Collection Loves: Mardi Gras (A New Tropical Summer Collection)

If you've been sleeping under a rock, then you won't know that it's not only the World Cup in Brazil this year, but the tropical trend is definitely hot to trot. Everything bright and bold is on-trend, with particular focused placed on looking like you've just come back from a fiesta. In celebration of both of these facts, Collection Cosmetics are launching a six piece 'Mardi Gras' collection this June that aims to bring a little Brazillian spirit to your summer. Featuring three sweetly scented lip balms and three on-trend nail colours, they've ensured the collection is easy to wear whilst still saying true to the roots of the idea.

I love a lipbalm (seriously, you should see my lipbalm drawer) so did a little leap for joy when I first spotted these. Brightly coloured and lots of fun, the three lipbalms are available in an apple-watermelon scent (blue/green,) sweet strawberry (yellow/pink,) and ice-lolly orange (orange/white.) They're super soft and provide lubrication and hydration, as well as a delicate sweet scent that's good enough to eat. Although the strawberry version reminds me of a VK drink, the other two are really delicate and smell a lot more premium than their £1.99 price point. They don't smell fake or artificial, but just like a half-finished cocktail on the beach.

The three nail colours are quite a departure from the norm for Collection. Featuring three must-have shades for summer, it's great to see on-trend colours being available for only £1.99 each. White is the ultimate summer shade for 2014, and this isn't a bad formula at all. Although it's initially quite streaky, once you've applied two or three coats the result is pretty fab. The yellow is darker than my personal preference, but still hot for summer tropics, while the teal shade of green is actually fab all year round and provides a great finish on the nails.

You can use the white polish under other colours to make them 'pop' more (a trick of the trade!) so even after the summer season you'll still have a use for it. The only downside to the polishes is that the applicator brushes are quite poor quality and contain different lengths of bristles; it makes it tricky to achieve a perfect finish and definitely needs a little practice nail or two. However, the lipbalms really are fab and definitely something I foresee spotting people applying on the tube come June. I've already used half the orange one... Ooops.

The 'Mardi Gras' collection launches this June into Superdrug stores and online. Everything featured is priced £1.99.