12th August, 2012
Today I have a post about GOSH Holographic! I’ve been meaning to post a swatch of this gorgeous polish for ages as I found it some time ago. But this was actually the first time I’ve worn it properly as a full manicure. Can’t believe I’ve waited this long!
GOSH released this holographic polish and then discontinued it not too long after. I don’t think I was into nail polish when this was released so I completely missed out! I’ve been looking for it for over a year without much hope of ever finding it. Every time I would walk past the GOSH display I’d have a quick browse to see if I could spot it. Then a few months ago I was looking through the discount clearance baskets at my local drugstore, I couldn’t find anything interesting but then I spotted this dirty looking GOSH bottle, almost threw it right back before looking at the name labelled on the top which read “549 Holographic”. OH MY GOD! I was completely dumb struck! The girl behind the cash register saw my face and actually went “are you okay?”. Try explaining the significance of this polish to a muggle. 
I was lucky enough to find two bottles (can you believe my luck?). I sold the spare bottle to a lovely woman from Alaska and kept the other. I also found a bottle of GOSH Fix Base Plus, the base coat designed specifically to layer beneath GOSH Holographic. It makes a huge difference using the base coat, I only had some tip wear after about three days which is pretty great for a holo.
I think I’ve probably stared at my nails several hours a day while wearing this. I cannot wait to get more holos, as this is the only true linear holographic polish I own. I’m waiting to get a bottle of Jade Magia Negra in a swap, so excited! Anyway, there’s rumours GOSH are bringing this back soon (August/September?) so keep your eyes open for it! I know I’ll certainly be picking up some extra back-ups.
Have you tried holographic polishes?
18th May, 2012
Now the weather is slowly but surely getting better I can finally start practicing acrylic (sculpting) again. Acrylic monomer has a strong smell so I need to be able to sit outside or open a window to vent my room, which is why I haven’t practiced acrylic in a while! To ease myself back into it I started with these simple but fun roses, which I made with the help of a mold.
If anyone is interested I could make a how-to post on how to get started with acrylic, which supplies you need, what the pros and cons are and explain the basics of the technique. I always love trying new nail art techniques and when I first read about acrylic sculpting I knew it was something I would love. It requires a lot of practice but you don’t necessarily need expensive schooling to try your hand at some fun and simple 3D pieces. I wouldn’t recommend full nail sculpting without extensive research and lessons or help from a professional though.
Here’s a list of the supplies I used for this manicure:
Please let me know if acrylic 3D art is something you’d like to read more about! And don’t forget to enter my giveaway if you haven’t already! It’s open until May 22.
15th August, 2011
It’s been a while since I posted a haul. Mainly since I don’t haul a lot any more. I already have most of the stuff I need, definitely where nail polish is concerned anyway. That’s why I tend to not go wild in the nail polish isle anymore. Though lately there’s been a few interesting limited editions going on and a lot of Essence’s and Catrice’s products are being removed from the core line at 50% off so I saw my chance to grab some items!
I don’t remember the exact prices of all the items, most of them were between €0,90 and €3,45.
Essence Studio Nails remover – Kruidvat Nail Polish Remover – Essence 6 in 1 buffer file – Essence Dotting Tool – Catrice Crystal Clear Glossy Stick in Bird of Paradise (from the Papagena LE)
How awesome is that lipstick! It’s actually a lipbalm in the shape of a lipstick, it looks really pretty so I couldn’t pass it up.
Essence Studio Nails Base Sealer – Essence Studio Nails Top Sealer – Essence Grand-Plié in Black (from the Ballerina Backstage LE) – Essence Do A Floating Pirouette (from the Ballerina Backstage LE) – Essence Magic Wand – Essence Hex Hex
I highly recommend the Essence studio nails top sealer. It’s similar to Seche Vite since it also eliminates bumps and gives a glossy shine. It’s not exactly the same but definitely one of the best drugstore topcoats I have tried.
The Essence Ballerina Backstage polishes were so cute! The black has orange shimmer in it which is really unique, the raspberry shade is less unique but I just loved the lace print bottles. I also got the lace hair band but forgot to include it in my pictures.
Essence Spicy – Essence Absolutely Stylish – Catrice Welcome To The Jungle (from the Papagena LE) – Catrice Enter The Undergrowth (from the Papagena LE) – Catrice Sold Out Forever
They are removing Sold Out Forever from the core line! I’m very disappointed since it’s my favourite Catrice shade. It seems that it really WILL be sold out forever. Sad times! Spicy and Absolutely Stylish are very similar which I only saw when I got home. Oops! Though Absolutely Stylish does have some hidden turquoise shimmer which is very pretty.
The Catrice Papagena LE was very nice I thought. I loved the blush sticks as well but colour pay-off was very bad so I decided to leave them. The new Modern Muse collection isn’t my cup of tea at all so I didn’t get any of that.
Gosh Lavender Love – Essence Blue Ray (from the Holografics LE) – Essence Cool And The Gang – Essence Mystic Mermaid – Essence White Crackle
I usually don’t buy Gosh since I find them way too pricey (€6,99) but this one was 50% off. I really hate the “special edition” lettering at the front but the cap is gorgeous. The Essence Holografics collection was a bit of a joke since the polishes were all duochrome and not holographic at all. The shade I picked up was the only one worth the while, it looks quite pretty in the bottle but is somewhat unremarkable on the nails. I also managed to find the white crackle which I was very excited about.
These are four Essence S.O.S. Nail Glue bottles I found in the discount basket. I already bought a back-up of this in Rotterdam but since I won’t ever be able to buy this again I stocked up and grabbed all the ones I could find. It’s my favourite glue for just about anything. It’s primary use is fixing broken nails and I have to say it does that incredibly well. It’s also great for sticking on rhinestones, glitter and beads.
Did you get any of the clearance items or items from the new limited editions? Let me know in the comments below!
30th May, 2011
It all started with the first manicure. I colour coordinated my manicure to the floral print dress I was wearing. My mum was so excited by this that she requested an outfit coordinated manicure for her birthday which turned into the second manicure. And lastly when my auntie was at our house for the birthday party she requested one too. I really love doing manicures inspired by prints or clothing. Matchy-matchy can sometimes be too much of a good thing but this is really fun I think.
You can view the non-black and white version on my facebookpage here.
As you can see, these are my hands. This manicure was inspired by mkmyday.co.ar. Definitely check them out because they do some amazing work. I used:
- China Glaze Snow
- Black Nail Art Pens
- Gosh Wild Lilac
- Essence Fruit Punch
- New Look Blossom
These are my mum’s hands. Inspired by the dress she was wearing. I used:
- Barry M Mint Green
- China Glaze Spontaneous
And finally my aunties fingertips! She was wearing a cute shirt and wanted her nails done in a colour that goes with, I decided to just completely recreate the print like I did with my mum’s nails! They were just about to leave so I had to make it a super quick manicure, I think it took me about 15 minutes. Record time! I used:
- Barry M Spring Green
- White Nail Art Pens
- Essence You Belong To me
- H&M Being On The A-List
- Acrylic Paints for the flamingo
30th April, 2011
I have always been a huge fan of red lips, it’s so classy and bold. Unfortunately it’s not something I can pull off. And that’s saying it nicely! I look like a scary clown with red lips, yeah… we don’t want that! When I was trying on red lipstick one day I told my mum how sad I was it didn’t suit me, she asked “why wouldn’t it suit you?”, then a few seconds later I showed her, “Oh. No you’re right, that doesn’t suit you.” I’ll leave out any pictures as proof, I’m afraid that’s going to be virtual suicide!
Disappointed as I was that day it made me not want to touch lipsticks for several years after that. Then not too long ago I discovered the joys of nude lipsticks. Finally a lipstick that suits me. I’ve since then collected 4 lipsticks in total and today I’m sharing them with you. This is genuinely my entire collection of lipsticks, I hope to add many more because I’m really starting to enjoy wearing lipstick. If you have any suggestions do leave them in the comment section.
Gosh Darling – Catrice Be Natural – Catrice Marie Antoinette – Catrice Princess Peach
Two nudes, a coral pink and a coral. As far as packaging is concerned I prefer the matte plastic from the Gosh lipsticks and I absolutely loathe the design on the Urban Baroque collection lipstick. That’s personal taste though, someone else might love a lipstick container with a print, I think it looks trashy. I love the sleekness and the expensive feel of the Gosh lipstick, that’s formula aside though.
In terms of formula I don’t really like the Gosh lipstick, it’s nowhere near as opaque as the Catrice lipsticks. I know it’s one of the most popular nude drugstore lipsticks but it hasn’t really worked for me. It makes every crack in my lips show up and my lips are hardly the smoothest. It’s also just a little too light for my skintone. I’m no expert on lipstick by the way, this is just my personal opinion. Gosh Darling seems to work for a lot of people but it just didn’t work for me.
I absolutely loathe lipswatches, especially seeing my own lips up close like that so bear with me. My lips are hardly perfect but it’s just to give you a better idea.
Gosh Darling – My least favourite of the bunch because it shows the slightest unevenness in my lips. I also feel like I need to apply it heavily before it truly shows up, I didn’t apply it as heavily here because it just doesn’t suit me if I wear it like that. If you apply this heavily you get what they call the “dead lips”-effect.
Catrice Be Natural – This (and Princess Peach) is one of the new Ultimate Colour lipsticks by Catrice. It’s so rich and creamy, feels very moisturising and the colour shows up very nicely. I highly recommend it if you like nude lipsticks.
Catrice Marie Antoinette – This was from the Urban Baroque collection. It’s very close to my natural lip colour but just a little more coral. I’ve been wearing this very often, always carry it with me in my purse. Needless to say I really love it. Such a shame this was limited edition because I expect I might actually finish this one day, it’s too late for a back-up now.
Catrice Princess Peach – This is another one of the new Ultimate Colour shades, a gorgeous bright coral. It jumped out at me when I saw the press images and I immediately wondered if this would be for me. I feared it might be a little too bright. I’m happy to say it’s not, well it is bright but it’s a colour I manage to pull off! It’s so pretty and bang on trend for summer too.
14th December, 2010
This is my purple/brown collection! My favourites are 10, 16, 17, 19 and 21. This nail wheel got slightly cluttered since I bought more purples after I painted it but you get the idea!
- Etos Effect nails
- Claire’s – nameless
- Catrice – Poison Me, Poison You
- Hema – 179
- China Glaze – First-Class Ticket
- Claire’s – nameless
- Essence Show Your Feet – Purple Magic
- H&M – Fashionista
- GOSH – 571 Wild Lilac
- H&M – Get a Rose 4 Me
- Guerlain – Rose Caprice (discontinued)
- Models Own – Mushroom
- MNY – 549
- Gemey – 68 Not Orange (discontinued)
- Barry M – Mushroom
- Barry M – Dusky Mauve
- Barry M – Berry Icecream
- Barry M – Bright Purple
- China Glaze – VIII
- China Glaze – Spontaneous
- China Glaze – Light As Air
Here are all the bottles lined up in the same order as above. (Missing in this picture is 19, China Glaze – VIII)
Also see: Colour Series: Green (updated!!!)
22nd July, 2010
I did another manicure! Once again I went for the leopard, but this time in silver! For some reason the design doesn’t show well enough in the pictures so apologies, if you’d like to recreate this please look at my other leopard manicure where the design is easier to follow.
Products used in this order:
- Seche Clear
- China Glaze Jitterbug
- Gosh Pearl
- Black nailpolish
- Seche Vite
This is the base for this look, Jitterbug by China Glaze from the Vintage Vixen collection.
Second step is applying dots, I used a pale silver, Pearl by Gosh.
Add black leopard details. At the end add top coat to seal everything in, and done!
Roar!
23rd June, 2010
a still from a L’Oréal mascara advert featuring Penelope Cruz
This is my interpretation of her make-up. I do not think I look like Penelope Cruz, this is merely inspired by her and her make-up. My face looks lighter than my body in this picture but this is due to the flash! And my hair looks different because I put bobby pins in my fringe to pull it back 
In close-up.
Products I used for this look:
- Manhattan eyeliner pencil on upper and lower waterlines, smudged using Sigma SS209
- Black eyeshadow from the Zoeva 88 warm palette, applied and smudged with Sigma SS209
- Peach eyeshadow from the Zoeva 88 warm palette, applied to the crease with Sigma SS219 and blended with the SS239
- Applied false eyelashes from Gypsy Lashes in 94
- The Falsies Volum’ Express Mascara by Maybelinne
- Dark brown eyeshadow from the Zoeva 88 matte palette to fill in my brows with Sigma SS266 (one of my favourite brushes)
on my face I used Face & Body foundation by MAC, Hema Wet&Dry Blush and Gosh lipstick in Darling.
The lashes I used here weren’t featured in my huge lash post, I thought they would be too wispy and dramatic but they proved perfect for this look! I really love them now.
Image courtesy of Madame Madeline. Lashes provided by Madame Madeline.
4th March, 2010
Went to the small town of Hulst in the Netherlands today, it’s only a five minute drive away from my house, as you know I live right on the border of Belgium and the Netherlands. Hulst is a small town but it’s got a busy shopping street, it’s open on Sunday so a lot of Belgians go there on Sunday, it’s always very busy then. There’s only a small range of shops there, so I don’t see why it attracts so much people, but it’s a very nice town and quite idyllic really.
I went to Kruidvat and Hema cause I needed a few things, amongst which I wanted a moisturiser or a daycream for young skin, but I didn’t want do spend €50 for a cream so wanted to find a drugstore alternative. I read somewhere that Hema has a few good daycreams, I thought I’d go and take a look. I was amazed at the range of products they had, there’s a huge range of day and night creams, for wrinkles, dry skin, sensitive skin, combination or oily skin. I only wanted to buy one if it had SPF factor, cause protecting yourself from the sun is very important for your skin. I eventually bought a soothing sensitive skin day cream with SPF 6, it smells really fresh and it makes my skin feel really soft.
Matte plastic packaging, it looks okay I think, I like the minty green. At €4,95, it’s really cheap, but I’m loving the texture, smell and overall how it makes my face feel, and it’s got SPF factor, what more can you ask for?
I also bought this GOSH lipstick, my never-ending frustration is the fact that whatever I do, I just don’t look good in red lipstick. Now I figured, I’ll just find a nice nude lipstick, cause I love the way nude lips look and it’s the only colour I can pull off without looking like a clown. This is the much raved about GOSH 134 Darling lipstick, it’s the best drugstore nude lipstick out there, it retails for €7,99 at Kruidvat.
Okay so here comes a lipswatch, I don’t like lipswatches at all, they always look a bit weird. Anyway, I wanted to show you so here’s Gosh Darling, the top image is without any lipstick on, the bottom is with lipstick.
It’s very subtle, a nice light pink tone. It’s a very creamy lipstick but it feels soft on your lips and not sticky at all. Thumbs up!
1st March, 2010
Because sometimes a girl just needs some pink in her life.
Look made with 88 warm shimmer and 88 matte palette, The falsies volum’ express mascara, Manhattan eyeliner.
Nailpolish by Gosh, 544 Pink Lady.
Sunglasses from H&M, purse from Topshop.
