Those who read my blog, will know how much I lurrrvvve Essie polishes and I was pretty darn happy to discover this gem from their range.
So if like me you are looking for the perfect blue I couldn't recommend this shade highly enough.
Showing posts with label Essie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Essie. Show all posts
Monday, 22 July 2013
NOTD - Essie Lapiz of Luxury
Those who read my blog, will know how much I lurrrvvve Essie polishes and I was pretty darn happy to discover this gem from their range.
So if like me you are looking for the perfect blue I couldn't recommend this shade highly enough.
Tuesday, 18 June 2013
End of the 100 day spending ban!
My 100 day spending ban finished on 10th April, and what did that little exercise teach me? Simple really, I spend far too much money on far too many (mostly) unnecessary 'things'.
I had seen the 100 day spending ban challenge all over twitter and blogs at the end of 2012 and although I didn't 'officially' join any spending ban lists going, I had already decided that we (read that as I) can be a bit too frivolous with the cash and had decided come 1st January 2013 I would really cut back.
My 'rules' were simple:
I am pretty impressed with myself, and to be honest £75.12 of that was spent in the last 3 weeks of the ban. So I give myself a pat on the back!
Aside from learning that I spend too much, the other important points that I gleaned from this little exercise is, that although it is great to get that buzz from picking up a new polish, or eyeliner or those must have boots; I really don't need that buzz to make me happy and complete. I have also loved using up my stash of samples rather than rushing out and buying a new product. I've been teaming different pieces from my wardrobe together to make new outfits, rather than buying something new to stuff in my already bulging wardrobe. I've started wearing jewellery languishing at the bottom of my jewellery box which I had forgotten I had. I downloaded loads of free books onto my Kindle and I found some great new blogs to read.
So in all honestly this spending ban came at just the right time.
And now a little over 2 months since my spending ban ended, and how am I fairing? Pretty darn good actually. OK I'm not as good as during the ban, but I have really really thought about whether I really need something before I purchase it or whether I just want it and I am amazed at how many times I have left a shop empty handed. Plus I am also still using up all the dregs from the ends of my beauty/makeup products where normally I would have ditched them as soon as they appeared empty. But by cutting off the end of the tubes you would be amazed how much product is actually still left in the tube. (Popping a snipped tube in a freezer/sandwich bag, keeps that opened product lovely and fresh so you can use every last drop!).
Would I recommend doing the spending ban? Absolutely. If you think you would struggle with 100 days, why don't you start small and gradually build up. Promise yourself a week to begin with, then a fortnight or a month and move on up from there. Also if you find you fall down on spending say during your lunch break, instead of a wander round the shops, how about reading a book, a few blogs, or going on pinterest and setting yourself up a board with all the things you'd like to buy when the ban ends. Also if you grab lunch from a shop or your favourite latte on the way to work. How about making a packed lunch the night before and at the same time putting the pennies you would have spent in a jar. Not only will you feel virtuous but at the end of your spending ban you will have some money saved to buy yourself something you really want AND need.
I had seen the 100 day spending ban challenge all over twitter and blogs at the end of 2012 and although I didn't 'officially' join any spending ban lists going, I had already decided that we (read that as I) can be a bit too frivolous with the cash and had decided come 1st January 2013 I would really cut back.
My 'rules' were simple:
- Don't buy any new clothing/shoes, make-up, beauty and hair products, have takeaways, meals out, nights out, buy books/DVDs/CDs/magazines. Basically don't buy anything!
- I could get my hair cut and coloured, I could keep my Glossybox subscription (although I did use my Glossydots for two of the boxes - result!), I could accept gifts and I could buy gifts for others (as I had a number of birthdays which fell during the 100 day period). I could also replace like for like. So if I ran out of say a face powder and didn't have a spare to fall back on, I could replace with one to the same (or lesser) value.
- Essie polish £3 (a discontinued colour from The Original Factory Shop)
- Candle £1.50
- Dress £46.05 (I got this for an interview - I rejected the job, but kept the dress!)
- Necklace from Primark £2.50 (my excuse was it was half price in the sale AND it was a necklace I had been after but it had been out of stock in my local Primark so I just had to buy it!)
- Candles £21.99 (Went a bit downhill at this point and splurged on a medium jar and 4 tarts from Yankee)
- Hot Choc £1.50 (got this when we were walking around a National Trust property, but I did share it with Mr B.P.!)
- Takeout £18.95
- Another takeout £18.20 (got both takeaways in the same week - lets just say it was a bad week hey!)
- Marie Claire £3.80 (my excuse was it came with a full sized free Bee Lovely hand cream from Neal's Yard Remedies worth £10, so in my book was money well spent. In fact I saved myself money as I had run out of hand cream and I would have spent more than £3.80 buying some more)
- Essie polishes £15.98 (but they were on 3 for 2 in Boots!)
I am pretty impressed with myself, and to be honest £75.12 of that was spent in the last 3 weeks of the ban. So I give myself a pat on the back!
Aside from learning that I spend too much, the other important points that I gleaned from this little exercise is, that although it is great to get that buzz from picking up a new polish, or eyeliner or those must have boots; I really don't need that buzz to make me happy and complete. I have also loved using up my stash of samples rather than rushing out and buying a new product. I've been teaming different pieces from my wardrobe together to make new outfits, rather than buying something new to stuff in my already bulging wardrobe. I've started wearing jewellery languishing at the bottom of my jewellery box which I had forgotten I had. I downloaded loads of free books onto my Kindle and I found some great new blogs to read.
So in all honestly this spending ban came at just the right time.
And now a little over 2 months since my spending ban ended, and how am I fairing? Pretty darn good actually. OK I'm not as good as during the ban, but I have really really thought about whether I really need something before I purchase it or whether I just want it and I am amazed at how many times I have left a shop empty handed. Plus I am also still using up all the dregs from the ends of my beauty/makeup products where normally I would have ditched them as soon as they appeared empty. But by cutting off the end of the tubes you would be amazed how much product is actually still left in the tube. (Popping a snipped tube in a freezer/sandwich bag, keeps that opened product lovely and fresh so you can use every last drop!).
Would I recommend doing the spending ban? Absolutely. If you think you would struggle with 100 days, why don't you start small and gradually build up. Promise yourself a week to begin with, then a fortnight or a month and move on up from there. Also if you find you fall down on spending say during your lunch break, instead of a wander round the shops, how about reading a book, a few blogs, or going on pinterest and setting yourself up a board with all the things you'd like to buy when the ban ends. Also if you grab lunch from a shop or your favourite latte on the way to work. How about making a packed lunch the night before and at the same time putting the pennies you would have spent in a jar. Not only will you feel virtuous but at the end of your spending ban you will have some money saved to buy yourself something you really want AND need.
GO ON GIVE IT A GO!!!
Friday, 19 April 2013
April Glossybox
I don't normally post about Glossybox (read that as I've previously posted about it once), primarily because there are so many other (better) posts written about it that I don't think the bloggersphere really needs another post on the subject matter. But I am SO excited about what I received that I just had to share!
I had totally forgotten until I opened the outer packaging that April's box was another themed box. This time in collaboration with Pearl Lowe. I love the themed boxes, or more precisely the packaging of the themed boxes. I keep these boxes and store all manner of things in them from my muslin cloths, to nail polishes through to photos. Do you keep the boxes and if so what do you store in them?
This month it is the Spring Fever box and in my parcel I got:
- SunSense Daily Face SPF 50+ Invisible Tint Finish. This is made in Australia and this product offers a broad spectrum sunscreen (which you would expect from an Australian company) with a sheer matte tint. I mostly use a tinted moisturiser with SPF in the warmer months so I am really keen to try this product. The only downside with the sample is it has one of those annoying snap off tops, so once it's open that's it, it's open to the elements and as there is more in this little tube than I would use in one day, I am probably going to have to keep it in a pot. (Just a little bugbear). This product retails for £18.50 for 75g and the sample size is 10g.
- Nip + Fab Dry Skin Fix Body Butter in Coconut Latte. I've heard of Nip + Fab but have not tried any of their products until now. I tried this for the first time last night and it is a lovely rich but light lotion. I love coconut but couldn't quite get my head around what this scent reminded me of, until I asked Mr B.P. and he said PLAY-DOH, and Oh God is he right, it smells just like it, which has put me off slightly but I will keep using it! This product retails for £9.95 for 200ml and the sample size is 50ml.
- ModelCo Cheek + Lip Tint in Rosy Red. This is the one product that I'm not so sure about. I really don't like these tint products and I would say this is quite like a stain. I found it to be very matte on the lip, so I think I will stick to using it on my cheeks only. I received a full sized product which is £15 for 10ml
- So Elixir Purple Yves Rocher Eau de Parfum. Now I know a lot of you don't like receiving perfume samples in your subscription boxes but I don't wear perfume an awful lot and if they come in cute dinky little bottles like this one, then I am happy! As soon as I read it had a mix of tuberose, vetiver and patchoouli I was sold. I can see me getting a lot of use out of this scent. This product retails for £44 for 50ml and this sample was 5ml
- Essie Nail polish in Nice is Nice. This is a gorgeous light lilac with a hint of grey, which will be great through the Spring and Summer months. Anyone who has read my blog long enough will know of my love for Essie polishes. I have posted a number of NOTD using their polishes and recommended them numerous times on other blogs, so much so that I should get commission from Essie hehe! I think I literally squealed when I found out this was inside (I am easily pleased). A full sized product came in this box which is 13.5ml for £7.99.
Friday, 15 March 2013
NOTD - Essie 'Fiji'
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| Oooh look at the state of my cuticles :( |
I (probably the same as you) am SO over the winter and in my attempt to get Spring to...well...spring have cracked open my nudes collection.
I'm a funny old thing, I tend to wear polish on my finger nails right through the autumn and winter months but come the warmer days, I usually forgo painting my fingers and opt for brighter colours on my tootsies, but as it is still so blumming cold, my trotters are STILL encased in boots and 3 pairs of socks, so I'm sticking with painting the nails on my fair hands. Is anyone the same as me?
For those of you who have read previous posts, you will note I wear a lot of Essie polishes. I have tried so many other brands over the years and I was thrilled when my local(ish) Boots started stocking Essie. There is just something I find different about their polishes. Aside from the brush, which in my book is just perfect, the consistency of the product is second to none. I find it to be quite a thick but not gloopy polish and it just suits my nail bed down to the ground.
 | ||
| Why do my hands look SO shiny here?! |
This colour is quite 'white' if you know what I mean (don't think it fully translates in these pics), so it took me a bit of getting use to. I'd call it a marshmallow pink and I think it will look really good come the summer time. If we ever get any sun that is :(
So what colours are you lovelies rocking on your nails at present? Let me know if there is anything out there that you think I really should purchase.
Have a great weekend!
Monday, 12 November 2012
NOTD - Essie 'Dive Bar' review
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| Dive Bar by Essie |
I first saw a tweet by Rachael from Made up of regarding this polish and as it was on 3 for 2 at Boots at the time, I rushed in and got my mitts on this.
In the bottle it is the most gorgeous of gorgeous shades. It looks like the colours of a peacock or spilled oil, all glistening emerald greens, petrol blues and iridescent purples. Unfortunately I found it does not translate as such onto your nails. Yes the colour is shimmering with high shine, yes it IS a stunningly beautiful shade. In some lights it looks blue and in others green, but where is the purple? As Essie describe this colour as a mysterious blackest blue with shimmer I should have known that there was to be no purple in it and I now believe, after showing the bottle to Mr B.P., that it is just an illusion of light against glass. What a total shame!
 | |||
| After 2 days a little tip wear on ring finger |
I think to make it work for me I am going to have to layer it with a shimmer/glimmer top coat to keep me happy. What would you guys recommend as a complimentary top coat?
Do you have any 'nail fails'? Which polishes did you rush out to buy only to be disappointed?
Tuesday, 6 November 2012
i heart fall tag
So I was tagged by the gorgeous Sarah over at Ample Curvature to do this tag which has been doing the rounds on Youtube and blogs recently. If you haven't seen Sarah's blog pop over and take a peek, it's fab! As a brit I call Fall Autumn, so please don't get confused if I drop the odd Autumn in here and there lovely North American viewers!
Right lets crack on with it...
1. Favourite fall lip product?
I get really dry lips in the Autumn, like many others, from a drop in temperature and the good old heating coming on, but I have been loving my Figs and Rouge 100% organic lip balm which came in my Glossybox a few months ago.
I'm a sucker for anything organic and this cherry and vanilla balm goes on sooooo smoothly and is really hydrating. Unfortunately I've been forgoing any of the beautiful deep plum and burgandy lip colours which are so popular this A/W, for if you've read my previous It's all about Meeeeeee post you will note I have the six month smiles braces. Which for those who don't know is like traditional train track braces but they are clear. Which is great but they stain oh so easily. You know what it's like when you get a smear of lippy on your teeth, well imagine what it looks like on clear braces - Nice (not!).
2. Favourite Fall nail polish?
Currently I am in love with these, Essie's Bahama Mama and Models Own Hot Stuff.
Two coats of Essie and a slick of Models Own and you get this.
The Essie polish is such a bang on the money colour for this season and with the coat of Models Own which gives a gorgeous red, green, golden shimmer it reminds me of fallen leaves on a crisp autumnal day. I am loving this so much I think it will get much wear over the party season. It's a pretty good wear time as well considering it has a glitter topcoat; 3-4 days which is about the same as my normal polishes.
3. Favourite Starbucks Fall drink?
Hmmmm I don't really frequent Starbucks. Purely because my nearest one is a good 45 minute drive away. I do have a Costa Coffee about 10 minutes down the road and I stick to my usual latte or Chai latte if I pop in there. Boring I know!
4. Favourite Fall candle?
Ahhh now candles, unlike Starbucks, are my thing! I do a lot of work and study from home so I usually have one candle or another burning away on my desk and I do like to stick to seasonal scents. I've just come to the end of my Mandarin Cranberry Yankee candle and on the good word of the lovely Rachael over at Made up of (check out her blog too if you haven't already) I picked up Yankee's Honey and Spice candle. Oh my! If you like toffee apples, sticky toffee pudding, caramel and pecan pie, this will be right up your street. I got it earlier today and have been burning it nonstop. If you like sweetness with your spice, try this candle, you will not be disappointed.
5. Favourite Fall scarf or accessory?
This one is easy. I got this beautiful teal scarf from Boden's A/W sale either last year or the year before. I just love the richness of its colour and it is so warm.
6. Haunted house, haunted hay ride or haunted corn maize?
I know what these are and that they are big in the states but Halloween isn't such a big deal in the UK (yet!). Also I don't like to be scared, I'm not a big one for scary movies etc so I would have to say Haunted house. I saw the film Children of the Corn a few years back and almost peed my pants so Haunted corn maize would be bottom of the list!
7. Favourite Halloween movie?
As I mentioned above I'm not a great one for scary movies but I would probably have to say the original Halloween film. The one from 1978 starring Jamie Lee Curtis - "A psychotic murderer institutionalized since childhood for the murder of his sister, escapes and stalks a bookish teenage girl and her friends while his doctor chases him through the streets" - yep that movie. I watched it as a teenager, not in 1978, blimey I'm not that old! And the memory of it has stayed with me ever since.
8. Favourite candy to eat on Halloween?
I am a sweet toothed kinda gal. I do love the Haribo sour (can't remember their full name) sweets, but any sweets/chocolate is fine by me and I am a sucker for toasted marshmallows dipped in melted chocolate - ummmmmmm.
9. What are you dressing up as for Halloween?
Well as Halloween has been and gone, I'm abit late with that one. But I didn't dress up at all as I was busy flying back from Amsterdam on the 31st. Think I would've struggled to get through security if I had dressed up though ha ha.
10. What is your favourite thing about fall?
I like it when Mr B.P. and I have a rare, (very rare) day off together and you get one of those really crisp autumnal days, with a beautiful clear blue sky, with just a nip in the air. I like to wrap up warmly, take our dog for a walk through the fallen leaves and maybe stop for a hot chocolate enroute and then come home and curl up on the sofa with either a good book or film.
So what about you lovely readers? I tag all of you. Let me know all about your I heart Fall tags.
Right lets crack on with it...
1. Favourite fall lip product?
I get really dry lips in the Autumn, like many others, from a drop in temperature and the good old heating coming on, but I have been loving my Figs and Rouge 100% organic lip balm which came in my Glossybox a few months ago.
2. Favourite Fall nail polish?
Currently I am in love with these, Essie's Bahama Mama and Models Own Hot Stuff.
3. Favourite Starbucks Fall drink?
Hmmmm I don't really frequent Starbucks. Purely because my nearest one is a good 45 minute drive away. I do have a Costa Coffee about 10 minutes down the road and I stick to my usual latte or Chai latte if I pop in there. Boring I know!
4. Favourite Fall candle?
Ahhh now candles, unlike Starbucks, are my thing! I do a lot of work and study from home so I usually have one candle or another burning away on my desk and I do like to stick to seasonal scents. I've just come to the end of my Mandarin Cranberry Yankee candle and on the good word of the lovely Rachael over at Made up of (check out her blog too if you haven't already) I picked up Yankee's Honey and Spice candle. Oh my! If you like toffee apples, sticky toffee pudding, caramel and pecan pie, this will be right up your street. I got it earlier today and have been burning it nonstop. If you like sweetness with your spice, try this candle, you will not be disappointed.
This one is easy. I got this beautiful teal scarf from Boden's A/W sale either last year or the year before. I just love the richness of its colour and it is so warm.
I know what these are and that they are big in the states but Halloween isn't such a big deal in the UK (yet!). Also I don't like to be scared, I'm not a big one for scary movies etc so I would have to say Haunted house. I saw the film Children of the Corn a few years back and almost peed my pants so Haunted corn maize would be bottom of the list!
7. Favourite Halloween movie?
As I mentioned above I'm not a great one for scary movies but I would probably have to say the original Halloween film. The one from 1978 starring Jamie Lee Curtis - "A psychotic murderer institutionalized since childhood for the murder of his sister, escapes and stalks a bookish teenage girl and her friends while his doctor chases him through the streets" - yep that movie. I watched it as a teenager, not in 1978, blimey I'm not that old! And the memory of it has stayed with me ever since.
8. Favourite candy to eat on Halloween?
I am a sweet toothed kinda gal. I do love the Haribo sour (can't remember their full name) sweets, but any sweets/chocolate is fine by me and I am a sucker for toasted marshmallows dipped in melted chocolate - ummmmmmm.
9. What are you dressing up as for Halloween?
Well as Halloween has been and gone, I'm abit late with that one. But I didn't dress up at all as I was busy flying back from Amsterdam on the 31st. Think I would've struggled to get through security if I had dressed up though ha ha.
10. What is your favourite thing about fall?
I like it when Mr B.P. and I have a rare, (very rare) day off together and you get one of those really crisp autumnal days, with a beautiful clear blue sky, with just a nip in the air. I like to wrap up warmly, take our dog for a walk through the fallen leaves and maybe stop for a hot chocolate enroute and then come home and curl up on the sofa with either a good book or film.
So what about you lovely readers? I tag all of you. Let me know all about your I heart Fall tags.
Monday, 22 October 2012
Glossybox October 2012 Review
Ok, I know that Glossybox has been done to death out there in the bloggersphere but I've not done a post on it yet, so here's my tuppence worth.
Glossybox this month is a DIY beauty with a donation from each box going towards Breast Cancer Care.
I'm not going to do full scale reviews as I am sure you have already read all about this months box or already have opinions on your own box, so here is a little rundown.
Anatomicals - Don't just clean it woman, scrub it body scrub. (rrp £3.49)
I found this to be a nicely grapefruit scented scrub, quite gel like in texture, almost like a shower gel with added 'grit'! I'm used to using a more heavy duty scrub and didn't think this would do much, but I was very surprised and it left my skin feeling supersoft.
Yves Rocher - Instant Anti-Wrinkle Moisturiser (rrp £18)
Well I didn't notice any instant dissolving of any wrinkles! This is a very nice moisturiser with a fresh smell. A little goes a long way which I found after putting too much on and ending up with a very sticky face!!! Not a good look!
Skinetica - Anti-Blemish (rrp £6.99)
Not sure how much use I will get out of this product. I'm not prone to breakouts and when I do get a spot I tend to leave it. Will have to wait and see how my skin reacts to this next time I have a blemish.
Green People - Organic Self Tan (rrp £18.95)
I'm a big lover of self tan but as yet to try this one out. It claims to have no 'biscuit smell', can't wait to see if this is true.
Sally Hansen - Complete Salon Manicure (rrp £6.99)
I got lucky and got the shade Black Platinum, which is great for this time of year. The only downside is it is quite similar to my beloved essie - power clutch which I love with a passion, so I couldn't help but compare the shade to that.
I was very keen to see how this worked as it states it's a base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, colour and top coat in one bottle. I am a base coat, two coats of polish and a top coat kinda gal so I was hoping I would be able to cut out a coat or two, but to be honest I needed at least 3 coats of this and could have possibly done with a fourth if I'm honest. So although it has the complete package in one bottle, I still needed as many coats as I would normally use.
That said, I liked it. It's lasted pretty well, about the same as the other polishes I use. The photo above is about 3 days into wear and it's just starting to go around the edges but yep I would re-purchase.
I know there is much debate about value for money in Glossybox, but I've been subscribed for a year and there has probably only been 1 maybe 2 boxes where I thought I wasn't getting value for money and I like the fact I get to try out products I wouldn't normally have picked up in the shops.
So what did you think of October's Glossybox?
Glossybox this month is a DIY beauty with a donation from each box going towards Breast Cancer Care.
I'm not going to do full scale reviews as I am sure you have already read all about this months box or already have opinions on your own box, so here is a little rundown.
Anatomicals - Don't just clean it woman, scrub it body scrub. (rrp £3.49)
I found this to be a nicely grapefruit scented scrub, quite gel like in texture, almost like a shower gel with added 'grit'! I'm used to using a more heavy duty scrub and didn't think this would do much, but I was very surprised and it left my skin feeling supersoft.
Yves Rocher - Instant Anti-Wrinkle Moisturiser (rrp £18)
Well I didn't notice any instant dissolving of any wrinkles! This is a very nice moisturiser with a fresh smell. A little goes a long way which I found after putting too much on and ending up with a very sticky face!!! Not a good look!
Skinetica - Anti-Blemish (rrp £6.99)
Not sure how much use I will get out of this product. I'm not prone to breakouts and when I do get a spot I tend to leave it. Will have to wait and see how my skin reacts to this next time I have a blemish.
Green People - Organic Self Tan (rrp £18.95)
I'm a big lover of self tan but as yet to try this one out. It claims to have no 'biscuit smell', can't wait to see if this is true.
Sally Hansen - Complete Salon Manicure (rrp £6.99)
I got lucky and got the shade Black Platinum, which is great for this time of year. The only downside is it is quite similar to my beloved essie - power clutch which I love with a passion, so I couldn't help but compare the shade to that.
I was very keen to see how this worked as it states it's a base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, colour and top coat in one bottle. I am a base coat, two coats of polish and a top coat kinda gal so I was hoping I would be able to cut out a coat or two, but to be honest I needed at least 3 coats of this and could have possibly done with a fourth if I'm honest. So although it has the complete package in one bottle, I still needed as many coats as I would normally use.
That said, I liked it. It's lasted pretty well, about the same as the other polishes I use. The photo above is about 3 days into wear and it's just starting to go around the edges but yep I would re-purchase.
I know there is much debate about value for money in Glossybox, but I've been subscribed for a year and there has probably only been 1 maybe 2 boxes where I thought I wasn't getting value for money and I like the fact I get to try out products I wouldn't normally have picked up in the shops.
So what did you think of October's Glossybox?
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