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Tuesday 31 January 2017

Beauty La Linda - MUA || Where I spend & Splurge on Beauty!




Hello there my Beauties,


Today I want to talk to you about where I spend & splurge when it comes to beauty. This whole beauty business can get very expensive from skincare to makeup... not to mention treatments, hair care & nails. We are a high maintenance lot when you think about it! However I believe there are many ways to cut costs but still shine. I'm warning you now, this is going to be a long one so go on love, grab yourself a cuppa, sit back, relax & enjoy!  Here are my tips, 

Skincare

Now most people will say this is where they splurge. I would say here I stay in the mid-range price range. I like to find skincare that works well with my skin but doesn't cost a bomb at the same time. I know that in the future I will splurge more on skincare as it is something I adore & I firmly believe that if you take care of your skincare it will benefit you your entire life & it will also mean you can spend less on make up as you will have less to cover up! If you would like to know the skincare products I'm loving at the moment, I talked about it on Blogmas & you can click here if you missed it - Blogmas #2 || Holiday Skin Saviours

I do like to splurge on facials every now & again! It just gives your skin a boost and you feel fresh & renewed after it!! I also use at home masks every week or every second week. again these don't break the bank & they give my skin a little life. I will have a whole post on all my favourite masks coming up very soon!!





Makeup

Who doesn't want to splurge on makeup?? Answer = everyone whos reading this post I'm guessing. Who wants to say no to Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Channel or Christian Dior. Nobody who loves makeup or calls themselves makeup junkies wants to turn a blind eye to this lot, but honestly it's not in my budget at this point of my life. I have found that that you can find amazing products on the high street or drugstore. 

All brands have upped their game in recent years & now there is a product available for every need or want you could ever have. Also there are so many dupes now as well and the quality of drugstore products are just as good if not better than their more expensive counterparts. 

This is definitely where I save most of my money due to research of the best drugstore products. I will splurge every now & again but not on a regular basis.






Hair care

Where I save on hair care is through the products I use which are mainly drugstore products & hair dying, most of the time I will do it by myself. I dye my hair my natural colour every six months to a year. I have no roots as it's the same colour as my natural hair but it freshens it up and makes it look more alive. 

Where I splurge on hair care - Any hair cutting I will get done professionally (I have learned the hard way in the past) also any colouring that is not my own colour naturally (I don't trust myself with that either) In the past I have also got treatments done when I destroyed my hair by bleaching it to death. Now its quite healthy I will only use coconut oil & at home treatments which are more bank account friendly. Now the only time I head off to the hairdressers is usually because of an important event (really important or I will do it myself), hair cutting or if I decide to seriously change my look but this hasn't happened for a while.  

Another way I splurge on hair care is by purchasing extensions & hair tools. Mainly my ghd Artic Gold but I also own an Andrew Barton Straightener, Heated rollers, Hair curlers & Hair dryer. To be honest I believe in investing in items like these that will last you years. They usually pay for themselves in the long run.  








I realise in this photo it looks like the extensions are very dark but in real life they are the exact same colour as my hair!





Nails

Here is usually where I save. I generally have good nails, although I have to admit that at the moment they are not in the best condition. However I usually just do my nails myself. I really quite enjoy it to be honest. I find it kind of therapeutic, kind of like colouring except with my nails instead of adult colouring books (although I do enjoy them too) 

When I last cleared out my nail polish collection I found I had almost 200 polishes... I mean who needs that amount of nail polish. I have since cleared them out by nearly half but I do love them! My favourite brands are Maybelline, Essence, Catrice, Wet & Wild, Barry M & the PS... range from Penny's / Primark. 

If you ever need tips and tricks on doing your own nails then I find Youtubers and Bloggers very inspirational! You are bound to find some style or idea you like!

However once a year I will usually get them done professionally. I like to get gel nails. I love how they look & it feels like a real treat. The only thing that puts me off getting them done is the condition my nails are in after they are taken off. I always get them taken off professionally but my nails usually take weeks to recover after having them on.





Tanning

This is another one where I like to save money. I like to do my tan myself. I think most people do now these days as there is such a wide variety on the market now & you no longer have to spend a fortune or aquire the assistance of a professional to get your perfect glow. It is a skill that needs to be learned & practice makes perfect but there are now so many brands, tools & tutorials available now to help with all your tanning needs. My favourite brands at the moment is the Cocoa Brown 1 hour tan & Sally Hansen. In Blogmas this year I talked I gave my full review on these brands. You can check them out here - Blogmas || Winter Glow! .

On the rare occasion I will get it done professionally, like for a wedding or something really important but this is really. Again I prefer to do it myself I think alot of times. I think it's more of a control thing. In case I don't like how it turns out. Even though I know 9 times out 10 it would be perfect... 





Hair Removal

Generally I just shave when it comes to my legs and under arms but I always get bikini waxing done professionally. I think women who shave down there are heros. I can't be dealing with all that faf at all! To be honest if I thought it was viable cost wise I would probably get everything waxed but I would always forget or find it hard to make time for appointments.. it's just alot easier to shave. Unless I'm going on holiday I generally just stick to shaving. 

I would like to look more into laser hair removal as now that it's getting more popular, technology is getting better & no there are at-home tools available it seems like it might be a good idea.  

Things I will always splurge on

Lash Extensions - There is no way I can do this by myself. In between extensions I will use individual falsies. My favourite are PS... Individual Lashes from Pennys / Primark. You check out my full review here - Review || PS... Eyelashes

Massages - Again I can't do this for myself so if I feel like I'm in need of a massage I will have to splurge! 

Selfie I took the last time I got my lash extensions done!! 


Basically If I think I can do it myself I will for everyday purposes. With all the online tutorials there will always be help on hand if you want to get that perfect glow or learn the technique of nail art. I love learning new things when it comes to beauty anyway so I enjoy being able to do most beauty treatments myself but sometimes you just want to treat yourself too & that's ok too! However I honestly believe I wouldn't be able to have my nails, makeup, tan or hair the way I do if I didn't learn how to do it myself as it just wouldn't be possible to get them done professionally all the time. 

I believe what you decide to spend or splurge on is really a personal thing, but I also believe you don't have to spend a million dollars to look or feel a million dollars. 

My Tips

  • If you think you can do it, give it a go... What's the worst that can happen?
  • Do your research when it comes to products. The drugstore offers so many quality products now & offer so many dupes to many top dollar products!
  • Compare & Research before getting treatments done, this way you can be sure you are getting the best treatment for the price, that way you'll get the most bang for your buck!! 
  • If spending on tools, look for good quality that will see you through a couple of years. See them as an investment.
  • If you have a splurgy personality then do it as a reward system or pick certain times of the year to treat yourself, that way you can still have a little luxury in life as well!! It's all about balance & moderation, unless of course you have the bank balance to back it up! #yougogirl


These are all the things that on spend and splurge on! Please let me know in the comments what you like spend and splurge on I would love to know!! I'm always interested to know where people feel the need to invest their money in when it comes to beauty!!


BLOGLOVIN' - Beauty  &  Lifestyle 
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Saturday 28 January 2017

Review || PS... PRO Mattifying Primer






Hello Beauties, 

I have another primer review for you guys! Last friday I talked about the PS... PRO Miracle Primer. If missed it then you can check it out here - Full Review. The primer I am talking about today is the second one that they carry in their line. Although I did spot on Instagram that they have now brought out an illuminating primer too. This one, however their Mattifying primer. As I have normal to dry skin I wasn't that sure about how I would feel about it but I decided to give it a go anyway & at E5 a pop it wasn't exactly breaking the bank if it didn't work out for me. I could just pass it onto to a loved one with oilier skin. 

Here are my thoughts on the PS... PRO Mattifying Primer -




This product like the other primer also contains 30ml of product. It claims absorb excess oil, minimise visable pores & to be lightweight in texture. It says it is suitable for oily & normal / combination skin. As it is winter time & my skin is much drier it's probably not the most suitable for my skin but as the summer rolls in I will get more use out of it.




The product is white in colour & has a siliconey texture. It leaves my skin really smooth and I love the base it gives me for makeup! However as my skin is drier it does suck the moisture out of my skin. I find that after wearing it two/three days in a row my skin feels really dry and gets flaky, 





I will say though I felt like my makeup was bullet proof when I wore this as my base. I really think it would be perfect for summer time, when you are really busy or if you have a big event. I can't wear this on an everyday basis but if I have any weddings or important events coming up I will definitely be using this as my primer cos honey, my makeup will not be going anywhere!!

I can't say how this performs on oily/combo skin but judging by how much it drier my skin out I would say it is worth a try if you are have oil control problems 


Would I recommend this product?

To be honest although I'm glad I have it and would repurchase it if I had an event coming up and I was out of it I still think if you are a normal/dry skin type like me then you probably don't need this in your life as you won't be able to use this on a daily basis, at least not without alot of skincare prep before hand or you will completely dry out your skin. I will be using it again in the summer & I will give you an update on how I get on. However if you are an oiler skin type then this maybe for you I would recommend you check out some other bloggers with an oilier skin type if you want some advice first though. 


Have you tried this product!? What did you think? Do you have an oilier skin type? Did it work for you? Let me know in the comments below! I would love to hear from you!!


Chat soon x


Thank You for Reading
xox


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Tuesday 24 January 2017

Empties #6 (Foundations & Concealers)




Hello my beauties, 

Today I have another empties! If you read my Goals & Resolutions 2017 on my Lifestyle Blog, (If you missed it you can click on the link here - Goals & Resolutions 2017 It will open into another window) then you will know that one of my resolutions is to incorporate minimalism into my life. To do this I am in the process of going through everything I own and deciding what I love & want to keep in my life. This means I have empties that I need to share with you before I can rid of them! 

I also mentioned in Blogmas #5 || Empties (You can click on the link to check it out if you missed it) that my last Empties post was in march so I have a box of stuff which I has just been growing & growing in the past year! I've decided to break them up into categories as, yes, I have that much to get through. Again this will be a long post, grab a cuppa & make yourself comfy!! 

Here go! Lets get started! 

Loreal True Match Foundation

Ok you probably heard me bang on about this foundation enough already. Its my holy grail, I have one on the go at the moment & I have a back up... I may have a problem haha!




Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation

This is another fave of mine. I actually didn't know until I went through my empties bin that I had 3 of them! I do really like this foundation though & would repurchase it!



Revlon ColourStay Foundation

This one actually featured in a favourites post for November 2014!! If you would like a throwback then you can check it out here & all the reasons I like it - November Favourites 2014  I don't prefer it to the Loreal True Match or The Rimmel Match Perfection but I would repurchase this product again. 




Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation

This Foundation, along with Loreal True Match & Rimmel Match Perfection were all featured in a Current Top 5 Drugstore / Highstreet Foundations in July 2014! Click here if you want to read a full review on why I like them all - Current Top 5 Drugstore/Highstreet Foundations - July 2014 My feelings have not changed on any of them!!






Me Me Me - Flawless Cream Foundation

In hind-sight I probably didn't give this product a fair test. I've had it for the longest time... probably even before I started blogging & the colour of it was much too dark for me so I just never reached for it. Now it is well out of date. Would I repurchase it again? I don't think so. I mean the couple of times I used it I liked it. Maybe if I could get it in my colour I would give it another go but I'm not pushed. If any of you use this can you please let me know your thoughts in the comments below!





Maxfactor Pan Stik

Ah this is a nostalgia product for me! I think it was probably the first foundation I ever owned or wore (Not this particular tube obviously) Even the smell of this takes me back. I actually hate throwing this away, more of a sentimental value more than anything else but to be honest this is out of date now & even if it wasn't it just doesn't agree with my skin anymore. My skin is way too dry for this product & this product just seems to highlight my dryness & make it worse. Sorry my old friend but you gots to go! Maybe this year I will try a new maxfactor foundation. One that will work with my skin but still have that nostalgic smell!! Let me know your foundation recommendations from this brand down below! 


Essence Stay All Day 16H Concealer

Can you tell I like this product. This product has been featured many times on this blog between favourites & other empties posts. I have been using this product for about 2 years now & I have nothing bad to say about it. It works really well with my skin & highlights well under the eyes. I will say I do not have a huge problem with creasing under the eyes in general but I have never had a problem with this product. This product reminds me a lot of the Collection Perfection Concealer, another firm favourite of mine! I have empties in both the old & the new packaging & I'm currently working my way through a new one at the moment.



Essence Stay Natural Concealer

This is one I would not repurchase again. I thought it was going to be like the Loreal Paris Magique Lumi Concealer or the Maybelline Lumi Concealer but its not at all. Its too dark to highlight for me and the consistancy just isn't the same.




Seventeen Phwoarr Paint

I really liked this product!! I think its great for concealing dark circles!! I'm pretty sure this featured in a favourites post or a current makeup routine post at some stage. This is a product I'm sad to see the back of. I will be repurchasing this at some stage!




NYX HD Concealer

I hauled this about 2 years ago in my first ever NYX haul! I remember being so excited by seeing a NYX stand in Ireland.. roll on 2 years later and we are now lucky enough to have them in almost every town or city! I really liked this concealer. I have heard that it is supposed to be comparable to the NAKED concealers but I have yet to try them! Still though this is a product I would repurchase.


Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

As I have mentioned above, a firm favourite that I will always repurchase! 






There you have it, Concealers & foundations all cleaned out. Let me know in the comments if you have tried any of these & what were your thoughts. Also let me know if you have any recommendations for new foundations or concealers for me to try out!!




Chat soon x


Thank You for Reading
xox

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Friday 13 January 2017

Review - PS...PRO Miracle Primer





Hello Beauties, 


So the quest for the perfect primer continues...

In the winter months I picked up this new primer from the PS... PRO range from Pennys / Primark. I'm always on the look out for new affordable products & I love trying out new primers!! They have brought out two in the range from what I can see at the moment.  

I picked this one up for E5... again another bargain!! Although to be fair a product can only be called a bargain if it performs well! Here are my thoughts -


This product contains 30ml of product & claims to create a smooth flawless finish. It claims to minimise the appearance of pores & fine lines & to be appropriate for all skin types. 

The product is flesh tone in colour and smooth in texture, with a siliconey feel to it. I have normal to dry skin & I found this product worked very well with my skin. It does what it says on the tin, which is it creates a smooth even base for make up application. 

As I have normal to dry skin I can't guarantee that it mattifys the skin or how it would hold up on an oily skin type but yet it doesn't claim to mattify anyway. They have another primer which is a mattifying one available too. I have a full review coming up on that next Friday, so stay tuned for that!  




To be honest I think I have found a dupe with this product. As soon as I tried the tester in the store the first thing it reminded me of was Benefit's Porefessional & I was correct to be honest. For my skin I find no difference between this and the Porefessional apart from the price tag. Although I really enjoy the Porefessional I honestly can't justify buying it for myself any more when this product is available for about a quarter of the price!! The Porefessional may hold up better on oilier skin types but for me I get the exact same results from both!


Would I recommend this product?

100% If you were planning on trying the Porefessional but don't know if you want to invest give this one a go! If you have normal to dry skin like me then you won't be disappointed. I think it provides the perfect base for makeup! I will definitely be repurchasing this product! #winning


Have you tried this product!? What are your thoughts? Do you think it's comparable to Benefit's Porefessional Primer? Leave me a comment & let me know!! I would love to hear your thoughts!!


Chat soon x


Thank You for Reading
xox


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Friday 6 January 2017

Review || The Leakey Collection, Marula Facial Oil





Hello there beauties, 

Welcome to my first post of 2017!! I thought I would start the year off with a review. Every year I like to think of January as a pamper month. We have all been run ragged with the festivities of Christmas and now we are paying the price. We are tired, possibly run down and our skin and bodies are feeling the effects of a months worth of bad food choices! 

My first review is of a little product that might just give your skin the pick me up it needs. It is the Marula Facial Oil. 

I was kindly send this by the company but I am under no obligation to feature them on this blog & I am not getting paid for this review. As I have I always promised this review will be frank and honest and will represent my true feelings on this product. 


The company sent me a 30ml bottle of their Pure Marula Facial Oil, East Africa. It claims to be a light, fast absorbing Marula Oil, rich in antioxidants & omega acids, effectively moisturises skin to help reduce visable signs of aging. Big claims for a little bottle! 


I have normal to dry skin so to say I was excited by it's arrival is an understatement. Any time I see a product with these kinds of claims, you can sign me up! Also considering that I am turning 27 in 3 months anti - aging is also a welcome claim. It's always a good idea to get a jump on things. 

First of all I love the smell. It smells like a spa full of essential oils so when ever I use it, it feels like a proper pampering session. I also love the texture, its not thick or gloopy (anyone who's been here long enough will know I hate the sticky feeling & residue some products leave)


I do honestly feel like my skin feels calmer and more nourished after using this product.




Anything I don't like?

Do not get this stuff in your eyes! Seems obvious doesn't it but it has accidentally happened to me (more times than I care to admit) and it stings like a mother******. Seriously do your best to avoid this!!     

Although it claims to be fast absorbing, It is but only when used on it's own... It doesn't absorb quickly over other products. To be honest this is probably my own fault as I was using a thick moisturiser underneath and I have no patience when it comes to products drying in between so I don't think it could penetrate the barrier as quickly. 


Would I recommend this product!?

Absolutely! It really does make your skin feel nourished after a long busy day, the spa like scents also help you to relax & I find it makes my skin care routine more pleasurable as I feel like I am really doing something to help & pamper my skin. My boyfriend has also used this & it worked great for his skin too. He is skin is normal/oily. 

This 30ml bottle retails for about E31 but if you want a product that will go the extra mile with your skin and you really want to pamper it then give this a go! You won't be disappointed & to be honest I can't think of a better way to start off the new year then by pampering yourself!!    

Chat soon x




Thank You for Reading
xox



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