Mani & Lola September 2019 // Nail Subscription Box

They kept spoilers for this months under lock and key with only Rubble being shown and when I eagerly opened the box I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed but the overall value is quite low this month. I'm really torn over whether or not I should continue as I wish there was a little more variety and theme to the box. But, lets talk about the polishes.

Paradise Found // Cuccio

13ml Full Size - RRP £4.95

Collection: Heatwave

Release Date: Summer 2019

Before we dive into the autumn months, Mani & Lola gave us one last swan song with this beautiful bright coral shade. I'm in love with this entire collection though and I only need 6 more now. I'm wearing two coats and it goes perfectly with my mustard jumpers.

Chita // Zoya

15ml Full Size - RRP £13

Collection: Pixiedust

Release Date: Fall 2013

Another shade that goes flawlessly with my mustard jumpers; even more than the last. Not only is this a perfect autumn shade, it's also a perfect christmas shade (I know...it's far too early to be thinking about that). I think this is my favourite shade in the box though. Like all the pixiedust's, it's a matte textured glitter and ready in one quick coat. I can't stop staring at my hand whilst this is on; I never want it to come off.

Ernie Your Stripes // China Glaze

14ml Full Size - RRP £5.95

Collection: You Do Hue x Sesame Street

Release Date: Spring 2019

If the last shade was from the Pixiedust collection, then this one is from the cheeto dust collection. All jokes aside, I do like the polish but it doesn't seem to match my skintone and it doesn't look great all by itself. I used some negative space leaf designs with it which looks nice; if you can find some negative pumpkin designs you'd get a really nice halloween mani. I think I may have to buy a few more from this collection though because damn it has some nice shades.

I'm wearing 3 coats in this swatch which helps build up the colour and sparkles but it could also be used as a glittery topper on just about anything.

Rubble // CND Vinylux

15ml Full Size - RRP £6.95

Collection: ??

Release Date: ??

I thought this would be a fantastic stamping polish due to how opaque it is but it's quite weak, that doesn't mean it isn't a lovely soft brown shade ready in two coats. I don't have many brown polishes so this is a welcome addition. Like most Vinylux though it does take an age to dry.

150/150 Nail File // Mani & Lola
RRP ??

M&L say this is retails at £4.95 however it isn't actually for sale anywhere so who knows. All I know is that I no longer use cardboard files anymore. This one is very sturdy and has a nice strong grit to it however cardboard files don't last long. Ever since I started using metal files, I haven't gone back. This one is also quite thick as well so it's difficult to really get in the corners if you like a rounder/almond look.

// Box Totals //

5 Items - All Full Size

Estimated Value - £30.85 (not including the nail file)

// Verdict

This box looks fantastic and is great for fall however it's getting to the point where I'm considering just buying myself 5 polishes each month for £22.95. It's not that I don't like this subscription but it feels like an awful lot of money for 4/5 polishes. I tend to buy collections now and focus more on decals/stamping so I may give this box up or start curating my own each month as a treat to myself.

Mani & Lola

Monthly - £20

3 Months - £62.85

6 Months - £113.70

12 Months - £203.40

£2.95 p&p every month

NAIL CARE: My Current Nail Care/Manicure Routine 2019

So here is a post on my current manicure routine that I do every Sunday. It's taken me a while to get into a rhythm and find products that I like, as well as a nail shape that I feel suits me. Nail shape is extremely personal and I've tried long, super short, square and almond but I feel like I've finally found my groove with my short (but not too short) oval nails. 

Here is a photo pre-manicure:

Eurgh. This was also after completely re-arranging my room so that I can fit in my light boxes as I'm going home for a couple days soon and I'd like to bring them back with me so I can take photos at night again. Houseshares...cheap yet annoying. My hands took a battering whilst moving the bookcase too and from the same position as I couldn't make up my mind (I eventually decided on the new position).

So, to start off I always give my hands a wash then apply a light, oil-free moisturiser. My current favourite is the OPI Avojuice that I got in a previous Mani & Lola box. 

Afterwards, I then sort out the cuticle, cut away any hang-nails and push back the nail fold if needed. I get quite bad cuticles however, I've never really had much of a nail fold so I don't really have anything to push back and for me it can get a little painful sometimes so I try not to mess with that area too much. All nails are different, so do what feels comfortable for you. Before I do this though I apply some Cuticle eraser; I've been enjoying the CND Cuticle eraser lately but I also use the Sally Hansen one.

I only leave on the cuticle eraser for about 5 minutes whilst I'm doing the work as it "dissolves" the cuticle (which is dead skin) but it can't differentiate between live and dead cells so it can dry out the living tissue if used too much or left on. I also either use a soft silicone pusher or an orange stick...those metal ones scare the bejeesus outta me. Also, that silcone pusher was part of a 7 piece pack from Born Pretty that cost £1.70; amazing quality for the price.

Now it's cutting time but only if it's the last week of the month (otherwise I skip to the last step). To get the perfect length, I cut with the back of my hand facing me and then let the scissors rest gently on the pads of my fingertips. This leaves enough nail to allow for filing without them going too short...perhaps I should've filmed this. It would've been easier to explain. I also use a metal filer as I've tried glass ones but I just find them to be too bulky and inefficient. We don't talk about the paper ones.

Once I'm done with those stages, I use a little acetone to remove any remaining cuticle eraser. I always use the moisture-rich polish remover from Cutex as it leaves your nails hydrated and smelling like marzipan; win-win.

To finish, I use some cuticle oil to add some moisture back. I will admit, I poo-pood the CND RescueRXx when I first got it in Mani & Lola however it's become my favourite cuticle oil and I literally can't live without it. It smells like candyfloss and hydrates my nails beautifully without too much oily-ness. It's worth every penny.

And that's it! Look at them now compared to before:

Such mani, much cure, very nail. Wow. It's taken me a long time to get to this stage. Before I got into doing my nails a year ago I just use to cut them whenever I felt they were annoying me and that was it. No oils, no specific shape. In fact they would be all different lengths due to some being chipped and cracked and it makes me shudder to think I use to leave my nails in that horrible dry state. It's also fun to take 30 minutes in the evening and just spend it pampering my nails instead of trying to do some nail art. 

Thanks for reading this mammoth post and I'll see you in the next one (hopefully, that won't be a mammoth post...unless it's a FabFitFun unboxing)

BEAUTY BOX: Latest In Beauty // Style Awards 2019 Box 2

So I already bought a Style Awards box last month when it was released, however you could only buy one. Fast forward to earlier this month and they allowed subscribers to purchase another box at £25 instead of £30. They've now reduced it even further to £20 until the 31st May but it's slim pickings now. Since I have time now though, it's back to beauty box blogging for me! I've actually really missed it.

Vinylux Duo // CND 

2x 15ml Full Size 

£6.95 Individually or £15.75 for both

I'm a little disappointed in the formula on this one. CND are supposed to retail at £10 each but the formula is like a born pretty stamping polish. It has this dull shine to it and is still a little streaky after two coats. However, these polishes have been designed to only work with each other. The top coat is nice and glossy but does take a while to dry. Both of them are described as 'chip resistant' and are supposed to become stronger as you wear it. I never tend to wear polish for more than a couple of days because there is too much to wear and too little time so chips don't bother me but for the price, I'd rather buy cheaper polishes like Barry M or H&M that have better formulas. The shade is nice and bright though.

Scent-sational Protect Conditioning Mist // Aussie

95ml Full Size

£9.99

I was sorely tempted to add this to the first box as I love Aussie products (and my hair loves them too) but other products won out. The idea of a hair mist is great. I remember years ago Chanel brought out a 'hair perfume' but that's £44 and this is a tenner. Plus, most Aussie products are 3 for 2 at Boots or superdrug so you can always get them cheaper. Aussie products always smell fantastic as well and after I've been cooking Tikka Masala; a hair mist is desperately needed. This one has more of a deep, nutty, earthy scent compared to the sweet conditioners but I still can't stop sniffing it. The size also makes it perfect store in your bag. Definitely worth a tenner.

Good Girl EDP // Carolina Herrera

7ml Sample Size

£10.36 based on 50ml for £74

Perfumes are a huge weakness for me and after learning that this was a deluxe sample size (and came in a hella cute bottle) and I added to the box immediately. I had no idea what to expect but they were low as most 'designer' perfumes I've tried all smell the same; horribly floral and bitter. I think Armani Si is one of the few that I love. I am happy to report though that this is a beautiful scent. It comes in a small box with velvet on it and the heel bottle is great if (like me) you love collecting unusual perfume bottles. Straight away there is citrusy grapefruit notes but then it gives way to warmer scents like vanilla and chocolate. I'd say this is definitely a sexy smell and if it weren't £74 I'd have bought it already. Alas, I'm only a lowly junior software engineer right now and not particularly earning enough to warrant spending a months petrol on one bottle of perfume....one day though.

Nourishing Coconut Body Butter // Soaper Duper

200ml Full Size 

Discontinued

I'm not the biggest fan of Soaper Duper; I find their scents to be very strange and not pleasant (the tuberose hand cream made me gip) however I liked the Yuzu Fruit & Fig body butter I got in the LIB Spring Heroes box (which has also been discontinued) so I thought I'd give this one a try. I think this may have gone off though because it's sort of solidified to this jelly consistency and smells like plastic. I'm not impressed. It's a good thing its been discontinued. I'm annoyed I wasted a choice on this though.

Moroccanoil Treatment // Moroccanoil

25ml Travel Size

£13.45

I love this stuff, it's fantastic. I first used it last year in the LIB Grazia edit and ran out pretty quickly. I use this after my conditioning spray and my hair is just super soft and frizz free afterwards. I can see it leaving fine hair greasy though so it's more for those with thick course hair.

Discovery Set // Floral Street

8 x 1.5ml

£14

I already have 5 of these Floral Street samples thanks to the Feel Unique Pick 'n Mix so passed up on adding it the first time but I'm starting to run out of the Ylang Ylang Espresso and Wild Vanilla Orchid. At first I loved the Ylang Ylang Espresso but thought it was a bit too masculine but now I don't care anymore because I love it. I'll be asking for this for my birthday. It also layers great with Wild Vanilla Orchid. Out of all the scents I'd say Black Lotus is the one I like the least but Floral Street are the only floral perfumes I like due to how sweet they all are. 1.5ml vials get a bad rap as being tiny samples but they are more than enough to figure out if you like the scent.

// Number of Items: 6

// 3 Full Size, 2 Travel Size, 1 Sample

// Estimated Worth: £61.70

At £25 this was a great way to try out some expensive perfumes but two items were duds for me. The Good Girl perfume is still available along with all the nail polishes (including the Kure Bazaar and OPI) but most of the items left are small sample sizes so I don't really feel it's worth £20 anymore. Keep your eye out on LIB though as they are releasing a new Summer edit next month (they're usually quite good) and hopefully the Style Awards edits will continue to happen every April as they're a great way to try out super expensive items.

Latest In Beauty Style Awards

Mani & Lola May 2019 Review // Nail Subscription Box

Well this month was well and truly a surprise for me as M&L only gave out one spoiler leading up to this months release which was the Nails Inc shade. So, when I opened it I went through a range of emotions. This month there is only 2 polishes which is kind of disappointing for a nail subscription box however, then I used the hand cream and now I don't care about any other complaints I had. For me, this box is an amazing hand cream that came with 4 freebies.

Rescue RXX Treatment // CND (15ml)
RRP - £14.95

When I saw this I side-eyed it a little because strengthening products aren't actually good for your nails. There is a fine balance between hydration and protein that you need to hit for optimum nail condition. Too much moisture and your nails will become too soft and malleable and will snap off when bent too far. However, too much protein will cause the nail to become hard and brittle and will snap off because it has no bend. The same thing happens with hair. This is advertised as for daily use however I would restrict usage of this to once a week. It is a nice formula though and contains Jojoba oil which is the best oil for your nails and cuticles. It's not too oily and is absorbed quickly. I'll be keeping this next to my mani kit to be used once a week as a treat.

Retinol Hand Mask // Skin Republic (18g)

RRP - £6.99 

I'm not sure where their RRP of £6.99 has come from as Skin Republic sell it for £5.99 on their own website. I've used a hand mask before and it was ok. I do like Skin Republic though so I'm expecting a little more than the last random brand that I used. I'll be saving this for when my hands are sore and dry though or a day spent out in the sun. My only issue with these is that they're not reusable and you'd need to use them at least twice a week to start seeing results and that's an expensive habit when you can buy some normal gloves and just slather on some hand cream.

Enchanted Heels // Nails Inc (14ml)

RRP - £15

Collection: Rainbow Hooves / I Believe In Unicorns

Release Date: 2017

Ok, I'm getting confused now. We had a polish from this set in the last box (mermaid playsuit) and that's quite an old shade but Nails Inc are shipping this 6-piece set which is actually called the Rainbow Hooves collection for £30 that includes both of them?? Either way if you like this shade I recommend buying the entire set from Nails Inc as you get 6 polishes for £30. Anyway, as there are only two nail polish shades in the box I would've preferred something a little different. This a sheer pink shimmer that will never truly achieve full opacity but fortunately it isn't a shifting polish. I've seen a lot of these pink shades that either have the blue or green shift so it's different in that respect.

The problem with these Nails Inc shimmers though is that they always dry with brush strokes and that's a pet peeve of mine. The shade is also super light and almost looks off-white on my skintone. Given that the other shade is also an off-white pink shade, it's a little boring.

Avojuice Lotion // OPI (250ml)

RRP - £19.95

Sweet baby Jesus and the orphans, I've found it; the holy grail of hand creams. As I'm writing this I've already purchased another one and 2 more in 30ml sizes. I have no idea where Mani & Lola got their RRP price from as OPI UK sell the 250ml sizes for £9.95 but you can get them cheaper at NPD. This hand cream though; it's like walking around the desert for hours and then dipping your hands in cool refreshing water. It's beautiful. I normally hate ginger scents but this one is super sweet and tropical and the scent really lingers as well. I can't get enough of it. It comes in a variety of different scents from coconut & melon to vanilla & lavender as well as many more. They also do 30ml travel size versions for £2.25 which I think is very reasonable. Finding out I could buy this for £7.95 has made my year though.

Pink Nude // ORLY (18ml)
RRP £11.75

And the final product this month is what appears to be the exact same shade as Enchanted Heels but a creme formula. It is underwhelming to say the least. I've never really been a french manicure kind of person; I find them really boring. I'm not sure if you would use this shade for the tip though as it's too pigmented to be the sheer base but not pigmented enough to cover my actual tips. I'm trying to come up with something that I could use this for; a pink lace mani? If you're looking for a nice sheer off-white creme I guess this is it but I would've preferred an actual white polish. 

// Box Totals //

5 Items - All Full Size

Main & Lola RRP - £68.64

Actual Value - £43.95

// Verdict

I think at this point M&L are definitely inflating the RRP of items to make the box worth higher. I think it's a bit disingenuous. I pay £22.95 a month for my box and so I got an extra £20 worth of products this month. I still think it is a good box for that price; especially because I loved the hand cream this month but I found the sheer off-white shades to be too similar and frankly boring for spring. I would've preferred a nice pastel yellow and baby blue.

Overall, I'm not mad because this box did what it was supposed to; it introduced me to some new products and I've gone out and purchased those new products. It wasn't my favourite box though. Next month I hope they include some bright tropical looking shades like a pink, green, yellow and blue otherwise I'll be a little upset.