Not Feeling the Christmas Spirit? This Post Will Get You Feeling Festive

This year I feel like Christmas is flying by! The lead up to the big day is my fav <3 I love all the lights in town and my house feeling all warm and christmassy and my room smelling like one big Yankee Candle. This year I'm not feeling festive at all.

Probably has something to do with this growing up business, pretending to be a young adult and all that jazz! sad face.

All I can say is thank god I'm not working in retail this Christmas. woo-hoo.

But your never too old for Christmas!

I've made a list of crap I love to do, and I need to do this year to get the Christmas juices flowing. Mmm juices, now i'm thinking of Christmas dinner lol.

#1

Go buy a Christmas jumper.

They're warm and Christmassy and if wearing a bright red jumper with a Rudolph Pug with a giant bobble nose doesn't get you in the spirit I don't know what will.

#2

Go Ice-skating

I don't know about you but I always forget how to ice-skate! I'll be flying along like a pro after half an hour on falling around and clinging for dear life to the barriers, but without a doubt every year the first time I get back on the ice I'm like Bambi.

But its great craic and something different to do with friends.

#3 

Listening to Christmas FM

Defo something I love doing, especially in work!

Makes it that little bit easier to get through the day. Ya'll feel my pain? haha

I love that Santa Claus got stuck in my chimney song, awhh so many memories.

#4

 Buying cute wrapping paper and attempting to wrap presents.

Ok, so I'm no where near a pro, my wrapping skills are awful but its the thought that counts.

I love when I've finished buying all my presents for everyone and I sit down on the floor in my room (sad I know, but my room is a box room, its tiny) playing Christmas songs and putting my wrapping skills to action.

Penneys are by far the best for cute gift bags and paper, just saying.

#5

Coffee at Starbucks

Iv also not had one yet this year, this makes me sad, but there's nothing more Christmassy than sitting in Starbucks with a toffee nut latte in a christmas themed cup.

So cozy! 

#6

Christmas Markets

First time seeing the Christmas markets at Stephens' Green this morning, and they were closed :(

They look so cute though. There about 30 little stalls selling nutella crepes! personalized christmas decs and more! whats not to love.

I really need to go again, this time when its open, i'll be so fat by the time I make it round to all the stalls, oh well. 

Theses are just some of the things I love around Christmas time, I'm going to wrap it up (pun intended) and leave it there.

Hope your feeling more festive

Until Next Time

My GO-TO Lip Combo: NYX Cosmetics

Pucker Up!

Apologies for my lack of post lately, my laptop was so run down and I couldn't face how slow it was. This is my first post on my new laptop, woo hoo!, on two lip products I adore <3

Enjoy xox

I have been loving nude lips since the Summer and I cannot get enough of them. Whether I'm heading out for a night out or simply for everyday wear, a nude lip is my go-to.

I came across these two products a couple of weeks back and I haven't stopped wearing them. They look amazing paired together or worn alone!

Its the NYX Matte lip stick in the shade Euro Trash (love the name) and NYX Butter Gloss in Tiramisu.

Ahhhhhh! I'm in love, I need every shade!

Heres some Swatches (Top-Matte Lipstick, Bottom-Butter Gloss)

Until Next Time,

My Top 5 Favorite Foundations: High-end and Drugstore

FAV FOUNDATIONS <3

I love each of these foundations equally, but for different reasons and different occasions, If you would like a full, in depth review of any of these foundations just leave a comment

xox

#1

Estee Lauder Double Wear

I love this foundation especially for summer time when my skin isn't as dry! I find in winter i need a good moisturizer underneath to make this work, I usually use my night cream to avoid it exaggerating an dry patches. 

This foundation is amazing for those days where you need you makeup to stay put all day.

It also photographs really well and its defiantly full coverage so its perfect for a night out/event!

Full review here

#2

Mac Studio Fix Fluid

This was the first foundation I ever tried from Mac and I still love it to this day. Its full coverage and it gives my skin a softer looking texture which I love.

I do find If I wear this as an everyday foundation I do break out a bit but I love it for special occasions or a night out. I normally use 1 to 2 pumps of this all over my face and it covers any redness or spots that I have going on.  I use this in the shade NC35 for when I'm fake tanned. 

#3

Mac Pro Long Wear

This one is very similar to Estee Lauder Double Wear. Its very long wearing and not the best for drier skin types. Its a medium to buildable coverage. Its not as drying as Double Wear I don't find and it lasts almost as well on the skin. I have combination skin that is slightly dry at times and I can get away with this foundation if I use a good moisturizer underneath. Its very comparable to Estee Lauder DW!

#4

Bourjois Health Mix Foundation

I love this foundation for everyday. It perfect for the winter months, it feels so moisturizing and refreshing when you apply it and it smells gorge!

It gives a radiant, satin finish to the skin and last an OK amount of time on the skin by itself. I usually use my Mac studio fix plus powder when I wear this and  it holds up a couple of hours extra before it starts to look a bit shiny.

This foundation is similar to Mac Studio Sculpt, although I do love Studio Sculpt more, its a cheaper option if your on a budget!

#5 Revlon ColorStay (Oily/Combo Version)

I have a love/hate relationship with this foundation! the reason being is, its a nightmare to work with! Its a very thick yet runny foundation when you pour it out?!? I find it so weird to work with because of this. Its thick when you first go to apply it but when you buff it out it doesn't look like you have a lot of foundation on at all yet it still covers nearly everything.

It also drys really quick and you cant really layer the foundation because of this. I find it leaves dark grey looking marks if i apply it to an area that need a bit more concealing.

Other times I use this foundation I love it! I think the key is to work quickly and use a damp beauty blender. I find this works best!

I go through phases with this foundation. I wont use it for ages then Ill go to use it and love it.

It does last a really long time on the skin and it think it gets better throughout the day! My blush/bronzer holds up really well with this foundation too.

Hope you enjoyed,

Until Next Time,

  

White to Brown

TANTASTIC <3

Mini review on my new favourite fake tan. I bought this stuff a couple of weeks back from Salon Services and I am so impressed.

Its such a great self tan and it only cost me around €12!

Its a gel/lotion type constancy and it doesn't feel drying at all.

It doesn't look muddy when you apply it so you could wear it throughout the day while its developing. I prefer to apply it after I've showered at night and let it develop while I'm asleep that way I can shower the tan guard off the following morning and I'm good to go!

It does have a slight fake tan smell, but not as strong as other tans I've tried and it doesn't make me feel sticky while its developing either, which I love!

I love that its super dark too, most tans I've tried look nice and dark but once I shower the tan guard off its not as dark as I would like.

This tan goes slightly patchy after 3/4 days around the inside of the arms etc....

but its barely noticeable and by that stage its time to scrub it off and re-apply a fresh coat anyway.

I have little to no trouble at all trying to remove this tan, all it takes is a light scrub using a pair of exfoliator gloves and your good to go!

This will definitely be me go-to tan from now on.

Heres some before and after pics of the tan.

Before Application

 Straight after application

Hope this helped.

Until Next Time,

Party Season Makeup: Soft Smokey Eye

Soft and Smokey!

Perfect for everyday, I created this soft smokey eye look using the Sleek iDivine Oh So Special Palette. I paired it with a nude lip so the eyes did all the talking!

I went for dewy skin that's slightly bronzed with lots of highlight.

Heres a closer look. Instead of using a soft brown as the transition shade I used a baby pink. I also used this shade to smoke out the lower lash line and give it a softer look.

I popped on some natural lashes to add volume and a bit of length.

I used a shimmery champagne/pink on the inner corners to make the eyes pop even more. I think it looks amazing on blue eyes!

*PRODUCT LIST*

EYES

-Oh So Special Palette

- Ardell Demi Whispie Eye Lashes

- Maybelline The Falsies Volume Express Mascara

-Soap and Glory Brow Archery Pencil in Hot Chocolate

-Inglot gel liner in 77(winged liner and in water line)

LIPS

-Mac Lip Liner in Spice

-Sleek 4 Lip Palette in Ballet 

FACE

-Seventeen WOW liquid highlighter as a primer and highlight

-Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

-Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer

-Mac Studio Fix Plus Powder (Under eye area only)

-Rimmel Bronzer in Medium Matte

Until Next Time,

Monthly Favs

November Favourites <3

All the products I have been loving and reaching for almost everyday!

#1 Kate Rimmel Lipsticks!

 I love these lippies and they're so affordable too! just €6.99 each. I have mine in the shades 101 (Pale Pink) 107 (Deep Wine/Red) 05 (Dark Nude) and 03 (Pale Nude)

#2 Sleek 4 Lip Palette in the Shade Ballet 

I have mentioned this beauty before! see full review here.

Four perfect nude lipsticks in one little palette. I used this all the time and its so handy to throw in your bag and reapply using the little lip brush and mirror when your on the go!

 #3 NO7 Lash Adapt Mascara <3

one of my favourite mascaras along with Max Factor 2000 calorie counts mascara and Maybelline Falsies mascara. It cost €16.95, I got it when I had one of those vouchers for NO7 that you always get when you buy something in Boots. Its makes my lashes so long and thick, without looking clumpy! it doesn't smudge or flake off and its easy to take off <3

#4 Rimmel Sun Shimmer in Medium Matte 

I used to use this bronzer back in the day when I first started using make up but I'm almost sure they didn't have the matte version back then?! Picked this up to give it a go and I love it for everyday contouring/bronzing. I'm still on the hunt for the perfect bronzer, any suggestions?

I really want to try Mac Matte Bronze! its next on the list.

 #5 Seventeen Skin WOW! Highlighter/Illuminator 

I have also done a full review on this product here!

Its such a gorgeous liquid highlighter. Perfect for mixing in with your foundation for a more dewy finish. You cant go wrong it for €7.59 either!

#6 Seventeen Instant GLOW Shimmer Brick

I use the top two shades as a highlighter, its so similar to Mac Soft and Gentle Mineral Skin Finish. I  picked this up from Boots for €6.99

#7 Sleek iDivine Oh So Special Palette

This palette is great for every day eye looks as well as more dramatic looks. It includes shimmers, mattes and pearl finish mineral based eye shadows that have great pigmentation. In the palette you'll find some matte baby pinks, shimmery pinks/champaigns, matte warm browns, a matte purple and matte black. Some are more pigmented than others but you can only expect that from a drug store brand. Definitely worth €9.99!

#8Maybelline Gel Liner

Love this little pot! Perfect if you haven't tried gel liner yet and you want to give it a go. Its so creamy and the pigmentation is quite good. I usually need to go over it once or twice but it lasts all day. The bottle top on the packaging is too cute!

Hope you enjoyed my monthly Favs!

Until Next Time,

Estee Lauder Double Wear

Estee Lauder Double Wear

If your a full coverage foundation kind of girl like myself then you will LOVE this!

I love it so much I have two bottles, one to match me when I'm fake tanned and one to match my natural skin tone.

There are so many shades in this foundation for warm, cool and neutral skin tones, so you'll be sure to find the perfect shade for you. 

I use the shade 1W2 Sand (NC20 IN MAC)for when I'm not fake tanned

and 3W2 (NC30/35 IN MAC) when I am fake tanned. 

The foundation claims to "Keep skin looking fabulous, breathing through heat, humidity and activity without fading or coming off on clothes."

and trust me its all so true! I wear this in work from around 7:30 in the morning to 8pm at night and it looks 99% the same as when I first applied it, which is amazing!

Don't believe me? take a look at the reviews on Debenhams website. This foundation has 346 reviews and received 4.8/5 stars.

http://www.debenhams.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10052_10001_123008974799_-1

Down below I've listed some pros and cons that iv discovered throughout my time using this foundation.

Pros

Lasts at least 12 hours

Does not fade

Doesn't go patchy or oily around nose/T-zone area
Only need a small amount for full coverage result
Doesn't need a primer and still lasts amazing on skin

Huge range of shades available.

Cons

Price point €37 (worth every penny though)

Doesn't work well with a primer (but  its so long lasting you wont need one anyway)

No pump on bottle


Here's some pics of what the foundation looks like on

Make sure you pick up a sample first, there sample size is so generous, I got a full week, maybe more out of mine!

Hope this helped,
Until Next Time,