The Manicure Menu | Gifted

I haven't written one of these posts in a very long time, which makes me kinda sad, but the truth is, I just wasn't painting my nails all that much. However, it seems like it was an unofficial New Year's resolution, because since the turn of 2017, I've been really into switching up my nail colours. I have actually been painting them weekly for the last few weeks! Here's a look at the shades I've been loving, as well as the top coat that has kinda changed everything for me...

Maybelline Dr Rescue Gel Effect Top Coat

I'm going to get the slightly boring one out of the way, because jazzy colours are SO much more exciting than any kind of nail care item. I always found that my nail polish would barely last a day before chipping, even when I was using a top coat. I used to use the (very much hyped), Seche Vite, but all I found that all it did was shrink the nail polish and make it peel off. When I tried out some of the Dinki Belle Nail Wraps last year (read the post), the owner of the brand recommended the Maybelline Dr Rescue Gel top coat, and it's been such a revelation! It is really affordable, easy to apply and makes the nails look so glossy, as well as increasing wear time. It'd be unheard of for my nail polish to last 5-6 days, but now I find I'm only really painting my nails once a week, and they don't look totally awful on the last day either!

Maybelline SuperStay 7 Day Metallic Silk in Rose Veil*

Next is another Maybelline beauty, and that sure is the right term for it - this is quite possibly one of the most stunning nail polishes I have ever used! It looks like pure rose gold on the nails, and as with all the SuperStay 7 Day range, it applies really easily and is perfectly opaque in two coats (although you could get away with just one). It's that nail colour that I just want to keep on reapplying week after week, and it's actually one of the only nail polishes I wore in the second half of last year. It's just so beautiful!

Next Hard Wearing Matte Glitter in Mono Clone

This is one that I picked up last year, and in all honesty I'm not totally sure it's still available. It's one of my absolute favourite polishes though, as I think it's so unique! It is a matte polish, with white and grey flecks to give a pebble effect. It manages to look really edgy and different, and has the impact of nail art, without all the faff. I love the monochrome look of it too, as it goes with anything I wear. I've been so impressed with Next's polishes, especially their nail effects - they definitely give Nails Inc a run for their money, at a fraction of the price!

Tanya Burr Cosmetics Matte in New Chapter

This was such a surprise rediscovery for me. I tried Tanya Burr's range of matte nail polishes back in the summer when I filmed my first impressions of the Soft Luxe Collection (watch that here) and didn't give them much thought. I came across the shade New Chapter again last month, and didn't realise just how much of a beautiful shade it was. It's a pale purpley grey that looks so flattering on the nails. I find that you definitely have to put some kind of top coat with this polish as it chips very easily, so I use the Maybelline gel top coat to give it a glossy look.

Essie Maximillian Strasse Her

I'm going to end this post with one of my all-time favourite polishes, Essie Maximillian Strasse Her. I haven't worn this in a while, and I forgot just how gorgeous it is. It's a really unique shade amongst my collection, a deep blue/green/grey that applies really opaque and looks so nice on the nails. I do like Essie polishes as I think they're really long lasting, and there are so many shades, I've got my eye on about 5 more but my nail polish collection is far to big already, oops! 

What colours have you been wearing on your nails? 

- Post contains PR samples -

- This does not affect my views and I will always give my honest opinion of a product -

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The Summer Manicure Menu by BerryBloomXO

Today we have a collaboration with the lovely Puja from BerryBloomXO. We're going to be chatting all things nails!

I'm Puja and I run a beauty & lifestyle blog at BerryBloomXO. I have the honour to write a post on Kirstie's lovely blog! As you already see a segment of the Manicure Menu on here, you know that it's all about picking 5 nail colours that we're currently loving. Today, I'm taking over with a SUMMER EDITION. I hope you like it!

There’s definitely a vast difference between summer and winter nail colours in the mainstream beauty/fashion industry, but for me, there are some that last year round. I’m talking the go-to greys and always-in-season reds, if you know what I mean! Yet, during each season, I pick out a few colours that I set outside my nail polish box, so they’re easily reachable and great for that time of year. Here are my picks for this summer:

Minty blue tones are my current obsession, so it was impossible not to pick up Kiwi by Barry M for the summer season. I must say, the gelly shine finish (Read: Barry M Watermelon Gelly) is my favourite from the Barry M range! 

I love nude colours all year round, and the Ciaté one is the one I most lean towards. It’s perfect for the summer as it’s pretty understanded, which is quite the contrary to the neon and bright colours that people generally opt for during this time of year. Nonetheless, I love the understated look (MINIMALISTS UNITE!). 

White is generally a great colour to show off your tan, however, I’m not one for an all over white nail colour. Nevertheless, I would use it when I’m doing nail art. I say nail art but I mean a simple striped pattern, maybe. Okay, only on one accent nail – I am not talented enough to create straight, perfect lines on all nails! 

See that grey there, called cappuccino? That’s my go-to grey. My year round, all the time, whenever I want to… grey. I absolutely love the shade. In fact, my bedroom is painted a grey because I love the chic vibe the colour represents. 

Finally, the limited edition colour by Barry M. I have used this baby a lot. In fact, I’ve completed half of the bottle and how often does that happen? Not very often, let me tell you! It’s a pretty pink colour that can be built up to a purple-y shade. I’ve got it on right now, and I love it! It screams summer without being too in-your-face. That’s it for the Manicure Menu: Summer Edit! Those are the 5 colours you’ll see me wearing for the next few weeks!

Let me know, what is your go-to shade for the summer?

Love, PUJA x

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The Summer Manicure Menu

I'm very excited to be finally sitting down to write this post. It's one I've been planning since way before my blogging break and it's going to become a regular thing, my friends. The Manicure Menu is a monthly dedication to what's graced my nails over the past few weeks. I have an unhealthy amount of nail polishes lurking in the sidelines, so it's only right that they get their five minutes of fame.

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