No7 Star Shower

I was in Boots the other day having a look at the new No7 counter, they've recently re-branded and re-packaged all of their products and changed round the counters, the majority of the products seem to be similar to what was there before but there are a few new products, including this nail polish shade which I picked up, Star Shower.

Star Shower is a strange sort of colour, on first glance it remind me of Urban Decay's Stash eyeliner pencil or a polish which wouldn't look out of place in the Orly Cosmic FX collection of a few years back.  A sort of murky grey, green, gold combination with the addition of bronze coloured flakies and very fine blue glitter particles too. 

All the glitter and flakies give it a sort of duochrome look, changing through grey, gold and brown depending on how the light hits it.  It's a very interesting colour, very shimmery and glittery but still quite subtle.  It's the sort of glitter that's suitable for people who don't really wear glitter. 

Now on to some nail shots, ignore the fact I have had to crop out my index finger, I've had a mauled cuticle incident and nobody needs to see it in it's current state:

These pictures are 3 coats on bare nails but I'd be interested to try it as a top coat over a black or dark blue to see how that changed the look of the polish. 

 

I bought this polish with a Boots voucher, which gives £3 off any cosmetics purchase.  The nail polishes are now £5.50 so with a voucher the polish cost just £2.50.  More expensive than it used to be when using a £5 off voucher but still a pretty good deal.

 

Theme Weekend!

This weekend I had a couple of events I wanted to do theme manicures for, my baby brother's 30th (how old does typing that make me feel?!!) and a baby shower.  Due to time constraints neither manicures were quite what I had planned but I think they turned out ok.

Firstly, Saturday night's 30th birthday manicure, my brother is a keen musician and a big lover of Vegas and the casinos, he also likes the odd cocktail, so here's what I did in a nod to his favourite things...

And then for the baby shower on Sunday, I did these nails, which I am pretty pleased with.  It's not exactly what I had planned but I really like how it turned out, I think it's a look which I might do again at some point as I like the sweet, sugary mixed up effect that's been created...

Sorry about the hideous lack of clean up on the baby shower manicure, I had half an hour before going out the door and no time to clean up, thankfully they looked slightly less sloppy in person than they do under the macro lens!

British Nail Bloggers - Weekly Round Up!

Time for another weekly catch up from all the lovely British Nail Bloggers!

Wendy from Wendy's Delights is having a dotting time with her first ever Dotty Mani for the Llama Nails A-Z challenge.  Wendy has also participated in the Facebook Group Adventures in Stamping and this weeks theme is French Nail Tips.

Lyndsay from Pie's Eyes shows off her Swatchicles and explains how they make keeping tabs on her ever growing collection a little easier, she's also done a lovely leafy stamp manicure.

Claire from nuthin' but a nail thing completed the 30 Day Challenge! Which one was your favourite?

Emma has lauched her first giveaway and played with dotting tools again this week, this time creating rainbow manicure using them over at Emma's Little Corner.

Charlotte from Charlottes-nails has been swatching some of the new Models Own Wonderland polishes for you all to enjoy!

After taking the weekend off after completing the 30 Day Challenge, Polished Criminails is back with 3 more BarryM Gelly Nail Paints which are bang on trend for the Autumn months!

When life hands you lemons, paint your nails with Avon's Lemon Sugar! Or at least that's what Ruth did this week. Including a slightly annoying design!

Vic has started her gel polish course but she's determined not to give up regular polish - after all, she does have over 400 bottles of the stuff. The inspiration for her Sparkle Zebracorn mani was taken from a gel polish tutorial but it works just as well with the lacquers we all know and love.

Spreading depression awareness through nail art, while checking off another ABC Llama nail challenge is Enigmatic Rambles this week.

Sally of Nail Pron is having a month of pink for Breast Cancer Awareness while having a very emotional week.

Northern Nails had a little Hiatus this week, after all the posts in the 30 Day Challenge,then Her nails broke! So she decided to give Northern Nails a make over, Hope you all like the New Look!

Carlyn uses China Glaze's Foie Gras and Konad plate M64 to create a stunning Floral manicure, before she gets her nails shellac'ed for her holidays.

Sarah Louise is taking part in a Halloween challenge created by Crumpets Nail Tarts. For the second challenge she creates a Black Cats themed manicure - Enjoy! x

Abi invites you to take a look at her round up page for the 31 Day Challenge that she completed this week!

Lots of new items Spotted! instore this week over at Painted Nails and Baking Scales as Lou keeps her eyes peeled for all things polish!

Ever wondered what Indie polishes are and where to buy them ? Well this week The Crumpet tells you everything you need to know!

Nailmares!

I'm rather short on time for posting this weekend so instead of more manicures or reviews I thought I'd do a little light-hearted post which I think might strike a chord with my fellow Nail Polish addicts. ;)

 

Nailmares or, nightmare (ok, nightmare might be a little strong, but you know what I mean!) situations relating to nails and the painting there of, here's my top 5:

1. Finding it impossible to choose what colour to paint your nails.
2. Not having enough time to do all the themed manicures you want and have planned in your head (this weekend being a prime example - 4 separate events I would love to do themes for and no time to paint my nails in between, all those wasted ideas!).
3. Not having enough hands to try out all the new polishes or nail art supplies you've bought.
4. Having a great idea for a manicure, trying it, it looks RUBBISH.
5. New and fabulous collections always being released just as you promise to go on a no-buy for the rest of the month.

 

 

 Tell me I'm not the only one? The pictures alone tell me I can't be alone! What are your own personal nailmares?

NEW Models Own - Winter Wonderland Collection

 

Models Own are releasing some excellent glitter polishes at the moment, first the Mirrorball Collection and now the brand new Winter Wonderland collection, which I spotted in Boots today.  The collection comprises of 5 gorgeous glitter polishes, a couple of which could be dupes of other recent releases from big brands.

 

 

The collection includes:

 

Northern Lights - a pink based glitter with tiny holo pieces scattered through it, a bit like a finer version of Pink Fizz with added holo gorgeousness.

Snowflakes - a clear polish packed full of beautiful gold green shifting flaky like shards (looks like a dupe of China Glaze Luxe & Lush from the Hunger Games collection).

Blizzard - another clear polish, this one packed with larger, chunky silver holo glitter.

Jack Frost - a gorgeous pearly white looking polish which is actually clear but jam packed with iridescent pearly blue shifting glitter pieces (possibly a dupe of Maybelline Flash Cosmic).

Southern Lights - the sister of Northern lights, the same holographic glitter bits but through an icy lilac base.

 

I've yet to see or hear anything about this collection online (see the edit below, there is now a post on Facebook) but I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for swatches.  It's a beautiful set of polishes, all perfect for the upcoming winter party season. 

Boots currently have their 3 for 2 offer on so now seems like a very good time to go and grab yourself a bargain!

 

Edit:  I've just seen this picture and post on the Models Own Facebook page:

 

 

Five magical polishes ranging in gradients of subtle to dense glitter for a sophisticated grown-up glimmer.  For a manicured finish use the iridescent shades to give an accent of glitter, or be brave and layer up the polish until it’s opaque!  Each polish gives a different nail finish from frosty to full on snowstorm: Jack Frost, a wash of iridescent soft sparkle in a translucent cloudy base; Snowflake, a mesmerising transparent mix of white gold flakes; Southern Lights, an opaque holographic multi-tonal glitter in a lilac finish; Northern Lights, a fine holographic glitter multi-tonal glitter in a pink finish; Blizzard, a dense mix of hand cut glitters to give a silver day-night sparkle!

 Avaliable on the website from 12^th October.  In Boots stores now.

Nfu Oh 51

I LOVE this polish, it's so difficult to show just how beautiful it is in pictures (or it is when you have my photography skills!).  It's a glittery, shimmery, flaky filled, duochrome jelly - what's not to love?  The colours in this polish change depending on what you wear it over and range from red, bronze, orange and deep purple through gold, yellow and green. 

 

Today I have it on over Kiko 244, a deep aubergine cream but it also works beautifully over other dark purples, reds, dark greens, dark blues and black, each giving a slightly different take on the polishes many shades.

 

 

 

Now, on to the polish shots!  As I said I find it impossible to photograph, so to give you some idea I've included a lot of photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kiko 356, Saved by Stamping.

This manicure is a good example of why I love stamping, sometimes a polish just doesn't look quite right, or the colour is just a little off or it simply doesn't fit my mood at the moment and at times like that it's nice to know there is a quick remedy without having to do all my nails again.

 

Last night I painted my nails using Kiko 356, it's a bright tangerine orange colour and although I like it in the bottle I just wasn't that keen when I saw it on my nails, it's the sort of polish which would be lovely on holiday but in the current damp and dull Scottish weather it just didn't look right, so I set about fixing it.  To do that I used Barry M Gelly Hi Shine in Satsuma and the shell designs from Cheeky plate CH38 and here are the results:

 

 

CH38

This picture shows the colour best as it is in real life.

 

An Instagram effect shot to show of the stamping better.



Now, with the stamp 356 has turned into a bright, glowy polish that is bringing a little sunshine into an otherwise drab day, another stamping win!

Swatchicles

What are Swatchicles I hear you cry?  Well, this post should explain! 

 

As your nail polish collection grows it can be difficult (if you're like me!) to remember exactly what you have hidden away in drawers so for this reason I like to swatch all my polishes on my Nail Claws, also commonly known in the nail world as Swatchicles.

 

 

Swatchicles are colour swatches of each polish which are stuck onto lollipop (popsicle) sticks to help you keep track of your collection, colour match your polish and compare similar shades.  The nail comes from the combination of the words Swatch and Popsicle, because these are swatches of colour attached to popsicle (or lollipop if you are based in the UK like me) sticks.

 

For me they are the easiest and most practical way to keep track of exactly what I have in my stash.  Nail wheels are fine if you aren't planning on adding to your collection but as soon as you do you either have to start the whole wheel again to add the new shade into the right place or you have to live with your colours being out of order (something my slightly OCD attitude will not allow).

 

These swatch sticks are also very simple to make, and generally a lot cheaper than buying nail wheels or stands with ready made swatch sticks included.  Here's my speedy guide on how to make your own should you wish to:

 

 

All you need are lolly sticks, false nail tips and double sided sticky pads.  I buy my lolly pop sticks and nails from eBay or Amazon depending on who is cheapest but a craft shop, for the sticks, or beauty supply store, for the nails, would also work.

 

I buy the nails I use in a size 2, these are a good fit to the sticks and give a nice large area of colour once they're painted.  Some people use larger nails but I find this size is big enough and I like the fact they end up being in line with the lolly stick.

 

 

To create your Swatchicle simple double over a sticky pad, attach it to the top of your stick and then place your false tip over the top, give it a little squeeze and you're ready to paint.

 

 

On your stick you can then write any information you like to have handy about the swatch, generally I do Brand, Polish Name, Polish Number and number of coats I've done on each swatch.  This means when I choose a colour I know exactly which bottle type and drawer to look for to locate that polish.  Once they're all painted and labelled they're ready for matching and comparisons.

 

 

As you can see, I have quite a collection forming which I keep in Tupperware pots for easy access, they look nice and colourful sat on my mantelpiece, like little pots of nail shaped flowers. :)

 

 

Having all the colours I own easily accessible and beside each other means that I don't tend to over look colours just because they are older or hidden at the back of a drawer, it also means I can store my polishes by brand rather than colour family which makes it really simple to find the bottle I want as fast as possible.  It also means I can easily compare similar colours to see which best suits my needs (and outfit) that day.

 

 

I tend to save up my new buys and paint the sticks in bulk, that way I can get a little production line going and by the time I get back to the first stick it's ready for it's second coat.

 

 

So, there you have it, an introduction to Swatchicles!  Do you swatch all your polishes? How do you store your swatches?  If you don't swatch, how do you organise and keep track of your collection?

My Top Coat Heros

Choosing the right top coat can make a huge difference to how your nail painting experience goes.  Nobody wants to sit about for hours on end with wet nails trying to avoid chipping them only to put a huge obvious dent in one as soon as you feel brave enough to move.

 

For me, quick drying top coats totally changed how I felt about doing my nails.  There is no way I would change my polish as often as I do if I hadn't found a top coat (or three) which really make a difference to drying time while still giving my manicure great protection and an ultra shiny finish.

 

So, for today's post I thought I would introduce you to the top coats I use and love:

 

Sally Hansen Insta Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat

Kiko Gel Look Ultra Glossy Effect Top Coat

Boots No7 Stay Perfect Top Coat Touch dry in 60 seconds

 

The first quick drying top coat I found was Sally Hansen Insta Dri, I was amazed when I tried it as it actually did dry really fast!  Previously 'quick dry' top coats I had tried were never really up to much and certainly weren't touch dry within a few minutes.  With Insta Dri your manicure really is touch dry within a few minutes, it also leaves a lovely glossy shine on your nails.  I find the wear time with this top coat really good, although it is prone to tip wear at times, especially if you type a lot like I do.  I would say this is my favourite top coat although it's not my most used, simply because it can be quite costly if you go through as many bottle as I do!

 

The second top coat I tried was another I didn't really have high hopes for initially.  I first tried Boots No7 Stay Perfect Top Coat when I had a £5 voucher that needed using up and I had run out of nail colours to use it on.  With a voucher this top coat comes in at £2 which is a great price for a product which really does work.  The bottle says 'touch dry in 60 seconds' and it actually lives up to it's promise!  This is the top coat I use most often nowadays, simply because it's easy to get hold of, it's a great deal when the Boots vouchers are on and it really does work.  My nails dry fast, the polish lasts well and they look shiny and glossy just like you'd want.  Of the three this would be my top pick, for the money it just can't be beaten (although I wouldn't pay full price (£7) for it).

 

Finally, a recent edition to my collection, Kiko Gel Look Top Coat, this was sold to me as being the same finish as you'd get with a gel manicure cured under UV lights, never having had a gel manicure I can't really comment on how similar the finish is but what I can say is that this is another fast drying, ultra glossy look top coat which I really like.  The one issue I have had with it was that it tends to bubble slightly in the bottle meaning tiny bubbles can be carried onto your nails which then leave little holes and imperfections in the polish.  I've only had this issue when it's been a lot warmer, never at home in Scotland, so it's really only worth mentioning if you happen to live somewhere where heat may be an issue, not the UK then!  If you live in cooler climes then this one is definitely worth trying out.

 

I rarely experience shrinkage with any of these top coats, the worst offender is the Sally Hansen and even then it happens very, very rarely so it isn't something I would highlight as an issue at all with any of these top coats.  I also find they all work well over my stamping manicures and don't tend to drag the polish or smudge and smear my stampied images.  If I'm using them over stamping then I tend to apply a thicker layer and sort of float it over the whole nail rather than dragging the brush through the stamp too much, but even when I am less careful applying them I've never had much of an issue with them dragging or smearing my work.

 

With all of these top coats you can still dent or smear your polish, they aren't rock solid immediately but they dry fast enough that if you have to you can have 3 coats of polish and the top coat on and dry well within half an hour which for me is good enough.  I'm sure they are often dry sooner but 30 minutes is the minimum amount of time I tend to leave myself.

 

A good top coat will definitely make the difference but I still like to allow as long a time as possible to make sure my nails are properly set, for this reason I tend to paint my nails in the evening while watching TV so they get a good chance to set before I go to bed or have to go and do anything.

 

The major benefit for me with all these top coats is the shiny, glossy finish and the extended wear time of my polishes combined with knowing that if I did have to do my nails in a hurry I would have a good chance of getting out the door without them all being chipped within 5 minutes!

 

What top coats do you use?

Kiko 389 & Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Watermelon

I'm really pleased with how this manicure turned out, Kiko 389 is a gorgeous pastel mint shade and the Hi Shine Watermelon stamping matches it perfectly.  I used Cheeky plate CH33 for the leafy stamp design, another great plate from the Summer 2012 collection.