The Skincare TAG

I recently read about this TAG on the lovely Melissa's blog

~  Her Beauty Days  ~ 

please pop over and show Melissa some love by following her.

Rules are simple, provide a link back to the person who tagged you, answer the questions and tag your readers.

Let's begin.....

Describe your skincare in five words

Changing, Evolving, Ageing, Moisture, Acceptance

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What's your skin type?

Very Dry & Sensitive

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What's your favourite skincare product?

www.clarins.com

Clarins Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil, I love using oils on my face, body and hair.  Blue Orchid has such an amazing aroma and it soaks right in balancing the moisture in my skin without leaving it feeling oily.

~~~

Top Blemish Zapper?

I don't suffer from acne but my boys benefit from a good exfoliant.  Paula's Choice BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) Liquid, works really well to clear up stubborn acne.

www.paulaschoice.com.au

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Face wipes, yay or nay?

YAY!  I use face wipes every day, my favourites are Wotnot's and Blum Naturals.  Great for removing makeup and toning skin in one.  I don't like to use face creams (I don't feel clean) and soap facewash is too drying.

www.matillysthisnthat.blogspot.com.au

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Toner, Yay or Nay?

YAY!  Toner is great for removing residue dirt and shrinks all those pesky pores, tightens the skin and adds moisture.  I always tone before applying my face oil, as damp skin helps the oil to aborb.  I have really been loving Nude by Nature Pore Refining Toner, contains Witch Hazel and B5, really seems to help plump up my skin.

www.nudebynature.com.au

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High-End skincare or High-End makeup?

Neither, I don't believe you need to spend lots of money to achieve perfect results.  I might splurge on the occasional high-end product but it better be good!  Sometimes I think with high-end you are paying for the name not the product.  I prefer to use budget products, they work just as well.

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What's the most unusual skincare product that you have tried?

Chocolate Face Mask and a Milk Powder Bath would be about as daring as I have gone.  I have heard of some bizarre things like snail goop, wine facials, precious metals and gems but I don't think I would go there, especially the snail goop!

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You're in a French Pharmacy and can only pick one item - what is it?

French Parfum, it is so expensive in Australia.  I love those assorted boxed miniatures.  I know it's not skincare but you do apply it to your skin!

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Tell us your top skincare tip?

Don't overcleanse your skin.  All it does is strip away the natural protectant oils.  Cleanse properly once a day and moisturise.  Even if your skin is oily the right moisturiser will help balance your skins own natural oil production.

~~~

I hope you have all enjoyed reading my answers.  Please leave a comment below I love to hear from you.

AND.....

Everybody who reads this, consider yourself tagged!

Jac x0x

Violet Box August 2013

Violet Box arrived today with an interesting collection of products for me to show you.

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 1.   Jelly Pong Pong 2-in-1 Shadow/Liner ~ Bronze ~ RRP$19.00

2.   Jelly Pong Pong Lip Blush ~ Cranberry ~ RRP$22.00 ~ this is a lip stain and be careful if it gets on your skin it stays!

3.   Dr Bragi Age Management Moisturiser ~ this is one expensive moisturiser with a RRP$179.00 for 60mls.  This is just a sample size 5mls of a thin watery clear lotion.  I am very surprised when reading the list of ingredients that the first five are Glycerin, Water, Sorbitol, Urea and Alcohol, I really have to query how they can charge so much using such cheap fillers.

4.   ghd Style Heat Protection Spray 120ml RRP$24.00.  This was great to find in this month's box.  I love ghd products.

5.   Goldwell Dualsenses Rich Repair Cream Shampoo and Conditioner ~ sample sachets ~ I have tried these before and don't really like them but at least VB had the sense to send the shampoo AND conditioner unlike some other sample boxes.

So that's it for this month.  The products included were great value, two colour products is always a bonus to find and I am sure most members are really going to be happy this month.

I'm personally a little underwhelmed as the only product that really excited me was the ghd heat spray.  As nice as the Lip and Eyeliner products are they are not products I can or would wear sigh........  I hate red lipstick and this is really really bright red and I can't wear dark brown eyeshadow, (too fair skinned) and I don't wear eyeliner  (itchy eyes).  Not interested in the over priced moisturiser or the hair sachets that only cater for short/medium length hair and eventually turn up in every single beauty box out there.

I really hope they start using our profiles and preferences soon.

What did you think of this month's box?

VIVO Cosmetics Review + Swatches

You may have read on my blog recently about the huge 50% off  VIVO Cosmetics haul I received last week, you can read about it here.

This week I have been trying a few of their products so that I could review them more in depth for you all. I don't want to do too many at once but here are the TOP 5 that have impressed me so far.   I have included swatches because I know how much you ALL love swatches.

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Beauty Balm ~ Warm Ivory ~ I love this BB cream so much that I have worn nothing else this week. Vivo claim to have created this cream based on Asian BB creams and I would have to say it is right up there with my favourite, ElishaCoy Always Nuddy BB cream, they do have a similiar texture and coverage.  Vivo's BB Cream blends in well and leaves me with dewy moisturised skin which impressively lasts all day.

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As you can see by the above two photos of my very pale wrist, the cream does a good job of covering redness, blue veins, freckles and evening out my skin tone without changing the colour of my skin.  This BB cream comes in 6 shades and you can find out more here.

Mink  ~  Dusty Pink
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Pearl Eyeshadow ~ Mink & Dusty Pink ~ 3.8g single shadows.  These two are gorgeous duochrome pearlescent shades that go so well together.  I love this combination on my eyes during the day.  No fallout, blends well, no creasing and the colour stays true pretty much all day.  I would wear a good eye primer to help it last though as it is not as long lasting as I would like, starts to fade by mid afternoon.  Considering the price this is no biggy and it only takes a few seconds to touch up if you need it to last into the evening.

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Volume Mascara ~ Black ~  I love it, I really do.  This mascara certainly adds volume but your lashes remain very natural looking.  Lashes remain flexible, no stiffness, there is no flaking and lasts all day. The bristles on the brush are thick and really picks up all those lashes for an even coat of mascara on every single lash. This is the first volume mascara I have ever used where the lashes remain separated on the second coat with no clumping!!

Sweet Peach ~ you can just make out the highlighter first on the left
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Blush and Highlighter Duo ~ Sweet Peach ~ Gorgeous coral shade that leaves a natural matte flush on your cheeks.  The highlighter is fantastic, all sheen and NO glitter.  I really love this blush, easy to use, the colour is buildable and it lasts all day.

Wow Pink  ~  Pink Sweetie  ~  Calm and Relaxed
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Matte Lipstick ~ Wow Pink & Pink Sweetie ~ gorgeous matte shades that I was surprised to find weren't drying on my lips and were very wearable for me.  Long lasting and looks great when blended with Colourwash Gloss in Calm and Relaxed.

Wow Pink ~ Pink Sweetie ~ Calm and Relaxed
Wow Pink (R) and Pink Sweetie (L) blended with Calm and Relaxed
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So far I would have to say I am very impressed with this range of budget cosmetics,  all the shades are highly pigmented and most last all day without touch ups.  These are definite winners for me and  shows you don't need to spend a fortune to find quality cosmetics.

If you would like to find out more about them visit the Vivo Cosmetics website, they offer free international delivery and if your patient they seem to have regular discount sales.

Lust Have It August 2013

I received my LHI box today and this month's theme is

CELEBRATION

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Revlon PhotoReady Skinlights Face Illuminator - Pink Light - designed to enhance and brighten the skin while minimising flaws and protecting from harsh enviroments.

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Revlon Nearly Naked Makeup - tinted moisturiser in a choice of four different shade sachets.  Great way to try a product and match it exactly to your skin tone.  All foundation samples should come like this.

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KMS California Free Shape Shampoo and Conditioner.  Sample size sachet - I only received the shampoo so I don't know if you were suppose to get both?  What is the point of sending one without the other?  I need to Shampoo AND Condition my hair.

KMS California Free Shape Hot Flex Spray - 50ml sample spray - protective spray for heat styling without damage.

Sinful Colors Nail Enamel - Feeling Great - cream nail polish.

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LUSH Gorgeous Cream - 10g sample - protective, vitamin filled moisturising cream.  This cream was originally created for Princess Diana and who doesn't want to feel like a princess?  Made for all skin types but I found it was not moisturising enough for my dry thirsty skin, from the reviews I have read this works best for combination skin.

La Roche Posay Thermal Spring Water - 50g sample - can be used as a toner or anytime during the day to refresh your skin.

La Roche Posay LIPIKAR Balm - 15ml sample - I am really looking forward to trying this tonight, my skin has been so dry and itchy lately and they claim this offers 24hr anti-scratching efficacy.  Well we shall see!!

Quite a good selection this month, I think everyone will find something in there that peaks their interest.

Jac x0x

Bellabox August 2013

The theme of this month's box is Get Active!

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This month we are being introduced to all these products we can use as part of an active lifestyle.  I am fortunate to work outside and already have a pretty good routine going so, I am really interested to see what new products BB can introduce me too that I would want to add to my daily routine.

1.  Pevonia Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser - 5ml sample - made with jojoba beads and chamomile.

2.  ASAP Ultimate Hydration - 15ml sample - facial moisturising cream

3.  Ultra Ceuticals Ultra CC Cream Mineral Tint - 5ml sample - Light - This is interesting, contains B5 & B3, Hyaluronic acid and SPF30.

4.  Talavou Naturals Illuminisor Lustre - sample size - golden glow mineral powder illuminiser, no sparkles yay!  Great for highlighting or mixing with body lotion for an all over glow.

5.  L'Oreal Base Magique Primer - 5ml sample - this is a face primer which helps mattify the skin and control oil.

6.  Banana Boat Mineral Protect Sensitive SPF30+ - this is a really big tube but is only about a 1/4 full. Suppose to 120mls but I think I may have received a dud tube.  It is a very very thick cream that I had trouble squeezing out of the tube and it looks just like Zinc (duh main ingredient).

7.  Tom Organic Tampons ~ I don't use tampons but they make seriously good sterile bandages for your first aid kit, any kind of wound with heavy bleeding, from nose bleeds, mouth injuries and puncture wounds. You never know when they might come in handy.

Good selection of samples for $15 nothing I would jump out and purchase straight away or change in my daily routine but pretty good value.  I am really interested in the CC cream and the Hydration moisturiser, my skin is so dry eek!!

If you are interested in trying Bellabox for yourself you can find out more here.

What did you receive this month?  Please leave a comment below, I would love to hear from you.

Vivo Cosmetics Haul

VIVO COSMETICS ARE HAVING A FLASH SALE 50% OFF & FREE SHIPPING THIS WEEKEND!  ENTER PROMO CODE AUGUST50 AT CHECKOUT.

Offer ends GMT 9am 19th August.

I am so excited, today I received my order from Vivo Cosmetics and I just had to share it with you all.  They recently had a 50% off SALE which I took full advantage of and the following are all the goodies I received. Vivo Cosmetics is a UK brand and they are available at Tesco or online here with Free International Shipping if you spend more than £20 - $34.18.  All prices shown here are in Sterling and Australian Dollars.

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Under Eye Roll-on Concealer ~ Light ~ RRP. £3.59 - $6.14

Wrinkle Minimiser Cream Primer ~ RRP. £6.99 - $11.95

Beauty Balm ~ Warm Ivory ~ RRP. £5.00 - $8.55

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Giant Face and Body Bronzer ~ Golden Days ~ RRP. £4.00 - $6.84  this thing is huge!!  Contains a matte and golden shimmer (circles, vivo) bronzer.

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12 Shade Colour Block Palette
Show Me the Money ~ Dreamy ~ Enchanted ~ Unprotected RRP. £3.99  -  $6.82 each

Show Me the Money                           Dreamy                                     Enchanted                                   Unprotected
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On the Go Artist Blush, Bronze & Eye Palette ~ 9 shadows, 2 blush, 1 bronzer & 1 powder - RRP. £7.99 - $13.66

vivocosmetics.co.uk

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Smoky Moods Ultimate Eye Kit ~ Daytime Smoke ~ RRP. £4.00 - $6.84

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Contains three eyeshadows and a black eyeliner.

Matte Eyeshadow ~ Sandstorm ~ 3.8g RRP. £1.50 - $2.56
Pearl Eyeshadow ~ Dusty Pink ~ Mink ~ 3.8g RRP. £1.50 - $2.56
Volume Mascara ~ Black ~RRP. £2.59 - $4.43

Sandstorm ~ Dusty Pink ~ Mink
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Vivo Blush and Highlighter Duo ~ Sweet Peach ~ Pink Primrose ~  Sugar Candy  ~  RRP. £2.39 - $4.08

Sweet Peach ~ Pink Primrose ~ Sugar Candy
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Blush and Highlight Kit ~ What's Mine is Mine ~ Show Me Yours and I'll ~ RRP. £5.99 - $10.24

What's Mine is Mine  ~  Show Me Yours and I'll
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Each palette contains a cream blush, powder blush and a baked blush.  Gorgeous creamy highly pigmented shades, love em!!

Matte Lipstick ~ Wow Pink ~  Naturally Nude ~  Pink Sweetie   RRP. £1.99 - $3.40

Wow Pink  ~  Naturally Nude  ~  Pink Sweetie
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Lipstick ~ Barely There ~ RRP. £1.99 - $3.40

Barely There
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Lacquer Shine Lip Gloss ~ Spiritual ~ Fire ~ RRP. £1.99 - $3.40

(top) Spiritual ~ Fire
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Colour Stain Lip Crayon ~ Thing Called Love ~ Wide Awake ~  RRP.  £3.99  -  $6.82 each

(top) Thing Called Love ~ Wide Awake
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Colourwash Gloss RRP.  £1.00  -  $1.71 each
Early to Rise ~ Raring to Go ~ Calm and Relaxed ~ Setting Sun ~  Let's Go 

Early to Rise ~ Raring to Go ~ Calm and Relaxed ~ Setting Sun ~ Let's Go
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All the cosmetics were lovingly wrapped in a sea of bubble wrap and foam.  I tend to open international parcels with one eye closed because something always seems to arrive broken but nothing was broken YAY! Best packaging I have seen for a while and everything was individually sealed, tamper proof.

This was a really big order for me much more than I would normally purchase but at 50% off the usual RRP above, I went a bit mad.  I need to play around with these a bit more before I do a more in-depth review but if there is anything here you would especially like to see swatched, let me know in the comments and I will review them first.

Be aware that it is illegal to post nail polish by international air and you run the risk of having your parcel confiscated by customs at both ends if they find it.  I have 'lost' every parcel from the UK which has contained nail polish, I don't bother trying anymore.

Jac x0x

David Jones theBalm GWP Offer

David Jones have some really good GWP offers going at the moment and one that I did take advantage of was theBALM.

If you spend $27.95 or more across theBalm range you will receive a ShadyLady Vol 2 or 3 eyeshadow palette valued at $49.95 for FREE!!

I decided to take advantage of this offer as I have been wanting to pick up the Meet Matt(e) Eye Shadow Palette for a while now and this offer was just too tempting to wait any longer.

I chose the Shady Lady Giraffe Palette Vol: 3 as the shades were lighter and more suited to my complexion.

The other palette available was the Shady Lady Zebra Palette Vol: 2.

This offer was also available online but when I went to check if it was still available their website was down so you may have to visit your closest DJ's.   I will be doing a fuller review of these two palettes with swatches when I have played around with them a bit more.

Here are close ups of my two palettes, love the shade names especially on the Shady Lady Palette.  Great selection of colours, I am really excited to finally own the matte palette but pleasantly surprised by how gorgeous the colours are in Shady Lady, all very wearable shades and a good mix of light and dark.

Meet Matte(e)   ~   Shady Lady Vol:3

lusty lee ~ envious erin ~ racy kacy 

safe bet annette ~ runaround rebecca ~ come-hither heather

open to offers olwen ~ all the way annie ~ guilty gwen

What do you think, pretty good deal huh? Two palettes for the price of one. They are available at David Jones while stocks last if you want to pop in and pick one up for yourself.

Jac x0x

The Body Shop VITAMIN E BODY BUTTER

Winter has been driving me crazy this year and I have been suffering from the itchiest skin.

There is nothing worse than being in a public place and having the desperate need to have a good scratch. People must think I have fleas!!

I have tried EVERYTHING to combat it.  Blood tests (for underlying health problems), Vitamins, Oil baths, Essential oils, thick moisturisers, every home remedy I can think of from baking soda to oatmeal to aloe vera.  I have even changed my soap and the soap powder I wash my clothes in.  Nothing is working, there is no rash just ALL OVER itchy skin!!

While I still don't know what is causing the itchiness the only relief I have been able to find is

THE BODY SHOP'S VITAMIN E BODY BUTTER

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Contains Cacao Seed Butter, Shea Butter, Glycerin, Wheat Germ Oil and Lanolin.  This is a really really thick butter that gives me immediate relief as soon as I apply it to my skin.  

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I have tested it by doing one arm only compared to the other to see how effective it is in stopping the itching and I can only describe it as a blessed event!!  If you have ever been THAT itchy and then found something wonderful to relieve it you KNOW what I mean.

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This butter has a wonderful cooling effect on the skin and a light pleasant aroma.  Even though the cream has a thick buttery texture it soaks right in and doesn't leave you greasy. Claims to offer 24 hour hydration for normal skin but I have dry skin and found it works just as well.

If your skin has been inexplicably itchy this winter you might want to give this Vitamin E Body Butter a go.

If you are like me and there isn't a Body Shop near you, you can purchase online here.  They have a whole range of Vitamin E skincare for face and body plus all their regular gorgeous products.

I would love to hear if you have any remedies or skin lotions that have helped you with itchy skin, please leave a comment below with a link to your blog so I can come visit you.

Jac x0x

Stain, Scrub and Salve: Top 5 Lip Products Tag

My lovely friend Renu from My Beauty Junction who never forgets me and I love her for it has tagged me, you can read her blog here.

Apparently this tag has been going around for a while and what you need to do is list and talk about your top 5 Holy Grail lip products.

I am all about moisture moisture moisture on my lips so most of my choices are going to reflect this.  I don't scrub my lips or have any favourite lip stains and  I also tend to stick to nudes or pinks for colour making my choices boring here if you like colour.  I prefer to doll up my eyes and keep to a natural looking lip.

Also sticking to 5 products is IMPOSSIBLE!!  This is going to be really hard.  So I am going to pick a lip moisturiser/salve, lipstick, lip balm, lip crayon and a lip gloss.

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1.  Clarins ~ Extra-Firming Lip and Contour Balm ~ Contains Raspberry Seed Oil and Shea Butter. Repairs, replenishes, softens, plumps and defines lips while smoothing away vertical lines around the lip area. All I can say about this balm is that it works!!  My lips have improved greatly in the two months I have been using this.  I recommend everyone give it a go.  I keep this on my bedside table and use it first thing in the morning and last thing at night.  I am very impressed with the results.

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2.  Couleur Caramel ~ Beti Pink Pearly Lipstick ~ Organic, plant derived, contains castor, jojoba, apricot, grape and olive oils, red tea, shea butter and olive wax.  Long lasting, super moisturising, protects and conditions your lips and the shade is gorgeous.  I am not normally a fan of lipstick as I find them too drying but I love this one, doesn't dry my lips out at all.  This is a pinky/peach colour with flecks of gold.

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3.  NYX ~ Color Lip Balm ~ Tack ~ I love this lip balm from NYX, dusky berry pink, great opaque colour, moisturising and smells just like raspberry jam.

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4.  Face of Australia ~ Sheer Gloss Lip Crayon ~ Sundae ~ opaque brown/berry glossy lip which doesn't feather, very moisturising and lasts.  I have a few of these in the three available colours tossed through all my handbags (you can read my review here), when my lips feel dry but I want some colour this is the crayon I reach for.

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5.  MUA  ~  Intense Kisses  ~  Sealed with a Kiss  ~  this would have to be my all time favourite lip gloss, I have about four of these floating around in various hand bags so I always have it with me.  Non-sticky moisturising formula, opaque glossy colour and this would have to be my favourite shade of pink.

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Ok this is by no means ALL my favourite lip products but they would have to be my faithful HG stand-bys which I reach for the most.

I tag anyone who reads this and please don't forget to leave a comment and a link to your blog so I can come visit you!

Jac x0x

Savvy by DB Glitter Polish Review

I came across these little gems whilst on the Priceline website and thought they were worth picking up and trying and I'm really glad I did.

2 coats
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 100s & 1000s                    Glam & Chiq                     Love & Kisses                 Out & About                Razzle & Dazzle

2 coats essence black + 1 coat Savvy glitter
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Savvy by DB have a whole range of nail polishes and you can find them online at Priceline here.

2 coats
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    Rock & Roll                      Snow & Ice                      Splash & Dash               Sugar & Spice            Sweet & Innocent

2 coats essence black + 1 coat Savvy glitter
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 I am a bit of a glitter fiend and wear glitter more often than not, I just love the way it looks.  I was really happy to discover this brand of glitter Savvy by DB.  There are a great variety, 10 glitters to choose from and at $3 each they are fantastic value.

I swatched them all on a black nail polish to show up the glitter pieces though I would not necessarily wear them all with black polish.

My favourites with no base coat would have to be 

Love & Kisses   ~   Out & About   ~   Razzle & Dazzle   ~   Snow & Ice   ~   Sweet & Innocent.  

The ones I like with a black base are 

Love & Kisses   ~   Out & About   ~   Razzle & Dazzle   ~   Snow & Ice   ~   Splash & Dash.

Love all the names and the variety of glitter so whether you like large glitter or micro glitter there is something for everyone.

What are your favourites, please let me know in the comments and leave a link to your blog if you have one so I can come visit and leave a comment of my own.  :o)

Jac x0x