Nails Inc Alexa Cashmere Nail Polish

Nails Inc has a deal where an express manicure is £10 with a purchase of a nail polish. I chose this satin grey lilac from the Alex Chung range for £15. 

This is my favourite neutral colour. There are so many taupe, greys and beiges out there but add a little shimmer, a bit of lilac and it's the perfect nail polish. Relaxed and chic. Sometimes it's grey and other times it's mauve. The polish turns matte with a textured finish but with a top coat the finish will be smooth and shiny. Cashmere can be worn in a few ways. Looks amazing with glitter on top of it-I have to try that next time!

The rectangular silver top bottle looks smarter than the round bottles but the top is purely ornamental. It's not attached to the brush so you have to pull it off and unscrew the bottle. The brush is the thick "pro" type so it's easier to apply the nail polish.

PS. The midi ring is from Forever 21-only £2! 

OPI Gel Nails Sparkly Manicure

I've decided the max I'll pay for a gel manicure is £15. That is whenever a deal hits my inbox from the voucher sites.

That's because my nails so grow fast the gels need to be removed after two weeks. I remove them myself. I could pay someone do it but it takes longer at the salon. Plus I hate it when people file my nails - a weird thing to hate I know.

This is my winter mani-a black green base with holographic glitter on top. The rainbow glitter transforms any colour to amazing! 

Essence Colour & Go 154 Pink & Proud Nail Polish

This is another wonderful nail polish from Essence. It's pink but could pass for lilac and it has a foil shine with a grainy shimmer. The consistency is thick. You could get away with only one coat.

And thanks to it's wide rounded tip brush, application is childs play. It was fast and easy to do this manicure, especially using Seche Vite top coat. This is my go-to mani when I'm in a hurry!

Nails Inc Gel Effect - Porchester Square

I used a half price voucher at Nails Inc for a quick mani. I'm not a fan of getting my nails done anymore because sometimes my nails are'nt properly shaped. Two weeks later they tear because the sides were thinned rather than shaped from the edge. Lazy filing!

I took the opportunity to try the new Gel Effect range and chose this greige. I really like it because it's neutral and chips don't show as easily. 

It's true this nail polish has the gel effect. It's plump and shiny, like vinyl. This is two coats with a top coat. I'm impressed about the staying power and it still looks like shellac. Cracks and the first chip started to show on the fifth day. I think if you're careful, you can make the manicure last a week. 

So if you're having a manicure at Nails Inc, I highly recommend this line of polish. If you buy a bottle from the store, the manicure is only nine or ten pounds extra!

Essence Colour & Go 147 Miss Universe

Love these polishes for the colour range, quality and packaging. I picked this up from Ghent Belgium last weekend for only EUR 1,69! Almost half the price in Switzerland. I would have bought more but was in a rush with the boyfriend waiting outside the store in the cold :(

I love this colour because it's a mysterious teal that does'nt make me look like I have witches nails. Miss Universe has a black base with teal blue shimmer. It's sheer but builds up easily. What you see here is two coats and would look more amazing with a shiny top coat (I took this photo in the bathroom of our hotel!)

Essence Colour & Go - Do You Speak Love 113 and Volumizing Lash Powder

I discovered Essence products years ago when I was in Berlin. The brand is from Germany and their products are good value. When I was visiting a friend in Switzerland, she had one of their nail polishes in the newer packaging and I became obsessed. I love the bottle shape and best of all, it has an extra wide brush!

I made an effort to find essence on my way back to Zurich and luckily they sell it at the Migros at the airport. I bought Do You Speak Love which was a tough decision because all the colours were beautiful. The formula is well pigmented and dries very shiny. Staying power is not great. Mind you I was in a hurry and didn't put on a top coat. Then I had vigorous day of housework and in less than 24 hours, the tips completely flaked off. Still not bad for a cheapie and I'd love to start up a collection of these polishes.

The other Essence product I bought was the volumizing lash powder. It's basically tiny synthetic fibres in a little jar and it comes with a mascara wand. You put on a coat of mascara and while it's still wet, dip the wand lightly on the surface of the fibres and dab onto your lashes. Try to keep your eye closed because the fibres can be irritating. There is alot of fall out. Then apply another coat of mascara and presto! Fuller lashes without the fuss of those gluggy white mascara primers. It gives your mascara a huge boost and can make you look like you're wearing falsies. One pot will last for years and this is so cheap, although other countries sell Essence cheaper. I highly recommend it!

OPI Silver Shatter Nail Polish

This nail polish was a steal, only 99p!

This polish dried matte so a coat of seche vite brought out the contrast. I can't wait to try other colour combinations.

Chanel Le Vernis Nail Polish #453 Magnolia Rose

I bought this polish to see how Chanel polishes faired compared to cheaper brands. There's mainly one thing I like about Chanel polishes and that's their unique timeless colours. And Magnolia Rose is no exception. This colour is very pretty and has a subtle shimmer. You'll need to apply generously as otherwise it will look streaky. 

I'm letting it go on Ebay because it's too similar to this polish already in my collection. 

BYS Colour Changing Nail Polish - Blue

This is my first BYS nail polish from Australia. It's part of their Mood range. 

At first I thought it was ridiculously sheer considering the above is four coats. I was disappointed thinking there's no way to get the colour in the bottle. It dries with a matte finish very quickly. Little did I realise this pretty but deceiving pale blue transforms into the stunning cornflower colour below.  

I love both blues and the silver glitter. It needs a glossy top coat but this nail polish is my favourite for the novelty. Its like an instant new manicure whenever I go outdoors or wash my hands in cold water. The reaction time is quick, sure to impress people when you show them. (Atleast I think so...!)

Check out the graduation of colours. Outside in minute and indoors the next.

Sinful Colors Nail Polish - Apple Mint

This is my first Sinful Colors, picked up from Target. It was on sale for $3.50. 

Apple Mint is no ordinary green/turquoise/mint nail polish. Not only is it a unique hue, it has a soft shimmer. Something I've not seen before. It looks like glistening turquoise in sunlight and Tiffany box blue in incandescent light.

I'm impressed with the quality as it really goes on like a professional formula. A creamy texture that dries in reasonable time. There are three coats pictured here but I think 2 could have been sufficient. 

The colour is little outlandish for the office but I'd certainly wear it again.  

Ulta3 Nail Colour Bouquet

Now that I'm home on holidays it's like the good old days when I was unemployed and blogged about cheap nail polish.

I found this one in the bargain bin at Target for $1.50. I had no idea they sold Ulta3 but it looks like they're getting rid of it now. Same for Sinful Colors as I passed a stand with their nails polishes on sale at half price.

Bouquet is Barbie pink with an electric blue sheen. A blast from the 80s. I think it was a fairly popular colour back then as I'm sure I owned a Cutex like it with the long white tapered lid (remember those???). This colour is  dupe of Urban Decay Trip. 

I'm wearing two coats here and it gives a fantastic pop of colour. The finish is glorious although you have to be patient and let it completely dry to end up with a smooth glossy coat.

BOE Nail Polish, Liquid Eyeliner and Curling Mascara

I'm back in Oz for three weeks! Its great to be home with the sunshine. It's new years day so happy new year to you all!

Today I was wondering around my local area and saw that Big W stock a cosmetics brand called BOE. The makeup is made in China and priced at $2 each. Yep, only $2 so being the cheapskate that I am, I could'nt wait to try out a few of the products.

1) Nail polish in Red Hot. It's a fun bright red with a jelly consistency. It dries fairly quickly and the bottle looks like OPI but that's where the similarities end. I'm wearing two coats in the photo. The nail polish stinks until it's fully dry. It's streaky if you don't apply thick even coats and dries a little matte. No matter considering the cost and it serves more as "toy nail polish" as it chips easily. There were other on-trend colours in stock but I will not buy again.

) Liquid Eyeliner in black noir. Not worth the $2 because the pigmentation is terrible. It has a felt tip applicator and staying power is average. No smudges but it wears off over a few hours. The best cheap liquid eyeliner is Wet n Wild waterproof.

3) Curling Mascara. I only bought this because I read a review that said it actually curls but it did'nt for me. I liked the sleek packaging and the brush. The wand is bent so I found it easier to get to my lashes without clumping. I have curl resistant lashes anyway so there was little chance of this working. It does'nt make your lashes feel stiff but it does'nt lengthen or volumize so I don't recommend this.

Overall I would'nt buy BOE products again.

Cutex Color Quick Nail Polish - Crushed Cranberries

I found this Cutex from Ebay which is a dead ringer for Rimmel's Funky Diva, one of my favorite colours. The only difference is the consistency as Cutex is runnier and takes less time to dry. The bottle says One Coat Formula but I think you really need two to get it completley opaque. Like with most fast dry nail polishes, it has a slight matt finish. It does'nt really matter as I put on top coat. I think it's a good go-to nail polish if in a hurry.

Cutex Huckleberry Nail Polish

As you can seen with the "tide line", this nail polish is thin and it's probably the reason why I went off Cutex many moons ago. I still wonder the real reason why this brand stopped selling polish. The original tapered long white tops brings back many fond memories. As a child they were highly prized even though they were bought from the supermarket.

This color is retro and every time I wear it, I think what an unconventional color it is. Probably it's the only deep blue I can wear without looking like a witch.

80s Tetris Nail Art Wraps Water Sticker Decals

I went to a party where I had to wear something from the 80s so I bought these Tetris water stickers from Ebay. How "rad" are they?

They were a bit fiddly to put on. First I applied the nail polish and allowed it to dry. Then I cut out the blocks (individually as I have small nails) and soaked the pieces in water. They absorb water completely in 30 seconds so it's really easy to take off the paper backing with a tweezers. 

I laid the blocks where I wanted them to go one nail at a time and blotted away excess water with a tissue. The decals stuck really well. When all nails were done, I applied a top coat. And voila, Tetris nails!

Glitter Tips

Revlon Iced Mauve with Color Fever Pink Diamond

Sephora Express Drying Oil

I don't know how this works but by jove, it really works!

I bought this while I was in Paris and thought it was intriguing. An oil that makes nail polish dry faster sounds like a miraculous product. I had to try it.

The bottle comes with a dropper in the lid. The oil is scent less and doubles up as a cuticle oil. Just squeeze a drop down the nail and let it run down to the tip.

Surely after a minute or two, the nail polish feels dry. Like properly dry! I can't believe it. I'll probably paint my nails more often now that it takes less than half the time it used to. And as promised it leaves a smooth shiny finish, more than what the top coat offers alone. I love this product!

Cutex Huckleberry Strong Nail

Denim jeans, corduroys from the 70s, and blueberries. Huckleberry reminds me of these things. This colour is terrifically funky, don't you think?

I suspect this is a "vintage" Cutex because I have'nt seen their nail polishes in shops for almost 10 years now. 

I'm reminded of the same thinnish Cutex consistency from when I was a kid. This is two coats and it could do with another to make it completely opaque. It has a shiny finish and drying time is reasonable. 

Remember buying Cutex nail polishes from the supermarket with the hanging card? I loved their colours and equally enticing colour names. No one makes white stemmed handles and rounded triangular bottles anymore. They need to bring old Cutex back!

Revlon Iced Mauve 151 Nail Polish

Years ago I was infatuated with a Japanese girlfriend's nail polish. It was different to most pinks, elegant rather than girly. The HG. I loved it so much, she gave me the bottle and I used it until it could no longer be revived by thinner. 

Sadly I still can't find a dupe to this day but this is close. The original is dustier and paler. 

Revlon Iced Mauve is an old classic. I bought this from a discount beauty store for 4 AUD. 

The formula is good but it could dry faster. No streaks. One coat is enough for opacity. It takes a few days to start chipping and that's without a top coat. This will be my new staple.

Biotin For Hair & Nail Growth

Pardon the silly outfit. I just wanted to show you the longest my hair has ever been and I think it's because of biotin. I was trying to regrow it after it thinned out due to stress.

However for few years now my hair's been the same length as below. The ends are dry and brittle. I had highlights and those areas are the first to split so regular trims are a must. I miss having longer hair so I'm taking biotin again.

I take a minimum 1000µg or 1mg a day after food. There are super doses of the stuff like 5mg but I think that's excessive. Some people have reported breakouts when they take too much.

I can already notice my nails growing faster and it's only been a week. So in case you're wondering, I think biotin works!

Will post again in a few months time to show results.