Laura's look book - Nail Art - Hello Kitty Japanese Style!

Around the nail is a mess as well, but I always seem to ruin it if I tidy up around it :S This didn't go as planned, but it's still OK, plus I wanted to use my new GCOCL A02 Hello Kitty plate! I am not a massive fan of 3D nails, but in this instance it seemed appropriate, especially considering I have new fimo canes!
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Products Used;
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Golden Rose White Varnish,
Chanel Vendetta,
Dotting tools,
Fimo Cane slices in bows, flowers, hearts & Hello Kitty faces,
GCOCL plate A02,
Pink Rhinestones.
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A lot of pink and purple, and girlyness! I love the Hello Kitty images, and the little Hello kitty Fimo faces! My dotted paw prints need work, but I love them being in purple, I am glad I used purple over black, much more girly.

Laura's look book - Nail Art - InStyle Polishes!

I used the polishes I recently reviewed that were free in InStyle magazine. This look kind of looks monster-ish, but I wanted to use my new polishes and dotting tools, which I also reviewed.
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Products Used;
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Nails Inc for InStyle Electric Teal,
Nails Inc for InStyle  Candy Orange.
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This wasn't really planned as a look, more just to test out my new stuff :]

Laura's look book! Girly Galactic

 love my pink girly looks, and so this bright and feminine number is now one of my favourites. I came up with it today by simply using some eyeshadows I hadn't used in a while, and one I hadn't used at all. I love these colours together!
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Products Used;
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MAC Lovely Lily,
MAC Da Bling,
MAC Stars & Rockets,
MAC Atlantic Blue.
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I hadn't used at Atlantic Blue before, and I actually really love this, it kind of goes purple when blended with the pink, it goes really well. I am not normally into mattes, but this worked well.

Nails Inc for InStyle "Candy Orange"

As I said in my review for "Electric Teal", after the disaster I had with the limited edition Coke varnish (here is the post I did on that; Nails Inc Packaging Disaster!), I was a little dubious about buying this, but I gave it a chance since I don't have much orange in my collection.
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It came free in InStyle magazine, which is £3.70, which is good considering the varnishes are worth £11. There were 3 colours available, the teal I have already reviewed, this one and a beige-y colour, which I didn't get.
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This is a bright orange shade which is a little eye-catching, but there are plenty of dupes about. It is very pigmented and thick in texture, however I found it very hard to get even coverage, it came up very streaky, so it took about 3 coats to get it even. It goes on very glossy and dries pretty quickly considering the layers I put on to get it even. Overall, a little less pleasant then the teal to work with since it involves more work to get it right.
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And as I also said in my last review, I hate the Nails Inc big lid as I find it harder to get precise lines, I like a lot of control over the brush due to my shaky hands, so this lid did not really assist me that well in terms of controlling the application.

Nails Inc for InStyle "Electric Teal"

After the disaster I had with the limited edition Coke varnish (here is the post I did on that; Nails Inc Packaging Disaster!),  I was a little dubious about buying this, however the colour won me over and so I bought it anyway.
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It came free in InStyle magazine, which is £3.70, which is good considering the varnishes are worth £11. There were 3 colours available, but this was definitely my favourite.
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This is a deep teal shade that is probably not all that unique, but gorgeous all the same, and for £3.70 not bad at all. It is very pigmented and thick in texture, and covers evenly, though I would advise 2 coats. It goes on very glossy and dries pretty quickly considering the thickness.
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I hate the Nails Inc big lid as I find it harder to get precise lines, I like a lot of control over the brush due to my shaky hands, so this lid did not really assist me that well in terms of controlling the application.

Dotting Tool Set

I had been wanting to get a dotting tool for a while, however I found the one's at Sally's a little expensive for what they were. I then saw on a couple of nail blogs that they used this set that they got off eBay. So I went to scout some out, and couldn't believe the price, £1.68 shipped for 5 tools!
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Each tool has a big ball bearing on one end and a smaller ball bearing on the other. The sizing is different for each tool, so no doubt whatever size dot you want this will most likely cater for it.
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In terms of quality, both the plastic and metal components are very sturdy and solid. The design is also quite pretty, it is nice each one has a different colour swirl in the middle, so you can get used to knowing what colour works best for certain looks and to distinguish between tools more easily, but also it is just nice they look pretty too. For the price they are very good quality, as to be honest I wasn't expecting them to be all that great quality-wise!
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They do the job, and they do it well for an affordable price that everyone can manage.

Accessorize Platinum Eyeshadow

This is a stunning colour. It is a beautiful silver shade, that appears metallic on the skin. This really made my eye colour pop! I think this is the sort of colour that would suit the majority of people. it does go on lighter then it appears in the packaging though.
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As with most of the accessorize eyeshadows, it goes on very smooth and pigmented, a little goes a long way. This is a really nice shade, but may be more prone to creasing due to the more metallic nature of the shadow. Easily blended, easily applied and stays on well. I love this shadow!

Accessorize Mermaid Eyeshadow

This is an amazingly rich and pigmented shimmery green shade. A little goes a long way. It is very buttery and soft in texture, and applies very pigmented and softly with very little product! 5 love this colour, it's so pretty and really a staple colour to have in your collection (for those who like a pop of colour). Granted it isn't the most unique colour, but the quality and price make this a good option to go for.
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This was in a set of 3 and was on sale for £1.99 for the three, which works out at 66p per eyeshadow!! For this quality you really can't lose, I would have paid the RRP of £4 for this as the quality is well worth the price. I will most likely hit pan on this.

Accessorize Iris Eyeshadow

This is the fourth eyeshadow I now have of Accessorize, as after buying a set of three for the insanely cheap price of £1.99 I decided to buy another trio of different colours and this was in it.
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This is a beautiful shimmery purple shade, and it appears to be a bit silvery as well. It is darker than lilac, but not quite a full purple, it is somewhere in the middle. This goes on so vibrant and pigmented and it applies so softly and blends easily. It also stays on the lids pretty well! This is a very good quality product, for a very good price, you get a good amount of product and it is a gorgeous colour! What more could you want!?!

Laura's look book - Nail Art - My First go at using Fimo Canes!

Excuse the mess around the nail! I got my fimo canes today! So I decided to try them out and see how easy they are to use. I decided to do a butterfly look by sponging on grass and clouds and sticking on the butterflies in the sky. I was going to put on some flowers, but didn't want to go overboard.
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Products Used;
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Chanel Nouvelle Vague,
China Glaze Watermelon Rind,
Sally Hansen White French Tip,
2 butterfly Fimo Cane slices.
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This was OK for my first attempt, the slices aren't perfect, but practice makes perfect!

Laura's look book - Nail Art - Rainbow Crackle!

Well, this is essentially my gumball design with crackle over it. I am loving these multi-coloured designs under crackle, it gives it so much more dimension and cuteness!
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China Glaze Jamaican Out,
China Glaze Limbo Bimbo,
Barry M Yellow,
Barry M Cyan Blue,
Barry M Spring Green,
Eyeko Lilac,
Barry M Crackle.
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I find crackle a little too unpredictable and often it doesn't provide the look I am after due to it not being under your control. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I wish the gaps were smaller on this design.

Laura's look book - Nail Art - Gumballs!

I got a set of dotting tools, and so decided to give them a go. As an after thought I wish I did more different sizes in the design, but hey ho.
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Products Used;
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China Glaze Jamaican Out,
China Glaze Limbo Bimbo,
Barry M Yellow,
Barry M Cyan Blue,
Barry M Spring Green,
Eyeko Lilac.
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I really like these tools, they were only £1.68 delivered, I will have to do a review on them!

Laura's look book - Nail Art - Another Rhinestone Mani!

So I got some GCOCL (Fauxnad) plates, and really wanted to use them, however I also wanted to use my new nude MAC varnish, and so resulted this look. Of course since I have rhinestones now I had to use them. I got a few people liking the flowers in my last mani, and so here are bigger and brighter flowers!
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Products Used;
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MAC Hangin' Loose,
Sally Hansen Hard As Nails White French Tip,
OPI Thanks So Muchness,
Silver Rhinestones,
GCOCL plate A01.
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A little less subtle, but I love how natural the MAC shade is on my fingers, it looks better on me then the pink nudes, absolutely love this for mani's. It also has a subtle but pretty shimmer which makes it a little more interesting. Looking at the picture I really need to shape my nails, yikes!

Accessorize Eye Wardrobe Eyeshadow Palette

I got this in a set with false eyelashes and a lipgloss for £2.39 on sale! So considering whether it was rubbish or not, not much would be lost for that price. Fortunately for me this is a really good palette. This has a selection of shadows which can do neutral eyes, smoky eyes, and colourful eyes. This is also pretty small but has a sturdy case, so with the colour selection it is perfect for travel.

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In terms of quality, like all the accessorize eyeshadows I have used, they are all really pigmented and smooth to apply, and they last on the lid. This reminds me a lot of a sleek palette, and who thought you could get that quality for cheaper than sleek!?!

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It comes in a shiny black case, with Accessorize logo on the front. Inside it has 12 colours, all iconic shadows (I don't know the difference between iconic and illusion shadows though). It also comes with a 2 ended sponge applicator, which I find a little obselete, I might get rid of that and put my travel sigma brush in there.

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Overall, I really love this palette. I think people who like mattes would be disappointed, as the collection only includes shimmers.

Urban Decay Sting Deluxe Eyeshadow

This is a very bright and pigmented girly colour! It is very smooth and so shimmery and pigmented that a little goes a long way. It applies effortlessly, though it does produce a bit of fall out. It is easy to blend and it stays on the lid really well.
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This is a little like MACs Fuschia pigment, however I feel this goes on deeper, and I find this easier to work with (I have worked with fuschia both loose and pressed). I find that this needs less work than fuschia.
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The packaging is cute, I love the image on the front, the way it is sturdy so the eyeshadow is well protected, and also the handy little mirror on the inside.
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I love this eyeshadow, it is definitely one for those who like their eyeshadows bright!

Urban Decay Heat Deluxe Eyeshadow

This is a red coppery colour, that is very bright and eye-catching.
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This colour is so pigmented and soft to apply, deluxe is definitely the word, as this is very good quality. The colour is rich as is the formula and texture. It appears very shimmery on the lid, and a little goes a long way.
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The packaging is really cute, very sturdy and has a useful little mirror in it, so you can pop it in your handbag. Each deluxe eyeshadow has a different picture on the front.
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I love these eyeshadows, and although the quality is great, this isn't my favourite colour from their collection though

Urban Decay Chronic

This is a light green matte glitter eyeshadow from Urban Decay. I love the colour, but the formula is awful.
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This is chalky, it isn't that easy to apply and it feels so dry. I just don't like the application or the finish of it. It can look patchy and it just doesn't look that nice on. The glitter also doesn't show through that strong, which is a shame as that could soften the chalkiness.
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I only paid £3 for it at the Revlon Outlet, I am so glad I didn't pay retail for this.

Urban Decay Purple Haze

This is a gorgeous purple shade that seems to have some blue iridescence to it. It is a very smooth colour which is very pigmented and easy to apply. This is one of the normal line, not a deluxe one, yet the quality is still great.
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The problem I did find with this is that somehow I found it hard to get each eyelid even in colour, one eyelid kept going darker than the other, I'm not sure why, I have never had this problem before with an eyeshadow. It also didn't last as long on my lids compared to some MAC and the deluxe shadows do. However, once you even it out it is a gorgeous colour.
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This really brought out my eye colour and I got a few compliments from it too. I got this for £3 at a Revlon Outlet! Can't lose!

Topshop Cloud Nail Varnish

This is a lovely grey shade. It is a more bluey grey and darker than China Glaze Pelican grey, so if you have that then don't be put off buying this as they aren't all that alike!
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It is pigmented and glossy in 2 coats, though even in one coat it looked great. The formula is thick and dries in an OK time, and the small brush gives precise application. I love grey polishes, and this is definitely a favourite of mine, it's a gorgeous rich cream grey.
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The packaging is cute, and the price is OK, though I got this in a set of 4!

Topshop Mannequin Nail Varnish

This is a gorgeous peachy beige nude. This is darker then Hangin' Loose by MAC, which I have also posted about today. This, unlike the other Topshop nail polishes took 3 coats as it was a little streaky, however was still pretty pigmented, but due to being a light colour, it needed more work to get it even.
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This was pretty thick and pigmented, drying time took a little longer due to having to apply more. It is a lovely colour and a lovely polish for those who love neutrals.
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The brush is small and cute, and also easy to use, the packaging is cute. I think this is a nice product, but not without it's faults.

Topshop Paint It On Nail Varnish

The photo is pretty deceptive. This is a hot pink/fuschia, not a red, my camera just couldn't pick up the colour correctly. This is a really eye-catching and girly colour, a little more red based than Limbo Bimbo by China Glaze.
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This is another less is more varnish, it is super pigmented and needs 2 coats max. It is a very pigmented and glossy finish, and due to the little brush it is very easy to apply precisely to the nail. A little while to dry since it is quite thick, but it doesn't take too long considering you don't need to put loads on.
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A cute girly and good quality polish. I like this product!

Topshop Airplane Nail Varnish

This is a beautiful colour, if not a little dupable. It applied very pigmented, but the formula is a little thick, so less is more. I'd say this is a 2 coater.
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In terms of drying time I'd say this was pretty average, didn't take too long, but wasn't the quickest. The finish is super pigmented, even and glossy, even without a top coat it has a high shine finish.
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I found the price middle of the road, was dearer then I expected for a shop brand, however worked well for the price. A lovely cream royal blue.
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The brush is small and very easy to use to get a precise application, though it does put a load of product on your nails that longer brushes normally don't.
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Overall, I think a worthwhile purchase if you like what you see.

MAC Surf Baby Hangin' Loose

This is a gorgeous beigey nude with subtle shimmer and a super glossy finish, and at the moment this is my favourite nude, it's just gorgeous!
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Like Ocean Dip, the formula is runny, thick and goes on streaky. You need to shake the bottle before use to reduce the wateriness, and you need about 3 coats to get it even. Drying time due to these points is very poor. This is a hassle but I love the colour so much for nude looks or french manicures, that I will deal with the cons.
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I also love the packaging, makes it just that little bit different. :]

MAC Surf Baby Ocean Dip

This is a gorgeous nail varnish! It is a teal colour, which I have lots of eyeshadows this colour, but not really many nail varnishes, so I definitely had to add this to my collection.
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After the great formula from the Wonder Woman Nail varnishes, I am pretty disappointed with this formula! It is so thick, but goes on uneven and streaky, so it is a nightmare at times to work with. It is pigmented, but due to it being uneven, I needed 3 coats. I'd also advise you shake the bottle before application or it is a little watery (at least my bottle was!)
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Because you need to apply so much and because it is quite thick it takes a while to dry, which is infuriating as I am impatient. I kept smudging it :[
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The colour is gorgeous and it is a lovely glossy colour, however the formula has taken a step back considering the Wonder Woman and Quite Cute ones. I like the packaging, but that doesn't make up for the annoying formula! I love the colour so much I would deal with the hassle of application.

Laura's look book - Nail Art - My first go at using rhinestones!

So I decided to jazz up my mani, and since I had just bought some rhinestones I thought I would give them a whirl. I wanted a subtle but feminine look for work.
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Products Used;
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China Glaze Innocence,
Sally Hansen Hard As Nails French White tip,
Chanel Vendetta,
Plate m3.
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I used the rhinestone on top of the konad flower (Chanel Vendetta). I am not so good at manicures due to my shaky hands, but I don't find this too bad. With Seche Vite the gems stayed on no problem!

Laura's look book - Nail Art - Shattered Marble!

So I used crackle on top of the marble nails I just posted, and although I am not a massive crackle fan I really like this look! Maybe it's the rainbow background.
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Products Used;
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Barry M Bright Purple,
Barry M Yellow,
Barry M Cyan Blue,
Barry M Spring Green,
Barry M Black Crackle.
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Yes, all Barry M Nail Paints, I am loving them at the moment, and at £2.99 a piece it would be silly not to! Hope you like this different crackle :]

Laura's look book - Nail Art - Groovy Baby!

Here is my second marbled look. Unlike my first pastel marble, I decided on bright colours. I just bought these new Barry M Nail Paints so decided to try them out. The result ended up in a 60's/70's look!
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Products Used;
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Barry M Bright Purple,
Barry M Yellow,
Barry M Cyan Blue,
Barry M Spring Green.
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Barry M seem to work really well with marbling! Hope you like it!

Topshop Nail Varnishes, First Impressions

I am always a sceptic when shops bring out cosmetics, as I have had bad experiences with quality in the past. So when I picked these up, I wasn't expecting much.

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I am so impressed! The pigmentation is fantastic, the texture is quite thick though. It covers quite well with one coat, but 2 makes it really even and gives the best colour pay off. I am a Topshop nail varnish convert!

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The colours that come in this set are; Airplane (blue), Paint It On (hot pink/fuschia), Mannequin (beige/nude), Cloud (grey). The bottles are a little mini, and they worked out at £3.75 each, which is a little steep considering it is a new brand, and similar brands like accessorize (new shop brands) are bigger and cheaper but still work well. This set was £15 which is a little steep for my liking.

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The brushes with these are really small and chunky, but it is still easy to apply the polish with them, as you get quite good control, but with the polish being quite thick and less of a surface area for the polish to go on, I found a lot of product ends up on the nails. I did get less mess around the nail though.

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I will review each polish separately, in the next couple of days, but I just wanted to give an overall view of them.