Tanzania inspired nails!

Hi there!

First I would like to say thanks to sooo many of you who bought nails from me -I really appreciate it! I will let you guys know when I bring out a new collection.

I thought I'd share with you guys what I've been up to. I've been so busy fundraising for Ralaigh (a charity who I am going to Tanzania to volunteer with in February). I am doing loads of stuff but the main thing is cutting my hair off and giving it to the Little Princess Trust. If you would like to sponsor me I would be so so grateful for your support, as I am aiming to raise around £800!!! Here is the link:

https://www.justgiving.com/April-Sidlow/

And now for the nails! I created a quick mani inspired by the flag of Tanzania (Africa)...

All polishes are from Zoya, with exception of the glitter which is unbranded. I created the stripes using tape.

Thanks again for reading, means the world!!!

Ciate Day 4

Hello everyone,

Here's another Ciate polish for you, this time it is a bottle of loose sequins named Miss Mistletoe.

The bottle contains gold, pink, red and lilac glitter. They are not suspended in polish, just loose glitter particles. I found them quite easy to place using the glitter placement technique, and secured them with a layer of topcoat.

I used them over a base of the red polish Boudoir, which I previously reviewed, to create this mani.

  

 Here's a picture without flash so you can see how they reflect in the dark.

That's all for today, but I have some exciting updates for you soon, so stay connected!

Thanks for reading, as ever!

Ciaté Day 3

Helloooo,

Back to Ciate reviews! This little beauty is called Hopscotch

This is a very pretty bright orange, instantly eye-catching and works with almost any skin tone.

Although not a very original colour, it is very pigmented and applies smoothly and in a single coat.

I am not a huge fan of orange but this perfect for halloween which is just around the corner, and it goes with the autumn colours in the UK, while bringing a little bit more warmth (very much needed)!

Hope you like!

Born Pretty Store Review #2

Hey guys, another review from Born Pretty Today.

This time it's brushes. I have been through many, many nail art and regular brushes during my time as a blogger and even before then. Some have been pretty bad with the bristles falling out and the ends becoming frayed and misshaped, so you can't get a crisp line, but Born Pretty's are some of the best out there. I was sent a 15pcs set which had a variation of sizes and types included. The brushes are simple enough and work effectively for a variety of signs, and they don't go out of shape when immersed in acetone.

[A dotting tool and fan brush is also included]

This is the design I created with the brushes and some studs which are also from the Born Pretty Store. The base is Barry M Lychee, and the glitter is Barry M Topaz. Below is a comparison between using stamping and free hand.

I always prefer brushes to stamping when it comes to animal print. It really depends on your skill level and what you feel comfortable with, but you can see here, depending on the polish it doesn't always come out right with stamping. You can layer up the polish so much easier with brushes, and tailor the design to fit the contours of your nails, which just makes the design more fluid.

What do you think?

How do you find free-hand painting?

Thanks for reading, as ever. 

And don't forget to use my coupon code BASQ10 if you want to purchase anything from Born Pretty!

Born Pretty Store Review #1

Hey!

Here's my first review for the Born Pretty Store as promised. First up is a stamper set and one of two stamping plates.

The stamper is quite spongey, but surprisingly not sticky, unlike many I have come across, which is a massive benefit.

I looove the designs on this plate. I chose to use the skull pattern, and found that it transferred pretty well on to the stamper, and then back on to the nail.

Here's the mani that I came up with;

Overall I think this stamper set is one of the best out there, and I am a fan of the whole idea of stamping. It is a quick alternative to hand painting, whether you need a quick mani or you just aren't very confident with free-hand painting. It takes practice however, as it can easily go wrong, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy!

What do you think?

 More stamping plate reviews and other product from Born Pretty on the way!

In the meantime, go grab yourself some plates of your own from the website www.bornprettystore.com don't forget to use my 10% off code!

Thanks guys!!

Ciate Day 1

--I AM SO SORRY BEEN TRYING TO POST FOR TWO WEEKS BUT BLOGGER DIED ON ME--

Hello all,
I am pleased to share the first beautiful shade in 'Mini Mani Month'!!

I will start by showing some snaps of the actual packaging itself, which is beautifully decorated to look like a fairisle knit..

I especially love the little quotes behind every door, such a nice addition.

As you can see the first shade 'Snow Globe' is a beautiful shade packed with lots of flaky glitters.

The foil-like glitter is set in a frosted clear base, which dries glossy. The glitter pieces are quite different in size, varying quite a lot which I like. The colour changes in every lighting, giving your mani a completely different look.

Although it is a mini polish, the brush is quite wide, giving quite a generous amount of glitter to your nails!

I chose to layer this glitter over a nude base (that I mixed myself to match my skin tone). I am loving a bit of nude recently.

Here is my completed look;

The glitter is not too over powering and is very subtle, unlike many sparkly IN YOUR FACE glitters, which I kind of like.

The low down

Application: Good, wide brush, even quantity of glitter, not very gloopy.

Finish: Fairly glossy, in need of top coat. Glitter makes surface very uneven.

Overall Rating: 4/5

Great for evening wear to spice up an ordinary daytime mani!

I would quite like to see this layered over a very dark polish to see the contrast.

What do you think?

Thanks for reading!

HELLO

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Today I am wearing the new Mariah Carey for OPI liquid sand shade:

It`s Frosty Outside

I cannot explain my love for this shade! It looks so beautiful under any lighting!

Cant take my eyes off it!!!!

Cant wait to try the rest of the collection, (more pictures coming soon!)

Thanks for reading honeys x