My Month in Manicures: Sept'13

Hello again!

Remember when I used to do 'Monday Manicure' posts? Also remember that it got to the point when I was so crazily busy I kept forgetting it was Monday? Well I've come up with a solution. I've decided that I'm going to be bringing you all my manicures in one monthly nail polish post. I always snap a photo of my manicures for Instagram so I will now be compiling them into one monthly post with a bit of info on all the products I've used and what I think of them. As we're coming to the end of September I thought this would be the perfect time to start and you'll probably notice that I've wasted no time in embracing seasonal colours. Products are featured in chronological order starting with the first mani of the month....

Maybelline Color Show Polkadots: 'Shooting Stars'

I finally got round to trying this polish! I picked up two shades of the Polkadots polishes back in June (post can be found Here) and, until this month, had only got round to playing with the pink shade. Well, I got bored one night and decided I fancied a Galaxy mani. What you see here is two coats of 'Shooting Stars' with a sweep of my Loreal Confetti topcoat over the top to add a little extra dimension. I love the result! As you can see I'm a little clumsy with darker coloured nail polishes (this photo was taken before I'd had chance to clean it up) but I'm getting better now. As I recall this mani was a bit of a pain to remove but it was loads of fun and lasted ages!

Essie: 'Playa del Platinum'

You'll be starting to notice by now that I ADORE Autumn and have taken great joy in pulling out all my neutral nail shades in preparation for the season. Playa del Platinum is a particular favourite grey-nude of mine that I picked up at last year's Olympia Beauty show. It goes with just about anything. It's extra shiny in this photo as I added a big dollop of Seche Vite on top of it. 

 

OPI: 'Barefoot in Barcelona'

This has been a previous all-time favourite of mine for Autumn/Winter and it still ranks extremely highly. It's a warm, muted terracotta kind of shade that looks particularly amazing when teamed with gold rings or bracelets. My OPI shades have been a bit neglected of late, in favour of Nails Inc (my ultimate HG polish brand) but the shades I have always seem to get more use in the cooler months. Everyone should have this in their collection in my opinion. 

Nails Inc A/W Collection: 'St Martin's Lane'*

This polish brings us bang up to date (I'm currently wearing this). I finally got my mitts on the new Nails Inc shades for Autumn/Winter this week. I actually did a little SQUEE when I opened the parcel. Look out for a full post on the whole collection very shortly but I just had to show you this polish a little early. If Ribena were a nail polish it would be this one. It's a gorgeous deep purple, blackcurrant sort of shade and fits perfectly with this season's berry colour trend. I adore berry/wine shades for Winter, in fashion as well as nails. Raspberry is a particular favourite. Again, this isn't the tidiest of manicures but I am getting better with darker colours, honest!!

So that was my September in nail colours. Guess I averaged one mani a week this month. Sometimes it's more, sometimes it's less. I find that, with Seche Vite, my nail polish lasts for ages and it sometimes seems a shame to remove it when it still looks so immaculate. I will confess to you that there is ONE mani missing from this post, but only because it will feature in my NEXT post (which is actually a very exciting one so keep your eyes peeled). 

So,until next month..... HAPPY NAIL PAINTING!

What are your favourite nail shades for Autumn?? Do you love a particular brand of polish?? Do you change up your manicure weekly or more often??

Spotlight On: Dry Fast Top Coats

They say that the only time that any women is really and truly HELPLESS is when she has wet nails. As someone who is certainly NOT helpless, even I can nod my head and agree with this. I also know how utterly soul crushing it is to declare your nails dry, only to have it ruined beyond repair the minute you put your hand in your pocket. I always make sure I've been to the loo before painting my nails too because that is AWKWARD (you know what I'm talking about). When I was younger, my mother would paint hers and then get in such a flap and start ordering me and my dad around to fetch her things whilst waving her hands around and blowing, manically, on them. Thankfully, in this day and age we have THESE....

Seche Vite Dry Fast Topcoat* and Nails Inc Kensington Caviar Topcoat*

These two products, although essentially very similar, are at the top of their game (and of the popularity contest). Many contenders have come and gone over time but none have stood the true test like these products. Up until both of these beauties landed in my lap just before Christmas 2012, I had only read about them in others' blog posts and didn't even realise what a beauty staple they were and if you still haven't tried one.... DO IT! These products have revolutionised the way I do my nails and I couldn't be without them now! So I'll tell you a bit about each one...

I was introduced to Seche Vite (after having read about it countless times) at the QVC SS13 Press Day. My heart did a little flip when I discovered it in my goodie bag on the way home and couldn't wait to see if it lived up to the hype.

Well doesn't it just!! This product does exactly what it says on the tin (or box, whatever). The consistency is very thick but it sweeps smoothly over the nail and it's touch dry before you know it! It claims to penetrate right through the underlying polish, although, if you've done multiple coats, I'd still sit tight for a good couple of minutes as I've had the whole mani try to slide off in one piece before. Touch dry only really means just that. It's dry to the touch, which is GREAT but be prepared to let it work it's magic for a little while longer before getting too physical with anything haha.

However, once it's worked it's magic, you're good to go and I've had manicures that have lasted up to 10 days with this before. I just love how glossy the finish is. Almost like I've had gels on! This product in on it's pedestal for a good reason and I don't think it'll be coming down anytime soon.

This product came into my possession just after Seche Vite, also from an event. To be honest, I didn't open this for AGES as I was getting on so well with Seche Vite and figured I'd keep this one in it's box until the need arose. Well, of course, being the Nails Inc FANATIC that I am, my curiosity got the better of me and I finally popped the cap on it last week.

The major difference between Kensington Caviar and Seche Vite is the consistency. The Nails Inc Topcoat is much thinner and more malleable than the Seche. I think this works in it's favour to be honest, but I think it depends on the kind of manicure you're doing and there are definitely pluses for thick and thin depending on the look you're going for. It's super shiny and, again, touch dry in seconds. The Nails Inc has a slight peachy tint to it, whilst Seche is just clear, but I don't think this is intended to add any colour and doesn't seem to translate that way on the nails, even over a pale polish. It gives a glossy finish and seems to be long lasting, but I haven't given it the beasting yet that I gave Seche Vite as I've not been using it for as long yet.

I haven't included nail photos with this post as I wasn't sure if there was that much of a visual difference! Both give a glossy, shiny manicure and I can't really demonstrate any of their other attributes via the medium of photography. I guess you just have to try them and decide for yourself which works best for you. I actually like both, if only for similar reasons. These products have totally changed the way I do my nails and I will NEVER go back!

I got my Seche Vite via qvcuk.com, who do some amazing multibuy deals on the product which means you're paying way less for each polish than the £12 Nails Inc are asking for the Kensington Caviar Topcoat. However, I still feel that Nails Inc are a name to be trusted though and you can browse the whole Kensington Caviar Range at nailsinc.com

Do you rate fast drying top coats?? Do you have a favourite brand?? What items/products can't you paint your nails without??

Monday Manicure #4: My Nail Care Routine

Hallelujah, BBB is back!! I absolutely HATE it when i haven't blogged for a whole week and i don't want this to be a blog where you only get one post per week. However, my life has been so crazy over the past fortnight i haven't even had time to scratch, let alone pick up my laptop. London Fashion Week (more on that later in the week), University and my parents first ever trip to visit me in London have kept me well and truly occupied. So tonight i wanna talk about nails. Not my usual Monday Manicure-type post but i got to thinking last week that i've posted my skincare and haircare routines recently, so why not my nail care picks as well?? 

As with skincare, i am no expert whatsoever with nail care and am just doing what has been working for me. My nails have recently improved dramatically and this has really encouraged me to step up my nail care and invest in good quality products as well as some budget drugstore staples. I am still learning and discovering new products all the time so the routine you see today may well evolve, but the products i'm featuring today have been serving me very well.

Hands and Cuticles: 

You've seen these products, briefly, before on this blog as i featured them at Christmas. They are part of the Nip+Fab Dry Hand Fix Kit* (and also come with a pair of rather fetching gloves for when you want to truly pamper your hands overnight). Regular readers will know that i really rate Nip+Fab products and that they are very much part of my every day life.The hand cream smells like pudding and i carry it around in my handbag all the time as it's a handy size. It's not an intensive treatment by any means but it is infused with Olive Oil and keeps my hands lovely and soft, which also keeps my nails happy. Those with very dry or chapped hands would probably need something richer but, for day to day use on normal skin, i really rate this cream. 

I'll level with you now.... I don't really know squat about what i'm supposed to do with my cuticles. I did initially question whether or not i even HAD any! Of course, i DO, but what i have is barely there and i don't feel the need to push or cut them and they don't obstruct my nails in any way. I know some have very dry cuticles but mine just seem very average so i just give them a blob of the Nip+Fab cuticle cream which i rub into the cuticle and over the nail to keep it soft and healthy. I actually bought the Sally Hansen Cuticle Pen the other day as well but have not used it yet. I'll report back, of course.

Clipping and Filing:

I don't clip my nails often. I used to when i went through a phase of wanting them mega square but, more recently, i've been a bit obsessed with filing them into a more pointed shape. Don't get me wrong, i don't want those scary TALONS i keep seeing all over Instagram, but i am definitely favouring a more tapered shape just lately. I'll be honest and admit that i actually use these to clip the FERRETS' nails more than i do my own (they get washed thoroughly in between, before anyone thinks i'm gross haha). The ones i'm using are Superdrug own brand and are actually meant for toenails, but i found them more robust and less fiddly to use and they work perfectly well for both human and ferret. 

As i travel a lot, i've been buying these cute mini polkadot emery boards from Boots rather than using anything too posh. These were only a couple of pounds for a pack of 3 and i have them dotted around my room and one is permanently in my travel bag so that i'm never far from one if i need it. I think that i will eventually treat myself to one of those beautiful glass/crystal nail files i keep seeing on QVC but i will always use these as they are so handy and so easily replaced if they get lost or worn out. 

Treatment/Base Coat: 

Most reading this will probably be well aware of the existence of OPI Nail Envy. It's been on my shopping list for what seems like forever but i only actually got around to buying it myself in January. I'd like to make it known that i ADORE it and that i will never be without it again. I purchased mine from eBay (Link), where there are some great deals to be had. The one i have is the Original, but they also have other formulas, including a Matte formula which intrigues me.

Before i started using this, although my nails were already improving a great deal, the surface of my nails was still flaking and they would occasionally split, painfully, very far down. I've been using two coats of Nail Envy as a base for my nail polish for just over a month now and you can actually SEE the difference as the nail has grown. The flaky part has almost grown out now. I also find that Nail Envy reduces the staining i get from nail polish and that my nails feel almost indestructible. I scour glass shelves in a pub every Thursday but you wouldn't be able to tell from my nails. This product is worth every penny and then some!

Top Coat:

I'm including this as a nail care product, even though it is a topcoat, because of how well it protects my polish and makes my manicures last for ages. As with Nail Envy, this is a product i'd heard a lot about over a long period of time but only got round to trying for myself just before Christmas 2012. It is the Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat*. This product has completely revolutionised the way i do my nails. I love the glossy finish that it gives and how it dries my nails in a flash! Now i can do my nails every week on the train up to Derbyshire from London for uni and be confident that my nails will be dry and smudge-proof by the time i reach my destination. Usually, this mani will also last until the NEXT Sunday too (unless i get the urge to repaint them midweek). I've heard grumbles here and there that this product is very quick to go gloopy, but i haven't experienced this myself so far. I do, however, have a fresh bottle on standby just in case.

My Seche Vite came c/o QVC from their SS13 Press Event and is available as a great value multibuy on qvcuk.com (Link). I'm also aware that Seche Vite is also available in selected Boots stores and from some department stores so it's worth keeping an eye out while you're shopping too. 

So i thought i'd end with a little snap of my (almost) naked nails just so you can see how i'm getting on. Not a fantastic photo by any means (poorly lit iPhone pic from last night while i was curled up in my onesie, doing my nails). All i have on in this pic is OPI Nail Envy and nothing else. There is still a bit of nail polish staining towards the tips but thats almost grown out now and my nails are much stronger thanks to stepping up my nail care habits! 

Have you tried any of these products?? What are your can't-live-without nail fixes?? Any tips or things I should be doing differently??