Hey guys Happy New Year to you. I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas. Today's blog is going to be my 2015 Makeup Favourites. Some are new products for me and some are old favourites that I keep going back to time & time again. But they are all ones that I have used and loved the most. Primer has pretty much stayed the same since I discovered this product. It's the Laura Mercier Radiance Primer and I use it both on myself and in my professional kit. It is a lightweight creamy gel that leaves skin with a beautiful radiant appearance. Lovely to use on its own for "no makeup" days or perfect under your foundation to help it last longer. There are two foundations which have really stood out for me this year and the first one is the Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation. This has firmly become my everyday go to base. It evens out my complexion and hide any redness around my nose whilst lasting brilliantly throughout the day. Amazing budget foundation. For something with a little more coverage I have been loving the Clarins Everlasting Foundation. I am a loyal Estee Lauder Double Wear user however this has definitely taken over from it. It feels really light on your skin but still has great high coverage with a beautiful finish. No caking in sight!!!! I know I have raved about this concealer on loads of occasions but it really is my favourite go to. It's the Maybelline The Eraser Eye and is my most used and most loved concealer. It doesn't crease or sit in my fine lines and manages to cover most of my dark circles...Sure what else could you want!!!! The Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer wasn't an instant WOW product for me but after seeing so many people rave about it I decided to give it a 2nd chance. And boy am I glad I did. It is now a firm favourite in my makeup bag. I use it on days I need extra coverage for dark circles or for any blemishes I may have.This stuff doesn't budge...brilliant concealer. So to hold my foundations in place and prevent shine I still go back to the Rimmel Lasting Perfection Powder. It adds a little extra coverage and stays in place for the day. My favourite bronzer is an old favourite. It's the Soap and Glory Solar Powder. This has two shades...the darker shade is a matte bronze and the lighter shade has a lovely golden shimmer. I love using this with a big fluffy brush to warm up my complexion. It adds a lovely glow without being too shimmery.... Outstanding blush has to be the Max Factor Creme Puff Blushes...I have about four of these and am a massive fan. They apply beautifully to the skin, the pigmentation is great and it blends really well. To contour I love the Sleek Face Form palette. This contour colour is the perfect shade for me and is totally matte. I also love the blush and highlight that comes with this. It's just a great all rounder palette. Highlighter will be no surprise as it has taken the world by storm this year. It's The Balm Mary Loumanizer. This is the perfect glowy champagne colour. I always use an eye primer and this is another product that hasn't changed over the past twelve months. I apply a thin layer of the MAC Painterly Paint Pot all over my lid to even any discolouration and to hold my shadow in place all day. This year I have been loving cream eyeshadows and my favourite has been the Max Factor Colour Excess in Bronze. It 's super simple to use, adds a lovely wash of colour all over the eye and is perfect for a quick makeup look. It lasts all day and can be used on it's own or as a base for powder shadows. A new discovery for me this year has been the Makeup Geek eyeshadows. I have about 6 shades but now that they are more easily available on Beautybay.com I will definitely be adding more to my collection.They blend really well, have great pigment with very little fall out. My favourite shade is this beautiful rich cranberry called Burlesque. My 2015 favourite eyeshadow palette will be no surprise to my regular readers...It's the Charlotte Tilbury Dolce Vita palette. This is basically my go to perfect palette. I love the colours, the shadows are buttery soft and blend like a dream and even the packaging is gorgeous. If I was stuck on a desert island and could only have one makeup product it would definitely be mascara. And I am totally in love with these two. First up is the Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara. This gives great volume and curl without looking clumpy. The perfect everyday mascara. And for a more dramatic look I love the Lancome Grandiose. It gives great volume, separation and a fab long lasting curl without any of that nasty flakiness... Another cult favourite which has been massive this year is the Inglot No. 77 Gel liner. This glides on easily and once it sets it will NOT budge!!! My go to pencil eyeliner has to be MAC Teddy. This is a silky smooth bronze that glides on easily. It's not as harsh as black so great for day wear. Eyebrows are still "big" this season and my favourite product has to be the Eylure Brow Palette. It comes in 3 shades Blonde, Medium Brown & Dark Brown and each palette contains a powder colour, gel colour & a matte brow highlight shade. Its super easy to apply and very long lasting. Basically fool proof!!! I have fallen in love with lip pencils this year and often use them on their own with just a bit of gloss for colour. It was hard to choose just one favourite but when I actually thought about it the Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk is the one I reach for the most. This is the perfect nude pencil and is great for adding shape & definition to your lips. Honorable mention has to go to the Essence & Catrice lip pencils. I must own every shade of the NYX Butter Glosses. These are just brilliant. They are well pigmented, creamy and so comfortable to wear on the lips. Brilliant budget buy. MAC Creme Cup has to be my favourite nude lipstick both personally and for professional use. This is a beautiful light pink with a blue undertone (so it makes your teeth look whiter!!!). And as with most MAC lipsticks its very comfortable to wear. My go to darker lip colour has to be the Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick in Divine Wine. This applies nice and creamy and then dries to a comfortable matte finish. The pigmentation is incredible and it wears really well without going patchy. I love makeup brushes and sponges so of course had to give a mention to my favourite tools. First up is the Cailyn O WOW Foundation Brush. This looks strange and takes a bit of getting used to but it makes applying your foundation really easy. Next up is the Blank Canvas F15. This is the most versatile brush I own. I use it to set my concealer and for contour because it has a great tapered head and for blush & highlight because it is super soft and blends the products so easily. I have about four of them for my professional kit. Amazing brush. And lastly...it's the Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge. This makes applying foundation & concealer super simple and gives a beautiful airbrush effect to the skin. So that's it...My 2015 favourites!!!!
What have your been loving over the past 12 months? Let me know in the comments below or pop over and say hi on Facebook/Instagram or Snapchat (you will find me at makeupbyrubysue) Thanks for reading guys!!! Susie xxx
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Christ that month flew!!!! I know we are a week into October already but I just wanted to show you a few of the products that I have been using non stop for the past month or so. If you follow me on Snapchat (I'm @makeupbyrubysue...come say hi!) then you will have pretty much seen me use this foundation everyday over the past month. It's the new reformulated Rimmel Match Perfection. Being a lover of the old formula I was weary that they may have f**ked it up but no!!! they (as in Rimmel) have actually made it better. The colour is an exact match for my skin-tone (I use shade 100 Ivory), one pump is plenty to even out my complexion and hide any redness around my nose and it wears brilliantly with little or no breakdown throughout the day. I do have to add a little powder to my T-zone to help it stay put and beat the shine but that's the same with all my foundations. This is a fantastic budget foundation and one that I will be definitely be repurchasing. Available in pharmacies nationwide for about a tenner. This is a sample size of the Clinique High Impact mascara which I found when I was cleaning out my spare room. And boy am I happy that I did!!!! It's the perfect all rounder mascara adding length and volume without clumping or flaking. The brush is a lovely size making it easy to evenly coat each lash including your bottom ones. It's easy to apply and easy to remove. I will defo be buying a full size one. Available in Clinique stockists nationwide for €22.50. Once summer is over I seem to start neglecting my poor auld skin but after discovering these two I will hopefully remain as soft as a baby's bottom for the winter. First up is the TanOrganic Tan Erase exfoliating glove. I picked this up completely by chance in Care Pharmacy, Salthill....it was reduced from €14.99 to €4.99 so I though BARGAIN!!!! I have been using this more as a general exfoliator rather than a tan eraser on dry skin about 3 times a week by gently buffing all over my body. You can see all the yucky white powder (all the dead skin cells) on the glove after use which is pretty gross but at least you know it's working. Then the Johnson's Bedtime Baby Oil was another random purchase from my local supermarket. I loved the smell of it and at only €3.50 sure why not. I literally lather this all over before putting on my PJ's and jumping into bed. The combination of the glove and this has my skin feeling amazing. And maybe it's just a coincidence but I actually think I sleep better when I have the baby oil on!!!!
Another old favourite this month is the Seventeen Instant Glow Shimmer Brick in Pink Bronze. I had dug this out during the summer but never got back into using it properly until the past few weeks. It is a great dupe for the Bobbi Brown Pink Quartz Shimmer Brick which costs about €40 - you can pick this up in Boots for only €7. I use a large fluffy brush and lightly dust this over my cheek bones and across the top of my forehead. It leaves my skin look glowy and healthy without being too shimmery - Sure what else would you want! And that's it...
I am currently using a new blush, concealer and lippy so lets see will they make it into next months favourites. Until next time...As always....Be Happy! Susie xxx 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 Morning SkincareI am NOT a morning person and I could hit snooze 10 times before actually getting up. So it generally doesn't leave me with a lot of time to get ready before heading out the door to work. Therefore my morning skincare routine is quick and simple. I start my morning by cleansing with Garnier's Micellar Water. It removes any oils that might appear during the night, doesn't leave any residue and makes my skin feel clean and soft after use. I then apply my Botanics Hydrating Radiant Youth Eye Cream. I have been using this for about a month now and its a lovely simple moisturising cream that keeps the eye area well hydrated. It is a great cream for anyone looking for a basic everyday cream. I have however just invested in the NeoStrata Skin Active Intensive Eye Cream. It promises to "target tell-tale signs of ageing around the eyes by building and plumping the deep layers of the skin and crow's feet and puffiness are effectively targeted for exceptional results". I will do a full review on once I have had a chance to try it out. I have been using the No.7 Protect & Perfect Beauty Serum of late. I'm not quite sure if I like it or not. I had been using the Clarin's Double Serum and noticed my skin tone & texture had improved but since changing to the No. 7 serum I haven't noticed any difference. I am going to finish it anyway and will let you know what I think at the end. I then finish with Una Brennan Super Facialist Neroli Firming Day Cream. I absolutely love the smell of this product and it leaves my skin super soft. The Una Brennan Super Facialist range is great and cannot wait to try more of their products. Night SkincareI always try to double cleanse at night to really ensure my skin is cleansed of the days makeup dirt and pollution. I start with the Garnier Micellar Water as this takes off most of my makeup and eye makeup. I then use the Clinique Take The Day Off Balm. This is a lovely product. It is solid but liquefies when warmed between your hands. Apply all over the face and it melts off the day's dirt and any stubborn makeup. I use a warm muslin cloth to remove it and my skin always feels clean and fresh afterwards. I use my Botanics eye cream and No.7 Serum again and then use the La Roche Posay Cicaplast Baume B5. It is very rich and quite greasy but I love it. It soothes, protects and repairs whilst I sleep. Little tube of magic! Weekly TreatmentsOnce a week I use the Una Brennan Super Facialist Tea Flower Pore Purifying Clay Mask. It comes out white in colour, smells quite herbally (is that a word) and dries quickly. Leave it on for about 15 minutes then simply wash it off with a hot facecloth to reveal smooth well balanced skin. It doesn't dry out my face and leaves it feeling super clean. Then once a week I use the Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery Masque. (Obviously not on the same night as the Clay Mask - I usually use this over the weekend or Monday night). This stuff is a life saver the morning after a night out, when you have had at least one bottle (of wine!!!) too many. It is super re-hydrating, packed full of vitamins and smells amazing. Simply apply a layer all over your face (I even apply it to the eye area) leave for at least 20 mins ( you can leave it on as long as you want) and then rinse off. You will be amazed by how radiant and refreshed your skin will look. About twice a week I use my Nip + Fab Glycolic Scrub Facial Polish or my Olay Regenerist 3 Point Super Cleanser Brush for a good exfoliation. The Glycolic Scrub contains both glycolic and salicylic acid which chemically exfoliate the skin and has fine granules to phsically exfoliate. It really improves the texture of my skin and leaves it bright and smooth. I use the Olay Cleansing Brush with whatever cleanser I happen to have in my bathroom at the time . My skin always feels soft and glowing afterwards like I have just had a facial. Oh and I always remove my makeup before using this brush otherwise it can stain the bristles. So that's basically it. Now my skin is still far from flawless but it has been looking better lately and I am putting it down to most of these products. Is there any product's you think I should try? Let me know in the comments below. Don't forget...Be Happy!
Susie xxx So I was in my version of heaven last week (Boots in Liffey Valley) but only had a quick half an hour to look around. I needed to get a new eye cream and day moisturiser (that was my excuse for going in - like I would need one though). So what did I buy? Super Facialist by Una Brennan Neroli Firming Super Lift Day Cream SPF 15 RRP €19.49 What attracted me to this cream above all others in the store was the smell. I love Neroli (Bodyshop have a Neroli Jasmin Range and its smells amazing). But upon reading the info on the packaging I decided it would suit me just fine. It's an anti-wrinkle, anti-ageing day cream with Hyaluronic Acid. Hyaluronic Acid hydrates and plumps dry and aging skin. Now I know I'm only 33 but the dreaded little wrinkles and lines are starting to appear and I am a firm believer that prevention is better than cure. And did I mention that I LOVE the smell of it. I actually think I am going to buy the whole Neroli range just simply because of the smell :) Super Facialist by Una Brennan Tea Flower Deep Clean Pore Purifying Clay Mask RRP €10.99 For those of you who read my blog on a regular basic you will know I have problematic skin. I suffer from hormonal breakouts ALOT so a good clay mask is essential. This is the first product I had heard about from the Super Facialist range so I couldn't wait to try it. And at €10.99 it's a bit of a bargain. The mask promises to unclog pores and restore skin balance. I will do a full review on it soon...Im actually wearing it as I type this :) Botanics Radiant Youth Hydrating Eye Cream RRP €13.49 I just finished the Clinique Repairwear eye cream and have to say I was a little disappointed. It didn't make any difference to my eye area and is pretty pricey for something that didn't work. So I had read great things about this eye cream from Botanics. It's a lovely light cream that applies smoothly and I love the tube (I hate sticking my fingers into pots). It says " This hydrating eye cream smoothes the appearance of fine lines and hydrates, with protective ginkgo. Anti-oxidant vitamins help protect for a younger looking eye contour". Well we will see.... L'Oreal Volume Million Lashes Excess Black Mascara RRP €16.49 I have a small obsession with mascara and have been very impressed with L'Oreal's mascara's in the past. So after reading a blog where this was mentioned I just had to buy it. It has a rubber brush and the brand's new anti-clump wiper which removes surplus mascara so no overload & no clumps. Bourjois 123 Perfect CC Cream RRP € 13.99 & Bourjois CC Eye Cream RRP €10.49 I am really getting into the swing of these CC creams. This is my second one in as many weeks. (Must stop buying makeup!). I love all the Bourjois Foundations so said I'd give the new CC cream a go. It is a light coverage cream which evens out your complexion using colour correction pigments. It contains green pigments to cover redness, apricot pigments to cover dark circles and white pigments to brighten. I really hope it works as CC creams are really quick and easy to apply and save me alot of time in the morning. So fingers crossed. The CC Eye Cream comes in a little twist up applicator with a silicone tip. (Not too sure about it though). From just testing it on my hand it looks like a nice creamy concealer. I will do a review on both of them soon for you. Soap and Glory Super-Colour Fabulipstic Collagen Boosting Lipstick in The Missing Pink & Red My Lips RRP €11.50 Firstly I just love the names that Soap and Glory give their products. They always make me smile (People must think I'm mad smiling away to myself whilst looking at makeup). Anyway I was looking for a pinkish nude basically a my lips but better shade and The Missing Pink is just that. Gorgeous everyday colour and really moisturising on. Red My Lips is a funny name for the second lipstick as its in no-way red in colour. It is a beautiful neutral plumish colour. (Check out the photo below as both lipsticks are swatched to give you a better idea of the colour). Both lipsticks apply like a dream, feel gorgeous on the lips and I will definitely be going back for more. Rimmel Colour Rush Balm in Drive Me Nude RRP €7.95. Rimmel are the latest to jump on the "Chubby Stick" lipstick/balm wagon. I think they are a great idea because they are so handy for your handbag, easy to apply and most have a stain quality to them meaning they last on your lips for hours. I have loads of them from Clinique, Bourjois, Revlon and Catrice but wanted to try the Rimmel ones after reading loads of great things about them. I actually didn't have a nude one so chose this beige nude stick. I think there are seven or eight shades in total. As you can see from the photo above it's a lovely creamy deep nude shade great for everyday wear. (It actually comes out a little deeper on the lips so be careful when picking colours). And at only €7.95 I will be stocking up on a few more of the shades. So that's my latest haul.
If you have any questions you would like answered or use any of the products mentioned above and want to let me know what you think of them leave me a comment below. Until next time...As always... Be Happy! Susie xxx Here is a round up of my beauty and makeup favourites from 2013. I tried to keep it to my very favourite products buts its sooo hard to choose!!! I have it broke down into categories to make it a little easier to read...So grab yourselves a cup of tea or a glass of wine and enjoy!!! SkincareClarins Double Serum 30ml (€69.50). I got this at the end of November (because of the start of a massive crater creeping across my forehead) but haven't done a full review on it yet as I like to use a product for a least a month before giving it a full & frank review. It's 27 years in the making and claims to activate the skin's 5 vital functions: nutrition, oxygenation, hydration, regeneration and protection. Basically a skin firming, pore minimizing, wrinkle reducing miracle in a bottle - oh and it evens skin texture also. This is where I have noticed the biggest improvement. My skin tone is alot more even and the GIANT WRINKLE I noticed on my forehead seems to have retracted back into what ever little hole it crawled out of (for now anyway)!!! I use it morning and evening, don't find it greasy and love the smell of it. At €69.50 it is expensive but I will definitely be repurchasing it. Clinique Take The Day Off Cleansing Balm (€28.00 for 125ml). I love this Balm. It just melts the makeup off your face. You only need a small tiny amount, massage it into your skin and use a warm face cloth to remove all the grime, oil and dirt from your face. Your skin will feel sooooo clean but without feeling tight or stripped. And honestly the pot will last you ages. I also love the Take the Day Off Eye Makeup Remover. Soap & Glory - Clean On Me Shower Gel, The Righteous Body Butter and Breakfast Scrub (€10-€14 & ususally available on 3for2 in Boots) I keep returning to these three products from the Soap & Glory Range for my shower routine. I just love the smell of the Clean on Me Shower Gel and the Righteous Body Butter whilst I just want to eat the Breakfast Scrub. It smells like maple syrup mmmhhhh yummy!!!. MakeupLaura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance 50ml (€36.00) This is a great product. I got it mainly to use for Bridal makeup but I have become addicted to it. Its beautifully moisturising which helps your foundation glide on and last all day without any dry patches showing through. And boy does it make your skin glow. Even with a full coverage foundation like the Estee Lauder Double Wear this stuff leaves your skin looking dewy. If you have oily skin you could just use it on your high points like your cheek bones, temples etc. Estee Lauder Double Wear 30ml (€36.50) This was a new discovery for me this year. Sometimes I love to use a really good full coverage foundation (you know when your skin is mis-behaving) and this ticks all the boxes. It gives full coverage but still looks natural, lasts all day without having to touch up, doesn't cause flash back in photos and basically is a great all rounder. You only need to use a tiny amount and I blend it in with a Real Techniques buffing brush. LOVE!!! Bourjois Happy Light Foundation 30mls (€16.99) I am a big fan of Bourjois Foundations and have used the Healthy Mix Foundation and the Healthy Mix Serum Foundation for years now. The Happy Light Foundation was launched in September it has been a staple in my makeup bag ever since. It has a beautiful velvety texture which blends into the skin for a luminous natural finish. Depending on how you apply it the coverage can vary from light to medium and if you lightly powder it will last about 8hrs. Basically this is a brilliant everyday makeup. Maybelline Fit Me Concealer (€8.99) I am slightly addicted to concealer, I have ones for dark circles, spots, blemishes, highlighting and I buy everything from Bobbi Brown to Collection 2000. My biggest problem is dark undereyes so I am usually looking for a concealer/brightener. EVERY concealer I have tried to date has creased under the eye area and sits in my fine lines (Even the Bobbi Brown creamy concealer which is supposed to be one of the best). Anyhow in my never ending quest I decided to buy the Maybelline Fit Me concealer and low and behold its amazing. It blends like a dream, covers and brighten my dark circles and doesn't sit in my lines. Magic and all for only €8.99 Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (€5.99), Soap & Glory Solar Powder Bronzer (€14) & Benefit Rockateur Blush (€34). If you have been an avid reader of my blogs then you will know I love the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder. It's cheap, does exactly what it supposed to do and a brilliant all rounder. The Soap & Glory Solar Powder Bronzer is a fairly new product to me but its just the perfect colour. Being pale and a red head, it can be very difficult to find a bronzer that doesn't look muddy or dirty. You get two shades, the lighter I use for dusting over my forehead, cheeks and nose for a sunkissed look and the darker shade for contouring. I use this on clients also and the texture and pigment are great and it blends so easily. And finally the newest offering from Benefit. The Rockateur Blush is just a gorgeous Rose Gold blush. It has a very light shimmer going through it and gives you a beautiful pinky/bronze finish. Beautiful!!! Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter (€11) & Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker Gloss Stick (€10). These are just two great products. The Revlon Lip Butters are a marriage between a lipstick and a lipbalm and its amazing.They contain hydrating mango, shea and coconut which keep the lip well moisturised throughout the day. They glide onto the lips and leave a sheer to medium buttery shine. Perfect for everyday wear or a laid back evening look as they feel light & creamy and comfortable to talk, eat and drink while wearing. The Soap and Glory Mother Pucker Gloss Pencils are another handy handbag staple. They have a luxurious feel to them and are more like a lipstick/gloss hybrid. They have a creamy formula that glides on and melts into the lips. I have alot of other "chubby stick" type gloss/balms but these feel like a treatment on the lip. Whilst more glossy and hydrating than their competition, they're completely free of any stickiness. And finally..... L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara (€12.85) This is my new favourite mascara. This mascara makes my lashes so dramatic and full of volume. But they are defined, clump free, and so long looking! Seriously, the first time I put it on, I was shocked by how great my lashes looked! So that's it...I hope I haven't bored you all to tears...I will continue my hunt for new and exciting products and keep you all updated on my findings.
If you would like me to try out a product and review it for you just let me know in the comments below or message me on Facebook. Have a brilliant weekend Chat soon Susie xxx All your little summer dresses are packed away and you've pulled out your woolly jumpers. Yep its that time of year again and Autumn is a critical time to both repair the damage summer has caused to your skin & hair plus prepare for winter’s dry and harsher conditions. The chilly air can really dry out your hair & skin so its time to update your routine. So here are my top Autumn Hair & Skincare Tips 1. Cleansers - I love to use an oil based cleanser to help nourish the skin as well as melt away your makeup. There are loads of Hot Cloth Cleansers and balm's on the market at the moment and I use them with either a facecloth or a muslin cloth. This helps gently exfoliate the skin aswell as cleansing the skin. Some of my favourite include Soap & Glory Hot Cloth Cleanser, No 7 Beautiful Skin Hot Cloth Cleanser and Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm. 2. Water - Drink plenty of fluids...and no I don't mean alcohol. Try and increase your intake of water and herbal teas. This will stop your skin from dehydrating which can be caused by central heating and harsh weather. Peppermint tea with a slice of ginger & lemon is a great way to start the day and Choco tea ("ginger and cinnamon delicately mingle with the unmistakable essence of cocoa; warming body and spirit") is a favourite of mine on those cold dark evening. Oh and if your workplace has central heating try leaving a bowl of water beside the radiators to keep the air hydrated around you. 3. Exfoliate - Use an oil based body scrub in your shower routine at least once a week. The summer sun & chlorine may have left your skin feeling dry and flaky so start this season off with a full-body exfoliation session. Not only will you feel fresh but your skin will be free from all those old dry dead cells. Dry brushing is another way to exfoliate skin. It helps remove dead cells and improving circulation. 4. Moisturise - Its time to change from your light summer lotion to a richer cream. As the air becomes drier, your skin needs a thicker moisturiser. Creams provide a stronger oily barrier, which means they both reduce water loss from the outer layer of skin and provide hydration to this layer of skin at the same time. I love the Aveeno range or if you don't have the time to mositurise everyday then check out my last blog about Vaseline Spray & Go. 5. Sunscreen - Don't ditch the sunscreen just because summer is over. Use a moisturiser with an SPF 15 (minimum) or just apply a facial SPF before you moisturiser. This will protect your skin from the elements. Some of my favourites are Clarins UV Plus Protective Day SPF 40 and Clinique Super City Block SPF 40 which has a beautiful sheer weightless formula. You can wear it alone or as a makeup primer. 6. Hands, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Knees and Toes!!!! - Well hands really. Firstly buy yourself a good pair of gloves (and try not to lose them). These will protect your hands from the harsh cold weather. Secondly make yourself a hand scrub with coconut oil* or almond oil and sugar (brown or white). Simply mix together and then apply to your hands. Rub your hands together briskly for a few mins then just rinse off the sugar residue with warm water. Massage any remaining oil into your cuticles. This is a great little D.I.Y scrub and can be used all over the body. Make a big batch and store it in your bathroom in an old jam jar - just give it a little mix before its next use. Invest in a good handcream (& a cuticle oil if the budget allows) and apply it as often as required especially last thing at night. You can also pop on a pair of cotton gloves and leave them on over night. I promise you will wake up with super soft hands. *(Coconut Oil comes in a solid form and can be found in the cooking oil section of the supermarket. Not only is it an amazing oil to cook with - (its way better than sunflower/Olive oil) you can also use it as a hair mask (it liquefies in your hand) just apply to you hair (whilst cooking if you want - spoonful for the frying pan, spoonful for your hair), you can also use it to make up this scrub and it can help with weight loss. I KNOW super stuff. Just google it ) 7. Kissable Lips - Your lips will dry out big time in winter and the first tip is DON'T LICK THEM because this makes them worse. I done a blog on Lush lip scrubs and balms already but you can use the sugar scrub from tip No. 6 if you would so prefer (Its the exact same thing). Keep a lipbalm in your bag and apply it as often as required and keep a spare one beside the bed and apply it last thing at night. If your lips are very badly cracked and sore I think the best product on the market to use it the Blistex Relief Cream. Because it is a cream it sinks straight into the lips, is very soothing and relieves very dry cracked chapped lips. I generally use this at night so it gives my lips a chance to heal properly. And another little tip - if like me you suffer from coldsores (which can be caused by the cold, heat or being run down) then try a product called L-Lysine. I swear by these tablets. As soon as I feel the start of a coldsore I take 1000mg of these little miracle workers (amino acids) and BAM! my coldsore never even rears its ugly head. 8. Hair - From styling products, sunscreen, chlorine and sea water - Summer really does play havoc with our hair. Autumn is the perfect time to start afresh with your hair and the best way to begin is with a clarifying shampoo. (I like the Boots one and its easy on the pocket). Also get a haircut to trim away any damaged spilt ends. A good hair mask or hot oil treatment helps to restore moisture and elasticity to your sun dried locks. This is best done after clarifying the hair and will result in wonderfully soft & restored hair. Oh and another little tip - invest in a good hat & umbrella to prevent the dreaded frizz!!!!. So thats it! Eight hopefully helpful tips for you to help prepare for winter. Leave me a comment below if you have any questions or if you would prefer to ask me something on Facebook just click on the Facebook link at the top of the page. Thanks for reading Y'all :)
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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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