Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure

Complete Salon Manicure? You mean, including suspect looking pieces of grot on the floor and generally unfriendly staff, making you feel like you’re part of a production line of cattle? Hrm, maybe that’s just the salons I can afford to go to! That’s where Sally steps in, making DIY mani/pedi’s (or at least the polish part) easy, quick and complete.

I stumbled across this bottle in a good old fashioned Priceline-peruse, looking for a polish that wasn’t too expensive, was long lasting and came in a shade that was appropriate for my new job. Bright corals and reds I had, something a little more subdued, not really.

Then I found the Sally Hansen stand, with the flashing NEW sign above this Complete Salon Manicure and my purchase power was piqued. The fact that there was three dollars off the range helped too, I’m sure! (Normally about $16.95 I think) The Complete Salon Manicure claims to be everything you need for a perfect manicure in the one bottle. “All 5 Steps of a Salon Manicure in 1 Bottle; Base Coat, Strengthener, Growth Treatment, Color, Top Coat.” Impressive, Sal. The wider than usual brush made application a breeze, and multiple coats were easy to do as it dried quickly.

The first time I wore this manager-pleasing-yet-pretty shade ‘Shell We Dance?’ (a light, ballet-slipper pink) it lasted nine days before needing to be taken off due to some chipping at the edges. Yes, the tips had worn slightly, but it was only noticeable on closer inspection. Plus, undoing and doing clasps up all day does take a toll on the polish.

So, I’m back for a second round and extremely pleased with Sal’s efforts on my nails. Love the fact that I don’t have to worry about base and top coat too! ‘Stock up on the essential shades in this one’, I would say if you asked me.

Onya Magazine: DIY Pedicure

It’s around this time of year, when the sun finally decides it really does exist, that we start to remember we once wore footwear that wasn’t boots – shocking, I know.

Now that the overly dramatic opening has set the scene, imagine this; the sun is out, those 50% off watermelon coloured sandals you bought on a whim are audibly moaning to be worn. You put them on, begin to marvel in how utterly summery you look when, bam, you notice the state of your feet.

Cracked heels, peeling skin around the nail bed, an all over greyish tinge normally reserved for those being stored in a morgue and soles harder than the sidewalk and you’ve got yourself some pretty scraggy looking tootsies.

I certainly did at least. I say did, because my now baby-soft feet barely remember their ‘winter life’, one of rejection and neglect.

Want to join me on the other side?

Continue reading at Onya Magazine for some fab product pics and DIY pedicure steps, your feet (and everyone else’s eyes) will thank you!

Miscellaneous Monday

Instead of one post dedicated to one thing (like usual), I thought I’d mix it up today with a mash of things I’ve been using/loving this past week.

The Happiness Cocktail

Yaz Turker, editor of everyone’s fave beauty website PRIMPED, is definitely one of the nicest and sweetest people you’ll ever meet. Lucky for us Yaz has found those extra minutes in her day (not sure how!) to spend on her side project, The Happiness Cocktail – a blog about health, yummy food, well-being and “searching for sweetness in every scenario”. I’ve been loving insights into yoga and meditation, and eying off some truly delicious looking dishes!

OPI nail polish in ‘Melon of Troy’

It’s been yonks since I can remember wearing a nail polish with any sign of shimmer to it, I’ve been too busy loving solid block colours with a glossy top coat. Melon of Troy is a gorgeous, pink with a touch of orange apricot shade, the shimmer changes the colour slightly in different light, but without being glittery. Not that keen on glitter!

Image: dermstore.com

Lux Shea Exfoliating Scrub Body Wash

For anyone who is trying to avoid the magnet-like pull of dessert cravings come 8pm (or every 15 minutes in my case), hop in the shower and lather up. Yep, the shower. Lux Shea Exfoliating Scrub Body Wash (which was a part of the MBBE goody bags) is a steamy sweet treat – imagine melted Cadbury Caramello, with some wafts of vanilla, or caramel slice, whatever tickles your palette. YUM. The inclusion of Shea butter leaves my skin feeling ultra soft, while a subtle scent keeps me sniffing my arms. While there are little beads in the gel, I wouldn’t call it a thorough exfoliator but the scent is enough for my boyfriend to request a second bottle, quite a change from the usual bar ‘o soap. Cheap win!

Mmm, dessert in a bottle!

Hope you have a fantastic start to the week! x

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manicure Mayhem

Last Thursday, I had a rather important interview. The kind of important interview where nothing but perfect presentation will do. Importance on the professionalism, not the funky.

Luckily, I relate more to a polished Hepburn than a rocked-out Wasson, so classic makeup and a super sleek, voluminous top knot was the go.

One area that unfortunately got the last minute treatment were my nails. Having removed the scraggy chipped polish and roughly trimmed and shaped the night before, I was left with one hour to go and not a glossed digit in sight. My goal was ultra chic manicured neutral, as we all know a lady with her nails under control most certainly runs her life in the same way, right? No! But shhh!

I arrived at Chadstone shopping centre a with game plan and made a bee line – quite literally, with all the diversions and the loops, only without the bum wiggle – for the nearest cheap and cheerful nail salon. Only I didn’t know where one was. Yes, I’m a regular Chaddy gal, but I tend to stick to the glossy outer, aka the loop of luxe, rather than delving into the deep belly. Would I ever come out?!

Yeah. I did. With nothing to show for it except an increasingly irate blister on the ball of my foot, and a faster pulse due to my power walking in high heels (no doubt the blisters enemy) and the minutes that were rapidly ticking past. I found the information desk, who directed me back down and around the corner to a manicurist who wanted to charge $22 for a PAINT! Come. on. Are you serious?

Up again, and to the friendly Proactiv lady who suggested another nail bar, which I promptly stopped off to find, only to stop half way and turn around, with a disgruntled “Eff it! I’ll buy my own polish and do it myself!” Ahh, how your mind does silly things when you’re frantic! I basically ran into Sportsgirl, picked the ‘Nude’ shade of their Nail It range, $7.50, (and a pair of slip ons that were on sale -oops!) and ran back out to find the nearest public toilets, because that’s how classy chicks like me roll.

Time was definitely ticking by this point and I’m sure my stressed hand didn’t help but the Sportsgirl was certainly not cooperating. It was runny, slid down my nail and onto my hand, and didn’t evenly apply to the nail bed. After three nails, I gave up, and tried to wash the nail polish off under the water. Oh. What a bloody stupid idea, Curtis. It had now half dissolved onto my hands and left sticky patches all over my nails. Shit.

Swearing at the bottle of Nail It, I ran back out, ignoring the pulsating mountain on the bottom of my foot, to try and find the nearest chemist. ‘Nail polish wipes have been invented right?’ was my mantra as I almost bowled over a lady in the doorway of MyChemist. I breathlessly requested said nail polish wipes, only to be told they didn’t have any. Luckily, another lady butted in and corrected her that they did. She pointed at the Cutex Moisture Guard Nail Polish Remover Wipes (5 sachets) and I could have kissed her, even though they were almost $7 – I totally wouldn’t have cared if they were $20 (lie). Handbag staple from here on in!

Friend..and foe.

While the smell of acetone nearly knocked me out, (the Nail It has a uber strong cheap polish smell too, btw) they worked a treat and successfully removed the polish off my fingernails and hands. Oh and that splash on my arm. Pity they couldn’t hold back the strands of hair that had escaped from what I thought was the Alcatraz of top-knots.

I just made it to my interview, with the real neutral of nail polish – nada. Which shows I’m just that in control of my life I didn’t have time to schedule in a paint, right?! No! But shh!

Oh, and I think I totally killed the interview. Fingers crossed!

Endota Nail Paint

I’ve started to believe that Melbourne has bipolar. Friday it was almost 30 degrees, and as such I whipped out my denim shorts from the disgrace I call a wardrobe, looked at my hands and decided they needed a dose of summer too. What delivered? Endota’s Nail Paint in ‘Mornington’.  Saturday was 15, with wind and rain, but at least I had my glossy nails to remind me of better times, only 24 hours ago.

Firstly – I love that it’s called Mornington – have to rep the home area, right?! For those of you who haven’t yet ventured down to the Mornington Peninsula, do it! You’ll love it, or I’ll buy you an ice cream for your troubles.

I love the formula, it’s thick and easy to spread onto the nail bed, as well as being super glossy. I almost didn’t put on a top coat as it was shiny enough! Not to mention that only one coat completely did the job, props for the high pigment Endota!

The picture didn’t pick up the colour exactly (it’s always so hard to have nail polish show up as true to life!) but it’s a fantastic pink coral – frivolous but still grown up.

J’adore!

Lilac Lovin’ With American Apparel

As if I needed any more reason to drop dollaz in American Apparel while I was in the US.

Even though I couldn’t really, as it was still pretty exxy for a girl on a budget who values good pizza over saving for a t-shirt. Come on, I’m talking NEW YORK pizza here people!

But when I saw American Apparel’s range of nail polish again once on the WESSIDE aka California for those who don’t speak Gangsterese, especially their collection of summer-y pastels, I was convinced. And only $6! Bargain!

I was particularly taken by the pastel lilac shade, L’Esprit and walked out of the Huntington Beach store excited to wear it when Melbourne’s summer FINALLY arrives. I’ve now realised I’m going to be waiting for a very long time so screw it, I’m pastelling up now!

ooo yeah!excuse my snapped off pinky nail!

Me likey:

– Very thick and creamy formula provides opaque coverage after just one coat
– Cheap! If you’re in America..
– I like the bottle! It’s rectangle, it’s different, and the label is very AA-cool.

Me not-so-likey:
– The thick formula means it takes a little bit long to dry.
– First time I wore it, it chipped easily. This time, I’ve top coated differently with Orly’s Won’t Chip, so I’ll see how that goes.
– The thick formula means it is a little hard to get precision around the cuticles.

What do you think?
Great shade hey!

Chocolate; OPI Style.

I’ve succumbed to the last remaining month of winter.

Gone (for now) are my nails that alternated between brights and pastels, reminiscent of my summer jaunt in the US. My latest manicure finds my digits dipped in chocolate. Well, not actual chocolate, but OPI Chocolate Moose. Teamed with a top coat, it takes me right back to the sight and smell of glossy melted chocolate, ready for decorating, baking… or scooped straight from the bowl.

Mmm, fondue anyone?

Now the question is – will this sweet, rich colour sate my chocolate desire, or only further fuel the niggling cravings come 3.30pm?

A Little Bitta Colour!

It’s fantastic how the small things can really lift your mood when you’re feeling a little off or down… commonly verbalised with super articulate sounds such as ‘meh’ or ‘blah’.

A few days ago this was me, meh-ing and blah-ing all over town. A recent post from Primped’s Zoe Foster spoke of beauty maintenance routines, which left my heart a little heavy. What maintenance routine? Being overseas means mine has basically disappeared. My brows were out of control, nails long and scraggy (I didn’t bring clippers) and then there are areas we just should not even go into.

It may sound a little superficial, but the few weeks of feeling ‘unkept’ had taken its toll on me – and I would only have a fairly basic regular beauty routine. (Can’t imagine the high-mainty girls!) Sure, I was still using my skincare, but I needed a lift – and to get my nails cut!

So I headed out for a mini-tidy up. I say mini as that’s all my rapidly (rapidly, as in one of those out of control trains rapidly hurtling along train tracks to the broken bridge that are always on cartoons) dwindling bank account would allow me.

I got my eyebrows threaded (interesting experience – more to come) and my nails attended to with a $7 manicure.

I took along an Essie polish I had purchased that morning – Carousel Coral (US $8).

I basically skipped out of the nail salon. Having this pretty coral on neatly shaped nails x 10 was a joy to my eyes (and my de-fuzzed brows a joy to others’ eyes!) So glad I’ve got the bottle to re-do this, as I think it will suit the forthcoming California leg of my trip to a tee! It looks fantastic when paired with slightly bronzed skin. Keep it in mind for the Aus summer ladies!

Does a small tidy up help your mood?
Make you feel a little cleaner/neater?
Sure did for me!

Manicure Musings

It’s my first official day in New York City, and wow – it’s amazing! So much to look at, shop for and chow down on that I had to come back to the apartment by early afternoon and rest my weary feet. While Erin and I traipsed along the streets, we kept our eyes open for any cheap eats or salons. We figure the more areas we can get away with skimping on, the better. Better being more shopping dollars of course. And cupcakes.

One thing I couldn’t help but notice was the huge number of nail salons, most of which offer Mani-Pedi specials for $20. Yep, $20! (not including tip however – something I need to get used to fast).

So once semi-recovered from my sensory overload, Erin and I set out to find a cheap manicure, local to our Gramercy area. On the same block as the apartment we found City Nails, who do a manicure for $8 dollars. Cheap as (salt and vinegar) chips. I was excited at the prospect of a cheap fix for my scraggy post-flight nails, albeit very wary of dodgy (read: possibly unhygienic) practices of said cheap salon.

But I/my stingy side of the brain pushed these thoughts aside. Come on man, you’re in NYC! Live a little! A dirty clipper is nothing when you’re walking the streets of this gritty city! So I went ahead and sat down.

Inspired by the summer heat and my previous post about Chanel’s bright Tiffany-blue polish, I chose the closest shade on offer – Essie’s Turquoise & Caicos.

And it kinda went downhill from there. I’m fairly positive the tools hadn’t been washed with anything stronger than a little tap water, and when the first coat of the polish went on, it looked like it was barely there, except for the odd clumps. Hrmm, I smell a varnish thinning rat! At least she gave me three coats to bring it to a solid colour, (except in some parts – it wasn’t even.) After sitting down at the nail drying bar, my manicurist walked over and proceeded to massage (or jab..)  my shoulders. ‘Oooo, maybe this is the redeeming quality…’ I thought. But before I had even finished my sentence or begun to settle in to this rub, it was over. Literally just on four seconds. What’s the point?!

You get what you pay for I suppose!

It seems greener than the Chanel Nouvelle Vague shade, which is most certainly on the blue side of the spectrum.

I’m thinking this is somewhere between the Nouvelle Vague and the other unnamed Chanel polish that Primped wrote about – I think Essie’s Mint Candy Apple polish would just about match the newest Chanel on offer (without having seen that in real life).

This is a pretty out-there and bright shade for me, and while that was the point of the experiment, to you know, embrace the NYC sunshine and all things summery and bright, I think I would prefer the Essie Mint Candy Apple next time – it’s just a level or two more toned down and suits my love of neutrals and pastels more.

There ain’t a Summer-hue like Tiffany-blue

One of the most exciting things about my time in the US is that it is SUMMER, and I’m a summer-typa-gal. Major bonus for escaping a large chunk of miserable Winter. Yes I know, it’s so romantic – what with the blankets, open fires and red wine. But who has time to hibernate like that day in, day out? Give me some white wine and prawns on the beach any day!

I digress. This post is focused on the hidden bonus that comes with the Northern-Southern hemisphere season switch – the fact that I realised not only will I be basking (SPF protected!) in sunshine (from underneath a hat!) while away, I will also be able to experience the Spring/Summer ’10 trends in current action people.

Australia, being all the way down the bottom and therefore in the Southern hemisphere, has to wait until our Spring/Summer rolls around before we can fully get in the swing of all things S/S. So technically, us Southies are always a season behind. Boo.

Sure, we can brighten up our traditionally dark winter beauty trends with a splash of traditionally bright S/S colours, but I’m sure most people like to get amongst a berry lip and darker shades of polish for the majority of winter time.

That’s why I’m so excited to be over there and dive straight into the pool of candy brightness! Be gone, winter darks, my toe nails are rocking a shade so bright you’ll need, err, shades. (Gotta get my US lingo going.)

What made me think of such a thing? Well, last night I was thrown a gorgeous little surprise gathering for my birthday, just a little early! And I received a box. No, the box. You know the one. The shade alone may make your heart skip. Mine sure does.

You can never replicate the bow once undone... I think Confucius said that..Yep.

And once the party people had left and I was left alone to admire my beautiful new earrings and sweet as pie little blue box, it hit me. I can have this Tiffany-turquoise-blue on my fingers and toes, thanks to Chanel’s inspiring Summer 2010 Le Pop-Up De Chanel makeup collection! (I realise this is in no way ground breaking news, but just me being excited!) In particular, courtesy of #527 Nouvelle Vague. I want!

Bright! Fun! Summer! Chanel!

Here is a colour swatch I found on A Fashion Tale. Isn’t it just a bottle of divine bubble-gum gelato blue?

I may just have to consider it come duty-free beauty counter time…

But how’s a girl meant to pick between the blue or pink?! Too hard! Let’s not even discuss that pretty pink lipstick…