She's a Bad Muffuletta - OPI New Orleans Collection

As soon as I caught wind of the OPI New Orleans collection, I knew I was going to indulge in a bottle or two. I love their travel collections and after binge-watching Hart of Dixie I had popped New Orleans onto my travel bucket list, so the timing was perfect for me. I made my way into Myer planning on perhaps getting the the green I'm Sooo Swamped shade and the bright blue Rich Girls and Po' Boys - but as you can see from this post, the full bottle I purchased couldn't be further from those shades! I chose the hot red crème She's A Bad Muffuletta - but she isn't just an ordinary red...

I had never heard the word muffuletta before this collection launched, and I had to look up what it was after I purchased this polish. This is what Wikipedia taught me:
The muffuletta is both a type of round Sicilian sesame bread and a popular sandwich originating among Italian immigrants in New Orleans, Louisiana using the same bread.
That wasn't really what I had predicted but it makes me laugh that I love a sandwich on my nails ;) In some lights this throws a pink edge and in others it looks more red (also noted in this swatch post) but the tone is definitely flattering on my pale skin and a red that I desperately needed in my collection - I'm often quite scared to wear red despite loving the shade on others, so this was the pep up I needed to brave the colour myself.

I'm really glad I chose a full bottle of this, I can see it working as both a warm and cool weather colour and I would have run through the mini bottle too quickly. I also picked up the OPI New Orleans mini pack when I went to Myer, so expect to see those shades on me at some point, too.

Next on my hit-list is Got Myself Into a Jam-balaya from the same collection as I just can't get the peach coral out of my head, and I don't think the mini bottle I have in the pack will suffice.

 

Did anything from the OPI New Orleans collection catch your eye?

What is your ultimate red nail polish?

-Emma x

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?

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.)