OPI Flower to Flower

Disappointed in this. Still streaky after 3 coats.
It's nice enough but all the other swatches I've seen on other blogs are way better. The flecky/glittery bits just don't show up. Bo-RING!

My fault - my expectations were too high. But an OPI shouldn't be thick and streaky. Not at those prices. Even if I got it right cheapo from the asos sale. Which I did.

Still, it's better than Essie Pink Parka so that's worth something.

The vampy shades are working for me at the moment so maybe I'll go back to something dark.

Jen

Rimmel Deliciously Dark

One I got from a bargain bin at TJ Hughes.
Very glossy. Plum/damson but does lean black. 2 coats.

I have others like this. Zoya Casey and Nails Inc Victoria. So the latter two will be getting the elbow. I haven't even tried the Nails Inc so that's unopened.

Got 2 more polishes in the post and then I'm telling myself to stop/halt/desist.

Knowing me though I'll just get a bee in my bonnet about something else. Charity shops probably - you know, trying to cultivate a certain individual style as inspired by Vintage Vixen and CALAMITY JEM'S VINTAGE VAUDEVILLE. Look, I can TRY!!!!!! Don't laugh.....Just because I'm a bit *ahem* less physically favoured than those ladies.

Enjoy the allegedly good weather we're supposed to be experiencing.

Jenni

A perfumed post....

If you want to know all the pretentious perfume cobblers (and I do) go to Basenotes - independent online guide to 13000+ fragrances, with ...

And if you want to try on a small scale by buying decants go to Perfume Samples, Perfume Decants and Vintage Perfumes - The ...

First up - L'Heure Bleue by Guerlain 1912

Neroli

Carnation and Iris 

Vanilla

The story: I was browsing in Brown's of Chester in about...oh, 1972??? and tested this. It has been my "signature" (see what I mean about pretentiousness) perfume since then. I don't even know if I much care for it any more but it is so evocative of that time that I must always have it. The memories overwhelm the olfactory element. Astonishing sense - the sense of smell.

Next, please.

Serge Lutens Muscs de Koublai Khan 1998

Animalic musk

The story: I was reading a lot about perfume a coupla years ago and this has quite a reputation. Some people find it utterly repellent and claim it smells of - shall I be forthright? - testicles/buttocks. I had to try it so I ordered a small phial from Perfumed Court and was immediately mesmerised. HAD to HAVE it in my life. Well, it's 125 Euros. The OH got it for me. I love my OH. Sorry about the blurry pic btw. It is pungent. It is compelling. It is wonderful. The OH thinks it smells of toilet-cleaner! If you object to bodily smells you won't enjoy this but if you are less fastidious and maybe even relish a whiff of sweat etc then it's essential. Have I put you off it?

Also (I have plenty more but 3 will do for today) and finally

Paul Smith London 2004

This has neroli

Also heliotrope and vanilla

Why this one: I love the bottle shape. Luckily I love the fragrance too. 

 

Do you have a fragrance or a kitchen or garden smell that instantly transports you to another place and time?

Jenni

Nails Inc haul

I have to admit I haven't been entirely fiscally responsible recently. I blame the sales.

Got a sale item from Nails Inc. This comprises the following items for less than £20 including P&P (pup? pop? pep? pip? pap?)

The Hurlingham, topcoat, Victoria and a metallic pink one...

Handcream (smells yummy), a nail file, a removal wipe (allegedly removes paint from 10 nails but WE SHALL SEE), a silver bag and the bacofoil thing in the background which is much classier than yer average bubble-wrap.

I'm now awaiting my last asos purchase and I'd better rein in my spending now.

How much do you like bubble wrap? I love popping it but am not allowed to do it when the OH is at home as it is deemed infuriating.

Bubble wrap

1. Can't get enough 
2. It's OK/mildly amusing
3. Never thought about it - it's a packing material, isn't it?
4. STOP POPPING NOW OR I WILL KILL YOU...

Jenni

China Glaze Red Stallion

Ooeeee!
I forgot how much I like red polish.

Feels like Christmas on my nails with Rampage on my LH (and how much better it looks with topcoat, may I add) and this on my RH.

I haven't used China Glaze for ages and had forgotten what good quality they are. Cor, I love this one. It's a bit too orange-red to be flattering but it is a hottie! 2 coats + TC.

Tesco has now mentioned the C-word in its advertising. I am emphatically not impressed.

At which date is it first permissible to utter the C-word? I'd say early November at the VERY EARLIEST!

Jenni

Illamasqua Rampage

They say the camera never lies. But I'm not so sure.....

This looks way worse in the picture than I think it does IRL.
But IRL I'm 5' 6" with flowing golden locks and the body of a minor divinity....So what do I know?
Forgot topcoat because I have a filthy cold. Stay back. Back. No, FURTHER!!!! You really don't need these germs. 2 coats. It's a jelly. At least jelly-ish.

Finally succumbed to greed and shelled out the £ahem required to secure this rather super polish. Irritatingly it was reduced to almost half-price only 2 days later in the bl00dy asos bl00dy sale! I'm nonetheless glad I got it. Lemmings rarely live up to expectations but this one did. Aha! Aha inDEED.

What kind of camera do you have?

• Fancy with all the gubbins and lights and lenses, you technoholic you
• Mid-range
• Rock bottom
• Hey, I've got a 'phone - who needs a camera!

Jenni

Get out the sunglasses - It's Essie Pink Parka

Crikey. This is bright and no mistake. A whole £2 from the asos sale. Not necessarily £2 well spent...
Makes my hands look very grubby and my already-short fingers look shorter still. Am I an Oompa Loompa or what?

I don't think this is the best polish I ever bought somehow.
3 coats. Still streaky. Neon so it needed a top coat. It actually had 2. Some Glitter Opal and Nails Inc Kensington.
And it's even brighter and more in-yer-face IRL. I think I am growing to hate it! Arghhhhh!

D'you know I shall have to question my mother about my paternity because I may be onto something with this Oompa Loompa notion! There are more than a few similarities....

Do you resemble anybody famous?

Jenni

Hunter and Rainbow + Diamond Cosmetics Glitter Silver

Got some tipwear on the Hunter (green not black) so glittered over it.
Decided to do it over the M&S Rainbow too. That Rainbow is positively indestructible!

Better do a fresh mani tomorrow.
Ordered at least 8 polishes over the weekend. Damned sales and bargains and reductions. Or rather silly me for not having any moral fibre. Just say NO.

What do you layer over a polish to make it last longer/conceal errors? Or d'you start from scratch?

Jen

ASOS - crazy sale!!

Lots of OPI polishes from £4 to £6 which, as you'll know, is a bargain.
Models Own for £1. Eyeko for £1.50.

I got 4 from the Espana collection (OPI).

And some Essie. And Nails Inc have a bit of  a sale too.

Oh, just check out ASOS. See what's left. And with the free P&P you just can't help yourself. Though maybe that's just me.......doh.

I didn't realise Espana was such a recent collection. But they come out with so much stuff it's hard to keep track.

How disciplined are you when it comes to reining in your spending/eating/drinking/compulsive hobbies?

Jenni

American Apparel Hunter

Persistence pays. Didn't want to pay full price for AA but you never see it on ebay. Until not so very long ago. A couple of AA polishes from a new seller (only 20 transactions but 100% feedback).

Fairly colour accurate. It's never black - I didn't want it to be. It looks even better IRL.

This pic shows too light due to the flash.

This was packaged tighter than a ....well, I hesitate to say what as it might be considered a trifle impolite. But really tightly with lots of paper and sellotape and card and all manner of packing materials. Kept those pesky bottles in check anyway. So congratulations to the seller. Very thorough.

Oh, and why does the postman always call during the brief period you nip out? And why doesn't he keep the same hours? He was way earlier than usual this a.m.

And while we're at it. Why isn't the milkman delivering Bonio any longer? He used to. He can deliver bread and washing-up liquid. Why no more Bonio? Bloomin' outrage!

What has got your goat recently?

Jenni