31 Day Challenge - The Home Stretch!

Hi guys!

Here is my round-up of the final part of the 31 Day Challenge. I had such a good time doing this challenge, and now I'm worried that I won't be able to create any new designs without some sort of prompt haha!

Day 21- Inspired By A Colour - Seventeen 'Smoke Signal'

Day 22 - Inspired By A Song - Chance The Rapper 'Sunday Candy'

Day 23 - Inspired By A Movie - Big Hero 6

Day 24 - Inspired By A Book - PS I Love You

Day 25 - Inspired By Fashion - Vivienne Westwood

Day 27 - Inspired By A Pattern - Houndstooth

Day 28 - Inspired By Artwork - Mondrian

Day 29 - Inspired By A Flag - Pride Flag

Day 30 - Inspired By The Supernatural - Fairies

Day 31 - Honour Nails You <3 - @simplynailogical and @spejldame

31 Day Challenge - Day 3 - Yellow

Hello!

Today I have my third set of nails created for the 31 Day Challenge. The prompt for this one is 'yellow', which is a colour I don't often wear on my nails, but surprisingly I actually own quite a few yellow polishes (or not, when you consider the size of my stash!)

For this mani I used the gorgeous Butter London 'Jasper', which is such a beautiful pastel yellow creme polish. I teamed it with Hello Kitty 'Whatcha', a bargain that I picked up in Poundland! The little flower studs are also from Poundland - they don't look like a good match in these pictures, but I promise they are in real life!

I'm loving the 31 Day Challenge, it's giving me a great opportunity to try out some more of my unused polishes, such as 'Jasper' in this mani. Being ill this week has given me the time to plan out what I'm going to do each day on my nails, so I have no excuses not to finish the challenge!

Thanks for reading!

Helen x

P.S. Check out all of the other submissions for the 31 Day Challenge over on Instagram - just search the hashtag #31DC2015 :)

31 Day Challenge - Day 2 - Orange

Hi guys!

This is a super quick post featuring my second mani in the 31 Day Challenge. Prompt number two is 'orange' so I decided to stamp a tiger design onto my nails :D

For this design I used Bundle Monster plate #613 from the CYO 2014 collection. For the base I dry brushed  NYC 'Summer In NYC', an unnamed Ted Baker peach shimmer polish, Barry M 'Cocoa' and Barry M 'Coconut' onto my nail, then stamped directly onto the nail using MoYou London 'Black Knight' stamping polish.

Sorry for the short post, I've been feeling under the weather this week and haven't been able to put as much time into nails and blogging as I usually would. Stick with me, guys!

Thanks for reading!

Helen x 

P.S. Check out all of the other submissions for the 31 Day Challenge over on Instagram - just search the hashtag #31DC2015 :)

31 Day Challenge - Day 1 - RED

Hi everyone!

It's that time of year again - the 31 Day Challenge! I didn't participate last year so I've decided to give it a go this time :) Most (if not all) of my posts this month will be based on the prompts from the 31 Day Challenge, and prompt number 1 is Red. So here they are:

I have been meaning to do a red-black gradient for forever so this prompt gave me the kick up the backside to just go for it. I started with a base of Butter London 'Knees Up' and sponged the gradient using Seche 'Bella' and Rimmel 'Black Out'. I found it really hard to get a decent gradient, and you can see that I over-sponged a little on my thumb and pinkie as there a little pieces of sponge on the nail.

The stamped rose image is from one of my favourite plates - MoYou London Pro 04, stamped using Models Own 'Gold Chrome'. I finished with some small gold discs that I picked up in Poundland.

This is definitely something that I would have worn when I was younger and more 'edgy', but now I think it's a little too vampy for my tastes! What do you think? Is this a look you would wear?

Thanks for reading!

Helen x

P.S. Check out all of the other submissions for the 31 Day Challenge over on Instagram - just search the hashtag #31DC2015 :)

Galaxy Nail Art

Hi guys!

Today I want to share a short post with you featuring some galaxy nails that created recently. This is my third attempt at this design, and so far is my favourite - they actually look like galaxies! Woohoo!

For this I started with a base of Barry M 'Black' and sponged/dotted a galaxy 'shape' with Color Club 'French Tip' white polish. I then used too many polishes to remember in pinks, blues, greens and purples and dabbed them around the white markings with my sponge. Finally, a few pieces of Ciate 'Celestial' glitter and a thin layer of China Glaze 'Fairy Dust' and my galaxy was complete! :D

Thanks for reading!

Helen x

The First MeeBox! **Nail Art and Review**

Hi guys!

I was so excited to have received the first ever MeeBox this week, and couldn't wait to open it and try out my new goodies! If you haven't already heard, MeeBox is a brand new nail specific subscription box that has launched in the UK. Although there are various other subscription boxes available, MeeBox caught my eye due to their fun Instagram page and I just got caught up in all of the excitement! So, without further ado, here is what is in the August 2015 MeeBox (nail art at the end of the post!):

Aside from the gorgeous packaging (which was super sturdy to make sure of no damage to the contents), I was pleased to find three polishes that I don't have in my collection - all from great brands, too! Although the polishes aren't from new/recent collections, they are all bang on trend and worthy of representing the first MeeBox theme - California Dreamin'! 

This month I received: 

• Models Own - Turquoise Gloss
• Color Club - Disco Dress
• China Glaze - Flip Flop Fantasy
• Whats Up Nails - 30 palm tree vinyls
• CND Solar Oil (3.7ml)

MeeBox are selling these boxes for £20 on a month-by-month basis, or you can buy three months for £54. A quick search on all of my regular nail polish-buying sites (Amazon, FragranceDirect, brands own store) tells me that the contents of this box alone are worth £23.50 - and that is without shipping on top! I think it's a bargain!

Nail vinyls and cuticle oil were a huge bonus for me in this box, as they are both products that I am always wanting to buy! The CND Solar Oil is lovely and has a strong almond scent to it (which may put some people off, but I think it's nice!) It rubs in easily and doesn't leave your hands too greasy. I've only been using it for a day so can't comment on the long-term results, but my first impressions are very good! As for the nail vinyls, I have heard amazing things about the vinyls from Whats Up Nails and couldn't wait to try them out. Plus, a large pack of 30 vinyls will last me a while!

Models Own - Turquoise Gloss

Color Club - Disco Dress

China Glaze - Flip Flop Fantasy

CND Essentials - Solar Oil

Whats Up Nail Vinyls

Whats Up Palm Tree Nail Vinyls

 One thing that I love about this is MeeBox have made sure to include popular shades that have been mentioned in more than one 'summer must-haves' polish list! All of the shades are gorgeous together in any combo, or worn alone as block colours. I think this box has managed to capture a great 'holiday' vibe and I can totally see myself packing these three polishes in my suitcase when I go away!

Of course I created an appropriate design to fit the theme. I used all of the colours in my MeeBox to create multiple gradients, and added white accents/detail using Essence 'Wild White Ways'. I also recycled my palm tree from the centre of my vinyl and stuck it to my thumb - sealing it in with two coats of topcoat.

Overall I am really impressed with the whole MeeBox experience, from the ordering and delivery (which is tracked using Hermes postal service), to the cute, thoughtful and extremely protective packaging (gotta keep those polish bottles safe!). Personally, as someone who spends well over £20 per month on nail products this is a great product as it restricts my impulse buys and it's almost like receiving a gift from a friend who knows exactly what I need in my life every single month! Ways to improve? I can't really think of any, but if MeeBox decide to include a holo or two in the upcoming boxes I know I'll be a happy lady.

You find out more about MeeBox on their website, and follow them on Instagram for regular updates and mani pics :)

I can't wait to see what's in my MeeBox next month!

Thanks for reading!

Helen x