Regular Nail Polish/Gel Finish

Having a slight fear of the idea of gel nails, I never have particularly paid attention to the brands that provide them. Two weeks of wearing a nail polish that's going to grow out, look unsightly, and then damage your nails during removal? No, thank you. But when the lovely Megan got in touch about Bio Sculpture I was somewhat intrigued to learn the company now makes nail polishes to match the gel nails they offer, minus the UV lamp and the need to be soaked off. Offering the chance to either patch up your current Bio Sculpture gels, or change the colour completely temporarily (only when removed with acetone free remover).

Being somewhat addicted to nail painting, longevity isn't normally something I take into consideration. Usually I'll be bored within 24 hours and change. A grey nude to a more pink-toned nude? ...How I rolllll. So it was quite the change for me experimenting how long I could make these last. To be honest, I got a couple days, with very minor chipping, at which point I was itching to change my nail polish. Slightly more than I would normally, so I'm quite impressed, but the selling point for me with these polishes was the finish. Its not thick looking like a regular gel colour, but instead has a show-stopping sheen, which makes your nails look freshly painted for days.

The brush is designed in a similar way to the likings of Dior and Essie brushes, with a fan-type soft bristle brush that somehow mimicks the shape of your nail and allows you to do one coat of colour in a single swoop.

The three shades I was sent are the kind that I'd choose for myself. The nude/grey being the show-stopper of the three, coming up slightly lilac in some lights. The other pink tone is exactly like the sheer pinks I regularly obsess over, (and clumsily forgot to take pictures of) but the neon pink was a complete break out of my comfort zone, a really beautiful colour for those that like bright nails.

Overall, I'm really impressed with these polishes. The colours are completely beautiful, have a brilliant finish and are something I'd definitely consider buying more of. Turns out breaking out of my Chanel and Essie comfort zone does benefit me sometimes...

Street Style on Sundays #6

The idea of sheer fabrics and loose fabrics have always appealed to me. Obviously I'm not talking about a completely sheer cling film maxi-dress, I mean the beautiful lace trims on a pencil skirt, or the semi-sheer chiffon shirt...

Peekaboo accents on tops are just beautiful. Whether it be lace with a crop top underneath, or chiffon with a lace triangle bra. Always super feminine when toned down on the bottom half. (Or basically, the boobs or legs rule.)

I'm dying to get my hands on one of these peekaboo type lace skirts. They're so beautiful, especially when styled like the second picture with a button down casual shirt.

As always, pictures are from Pinterest.

ASOS Wishlist X Monochrome

ASOS, needs little introduction, it's an absolute weakness isn't it? With every daily drop of new clothes I find myself fawning over something new and with a lust-list getting bigger (and smaller with every order) I thought I'd share the things I want. A lot. 

I'm not sure how my whole "saved items" section on ASOS ended up all monochrome, but it did, and these are the things that should probably be prioritised under the "NEED" category of my saved items. 

I love basics, ASOS are always my go to, and this grey V-neck American Vintage tee is pretty darn pricey, but apparently they last longer than cheaper basics, I want. (My question is; can it survive spaghetti bolognaise?) Despite this Elle Macpherson Intimates set being a slight monochrome cheat, IT'S SO PRETTY. 

I'm not too sure why I like a simple black slip dress as much as I do this, but it just has something that keeps making me go back to it... The clean white bandeau jumpsuit is just so beautiful, isn't it? It reminds me so much of the Whistles Lovebird jumpsuit, that sold out before anyone even knew it existed.

And the black Senso boots, well they speak for themselves don't they? A super hefty price tag does put you off a little, but black leather ankle boots are something I wear a lot every day and these are just that extra bit more badass than a regular black pair. 

LET'S SHOP. 

Shopping Shopping

I kept meaning to do a haul post, shoving the packaging from all of these into a box, and saying "next week!" ... a few months and an overflowing wicker basket later, here's pretty much this years shopping. (I very kindly put the 6 bags of cotton wool I got to one side... You're welcome.) And okay... I've done way more shopping, but I've lost track.

I've really got a Dior/Chanel addiction haven't I? I swear, if I posted more frequently, it'd soon become the only thing I ever spoke about. Chanel Inimitable mascara is brilliant for a natural, wide-eyed look, and makes the perfect accompanying product for their Illusion D'Ombre in Emerveille, which is a beautiful creamy pink shimmer, almost like a sheer and glossier MAC Naked Lunch. (Just my kind of colour. Hubba, hubba...)  

The lady at Dior had impeccable sales techniques in getting me to buy the Dior Fluid Stick (shade: Kiss Me) saying she'd apply it on me to see what it's like as my lips looked dry... I resisted for all of two minutes. I said I'd think about it, catching a glimpse of it in a mirror at the YSL counter I boomeranged straight back to Dior "I'LL TAKE THEM ALL PLEASE..." kidding.

Are there any glamorous ways of doing swatches, too? These little arm blotches aren't quite cutting it for me. (Top to bottom; Dior Rouge Lipstick in 779 Illusion, Dior Fluid Stick in Kiss Me, Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Emerveille)

Feels a bit like a cop out putting something you've won into a haul post, but these things I got from Gemma and Laura were too good to not share...

I was like a kid at Christmas with this Urban Decay Vice 2 palette, it's colour range is incredible, and the buttery soft UD shadows had me saying "ooooh" more times than the Toy Story aliens... 

Snuck this order in whilst Escentual had 1/3 off French pharmacy, along with the Dior Illusion lipstick, the Avene water being a common repurchase for me, and this being the largest bottle yet, I'm having problems finding somewhere to keep it! I'm completely against dry shampoo too, but recently my hair has been being a tad awkward, so I was hoping something more natural like this Klorane offering would be less harsh than the likes of Batiste (shudder).



Anything by Jo Malone really needs to be introduced via a regal announcement, but since I don't have a trumpet, you'll have to believe that this Peony and Blush Suede Cologne is the most elegant, long-lasting and well packaged perfume I've ever owned.

I've already featured RMS's Living Luminizer once, so this seems reasonably backwards, but I LOVE THIS STUFF. Strivectin's Dark Circle eye cream on the other hand, I'm still on the fence on whether this expensive pot is doing anything other than that of what a cheap moisturiser could do.

As I usually stick at the bottom of any haul posts, please drop a comment, tweet, or IG if you want anything reviewed in full. We'd be here all day if I did them all...

Unsung Multitaskers

On one of those days when you know you have to go out, but just have a serious case of "cannotbearsed-itis" the idea of standing by your Muji drawers and perfecting your brows, lashes and under-eye bags seems completely overwhelming. So on these days everyday, the idea of grabbing a few products, sitting on the edge of your bed with a mirror is so tempting, and the idea of multi-tasking products sounds just perfect. So, I've compiled my list of the products we all know, love, and use, but for the purposes we don't always think of.

Chanel Soliel Tan De Chanel (or whatever this bizarre pot is called) is a wonder product for all year round. It's supposed to be a cream bronzer, but it's quite firm in texture, and nearly matte in finish with zero shimmer, making it perfecting for bronzing and contouring. This bronzer seems to offer quite a pleasant coverage too, and I've found that occasionally using this on it's own is perfect for letting skin breathe, but keeping a healthy glow. FYI it also works darling as a warm eyeshadow.

Benetint is one of those products that can take a while to get used to, being the same consistency as water, and a super-strength stain, the slightest drip on anywhere it isn't supposed to be is going to look like some sort of infectious disease. I found the best way to apply this to my cheeks is with a buffing brush (apply to the brush) then apply very light-handedly to my cheeks. Its a beautiful shade when applied directly from the brush to your lips, and buffed in with fingers. I always find using the teeniest amount of excess from this in my crease really helps to define my eye and lift and brighten my complexion.

RMS Living Luminizer is another weird little pot, but one that offers a beautiful, none-shimmery dewy look, whether it be used on cheekbones, eyelids, or in the cupids bow. This really brightens my eyes when used as a sheer tint across my lids, but it lasts no longer than an hour- any tips for avoiding creasing with something so creamy? (Yup, I did buy this because it featured in Phoebe Tonkin's ITG Top Shelf)

Clinique Naturally Glossy mascara in Brown is something I bought as when I have very little makeup on, black mascara looks so obvious and stark, I wanted to try something new... This is ideal for a natural look, adding volume, length, and a slight curl. It also works amazingly as a brow gel, I discovered this after dropping my brow gel under my bed, its glossy finish doesn't compromise on hold, and with it being a warm brown, it's ideal for dark brows.

Listing Eight Hour Cream as an "unsung" multi-tasker was probably brief stupidity, but the list of things this miracle product can do is longer than my legs... This beauty can be used as; lip balm, cuticle cream, dewy highlighter, on dry/cracked skin, on brows and lashes, knees, elbows, heels... You name it, this cream does it.

Now, LET'S GO DANCE IN THE SUN...