Vendetta....falling back in love

For a while now I have been in a nail varnish rut - same old colours, day in day out.  Basically either Mod About You, any slightly neon red/orange or Max Factor mini Cloudy Blue (seen below...lovely but doesnt last)

Max Factor Cloudy Blue 



So the other morning I scrabbled through my nail varnish drawer (the ones that aren't kept in the fridge as I ran out of space) and found an old favourite:

Vendetta by Chanel

I applied it on the tube on my way to a meeting and was inspired by how easily it went on and how I didn't need 4 coats to get the desired opacity (China Glaze I am  looking at you!). Its a beautiful vampy purple with a slight shimmer in the bottle but not noticeable when applied. It lasts well and looks good on short and long talons.

And it has a fabulous name!

What nail varnishes have you recently rediscovered? let me know....

until next time ..........xo

In and Out!

A little fun post of things I am loving ... and those I am not loving quite so much!

IN 


OPI NAIL POLISH

I'm back to natural nails and as such rediscovering the variety of nail colours I own. Whilst I am a true nail whore  and own over 100 polishes by Chanel, Orly, MAC, CND  plus the usual high street suspects - I would say OPI remains my favourite for quality and staying power. I am looking forward to getting out my pastels and hot pinks and oranges for Summer! Here are just a few from my collection:

L'OCCITANE HAND CREAM

Well if I am going to wear lovely nail polish I need to get my hands looking good and winter has left them a little war wounded. I recently re-discovered the joy of L'Occitane dry skin hand cream with 20% Shea Butter. Leaves my hands feeling soft, looking smoother and - big bonus - it smells divine!

L'OREAL BODY EXPERTISE NUTRILIFT (DRY TO VERY DRY SKIN)

Fake tanning, exfoliating and fake tanning again over and over to infinity means my skin takes a proper battering. I am not very good at remembering to moisturise but at my age I can't afford not to anymore. This body lotion is one of the best I have tried (even surpassing - for me - more expensive brands such as Clarins). It doesn't irritate my skin, absorbs quickly (so practical) and leave my skin looking and feeling better. Plus Superdrug have L'Oreal on 3 for 2. Who could ask for more?!

OUT


CLARINS BEAUTY FLASH BALM

Try as I might to love this product (and over the years I really really have tried) - I just doesn't seem to make any difference. I have applied it as a thin layer prior to make up, or as a thick layer as a mask then removed with toner (i.e completely as directed) and yet it never makes my skin look any better. I wish I was one of the people it worked for - I so wanted it to! Sad face.

LANCOME GENIFIQUE YEUX

Been using this consistently since November - and its another one that I had such high hopes for only to be sorely disappointed. I will use it to the end of the pot (mostly because it was REALLY expensive) but then I suspect I will go back to my beloved Kiehls Avocado Eye cream which has the heavy creamy consistency that seems to work much better on my type of skin.

L'OREAL STUDIO SECRETS SMOOTHING RESURFACING PRIMER

Broke me out. Massively. That is all. :(

OPI Mod About You

This week there was some seriously almost summer like weather in London Town. But I have been feeling a bit glum. One immediate way to lift my mood is painting my nails. Now I no longer have my French manicure acrylics on I can get back to a bit of experimenting with the 100 odd nail colours I have in my nail drawer and in the fridge. Yes - I keep my varnishes in the fridge. People always comment on this - they go in expecting to see food and immediately fixate on the Chanel nail varnish collection - like its something odd!

Anyway - I fancied something bright and pink. I reached for OPI's Mod About You - a colour I purchased inspired by Lollipop 26 - and have loved ever since. I never fail to get compliments on this cool bubblegum pinky/white. It is a bit of a pain to apply - I always need 3 coats as the first goes on pretty streaky and the second is never quite opaque enough. Plus you need a steady hand with this sort of colour - which I am not reknown for! Still its worth the effort - I think (ignore my shocking cuticles! Back to the Solar Oil for me!)

It looks pretty pink in this natural light - in other light it can look much whiter. Love love regardless!

What colour are you reaching for now the sun is coming out? Let me know.

Until next time..............xo