OPI Nutcracker Nail Polish Collection Review and Swatches

Just a few months ago I streamlined my nail polish collection from over 200 bottles down to just 20 and that drawer in my storage had started to look a bit empty, then this incredible package from OPI Nails arrived and it couldn't have been more timely. To celebrate the launch of the Disney The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, OPI has collaborated with Disney for an OPI Nutcracker Nail Polish Collection to bring shades of royalty to your nails.

Watching Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker ballet is a holiday tradition for many, the posters are up across London and on poster sites across the tube, so this collaboration has been done quite timely. I am an absolute Disnerd and am looking forward to seeing the film as soon as I am released from work for the year and the synopsis sounds just amazing: All Clara wants is a key - a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift from her late mother. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer's annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key-which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It's there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip, a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers, and Land of Sweets. Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger, to retrieve Clara's key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world.

The OPI Nutcracker Nail Polish Collection consists of twelve limited edition nail colours as well as three beautiful looking glitter shades that I have my eye on. The polishes are available in the original OPI Nail Lacquer formula and are £13.50 each for 15ml, as well as their Infinite Shine 2 formula which is £14.50 and within the range, you can find the following shades:

OPI Black to Reality – This is my favourite shade within the box and it is one I would happily wear all year round. A beautiful deep red, almost plum shade which looks magnificent with one coat, but even more fabulous with two.

OPI Berry Fairy Fun – This is a metallic purple shimmer which hosts a pinky purple sparkle to it.  It is one of those shades which needs a good 2-3 coats to really get the full effect of the sparkle, but I've found it is one which seems to dry much quicker than some of the other shades within the collection.

OPI Toying With Trouble – If you don't have a pink polish within your stash, then this is the one! Admittedly, I am not a pink polish kind of girl, but this one I absolutely adore.  Best described as being more of a fuchsia pink than a hot Barbie pink, it applies like a dream and looks amazing with just one coat. 

OPI Envy The Adventure – Green isn't usually a shade I would opt for but it really is one of the nicest greens I have come across and it makes a perfect shade for Spring if like me you are not too big a fan of pastel shades.

OPI Candied Kingdom – If you like your bright red polishes then this is the one! It is a beautiful neutral toned red and surprisingly you need just one coat to get that perfect opaque coverage and it doesn't dry streaky which is another tick in the box.

OPI March In Uniform – If a navy shade is more your thing, then this polish wil be calling your name as it really is a stunning deep navy. I had expected this one to be quite streaky, owing to previous experiences with another brand who has a navy shade, but surprisingly it isn't and even with one coat it looks absolutely stunning.

OPI Dreams Need Clara-Fication –  Again, another beautiful shade for spring as it is a really pretty pastel blue shade.  To me, it is a little on the thin side when it comes to the formula which means you need to apply at least two coats, but it is worth it because it is so pretty.

OPI Lavendare to Find Courage – This is a really pretty pastel, white based lilac shade which I have grown to really like and have worn twice since the package arrived. A definite Spring/Summer shade if you prefer a lighter polish but it does need at least two coats. 

OPI Dancing Keeps Me On My Toes – This is a shade which can be worn on its own or over another polish and I absolutely love it. On its own, you need 2/3 coats to get that full glistening white snow white shade which is almost metallic. Over another polish, just the one shade.

OPI Dazzling Dew Drop – This is a yellow gold shade which has a glint of silver sparkle within it. Two coats are needed for full opacity and I didn't expect to like this shade at all, but it is really pretty and perfect for an accent nail!

OPI Ginger’s Revenge – The first shade to catch my attention as I removed them all from the box.  Best described as a deep, dark berry red, it is just absolutely stunning and the perfect shade for this time of the year and you only need one coat!

I have absolutely loved getting to know this collection and having the opportunity to try out some of the shades over the festive season, never have I wanted to change my nail polish colour as often as I have done with these colours.  I love that there are some shades that you can change with the seasons and some that you can wear all year round too. 

Also included within the box is the OPI Start to Finish 3 in 1 which works amazingly well as a base coat to not only protect your nails but you can also use it as a top coat and nail strengthener. Formaldehyde-Free it is infused with Wheat Protein and Calcium, the high-performance treatment can be applied before nail polish to prevent staining of natural nails, after nail varnish for mirror-like shine and protection against chipping, or as a strengthener to promote harder, stronger nails.

Do you have a favourite shade within the OPI Nutcracker Collection?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Soap & Glory The Zest of Times

Without question, Soap & Glory gift sets have Christmas written all over them and I am someone who always looks forward to seeing what is on offer.  I featured The Zest of Times in my Stocking Filler Gift Guide (here) and it was an absolute bargain.

Nestled inside one of the best tins ive ever owned from Soap & Glory was 5 products and to me, they showcased the very best of what is on offer from the brand. I make no secret of the fact that Sugar Crush is my favourite Soap & Glory scent, there is something about the zesty, sharp lime scent which I just absolutely love and there is always a pot of the Sugar Crush scrub in my bathroom as both the mister and I love it.

The Sugar Crush Body Spray was a product I had never tried and being honest, I am still not too sure if I see the point of a body spray when I adore and use so much perfume. That said, I have used this and it wasn't quite as I expected it to be. Firstly, the scent is quite sharp but its longevity surprised me, it lasted for hours when spritzed and took quite a while to settle down. Featuring essential lemon oil and a Elemi oil which are said to give an energizing lift, the scent is described as being "A heady cocktail of vanillia musk blended with sweet lime, ginger and smashed brown sugar" almost making you think of a mojito, but for me not quite. I have given this a try as a room spray, spritzing it before I go into the shower and then coming back into my bedroom in a morning to get ready for work, it makes quite the difference to kicking you awake!

Next is the Sugar Crush Body Wash and this is a favourite from the range and one that is already in my travel bag ready for Paris in a few weeks time.  Again, the same zesty fragrance which comes to life once it comes into contact with hot water and steam, this is definitely a morning body wash but it can also be used as a bath lotion to give you those zesty bubbles too, perfect for those times when you need a bit of a pick me up because the fragrance is so uplifting. Using Kiwi Juice, kaffir limes, sparkling lemons, sweet vanilla musk and coconut oil, I love how this leaves my skin feeling after using.

After showering or bathing, I am sure you will want to intensify that zesty scent and that is where the Sugar Crush Body Buttercream comes into play. I am hopeless when it comes to using body lotions and butters, I start off using them every day, sometimes twice a day, but as time progresses, I always forget to use them.  This is my first time using the Sugar Crush Body Buttercream and the pot, which was 50ml is already empty. Enriched with both shea and cocoa butter, almond & coconut oil and a real hit of zest thanks to the inclusion of both uplifting lime oil and smoothing lime tree blossom extract.  What I liked about this body cream is that it wasn't overly thick and didn't feel tacky on the skin, instead it absorbs almost instantly on contact and really helped to intensify that zesty scent not to mention leaving my skin feeling super smooth to the touch.

One of Soap & Glory's cult products has to be Hand Food and back when the Sugar Crush version was released I immediately bought a tube. As with the original, this hand cream is neither sticky or tacky on the skin and is incredibly moisturising.  The texture is very much the same as the original Hand Food cream, the only difference with this one is the zesty lime scent which comes to life as soon as you begin to massage it in.

Finally, there are the Soap & Glory Puffy Eye Attack Under-eye Brightening Hydrogel Patches which are designed to revitalise tired eyes.  I spend a lot of my working day looking at a computer screen, scrolling through my phone and reading on my Kindle and all of this together contributes to very tired eyes, sometimes so tired that I just need to close them for a few minutes for a refresh.  Using what Soap & Glory refer to as being PUFFEASE™ technology (a tripeptide that reduces the appearance of puff) alongside ingredients such as cucumber fruit juice and liquorice root extract, it is described as being the perfect perk-me-up for peepers!  I am a huge fan of eye masks, more so if they are made of hydrogel because for me, it is just so much more refreshing and soothing.  I used these under-eye masks whilst relaxing just after the madness of Christmas and it was lovely to just sit back and relax for a few minutes, I'm not too sure how much they brighten but they definitely moisturise and soothe. 

Whilst this gift set is no longer available, each one of the products within the tin is (here) and you can purchase the travel size versions which are 50ml and prices from £3.50 or the full-sized versions which range in price from £6-£10.  For me, this is my absolute favourite Soap & Glory scent, I would love to know what yours is?

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Benenox Overnight Recharge – Can a supplement really banish the morning struggle?

Getting a good nights sleep is an absolute essential, experts claim that we all need around 8 hours a night, sleeping helps the body to repair and recover. But why is it, that most mornings we all wake up still tired, feeling as though we have not had enough sleep? I went to an event organised by Hayley over at HayleyHall just before Christmas at the very beautiful Somerset House in the most fabulous setting to learn more about a product called Benenox.  It was there that I learnt getting 8 hours a night might not be enough for everyone and that is about the quality of the sleep you get not the quantity.   I am sure many of us have a routine that we go through in order to drift off into the land of nod and over time we have all researched the best beds, the best mattresses and even the best duvets which help with sleeping - personally I do need a new mattress, but that is a whole new minefield I can't quite cope with yet.

I have a love/hate relationship with sleep. I can either go to bed and fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, I can fall asleep only to wake a few hours later and be wide awake as though I have had my 8 hours of sleep or I simply toss and turn and drive myself mad usually drifting off just as my alarm is about to go off.  I have learnt over time that stress, hormonal changes and even the weather can often affect my sleeping pattern and as much of a fan as I am of disco naps during the daytime, when you have a full-time job, it isn't always easy to find those few minutes to nod off at your desk.  So perhaps Benenox could help!  

Described as being:

The extraordinary night time mindfuel for those who struggle with disrupted sleep, low energy and concentration levels the following day.

Your brain needs glycogen to carry out essential overnight repairs! From the time you finish dinner to the time you go to bed, your body consumes 10 grams of glycogen per hour. This doesn’t stop when you go to sleep. As the body searches for more glycogen, sleep is disrupted. You may not be aware but your body remains restless, impacting the quality of your sleep. You’ll wake up feeling groggy with no energy to take on the day. By the morning, your glycogen stores are running on empty!  So Benenox uses a combination of:

• Honey is known for its health benefits particularly for the skin, but within Benenox thanks to its mix of natural sugars, it is believed to help boost glycogen stores in the liver to use during the night.
• Sustamine which is a combination of two amino acids (L-Alanine and L-Glutamine) which help the Liver to store  glycogen by slowing the absorption of honey in the stomach.
• Vitamin B6 which has been shown to reduce tiredness and fatigue whilst supporting psychological functions which therefore help you to feel more energised.

Putting all of these together, Benenox, when taken before bed, supplements your body's stored energy levels to support good quality sleep, leaving you feeling full recharged and ready to take on the day ahead.  

So, does it work?  I have made no secret of my issues with sleep, so I was intrigued to give Benenox a try. Taking 15ml before bedtime, the first few times I tried it, I actually didnt notice much of a difference if I am honest, but I stuck with it and once my sleeping pattern became disrupted again, I gave it another try and this is where it did make a difference, having struggled to get off to sleep, I now felt much more relaxed but the biggest change was waking up the following morning. Instead of yawning as soon as I woke up, I felt much more alert and like I could function, rather than wanting to hit the snooze button 4-5 times.

If the Benenox Overnight Recharge sounds like something you want to try then you can find the vegetarian-friendly food supplement in Tesco and on Amazon, priced at £12.49 for 135ml. For further information, visit www.benenox.com.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.

Oscar Charles Professional Makeup Artist 17-Piece Brush Set

Until this package arrived, I had never heard of or used any products by Oscar Charles and I was so blown away by how incredible this set of brushes is, I decided I would wait until after Christmas to share them on my blog.   

I was kindly sent the Oscar Charles 17 piece Beauty and Makeup Brush Set (here) which is made up of 15 Pro brushes, a Makeup Blender and a Silica Brush Cleaner and they come presented in this beautiful stylish portable case which is perfect for keeping your brushes together and protected whether you are just using them at home or on your travels.  Right now, they have been washed, dried and stored in my suitcase ready for when I go to Paris in a few weeks time.

The Brush handles are made from wood and have a high gloss black finish, the ferrules are rose gold aluminium.  The Taklon synthetic brush fibres are super soft and feel amazing against the skin, vegan-friendly, hypoallergenic and cruelty-free, they are suitable for all skin types and work perfectly well with creams, liquids and powders. 

The Oscar Charles Makeup Brush Set contains:

• C101 Super Soft Powder Brush - This is one of my favourite brushes within the collection and it works perfect for applying loose and pressed powders, especially finishing powders.
• C102 Contour / Highlight Brush - With its tapered point, this brush is perfect for adding highlighter and it blends incredibly well whether you use a powder, liquid of cream.
• C103 Angled Blush Brush - With its slanted shape, this brush works well with creams, liquid or powders for your blush or your bronzer.
• C104 Flat Top Kabuki - This brush is packed with bristles and it does an incredible job blending and buffing foundation, highlighters, bronzers and even concealers. I have used it with BB and CC creams as well as primers too.
• C105 Flat Foundation Brush - This brush has a slight angle to it and whilst ideally it should be used for applying foundation, I have been using it for my tinted moisturiser and bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Cream and I much prefer it for those products.
• C106 Concealer Buff Brush - This brush works perfectly with the Urban Decay Naked concealer that I am currently using.  I use the doe foot applicator to apply my concealer and then use this brush to blend.
• C107 Small Blending Brush - This small tapered brush is perfect for the eye crease and has become one of my favourites for blending.
• C108 Large Blending Brush - This brush is large and fluffy and is perfect for the contour of the eye and again, as expected, it blends like a dream.
• C109 Large Eye Shadow Brush - This brush is the one I have used to apply eyeshadow primer and it works really well.
• C110 Small Eye Shadow Brush - Whilst this brush is designed for the application of eyeshadow, I've used it for applying concealer as well as smoking out shadows.
• C111 Angled Eye Shadow Brush - This brush is perfect for contouring and smudging especially the corner and crease.
• C112 Angled Wing Liner Brush - This is the one of the two brushes from the collection I haven't used but it is designed to create that perfect eye line wing.
• C113 Detail Brush - This is the second brush that I have yet to use and it is designed for use with gel and liquid eyeliner. 
• C115 Lip Brush - This is a fine tipped and tapered brush designed for lipstick application and it works with liquid lipsticks too.
• C117 Angled Brow & Spoolie - No makeup brush collection is ever complete for me unless there is a spoolie included. This one is a double-ended brush and it is perfect for use with brow powders and liquid.  The Spoolie is made up of stiff bristles which tame those stray hairs and evenly distributes the product.

Alongside the brushes, we also have the OC Flawless Beauty Sponge which is latex free and has a teardrop shape with the added feature of a flat surface for applying around your nose and if you are familiar with beauty blenders, this one works in just the same way and can be used wet or dry.  The final product is the Silicone Brush Cleaner and this device is designed to fit over your fingers and has grooves which you swipe your brushes over, having wet them and applied a brush cleanser. As you swipe the brush backwards and forwards along the grooves, you can see all the makeup ‘stuff’ that has been lingering on there run off into the sink and within seconds your brush is clean and ready to be left to dry.

What I love is that each brush can be purchased as part of this set (£39.95) or there is also the option to purchase brushes individually too and with prices starting at £6.95, there are some bargains to be had.

*this post contains PR samples and/or Affiliate Links unless indicated otherwise - you can learn more on my Disclaimer page.