Sticky Fingers by Models Own

I had a little schmooze in Boots the other day, as I had to pick up a couple of essentials (isn't that always the way it starts?)

We're staying at my parents for a few weeks, while we have some work done to our house and over the weekend, I realised that I really didn't bring enough nail varnishes with me. As summer is well and truly on its way, I decided that a few new summer shades were an essential buy. And yes, I could pick some up from the house and bring them to my parents...but it's a good excuse to buy some new bottles, and the collection could always do with a refresh.

I was going to opt for a couple of Essie shades, but then the Models Own stand caught my eye. A stunning neon pinky/red immediately found its way into my basket, followed by an adorable little box containing a beautiful pastel pistachio shade called Pastel Petals Green and a roll of floral stickers. Behold Models Own Sticky Fingers collection. A collection of must-have shades, which come with a roll of stickers, which complement the colour.

We are running a floral design competition at work at the moment and my thoughts during the working week are consumed with all things floral related, so this choice was right up my street.

The colour is so me - in fact, it's the colour I want to paint my new kitchen, so you could say this purchase was all in the name of research! I applied 2 coats of the colour and then waited till they were touch dry before carefully peeling off the floral stickers and gently placing them on my nails. I then applied a layer of top coat and left them to dry.

The effect was really pretty. I think I should have waited a bit longer before I stuck the pictures on my nails, as the corners peeled up a little bit, because I couldn't press them on hard, so when I give it another go, I'll make sure I am more patient and wait a little while longer. Overall though, it is a really sweet idea and a quick (and lazy) way to customise your nails.

Have you tried the Models Own Sticky Fingers? What do you think of the range? Enjoy x

O.P.I Glitter Polish Dupe...From Poundland!

I love finding a good dupe for a pricey or out of stock product. There is something very satisfying about making a little discovery like this, so I was very excited when I spotted a little something something at my local Poundland the other day.

Now I'm a huge Poundland fan...I go quite regularly to pick up essentials like baby wipes, cotton wool pads, Wotsits (!) boring kitchen essentials etc. I normally bypass the beauty aisle, as I am very wary of random, unknown brands, especially when it comes to make up and skincare. However, I decided to have a little look, just to see what they had. Amazingly, they actually had nail polishes and eyeshadows from some great drugstore brands - Maybelline, Rimmel and even Sally Hansen. Feeling like a greedy little girl, I grabbed a load of them and plonked them in my basket. Then, my eyes fell on something sparkly...

It was Poundland's own nail varnish brand, Pretty. Quite a lot of them. The first thing that caught my attention was the packaging...identical to O.P.I. Good solid glass bottle with a chunky black, matte lid. I was impressed. I delved deeper to look at the colours. The sparkly one that caught my eye went in my basket first, as it was an exact dupe of O.P.I's Rainbow Connection, that cult blogger polish, which was impossible to get hold of. Gorgeous speckles of pretty rainbow sparkles. Not only did they have this beautiful glitter polish, but confetti polish with different coloured hearts, iridescent shapes and more, all suspended in a clear polish.

I loaded my basket with a few and off I went. When I got home, I tested out the rainbow polish straight away, expecting to be disappointed with consistency. Wrong! A clear, non gloopy finish with a good application and decent brush and staying power...3 days without a single chip! I was impressed. This polish looked great layered over a pretty nude and by itself, with a few coats to build up the sparkles.

So there you go...an amazing O.P.I dupe for a mere quid! #winning

Have you tried out any Poundland beauty products? What did you think of them? Enjoy x

Nails Inc Couture

When I went to visit my lovely friend Sarah the other day, she presented me with a belated birthday present.

I knew she was excited about it because she has been telling me how excited she was about it for about a month before my birthday!

She handed me a beautiful white glossy box with black ribbon around it and immediately my eyes fell upon the "Nails Inc" logo and the "Couture" stamp on the front...heart rate went a little faster at this point.

I opened the box and inside was a simply stunning glittery gold nail polish, nestled snuggly in its packaging. The gorgeous gold glitter polish would have been gift enough, but what I didn't realise was that this was a personalised bottle of polish, designed by Sarah. The lid is an amazing black leather with chunky silver studs! So me! The colour is actually called Chelsea Embankment and then I looked at the base of the polish, and darling Sarah had named it after me - "B'day Belle" and the product code "CBF 30" (those are my initials and yes my age!)

I was so blown away by this incredibly thoughtful and personal gift and I absolutely love it. Sarah then told me about the Couture service that Nails Inc provide online, so I checked it out when I got home. It is an amazing thing to do for someone, of they love nail varnish as much as I do. You start by choosing your lid design, then the colour and then you personalise the name. You also get little stickers to add to the base if you want to.

What do you think of my very own nail polish? Didn't Sarah do well? Enjoy x

Essie After School Boy Blazer

I am a nail varnish addict. There should be a support group somewhere for people like me! I'm often asked why I don't get gels and the simple answer is because I love to change my nail colour way too often to bother with a manicure that makes the colour last for weeks!

When Essie brought out their range in Boots last year, I was so excited. Essie is normally quite pricey, but the drugstore range is much cheaper - £7.99 for a really good polish is a bargain to me! Plus, their brushes are, in my opinion, better than the regular Essie brushes. Shorter, thicker and easier to apply.

I wanted to check out the new AW13 range of colours and the one which really caught my eye, and several other bloggers, is After School Boy Blazer...the most perfect dark navy blue you ever did see!

The colour is amazing. A dark inky black in some lights and a rich navy blue in others. It's dramatic and stylish, the perfect colour for adorning your nails for the new season.

I applied it on the weekend and it's staying power is fab and I've had loads of compliments on the colour. I think this will become a bit of a cult shade so make sure you grab a bottle.

What do you think of After School Boy Blazer? Enjoy x