Essie - Colour Icons

I adore Essie as a brand they're colour selection is always so tempting and I always find it hard to make a decision on what to buy. I've wanted mint candy apple forever and I'm never really sure why it hadn't fallen into my basket before. When I saw this little set for £12.99 it was an easy decision to buy - it contains 3 shades that I've read so much about and don't own. Firstly Mademoiselle did disappoint me a little it's so sheer on my nails that it's more of a tinted top coat for me - I definitely look for something way more pigmented for a nail polish. Mint Candy Apple is gorgeous - the perfect shade of minty green that just works so well as an everyday nail colour I've been wearing it non stop since. Fifth Avenue was my favorite in the set it's a delicious punchy red with a coral tone to it that is perfect for a night out and as toe nail polish. I love this little set and I'm so glad I picked it up. The mini bottles are also great for taking on weekends away and when I'm staying at my boyfriends so I'll definitely look to pick up a set like this again.

Avoiding Boots Wishlist

I've made a promise not to go crazy in Boots this year as I really need to save up & use up so many of the products I already own. However it doesn't hurt to put together a little wishlist basket does it ...?! I really want to give the Maybelline baby skin pore eraser a go and see how it compares with benefit porefessional. It will definitely be purchased when I'm in the need of a new primer. I also want to try out the Maybelline better skin foundation and concealer - my skin isn't the best at moment so I'd love to see what these can do. 

I really don't need any more nail varnish but this Essie twinkle belle duo kit looks too pretty to pass up for Spring time. I've read so much about the Revlon matte lip balms and as it ticks all my lip wishes so I can't wait to get my hands on it. For the exact same reasons I'd love to try the L'Oreal Paris glam shine balmy gloss. I'm coming to the end of my L'Oreal CC creams so the Bourjois CC cream looks like the perfect new addition along with it's matching CC eye concealer. Even though my skin is getting better I wouldn't mind seeing the Nude Magique Blur Cream lives up to all of its claims. 

Finally as sleek is now available in Boots I will most definitely be picking up the contour kit sometime soon. I've wanted it for ages but now it's in Boots there's no avoiding this purchase. I've done pretty well at avoiding Boots for all of 2014 so far. I might still avoid it and do a calculated online shop once over the next few months to make sure I don't get that crazy shock at the till. 

Spring Nail Picks

The rain definitely hasn't stopped but every now and then the sun is coming up so surely spring is on it's way. Pastel colours are out - finally! My favourite nail polishes for this season are: Essie - Bikini so Teeny, Barry M Gelly - Papaya, Models Own - Utopia, L'Oreal - Wasabi Hint & Models Own - Lemon Meringue. 

Coral Peach Orange - Nail Obsessions

Left to Right: Models Own Hed Kandi Hedonist (review) Barry M Gelly Satsuma (review) Essie Orange It's Obvious (review) Barry M Gelly Papaya (review) Models Own Peaches and Cream

Spring Time Nail Favourites

 Barry M Gelly Hi Shine - Papaya, Barry M Mint Green. Models Own Lemon Meringue, Essie Bikini So Teeny,  Models Own Scented Strawberry Tart. 

The sun came out briefly and two things happened - my washing went on the line for a brief few hours and I dug out my spring pastels to adorn my nails with. These are my five favourites by far - I love pastels at this time of the year and I will be wearing these shades all season long probably way into the summer too. Essie Bikini So Teeny is probably my favourite as the formula is amazing and it's unlike any other shade I own.

Essie - Bikini So Teeny

Essie Bikini So Teeny £7.99 RRP (£1.99 Fragrance Direct)

I love love love this shade - it's very spring time but it's so pretty I can't stop wearing it at the moment. It's a gorgeous pale blue that glides onto my nails and only needs two coats. It's a completely different shade to anything in my collection and I am loving it. I'm loving the little Essie bargains that pop on Fragrance Direct at the moment. For £1.99 you can not go wrong - I think this shade is sold out at the moment but keep checking the link above as they are always adding and dropping different shades. 

Essie - Mini How High (588)

Essie - Mini How High £6.95 (eBay)

I was really excited to try this out - I spend a lot of time trying to get an opaque really light pink for my nails and I thought this could be the one. Sadly it isn't but it is a lovely top coat - I haven't swatched this as it's very nearly clear and you can't see it enough in photo's to really do it any kind of justice. It's a lovely polish and like all Essie varnishes applies easily. It adds a nice pink sheen to my bare nails or a slight pink tone to any other colours it looks so pretty over a bright and sometimes harsh pink colour that I have plenty of in my collection.

Essie - Ridge Filler (the ultimate base for artificial nails)

Essie Ridge Filler - £7.99

The Essie ridge filler is described as 'the ultimate base for artificial nails' I don't wear fake nails a whole lot but this product to me isn't just the best base for artificial nails it is simply the best base. It completely smoothes out my nails and leaves any polish looking flawless on top of it. I do also find that when occasionally using a false nail here and there it does give my nail a really smooth surface to glue a nail onto. I thought this polish would be gloopy and a bit thick to create such a smooth base but it really isn't. It also has a tint of white to it so any colour will pop a little more when applied on top of it. 

Essie - Tour De Finance (212a)

Essie Tour De Finance £8.50 Beauty Bay 

Essie Tour De Finance is a gorgeous deep pink with shimmer running through it. It really pops and lasts well like all other Essie colours. I bought this in a haul on Fragrance Direct a while ago for just £1.99 and I really like it. It's one of the brightest pinks I own and I think it's a perfect toe nail colour. I do find it a little garish for all nails on my hand but is ideal for a statement nail or a base for glitters and nail art as it is so bright. I think the name of this is so odd 'Tour De Finance' says nothing about its shade in my opinion. I'm loving Essie polishes at the moment they come in second as my favourite brand after Models Own.

Essie - Brooch the Subject (773)

Essie Brooch the Subject £6.95 Cheap Smells

I picked up Essie 'Brooch the Subject' in the Fragrance Direct Essie for £1.99 offer which is sadly no long on but this shade is available at cheap smells for £6.95 which is a little cheaper than the £7.99 RRP. I really like Essie polishes and this is not exception. It's a lovely nude shade that is more cream toned than my favourite Models Own Nyla Nude which is more pinky.

I found it needed 3 coats to go completly opaque which is fine if you have the time. It lasts really well and didn't cheap throughout the working week which was a huge bonus! Overall for £1.99 I really can't complain having to use three coats is a little annoying as Models Own is never more than two. It's a very subtle almost skin like shade of nude which is perfect for polished nails at work and everyday.

Essie - Orange, It's Obvious (210a)

The first of I'm sure many many Essie purchases. I tried to photograph this on my nails but not one single shot on my silly camera did it justice so I've stuck with these shots as they show the colour far far better. I picked this up from Fragrance Direct for just £1.99 - there's still comes shades left here. Considering it's normally £7.99 this is a steal. Orange It's Obvious is my favourite orange nail varnish I have ever bought. It's a delicious bright red toned orange that goes on well and lasts well too. I love it - que major Essie purchasing in future - what colours do I most definitely need please lovelies?