Foundation isn't just for your face: Butter London Nail Foundation

STOP!!!! What?! Foundation for your nails, who knew? Well this is something butter LONDON has come up with to make the best base coat, Nail Foundation Flawless Base Coat (£12.99). Born from catwalk trends butter LONDON products are formulated without the use of ingredients like Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP or Parabens - all harmful to your nails.

Like always, let us start with the packaging  The bottles are pretty cool, but getting the lid off threw me for longer than it should have. FYI it is a pull cap, not a screw top..... who knew! The creamy colour even looks like the perfect tone if it was for my face. The lacquer goes on so smoothly leaving absolutely no streaks, making it the perfect base coat to use with your favourite polish. It even looks cute on its own with a neutral matte finish.

Using this base coat means my nail polish lasts longer than any other base I have tried over the years and even better you can peel it off in one piece. So satisfying! They aren't cheap, but I have found some on Amazon.co.uk which have a couple of pennies off. 

Let me know if you have tried it. There will be lots more on butter LONDON coming up.

Stay beautiful

Pixie xoxo

When there's no Internet... Paint your nails

So I'm moving flats, my Internet has been cut off and my DVDs are all packed away. The only thing to keep me entertained is digging into my treasure trove of nail polish. I dug out some old friends.

Topshop is one of my all time favourite polish brands. The colours are really vivid and they last a good few days without chipping - with a good top coat.

I first applied a base coat so that the colour can be applied smoothly and evenly. After applying Easy Breezy I took a hair grip and dipped it into Heart Of Gold and drew triangles and dots onto the nail.

I think they look pretty cute!

Stay beautiful,
Pixie xoxo

Chubby is sooo in right now...Clinique Chubby Stick Review

I very rarely wear lipstick during the day, mainly because I am lazy and can't be bothered to top it up. But with the lovely sunshine we have been having my lips are quite dry. If you follow the beauty news you will have heard of the new Clinique Chubby Sticks. These are basically posh lip balms with a selection of really gorgeous colours - I do love a good lip balm.

With 16 different shades in the collection I have three to show you. From left to right - Chunky Cherry, Woppin' Watermelon and Super Strawberry. 

Super Strawberry, Chunky Cherry, Woppin' Watermelon

The balms come with a crayon like tip for bold application  and although the colour is rather sheer it can be built upon. I love how easy these are to apply, no messy blotting that you do with lipsticks. The moisturising aspect is fab as well. Clinique has really developed the ultimate lip balm that is almost like a handbag accessory.

I am slightly obssesed with Wopping Watermelon at the moment and my lips are kissably soft ;). At £16 quid a pop the Chubby Stick's aren't cheap, but I do honestly think they are worth the money. Have you tried them?

You can buy them here - Clinique

Stay beautiful,
Pixie xoxo

Back With A Bit of Glitter: Carita Fluide De Beaute

First, this post must start with an apology. I have been so wrapped up in the world of interning in the beauty world that I have neglected my blog. Now that I am back in the realm of unemployment I can start doing what I love. 

I have so many things I want to write about, from a miracle foundation to a a drug store super mascara. Watch this space!

When I am looking for a new beauty must have I firstly look at the packaging. Something that is pleasing to the eye encourages us to buy. Marketing has a strong influence on the female psyche, meaning we like pretty things. The brand Carita is not one I had ever heard of, one of the reasons for this is the price tag. The brand is famous for its Diamond De Beaute creams, which can set you back a tidy £430 pounds and has been featured in plenty of glossies. Usually the products can be found in the bathrooms of celebrities and rich Persian women.

At the moment the trend for hair oil doesn't look like it will be stoping any time soon. So not wanting to miss a trend I managed to get my hands on a hero product of theirs - Gold Fluide De Beaute 14. The tag line is that is nourishes very dry hair and skin leaving it supple with a golden veil.  Oooohhh (*squeel*)

Lets start with the packaging....WOW! It is pretty b.e.a.utiful. The classic square design of the bottle does not distract from the elegant way the gold particles are separated from the oil, making a pretty french looking product. Once you shake it up and mix the oil the effect is quite impressive. It smells quite zingy and citrusy, but you do need more than a couple of drops if you are using it in your hair.

So what did I think...

Well although I love the packaging and smell, I havent found it has done much to my hair. I have been using it every day and I am yet to gain a golden veil of any kind. It's quite disappointing when a 50ml bottle costs £27.00. I will be keeping it in my bathroom cabinate though, I think it makes me look tres chic!

If you want to try it you can buy it here....CARITA

Stay beautiful

xoxo

Unless you are a pretty unless daughter or you have missed the mothers day stands which spring up straight after Christmas, then you will know that on Sunday 18th of March it is Mothers Day!!!! Mummies around the world will be treated to hand made cards, prezzies and breakfast in bed. If you are a little too old for paper cards with bits of sparkly string stuck to it then perhaps I can make a suggestion. Steamcream have released a limited edition tin, Yoshino. This pretty tin is decorated with little pink cherry blossom!

Steamcream uses a unique method of steam to blend its all natural ingredients together, leaving a smooth light cream. Not only is it brilliant for the face but it works on hands and the body too. Great for your busy mum! The tins are £12.50 and are available in John Lewis, Boots and Debenhams.

Give your self a shot of Adrenalin this Summer!

It's been a while but I am back with a pinch of sparkle. I have a new found love for Topshop make up, especially their massive selection of nail varnish. Topshop have released a selection of three glitter nail varnishes to celebrate the opening of a Topshop store in Las Vegas!

As you should know, I am a whore for nail varnish and this is my new fav. Barbie would be proud of these nails. I started by applying a base coat of Revlon's new Fruit Fizz nail enamel in Grape Fizz. Not only is it a pretty colour but it smells of grapes! Bonus! Topshop's new glitter varnish in Adrenalin is amazing and affordable at £6.00. Applying this over your base coat instantly adds some glitz! Perfect for these balmy, sunny days. Let me know what you think!

Stay beautiful!

Pixie xoxo

Hot gossip:

Another nail post, but this one is a must see! When I thought of a Gossip Girl collaboration with Nails Inc I wasn't sure quite what to expect....the packaging is all be it cheap looking, with some snap shots of the stars  superimposed onto the front. Big BUT....do not let this first impression fool you! The nail varnishes them selves are quite possibly the best things ever invented!

The first set I was to try was the Lily Collection. It contains two sets of varnishes, 'Lily' plum black and 'High Society' overglaze for a whopping £20. I first applied a base coat of Nails Inc's own 'Kensington Caviar' so that the plum black didn't stain my nails. 

Next apply the middle coat of 'Lilly' plum black, I found that one coat was enough to cover the whole nail. It is smooth and dries really quickly. 

Lastly, the fun part. The 'High Society" overglaze is actually AMAZING! One coat to blast your nails into epic, futuristic, holographic proportions!! It took a few seconds to dry and I added a top coat to give it an nice gloss. 

I am actually in love with this stuff, I can't fault it one bit. The varnishes went on really easily and dried within seconds, meaning I didn't have to flap my hand around. It would be even better if I didn't bite my nails.

TRY TRY TRY!!!!

10/10

Stay beautiful!
Pixie out xoxo

A little bit of heaven without the guilt complex!

All these dark, cold nights are starting to become a bit of a snore fest. You can't go out on nights out without a coat and the sunshine we do get seems to be scared of commitment.

Tonight was one of those nights, nothing good was on the telle and I have watched every DVD my flat owns. I decided to run myself a bath and try out the Motange Jeuneess Hot Chocolate SelfWarming masque. Firstly, they are more than generous with the amount of product that is in the packets, enough there to keep and use a second time. It smells totally amazing and the true test is not licking your lips, it doesn't taste that great.

After smoothing it over my face I sat back in my bubble bath and let the chocolate do its thing. The self warming aspect is great for those chilly nights and made my face tingle. It dries quite quickly and after 10 minutes I washed it off and patted my face dry.

The results are quite surprising for a £1 face mask. My face was smooth and felt clean, a bonus when you live in grubby London where your face is constantly attacked by grime. I would recommend this for a cheap indulgence and it's great for that little night in. I can't wait to try some others from the range!

Available from Boots and Superdrug.

Stay beautiful!
Pixie xoxo