What's On My Nails #5 // Absolutely Blue

Essence Colour & Go Absolutely Blue - R24.95

Tip Top Nail Chic Protein Base Coat - R41.50

The Essence Colour & Go range is a quick drying nail polish. Personally I don't find it dries all that quickly but it dries quicker than normal nail polish. The colour I got was Absolutely Blue, I was stuck with this colour and a minty colour when I bought this. Eventually I put down the minty colour and I got this instead because I have a minty colour already and I had nothing like this colour - it was pretty hard to put down that mint colour though! This colour is like a powdery, blue and almost bordering on slight purple. I love this colour, its so pretty, feminine and it draws attention to your nails without being too "in your face".

I first tried this colour without a base coat or a top coat and it lasted a day literally - that was my fault too but generally Essence nail polishes don't have the longest staying power - I wish Essence nail polishes lasted for longer than two days because they have such great colours. I then applied this Tip Top protein base coat, that I got when I bought this Essence nail polish, the second time I painted my nails and this really makes a difference! When you remove your nail polish it makes the nail polish just glide off instead of you having to vigorously rub it off and it also protected my nails from getting stained. It made my nail polish last for an extra day too which is great for the Essence nail polishes.

All in all I think I'll only buy Essence nail polishes because of their wide range of beautiful colours and because they are very affordable but I wouldn't buy it if you're looking for something that'll last longer than two days. The Tip Top Protein Base Coat is excellent, easy to apply and at R40 a pop its very afforable for a product that works so well. Tip Top also have a wide range of colours and the base coat has convinced me to try their nail polishes out very soon.

xxx

Links below:

Essence

Tip Top - their Facebook page

The Beauty Obsessed Confessed // Part 1

Confessions from a beauty obsessed addict:

Nails:
When I paint my nails I don't always apply a base coat. I'd like to say I forget...but I don't forget I'm just lazy and impatient and applying a base coat requires me to wait even longer for the nail drying part. I have been applying a base coat recently though - the last two times I've painted my nails, GO ME! I also use a base coat as a top coat too... Not sure if that's bad or not but again that's me being lazy. It works the same way though, it keeps my nails from chipping and adds shine so why not?

Makeup:
I don't wear makeup everyday and I don't feel like I have to justify why I don't wear makeup everyday just like I don't have to justify why I wear makeup but I will explain why I don't wear it everyday. My skin has a mind of its own really. It's like trying to teach an old dog new tricks - did I just compare my skin to an old dog...? My skin gets clogged up easily and it leads to breakouts even if I remove my makeup at night and wash and tone my skin and repeat this in the morning, makeup still clogs my pores. It drives me crazy and I thought it was because I wasn't washing my face right or that some products were making me breakout - it wasn't my products because I would swap my products and I still had problems - but I tried going without makeup for 2 to 3 days out of the week and my skin didn't have a breakout the whole month when I had days off of my makeup routine. So I'm sticking to what works for me! Also while we on the topic I'll explain why I wear makeup. I don't wear makeup as a "mask" or to hide my natural self, I wear makeup because I like the way it looks on me, I like having a routine and I like playing around with makeup. I think makeup is amazing when you try out what it can do and I think that it's really fun. My morning routine feels empty without that 20 minutes that I save for applying makeup. I also don't like people telling me I don't need makeup because that's like telling people you don't need clothes, I feel almost naked without a slick of mascara and some tinted moisturiser the same way we would all feel going to the supermarket without clothes on. Also people have a warped idea that putting makeup on consists of a whole bottle of foundation and eyeshadow and mascara and they couldn't be more wrong, I wear makeup to enhance my natural features and I wear a minimal amount of makeup. I get the basic meaning of them telling me I don't need to wear makeup but really... I wear makeup 4 or 5 days out of the week, cut me some slack! I don't wear it everyday.

Shopping Addiction:
I can't enter a shop without wanting needing to buy something. There will always be something that I want in a shop. It's scary too because I never used to be like that, I used to be very money conscious but lately I can't leave a shop without spending a little money and I usually walk out with nail polish, blush or something.

Spa:
I've never had a professional manicure, pedicure or facial or anything of that done. I've been thinking of a facial and a massage but really day spa's are so expensive and most of the things they offer you can do at home, its not the same thing but still day spa's are just not worth it sometimes.

Cat Eyes:
For the life of me I cannot do cat eyes. I think it's because I have a really unsteady hand so mine just goes wonky and the flick just doesn't come out right. I've watched tutorials and everything and I can't get it right. I have heard that using a pen is easy so I'm going out and buying a eyeliner pen soon so I can start practicing the classic cat eye. I also think that the shape of my eye or something just doesn't allow for a cat eye but I'll try and if a pen doesn't work then I'll give up on my hopes of having cat eyes.

xxx

Catrice Multi Colour Compact Powder

Catrice Cosmetics Multi Colour Compact Powder - R44.95

The Catrice Multi Colour Compact Powder is very unique as its a blend of compact powder, bronzer and blush all in one thats not overly pigmented. I use this on my cheeks when I don't want any proper blush or bronzer and it gives a lovely bronzey, pinky but natural colour to your cheeks. It looks natural because of the pale compact powder mixed in, this one is particularly for light skin. I have used this all over my face and it stops shine but it just doesn't look right when I put it all over my face. I'm not sure what it was that made it look odd but it really didn't look at all natural. I think its best suited for a little bit of dusting here and there on my skin and is great for some slight colour to my cheeks, it may look great for some people all over their face but its just not for me. It is a great product though and I always reach for it when I'm not in the mood for heavy blush or bronzer.

xxx

Links below:

Catrice Cosmetics

Orlane Vivifying Lotion

I got this Orlane Vivifying Lotion out of a Glossybox when Glossybox was still in South Africa so this is only sample size. The Orlane Vivifying Lotion preps your skin for other treatments for your skin. It's alcohol free and is suitable for all skin types and also maintains the skin's natural pH balance. I apply this one a cotton pad and gently wipe it across my skin, its also great at removing makeup although that's not what you use this product for but still you can use it to remove makeup as its not harsh. It really tones, smoothes and cleans the skin and it leaves your skin feeling refreshed and healthy. For the record I have combination/oily skin and this doesn't make my skin too oily at all, it actually moisturises it so lightly but thoroughly, even now in winter when my skin is more dry/combination it manages to keep any dry areas at bay. This is definitely an all round product meant for all skin types and for all seasons. Best Glossybox sample ever.

xxx

Links below:

Orlane Paris