Secret Beauty Blog -

I actually came about ‘Beach’ by accident, I ordered a couple of the new Revlon scented polishes as they had an offer on (2 for £8 from Boots.com) and I ordered Mad about Mango & Ocean Breeze but got sent Pretty in Papaya & Beach instead….? I couldn’t be bothered with the hassle of arguing it so just kept them, and for the money it was no big loss and I actually LOVE Pretty in Papaya! Beach wouldn’t be my usual choice, but I thought I would try it out and as I thought, with my skintone the lime green/gold tone looked hideous but under the crackle polish the result was quite stunning!

These pics are with 3 coats of Beach, it would’ve been OK with just the 2 but there was a slight showing of  nail line. Application was perfect, the formula is the perfect balance of thickness with a slight runny feel that enables you to cover the whole nail with just one stroke. The brush is wide, with a long, sturdy handle which is very comfortable to hold. I’ve never tried a Revlon polish before and will definitely be buying more! The scent is just a gimmick, it …

It’s no secret I’m not a fan of ‘mannequin hands’ or the ‘griege’ trend that dominated fashionistas fingers during summer/autumn, the neutral tones seem to highlight every flaw on my hands and make my skintone look horrid. My skin is very sensitive to redness etc. and I’m always covered in at least 3 cat scratches (!) but going through my polish collection recently I found this gorgeous muted taupe which I didn’t even know I had. Putting it on, I hated it, but with a quick coat of Barry M’s Instant Nail Effects it gave the polish a really interesting edge and I really like it.

From the ELF core line, the polish is just £1.50 and is a fabulous ‘my nails but better’  shade which would also be perfect for a french mani. I find the ELF polishes really good quality for the money, I hear complaints of dodgy brushes and streaky forumlas but I own 13 of them and have never encountered these problems.
What do you think, do you do naked nails?

Here are the Revlon A/W Suede Rhapsody collection nail enamels applied, I found them easy to apply although I did have to apply it quite thickly otherwise it would drag and go patchy. I used ELFs Matte Finisher as a topcoat and I think it extended the life of them as I’ve seen on other blogs they have only a day or so lasting power? With the Matte Finisher I had these on a good 4-5 days before any tipwear or chipping was visable!

Ruby Ribbon – 2 coats & ELF Matte Finisher

Emerald City – 2 coats with ELF Matte Finisher
This was my first experience with Revlon polishes and I was pleasantly surprised! Like I said they do need a thicker layer as they dry so quick but I that happens with all matte polishes. Saying that, I think they would look amazing with a shiny topcoat, but for the purpose of them being matte I kept them so.
Both polishes retail at £6.29 each

I really like deep, autumnal shades of purple and I think the matte topcoat gives it a modern twist.

I find ELF polishes apply perfectly, I like the chunky lid and long brush. For £1.50 you really can’t compain, they knock socks off other cheap polishes (ahem, Collection 2000 Hot Colours!) and the new autumn shades are really quite lovely.
The Matte Finisher lasted a good 4 days before the tipwear was really noticable, this pic was taken on day 2 and you can already see some slight tips coming through. It didn’t chip or flake like I’ve heard other matte topcoats/polishes do but this is the only matte topcoat I’ve ever used so I can’t compare. The matte finish got slightly shinier as the days wore on, but this can’t be helped.
Overall – very impressed. I can’t wait to experiment the topcoat with my other polishes!
£1.50 from ELF

The PERFECT neon barbie pink. Fabulous application as usual, long wearing as usual….. Perfection as usual! I have to say, Illamasqua polishes are the BEST I have ever used. I like the thin but opaque formula, the thin narrow brush and the chunky handle. The wear is like no other brand, a full 7 days and then some. The only thing I don’t like is the price tag, at £13 they’re not cheap but they ARE worth it IMO.

2 coats with Sally Hansen Maximum Shine topcoat
Isn’t it gorgeous!
£13 Illamasqua.com

The sun may have left us, but my nails light up the whole street!

Again my camera hasn’t captured the true neon brightness of these polishes, and like the others it took a good 3 coats to get that coverage. Maybe it could of done with another coat?
3 coats with my OPI top coat

I don’t know if I like it or not, it seems to draw alot of attention… I wore it when I did a bank transfer and the stuck up cashier couldn’t stop looking at my hands =)

This photo does the shade no justice whatsoever! It is the most beautiful, vibrant bordering on neon, perfect summer hot pink!

It was quite odd using a matte look  polish and I had to use 3 coats for a fully opaque finish but I do love it =)
3 Coats with my OPI top coat

Did you pick up anything from the Poolside collection?

Ohh Em Gee.

Am totally HEARTing this…. And I thought glitter polishes were only for teenagers!

I used 2 coats, maybe could’ve done with another but I don’t like the ’sandpaper’ feeling that comes with glitter polishes…

 As with my other CG polish, application was smooth and easy. I loved this from when I saw it on Bicky’s blog and knew I HAD to have it =D

Love Love Love

xxxx

Its nearly Spring, wooohooooo! Other then being able to walk around in just a cardi (or in my case, a hoody =D) the best thing about Spring is all the gorgeous, wearable pastel colours that bounce around in chemists and makeup counters. Illamasqua are launching a range of gorgeous nail polishes, inc. a very wearable pale yellow, a must have muted lilac, a faded grey and a mint green. These are launching online and on counters at the beginning of March but Illamasqua have warned these are going to fly off the shelves so pre-order! Oh and they are £13 a pop =0/ so I will definately not be purchasing (although they look gorgeous and are apparently v.good quality!)

Then there’s the gorgeous ‘Up & Away’ collection by China Glaze:

The collection includes – Grape Pop – bright plum, Sugar High – petal pin, Something Sweet – cotton candy, Light As Air – periwinkle, Heli – Yum – raspberry, Flyin’ High – teal, Four Leaf Clover – kelly green, Re-Fresh Mint – spearmint, Peachy Keen – nectar, High Hopes – guava, Happy Go Lucky – sunshine yellow, Lemon Fizz – banana. All delicious shades and …