Peacci Nail Varnish

It's rare for me to get excited by a nail varnish. Frankly I'm rubbish at applying them and they always chip but there is a new nail polish in town (well new to me... they could have been around a while and I am in love). 

January - April 2018 Favourites

Some of my favourite things that I've been using over the past couple of months. I haven't been trying that many new things recently so would love to hear what you've been loving, or hating.

As I mention in the video I first bought the Clarins Instant Concealer in 2015 and was sent the Travalo in 2011 though it felt like it was longer ago!

All products are listed below and if you haven't already then do go and subscribe to my YouTube channel and come and join my Facebook group.

Heliocare Gel 360 Fluid Cream SPF 50+
Ilia Illuminator in Sway
Dr Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Deep Cream
Clarins Instant Concealer
Burts Bees Vanilla Bean Moisturising Lip Balm
Yunic Floru Nail Varnish
Travalo

Reviews:
Ilia Illuminator
Dr Dennis Gross C+ Collagen Deep Cream
Clarins Instant Concealer
Travalo

Some links are affiliate links which means I will get a small commission if you click through and buy from them. There is no extra cost to you and if you are not comfortable with that then do feel free to open a separate window and google the product for yourself

May Giveaway Prizes - Friday Video

A really quick look at what you could win this month to celebrate the blog turning 10 this year.

If you want to enter then go here and follow the Rafflecopter link at the bottom

LMB Turns 10 - May Giveaway (NOW CLOSED)

If you have enough make-up and skincare is not really your thing then this could be the month for you. All three of the prizes this month are my absolute favourites starting with the Hand Chemistry Youth Intense hand cream. Wherever I'm going I need to have this in my bag, if I'm starting a long stint of work this will be one of the necessary things I'll pick up to go into my kit beforehand.

A long with the perfect mascara I am always on the quest to find the perfect red nail varnish and I'm pretty sure that Happy Wife Happy Life, a limited edition from Essie last year (or even the year before), is it. Not too dark, not too orangey, I always get complimented on it and wear it most of the year round (in summer I go a bit more coral or neon).

The last time I had naked toe nails must have been when I was 13 or so. I can't understand why anyone would want to leave undecorated something that is just so perfect for a pop of colour. For me it is the same as a made up face with no lipstick, nail varnish is just so glamorous, even with jeans, t-shirt and flip flops. To ensure my nails are in good condition however I am always very careful to use a base coat and Butter London's Nail Foundation is the best I've found.

This is basically all I need, and therefore all I think you need, for great nails and happy hands. I will pick the winner from those entrants who follow my YouTube channel - leave a comment below letting me know what your YouTube username is so it's easy for me to find you. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Helmies

I was dubious of Helmies. But I needed them. Between being in that new-baby state of self loathing for the state you're in and a the 3 year old saying 'I don't like those pink nails you have on Mummy [my natural nails] but the red ones back on' I needed a way to paint my nails and write the numerous emails/blog posts I had lined up or change a nappy if necessary. Mr Harrod has a habit of working late... quite a lot.

Butter London Nail Foundation Flawless Finish

Since using this base coat I have not bought or used another one, even when I go for a manicure or pedicure I take this with me - it is my absolute number one nail base and I can't see that changing.

I originally bought it when I was first pregnant with Ned and was worried about the amount of toxic things I was no doubt pumping into my body without realising - I got my hair coloured throughout my pregnancy, wear make-up everyday and have nails painted most of the time. Butter London is a fantastic company which not only does the most stunning range of colours and finishes (and has recently branched out into make-up as well) but does a 3-Free range meaning no Dibutyl Phthalate, Toluene, and Formaldehyde. I supposed there was no point buying 3-Free lacquer's if I wasn't careful about what was in my base coat which led me to trying the Nail Foundation. 

The colours are not the longest lasting I've tried (though this is more due to my lousy application - it was their colour Snog that lasted months when I had the best pedicure I've ever had) but this base coat is so good that, if you are a fan of nude nails, you could wear it on it's own. It is like a make-up primer for the nails, creating a smooth surface covering all ridges and leaving a lovely silky matte finish. Fast drying it creates the perfect base on which to paint the colour of your choice and prevents staining even from the most treacherous colours and keeps nails in great condition.

What you need to know - Butter London Nail Foundation

• £13 but prices vary widely
• Free from Dibutyl Phthalate, Toluene, and Formaldehyde
• Available from Butter London, Look Fantastic, Boots,  Selfridges, Bath & Unwind

Christmas Gift Ideas - Nails

Nail varnish and accessories are great stocking fillers but also you may see something that’s perfect for the nail fanatic you know or as a present for the hard-to-buy-for girlfriend.

• Butter London – one of my favourite brands. Free from nasty stuff and a great range of colours. Their Nail Foundation Flawless Base Coat is now the only base I use and they have a fantastic range of colours. Snog is a particular favourite but Saucy Jack or Knees Up are two that I’d love to try

• Mavala – These are fantastic nail varnishes available in a lot of chemists, in lots of lovely colours and an individual one (Bordeaux is my favourite) would be a great stocking filler. But they do little trio’s for £11.45 which are great too (also a good choice for a teen cousin/in-law). The 50 Years Nail Colour Trio and Rouge Trio of Colour are my picks.

• YSL – do possible the best nail varnishes. Though more on the expensive side this is a definite treat in a stocking so whether you go for the more traditional Rouge Pop Art or the festive sparkle of Feuille D'Or I would love anything from this range. 

Friday Video - August 2014 Favourites

Maybelline Big Eyes in Luminous Brown
Diorskin Star Fluid Foundation - Available from September
Dove Spa Extra Rich Body Cream
Revlon Nail Enamel in Tropical Temptation

Dowal Walker Christmas

When I first met my husband I was at university and he was a restaurant review for a what's-on-in-London website and I thought he was incredibly glamorous and he used to complain that he was always having to do Valentine's Day reviews at Christmas and Christmas in July and I thought he was a moaning miny. Now he's a consultant and I am a blogger and so it's me that spent quite a lot of a very hot July going to Christmas events and trying to take endless notes and photo's so I don't forget all the festive wonder before it all comes out in July.

Some of the gorgeous palette's from Paul & Joe

Limited edition Lipstick compacts from Paul & Joe

I don't usually write about events that I've been to as I think it's a bit weird but Dowal Walker PR did such a fun Christmas preview last week that I thought it was worth a mention. A major perk of this job is you do occassionally get your hands on some fabulous samples to try out and this Christmas event was no different - we were given empty bags when we arrived and told to take anything we wanted from the huge glass bowls dotted around the rooms. Sadly I was on 'mum-time' so only managed to arrive half an hour before the end when there was hardly anything left (I have suggested goody bags be made up for those who have to do bath time before they are able to get out). However I still came away with some amazing things to try out and was blown away by their amazing client list and the products I tried out on the night.

I am a huge fan of Paul & Joe Beaute, not just for the show-stopping packaging every product I've tried has been fantastic quality and worth the money I paid for it - it's rare to find a brand that does both so well. We got really cute kitten make-up bags to take away with us and a sneak peak at the up-and-coming products they have on offer this Christmas including new limited edition lipsticks and cases, lip concealer pencils (a must have) and Lip Liner duo's.

Nails Inc have collaborated with It Girl Alexa Chung to bring out a range of incredible nail colours for Christmas. I tend not to focus on nails so I probably wouldn't have noticed these had I not gone to the event but the sparkle colours are absolutely gorgeous, fun and sophisticated. Sadly I missed all the samples though did manage to get some Gel Effect Top Coat which I'm hoping will be a more reasonably priced dupe for the Dior one which was huge last year.

HealGel is taking the makeup and skincare world by storm and this was the first chance I'd had to actually try some out. For those who don't know HealGel is an aqueous gel with active ingredients created by plastic surgeons and dermatological biochemists who wanted to create a range of skincare that actually worked to soothe, repair and protect the skin. They have just bought out HealGel Body and I tried their world-renowned HealGel face which seemed lovely (though applied to the back of my hand). Can't wait to try more of this.

Fell in love with this Japonesque palette

Percy & Reed are by far and away my favourite company for haircare products - if it was easier to get hold of I would never use any dry shampoo but theirs. One of the samples I did manage to pick up was the Shine & Fragrance spray and this smells divine. Perfect for the morning after the night before,  giving your hair a spritz when you are going out straight from work or as a present for a pregnant friend - I hated my hair smelling of cooking smells when I was pregnant so this spray would have been a godsend.

So those were my favourite picks of the night from brands I do know. I was also introduced to Grown Alchemist - a new organic skincare range and their Vanilla and Orange Peel hand cream is to die for. Free from artificial chemicals their products focus on a whole range of needs from anti-aging, anti-blemish and dryness to redness, oily skin and uneven skin tone. Definitely a brand to try out.

Final Winners

OK the decisions are made and the winners are chosen. Thank you so much to everyone who entered, especially to those who did so most days and didn't win anything. The original winner of the Anatomicals Scrub and Waitrose Bottom Butter has claimed her prize but for the others the winners are...

Soph Nina - you've won the lip glosses (thoroughly deserved as you entered lots)
Siliva Bia - you won the Along Came Betty products and the Batiste dry shampoo
RayRay Cartucci - you have won the L'Oreal Liner and MeMeMe Nail Varnish
Natalia Sandra - you got the Amazing Shine lashes and Duo glue.

Huge congratulations - email me your addresses to contact at corinnaharrod dot com and I shall send them out to you as soon as possible x

Christmas Giveaway Day 23 (and Winner of Day 22) CLOSED

THE PRIZE: A gorgeous Christmas Cracker from Space NK which contains a beautiful Lipstick Queen lipstick in Saint Rose, Rococo Nail Polish in Fashion Victim and a Laughter Bath and Shower Gel. This is a really fantastic prize.

HOW TO ENTER: What Christmas movie stars Chevy Chase and Beverley D'Angelo? Leave me a comment below this post.

YESTERDAY'S WINNER: Is Katie Walker. Congratulations - please send me an email with your address to contact at corinnaharrod dot com xx

Christmas Giveaway Day 18 (and Winner of Day 17) CLOSED

THE PRIZE: This gorgeous blue nail glitter set from Nail Rock - perfect for the Christmas party season. In this pack you get a blue varnish and blue glitter to add on top - just sweep a layer of varnish on to your nails, dip them into the glitter and you have gorgeous glitter nails.

HOW TO ENTER: Leave me a comment under this post

YESTERDAY'S WINNER: Is Tiffany Callan who really deserves to win such an awesome prize having been a fab supporter of this giveaway the whole way through. Congratulations Tiffany - please email me your address x

Christmas Giveaway Day 8 (and Winner of Day 7) CLOSED

THE PRIZE: Accessorize Velvet Nails - the very latest nail trend! Great for a Christmas party or as a stocking filler.

HOW TO ENTER: Leave me a comment under this post.

YESTERDAYS WINNER: Is Jackier333. Congratulations. Please email me your address x

Christmas Giveaway Day 2 (and winner of Day 1) CLOSED

THE PRIZE: L'Oreal Blockbuster Superliner and MeMeMe Nail Varnish in Rouge Noir. Perfect for adding classic glam to your Christmas party look.

HOW TO ENTER: Just leave me a comment below this post and I will pick the winner at random. Good luck!

DAY 1 WINNER: The winner of Day 1 - as picked by random.org is Carina! Hurrah, congratulations. Please email me your address and I will put your prize in the post (contact at corinna harrod dot com) xx

Revlon Nail Enamel in One Perfect Coral - Product of the Week

I only wore Butter London nail varnish last year as I was pregnant and it's free from any nasties. The colours are lovely but for summer One Perfect Coral by Revlon is my go-to nail varnish for my toes and it's great to have it back on. Long lasting, easy to apply and the perfect mix of orange, pink and red.

Dior Gel Top Coat

Regular readers of this blog will know that I find it hard to properly review nail varnish because I always chip it. It's definitely me and not the products - though some of them are clearly worse than others - but I've worn varnishes that have been guaranteed to be chip-proof and they've lasted two days. I think its a combination of the way I apply it and the fact that I hold no mercy once it's on. I type using the end of my nails and cook for hours in the evenings which seems to result in a few bald patches by the end of the night. Nail varnish does last a bit longer for me if I have it applied professionally so I do try and take a colour to a professional to get it put on before I review it - it seems unfair to rate a product on my shoddy workwomanship.


There are some top coats that I know are better than others but whether they will ever get a look in after trying Dior's new Gel Top Coat is doubtful. Not only does this give a lovely, almost plastic-looking thick, curved, finish but even I had fewer chips and holes than usual. Even when they do get holes in them the rest of the nail still looks as shiny as when you first applied it - the wearing off of the shine from a topcoat is something I find particularly annoying. Next time I can afford it I'm going to take this for a professional manicure and see how long my nails last.

This looks stunning - an absolute must for all nail fetishists and a fantastic present for a friend who always has her nails done. Not cheap at £18 but for the professional finish it gives think of the money you'll save on reapplication and manicures!

Ciate Nails

I've heard some great things about Ciate (pronounced see-are-tay) nail polishes and seen them worn by lots of different people include Lisa Eldridge and the girls at Pixiwoo all of whom I trust when it comes to great products but when I tried out the Ciate nail varnish in Boudoir I wasn't blown away.

It's more to do with the colour, which after two coats was still not as solid as I would have liked, or expected. The varnish itself had quite good staying power, being wearable but with a few chips for nearly a week (and probably longer if professionally applied) and was very easy to apply and reasonably quite drying. I'm sure with another coat the colour would have been better but I really think two coats should be enough with any colour.

That being said I would love to try their new Bottled Sunshine Colleciton which look beautiful and I'd be interested to know whether the colour coverage is better with these shades - maybe Boudoir was just a one off.

I'm definitely going to persevere with Ciate colours however as. not only is the packaging lovely but they are certified 3 Free which means there is nothing nasty in their varnishes.

MW Nails

Unless its a birthday treat with Miss F, I usually don't frequent fancy nail salons. It is incredibly hard to find somewhere that incorporates high standards, great atmosphere and somewhere you can go with a friend and feel pampered without having to get into a bathrobe. MW Nails have just opened a new nail bar in Spitalfields that makes no apologies for what it is. Whether you are going in for the 101 minute Mile High treatment or a quick Shanghai Shape you are guaranteed a little bit, or a whole lot, of luxury.

Themed like an airline from the 1970's complete with real first class seats for pedicures and old fashioned announcement board showing all the treatments a visit to MW Nails is an experience. Intriguing decor and staff uniforms aside there are some serious pluses to this salon. The sheer range of treatments is fantastic - everything you could want for hands or feet is catered for; shaping, shellacing, gel, acryllic and take the worry about whether you will get a massage or not, you can add one to your treatment for £15.

Not just pretty on paper - I noticed a weird silver funnel on the nail desks and assumed, wrongly, that these were just for show. I couldn't work out what they were - they are actually for filtering the air so are fewer noxious smells in the salon. It really works - I arrived at 3pm and rather than the air being filled with the rather heady smell of varnishes there was barely any smell at all.

For those of us used to going to the slightly scary, damp nail parlor on our road the prices are a little higher but, I belive, very much worth it. I had a Perfect Panama, their signature manicure, shaped and buffed nails, and incredible massage, moisturise, hot towels and gorgeous colour for £29. MW Nails only use Essie and OPI varnishes (usually about £10 each) which have a fantastic range of colours and are great quality.

These are great to book for treats for friends too - for anyone being a maid of honour the Bridal package is a fantastic treat for both of you and, unlike a lot of salons I've been too, you can sit next to each other in first class chairs and have a good old gossip while getting your treatments. I also fancy trying the Caribbean Combo which is a luxurious mani/pedi combo for under £50 and would very much appreciate this as a present since getting pregnant being rubbed is the best experience ever without wanting to sound to weird but everything hurts more and is more sensitive. I was particularly pleased because my knuckles have just got too big for my engagement and wedding rings so a bit of pampering is what my old sausage fingers needed.Stuck for what to get a preggers friend - a voucher for here would be perfect and looks cool too.

This picture doesn't do the nails justice - colour is Tangerine by Essie

What I loved about MW Nails, apart from the fantastic result (thanks Mia!) was that this was an experience in itself. I wasn't dashing in guiltily to get my nails done, I felt relaxed and pampered, without being there for hours and really as if I was getting my moniesworth and that is what I think is lacking from many nail bars at the moment - MW Nails have filled the aching void between guilty secret and OTT luxury and I love it.

Butter Me Up

Not only am I using pregnancy as an excuse to eat as much cheese as I like (specifically Cheshire cheese... oh my god I love Cheshire cheese) but it was also a great reason to make my husband by me some nail varnish that's actually good for me. Well not good for me but certainly not bad for me, and that is something Butter London specialises in.

I'm trying not to be too overly freaked out about what I can and can't do while pregnant. My mother ate everything and I turned out fine but, as I explained to her, the problem with knowing what you should and shouldn't be doing is that if something goes wrong you feel totally responsible. So imagine my dismay when I read that some chemicals, called phthalates which act as plasticisers, are used in some nail varnishes and can mimic oestrogen and have a 'feminising effect on boys while they are still developing in the uterus'.*

Snog

The levels of these phthalates in our bodies is rising but there is no scientific evidence that this is caused by nail varnish but they are used so widely, and manufacturers don't need to list them in the ingredients, that I thought making sure I'm using the 'healthiest' nail varnish I could find would be a good idea. Basically any excuse to try these lovely nail varnishes.

Butter London were the first company to sell non-toxic nail lacquer in the US and their 3 Free nail varnishes contain no Formaldehyde, Toluene, DBP or Parabens.At £12 for a colour and £15 for a top or base coat these lacquers are not cheap but the range of colours is exceptional, they are easy to apply, quick drying and long lasting. I always get comments when I'm wearing them.

Joe very kindly bought me two colours (Snog and Blowing Raspberries) back from America and I went online to buy base and top coats... then I accidentally bought two classics, Pillar Box Red and Come to Bed Red.  I always have red toes so I think £24 on red nail varnish is totally justified!

One thing to mention - it is not the most chip resistant nail varnish I have ever used... but then I'm pretty hard on my nails but this chips quicker than some others. But then nail varnish chips. This is not big news.
I'm now desperate to try their matte top coat, Rosie Lee, Knees Up, Henley Regatta and surely I've got to get Slapper for blue-crazy Miss F's birthday? xx

From l to r: Come to Bed Red, Base Coat, Pillar Box Red, Top Coat, Blowing Raspberries and Snog

* Expecting by Anna McGrail and Daphne Metland

MyFace Lil'bling Black Ice

I usually have red nails in the winter and coral nails in the summer but I fancied a bit of a change this week so I tried out MyFace Lil'bling Nail Chrome in Black Ice. I don't really know what I was expecting - well I think it was a sort of 90's style silver  - but what I got was dark, dark grey with fantastic metallic finish. Pretty easy to apply although you will certainly need two coats and it is hard to clean up the edges (as you will see from my terrible picture - I'm afraid Joe has gone off with my camera in his pocket so this is taken on my phone).

For those who like a bit of understated nail drama I really recommend this. I am big believer in red being the most glamorous and smart of nail colours but for those who want grown-up, glam nails this is definitely worth a try. Only £5.99 and a great addition to your colour collection - I just love these nail colours more every time I try them.