BNB Colour Me Crazy - Yellow

Good morning!

Today I have my yellow nails to show you! (My red and orange are on route, I promise!) I was really expecting to hate these, but I super love them! I love splatter nails, theyre just really easy, lazy nail art which I love doing!

I used Models Own HyperGel -White Light as a base, and Nails Inc Notting Hill Carnival and New York Noir for this mani.

Hope you like them - what do you think? Do you like splatter nails? Are you a yellow fan?

Rachael xxx

P.S dont forget to check out everyone else's yellow nails this week! 

An InLinkz Link-up

British Nail Bloggers discuss.. Favourite Top and Base coats

Hey all!

So here is the post I was ACTUALLY supposed to do. If you want to read the 'accidental' mistake post of hand and nail care faves, you can read it here.

I am a creature of habit, so when I find something that works, I stick with it. I feel I am 'adventurous' when I order 1 of 3 dishes I have approved at the local indian takeaway, or the chinese takeaway - I am that boring. But if its not broke, don't try and fix it!

So here are my base and topcoat loves:

Base - OPI Nail Envy

I wear this for strenghtening my nails. It works fantastically as a base and only needs doubling up for extreme stainers. I did try a stint with Seche Clear, and although it did lengthen my mani life, it was only extended until my nails started breaking left right and centre. So I decided that OPI Nail Envy was the wiser choice - I would rather have nice length nails and change my mani more often than have longer wear but uneven and forever breaking nails. It makes me go cold just thinking about it! I have tried the original and the matte and I am actually veering towards liking the matte more, but in all honesty, I buy whatever is cheapest when I restock!

Top - Seche Vite

I LOVE ITS GLOOPINESS! I am probably the only person who does, but it just envelops everything and smoothes and glosses over any imperfection. It also dries super fast and I weirdly love the smell of it. Don't get me wrong, I don't like it super duper gloopy, but I like how after you've used it twice or thrice it's thicker than any other topcoat. It's also the only topcoat I know that doesn't smudge my nail art. I sacrificed a whole bottle of OPI topcoat for a franken because it was about as much use as a chocolate teapot when it came to not smudging things. It was also a slow drier. OPI, your topcoat stinks! The only thing I don't like about Seche Vite is that it contains Toulene, and most polishes are free of that now. 

And thats it! Simples!

Don't forget to check out everyone else's choices for this! I am excited to see what everyone else thinks!

Rachael xxx

An InLinkz Link-up

2013 in review - My favourite blog reads!

Hey all!

These are some of my favourite blog reads. Feel free to pop along and have a look - they really are good.

1. Em's Little Corner

One of my favourite blogs - simply because she has such unique nails and hand poses - I would know them anywhere. She loves dots (so do I) and is honest in her opinion of anything she reviews, which means a lot when I'm going to spend my money. Emma is one of only a few bloggers who rocks short nails. She really does have beautiful nails and I am looking forward to what she brings in 2014.

2. Kitty's Painted Claws

The lady who runs the Pokémon Gen 2 challenge. She has beautiful nails and is my first stop every day on my blog reads. She is another shortie rocker, although she does go between short and long but she never lets this stop her from posting beautiful nails. She's also very quirky and posts all sorts of geekery which is another reason why I love reading her blog.

3. UKNailRunner

Possibly my biggest source of nail porn. EVER. Her swatches are unreal, photos are beautiful. I sometimes have to remind myself to stop drooling over the photos and read what she's written. 

4. Special Girl Nails

My one stop shop for all things indie. Especially UK indie. She's also a wonderful stamper and has gorgeous nails!

5. Nail Lacquer UK

AJ has beautiful nails. I often admire them over a cup of tea when we go into town. Even so, I still love to check out her reviews and her freehand nail art is just out of this world. Stunning!

Winners of the British Bloggers Giveaway!

The massive British Nail Bloggers Giveaway finished last Friday.

It ran for three weeks and attracted 65,815 entries. What an amazing competition to be a part of!

As it has now come to an end, those of us who sponsored it are pleased to be able to announce the winners of the $100 gift certificate and the three $50 gift certificates – all of which can be used at any online nail polish e-tailer of the winner’s choice.

So, without further ado, congratulations go to the following winners:

- 1st prize – a $100 gift certificate – Lena Payne

- 2nd prize – a $50 gift certificate – Nina Wilson

- 2nd prize – a $50 gift certificate – Courtney Beck

- 2nd prize – a $50 gift certificate – Kris Wilson

Congratulations to the winners. To claim your prize, please email crumpet@the-crumpet.com, before the end of Wednesday 3rd July. Happy spending!

Thanks everyone for entering – if you followed me, I hope you enjoy reading my blog.

Rachael xxx