Tutorial: Duck Nail's!

Here's a little song to listen to while you read the post :) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtN1YnoL46Q

So today's Sunday and the day I change my nails. This week I thought I'd do a tutorial instead of a NOTW, so this is what I came up with....

Here's what I used....

• A piece of paper
• Eyeshadow sponge
• 2 Cotton Buds/ Q Tips
• 3 Dotting Tools
• Sally Hansen Double Duty Base coat & Topcoat
• Barry M, Mint Green 
• Collection 2000 Hot Looks, Lemon Soda
• Technic Nail Polish, White 
• Miss Sporty Lasting Colour Pro Brush, Fatal Black 
• MUA Love Hearts Range, I WANT U 
• Miss Sporty Clubbing Colours Nail Polish, China Glaze
• Seche Vite Dry Fast Topcoat

First apply Sally Hansen's Double Duty Base coat & Top coat. I applied two coats for extra protection.

Next apply two coats of Barry M's Mint Green. It doesn't need to be fully opaque as you would be covering 2/3 of the nail with more polish.

Now you can start drawing your Ducks onto your nails.Pour a small amount of Collection 2000's Hot Looks nail polish in Lemon Soda onto the paper.  Using the larger end of the white Dotting Tool make two circles upon the nail, one below the other. Then using the smaller end make a dot the opposite side of the nail.

Still using Lemon Soda, make two curved lines to connect the circles together to make the duck's body like the photo below.

Now fill the shape in, once again using Lemon Soda.

Next it's time to give the Duck's some character. Using the Technic white nail polish, pour a tiny amount on the paper then make a dot using the large end of the pink Dotting Tool, on the Duck's face. Once it's completely dry, using the smaller end of the Dotting Tool, take the Miss Sporty nail polish in Fatal Black and make a dot in the centre of the white one. Taking the MUA nail polish in I WANT U, make a triangle in the middle left of the ducks face, then fill it in. 

Taking the Eyeshadow sponge and the Miss Sporty nail polish in China Glaze. Pour a small amount of the nail polish onto the paper and dip the edge of the Eyeshadow sponge in. Gently sponge the polish onto the nail to give a slight gradient effect. 

Now your almost done, apply a thin coat of Seche Vite's Dry Fast Top Coat. Then taking a cotton bud/ q tip, dip it into nail polish remover and wipe around your nail to remove any access polish. This makes the final look look more tidy.
Here's another look at my final outcome....

Thanks For Reading!xxxx

What nail art design should I attempt next week? :)

June 2012 Favourites!

Another month, another monthly favourites! So lets take a look at what Im loving this month...

Not many new products as I've been trying to save my money for DisneyLand, only a week today, Yayy!:)

Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Your Beauty Skin Makeup, Eruc Beige
For some reason, I haven't gotten round to reviewing this yet. Which is actually quite strange considering its been one of my holy grail, every day use's since Easter. This is the lightest shade I think, and Im quite pale even in summer so this is great for pale skinned girls! Its thin, but not to thin and blends with ease into the skin. I have normal, moisturised skin with oily patches around my nose. And this lasts all day on me!

MeMeMe Beat The Blues, Moonbeam
I've been loving this as a highlight this month! It's a sheer, shimmery pink shade which blends easily into the skin. I find some pink shades of blush really hard to wear on my skin, but this looks amazing. It lasts all day, but I won't be revealing to much as this is next on my hit list to review!

NYC Cheek Glow Blush, Central Park Pink
I think this was in one of my favourites a few months ago, but once again this has been pulled out my makeup draw everyday. I've been loving the nude, peachy shade of this blush. Aswell as its staying power, lasting almost all day!

Benefit Bad Gal Lash
I got this free with glamour magazine this month, as Im sure almost every other beauty blogger out there has been doing. I've been obessed with this mascara lately using it for a base, while layering with other mascaras. It gives volume, length and a coat of black mascara to your lashes. You can check out my full review here


Avon Glow Powder Eyeshadow, Golden Sand
My nana actually bought this product, mistaking it for something else and giving it to me. Its really hard to explain the colour of this eyeshadow other then a sort of yellow sand colour, likewise the name. After applying this over eye primer it lasts all day, and doesnt fade or crease. Strangely I've been wearing this with golds this month and it looks quite nice.

BeautyUK Lipstick, In The Buff
I got this a week or two ago, but didnt see the point of hauling it as I only got one product. Since purchasing this I've worn it non stop! Im in love with the scent of it. Mint, but not overpowering mint. However you can barely smell it once applied to the lips. Its a sort of  "my lips but better" shade but slightly more red. I'll definitely be reviewing this soon, so watch this space!

Thanks For Reading!xxxx

Monthly Empties - June 2012

Im really impressed by how many products I managed to get through this month! I've still got quite a few other products I wish to get through in the next month, mainly all back logged from Christmas or Easter. Aswell as cutting down my makeup collection so I can try more new things, and use my old stuff.
So here's my Monthly Empties for this month....

8 products this month, Its a new record! Even though I've only been doing these posts for 2 months....
I got through two packs of makeup remover wipes this month.

Impulse
Im sure at one point in your life, most of you have came across these in Superdrug, for £1.99. I have half finished these 3 for a good few month now and my aim this month was to completely finish them as they were just collecting dust. In left to right I have: Very Pink Body, True Love, Into Glamour. They lasted around 1-2 and a half hours without needing to respray, you get a okay amount for the price. These come in quite a range of scents, so theres something for everyone.

Nivea Smooth Nourishing Hand Cream
I got this in a gift box a while ago and havent got round to using it properly until recently. You can buy this from Superdrugs and I think Boots aswell, a 30ml tube costs £1.49, which is just a small sample size as I've got it. Or you can get a larger one, 100ml for £3.39. I love this hand cream! It definitely keeps them nourished and moisturised for a good few hours, and I've found it helps with my nail growth aswell. It makes your hands feel baby smooth, which Im sure anyone loves!

Nivea Visage Gentle Cleansing Wipes
Some how i used up two packs this month, when usally I only ever use 1 and a bit of another? Anways, I cant find these on the Superdrug Website or Boots. But I imagine they would be in the £2-£3.50, pretty good value for money considering what you get. These easily remove makeup from the face, Im not to sure about waterproof mascara though as I don't use that. They leave you skin feeling moisturised and fresh feeling.

Sally Hansen Strengthing Polish Remover
This is my 2nd or 3rd bottle of this stuff. Its amazing! It removes your nail polish easily within a few swipes. Leaving you with a clean, moisturised and strengthened nail. I have naturaly soft, thin nails and this does wonders for it! I have seen a definite improvement in my nails since I've started using this and will continue too. I got this from Superdrug, but you can get this from Boots to for a striken under £2 I think!

NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Powder
I think I mentioned this in a post somewhere that I hit pan on this really quickly, like literally a week after purchasing this I hit pan! Its seem to drag by though for a extra 3-8 weeks. Until about 2 weeks ago I opened it one morning to apply it and It was all in pieces like this....

Neverless it was still totaly worth buying this powder! It sets liquid makeup brilliantly, and definitely extends the lasting time for foundation. I wouldn't say it was amazing for covering up imperfections of the face, but much more a setting powder. I have normal moisturised skin, with oily patches around my nose, but I still managed to get about 3-5 hours out of this which I think is great for a drugstore powder! If I was to repurchase this I would definitely get the loose powder!

Thanks For Reading!xxxx

NOTW: Skittle Nail Art

Slightly overdue, I know :(

This week I decided on Skittle's nail art, I've been wanting to try these out for ages but just kept forgetting! So this week after deciding to add a splash of colour to my nails I thought I would finally give them a go. This is my final outcome....

Here's what I used....

Left To Right:

• Sally Hansen Double Duty Base coat & Topcoat
• Sally Hansen Insta-dri Anti Chip Topcoat
• MUA Shade 6 
• MUA Love Heart Range U&I
• MUA Love Heart Range I WANT U 
• Barry M Matt White
• Barry M Indigo
• Barry M Cyan Blue 
• Rimmel I Love Lasting Finish Grassy Green 

I love this design! I originally was going to paint "skittles"  on my thumb but it couldn't fit, so I had to make be  with "skitt" instead. What do you guys think?

Thanks For Reading!xxxx

Tutorial: Gradient Nails

Hey Guys!
So as you know every Sunday I paint my nails, and this week I thought instead of just doing a NOTW I would do a tutorial on how I did them. This week I thought I would attempt Gradient Nails.

I used....

• Sally Hansen Double Duty Base coat & Topcoat
• Sally Hansen Insta-dri Anti Chip Topcoat
• MUA Love Heart Range Nail Polishes in U&I, I WANT U, U ROK
• MUA Nail Polish in Shade 5
• 2 Glitter Nail Art Pens From Ebay in Gold and Blue
• A Sponge Eyeshadow Applicator 
• A Sheet Of Paper 

First....

 Apply a clear base coat to protect your nails, I applied 2 coats for maxium protection. I used the Sally Hansen Double Duty Base coat & Topcoat.

Next...

Taking MUA'S Shade 5 nail polish, I applied one coat of  this to 4 of my fingers. Then taking their U&I Shade from the Love Heart Range, I applied one coat of this to the remaining finger. Once all my fingers were dry I applied a second coat.

Then...

 I took MUA's Love Heart Range Shade U ROK, and poured a small amount onto the paper. Then I took the eyeshadow applicator and dabbed it slightly into the polish. Tapping of the excess onto the paper. I then dabbed it up 3/4 of my nails, which were painted blue. I did the same with the I WANT U polish on my nail that was painted yellow. After all my nails were dry, I dabbed more polish onto 2/4 of my nails.

Now...

I took the Blue and Gold nail art pens, and poured some of each onto the paper. Then dabbed a fairly opaque amount onto the tips of my nails, working it up to a more sheer amount. To help add to the Gradient look. I used the gold on my yellow nails, and the blue on my blue nails.
I finally applied a topcoat, I used Sally Hansen Insta-dri Anti Chip Topcoat.

This is how my nails turned out, click the photo to enlarge it.

This is possibly one of my most favourite designs! This look is incredibly versatile, being that you could use any colours. And as many amounts of colours as you want. This is the first time I've tried doing Gradient nails, and they were really easy.

What do you guys think? Have you tired Gradient Nails before?

Thanks for Reading!xxx

Superdrug Haul!

This is stuff that I've bought over two days, some on Thursday and Saturday. So here's what I got.

Glamour Magazine Freebie
So as most of you already know, but some may not. This month you get a free benefit sample when you purchase Glamour Magazine, there's 3 different samples to choose from. You can choose from:

• Bad Gal Mascara worth £10 
• That Gal (primer) worth £15
• The Porefessional worth £10

I choose the Porefessional after hearing amazing things about it, and being sucked in about the cute packaging. Words can't describe how amazing this primer actually is! I love the finish it leaves on the skin, it's like no product I've ever tried before.


Carmex Pot
If you read my review on the Carmex Strawberry Tube, you would know that I noticed the product run out very quickly. I still haven't ran out but thought it would be a good idea to have a back up just in case. I decided to try the pot type this time, I couldn't find the strawberry one so I just got the original. So far I'm not to keen on the smell, but I'm yet to try it out.

MUA Snow White Eyeliner and MUA Pro Face Primer
I thought I'd write about these to products together as they are both things I'm either running really low on, or have ran out. The eyeliner has become part of my daily makeup routine, due to the amazing pigmentation and staying power. As for the Face Primer I'm more then happy with and use it as my daily face primer under foundation, and recently ran out.

Sally Hansen Nail Polish Remover
Once again another product I've tried and tested, this is my 3rd bottle and this thing has never let me down yet! It removes the nail polish fast and easy. However more swipes are needed for glitter nail polish.

Fashionista Blush, Butterscotch
After hearing about Fashionista's new merged blush I was desperate to pick up the lightest shade. Sadly I couldn't find them in either of my 2 local Superdrugs so I thought I would try Butterscotch instead.

Thanks for Reading!xxx

NOTW: Ladybird Nails!

I haven't posted in a few days, but since it's half term I aim to have a new post up everyday.

This week's nails are Ladybird Nails! I saw a Ladybird a few days ago, and was told its apparently good luck to see one. So today I decided to paint Ladybirds on my nails. 

What are your opinions on the lighting in the second picture?

Let me know what you think of the lighting in the second picture for things like swatches, I was given a desk lamp from my grandad and thought it would be use full for taking photos for my blog. 

Products I used....

• Sally Hansen Double Duty Base coat & Topcoat
• Sally Hansen Insta-dri Anti Chip Topcoat
• Miss Sporty Fatal Black
• MUA Shade 6
• Barry M Matt White  

This design was real easy to do, and didn't take to long at all compared to other designs I've done. Any Idea's on what design I should do next week? 

Thanks For Reading!xxx

NOTW: Union Jack Nails

Its Sunday, which means a new nail design!

This week I decided to do Union Jack nails, after seeing union jack washing up liquid in ASDA. Obviously meaning for the Queens golden jubilee, which in my opinion is slightly over rated, as in people going overboard with the whole union jack theme and what not.

But anyways I still decided to do Union Jack nails and here they are....

Products I used....

• Sally Hansen Double Duty Base coat & Topcoat
• Sally Hansen Insta-dri Anti Chip Topcoat
• Barry M Colbat Blue 
• Barry M Matt White 
• Barry M Bright Red 

The other hand turned out a bit sloppier, but apart from that I like this design. Barry M nail polishes have got to be my most favourite nail polishes I've ever tried, and theres loads to choose from in the range for a inexpensive £2.99!

Any ideas or requests on what design I should do next week?

Thanks for reading! xxxx

If I Could Only Have One....

So a while ago i saw a lot of views about this on youtube, and recently an increasing number of blog posts < wooo big word;)

Basically this post is about out of your full makeup collection, if you could only have one thing out of each section eg. eyeliner, lipstick. What would it be. I actually really like reading/watching posts/videos like this, as I love seeing what other people like best and being introduced to new products. So here's what I picked as a full.

 minus bronzer because I don't wear it

So here's the face products I choose....

I didn't include primer as i just use the same one everyday so i thought there would be no point.

Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Your Skin Foundation, Ecru Beige

I really do like this foundation! Its the perfect shade for my pale skin and has great coverage. It doesn't cling to dry spots and lasts pretty much all day long. Its a very liquidity foundation so a little goes a long way, it also blends easy. I'm not sure were you can get this foundation, as i think its now discontinued, but i got this at Easter.

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer, Fair 1

I reviewed this concealer yesterday so I've pretty much said all i wanted to say about it. Its a great concealer, easily one of the best concealers you will find at drugstore price and it gives fantastic coverage and lasts all day.  Its very thick, but is still easily blended, it doesn't cling to dry patches either. You can buy this from Superdrug or Boots. 

NYC Cheek Glow Blush, Central Park Pink

I don't wear blush that often as most other products, but when i do i almost always reach for this product. It gives a lovely "bronzed" glow to the cheeks, I definitely think this is a product that is more aimed at fair/pale skinned girls. Its easily build able, which i always look for it a blusher, and sheerly applied. Which is another thing i love about this product! Available at selected Superdrugs. 

NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Face Powder, Naturally Beige

Easily my favourite powder of the moment! One of the things i love the most about this is its more of a powder to set your liquid makeup, then a powder with pigment to even out your skin tone. It doesn't make your face look powdery or chalky. Applies evenly, and lasts about 6 hours, then needs touch up. Also in selected Superdrugs.

So here's the eye products I choose....

This looks like very few.... but ok:)

Clinique High Lengths Mascara , Black

This is just sample sized, from the Clinique mascara swap but I still love this baby! It does a A.M.A.Z.I.N.G job of seperateing eyelashes and making them look really long. It certainly doesn't clump at all, I just love it so much that I would even wear it on its own, without even a volume one. It also coats the lashes with a jet black coat of mascara 

Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24HR, Eternal Gold

I think I've already got a review up on this but I just love it! I was unsure about purchasing it at first in case it just creased and faded. I love how the eyeshadow applies wet then drys into the eyelid, it also feels light on your lid. Its really pigmented so a little goes a long way. I also think it looks great on people with green eyes. I haven't ever worn it for 24 hours but it did last all day. You can find this in Superdrug or Boots. 

MUA Intense Colour Eyeliner Pencil, Snow White

First of I love the name of this product, it really describes the colour ( Obviously ) However it also describes the pigmentation of this product and how it applies. Its a real pigmented eyeliner for only a pound, and its really  creamy to so it applies softly to the eye. I've used this everyday since i first purchased this , and think i might go buy another one for when i run out. 

Here's the Lip products I choose....

Only two, but hey ;)

Barry M Limited Edition Lipgloss Wand

Like i said its limited edition so it doesn't have a shade name, which is a shame cause i really love this. Its a pale pink shades with faint shimmers of blue, purple and sliver. I love Barry M lipgloss, like I mentioned in my review off few days ago. Its a really pigmented lipgloss, and has a great lasting power. Its very moisturising, and if it wasn't limited edition I would buy it again. 

MUA Professional Lip Boom Created With Alexander Burke, Cheeky

I don't want to go into much detail, as I'm planning on reviewing it soon also when I mange to get my hands on another one of the shades Doin' Good which I'm dying to get. Let's just say you don't no what your missing if you don't own one of these. Seriously! I just can't express how great this product is, a double ended matte lipstick and highlighting lipgloss, what more could you ask for?;)

Thanks for Reading! :)xxx

NOTW: Bow Nails with Rhinestones

Hey Guys, my aim this week is to do a different post each day of the week as I don't really blog frequently enough in my opinion.

Anyways I just finished doing my nails about 30 minutes ago and thought I'd show you guys what I did.

This week, I decided to do Bow nails after getting inspired by a picture on google. Except I decided to add rhinestones into the centre of my bows just to jazz things up a bit. I used all MUA nail polishes for this design, except from my base coat and topcoat.

Products I used....

• Sally Hansen Double Duty Base coat & Topcoat
• Sally Hansen Insta-dri Anti Chip Topcoat
• MUA Love Hearts Range I <3 U
• MUA Love Heart Range U R FAB 
• MUA Shade 12

 I really liked how this design turned out, MUA polishes are great for working with, they dry super fast and are opaque within a few coats. They are also really inexpensive so you can afford to by loads!

Thanks For Reading! xxx

NOTW: Cookies, Cupcakes & Chocolate

Hey guys!

This is probably one of my most favourite designs I've ever done, up there with the angry bird nails I did a while back.

The actually reason I did these was for a contest. I got inspired by it's theme, What's Cookin? And decide to do foods that began with the letter "C". So 2 hours later, 2 cotton pads, 3 cotton buds, several polish splattered dotting tools and countless nail polishes later I did that.

I forgot to take a picture of what I used and the list is way to long to type up. So if you want to no the name of a certain polish, or its brand just comment below and of course I will comment back. The brands were a mixture of Barry M, MUA and Sally Hansen.

Oh and the contest this design was made for was Copy That Copy Cat Nails. Here's a link to her blog, check it out its real cool and she's got some A.M.A.Z.I.N.G designs. Don't forget to enter her contest!
http://copythatcopycat.blogspot.com.au/

Thanks For Reading! :) xxx

Tutorial : Barry M Magnetic Nail Polish!

Ekkkk! I'm in love with the new Barry M magnetic nail polish so much. I tried it out for the first time this afternoon and its like magic! It's only £4.99 from Superdrug , and i think Boots aswell. So here's the effect i got.....

This is the first time I've used magnetic nail polish before , but after hearing great things about it on Blogger and youtube, then Barry M bringing out their own i thought I'd give it a shot. I'm quite impressed with the results.

Okay so I'm not going to turn this into a review , I'll probably do that at the end of the week once I've had a full use of this great new product. So here's how to get magnetic nails......

Apply a base coat, here I'm using Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Instant Nail Hardener. I always use 2 coats of base coat because it gives the nails twice the amount of protection.

Once the base coat is completely dry, obviously, apply a thin coat of the Barry M Magnetic nail polish. The shade I'm using is "Magnetic Red". Let that completely dry before moving onto the next step.

Excuse the messy application, that's why i use cotton buds and nail polish remover for ;)

Okay so this is were the magic part comes in, apply another coat of the Barry M Magnetic nail polish, i would recommend thickish and immediately after hold the magnet above the nail. The easiest way to do it is paint a nail , hold magnet , paint a nail ect.ect. 

You hold the magnet above the nail by placing the curved part below the cuticle , so where the skin meets the cuticle. So that the gold design on the magnet is facing away from the cuticle.

So repeat that on each nail and wait for it to dry, then add a topcoat and your done! I'll show you my magnetic nails.

Click to enlarge the photo....

Thanks for Reading!

P.S : Follow me on Twitter! I will follow you back! 

https://twitter.com/#!/Sarah_Lumsden

Mini Haul!

I've been meaning to do this post for a few days now , and i haven't blogged in about a week so I'm definitely going to start getting back into posting daily! :) 

So on Thursday i was in town , and i got 3 things. See i told you it was a mini haul;) So i only got one thing from Superdrug, i got one of the new Barry M Magnetic nail polishes , it was £4.99 i got it in the shade "Magnetic Red"

 

I'm going to be trying it out tomorrow so I'll probably post about it tomorrow evening.

Then i went to this little stall thing and it sells discontinued makeup and nail polishes , or just makeup or nail polish that has had its packaging changed and stuff like that. It also does brushes , fake tan , fake nails all that sort of stuff.

I was amazed when i found the Sally Hansen Diamond Strength Instant Nail Hardener! Especially when it was only £1.99 , at Boots its £8.99. I jumped at the chance and thought I'd get it as i heard it was meant to be quite good, can't wait to review it!

Then i found another great bargain! At the same stall i bought the nail hardener , i managed to find the Collection 2000 Perfecting Minerals Foundation. It was in the old packaging, but i still got it anyways. When Collection ( They changed their name) announced they were bringing back the Perfecting Minerals Foundation, but in new packaging i googled it , as you do ;) and heard some great things about it.

Thanks for Reading! =)