Nails of the Week - A French Manicure with a Difference: Nude Nails with Blue Tips

We had a friend's wedding last weekend and this is the mani that I decided to do for the occasion. I don't know what possessed me to try this as I wasn't wearing anything even remotely blue but sometimes I just like to try something different for a change.

This nail look was done using one coat of Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Nail Colour in Petal Pusher as a base and then two coats of Revlon Perfumed Nail Enamel in Mint Fizz.

I really like this combination and the fun look of the blue tips. Now I'm inspired to try this again with all manner of colour combinations!

What do you think? Is this a look you would try yourself?

Have a great weekend.

Michelle xx

Nails of the Week - Sally Hansen Insta-Dri in Sonic Bloom

Apologies for not posting a nail of the week for so long but my nails had a few issues in January and decided to break left, right and centre so I had to wait for them to grow to a nice enough length again before they were photo worthy.

I received this polish a while ago in one of the monthly sample boxes and have been so taken with it lately, even though I am totally at a loss as to how to descibe it adequately. In some lights it looks red and in others it looks kind of like a super bright pink. I just can't seem to make my mind up which colour describes it better but I don't really care because it is utterly gorgeous!

My photos are a pretty good representation of the colour so I might have to let them speak for themselves.

This polish has an awesome large square brush which reduces the amount of brush strokes you need to do to cover the entire nail and it almost gets away with being a one coat polish. I have applied two coats in these photos with no top coat because frankly it doesn't need it. I think it is shiny enough on its own.

Isn't it pretty??

Has anyone else tried this shade before?

Michelle xx

Nails of the Week - Sally Hansen Color Quick Fast Dry Nail Color Pen - Turquoise Chrome

I received this in one of my monthly sample boxes and was very intrigued as to how it would work as I've never used a nail polish pen before.

With this one I had to click the top about 5-6 times to get a good amount on the brush which was dry when it was first opened. The polish kind of flows out around the top of the brush and makes its way down the bristles to give you a good coverage prior to application.

Once I started using this I was amazed. It goes on so smoothly and dries in a ridiculously short amount of time. You get enough coverage with just one coat too which means the whole process of painting my nails was over within about 3 minutes and I could get up and get on with my day without any worries of smudging.

The pen says to apply 1-2 coats but when I tried to apply a second coat the brush seemed to keep dragging off the first coat rather than applying on top of it so I gave up after practically ruining my thumbnail and decided to leave it at just one coat which looks fine to me anyway. 

This polish was seriously the hardest colour I think I have ever tried to photograph. Due to the shiny chrome finish I just couldn't get it to look right no matter what lighting I used so I apologise in advance now for the dodginess of the below photos. Hopefully you'll get the gist of how gorgeous this blue shade actually is.

(With flash)

(Without flash)

(I took this photo so you could see how well the coverage was for just one coat. If you look really close you can see some very small streaks but they are not overly noticeable)

For a mother with a very active and inquisitive 16 month old, a nail polish that can be done and dusted in less than 5 minutes gets my big tick of approval. Usually I have to wait until hubby is around to apply nail polish because I am guaranteed to have to stop and ruin it by picking something up or stopping a little someone from doing something he shouldn't be doing if I try to do it when I am home on my own.

My only gripe with this polish would have to be the brush. It's a very dense brush that is kind of round rather than flat like most polish brushes. This took a bit of getting used to as it meant getting up close to the base of the nail was a bit tricky with such a thick brush.

I think I will definitely be checking out some more shades in this range.

Has anyone use any other colours in this range that you would recommend?

Michelle xx

Nails of The Week - Sally Hansen Insta-Dry in Petal Pusher

I received this polish in the January Glossybox last week and decided to try it straight away due to my nails being quite short at the moment and not really that attention worthy.

This polish claims to dry virtually instantly, which after one coat is definitely true, but once you start applying additional coats it still becomes touch dry pretty quickly but seems to be very soft and easy to mark if you're not careful.

The colour Petal Pusher is a very pale pink which is similar to that used in French manicures. Unfortunately, I really am not a fan of a colour that is this pale and I don't like polishes that are so see-through with just one coat. The problem I found with this polish is that once you start applying a second coat it tends to streak very badly and if you're not careful you can pull at the first coat and cause bare patches to appear. Due to this formula being so quick-dry you need to work fast when applying too because if you take too long on one nail it starts to get too thick to move around and I found it bubbles quite badly too.

Here is my second try at using this polish (the first attempt was just plain awful). I have applied two coats of this polish and it is still quite see-through:

(If you look close you can see the bubbling) 

(Oh so streaky!)

This is not a polish that I would use again. To me it is just way too much effort for very little gain. Other colours in this range might be alright but I don't rate this colour or consistency at all.

Has anyone else used this polish unsuccessfully? Are the other colours in the range any better than this one?

January Glossybox - Worth The Wait?

Well my January Glossybox FINALLY arrived on the 25th of this month after getting a dispatch notification on the 19th! I seriously don't know how it takes 6 days to get from Sydney to the Central Coast but either Australia Post had some serious issues or my box got lost in transit somewhere.

Anyway, here is what was in the January box:

1) Nivea Rich Nourishing Body Moisturiser (30ml, RRP $5.40 for 250ml) - Probably the most disappointing item in the box. Everyone has probably tried Nivea creams and we all know they are a cheap and effective moisturiser with no frills. I might just keep this little bottle in my handbag for days when my arms or legs feel a little dry while I'm out and about.

2) Sheer Cover Nourishing Moisturiser (30ml, RRP $29.95 for 60ml) - Considering this 30ml sample is apparently worth $15 in itself, you've already made up the price of the box. This is a lightweight, oil-free lotion which also contains an SPF 15 to protect you from the sun. It says to use it under your daily makeup.

3) Sheer Cover Lip Gloss in Pink Praline (Full size, RRP $19.95) - This is a full size lip gloss pot in a very sheer peachy pink shade. I'm excited to try out this gloss as a girl can never have too many lip glosses!

4) Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Synchronised Recovery Complex (7ml sample, RRP $105.00 for 30ml) - I am very excited to try this as I haven't used an Estee Lauder product in a very long time and used to love them. This serum is to help continuously reduce the signs on ageing and give smoother, radiant and healthier looking skin.

5) Sally Hansen Insta-Dry Fast Dry Nail Colour in Petal Pusher (Full size, RRP $13.95) - This is a very pale pink that will be a good colour when you don't really want a colour in your nails but want them to look 'done'. The brush in something I'll have to get used to though as it's kind of short and fat which is very different to your usual nail polish brush.

There were also two $25 Gift Cards for online fashion and footwear store The Iconic and some Australia themed temporary tattoos. Unfortunately I didn't get to crack the tattoos open because the Australia Day festivities where I live were all cancelled due to our crappy weather. I was hanging to put a couple of these on bub because our plans were originally to go down to the waterfront and have a picnic and stay for some fireworks but we ended up going to a friends place for a casual BBQ instead. I'll have to save them for next year.

So there you have it. The best thing this month to me is that there wasn't a sachet to be seen. I always find sample sachets are more annoying than anything else as they are so fiddly to get the product out and can't be resealed if you don't use it all.

This box is definitely over and above as far as the value is concerned so in my eyes Glossybox have finally redeemed themselves a bit after the past boxes being kind of disappointing.

I noticed that some other subscribers received a Mirenesse eye liner and that would have probably been a nicer addition to mine to replace one of the three different types of moisturiser but I'm still happy none the less.

What did anyone else think of the January Glossybox?

Nails of the Week - Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Sun Kissed

I thought I would do something a little different today and do my nails of the week using my toes instead of fingers.

This is one of two Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear colours I own and I think they are just the best polish as far as the wear you get out of them. Here is the link to my review on the gorgeous granny smith apple green colour 'Green With Envy' is anyone is interested.

I am totally obsessed with this colour which is called 'Sun Kissed'. It is a super bright orange that is just such a fun shade to wear. I haven't gotten up the courage to put this on my fingernails as yet but am absolutely loving it on my toes. It's a real summer kind of colour.

(With flash)

(Without flash - please excuse the faint leftover fake tan tinge on the tops of my toes, I really need to exfoliate that off!)

I have now had this polish on my toes since Christmas Eve and it has not had the slightest chip or wear yet, and it's still so shiny. They aren't kidding when they call it 'Xtreme Wear'!

The only downside with these polishes are that they stay quite tacky for a while when applied so you really need to just have some time to sit back and relax for at least a good half an hour or so to let it fully dry. I usually apply my polish at night after showering anyway so this doesn't worry me as I just read a book or watch some tele while it dries.

It also gives me a good excuse to make husband attend to bub if he wants some attention or needs anything after I've applied this polish. I love flapping my hands or feet about and saying "Sorry babe, I can't get him because my nail polish isn't dry yet", Hehehe!

What do you think of this colour?

Sally Hansen Hard as Nails - Hard as Wraps

On one on my latest Priceline trips I picked up some Sally Hansen Hard as Nails - Hard as Wraps in an attempt to give my fragile nails a bit of help.

                                              

What the packaging claimed:

'Powerful acrylic protection instantly seals and hardens nails in 1 EASY STEP! Patented breakthrough formula provides an instant, long-lasting, wrap-like surface for fragile, soft, torn, chipped or cracked nails.'

Sounds pretty impressive right? Well, I tend to think that statement needs one extra addition in there, and that's the fact that it will only last on your nail without peeling off for about 24 hours. Yep, that's as long as I can get this stuff to stay on my nails after normal daily activities.

This of course was quite disappointing as it was very frustrating going to the trouble of applying it and then not even getting more than a day out of it.

I even attempted to try it as a base cost for my regular nail polish which did last an extra day or so but still not as long as what the polish would have lasted if I had just applied it on its own.

In the time that it does stay on my nails, I don't really feel that it makes them any stronger or less prone to chipping either. Also, the smell almost knocks you out of the room while you try to apply it. I've never smelt anything so strong and chemical like other than in an actual nail salon. My husband always has to leave the room when I'm putting this on so if you want something that will guarantee to give you some alone time, this is the product for you!

Has anyone else had any issues when using this product? Are there any other nails strengtheners that anyone has tried and tested and can recommend?

Nails of the Week - Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear 'Green With Envy'

My nail of the day today is Sally Hansen's Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear in 'Green With Envy'.

This colour is a real Granny Smith apple green and these photos unfortunately don't do it justice and show just how bright this green is.

This polish gives great coverage and only needs two coats to give a completely smooth and streak free finish.

It does seem to stay a bit tacky for quite awhile after application though which is a bit frustrating.

This is probably one of the best lighter greens I have used so far and was my colour of choice for a night out with the girls tonight to see Breaking Dawn Part 1 and then dinner and drinks afterwards while hubby stays home and plays babysitter. Yes, I'll admit I am a Twilight fan and  I am not ashamed at all. In fact, I can't wait!

Has anyone else seen Breaking Dawn yet? If so, what did you think?

Have a great weekend everyone!

Michelle..

My latest 'Yay I've finished my exams for the year!' haul!

Hello everyone. Remember me?

Yeah, I'm the one who hasn't really been around much lately due to being stressed out of my eyeballs with studying for two CPA exams this semester that are now officially done and dusted. I will hopefully now be able to be around a lot more these days as I have all the time in the world to kill now when I'm not at work.

To celebrate this wonderful time of the year where I now get to experience 'free' time again (I've almost forgotten what that is) I decided to go and spoil myself with a little haul from Priceline due to them enticing me in with their 20% off all Cosmetics and Skincare sale.

Here is what I got:

1) Simple Soothing Facial Toner - I love this brand and don't think you can go wrong with anything in the whole range. This is a lovely toner that doesn't have that awfully strong alcohol feel to it that some other toners have.

2) Prestige Skin Loving Mineral Sunbaked Mineral Bronzing Powder in Pure Shimmer - I have never ever used a highlighter before (I can hear all the gasps of shock!) and thought this product looked so pretty so couldn't resist buying it. There will be many fun filled adventures to be had while I try to teach myself how to use this product now.

3) Artiste Professional Small Eyeshadow Brush - I finally retired all of my old brushes not that long ago and this was a nice cheap little brush which will be good for the makeup bag.

4) Nail Polishes (left to right) - Australis Nail Colour in Knickers in a Knot, Sally Hansen Hard as Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Colour in Sun Kissed and Green With Envy and Face of Australia Molten Metallics Nail Enamel in Verdigris.

5) Models Prefer Small Cosmetic Case - I needed a new one for my handbag as my old one had seen better days. I just couldn't resist the snake skin print.

Anyway, that was my little splurge today. I can't wait to try out my new goodies.

Hope everyone is well :-)