Nails Of The Day - Orly Color Blast - Rose Chrome Foil

Hi Guys x I hope you are all having a nice weekend, It's raining quite heavily here today so I've been keeping cosy and working on a few blog posts starting off with a nails of the day from the Orly Color Blast range.

Although the regular Orly range is still alive and kicking I can't seem to find many of the Color Blast polishes online bar a few on eBay, and Amazon. From what I remember I think that they were originally on sale in Superdrug in the UK, and I actually remember buying this particular shade because my mam saw someone wearing something similar and kept going on about how nice it was.

I don't think Rose Chrome Foil would ever win any awards for the most creative of names but it's certainly pretty accurate. Described as a rose pink metallic foil, it's an almost cool toned rose gold, crammed full of smooth sparkles.

In a slightly different shaped bottle to the other Orly polishes I own, the polishes in the Color Blast have a ribbed, rubber grip style lid for improved application, and a long medium to thin brush, perfect if you have smaller or shorter nails.

I'm not going to lie if you're a polish perfectionist like me, this particular polish will frustrate the hell out of you. You get a fair bit of coverage with the first coat but for full depth of colour you really need two or three. The trouble with it being a smooth foil is that you can see every single mistake, and brush mark. I'm probably wearing about 3 coats here because I kept trying to perfect but try as I might you can still see the odd imperfection. The temptation is to apply one really thick coat but you'd probably wait an age for it to dry and smudge it in the meantime - so if you have a colour like this go slow, apply thin coats and give it a few minutes to try between each one.

If you aren't as much a perfectionist as I am, then all you'll see is a gorgeous, glossy, smooth finish, metallic foil with just a hint of sparkle. Drying time as I say wasn't bad and the wear time was actually even better. After a few days I noticed some minor tip wear, and it was another few days after that before it started to chip. Bear in mind though it's one of those polishes that once it chips you can't just paint over it and touch it up, as I say polishes like this literally show up any imperfections, so it's easier just remove the polish from the offending finger and repaint it.

I don't think that my issues with this polish are really anything to do with the formulation, the bottle or the brush, I always have similar issues with foil and metallic shades it's just the way that the shades translate, and I think that I am just too much of a perfectionist for them. That being said though, if you don't look too close, and fixate on the brush marks, it's actually a very nice, hardwearing polish, that I've actually worn two or three times now, because it literally goes with any outfit; It's sort of a neutral with a sparkly dressed up twist, and Mummy Lou has always commented about how pretty it is when I've worn it (her own nails are too short for polish, and I'm sorry for saying this but she's also a bit of nail biter!). 

As I say I can't find this particular polish anywhere online now but I'm sure most brands will have a similar rose gold metallic in their inventory, and Orly actually have a shade Rage, in their main line that looks similar, if a little pinker, and there us also a colour in the Orly BREATHABLE range, called Fairy Godmother which also looks similar x Let me know your thoughts on this polish and I'll see you soon with an empties post x 

Nails Of The Day - Orly - Space Cadet - Reshot And Redone

Well it's been just over two weeks since my last post and unfortunately my nails still aren't any better or any longer so instead I thought I'd  share one of my old nails of the day posts with you.

As you know I lost quite a few photographs when Photobucket changed it third party hosting options, and whilst it was bloody annoying and inconvenient, it has given me the opportunity to revisit some of my older blog posts and in this particular case it has given me the opportunity to rediscover some forgotten gems in my nail polish collection.

To be honest though this is a colour that you just don't forget about, originally introduced as part of their Fall 2010 Cosmic FX Collection, over the years Orly - Space Cadet has gained an almost cult reputation and it is so easy to see why.

Officially described by Orly as a green / purple duo chrome, shimmer, Space Cadet is probably one of the most amazing polishes that's ever been released by one of the big boy brands. Packed full of iridescence, duo chrome effects and sparkles in gold, bronzes, pinks, greens, purples and just about any other colour that you can think of, this polish is constantly changing, and flashing, as you move your hands and as the lighting conditions change. I've shot these pictures in a variety of lighting conditions so you can hopefully see just how versatile and changeable this shade really is.

Thankfully I did have a bit more of a nail when I shot these pictures a few months ago, but this colour would look amazing no matter what your nail length or shape.

It isn't the thickest of polishes to apply, so don't expect one coat coverage. The more coats that you apply, the more you actually see just how beautiful this polish actually is. Every coat almost seems to add another dimension to it, and another array of colour and sparkle. I normally apply around 3 coats for full coverage but if you have really white nail tips then you might need another coat. If you want to skip all of those coats though, then you could pop a coat or two over a dark coloured polish, to get a similar, if not quite as dramatic effect.

I know that sounds like a lot of coats and a lot of effort but as long as you keep your coats thin, it's no great hassle and it's well worth it, it dries pretty quickly and thanks to the glitter and sparkle content it wears pretty well, even though it can be a bit of a pain to remove.

No pictures will ever do this one justice but I did film a little You Tube video on my iPhone to give you an idea of how the polish changes and flashes when you move your hands.



Even though my bottle is around 8 years old now this polish still applies like a dream, and looks as fabulous as it ever did. Orly Space Cadet was a must have way back in 2010 and if you're a real nail polish aficionado then it's still a must have. To be honest I thought that this one had been discontinued years ago but after a quick look online, I can confirm that it does still seem to be still available from various retailers, in both the old and the new style Orly packaging, so if you love it, what are you waiting for? Buy it before it disappears for good  Are you a fan of Space Cadet? Let me know in the comments x

Nails Of The Day - Boy Oh Boy And A Special Guest

Despite having a few glimpses of the sun over the last few days, you know at this time of year it won't be long before the next grey day, so I thought I'd make the day a bit brighter with this colour..

Orly - Oh Cabana Boy is a hot almost neon blue based pink, with an ever so slight iridescence , it needed 3 coats for full coverage but it's a real mood lifter

This colour really brightens up your day, even my Godmother who's 81 couldn't resist trying it out

Doesn't she have gorgeous nails, normally she sticks to pale pinks but I think this colour looks great on her - what do you think of Oh Cabana Boy?

Nails Inc Bargains

Last week I got a little email from Nails Inc telling me about one of their special offers. If you subscribe to emails from Nails Inc every so often they will send you an email telling you about a special offer or a special priced collection. Last weeks was a goodie 6 polishes for just £15, baring in mind Nails Inc retails at around £11.50 a bottle it was well worth it. I also had a 20% discount code via InStyle magazine (Instyle20) so it would have been wrong not to place an order ;)
The only catch with the offer is that it was a lucky dip so you couldn't choose which colours you'd like but it was a chance worth taking :)
Well they came today and I have to say I am so pleased with the collection and the colours that I was sent :)

Top Row - From L-R - Spring Mews - a minty turquoise green, Maple Street - a dark golden bronze, and Blenheim Terrace - a peachy nude with a slight shimmer

Bottom Row - From L-R - Culford Gardens - a gorgeous sparkly gold, Villiers Street - a gorgeous shimmery metallic red and Garrick Street - a gorgeous metallic purple shot through with blue

I don't own any of these colours which was a bit of a surprise considering how many Nails Inc polishes I already have :) Culford Gardens and Villiers Street are quite similar to Westminster Abbey and Sandringham from The Royal Collection but I love both colours and they are ever so slightly different so I'll be hanging on to them :)

Since I was placing an order anyways I couldn't resist ordering something from my wishlist Lexington Street

None of my pics will do this justice but it really is gorgeous it's described as metallic purple with an emerald green glitter effect gorgeous :) I really wanted Franklins Row too but alas that seems to be long gone but Garrick Street for me seems to be a close enough dupe so I am a happy Lou x

Not only that but last night I found out I had won a Nails Inc Goodie Bag from an online discount cosmetic store :) and I won an Orly polish from a blog giveaway I certainly am lucky at the moment - I'll obviously post pics etc. when they come. Any questions in the meantime let me know xx

Don't You Just Love Coming Home To Packages :)

Well don't you ? A huge thank you must go out to my Godparents who kept an eye on the post for us whilst we were on holiday, so thanks to them as well as my boxes from MAC I also got several other fabbity fab packages. Firstly ebay, I've discovered my nail polish mojo big style over the last few months so many amazing new colours and finishes have came onto the market and I've just been super weak first of all I got a few polishes from the new OPI Swiss Collection, first of all I got The Colour To Watch -a lovely shimmery purple / mauve

and I also got Yodel Me On My Cell - an amazing shimmering teal blue colour - I really love colours like this

After watching a recent Lollipop26 nail polish haul I also got my first Color Club polish 852 Revvvolution -  a gorgeous shimmery charcoal, silver grey

Swatches in order 2 coats on white paper x

OK I was a bad, bad girl but if you read my posts on the brilliant Orly Space Cadet you'll know that I fell majorly in love with Orly Cosmic collection so I couldn't resist buying another couple of colours from the collection - first of all I got Halleys Comet a gorgeous multi toned teal, turquoise, green

and Lunar Eclipse - an amazing blue, and purple multi coloured sparkle

Swatches, again 2 coats on white paper L-R - Halleys Comet and Lunar Eclipse x

I also had a little parcel from Sleek waiting for me, I saw a couple of preview pictures of these two items from some lucky bloggers who got the chance to try them and I knew I had to have them. First up the powder blush in Rose Gold 926 - a gorgeous golden peach very like Nars Orgasm

I have to say I have lots of blushers in this colour family but this one is sooo pretty I just couldn't resist

Next up I got a Pout Polish in 942 Powder Pink

 I've had one of these before in a different colour but I just didn't suit me so I passed it on, this tho is very me a gorgeous pink colour

So they we are the goodies that arrived whilst I way bar one parcel that deserves a post in it's own right, that will be right up after a few NOTD's from my holidays. Again if you would like any reviews or if you have any questions please let me know xx

ELF and Ebay Haul :)

To be honest I am not having the best of days my mum has developed an infection after her operation so she will be staying in hospital at least until the weekend :(
Nothing though is guaranteed to cheer me up more than parcels. My Dorothy Perkins and New Look orders came this morning, and this afternoon some ebay goodies and my ELF package came :)


First of all my ebay goodies - I am starting to get my nail varnish mojo back big style so I managed to get OPI Done Out In Deco - a fabulous lilac cream which I am loving, Orly - It Up To Blue, and Orly - Oh Cabana Boy (I saw this on Magpie Sparkles You Tube Videos and fell in love such a fab hot pink!). I also managed to get hold of this Mary Quant eyeshadow duo in Peep Eyes 14 Lilac Wine - these are lovely but far too pretty to use with the little daisies embossed into the powder <3

Ok now my huge ELF haul I haven't used this brand before but for under £32 for 17 items I thought it was worth a try.

I ust admit I love my mineral products so I thought I'd try and few from this brand to see how they compare, sorry the photos aren't too clear but I got Sheer Mineral Boost (this is supposed to be like Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil (the big pot), Socialite eyeshadow (grey brown), Girly eyeshadow (pinky lilac), Partier (Silvery), and Earthy (shimmery olive green).


I also ordered some eye products - from L-R - Brightening Eye Liner in 1006 Gilded (a nice gold pencil liner with a sharpener),Waterproof Eyeliner Pen 7303 Black, Top - Duo Eyeshadow Cream 7106 Black Licorice (dark smokey grey and silvery grey) - Bottom - Duo Eyeshadow Cream 7102 Olive (darky browny olive, bright olive green)


I also ordered quite a few lip products - Top - Candy Shop Lip Gloss Tin - Frosting Fanatic. From L-R - Theraputic Conditioning Balm 8001 Strawberry Cream, Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15 - 2808 Candlelight, Hypershine Gloss - 9012 Blossom, Plumping Lip Glaze - 2908 Baby Doll, and finally Moisture Care Lip Color- 2111 Baby Lips.



Finally a couple of nail bits Nail Polish in 1544 Mod Mauve, and Nourishing Cuticle Pen.

Sorry for the rubbish pics but if you want any more pics or swatches let me know, and obviously I'll let you know what I think when I have had a play x

Cheering Myself Up - Maybe?

Its been a odd few days here in Lou Lou Land something that is forecast to continue for at least the foreseeable future. My mum went into hospital yesterday for her hip operation. Understandably I was totally stressed all day waiting for news so I did what I do best in situations like that I shopped. I am now waiting for a whole batch of parcels to come - I ordered some clothes, jewellery and a bag from New Look, some clothes and a bracelet from Dorothy Perkins, a whole load of beauty bits from Boots and some make up from ELF eyeslipsface . I haven't tried any of their products yet but at prices starting from £1.50 they have to be worth a try. Then today I ordered some Orly and OPI nail varnishes from eBay and I won a gorgeous Mary Quant eyeshadow duo too. Hmm all because of stress I have spent nearly £200 and my spending diet is out of the window yet again - that is pretty scary when you think about it.

As it turned out there wasn't a great deal to get stressed about - my mum had her op and is feeling better already - I went to see her last night and she called me this morning and although she is still hooked up to her drips and is still on morphine she isn't feeling too bad - I am hopefully going to see her again tomorrow which will settle my mind again. I've hoovered, cleaned the bathroom and I just have a pile of dishes to do and then everything bar my craft room is pretty much sorted - I can do this!