The Top 5 | Spring Nail Colours

I'm incredibly cliched when it comes to spring nail colours - give me pastles any day! I picked out my top five spring colours and as you can see... they are all lovely pastle light colours. Spring is all about pastles for me. Autumn and Winter my nails are usually donned with dark, moody tones - deep greens, navy blues (actually any blues) and blood reds. Spring hits and bam! Out come the pastle and floral tones. This is just a quick sneak peak into some of my favourite Spring colours - some obvious ones (you'll know what I mean) and some newbies...

L - R

Essie Mint Candy Apple: Models Own Banana Split: Barry M Peach Melba: Essie Bikini So Teeny: Essie Tart Deco

 

What are your Spring colours?

The Comparison | Hyper Gel v Gelly Hi-Shine

There is so much hype around gel effect nail varnishes when they launch. If you get the real thing done it lasts for a good couple of weeks, the finish is glossy and smooth, consistent and really just plain gorgeous. However, from my experience, it's not a quick process to apply or remove so I can see why we all get so excited about these. Quick with the same finish, maybe not quite so long lasting, but the idea is there.

The two I've had experience with are Models Own new offering Hyper Gel collection and Barry M's long time favourite Gelly HI-Shine Nail Paint. Both of which I love so I thought it would be interesting to do a quick comparison. 

I found the Barry M polish to be a thicker formula than the Models Own version, meaning it took less coats to create a consistent colour and coverage. Point 1 to Barry M. However, finish is highly favourable to Models Own, it's a very glossy finish that shines and is incredibly smooth to the touch. It's a very close match to the real thing. Point to Models Own. Longevity is again in favour of Models Own - it lasts a good five days without chipping whereas Barry M's version is probably 3/4 days max. Colour choice I am going more towards Barry M - they have more colours that I would definitely go for, Models Own is more limited and not quite my sort of colours. 

Overall I would still pick the Models Own version - the quality is greated for me in terms of longevity and finish. I'm hoping they will bring out more colours that are a bit more "me" but until then I am more than happy to make do with what they currently have. Models Own is £5 and Barry M is £3.99, so really not too much difference in price.

Which do you prefer?

The Mani | ModelsOwn Scented Pastels

MODELS OWN SCENTED PASTELS COLLECTION, L-R APPLE PIE, BANANA SPLIT, BLUEBERRY MUFFIN, STRAWBERRY TART AND GRAPE JUICE. £5 EACH

Not only did I grab myself some of Models Own's new HyperGel collection (and currently coveting more) I also picked up a box set of their scented pastels collection. I love these colours and with Spring on it's way I thought I would prepare myself - cause you know, it's not like I have any pastels in my collection as it is (all lies!).

In terms of the scented part - there is a very subtle smell to each when applied, heavily masked by the usual nail paint smell. However, scratch the top of the lids and you get the full scent. To be honest, the scent isn't what I bought these for so I'm not too bothered about the scent not being more obvious. The consistency of these is the same usual quality of Models Own polishes. The colours are pale so you do need around three coats for an even, consistent colour. I cannot wait to wear Banana Split in the summer, I love yellow nails when it's sunny! Apple Pie is also a really good dupe for Essie's Mint Candy Apple. 

I love these colours, they just make me happy with their pretty pastel goodness - bring it on Spring, I am ready for you!

What spring shades are you looking forward to wearing?

The Mani | Models Own HyperGel

L - R: Cerise Shine, Cornflower Cream, Naked Glow, Coral Glaze, Turqoise Gloss. £5  each

These have been making the rounds lately. Models Own are a nail brand that everyone seems to rave about all the time. I've always been a bit underwhelmed to be honest. I love Utopia, but otherwise what I've got I've not been too in love with. However, I do love a good "gel nail" gimick so when they had their 50% off I had to snap some up. I also got the pastel collection but they are for another day...

So, the hyper gel collection is a bit like the Barry M Hi Shine Gel collection - you get the gellish affect without the UV light and all the hassle. Well, you know me, I'm lazy as so anything that takes hassle away is my baby!. In terms of colour choice I wasn't too blown away - I'd love to see some more pastels for summer and darker tones for autumn. The 5 I got were the best of what I would use. My favourite is definitely Cornflower Cream - you know me I love my blues. They only need a couple of coats, the colour is really vivid and they finish with a gorgeous smooth shine to them. They feel like gellish nails which is great.

Longevity is great also - I've had mine on for four days and no chipping - and I work with copiers so they are usually hacked to bits by now. I'm thoroughly impressed and will definitely want to pick some more of these up (if they bring out more colours). I would highly recommend!

What gel nails would you recommend?

Nails | Top Three Spring Shades

I'm a person who loves it when their nails are all painted, suited and booted. I love new colours and I love different shades. This spring I've been keeping to a fairy pastel based palette and these three are definitely my top three.

Models Own Upotia £5
Thanks to Lily I have hunted this down and finally bought it. It's different to what I thought it would be, its a very pale lilac, paler than the photo lets on, and is a gorgeous subtle shade. Long wearing and great as a base when you want to add a sequin top coat.

Barry M Lychee £3.99
A favourite in the blogging world and has become one of my most worn. A "foundation" shade, if you like, which again is great as a top coat base or just a lazy shade. Really long lasting as part of their gelly range.

Essie Maximillian Strasse Her £7.99
Silly name aside, this is a gorgeous pale duck egg-ish blue that screams IM SO PRETTY I COULD DIE! Definitely my favourite. Again, lasts for ages and honestly I am just in love with this shade. it is one of my absolute faves and I will live and die in it.

Pastels are a great shade for spring and summer, and with "foundation" nails setting the way for the next couple of months, these pale shades are definitely in style. Also - look I have a nail wheel yay! About bloody time and I love it. All swatches are just one coat and are without any top/base coat.

What's your top spring shades?

Models Own Freak Out

Models Own Freak Out £5

When Models Own Mirrorball collection came out I was desperate to give it a go, then desperation faded and then I saw this beauty on Lily's blog and voila - I needed to have this little pot of sparkle.

It's a clear top coat with purple, blue and turquoise sparkly bits inside. It creates the perfect nail for a nice out, or if you just want to make yourself feel a bit special!

If I'm going to be honest I will say I was a little diasppointed with it. It just wasn't as "wow" as I was expecting. I probably didn't put enough on really to make it wow, but I'm a bit underwhelmed by it. It is still a nice polish and I will use it again, but for the moment I am a bit meh about it.

What's you favourite from the Mirror Ball collection?

Best of 2012... Nails

I love painting my nails, and this year my collections seems to have tripled in size! Especially since I've discovered Essie!

Essie Stylnomics (not yet reviewed)
Part of their Autumn collection, it's a deep black/green and I love it. It's probably my most worn Essie and has been the perfect winter colour as well/

Models Own 3 in 1
Top coat, base coat and nail strengthener. Not so much on top coat or strengthener, but I love it as a base coat. It holds it and even lengthens the life of Chanel varnishs - magic!

Barry M Denim (not yet reviewed)
I'm a lover of blue, and this I fell completely in love with. Perhaps my most worn colour of 2012 it has a very subtle sparkle to it and is the perfect blue to go with most of my wardrobe.

Essie Mojito Madness
My first Essie, and one of my favourites. I just LOVE the colour. It was part of their summer collection and it's definitely a summer shade, can't wait to pop this back on it a couple of months!

Bourjois 1 Second Nail Varnish Remover
Reviewed everywhere...! It really is magic for removing varnish from hands, not so much feet (don't try it at home, it goes everywhere).

What did your nails look like in 2012?

Models Own 3 in 1

Models Own 3 in 1 Nail Varnish £5

I bought this a couple of months ago with the hope of strengthening my nails. I have heard that OPI Nail Envy was a bit pants so I didn't want to fork out for that, so this 3 in 1 varnish from Models One seemed like the perfect choice.

Not only is it a nail strengthener, it is also a base coat and a top coat. I've been using this as all three and there are definitely some pros and cons. Here is what I think about each purpose...

Nail Strengthener:
If I'm honest, I've not really noticed that much of a difference. They don't bend quite so quickly, but then that could be either down to this or me actually filing them down and taking care of them for once. Either way it seems to be very gradual.

Base Coat:
Best base coat I have ever used, hands down. It glides on easily, the nail varnish goes over the top of it really easily and more importantly - it holds the colour really well. It even keeps my Chanel on longer than a couple of days = miracle worker!

Top Coat:
This is where I'm a bit iffy. It goes over the top easily and looks really shiny. However, it takes FOREVER to dry. I left it for half an hour the other day, knowing it takes a while, thought it was fine so got on with normal life, five minutes later and there are impressions all over my nails - not impressed.

Overall, I have been using this more as a base coat then anything else as I think that is where its strengths lie. Even using this as a base coat and no top coat, it still works really well at keeping the colour on. So in that respect, big thumbs up from me!

What nail strengtheners do you recommend?