HAPPY NEW YEAR - FEATURING PARTY FAVOURITES

Happy New Year everyone. Thanks to everyone for all the support throughout 2016, I really appreciate how you've all stuck by me in a time where I had other things on my mind. 2016 has been a tough year for our little family, and one that has been dominated with hospital visits for our little boy, and stressing about how he would recover. While our boy is a tough little cooking, and is doing really well, the battle isn't over yet, and the next year will also be dominated by speaking to lots of doctors, I am so looking forward to the start a new year and what can only be better and happier year for our little family. 

With two little toddlers, there are no huge New Year's party in sight for me, but regardless, here are a couple of my ultimate party essentials, some of which are also some of my fave products from 2016…

This Cool Clutch is simply so beautiful that it has to be the clutch of choice for the last and first party of the year. It is hand sown with hundreds of pearls and diamantes, and is sure to dress up any outfit and be the statement of the party. It also has an insulated so your makeup won't melt in the heat of the night.

On my eyes, I just can't get enough of the Lancome Grandiose Mascara. Applying it takes a little getting used to, but once you've mastered the different comb angles, it gives the best fluttering lashes, as close to fakes as you can possibly come.

On my lips, I just cannot get enough of the Sisley Paris Phyto Lip Gloss in the shade Rouge as it simply has the most beautiful intense red shade with a nice glossy look and it stay put for hours. Perfect for a night out.

And of course, what's a party without a bit of glow, and for that, I have to reach for the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick, which just gives the most yet natural glow.

Then on to a spritz of perfume, and just cannot go past one of this years great releases, the CK ONE GOLD from Calvin Klein. It has the most beautiful fresh fruity scent that makes it great for a hot summer night, and just cannot get enough of that beautiful golden bottle.

Finally, cannot neglect the nails, so a couple of coats of the Attitude Attitude, a beautiful red shade from Essie, and all is set.

The drink of choice would have to be the Prosecco Ice, as it has such a refreshing fruity taste. It is a very fragrant Spumante that is great with ice and a slice or lime or a couple of mint leaves, or go the classic way and add a strawberry of two.



Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy and safe New Year.

Karina x



Lancome Grandiose Mascara - RRP: $54
Available from Lancome Counters

Sisley Paris Phyto Lip Gloss in Rouge - $65
Available from Sisley Paris

Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick - RRP: $75
Available from Bobbi Brown

Calvin Klein CK ONE GOLD Edt - RRP: $69 / 100ml
Available from select pharmacies and department stores.

Essie Nail Polish - RRP: $16.95
Available from Priceline and department stores

Cool Clutch Pearl Cool Clutch - RRP: $129.99, but currently on sale for $100
Available from Cool Clutch

Prosecco Ice - RRP: $14.99/ 750ml
Available from Dan Murphy's and BWS

* Products have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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PRODUCT REVIEW: ESSIE WINTER COLLECTION 2016

As you are probably aware, I really love the nail polishes from essie, so today I'm excited o share with you the Winter Collection 2016..
 

In the words of essie: "Off on a ski spa holiday? Don't forget to pack your attitude attitude so you can be the height of apres-chic. There's nothing like a peak show at the summit - with all that virgin snow the ski instructor is bound to ask, shall we chalet? Well, why not? There's nothing like a bubbling haute tub under the stars..."

 

This limited edition Winter 2016 collection includes 6 shades: 

• Peak Show - pastel pink
• Attitude Attitude - fuchsia pink
• Shall we Chalet - warm red
• Virgin Snow - pastel lavender
• Apres-Chic - platinum / silver with micro glitter
• Haute Tub - black with purple micro glitter

 

All the six different shades are so stunning, so it is, as always hard to pick a favourite. While I adore Peak Show and Attitude Attitude, and shades such as these should be in every nail polish collection as you just cannot go wrong with these, these shades do look very familiar to shades from previous collections, so as such, nothing unique.

 

The Haute Tub is a black with purple glitter, and although it in the bottle does appear to be a purple shade, its probably purple shaded glitter that makes it appear purple, but regardless its a beautiful shade. Same goes for Apres Chic which is a silver shade with micro glitter, although I personally find too 'disco' to have a full set of nails covered in this one, by doing just one nail in this shade, would love lovely!

 

The Virgin Snow is a pastel lavender shade, and very cute and girly, and amidst all the dark clothes of winter it is nice to soften things a little by having a pastel manicure, and it will certainly be a perfect shade too in spring and summer.

 

Finally there's Shall we Chalet, a gorgeous warm mid-red shade, and probably my favourite of the collection, probably be cause it is jus different to any other red that I have, while still remaining a classic shade.

As always, I feel that two coats is required for a nice finish, and generally I manage to get 4-5 days wear from a manicure, which can be extended by a day or two by adding a topcoat. I do struggle a little getting a nice even streak free finish with the pastel shades, but I'm starting to think its just be being a little hopeless when it comes to applying nail polish!

 

essie nail polishes - RRP: $16.95 / 13.5ml

The essie Winter Collection 2016 is available from Priceline and select pharmacies from June to August 2016 only

*Some products may have been kindly provided for consideration, and have reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

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PRODUCT REVIEW: ESSIE SUMMER COLLECTION

Today I am excited to be able to share with a new collection from essie, the Summer Collection*;

 

What They Say:

Dip your toes and fingers into bold, nature inspired hues reminiscent of sunburnt summer. With beautiful ocean blues, sea mist creams, beach ball pinks and blazing sunset oranges, essie’s limited edition summer collection is a range of graphic saturated colour that will appeal to your heart as you survive the heat.
 

RRP: $16.95 (13.5ml) – Available from Priceline and select pharmacies during November and December  only

What I Say:

Isn’t this collection just beautiful with its bright bold shades. The limited edition collection include 6 shades:

L:R: Urban Jungle, Roarrange, Ruffles & Feathers, Haute in the Heat,
Strut Your Stuff, and Fierce no Fear

 

Urban Jungle – Alabaster Orchid

Roarrorange – Bold Orange

Ruffles & Feathers – Peacock Teal

Haute in the Heat – Hot Raspberry

Strut Your Stuff – Cobalt Aqua

Fierce no Fear – Cocoa Mahogany
   

L:R: Urban Jungle, Roarrange, Ruffles & Feathers, Haute in the Heat,
Strut Your Stuff, and Fierce no Fear

 

All the six different shades are so stunning, so it is, as always hard to pick a favourite but the green Ruffles and Feathers, the turquoise Strut Your Stuff and the Pink Haute in the Heat are certainly all amongst my favourites, while there also never anything more stunning like a pale greyish-white on tanned hands and feet, and the mid-brown Fierce no Fear is a true classic that will see you right into autumn as well (which luckily is still months away!)

The summer collection also features essie's new creamier and faster drying formula and a thicker brush that makes it even easier to apply evenly.

I do feel that two coats is required for a nice finish, and generally I manage to get 4-5 days wear from a manicure, which can be extended by a day or two by adding a topcoat.

* Products were kindly provided for consideration, and have been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 

What do you think of this new Summer Collection from essie? Keen on getting any of the shades?

 

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PRODUCT REVIEW: ESSIE SPRING COLLECTION 2014

Today I am excited to be able to share with a new collection from essie, the Spring Collection;

What They Say:

Surprising combinations. power pastels. oversized prints. Get in the fashion game with six irresistible and playful shades dedicated to women everywhere who aren't afraid to play - in life and in style.

RRP: $16.95 (13.5ml) – Available from Priceline and select pharmacies during September and October 2014 only

 

What I Say:

This new Encrusted collection from essie screams spring with its bold brights and sheer pastels, which are perfect for any fresh and romantic spring look.

The limited edition collection include 6 shades:

L-R: spin the bottle, romper room, style hunter,
fashion playground, truth or flare, hide & go chic

 

hide & go chic – Azure Blue

truth or flare – Vintage Blue Denim

fashion playground – Pistachio Shimmer

spin the bottle – Semi-Sheer Nude

romper room – Pale Tea Rose Pink

style hunter – Sharp Crimson

L-R: spin the bottle, romper room, style hunter,
fashion playground, truth or flare, hide & go chic

 

Of the 6 different shades, it is so difficult to say which shade I love the most as they are all stunning in their own right. And of course I cannot help but love ‘Style Hunter’ and I am so flattered that essie has used part of my blog name for this shade, LOL!

Here I am wearing two coats of the truth of flare.

 

With this new collection essie has also updated their formula as well as their brush to make it thicker and more user friendly, and it really does make it easy to apply the two required coats, even for a someone like me!! And as always, the essie polishes wears nicely, and I get approx. 4-5 days wear from a manicure when I use a top coat, which I think is quite reasonable. 

* Products were kindly provided for consideration, and have been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 

What do you think of this new Spring Collection from essie? Keen on getting any of the shades? Brights or Pastels?
 

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PRODUCT REVIEW & NOTD: ESSIE ENCRUSTED COLLECTION

Today I am excited to be able to share with a new collection from *essie, the Encrusted Collection

 

What They Say:

Intricate, multi-dimensional, spectacularly ornate caviar nails. With all the fine detail of the most fanciful gem-encrusted jewel, these six stunning shades take manicures to a whole new richly-sculpted dimension.

RRP: $16.95 (13.5ml) – Available from Priceline and select pharmacies during July and August 2014 only

What I Say:

This new Encrusted collection from essie is nothing short of amazing. Unlike other collections recently launched by essie, evey polish in the collection contains jewels or gems for a unique 3D effect. It contains caviar like beads, reflective glitters and holographic materials that makes it look luxuriously stunning. The 6 polishes in the collection each have a different 3D finish and unique character that ranges from molten metals to semi-precious stones, and include:

L-R: Peak of Chic, Hor d’oeuvres, Silver Platter,
Ignite the Night, Lots of Lux, Belugaria
 

The collection includes:

• Peak of Chic: white holographic polish with icy crystal fringe
• Hor d’oeuvres: A clear polish with platinum gold and iridescent silver glitter
• Silver Platter: violet holographic glitter and antique silver add bold contrast to this pearlescent gold polish
• Ignite the Night: sparkling hematite nail lacquer with a superfine matte finish
• Lots of Lux: shimmering blue lapis lazuli lacquer with a sleek matte finish
• Belugaria: ornamented jet black nail lacquer is laced with highly textured matte glitter with flashes of rainbow holographics

Of the 6 different shades, I have to say that my absolutely favourite is the Belugaria – It is really like almost having beluga caviar on your nails. It is the most intense of the shades, and it contains both a sandy texture as well as the glitter making it absolutely stunning. Unfortunately my pictures doesn’t do it justice.

You need two coats for a full coverage, and the first coat is easy to apply. However, the second coat is a little trickier, and I feel that you almost have to pad it on. But it is worth it, its absolutely stunning.

 

Unfortunately, and I think this is due to having to pad it on, and consequently getting a very thick coat on, it started chipping already the following day, and so quickly that I had to remove it. It may have lasted longer if I had applied a base coat first, but as for a top coat, I don’t think that would work, as it would ruin the 3D effect.

 

As for removing the polish, that is a little tricky, as most glitter polishes are, and you do end up with glitter on your hands. But soaking twice with standard nail polish remover does do the trick without too much hassle.

Overall I really like these polishes, also in spite of the short wear – but it still makes them perfect for a special event or night out. Note that this is a limited edition collection, so if you want to get your hands on any of the shades you better run!!!

* Products were kindly provided for consideration, and have been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 

What do you think of this new Encrusted Collection from essie? Keen on getting any of the shades? What do you think of glitter polishes?

PRODUCT REVIEW: ESSIE SNAKESKIN COLLECTION

Today I’d like to share with you an exciting new nail polish release the limited edition *essie Snakeskin Collection;

 

 

What They Say:

The weather may be getting cooler but skin is in and essie’s limited edition Snakeskin Collection is so magnetic, it beautifully combines warm, autumnal tones with a killer snakeskin finish. Offering serious serpent appeal, this collection uses magnetic technology to morph luxurious deep shades into exotic and striking designs. Available in 6 hypnotic shades.

RRP: $16.95 (13.5ml) – Available from Priceline and select pharmacies during May and June 2014 only

What I Say:

It has been a while now, but I was so excited when the news broke that essie nail polishes was going to be available in Priceline, - but sadly it hasn’t been kind to my purse as my collection of essie polishes have increased dramatically! I simply love the quality of the polishes and the ever changing range of colours and textures, and of course that the polishes are 3-free, and hence free from DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde.

The collection includes:

• Lil Boa Peep: hypnotic titanium copper nail lacquer
• Snake, Rattle & Roll: venomous oxidized silver nail lacquer
• Repstyle: hypnotic desert bronze nail lacquer
• Sssssexy: sanguine nail colour
• Crocadilly: alluring hunter green lamé lacquer
• Snake it Up: magnetic pewter pavé python nail lacquer

 

And this limited edition Snakeskin Collection is no exception. It has been formulated with micro-iron spheres that take on the snakeskin patterns embedded in the magnetic over-cap.

 

Unfortunately my close-up photo makes the colours appear brighter
than they really are. From left to right:
Lil Boa Peep - Shake, Rattle & Roll, Repstyle, Sssssexy,
Crocadilly, Snake It Up

 

According to the instructions you simply need to apply two coats, and then hover the cap above each nail for 30 seconds and then sit back and wait for the pattern to transform under the magnet. Sounds pretty simply, wouldn’t you think… ok, I admit to being very hopeless with my nails – and guess what, nothing happened. Zip. Zilch. Nada! Hmmmmm, surely I’d done something wrong…

 

 

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find the details of this collection on the Australian website, but on the international site, it did say to ‘shake the repstyle collection bottle vigorously as the iron in the polish is heavy and settles on the bottom of the bottle. Once you move the irons around it works like a charm!”

So I think I clearly didn’t shake the bottle enough before applying. I will have to try that next time I apply – but in saying that, I am a simple girl and I really love the muted bronzy-brown shades as they are too, they are all really stunning, so while I will of course try again to get the snakeskin effect happening, I can see myself using them without any effects too.

The colours apply easily and beautifully, and with a top coat, I can get 4-5 days wear from the polish before it starts to chip at the ends.

 

Here I am wearing two coats of Shake, Rattle & Roll

 

This really is a stunning collection from essie, and again, I really love the metallic shades, and every single one of them is stunning on its own. If you’d like to get your hands on this striking essie Snakeskin Collection, you better get your skates on, as again, this is a limited edition collection..
*This product was kindly provided for consideration, and it has been reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

What do you think of this new collection from essie? Do you like special effects nail polishes? Or are you a simple girl too?

Product News: Essie Launches Sleek Stick Nail Stickers

I absolutely love Essie Nail Polishes; they have the most amazing colour range, and the finish and staying power is fantastic. And very important to me, unlike other nail polishes, they are DBP, Toluene and Formaldehyde free.

It has taken the nail polish brand some time getting on the nail sticker trend, but finally Essie is launching their own range – which for someone like me, who has ten thumbs when it comes to applying nail polish and doing nail art, is just fantastic news.

Essie’s new ‘Sleek Stick' nail wraps come in 12 classy designs.

Unlike other nail stickers which often have very loud patterns, Essies designs are softer and more simple with pastel colors and simple embellishments, supposedly inspired by textures spotted "on the catwalks of New York and Milan."

Top row, left to right; don't cheetah on me, oh my gold!, steel the show, croc 'n chic, love to love you, and so haute!

Second row, left to right; a to zebra, glam it on, sneek-e, embrace the lace, over the moon, and stickers stones.


For those of you who are new to nail stickers, it is very simple. You find a size that fits your nail, stick it on and file the excess off until the sticker matches the length of your nail. That’s it. All done. How easy is that. And if you are careful, they will last you for two weeks. (Good excuse to make hubby do the dishes!!)

The Essie Sleek Stick Nail Wraps include a nail file and cuticle stick.

As always, they are not yet available in Australia, but in the US they retail for US$10.25. I believe that this is a few dollars more than the nail stickers from i.e. Sally Hansen, so when the Essie stickers become available here in Australia in the end of January 2013, I guess we can also expect them to cost a little more than the AUD$14.95 the Sally Hansen stickers retails for here.

Personally I love the look of the ‘Steel the Show’ and ‘Love to Love You’… what about you, what do you think of these nail stickers? Do you plan on getting your hands on any? Or are you a wizz at DIY nail art?