Subscriptions are the future! For me, a stereotypical millennial, it all started with Netflix and now I’m at the point where my razor blades are delivered through my postbox on a regular basis.
I think subscription boxes are so popular thanks to their Treat Yo’ Self factor and the simple truth that everyone loves surprise mail! There are subscriptions for everything these days and one that might be too tasty for any nail addict to turn down is one to a monthly box of nail goodies.
OPI Nail Envy Samoan Sand: 3 Coats with Top Coat
OPI have recently introduced 4 new additions to their popular Nail Envy Nail Strengthener range. Original Nail Envy is my holy grail base coat so, naturally, I got pretty excited about this!
Once Upon A Time is the debut collection from Il Etait Un Vernis, the indie brand launched by two fabulous french nail bloggers – Vernis en Folie and De tout et de Rien. The brand launched in late 2014 and has gone from strength to strength with 2 further colour collections and a nail care range added to the roster since. What really draws me to this brand is the fascinating finishes and ‘something for everyone’ approach to each collection.
Every polish from Il Etait Un Vernis is 5-free and vegan. Designed in France and manufactured in Australia, I can safely say this is one of the most stunning collections I’ve ever seen. All 5 of these shades took my breath away when I first laid eyes on them. There are 4 scattered holographic polishes plus a sparkling gold (also holographic) glitter. The holos all have a jelly-like consistency which makes them incredibly glossy and smooth to apply while the glitter is dense enough to provide full coverage or perfect worn over another shade as a topper. Let’s take a closer look…
– 3 Coats + Top Coat
Let’s dive straight in with the show-stopper! Beyond Words is a devastatingly gorgeous fuchsia shade packed with holographic particles and bright pink flecks. The super-shine is strong with this one but I always add a top coat for durability. Straight up my favourite pink in a long time and my pick from the collection.
– 3 Coats + Top Coat
If you’re looking for a royal blue with a twist, look no further than Crush on Blue. Smooth application in 3 coats.
– 3 Coats + Top Coat
Light Box has a slightly thicker formula than the others but it was smooth enough to apply without any issues. There’s something very luxurious about a black holographic and the blue flecks are a genius touch.
– 3 Thin Coats Over Bare Nails + Top Coat
With three coats of Live, Love, Laugh on my naked nails, there are still a few spots where you can see through but only if you look very closely. With all that light bouncing around, the naked spots are invisible to the naked eye and it looks just like you dipped your nails in glitter!
– 3 Coats + Top Coat
No Comment is a very summery shade and one of those in-between shades that’s hard to describe so I’ll just let the pictures do most of the talking. I wouldn’t quite class this as a coral but perhaps a bright red with orange tendencies!
Once Upon a Time is available for a limited time from Il Etait Un Vernis Shop (in France) and their International Stockists (for everywhere else in the world). RRP €12.90 (~$14.25 / £9.50).
So you might have heard of this novel turned movie phenomenon, Fifty Shades of Grey? Even if you’re not a fan of E.L. James’ work, OPI have released a collection of shades for all the lacquer lovers out there to mark the release of the movie. I was very excited for this collection as I do love dark tones and I think grey is such a classy colour to mix in to any look. While I wasn’t blown away by the polishes here, one does stand out for me. Read on for my swatches and thoughts on the collection.
Shop UK: Boots / Amazon
Shop US: Ulta / Amazon
Nothing I can say about OPI Nail Envy will ever do this bottle of miracle juice real justice. I’ve never used another base coat because I’ve never had the need to stray.
My first bottle came my way in a giveaway package I was lucky enough to win back in 2010 and I was quickly hooked. Within 2 weeks, my soft, breakage-prone nails were noticeably stronger and growing at triple speed. Before this eye-opener, I had never understood the need to invest in a base coat – probably because all the cheaper versions I’d tried up to then had never improved the condition of my nails. Turns out that it is in fact a very sound investment and one I’ve made time and again since that fateful encounter all those years ago.
The classic red is a staple of any lacquer addict’s collection and I’ve never looked further than Rimmel for a pocket friendly red polish that wears for days. I first struck gold with Heart on Fire but the Lycra Pro range has since been phased out (or more likely rebranded as Salon Pro) and I had to find an alternative. Of course, the first place I looked was the Rimmel stand and I found Rock N Roll, a very worthy replacement. More recently, I also got my hands on Mars and Raw as Night from the Rita Ora 60 Seconds line. So, how do they stack up against each other…
