NOTD: OPI "Teenage Dream"

Woah! This is one seriously sparkly polish! :) This is 2 coats with China Glaze FastForward top coat. It's still quite gritty but it doesn't matter. I really struggled to photograph this polish, this shows the base colour accurately but doesn't show you just how bling-a-ling it is! It has different size glitters in it and a nude pink-beige base colour. It's fairly quick-drying so making more coats than 2 shouldn't be too much of a struggle...

I've been busy tidying my house today and found some really cool polish I've not tried yet so hopefully by end of week I will have some cool NOTDs for you all!

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New Year's NOTD: Body Shop "Starry Night"

I picked up this beauty in the sales, and decided it would be a fitting New Year manicure! Lets hope 2011 is as special, as sparkly and as magical like this nail polish :)

I had some application problems with this, it's a bit thick and stringy... But if you're not so fussy you would get away with one thick coat, but this is two thin coats and MegaShine top coat. It has a black base with sparkly silver glitter and flakies.

Well I am going to indulge in some coffee before I get geared up for the stroke of midnight!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!

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NOTD: Color Club "Snowflakes"

So I finally got to put on this lovely sparkler! :) It's from the Color Club xmas collection "Enchanted Holiday". This is 2 coats with Megashine top coat. You will need two coats of thick top coat, it is a bumpy glitter!

This is hard to photograph - it's hard to get the holographic glitter to twinkle when in focus, but in real life and out of focus it sparkles like diamonds on your nails! It's not an opaque glitter but that is probably what makes it so shimmery.

I am now about to watch some nature programmes on telly while cuddling my wee kitten, he's very affectionate today (could be that his Mummy fed him some freshly roasted chicken!).

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HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Hi guys, I woke up to a lovely winter's (yep, definitely winter now!) morning and got this super shot of the beauty that is "Zombie Zest" :) Apart from the awesome name, it's amazing; like a murkier, more glittery version of my old fave Sinful "Show me the way"! I can't wait to see how I feel about Orly "It's not rocket science". This has quickly made it into my Top 20!

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Recent NOTDs

Struggling with light arrangements, I just can't seem to get right light in my house so I haven't posted lately, as I am not satisfied with the photos. But I decided to put the up anyway so here are my latest NOTDs; the awesome red glitter Sally Hansen Extreme Wear "Fireberry Red" and the sea-blue shimmer Icing "Roger That". This is 3 coats of each with China Glaze FastForward top coat. The formula on both of these was ok, and "Fireberry Red" was really easy to remove without staining :) Lets hope that goes for "Roger that" is the same...

The polishes are not as sheer or washed out as they look in these photos, it is all to do with crap lighting. I hope I can find somewhere with good light soon...

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NOTD China Glaze "Mummy May I"

A lovely lady from America sent me the gorgeous Orly "It's not rocket science" and a mass of other to die for nail polishes so here's hoping I can show these all off in the next few weeks! I got the new China Glaze Awakening set for Halloween 2010, and here is my first choice - "Mummy May I". It is a blackened plum base with hot fuschia glitter. The glitter isn't as obvious as I would like it but it's still a very cool polish! This is 3 coats with 2 coats of China Glaze FastForward top coat. The formula on this was thick and unpleasant but it did dry very quickly even without speed dry top coat.

I also managed to get my mitts on one of the new Andrea Fulerton Nail Boutique Nail Trio's! This is "Garden of Eden". What a lovely name! :D I thought from photos on Superdrug website that it was a dark green/orangey sheer glitter combo but it's better than that!! I wasn't sure how the layering would look but OMG it's awesome (nail on far right)! :D I also bought the nail polish remover from this range; it comes in a professional pump bottle and supposedly smells of spearmint??? I will review this when I try and remove this glitter tomorrow! :)

I am finally on holiday for 2 1/2 weeks and I will be returning to Sweden for my vacay; there is confirmed rumours my sweet Mother has got me some of the cool new Isadora Graffiti nail polishes! :) I should get plenty of time to catch up on my blogging...

Anyway I am just dashing off to see Pirahna 3D in the cinema, so see you all tomorrow!!

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Recent NOTDs

Dudes, I've been sooo busy the last week :O I finally managed to dig out my desk and my gaming computer from behind the moving boxes. So about a tonne of flatpack rubbish and old shite, I can finally sit and play Bioshock 2 and use my 2 Helmers full of nail polish! :) Sweet!

Anyway I still took some pix of my NOTDs for you. The first one this week was the nude glitter "Twinkletoes" from Finger Paints. This is 2 coats and top coat - and its much lovelier than this in real life!

Tonight's NOTD isthe super-glittery teal "Emerald City" from Models Own. I was disappointed these glitters were the same bumpy glitters you get from any cheap line - just like craft glitter in a clear polish; at the price I expected more, say, in line with Zoya Ultra-Glitters or OPI "Absolutely Alice". But hey... As "Emerald City" is messy to apply and see-thru, I put Rimmel "Skyhigh" on underneath but you can't really see it unless you take a close-up look like this photo. Very glittery but also very bumpy and sheer. Models Own, I feel disappointed...

What do you think?

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NOTD: Claires "Chunky Glitter Silver"

Hey ho onto my second post for tonight! Just been so busy this weekend clearing paper work in relation to the house hadn't had time to post my tinted moisturiser review...

Here is one of the two Chunky Glitters I own thanks to a lovely American lady who swapped so kindly with me! The other one is the green one. Oh how I coveted these when I first saw them on Scrangie's blog! I kind of knew that they were going to be sheer so I layered this one over Rimmel I Love.. "Your Majesty" which is a silver metallic and glad I did so. I'm not patient enough for 4 coats or so... This is 1 coat "Your Majesty" with 2 coats of "Chunky Glitter Silver". And of course, a slap of Megashine as I wasn't in the mood to wait longer than an episode of "The Vampire Diaries" to get some icecream...

The Chunkies are mega glittery with large hexagonal discs that are like little super-polished mirrors! Completely bling-tastic! 8-D

I know this will be a complete b***h to remove, but man, I adore glitters...

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NOTD: Nails Inc Diet Coke "New York" with Zoya "Alegra"

So I got myself another free polish from Nails Inc by getting some Diet Coke; this one is called "New York". I love the formula on this - it's a luscious pink jelly that applies like an absolute dream! I jazzed it up with a bit of Zoya "Alegra", but then it was impossible to photograph... So good thing I got two different shots - before and after "Alegra". It is more pink than coral in real life; it is a difficult colour to photograph without sunlight.

This is 2 coats of "New York" and 2 coats of "Alegra" with Sally Hansen MegaShine top coat. Much sparklier in real life than the camera can pick up!

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NOTD: No7 "Queenie"

This caught my eye today when I was rummaging in Boots. It's a sparkly burgundy; darker and more subdued compared to China Glaze "Ruby Pumps". It could have done with another coat, but I didn't notice how sheer it was in places before I had slicked on MegaShine! Oh well thats my excuse for changing it tomorrow night :)

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NOTD and weekend stuff!

So been a bit busy lately - its finally spring time and hence I am trying to be outside more. I got myself a pair of Skechers Shape-Ups too - trying to get back in hillwalking shape now after my foot is fixed and the weather is brightening up!

Anyway my NOTD for Friday was Maybelline Wet Shine Diamonds "Glowing Glimmer", a lovely coral glass-fleck polish! This is 2 coats over Rimmel "Coralicious", as "Glowing Glimmer" is very sheer.

On Saturday we drove to Macduff Marine Aquarium and checked out my fave fish lumpsuckers and these guys - cod. The North Sea cod may be a thing of the past soon - as a marine biologist by degree, I seriously fear that these photos will be the only thing we have left of them...

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Recent NOTDs!

Wow I can barely keep up with my blogging, I'm changing nail polish so often :P I actually pre-ordered my Chanel "Particuliere" today. I must be crazy. But it just looks soooooo lovely - just look at Neglelakkmani's pix!

Anyway, from the top is the lovely new Nails Inc "Seven dials" (I don't get the name... If someone does, please let me know). Usual Nails Inc dream formula, smooth and opaque. And a colour not to be missed - see how it compares to some I thought might be similar but really aren't. Wow, just love this colour :) Bottles from left to right: Orly "Mint Mojito", Nails Inc "Seven dials", Misa "Dirty sexy money" and Barry M "Mint Green".

Second from the top is one of last weeks NOTD; OPI "Bright light big color", a nice and sparkly orange that got me in the mood for spring! This is 3 coats and top coat. Wore like iron, I had it on from Wednesday til Sunday, it's only marginally cracked and that was on my bad peeling nails.

Then last but not least is No7 "Twinkles", this is a nude similar to China Glaze "Innocence" but with multiglitter! Woohoo! :) I majorly smudged this mani however so I had to take it off and do another one, also note the remains of the Suede FX lacquer... Ooops. Not my best moment, so to speak...

Anyway I am off to pen my reviews for this weekend for the Soap&Glory stuff I am addicted to right now - I am having my foot operation on Thursday morning so I am getting verrrrry nervous... Anyhow, see ya'll soon!

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NOTD: OPI "Absolutely Alice"

We are in temporary rented accommodation now, so things should be settling down soon! My problem again is the lighting for my photos... It takes ages to find a good spot. Anyway I should have the rest of my collection with me at the weekend which comforts me :)

This is one of four polishes from their new OPI Alice in Wonderland collection, to celebrate the release of Tim Burton's movie with the same name that's coming in March. I for one can't wait to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D at my local Cineworld!

"Absolutely Alice" is a dense glitter in a translucent base consisting of blue and gold particles. It is insanely sparkly, just like the particles in the Zoya Ultra Glitters. I have to say, OPI is pumping out some great colours right now - "Merry midnight", "Shimmery chic", "Smitten with mittens" and "Absolutely Alice". I am hoping for more glitters soon! :)

This is 3 coats with Sally Hansen MegaShine top coat. 3 coats is not a problem as this polish dries very quickly - it's propbably because it is mostly glitter particles. It does eat top coat however so best put on two coats of top coat or you will have the rough, sandy feeling of glitter on your nails.

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Couple of recent NOTDs!

Cover you eyes, Zeke! :)

Friday was my birthday, so I wore Zoya's (aptly named) Ultra Glitter "Astra" (top photo). It's so gorgeous, and by far my fave pink glitter ever I think! It wore like iron despite packing crates of rescued possessions all weekend. It is a sheer-ish glitter in a transparent tinted base so this is 3 coats. It needs the translucent base however to achieve the super-sparkle, and it dries quickly so no complaints from me!

Today I was going to put on a navy shimmer paired with a silver I got for my birthday but I was looking through my Helmer and saw Bloom "Josephine" (bottom photo) and I was compelled to put it on. This blueberry-purple shimmer is so deep and lovely and totally soothes my mood right now :)

Anyways, I am still waiting to get a more permanent place to stay after the flooding so I will be passing by when I can! More soon I hope! :)

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Merry Xmas!

Santa was very good to me this year and brought me OPI "Merry Midnight"! Thank you Weebster! :) I got it as part of a gift set with a silver cuff and OPI "Sapphire in the snow". "Sapphire in the snow" looks lovely - from photos I thought it would be dark blue creme (already have that), but it's way better; sort of blueberry purple! Quite unlike any of my other colours.

Anyway back to my NOTD. "Merry Midnight" is a lovely amethyst based glitter and flakies, it's crazy sparkly and looks a bit lit from within with it's red flakes. The formula was weird; a bit sticky but runny, and the first coat was incredibly sheer. However this is two coats only, the second coat was very opaque.

Lovely! This may yet make it into my Products of the Year reveiw at the New Year... :) This is my first NOTD in daylight I think, I usually am at work all day. Nice to be off for two weeks. I am not sure the camera is picking up the lovely glow. I will retake some photos in my normal conditions tonight.

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NOTD: China Glaze "Ruby Pumps"

Yep, I still love this polish. I have two bottles. And even my mum bought "Ruby Pumps" after being bowled over by it when they were last here and I gave her a manicure with it. Can't go wrong with a red sparkler like this :) This is 3 coats, to get the glowing depths of this polish. My precioussss...

I am noticing that this take quite a while to dry nowadays, even with MegaShine speed dry top coat. I am not sure what that's about. Anyone else have this problem with "Ruby Pumps" or do I just have a duff batch?

Who cares anyway though, I've got a double bill of "Supernatural" to watch while it dries :) A spot of paranormal activity always soothes my wicked soul!

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NOTD: Sinful "Call you later" layering

This is 1 coat of Rimmel Play Fast "Camoflage" and then 2 coats of super-sparkly "Call you later" by Sinful. Very hard to capture on camera - it doesn't look very sparkly in this photo. It's actually insanely spangly and I've had so many good comments on this today!

I'm gearing up to decorate my house for Christmas tomorrow! I can't wait to sit next to the tree and look at the presents underneath it sipping mulled wine :)

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Recent NOTDs

Been a bit busy lately, thought I'd just nip past and show you one of my oldest nail polishes Gallery Cosmetics "Sea Green". Still works great, no thinning. I love it :) This is 3 coats. It's a frosty seafoam green with microglitter, but it doesn't pick up very well in photos... Go by bottle colour and glitteriness for this one.

And for today's NOTD, my lovely Hard Candy Just Nails "Lava". This is so smooth, so glittery and so amazing! It is very aptly named! This is 3 coats, it doesn't need it, but I wanted some more depth. I had to put on 2 coats of Megashine, it's a bit of a top coat eater. I really love this, I think I will have to start fishing for a second bottle! :)

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NOTD: Sinful "Nail Junkie" layering

I love the name of this supremely sparkly teal polish! :) It is a bit sheer so I decided to layer over GOSH "Blue Monday". However, "Blue Monday" was also quite sheer to my dismay; I had to work 2 thick coats of it under "Nail Junkie". "Nail Junkie" is one coat only. Anyway it's hard to capture the super-sparkly nature of this layered manicure! I must've take 50 pics of each stage, but only these 2 photos turned out OK! This is with Sally Hansen MegaShine top coat and Nail Quencher base coat.

Please excuse the dry cuticles, I am back doing DIY and painting so my hands are incredibly dry at the moment, and I have two broken nails on my right hand. Oh well. Soon I will have everything done! :)

Oh yeah I meant to say - Essie "Angora Cardi" was on and looked great until Saturday when I started the DIY. Thats 5 days, people. I *love* "Angora Cardi" :D

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HOW-TO: Glitter Nail Polish Removal

OK, I love glitter nail polish. But until recently I hated the removal of said glitter nail polish, until I went to All Lacquered Up that is ...

Guys, seriously. No-brainer. But I've never thought about it! I usually let the actual pad soak on the nail for dark colours and glitter, maybe for say, uhm 30 seconds?.. But I always ends up with rubbing.

So this time I tried Deborah Lippmanns technique when it was time to take off China Glaze "Bad Kitty". So, how did it go?

1) It's got to be acetone or acetone-based remover, or you'll be there til Kingdom come...

2) Re-apply drops of remover every sort of minute as the acetone evaporates quickly (which is why there is a cold sensation)

3) Leave it on. Seriously. For at least 3 minutes.

4) Jiggle the soaked cotton on the nail to loosen the polish before swiping it off.

5) Clean up residual glitter with a fresh cotton pad soaked with remover

It worked for me! My biggest problem was impatience - I kept taking the first ones off to look what was happening so they needed a re-soak... :) So don't be afraid to rock those glitters, just use this technique to soak it off in under ten minutes!

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