The New Nude’s: Rococo Nail Apparel

10/10/2012 By Leave a Comment

I’m yet to meet anyone who loves nude/pinky nails more than me. I love them for the simplicity and effortless chic. They compliment any outfit or look easily and when they chip, they don’t look as bad or as rough as coloured nail varnish. Even as I type, I’m admiring my current pink take on nude nails.

So it’s without a shadow of doubt that I’m in love with the Nude Wardrobe from Rococo Nail Apparel. The catwalks of September’s fashion weeks say that next spring/summer is the season of nude nails, but I think its one trend that anyone and everyone can rock now. There are 6 shades in the collection each designed to compliment skin tone and flatter all hands.

If you’re after chicest nails, Rococo is the way forward!

 

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The Nails Show – in pictures

27/08/2012 By Leave a Comment

On Saturday 18th August, I popped along to the inaugral The Nails Show, which was held at Cargo in Shoreditch, east London. I really enjoyed seeing all the fun nail art and was impressed by the effort nail artists put into their creations.

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Rococo Nail Apparel: 2013

19/08/2012 By Leave a Comment

Top to Bottom: Whisper of Envy, Rose de Pompadour, Mistress

As we go through the last dredges of summer, I’ve can’t help but to start thinking about next year already. Maybe it’s because I’ve seen a few of the exciting beauty products that will be available next year and I’m wishing time away :-)

I know already that one of my favourite things next year will be this Rococo Nail Apparel polish trio (the green/grey one!). I’ve spoken about them here before. This particular shade is from the Le Boudoir Noir collection it completely says spring/summer to me. You may have seen me tweet a few pics of it about a month ago.

It’s one of a trio that is extremely feminine and sultry inspired Madame de Pompadour who was the official chief mistress to Louis XV. She was known as a lady with a good eye for Rococo styled interiors. Get the connection?? This is a very clever, well researched and curated collection of shades that show the amount of effort that ladies behind the Rococo brand put into their polishes.

So moving on from the history lesson, I really like this polish and I feel it’s a real star. The first time I had it on, it attracted so much attention and I know its going to be a sought after shade. In my opinion, it’s chic, it’s understated and it’s different.

Whisper of Envy. Great on its own, but also makes a great base for nail art fun. I had my nails done by http://colourriotnails.tumblr.com/

Mine was a PR sample but the collection will be available from Space NK from next January at £12 each.

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Dija Recommends: Nail Salons – MW Nails

14/08/2012 By Leave a Comment

I first visited MW Nails when they had a press day at the start of the summer. You can read about that visit here. Anyway I was so impressed that I not only booked myself in for a pedicure, but also booked a girlfriend of mine as double birthday treats. And we weren’t left wanting. They’ve had lots of rave reviews in the press and I really wanted to see what they were like on a regular day.

For starters we were late by 15 minutes. Although I had called before hand and informed them we were running late, there was some minor drama when we arrived.When I called they’d said we’d have to change our treatment from 45 minutes to 30 minutes as they were fully booked and it would run into other clients. Having been a salon therapist at one point, I completed understood this and was fine with the change. But on arrival they said only one of us could have the 30 mins pedi and one a 15 min shape and polish. Clearly I was unhappy with this said asked why I hadn’t been informed of this on the phone. As a customer I stood my ground and I can be very forceful but the girls at the reception desk handled it well and Christine was a star. She fully understood my point of view especially as we had also come from far for these treatments. She juggled appointments and made sure we had our treatments AND with a smile on her face throughout. They can’t faulted for such good customer service especially in situation that could have turned out very messy.

The pedicure itself was very thorough and I was pleased with the results. Would have loved a foot massage, but I guess next time, I’ll just have to be on time so that I can have a full treatment. I’d been wanting to try the pedicure thrones for ages and they were so comfortable and the set up so efficient. The inbuilt vibrating foot spa is class! The paint finish as well as excellent, so can’t go wrong with a pedicure there.

They even fitted me in for a quick shape and polish manicure, even though fully booked. Really they stand out for customer service and going the extra mile.

There’s a really lovely neighbourhood vibe to the salon. Just welcoming, friendly and warm. I’ve been to many salons that do great treatments, but when you have one that the therapists are genuinely warm and you feel you can just chat to them, that’s even more of a bonus. I know if I lived more local, I would be there all the time. And even with the mishap on arrival, everything from service to treatment was first class.

Whether it be a treat or something more regular, MW nails really deserves its Dija Recommends badge.

Filed Under: Dija Recommends, Foot Treatments, Nails Tagged With: ,

The Nails Show: Not long now!

05/08/2012 By Leave a Comment

I am not affiliated to the Nails Show in any way, but I do LOVE  nails so I just wanted to remind everyone that the Nails Show is on THIS month (18th August) in London at Cargo in Shoreditch.

See event details here

Hopefully I’ll see one or two of you there!

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This week I’m loving

14/07/2012 By 1 Comment

Its been a while since I did one of these posts but that’s only because lots of other things have been going on, not because I’ve not been loving anything new. You know I’m a magpie and I’m always on to the next glossier and shinier product.

Anyway, recent loves include:

Beautannia Brighton Bath & Shower Gel £30

The box is also very pretty. See here http://bit.ly/OwSzuj

This is what I call a posh shower gel. I’m a Sanex girl really, so using any shower gel that costs more than a fiver is a treat. It turns my quick morning shower into a beautiful and fresh experience. I like the grapefruit smell because its awakens my senses. Same like have a brisk walk on a whippy coastline and inhaling buckets of fresh clean coastal air.  Shame the nearest coast to me is well over 150 miles! I don’t use it everyday, because I don’t want to finish it (cheapskate) and I only use it when I need a boost or just feel so tired in the morning that I need a leg up to start my day.

Rococo Nail Apparel £12

This colour is for a VIP! See more here http://bit.ly/ML556n

Now, I really wanted this to be my little secret, but I do like this brand very much. I love the smooth jelly like polishes and even more I love how the range isn’t big and massive like OPI, its selective and well curated, therefore I can easily choose what I want. Small IS sexy. Sold exclusively at SpaceNK, I like them even more for being a British brand. Staying power is excellent and I can easily get at least 6 days wear from on paint job. Its niche, good quality, free from nasties and excellent presentation in an arty box, what’s there not to love?!

 

 

I got both these products in my goody bag from the Stylist Beauty Picnic event. And a very nice event it was too!

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Filing with MW Nails

04/07/2012 By 3 Comments

As much as I love skin care, I have an equal zeal for good looking, well cared for nails. (here comes the but) HOWEVER, being a nail tech means I am extremely picky and no where ever seems to measure up to my exacting standards. It’s always ‘ the cuticle work could have been a bit tidier’ or ‘the nail shape could have been more precise.’ Before you start thinking I’m picky, I did warn you!

My Way Nails – MWNails

With all this in mind, I was very excited to try out MW Nails in Spitalfields Market during their press launch. They are the ultimate of nail cool! Set up like the inside cabin of an air plane, in shade of 70′s orange and brown and suitable attired hostesses with neck scarves, it reminded me of a chic bygone era where flying was a stylish affair. I even felt under dressed for take off. In terms of image MW Nails and her techs are to the nail industry what Virgin is to aviation. Sexy!

Ooh! Now where shall I go with my nails today? Such an extensive menu list and no-one can go wrong with a shape and polish in London for £12!!

So chic! The lovely hostesses! I mean, nail technicians.

Those overhead lockers are great for storing all belongings out of the way. These small details matter big time!

The pictures tell it all and more to it, I was very impressed with the standard of their nail techs! Of course, whilst enjoying the chic surroundings,  I kept my beady eye on my tech, Rashida, and I was so pleased with the results as you can see below. This was a perfect paint job using the very best of OPI and Essie products.

Enjoying my hand massage. Deep. Worked out all my tension knots. Rashida working her magic.

Expert nail painting, just the way I like.

Nail polish nirvana

Good looking nails all around.

She has to be commended for the immense patience she had in helping my indecisive mind choose a colour. And all my insencent questioning. She was very knowledgeable and knew her stuff and I got the impression that the rest of the tech there were also up to speed on the latest treatments and practices. I can’t leave out the fact that the salon feels like a comfortable neighbourhood hang out place. Somewhere, you can catch up with the girls, have a goss and where you are never wrong, because there’s always someone to set you right.

My nails – OPI Roll in the Hague – such a vibrant shade.

Whether it’s an indulgent pedicure treat or a quick shape and polish, I think MW Nails is a fantastic place to go for either. I definitely see myself going back for more!

I HAVE to try out these pedicure thrones. They look first class :-) The bowls were imported from Canada. MW Nails is INTERNATIONAL!

 

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Ask Dija: What are the must have nail products?

14/06/2012 By Leave a Comment

I believe having good nails is a very simple job and not as time-consuming as we sometimes think it is, so long as you have all the right products and tools to use. Every home care kit should include:

Nail File – Leighton Denny  Crystal nail files (£12.50) are the best. It doesn’t shatter or peel the nail as you file and you can file forwards and backwards unlike traditional emery boards. It was a lifetime guarantee, so long as you don’t drop it! 

Nail Treatment – Dr. Lewinns Renunail Nail Strengthener (£17.50). It contains calcium to boost weak nails and camphor which is a soother to sensitive nails. It’s an award-winning formula that delivers a lot of TLC!

Cuticle Exfoliator – watching your favourite TV programme – stick this on and rub into the cuticle area. 15 minutes in they will be soft enough to push back. The best one I’ve found is OPI’s Avoplex Cuticle Exfoliating Treatment (£12.80) which contains a melange of AHA’s and the specially patented avocado (very moisturising) lipid complex. It’s a gentle slougher that works amazingly on dead skin cells.

Cuticle sticks and cuticle scissors – these pesky slivers of translucent skin that travel up the nail bed need keeping in control. You have to be extremely careful with cuticle scissors. Only nip what you can see on the surface of the nail or you can draw blood. If in doubt don’t cut. See a nail care professional. I cannot stress this enough.

Hand Exfoliator – keep this at the kitchen of bathroom sink. Every couple of days, scrub your hands. After your face and neck, your hands show age next. L’Occitane One Minute Hand Scrub (£13) contains organic brown sugar for working away dead and dull skin and shea, grape seed and sweet almond oil to moisturise.

Moisturiser – There are so many out there to choose from, and the one you use I think is down to personal preference. Personally for me I love the brand Olivina’s Olive Hand Cream (£15). The list of beneficial ingredients is outstanding – shea, olive oil, grape seed oil, vitamin E, chamomile extract and aloe vera. For a more high-tech scientific punch Sisley Global Anti Age Hand Cream tackles the loss of elastin and brown age spots. Contains UVA and UVB filters (spf 10). It is £70 though so think twice and use sparingly.

Cuticle Oil – Keep a bottle at your bedside. Try and remember to put some on before bed.  CND Solar Oil (£12) is excellent and contains ultra moisturising Jojoba oil and vitamin E which will penetrate and protect the nail and surrounding skin. If not OPI Cuticle Oil on the Go (£9.60) is a lovely gel version in a squeezy tube with a brush that you can keep in your hand bag for when you have a spare minute on the train or bus. Nails Inc do a snazzy pen version which too is very handy (£12).

If you wear nail lacquer – I highly rate the following base and top coat.

Base coat – OPI RidgeFiller (£11) – this fills out all ‘nail wrinkles’ giving the smoothest ever surface to paint from.

Top coat  - Orly Glosser  (£6) – delivers super shiny nails and dries in an instant.

Remover – Sally Hansen Acetone free  (£2.45) – takes polish off and is gentle on nails and wallet.

So there you have it. With a little investment and some quality products you can anyone can achieve beautiful hands and nails at home.

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This week I’ve been loving

10/06/2012 By 2 Comments

Biologique Recherche P50

This product was on my toner wish list and I’ve finally lain my hands on it. To get it, I had to go out of my way to EF Medispa in St Johns Wood. I live in Hertfordshire. When I called to find out if they had any in stock, the receptionist said no, they’d finished and she wasn’t sure when they’d get it back in. Then by luck, she found one and phoned me back to come and get it. FATE! It was cold and raining, but I hoped on the train anyway. DEDICATION.

From the first use, I felt the difference in my skin. Its more refined, smoother and brighter. This is a keeper. At £49, I’m using it sparingly though.

Chanel Perfection Lumiere SPF 10 Foundation

I’ve been stuck in a foundation rut for a few months and I finally climbed out of that pit. Stylishly in Chanel too. I love how its feels really light on my skin with its floral smell. It’s a liquid foundation and I buff it in for a smooth flawless finish and it holds up well in my busy days, lasting at least 6 hours before a touch up is needed. The colour match is excellent and a little goes a long way – 2 pumps covers my entire face for medium coverage which is what I need.  At £36 its the top end of my budget, but I believe you get what you pay for and this time I’m getting a great deal.

Magazine Freebies

I read magazines for content, but if a little sweetener is thrown in, even better. Especially if it’s a freebie that I’ll actually use. July editions of Marie Claire and In Style came with a nail polish and Body Shop Kohl Eyeliners. All are welcome additions to my ever-growing make up stash. It’s good to read! lol!

Filed Under: Beauty, Make Up, Nails, Toners Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

One from the archives

08/06/2012 By Leave a Comment

I used to write another blog – BeautyMaze. And I was going through my files the other day and came across this.

This was such a fun day, messing around in the garden with OPI acrylic nails, diamantes and make up. The orange nail polish is OPI’s a Good Mandarin in Hard to Find from the 2010 Hong Kong collection.

Filed Under: Nails Tagged With: , , ,
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