Category: Mini Mani Month 2013

11 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Jingle Belle

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11 Dec Text

The first, and only, glitter of the bunch was under the 11th door of the Ciate advent calender: it’s Jingle Belle!

11 Dec Montage

This seems to be an exclusive for the calendar, and is a hot pink glitter with gold sparkles. I applied it over the top of Kiss Chase, from 8 Dec, which gave it a very pink base underneath.

11 Dec nails

As you can see, depending on the light, the colour appears either coral or pink – but either way, it was very pretty! I was initially worried about how well it would apply. Considering that the glitter is very fine, I thought it would go everywhere, and be difficult to remove from your fingers. But a quick wipe with some tissue (dampened if needs be!) worked a charm, and it’s even fairly easy to remove compared to some other glittery top coats. Again, nice job, Ciate! I definitely want to try out some different glitter top coats now!

11 Dec glitter

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10 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Speed Coat

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10 Dec text

Top coat is a funny old thing. It seems essentially useless and is incredibly boring to contemplate, but actually, it’s one of the most important parts of any girl’s nail varnish stash. The right top coat not only makes your colour last longer, but it can also fix bumps and lumps in the finish, and even set your varnish faster – and harder. I’m a long time convert to Seche Vite, just like any other nail blogger, so I was interested to see what Ciate had to offer.

10 Dec opening

Colours are always exciting, but an essential like this is good to have in a sample size for travelling, and it’s great as a way of convincing those who aren’t quite sure yet that that top coat is actually worth using! Not only does it hold your caviar manis in place, but it also brings out the shine in other top coats.

Ciate says: “Speed Coat is an award winning Formaldehyde free top coat which guarantees touch dry nails in sixty seconds, locks in colour and can extend colour wear. Taking the nail industry by storm, this formula has won many industry awards since its 2008 launch. Including U Magazine’s Best Top Coat award. A high gloss finish and chip free for up to 10 days, this gorgeous product delivers a perfect performance.” You can purchase the new and improved formula here – currently priced at £11.

10 Dec montage

Here’s yesterday’s Pillow Fight, layered with Halo, on the left. On the right, I’ve topped Halo with Speed Coat. As you can see, even in the incredibly subtle medium of photography, there’s a much glossier shine on the Speed Coat version – and it was much more pronounced in real life. Speed Coat is an impressive blend – thick, easy to apply, and it brought out a deeper shine on my finished nails. A keeper!

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9 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Pillow Fight

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9 Dec text

Under the door today is Pillow Fight, a deep and moody purple with a playful side!

9 Dec opening

Ciate says: “Creamy delicate grey with the smallest hint of lilac, innocent looking with an edge. Get ready to release your playful side.” You can buy a full bottle here.

9 Dec montage

The straight up colour is on the left, and on the right is OPI’s matte top coat over it. And I thought I’d pose with my favourite trinket – a ceramic pot which used to hold Fortnum’s relish, but now holds my earrings on my bedside table!

As for the colour itself, I’d argue this is purple with a hint of grey, rather than the other way around – and it’s Christmas, so that means arguing is pretty much par for the course!

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8 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Kiss Chase

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8 Dec Text

It’s bright, neon pink for Sunday, with Ciate’s Kiss Chase – under door number eight of my advent calendar!

8 Dec Opening Montage

What can I say other than this is unashamedly girly.? Ciate’s decription reads: “A dreamy pink to make the boy’s wink, super girly and sure to become the Paint Pot equivalent of your BFF. Bold high coverage one coat colour with luminous pastel tendencies. Pucker up!” Buy a pot here.

8 Dec Montage

Bold pink is not really my thing, but even Kiss Chase is growing on me! And what do you think of the matte version, on the right? (By the way, I added three coats to my nails, because it seemed slightly sheer to me, somehow! But then, I was painting my nails at 2.30 in the morning!)

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7 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Fit For A Queen

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7 Dec Text

Today it was like Christmas on the Starship Enterprise, thanks to the sci-fi glam of Fit For A Queen!

7 Dec Opening Montage

Here’s Ciate’s decription: “A classic chrome silver. Just what you need to finish that super duper sequinned dress. Think liquid platinum, full of glamour and seduction. Team with your favourite silver studded boots for the glam rock look or with a LBD for sexy sophistication.” You can buy a full bottle here.

7 Dec Montage

I tried Fit For A Queen with matte top coat (top right), Ciate’s Snow Globe from earlier in the month (bottom left) and Pirouette My Whistle from OPI (bottom right). Which one is your favourite? I probably sound like a stuck record, but I’m digging the matte effect!

7 Dec

Couldn’t resist posing with my latest favourite purchase: the beautiful Zara necklace that Kate Middleton was wearing on the red carpet this week – and of course, it was also seen on the delightful Mary Berry during Graham Norton’s show! Sadly, it’s now sold out, but you can bag one on eBay if you don’t mind paying a premium!

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6 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Sugar Plum

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6 Dec Text

A pretty pastel shade for Friday – it’s Sugar Plum under door number six of Ciate’s Mini Mani Month advent calendar!

6 Dec Opening

Ciate’s description reads: “Baby doll parmaviolet. Delicious creams create a colour perfect for the spring and summer. Unique and flirtatious that screams pass me my floral skirt and pussybow blouse.” You can purchase a full bottle here.

Pastel shades aren’t really my thing, although this is a pretty shade if you want to fully embrace your girly side!

6 Dec Montage

I also gave it a whirl under a matte top coat (bottom left – although I didn’t really dry it enough, the finish is much more matte than it appears there!). What do you reckon to this colour – are you a Sugar Plum fairy?!

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5 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Encore!

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5 Dec text

Today’s door held a rather sophisticated and restrained orange: meet Encore!

5 Dec Encore Opening

Encore! is so new that I got an email (well timed, Ciate!) about its launch today, as part of the Dragonfly Collection (six bottles for £40 – viewable here.) Encore’s description reads: “This muted orange is perfect for wearing all-year-round as an alternative to a classic red.” You can purchase it as an individual bottle here. I definitely appreciate Ciate slipping in a brand new shade for the advent calendar – yet another reason to purchase one if you haven’t already!

5 Dec Encore Montage

At first I was a bit hesitant about this shade, as orange isn’t really my thing, but it grew on me, and by the end of the day I really appreciated its understated glamour. As a bonus, I wore it to Highclere Castle’s Christmas fair (where they film Downton Abbey), and I felt it was very appropriate given its vintage vibe – although Lady Mary would probably have been shocked!

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4 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Miss Mistletoe

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4 Dec text

Behind door number four is the beautiful and glamorous Miss Mistletoe! I was very excited to try out the month’s first sequin set and I wasn’t disappointed.

4 Dec Opening montage

Miss Mistletoe isn’t available to buy separately from Ciate’s site, but you can still buy sets with sequins included, like the emerald set, which also has caviar, velvet and a full sized lacquer, all in green of course!

4 Dec montage

The sequins are pink and gold, and perfect for a luxe take on festivities! I love the name too – I definitely like getting nods to Christmas in the advent calendar, as pretty much everything I do in December revolves around Christmas, so it’s nice to co-ordinate! I really think this is a contender for a New Year’s Eve mani, too – that gold is just gorgeous.

4 Dec colour explosion 640

It’s easy to apply too, although you will end up with sequins everywhere – just like Ciate’s caviar, you simply paint your nail the desired colour, then pour the sequins over the top, press to firm everything up, then allow the excess to fall off. You may have to tidy the edges and remove any sequins not quite flush. Then, for added protection, paint a top coat over everything to keep it in place!Square logo initials

3 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Hopscotch

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3 Dec Hopscotch Text

You are now witness to my confession – I actually broke this colour out in October for Halloween, before I bought some full sized orange nail varnish. I regret nothing! Ciate’s site describes it as: “As refreshing as a tall glass of fizzy orange soda with a swirly straw, this delicious bright pop shade is colour blocking heaven and a huge dose of colour for happy fingers and toes.” You can purchase a bottle here.

3 Dec Hopscotch Opening

Hopscotch is the perfect Halloween orange – cheery, bright and peppy! I also love it with a matte top coat too!

3 Dec Hopscotch montage

You probably can’t quite see in the image, but on the lower left I have left the tips with a shiny finish… A bit subtle for my iPhone camera! I really like the simple matte look of this colour – I think it really highlights the beauty of this orange shade.

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2 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Boudoir

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2 Dec text Boudoir

The second day of Mini Mani Month brings with it one of my favourite colours for nails – red, in the form of Boudoir!

2 Dec opening Boudoir

Ciate’s site describes it as: “A sassy flirtatious red. Pink may make the boys wink, but this red will knock ’em dead. Team with that figure hugging dress and killer heels to unleash your inner diva.” (Buy it here.)

A bit heartier and darker than last year’s cheery bright Mistress, and lighter than the brooding Dangerous Affair, this is another brilliant red for Christmas. The only criticism I’d give it is that it’s very slightly sheer – I used two coats (plus bottom and top coat) and my nails were still slightly visible.

2 Dec montage Boudoir

I decided to have a little fun with a matte top coat (from OPI), and then tipped my nail’s with last year’s Ladylike Luxe for a festive finish! I’d definitely recommend this one for anyone who was after a classic red for nails. It practically screams Christmas.

2 Dec Bleached

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