Simple Summer Nail Art

Nail art has never been a strong skill of mine, as, being left handed, I can create intricate designs on my right hand, but when it comes to replicating them on my left hand, the result looks like a toddler has been let loose with a felt tip marker. However, since buying the black Barry M Nail Art Pen a few months ago and getting the white one at the same time (buy 1 get 1 half price), I’ve used the black pen quite frequently, but I managed to lose the white version at the back of a draw. I really enjoyed using the black pen and created a leopard print glitter design (blog post here), so thought it was time I attempted a design with the white pen.

Because of my inability to create anything more adventurous than dots or dashes using my right hand, I tend to stick to very basic patterns with nail art pens, and what could be simpler than random short lines? Despite the extreme simplicity of this nail look, I think that the faint white lines look suitably summery over Essie’s Bikini So Teeny, a beautiful shimmery pastel blue shade.

I found the pen itself to be easy to use, and, despite the lines looking quite faint on my nails, if pressed harder, a more opaque line can easily be created. My only slight criticism with this nail art pen is that occasionally a lot comes out in a blob at the top of the nib, but this can be rectified by keeping a tissue nearby and dabbing this away before applying the nib to the nail. These nail art pens aren’t the cheapest at £4.99, but Barry M nail products are often on offer, so I'd recommend waiting for a 3 for 2 deal (a.k.a the classic beauty addict's justification for buying more makeup than they need).

What's your opinion on DIY nail art? What designs have you attempted?

Peach Cheeks

Having always gone for the same pink toned blushers, I felt it was high time to try a more peachy shade, so when I spotted this little number I had to add it to my basket. The blush in question is one of the Bourjois Little Round Pot Blushers in the shade ‘Healthy Mix'.

The colour of the blush is a warm peachy coral and I would describe the finish as satin, as it contains no shimmer or glitter, but gives a subtle glow to the skin. The finish and shade of the blush mean that it creates a really healthy look (as the name would suggest), because it looks very natural, but adds warmth to the complexion.

The blush itself has a floral, fresh scent which can be detected in the pan, but this doesn’t linger on the skin for long, which I consider to be a good thing. Although this isn’t the most pigmented of products, it gives a natural flush which will suit all skin tones, perhaps aside from very dark skins, as it may not show up too well without needing to pile on multiple layers.

I love the packaging of the Bourjois Pot Blushes, as the casing is the exact shade of the blush inside, and there is also a tiny mirror in the lid, which could be used in desperate mirror-less situations. Although the pot is quite small, Bourjois have managed to sneak a tiny applicator inside, but does anyone find any use for these teeny doll sized brushes?

Which peach toned blushes would you recommend?

Back to Basics

Recently, I have found myself reaching daily for my battered, or to put it nicely, ‘well loved’ Naked Palette. Although it may not be the shiny, pristine beauty it used to be, it remains a palette of complementary shadows, meaning that any makeup beginner can create a successful smokey eye or natural look by combining any of the 12 shades.

When the hype for this palette first emerged, I disregarded the concept as a gimmick, however, I quickly changed my opinion when I found that, rather than being simply a palette of ‘naked’ shadows, it actually contained a variety of rich and pigmented shades. The most attractive aspect of this palette to me is that a ‘barely there’ look can be created, but, due to the range of shades, so can a dramatic smoky eye, meaning that many looks can be created for your £37.

Since every blogger and their mum has reviewed one of the 3 ‘Naked’ offerings, I won’t bore you with a detailed description of each shade, but just put in my tuppence that I do rate them. Because of the quality and wearable nature of these shades, you’d have to try pretty hard to create a disastrous look when using these shadows!

The time that I am most thankful for the existence of this palette is holiday or travelling situations, as it really does contain all you could possibly need for your eye makeup (minus mascara). The shimmery shades are perfect all over lid, the darker shades can be used as eye liner with an angled brush, and the matte shades (‘Naked’ and ‘Buck’) can be used through the eyebrows. I will certainly be taking this palette along to T in the Park festival when I head there next week (but whether I fit in using it amidst the fun and festivities will be a different matter).

Which is your favourite eye shadow palette?