Mani Monday: Dark purple shattered glass

So I just had to try the hottest trend out there. Shattered glass manicure has consumed the nail art world, so there it is on my nails too. It's hard to capture the whole manicure with a camera so I can say it's prettier in the person than here. Also, it may not seem like it, but all pieces are completely curved with the nail.

I used:

• nail polish #61 1001 party nights by Essence
• base and top coats (top coat only on accent nails)
• holographic transparent paper (cellophane or transparent foil for food should do the trick) - bought mine at the local store but there are some on eBay (look here)

I hope you like it and you'll give it a try. If you do, please send me the manicure (here or on twitter - account on the right).

What's in my beauty bag?

There are some things, regarding beauty and make-up, that I like to keep by my side in as many occasions as I can. Considering that I do not have a clutch purse with me, I'm carrying this sweet half-transparent pink beauty bag with me. I got it years ago and couldn't find the use for it anywhere. Thank God I had the need to carry some essentials with me.

First there is a small package of hand cream (or hand balm, if you like). Currently, I'm carrying around this Nivea Repair & Care (I wrote a post about it here). I wish it was a smaller package but I love this one so much I have to have it.

Next is a 3 in 1 comb, brush and a mirror. It doesn't look like much but this comes in handy very often. It's small and practical in any occasion. I used to have only a brush and a mirror, but adding a comb made my life so much easier.

This is the cutest package of nail files. As everybody knows I love nails, I got this as a present from my friend. There are six nail files. So small and so practical I just had to put it in my beauty bag.

Since I never know with my hair, I have to have some hair bands and few bobby-pins. I got this whole panel of bobby-pins in H&M last year (they are always available there). Regarding hair bands, I have two brown ones (as my hair is brown) and two small black ones just in case I want braids or something small with my hair.

There are, of course, these new oil control papers I bought recently. (Post on where and when I got it, and the price, is here. Review post is coming soon.)

The last two thing I have in there are two lip products. First is my lip balm (post about it here). I just have to have lip care all the time. The other one is lipstick by Essence called #65 Glow neon glow! Although they said it's lipstick, I would say it's only transparent lip-gloss. I would not necessarily recommend buying it (I got it as a present in the magazine), but I do like the gloss so I could easily turn plain lips into more elegant ones.
So, that's it. What do you keep in your beauty bag?

Brown rainy days

I don't know if we're lucky or not but we got few warmer days in the past week. Unfortunately, rain has ruined every one of them. So, I've put together something for days just like these...

Since it's not that warm yet, I started with this brown leather jacket with fur and warm lining.

For my main pieces, I chose simple black jeans with simple, but interesting T-shirt.

If I choose brown as my main color, it's not likely that I'll choose anything black. So, I went for this big brown long-strap bag. Of course, I also love matching my shoes with the bag (and vice versa) so I had to find nice brown boots. I picked boots because it's raining (if that wasn't obvious). Since this is an every day outfit, I like my shoes to be a bit lower.

For accessories, I picked out this beautiful statement earrings with turquoise stone. To match them, there is a dark gold ring with the same statement pieces.

Hair is pretty casual in a ponytail.

Make-up, is somehow light, with only highlighted eyes.

Manicure is also casual; matching the T-shirt and jewelry.

I don't know why, but I just love checkered blouses. They look so casual and so great. I matched this red and grey one with simple denim skinny jeans.

Statement piece of this outfit is this asymmetric long coat. It's really interesting with the side zipper and leather sleeves. Also, collar can be down or up and used as a scarf.

Again, to go with the main color, boots are brown. They are ankle boots with popular studs. Perfect for walks and strolling in the city.

Bag is a bit lighter, but still in the same color. It breaks the darkness of the coat.

Hair is casually put down.

There are only two rings; one elegant in the shape of a heart and one shaped like a cat.

Red nails will round the whole outfit as a stylish one.

You can see all the pieces and their prices on Polyvore (even if you aren't a member).

• Outfit 1 on Polyvore
• Outfit 2 on Polyvore

Do you like these? Any comments or suggestions? Comments below, please :*

Mani Sunday: Cut out grey

I just introduced you to some new stuff I got for my nails (post here) so I had to try some of it immediately.

I used:

• nail polish #70 grey zone by Essence
• nail stencils - I don't know where I got mine but here are some similar you could use #02 from heaven with love and #01 dare to be bare
• nail beads - got mine here
• base and top coat (top coat only on the accent nails)

I really hope you like it and you'll give it a try. If you do, please send me the manicure (here or on twitter - account on the right).

My Essence haul !!

This is my first shopping of this kind. I heard Essence would have some new products so I searched their official page (for my country - Croatia!) and I fell in love with some items. (Just an advice: Don't trust the colors you see on the Internet. Go and try everything by yourself!) Although I was there early in the morning, I wasn't early enough so it took me three days and a lot of walking to different stores to get all I want (I still didn't buy all of it). Now, this is not a new collection (*hush hush* new one is coming in March and it will have some adorable stuff), but these are new in their world. So, let me introduce you to my new babies.

Left to right: #61 1001 party nights, #65 good limes, #16 fame fatal, #63 itsy bitsy blue bikini, #46 black is back, #59 life is pink!, #64 island hopping, #70 grey zone, #57 ice cream party, #55 be awesome tonight!, #68 free hugs

As you all know I'm most attached to my nails. I just love everything that comes out that I could use on my nails. I found some beautiful colors and I tried some of them on a piece of paper (as I have my nails painted black now) and I loved the coverage. I love the variety of new colors in the new palette. I got some dark ones here, but I love these light, spring colors.

Cut out manicure stencils #01 dare to be bare, stickers #18 tribe'o metric, french manicure creative tip guides #02 from heaven with love, studio nails fix it! nail glue

Here I got some nail stencils and tip guides for french manicure. Tip guides are a perfect helper if you don't have steady and calm hand, but I'll use them as normal stencils just because I think I could do some great and different manicures. Other fun thing I got are these amazing black and white tribal nail stickers. I could draw most of it by myself, but these are so precise and clean and it saves you a lot of time. So I'm really looking forward to it. Next on, I got a nail glue. I've been using for quite some time. It's amazing - you only need one drop of it and it glues (everything!) immediately.

Mini kabuki brush, nail and hand balm rich & smooth, oil control paper all about matt!

Here are some out-of-the-category stuff. I got oil control papers which should turn your skin matte. I wanted to try this for so long as my skin tends to get really oily and these seem like a perfect thing to carry in my bag all the time. I really hope they work. Next is the cutest version of kabuki brush. I know it's used for applying make-up, but I'll use it to wipe of the dust of my nails as I file them. The final product is hand balm. I already have a great cream for my hands, but I got this one too as they say it's great for both your hands and your nails which is really important to me (duh!).

2 in 1 lipstick & lip liner #04 pink points, long-lasting lipstick #16 I am yours!, superfine eyeliner pen #01 deep black, long-lasting lip liner #08 girl next door

My biggest wish here were some lipsticks. I got quite a few on my list, but not all them matched me when I actually tried them on and some I couldn't find. So I got these. I know these long-lasting lipsticks really do last long (on me). Next is this weird looking 2 in 1 lip-liner and lipstick. The color is darker, but intense, pink. I wouldn't normally go for a pink one, but this one won me over. This almost beige lip liner is for my mom as she has light lipstick and she just needed this. I can also say I know their lip liners are great! The last thing is new eyeliner. It has a great black coverage and it's waterproof. I don't think this will amaze me, I just needed new one as my old one got dry and grey.

Prices (I converted this so they may vary):

• nail polishes ~ $2
• lip liner ~ $1.50
• eye liner ~ $3.50
• hand and nail balm ~ $3.50
• kabuki brush ~ $3.50
• nail stickers ~ $1.50
• nail stencils ~ $1.50
• tip guides ~ $1.50
• nail glue ~ $2.90
• 2 in 1 lipstick ~ $3
• lipstick ~ $2.50
• oil control papers ~ $2.50

Hope you like this. :)
Comment below if you have anything to add, something to ask or recommend!

It's Valentine's Day! | 2016

Happy Valentine's Day!!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Two or three about me! - fashion edition

So, this is my first post with the new background and header (hope you like it).

So, what's better way to start a new era than with few facts about my and my fashion style. Here I go...

• I wore my first blazer in the 6th grade of elementary school (about 12 years old). I got a white, really businessy blazer from my cousin and I thought it was just appropriate for me to wear it to school. (Don't know if I'm glad I was that brave or just embarrassed of how stupid I was.)
• I also wore my first heels in about 6th grade. They were about 4 cm (1.5 inch) high and really thick and stable. I bought them with my own money.
• The color that suits me the best is red. Even though I know this, I own only a few red items (a fancy dress, two or three T-shirts, winter coat and dark red jeans).
• I only just becoming satisfied with my clothes (I'm 20). I'm buying stuff I know I'll be able to style with something I already own. I'm now buying only what I know I will most certainly wear. I'm also getting rid of the old clothes, step by step.
• My favorite style of pajamas are like sweatpants with regular T-shirt and those blouse lookalikes with buttons all the way.
• I don't like wearing short skirts. They have to be knee-length or just above the knees. Or long.
• I used to wear all tight and fitted (shirts, blouses, T-shirts) but, once I lost weight, I became comfortable with some baggy and loose tops. (Isn't this is opposite of the usual?)
• If I had to choose between black and white clothes, I would always choose black - no worries with transparency and it makes me look slimmer.
• I have some fur and leather items, but they're all fake. Except the parts of the sneakers, because... - look at the next fact.
• My favorite sports brand is Nike. Almost all sneakers I owned in the past 5 (maybe more) years have been Nike and I will most certainly continue this tradition.

Have any facts about your fashion style? Share them below! :)

Rexona's roll-ons

I was looking for a good protection recently, so I went to good old days and bought a Rexona's roll-on (actually called dry deo sticks). These were popular back in the days, until they were replaced by the rounded ball-style ones. (I have no idea if you got me, so the picture is here.)

I got these three because there was a 2 + 1 offer. So let me introduce them to you.

I'll start with the first one on the left. It's their Motion sense with aloe vera. This is supposed to cool down your skin and calm it for 48 hours. I said 'supposed' because I haven't actually tried it yet. If you want me to, I'll write a post only about that one as I heard it's supposed to be the best one out of all deo sticks out there.

Second one is Invisible black + white diamond. This is the one I'm currently using. It says it doesn't leave marks and it prevents sweat from breaking out. Another good thing is that it contains 0% alcohol. Now, this one has a pretty calming scent. It did leave some white marks, but only on my skin and that did not transfer to my clothes. I'm not so sure about the 48 hour protection. I had it on for about 4 hours and I could feel the sweat coming (truth to be told, I had an exam so I was extra nervous).

The last one is Nutritive skin care. As usual, it offers 48 hour protection and 0% alcohol. These are all great, but I have to say that 48 hours is easily transferred into maximum of 5 hours. This one also has a bit stronger scent. This one is used by my mom, so this is her opinion.

Verdict? I like these products because I'm in a need of a deodorant and I personally hate ball roll-ons I described in the beginning and I don't like normal spray deodorants. This is a good product, don't get me wrong, but! do not trust the 48 hours promise on the packaging.

The price is around $2.50 each.