No fuss nail art

I finally managed to get my hands on Barry M's Instant Nail Effects some weeks ago.

Initially I wasn't sold on the idea (reminded me too much of chipped polish) but after trying out OPI's Shatter in a salon, the "crackled" effect kind of started to grow on me. OPI's Shatter had flown off the shelves very quickly and became impossible to get hold of, and Barry M's version had also been continuously sold out at my local chemists. When it finally returned to the shelves I didn't hesitate to get it.

Here it is applied over a light pastel pink polish:

Once your base polish has dried you only need to apply one thin coat of this and watch it produce the crackled effect. It looks great on the toes as well - I think that I actually prefer it on the toes as it looks more like a design rather that polish that has started chipping. I'd also recommend applying a top coat over it for a more intense and glossier finish.
As you can see I'm keeping my nails incredibly short as I'm almost finished with the first year of my nail tech course - over the past year I have continuously either had on gel or acrylic nail extentions. I'm giving my nails a bit of a break now and keeping them really short...typing is so much more fun at the minute...:)

While I was sporting some acrylics, I tried out some of the Professional Cut Trendy Nail Wraps for the tips - the set I used was Curly Q.

Can't really explain it but I wasn't too keen on these - I guess the biggest issue was that they didn't suit everything that I was wearing - I'll have to try out another set in the future and see how I feel.

Instant Nail Effects and Trendy Nail Wraps are great options for those keen on nail art but lacking artistic ability, time and patience.

Are you into nail art or are you more keen on a regular one polish manicure or the traditional french?

Face Atelier Ultra Foundation

Firstly I'd like to start off by mentioning that I'm still here and haven't given up blogging!
Over the last couple of weeks there have been days when I just simply didn't have the time nor the energy to post something or days when I was just too lazy to do so (feeling ashamed). Then having had such a long break from posting, every time I sat down to actually write something I'd just end up getting distracted and figured that another day's delay wouldn't do much harm...and so it led to such a significant time gap...

Anyway, onto the topic at hand -

There's been a bit of a buzz going on regarding Face Atelier's Ultra Foundation - and in my humble opinion, the buzz is very justifiable indeed.

If you haven't yet heard here's what it's all about:

"Ultra Foundation is the heart and soul of FACE atelier – an innovative approach to foundation that allows you to be in control. With a growing cult-following, Ultra Foundation is a silicone-based emulsion that floats on top of the skin, doesn’t crease or flake, and lasts all day long. Hydrating yet oil-free, it obscures tiny lines and pores to ensure a smooth finish. No primer needed! It's built into Ultra Foundation, thanks to the super sophisticated, silicone-based formula. Another bonus - it sets without powder, preserving the youthful, dewy finish.

If you can never find the right shade for you, FACE atelier allows you to infinitely adjust your foundation shade. Add a drop of Zero Plus to go a shade darker, or a little Zero Plus Plus to go deeper still. A splash of Zero Minus will lighten, and Heat adds warmth, creating the shade that’s perfectly right for you."

So a couple of weeks back I ordered samples of all 12 shades from Coco Beau to check and see which would be the most popular ones for my kit.

This is what the sample pots look like and swatches of all 12 shades -

From left to right: porcelain, ivory, wheat, sand, sepia, honey, tan, caramel, toffee, cocoa, mink, sable

A sample pot will last you a couple of applications as a little goes a long way with this foundation and you only need the tiniest bit.

My overall impression - I'm pretty hooked on this formula and really can not fault it, meaning that I'll definitely be committing to a full sized bottle.
Face Atelier has a very silky texture that applies smoothly and easily. It's easy to blend with no streaks and smears. The coverage is medium to high and the great thing about it is that you can build up the coverage in certain areas without it starting to cake.
It feels very light on the skin and the finish is a dream come true for me as it's the sort of thing that I'm always after in a foundation - dewy and luminous.

When wearing this foundation my skin still looks fresh and made up even at the end of the day - please bare in mind that I do have a normal skin type.

So far I'm impressed enough to say that this could very well become a staple in my make-up bag.

I think that this is a great foundation for those -

• with normal, dry or mature skin types
• who like a multi-tasker and aren't bothered with incorporating a primer into their make-up routine
• who don't like powdering or can't be bothered to do it
• who like the dewy, luminous look

Have you tried this foundation yet - what are your thoughts?