Coral And Glitter Nails

I was eleven years old when I purchased my first bottle of nail varnish. Collection 2000 purple glitter. You would presume that was simply a phase that I would have grown out of ...but no I am still purchasing glitter nail polish and painting it over my normally coral coloured nails. For the summer season, I love to stick with coral colours and pinks.

I found this particular bottle of Technic nail varnish on eBay. You can also buy it on Amazon but I haven't noticed it in any shops. It was such a bargain at £2.05 so it would have been rude not to buy!! Painting my nails with a glittery colour really brightens up my day!

The best thing about painting the coat of glitter over the top of your other nail varnish is that it seals in the nail varnish. So it is almost acting like a hardener.

When I do this, my nails don't chip and it can last up to a week. Of course, I generally get bored with the colour and want to change it after two days, but very handy if you don't have time!


I definitely recommend painting your nails in a bright colour to ensure your day is shiny even though the sun may behind dark grey clouds!

Happy Birthday Glossybox

"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Glossybox...Happy Birthday to you"..hip hip hooray...for the amazing first Birthday Glossybox!
















With the hot weather we are encountering across Europe, my hair has become really dry. I end up tying it back and I need to get a treatment to make it silky again. This uniq one is a hair treatment for dry hair...exactly what I need. I am going to try this on Friday before I get my hair cut on Saturday.

I sometimes have breakouts, usually every couple of weeks where I get a couple of spots which just won't go away. I don't have acne but I find the products which say they are for acne work really well. I guess it is just a matter of testing what works well for your skin. I use the Vichy for acne cleanser and it's really good. The clarifying mask which came in this month's box is for acne so I can't wait to use to see the results during a break out.



I don't use false eyelashes, partly because my lashes are long enough and also, for the most part because they are so tricky to put on. Practice makes perfect ...we all know! However, does anyone else get really afraid your fake eyelash will suddenly slide down your cheek and you are left in a very embarrassing moment. I have had a close call before with a Girls Aloud lash. I find the glue part the hardest! Maybe I will give these a try to overcome my fake eyelash applying ineptness.





HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

London Weekend

A visit to London, especially on a warm sunny weekend, feels like a little holiday. Busy tube stations and crowded shops aside it can feel like you are in Spain, Italy or France except Sainbury's, Boots and M&S are plentiful!

After the Blog's Boutique event we hopped on the tube and made our way to Primrose Hill. On the way, Hampstead Heath was recommended to us, but we got a little lost along the way and in fact, were very happy we made it to Primrose Hill.





The houses are gorgeous and there are so many cute shops and supermarkets. One particular shop "Sweet Things" which sold mini cupcakes (as well as original size but I love mini anything!). We of course had to buy a dozen of the mini ice-cream cupcakes! They weren't made from ice-cream but they looked like a cone with a flake sticking out of the top - what is known as a 99!!

Blogs Boutique Event

The Blogs boutique event was held at the Drift Bar, London over the weekend. It was organised by the lovely Shore, Shope and Amy. They did an amazing job of organising it and there were so many new products to test out. The products included Betty Hula, Filthy Gorgeous Nails, Motel, Lauren's way and many more. It was the first blog event I ever attended so I was quite nervous, however, everyone was so lovely and friendly and I definitely can't wait to go to more!

















Bettyhula products smell delicious and they are made with all natural ingredients. You can use the oil as a body moisturiser or on your face. I tried it on my face and it leaves your skin very soft. I am prone to break outs now and again, and as a result suffer from dry patches around my chin and T-zone. So far, Betty Hula oil is helping to soothe the dryness. I am going to test it for a whole week and write a blog post on it to show the results.

Vintage Blue & Turquoise

As you most likely now know, vintage shopping is one of my favourite hobbies. I call it a hobby because I spend so much time doing so. The best thing about vintage is, you can find once off, unique, top quality items (sometimes designer if you are lucky) for something half the price.

I find London have the largest selection of great quality vintage shops, and of course the AMAZING markets, Spittalfields and Portobello Market to name a few. It was around this time last year when I hopped off the tube at Nottinghill and walked down to Portobello Market. Past the beautiful houses you will see the first stalls filled with really old antiques, from pocket watches, furniture and collector items that are similar to what I would have seen on the BBC's Antiques Roadshow as a child! As you walk through, you reach what excites me the most - the clothes!! Blazers painted in funky colours, vintage coats, dresses, handbags, sunglasses!! You could spend hours here but remember to bring plenty of cash if you do want to buy because you won't see an ATM for miles.

I bought the top I am wearing in the above photos in Dublin, in a little vintage shop. Most of the time, I see really beautiful antique jewellery and amazing Grace Kelly dresses (which I would never have anything to wear them to) so I usually just glance over everything. However, on this particular day the sequined covered tops caught my eye.

The bright blue is really hard to find and that is what I love. What you find is yours, and no one else will have!

The necklace is from H&M as I like to combine my vintage with new highstreet items. The watch-bracelet is from Fran & Jane which has barely been off my wrist since I bought it a year ago.

My Morning Routine

I love reading other bloggers skin care routines so I thought it was about time I shared what I use on my skin each morning. I have normal-dry-oily skin (yes very weird combination) so it's really important that I test out loads of different products. I sometimes encounter break outs so to avoid this I try every blemish fighting products...EVER. (I always welcome new suggestions!).

Clean & Clear - Morning Energy



I LOVE this product. I tried the other version, Morning Burst and I equally love the too. Splash this on your face in the morning and you will feel totally revived. It contains vitamin C and ginseng which leaves your skin feeling completely refreshed. After work, I like to use too so I don't think this should be limited to morning time!

My skin is extremely sensitive so a number of products make my skin either tight or feels like a slight burning. However, this product is excellent for sensitive skin and doesn't irritate the skin.

Rub a small amount (the size of a grape) onto your face and use warm water. The warm water will open your pores and fight against any blemishes. I then use a little cold water to close the pores before applying moisturiser.

Even though the colour alludes to an orange scent, there is absolutely no orange scent, which I am happy about. I prefer to not smell like an orange!

Glow Job - Moisture Lotion

I have been using this for a week now. In the morning, I usually run around my room finding clothes while putting my moisturiser on at the same time. This means, I am not looking in a mirror the whole time to see what I am doing. But I figure this is generally fine with moisturiser. However, when I looked in the mirror I noticed little bronze marks across my face. I then read the small print on the package, and there is, in fact, small bronze beads throughout the moisturiser. You just need to rub these in (I would probably recommend looking in the mirror when you apply moisturiser -at least this one!).

It makes your skin look brighter and you do notice the extra glow. I leave this to dry for a couple of minutes before applying my BB cream. (No7 bb cream at the moment)

Butter London: Summery Coral Nails

The other day, whilst browsing around the shops, I came across a nail polish I had never heard of before called Butter. I loved all of the colours and they all have really cool names: Macbeth, Bossy Boots, HRH, Cheeky Chop and my favourite name...Disco Biscuits!! Someone had a lot of fun thinking up all of those names...oh for a job like that! Moving on, when I reached the counter to purchase my new coral polish, the shop assistant said, "Oh what a lovely colour and it's great for your nails!". Afterwards, I knew I had to invest in a little research time into the wonders that Butter London Nail Lacquers can do for you.


MY RESEARCH


"Butter London products contain NO Formaldehyde, NO Toluene, NO DBP." If you are like me you will be saying right at this point...what is Formaldehyde, Toluene and DBP!!!!  Basically, they are all toxic chemicals which could harm your nails over time. If you continuously use nail polish with the "Big 3" (the three toxic chemicals) you can only imagine how much damage that is doing to your nails, and your nails are the first sign of telling how healthy a person is. From what I have read online, most nail polishes don't contain the Big 3 but I researched into what the chemicals actually are.


DBP - Dibutyl Phthalate is an oily liquid added to most nail polishes to prevent it from chipping. It is also used in PVC, adhesives (many everyday glues) printing inks and other sealants used in the construction industry. A small amount is used in nail polish so I am not sure if it is entirely proven this will ruin your nails, however, if you constantly coat your nails, you aren't giving them a chance to breathe so I would use sparingly and not everyday.


Formaldehyde does not exist in nail polish. It is mentioned in marketing statements as one of the "Big 3" however, although it isn't in nail polish it is worth noting this is used in some nail hardening products. 


Toluene (methylbenzene, toluol, phenylmethane) makes the polish easy to apply. It is also used as an industrial solvent for paints, chemicals and rubber. It can be found in acrylic paints, varnishes, glues, paint thinners and shoe polish. 


I am by no means an expert on this, and this is just my own opinion. I definitely think as long as everything is in moderation it is generally ok. As long as you give your nails a chance to breathe every couple of days. Some of the top brands have been Big 3 free for years, but there are others who do use these products. 


Back to Butter....


Colour
The colour I am wearing is called "Macbeth". 


Longevity
I applied two coats on Saturday and it lasted until Tuesday. Not bad for someone who is constantly on a laptop!


Overall Thoughts
Once you apply two coats, the colour is fantastic and it lasts for a couple of days. Personally, I wouldn't like the same colour on my nails for longer than two days. I used it on my toes and it lasts for ages but that is always the case with feet! Even though it is slightly more than I normally pay for nail polish, it is cheaper than spending money on Chanel polish which I find, chips very easily. 

It doesn't contain any REAL or FAKE butter, despite what the name might allude to. (joking of course!)

April Glossybox: Eyeliner And Balms

My April Glossybox arrived a few days ago and I have a feeling living in Ireland means a slight delay..as we are halfway into May. However, I am more than delighted with the variety of products - from Inika eyeliner to serums and balms.

CAUDALIE - Thirst Quenching Serum

I have been meaning to test Caudalie products for a while, however, I have so many other products to go through I just didn't get a chance. I was delighted to open my Glossybox and see this serum. My skin can get quite dry, especially working in a very air conditioned office all day. I constantly test out different moisturisers, and being prone to spots, it's a constant battle to get it right. I really hate moisturisers which sit on the skin and don't dry in quickly. This serum solves that and is super light so you can use it under your makeup and don't have to wait a lifetime for it to dry.

INIKA - Organic Eyeliner

Anything organic, and I will buy it. From organic food to organic products. This is a full size pencil eyeliner in "Sapphire". I generally only use black or dark grey eyeliner however, this colour is almost like a deep navy dark sapphire. I can't wait to test this out. I apply liquid eyeliner to the lid of my eye and use a pencil for underneath.



MONU Professional Skincare - Body Cream

One of the main reasons I love Glossybox is... there are always a couple of products I have never heard of. And when you don't hear of a product you are less likely to notice it in a line of beautifully packaged products in Boots, local drugstores/pharmacies or airports! So each month, I get a beautifully packaged box of surprises with new products I had never heard of...like Monu Body cream! I tested this out last night and one of the main things I look for in a body cream is drying time and greasiness. This cream dries fast and is non-greasy so you don't have to sit around waiting for it to dry!

FIGS & ROUGE - Lip Care



Another product I hadn't heard of..and the day after I tried this I seemed to see it everywhere. Natural and organic is always a plus! This retails at about 5.00 euro so this is definitely a great value Glossybox!!

PHILIP B - Straightening Balm



My hair is quite wavy however, I have found a new use to this straightening balm. After I blowdry my hair I run a tiny pea size amount through my hair with my finger tips. It "eradicates" the frizz (just like it says on the tin) and then I use my curling tongs at the ends of my hair so it's straight and frizz free on top, curly at the bottom.

If I was to compare the March Glossybox to April's, April takes the lead. There are definitely more products that I will use and all of the products are a very generous size.

Overall Score: 9/10

An Injection Of Colour

I am slightly annoyed at myself that I couldn't update my blog on a daily basis. However, during the long weekend I have been gathering plenty of topical blog subjects which I would love to share. I am saving for a holiday so I tried to stay in all weekend. I managed to achieve this aside from a trip to Boots and TK Maxx, in which I only purchased some shampoo! Finding the time with a full time job to continue with my creative roots has proved rather difficult but alas, I finally did this weekend! 

These are only samples but it was more of an experiment with colour. I wanted to create bright coloured paintings for my bedroom. I think three or four identical 8x8 canvas paintings in a row would look really nice. I can't decide which one I wish to duplicate but at the moment my favourite is the last one, the pink, white and yellow lines. 

I hope everyone is enjoying their long bank holiday weekend and I am still going to at least try to post everyday!

Miss Selfridge Spree

My old faithful shops which I either browse in store or online weekly are Zara and Topshop. The others get a glance every so often. However, due to the wonderful blogosphere I am constantly reminded of the great stock in shops like Miss Selfridge, River Island, Warehouse and Oasis. That being said, it definitely doesn't do any favours to my bank balance! Like a kid in a sweet shop..nothing will stop me...

For the past few months I have been in search of a new leather or faux leather jacket (that doesn't look faux and looks expensive - not an easy task) however, as you may already know, I am up for any fashion related challenge.

This faux leather biker jacket from Miss Selfridge is the perfect transition jacket from Spring into Summer. These days, I don't know whether it's Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter! But it is definitely too warm to wear any of my winter coats so I was searching everywhere for a nice light weight jacket.

While I was "just" browsing, I came across a pair of shoes I couldn't really leave behind could I? I think these shoes are just new in and already have a five star review rating. Even though suede can be hard to keep looking well, I am a sucker for suede shoes and probably own more suede shoes and boots than leather! But I just spray them with suede protector before I even set foot outside the house. During the summer months suede is slightly more manageable and you can brush off any dirt with a nail brush. I felt these shoes were too pretty to leave behind so I didn't really think about the longevity of the nude coloured suede too much!

On a separate note, I am really excited about the Bloggers Boutique event on May 26th. It will definitely be a fun day and I really hope to meet so many of you amazing bloggers.