Models Own Artstix Nail Polish Duo in 'Jade Flakes'

First of all, let me apologise for the lack of posts recently. University is starting to wind down so i'm finishing off final assignments and ensuring everything is done for when I eventually move back home for the summer. As well as this, i've suffered from quite bad skin due to stress these past few weeks, so i've refrained from taking photos as i'm just not feeling really comfortable with the way i'm looking right now. But anyway, pity party over!

As a student (And as a girl in general), I love a bargain. What I also love are products that provide combinations, making it a full-proof way of ensuring you get it right every time. The Artstix Nail Polish Duo from Models Own is one of those products! They've jumped on the 'double-ended polish' bandwagon, which sees a base coat paired with either a polish with a nail-art brush or a nail effect top coat.

'Jade Flakes' is just one of eight combinations from Models Own, but with the inclusion of 'Snowflakes' from the Wonderland Collection it quickly became a must-have.

(I am well aware that my nail painting skills are not great!)

For £6 this product is ideal for someone looking to explore new shades without breaking the bank, as fullsized bottles of these two polishes alone cost £5 each. However, when using a glitter top coat its easy to end up using a lot of product just trying to get the desired effect seen on the bottle. With its large flakes, I ended up having to use three coats on each nail, resulting in a quarter of the bottle being used in one application. The top coat also has an extremely thick consistency, meaning that because of the layering (And I tried to thin it as much as possible without losing the flakes) it began to chip straight away and created bubbles on the surface of the nail which ruined the overall effect!

Overall it's a gorgeous combination and I had no problems with the application or the coverage of the 'Jade Stone' polish. However, the inclusion of the top coat meant that the polish latest just over 24 hours. I'm open to trying different Artstix as every one is different, however I feel i'm more likely to just use the base coat in the future as the top coat is extremely disappointing.

You can purchase Artstix Nail Polish Duos from your local Boots, or online here for £6.

Wonderstruck By Taylor Swift

I have a confession... I love Taylor Swift. I don't know why i'm saying it like it's a sort of guilty pleasure, her songs are incredible and she has legs the length of my entire body.
Therefore, purchasing her signature perfume was inevitable. I was hesitant at first, as I feared that if I knew she released a perfume that I despised I would be gravely disappointed. However, after playing "Enchanted" on repeat a few hundred times (Where the word 'Wonderstruck' was sung repeatedly), I decided to take the plunge - that, and the fact that Boots had the 30ml bottle on offer for an amazing £13!

The design is exactly the way I imagined it would be. Very bohemian, away-with-the-fairies, and almost mythical -  taking me back to the setting of her  'Love Story' video (Fangirling, sorry!).
 With heart notes of honeysuckle and vanilla whoopie pie, it's definitely one of the sweetest perfumes I own. With added peach, amber and a hint of musk, it's quite indulgent. I think this is quite a child/teen perfume, but I can imagine it would be a hit for anyone who wants to compliment their outfit with a beautifully sweet scent. The perfume is very authentic, with the scents chosen by Taylor that encapsulate her memories and experiences. With the 50ml bottle, the neck is adorned with beautiful Moravian star, birdcage and dove charms that were also chosen by Taylor.

I don't usually like doing perfume reviews as every scent is slightly different on everyone, but i'm just in love with it. It's playful, enticing and sensual enough to wear in the evening. It's also great when you need a little pick-me-up too, nothing puts me in a better mood than smelling like a sweet shop!

You can purchase Wonderstruck from your local perfume shop or online here from £19.50.

Everyday Makeup #1

As a beauty blogger, popping to Boots for a new product is just as common as a dash to the corner shop for a pint of milk. However, as our makeup collections rapidly accumulate, how much of it is actually used on a regular basis? I see so many blog sales consisting of blushers and eyeshadows that have been swatched once, which is why I tend to look to 'everyday makeup' posts to really see what is considered a staple.

So, today i'm going to start a series of everyday makeup posts .. showcasing my favourite looks and go-to products!

 

Base: Smashbox Photo Finish primer, Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Eclat in 'BR10', Bourjois Paris Healthy Balance unifying powder in '52 Vanilla' (Not photographed)

Cheeks: Benefit Cha Cha Tint, Nars 'Deep Throat' blush

Eyes: Rimmel Exaggerate eyeshadow primer, 'Virgin' and 'Naked' from the Urban Decay Naked Palette, Benefit's 'They're Real!' mascara, Rimmel Khol & Contour eyeliner

Brows: 'Medium brown' from the Foxy HD Brow Kit, MAC Brow Set in 'Clear'

Lips: Benefit Cha Cha Tint, Loreal Glam Shine Reflexion lip gloss in '174 Sheer Peach'

As you can see, I like to keep things pretty natural looking (which is strange with the amount of products I use!). I'm all about groomed brows, so as long as they are filled in and arched I don't mind what goes on with the rest of my face! This is what I would usually wear to work, or in today's case going out for sushi. I usually go for a lot of highlighting and contouring, but I think 13 products is enough for a 'simple' look. 

On a more personal note, i've finally started my Easter holidays, meaning I have about 5 weeks off from university! Yes, that does sound amazing until I tell you I have 5 assignments to do. Easter break over.