Nails // DND Shimmer Sky

Over the past few weeks, I've had bright pink nails, bright yellow nails, coral nails... With so many bright colours lately, I felt like going back to something a little more muted, and settled on Shimmer Sky by DND.

Nails // IBD Bedtime Aura

Knowing I had a couple of trips ahead, I was sensible and took a pale pink colour to my nail salon. While I was there, the staff started looking through their new deliveries and found this cute colour that was almost identical to the one I'd brought with me. They wanted to try it out and I liked the idea of being the first person to wear it, so I put my own bottle away and had this instead- Bedtime Aura by IBD.

Nails // Essie Go Ginza

After having bright pinks and corals for my last few sets of nails, I felt like going for something a little more understated this time. I had a few different colours in mind and couldn't decide which, so I just stuck my hand in the bag and went for the first one I pulled out- Essie Go Ginza. (Yes, I have a bag of nail varnishes. I need some sort of actual storage system but, for now, a big Boots carrier bag under my dressing table will do).

Go Ginza is the palest lilac shade which is almost white under some lights. I love this because it seems to be a different colour every few minutes- from lilac, to grey, to white- and each one is really pretty. This also makes it really versatile so I don't need to worry about my nails clashing with my outfit. To be honest, this is not something I ever worry about, but it's still nice when they work well together. As with most Essie nail varnishes, Go Ginza is opaque from the first coat, so there are no patchy or streaky bits, and it has a lovely glossy finish. 
I'm so glad I pulled Go Ginza out of the bag. The pale, delicate shade is beautiful and I can't stop staring at my nails!

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Nails // Topshop Pink Is The Colour

I often choose my nail colour with the weather in mind, so when it looked like we were going to have a nice, bright spring, I went for this gorgeous coral shade. Then the clouds and rain rolled in... At least it's nice to have colourful nails, even if the weather leaves a lot to be desired!

Nails // Essie Buy Me a Cameo

Because I'm very organised (hah!), I bought some nail wheels or whatever those things are called to catalogue all my nail varnishes. When I was flicking through trying to choose my next colour, my eyes fell upon Essie Buy Me a Cameo, which was a gorgeous metallic rose gold. Unfortunately, it didn't quite turn out that colour on my actual nails.

Nails // Essie Cascade Cool

Since Helen offered me some of her nail varnishes, I've had the perfect excuse to experiment. She's much more adventurous than me so I've ended up with lots of exciting glitters, as well as colours I don't tend to gravitate towards, such as greens and blues. I was fully planning to go well out of my comfort zone with an incredible purple glitter... and then I reverted to the pink. In my defence, I thought pink would be more appropriate for Valentine's Day and I fully intend to go for the glitter next time!

Nails // Illamasqua Vice

Nobody is prouder of my nail journey than Helen. When we first met way back in our early blogging days, my nails were bitten into practically non-existent stubs and I never even attempted to paint them because I was so terrible at it. Helen, on the other hand, always has impeccably neat nails. I know she's very impressed with the difference a few years has made! Recently, she told me that she was having a clear out and offered to let me rifle through her nail varnish reject pile. What I wasn't expecting was for her to hand me a carrier bag filled to the brim with bottles of the most beautiful colours to take home. I can't even tell you how happy it made me- I bought those little nail wheel things and catalogued every single one. When I next got my nails done, I couldn't wait to try one of my new shades, and settled on Illamasqua Vice- this deep purple/burgundy shade.

Christmas Nails // China Glaze Innocence

It's that time of year again, when I have my annual glittery nails. It's funny because my mum gets glittery, outlandish patterns all the time and I will only permit glitz in December. It's like I'm the mum and she's the daughter! This year, I wanted something subtle and delicate, so I went for pale pink nails and a little snowflake design.

Nails // OPI Berlin There Done That

I toyed with the idea of getting black glittery nails but after two consecutive dark nails- first OPI Cosmo with a Twist and then China Glaze Liquid Leather- I thought I'd lighten it up a bit and go for a grey. There's also the fact that I'm off to Sweden and I've packed lots of muted colours so I'd ideally like my nails to fit within that colour scheme. Surveying the racks of polish, this one caught my eye as it's not one I've seen before- OPI Berlin There Done That.

Halloween Nails // China Glaze Liquid Leather

Last year was my first Halloween with acrylics and I'd been planning for it all year. I knew exactly what I wanted! Then Laura and Matt decided to get married the day before Halloween so I was forced to go with nude nails instead. Selfish, I tell you! The good news is that this year, nobody's decided to get married and ruin the nail schedule so I finally got to fulfill my wishes!

Nails // OPI Cosmo with a Twist

What with the chillier days creeping in, I thought I'd really step out of my comfort zone and go for darker nails. Last time, I had a burgundy which I loved, especially as it's so fitting for this time of year, but I didn't want to have two reds in a row. Instead, I considered going for a deep purple. When I looked at the rows of polish, however, I was intrigued by this- OPI Cosmo with a Twist.

Nails // Bullish on OPI

It's pretty rare for me to steer away from my pastels-or-nudes nail colours so I decided to take a risk this time and go for a bright red. I've had burgundy before (Essie's Poor Li'l Rich Girl) but never a classic red. I chose OPI's Bullish on OPI and at first I was really hesitant. It went on my nails in exactly the shade I wanted but it just wasn't me. I felt like a little girl playing dress up. Thankfully, as it dried, it turned into this rich, deep shade instead and I'm much happier with it.

Nails // OPI Dulce de Leche

After my little exploration into the world of brightly coloured nails, I decided to tone it down again this time. I'm going away so wanted a simple, versatile shade that would go with every outfit I packed. There was only one nude at the nail salon that I haven't already tried so I figured it was time to give OPI Dulce de Leche a go.

Nails // OPI I Just Can't Cope-acabana

I've been eyeing up this bright yellow shade for a long time but it always scared me. Was yellow going to be too outlandish compared to the nudes and pinks I usually go for? For whatever reason, this time I felt like taking a risk and was possibly buoyed up with the success of my yellow bridesmaid dress, so I went for it and man, I'm glad I did!

Nails // Essie Spaghetti Strap

Normally in the summer I'd plump for bright nails. However, with the weather being so far from sunny and with a wedding and a funeral coming up in the next couple of weeks, I need to look fairly restrained. Instead, I decided to try a light pink that I've had my eye on for a while- Essie's Spaghetti Strap.

Nails // Essie Urban Jungle and Gemporia Emerald Ring

Since I'm heading to Amsterdam the day after I write this (by the time you read this, I'll be there!), I wanted to travel with nice, fresh nails. I splashed out on a new set of acrylics but kept the pointed shape I love so much. In fact, they ended up even pointier than usual and I am thrilled to bits with them!

Nails // Essie Mod Square

Why is this called Mod Square? That's not even a thing. What is a mod square? Why not Mod Squad? There is so much that confuses me about this Essie nail polish but the colour itself is not one. 

Nails // Bright Pink

When I got my nails done last week, it was a bright sunny day and I was feeling really optimistic. Last time, I'd been set on Essie Mod Square and decided against it, so this seemed like the perfect time to try it out. Unfortunately, when I got to the salon, I couldn't find this particular bottle anywhere so had to settle on a different pink shade.

Nails // Essie Jazz

I was adamant that this time I was going to have bright pink nails- Essie Mod Square to be precise. It was a lovely sunny day, spring has finally sprung, I have no more work. A bright, happy colour just made perfect sense. Then I saw Essie Jazz and, well, you know me. I can't resist a good nude nail! 

Nails // Essie Chastity

When I last visited my nail salon, it was a sunny day and starting to feel like spring, so I decided to go for a pretty pink colour. I chose Essie Chastity as I loved the shade it looked in the bottle. Surprisingly, it was a completely different colour on my nails but I think it might be my favourite yet!

Chastity is a bright Barbie pink. It's super opaque with a glossy finish, which is amplified with the top coat, so they certainly stand out! I've only had this shade on for a couple of days but I've received so many compliments on my nails already and I can't stop looking at them.
I'll definitely be choosing Chastity again in the future. A new favourite for sure!
Buy Essie Chastity here
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