Review - Revlon Chalkboards

Good morning everyone! I have an amazing polish to show you today - something I have been hounding Revlon on facebook for for ages. Revlon Chalkboards! 

 If you are a true 'nailie' you will have seen the sets that Ciaté released a while back. A little out of some peoples price range though - including me. So I've waited and waited, and luckily Becca spotted them and picked me one up when she was out shopping. She picked me up Straight A's on request - as this is something I think I will use the most. 

 If you don't know the general concept of chalkboard nails, then its that you use a black matte nail polish as the base, and your colour over the top to act as your 'chalk'. The great thing about the Revlon's Chalkboard nail sets are that you always get black - the polish you will use the most of, and that the brushes are designed for the use - a nice easy to use brush to apply the base, and a thin striper style brush to apply your other colour - in this case, my white. 

Now I won't lie - I usually hate matte nail paint. I quite like this though as it still has an almost satiny finish. It reminds me of the rubber style polishes from Illamasqua. The word vinyl comes to mind. The only problem now is that I didn't have any ideas for designs! So I just doodled! 

The retail price on these is £8. You will be able to find them at all big stores, such as Boots and Superdrug. I will definitely be picking up some more colours! They are still quite expensive, but still a cheaper option than Ciaté.

Have you seen these in your shops yet? Have you bought / tried any? Have you tried the Ciaté ones? What do you think? 

 Rachael xxx

ER31DC Day 24 - Inspired by a Book

Good morning!

Got another episode of the 31DC for you today - I'm getting there! Today's is inspired by a book. I recently finished book 3 and 4 of the Rachel Mariana Morgan / The Hollows series by Kim Harrison.

If you haven't read any of these books, then check out the first one here:

Dead Witch Walking

I really love all the characters, but I instantly thought 'this is what I'm doing for the 31DC' when I first read about Ivy and her cross necklace. She always dresses in black leather (hence the black matted nails) and I dotted and freehanded my imagined version of her cross necklace onto my accent nail.

What do you think? I'm still not a fan of matte.. maybe in time it may grow on me!

Rachael xxx

Nail Art Challengez - Black and White Day 6 - Recreate Your Favourite

Hi all!

Last day of the Black and White challenge hosted by Beauty Shoes Nails and Fun. So again, thanks go to her for hosting this fab challenge! X

I decided to go all the way back to Day 1 - Geometric, and I chose Cubbiful's mani to recreate. I loved this as soon as I saw it - I hope you like my version with a twist :)

As you can see, I am not great with the striping tape. I also knocked this after taking only a couple of photos.. so I redid with another twist, but you'll have to wait for another post to see that one!

Don't forget to check out everyone elses manis!

Rachael xxx

Other posts you might like:

Nail Art Challengez - Black and White Day 5 - Faux Fur

Hi all!Time for Day 5 - everyone loves a bit of animal print!So I wasn't hundred percent sure what to do for this.. browsed my bloglovin for some inspiration and although I didnt find any animal print inspiration, I do love this new pinky accent thing loads of people are doing now instead of the ring finger. Here are today's nails.. actually quite like them - what do you think? 
 Don't forget to check out everyone elses manis!Rachael xxx

Other posts you might like:

Nail Art Challengez - Black and White Day 4 - Glam Cute

Hi all!

I have really been looking forward to today! Exciting times!

Today is Glam / Cute. I did try to go for glam.. but I think I tripped and fell over the border and rolled pretty far into CHAV. Hahahahaha.. and after posting a cheeky picture on my personal facebook, ALL my chav friends liked it. Coincidence? LOL.

Surprisingly enough, I wore this for half an hour and then ended up liking it enough to do my OTHER hand.......... so there ya go haha! The studs and diamantes are all from nail wheels available from Born Pretty Store.

Don't forget to check out everyone elses manis!

Rachael xxx

Other posts you might like:

Nail Art Challengez - Black and White Day 3 - Freehand

Hi all!

Time for Day 3 - Freehand!

Today I decided to go floral - these are similar to the poppy nail art I did back in May - what do you think?

Don't forget to check out everyone elses manis!

Rachael xxx

Other posts you might like:

Love the basics - Zoya Raven

Hi all!

I've been sat today preparing a couple of manis for a new challenge I'm starting next week, when I realised how much I ADORE this polish.

I was very lucky to pick it up when Zoya had a promotion on, and a very kind friend let me have it posted to him, then he sent it across the water for me. So I am really not looking forward to the day this runs out, and I do keep swapping between it and my trusty Sinful Colors.

I always forget how much I love black manicures. I always think oh it'll wash my hands out, look too gothic for me and make me look pale. But it doesn't. It looks classic, timeless, elegant.. I could go on. I really love Zoya Raven for this because of its formula and finish. It dries glossy, has a beautifully smooth formula, and is a definite 1 coater with careful application.  I can't capture it on my camera but it also has a very very fine, faint charcoal grey shimmer to it. It also dries speedily, but not so fast that you have to rush your nails. Perfect. It is also a staple colour for pretty much all manicures - I hardly ever don't have a black element somewhere in the mix.

So what do you think - are you a black mani fan? Have you tried Zoya Raven or do you have a different favourite black polish? 

Rachael xxx