Collection Lasting Gel Colour in Stormy Grey

Hi Everyone,

This is a mani from a few weeks ago now - so forgive me if you've seen it before on my Twitter or Instagram (@charnailsntails) but I really liked it - so it's worth a share!

After seeing so many people talking about them on Twitter, I really wanted to try the Collection Lasting Gel Colour Polishes - which are a snip compared to other gel based ones at around £3.20 each! Bargain.

As Summer has been a slight fail for me so far (come on sunshine - don't be shy) I am leaning towards more nudes than usual! Neons need sunshine!!

This colour is called Stormy Grey - which is apt given today's weather. I'm not sure if I agree with the grey part - this leans more brown in my eyes, but the name is not the important part. At least it's not just a number!

This is two coats. I probably could have done with three, or a white base. As a gel based polish, I was really hoping for something a bit more pigmented to be honest. For me though, this just hits the acceptable shade for avoiding mannequin hands, and therefore is a good nude in my opinion!

I decided to also go with a LE Barry M polish from Superdrug, from Christmas 2012 - a turquoise foil! I really loved the contrast of the colours, and how simple, but stylish this mani is! I got a lot of compliments for this one!

Unfortunately, I do have an issue with this is the name of the Collection polish. No, not the Stormy Grey part - we've already covered that! It's the 'lasting' part. It didn't - well not for me anyway. So far... Let me explain!

I have been using OPI's Nail Envy for over a year as a base coat (and to strengthen my nails) and it's always done a good job. Recently I'm starting to think it might be the NE causing mani's to fail (I've tried the matte version and it seems a LOT better as a base coat) but I can't be sure. So... I don't know if it's a bad reaction with the NE, or if it just doesn't last, but this one chipped and peeled. I haven't had that happen for a long time.

Either way, it's a fab colour, the brush and formula is gorgeous and I will be using it again! I'll try a different base coat next time though... And at that price, I may have to try a few of the other shades too. In the interest of a fair trial of course!

What did you think of Collection's Gel offering? Have you tried them yet?

And does anyone else still think of them as Collection 2000, despite the re-brand? I'm probably just showing my age there...! Haha!

Thanks for reading,

Love Charlotte x

What Charlotte Did With Her Nails Whilst Neglecting Her Blog - Part II

Hello again,

My posts are like buses - you wait weeks for one to turn up, and then they all turn up at once! Haha!

Anyway, up next we have a polish which applied beautifully, cost next to nothing, and looked lovely - for all of about two minutes. 


This jumped into my trolley whilst I was food shopping - yes food shopping - as in, having no intention of buying anything nail related - in my local Asda. It's called Twister, and was on offer for only £1.25. Bargain. Well, almost. We all know I love a bargain - in fact, I think I say that in most of my posts, so it has to be true. I think of bargains, and I think of many of my favourite ELF polishes. So many polishes, at £1.50 a go! So much fun to be had there! And I have had more good ones than mediocre ones. Bargain!!
So far, this is not a bargain.

Anyway, back to Twister. Despite the fact that this looks a little ridgy on, the colour is pretty. So pretty. Pretty enough to ignore the ridges.  A lovely dusky and metallic purple, that dries verrrrry quickly and looks gorgeous on.

Yes, that is a cat's bottom in the background of this picture. This is Jinx, who is gorgeous and sweet but as mad as a hatter! She was chasing her own tail during this mani. Yes. Her tail. I think the bright pink mousie next to her put her up to it! She's a strange one but soooo affectionate and adorable!




Anyway, I digressed again. I added a glossy black stripe to this polish, which I feel made my nails look like classy little gift boxes. No bow, so probably one you'd give to a man, but I liked it all the same.

Unfortunately, you can already see in this picture, a chip has miraculously appeared. Already. Whilst sat relatively still, at a desk. Taking photo's. Hardly digging around in rocks, or anything else equally as crazy or nail destroying!

Since this manicure, I have purchased China Glaze's Strong Adhesion Base Coat. Which I love. Oh yessss! So, when I get bored / experimental, I will try the Twister with the adored base coat, and see if I can make it last longer than two minutes. I mean, all I ask is a day. In fact 12 hours - not a lot really, but it's rare that I keep my polish the same for more than two days! If China Glaze manages to save this polish, I will let you know, as then I will be able to recommend it. For now I won't, as it seems a waste of £1.25. Not a huge amount, but no one buys polish to look at it in the bottle.

/Sigh