IndieAna- In Search of the HolyGrail

I have plans of writing up some SOTD posts (scent of the day). Before I started doing this, I thought that I would show you my perfume collection first. This is my collection of indie perfume oils and a couple of solid perfumes, too. I store them in this jewelry holder, which hangs in my wardrobe. Now I know that this isn't an enviable collection of perfumes, but I've wanted to add to my bottled perfumes, without paying a fortune. I've succeeded in not spending a fortune, and for the time being, have enough bottles. I will begin replacing with perfumes that I class as my must-haves, which seem to keep adding to my mental wishlist!

To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of blue nail polishes. I love variations of blue, as in teal, aqua, etc, I even like a dark, dark, navy, but only because it is close to black. Unsurprisingly, blue does not take up much room in my nail polish collection, however, any excuse to purchase nail polish is a good one, so it was necessary to buy some of this shade. Hey, I'm good at justifying a beauty purchase!  As I had mentioned in my previous Sunday NOTD post, I had made quite a large nail polish order with Ozsale buying from the Layla range. I'm not completely sold on this shade 29, but the colour is growing on me. I love the subtle silver shimmer of this Ceramic Effect polish. The name of the finish is so fitting, it really dries to a ceramic look. Are you a fan of blue?

I love playing with makeup, something I enjoy seeing just as much, is other's makeup looks. I would really enjoy to share this experience with fellow like-minded bloggers. So, ladies I would be so happy for you to join with me in a little fun and interaction that I call "Come Play With Me". So, if you would like to participate, here's some simple guidelines (if you're anything like me, you need guidelines, or else forget it! lol) For starters, there needs to be a theme. All that want to participate leave a comment with a link to their version, all links will then be included in "Come Play With Me" posts. To keep the challenge moving, 2 weeks to submit looks would be ideal. The one to name the theme will pass the baton on to one of the participants, letting them know in their blog post comments section. This person offered the chance to choose a theme could kindly blog their theme in a short period of time. If there hasn't been a theme chosen in...

As I am noticing more and more signs of ageing, anti-ageing skincare has become very important to me. I've always considered vitamin A, or retinol, to be a key active ingredient to address various skin concerns. I did try prescription product Retin-A, but I hated how it made my skin itchy and flaky. Something I had not experienced before to that degree, I've only had to deal with the opposite problem, oily skin. I always considered this to be a terrible concern to try and combat, but seriously, dry, itchy, flaky skin really is the pits! Anyway, my hunt for a retinol based product that my skin was less likely to react to, brought me to a product from French brand, Avibon. I purchased Retinol Palmitate from ebay, blindly, as although I researched product reviews, I did not actually look for a list of ingredients...Vitamin A was enough to tempt me! Had I known that it was suspended in lanolin and, essentially, vaseline, I would not have bought it. The product comes in a med...

Today's installment showcases a brand that, until seeing it for sale on Ozsale, I had not heard of before. Being such a bargain price, I bought a few polishes from Italian brand, Layla, so you'll likely see a few posts with me wearing this brand on my digits. How gorgeous is this golden coral colour. It has what is labelled a "Softouch Effect". The best way that I can describe this finish is softer than a "sand", yet is textured.  I love it!

What I really appreciate about Valentine's Day is the beautiful feminine colours that it conjures, namely pinks and reds. Oh-so-pretty! This year I thought that I should go all out and create a makeup and corresponding nail look, and of course share with you! Face Garnier BB cream Dr LeWinn's Illuminser above cheekbones EDM Salon Fun blush Eyes Maybelline Color Tattoo Inked in Pink on lids Peachy shade from the Performance Colors trio on the center of my lid Frosted pink shade from 88 Warm palette to blend out from crease UD Midnight Cowboy Eyeliner on lower inner rim L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes mascara Lips Mirenesse Duet Lip Liner, using Rose Too Faced Whipped Lip Luxe in Couture Ok, onto the nails Apart from my pinky finger, I used OPI Animalistic for my base colour. OMG, I love this pinky red! Using Sally Hansen Xtreme Nail Polish in Pink Satin, I applied over 2 of the Animalistic bases. Simply using scrunched up cling wrap, I...

Nivea In-Shower Skin Conditioner is a body lotion that has been formulated to moisturise the skin whilst in the shower. This unique body product is actually activated by the use of water and immediately is absorbed by the skin. I wondered just how well a body moisturiser would work when it is, in theory, being washed off in the shower. However, the product intrigued me, it finally got the better of me and I had to buy it for myself. I chose the large 400ml bottle for very dry skin. Once I had washed with shower gel, I then lathered the white lotion all over my body, washing my skin whilst massaging in the product. I did find the bottle a little cumbersome, as it was somewhat difficult squeezing out product, holding onto the bottle and trying to apply. I think a pump dispenser would make for better packaging for ease of use. The scent was an unassuming fresh fragrance, that subtly lingered after towel drying.  One thing I did learn after my first application, was that I...

I love bright, warm, summery colours, especially so on my nails. Seeing as this summer in my part of the world has been so hot, I thought I would make my fingers "sizzle" with some warm colour. What colours conjure up a hot summers day like yellow, coral and red, with a hint of gold?? Keep reading, and you'll see what I mean :) I began with LA Girls Metal for my base colour. It is quite a sheer gold for my liking, but 2 or 3 coats resulted in the opaque finish that I wanted. Using 3 strokes of polish, Ulta3 Honolulu, Maybelline Color Show Coral Crush and Mirenesse Burlesque Strip, I then used a toothpick (surprise, surprise) to stripe across the colours. This blended the polishes slightly, whilst giving a starburst effect. I love how the gold becomes a feature by peeking through the design. What's your favourite summer time colour?

Although I love to create various nail art looks, I also have polishes that I adore the look on their own. I wanted to start this series, so that I could showcase some of my favourite polishes. Although, these posts will predominantly include the one polish, sometimes I'll use a glitter suspended in clear, in this case I'll most likely use a coloured base. Like today :) I've had Sally Hansens Money Talks for some time. I pick it up to admire the beautiful champagne and lilac glitter. Compared to a lot of glitter toppers, it is quite subtle, yet would take too much away from nail art if it was to be applied on top. I wanted to share this look for you, as it is truly a beautiful, elegant topper. I wanted a complimentary base, so used Zoya Austine. I just love the finish of Money Talks over Zoya's champagne base. I really would have liked the camera to have picked up more of the pretty lilac glitter, but take my word for it, if you haven't already s...

It seems like some time since I've posted a FOTD. To be honest, I haven't really been inspired by any of my makeup looks to showcase one on my blog. Lately, I have been quite simplistic with my looks, and when I used some vibrant colour onto my lids, I thought it would be great to share with you. Face Primer- Skin 79 BB cream Foundation- Ja-De Advance Wear Foundation Finishing Powder- The All Natural Face Apricot Kisses Glow Blush- L'Oreal blush that appears to have it's label rubbed off. Now that I have hit pan on this blush, I feel compelled to keep using it. I'm glad that I like it! lol Eyes Inner lid- The highlight shade from the 6 pan palette Lid- Some Evil Shades Panic, over the burgundy shade from the 6 pan palette. I have created a couple of looks using Panic, you can see here  that it is not quite as intense on its own. Crease colour is a dark brown with green shift. I blended out the crease with a neutral shade from the 88 Warm palette...

Because I have so many beauty products sitting unused, I'm going to try not to buy what I have too much of, which is pretty much everything beauty related. I know I'm not that long off my no-buy, but I need to stop being such a hoarder. Easier said than done, but I thought I could include a new series "Window Shopping" to showcase products that I am lusting after. Hopefully this will fill my beauty shopping void..time will tell, lol! Thierry Muglar Angel- I recently finished a dupe oil of this and now require the real thing! Rimmel Apocolips Lip Lacquer- No I have not been hiding under a rock, but I have way too many lip products that I want to get through, so I will just keep lusting after this gloss. Will power do not leave me now! Covergirl 3-in-1 Outlast Foundation- I have read enough rave reviews to know that I must try this foundation! Alas, I have a few foundations to get through first. My plan is to only own one back-up foundation, getting throu...