Nail news

In this party season we all want to look good and why not start with our nails?

The nail market is booming at the moment with every brand introducing new products, so here is some of the in news.

Essie have brought out a range of bold colours for the autumn to match the classic statement fashion of the moment. 'Stylenomics', an opulent green which is said to be the new black; 'Recessionista' is a smart and sassy magenta; the chic and executive greige comes in the form of 'miss fancy pants'; a gorgeous burgundy under the name of 'skirting the issue', 'Dont sweater it' is a warm mauve, or why not take charge with the red 'Head mistress'?

For those who prefer gel nail polishes, Artistic Fall have introduced a new mood inspired collection. The new shades reflect the mood of the season on catwalks and trends hitting the high street. Colours range from a striking velvet cherry to subtle pink as well as embracing chocolate and gold shades.

Magnetic and metalic looks are the main trend this season and China Glaze have embraced this and released their new magnetix range. This polish creates a tiger stripe effect after the magnetic brush cap is hovered over wet nails. This new range comes in eight magnificent colours including gold, blue, pink, mauve, brown and silver.

As we all know sometimes the smell of nails list can be overwhelming for some people this is why Ferity have created scented enamel. There are three different ranges on offer at the moment fruit, floral and the scent of gossip. They have also created their scented nail polish remover pads with fruitylicious smells.

Color club a NYC based company's brain child Ruby Wing have come up with a photochromic nail varnish which changes colour in the sun. One bottle gives you two distinct colours. This range comes in 18 colour bottles creating 36 stunning shades.

Lastly, over the last few years nail wraps have grown with popularity. Nail FX have introduced their 3D nail wraps coming in 36 stunning designs while Kooky have brought out metallic animal print wraps for those of you who are more adventurous.

NYX my new fave make up brand

Olympia beauty for any beauty fanatic is like a treasure trove of fascination. It's an eagerly anticipated annual event, a day where you can pick up products at trade prices. This year I went with the intention of checking out new cosmetics on the scene, of course that did not transpire and I ended up begrudgingly spending some of my hard earned cash.

One of the Main attractions for me were China glaze where I bought two of the new Bohemian range nail enamels. I could go on for hours about how good china glaze are but I won't because most of you beauty lovers will know, however the bohemian range gives your nails a lovely two tone effect that is slightly metallic, the in look this winter.

The other was the NYX professional make up stand. It seems to have grown in popularity as the crowds surrounding it were almost impossible to infiltrate. NYX cosmetics have built a strong reputation within the professional make up market world wide and are still growing in popularity.

NYX , pronounced niks, was named after the Greek goddess of the night, in Greek mythology she ruled nightfall. She is a symbol of beauty and power, the brand uses this as inspiration to bring cosmetics to empower the everyday woman.

I bought the blusher, bronzer combo, a body bronzer and the soft matte lip cream. I must say I am thrilled with the results, on a daily bases someone asks me about what make up I use on my lips and cheeks, and I am happy to tell them "NYX". My cheeks look like they have a healthy glow, and my lips not only feel smooth but look great.

Luckily for us girls NYX has finally come to London and I can't wait to try more of their fantastic affordable products, I advise you to also. www.nyxcosmetics.co.uk

Bliss Fabulous Skin-rejuvenating Rubberising Mask

I was given this face mask to try over the weekend, and I must say I am very pleased with the results.

It comes to your home straight from Bliss spa and its rubber texture enhances absorption of key ingredients to deliver healthy skin.

The secret to this unique face mask is the Algin which rubberises it allowing the key ingredients like seaweed, which draws out impurities, bilberry and vitamin C, which sooth and calm the skin fending off free radicals, leaving the skin brighter with an even tone and texture.

To begin with I was not happy with the mask but that was my fault. It said leave it on for fifteen to twenty minutes and then peel it off. However I decided that after the twenty minutes some of the mask still looked a damp grey colour, while other parts looked white and cracked. So I left it on for a bit longer. After half an hour most of it looked dry-ish so I decided to peel it off, which didn’t work. I was forced to scratch the dry bits off while the moist bits peeled away like they should have done. So in conclusion I left it on too long and should have taken it off when it went from purple to grey, and not white. My face ended up red and irritated but after a few minutes it all went down leaving my skin looking clean and vibrant. It had a healthy glow, looked even in tone and was soft to the touch.

I will use this face mask again and at £35 for a pack of 6 it’s quite the bargain!    

Lush’s new FUN bar

Lush, one of my favorite bath brands, have unveiled their latest invention the ‘FUN’ bar. I must say I think it is their most fabulous invention yet, but that may just be my childish side coming out to play at bath time.

This multi-purpose, mouldable soap is amazing, you can wash your hands with it, shower with it and bath with it for masses of bubbles. But that’s not all you can use this soap to wash your hair or clothes with as well as being able to play and mould it because of the putty like texture.

The FUN bar has a softening base of corn flour, talc and glycerine. Cornstarch or corn flour is made from maize which is used to make a thick paste for cooking and confectionery making. When mixed with water Cornstarch forms a gel which makes the skin soft and tender. The Glycerine is palm-free and made from vegetable oils, so it’s great for dry or sensitive skin with its high moisturising qualities. The FUN bar is solid, with little water content so uses no preservatives. It is gentle on the skin, hair, scalp and body so is great for the whole family. It is even wrapped in a biodegradable film of cellulose, made from eucalyptus. Once it has been disposed of, it breaks down in to water and carbon dioxide in the natural environment, so it’s even good for the environment.  

The FUN bar comes in five different colours and smells:

-Sentai Ranger Green, was what I received, with lemon and lime oils to awaken the senses. After I bathed in it I smelt like a green Starburst.

-Sentai Ranger Yellow contains Vanilla and Gardenia extracts for a comforting marzipan aroma.

-Sentai Ranger Blue makes for a calming soothing bath with its mix of calming oils such as Lavender and Camomile.

-Sentai Ranger Red possesses a fruity combination of orange and mandarin oils revitalising the mind.

-Sentai Ranger Pink is a girly sweet treat mix of tonka absolute and benzoin resinoid which have warming qualities and help with circulation.  

L'Occitane

My favorite beauty brand at the moment has to be L'Occitane, I am in love with it. It all started when I got a sample of the Creme Mains Peaux Seches, Shea butter hand creme free with a magazine about a year ago. I thought nothing of it and just chucked it in my bag. Until my hands felt dry from the winter cold later that day and I remembered it, got it out, and applied it. That was it, I was hooked, the smell was divine and my skin felt soft as satin for the rest of the day. I have tried other hand cremes since then, of course, that's my job, but none of them ever match the moisturization of L'Occitane.

I was recently shopping for a good friends birthday present and could not think of what to get her, purely by chance I stumbled upon a L'Occtane shop in Westfield Shepherds Bush. The choice of gifts and gift ideas were overwhelming and I knew she would like anything I purchased from there, because I wanted it all. Everything was so chic and had that classic Perisian look. The perfumes smelt divine especially the Rose De Champs, the face cremes catered for every skin type possible, the travel packs were so cute I wanted to book a holiday just to use them. Very importantly, it was all in my price range, so its not expensive at all, an absolute bargain. I ended up buying my friend a pack for her face with a cleanser, toner and a moisturiser, the lady at the till wrapped it for me free of charge and put it in a lovely bag. I was so impressed I signed up for their mailing list and every month I get a beautifully designed card through my door with great offers, deals and discounts.

Join the UltraLift Challange!

Garnier, in their nationwide advertising campaign have invited consumers to join the UltraLift Challenge.

To take part, go to ultraliftchallenge.co.uk to request your free kit. This will include 14 free samples of Garnier UltraLift crème, amounting to a  generous 21ml of UltraLift Day Cream, and a Wrinkle Reader.

Designed in the L’Oréal laboratories and used as a scientific tool to clinically grade wrinkles, the Garnier UltraLift ‘Wrinkle Reader’ has never been available to the public. Its aim is to help participants track the improvement in the appearance of their crow’s feet to really see for a difference after the 14 day trial.

To start, Garnier ask that you match the UltraLift wrinkle reader to your skin type. Then you use the free crème daily and at the end of the 14 days re-evaluate your skin again with the wrinkle reader. Et voila, send in your comments, results and feedback.

UltraLift day triple action formula is said to act in 3 ways. By Immediately hydrating skin to make it noticeably smoother and softer. With its Anti-wrinkle action, enriched with Pro-Retinol derived from nature, reduces the appearance of wrinkles, even deep ones. Lastly its Firming action leaves your skin feeling noticeably firmer.

My mum is trying it I shall let you know how she gets on!

Olympia Beauty

Professional Beauty is returning to Olympia London on the 23-24^th September 2012 in association with Louise Page academy, a professional make-up school. This explains why, for the first year running, they are holding The Art of make-up competition over the two days. This year it is ‘Grecian Goddess’ themed with two categories, Best Newcomer and Junior Make-up Artist of the Year. There are over £10,000 worth of prizes to be won and winners will have their work published in FACEON Magazine, official media sponsor of the show. Anyone can enter as long as their details are in before Friday the 16^th of August.

Along with the make-up competition this year The Nailympics London, the UK’s biggest nail competition, will be running.  For all of you who are unaware this is one of the world’s most prestigious nail events.

The show will be larger than ever before showcasing over 400 of the industry’s most iconic brands including over 150 new launches and previews for 2013. There will also be over 40 live educational seminars over four stages and arenas including Beauty, Make-Up, Fashion, Nails, and new to this year Medical aesthetics.

There will be the usual savings and discounts this year and entry is free to all trade visitors who pre-register at olympiabeauty.co.uk.