Thursday 19 June 2014

Tip Top Nail Polishes Review*

Hey guys

This review is super late. I received these over the Easter holidays but back then I was preparing for my exams and super stressed that I wasn't even blogging then. I just remembered I hadn't written up my review for the polishes (only mentally) so here it is.

I received 5 polishes from them, 3 'normal' ones and 2 'special efffects' ones.

 

They are a South African company who were looking for bloggers to review their products and I'm always looking for new nail polishes to try so I contacted them to see if they wanted UK bloggers.


tip top nail polishes shades

tip top nail polishes



I've only tried 'No Way Rose' and 'Feeling Blue-Tiful' properly and so far I'm liking them. They also contain Vitamin E, which is good for the nails so helps strengthen them as well while having the polish on. I've gone 3-4 days with them and no chipping which I have to say is amazing as I've tried so many polishes, even those that claim to be chip free for 7 days which turn out not to be. However, I have found that they do need a couple of coats which is slightly annoying.


tip top nail polishes swatches




tip top nail polishes swatches



Unfortunately, I don't see as of yet where in the UK you can buy their polishes which is a shame as they have a beautiful range of colours and would be interested in purchasing a few of them.

However, you can check out their website to find out more about them and where you can buy their polishes if you're fortunate enough to live in a place where they are sold.

Has anybody else tried Tip Top nail polishes? If you find somewhere that you can buy them from, do let me know.

Thanks for reading.

Superdrug Haul (Nail polish edition)

Hey guys


I'm a massive fan of Superdrug and often find myself browsing the make up section totally forgetting what I came in for in the first place.

Recently, I bought a few nail polishes. I know I've bought quite a few recently but I think I'm done for a month or so. These polishes featuring in this haul were not all bought at the same time. I just decided to put them all together in this one haul.


superdrug nail polishes haul


The first 2 polishes are from Beauty UK. It's been a while since I've bought Beauty UK polishes and I was looking for some polishes that had nice colours (that I didn't already have) and wouldn't break the bank. These cost £2.99 each.

Beauty UK shadesBeauty UK shades swatches



 

I then got 2 of Maybelline's latest limited edition polishes in their color show range costing £3.99 each.


Maybelline color show acid wash

Maybelline color show acid wash swatches


At the time, Superdrug were doing a 3 for 2 offer so I decided to pick up a matte coat from GOSH. I have been wanting a matte coat for ages and I was aware that Barry M were due to release a matte coat (which is actually cheaper) but I didn't want to wait. I think
this cost me £4.99 (can't quite remember)

GOSH matte top coat

I can't wait to try all these out especially the matte coat and I'll let you know how I get on with them and I'll be sure to share my designs with you.

What hauls have you done lately? Do let me know as I need to find new things to buy next month after pay day!

Thanks for reading!

Thursday 12 June 2014

Love, Lies and Lemon Cake*

Hey guys

I recently just finished reading 'Love, Lies and Lemon Cake*' by Sue Watson. I came across the book while I was browsing NetGalley looking for some e-books to read and review. I have heard good things about Sue Watson's books but had not read any so I requested a copy and thankfully my request was accepted which I'm grateful for.


love lies and lemon cake sue watson


Description

Faye Dobson has lost her sparkle. Living on film star fantasies and vague memories of a marriage that once was, she can’t help feeling that life is passing her by. She dreams of being whisked to Paris for dinner, making three wishes at the Trevi fountain and having sex under the stars. But the wrinkles are multiplying, her husband’s passion is for plumbing, and the nearest she’ll get to Rome is a take-away pizza.
So when Faye meets Dan the gorgeous Australian surfer guy working in the local deli she can’t help but wonder what it would be like to see the world. He is blonde, tanned, ten years younger and bakes the most amazing lemon cake. Unlike her husband Dan actually listens to Faye, his smile makes her feel fizzy inside, and when he smiles... Oh. My. God.
But is Faye being silly? What would Dan see in someone like her? Even if he did have feelings for her, could she give everything up to be with him? 


My thoughts

It is described as a 'laugh-out-loud, bittersweet comedy about taking your life back before it’s too late' which I do agree with to some extent.

I enjoyed reading this book, it was exactly what I needed after the stressful months I've been having and after reading this book, I definitely will be reading more of Sue Watson's books. It's a good feel book which got me laughing and feeling the emotions of Faye (the main character). The story follows Faye who at aged 42 is feeling like she's missed out on things in life (on the verge of a mid life crisis, I would say). She's been married for 21 years or so and is now having second thoughts on her marriage.  Having never been married, or in a super long relationship, I personally don't know what it feels like to be trapped and fed up but I was able to feel and empathise at times with Faye. However, I did disagree with some of her behaviour and do wish it ended differently (don't worry I won't ruin the book with any spoilers). Either way, I felt involved with the story which is what I like when reading a book.

I give this book 4/5 and would recommend it. It comes out on the 27th of June and you can pre-order it from Amazon.

Have you read this book or any other Sue Watson's books? What did you think of them? Do let me know. Thanks for reading 

Bésame Lipstick Review*

Hey guys

Last month I received a lipstick* from Bésame to review. I must say, beforehand I was not aware of this brand but I saw they were looking for beauty bloggers so I got in contact.


besame lipstick bag


They are company specialising in vintage cosmetics which explains the delicate design of their products. When I first opened the package I was taken aback by the design of it. I've never seen such a beautiful lipstick case and it comes with it's own little cute bag to carry it in.


besame lipstick

besame lipstick bagbesame lipstick bag

 
besame lipstick



This lipstick is in shade Dusty Rose. It is a shimmery pink shade. 

besame dusty rose lipstick



besame lipstick swatch





besame dusty rose lipstick 


I tend to love matte polishes which this isn't but I quite like this one as my lips are quite pink, this lipstick leaves my lips looking nicely polished so it's great for everyday wear. It lasts quite a while considering it's not a matte lipstick, about 4 hours.






RRP is £22 which is standard high end price which I personally find a bit pricey for any lipsticks as I don't wear them everyday, but considering the vintage design of this lipstick, £22 seems a reasonable price. 



They have a nice collection of shades of lipsticks and also other types of cosmetics which you can find on their website or you can find a list of stockists here

Have any of you guys tried any Bésame products? What did you think of them and which ones would you recommend?

Thanks for reading! 

Saturday 7 June 2014

(Throwback) Manicure Monday

Hey guys

This week's manicure is a bit of a throwback. I actually did this manicure last month but because of my exams I didn't get a chance to post it up when I wanted to.

For ages I had been saying I wanted to get dotting tools. Then as I was going through my various nail art tools I came across one! I was so happy as it meant I could try dotting designs and could also save a bit of money for the mean time.

I kept it simple as it was my first time and also I didn't have that much time. I was pretty tired from the library and had to get up early but by force I had to paint my nails.

Here is the result:





 I used Bourjois' nail polish is Violet Couture as the base colour





 Then I used 2 Barry M polishes in Lilac and White for the dots




I'm pleased with the results despite the rush and it being my first time using dotting tools.
I think I'll be doing a lot more dotting designs.
Any of you guys fan of dotting designs? 

Thanks for reading!

Thursday 5 June 2014

Beauty Bay Haul

Hey guys

As I mentioned in my previous posts, I did quite a bit of shopping over my exam period. Online shopping is very therapeutic but it is also very dangerous. I definitely spend more online than when in a shop.

However, it has been ages since I've been shopping so I think I did go a bit overboard but gave myself a limit in each site.

My first haul is from Beauty Bay. I actually came across this site by mistake and now I'm hooked. I came looking for a good top coat that I had been recommended by Claire and Nic and as I was looking for a place to buy it cheaper I stumbled across Beauty Bay. I noticed they had a sale and I was trying to comfort myself after bad exams and since it had been a while since I bought nail polish so I thought I'd give the nail polish section a  quick browse. Big mistake. My basket originally hit about £50-60 and I was fully about to pay it and then quickly calmed down and transferred a few to my save for later basket.

I decided on 3 polishes and a clear coat which is actually a base coat (annoyingly didn't know at the time) but am planning to also use as a top coat and see what happens.


beauty bay nail polishes china glaze opi seche


As a self proclaimed nail polish addict I'm ashamed to say I have never bought or tried O.P.I or China Glaze nail polishes but I have heard great things and they had colours perfect for summer that I thought I might as well use this opportunity to try them out.
I'm definitely coming back to buy some more.



The shades are beautiful. I particularly love the China Glaze polishes as they are pastel colours and I love pastels especially during summer. 


china glaze opi swatches





seche top coat


The Seche clear top coat was originally £6.99 but is now £5.94


OPI nail polish


 OPI Aphrodites Pink Nightie was originally £11.95 but is now £6.93 


china glaze nail polish

China Glaze At Vase Value was originally £6.95 but is now £4.38

China Glaze Spring in My Step was originally £6.95 but is now £4.38



I'm in love with these colours and I can't wait to do some summer nail art designs with them which I will share with you.

I highly recommend giving them a visit ( I most definitely will again). They have free shipping and even though my total didn't qualify for next day delivery I still received them the next day! It was such a pleasant surprise and exactly what I needed considering the week I was having.

Have any of you got some great deals from Beauty Bay and do you have any shades/brands nail polish to recommend as I'm trying to widen my nail polish collection.

Thanks for reading!


Monday 2 June 2014

Manicure Monday + MoYou Stamping Kit Review*

Hey guys!

It's my first Monday in ages that I haven't spent in the library and I know it's been ages since I've done a manicure monday so I thought I'd start again but this one's a bit different as it includes a review of a stamping kit I receive from MoYou nails.

I've been wanting to try stamping for ages so I was happy when I was contacted to try out this kit. I had tried stamping before but the one I previously bought was absolute rubbish.

MoYou nails Kitty set stamping kit

I received the Kitty Set (RRP: £24.99) which contains 1 black nail polish, 2 image plates, 1 stamp and 1 scraper. The only difference in mine was that I was able to choose the colour of my nail polish and I picked lilac as I surprisingly don't own one despite purple being my favourite colour.


MoYou nails Kitty set stamping kit

MoYou nails special nail polish


 
As it was my first time stamping I decided to keep the design pretty simple but I am looking forward to trying out new designs with this kit and I'll be sure to share them with you! 


MoYou nails stamping kit

Sally Hansen nail polish
Sally Hansen nail polish as my base colour


So far, I'm impressed with the kit, especially the nail polish. It's great quality, and good for stamping as it nicely transfers onto the stamper from the plate and then onto the nail and the design doesn't chip off. 

I would highly recommend giving MoYou nails a visit. I'm hoping that they bring out some new colours so that I can buy a few of their polishes but I'm sure I'll be getting a few more of their stamping plates.

Have any of you tried MoYou nails? What did you think of them? Any fans of stamping? Do let me know.

Thanks for reading.