Nail Polish/ Cuticle Gap Look

Recently, I've seen some looks where there is a gap between the polish and the cuticle which I have really liked. I decided to try it myself and was really pleased with the result.  Initially, it was a bit awkward but it is easier than I thought it would be. A major advantage of this look is that the cuticles look tidier and  there doesn't tend to be as much (or any, if you are careful) nail polish trapped around the edges. 

First Attempt: 

Base Coat

Illamasqua 'Poke'

Models Own 'Indian Ocean'

17 Glitter Top Coat

Base Coat

Barry M Gray

Rimmel Matte Top Coat

Base Coat
Barry M Cyan
Collection 2000 White
NYC Red
Barry M Blue Glitter
Top Coat

A England

I have been meaning to order some a-england polishes for a while now but never got round to it, so when they had some of their polishes on sale for £5 (usually £9), I knew I had to get a couple. I ordered Tristam (a dark blue) and Lady of the Lake (a purple colour), both of which have a slight holographic glitter running through them. 

                                       

They arrived only yesterday so I haven't tested their longevity yet, however, they did survive housework and typing without chipping; one nail did chip when I dropped a hot tray on it but even then the damage was surprisingly minimal.

The polishes applied really well, even just one coat it was quite opaque and even- if applied carefully you could get away with just one coat:

 With two coats the polish is just gorgeous, really thick and smooth with a glossy finish. In direct sunlight and under bright artificial lighting the holographic effect* really shows up. At full price it is good value for money (£5 was just incredible) and there is currently free first class postage (would have been great if it hadn't been delivered 9 days after it was sent, thanks Royal Mail). I will definitely be buying more of their polishes (love the "Legends" collection) in future.

A England polishes are cruelty free and do not contain DBP, Formaldehyde or Toulene.


* This is not a holographic polish, it is much more subtle than the GOSH Holographic or the Layla holographic polishes.

Dotting

Diet Irn Bru inspired

Silver Nail Polish

Models Own Dream Stream

Models Own Zest a Peel

Gray and Dotty

All colours by Barry M

Multi-coloured Nails

Base Coat
Gosh Nail Tip (white)
Barry M Blueberry Ice Cream
Barry M Mint Green
Barry M Lemon Ice Cream
Barry M Coral
Bourjois 1 Seconde Rose Cupcake
Bourjois 1 Seconde Lavande
Rimmel Matte Top Coat

First Attempts at Galaxy Nails

 Base Coat
Wet & Wild- Cream Black
GOSH- Nail Tip
Barry M- Berry Ice Cream (308)
OPI- Pink Positively
Models Own- Dream Stream
Models Own- White Nail art pen
Bourjois- Pailettes Disco
Top coat

Base Coat
Barry M- Black Multi Glitter (333); Excellent for this type of look.
GOSH- Holographic
Models Own- Purple Blue
Models Own- Indian Ocean
Bourjois- Pailettes Disco
Models Own- Ibiza Mix; dotted on parts of nail to give appearance of clusters
Top Coat

EOTD Dump

MAC Testing on Animals?

Recently I have seen some worrying posts regarding MAC's policy on animal testing. For as long as I have been using MAC products (since 2005), the company has proudly stated that they did not test on animals, this has apparently changed. The website no longer makes any mention of animal testing unless you type "animal testing" into the search box and even then this is all that comes up:

''The Estee Lauder Companies Inc. is committed to the elimination of animal testing. We are equally committed to consumer health and safety and bringing to market products that comply with applicable regulations in every country in which are products are sold.''
                             -maccosmetics.co.uk

That is it. Almost 30 years of having never tested on animals and they silently change policy, giving only two sentences full of weasel words designed to confuse those searching for that information. I particularly like how they claim to be "committed to the elimination of animal testing"; this would be one thing if they had always done so and were trying to eliminate it - not the other way around.

I do know why they have had this sudden change of heart: they want to sell in China, where the law requires the torture (I don't care what anyone says, that is what animal testing amounts to) of animals.  I do  not see the benefit of testing makeup and cosmetic products on animals as much more effective means of testing products have been used for decades.

I do wonder how they will respond to the banning of animal testing in the UK from March 2013 (I think this is true of the rest of the EU as well). Will they abandon the loyal and lucrative UK/EU markets? They cannot claim they do not test on animals when the same products will be sold in China. I know other companies test on animals, I simply do not buy from them if I know or even think they might test on animals and I will no longer support MAC by reviewing their products or buying any more from them. I am both saddened and inconvenienced by this development but I believe that testing cosmetics on animals is wrong and will not knowingly contribute to the misery and suffering of innocent animals in order to line the pockets of a business. I doubt this post would matter to them if they read it, I wonder how many people would have to blog, complain and boycott for them to care. I hope they reverse this decision like they pulled the Rodarte/Juarez collection in 2010. It is always sad to see the good guys become bad guys.

Here is a photo of Jess:

Glittery Brows

I've been loving the glittery eyebrow look for quite a while, so I thought I'd give it a go.  There are a few different tutorials on youtube but the version I prefer is this one:  http://youtu.be/5uM8SPJ8fLk

Review: GOSH Nail Polish in Gasoline

 GOSH Nail Lacquer in Gasoline (£4.99, currently part of a 3 for 2 offer) from Superdrug.

After the Ciaté disappointment I was a bit put off of nail polishes, however, on a quick browse in Superdrug I came across this gorgeous looking polish which I felt I had to try and I am glad I did.  It is a gorgeous purple-y colour with little bits of glitter through it although it is not an overly sparkly polish. It does require 2 coats as just one is too sheer for my taste but most polishes require 2 or 3 coats. One they have dried it retains a glossy finish and it lasts without chipping for at least 18 hours (I removed it to mess around with nail glitters but that is a different post). The price was good and this is more the effect I had expected from Ciaté, if I had been as happy with that one as I was with this I would have been quite happy even if it did cost an extra £4.

Recent EOTD Dump

In celebration of the fact that I can wear makeup again, I've been having fun with my collection. These are looks that i've done over the Christmas period, in the second look my brows look really strange, which they didn't in person. I did have them threaded and tinted last week for the first time, it was a strange experience as it was done in the middle of Superdrug and it hurt (unsurprisingly) but it does look tidier and I prefer them a bit darker than they usually are.

Christmas:

Boxing Day:

27th:

New Years Day:

2nd January: