Gold gradient nail art with Shimmer Tracy and Bad Apple Jelly Pink Apple

Hello lovelies,

I've got another pretty gradient here for you. I've used two coats of Bad Apple Jelly Pink Apple as a base colour and then created glitter gradient using Shimmer Polish Tracy. The ring is from ASOS.com

Have a great weekend everyone!

Sunset Gradient Nail Art with Sticks 'n' Stones glitter & Hex jewelry charm and video tutorial!

Hello lovelies,

I haven't done a gradient for a while so here's one :) I have used the new Zoya Stunning polishes Yana, Thandie and Darcy and it kinda came out as a 'Sunset' gradient. I wanted to make it special so I've added Ninja Polish Sticks 'n' Stones. It would have ended there but then I thought that the nails really lack something special, an accent nail. So I've removed the nail polish from ring finger, done a two tone gradient with Yana and Thandie and added Hex Jewelry charm.

Well, ehm... the charm says "Fuck you!" and I really wanted to use it! :D  A while ago I've been lucky and I've won Hex Jewelry's Twitter competition for a set of these swear word nail charms. They fit the nail curve great, I'm co happy they are not flat!

And as a bonus I made a video tutorial for you! I would love to hear your thoughts and don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel! x

Want your nail polish to dry fast? Try The Ultimate Fix fast-dry spray by Beauty Narcotix!

*This product has been provided for a review

Hello lovelies,

Do you ever need to paint your nails but don't have enough time to let them dry properly? You've probably answered yes as I too have the same problem more often then I'd like to. This fast-drying spray is the solution!

I've been testing The Ultimate Fix spray by Beauty Narcotix for a while now and I'm ready to tell you what I think about it.

Firstly, let me tell you a bit more about the product:

From The Ultimate Fix website:

• With the Ultimate Fix you can achieve the beautiful, long lasting, high shine results that gels give without the potential hassle of gel nails.
• Chip Proof ..keeps nails perfect for longer
• Non oily…use on all coats
• For use on all enamel colours, base coats and top coats (BUT NOT GEL)
•  UV protection. No discolouration 
• Manicures dry in 5-10 minutes (Saving over 15 minutes)
• Pedicures dry in 15-20 minutes (Saving over 30 minutes)..no more flip flops in the snow!!
• Intoxicating fragrance
• Made in the UK
• No CFC’s; Parabens or anything we think is bad for you!

It comes in a big can that holds 200ml of the product which should be, according to the beauty Narcotix, enough for at least 50 manicures. I can tell you that I've been using it for two weeks now and it still feels very full. The design of the can looks very professional and smart, I like the black colour and red accent colour.

This spray unlike the rest of fast-drying sprays is supposed to be used on each layer of the polish. It doesn't leave an oily residue so it didn't cause me any problems when applying another layer of polish. But please don't drench your nails in it, I was told 'less is more' with it ;) it id does make sense. If you spray too close and too much there will be a bit of a wet film and it will take a while to dry. However if you spray from the advised 15-20cm there will be almost no residue on the nails.

The scent: There is quite strong scent that might not be pleasant to everybody. It is sweet and heavy and it does last quite a while. I don't mind it, in fact I like it.

I can't comment of the prolonged durability of the manicure as I never wear them for more than few days. 

I've taken a picture of the directions for you as well...

You might be interested to know that there is now a mini size of this spray, perfect for travelling, to trial the spray or as a stocking filler (gotta think ahead, right?). The mini can holds 50ml of the product which should treat at least 12 manicures or pedicures and costs £9.50 (free P&P). 

And the most important question of the day - Does it work? Yes, it really does! It speeds up the drying time immensely! I have tried many fast-drying products including OPI spray and China Glaze drops and I can honestly say the Ultimate Fix beats them all. This is my go-to product from now on!

EDIT: I've now tried this spary over OPI Matte topcoat and it works beautifully, no shiny residue.

The full-size can costs £17 and can be purchased at the Ultimate Fix website.

*This product has been provided for a review

Jacava London Raspberry Bavarois - Review and swatches

*Product provided for an honest review

Hello lovelies,

Hope you're all well! I'm currently trying to deal with an excessive amount of posts that need to be published so I think I might be posting twice a day sometimes. Would you like that or is it too much to keep up with?

Right now I want to show you another gorgeous Jacava London nail polish in the Raspberry Bavarois shade. It is a pretty raspberry creme, slightly jelly formula. It is well pigmented - I'm wearing two coats which were nicely opaque. The nail polish dries reasonably fast and glossy. It applied and removed easily.

The ring I'm wearing is from Primark, they currently have really nice jewellery for few pounds :)

What do you think of the polish? I like the colour and the formula very much and I like even better that it's 8-Free! You can purchase Jacava London polish on their website. One bottle retails for £14.50 and comes with 22-carat gold print on the bottle.

*Product provided for an honest review

Review of more gorgeous Mont Bleu goodies!

Hello lovelies,

I've had another package from Czech company Mont Bleu which offers many items including crystal nail files, mirrors etc, all decorated with Swarovski crystals. This is what I've received:

The first product I've got is Shamballa bracalet with peach pink beads. It's very pretty but I'm not very much into it as it's not my style. But it will make a very nice gift :) Here's a little bit more about it from Mont Bleu website:

"Shamballa bracelets made with Swarovski crystal pearls are a perfect everyday jewelry with a touch of luxury. Stunning simplicity and glamorous vintage effect of pearls come as one chic bracelet.
Shamballa bracelets are made with waxed cord tied in knots using macramé technique. You can easily adjust the size of the bracelet, making sure it will fit nicely on your wrist. The bracelets are presented in leatherette box."


Another product is Bag Hanger Sun Yellow - I feel like they have read my mind, I was just looking for a handbag holder! This one is so sparkly under the light or in the sunlight, I love the Swarovski Elements crystals! The hanger feels sturdy and well made. I've already tested it and it works very well. The other side of the hanger has a velvet surface so it does not slip from the table.

Next up is a crystal nail file from their Crystal line. I've already received and tested their nail files perviously and I am still very happy. They are very fine so I use them at the end of filing my nails to seal and clean the edges so I don't get any splitting. The nail file is again beautifully decorated with crystals and the handle has gradient colour.

I've also received a business card holder which is perfect for my new business/blog cards! There are pretty black, pink and silver crystal on it and it has a velvet lining inside. I don't really know what else to say other that that it's just perfect and I will be using it from now on.

So which product is your favourite? Mine has to be the bag hanger, I really like it. I also can't fault the nail files which I use regularly and are my favourite! If you'd like to buy anything from Mont Bleu e-shop you can use discount code BLOG20 for 20% discount.

*These products were sent to me for a review

Alessandro nail polish is coming to UK! Review and swatches of Hot Chocolate shade

Hello lovelies,

I've learned very recently that a nail polish brand Alessandro is coming to United Kingdom! They will launch at the Professional Beauty Exhibition in London on 24/25th February 2013. Their nail polish range consists of 99 shades plus they offer nail and hand care. I have already tried and reviewed their hand cream and hand peeling, you can read about it here. They are big in the rest of the Europe, especially Germany so it was about time to come to UK!

Today I will show you one of their nail polishes called Hot Chocolate. I just couldn't help myself and do some pictures with a cup of yummy hot chocolate. Oh and I have to mention (it was a direct order :D) that my boyfriend helped me with these pictures and have been the photographer...I personally like the result a lot!

Alessandro Hot Chocolate - milk chocolate creme shade. The formula was very good with flawless application and great pigmentation. It was almost one coater but I have applied two coats for the perfect coverage. It dried rather average and very glossy. I still applied topcoat to seal the whole manicure. Despite it not being my type colour I was very pleasantly surprised with the formula and can't really say anything bad about it. I will definitely try more shads and let you know if the formula is consistent across the range.

Alessandro will be available to purchase not only at the Professional Beauty exhibition but also at selected salons and spas. One bottle has 10ml and will retail for under £10. For more information on products and range visit their UK website.

I'd also like to mention the ring I'm wearing. It is from Zalando UK e-shop selling wide range of women's clothes, beauty products, jewellery, handbags etc. I've already shown you few other rings here and here that come from Zalando as well as the Alessandro hand creme and peeling mentioned earlier in this post.

*These products were provided for an honest review

How about a nail art with Nails Inc. Bling It On Black Leather & Skulls set?

Hello lovelies,

I couldn't resist to doing some kind of nail art on the Nails Inc. Black Leather polish I've reviewed yesterday. I opted for the textured/glossy look and painted just simple double chevrons with Seche Vite topcoat.

I liked this look even more than the plain textured nails so hope you'll like it too!

 

So where can you get the Bling It On Black Leather & Skulls set and the other sets? Shop Nails Inc. Littlewoods and at Nails Inc. website. I think Sephora US carries these as well.