Been Shopping!

Posted on August 30, 2011 by cakedinmakeup

I popped to the shops yesterday to make some last minute essential holiday purchases and ended up picking up a few unexpexted extras along the way – I just didn’t bank on seeing so many bargains!

No7 Soft and Soothed Cleanser £3 Boots

It’s No7 voucher time again and this is my all time favourite cleanser. It’s great for dry skin and leaves a lovely moisturised glow. Normally £8, just £3 with the voucher.

Revlon Nail Enamel in Facets of Fuchsia £4.49 Boots

Words or pictures can do this nail polish justice, it’s seriously HOT! Part of Revlon’s Autumn/Winter 11 collection, it’s a grey polish jam packeked with Berrylicious specs of glitter. Currently on promotion at Boots, save £2. Here’s a quick swatch on my finger.

Rimmel 3 Looks Volume Mascara and 60 Second Nail Polish £1 each Poundland

Poundland can be great for picking up branded cosmetics for, well £1. It can be hit and miss but pretty rewarding when you discover some gems, like this Rimmel 3 Looks Volume Mascara in Black and 60 Second Nail Polish in Desert Beauty.

GOSH Professional Eye Brush £5.99 Superdrug

I’ve been on the look out for a slanted, precision eye shadow brush with firm bristles and this fits the bill nicely. I didn’t want to spend too much and thanks to GOSH, I didn’t have to. Made from synthetic bristles – it’s great for shadow and liner.

Tail Comb 99p Superdrug and Travel Bottles £1 Primark

I have my tangle teezer for battling the holiday hair tatters, but this tailcomb I need for backcombing. And last buy by no means least, these handly little travel bottles so I can decant some shampoo and conditioner – they even come with little lables.

When two unloved shades collide

Posted on August 24, 2011 by cakedinmakeup

I’m not normally one for glittery nails, or Katy Perry if I’m honest, but when OPI launched their Katy Perry range earlier this year, my head turned. I couldn’t decide between Teenage Dream – the baby pink glitter ball shade or Last Friday Night – the bright blue glitter fantastic shade. So I opted for the full collection in the form of the OPI mini nail lacquers, which included The One That Got Away and Not Like the Movies. I do love OPI minis!

They’re a great way to try new shades. The 3.75ml bottles may be mini, but they’re very handy and in reality I rarely use a full bottle of nail polish, at least not before it’s all dried up or turned into sticky syrup. I’ve had these a while now but I was so disappointed by them I didn’t bother breaking my neck to blog about them. The two stand-out, glittery shades did not live up to my expectations. I wanted them to look exactly like they do in the bottle, unfortunately it’d take about five coats and maybe not even then! The colour is far too translucent, it’s more like a glitter top coat!

This is last Friday Night by itself – more like a wet Wednesday!

Until I teamed it with another unloved shade in my collection… I picked up this Nails Inc Electric Teal polish free with Instyle magazine a couple months ago. To say it’s unloved is perhaps too strong but it’s not really MY colour.

Although put the two together and……

I applied 2 coats of the Nails Inc and one top coat of the OPI and Voille! The slight blue pigmentation in Last Friday Night turned the dull teal into a gorgeous two tone peakcock shade and of course the sparkle makes it really burst! I love it, now I need to find a perfect partner for teenage dream.

LUST HAVE: Chanel’s Le Vernis Colour Illusions

Posted on August 18, 2011 by cakedinmakeup

It’s a while since I’ve done a lust have, but Chanel’s new Colour Illusions nail polish range is certainly lust worthy. There’s lots of buzz about these limited edition nail polishes and I can see why. These gorgeously shimmering and iridescent polished form part of Chanel’s Autumn 2011 line and are right on trend. AW 2011’s nails have a space age feel – shades of pewter, bronze, silver… basically anything earthy and metallic.

Available in three multi faceted and striking shades

QUARTZ silvery taupe

GRAPHITE metallic gun metal grey

PERIDOT antiquue golden green

Unfortunately, at £17.50 they might have to remain a lust have, but watch out for copy cats popping up all over the high street.

Tropical Nails

Posted on August 2, 2011 by cakedinmakeup

The good old British summer is shaping up to be another washout, but don’t let that put you off embracing all things bright and beautiful. Just a couple of months from now, the days will be short, the nights will be dark; skin will be paler, cold sores and chapped lips will come a calling and dare I say the C word…..Christmas will be looming.

With that in mind I’m trying to make the most of this so called summer before it’s too late…. so I decided to “pimp” my nails. Revlon’s Tropical Temptation SCREAMS summer! I have been searching for a perfect coral shade for ages, and whilst this might not quite be it, it’s still striking.

2 coats

It’s a beautiful orangey coral – with hints of bublegum pink – depending on the light. It’s really bright and very opaque. The finish is glossy, but not what I’d describe as “jelly”. Although it’s highly pigmented it did apply a little streaky. It took three coats to achieve an even coverage, but it was worth it! The colour is very striking and eye catching – and still going strong after 5 days.

3 coats

Picture with flash is probably the best representation of the colour

With flash

Right now save £2 at Boots – Normally £6.29, currently £4.29

Pretty in PINK

Posted on June 18, 2011 by cakedinmakeup

Help, I think I’ve had a Barbie girl moment. When I blogged a few weeks ago about my favourite summer nail colours, I realised I had lots of hot pinks, but was pretty deficient in the light/mid pink area. Off I popped to Barry M…

Barry M knows good colour! I love their polishes – they’re cheap and pretty good quality. With a rainbow of shades on offer it’s tough to choose, but after much deliberation I opted for Stawberry Ice Cream and Bright Pink. Normally £2.99 each and Boots had an offer on 2 for £5.

Stawberry Ice Cream is a really pale, milky pink. After the first coat I worried that the shade was a little too close to those tacky fake nails, but after 3 coats I achieved the bottle colour. Not normally my bag, but the shade is cute and very summery. The glossy finish lasted around 3 days and since it’s pale, a couple a chips didn’t do any harm.

Bright Pink caught my eye straight away. I’d describe it as the perfect Barbie pink. It is bright, but not too in your face. It screams summer and cheered my nails right up. Barry M polishes do tend to be a little thin, again it took three coats to achieve perfect colour and coverage, but boy was it worth it.

Without the flash

With the flash

Needless to say I’m pretty happy with my purchased. I also got ANOTHER No7 voucher, so a picked up another No7 polish, a gorgeous glittery pink, aptly named TWINKLE, which fits nicely between the two Barry M shades on the colour chart. It’s a similar shade to Strawberry Ice cream, but a little more pigmented and with added sparkle. I haven’t road tested it yet, but you’ll know when I do.

HOT DEAL: Half price Nails Inc set

Posted on May 17, 2011 by cakedinmakeup

This Deal’s too good not to share…

Right now at Debenhams bag 6 Smokin Hot Nails Inc polishes for just £25, that’s just over £4 per bottle. The set includes 6 full size, gorgeous and on trend colours – both BRIGHT and NEUTRAL. Great as a gift, but even better to keep for yourself.

I’m not sure how long this offer is valid for so be quick, before I buy them all up 🙂

Something for the weekend

Posted on May 13, 2011 by cakedinmakeup

Mad about Mad Men? Then you’ll LOVE Nails Inc’s newest collection.

Never one to miss a trick, Nail’s Inc have launched a Mad Men inspired collection to coincide with the launch of Mad Men season four on DVD. The limited edition nail polishes, consisting of…

Madison Avenue – a chic forest green

Westchester – a glossy dark red

Brooklyn – a stylish chalky beige,

All inspired by Betty, Joan and Peggy – the shows leading style sirens. The collection oozes 50s glamour and are the perfect accessory to Spring/Summer’s retro fashions. All you need now is your very own Donald Draper.

Betty, Joan and Peggy, which are you?

Available in Nails Inc stockist nationwide £11 each

FREE Lunch Time Treats… Nails Inc Polish

Posted on May 6, 2011 by cakedinmakeup

Ladies you might want to hot fot it down to your nearest newsagents for a free treat… Well kinda free. With this month’s InStyle magazine, featuring the beautiful Thandie Newton on the cover, you can bag yourself a free Nails Inc polish worth £11.

Available in three exclusive and HOT shades Candy Orange, Electric Teal and Fashion Fawn.

I’ve picked up the candy orange as it fits nicely with my current obsession for all things bright and beautiful. The teel’s pretty cute too, and the Fawn is very similar to Barry M’s mushroom, which I already have.

Not content with one, why not pick up all three.

June edition on sale (and flying off the shelves ) now £3.70

Avoid the post wedding blues with a few mini pick me ups

Posted on May 5, 2011 by cakedinmakeup

It’s back to reality with a thump this week. The Royal Wedding’s over, Easter’s over, the endless run of bank holidays are over and we’re back to the 9-5 grind – Booo!

Before we slip into another Blue Monday, hatch a plan to cheer yourself up… WARNING, it could cost you money.

1. Paint your nails

I’ve painted mine shocking pink today and I must admit, every time I look down at my hands I feel quite proud of my bright finger nails and they’ve caught many an admiring glance. I’m wearing No7 Foxglove – two coats with a base and top coat.

2. Treat yourself to some summer make up

Especially important if you also happen to be having a fat day. Something like a bronzer or a bright lipstick should do the job. I just purchased a gorgeous 17 Lasting Fix Lipstick in Hawaii Pink £4.79. Perfect for that LIP N GO look. There are few things I love more than make up, but the Sun I worship. So when it’s shining I can’t afford to waste vital tanning time applying a face full of make up, nor would I want to. However I still want to look summery and fresh, so I slapped on some bright lipstick with some concealer and a touch of mascara and I’m good to go.

Here’s the lippy in action

I’m wearing the lipstick, L’Oreal Touche Magique Concealer and a light coating of Clinique’s high impact mascara.

A new bronzer is also a good idea. In the summer months you can normally afford to go up a shade. I love the look of Urban Decay’s new Bronzing Powder £20 and my much loved Guerlain Terracota Four Seasons Bronzer needs a little break – at £46 it’s not for daily use.

This lovely, fine bronzer is baked in an oven and even hand-finished. Great for fake tan phobics, this beauty gives a gorgeous light, golden glow for a sunkissed look. Speaking of which…

3. Fake it to make it

Most of us look, and feel better with a summer glow. I’m all for safe sunning, but it can be a slow process and it doesn’t hurt to give yourself a head start – especially your legs! It’s pretty scary unveiling those white, spikey, scaly tree trunks at the start of the summer months, but it’s amazing what a shave and a hint of colour can do.

San Tropez, still an eternal classic, is a great false tan, but can be messy and stains your clothes. I reserve it for events – weddings, holidays etc. For frequent use, I prefer everyday tanning lotions like Dove’s Summer Glow Body Lotion. Slap it on after your shower, wait a few minutes to dry and you’re good to go.

Follow these steps (or some of your own mini pick me ups) and voile, a whole new you. And if that doesn’t work, there’s another bank holiday in three weeks.

I wonder how poor Kate Middleton’s feeling a week on– the fairy tale wedding is over, her new hubby’s back at work and she’s holed up at home… except home is a palace so boo hoo.

Nail Polish fit for a (future) King… The Royal Collection from Nails Inc

Posted on April 27, 2011 by cakedinmakeup

Forget buffets and bunting, to be prepared for the Royal Wedding, all you need are regal nails.

I must admit I wasn’t that excited when Kate and Willy announced their engagement, no more excited than I would be about any other couple in the public eye announcing their impending nuptuals. I didn’t feel the need to rush out and buy a copy of Kate’s blue dress or tacky wedding memorabila from Collectables. However, with an additional public holiday and a new kick ass Royal Wedding inspired nail polish collection from Nails Inc, I’m slowly getting on board (fickle I know).