June Fav’s ………………………………better late than never?

June Fav’s   

………………………………better late than never?

************************************************************************

I genuinely cannot believe how long it has been since I blogged so I am hoping this post is better than never! The last few weeks seen to have flown by so fast and been filled with both good and not so good experiences – from crippling back pain to sun filled evenings listen to my favourite band.  Anyway without further ado I shall share with you my June Fav’s.

Bioderma 

I genuinely don't think any self respecting blogger has not heard of this product and I would be surprised to find a person whom did not like this product. For me personally it is a miracle facial cleanser that is just perfect for my skin type (normal to combination) 
this is cleansing water that is colourless and odourless. It is a non detergent, non foaming, Soap free and has a neutral ph. essentially it is a makeup remover and cleansing solution. It is so gentle and soothing - I have been using it nonstop even on skin the was in the sun a little too long! I simply love this product and genuinely recommend everyone to try it! 

There is only one negative aspect to this product - it can be hard to purchase! I have bought it through both eBay and amazon.co.uk. I am constantly on the lookout or friends who may be travelling to France so they can get it for me. All in all it is worth the effort to get this product as it is a definite in my skin care routine. 
INFO 

Sche Vite

Recently I was on the search for a good long lasting top coat for my nails. I also wanted a fast drying top coat that was also hard wearing. In short this Product ticks all the boxes it is the perfect top coat for me.

The formula of this product is such that it is designed to penetrate the polish and transforms the combined polish and top coat to become one layer. It dries so fast it is almost impossible to smudge. It last so long - I think the longest I have worn it without chipping was 5 days ( it was an experiment to see how long it would last).

Once again I highly recommend this product to any one who loves to polish and go ! 

MAC Vanilla Pigment 

I was recommended this little pot of wonderful by a really helpful MAC make up artist.
MAC pigment is always a pleasure to use and this is no exception. It is a shimmer shade that acts as a highlighter as well as colour pop when built upon through a concentrated rich powder.

The vanilla shade is delicate enough to highlight areas such as the tear area of the eye, brow bone or even the high cheek area!
A multi purpose product that is great for any summer make up look !
Nivea a Kiss of Shimmer Radiant Lip Care SPF 10

I have used this product for years! It is one of those lip products that I use for an age then put aside only to return to use and wonder why I ever stopped using it!

NIVEA Lip Care Pearl & Shine with moisture store effect pampers your lips and enhances natural beauty of your lips with a sweet pearly shimmer. It's so natural with a hint of pink shimmer!
Contains natural ingredients like caring jojoba oil and shea butter the result of which can only be good for your lips. This little gem is so moisturising it feels so nice on my lips! It is also a great day wear lippy if your lips need a little pampering !
Gentle, moisturising and looks pretty - not bad for a cheap little lip product!

NAR Bronzer in Laguna 

Another extremely popular beauty product! I have really been enjoying using this product especially since the sunshine has been making an appearance as it gives me a lovely bronzed glow!

This bronzer by NARS is really easy to use. It is really fine defused powder that has speckles of gold shimmer running through it. It provides a great wash of colour that gives an even coverage and almost smooths out the skin! It is a natural shade that adds a subtle shimmer and is perfect for contouring and bronzing. A cult product for a reason - it's a good bronzer! 

 I love this bronzer so much it is almost gone !!

Disappointing Product 

Walla shampoo and conditioner 

I am always on the look out for a good shampoo and conditioner and in particular a duo that adds volume. I was hopeful when I came across these two products am was quick to purchase!

Unfortunately I won't be repurchasing. I found the shampoo to be average. It took a bit to lather up and I found it a little difficult to remove fully from my hair. The conditioner I felt added weight to my hair. Over all I experienced very little volume results. The smell was just typical shampoo smell that did my last . Over all this duo is simply average. My search for the next best volume cleansing duo continues! If you have any suggestions please leave a comment for me so I can try new shampoo and conditioner duo's 

Other favourites this month !!!! 

 School holidays  - as a teacher I love the holidays....no work, no early mornings and no home work !!
 cross the body bag   - I absolutely love Micheal Kors cross the body bags I have his signature brown leather version at the mo and am using it non stop
 my engagement ring - need I say more
 Robin Thicke "blurred lines"  - the song of the summer 

Artdeco.....a few little samples

During a recent visit to my most favourite spa/beauticians 5^th Avenue in Mullingar (for a really good look at all the treats they have to offer click HERE  ) I was given a few samplers of the new range of products from Artdeco.

I am new to the brand Artdeco so it was a real treat to be given the opportunity to try out these samples, which I must add were a great size for a sample. I have read good reviews of this brand and the many products the offer so I did not waste time in having a little tried myself.

¬  ULTRA VOLUME MASCARA

Anyone who is familiar with me, my blog or my make up habits knows that I adore good mascara. I got this mascara in black. This mascara claims to open and define the eyelashes and it is good mascara as in it is dark and it does open up your eyes. The level of volume is fairly good. I would use this mascara as day wear and seeing as it is a sample size that I have it is perfect for my handbag. I like the fact that the mascara is jet black as it highlights the eye. It is fragrance free and is gentle on the eyes. Overall I like it but as mascara’s go and taking in to account the amount of them I have tried I am not sure if I love it as yet.

¬    Lipgloss

I received this gloss in the shade iridescent. I really liked this gloss. The colour was very pigmented and has the finest of fine glitter particles to give a real glam effect. It does give a high shine and lips are plump looking. It lasted ages meaning I did not have to reapply for hours on end. A great gloss I have used up already.

¬  LONG LASTING OIL FREE SPF 20

Unfortunately I simply did not like this foundation at all. It aims to give the face an oil free matt finish and be of light weight and medium coverage. I found this to be untrue. The consistency was heavy and almost hard to blend. It was not my shade but again this was a sample so it was not matched to my skin so I cannot comment on the shade due to this. I just found it heavy and thick. I removed it once it was applied. I am sure it is perfect for many people’s skin just not for mine.

¬  ILLUMINATING POWDER FINISH

Loved this product so much have went out and bought a new pot for myself. This is a translucent powder that is used to set or finish the desired make up look. It has delicate light reflecting pigments that just give your face a really delicate glow. It is really easy to use and helps you achieve the natural nude look that has been all over the catwalks this year at various fashion shows. I highly recommend this product; it is relatively inexpensive for such good results.

So that is my experience of a few Artdeco products. Some good, some bad experiences but like all cosmetics worth a try. For a look at the full  range of products click HERE

Hope you find this account of my experience helpful.

Xoxo 

Kiss Me Quick

Kiss Me Quick !!

*********************************************

What is it about Red Lipstick that just makes you feel great? It is almost like with the glide a creamy rouge along your lips you are automatically gifted with a little extra confidence. Your head can reach a little higher and your strut a little sharper. Oh I do love a nice red lippy. Problem however lays in the persuit of finding the right shade of red and ensuring that it has staying power. Once again I have tried and tested many a red lippy but have settled on just a few that I really like and have shown you below. Seeing as New Years Eve is just about upon us wait...........

Before you rush out and pick your lippy have a little peek at my tips

7 TIPS TO FIND THE PERFECT RED LIPSTICK 

• Take off any makeup, wash your face and take a good look at your skin tone
• Now you need to determine what the "undertones" of your skin are.
• Once you know your skin tone, you can start finding your perfect red lipstick. 
• If you are very pale - bold red lipstick is NOT what you want. Find shades that are more a mixture of coral-red or orange-red or peach-red. Don't overdo it.
• If you have darker skin you can get away with more obvious red lipstick.
• Olive skinned people should go for brighter reds - maybe even a fluoro shade! Dull or "matte" red, or purplish-reds, will not suit.
• Remember!! Red lips ooze confidence so try it out and see how you feel 
My recommendation are below.

If you want to add a splash of gloss I like Mac Suntints lip balm or Rimmel Vinyl Gloss in Crystal Clear 

Diorific DNA 038 BY Dior

MAC Cremsheen Lipstick in Dare You

L’Oreal Color Riche Diamantissime Lipsticks in 300 Velvet Robe

MAC Satin Finish RED

Every Day Make Up Lips and Eyes Combo’s

During the holiday season it’s always so nice to have a nice natural make up look. Over bronzed and tanned skin can look out of place, especially in the ever changing Irish Climate. Natural looking skin with a gleaming glow and hint of glamour is what I think is essential. I have chosen a lip and eye combo that I feel really captures this look.

Eyes – MAC pigment in Rose – this pigment is just so simple and delicate. You can apply it richly to create a deep rose colour or just a little glide to create a light shimmer. The pigment has a really healthy glow and last all day.

v  I used Bare Minerals Mascara in Flawless Definition Volumizing and Mac Eye Kohl in Soft Black

Lips – Super Colour Sexy Mother Pucker Lip Plumping Lip Gloss by Soap and Glory, shade yummy plumy.

This is a great lip gloss for anyone who wants the bee stung lip look!! Once it is applied you will feel a slight tingly sensation in your lips, this is where this funky little lip gloss does the plumping action. The colour is a fabulous long lasting deep pink/plum with a glossy finish.

This is one of my natural day wear makes up looks. Hope you like it.

If you like please like and share.

LINKS

v  http://www.soapandglory.com/products/cosmetics/lips/super-colour-sexy-mother-pucker-trade-lip-gloss.

v  http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/793/372/Pigment/index.tmpl

Xx

 

MAC Holiday Collection 2012

MAC Holiday Collection 2012 

MAC Christmas Collection 2012
*****************************
This Christmas MAC annual holiday collection fails to disappoint. The collection is titled GLAMOUR DAZE and it is simply gorgeous!! Eyes, Lips, face, Bags and Brushes are the categories and each item in the collection is excellent value for money. Finding it hard to decide between all the items I chose one from each category settling on the peach and coral collections for the lips and face and the browns and taupe’s for the eyes. Each year Mac offer a brush collection and these are super value as all us Mac junkies know you can’t beat a Mac Brush. Here are some pic’s of my Mac Christmas Collection 2012 haul. I will review each Item individually as I use them ........SO EXCITED !!
http://www.maccosmetics.com/holiday

For those of you in Ireland here is a link to what I call the most wonderful shop in the country the one and only Brown Thomas of Grafton St, Dublin 

http://www.brownthomas.com/mac-services 

87 Duo Fibre Brush, 130 Short Duo Fibre Brush, 286 Duo Fibre Tapered Brush and 282 Duo Fibre Shader Brush

 abulous casing fro the face bronzing kits

Modern, high-luxe compact too pretty not to show off, includes Bronzing Powder in Golden, Eye Shadows in Hearts-a-Flutter, Romance Me and Darkly Handsome and Lipsticks in Headturner and Barely Lit.

A style-packed, leopard print M∙A∙C Holiday bag with Lipstick in Shy Girl, Cremesheen Glass in Kiss Me Softly and Lip Pencil in Boldy Bare.

 Dramatize eyes with Eye Shadow X 2 in Dazzle Me and Mulch, Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Stubborn Brown, Bad, Bad Black Opulash and 275SE Medium Angled Shading Brush in a style-packed, leopard print M∙A∙C Holiday bag.

This only a sample of the MAC Holiday Collection, have a look at the website above for the full collection

ENJOY xx