SHINY! essence Gel Nail Polish

While I generally dislike when a name brand insistS upon being lower case (I’m looking at you, too, bliss), it doesn’t translate into dislike for the brand itself. essence have launched a new line of Gel Nail Polish that promises to be super shiny without all messing around with LED and UV lamps.
ESSENCE GELs
These! From left: love is in the air, prince charming, and ever young. Also, all in lower case. Grrr. There’s a base coat and top coat which are option, but I would certainly opt for them, as I expect they make your manicure last that much longer.

I haven’t tried these yet because as ever, my nails are in rag order. They basically suck, in fairness. HOWEVER: I have found a New York style nail shop around the corner from me, so may bring in that gorgeous lemon yellow one and have it professionally applied to my toes.

There are 46 colours to choose from, and at only €1.79… well, need I say more? Base and top coats will run you €3.09. Amazers!

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Available at Penneys and pharmacies nationwide.

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FOTYesterday + The Hair

FOTD 09 03Highlights — not just on The Hair — include:

> essence Long-lasting Lipstick {€2.89} in Come Naturally: really emollient, loving the dark nude, feels like a balm.

> Foundation via Elizabeth Arden Flawless Finish Perfectly Satin {€38}, which has not let me down in the month or so that I’ve been trialing it. It’s matte, but not so matte that you look like you should be displayed in Madame Tussaud’s — a lovely, natural glow is allowed to illuminate your skin without your face ever looking greasy.

> Sadly a function of the iPhone, the No7 eyeshadow is not showing up as well as it ought. This Mini Palette {€14.25} is fabbbbbbilis, the shadows are light in weight, but deep in pigment. It felt so light, even on the brush, that I loaded it up too much the first time out, and have since pulled back a little.

> Gave The Hair a little treat before shampooing: BC Oil Miracle Barbary Fig Oil {€27} from Schwarzkopf Professional. Soaked it into the lengths and ends and left it for… well over an hour I’m sure, since I was hard at work doing keyboardy stuff. Washed it out with the matching Fig Oil & Keratin Restorative Shampoo. Silky!

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Okay, Okay, I Absolutely Have a Problem When It Comes to Lip Cosmetics

ALL THE LIPPYs
Okay???! I get it. A normal human female probably wouldn’t have — oh, God, must I count them? — eighteen varieties of cosmetics-for-the-lips, on the go, right? This is not counting the ones that are lurking in pockets and rolling around in my handbags. Gah.

But, but, but — okay. Since I routinely take two of these along with me on a given day, because the whole day could change and require a different hue or texture, then it’s like there’s really nine. Nine lip combinations.

{…}

I don’t buy that either. Although I will argue that giving yourself the option to change up during the day makes total sense. Like, the Pür Minerals or the No7 — or the Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss? Theses are perfect for sitting-at-the-desk wear, but you might like to give your look a wee pop in the evening, with the Smashbox Limitless Lip Stain, or the Clinique Chubby. Or that Essence red, in between the Chubby and the Pür? It is the perfect summer red I’ve yet to come across.

So, you know, options.

Nevertheless, I felt a cull was in order:

FEWER LIPPYsOnly because I need to make room for more…

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Sorry, they just look so ronrey.

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