Olympia Beauty 2012 (Picture Heavy)

I have finally recovered from the onslaught of 259 stands of beauty heaven. On Sunday I travelled across a (partly closed down - grr) London to Olympia for their yearly trade showcase.I got in just after doors opened and got in very quickly even though I had to pick up my ticket. I'd already had checked out the floor layout so I headed straight to the media centre for a quick coffee hit before embarking on the madness.

I did really like the layout, the stalls were downstairs while on the galley on the top is the media centre, competition areas and lecture areas. It meant that you could look down and watch the masses.

After the coffee hit (or 3!), I had some time with the fantastic people at Filthy Gorgeous. These are based in London and offer the pamper service with girlie gossip. They were so fab they're getting their own entry with compulsory pictures of the stunning nails they did for me.

I couldn't put it off enough and did a walk of the floor, it was busy (this was about lunchtime) but enough were I could get round without too much trouble. The only really busy bit was Sweet Squared you are the UK distributors for Shellac, the Que for the stand not only around the stand but across the walkway and half way down the door! The first picture above on the left has part of the Que in.

OPI's German Collection

SPARitual - Resisted remixing nail varnishes

China Glaze - I really wanted the one closest!

I also walked around the Make Up Competition, which for some reason I didn't get any pictures. However, I did get some of the Nailympics which you have never seen nail art like this before!

It was a very very tiring again, I really wished I had time to go Monday and watch the results of Nailympics. My arms and back were/still aching from the amount of bags I had, and the amount of reading I have for the next week. Many thanks to the wonderful team at Olympia who went out their way to make sure that everyone not only media but tradespeople were looked after. Only next time please get more toilets, there was not enough for the 50,000 visitors!

My Giveaway win and NOTD with Fingerpaints varnish

In giveaways I don't normally win, I try and enter ones of people I already follow (or at least have a read through previous enteries to see if I would like to afterwards). There is an awesome blog I follow which combines my favourite items trainers and nail varnish called Lacquer and Laces by The Sneakerette. She does find some of the best indie lacquers that are on the market, photos are superb and the trainers are to die for.

She did an brilliant NOTD using Wet 'n' Wild black, Finger paint's Asylum and matt top coat. It's beautiful Check it out here the prize was these two above - Finger Paint's Sparkle Top Coat and my own bottle of Asylum.

Couldn't wait to get asylum on my fingers - This is with two coats of SpaRituals Undercurrent creme blue with one coat of Asylum over the top. The photos really don't do it justice! I have worn the Sparkle top coat over a soft pink for a daytime look, it's packed with glitter and glimmers beautifully in the sun (since I did the manicure there has been no sun to get a decent photo! I'm determined to get one!)

 

They are from America :( but can be viewed here

Nail Trends AW 2012

It only seemed right that on the day that it actually feels a little grey and wet that I should look forward into the nails trends of the next coming season.

Metallic

One of the key inspirations of the catwalks was the look of metallics on nails. A simple way to get high shine and shimmer on the nail with the lease amount of fuss as seen in Christopher Kane and Dolce & Gabbana.  Mavala five piece Heavy Metals is a inspired by catwalk colours with China Glaze providing a collection of multi jewel toned shimmers.

Chocolate

I love the way fashion always come back, late 90's chocolate brown was in fashion I was dying to get my hands on the right rich toned shimmer brown. I never did, however this time around I am spoilt for choice: Sparitual yet again producing a gorgeous toned light gold and brown shimmer toned varnishes alongside it's earth spirited collection.

Indian Summer

Red never really goes far from being in fashion, beautifully classic, it's the tone that falls into the fashion styles. This time it's the deep crimson that comes back, Orly's Fired up range brings plum reds and gold tones. This while hot to have, Essie brings out Stylenomics Collection a mixture of reds and nudes with a deep green that stands out

Midnight Hues

Here we are talking about deep navy and purples, slight glitter and shimmer. Nubar's fall collection has sevenal navy, indigo and peacock hues. However, it is OPI that yet again seems of caught onto this trend succesfully with their german collection with the shades of Every Month is Oktoberfest, Germani-cure by OPI and Unfo-greta-ble Blue that are the people who stand out (Launched 8th Aug RRP £9.95 each)

I would like to give one brand an honourable mention, I know in the blog world any kind of crackle is so two seasons ago, however I cannot help be drawn to Diors Jungle Croc varnish. This a warm shimmer gold that has a khaki croc crackle top coat that lets the shimmer come through. One problem - it's £26.00, which works out at £13.00 a varnish, but still a huge dent in my already dented bank balance.

NOTD: Undercurrent by SPARitual

I shall call it . . . Mini Varnish (brings pinky to lips)

SPARitual are lovely body/face company that believe in making vegan products that not only smell just divine but ooze luxury and pampering. I knew they did varnishes but not nearly anyone had used them and wanted to give them a whirl. I was browsing and lusting over the website when over at the varnishes I noticed they had just launched little mini's. These are smaller versions of their larger salon based ones, which are more affordable from £5 - £8 (instead of from £8 - £10).

This colour was part of the S/S 2012 collection that was inspired from water and oceans. This is a deep blue cream, that has the slightise green to it to echo the deepest part of the ocean. I took this during the daytime but at night it seems to go nearly blue/black like the ocean. I love the detail and thinking into that.

The bottle has the grip of the larger sized, but it missing the soft rubber grip that the larger ones have. This doesn't take from it and is easy to handle. The lacquer paints on easily and self levels with ease. The finish is great and even without a top coat comes out glossy. The bigger bonus is the smell, my husband hates me painting my nails because of the smell. This is time not one complaint, as the scent is miniscule.

I now have my eyes on one from their Pigment range called Henna, a purple/pink hybrid which is what I'm missing from my collection. www.sparitual.co.uk/

Things That I Can't Live Without (For Now)

The Collection

While I am working on this weeks Masterclass and I thought I'd show you the loves of my life (currently and including husband before he starts sulking).

Starting from the left:

Bach Flower Rescue Remedy and Night Tine Rescue

Many moons ago when I worked in an office, my so-called manager had a go at me and being the delicate youngster I was cried my eyes out. Our receptionist can to my rescue after discovering me in the staff room, got me drink of water and produced this yellow/brown bottle and told me to add a few drops to my tongue. After a few minutes the tears were gone and I felt rather more human.

This works on the calming effects of a combination of flower essences, and has been in use since 1930's. It's ideal for any stressful situation or one when you need some focus. I've recently had problems sleeping sleeping to all my worries going round my head at night. I've been using the night version and found a great help as part of winding down, a few drops in water while reading a book and it seems to be working.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

Why? Oh why have you named it a cream when it's more of thick gel? Apart from that its awesome. I burnt myself last year and once the stinging went down I put this on top, not only did it quicken the healing but I think it lightened the mark behind. Everyday use I use the tinest amount on my dry flaky lips when not split. It now comes in a fragrance-free version, hurrah!

Bepanthen

I used to be addicted to Blixtex when my lips are sore, cracked and just not even worth going out in public, however with my economy drive (and it's price at £2.79) I was open to a new alternative. Browsing the blogs a few weeks back The Lipstick Blog wrote a blog on lip care (Please look here) and sang the praises for this. Was in Boots and I thought why not, it was only £1.79 (on offer, usually £2.19) and was expecting not alot. I like being surprised with a few uses lips improved, it is a barrier cream used to protect babys' bums from nappy rash. I got the smallest (30g but also comes in 50g and 100g) and I've only used a quarter of it, great value.

Clarins Beauty Flash Balm

Never got the hype of this product when I worked in a department store, it wasn't until I had some given to me that I gave it a try. My poor skin is now starting to show signs that I am no longer twenty, and it's starting to lose some of it's glow. I used over the top of my moisturiser and got on with my day, walked past the mirror a few hours later and was surprised that my skin not only looked healthy but looked a lot more fresher. Under foundation I looked liked I'd had a decent nights sleep for a change and was being told that I looked great. A pea sized amount does fine for the face so you don't need to nuts with it. Well lived up to the hype.

Ojon Damage Reverse Restorative Serum

I blame this one squarely on March's Glossy box (Read about getting it here and reviewing it here), fell in love with it the first time I used it. It is a lightweight oil/serum that has a nutty/musky scent. It tames my frizzy hair into soft curls and leaves no residue behind (as long as you stick to amounts the label says). With this my hair could easily rival the Duchess of Cambridge's.

Sally Hansen Double Duty

As I've mentioned I'm in a economy drive, and I love products that I can double up as something else. I have used Sally Hansen and knew they had something that I could use a top/base coat. I know that most peoples reservations on product doing two jobs is that it may not live up to using those product separately, I found with this that it gripped my colour but also still had that glossy top coat finish.

SPAritual

I had this companies catalogue from Professional Beauty 2012 after I was searching out suppliers to use when I open my own beauty treatment business. It's really great at the moment trying out different companies to see who I want to work with (if you are interested, please see my email in the about me section). What drew me to Sparitual is that they are PETA approved and Vegan products, so I applied for an up to date catalogue. Not only did they do that but sent a huge sample bundle worth £5.00 (they do take what qualifications you have so not everyone gets this, they can be purchased!), and I have been working through them since. I came out of the first time using them floating and after the second time my mind was made up who I am using when I get my funding. The names of the products are delightfully named (like Infinity Loving Oil and Open Your Eyes Bath Salts), and use the holistic approach to healing and pampering. I'm looking forward using them (and the rest of the samples up!).

Don't forget Materclass this weekend will be face masks and back to normal next week!

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