New Barry M Nail Paint: Aqua Glitter

Being an avid fan of Barry M’s Red Glitter and of anything Aqua (It's my birthstone dont'cha know?) I was thrilled to spy this polish when in Boots last week.

It’s a ‘Have your eye out’ shiny teal glitter that, while not as densely packed as it’s red counterpart, is still well worth a look for €4.99.

Barry M Aqua Glitter - Top Right: Two coats, Bottom Left: One coat over Essence Let's Get Lost with Matte Top Coat

The polish consists of small and mid sized aqua glitters in a teal jelly suspension. It can be worn alone, using two coats for a sparkly, subtle look but with sparse glitters like this I prefer to use them as top coats.

Two Coats 

Mattified for the Office

Over an aqua blue polish (Essence Let's Get Lost) the aqua glitter becomes more pronounced, I’ve used a matte top coat for a different take and to make it a little more work appropriate.

Gradient for Partying!

Used as a gradient over a tip of Miss Sporty Teal, Aqua Glitter comes to life and is an ideal mani for a night out on the tiles.

What say we? Aqua Glitter giving you the want? I'd love to know which of the three looks you prefer too...

New Barry M Nail Paint Chameleon Collection

New from Barry M we have Chameleon Effects nail polish, proffered by Mr M with the words:

''Magical Chameleon instant nail effects means you have two colours in one! Instructions: 1) Apply a base coat and then apply one coat of your chameleon nail paint and allow to dry. 2) Apply second coat and allow to dry. 3) Create a design with your clear nail paint and watch it change colour.''

I read that and was instantly reminded of the t shirts in the 80's that changed with the heat of your body (I had an orange/yellow one btw). Being a lover of all things 80's and an addict to all things polish I had to give these a go. Wanna see how they look on the nail?

Barry M Chameleon Blue 

Chameleon Blue is a chrome effect silver based blue, once covered with a top coat though it transforms into a beautiful maroon metallic. The polish itself is a one coater, no question, thick and opaque in an instant it's easy to work with. 

Barry M Chameleon Lilac

Chameleon Lilac is just that a chrome lilac silver that once a top coat is applied turns a deeper metallic purple shade. Again, this is a one coat wonder as with Barry M Foil Paints. 

Barry M Chameleon Pink

Chameleon Pink is a chrome dusky pink and probably my favourite base colour of the three. One coat is all that's needed and once covered it transforms to a deep metallic purple. This, unfortunately, isn't as good at the old switcheroo as the other two. The picture above is following 3 attempts to get it right. 

There is room to get a little creative with these polishes too, simply paint on designs or dots using a clear top coat and watch your creation develop, just like a magic marker!

Barry M recommend using a base coat with these polishes and that's more because of the foil formulation than anything else. It shows up every, lump, bump and ridge if you don't. They're a fun and quirky idea and are a pleasure to work with. I'd love to see the pink colour in a normal polish though as it has no hope of lasting more than a day without a top coat.

Priced at €5.99 they're available in Boots and Superdrug now.

What do you think of Chameleon polishes? Unnecessary or Über cool?

Barry M Nail Paint - New Addition - Denim

Today I have a peep at Barry M's new Nail Paint offering, Denim. It's a bright, royal blue richly infused with silver micro shimmer.

Gorgeous in the natural sunlight, this blue boy will set you back €4.79 from Boots but they very often have specials so unless you're gagging to pick it up, I'd hold off for a deal.

I'm especially impressed with the pigmentation of this new line (which also includes Copper, Silvery Lilac & Teal). Complete opacity can be reached with just one coat, which is a rarity in the polish world.  Denim dries semi matte, so if high shine is your preference, you're going to need a top coat.

Close up, innit?

And now for the bad news, while this didn't chip outright, there was tip wear on the second day with this polish, even with a Seche Vite top coat. I don't mind so much with lighter colours but with this blue, it's immediately obvious and just made my nails seem a little tatty. Boooo.

While it's not one for longevity, I'm still loving the colour and formulation. For a night out or to match an outfit (possibly denim), I'd say Denim is a winner.

Have you picked up anything from the new Barry M line as yet?

Konad Nail Stamping - I Wuz Wrong

Konad nail stampers have been around for quite a while now. If I'm honest I've always avoided them because they seemed too fiddly to me, no, I'm not a fan of faffing about to get my talons done.

My Sis picked me up the Christmas special that was on recently on pigsback.com so I was happy to give 'em a whirl.

Luckily, as well as the M12 Christmas plate I recived  the M57 animal print one too. We all know I love animal  print nails. 


Konad recommend you use their polish for stamping purposes as the consistency is so thick, while reading that factoid I was put in mind of Barry Ms Metallic Nail Paint that's just too thick to sit on the nail alone. Tan-spankle-ah-dah! Idea. 

I'm highly recommending using the plate on kitchen towel so when you scrape the excess with the scraper it's caught on the paper.

1. Apply the polish to the pattern of your choice & scrape off the excess using the blade/scraper. 

2. Pressing the stamp firmly onto the plate you lift up your design.

3. Starting at the tip of your nail roll the stamper onto the nail bed in the desired position. For full nail coverage roll side to side without ever lifting the stamp.

4. After a swish of topcoat (Seche Vite preferably) admire your design!

Honestly, this couldn't be easier, folks. You need to work fairly quickly as dry polish will not transfer from the stamp but after a nail or two you'll be flying.

One tip I'll give you is to have mini polish remover pads or remover on tissue to hand to clean as you go (The plate & the scraper). This makes the design sharper and the whole process a lot quicker.

The other designs from the same plate

Head on over to Konad.ie for lists of local demonstrations, prices and products available. Leon has special offers available right now, such as 5 plates for €35 and boasts some of the best customer service skills I've experienced. If it wasn't for #operationshutyerpursehole I'd be over there right now!

NOTD - Crackle Graphite

NOTD today was born of necessity more than anything else. I had been wearing Graphite, that wonderfully pewter sparkly Chanel number, since Wednesday and the wear and tear was beginning to show. 

Out lastnight and early site visits this morning meant zero time for a fresh mani so needed a quick solution...

Started with a quick Graphite touch up...

And one coat of Barry M Instant Nail Effects in Black

I have had this black crackle in my stash for quite some time but wasn't really feeling it over normal colours and as such had promised it to my Mam. Problem is, Graphite is no normal colour and I'm Loving the pewter & black combination. Soz, Mam. 

Instant Nail Effects can be a bit dull matte when used on their own, so you're going to need a high shine topcoat for proper sparkle pay off here. 

Topcoats don't come shinier than Seche Vite!

And that's it, completely new look nails with one coat & a topcoat. Quick & simple. Just the way I like it. 


Are you a Nail Effect fan? Any colour combos you're loving? 

NOTD - Oh Gosh is that Barry M?

Poor pinky, still traumatised from trolleygate last week

NOTD today is a demonstration of why you should never write off a polish because the colour doesn't immediately wow you. 

Upon realising the blogosphere was losing it's shizz over Barry M's Dusky Mauve, I did the only sane thing and picked it up. It is exactly what it says on the bottle. Dusky Mauve. Some claiming it a dupe for Chanel's Paradoxical. Which, in fairness it is very close to. 

Forget a before photo? Flickr rocks for that

Yes it's beautiful but just not for me. When low and behold the genius that is Cornflakegirl suggested a Gosh Rainbow topcoat. Gosh's Rainbow is a discontinued lacquer with duochrome flecks in a transparent polish that look like, well, a rainbow.  'Hmm, we'll see' said I, sceptical. But I tried it and guess what? I loves it!

Back from the brink

I'm too sexy for this mo mo

Loving it so much was I that I gave the piggies a go too: 

Orange knuckles. Not just for fingers. 

The gickberry just wouldn't play ball when trying to capture this colour but trust me, it rocks. Yes I am also aware that I have (next to) no pinky nail, I could have been a foot model if it wasn't for that belligerent swine.

I reckon this Rainbow could save many a colour that would otherwise gather dust. 

Have you tried it? Are you a fan of topcoats that morph your polish? 

Nail Tip for Summer Pastels & Crazy Neons

I hadn't intended on another nail post quite so quickly but accidentally came across a nice little nail tip this weekend and felt the need to share. I've heard lament and been the lamenter of  the time it takes to apply summer pastels. While sporting a french polish over the weekend I conveniently 'found myself' in Superdrug trying out the lovely Pastel Nail Paints by Barry M. 

Some May have fallen into my mála aprés nail tip discovery.
L-R Mint Green, Blueberry, Strawberry & Lemon

Yup, pastels can be a bit of a PIB (pain in the bum) when it comes to application and that has stopped me purchasing in the past. It can take up to 3 coats to reach the desired opacity, which some of us have neither the time nor the inclination for. Cue me swatching the pastels over a french polish in Superdrug and Eureka! 
The pastels POP instantly when applied over a white base!

We all have a couple o' whites lying 'round for tip work

Half & Half

Difference is immediately noticeable with just one coat

So there you have it, to save time and achieve the desired result a white base coat can really work. Got me to thinking about other PIB colours, such as Neons. 

Et Voila! Great for the impact of Neons too

Have to say I'm all about time saving time and getting faster results so I'll definitely be using this trick in future. 

How 'bout you?