I'm always in an obstinate battle with my bottles of nail varnish. There's always something lacking in the trifecta of formula, colour and wearability. One brand may have amazing shades, but the formula is runny and streaky. I love the just-right thickness of this line, but the teeny weeny brush was made for elf hands and my giant paws drop it on the carpet between every pass-over.
The brand that I've liked the most so far? Not available in my region. Sad trombone.
Luckily, when you lose out on access to some of your favourites, you will find replacements you would have not normally come across. For me, my new favourite polish was to be found in the gaping maw of cosmetics behemoth, Sephora.
The brand that I've liked the most so far? Not available in my region. Sad trombone.
Luckily, when you lose out on access to some of your favourites, you will find replacements you would have not normally come across. For me, my new favourite polish was to be found in the gaping maw of cosmetics behemoth, Sephora.
It's a rare day that you'll find me sporting anything less than lurid on my nails, but this collab set between Strange Beautiful and Saxony was far too disgustingly slick to pass on.
Of the three colour ways released, the 'Malevich' trio is the palest, ranging from white to the prettiest dove grey this side of an actual bird.
Because I can't resist an opportunity for a gradient, I teamed these three with two darker shades from Hello Darling and faded to black.
The polish is exceptionally creamy and opaque for such pale shades, and were seamlessly solid after two coats. This is my first foray into Strange Beautiful polishes, and I'm far more inclined to order another of their sets after enjoying this trio.
Fun fact: Malevich was a Russian painter who excelled in geometric abstract art and conked it in 1935. There were 14 children in his family, which is really at least 12 children too many. Thanks Wikipedia!
He painted stuff like this -
- which probably ignited a thousand conversations between Russian galley-goers about what that black square, like, really projected to them, while some Russian chick's boyfriend who didn't even want to come grumbles in the corner 'I could've painted that' in between spoonfuls of borsch and cabbage.
Nella has all the dets your little heart desires on the other two sets in the collection here.
While summer is my total BFF of a season, spring ain't so bad either. It's nice to see all the little signs that warmer weather is on its way - longer daylight hours, beer gardens opening, and the hordes of backpackers airing their pasty, shirtless bodies in the Hyde Park once it gets over 21 degrees.
Oh, and this gorgeous magnolia tree I pass on my way to the farmer's markets to buy salted caramel cheesecake and rhubarb. Check it!
Inspired, I decided to slick on a mani as pretty as these blossoms.
I've previously covered some of the polishes from Australis' Rockstar collection, and the shade used here, K-Pop, is another winner. It's a very pretty purple-leaning candy pink, that's creamy, smooth to apply and opaque in two coats.
I've then upped the pretty with a smudge of this silvery pink glitter from Island Girl Hawaii, that I picked up on my travels there last year. Despite its uninspired name, Island Color is a nice fine glitter that can be built up easily and doesn't feel rough.
Australis Nail Colours retail for A$7.95 each. Island Girl Hawaii polishes are US$2.99 each and you can find them in ABC stores in Hawaii and selected salons in Las Vegas.
Disclaimer: Australis product sent by brand for consideration. They have in no way influenced my review and opinions are my own. It is also my opinion that I would have totally ended up buying these at Priceline anyway because that place is a bad influence, and I'm easily led. See my Disclaimer for more sexy details.
Oh, and this gorgeous magnolia tree I pass on my way to the farmer's markets to buy salted caramel cheesecake and rhubarb. Check it!
Inspired, I decided to slick on a mani as pretty as these blossoms.
I've previously covered some of the polishes from Australis' Rockstar collection, and the shade used here, K-Pop, is another winner. It's a very pretty purple-leaning candy pink, that's creamy, smooth to apply and opaque in two coats.
I've then upped the pretty with a smudge of this silvery pink glitter from Island Girl Hawaii, that I picked up on my travels there last year. Despite its uninspired name, Island Color is a nice fine glitter that can be built up easily and doesn't feel rough.
Australis Nail Colours retail for A$7.95 each. Island Girl Hawaii polishes are US$2.99 each and you can find them in ABC stores in Hawaii and selected salons in Las Vegas.
Disclaimer: Australis product sent by brand for consideration. They have in no way influenced my review and opinions are my own. It is also my opinion that I would have totally ended up buying these at Priceline anyway because that place is a bad influence, and I'm easily led. See my Disclaimer for more sexy details.
I recently took a delivery from Fashion Addict, an online store that I'd heard of but not had the chance to order from before. Despite the fashion-affiliated name, I'd consider it more of a beauty e-tailer, with the bulk of its products in colour cosmetics and skin care.
My order had the following -
Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in Papaya ($9.95)
A sheer pinky coral, this is a little pick-me-up hit for my lips. The formula is slightly sticky (duh, it's a gloss), but not hair-snaggingly so.
Sally Hansen Diamond Shine Nail Polish in Honeymoon Red ($4.95)
More magenta-toned on nails than it appears on the bottles, Sally Hansen's Diamond Strength is one of my favourite brushes for its one stroke coverage.
Botanics of Australia Smoothing Body Scrub with Desert Lime and Wattleseed ($7.95)
Love this body scrub - it's the perfect amount of nubbly scrubby bits and lathering gel. The lime scent is sweet with a zap of zest, making this wash a neat addition to my shower rotation and pre-fake tan routine.
Gwen Stefani L.A.M.B Gift Set ($24.95)
I'm not so super crash-hot on celebrity fragrances, but this watery pale floral gets a pass for being both office friendly and reminding me of pear-scented shampoo. So fresh, so squeaky clean.
Fashion Addict has pretty speedy and safe shipping (it's free for orders over $40, and shipped from Melbourne) and regular discounts off Australian RRP, and I found all products to be genuine.
Disclaimer: Product sent by brand for consideration. They have in no way influenced my review and opinions are my own. See my Disclaimer for more sexy details.
My order had the following -
Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in Papaya ($9.95)
A sheer pinky coral, this is a little pick-me-up hit for my lips. The formula is slightly sticky (duh, it's a gloss), but not hair-snaggingly so.
Sally Hansen Diamond Shine Nail Polish in Honeymoon Red ($4.95)
More magenta-toned on nails than it appears on the bottles, Sally Hansen's Diamond Strength is one of my favourite brushes for its one stroke coverage.
Botanics of Australia Smoothing Body Scrub with Desert Lime and Wattleseed ($7.95)
Love this body scrub - it's the perfect amount of nubbly scrubby bits and lathering gel. The lime scent is sweet with a zap of zest, making this wash a neat addition to my shower rotation and pre-fake tan routine.
Gwen Stefani L.A.M.B Gift Set ($24.95)
I'm not so super crash-hot on celebrity fragrances, but this watery pale floral gets a pass for being both office friendly and reminding me of pear-scented shampoo. So fresh, so squeaky clean.
Fashion Addict has pretty speedy and safe shipping (it's free for orders over $40, and shipped from Melbourne) and regular discounts off Australian RRP, and I found all products to be genuine.
Disclaimer: Product sent by brand for consideration. They have in no way influenced my review and opinions are my own. See my Disclaimer for more sexy details.
Australis has been knocking it out of the park recently, making it one of my top drug store brands for on-trend and wallet friendly impulse buys. It's an iconic Aussie brand that was honestly a bit daggy when I started venturing into everything cosmetics a few years ago, but has since done a smart 180 and started whipping out some trés decent products along with some clever branding to hit the hipster chicks and festival fiends right in the wallet.
The latest drop of products ontinue in the same vein - the Rockstar collections smooshes music genres into a range of four nail polishes and four lipsticks, naming each shade after a popular music genre.
Today I've slicked on two different shades of polish, for a mani that unintentionally ended up looking a little bit Elphaba-esque.
The latest drop of products ontinue in the same vein - the Rockstar collections smooshes music genres into a range of four nail polishes and four lipsticks, naming each shade after a popular music genre.
Today I've slicked on two different shades of polish, for a mani that unintentionally ended up looking a little bit Elphaba-esque.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING, NICOLE BY OPI?
NO, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
Seriously, cool it with the collaborations, OPI. Fricking cereal now? None of these colours look particularly interesting and they don't even make sense. Red, sure, that's the brand's signature colour, but why the pink? And the blue? How about a beige for the flakes and a milk white?
Honestly, I'm starting to suffer collab fatigue. How about you?
NO, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
STOP, NICOLE BY OPI!
Seriously, cool it with the collaborations, OPI. Fricking cereal now? None of these colours look particularly interesting and they don't even make sense. Red, sure, that's the brand's signature colour, but why the pink? And the blue? How about a beige for the flakes and a milk white?
Honestly, I'm starting to suffer collab fatigue. How about you?
Just in time for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, here's a designer inspired mani that makes use of three different products - polish, nail transfers and studs!
Having the hand-eye coordination of a hibicus-addled baby sloth, unable to do anything with my oversized claws -
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| Seriously, the tree is right there. Why is this so hard for you? |
- nail transfers like these ones from Fing'rs (that brand name, I just cannot) are so my kinda vibe. I can have pretty nail art, without the constant rage-tears and steadily escalating profanity that comes with trying to etch teeny weeny little Missoni squiggles across my nail by hand.
I used the Edge Nail tattoos set (A$12.99), which comes with three different types of peel off, stick on transfers and two mini colours. I choose the zig-zag pattern, which you know is meant to be seen as the Missoni design because, c'mon just look at it! The transfers have a clear base, which is different from a lot of similar nail stickers because you can alter the look of them through your choice of base colour. I went for the creamy green then stuck on a few studs from the Edge Heavy Metal Nail Art set (A$12.99) because I'm totally rock, man.
Relevant - Fing'rs have just launched their e-shop and have 30% off all orders. Use discount code 'LAUNCH30' at the check-out to redeem.
Disclaimer: Product provided for consideration by brand. They have in no way influenced my review and opinions are my own. It is also my opinion that freestyle nail art must be some kind of skill that's passed down genetically or something. THANKS A LOT, PARENTS. See my Disclaimer for more sexy details.
Here's a nail quickie for you featuring some minis and a glitter I've been hanging onto for a while. I used to use all the glitter on all the nails, but after going through a lot of polish remover, cotton pads, patience and swears, I've learnt that you never go full glitter. Never! So much glitter is too much of a burden for one set of hands! So I've been taken it one nail at a time, with ye olde beauty blogger favourite - the glitter feature nail.
From left, Prinnie x Hello Darling in Kava, Jessica in Happy Hour (both cute little minis), Endota Spa The Rocks (full size).
Disclaimer: Polish from Hello Darling and Endota Spa provided for consideration. They have in no way influenced my review and opinions are my own. It is also my opinion, after extensive research, that baby fur seals > baby elephant seals. See my Disclaimer for more sexy details.
From left, Prinnie x Hello Darling in Kava, Jessica in Happy Hour (both cute little minis), Endota Spa The Rocks (full size).
I slicked Kava on all but the feature nail, which ended up with two coats of Happy Hour and enough two of The Rocks.
I love the pale grey of Kava - it's creamy and opaque in two coats without streaking. Plus the soft grey reminds me of baby seals. Awwwww!
Welcome to Lather Rinse Repeat's series of summer themed posts! Every post that features the above banner will be serving up a review of a useful product or service for you to take advantage of in the warmer months.
Summer holidays are so fleeting, right? Like barely grasped snatches of dappled sunlight and salt-swept hair. Or a fart in a glass.
Instead of being on holiday, I'm back at work, at the office, fourteen floors above the much more appealing beaches, gelato and daytime television I could be lapping up. Oh, and naps, of course. God, aren't naps at around 3pm or so just the most fabulous acts of divinity? Yes, please. Gimme all that.
Instead of being on holiday, I'm back at work, at the office, fourteen floors above the much more appealing beaches, gelato and daytime television I could be lapping up. Oh, and naps, of course. God, aren't naps at around 3pm or so just the most fabulous acts of divinity? Yes, please. Gimme all that.
This is the part where I say "well, if I can't be on holiday, at least my nails can! Tee-hee!" Because the Chanel polish I'm wearing is called Holiday. Get it? I'm like a total wordsmith here, carving up relevant intros like the rent's due tomorrow. Fuck, you guys. Rent's due tomorrow.
I'm not feeling the nails on vacay vibe today. Fuck you, nails for being all bright and happy and glistening orange. Why do you get to have fun while I'm at work. Now I have to stare at your delightful squared-off ovals of tangerine colour-blocking as my fingers peck out less carefree work reports and records on my coffee stained keyboard.
You little frivolous bastards.
Chanel Le Vernis in Holiday is A$39. It was their mid-2012 release, so may be harder to find now.
I'm going to ask you to just try and ignore the absolutely atrocious state of my nails and cuticles right now...
... and focus on the super fun pastel purple nails with fluro orange tips I got going on here.
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| Uneveness is all due to Seche Vite top coat being silly and pulling it up. |
Both shades are by Darling, with The First Corsage in the base, and Love on Top for the tips.
Sorry for being light on posts this week - I've been ultra busy with work deadlines, BBU12 and IMATS, phew! My giveaway winners will be announced tomorrow!
After an epic battle of wills (hold a blog giveaway vs KEEP ALL THE THINGS FOR MYSELF!), I'm finally posting this giveaway with a few spoils from my recentish holiday to Hawaii.
There's two prizes to win, with everything purchased by myself with my own cash money. The UD and Stila items were bought from Nordstrom Rack and are seasonal limited edition items.
Prize pack 1 - Island Girl Hawaii Scented Cuticle Oil, Stila Daydream Palette, Jane AguaCeuticals BlushStix in Shimmering Peach, NYC Liquid Lipshine in 576 Prospect Pink and Island Girl Hawaii nail polish in Aloha Paradise.
Prize pack 2 - Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden (matte formula in original applicator style), Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencil Stash, Jane AguaCeuticals BlushStix in Shimmering Peach and Island Girl Hawaii nail polish in Aloha Surf.
It's open to all Australian residents, and all you need to do is tell me what your want to see more of in Lather Rinse Repeat in the comments below. More skincare, lipstick, hair or FOTDs? More photos of products in action, or less pics of my face? More Paul Rudd? ALL THE PAUL RUDD?!
Good luck!
A quick post today, because I'm off to the pub to watch the fire of my loins, the mighty Adelaide Crows play against Hawthorn in the last AFL Preliminary Final for the 2012 season. If When the Crows win, they will be competing against the Sydney Swans in the Grand Final. And just perhaps , we'll see something other than the bloody rugby reported in the NSW media.
I've dressed my nails up for the occasion in navy, red and yellow and a terrible attempt at writing CROWS on my nails using an Island Girl nail art pen (black not showing up on the navy + my shaky old lady hands = bleurgh).
Like I said, terrible drawing here!
My partners in crime, Hello Darling in In The Navy (sublime application with these polishes!), Essie in Geranium, and Ulta3 in Honolulu.
Off now to go cheer my heart out, and try to drink away this image now burnt into my brain.
C'arn you Crows!
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| Mmmm, sport |
I've dressed my nails up for the occasion in navy, red and yellow and a terrible attempt at writing CROWS on my nails using an Island Girl nail art pen (black not showing up on the navy + my shaky old lady hands = bleurgh).
Like I said, terrible drawing here!
My partners in crime, Hello Darling in In The Navy (sublime application with these polishes!), Essie in Geranium, and Ulta3 in Honolulu.
Off now to go cheer my heart out, and try to drink away this image now burnt into my brain.
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| Frowny face :( |
C'arn you Crows!
Magnetic polishes are going off like a frog in a sock right now, with brands like Nails Inc, Ulta3 and Orly getting in on it quick-smart.
I had the opportunity to give the new Sally Hansen version a whirl, when the fab Alison from Sally Hansen popped by my office to give us all manis (spoilt, right?).
I picked out the colour Red-y Response to try, which is honestly much more of a purple maroon shade both in the bottle and on nail.
If you've been apathetic about magnetic so far, here's the drill. The polish contains small metal particles, that you apply as normal in two coats. While the second coat is still wet, pull the magnet concealed in the lid over the nail to attract the filings, creating a wave pattern. Make sure not to knock your nail with the lid!
Alison Magnetoed the tricky bits for me, so I can't give you an honest opinion of how easy it is to achieve a uniform pattern yet. However, I noticed the magnet is smaller than my nail and she had to curve it around to the side to make sure all areas were attracted.
Alison says the Sally Hansen Magnetic Nail Colors will be available in Australia mid-September. They are already on shelf in the US, because this guys get all the cool stuff first.
It's still not quite Spring-ready here in overcast, windy Sydney, so I've been looking for a little pick-me-up. I thought I'd found the perfect cure in one of the nifty bits and pieces I'd picked up from my recent holiday to Hawaii, this traffic cone, safety jacket fluro orange nail polish called Waikiki Color from Island Girl.
I was looking for a photo of a safety jacket to compare the colour to, and found this. Obviously I couldn't not share, right?
I've bought a few more things from Island Girl, so I'm crossing my cuticles in hope that they turn out a little nicer on, because the colours are just gorgeous.
Island Girl nail polishes are US$2.99 each and you can find them in ABC stores in Hawaii and selected salons in Las Vegas.
I was looking for a photo of a safety jacket to compare the colour to, and found this. Obviously I couldn't not share, right?
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| Accuracy and honesty in reporting, right here. |
Anyway it's an ultra bright shade, although a bit more orange than your typical safety jacket that is worn by a shirtless lusty lady.
While I love the colour, the formula kind of sucks. It's streaky, thick and lies uneven, and for some terrible reason, dries matte. I've slicked a top coat over as I do prefer a shiny finish, especially when I need to mask the pretty awful job I did painting these.
I've bought a few more things from Island Girl, so I'm crossing my cuticles in hope that they turn out a little nicer on, because the colours are just gorgeous.
Island Girl nail polishes are US$2.99 each and you can find them in ABC stores in Hawaii and selected salons in Las Vegas.