GOT polish? Hot pink!

Hi!

Today's Golden Oldie Thursday is feeling hot hot hot! Actually, we have had some sunshine lately, so hot pink was appropriate. After bashing the Revlon polish I used for last week's golden oldie, I actually reached for Revlon again, this time it was a shimmery fuchsia by the name of Strawberry Electric. The last time I blogged about this polish in the good old days of a pink Wednesday I might have mentioned once or twice how much the name annoyed me. Strawberry Electric? It should be Electric Strawberry surely...? Anyway, name aside this polish was actually much better than last week's coral. I used two coats and then stamped with Pueen 68 and konad black. My stamping isn't the best, so I added some black rhinestones as a distraction. Shiny...

Hot hot hot indeed! Not my favourite polish, but a great golden oldie :)

Hx

An InLinkz Link-up

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GOT Polish? Coral!

Hi!

Today's Golden Oldie is one of my favourite colours, at least on my nails! I have a fair few coral polishes, from high end to drug store, neon to pastel. I chose a pretty polish with a troubled upbringing - I am never wowed by this brand unfortunately. Revlon Tropical Temptation is a really nice colour, but the formula leaves much to be desired - it's thin and watery, patchy and streaky, the brush is thin and stiff, I got nasty bubbles and it chipped within hours, which rarely happens to me anymore. I used three coats when it really could have done with another, but I used a fan brush to 'antique' it with some gold (Nails Inc Chelsea Bridge Road). I love how coral and gold goes together and originally had planned a skittle. Instead I stamped a lock and key on my ring finger, which sort of matched the antique theme.

Not wowed by this, but maybe it was the polish that put me off. Revlon are the higher priced end of the high street for me, but I think I got this one at a discount store. Good job really...

Hx

An InLinkz Link-up

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Golden Oldie Thursday- GOT polish? Pink Nimbus

Well, yes, yes I have got polish. Almost 900 at time of writing! And the worst part is, most of them have only been used once (if at all!) So, over at Crumpet's Nail Tarts we developed a challenge to dig out some of those unloved polishes and put them to use! The rules are that they must have been used at least once, and be at least a year old (or your oldest polish if you've not been an addict a collector that long!) This will run weekly and the first theme was pink! I used a grand total of 6 pinks in this mani, all of which I've owned for a year or more. I started with three coats of Revlon Starry Pink (which was a birthday gift two years ago and has been used once since!) and then created a pink Nailasaurus Nimbus using OPI Steady As She Rose, Pink Friday, and Elephantastic Pink, China Glaze Dance Baby and Orly Preamp.

I'm really looking forward to this challenge, as well as Tri Polish Tuesdays! Lots of fun to be had at Crumpet's Nail Tarts if you want to join in!

Hx

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Water water everywhere and not a drop to drink...

Hello!

Before we get to the nails, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to all my readers and followers - I've hit 100,000 page views on the blog! It's taken a long time, thanks to technical issues and several breaks from blogging, but I promise this time I'm going to try to keep it up! Thank you everyone :) I hope every single person who peeks at my blog enjoys reading it as much as I like writing it.

Now, onto today's Stamping Sunday manicure - based on water. I used Revlon Royal - a lovely squishy royal blue jelly, and paired it with a very special UK indie polish - Peace Is Free by Quirk. Peace is Free is a mix of neon purple and blue hexes which glow under a blacklight! I don't have a blacklight to prove it, but check out Quirk's Facebook page for more pics and updates. Once that was all dry I stamped these silver waves from MoYou London Sailor 03 in Barry M Silver Foil.

Then I experimented and added another thin layer of Royal over the stamping to create a stamping jelly sandwich. I think Royal is a teeny bit too opaque but I liked the subtle effect!

Hope you've had a nice weekend :) The 33 day challenge continues tomorrow!

Hx

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Pretty in Poundland

Hello!

I popped into my local Poundland store recently, to pick up some sweets ect. for potential trick or treaters, and was greeted by some pretties that I had to share! I have to admit, pound stores or discount places are not shops I like to frequent - not because I'm a snob (seriously, I'm anything but) but because I usually have two small children in tow that want everything in sight and then whine for the rest of the day when whatever they buy inevitably breaks after half an hour, but they are sometimes worth a look for bargain nail polish and accessories. Sorry, that turned a bit ranty didn't it? Anyway, onto what I found...

Instead of the usual jumble-sale feel of the beauty section there was a stand devoted completely to nails and nail art, dubbed the Nail Bar. I was surprised to see some of the latest trends in the nail world, by what seems to be Poundland's own brand, Pretty. There were feather polishes, graffiti polishes, mattes, magnetics and lots of glitters. As well as the polish there were nail art stripers, rhinestones, charms, nail wraps, caviar beads and loose glitter embellishments as well as files, buffers and removers. All for just £1. I think I was most impressed with the graffiti and feather effect polishes, as these are so on trend and fairly new to the market - it's obvious they've been copied from high end brands but I'm not complaining. Personally, I'm not big on the feather effect, as I can't stand my nails looking 'hairy' or glitter sticking out from the end of my nails but for £1 (rather than £11ish for one high end brand) I can just about stomach it!

I picked up two of the feather polishes, and the graffiti effect one that they had in my store, and really they're quite pretty (hence the name?). The quality is surprisingly good too - I expected them to be thick and gloopy, and stink to high heaven but they didn't. They're thin enough to wear as topcoats, but with a decent amount of glitter so that you could build up to relative opacity fairly easily. The nail-wheel swatches below show 1 and two coats. The only gripe I have is that the shades are not named, but it's not a deal breaker!

I thought while I was at it, I'd show you some of the other things I've picked up in poundland, pound world and the 99p store etc. They're good places to check if you're after some cheap embellishments, and it's the only place I can find pure acetone locally to me without paying an arm and a leg for it. They've even had stamping plates, with a stamper and scraper in my local store before. I prefer my glass nail files now, but you can pick up basic files and buffers for pence too.

They also have branded items available sometimes - the most notable one recently being OPI shatters, with an RRP of £10.50 at just £1. Ok, so shatters aren't to everyone's taste, and seem to have gone out of vogue (I still love a quick shatter mani) but OPI for £1? Who can resist? I also regularly see Sally Hansen, Rimmel, Collection 2000, Revlon, W7 and Maybelline. Last seasons shades perhaps, but still good quality items. You take pot luck as to what you'll find, but it is worth a nose, even with children in tow!

Hx

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Off-Topic Tuesday - The Autumn Tag

Well, Autumn is well and truly here and I can't say I mind. I love summer, but I was looking forward to getting my cosy jumpers out and putting away the bronzer for another year! I saw this tag on MakeupSavvy (one of my favourite non-polish blogs, although Fee does do a wicked NOTD too!) and thought I'd join in before we descend into winter proper.

1. Favourite thing about Autumn? 

I think it's the colours. The complete change from fresh and green to crisp yellows, reds and oranges can be breathtaking at times. I also love the crisp, crunchy new season apples. And of course the excuse to get the vampy, autumn polishes out!

2. Favourite drink? 

I do love my coffee, but even though I'm constantly dieting I have a thing for listening to the rain with a hot chocolate, even f it is a low cal one.

3. Favourite scent/candle? 

I'm getting into my Yankee Candles again, and I'm loving November Rain. It's airy and fresh, and really calming. I'm also loving their new Salted Caramel, but it makes me hungry!

4. Best lipstick? 

This is hard. My most recent lipstick purchase has been Revlon Lip Butter in Wild Watermelon, which is a lovely red but not very autumnal! I'm planning on hunting down a berry-toned lipstick or two as I have a few berry-ish glosses but am favouring lipstick at the moment, so if you have any suggestions let me know!

5. Go to moisturiser? 

My skin is a little dry and I'm starting to see some signs of ageing (how very dare you, fine lines) so my skin is drinking up Superdrug Vitamin E Intense Moisture Cream (cheap and cheerful at £2.99!)

6. Go to colours for the eyes? 

I'm going from a simple flick of liquid liner to using taupes and shimmery nudes on my eyes as the season changes, and I've just ordered a couple of metallic Maybelline Colour Tattoo cream eyeshadows that I can't wait to play with.

7. Favourite music or band/singer to listen to? 

I'm loving London Grammar's Strong at the moment. The lead singer Hannah Reid has a beautifully haunting voice that gives me shimmers. And I must confess I kinda like Miley Cyrus's new song, although why she has to lick everything I'll never know...

8. Favourite outfit to wear (i.e. boots & a scarf combo)? 

Coloured skinny jeans and boots, with a cosy jumper or cardigan. Although I did just buy some new tights in different colours so I'll have to expand my dress/skirt collection to match I think!

9. Autumn treat? 

There's an owl print scarf I've got my eye on, as I love anything owl! 

10. Favourite place to be? 

Wrapped up in layers, coat, scarf, gloves and boots walking on Dunstable Downs or by the River Ouse with my boys, and a hot, sweet coffee to warm up afterwards. 

I tag anyone who wants to join in! And let me know if you do, I'm nosey!

Hx

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April Tri Polish Challenge day 4 - going out with a bang!

Morning!

We've come to the end of the Tri Polish challenge for this month, and I'm going out with a bang! This manicure is pretty much perfect for me - bright, gradient, stamping and glitter - who could want more! I made a sideways gradient (for the first time - why hadn't I done this before?) on my ring and middle fingers with Essie Off the Shoulder and Rimmel Sky High, and topped it with some animal print stamping (zebra from Gals GA32 and Cheetah from Cheeky CH2. On my pinkie and index fingers I just painted a single colour and added a bit of a reverse glitter gradient using Barry M Silver Glitter and Revlon Stunning.

And here are my four manicures for this month - isn't it interesting how different you can make the same three colours look?!

Next month's colours are red, blue and grey, and I've chosen my polishes already! Come over to Crumpet's Nail Tarts if you want to join in!

Hx

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NOTD - Gotta Love a Gradient

Hi peeps!

Today I have to show you a gradient manicure that the pics do not do justice to. I was in LURVE with this manicure, and I just looked at my pictures (it was from the laptop-coma period and therefore old) they were sucky. Boo. Anyway, the base was Revlon Luna, an inky black that is almost a blackened blue. I can't make my mind up. I sponged using Barry M Lilac Foil and this was the effect I got.

Pictures; crappy, cuticles; crappy, clean up; crappy. Manicure in real life; good! You believe me, don't you?!?

Hx

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Go Team GB!

All I can say is wow! Did you watch the Olympics opening Ceremony yesterday? Wasn't it amazing? Mr Bean, live sheep, oiled up exotic men and The Queen jumping out of a helicopter - what more could you want?! I was in a terrible mood last night, but I stayed up way past my bedtime to watch it and went to bed with a smile on my face. A huge cheesy grin infact! Us Brits are mental!

This is what I'm currently wearing on my nails. 2 coats of Revlon Royal with glitter gradient tips of the new Jewel Britannia by Barry M (which some of my lovely Birthday Club friends got me, thank you ladies!). Jewel Britannia is small silver glitter, slightly larger red and blue glitter and then larger still red silver and blue hex glitter. It's quite a gloopy one. I got it almost opaque at 3 coats on a swatch stick, but you might want to layer it over a silver and go for 2 coats if you want full coverage.

From what I'm reading on my Twitter and Facebook timelines, I think you have to be British to "get" it.  I thought the whole ceremony was incredible from start to finish, and the lighting of the torch at the end was breathtakingly beautiful. What a year for Britain! Now let's just hope we get some medals too!

Hx

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NOTD - Revlon Tropical Temptation

My name is Helen and I have a problem.

I nubbed my nails and was in the mood for a peachy-coraly-orangey-pinky polish, so I trotted off to my stash and pulled out a few of my polishes that fit the bill....

Ahem. Do I need all of these  peachy-coraly-orangey-pinky polishes? No. Surprisingly though, there aren't any exact dupes, but still.

Anyway, I went for Rimmel Tropical Temptation, a pretty coral that I'm sure I picked up in Poundland. It was a little streaky, but polishes this colour often are for some reason. I added a couple of little butterfly stickers as accents.

I was going to go for a big butterfly and a small one on the ring finger as well as the thumb, but I couldn't quite fit them on my newly nubbed nails. Usually my little and ring fingers have the longest nails, and never peel, but I took them all short to give the peels on the index fingers a chance to grow out and the misfit nail on the other hand to redeem itself (uit's getting there!) I may keep them short until stubby catches up and until them I'm lavishing lots of TLC and Lemony Flutter on them!

Are there any colours in your stash that you have far too many of? Somehow I can't quite bring myself to have a cull...I'm a collector I guess!

Hx

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NOTD – Shopping the stash for a new look...

Hello!

After taking off China Glaze Flying Dragon (Neon-that-isn't) I wanted something soft and pretty (I don't do soft and pretty very often...) on my nails for a while. I've seen some lovely things done with the new OPI New York Ballet polishes – milky jellies and a glitter topcoat, but I don't have any and my bank balance is less than healthy at the moment, so I decided to try and create something similar with what I already have. You Callin' Me a Lyre? is the pink jelly from the collection and I decided to try and recreate it by using a coat of Barry M Strawberry Ice Cream, topped with Bourgois Rose Lounge. Rose Lounge is a sheer milky pink, which apparently is one of the polishes worn by K-Mid on her wedding day to Prince Billy. Apparently. Anyway, a coat of that over the Barry M made a more or less opaque crelly-like soft pink, not exactly the same as You Callin' Me a Lyre, but as close as I was going to get. I then added a coat of Revlon Stunning, in place of Pirouette My Whistle from the OPI collection, added another layer of Rose Lounge and then mattefied it all with 17 Nail Xtras Matte topcoat.

 

Before I mattefied it...

Exactly what I wanted, and without having to buy anything new! Ok, so if I had bought the polishes especially for this manicure it probably would have come in at about the same cost as two ebay-sourced OPIs (Barry M £2.99, Revlon £6.49 and Bourgois around £6) but since I had them already it cost nothing. Chuffed. I hoping that the Rose Lounge will have the same effect over some other pale crème polishes so that I might be able to recreate the grey and lavender OPI soft shades from the NY Ballet collection.

Do you have any of the NY ballet polishes? Did I get close?

Hx

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NOTD - Fantasy Fire revisited

Hello!

Since untried month is over, and I'm not currently taking part in any challenges (there is a summer challenge about to start with the Purple Crumpet Fairy girls here if you want to take part, but until my computer problems are resolved I wont be joining in :( ) I decided to revisit a few polishes that I loved, but with a new twist. I saw this manicure by Cris at Let Them Have Polish a while ago and have had it in the back of my mind since, and here is my version. I used one coat of Revlon Royal, one coat of Fantasy Fire, and dabbed the tips with Accessorize Molten Copper. Not quite the same, but as close as I could get with what I have! Prepare for pic spam...

So hard to photograph but so purdy! Will have to take it off tonight and it will make me sad. Not least because it's a glitter and I'm out of tin foil...

Hx

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