Maybelline Color Show Neon Pastels

Now that my nails are pretty damn strong after a month using Renunail I'm keen to show them off and with Spring around the corner it's time to inject a bit of colour to my beauty routine. I picked up a couple of nail polishes on my recent haul and this is the one I was most excited to try first. 

I was really excited to see  a new range from Maybelline. They've added some new pastel shades to their Color Show nail polishes. These are called 'Neon Pastels' -a selection of polishes right up my street. When it comes to Spring/Summer I go between pastel and neon shades so a mixture of the two is just what I'm after. 

I could have grabbed the whole collection but I started small controlled myself. I went for Lilac Glow -which is definitely more of a blue toned pink than a lilac. It's still really pretty.
It's a gel based formula and applies brilliantly. It's such a nice bright pink without being too much. 

The Colour Show nail polishes are a really reasonable £3.99, although at 7ml the bottles are a little smaller than other brands, for example you get 10ml in a Barry M  polish. This isn't a problem for me though, I very rarely use up a whole bottle of nail polish anyway.

There's blue and a peach that I have my eye on and as the weather gets brighter I'm sure I'll be adding these to my collection too.

What shades do you like to wear in the warmer months? Will you be picking up any of the Neon Pastel range?

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Hight Street Beauty Haul

Why are these posts so hard to start? I basically just want to go I WENT SHOPPING! I started to justify why I picked up bits and pieces, I had a couple of vouchers, some items had run out, some I just liked the look of but I thought about why I was explaining myself and I realised I don't actually need to justify my spending to ANYONE. 

I love seeing what people are picking up and haul posts are my favourite to read so I wanted to share what I picked up this week. Everything was part of some sort of offer so hopefully I'm alerting you to some great bargains too. See it as today's good deed. You are welcome.

So here's some of the beauty bits I've picked up recently. Let's start with Boots-

First is the Revlon Colorstay Foundation. I used to use this a couple of years ago but I just sort of forgot about it. I've been thinking of picking up Estee Lauder Double Wear but I've heard this is a cheaper alternative. I noticed that the packaging has recently changed and it now has a pump which is much better than having to pour it out onto my hand and making a mess everywhere. 

Who am I kidding I still make a huge mess with foundation, don't ask me how. 

I picked up the normal/dry version in shade Sand Beige, it's usually £12.99 but was only £9.99 at the time and Revlon also had a 'Buy one get one 1/2 price' offer. Which gave me a good excuse to pick up the Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip colour in 'Seduction' which is a dark nude shade. I love the colour and the staying power is just incredible! It's usually £8.99 but the offer made it only £4.50. 

I got the L'oreal Pure Clay Glow Mask for Christmas and I've really enjoyed using it so when I saw there was now a selection of face washes to go with them I wanted to try one or two out. The L'Oreal Pure Clay Purity Wash seemed most like what my skin needed and it has a lovely eucalyptus scent. This was £3.99 and usually £5.99.

Every time I went to find these they were out of stock or all open and messy

Who is it that does that? If it's you can you kindly stop it?! 

But I eventually tracked down one of the Barry M Matte me Up lip Kits in shade Pose which was £6.99. That's the only product I paid full price for but when you spent £7 you got a free Bottle of the Molten Metal Nail paint -cheeky when I was only a penny away from qualifying for that but I wanted to pick up one of the new Frosted Cupcake Polishes anyway. They're pretty pastel shades with tiny glitter particles in the formula. I went for the pink shade which is 'Strawberries and Cream' and £3.99. The free Molten Metal polish I decided on is hideously named 'Bronze Bae'. 

Let's pop over to Superdrug now. 

I originally went in to repurchase the Maybelline The Eraser concealer. It's the best concealer I've tried, it really covers dark circles and brightens and it stays put, it's not drying, it doesn't crease- it's just brilliant! they're usually a pretty reasonable £7.99 But I t was part of a 2 for £10 offer so I added yet another pink nail polish to my collection. 

Now I don't know if I'm late to the party with this range but I love me a bright nail all year round. I'm currently sporting a rather daring magenta as I type. I noticed Maybelline have a range called Neon Pastels -those two words are sheer music to my ears! Spring shades are all about bright pastel shades for me. I limited myself to one shade (for now, it's still early!) but there were two others shades on the shelf, a blue and a peach. Mine is Lilac Glow which is actually more pink than lilac but it's still pretty and I cannot wait to try it! Oh I bet it looks amazing with a tan! This one is normally £3.99 which is a great price even if there isn't an offer on.

I'd seen Amelia Liana raving about the Simple Kind to skin Hydrating Cleansing Oil and I needed something gentle to remove my make-uso I really wanted to give it a try. I've loved Simple products in the past, they're so affordable and lightweight and basically always do the job. 

This dissolves make up and considering it's an oil it's not too greasy and sinks in well. I usually apply an oil before bed anyway so it's nice to have the first step sort of done for me.  It's made with pure grape seed oil which has a high antioxidant content and anti-inflammatory properties which helps prevent acne. Again, I got this on offer for £4.65 but it's normally £6.99.

Lastly I grabbed a Colour Excellence Highlights Brightener as my hair is looking real dull at the moment. I picked this up about a year ago for £7.99 in Boots. I remember thinking it was good but I wasn't willing to shell out £8 each time my highlights looked a little dull. You only use it the once, kind of like an at-home hair dye so to me it was a bit much. Well imagine my luck when I found it in none other than POUNDLAND. Yes, this cost me just one whole English pound! There's also a detox version for both coloured and non-coloured hair if you don't have highlights so if you're in a poundland keep a look out for these! 

There are a couple of L'Oreal make-up bits that were out of stock when I went in so there might just be another mini haul coming soon. Let me know if you've tried any of these and what you think.

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Renunail Duo Review -Sorting out my brittle nails

Right guys, it's not often I absolutely rave about a product but you need to hear about this. My nails have always been pretty  long but that doesn't mean they don't break from time to time. I've never had my nails done in a salon or really even worn fake nails but I paint my nails very regularly and all that nail polish remover and polishes full of chemicals means they need to be looked after. 

I know so many things can result in brittle nails, wearing acrylics, poor diet, stress, illness, or working too damn hard! Sometimes our nails need a little bit of TLC.

I was offered the chance to try Renunail for 4 weeks to strengthen my nails and give them a well needed pick-me-up. 

It's just like a just like a normal base coat, possibly ever so slightly thinner. It's 

designed to help with  peeling, flaking and chipping and contains calcium to harden the surface of the nails.

Inside the Renunail Duo pack you get a large 30ml bottle of nail strengthened and a 14ml bottle of nourishing oil. On the the first day you apply two coats to clean nails -at this point I could instantly feel my nails felt harder, like the strengthener was almost holding my nails together. 

You then add an extra coat each day and build up the layers. It dries fairly quickly so this wasn't a problem for me at all. During this time you can add the oil to the nails and cuticles daily which  is a nice treat and helps to hydrate the nails. Do this for 5 days, have a rest and on day 7 you remove the polish and start the process again.

Again, on day 7 you remove it all and start again and after 4 weeks your nails really are noticeably stronger.

It's recommended to have a bit of a break after 4 weeks but you can always go back to using it again the needed. 

 I admit I struggled having no colour on my nails for the first time in years so on each of the days where I removed the layers of polish and started again I had a day or two of colour. Going cold turkey was just too hard for me! But it still worked really well. I was amazed really. 

My little finger has always had a split down the middle and it's really helped to fix it, it's almost non existent now! If you have weak nails or need a break from acrylics this really helps to get your nails back on track. I'm actually making sure I take regular breaks from my nail polish now to have a couple of weeks using this as it's just brilliant.

You can buy the duo pack with both items or if you prefer you can use the nail strengthener  alone. I really am impressed with this product and I'm glad I tried it!

*this was kindly gifted to me but all thoughts are 100% my own.

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A couple of questions

Recently I've had a bit of a blogging block. I just haven't been inspired and I didn't just want to review something just for the hell of it. I've been upping my Instagram game so I've concentrated on that while I've been a little MIA. Go and follow me if you fancy it. Shameless plug there.

I haven't done a kind-of 'tag' post in a while and I really like reading them. I'm not 100% sure where I first saw these questions so if you do know then please let me know so I can tag the person that made it. 

So here's me kind of saying "I'm still here guys!" with a little question and answer sesh. 

What do you order from Starbucks?
It varies. I do love a coffee Frappucchino here and there. I never really have the same drink though. When Autumn arrives I become incredibly basic and drink my weight in Pumpkin Spiced Lattes but the rest of the year I chop and change between Caramel or Vanilla Lattes, White Chocolate Mochas and Cappuccinos. I started small in Starbz, I used to go after school on a Friday and order a vanilla frappucchino, why I didn't just get a milkshake from McDonalds and save myself £2 I don't know... Now caffeine-based drinks have well and truly entered my life. Started at the bottom, now we're here.

What's one thing in your closet you can't live without?
This is a tough one. I adore my French Connection knee high boots (it had to be shoes didn't it?!). I bought them in both brown and black and I wear them to death every Autumn/Winter. 

What's one thing most people wouldn't know about you?
I didn't drive for 8 years and started again last year. I passed my test then I moved to London a few months after so I just didn't need my car. I had a baby and moved back to Surrey and was in walking distance of pretty-much everything. It's only since my son started school I got back in the driving seat again to make the school runs a little easier. It's just like riding a bike -but it's a car. 

Name one thing you want to do before you die?
Visit the Caribbean again. 

Name one food you can't live without?
That is a tough question! I guess if I had to live without spaghetti bolognese I'd be pretty damn miffed. 

What phrase or quote do you live by?
Live and Let Live. Just don't worry about what someone else is doing, you do you. We are in control of our own life and that's the one life we need to concentrate on most.

What do you like/dislike about the blogging/youtubing community?
I love talking to people with the same interests as me and I always have something great to read. I find it really interesting to see other people's views on things, even if they're different to mine. And of course it's always nice to find out about new beauty products!


What's your most listened to song on iTunes?
At the moment it's 'Versace on the Floor' by Bruno Mars. I've got a new found love for that guy and his new album is awesome.

What kind of style would you define yourself by?
I'd like to say glam, but it's probably just boring! I keep things very simple and always wear heels. I try to avoid anything too mumsey - it just doesn't suit me. I can't do the casual thing, I look awful in jumpers or slouchy clothes. Victoria Beckham is my idol but she's way more stylish than I could ever be!

Favourite number?
11. My birthday is 11th so it always has been. It was strange to find out that Sam's lucky number was the same as mine when we met, most people I meet say their favourite number is 7.

Two hobbies?
I really enjoy drawing but I just don't get the time to do it as often as I'd like. It's really nice to make someone a card or picture that's really unique and personal - it makes me feel good. I also like to do yoga and pilates when I get some time to myself.

Two pet peeves?
1. People who don't say "Thank You". If I hold the door open for you, move out of the way to let you pass, pull over to let you through when driving, give you a gift - just say thank you! I can't stand rudeness!
2. People who are easily offended. I just don't get it, those people that have a problem with EVERYTHING. Someone who spends their time on the phone to companies complaining or moaning on Facebook. You just can't win with them and it's so draining to be around. Imagine living with someone like that? 

Guilty Pleasure? 
I'll give you two. 
Youtube hauls- I just end up adding more and more products to my wish list. 
Reality Tv - Big Brother, I'm a Celebrity, The Apprentice, Ex on The Beach, Made in Chelsea. If it's heavy edited (and most likely scripted) with 'real' people then I'm watching it.

So there you go guys, that's me! Feel free to let me know some of your own answers in the comments.

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