NEW Collection Gel Nail Colour review!

During my lunch break I like to try and take a walk around, and working near Argyle Street in Glasgow means I'm never too far away from some shops to have a wander in! I noticed today on Twitter that Collection were releasing new 'gel' nail paints so I thought I'd head to Superdrug to check them out. When I got there I discovered that Superdrug currently has 3 for 2 on all cosmetics and lashes (great offer!) Whenever an offer like that's on I try to think about what I actually need, so I actually save money in the long run instead of just buying more random stuff...to fill my already overflowing make up drawer!

Anyways, I found the Collection polishes and decided to go for the 'Soft Peach' colour as I seem to suit coraly/pinky nail colours the best. 

I would have liked the polish to have gone on a little bit brighter, but I was impressed with the pearly/shiny finish. It took around 2/3 coats to get a really opaque coverage, which I think was due to my light colour choice. For £3.19 I'd say they are a great buy and with 15 colours to choose from I'm sure they'll be really popular. The 'coral reef' shade looks gorgeous!


I've already tried the Barry M 'Gelly Nails'...I wonder what brands we'll see joining the 'gelly' bandwagon next?

Price - £3.19 (buy here)

Colour - Soft Peach 13

Finish - Very shiny, pearlescent effect

Staying power - need to check in a few days but seems good so far!
Plus point - wide application brush
Any bad points - took a few coats to get full coverage but I think that might have been down to my colour choice

Overall - 4/5

Melissa on Google+

MUA Power Pout in Rendezvous review!

I was excited to try MUA's latest offering of 'Power Pouts' after seeing a lot of hype about them online!

I've bought a few things from MUA before and you can't really go wrong as the products are so cheap but I've always been happy with what I've bought! (I'd thoroughly recommend their highlighting powder!!)

There are 6 colours in the Power Pout range and I opted for 'Rendezvous' which had a kind of browny/nude coloured packet. When applied the product goes on more of a light pink/nude colour rather than brown (like the packaging). It has a nice minty flavour and glides on easily leaving a glossy finish (but no stickiness) 

The product is described as being a 'tint and balm' but I'd say it goes on more like a very moisturising lipstick. For £3.00 it's a definite bargain and I think I'll pick up another one next time I'm in Superdrug....possibly 'Runway' which looks a cool bright coral colour!

Price - £3.00 (buy here)

Colours - Rendezvous: goes on a light pink/brown colour

Finish - Glides on, not sticky, glossy look.

Staying power - Need to re-apply after eating and drinking.
Plus point - Easy twist up design and minty flavour!

Overall - 4.5/5

Melissa on Google+

Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint by Barry M - Review!

To celebrate the first 'day of Summer' (where did Spring go?!) here's a look at some of the new Barry M Gelly nail paints in some brilliant summer colours. I picked these up at Superdrug a couple of weeks ago during their 3 for 2 promotion. 

I'd paid for gel manicures in the past so I was keen to try out these polishes which had been touted as giving you a similar looking finish.

I chose the colours Blueberry, Papaya and Lychee as I fancied a change and they weren't like any polishes I already had in my collection! 

I needed two coats to get the best looking coverage and here's where I encountered the one problem with these polishes - they seem to take ages to dry! After waiting a few minutes (around the time it takes for other polishes to dry) and touch-testing they seemed okay so I got on with whatever else I was doing only to discover big marks where the polish had scraped off...

I don't quite know if the polishes quite replicate a gel manicure but there are some fun colours (Blueberry is definitely my favourite now) and the final coverage is nice and shiny (just be sure to sit tight for a while after painting your nails!)

302 - Blueberry

65 - Papaya

313 - Lychee

Price - £3.99 (3 for 2 in Superdrug)

Colours - Nice and bright! Need two coats for full coverage.

Finish - Smooth and shiny.

Drying time - 10 minutes+ to completely dry.
Staying power - Lasts well, couple of chips at the tops of nails after 2 days.
Downsides - Takes quite a while to fully dry.

Overall - 4/5

Melissa on Google+

Review: St.Moriz fake tan mousse

 The past few days I've not had to scrape ice off my car in the morning, and Mr.sun has made a few rare appearances so I'm well and truly declaring it time to get the old pins tanned up again! 

I've been using St Moriz fake tan mousse for years and swear buy it. It gives you a nice natural colour, and doesn't break the bank! When applying it you'll definitley want to use plastic gloves or a mit to save your hands getting a bit of a leathery look - I've been buying ones like this from ebay.

You can buy a 200ml bottle of the mousse in Watt Brothers, Superdrug (I think) for around £4.99, but you can get it in Semi-Chem for £2.99!

I've tried the spray mist in the range too, but it was a bit messy and I ended up giving the walls/floor/wardrobe more of a bronze glow than myself. You can also get a 'dark' colour, but by dark....boy do they mean dark!

I'll definitely be using this in Summer 2013, I'd also be quite interested to see a gradual tan/summer skin type product from them!


Price - £2.99

Colour - Medium - natural golden brown once washed off (brown guide colour shows you where it's been applied)

Texture - mousse that rubs in quite liquidy

Smell - not too bad at all

Staying power - lasts 2-3 days (also re-applies well)
Downsides - goes on darker at dry bits (knees, elbows)

Overall - 4/5

Review: Miss Sporty Perfect Colour Lipstick

Miss Sporty - Perfect Colour Lipstick 'I poke' - Buy here

How exciting, this is my first ever post for 'Beauty and the Bargain' 
I was in Superdrug the other day having a nosey and came across the Miss Sporty stand which was looking very colourful with it's new spring collection. It's not usually a brand I would buy, but I noticed the bargain prices and couldn't resist. I picked up a lipstick for £2.59 and couldn't be happier with it. It's a gorgeous peachy/pink colour, goes on really smoothly and has a nice fruity taste - I'll definitely be going back to see what other colours they have. Do you use Miss Sporty products? -  Leave a comment below!

Price - £2.59

Colour - peachy pink/coral

Texture - glides on and feels nice & smooth

Taste/Smell - fruity!

Staying power - Needs topping up after eating/drinking

Overall - 4.5/5 a lovely lipstick for the bargain price!