NOTD: Next Gold Library - Green

If you've seen our recent posts (or our tweets) you'll have seen that we were lucky enough to be invited to the Next Beauty event last week.

It was great fun and we met some lovely bloggers and chatted our way through the evening.
(Post here if you wanted to see the pictures!)

As a bonus to the night there was also an area where you could have a massage, threading or a manicure done, which I couldn't wait to have!

The poor lady was very nice and had to go through the arduous task of removing my glitter nail polish from my nails first (I had china glaze and saffron glitters piled onto the tips!) but she was lovely about it, and even complemented me on my natural nails, how nice!

Here's the colour that I chose:

It's a gorgeous bottle green shimmery colour that applied opaque in one coat, but had a second just to ensure it lasts.

The colours were all really impressive, and I'm missing this particular colour from my collection and wouldn't hesitate to go out and buy the box set as the colours in it are amazing!

Here's a photo of the Gold collection with a close up of the Nail Library on the right:

You can see the great range of colours that would be a perfect gift for all females at Christmas time!

There's a blue, green, red, purple, bright pink and some gorgeous shimmery metallics too.

This green colour also complements most skin tones as it isn't too yellow toned.

I personally couldn't stop staring at it in the lights!

The lady at the manicure station applied Seche Vite as the top coat and this kept the nail varnish on for a good 5 days before the chips started coming through.

I would definitely say this is a perfect gift for someone as Christmas, or even yourself!

It's a bargain at £10 and can be found here which is great for 9 polishes in wearable colours.

Would you pick this up as a present for family or a friend?

Do you love the range of colours?

L xxx

Review: Mac Studio Fix Fluid

I've been using this foundation for a little while now.

It was something else I picked up in America for cheaper than here in the UK.

The woman in Macy's was very nice and loved my accent so was very happy to colour match me and I picked up NW20, which by the way, is me with a tan.

Lovely!

First of all, having only bought Pro Longwear and various compacts (Studio Tech, Studio Fix and Pressed Powder) before I had no idea that the bottle wouldn't come with its own pump.

Naive you might think, but I genuinely never thought about it so obviously picked one of those up too.

I love simple packaging so Mac always hit the nail on the head for me.

A glass bottle always makes a product feel luxurious too, and as brands such as Rimmel also use them now it's almost expected.

I love how clean the bottles and pump look when they've never been used! Such a pretty photo.

(Is this the addict in me talking do you think?!)

As far as the coverage goes, I love it.

Full coverage, with a semi-matte finish this does last for a decent amount of time.

I'd say that it lasts an 8 hour day with a good primer and powder, though I think it could last longer.

I don't seem to have found the best combination yet of primer/foundation/powder for the longest lasting face.

The Studio Fix Fluid is also buildable so you can cover problem areas more effectively if you need to.

Here's some of my face with Studio Fix Fluid on:

I really like this....but I have an issue with the smell.

It's hard to describe but I just can't stand it, I was worried initially that mine was gone off or something even though I'd bought it from a reputable department store!

Ah well. 

I should also add that I'm quite lucky, I genuinely am an NW20 year round, as even though my tan has faded this foundation is still the correct colour....yay for being so pale!

Have you tried Studio Fix Fluid? What Mac foundation is your favourite?

I'd love to buy more of their foundations so let me know which one is your favourite and why!

L xxx

Holiday Photos

I've been trying to write this post for a while. It seems I've managed to lose my camera (really hoping I didn't leave it in the hotel) so only have the photos from my phone which my laptop at the moment doesn't want to load annoyingly.

Before going I decided to treat myself and go back to acrylics so they would look good for the whole time we were there. I love my local salon and went with black glitter tips as it was something a little different.

First room view

I love nosing at holiday photos so thought I'd share a few with you all. I was lucky enough to get to spend a week in the amazing Florida. We stayed at a Disney Hotel (The Beach Club) which was so nice and decorated as old fashion glam, imagine posh Dirty Dancing. 

It was so nice. With double sinks, which I quickly claimed and filled with make up! I need this set up when I own a house one day.

Second room view

We were moved rooms after 3 days after a flooded toilet but upgraded and had a better view of everything.

I loved the little touches in the hotel like shaped towels! In the bathroom they were in bows and on the beds it was Mickey. 

We spent most of the days at various Disney Parks, which I loved, you're never to old for Disney. I have some great photos of it all on my camera so if it shows up I will put some more on.

Magic kingdom is just so beautiful to look at.

How Beautiful is the Castle.

Though my favourite park is Probably Animal Kingdom. The Lion King show was amazing.

The Brilliant Lion King show in Animal Kingdom. Gymnasts, ballet and dance bits!!

I loved seeing all the fireworks and parades there. You can't beat fireworks.

Fireworks at epcot over the lake! They were so good!

Being in America we of course gorged on food. You can see some of the food I was scoffing here!! It was so lush having so much choice. You can also see my amazing hand luggage! I loved it.

Amazing breakfast, pancakes, cinnamon roll, fruit, waffles, chocolate, cream, syrup and M&Ms! I may have ate cooked aswell that day!

I of course took advantage of America being cheap and did lots of shopping. Post on that coming soon.

And of course there is sea world. I really loved the Dolphin Show. They are so clever.

I did sunbathe a bit in the mornings but didn't get too much of a tan! I've ummed and ahhed over the bikini photo but decided I would. I was proud of the weight I lost for holiday. Plus it's in my amazing Kelly Brook bikini from her collection for New Look

Hope you liked having a nosey through some of my snaps. They aren't the best, stupid missing camera and phone not linking properly.

Fantasmia Show at Hollywood Studios

Love M

xxx

NOTD China Glaze Luxe and Lush

As soon as L told me she had bought Luxe and Lush I couldn't wait to try it out. I love the effect it gives with the huge chunks of glitter/foil that appear a different colour depending on what base colour you put it on.

As it was cold and wintering I decided to use them over pastel icy winter shades. I used OPI Kim-pletely in love which is a gorgeous pink shade with a shimmer and an accent nail of Rimmel Sky High.

I'm not a fan of the Rimmel I love lasting finish formulations. I love the colours in this range but all the ones I've tried have been streaky and hard to achieve a good finish. 

My nails look messy in these photos as I'd bitten them really short :(. I'm trying to stop again. I love the icy cold look that luxe and lush gives over Kim-pletely in love.

I love using pastels even in the autumn/winter nights and think using top coats like this really make it look pretty.

I loved Luxe and Lush so much I've recently picked up Models Own Snowball which looks very similar. I can't wait to try it out soon.

You can pick up Luxe and Lush from eBay here for £3.40 + p&p

What do you think of the chunkier glitters? Do you still use pastels in winter?

Love M

xxx