HUGE Barry M & Revlon Nail Polish Haul

HUGE Barry M & Revlon Nail Polish Haul

Thursday, 13 August 2015

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So I was in Boots, as I frequently am when I have some spare cash, and just couldn't resist the buy one get one half price offer on Barry M nails. As you guys will know Barry M is my favourite for drug store nails. I cannot, nay will not, fault him and his glorious polishes.

The first polishes I picked up were Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Damson, Guava & Sugar Plum  - £3.99 each or buy one get one half price from Boots.I am a massive fan of the Gelly Hi-Shine formulas, so when I saw they were on offer I knew some more would be making their merry way into my basket. Damson was the first one I reached for, you know I can never resist a blue! The colour of this is really hard to pin point, it's somewhere between a rich sky blue and royal blue, but it is so gorgeous! I've only had it on my nails for a day and have had so many compliments. It is beautiful! And believe it or not I actually have nothing like this in my already ridiculous but ever growing collection. Guava is a repurchase because I used it so much it went all gloopy and had to throw it away. The colour is beautiful, a stunning, blue toned turquoise that I just love. It's one of my favourites. Sugar Plum was next because I physically could not leave without it. This colour, OMG this colour. Sugar Plum is a beautiful purple toned pink and it is just about one of the prettiest polishes I've ever seen. I saw it and just had to have it. So I got it. I will be wearing this a lot. A LOT, a lot. It is B-E-A-U-tiful!

I also picked up two of the Barry M Sunset Curing Nail Paints in Fuchsia Generation and The Way You Make Me Teal - £4.99 each or buy one get one half price from Boots. Now foolishly I forgot to get the topcoat that makes this formula so special so I'll definitely be going back to pick that up before I give my final thoughts. The formula is, supposedly, a souped up version of the Gelly Hi Shines, giving you a salon quality gel manicure from home without the help of a UV lamp, that's right it uses the sun's own UV rays to get that totes profesh finish. I'll let you know once I get my hands on the topcoat BUT I can tell you the colours are stunning, more wintery in tone, but oh so beautiful. Fuchsia Generation, love the name, is a rich, red toned raspberry, perfect for Autumn days and long Winter nights. The Way You Make Me Teal, again love the name, is a muted but beautiful turquoise (shocker!) that I will definitely be getting a lot of use out of. Based on the colours alone I love them. I'll let you know how I get on.

Barry M Speedy Quick Dry Nail Paint in Lap of Honour - £3.99 each or buy one get one half price from Boots. This formula is A-MAY-ZING. Long lasting, thick, creamy and dry in seconds. Blink and you'll miss it. With a revolutionary, yeah I said it!, nail hugging brush even application is an absolute dream. Lap of Honour has been on my list for a while now, a pastel lilac that's both really subtle and very pretty. I can't wait to try it out.

Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy in Up The Ante & Dealer's Choice  2 for £8 from Boots. These are repurchases, Up the Ante & Dealer's Choice are old favourites of mine (read more about that here), the formula is amazing. I'd even go so far as to say that Revlon's Colorstay Gel Envy is the  BEST formulation on the highstreet. They are beautiful. Long lasting with a beautiful gel-like consistency and finish these have been firm favourites of mine for a long, long time. Up the Ante is a warm purple and the first ever nail polish I ever managed to finish! It is stunning and looks awesome year round. Dealer's Choice is another favourite, another turquoise (I have a problem!), this one has a really subtle sheen of silver glitter running through it. There was a time when I was alternating between these two because they're amazing!

Have you tried any of these? If not what polishes will you be adding to your collection? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat - search lolarocknroses - & pinterest for regular updates.

Love love love xxx

The Weekly Round Up #1 Migraines, Nails & Youtube

The Weekly Round Up #1 Migraines, Nails & Youtube

Sunday, 9 August 2015

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Welcome to my first ever Weekly Round Up! A run down of all the beauty bits, tv, books, music, youtubers, etc. etc. that I've been loving over the past 7 days. Sort of a mini weekly favourites. So let's get started!

The Great British Bake Off

I can't even tell you how happy I am that GBBO has returned to our screens! I super love it. Mel and Sue, Paul Hollywood's piercing blue eyes, Mary Berry in general,  the relentless but oh so amazing baking puns and, of course, the drama of competitive baking, we all remember 'the bincident!', makes for unmissable viewing! I've already got a bit of a soft spot for Ian, anyone who makes chocolate elephants to decorate a Black Forest Gateau is okay in my books. I also like Mat the Fireman, Tamal and the young Scottish girl Flora. *Spoiler* I was a bit gutted that Stu went first because he had a fantastic hat, and I bet he would have made some really interesting bakes but oh well. Ooh I can't wait for next Wednesday. 

Kleenex Cooling Gel Eye Mask 

(I couldn't find this exact one online but you can get a similar mask for £6.00 from The Body Shop)

I suffer with migraines and this week I've had one that's really knocked me for six.  I'm still not back to normal yet and it's been a week. They're awful. When one strikes the only thing I can really do is stay in bed, with my black out curtains drawn, wondering how long I can wait before taking more pain killers and whimpering pathetically. One thing that really helps to ease the pain is this mask. Yes I look like a serial killer when I wear it BUT it really helps to ease the tension in my forehead and under my eyes. I just leave it in the fridge for a few hours and then let it work it's cooling magic. 

 Lana

I spend pretty much all my spare time on youtube (because I'm a cool kid!) and I'm constantly on the lookout for new youtubers to add to my subscription box. Enter my new youtube favourite Lana! Lana is an American/Spanish youtuber and she is absolutely adorable. She has really good taste in make up and fashion, I have a bit of a style crush on her, and she just seems really nice. I really like her videos. Check out her youtube channel here

Barry M Hi Shine Gelly Nail Paint in Prickly Pear - £3.99 from Barry M

I love Barry M, I've said it before and I'll say it again, he is the undisputed king of high street nails. In particular I'm a really big fan of the Hi-Shine Gelly Formulas, they're long lasting, thick, creamy, easily workable, have decent brushes, leave a gorgeous, shiny, gel-like finish (hence the name) and are opaque within 2 -3 coats. Prickly Pear is a blue toned summery lilac that looks really lovely on. I've been taking it off to put it back on again because it's so pretty.

Nothing Left to Lose by Kari Kimmel 

I have had this song on repeat since I heard it on The DUFF soundtrack, it's played over the sad bit just fyi. It's very bittersweet and sad, my favourite kind of song, but oh so good. Listen to it here

What have you been loving this week? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also check out my instagram, facebook, bloglovin', snapchat - search lolarocknroses - and pinterest for updates. 

Love love love xxx

*Disclaimer* The images of Great British Bake Off, Lana & Kari Kimmel are NOT owned by myself. Images used for entertainment purposes only. Images via, via, via. I own all other images used.

The Blues

The Blues

Tuesday, 21 April 2015

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L-R: Soigné in Vodka Bleu, Maybelline Forever Strong Super Stay Seven Day in Uptown Blue, Essie in Avenue Maintain, Nails Inc in  Kensington Park Road  & Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine in Blueberry.

If you were to rifle through my, quite frankly ridiculous, nail polish collection (300 and counting) you would probably notice that the majority of shades are blue. There's just something about a blue polish that I just can't resist. So I thought I'd share my faves. My 5 Shades of Blue if you will.

Soigné in Vodka Bleu - Vodka Bleu is a really rich dark turquoise-y blue with a seriously awesome formula. It's super pigmented, opaque in just one coat and ridiculously long lasting. Wild horses can't drag this bad boy away! It has an awesome brush, it applies absolutely effortlessly and just looks so gorgeous on the nails.  Love it. 

Maybelline Forever Strong Super Stay Seven Day in Uptown Blue - I haven't had this that long but it has fast become one of my fave light blues. Spring means pastels and this lovely polish more than fits the bill. It is such a pretty sky blue with an almost fluorescent quality to it that really pops. It would look amazing against tanned skin (unfortunately I'll never know being paler than the moon and all.) Not only is the colour pretty special but the formula's awesome too, for  a colour this light I would expect at least 3 coats for it to be opaque but it's really thick and creamy and only took 2. Winner.

Essie in Avenue Maintain - This is one of the first Essie polishes I ever bought and to this day it remains one of my favourites. The colour is super pretty, just a lovely sky blue that is perfect for springtime. I super love it. 

Nails Inc in  Kensington Park Road -  This is one of my most used nail polishes ever! Seriously you can actually see a line from where I've used it so much and with so many nail polishes that just doesn't happen very often. It is a really beautiful neon blue that demands attention, you can't not look at it. It's so pretty but bad ass at the same time. I love it so much. It is all the hearteyed emojis!

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine in Blueberry - This is the most gorgeous lilac toned cornflower blue, like Uptown Blue it has a neon quality that really stands out. The Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine's have a fabulous formula: opaque in 2 coats, reasonably long lasting with a shiny gel like finish - hence the name - and they're cheap as chips.  Lovely. 

What are your favourite nail polishes? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com. Also,f you have a minute check me out on instagram, bloglovin, facebook & pinterest.

Love love love xxx

Review of Rimmel I ❤️ Lasting Finish Nail Polish in Fancy a Dip?

Review of Rimmel I ❤️ Lasting Finish Nail Polish in Fancy a Dip?

Sunday, 8 March 2015

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I really didn’t need another polish to add to my increasingly  ridiculous nail varnish collection – at last count it was nearly 300! Excessive much?! – but after seeing this gorgeous neon sky blue how could I resist?! I couldn’t and I didn’t. 

I have really mixed feelings about this polish. On the one hand the colour is beautiful, on the other hand the formula is not.  I don't know if I got a bad batch or if the formula's just not very good, either way it's lacking. It was really watery, took FOUR coats to be opaque and even then was really streaky. I was so disappointed because the colour itself is stunning. Luckily it is incredibly similar to Barry M's Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint in Blueberry, which is equally gorgeous and has a much better formula.  

Have you tried Rimmel's Fancy a Dip? or Barry M's Blueberry? What did you think? Which do you prefer? Let me know on twitter, by commenting below or dropping me an email at lolarocknroses@gmail.com.  Also check me out on instagram, facebook, Bloglovin & pinterest. 

Have a lovely weekend and I'll be back on Tuesday.  

Until then... 

Love love love xxx

January Favourites 2015

January Favourites 2015

Monday, 9 February 2015

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Lasting Perfection Ultimate Wear Concealer in 2 Cool Medium

This is a new addition to my make up collection and I honestly don't know why it took me so long to buy it because it's amazing! I was a bit wary at first because I thought there was no way it could possibly live up to the all hype that surrounds it. But it totally does. And even if it didn't (but it does!), at £4.19 it was more than worth the investment.  I got the shade Cool Medium which I think might be the slightest bit too dark for me, I think I'm somewhere in between Fair and Cool Medium, but even so it's awesome. The formula is the real star, it is so covering, really long lasting, easily blendable and just wonderful, concealing goodness in a tube. I've been using it constantly and I love it so very, very much. 

Seventeen Phwoarr Paint in Fair

I have waxed lyrical about this super concealer on many occasions, so I'm not going to bang on about it too much. This concealer is a lifesaver, it covers blemishes and under eye circles like nothing else.  It's really creamy but so long lasting  and the coverage is excellent. I warm it up between my fingertips and dab it on the offending blemish  or my severe under eye baggage and it's like it was never there.

Ilcsi Grape Stem Cell Gel Mask

So my skin is still crap, I don't know why, because I take good care of it and drink plenty of water but it's still bad... but it's being particularly bad at the moment. I've been waking up to a new breakout every couple of days and it is NOT fun! Then I tried this Ilcsi mask, and whilst the breakouts are still happening, the rest of my skin is looking great. The mask itself feels quite strange against the skin but not unpleasant. It's a really thick, orange gel that has the consistency of marmalade but smells like marzipan.  The mask promises to regenerate and rejuvenate the skin through the highly concentrated power of grape stem cells which stimulates cell renewal and increases cell longevity leaving you with clearer, younger looking skin. I've been using it twice a week throughout January but could notice a difference from the first use. My pores look smaller, my skin is firmer and more radiant, it's just a shame that it's also covered in spots.  

Barry M Hi Shine Gelly Nail Paint

L-R: Sugar Apple, Elderberry, Almond & Rosehip

Top to Bottom: Rosehip, Almond, Elderberry & Sugar Apple

I wasn't loving a particular shade this month, although I did use all of these in January, the formula itself was my favourite. It's thick but easily workable, is opaque within two coats and the finish is gel-like (hence the name), super shiny and longer lasting than the average Barry M nail paint - which is pretty decent anyway - overall I was seriously loving the Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paints last month. 

Rhett & Link/Good Mythical Morning

Image via

If it's possible to have a Youtube problem then I definitely have one, and Rhett and Link are my latest habit. Once again I am so far behind the rest of the world because they've been around for years but they're a recent discovery of mine and I am legitimately obsessed and also a little bit in love with both of them, God save me I love a guy with a sense of humour!  I could watch their videos for days! (and have definitely done that)  because they're ridiculously funny. I've been listening to their podcast Ear Biscuits a lot too and have had to stop myself from LOLing in public.  I love them. 

Vlogbrothers

Image via

Another new Youtube revealation that is new only to me because the world  cottoned on to their awesome years ago.  I am a huge John Green fan so when I found out about the youtube channel he has with his brother Hank I was all over that business.  Their videos are seriously great. I can't find the words to tell you how amazing their videos are because the advent of the heart eyed emoji has robbed me of the ability to express enthusiasm but trust me they are seriously awesome!

Honest by Kodaline

Okay, I know I've mentioned Kodaline loads in the last month but me and Kodaline are having a bit of a moment -well I am, Kodaline aren't aware of it-  This song is from their new album (which I can't wait for!) and is all kinds of amazing. I've had it stuck in my head for the past 2 weeks and I love it. Have a listen and tell me what you think. 

Blank Space by Taylor Swift

Confession time I am not a huge Taylor Swift fan. There were a couple of her songs that I liked but other than that she wasn't my cup of Green Tea but I must admit her new album is making me think twice.  Tay Tay has upped her game and I love it. Now I haven't heard the whole album but I've heard a few songs and Blank Space (and Welcome to New York obvs!) is my favourite. It's amazing. 'Nuff said!

Those were my January Favourites, what were yours? Let me know by commenting below, on twitter or by dropping me an email lolarocknroses@gmail.com. While you're at it  check out my instagram, Bloglovin, facebook & pinterest. 

I'll be back on Tuesday with a new Lola Rocks. 

Until then... 

Love love love xxx 

*Disclaimer* I do not own the images of Rhett & Link/the Vlogbrothers  and the videos, they were used for entertainment purposes only. 

July Favourites

July Favourites

Monday, 11 August 2014

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So I operate at least a week behind the rest of the world which is why it has taken me this long to put together and post my July Favourites. Hey Ho better late than never.

Clarins Thirst Quenching Hydra-Care Serum

I have had this so long that I am not even sure if Clarins sells it anymore (I googled it, they do but it's been reformulated and looks different) I've been using this for the past couple of weeks as my skin has been in need of a bit of extra TLC and man has it delivered. It feels so silky against the skin and it is really hydrating. I'm always a bit wary of serums because my skin is so tricky - super sensitive, combination and blackhead prone - but this is really good. 

The Real Techniques Buffing Brush

I've been going through a bit of a Real Techniques obsession over the last month or so. My absolute favourite of all my make up brushes, both Real Techniques and otherwise, is the Buffing Brush. I have mentioned this brush so many times in the past 5 weeks or so (read about it here, here & here) and that is simply because it is amazing. It's synthetic so it doesn't absorb too much product so stops wastage and buffs it into the skin in seconds. It. Is. Amazing!   

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro Primer in 002.

This primer promises to Smooth, Resurface, Brighten, Mattify and Protect the skin and it does exactly that. It also gives my make up some serious staying power. Whilst it's not as amazing as Benefits The Porefessional it is good and costs a fraction of the price. Win. 

MAC Creme Amplified Lipstick in Girl About Town 

OH. MY. GOD. This lipstick. This lipstick. OH. MY. GOD. Girl About Town is one of the great beauty loves of my life. I've talked about this so much in the last month or so I won't bore you with the details (you can read about it here, here & here). It's amazing. 

Balance Me Daily Essentials Moisture Rich Face Cream 

I got this a while back and have been using it on and off for the past few weeks and I really like it. It smells gorgeous, like Turkish Delight and summer time. It is really moisturising and has a lovely non-greasy texture. 

Rimmel London's Match Perfection Concealer in Soft Beige

This concealer covers dark circles and blemishes and makes me look and feel all together more human. I've nearly gone through my first tube but I will definitely be repurchasing. 

Barry M Gelly Hi Shine Nail Paint in Sugar Apple

 The colour is gorgeous and summery and the formula is awesome. I am obsessed. In my vast collection of over 200 nail polishes (I have a problem!) this is my current favourite. In love. 


 Nivea Daily Essentials Refreshing Cleansing Mousse  

I've been using this every night for the past couple of weeks as the first step in my make up routine because it makes taking my make up off so much easier. It's not at all drying on the skin and foams into a mousse which is super fun. 

A non beauty favourite this month is The Lonely Island!

For those who don't know The Lonely Island are a comedy group made up of SNL alums Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone and Andy Samberg (the last of whom I have a massive crush on! What is it about a guy with a sense of humour...)Their songs are both hilarious and really good. My favourite is Yolo feat. Adam Levine because it is so funny but also a really good song, so catchy. The music videos are also worthy of a giggle. Loving them. 

So those were my July Favourites, what did you think? Agree? Disagree? Let me know via twitter @lolarocknroses or comment below. If you do comment I always try to reply so do check back. I'll be back tomorrow with a movie review of Guardians of the Galaxy. Until then if you'd like to read my June Favourites you can do so here and you can check me out on twitter, facebook, BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest. 

Love love love xxx

July Beauty & Fashion Haul 2014

July Beauty & Fashion Haul 2014

Sunday, 10 August 2014

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Now July was a particularly spendy month for me. And by that I mean the spending was pretty much constant. As a recovering strapped student having money is still something of a novelty to me and I seem to be on a mission to rid myself of it as soon as possible to return to my natural state of broke-ness. So before we get too far into August (although we are now 10 days in… oops) I thought I would share with you all the things I bought in July.

H&M Bowler Hat 

I saw this in H&M and just had to have it. It was a silly purchase but whenever I look at it I smile. I love it.

Topshop Ankle Boots 

I saw these boots in Topshop last October and it was love at first sight. But being a broke student at the time I couldn't afford the £80 it would cost to take them home with me. It just wasn't meant to be. Then a couple of weeks ago I was in Topshop and there they were, the last pair in my size. In the sale. £30 down from £80. It was fate. Well as you can imagine I snapped them up and I love them. They are so beautiful and yet so comfortable. I will be living in these come winter. 

Cream Lace Shoes from New Look

I got these for my Uncle's wedding a couple of weeks back for the ridiculously low price of £11 (they were on sale). I adore them, they are absolutely stunning and the comfiest high heels I have ever had the pleasure of having on my feet. I had these on from 10 o'clock in the morning until 11 o'clock at night and they didn't hurt at all. Sadly there was an unfortunate incident where I got one of the heels stuck in a grate and it snapped off. I was so upset and I just had to go back to New Look the next morning to get a replacement pair. I love them. 

ASOS Navy Pleated Skater Dress with Cream Panels 

I bought this dress for my Uncle's wedding, 3 days before the event I might add. I was looking for an outfit for weeks and weeks and couldn't find anything remotely nice until I saw this little lovely on ASOS. It looked gorgeous on, made me feel fabulous and cost £13 in the sale. Win.  

Real Techniques Brushes 

I don't need to talk more about my recent obsession with Real Techniques (you can read about them here & here). The brushes are amazing and soft and so ridiculously affordable and I love them. 

No 7  Eyeshadow Trios 

Cappuccino

Good Earth

I had some No 7 vouchers floating around and so decided to treat myself to a couple of new eyeshadow trios. The colours are nicely pigmented and have a good texture. They don't last as long as I'd like but even so I like them a lot. 

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer in 040 Soft Beige

Oh Rimmel you are so awesome! I've used it every day since I bought it and have nearly used up my first tube of this (I will definitely be re-purchasing.) I use it to cover the bags under my eyes and it just makes me look more human. It's more highlighting than it is covering but it's still awesome. 

No 7 Essential Moisture Day Cream

Another purchase made with No 7 vouchers. My skin was going through a really dry phase but this moisturiser has really helped. It has a thick and creamy consistency. I use it in the morning and it makes my skin feel so nourished. Big like for this Day Cream. 

MAC Amplified Creme Lipstick in Girl About Town

Oh this lipstick. I couldn't love it more if I tried. Read more about my love for it here, here and here. 

The Simpsons Lego Minifigures

I love The Simpsons. I love Lego. And I am a giant child so of course I had to get The Simpsons Lego. I have since added Ralph Wiggum (who is one of my favourite Simpsons' characters ever) and Krusty the Klown to my collection and I will be collecting them all. Because I'm cool that way. 

Sleek Face Form Pallet in Fair

Read about my thoughts on this contouring pallet here. 

Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint in Sugar Apple, Huckleberry and Almond

Sugar Apple

Huckleberry

Almond

These are my current Barry M faves. They are gorgeous! Particularly Sugar Apple. I love them. 

L'Oreal Paris True Match in Vanilla Rose 

This my favourite drug store foundation ever.'Nuff said.

Maybelline New York's Forever Strong Super Stay 7 Days Gel Nail Color

From left to right: Surreal, Nude Rose, Hot Salsa, Divine Wine & Extreme Blackcurrant. 

The thing I find with Maybelline is that as a brand it can be very hit and miss. Now whilst these don't last the 7 days they promise, they are nice. They're not my favourite nail polishes but the formula is good, the colours are nice (particularly Surreal and Nude Rose) and they do last a good few days before chipping. I like them but like I said not my favourite.

Maybelline New York's Baby Lips in Cherry Me and Pink Punch

As lip balms go these are ok. Not great, not terrible. Cherry Me was a Wish a couple of weeks ago (read about it here) and I really wasn't impressed with the pigmentation. Having said that they are both moisturising and smell nice.

Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick in 360 As You Want Victoria

This is a beautiful, glossy pink lipstick, it's so pretty. I love it. 

So that was what I was spending my hard earned pennies on last month. I've actually mentioned a lot of these on here before so I hope you guys don't feel like I'm saying the same thing over and over and beating you around the head with the same products. 

Anyway I will be back tomorrow with my July Favourites where some of these will be making a special guest appearance, apologies in advance. Until then check out my twitter, facebook, BlogLovin, instagram & pinterest or let me know your thoughts by commenting below. If you do comment I always reply so do check back. Happy Sunday! 

Love love love xx