NOTD #1: MUA Nail Constellation

Today's post is a little different for me - a Nails of the Day post! Now, I'm definitely not the best at applying nail polish - as you can see from the photos. I'm a little heavy-handed and messy, especially when it comes to dark colours like today's. I used Nails Inc in shade Motcomb Street (free with December's issue of Glamour - go!) which is a dark navy. This was opaque in one coat which I found amazing, as I usually end up applying 3-4 coats with other polishes. I used two coats here.

I topped it with my favourite top coat, Sally Hansen Insta-Dri which really does what it says on the tin! The main reason I rarely paint my nails is the hassle of waiting on them to dry, as I always, without fail, manage to smudge them whilst they're drying and ruin them, so then I get frustrated and don't bother painting them again! But this wee thing is an absolute saviour for me.

Finally, the much-raved about MUA Nail Constellations... A much cheaper dupe to Ciaté's Caviar Manicure, these only cost £3 from MUA. They're basically tiny wee coloured beads which you press onto wet nail polish to give a textured effect. This was the first time I used these, and as you can see from the bottle, quite a lot are missing already and that's because they are ALL OVER MY FLOOR. I pulled the lid off and they literally flew everywhere. Even as I was pouring them on my nail through the very small funnel, they were falling all over the place and some have already begun to fall off of my nail. I set them with the Insta-Dri carefully, so I'm hoping they'll stay intact until tomorrow at least. They look super pretty, but I'm not sure I can be bothered bringing out the hoover every time I want to use them.

Have you tried Nail Constellations? Any tips for not covering my entire flat in them?!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains

L-R 010 Darling, 040 Rendezvous, 015 Cherish

Firstly, I have to say that this is my first post in TWENTY THREE DAYS. This month has been super hectic for me - I've been working a lot, I started college this week, I moved into a new flat and I've also been crazy ill this week. But I'm feeling heaps better now, and I'm so excited to be writing a new blog post! I've missed blogging and the entire community so much in the past month, and I'm ecstatic to say that you lovely people have still been leaving me comments, following my blog and tweeting me - thank you so much.

On to more pressing issues (!) - Revlon's new Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains. Not the catchiest name for a lip product, but there you go. I think these launched a good while ago now, and the blogging community has been going wild for them. I'm a little late to the party, but I have to say I'm in love.

So far I have 3 of the 7 shades available here in the UK. I believe there a few more shades which were released in the US (Charm being one of them, which I'm gutted they haven't released here!). I bought all of these whilst they were on an introductory offer of £5.99 (usual RRP is £7.99) at Boots and Superdrug. I think the offer is still on, but please don't quote me on that.

The first shade I have is Rendezvous, which I can only describe as orange. It looks more red in my photos, but on the lips it comes across as quite a bright tangerine when applied heavily, or it can also be applied as a sheer wash of coral if you apply it lightly. I think that might be what I love the most about these - they're so versatile. I'm not a bright lip girl, so I love the fact that I can build up the colour to something I'm comfortable with. The second shade I got was Darling, which is a lilac-y, blue-toned pink. Very different to everything else in my lip product collection! My most recent shade purchase was Cherish, which is more of a bubblegum pink to me.

I find the formula quite moisturizing, definitely more than most lipsticks but I do still apply a little touch of lip balm before I use these (sort-of defeats the purpose of a 2-1 product, whoops...). I've also heard of people complaining about the smell/taste. They do have a slight minty scent but I find it really refreshing and it doesn't linger too long for me. The pigmentation is really good considering these are essentially glorified lip balms, and the staying power is just amazing. I always forget that I'm wearing it, then I check my face hours later and the colour is still going strong!

So to summarize, I definitely approve. If you haven't already tried one of these balm stains, or if you're looking for a cheaper alternative to the infamous Clinique Chubby Sticks, you've found it. I wanted to try a Chubby Stick but since finding these, I seriously begrudge paying £16 for something which I can get for less than half the price which does a great job.

Have you tried the Revlon balm stains? Are they worth the hype?

Sleek Blush in Rose Gold

 

I finally got my hands on Sleek Rose Gold blush! Every time I went to Superdrug, I had my eyes peeled for this and it was always sold out. I managed to get this in Zoe's blog sale, so thank you Zoe!

I've read about this being a dupe for NARS Orgasm, however I don't own Orgasm so I can't compare the two. This blush costs £4.30 for 8g of product from Superdrug or their online store, and if it is a dupe for Orgasm then I know I'd much rather spend £4 than £21!

It's super-pigmented, a gorgeous rose colour with lots of gold shimmer. I don't need to use anymore more than one light swipe of this on my cheeks, and I'm good to go. It seems to completely warm up my face and gives a lovely glow which I love. And of course the packaging is great, as I've said before with Sleek products they come in matte black packaging with the Sleek writing. There's a decent sized mirror in the lid which is handy for on-the-go (especially when you forget your compact mirror on the train like I did yesterday).

I'm so glad I finally managed to find this and it's definitely my go-to blush at the moment.

What's your most used blush at the moment? Have you tried any of Sleek's blushers?