Textured Nails are everywhere at the moment. Nail art with studs, sequins and rhinestones are huge at the minute. With MUA making the Caviar Manicure at anyone's price range, nail art wheels available from most pound shops and eBay coming up trumps for pretty much anything, it's easy for everyone to jump on this trend. But what if you could make it easier and get textures just with a polish? Here are my top 3 Textured polishes for you.
Illamasqua Rubber polishes are a favourite of mine, mainly for the colours.If I can't find a colour in eyeshadow, nail polish or blush I always head to the Illamasqua stand. When I couldn't find a dark green polish in the shade I wanted, I went to see them and obviously, found what I wanted. I didn't realise it was one of their rubberised polishes at the time but I'm glad it was or I'd never have got to try them
My favourite nail texture is a matte nail, preferably with black. A lot of companies make a matte top coat but I use the one from George at ASDA. It's only £1 and it does the job, so why not! Paint your nails in your chosen colour and simply one coat does it. It's also a top coat so makes your polish last that little big longer. As you can see I use this a lot!
A drug store option now. The Revlon Matte Suede line is very similar to the Illamasqua Rubber polishes. They're not a matte colour though, they have glitter in them. Glitter with a . Matte finish? I didn't understand it either. There's no real reason why this polish is green too, I thought it would be pretty for Christmas. Available at most high street drug stores, this polish is more accessible and is almost half the price of the Rubber polish at only £7.95.
If you are a fan of nail art then here are my top picks at an affordable price. As mentioned there is the MUA Nail Constellations which give you a Caviar Manicure for only £3.
Nail Art pens are also widely available now. With studs, sequins or gems in one side and a polish with a fine applicator on the other, they are an all in one over your favourite polish. Hip-hop have one available for £6.50 but this one was only £2 from good ol` Primark and comes in different shades too.
Most pound stores stock these nail art wheels that have different studs and stones in them. I found one with black studs in, so I stocked up. And for £1 it really wasn't a big deal.
Its nearing Christmas which means parties, drinks and a lot of photographs. I follow a few very simple rules to make sure my make up fits the bill.
Red Nails. They are a must! Not only do they add an instant Christmas feel but they look so glam. This is the only time of year I really wear red nails but I love them so much. My only note would be don't wear them with a red dress or top, they're meant to stand out. Essie's Lacquered Up is my perfect shade.
Red Lips. Again, how am can you be? I know its quite easy to cross the line with a red lip but if its carefully worn, it can look amazing. Red lips have to be matte for me and I have found that being cheap doesn't mean it looks cheap. My go-to red is by MUA and is shade 13. If you must go high end, Russian Red by MAC would be my choice. Just remember with a red, you need to keep it looking fresh at all times. Again, don't team red lipstick with a red dress but do wear nails and lips together.
Gold Eyes. When wearing red lipstick it's important to keep the eyes simple. Nothing saying you have to go bare, but you don't want heavy. I love wearing gold shadow with a red lip. I think its bold enough without being overpowering. With a touch of eyeliner and lashings of mascara, you're all set!
As I said in my last post, I have a huge cold. I used my time wisely and decided to paint and pretty up my nails a little bit. I used MUA Plum Noir all over the nails apart from on my ring finger which I put Rimmel Midnight (black) on. On top of the black I put on a matte top coat so it went to a matte black. On my thumb I put on some black diamonds from a nail art kit I bought from the pound shop. It was a quick look but I think it looks really good.
This is my first attempt at real nail art and though it's basic, I was pretty pleased with myself and will be trying some more again soon!
I haven't done one of these before but I have been wearing the same make up look for about 2 weeks day in, day out now so I think it deserves a post on my blog. Though the foundation does to change now and again - due to testing out the new Dior Nude foundation which I'm still loving. I've found this look really works for me, one simple change of the eye shadow colour really changes the look. It's a good day and night look which goes with any outfit. So this is what I've been doing.
I've been starting out with the new Nivea Express Hydration Primer which creates a great base to apply make up - check out my review here. I also apply a lip balm. After this I tend to leave this for a minute or two just to settle on the skin. I've then been apply my chosen foundation which has been switching between the YSL Le Teint Touche Éclat and Dior Nude Foundation. I apply this usually with my fingers and then just buffed out with a stippling brush. If needed I then apply concealer, MAC Studio Finish. Then I apply an all over powder to set my make up. I have been using and really liking the 17 Miracle Matte Pressed Powder which works really well.
For the rest of the face I have been wearing Hoola by Benefit as a contour powder under my cheek bones and then applying Prestige Baked Bronzer in the shade Pure Shimmer as a highlight on top of my cheek bones. I haven't been wearing any blush or colour on the cheeks.
On the eyes I have been wearing the Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten all over the lid. Then using the Heaven and Earth Palette by MUA I used this shadow
and then this shadow in the crease.
Then I use a gel liner on my upper lash line. And the coat on the mascara. Lots and lots of it. The brows are a simple pencil and clear mascara which I get from MUA from £1 from Superdrug. I've also gone back to my all-time-favourite MAC lip combo. Hue lipstick and Ample Pink lipglass.
It's favourites time again and I've got it out on time again! I'm pretty pleased with myself. This month has been a busy one but that's usually a good thing for me. If you've read my recently blog posts you'll probably be able to predict what I'm going to say, but here they are anyway.
Favourite Hair Product - John Frieda Heat Activated Styling Spray. If you read this month's Vogue Overview you'll know I recently cut my hair. This means that I now have to style my hair a little more than I used to so I decided to step up the hair defence by using this product. Although I didn't like the rest of the range that I tried, I am loving this product. It makes my hair feel so soft and makes straightening a lot easier. It doesn't have too strong a smell which I like in a product. I have that I am reaching for this product every morning as well as after washing my hair.
Favourite Nail Product - MUA Nail Polish in Pistachio Ice Cream. I have to admit, I struggled with this one. I have tried the MUA nail polishes and Nail Constellations this month and as much as I do love the Constellations, they aren't something I would use all the time. The new colour nail polishes, which I did a post about a few days ago, are great. The wear is incredible. I've had Pistachio Ice Cream on for 4 days now and it's only just starting to chip - and for me that is fabulous. At first I wasn't too sure on the colour; as nice as it is, it's a little bit of a spring colour for me but for some reason I don't want to take it off. I love my bright, ice blue nails. Every time I look down at them, I think how much I love the colour. Who'd have thought!
Favourite Make Up Product - Stila Kitten Smudge Pot. This is a new purchase for me. I was looking for something creamy to put on my lids when I'm just using a eyeliner and after 10,000 (exudation!) swatches all over my hands, I settled on Kitten. And I am now in love. I've never had a Stila product before as they weren't too easy to come by in the UK until one day they suddenly appeared in my local Boots - how did this happen? At £13 it's about the same price as a MAC Paintpot but I actually think it's a lot better quality. Obviously the colour choice is smaller with Stila but the wear is a lot better than the MAC. It stays on all day and doesn't wear or smudge - ironic? A fabulous product. I have been using this with one of the lighter colours in the MUA Heaven and Earth palette. I love it with a little eyeliner and a lot of mascara.
Favourite Tool - Bobby Pins. The simple bobby pin. Available everywhere and with a wide price range, I think everyone has them. I always do but only recently have I been using them a lot. My hair is now long enough to put back in a messy pony or bun so they are great for fly aways underneath. I'm also putting my fringe up and to the side a lot too. And to be honest, I haven't been too adventurous this month and this was the best I could come up with - sorry!
Favourite Accessory - Chained Collar Tips. I am wearing these most days. In fact everyday that I wear a shirt. Whether it be a demin shirt or a lumberjack shirt, plain or studded, these are a great asset. I tend to ditch the necklace and choose these instead. They're thick enough to notice and make a statement but they're strangely subtle. I own numerous pairs of collar tips and these were in fact the cheapest at only £1.50 from Primark - I know, I know.
Favourite Accessory II - Cross Earrings. I've mentioned these a lot in OOTD posts. They're my 80p bargain market earrings. They're super light and not too long - I hate drop earrings. They have a stud back which I feel safer in and you really don't notice them when they're in. They're also fabulous because they only cost 80p from a street seller in Sheffield. I mean, come on, 80p!
Favourite Fashion Item - Oversized Jumpers. The oversized jumper, simple yet affected. I wear mine with jeans, pyjamas, shorts, PU leggings, anything! Add a watch and some statement shoes and you're onto a winner. I usually team mine with my JC Litas, studded flats or hidden heel high tops. I love the fact that all I need to do when I get home is change my trouser and put some PJs on, and I'm still comfy and warm. The jumper is one of my favourites. In navy and bright green it's probably the brightest I have - and also the warmest. I have this in a size 10 which is huge on me and I love that too.
Favourite Miscellaneous - Delilah - 'Go.' Yes, I am in love with this song. It spends most of the day playing round and round in my head - and on my iPhone. If you my post from the weekend, you'll know I went to see her due to my best friend being her tour manager. I haven't paid any attention to her before but she was fabulous. Let her voice make your day too. Thank me later.
Another MUA post this week - I'm such a junkie for the famous £1 make up range. This time they've brought out new colours to their £1 nail polish range and this time they're named. I chose 3 from the new range and these are my first MUA nail polishes - the old colours never seemed like much to me. The new colours are brought out to match the new Nail Constellations (see two posts down) so you know you can't do much wrong.
Left to right we have All Nude, Pistachio Ice Cream and Plum Noir. All 3 are great colours and applied easily. 2 coats was enough but I used 3 to make sure I have a good coverage but for £1 the extra coat isn't much. I painted my nails two days ago and I am still chip free so I have high hopes for these polishes.
My only critisism is that the All Nude isn't what it looks through the bottle, a long with the name I was expecting it to be more like Essie's Fiji with a little bit of depth but it's actually just a solid white. Do not be deceived by the creamy bottle colour. The blue (Pistachio Ice Cream) was surprisingly vivid even on the first coat and the purple (Plum Noir) is a gorgeously rich colour.
MUA have done it again. They've already done a fabulous version of the Naked Pallette for a tenth of the price and now, they've done it again.
It's official, I'm jumping on the band waggon! I know this post has been done time and time again, but I am in love. Make Up Academy (the high street brand made famous for it's fabulous £1 eye shadows) are the newest brand to bring out the famous Caviar Manicure by Ciaté - their version, Nail Constellations. Ciaté have a fabulous range of Caviar Manicure polishes in numerous colours, but for £18 they are a little pricey. So who wouldn't love to pop into their local Superdrug and get something very similar for only £3. Yes, £3.
Though the range has only 5 colours (I only have 2 as the others are very girly and I just wouldn't wear them, sorry!) there is something for everyone. The only think I would ask for is a white version, like the Ciaté Mother of Pearl collection - they really are beautiful. I bought the Scorpio and the Libra versions. The black because, it's me! And the Scorpio is gorgeous for fall and looked fabulous over my favourite, Essie Sole Mate!
Scorpio.
Libra.
They are the easiest thing in the world to apply. Though they look messy, it's nothing a folded piece of A4 paper can't handle. They have made the bottle easy to put the excess back, you don't want to waste any of these. They are the easiest thing in the world to apply. You simple paint your nails, and pour them on. There is nothing else to it! If you want a further step-by-step, I am going to post a video one of my favourite beauty bloggers, Fleur De Force did using the Ciaté version.
I am a pale girl. I do not wear fake tan past August. I embrace it and love my MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW15. Until I was putting it on the other day and realised just how dark it was on me. Yes, NW15 and it was too dark. Not by much, but I've found as Autumn has gone on, I'm having to blend more and more down my neck. So, I decided that was it, I need a new foundation.
The usual place for me for higher end make up is Debenhams in the shopping centre not too far away, so I had a wander around, to see what was out. I've already tried Even Better by Clinique and Doublewear by Estee Lauder and they just don't work for my dry, usually flakey skin. And then, I saw it - the new YLS! It was actaully the new perfume 'Manifesto' that caught my eye (which I also purchased as it smells devine!) but while looking I saw the display for Le Teint Touche Éclat foundation. I gave a brief background into my pale skin to the MUA there and she told me their lightest shade, BR10, is usually too light for epople who say they need the lightest. Naturally when she colour matched me, I was the lightest. But not only how pale it was but also the tones are perfect. It's a pinky undertone without making me look like I've put blush all over my face - I have a natural tone to my skin and time warm too pink and cool too yellow. It looked fabulous when she had finished and I was very pleased. And even more so when she told me it was only £26! Yes, £26 for the foundation bearing in mind that Touche Éclat concealer is £24. I bought it there and then and have wore it everyday, I adore it. I am currently in the making of writing a full review on this, but as it stands, I am in love!
Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation
The magic light of Touche Éclat in a foundation.
Introducing the new Le Teint Touche Éclat foundation from YSL. The light of Touche Éclat foundation targets shadowy areas and highlights the contours of the face. With no opaque powders, its perfecting texture evens the complexion and helps conceal your imperfections, while enhancing your skin’s natural beauty.
