a stroll down a sunlight path

Sometimes you look at a colour in a bottle and your heart leaps, but as soon as it hits your nail it falls again.

China Glaze Stroll, I'm lookin' at you!

While I liked this colour more with each coat, the golden shimmery look in the bottle just didn't translate enough for me. I need my shimmer craaazy!

Stroll is a raspberry toned red that contains fine gold shimmer, but they look a lot more defined in the bottle. I chose this at the nail salon when I got my acrylic nails refilled, but I wasn't completely happy with them either.

I think Gelish or Shellac are the next option for me, long nails don't seem to suit me? I can never seem to decide what shape to go for, maybe that is the problem.

What are your thoughts on acrylic nails? Do you prefer long nails, or a shorter style? Have you had Shellac or Gelish?

I'd love to hear your opinions in the comments below as to what you think I should do next!

"We'll always have Paris."

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend the Melbourne Beauty Bloggers Event, held by the amazing Val of Ponikuta. It was held at the gorgeous Miss Fox in Melbourne and part of the even involved a manicure from the staff at the salon. I was the very last to get my nails done (you can call me Miss Emma Chatty Pants) and I was spoilt for choice with a box full of Zoya polishes. I chose a deep red burgundy cream by the name of Paris- so very fitting, given my obsession with the place.

Don't mind the horrible cuticles and nubbins of nails,  how stunning is this colour!

The colour is deep and mysterious, and for me this is a terrific staple colour in my nail colour wardrobe.

Paris is a red creme that leans burgundy and has a jelly-like finish that I adore. I think a glittery accent nail would look amazing with this as well, just to give it a little pizazz. It is the first Zoya polish I have ever tried and I must say that though the professional application had something to do with it, I really liked the formula. I will be gunning to add 'Paris' to my collection, as I am a sucker for deep wine type shades.

What are you staple nail polish colour?

What have you tried from the Zoya range?

The Top Three: Lipsticks

Maybelline Coral Crush, MAC Viva Glam Cyndi, Elianto Baby Nude

After an unfortunate incident involving my brother and two smooshed lipsticks (BYS and MAC Lollipop Lovin' for those playing at home...and my brother is a 30 y.o imbecile, obvs) I got to thinking about what lippies I'd miss most if they were to leave my collection. Though I change up my lippy almost every day,the 3 shades above are the ones I always return to with a smile.

 I would say Coral Crush would take out the top spot between these, and I wear it more than any other lipstick shade. It glides on effortlessly, I adore the packaging, and it brightens up my whole face with just one swipe. Lipstick perfection! The only negative I can find for this baby is that it never shows up in photos as beautiful as in reality. <3

MAC Viva Glam Cyndi was purchased on a whim when I found out that Gaga's first shade looked terrible on me. It's the perfect beginners red, as it's easy to apply and not shockingly bright/dramatic. I pretty much always choose this as my red, and if the need for a bright comes along I simply build it up over a red stain. Cyndi Lauper, you gun you!

Elianto's Baby Nude has one of the cutest lipstick names ever, and smells delicious. I fell in love with Elianto last year when I visited Malaysia, and this lippy is my 'lazy day' shade. Moisturising and soft, this pale nude shade doesn't wash me out, and acts as a great base if I wear a pigmented gloss. Only downfall is it's flimsy packaging, as gorgeous as it may be it must be noted that the lid isn't fond of staying put in a make-up bag.

Top Three lipstick swatches

Have you tried any of these shades? What are your top 3 lipstick shades?

emmabovary xx

Sally Hansen and a Lady in Red

I have fallen in love with Face of Australia cosmetics, and recently purchased their nail enamel in the shade 'Lady in Red'. It's a classic and creamy shade that applies well, but as you might see in the images I am a very messy nail painter! This is where to second product in my post revs into gear- Sally Hansen's Quick Care Clean Up for Manicures pen. It's a chiselled tip pen that you simply paint over the mistakes you've made (cuticles, whole fingers, etc) and voila! A pretty perfect manicure! Have you tried any other shades in the Face of Australia range? Had a crack at the Sally Hansen pen? emmabovary xx (Please note, the Sally Hansen manicure pen was not purchased by me, but received in a Primped goody bag some time ago. Review completely honest,as always.)