New Nails #21

And that's it; that's my joviality for the day over and done with.

It's not that I'm against Valentine's Day entirely; what girl doesn't love to receive flowers!? But I don't see the point in it, and I hate Valentine's Day cards! Usually I love buying greetings cards for people, but the 'boyfriend' cards are always sooo girly with flowers and teddy bears on, and the mush written inside them... who speaks like that!!?? I long for the year I stumble across a simple red card with the words 'Happy Valentines Day' on the front and 'I Love You' inside.

So, as you've probably gathered, there'll be no big romantic night for me and the boyf. We'll watch a movie (Looper; no mushy stuff) and order a take-away (an Indian; a slight upgrade from the KFC we used to have a few years ago!) and eat heart shaped chocolate lollies (thanks mum!).

All that being said here's my Valentine's Day nails; hehe....

I used Models Own Red Alert; Snow White; 3-in-1 Top Coat, Base Coat and Gloss; and a toothpick. 

And this tutorial for the hearts

February Glossy Box

 

Micabella Cosmetics - Mineral Blush Powder
Mirabella's collection is made of 100% natural mica, a crystal-like mineral. The Mineral Blush Powder offers a beautiful hint of colour and natural glitter that can be applied to the cheeks and temples for a healthy translucent glow. With excellent coverage, SPF15 protection and that ultimate staple of youth: a healthy natural blush.
RRP: £34.95 / 9g

Voulez-Vous - Warming Body Oil
Rich in natural ingredients, this warming body oil can be applied on any part of the body. Formulated in various aromas, each giving a specific effect. The skin gets smoother, the muscles relax, time passes.... the atmosphere electrifies!
RRP: £20 for set of 6

MeMeMe Cosmetics - FatCat Lengthening Mascara
Create lashes full of volume and alluring depth with MeMeMe's best-selling FatCat formula. The whiskered brush provides purrrfect eye catching results every time, making this an absolute must-have for Valentine's Day!
RRP: £7.00 / 8ml

Helen E Cosmetics - Moisturising Lipstick
If you love your lipstick, you'll fall in love with Helen E's creamy, moisturising range of natural and vibrant colours. Use alone of with a Helen E lip pencil to shape and define your lips, creating that perfect sultry Valentine's look.
RRP: £8.00 / 3.5g

Narciso Rodriguez - for her l'eau
A cult product among beauty insiders and particularly popular with Brides. Narciso Rodriguez For Her gets a sexy, edgy update. This version of the classic, feminine fragrance is launching nation-wide this month. A modern and sensual fragrance, for her l'eau forgoes the traditional citrus and blends a symphony of floral top notes with a 'heart of musk', making it the perfect sultry scent for Valentine's Day.
RRP: £23.00 / 30ml; £46.00 / 50ml; £66.00 / 100ml

Models Own - Heart Shaped Lollypop

Venice Catch-Up

I've just realised, whilst having a read back through my blog (sometimes I forget it's even me!), that I never shared any of my Venice photos. I went back in November for my birthday; I'm trying to make 'going away for a few days for my birthday' a yearly occurrence, the boyf never knows what to get me as a gift so this is ideal. Last year we went to Rome, the year before that Paris...

I'd asked for a new camera for Christmas, and Father Christmas was *ever* so kind to loan me the camera to go to Venice; on the condition I sent it straight back to him (via Mother, of course) as soon as I got back!

Canon PowerShot SX40 HS

We had so much fun in Venice; we drank too much Prosecco; ate too many pizzas; and walked I don't know how many miles in, on two days, freezing fog - but I would go back tomorrow if I could. It is a, scenically, amazing place to visit. Couldn't recommend it enough.

Anyway, on with a small snippet of some of my favourite pictures; I took over 800 photos! Trust me when I say this is a snippet! Enjoy!

There's No Business Like Snow Business

As with, probably, everyone else in the country, I've had a snow filled weekend this weekend. It started Friday when we were sent home from work; too snowy to stay in work in town, but not too snowy to go to the boyf's up the mountain, hehe! Probably should have stayed in work; but I didn't want to miss out on all the fun!

Here's a few pics from my weekend...

Review - milk_shake Conditioning Whipped Cream

milk_shake Conditioning Whipped Cream

With a mouth-watering fragrance of freshly whipped cream, it's unlike any haircare product we've ever tried. This gorgeous leave-in conditioning foam with milk, wheat germ and casein proteins will treat, protect and strengthen your hair for smoothness and shine.

RRP: £14.79 - 200ml

I received this in my December Glossy Box and, to be honest, when I first opened the box I was so impressed and overwhelmed with the rest of the box that this got completely over looked. It wasn't until I was actually writing up the Review that I read more into it and, decided, on the spot, that this product was exactly what I was missing in my life!

I've never really used a separate conditioner before; I've either used a combination shampoo/conditioner or just not bothered; and actually, I've never really seen any effects from using a conditioner. But this!? This seemed perfect.

Let's start with my hair routine: I wash my hair, wrap it up in a towel, then sit in bed watching the television pretty much forgetting about it! Then about an hour later I drag myself out of bed and start to make an effort by brushing and drying it - I know, lazy right!? But, ideal for the usage of this conditioner. I can brush this through just before drying without the need to re-wash my hair!

This conditioner leaves my hair feeling and looking soft and shiny; without drying it out or making it greasy in the slightest.

The smell is * divine * it definitely lives up to it's 'Whipped Cream' name, and smells exactly like vanilla cream; yummm! And when I've used my Lush Snow Fairy Hair & Body Wash (only the Shower Gel is available at the moment) as a shampoo I smell like a walking patisserie; in other words, awesome! When I pull my hair out of a top-knot the smell that wafts around the room is like heaven; and I've had so many compliments on it!

All in all; my dream product! Thank you Glossy Box!

January Glossy Box

Eco-Boutique - Body Lotion with Aloe Leaf and Green Tea
With a soothing and delicate scent of mimosa and invigorating ingredients of organic green tea and natural aloe leaf, this body lotion is the idea way to gently detox your skin after the long winter months. Packaged in a bottle made from 97% recycled materials, this product is free from parabens, SLS, SLES, paraffin oil, artificial colours and silicones.
RRP: Only available as part of a 6 piece gift set priced at £8.50 / 50ml

Monu - Micro Exfolioant
This powerful dual-action microdermabrasion delivers instant radiant skin, refining the skin's texture, reducing the appearance of pores and fine lines. This instant pick-me up with papaya enzymes and Shea butter provides an immediate healthy 'new skin' effect.
RRP: £14.50 / 100ml

Murad - HydroDynamic™UltimateMoistureForEyes
First the bad news: the skin around your eyes does not produce its own oil to moisture and hydrate. This means it's one of the first areas to show signs of dehydration, ageing and an unhealthy lifestyle. Even worse: long-term, dry under-eye skin leads to wrinkles, dark circles and bags. The good news is: a good under eye-cream will give you that fresh look to go with your fresh start to 2013. Even better: Murad's hydrating cream infuses the delicate eye area with moisture for up to eight hours, giving both immediate and long term relief from dry skin.
RRP: £57.00 / 15ml

Sanctuary Spa - Active Reverse Thermal Transformation Mask
This mask is soothing to use and its results are instantly visible. It has 'detox' written all over it. If you are looking to dramatically improve the appearance of your skin without cosmetic injections, this intensely warming two-step mask is for you. While results are instant, it is after four weeks of use that it visibly firms and refines to reveal smoother, glowing, more even skin and minimised fine lines and wrinkles.
RRP: £27.50 / Step 1 - 50ml; Step 2 - 75ml

BM Beauty - Dewy Perfection Finishing Powder
The brain child of Kimberly Wyatt and celebrity make-up artist Laura McComiskie, BM Beauty is dedicated to creating light-weight, skin-friendly make-up made naturally from anti-inflammatory zinc oxide and other natural minerals, while being cruelty, paraben, synthetic dyes, and fragrance free. A translucent powder with a 100% natural mineral formula, this Dewy Perfection Finishing Powder does what it says on the tin. A true multi-tasker, you can use this on its own to create a dewy finish, under foundation to diminish fine lines and blemish, over foundation for an airbrushed finish, that keeps your base in place all day, or even as a highlighter on cheek and brow bones.
RRP: £8.00 / 4g

Glossy Box - Glossy Dreams Sleep Mask

Post Christmas Shopping

I've not done a 'what I've bought' post in a while; in fact, I've not bought anything in a while apart from Christmas presents. Even when the River Island online sale came around (side note: I live for the River Island online sale) I struggled to find anything I wanted. I actually hate sales though; and never go anywhere near the shop for a good few weeks after the main event; usually just as they're moving all the sale items out!

Anyway, yesterday; after deciding enough time had lapsed and hoping the crowds and displays were a bit more organised; I ventured to Topshop and River Island,and came away with some right beauties from the jewellery sales.

p.s. check out my little beauty; isn't she amazing!