Essence Pastel Ombré Topcoat

I have a confession, this post was suppose to go up yesterday (Monday) so I'm sorry that it didn't. However when I swatched this particular polish,

 I was so cross that I just couldn't think of anything positive to write. It would have be a horrid post to read, so I decided to enjoy my evening watching Game of Thrones, sleep on it and come back to it today. I can't promise it'll be any nicer, but it will contain less swear words.

Essence Pastel Ombre Topcoat and Flashy Pumpkin

I went out and bought Essence's Ombré Topcoat at the weekend for 2 reasons

1. I saw a press release on it (ages ago) and immediately added it to my to buy list.

2. I then saw the lovely Dahlia Nails review it and I was even more sure that I needed it.

Their blue ombré mani was beautiful, what I have to show you today is not.

Firstly I used 2 coats of Flashy Pumpkin. I love this Essence polish, it's pigmented, smooth to apply and fast drying (I reviewed it here with other Essence colours last year). For £1.79 you can't ask for anything more from a polish. The Ombré Topcoat directions suggests you need to use a dark colour as the effect is more noticeable, so I thought this orange would be perfect.

Essence Flashy Pumpkin Colour & Go

I added one coat to all my nails and this is where the problems began. I found that these tiny little black stands appeared on my nail (bits of brush I think) which needed removing and then disrupted the topcoat. I also found the bristles of the brush were too hard and so left streaky marks when I applied the topcoat.

It has a very thick consistency and dries quickly so if you have large nails (like I do) and need to go back on any areas, it's already dried and then smudges.

Because of the thickness of the polish and the fast drying time, it's hard to cover all areas properly on each additional coat, so by the time you do 4 coats, it's impossible to get a good finish.

I added some Glossy Glam topcoat to the finished mani, which usually covers all manner of polish sins, but it couldn't fix this. This was doomed and nothing could save it. My index finger has 4 coats and then each additional finger has 1 less coat.

Essence Pastel Ombre Topcoat over Flashy Pumpkin

I think I can probably utilise this as a sheer white polish (I don't have one) and ignore its intended purpose. I certainly won't be using it again as a ombré topcoat and if it doesn't work out as a sheer white topcoat it's headed for the bin.

The idea is great, but the product isn't, so good try Essence but not good enough.

Should you wish you buy this it's available from Wilkinson Stores for £2.

What do you think of this product? Do you like wearing ombré manis and would you have used this?

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint Collection - Swatches & Review

PR Sample

Happy Friday everyone. I am loving having time off, still one week of Easter holidays to go. I went shopping earlier and got some new spring clothes, my fave of which was this Floral Waterfall jacket from Dorothy Perkins.

As promised in yesterdays Barry M summer product preview (read here), I have swatches and a review of the new Sunset nail paints.

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint Collection

Info about this collection from Barry M;

Barry M’s new Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint and Topcoat deliver the look and resilience of pro salon gel nails without a UV lamp or the expense! All you need is a Sunset colour and the Sunset Topcoat – no need for a basecoat as the special formulation bonds to the nail like a gel in daylight but can still be removed with a regular remover.

Sounds amazing right? It's a simple 2 part 'at home' gel manicure with promises up to 10 days of wear.

A lot of people have been asking all sorts of questions about the 'daylight curing'.

Q. What does cure with daylight mean?
A. It means that the polish (similar to gel polish) will get harder when it is exposed to UV light (UV is part of the spectrum of light that is emitted from the sun, so it is around us all the time, we just can't see it). The more the polish is exposed to daylight, the harder it will get and the longer it should last. This will occur through you wearing the polish and does not mean you need to hold you hands up to the light.

Q. Will still harden if it's not sunny?
A. Yes because there is still a huge amount of UV light hitting the earth's surface from the sun, hence it being daytime so the polish will still cure.

Q. Do I need to put my nails under a light/lamp?
A. No, these polishes use natural daylight to cure, so unless you live in the darkest, pitch black cave, the light coming in through your window will be sufficient enough to help the polish harden.

If any one had any other questions, a quick Google should help you.

Right, back to the polishes. The Sunset collection consists of 7 colours and a matching topcoat. It says there is no need to wear a basecoat, although for staining purposes you may want to (but beware that this may affect lasting time). The topcoat only promises to work with this range of nail paints and no others from the Barry M line. Thats a shame, especially for people like me with a LOT of other Barry M colours.

Like the Spring Speedy Quick Dry polishes (review here). these nail paints have the new large, rounded brush. This makes application a dream, especially for people with large nails.

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint Collection Topcoat

Drying time for all polishes was fast, each layer (applied thinly) dried quickly, the formula was buttery smooth and the finish before topcoat was plump and full. You couldn't ask for any more from a nail polish.

First up I have Can't Get You Out Of My Red which is a classic pillar box red. This is more of a jelly consistency (think Blood Orange Gelly) and builds perfectly in 2 coats and I added the Sunset Topcoat to finish.

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint Collection - Can'y Get You Out Of My Red

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint Collection - Can'y Get You Out Of My Red

You Drive Me Navy is a gorgeous bold Navy creme. It looks fab with 1 coat and if you have small nails thats all you may need. However I added a second coat to smooth any patches and then the Sunset Topcoat to finish.

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint Collection - You Drive Me Navy

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint Collection - You Drive Me Navy

Do It Like A Nude is a creamy goddess of a polish. It's very sheer compared to the others and required 3 coats (and topcoat) but it looked amazing on. I know that those people with strict uniform rules at work will be all over this one, in fact it was sold out in both my local superdrug stores so I imagine they all ready are!

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint Collection - Do It Like A Nude

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint Collection - Do It Like A Nude

Peach For The Stars is a bright peach creme that leans pink. It is so beautifully bright that it almost borders on neon. I had so much trouble trying to get a colour accurate picture of this that I had to wait until it was super sunny outside and snap one then. I used 2 coats and topcoat.

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint Collection - Peach For The Stars

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint Collection - Peach For The Stars

The Way You Make Me Teal is a bright teal creme. I needed 2 coats for full coverage and then added the Sunset topcoat to finish.

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint Collection - The Way You Make Me Teal

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint Collection - The Way You Make Me Teal

I've Been Pinkin' is a super bright Bubblegum pink, which like Peach For The Stars, borders on neon in bright light. I used 2 coats plus topcoat for full coverage.

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint Collection - I've Been Pinkin'

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint Collection - I've Been Pinkin'

Fuchsia Generation is a deep raspberry creme. I loved this colour in the bottle but was not that keen on it when on. I don't know if it was my skin tone, the fact it's was darker than the rest or because I had spent 4 hours swatching (I had to re-swatch 3) by the time I got round to it. Either way, the polish itself can't be faulted. The formula was amazing and again, those with smaller nails could get away with 1 but I needed 2 coats.

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint Collection - Fuchsia Generation

Barry M Sunset Daylight Curing Nail Paint Collection - Fuchsia Generation

Sunset Topcoat - I used this topcoat (2 thin layers) over each of the colours above and I have to say it's amazing. It dries quickly, looks like a gel topcoat and feels like a gel topcoat. It's a gorgeous product from Barry M and makes this collection a real stroke of genius.

So, as far as first impressions go, I am very impressed Barry M, very impressed. I will update you when the manicure starts to chip and then again after 10 days.

Tips for application:

• No basecoat,
• Thin coats of colour
• Allow coat to dry before applying any others
• 2 thin coats of topcoat
• Seal all free edges

I know some people were not blown away by the colours, however the idea with this collection was not to showcase some amazing new shades, it was to release some classic favourites in this new long wear system. I know that these will do well and I have no doubt Barry M have already planned new colours in this range. If it lives up to the '10 day' wear promise, I can see this being some of their best selling nail paints.

You can buy these NOW from BarryM.com (international shipping) and Superdrug for £4.99 each. Boots will start selling these from 15th April.

So what do you think? Will you be buying these? I'd love to know what you think.

Tartan scarf.

I have brown hair, whiff! Haha! It was the funniest thing when I was checking photos and only with this outfit and these photos I had these brown hair. Hilarious, gotta say! I don't think they suit me 

though.

I have a photo shooting tomorrow, finally! Really excited about that, so many new stuff to show. One of them you can see today, this scarf is the coolest ever, still love tartan. Practically the whole outfit you can shop in TOBI. 

Jacket- New Yorker, bag- OASAP (here), watch- KOMONO (here), shirt, jeans, scarf- TOBI (here)

Love,

Kat

Barry M - Summer 2015 Product Preview

Happy Thursday all, it's my boyfriends birthday today but I think I received the best present. Barry M sent me their new Sunset nail paint collection,

 it arrived in a gorgeous shimmery gold box and I almost cancelled all our plans so I could get swathing.

Barry M Sunset Nail Paint Collection

Barry M Sunset Nail Paint Collection

Instead I went to lunch, was social and made sure he had a great time. So tonight instead of the swtaches (which will be up tomorrow) I have a preview of all the new Barry M Summer 2015 beauty releases that will be coming our way soon.

Products released on the 8th April 2015 in Superdrug, 15th April in Boots

1. Sunset Nail Paint Collection and Topcoat, £4.99 each. Buy them here.
2. Radiant Rod Highlighter Pencil, £3.99. Buy it here.
3. Afterglow & Deepglow Bronzer, £5.69 each. Buy them here

Barry M Sunset Nail Paint Collection Summer 2015

Barry M Radiant Rod Highlighter Pencil Summer 2015

Barry M Afterglow & Deepglow Bronzer Summer 2015

Products being released on the 6th May in Superdrug, 13th May in Boots

1. Eye Shine Palette, £6.49
2. Matte Me Up Lip Crayons, £4.99 each
3. Make Me Blush Cream & Powder, £3.99 each
4. Flawless Concealer, £4.49 each
5. Speedy Summer Nail Paints, £3.99 each
6. Gelly Hi-Shine Summer Shade, £3.99
7. Lip Boss Lip Gloss, £4.49 each
8. Brow WOW Brow Pencil, £3.99 each

Barry M Eye Shine Palette Summer 2015

Barry M Matte Me Up Lip Crayons Summer 2015

Barry M Make Me Blush Cream & Powder Sticks Summer 2015

Barry M Flawless Concealer Summer 2015

Barry M Speedy Nail Paint Summer Collection, Gelly Hi-Shine Summer Shade Sugar Plum Summer 2015

Barry M Lip Boss Lip Gloss Summer 2015

Barry M Brow Wow Eyebrow Pencil Summer 2015

You can buy all Barry M products from BarryM.com, Superdrug and Boots. 

So what do you think you'll buy? I can not wait to get some of the Make Me Blush and Lip Boss range. No doubt I'll get others, I love Barry M products and here and 10 reasons why you should too.

Happy Shopping!

Liebster Award

I was so amazed and honored to be nominated for a Liebster Award by the lovely Kelley of The City and Us. To be honest I had never heard of this award

 (which is for discovering new blog) but I love that someone out there thought my blog good enough for it.

Here are the rules

The 11 questions I have been nominated to answer are;

1. What’s something new you’ve recently learned?

Recently I learned that Fanny Cradock was a real person - who knew? (Thanks Pointless)

2. Do you have a fun party trick (I’m looking for a new one)?

No, I'm so boring at parties and socially awkward that I usually end up embarrassing myself.

3. If you could invite anyone to dinner, who would it be and what would you serve/order?

I would invite David Attenborough and serve Mexican food. He has had such an amazing life and has been one of my fave people in the world since I was little. I am a huge DA fan.

4. What’s your favorite take-out food?

It has to be Chinese food, I am addicted in a bad way. Luckily my fave local takeaway is closed on a Tuesday which seems to be the day I come home from work, give up on the week and crave their Shredded Chilli Chicken. However I do tend to have a Chinese at least once a month.

5. Are you a planner or do you wing it?

I am a planner, however I tend to plan long term rather than short term. This is especially true of my blog, I make a page per month with my post ideas on and then work from there. A lot of the times my posts are things I think up that week, depending what comes out etc.

6. What’s the last book you read?

I have just finished reading 'Thud' by Terry Pratchett. I felt bad that I had had this book for ages and hadn't read it before he died. I love the Discworld series, especially the Witches. It's a terrible shame that there will be no more of these books produced by him.

7. You just found out you have an unexpected morning to yourself. How do you spend it?

In bed or catching up with some Animal Crossing. I wish I could say I would do something productive with it, but I wouldn't.

8. Where would you go if money and time weren't an obstacle, and who would you take with you?

Las Vegas and I would take my BF with me. I love it there so much, I have been twice before and would love to go back with an unlimited supply of cash. I am not a big gambler, in fact I only liked to play on the 'Hot Hot Penny' machines and would occasionally spend a little on the Roulette tables downtown in the El Cortez as it was $1 minimum.

9. What’s the best piece of advice you've ever received?

Save 10% of every pay packet, these wise words were said by my Nana (great grandma) and I promptly ignored them. I wish now that I had listened, however it's never to late.

10. What’s something your parents taught you as a kid that has been invaluable as an adult?

Treat others as you would wish to be treated. Obvious but something that I wish more people in the word valued.

11. What’s your favorite way to spend a long weekend?

Watching Pride & Prejudice (the series) while blogging, baking, dinner with friends and lie-ins. I tend to be pretty low key on long weekends, I am a true introvert and like to spend lots of time on my own. I find it far more relaxing than filling my time with plans as I never usually want to do any of them.

11 Facts About Me

1. Pink is my favourite colour.

2. I have 2 cats called Coco and Flicker.

3. I drink a huge amount of tea (decaf).

4. I love costume dramas and Austin adaptations are among my faves.

5. I own over 1000 nail polishes because ... nail blogger!

6. I went to boarding school and loved it.

7. I wish it had been Hogwarts.

8. I am the eldest of 5 children.

9. I get all gooey inside when I think of Christmas time.

10. I have been engaged for 9 years but have no plans to get married.

11. Outlander and Poldark are currently my favourite TV shows.

The nomination's bit is very difficult for me as the blogs that get nominated should have under 200 followers (rules do vary), however I have just nominated some blogs (mostly nail) I follow who I think are wonderful and need only accept this as a token of my love for their blog. If they don't fancy doing this, it's perfectly understandable because I know a lot of people are not keen on the 'chain letter' style that it takes. After all it's an award given to bloggers by bloggers and I am just letting them know I love their work!

Dahlia Nails, The Naily Mail, Flails And Nails, Spangley Nails, Hair Nails etc, Nail Lacquer UK, Polish Is The New Black, My Mint Nails, Anny Polish and Paint, Sherbert London, Nemo's Nails, Pardon My Nails, Fundamentally Flawless.

Yes I know there's 13 nominations but I adore them all and couldn't leave any out.

If any chose to do this style post in recognition of their award, here are the 11 questions for you to answer. I look forward to reading your answers.

1. What are your favourite sweets?

2. What is your favourite high street store?

3. What is your favourite beauty product ever?

4. Who is your inspiration?

5. What is your favourite blog and why?

6. What is your favourite book?

7. What is your favourite thing about yourself?

8. Favourite female and male celebrity?

9. Top three television programmes?

10. If you were stuck on a desert island and could only have 3 items what would they be?

11. What is your biggest fear?

Thanks again for the nomination Kelley, it's nice to know that people read my blog.

Essence Bloom Me Up Nail Polish Collection - Review & Giveaway!

Essence are a European brand that we UK nail girls can now get on home soil (can I get a hallelujah!). However there are still a huge amount of Essence products we do not get a sniff at, namely the capsule collections which of course are the most appealing. Their Cinderella collection did not hit UK shores and no matter where I looked I couldn't find a company online willing to send it to the UK (thanks Royal Mail).

Luckily by chance I came across the Bloom Me Up collection while I was browsing around and picked up 2 complete nail collections, 1 for me and 1 for you to try and win. This was a spring release last year but it is still beautiful and goes a way toward making up for the fact I couldn't get the Cinderella collection.

Back to the collection, it contains 4 polishes; 2 cremes / 2 shimmers and some nail lace tip stickers.

Essence Bloom Me Up Nail Collection

Blow My Mint is a gorgeous bright pastel mint green creme with a hint of sage. I used 3 coats and topcoat for the swatches below.

Essence Bloom Me Up Blow My Mint

Essence Bloom Me Up Blow My Mint

Lovely Lavender is just as the name suggest, a soft lavender with a silver shimmer. I used 3 coats and topcoat for the swatches.

Essence Bloom Me Up Lovely Lavendar

Essence Bloom Me Up Lovely Lavendar

Blooming Tender is a gentle orange polish with a silver shimmer. I used 3 coats with topcoat.

Essence Bloom Me Up Blooming Tender

Essence Bloom Me Up Blooming Tender

Chaising Lacy is a watermelony-strawberry pink (does that make sense?). I used 2 coats with topcoat for the pictures.

Essence Bloom Me Up Chaising Lacy

Essence Bloom Me Up Chaising Lacy

The nail lace tips look beautiful, there are 28 pieces in 7 different sizes. You can of course use them as a tip if you have round or squoval nails, or you could use them to create a lacy half moon mani. I am sure there are loads of ways these could be used, I just can't think of any more right now.

So how do you win these 4 polishes and nail stickers ... read the rules and then enter through the rafflecopter widget.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow me on Bloglovin' here

On a last note - why do Essence insist on changing their bottle shape all the time? I love the uniformity of the same shape bottle per brand. So many brands are recognisable from their bottle shape (OPI, Butter London etc), not Essence, it likes to throw itself around and has a bit of action in all the bottle shapes.

Giveaway Rules

The closing date is Friday 16th April 2015 at 00:00.

One (1) winner will win the 4 Essence nail polishes and 1 pack of nail lace tips.

Open to UK residents aged 16 or over.

All entrances MUST be following The Polish List on Bloglovin.

Entrances can gain extra entries by following the other options offered through Rafflecopter.

The winner will be chosen at random from all correct entries and informed via email within 24 hours of the closing time.

The winner must respond within 72 hours to claim their prize. 

Do not post on competition sites or forums.

No competition accounts/profiles - these will be disqualified.

Prize not for resale.

Jeans and fur.

Some fur scarf up here for the last time probably! I mean because the weather is warmer now. Gonna rock it in November again I hope. And my new fur jacket also. I am so in love with it, gotta take some photos of it asap.

I never thought I say this but I became obsessed with working out. Do you know that feeling? You just have to do it every day. No I started to eat more properly for muscle mass, but nothing major. This sh*t is expensive, man! :)

Jeans, fur scarf- Asos, jacket- Zara, watch- Komono

Love,

Kat

Bloglovin' - 5 Reasons You Should Be Using This App

Today I'm going to tell you about the new app I am loving at the minute, if you follow me on Instagram you'll be sick to death of me going on and on about it. It's called Bloglovin' and its all kinds of amazing (think finding a £50 on the street kind of amazing). Anyone who has a blog will know of this website/app and so will others, but some of you wont (not anymore) and its you mainly addressing.

Bloglovin' app

Basically, Bloglovin' is a site that allows you to have access to all the posts from the blogs you love and follow in one place.

Back in the day I had a folder in my favourites bookmark section that was just for blogs. There was even folders within that main blog folder for different genres of blogs (I like to keep things very organised). I would spend ages clicking on each blog link individually to see if there was anything new for me to look at. It would take ages and consequently I never really looked at blogs on a regular basis (ain't no one got time for that).

Bloglovin' has revolutionised the way we follow bloggers and read their posts. Here are my top 5 reasons you should be using this app!

1. You can search for blogs you love by blog title & also by category and be following them with a single click (there isn't a nail section ... yet.

Bloglovin' search facility

Bloglovin' Categories

2. You can see all the new content from your fave bloggers on your own personalised news reel in seconds. This means you can read or skip content depending on whether the title grabs you.

My Bloglovin' feed

3. Similar blogs get recommended to you when you follow a blog (or you can click the 'similar blog' button when on a blog) so you can find more of the type of posts you love to read.

Bloglovin' Dahlia Nails blog page - similar blogs in right hand corner

Bloglovin' similar blogs to Dahlia Nails

4. In a similar style to Pinterest, you can create your own folders/collections and save/organise any blog posts you come across that you want easy access to at a later date. This is fab for keeping handy those beauty product reviews, nail tutorials or cake recipes ... because we all need more Mac lipstick and Oreo Cheesecake ... am I right?!

Bloglovin' categories features

5. You can browse popular blog posts  for any category even if you're not following that blog. This is great for finding new bloggers to follow or just having a quick browse at something different while you're soaking in the bath. I've found the most amazing advice, travel hints and pizza bread tear and share recipe by using this feature. 

Bloglovin' popular posts feature

Have I convinced you to go login and create an account or download this amazing app?

If not, maybe this will sweeten the deal; I am holding a competition to win the Essence Bloom Me Up collection that will be featured on my blog later today, however you need to follow me on Bloglovin' (CLICK HERE) to enter ... yup I knew you'd change your mind.

So go go go, I honestly haven't looked back, there are so many amazing bloggers out there and I love being able to keep up to date with all their posts. I look forward to seeing you there xx

PS don't forget to follow me! (Here)

PPS like all apps it has it's buggy bits but Bloglovin' are always around on Twitter to hear feedback and improvement suggestions, a first for me with apps!