Orly Bonder and Polishield- Review

 

I paint my own nails most of the time, unless I need my cuticles tidying up. However, my manicures, both DIY and professional never last long. I guess I don't stop normal life even with painted nails and it is always chipped by the end of day one (I have to admit, more normally by the end of hour one!). 

When I was searching for a top coat which could help my manicure last longer, I happened upon the Orly Bonder, a "rubberized polish gripping base coat", so I thought I'd give it a go. I ordered it from Boots online along with the Polishield 3 in 1 topcoat and I have to be honest, when I opened the box, I was disappointed with the size, a tiny 5.3ml. 

I've tried it twice now, once with a salon brand, OPI in Suzi Skies in the Pyrenees and once with a drugstore brand, L'oreal Resist and Shine Titanium in Meteorite Black.

IT WORKS, it really is as simple as that! My manicure lasted 4 days and believe me, I was pulling no punches with washing up, putting Christmas decorations away, shopping etc! Normally I have to remove lacquer on day 2!

Here are the pictures:

Can I just say, I was very pleased with my manicure with the L'oreal Meteorite Black- anyway, back to the review, above photo taken with my iPhone when polish had dried. 

And on day four, perfect except for a chip on my thumb!

I can tell already that the Orly Bonder will be one of my favourites in 2012!

Eylure Dylash in Blue Black- Review

I'll start 2012 by finishing a review from 2011, the Eylure Dylash in Blue Black.

The instructions are clear and the preparation is easy and fuss free. I couldn't notice any change after my first attempt and I'm sad to say that I've tried it two more times and still no noticeable change. I had such high hopes for this product, wishing that it would make my bottom lashes dark enough that I would no longer need to use mascara. It was not to be, another one to put down to experience!

Happy New Year! Looking forward to 2012!

Well, December was a fail for blogging but I did have a fun Christmas and New Year- hope you did too!

I received some excellent beauty products and make-up as Christmas presents and this little lot will keep me busy reviewing....

 
I got so very giddy that I committed the cardinal sin and started to use them before taking photos. I apologise! It is such a pet hate of mine but the temptation was far too great!

From left to right:
Model in a bottle
Decleor Aromessence Iris
Smashbox Soft Focus Blush in  Pink and Brush
Mally Face Defender Blush in  Pink Perfection
L'occitane Almond Shower Oil
Decleor Experience De L'age Resurfacing Gel-Peeling
Orly Polishield
Orly Bonder
Decleor Aroma Cleanse 3 in 1 Hydra-radiance Smoothing and Cleansing Mousse
Leighton Denny Corrector Liquid with Precision Brush
Mally Eye Shadown in Violet
Mally Volumizing Mascara in Black
Mally Liquid Lip Colour in Flirty
Mally Evercolor Automatic Waterproof Eyeliner in Black Cherry
Decleor Life Radiance Double Radiance Cream
Emma Hardie Natural Lift and Sculpt Firming Eye Serum
Liz Earle Brightening Treatment Mask and Sheer Skin Tint Samples
Decleor Hydrotenseur Anti-fatigue Eye Serum
Mally Evercolor Poreless Face Defender
Barbara Daly Eye Liner Polish in Dramatic Black

Crikey, that is a lot!

Marks and Spencer Pore Minimiser - Review

This is a very simple review- it didn't work on me!

I followed the instructions and applied after cleansing and before make-up, rubbing into my cheeks which have the largest pores. Tried over a few weeks now and each time there was no noticeable difference. Sorry M&S this has put me off trying any other of your skincare range.

Perfect Formula- Pink Gel Coat, Gel Coat and Daily Moisture - Review

Sorry for the break in service- I've been enjoying Christmas too much! Decorations are up, presents brought and wrapped and mulled wine drunk!

I am impressed with these products. Just as the weather turned cold and my cuticles started to harden and in some cases split and my nails very starting to peel, the daily moisture, used, well, daily, reversed the bad condition and is now maintaining healthy nails.

I've used the pink gel coat much more than the original. It's brilliant to give a polished look to my nails without much bother. The application is easy and quick, you apply directly to the natural nail. I only apply one coat as in some lighting conditions, two coats can make the nails look blue!

StriVectin-SD Eye Concentrate for Wrinkles- Review

I would say that my eye area is my major problem area as I suffer from dark circles, fine lines AND crepiness. I've never found one eye cream that will reduce the appearance of all of my eye problems but hydration is key because when my eye area is hydrated, the area looks much, much better.

The StriVectiv-SD eye concentrate works really well. It's a cream that you pat around the eye area. The area instantly looks hydrated and although I wouldn't say that it lasts all day, especially if I've been staring at the computer, I'm pleased with the results over the 8 weeks and I'll be continuing with it to the end of the tube (at least).

Eylure Dylash in Blue Black

I will write a full review after I've tried this again. Let's just say my first attempt was less than successful and my eyelashes didn't seem to change at all but that could be down to me rather than the product.

Bare Escentuals Jumbo Prime Time Foundation Primer- Review

I had high hopes for this primer. Actually, it was my last resort, I've tried a few and thought, if this doesn't work then I'm giving up on primer.

It has a gel texture which is clear and is super simple to apply all over the face after moisturiser but before foundation. It leaves the face feeling very smooth and my foundation applied easily over the top. However, I didn't notice that my make-up lasted longer. One weekend, I did the half face challenge and checked my makeup regularly but again, no noticeable difference in my make-up staying power. Actually, by the end of the day my face felt oily.

Total fail! I brought it from QVCUK so I'm sending it back and getting my money back- you gotta love QVCUK!

Long-wear Cream Shadow in Shore- Review

 

Since purchasing this cream shadow I have used it everyday and on every night out. For my pale, yellow based complexion it cleans up my eye lid area and provides a smooth base for my eyeliner. I apply from the lashline to just above the crease. Most days I'm in a rush to get ready and I use my finger which works well as it is creamy and can be layered for a more intense colour. It's so easy to use that I look forward to applying it.

I love my make-up look at the moment. I've finally found products that work for me and refound products that I thought didn't suit me but do! My search will never be completely over- I've still got some fine tuning of mascara, finishing powder and lipgloss!

Illamasqua Cream Pigment in Emerge- Review

I have been using a peach eyeshadow in the crease of my eyes for a while now. I find that it really brightens and lifts my eyes. So when I saw this colour in a cream, I thought I was on to a winner. 

Illamasqua doesn't want to limit the use of a product by stipulating that it is an eyeshadow so have called this a cream pigment and advise a variety of uses on eyes, lips and body. They say that it is an intensely colour-rich, crease resistant, matt formula. I agree that it is colour-rich and a perfect colour to lift my eyes but it does crease on me and I have to keep blending out creases throughout the day. 

This is the third product from Illasmasqua that I have tried. The cream base foundation is brilliant- my go to foundation for a dewy, even complextion. But I'm not impressed with the precision ink eyeliner which is reducing every time I use it and this is good but not great. It's put me off trying other products in the range.