Guest Post on Tea & Lead with my favourite A/W Nail Polish Shades

As a lover of nail polishes, when my lovely friend Alice from Tea & Lead mentioned she was needing guest posters I jumped at the chance to post about some of my favourite A/W shades. It was a tough decisions and I managed to whittle it down to my top 5 and have posted about them over on Tea & Lead here and have included some swatches for you all. 

Let me know what your favourite A/W shades are? I can always add a few more to my collection. A girl can never have too many nail polishes right? 

Lorna x

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Introducing Jacava London

L-R Jacava Polish in Passion*, Topcoat with UV Inhibitor* and Blackberry Fool*  all £14.50

I am a totally nail polish hoarder. I need every shade... they all just look so pretty in my drawer! So when Jacava London contacted me asking me if I wanted to try their polishes of course I said yes! What nail polish addict wouldn't... I am totally in love with the shades that they have sent me and the packaging is just wow. It is beautiful and looks so luxurious. I've never seen a bottle like it! I was a little unsure that it would fit in my storage with my other polishes but it definitely did. They are tall, but they're not THAT tall. 

Passion is a beautiful dark pink/purple shade, perfect for A/W; I can imagine painting this on my nails through out the autumn! Blackberry Fool is a slightly lighter version of a pink/purple shade. The image doesn't show it's exact colour as it was really hard to capture it on camera but it is something actually I don't have in my collection. That perfect mixture of pink and purple which isn't too much of either, oh I'm in love... The Topcoat with UV Inhibitor is pretty quick drying and super glossy and although I've only used it with these shades, the UV Inhibitor is said to keep whites, white for longer and that I something I cannot wait to try out. The wear of these polishes is pretty good, although for me I usually take off polish before it gets too chipped anyway as I get bored of the shade! The pigmentation is great and isn't streaky at all. 

I'd definitely recommend these if you're looking for a luxurious polish to pick up! I can imagine these would be great to give as a gift too! They sell some in set's which would be great for this! 

Lorna x

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W7 Dot to Dot Nail Parlour

W7 Dot to Dot Nail Parlour* - around £3.95

I have always said that I wanted to get myself a nail dotting tool, but it was always just one of those things I never got around to picking up as either I would forget (which is generally the case) or it would be more than I wanted to pay - who needs to spend a lot more on a big branded one when you can pick one up from W7 for so cheap with 3 mini polishes included too?!

This set is beautiful, I am so in love with the colours - the pinks are super bright which is right up my street. I love the size of the polishes, which some people may not love, but I find that I'd never get through a large polish, sometimes I'd never even get through a mini one so small polishes like this are much more suited to beauty hoarders like me... W7 polishes aren't the greatest quality but that isn't what you buy them for - you buy them for their beautiful colour range. They do the job, they colour your nails and honestly I can't qualm that! 

The dotting tool works great, I'm a really clumsy person when it comes to doing my nails - honestly you should see the process I take to do it and make it look okay; and that's just painting the base colour! II was sat down with my friends the other week and they were painting their nails using some from my rather extended collection... I already had mine painted a lovely green shade from Nails Inc. and decided to add a bit on top. I wasn't really sure where they were going to go and what I wanted to do, but they ended up being themed to one of my housemates - Dina - a little in joke so won't bore you with the details! 

You can see the little flowers I did using the dotting tool! I'm a bit stuck for what else I can do with it, I've done dots all over the nail to look like polka dots - but it didn't turn out so good, practice makes perfect though and I'll definitely be giving it another go! 

What are you're favourite designs to use with a dotting tool? 

Lorna x

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W7 Blue Debris Nail Polish

W7 Blue Debris Nail Polish*

I'll admit it, I'm a nail polish addict. I can't stop buying or collecting them... There's always a different colour or shade that you need to add to your collection right? My collection is forever growing and this one from W7 fits happily in there. 

A beautiful glitter with flecks of blue, silver and black. It works best over the top of another polish, my favourites are pale blue shades! 

I love using it as an accent polish for an accent nail to jazz up a normal mani, the contrast between flecks of glitter are lovely! 

The best part about W7 is that it's so affordable! 

Have you tried any of their products?

Lorna x

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Ciate Velvet Manicure in Berry Poncho

Ciate Velvet Manicure in Berry Poncho* - £14 

I was given this to review by the lovely ladies at Baobella!

When I first saw this set all I could think was wow. This is definitely my favourite colour... I would say it's the exact same colour as my blanket which I totally love! I was a little dubious of how the velvet nails would actually look but the nail polish that came with it in the shade Cabaret was right up my street - I was in love!

When I tested out the kit on my nail wheel, I was actually surprised at how much I liked the velvet finish and how easy it is to do! You apply a layer of the nail polish and wait for it to dry and then when you apply the second coat you put a generous coat of the velvet on top and brush off the excess with the brush supplied in the kit. It's as easy as that - no top coat needed! I love the way it looks and actually I don't feel like it is gimmicky at all - like some other nail art polishes. I can't wait to find an opportunity to wear this on my nails as I can imagine it'll look great! 

Have you tried any of the Ciate Velvet Nails kits? 

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Butter LONDON: Polish in Crumpet and Lippy in Hen Party

Butter London Polish in Crumpet* - £12 & Lippy in Hen Party* - £14

I fell in love with Butter London when I got the chance to try them at the press event I had the chance to attend and when I had the chance to try out this gorgeous nude shade, well I just couldn't say no. I'm usually more of a bright polish kinda girl, but I think this was because I just hadn't found the right nude. 

This is perfect! The finish, the quality of the polish, the shade - I absolutely love it all. I feel as though any colour could come along and I'd love it as much as the next. There's just something special about a Butter London polish and I just can't quite put my finger on it. 

Just like the previous Butter London polishes I reviewed, this last's amazingly well on the nails - the best quality polish I have ever tried and yes that is over OPI and Nails Inc. I just don't rate them as much as I do Butter London. I know that £12 is pricey for a polish, but if you're looking to buy a higher ended nail polish, then I would definitely recommend them over the majority of other brands. 

Then there was the lip gloss that I also received in the shade Hen Party. I will first say that I am not a lip gloss kind of girl at all, and it will take a lot for me to use a lip gloss. I do really like this lip gloss and actually I'm surprised, it smells lovely and sweet and I think that is what properly does it for me. It feels nice on the lips, still a bit sticky though, but it does the job a lip gloss does. I didn't expect to like the shade, but actually the fact that it has glitter running through it works, and the nude shade comes out very clear anyway. I doubt I would wear this on it's own though and would probably wear it over a lipstick to give it that bit extra. 

What are your favourite Butter London polishes or lippy's? 

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Butter London Nail Lacquer in Posh Bird - Exclusive to Boots

Butter London Polish in Posh Bird* - £12 Exclusive to Boots

Butter London polishes are now stocking in Boots stores, Nationwide and to go alongside this collaboration they have brought out this lovely polish that is exclusive to Boots. 

Posh Bird is a smokey mushroom polish with silver microglitter.  

This polish was inspired by femininity, but they have added an unexpected edge. It is purple polish with a subtle silver shimmer running through it. Just like with the other metallic polishes from the Summer Holiday Collection, I didn't expect to like it but it looks amazing in the light.

The formulation is much like all of the other Butter London polishes; easy to apply and very quick drying. The polish is opaque in two coats. 

Have you tried any Butter London polishes? Will you be picking any up now they're in Boots? 

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Butter London Summer Holiday Collection

Butter London Summer Holiday Collection Polishes*

Poole, Sunbaker, Bit Faker, Marbs, Champers

£12

The Summer Holiday Collection is the upcoming collection from Butter London. The shades are designed to work well with sun-kissed skin and the sun itself. A collection full of metallics, glitter and a turquoise, there is a shade for everyone in this collection. I've previously wrote about the event on my blog and in an article on Baobella.

Butter London polishes are free from DBP, toluene, and formaldehyde. They apply so well, very smooth and streak free and dry unbelievably quickly. I'm not really one for painting my nails that often as sometimes it just feels like a chore but with the ease of application and short drying time with these polishes, I will definitely be having more of a go with these! 

When first seeing this collection I didn't really think that the metallic shades were really to my taste although I did love Bit Faker and Poole - a lot more up my street. But, it wasn't until I actually applied the polish to my nails until I really realised how great they all were! They shine so beautifully in the sun, and I can really see why Butter London have chosen them for their Holiday collection... Excuse my while I pop them in my Holiday make up bag! 

L-R     Bit Faker, Champers, Marbs, Sunbaker, Poole

Bit Faker

Every girl loves a good glitter polish! I'm usually one to go for a much brighter shade as they usually stand out to me when shopping but I am so glad I now have this one in my collection. It only takes two coats to be opaque - absolutely amazing for a glitter polish! And it dries very quickly. The bronze shade is much more wearable than a bright glitter so I can imagine I'll get a lot more use out of it as it literally does go with everything. 

Champers

As I mentioned previously, I really didn't expect to like this polish but after swatching it I love it! It is quite a subtle metallic shade and works really well with my skin tone. Just like Bit Faker, it's very wearable and would go with everything. This looks absolutely stunning in the light, you need to try it to understand it's true beauty! 

Marbs

Just like with Champers, I really didn't expect to like this. The gold polish looks absolutely amazing in the light, the pictures really don't do it justice.  

Sunbaker 

Probably my least favourite out of the collection, although I do love it a lot more than I first expected after swatching - just like with the others. A lovely copper orange shade that reflects just as nicely in the light as Marbs and Champers. 

Poole

This has got to be my favourite in the collection! An African turquoise with no shimmer is right up my street. I am a lover of this mint green shade and the formulation of these polishes means that it's got to be a new favourite of mine. The polish was opaque in one coat, amazing! 

It seems that Butter London may be my new favourite quality nail polish brand. The quality of the polishes are unreal. They are quite a bit more expensive than a normal high street nail polish but I really can see why. If I'm ever feeling like treating myself then I'm sure I'll be heading straight for the Butter London stand in Boots. 

This collection will be available to buy in August, and the Butter London range can now be bought in Boots! Take a look at their range here. 

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Butter London Event

I went along to the Butter London event for Baobella, where I am currently interning. An evening filled with manicures, nail polish, cocktails and canapés, what more could a girl want? 

We were there to find out about their new upcoming Summer Holiday Collection and a new limited edition polish that is only available in Boots. 

I spent most of the time telling people about Baobella, but you should all know about it now - you can read my post on the website here! You should all go join, it's great fun. 

I got my nails done by the lovely Lola! I opted for a cream and navy blue nail art manicure. There were so many great ones to choose from - I just couldn't decide but chose something in the end that would go with everything. I was pretty worried at first about ruining them as I am such a clutz when doing my nails usually but I really didn't have to worry. They dried so quickly! I literally couldn't believe it. I am a definite Butter London convert. 

I was very generously given a goody bag with all of the new polishes including the limited edition polish for Boots. I will post about them soon!

Have you tried Butter London before? 

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Topshop Peel Off Nails in Straight Laced

 Topshop Peel Off Nail Polish in Straight Laced £6.00

As soon as I saw these polishes turn up on the Topshop website, I knew I had to have them. I was in love with all of the shades but originally bought only 3 of the 4 that they had out, although now I can say I've bought the last one and finished off my collection.

The first polish out of the set that I tried was this beautiful pale grey shade called 'Straight Laced'. At first, I'm going to be truthful, I absolutely hated the polish. I was very disappointed as I had bought so many shades and so I had to keep going with it and using it. I hated the formulation, it felt really odd on the nails and I just couldn't seem to get used to it. It appeared streaky, but now I would put this down to the way that I applied the polish that time.

It was only after I had taken this all of and reapplied with another shade, was that I realised how great this polish actually was. It dries so quickly, a great point for a lazy nail painter like me and actually even though it doesn't last as long as a normal polish, it is just as easy to apply it again.

Along with it drying quickly, the removal of the polish is also so much easier, you literally just peel the polish off! This can be seen in the image below, showing the polish peeling off easily.

I was so excited to peel all of the nail polish off my nails as it reminded me of when I was younger and when I used to peel the PVA glue off of my hands. The most satisfying thing ever. Does anyone else know what I'm talking about?! Hell yes. What a great childhood we all had, eh. 

All I can say now about this polish is that I am completely in love. I hardly ever used to paint my nails as it all seemed to be like so much of a chore and really I would only do it if I had some sort of occasion to paint it for - NYE, an event... etc. All I can say is that I can tell already that I just don't want to paint my nails with anything else, the comparison to the chore of applying and waiting for it to dry and then the removal to that with this polish, well you just can't compare it. Which is why I just had to run out and pick up the last shade. I have been reading on the internet about peel off base coats and wow, I need one of these babies! 

This has got to be my new holy grail nail product. Please Topshop, bring out some more! 

Have any of you tried this polish? Did you love it as much as I did? 

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NOTD: NYE Glitter

Nails Inc. Polish for Instyle Magazine - Electric Teal and Topshop polish - 3D 

I had been wanting this polish from Topshop for a long, long time but for some reason I never got around to purchasing it as I would always go for another lipstick over one of their polishes. This beautiful glitter shade always caught my eye as the holographic particles always looked beautiful in the light. I wasn't sure whether or not to get it as I wasn't sure whether the colour payout would be the same as it was in the bottle as I knew that if it was anything less, I would have definitely been disappointed. 

I bought it when I was sale shopping around Oxford Street, the day before New Years Eve and I just had to try it out as soon as I'd got it! I decided to put it over the Nails Inc. polish as it was pretty much the same colour as my dress and I thought it would look nice with the glitter over the top (hopefully!). 

I can only say great things about the outcome. The Topshop polish's payout was exactly as it was in the bottle. I think I used about 3 coats over the top of 1 coat of the teal polish. It photographed quite well, but not quite as great as it was in person. All I can say is I couldn't quite stop looking at my nails... and so couldn't recommend the polish enough. 

I paired it with the OPI Nail Envy as a base coat and the Seche Vite Top Coat, and it looked great! 

The only negative thing I can say about the pairing is that it didn't last that long and that this happened... 

The whole nail polish fell straight off my nail! I wasn't wearing false nails, it was just the polish that came off. I can't say I've ever seen this before or this has ever happened to me! It happened to most of the nails eventually, so I guess the only good thing about this was that I didn't have to put up with the pain of taking off glitter polish as we all know how bad that is! 

Have you tried this polish from Topshop? What other polishes did you pair it with? What are your favourite Topshop polishes? 

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NOTD: Zebra Print

Barry M Nail Paint in White (np66) and Models Own Nail Art Pen in Black

At the start of University during freshers fortnight there was a night out at the Rainforest Cafe where everyone had to dress in the theme of the Zoo! My friend Holly and I decided to go as Zebras and thought that Zebra nails were needed! 

We used the Barry M white nail polish as the base colour and painted the lines on top using my Models Own  nail art pen. It wasn't the best finish as nail art goes, but it looked good with the outfit! Will do another post on the costume.

The Barry M white nail paint is as good quality as the rest of the Barry M nail polishes. I have so many as the colour range is amazing, I have to admit I had a little addiction at one point. Can't say I buy as many nowadays though but I would still recommend them! The nail art pen is also good for things like this. I had a little trouble with it when I first got it as the product leaked and the knob didn't work quite as well as I had hoped, but this might have been because the product dried up. Have you tried either of these?

What's your favourite nail art? 

Lorna

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NOTD: Mavala polish in Via Veneto 289

Mavala polish in Via Veneto 289

Earlier on in the year I won a few polishes on twitter from Mavala from their winter collection. I love Mavala polishes and so couldn't wait to try them out. Unfortunately it took me a little while to get round to it... just as many things do these days! But I finally did and I'm in love. 

The colour of this one is a pink-toned nude/brown (sorry - not the best at describing colours). On their website they describe it as a "luxurious mauve" and that it is. It is part of their Glam colours collection and I can see why. It's not generally the type of colour that I have been going for at the minute as I've been loving my dark shades, but it has made a lovely change. 

The quality of the polish is great, it has lasted me much longer than I would usually expect. I use an OPI basecoat and a Seche Vite topcoat. The finish was lovely. I can't remember how long exactly it lasted me, but I did notice that it was longer than normal! I couldn't recommend this polish enough. 

Have you tried out Mavala's nail polishes? What's your favourite? 

Lorna

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NOTD #2 - Models Own (Hed Kandi) in Beach Party

Models Own (Hed Kandi Collection) - Beach Party - £5.00

I have been wanting this nail polish for such a long time and recently decided to treat myself to it. I was worried that it might go out of stock as it's in the Hed Kandi collection and I'm not too sure whether this is a permanent polish in their collection (it should be if it isn't!). 

I am a big lover of anything neon as of late and so I knew I would love this just as much as I love my favourite nail polish (Pixi Glow - the bright pink one from the fairytale/tinkerbell collection! - review coming soon). I just hoped it would be as neon and bright as it appeared in swatches. I painted my nails with it last night and at first I was actually a little disappointed with the pigmentation as it wasn't quite as bright as I thought it would be but when I woke up this morning, my first thought was wow! It was much brighter than I had thought it was last night - maybe it was the lighting, maybe I was just tired. I'm not to sure, but I'm in love with it! It's such a beautiful shade and it could possibly be taking over my beloved Pixi polish as my favourite... We'll have to see! 

I'm not going to lie, I am a little disappointed about the quality of the polish. It appears to have bubbled on my nails, but I'm pretty sure there are ways of getting around this as I have also had the same problem with some of my Barry M polishes. Any ideas? 

Even though I was slightly disappointed by this it doesn't actually stop me loving the polish any less than I would if this wasn't a problem - the amazing colour takes away from this! I can imagine it would look even more amazing on tanned skin as it would just pop even more - sun please come out so I can test this theory! but nevertheless, I am still loving the polish all the same. The perfect summer colour I must say. I am now very tempted by Hedonist and Baleriac Cool from the Hed Kandi collection as I can imagine they are both just as great. 

Have you tried any of the Models Own Hed Kandi collection? Do you love a neon nail or do you prefer a nude? 

Lorna

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NOTD #1 - Models Own in Beth's Blue

Models Own - Beth's Blue - £5.00

Since the sun has come out to say hello I thought a manicure was definitely needed. I absolutely love Models Own nail polishes. I bought the majority of mine quite a while ago when there was 50% off or something (and so took full advantage of this offer and bought tonnes - some of which I still haven't used) This is definitely my favourite and is definitely the most used out of my Models Own collection and would recommend it to all! It's the most perfect pastel blue with a hint of purple in there. It's great for the summer and this won't be the last time I'll be using it this summer! 

Sorry I've been a little lax on the post front lately, I just haven't really been feeling blogging the last couple days. It will probably carry on for the rest of the week as I have a lot planned (and the sun has come out!?) but my usual blogging should resume sometime next week as I am off away for the weekend. 

What are your favourite summer nail polish shades? 

Lorna

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