January Beauty Favourites

  

January was definitely a long month. Christmas seems like a life time ago and there has been so many new products that I have tried this month along with a lot of old rediscoveries.

Becca Champagne Pop 

I was lucky enough to get my hands on this much coveted highlighter this month. I have already written a blog post about my thoughts and ravings about it. But just to sum it up, this highlighter is above and beyond anything I have ever used before. There is no glitter visible on the cheeks when this is applied but it is still gives the most intense glow I have ever seen. It literally glides onto the skin and is effortless to apply. Since getting this, it is all I have been wearing on the tops of my cheeks and on the top of my brow bone. It just sets off any kind of look that I have been wearing. It is now part of the permanent line for Becca and is slowly becoming easier to get hold of outside of America, so if you can get hold of it I 100% recommend that you do!

Revlon Uniq One All In One Hair Treatment

I think I have already featured this in a monthly favourites before but I just had to give it another mention. This is the only hair styling product I have used in my hair this month. It gives me everything that I need for my hair. It detangles, adds shine, smooths, offers heat protection and adds body and volume. It smells gorgeous and just a few sprays through the ends of my hair leaves it feeling so nourished and healthy. It has become an essential in my hair care routine, and I have been using it every time I wash my hair over the past few months.

 Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask

Another old favourite that I thought deserved a mention was this mask from Origins. I adore Origins skincare, and this is one of the stand out products that I have discovered so far. My skin has been feeling so dehydrated the past month or so, and this has been a life saver. You can leave this on overnight as an intensive hydrating moisturiser or apply a thick layer for a few minutes as a quick injection of moisture. It leaves my skin feeling so hydrated and plumped up after using it. My make-up always applies so much better the morning after I have used this, and it smells like peaches..devine!

Inglot HD Foundation

I picked this up before Christmas and have been giving it the road test since. I am planning on doing an entire review about this foundation so I won't go on too much about it here. This is a full overage foundation with a satin/natural finish. A little really goes a long way foundation, but as you can see I am still flying through it! I have been wearing it on a daily basis and even at work I find that it lasts incredibly well. I would need to lightly powder after a few hours just to get rid of excess oils, but the foundation doesn't break down or fade. 

Ghost Eclipse Perfume

I regretted including this in my post after realizing that I will have to try and explain how it smells. But I have been loving it too much not to include it! I got a tiny sample of this perfume years ago with a magazine, and always meant to pick up the full size. I spotted it in the Boots Christmas sale, and snapped it up for under €20! This reminds me of Summer, it's a light, fresh fragrance that is really non offensive for everyday use. It lasts really well though-out the day but not in that over-powering way that some perfumes can be. I think it is the perfect perfume for the Spring, and I'd definitely recommend you give it a smell if you can!

So those are my favourites for the month of January. Let me know what your favourite products for the month have been and if you have any recommendations!

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Cocoa Brown Golden Goddess | Shimmering Dry Body Oil

She's done it again. The genius that is Marissa Carter has created yet another amazing product. We all know and love Cocoa Brown. I seriously doubt there is an Irish girl that hasn't tried her tan at this stage. I have gone through countless bottles and it is my go to tan. In November the beautiful Golden Goddess oil was released and I was lucky enough to pick it up almost straight away in a Penneys close to me. 

I was dying to get my hands on this as soon as the teaser photos started to emerge over the internet in the months leading up to the release. I have never tried something like this before, and alot of people have been comparing this to the much hyped NUXE dry body oil. I learned quickly that a little goes a long way with this oil. I have been using this as a face highlighter more so than anything and I am beyond obsessed. One pump is plenty to do the tops of my cheekbones so this bottle is going to last forever. 

I apply it using my Real Techniques Setting Brush just after I've applied my foundation and concealer, before I apply any powder products. It is definitely a very golden oil so I do only use it when I'm wearing a decent amount of tan. I think it is a little bit too much when I am my natural pale shade, but I'm not that shade too often so I don't need to worry about that. This is the most shimmery thing I have ever used. It is so glittery and it completely brightens up any make up look. It lasts amazingly well throughout the day too!  It looks amazing on the collar bones and down the centre of the legs for a night out (because I go out sooo often..lol!)

 

I definitely recommend you pick this up. It is the perfect addition to any Cocoa Brown collection and definitely will be a staple for many for a night out. It is available from Penneys nationwide for €11.95...bargain!

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Becca | Champagne Pop

 Following on from my Jacyln Hill obsession in my last blog post, the whole thing that started off my obsession was this highlighter. I bought it off Depop, brand new and unused. I figured it was only right to research the woman behind the highlighter- and now I'm obsessed with both.

I have tried very little from Becca, but any reviews that I have read or seen have been nothing but complimentary. The world went mad for Champagne Pop during the Summer last year, but unfortunately it was slightly harder to get hold of in Ireland since it was a Sephora exclusive. It has since become a permanent addition to the Becca line, and it is now available from Space NK which makes it a little more accessible to us beauty addicts across the pond. 

You all know I am highlighter obsessed. I would say it is my favourite part of putting on make-up, next to mascara because it can make the most difference to your face. This is the most buttery feeling powder that I have ever used. I was worried that this highlighter was going to be slightly too dark for my skintone- but it is perfect. It gives the most natural looking highlight I have found so far. It applies like a dream and blends out beautifully.  

All the hype about Champagne Pop is definitely justified. I imagine it would compliment a lot of different skin tones. This looks beautiful on it's own just with bronzer on the tops of the cheekbones or with a little bit of blush underneath. I have been wearing this everyday. Some people might consider this a little much for everyday wear- but I like a lot of highlight. Even though it is a little bit harder to get your hands on here in Ireland, I would 100% recommend you try to get a swatch of it. You won't regret it! 

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MAC | Spellbinder

I recently discovered Jacyln Hill's videos on YouTube (I know, what rock have I been living under?!) and in one of her recent get ready with me videos she used this blush from MAC. It was literally love at first sight, and I had it ordered within the hour. I haven't worn blusher on an everyday basis in the past few weeks - purely because I had fallen out of love with it. I wasn't feeling the plum shades I had been reaching for in the colder months and I felt it was too soon to be breaking out the corals and the pinks. 

In the video this looked so brightening and illuminating on the skin that I did half expect it to turn up and be pure glitter. This was not the case. It is more gorgeous than I thought! I didn't even google swatches of this, I didn't hear anything else about it until I seen Jacyln use it in her video. I just realised I haven't even told you what it is. This is the "Spellbinder" blush from the MAC Faerie Whispers collection. I actually posted about this collection on my Facebook a few days before discovering this blush! The press pictures do not do this blush any justice in my opinion, because in real life this is gorgeous! 

When I first wore this blush, my mum commented on it saying it looked gorgeous. My mum never really notices what I wear on my face, so for her to comment on it the first day I wore it really meant something! On first application this made my skin look healthier and brighter. It is the perfect mix between a coral and a pink shade. It completely brightens up my complexion while still looking subtle and as natural as a pink blush can. It is a satin finish which gives a nice gleam to the skin without any glitter. Add a highlighter on top and it is just perfection. It is very sheer so it is hard to go wrong with it, and it is the most perfect shade for the transition from Winter to Spring.

I'm not sure how much longer this blush is going to be available so if you are eyeing it up definitely snap it up before it leaves counters! It is available from MAC counters and online here.

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2015 Beauty Favourites

It feels so weird to think that we are already in 2016. 2015 really did fly past and in the last couple of months I really have fallen off the blogging bandwagon. But I am aiming to have 2016 to be my most productive "blogging" year yet. My make-up addiction is still definitely there, and now that I have an amazing new dressing table and set of Alex drawers, I am so much more motivated to actually do blog posts. 

I have to admit I wasn't overly prepared for my end of year favourites, and I have put them together in a bit of a rush. But I really do love all of these products and have been using them consistently throughout the year, or since I got them. I have them all separated into categories in a bid to be slightly organized!

 

The Base

No.7 Airbrush Away Primer

I never used to be overly bothered with primer on a day to day basis, until I started using the Airbrush away by No.7. This stuff creates the nicest base for foundation to be applied to. It does have a slight silicone feel to it, but I have combination skin and it doesn't cause any break outs on me thankfully! It really helps the longevity of my foundation and concealer though-out the day. Since I got this, I don't think a day has gone by that I haven't used it. If I want a more luminous base, I just add either, one of my luminating primers or a liquid highlighter to it to add that extra glow. 

Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation

I decided not to included my beloved NARS Sheer Glow foundation because I figured you'd all be sick to death of hearing me speak about it. But another firm favorite of this year has been the Rimmel Match Perfection. They re-released it this year with a new pore-blurring quality but I still think it is pretty much the same. I do think that this is a nice alternative to the NARS Sheer Glow but not as long-lasting on the skin. It gives medium/buildable coverage without looking or feeling heavy or cakey which is what I love in a foundation. 

Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser Eye Concealer

Longest name ever! I really became addicted to this concealer this year after seeing so much about it online. It has gotten so many rave reviews and rightly so. The application method is not the most hygienic, the concealer comes out through a little sponge at the top. I use the shade light which, when I have tan on, creates a gorgeous highlighted look under my eyes. It really does what it says on the tin- it erases the dark circles away. It lasts all day on me and doesn't cake, or crease like a lot of other concealers tend to do under my eyes.

NYX Stay Matte, Not Flat Powder Foundation

This is what I have been using the past couple of months of the year as my setting powder. I have been on the hunt for a good setting powder that takes away excess shine but doesn't look overly powdery on the skin. This is the closest I could find to what I wanted. This is actually marketed as a powder that you can wear on it's own and it will give you a light coverage like a foundation. I like getting the extra little bit of coverage on top of whatever foundation I am wearing so this is perfect. It does take away shine but its not the longest lasting powder I have ever used. I do like it though and it has been my go-to powder of 2015.

 

Brows

NYX Micro Brow Pencil
Brows have been the main thing that I have changed up products for in the past year. I think it all started with the Anastasia Brow Whiz, and I've just been going from there. The one brow pencil I was most impressed with for the price was the NYX version. It is almost identical for a fraction of the price. I use this to outline and fill in the majority of my brows as the first step in my routine. It gives a nice light definition to my brows.

Inglot AMC Brow Gel 
The one major difference this year to my brows has been the introduction of these gel type products. Again similar to the Anastasia version, this is a moose consistency that you dip an angles brush in to do your brows. I can not rave highly enough about this one from Inglot. Inglot is a brand that I have become absolutely obsessed with this past year, and I have a lot of products of theirs featured in this favourites. This gel is so highly pigmented that you need the tiiiiiniest amount to do your brows. I like to run a small bit under my arch and through the ends for extra definition. I use it on its own for a quick look if I'm in a rush in the mornings because it can be quicker than trying to get an ultra defined look with the pencil.

Inglot 31T Eyebrow brush
This and the gel are just a match made in heaven. Out of all the angled brushes I have, I have used this the most over the past year. It is a lovely firm brush but it is very slim. It is great for applying just the right amount and adding definition to the brows.

 

Eyeshadows

Lorac Pro Palette
I was lucky enough to get my hands on this palette at the start of the year (thanks Ciara!) and it has been a firm favourite ever since. You will have seen all the reviews about this online, there's loads but after seeing all the hype I was lusting after it for ages. The shadows are the most amazing selection of shades and there is such a gorgeous variety of looks that you can create from it. The shadows themselves are gorgeous, they blend beautifully and are so pigmented. If you can get your hands on this I recommend you do, it is definitely worth it!

Inglot Love Palette
This was my obsession at the end of the year, and still is! Inglot Ireland brought out this exclusive palette containing their best selling shades. Like all Inglot eyeshadows they are just amazing. The pigmentation and just over all quality is amazing. The shades are gorgeous and like the Lorac palette, there are so many different looks you can create. This is still available at the moment so go check it out before it leaves store!

Urban Decay Riff Eyeshadow
One of the products that took the blogging world by storm was Riff by Urban Decay. This shadow was the one that made me actually try warm toned shadows. This is a very warm toned brown shade with a hint of sparkle. It has been compared to the infamous and discontinued MAC Uninterrupted. I haven't tried that so I can't compare, but I will say this is a gorgeous shadow. It looks beautiful blended all over the lid on its own, or it can be used as a transition colour in the crease.

MAC Oh Darling Eyeshadow*
This was a shadow that I received later on in the year and it has been in my make-up bag since. I might not use it everyday but if I want to add some subtle colour to see look, or to deepen up a smoky eye this is the one I reach for. It is a gorgeous deep burgundy shade with a matte finish, so it can be worn both during the day and for a night out.

 

Eyes

No7 Dramatic Lift Mascara
One of the latest No7 mascara launches this year has been the Dramatic Lift. I raved about this when it was originally released with before and after pictures that really speak for themselves. This gives amazing volume and length to my lashes. I love the brush too, it is a natural bristle brush which has a slight curve so it really grabs all the lashes and coats them evenly. 

MAC Feline Eyeliner
I had never tried any MAC eyeliner before this and I was so impressed that I ended up getting Teddy too, which I also love. This is a lovely soft pencil that is really longstanding on the eye. It is definitely not waterproof but it is one of the longest wearing eyeliners I've found that isn't. 

Inglot 77 Gel Liner
Out of all my favourites this year, I think that this is my over all favourite product- I love it that much!  I only got it I November but I have used it so much since that it definitely deserves a place in this year's favourites. It gives the blackest line that I have ever gotten from any eyeliner and it lasts so long on the lids without transferring!

 

Face Products

Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel
This is just one of those products I always go back to. I love it so much I actually repurchased it this year! This is a cream bronzed with a very red undertone. It can be used as a base, under your make-up or on top as an all over bronzed which is how I like to use it. I find it gives a slight more natural look than powder and it is slightly longer lasting too.

MaxFactor Creme Puff Blush |Seductive Pink
As you can see this has been well loved this year. It has just constantly in my make-up bag since getting it and it is just one of those blushes that goes with any sort of look. It's not too in your face but still gives a nice subtle hint of colour to the cheeks. I have hit pan and I don't think will be able to get much more out of this one so I will definitely be repurchasing.

The Ball's Mary Lou-manizer Highlighter
There has been a few.other highlighter that I have fallen in love with towards the end of the year, but the one I definitely got the most use out of through out the year was Mary Lou. This is possibly one of the most talked about highlighters ever. It gives the most intense glow to the cheeks. It's definitely in no way natural looking- but that's half the reason I love it so much. It is just BAM in your face highlighter, and there is no mistaking when someone is wearing Mary Lou. I don't think I will ever have to repurchase this because I haven't made a dent in it, and I've been using it for ages.

 

Lips

MAC Royal Ball Lipstick 
This was part of the Cinderella Collection that was released back in March and it was one of the main bits I wanted to pick up from the collection. I am a big fan of MAC Hue and this is very similar, it is just a little bit more pink. It gives a glossy finish to the lips and is lovely and moisturising. This was my lipstick obsession for the first half of the year - until I realized I wouldn't be able to get it again and I stopped using it altogether. 

NYX Butter Gloss | Fortune Cookie
Another very pale shade- I've been clearly secretly loving the concealer lips look this year! This was one of the lipglosses that I have reached for constantly this year. It gives a sheer wash of colour, smells gorgeous and lasts really long considering it is a gloss. I love all the butter glosses from NYX, and towards the end of the year I fell in love with the Matte Lip Creams. All NYX lip products are phenomenal and I would definitely recommend you pick this up!

Meet Matt(e) Hughes | Adoring
This was my go-to Christmas red lip and I used it so much over the past couple of weeks that I thought it deserved a spot in this favourites. This is one of the best matte liquid lipstick formulas that I have ever tried. It dries to a matte look but still feels lovely and silky on the lips. It didn't dry out my lips at all and lasted so well throughout the day, after eating and everything! It is a gorgeous deep burgundy shade which was just perfect for the festive weeks.

MAC Stripdown Lipliner & Honeylove Lipstick
This combination has been my go to nude lip look for the last couple of months of the year. They are both very cool toned brown shades. Now I do have to wear a lot of tan to get away with these shades but I love the way they look together. They make my teeth look that little bit whiter and compliment any eye look that I have worn with 
them.

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