Lovely Primark False Nails

 Are you a false nail kind of gal?  Or do you enjoy the process of painting nails on a regular basis? For me it changes all the time.  Sometimes I don't mind painting my nails every 2 days (not because my nail polish chipped or anything but I just want that fresh looking painted nails all the time) but there are days when I don't want my nails to be such a high-maintenance business so I would opt for wearing false nails.

Here comes the problem though, sticking false nails with glue onto your nails can do nothing good but damages to your healthy nails.  I had gone through this before in the past and I don't want to go down that route again.

When my sister (Forksandbrushes) and I discovered these beauty false nails from Primark, we were over the moon and completely blown away by the varieties and most important of all, the price tag - £1 per pack.

Each of these pack contains 23 pieces so in theory it can last up to 2 times and there are a few spare for replacements if any of the false nails come off as you wear them.  Look also how cute the designs are, it's got such a huge variety and they cater for the loud and colour design, as well as the plain, elegant and clean style such as the French manicure ones.

These come with a small tube of glue but I take no notice to those as I know how much damage glue can do to your nails.  My sister discovered some magic tapes from Boots and they work so well with these nails.

These are all the ingredients you need for a relaxing nail session in the evening:

• Primark false nail
• Nail File
• Nail cutter
• Nailene Ultra Tabs

You need a nail file and a nail cutter because I always find false nails a little bit too long to match with my own nails.  So I tend to have to cut them short and to the shape of my nails a little bit.  You don't have to if you'd prefer your nails to be a bit longer.  As I am a contact lense wearer, I'm a bit more cautious about the length of my nails, too.

These nailene ultra tabs are great, they are self-adhesive tabs.  Each of these packs contain 24 tabs which costs £2.59.  One pack of ultra tabs goes with a pack of the false nails, making it a total cost of £3.59 which last up to two complete sets of wear.  It is so economical, much better value than some of the other brands which I have tried, e.g. imPRESS, they can cost between £5.99 and £7.99 depends on the style of nails.  Personally I think the quality and lasting power for both nails are the same and I can't feel the difference.  imPRESS has its own self-adhesive tabs at the back of each nails so that makes life a little easier when you apply false nails.

However, using the nailene adhesive tabs are not difficult at all; if anything they might be slightly fiddly.  You just need to grab one of these tabs, match the size with your false nails and stick them at the back of it, then you pull of the protective film and stick each false nails onto your own nails - easy peasy!  I found using a 'nail stick' when you peel off the protective film from the false nails really helpful and can speed up the process.

The sizes of these tabs are great, too and I don't have problems matching them with my false nails.  they are quite sticky, too and do last up to 5 days.

I think they look absolutely fabulous on my nails and make them look so perfect!

Next time when you shop in Primark, do you think you'll give these a go?

August Favourites

I have no ideas where times have gone, it's already the end of August in the year of snake!  This is shockingly unbelievable!  I have to be honest, I have very nearly forgotten to choose my favourites this month.  When I went through my beauty cupboard, there were a few products automatically jumped out at me which I recognised I have been using almost every day this month.  With all the travelling around, packing and unpacking my makeup bags, attending lots of various different occasions; I have kept rotation of products at a minimal, but at the same time I have discovered new favourites and know that they will become my staple products from now on.

This month I have made it to the world of Liz Earle skincare and makeup - they really have become star products for me that I really cannot recommend enough for everyone.  

First up is the brand's most famous Cleanse & Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser.  A more detailed review will be published shortly so I won't go into much depth about it here.  Apart from I really want to say I don't remember using a facial cleanser quite like this, perhaps it's the formula of this cleanser and the combination of the use of a muslin cloth; my skin turns a lot brightener and cleaner after using it.  I only use it as part of my evening skincare routine as I found it very effective in getting rid of the rest of any dirt and makeup residues.

When I purchased a set of the full size cleansing products from Liz Earle website, I received a complimentary Sheer Skin Tint in shade #01 Bare.  Again this base product is so outstanding that deserves a dedicated post about it, so I won't go into too much details into it.

This month because I have been on the go a lot so I'm all about simplicity when it comes to wearing makeup.  I opted for more of a natural look these days so a good base product that can give me the glow that I need.  Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint is exactly the product for me.  Because I'm a dry skinned girl, the texture of this skin tint is highly hydrating and the finish is perfectly glowy - I LOVE IT!

On days when I am very lazy, a Liz Earle Sheer Skin Tint is enough for both coverage and giving me a dewy finish.  When I wanted a little bit more cover up in areas such as eyebags, blemishes or round the nose areas, Maybelline Eraser Eye Concealer is my go-to concealer.  It's received mixed bag of reviews since its launch few months ago, I researched into it a ton before I bought it.  I love it and I think it's better than other high end concealer.  For £7.99, you get a small tube which contains 8ml of easily blended and light textured concealer.  The sponge applicator isn't everyone's cup of tea but I have had no breakouts from using it.  You twist and turn the front bit then the sponge applicator will be soaked full of product.  I dabbed it in my under eye areas, round my nose and other areas that I need, I would either use a brush or fingers to blend it out.  It is extremely easy to blend and the colour matches my skin near perfect.  It doesn't go cakey at all and stay put all day.  If you are looking for a concealer which gives you a natural glow and concealing result, I'd definitely encourage you to try!

Speaking of being a lazy person when it comes to makeup this month, I reached for stick form makeup the most because they offer a quick solution to beauty.

Kiko's Long Lasting Stick Shadow in #05 Dark Brown is extremely well blended and pigmented eyeshadow stick in my opinion.  The formula is very creamy.  Sometimes I wear it all over the eyelids or round the crease areas then blend it to create an easy soft smokey eye effects.  Kiko has once again done it for me, well done!

I talked about Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in June.  I liked it back then and I like it even more now.  Sometimes I need just one lip product that gives me the moisturise and colour that I need - this one ticked both boxes!  It's such an easy juicy pinky colour that suits any makeup look that I wear.  It works especially well with a 'no makeup makeup' look.  It also has a sweet scent which makes it super girly to wear.  I love it!

What products have you liked in the month of August?  Are you like me this month who has turned a bit lazy when it comes to makeup?

Sephora haul in Paris

The shopping spree continues in Paris. I went to Sephora today, boy oh boy it's the biggest Sephora I've ever seen to-date!

Look at the depth of the shop floor

Me and my sister Forksandbrushes 

I didn't go mad at all this time as it wasn't long ago I visited one in Prague. However I knew I would regret it if I didn't pick up anything whatsoever. So the little voice inside me directed my physicality hence I picked up a couple of things

A concealer brush #57 by Sephora and an Aqua eyeshadow cream in shade #16

It's this beautiful champagne pink colour. It's shimmery yet very subtle and the colour stays put well as I own another gold colour already and have had enjoyed it immensely hence I decided to pick up another one.

I don't have many brushes for concealing so when I saw this one by Sephora, it looks like a the right size and the brush looks and feels really soft and fluffy.

It also comes with a plastic shield to protect the brush, how cute is that!

I still have another day in Paris but not quite sure if I'll have another chance to go shopping yet! If I do I'll definitely share with you all!

Bourjour from Paris

Hello peeps!

I'm travelling again! This time in Paris just for a few days with my family (oh what joy!).

Not sure how much beauty shopping I'll get done but I've already managed to get a few good bits at the Parashop, I believe it must be a popular chained French Pharmacy.

Much to my surprise I saw Physicians Formula counter in there! OMG! I have been wanting things from PF but it is not available in the UK, although I could purchase from amazon it is very pricey.

So these are what I picked up:

I will update you all if I continue to pick up anything else!

Hope you are having a lovely bank holiday weekend whatever you are doing.

Prague Drugstore Haul

As you know I went away in Prague for a few days for my summer break this year.  Apart from enjoying the beautiful scenery in Prague, eating loads of yummy food and drinking some famous Czech beer in good quality and quantities; I didn't forget to check out the beauty world in Prague, in fact it was the most important thing on my 'to-do' list.  I went to Sephora and did a bit of damage to my poor bank account, you can check out here for details.

Before I left for Prague, I did a little bit of research of the local drugstore must-get brands and on my list, there were a few: Balea, Dermacol, Essence.  I wasn't picky about specific products I wanted to get so it was pretty much a spontaneous process of what I bought in the end. I was extremely excited to find all these brands and managed to buy a number of things from each brand.  I haven't tried out everything yet but for those products I tried, I am really pleased about the quality.  

First up, Dermacol; which is an original Prague cosmetics brand started back in 1960s.  Not only do they do cosmetics products, they offer a wide range of skincare products, too.  When I went into every single drugstore, department stores, and at duty free in the airport in Prague; I could see Dermacol everywhere.  

After my love affair with a number of makeup remover namely Bioderma Micellar Water, Taaj Micellar Water and a recent favourite L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Micellar Solution, what a great opportunity to pick up Dermacol's Makeup remover for sensitive eyes.  The Gold Elixir Hand Cream caught my eyes because it says it contains Caviar Extract.  It seems something very special that I simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to pick up one of these.

Since the hype of Maybelline baby lips is extremely crazy and is almost sold out in every single drugstore that I looked at in London.  When I saw this baby lips look-alike, I think it's called Love Lip Balm, the very sweet and cute heart shape lip balm itself is soooooooo attractive - I'm so glad I picked one of these up.  It also contains SPF 15 which is a big plus, and that it smells really fruity like passion fruit just makes it that much more special.

As a blusher junkie, I picked up this duo blusher which contains two shades.  The packaging isn't anything to shout about but the pattern on the pan itself is rather pretty.  I wore it once and it's just about the right level of pigmentation and stays put a good 4 hours - as a drugstore brand I think that's pretty good!

I'm hard to please when it comes to mascaras.  This is because of my painfully short eyelashes so I look for a dramatic finish in mascaras.  I am not sure what to expect yet from this Dermacol Obsesion Mascara for Volume and Length I just wanted to pick this up and give it a try.

Nail polishes are an easy trap to fall into whenever I am in a drugstore in London so there was no exception when I saw these Dermacol nail polish.

I found Essence, too but I am not entirely sure if they are original Czech brand as they seem to be an American brand.  Nonetheless as it is not available in London so I was so excited to see them.

I love the little bottle of these nail polishes, sometimes too big a bottle is a bit overwhelming as I don't know how long it would take for me to finish any bottle before they get 'glupy' and end up being a waste.  These little bottles look like nail polish by Bourjois.  I have worn both colours for a number of times and have absolutely loved them.  The brush is a flat brush and the formula of these nail polishes are thick and give a gel-like finish.  Not only they dry really quickly, they don't chip easy at all.  I am extremely pleased about these, and I would have loved to get a few more colours but seeing my ever growing nail colour collection at home; I'd better be a bit more disciplined.

As I was so impressed by the nail polishes, I made a second visit to the drugstore and picked up two other nail care products: the gel-look top coat and a nail oil for cuticle.

Balea is a German brand available in Prague.  My knowledge in German cosemetic and skincare brands is rather limited to Eucerin only but I have had great results from using their products.  When I saw this eye roll-on tube (I think it worked out around £2.50 only!), I thought cool I would give it a try.  If you have tried these on or other products by Balea, let me know what you think of them!

When I saw the Maybelline counter, I was trying to see if they stock any baby lips but they didn't.  However my attention turned to these Colour Whisper lipsticks.  I picked up one of these because of the difference in packaging we have back in London.  I haven't tried it on yet but the slimmer packaging just made me really want to own one of these!

I don't think I've gone too crazy in the drugstore department but I am so so so excited about picking up all these goodies and am really looking forward to diving right deep into every single product to give them a really good try.  

Apart from Prague drugstores, I also went to Sephora (yay!) and have bought a few things, too.  So watch this space I will share with you all what I have bought.

So, has any of you tried any of the above products?  What do you think of them?

Sephora Haul in Prague

I remember when I was younger, Sephora existed in the UK but gradually it disappeared.  Now that I'm a lot more grown up and so much more into makeup, I found that there is a missing part in the beauty puzzle that Sephora isn't around anymore in the UK.

When I found out that there is Sephora in Prague, it's become one of my 'must-go' places when I was there for holiday.  The excitement was beyond words can describe when I saw Sephora (call me sad), my heart was pumping during the short 20-25 mins visit there (as my husband was with me and like many other partners, boyfriends and husbands, his head was down playing with his iphone, following me around whilst I carried with me the little basket picking and trying things on around the shop).

As expected, Sephora in Europe doesn't stock brands such as Tarte or Michael Todd's, etc. but what they do have is Helena Rubinstein which is rather famous for its mascara (I've used two but wasn't blown away by it but I was still excited to see the counter).  This line has been discontinued and can't be found in the UK.

Make Up Forever also owns a place inside Sephora, as we can get their stuff in the UK (even though it is limitedly available), I only had a browse at their stuff but didn't buy anything from it.  As my aim was to only buy beauty products that I CANNOT get in the UK.

This means that my goal for my trip to Sephora to get its own brand makeup products.  Wow, I wasn't aware of how much Sephora does for makeup and how established their ranges are, from base, to eyes and lip products, you name it I can find it here.  Price wise, it is more expensive than drugstore brands like Max Factor and L'Oreal but costs less than high end brands such as Nars and Lancome.

I bought a range of products from nails, eyes, lips to makeup tools as I wanted to try out a few different things by Sephora.

The Sephora cotton pad was a complimentary gift as a result of the purchase which I gladly received as someone who wears makeup would totally understand how quickly one can go through a tub of cotton pads.

Every now and then when I apply makeup, there are some accidents like eyeshadow fall out on the under eye areas, I stabbed my mascara brush literally onto my eyes and ended up looking less than presentable but I was half way through my makeup - these Targeted eye remover swabs would definitely come in handy when that day comes again.  Especially these hand little q-tips are rather difficult to find in London, there's no reason why I wouldn't pick these up.

These mini Sephora Collection Color Hit Nail Polish are so cute I picked up Redberry Smoothie, Vodoo doll and Driven men wild.  I have already worn all these colours and they have passed the test - the combination of a flat brush and the thick consistency of the formulation make the application a complete dream; also they don't chip easy either - Sephora, I think you have 'nailed' it!

There's something about stick-form makeup which screams convenience and quick.  On days when I just can't be bothered to reach for my brushes to blend blend blend, I turn to my eyeshadow crayons.  I welcome these two Crayon Jumbo Liner 12HR wear I picked up #08 gold and #04 taupe.

They are extremely easy colour to wear which I have worn both of these colour at the same time once.  They are quite easy to blend and pigmented.  I don't usually have problems with my makeup moves during the day so I say they stay put well.  If you have oily eyelids and have tried these before, let me know if they are good or not.

On the forever search for a perfect mascara that delivers at all time, I wanted to give Sephora own brand triple action mascara.

I don't know if I would ever go back to wearing black eyeliners so whenever I buy a new eyeliners these days, I stick with my dark brown shade.  It was an obvious choice for me then to get Sephora long lasting kohl pencil in #06 Deep Brown.

I said it above there's something about stick-form makeup products that really have got my attention based on various reasons.  Nars Satin Lip Pencil is something that I have been thinking of getting for ages, and also I would swatch it on my hands every time when I walk pass their counter.

I'm so pleased that Sephora also has their own lip pencil and I picked up #07 gorgeous peach.  Like the name suggests, it really is a gorgeous, slightly shimmery peachy colour.  When I swatched it on my hands it gives a glossy finish, although not quite identical to Nars lip pencil; I can imagine the Sephora one provides a slightly more price-friendly alternative.  I can't wait to wear it.

My makeup brushes collection is definitely growing.  I also feel more comfortable applying makeup using brushes and am not afraid to use them using my creativity, meaning using a powder brush to highlight my face, etc.

I have also seen a few Youtubers raved about Sephora own brand brushes, therefore I picked up a mineral powder brush #45 which I plan to use it as a stippling brush to apply blusher, and an all over shadow brush #22 which one can never have too many of.

I am really pleased with all my purchases from Sephora and am so excited I get to own some more Sephora products as it is so difficult to get hold of.

Have you used any of these products before?  I want to know what you think of them!

Makeup by Christian Dior

Dior makeup is rocking the beauty world at the moment in my opinion - I found myself kept going back to it one product after another.  They've got some great products going on and they are all not to be passed by!

I have owned something by Dior in the past, like a perfume and a lip gloss which I actually didn't enjoy but gave it a try.  That is why I left it for so long (at least 10 years) before I made myself back to the world of Dior.

Few months ago, my husband bought me a couple of new bits from the airport, you can read here for a catch up.  I said it but I'll say it again, I was hooked since these two products were re-introduced to my life.

The other day I was going through my beauty cupboard and I couldn't help but was surprised by the speed of the growth of my Dior beauty products collection.

Dior beauty products are not just a pretty face, they are highly effective, too.

My favourite has to be Diorskin Nude BB Cream (It costs £30 in major retailers but you can get it for £24 on Escentual.com).  I have tried Hydra Life BB Cream (it costs a whooping £41, ouch!) but I have to say I don't like it at all.  The texture is a bit too thick to my liking and the shade is too dark for me.  Diorskin Nude BB cream is an extremely light weight textured BB cream and it feels quite watery as you blend it with your skin.

It comes in 3 shades, and I am using #002 and is a perfect match for me.  Once it blends in with your skin, it becomes transparent whilst providing a light coverage for the face.  It is very hydrating, too so it is ideal for dry skin.  I wouldn't say that it is buildable but it is supposed to provide a natural coverage to your skin without caking it up like you are wearing a heavy foundation.  A little goes a long way.  It gives a slightly but not too dewy finish - you can still feel like it's your skin but better.  It stays put rather well, too and when you touch your skin during the day, you definitely can't feel that you've put anything on your skin but you still look radiant.  I cannot rave enough about this product and I am so pleased that I have this in my life.  Let's hope it won't be discontinued.

I am definitely more willing to pay a bit more to get a great base product than any other things that I would, makeup wise.  After falling in love with the BB cream, I found myself itching to try out a concealer by Dior.  I chose Diorskin Sculpt Lifting Smoothing Concealer (£21 from all major retailers but you can get it for £16.8 from Escentual.com), it has 3 shades and I have the shade #002.  It comes in quite a compact and small tube with the classic 'CD' logo printed on the top of the cap of the applicator.  I like it and I can see myself growing to like it more.  It is a very hydrating, creamy in texture, medium coverage concealer.  I have a problematic appearance of a vein on my left under eye area which is desperate for a good concealer to cover up.  This stuff is able to cover it up in a natural way.  The concealer is not cakey at all.  A geniue and honest product I have to say.

I am a blusher addict, so it is not surprising that I have two blushers by Dior - I adore both of them.

Diorblush Cheek Cream (£24 in major retailers, £19.20 from Escentual.com) has become my staple cream blusher since I bought it.  You can read a full review here (it featured a dupe there, too if you are on a budget!).  I am not going to bore you further about how much I love this cream blush - the colour is vibrant and the formula is easy to blend yet very pigmented, it stays put well, it's an all round winner!

I was completely drawn to the packaging of Diorskin Rosy Glow (a powder blush) (£30.50 at major retailers but again you can at it cheaper for £24.40 from Escentual.com).

The silver-mirror packaging makes it full of energy and not old at all.  I carry it in my handbag as I love the big mirror that comes with it.  The cute little brush that goes with the blusher is actually useable, and a rather nice brush as well.

Finally, another great product that I own is the Dior Addict Lip Glow (£22.50 at major retailers but £18 from Escentual.com). Dior's one shade fits all luxury tinted lip balm I would call it.  You are the boss when it comes to deciding what colour this lip product will turn on your lips.  As it reacts with the moisture level on one's lips and turn into a colour accordingly - magical?  Yes!

 I can totally get away with not needing to apply a lip balm underneath, very handy if you are limiting how much you are taking with you.  I wear it straight from the bullet, I don't even need a mirror.  It gives me shiny and glossy finish, with a hint of a red lip finish; that's the colour it often ends up in.  I'm often surprised by how bouncy I feel my lips look after applying this, very flattering indeed!  You just wouldn't expect from such a baby pink looking lip balm it reacts to your lips to give a red glossy finish.

I adore all of my Dior makeup products, I really do.  I am definitely going to keep an eye on other Dior makeup products.

What Dior makeup products have you tried?  What do you think of them?

The London Beauty Shopping Guide Part II: Space NK

Space NK apothecary has been around since 1993 but I am very embarrassed to say that I have only properly started shopping (or should I say exploring?) in there since I began this beauty blog which was back in April this year.  Getting to know Space NK also means that I have established a serious 'Wish List', I dream of one day I'll slowly buy out ALL the products from the shop - that's me dream-talking!

Let me tell you ladies and gentlemen, there is no turning back once you entered Space NK!  Seriously it has swiftly climbed up to my top favourite places to shop for beauty products.

Space NK in Brunswick, Russell Square

The sizes of Space NK shops vary but they stock more or less the same range of products, from skincare to beauty products, from west to east.  Space NK sources the most special and unique brands of all beauty products.  It has taught me into brands which I wasn't as familiar with before such as hourglass, Kevyn Aucoin, Chantecaille and By Terry; the list goes on......  If you can find them in Space NK you are almost guaranteed they are good and worth a try.  Space NK has also made me become more interested in beauty products.

I am not paid by Space NK to write this blog, I geniuely think that Space NK is a shop not to be missed.

These days you will definitely find me wandering into a Space NK shop almost every time when I go shopping.  It's a dangerous zone but I'm willing to surrender.  It is a self-indulgence experience more than anything else - better than eating chocolate I think.

Space NK, to me can become the most significant representative of beauty specialist in the UK and I think there is no doubt about that.  You are guaranteed to find a product that would wow and suit you when you visit Space NK.  

There is just something about it that I cannot resist.

Not only have I sorted out my identity as a beauty blogger, I have also gained another identity as a loyal Space NK customer/ fan with getting myself an 'N.dulge' card.  A point-reward system, every time when you spend in Space NK, either shops or online you gain one point for every £1 you spend.  Once you have accumulated 100 points you are rewarded with £5 to spend instantly.  You can call it a trap but I see it in a totally different way - it's a reward for loyal fans like us to explore in Space NK the next time when we shop there.

Did you also know about Spa NK?  Spa NK offers a range of body, facial, manicure and pedicure treatments at their store in Notting Hill.  This will definitely make it to one of my wish list items!

Are you a fan of Space NK already?  Perhaps next time when you visit London, you should immerse into Space NK to get a feel of what I'm talking about!

There are 64 Space NK stores in the UK and 21 Space NK apothecaries in the US - 6 free-standing and 15 shop-within-shops in selected Bloomingdale's.  They also offer international deliveries to European Countries and the Rest of the World. (Source of data from Space NK website).