Happy Halloween My Lovely Ghoulies

Hope everyone has a great night whether you are out at a Halloween party or staying home and watching a scary film.  We are trying to decide which Korean horror film to watch :)

 

Polishes used:

Illamasqua Boosh, Illamasqua Scorch & Julep Molly

My Homage to Yayoi Kasuma: Polka Dot Nail Art

Who doesn't love polka dots right?

Ms. Kasuma's polka dots have infiltrated the fashion world with her recent collaboration with Louis Vuitton.  We are inundated with polka dots.  I really admire her and I want to live in this amazing, intricate, colorful, and dynamic world.  

Here is my homage to the princess of polka dots!

Polishes used:

Base: Illamasqua Scorch

Red dots: Julep Molly

Now only if I was talented enough to do some of her other designs :)

Julep Essential Cuticle Oil Review

A couple of month's ago, an American friend sent me this Julep cuticle oil and boy did I really need it.  My cuticles are absolutely horrible these days.  My day job has me using my hands quite a bit, and I'm constantly washing them and forgetting to put hand cream on.  This cuticle oil is a god sent!

I'm going to show you what my cuticles looks like pre Julep and post Julep, and you will see the HUGE difference.

PRE JULEP CUTICLE OIL

POST JULEP CUTICLE OIL

The proof is in the photos.  This is an amazing cuticle oil and it sucks that I can't get it here in the UK, because it's just that awesome.  Plus it is a roller ball, so it's so convenient to have in your handbag and use anytime you want.

Julep Nail Polish in Molly

My lovely friend sent this to me recently, and I couldn't wait to put it on.  My outfit was calling for a bright apple red jelly nail polish, and this one fit the bill.

This polish really brightened up an otherwise very gloomy day.  Other than the awesome colour, the formula was superb on this polish.  It was a one coater, and the formula was very easy to apply.  No complaints here for sure, other than my horrible cuticles in this photo lol.

TUNE OF THE DAY

*******************

GZA - Liquid Swords

Julep Nail Polish in Gayle and Vanessa

A nice surprise package arrived to my doorstep all the way from America :).

Inside contained two polishes that I was not able to get here in the UK.  So I was really excited to open to package to see Julep's Gayle and Julep's Vanessa inside.

Julep is a small niche nail polish salon/nail polish brand based out of Seattle.I have been lucky to try a few polishes from Julep, and they are quality products.

However, Julep's Gayle is by far the best in terms of formula from this line.  It is a beautiful Hermes Raisin purple creme, and I know I'm going to sound bias for going on and on about this polish (I'll tell you why later on in the post), but it really is a one coat wonder and beautiful creme shiny finish. 

 

Vanessa is your quintessential glittery topcoat.  It consists of orange, blue, purple, gold, and silver micro glitters.  If you love multi-glitter topcoat, then this one will have you drooling.

The formula is not as good as Gayle as it is on the thicker side, but you get tons of glitter placement per stroke, so it's not that difficult to work with.

I placed it on my ring finger as an accent.

It goes very well with Gayle.

Julep's Vanessa over Gosh's Lavender Love

Don't you just love their tall, slender and streamlined bottles?

Now..onto why I am going to sound bias lol.
The polish Gayle is named after a woman that I have had the privilege to meet and come to know. So this lovely polish is just a small representation of how lovely my friend Gayle is.  She has taught me to be forgiving, self-less, and has taught me a lot about beauty (interior and external).  So I'm so happy that there is a polish named after her.  If you love rich purple cremes, then I urge you to go out and buy this polish - it's just that fabulous, and the woman behind it is just that fabulous too.  Trust me :)

September Favourites

This month has been an odd month. I have definitely been busy testing out new products, and haven't really had much repeat in my makeup routine; however, there are a few that I have grown to love, and a few products that I have fallen in love with again.

Here are my September Favourites:

 

Urban Decay's Naked Palette

This has been a cult favourite for a long long time, and rightfully so.  I've had this palette for over a year, and this month I have pulled it back out, and I'm in love with it.  Sure I'm not crazy about all the colours, but as a palette, it is a wonderful selection of neutral colours.  This can easily go from day-time to night-time and that is another great aspect of this palette.

The colours are on point for this season, and the texture is awesome beans!

Bourjois Healthy Mix in Shade 52

This is a new purchase this month, and I have raved about it in a previous review.  I love this foundation for it's lightness, great dewy coverage, and wonderful wonderful fresh scent!

It's been my go to foundation all month long.

Benefit lipstick in lady's choice Lana

This is just slightly pinker than my natural shade, so it works on my skin tone as that nude with a slight pink day time colour.  It is quite smooth and silky, and I really love it.

I've been pulling it out the most, and I'm so glad that I found a full size one, because I had the deluxe sample forever!

 

Julep's Nail Therapy

I recently got this in a raok package, and I love it!

This is going to sound weird, but it smells good!!! It's a nourishing base coat (I think), and not only does it dry instantly, but there is this lovely slightly sweet scent left over.   Since using this for roughly a week, my nails are not looking as dry as before :) 

Have I found my new favourite base coat?

Last but not least

Yes you will probably be tired of hearing me talk about it..

Chanel Illusions d'ombress in Illusoire

The creamy eye shadow is just AMAZING!!! Chanel - you guys did GOOD! real good!

The shimmer is so mature, exquisite, and just breathtaking.

I love this, and I need must somehow get every single colour. 

I am so happy this is not a limited edition product, because I need this in my life forever.

So these are my favourites,

What are yours this month???

Julep Nail Polish in Olivia

I got my first Julep polishes today from my awesome friend.  I tried Olivia first, because it's a colour that I normally wouldn't have purchased for myself.  I'm glad that I did however.  I was impressed with Julep's packaging. For some reason, I thought it was going to be much smaller than they were.  Also, I like the tall bottles over the typical nail polish bottle shape.  I had no issues with application, and I got a clean nice finish with 2 coats.

I don't own any colour in my collection like this, so this is staying. 

 

A brown creme is not what I would wear on it's own, so I had to bling it up a bit.

I applied Sephora by OPI Only Gold For Me on top.

 

Overall, I like this brand and their polishes.  I'm a bit upset for them that Zoya is suing them, but I guess in the world of business, there is nothing called being fair and playing nice.

I hope that Julep can survive this, and continue to make their nail polishes.

On another note, I found out that a friend from a forum has a polish coming out in her namesake from Julep. How cool is that!!! I need to somehow get that one, just because she's awesome.

Sorry this is a short post, I didn't realise the time, and I'm ready to pass out, and Oscar says goodnight too  xx

Monday Morning Surprise

I'm a bit speechless. Yes, I know that doesn't help when I'm suppose to be writing, but this package has left me speechless, because it really was unexpected.  

What a wonderful Monday morning surprise it was indeed. So since I'm just in shock, I'm going to post pictures lol!

 

From Left to Right:

OPI - Black Cherry Chutney

Orly - Wandering Vine (my answer to not having Illamasqua's Rampage)

Zoya - Indigo

Butter London - Henley Regetta

   

Zoya Indigo swatch & the part of the Julep bottle that I actually like.

That's right, I said Julep!

My friend had mercy on the fact that I can't get Julep here in the UK, and was nice enough to send me a Julep Maven box!!

 

From Left to Right:

Julep Hand scrub

Olivia

Miranda

Nail Prep

SWATCHES

 

Thumb: OPI Black Cherry Chutney

Index: Orly Wandering Vine

Middle:  Julep Miranda

Ring:  Julep Olivia

Pinky: Henley Regetta

 

I actually tried this scrub as soon as I got it.  The apricot inside the scrub really helps with the exfoliating process.  It also left my hands feeling very smooth afterwards.  I think this is quite luxurious, but necessary.  I also tried the lotion sample, and unfortunately nothing stuck out to me, but it did keep my arms moisturized all day long (I used it both on my hands and arms). 

I'm a very scent oriented person, so I was disappointed that the scrub didn't have a scent to it, but that's a good thing for those who are sensitive to scents.  I wish it smelled like apricots, but it doesn't really matter, since the actual scrub is quite good!

 Now .....

You

Just

Won't

Believe

What

I

Got

Today! 

You READY?????

  

Stripping it off slowly....

 

Behold!!!

The Hayden Harnett Ramone Two Tone Bracelet!!!!!!!

AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

 Can you tell I'm excited?!?!?!

This is so on point with what I would buy for myself!

The construction is sturdy.  The whole entire bracelet is just fierce!

Absolutely adore this, and I adore my friend who sent this to me today !!

Huge Hugs Hun!!!

I will be posting up a review and swatches of Julep's Olivia shortly.

So watch this space!!

Julep Maven Program

I literally just learned about this only a few weeks ago, and I can't believe I haven't shared this amazing program with you all.  

Julep is a niche nail polish company in the states that developed this monthly nail polish subscription box called the Julep Maven Program.  Basically every month you pay $19.99 and you get a sneak peek box of nail polishes and other products (worth over $40) that are customised to you based on the style quiz that you take.  
You also get 20% off purchases as well.

You can go to this link, to watch the video and take the quiz to get started.

I have heard such great things about their polishes and customer service, so I feel confident in telling you all about this program.

Also upon signing up to the website, you will get a 50% off your first Julep Maven Box voucher code.  I have seen many reveals on the sneak peek box, and the value is much more than what you pay, and the colours all seem very trendy and beautiful!

So check them out at http://www.julep.com/maven.htm