Autumn/Winter Nail Polishes: Copper & Bronze

This is part two of my autumn/winter nail polish recommendations, if you missed my first post on the best berry toned polishes check out the full post HERE!

Nails are a great way to express your fall fashion loves - they subtlety add life to an outfit, can draw a whole outfit of different colours together in one go and can add a pop of colour to the darker winter days. Bronzes and browns are a particular favourite because you can get so many different shades that can create entirely different looks - a particular trend is the metallic nail so I've included some metallics, some glittered and some more subtle toned too. Here are my top four favourite bronze toned nail polishes for Autumn 2012 (Note: To gauge the look, pictures of all of the varnishes on my nails can be found in the polish reviews)!

From left:

Essie Nail Polish in Penny Talk 

A reflective pinky copper polish  - a metallic colour with an interesting final look but at the high end of the nail polish market. Check out my full review of the polish HERE.

Accessorize Metallized Nail Polish in Copper

A bronze tone that definately lives up to its 'metalised' claim - the edges of the polish, although clean, seemed to dirty like the metal was rusting, creating a fascinating look. Check out my full review of the polish HERE.

Collection 2000 Lasting Colour Nail Polish in Fudge Brownie

A light, subtle, pinky brown tone - at only £3.99 and available across the high street, its well worth the price with great staying power. Check out my full review of the polish HERE.

Max Factor Max Effect Nail Polish in Red Bronze

A sparkly bronze with a deep red highlight. Needs a lot of coats to give a great look but its well worth the time! Check out my full review of the polish HERE.

What are your favourite bronze, copper and brown toned nail polishes for fall - let me know in the comments as I'd love to try them out!

Accessorize's Luxe Bags Collection

Last week, Accessorize revealed their new line of signature handbags - named the 'Luxe Bags' line, the collection is made up of 8 handbags in a selection of colours. Including a backpack, totes, crossbody bags and clutches, the bags are quite unlike the usual pieces you find at Accessorize nowerdays. 

I for one, go in there knowing that I'll find an individual and uniquely stylish bag which is bohemian yet modern and professional looking at the same time - that's why so many of my bags come from that store because they're such a great mix of styles.  This is a very formal collection and for me, I feel that's quite different for them - perhaps their looking to cater for an older audience, as I can't see too many of these styles (especially the backpack) being worn by the younger generation. 

Saying that, I do love the clutch and think it would be perfect for a prom or night out, and I have no doubt I'll be seeing these bags on everyone soon enough!

What do you think of this new collection? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

Image Source: Accessorize Facebook

Accessorize Autumn/Winter 2012 Preview

Earlier this week, press and bloggers were invited to Accessorize's Autumn/Winter 2012 Preview at their London headquarters. With a huge range of handbags, woolen winter warmers, jewelry and more, there are definately a number of things I would love to try (I particularly love the Owl bag which you can glimpse in one of the photos). I wish I could've attended - the event looks like it was fabulous and I'm very impressed by their new collection.

Check out some of my favourite pictures from the set-up below and take a look at the full collection preview HERE.

Today's Nails: Accessorize Metalized Nail Varnish in Copper

Today I'm wearing Accessorize's Metalized Nail Varnish in Copper. I picked this up in the 3 for 2 sale at Superdrug earlier this week (as you can see in my recent haul HERE).

The polish itself claims to be a one coat varnish so, following the instructions, I stuck to one coat. It was definitely opaque in one coat as the liquid itself is very thick but it chipped within hours so to ensure no chips, I would certainly recommend two coats or a topcoat.

The colour itself is...interesting to say the least. I like the actual colorway as its a copper colour with hints of brown, pink and gold depending upon the light. Obviously the polish gives a "metalized" look but to me, the colour looks a bit dirty - especially around the edges - it looks as though you've got black stuff all over your fingers even when your hands are clean. This part definitely reflects the "metalized" claim as the "dirty" look seems to give the nails that edge just like metal does.

One thing I noticed about this polish was the smell - I've never experienced a smell so strong from nail varnish. It seemed to hang around the room for hours afterwards and I had to make sure I closed the bottle tight after each few nails to give myself the chance to breathe properly - it was quite unbelievable.

I can't actually find this nail varnish anywhere online (which is a bit weird!) but you can check out Accessorize's full nail polish collection HERE. I would give this product a 6/10.

Mini Spring Haul

I've never done a haul post before but I brought a few bits and bobs in the pouring rain in town this morning so thought I'd share them. I visited Boots, Superdrug, H&M, New Look, Topshop and more but not too many clothes caught my eye (at least none that were within my price range). I did pick up 6 pieces though and was excited to see that there is now an Essie stand in my local Boots - YAY -  I love Essie Nail Polishes! 

Anyway... here's what I brought! Let me know what products you've picked up recently in the comments below!

H&M Smokey Eye Eyeshadow Brush (Top Brush in Above Pic)

The brush itself is very soft and the handle is quite nice too with the thinner end for the crease brush and the thicker end for the blending brush. At only £1.99 I thought it was a steal!

H&M Eyeshadow Brush (Bottom Brush in Above Pic)

Its quite a big brush for your eyeshadow - but again, its very soft and I hope will give a nice smooth finish when applying eyeshadow! Again, it was £1.99 so pretty cheap if you ask me.

H&M Sunglasses

I can't find these sunglasses online but I love the shape of this style of sunnies and haven't got this tortoise style colour so thought I'd give them a go. These were £5.99 which was reasonable too - I try to make my sunglasses last for a season and then I'll just buy another pair next year!

Max Factor Max Effect Mini Nail Polish in Fantasy Fire (Left)

I've heard and read a lot about this nail varnish and when I saw they had one bottle left at Superdrug, I knew it was a sign! Swatched it briefly on a nail when I got home and the consistency is very thin - took four coats to get to opaque but I will do a full review soon!

Accessorize Metalized Nail Polish in Copper (Middle)

I can't find this colour online anywhere but I like the metallic look and have had good past experiences with Accessorize cosmetic products, so thought I'd give their nail polishes a try!

Max Factor Max Effect Mini Nail Polish in Silver (Right)

It was three for two on cosmetics in Superdrug and I'd already found two nail varnishes I really liked and this bottle looked really nice! Did a quick swatch on a nail when I got home and this is a very glitter heavy nail polish with not that much colour so I think this'll end up being a glittery topcoat to a base colour.

Accessorize Baked Eyeshadow Trio in "The Good & The Bad"

I thought I would put together a bit of a review for one of my go-to make-up products - Accessorize's Baked Eyeshadow Trio in "The Good & The Bad".  

This was my first use of a baked eyeshadow and I was really impressed. I had thought that it would be really difficult to get the product itself onto the eyeshadow brush as it is really hard in the packaging but they are quite powdery and it applies perfectly with no creases. The colours themselves are wearable and consist of a dark brown, a light pink with browny hints and a medium brown with blue hints - all three feature quite a bit of sparkle. Also all three colours are easily blendable with each other which is great as you can change your look just by using more or less of one particular shade. It doesn't take to much product to get a good layer of colour on your eyelid and creates a floorless fun look!

I actually brought this last summer so this particular range of colours is no longer available however the Baked Eye Shadow Trio's are available in other colours in Accessorize Stores, Superdrug and online!

I have swatched the colours below in order as they are in the trio, so you can see what the colour payoff is!

Accessorize Ladylike Turnlock Tote [Review]

This is the Accessorize Ladylike Turnlock Tote which is my current handbag and has been since August!

Positives - I'm really happy with the way this bag has lasted - often with the use that my bags get (I generally tote them every day for months on end before getting a new one!) they end up a little damaged, good enough to tote but a little damaged (the inside lining will get ripped a bit or the detailing on the outside might fall off). However, this bag seems to have lasted the distance. The size is great - it can fit my books for uni in easily amongst all the other bits and bobs I keep in my bag. Its super easy to tote on your arm, carry by hand or sling on your shoulder and looks great in all three ways! Also, its super easy to dress up - on a few occasions, I tied scarves on to the handles to give the bag that extra bit of individuality!

Negatives - I only have two minor criticisms. With all my uni books inside it, the handle has stretched slightly and you can feel when there is weight in the bag that there is a little too much give in the handle. Its fine though, hasn't damaged and doesn't feel like its going to break but it would be better if there wasn't that much give. My other criticism is with the poppers on the side of the bag to make the opening larger. They are REALLY hard to close again - you have to put a lot of strength behind them to get them to pop closed again.

The Accessorize Ladylike Turnlock Tote is still available to purchase in stores however not in the same colorway as my bag! Hopefully, I'll be able to spend some of my Christmas money on a new bag but I have loved this one and will definitely be toting it again soon!