January Favourites

Hello Lovelies! 

How strange is it to think that January is already over? I can't believe it's been over a month since Christmas already!

I have so many new favourites that I discovered this month and I am so excited to share them all with you! 

NAKED 2 Palette

I got this for Christmas and have been using it almost everyday! I bought the Naked Basics pallet this month too but I found myself reaching for the Naked 2 slightly more! The two colours I have been loving the most are Verve and Pistol, I have been pretty much wearing these colours together all month. I much prefer this palette to the orginal Naked Palette because I think the cooler shades suit me better.

MAC Well Dressed Blush

Another Christmas present that I have literally been wearing everyday since! I have a full review on this here so I won't go on too much about it! 

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo

I finally got my hands on this little beauty and my skin literally has not been the same since! I had been suffering with really bad breakouts before Christmas, particularly around my chin and it was really getting me down. I had seen quite a few bloggers/youtubers talking about this saying how great it is and I have to say it is 100% worth the hype! It completely cleared up my skin and reduced my breakouts so much! I love it! 

Essence "Free Hugs" Nail Polish

I picked this nail polish up on a whim on a recent trip to Dublin. I have literally have had it on my nails ever since! It is the prettiest Barbie Pink I've come across and it was an absolute bargain for under €2! Granted the quality isn't the best but for €2 I'm definitely not complaining!

Thierry Mugler Alien Perfume

The last of the Christmas presents I'll mention in this post (Santa was very good to me this year!) I got a sample of this perfume in a magazine last year and fell in love! But since it was so expensive I kept putting off buying it for so long! I was absolutely delighted to see this on Christmas morning and I have reached for ti literally everyday since! It's fast becoming my signature scent!

Oil Organic 

I had never actually used a body oil before! I've always been a moisturiser kinda girl but when I was sent a sample of the Oil Organic from Tan Organics, along with some of their tan - I was so so excited to try it! It has left my skin feeling amazing! It helps make my tan last longer and it smells divine! I've also used it on the ends of my hair and it's left my hair feel lovely and conditioned! We all use a multi purpose product right?

So there are my January favourites! I hope you enjoyed it, and I can't wait to see what product's I'll discover in February!

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My Favourite Make-Up Brushes

Hello Lovelies!

Today I wanted to show you some of my favourite make-up brushes. I love buying new make up brushes and finding new make up brushes to use. I am a woman obsessed! I just thought I would show you the ones I reach for on a daily basis and why!

Real Techniques Buffing Brush

I reach for this brush literally every day! I use this for my foundation and it buffs it in like a dream. I really don't know what I was using for my foundation before this but I know I couldn't live without it now! The only bad-ish thing about it is you can't buy it separately you have to buy it as part of the Core Collection. If it was sold separately I would definitely be buying more! 

Real Techniques Contour Brush

I find this to be  one of the more multi-use Real Techniques brushes! I use this for both contouring and applying highlighter but sometimes I actually use it to blend in my concealer! Another one of the Core Collection brushes I wish was sold separately! 

Real Techniques Blush Brush

First off I love teh pink barrel on this brush! I don't actually use this bruh for blusher because I don't think it's the right shape for my face but I do use it for applying my bronzer! Since it is tapered at the end it is good for a slight contour and sweeping the product across your face. This brush and NARS Laguna is a match made in heaven!

Sigma Round Top Kabuki

Yet another brush I love for my foundation. This brush tends to buff the product in a lot more that the Real Techniques Buffing Brush does, so it leaves a much more flawless finish. I also tend to use this with a more full coverage foundation. As much as I love this brush it is impossible to clean! Since it is so dense it is really hard to get all of the product out! But I still love it none the less!

Sigma Tapered Blending - E35

This was the first "proper" eye blending brush I've ever owned and OMG! Applying my eyeshadow has competely changed! It blends in my eyehadow like nothing else and it literally does the work for you! Amazing and I'm sorry I didn't buy this brush sooner!

Sigma Pencil Brush - E30

Not the most necessary brush I own but I love using it so much I had to include it! I use it for applying highlihgter to my brow bone, the inner corners of my eyes and for applying eyeshadow to underneath my eyes!

MAC 227 Brush

All my MAC brushes I have actually gotten from sets and this one was from the tartan collection from around 3 years ago I think! This is such a handy brush to have for those lazy days! I literally just sweep my eyeshadow across my lid and I'm good to go!

MAC 129 Brush 

From the same collection as the 227, I got this blush brush! I love this! I think it's the best shaped brush for my cheeks and I use it everyday! I'm actually thinking of getting the full sized brush and keeping this for travel!

MAC 130 Brush

One of the more recent additions to my brush collection is this small duo fibre stippling brush. I love this brush for applying highlighter to my cheekbones. It leaves such a lovely natural finish with highlighter.

Elf Powder Brush

One of the cheapest brushes I own and yet amazing quality! I use it for pressing powder onto mu skin to set my foundation. It is one of the softest brushes ever! I actually want to buy another one and see how it is with applying liquid foundation!

If you have any other brushes you think I would like please let me know in the comments because brushes are one of my favourite things to buy!

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My Week In Photos #2

Hello Lovelies!

I'm sorry but how quick did that week go?! It definitely doesn't seem like that long since I was writing my last week in photos post! Also..January is nearly over?? It's going to be Christmas again in no time! I feel like such an old lady complaining about how quick the time is going but it really is!

I can pretty much safely say that my diet/healthy eating regime went out the window this week! On Monday myself and Alex my boyfriend had a lazy evening, which consisted of chilling out, watching television and eating Nachos! Nom nom nom! 

During the week I hit a big milestone on my blog! I reached 300 followers! I was ecstatic when I seen that I had reached it, I was in work at the time so I had to refrain from doing a happy dance! Thank you all so so much for taking the time to follow my blog and take the time to read what I write, it means so much!

Now for possibly one of the most Instagramed items of the week..Yes I went and fell for the Apocolips hype. I couldn't resist and I am so so glad I did! I picked up the colours Celestial and Apocalyptic. I really wanted to get Big Bang too but my Boots only had four shades! (totally not complaining, I'm grateful they stocked them in the first place because I know a lot of people found it hard to get them!) Since Rimmel was on three for two and there was no other colour in the Apocolips I wanted I repurchased my favourite foundation the Wake Me Up.

Then on Friday I went over to my best friends house and we had a chilled out girly night in. She cooked us the most phenomenal Pasta Carbonara, my mouth is watering just thinking about it! She also had made Nigella Lawson's Cheesecake and...O.M.G..It was like putting tiny pieces of heaven into your mouth. So good! 

So there we have it! Another week over! Now looking forward to having a soak in the bath and curling up with my Kindle by the fire! I have been obsessed with my Kindle ever since I got it! It's love! 

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Korres Lip Butter | Wild Rose

Hello Lovelies!

Happy Friday to you all! As you can all see, yes I caved to the hype...I couldn't resist I'm afraid, I'm weak! But yes I finally got my hands on one of the much loved Korres Lip Butters after reading and hearing so many fabulous things about them!

I chose the flavour/scent/colour Wild Rose because it was the one that I was guaranteed to like the smell of. It's also the colour I liked the look of the most. I looked up a few swatches and different reviews to make sure it was definitely the one for me.

I ordered from Feel Unique during the sale. Admittedly it was quite abit more than I would normally spend on a lip balm but it was just one of those days girls! 

It arrived last week and I haven't been able to put it down since! I absolutely love it!

First off it smells absolutely divine  It's the nicest smelling lip balm I own (so far!) It leaves a gorgeous red sheen to the lips, you could almost call it a rose tint! It lasts quite a long time on the lips and I found it to be really moisturising and nourishing. I have been suffering quite bad with chapped lips thanks to the bad weather lately and this has really helped combat that! 

This has been a permanent fixture in my handbag since I got it and it is fast becoming one my favourite lip balms, and I do love my lip balms as you all know! I can see myself buying more of these, I think I'm going to try the mango one next!

The Korres Lip Butters are available online here. Have you tried these gorgeous Lip Butters? Let me know what you thought of them and what ones you would recommend! 

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Dublin Haul

Hello Lovelies!

I just wanted to say a big mahoosive thank you to all 300 of you that have followed my blog. It means so much to me! Happy Dance!

If you follow me on twitter you'll know I went to Dublin at the weekend and a spot of shopping happened! I spent over two hours in Primark alone! So I though it would be only write to show you some of my purchases. I'll leave the prices below the pictures just incase you're interested in getting any of the items! 

 Zara Basic T-Shirt Reduced to €3.99

Primark Denim Shirt €11

 Primark Cross Knitted Jumper €17

 Primark Body-Con Dress Reduced to €7

Primark Basic T-Shirt €8

Primark Hair-Ties €1.50, Essence I heart Stage Eyeshadow Base, Essence Nail Polish in Free Hugs, Essence Sun Club Bronzer, Hask Argan Oil, Large Vanilla Candle €3.50, Small Candles €1.00 each

 Primark Scarves €4 each

 Primark Shoes €11 

My only purchase in Boots, the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush! And I got it free with my Boots points!

I also made a sneaky ASOS order last week and bought this gorgeous open backed skater style dress for €13! Bargain. The picture really doesn't do it justice, trust me!

I'm heading to Dublin again in another few weeks..so you can probably expect another haul then...oops! 

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Urban Decay NAKED Basics

Hello Lovelies!

They've done it again! Those rascals over at Urban Decay have brought out yet another pallet that I needed to buy! Yet another addition to the NAKED family, this time it's the NAKED Basics pallet. As soon as I seen it I knew I couldn't be without it, so I now have the complete set (until they release the next one!) 

I may be the last person in the world to find this out but Urban Decay do not test on animals! I think that is just amazing! High Five Urban Decay!

The packaging of this pallet is yet again different. Instead of it being velvety (NAKED1) or a tin box (NAKED2) it's a rubbery case, not all that different from that of NARS. Hopefully this won't get as grubby as NARS products tend to do! I actually found this little pallet quite difficult to open the first time I got my hands on it. You definitely need to get the nails at this one girls! 

Now as soon as I heard that the NAKED Basics was going to be a majority of matte shades I knew that it would be perfect for me! I normally reach for matte shades over anything else because I have really hooded eyelids and I find that shimmer shades don't really flatter this, it just makes the "hood" stand out more where as matte shades make my eyelid look somewhat normal!

The colours in the NAKED Basics are:

Venus

This is a satin finish eyeshadow. The only eyeshadow in the pallet that's not matte. It's perfect for highlighting the inner corner of the eye and the brow bone!

Foxy 

One of two flesh toned shadows. This is a more yellow-y toned one and it also appears in the NAKED 2 pallet.

Walk of Shame

This is the more pinker flesh toned colour of the two. I tend to go for this one more than Foxy as it just looks more natural on me.

Naked 2

This is the next step up on the colour scale of this pallet, this is a beige-y brown colour that I have been using all over the lid.

Faint 

This is a much darker "chocolate" brown colour, I love pairing this with Naked 2 for my day to day look since I've got this pallet!

Crave

And finally the dramatic shade in the pallet. At first glance I thought this was black, but on closer inspection it is an extremely dark brown. Perfect for turning the day time look into a smokey night time look!

These eyeshadows are unbelievably creamy, blend like a dream and the lasting power is out of this world! Urban Decay never fail to impress! Definitely not a necessary purchase if you own the NAKED 1 & 2 but if you're like me, this pallet will definitely bring happiness to any make-up collection! 

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My Week In Pictures

Hello Lovelies! 

Today I wanted to try something abit different. I'm trying to make my blog a bit more personal and I normally do my Instagram Diary every so often, but I'm going to try to keep you up to date on my weekly events instead! I also wanted to say a big hello and thank you to all my new followers! Thank you all so much! 

On Monday night I went over to my best friends house for a catch up and she made the most luscious spaghetti and meatballs I've ever had! I love our girly nights, nothing like a good gossip! 

On Wednesday I was feeling abit down (I'm blaming the January blues!) so my boyfriend came over and we had a fajita night! 

I had my one year review at work on Thursday, if you follow me on twitter I'm sure you're sick of hearing me going on about it (nervous doesn't cover how I was feeling!) I'm so relieved it's over and really happy with how I got on! Can't believe it's been a year since I started working there! 

On Friday we had a snow day! I was wishing for snow since before Christmas and eventually it arrived! I know in some areas of England are getting hit hard with the snow but we literally got it Friday and it disappeared Saturday..ideal snow day! Of course I was out in it and pictures were taken...

And then on Saturday myself and my mum went up to Dublin to visit family, and of course a sneaky bit of shopping was done! I could do a haul next week if any of you are interested in seeing what I bought! Let me tell you damage was done..also I learned there is nothing more mortifying than your Primark bag ripping in Zara..Shame! Here is one of those classic changing room pictures that constantly grace Instagram...

So that is the round up of my week! Let me know if you'd like to see my haul of goodies! Hope you all have a lovely and relaxing Sunday evening!

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Elizabeth Arden | Rose Illumination

Hello Lovelies! 

I wanted to show you something I picked up in the Christmas sales that I have been lusting after for a few months now. It is the Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Highlighter in Rose Illumination. I bought this off Debenhams' website for around €15.

First off can we take a moment to appreciate the gorgeousness of the packaging?  We all know my feelings about Rose Gold so this gorgeous compact is right up my street! I feel so elegant pulling this out of my handbag to apply my lipstick!

As the name "Rose Illumination" would suggest, this highlighter is a gorgeous pinky golden colour that leaves a beautiful sunkissed glow to the skin.

You definitely only need a light hand with this highligher, a little goes a long way! I use my Real Techniques contour brush to apply it to the tops of my cheeks and down the centre of my nose. I tend to wear it with my NARS Laguna for a more sunkissed bronzed look!

Let me know what you think! I'm still admiring the packaging! Hehe!

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January Wishlist!

Hello Lovelies!

Before I head of to work on yet another miserable rainy day I thought I would share what is on my wishlist at the moment! I have a review at work today and I'm absolutely petrified! Nothing like abit of online window shopping to get rid of the nerves! I'm also heading to Dublin at the weekend so hopefully I'll be able to pick up a few bits & bobs there!

1. Zara Office Bag 2. Pink Hightop Converse 3. Laura Mercier Primer 

4. Zara Scarf 5. Lauren Conrad Beauty 6. ASOS Leather Sleeved Top

Fingers crossed I won't go OTT with the spending this weekend! 

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Top 10 Nail Polishes of 2012

Hello Lovelies!

Did anybody else watch the Golden Globes red carpet last night? The dresses were amazing! I loved Taylor Swifts, Kaley Cuoco's and Eva Longoria's! Amazing! 
Now this post may be a little late as it's the 14th now but I mentioned in my top make up of 2012 post that I was thinking of doing a top nail polishes of 2012 post. Some of you thought it would be a good idea so I decided to go ahead and show you my favourite nail polishes of last year! Some of these I discovered last year and some are old favourites that I used a lot through-out the year. Also I'm sorry this is quite a picture heavy post!

 

Barry M Raspberry

Now you've heard me talk about this over and over again so I won't bore you by going on too much about it this time. It's a gorgeous deep berry colour. I think it's one of my more "grown up" colours. I wore this pretty  much all year so it's suitable for any season!

Barry M Red Black

This colour came back into my life over the Autumn/Winter months. I wore it as soon as October hit and it's been at the front of my nail polish drawer since! I think it's a nice alternative to black which can be abit harsh sometimes!

Barry M Peach Melba

This was my "Summertime" colour! You've heard about this so much if you watch YouTube videos or read blogs alot. It's one of the more hyped nail polishes in the blogging world and it's completely justified! It looks stunning with a tan and it just screams Summer!

Essie Bahama Mama

Another nail polish you have all heard me rave about this before. I loved this polish so much I wrote a whole post about it's beauty which you can read here

Essie Set in Stones

Now this was a polish I searched high and low for months for! I eventually found it on eBay and it's been a firm favourite ever since! I wear it on my "bling" finger. I normally put a silver polish under it just so it looks more opaque! 

Essie Mint Candy Apple

This is definitely the most hyped Essie polish evoooor! It's a perfect light mint colour! (I am a big fan of mint!..flavour and colour!) Such a gorgeous colour in Spring and I love it paired with Set in Stones!

Model's Own Utopia

This was one of my more recent finds. I've only started dabbling in the Model's Own world lately and I'm thoroughly impressed with them so far! Utopia is by far the best I've tried. It's a gorgeous neutral shade that you can wear under glitter polishes or just on it's own. 

Model's Own Hedkandi Ibiza Mix

This is a crazy glitter polish with blue, peach, yellow, lilac, silver and gold pieces. I normally pair this with Utopia!

Essence Sure Azure

This is probably one of the cheaper nail polishes I own, and I love it! Essence have recently re-branded so I don't know if you can still get this colour! Beautiful pastel blue colour with a slight sliver shimmer in it. It was one of my Summer staples too!

17 Simply Pink

I think this is a colour that everyone should have in their nail polish collection and it is just a classic pink. Nothing too ground-breaking here, I just used this for a French manicure or even on it's own. 

So from that you can also see some of my favourite brands through out the year too! I'm loving Barry M, Essie and Models Own..Glitter polishes made a big impact through out the year (beautiful but impossible to get off!) and my main colours are darker shades and pastels! 

I can't wait to see what colours I'm loving next year, if I have any new favourites or if I've still got my old reliables!

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