My Favourite Nail Polishes

This is a post that I've been meaning to do forever and I finally got around to doing it! I was going to pick ten, but I couldn't quite narrow it down. If watching 5 minutes of me rambling about nail polish is your thing then make sure you take a look at my video below. Otherwise, scroll on down for swatches. I've also listed some potential dupes for the higher end polishes. 

OPI Tickle My Francey

This is my absolute favourite nude. It has enough purple and pink in it so it doesn't wash me out. 

Orly Rage

This is a gorgeous metallic colour. It's described as rose gold but I see it as silver with a lot of copper shimmer. It goes with everything and really stands out for a glamorous mani.

Chanel Particuliere

This polish is nothing special in the bottle but once you apply it to your nails it really shines. It's the perfect taupe shade, perfect for everyday. This one is part of the permanent collection.

Potential dupes: OPI Over The Taupe, Essie Mink Muffs.

Chanel Quarts

This polish came out in the Fall 2011 collection but you can still buy it at counters. Quartz is the perfect shimmery taupe shade (like a shimmery version of Particuliere), it has a bunch of different coloured shimmers. This is another neutral polish which is something a little different. 

Potential dupe: Illamasqua Bacterium.

Hello Darling Let Them Eat Cake. 

I have spoken about this quite a lot on the blog, so if you want to read more then head over to my review (here). 

OPI Lucky Lavender

This is a super pretty pinky purple, a super sweet polish.

Chanel Nouvelle Vague

This one is from the 2010 Summer collection. My number 1 all time favourite polish, but sadly it's no longer available (unless you feel like spending $100 on a nail polish, eBay can help you out with that). However, China Glaze's For Audrey is a great dupe. However, Nouvelle Vague has a tiny amount of shimmer running through it which For Audrey lacks. In the swatch I have Nouvelle Vague on my index and middle finger, For Audrey on my ring and pinkie.

Potential dupe: China Glaze For Audrey.

Chanel Orange Fizz

This was one of the very first Chanel polishes I ever purchased and I still love it. This one is from the permanent collection. This coral colour is easily dupeable though, as most companies have a similar coral shade.

Potential dupes: Essie Carousel Coral, Sally Hansen Apricot, Essence What Do U Think, Rimmel Apricot Punch. 

Mecca Cosmetica Audrey

This polish is so so so so so gorgeous. If you want to hear me rave about it some more, see my review here.

Mecca Cosmetica Bodacia/Rimmel Pro Trend Spotting
I think that a deep red or purple like this is a staple in any collection. Here I have Trend Spotting on my index and middle finger and Bodacia on my ring and pinkie.

Revlon Royal

I hate to mention this polish because it's troublesome. I absolutely love the colour, but the formula is pretty terrible. I can only get a day or two out of this before it chips like crazy. Here is my review

Chanel Black Pearl 

This is a deep blackened green with subtle shimmer. This was originally in the Spring 2011 collection but you can still get it. Super gorgeous and L'Oreal has a really great dupe, Luxembourg Garden. 

Chanel Peridot 
Peridot is another polish from the Fall 2011 collection. I actually purchased the third one also, Graphite, but it wasn't for me so I no longer have it. This is a super unique shade, but lucky for you, OPI has a dupe: Just Spotted The Lizard. This polish is amazing, it has a bunch of different colours in and changes depending on the lighting.

There you have it, here are my all time favourite polishes. If you've tried any of these I'd love to hear your opinions or if you have any potential dupes please let me know!

Original & Mineral The Power Base

Last year, I reviewed a bunch of Original & Mineral products that I tried out in a set (see here). I'm still working my way through my ridiculous stash of shampoos and conditioners so I'm still waiting to purchase those but I did need a treatment. I picked up the Original & Mineral The Power Base Protein Treatment awhile back when Adore Beauty were having a sale and I wanted to do a more in depth review of it.   

The Power Base is a protein treatment for damaged hair which I use once or twice a week. Firstly, this treatment smells amaazing. Like milky caramel and coconut. The smell doesn't linger long after washing, but every now and then I catch it on my hair. I apply this to my hair and leave it on for as long as possible (up to 5 minutes). When I rinse it out my hair feels strong and moisturised. It is important to note that the packaging advises to condition your hair after using this treatment. My hair doesn't really need conditioner after using this treatment but I still apply it to make my hair feel extra silky. 

My only fault with this product is the packaging. I love the way it looks but it just doesn't work for me. Even though I store this upside down, it is impossibly hard to squeeze it out. The packaging is just too hard and the opening too small. For once, I wish this came in a pot as that would make it easier to access! 

This is a really nice treatment which smells amazing and leaves my hair feeling soft and strong. However, I don't know if I'm going to repurchase it because it's a bit pricey. You can get this treatment from Adore Beauty for $31.95.

Shopping My Stash, Part 1: Blush Bag

I've recently started putting together a series of makeup inventory posts. I did this about a year ago and I find it's a really good way to see exactly what I own. While going through and taking pictures I'm always reminded of products that I never reach for and there are many products in my collection that don't even suit me. While doing my inventory I'm making an effort to go through my collection and figure out what products I should let go of and also rediscover some favourites. Over the past week or so I started off with my blushes, highlighters and bronzers. I took everything out of the drawers that I keep them in and into a big bag. My strategy is to pull out a blush, highlighter and bronzer, use them for two days and decide if I want to keep them or not. Obviously most of my products will make it back into my drawers, but I've found it's a really good way of weeding out products which don't work for me. So far, I've eliminated one product, and rekindled my love for many others. I eventually plan on doing this for all of my products, but I am just starting off with a few categories at the moment.

If you are doing something similar or have any tips for editing your collection I'd love to hear them. 

Thoughts of the week

1. I started reading The Great Gatsby this week, for the first time! I haven't had much of a chance to get into it but I am excited. 

2. I've rekindled my love for my Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation. Light coverage with a gorgeous, dewy finish. 

3. How have you guys been going with your Gold Star Challenge? I've managed 12 stars so far.

4. Some people have been asking me what my favourite workout clothes are. Most of them are from Cotton On Body's Active range. I really like their sports bras and I love the Reflecto Capri pants because they are super comfy and come up a bit higher than others (just under my belly button). They also don't fall down and they have a little pocket on the back. I also have a few items from Lorna Jane which are really nice, but I don't think they're worth the price. Most of my t-shirts and tanks are from Country Road and Bonds. I also love this tank from Cotton On Body and I bought this jacket from Target this week.

5. I've been waking up at 6 AM to do a morning workout and while it's freezing, it's lovely. It is so nice and quiet and it gives me a great start to my day.

6. Playlist of dancing songs featuring: Beyonce, Justin, Beyonce, Eve, Glee, Britney, PSY, Beyonce and Beyonce. New mission: learn the Single Ladies dance off by heart.

7. I am seriously considering embarking on another Project Pan. Decisions, decisions.

8. I need this jacket.

9. I've been LOVING all the rain we've had lately.

10. You NEED to go to this website and type in your twitter handle. Trust me.

Finally, some recommended weekend viewing from me:
- I just discovered leighannsays and she's hilarious. Case in point.
- I really enjoyed doing this Great Gatsby inspired dance workout (practice here, dance here)
- EMPTIES. MORE. More. More. More. and more. Can you tell I'm having an empties moment? (P.S. here's my most recent one if you didn't see it)
- Some videos reminding us that we don't need to buy any more makeup: one and two.

If you guys have any favourite people who talk books on YT please share!

Getting Fancy

I've been pleasantly surprised by how good Jessica Simpson's perfumes are. I happened across a sample of Fancy Love and ended up purchasing both that and the original, Fancy. I purchased this one on a whim after giving it a sniff at Priceline when it was on mega sale but I have been super impressed with it. To start with, the bottle is super sweet and I love the rose gold finishings. I can definitely see this becoming my go-to winter fragrance. If I had to describe this scent in one word: cosy. We all know that I am absolutely rubbish at describing scents but it is absolutely perfect for chilly winter mornings to make you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. Without being all poetic, it's sweet and soft. To me, it smells like caramel and vanilla and flowers. 

To people who actually know about perfume (Fragrantica) top notes are pear, apricot & berries, middle notes are gardenia, jasmine, almond & caramel and base notes are sandalwood, vanilla & amber.

If this sounds like your cup of tea, go give it a sniff at Priceline. You can frequently pick it up on sale for about $30.