Mariah Carey for OPI - Liquid Sand Collection with Swatches

Texture is the way to go with nail collections of late and the brand new Mariah Carey for OPI collection of Liquid Sands is no different. Drying to a matte finish with some serious sparkle, these colours are very wearable for an altogether different mani. 

How about some swatches, eh? 

Get Your Number dries to a bright blue matte that's chock full of blue glitter. 

Can't Let Go is the purple of the pack, the purple glitter is more subtle here as it's exactly the same shade as the polish. 

The Impossible is a firey red/pink on the nail. Again the glitter is more subtle but when the light catches it, it's mesmerising. Probably my favourite of the bunch. 

Stay the Night is the most unusual of this collection, red glitter sitting in a black jelly polish that dries to matte volcanic ash looking loveliness. This is the most wearable of the lot. 

Have you tried any of the liquid sand polishes yet? This Limited Edition Mariah Carey collection is available on Cloud 10 Beauty right now, there's seven colours available for €10.50 each. 

We like?  

NOTD and Some Handy Tips for Large Glitters

Nails today are a bright, blinging blue courtesy of Models Own Freak Out from the Mirrorball collection over a base coat of OPIs Unfor-Greta-Bly Blue.

While I didn’t much go in for the Mirrorball collection, finding large glitters a bit of a pain in the tuckus to work with, I couldn’t resist this blue/purple glitter fest.

Model's Own Freak Out: Mirrorbal Collection

I have a couple of handy hints to ensure large glitter polishes work well on your talons instead of looking like a haphazard mess should you want to do the same:

First: Choose Either a Complimentary OR a Contrasting Base Colour:

You’re going to want to show the glitter in its best light. Complementing colours tone down bright glitters somewhat, while contrasting polishes amp up the effect. To complement Freak Out I chose from the same colour palette and went with this stunning metallic royal blue, OPIs Unfor-Greta-Bly Blue from the Germany Collection.

Second: Remove Excess Polish from the Brush:

The problem with large glitter pieces in polish is that they can be very hard to control on application for an even finish. To counteract this, twirl your brush as you remove it from the bottle, this removes any excess of the clear suspension polish. That way you can place rather than paint the glitter onto the nail bed.

Third: Seal with a High Shine, Smoothing Top Coat:

Glitters, by their very nature, are coarse on the nail, that’s what makes them so sparkley. To prevent snags, smooth the nail bed and give your glitter an extra boost, seal your mani with a high shine top coat. I can’t recommend Seche Vite enough, not only will it heighten the shine but by bonding the layers of polish together, it makes removal a lot less of a headache.

And that’s it – go forth and have the eyes out of heads with your gorgeous glitter nails.

Have you tried any of the Mirrorball collection yet? Lemme know! 

**Giveaway** SkyFall OPI Collections!

With the launch of the 23rd Bond movie, Skyfall, almost upon us I have some of the nicest movie themed products you can find, yep I'm an OPI nut so am a little biased but this limited edition collection is wowsers. 

I've picked up two gorgeous mini sets for you lucky ducks to celebrate the movie's launch and it's super simple to get your talons on 'em. Just enter below! 

Open to both the UK and Éire - Good Luck, everyone.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

NOTD - Unfor-Greta-Bly Blue - OPI

Despite ducking the Monday Blues my nails are sporting the colour with gusto today. Unfor-Greta-Bly Blue is from OPI's new Germany collection and is no less than a stunner. 

Über shiny (there's no top coat in either pic) and with a formulation that applies like a dream, this blue is a must have for all polish lovers. It's right on trend for A/W as I mentioned over on Beaut.ie today  and if you don't snap it up soon, I can see it being one of the most sought after and hard to get colours from this collection. 

The Germany collection is one of the best that OPI have released and you'll get them, if you're quick, over on Cloud10Beauty.com for €10.50 a pop. 

Are you loving any colours from the collection? 

OPI Nail Envy - Astounding Results Already!

I'm constantly on the lookout for something to help strengthen my nails. I try all the usual tricks, cuticle oil, massaging hand cream into my nail beds and a multi vitamin with Vit A&C to try and boost growth. They're usually in fairly good shape but serious rumblings in the Blogosphere about OPI's Nail Envy meant I had to give it a shot.

Luckily at the Beauty Pro Expo in the RDS earlier this year there was a stand from Hennessy Hair and Beauty full to the brim with OPI delights. I managed to pick up Nail Envy and it's Matte counterpart for €10.80 and have been using it since early March.

Want to see my nail results after 3 weeks?

Excuse my middle nail, it was lost in the Battle of the M&S Basket (Almost lost my pingy!)

That's some difference, right? You can check out further evidence of nail stubbery from January here. All in all I've been using it for a little over 5 weeks but my nails had been filed to nubs at an event (*shakes fist*) so this growth is since then. All of my nails are strong and healthy and growing like wildfire. I'm actually filing them back at this stage (with a glass file), which I have never had to do.

Application is simple, it's an opaque polish and you apply two coats to your baldy nail, polish can be used too (thankfully), then one coat each day thereafter. The only time I can remember my talons being in such good nick would be after a sunshine holiday and, Lord knows, I haven't had one of them.

I could scratch eyes out or anything! 

OPI Sez: Nail Envy Original provides maximum strengthening with hydrolysed wheat protein and calcium for harder, longer, stronger, natural nails. Ideal for weak, damaged nails.

Nail Envy comes in several versions: Original, Matte, Dry & Brittle, Sensitive & Peeling or Maintenance and retails for €24.99 in Boots, though chances are you'll pick it up cheaper on eBay.

This is the first product, let alone nail product that I've used that I've seen such a drastic difference with in such a short space of time. If your digits are in need of some help, I can't recommend it enough.

Have you any hints or tips for tip top talons? 

Think you might try this out?

Beauty Bargain of the Week - Springtime Nails

Yep you read that right, half price for these little beauties and although they're from last year's collection they're the ideal shades for springtime pingys. 


I usually make it a rule not to buy OPI in the shops here as we pay way above and beyond what is reasonable for nail polish (avg. €12.50 in chemists and shops) preferring instead to buy online. To be honest half price is as much as I'd be willing to pay, even for OPI (my favourite brand).


Have to admit too that creamy pastels are not usually my thing, I'm a magpie through & through and prefer brighter more vivid colours. My mind was changed (slightly) over Christmas, however, when I wore Tickle My Francey  from the OPI Best of the Best Collection. 

As with all OPIs these apply like a dream, one coat opacity and two for a more vibrant result. The longevity is second to none, as is the case with every OPI polish I've ever used (lots of 'em). These fresh pastels are muted enough that they can be worn as shown as a bright springtime mani or mix and match as you feel. Aren't they pretty? 

Yep, they'll certainly be shown some love in the coming weeks. I can even foresee an online order to restock one or two when these minis are no more. 

OPI Best of the Best - They're the Best!

Hai, my name's Sue & I'm a polishaholic. What? You're not shocked? Well, here's something that may shock you, I didn't have one single polish from this Best of the Best collection. I know, right?

Seeing Millies.ie advertise this bad boy on Facebook though, I knew it was time to act. #operationshutyerpursehole was suspended and I got to ordering. (Sorry, Girls). Fancy a looksie at some of the most beautiful and lusted after shades that OPI have ever produced? Course you do.

Alpine Snow is the only white that I've ever achieved full opacity in one swish. Perfect for nail art ventures or simple white nails, if Tippex is your thang.

Bubble Bath is an almost translucent pink, for days when you want a more subtle look.

Tickle My Francey is a beautiful pink undertoned nude and has shot into my top ten polishes. Love.

Strawberry Margarita is a bright fuchsia pink, creamy and beautiful. A perfect Summer shade.

Cajun Shrimp is another instant favourite. A bright pinky coral with stunning colour pay off. It reminds me a lot of Sally Hansen's Kook a Mango. 

Big Apple Red, while bright and bold is still on the translucent side. I'm really, really liking it.

I'm Not Really a Waitress, HELLO Crimbo nails! Just.. just look at it!

You Don't Know Jacques!  is what my mother would call Muckidy Dunn Brown, the colour of a mouse's diddy but in a good way. It's a perfect office colour. 

Russian Navy is probably one of OPIs best sellers of all time, it's a dusky navy purple duochrome that's stunning worn over a black or blue base.

Lincoln Park After Dark is another cult favourite polish and this picture in no way does it justice. It's a deep navy with burgundy undertones. Sophisticated and so, so wearable. 

The set can actually be split in two for double gift giving potential!

I picked this up from Millies.ie for €24.50 and paid €3 postage, which only took 2 days. I have, however, seen it across on beautyemporium.ie for €23 with only €2 postage and their delivery is lightening fast too. Either way you're paying, on average, €2.35 per bottle of gorgeousness. I'd genuinely recommend these as a gift or, indeed, a self gift. I had intended to share 'em with D'Mammy, that was before swatching. Say NOTHING!

What do we think? Any colours catching your eye?