Summer Haul: TK Maxx, Primark, Zara, Leighton Denny

Hello my lovelies I picked up a few things over the Easter hols, 50% wardrobe upgrade/ 50%  preparation for my summer vacation. 

 A girl cannot go wrong with a new pair of jeans, bottle of nail polish or bikini.

Floral Dress 

New Jeans (yup 3 pairs,) I have cleared out about 4 pairs of jeans so far for the year. 3 of them were not fitting right and the 4th pair I had worn through til the seams threatened to split. So I had a little space for denim in my life and my closet. Zara for denim, it is a resounding yes. 

Navy Polo - What is summer without a polo shirt?

 This Crew classic polo, I found in TK Maxx. 

New Bikinis - I found these beauties in Primark at the great price of £3. 

I plan to do A LOT of lounging around the pool/ at the beach on my vacation, 

so these swimsuits will suit me just fine. 

Black Cross Body Bag - I found this leather cross body bag in Zara.  

My sisters preferred the mint as well as the blush coloured bag over the black one. But  I knew this colour would be way more versatile. 

Two cheers for the Chanel-esque straps. 

Leighton Denny Mini Nail Polish Set 

 Perfect for traveling, carrying around in my hand bag. (along with my Nail 2 go Manicure pens and my Leighton Denny Nail file) 

There you go my lovelies.

xx 

BlogMas #1 - Nails

If there ever was a time for sparkle it's Christmas time. 

Get your nails in the festive mood with brilliant gold and silvers. 

Soho Silver, Uptown Glamour

These are the two main polishes which will be on my nails over the next few weeks. 

Sparkle my lovelies.

xx

Magazine Freebies - December Glamour Kate Spade New York by Nails Inc London

Glamour (UK) magazine for December has a great freebie a mini Kate Spade collection, comprising of 4 colours. I purchased my favourite two polishes out of the collection, Soho Silver and Uptown Glamour. The names are so New York. 

I also have my eye on the Benefit lipglosses which are free with the (UK) ELLE Mag, but I will watch the sheckles and keep you updated. 

Leighton Denny Colour & Go Manicure Pen - Pillow talk

    "Manicure on the move without the need for lots of different bottles. The COLOUR & GO MANICURE PEN is a handy double ended pen that contains the HIGH PERFORMANCE COLOUR and the ONE FOR ALL base & topcoat." - Leighton Denny 

 

                 

Pillow talk - A lighter tone than Passion, this red has a touch of dark pink through it.  A luscious berry shade.

As I said in my review last week of the Leighton Denny Colour & Go Manicure Pen, I wanted to try the shade Pillow talk. I managed to find a copy of Harpers Bazaar with this shade in the Colour & Go Manicure Pen at a WHSmiths. I love  a neutral nail with shimmer, such as the Leighton Denny Colour & Go Manicure Pen in Butterfly Wings, but sometimes a girl just needs some colour in her life. PillowTalk is a great colour for the summer months, and can be worn on both fingers and toes. Upon application, after two coats the colour was even,   solid/opaque, a very rich berry. I did not see any streaking, which is sometimes common with nail polishes of a solid colour. 

There is just something about a product that does exactly what it says it will do. In addition to being easily portable, perfect for touch ups while travelling or girls on the go. The Leighton Denny Colour & Go Manicure Pen is one of those products.  

There are a few copies Harpers Bazaar lingering in some shops, supermarkets, and newsagents.  A top coat, base coat and high performance nail colour all in one. This product is worth a try if you are a nail polish lover.

 Have a great day my lovelies.

xx

Leighton Denny Colour & Go Manicure Pen

    "Manicure on the move without the need for lots of different bottles. The COLOUR & GO MANICURE PEN is a handy double ended pen that contains the HIGH PERFORMANCE COLOUR and the ONE FOR ALL base & topcoat." - Leighton Denny 

     At first I thought this was just spiel, I do not like all in one products. I find they do not work as effectively as two separate items. However I already own the Leighton Denny Crystal nail file (if you do not have one, you need to get on that ASAP) and it is hands down the best nail file I have ever purchased/owned. Harpers Bazaar is not really a freebie magazine, but when they offer a freebie it is usually some "good shyt." I bought the magazine and recieved the Colour & Go Manicure Pen in Butterfly wings (after searching numerous news agents, 3 different WHSmiths and a Waterstones.) I specifically wanted Butterfly wings because I knew it was a colour/shade that I would wear a lot.

        Leighton Denny Colour & Go Manicure Pen in  Butterfly Wings.                                                               

Butterfly Wings - "A sheer peach with an iridescent shimmer. This versatile colour can be worn on its own or as part of a french manicure. Also great for colour cocktailing." - Leighton Denny

 Also I love a travel sized product, which is useful. Topcoat, base-coat and polish, you just cant get more useful than that. It has been 4 days, 8 showers, numerous hand washings and even a run in with some dead sea salt. My manicure is intact. Not only am I impressed with the Colour & Go Manicure Pen, it has been elevated to the status of "handbag essential." I must admit that I purchased a second Leighton Denny Colour & Go Manicure Pen in Butterfly Wings. I am also considering the purchase of two more Harpers Bazaar magazines, I would like to try the Colour & Go Manicure in Just Perfect and Pillow Talk.

 

                 Pillow Talk 

Just Perfect 

  

Pillow talk - A lighter tone than Passion, this red has a touch of dark pink through it.  A luscious berry shade.

Just Perfect - A timeless shade with warmth and sophistication.  A great neutral shade that warms the nails and gives a beautifully groomed finish.

There is just something about a product that does exactly what it says it will do. In addition to being easily portable. The Leighton Denny Colour & Go Manicure Pen is one of those products. Plus I got to trial it without agonizing over the initial £11 spend. 

Photo - Leighton Denny

Colour & Go, Crystal Nail file 

My heirs and my spares 

 Happy Sunday my lovelies, 

xx

Spring Beauty Essentials

Brita fill n Go water bottle - this water bottle comes with a filter in the top. so as you drink the water gets filtered for impurities. 

MAC Mineralise Skinfinish Natural - a light powder which enhances my natural skintone, keeps down the shine and gives me a soft shimmery glow. I have been using this without fail since 2010. This is my go to present when my gf's don't know what to buy me as a gift. As you can see I already have a backup for when this one finishes.

Body shop Raspberry Body Scrub - flaky skin is a spring time no no, this body scrubs smells like jam doughnuts but it gets the job done.

Zara Rose edt - a nice scent to spray during the day, perfect size to carry along in my hand bag. 

Body Shop Shimmer Brick - this I use over my cheek bones to enhance then a little. Sometimes I use with a kabuki brush all over my face if my MAC Studio Fix Powder + Foundation is looking too heavy.  other times I use the individual shades and make a lovely smokey eye. 

Kate Moss lipstick in 02 - lovely vibrant Fushia lipstick. 

Kate Moss lipstick in 22 - Red lipstick with Orange undertones.

Nails Inc Warick Avenue - a pink polish is never out of place in the spring

What are your Spring Beauty essentials? 

Comment below and let me know

xx

Spring Nail Polishes

Soooooooo the weatherman keeps saying that it is spring. I do not believe him. Anyway here are a few Spring suited nail polishes to glam up your hands.

 These are the colours a lot of people are going for at the moment, pastels/nudes. For the  light pastels I have in my polish collection  Ciate Purple Sherbert, Barry M 308 Pale Purple, Nails Inc Warwick Avenue, Barry M 309 Pale Pink, Rimmel 703 Pear Drop, Barry M 304 Mint Green.

Barry M 295 Pure Turquoise, Nude - Ciate Bon Bon, Barry M 307 Pale Yellow

Happy Painting my lovlies.

xx

BlogMas Day 2 - Nails

"A good nail buffer is a must have if you can't fit in a full manicure, as shiny nails instantly give you that groomed look. Start by filing nails, then buff and smooth them with the other sides before vigorously polishing for a glass like finish." 

Leyla Rudolf - for Boots Health & Beauty Magazine 

Review - Leighton Denny Crystal Nail File

What they say:

The CRYSTAL NAIL FILE is an award-winning must-have from Leighton Denny - it has been carefully treated so it simply turns the nail edge to dust. Traditional nail files can leave the nail edge rough or uneven, but the CRYSTAL FILE smooths the nail completely, sealing it, leaving not a trace of a split or catch. The filing surface comes with a lifetime guarantee for 25 years. The small CRYSTAL NAIL FILE comes in a protective aluminium case so it's handbag and travel friendly.

Instructions:

Good nail practice is to file from the side of the nail in one direction towards the middle. If you prefer the Crystal nail file can be used back and forth - the only nail file that can be used this way.  File nails  to a gentle curve  echoing the the shape of the cuticle.  Keep nails filed to an even length.  It is better to have 10 nails of an even length than a mix of short n long nails. 

Rinse file in warm water from time to time to clean and restore performance.

                                                  

What I say:

   If you don't have one you need to buy one. For the fellas your mother, sister, cousin, best friend, girl friend, fiancee, wife needs one of these. I have been wanting a new nail file for about 6 months. Since I have not been using aryclic nails for 2012 I have been taking more time with my nails. At home manicures are one of my new favourite things/money saving tips/tricks.  I found this nail file by total accident I was browsing in Boots and was attracted to the sticker. This file was behind another nail file hence I did not notice it at first, but then I did and  took it out to have a look. After reading the back I was a bit apprehensive at the price (I wont lie) but then I thought if I buy 3 nail files then that will equate to the price.  I used it as soon as I was able to and I was thoroughly impressed. I also like the fact that it comes with an aluminium case to protect it while it is in my bag. I am one of those people who likes to have my stuff with me,  there are usually a few stray bits around the bottom of my bag, which may not be nail file friendly. 

                             

Price of nail file - £12.50  --------------------> it is totally worth it though. 

would i buy full priced - yes

would i recommend? - yes

would i repurchase? - yes 

Cosmopolitan Magazine Freebies - August 2012

Nope freebies are not over. In line with the huge Neon trend going on right now Cosmopolitan magazine is offering 3 nail polishes from Missguided  to choose from with its August issue. Choose from Pink, Orange or Yellow. Cosmopolitan goes on sale 5th July not too long now .

xx

Summer of Iridescence: Rimmel nail polishes for summer.

When I think of summer I always think of bold bright, colours, I have yet to figure out if it is the creativeness or the island girl in me. Rimmel is better known for its makeup, however their nail  polishes are not too shabby. I did a little polish haul. The polishes are all iridescent, which means your nails are guaranteed to grab some attention.

 These are from Rimmels new range of quick drying polishes, there are some matte colours but I only wanted the ones with the sparkle. These ones also have a larger than normal brush which makes applying the polish very quick.

 These are from Rimmels 2009/2010 summer collection these are supposed to be super long lasting.

 Azure

 Azure after 2 coats and top coat

 Black Cherries

 Coral Crush

 Portabello Pink

 Pulsating

 Purple Reign

 Green with Envy

Shocker

These polishes are really good quality, however you need 2 or 3 coats to get the true colour of the polish. Use with top coat.

xoxo

Pastels for spring? Oui mademoiselle

 Now Understand something I like what I like and that is it. I am not the type to purchase something just to say I have it, and not use the product, if I like something I like it end of story. If I don't like something I wont like it today, I wont like it tomorrow, next week or in 6 months time. This way of thinking transfers to my shopping habits and my present (gift) habits. eg my birthday every year there is usually one thing which I really really like, and no matter how many people ask me what I would like for my birthday it will always be the same thing. Why because that is what I like and I refuse to come up with a ton of different crappy things just to please the masses and collect dust.

Last spring it was warm, it was sunny, the birds were out, it was shorts weather here in the UK and Barry M came out with a range of nail polishes called the "Ice Cream collection." I saw it I loved it I bought all 5 colours in 1 purchase.

Here we have Pale Pink, Pale Purple, Turquoise, Mint green, and Pale Yellow.

Pastels are making a comeback this spring, so I will be  putting these to use. These colours are not only limited to spring they can be used to match your costumes if you are participating in carnival. or add a dash of colour to a monochrome outfit. The colour pay off for these polishes are true so you only need about 2 coats to get the full effect, however the polish does get clumpy, so you have to paint your nails with precision timing.

xoxo