Random Nail Spam!

Hi Everyone!

As you can see, I have the *most* imaginative title for this post...! So very creative... not!

Anyway, if you're still here (and have forgiven me for the terrible title), I'm just going to share some of my favourite mani's from the last couple of months!

Mavala Toulouse with Layla Mercury Twilight fade.

Max Factor Meteorite - a blue to swoon for!

ELF Dark Navy - I love the shimmer running through this!

ELF Dark Navy with Look Beauty Nail Pop in Sequin Effect - this pair was MADE for each other!

Sinful Colors Cha Cha Red with Maybelline Flash Cosmic - so simple and pretty!

H+M Lolita polish with China Glaze White on White - a mixed up gradient mani!

There are a few more pictures to sort through, so I'll be back soon with a few more. Then, I guess we'll see!

Thanks for reading,

Love Charlotte x

Lingerie Nails - Oo Er!

Hi Everyone,

Today I would like to share a bit of nail art I did a little while back, after my Holiday. I had been away for 10 days with no polish, and I was itching to get some practise!

I knew, what ever I ended up doing, I wanted it to be a bit vampy. Not blood sucking, dark and twisted vampy, more bombshell, Marilyn Monroe-esque vampy. Dare I say a mix between cute and sexy?

Anyway, the first polish I grabbed just happened to be a red... no surprises there! One of my favourite reds is the Mavala Elle Red - great colour and very easy to apply! So, this is what I went with!

My mini bottle of MAC Style Tip from my Dazzlesphere set was on my desk, so I started to play...

Here's what I came up with!

 

I started with a curved V at the tip of each nail, and whilst I really liked the colours together, I felt it needed a bit more. I wanted to give the effect of ribbon running through the outer edges of the curves. Whilst on close inspection, I didn't do a great job, from a respectable distance it looked pretty cool!  There are a few streaks where my top coat decided to bring the red along with it, but all in all, I was pretty happy. I was a bit out of practise after all...

As for the name, there was something about the curves of the V with the ribbon that reminded me of a bra! Odd, I know! But hey, surely you know me by now! 

One thing that I did learn from this is that I actually really like the design, and next time, I will pay more attention to getting my ribbons straight! And not allow my top coat to misbehave of course...

Love Charlotte x

Mavala Mini Haul

Hi Everyone!

So, hands up anyone who has ever made a snap decision to go without food for nail polish...?

Just me? Surely not...!

You may recall my somewhat mushy post regarding my Wedding Anniversary from last week. As a huge surprise, my Hubby whisked me away for a trip to the lovely city of Oxford, and to visit some family members from the surrounding areas.

Perfect excuse then, for me to rummage through their shops and root around for goodies!

*cough cough* I mean find his mum a birthday present... Anyway...

Mumsie-in-law requested something to make her nails stronger, and help with peeling. I went to a highly recommended product of course - OPI Nail Envy. One for her, and one for me!

You can see where this is going... right?

Whilst the stuff isn't cheap, it doesn't look like much to the uninitiated, so I decided to make a little goodie bag of nail delights. We popped into a little pharmacy, and BOOM! Mavala display!!

*Cheers!*

I chose a Mavala gift set for her - and had a minor pout moment as it was the last one and I really liked the colours. To settle my sulk, I picked two bottles up for myself. As you do.
Off I trot to the counter, and the lovely girl tells me that the Mavala singles are on Three for Two.

I bought six. Pretty reserved, considering... Who doesn't love free polish??!

Sapporo

A gorgeous nude. I am not normally the type of girl who gets excited by plainer polishes, but this made me giggle with delight. I loved it. It's beautiful. It really ought to be a collection staple for any nail polish fiend.

This was two coats, and was a pleasure to apply.

 

Toulouse

Pink! Let me just start by saying that I am in love with this pink! It's gorgeous! This, to me, is a wannabe neon. It's bright, but doesn't have the sharpness of a true neon - it's softer, and just plain pretty. Think Barbie, and you can't go too wrong. 

Again, the formula is lovely, but this colour is slightly sheer. I used three coats, but would recommend using two over a white base. That will really make the colour pop too!

 

La Paz

More pink - only this time a much more vibrant, hot pink. I could not resist this one, it has a slight blue tinge to it which makes it really bright! 

The formula on this polish was slightly thicker than the others, but despite this, with two coats, there is still some VNL. Another one for the white base coat!

Oh, and La Paz + Toes = Perfect Summer Pedi!

Mexico

Ok, I know. It's purple. I LOVE purple. Maybe too much...? But I am weak and it's hard to resist a purple, especially one like this. A rich plum-purple. With blue shimmer.

The tone of the purple is very similar to MAC's Dark Angel , except that Mexico has that shimmer when the light hits it. Shimmer! It makes DA look rather flat in comparison, and there is a slight price difference too. MAC bottle retail for around £10 for 10ml, the Mavala polishes are around £4.10 for 5ml. And I can't remember the last time I finished a large bottle of polish.

I have to admit, like the MAC purple, this was my least favourite formula, and it took three coats to cover the streaks. And the shimmer is most noticeable under a bright light. But still, it's very pretty.

 

Elle

This shade dates back to 2010, when Elle collaborated with Mavala to create a polish celebrating their 25th anniversary. It is described as a purpley grey, but I see a brownish hint to it too. It's name is very fitting, as it is elegant and chic - grown up, but not old lady!

Another one with a lovely formula (no surprises there) and again, just two coats. 

Platinum Marble

Last but definitely not least is this beautiful metallic, taupey brown. The description might sound a bit meh, but this has a stunning multi-toned shimmer running through it. I think that this compliments my skin tone really well too, and yes, I did have a squeal from this polish too. For a metallic, the brush strokes are very minimal, and it dries to a lovely molten finish.

A great formula, but again, slightly sheer. This was three coats, but these polishes dry quickly, so it's not a hardship.

 

So, the moral of the story? I love me some Mavala.

Great price, great selection of colours, quick drying and excellent formulas. 

And... buying a gift for someone else may lead to gifts for you too...

Love Charlotte x

 

Update: What Charlotte Did With Her Nails Whilst Neglecting Her Blog - Part I

Hi Everyone,

Please allow me to start with an apology. I am very sorry that I have neglected my blog - it was my honest intention to blog at least every few days, but as you can see (or not see - how paradoxical) I have been naughty. If there was an Internet Society for the Protection of Blogs, I can only assume someone would have called tweeted them to alert them of my abuse. And yes, I know I should sort myself a new twitter account for my blog, but... you know... when twitter and other peoples blogs become the only thing I read there is a total imbalance in the world. Like the Butterfly Effect; instead of butterflies causing hurricanes on the other side of the globe, I cause authors to starve. Or something.

Anyway, I am going to spam you with some photos of random nails I have been mostly wearing over the past few days weeks. And so.... Here begins Part I. Enjoy!

Here are my somewhat greyish Gobstopper Nails! I started with a base colour of two coats of OPI's Skull And Glossbones - a recent 'lemming' acquisition for me. I've seen so many people use it that I had to have it too. And there was the Lena White January sale. It would have been rude not to! I'm glad you agree!

Then for funsies - as you do - I added the lovely grilac (yes, that's a grey lilac, if you must know) Planks A Lot, also from OPI. I can remember doing these nails and being unable to decide which colour to paint my nails with for work. And with indecision comes the justification of having both. Yes, we all do it - some of us just can't admit it. How many times have you bought the same pair of shoes in different colours as you can NOT decide and can think of a MILLION outfits both pairs will go with and so you would be stupid and MISSING OUT if you didn't have both pairs. I mean, how many people would be laughing at you for not getting the other colour too? Exactly.

Finally, I topped it off with Mavala's lovely little New York, just to finish the grey theme. I do love the Mavala polishes - they are a little luxury treat. Every time I pop into my local John Lewis I have to have a peek at their range - at £4.10 a bottle, why not? Although, they are normally situated right next to the OPI range. At £11 a bottle (gone up from £10.50 - pfft) it's easier to justify a Mavala purchase! And I haven't tried one that didn't apply well!

Although this was my first go at this kind of manicure, I can't say I've impressed myself. Personally, I love the mix of colours, but I think this makes my long nails look a bit claw-ish. It's something I will likely try again when my nails are shorter. Looking back, it's not my tidiest attempt either. On a more positive note however, I think it's nice to try to spice up our greys a bit - why should they always look dull and boring?

My greys can have their bit of nail-time before spring pops along and brings everything pastelly and sweet with it!