No.7 Skincare Haul

Hello Lovelies!

Today I wanted to share with you some goodies I picked up from No.7. All the Skincare is currently on 3 for 2...so did I really need an excuse? The lovely ladies at No.7 are giving skin consultaions too so if you are unsure about what would be best for your skin what better time to go and have a browse of the products and get some advice! So onto my (latest) obsessions and loves....

Beautiful Skin Overnight Radiance Boost

This ladies (and gents?) is my latest skin care obsession (yes I know another obsession!) If you have read any of my wish lists you'll know that I have been dying to try the Alpha H Liquid Gold but to be honest it is slightly out of my price range so I pretty much gave up on that dream..enter No.7 with the answer to my wishes! Their version of the Liquid Gold is called the Overnight Radiance Boost. I quickly snatched it up and had it applied as soon as I got home. I love the way my skin looks the next morning after using this. Basically it hydrates and mildly exfoliates your skin while you sleep so by the time you wake up your skin is looking amazingly radiant! I really do see the difference on the mornings when I've used this the night before. My skin looks so much fresher and brighter. The only bad thing is I think I'm becoming too addicted!! I am utterly obsessed with this and would thoroughly recommend if you are thinking of trying the Alpha H, give this a go first! It's €20.75 from Boots compared to Alpha H's €36.20!

Beautiful Skin Hydration Mask

You all know how I love a good face mask and this one is no different. I have been loving the Bioderma Hydrabio Mask but sadly I am running out of it and since I don't live in France it is hard to get hold of. So I thought I would pick this one up! I had used it years ago loved it and just never repurchased it for whatever reason. It is such a gorgeous thick, creamy formula, it feels so luxurious on my skin. Sometimes I put on a nice thick layer and sometimes I might just put on a thin layer and let it sink in. My skin has been absolutely loving this!

Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser

Now you all know I love my Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish and I will always have a bottle of this in my collection but I wanted to give this a go to see what it is like! It is alot thicker and creamier in consistency compared to Liz Earle so what I've been using this for is on my "pamper evenings" when I want a proper treatment. It removes all make-up with no trouble at all while feeling lovely and luxurious at the same time! I'm definitely going to be saving this for my special occasion treatment days (how sad does that sound...)

Have you any other recommendations for any other No.7 skincare that I should try? Let me know what your favourites are and if you've picked up anything on the 3 for 2!

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MAC's Let's Skate Paintpot

Hello Lovelies!

I have been so excited to write about this because this product is something I have been dying to get my hands on for months! It was released as part of the Glitter and Ice collection back in 2011 but of course living in the countryside in Ireland made it slightly difficult to get my hands on, but a couple of months ago it was released again as part of the permanent collection (eep!)

Now I am not normally one for glitter on my eyelids because I have hooded eyes and I normally have to use matte eyeshadow to try and combat that. But this was just too beautiful to pass up! It is a very very light champagne pink, when I first started using it the pink wasn't very noticeable which I was so disappointed with but the more I've used it the more the pink started to show! It contains very tiny specks of gold glitter which did scare me abit but the more I use it the more I'm growing to become more confident with it.

I have been just wearing it swept across my lid with a small bit of MAC's Vanilla on top of it and that has been my go to look lately because it looks like I've done a lot more than I actually have which is always great. It lasts me the full day without budging too. This is the first paint pot I have tried and it has set the bar high for any other ones I might be trying next. I'm mad to try Painterly now! I'm sensing the start of a new addiction ladies! Send help! 

Have you tried Let's Skate? How do you wear it?

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Top 5 Drugstore Foundations

Hello Lovelies!

You all know I love my Drugstore foundations so I thought I would put together a post showing you the ones I love the most and that I think are worth the money. I know that drugstore foundations are alot cheaper than the higher end ones but still there is no point in wasting money on something you won't be using! 

So here are (in my opinion) the cream of the Drugstore Foundations crop!

Rimmel Wake Me Up

This was the first Rimmel foundation I fell in love with and although I wouldn't use it as much now (as you can see from the pictures it is definitely for my more tanned days) I still wouldn't be without it in my collection. This foundation is very well known for it's illuminating qualities. It contains tiny flecks of shimmer in it which instantly lifts and brightens your complexion, so it does exactly what it says on the tin..Wakes you up! It's definitely not one to wear for pictures as it gives you massive ghost face but other than that it is a lovely everyday foundation if you want a bit of lumination! 

Rimmel Match Perfection

The Rimmel foundation addiction took hold after I tried Wake Me Up and the next one that has made the cut is their Match Perfection. This is a foundation that I would describe as a traditional liquid foundation. It's just the right amount of coverage but you can build it up to a more fuller coverage. The finish is what I like most about this foundation, it is a satin finish so not overly dewy or matte. In my opinion it is the best foundation Rimmel do and again I always seem to have one or two floating around my make up collection! 

Bourjois Healthy Mix 

Now this little beauty is my all time favorite drugstore foundation so you can expect quite a biased review! I love everything about this foundation from the coverage to the finish to the smell! (random!) I think its perfect for everyday wear but I have also worn this on nights out and loved the way it looks in pictures. It's definitely a good all rounder and if I could only have one foundation to wear for the rest of my life I think I would be happy enough sticking with my faithful Bourjois! I haven't tried the one in the new bottle yet and I'm slightly scared to in case they have changed the formula..let me know if its different ladies! 

Revlon Nearly Naked

The first and only Revlon foundation I have ever tried has been the Nearly Naked one. I heard so much hype going round about this on the blogosphere and we all know I am ever one to pass up a hyped product! I tried and I loved! It is a very very light coverage foundation so you have been warned..if you love your full coverage do not go near this! It is light enough so if you are lucky enough to have freckles they will still show through. This was my everyday foundation for so long but unfortunately it is a smidgen too dark for me now but I will definitely be getting my hands on one of the lighter shades for my paler days! 

Seventeen On The Spot

And finally one of the more recent additions to my drugstore foundations collection is On The Spot. When I first heard about this I was intrigued, it contains salicylic acid in it and it claims to give you clearer skin in 4 weeks. I am not completely sold on the whole "clearer skin" claims but I do think it is a lovely foundation to have. It is the only full coverage foundation I have in my top 5 because I don't normally go for that kind of coverage. But on days when the skin isn't looking the finest a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do! It covers a multitude of sins while still looking quite natural. It has been compared to the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation - I have never tried that so I can't really say but that's always good to hear! I also really like the packaging of this one!

So those are my top 5 picks of Drugstore foundations. What is your favourite foundation from the drugstore? I would love to hear your recommendations!

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Everyday Make-Up Routine

Hello Lovelies!

Today I thought I would share with you my go-to early morning make up routine. Since starting a second job time on make up has to be cherished and well used so the products I pick have to be quick to apply and ones that look good through-out the day with minimal touch ups. 

As a base I have been loving MAC Face & Body lately. It leaves a gorgeous dewy finish to the skin but lasts for ages! It is a light coverage foundation which I normally prefer but it can also be built up to be full coverage too! For under my eyes on an early morning YSL Touche Eclat is a definite must for me! It completely brightens up and illuminates my under-eye area unlike anything else I've ever used. Despite the pricetag this is always something that will be in my make-up bag! For powder I have been using Rimmel Stay Matte which is cheap as chips but does the job. I just wish that the packaging was a bit better so I could bring it around in my handbag without the fear of it opening and smashing. On a day to day basis I wouldn't normally bother with contouring or major bronzing but I do apply a small bit of MAC Well Dressed to my cheeks just to add some colour. It is my go to blush and it just has never let me down. I'm obsessed with it! For my brows I have been using my MAC palette which contains Omega & Espresso and I use a mixture of those two colours. With a small sweep of Maybelline Permanent Taupe across my lids and a few coats of Maxfactor False Lash mascara on my lashes my eyes are done. Bit of the much hyped Babylips and I'm out the door! 

So that is the routine I have gotten into the past while for my quick early morning look, I do change it up slightly if I'm feeling like a change on the day but these are the things I normally reach for when I manage to pull myself from the bed. 

What products make your everyday routine? What can't you be without?

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Cocoa Brown Ladies Afternoon Tea

 

Hello Lovelies! 

Recently I was lucky enough to receive an invite from the lovely ladies over at Cocoa Brown (you've all heard the ravings!) for their Afternoon Tea that they were holding in the Radisson Blu at the weekend! I have never attended any blogger events before but I was so excited to be invited and my boyfriend was kind enough to offer to drive me up (and wait in the car for me to bring me home too!) 

I was so nervous going in but I really didn't need to be because everyone I met was so unbelievably lovely and I am so happy I got to meet so many people having read their blogs for so long and speaking to people on twitter it was so nice to finally get to meet them. I just thought I would share some photos from the evening with you as it was so lovely and well hosted by the fabulous Cocoa Brown ladies. I just wanted to say a massive thank you to the ladies for inviting me and for hosting such an amazing evening! 

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Maybelline Rocket Mascara

Hello Lovelies!
 

Yes I know what your thinking..not another mascara review..But stick with me on this one I swear its worth it!  You will probably have heard all the ranting and raving going on about the Maybelline Rocket mascara. Now when I was going to buy this I did actually do a little online research and to be honest I did come across a lot of mixed reviews so I thought I would just give my two cents!

 

What I want most in a mascara is volume, and lots of it! So when I seen the massive, thick brush on this mascara I was hoping it would give me my desired volume. Admittedly I did find the brush a little difficult to work with, getting into the inner lashes proved a little difficult. But overall I did really like the brush. It separated the lashes lovely while coating them completely in product. The volume you get from this mascara is fantastic. If you are a length girl this definitely is not the mascara for you, it gives very little length but tonnes of volume. You can layer this mascara but be careful because it is very easy to cross into clumping territory!

 

Since I curl my lashes everyday another thing I do expect is for my mascara to hold the curl throughout the day which thankfully the Rocket did! It does come in a waterproof version but I tried the normal one and didn't have any problems with it smearing or dropping down. 

 

 

I would definitely recommend this mascara to all the ladies out there who love a good volumised lash. It is available online here for €11.99


I also just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone that was kind enough to nominate me for the Irish Blog Awards. It really does mean the world to me!

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Garnier 2 in 1 Gentle Make Up Remover

Hello Lovelies!
 

Bit of a mixed review today! As you all know I am devoted to my Bioderma and I constantly have a bottle of it on the go, but a few months back I randomly picked up this Garnier Make Up Remover because it was on offer. I initially thought it was just an eye make-up remover (reminding me alot of the Clarins Instant Eye Make-Up Remover in looks) but when I eventually read the bottle I was surprised to see it actually removes all make-up. 
 

The Garnier formula has two liquids in it, a cleansing oil and a cleansing water. I had only ever tried one cleansing oil before this one and lets just say it didn't go well but I was still excited to try this one! You have to make sure to shake the bottle well before using it so that the liquids are nicely mixed together. When they are, you pour onto a cotton pad and you are good to go. I found it did remove my make up very well (including tough mascara...They're Real I'm looking at you!) but after using it on my eyes for a few days they felt very dry and itchy so I just don't use it on my eyes anymore. I wouldn't say this has taken over my love for Bioderma, or come even close but it is a nice product. Have any of you tried this and the Clarins Eye Make-Up Remover? Are they similar?
 

The Garnier 2 in 1 Gentle Make Up Remover is available online here for €3.89.

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Laura Mercier Foundation Primer

Hello Lovelies,

Recently I wrote about what is in my everyday make up bag and I released that some of the products that I love and use on an everyday basis actually haven't really got a mention on my blog yet. So thinking that was slightly unfair I have decided today is the day to let you know about one of my all time favourite products- the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer. I do realise foundation primer may not be apart of every ones daily make up routine but for me my make up really wouldn't last an hour without it.

I have tried a few different brands, types and formula's of foundation primers but so far this is the one I have found to be the best for my skin and hasn't broken me out like some other primers have in the past. This primer is a very watery consistency and once applied to the skin it feels extremely lightweight and sinks in almost immediately. I also found that it kept my skin feeling nice and hydrated through out the day too. It leaves my skin feeling alot softer which helps with my foundation application leaving it looking alot smoother. It also helps it set nicely and the lasting power I find to have dramatically increased! One of the downsides to this is that it does have a slight smell which may not be everyones cup of tea, but once applied it is unnoticable!

It does come in two different size options, a 50ml tube and a handy 30ml travel size which is perfect if you want to give it a go before commiting to the full size which is expensive at over €30! I was lucky enough to find mine in a blog sale so I managed to get it cheaper, but sadly since I have fallen in love I will more than likely be forking out the full price..sob!

Have you tried this primer? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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Maybelline Mint for Life

Hello Lovelies!

I wanted to write about a nail polish that I have absolutely been loving lately. You all know I am a big fan of Essie's Mint Candy Apple but I think I may have found something better! (gasp!)  I had seen nothing but rave reviews about this little beauty so I thought it was about time I gave it a whirl!

It's slightly lighter than Mint Candy Apple and a lot more on the pastel side of things, which I really like. It was the formula that impressed me most though! On the bottle it claims to last up to 7 days which I would almost agree with, I kept mine on 5 days and only took it off because I chipped one of the nails which was my fault because I was trying to take my phone cover off. If that didn't happen I would say it would easily last the 7 days! The brush is perfect too, my favourite shape the fan. Literally have to run it over my nail once to get full coverage!

I definitely want to try some other colours from this range! What ones would you recommend? I'm liking the look of Hot Salsa so that may be my next purchase!

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Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturiser

Hello Ladies!

Let me introduce you to my latest obsession, the Vaseline Spray & Go moisturiser. Now I'm going to tell you a little secret. I actually hate moisturising, I think it's so much effort and waiting for it all to sink in is just the worst, especially if you want nothing more than to just go to bed! Being the tan-aholic that I am we all know the number one rule is to moisturise, moisturise, moisturise! 

Enter Vaseline's brilliant new product, the Spray & Go. This ingenious idea cuts down my moisturising routine time by half! I literally do a light spray across my body, a little rub in if needed and I'm good to go! At first I was abit apprehensive about the spray because I thought it would come out in a squirt and you would have to rub it in properly yourself. But I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it comes out in a continuous mist. It still gives the same moisturisation that a normal moisture does too! The smell of the Cocoa Butter one is just devine. There are three versions of the moisturiser, the gorgeous oh so lovely Cocoa Radiant, the Essential Moisturise and the Aloe Fresh version. 

I would definitely recommend you give this a go if you are like me and a tad on the lazy side when it comes to moisturising, it is life changing! They are exclusive to Boots at the moment so if you want to give it a go you can get it online here for €6.16/£4.99  If you have tried this please let me know what you thought and what one you tried. I think I'll have to get the Aloe Fresh version next! 

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