Top 10 Seasonal Nail Products and Polishes

Hey all,

Long time no see! Been so run down with work, chocka with cold and whatever lurgies have been passed to me that blogging has taken a temporary back seat. I have however still been painting my nails to cheer myself up!

So here are my top 10 nail products for the season. I love this time of year - I love listening to xmas songs, I love buying presents for people and I love receiving presents too of course! But most of all I love that I get to see a bit more of my family and we get to spend some quality time together, even if it is only a few hours around the table.

Again, I haven't really put these in any order.. I would really be here until after Xmas if I had to decide!

Firstly is a basic product - cuticle balm. With the coldness setting in, my Raynauds has kicked in again - not sure if its related to my Raynauds or just the cold.. but my nails and skin have started to go downhill big style. So I've been slathering on the cuticle balm like theres no tomorrow. It has left my skin and cuticles much better, but I'm not commenting on my nails just yet. My favourites are Sunny's Miracle Balm and Cutie Balm by The Nail Junkie. I carry my Miracle Balm around for every day use, and I usually wear my Cutie Balm before bed when it has time to soak in. Sunny's Miracle Balms come in so many different scents its unreal - my favourite so far is Eucalyptus as its not an overpowering scent. The Nail Junkie's Cutie Balm is unscented and perfect for anyone with sensitive hands and skin (or a sensitive nose like myself!) I also have my own that I've made myself - they're fairly easy to make, I've played around with mine to improve the texture as my first although they did work were difficult to apply and a little on the gritty side (new on the left).

Another hand care product is my hand cream. I have millions of these and to be honest, I don't have a particular favourite. They have all worked well enough for me, but I did happen to really like the texture of one I got as a sample in a magazine - its got a nice texture - not sticky, overpowering or 'claggy'. It works in really nice and left my hands feeling lovely and I didn't need to reapply after washing my hands during the day - so it's on my list to buy. It's called Aveeno Hand Cream with colloidal oatmeal. 

Onto the polishes and other nail products. I think Xmas calls for some solid basic colours. Black, white, red, gold, silver, (blue and green) are my Xmas go-to's. I have always been a massive fan of Zoya Raven for my go to black, but as its hard to come by and also expensive, I have swapped and been using Sinful Colors Black to Black. For £1.99 I really can't fault it - it is a one coater on my short nails and has a nice and easy to level formula with a satin finish. However, my new find is the Kate Spade - New York Noir polish by Nails Inc. Its absolutely stunning. I actually only picked it up for the sake of it being free, but I am so glad I did - it really was worth the £2 price tag on the magazine! Even glossier than Zoya and a fraction of the price!

Zoya - Raven

Kate Spade - New York Noir by Nails Inc

Red is a hard choice. It is one of my most owned colours after pink (which I hardly ever wear - go figure!) and I have so many that I love. I really love jelly reds - most of which I own are very similar, if not dupes.. but seen as I love them so much I can't part with them! One is Poppy Red from the Beauty UK Gel FX collection. 

It's inexpensive and such a beautiful vibrant red - what I love the most is that it's something I can wear whenever I want - red isnt just a Xmas colour. Another very similar red that I love is Sinful Colors Gogo Girl. It has the same vibrant colour and jelly texture as Poppy Red, the only difference is that you would need more coats for the plumped Gel look that Poppy Red has and a good top coat to match the shine. The last red on my list is Crimson Rose, also by Beauty UK. I really expected to dislike this but it is so classy and demure, I just stare at my nails all the time. It is definitely an autumn winter polish, although I'm not sure it's a specific Xmas colour. Just so you're aware, I did get the two Beauty UK polishes as samples for review.

Gold and silver are no brainers - Barry M Gold and Silver Foil Effects. I don't own the latter, I usually steal it from Becca when I'm polishing at her house. I picked up the gold from a blog sale and use it for pretty much anything that requires gold. They stamp great and have fantastic coverage for general nail painting as well.

Glitters! OMG. This was the hardest part by far. I LOVE glitter. Its the biggest section in my helmers as I class glitter as my favourite colour - it has two drawers. There are so many shapes and sizes, I don't think I could ever pick just one, but I do love a good multi-coloured glitter (Ellagee Crazy He Calls Me or KBShimmer Wrapper's Delight are my Xmas faves). 

I also have a passion for circles. Circles here, circles there, big, small, holographic... I LOVE ME SOME CIRCLES! I have a few now with circles in them, and some of my favourites come from Nail Lacquer UK. I have Midnight Prince, Grape Juice, Choose the One, Heart or Love and Ariel which are all circles from Nail Lacquer UK. 

Nail Lacquer UK - Heart or Love

Can you really pass through the season and not have some love for iridescent flakies? I certainly cant! I only own two - Finger Paints Asylum and Sinful Colors Green Ocean. Neither are easy to come by, but they are both worth it if you can get them. Completely different in their own right, but both just beautiful! (I also own a couple of iridescent glitter polishes which also create the same sort of effect and are much easier to find - my favourite is my new Nail Lacquer UK - Snow Topper which also comes with cute snowflakes as well!)

Holos! Could I not mention holos? Definitely not. There are only two holos that I swear by and they are both Zoyas. Zoya Storm - a black scattered holo, and Zoya Blaze, a deep wine red scattered holo. I own back up bottles of both and am considering backups of my backups - no holos have ever come close for me on how beautiful these are!

And last but not least - stamping plates. I have only recently gotten my Xmas MoYou London plates but I'm surprised there are any etchings on as I have used them that much! I don't want to spoil the Xmas manis I've done as I have seperate posts coming.. so here's my most popular and favourite stamp so far (also a MoYou London plate!)

What're your top 10 favourite seasonal products?

Rachael xxx

Pokémon NAC - Week 16 Steel

Good morning all!

I have been working over and over on my Ghost nails for Week 15 and I just am not happy with any of my attempts. I've gotten quite frustrated with myself and so I've taken a break and moved onto Steel week. I chose Scizor because he's just the man! Only seen one episode with him in, but after searching tumblr there are quite a few mentions of him that I obviously havent seen just yet!

Low and behold, first attempt and I'm really happy with them! I used Cadillacquer's We'll Meet Again as my base as it sparkles with tiny flecks of red which are the exact colour of Scizor. What do you think of my freehand? I'm really quite proud of these!

Don't forget to check out everyone else's Steel nails!

Rachael xxx

Knowing Vera - Giveaway!

ONE LUCKY WINNER WILL WIN THEIR CHOICE OF 

$20 AMAZON / PAYPAL GIFTCARD

PLUS A PRINTED BOOK FROM RACHELLE AYALA

Ending on Sunday 8th December at 11.59pm EST

Open Worldwide !!

Vera Custodio has never fallen in love, though she has strong feelings for her friend and sometimes lover, Zach Spencer. Long-forgotten memories resurface when Vera discovers Zach’s mother was the woman her father supposedly murdered many years ago.

After losing his leg, former triathlete Zach Spencer reevaluates his life—and realizes he’s falling in love with Vera. After she ends their relationship, Zach is determined to prove his love and follows her to Australia in search of the killer.

Caught between a web of family secrets and a deranged adversary, Vera and Zach must depend on each other for survival. Love blossoms, but the truth explodes everything Vera knows about herself. Will she close her heart forever or risk it all for a shot at happily-ever-after?

Book 3 of The Chance For Love Series - Each book can be read standalone, but earlier plots will be revealed by reading later books.

Winners Choice of Book (plus $20 Amazon/Paypal Giftcard)

Michal's Widow

Michal is one of those fascinating women in history who had the guts to stand up to the establishment and the courage to take her punishment. I knew there was more to her story than the surface presentation in the Bible. If God was so adamant about men remaining with the wife of their youth (Proverbs 5:18-19) and not mistreating their covenant wife (Malachi 2:14), then why did it seem as if David got away with his burgeoning harem? 

Michal was shortchanged in most history books, novels and Bible commentaries, so I wrote my own version of her story to vindicate this heroic woman, too strong for her time.

#1 of The Chance For Love Series - Broken Build (Dave & Jen)

When a woman wrongs a man… can a man forgive and love?

Jen Jones wasn't a criminal. She just made a few bad choices and ruined a few lives, primarily that of her boss, CEO Dave Jewell. When her blackmailer is murdered, she becomes the next target.

Dave Jewell protects Jen because she holds the key to his company's code. What he doesn't expect is love, lies, and a link to his past. Jen must solve the mystery and thwart a ruthless killer while keeping her heart from being broken.

#2 of The Chance For Love Series - Hidden Under Her Heart (Maryanne & Lucas)

Maryanne Torres has sworn off sex. Intent on finding a marrying man, she joins a church youth group. A party at her pastor’s house turns into a drinking binge, and Maryanne is raped.

Lucas Knight’s only concern was winning the Ironman Triathlon until the morning he finds Maryanne unconscious in the church parking lot. He becomes the prime suspect, even though Maryanne cannot identify her attacker.

Maryanne wants justice but the identity of her rapist is hidden in the baby she plans to abort. A trap is set. Lucas races to clear his name and keep Maryanne’s secret from drowning her and her baby.

Enter Below & Good Luck !!

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Book Review - Taming Jenna by Charlene Raddon

NEW RELEASE .........

THE WRONG MAN

Deserted by her father at the tender age of seven, Jenna Leigh-Whittington had taught herself to ride, shoot, brawl…and steer clear of the opposite sex. But now, in a lonely Utah canyon, the Pinkerton agent has drawn her gun on a rugged stranger—only to discover that, far from the dangerous outlaw she’d been tracking, he is Branch McCauley, hired gun…and the most irresistible rascal ever to tempt and torment a woman!

THE RIGHT WOMAN

If there’s one thing McCauley trusts less than a female, it’s a female who packs a six-gun. But what a woman! Vowing to bring the sensuous hellcat to heel, McCauley has no inkling that their passionate battle of wills has just begun. Taming Jenna will be the most seductive—and satisfying—job he’s ever taken on.

Buy the book from .....

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Barnes and Noble

My Review:

This is not the sort of book that I normally pick up and I have to say that it was such a refreshing change. I worried that I would struggle to get into the book with it being different to my usual choice, but as soon as I picked it up I was glued to it.

Raddon has a fantastic ability to develop characters that are easy to like. I instantly fell in love with Jenna's character - strong and willful (something I have always thought I was!) and I was intrigued by McCauley - his description at first caused me to think huh? Not what I expected at all! But as I read on, I think I really started to engage with his character and the little hints of his personality that were dropped in with the storyline.

The historic element for me was really enjoyable. It added another dimension to the story and really got me stuck in. I'm also not going to lie - the sensual moments in this book are fantastic. Graphic but not overly so - making Taming Jenna a thoroughly enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend it to any romance lovers who want a bit of a different storyline!

About the Author

Charlene began her writing life at an early age, often penning stories where she cast herself as the heroine. It was after college when she dug out her old college typewriter and started her first novel, which came from a spirited dream she'd had the pervious night.

While that book never sold, her second novel did. Tender Touch became a Golden Heart finalist and earned her an agent who signed the book, and two others, in a three book contract with Kensington Publishing. Kensington went onto publish five of Charlene's western historical romances: Taming Jenna (1994); Tender Touch (1994 Golden Heart Finalist); Forever Mine (1996 Romantic Times Magazine Reviewer's Choice Award Nominee and Affaire de Coeur Reader/Writer Poll finalist); To Have and To Hold (1997); and as Rachel Summers, The Scent of Roses (1999).

Charlene took a break from publishing, but not from writing. A Kiss and A Dare is Charlene's first paranormal romance.

Divine Gamble is Charlene's latest work and won first place in the western historical category of the 2010 Romance Through The Ages contest.

When Charlene isn't writing, she loves to travel, do genealogy, digital scrapbooking and dyes eggs in the Ukrainian style. And she enjoys camping and fishing with her husband in the Utah wilderness. 

Follow the Author
Website,  Blog, Facebook Twitter, Pinterest and Goodreads

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I received this book to review through Beck Valley Books Book Tours, all the opinions above are 100% my own.

My Top Ten Favourite Nail Polishes

Hey all!

Today I have something a little different - a review of my top ten favourite polishes (of all time). This was much harder than I thought - after all I do have around 500 different polishes so to cut down to 10 is asking a lot!

I had a few in mind - I really don't think I can order them though. I love all my polishes and these 10 are just the best ones.. no better than each other all equally amazing!

But the first I will show you are my basic go to colours. 

The first is Modern Love by Deborah Lippmann. Until they recently started showing up in TK Maxx, I was a DL virgin. This was the first I picked up, along with 2 others - one of which is also in my top 10.

Modern Love was the first nude I ever got that suited my skin tone. I have very pinky red flesh, so many nudes just look awful on me. I also struggle to pull off purples for the same reason. This however has an almost mauve-ish undertone and is simply wonderful. When everyone went crazy raiding TKMaxx for them, I saw some terrible reviews for Modern Love but for me it really is just the best nude polish ever. It even applies well - 2 coats which for a creme polish I think is pretty good.

The second and third are both Barry M Gelly polishes. You just can't beat these - easily one of the best brands ever made for the UK. Both of my picks are blue - easily my favourite polish colour. The first is Blackberry - this was my first Barry M polish ever, and one I blogged about a couple of times almost a year ago now. I still love it, and intend on wearing it a lot this winter. Flawless application - 1 coater for me and my little nails, fantastic shiny finish, although I do always topcoat to prolong my manis a bit further. I actually realised I had no photos of it on its own, so you have the new one above  of it on its own and  one further on where I have worn it with KBShimmer Hex Appeal.

The second is Guava. I never imagined Guava as a blue colour, but there ya go! I love this shade immensely, and I am still very fond of this nail art I did using it earlier in the year. Again, a gorgeous shiny finish and in just 1 coat. Whats not to love? I miss my long nails....

A new favourite of mine is Blue Himalayan by Beauty UK. It's one of their new Gel FX range which is along the same lines as Barry M. I should let you know that I did get this as a press sample, but it has still become one of my new favourites. It is a beautiful bright cornflower blue - something that I have nothing even similar to in my collection. I have worn this alone a few times now and it wears really well and does really have that beautiful plumped gel look finish.

Now, onto the glitters. I became enamoured by glitters and polish in general when I saw a link on Facebook to a review of KBShimmer's fall line for 2012. The two that stood out to me were Quantum Leaf (below) and Jack (above). To get them at the time, I had to ask a friend across the water to purchase them for me and ship them to me as they were as easy to find as gold dust on Harlow and Co. He (the wonderful man) bought me 2 of each, and I have treasured both bottles all this time. I am almost down to 1 of each - I do wear both quite frequently and I generally wear them as they are, rather than layering. I have never found another indie quite like KBShimmer for their multi-level glitters.. they are just stunning. I have however only featured them on my blog a handful of times, so I apologise for the quality of my then newbie pictures. I hope you feel I have improved even slightly since then with these ones!

Since that time, I have fell in love with several other KBShimmers, but none so much as Hex Appeal. This just combines everything I love with a little bit of something I hate (purple) and yet comes out as one of the most beautiful polishes I own. Really cannot fault it. This is one coat over Barry M Blackberry.

This next polish was also originally sent to me as a press sample. Ellagee kindly sent me a tiny little 5ml bottle to review, which I ended up using in the space of about a week. I have since purchased a larger bottle and as you can see, I am steadily making my way through this one. You have to have a bit of multi rainbow glitter in your life - this is mine. Crazy He Calls Me was one of Ellagee's first lines - one of a number of glitter toppers (most of which I also own!) there are lots of almost equivalents out there - I suppose it depends on what calls to you - but this definitely calls to me and makes me feel unbelievably content and happy to watch it sparkling away on my nails.

Back to the Deborah Lippmanns. This was the original polish that found me diving for a shelf in TKMaxx and making me look just a little bit crazy! This is Deborah Lippmann - Across the Universe. There are a few dupes of this about now, but I still love it. When I first applied it I was massively disappointed - it takes 3 coats to get to the wonderful jelly effect that everyone loves, but even so - I love this polish and have plenty of plans for it this holiday season!

And last but not at all least - Cadillacquer We'll Meet Again. I was saddened to see this is discontinued, so I hopefully will be able to pick up a backup bottle before its all gone. The colour and whole makeup of this polish is just wonderful. A muted pink base with a holo shimmer and packed full of fine red glitter. It applies really smoothly and only needs 2 coats. It reminds me of curling up toasty warm in my favourite jumper.. except my favourite jumper is neither pink, red, or sparkly. Hmmm. Love it anyway!

What do you think of my choices? Any of your favourites in there?

Don't forget to check out everyone else's favourites!! 

Rachael xxx

Pokémon NAC - Week 14 Dragon

Hey all!

Pokémon nails again - I will complete this challenge!

Its dragon week today, and especially in game you've gotta love dragons. Up until recently, they were pretty much the shizz, but now they've introduced Fairy types (aka Annoying. As. ****.) Dragons aren't quite as strong as they used to be. No worries, theres still some amazing Dragon pokémon - just a shame most of them are Gen 3 or later!

So I went for Kingdra. It's the only new addition to the Dragon category this generation and it's a bit of a poor looking dragon - it's defo still pretty cool as a water type though. I've never used it in game, or seen much of it in the animé which is a shame! There is one episode though which proper makes me laugh - Kingdra vs Totodile haha! Totodile ends up chomping him on the nose and when I saw this GIF I just had to include it!

I tried for Nimbus nails again, but my choice of polishes didn't pan out quite as well this time.. but no matter. I'm pleased with my freehand.

What do you think?

Rachael xxx

Pokémon NAC - Week 13 Bug

#Uninspired.

I already did Spinarak for Poison, so I wasn't really feeling this week. I also wanted something I could wear every day, so I went for an 'inspired by' look, seen as I mainly do freehand and was looking for something a little different. So I chose Ledyba as my inspiration.

I coated all my nails in 1 coat of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Rapid Red, then I dotted some black spots onto two of my nails and coated the other two with 1 coat of Maybelline Color Show - Rosy Rosettes. I love this polish - its one of their new Brocades range. Its lovely!

What do you think?

Rachael xxx

Pokémon NAC - Week 12 Ice

Smoochum!!

Had to be done. Smoochum has a proper lovely storyline in the anime too - her owner is a famous movie star, who Smoochum supported all his life to become famous (there are heartaching scenes of her washing dishes with him!)  but his managers think he should have a more manly pokémon and so he has to hide Smoochum from all of his fans. In the end, he reveals that he loves Smoochum and if they won't accept that, he will deal with not being famous anymore. And of course, they still love him, and they love Smoochum more! Happy endings!

So here are my Smoochum nails! I followed the Nimbus Nail Tutorial from Nailasaurus for the base, and then I freehanded some kisses using Taras Talons Fallen Leaves on all nails apart from my middle finger.

I then freehanded Smoochum onto that nail. What do you think? I am really pleased with these, I have to say! 

Rachael xxx