Festive Nails ft an Essie Top Coat

Here's a fun and easy idea to make your nails looks a little more festive this season, it's an oldie but a goodie and it involves a glitter top coat. Like, duh, could I be any more obvious?

The top coat which I'm currently head over heels in love with is Essie's Summit of Style which is a gorgeous gold glitter which has both small and bigger chunks of glitter which creates the most beautiful effect on the nails. It almost looks like fireworks which make it perfect for the party season.

I've been pairing it with my favourite deep and dark shades like the one above from Nails Inc, it's called Tower Street and it's such a dark burgundy red, it almost looks black.

Over such a dark polish the glitter looks amazing and whilst the polishes were actually pretty cheap, coming in at £7.99 for the top coat, it creates the most expensive looking effect. I can't tell you how many women stopped me and asked me where I'd had my nails done (it was four and they were all in the queue at Gap on Black Friday but that's by the by). They were all pretty shocked when I told them they were done at home and just involved an awesome top coat which I'd picked up from Boots.

The distribution of glitter is really fantastic for a high street product, there was no faffing around, literally dip the brush and swipe away. One coat was enough to get the desired effect, I did a couple of swipes on some of my nails but in all honesty one was enough to get the effect which you can see above.

So there you have it, what are you waiting for? Go and grab yourself a glittery top coat and go crazy! You don't have to use a gold, there are silvers, rose golds, subtle whites and even reds available at this time of year, make the most of it.

How do you make your nails a little more festive? Do you rate the Essie top coats?

Nails Inc - Heddon Street - Review

Recently I did a post highlighting my love of deep, dark autumnal nail varnish shades so this post is kinda sharing the love a little more. 

If you've been following my Rome travel series you'll have spotted a couple of photos of me donning a shade which keeps with the theme, namely Nails Inc. Heddon Street.

For my trip to Rome I wanted something which would go with most outfits and I wanted something a little more fun so a polish with hint of shimmer seemed the best option.

As you can see, Heddon Street is a deep cherry red with just such a shimmer running through. Not quite as dark as some others which I own, but I like it's simplicity. This shade is great for the impending festive season as well, it's not so glittery that you couldn't get away with wearing it every day.

I used this polish with a base coat, two coats of colour and a top coat and managed to get around 3 and a bit days of wear before major chipping started to set in. This is by no means the most long lasting polish I own, but darn it sure is pretty on the nails.

Have you used Heddon Street? What do you think?

What Laura Wants - Yet Another Beauty Hit List

It's been a while since I did an edit of bits and pieces which are currently on my beauty radar so for old times sake, here's a quick idea of what I'm holding out for.

First up at number 1) we have Omorovicza which is a Hungarian skincare brand which I've fancied trying for a while. Trouble is this line, with its mineral packed water and hi-tech skincare wizardry doesn't come cheap hence why I'm reluctant to simply splurge in one go. Lucky for me, there are various try me style kits on the market, the one I've pictured is full of travel sizes, however, Cult Beauty have a fabulous 6-piece try me set for only £42 which includes the iconic Queen of Hungary Mist and Thermal Cleansing Balm which you can pick up HERE.

Next at number 2) is another item from the new Nails Inc range, namely a collaboration with Alexa Chung. The Alexa Lace features different sized red particles which, when applied over just the right colour (I reckon a nude or white would look fabulous) will give the illusion of lace. If you fancy a bottle yourself, it's £15 and you can grab it HERE.

Right, we're half way home now and at number 3) it's the Body Shop Honey Bronzer in shade 01, the lightest they come. I've never quite been brave enough to play around with bronzer, but this shade is so light, it looks as though it would be tough to make a mistake. As it's a matt finish it won't sink into pores so fingers crossed, it's ideal for beginners. If you fancy messing up the beautiful honey comb pattern, you can find it HERE, a bargain at only £13. 

I'm going through a lip product phase, so of course, at number 4) it's the newest addition to Charlotte Tilbury line, the Matt Revolution Lipsticks. The shades Amazing Grace and Sexy Sienna look absolutely stunning and right up my street in terms of a more natural lipstick look. In the UK, you can see them in the flesh in Selfridges and get swatching to see which shades take your fancy, failing that, you can grab them for £23 HERE.

I've made no secret of my love for Philosophy, all of their products smell amazing and I imagine that this collection at number 5) would not disappoint. As we're heading into fall, I've started craving autumnal fragrances, namely cinnamon spice and all things nice. I don't think this collection is available here in the UK, but I'm keeping my peepers peeled just in case.

Finally, at number 6) it's the Rodial Dragon's Blood Night Cream. As it's packed full of hyaluronic acid it'll plump up your skin and keep your skin looking hydrated as the temperature drops. At £58 it's certainly not cheap, but I'm yet to find a Rodial product which doesn't float my boat so I suspect this will be well worth the investment. You find it in SpaceNK HERE.

What's on your beauty hit list right now?