Collection Work The Colour Nail Polish

Collection Work The Colour Nail Polish* link

I'll hold my hands up and admit Collection would not be a make up range I would have given a second look were it not for attending an event with them last year. I was blown away by the products I tried which you can read about in this post. Of course every blogger loves the Collection Concealor, including myself but one of my favourite products from their range is the Work The Colour nail polishes.

Each colour is available for £1.99 which is a great price and then when you add in Boots various offers of 3 for 2 of current two for £3 they're one of the cheapest nail products around. But are they any good? In short yes. They're opaque after two coats and depending on your top coat of choice will certainly last a good 2 - 3 days. I appreciate many others say or like their nail polish to last weeks but it's only recently I'm getting long wear out of my nail polish due to my recent top coat addition you can read about here. 

Where I particularly favour this range is for trying trend colours or simply slightly out there ones. I pretty much stick around the pink or red nail colours as my staple but every so often there's a desire or outfit that calls for something a little jazzier and that's where I visit the Collection stand. 

Of course the products I'm showcasing today are the pinks in my stash, Babydoll Pink which I'm thinking of reaching for as Spring approaches, Pink Cadillac and a recent favourite Tropical Pink - I think this would look fantastic with a tan don't you agree. 

Have you tried this affordable nail polish range, what did you make of it?

The Winter Project // Favourite Winter Nail Colour

Without a doubt Rouge Noir by Chanel is one of my favourite nail colours. If I'm in any doubt of what colour to choose for my nails or what will go for a particular outfit I defer to this shade and it regular makes an appearance throughout Autumn and Winter - it's the nail equivalent of the little black dress.

I find this colour looks even better now my nails are in a shorter natural state and as I type this Sunday evening when I usually change my colour for the week ahead I know what bottle of polish I'll be going for tonight.

A deep dark burgundy red it's the ultimate in sophistication to warm you through the colder months. I know Chanel aren't renowned for their lasting colours but I don't care, one night with Rouge Noir is enough for me - are you a fan?

July Pay Day Haul

I'm sure I'm not alone in come pay day having amassed a long list of beauty products that have been down whilst reading blog posts and watching You Tube videos. This month as you can see I had a bit of splurge having added some money to my paypal account from eBay sales.

The Real Techniques Core Collection has been added to my brush stash and the Mac 217 is sure to change my world and aid my ability to perfect the smokey eye. The Shu Umera eyelash curlers have been on my wishlist since watching the Devil Wears Prada. I've always resisted but with a £10 Space NK Ndulge voucher due to expire meaning they were half price it was surely a bargain?

My faithful Liz Earle Eyebright is due to run out so I decided to try two new brands this month, one high end and another drugstore. The Clarin's eye make up remover has been raved about in blog circles so I hope it's a worthy contender and as I was adding the L'Oreal Micellar Solution to my shopping bag I thought why not add their Absolute Make Up Remover too. I find being a contact lense wearer that I need to ensure my eye make up is removed properly - especially since my optician ticked me off for having make up in my eyes on my last visit!

I've been eyeing up the hot pink Hydraluron Moisture Booster every time I walked through the Boots aisles and finally it is mine. I've yet to add it to my skincare routine but when I do I hope it makes the great impression on me that it has on everyone else.

Superdrug were running a too hard to resist 3 for 2 offer on Nail Colours pay day week and since I've been obsessing over the yellow Bourjois for weeks it was the perfect opportunity to try Lychee and Guava from Barry M - yes for someone who said they didn't like the Gelly paints I seem to be amassing quite a collection. Likewise for someone who was rarely wearing any mascara why I felt that I couldn't resist buying the Clinque bottom lash mascara I don't know but into my collection it has gone.

I've recently discovered that I'm something of a lipstick junkie and had been swatching the Rimmel Apocalips almost daily when I'd nip into Boots 'just for a look'. I decided to pick up Apocaliptic a bright fuschia which I wore in this post and Stellar a red orange. So far I've found Stellar easier to work with. Apocaliptic led to my friend constantly telling me to lick the lipstick off my lips. 

A few more blogger faves have now been ticked off the list. Bourjois Bronzing Primer which I'm still a little scared of so it's reserved for days when I have a bit of time to work with it. Another Colour Tattoo from Maybelline this time in Pomegranate which I've seen used with Mac's Cranberry in a number of tutorials I've watched lately - stay tuned to see if I manage to carry of any of those looks. And Teddy eyeliner from Mac.

Finally I jumped on the Bourjois Lip Crayon bandwagon with Red Sunrise and love how easy this is to wear and use - perfect for tube journey application. I haven't used Collection make up since my early teens but I'm joining the fanclub for their concealer, it works like a dream and last but no least saving me from shine in the heat Rimmel's Stay Matte powder is the perfect partner.

So there you have my goodies for the month, let me know what you've been treating yourself too this pay day or what's on next months wishlist?

House of Rush // Elemis Facial & Essie Manicure

(please ignore the dreadful ridges in my nails from my acrylics and let them be a warning to you at the damage they do to your nails!)

Last week I was invited along to the House of Rush flagship store in London's Piccadilly to enjoy an Elemis facial and Essie Manicure and rightly described as a sanctuary of urban indulgence the experience was fabulous from beginning to end.  

I had visited the Piccadilly branch a few months ago when they hosted an event for Beauty Bloggers and PRs but was far too busy networking chatting away and sipping champagne with fellow bloggers Alice and Carissa to sample any treatments on offer so I was glad to be welcomed back. 

On arrival I swept up the stairs to the salon and was led into the beauty suite where the therapist talked me through what I would like from my facial. Following the advice I received from Caroline Hirons at my consultation with her (which you can read about here) I advised I needed a facial concentrating on extraction. 

My treatment began with warm mitts massaged on my feet which instantly put me into a relaxed state and the worries of work disappeared. I was quite apprehensive about having a facial as my last experience wasn't an enjoyable one so I was interested to see how the Elemis one would compare. My last experience felt like someone was simply pawing at my face and I left feeling like my skin was clogged with products and I wanted to give it a good wash - this time it was completely different. 

The therapist applied multiple products yet I didn't feel oily or greasy and they were expertly massaged into my skin. The treatment even went so far to massage my shoulders and head whilst the masks were applied - which was of course Elemis Papaya Enzyme Peel.

It's safe to say that I'm a convert to facials if they're all carried out as expertly as the Rush therapists and using Elemis products. My skin looked amazing and leaving the store make up free wasn't an issue for me as I felt like I was glowing - and that's glowing in a good way not an oily greasy way!

The fun wasn't over as I still had my Essie manicure to follow. I took my seat in the store which was great as I was able to nose at the skilled hairdressers at work. I was most impressed that each hairdressers station has a tote bag hanging from the table so that customers can put their handbags inside safely rather than carrying them back and forth to the wash basins or having them in the way of the stylist whilst they're working their magic, a nice touch I thought, but back to the manicure.

Slightly overwhelmed by the colour choices from Essie available, particularly as this was my first time using an Essie polish I finally decided on the appropriately named First Timer. Well that's not strictly true, I picked Shake Your Money Maker first but it came our quite light and watery so that's where First Timer came in. Testing the colour on your nail for you first was another touch I loved by House of Rush. I have often gone for manicures and had all my nails painted and sat watching them as they were drying absolutely hating the colour but to rushed for time to ask for it all to be changed.

After finishing my glass of ice water (complete with slice of lemon!) and nails touch dry there were no more excuses and it was time to leave the relaxing House of Rush for the busy and very hot streets of London.

The whole experience was fabulous and I will 100% return to House of Rush for more beauty treatments and next on my list is a visit with one of their hair stylists. I'm considering some slight changes to my the old hair do and I have the faith that they can definitely offer me something special.

And for fellow Apprentice fans if you were interested in the services Dr Leah impressed Lord Sugar with, well House of Rush are already there offering Rush Aesthetics Anti-Wrinkle Injections or Fillers and right now the £30 consultation fee is being offered complimentary so now's your chance to investigate - find out more here.

I'd love to hear about your experience of facials and beauty treatments - especially if you've tried the more permanent options! And let me know if you've had your hair styled by House of Rush and who your recommended stylist is.

**I was gifted the facial and manicure for the purposes of this post

Malibutique

Malibutique is a promotional pop up boutique hosted by Malibu Rum bringing together Toni & Guy, Nails Inc and ASOS and following a successful start in Liverpool Malibutique hit London last week and I was invited along to sample the fun and enjoy some Malibu laced cocktails.

The sun was shining on my arrival and I happily accepted the offer of a Malibu laced cocktail, choosing the Mali-Blue and was instantly transported to memories of holidays and pleasantly reminded of how much I enjoy Malibu Rum.

After a unique opportunity to browse through the racks of ASOS something usually only possible online I took my seat for some styling assistance from Toni & Guy. There was a choice of 4 specially created looks and I went for their Go Bold option - unfortunately the wind reached it before I managed to take my snap but it still looked great to me and if only I could create a similar look myself.

Nails Inc were on hand to offer manicures and I was lucky enough to win a bottle of Mali-Woo-Woo a shade created just for the event and before it was time to head home there was an opportunity for a cocktail masterclass.

The good news is that Malbutique still has two further stops on their tour at Birmingham Bullring next week, 25th - 28th July and then Manchester Exchange Square 23rd - 26th August and if you're local to either City do take yourself along with some girlfriends for a fun hour or two.

Barry M Gelly Nail Paint - Pomegranate

Despite not being overwhelmed by the Barry M Gelly paints previously (see post here) I decided to give them another try when after a browse of the counter days later I was still thinking about the colour Pomegranate and thought they deserved a retrial on my natural nails.

Second time around I was much more impressed. The shine is certainly there and I was able to apply just one coat to avoid the thick consistency I didn't enjoy from their last outing. Again it was a challenge painting my own nails, especially in a darker colour than my previous attempt (see post here).

There was one disappointment, the colour. If I'm honest I'm looking for a raspberry shade and whilst I knew this wasn't the colour I have in my head (please tell me I'm not the only person that designs something in their head that may or may not exist!) it did appear pinker in the bottle yet once applied was more red, and don't we know I have no need for any more reds in my collection!

That aside Barry M is back in favour and I think it's highly likely that more paints from their range will find their way into my collection. And if you have any recommendations for the raspberry colour I seek - please send them my way.

Chanel Le Vernis 307 Orange Fizz

My first attempt at a nail paint for I don't know how many years was an old favourite Orange Fizz from Chanel. I can't deny it was quite a challenge to paint my own nails and the finish is certainly different than the skilled hands of a Nails Inc technician or an acrylic base but the colour certainly pleased me. As we all know, it's 'all about orange" for me these days and I hope it wasn't orange overkill to team with my Neon Orange lipstick and Honey Jasmine blush.

Digging this colour from my stash certainly appeased the fact I wasn't swayed into making a purchase from the new Mac range of nail paints and I certainly think this will be a colour that makes a few reappearances this Summer.

Barry M Confetti Nails - Sour Apple

This is a somewhat cheeky review of the Barry M Confetti Nails paint as you will see from the photo it was taken in store at my local branch of Superdrug. Whilst having my nails tended to at Nails Inc a few days earlier (see post here) I spent most of the time admiring their feather nails range with curiousity as to what they were. Waiting for a friend to ironically finish having a manicure a few days later I decided to have a nose next door at what Barry M had to offer and when I spotted this Confetti paint I couldn't resist popping some on my thumb nail. Teamed with Nails Inc Shoreditch it did make me smile and think of it as cupcake sprinkles if not a little too young for me.

Obviously I have no comparison with the Nails Inc feather range but in the bottle they look pretty similar! All I can tell you with any certainty is that this was a pain to remove - thank god I only applied to 2 nails - or maybe that was punishment for my cheekiness!

Nails Inc Dry & Damaged Nails Kit

Having my acrylic tips removed and releasing my natural nails on the world meant I would need to create an arsenal of goods to aid them on their way to full recovery. I was recommended the Nails Inc 'Very Dry and Damaged Nails Treatment Pack' to use at home. The kit contained two Nails Inc Hero products, A&E Base Coat and Albert Bridge Top Coat although I think I need something stronger than their base coat for my weak nails. At the weekend I gave my nails a break from any colour and have been topping up the base coat to see if that gives them an extra helping hand.

My favourite product so far is the Vitamin E cuticle oil pen. It's a nice way to apply the product and something I'm enjoying using.

This kit was £25 for £45 worth of products but I think next time I'd look around for a mix of products that serve the purpose than relying on them all for one brand.

Nails Inc Manicure

Following my appointment with Caroline Herons the next task on my list was to tackle my nails. For as long as I can remember I have been visiting one of 'those' salons, yes the ones with acrylic and drills. I knew the damage they would be causing to my natural nail but I loved how they looked.  That said lately I was finding the monthly infills a chore, I was unable to change my polish as frequently as I'd like because of the need for heavy duty buffing with any growth and I wondered could I achieve a similar look from my natural nails?

I knew that my nails would be severely damaged from the constant use of heavy duty drilling and I knew if I was going to have them removed I would need it done as sensitively as possible. I popped along to my local Nails Inc counter and had a chat with them about what advice they could give me to have the nails removed and a plan in place to try and restore the nails to a healthier state and an appointment was booked.

The nail technician was fantastic at removing the acrylic from nails and I can't deny this process alone was much more pleasant than my usual trip to the salon. There were no drills, no ripping at the nails just gentle buffing between soaks in acetone - there was even a cloth laid across my hands soaking in their bowls to stop the smell!

Once the acrylic was removed it was time for a manicure to restore the nails to the best of their abilities. Unfortunately there is now a ridge in my nails from the constant infills but I'm looking at this positively as a guide to see how the nails grow and will see exactly when they have grown and the new nail appears.

The above picture shows my nails in their natural state... well natural with the addition of a few coats of Shoreditch polish. I was actually pleasantly surprised with the results. It's extremely bizarre going from tips to natural nails, especially as they're so weak. Suddenly I'm wearing rubber gloves, pulling my debit card from my purse is much harder and I'm just generally having to be more careful with my nails. I remember in some long ago days I dabbled with a beauty course and the only thing I remember is the teacher telling us 'nails aren't tools' and I am guilty of having used my nails for all manner of jobs over the years.

As expected the nails didn't last in the photographed state for long. A cupcake extravaganza a couple of days later saw my polish chip and by the weekend many had broke and today as I type they're not in the best state. I did buy a kit from Nails Inc which I'll share with you in a second post but it doesn't appear of helped sustain the length of the nails but I know they were in a sorry state.

All that said I will not give in. It was great to change my polish at whim to my outfits and I actually prefer their shorter appearance than I did the tips especially as I have more control over them.

If you have any tips or product recommendations for weak nails do share - I need all the help I can get!

Barry M Jelly Nails Review

Barry M nails in Papaya and Greenberry

At the weekend I popped into my local Superdrug and thought I'd dip my toes into the Barry M Gelly nail paint world. I hot footed it straight to my nail salon for a repaint. With the sun shining my nails needed something more fun than their usual red and I went "crazy" with a mix matched colour scheme. Even my manicurist was surprised and said "new colour" when I pulled them from my bag.

For the weekend I throughly enjoyed the bright colours of Papaya and Greenberry and my friend spent most of Sunday claiming she was jealous of them but sadly they weren't as well received in the office Monday morning with many people asking "what have you done with your nails"! And I can't deny I didn't feel my usual self without my uniform red.

These paints are very popular in the beauty blogger world and whilst they could happily have their place for my toes, weekends and Summer holidays I'm not entirely sure these colours are for professionally. The high shine is definitely there but I do feel like they're very thick and I am reminded of painting my nails with tippex at school. They take longer to dry than other colours I've used and I am left with some smudges which is unusual for me but that could be down to my impatience!

Please note that my nails are acrylic tips.

Barry M nails in Papaya, Greenberry and Prickly Pear

Superdrug had a 2 for 3 offer so I also have a lilac shade to try next and I think this one will be more subtle and I'll stick to one colour on all nails.

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour - 508 Pirate

In the past I have had a slight nail polish addiction. Specifically in the case of Chanel nail polishes. I even had my mum tracking a specific colour I needed to a chemists in Ibiza Town on one occasion as it was sold out in the UK but more recently I have been sticking to a classic red. Often I'd buy the latest colour Chanel offered, head to the nail shop (something I see as a chore rather than pleasant experience) and spend the next 24 hours wanting to reach for the remover as I'd hate the colour - the experience was traumatic to say the least.

Pirate is a classic from the Chanel range of colours and is a brilliant true red and perfect if you opt for red rather than pastels at this time of year. I actually purchased this colour when I was dressing as a pirate for a fancy dress party - how's that for committing to the theme.

I wear a lot of black clothing, particularly for work so the addition of red nails adds a little something - my own Louboutin-esq touch if you like. I did amuse myself the other evening prior to visiting the salon for my latest nail appointment as I sat struggling to choose from the numerous nail polishes in my collection, all varying shades of red but you understand don't you, theres not just red there's orange red or pink red or dark red - these are difficult decisions!

So tell me, do you wear a signature shade or are you a colour floozy?

Chanel Nail Polish - 307 Orange Fizz

The warm weather called for my nails to be repainted in Orange Fizz by Chanel

It's a lovely colour and I'm waiting for the release of Mimosa a yellow shade which I think will be perfect for Summer - I'm a complete Chanel nail polish junkie and can never resist picking one up whenever I'm shopping!