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Hello lovelies,

Today I want to show you my new photo set up and it's a goodie! It's been five years since I've been taking pictures of my nails and started this blog and I've always been looking to improve my photos and my photography set up. I've gone through so many different set ups over the years from plain black cloth next to a window, diy light box to photo tent. Unfortunately none of these options seemed good enough and I've always fiddled with the lights, the background and the whole set up. That's why I started to look for something even better. I came across MyStudio photo set ups for product photography and I was captivated! I reached out to the owner and he was happy for me to review this kit for him. This is how it looks like in the official photos (courtesy of the company):

This particular set up is MyStudio MS20 Professional Tabletop Photo Studio Kit containing:

• 20 x 20 x 12-inch seamless cyclorama infinity background
• 15W, 5000K "daylight" color-corrected fluorescent bulb
• 3 light reflectors - one overhead "ceiling" reflector and two 9" x 12" side bounce cards
• Stand for the bulb and overhead reflector

It is recommended that two people assemble this kit and I agree. It would be possible to do in one person but it is so much easier if you can get someone to help. There is a sheet with instruction and a DVD to help you with the assembly. The sheet with instructions wasn't very clear but watching the video assembly helped a lot and it was quite easy after that.

The construction for the light and overhead reflector is made of sturdy metal although once assembled it moves a bit when it's shuffled around. Not a major problem though. I have newer design of the legs than in the photos but it doesn't change the function and you might notice I've put the inside, not outside - that's because I wouldn't have enough space as you'll see later. There are also two side bounce cards which I feel helped when photographing objects but I don't use them when taking photos of my hand.

I've left the best for the last - the cyclorama infinity background. It is a one piece of hard plastic and it is so great! I've always struggled with getting that seamless background and I don't have to worry now. I was surprised how large it is but once I started to use it it felt well-sized for smaller object photography and for my hands.

I have a very little space at the moment so my set up lives in a corner. Here is how my photo set looks:

Before you say anything - yeah, I know, I put the light bar upside down!

As you can see, it is absolutely perfect for product photography which I appreciate when taking bottle shots or collection shots. Sometimes the background looks more grey than white but a small editing can change that. As for the hand and nail shots it works really well for me. The only things that are slight drawbacks are the light which I don't think one bulb is strong enough so I'm helping myself with another lamp I already owned (I was recommended to "adjust the exposure by shooting in Manual mode" to solve my problem). The second drawback for me is that when I take hand pictures I take them at the very edge of the infinity background because of my space restrictions which causes grey-ish background instead of nice white but the hand it perfectly lit. I know I will never achieve bright white background unless I'll have backlit set up but it doesn't bother me very much. You can see more examples of hand pictures/swatches taken in this set up here and here.

MyStudio MS20 is available to purchase on Amazon and it's offered with a discount right now for $179. If you are able to invest in your photo set up then I am happy to recommend this one, I really like it, especially the infinity background (but I'm just repeating myself!). There are additional Accent Lights available to purchase as well here.

TIP: Even if you are not interested in purchasing this kit, check out the product page anyway for videos with useful photography tips (the creator of this kit is a photographer ;).

I hope I've shown you something new to you and that you've enjoyed today' review. Have a lovely day everyone! Lucie x

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Hello lovelies,

I'm sure you've spotted the new Models Own collection called Colour Chrome by now and I have half of it to show you! The whole collection consists of 10 metallic colours that can be worn by themselves or used for stamping (yes, they work great!). They have highly reflective metallic foil finish, stunning shiny bottles and they come with wider brush.

Swatching these was a bit of a challenge for me because I have ridges and imperfections in nails due to some health problems and these polishes show every single flaw. You're meant to use them without topcoat (bye bye ridge filling topcoat) and then 2-3 coats of polish. I must say even after light buffing my nails had many flaws so please excuse the imperfections and patched up pointer finger ;)

Chrome Silver - bright silver metallic. This was the first shade I've swatched and I haven't buffed my nails at all so as you can see this polish highlights all ridges. I have applied three coats just to try and hide the imperfections but it didn't help much. The polish itself was fully opaque in two coats and applied well. I've applied topcoat as well.

Chrome Green - cool pastel green metallic. I've applied two coats of polish, no base coat and sealed with topcoat. This is the last swatched polish with unbuffed nails.

Chrome Gold - pale gold metallic. Stunning pale gold which I think will suit almost everyone and it will transform your nails into luxuriously looking manicure. Tw coats were fully opaque and I've applied topcoat as well. Nails lightly buffed.

Chrome Pink - pastel pink metallic. This is the girliest colour from this collection I have and it leans a bit into lavender shades. I've applied two coats and topcoat. Nails lightly buffed.

Chrome Blue - light blue metallic. I'm not too keen on this shade because I think it flatters me but otherwise it applied well and was opaque in two coats. Nails lightly buffed.

I've got mixed feelings about this collection - on one hand I absolutely love the shiny metallic finish and the bottles but I absolutely hate how it shows the imperfections on my nails. I have read a tip in some nail group to apply it over another nail polish the next day, giving it smooth surface. That way you might get flawless finish and I will be trying that for sure.

The formula of all shades was the same - they applied well, the polish isn't thick but it does dry fast so work fast to avoid dragging colour and creating patches. All metallic polishes including these ones are somewhat streaky so pay attention to the brush strokes when applying the last coat of colour. Topcoat will not hide the streaks!

Also the big question about stamping with these beauties - I have tried it and I'm pleased to say THEY STAMP GREAT! I will be purchasing few more colours for sure and do some stamped manicures for sure.

Models Own Colour Chrome collection  will be available from 29th January 2015 on modelsownit.com and they will also be available from Models Own Bottle Shops from 31st January, and Superdrug stores from 11th of February for £4.99 each. BUT on 29th January Models Own website will hold a 50% sale and limited quantity of this collection will be available so you could get these polishes for as little as £2.50! I know I will...

Have a lovely day! Lucie x

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