Category: Mini Mani Month

6 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Angel Wings

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Day six of the Mini Mani Month, and today’s colour is Angel Wings, a pretty, shimmery white. Ciate says: “The perfect pretty pearl. Clean fresh and perfect for the ultimate high fashion look. Team with your cropped jacket and pearls for a finish of class and luxury.”

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In all honesty, I found this hard to apply – it was quite streaky and I needed three coats to get rid of all traces of my nail colour. Also, because my nails often peel (ugh, I know), the shimmer caught the imperfections of my nails and showed them up, rather than helping to conceal them.

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That said, the colour is very pretty and pearlescent, especially under soft lighting.

I had a Christmas present delivery today for my sister in law, and of course, I couldn’t resist adding a little something for myself too (the old one for me, one for you rule, I’m sure you’re familiar with it…) – a lovely new bottle of Pirouette My Whistle from OPI, which is part of the New York City Ballet collection, but is also beautiful for frosty, winter nails! It’s a subtle glitter in a clear top coat, with white hexagonal shapes inside (tricky to get those to stay on my nails, but I persevered!).

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I think it adds the perfect festive finish to these nails – an extra dimension of Christmassy-ness!

5 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Cabaret

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Aah, I really love those bows… Do you think everything would be better with a little bow on it? Looking around my study: Coca Cola can – yes. Computer screen – yes. iPad – yes. Keyboard – yes. Cat – yes! Could it be, I am onto something? Let me wander further… hmm, the bathroom. Toilet – err… Okay, I give up. Bows have their place in life – and I definitely think they look like they belong on these pretty Ciate bottles!

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Onto the colour! Today, it’s another creme – Cabaret! The website says: “Creamy purple with lashings of pink. The perfect mix of cuteness and sophistication. Incredible when paired with dark suits for stylish work wear.”

I love these style tips from Ciate, it really adds something to the description and lets your imagination run wild. Cabaret is also the colour paired with the Berry Poncho Velvet Manicure Set, which is sold out (boo!). I’d love to try the velvet one day – I have the Blue Suede version, but I haven’t had a chance to use it yet. Let’s say, I’ve had my hands full trying all these other shades. HO HO HO!

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In other news, yesterday I tweeted a picture of my Prom Queen Caviar Manicure to @ciatenails – and won a matching Paint Pot! Every day this month the company is giving away a matching Paint Pot – all you have to do is tweet your photo to them and add #minimanimonth. Great fun! I hope everyone gets a chance to join in so we can all see your lovely nails!

4 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Prom Queen

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Yay! My first ever Ciate Caviar! I’ve been dying try these out ever since I heard about them, so this morning was like an early Christmas for me!

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The calendar comes with a cute little funnel to pour the beads back into the bottle when you’re done. I’d read about how to do these Caviar manicures on various blogs, so I knew what to do – and it was very easy, I have to say! I’m not sure what I thought would be hard about it, but it was very quick and simple to pour the beads onto my wet nail, push down, and then repour for extra coverage. I applied it over a plate with a sheet of greaseproof paper on it, so I could just fold the paper up and pour back into the bottle, and it all went without a hitch. I only did one nail on each hand, because I didn’t want to get carried away – plus, I cook a lot and I didn’t want to shed baubles into my fajitas tonight (oo er!).

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As for the Caviar itself, it was everything I hoped for and more! Again, not a colour I would have picked for myself, but I love it – the mixture of blue, silver and pink is very pretty, and the nail’s texture is divine. There are also pieces of flat, hexagonal, reflective discs in the pot, which add a bit of interest to the baubles.

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I’m very impressed with how well the baubles are sticking to my nail at the moment – I applied top coat to the tips, but all of the balls feel very sturdy. However, the test will be whether they can withstand a shower – I’m betting not, but I’ll let you know tomorrow!

3 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Halo

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Third of December already! Today, it’s Halo! The website description reads: “Let this beautiful colour see the light and you are sure to see the rainbow. A delicate pearl that can be built up or left for a natural irridescent glow on the nail. Perfect for those who like a barely there look with a smile-inducing twist.”

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It’s a beautiful, ethereal and girly colour, with flecks of shimmery pink and blue embedded in it – I wore it with three layers to create a stronger look.

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It’s a very subtle festive look – I’m definitely feeling in the Christmas mood now!

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2 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Dangerous Affair

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2 Dec Dangerous Affair Ciate Mini Mani Month (1) 2 Dec Dangerous Affair Ciate Mini Mani Month (2)

Ooo, I love this red! Red nail varnish is definitely my thing!

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Dangerous Affair is a very rich, dark red creme – the website describes it as: “Stunningly beautiful burgundy colour. Looks fabulous with a crisp white shirt and light blue skinny jeans.”2 Dec Dangerous Affair Ciate Mini Mani Month (6)

Love that style idea – in my imagination, this is the kind of thing a glossy, carefree gal would wear on a casual lunch date with her friends, perhaps with her hair pulled into a high pony tail, minimal make-up, and a great big leather tote. I think I have an overactive imagination, maybe…

What do you guys think? I’m only two days in to this advent calendar project, and loving it!

1 Dec: Ciate Mini Mani Month – Cupcake Queen

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It’s 1 December, and that can only mean one thing!

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It’s day one of my Mini Mani Month!

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Today, it’s Cupcake Queen. The website describes it like this: “A loveable Barbie pink shade with a very subtle blue shimmer. Reach for this bright colour to exude feel good vibes to the world. Team this with a sunny vibrant personality.”

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That blue shimmer might be hard to see on film, but it adds an intriguing edge to this bubblegum pink colour.

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I have to say, I never would have chosen this shade myself, but that was kind of the point of getting this set – to try new things and different colours, and see if I can find some new favourites. 1 Dec Cupcake Queen Ciate Mini Mani Month (1)

They do look snazzy up against my black keyboard, though! It’s been fun having pink nails for the day, and the blue shimmer gives it an extra dimension – but I can’t wait for tomorrow… I’m like a kid in a sweet shop!

Ho ho ho, it’s a Ciate Mini Mani Month ahead!

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Well, well, well – look what got delivered to my house today!

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I decided to treat myself to an advent calendar with a difference this year, and the Ciate Mini Mani Month looked so enticing I couldn’t resist! (Especially as I was lusting after the Caviar pearls – four colours inside!) Expect an update every day in December (well, up until Christmas Eve!) with a brand new shade…