OPI Lucky Lucky Lavender

It's the last day of April! May tomorrow, really getting towards Summer now:)


This is a special polish to me as it is one of the first OPI’s that I ever purchased.

It is a beautiful pink toned purple that was released with the Hong Kong collection of Spring 2010.

Lucky Lucky Lavender is also the very first polish I ever took photos off, all the way back on the 14 November 2010, before I had even started the blog! I hadn’t even thought of starting a blog, I just decided to start creating a photo library of all my polishes.

When I was wearing Lucky Lucky Lavender recently, I decided to take some fresh photos, just to be able to compare them!

Before:

After:

Although I feel I’ve a while to go before I’m fully happy with how I take pictures of my nails I think there is a huge difference between then and now! And one thing's for sure - the colour is still awesome!

OPI Gargantuan Green Grape

OPI's Gargantuan Green Grape is a fabulous bright green. It's a strange kind of colour to describe as I don't see it as a mint shade. It is pale yet vibrant. 

Whilst it didn't seem sheer to apply, you can still see some nail line after 2 coats. I think I may wear this over white next to see if that results in a cleaner finish.

Still, Gargantuan Green Grape is a perfect colour to wear this time of year.

Some New Stuff From Boots!

I've been lurking in my local Boots for the past few weeks waiting for them to stock the new Revlon and Maybelline items. I was  getting angsty as I saw on Twitter that all the Dublin and larger stores seemed to have them all in stock already. Oh, the joys of country living!

Eventually, I went in last Thursday evening and there they were, the Revlon Lipbutters and Maybelline Colour Tattoo eyeshadows. And as a bonus, there was new shades in the Revlon Colourburst lipgloss range! Delighted.

I was relatively restrained with my purchases but I know I'll be picking up some more soon.

Colour Tattoo Eyeshadow in On and On Bronze, Lipgloss in Bellini, Lipbutters in Candy Apple and Cotton Candy.

Swatches - On and On Bronze, Bellini, Cotton Candy and Candy Apple.

Have you picked up any of the new items yet?

MAC Indianwood PaintPot E.O.T.D.

I was rushing out of the house one day and wanting to do a very quick eye look with minimal effort I ended up with this! Colourwise all it is, is one paint pot blended out with one eyeshadow. Very simple.

To get this look I:

• Applied Mac Paintpot in Indianwood all over lid and up past the crease. 
• I blended it out with a teeny bit of Mac Mythology.
• I used Urban Decay's 24/7 eyeliner in Zero to line the upper and lower lash lines.
• Maybelline Falsies mascara was applied to the lashes.

Catrice Sweets For My Sweet

Catrice's Sweets For My Sweet is a light, blue-toned pink with shimmer running throughout it.

These are old photos from about a year ago that I came across but I love the bright pink accent nail I did at the time. I haven't done an accent nail in the longest time!

The accent pink nail was done with OPI's Wing It! I believe.

My nails look hilariously uneven in these pictures lol!

Review: Bio-Oil

I feel that Bio-Oil is the one product that I've heard the most recommendations for use on scars and stretch marks.

What is it? "The Bio-Oil formulation combines some of the most important skincare ingredients, these include vitamin A and E with Calendula, Lavender, Rosemary and Chamomile oils, plus unique to Bio-Oil, a revolutionary ingredient, PurCellin Oil™, to ensure they are easily-absorbed deep into the second main layer of the skin where they can provide targeted treatment.  PurCellin Oil™ is a breakthrough ingredient, which dramatically lowers the viscosity (stickiness and density) of the formulation to create a “dry” oil which is non-greasy."  (You can read even more here.)
One great thing that I have found about Bio-Oil is that it really is non-greasy like it claims to be. I hate the way some face oils make you feel slathered in oil and practically slimy! This definitely has a nice feel to it. Another plus is the soothing and gentle scent it has, which, I presume stems from the oils in the ingredients like Lavender, Chamomile and Rosemary. 

What else can it do? Bio-Oil can be used to improve scars, stretch marks, uneven skin tone, aging skin and dehydrated skin.


How did it work: I first used Bio-Oil years ago when it first came out and was hailed as a wonder product for stretch marks. At the time I had stretch marks that most teenagers seem to get after going through a growth-spurt. I used Bio-Oil on those stretch marks and it really seemed to help reduce them, although they were probably starting to naturally fade as well.


More recently, I have being using Bio-Oil for dry skin on my face, in particular my cheeks. I feel that this is one of the uses of Bio-Oil that people often overlook, instead solely associating it for use with stretch marks/scars. 


I like to apply it just before I go to sleep, after giving my moisturiser sufficient time to soak in. I have found that by doing this my skin has become way softer and much less flaky.
As most of you know, I have been trying to achieve my ultimate skin care regime to get my skin in order and I feel that the Bio-Oil has definitely made a difference. Not only has it reduced the dryness of my skin, it has also helped to reduce the redness of the old acne scars.


Price: It retails for €11.68 for the small bottle in Boots.


Availability: Boots, most pharmacies nationwide.


I was sent a bottle of Bio-Oil by their PR company.

French Polka Dot Mani

I love this twist of a French Manicure! I can't lay claim to it unfortunately, I came across it randomly a few weeks back and decided to give it a go.

Basically instead of doing a white stripe at the tip of your nail, you do white polka dots instead! So easy and quick to do.

I'm not a big matte fan but I really think it helped to finish this look. I mattifed it before I took the photos so I don't have any before photos to show you but it really looks so different and so much better when it's matte!

What I used: 

Essie Topless and Barefoot, OPI Alpine Snow and Essence Matte Top Coat.

China Glaze For Audrey

For Audrey was one of the must-haves nail polishes a couple of years back when it was released.

I believe it came around the time of all the minty coloured polishes but as I wasn’t a polish fanatic then, I’m not 100% sure.

For Audrey was created to be the same shade as the duck-egg blue colour associated with Tiffany’s. This alone obviously means it is not a true mint green although you can see where it leans towards it.

It seriously is a beautiful colour and the formula caused me no hassle.

If only I had a few Tiffany rocks to wear with it! Lol!

Some Blush/Highlighter Hybrids

When I was gathering my highlighters for this post, I realised I have a number of products that are too blush toned to be considered true highlighters, yet have enough of a sheen to be much more than a blush. 

L-R MAC MSF in Redhead, NARS Illuminator in Orgasm and Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Pink Quartz.

This is what I call my hybrids. Sometimes I use them over a blush to give that extra oomph and other times I just use them alone to give a slight colour but to also highlight. They can be a quick go-to product.

L-R Redhead, Orgasm, Pink Quartz

MAC MSF in Redhead: This was a MSF that I heard a lot about and when it was re-released with the Naturally collection this year I made sure to pick it up. Made up of a trio of shades, it creates a soft, bronzed toned red with a strong sheen.

NARS Illuminator in Orgasm: This is my only liquid highlighter. It is quite golden toned and has a satiny finish.

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Pink Quartz: Probably the most pigmented hybrid. There is a lot of browns in it but a light sweep will create a glowing effect.

Do you have any of these types of hybrids? Any further recommendations? 

Revlon Whimsical

Squeeeeeeeeee! I love love love this! I was so excited to get this. It is of course Revlon's Whimsical.

It's pink and blue glitter particles suspended in a dusty, sparkly, baby blue jelly. Phew!  

It is a bit on the sheer side, so I layered 2 coats of this over one coat of China Glazes Sea Spray.

I think that it is a  kind of subtle sparkly nail polish but it definitely makes you look twice at it! 

It's so pretty in the bottle.

I hope this is released here soon, like Facets of Fuchsia was. I was given this by a friend in the States but I don't see why it shouldn't arrive in stores here soon.

Essie A Crewed Interest

It's no secret that I love peach nail varnishes and when I spied A Crewed Interest as part of Essie's S/S 2012 collection, I knew I'd be introducing a new peachy shade to my collection.

It's a delicate peach shade and applies very smoothly (lets ignore the big smoosh mark I made on my middle finger).

It's so pretty!

MAC Trip - Cool Eyes Palette

L-R  Prismique, Springtime Skipper, Waternymph, Knight Divine and Flashtrack

Another palette from my forgotten palettes post. This one I bought in the Summer of 2009 in America. It was one of my first MAC purchases and sadly got very little use. I tried to be brave with my purchase at the time but really I was too intimated by the colours to get much use out of the palette.

However I am so much more confident with my make-up now, so I was delighted to start using this palette properly.

I love the look I created with it.

To get this look I:

• Primed with UDPP in Eden and Mac Paintpot in Nubile
• I placed Springtime Skipper on the lid
• Waternymph was used on the outer lid
• Flashtrack was used in the crease
• Then I went over the lid a second time using the same colours on the lid and outer lid
• Knight Divine was placed just above the crease and on the lower lash line
• Maybelline Gel Eyeliner was used to line the upper lid
• Finally Maybelline Falsies mascara was applied.

I can't wait to recreate this look throughout the Summer months as it screams holidays at me!

Hype Review: Shu Uemura Eyelash Curlers

The Shu Uemura eyelash curlers are often referred to as some of the best eyelash curlers out there. At first I wondered could expensive curlers really do that much of a better job than some cheapo ones from Boots. 

They were always in the back of mind but I never actively sought them out. When I stumbled across them in Brown Thomas (I wasn't even aware there was a Shu Uemura counter there) I bit the bullet and bought them.

What they do: Curl your eyelashes to a natural flair.

Did they work: Yes! I was seriously surprised that I found a noticeable difference between using the Shu Uemura ones and my old cheap curlers. My old ones barely curled my lashes at all. Not to mention previous curlers I've owned which have successfully 'curled' my lashes in to perfect 90 degree right angles.

The Shu Uemura eyelash curlers brought a nice, natural curl to my lashes. I even found that mascara applied better to my lashes after using them.

Availability: You can get them from the Shu Uemura counter in Brown Thomas

Price: €24.50

Hype Worthiness: They definitely live up to the hype. They make a nice difference to your lashes but they are not a ground-breaking miracle. There is plenty of products that you could spend €24.50 on that would  improve your beauty regime more.

OPI Do You Lilac It?

OPI'S Do You Lilac It? is the ultimate pastel purple shade. Favoured by many as a Spring/Easter themed colour, wearing this shade never fails to bring a smile to my face:)

What's your favourite pastel purples?

Revlon ColourBurst Lipglosses

L-R Gold Dust, Sunset Peach, Rosegold, Peony, Crystal Lilac, Hot Pink, Strawberry, Paypaya and Fire.

With all the current craziness about the Revlon Lip Butters now that they have finally reached this side of the world, I thought I would to a quick post on another member of the ColourBurst family – the lipglosses.

I think the ColourBurst lipglosses may be my favourite lipglosses of all time!

Why may you ask? Well I think they:

• have great colour payoff
• are non-sticky
• are moisturising
• are long-lasting
• they are not extremely expensive and
• they have a great colour range!

I think that all those points warrants a top place in my favourite lipglosses!

L-R Gold Dust, Sunset Peach, Rosegold, Peony, Crystal Lilac, Hot Pink, Strawberry, Paypaya and Fire.

If I had to choose favourites I would pick Sunset Peach, Peony, Strawberry and Paypaya.

The lipgloss wand

I honestly cannot think of one single reason why I would dislike these lipglosses. I think Revlon are on a roll with their ColourBurst line.

Have you tried any of the ColourBurst Range?

Barry M Berry Ice Cream

Cheap and cheerful, I love Barry M nail varnishes. This is Berry Ice Cream and it a very pretty light purple shade. Maybe just a tad darker than a pastel.

Application was spot on and this was two coats I believe.

China Glaze Sea Spray

Sea Spray by China Glaze was released with last Summer's Anchors Away collection. It is a blue tinged grey.

 

Application wasn't hectic. It was a bit too thick at 3 layers and just didn't look right. It's such a beautiful colour though that I'll definitely be wearing it again.