Talonted Lex

Gabrini 398 Nail Varnish Review

Gabrini 398 Nail Varnish Review

Gabrini 398 Nail Varnish Review

Cabrini 398 is a lovely grey polish that I didn’t even realise was matte until I got home, apparently when I really like the look of a polish I don’t even bother to read the packaging! I love matte finishes on manicures, but prefer to paint a matte top coat over a regular polish so that I can do a layer of Seche Vite between. I have found the matte polishes tend to drag and leave a bumpy finish.

But this one was different. This is two easy to apply coats and as you can see the finish is perfect. I also like that it’s not as flat or dull as most matte polishes – it’s softer looking and almost rubbery. It would be perfect for a first timer in the matte polish area.

Anyone else tried any Gabrini polishes? Every one that I try makes me sure that I’m robbing them somehow by getting them for 99p!

You can look at the whole Gabrini Matte nail polish range HERE.

Lex

Gabrini 398 Nail Varnish Review Gabrini 398 Nail Varnish Review Gabrini 398 Nail Varnish Review Gabrini 398 Nail Varnish Review

Gabrini 398 Nail Varnish Review

This is a lovely grey polish that I didn’t even realise was matte until I got home. I love matte finishes on manicures, but prefer to paint a matte top coat over a regular polish so that I can do a layer of Seche Vite between. I have found the matte polishes tend to drag and leave a bumpy finish.

But this one was different. This is two, easy to apply, coats and as you can see the finish is perfect. I also like that it’s not as flat or dull as most matte polishes – it’s softer looking and almost rubbery.

Anyone else tried any Gabrini polishes? Every one I try makes me sure that I’m robbing them somehow by getting them for 99p!

Lex

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Dainty Doll It’s My Party Lipstick

Dainty Doll It's My Party Lipstick

Dainty Doll It’s my Party Lipstick

Dainty Doll is a cosmetics brand started by Nicola Roberts (yes, the one from Girls Aloud). She has red hair with very pale skin and became fed up of trying out cosmetics that didn’t go light enough or suit her colouring. So she made her own brand. Pretty bad ass really!

I didn’t have high hopes for this lipstick, I don’t know why but the Girls Aloud connection put me off a bit…but I was so wrong. This lipstick is GORGEOUS. It is slightly matte so you have to moisturise your lips well with balm beforehand but it means that it is long-lasting. I quite like the semi-matte look, but if you don’t you can pop a bit of gloss over the top.

The lipstick looks like such a bright coral in the tube but applies to be a bit more subtle – it still catches the eye but doesn’t blind you!

2016 update: Dainty Doll as a brand no longer exists, which I think is sad as there aren’t many cosmetics brands who focus solely on very pale skin tones. Perhaps it will reappear in future.

Lex

Dainty Doll It's My Party Lipstick Dainty Doll It's My Party Lipstick Dainty Doll It's My Party Lipstick

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Barry M Textured Effects Station Road

Barry M Textured Effects Station Road

Barry M Textured Effects Station Road

This is just such an unusual polish and it’s not just the finish which – as you can see from the images – is a grainy, matte texture. But this has a glitter to it that catches the sun which really adds something to it.

These textured finish nails had such a mixed reaction on Twitter and Instagram – they might not be your kind of thing but they are certainly eye-catching!

If you’re like me and love the textured finish look, you can buy Barry M Textured Effects Station Road HERE. You can also see my review of one of the other polishes from this collection HERE – I can’t decide which one I like more!

Lex

Barry M Textured Effects Station Road Barry M Textured Effects Station Road Barry M Textured Effects Station Road

 

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Barry M Textured Effects Kingsland Road

Barry M Textured Effects Kingsland Road

Barry M Textured Effects Kingsland Road

Textured nails are huge at the moment and you can always rely on Barry M to bring out an affordable, high quality version of the top trends.

This is no exception. Barry M has released matte finish polishes with a grainy finish. It looks so unique and feels oddly nice – I couldn’t stop touching it when I had it on. It is less rough than it looks and doesn’t catch on things like I thought it would.

The polishes in this range all have names of places in London where Barry himself used to hang out. This one is called Kingsland Road which was the road I lived on when I first moved to London – I knew I had to get it from the moment I saw it.

As a huge fan of the textured nail trend, I have to say bravo, Barry M!

You can find my review of another of the Barry M Textured Effects polishes HERE.

Lex

Barry M Textured Effects Kingsland Road Barry M Textured Effects Kingsland Road Barry M Textured Effects Kingsland Road

 

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Revlon Matte Suede Ruby Ribbon

Revlon Matte Suede Ruby Ribbon

Revlon Matte Suede Ruby Ribbon

I was so intrigued when I saw these Matte Suede polishes. Textured finishes are going to continue to be big this year and this polish has definitely converted me to matte/textured finishes. The finish falls somewhere between a matte topcoat effect and the new liquid sand polishes.

As it is a matte finish nail varnish, these swatches are obviously shown without top coat. I like this effect but it was tricky to get a smooth finish, as the polish starts to turn matte very quickly so has a tendency to drag and go bumpy. You have to be quick and precise to avoid an annoying cleanup, which may put off some people.

What do you guys think of the matte suede finishes? Or textured finishes in general? Let me know in the comments!

I can’t find the Revlon Matte Suede collection anywhere online (except Amazon…) but you can find the current Revlon range HERE.

Lex

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