March 23rd, 2011
While polishing our pinkies is undoubtedly our favorite part of our beauty routine, we can’t help but wonder just how much of our lives have been wasted away watching polish dry. Base coat, couple of coats of polish and a topcoat and it’s easy to see how the hours add up.
We’ve tried everything over the years from using a hair dryer to try and speed things up to dunking our pinkies in ice cold water between coats and although each may have shaved a couple of minutes of our routine there was never any life changing benefit…..until Sally hanson quick dry launched! This stuff has become our HG top coat simply because as soon as all three coats are on, this stuff seals the deal and you don’t need to hang around too long.
But you do still need to wait around between coats which is why we did a double take as well as a hop, skip and a jump when we test drove the new NYC Quick dry polishes. Promising to go from wet to dry in less then sixty seconds , this was just the polish news we’ve been waiting for.
Pictured is the rather pretty purple MoMA shade and we’ve been impressed how our nails have gone from 0 to Girly in less than 40 seconds. The fact that the brush comes with control-flow also quickened proceedings a little and ensured L’Onglex’s fingers were pretty much polish free – this we like !!
While polishing our pinkies is undoubtedly our favorite part of our beauty routine, we can’t help but wonder just how much of our lives have been wasted away watching polish dry. Base coat, couple of coats of polish and a topcoat and it’s easy to see how the hours add up.
We’ve tried everything over the years from using a hair dryer to try and speed things up to dunking our pinkies in ice cold water between coats and although each may have shaved a couple of minutes of our routine there was never any life changing benefit…..until Sally hanson quick dry launched! This stuff has become our HG top coat simply because as soon as all three coats are on, this stuff seals the deal and you don’t need to hang around too long.
But you do still need to wait around between coats which is why we did a double take as well as a hop, skip and a jump when we test drove the new NYC Quick dry polishes. Promising to go from wet to dry in less then sixty seconds , this was just the polish news we’ve been waiting for.
Pictured is the rather pretty purple MoMA shade and we’ve been impressed how our nails have gone from 0 to Girly in less than 40 seconds. The fact that the brush comes with control-flow also quickened proceedings a little and ensured L’Onglex’s fingers were pretty much polish free – this we like !!
Posted in Beauty reviews, Budget beauty buys, Manicures, NYC, Nail polish, Nail swatches |
March 14th, 2011
Things we loved this week: Violet Diva by Estee Lauder
When it comes to polishing our pinkies we’ve always been partial to a bit of purple. Thus it was that a recent trip to the Holy Grail that is the Brown Thomas Beauty Hall resulted in this rather impulsive purchase which goes by the moniker of Estee Lauder’s Vilot Diva !
As pastels look set to be huge this summer we must admit that we did justify the €20 by telling ourselves it was all in the name of research. Being the nail junkies we are we normally wait a while before we post on the blog but as we rather liked this we thought we’d just get some pics up and have done with it !
So, although things got off to a slightly sticky start (we didn’t let our base dry for quite long enough) once we got into our stride we found the formula to be pretty good. Light but plenty of pigment and a pretty decent brush as well.
On the downside it’s becoming pretty popular in these parts so flashing our nails rather than the bottle is probably the best way to keep hold of it !
When it comes to polishing our pinkies we’ve always been partial to a bit of purple. Thus it was that a recent trip to the holy grail that is the Brown Thomas Beauty Hall resulted in this rather impulsive purchase which goes by the moniker of Estee Lauder’s Vilot Diva !
As pastels look set to be huge this summer we must admit that we did justify the €20 by telling ourselves it was all in the name of research. Being the nail junkies we are we normally wait a while before we post on the blog but as we rather liked this we thought we’d just get some pics up and have done with it …
So, although things got off to a slightly sticky start (we didn’t let our base dry for quite long enough) once we got into our stride we found the formula to be pretty good. Light but plenty of pigment and a pretty decent brush as well.
On the downside it’s becoming pretty popular in these parts so flashing our nails and not the bottle is probably the best way to keep hold of it !
Posted in Beauty news, Beauty reviews, Beauty trends, Estee Lauder, Manicures, Nail polish, Nail swatches |
March 1st, 2011
Its not often that we get to fawn over designer nail polish here at L’Onglex HQ but when an opportunity arises you can be sure that we’ll milk it!
Enter the latest must have from colour from Chanel and how we managed to beg, borrow and steal ourselves this rather coveted spring colour is anyones guess. What’s probably more surprising is that we’ve had it for two weeks and not shouted about it to anyone who would listen.
Not sure if the rather hurried pictures and our rather hurried application do the shade the justice we think it deserves. The shimmery blue and grey undertones make the polish look different shades of grey depending on the light. If you’re polish obsessed like we are the end result is that you’ll spend ages staring at your nails to see exactly which delectable shade of grey / green they happen to be in any given light ….. which makes us look a bit like barbie …. but who cares ?
A wallet wincing €21 is the damage if you can beg, borrow and steal ( which is how we got ours ) to get some. Take solace in the fact that it works out at only 10c per coat !
Its not often that we get to fawn over designer nail polish here at L’Onglex HQ but when an opportunity arises you can be sure that we’ll milk it!
Enter the latest must have colour from the folks at Chanel and how we managed to beg, borrow and steal ourselves this rather coveted spring colour is anyones guess. What’s probably more surprising is that we’ve had it for two weeks and not shouted about it to anyone which for us is most unusual.
Not sure if the rather hurried pictures and our rather hurried application do the shade the justice we think it so richly deserves but the shimmery blue and grey colours make this polish look completely different depending on the light.
If, like ourselves, you happen to be polish obsessed the end result of the colour differential is that you’ll spend ages staring at your nails to see exactly which delectable shade of grey / green they happen to be at any given time which has the rather nasty side effect of making you look a bit too into yerself !
A wallet wincing €21 is the damage if you can beg, borrow or steal some and if this sounds a bit costly take solace in the fact that it’s …..
i) If you apply it as much as us it works out at 10c per coat … and …
ii) … gorgeously Chanel !
Posted in Beauty news, Beauty reviews, Chanel, Manicures, Nail polish, Nail swatches |
January 20th, 2011
In case you were wondering, it’s not all quite brights on the polish front this Spring. Despite everyone heading for flares, floaty shapes and floral patterns Nails Inc have bucked the trend and gone a bit punk.
Taking their inspiration from the dark side of catwalks said polish has decided to go a bit Balmain and Blenciaga, that is to say, they have sashayed down the SS11 catwalks with a toned down collection due to launch before this very month is out.
Teak black (Kensigton, plum black (Chelsea) and black pearl (Mayfair) are the polishes due to be on everyones paws but the shade that’s going to be the proverbial poster on L’Onglex’s bedroom wall is none other than Covent Garden – ship shape navy black that takes it’s cues from Mulberry’s last catwalk collection.
Whilst everyone thinks that 70’s chic will win in the fashion wars we’re all decided that there’s still life in the glossy goth look for a little while longer !
In case you were wondering, it’s not all quite brights on the polish front this Spring. Despite everyone heading for flares, floaty shapes and floral patterns Nails Inc have bucked the trend and gone a bit punk.
Taking inspiration from the dark side of the catwalks, said polish has decided to go a bit Balmain and Blenciaga, that is to say, they have sashayed down the SS11 catwalks with a darkened down collection due to launch before this very month is out.
Teak black (Kensigton), plum black (Chelsea) and black pearl (Mayfair) are the pictured above, the shade that is currently the object of our crush and the proverbial boy band poster on L’Onglex’s bedroom wall, is none other than Covent Garden – a ship shape navy black that takes it’s cues from Mulberry’s last catwalk collection.
Whilst nobody doubts that 70’s chic will win in the fashion wars this season, we still think there’s a bit more life in the dark shades for a little while longer. Glossy, gothy and gorgeous – we love these shades !
Posted in Beauty news, Beauty trends, Manicures, Nail polish, Nails Inc |
December 29th, 2010
Free Nails Inc at Boots
The other week someone passing by these parts just so happened to ask us whether there was anything we at L’Onglex love more than nail polish. Dismissing the question as flippant once said person had made their merry way all in these parts began to scratch our heads and mutter to ourselves whether there could actually be anything more important to us.
Quite why the question seemed to stick we have no idea but it did and the end result is that when we thought about and scratched our heads on the subject we found ourselves genuinely hard pressed to think of anything we did in fact like more than a coat or two of colour.
Now. This morning L’Onglex got wind of the return of the Nails Inc and Diet Coke promo at Boots. Simply, from January the 12th you’ll be able to bag a free bottle of Nails Inc Catwalk Collection, or a free bottle of Heather Grey, or a free bottle of Perfect Plum, or a free bottle of Delicious Denim and all when you purchase two or more 500ml bottles of Diet Coke at selected Boots stores.
So, not only are L’Onglex pleased to be getting our hands on the new colour for next to nothing but in a way this answers the rather difficult question in quite a succinct way because there really is something we at L’Onglex love more than nail polish …. and that’s would be FREE nail polish.
The other week someone passing by these parts just so happened to ask us whether there was anything we at L’Onglex love more than nail polish ?
Dismissing the question as a bit flippant once said person had made their merry way, all in these parts began to scratch our heads and mutter to ourselves whether there was indeed anything more important to us.
Quite why the question seemed to stick we have no idea but it did, and the end result is that when we thought about it a bit we genuinely did find ourselves hard pressed to think of anything we like more than a coat or two of colour.
Now, this very morning L’Onglex got wind of the return of the Nails Inc and Diet Coke promo at Boots. Simply, from January the 12th you’ll be able to bag a free bottle of Nails Inc Catwalk Collection, or a free bottle of Heather Grey, or a free bottle of Perfect Plum, or a free bottle of Delicious Denim when you purchase two or more 500ml bottles of Diet Coke at selected Boots stores.
So, not only are L’Onglex pleased to be getting our hands on the new colours for next to nothing but in a way this answers the rather difficult question in quite a succinct way because we’ve finally discovered something we like more than nail polish …. FREE nail polish !
Posted in Beauty heroes, Beauty news, Manicures, Nail polish, Nails Inc |
December 21st, 2010
Santa CLAWS is coming to town ….
Just three days to go and all at L’Onglex are getting ready for the imminent arrival of the big man in red and his stocking full of goodies.
Aside from a bag mostly brimming with chocolate we are also hoping for another set of the above party falsies from none other than Julien MacDonald.
Thinking that our chances of getting these anywhere near our nails after three Christmas cocktails were slim to none we must admit that we weren’t too keen when we first saw them.
Having now discovered they stick on in a jiffy we’ve been flashing these around and we have to say we’re quite impressed with the overall effect.
In the unlikely event Santa doesn’t bring you a set you can get them in Debenhams for €8 – available in Plain & Gold, Gold & Black, black Zig-Zag and Grey Stud we think they’re perfect for the party season.
Just three days to go and all at L’Onglex are getting ready for the imminent arrival of the big man in red and his stocking full of goodies.
Aside from a bag mostly brimming with chocolate we are also hoping for another set of the above party falsies from none other than Julien MacDonald.
Thinking that our chances of getting these anywhere near our nails after three Christmas cocktails were slim to none we must admit that we weren’t too keen when we first saw them.
Having now discovered they stick on in a jiffy we’ve been flashing these around and we have to say we’re quite impressed with the overall effect.
In the unlikely event Santa doesn’t bring you a set you can get them in Debenhams for €8 – available in Plain & Gold, Gold & Black, black Zig-Zag and Grey Stud. Perfect for the party season ?
Posted in Beauty gadgets, DIY beauty, L'Onglex loves, Love your nails, Manicures, Nail tips |
December 16th, 2010
While the ice may be firmly settled on the foot paths we at L’Onglex HQ have been quietly contenting ourselves with the fact that spring is most definitely on it’s way for we’ve just caught d=sight of Chanel’s Spring nail polishes which will be hitting stores at the end of January!
Inspired by Coco Chanel’s love of pearls the sparkly polish collection includes a pearly white – Pearl Drop, a perfect peach – Peche Nacree and an intense green – Black Pearl.
We’ve got our eye on the pearly white and feel it will be a nice antidote to the vampy reds we’ve been sporting over the Christmas Season.
Roll on January!
While the icy winds may still be blowing we at L’Onglex are not without the odd reminder that spring will be with us at sooner or later.
Of course, being the shallow sort we undoubtedly are we don’t actually mean to say the weather will get warm and sunny and we’ll be off for picnics and the like …. more the fact that the spring make-up collections will soon be with us.
Enter Chanel’s newest polish collection which hits shops in January and has apparently been inspired by Coco Chanel’s love of pearls. The brilliantly sparkly collection includes a pearly white by the name of Pearl Drop, a perfect peach by the name of Peche Nacree and a rather fetching green by the name of Black Pearl.
As with all Chanel polishes L’Onglex is under no illusions that come January the new shades will actually be any easier to get our hands on than the real thing – no doubt we’ll be trying to bag a bottle or two anyway !
Posted in Beauty news, Beauty trends, Chanel, Love your nails, Manicures, Nail polish |
November 19th, 2010
Every once in a while L’Onglex has the pleasure of discovering something weird and wonderful.
Of late we have found naked cycling, naked yoga, a snake massage and a robot from Japan that washes your hair for you. More often than not we’d never actually dream of having anything to do with these products and the weird and wonderful is for the most part a diversion …. until now.
Yup, just this very afternoon we came across these signature ‘nail quills’ designed by Mike Pocock for Illamasqua and we must say we’re quite impressed. Priced at around €40 and coming in individual box sets the nails are worn on the thumbs and although nails don’t really do anything anyway we are quite intrigued as to what they do and are currently questioning the wheres and whys of how you might use them.
At the moment L’Onglex has no idea what they’re made of or how long they last for but as pretty much everything that comes from Illamasqua is pretty much indestructible you can bet these limited edition matte black talons will be pretty well made.
Having thought they looked great, then plain weird, then great again we can’t seem to be able to make up our minds on whether we would actually hand over the money to buy a pair. If they are indeed quills and you can actually write with them we figure we might just grab a pair if only to really scare the bank manager next time we sign for a cheque.
Posted in Beauty news, Illamasqua, Manicures, Nail tips |
November 11th, 2010
<a href=”javascript:popUp(’http://vkm2.com/vid_master/forty_nine.html’)”>
Video: Nail Marbling by OPI
Armed with nothing more than a selection of fabulous OPI polishes, a toothpick and a nicely improvised use for some Scotch Tape we are proud to bring you a rather snazzy nail tutorial from OPI on the subject of Marbling.
Having seen this done out and about we were under the impression it’s all a bit fancy and fiddly and that you needed the expert attentions of a trained nail art technician but as it turns out anyone with a bowl of water and half an hour can get the fabulous effect.
Having watched the video and decided even L’Onglex’s shaky hands could manage it we’d also like to say a big thanks to Rachel Lawlor who very kindly gave us the heads up on this via twitter.
<strong><a href=”javascript:popUp(’http://vkm2.com/vid_master/forty_nine.html’)”><span style=”color: #654f72;”>Click here to watch the video</span></a></strong>
Armed with nothing more than a selection of fabulous OPI polishes, a toothpick and a nicely improvised use for some Scotch Tape we are proud to bring you a rather snazzy nail tutorial from OPI on the subject of Marbling.
Having seen this done out and about we were under the impression it’s all a bit fancy and fiddly and that you needed the expert attentions of a trained nail art technician but as it turns out anyone with a bowl of water ,lot’s of patience and half an hour can get the fabulous effect.
Having watched the video and decided even L’Onglex’s shaky hands just might be able to manage it we’d also like to say a big thanks to Rachel Lawlor who very kindly gave us the heads up on this via twitter.
Click here to watch the video
Posted in DIY beauty, L'Onglex loves, Love your nails, Make up tips/how to, Manicures, Nail polish, Nail swatches, Nail tips, OPI |
October 28th, 2010
It’s no secret that we at L’Onglex love to shop but with the budget looming we’ve been looking into inexpensive ways to update our wardrobe. Not really being able to unearth those designer bargains on a budget of say €6 we were a little down in the dumps until we discovered some designer dupes.
The above colours are from the latest collection of the veritable house of fashion NAILS INC and are in fact a great way of bringing outfits on trend for the Autumn/Winter Catwalks.
Our favorite so far is Lanesborough Place. Inspired by the golden hues of the last Alexander McQueen and Balmain collections,the super glossy gold polish has a light, liquid effect on the nails and with it being just the shade to bring the right amount of glamour for day or night wear we are quite sold.
If you’re looking for a shade with a little more pzzaz the silvery delights of Montpelier Square could be for you. Taking inspiration from the the beautiful embellished dresses that graced the catwalk at Matthew Williamson the shade would be perfect teamed with you’re best LBD for the party season and at about €18 who could argue.
Last but not in any way least come the camel inspired tones of Cadogan Square. A soft shade bang on trend for this season and a must have colour for 2011 if the 1000 or so people who bought the shade within it’s first 24 hours are to be believed. Our sources have informed the L’Onglex Beauty Desk that this has been Nails Incs fastest ever selling colour and I for one can see why.
Cadogan Square is in store now, Lanesborough Place and Montpelier Square hit counters on November 1st.
It’s no secret that we at L’Onglex love to shop but with the budget looming we’ve been looking into inexpensive ways to update our wardrobe. Not really being able to unearth those designer bargains on a budget of say €6 we were a little down in the dumps until we discovered some designer dupes.
The above colours are from the latest collection of the veritable house of fashion NAILS INC and are in fact a great way of bringing outfits on trend for the Autumn/Winter Catwalks.
Our favorite so far is Lanesborough Place. Inspired by the golden hues of the last Alexander McQueen and Balmain collections the super glossy gold polish has a light, liquid effect on nails and with is a perfect shade to bring the right amount of glamour for day or night. So far we are quite sold.
If you’re looking for a shade with a little more pzzaz the silvery delights of Montpelier Square could be for you. Taking inspiration from the the beautiful embellished dresses that graced the catwalk at Matthew Williamson the shade would be perfect teamed with your bestest LBD for the party season and at about €18 who could argue.
Last but not in any way least come the camel inspired tones of Cadogan Square. A soft shade bang on trend for this season and a must have colour for 2011 if the 1000 or so people who bought the shade within it’s first 24 hours are to be believed.
Our sources have informed the L’Onglex Beauty Desk that this has been Nails Incs fastest ever selling colour and I for one can see why. Cadogan Square is in store now, Lanesborough Place and Montpelier Square will be arriving at hit counters on November 1st.
Posted in Beauty news, Love your nails, Manicures, Nail polish, Nail swatches, Nails Inc |
