind of colour feels very appropriate, and definitely lives up to it's name.

I did 2 smooth coats here and topped it with Sally Hansen Megashine top coat. It's divine. A straight to the Top Ten of 2019. Nothing else to say. If you love green nail polish, go to Boots now and spend £7.99 and you will never regret it.

Stay tuned for the next star from this collection next Monday! ☺

Oh and it's a one-of-a-kind polish in my collection; I did some comparisons of other similar greens (or so I thought) below. The closest one is OPI "Green on the Runway" from the 2014 Coca Cola collection, but it's got a slightly red duochrome so "Sweater Weather" is more warm.

From L to R: Orly "Rocket Science", China Glaze "Zombie Zest", China Glaze "Moonpool", Essie "Sweater Weather", OPI "Green on the Runway"

From L to R: Essie "Sweater Weather", OPI "Green on the Runway", China Glaze "Moonpool"

REVIEW: Urban Decay Stay Naked foundation

Shade 30 NN

I was soooo excited when the announcement for this collection popped up on Instagram 😄 It was definitely an 'Instagram made me buy it' affair.

I ordered it the day it came out, but I was a bit flummoxed by the shade range (which is bafflingly large). In my previous post on this I have a bit more info on choosing your shade if you can't actually swatch it. Here's hoping I got it right... I chose shade 30 NN.

Hmmm, yeah probably a tiny bit light for me when I am tanned (I go from fair-ish to a medium complexion) but autumn is just around the corner so... we good!

The bottle is plastic and has a pump. I am not actually a fan of the packaging? I think it looks weird with the indented bit and huge cap?.. I just don't feel it. Considering the Allnighter was such a design love affair, this feels like a "can't be arsed" design!

I applied this with a Beauty Blender as that's how I like to roll with a toddler running around (it's quicker than a brush...) and it seems to have less coverage than I thought it would have, but I am definitely OK with that. I wasn't sure about the finish at first (quite matte) but it grew on me. It doesn't emphasise pores or fine lines, doesn't cling to dry bits and it doesn't age those of us who are over 40!

It also lasted through the hottest day of the year without fading! I looked still looked flawless when I took off my makeup in the evening. It definitely looks like you are wearing makeup but I am OK with that too - this is the budge proof and beautifying formula which I wish was available when I got married!

This is a Top Ten of 2019! I cringe at the price at £29.50 but damn girl, it's good. If you can get the shade right, then you're onto a winner!

MANICURE MONDAY: Barry M Molten Metals "Crystal Blue"

This is honestly one of the best nail polishes I own. And I have had over 700 at one point!

This is 2 perfect coats with Sally Hansen Mega Shine top coat. It dries super quick,  and has a radiant green duochrome.

I'd pay a lot more than the £3.99 they charge for this!

MANICURE MONDAY: Revolution nail polish

From L to R: "Muse" and "Poison"

Slightly different #manicuremonday today as I am unwell with a throat infection and asthma so can't hack the fumes from an actual manicure...

These are brand new little beauties from Revolution - just launched last week! I thought the colour selection was possibly a bit dull, compared to the riot of colour and glitter that is their eyeshadow selections? I only got two, both of these are from the 'Colour Pop' selection.

I think "Muse" would definitely be a one-coater, however I did two here for consistency of swatching. I thought this would be quite close to Misa "Dirty Sexy Money" but it's not even close. "Poison" is a solid two-coater. It's verging on the annoying 'almost black' territory but with a high gloss top coat it does come alive on the nail!

They retail for £3 which is fairly decent. Can't wait to actually get these on my nails!!

WHAT'S NEW: Urban Decay Stay Naked!

So there's no secret I'm into Urban Decay! I've been a massive fan of their One and Done foundation for a while now, and I am continuing my love affair with their Vice Sheer lipsticks (should I do a post on those??).

And today they drop a whole new collection called Stay Naked - with a new foundation! It's meant to be kind of a love child of their Allnighter (full coverage, long wear) and their Naked (natural coverage) foundations; how could I not covet thee??

One of the many awesome promises about this foundation is the 50 shades it comes in. When perusing the website trying to buy I did have a problem choosing my shade. There are no swatches out there yet other than the ones on Urban Decay's own website, BUT they have released this rather nifty video guide to their shade system! I settled on 30NN, let's see how that pans out...

So while I am waiting for my foundation to arrive for a review, just enjoy the look of my truly #vintage Urban Decay nail polish collection, circa 1999. Yes, I still use them. And they're like more than 20yrs old.

From L to R: Brick House, Bruise, Kiss, ID and Cult

MANICURE MONDAY: Zoya "Charla"

This is from an old Zoya release that is the only full collection I own! Well,  half a collection,  I only bought the glitter version. I needed a teal fix and this has unused been in the stash for too long!

I did 2 coats here using the Zoya top and base coat. The nails look like the bottle in real life,  the phone camera just won't pick it up which is annoying. It's sooo pretty!!

MANICURE MONDAY: Barry M Molten Metals "Pink Luxe"

After last weeks painfully traditional manicure I HAD to go sparkly this week. I donned this particular shade as I had to be on a job interview panel today for work so couldn't do its blue-green counterpart!.. 

I love these Molten Metals for a quick manicure. As they're so sparkly they dry very quickly and with a slick of quick dry top coat, they're just about baby-proof in less than 30mins. #winning

I did 2 coats here, it's still almost just about sheer enough to see the nail line, but since my nails are short, I couldn't care less. I used Sally Hansen MegaShine top coat.

Love this, must see if there are other shades still available! Roll on Monday!

MANICURE MONDAY: Essie "Lovie Dovie"

So today I just wanted to go for a creme polish. I have been loving the sparklies lately, but thought I'd break out of my rut and go for something more "conventional". Already wishing I'd put on a duchrome sparkler like one of the Zoyas I've got but that's for next week!

Do you match your toes to your fingers with nail polish? I'm usually too lazy, but I might make it a thing for July... could be fun!

This is 2 coats, but I find this formula just a bit streaky... I did thicker coats, but the thumbs are definitely a bit more streaky than I'd like. I used Sally Hansen MegaShine top coat to get that quick dry gloss!

It's OK. I still wish I'd gone for a sparkler. Let's see how long it lasts before I add some holo glitter gradients to this manicure...

MANICURE MONDAY: Bourjois "17"

I blame OPI and China Glaze etc, but unless a beauty product's shade has an actual name, I'm not interested anymore... Why is this just shade "17". Boring. Could they not have come up with a shade name even if it was just 'kinda purple-pink'?..

Whatever. I am loving this particular colour, it's bright, yet muted. This line is long discontinued but it had a weird slanted brush on it, to "touch up chips". Girl, just re-paint yo' nails!!!

Anyway the brush sucks so it's a bit messy. And the cuticles are still a bit dry and iffy, but a million times better than they have been. Mommy-hands are crap...

I did 2 coats here, with Sally Hansen MegaShine top coat! #winning

LAUNCH ALERT: Fenty Beauty at Boots

Top: Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter "Hu$tla Baby"
Bottom: Gloss Bomb lip gloss "Fenty Glow"

I promised some swatches of my two Fenty products to celebrate tomorrow's launch at Boots, so here they are! I can't wait to try more from Fenty Beauty, these are my go-to every day since I bought them! I am especially keen on the Mattemoiselle lipsticks and the shimmer Match Stix.

Let's see what the launch brings us tomorrow! :)

NEWS: Fenty Beauty is coming to Boots!

Woohoo I knew there was a reason I saved all my Advantage Card points! Big buzz as it's announced that Fenty Beauty launches at Boots next week, on the 10th May. You can sign up for early access on the waiting list here. Who predicts a server-breaking sell-out?... Keep yo notifications on, ya'll!

My go to glow givers are Glossbomb lip gloss and the Killawatt highlighter - from Fenty, I'll post you some swatches the day before the launch!

MANICURE MONDAY: Chanel "Particuliere"

So, who of my readers remembers this?? It was the hyped polish that started the trend for the 'greige' type polishes which are just mainstay in every brand's nail polish armory now. Before "Particuliere", there really wasn't a 'greige' nail polish that I can think of.

This polish is 10 yrs old this year (yes, that's right, 10 yrs). Like it's equally-hyped cousin "Peridot" from Chanel, it's just a standard polish with a branded tag, and Chanel polishes chips quite quick on me. But I still love them both, perhaps for their mythology? And the hassle I had trying to get my hands on them when they launched, haha. And the £18 price tag, and I wouldn't be able to spend that today!

I did 2 coats here, it's very smooth to put on. As I now have to squeeze nail polishing in between nappy changes, I have gone back to using Sally Hansen Mega Shine top coat (which they discontinued, thank you Sally Hansen). I forgot how much I love it... What I'll do when my two bottles run out, I don't know. Must find a good quick dry top coat that isn't Seche Vite.

MANICURE MONDAY: OPI Infinite Shine "Running with the In-finite Crowd"

I am in Sweden this week with the little one, so I bought some goodies ay Schiphol airport on the way here.

This offering from OPI hasn't really been talked about much, I'm guessing because it's more of a salon offering.

You need to use the proprietary base and top coat for the polishes,  and follow the instructions on the OPI website, but it doesn't require any lights etc.

I used 2 thin coats of polish here. It's very pigmented! It did dry to the touch within the 15 mins promised even in the dark Swedish evening. But this morning i can see some dents and tip wear on my right hand,  I'm guessing it's not dry enough in the time to deal with baby things (and fiddling with the insides of my brothers pc)...

I'll give an update on wear time and removal later in the week!

Birthday NOTD: Ciate "Dangerous Affair"

New year, new me - I'm going to make time for manicures again!! I finally took time to do my nails, which I've probably not done for almost a year now.

I've reviewed this magazine freebie previously, and I still love it. It's just the right kind of dark red, not too brown or that dreaded "nearly black"! 😁

I did 2 neat coats and used my old favourite Sally Hansen Mega Shine as top coat (still using Zoya Anchor for base). I still love Mega Shine too, wonder why they discontinued it?? Dries so quick (bonus when you have a 7 month around) and it's sooooo shiny for a long time.

I hope to get back to some sort of schedule once I'm back to work in start of February, until then you'll just have to get used to infrequent posts...

REVIEW: Benefit Hello Happy foundation

I've been looking for some newness to embrace, so I thought I would try the new Benefit foundation. There are some mixed reviews of this out there, and you can probably guess some are sponsored. So no better place to be than to buy it yourself and try it and get a real ideas of how it performs! (Oh and Benefit, what's up with no samples?!)

First off, before judging this foundation, I read it's marketing claim. It is a 'sheer to medium coverage' and has 'soft blur' in the name. So expected a more matte version of a bb cream. And it is indeed very much like that!

You have to shake this quite vigorously before you open it. And because of that, when you do open it, it oozes out through the nozzle so you better be quick! I applied it with a beauty blender but didn't love the result - too sheer. So the next day I used my Zoeva 102 Silk Finish brush and that looked much better! 

FINISH

The result isn't magically pore blurring matte skin, but it is a lovely finish. It didn't make my pores look any larger, which is a good thing. It is a little bit on the matte side, perhaps satin? It wore well for about 5hrs then it did start to settle in my pores on my chin, and had broken up a bit around my nose. However, I'd expect that in this heat! And to be fair, the pores on my chin are rather cavernous so almost everything settles there now and then... It is by no means a long-wear foundation, however it doesn't claim to be.

SHADE RANGE

So what about the all important question nowadays - now many shades does it come in? Well, only 12. BUT as Benefit has defended, it's a sheer foundation that can suit a range of skin tones. I am not convinced the yellow colour I have is my exact match.. I was shade matched to #3, Light Neutral. Not actually sure it would classify as light neutral in many other brands but hey... It does blend out quite sheer so it's not a problem if it isn't the exact match. BUT I would say it did oxidise a little bit so go for the lighter shade if you feel you are inbetween two shades.

Shade #3

Shade #3, not blended and applied very heavy to show tone

The formula is nice and very light, not sticky or heavy. It has a very natural finish. For me, it does wear well for about 5hrs then it starts to fade.

FINAL THOUGHTS

All and all I do like this foundation, it's not the best one I've ever tried but it works for me at the moment. However, I won't be buying it again as it costs £25.50?! All Benefit makeup appears to becoming more and more expensive, whereas I used to feel it was a stepping stone between high street brands and luxury brands, it's slowly creeping up there with the high end brands... I would expect this bottle to sell for about £18-20, £25.50 is far too expensive. They do a mini version for £8.50 but seriously, that's again a rip-off for a mini... I did complain a bit about the pricing and the girl threw in a Boi-ing airbrush concealer mini, so I shall review that in a couple of weeks once I've put it to the test!

Have you tried this? If so what were you thoughts on it?!

LINA BUYS IT ON AMAZON: Gel nail polish

I'm using the ones labelled 4 (ring finger) and 6
on the nail wheel below !

Swatches and bottles are in the same order

I see all this stuff sold on eBay and Amazon, and I always wonder if it's ever anything like the big brands? The time comes when one needs to try things "just because", experiment then write about it. I felt it was time. These gel nail polishes are sold on Amazon, and quite highly rated if you read the comments. I thought "what's the worst that can happen?!". They are a fraction of the price of big brands such as Gelish.

Anyway, onto the first impressions. The bottles are a small 8ml, so no big fat 15ml Gelish-sized bottles here. You get six colours for £12.99. There are a lot of sets of colours to choose from. Putting the price into context, one single bottle of OPI Gelcolor will set you back about £15-20, as is the case with Gelish and Shellac, so six colours for £12.99 is OK even if it is a smaller sized bottle.

The application was OK, I found the lighter pink a bit streaky so I had to do thicker coats. The mauve colour has a nicer formula. These were both more thick and "gel like" than big brands I've used which have been slightly thinner and more pigmented. I used OPI Gelcolor base and top coat with these, asI couldn't be bothered getting another set of base and top to match. This is one thin coat of base coat, 2 coats of colour and then top coat. I did make some mess, but it was easy to remove with an orange stick.

Whilst these colours are not to my taste (too muted, not enough glitter) they are lovely colours if one likes a neutral.

The sales page promises that with "proper application" the manicure will last 2 weeks, so I shall return in a couple of weeks or so with a wear test review on these, if I can last that long. I hate wearing the same colours for more than a few days and also my nails are still growing very quickly due to my baby hormones so I may not last the full 2 weeks...

I'M BACK!!!

I've been gone for a loooooooong time... But it was for a good reason, honest! 😁

My lovely li'l daughter, Embla!

If you've followed the blog, you might know I found out I was pregnant back in September 2017. I had a good pregnancy but was soooo tired, and working full time, I just couldn't keep up with blogging. But my little bundle of joy has arrived, and she is already 7 weeks old tomorrow! I am finally feeling like I have time, and the need!! to return to blogging and beauty. I have some great posts prepped and planned for you in the coming weeks to start things back up 😎

I have been digging through my stash of nail polish and came up with the Sensationail gel polish kit. My friend asked me if I could do her nail with gel polish for her, as she had Amazon Prime'd some off-brand gel nail polish to try... Could be good, could be a disaster, we shall see! Stay tuned for a first impressions later in the week!