Essence Cherry Blossom Girl!

It's time for a new limited edition from Essence. The new edition is called 'Cherry Blossom Girl' inspired by Japanese beauty. I'm really excited about this one as it looks gorgeous! There are so many products I would love to get my paws on. It is due to hit shelves this September.

First up is an eye shadow quattro in the colour '01 dreaming under a cherry tree'. It has four colours that can be used together to make a number of different eye looks. They are nice colours but I already have a million eye shadows so I don't think I will buy this item.

The next product is a great idea. It is a 2 in 1 eyeliner. This lets you create 'beautiful, accurate lines – from fine to broad'. They come in two colours, classic black or natural dark brown. (01 big in japan and 02 my little kimono.) I definitely think they will find their way into my basket!

Next up we have paper lashes, they are not really your everyday lashes. They are very dainty looking. I'm not sure if I could find somewhere to wear them to however. They are available in 01 hidden in sakura garden.

A product I'm very excited about is the lipstick pencils,. Essence a few years ago used to do lipstick pencils that I loved. Unfortunately they were discontinued. I'm hoping these new pencils will help me get over the loss of the old ones. They come in two gorgeous colours 1 cherry cherry girl and 02 it’s peach not cherry. 

The highlighter pen in this collection has really caught my eye. I can't wait to see if it is a dupe for Benefit's High Beam. The highlighter pen comes with a twist mechanism for easy application and comes in the colour 01 konnichiwa girls!

The blusher in the limited edition is also very pretty. It is a 'multi-color blush creates 'a fresh and rosy complexion'. The colour looks lovely. It will be available in 01 asian sensation.

As always in limited editions there are nail polish. The polish are very warm colours inspired by Tokyo in Summer. They are available in 01 fortune cookie, 02 my little kimono, 03 cherry cherry girl and 04 it’s peach not cherry.

Finally we have a shimmering body powder.This is a 'subtly fragrant body powder with a decorative powder puff offers your face, neck and décolleté a fine shimmer for a radiant look' available in 01 hello glitty. I love the packaging of this product but not sure if I would use it so I'm not sure if I would by it.

So what do you think of this limited edition? I love the look of it so far and adore the Japanese inspired names for the products. So far I have my eye on the blush, the lipsticks, the eyeliners and the high lighter pen. I can't wait to get my paws on them!

Laura x

August Favourites

With September only a few days away I'm starting to feel quite wintery. Where did the summer go? Here are my August favourites.

Jemma Kidd Make Up School I-Glamour Volume Mascara - My Mam got this free in the July issue of Red Magazine, she didn't want it so she gave it to me. I LOVE this mascara! I will do a full review on it soon. One of my favourite mascaras I have ever tried.

Avon's Naturals Key Lime & Passion Flower Volumising Shampoo - I was loving this shampoo this month. It really gave my hair a nice lift. Unfortunately I used it all up. I'm devastated as it's been discontinued. Wail. :( For a full review click here.

Beauty UK blush in 08 Dolly Pink - A gorgeous bright pink blush. It might look shocking pink but it looks great on my pale skin. 

Body Shop Beautifying Oil - I'm still LOVING this product. I have used it everyday since I got it in June and still have loads left. It is the first product I have found that finally keeps my dry skin away. For a full review click here! 

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes - This is the first time I have included a book in my monthly favourites. This book is a great read. From the first couple of pages I was hooked. Great characters and a great story line.

Until next month!

Laura x

First Ever NOTD ........

So it's with great courage I post my first ever NOTD post. I basically have crap nails. They are brittle, peal easily, break if you barely look at them and are really dry around my cuticles. This has really put me off posting NOTD posts in the past. Today is the day I however decide to post my attempts at nail art. 

While reading bloglovin last night I came across a  blog (Polish and Pearls) that had amazing marble nails bout without water. Click here! to see how they managed it! The technique is so simple all you need is a sandwich bag and a couple of nail polishes.You put a few drops of polish on each nail and simply place the sandwich bag on top. It's so easy, if I can do it anyone can!

So my first NOTD... I hope I didn't horrify you all at the state of my nails. They just refuse to grow sigh....

Laura x

Product of the Week: Avon

Ever since a hairdresser made me look like a mushroom about 3 years ago I have been afraid to get my haircut. Since then I have only got about an inch or half an inch off when I get my hair cut. As a result my hair is now super long. Sometimes in between cuts it doesn't look the best as the style looses shape. For the last two weeks I have been using Avon's Naturals Key Lime & Passion Flower Volumising Shampoo and have been loving the results!

Unlike previous volumising shampoo I have tried it doesn't make my hair feel like wool or make it impossible to brush. It gives my hair a nice shape without being over the top volumised. (Although I wish it did as there can never be too much volume in my opinion!) Since I have been using it I have had four people tell me my hair looked lovely. Not bad for two weeks eh? The good news is I got this shampoo for the bargain price of €1.25. The bad news is that Avon have now discontinued it. :( 

They do currently have a different volumising shampoo 'Advance Techniques Volume Shampoo' on special for €2.50 for a 400ml bottle. I have just ordered some so I hope it will be as good as their last one. It's such a shame they got rid of such a good product. Sigh.

Have you any volumising shampoo that you love?

Laura x

Make-Up Haul!

I'm a lucky girl. Here is a make-up haul full of products I was given by my Mam and my boyfriends Mam. I was delighted to get my hands on them!

O.P.I in 'William tell me about it' - My very first O.P.I product! My Mam got this in a Beauty Box in the U.K. She is not a big fan of Nail polish so she gave me this and a few other goodies. This nail polish is a deep plum colour. It will be great during the winter months.

Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing Gloss- This also came in the Beauty Box. It is a pinky/plum colour. I don't usually wear lip gloss but I will test it out and will let you know what I think!

Mini Batiste in Cherry - I have a love/ hate relationship with Batiste. I love what it can do to your hair but I also find it way to powdery. I sometimes find I look like a granny after using it. I do find the mini bottles very handy though. I have never used the Cherry version before so I wonder if this will make me love Batisie again?

Jemma Kidd Make Up School I-Glamour Volume Mascara - My Mam got this free in the July issue of Red Magazine. I always love trying new mascara so I was delighted with this!

Rimmel Wake me up Foundation in Ivory - My boyfriends Mam won this foundation. It's too pale for her so she gave it to me. I have the opposite problem I find it's slightly too dark for me! In the Summer months I can get wear it though as my skin in a few shades darker. I will try and use it up before winter sets in and my skin goes back to being milk bottle pale.

If there is a product you would like to see a full review on let me know!

Laura x

This Weeks Bargains!

I haven't done a weekly bargains in aaaaaaages so here is one for all you bargain lovers!

• Selected Dove Body Wash 1/2 price 
• Selected Venus Products 1/2 price
• Selected Herbal Essence 1/2 price
• Selected Johnson Make Up Wipes 1/2 price

• 17 Wild Curl Mascara only €1.50 (Click HERE! for voucher)
• 2 for €18 on all Essie Nail Varnishes ( Click HERE! for voucher)

• L'oreal Elnett  Hairspray 400 ml 1/2 price
• Yankee Candle 20% off
• Selected St. Tropez 25% off

I hope you grab a bargain!

Laura x

Stila Sheer Colour Tinted Moisturizer - Dealz

In a recent post I was giddy with excitement over Stila products being available for the amazing price of €1.49 in Dealz. Excitement hit me once again when I went into Dealz in Omni Park where they had ‘Stila Sheer Colour Tinted Moisturizer’ in shade A. In my local Dealz they only had shade B which I thought would be too dark for me so I didn’t buy it. I was delighted to find shade ‘A’ in The Omni!

I have wanted to try tinted moisturiser for ages. It is just something I never got round to buying. I have quite good skin, I have never really got any spots even in my teen years. The only problem I do have is that my skin is quite dry. Lately however since I have been using The Body Shop Beautifying oil my dry skin on my face has improved so much. It is the perfect time to test tinted moisturiser.

It's slightly too dark for my skin tone

This Stila moisturiser comes in a 50ml tube and is SPF30. It has a scent that smells slightly like sun cream. At first the product was a bit watery but soon turned a normal shade. The colour is slightly too dark for my skin. It also makes my skin quite itchy so I don't think I would use it again.

 

Overall quite disappointed with this product. However, since it was only €1.49 it was worth a try.

Have you tried this Stila moisturiser or is there any other tinted moisturisers you would recommend?

Laura x

MUA Professional in Ireland?!

I couldn't believe my eyes when I went into Superdrug in Omni Park yesterday. There on a table beside the till was MUA Professional products. (Previously to this the only way you could get your paws on MUA professional range was to order online or get in the U.K) As a huge lover of this brand I always bought some when I went to visit my parents in London. My Mam was also lovely enough to buy me new items when they came out. 

So far on the table the Superdrug has:

• Eye Shadow Palettes including the new square Olympic one
• Trio Eye shadow
• Primer
• Mascaras
• Alexandra Burke Lip Booms
• Gel Eye liners
• Crackle Nail Polish.

Do you want to hear the really good news? Yes of course you do. I asked a girl working there if they would have MUA professional all the time. She told me yes they were just waiting on a stand. That means more lovely MUA Professional products finally available for us Irish girls! The Superdrug in The Omni still have the regular MUA stand with all items such as single eye shadows and lipsticks only €1.35. 

For those of you unsure where Omni Park is it is about 20/25 minutes from O'Connell street by bus. Just get the 16 from opposite the Savoy cinema. Or by car here is a map. There is also New Look, Penneys, a big enough Boots and one of my favourite shops Dealz. (Boots and Dealz are outside near the back) 

As you can tell I'm very excited and can't wait for the entire range to come to Ireland!

Laura x

F&F Blush in Petal

Here in Ireland we don't get some make up that is available across the pond in The UK. I'm always intrigued by products that are not available in Ireland. I think it's because I can't get them I want to try them more. I know I'm a big child! :) My parents live in London and my lovely mother is always buying me cosmetics that I can't get my hands on. On one visit home she brought with her an F&F blush. F&F is the Tesco brand. In Ireland we can get F&F clothes but not cosmetics. I was delighted to try some out.

It's looking a bit more coral in pictures. In real life it is more pink.

The blush I got is in the colour 'Petal' and costs £5. It is a lovely pale pink colour. As I am quite pale this blush really suits my skin tone. It gives a very natural looking colour which I love. I used it a lot during the school year as I like my make up to be as natural looking as possible when I'm teaching. It's designed to 'lift any tired face'. It gave my face a lovely natural colour while I was still half asleep getting up in the mornings. 

It's the perfect daytime blush. I do like something a but more shimmery if I was going on a night out though! After trying this blush I would love to test out more in this range. 

Have you tried anything from the F&F range?

Laura x

Stila Bargains!

With rumours going around the Internet that Stila products were in Poundland I began to get very excited. In hope that they were in the Irish version of Poundland (Dealz) I asked the Irish bloggers on Twitter had they seen any in Dealz. Word soon got back to me that Aundrea from dancin with disaster had got her hands on some. Hearing this I was then on a mission. I was determined to get myself some Stila! 

I ran to my nearest Dealz and zoomed over to the make up. I nearly gave up and then I spotted Stila boxes underneath the make up. I picked up Angel Light Whitening Powder Foundation and Angel Light Whitening Powder Foundation sponges. The products came in small white boxes. In each box was 3 foundations and in the other  6 foundation sponges. (I think there was a mistake and they should have been sold on their own) This was great news for me though as I got loads of Stila products for €3.00!

Angel Light Whitening Powder Foundation in the colour in Shade B, €1.50 for 3! At first I thought it would be too dark for my skin but it blends in perfectly. It's a lovely soft silky finish.

Angel Light Whitening Powder Foundation Sponges 

If you want an amazing baragin get yourself to Dealz as soon as you can. I'm going to pop back in and pick up more of the foundation. For €1.49 you can not go wrong!

Laura x

Beauty Bomb: Natural Beeswax Hand Cream

There is nothing worse than an impulse buy. I always end up with products I don't need. Despite working in retail for years I still sometimes fall for the impulse buy at the tills trick. The product I'm reviewing today is a total impulse buy gone wrong. While paying for an item in Primark / Penneys I saw what looked like Burts Bees products for only €1.50. My eye caught a hand cream an before I knew it, it was in my basket along with my other items. It wasn't till I got home I realised I had not bought Burt's Bees but instead I had bought 'Natural Beeswax'.

So what do I think of this 'fake' Burt's Bee's wax hand cream? I hate it! I used it a few times then threw it away (Well it vanished into the back of my makeup collection along side other products I discard.) The only thing I did like about the cream is the packaging and the fact that it is small enough to throw into your handbag. 

When it came to the cream itself, I hated the scent. I found it stayed on my hands long after I used the cream. I also didn't find it to be overly moisturising so I soon stopped using it. My sister who is a big Burts Bees fan tried the lip balm version of this product and said it was nowhere near as good as Burts.

So if you are shopping in Penneys soon beware and don't fall into the impulse purchase trap like I did!

Laura x

Sleek Pout Polish - Electro Peach

Sleek is a make-up brand that I really wish was stocked in Ireland. You can buy it online but I do prefer to swatch items before I buy them. I hate when I buy something online and when it arrives it looks completely different to what I was expecting. Sleek is a very good cheap make-up brand that has some amazing products. My favourite has to be their eyeshadow palettes. They look and feel a lot more expensive than what they are. (Look out for a review of their natural palette coming soon!) 

I have had Sleek's Pout Polish in Electro Peach in my make-up collection for a good few months now. Despite having it for a few months I have only used it a few times. The colour I have 'Electro Peach' looks a lovely red in the container, however, once swatched it is more of an orange colour. This orange colour just seems to look a bit odd when I wear it. 

The lip balm itself is very pigmented and feels very moisturising on the lips. It doesn't feel sticky like a lipglosss. It is kind of in between a lip stain and a lip balm. The lip balm also has a very strong vanilla/coconut scent. This is quite overpowering and I find you can even taste it a bit when it is on your lips. Despite the scent/colour I do quite like this lip balm. I would like to try out other colours in the collection to maybe see if I could find one that suits my skin tone better. 

If you want to try out some Sleek products go over to beautyemporium.ie . They have a big collection of Sleek products with delivery to The Republic of Ireland only €2.00. (This is a huge difference to Sleek's official website with delivery to Ireland costing a whopping €9.00 !!! )

Have you tried Sleek's Pout Polish? 

Laura x