Nail Polish Blues

Haven't updated for a while, mostly due to new patch in WoW and the frenzy of raiding that followed... And also because my nails are shredding faster than, hm, well something that shreds a lot.

At first I thought it was down to my base coat, someone told me that Formaldehyde causes splits and flakes. So I switched from OPI's 'Start to Finish' to Mavala 'Barrier Base Coat' which not only boasts that it "forms a protective screen against outside damaging elements, moisturises and firms the nail while maintaining its natural flexibity" and definitely contains no scary formaldehyde like ingredients. Unfortunately the situation has gotten even worse and my poor right index finger has lost 2 layers of nail from the (now very short) tip to 0.5cm down it.

OPI Start to Finish Base and Topcoat - Being lazy plays havoc with your nails.


*at this point I'd insert a picture of my index finger but 1) It looks kinda gross and 2) my camera just died. RIP my canon Ixus 80 :(*

So if you've any suggestions for base coats and nail treatments to help my poor fingerss dear readers (preferably available in Europe or from an e-tailer/ebayer) then I'd be seriously grateful.

And to end on a high, here's a picture taken for my Easter mani (note: I didn't have a dotting tool so I improvised by cutting a prong off an old hairbrush - it was hell to work with but came out pretty well I think)


Index, middle and pinkie - Zoya Yummy. Ring finger - Zoya Creamy with Juicy (purple) and Sweet (pink) spots.

Until next time readers (and I purchase a new camera), to quote Siobhan: Love and Nail polish to you.

Gniod-hab!

If you're wondering about the title, that's the noise I imagine a spring would make going backwards. It was tempting fate raving about the joys of spring yesterday as this morning I was greeted with big black clouds which decided to open just as I was walking to my car.

The day continued in a similar fashion, angry clients, chipped nails, failed raids (yes I play World of Warcraft *hangs head in shame*). So coming home to find a parcel in my mailbox cheered me up immensly. The Zoya Candy collection I got on ebay arrived! Hooray my first foray into Zoya with lovely springy colours!

Grab packet, run up stairs, rip open... find one missing. Balls. It's the colour I really wanted. Big hairy balls! Message ebay seller 'Tart is missing' (seriously you couldn't make this stuff up), 10 minutes later 'you have received a refund'. I don't want a refund, I want my nail polish or at least an offer of re-sending it!


Tart-less Zoya: Sweet, Yummy, Creamy, Juicy, Tangy.

RIP Tart.

Ba-doing!

Well spring has truly sprung in gay Paris. Versailles is covered in Daffodils and even the usually grim atmosphere of the metro has been brighter then usual due to the cheery tunes of the buskers (including my favourite duo of man who drags a double bass on and off the trains all day accompanied by his friend on the accordian)

It's days like this when I feel like I almost fit in and can happily say Vive La France!

Scrangie just reviewed the two new Zoya collections, and I am in loooooove! Of course the minor problem is that they still haven't started to shipping to Europe, but when has that ever stopped me? I'm sure Midori, Tallulah and Pippa will be visiting an ebay near me soon! *drool*

I had a play with the colour change nail polish I mentioned in the last post this week, and was really surprised with the results. It transforms from a dark metallic gray (the twin of China Glaze's Awaken) into a deep metallic red-pink all with the addition of some top coat. Unfortunately the pictures I took didn't turn out very well so I'll try and pose some better lit shots for you next time.


Nails of the week:

China glaze Sex on the Beach with Bourjois Bleu Violet overlay, Konad M57.

Apologies for the quality of this weeks picture, the pink CG base looks only slightly like it does on my fingers. In reality Sex on the Beach is a warm dusky pink with gold shimmer and small silver glitter flecks. It is the one and only pink I currently own and totally reminds me of a gorgeous sunset.

According to my boyfriend this weeks design looks 'hooker-ish' which is praise indeed ;)

Home Sweet Home

Typical that I start this blog just before I go home for a few days. Anyway I'm back with pictures and a Sally's haul to share.

I was quite sad about the lack of choice, but I made the best of it...

L2R: Emerald Sparkle, Ruby Pumps, Princess Grace, White on White, Pink Voltage, Turned up Turquoise, Aqua Baby, Tempest, Blue Sparrow and Sex on the Beach.

Sadly that was all the China Glaze goodness to be had aside from a few shades of pink that didn't really appeal to me (or apparently anyone else as they were on sale and dusty ^^)


Next up in Sally's was the OPI stand, and the latest South Beach collection just begging to be bought, although after all that CG money was a bit tight so I had to settle for the Teenie Bikinis.
L2R: Done out in Deco, Suzi and the Lifeguard, Overexposed in South Beach, Rapidry topcoat.


And the final purchase was something I randomly spotted in Boots while trying to figure out how to spend a 'free' £5 No7 gift voucher. It's called Colour Miracle and claims to change colour when you add a layer of clear varnish over it. I'm quite keen on the base colour, which is called Chocolate and is a metallic mushroomy colour and apparently turns a mid-rose shade when clear polish is added over it. I've not had the chance to test it yet, however as I'm not a huge pink fan I'll be interested to see if my topcoat affects it.



The last thing I picked up on my trip were some polishes that have been languishing in my old bedroom since I moved out and were threatened with the bin if they weren't removed. The best thing about these is I didn't even remember I had them. Everyone loves a bit of free OPI right?
L2R: Dominant Jeans, Sand-erella, Sonic Bloom, Kyoto Pearl, Go on Green, Sahara Sapphire, Greece just Blue me Away

Polish wise it was a pretty good trip, and the first thing I did after stepping off the Eurostar was playing with them and my newly arrived Konad plates but being an impatient girl I couldn't decide what colours to use so I did a different design on each hand. Apologies for the photos they're a bit rushed.
Left hand: OPI Dominant Jeans with CG Aqua Baby overlay, Konad S6

Right Hand: OPI Done out in Deco with Overexposed in South Beach overlay, Konad M64

Introduction

Hi! I'm Laure, and welcome to my nailblog.

I'd like to blame people like Scrangie and Misa for revitalising my interest in my nails, however if I'm honest I've been painting them on and off since I was 10 and got told off in gym class for having pink and purple striped toenails. From 11 onwards I spent all my pocket money on 'Spectacular' nail polish (hehe, can't believe I still remember the brand name) and made it my goal to wear at least three colours a week.

Unfortunately when I became a teenager I got lazy and went through a black phase, as most teenagers do, and it wasn't til the grand old age of 24 stumbling across Scrangie's beautiful pictures I felt truly inspired again. And so came the time, and expense and utter bliss of coloured fingertips.

And Konad! Why didn't they have Konad nail stamps when I was 11? I've only attempted two looks with them so far, but they look and feel fabulous.

My main issue at the moment is that I live in France, and not only is there a language barrier (and yes ok that's my fault, I'm terrible at remembering languages) there but a nail polish barrier. I'd love to know if there are actually suppliers out there that will sell me China Glaze, Color Club and Opi without having to pay extortionate shipping fees to Head2toebeauty.com (no matter how timely their deliveries may be!). When I had a similar issue with my MAC cosmetics habit, I set up a community on livejournal - Mac Sale/Swap however, there are very few people with nail polish as their interests. It's a quandry I try and resolve by going home to England every few months and blowing almost a month's salary in Sally's Hair and Beauty. My boyfriend is not impressed.

Anyway dear reader, that is me and I hope you'll stick around to see what I can do.