Zoya 'Ali'

I'm the proud owner of a huge nail polish collection, however I didn't have that many pinks in it until recently. I was browsing through some blogs, when I stumbled across Amy's blog (Blog Rince), which featured this particular polish I'm going to show you guys today. 

It's a bright, neon pink that isn't too cool and it isn't too warm that it seems to be a coral either. It's the perfect pink, for me at least. 

I ordered this nail polish on eBay, as Zoya nail polishes can't be purchased in any store in Spain. My eBay seller, and I can't say enough good things about this seller, not only for the fast service but also because of its low prices that make it so affordable for me to buy these online. 

'Ali' is quite an opaque polish, although I always do 2 to 3 coats just in case with EVERY nail polish. The quality is just excellent, and there's no chipping to be seen after 4 days. 

STUNNING 

I'm in love with Zoya polishes, and my next post will feature Zoya's "Casey", another favourite of mine that is just THE PERFECT fall colour for me! 

<3  

Zoya 'Frida'

Turquoise was the perfect summer colour, but now that we're halfway through autumn (fall), I think we should start thinking about darker colours. If you're into gel or sheer nail polishes, you're going to love Zoya's "Frida". 

Zoya isn't a brand that we can buy in Spain, sadly, but I found an eBay seller who has the full collection, ships internationally, and at a VERY LOW price! (In case you're interested, here's the link to my eBay seller.)

The colour is just amazing, and the shine and gel-like texture is great too! I lost count of how many coats I did on my nails, but I think around 4 or 5, but take into account it's a sheer nail polish. I've had some people comment on my nails already!

It's not a bright colour, it's a bluey green fall colour, some might even describe it as a moss green, but with some blue thrown in too. In some lights, it looks like a dark blue, and in others, like a darkish green. Whatever colour it is, it looks BEAUTIFUL. It compliments my green eyes and dark hair beautifully, and it's one of those colours I don't get bored of by the second day! 

Update!

It's been nearly a month since I last posted anything on my blog! I'm so sorry for this long hiatus, but I really needed to put some order in my life, now that my semester has started. 

However, I'm glad to announce there will be four Zoya nail polish reviews (I'm still a nail polish addict, yes!) -Ali, Casey, Frida, Charisma- and a review of Garnier's BB cream (which I'm still trying out, so it will probably be a couple of days or weeks until I post it, just to be 100% sure about everything I'm writing!)

Love,

Maria.

Illamasqua lipstick in "Eurydice"

If there's a colour I love, is hot pink. There's nothing I love more than a bright warm pink, and whenever I see someone wearing a bright pink lipstick and pulls it off, I'm just downright jealous. 

Some months ago, I looked into Illamasqua's lipstick called "Eurydice". Back then, it was out of stock, but some weeks ago they emailed me to inform me that it was back on stock. 

The problem with Illamasqua is that, not only is it an expensive (but worth it) brand, but it also has very high shipping fees. I was about to cancel everything, when I just looked at one of Eurydice's swatches online, and I just had to click "Confirm order". It's just too beautiful not to own!

So that was that, 30€ spent on a lipstick. It might as well be the most beautiful lipstick, won't it?

IT IS.

And, I'm glad to say Illamasqua sent me four 15% off coupons, so I'll be doing some shopping there soon again! 

I first applied the lipstick directly from the tube, and then softened the edges with my ring finger. As you can see, it was left completely stained.

I'm an Illamasqua convert, and this lipstick is my new obsession!

Love,
Maria.

Just ordered...

Illamasqua's lipstick in Eurydice.

Is this a hot pink, or is this THE hottest pink?

This has been on my wishlist forever (which is really like.. a couple of months!)

I'm so excited for this to arrive! Swatches are mandatory, of course, because I didn't know if I should buy this or NARS' Carthage. Hopefully I made the right choice!

Love,

Maria.

List making app - Wunderlist

As you might've seen on my previous post, I love making lists and I carry a notebook with me wherever I go so that I can note down any little thing I should remember.

Not anymore, though. I'm willing to let my notebook go, and instead I'll be using this app (I think it's also available for Android. I definitely have it on my Mac, my iPad and my iPhone already.) Not only will it make my handbag a lot lighter, but it's way more comfortable in case is something you have to write quickly!

If you're a list-maker, like I am, definitely check out this app! 

This is the link to the video that explains how Wunderlist works.

Did I mention this app is free?

Love,

Maria.

Reading list

I know this blog is supposed to be about makeup. But since this blog is mine, I decided I needed to pour a little more of myself into it, not only the makeup lover side of me. This is why I'm considering changing my blog's name soon (when I think of a name I truly love).

You should know something about me: I'm a bookworm.
I love sitting on my couch and reading for hours. And suddenly remembering its 11pm and past dinner time.
I read absolutely every book that I catch sight of.

This is the little notebook where I write my lists in. 

Such as... wishlists, to do list, bucket list, and... reading lists!

I read the whole "A song of ice and fire" series, and I'm (im)patiently waiting for the sixth book! LOVED all of them.

Also, "The Fault in Our Stars" was a great book, I recommend checking it out ASAP.

And yesterday I finished "The Night Circus", which I liked, but not loved :( And I'm already starting "Tell the Wolves I'm Home".

I know "The Perks of being a Wallflower" is a very famous book and in the US you normally read it in school, but I had never heard about it until this year. Weird, right? It's already on my Kindle, will check it out as soon as I finish "Tell the Wolves I'm Home".

The (?) stands for.. should I read this? Is this too similar to Twilight?

I thought maybe you'd like to know what I've read these last months and what books I'm planning to read as soon as I finish the one I'm on.

If you'd like book reviews, please ask. I don't want to push my book obsession on you guys, but if you ask me to review any of the books I've read or will read, I will gladly do so! :)


Love,
Maria.

Nails Inc Juicy Sheers: "Henley Regatta" & "Chelsea Flower Show"

I never thought I'd be a fan of sheer nail polishes. I've always loved bright and opaque colours, but since I laid my eyes on these two on a random post I read (sorry, I just can't remember which one it was), I decided sheer would be my next obsession.

These two nail polishes are just BEAUTIFUL.

They are also scented, by the way! Henley Regatta (once dry!) smells like strawberries, and Chelsea Flower Show like oranges. I never thought I'd like scented nail polish, but I LOVE it (weird, right?)

The colours are sheer but intense. By this, I mean that once you've layered three coats on your nails, the colour is definitely bright but you can still see your nail underneath. As I said, I like this polish on short nails best. But, really, I'm a short nail lover, so I wear every nail polish with short nails. 

Henley Regatta & Chelsea Flower Show

(None of them were on my nails in this picture, by the way)

Henley Regatta 

(1 coat, except for thumb + index that have 2 coats on)

Chelsea Flower Show (1 coat)

Chelsea Flower Show (3 coats)

Chelsea Flower Show (natural light)

Chelsea Flower Show & Henley Regatta (3 coats)

Close-up

Would you give sheer nail polishes a try? 

Love,
Maria

Latest additions (swatches soon!)

Models Own 'Pink Punch';
Nails Inc 'Henley Regatta' + 'Chelsea Flower Show';
Barry M 'Pink Flamingo', 'Strawberry Ice Cream' + 'Fuchsia';
OPI 'Just Spotted the Lizard'

My nail polish collection

In the past months, I've become a nail polish magpie. I kid you not if I tell you I have around 45 (give or take) nail polishes in my stash, and I have ordered 7 more that have to arrive soon.

Yes, I have a terrible addiction, and it's a problem.
My idea is that, (if I'm able to), I will give the polishes I don't use to my girl friends. But it's quite probable also that I won't be able to part with any of them. You know, "just in case" I might use them later.

So, if you have a problem with nail polish like I do, then maybe you'll like this post, where I will show you swatches and comparisons of every nail polish I own and group them together with those in the same colour family.

Hope you like <3

Teals, bright blues and green blues

L to R: MAC Mischievous Mint, KIKO 389, Essie Turquoise and Caicos, KIKO 352, KIKO 342, Butter London 'Slapper'

(LEFT) Pinky: Mischievous Mint; Ring: KIKO 389; Middle: Turquoise + Caicos; Index: KIKO 352; Thumb: KIKO 342

(LEFT) Pinky: Mischievous Mint; Ring: KIKO 389; Middle: Turquoise + Caicos; Index: KIKO 352; Thumb: KIKO 342

(RIGHT) Thumb: Butter London 'Slapper'

Yellows and Greens

L to R: KIKO 279, Illamasqua "Rare", H&M "I'm not a kiwi", KIKO 396

Index: KIKO 279; Middle: Illamasqua Rare; Ring: H&M I'm not a kiwi; Pinky: KIKO 396

Neutrals and Nudes

L to R: Sephora nº49; Astor 610 Satin Angel; Rimmel "018 Rose Orchid"; H&M duo "Lavender Frost"

Pinky: Sephora nº49; Ring: Astor 610 Satin Angel; Middle: Rimmel "018 Rose Orchid"; Index: H&M duo "Lavender Frost"

Pinky: Sephora nº49; Ring: Astor 610 Satin Angel; Middle: Rimmel "018 Rose Orchid"; Index: H&M duo "Lavender Frost"

Metallics

L to R: OPI "Rainbow Connection", KIKO 354; KIKO 274; KIKO 395; H&M duo "Golden Nails"

Pinky: OPI "Rainbow Connection"; Ring: KIKO 354; Middle: KIKO 274; Index: KIKO 395; Thumb: H&M duo "Golden Nails"

Pinky: OPI "Rainbow Connection"; Ring: KIKO 354; Middle: KIKO 274; Index: KIKO 395; Thumb: H&M duo "Golden Nails"

Pinky: OPI "Rainbow Connection"; Ring: KIKO 354; Middle: KIKO 274; Index: KIKO 395; Thumb: H&M duo "Golden Nails"

Oranges and Red-orange colours

L to R: Models Own "Tangerine Queen"; KIKO 280; Models Own "Fluro Orange"; KIKO 236; Models Own "Hedonist"

Thumb: Models Own "Tangerine Queen"; Index: KIKO 280; Middle: Models Own "Fluro Orange"; Ring: KIKO 236; Pinky: Models Own "Hedonist"

Thumb: Models Own "Tangerine Queen"; Index: KIKO 280; Middle: Models Own "Fluro Orange"; Ring: KIKO 236; Pinky: Models Own "Hedonist"

Pinks and Corals

L to R: KIKO 281; H&M "Check Me Out"; OPI "Kiss Me On My Tulips"; ASTOR 235 Insolence; Butter London "Disco Biscuit"; Models Own "Bubble gum" 

(LEFT) Pinky: KIKO 281; Ring: H&M "Check Me Out"; Middle: OPI "Kiss Me On My Tulips"; Index: ASTOR 235 Insolence; Thumb: Butter London "Disco Biscuit"

Pinky: KIKO 281; Ring: H&M "Check Me Out"; Middle: OPI "Kiss Me On My Tulips"; Index: ASTOR 235 Insolence; Thumb: Butter London "Disco Biscuit"

(RIGHT) Thumb: Models Own "Bubble gum"

Pure blues

L to R: KIKO 338, KIKO 299, KIKO 265, Nails Inc "Baker Street"

Index: KIKO 338, Middle: KIKO 299, Ring: KIKO 265, Pinky: Nails Inc "Baker Street"

Index: KIKO 338, Middle: KIKO 299, Ring: KIKO 265, Pinky: Nails Inc "Baker Street"

Index: KIKO 338, Middle: KIKO 299, Ring: KIKO 265, Pinky: Nails Inc "Baker Street"

Dark hues: purples, reds + black

L to R: H&M "Soaked in Purple", H&M duo "Lavender Frost"; NARS "Purple Rain"; H&M duo "Golden Nails"; KIKO 227; Maybelline 501 Cherry Sin; Astor 550 Red Lace; KIKO 275

(LEFT) Pinky: H&M "Soaked in Purple", Ring: H&M duo "Lavender Frost"; Middle: NARS "Purple Rain"; Index: H&M duo "Golden Nails"; Thumb: KIKO 227

Pinky: H&M "Soaked in Purple", Ring: H&M duo "Lavender Frost"; Middle: NARS "Purple Rain"; Index: H&M duo "Golden Nails"; Thumb: KIKO 227

(RIGHT) Thumb: Maybelline 501 Cherry Sin; Index: Astor 550 Red Lace; Middle: KIKO 275

(RIGHT) Thumb: Maybelline 501 Cherry Sin; Index: Astor 550 Red Lace; Middle: KIKO 275

Have you got a huge nail polish collection you're ashamed of but love at the same time too? 

Love,

Maria.