Nail Art How-To: Revlon's Step-By-Step Guide to Ikat Print Coachella Nails

So Revlon do this thing called 'Mani Mondays' where they show you step-by-step nail art guides created by their team of experts. Today's look is a simple and super effective Coachella-inspired ikat print that I thought I'd share with you guys to see what you thought.

Louise Gray for Topshop Makeup

OK so, as promised, following my earlier blog post on the awesome Louise Gray for Topshop clothing collection which launches in stores and online tomorrow, here's a look at some of her limited edition beauty line for Topshop Makeup which hits at the same time.

Louise Gray for Topshop Makeup includes glitter nail polishes (fine glitter orange 'Dart' and electric blue chunkier glitter 'Junkyard' polishes pictured here), mascara with the prettiest gold spotted packaging, a great bright pink lipstick in Legend, bold cheek colours like this 'Up In The Air' cream blush and some beautiful make up brushes.

There's also a Glitter Duo pack of hearts and sequin style spots (pictured here in 'Peacock') to stick in your hair as well as on your skin (think beauty spots, eyebrow adornments a la Bjork, etc or check out how Louise herself models the beauty range here for some inspiration.

Louise Gray for Topshop clothing and make up collections launch tomorrow at Topshop stores and online at www.topshop.com

OPI Minnie Mouse Nail Polish Collection Launches

Who doesn't love a bit of Minnie style? Any regular readers will know I sure do. OPI - who do the best colour collaborations IMHO - have just teamed up with Disney to release this Vintage Minnie Mouse nail lacquer collection which comprises four polishes in varying shades of the prettiest pinks.

From left to right we have...
Nothin' Mousie 'Bout It - a confetti-style heart shaped glitter confection
I'm All Ears - hot pink
If You Moust, You Moust - Sugary sweet bubblegum pink
The Colour of Minnie - A cheery, cheeky cherry colour

All shades are £11 each (and these babies last FOREVER - I'm still nowhere near half way through my Alice in Wonderland collab polish from 2010) and you can find stockist info as well as doing a virtual try on of the polishes via a clever little tool that allows you to adjust skin tone and pick shades and even crackle finishes, over at www.opi.com

Rainbow Nail Art - Step by Step 'How To' Guide

As promised in my Revlon 'Style of Wight' post last week, here's that step-by-step 'How To' guide to recreating these Rainbow nail designs created by Jessie J's go-to nail gal, Jenny Longworth, at home.


Step 1: Apply your base coat to make your nail art last longer and prevent staining.

Step 2: Apply your base colour - here Jenny uses Revlon Nail Enamel in 'Dreamer'. She advises doing this in three strokes - one down the middle, then another either side.

Step 3: Paint a Rainbow! Using a fine nail art brush start the Rainbow by painting the bottom tier on first being careful not to overload the brush (blot any excess on a tissue).

Step 4: Using the white as a guide, add in your additional brightly coloured rainbow stripes, layering them above the white. Once you've built up your confidence using these shades, add in a darker stripe under the white one. Don't worry if you go over the edge of the nail - you can tidy this up using a concealer brush dipped in nail varnish remover afterwards. Some of the lighter colours may need a second coat but you can tidy as you go.

Step 5: Finally, seal the deal with a top coat making sure to 'float' it over the nails so as not to drag the polish.



Jenny used the following Revlon products to create this look:
Basecoat - Nail Enamel in Dreamer, Whitest White, Fashionista, Siren, Fushia Fever, and Sassy - Nail Art Detailer Brush - Topcoat.

Revlon 'Style of Wight' Festival Make Up Looks

I love make up but hate having to touch it up. I don't want to carry loads of products around, I never remember to bring my bag with me to the toilet anyway and I use all kinds of primer under waterproof everything in the hope it all just stays put.

Revlon seem to be thinking along the same lines as they've put together this 'Style of Wight Festival Survivial Kit' all ready for this weekend's Isle of Wight Festival where they're the official backstage make up experts this year. If, like me, you're into minimal effort, maximum staying power beauty - this is one for you.

Crack Revlon ace and celebrity make up artist, Lee Pycroft, knows the score, advising festival-goers to aim for a clean, dewy skinned look with an outdoorsy flush of colour. She says"Fake a modern, flawless glow and aim to hide the multitude of sins created by sleeping in a tent or partying too hard!”. 

Revlon PhotoReady Eye Brightener and Primer (£9.99) and their PhotoReady Crème Blush in Pink (£7.99) will take care of that, whilst the rest of the Revlon Style of Wight Festival Survival Kit is made up of  Just Bitten Kissable in 'Lovesick' (£7.99), Revlon Nail Enamel (£6.49) to cover up inevitably filthy festival nails, Revlon Liquid Quick Dry to seal your colour and prevent smudging (£6.49), PhotoReady 3D Mascara (£10.99) and ColorStay Liquid Eyeliner Pen £6.99.

Peacock nails!

In addition, top nail artiste and Revlon brand ambassador Jenny Longworth, whose clients include Jessie J, is creating various nail designs backstage. Three of my favs are pictured here - how cute are the rainbows below?? For those who like to go DIY, check back on Monday for a step-by-step guide on how to re-create the Rainbow nails at home.

Rainbow nail art - <3

For more info, stockists or to buy any of these products, visit www.revlon.co.uk or check their Facebook page over on www.facebook.com/RevlonUK

Starry Sky nail design

Diamond Jubilee Nails - Exquisite Silver Sparkles

I can't tell you how much I love my sparkly silver nails right now. They were an experiment as a nod to the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations but now I just want them all the time.

They shine and catch the light in the most beautiful way - the delicate grown-up glitter of Avon's Nailwear Pro + Starry Night polish is unlike any other silver nail varnish I've ever tried before. It really is just like liquid silver.

I used a couple of coats, then followed with Boots' No.7 Stay Perfect Silver Glitter Top Coat, dabbing tiny pretty pailettes on in clusters like little sprinkles of diamante.

This gave an expensive, manicure feel to the look and, unlike other home nail art products I've tried, the gorgeous glitter finish doesn't leave your nails all bumpy and weird looking, they lie totally flat. #LOVE

Avon Starry Night silver Pro + nail enamel, currently £2.49 from £6.00 at www.avonshop.co.uk
No. 7 Glitter Top Coat in Silver (also available in Gold), £8 and currently part of a 3 for 2 offer at www.boots.com

Revlon's Scented Nail Polish - A Commuter Essential

OK so you might think scented nail varnish is a bit childish - I can see that - but since I started using it last year it's become a key component in my commuter arsenal.  Stuck next to the smelly guy on the bus but too British to hold your nose? Strike a pose - holding collar/necklace, touching glasses and leaning on my hand are my winning moves - and let the fruity aromas waft from your nails to your nose, blocking out odours from less fragrant travellers.  The sparkling pink Grapefruit Fizz edition pictured above from the Revlon SS12 Scented Nail Enamel collection, is particularly delicious.  This new range of glittery polishes also comes in Grape (purple), Pineapple (yellow), Watermelon (cerise) and Orange. £6.49 each from Boots and currently 3 for 2.