OPI San Francisco Collection

This OPI San Francisco set came as part of a QVC auto-delivery I'd signed up to back in March. In all honesty I'd forgotten that I was due this set so got a delightful little surprise when they arrived! (My husband and bank account less so!) My delivery man rocked up armed with a little package and I thanked him like he’d bought it himself... “EEEEE THANKS BOB, WHAT HAVE YOU GOT ME?” he humoured me, all too aware of how over familiar I can be! Over the last year we’ve become friends, he’s old enough to 

qualify for my Granda like but I’m no ageist!

Anyway back to these polishes which at first glance I thought all looked a bit ‘meh’ and to be honest I was like “two reds... really? FOBBED OFF OR WHAT!” I could have sent them back but it’s probably worth mentioning I’m scatty and disorganised and those traits prevent me from doing anything that I perceive to be ‘faffy’... yes I am that lazy!

SO rather than be reunited with my money I decided to add these to my (RIDICULOUS) polish collection and get my swatch on....

Embarca-Dare Ya is rich magenta colour with a shimmery finish. Depending on the light it can look anything from crimson to pinky amethyst. It has the finest little shots of gold running through it which makes it an ideal go-to shade for the coming festive season. Mebs with some sort of sparkly accent finger. I’m actually thinking it will be lushty on the toes? Even if they will be covered in layers and buckled biker boots!

LEFT- Natural light, RIGHT-With flash

My favourite of the bunch has to be Peace & Love & OPI which is described as a holographic sage and eggplant. Personally I think the most accurate description of the colour is MALLARD... the male of species. It’s like an oil on water effect and it’s multi chrome glimmering finish looks stunning. I found myself casting admiring glances at it throughout the day. QUACK!

LEFT- Natural light, RIGHT-With flash

Lost on Lombard is a dark red crème finish. It’s a block colour and the red has deep almost brick red under tone. Smooth finishes can be unforgiving but this is self levelling and does indeed apply like a dream. 

LEFT- Natural light, RIGHT-With flash

Muir Muir On The Wall is a duo chrome polish and I honestly can’t decide if it’s a metallic brown with purple and burgundy undertones or if it’s more of plum colour shot through with flecks of gold. Whatever the official description is I don’t know but this polish is GORGEOUS. It may well be my favourite. (What? I can have more than one favourite!)

LEFT- Natural light, RIGHT-With flash

Do you like these colours? In fairness I’m still not bowled over with love with but I certainly think there’s some staples in the collection. I would have liked a blue in my set and perhaps liquid sand... Never happy! (Yet another undesirable personality trait! Deeing mesel nee favours here like!)

Love reading your comments so please don’t be shy 

Love K

xxxxxx

Barry M Gelly Shine Polish Review

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

Neon Animal Print Nails Of The Day

Hey bloggers, how is everyone? I've got a nail posty for you today... So get buckled up and grab yourself a nail art pen  :)

No matter how crazy busy my life gets I never find painting my nails a chore, in fact I actually feel fidgety and a bit lost on a night time if I haven't got a bottle of Leighton or Nails Inc in my hand. (Hoy in pizza and a couple of creme caramels and we can so be friends)

 I  rarely wear the same shade for more than a day or two off the belt and I plan outfits around my nails. I mean if I want to wear a lime green polish then I'll go and source the perfect clothes to compliment it... (I should have shares in topshop, it's ridiculous really!)

SO back to today's nails... I have major love for this mani, I think the neon brights work so well with the animal print. 

And mind once you're equipped with a black nail art pen, the world holds no bounds!!!  Next stop aztec designs :)

I used Leighton Denny's Honeymoon Suite and Nails Inc Baker Street and St James Park (like a proper geordie!) for the base colours. Then I sploshed on Baker Street and St James Park for the spots. I outlined them with Barry M's black nail art pen and BAM good to go.

Oh and the rings adorning my (sausage) fingers are all available from shopdixi

These nails certainly caused quite a stir... me Grandma was aaaaaaaal owa them for a start.

I mean I talk with my hands anyway but because these nails screamed to be noticed I upped the drama and became even more extravagantly camp and flamboyant, think Louis Spence tribute and we're on the same page!

Do these nails get your roar of approval? Love reading your comments and I reply to all and remember you can follow me on twitter as I'm a bit of a chatterbox on there too :)

Love

k xxxxxx

ps If you love prettylittleus then I'd be so grateful if you could take a moment to vote for me in the Cosmo Blog Awards as shortlisted for Best New Beauty Blog. 

Click HERE PLEASE to vote or click button under profile picture on home page.

Thanks again :) xxxx

Summer Blues Nails Inc Of The Day

Hey there petals, are we all still enjoying the glorious sunshine? And of course complaining about the humidity and such! You know you're all doing it :)

Me?  I'm loving the long summer days but feel my wardrobe is totally unprepared for such tropics! See there I go now... never happy us Brits!

Well not strictly true as I'm pretty ecstatic about this nails polish. 

Such a gorgeous colour for you guys and dolls today. It's blue which seem to where my heart lies these days... but hey I'm a Pisces, a little fish, a water sign and my birthstone is aquamarine so obviously its beyond my control that I own so many blue polishes!

This particular blue is St James Square and it's brought to you by Nails Inc. I love this shade, so much so I actually reapplied it within a few days of removing it. UTTERLY UNHEARD OF! It's such a flattering colour and seriously lushty teamed with a white vest top and statement necklace. 

Let your nails do the talking!

I added Nails Inc feathers in Brigton just to give it a lil kick and some matte stripes across one nail as I was in a faffy fettle and like to keep mind occupied whilst watching big brother of a night time!

I know the stripes are somewhat wonky but I blame the fact I had a nasty little fright as I was painting them...

Ok so picture the scene, in jarmas, curled up on sofa, surrounded by nail stuff, cup of tea in the Katy Perry mug and big brothers bit on the side on the telly and then BAMBAMBAM  my eyes are assaulted by Rylan's new gnashers. 

I literally recoiled in horror! And every time I've seen them since it's like the first time!

(Still love him like!

Honest Rylan it's not you it's the chompers!

Focus Kate! Back to the topic!

Soooo I have the entire Nails Inc Feathers Collection and after muchos deliberation I think that Brighton with its yellow blue and turquoise flecks is my current fave. 

I'm easily lead though so flash hot pink feather polish under my nose and we can perhaps renegotiate favourite status' ok!

All the rings I'm wearing are from shopdixi and I've had loads of comments about them. I cannot get enough of midi rings right now. Cuteness yes?

Oh and before I go remember I said I wore this polish twice in week? Well I wasn't lying and here's the photographic evidence! I actually think I prefer this look? 

Its the Royal Mews Holographic that swings it for me, it glistens like ocean (tenuous water theme link there!) and it looks different in every light.

 I played it safe and just went with an accent nail but I'm thinking it's so gorge I need to show case it properly!

(Sit tight for holographic jazz hands!!)

What's the colour that you just can't put down? Any thoughts?

Love reading and replying to your fabulous comments, really appreciate you taking the time to stop by and chat. Oh and please do leave your links as I check out all blogs :)

Oh and if you want to vote me as best new beauty blog (shortlisted for a Cosmo Blog Award doncha know!) then I'm touched (and doing a little dance!)

You can do that here

Or through the button on home page underneath my picture.

Love 

k xxxx

Dotty Angel Effect Nails of The Day

Alright my sweets? I was bored the other night and decided to have a little faff on with my nails. Now I say bored but what I actually mean is that in a bid to prevent myself from spending the evening eating pizza or dunking biscuits I did my nails as I can't indulge whilst they are wet!!! 

Hashtag Logic or what???

So for my nails of the day (I'm cheating as these were from the last week!) I went for pretty yet muted tones and PEZZAZZED them up with some polka dots and sparkle.

For the colours I  used Nails Inc Pembridge Crescent and Nails Inc Holland Park Gardens which I think look rather cute together... the little dots just make it all the more sweeter. 

Pembridge Crescent is the most neutral of purples, it's

a grey toned lilac really. It's not shimmery nor metallic and it looks lovely on the nail... I was half tempted to do the entire mani in this colour but that would of resulted in me ordering a pizza and I'd already had me tea!!!

Holland Park Gardens is a pale almost on the sage spectrum of the mint green world... it's cool toned so flattering for ghostly skin (*holds hands up*) or would set a tan off nicely. Again its fairly muted and understated so both colours complimented each other equally.

The polka dots were in the same colour scheme and I love a spotty nail... Only thing is they make my eyes go funny if I admire them for too long!!!

Now to stop me reaching for the bar of galaxy bubbles that was calling my name from the fridge add a little extra wowza factor and because my nails are in dire need of some Leighton love, I applied Leighton Denny's Angel Effect to the remaining nails. 

The Angel Effect is like little fairies are taking a nap on your nails, its iridescent and shimmery and picked up the purple and green beautifully. It reminds me of wings, you know when you're little and bugs n creatures are fascinating? Well think of perhaps dragon fly wings (not blue bottles as they are dirty mingers and so not vision I'm trying to create....) Also it doesn't catch so it's like a minimal chipping risk. 

WARNING:

Its a chow on to remove (as with any effects polish) so cover nails in remover soaked cotton wool and wrap foil around finger tips and leave for five minutes.

I've left the flash on the last two pictures so you can see the Angel Effect better... 

Ok so what do we think of these nails? Love or loathe :) I wore this for two days straight and no chippsies, but I got bored and removed before I noticed any peeling or what have you.

Love love love reading and replying to all your comments, thoughts and questions. I reply to all but feel free to ask or chat about anything on my twitter... links at top of page :)

Love k

xxxxxx

Sprinkles Nail Inc of The Day

Happy Friday Chicas and Chicos, how we all doing? Deliriously happy that we managed to snatch a few hours of sunshine today? It does brighten everyones mood mind and I dare say it loosens every ones inhibitions... judging by some of the wedged up the ass shorts (ouch) I've seen strutting around the town today. (Probably the same 'type' who don the see through leggings and the bashed down uggs) EEEE anyway back to the BLURG...

Jesus I have digressing down to an art form, and procrastination but more about that laters :)

So its a Nails Of The Day and my chosen weapon of choice was Nail Inc and I have to say I've been super impressed at its staying power and its refusal to chip for 3 days despite me rolling my sleeves up and clearing out my house, my wardrobes and anywhere (everywhere) that has accumulated clutter... Them nails have been put through the mill in all honesty. 

 I went for Royal Botanical Gardens and Pudding Lane which is from the Sprinkles Collection. Now Royal Botanical Gardens has been catapulted up there with Baker Street in terms of polishes I love and go back to go. It's such a fresh clean shade and it attracted a shed loads of compliments to boot! Two coats give a completely opaque and glossy finish and it is so much brighter than the photos show.

Just to n-jazzle it up I slapped on a quick coat of Pudding Lane Sprinkles over three of the nails, the sprinkles are designed to look like something you'd see on top of cupcake, they are ultra teeny sequins and ever so easy to apply... paint on... add caviar top coat and we are good to go guys and dolls :)

Royal Botanical Gardens would be simply sexy gorgeousness with darker or tanned skin, I mean the colour would POP!!!! That said this colour does not discriminate, as you guys know I'm uber (like UBER) pale and  it really complimented that too. 

 This look certainly injects a bit of summer into any day, it would look UH-MEZZING on toes too. 

So that's all folks :) Has anyone else tried the sprinkles?  

Oh and its polish remover and foil over the nail jobby to remove as the sprinkles are from the glitter family which doesn't leave the nail without a fight :)

Would love to hear what you think, I read and reply to every single comment so be bold and leave one 

Taaaaraaaaa

k xxxxx

Baby Shades Jessica Nails Of The Day

Hello all :) What we like? Getting excited for the bank holiday weekend? I am! Even though I've no plans other than transforming my house into a something worthy of gracing the pages of beautiful homes magazine... I'm seeing clean lines, soft fabrics, a Moroccan vibe, vintage pieces...  That's the vision anyway!

Speaking of visions, when it comes to my nails I've been lacking in inspiration over last few days... even resorted to 'baring all' and just slicking on the nail envy! (SHOCK)  So today I thought enough is enough and thought I'll paint em purple. That didn't happen though, for some reason I was drawn to some pastel shades and I decided to pick a beaut baby pink and baby blue combo... Don't know why maybe I'm broody???

So pretty even if I say so myself

As i've banged on about mentioned before Leighton Denny and Nails Inc are where it's in terms of nail products for me (and i think our Leighton just edges it) but I do have plenty other brands in my stock, OPI, Essie and Barry M to name a few. Today though it was a Jessica Mani that I fancied...

L-R Shake It Strawberry & Barely Blueberry

 How lovely are these colours though? I stumbled upon them by accident really, I had charged into Fenwicks one day like a lady possessed in desperate search for OPI's Mod About You, that wasn't in stock (cue mini melt down) but I when I clapped eyes on Strawberry Shake It I thought it was a close enough match (PHEW)... It worked to pacify me anyway!

BUT of course I couldn't just pop that into my basket, oh dear god no, never buy just one of anything, always at least two (and emphasis on the 'at least' part!) So to prevent it from being lonely I paired it up with Barely Blueberry (and if my memory serves me, also some nail art pens and some benefit make-up... I was in Fenwicks though,  so what's a girl to do?).

Oh and of course I ordered OPI's Mod About You online later that day... And YES they are practically identical, as I already knew but once I set my mind on something I become obsessed and psychotic determined to make it happen... I lose the ability to apply logic to anything! I have insight though so it makes it ok! Doesn't it?

I really love this look, massive fan of opague varnishes and Jessica polish glides on so easily the smooth, glossy finish feels effortless. Also can't complain about the drying the time and only needed two coats for full coverage. And boy oh boy I can whinge so me being unable to complain is almost unheard of!! 

And because I had a spare five minutes and dotting tool to hand i added a few blue spots on my ring finger just to bring it all together :)

TAAADAAA

And Eeee just noticed my nails match my blog too, how's that for coordination??? Also please try and ignore my smudgy thumb... My 2 year old son Indie saw my nails and was like "oooh can I touch them Mammy?" ... Evidently we are still working on his understanding of the word NO! :)

My poor smudged thumb... Naughty Indie!

Do we like? What colours are you loving at the minute?
 Love reading all your comments and remember you can follow me on twitter and instagram too... Links on home page... Thanks!

TAAARAAA

k xxx

Neon Nails Inc of The Day

Happy Sunday Folks! Everyone ok? I'm feeling a bit under the weather, not poorly enough to demand tea and sympathy all day but not chipper enough to motivate myself to get ready! That may come under LAZY in the dictionary... Not too sure!!!

Anyway had the house to myself this morning so spent it in bed, painting nails, electric blanket on, Gavin and Stacey on Netflix and surrounded by my curious cats (who incidentally got bored quickly and decided to cat nap!).. Bliss yes?

So today I've gone for PINK on my nails. Not that I'll be making any boys wink any time soon... that will take some work believe me!!! (Unless the unbrushed, unwashed look is catching on?)

Todays weapon of choice was Nails Inc in Notting Hill Gate, it's sold as a neon shade so I was psyched thinking I was in for the Baker Street of the pink world... 

Needed the flash to 'capture' the colour

Not quite the NEON I expected but still a striking colour
You can see the tips of my nails if you concentrate and squint :)

In all honesty it doesn't have the stand alone 'kick' that Baker Street has, I wouldn't describe it as neon pink that's for sure, more barbie bright! Plus I needed four coats to to achieve full coverage which is unusual for Nails Inc... 

With half an hour of 'me time' left and feeling like my nails needed more OOMPH! I decided to have play around and jazz the colour up... So I whipped on Nails Inc Electric Lane holographic top coat and striped on Essie's Matte About You over my remaining two fingers.

EEE the shame, got picture happy before I 'neatened up' my splodges! Damn disgrace!!

I adore the holographic top coat, it's not chunky bits of glitter, its a smooth polish full of itsy bitsy particles that catch and reflect the light. And it smells like glue! Don't know why that's a good thing but i distinctly remember thinking OOOH when I caught a whiff of it!! :)

And there's todays products... I'm liking but not loving this look my so my guess is that this evening will be spent catching up on Corrie (still surrounded by sleeping sleeping kitties!) and repainting my nails to something I'm actually 'feeling' !!

What do you think? Have you tried any of these products? Any ideas for my nails tonight??

Thanks for reading

k xxxxxx

Feather My Coral

Just a little quickie (not in that sense!) to show a bit love for the wonders a pretty little polish can do for your sense of wellbeing! Dramatic YES. But oh so true! Well it is for me anyway... Having painted nails is like wearing rose tinted specs... Everything seems better, just tilt your head to the side and cast an admiring glance over your bright shiny talons and BAM you look great! (Says she slobbing lounging around in mismatched pyjamas a slinky little number with sudocrem slapped on her spots! a full face of make up on!

So I love a manicure yes, and I knew I wanted to wear coral lips for the NE Body Shop Event so the evening before I decided to adorn my nails with a similar theme.

Polishes used were OPI Suzy's Hungary Again and Nails Inc Feathers Effect in Chester

The Opi polish is lovely bright salmon coral and it screams summer. The feathers effect works well over the top as the tiny flecks of orange yellow and turquoise really set off the colours. I've had a ton of compliments and people tend to ask if I've applied the titchy little flecks myself. I'm like "naaah its straight from a bottle this!" Looks clever though yes???

I have four feathers effect polishes but Chester is my favourite (that could change, notoriously fickle!), it looks lushy over OPI's A Grape Effect too doncha think?

Sorry this was taken a while back... the flash has blurred it somewhat but believe... it looks glorious

(At this point I should probably disclose I have a terrifying amount of nail polishes and its a collection that shows no sign of slowing up... hope my husband doesn't read this! TROUBLE!)

Anyway I'm off to shower and (maybe) wash hair and (definitely) repaint nails.... Can't possibly have same colour on for more than 48 hours!

Oh and its worth mentioning, the feather's, just like their glittery sister, are an absolute pain to remove (I believe the technical term is ball ache!). I find wrapping tin foil around a cotton pad soaked in remover for a good couple of minutes is the easiest way.

What colours are floating your boat right now? Any suggestions for todays nails?

As ever, thanks so much for reading, I reply to all comments :)

Laters xxx