Seche Vite Top Coat

This has got to be one of my favourite products! These are strong words, however, I have been nothing but impressed since purchasing it. 

It was my flatmate who introduced it to me when I complained my own had gone gloopy! I have previously used Good To Go by Essie and to be honest, thought that was an amazing product. Until I tried this. It just lasts those few days longer. 

I HATE chipped nails, it just isnt very professional and gives a terrible impression that you dont take care of yourself. I Love having my nails done as they last a good 3 weeks, but its not often I can afford a £35 splashout every 3 weeks. SO I use my general nailvarnish (however many layers are required) and then use a topcoat. This is a fast-dry version of the kind. And it thoroughly works. 

So if youre looking for a great new topcoat which just lasts that little bit longer, this is the one!

Hope you all have a great weekend out there :)

x

Jessica Geleration / I do

No, Im not engaged. The colour is called 'I do' and the boyfriend wasnt impressed either. In fact, I didnt even dare tell him to begin with ;) 

Its Jessica Geleration in the colour 'I Do' which I had done at Hotel du Vin in Harrogate where I spent my Christmas. J and I were booked in for the days around Christmas, and I was treated to a treatment of my own choice in the Spa down in the basement on the 24th of Dec. to kick-off Christmas. I chose to have my nails done, as I seriously needed them done....... 

So here goes.

I chose this lovely colour as it reminded me of Essie's Mademoiselle or Balletslipper, as its a light pink but milky colour when coated. I had 3 coats in order to achieve this colour. I also thought it would look good with all colours, its natural looking and quite classy. 


I have now had it for nearly a week and its lasting quite well so far, excited how its going to 'age' as its not as hardwearing as my usual Bio-sculpture (apparently). As I havent really got my hands in water all day long, I hope its going to stay on for a good 2/3 weeks. 

So far, Ive really liked it. Its a great alternative to Gelish and Shellac, however, for the price of £37.50, and a potential risk of it lasting shorter than Bio-sculpture, I think its a once-just-to-shake-things-up-experience, as I am quite happy with my usual nail-technician (Franki) and getting the train to Harrogate would be a bit of a luxury journey. 

Nonetheless, its great to try!!! Thanks!

Had a wonderful Christmas. Unfortunately, Im already back at work :( Hope youve all enjoyed yourself (and still do??).

Cannot wait to show you some of all of the presents I got... Im a very very spoilt girl.

Much love,

Z x

Merry Christmas

FINALLY!!! I have been so absent (as predicted in my last post) but I have been caught up in work - for a whole week! Working 60 hour weeks in definitely not advisable.

I am finally done for the time being, and have come out the other end with some good results so am treating myself to 3 days off, a couple of drinks tonight with a good friend of mine and a trip to Manchester on Wednesday. 

I thought I would add a little bit of "off-work-spirit" showing an after-work cappuchino, freshfaced with curlers, Gel overlays in colour 24 and a white chocolate and spiced apple winter cocktail from one of my favourite places in Leeds - 26 Aire Street.

Gel Nail Overlay /

Had my nails done again, however, had taken off my gel overlays for the french and my nails were suddenly too weak for my hard work :( As you can imagine, they all broke off... So am back to square one, short but tidy nails. I therefore went for a wine-red festive colour as short nails and dark colour looks classy despite the short nails. I will take some better pictures in daylight, and do a post on its own, as it isnt very visible in that picture.

Have to get going, I hope youve all had an amazing weekend. 

Love Z

x

French Gel Overlays part 2.

Awkward nail picture part 2!!! 

I am just updating on my nails. Went to Mint today and had them done again, and I can tell you I am so pleased. They look absolutely stunning. Love how crisp she makes them. Franki who does mine, and the rest of my work (we seem to have started a trend) is my favourite. I have seen some of the other girls' work, and although theyre good, I far prefer Franki - she is just incredibly good at making the line even and precise. 

Its just a short update, but thought Id share it. Off on holiday to Denmark tomorrow, am very very excited about seeing everyone. 

Will try take some nice pictures and blog. 

Z x

French Gel Overlays

Taking pictures of your nails is always a weird one (!). I had these done last week. Whenever I did my nails, it wouldnt be a day and they would have split and chipped. I think it boils down to the dryness and condition. And the Sally Hansen product I bought to prevent this - did nothing but encourage this peeling of nails. Sad eyes.

So I decided to get bio-sculpture (link here) in order to protect the nail whilst hidden under the hard shell. 

'Bio Sculpture Gel is an exceptionally durable gel treatment that nurtures the nail bed whilst allowing the nail to look immaculate. It is a healthy nail system that will not chip or damage your nails, protecting and strengthening the natural nail in the process. Bio Sculpture is the original and market leading colour gel with a range of over 150 different colours.'

I had this done at Mint nails in Leeds (Link here) which is quite an expensive nailbar (£31.50) compared to other places in Leeds, but I am amazed how well its lasted. Its been a week so far, and it still looks immaculate. (usually lasts 2-3 weeks apparently). Whats even better, my natural nails are growing longer underneath, without chipping! I will definitely be doing this again - well worth the price. 


Z x

Sally Hansen Hard As Nails + No Chip

Invested in some new products today. As I have previously mentioned, my nails are a state. Think theyre just dried out from the constant treatment so they continue to break :(( Sad eyes. Therefore, I have looked about and it seems that Sally Hansen products are the preferred (This is purely based upon reviews I have read on numerous blogs). 


Hard as Nails promises to promote longer, stronger and more beautiful nails with lasting protection. The new Hard as Nails has added Nylon and Retinol (compared to the previous product) 
Its to prevent nails chipping or splitting in everyday life. 

• Nylon formula fortified with silk proteins helps strengthen and protect nails against chipping, splitting and breaking
• Provides a super strong and smooth coating that reinforces the nail surface, edge and tip
• Protects against everyday hazards such as water, detergents and housework
• Gives nails a natural gloss and encourages them to grow longer, stronger and more beautiful

No Chip Acrylic Top Coat has received some terrible reviews, however, I am happy to try for myself. If I cannot live with it, i will just add an Essie coat and then off I go. 

• Seals nail color to keep manicure fresh.
• Dries quickly to a high gloss finish
• Helps resist chipping and peeling.
• Adds strength with clear acrylic protection to help promote stronger, more beautiful nails.
• Use over dry, freshly applied manicures and use between manicures to "freshen" enamel with brilliant shine.
• Salon Tested - Dermatologist Tested.

ESSIE Mucho Dinero

Ok, so I went a little mental with the nail colours a little while ago. I bought a wide range of colours. I just never had a chance to talk about them. Yesterday was miserable, peekaboo sunshine!!! SO changed the colour on my nails. I have got to apologise, I have just had my acrylics taken off, so my nails are a little fragile. Its quite visible too. 

Right. The first of five is Mucho-dinero. Absolutely gorgeous. 

Its not mushroom-y like many other greytoned, browny nailvarnishes. Its more caramel, which I honestly was a little scared of to begin with. But I thought Id try it and see if I could get on with it. And I have to admit, I think it might be my favourite of the five. 

I applied it in 3 coats before it became so opaque, used my ESSIE good to go and off I was. 

I could honestly wear this every day. Its not often I say that but its just so professional. I have to have nice nails for my job, as its a sign of professionalism not coming to work with chipped nails - obviously. I love my red and pink nails, but this is absolutely a fabulous alternative to that. 

You can buy ESSIE at boots, they retail at £8 per bottle. This specific one is from the previous collection, so if it hasnt been carried through to this season, try on eBay. They normally have a good selection of colours. 

Ill be back soon ;)

Z x

OPI Drip Dry VS. Sephora Express drying oil

Hope everyone is having an immense bank holiday weekend? I'm still not over how amazing Foo Fighters were at Leeds festival on friday. Completely AWED! That doesnt happen often as i am, honestly, normally too short to go to gigs, mainly just see top half of the stage due to tall people standing in front of me. Luckily, I had my amazing boyfriend to put me on his shoulders (I had sworn I wouldnt do that at a concert). But the cider and the good mood made myself, and my structured crisp white shirt, get in the festival spirit. 

Anyways, I think a few people might find this post a little irrelevant. But when you wear nailvarnish on a regular basis, it can be quite tedious having to wait for the nail paint to dry. Especially, when youre in a rush to get out of the door. This is why firms like Essie, OPI and Sephore have made some amazing drying oil or fast drying top-coats. 

I have used ESSIE Good To Go top coat for a long time. People who know me will also know that this is my favourite nail brand. SO I thought it would be nice to finally try something a little different for once.

OPI Drip Dry, is a genius little product. A small bottle with a pipette, which is placed in the lid for you to suck up the oil and then drip a drop on each fingernail after applying the nail varnish - it dries instantly. My friend has used OPI for a long time, so its been nice finally trying this product as she is ecstatic about this brand. 

Sephora, which is a high-street makeup store (LOVE LOVE LOVE their makeup brushes btw.) have their own version of the drying oil too. Called: Express drying oil.

It really works, its super efficient and quick to apply. It doesnt dry instantly as in, being able to dress yourself, pull up the super slim-tight skinny jeans and push down the pockets which are flapping out - yes I talk from experience, its not that super fast! However, I dont think any product is that quick drying. 

This is how you do it:Apply the last layer of nail-polish and a topcoat (if it isnt an express drying topcoat like the ESSIE good to go). Drip a drop of the oil on each nail and let the nails dry for a few minutes - its that easy. The nailvarnish will dry so much that you will be able to touch it shortly after. And completely hard after approximately 3 minutes. 

There is, in my opinion, NO difference between the two products. They are absolutely amazing both of them. In fact, if you changed the labels I wouldnt even notice. However, the price is the only thing that differs. The Sephora is £8 and therefore a bit cheaper than the OPI brand, retailing at around £12.

Absolutely recommendable for the girl who is as addicted to the colour of her nails as I am! 

Have a nice week. 

Love, Z

x

Andrea Fulerton Paris Nail Varnish

What im talking about isnt the long-legged model / heiress or the city itself. Its Andrea Fulertons Nail Polish. I found it when roaming around my nail polish box (!) but had never taken into consideration trying it. Normally I go for pretty nudes or vixen reds but the disco pink (Which my best friend used to call it, due to a pink nail varnish name on a bottle she once bought) was a colour which was long-lost in my regime. 

The bottle is a 5.5ml bottle, i.e. a full size and the consistency of the polish thick and smooth, and doesnt streak! (Major plus)! but what I was mostly impressed with was the opacity of it as I layered it once and it was near perfect! I would argue that layering the first layer fairly thick you would actually get away with just that one layer. For myself, I generally use between 2-3 layers (except with Essie Sugar Daddy which gets a whopping 4 layers) as well as a top-coat which is normally Essie Good To Go. An actual miracle product. Love it. As you can see in the picture below, shiny pink nails, however, dry hands (courtesy of a week in the sun)

Its always fun trying something a bit different, nails never come out nicely on pictures, sorry about that. But I do actually enjoy the Fuchsia colour. Im very conscious of not clashing with my clothes, but recently I have worn very monochrome colours so luckily i havent had to sweat over that. Its a classy pink, little bit more grown up where some pinks can be a little bit 'hallo kitty' if you know what I mean. 

Today is my day of working from home (in bed as you can see). Cups of tea and trying to sell things as I need funding for my trip to Copenhagen next month. SO very excited. 

On that note. Have a good day :) 

Zx

Sunday Mood And An Apology

SO I said I missed blogging, which, I honestly do but have still been absent for the past few weeks.

Now, in my absence I have, however;

1. Handed in my masters dissertation
2. Had my mother over for a visit for a weekend
3. Been on holiday with my boyfriend 
4. Spent so much money on great food and drink that I now have so little money left I cant afford to buy little makeup treats for myself. Gutted.

It is payday the day after tomorrow, not sure how much I will have left when the bills have been paid. Anyways, keeping the spirits up, its my birthday in a month and I will be showered with presents... hopefully haha 

I recently tidied and threw out things and came across these nail-varnishes. I must have had them for a long time, cause I dont remember buying them?! Dont you just love when coming across things you never knew you had? 

What i am on about is of course these two nail-varnishes. The red one is a sheer red with glitter in it, very much like a Shellac I once saw. The glitter is very small and multi-coloured, very pretty for a daytime look. 

The pretty yellow one is ... a little too colourful for me to wear. Dont get me wrong, I love the colour, but just not on my nails. I tried it on but took it off just as quickly. I never knew I used to buy Maybelline, since then I must have converted, quietly of course, to Essie as it seems to be the only thing I wear these days. 

Anyways, just to share my brilliant sunday mood with everyone. Happy sunday. Next buy is the St. Germain items from M.A.C. Although I never buy pink-pink, these look so lush. I MUST TRY THEM. At least a trip to the store would be in order. 

Have a nice sunday :)

x