Nail design :)

I've been really in to painting my nails over the past year or so.... it's gotten to the point where I can't have my nails bare otherwise it just feels and looks weird to me....  :D


Thought I'd try doing a little polka dot design, and it's worked out well I think! 


- I used No7 Stay Perfect in 'Totally Teal 330'
for the main colour. The stay perfect range I usually find really annoying as they take ages to dry.... but if you put a thin enough coat on (not so thin so you can see through it...) then it dries pretty fast! It's a really dark teal colour, and I'm really in to dark burgundy, purple and navy's at the moment so I think this fits in quite well.


- To lighten the mood a bit I decided to go for some polka dots. I think it makes it look really fun and girly, but also like you've made an effort with your nails. Just something a bit different! I used Rimmel Lasting Finish in '045 Misty Jade' which is a pale mint colour which compliments the darkness of the Teal polish!


- The polka dots were relatively easy to do, you just have to have a steady hand..... you just get a small amount on the brush, and blob it on to the nail, being careful not to 'blob' too harshly or you'll get a flatter shape than a 'dot' (as you might be able to see on my pinky finger....)


- To finish off I used Barry M top-coat (basecoat, topcoat and nail hardener in one, great stuff!!) I used a top coat, not only because I usually use one to set my nail polish, but also because the polka dots are sort of raised from the nail, as they are 'blobs' of colour, so I wanted to make sure that they weren't going to chip off easily or anything! Plus it felt a bit rough to touch! 


Thanks for reading and hope you liked this little review/tutorial type thing! 
Lucy xx

Garnier bb cream review 13.10.2011

I've been using this for a few weeks now and I've got a pretty good idea of what it's like, and if it's any good. Even though I really want full coverage most of the time, I don't like plastering my face with heavy make up, so I reached for this to offer my skin a bit of a break from all the clogging that comes with some foundations. I have done a review of Clinique Moisture Surge tinted moisturiser previously, and I have to say I've not used it much at all, it's far too greasy for me, even though it claims to be oil free! You can have a read of this review <<here>>

What does Garnier BB Cream claim to do?
(taken from www.boots.com)

Garnier bb cream in 'light'

"It’s your latest beauty secret….. An all in one, super dooper, anytime, anywhere skincare solution for perfected skin.

Use it on its own, use it as a primer, when you get up, after the gym, a post-work touch up, pre-date beautifier… the list is endless.

Discover the 2 little letters that are driving beauty editors into a frenzy.…..B.B. has arrived!

Feel the sensation of the light texture that instantly melts into your skin

The formula with mineral pigments gives an instantly ‘perfect’ skin. The result? Sheer coverage; imperfections look blurred, lines softened. Your skin looks luminous, smoother and more even. See the B.B. difference

24hr hydration. Skin feels more supple, smoother, softer. Feel the B.B. difference

UV protection: SPF15 to help protect the skin.

Go B.B! In just one step, even, cover, hydrate, illuminate and help protect your skin."

Initial thoughts....

After using other tinted moisturisers, I was expecting this to be quite thin and easy to blend. However, this it much thicker and I found that I had to use more product than expected, which is a little disappointing as it's quite expensive for a 30ml tube (I got mine for £7.99 at Superdrug) The normal retail is £9.99 I think, and I've seen it more recently for £7 in Asda, so if you want to try it, it's worth looking around first for the best price!

Anyway.... as it's thicker, I do find that it's a much better coverage than I expected, at first I was trying to use it under foundation, but this results in a GREASE-FEST! Definitely not recommended. I have really quite bad skin, and bare skin for me means acne, redness, general paleness and just looking unwell really....(haha!) This stuff really is good enough to use on its own, with a touch of concealer and some powder to set it. ..

I showed my flatmate the result (prior to concealer and powder) and she said it definitely gives a glowing effect, which is great! I'm really loving this BB cream for everyday use, nipping to the shop, going shopping etc, but I still use heavier foundations for going to work and nights out etc, as I don't want a finish as natural as this. I really do think that this cream enhances the skin you already have, it just makes your skin appear better, basically just toning down any imperfections or redness. It's really great, and I can see this being great in the summer months when you're staying away from heavy foundation!

Oh I forgot to mention, I have this cream in 'Light' and it goes on a bit orangey (and scary looking!), but just blend it in and it looks really natural :)

Garnier bb cream in 'light'

Overall thoughts on Garnier BB Cream 

- really like it!

- a bit pricey but as it works for me, I can look past the price for something that works! 

If you've used this or are thinking of trying it and have anything to say about it then please feel free to leave a comment :) Lucy x