Show Stopper Red: Topshop Nails

This is my first dabble in the Topshop make-up range. My local store doesn't stock it, so whilst a bit further afield - I picked up this nail polish. Having a good old route through the shades, I was rather inclined to choose a spring-like pink, however, as a creature of habit, I just couldn't bypass this amazing red - I think you'll agree, it's a show stopper scarlet. Another (rather stupid) reason for my choice was the name, Collegiate, as I went to a collegiate school, though I may have been suspended for wearing such a brazen shade, back in the day. Anyway, firstly, I just love this colour - it's amazing, isn't it? This zingy red is the perfect bright to add a splash of colour to an outfit, I love to wear with Breton stripes. The formula is great, it's easy to work with, just two thin coats are needed. The finish isn't shiny or isn't matte - nice kind of satin-like finish. I can't say much for the longevity, I only painted my nails with it yesterday, but so far, so good. The brush is pretty average for as far as nail brushes go - it's easy enough to use. In short, I just LOVE this colour. Have you tried any Topshop nail polish?

Rimmel London 60 Seconds Nail Polish in Rapid Ruby

A lady can never have too many red nail polishes in her life, it's an instant glamour fix and looks great all year round. I for one, have a LOT of reds, I am what you might call obsessed with red. I just LOVE a red nail and think nothing really says chic like it. This fabulous claret by Rimmel London is a the perfect shade for a no-nonsense chic nail. I've said it before and I'll keep on saying it - the 60 seconds polish is the business. It's my go to polish for a super-speedy DIY mani - there's a big tick in all the boxes - staying power, formula, brush, shade range, ease of application and best of all it's budget price tag! Go on, give it a go.

Rimmel London Lycra Pro: Heart on Fire

Ok, so if the weather isn't going to warm up, I may as well do something about my choice in nail colour. Rimmel London's Lycra PRO in shade 327, Heart on Fire, is a serious hottie. I have been really impressed with Rimmel's line in nail polishes - they are such good value for money, have good staying power and the finish is lovely, it has a nice amount of shine. The brush, as with the 60 Seconds range, is flat, easy to use and one stroke coats the whole nail. The formula isn't too runny or too thick - again, it's easy to work with. This colour is just the business - oozes glamour and certainly brightened up my day. Have you tried this range?

Rimmel London: 60 Second Nail Polish in Princess Pink

I've been looking for a natural-looking pink nail polish for an age, I own dozens of two colours, nudes and reds - it's just my thing, with the occasional metallic thrown in at Christmas for good measure. I wanted the French Manicure look, without the white tips. Low and behold, Rimmel London have come up trumps again with their 60 Seconds range. Shade 200, Princess Pink is a subtle, pretty, ballerina-pink shade, perfect for a natural nail. I like everything about Rimmel London's 60 Seconds range, the formula, the brush and its great staying power - my only bugbear about this particular shade is, as with most lighter colours, the number of coats you need to apply for opacity - an epic four in this instance. Saying that, the results are, as you can see for yourself, lovely! I got this on offer in Boots yesterday - well worth the £2.99 I'd say, wouldn't you?

Rimmel London: 60 Seconds Nail Polish in Caramel Cupcake

From time to time I buy a beauty product that makes some pretty brave claims on it's packaging. Rimmel London's 60 Seconds Nail Polish is one of them - 1 second application and a 60 second drying time, ummm, well I was dubious, to say the least. So, does it live up to it's name? Errr . . . Yes. Was I pleasantly surprised with the results? Yet another big fat, yes. This is an absolute gem. The flat brush makes for a super-easy application, I've given my nails two coats en route to a wedding in a moving vehicle (yes, really). It lasts a good 3 days without chipping and Rimmel London have a great colour range to boot. This subtle nude is shade 500, Caramel Cupcake. It has a gorgeous pearly finish and looks great at any time of the year. I'm a big fan of the low maintenance nude nail, any chips are a bit less obvious than they are on a darker shade and I feel I look like I'm making the effort without looking over done. This is the perfect shade to apply quickly on a Sunday night to see you through the working week. Have you tried this speedy polish?

Lighten Up - L'Oreal Color Riche Nails: Boudoir Rose

Ok, so I'll admit, I have a slight obsession with this nail polish. When i was picking up a lipstick in Superdrug today, I noticed there was a Buy One Get One 1/2 Price offer on L'Oreal cosmetics, it wasn't a hard to choose my 1/2 price second. With the ever so slight rise in temperature this weekend, I got a bit excited about the lighter shades of spring. Well, it's a little premature to start discarding the woollen layers of winter, but I thought a rosy pink would not look entirely out of place. Just 2 thin coats gives the most perfect dusky rose nails. As for reasons why I continue to by this L'Oreal polish, is it has great staying power - usually 3-4 days without chipping, I find the brush and formula easy to use and it's affordable, especially when it's 1/2 price. Boudoir Rose is a classic, easy-to-wear shade, the perfect colour to wave the January blues goodbye with.

L'Oreal Color Riche Nails: Beige Countess (Shade 104)

With the glitter and glamour of the festive season now Well and truly over, I'm sticking to nail colours that aren't fancy or glitzy - just make me look like I'm taking care of myself in miserable old January. L'Oreal's Color Riche in Beige Countess, fits the bill perfectly. I love this polish (you may have noticed) it's moving in on my love affair with My Essie collection. This colour is the the most subtle and delicious nude. This shade takes 2-3 coats, it's quite a thin formula so each coat dries quickly and the brush is really easy to work with. It lasts a good 3-4 days without chipping, I'd also add a top coat too for a longer wear. I just love this nude, perfect for a little touch fuss-free elegance. Have you given up the glitter this Jan? What's your favourite low-maintenance nail colour of choice?

L'Oreal Color Riche Nails: Addictive Plum

What better to do on a freezing January evening, than pamper yourself a little with a D.I.Y manicure. I have had this nail polish a while, but have favoured metallic and bright reds over the festive period, now the New Year has come, I'm back to picking easy-to-wear, everyday shades, that make me look groomed but not over the top. L'Oreal's gorgeous Color Riche polish in Addictive Plum is just the ticket, the perfect claret / burgundy red. The packaging is chic, a dainty bottle with a gold lid, small but perfectly formed, ideal to slip into your make-up bag without taking up loads of room. The formula and brush are easy to work with, you can get away with just one coat but two with a clear top coat, lasts 3 - 4 days on me without chipping. I'd definitely recommend and will be picking up a few more shades. What's your favourite go-to shade for everyday wear?

Two Favourite Festive Shades (plus one)

Just a quick post on my festive nail colours - plus one, not so festive - but lovely all the same!

Nails inc, St. James
I got this free with Glamour Magazine (along with 1000s of beauty lovers around the country. ) I don't normally go for such a vibrant red, after trying this, I won't look back. St. James oozes 50s glamour and festive cheer - perfect for any Christmas Party.

Max Factor - Max Effect, Silver
When I picked this up, I thought it was a lot darker than it looks on. It definitely is silver, but after a marathon four coats it comes out in the amazing Pewter metallic shade you see in the bottle. The mini brush is perfect for easy application and small bottle easy to pop into your make-up bag. I just LOVE this colour and its also one of the longest lasting nail varnishes I've used in ages - or maybe that's just the four coats . . .

Models Own, Vintage Pink
Not really a festive shade, but gorgeous all the same. I got this as a Christmas gift from a colleague and had to try it straight away. It's a subtle dusky pink that gives you a 'put together' look. The formula has a silky consistency and after two coats the colour has a lovely depth. A nice shade, perfect all year round!

What are your favourite festive nail colours? I'm always on the look out for new colours to add to an already abundant collection!