OPI Steady As She Rose

OPI's Steady As She Rose is my most recent purchase from Fragrance Direct. At £3.99, I couldn't resist! Steady As She Rose is a very light, dusky lilac. I'm still getting used to wearing shades like these, but I like how clean they look. Two coats were needed on most nails to achieve opacity, but a couple needed three due to streaking. This could be an application error on my behalf, though. It's very similar to Models Own Utopia (swatch and review here), and I have comparison photos on my Instagram here. I'll probably be publishing a full comparison post in the next week, though, so look out for that!

Do you have this shade? Or shades similar to this?

L'Oreal Colour Riche Nail Polish in 506 Exotic Grenade

I bought this shade from Fragrance Direct a few months ago, and have only just got round to wearing it! I wasn't expecting to be as impressed as I am by this little bottle. First of all, the brush is perfect. It's wide, rounded, and makes applying the polish a dream. I wasn't expecting this from the look of the tall, thin bottle. Secondly, the formula is great. It's smooth, streak free, and opaque in two coats. A lot of polishes I've tried are streaky on the first coat, but this wasn't, and I think this is mostly down to the shape of the brush. Drying time was also good, and greatly appreciated after the last polish I wore (It just didn't dry, and I woke up the following day sporting the duvet pattern). Lastly, the colour is beautiful. I love berry shades like this.

You can buy Exotic Grenade, as well as other shades, for £1.30 from here. Have you tried any L'Oreal Colour Riche Nail Polishes?

2True Nail Polish in Shade 17

This is my 800th post!

I spotted this beautiful, peachy pink shade in Superdrug a few months ago, and thought I'd give it a go for £1.99. The formula leaves a lot to be desired, though. It's sheer, so you need 3-4 coats, and rather streaky. It's also not fast drying, as it claims to be (UPDATE: I painted my nails around 2pm, went to bed around 11pm, and woke up with dents and smudges in my nails. Definitely not fast drying!). Still, I love the colour, and was instantly drawn to it!

Have you tried any 2True nail polishes?

Sinful Colours Easy Going

I'd been wanting to get my hands on Easy Going for a while, but it was always out of stock in my local Boots. There were rows and rows of the shade on Sunday, though, so I picked one up. The 3 for 2 offer meant that I got this £1.99 polish for free, which is even better! I must admit, when I first laid eyes on it, I was a little disappointed. It didn't look anywhere near as pink as it did in the photos I'd seen. However, I now love it. This extremely pale, off-white pink is delicate and chic; aspects I've been prioritising recently. Three coats were applied to achieve opacity, which I can deal with. It's when we get to four that I have a problem. I'd say that it's a little more pink than the photo above is suggesting, but it varies in different lights. It can look more peach in some, and cream in others. I'll apply a glitter topcoat when it starts looking worse for wear; it's the perfect base for it!

What do you think of Sinful Colours Easy Going?

Barry M Matte Vanilla

I've worn neon nail polishes that dry to a satin finish before, but Barry M's Matte Vanilla is my first 'proper' matte. I'm surprised at how much I like the matte effect, actually, because I hate every other texture that's not shiny or glitter! Fluff and sand are the ones I really can't stand. I think Vanilla is a great nude for my skin tone. I'd describe it as a muted nude that looks grey in certain lights, and it even has some lilac tones in there at times. I'd heard a few people say that the first coat kind of separates and looks oily, but a second evens everything out. I didn't experience this at all, and could have left a few nails with just one coat on. I ended up applying two on all of them so they looked the same shade, though. It dried very quickly, and was one of the easiest polishes I've applied recently. Matte polishes are known to accentuate any flaws you have on your nails, so I gave them a good buff beforehand, and that seemed to do the job.

I'm surprised at how much I like this polish, and want to get Crush and Espresso next! What do you think? Are you a fan of matte nails? If not, you can always apply a topcoat over them!

Models Own Utopia

Models Own Utopia is the first bottle of Models Own nail polish that I've actually paid full price for! My others have come from sales, be it ones of the blog or ASOS variety. As I said in my previous post, I'm going through a phase at the moment, and am really loving these muted, off white, lilac toned shades. I'm still getting used to how they look on my nails, though! It's weird not seeing them painted with a bright coral or turquoise. Utopia is difficult to describe... if a lilac, grey, white, and a touch of nude all came together, this is what it'd look like. It took two coats to become opaque and I had no problems with the formula, so it gets high marks from me. I'm tempted to add some nail art to it because it's the perfect base for doing so, but don't want to ruin it!

What do you think of Utopia? Do you like shades like this?

Essie Go Ginza

(Instagram photo)

I'm not happy with my application of this, but I just had to show you the shade because I have nothing like it in my collection! As you can see, it's so much lighter than my other lilacs. I found myself looking at swatches of Go Ginza on Thursday, and then found it in the ASOS sale for £5, so it was meant to be. I was a little apprehensive about paying that, though, because I'm used to Fragrance Direct's £1.99 price tag, but once I found a student discount code (making the polish £4.50) and realised they were giving me free next day delivery (worth £5.95), I couldn't resist. The formula was good, taking just two coats. The first coat was streaky, but a second evened everything out. For such a light shade, I was expecting to have more issues. I really like it, and think it would look even better paired with a light coloured glitter!

What do you think? Are you a fan of lilacs? I personally love them, and deep berry shades, but tend to stay away from the purples in between.

Trying out Nail Tattoos/Transfers/Decals/whatever you want to call them

I hadn't thought about using nail tattoos or stickers since I was a child, but found myself doing just that the other night. So I hopped on over to eBay and started searching for nail art stickers. Something I could layer over my polish to look like I'd spent ages making my nails look pretty. This then led me to look at nail wraps, and then nail tattoos. I came across these for £1.99, and thought I'd give them a go. The printing quality could be better, but I only bought them to have a play around with. The instructions say to paint your nail with a white base coat (the white on the design is actually clear and you're just seeing the white of the paper behind), cut the transfer to size, place in water for 30 seconds, slide the transfer off the paper, and place onto your nail. Then hold it onto your nail with a cotton pad and then apply a top coat. However, you don't need to slide the transfer off and place it onto your nail. You can just put the whole thing straight onto your nail with the paper facing up, wet and press with a tissue or cotton pad, and then remove the paper (like you would with a fake tattoo). This saves you a step. How did I get on? It was more tricky than I thought it'd be, especially cutting the transfers to size. You can tidy and shape polish after applying, but you can't with these. I also had trouble keeping the design in place before applying a top coat. I do like the result, though! I'd love to try nail art stickers next, especially white designs. At least they don't cover your entire nail, so you don't have to worry about the shape around your cuticles.

Do you like nail art tattoos/transfers/decals/stickers/wraps? The ones above have made me realise that I don't own a light blue! I have sky blues, but no pastel varieties. Madness. Also, if you're wondering what nail polishes I'm wearing on the other nails, they're Grapefruit, Blueberry, and Greenberry from the Barry M Gelly range.

Rimmel 60 Seconds Nail Polish in Coralicious

You know, I think I'm going through a phase. Two weeks ago I wore a neon red, last week I wore a berry red, and this week I'm wearing a coral red. I tend to lean towards warmer shades in general, though! Rimmel's 60 Seconds Nail Polish in Coralicious was part of a Fragrance Direct order I made many months ago, and have only just got round to wearing it. It cost me just 99p, and although it's not available on there any more, you can buy it from eBay for £2-3, or Boots or Superdrug for £3.69 (and Superdrug currently has free delivery until the 22nd of October). I'm wearing three coats in the photo above, but this is only because I have longer nails at the moment and need to cover the visible nail line. If you have shorter nails with minimal white tips, you could get away with two coats. Although it could be more opaque, I love the formula. It's smooth and applies like a dream. This is also down to the brush, which is slightly thicker and rounder than others I'm used to. The brush alone makes me want to buy more from this range!

What do you think? Are you going through any nail polish phases at the moment?

Ciaté Nail Polish in Pepperminty

I love the colour mint, but I'm never sure how I feel about it on my nails. I think I'm warming to the Ciaté Paint Pot in Pepperminty, though! I think it's because it leans towards the blue end of the spectrum. The formula was good, taking 2 coats to become evenly opaque. There's not much more to say about it, really!

What do you think of mint nails? What's your favourite mint nail polish?

Barry M Limited Edition Yellow

Barry M has recently brought out some Limited Edition shades, with a pink and green exclusive to Superdrug, and a (different) pink and yellow exclusive to Boots. They all have patterned lids and are priced at £3.99. Of course, I just had to get the yellow! On its own, it takes 2-3 coats (some nails only took 3, though, because of my application), and with a white base coat, 1-2 coats. I'm wearing Barry M's Matt White underneath this manicure, and even though it means I'm wearing just as many coats, it made the application of the yellow a lot easier. It should hopefully help with any staining, too! On my ring finger, I used Barry M's Nail Art Pens in Black and White to do an aztec design. No where near perfect, but if you don't look closely, it looks pretty cool! To seal this, I used Barry M's All in One Basecoat, Topcoat & Nail Hardener. It's all about Barry M this week!

Have you picked up any of the Limited Edition Barry M shades?

Ciaté Nail Polish in Hoopla

Natural lighting, flash. 

My phone camera was better at capturing the shade of this polish, so sorry the quality isn't the best!

I have't worn a pink in ages! Hoopla is a light, peachy pink. It's very delicate and girly; just what I was in the mood for. I'm wearing 3 coats in the photos above, which isn't bad, but it's not outstanding, either. I know some people don't like applying more than 2 coats, but I personally don't mind going up to 3 because I keep my polish on for a week, making the extra painting time worth it. It's when we get to 4 coats that I have a problem! I don't have anything like this in my collection. The closest shade I have is Seventeen's Pink Lemonade, but that's a little more orange. I still wouldn't pay £9 for it, though, because I don't like spending over £5 on a nail polish. However, for around £3, I'm glad this was one of my Ciaté sale picks!

Do you have any peachy pink polish recommendations?

Sinful Colours Hottie

Natural lighting

Flash

I'd been wearing Astor's nail polish in 70 for 6 days (post here), so decided to spruce it up with my most recent Sinful Colours nail polish in Hottie. I'm wearing 2 coats of Hottie over 70 in the photos above, and cannot stop staring at my nails! It looks so much better in real life, too. Hottie is a sheer, blue based glitter with different sized blue, green, silver, gold, and bronze/purple particles, and I'm pretty sure they're holographic! I've been staring at my nails and the bottle for ages now, and I think they are, but I haven't seen others describe them as so. I think it's one to be worn as a topcoat rather than on its own. As you can see, it looks amazing over cobalt blues! And most blues, I'd imagine. I tried it over a turquoise earlier and that also looked beautiful.

What do you think of this £1.99 glitter? Have you tried it?

Astor Nail Polish in 70 (75p!)

I'd never heard of the brand Astor until browsing Fragrance Direct a few months ago. To my knowledge, Astor is a budget Spanish brand. I came across the 75p nail polishes, and well, you know me! I just had a buy a couple. The trouble was finding swatches, though, so it was a lot of guess work. This is 70; a cobalt blue. I have to say, the photos aren't showing the true colour of this. It's darker than what's shown! The formula was okay, taking 2-3 coats to become opaque. I do have some bubbling going on, but I think that's down to me, not the polish. These particular Astor nail polishes are 6ml, which is a lot less than other polishes I own, but I don't mind. I've never finished a nail polish anyway, and they're only 75p!

Have you stumbled upon any unfamiliar brands on Fragrance Direct? 

Models Own Beach Party

Models Own Beach Party is highlighter orange in polish form! The formula was a pleasant surprise, taking 2-3 coats. I thought it'd be sheer because it's a neon, but that wasn't the case. Some will find this garish and tacky, and I have to agree with them... but I still love it :) My hair, makeup and clothing are always simple, so I like to go crazy with my nails. I think I'll wear Luis Lemon next week; a neon yellow!

Sinful Colours Nail Polish in Orange Cream

Natural lighting, flash

How pretty is this polish? I love it! Sinful Colours Nail Polish in Orange Cream is a pastel peach with subtle silver shimmer. I'm wearing 2-3 coats in the photos above. 

I'm loving this £1.99 range so far. I'll definitely be buying more shades, especially when Boots have their next 3 for 2 offer (3 nail polishes for £3.98, anyone?!)

New Summer Barry M Gelly Nail Paint in Passion Fruit

Natural, flash

I was browsing one of my local Superdrugs on Friday when I came across the new Barry M Gelly Nail Paints. They're not meant to be out until next month, so I was pleasantly surprised. I picked up Guava, a bright turquoise, and this one; Passion Fruit. It's a bright, orange based red. I normally associate reds with Autumn/Winter, but this is very Summer appropriate due to how bright it is. The formula was okay, but it could have been better. It was fairly opaque, but a little streaky at the same time, meaning I had to apply 2-3 coats. 

Here it is compared to Blood Orange (the shade on the right). As you can see, it's lighter and more orange based. Blood Orange isn't even a dark red, so that shows you how it differs from the classic shade.

I'm enjoying wearing this shade. I think it really pops against my pale skin! I'll be posting about Guava soon, as well as a handful of Sinful Colours (haul of them can be found here).

OPI Are We There Yet?

Natural light, flash

OPI's Are We There Yet?* is the most recent addition to my nail polish collection. It's a muted orange with subtle pink and gold shimmer. It reminds me of the end of Summer/beginning of Autumn. I really like it. I know some people don't like bright, garish oranges, so this is a great alternative. The formula was average; no complaints from me. It was thin and creamy, which made drying time a lot quicker. I'm wearing 3 coats in the photos above.

This is from Fragrance Direct, with the small price tag of £3.99. The site used to sell them for £5.99, which was still reasonable for OPIs, but now they've dropped the price even more. They currently have a great range of shades, especially pinks. I now have a habit of checking the site every couple of days in the hope of finding new Essie and OPI shades!

*PR sample

Etude House Ice Cream Nail Polishes

 Etude House Ice Cream Nail Polishes in Banana and Blue Mint

Etude House Ice Cream Nail Polish in Blue Mint

How cute are these nail polishes?! I must admit, the packaging is what initially attracted me to them. The price persuaded me, too, being just £2.90 each (including P&P). 

The formula was a pleasant surprise, with Blue Mint taking 2 coats to become opaque, and Banana taking 2-3. Yellows tend to be streaky, and the other similar yellow I have (Sally Hansen's Yellow Kitty) takes 3 coats WITH a white base, so I'm really happy with this one. 

On its own, Blue Mint looks like a sky blue, but compared to my other sky blues, it's definitely more turquoise (which is great because I didn't have one!). 

As you can tell, I'm really impressed with these and would definitely recommend them. I think they'd make great presents, too!

I'm really tempted to buy Green Apple as well now, which is a light lime/grass green. Are there any shades catching your eye?

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Yellow Kitty

This is my first yellow manicure! Yellow isn't a common colour to wear on the nails, and I don't know why. I love the colour of this polish, but didn't get on with the formula. It's very streaky. Because of this, I'm wearing a white base coat (China Glaze's Snow) underneath. Even with a base coat though, it took 2-3 coats. I'm now on the look out for some other yellows, possibly brighter ones. I have a neon yellow from Models Own, which also requires a white base coat (yellows are tricky!), but I want a mid-toned, sunshine yellow. I also filed my nails right down before this manicure. I love going from long to short nails - It just feels nice!

What do you think about yellow nails? Do you own any yellow nail polishes you'd recommend me buying?