Converted: Essie Nail Laquers

Hi everyone, I'm really sorry I haven't posted in a while, I've had a tough week for personal reasons but today I'm back with a product I'm sure you are all familiar with, but that I was a little late to jump on the bandwagon with: Essie Nail Laquers.

Until fairly recently I wasn't really into painting my nails - I don't have a particularly steady hand and I'm impatient when it comes to drying time so this generally led to me looking like a two-year old had painted my nails. The release of the Barry M Gelly Hi Shine range started to change that as I loved so many of the gorgeous pastel and bright shades, as well as the glossy finish that I started to build up my collection of nail polishes.

Essie, however, was a brand that I could never justify buying from due to the £8.00 price tag. Now I know some of you nail polish addicts won't think £8.00 is bad at all, considering some brands such as Nails Inc and Butter London charge more, but for me, a very recent nail polish fan, that always seemed pretty steep. I did love the range of colours though, and would find myself stopping to gaze at the stand in my local Boots and Superdrug and sighing 'Ah Essie...'.

So I finally took the plunge. I had finished an exam and felt like I deserved it, and with my Summer holiday approaching, I thought Fiji would be the perfect colour to paint my toenails for the week. So I bought it. And I tried it. And I loved it! So much so that I had to go back the following week and buy the other shade I'd been lusting after - Mint Candy Apple.

 

Fiji is a beautiful pale, almost white pink which looks so elegant on fingernails and works really well as a pedicure colour too. Mint Candy Apple, which I'm currently wearing, is a stunning pastel mint green shade which is perfect for this season. Both polishes have a gorgeous fairly shiny finish, even without a top coat, and are very opaque so you could probably get away with just one coat if you were in a rush, although they do look far better with two coats.

My favourite thing about Essie nail polishes, other than the amazing colours, is the brush. The brush is much wider than any other nail polish I own, meaning that application is so much quicker and easier as you don't need countless strokes to cover each nail.

The lasting power is also pretty good, considering I don't use a base coat or a top coat (I know I know, that's shocking but I told you I'm new to this nail painting stuff!). I've been wearing Mint Candy Apple for three days now and chipping is minimal. I have just ordered the Seche Vite top coat for £4.61 on Amazon though - I'd never seen it so cheap so I would snap it up now if you've been after this cult top coat! So hopefully, they'll last even longer when I start using them alongside a decent top coat.

 

 

 

So there it is, I'm converted. Now I have an expensive new obsession and I'm determined to slowly but surely build up a collection of Essie nail laquers.

 

Can you recommend any other shades from Essie?

 

Holly xo
 

Current Skincare Favourites

Hi everyone, sorry the blog has been slightly neglected this week, it's exam month as I'm sure a lot of you know, and I've never known stress like it! I sat my hardest exam today though (Psychobiology, Sensation and Perception ooh) and my last one is on Thursday so hopefully I'll be back to posting regularly soon!
 

Now, skincare...

Until fairly recently, skincare was nowhere near top of my list of priorities. I was very much a 'remove my makeup with a wipe and slap on some cheap moisturiser in the morning' kind of girl. Oh the shame. Then I discovered all the amazing skincare products that are raved about on beauty blogs every day and my eyes were well and truly opened. Now I'm working towards developing a staple skincare routine and these three products are definitely contenders.
 

 

Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish is a plant-based cleanser containing naturally active ingredients like eucalyptus and cocoa butter which work to clean, smooth and add a radiant glow to the skin. I've never tried a cleanser like this - it is a rich cream which you apply to dry skin and then buff off with a muslin cloth which gently exfoliates away dead skin cells. I must admit, I'm a bit lazy when it comes to washing the muslin cloths so I often just wash the cleanser off with warm water which works fine too. A lot of people are fond of the smell of this cleanser, I personally think it smells a bit like vapour rub, but the scent is not overpowering at all so it doesn't bother me. I also really like the packaging of this, I'm not sure why! The pale turquoise bottle is sturdy and smooth, and the pump dispenser makes the product so much easier and more hygienic to use. Cleanse and Polish is priced at £13.25, or £14.75 for the starter kit which contains the same 100ml bottle of cleanser as well as two muslin cloths (which is the option that I went for). I think this price is extremely reasonable considering the cult status of the product! Overall I really love this cleanser, and I can definitely see myself repurchasing it.

 

Moisturiser has always been a key product for me as my skin can get a little dry sometimes, particularly on the tops of my cheeks. I always apply moisturiser in the morning and have been trying to apply it every night now too. Dehydrated skin is the most common skin type, and even oily skin needs to be regularly moisturised, so I'm always on the lookout for a new staple moisturiser. Vichy Aqaulia Thermal is a very rich creamy moisturiser with a gorgeous scent (it reminds me of holidays, I think it smells like sun cream or aftersun but I can't put my finger on it). This moisturiser comes in two formulations - light and rich, I bought the rich pot as at the time my skin was very dry and I wanted something really hydrating, but if you have combination/oily skin, the light pot may be a better option for you. The rich pot is non-greasy and non-sticky and really helps to relieve any feelings of tightness in my skin (I sometimes get this feeling on my forehead). The 50ml pot retails for around £16.00 at Boots or slightly less on Escentual. I'm not sure I will repurchase this as I think I am still yet to find the one in terms of daily moisturisers.

 

Finally, a product that was on my wishlist a while back: Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. I always associate skin masks with a feeling of luxury and relaxation, and this apricot-scented mask definitely provides that. The mask is massaged into the skin before you go to bed and it deeply hydrates and moisturises the skin while you sleep. What's not to love? This is great to use on its own or as a follow-up to a clay-based mask for impurities which can leave skin feeling dry and tight. At £20.00 for 100ml, this mask isn't cheap but it is long-lasting and has definitely earned its cult status, and its long-term status in my skincare collection.

 

I do still try to keep my skincare routine fairly simple as my skin is quite sensitive and often reacts badly to new products, but these three products have done nothing but good things for my skin so I definitely recommend them!

 

I hope you enjoyed reading about my current favourites, I can't wait to get paid and add more products to my collection: next on the list are the Emma Hardie Amazing Face Cleansing Balm (at a hefty £34 it had better be damn good!) and Hydraluron from Indeed Labs - I blame Caroline Hirons, the incredible skincare guru who writes Beauty Mouth for these latest product lusts as that woman really knows what she's talking about, doesn't mince her words and therefore I totally trust her recommendations - and she replied to my tweet last week! (chuffed)

 

What skincare products could you not live without?

 

Holly xo

 

Everyday Makeup Look

 

I thought I could show you an everyday makeup look of mine today. I wanted to try out the Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua foundation before I buy the full size (which I'm pretty certain I will be doing), so the lady at the counter gave me a couple of samples to try. As it's a very light water-based foundation, I found it was best applied with fingers, as a brush would soak up too much of the product. The only shade that was available as a sample was 30 Beige but I think I will go for the next shade down (20 Beige) as this one is slightly dark for me (though you can't tell from the pictures). And I've decided to embrace being pale! Pale and interesting is the saying isn't it? Ha.

I then used my trusty Collection Lasting Perfection concealer in Light 2 to cover any blemishes and my under-eye circles (which are still visible but it definitely takes the edge off). This concealer is seriously good at hiding blemishes, I've now got my little sister hooked on it too.

I contoured using the Nars Laguna bronzer in the hollows of my cheekbones, across my temples and down the centre of the face. I picked up the Collection Shimmer Shades in 'Way to Glow' after seeing Llymlrs recommend it, and I love it - great value for only around £4 too. I used the peachy pink shade as blush, the greyish brown shade to emphasise my cheekbones more and the white shade as a highlighter along the tops of my cheekbones, under the brow bone and down the centre of the face. I was a little bit disappointed with the highlighting shade as it wasn't very pigmented but maybe it'll grow on me.

On my eyes I added a slick of brown L'Oreal kohl eyeliner and the Lancôme Hypnose mascara (which I must remember to review!). And to finish off I applied the Pixi Tinted Brilliance Balm in Rosy Red, which is my favourite product for a red lip as it's so hydrating and pigmented.

Here's the finished look:
 

 

Do you use any of these products? Can you recommend any others?

Holly xo
 

Worldwide Wardrobe Competition || Travel Supermarket

It must have been around a month ago now when I first read about this amazing competition from Travel Supermarket and I was so excited to get to work on my entries. It's open to all fashion bloggers and all you have to do is put together an outfit with accessories for each of the five destinations: Sightseeing in Paris, Clubbing in Ibiza, Shopping in London, Cocktails in New York and Partying at a Full Moon Party in Thailand. Your outfit, including accessories, should cost under £200, and you can enter all five categories, or just one or two, whichever way you want to do it!

The winner from each category will win an incredible prize: a dream trip to the destination that their outfit was inspired by AND the £200 to buy the outfit you designed. There is one judge for each category - some of my favourite bloggers Lily (Llymlrs), Lily (WhatIHeartToday), Lexi (FashionFilth), Ella (LaPetiteAnglaise) and Emma (Milkteef).

Find out more and enter HERE - the competition ends on the 5th June.

I decided to enter three of the five categories: Sightseeing in Paris, Cocktails in New York and Partying at a Full Moon Party in Thailand.

Here are my outfits:

When I think of Paris, I always think of romance and amazing fashion. I have an A Level in French (fun fact) and I love the language and culture but I've never actually been to Paris. Visiting this beautiful city is definitely on my bucket list. I'd love a chance to see the amazing landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame, as well as sampling the amazing food and getting to practice my French with the locals! I wanted my outfit to be pretty and feminine so I chose a floaty skirt in a pastel blue hue with a sheer polka dot blouse. I know heels aren't the smartest choice for sightseeing but I always feel so much more feminine when I'm wearing them and these tan sandals from Zara have a chunky manageable heel and will help to dress up the outfit slightly. I'm not really one to over-accessorise and I like the ladylike simplicity of this outfit so I thought a tan satchel and this pretty rose gold watch from River Island would add to the cutesy feel. I'd finish with a coat of one of my favourite nude polishes, Barry M Lychee.

I've never been to America but one day I have to go - and New York is the first place on my 'to see' list. I think of New York fashion as being effortlessly cool and chic, whilst still being on trend. For cocktails in New York I wanted to create a sexy monochrome evening look with a pop of colour and print. I think this side-split maxi skirt from River Island would be perfect for an evening in the Big Apple, and I would pair it with a simple cami and a chunky statement necklace for my go-to cocktail outfit. I am in love with ankle strap sandals at the minute and these gold metal cuffed heels from Asos are amazing. My favourite piece of this outfit though has to be the gorgeous tribal envelope clutch from Zara. It's beautiful and caught my attention straight away, I'd love showing this off in New York. Clutch in one hand, raspberry daiquiri in the other!

 Thailand is such an exotic location, it's somewhere I would love to visit with my boyfriend or friends to experience the culture, the food (Thai food is somewhat of a weakness for me) and of course, the famous Full Moon beach parties. Yellow is a colour that really makes me happy and think of Summer, so I'd pair a cute yellow bikini top with these white Zara piqué shorts and a gorgeous embroidered kimono from Topshop as a cover-up. I think the tan gladiator sandals would be stylish yet comfortable so I'd be able to party til the early hours. For accessories I'd add a yellow satchel - I love the scallop-edge detail on this Asos one, and some oversized sunnies and a statement necklace. Ready to hit the beach.


I hope you like the outfits I put together, this is actually the first time I've ever made an outfit collage and I had so much fun with it. I'm sorry that the writing has appeared a little faded in the images - I hope you can all see where the items are from!
The five bloggers I nominate to try the challenge are: Jenna, Katie, Kate, Faith and Amy!

Good luck if you enter the competition girls! I can't wait to see your entries.

Holly xo

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche

Each year, Estée Lauder release their highly anticipated Bronze Goddess collection. This limited edition collection contains makeup essentials for a bronzed summer look, such as illuminating powders, deep sumptuous lip colours and luxurious liquid and powder bronzers. Each year the collection also contains the limited edition fragrance 'Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche' and after testing it in store, I knew I had to have it.

This skinscent can only be described as 'a holiday in a bottle'. The fragrance, which is described by Estée Lauder as 'a citrus floral blend with notes of Bergamot and Orange Blossom', is just the epitome of summer for me. It's deep, warm and sensual, one sniff and memories of lounging on warm beaches come flooding back.

I love spraying this just to experience that excitement for Summer. It kind of feels like cheating to wear this fragrance in rainy Newcastle but that won't stop me wearing it here and on holiday later this year. Some lovers of the Bronze Goddess fragrance aren't overly keen on this year's packaging, but I actually really like it. The all-gold packaging is simple yet luxurious and really captures the essence of the scent. I was a little concerned at first that I wouldn't be able to tell how much of the fragrance I had used but upon closer inspection I realised that the packaging is actually translucent so you can see the amount of fragrance remaining.

The only qualm I have with Bronze Goddess is its lasting power. As it is a 'skinscent' rather than a perfume, it does tend to fade fairly quickly, which may put some people off spending £45. However, if you spray it liberally it does tend to last a bit longer. I personally think that £45 for a limited edition 100ml fragrance is very reasonable and I can definitely see myself re-purchasing this every Summer when the collection is released. Although I know a lot of people love this scent (John Lewis have a waiting list for the fragrance every year as it's so popular), it is fairly strong so I suggest trying it before buying in case it's not for you.

The Bronze Goddess collection is notorious for selling out quickly so if you want to get your hands on this fragrance, make sure to pop to your nearest Estée Lauder counter and snatch one up, or shop online here and receive two free samples with your purchase, as well as free delivery!

 

Have you tried Bronze Goddess Eau Fraiche?

Holly xo
 

Sleek True Colour Lipsticks

Sleek are a fairly new but already well-loved high street cosmetics brand. They sell some fantastic quality products (I've heard people compare their products to MAC quality) at prices that don't break the bank; I particularly like their blush trios and the true colour lipsticks, which I'm going to review for you today.

Sleek lipsticks come in two different formulas - Sheen and Matte. I own two of their Sheen lipsticks in the shades 'Barely There' and 'Liqueur'. I'm sure you can guess from the names of the formulas but the Sheen finish lipsticks are really creamy and moisturising with a noticeable shine. In the bullet they look like they would have a fairly frosty finish (ooh alliteration), but that doesn't translate on the lips at all. Instead, they just provide great colour pay-off and the soft creamy formula makes them a dream to apply.

 

Top: Barely There | Bottom: Liqueur

Barely There is a gorgeous peach shade. This looks so lovely paired with a fresh, glowing base and a slick of mascara. It's a very pigmented lip colour and is actually one of my favourites in my collection at the minute. I'll definitely be trying more peach lipsticks this season. I also own one of Sleek's matte lipsticks in the shade 'Bare All' which is exactly the same shade as 'Barely There' but with a completely matte finish. I tend to avoid matte lipsticks, as my lips can get quite dry, so that shade isn't as loved as it's Sheen formula counterpart. However, if you like the shade but prefer a matte finish, 'Bare All' might be right up your street.

 

 When swatched, Liqueur looks like a sort of plum pink/mauve, but on my lips, it shows up as more of a nude/pale pink. I really do like the shade, but part of me wishes that the plum tones showed up more as the swatch looks gorgeous. Maybe that's just due to the pigmentation of my lips though?

You can buy Sleek True Colour Lipsticks in an extensive range of shades from Superdrug or online here. I really love the Sleek website, they make a lot of effort to provide swatches of their products (on fair, medium and dark skin) so that you have a much better idea of the colour/texture of the product and how it is likely to look against your skintone before you purchase. I wish all cosmetics websites took Sleek's initiative as this really helps to make the experience of online makeup shopping less daunting.
For £4.99, I can't fault the quality, texture and shades of the True Colour Lipsticks and I wouldn't hesitate to pick up more from the range (I really want to try Coral Reef and Heartbreaker, which are gorgeous brighter shades for Summer).

Have you tried the True Colour Lipsticks? Which shades would you recommend?

Holly xo
 

Bioderma Crealine H2O

I can almost guarantee that you have heard someone, whether it be the biggest UK beauty gurus or your favourite bloggers, talking about this micellar solution. Bioderma is a French skincare brand that, until recently, wasn't stocked in the UK (it's now available in some UK pharmacies). I invested in the famous Crealine H2O micellar solution around two months ago, and now I don't see how I could be without it. I originally wanted to try it as I'm wary about rubbing my eyes with makeup wipes to get all the kohl and mascara off as I find they can be a bit rough, and I'd rather not lose my eyelashes or end up accentuating the bags under my eyes from vigorous scrubbing! So I wanted to try something a bit more gentle.

 

I picked up the 500ml bottle from an eBay seller (link here), and I had no problems at all - my bottle of crealine H2O arrived less than two days later, protected with bubble wrap. Now, around two months in, I've used just over half of the 500ml bottle, so although you can buy smaller sizes (100ml or 250ml), I'd definitely recommend picking up the biggest size if it's a product you think you will use every day.

 

Although most people refer to this particular micellar solution simply as 'Bioderma', the brand actually have several different ranges available for different skin types (including ranges for dry skin, combination/oily skin and a sun-protection range). Sensibio, which is recognisable from the bright pink packaging, is specially formulated for sensitive skin. This makes it perfect for use on and around the sensitive eye area. The product is so easy to use - you just pop a small amount (about the size of a 2p coin is usually enough) onto a cotton pad and wipe away your makeup. I like to hold the cotton pad on my eye for around 20-30 seconds just to loosen up my mascara first (ya know how it gets a bit crunchy when it dries), then I gently rub off the rest of my eye makeup.

 

This micellar solution is also great for freshening up your skin in the morning before applying makeup. It looks, feels and smells like water - but it is seriously excellent at removing every trace of makeup without stinging or irritating your eyes/skin at all.

 

Overall, I would definitely recommend this product - it deserves all the hype it gets in my opinion. No it's not some sort of miracle worker so if you build it up too much, you may end up feeling underwhelmed - but it does exactly what it should do, removes makeup gently and effectively without leaving your eyes or skin sore. And that's something we all need at the end of the day isn't it?

Holly xo

  

April Favourites

Hi everyone, it's Favourites time again. I'm a little bit late with this one as it's already the 5th! The months are flying by so quickly, it'll be Christmas again before we know it. Last month saw me add a lot more beauty/skincare products to my collection and I will be doing full reviews on all of them for you in the next couple of weeks. For today though, let's get on with my April Favourites:

 

Gone Girl

(Buy here)

My first favourite for this month is a non-beauty love of mine. There's something so satisfying about finding a novel that you cannot put down. Gone Girl is a thriller in which a woman called Amy goes missing on her 5th wedding anniversary and her husband Nick looks increasingly guilty of being involved in her disappearance. I don't want to give anything else away as there are some amazing twists and turns - particularly one twist right in the middle of the book that left me stunned. The story is told from both Nick and Amy's perspectives and the two narrators are telling very conflicting stories, leaving you wondering who is telling you the truth. Gone Girl spent weeks at the top of the New York Times bestsellers list and I totally agree with the Mail on Sunday's comment (see picture) as I was dying to find someone else who had read the book so I could talk about it with them! I read this in three days as I needed to know how the story would end. I was really sad to finish this book and have been trying to find an equally thrilling novel to take its place this month. If you have any recommendations please let me know!

 

Real Techniques Stippling Brush

 

(Buy here)

The Real Techniques brushes and I have had a love affair going on for a few months now. I own the Core Collection (the Buffing Brush has changed my life), the Powder brush, the Blush brush, and as of this month - the Stippling brush. Since delving into the world of cream blushes this month, I knew I needed the perfect tool for applying them and the Stippling blush was definitely the right choice. As with all the Real Techniques brushes I've tried, this brush provides faultless application and helps give your makeup a really natural-looking finish. I've been using this to apply powder blushes as well, I use it by dabbing the blush onto the apples of my cheeks then lightly brushing it up towards my hairline.

Bioderma Crealine H2O

(Buy here)

This micellar water from French skincare brand Bioderma is massively hyped-up in the blogging world, and rightly so I have to say. I bought this around two months ago and have been using it every day to remove my eye makeup and most of my face makeup. The Crealine H2O solution is from the Sensibio range which is especially for 'peaux sensibles' (or sensitive skin to us English girls) so it doesn't irritate the eyes or skin in the slightest. Full review coming soon.

Lancôme Hypnose Mascara

(Buy here)

After much deliberation between the original Lancôme Hypnose mascara and their new Doll Eyes mascara, I decided to go for the original. Lancôme are one of the bestselling high-end brands for mascara so I was excited to try one out to see if it would rival my YSL False Lash Effect for the Holy Grail Mascara spot. I'll be doing a full review of this too, so you can read all my thoughts in that post!

L'Oreal Colour Riche Le Kohl Liner

(Buy here)

 



I've heard a few beauty gurus advise that blondes should opt for brown eyeliner instead of black as it looks less harsh. As a kohl-addict since the age of 13, I thought it was about time I gave brown eyeliner a try, and I have to say, since I bought this, my black eyeliners haven't seen the light of day. I expected a brown liner not to make my eyes stand out as much, even to be barely visible but this kohl liner is fantastic. It applies smoothly along the lashline and in the upper/lower water lines and helps to define my eyes whilst looking noticeably less harsh than black. I chose the shade 102 Pure Espresso and I think I will definitely be repurchasing this when I inevitably sharpen it to within an inch of its life.

Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh

(Buy here)

 

I mentioned this perfume in a recent haul post, and I have been loving it so much this month. It is THE perfect fragrance for sping - light, floral and fruity. It has such a fresh scent and people comment on how amazing it smells when I wear it, which is always the sign of a fantastic perfume for me. Also, the bottle is just stunning. I love the oversized flowers adorning the lid, this looks so beautiful displayed on my dressing table.

 

YSL Blush Radiance

(Buy here)

 

I've had this blush in my collection for over a year now (hence the slightly battered packaging), and this month I have been reaching for it a lot. The shade I own is 02 which contains two gorgeous coral shades (one light, one darker) arranged into a pretty quad. The packaging is typical YSL - sleek, shiny and gold, and it has a handy little mirror inside which is great for applying makeup on-the-go. I think this shade is just perfect for spring/summer, it adds a really natural, pretty flush to the cheeks without looking overdone. I've been applying this with my Real Techniques stippling brush.

 

So that's it for another month! Don't forget to link me to your April Favourites posts if you comment as they are seriously one of my favourite kinds of posts to read - I love to see what products everyone else has been enjoying so I can add more things to my ever-growing wishlist!

 

Holly xo

  

Topshop Joni Jeans

Last week whilst browsing in Topshop, I picked up a pair of the famous Joni jeans to try on. I promise - I wasn't going to buy them. I just wanted to try them on to see what all the fuss was about. I even picked up the 32inch leg Jonis (I'm normally a 30") because they were the first ones I saw in my size. See I clearly had no intention of buying them.

Then I tried them on...

As soon as I put one leg in these jeans I thought to myself, 'Oh no, I'm going to have to buy them'. They are just the softest, stretchiest jeans I've ever worn. They are also really flattering as they are high-waisted with a single button fastening. The 32" Joni jeans also fit me perfectly so I took that as a sign that I HAD to buy them. They come in various colours (black, navy blue..) but I love the pale denim ones that I picked up as I think they have a really trendy vintage feel to them.

For a trip to the cinema the other night, I paired my new Jonis with an equally new Tee that I picked up from Topshop the same day. It says Brat, and I thought that was funny.

 

 

 

Oops, mirror shot = backwards writing

 

 

Joni jeans: Topshop | T-shirt: Topshop (Tee and Cake) | Necklace: Topshop | Shoes: New Look

 

Nails: Models Own Blueberry Muffin & L'Oreal Confetti Top Coat

 

 

Holly xo

 

 

100 Followers | A Little Thank You

I woke up this morning to find that my little blog has reached 100 followers! I just wanted to say thank you all so much for supporting me, I'm overwhelmed by all the lovely comments I've received since starting my blog and I really appreciate every single one of you taking an interest in what I talk about! I know 100 followers may seem like a small amount in comparison to other blogs that have thousands of followers - but for me, 100 lovely readers is so much more than I expected in such a short space of time.

 

I came across this inspirational image the other day and I thought it was so appropriate for the blogging community so I thought today would be the perfect time to share it with you.

Image from 'grammerly' on Facebook

As I only started my blog two months ago, I know how difficult it is to get started. You can often feel as though you're talking to yourself and that no one will really be interested in reading your thoughts. It's so easy to compare yourself to more 'established' blogs and think 'I'm never going to get there' or 'Why am I bothering?'. But in doing this, you are comparing your Chapter 1 to someone else's Chapter 20. Everyone has to start somewhere and more often than not, your hard work will pay off!

I have found that the blogging community is such a friendly, supportive place - we all have similar interests and genuinely want other bloggers to succeed and do well. It's not a competition.

Although I am so happy to have reached 100 followers - it's important to remember that's not what it's all about. Your blog is your very own place for recording your thoughts and dreams. It's something you can look back on in years to come and remember how passionate you felt about what you were writing. You should be proud of your blog, no matter how 'big', 'small' or 'established' it is. Keep up your hard work, and I'm sure it will be recognised.

 

A bit of a sentimental post from me, but I wanted to thank you all so much and offer a little bit of advice at the same time that I think we can all apply to our blogging life as well as our 'real life' haha.

 

Holly xo

 

 

L'Oreal Confetti Top Coat

Until recently I was never that into doing my nails. I'm really bad at having to sit still and not touch anything until they dry. I'll paint a nail and then suddenly MY NOSE IS ITCHY or SOMEONE HAS TEXT ME and I can't resist moving. But since I started reading beauty blogs, I've been exposed to so many brands, colours and nail effects that I've suddenly become quite excited by nail polish!

I've seen a few people talk about the L'Oreal Confetti top coat and it looked so pretty and easy to use so I knew I wanted to try it. Unfortunately every time I've stepped into Boots or Superdrug looking for it for the last month, it's been sold out. Until Friday! I went into Boots for a browse before the Body Shop event and I spotted it. Safe to say within seconds it was in my hands and I was heading for the tills. I wasn't going to let this baby get away again. Even the sales assistant at the till commented on how lovely it was.

I applied it that night over the top of my Models Own Blueberry Muffin (from the new scented fruit pastel collection, also a really lovely nail polish!) and instantly I knew it was love.

 

 

The top coat is a clear polish with small and larger flecks of black and white 'confetti' pieces suspended in it. It applies like a dream - so simple for those of us who struggle with more intricate nail art (me), yet it gives a really gorgeous effect. I got so many compliments on my nails the next day at work when I was wearing this - I think I sold more Confetti top coats then I did New Look products that day! It has pretty good staying power too, the confetti pieces haven't chipped off easily at all so far. I think this would look gorgeous on top of any nail polish colour, particularly lighter shades so that the confetti really pops against the background.

Overall, I love this top coat and am so glad I got my hands on it eventually! It has totally lived up to the hype for me. So my advice: if you see this polish in your local store - buy it while you can!

 

Holly xo