OPI Dutch Tulips (NOTD)

OPI Dutch Tulips

Yesterday I picked up a few nail supplies and managed to restock on one of my many favourite reds from OPI, Dutch Tulips.

This sophisticated blue base red is a summer staple during the brighter months as it is a tad less bright than my other OPI reds. In the bottle it almost appears as a crème but comes out as semi sheer when applied; I usually put on two coats to hide the tips of my nails. Apply with a base coat, to prevent staining. The lacquer consistency of OPI nail colours allows my brittle nails a good couple of days wear before needing to reapply.  Hopefully the weather remains bright.

 Have you got a favourite summer red?

NOTD: Revlon - Jaded Rose 121

This colour has been my 'go to' choice for my hands for the last two weeks. A  lovely creme finish, this colour leaves my nails an adorable pink colour without being too ostinatious.

Seche Vite Top Coat

I had to write an entry to this top coat as it has been tried an tested by me over the last three months - I am already on my second bottle!

Seche Vite with my kiss of approval

This product appeared on my radar after reading a number of reviews. Having run out to purchase OPI's Rapid Drops (and found it lacking) to say I was sceptical would be an understatement. 

However, in January I ran out of top coat and had gone in a mini spree in the nail store, seeing a bottle on the shelf I added it to my basket. At the checkout the sales assistant did everything he could to dissuade me from purchasing this top coat, but curious about the product I stood firm. 

 It took a week before I tried it and the verdict was- my nails were dry within one minute of application. I could not believe it. Since  overcoming my initial shock I have been making regular use of it, whacking on a different nail colour before running out of the door. 

Company's  patter:

Seche Vite™ dry fast top coat is widely acknowledged as the world's finest top coat. Specially formulated to penetrate through nail lacquer to the base coat forming a single solid coating over the nail plate for a much more durable finish. Guaranteed not to yellow while leaving nails silky, stronger and resistant to chipping and peeling.

 Pro's

• Touch dry top coat within three minutes of application. 
• Super shiny finish 
• No longer need to carry a bottle of nail polish for fear of chips whilst out. 

Negatives 

• Doesn't last past two days on my brittle nails. 
• Price - I but direct from a supplier so this isn't a factor for me but a quick search on the web allowed me to see that once again, UK consumers are being rippled off on an overseas product.

Verdict: 

Having purchased my second bottle I am a fan. I make sure to spend time on applying the colour let this air dry for around five minutes before putting on Seche Vite et voila, touch dry nails. I can understand why the sales associate wasn't impressed, there are better top coats on the market, but none as quick drying as Seche Vite.

Nailed: China Gaze - Designer Satin

Hey Hey

China Glaze - Designer Satin

So it was a bit bright in London this week and I, like thousands of other Londoners, rushed to brighten up my wardrobe whist remaining office appropriate.

 So before leaving on Thursday I sloped on a berry pink colour, Designer Satin- a shade from China Glaze, to help me channel my happiness at the brighter weather.

Now I have a notoriously hard time with polishes as I have peeling and difficult nails so accept that my nails will not last for two days without some serious intervention.

China Glaze - Designer Satin Bottle

As such, I feel it is not right for me to comment on the longevity of a nail product, particularly as in this case, the use of sloped is an adequate description of my application.

That said the nail colour had the desired effect and started two conversations with my fellow commuters - who said Londoners are not friendly??