Nails of the Day - OPI Best of the Best

Hello everyone, I would just like to apologise for my lack of posts recently. I have been so busy over the Christmas period but I am back and there are lots of posts coming your way!

Now on to the post ...

If, like me, you live in the UK and you are nail varnish obsessed then you will know that to buy a bottle of OPI nail varnish is probably the naughtiest purchase you will ever make. Although I love nail polish, I can't quite bring myself to spend £10.50 when in boots I could buy several Barry M nail paints for the same price. However, on one of my "I-am-not going-to-buy-anything" browses on the internet I found this little box of lovelies.

The set contains ten of OPI's most famous shades in 3.5ml bottles. I'm calling it my OPI starter kit, it has a wide range of colours from neutrals to brights to darks and it contains the infamous "Lincoln Park After Dark". 

 alpine snow, bubble bath, tickle my france-y,

 strawberry margarita, cajun shrimp

big red apple, i'm not really a waitress, you don't know jacques!,

 russian navy, lincoln park after dark

They all apply beautifully and it has given me a really good taster of OPI nail polishes and the wide colour range. 

 same order as before

I expect that one day I will own a full sized OPI nail polish, however, for now I am quite happy with my miniatures!

I got mine from here! 

Bonnie x

The Classic Smokey Eye

The smokey eye is probably the most desired makeup look of the past decade and I expect that it will continue to be incredibly sought after in the makeup world, because of this it has become a classic. I am NOT a professional but I have come to the conclusion that the smokey eye is best when it is kept very simple. 

For this look you will need:

1. A base - either an eyeshadow primer or a cream eyeshadow                       (I chose a Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow from Benefit called Birthday Suit)
2. Two eyeshadows - a highlight colour and a dark grey or black                   (I chose a Duo Eyeshadow from Nars called Tzarine)
3. A black eyeliner - whatever you prefer: kohl, gel, liquid etc                      (I chose one from Topshop called Coal)
4. A black mascara - again choose your favourite                                         (I chose Maxfactor's Masterpiece Max)
5. Two brushes - a shader brush and a fluffy brush                                       (I have two from Topshop - the Smudger Brush and the Eyeshadow Brush)

First, apply the base all over the lid and up to the brow bone. 

Next apply the highlight eyeshadow all over the lid with the fluffy brush. Then switch to the darker colour and use the shader brush to work the colour into the crease and the upper lash line. Follow a V shape from the middle of the eye and outwards to the outer edge of the eye and then back into the crease. Use the fluffy brush to blend any harsh lines.

Then apply the eyeliner to the water line and upper lash line and apply the mascara to finish.

The finished look should look something like this - don't worry if it's not exactly the same!

The smokey eye is perfect for a night out and as it is coming up to Christmas, I expect that lots of you will be planning lots of them! You can obviously change bits of it, different colours, more sparkle or maybe some false eyelashes but I just wanted to show you the basic smokey eye. 

If you want me to do a more in depth review on any of the products I used then please leave a comment below.

Bonnie x

Christmas Gift Guide - Snow Globe Eyeshadows by Mac

Just a quick post about another product from Mac's Glitter and Ice collection. When I was down in London, I also picked up one of the Snow Globe Eyeshadows from Mac for my cousin's birthday. It instantly caught my eye with what I can honestly say is the most gorgeous packaging I have ever seen. 

As the name suggests, the product is incased in a clean white pallet with a stunning snow globe with silver glitter on top. I would have just bought it for the packaging - it is so beautiful! I got it in the colour 'Sultry', however, as it was a gift, I could not do any swatches.

left to right: lightfully, trax, fun!, 

festive delight, black tied, shadowy lady

I hope that you can tell from the picture that the colours are lovely and I am sure that you will be able to find good swatches online or pop into your nearest Mac to check it out. I just wanted to include it in my blog because I think it would be a wonderful gift for someone this Christmas. I got it in the Mac store near Covent Garden for £31 but it is available online and in most Mac stores worldwide.

Bonnie x 

Lip of the Day - What Joy! by Mac

When I was down in London a couple of weeks ago, I took a little trip to Spitalfields Market and while walking around, feeling rather festive (or freezing) I spotted the Mac sign through the stalls. I'm not sure if it was the promise of a new lipstick or a chance to get out of the cold but I speedily headed for the store. 

As soon as I stepped through the door I instantly spotted the Glitter and Ice collection and more importantly this gorgeous lipstick. I was immediately drawn to What Joy! because I have been looking for a dark, berry lipstick for ages, I think it is such a lovely colour for this time of year. The first time I wore it, I applied it as you normally would apply a lipstick and the result was a beautiful, deep berry colour with a satin finish. 

 applied with a lip brush

However, I then realised it would be lovely as a lip tint also. To do this I used Elizabeth Arden's 8 Hour Cream but any moisturising lip product would do and then applied the lipstick with my finger.

applied as a lip tint

An equally divine colour, however, much more wearable during the day. I really love this lipstick and I will be wearing it constantly over the Christmas period. It would be perfect as a day to night lip colour and adds a sophisticated edge to any neutral look. I got it from the Mac store in Spitalfields for £14 but it will be in most Mac counters and stores worldwide. 

Bonnie x