Denman D3 Leopard Print Limited Edition Brush

Denman are reknown for their high quality hairbrushes used by many professional salons. I was kindly sent this limited edition red leopard print D3 brush to try, and this has become the brush I always use, replacing my Toni and Guy paddle brush. The D3 is a styling brush, but I find it useful as a general all rounder. It is perfect for getting out knots without being harsh on your hair. I am someone who has particularly knotty hair but this brush works well for me at getting them out. I find I need to use it gently as it is very strong and could potentially hurt if I was to use it the way I use my normal hair brush. This is better for the overall condition of my hair though because it means I'm not struggling to get the brush through, so I'm not damaging my hair by causing lots of split ends.I'm also really loving the print on this, I have a bit of a thing for animal prints so this is a definite plus point for me, and it makes it very easy to find in my handag! For more designs visit: http://www.denmanbrush.com/acatalog/gift-ideas.html

This should also be available from most Boots or Superdrug stores, and I have spotted a regular leopard print design in John Lewis for around £8.50.

Barry M Nail Paint - Dusky Mauve

Following on from my previous post about duochrome nail polishes I wanted to mention Barry M's latest offering, Dusky Mauve. I've only just been able to get my hands on this though I think it' been around a while now. In the bottle it seemed very appealing to me, I love beigey/grey/brown shades and this one was a mauve mixed with a hint of brown as it catches the light. Once it's painted on my nails it seems a little different to in the bottle, it still looks different colours in different lights like most duochromes, but doesn't seem to vary much in natural daylight. Apparently though, this is an exact dupe for Chanel's Paradoxical nail polish which I can't judge because sadly I don't own any Chanel nail polishes. There are some nail polishes that are universally appealing and everybody loves them. I think this is the Marmite of the nail polish world and I can understand why some might write a negative review of it, but I personally really like it. I'm paler now than I usually am after getting through a winter with no sunshine, but colour is returning to my skin. This is a good thing because if I was any paler this would just look murky and disgusting against my skin tone. I can just about get away with it now but I think this will be one I drag out in the summer time. It's actually nice to find a dark polish I associate with Summer as I usually gravitate towards lights and brights. So if you've already bought this and you're not convinced it's for you, it might be worth holding onto a bit longer.

Accessorize Illusion Nail Polish in Bronze

My new obsession is currently duochrome nail polishes! I'm sure this is probably one of those trends that has been seen before, then disappeared and made a comeback a bit like the crackle-top coat, but these are new to me and I can't get enough of them. MAC launched an innovative line of duochromes with the Disney Venomous Villains collection last year and since then there's been a few other brands catching onto this trend.

For me Accessorize have scored another hit with their nail polishes (I wrote previously about their rather gorgeous baked eyeshadows and merged blushers). The ordinary range of nail polishes are worth a look anyway, but I noticed on a lower, almost hidden shelf, they stocked these "illusion" nail polishes. They are a range of glitter and duochrome polishes, each very unique and pretty. The glittery polishes might be more suitable as a top coat, especially the silver and gold glitters, and some of the duochromes were very bold so you might want to reserve them for a special occasion, but I found this rather lovely little polish in Bronze. I love metallics, and this is a gorgeous contrast of burnt purpley bronze, and golden orange. It's quite hard to describe, and easier if you see it for yourself so here's a couple of shots in different lights catching the different colours. I think it's a lovely colour and makes a change from the norm. I missed out on the MAC duochromes because they sold out too quickly, but this is a perfect substitute, particularly since this is a colour that I can wear during weekdays.

Accessorize Illusion polishes are available from Superdrug priced £4.00.