Peachy lips and bright nails - perfect combo?

It is definitely getting to that time of year when all nail varnish has to change to a shade of coral, it's just an unwritten rule in my world. I have so many different shades of coral, reddy coral, orangey coral, and so on. So buying another shade to add to my collection, was nothing out of the ordinary. However, whilst searching for a top in Next that wasn't dark or long sleeved, I came across their own selection of makeup. So, here are two of their products and more importantly what I thought of them.

Nail Colour Collection in Paradise £4
The colour attracted me initially. This shade of coral leans towards a more orange in tone, which is perfect for this time of year and this shade promotes a glossy finish as with most varnishes. I wore this colour on my little minbreak to Venice, and surprisingly I only had to touch up a couple of chips while I was away.  
So longevity wise it did well, (although there was no washing up, changing nappies, cleaning etc to contend with). It dries quickly and evenly, ensuring you have a good solid base coat underneath that is. I would definitely recommend that a second coat is applied, as the first will leave gaps of colour on the nail surface. Overall, I really like the colour and depth it presents once both coats are in situ, it was a good varnish for the relatively inexpensive cost.
Make Me Beautiful Lipstick in Simply Peach £8
I am still working through my obsession with matte lipstick, so this was my final purchase before I begin to obsess about lip gloss for the next few months. My initial observation of this product was the great packaging. It is really funky, and looks a lot more expensive than it is. The texture of the lipstick is creamy and grips onto the lips with ease. (Tip: If your lips are not completely smooth, these bits will show up a lot more using this shade. Try putting a bit of Vaseline on your lips prior to application). I used a nude colour lip liner to define the shape of the lip which I think should be used. I suggest a Boots Natural Collection in Almond, a pretty good match, for me anyway.  I was pretty chuffed to receive a compliment on my colour this afternoon, as I still wasn't completely convinced. 
Certain matte lipsticks can create a dryness on your lips, thankfully I haven't experienced this to date, but I have seen many reviews claiming this to be the case for them. I have not felt any over drying or uncomfortable sensation whilst using this product, so that is a positive!

These two little products have performed really well, and I was particularly hard on them, almost looking for flaws (naughty me), but in all honesty, I can't find anything negative to say. The two colours work nicely together, especially for a day wear look. A great concept to buy a new top, and treat yourself to a new make up product at the same time, brilliant.

Have you bought any NEXT make up products? What did you think?

Until next time, thanks for reading.

Ally x

Twitter: @clarity_beauty 
      
  

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Perfect peepers

Nothing sets off your eyes better than perfectly applied eyeliner. I must admit, I'm still working on the ink liner application, that cat eye flick isn't quite there, however, smudged, smokey is such an achievable look, and one I use daily. I've decided to include two eyeliners for this post, both designed to do the same job, however one is more expensive and waterproof.

Too Faced Perfect Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner
Too faced. I love the name, and I will be honest, I bought this pencil on the reviews and description provided. I had a couple of reasons for choosing this brand, one is that I wanted a better quality pencil lead with longevity and a more durable outlook, and one that can go up against a toddler splash session and survive, hence the waterproof aspect. The other is the colour, I wanted a rich dark brown, no sparkle, just brown. It isn't cheap at £16 plus postage, so I was expecting good things.

Bloggers don't want to say anything negative about a product, but I felt a tinge of disappointment on the first application. I began to draw, as one does across the lash line and virtually lost half of the lead as it was very soft! Naturally, I gave it the benefit of the doubt, so proceeded onto the other eye with extreme caution. This was improved due to the lighter application technique, however having to be so careful is not ideal. The lead is easily worn down even with a lighter touch, so a sense of hesitation in using it everyday creeps in. On the upside, the colour of the lead is nice, with no sparkle and is a solid brown, so no complaints there. 
There is a definite positive with this liner and that is the smudger on the other end of the pencil. Once the colour had been applied, it enabled you to create a smooth coloured area across the lash line, but I wouldn't say smokey smudged, as it is too creamy and soft. The downside to a pencil of this nature is that it needs sharpening very often, hence it disappears very quickly, not a good prospect for the credit card. 

No7 Stay Perfect Metallic Eyes Pencil  
As with all these posts, there has to be a competitor to compare your argument to, and it's No7 today. I've had this pencil for about two months and it's a great everyday pencil with the ambition to create an impressive evening look too. It is different to the Too Faced lead, as it is classed as metallic, which yes it is, but not in an overpowering way. The lead is very pliable. It is soft and doesn't drag on the eyelid and most importantly holds it's composure! As I mentioned, I have worn this most days, as it is easy to apply, gives a nice impact statement on the eyes and it lasts. I have also used it underneath an eye shadow as a darker base to build up colour on the lid for the evening. The smudger is also perfectly formed and creates a smooth, smokey finish.
 
The interesting and bonus feature of this pencil is the cost. It is reasonably priced at £6.50, which I think is great for an everyday pencil. I wouldn't hesitate in trying other colours in this range and even the non metallic range.   
That's it for now, if you have any great eyeliners to shout about, drop me a line. 

Ally x

Twitter: @clarity_beauty 



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Sparkle doesn't have to cost as much as you think

 I love accessories. Bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings, all different styles and all different prices. I especially love sparkle, and over the years, I have become a big fan of Swarovski. The pieces I have are so elegant, so unique and very affordable. 

The brand was founded in 1895 in Austria and they specialise in high quality crystal items not only for us to wear, but to glam up our homes to (must get round to looking at some of these). The company has grown into a global icon and among their numerous shops all over the UK, there are boutiques and outlets that also sell their beautiful products, as well as online. I have chosen two of my favourite pieces today. They are both very different in style, but I feel have a WOW factor whenever I wear them.

To begin, I have this stunning clasp bracelet. The embossed pattern is only on one side of the bracelet, of the famous swan split into four separate images. Then the clear crystal stones used an outline which catch the light and lift the matt and shine pattern. It is opened and closed by using the clasp, which once clicked together, feels safe and secure on the wrist, a real feeling of great workmanship. Inside, the metal is shined to perfection and the clasp adorns the Swarovski logo. The only downside is that there is no adjustment with this bracelet, but I have never needed to and my wrists are quite slim.  
The bracelet was presented in a solid box as well as being wrapped in a soft cotton drawstring bag to protect the item. I love the weight, it feels and looks very expensive and sparkles in a very confident way. This accessory would be perfect worn out to dinner with your beau or best friends, it's a real eye catcher and it will be in my collection for many years to come. 
So moving onto piece number two. I have only recently bought this item from my local Swarovski shop. The cuff is light and easy to wear, either in the day or evening, a completely different and more pliable item to the one above. It is embellished with stunning crystals on every strand of fabric, which catch the light at every opportunity. It can be adjusted to a tighter fitting by using the press studs, covered by four clear crystals. I think this bracelet is really on trend and I love the universal colour and lightweight feel of this one, but they do come in some amazing variations, so there would be one for any occasion or outfit! I find if I wear a bold colour on my nails, either a cheerful coral or vampy red, the bracelet's character really comes through. I'm looking forward to the Summer so I can throw it on and enjoy it sparkling in the sunshine! 
I have some really nice pieces of jewelry from this brand, and I have not been disappointed with any of them. I especially love the fact that although Swarovski is so famous across the world, they are still family run and you can see this in each piece. 

Storage is key for all precious items, and if possible keeping them in their original box and away from extremes of temperature and light will ensure the longevity of your jewelry. 

Thank you for reading, have a great day!

Ally x

Twitter: @clarity_beauty 


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