nail polish - Inspired Living SA

Rubybox Nailed It Lacquer Summer Shades

Nailed It Lacquers

As you well know I am a bit of a nail polish junkie but lately I have been wearing the same old colours – boring I know! Well imagine my excitement when a pretty little package from Rubybox arrived at my door and woohoo it contained three of their recently launched, Nailed It Lacquer Summer Shades!

The rubybox Beauty Nailed It Lacquer collection is the perfect addition to the rubybox offering. Each season Rubybox will release up to ten new shades, starting with their Summer Collection, featuring sexy brights and pretty pastels.

I am always a bit skeptical when trying out new nail polish as I have a few go-to brands, which I use religiously! Well I was not disappointed with the Nailed It! Lacquers; they paint very well and I have found the staying power really good. I also found that you could actually get away with one coat, {plus a clear top coat} if you are in a rush, which I usually am!

The brief from Rubybox was to create fun nail art looks for summer using the Sunset Horizon collection which they sent me. The three shades in my Nailed It Lacquer collection are: Sweet as Candy, Just Peachy and Monday Blues, perfect summery shades! The collection is currently on sale on the Rubybox website for R149.95, reduced from R224, which I think is an absolute bargain for three shades!

Let me please just point out that I am not a nail artist, so although these designs may not perfect but I had so much fun creating them!

I used Miss Jen Fab for a bit of inspiration when creating this first look which was definitely the easiest of the three.

The next look was also quite easy to create, using different coloured dots to create a fun summery pattern.

This was probably my favourite to create! A beach inspired look – if you look closely you will see a bikini, beach ball, ice cream and a flip-flop 🙂

As I said I had lots of fun creating these three Summer Inspired nail art looks with the Rubybox Nailed It Lacquer Collection. Which look is your favourite? Please let me know in the comment section below.

To find out more about the Nailed It Lacquers or order online, check out the Rubybox website.

Disclosure Ranking: 2

Beauty, Beauty Favourites, Beauty Products

March & April Beauty Favourites

I am afraid everything has been super hectic over past few months and some how March flew by without me getting around to doing a Beauty Favourites post! So I thought I would do a combined post of the past two months favourites! So here goes with my March & April Beauty Favourites:

After taking all the photographs, I realised that this post is focused on hand and nail care, which was not planned but I think is vital, especially going into winter.

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter Crème Brulee ~ These Lip Butters are perfect if you are looking for a lip balm with a bit of a tint. The Revlon Lip Butters contain mango, shea and coconut butter, which are super hydrating and leave your lips feeling really soft. This is the second Revlon Lip Butter I have bought, the other one I own is Tutti Fruitti, which is a much brighter coral colour, while Crème Brulee is a creamy nude shade. This shade is perfect for everyday, as it is subtle sheer to medium colour, with a kissable buttery shine. RRP R135 available online from Zando. {Disclosure Ranking:1}

Blend Box Soft Body Scrub ~ This product was love at first smell! I love body scrubs and have tried quite a few but this one smells amazing, it reminds me of warm orange cake just out of the oven! This sugar scrub gently exfoliates, while a blend of essential oils, soften your skin and leave it feeling amazing. RRP R100, available online from Hello Pretty. {Disclosure Ranking:2}

Sally Hansen Cuticle Massage Cream ~ A very important part of hand and nail care is looking after your cuticles! Each time I give myself a manicure, I make sure than I push my cuticles back and moisturise them. The Sally Hansen Cuticle Cream is an intensive treatment for your cuticles, it is rich in apricot oil but absorbs quickly into the skin, while deeply moisturising. It also soothes painful hangnails and torn cuticles. Tip: Massaging cuticles with this cream increases circulation to the nail bed, which helps stimulate new nail growth, for smooth, healthy-looking nails and cuticles. RRP R82.95 available online from Rubybox. {Disclosure Ranking:1}

Sally Hansen Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil ~ This is the perfect remedy for brittle nails, torn and dry cuticles or hangnails! This Vitamin E-enriched cuticle oil contains added wheat germ, apricot kernel extract and safflower oils to help soften, moisturise and protect nails and cuticles. I love the brush applicator, which makes it super easy to apply. Apply a small amount to each nail and massage gently into your nails and cuticles. The oil is quickly absorbed, moisturing both the cuticles, as well as the skin around the nails. You can apply as often as you need to but I prefer to use this at night before I go to bed. RRP R79.95 available from online from Rubybox.{Disclosure Ranking:1}

Nimue Active Hand Repair ~ I have always been quite religious with using hand cream regularly and make sure I have a tube in my handbag at all times! The colder weather can really make your hands extremely dry, so I think it is important to beef up your hand-care during autumn and winter. I am also very aware that as you age, your hands can become dry and lined and no one wants old looking hands! The Nimue Active Hand Repair contains AHA’s{Alpha Hydroxy Acids}, which improve skin texture, appearance of age spots and exfoliate dead, damaged skin. This product contain Kigelia Africana plant extracts, which assist in several skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, solar keratosis, skin rashes and restores the skin.The only thing I dislike about this product is the smell, I cannot pin-point exactly what I don’t like but it smells slightly spicy, which may be from the Kigelia Africana plant extract – odd I know but I guess I can put up with the smell, if it means younger looking hands! 🙂 RRP Please consult a salon near you. {Disclosure Ranking:2}

Essie Over The Top ~ When I googled this nail polish shade, Essie dot.com comes up with Over The Edge. The colours seem the same, so not sure why the different name but I absolutely love this dramatic metallic midnight silver. You will definitely see it on my nails often during winter, black nail polish is a bit harsh for me, so this is the next nest thing. Over The Top is an awesome colour and have received so many compliments when I wear it! It paints really well and as long as you apply a top coat, it does not chip and lasts very well. RRP R109 available online from Zando {Disclosure Ranking:1}

Essie Good To Go Top Coat ~ For me a top coat is a must and I tend to only use Essie products when it comes to top and base coats! I have tried other products but nothing comes close to the drying or staying power of Essie. Their products may be more expensive than most other drugstore brands but in my opinion, they are worth the money. Good To Go, sets your nail polish in seconds and creates an almost gel-like finish. RRP R175 available from Dischem. {Disclosure Ranking:1}

SKNLogic Renew Foot Balm ~ As important as keeping your hands hydrated, your feet also need some pampering! I try to remember to use a heel balm every night but every second night is also fine. This ultra-rich hydrating foot balm, deeply helps to repair, soothe, revitalize and protect dry, tired feet. It also smells amazing and absorbs quickly into your skin. I am on my feet quite a bit during the day and I also run a few times a week, so my feet tend to become quite dry even in winter. I find rubbing a soothing balm into my feet, after a long day, not only moisturises the skin but helps my fatigued feet relax! The SKNLogic Renew Foot Balm combines hydrating Sunflower oil, Wheat germ oil, Fig & Cucumber extract, orange oil and Shea Butter to help soothe sore joints, hydrate and protect extremely dry, cracked skin. RRP R85.00 Visit the SKNLogic website to locate a stockist near you. {Disclosure Ranking:2}

Beauty, Beauty Favourites, Beauty Products

January Beauty Favourites

Over the past month I have shared some of my beauty favourites, which were some of my stand-out products for 2013. Today I am going back to posting my monthly favourites – starting with January Beauty Favourites.

January was such a busy month which has somehow, in the blink of an eye became February! I have been trying lots of new beauty, makeup and hair-care products. These are a few of the makeup, nail polish and skincare products, which have made a great impression, so far this year!

I will start of with some of my skincare favourites for January:

Bioderma Sensibio H2O ~ This is a product which I have read quite a few reviews about and eventually decided to try. The Sensibio range was developed for sensitive skin, which can be prone to redness and easily becomes dehydrated. Sensibio H2O is a soothing non-rinse cleanser and make-up remover. Its is also fragrance and alcohol free. To use simply apply to a cotton pad and wipe gently over your face, it looks and feels like water but miraculously your makeup is removed and your skin is cleansed – it even removes water-resistant makeup! Recommended Retail Price R159.95 Rubybox.

Dermalogica Multivitamin Thermafoliant ~ As most of you know I have been struggling with pigmentation and uneven skin tone for a while now. I have tried a host of different products to help correct these problems, with little or no results. My beauty therapist recommended that I start using this product as part of my weekly exfoliation regime. Multivitamin Thermafoliant, is a skin polisher, which combines physical and chemical exfoliants, to help refine skin texture and enhance penetration of age-fighting vitamins into the skin. The resurfacing micro-granules gently polish off dulling skin cells to reveal smoother, fresher skin. The unique thermal technology activates when it makes contact with water, to help stimulate penetration of skin-sloughing Salicylic Acid and Retinol.To use wet hands and rub a small amount between your palms to activate, then apply to your face. It also contains Prickly Pear Extract, which accelerates the skin’s natural exfoliation process. White Tea suppresses the formation of collagen-degrading MMPs while Licorice and vitamins C and E brighten skin tone. I use this product every second day and must admit my skin looks visibly brighter and feels smoother immediately after using. Recommended Retail Price R735.00 Dermalogica

Catrice Absolute Nude Eyeshadow Palette ~ On my quest to find a drugstore (In other words affordable) nude eyeshadow palette, I happened upon this one from Catrice. The All Nude palette, features six nude shades: subtle sand, delicate beige and brown in various facets. Some of the shadows are matt, while some have a bit of a shimmer. The shadows have a wonderful soft texture, with high pigmentation. This palette is ideal for a natural-looking eye but you can also create a smokey eye for the evening, using some of the darker shades. I have really been impressed with the Absolut Nude Eyeshadow Palette, not only because of the extremely affordable price tag but also because of the wonderful smooth application, which lasts for hours! The palette does come with a double-ended applicator but I still prefer to apply it, with my own eyeshadow brushes. Recommended Retail Price R64.95 Dis-chem Stores.

Benefit Watt’s Up Highlighter ~ I was lucky enough to receive this product as a Christmas pressie, from my awesome brother and sister in-law! there are definite advantages to having family living abroad! It is unfortunately not available in SA 🙁 but I have fallen in love with it! Watt’s Up is a soft focus highlighter for the face – the pretty champagne highlight gives your cheeks or brow bones a soft glow. Apply the highlighter, directly to the area you would like to highlight and either use the attached blender or your fingers, to create a smooth luminous glow. Watt’s Up has a gorgeous cream-to-powder finish, which I love. You can apply it on its own or over your existing makeup. Recommended Retail Price $30 Benefit

Bourjois Effet 3D 8Hr Lipgloss in Beige Elastic ~ this is the very first Bourjois product I have owned. I have heard so much about their foundations but I have quite a few foundations which I still need to finish off, before I try anything new. So I thought I would try a lipgloss for my first buy. The Effet 3D 8Hr lipgloss, has recently had a makeover, for its 10th year anniversary, with a new formula, new shades and sleek new packaging! The shade I chose is Beige Elastic, a pretty pinky gold, with a gorgeous light reflecting shimmer. It looks super pretty worn on its own or slicked over a nude lipstick. Recommended Retail Price R119.95 Clicks Stores or online at rubybox

Tip Top Nail Polish in Coral Candy ~ This product was actually part of a goodie bag I received recently – what a score! Often the nail polish colours I receive in goodie bags, are not really to my taste but this Tip Top shade, Coral Candy, is gorgeous! Truth be told I have not owned any Tip Top products, until now and I have been wearing it pretty much non stop, since I got it 🙂 One of the great things about Tip Top Nail Polishes is they are toxin free! They also contain Vitamin E for extra moisturisation. I must admit I have been very impressed with how long this polish lasted on my nails and seems to be fairly chip resistant as well. Recommended Retail Price R 39.00 Zando

Catrice Ultimate Nail Lacquer in Two Million Dollar Baby ~ I have been having lots of fun with this product! After seeing so much hype about glittery nail polish effects – I had to try it for myself! There are loads of nail polish shades, which contain glitter but I wanted something which was more of a “top coat”, so that I can add a glitter effect to the nail polish colours I already have. You can see the effect, in the image above on the right – I am wearing Two Million Dollar Baby over a pretty gold shade – so pretty and sparkly! Recommended Retail Price R34.95 Dis-chem stores

Real Techniques Core Collection Brushes ~ This was another Christmas spoil – yes I was a lucky gal! After seeing this brushes mentioned, all across the blogosphere I had to have them! They are indeed all they are said to be which is AMAZING!!! Again unfortunately they are ~~not available in SA~~. correction I have found out the are indeed available from All4Women.{*see the link below} The Core Collection set includes 4 full-size brushes plus a case. the 4 brushes consist of: a detailer brush, precision cut to effortlessly conceal problem areas or use with lipstick for long-lasting shape and definition. A pointed foundation brush, to use with liquid foundation to build custom coverage. A buffing brush{my all time favourite}, which ideal for full coverage application of powder and mineral foundation – I however use it to apply liquid foundation and it gives you a beautifully smooth finish! Lastly there is a contour brush, which can be used to delicately apply highlighter or as I do, apply bronzer, to contour my face. The ultra-plush, synthetic bristles are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free and them extended aluminum handles are light and easy to use and clean. Recommended Retail Price R349 All4Women

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Beauty, Beauty Products, Style Inspiration

Autumn Winter Nail Polish Shades

These are a few of my favourite Nail Polish Shades for Autumn and Winter 2013. As I mentioned in my recent post, featuring the Fashion and Colour Trends for Autumn Winter 2013, deep purple or plum is one of my personal favourites for the season.

I am really loving this Vertigo Red shade by Mavala, it is a gorgeous deep plum colour, with a subtle red shimmer, which makes for a sultry sexy look. I love this look for the evening but have also enjoyed wearing it during the day:)

The other shade that I am wearing below is a creamy, light pink shade called Rose Shell. It reminds me of strawberry marshmellows, all soft and fluffy like a baby pink cloud! It is a subtle shade and very feminine and looks good with most other colours.

The third Mavala shade is Agate, which has a pearl finish. It is a darker pink and quite shimmery but again it is very pretty and feminine, which is perfect for day-wear!

I am really loving the pink and plum shades for winter! I will always love red but sometimes I do not feel like making too much of a statement with my nail colour and keeping it soft and romantic! What are your favourite nail polish shades for winter?

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My Top Summer Nail Polish Shades

As most of you will know I am a tad obsessed with nail polish and yes I am a bit of an Essie girl, I do use other brands but I simply love the Essie shades. Their polish is also the longest lasting which is super important for a busy mom, who likes to look good but does not have the time to redo her nail polish every few days!

These are My Top Summer Nail Polish Shades, which coincidentally all happen to be by Essie:

Mint Candy Apple – I have featured this polish before but it is still my favourite pastel shade, which is perfect for summer especially if you are wearing white. It is also gorgeous with lace, which is a trend I am adoring at the moment!

Fondala Gondala – Is such a soft pretty mauve shade, which I wear if I am trying to achieve a more neutral look. It looks equally good on your hands and feet, giving you a subtle effect.

Tangerine – Is a vibrant deep coral shade, ultra sexy and it gives a great pop of colour on your toes. I do probably prefer this shade on my feet unless I am wanting to make a loud fashion statement, then its perfect on my hands too. Tangerine looks amazing paired with gold accessories.

Jam ñ Jelly – I love,love, love this gorgeous fuchsia shade which has a slight iridescent sheen to it. Pink is my favourite colour and this is my favourite shade to wear with black, especially in the evening but it goes well with just about anything. It is probably the nail polish I have worn the most this summer!

If you would like to see more fun posts from My Top 4 Series click here…