Gelogics by Pretty Woman NYC

Trying to achieve a salon quality finish at home while painting your nails can be a frustrating and tiresome endeavour. We here at The Amazing Blog know all too well how disappointing it is, after spending a good half an hour painting our nails, to see them chip after only a day or so. Paying to get them done professionally isn't always financially ideal. Therefore, we are always on the lookout for new and exciting products that will prolong our manicure. So we were delighted when Pretty Women NYC  sent us a collection of their Gelogic Nail Polishes to try.

The Gelogics mimic traditional gel manicures, just minus the damage and double the speed. The self-leveling formula of their Titanium Top Coat provides an even coverage that is chip resistant and dries quickly and without the use of a UV or LED lamp. What's more, because the polishes are only mimicking the desired effects of a gel manicure, they can be easily removed with regular nail polish remover and cotton wool. To attain the salon quality finish the products promise, apply two layers of polish to the nail followed by a layer of Gelogics Titanium Top Coat to seal it. The collection contains a rich and diverse array of colours for you to choose from, and we adored the Teal Alpha Jewel Shade, which was a refreshing teal with small flecks of glitter, and is pictured above! Whatever colour you are after, Gelogics is guaranteed to have the perfect shade for any situation, whether you're looking for something a little fun or something more sophisticated Gelogics will have the shade for you. On top of all this, each Gelogic product is entirely guilt free as they are all vegan, cruelty-free and “five” free (free from toluene, camphor, formaldehyde Resin and DBP.) meaning you can look good and feel good at the same time!

This collection is no fuss and guarantees that salon finish from the comfort of your own home. You can choose from their wide range here for £6.16. Unfortunately, the prices are only available in dollars as the company is based in America, but as an international customer, you can use PayPal.

Eye Shadow - Rouge Bunny Rouge

As May creeps by and Summer draws ever near, it’s time to begin thinking about switching makeup palettes from warmer Winter and Spring hues to brighter Summer tones. With this in mind we are turning our attention to Rouge Bunny Rouge, a brand that The Amazing Blog has always loved and have in fact previously reviewed! They very kindly sent over some inspired beauty products, such as their Surprise Eye Shadow Palette, Long-Lasting Duo Cream Eye Shadow, Long-Lasting Eye Shadow Refill, and their Raw Garden Eye Shadow Palette “Caliche.”

We loved all of the products, and it’s hard to pick a favourite, but perhaps the most exciting was their Surprise Eye Shadow Palette. This palette comes with five surprise colours. All you know is that you will recieve one highlighter, one shimmer shade, and three neutral tones. The seemingly endless combinations of a stunning collection, make the anticipation of receiving the product part of the fun and made the shopping experience feel more like we were purchasing ourselves a gift rather than shopping. If you like the colours you receive then you will be pleased to know that the palette is refillable; great news if, like us, your favourite base tone runs out faster than the rest. The case is magnetic so holds the shades firmly in place, but allows you to top up when needed. So when the product inevitably runs low you can order one of their Long-Lasting Eye Shadow Refills, available in six colours which last for 8 hours, to replace what you've used.

To achieve a lasting and perfectly smooth eye shadow application, the Long-Lasting Duo Cream Eye Shadow will become a staple of your makeup in no time at all. Available in two forms: Gossamer Wings and Birdwing Beauteous, you can achieve two different and desired effects. The Gossamer Wings tube, which has a creamy shade on either end, is infused with Para Cress Flower Extract as well as Coffee Extract, to stimulate natural skin lifting, increase collagen production and up the skin’s defences. All of which will give you more youthful, less tired and brighter eyes. The Birdwing Beauteous formula contains a high amount of water which helps to nourish the delicate eyelid skin. The fact that both are free from oil, parabens, alcohol and silicone oil is an added and important plus.

If the surprise palette isn't for you and, you want to know what you're getting, then the Raw Garden Eye Shadow Palette “Caliche” brings together four of Rouge Bunny Rouge’s most stunning shades. Not only will your eyes look incredible, but this eye shadow is blended with natural Argan Oil and Encapsulated Hyaluronic Acid which leaves the shadow feeling silky and lightweight rather than powdery and patchy.

Unfortunately all of Rouge Bunny Rouge's prices are in Euro's, but don't worry, you can still purchase them if you live in the UK. You can purchase the Surprise Eye Shadow Palette here for around £50.00, the Long-Lasting Duo Cream Eye Shadow here for around £42.00, the Long-Lasting Eye Shadow Refill here for around £17.00 and the Raw Garden Eye Shadow Palette “Caliche” here for £59.00 or there abouts.

Summer Manicure - Friday Favourites

Woo hoo summer's on its way! However, our hands and feet are truly screaming out for a good mani-pedi. It feels like a long recovery time from the chapped and dry skin on our hands and feet, that the past winter month have so cruelly inflicted upon them.  So we've been searching for some quick fixes and hottest new products, to give them that little boost to help them on their way. As some of us (no names mentioned) at The Amazing Blog  have a slight nail polish addiction, we pooled our knowledge and came up with a list of the latest 'at home' mani-pedi products to give you that professional manicurist finish.

First on our list is FLASH Manicure, we tried both their Original and Lotus scented FLASH Instant Manicure. They left our hands feeling pampered within minutes. FLASH Instant Manicure is effectively a complete treatment in one; it moisturises and exfoliates the hands while also aiding dry and damaged cuticles and nails. It works to brighten and soften hands by using a combination of sea salt and essential oils such as lavender oil, citrus oil and avocado oil. They recommend using the product once a week. This product is so easy to use, you just have to shake the bottle to make sure that the salts are properly dispersed into the oils, then pour an amount about the size of a one pound coin into clean palms and carefully scrub the product into the hands. This product is very effective on damaged cuticles so make sure not to skip the nails. Once you’ve rubbed the product into your hands sufficiently, rinse them with tepid water and dry with a clean towel. The plain FLASH Instant Manicure leaves a lovely aroma of lavender that will leave you coming back for more, while the lotus scented product has an even more tantalisingly floral aroma. NB Great for hands and feet.

Both versions are available here from £10.35 and come in a variety of options for you to choose from. These products left our skin looking clean, smelling fabulous and feeling smooth – what more could you want?

The next products we found are a selection of unique and summery nail polishes from Margaret Dabbs. After her award-winning collection of hand and foot care ranges, Margaret has recently unveiled a stunning and much-anticipated range of treatment-enriched and cutting edge nail polishes.

We tried three colours: Snap Dragon, Poppy and Saffron, opting for richer pinks and reds - which we hope will complement and enrich our newly acquired sun kissed tans. There is a vast array of colours within the collection ranging from the most delicate on-trend nudes and pastels to the most vivid blues. Each of the 72 shades takes its inspiration from the wonder of nature as each polish follows a floral theme.  We applied two coats with a base and top coat and our finger nails remained chip free for up to four days.

These polishes are also made with the highest quality lacquer combining beneficial ingredients that help to make them last longer than your regular nail polish. All free from Formaldehyde, Toluene or DPB which will ensure that the nails remain healthy even after removing the varnish. These unique formulas have been designed to promote nail health and vitality. The Vitamin E in the product helps to strengthen and protect the nail, while the Rose Botanical Extract revitalises, prevents infection and leaves an aroma of wild roses.

You can explore the range and purchase these amazing nail polishes here!

Finally, if you want to spice things up a bit, then you might be interested in Semilac and their product Semi-Flash which allows you to join in with one of the hottest nail trends without the salon price! However, it must be noted that you will need a LED lamp in order to cure and use this powder. It is also recommended to purchase their Top No Wipe with Semi-Flash to ensure a quality and professional manicure and will also need an applicator.  NB please see here for instructions.

Semi-Flash is a special powder used for creating the latest designer nail effect of mirrored chrome. This product will give you glamorous and unique nails that all your friends will be talking about for weeks to come. This uber cool effect when cured will last up to an astonishing 3 weeks as the powder doesn’t smudge or chip. Its superior performance and the fact that the product is so easy to apply that make this a summer must have!

You can purchase your own Semi-Flash powder here for £9.99.

Remember anyone can wear a great outfit but it's your nails that will make the statement!

Mid-day Blue Sun Lotion - Dear, Klairs

As the summer months approach, we at The Amazing Blog have been searching for that extra skincare protection for our delicate complexions. With this in mind we've been on the hunt for a selection of high SPF sun lotions or primers to apply to our faces.  So when discovered a new sun lotion from one of our favourite Korean brands, Dear, Klair’s we eagerly put their efficient and lightweight Mid-day Blue Sun Lotion to the test.

'K beauty' is becoming more and more popular with many new Korean brands recently arriving into the UK. The K beauty trend began with the introduction of our favourite quirky looking sheet masks, which have now become quite common-place and certainly part of our weekly beauty regime. They have also led to inspiring many other international beauty brands replicating these sheet masks and following in their footsteps. We were intrigued to learn that the average daily Korean beauty regime consists of seven steps, and although each regimen may vary, the use of an SPF screen never does. The Korean's recognise the application of SPF screen as a crucial and protective step against sun damage, which as well all know is a direct contributor to ageing skin.  

Bearing all this in mind, Dear, Klairs Mid-day Blue Sun Lotion has a high SPF 40,  lightweight and non-greasy texture with an almost feathery finish. What’s more the sun lotion helps tone out redness. Formulated with Guaiazulene, like the Midnight Blue Calming Cream that we've previously reviewed, this sun lotion contributes to calming irritated skin. Perfect for protection against harsh UV rays it has the added bonus of giving you a fabulously flawless skin that everyone will be envious of. 

It’s recommended that you apply the Mid-day Blue Sun Lotion to skin at least 15 minutes before going outdoors and then reapply every 2 hours or as needed. We also suggest using it as a protective primer under your make up.

Purchase the Mid-day Blue Sun Lotion here for £18.90.
 

Shine Teeth Whitening Powder - Misfit Cosmetics

Here at The Amazing Blog, we love nothing more than a white and bright smile. However, years of coffee, wine and tea, can leave teeth less than an ideal peraly white. This is why we love Misfit Cosmetic’s, natural teeth whitener, Shine as it helps to enhance and brighten teeth's whiteness using only the best non-chemical ingredients.

The product could not be simpler to use. Shine is a fine powder you dip your toothbrush into before applying directly onto teeth and brushing for 2 minutes before rinsing. Don’t let the black colour of the powder throw you off though, as Shine is made of up all all-natural and non-harsh activated carbon. Activated carbon works by adjusting the pH balance in your mouth and absorbing plaque and other materials that cause staining. As well as whiten teeth, Shine can also help prevent cavities, bad breath and gum disease.

Daily use will have you saying good-bye to those pesky stains. Even more, this product is cruelty-free, so you can use it with a clear conscience.

You can purchase Shine here for £29.99.