MANICURE MONDAY 02

WINTER WHITE EDITION

Maybelline Color Show in Winter Easy
H&M glitter polish in Jo is in the house.

Reading the news recently I wasn't surprised to see a story that there was going to be heavy snowfall in the UK. The same story comes around every year, the whole population freaks out, and then there is barely a flurry to be seen. It's funny because if even a centimetre of snow falls, the entire country comes to a standstill, with people panic buying bread and milk.

Anyway, inspired by the snowy news, I picked up a winter white nail polish from the Maybelline Color Show line, to mix with a bit of glitter to create snowflake, frosty nails. I would love it if the white was more opaque, but I do love the little sparkle of the glitter over the top. Perfect for party season, don't you think?

I have a few Color Show polishes and the are reat value for money for just £2.99 - £3.99 a piece. They go on super smooth and dry to a lovely shiny finish. You are better off with 3 thin coats as opposed to 2 thick ones, to keep the look even, instead of streaks. Here are some of my party favourites from Color Show, all available at Superdrug...

1) Dazzle.
2) Cool Blue.
3) Love Lilac.
4) Ocean Blue.
5) Tutti Fruiti.
6) Vinyl Black.

Can you tell I'm favouring a certain colour palette for the winter season? What have you been wearing on your nails for manicure monday?

Gems x

DUST IN THE WIND

I never told you guys the story about when I got blown over by the wind. About 12 years ago there was a seriously strong wind whipping through the streets of Newcastle - it caused travel disruption, power cuts and a lot of trees suffered its full fury. I was walking from college to the bus stop when an almighty gust of wind whipped me off my feet and threw me unceremoniously to the floor and into a large skip bin.

Cuts all over my face, rips in my jeans and smelly garbage water all over me. I was a bloodied and bruised, and of course pretty darn embarrassed. So I hid behind a little water fountain until my dad came to pick me up, I did my best to walk to the car with dignity, but I'm not sure I really pulled it off.

Fluffy Jumper, AX Paris - Same Here.
Shift Dress, Primark.
Biker Jacket, Matalan - Similar Here.

I can laugh about it now, but I still get a little bit wary when the wind starts whipping up. A little thing like me can get swept up into the clouds never to be seen again. Luckily on a recent super windy day in The Toon, I was lucky enough to survive with my feet on the ground, although I did look a little windswept at times.

I think I have my winter laying sorted, with a cosy cropped jumper worn over one of my dresses with some thermal tights. I might have to let my dresses go soon, but I'm not ready to yet, besides I was informed by Etail PR that I won a dress of my choice from Hybrid (as well as some Wonderful Hair products) and I chose an amazing faux leather gun metal shift dress...I can't wait for it to arrive!!

How do you layer up for winter?

Don't forget there is still time to enter my competition to win a bundle of beauty goodies.

Gems x

MANICURE MONDAY 01

Those that know me, or follow me on Instagram, will know that I am obsessed with all things nails. The thing is I hardly ever create blog posts about my manicure efforts, eventhough there is barely a day that goes by without me painting my nails (and half my fingers in the process) or popping on some fabulous falsies.

Well, when I picked up this Barry M Silk Polish in Forest, I knew it was blog worthy, as it is bloody beautiful. It applies super smoothly, as you would expect from any Barry M polish and just two thin coats is enough to give a saturated coverage. It dries to a beautiful semi-matte finish, almost like a candy shell, it is just lovely and feels so nice on the nails.

Forest is ther prefect shade for the festive party season with it's deep green metallic shade and subtle glitter flecks that sparkle when they catch the light. I wore the polish like this for a few days, but then the polish started to chip on the ends after washing a mountain of dishes. But I wasn't ready to say goodbye to forest. So I covered the chips with  some silver from Maybelline Color Show and a top coat and the result was dazzling.

My success with Forest has resulted in me lusting over many gorgeous winter shade from Barry M, I am such a nail varnish addict...

1) Silk Effects in Meadow.
2) Chameleon Effect in Blue.
3) `The Royal Textured Glitter Collection in Gold Majesty
4) Nail Paint in Silvery Lilac.
5) Nail Paint in Racing Green.
6) Nail Paint in Raspberry.
7) Nail Paint in Gold Mine.

I hope you liked my first Manicure Monday, there will be plenty more to come as I bought myself a Ciate advent calender from TK Maxx for the bargain prince of £19.99 - it feels like December will never get here. It appears to have sold out online, but if you are lucky you might be able to nab one in store.

Any wintery nail shades you would reccommend?

Gems x

FLORALS FOR TOMBOYS

There is so many super gorgeous florals in the shops right now for the Autumn/Winter season., but as a former tomboy, I really struggle with them. Sometimes when I think about myself and how I look, I still see the sixteen year old, round glasses wearing, bad-skinned uber nerd, who had the curves of a ruler. That Gemma wore nothing but tracksuits (the baggier the better) and was painfully shy - she would neer have worn a pretty floral dress, just in case someone noticed her.

Floral Dress, Ribbon @ Bank - Similar Here.
Biker Jacket, Matalan
Necklace, Oasap - Similar Here.
Stiudded Bag, Birthday Gift

Even now, if I try anything too feminine on, I feel incredibly uncomfortable - like how I imagine a dog feels when it is forced to wear a dress. You have to wrestle that dog into the dress and then it spends the rest of the day looking miserable!

I wear a lot of dresses, but none of them are too girly - no frills, never any lace or crochet details, and anything with sequins is out. I tend to go for bold prints, denims and something with a bit of edge. That doesn't mean I can't do florals, I just make sure I accessorise with leather and studs to keep my tomboy vibe. I tend to avoid feminine colours and dainty prints too - My goal is never to be called 'A Lady', it would feel like an insult.

I loved this Ribbon dress from Bank on first sight. The fit accentuates what little curves I have, and the neon print, whilst being floral, is not in the slightest bit girly.

What are you're tips for wearing Autumn Florals?

Don't forget to enter my UK Giveaway for beauty goodies.

Gems x

BEAUTY BUNDLE COMPETTION FEATURING ELEGANT TOUCH, NIVEA AND TED BAKER

Yes, it has arrived, the competition I have been promising you guys, for all your continued support. It still surprises me that people still stop by and say nice things to me. It has really helped boost my confidence over the years, and as a result helped me cope with my issues with mental health. That feeling of isolation totally disappears when you realise how many others are going through similar things. It has been a real privilage to me to reach out to some of these people and the gratitude I feel can never be repaid.

So to rejoice at how much I love blogging and that I want to give back a little, I picked up some beauty goodies to giveaway that will keep your hands and lips looking beautiful through the winter months.

Up for grabs for one lucky winner is the Glitter Face Ache nails from House of Holland for Elegant Touch, Ted Baker Nail and Lip Duo in Peach Perfect, and Nivea Luscious Lips Tin. If you have any questions about the giveaway, please ask.

I'm sorry but the competition is only open to people from the UK due to postage costs, but I will have a competition for international enteries coming soon I promise.  Please no spam enteries or follows and immediate unfollows, as I check each entry and invalid ones will be disqualified. The winner will be contacted following the Rafflecopter draw and must claim thier prize within 72 hours or another winner will be chosen.

Good Luck Everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Gems x
 

BEAUTY REVIEWS - W7 EYE ESSENTIALS

When I saw on Twitter that one of my favourite cosmetics brands W7, were looking for some bloggers to try out some of their eye make-up must haves, I jumped at the chance. Eye makeup is something I don't wear a lot of, because I'm never sure what to use and I have hands so shaky, eye liner and shadow usually ends up all over my face.

A few days later there was a padded envelope waiting for me when I got home with three full sized products inside, which I have been playing with every since ( I won't lie, there has been some eye-liner accidents, thanks to my own clumsiness)...

1) W7 Lashtastic*
2) W7 Perfect Eyes in Lovely Lilac*
3) W7 Eyeliner Pot*

Let's start with the Lashtastic Mascara, which aims to create a false lash effect with its short plastic brush. The formula is ultra black, which does help the lashes appear more defined and it certainly thickened up the individual strands, which was much welcomed on my spider leg lashes. I have to say I am a real fan and I have been using it everyday. I will definitely be buying more once this one runs out, as at £4.95 it is a real bargain.

On to the Eyeliner Pot in black, which has a felt nib applicator. Now I have to admit, I find liquid eyeline a real struggle because I have such shalky hands. So I have been practicing with this beauty for the past few weeks, and I have found that you can create both thick and thin line depending on the angle you hold the applicator...genius. The liner lasts all day long and goes on smooth, so I am sure I will be perfecting my cat's eye line very soon.

Finally, it's the Perfect Eyeshadow in Lovely Lilac. The shade is not currently available on the W7 website, but there is so many other lovely ones available, I am dying over the Silver Bullet shade. The shadow has a thick powder formula, but is creamy enough to last for many hours without creasing and if perfect for eye make-up novices like me, as it can be applied with the finger with ease. I love the metallic hue and touch of shine, perfect for the Autumn/Winter months.

I now have a W7 wish list as long as my arm, which starts with their Countdown to Christmas Calender - it beats chocolate by a mile.

Have you tried any W7 products?

Gems x
*Products provided free of charge to me by W7 for purposes for this review, all opinions are my own.