I have to admit, I like a bit of a bargain. A long time ago, I won some vouchers from work for the shop Peacocks. Whilst you might not be able to 
buy anything mega-smart in there, I find it really handy for basics like vest tops, leggings, and actually, my favourite pair of jeans hail from Peacocks. So I’m a fan. I also have a pair of their shoes that I wear for work at least once a week, and they still look good even though I’ve had them for about three years. Snobby shoppers would do well to check out their range.
So the other day, whilst waiting to pay for something, my eye wandered over to the random collection of stuff that often hangs around by the till. You know, odd lipglosses shaped like cupcakes, that kind of thing. And W7 nail varnishes. Never heard of this brand before but stone me if the bottle doesn’t look somewhat familiar…
So in the name of research, I picked a couple of these up. £2.50 each and the bottle contains 15ml. Had to be worth a try,
right?
I was so surprised and pleased by this. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t perfect. In fact, the brush is bloody awful. The tip has been bent into a half moon shape, like this varnish has been stored on its side for too long or something. Had it been straight, it would have been perfectly easy to work with, but as it was, I kind of had to dab this on.
The consistency was perfect though. Had I done this as part of a blindfold test (not sure how that would work in practice but you know what I mean), I would have sworn that (dodgy brush aside) this was an OPI. Whilst there’s a lot of faff at the moment about fake OPIs doing the rounds on eBay, this is obviously a different brand. But it’s 
brilliant.
A glorious winter vamp, this is jam packed with shimmer. Isn’t it gorgeous? I wouldn’t pay £10 when I can find this for a quarter of the price. So I am extremely pleased and will certainly be keeping my eye out for more polishes by this brand.
What do you think? Would you take a chance on a random polish? Have you ever heard of W7 products?
Helen
A little while ago I was given the opportunity to test out some of the Phil Smith hair care range. Seeing as I am constantly on the hunt for bigger and better hair products, I rapidly said yes, and after answering a few questions relating to my hair type and condition, the following products were despatched to me:
Brilliant Brunette shampoo and conditioner. (£3.99 for 250 ml). Having used something very similar by John Frieda and not really liking it, I approached this with trepidation. However, I had nothing to worry about. It smells of chocolate, and the consistency is perfect. Although there’s nothing natural about this product, I had no itching or flaking, which is impressive bearing in mind I have torturous skin issues that normally hate anything perfumed or chemically. This also left my hair feeling clean, smooth and very shiny. High praise indeed.
You may or may not know that I am growing my hair out from a period of intense chemical straightening. So I am dealing with a frizzy mess on a daily basis at the moment. This serum (£3.99 for 50ml) could not have come at a better time. Two to three pumps of the clear gloss covered my hair perfectly without making it greasy at all. It separated my curls perfectly, and kept my hair looking great all day. And it smells deliciously of watermelon.
I’ve been trying to avoid putting heat on my hair since embarking on my rehabilitation of my curls, but curiosity got the better of me, and I gave the Xtreme Heat Defence Spray (£3.99) a go. This smells of coconut, a gorgeous scent that lingers in the hair all day. It is mega sticky but this only aided to act as a barrier between the GHDs and my poor crispy hair. Again, something I would definitely repurchase.
What do you think? Are you tempted to let Phil Smith loose on your barnet? If so, you can find these products, and a whole lot more, in Sainsbury’s, or online here.
Helen
Hi everyone.
Just to let you know that I am guest blogging over at I Heart Cosmetics today. To see what I’m talking about, click here!
Helen
Today’s blogger is Julie from Musings of a Make-up Maniac. I like Julie’s blog as not only does she have great product reviews (and frequent Sephora packages from her sister in Canada), there are also some nice lifestyle articles and general thoughts and articles. Lovely. Check her out here!
1) Why did you start your blog?
I started my blog because I was really bored during the summer when my friends were away. I had been following a few blogs and watching loads of tutorials and videos on Youtube and its something that really interest me. One day I just decided to write a blogpost and see how it went from there!
2) How long have you been blogging for?
I’ve been blogging since the end of July 2010. I would really miss it if I stopped doing it for some reason.
3) What do you enjoy most about blogging?
I love the community feel about it, but everyone’s really supportive and kind; and comments and feedback really encourage me to continue and keep my passion for it alive! And I love the fact that blogging links with other things, like Youtube and Twitter. It means that you can talk to more people, get different ideas and enjoy it more!
4) What frustrates you most about blogging?
Sometimes people can be a bit bitchy or give backhanded compliments. And it can be annoying when you know people are only commenting on your blog so you will look at theirs or follow it! Other than those small things I think its a really positive place, and everyones so encouraging!
5) How much time a week do you spend on your blog / reading other people’s blogs?
I spend ages looking at blogs and updating mine. I usually update my blog every second day but I would go onto blogger everyday to read others and see what everyone else is up to! If I go away for a while I always miss reading everything and have to have a marathon blog reading session when I get back!
6) What advice do you have for aspiring beauty bloggers?
I would say more than anything be yourself, there’s nothing worse than seeing a blog that’s an exact copy of another! If you comment on other peoples blog, showing a genuine interest; they should do the same for you! It’s really important that you don’t fake an interest in someone’s blog and then leave your blog link, its completely see through and can really annoy people. I think we all go through a phase of doing it, but after people stop they get a lot more followers, cause it’s just annoying, especially if the person isn’t even following you!
7) What other hobbies/interests do you have?
I love listening to music, drawing, writing and going out with my friends. I love being on my own too!
8 ) How many bottles of nail varnish do you own?
Oooh not that many actually, maybe 20-25?!
9) Do you set yourself a shopping budget, or do you purchase on an as-and-when basis?
Ha, this is a really bad question for me. I get paid every week and the day I get paid I usually spend at least half of it. I’m not much of a shopper in shops, I hate the manic feeling there so I usually buy most of the stuff I want on the internet. I try to set myself a budget, but it never seems to work!
10) What is your favourite make-up brand, and why?
I really love Laura Mercier. While MAC has such gorgeous coloured lipsticks and eyeshadows, LM’s skincare and face products are beautiful. Their products are such great quality and their lipsticks are lovely too! I love it!
11) Do you ever leave the house without wearing make-up?
No! Very rarely, my cheeks are quite red and I’d be self-conscious of it, especially if its too hot or cold. If I left the house without make up, I would feel really bad about myself!
12) What is your favourite beauty product and why?
That’s a tough one, I love foundation as it helps give you flawless looking skin and I love lipstick too!
13) What is your favourite nail varnish of all time? (yep, only one!)
Oh wow..That’s so unfair..If I really had to choose it would probably be Eyeko’s Posh Polish..I love it!
14) Tell us about the best holiday you’ve ever been on
I went to New York a few years ago with my mum and sister which was amazing and I went to Dubai over the summer last year, which was unbelievable..It’s such a stunning place and the shopping is unreal..The extravagance and beauty of the malls and public places is gorgeous too!
15) What would be your ideal day off?
Not doing much, I love having a bath, reading a book, having a really nice lunch or dinner and catching up on blogs!
16) What is your favourite TV show?
I don’t watch a lot of tv! But I like One Tree Hill and 24, even though its over..
17) What music do you enjoy listening to?
I have a really varied taste in music, I love anything from Michael Buble, to Gin Wigmore to Billy Joel. I don’t really like “popular” or current music or rap or dance..
18) What is your favourite food?
I love pastas and shepherds pies…I like most foods really..!
19) Where would you most like to visit in the world? (money no object)
I would love to go back to Dubai again..I’d also love to see India cause I love the idea of the culture there and the beauty of it!
20) Tell us a secret…
I have a fear of noses..They really really freak me out. Everyone slags me about it all the time, but they just scare me! And no one apart from my best friend knows about this blog!
Thanks Julie! Remember, if you have a blog and would like to participate in 20 Questions then just send us an email to the usual address!
