NOTD: China Glaze and Essie

Current Loves

Book The Making of Us by Lisa Jewell. Lisa Jewell has got to be one of my all time favourite authors, not only are her books fantastic and you get absolutely sucked in to the lives of each of the characters, but I was introduced to Thirty Nothing (an amazing read) by my cousin years and years ago, so whenever I read something by Lisa Jewell I can't help but think back on amazing times with my cousin (my best friend, and basically my sister).


Nail Varnish Essie Lilacism I simply love it! I couldn't stop looking at my nails when I was wearing this!! See this post for a full review and photos


Face Product Avene Thermal Spring Water This stuff really has been an essential over the past couple of days.  I'm currently in Gloucestershire caring for my granny and boy oh boy is it hot! Not only is it hot, but there is no breeze and being from Cornwall I'm used to a constant sea breeze to take the edge off the heat (normally it's annoyingly chilly but now I could really do with it!) So this spray has been used regularly to instantly refresh me, the metal spray can means the product is always cold regardless of the room temperature.


Lip Product Maybelline ColorSensational Popstick I love the smell of this, and how easily it glides on to the skin. A perfect summer lip balm with a hint of colour.

Hair Product Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo and Conditioner To be perfectly honest I don't know how much 'good' these do my hair in the long run, but they certainly make is appear silky smooth and they smell divine so I'm happy! 


Drink Marks & Spencer Blackcurrent High Juice, throw in some ice cubes and cold water and voila perfect summer drink! 


and last but by no means least my favourite thing overall has been THE SUN I feel like a new person when the sun is shining and I just love it!! 

I hope you are all well and enjoying the sunshine! 

x

NOTD: Essie Lilacism

Current Loves....

Book The Return of Captain John Emmett by Elizabeth Speller I don't really know how to describe this book - set after the First World War it deals with loss, a search for the truth, and the connections between men who saw some pretty horrific things.  It is an amazing book, and I think it's been written amazingly! 


Nail Varnish Fiji by Essie it is a beautiful milky pink.  A full review to come soon! 


Face Product Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish full post coming up! 


Lip Product Carmex Simple, yet so effective.  I've been using Carmex for years and years and just love how it's slightly medicated scent makes me feel like it must be doing real good.  Before it became really popular my friends all used to use mine and call it 'the industrial' because it really does mean business! 


Hair related thing Tangle Teezer I use this as soon as I step out of the shower, tip my head upside down and give it a good brush, it just means that products sit so much better in my hair when I come to styling it.  I also love how gentle it is. 


Food Ice Not exciting, and not new, maybe just a bit weird (especially in this winter weather!) but I just can't get enough of ice, I love eating it!! 


Website Twitter I've been a bit fan of twitter for a while now, but recently I've been using it for more than just stalking celebs! I've actually been chatting to people! If you fancy following me i'm easily found at martinalice22 - come and say hey!! 


Music Rudimental ft. John Newman Feel The Love this song just makes me feel summery despite the hideous weather! 

What have you been loving recently? I'd love to know! 

x

Essie Mint Candy Apple

Essie Super Bossa Nova vs. Rimmel Shocker

I'm quite fussy about the colours I like on my toes, I like brights and mostly pinks or coral, having said that, I very rarely deviate from my favourite ever toe nail colour which is Rimmel 270 Shocker, I have been painting my nails with this vibrant blue toned shimmery pink for about 6 years, and I never ever intend on giving it up.  I have repurchased this colour numerous times, but occassionally I've found that it just hasn't been stocked - not that it has sold out, but there just wasn't a space for it.  This gave me palpitations, because a life without Shocker would be a sad life indeed.  I hope the day will never come that Rimmel takes my beloved colour off the shelves, but if it does happen I feel I need to be prepared so my search for a dupe began.  So when I was going a little bit wild for Essie colours I spotted this, Super Bossa Nova, and I couldn't believe my luck - it looks exactly like Shocker! Without so much as a backwards glance I made my purchase and couldn't wait to try it out.

Current Loves...

Book  White Wedding by Milly Johnson.  This woman writes the literary equivalent to chocolate, you just want to gobble them up and they make you feel soooo good (I think they're a smooth Galaxy...mmm Galaxy).  If you haven't read anything by her, you are missing out.  I read the whole book in a couple of days and then feel bereft once I've finished! 

Hand Product  Phenomen Oil by Jessica.  I love massaging this into my cuticles before I go to sleep so it can work its magic overnight.


Nail Varnish Essie Cute as a Button, it's just a gorgeous summery coral that lets me believe that it's June despite the torrential rain outside! Check out this post to see this nail varnish for more detail.

Face Product  Honey by Bees! Refer to this post if you want to know what I'm talking about!


Lip Product  Blistex Lip Massage This stuff smells absolutely divine and because it's Blistex you know it is doing you some good! I'm not sure that the 'massage' actually elevates the cracked and flakiness of my skin but for the smell I really do not care!

Hair Product Schwarzkopf got2b guardian angel 220C heat protection  it makes your hair feel so silky, and it sprays in a fine mist which is nice.

Food  Percy Pigs from M&S.  Enough said.

Website  YouTube  I spend hours watching beauty video after beauty video and never get bored! and Blogger.com of course, because I am officially addicted! 

Music  The Lateness of the Hour by Alex Clare this album is just amazing and has got to be played loud! Check out the YouTube video below! 

What are your current favourite things? 

x

Essie: Cute As A Button

I am utterly obsessed with corals and pinky peachy tones at the minute; I think they just capture summer on your nails! This has lead me to own quite an excessive number of aforementioned polishes so I'm slowly trying to work my way through them and do a bit of a comparison. 

This is my first try of Essie nail varnish, and I was so excited to try it after reading so much on beauty blogs and hearing my idols such as Tanya Burr and Louise from Sprinkle of Glitter rave about them! Tanya inspired me to go for Cute As A Button as it just looks so gorgeous on her! 

As you can see from the pictures I went a little bit overboard on the coral yesterday, but Cute As A Button matched my skirt PERFECTLY so it had to be done! 

I used Sally Hansen Double Duty as my base coat and top coat (available at boots) because  I think a base coat is essential when you paint your nails regularly and with bright or dark colours...nobody wants to look like they've been smoking 40 a day! I applied two coats to my toe nails and didn't bother with a top coat (I rarely do on my toes) and the result is a gorgeous milky peach tone which I adore.  The addition of a third coat and a top coat added extra vibrancy and depth and the result is lovely.  I did wake up with sheet marks on my nails this morning though which is very irritating as I painted my nails hours before bed, but maybe I rushed into putting the top coat on?! 

I think the photos make it seem more orangey/red than it does in real life, but the photos were taken on my iPhone I'm afraid so not a lot I can do.

The consistency of this nail varnish is lovely, and I am really looking forward to trying out some other shades from Essie. 

Essie is now available from Boots and Superdrug and I would highly recommend Essie as a brand if the other shades are as luxurious as Cute As A Button.

I think that this polish is pretty comparable to Pink Flamingo (blog post about it here) from Barry M, and at £2.99 a pop it is a cheaper alternative (Essie is retailing at £7.99). 

Have you tried out any Essie polishes? Which is your favourite shade? And what is your all time favourite coral?

I hope you're all having a great day

xxx

the maxi skirt is from Fat Face, and I love it!