Hey there people, how we all doing?
I have a confession today...
My name is Kate and I'm a complete and utter product snob.
There I've said it. I am one.
Don't be getting me wrong, I'm not someone who refuses to buy highstreet or 'drugstore' (I cringe typing it as I totally type it in an American accent!) but my brain is wired up to automatically assume that something, say a foundation priced £40 will be far superior to one retailing at a tenna.
I know that is not always strictly the case and since blogging I've been amazed at the hidden cheaper little gems. Plus if there's a blogging bandwagon to leap upon I'll do it... Baby Lips, Pore Effaclar Duo, and of course the Barry M Gelly Shine Polishes.
Before we go any further I should point out that I'm not suggesting Barry M is ' hidden gem' as me and allanabeau had a Barry M catalogue about 15 years ago... waaaay before he was famous and stocked in Super Drug :)
How much I'm making myself 'sound' old here...
Anyway back to it... as they've gotten so much blog hype I decided I wanted in on the Barry M Gelly Shine Polish party and picked up Lychee and Prickly Pear.
L-R Lychee, Prickly Pear |
First of all lets talk application, bearing in mind I was expecting disappointment (SNOB)
I have to say though I hold my painted talons up and accept my misconceptions were indeed that.
The brush is decent and picks up a good amount of product and consistency of the polish is fabulous, it evens out well on the nails and doesn't bubble up or look lumpy.
In fact the finish is astoundingly glossy espesh as you don't use a top coat... I know thats the purpose of it but still, I was impressed :)
The major drawback for me was the Prickly Pear colour was a tad translucent... I needed 3 coats of it as you could see the VNL (visible nail line) but this is only an issue if your nails are past your finger tips. The Lychee was far more opaque and two coats gave perf coverage.
Prickly Pear is the most beautiful pretty colour and loads of people mentioned it, I loved wearing it and it screams spring and summer. Oh and it didn't chip or peel for two whole days. I removed it before I could test it any longer.
Lychee I HATED. Not the polish but the colour. I just couldn't carry it off, my hands looked like they belonged to a corpse! Me mam thought it looked nice on me though! (not sure if mam compliments count?)
Anyway it was removed within the hour as I couldn't get away with it personally.
My clear winner of the two was Prickly Pear and I intend on expanding my Gelly Shine range.
Who'd of thought I'd still be loving Barry 15 years later :)
Do you love the gelly shine range? Any other bargains or bandwagons I should be clambering on?
Looking forward to chatting with you and please leave your links too :)
love
k xxxxx
ps if you love the blog then please vote prettylittleus in cosmo awards, I would be so grateful
thanks xxx
I've never understood the lychee hype I think I'd be the same as you I wouldn't like it on my. Prickly Pear is lush though!xxx
ReplyDeleteMaybe it will work as a base for nail art... Hmm! Thanks Katie I love prickly pear too xxx
DeleteI felt the same wearing Lychee, not enough oooomph for me! The Guava shade however, is amazing.......love, love, love it!!
ReplyDeleteSarah | Fortytherapy.blogspot.co.uk
Yes I've seen it and love it, will definitely be buying xxx
DeleteWe're so similar! I wrote a very simialr 'confessional' post a while ago - http://onthedressingtable.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/confessions-of-addict.html
ReplyDeletealthough i have to say i think i am getting better...maybe its because drugstore products aren't all that cheap anymore! Massive congrats on the cosmo awards - i've voted for you and will keep everything crossed you win xx
Aw thanks Anna :) I'll have a read of your post too xxx
DeleteSo pretty on you! I think the shades look better on longer nails, as they just didn't look right on my small nails *sob* you would love Papaya I reckon :D xxx
ReplyDeleteGemma | Miss Makeup Magpie
Aw thanks :) I've just googled papaya as omg you are sooooo right I LOVE xxx
DeleteOh I loved lychee(runs and hides) I did have gold around the cuticle though to brighten it up cos I agree it's just a lickle dull! Mucho love!
ReplyDeleteAbitofmacandcheese.blogspot.co.uk
Now that sounds a bit sexy with touch of gold glamour :) xxx
DeleteI have the prickly pear, i love the color but it smudges so easily even after being dry for hours, I find it pretty annoying x
ReplyDeletehttp://louabellex.blogspot.co.uk/
Hate it when nails smudge! I always always use leighton Denny miracle drops after every mani... Can't cope with waiting for nails to dry!xxx
DeleteYour nails are just way too epic for words!! I love prickly pear on you - as much as Lychee looks good on me, I definitely couldn't rock prickly pear haha xxx
ReplyDeleteHolly Mixtures
Aw thank you! Going to file them down soon but they grow super quick. Your gorge colouring can pull anything off surely :) xxx
DeleteAnd what is wrong with an American accent, lol?? I'm an admitted makeup snob myself, but I wish we had Barry M in the US. These sound amazing!
ReplyDeleteSarah
Eyeshadow Addicts Anonymous
Haha Sarah :) I cringe at my wannabe American accent, I don't do it justice! We should do a box swap?xxx
DeleteOMG you've got the best nails ever, beautifully shaped! And you're so pretty, too! :)) I love these shade, I don't know what I'm doing I still haven't picked up any of these gels! xx
ReplyDeleteferdies-place.blogspot.com
Eeee thanks! Totally blushing reading your gorge comment :) xxx
DeletePrickley Pear looks gorgeous :)
ReplyDeleteCan´t believe I wasn´t following your blog-now I do :)
xx
Sabrina / Melodylouise
Thanks so much for following :) xxx
Deletelove the nails.. xx
ReplyDeletehttp://exitwonds.blogspot.co.uk/
Thanks :) xxx
DeleteI adore the Prickly Pear colour! But I agree with your Mum, I think the Lychee looks fab on the long nails! If you haven't already I totally recommend trying the Papaya, it's lovely - a nice coral colour!
ReplyDeleteNatalie xx
www.nataliecatherine.blogspot.co.uk