Clarins Everlasting Compact | Foundation Review

This is a brand new release for Clarins; a long wearing, matte powder foundation in a compact to take with you on the go. This is also a new one for me! 

I'm not sure I've ever actually used a powder foundation. Feel free to gasp in horror at this stage of the proceedings but bear in mind that I have dry skin so I've pretty much always been about the dewier liquid foundations, a powder feels counter-intuitive for dry skin. Add to that, I've always wondered how well a powder foundation can actually apply. Does it cover what you want to cover?

Well, Clarins describe this as an "a timeless compact powder foundation to achieve an ultra matte complexion that goes anywhere with you and minimises dark spots, imperfections and redness, as well as signs of stress". 

Clarins also suggest it provides 15 hours of matte coverage with no need for touch ups and that it won't create a "mask" effect. This is all good news for me, I don't like a very heavy foundation look but I guess the repeated use of the word "matte" did ring some alarm bells for my dry skin! 

I haven't tried the 15 hours of coverage as I pretty much never have make up on my face for that length of time, but I can say it stayed on well for 8 hours. It's a super soft and finely milled powder and it applies like a dream. Having said that, I don't have dry patches but I would worry it might catch on them if you did, in spite of how lovely it is to apply. It is still a powder, after all.

Packaging wise, it's beautifully sleek and lightweight with a mirror and an application sponge that makes it supremely handy for travel, or indeed touch ups, if you found you needed to do so. Other good news is that it has an SPF of 9, not so bad for Winter time and it comes in 13 shades. The shade I have, 108 Sand, is slightly too dark for me normally but works well when I have tan on. 

So, on to the application itself. I prepped for this foundation as I do all of them; cleanse, serum, moisturiser, primer. I used the given sponge for some of my face and a powder foundation brush for the rest and it applied very well with both. 

It definitely has a matte finish and I have to say, it felt weird to me the first time I wore it- I'm just so not used to that sensation! The more I've used it since though, I've found it to actually sit quite comfortably on my skin and furthermore, I absolutely love that you can only apply a small amount and still feel like you've put on your make up. Liquid foundations can be tedious to apply and can take time you might not necessarily have but this is really easy. If I'm doing something or going out for the evening, I'll put on a bit more (see photo below) and build it up. Yesterday though I was just popping out for breakfast in a local cafe and couldn't be bothered with much so I just applied a light layer of this and it gave me a nice glow, without looking overdone. 

If you're still not sure, take a look at the before and after!

I promise that even though they look completely different, neither photo is filtered! Both photos were taken in natural daylight, at the same time of day. No filter, no photoshop. Look how healthy I look in the second one! In the first photo, I'm wearing eye make up and have filled in my brows only, in the second I've added Clarins Everlasting foundation, concealer, bronzer on my neck to even things out and Charlotte Tilbury lipstick in Pillow Talk.

This for me, goes to show that it's always worth breaking out of your comfort zone. With blogging, I've certainly done that but even at my old age blogger status (five years and counting) I can do with mixing things up a bit and trying new formulas, new shades and new ideas, basically! 

If you haven't tried powder foundation but are keen to give it a go, I think this is an ideal option. It's so convenient- pop it in your bag and top it up later in the day if needed, no mess, no fuss. 

If you have dry skin and are worried about powder, bear in mind that you will need to prep your skin properly beforehand and if you suffer from dry patches, you may want to avoid. 

Have you a fan of powder foundations?

Which is your favourite?

To the comments!

XX

Come, Look at My Trash! #6

It's been a while since I've done one of these posts so I've loads to go through! I love a good empties post. As I've mentioned before, I like to look through what a blogger fully used up; it's a good indicator as to whether they'd buy it again and in turn, whether the person reading the post should buy it.

Quite the collection of empty bottles there!

Skin Care 

First up is a bottle of Lancôme's Bi-Facil eye make up remover. This is one of my favourites, it's effective and great for sensitive skin. It's never caused stinging but on the down side, it's pricier than your average eye make-up remover. Would definitely repurchase.

La Roche Posay Hydraphase Masque. This is ideal in the colder weather when your skin is starting to crack. The recommendation is to apply this thick cream and leave for 10-15 minutes but I mostly used it as a night time moisturiser. It's good. Would repurchase.

Lancôme Visionnaire moisturiser and eye cream. These were both minis in an advent calendar and lasted me aaaages! I liked them both but the Lancôme Absolue over there on the right (in the clear glass pot) blew this range out of the water. Absolue is clearly a more luxurious product and felt extremely comforting on and was so moisturising. I'd buy a full size but it's pricey! I'd probably not buy more Visionnaire but that's purely because I've used better- from the same advent calendar, in fact!

Three Micellar Waters; two from Bioderma, the original (pink top) and Hydrabio (blue top), the latter being for sensitive, drier skin. I thought that would be a winner for me but actually it was scented (which I thought was strange) and it didn't seem any different on my skin. Still took all my make-up off without a problem. I'll probably stay loyal to the original Bioderma, which I love to use as my first cleanse but I also really liked the Garnier version, which I've actually bought again since. 

MyChelle Deep Repair Cream* is a moisturiser I was sent, probably a good year ago. I liked other products in the range from this brand much more, including a really good cleanser but the moisturiser didn't do much for me. 

Organic Surge hand cream* is one of the better hand creams I've tried and that's saying something; I've tried a lot. This one is thick but sinks in nicely with no greasiness and has lots of comforting lavender in there.  

More Micellar Water, this time from Nivea*, loved this one too. Would repurchase. 

Liz Earle Gentle Face Exfoliator is lovely. It has exfoliating grains but they're very fine so it shouldn't be a problem for those with sensitive skin types. Plus, it smells unreal. If I could have eaten this, I would. I wouldn't buy this again, purely as I'm working my way through the Pixi and Alpha H   Liquid Gold chemical exfoliators.

Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel* is one of my favourite cleansers of all times. It's a somewhat thick gel, very gentle and removes all traces of make up. I would 100% buy this again, except, again, pricey!

Olay Total Effects 7 Signs Feather Weight Moisturiser* was an absolute joy. It was perfectly light so it sat nicely underneath my foundation and actually was really comfortable on my dry skin. Would definitely repurchase. 

Hair/Body Products

L'Occitane Cherry Blossom Shower Gel. This is a generous mini size and I'd happily buy a full size. I love L'Occitane and the cherry blossom range is lovely. 

L'Oreal Professional Vitamino Color Expert Shampoo and masque (pink pot underneath it). I used these when I had the pink in my hair and they were quite nice, not necessarily sure I'd repurchase them as I'm all about the Kevin Murphy these days but they were decent haircare all the same.

Speaking of which, the Kevin Murphy Angel Wash and Rinse are my go-to shampoo and conditioner now and I'm probably on to my third bottle of each. Again, they're not on the cheap side but they last for a really long time and they leave my hair in excellent condition. 

L'Oreal Professional Techniart mousse. This is for volume and worked reasonably well on my thin hair but as with a lot of products like this, it's almost too much faffing for me. 

Co-Lab Dry Shampoo in the scent New York. I like all of the dry shampoos in this range, I much prefer them to any others I've tried so far. It works well and leaves no residue, most importantly from a dry shampoo.

Roger & Galet Shower Gel*. I loved this one too, it's a really refreshing scent, perfect to wake you up in the mornings. Would definitely buy again. 

Johnson's Baby Shampoo. I use this to wash my make up brushes. It's cheap, works well and smells pleasant. 

The Body Shop Spiced Apple shower Gel*. This was a Christmas limited edition, I liked it, as I like most Body Shop shower gels. Anything apple scented usually gets my vote. 

L'Occitane Almond Shower Oil is one of my favourite products of all time. I've used up two mini sizes here but I've since bought a full size for myself for my birthday. I'm good to myself like that. The almond range is gorgeous, really moisturising for dry skin and smells heavenly. I'll ALWAYS repurchase this fella. 

Another Body Shop buy; Coconut body scrub. This is another fave product. I love using the coconut range in the Summer in particular as it gives me that "by the beach" kinda vibe but really, you need exfoliated skin all year round! 

Make Up/Perfume

We were all a bit obsessed in the beauty blogging world with the Botanics Radiance Balm All Bright when it was first discovered that it was quite the dupe for MAC's Strobe Cream. I've never tired the latter but I sure loved the former. I squeezed that tube dry (and went back after this photo was taken to cut it in half and get the rest!). I mostly used this as a primer but occasionally mixed a bit with my foundation for a dewier finish. I would buy again but I've similar products on the go at the minute. 

Estee Lauder Double Wear Light foundation is another firm favourite, one I've been wearing for years. The original Double Wear is great, but a bit too heavy for me. I use DWL for night time mostly cause it lasts incredibly well and gives a great finish. I'm just finishing up one right now and I will be buying another. 

Chloé Love Story is a stunning perfume. Himself has bought me most of the Chloé range and this is my favourite- I even prefer it to the original. I used every last spritz of this and would have missed it immediately, except that my lovely in-laws bought me a new one last Christmas, so I'm currently about half way through that one. It's fresh, floral, powdery and feminine. I get compliments every time I wear it. 

Maybelline Under Eye concealer Eraser is a great concealer, especially for those of us with under eye bags. I've used a good few of these now. There's a handy sponge applicator on top and when you twist the tube it gives you just the right amount, which can then be blended in. I have a new one ready to start and the illuminating version that's only recently come to our shores, that I must review!

That pink metallic tube is one of the Fresh Rose Lip Balms, the name has when off from constant use! I again, used every last bit. I love Fresh and I particularly love their lip balms. This one is softening, with a pink tint and the faintest floral scent. I'll be stocking up when I'm in the states again.

Bourjois Radiance Concealer is one I picked up a while back on a 3 for 2 in Boots. It turned out to be a good purchase. I felt like they were trying for a Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer dupe with this one, but it fell just short of the mark there. Nevertheless, it's a good concealer and I would repurchase. 

NYX and MAC Brown eyeliners. I prefer a smudgy brown pencil to a black one as black can be a bit harsh on blue eyes. These both smudged nicely but both had their flaws. The NYX seemed a little too tacky, which could be explained by virtue of the fact that it's a gel pencil liner. I like an imperfect line sometimes but this was a little too messy. The MAC was a limited edition and was a good shade and consistency but there wasn't a huge amount in the pencil, it was gone in no time and not worth whatever I spent on it. The never ending search for the perfect brown liner continues.

Underneath them is the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow. I bloody loved this. It contains both the perfect bronzer and highlighter, finely milled and beautifully toned to look natural on. I hit pan completely on the bronze and the highlight cracked and exploded everywhere in my make up bag. Very sad times. I would most definitely buy another. Gorgeous product, full review HERE.

This won't be the last time a YSL Effet Faux Cils mascara appears in an empties post here. It's a beaut and has ruined me for all other mascaras. It gives you full on dramatic lashes without the need for false lashes or extensions. I can't do a "daytime mascara" anymore, I'm all about the drama llama.

If you've made it this far, well done. If you skimmed until you found a product you're interested in, then also, well done. I'll try and keep it shorter and sweeter next time, promise!

Have you used any of these? 

Did you spot any of your own Holy Grail products here?

To the comments!

XX

*Denotes the product was provided for review. All opinions my own, as always. 

Emergency Flormar Purchasing!

Last weekend we got in the car heading out of Dublin. I was tired from work the day before and having not slept super well, I was both looking disheveled and not well focused on the task at hand, namely getting myself into the passenger seat with the items I needed to not look like a White Walker. That is, my make up bag and my hairbrush.

Sure enough, I had forgotten them both. There they sat on the coffee table, of no use to anyone, except perhaps the 1940's era ghost lady that more than likely lives in our house and likes to try out my new fangled beauty products when I'm not there. Ordinarily I have no problem with leaving the house without make up, but I really and truly looked a state. If I don't wear fake tan, but I do wear make up, people will tell me I look tired. If I wear neither, people will call an ambulance for me, so shocked by my appearance that they fear I may in fact, already be dead. 

So, Himself stopped the car at a pharmacy, ostensibly so I could buy paracetamol, which I did but I also made a supermarket sweep style attack of the make up section and bought a few essentials. 

If you've ever been asked that "what's the one make up item you don't like to leave the house without" question, then you'll know what you would automatically want to purchase here. I previously had tried some Flormar products when they launched in Ireland (HERE) but have tried nothing since, although I do use their bronzer on a daily basis. This pharmacy had a Flormar stand, and as it's reasonably priced, I set about buying my "make up item I can't leave the house without", which as it turns out for me, is four separate items. 

I have to have eyeliner. I JUST DO. Without it, I look like I'm twelve. So I got a nice brown kohl liner, which is my fave as I like a smudged line that works with my blue eyes and isn't as harsh as a black liner. This is the Flormar Ultra Brown Liner and it's great. It didn't smudge that easily but then I didn't have any brushes or eyeshadow to smudge it out with so it did well, considering. It applied nicely and was soft enough that it didn't drag my skin but firm enough that it stayed put once on. I also used this to add a bit of definition to my brows and although it was slightly too dark for that, it still did the job. 

My second must-have item is concealer, as I have relatively baggy under-eye bags. This is the Perfect Coverage liquid concealer and unfortunately, it's no great shakes. It's far too liquidy and doesn't have enough pigment or thickness to the formula for it to have any purchase on the delicate skin around the eyes. It didn't really do anything for me except for make me laugh at the description of what it does: "it helps to prevent and repair bags under the eyes". 

That ship has sailed long ago, sonny. 

Thirdly, I bought mascara, because as it turns out, it really is all about the eyes for me. This fella immediately made me suspicious because it's called Spider Lash Volume, which I personally don't understand. Surely that's the opposite of the sort of lashes you'd want? Anyway, this is grand, it didn't set my beauty loving brain ablaze or anything but it did the job. Would I repurchase? Well, no, but that might have more to do with my never ending love for YSL's Le Effet Faux Cils Shocking mascara, which I will always be loyal to.

Lastly, I bought a foundation, which, was weird for me as I normally do a good bit of research before I buy a foundation and even in an emergency (playing fast and loose with the word emergency there), I wouldn't have thought this would be a product I couldn't do without. I guess we learn the most about ourselves in difficult situations like this (joking). This is the Perfect Coverage foundation, with spf 15, sweet almond and olive oil for "young, healthy, hydrated and protected skin". I quite like this except that I got the palest shade without testing it (again, husband waiting in the car outside, probably thinking "just buy the cheapest paracetamol, jeez, what's taking so long") and it is very pale (it's Porcelain Ivory). Pale gals, if you're looking for a good match, shade wise, this is great. I think for me though, it might be slightly too light. I again, looked not quite well, but in an Edward Cullen without the sparkles kinda way. Except with good coverage. I like this- it's prob light to medium coverage and having only applied it with my fingers, I was surprised at how well it went on. It also didn't mattify the bejasus out of me, which I hate and was nicely dewey but with a bit of a glow. I had no powder, but I didn't really need it either. I just need a different shade, totally my own fault. Two thumbs up for this one. 

I had both the peach shade of Dr. Paw Paw (if that is his/her real name. Seems unlikely) balm which I used as blush and my beloved Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk lipstick in my bag so that completed the look. Overall, I don't think I did too badly (I forgot to take a photo. #WorldsBestBeautyBlogger)! 

Have you tried any of these or anything else from Flormar? What's your "can't leave the house without" make up item?

To the comments!

XX

Skincare Shakeup #2

I always have new skincare on the go. Only last week I shared the newly reformulated Double Serum from Clarins with ye (read more about that HERE) and I'm really loving that. It's taken over from the oil and water based serums in my skincare routine that are in this post but these are still excellent so it's well worth giving them a nod too!

I picked these face masks from Korres up in the airport on the way home from Crete. They had a really good Korres selection, unsurprisingly, as they are a Greek brand and although I had an option to buy a boxed selection of these smaller sized masks, I felt I'd get better value from these individual ones, which were only a few euro each and better suited to my dry skin than the others that were available. There's only 18ml in each and so I've almost finished the Damask Rose overnight anti-fatigue mask, which I love. It smells like vintage rose perfume in a rich and creamy base that leaves my skin super soft when I wake up the next day. 

The Babassu Butter is for intense moisturising and nourishing and this one is a bit richer. If you have sensitive skin, this may be too heavy for you but I really like it. They'll both be great when the colder weather sets in*.

*auld one alert

I've also got a whole post on the Pixi + Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse, HERE, so I won't go into a huge amount of detail now. Honestly though, I love this stuff. 

I've a good chunk used up already with plenty more to go. This is pricey for a cleanser, but so, so worth it.

The last time I needed a new foundation, I took advantage of a "buy two items, receive a load of mini things for free" offer and so that was how I returned to using Esteé Lauder's Advanced Night Repair. I used to use and love this years ago and so it was a pleasant surprise to return to it and find that I still loved it! I forgot just how well this works for my skin. I know it doesn't suit everyone, and again, it's a hefty price tag but it's certainly made me want to buy a big mad bottle once my Clarins is gone. 

I love Image skincare (the Vital C range is one of my all time favourites) and this is a pretty pleasant cleanser from them; The Max* is an acid, parafen and sulfate free, gentle daily cleanser derived from stem cells and plant extracts to nourish and balance the skin. It's kind of a mixture of a gel and a cream cleanser. It has a distinct floral scent which might be too strong for most. I don't have any problem with scented cleansers, but this one doesn't really do it for me. It does the job well and my skin feels squeaky clean after I've used it but that in itself means my skin feels a bit tighter than it does worth the Pixi cleanser, for example. It's fine but I won't be buying a full size. 

I've also blogged about this Vitamin C enriched facial oil from Korres before. It was another Cretan purchase, one I had planed to buy before I got there. Luckily, I got great savings on the brand in its home country, otherwise this is another pricey fella! I love it though, I use my jade roller with it to massage it in over my moisturiser and it's a delight. And yes, there's dried rose petals suspended in the oil. Swoon. Read a full review HERE. 

I tend to just take advice when I go into Lush, it's mostly foreign territory for me so I picked up the BB Seaweed Fresh face mask on recommendation from the sales assistant. This is packed full of fresh seaweed, ground almonds, rose absolue and aloe vera, all designed to soften, calm and soothe the skin. It also acts as a gentle exfoliator and removes any excess oil or dirt. Himself and I used this on our spa weekend to Monart (in between the official spa visits!) and we both liked it. It did dry out like a clay mask would, even though it's not made with clay, which annoyed my slightly as I avoid clay masks- my skin is dry and I don't like the sensation of a drying mask on my face. Still, it was pleasant to use whilst soaking in the tub! Top tip- save up your black Fresh pots like I did, bring in five and get a free face mask like this one!

The Nivea 3 in 1 Cleansing Micellar Wipes* are new from the brand. I had really high hopes for these as I use Micellar Water a fair amount, mostly for a first cleanse to remove the top layer of make up etc or for travel. These wipes would be handy for the same reasons but I do find them less pleasant to use than a cotton pad soaked with micellar water would be. These dragged on my skin a bit due to being a bit drier than I expected and I felt I had to work harder to remove make up then I would have with the aforementioned cotton pad. If you're planning on taking these on holiday, I'd suggest bringing another cleanser with you to use with it. 

I also bought this mini of Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturiser in the airport in Crete, for about €8, which has turned out to be quite the bargain as I'm only half way through now, several months later. I have used this before and I like it. It's not the best or the most moisturising I've ever used for the full year round but it works really well in the Summer, when I want a lighter moisturiser under my make up. This one is perfect for that. 

I love that little pot of Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Lip Balm in the corner there too. It's taken over from Nuxe Reve de Miel as my favourite lip balm, which is no mean feat!

Lastly there is the Hydro Boost Water Gel moisturiser from Neutrogena. Again, this is a very light formula and perfect for warmer weather. It's so cooling on the skin and feels light enough while providing a good base for your make up etc. It's way too light for Winter though so I'll be shaking things up again soon enough!

Have you used any of these? Are any of them your favourites already or any you've been wanting to try?

To the comments!

XX

*indicates that a product was provided for review and was gratefully received. This is not a sponsored post, all opinions are mine only, as always.

Clarins Double Serum [Hydric + Lipidic System]

Clarins Double Serum has been around since 1985- it's been a continuous favourite for women and one of Clarins's best sellers. I've been using it for slightly less time than that- two years to be exact and its latest version, for just over two weeks and while that's not actually a long time in the skincare sense of things, I feel like I've got a good enough grasp on the product, to tell you all about it! 

Double Serum is just that- a two chambered bottle, one side containing a lipid based liquid (oil) and the other a hydric based (water). When you press down on the pump, by the power of engineering (and potentially witchcraft), you're given a mixture of the two, that you can then apply for optimum benefit to your skin. This is ideal for me as I have dry skin and I find both water based and oil based serums hugely beneficial and even more so when combined together. There just needs to be the perfect balance of the two, which is where Double Serum comes in. 

I had previously bought and loved the original Double Serum from Clarins- it was pricey but my skin absolutely loved it and so I used every last tiny drop. It was one of those empties that I mourned the loss of; it felt luxurious on and my skin was gloriously soft when I used it. 

The only concern I had was brought to my attention when I blogged about it at the time. It had mineral oil in it, an ingredient which is generally frowned upon by skincare lovers. Personally, mineral oil doesn't have any ill effects for me, so it was never an issue but for those who have sensitive skin, it was a deal breaker. Add to that, mineral oil is often considered a cheap, "filler" product and I can understand why this was problematic.

Speed forward a little bit to Summer 2017 and a new and improved version of Double Serum has been launched. 

You'll want to know what's changed and so I'm breaking it down here for yis in the most non-scientific lingo I can:

• It now contains 21 plant powerful extracts, all with anti-ageing benefits.
• The new skincare buzzword is "Turmeric", it's a bit of a miracle ingredient when it comes to optimising the function of your skin's cells, so it helps with things like; regeneration, oxygenation, nutrition, hydration and protection of your skin.
• Clarins have involved even more women than before in the development of this serum. They claim it has a universal texture that's suitable for all women, all age groups, all ethnic backgrounds and all skin types, even those with sensitive skin (remember that mineral oil from before? That's no longer in Double Serum! Huzzah!)
• The bottle itself has changed, so the double vial of before now has a measurement system at the top that allows for only a small amount of product, or a larger amount, (depending on your skincare needs) to be pumped out. 

I was seriously impressed by the amount of research that's gone into the new and improved Double Serum. First impressions for me are positive. I loved the last version and I love this one too. My skin feels comfortable when I use this, even relieved sometimes after I've applied it. I'll give this a longer trial and let ye know but so far it's two enthusiastic thumbs up! 

You can find the reformulated Double Serum in stockists nationwide, prices are €72 for 30ml and €92 for 50ml. 

Have you tried the new Double Serum yet? Did you love the previous version too?

To the comments!

XX

*This post was not sponsored. I received a press sample of this product for review and as always, all opinions are my own. 

Kiko Summer Sale Haul!

I'm a big Kiko Milano fan. Whenever we're in a European city I try and get near one so I can do a little bargain make up hauling. One of the best of those times was when we were in Rome for my birthday and Himself handed me a basket and told me to work away. That was a great present! This Summer we're saving our funds for a holiday stateside in the Winter so we haven't been to any European cities and therefore, no actual in real life Kiko store.

They do however, have a great online site where you can shop their Summer sale to your hearts content. Granted, they are good value anyway, but add in a sale and you're doing really well!

I had never tried any of their foundations or skincare so I had to give them a go, alongside my fave Kiko products; blushers and lip products. 

2 in 1 Blush/lip sticks are a big thing every Summer. I had seen similar shades from No.7 that were a bit too pricey for me so when I spotted these Tropic Heat Lips & Cheeks for €3.90 each, I had to try them. I picked up Exotic coral and Sweety Mauve. 

At the bottom of the photo there is the Urban Sheen gloss, that's a really Summery lip gloss stick in a coral shade and only €1!

These are the ideal "throw in your holiday luggage" make up. 

The BB Cream Coloured Beauty Balm is described as a "foundation treatment with moisturising active ingredients and a medium sun protection factor". It looks like a white cream but on closer inspection you can see micro-pigments that react with your skin tone to give you a natural looking finish that's super flattering. It's like your skin but better, not to be a total cliché. I really like this, it's perfect for the days where you can't be arsed putting on make-up but still need something to control the death-like pallor. This was €4.40.

The Skin Tone Hydration Foundation also has an SPF15, and is a light, smooth foundation with a radiant finish. This isn't one to wear on a night out and then for the next 42 hours straight- it's light to medium coverage only. It reminds me of Bourjois Healthy glow, it's a great option for daytime and work. This was €11.

On the end there is the Hydra Pro Mask, a moisturising intensive mask. I haven't used this yet but it's just my cup of tea- I always have a couple of dry-skin face masks on my bedside table, they're a vital part of my skincare routine! This was €6.25.

I'll always re-buy brown kohl liners- perfect for a smudged eye and black liquid pen liners when I feel like making a bit more effort. The Precision eye pencil is kind of perfect, it'll still smudge with the help of a brush and a taupe eyeshadow but it doesn't disappear when I smudge it either, like a lot of them do. This was only €2.25.

The Ultimate Pen liquid eyeliner is really good too, very dark, applies easily, lasts well. €4.85.

Just a moment for this packaging please. 

And inside! Glorious! This is the Two-tone baked bush in the shade Natural Beach. There's three versions but this pink and the bronze is really flattering on pale skin. There's great colour payoff too- one swipe and you're in pigment city! It's really lovely on and is only €8.45. Love it. 

That's that! Other good news is Kiko are also cruelty free, something I'm trying really hard to adhere to. You'd be surprised how many brands aren't. 

You can find more from the Kiko Summer sale HERE.

Have you tried anything from Kiko?

To the comments!

XX

Irish Bloggers Made Me Do It!

I'm sure that over the years since I first started blogging that I've enabled others into buying things and that's equally true of all the bloggers I know, love and follow and the effect they've had on my own poor, cowering bank account!

I love blogs and bloggers- I trust the bloggers I follow and I know if they recommend something, then it's good. That got me thinking about the things I've bought or tried recently and who enticed me to pick them up!

There's loads of other bloggers aside from those mentioned here who only need to mention something and I want it but we'd have been here forever so I've narrowed it down to recent buys! 

This is really only a small smattering of the many products I have bought thanks to my fellow Irish bloggers but these are some of my recent faves. 

Sue from Cherry Sue Doin' The Do
Sue is particularly spot on with the fancier things in life so I kept the Tartelette palette filed way in my brain after seeing her recommendation. I think Sue might have actually featured this on her instagram rather than her blog but she praised this palette from Tarte and while I was stateside I fell for it too. I haven't had a chance to review this yet but I love it. Sue was (as always) right, the shadows are buttery soft and so pigmented. Plus they smell like Kinder Bueno, so, bonus. Unfortunately for me, I got this all the way home in my case in perfect condition and then dropped it on my wooden floor at home. Typical, as I am the clumsiest person in the world. As you can see, it's not in the best condition anymore but I still use it on the regular.

Gemma from Beauty Nook
Gemma has a great eye for bargain beauty products and is always way ahead of everyone when it comes to new releases and new trends. These Cream Puff Blushes from Max Factor have been out a while now and at the time, Gemma championed them, so of course I had to try them! These are fab and feel like a much more expensive product than they are.
You can read Gemma's post HERE.

Lorraine from John, It's Only Make Up.

I love Lorraine. She's super witty and make up looks gorgeous on her, with some of the credit for that owing to her extensive skincare knowledge. It's because of Lorraine that I bought NYX Taupe Blush and The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% & HA Spheres 2% (HERE). Granted, I had been aware of the cult following that that particular blush has when used as a contour for pale skin, but it was only when I saw it on Lorraine's blog (HERE) that I added it to the list. I'm still not sure how I feel about that Vit C suspension but Lorraine introduced me to the brand and has more posts on what to try from them HERE and HERE. 

Sinéad from The Beautiful Truth
Sinéad is a blogger, a mum and a teacher so when she recommended Moxi Eye Catcher Cleasnsing & Correcting Buds on TV3 for when you're on the go, I had to try them for myself and I love them! My eye make up is usually pretty smudged after an 8 hour day in work so if I'm on my way somewhere at that stage, I have a few of these ready to go in my bag! If you don't know much about them, they're essentially cotton buds that when activated (snapping the top), they release make up remover to one side, which you can then use to clean off any smudges or mistakes. You can find these in Penneys.

Sera from The Style Guide
Sera is an absolute gem for finding niche products that I didn't know I needed til she tells us all about them! I could spend hours reading her blog- her writing is just the best. After seeing her post on face masks, I had to buy a 10 pack of these bargain-tastic under eye collagen gold masks from eBay. I love them, they're packed with serum that leaves my skin really soft. Plus, they make me look like a superhero. Win-win.
HERE's her review.

Emma from Ol' Green Eyes
Anything Emma puts on her face instantly makes me want to go out and buy it- she's a stunner! I had been debating buying Charlotte Tilbury's Pillow Talk lipstick and then I saw it on Emma and sure, that was that. And I love it!
There's a review from Emma HERE and my own HERE if you're interested in seeing it for yourself. I also want a pair of Emma's tassel earrings but that's another matter..

Karen from Lovely Girlie Bits

I had seen the Charlotte Tilbury Dolce Vita palette on Karen's blog long before I bought it (as a getting-out-of-hospital-present for myself) and it was seeing what that bronze shade did to her irises that made me want it. This is a perfect little palette- great for the blue or green eyed amongst us. As Karen would say, you need this on your eyeballs, stat! (I added the 'stat' part myself). 

You can see it in action on Karen's face, HERE. 

I'll probably make this a series cause there's really no end to the brilliant Irish bloggers that are out there who influence all of my purchases!

If in the meantime you need more ideas, check out Andreea of Your Beauty, Yavanna of Make Up Monster, Edel from The Pharmer's Journal, and Siobhán from Beautylymin, to name but a very few. 

So, Confession time! 

What have you bought because of an Irish blogger and which of my purchases here have you tried?

To the comments!

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Pixi + Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse | Review

You have by now, more than likely heard about the collaboration between makeup/skincare brand Pixi & beauty blogger/skincare lover, Caroline Hirons. 

Hirons knows her stuff when it comes to skincare and her thing is the double cleanse; that is, the use of an oil based cleanser to remove the obvious layer of make up from your face and another cleanse after that with a cream or liquid based cleanser to remove what's left. 

This has been a big seller for cult US brand Pixi so it was only a matter of time before I gave it a go myself.

As you can see, you get two sections for your cleanse; a solid oil that melts when warmed on your fingers/face and following that, a cleansing cream to clean your actual skin, now that the make up has been removed. If you think that sounds like a lot of faffing and believe me, that is EXACTLY what I thought, it's well worth giving this a go. 

If you are also thinking- why not just use one if they're both such great cleansers? Well, Caroline (I feel like we should be on first name terms as I watch her giving out to her sons on her Insta-stories all the time), says that the oil part is really just for loosening and removing makeup and SPF, while the cream cleanser has more beneficial ingredients to properly clean and massage your skin.

Caroline also says that they've done their best to make this product as user friendly to as many skin types as possible, so there's no mineral oil or Shea butter in there (not great for oily skins) and instead there's camellia oil and evening primrose oil. She's also made both cleansers scent free, so if you're of a sensitive disposition, that'll sit well with you too. As for my own dry skin, I really like it. The oil is very comfortable on and removes all my make up, even from my eyes with no stinging or discomfort, along with a muslin cloth soaked in warm water. The temptation to stop there and go put on serum and moisturiser is strong, especially when tired but the cream cleanser is lovely too and leaves my skin nice and soft with that super clean feeling.

So basically, it's thumbs up from me. It's very handy to have both cleansers in the one tub and it would be great for travel, if you were that committed to your double cleanse. I can't say I am but then, I tend to bring miniatures away with me when travelling to afford more weight for all the shite I then buy in the likes of Sephora etc. Sure look, it's why we're all here!

If you're looking to try a double cleanse for yourself, you can find Pixi online from Cloud 10 Beauty or in the beauty hall in Marks and Spencers.

Are you a fan of the double cleanse? Have you tried this offering from Pixi and Caroline Hirons?

To the comments!

xx

Skincare Shakeup #1

I try so many different skincare products that it occurred to me that these posts shouldn't be titled "New Skincare" as they usually are, but rather "Skincare Shakeup", as often times, it's products I already have in my stash, they just haven't had their chance to shine yet (i.e, they haven't been near my face yet). 

Also, not all of these or any of the products in these posts are "new", sure Eight Hour Cream has been knocking around for donkey's years, as has The Body Shop's Vitamin E range. 

This is my most recent shakeup, I'm sure I'll be moving on from some of these soon, whereas others may be added to the permanent collection. It's like The X Factor, but somehow, more entertaining. This style of post also means that I don't have to do individual reviews on everything I try. If I really like it and I think it warrants more attention, I will of course write a more in-depth review, otherwise so long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye etc. 

You probably know the deal with Alpha H Liquid Gold by now but if not, it's a chemical exfoliant that removes dead skin cells from your face, via a few drops on a cotton pad, swept across your skin, a couple of times a week. Chemical exfoliants have been the big thing for the last couple of years as it's been decided that those scrubby grainy exfoliators of old were too rough. Still, if you're delicate in nature you might want to avoid using this too often and never before stepping out into the sun as it exposes your skin even further to harmful UVA & UVB rays. So far, I think I prefer this to Pixi Glow Tonic (another blogger fave) but I'll report back.

I got these two Fresh products in Sephora last year; both were gifts thanks to my Sephora card but I'm only now trying them out. On the bottom is a Rose Face Mask, infused with real rose petals to hydrate and tone. I've used this once, applied to cleansed skin for 10 minutes and then washed off. I didn't notice a huge difference but this probably requires a few more uses to be sure.

The Soy Face Cleanser on top of it is for all skin types, rich in amino acids to gently cleanse both face and eyes. This is one that you massage on and then rinse off, it's a runny gel that actually does work well on all make up, including eyes but I'm always a bit iffy about these fellas as I enjoy the use of a muslin cloth- it feels like a better cleanse. So I've been using one with it anyway and it works well! This is also well suited as a second cleanser. You could use a micellar water first to get off the most of the make up (including difficult to remove mascara) and then use this to cleanse your actual skin, sans foundation etc.

Bryt Skincare are new to Ireland and have a whole range of products, suitable for every skin type. I was sent the Calm Serum to try out, which is for oily to combination skin. I have dry skin but I'm willing to give anything a go! I've been using this pre my moisturiser and primer in the mornings, during warm weather like we've been having, I find I do need a bit more help around my T-zone (mostly my nose) for foundation to stay in place. Bryt claims this serum is absorbent and regulates the sebum levels in the skin but that it also balances- it has oils in it too so you're not stripping your skin of your natural oils, rather controlling them. If you have oily skin, this would be a great option, as it can be hard to find serums for oily/combination skin types. 

Of course, I've tried the famous Eight Hour Cream from Elizabeth Arden before but that was many years ago and then I received a present at Christmas of an Eight Hour Cream gift set; hand cream, lip balm, body oil and a full size of the original magic cream itself. The latter is one of those weird products that no one ever really knows what to do with- I use it on dry patches like my elbows, shins and lips. It really does work, and feels almost like a medicated product. I wouldn't be using it daily but it's a nice one to have in case of emergency. The hand cream has been completely taken over by Himself, who has very dry hands. He's liking it, I may at some point try it myself also. 

The Body Shop Vitamin E Night Cream is going well. I've already used up the day cream counterpart to this, which I liked too but if I was buying a full size of either, it would be this fella. It's thicker than the day cream but sinks in nicely, smells amazing and works well for dry skin, although it is suitable for all skin types. 

Also from The Body Shop is the Camomile Gentle Eye Make Up Remover. I have sensitive eyes and am weird about eye make up removers anyway but I brought this on holiday with me and it did sting me, pretty much every time I used it. Now, that could well be just me but be wary, is all I'm saying.

And that is the lot for my current skincare shakeup. Are you using any of these?

Have you tried any of them?

To the comments!

XX

*This post features item/s that were kindly sent to me to review. I was not paid to do so and as always, all opinions are my own!

Summer Scents 2017

I am one of those people that has to change around their perfumes depending on the season. Some are perennial favourites, like this Chloe perfume for instance, or my all time love, Hypnotic Poison, which will always remind me of nights out, regardless of the time of year. Some though, are perfect just for Summer and so I've rounded up the three that I've found myself gravitating towards since April, when we first began to feel a slight shift in the weather. 

My sister gave me the Diptyque Baies Palet Perfumé as part of my Christmas present and although it is a stunning scent that I would easily wear throughout the year, in palette form, I felt it was better suited for Summer- the scent is so fresh and berry-ish that it straight away made me think of all the windows open in the house, blowing a breeze through the warmth but also, freshly washed clothes and gelato, for some reason. But then, I probably do think about gelato more than your average person does anyway. Because it's a room fragrance, this one is a bit of a cheat but I don't care, I love it. My house is gonna smell delightfully Summery, all, er, Summer long. 

I was sent a bottle of White Musk L'eau from The Body Shop recently- this is a new release for Summer this year and is an updated version of the classic Body Shop fragrance, White Musk, which we all either had or constantly went into the store to spray all over ourselves back in the day. That said, when I smelt this, it in no way brought me back to the 90's and my tween years, in case you were hoping for a walk down memory lane. 

Yes, it has a hit of musk in there but it feels more like that's there to balance the fresh, floral that's there too. That means that if you like a light, feminine perfume but you don't like something too sweet, this is perfect for you. It's rather lovely.

Oh and look at that bottle. The Body Shop packaging is so sleek and refined, I love it. Perfect dressing table bottle.

Lastly, is Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess. Every year, Estée Lauder releases this as a limited edition for the Summer. Up until now, I've always lusted after it but never actually bought it, until I was flying home from Crete and found the last remaining bottle on the duty free shelf for cheap. This is the Eau Fraîche Skinscent, rather than the Eau de Parfum, but it still lasts really well on my skin. This is the ultimate summer scent, in fact everyone who has met me when I've been wearing this has remarked that I smell like Summer. It's the combination of coconut milk, vanilla, bergamot, amber, jasmine and orange flower that does it. For me, that all translates to an instant hit of Summer- it smells like the sun on tanned skin, cocktails, sun lotion and long, warm evenings. I am obsessed. Now I want the Shimmery oil spray for hair & body and the illuminating powder gelee compact, which looks BEAUTIFUL. Swoon. 

And that, is that.

Have you already got your perfect Summer scent yet?

Have you tried any of these

Are you also a Bronze Goddess addict or is it White musk all the way?

So many questions!

To the comments!

XX

Charlotte Tilbury Secret Salma & NYX Nude Suede Shoes- the Perfect Combo!

When I blogged about Charlotte Tilbury's beloved lipstick Pillow Talk (HERE), I mentioned that I had first fallen into the nude lipstick loving ways by using this lipliner from NYX, Nude Suede Shoes, in combination with Secret Salma, one of the Hot Lips Lipsticks- created in collaboration with 12 women (this one is Salma Hayek), to raise money for a charity; Women for Women International. 

 When these first came out, I swatched up a feckin storm in Brown Thomas to find the right shade for me. This is a deep-rose plum designed to bring out Salma's "beautiful brown eyes, adding instant sultry Latin sex appeal". Now, I don't have and never will have either brown eyes or sexy Latina sex appeal but somehow, this pink looks very nice on me indeed. In fact, if you head over to the website, you can see how this shade looks on a myriad of skin tones, which is quite cool. 

The nude lip liner will pretty much work with any lipstick shade, including Pillow Talk so it's a good buy. This is actually my second one, after I lost my first one (it will now no doubt show up after I've bought another. It is probably at this very minute in the car, under a seat, next to an empty diet coke can).

This is one of the Matte Revolution formula lipsticks, so expect a matte but with that super softness that CT has become known for- she calls it "cashmere-soft", due to the addition of orchid extract. I loved her Bronze and Glow palette but aside from that, I think lipsticks are what she really does best. If you're looking to treat yourself with something from the Tilbury counter, a lipstick is for sure the way to go. The formula itself is really lovely and super pigmented to boot plus, would you look at that packaging?! Beaut!

As you can see, they aren't a perfect match for each other- there's much more brown in Nude Suede Shoes than there is in Secret Salma but there's also just enough pink and brown in both that they manage to work well together. 

Here they are on my face, more importantly:

What do you think?

Are you a Charlotte Tilbury fan?

I also have Amazing Grace, which deserves a blog outing too but for now, what other CT lippie do I "need"?! To the comments!

XX