So this is basically a quick review of a few skincare & beauty products I have finished over the past few months. I know there isn't a huge amount of makeup but that's because I am continuously buying new products and actually very rarely finish any of them!!!!! Eye Makeup Removers: - I LOVE smokey eyes and lashings of mascara so a good eye makeup remover is essential for me. I think the biphase formulas are much more efficient at removing stubborn liner/mascara so that's what I tend to stick to. So in no particular order these are the ones I have been using over the past couple of months: Garnier Express 2 in 1 Eye Makeup Remover (125ml €4.50 approx, available in pharmacies nationwide) - Fantastic, does the job brilliantly without leaving any greasy residue. Have repurchased this a number of times. Botanics Soothing Eye Makeup Remover All Bright (150ml €5.99 approx, available in Boots) - Another great one. Lifts mascara and liner away easily. Can be slightly oily but because I remove my eye makeup first this isn't a problem. I just bought a new bottle of this but have been reading that they changed the formula so I'm hoping it works aswell as my last one did. Elemis White Flowers Eye & Lip Makeup Remover (125ml €28.80 approx, available on www.feelunique.com.). I actually only had a travel size of this but it was perfect to bring on holidays with me. I try and use waterproof/sweat-proof/heatproof products on holidays to prevent my makeup melting off but they are always harder to remove. However this little bottle made quick work of everything leaving me with no panda eyes in the morning. This is a great one for your skincare routine if you have the budget for it. Vichy Pureté Thermale Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover (150mls €14.99 approx, available in pharmacies nationwide). Another great all rounder. Works on waterproof mascara and doesn't irritate my eyes. That's eye makeup removers sorted so it's on to skin cleansers now. Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm (125ml €29 available in Clinique stockists nationwide). I LOVE this stuff...You just scoop out a small amount warm it between your hands where it changes to an oil and apply all over the face. It melts off all your makeup even mascara. Well worth the price tag and definitely a repurchase for me. Bioderma Micelle Solution (250ml €14.50 approx, available in selected pharmacies nationwide). I can't fault this...it is great at cleansing and removing makeup. But to be honest the Garnier Miceller Water does the exact same job at a fraction of the cost. L'Oreal Skin Perfect 15 Second Miracle Cleansing Oil (150ml €10.50 approx, available in pharmacies nationwide). Another great makeup remover. Two pumps, apply all over the face including lips & lashes and then remove with a damp facecloth. Ta Dah! All signs of makeup are gone. It does contain mineral oil though but to be honest it's not on your skin long enough to cause much damage. Will be repurchasing!!! Next up is Serums: I would highly recommend using a serum...I actually think they are more important than moisturiser. I use a serum to treat my skin problems (in my case dehydration/aging) day & night and don't mind investing a little money in a good quality one. Vichy Idéalia Life Serum (30mls €34.99 approx, available in pharmacies nationwide). This is a nice enough product but to be honest I didn't notice a difference in my complexion after using it. It makes an excellent base for makeup though and feels lovely and moisturising on the skin. I much prefer the Vichy Aqualia Thermal Serum which is a Holy Grail product for me. Clarins Double Serum (30ml €69.50 approx, available in Clarins stockist nationwide). This was the first serum I ever used and I loved it however I never actually got around to repurchasing it. My skin looked more even and had a lovely glow to it. I think it's just because I am a product junkie that I never got around to buying a second bottle but it is definitely on my list. Lush Ro's Argan Body Conditioner (225g €19.95 available in Lush Dublin). I LOVE this stuff and have already repurchased a new pot. You simply use this like you would use your hair conditioner. Apply to wet skin whilst you are still in shower then rinse off. Once you get out of the shower just pat your skin dry and Ta Dah! you have beautiful soft skin. And it smells AMAZING!!!!. I have a full review of it so just click here (http://makeupbyrubysue.weebly.com/blog/lush-after-lush-ros-argan-body-conditioner). My favourite makeup product would have to be mascara so this is actually one product I do get to finish.
L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara (€11.50 approx available in pharmacies nationwide). This is a fantastic mascara perfect for adding volume without clumping. It is a staple in my personal and professional kit. Lancome Virtuóse Mascara (€27.50 approx, available at Lancome stockist nationwide). I firmly believe that Lancome make the best high end mascaras and always have at least one on the go. This is my all time favourite as it adds volume and a great curl to the last. Definitely will be repurchasing. So that's it...I can finally throw these all in the bin!!!!. Thanks for reading. Until next time....Be Happy!!!! Susie xxx
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I love these type of blogs mainly because I'm really nosy!!! I love knowing what people carry around in their bags so I though maybe you would like to know what I have in mine . My handbag is filled with all the knickknacks that I need on a daily basis and I just couldn't manage without it. Also, I think the contents of someones bag says alot about them!!!! And looking at mine.... I think it says I'm a little bit of a makeup addict - but then again you all knew that anyway!!! So my bag of choice is a Michael Kors Jet Set Top Zip Saffiano Leather Tote. (A massive thanks to my gorgeous husband for buying it for me). So Ya I carry alot of stuff around with me but I just wanna be prepared for any situation that may arise. I'm a little bit of a freak like that but I hate being out and about and needing a hair bobbin or safety pin and not having it so I pack EVERYTHING into my handbag (hense why it's so fricken heavy!!!) My purse - it's a simple black Michael Kors. Perfect size. Has a zip compartment for change, large slot for notes and plenty of little slots for cards etc. Car Keys, iPhone & Charger - Yes my iPhone has sellotape on it...I keep dropping it and the screen has completely detached itself from the rest of the phone. I'm due an upgrade soon so I just have to wait a few more weeks!!!! I always carry a charger because any of you who own an iPhone know the battery life is just terrible. If you use it for any length of time at all it will just die. And that is not good news especially for a blogger (and self confessed phone addict). Tampons, Pads, Hand Sanitizer & Wet Wipes - a must have in every girls handbag. I love the Soap & Glory Hand Sanitizer cause it smells lovely and doesn't leave your hands sticky. I go through packets and packets of wet wipes because I'm always swatching makeup on the back of my hands so I need to have something to remove it. Otherwise I manage to get it all over my clothes (especially when I am wearing white!!!). Hair Bobbins, Gum, Breath Spray, Nail File & Safety Pins - more must haves that don't take up much room and are easy to carry around. How cute is the breath spray. It's by a brand called Hello and I just loved the packaging. Diary, Pens, Business Cards & Beutifi.com Voucher - My diary was a Christmas present & I love it. It has a weekly planner on one side and a notes section on the other. Pens are just a random selection mostly from work. My business card holder was a gift from my lovely friend Lorraine and I think it's super cute. The Beutifi.com voucher I got at our last ITWBN meetup but haven't had a chance to use it yet. I love the idea behind this website - it lets you "search, browse & book 1000's of salons & freelance beauty professional near you" all with the click of a button. Brilliant if you are travelling to a strange town for a wedding or event and don't know the local salons. Saves alot of time and hassle. Roscommon Rose of Tralee Gala Ball Tickets - Cannot wait for this event in April. I am chairperson of our local festival here in Castlerea and every year we put forward a young lady for the Roscommon Rose of Tralee Selection. We get all dressed up and enjoy a fabulous night out. La Roche Posay Badge - This I received a few weeks ago after completing my LRP General Training. I just have to put it on my uniform. Supplements/Tablets - I am currently taking CoQ30 for energy and Chromium which is supposed to reduce sugar craving. I always carry some form of painkiller (ibuprofen/paracetamol), Motilium for an upset tummy and I have Otrivine Nasal spray for a blocked nose. So nothing really exciting on the drugs front. Random selection of lip products - God I really am addicted to lip products. How many lipsticks/glosses/balms can one girl need in her handbag? Anyway from left to right are L'Oreal Nude Collection Privee by Julianne (lovely peachy nude), NYX Lipstick in Tea Rose, Clarins Balm Perfector in Coral, Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick in Stoned Rose, NYX Butter Gloss in Truffle and finally Clarins Lip Comfort Oil in Honey. My Makeup Bag - More lip products!!!! Hahahaha I'm very bad but I do have other essential items in here aswell. The bag itself is just a little IsaDora bag I received as a gift. It's the perfect size for my handbag and is easily wipe clean. It's contents are as follows: Dove Deodorant - Hate being sweaty! Bourjois Healthy Mix Pressed Powder - This is a great compact as it is really slim and has a big mirror. Nivea Lip Butter - Blueberry (I actually have all the flavours but keep losing them) MAC Select Cover Up Concealer in NW20 - Great coverage without looking too heavy. IsaDora All Day Long Last Mascara* - Black (sample size) Hair Grips The Body Shop Coconut Hand Cream - This just smells AMAZING Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Liner in Pillow Talk - Perfect Nude shade IsaDora Powder Brush* Vichy Aqualia Thermal Lip Balm Dior Lip Glow & Dior Lip Balm - There is nothing worse than having chapped sore lips so that's why I always carry at least 3 different lip balms with me. And finally Perfume - I decant into this handy Travalo which is the perfect handbag/travel size.Currently inside is one of my all time favourite perfumes Chanel Chance. Jeez I can fit quite alot into a small bag!!!!!! And that's it. Do you think I am mad for hauling all of this stuff around?
Or what else do you think I should add? Let me know in the comments below. Thanks for reading. As always....Be Happy Susie xxx Hey ladies! Just a quick review today on my current eye care routine. I'm 35 this September and have started to notice the fine lines and dark circles creeping in around my eyes. So in my efforts to combat these issues I use an eye cream every morning & night. In the morning I use Vichy Idealia Eyes and at night I am applying the La Roche Posay Redermic R Eyes. I love both Vichy & La Roche Posay because they are so easily available and are within most people's budgets. Both brands are suitable for sensitive skin and have a great range of products for all skin types. But you are here to read about the eye products so here goes! I have been using the Vichy Idealia Eye for about 3 months now so feel I can give you an honest full review on it. After the success of the Idealia Life Serum Vichy decided to add an eye cream to the range. It promises to "brightens the appearance of dark circles and reduces the look of fine lines to re-awaken your natural radiance". The tube has a silicone tip applicator and I'm still not sure if I love it or not. I apply it from the tube but use my ring finger to pat it into the skin. The cream itself has a beautiful soft texture that sinks straight into the skin. It has a gorgeous illuminating sheen which instantly brightens the eye area making it perfect for under makeup. Personally I think it makes me look a little more awake in the mornings especially on the "no makeup days". For my night time eye care I bring out the big guns. The La Roche Posay Redermic R Eyes contains Pure Retinol which is one of the most effective ingredients used in fighting the ageing process. This eye cream has a lovely light texture which melts into the skin and is easily absorbed. I haven't noticed a massive difference in my fine lines but overall my eye area feels smoother, appears brighter and at least I am preventing further wrinkles developing. I only use it at night because as with all Retinol products you should not expose your skin to UV light and apply a daily SPF of a least 15 (you should be using SPF anyway and shame on you if you aren't). Just a little advice for you all - When applying eye creams just apply it to the orbital bone. Most eye products are migratory meaning they will travel to where they are needed. If you apply the cream too close to the actual eye you will cause irritation and puffiness. The skin around the eye is so delicate and thin you really have to be very careful with it. And only a tiny amount of product is needed. We all do it - lash it on thinking we are doing great but all you are actually doing is wasting product. Your skin will only use what it needs and then the rest is left sitting there clogging up your pores. I don't think I have found "The One" yet when it comes to eye creams but I do really like both of these products and will definitely be repurchasing. They keep my eye area well hydrated and plumped and are so far helping to prevent deep wrinkles and crows feet. The Vichy Idealia Eye Cream is €27.99 for 15mls and the LRP Redermic R Eye is €29.50 for 15mls. Most stockist will give you a sample if you want to try them out before buying. What eye creams are you using?
Let me know in the comments below and I might give then a try. Hope you enjoyed this! Until next time....Be Happy!!!! Susie xxx Well January has come and gone and I really don't know where it went to. It's not my favourite month so I am glad to see the back of it to be honest. For my January favourites I have some brilliant new skincare that has made a huge difference to my freckly little face, a gorgeous perfume that I am slightly addicted to and I rediscovered some amazing beauty products. So stay tuned!!!! If you are a regular reader of my blog or Facebook page then you will know I got not one but two bottles of Jo Malone's Peony & Blush Cologne for Christmas. Well I decided to return one of them in exchange for a different fragrance and after what seemed like an eternity I finally decided on Blackberry & Bay. Jo Malone describes Blackberry & Bay as: Childhood memories of blackberry picking...A burst of deep, tart blackberry juice, blending with the freshness of just-gathered bay and brambly woods. Vibrant and verdant. Blah Blah Blah...To me it smells beautifully fresh & citrusy... my idea of spring in a bottle. Jo Malone is available in Brown Thomas and with prices starting from about €50. This little bottle has hands down been the best purchase I have ever made. It has made such a massive difference to my skin and I don't know why I didn't buy it sooner. It is ladies and gentlemen the Clarins Gentle Exfoliator Brightening Toner. This isn't like your old toner...NO...the new generator of toner are designed to exfoliate, even skin texture, tighten pores and brighten the skin. It works by using acids (calm down they won't damage your skin) to exfoliate and encourage cell renewal. This brightens the complexion and also helps fight against wrinkles. I use it at night, let it dry and then apply my night cream. It costs €31 so a little on the pricey side but if you suffer from breakouts, uneven skintone, large pores or are worried about aging skin then this is the product for you. I got the Vichy Idéalia Eye at a training day I attended back in October and as I had just finished my NeoStrata Eye Treatment it was perfect timing. My two main eye concerns are dark undereye circles and the demon fine lines have started to creep in so I couldn't wait to start this. It contains illuminators to instantly brighten the area and a load of ingredients to help reduce dark circles plus a load more to smooth out the fine lines. And I have to say it actually does work. After about 2 weeks I noticed my skin was more hydrated and my dark circles seem a lot less noticeable. Result. There is still loads in the tube so even though it costs €28 you will have it for months. I have had this MAC Creamblush in LadyBlush for ages but it got pushed to the back of the drawer and I forgot about it. That was until Tanya Burr used it in a recent tutorial and I dug it back out. And I am so glad I did. This is basically a "healthy glow" in a pot. It is a beautiful warm neutral coral shade and is so easy to blend. This will definitely be a staple in my makeup bag for the spring. Another rediscovery is the Vichy Dermablend powder. I have this in my kit but for everyday I use the Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder. However I dug this little pot of translucent powder back out and it is now firmly back in my daily routine. Don't be afraid of the colour as it sets completely clear on the skin and it just makes your makeup last the whole day. It costs €20 but will last you forever. And last but not least it the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. Again I have had this forever but since I got my Blank Canvas F20 it kinda got pushed to the back of my drawer. This just blends your foundation perfectly and gives a fabulous airbrush finish to the skin. You can build up coverage, use it to apply concealer and cream blush and basically it is a brilliant all rounder. Available from pharmacies nationwide €6.
I am a bit fan of the Vichy Dermablend foundation & concealer so was excited to try out their new compact version. For those of you who have never heard of Dermablend - Well basically it is an award winning range of corrective foundation from Vichy. I have used the concealer for over a year now and it give's serious coverage for any blemishes or dark circles you may have. It will even cover tattoos and scars. However when it comes to foundation I generally prefer light/medium coverage and let my concealer do the hard work. But in saying that I do sometimes love a good full coverage for night time or when I really want a flawless finish to my skin. This is a cream foundation and can be applied with a sponge or brush. (I prefer using a brush). The trick with applying it is to go lightly. It is a full coverage foundation and if you apply it too heavy at the start it can be a little tricky to blend. So in light circular movements I blended it into my skin and watched as it erased any blemishes and redness I had. I was actually really surprised how light it felt on my skin. I had expected it to feel and look heavy but this wasn't the case. It dries to a matte finish but didn't cling to any dry patches on my skin and pretty much stayed flawless all day. This is a really brilliant foundation especially if you are looking for full coverage. I didn't have to use concealer with this either as it covers all blemishes. It lasts all day (Vichy claim up to 14 hours) and if you use the Dermablend setting powder you can extend it's lasting power by another 4 hours. I love the packaging also. It comes in a sleek black lacquered case with a large mirror perfect for your handbag. This is definitely going to be a permanent fixture in my makeup bag from now on. It is available in 5 shades and costs approx €22.50. What's your favourite full coverage foundation?
Until next time...Be Happy! Susie xxx It's all very well buying the newest shade of lipstick and keeping up to date with all the latest trends but if you don't know how to do the basics then you're just wasting your time and money. I am a firm believer that every makeup look should start with a flawless base. And one of the most important tools in your makeup kit will be a great concealer. Now I know there are 100's no sorry 1000's of concealers on the market from under eye highlighters to full coverage concealers and it can all get VERY confusing. But hopefully I'm going to answer some of your questions and help you find the right concealer and tell you how to apply it. Depending on how much coverage you need, concealer can be applied before or after your foundation. A general rule of thumb is: For less coverage, apply concealer before foundation; for more coverage, apply concealer on top of foundation. Under Eye ConcealingThis is the most common area to conceal and the first thing I need to say is NO MATTER what you do or WHAT PRODUCT YOU USE your concealer will more than likely crease. However here are a few tips you should follow to minimise creasing and help your concealer to last longer.
How to Apply:
Products I Love for Under Eye Concealing:
BlemishesThe difference between undereye concealers and blemish concealers is simply the texture: concealers that work best on blemishes have a thicker, creamier texture. Here are a few tips on covering blemishes:
How to apply concealer
Products I love for blemish concealing:
RednessIt’s very common to have redness or small broken veins around your nose. This is also generally a much oiler area of your face, so it requires a concealer method that’s simple but a little bit different than the rest of your face.
How to apply concealer:
Products I love for redness concealing:
So thats it. I hope I have answered most of your questions.
Please let me know in the comments below if you have any further queries or what you would like me to blog about next. Thanks for reading. Until next time - Be Happy! Susie XXX Ireland's newest subscription service promises five surprise luxury beauty products deliverd straight to your door, each month! I received my box just after Christmas so it was like a bonus present! First impressions - I love the packaging and the box is perfect to re-use (I store makeup in them). It comes with Blush! magazine which reveals all about the products in the box including where you can buy the products, plus exclusive discount codes, tips on tanning, makeup brushes and how to get a fabulous festive makeup look. It also introduces us to two Irish Brands - Cloon Keen Atelier and Kinvara Skincare. (I loved that bit). So what's in the Box?1. Blank Canvas Cosmetics F22 Dome Face Brush (RRP €13.99). This is a great all rounder brush from Irish Company Blank Canvas Cosmetics - it can be used to apply foundation, cream blusher or contour. I usually use the Real Techniques Buffing Brush and this is very similar. The bristles are super soft which makes it great for achieving a flawless effect. So thumbs up to that. 2. Shiseido Extra Gentle Cleansing Foam - Sample 30ml €8.50 (Full Size 125ml RRP €36) This cleanser promised to was away impurities without depriving the skin of moisture. It can be used on all skin types morning and evening. 3. Academie Bronz' Express - Sample 50ml €7.50 (Full Size 100ml RRP €14.95) Bronz' Express has been on the market for over 50 years and I still think its one of the best there is expecially for pale Irish skin. It gives an immediate glow which developes into a deeper bronze after 8 hours. 4. Vichy Idealia Life Serum - 8 sachets (€8 approx) (Full Size 50ml RRP €34.50) They say this serum can transform your skin in as little as eight days. It is formulated to fight against life's excesses and will leave your skin fresher and more rested. 5. Hugo Boss Boss Jour Pour Femme - 2ml sample (€2.50 approx) (50ml RRP €66.00) This is the newest fragrance to the Boss family. Its an elegant floral/fruity fragrance "created to envoke the feelings of the first light of day". Ya not sure about that - to me it just smells lovely and fresh and I would definitely use it as a spring/summer perfume. So what do I think?I think the saving grace of this box is the Blank Canvas Brush which I love and am very excited to use. Also the Bronz' Express is a great size for travelling and Im excited to try the Shiseido Cleansing Foam. You can walk into any pharmacy and get the Boss perfume sample and the Vichy Idealia Serum samples. But in saying that I probably wouldn't plus its a great way to try out new products that you may not have known about or may have thought they were very expensive. The net worth of the box is about €40 so it was worth the €15 price tag. I used to subscribe to Glossy Box UK and at the start they boxes were brilliant with at least one or two full size deluxe products however after a few months they were just full of samples you can get from any beauty counters or pharmacy. Also I was being charged for the box at the start of the month and not receiving it until the end of the month. I hope Powder Pocket don't end up like this. If they keep the boxes full of good brands and exciting products I will happily stay subscribed. Have any of you signed up yet? Or have you tried Glossy Box or a similar subscription beauty box? Let me know in the comments below Susie xxx How to OrderYou can order your box from the PowderPocket website.
(Click the purple writing) Monthly - you will get a box every month for €12 plus €3 p&p or 6 months for €75 (postage inc) and you get one box free or subscribe for 12 months for €150 (postage inc) and get two boxes free |
AuthorLover of all things beauty, Makeup Artist, Blogger & Wife . I am always on the look out for the perfect makeup or the best beauty product so keep reading to follow my never ending quest! Categories
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