NAILS: OPI Rainbow Connection meets Rimmel

As soon as a new nail polish hits my desk I'm physically compelled to try it out. NO matter how hideous the combo. 3 great polishes, amazing separately, dire together. BEHOLD:

REVIEW: My week in beauty...

ONE

There are some beautiful new shades from the OPI Touring America AW11 collection coming up. Haven't tried any on yet, but they're all very chic, no crazy colours which - actually - I'm really loving! Also, inhales the little pack of New Orleans Pralines that came with (they're to die for!)



TWO

Chatted with the LOVELY Gail Porter this morning - what an amazing woman. She's lost her hair twice, had tonnes of other stuff happen and is incredibly honest about it all. This is what we need, more REAL celebs - major props to her. Ignore my glowing face, it was hot, I was sweaty and didn't use MAC's blot powder - so it's my own fault. That's the end of it.



THREE

LCN white crackle polish - bargain-tastic - especially for under a fiver. Thoughts or a raspberry ripple anyone?


FOUR


A brilliant facialist once advised me to try Gloprofessional's Ultra 15% Vitamin C Serum, then their B5Hydration serum. So far, so good! No obvious results as of yet - only been a week mind. www.gloprofessional.com



FIVE

How hard is it to get a moisturiser WITH SPF protection THAT DOESN"T cause oily skin to erupt? Well, it's probably easier to keep Amy WInehouse off crack, put it that way. Thank you, thanks, TY, Estee Lauder. With this light-weight SPF 15 lotion you have changed my life. Totally addicted this easily makes my top ten beauty products of all time.

NAILS: Make a statement?

RESULTS:
Does a statement nail work? Undecided.
What statement am I trying to make? Undecided.
Did I have to actually tell all my friends that I was rocking a statement nail? Yes, I did.
Did this defeat the object? Probably, I don't think it was a big enough statement. *sigh*

PS: I know it looks like I can't paint my nails properly, but by the time you've had a shower or washed your hands, the varnish on the skin comes off!


Using OPI Give Me Moor, MAC Originality, Sally Hansen Mega Shine Top Coat

PEEK: Mac soiree meets OPI shatter polish!

I like the chicness of the bronze and the the texture of the shatter, a definite winner!

SEPHORA: Lots of lovely beauty buys i'll never have!

Confession. I'm one of those always-want-what-I-can't-have people. At restaurants, what I order rarely compares to everyone else's food. I consistently have handbag envy - even though my Marc Jacobs Kate bag does the job rather nicely, I always want to trade it in for a Miu Miu Matelasse or Proenza satchel. And so, it should come as no surprise that I always want beauty products that aren't available in the UK. There simply isn't anywhere better to rub that fact in than Sephora online. Here are some lust-worthy pieces that I'll probably never own - and doesn't it just hack me off royally.

Tokidoki Robbery Palette $49
'A keepsake tin with so many elements that it can be broken up into a number of thrilling gifts. Each of these makeup palettes can be taken from the tin. But be sure to return it to its rightful place—when a palette is removed, the illustration reveals a tokidoki character locked behind bars!' I'm unsure whether this is a toy or for small children. It’s the Polly Pocket of make-up - but I still want it.
/>Kat Von D, Kat Eye Brush Set,
'A five-piece makeup brush set.' Nothing like being concise, but that's the problem I'M NOT. I have two full pro sets of brushes, and tonnes of mini ones to boot. Will these magical brushes make me look like Kat Von D or help me meet Nikki Sixx - slim to none. They are pretty though.


Stila Artist's Inspiration Palette $15
'A limited-edition mirrored palette containing six award-winning, must-have eye shadows.' I didn't give two hoots when Stila was still available in this country - but now it's gone - I'm addicted!


GLEE 6 Piece Mini Kit, Sephora by OPI $24
'A set of six mini nail colors inspired by characters from the Fox Television series GLEE.' So deliciously juvenile - I'm a total Gleek.


Look of Love Set, Too Faced $45
'A seven-piece collection of spring best sellers in fresh and feminine shades for the eyes, lips, and cheeks.' So many little products, I'm overwhelmed with joy.

Tarte:The Jewelry Box $52
'An exclusive, limited-edition palette packed with 32 new eyeshadows, eight lip glosses, a mineral bronzer, a new shimmering powder, five deluxe long-wearing eyeliners, and a detachable necklace.' It's my beauty bugbear that Tarte aren't sold in the UK, and this set (I just love a set) adds insult to injury. I'm furious now, and off to look at my make-up collection in utter disdain.

TEST: Opi Katy Perry collection

I picked up the mini Katy Perry OPI collection and the OPI shatter polish when I was in Singapore (it's just launched in UK too.) It's not entirely clear from the pic, but the sparkly pink shade (teenage dream) is really bright and glittery. The blue glitter-shade however is dissapointingly bland however which is a real shame. I'm not so keen on the other shades either so - in hindsight - I wish I'd just bought a larger bottle of the pink.

Both Barry M and OPI have launched this shatter polish and I've tried both. Though OPI is probably twice the price of Barry M, it's worth the extra for my money. It goes on more evenly and creates more defined cracks. The trick is to apply it very liberally to get a distinct pattern. Basically, the opposite of what I've done below. ;)

All in all, the pink and black shatter are incredible - but - this doesn't mean I actually like Katy Perry now. She's still ick!

TESTY: O.P.I

I'll give it to you straight. Normally O.P.I rock in all kinds of ways. Great colours, inspired collections and long-lasting products - everything you'd want from a nail varnish. This is one of their translucent shades (the new SS10 Texas range is translucent too) and there is nothing about a watery berry shade that works for me. In fact, nothing about a translucent shade EVER works for me. It's like a feeble can't-quite-commit-to-a-statement varnish consistency. It's the tinted lipbalm of nail colour, and nobody wants see-through nails - ick!