Models Own Neon Collection Pink Punch

OMG NOT ESSIE?!

Very happy to be featuring a nail brand other than Essie on my blog. I was shopping today and saw that the new Models Own Neon collection had been released in Boots and had to have one. As I already had three other nail varnishes in my basket I limited myself to just one and picked Pink Punch. It seemed to be the least neon looking shade. How wrong was I, ha! It is so, so bright and I love it! It's an orange/pink shade which dries semi-matte. I didn't like that look so added a top coat for a shiny finish. Two coats is more than enough for opacity and the application is a dream, like most other Models Own colours.

I am thrilled with my new purchase and I can see it being a nice little pick me up on a dull Thursday in work.

Models Own available from Boots for a fiver. I've got my eye on the other pink colour too!

Have you tried the new Ice Neon collection? Do you rate Models Own?

vxo

Essie Lilacism

It seems the only nail brand I'm featuring on my blog these days is Essie. But that's because it's amazing! In my eyes they can do no wrong. I love this brand so much I even find myself buying pastel colours-which I loathe-end enjoying them. I saw this a few weeks ago when I was picking up Fiji and nearly bought it, but suddenly remembered that I hate pastel shades. But actually I couldn't stop thinking about it (don't judge, we all get like that about a product once in a while) so legged it into town this weekend and snapped it up.

The coverage isn't great, this is three coats and I'm not totally thrilled with it but it went on quite easily and the colour is properly lovely. It's like a slightly grey toned lilac with that gorgeous milky texture that Essie does so well.

I'm not a pastel convert-I will still turn my nose up at Mint Candy Apple- but I am so happy with this polish.

Do you like Essie? What's your favourite shade?

vxo

Instagram #001

My Instagram if anyone wants to follow :)

MAC DVF NYFW - ginormous bath - comfy Ginger dog - 20inches of yum - look at her little face - inspiration - Ray Lamontagne is a god - favourite nail brand - baby shower baking - In Love - Zooey and Elemis - busy blogger

This is my first Instagram post! Don't expect many of these I don't use it that often but I think it's a nice way to catalogue every day life and remind myself that it's not just work, work, boring bloody work.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend and your working week zooms by!

vxo

March Glossy Box

So here we are again! You might have noticed I don't review Glossy Box every month because honestly the last three months have not been worth writing about. I was disappointmed with the December box, January was a bit nothing and February... the less said about February the better. I decided if March was rubbish then I'd cancel my subscription but hoorah it's a great one!

So inside we have:

L'Occitaine Brightening Hand Cream-I love this brand especially their hand creams so look forward to using this sample size.

Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream-yay! I've been a lover of this for years and years and my current tube is on the turn. Thrilled to see this in the box and a great way for people unfamiliar with the product to try without commitment as I know it's not for everyone.

TreSemme Salon Finish Hairspray-pretty standard product I've not used it before but I'm sure it'll come in.

Jelly Pong Pong Lip Blush-I've never tried anything by this brand. On first look I though it was a Chubby Stick dupe but it's actually a lip stain in an easy to apply lipstick shape-winner. Smells a but odd and I can't remark on the longevity yet but it wears comfortably and is a really nice red shade.

Nails Inc Bruton St-Not my favourite nail brand but always happy to receive nail colours in a box.

I'm happy with this selection of products and it's certainly enough to keep me subscribed for now. I've got my first Birch Box coming this month so we'll see who wins!

Are you a fan of monthly beauty boxes?

vxo

Topshop Cream Blush Head Over Heels

My first ever Topshop makeup purchase whaat?! I don't know what's taken me so long to get into this I've heard nothing but good things since the range launched years ago. Fashionably late I think.

I was ordering online so was very unsure what to go for and how the shades translated in real life. So naturally, I played it safe and went for orange. Head Over Heels does look scary but carefully applied and blended quickly it can fade to almost nothing. It's a cream formula that dries to a powder finish but manages to stay quite dewy and glowy. I apply it with my index finger and blend with the other clean fingers to achieve the desired coral-cheeked effect. It seems to wear better than normal cream blushers but I do find it needs touching up at lunchtime.

The mirror in the lid is a nice touch but I do semi-hate the packaging (not a fan of polka dots). It's very sturdy though so should last well rolling around the inside of my overstuffed handbag.

All in all I'm quite impressed and eager to try the other shades available. And for £6 you really can't fault the quality. I would happily/easily spend twice as much on a similar product from a higher end brand.

Available in some shops and online.

What's your favourite item of Toppers makeup? And product recommendations for me?

vxo

Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself by Francois Nars

I absolutely love this book. I got it a few years ago from my husband (first anniversary 'paper' gift, perfect, no?) and I regularly flick through to draw some inspiration from the pages.It's an interesting concept as he photographs the models bare faced and then fully made up and places the images side by side. In between is an acetate sheet detailing the exact products used, where and how. It's extremely helpful if you're looking to recreate the different looks, or if you're just interested in technique and application.

Here are some of my favourite images from the book...

As you can see there are a variety of models and looks. I find this book so inspirational when I'm a bit stuck and I've had great fun trying out some of the more adventurous looks. Only downside is my Nars wish list is now humongous.

I highly recommend this book if you are studying make up, or even if you have a slight interest and like stunningly composed photography books. It's available from the Nars website for £29.95.

Do you have a favourite makeup book?

vxo

Essie Fiji

Love this shade. It's actually a little bit more pink than these pictures show but still very light and very stark. Totally different to my usual pink/red/dark shades and I love it! This is a pesky three coats which gives total opacity. These pastel colours are so hard to get nice and neat on your nails but I've done my best.

Nice little accent nail courtesy of Models Own Snowflakes.

What do you think to Fiji?

vxo

I want #004

ASOS jumper - Monki skirt - Topshop top - Aldo shoes - Essie Chinchilly - Topshop studs - 

Topshop collar

Also wildly lusting after the new Estee Lauder Mad Men collection. Part of the reason why Mad Men is so brilliant is because of the fashion and makeup from the 60s. This mini collection is beautiful, look at that compact *swoon*.
It's available from the EL website prices £20-£48.00.

Have you got your eye on anything this week?

vxo

I have long blonde hair...

...but why doesn't it look like this?

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vxo

Essie Cute As A Button

I picked this up in Boots yesterday and couldn't wait to slap it on my nails. It's one of the most hyped shades from Essie and I can certainly see why. It's the prettiest coral which changes from pink to orange in different lights. This is two coats but looking at it three would be better. It's making a lovely change looking down and seeing this rather than wintery dark or red shades.
All in all, yum!

Have you tried any Essie polishes? Have any shade recommendations for me?

vxo

Haul! Boots, Topshop, Next.

I've been shopping! Love payday weekend :)

Let's start with Boots: 

I am loving Essie at the moment and growing my collection rapidly. The range of colours is ridiculous so I'm going to be able to keep on purchasing for a long time. I picked up Fiji and Cute as a Button. Expect posts on both soon, it's love!

The hype around Rimmel Apocalips has been ridiculous so I couldn't ignore them when I was in store the other day. I don't buy an awful lot of makeup from Boots etc-the stands are always a right mess and it puts me off looking-but these were on offer for £5.99 so I couldn't say no. I picked up Nova which I'm not sure about yet. It's a nice colour but makes my lips look a bit dry and thin. Hmm, maybe a review coming soon.

And finally I got a new Organix Moroccan Argan Oil conditioner. I've used this a few times before and it's lush. Smells great, makes hair amazingly soft and shiny. Two gripes, it never seems to last that long and it's tricky to get out of the bottle. Anyone else found this with the Organix products?

And now Topshop.

I went in wanting to spend money but just couldn't find any clothes that grabbed my attention. Hate it when that happens. I did find this ivory top with black lace details round the collar which can easily be dressed up or down. I found this cute 3D triangle necklace for a fiver and picked up my first ever Topshop makeup purchase (!!) cream blusher in Head Over Heels. 

And finally Next.

I got the bag! I've been eyeing this up for ages and featured it in my last I Want post. I was a bit undecided because it is pretty massive but I saw it in person and couldn't not :) I also bought this beautiful rose gold watch which is my new obsession. Think it was about £20.

So that's my haul for today. Have you had a payday splurge?

vxo