Now's the perfect time to break out of your plain nail polish routine and try something bright, bold, and fun

 

Electric Orange Tips 
Give a traditional French manicure a fun and summery twist by using a neon polish for your tips. Simply paint your nails any sheer nude shade, and once that is completely dry paint your tips in a bright orange, like Zoya in Paz, £8. For extra precision while drawing on the tips, use a thin paintbrush (you can buy one at any craft store). Finish with a clear topcoat.

Orange and Mint Triangles Don't have a steady hand but still want a complicated-looking nail art style? Try this scotch tape trick. Cut pieces of scotch tape into triangles and then paint them any bright color of your choice. A bright shade like Essie in Orange It's Obvious, £8, works really well. Let the painted tape pieces dry.

Next, paint your nails in color that contrasts well, like Essie in Mint Candy Apple. Wait five minutes for this to dry, and then carefully apply each triangle tape at the tips of your nails. For extra control, use a pair of tweezers to place the pieces of tape. Press down on the triangles firmly, and then apply a topcoat. 

 

 

 

Neon Stripes Stripes 

are one of the easiest, no-brainer nail art designs. The trick is to go for thicker stripes, because they're easier to paint on than delicate thin lines. To get this look, paint your nails in a bright pink shade like Ciate in Cupcake Queen, £12. Let this dry for five minutes, and then using a bright yellow like Ciate in Big Yellow Taxi, draw a slightly off-center vertical line down each nail. Let this dry and finish with a clear topcoat.  

Pastel Rainbow 

This pastel mixed-color mani requires absolutely zero nail art skills, but it still has a trendy, beachy vibe. You can use any five pastel shades of your choice -- one for each nail. Essie, £8 each, has some gorgeous pastel options like Mint Candy Apple, French Affair, Coat Azure, Tart Deco, and Pop Art Pink. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Grey Half Moons  

The half moon style is essentially an opposite French manicure. Instead of the tips, you are highlighting just above your cuticles, creating a half moon. First paint your nails in a neutral shade. A soft gray like Essie in Chinchilly, £8, works nicely. Let this dry completely.

Next, paint over your nails in a bright shade like Butter LONDON in Primrose Hill Picnic, £12. But do not paint your nails entirely. Instead, leave a gray crescent shape just above your cuticles. For more precision, you can use a thin paintbrush to create the half moon shape. Finish with a clear topcoat. 

 

 

 

Enjoy these amazing nail art ideas...

 

Sunshine and happiness...

 

Zoya Nail Polish

So it is seriously cold out there!  Even though the snow is beautiful, it makes me firmly want to look at the future summer time or even makes me want to book a holiday in the sun.  So it comes at NO surprise that I've been looking at summer time nail polishes!

I'm a huge fan of Zoya polishes after receiving one of their polishes in my Boudoir Prive Box (now converted to JolieBox). 

The particular collection I'm referring to today comes from the Zoya Gems and Jewels Collection for Holiday 2011.  The Zoya colours are so beautifully created and really take your breathe away with the huge selection of colours to choose from.  It really does remind you of tropical beaches and warm sunny climbes. 

Some of the beautiful selection of colours in the range.

It fills me with excitement when I buy my nail polishes for holiday, because I know that my fingers and tootsies are going to look awesome in the sand!  Of course you can't beat cute neon colours either!

I'll be reviewing two of those beautiful colours out of the Zoya Gems and Jewels Collection for Holiday 2011 called Izzy and Kissy.  (How cute are those names?)

Izzy on the left and Kissy on the right.

Zoya's Kissy

Kissy is a pink glitter with holographic bar glitter suspended in the jelly.  The nail varnish on it's own becomes opaque with approximately three coats but can look gritty.  Above, I've set down one coat of Zoya's Izzy and then painted over two coats of Kissy and I find this gives the most beautiful coverage. 

Zoya's Izzy

Izzy is a bright super saturated pink with hints of silver for an almost foil-like finish.  The formula is perfect and opaque in two coats.  A top coat is definitely needed for a shiny finish.  I love this colour myself!

Which is your favourite?  Would you combine the two?

Bisous

Angie xxx

PS.  I'm currently working on my first YouTube video so I ask for your patience on the matter.  I'm also in the research and development stages of creating my own lipbalms, moisturizers and other bits and bobs.  Keep your eyes peeled :)

Boudoir Prive - September Box Review

It was with much ooming and aahing that I decided to do this review.  I wasn't sure if anyone would enjoy another review, but I decided that I would wait for a while and do the review during the time that I've actually tried a few of the products. 

The box looked as delightful as ever, but this time around there was no personal note from Therèsè.  It was not the end of the world though.  The box was also very late, this was due to one of the American brands (I think Zoya perhaps) sending their samples in a slight bit late.  This had a lot of BP customers up in arms, however I haven't had any problems with it.  The box was definitely worth the wait.

The beautiful soft pink 'flip-top' box

The catchy black and pink packaging, with the small holographic mirror sticker to seal the packaging.

The contents of this months box.

Before I discuss the samples inside the box, I'd like to mention that a lot of BP customers also complained about the sizes of the samples.  Personally, I thought that this was a shame and that they were missing the whole concept of the BP box.  They specifically mention that the samples are for the benefit of trying each item and finding out if it suits you and trying something different/new.  I think the samples are perhaps small but very adequate to try and experiment with.

So on to the contents: 

Agent Provocateur - L'Agent Parfum sample

Inside view of the Agent Provocateur sample

The first item out of the box, was the Agent Provocateur L'Agent Eau De Parfum.  The sample size is 1.5ml and has a floral oriental theme.  I was pleasantly surprised to receive this sample, because I have always wanted to try the Agent Provocateur perfumes, but never really had the guts to stray from my other perfumes. 

What they say:   "This seductive scent will turn you into the centre of attention and will make you feel sexy, mysterious and captivating.  A new, classic scent for ladies by Agent Provocateur."

Exotic Top Notes:  Davana Oil, Baies Rose, Ylang Ylang
Magnetic Heart:  Geranium Bourbon, Rose De Mai, Jasmin Sambac
Somber Base:  Patchouli, Sandalwood, Amber Crystals

Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment (10ml)

The Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment doesn't look like the most exciting little sample, but it has an amazing fragrance. It is suitable to all hair types and smooths, defrizzes and repairs damage to hair. I've tried this on my husbands hair, because he seems to be suffering from really dry scalp at the moment.  The oil has a very thick consistency, and was really easy to apply.  The only problem with the product is the fact that it does not mention how long to keep it on.  However, my husbands scalp was instantly hydrated and will hopefully stay that way!  I'll definitely invest in this particular product, even if it is just for the yummy smell ^_^

Cargo Boogie Nights Eye Pencil (0.82g) in 01 Silver

Sample of the colour against skin.

This product in the box was also a very exciting little surprise.  The eye pencil is a very shimmery silver with a slight glitter contained in the soft, maleable pencil.  It is very easy to apply and the colour pay-off is great and can be worn during the night or day.  I have never heard of the 'Cargo' brand beforehand, but it seems that they have some exciting products in their range.  The best products in their range is the HD makeup, which basically helps makeup artists to allow celebrities to look extra great even if the camera shoots them in high definition. 

Face on look at Colbert M.D. Nourish Eye Cream

Side on look at Colbert M.D. Nourish Eye Cream

This sample is fairly self explanatory, it is a lovely little nourishing eye cream from Colbert M.D.  I'm not sure of the sample size as there is no references to it anywhere on the packaging.  The cream needs to be applied to the eye area (under and around the eye) during the morning and evening.  It retails at an eye-watering £90.00 per 15ml.

They say:   "Colbert M.D, the skincare used daily by HRH Kate Middleton and Sienna Miller, brings you a new impressive Eye Cream which rehydrates the skin around the eyes and reduces puffiness and dark circles."

I've used this product a few times now and have noticed that it is definitely very hydrating.  As to the dark circles and puffiness situation, I'm not too sure.  I'll keep you all up to date as I keep using the eye cream

Tropic Body Smooth Refreshing Polish

This body smoothing polish is best tried on the hands according to our little leaflet.  This is probably due to the small amount that has been supplied.  There is no reference to size of sample and the product sells for £19.95 per 200ml.  It has a really zesty citrus smell and is the one product that I have not yet given a go.  I'll keep you updated on it.

They say:  "We love this 100% natural Body Smooth from Tropic Skincare, founded by the Apprentice's Susan Ma.  Enriched with nourishing Sea Minerals, Jojoba and Macadamia oil, it smoothes and hydrates skin wonderfully."

Zoya Nail Polish in colour Marina (ZP571)

Beautifully pearlescent colour in a silver-blue colour

7.5ml bottle size

The new Autumn Zoya Range

Colour chart of the new Zoya Autumn Range called 'Smoke & Mirrors'

From Left to Right:  Jana (taupe), Petra (Dark Grey), Codie (Black-brown) - Matt colours

From Left to Right:  Anja (Plum), Cynthia (Dark Blue), Dree (Khaki) - Matt colours

From Left to Right:  Nimue (Soft Purple), Marina (Grey-blue), Tao (Grey) - Colours with slight shimmer

From Left to Right:  Yara (Khaki), Neeka (Darker Purple), Jem (Bright Purple) - Colours with lots of glitter

This was the one product I was anticipating and was most excited about.  Zoya has a wonderful reputation for being the longest wearing natural nail polish on the market.  What makes it natural?  It is free of formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and camphor.  Jokingly they mention it is a vegan friendly formulation.  This is actually the biggest reason for my excitement and a reason why I would invest in further nail polishes from their ranges.  For the best results, apply a base coat and up to two layers of lacquer before finishing with a top coat.  The polish is very long lasting and smells very neutral, which is always a bonus! 

Mai Couture Blot & Bronze paper.

The shimmery blotting paper with a little note from Mai.

As an extra little bonus, Boudoir Prive treated their customers to Mai Couture's Blot & Bronze Paper.  The paper is said to eliminate excess oil without disturbing your makeup.  The pigmented paper deposits a hint of golden color to even out skin tone while the refined shimmer gives the skin a radiant glow.  This is said to give you a oil-free sun-kissed complexion.  Again it is wonderful that the paper is paraben and talc free! 

I'm excited to try the products that I haven't had a chance to experiment with yet and those that I've already tried!  But overall, I'm absolutely delighted with this months box.  If you haven't tried a box from Boudoir Prive, it is highly recommended! 

What do you think of these products?  Let me know ;)