Yet more L.U.S.H. (& Nails Inc.)

Boots is currently offering a free Nails Inc nail polish for every 2 Diet Cokes bought (2 cokes @ £1.50ish - not bad!).

These nail polishes are pretty costly on their own. Ebay on average seems to sell them at around £4-5... so this is a great deal! On top of that, there are a variety of colours to choose from. I happened to choose the colours 'Caramel' & 'Heather Grey', both of which aren't too dark or too light.

I have never tried a Nails Inc nail polish before but was always curious as to how it was because of its popularity.

So, I began trying out the Caramel polish first and here's my verdict...

The colour - I am absolutely liking the colour because it's neutral, plain and simple. It reminds me of those toffee fudges...yumm...

I like the fact that, though its a light colour, with one careful coat, it comes out almost opaque, so you don't need another coat.

The consistency - could be better. I have to say I think its consistency let it down! Compared to Ciate's nail polishes, this was too runny so applying it was a bit tricky, especially if you're right handed and have to apply it to your left hand's fingernails and vice versa =P

Like most nail polishes, this is not chip resistant, but good enough to last about an entire week (or more for those of you who are more careful with your nails).

If you like nail polishes, give this a try while the promotion is on...!

Though, I don't think I would buy this nail polish at full price after trying it out...

------------

Okay - so I've been blogging mostly on fragrances for a long while, so for a change...I thought I'd blog about L.U.S.H. again...

I took these pictures a long time ago! I actually bought all these Lush goodies during Boxing day. Most of them were half-price.

I'll try to keep the comments short and to the point ^.^

Sugar Plum Fairy Scrub

I've blogged about this before. It's not my favourite scrub, but the smell is great and the fact that it's made of mostly sugar bits makes one hungry. Plus at half price...why not?

Maple Taffy Lipbalm

This is the first lipbalm I've tried from Lush & I have to say...I'm liking this (a lot!). It reminds me of toffee, caramel & coconuts... If you don't have any appetite, put this on & you'll be hungry in no time (hah =P)...

Gingerbread House Bubble Bar

Smells exactly like its name says - gingerbread. And as Lush says - it's without the calories!

This is so well made that I can't get myself to use it (!!) >.<

Then I had to get this Gift Set (it was half price! Plus, you get to keep the tin house and reuse it!).

Liking the presentation of its contents (I am always impressed with the way Lush wrap up their presents...).

I have only tried the Cinders Bath Ballistic from this gift set. It smells soo candy-licious. Although, once immersed in water, it disappoints a little as the smell isn't as strong and fades out pretty quick. But what I also liked about it was the crackling sounds it gave out from the candy bits in it...

If only the smell would last for years, I'd use this in my wardrobe, because it's such a girly and child-like scent...

Candy Cane Bubble Bar

I haven't tried this one yet, but as you can guess, it smells like candy cane! I was told at the store that this is one of the best selling bubble bars...

Snowcake Soap

After having tried this last year, I just hadto stock up before it vanishes from the shelves until next December. I like the scent of Almond and this smells so subtly of almond...I'd compare it to an almond cake. Wonderful calming scent =)...

And lastly I got A Russian Dolly (x 2)...

So far, I've only tried the So White soap. The scent consists of what I make out to be apples & melons... and the doll shape is adorable!

The knot wrap is cool, plus it's made of recycled plastic!

' Some of my Holy Grails ... ,

After many long stressful days (therefore my empty blog posts >.>), I decided to treat myself to one of the new Magnum ice creams at 1.30 a.m. in the morning...only to wake up with a sore throat. Goodness did this tempt me...

Temptation Chocolate is so rich, yummy, plus it has brownies in it to add to the flavour. What I also liked was the packaging - see for yourself...

Starbucks' Toffee Nut Flavour Syrup

In one my my recent posts (here!), I wrote about how I wish there was a Toffee Nut syrup.....well....I found it!!

I'm starting off my 'Holy Grails' beginning with this syrup because I just couldn't believe Starbucks had it =D I'm so excited! I shall be carrying this with me and pouring it into my coffee beverages...mmmm... (thank you Starbucks =P)

{All 'Holy Grails' are in no particular order}

Lush's Yummy Yummy Yummy Shower Gel

This shower gel is no longer being sold in Lush. For whatever reason, Lush decided to stop producing this product =(. I was disappointed because this remains one of my favourite shower gels. For that reason I stocked up on it in the summer. Made with fresh strawberries and fresh uplifting scents, this will forever remind me of spring and summer times....I almost want to make a Strawberry smoothie just smelling this!

Bobbi Brown's Long Wear Gel Liners

After a lot of trial and error with eye liners, I can finally rest satisfied with Bobbi Brown's liners! I got this set 2 years ago in British Airway's flight. The black pot lasted 2 years! The brown one has barely been used =P so I'm very impressed with not just the quality of this product, but also the value and how long they last for.

Included was a mini brush.

From left to right: The Sepia Ink & Black Ink gel liners.

After the black ink ran out, I had to make a decision of whether I'll get another pot to replace it or try out Shu Uemura's black pots (which I have heard a lot of good reviews on). In the end, I settled for Bobbi Brown's...yes...I'm that satisfied with it! So I ordered it from House of Fraser =)

I am so into this black colour (2 years on!). It's solid and matte (I'm very fond of matte =P all is matte with me). It stays on for the whole day... come rain or shine, you can rely on these. What else is there to be said?

Shu Uemura Glow On Blush in Orange 53

Around spring time this year, I paid a visit to Shu Uemura's store and a make up artist recommended this product. It's used for cheeks...although also recommended for use on eyelids. And this is exactly what I did - and stuck to since then!

I like the subtle colour of this. I think it would suit medium - dark skin tones because it'll really help bring the orange colour out. You can control its light/darkness depending on how much of it you use.

What I like doing is to blend this in gently and create a slightly dark outer lid for an effect.

Takes only seconds to apply!

I like mostly eye make up and minimal...

Oh and the brush shown above is a MAC brush (not sure about the actual name...).

Dior Addict Ultra Gloss

I've had this gloss for just under 5 years now. It's a mini version of the actual ultra gloss.

I absolutely would get another one of these. It smells like candy (almost like Britney Spears' Fantasy perfume...) and the colour is so light and peachy - again, minimal =).

Karma Solid Perfume by Lush

This is a handy solid perfume. It's so convenient; can be stored almost anywhere, although I prefer to put this in my pocket before use in winters, to warm it up (for ease of use =P).

I'm a huge fan of the Karma scent from Lush, so this perfume is a bonus from Lush!

Rub it in areas where you would spray on perfumes. It works like magic =).

Ciate Paint Pots

After Marie Claire offered a free paint pot (I blogged about it here), I was so convinced to get a few more Ciate Paint Pots ... and the discount from Marie Claire coupled with this set already being on sale tempted me further... (how could I resist? >.<).

My favourite nail polish at the moment!

The packaging is so girly. I ordered it from their main site and it was delivered promptly!

My full set of Ciate Paint Pots Collection. Chic designs & shape (don't you just like the ribbons?)!

Almond Milk Body Lotion by the Body Shop

FINALLY, my last but not least (don't you just hate that phrase =P haha) 'Holy Grail' product is the Almond Milk Body Lotion.

I'm so into this product because I'm not a fan of over moisturising products. From experience, they can be a nuisance!

So I found this Milk Body Lotion and I'm glad I found it because this smells great! I'm sure the coconut version would smell even better. Also, this is almost like bathing your skin in almond 'milk' - that is the consistency of the lotion. And this is the most important & remarkable thing about it for me ... the fact that it feels like putting milk on your skin, the product then sinks into your skin almost immediately...leaving you with a matte looking moisturised skin...

Oh and also, it's spray pump makes it so easy to use ... !

Elle & Marie Claire Giveaways!

I got these magazines today...
Normally I do get Elle & Vogue together. However, Marie Claire's free nail polish was hard to resist!

I have tried both products, which is why I'm posting this today (yes, I know, I couldn't wait to try them on the same day... >.<...). Anyway I hope you'll find them useful and decide whether you want to get these magazines too to try them out!

Marie Claire's Ciate Paint Pots

The one I chose is Dangerous Affair 013. It's a deep shiny rich ruby colour. Now I think (this is just my opinion!), if you have a fair - medium skin tone, this colour might not suit you... I find it too harsh against lighter skin tones. Hence the only reason why I didn't like this colour! However, if you have a dark skin tone...this would be amazing and is well worth a try. Do get the magazine as it is much cheaper compared to buying the nail polish alone.

The brush is very manageable and soft. You can feel that this is well built compared to other nail polishes.

Does this compete with O.P.I nail polishes?
YES. It certainly does. I would say it's as good, if not better, than O.P.I.
The quality is satisfyingly amazing. It doesn't leave those visible streak marks a lot of nail polishes leave. You nail looks very well made, as if you've just gone to the salon! Of course, saying this...this also needs to be applied with care! I noticed it does dry up pretty quickly, so try practising getting it right on the first strokes.

Nails feel glamorous indeed.

This comes in 2 colours from Marie Claire. Get yours this month and check it out for yourself.


Oh, and before I forget... look at the bottle. Cute or what? Liking the design and the little bow. Seems very chic, don't you think? Also, I liked the consistency of this polish. It wasn't too runny nor was it too thick...which made it easy to apply neatly (compared to other polishes).



Elle Magazine's Clinique Superbalm Moisturising Gloss


I've been using this superbalm for years now. I usually get mine from Clinique Bonuses (I am a loyal Clinique fan!).
However, I got this anyway because I was curious about its colour. It seemed darker to what I usually apply. Notice that, a lot of colours seem to be plum (trend?).

This was okay for me.
It moisturises well and stays on your lips for a long time. It has a semi-thick consistency so even after you eat or drink, you can feel it lingering on your lips, which is good.

The colour, plum, yet again made me undecided. I think (my opinion again!), like the nail polish, this lip gloss is well suited for dark skin tones and might be seen as too harsh on lighter skin tones (you could always apply a tiny amount to lighten up the ruby-ness). But everyone has their own taste so if you like bolder colours, go for this.




If I had to pick one magazine's product out of the 2, it would have to be Marie Claire's, simply because Elle's is a sample sized product and if you're a Clinique fan like I am, then just wait for their bonuses and get this lipgloss from there.

Elle Magazine's Clinique Superbalm Moisturising Gloss - 7.5/10
Marie Claire's Ciate Paint Pots - 9/10 (Note: I have only used this polish today and feedback does not include how long it lasts or if it chips easily (or not!)).

Ciate Nail Polishes have an exclusive offer until 18th December 2010. They're giving 15% off total orders when you shop online at www.ciate.co.uk
Just enter the code CIATEMC

MUA vs O.P.I Nail Polishes

I'm not fond of nail polishes, so I use them every now and again. The most annoying thing about them is the peeling off and the effort it takes to apply, beginning with the base coat, then the polish, and then...the hard coating...

So at the very least, we all want a nail polish that will last to pay off our efforts.

I've tried nailpolishes from Rimmel, Maybelline & Bourjois. Can't remember which models exactly. Perhaps I'll dig this up and blog it at some other point in the future (?).

For now, my 2 best nail polishes are MUA and O.P.I, for different reasons.

MUA

(Apologies, I forgot to test the ruby one...>.<)

At £1, this is a bargain!

There are more colours available other than these. My favourite has to be between the 1st and 4th colour (starting left). They both look solid (though might need more than one coating), neat, not so shiny...

Unfortunately, I'm just not loving the other colours as much. On application, I found them tacky, their colour wasn't as rich as it appeared to be. So my least favourite would have to be the 2nd and 3rd. I'm caught in the middle with the last one...it's almost like a colourless nail varnish...

The good news is, these do stay for 7-10 days (or more if you're careful like me!). I have tried them without any base or top coat and achieved the same results.

So...overall...bargain price for a quality product.

Get yours now at: www.superdrug.com

8/10

O.P.I

O.P.I. is, I think, today's most popular and loved nail polish. And I can see why that is. Now, these are more expensive. This mini set was £10, at 3.75ml each.

What I like about these are the fact that they're easy to apply, they stay on for a week or more, they make your nails look more elegant (very sheer look and natural!). Moreover, it doesn't lose it's appearance after a week or so....it stays almost as if you had just applied it.

Available at all good drugstores or salons.

9/10