Nails Inc St Johns Wood Gardens £14

Whilst browsing one my favourite sites for a new nail polish last week I stumbled across the prettiest shade which left me having to resist the urge to look at my nails every ten minutes. St Johns Wood Gardens is the loveliest peachy pink shade that looks just perfect against a tan. 

Although I own more Nails Inc polishes than I care to admit this is my first from their NailKale range and I have to say that despite all of the nail loving ingredients (Zinc, Calcium and Kale to strengthen and protect) the formula isn't any less impressive than their regular polishes. For complete opaqueness I applied 3 thin coats and finished with Seche Vite Quick Dry, my surefire way to guarantee no chips all week. One thing that never fails to impress me is the brushes Nails Inc use for their polishes, the perfect size and shape to ensure a neat finish and even coverage.

I really love this shade, it's the perfect transitional spring to summer shade which I promise you won't be able to stop looking at!

Nails Inc The New White | Whitehall Review

Nails Inc Whitehall | rrp £14

When Nails Inc released their 'New White Collection' I hurriedly bought three of the four shades, this being one of them. The New White Collection is described as 'an innovative collection of white based polishes. Enriched with Porcelain Flower extract - a rare flower from Thailand with recognised healing, therapeutic, illuminating and calming properties the range will help improve nail strength and health'. Whitehall is described as a white with a hint of peach to it, being obsessed with everything peach I couldn't wait to get it on my nails.

The formula of this polish is a bit of a nightmare, it's not overly watery but it did take me four coats to reach complete opacity, not a polish for a quick mani. Is this polish peach? Every person I asked said it looks pale pink and I think I'd have to agree. This shade is very similar to Barry M's Gelly Polish 'Rose Hip'.

Overall a bit of a disappointment colour and application wise. Such a shame as I really love the other two (White Horse Street - a pale lilac/grey and Swan Street - a pale mint).

Barry M Speedy Quick Dry | Pit Stop Review

Barry M Speedy Quick Dry Polish | Pit Stop | RRP £3.99

When Barry M released their new pastel quick dry shades I told myself I didn't need them. I probably have at least ten variations of the newly released shades but when browsing the Barry M stand in my local boots I didn't retain the control I had displayed at home. I picked up 4 shades in total, being pale skinned and quite stuck in my style rut shades of oranges and lilac's just aren't for me. 

The first thing that impressed me about their new range is the brush, Barry M have given us a flat brush that almost covers the nail in just one swipe. The claim of being a quick dry polish didn't really draw me to them, I use Seche Vite Quick Dry Topcoat over every mani so the speed of drying isn't really an issue for me. I found three thin coats worked best and the finish is a milky pastel grey with just the right amount of shine.

After all of the vampy shades and glitter polishes I wore over the winter I am really embracing neutral shades at the moment. I will post some reviews of the other 3 polishes I bought for the new range soon, I recently had a Nails Inc binge so I'm unto my eyeballs in nail polish at the moment!

Nails Inc & Victoria Beckham Collaboration - Bamboo White

A bit of a latecomer to the party I know but admittedly I did tell myself for ages that I do not need a nail polish that retails for £25, but how wrong was I! 

Out of the two polishes featured in the VB and Nails Inc collaboration Bamboo White most appealed to me as I already have 5 or 6 tomato red's and who doesn't love a classic nude? So what's so special about this polish to retail for £25? Everything. The bootle oozes sophistication, customised by VB herself and made from hand frosted Venetian glass with a viewing window on the side to see your chosen shade. This polish, like all of Nails Inc's new lines, is a very generous 14ml bottle and the square lid pops off to reveal a more manageable screw in bottle top.

The formula contains bamboo extract to help build healthy nails and ensure a smooth application. I like to paint my nails with quite thin layers so I found I needed 3 coats for complete opacity. What I love about this colour is it varies in different lights, I would best describe it as a beige-pale pink. The polish wears so well, I have had this shade on for 6 days now and there's not a chip in sight, still as glossy as the day applied.

Do you own any of the VB and Nails Inc collaboration polishes? Could you part with £25 for a nail polish?

White Horse Street - from Nails Inc 'The New White' Collection

Nails Inc have delivered some seriously gorgeous new arrivals recently and White Horse Street rrp £14 is definitely one of those. The New White is described as an innovative collection of four white-based polishes with a hint of colour. Enriched with Porcelain Flower Extract - a rare white flower from Thailand with recognised healing, therapeutic, illuminating and calming properties, the range will help strengthen and improve nail health.

Of the four new shades my first choice was White Horse Street, a soft smokey grey. As with all of Nails Inc new ranges you get a very generous 14ml of product all housed in a seriously sleek square glass bottle. What I love about this shade is that in some lights it looks a pale grey and in other lights it looks more lilac...It's just perfect!

Topshop Nails Arabesque

I've had this polish in my arsenal for a couple of months now and really should have done a post on it before as it is simply the perfect nude shade for me! Arabesque is simply described as a 'Creamy Nude' on Topshop's website, I was a little apprehensive when ordering it online as I've never tried Topshop's nail polishes before, however now I find myself removing when my nails are looking a little tatty and re-applying straight away!

This nude polish is the most complimentary to my (NC15) skin tone that I have found to date. So, there are many pro's to this polish, (the colour, the cute bottle and the longevity-5 days without a chip!) but there is one con...the formula. The formula is great in the respect that I have not had a single chip, it grows out before before it chips but I needed FOUR, yes four coats for complete opacity. Not really an issue as I use Seche Dry Fast Topcoat which means my nails are dry super quick but for people without it may be an issue.

Despite the one niggle I love this polish and am really excited to try some more from Topshop!

Autumn Beauty Picks

I love this time of the year, ditching the fake tan and opting for more full coverage make-up is where I'm most at home. Here's a few of my favourite beauty products so far this autumn...

Clinique's Black Honey on lips
Topshop Dream Phone on cheeks

My favourite lip and blusher combo lately has been Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey rrp £17.50 and  Topshop Powder Blush in Dream Phone rrp £7. These two berry shades compliment each other perfectly and really warm up my complexion now I've stepped away from the fake tan. 

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Grand Cru

Another lip product I've been sporting is from my favourite drugstore brand, Bourjois. I have all but one of their Rouge edition Velvet Lipstick's rrp £8.99 and Grand Cru is one of my favourites. Described as a dark burgundy you can either apply one coat for a dark red (as seen above) or another coat for a deep burgundy red.

Essie Sole Mate

My favourite autumnal nail polish shade is Essie Sole Mate rrp £7.99. This gorgeous deep plum colour has a glossy finish and really gives your nails a polished look. I will be sporting this colour pretty much all autumn/winter!

Topshop Inhibition Lipstick

Last but certainly not least is Topshop's Inhibition lipstick rrp £8. Described as a deep plum colour I would say this leans slightly more on the purple side, but is a gorgeous matte shade none the less. I adore Topshop's make-up range, I'm yet to find a disappointing product.

My Favourite Autumnal Nail Shade - Essie Sole Mate

As much as I love breaking out the pastels and brights in Spring and Summer, I love breaking out the neutrals and dark shades for Autumn and Winter even more. My favourite nail colour at the moment is the deep, rich plum shade that is Essie Sole Mate.

I love the jelly finish of this polish, it really does look neat and classy. I find two coats are needed for opacity, which is no surprise with a shade like this and always wear a base coat as it will stain otherwise! I get a good 5 days wear before any chips or sign of wear appear. This is definitely a shade I will be wearing all Autumn/Winter!

August's Beauty Favourites

With August coming and going in a flash and September now upon us, reviewing my favourite beauty products from last month makes me kind of feel like I'm mourning the summer! I discovered some fantastic products throughout August and I'm going to be clinging to those summery buys until those early nights start drawing in. So here's my best buys of August, the products I've been reaching for everyday...

Body Shop Honey Bronzer

This amazing bronzer was also in my July beauty favourites, I did a post a few weeks ago with some swatches if you fancy checking it out for yourself. I've literally worn this bronzer everyday since I bought it, the shade (shade 2) is perfect for my fair (NC15) complexion and just gives you a totally natural, sun kissed look. 

N4 Super Comb Prep & protect

I discovered this gorgeous smelling leave-in conditioner in August's Birchbox. I did a post a few weeks ago about that box and the contents and this was my star product. Not only does it smell amazing but it leaves your hair so soft and more manageable. I loved this sample so much I went on to buy the full-size product and I must admit I now couldn't be without it in my routine.

Bourjois Cream Blush (R) Pink Sunwear

When Bourjois released their Summer 2014 products including these gorgeous cream blushers the blogisphere went nuts! Pink Sunwear was another product that featured in my July beauty picks. This subtle shade gives you a gorgeous glow and completely compliments my bronzer. I'll be sad to see this go in a drawer until next summer!

Essie Sand Tropez

One polish I've been taking off and reapplying straight away is Essie's Sand Tropez. This shade is the perfect greige that I will be wearing well into the Autumn/Winter. As with all of Essie's polishes that I've tried its fantastic coverage and I get around 3 days of wear before any chips appear.

Clarins Radiance-Plus Glow Booster

I did a post on this gradual tan a couple of weeks ago and I still feel now how I did then. This amazing gradual tan allows you do totally tailor your tan by controlling how many drops of serum you use a day mixed in with your regular daytime/nighttime moisturiser. This is one skincare product I will be rocking all year round.

Bobbi Brown Blush In Pastel Peach

I let out a little shriek inside when I saw Bobbi Brown had released new shades of their cult blusher. I hastily purchased two of the shades (post coming soon on those) one of them being Pastel Peach. This gorgeous shade looks great on cheeks for a little pop of colour. This is another shade I will be sporting for as long as the sun stays.

Lush Cosmetic Warrior Face Mask

This face mask is the best spot fighting mask I have tried in a long while. Anyone that reads my blog regularly will know that I suffer from horrible hormonal break-outs from time to time and this mask calms angry skin down and clears up break-outs. This is one mask I will be repurchasing now I've run out.

As much as I will miss the summer and will relish in those last few sunny days we have left, I am really looking forward to Autumn/Winter as there are some great products lined up for release and I can't wait to be sporting my favourite vampy lip and nail colours.

August's You Beauty Discovery Box

A bit of a late post, August's edition of You Beauty Discovery has been sat on my dresser waiting for me to riffle through since last Friday. This month's product selection was themed 'Summer Essentials' and the short list included back-to-basics products perfect for the summer months, including products like Eucerin sunscreen and a Marsk eyeshadow. Here's my product selection...

My first choice product was a nude polish by Peggy Sage. I've never tried any products from this brand, in fact I'd never heard of it until this month's shortlist came up so I'm interested to try the product. There was a choice of either a nude polish or or a brighter 'summer collection'  I chose the nude as I have plenty of brights and a nude never goes out of fashion!

Mys second product selection was Lousie Galvin Sacred Locks Treatment Masque as I'm always a sucker for haircare products. This product is said to contain a naturally modified form of honey (what ever that may be!) combined with wheat protein and natural conditioning agents to immediately hydrate hair. I'm loving the sound of this masque and I'm looking forward to putting it to the test and seeing the results!

Also included with this month's box was a sample of Jimmy Choo and Jimmy Choo man (much appreciated by the hubby!) and a handy little nail file/buffing block. 

If you fancy trying out the excellent value You Beauty Discovery box for only £6.95 inc p&p I couldn't recommend it enough. Not is there something for everyone on each month's product shortlist but it's excellent value for money with the brands and sample sizes that are included.

July Beauty Favourites

With July going by in an absolute flash I bring a round up of my favourite beauty buys and there were some fantastic ones! The great thing about summer is lighter make-up, halving the time we take in the morning to get ready by using just a few products to enhance that tan we've gained. Let's take a look at the products I've been reaching for most frequently in July...

Cosmetic Warrior 

Lush Cosmetic Warrior has been my favourite face mask of July. Anyone that reads my blog knows I suffer from bad skin (thanks to PCOS) so I have to keep on top of my skincare routine and Cosmetic Warrior has made a vast improvement to my skin over the few weeks I have been using it. This cooling mask is designed to deep-cleanse spot-prone skin, soothing redness and help banish break-outs. Best kept in the fridge, you can get around 6 uses from one 75g tub, it must be used within 3 weeks so this gives you a generous amount for a mask twice weekly.

Peach Club

One of my favourite lip colours of last month was from the Rouge Edition Velvet line by Bourjois in the shade Peach Club. This is the best matte lip product I've tried. Peach Club is a very wearable peachy-coral colour that looks gorgeous applied with your finger for a softer finish or applied with the wand for a bolder colour pay-off. This feathery-light matte lipstick doesn't dry lips at all and is completely transfer resistant giving you at least 8 hours without the need for re-application. With the hot weather we were having last month I found myself reaching more and more for this gorgeous lip colour and it just lasts and lasts and as I was confident I wouldn't need to reapply it saved space in my bag by not carrying a million lip products!

Miss Manga Mascara

I received Loreal's Miss Manga Mascara  in July's You Beauty box and I've been using it pretty much every day. Not only does this mascara actually give lashes volume it also has incredible staying power and I find very little transference in this hot and humid weather. Initially when I pulled the wand from the tube I thought it would leave my lashes quite clumpy as the brush holds a lot of the product but the end result is quite the opposite, lashes are longer and thicker and there is no brittleness of the formula.

Barry M Gelly Coconut

I absolutely love Barry M's Gelly range and I'm already on my second bottle of the shade Coconut. Coconut is the perfect creamy off-white shade that I have been pretty much wearing throughout the whole of July. The opacity isn't that great, I find I need 3 coats for a perfect finish but this hasn't deterred me from wearing as like the other shades from their range it is long wearing and has a perfect gel like finish.

Bourjois Pink Sunwear

Since getting my hands on the new shades of cream blushers from Bourjois Pink Sunwear has been a blusher I have reached for on a daily basis. This gorgeous shade is a tan cream blusher with pink undertones and the fine gold shimmer it contains leaves you with a healthy glow to your cheeks. Like all other cream blushers from Bourjois this blush blends like a dream thanks to its gel like constituency and is extremely long wearing.

Body Shop Honey Bronzer

I did a post about this absolutely perfect little bronzer a couple of days ago. I've been wearing shade 2 every day since I bought it, it's a completely matte bronzer with yellow undertones which is perfect for my fair (NC15) skin, leaving me with a natural glow and no muddiness or obvious orange tones. Not only is the shade perfect for my fair skin but the formula itself is silky and extremely blend able.

A great month for new beauty discoveries, I have found some fantastic products that will be residing in my daily routine throughout the summer.

July Birchbox Review

On Saturday I received July's sun, sea & sand themed Birchbox. I was quite impressed with the speed of despatch and delivery this month (I had a right fiasco last month which meant I didn't receive my box until the end of the month!) so let's take a look at what I received in my box...

Laqa & Co Lip Lube

I'm a big lover of lip products, especially the chubby lip pencil style ones. I received Laqa & Co's Lip Lube in the shade Menatour, a sheer purple colour. There were two shades up for grabs (Bees Knees a coral shade) and if I could have picked then this shade would have been my choice. I found Menatour to be a very flattering fuchsia purple and it does leave your lips very hydrated...this has got to be my favourite product in the box.

Whish Three Wishes Body Butter

Yawn...another body product! Don't get me wrong, the opportunity to try a new body product every now and then is great, I do however seem to receive some form of body butter, lotion or milk EVERY month. I will admit I've not tried this out yet, it's been chucked in a drawer to try on a rainy day as Lavender is not one of my favourite scents. Whish Three Whishes Body Butter claims to be a non-greasy containing organic Aloe, Shea Butter and Raspberry butter to combat dryness and organic Seaweed extract to aid firmness of skin.

Models Own Fireworks Polish

This shade of Models Own polish (Rocket) was a bit of a random choice for a summer themed box in my opinion. Glitter polishes aren't usually my thing, but a red glitter polish in July?? I'm a massive fan of Models Own products but this one will have to go away until the festive season!

Benefit POREfessional Primer

Benefit's POREfessional is the UK's no.1 best selling primer and I'm probably going to get booed for saying this but I really don't rate it. I don't have massive pores but I do have a small amount of noticeable ones on my cheeks and this did absolutely nothing to disguise them and it left my face looking oily after a few hours. Admittedly the last time I tried this primer was a couple of years ago so I should probably give it a another shot before totally brushing it off, but this was not a product I was too enthralled at seeing in my box.

Balance Me Eye cream

Another meh product (in my eyes) is Balance Me Wonder Eye Cream. The only reason I say this is I am more than happy with my current eye cream so I'm not really looking to sample anything else, I could be wrong...this could be the holy grail of eye products! This three-in-one multi-tasking softens, smooths and brightens thanks to a unique blend of chamomile, lemon, cucumber oil, which-hazel, rose hip oil and carrot oil. Rich and easily absorbed its reputed to be perfect for the summer.

As a little lifestyle extra there was a nail buffer, which is a pretty handy thing to keep in your bag or your desk drawer at work.

I must say this was probably the worse box I've received from Birchbox so far. The majority of products on this month's shortlist have been around for a while and didn't really excite me to receive. I'm sure I'll absolutely love next month's box, it's just the gamble you have to take with beauty box subscriptions.

Jodie

xoxo 

June's Birchbox Review

A bit of a late review of Birchbox this month due to the fact that for some unbeknown reason I only received my box on Saturday (after 2 weeks of emailing them seeing what the hell was going on). Anyways, this month's birch box was a Brazil theme in celebration of (I'm sure you're aware unless you've been locked in a bunker!) the World Cup kicking off this month. Lets take a look at what I received in my box...

Beauty Blender 

I was very happy to see that my box contained the Beauty Blender that everyone was desperate to get their hands on! I've been using it everyday since I received it and I can honestly say I'm converted from my my regular foundation brush (Real Techniques Expert Face Brush)! Used properly it does give a beautifully even finish, not streaks or uneven patches, just skin-looking...only better! The only thing I do find is that if you don't squeeze the excess water out properly it can drink up your foundation. I also love the fact that it came with the cleanser to clean it after every use.

Caudalie Vinoperfect 

Another product that was gratefully received was Caudalie's Vinoperfect Day Fluid. I think most subscribers were hoping to get their hands on one product by this luxurious French brands this month. Vinoperfect Day fluid promises to smooth lines, minimise pores and reduce dark spots. I'm looking forward to giving this day cream a go on one of my Trial-Sized Tuesdays.

Naobay Body Radiance Lotion

This fresh lemon fragranced lotion by Naobay was another welcome product in my Birchbox. I have a real affinity for moisturizers, especially those that promise to promote radiance and hydration. This light lotion is infused with ingredients such as avocado oil and shea butter.

O.P.I Brazil Collection

I was quite excited to see O.P.I featured in this month's box as I saw some gorgeous colors featured in some boxes. I however received You're So Flippy Floppy, a bright shimmery yellow...not my colour at all I'm afraid so I wont be testing this product out.

 

Silk + Honey Shea Butter Hair Mask

I am a bit of a sucker for hair treatments and was glad to see this in my box. I did try Silk + Honey on my hair on Saturday night and I must say it left my hair rather soft. Initially when I opened the tub for a smell I was not impressed, I was expecting the mask to smell primarily of Shea Butter, I would however compare the scent to Nivea Moisturizer. Despite the smell it was a pleasant little mask to use and it left my hair soft and shiny.

 

As a little 'lifestyle extra' there was a small flip-flop keyring in the Brazilian colors.

I have mixed emotions about this month's box, I think I would have been more excited about it if I received it when every body else had received there's and not 2 weeks later. Contents wise not a bad box, service wise however not so good.

Jodie

xoxo

June Beauty Favourites

I think we'll all be in agreement when I say June absolutely flew by! June has been the best month so far this year weather-wise to get our pins out and start donning some beauty products more on the bright side. Along with some bright and beautiful purchases I have also discovered a couple of items to help maintain my make-up in this hot (and at times humid) weather. Here's my June beauty favourites...

Barry M Gelly Coconut £3.99 rrp

One nail shade that I just couldn't stop wearing in June was Barry M Gelly  in Coconut. Most of the month I have literally been removing when chipped (which is a good 5 days) and reapplying! Although I find you need 3 coats for a completely even finish it has not put me off wearing at all. Like all other Barry M Gelly polishes this one has a lovely gel effect finish and is incredibly durable. Coconut is the perfect creamy off-white, great on it's own or a fab base for nail art.

Urban Decay Setting Spray from £9 rrp 

Now the weather is warming up my oily skin is struggling on it's own to retain that freshly made-up look past lunch time. I have tried a couple of make-up setting sprays and so far Urban Decay's  All Nighter setting spray has come up trumps for aiding longevity of make-up. I apply 3-4 squirts over make-up first thing in the morning and it keeps my face in place well into the evening. At first I wasn't sure on this setting spray as I had been comparing it to MAC's Fix-it spray but the two give totally different effects to your make-up. Whilst MAC Fix-it will be my favourite for giving a dewy finish to foundation, Urban Decay's All Nighter is perfect for these summer months.

Eyeko Skinny Liquid Liner £12 rrp

My go-to daytime look will usually be a glowy base, bold lip and the classic cat-eye. The most durable eyeliner I have ever used has got to be Illamasqua's Eye Liner Cake & Sealing Gel however in this sunny weather I don't have time to spend 20 minutes applying eye liner with a brush, queue Eyeko's Skinny Liquid Liner. This liquid liner has the perfect sized and shaped tip for doing those classic cat-eye flicks. The formula is long-lasting and glossy and is perfect for a controlled quick flick of eye liner. I've been using my current one for a little over a month and it shows no sign of drying up or running out.

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick £15 rrp

One of my favourite lip product purchases last month was Urban Decay's Revolution Lipstick  in the shade Streak. The formula of these lipsticks is truly a treat for the lips. Streak is a gorgeous coral toned pink with an ever so slight hint of shimmer, this colour really warms up your complexion. Unlike most moisturising lipsticks the pigmentation is fantastic and it wears for a good 3-4 hours without the need of touch-ups.

Last but certainly not least in my favourite June beauty buys is Revlon's ColorBurst Matte Balm  in Showy. I adore Revlon's Balm range, I own pretty much all of the range and the matte finish ones have to be my favourite. Unlike most matte lip products these are totally non-drying on the lips and the colour lasts for hours. Showy is a bright fuchsia shade...totally perfect for a pop of colour on these sunny days.

Jodie

xoxo