Best of Beauty Blog Challenge | Budget Bargain

These weeks really are flying, week 6 of the challenge already? Hello again to any regulars and welcome to any new readers. This 8 week challenge was set up by the beautiful Sam over at All The Buzz.

So this week I had to pick one bargain buy, be it skincare or makeup. It will be interesting to see if this answer is the least original of them all. Since this product is incredibly hyped in the beauty blogging world (and for good reason). Without further ado, I present to you, Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer.

Apologies for not having a better photograph, I'm doing this week's post on the go! There isn't much I can say about this concealer that hasn't already been said. Other than literally, if you don't own it, change that. Honestly, you won't regret it. It's only €6.49 in Boots, that's certainly a budget bargain. I rank it up there beside my NARS creamy concealer, which is over 4 times the price.

You know what to do ladies....

What's your favourite concealer, do you own this one?

Best of Beauty Blog Challenge | Make Up Must Haves

Week 3 of the #BOBBlogChallenge already? This week the focus is Make Up Must Haves, those essential items you just can't live without! I also recommend heading over to All The Buzz to check out Samantha's post and to see all the participants in the Challenge!

So I've rounded up the troops and I think I'm left with the following essentials...

First up is the Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum, not to be confused with the foundation, the serum has a nice light, velvety feel to it. I have mentioned this foundation time and time again on my blog, so instead of boring you, here is a full review. I wear it day and night, I love it!

Next up is the Bobbi Brown Corrector. It's perfect for on the go, it covers under your eyes well, with a tiny hint of highlight. I have my one quite a long time now and I still haven't hit pan, so while it's not super cheap, it definitely is lasting a lot longer than any concealer I have ever owned. To top it all off, it has a little mirror in, which saves me carrying around an extra item in my makeup bag, perfect!

This is definitely my "go to" lipstick. I think it's great for everyday wear, while also having enough colour for nights out too! I'm rarely without this Bourjois Shine Edition Lipstick. So much so, it's almost finished at this stage. Would you believe it'll be the first EVER lipstick I completely used? I usually lose a lipstick or grow bored of it before I could ever possibly reach the end. So I don't think it could come with a stronger endorsement from me! 

I have five of these Maybelline Colour Tattoo 24hr Cream Shadows in total and I love them all. They're great as an eyeshadow themselves, but even more commonly I use them as a base for other shades. I find using these stops all other shadows from budging, even after hours of wear. I also find whenever there is some wear, it's great to have a lasting shade underneath (which is why I have 5 shades, I will try to match the cream shadow base with the colour I am actually wearing).

Finally I have the Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless. I love this mascara for really separating and lengthening my lashes. Then if I want dramatic eyes I will usually layer it with another volumising mascara. It's perfect on its own for everyday wear as well as for nights out!


So that's it for another week, do you own any of these products, what do you think of them?
What are your make up must haves?

Favourites | The Best of 2013

Okay okay, it's been a couple of months, instead of boring you with the details, let's just get 2014 off to a productive start! What better way to begin the year than a quick look back to 2013 and what products I reached for time and time again! There are loads of products I could have included, but I really tried to keep it to the bare minimum of what I used almost everyday.

So I touched on some of my favourite face, hair, lip and eyes products along with two of my favourite tools. There shouldn't be any major surprises as most will have featured in my monthly favourites throughout the year.

What were your favourite products of 2013?

Blogtober #1 | September Favourites

This is the first official post in Blogtober! I aim to do a blog each day for the whole month, so stay tuned!

I can't believe September is over already, Autumn is really upon us and we're seeing the last of the sunshine! This month I have not been wearing quite as much make up. I have been trying to give my skin a bit of a break. So with that, lets get straight into this month's favourites!

There has been one lipstick that has barely left my side and that's the Bourjois Shine Edition (shade #24). Not only is it in my favourite colour, the pigmentation is beautiful and it feels so moisturising on the lips, which is perfect for this time of year. It comes out a little darker on the lips than is shown here, but it eliminates the need for a gloss.

Another handbag essential this month has been yet another Bourjois product, their Healthy Mix Serum foundation (shade 51). I mentioned this in a blog about a light summer foundation. It is a low coverage and excellent for everyday wear (especially when you have dry skin like me). It only takes some bronzer, blush and lipstick to instantly turn a day look into night. It gives you that you-at-your-best look without looking too much like you are wearing foundation.

Another favourite this month has been a nail varnish. During the week I like to wear nail varnish, while making it seem like I'm not wearing any (due to working in an office, I can't wander around in all the bright colours I love). As a result I have been loving this shade (threadbare) from Topshop. It's neutral enough not to draw any attention, but I still get to wear polish midweek!

I have recently acquired yet another Real Techniques brush, this is their Blush brush. I just love the shape, size and feel of this brush. I can't see me going back to any other brush I've previously used for blusher. Real Techniques have converted me (yet again)!

So what have you been loving for the month of September?

August Favourites

It's that time of the month again where I recap on some of my favourite items from the last month.

As you can see from the Clarins cleanser it's almost gone, that definitely got a lot of use this month. It just has the most amazing smell of oranges, incredibly refreshing and leaves my skin feeling so soft, you can also use it on the eyes, so saves multiple product purchases. My Aussie leave-in conditioner is almost at the point of re-purchase and I've hit pan with my Bobbi Brown pressed powder. As I went to electric picnic last week, I definitely got great use out of Soap & Glory's hand sanitiser. The Collection concealer was also great for the summer (and Electric Picnic) for when I didn't want to have to go for the full make up look and avoid foundation altogether, it was perfect for under the eyes, red areas and blemishes. 

This month I have been loving two products from Make Up For Ever, their Face & Body foundation, as I have dry skin and their lip brush. I find the foundation has a very natural finish. Also as I have been wearing a lot of bold lips lately, the lip brush is perfect for controlling the amount of my product that goes onto my lip. On top of that, it folds into itself and is perfect for travelling!

Products Included

Clarins - One-Step Facial Cleanser with Orange Extract

Collection - Last Perfection Concealer (2 Light)

Soap & Glory - Hand Maid Hand Cleansing Gel 

Bobbi Brown - Sheer Finish Pressed Powder (Pale Yellow)

Make Up For Ever - Face & Body Foundation (#20)

Make Up For Ever - Lip Brush

Aussie - Leave-In Conditioner (Miracle Hair Insurance)

Do you use any of these products?

What did you love during the month of August?

June Favourites

So we're already into July and full swing into Summer, even if the weather only sometimes appears to reflect that here in Ireland. Below I have shared my favourite products for the month of June. They are all compact, small products that feature this month. I guess in the summer time you have less pockets and smaller handbags, it's compact make up's time to shine! For reference I have included the full names and shades of all products at the end of this post.

Hair Care - Tangle Teezer

I have always been a little sceptical of this comb which claims to de-tangle your hair. As someone who bleaches their hair blonde, there are a large number of products I've tried that aren't quite up to the task. A few weeks ago I decided to take the plunge and bought a Tangle Teezer and boy was I proven wrong. I would recommend this to everyone and anyone. I have done a complete flip and am utterly in love with this product. After washing my hair and towel drying, I apply a leave in conditioner/de-tangler spray and then glide this comb through my hair. There are no snags or pulls. Magic! I bought the travel version, so it is great as it comes with a cover to keep the bristles in tact when you're on the move.

Blusher - Bourjois

I am really enjoying this little blusher from Bourjois. I actually got it free when I purchased the Bourjois Foundation mentioned here, which is always nice. I like the simple packaging that matches the shade of the product, making it easy to find in my make up bag. It is a nice bright colour and a little goes a long way!

Corrector - Bobbi Brown

This little product has become a make up bag essential for me, it's so small and compact. It's Bobbi Brown's corrector. It is great for disguising bags under my eyes and just generally brightening up my eyes. I have had it for months, and as you can see I've barely made a dent. So while it is a little pricier than some brands, you really get your value for money in its longevity.


Eye Shadow - Maybelline

This Color Tattoo 24hour shadow is a relatively new edition to my collection. While I haven't heavily tested in terms of staying power as yet, I'm loving it as a neutral shade all over my lids when I'm going for a very natural make up look. It finishes your eyes off without drawing too much attention, I am in love with this shade. I have also used it once or twice a base for other eye shadows, with great effect.

**Star Buy** - Tangle Teezer

Tangle Teeezer - Compact Styler - Gold Rush
Bourjois - Blush - 48 Ashes of Roses
Bobbi Brown - Corrector - Extra Light Bisque
Maybelline - Gel/Cream Eyeshadow - Colour Tattoo 24hour - 35 On and on bronze


What were some of your favourite products in June?
Have you tried any of the above, what do you think of them?

May Favourites

That month seemed to fly by, hard to believe the June bank holiday is now over. So below I have included some of my favourite products from the month of May.

I have only recently discovered essie nail varnish, but I am already in love. With a base coat and top coat, it lasted 5 days entirely chip free and it is a great summer pastel shade. While I know Apocalips lip lacquer's abilities have been well documented, I am really loving the shade Celestial this month. Unlike my Big Bang and Apocaliptic shades, I can wear this as an everyday colour. It brings some colour to my face for the somewhat sunnier weather we've been experiencing. Which brings to my other face favourite this month, the Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer. I use this product in conjunction with my Real Techniques Detailer brush. I find a little really goes a long way and the detailer brush is perfect for allowing me complete control over how much product I use and allows me to blend beautifully. I have never owned a detailer brush, before now I always used my finger. However if you are someone who suffers from blemishes like myself, I would definitely recommend the investment.

In terms of eye shadow I am really enjoying my Inglot pallete which I received as a gift from a friend for my birthday. I am particularly liking the first two shades, gold and brown, for two toned eyes (you can tell by the packaging it is well loved).

Then moving on from make up, my favourite hair care product this month is Aussie 3 minute miracle, the frizz remedy. I don't use this product every day (as it is quite pricey for its size), rather I use it as a treat for my hair at weekends. I do I feel it has helped soften my hair, especially since it is blonde, I may try the Reconstructor variety next.

The last product to feature in my May favourites, is a skincare product from Clarins. I also received this a gift, but have only recently begun using it regularly. It is there Silky-Smooth body cream. Just as the name suggests it leaves your skin feeling silky smooth. I love how it glides onto the skin and doesn't leave an oily/sticky feel afterwards. It is especially great for dry spots around the elbows and knees!

This month's star product? essie nail lacquer


Do you use any of these products, how are you finding them?
What have been your favourite products from May 2013?


Products in this blog:
- essie nail lacquer (Spring 2013 collection) - bond with whomever
- Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer - Celestial
- Bourjois Healthy Mix Concealer - 51 eclat clair
- Real Techniques Detailer Brush
- Inglot Eyeshadow - AMC Shine 34 (gold)
- Inglot Eyeshadow - 457 (brown)
- Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Deep Treatment - Frizz Remedy
- Clarins Eau Ressourçante Silky-Smooth Body Cream

April Favourites - Hair Care

Summer is finally here, the sun is starting to make an appearance, yay! So I'm sharing with you my favourite hair products from April 2013.

I am only recently getting into using products on my hair, despite many many years of blow drying, bleaching and straightening it. I am finally giving it the love and attention it deserves!

Alberto V05 - High Volume Hair Spray - Extra Strong Hold

I think this hair spray is great for getting the achieved affect without being too heavy or clumpy in your hair. It holds a style in place without leaving too much product sitting on top of your hair. It also doesn't make your hair feel hard or give it that wet look. I find it allows me to create a very natural looking style that lasts.

Batiste - Dry Shampoo - Original
Dry Shampoo is a genius invention. It's great for a pick-me-up, when you want to re-style your hair or when your hair is looking a bit greasy. You can use it to volumise your hair to create a fuller look. At the end of a long day,  you can spritz it into your hair to allow you to re-style it. As I find over-handling your hair can make it look greasy, even if it's only freshly washed that morning. And of course when you're hair is looking a bit greasy and your stuck for time, it is a great alternative. I will usually try wash my hair every other day to allow the natural oils a chance to do their job! This is a great option for that middle day. If I have time, I leave it in for a few minutes before brushing through, but if time is of the essence, I will make sure to properly distribute it through my roots using my fingers.

TRESemmé  - Styling Spray - Heat Defence
As someone who always blow drys and straightens their hair it is criminal that I have not been using a heat protection spray before now. Now that I've discovered TRESemmé Heat Defence Styling Spray I won't be looking back. I find once I've used my straightener now, my hair has a much softer finish. Even after the first use I found my hair looked healthier and less damaged. The ends don't look so dried out. I would definitely recommend this for anyone who using heated tools on their hair!

Star buy: TRESemmé Heat Defence Styling Spray

So what hair care products have you been using lately? 

Do you have any product suggestions for me?