Mac Candy Yum Yum

I was in Bath recently and stumbled across a MAC counter, it was a very quiet Sunday morning so I took advantage of browsing the array of products without being barged out the way.

I bought my first MAC lipstick and instead of playing it safe and going for a subtle colour I went for full on neon, colour explosion.

MAC Candy Yum Yum:

This lipstick is matte so can be quite drying on the lips and can show a multitude of sins, be aware of flakie or dry lips because a matte lipstick won't look good. (I love the bubblegum lipscrub by Lush and Blistex medicated relief cream.)

However, you can put a nice gloss over the top to give it a sheen if you prefer.

What is your fav MAC lipstick?

Matte Magnetic

I bought a load of the magnetic polishes from 17 when they were released last year. I hardly wear the though because I find they chip really easily and I got tip wear quickly with them too. However, for a night out they are great.

I used the dark green magnetic polish and topped with Rimmel's Matte top coat:

The magnetic polishes dry fast and I find the 17 products easy to work with, I think this might be because of the cap. The cap comes away from the lid of the polish bottle which I find makes the whole process less fiddly. The cap has a nifty lip which you rest near the cuticle. This means there is less chance of the magnet touching the wet polish. 

Have you tried magnetic polishes? What are your thoughts? 

AHOY! SaGreena The Teenage Witch

Two coats of China Glaze AHOY! on my ring fingers and two coats of Wet n Wild's SaGreen The Teenage Witch followed by one coat of NYC glitter topcoat (Starry Silver Glitter) and finally one coat of Rimmel Matte Finish! Phewww, a bit of a list of polishes but I like how this manicure came out.

At first glance I think this is such a Christmassy manicure and not so spring appropriate but then again, this is exactly why I like it. I have never been one for wearing trends which are 'in' for certain seasons, I just reach for whatever polish I fancy at the time.

Block Orange with Matte Dots 2

Two coats of Block Orange from Barry M with diagonal dots using Andrea Fulerton's Dot and Flick pen finished with a matte topcoat by Rimmel.

I don't usually wear orange but this is one of the brightest ones I own and just fancied something a little different. I applied two coats, the nail line is still visible but because I knew I was dotting over the tips it didn't bother me too much.

Using Andrea Fulerton's Dot and Flick pen I dotted diagonally over the tips of every nail waited for it to dry then I applied one coat of Rimmel Pro matte finish. I found this did smudge the dots slightly but it isn't too obvious.

Some manicures just look better shiny and I think this is one of them.

Matte Flakies

Again playing around with my new bottle of Rimmel Matte topcoat I had to try it over a flakie. I have seen so many wonderful pictures where other people have put a matte topcoat over their flakie polishes, it seems to give the whole manicure a different look. This is what mine look like:

I applied one coat of Golden Plum by Famous by Sue Moxley, one coater deep plum with golden strands running through it! yes please!

I then applied one coat of Nubar's 2010 topcoat, gorgeous flakie polish. It is so similar to Gosh Rainbow but with the Nubar polish the flakes are much smaller.

Then finally Rimmel Matte top coat over:

I am not so sure about this, on other people's pictures the matte flakies look amazing, on me I am just not sure how I feel about it. What do you think? I guess if anything having them matte does create another manicure. I definitely prefer having my flakie polishes layered over a deep base. 

Playing around with Matte

Up until now I hadn't tried a matte top coat and was curious to give it a try, so I picked up Rimmel London Lycra Pro Matte Finish. I applied two coats of Rimmel London's Aqua Cool, a gorgeous lilac blue shade followed by a coat of Wet n Wild Party Of Five Glitters and I finished with the matte top coat. This is what I was left with.

I have found a new love, this Rimmel Aqua Cool, such a gorgeous blue...

Then with Party Of Five Glitters and matte top coat

Have you used many matte topcoats? What do you reckon?