My first professional Manicure

For Christmas my OH got me a Manicure at our local spa. I've been growing my nails for a while now after biting them for ages so I was excited to get my first manicure done.

The spa I went to used Leighton Denny nail varnishes, a brand I'd hadn't tried yet. I was excited by all the gorgeous colours they had and found it hard to choose. In the end the beautician suggested one from the new collection - shipwrecked a gorgeous pastel mint cream polish.

 I also had a glitter topcoat put on top. This one is Angel Dust. This left a very subtle glitter top coat and only showed up in some lights.

It was great having them done and chatting to the beautician as she gave me a few tips to keep them at their best (apply a cuticle oil, use hand cream regularly, file and buff them gently once a week) I do most of these except buff. I need to get a buffing block soon as I was impressed with how smooth they felt after and the nail varnish applied so well.

As I said before I've never tried Leighton Denny before but I was impressed with the perfect finish of such a pale pastel after 2 coats (we all know it goes nicer when someone else applies it, but still).

Here is the overall finish, my nails were all shaped to match (something I never do) and looking pretty.

If you look closely you can just see the glitter. It was a light covering. The nail varnish is more warm toned than the photo shows.

But them the problems started. I'm not sure if it's just me but since I had it done (sat) I'd broken four nails by Tuesday and they felt week. I'm not sure if it was the buffing and filing process and my nails weren't used to it, or my nails are used to having OPI Nail Envy before being painted or all coincidence. 

By Tuesday I was fed up of them breaking and there was a lot of chips on my nail tips so I took it off. For lasting four days is good for me for nail varnish but I'm slightly put off trying other nail varnishes from this range. Them breaking has made me worry about having other manicures done and makes spending £25 on one seem pointless.

Have any of you experience breakages from using Leighton Denny or after a professional manicure?

Any Advice?

Love M

xxx

Don't forget our giveaway

Make Up Haul

Over the past few weeks I haven't been able to resist the great 3 for 2 offers across all of Superdrug make up and the 3 for 2 on Maybelline make up in boots. I'm very drawn to lipsticks at the moment. It's a product I used to not even think about considering but lately I'm favouring a bright pink lip. (suggestions on brands and shades to try appreciated!!)

First up Superdrug last week. I was instantly drawn to the Sally Hanson nail shades as I hadn't seen them before. I've only just started noticing Sally Hanson nail polishes in boots and Superdrug. This one is called Glitzy Gal and while the nail seems a bit cheap to me I love the polish. It's jam packed with glitter and only takes two coats. Will do a NOTD soon. I'm yet to try the look nail pop. This is in the shade kimono a duo chrome nail polish in a khaki and gold shade! 

As I needed to get one more thing I went to the sleek stand. I was disappointed at first as there were none of the blush by 3 palettes and I'd been wanting one for ages! So we opened the draw below and there was one left in the shade Lace. This was the palette I'd wanted so I was pleased. L was with me at the time and also found the palette she wanted. I know you're not meant to but I do have a quick peek if what I want isn't on display. I have used the blushes everyday since I got them! I am in love with the colours!

 A quick trip to boots for lunch ended up with these three. I'm definitely not normally a lip gloss girl but a super stay 10 hour lip tint caught my eye. (I was hoping it would be similar to the YSL glossy stains I'm currently lusting over) I will do Lipstick Monday's with all the lip products. I love love love this gloss. Does it last 10 hours...... No it doesn't but it's a gorgeous bright pink shade I'm happy to reapply (Forever Fuschia) I also picked up my favourite mascara ever! Been using it for 3 years now and don't think it'll be replaced. I've tried lots. And lastly the Maybelline colour pop in Shade 80 cherry pop, this is similar to the topshop cult pink glittery lipstick but gives a gorgeous sweep of red sheer cover and smells amazing like cherries! I'm going back for more colours.

And lastly I picked up two of the Maybelline Dual 24 hour stay lip products (they come with a balm and stain all in one). Can you see a pattern. I was so impressed with the Maybelline lip products. Originally I swatched these on my hand in the morning and had to go back and buy them as they had lasted all day even with lots of hand washing. Unfortunately the lasting power on the lips isn't quite as good but I still love them and would buy more. I got shades 195(Raspberry) and 510 (Red Passion), a bright pink and cherry red. I also picked up a new gel eyeliner as I've almost used my first pot I bought when it first come out. I love this product!

I've been spending loads but couldn't resist a good deal. Plus I'm loving a bright lipstick now the sun is shining. Have you taken advantage of the 3 for 2 offer?

Love M

xxx


Giveaway ends on Sunday only 7 entries so far so great chance of winning x 

Lipstick Monday's Rimmel Kate Moss No3

Another weekend has flown by and today's lipstick Monday is one from Kate Moss collaboration with Rimmel. These are currently on offer in Boots for the bargain price of £3.99 I need to pick up no 1 before this offer ends.

I was lucky enough and this was donated to me by L as she decided she wasn't keen on the shade on her. This is a browny nude shade and very pigmented. It also has a really nice scent to it.

I recently started wearing lip liner with all my lipsticks as I find it really helps there lasting power and makes them look nicer on the lips.  Also it's a nice sleek black packaging with a secure lid that won't come off in your bag (no one likes lipstick covered in bag fluff). Lipsticks with secure lids are a must for me lately!

This lipstick is a nice texture and gives good colour in one swipe on the lips (which I love and why I can't wait to try the bright pink, I'm loving shades like this at the moment)

It's an easy to wear every day nude and a great price for an everyday nude. Have you tried any of the Kate Moss lipsticks?

Love M

xxx


Giveaway if you fancy winning some of the Giles Deacon Make Up :)

Free Food Friday

Bit of a different post today. Just wanted to share this with you. Last week I got a text from revolutions inviting me to sample there new menu. Me and L had done this before. It's a great thing to sign up to if you have a revolutions near you. You get invited in and you and a friend get a free meal off the new menu.

You get to pick between 3 time slots for around a week they offer it at ours. I picked Friday 5-8 for L and I. We picked a good time!

We arrived to a table reserved for us (great trick if you are going our for the night) and to be told drinks were BOGOF too.

Arrival cocktails. We started off with a strawberry woo woo. 

The food. How nice does it look and it was certainly tasty. We had the Caprese pizza and the Mezze board. This is a great night out for you and a friend. 


Me and L love going for cocktails and bite to eat!

 Time to order pitchers. We love that certain pitchers are served in teapots in there. We went with prohibition punch, It also means you don't get a glass of ice which is always a plus. 
This was a really nice sweet cocktail. Have you had any tea pot cocktails. 
What are your thoughts on these? Would you prefer a glass?

 Second pitcher (they were BOGOF so figured we might as well) WE went with the big jug of love. This was another sweet berry flavoured cocktail. 


We did find the menu slightly limiting when it comes to the pitchers as L isn't a fan of orange juice and we didn't want one with too much fizz in.

We finished with a Scarlet Miss Charlotte. This is a firm favourite with both of us that we usually get when we visit there. The use of the raspberry purée in it makes it lush.

We had such a great evening lots of tasty cocktails and food and it only cost us £16 each. We love finding great deals like this and can't wait for their winter menu to come out for another night out. L will be returned with her cocktail hour in July so will fill you in on their full yummy ingredients then.

Do you do any tasters like this? Is this something you'd enjoy?

Love L and M

xxx