Nude Inspiration

Hi Everyone,

It seems like everywhere I look, nail bloggers are telling me that nude nails are going to be the next big thing.

I am slowly warming to nude nails - they're classy and elegant, grown up and very work friendly. And, there are a lot more shades available now to avoid running the risk of mannequin hands!

I saw this tutorial over at Polish You Pretty, and decided that this was a lovely, seasonal spin on the nude trend!

Alas, my attempt was obviously not as good as theirs, but I'm pretty happy with it all the same!

 

The nude base is 2true Shade 11 - one of their tall, skinny polishes, which are very good considering they are only £1.99 each! I used two different shades of red. Well, technically three, but two of them (Revlon Vixen and Bourjois Very Vernis in Cerise Noire)  turned out to be practically identical! Doh! The other one I used was China Glaze Ruby Pumps! I was desperate to get a bit of glitter in there somehow!

Although patience is a virtue, I guess I'm not always virtuous... As you can see, I applied my top coat just a little too soon and we had a bit of a smear on a dot or two, but despite that, I'm very happy with how this turned out! Especially on my little short nails!

How will you be wearing the nude trend? Playing it straight, or with your own little flair? Let me know, I'd love to see your manis!

Love Charlotte x

2true Shade 9

Hi Everyone,

Here is another swatch from the vault. I swatched this a while ago during an epic swatchathon, and never got round to posting it. Ooops!

Anyway, you may have seen the 2true stands in your local Superdrug store - they are the ones where everything is £1.99 each, or three for £5. Bargain!

I had read good things about the tall, skinny 2true polishes, and at that price, I figured it wouldn't harm to try for myself. Of the ones I picked up, I am going to show you this one first, as it is my favourite. This is shade number 9, a glorious smokey brown.

This is a pleasure to apply, with a great brush and formula. It dries quickly, and to a very glossy finish - you can see my patio doors reflected in the shine of the top pictures! This is a gorgeous colour - a great neutral colour for Summer nails, and again, a good one for the eventual transition into Autumn.

If you haven't already tried some of these polishes, I kindly request demand that you do, just so you can thank me for it afterwards! Yes, I'll take some credit where it's not due!

Love Charlotte x

Blue Gradient Nails

Hi Everyone,

Today I am going to show you a mani which I can't wait to try again - only next time, with a tan!

I love gradient manicures - they look awesome and can be relatively simple to do, however, sometimes they can be a bit hit or miss for me.

This mani has a few faults - but I know exactly where I went wrong and will try my hardest not to make that mistake again.

My base layers would not dry. The colour I used (2true Glossywear Polish in shade number 49) would not dry within a reasonable time, and it hated a quick dry top coat. The colour itself is lovely - a bright and bold shimmery blue. And if I had given it 10 years to dry, it would have been gorgeous. But, I was slightly impatient.

I know, nail fail!

I sponged on a new polish from Barry M - well, one I haven't seen before anyway! This one is called Denim and I got it as part of a little haul from my local Superdrug. They had a buy two, save £1 thing going one. And then there was the three for £5 on the 2true polishes. Yes, yes, resistance is futile.

Anyway, I digress! Back to the nails!

Unfortunately, you can see where the sponge ripped up some of my base layer, and I have tried to fix it. And unfortunately, I think I made it worse. But if you ignore that teensy bit, this manicure will surely make you want to go on holiday! There is just something about those blues that make me think of a bright summer sky and a tropical sea begging for someone to swim in it!

I love the mix of colours here. I don't often wear blue. I'm not sure why, I just prefer it's cousin purple. But these two blues have really changed my mind. Bring on the Blue!!

What do you think - is this a great holiday manicure?

Thanks for reading,

Love Charlotte x