Everyone's Talking About Essie's Fishnet Stockings

Everyone loves a red nail - it's a true London look for beauty novices and experts alike. At the moment, magazines and MUA of the moment Charlotte Tilbury are shining the red light on Essie's Fishnet Stockings as a firm favourite for A/W 13. 

Other red nail colours making waves this season are Orly's Haute Red, Rimmel's Salon Pro in Urban Purple and Chanel's Le Vernis in Taboo.

What's your favourite nail brand for red polishes? xxx

Three go-to nail products

Remember the day you really wanted to go out and get a manicure, but also wanted to stay warm and cosy indoors? We've all been there - and I'm no exception.

For the last few months, I've been spending a crazy amount of money on manicures when I already had several nail polishes at home. So I decided enough was enough, and started building my own at-home nail care collection.

Cutipen

Although this looks like a pregnancy test, I can confirm that it's an affordable and effective cuticle remover. It's also so easy to use. You just squeeze the main part of the pen lightly and the cuticle-removing cream comes out through the nib. It leaves nails soft and clean.

OPI Start To Finish 

There's nothing worse than painting your nails beautifully and then putting a gloopy, sticky top coat on over it. That's why I love OPI's Start To Finish - it's a lovely formula and glides on effortlessly. And it works well as a base coat and top coat, meaning you don't have to fork out double the cash for both.

Essie nail corrector pen

I was sceptical about buying this because it wasn't far from a tenner in price, but I thought I'd give it a go as I am always getting polish around the sides of my nails and it had multiple applicators too to make it worth the money.

I'm not sure it's worth the price, but it does a good job and makes painting my nails a lot easier.

What are your go-to nail products? xxx

Five of my favourite nail polishes

As I've been loving changing my nail colour recently, I thought I'd delve into my polish collection and show you five of my favourites. The nail polishes I have chosen are made by Essie, OPI and Topshop Nails, which are my top three nail brands at the moment.

AMPED-UP NUDES 

The first two polishes in my favourite five are Essie's Beyond Cozy and OPI's Tickle My France-y, which was part of the OPI top ten collection.

Beyond Cozy is just the most stunning golden glitter polish that goes with just about everything. Although it was part of the Essie winter collection, it would look good all year round. Who wouldn't want to show off their tan with a bronze goddess nail look?!

Then you have Tickle My France-y by OPI, which is a natural dusky rose. You could use this as a block colour, add speckles or apply a glitter top coat. So my point with this polish is that it's really versatile and a classic nude with a strong pink shade.

TOTALLY TWO-TONE

Imagine what it would be like to bottle up the ocean and add an ounce of metallic shine, and there you have Topshop Nails' two-tone Mermaid polish. This is honestly one of the most beautiful polishes I've ever worn on my nails - I just couldn't stop looking at it! And you all know how I feel about ocean-related products. I just love this a lot.

CHERRY RED & STARRY EYED

The last two nail polishes in my favourite five are OPI's Big Apple Red (from the top ten collection) and Rainbow Connection. Big Apple Red is a classic postbox/cherry polish to brighten up any outfit, and everyone knows red is a classic go-to colour for daily wear. And then we have Rainbow Connection - I nearly jumped up and down when I saw this in John Lewis a few winters ago. You can wear it layered as a fun multicoloured glitter, or over a block colour to add touch of pizazz. It's fab!

What do you think of my top five nail polishes? What are yours? xxx

Feel Unique Pay Day Haul

Where there's a pay day, there's always an online beauty haul - so why would this month be any different? There's a few things I've been really lusting after this month and I've always loved the range of brands stocked at Feel Unique. This month, I bought four beautiful things to add to my growing collection of make-up, skin care, hair care, nail polishes and accessories.

Real Techniques Stippling Brush (£10.99)

This is actually my second Real Techniques Stippling Brush - I decided to get another one so I could use my first one for my base make-up and the new one as a blusher applicator. I completely love this brush for applying my foundation - it's so easy to use and maintain. I think £10.99 is a decent price for a durable, high-quality beauty accessory.

Macadamia Healing Oil Treatment (£4.90)

This luxurious hair oil was at the top of my wish list this month - I haven't come across one bad review of it yet. I decided to buy the 10ml bottle just in case I didn't like it, but after hearing so many positive things about the entire range I am fairly confident I will love it.

I don't think Macadamia Oil Treatment has a particularly strong scent. It actually smells quite natural and has a subtle 'nutty' fragrance. I do like natural hair products, as I don't want to overload my tresses with artificial, heavy-duty products. I'll let you know how I get on!

Essie Nail Colour in Beyond Cozy (£8.99)

Ever since I first clocked eyes on Beyond Cozy, I decided it was going to be mine! And seeing it shimmer and shine in the flesh was ten times better than looking at it online. I think this Essie nail polish is a thing of beauty and I'll be applying it ASAP.

Dr Hauschka Lemon Lemongrass Body Moisturiser (£22.95)

I haven't really been that drawn to Dr Hauschka products, but I've always loved an invigorating citrus scent and need motivation to continue my with my body moisturising phase in this cold weather! 

I'm really impressed with the formula of this lotion - it's serum-like and light. The only thing I'm not sure about is the smell - it's oh SO sweet and a bit like lemon drizzle cake. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but I think I wanted more fruit and less sugar. However, considering the formula is great, I think I can live with an extra spoon of sweet stuff.

What do you think of my haul? Have you bought much this month? xxx

The Essie Edit

Hands up if you have ever spent ages aimlessly browsing the Essie website, not sure of what colours to choose for the upcoming season? I certainly have!

But enough is enough - it's time to show you the best of the best to save you time and, if you are anything like me, a LOT of money.

I've divided this post into three parts to highlight the brand's best groups of polishes for Spring/Summer 2013. Prepare to be besotted ladies!

CUTE CORAL, PINK & RED

Mango Bango
Credit: Essie.com

What Essie says: A sweet subtle coral


What I say: Mango sorbet meets Fanta

Big Spender
Credit: Essie.com

What Essie says: A divine lush red-violet cream


What I say: Deep raspberry ripple

Madison Ave Hue
Credit: Essie.com

What Essie says: Chic upper east side pink steps out in style, turning any ensemble into a million dollar baby. Cha-ching

What I say: Candy cotton cream

Fifth Avenue
Credit: Essie.com

What Essie says: A stylish and creamy red-orange blend

What I say: Perfect 50s cherry

NEAT NEUTRALS

Sand Tropez
Credit: Essie.com

What Essie says: A soft sandy beige

What I say: Beach in a bottle - pure luxury

Oui Madame
Credit: Essie.com

What Essie says: A sophisticated white pearl

What I say: ABSOLUTELY STUNNING

Absolutely Shore
Credit: Essie.com

What Essie says: A soft sea foam green

What I say: Perfect for the beach and sunbathing in the garden

Cocktail Bling
Credit: Essie.com

What Essie says: A precious pale gray jewel

What I say: Musky grey silk


SULTRY SHIMMERS

Beach Bum Blu
Credit: Essie.com

What Essie says: A medium sea side blue pearl

What I say: Deep & desired ocean

Scarlett O'Hara
Credit: Essie.com

What Essie says: A dark, ruby-red for the daring

What I say: Sultry siren

Aruba Blue
Credit: Essie.com

What Essie says: A frosty sapphire blue

What I say: Tropical paradise

It's Genius
Credit: Essie.com

What Essie says: A violet quartz shimmer with beige undertones

What I say: Deep fuschia silk

Do you love or loathe these Essie polishes? What are your favourite nail colours? xxx