Primp and Preen

Reviving Polish - Polish never dies!

2011-12-14T15:52:00.000Z

I would hate to see a much loved polish die unnecessarily.

If they run out fair enough, they have lived their life... but if they dry out or go gooey, they can be revived.

Now, nail polish remover will thin polish but it will also make it dry slowly, look uneven and generally be crappy. (Your polish will not thank you for it...)

Seche Restore is my saviour.

I've tried quite a few others (Mavala, OPI ect) but nothing compares.

Seche Restore has something called Toluene in it. The Toluene helps to make polish smooth and even, it also helps it dry quickly! (...bonus)

Seche Restore comes with a really cute little dropper too! (...2nd bonus)

To keep polish happy, keep it out of sunlight and keep it closed tightly
(when your not using it, obviously!)

Remember if the cap of your polish is stuck on, wrap an elastic band around it to give you grip!

PPx

Summer Fling Water Marble

2011-12-13T10:00:00.000Z

You may have seen my first attempt at water marbling, well I've made a bit more mess and this is what I eventually achieved!

I used...

Nubar Yellow Sorbet

Barry M Spring Green

Barry M Cyan Blue

Barry M Bright Purple

Essie Tart Deco (Coral)

When you are undertaking such a messy task its a good idea to put something on your skin around your nails to make clean up that little bit easier.

I use either tape or Vaseline. Both have pros and cons. Tape you can take off straight away, whereas you have to wait for the polish is dry with Vaseline.

But Vaseline is quicker to put on in the first place!

Oh the problems of being a polish-a-holic!

Very happy overall but I still get small bubbles in the polish.

Not sure how to solve that, any ideas??

PPx

Mavala Scientifique Nail Hardener

2011-12-12T11:56:00.000Z

This is the most amazing stuff you will ever use.

Its not like a polish, its a liquid that sinks into your nails.

Put it on bare nails before your base coat and let it dry. Working from the tips apply it half way up your nails (but don't get any on your skin)

For me, it worked from the very first time I used it.
I was a fully fledged nail chewer for years and when I decided to grow my nails, they rebelled. They were paper thin and peeling, meaning any polish I put on them chipped off after a few hours (annoying) but this little miracle revived them.

The bottle is very tiny, but don't let this put you off... with the amount of it you actually need per application it will last forever.

If you paint your nails very regularly, maybe apply it with every other manicure. This is what I do and my nails grow quite long now, without much trouble.

Mavala Scientifique Nail Hardener is available from Boots.
It'll be the best £6 you've ever spent...

PPx

Snakeskin Bundle Monster Bonanza

2011-12-10T10:00:00.000Z

I fancied myself some Snakeskin, so this is what I came up with...

This is GOSH Gold, Orly Glam Rock and Color Club Snakeskin, painted in diagonal bands. I used Wet n Wild Black Creme for the stamping with Bundle Monster plate (BM 215)

BM 215 is from the 'new' collection, there are so many full nails designs.
Have a look!

I really love this look and its so easy as your don't have to be precise with the bands underneath.

PPx

Solar Oil & Balmy goodness...

2011-12-09T11:00:00.000Z

I slosh Solar Oil on my nails at every opportunity.

I have a small bottle of it in my drawer at work, a tub of the balm in my handbag and a big bottle in my nail kit. Slightly obsessed, me...?

It absorbs really easily. I rub it into my nails, cuticles and the skin just above my cuticles.... Sounds odd but this is where your new nail is formed, so you can get a head start on feeding it!

Solar oil moisturises your nails through nail polish and even stops your polish drying out and chipping. Moisturising your nails creates flexibility, meaning less breaks. Woooooop!!

Now I used to think all nail oils were created equal, I was wrong.

Apparently the Jojoba Oil in Solar Oil is the magic ingredient that helps the Vitamin E and other lovely things penetrate your nail.
Anyway, Solar oil keeps your nails and cuticles looking b-e-a-utiful... I love it.

PPx

Look, what a beauty... Chanel peridot dupe!

2011-12-08T14:51:00.001Z

Well, I've been AWOL for more than a little while. But I'm back!

Here is Look Beauty's Kimono...

Hard to photo, but very beautiful, Kimono is a golden green metallic duochrome with brown flashes.

Slightly darker than Chanel Peridot, very nearly a dupe.

This is two coats, but I'm betting that one coat over black would be (even more) flipping AMAZING!

Look Beauty have a new range available in Superdrug.

Their polishes (or nail pops) are £5 each.

After this lil' beauty, I will be trying the rest.

Scores!

Quality: 8

Colour: 8

Application: 8

Wear time: 9

PPx

Nubar Enchanting Red... Hello Reds!!

2011-07-14T17:01:00.000+01:00

This is Nubar Enchanting Red... and very nice it is too.

I needed a dark(ish) red 'enchanting' enough to convince me to wear it,

so I this is where I decided to begin.

I'm not all that fond of dark colours but I have seen the light, as it were, I am converted! Think I've probably got a few more to try in the depths of my collection...
Back to the point, here it is!

This is two coats of Enchanting Red with Seche Vite top coat.

I love Nubar, even the colours which can easily miss-behave (I'm looking at you Pale Yellow) Nubar seems to be able to manage with ease.

Enchanting Red looks darker in the bottle than on the nail, but you will not be disappointed. The colour appears slightly darker on the curves of your nail, but not blackened. The pearly sheen really makes it stand out.

I wore the polish for 4 days before any chippy-ness occurred.

PPx

Orly Glam Rock

2011-07-08T12:01:00.000+01:00

Hello! Happy Friday!! This is Orly Glam Rock...

Glam Rock is a heavily pigmented shimmery light bronze foil. It has a smooth suede texture and doesn’t feel rough to the touch. This is two coats (no top coat).

Glam Rock is nearly opaque in one coat, two were only just about needed...

The colour and finish are pretty unique, I haven’t seen much else like it.

This photo was taken in non direct sunlight and you can still see it shimmer!

It’s a dream to paint, the brush is sooo easy to control. Dry time is also great, matts and suedes always seem to have quick dry time but this stuff is insane. Within 5 minutes it seemed completely dry.

I had the polish on for 5 days and didn’t get any chips, not even tip wear. It wasn't really a fair test as I was wearing gel underneath. But even without the gel I reckon it would still wear well.

I love using Orly, the cap really fit nicely in your hand for painting and its rubberised too, which gives you good grip when dried polish on the neck of the bottle has 'Superglued' the cap on.

PPx

Strong Nails.... grow those talons!

2011-07-04T17:09:00.000+01:00

I have found a few little ways to strengthen my nails and I thought I would share them with you...

I start off with filing and shaping my nails with an OPI crystal file, this really stops peeling and splitting.
Before I paint on my base coat I apply Mavala Scientifique Nail Harder. It completely soaks in and 'penetrates' the nail. This adds an extra shield layer. Only apply it to half way up your nail from the tip and try not to get any on your skin.
When I'm painting on my base coat I paint the entire nail (and I mean the entire nail) paint the nail bed, across the tip and underneath the tip. Every little helps! I use Nubar Nu Nails, really helps stop staining too.
Lastly I apply Solar Oil/Balm whenever I get a chance, this really helps your nails flexibility.

Gook Luck!

PPx

Kerastase Elixir Ultime

2011-06-30T15:32:00.003+01:00

Ive been hearing all about Argan Oil hair products for a while now, so I decided to try some for myself. The first thing I was tempted to try was Moroccan Oil, until my trusty hair dresser told me about this...

Along with Argan oil the Elixir also contains Pracaxi Oil, Maize Oil and Camellia Oil, which all are apparently very good for your hair!

You can use the Elixir in loads of ways, serum for wet hair, smoother for dried hair and a pre-wash treatment too.

It smoothes and softens my hair a treat, whichever way I use it.

I apply 2 pumps of the serum to the lengths of my wet hair, along with all of my regular hair products. Whether I wear my hair curly or straight it adds shine and softness. If my hair is ever feeling a bit dry, I rub in 2 pumps of the product about 20 minutes before washing. Problem solved!

I always have the problem of hair oils and serums weighing my thin hair down, which this doesn’t do at all!

Kerastase also claims the Elixir protects your hair, which it definitely does, but I still use a heat protection spray when I'm straightening.

My hair is in much better condition since I started using the product and although it is quite expensive (around £28) I will keep using it. A very little goes such a long way.

So far I’m sold on Argan oil...

PPx

Gel overlays... best nail strengthener around!

2011-06-12T20:32:00.001+01:00

Recently my nails have been in need of a little bit of reinforcement, especially on my right hand. I haven't changed my routine so maybe I was just being a bit rough with them. So I decided gel overlays were in order.

At the moment I'm trying Bella Forma, which used to be called CalGel. Bella Forma is a self leveling gel that you cure with a UV light. It comes in Clear and there is a range of coloured gels too. I'm using the Clear gel which can also be used to sculpt extensions. So far I've only used it for overlays.

You can paint straight over the gel with any polish, I added a base coat to prevent the gel staining. As long as you use non acetone nail polish remover you can change the polish as many time as you like.

You apply it with a thin, flat brush, it's actually no harder than applying polish.

Very lightly buff the nail
Apply OPI ChipSkip or wipe nail with non acetone nail polish remover
Apply the first thin layer
Apply the second thin layer
Cure for 60 seconds
Apply the third thin layer
Cure for 60 seconds
Wipe with non acetone nail polish remover to remove the sticky layer

My nails feel STRONG and smooth. They are slightly thicker than normal but not noticeably. The gel should last 2 weeks, I think I could actually get a bit more wear out of it.

The instructions say the gel will soak off in 10mins in acetone.
Hopefully this wont be too messy...

PPx

Water marbling - My first attempt

2011-06-10T10:04:00.002+01:00

Now you have probably seen the YouTube clips and thought can I REALLY be bothered to make THAT much mess... well I'm glad I did!

The base colour is China Glaze Style Wars with China Glaze Happy Go Lucky and GOSH Hot Coral marbled over it.

Watch the link (at the top) to see how its done but basically you drip little drops of nail polish into the centre of a cup of water until you form circles.

Draw a little pattern, lightly, with an orange stick.

Dip your finger in (one or two at a time) and hey presto... your done!!

You have to tape around your fingers before hand to stop TOO much going on your skin, Scotch tape is the best thing I've tried.

If you get a lot of polish on your skin, wait for your nails to dry completely then soak your hands in water for a minute or two and just rub the excess polish off.

Much nicer for your skin than nail polish remover.

When you are picking colours to marble together the most complementary will be the ones opposite or next to each other on the colour wheel.

I really cant wait to try more!!

PPx

POW!! Double holo... GOSH Holographic and Fairy Dust

2011-06-06T14:13:00.001+01:00

This is my day out in the sun manicure! Its GOSH Holographic 549 (3 coats) topped with China Glaze Fairy Dust (1 coat) and then a coat of Seche for good measure. The GOSH is quite hard to control but with a little bit of clean up, you end up with a good finish.

This is direct sunlight, indoors it is less spectacular.

These pictures really don't do this glittery combo justice...

Although this one is out of focus it really shows the sparkles!

(and who doesn't love sparkles)

PPx

OPI Crystal File

2011-06-02T12:15:00.002+01:00

This file is the only file I ever use on my nails, it’s the best I've ever tried. It seals the free edge and stops my nails from splitting (which they are very prone to do) and it so easy to control to shape your nails too. You have to be quite gentle with it but it will repay you in lovely strong nails.

To find out what shape is best for your nails just look at your cuticles, technically you should mirror them. I say technically because I don't. Just experiment and find a shape that you like!

OPI claim the file won't wear out, so I don't really mind the price.
I found mine on Ebay for about £8.

It’s a 240 grit file, which I find is a good all round for filing down and shaping.
The higher the grit number, the softer the file is. This is a 'medium' file. The lower the grit number the more coarse the file.

Do you have a favourite file?

PPx

China Glaze Crackle Glaze Metals Collection

2011-06-02T10:04:00.000+01:00

Crackles! Love them or hate them?? China Glaze have 6 new shades....

China Glaze Fairy Dust - SPARKLY!

2011-06-01T11:20:00.000+01:00

China Glaze Fairy Dust is a teeny weeny specks of spangly holographic glitter in a clear base, it makes any polish really eye catching without detracting from the colour. It shows up well over black but makes reds and pinks ZING too.

Fairy Dust is easy to use with a good consistency. One coat gives you nice, even coverage. When its dry, its only ever so slightly rough but a splash of top coat can sort that straight out.

Its is a staple in my collection and can be used as a quick refresher to squeeze a few more days wear out of your polish.

This photo was taken in direct sunlight and you can see the rainbow of colours bouncing off, it is less colourful indoors though.

I'm going to try this over holographic polish, I have GOSH holographic 549, which will probably be a fun OTT manicure to keep me busy for a while!

PPx

Seche Vite Fast Dry Top Coat - Oh how I love you...

2011-05-31T21:35:00.000+01:00

This glorious top coat is the only reason I don't spend my days with finger spread awkwardly, trying to extract thing from my handbag/generally living life without denting my freshly painted beauties. It smooths imperfection, it shines with multi faceted glossiness and resist chips for 4 days plus. All round greatness.

With a dry time of 20mins till you don't really have to worry about ruining your polish is just fine with me. 10 out of 10, 100%, what more can I say, I love this top coat.

Seche also have a UV top coat called Seche Vite Ultra-V which I want to try asap. It claims to dry all your layers of polish in 3mins under a UV light... I'm excited!!

PPx

In your face pink - Yum Gum Color Club

2011-05-29T13:10:00.001+01:00

This nearly neon medium pink creme is so good in so many ways, I love the way it looks, and smells (Ooooh Bubble Gum)!! But getting it on it a pain, its streaky and refuses to dry on it own (Seche Vite Fast Dry/equivalent is 100% required.) I needed 3 coats to make it opaque. Its not retina searing but is nicely eye catching.

Having your nails smell nice is definitely a novelty, a novelty that wears off rather suddenly when your eating. Having the faint smell of Bubble Gum lingering is a bit off putting when your trying to enjoy, let say, chips!

Also smelling your nails in public leads people to assume you are ever so slightly odd, so should be avoided.

Overall, I like the look enough to get over the negatives. Pink is here to stay.

(Sorry about the 'photo on the go'!! I took this on my phone...)

PPx

Topshop geography teacher - some more neutrals for ya!

2011-05-27T09:32:00.000+01:00

Topshop Geography Teacher is a deep creamy latte shade, it paints like a dream and is very highly pigmented. The formula is soooo easy to control. Just lovely!!

I love the topshop bottles too, they are just so cute. Each polish is £5 and they have a really good range. Ive got a few more that I will post soon.

Rumour has it that Topshop make up is made by the same people who make MAC.

I don't find that hard to believe at all! The quality is fantastic.

PPx

OPI - Miss Universe Collection

2011-05-26T15:29:00.000+01:00

OPI have just released details of the Miss Universe Collection which they say will be lanched in June in Las Vegas.

There will be four colours in the collection, all look full of glittery goodness.

Congeniality is My Middle Name - Duochrome gold/silver/mauve
Crown Me Already! - Sliver top coat?
It's MY Year - Zingy berry
Swimsuit... Nailed It! - Bright, deep ocean blue

Queen of Preen... or Pimp of Primp?

2011-05-25T19:28:00.001+01:00

I've decided that my first post should be about the (beauty) thing that I love the most... NAILS!

I have quite a few polishes and love every single one of them. I've collected most of them over the last year and have more than once thought about insuring them!

At the moment I'm loving neutrals...

First up Sunset Sail from China Glaze

Sunset Sail is from the Anchors Away collection. Anchors Away also includes the very (very, very) lovely Starboard, which is a DEEP forest green. Anyway back to the polish in hand, literally.

SS is a beautiful semi opaque (tiny hint of visible nail line - VNL) warm beige with added subtle sparkly bits. Its part way between 'my nails but better' and 'mannequin hands'. Chic and bang on trend.

PPx