#148 - NOTW

 Rimmel's Lycra Pro in 431 Stormy Skies, Models Own Ibiza Mix layered ontop

This has been one of my favourite nail combos for about a month now, I've found myself removing the chipped version, only to reapply it. I just love the dark gunmetal grey/deep greyish blue background, with the vibrant eye-catching glitter packed on top.

The Rimmel varnish applies like a dream; with a top coat like this I was able to get away with just one coat, but it was opaque enought to also wear alone, drying within minutes.
Ibiza Mix, unfortunately is a little troublesome in application. For me anyway.
Only because I feel there is much more clear varnish in the bottle than is necessary, if that makes sense?
So I often find myself having to layer it on quite thickly to get a good amount of glitter, meaning it takes much longer to dry than I would like. 
But what I tend to do is apply this before bed, so when I wake up it's completely dried.

 

What're you wearing on your nails this week?

#143 - NOTD

 Now I must admit I've been naughty with this post, I actually painted these nails over a month ago, even posted a photo on my Twitter I was that proud of them, but never reminded myself to pop them up on here so you can all ooh and ahh over them! (The Models Own Twitter even RT'd my photo, chuffed!)

This is the first time I had tried the old "ombre effect" on my nails (I am also well aware I'm far behind with this trend) but I still think it's too pretty not to share.

I tried my best to capture the true colours but it was really hard and awkward to get it right, but hopefully you get the jist.

    

For this "ombre effect" I used Essie's Tarte Deco as the base colour, allowed it to dry, then sponged on Models Own's Hedonist on the tips, blending it out to the middle of each nail. I then added Models Own Indian Ocean & Ibiza Mix to add a little more dimension to them.

Overall I'm very chuffed with how they turned out, my favourite nails to do so far. I think I can make them look better on false nails, so I may try that next; would save a lot of time painting them each time I wanna wear them!
I'm going to be experimenting with different colour tones & shades, I really wanna do a purple ombre so that'll probably be up next.

Have you tried the ombre effect on your nails? Any tips on how I can better my technique? :)

#139 - May Favourites

I think this is the earliest I've posted my favourites, go me! I have quite a few items this month but I've grouped them up to make it an easier read!

 

 Nails 

OPI in Mermaid's Tears | Models Own in Fuzzy Peach | Maybelline Forever Strong in Ceramic Blue

These are the three main colours I've been reaching for this month, a nice mix of pastel and more neon shades. Mermaid's Tears is a lovely sea green, it's my perfect green and is so easy to apply and dries fast.
I am yet to brave wearing Models Own Hedonist on my nails, but I may use it as an accent nail when I next use Fuzzy Peach, might be a nice combo. Ceramic Blue is a gorgeous pale blue with shots of metallic blue/purple shot through it, It's opaque in two coats and with a top coat lasts on my for about six days with minimal tip wear.

 

Face

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in Ivory | St Ives Invigorating scrub
Nivea Oil Free moisturiser | Beverly Hills whitening toothpaste

I was using the Bourjoid 123 Perfect foundation, but since the weather's perked up a little (I type this looking out my window at a dreary sky threatening to rain, ha!) I went back to this as the formula's much lighter, and it smells soo good! The colours a limited but this is the lightest shade and it's fine on me.

St Ives scrub has been an essential in my routine for at least seven years now, it's my favourite scrub ever. I use this three times a week to give my face a really good clean; I love using it after a 10hr shift in work, really makes my skin feel amazing.

This is my go-to moisturiser, not much to say but it is brilliant for oily/combination skin, I am yet to find a better one, and at such a good price.

I got this in Home Bargain for 99p! a month ago, as I'm still on the quest for whiter teeth. This really does work, I use it twice a day and it has definitely improved the colour.

 Hair

Berber Hair Oil | Pure Coconut Hair Repair | Charles Worthington No Frizz Serum

This is my favourite product from the Birthday Glossybox, it really is brilliant at conditioning my hair, stopping frizz and reducing drying time when I blowdry my hair. I got this coconut treatment again in trust Home Bargain (seriously, look there for hair products before Boots/Superdrug, they're ridiculously cheap!) and have been using it on the ends of my hair twice a week, leaving it on for ten minutes. It makes my hair softer, smoother and easier to style. The serum doesn't need much said, it does its job brlliantly, tames my flyaways and gives my hair extra shine.

 

 Misc.

Garnier Summerbody Gradual Tan in Deep | Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf

I really dislike using fake tans, so this is perfect for me. I apply it after every shower and it gives me a really deep but natural looking tan. A friend commented on it last week, thinking I had been abroad, back of the net! It doesn't go streaky, the smell is pleasant, and it doesn't wash off if you get your skin wet. It's currently oart of the 3 for 2 at Boots too so I'd suggest you give it a go!

This has been my favourite perfume since I bought it on the plane to Turkey last June; it's strong but not overpowering, gorgesouly and fruity/floral. Whenever I smell it, I'm instantly taken back to my holiday last year, which makes me really happy. I'm pretty bad at descrbing perfumes, but give it a whiff you won't be disappointed!

What are your favourites this month? Any posts/videos please leave me a link! :)

#138 - NOTW

Maybelline Forever Strong Pro in Ceramic Blue, Models Own Ibiza Mix

I adore this combination, and I love the formula of the Maybelline varnish; it's opaque in two coats, dried relatively fast and really does last for days without chipping. I've had this on for four days now, with a top coat and I only have a tiny bit of tip wear. I would really recommend having a look at this range if you haven't already, thye have some really lovely pastel shades in, and it's 3 for 2 in Boots at the moment!
The Ibiza Mix is a little harder to apply, purely because there's much more clear varnish than there is glitter if that makes sense? So it takes a little while to build it up. but if you have a bit of time spare it is worth it. I think next week I'll be tyring out hedonist underneath Ibiza Mix, it might tone the neon shade down a smidge?

What are you wearing on your nails atm? Are you all for pastels, or neons, or both? :)

#132

Well this has been a long time coming; an outfit post from me in what I can only assume has been months, slap my wrist! I have today's outfit for you as I came home from Jack's a few hours ago, really liked my attire so thought I may aswell bite the bullet and show you guys :)

Top - Lyzi's blog sale, Skirt - H&M, Belt - New Look, Ring - Topshop
Necklace - H&M, Various bracelets, Nails - Models Own Disco Mix

I bought this anchor top from blog sale lovely Lyzi was holding a good few months ago for a bargainous price. I already have a dress in similar material, but I saw it in top form and had to have it. Why I've only just gotten round to posting about it I really don't know, as I wear it a lot, so comfy and cute!
I'm also slightly in love with the ring and necklace I'm wearing. I love the aztec trend especially in jewellery, and I couldn't resist this stag head necklace, especially for just £3.99!
I also don't know why I look rather tanned in some photos and then whiter than white in others; I blame the blasted clouds! I know I'm not the only one who wishes is was just lovely and sunny all the time instead of being a mixed bag!

#113

(I'm really hoping this posts on time, I scheduled it before uni this morning!)

I've been MIA for nearly a month now *slap on the wrist* but I have been using this time to attempt to settle back into my final year of uni, and back at my job - I got my old job at BHS back a couple of weeks ago :) so happy I have a steady income again; they seemed more than happy to have me back, and I haven't forgotten any of the procedures I have to do, etc.
It's much easier than being "The New Girl" and having to be trained up somewhere new!

Anyway, I have a quick post on my recent favourite items, items that I have repurchased throughout the year and some new little gems that have appealed to me.

(L-R) No7 Radiance Boosting Hot Cloth Cleanser, Palmers Fragrance Free Cocoa Butter
ELF Mineral Lipstick in Ripe Rose, Models Own in Juicy Jules, Purple Poppy
Collection 2000 Big Fake, Chuck Palahniuk's Haunted.

- I have been wanting to try out the Liz Earle Hot Cloth Cleanser after seeing almost every single blogger I follow rave about how amazing it is. I know it won't necessarily work for everyone's skin type, so I thought I'd try out the cheaper alternative. I had a £5 No7 voucher aswell, so this was only £4. I'm so glad I got it, this has helped my skin out so much over the last fortnight. I still use a baby wipe to take off the majority of my make up, but this helps remove the leftover traces, the muslin cloth is thin, but I get past this by just folding it over twice and scrubbing my face. My spots have significantly reduced, and I find using a face mask after this works amazingly! I'll probably get the Liz Earle cleanser at some point, but for now I'm more than happy with this.

- This is an old faithful, used it for about six years and I don't intend on swapping for anything else. It sinks into my skin quickly, leaving it so soft, non-greasy and it helps get rid of those funny little bumps on the back of my arms (does anyone else get these?) I like that it's fragrance free, sometimes the smell of cocoa butter can be a little over-whelming on the ol' nostrils.

- I bought this when ELF had their last 50% sale, having never felt comfortable wearung red lipstick for fear of looking like a drag queen or people wondering why I'm not stood on the corner of Lime St station haha. This definitely boosted my confidence though, as it's a matte lipstick, yet it's moisturising enough to not need Carmex underneath, and it actually suits me. It's a gorgeous deep red colour, not at all like the swatch online, but I prefer what I got. Definitely going to repurchase this, I can see it's going to be a staple in my Winter makeup bag.

- My two favourite nail varnishes at the moment, I can't fault them - gorgeous colour pay off, easy application, quick to dry and they are definitely the most chip-prone varnish in my collection. I love using Purple Poppy as part of a leopard print as seen below. I wore the print on all my nails on Sunday in work and the majority of the female customers asked if they were Minx nail wraps and Shellacs. I have to say, I left work feeling pretty smug considering I don't think they look half as good as that!

- Not much to say on this mascara apart from the fact it's amazing! Waterproof, separates and lengthens my lashes in just one coat without making them clumpy, dries quickly, and it's the best mascara I've used, does everything I want. And for £4.99 it's hardly breaking the bank, I would definitely reccommend it if you are on the hunt for a new mascara.

- I purchased this last week, using all my Waterstones points so I got it for like £1, can't complain there. The girl that served me was a huge Palahniuk fan so she told me I'd made a good choice, and we chatted about out favourite books for abit, she was so lovely! I always appreciate it when book shop staff are passionate about books :) I'm only about 60 pages in but I'm already hooked. It's about a group of writers who are invited to a desolte location for three months so they can write a masterpiece, the best they've ever written with no distractions or company but each other. It doesn't exactly work out though as their supplies run out fast. They then tell the stories they are writing, but don't read this if you have a weak stomach. The first story is certainly gruesome, but I wanted to carry on reading, so I don't know what that says about my personality! I've always liked horror movies and books though, so it was only a matter of time before I picked this bad boy up.

#111 - Recent Favourites

Recent Favourites

I've been using the following products for quite a while now, some longer than others. But I feel they are my "staple items" at the moment, so thought I'd share my thoughts if you're interested! :)

VO5 'Treat Me Right' Deep Conditioning Treatment, S&G's Flake Away, Models Own Top Turquoise
Garnier Gradual Tanning Lotion, Palmer's Cocoa Butter, Neutrogena Visibly Clear Daily Scrub.

- VO5 Deep Conditioning Treatment: Despite only having used this a handful of times, I can safely say my hair is in much better condition. After my usual shampoo and conditioner, I add a small amount of this to my ends, leave for five mins and rinse out. Combining this with using the VO5 Miracle Concentrate, my hair is so soft, my ends look healthy and it takes less time to dry. Will definitely be repurchasing.

- S&G Flake Away Body Polish: This has been a staple in my skincare routine for the past two years, since recieving a travel pot in a Christmas gift. It's not too harsh on my skin, so I use it maybe two, three times a week in the shower. It is excellent for removing any fake tan and smoothing down those bumps you can get on the back of your arms (anyone know the name for them?)
I've had this 300ml pot since the start of June and I'm barely halfway down. The smell is enough to make your mouth water, but it's the best scrub I've ever used, and will continue to do so!

- Models Own Top Turquoise: Models Own is my current favourite brand of nail varnish, I can't believe it's taken me this long to try it! My faithful Barry M's have been shoved aside to make way for these creamy, quick-drying formulas. I'll post a photo below of my current nails, which I've had on for about five days, and the chip on my middle nail is the only one I've had so far.
I'm also using a Sally Hansen Insta-Dry top coat on top, but still I'm impressed and can't wait to build up a collection of these polishes.

- Garnier Gradual Tanning Lotion: I'm not really a fan of using fake tan; I hate the smell, the way it streaks on elbows and knees, orange palms :| and having to scrub it off only to slap it back on again. To be fair, I have used my mum's Fake Bake on my legs earlier this week and they do look good, but to me it's not worth the hassle.
That's where this little beauty comes in. I just get out the shower, slap this on and repeat the next night, and over the next couple of days, my tan's as good as it was when I came back from Turkey! I'm going to continue on using this right through the Winter, I'm enjoying having some colour to me and not being reeeally pale like usual :)

- Palmer's Cocoa Butter: Again I have been using this rich but not greasy moisturiser for years, only having to re-purchase maybe three times a year. It's great for prolonging tans, and I picked up the Fragrance Free bottle this time, because as much as I love it, sometimes the scent can make me feel slightly nauseated. It's working wonders on the stretchmarks on my thighs and the abundance of scars on my arms.

- I picked this up sometime last year when I was on the hunt for a new facial scrub, being slightly apprehensive to use Neutrogena products in case they broke me out. This has made myskin much brighter and any spots or blemishes I get are gone within a couple of days, with the help of a dab of Sudocrem at night. I am using this in conjunction with the Pink Grapefruit scrub they do, which smells gorgeous and isn't harsh on the skin, making it easy to use in the morning and before bed. I have oily/combination skin and neither of these scrubs aggravate it, leaving me with smooth, mattifyed skin :)

As promised above, my nails this week. I was feeling adventurous so did a leopard print but in different colours, crazy I know! But I'm really happy with how well the Models Own varnishes have stuck and not just chipped at the first hurdle.

What are your recent favourites?