Thursday 22 August 2013

Malone Lodge Belfast

I wanted to share with you all what I'm taking with me for a night away at the chic Malone Lodge hotel in Belfast this weekend.

I always find it difficult to decide what to bring. I'm an over packer, and tend to bring way to many beauty products (obviously) and more clothes than is necessary. 

This time however, I took the minimalistic approach and decided to only bring the essentials - or at least what I think are essentials.



My dotty weekend bag is from Cath Kidston, I bought it in the outlet at Kildare village for €25 which I though was a bargain. 

Inside I've packed:

iPad inside my Ted Baker pouch
Wildfox heart jumper 
Primark maroon pyjamas

Skin care
Origins drink me up face mask
LancĂ´me cleanser

Makeup
Chanel bronzer
Chanel vita aqua lumiere foundation
Bobbi Brown corrector
Chanel face powder

That's all the makeup I decided to bring as I like to keep my face routine relaxed at the weekend.

I'm really looking forward to spending the night at Malone Lodge. The hotel looks absolutely gorgeous and the bedrooms look like a dream to sleep in. 

Tuesday 13 August 2013

The Liebster Award

I was nominated by two FABB ladies Bex and Caroline for the Liebster award.  I adore both these beauties, their blogs are fantastic.  I've been set some questions to ask, so settle down, and enjoy my rambling answers.



Questions Bex asked me

Q1: Why did you start your blog


I started blogging after reading Laura from buynowbloglater (back in the day she was lollipop26). Her blog started my obsession with MAC collections and Nars blushes.

Q2: How long have you been blogging, and what do you think makes a good blog?


I've been blogging on/off for two years. I promised myself recently that I would start blogging on a more regular basis and interact more with the blogging community.

Q3: What is one beauty product you won't leave the house without?


Bobbi Brown bronzer.

Q4: What is your must have fashion staple?


A gorgeous bag of course.

Q5: Where are you from?


Northern Ireland

Q6: If someone where to give you a gift card to ANY store, which store would it be?


Selfridges (hoping the giftcard is for £10000)

Q7: What is your holy grail beauty product/s?


Bronzer, Mac cremecup lipstick, well dressed blush and a nice faux tan ;)

Q8: What makes you laugh until you a.cry or b.snort?


My husband

Q9: What is your guilty pleasure?


Handbags

Q10: If you could have one super power, what would it be?


The ability to turn miserable people into smiley people.

Q11: Can you name all of the Dwarfs from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs? NO CHEATING!!


Dopey, sleepy, grumpy, ooopssss thats all I remember.


Now onto Caroline's questions


1. What's your favourite quote and why?


Don't grow a wishbone where your backbone should be.  Always stand up for yourself and don't let anyone take advantage of your good intentions.


2. If you think you were alive in a past live, who were you?

A penguin for sure, i even walk like one according to the hubby.

3. What matters most to you in this world, be it a value, principle or posession?


My family - when their gone they cant be replaced.

4. If stranded on an Island with 5 famous people who would they be, and why?


Kim Kardashian - so I could steal her keys and take EVERYTHING from her wardrobe

Bradley Cooper - well you know ;)
Beyonce - so she could sing me to sleep and teach me how to shake my butt
Mr Motivator - to kick me into shape
Kate Hudson - she seems so funny


5. What's your best physical feature and best trait as a person?

Apparently I have nice eyes so I'll go with that.  I'm very loyal - like a puppy!



Here's some questions of my own.


1 What was your first makeup purchase?


2 Have you found your Holy Grail foundation?


3 What country would you like to settle down in?


4 Are you a shoes or handbags girl?


5 Do you take your makeup off every night?


6 Do you see yourself blogging in 10 years time?


I would like to nominate 

Caroline

Rebecca

Laura

Sarah

Ally

Catherine

Bex

Robyn

Sara

Aine

Victoria

Wednesday 7 August 2013

Summer skin - tried and tested bb creams and tinted moisturisers

As summer comes to a close and we look towards the cool autumn months, I've decided to share a few tinted moisturisers and bb creams that I have used on rotation during the warm summer months. 

I've tried and tested quite a few, each time swearing to myself that I wouldn't buy another, but of course that didn't happen. After testing 7,  I decided it was time to share my views.


Nars pure Radiant TM shade - Alaska £27 50ml

I bought this in the shade Alaska, as it was one of the lightest in the collection. Once applied I felt it oxidised on the skin and went at least one shade deeper. Apparently Nars are bringing out some more lighter shades later on this year. The coverage was sheer, and it felt tacky for at least 15 minutes after application. It only lasted 3-4 hours before I needed to top up. I wouldn't recommend this at all. 

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream shade- light £12.50 15ml

 The newest edition to my sheer coverage collection, I decided to purchase this in the travel size to make sure I liked it before I committed to a full size bottle. I think it's a great idea that smashbox do travel sizes as it gives you the chance to try lots of different products. The coverage is similar to that of a light foundation. It lasted 6-7 hours before I needed to touch up. It didn't make my skin glow, and wasn't very moisturising either.

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint shade - Porcelain £29 50ml

I'm definitely not a fan of matte foundations, so I was resident to try, worrying that it would look drying and I wouldn't get the beautiful glow I get from all other tinted creams. How wrong was I? This stuff is fantastic. It lasts a full working day, with minimal touch ups around my t-zone. The colour is a perfect match for my skin when I have no tan on and it contains a tiny bit of shimmer that looks beautiful when applied. You get a huge amount for you money and the shade range is great. The only downside is they don't have a counter in Northern Ireland, so it's a gamble when purchasing.

Chantecaille Just Skin shade - Bliss £57 50g

If its good it's going to be expensive. I met this little beauty 3 years ago and have returned to space nk twice forking out the big bucks each time. A tiny amount goes a long way, it gives great coverage, for a tinted moisturiser covering all redness around the nose area and does a good job at hiding (not completely) my under eye circles. I guess the question most people will ask is, is it worth it? I'm gonna say yes. It's completely different from any TM iv ever tried, the coverage, lasting power and "glow" that I get is unlike any other and I really can't image not having this in my collection.

Dior Skin Nude BB Cream shade - 002 £25.50 30 ml

My favourite BB Cream of all, although the coverage is sheer, it completely evens out my skin tone leaving the most beautiful coverage to my face. Its completely fool proof, I apply this with my hands instead of a brush and I definitely prefer this. BB Creams are meant to be easy and fuss free so I think it's better to leave the brushes for the heavy duty stuff. Enhanced with mineralised floral water and a blend of antioxidants it perfects my skin while give it enough moisture and SPF 10 at the same time. I still need to use concealer under my eyes as I have quite prominent blue veins that need hidden. 

Dior Hydra Life BB Cream £41 50ml

This was definitely the biggest fail out of all the BB Creams I've tested. I like to set aside the fake tan when the sun comes out and get a natural tan instead, so of course, I start the summer quite pale meaning I need a light shade. This stuff turned my NC20/25 skin bright ORANGE. I literally applied a pea-sized amount all over my face and all the blending in the world wasn't making this any sheerer. This was a gift but I would definitely recommend testing this out in the shop before you purchase as its completely different to Dior Skin Nude.

L'oreal CC Cream anti-redness £8.99 30 ml

The only CC Cream I have ever tried. I see this as more of a primer, it didn't even out my skin tone, in fact there is no coverage at all with this cream. It's a gritty cream that doesn't moisturise the skin at all, it actually leaves the skin feeling oily once applied. It's definitely an unnecessary step in the morning. You would be better with a good moisturiser and concealer on any areas you needed covered.