NOTD + Tutorial - Basketcase nails

Hey Dolls, 

You may or may not already know I am completely obsessed with WAH nails. As usual I was browsing the WAH site for inspiration and came across this pattern called 'basketcase' and had to try it. If you are bored and want nail inspiration I definitely suggest you check it out, they have amazing designs. Come to Australia WAH!

The original pictures I saw were in black and white but I decided to use pinky purpley colours. This would looks amazing in any colours, black and gold is my what I'm thinking next time. As usual my attempt is a bit dodgey and needs work but I love it! The design was relatively easy although as usual my right hand is not quite perfect. Hope that you like it!

Here is a step by step tutorial on how to get this pattern...

All you need two colours. A base colour and a colour for the stripes. You can either use a nail art polish or pen or alternatively you can buy a fine paintbrush and use any nail polish.

The first step is to simply paint your nails with the base colour. I used Revlon's Lilac Pastelle.

Once the base coat has dried completely draw a thin diagonal line with the nail art polish from the bottom corner to the opposite top corner.

Then continue to draw parallel thin lines to fill in the bottom section.

Next is to paint a diagonal line in the opposite direction and fill in the section section of the nail.

The final step is to fill in the top section of the nail with horizontal lines. Follow this with a clear top coat and you are done!

Here here we have the finished result. Trust me it's not too hard.

 If you love it, give it a go.


:)

First ever Beauty Box!

Happy hump day!

The Beauty box is finally here! For those of us who live in Australia this is a very exciting occurence as the is the ever Beauty Box. After noticing that a few of these beauty sample box concepts starting up I was over the moon and lept at the chance to sign up. After a long few months waiting for it to launch my Beauty Box finally landed on my doorstep to a very  excited (that might be an understatement) recipient on Monday morning!

If you are not famliar with the concept, which I sure most of your beauty lovers are, it's bascially a box of different beauty samples which you recieve in the mail every month for $14.95. Partnering with great brands such as YSL, Shu Uemera, Bobbi Brown & Garnier to name a few, the Beauty Box sounds promising.

I was impressed with Beauty Box from the beginning and was not disappointed when this gorgeous pink box arrived. I am a massive sucker for packaging and pink (if you haven;t noticed from the masses of it on my blog haha)  so as you can imagine this was right up my alley. Inside the pink box was a black box with a pink ribbon and inside wrapped in tissue paper was the goodies. The box also conatined a lovely card with a description of all the products. Overall the packaging gets a huge tick from me, loved it!

So onto the important stuff... what is actually in the box!

The September Beauty Box contained 5 different sample products which were; 

♥  Shu Uemura High Performance Cleasning Oil - Cleanses & gently maintains skin's delicate moisture balance with a combination of botanical oils. Suitable for all skin types. Removes make-up instantly. 

♥  Playboy Play it Spicy Body Spray - The final step in seduction demands an irresistible playboy confidence. Glowy skin, gorgeous hair, feeling spicy? Check, check, check! 

♥  YSL Beauty Sleep - A gentle resurfacing & re texturing concentrate to smooth the skin's micro-texture, plump the skin and reveal the radiance of the complexion in the morning.  

♥  Marc Jacobs Oh! Lola! - Vibrant and playful . Irresistible sophistication. A sparkly fruity floral, with key notes of raspberry, peony & vanilla. 

♥  Sally Hansen Nail File - The ideal filing surface - for nails not too hard, not too soft. Smoothed & shaped nails are essential to a perfect manicure. Designed specifically for medium & normal strength nails. 

So onto my thoughts...

I love Marc Jacobs Oh! Lola! & the cute sample sprays are perfect to throw in my handbag. The cleansing oil is also a winner. However it kind of bugged me that they refer to the YSL Beauty Sleep as a special treat. I feel like it's a bit of  joke as it should have just been included in the box anyway. Without it the box would have been even more of  flop so I don't see why they insist on making out that it is this great treat we are receiving. I think the nail file is handy but I was expecting samples a little less dull and the Playboy fragrance smells nice  although it does take me back to high school when I actually used aerosols!

Overall I am disappointed with the Beauty Box. I'm not sure if my hopes were too high but I felt like it the products in the box weren't that exciting and it needed more oomph especially as they have partnered with such great brands. I also thought that as it was the first box they might have made it bigger and better or maybe it's just me. I mean the products are alright but nothing jumps out. 

I love the concept of the box, I love the packaging of the box & really did want to love it more but I just can't rave about it. Although I'm not over the moon with this particular box I am nore than happy to stay signed up and see what happens over the next few months especially as they have just partnered with Essie.  And anyway who doesn't love packages right?!

What are your thoughts on this box?

Lush Haul

Hope everyone is having a splendid weekend :)

In my attempt to start incorporating more natural and gentler products into hair and skincare routine I have become a teeny tiny bit obsessed with Lush. Here are some of the latest goodies I have picked up...

♥  Aromaco Deodorant - Aromaco is a solid deodorant with a patchouli scent. It's not actually an anti-perspirant but masks the smell. I have to say I am a little bit sceptical about this but am more than happy to give it a whirl. 

♥  H'Suan Wen Hua Hair Treatment - My hair has not been in great condition lately so I' m hoping this will help it out. You apply it before shampooing and conditioning and it's meant to add a ton of moisture to the hair. I have it in right now so I shall keep you posted.

♥  Dirty toothy tabs - I won't rave on too much about these now as I have a whole blog post coming about what a convert I am!

♥  BB Seaweed fresh face mask - I was after a face mask which simply cleaned and detoxified the skin and the LOVELY lush ladies suggested this. I have already used this and it left my skin feeling fresh, smooth, clean and glowing. 

♥  Buffy Body Butter - I have already blogged about this here. This is a repurchase so you know how much I love it. 

♥  Lemony Flutter Cuticle butter - My cuticles are not brilliant and I have been on the hunt for a great cuticle butter and I'm hoping this is it! It's a thick creamy product with a scent I like and I think a little will go a looooong way. You can also use it on your elbows and other areas with really dry skin which is an added bonus. Review to come on this once I have tested it out. 

This is just the beginning of new products I have been testing out. I have sensitive skin and decided that taking more natural, gentler, safer & animal friendly approach to my routine may not be such a bad thing. Post to come of my progress and all the new & wonderful products I have been using. 

Would love to know your Lush product suggestions that I need in my life

x

Where have you been all my life Tom Ford?

Why, hello Tom Ford’s Lip Colour in True Coral lipstick. This lipstick is spectacular… it’s like happiness in a tiny tube!

Where do I begin?!

The packaging is to die for. A sleek  and simple tube with gold trim. I almost want to pull it out of my bag when I’m out and about just to flash this baby about. It doesn’t get much better than this.  

It took a lot of effort to even begin using the lipstick because I couldn’t bring myself  to touch the TF mark. Sigh. BUT it was most definitely worth it. 

True coral is a vibrant bright red-coral, just like its name! Unlike the more common orangey coral this is most definitely a devilish toned lippie. It instantly warms and brightens my complexion...

  

Formula-wise, True Coral is highly pigmented which means in just one swipe you can have a gorgeous opaque pop of coral. The texture is beautifully creamy  and the colour is true to tube. And despite the creaminess it does actually have staying power without excessive drying and flaking. It lasts and lasts, seriously. Boom! Apart from eating and drinking this lipstick will stick around which considering what a bright colour it is is a major plus in my book. 

If you want a semi matte, bold, pop of colour and want to splurge, this baby is it! At AU$65 a pop this lipstick is pricey but worth every $. The quality is amazing… great colour payoff, super pigmented & super creamy. So much brilliance in such a small tube!



I’m in lipstick looove <3