#manicuredays

 #manicurethursday 24 carat Gold #christmas countdown #22
On my countdown to Christmas I'm getting festive and sparkly with my nail colours... today I've opted for OPI Fiji Weejee Fawn as a neutral pearlised base, and then added sparkle in the form of Deborah Lippmann's Boom Boom Pow... I LOVE this Gold Sparkle nail colour! It includes different sizes of Gold shimmer and glitter but it's far from tacky... Instead, it gives a luxe extravagant lacquered glaze and it houses actual 24 carat Gold!!! Yes, it really is that luxe... I've finished with my Seche Clear Crystal Top Coat for intense shine.

 #manicuretuesday   ***l.o.v.e   p.a.r.t.y   n.a.i.l.s***
Just found some amaze images of the hottest party nails for the festive season...
I'll definitely be trying the above out... will keep you posted ;)
***a.m.a.z.e   p.a.r.t.y   n.a.i.l.s***


#manicureINDULGENCE : Coco Nail Bar Luxury Hot Stone Manicure...
So on Friday I was invited to COCO Nail Bar in Notting Hill : A New Luxury Nail Spa Concept that offers affordable nail treatments in a blissful, contemporary spa - with late opening hours and express services too. Now I've been to many nail bars across London, but this is by far the stand-out amongst them all! The bright skylight and high-ceilings give a spacious and modern New York setting, whilst the Garden area (with beautiful Orange trees) reminds you that you are actually in London's Notting Hill - it really is 'New York loft meets London's Portobello Road'.
As I walked in I noticed a number of glass tanks lined up on the right - filled with Garra Rufa Fish ready to nibble away and leave you with smooth, soft feet! Along the left side there were small tables for manicures, all very minimal like a Japanese Sushi Bar! As I walked up, I came across the Coco Cocktail Bar; adding that extra touch of glamour where clients can enjoy a glass of bubbly whilst catching up with friends over a mani or pedi and even indulge in a range of fresh food from London's hotspot sushi group, Ukai Sushi. What's more impressive is that Coco's barman (available Thursday-Saturday evenings and at Coco mani parties) whips up famous Cocktails like a Cosmopolitan, Mojito or Margerita and makes specially blended signature Coco Cocktails such as 'Nailed it' 'White Coco' 'Peach Bum' 'Melon Star' and 'Pink Coco'! ...This is sounding more & more like the perfect nail bar, right ...?!
Once I had chosen the colour I wanted from the wall of varied polishes - Essie, Butter London, Chanel, Nail Tek and OPI (I chose Essie Capri, a vibrant Poppy Red-Orange), I was seated on one of four powerful stress-busting massage chairs and left to choose my setting (which included anti-cellulite!) whilst my nail technician, Anna prepared the Hot Stones. I have enjoyed a Hot Stone Massage once before in Dubai, but never thought it could be brought into a Manicure treatment! Whilst the music was playing away I was served with a glass of Champagne and Anna got to work on the Luxury Hot Stone Manicure. Let me tell you... this was HEAVEN!
Anna explained to me that part of the Hot Stone Massage is to release tension and bad energy, so as she pulled the Hot Stones away from my hand, she kind of flicked them in a way suggesting she really was pulling all the negative energy out of me! It's not often we give our arms and hands the love they deserve, and it's not often we think that our hands need a massage, but they really do need to be looked after! Once Anna had trimmed and tidied my cuticles and nails, she massaged them with warm oil - handmade by Ancienne Ambiance especially for Coco Nail Bar, and then placed Hot Stones between each finger.
My arms were then massaged using Oil and larger Hot Stones - and this felt divine! I felt so relaxed and pampered that for a minute I forgot where I was! After a long massage, my nails were coated with my chosen polish : Essie Capri, and finished with Seche Vite Top-coat ...only the best to finish! The lovely girls left me alone with a selection of glossies whilst my manicure was drying (only my favourites... Vogue, ELLE & Harper's Bazaar!) until my nails were completely dry and I felt ready to get myself back to reality!
 The finished result using Essie Polish in Capri : tidy manicured nails and healthy relaxed hands!
On my way out, I was presented with a bag full of little treats which I must thank the girls at Coco Nail Bar for! I highly recommend this Nail Bar to everyone wanting 'proper pampering' and fun with friends - you can even book for birthdays, events, baby showers and hen parties and it's a great place to get glamorous before a night out too! Staff are professional and friendly and do a damn good job!
Coco Nail Bar : www.coconailbar.com : 267 Portobello Road, London, W11 1LR.


 #manicureLFW : No.7 Metallic Blue & Nail Rock...
A coat of No.7 Cobalt Metallic Blue, finished with Nail Rock Metallic Gold Print that I cut into Oval shapes to fit the nail... it catches the light (and everyone's attention) and gives my #manicure London edge!


#manicureNYFW : OPI a good man-darin is hard to find!
NYFW calls for some fun colour - bright, zingy and current! So I opted for OPI 'A Good Man-darin Is Hard To Find' from the Olivia Rubin for LFW Collection that I recently featured. It's certainly lifted my mood for New York Fashion Week and I feel ready for colour and vibrancy in the SS'12 Collections!


 #manicurefriday *Topshop Smoke and Mirrors*
Today I've gone for the new shade : Prim and Proper, from the Topshop Smoke and Mirrors Collection... I absolutely love this pretty pink as it really gives nails that healthy well-looked after finish and as I've mentioned before, Topshop nail polishes do leave a nice gloss finish so if I'm really pressed for time, I can skip the topcoat (although you shouldn't really do that)!
The Smoke and Mirrors Collection pulls together great products that can create a sultry autumn winter look and help you to channel that high-glamour of the 1970s! The other Khaki shade you can see above is new to the Smoke and Mirrors collection and is the perfect introduction back into my darker nail shades for this season. It's not too green and has a greyish undertone which gives it that London edge!


 #manicuresunday Olivia Rubin for OPI #LFW
To celebrate Olivia Rubin at London Fashion Week, OPI have created three limited edition nail lacquer collections - with each set featuring two fashion forward shades selected by Olivia herself, and an OPI Shatter Top Coat for fashion forward edge! My favourite set that I recently tried includes a vibrant coral/orange shade: 'A Good Man-darin is Hard To Find', 'Strawberry Margarita', and Black Shatter Polish. The coral/orange shade is a juicy vibrant shade that brings a pop of colour to the nails - my favourite shade out of the three actually ! I applied the 'Strawberry Margarita' on both the left & right ring fingers on my sister (makes a change) with all other fingers given a generous coating of 'A Good Man-darin is Hard To Find'...finished with Black Shatter, which looks exceptionally cool! I'm loving the contrast of hard-edged Black Shatter against the vibrant hues peaking through.
This is a fab collab to be rocking on your talons over fashion week, it's current and fun, edgy-cool, and only £27 per collection. I've also tried the Black Shatter on my younger sister too, over Topshop 'Heart of Gold' which gives a fearless 'animalistic' effect and the Gold gives it luxe-factor...


  #manicuretuesday bad influence glimmers
#manicuretuesday : Give the matt/khaki/urban/camel polish a metallic update for Autumn Winter '11 that it sooo needs ...you should know it's well on trend for aw'11 anyway...
NARS Bad Influence gets a coating of YSL Golden Shimmer No11 : I'm gleee-eeeming*


 #manicuremonday ...uh-oh roll down the window................
*uh-oh roll down the window..... * this one will make a lot of appearances over LFW I can assure you *
x

#manicurefriday the one above the rest
#manicurefriday returns! Yes after a brief stint 'au naturel' ... my nails are back in Glossy Red (Topshop Pillar Box) with the one above the rest donning Rimmel 60 second 'Blue Me Away' which honestly has had it's day but I thought I'd give it one more wear before binning it (this ones a fair bit too old and is borderline gloopy ... ergh not good). I used Chanel Blue Satin to draw the swirl designs with a cocktail stick. So, Darling's nails are no longer #MIA ... ahh the relief! ;)


 #manicureaw'11 : FIRST LOOK : OPI AW'11 Touring America Collection...
Here's a Wednesday Treat : A sneak peak of the OPI Autumn Winter '11 Touring America Collection... (don't say I don't treat you!) ... The Touring America AW'11 Collection is a range of 12 trend-setting OPI Nail Colours representing the ultimate American Dream! 
Lucky me got to try some of the collection...
Pinky : My Address Is "Hollywood" --- A deep Rosy Pink with a light Golden Glimmer
Ring Finger : Color To Diner For --- Berry Red with Gold Glimmer
Middle Finger : I Brake For Manicures --- A Gorgeous Plum with Grape Undertones
Index Finger : Uh-Oh Roll Down The Window --- Lovely Olive Green
I thought my favourite would be the Olive Green shade, but upon trying, I can't decide ! Each colour is so different that I can't quite compare! I'm looking forward to wearing the darker tones nearer Autumn, and am loving that OPI have included shades that also work really well for the transitional period from August to September... My Address is Hollywood is going to be a great pick me up when the weather is on a downer and Uh-Oh Roll Down The Window and I Brake For Manicures is definitely going to be used (a lot) over LFW! Hmmm I'm thinking Date night calls for Color To Diner For ... What do you think? 
The OPI Touring America AW '11 Collection will be available later this year and each shade costs £10.50.


 #manicuremonday *blackandyellowblackandyellowblackandyellow
Had a little fun with Ciate Super Poke, Barry M Hologram and Nubar Nail Art Pen in Black...hope you like!
xx


 #manicuresaturday ... nail art i've spotted this week...
(Seriously HOT) Cosmic Nails via Alex Tieghi-Walker - AnOther Mag

Mui Mui & Diamond Design Nails via ameblo.jp

Liquorice Nail Art via BeautyB

Two Tone Leopard Print via Rouge_Volupte

Bang Bang Private Commission via Sophy Robson


 #manicuresunday nail rock meets nars
My nails have been longing for a little fun lately... so I gave them a little fun with Nail Rock and Nars! Usually, I apply nail rock in the traditional way - all over clean nails as a nail wrap, but this time I wanted to add colour so I painted my nails with Nars Schiap - a gorgeous Schiaparelli Pink which is one of my favourites for summer. Once dry I cut the nail wraps (shattered Black over Chrome Gold) into the desired shape and stuck them on using the same method of heat as always (a hair dryer!) and then gave my nails a coat of glossy top coat... Voila! Eye catching nail art that screams cool, is fun and bright for summer with added bling in the form of Gold!!


 #manicurefriday i've got a heart of gold ... really :)
Last week I featured the three limited edition Topshop nail colours that were launched in celebration of Topshop Make-up's 1st birthday : Moonshine, Starlight and Rose Gold. These were only online and instore for a limited period for birthday celebrations but you may still get lucky and find one in selected stores. I had been told that these nail colours will give a scorching sparkle in the sunshine - and indeed they do! In the pic above you'll see I have Heart of Gold on and I've painted half moons using Starlight (Silver)... this is pure metallic heaven!! I felt like I was dipping the brush in to a little pot of molten metal and my nails are seriously shimmering in the sunshine! Like I said in the previous feature... these really are the BEST metallic nail polishes I've tried! They look amazing on toes in the sunshine too - perfect for some molten-hot beach glamour me thinks! I also now have the perfect friday night-out nails ...thank you Topshop! xx


 #manicurewednesday accessorize summer brights!
Okay so I admit, I am somewhat surprised by this... I'm not one that usually believes in Fashion retailers/companies delving into the world of Make-Up and Beauty. Why not leave it to the specialists and actual make-up brands to do so..? However... those of you that read Anita Darling often will know that I've somewhat 'softened' my views on this after actually trying out the Topshop make-up range and being rather impressed ...and it's happened again, only this time with Accessorize...
I can't speak for the make-up products as I've not yet tried these (I have surprisingly heard alot of good things though) but I can speak for the nail colours - which btw... I am pretty impressed with! The Summer Brights Nail Collection consists of six shades ranging from Zesty Orange and Sunny Days, to Teal and Midnight Blue and retail at £4 each. If I were to be honest, upon trying I didn't think they would last long and wasn't really sure what I thought at all. 5 days in and I'm still looking for any chips as well as loving the colours! I personally tried Fuchsia Fun and the Teal shade which has led to me being stopped on the street and actually asked what nail brand I am wearing! The consistancy of the nail polish is very much like Barry M, so it's really easy to apply and glides on with a glossy finish.
Since trying these, I am interested to try the make-up range - The Summer Brights Collection is definitely worth trying out and I can guarantee you'll be impressed, all the colours you would really need for Summer are there and I'm also finding it really refreshing to see nail polish bottles on my shelf that are of a different brand!
Teal - Fuchsia Fun
The Summer Brights Nail Collection is available to purchase from June at Accessorize.com, all Accessorize stores and Superdrug at £4 each!

 #manicuremonday 'Houston We Have A Purple'
I. am. in. love. with. this. colour.
Again, this gorgeous Magenta-Purple shade is part of the OPI ss'11 Texas collection I was very kindly sent... I thought that it couldn't really get any better than 'I vant to be a-lone star' but I was wrong. My mother used to wear a lipstick by Fashion Fair this colour ALL THE TIME so not only does it remind me of my childhood, it ticks every box I can possibly imagine for Summer...
Seventies Trend (think Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs in particular). check.
Brights (whether it be glamorous Gucci or fun DVF). check.
Disco Ready (think Mark Fast and John Galliano SS'11). check.
Evening Summer Glamour... check!
Definitely one worth dipping your tips in ladies.... Houston we have a Purple £10.50 available at www.lenawhite.co.uk


#manicuretuesday : half moons and candy hearts <3
New nail art I did yesterday on my sis... I used Estee Lauder White Beige as the main base colour and then painted half moons on each nail using Estee Lauder White Petal, finished with a fine line of My Face Cosmetics Lil'Bling Diamonds & Pearls. If you think thats a lot of nail paint, think not...

Over this (one nail on each hand), I then used NARS Pokerface, and NARS Schiap to create swirly hearts, which I outlined with the Lil'Bling Diamonds & Pearls and Deborah Lippmann Nefertiti! Phew! I finished the tip with a little smattering of elf nail polish in Golden Goddess and let it set for a while before applying Ciate Top Coat! Love it or hate it...? Let me know darls xx


#manicuresunday 'Austin-Tatious Turquoise' : OPI 
So second up from the OPI Summer '11 Texas Collection is 'Austin-Tatious Turquoise' ! Taking a photo of this (with flash on or flash off) just doesn't do it any justice, reason being is that this Turquoise shade glimmers a two-tone Blue-ish hue with flecks of Purple, Indigo and Green! Its a pretty awesome colour for Summer or Autumn - It looks great out in the sun and works on all skintones too! It looks a mermaid-esque Sea Green in my pictures but I can assure you this is one colour that has a whole lotta personality! Infact, the GUCCI Spring Summer '11 collection seems to come to mind with this colour...


 #manicureRoyalWedding*** 'I vant to be a-lone star'
So here's some summer shades I'm extremely impressed with... infact, I can't get enough of them! The Texas Summer OPI Collection consists of 12 vivid shine-intense shades, as iconic as an American Summer! My fave three shades from the collection are 'I vant to be a-lone star', 'Houston we have a Purple' and 'Austin-tatious Turquoise (all below) which I will feature soonish but I've started with my choice of colour worthy of the Royal Wedding... 'I vant to be a-lone star' ...hahaa I love the name of it too! 
This cool icey blue shade is perfect against a summer tan and looks beaut in the summer sun... I've found it to be perfect as it's subtle and chic enough for work (kinda falls into the 'pastels' category) but it's pretty damn cool when out at Pimms o'clock with my raybans too! I LOVE IT.... only £10.50 ... I'd buy it online before they sell out if I were you at www.lenawhite.co.uk. 
I'll feature Austin-tatious Turquoise and Houston we have a Purple soonish darls so keep an eye out for them. With names like 'Do you think I'm Texy?' ... 'San-Tan-Tonio' and 'Y'all Come Back Ya Hear?' ... this is one super cool collection...

*everyday i'm shuff-fflin....


 Tron Legacy inspired nails ... #manicuretron : 'the grid'
Not a great photo I know... but there's a better one below! The other day I watched Tron Legacy, and 'the grid' and graphics of the movie gave me an idea for some fun nail art. So I've decided that I'm now going to start including themes in my #manicuredays ... movies, art, music... anything I like! Obvs I do my nails according to my mood or an event anyway, and sometimes I do include the above, but I thought this would make it a little more interesting. Take a look...
My hand seems to have taken the form of a claw... (apologies if this scares you in any way). So for this I used My Face Cosmetics Lil'Bling in Diamonds & Pearls as my base, once dry I used Barry M Turquoise to create the Tron Grid-like shape leaving space through the centre of the nail. I then finished with a tiny swarovski clear crystal and coated with a generous layer of topcoat.
A closer look above (although on this one you see a little outline using a Nubar Nail Pen in Black)...


#manicuresaturday the sunshine calls for some Block Orange!
Well it's Saturday and the sun is shining, it's warm out and once I'm done cleaning the pool (not so glamorous), I'm heading out to enjoy the sun, then onto Mojitos and Cocktails tonight! So I opted for Block Orange by Barry M - we've had a nice week or two of hot weather and all I've wanted to wear is brights!
I love this colour, makes me feel as though I'm ready to jet off to somewhere hot & exotic ...hopefully soon....
Anyhow, I hope you all enjoy your weekend - Don't forget to ENTER MY NAIL ROCK GIVEAWAY which closes on Friday 22nd April. You'll win 5 packs of Nail Rock including the limited edition Aphrodite pack that Kylie Minogue collaborated with as she wears them on her tour. The giveaway is open to all internationally...Just click the link above!


 #manicurefriday cyan velvet leopard ...nail rock* *TGIF!
Thankgod it's #manicurefriday!!! I felt like I needed a shot of fun on my nails so I've gone for Nail Rock's Cyan Velvet Leopard Print! Nail Rock have made applying these so easy and quick, it's simples! For a full demo on how to apply, check out my feature here that I did a couple of months ago.... Right, I'm off to have some fun & drinks.....! Hope you all have a Fantabulous Friday Darlings! ;) xx


 #manicurePFW ...Chanel Le Vernis Cosmic Violine!
For #manicurePFW I wanted something dark and sultry... Chanel Cosmic Violine is perfect and has just the right amount of shimmer for that Parisian Glamour! It looks a little flat in the bottle from the above image, but trust me, this shade is full of sparkle and charactor, in an interesting Maroon Red tone that shows glimmers of Dark Blue, Gold and Brick Red!


 #manicureMFW ...Yves Saint Laurent La Laque No. 11
For #manicureMFW I opted for a light Golden touch in the form of YSL La Laque No.11 ... hope you like. Got to run... Fashion week is waiting!


 #manicureLFW ...abit of Henry Holland for Fashion Week...
Every now and then, I have moments when doing my nails - I'll want to apply a colour (that I don't have/run out of/made up...kind of) so bad, that I just mix a little eyeshadow with one of my cheaper nail polishes to get the same effect - basically I don't have patience, when I want something, I want it there and then! My #manicureLFW that I had over the past few days for London Fashion Week, needed a colour I didn't have... so I mixed some of my metallic MAC pigment with an old Rimmel nail polish in pure Metallic Silver...and voila! I had my colour : a light Metallic Green. I made sure my nails were clean and shaped, then painted a thick tip of this colour and let it dry. A little while later, I painted another tip, in NARS Pokerface (Deep Lilac), over the metallic green tip. You've got to have a steady hand to paint the tips with no mistakes or wobbly lines, and just over half the thickness of the first Metallic Green tip. Once dry... a topcoat does the job...seals the colour and gives it a nice glossy finish! I didn't realise just how much my #manicureLFW reflected London Fashion, until more than one PR girl at the Marios Schwab show pointed out my nails were all about House of Holland SS'11 and reminded them of the colours used in Henry's collection!
Hmm what do you think...? I <3 HOH...


 #manicureNYFashionWeek ...
Just a quick one...! I didn't upload my #manicureNYFashionWeek that I had over NY Fashion Week! So it's Chanel Particuliere, with a small amount of mixed Gold Shimmer Glitter at the nailbed - applied by clear polish. I'm surprised by just how light my flash has made it look. #LFW Manicure soon to come...!

 #manicurevalentines ***bloody valentine***
So some people opt for sizzling Red nails... and some a pretty Pink Manicure... or you could go for a deep and Dark Red as I have for my #manicurevalentines! I absolutely love the effect Nails Inc Victoria leaves - it's like a glass effect with depth (does that even make sense?!). I've taken pictures with and without flash, so you can see the true colour... it's like a deep dark bloody Red! I love! What say you...?
 #HappyValentinesmyDarlings xx
Nails Inc - Victoria

 #manicuremonday ... Yves Saint Laurent ... LA LAQUE
Gosh I feel like I've deprived my nails of lacquer! But they are back on track and fully buffed up after a week of lacquer detoxing and plenty of nail oil! For a burst of colour, I chose one of my favourites - Yves Saint Laurent LA LAQUE in No9 Flaming Orange. I absolutely love YSL Nail Lacquers - the colour shades are all hot and the glossed finish they leave is fab. Like my #manicuremonday much...?
Yves Saint Laurent - No9 - Flaming Orange


 #manicurethursday - my little sis gets her nails 'did'
How cute do my little sister's nails look?! They are so little - and even though she keeps complaining about how little they are for her age (she's 16), they look super cute with a little nail art! It's the first time she's had any sort of nail art, so I thought I'd share it with all you darlings...
I first made sure nails were clean with no residue from any previous nail polish, and applied base coat. Then I applied a very thin coat of NARS Pokerface, from midway on the nail bed, all the way up. I didn't want it to be a very sharp line - I almost wanted that cute kind of 'Icecream nails' look. Once dry, I applied TOMA Dazzle to just the tips - you don't need much of this as its super sparkly so a little goes a long way!
What do you think...?


 #manicuresunday *Gilded Tips*
After a busy and manic weekend, I finally managed to upload an image of my #manicure that I actually did on Friday - so this should be #manicurefriday but that just gets confusing so I'll keep it as #manicuresunday! 
I chose NARS Bad Influence for my base, a milky chocolate brown, and finished off with gilded tips using Nefertiti by Deborah Lippmann. I used this as one of my very first #manicuredays on this blog - you'll find it under the page '#manicuredays' if you scroll right down to the bottom! Nefertiti is a rich deep Gold which is extremely high in pigment so it was perfect for the gilded tips! 
You'll find this looks a little different as I filed my nails so that the tips were alot more rounded which works better with this manicure!

Bad Influence - NARS
Nefertiti - Deborah Lippmann



 #manicuretuesday : My Geography Teacher and I...
Recently I received some Topshop goodies, in the form of Lip Polishes and Nail Polishes - and having tried the Lip Polishes, I finally found the time to try one of the three Nail Polishes I was very kindly sent... The colour is Geography Teacher, a gorgeous greige colour - for those of you that do not know this glorious colour ...YOU SHOULD KNOW BY NOW! It's the perfect mix of Grey and Beige ...hence the name: Greige! With the flash on my camera, it's looking a little more on the 'camel colour' side, but still looks good!
Now where do I start with this... okay, so firstly let me remind you that I am already leaning towards Topshop Nail Polishes merely down to the fact that they have somehow managed to fantastically funnel down catwalk colours direct from collections on the runway. Secondly, they are a fantastic representation of London. Thirdly, The packaging is cute and quirky!
Since having tried the Nail Polish however, I am ridiculously impressed with how true the colours are (sometimes a polish can dry in a very different finish to what you think), and how well it applies! So far, I've always been impressed with Barry M, as drying time is quick, it's easy to apply, and they always have at least one imitation of a high-end sell-out from a top Beauty brand (usually Chanel!). But that's the thing, right there... 'one imitation of a high-end sell-out' ...only one!! Meaning Barry M has just officially been knocked off the top spot for me... by Topshop! There's a whole array of on trend colours - right from the catwalks. There's fashion, trend, fun, quality and colour all in one little bottle!
Just look at the shade I'm wearing... Geography Teacher. Yes, it has knocked Barry M's Mushroom, off the top... and round the block! 
Another thing I noticed is the ease of application - I'm used to using brushes with a medium to long brush so I was hesitant before I applied as the brush is much shorter. In actual fact, it was so effortless! The nail colour glides on easily and I had complete control of the brush. I can imagine this is also beneficial to anyone with shorter nails - or younger with less steady hands.

Drying time is also something that's vital to me as I hate the thought of applying polish to my nails and then being unable to do anything in fear of smudging them. Unless of course, I've planned and got everything I need ready before doing my nails (not always the case)! This little star dried so quickly that I didn't even need to apply my quick dry topcoat! My next two colours I am going to try are Pillar box (Red), and Sketch (Grey) - I'll keep you posted on those. For now, I seriously recommend you to try Topshop, whether it be Nail Polishes, Lip Polishes or the rest of their range... I am seriously impressed and cannot wait for the Spring Summer Collection!
Available to purchase at Topshop for just £6 each.


  #manicuresunday : Chanel French Tips *
For the first #manicuresunday of 2011 I've chosen a fresh french manicure using Chanel Intermezzo - this is my 'go to' for white tips as it is has a very light pearlescent sheen and is not an awful tip-ex white; so it has more of a natural look about it. I've finished it with a sparkly lacquer - ChinaGlaze Golden Enchantment, which I've featured a few times now. I mentioned on one of my #manicuredays back in December last year that I would keep you posted on how great this looks over a french manicure - so here it is! Although I do think I will be making a trip out v.soon to get hold of this but with the Silver finish, which I think would look better over the french tips...
 with flash...
without flash...
Happy #manicuresunday Darlings!

 #manicurechristmaseve : #festivered!
I chose a festive Bright Red by Barry M for my #manicurexmaseve!
Mmmm... and what I'm enjoying right this minute ...a mince pie!

#manicuresunday : *An Iced Blue Lagoon of Sparkle* *Brrrr!*
Since I've been stuck at home due to the snow, I decided to paint my nails with a 'snowy-iced' theme...I was going to go deep Red but I changed my mind earlier on today; and decided to go a pretty iridescent blue, finished with a helping of gold and iridescent sparkle! I started with NARS Blue Lagoon which needs a good two coats to show as it is very light and then applied Toma Dazzle (rather large particles of Gold glitter) from the tip, taking the brush down the nail bed - the opposite direction of how you normally paint your nails (I know this is all sounding a bit backwards)! I finished with a coat of China Glaze Golden Enchantment! What do you think...? It's a little late and dark out now, so I'll post a pic tomorrow for you against the fluffy snow we've had! Hope you like...
NARS Blue Lagoon - TOMA Dazzle - CHINA GLAZE Golden Enchantment

 #manicurewednesday : I've been Pokerfaced!
<3 lovelovelove <3 POKERFACE <3 NARS <3 Holiday 2010 <3

 #manicuresunday : *Midnight Sparkle*
 
I'm sooo pleased I finally managed to get this China Glaze nail shimmer! I've been trying to get hold of it for ages - I used to get a 3 week manicure done regularly (about 5 years ago now, and it was bio-gel) which I eventually stopped as I realised how bad it was for my nails and how dry they became. My manicurist used to apply a golden shimmer over the french manicure which looked so pretty (stupidly, I never asked what it was). I never found anything like it again with such shimmery small particles - until now. This could even be the one as it looks identical on. I've applied this over Chanel Blue Satin....In all that, I almost forgot to actually mention what it is... 

It's CHINA GLAZE - 552 Golden Enchantment. *Midnight Sparkles on my finger tips!*
Not so clear - Keep an eye out for another #manicure day - I'll post this soon showing Golden Enchantment over a french manicure xx


 #manicuresunday : *i heart*
just a selection of my favourites : #NARS, #Chanel, #YSL, #NailsInc...
...would be too big a heart if i put them all in  :)


 #manicuremonday : A Grey start to the week!
 
Barry M - Grey 293. Now this...I LOVE!!! This colour is absolutely fantastic and definitely my favourite Barry M shade! It's just the right shade of Grey for my skin-tone and has a fantastic glossy finish to it. Super quick drying time too...bonus. What's also great about this shade is that it goes with just about any look.
I finally got this pic after trying to find why my camera's setting had completely changed. Kept getting a red flash...
Looks kind of cool though...eh?

 #manicurefriday : *NAIL ROCK*

So let me explain...I heard through the grapevine that the nail art Kylie Minogue is wearing in her new video 'Get Outta My Way' are actually nail wraps by hot new brand 'NAIL ROCK' and available to purchase online at ASOS and Topshop! I was super excited when I was very kindly sent some in exactly the designs I wanted to try...and let me tell you I AM IMPRESSED! So impressed that you'll find I've actually done a step by step 'how-to' (it's a doddle trust me) so you can see for yourselves!
With so many celebs such as Rihanna, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Beyonce leading the way with unique designs, it's no wonder that nail wraps have become a beauty must-have! What's so fantastic is that we can  now rock the same designs the celebs are wearing, for just £6.50 (Yes that is a huge cut from the £30 minx ) and they last for 7 days on the fingers and up to 8 weeks on the toes! Unlike polish they won't chip or stain and take only 15 minutes to apply with no drying time required so they are fantastic if you are on the go and want a designer fashion forward finish for your nails!
 There is so many shades to choose from too...I chose the Gold lace which you will see below and also the blue leopard print (I'm yet to try these so I'll keep you posted)...

HERE'S MY STEP BY STEP TO APPLYING NAIL ROCK!
First up - gently ease cuticles back, remove nail polish and file & shape the nails. Also, remove surface shine by very gently buffing the nail surface with a nail file.
1. Select Nail Rock wrap nearest your cuticle size (trim to fit if needed) - try not to touch the adhesive side of the wrap that will be used on your nail.Gently place at cuticle edge.

2. Apply heat from a small or travel hairdryer for a few seconds until you see the wrap begin to soften (be careful - don't keep it on so long that you burn your finger with the heat of the dryer!)

3. Applying firm pressure, push the wrap onto one side of the nail bed. Re-apply heat and repeat on the other side. Re-apply heat and push firmly over the entire nail for a secure fit. If you see a crease, fret not...just re-heat, gently lift the wrap off the nail and reapply adding further heat if necessary. Once done, you can trim any excess off like I did!

4. File off the excess wrap at the end of the nail in a DOWNWARD motion with a fine nail file. I found that a crystal nail file works wonders for this part....
AND VOILA!!! YOU HAVE NAILS THAT ROCK!!!
 
I lovelovelove my gold lace nails and I cannot wait to show you the blue leopard print! What do you think? Let me know if you do try them and send me pics - I would love to see the outcome and I'm sure the lovely girls at NAIL ROCK would love to see too! I'm super impressed with the artwork too for the brand...seriously, forget polish, the best way to decorate your digits are by rocking some designer wrap art. Visit WWW.NAILROCK.COM...you don't know what your nails are missing!


 #manicuresunday : Sunday Blues...
It's Chanel Blue Satin today...as you can see, a healthy dose of sparkles have been added...! What do you think of the sparkles?


 #manicuresunday : Green Spell...

Its Illamasqua Viridian which is a peacock green with metallic finish...like? I heart it. Because it's Illamasqua of course.


 #manicuremonday : because mondays are so frickin boring so I just painted my nails. again.
This time it's OPI Nail Lacquer in Fiji Weejee Fawn. Perfectly chilled colour for how I'm feeling right now and a nice break from all the Khaki and Camel hues I've been wearing. That ultra-pretty flower cluster ring is by french jewellery brand Les Nereides btw and the other two stack rings are from Dubai just incase you are wondering. I don't know where from though...somewhere in the Madinat Market from what I can remember.


#manicuresunday : NEFERTITI Nails
Hmmm I didn't get round to uploading my #manicurefriday pic...but here it is, so lets just pretend it's #manicuresunday...! Music artist/actress/model/multi-talented gorgeous darl from LA - Kiran Shergill, very kindly gifted this Deborah Lippmann nail colour to me after I styled and art-directed the cover shoot for Asian Bride Magazine early this year...and I love it! This ticks all the boxes for a perfect manicure that actually does last for ages...it's pretty impressive. I used it on a one of my models for an accessories shoot I did recently, and she messaged me two weeks later asking where she could get it as it had lasted all that time! Sadly I don't think you can get it here...but if anyone knows a place where you can get this magic in a bottle - give me a shoutout please! It's hot stuff in LA and all over the US...not surprising. And what I love most...? You don't get the horrible tacky 'shimmer' that really is actually tacky glitter...instead you get tiny tiny glimmering & shimmering sparkles that make it liquid metal that glides perfectly over the nails. I've already changed my nail colour since (I could change my nail colour every day and it still wouldn't be enough) so I'll post that in time...later  xx

Nail colour - NEFERTITI, DEBORAH LIPPMANN
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