The Models Own Bottle Shop: What I thought..

Not since being so fascinated with the floor of the Prada concession  in Selfridges as a child has a shop ever excited me as much as this Models Own Bottle Shop does..

The idea for this shop is inspired but then I wouldn't have expected a bog standard shop from a brand who are constantly bringing out new shades and collections that are bang on trend.

I went to Westfield on Friday to do a deal with the lady in Dorothy Perkins (I bought trousers, the button fell off, I wanted to keep them so she gave me a discount) and I was adamant I would check the Models Own Bottle Shop out.

I went to Boots first, trying to pick up their new polishes as they were on 3 for 2.  However, the Hed Kandi one I wanted was sold out.  So, I headed off in search of the new store and found it with great ease.

The easiest way to find it is to find either the Apple shop, Zara, the taco place or Topshop and you will see the bottle shop.  Or, if you look for the massive Vue sign, you'll also find it.  If you're by MAC/All Saints/AX then right above AX is where the shop is.  If you know where the Nandos is (below the Vue) then you'll definitely see the bottle shop.

Anyway, I got the bottle shop, had a mooch around and was then approached by one of the ladies who worked there, she found me a sealed bottle of the Hed Kandi polish I wanted and then let me browse as I wished.  I picked up the bright blue from the Hed Kandi range and then another lady who worked there suggested I buy Fuzzy Peach as it would go wonderfully with my skintone.

I asked the lady if the shop was just a pop up shop and she told me that it was now a permanent fixture which is fantastic as I've always wanted to see all the MO polishes before buying and I find that Boots don't stock the entire range.

The shop was quite busy when I was there but I found all the staff to be really helpful.  My only issue (and this is a minor issue) was that the blue bottle of Hed Kandi polish was not sealed and had some polish around the rim..but hopefully I'll be able to return it for one that is sealed.

Also, I noticed that Models Own were saying that the store would have some exclusives which they may well do, I was too enamoured with the Hed Kandi polishes that I totally forgot to ask about these but will be doing so when I get back.

Apart from that, I'd definitely suggest getting down there and having a good old look.  They've also got the full range of brushes and makeup there which I thought was an added bonus..

You will notice that all the ladies who work there are equipped with iPads.  When you buy your polish of choice, they tap into the iPad what you have bought (exactly like when you're online) and then you pay via your chosen method.  The only reason why I think they do that is market research?  See which shades are most popular etc..

They run the same deals in-store that they do online, I bought these three for £12...

The presentation box is a nice touch and gives you the peace of mind that they're secure whilst you're shopping until you drop..

It would have been nice if they had Models Own bags..I was handed this blue bag which reminds me of the meat shop.  Yes, to Indian children, there's no butchers.  It's the meat shop.  Since the dawn of time (or since Indian meat shops existed in England), meat has been given to customers in these blue bags.  Now, the blue bags for meat are a bit darker than these but still..same colour family!

So, is it worth a visit? 
It doesn't take me long to get to Westfield but I would say 'yes'.  I know a lot of bloggers come down to Westfield to visit Inglot and now Kiko but I think the new Models Own shop is definitely worth a visit.  Nail polish is something that is really difficult to buy blind and as the store has everything Models Own sell, you'll be able to see if the colour you thought you wanted is actually the same in the flesh as it was on the screen.

Models Own Beetlejuice Collection: Released today!

Have a look at these gorgeous polishes that Models Own are releasing TODAY..

They go on sale at 10 a.m., hopefully they still have the ones I want (the end three) by the time I get home.

They remind me of two toned fabric that is used a lot for Indian outfits so they'd be perfect for parties when you can't find one colour to match.  Those who follow me on Twitter know that I am going to America in December as my cousin is getting married.  I have bought a two toned outfit that is a perfect match for the polish that is one in from the right.  I bought the outfit before I saw the polish but as it matches so well, it'd be rude not to buy it!

Each polish is £5 which is a bargain price for the quality of polish that you get.

Anyone else tempted by these?  Ps, is it only me that is reminded of the infamous armpit fart scene from Beetlejuice whenever anyone mentions this collection?  No?  Only me then?

Is LA Colors Jewel Tone a dupe for Models Own Disco Mix?

Disco Mix is probably one of my favourite glitter polishes of all time.  It is nearly always on my toes and it seldom chips.  As a result of this, I am nearly half way through my bottle.  I was planning on buying it again when Models Own had their sale this year but one thing lead to another and I forgot.

Regular readers know that a trip to Westfield with me is never complete without me having a good old staredown with the LA Colors stand in Beauty Base.  On my last trip there, I found Jewel Tone.  This polish immediately caught my eye as it looked very similar to Models Own Disco Mix.

In their bottles, they look similar, the only difference I see is that Disco Mix has more pink in it than Jewel Tone does.  The density with which the glitter is packed in is also something that becomes obvious. I find that you can get total nail covereage with two coats when using Disco Mix but with Jewel Tone, you need about three or four.

NOTD: Models Own Discomix

This could quite possibly be my favourite nail polish in all my stash..

I can't wear glittery polish on my fingers at work as it's not deemed professional but this beauty has been adorning my toes ever since I got it.

Now that my nails have grown again (woo!) I've decided to coat them with it..why should the toes have all the fun?

It's a typical glitter polish..feels gritty when you put it on and is prone to chipping but a topcoat solves that.  If you want to use it as a topcoat over a base colour then one coat will do you.  I, however, wanted full on glitter so this is three coats.  My right hand looks better (it's literally glitterbombed nails over there) but as I can't hold the camera sufficiently in my left hand, you get to see the left..

The flash really brings out the missing patches but without the flash (and in real life) it's not that noticeable..

Apologies for the cuticle situation, I need to find a trimmer.

This is one of those polishes that I find are really nice, so much so that you can't stop taking photographs of them and a post which would be complete with one photo ends up having four or five..

I go back to work on Wednesday and I'm going to try and get away with wearing this until Friday..lets see how well that pans out..

Now all I need to do is find a mess free removal system...

Models Own brushes

Back when Models Own had their 50% off sale, I bought some glittery polish and some eye makeup brushes.

It's well known that I am not an expert blender and I am trying to improve using as many brushes as I can.  I was going to buy just the angled liner brush but when I saw that you could get three brushes for £7, I decided to take the plunge as it wouldn't be a fortune lost if I didn't like them.

I have now used them a few times and here's what I think..I LIKE THEM.  The hairs are nice and soft and the handle size varies from brush to brush, you know how I am fussy about things like that.  I don't want a blending brush having a handle the size of a foundation brush and vice versa.  They look different next to my other brushes as they are white and the rest are black.  This causes a slight problem because they can get mucky quickly when eyeshadow is smudged on them but it's nothing a good wipedown won't fix.  I have washed these babies and they dry in super fast time so I'd say they're really good if you do a quick wash with your brushes everyday.

Angled brush

I find that a lot of these angled brushes only work with one type of liner, be it gel or powder.  I've used this brush with both and it works equally well with either.  I tend to use it more with gel liner bcause I prefer gel liner over cake liner.  The size of the handle with these brushes is important, I have used a brush before which had a massive handle (lengthwise) and it was nigh on impossible to tell if you had a good line because I was so far from the mirror.  That wouldn't be a problem for you if you weren't short sighted but as I am, it was a right pain in the neck.  With this brush however, you can get right up close and personal and see exactly where the product is going.

Eye Shading brush

I use this to apply colour to my lid and it does a very good job of both picking up enough colour and smoothing it over the lid.  It makes blending really easy and I feel that I don't have to put a lot of effort into it when I use this brush.  I have never used a blending brush which had a head of this shape, they are usually narrower and taller and they always give me unwanted results.  This follows the contour of my eye in the way that I want it to.

Once I apply colour to the crease using the blending brush, I use this brush to blend the crease colour with the lid colour.

Blending brush

I was going to use this to apply the colour under my lower lashline but it was a bit too big for that so I used it to define the crease and apply the colour along it.  It does this very well and lends itself very well to laying colour.  I have also used it to blend out gel liner on the upper lashline when I'm doing an easy smokey eyed look and it is the perfect size for that.

I have always struggled to apply colour to my crease and blend it out but this last brush is perfect for noobs, just apply the colour where you want it and use the eye shading brush on its side to blend it in.

I've added a photo of a rough sketch EOTD I did with these brushes as it helps illustrate my points better..

These brushes are brilliant if you are new to blending, I wish I had bought them before because they are fool-proof.  I have improved a bit since I started but I bet if I had these before, I'd have gotten further than I am now.

You can buy these brushes from here for the princely price of £7 for the lot.

My Models Own Loot

I have been lusting after two Models Own polishes for ages, after seeing this post. Thus, when they had their 50% sale on, I decided that I'd place a little order with them.

I placed the order on Saturday or Sunday and my goodies turned up today.  To say I was excited about their arrival would be the biggest understatement of the year.  I was coo-ing over them all day at work, itching to get home and test them out.

I've been home a few hours now and feel lousy, I'm sure I have a cold coming on thanks to the rain!  Thus, I haven't swatched any of them but I have taken photographs.

Here's what I got..

Your invoice comes in this envelope..it impressed ME!

The photos are edited to show the colours are true to life as I could get them.  Silver Fox, Mixed Up and Gold Finger came in a set and the other three were individuals.

And they're glit-tastic!

The middle colour in the bottom row is Mixed Up.  You can't tell that it has multi coloured sparkles in it but it's a beaut.

Disco Mix is even more handsome than I assumed it would be and I can't wait to layer Silver Spangle over my favourite black polish.

I've been on the lookout for a decent eyeliner and pencil brush for ages and when I saw these in the sale, I snatched them up.

Anybody else buy anything? I'm more than tempted to make another order but I need to remind myself of the amount of polishes I already have.  Also, before I forget, the code is FACEBOOK50 and the sale ends tomorrow..so get ordering!