Models Own Ibiza Mix - A Rainbow Connection dupe

For the most part my nails tend to stay shimmer free, but on the odd occasion, I do like to add a bit of bling (or in this case, a lot of bling) to my manicure. My 'go to' glitter for the past six months has been Rainbow Connection, a limited edition sparklefest from OPI's last Christmas collection.

Alas, like all well loved, LE products, it was running out, and with no back ups in place I was beginning to get worried. You see, I've never loved another glitter polish quite like I do Rainbow Connection; it's so over the top, bordering almost on garish, but yet still seriously gorgeous all at the same time.

Oh and of course wonderfully unique. Or so I thought...

While aimlessly browsing in Boots (as you do) a few weeks ago I came across this sparkly shade in Ibiza Mix; one of the five new(ish) Models Own polishes from their collaboration with party people, Hed Kandi.

My heart almost skipped a beat when I saw it on the stand, could this be dupe worthy for Rainbow Connection and solve my dilemma?


Well, the answer is yes. They aren't completely identical but they are, however, pretty darn similar.

Both bottles are full to the brim with multi-coloured shimmer in every shade, size and shape of glitter particle imaginable with only the tones differing. Ibiza Mix contains slightly warmer hues, with gold as the base glitter, while Rainbow Connection is packed with a slightly cooler silver shimmer.

 Ibiza Mix on the nails.

This polish is a real kaleidoscope of twinkling colour that looks great worn alone, as you can see on my ring finger or on top, over a simple base colour.

Personally, I like to wear it over black if I'm doing a fully blinged out mani, but I've also worn it over navy, red and purple. The great thing about these multi-coloured varnishes is that you can create different combinations all the time, they seem to work with most shades.

Close up!

Although, Ibiza Mix may not be the exact spitting image of my fave polish, it is close enough to class as a dupe, I feel.  Definitely take a look at it if you missed OPI's Rainbow Connection or failed to buy a back up, like me.

Oh and luckily, it's less than half the price of OPI at only a fiver, bargain. The Model's Own site also have a great deal on at the moment if your tempted, six polishes for £20! Link :)

What LE products are worrying about running out of? I'd love to know and of any dupes you have for some!
xxx

Salute! - a sublime salmon

My unforeseen blogging absence has caused rather a big backlog in my posting schedule, so I apologise firstly for the tardiness of today's topic. I'd been meaning to wax lyrical about this lippie a few weeks ago, but when dealing with loss the words just weren't there, until now.

Anyway, I had thought about scrapping this post altogether, because as with all things Mac that come out monthly and are (were) LE, if you go past the end of the month your pretty much screwed.
I know from experience that there's nothing worse than reading a blog, coming away wanting (NEEDING) a product and then not being able to get it, but luckily I just checked and my latest lip love is still available online, phew!

After seeing many swatches online there was only one thing in Mac's summer collection, Hey Sailor!, that I had my eye on and I bet you can guess just what it was if you have an addiction to apricots like moi.

Salute!

My obsession with these kind of shades in no secret. Since discovering the wonders of a peach pout after buying NYX's Black Label lipstick in India (AMAZING btw) years ago I've become a little obsessed with buying them.

On me, it's the most flattering shade against my skin tone; just a hint of the peach adds the warmth and life my complexion needs but also the neutrality I crave. I want colour, but I want natural colour.

Unlike other peachy lipsticks I own, of which I have too many, Salute! is surprisingly unique. Most that I've tried tend to lean more towards the pink or the nude side of the spectrum, offering just a slight hint of peachy goodness to them, but Mac's version is what I'd call a true pastel peach.
 
It isn't too pink, nude or yellow in undertone but simply a sublime salmon shade that's great worn alone if you like the ultra pale lip look like I do, or of course for layering. It's a great mixing colour and makes a fab base or top shade for toning down brighter colours.

Salute! swatch

As an amplified, the formula is pretty damn good offering a strong colour payoff, silky application and a semi-glossy finish on the lips. The only downside to this shade, as with most pale colours is that you have to have a perfect canvas to apply it too; flaky lips will just not do, so a lip scrub is essential to stop it sticking to and highlighting any dry patches you may have. 

 

 (A rather stern picture I know, but I think it gives an idea of the look Salute! gives when worn alone)

Personally, I love this shade. It's versatile and I find myself reaching for it every day but I'm guessing that this colour will be like the lipstick version of Marmite for most of you. You'll either love it or hate it.

So which is it ladies? Love or hate?
xxx

Oh and p.s - If you did like the look of Salute! but can't get hold of it, the closest shade I've found to it is Illamasqua's Emerge Cream Pigment, a fab multi-purpose salmon. It can also be used under the eyes as a colour corrector, blush and lipstick!