NOTD - Sally Hansen Hidden Treasure

This is a tribute to the (hopefully) warmer weather we will be experiencing soon. Im sure like me many of you have begun to swap the darker winter colours for lighter shades in the hope to hurry up spring!

I got this as a set of four from TK Maxx (you can see my Youtube haul here) and couldn't wait to try this out as it reminded me of a mermaids scales, its got that iridescent sheen to it.

This lasted 4 days before it chipped - however the chippage was small and because this is a really sheer colour you couldn't actually tell - perfect for someone who doesn't have time to be constantly touching up their nails!

My only gripe with this is sometimes these pearly iridescent shades can look a bit 'grannyish' however i think thats completely down to personal preference - i mean Barry M have just launched an entire range of this type of finish (the silk range) so maybe this is a trend to come?

xxxx

NOTD - Barry M Magnetic Purple

Magnetic nails were one of my favourite discoveries of 2012. They're so easy and so cheap, but they really don't look like that. Two years later, whenever i wear these, i still get compliments and its always a topic of conversation.

Since then, BarryM have brought out a whole host of colours, all winter shades i must admit but i still love them nonetheless! 

My only gripe is that for some reason the magnetic polishes have less staying power than the regular BarryM colours, but i truly feel its worth it just to have this look for a couple of days

Technique wise, these couldn't be easier to use and I've even been known to do these in the car on my way to a party before - they're THAT easy!

If you've followed my blog for some time you'll know that BarryM was one of the first even brands i got into, and i would regularly use my weekly pocket money to buy the brightest shade of polish i could find - 8 years later and not much has changed, I just now have a collection with enough nail polish to paint a country.

You can buy this for £4.99 here 

xx

NOTD: DIY French Manicure

There will come a time in our lives when bright nails aren't appropriate, or we want to feel posh. A french manicure is perfect for these times, and with a little practice, theres no reason why we can't do one ourselves! 

Of course there are hundreds of polishes out there you can use to do this, but these are the ones i like to use.

L.A colours in French Nails Pink - here

OPI RapiDry TopCoat - here

Barry M Nail Paint in Matt White - here

The steps could not be simpler!

1. Paint 2 coats of a half moon shape over the white part of your nail (if you have shorter nails, you can cheat and make your white bit look longer ;) ) and wait to dry.

2. Paint 1 coat of the pink (i found that 2 coats don't work with this particular polish) and wait to dry.

3. Use a top coat to keep manicure in place for longer

4. Wear pretty jewellery on your hands so that everyone notices your lady like hands!

xxxx

NOTD - Avon Sequinned Turquoise

Avon Nailwear Pro

Sequinned Turquoise

I have had this polish about a year, but its never really stood out to me enough to actually wear it. After applying it - i really don't know why!

I tried to capture just how striking the colour us, and although its a little more greeny blue in real life, i managed to capture the glitter and shimmer of this product.

This lasted around 4 days before chipping (and thats with no top coat), which is pretty good going in my eyes!

I am going on holiday later this year, and ill probably be taking this with me, as it really is stunning when it catches the light - perfect for holding my pina colada by the pool!

xxxx

NOTD - Fruity Glitter !

L.A Colours - Jewel Tone

Collection 2000 - Fruit Salad

This is has fast become one my favourite combinations for summer, its the perfect peachy pinky coral shade (which seems to be the 'in' colour this year) and the sparkle just makes this that little bit more fun, and suitable for night time too!

Putting the glitter top coat on meant this lasted a WEEK, which is very good going in my eyes! The shimmer this gives off when in the sun is something you just don't get when you wear glitter at christmas time.

I must admit i LOVE the Fruit Salad without the glitter, and thats probably the more versatile option if you're fashion forward, but i think this just goes to show you don't have to save all your glitters for the festive season - they can add a touch of sparkle to your summer too!

xxxx

NOTD - a simple nude

If you live in England, the chances are the weather is shit. Yes we had a few days of lovely sunshine and if you're anything like me you gave yourself a pedicure, got all your maxi dresses and cardigans out, only for it to come over dark and rain non stop for a week.

This is the perfect colour for right now (Collection 2000- shade Milkshake), as its not too summery, but it also means we don't have to retreat to the darker shades we'd wear in winter!

Being a nude, it goes with pretty much anything, so if your hastily pulling your winter jumpers and fluffy socks from the back of the wardrobe, you won't look too mismatched

:)

xxxx

NOTD - Barry M Mint Green

I understand you're probably not interested in this in the slightest, because lets face it - every man and his dog is wearing this nail polish at the minute. But i didn't want to be left out did i? 

This is actually my second bottle of this, and holds very dear memories for me as i bought it a few of years ago in the summer before i started college, where everything was exciting and my life was changing.

This is the perfect colour for spring, and yet again my all time favourite nail brand Barry M have not disappointed (well they never would, would they).

The only thing about this polish is i always find i need to plan what I'm going to wear, as its not the sort of colour that goes with everything.

Needless to say this will always be one of my favourites, and i will continue to use this until i need another bottle!

:)

xxxx

NOTD: Barry M Magnetic Blue

For anyone that doesn't know, my beloved Barry M very recently released a range of 4 magnetic nail paints (black, red, blue and purple) and they couldn't be simpler! Basically you paint one coat, wait for that to dry (obviously) then as soon as you paint the next one, you hold the magnet over your nail for a few seconds, and voila! 

(the thicker you do the coats, the more defined the effect)

Todays post is courtesy of my eagle eyed boyfriend, who spotted these (despite the fact he moans about my beauty buying addiction)! I wasn't even aware these were going to be released, but how cool are they! 

These aren't typical spring colours, but they look so professional I'm willing to sacrifice my pastels and pinks for now! This picture was taken of my mums nails 2 days after i did them, and although the pattern had dulled slightly, theres no denying how good it still looks.

Please note this magnet was actually the magnet from the black nail polish from the range, which is one of the cool things about these that you can chop and change to create different looks.

I am in LOVE with these, and i really hope they do more colours, as the effect is amazing- everyone has been commenting on them! I can't recommend these enough, and i can totally understand the hype around them!

These are currently £4.99 from Superdrug, however there is currently an offer on which means if you buy 2 nail paints, you get a £1 off, what are you waiting for?!

xxxx

NOTD - OPI Mod About You (my all time fave)

This is my all time favourite nail polish. It was (nearly) my first OPI and i bought it because i had seen it in MissBudgetBeauty 's video, and despite her warning about the quality, i couldnt resist. I did however spend months looking for a cheaper dupe, and i bought far too many pink polishes, to no avail. So i finally caved in and bought this.

It has ABSOLUTELY NO STAYING POWER, it chips after a day, not even that long sometimes.  Ive tried all sorts of top coats on this but nothing works, i simply have to carry it around in my handbag, covering up the chips as i go.

Having said that, its totally worth it, because the colour is like nothing else out there (that i could find). Its basically disney princess pink - if you put this alongside disney princess pink its an exact match i promise. (And i love disney princesses)

This is perfect for spring, but to be honest i love it so much ive worn it nearly every month since i got it no matter what time of the year. I really cant recommend this enough, if youre a girly girl or want to embrace the pastel season that is upon us, you cant afford not to buy this!

By the way if anyone can help me increase the staying power of this id really appreciate it, as ive heard other OPI's last forever!

xxxx

NOTD - Barry M Strawberry Ice Cream

The first sign of some sun and i jumped at the chance of painting my nails to match. Barry M is my favourite brand of nail polish easily, you cant beat their prices, colours, and quality. This lasted 4 days without and chipping, and is a real girly pastel spring/summer pink. In some lighting its quite subtle, but this changes depending on lighting. This will be a staple for me in the coming months, and ive found this goes with nearly everything ive worn too!

This can be purchased from boots or superdrug for £2.99, or online here    

NOTD -OPI Significant Other Colour

For valentines day this year i really wanted a nail polish with an appropriate name, and who better to choose than OPI? With Lewis being at work (he works away) i was left to choose what shade i wanted, what a shame eh :)

I chose this purely because i had no other colour like it, plus i loved the name, it just seemed to fit so well.

When first applied, this is so sheer you can hardly see it, but i prefer my polishes to be fairly noticeable, so after 3 coats i was satisfied! As you can see from the photos, the product has so many colours running through it, which has actually picked up well on the photos for a change! What i would say though is that in real life this colour isn't as pigmented on the photos, i think the lighting has intensified it.

This took 4 days to chip, which is pretty good going considering i didn't apply a top coat, and its actually restored my faith in OPI, after trying other ones which are a bit naff.

Overall, i really like this polish (maybe not love) and ill definitely wear it again, but ill maybe save it for when Lewis is home, as this has more sentimental value than anything else really.

Have you tried this?

xxxx

NOTD: FAMOUS by Sue Moxley

The photos above aint great are they? Well neither is this nail polish. 

Lets start on the colour (shade 12) - i love this colour, its a very deep berry red, perfect for winter. Thats pretty much the only thing i love about this, and the only reason ill continue to use it.

This has zero staying power, and looks quite shoddy after a day or two to be honest. I initially purchased the Sue Moxley Palette, which i really love, and i thought id love this too. 

Im unsure as to whether id purchase anymore of these (from Superdrug by the way) as they're just not worth the money, however the packaging, and large bottle may just sway me.

Have you tried this polish, or any others from this Range?

xxxx

NOTD: no7 Totally Teal

I got this a few weeks ago with my Boots £5 no7 voucher, and if I'm honest i didn't get it because i loved the colour, i simply picked it because i don't really have a colour like it.

Honestly, i like the idea of treating myself to a polish which is usually £7, and theres no denying they look pretty on my dresser!

This photo was taken the day after i painted my nails, and as you can see they are very slightly chipped on the edge, but I'm sure they'd last a little longer with a top coat!

Overall, i like this polish, but its not really a versatile colour which goes with anything. Nonetheless, i will still use this again, probably during autumn months!

NOTD - a touch of nude

Ive had a little set of these polishes from next for what seems like a long time, but I've only just got round to trying them out, and in a nutshell -  I'm very impressed! I'm always a bit dubious about retail brands which branch out into cosmetics, however I've been converted!

These mini polishes are from Next, and although they don't have names or shades, id say this is a shimmery nude beige, perfect for a subtle work look, or if you want to look less fussy (is that even the right phrase to use?)
This last 5 days with no chips, and i didn't even use a top coat! Bear in mind i am a dance student and i also work in a pub, so my hands receive a lot of wear and tea, so for this to last this long on my is brilliant ! 


Have you tried any of these Next polishes?

xxxx

NOTD - Fearne Cotton

If you read my most recent haul post, you'll know i have just purchased a nail polish from Fearne Cotton's range, at a bargainous £1.34! I could wait to test this out, and ill admit i didn't expect much due to the fact they were 75% off, but i could not be more happy, and i will MOST DEFINITELY be purchasing more polishes from this range!

I have had shade Lilac on my nails 3 days, and there are NO chips whatsoever, and i can actually see this lasting til the weekend when ill take it off just because i want something different!

The colour is a real girly spring/summer pastel, and people have commented on it already!

Overall, i can't recommend this enough, i don't know why i didn't pick up more than one!

xxxx