Lancome 'In Love' Collection for Spring 2013

Another Spring Collection that caught my eye this month is Lancome's 'In Love' collection. The lovely Emma Watson (aka Hermione Granger) is the face of the campaign and wow she looks stunning in it. She brings something new to the brand and opens them up to a younger audience too.

 I've been trying out two products from the range, Baume In Love and Vernis in Love. Needless to say I adore both of them. A La Folie,Cherry looks like a light purple shade in the buller but on the lips it comes up a gorgeous sheer pink. I think this would work well throughout Spring and Summer, it's so wearable. The product is also moisturising on the lips which is a plus for me because mine are always dry. I already featured this product in one of my past posts which you can see here. Now on to the nail polish, Rose Macaron is a beautiful fuchsia pink shade which I've been loving on my nail lately. The only way I can describe it is Spring/Summer in a bottle, you'd definitely get plenty of use out of this. In the picture above I used two coats but one would be perfectly fine. The polish gives a pretty glossy finish, I got so many compliments when I was wearing this on my nails. Something that I always like to hear!

Another new launch from the brand is their Teint Visionnaire which is being launched on the 14th February (Valentines Day). After the success of their Visionnaire serum, Lancome have brought out their new foundation which is a mixture of makeup and skincare in one. I've never seen this before so I was instantly intrigued by this product. I haven't tried their raved about Visionnaire serum but I've heard amazing things. I got matched to the shade 010 at the launch last year and I've already added it to my wishlist. You can see the foundation in action in one of my past posts which you can find here. It has a gorgeous natural finish which I love.This is one lovely product that I'm sure fans of the brand will love. The luxurious packaging is what first caught my eye, it's gorgeous. It's a bit of a all in one product, not only do you get a foundation but hidden in the lid is a concealer too. The foundation itself retails for €45 which isn't too bad for what you get.  There's 18 shades to choose from in total and I've photographed a couple in the above picture (LtoR - 01, 005,007,045,055). I can see this foundation being very popular indeed and I can't wait to snap up a bottle myself this Thursday just in time for my birthday.

What do you think of the new offerings from Lancome? 

Laura<3

China Glaze All That Glitters Festive Set

I'm sure this will be the first of many festive posts, I know it's a bit early but I don't care cause I love Christmas. Winter is definitely my favourite season even though I have to admit I hate the cold. In the coming weeks I'm going to start a Christmas series like I did last year but until then I thought I'd start of by showing you one of my recent purchases. Like alot of people I pull out the glitter polishes the minute Winter is on our doorsteps. I have plenty as it is but that didn't stop me from picking up China Glaze's All That Glitters Nail Polish set on a recent shopping with my blogger friend Sian. I seriously love this girl's fashion blog, Forever Fabulous in Bows, I want her wardrobe!! We did do alot of shopping when we met up in town and I'm sure I'll have lots of reviews up on the goodies I bought soon.

Back to the product at hand the China Glaze set, I remember buying their minis set last year and I really liking it so I decided to snap one up this time around too. It wasn't quite a big splurge at around the €10 mark for four decent sized polishes it certainly wasn't breaking the bank at all. There is great choice in this set, with a red/gold glitter polish (Pure Joy), a multi coloured affair (Glitter All The Way) plus a gold (Angel Wings) and rose gold (Champagne Kisses)offerings. This wasn't the only mini set you could go for, I do believe there was another combination of colours too. As I only bought this set last week I've only tried one of the four polishes, the gold glitter offering Angel Wings. I'm not going to lie I wasn't too impressed with this one. Firstly the shade isn't all that, it's quite dull looking as you will see in the swatches below. I also find when the polish dries it leaves a very gritty finish on the nails. Saying that though I didn't use a Top Coat so this many fix the problem and it is a glitter polish so what did I really expect. I do really like this set though as all the shades are very festive so I'll definitely be on the hunt for a good topcoat to use with them. I wouldn't wear these without one as they do peel off the nails rather quick too, I got at least 2 days chip-free so it wasn't the worst I guess. I will do a few more posts featuring the other remaining polishes from the set letting you know how I got on with them. Sally's have a 3 for 2 on the majority of their Christmas sets at the moment so I may sneak in and by some more bits soon for Christmas presents and the like.

What do you think of this set? Is there any nail polishes you currently have your eye on?

Laura <3

Essence Snow White Collection

I love Essence, all their products are affordable and I've always been happy with past bits I've picked up from them. They are also forever bringing out gorgeous on trend Limited Edition products. This month sees the release of the Snow White collection which consists of a selection of polishes, gorgeous glitter topcoats, a emery board and some cute nail art stickers. I love this film so of course it was given that I would pick up some bits. I'm jetting off to Manchester tomorrow so I was reserved and just picked up three little gems. I bought two top coats of which there are three to choose from. I went for 01 Evil Queen (huge purple discs ) and 03 Prince Charming (mixture of gold and silver glitter with large blue chunks). I fell in love with them both, I couldn't resist. I love their names aswell, definitely stays through to the movie. Out of the two, I probably prefer Prince Charming it's just too pretty and would add a bit of sparkle on top of any nail colour. I'm using it with OPI's I Have a Herring Problem from the Holland Collection. I like the Evil Queen topcoat but I find it trickier to apply so it can get a bit time consuming. I paired this with my favourite OPI Holland Collection polish, Pedal Faster Suzi! If you want to apply a topcoat in a hurry I'd go for Prince Charming. The next item I picked up from the collection wasn't going to break the bank at €1.29, the nail caught my eye right away. On one side there's Snow White and on the reverse, the Evil Queen. I just thought that this was adorable and I was on the lookout for a new nail file anyway.

What do you think of the Snow White collection? Will you be picking anything up?

Laura<3

NOTD - Essie's Navigate Her & Catrice's New Top Coats

During my week off from work I've been experimenting alot with different nail polish looks. I'm not allowed wear polish in work so I always make the most of the time I have off. I've fallen in love with three new top coats from Catrice over the week. As well as being cheap as chips at €2.79, they can change any old plain nail polish instantly.

Holo Que Tal?! is a polish that is pictured above but I haven't used it much yet. In fairness, it's probably my least favourite of the three as it's nothing special, just pink shimmer really. 

All over the nail I used Essie's shade of the Summer Navigate Her which you can see in the top picture. It looks a very bright green here but in person I can assure that it's quite pale. I'm not 100% taken on this polish yet, sometimes I love it and other times I can't stand it. I think some of the other polishes in the collection are much nicer. Who knows maybe Navigate Her will grow on me after a while. As a topcoat I used, Shake It! Flake It! which is gorgeous I think it would look nice over any nail polish. On my ring finger I used Million Dollar Baby, which is made up of big chunks of silver and gold specks. I love how all these top coats can be used on there own, aswell as over polish.

Do you like this nail look?? Will you be trying any of Catrice's Million Styles Effect Top Coats?

Laura<3

NOTD - Nicole By OPI My Lifesaver & Make U Smile

This post is a bit delayed but I thought better late than never. I attended an event on Tuesday (post soon) were they showcased alot of lovely new products that are going to hit the shelves soon. Nicole by OPI was one of the brands I was excited about seeing, all their polishes looked beautiful. I'm going to try and pick up a few soon if I can get my hands on them I can see them flying out of the shops.

At the event I got my nails done with two polishes from Nicole By OPI's Justin Bieber Collection. I cringe to say this but I do like Justin Bieber just a little. I saw him in concert nearly three years ago, when he was somewhat of nobody (to me anyway) supporting Taylor Swift. Crazy to seeing how big he is now, the man has his own line of polishes.

My Lifesaver is a gorgeous turquoise perfect for Spring, while Make U Smile is a topcoat with huge chunks of glitter. When I saw it I fell in love it's so lovely.

Aren't they so pretty together? I think they were made for each other.  I have got so many compliments on my nails in work the past two days. Everyone really liked them. I haven't taken this polish off yet and to be honest I don't really need to. This nail polish wears really well and hasn't chipped at all, even after two full days of work which is great.

What Nicole By OPI polishes have you tried?

Laura<3

My Recent Topshop Makeup Purchases

If you read my birthday post last week, you would of seen a picture of some purchases I made from Topshop's Makeup range. I've read so many blog posts featuring this range especially the nail polishes. There was no better time to treat myself to some new makeup than on my birthday. When I went into Topshop I noticed that there new seasonal collection was launched.  Sisters of the New Moon is the new Spring/Summer makeup collection for 2012. It consists of a magic liner (eyeliner), mascara, two lip products, four nail polishes and last but not least, nail tatoos.

I made a few purchases from this range as I seen so many nice bits and bobs.

Zodiac & Mesmerise

 After seeing lots of pictures online, I'm going to go out on a whim and say Zodiac looks alot like Chanel's Graphite (possible dupe?). I could be wrong as I don't own Graphite, I would love to know your thoughts. Back to the polish, the finish seen above was achieved after just two coats. I can see myself wearing this polish alot I really like it.

Charmed & Crystal

Both lip products from this collection caught my eye. I've been using the lip tint, Crystal alot. I've bought lip tints like this before, that supposedly react to your skin to create the perfect pink shade. To be honest I've never been a fan, the pink that comes out on my lips always makes me look ridiculous. Crystal is different, I adore the finished shade as it's not too bright and looks quite natural. On the other hand I haven't gotten on as well with Charmed. It's a bright tangerine shade which isn't to my liking. I'm not one to wear vibrant lipstick so I feel like this doesn't suit me one little bit. I can't for the life of me remember why I bought it. I'm going try to find some different ways to wear it on the lips.

Innocent

This purchade was from Topshop's permanent makeup range. I saw Innocent on alot of blogs and of course feel in love. When I spotted it in Topshop while browsing, I decided I had to have it. Innocent is a really nice everyday pink shade (can't get enough of them lately). The white packaging does end up looking grubby in my bag, but this is something I can look over as it's such a beautiful lipstick.

Have you tried anything from Topshop's makeup range? What should I get next?

Laura<3

MUA Love Hearts Collection

At the beginning of February, I received an invitation to the launch of MUA's Love Hearts Collection. The event was being held in London which unfortunately meant that I couldn't go as I live in Ireland. The MUA PR Team were ever so nice and offered to send me some stuff from the Love Hearts Collection, aswell as some of their newer products (review coming soon). I haven't tried many MUA products, there are only two Superdrug stores in Dublin and both are ages away from where I live, so I don't get the chance to go that often. I'm in love with their eyeshadow palettes, so of course I couldn't wait to try more products from this brand.

Isn't the packaging gorgeous?

I am obsessed with lip balms, I always have lots in my bag. The minute I seen the Love Heart lip balms online I couldn't wait to try them. The two shades I was sent were Kiss Me and Sugar Lips. Both lip balms have a gorgeous vanilla scent which is quite similar to MAC's Tinted Lip Conditioner. I do find them quite moisturising which I need as I do get dry lips. The balm can wear off so it's always best to reapply it regularly. For £2 each you can't get any better than these two products. Both balms give a sheer pop of colour to the lips. Sugar Lips is my favourite out of the two, I have my eye on a few other Love Hearts lip balms so hopefully I can get my hands on them.

I love both of these nail polishes. I <3 U is a gorgeous nude shade which is so wearable, perfect for work. Love U 24/7 is my favourite of the two, I'm a fan of purple polishes so that's probably why. The result above was acheived after only two coats. For £2/ these nail polishes are such a bargain. There are six gorgeous bright shades to choose from, I can definitely see myself getting more!

MUA Love Hearts collection is available to buy from selected Superdrug stores and online.

What have you tried from the Love Hearts Collection?

Laura<3

When she was 22....

Wooo I turned twenty two yesterday. I have to admit I'm starting to feel kinda old now. Like looking back on stuff that happened five and six years ago, I can't believe so much time has past. I had such a amazing day, I went on a little Dart adventure with Paddy and we ended up in Dun Laoghaire. The weather could of been nicer but that's what you can expect when your birthdays in February I guess.

Paddy and I on the Dart enroute to Dun Laoghaire.
A quick NOTD featuring To Buy Ot Not to Buy from the Essie Spring Collection 2012.

A couple of pictures from our trip to Dun Laoghaire. We walked the pier which actually looks really long in the picture but it only took us about 15 minutes to get to the end. On the way back it did start to rain a little thankfully we didn't get soaked. I think we may go out on the Dart more often, I hadn't been to Dun Laoghaire in about a year and I had such a amazing time. If you would like to see more posts like this with photos from our upcoming Dart journeys let me know in the comments.

Of course my birthday wouldn't of been complete without doing a bit of shopping. When I was in Topshop I seen they launched their new seasonal makeup collection, Sisters of the New Moon. Everything looked so pretty, I was very tempted to buy more. I got two nail polishes and the lip products from the new collection. When I saw the lipstick Innocent I also fell in love. It's such a beautiful shade that I can see myself wearing alot.

I got so many lovely birthday gifts off my family and boyfriend which I wasn't expecting. I was thinking of doing another post showing you what I received. If it's something your interested in seeing let me know. Also I got so many nice Birthday tweets of my Twitter which were lovely and really made my day!!

Laura<3

NOTD - Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips in Frock Star

I was trying to get my hands on Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips for  ages until I spotted them in my local pharmacy. I have never tried nail strips before, so I was intrigued to see how they'd work. 

I picked up the shade Frock Star which you can see is a multi coloured glitter affair. I used these nail strips over Christmas as I thought they'd look great.

In each set of Salon Effects you get the following:

16 Nail Polish Strips

Cuticle Stick 

Mini File/Buffer

I like how you get 16 nail polish strips in the set. As being quite clumsy I needed to use more than ten strips. It did take me a while to get the hang of applying them, even buffing the excess strip off was a nightmare. This resulted in the loss of some polish off my nails which you can see in the picture below.

Being real polish strips they can be removed using a nail polish remover. As Frock Star is mainly glitter it did take a while to remove from my nails. I'm left undecided whether I'd purchase these again, maybe I would for upcoming holidays or a night out.

Sally Hansen Salon Effects Nail Strips retail for €8.95 and are available to buy in selected stores.

Have you tried these nail strips? What are your thoughts?

Laura<3