NOTD: Birds in the Sky

Late last night, I had a sudden nail art idea. I wanted to try out some more of my Skin Art Nail Tattoos and thought up a cute idea, using the bird tattoos and some old nail polishes that I haven't used in a while, Barry M's Blueberry Ice Cream and 17's Mini Skirt.

This is such a simple, yet great nail art design to do.

Firstly, apply the blue base, I used Barry M's Blueberry Ice Cream (which is the same colour as my car! Pretty cool.).

Once the base is dry, get a small piece of sponge, I tore a little piece off a bath sponge that I bought especially for nail art. Paint the white polish on to the sponge, I used 17's (now known as Seventeen) Mini Skirt. Then simply dab the sponge over the nails.

When the white has dried, clear up any mess around the nails. I used a cotton bud with a little nail polish remover to clear up the white that had gone beyond my nails.

Next, apply the birds. (If you have patience and a steady hand, you can create birds using nail polish or a nail art pen!). I used Skin Art's Nail Tattoos, which were in my goodie bag from the #NorthMeetUp. I used my tweezers to pick the tattoos from the backing sheet, then applied them to my nails, pressing firmly to secure.

Finally, apply a top coat to finish and seal. I used Barry M's All in One.

I found that the top coat improved the look of the sponged white polish, giving it a smoother, more cloud-like look.

Here's what the clouds looked like before applying a top coat.

and here's everything I used:

I'm really impressed with how well this nail art came out and I love Skin Art's Nail Tattoos! I have many more to use, so expect to see more nail art very soon.

xXx

Disclaimer: The Skin Art Nail Tattoos were in the goodie bag from the #NorthMeetUp. Everything else was purchased by me.

Seventeen (17) Rock Hard Nail Effects Review

Last Saturday afternoon, after a morning of hill walking and running, followed by spending 50 minutes of my precious time on the phone to Orange, I became bored, in need of a plan. Time was getting on... So, I decided to drive to Westfield Merry Hill, on a lone adventure to 'browse' shops, NO SPENDING!

(As you can already tell, I failed!).

The centre was open 'til 7pm, so after just over an hours drive, I arrived with an hour and a half left to 'browse'. I went to Boots, to admire all the lovely make-up and noticed that Seventeen (formerly 17) have released their own version of textured nail polish, Rock Hard Nail Effects.

I recently reviewed one of Barry M's new textured polishes, which was great. The difference with Seventeen's offering is that they are more dark, edgy, rock chick shades, as opose to Barry M's pretty spring/summer girly shades.

I had to own one, or two...

I stood there a while, deciding between black and grey (there is also red and navy but they didn't appeal to me), before realising that there was an offer. Oh, an offer. Now I must buy both! Such has been the situation with the previous 4 nail polishes that I purchased recently. Sucker for an offer.

I had just under £10 of Advantage Points, hoorah! This made a guilt-free purchase.

£3.99 each, or buy 1 get 1 half price. So I paid £5.98 of points for both.

Here's some photos of both shades:

Seventeen Rock Hard Nail Effects - amazing!

This polish is perfect, creating eye-catching, edgy, dark, rock chick, gothic nails.

The polish feels more gritty than Barry M's Textured Nail Paint, but in a good way. You can also tell it is grittier. The end result is more matte than Barry M.

Just as the bottle says 'Matte textured nails in just 2 coats!'

Application is great, so smooth to apply, fast and only 2 coats required!!

Strangely, when I was applying the polish, it had a scent different to normal nail polish, quite a pleasant scent...

More photos:

I'm really loving the whole textured nail thing and think that it will be big news this year!

It's great that more purse-friendly brands like Seventeen and Barry M are releasing them, as a cheaper but equally as good version of more high-end brands offerings.

What do you think of textured nails?

An update for anyone who read my Barry M Textured Nail Paint review - the polish was fine to remove, I was pleasantly surprised. I did worry it might be a nightmare, like glitters are but no, all good :)

Seventeen's textured polishes are also pretty easy to remove, as I took the black off last night to try the grey!

Seventeen Rock Hard Nail Effects are available now on Boots website and instore.

xXx

Festive Nails No.5 - Candy Cane

17 'Knockout Red' (freebie in an old GWP), white nail art pen from Rio Professional Nail Art Kit and Barry M All in One as a topcoat.

I love this festive look and I've had lots of compliments from people, friends, co-workers, shop workers and random girls behind me in Asda, talking to each other about how cool my nails are, haha!

Pretty quick and easy to do, though I struggled to do the stripes quite so neat on my right hand, as left handed is not easy for a 'Righty'.

These have lasted 4 days but have now started to chip, mainly the right hand - the one that will not be easy to re-do. The left hand is all good, bar 1 nail. Doh. I'm currently debating whether to attempt to re-do this look for tonight, leave as is for the night, or just remove and do plain festive coloured nails...

 Tonight, I'm going to my favourite pub, for the monthly DJ night. I can't wait! The last 2 were crazy-fun, so tonight will be brilliant, especially as it's Christmas time, so everyone will be more merry than usual and lots of awesome folk will be out.

Yesterday, I drove to Cardiff...yes, 3 whole hours drive there and 3/4 hours back in horrendous conditions, on my own, for Kids in Glass Houses Christmas Party gig. I've missed every year and decided to go this year, as they added a Saturday Matinee show. I planned to get the train but due to weather, getting to Cardiff via train was not happening. I had bought my gig ticket, £13.75 but luckily not booked train. I did consider bailing and losing out on the £13.75 but didn't want to miss the gig. So, I spent over £40 petrol and most of my Saturday driving!

Well worth it though, the gig was amazing, as always.

I fit in a little look round Cardiff's St. David's Shopping Centre after the gig, before heading home.

During the drive home, I realised I hadn't had any sugar the whole day, after hitting an energy slump, so I made a service station stop and got a Costa Black Forest Hot Chocolate, which was oh so yummy and did the job.

Today, I've done a little Christmas shopping and some chilling.

Now, it's about time to have a drink, blast the tunes and start getting ready for tonight :)

(I've been the sober one all weekend, when everyone else has been drunk, so tonight is my turn!)

Happy days!

xXx

Festive Nails No.4 - Barry M LE Christmas Glitter

Barry M Cosmetics Limited Edition 'Christmas Glitter' Nail Paint

- free when you spend £6 or more on any other Barry M products in Superdrug! GO GETCHA SOME!

When I first heard about this polish, I was so excited and couldn't wait for it's release. Then, I couldn't find any, horror.

This Christmas, Barry M have brought out 4 Limited Edition nail paints - 2 in Superdrug and 2 in Boots. This one is available in Superdrug, along with 'Christmas Blue', while Boots have 'Christmas Pink' (which I have also picked up) and 'Christmas Gold'. All are available as freebies (1 per customer), when spending £6 or more on any other Barry M products. I picked up a lipstick for my friend and an eyeliner for my mum, both for Christmas, then got myself the nail polish FREE :) The eyeliner I got for mum is the Bold Waterproof Eyeliner in 'Black', as I swear by the stuff and mum is always asking "What eyeliner do you use?". It's great!

I love this polish, just 1 coat used over 17 'Garnet' (mentioned in my last Festive Nail post).

And I love the cute coloured metallic lids, because simple things...

I've now removed this nail polish, ready for my next nail look. I'm thinking I'll have a day off festive nails and do some cute fimo, even though it's getting late now. Shower time with Lush and Soap & Glory, then I may have some fimo fun and watch a DVD. What DVD though? Decisions.

Oh yeah, I'm currently listening to Kids in Glass Houses 'Secret Santa', for the 5th (maybe 6th or 7th...) time tonight - I'm cool.

If you haven't heard it yet, give it a listen. It's such an uplifting Christmas song and not the usually cringey bs. Watch the video too, it'll make you smile and feel all Christmassy ;-) Last night's Radio 1 Review Show was totally taken over on Twitter by KIGH fans tweeting like crazy for Secret Santa to be played, as Aled was on the show. So much love for this song and band. They don't get the recognition they deserve.

xXx

Festive Nails No.3 - Christmas Gold and Red

Combined nail post tonight. I didn't feel it was worth separate posts for these. I will attempt something more exciting soon!

Gold - 17 Supreme Shine 'Sphinx'

I don't tend to wear light polishes, or golden ones but I went to see Stone Sour on Friday night and their new album is called 'House of Gold and Bones Part 1', soooo I took inspiration and painted my nails golden.

Red - 17 Fast Finish 'Garnet'

A gorgeous metallic red polish, which is very Christmassy.  I've since added a coat of Barry M's Limited Edition 'Christmas Glitter' polish, which I will blog about tomorrow.

One week to go until Christmas! How exciting? I am so so unprepared! As always. I have some present buying to do still, but I can't do this until I have money.

I'm even more excited now because I'M GOING TO SEE KIGH SATURDAY!!!! *Fangirl moment*. I decided it would be criminal to miss yet another of the annual KIGH Christmas Party shows, so I booked myself a ticket and I'm going to Cardiff to see them on Saturday :) Who cares if I only have £4.39 in my bank after buying my ticket, it's totally worth it! Thankfully I'll have been paid by Saturday.

I'm also awaiting the arrival of my Sleigher tee, from Aled's Who Are The Nines online store, which I am excited about (hoping it arrives in time!).

So much excitement at the moment!

xXx

NOTD: Pink Moonstruck Crackles

Today's Nails :)

What I used:

This is very much like Barry M Silver Foil Effect polish :)

Though I do find that it shows ridges of the nail a lot...

I had Moonstruck on yesterday, then painted the pink crackle on at about 1:00am last night/this morning (I have a bad habit of deciding to paint my nails when I should be sleeping!)

BUT, as I get bored quickly and as I have been inspired by something today, I have now removed this nail polish and plan to attempt a cute design shortly...

Check back later to see if my attempt was successful :)

I have a couple of posts that I am going to do tonight, including the Harrod's Glossybox, which is currently sat next to me, waiting to be opened! Love coming home from work to a nice treat :)

xXx

NOTD: Pretty Pastels

Today I painted my nails with 17 Lasting Fix 'Sherbet Lemon' (something bright to lighten up a dull day!)

Then, whilst looking through my box of unused products I spotted a sponge that I bought last year for nail art and had not tried yet!

So, I decided to get arty :)

I tore off a little bit of sponge and dabbed on some lilac polish to start with...

 Second, I dabbed on some light pink below and slightly over the lilac...

I then finished with 17 Nail Xtras Nail Recovery as a top coat :)

Here's What I used...

I thought my nails went quite nicely with my beloved Tarina Tarantino Good Witch Tote :)

What do you think?

I am loving today's nails and am excited to try different colour polishes with sponges now :)

I went shopping today in Telford, 1. to pass the afternoon and 2. to return a dress to Topshop.

When I went up to the till, the Sales Assistant said 'I love your nails!!', I thought that was nice!

Then I went out with the lads, who didn't get my nails at all...we all know what guys are like, they don't understand, haha! But they did say my nails reminded them of sweeties.

Also, I was so happy to return to my blog when I got home tonight to find that I have had nearly 170 views of my blog today :) :) That means so much to me, it may not be a lot for some bloggers, but the most I have ever had is 90, after my blog was linked on Bourjois and the event photographers Facebook pages.

Not sure where this latest mass of views has come from, or why, but thank you all so much for checking out my blog :)

Hope you have all had a lovely weekend!!

xXx

Amaretto Nails

17 nail polishes are some of my favourite, ever.

They are fast drying, great finish, cheap and last ages!!

17 do a wide range of polishes in various types, colours, effects etc :) They are available from Boots.

I am also a big fan of 17 makeup, I just love 17...

So, tonight, whilst browsing my nail polish collection I was drawn to this beauty, which I forgot all about!

When I bought this nail polish last Summer I wasn't too keen but now I have rediscovered it I LOVE IT!!

and it makes me want an Amaretto and Diet Coke haha :) Yum.

xXx