Face of the Day- Divine Wine

I was a little worse for wear this morning after a work night out and so I decided to take some time and play around with my makeup and make myself look more fresh than I felt. 

I started off by using my favourite face mask at the moment, REN Invisible Pores Detox Mask, which is exactly what my skin needed. After spritzing my face with the worlds best invigorator Caudalie Beauty Elixir, I moisturised and then applied some Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, my secret weapon for a quick skin fix. 

I decided to use Max Factor Facefinity foundation because it's supposed to be a primer, foundation and concealer in one. I've found that less is more with this, using one pump of product I applied it with a Real Techniques Stippling Brush and I found it gave a nice medium coverage which is exactly what I wanted for my skin today. 

I filled in and set my brows, curled my lashes and then applied my new favourite eye product, Bare Minerals 5 in 1 BB Advanced Cream Eyeshadow (bit of a mouthful!) in Divine Wine. This is a gorgeous product and it's so easy to use. I'll be doing a full review very soon. 

I recently got this No7 eye pencil as a free gift with purchase and I really love how it gives some subtle Autumnal colour to my makeup look. It's so easy to work with and blend, I applied some to the outer upper lash line and along the lower lash line and blended it with the sponge applicator on the end of the pencil.

I curled my eyelashes with my Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler, then I used Clinique High Impact Mascara on my top and bottom lashes, applying a second coat to the top lashes only. I got this sample size free with a magazine and I absolutely love it, I can see why it gets raved about in the blogging community. 

After mascara I put a little of the No7 Instant Radiance Concealer on the dark circles under my eyes. This is a pink tinted light reflecting concealer that is a lovely light consistency and blends so easily. I like using very light textured products under my eyes because the skin there is so delicate. I usually have to double conceal, so I used a tiny amount of the NYX HD Photogenic Concealer on top of the No7 one. 

I felt like I only wanted a hint of colour on my cheeks so I went for MAC Well Dressed which I think went really nicely with the brown/purple eyes. Then I used my new favourite product, NARS Contour Blush in Olympia. I have a full post on this ready to go so I won't say too much except that I've been using it every single day since I bought it. 

I always finish by powdering the centre of my face as it can get a bit shiny throughout the day. For the past few months I've been using Vichy Dermablend Setting Powder and I love it. It's translucent and so light on my skin, I definitely recommend giving it a go if you're in the market for a new powder. 

Last but not least, my favourite part, choosing a lip colour. I felt like wearing something quite natural and understated on my lips so I choose this stunning Givenchy Rouge Interdit lipstick in Voluptuous Nude, another one I will be reviewing properly soon. It was slightly too light for the rest of the makeup so I put my favourite nude lip gloss over the top. I actually got this lip gloss in a Glossybox and my sister thought it was so nice on me that she ordered a full size one for herself and we both wear it all the time. It's my go-to nude because I feel like it's the perfect shade for my skin tone and goes with any makeup look. I can't believe I haven't featured it here yet, but I definitely want to do an in depth review. 

Here is a full list of the products used:

Max Factor Facefinity Foundation in 45 Warm Almond
Zeba Cosmetics Brow Powder
No7 Beautiful Eyebrow Pencil in Brown
No7 Lash and Brow Perfector
Bare Minerals 5 in 1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow in Divine Wine
No7 Stay Perfect Metallic Eyes Pencil in Purple
Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Foxy
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Clinique High Impact Mascara
No7 Instant Radiance Concealer in Shade 1
NYX HD Photogenic Concealer in CW02 Fair
MAC Powder Blush in Well Dressed
NARS Contour Blush in Olympia
Vichy Dermablend Setting Powder
Givenchy Rouge Interdit Lipstick in 26 Voluptuous Nude
Beautiful Movement Cosmetics Lip Gloss in Nude


I know it looks like I used a lot of products but it actually didn't take that long at all to do.  I feel like some people might think I do my makeup in a strange order. I like to do my foundation, brows, eyes and then my concealer, blush, contouring, highlighting and powder. Does anyone else do it this way?

I hope you enjoyed the post, it's something I haven't really done before so let me know if you would like to see more Face of the Day posts.

What products do you use when you need to make yourself look fresh?

Emma x

Swarovski Autumn/Winter Collection

I recently attended the press day for Swarovski's Autumn/Winter and Christmas Collections. I was blown away by the beautiful pieces on display, particularly the more ornate and colourful statement necklaces and cuffs that are unlike anything I've seen from a jewellery brand before. 

My photos don't do the pieces justice, if you get a chance pop into a Swarovski store and take a look at them in person. They are works of art with such wonderfully intricate details and brightly coloured stones.  

Billion Necklace



Blacklight Necklace



Bee Cuff



Stardust Bracelets

I loved these sparkly Stardust bracelets that come in lots of different colours. They feature a nylon fishnet tube filled with tiny crystals, you can see a close up of me wearing one below. They look really pretty all layered up. 

Brancusi Bangle



Pebble Ring, Brancusi Pierced Earrings, Wave Pierced Earrings

I was particularly drawn to the Art Deco/Geometric-inspired gold Brancusi collection which has a hint of 1920s style jewellery but a more modern take on it. 

Brancusi Necklace 



Bonus Necklace



Bound Large Necklace

I love the mixed metals trend too with a lot of silver and rose gold mixed pieces. It seems Rose Gold is growing even more popular for this season. I like how it automatically makes this necklace more modern. 

Pebble Pendant, Bound Leather Bracelet, Bound Bracelet



Bolt Bangle

I absolutely loved the Bolt collection featuring necklaces, pendants, bangles and earrings in silver, gold and rose gold. The smaller Bolt pendants in particular are so pretty and delicate but the shape makes them really different for Swarovski. 

Bolt Pendant



Bright Necklace



Brazil Collar, Brazil Earrings, Brazil Brooch

There were some stunning pieces for the Christmas/New Year party season. I loved the Brazil collection with Emerald green stones, there is such a vintage feel to them. I also really liked the snowflake ring and brooch below which are not yet online. I can totally picture myself wearing that brooch on my coat in the Winter. 

Buzz Necklace



Blossom Necklace



Blossom Cuff, Blossom Clip Earrings



Brunette Cuff, Belle Romantic Bracelet

There were some Gothic and Rock Chick inspired items with the Blacklight necklace above and these   intricate bracelets. I liked how different these are from what we would usually expect from Swarovski and a more sophisticated way to wear the Gothic look. 

Bee Necklace, Nirvana Star Black Tiger Bag, Nirvana Star Grey Stingray Bag



Hello Kitty Lucky Charm



Swarovski also have some beautiful Christmas decorations and figurines that would make great gifts.




Little Snowflake Ornament, Silver Star Ornament, Angel Ornament, Poinsettia Ornament



Christmas Ball Ornament



Stardust Gray Bracelet

Whether you love statement, colourful jewellery, something a bit darker or just simple and classic everyday jewellery, there is something for everyone in this new season collection. 

What do you think? Does anything here take your fancy?

Emma x

No7 Instant Illusions Rapid Radiance Balm

The No7 Instant Illusions Rapid Radiance Balm was used on me back in April when I had my makeup done for the press day for the No7 campaign. I loved the way it made my skin look and I was eager to get my hands on my own bottle to test it out properly. 

I'm not much of a primer girl, but I do love to use Clarins Beauty Flash Balm when I feel like my skin needs a quick something extra in the morning. I was so excited to try this mostly because of the name, what girl doesn't want Rapid Radiance for their skin? I have to admit I'm slightly addicted to this and have used it every day since I bought it.

The balm has a beautiful but subtle scent so if you're not into scented products I'd encourage you to give it a try before you buy it. The texture is light and it glides onto my skin so easily. It absorbs quickly and I like to apply my foundation directly after it's been fully absorbed into the skin. One of the things I love about it is how it prepares my skin for foundation, it just makes applying my foundation so much easier. 

You wouldn't necessarily have to apply it all over your skin if you didn't want to, just on the areas you feel look a little dull. I find it just gives my skin an all over brightening glow which I think you can see in the before and after photo below. 

Before/After (with no makeup)

This is one of those products that I know I don't necessarily need all of the time but I can see that it makes a difference when my skin isn't looking it's best and just gives a little extra boost of confidence when I'm having a bad skin day.

What do you think? Do you use balms or primers before foundation?

Emma x

Instant Outfits

I haven't taken any outfit photos since France, mostly because I don't have a DSLR and my budget won't be allowing me to buy one any time soon.  So I thought I would compile some of my Outfit of the Day photos from my instagram account in a post so that you can see what I've been wearing throughout the Summer months and into Autumn. 

I wore this to the opening of a wine and tapas bar in Dublin back in June.
Jacket- Penneys; Dress- Monsoon; Sandals and Sunglasses- Marks and Spencers; Bag- Coach; Lipstick- MAC Ruby Woo




This is the beautiful South Beach in Skerries.
Top and Shirt- Monsoon; Trousers- H&M; Sandals- Clarks; Bag- Coach; Sunglasses- Penneys




I wore this on an anniversary date night.
Dress and Sunglasses- Zara; Sandals- Marks and Spencers; Jacket- Penneys; Bag- Vintage via Etsy




This is a special dress as it was given to me when I did some press for the No7 campaign. I wore it to a Wedding in July.
Dress- COS; Shoes- ASOS; Necklace- Stella and Dot; Bag- Marks and Spencers; Lipstick- MAC Ruby Woo




This was the day after the wedding getting hangover food from the awesome K Chido Taco Truck in Dublin.
Dress- FeverFish; Sandals- Clarks; Bag- Vintage via Etsy; Sunglasses- eBay




This is one of my latest uniform picks in work. I LOVE these shoes.
Dress- Monsoon; Shoes- Zara; Sunglasses- eBay; Lipstick- any guesses?





A windy Autumnal family day in Skerries.
Dress- FeverFish; Jacket- Penneys; Bag- Zara; Shoes- Clarks; Hat- John Shevlin Milliners; Sunglasses- ASOS; Lipstick- I don't think I need to write it again




This was my birthday outfit from a few weeks ago. I got the dress in a charity shop for €3, it's a vintage Gérard Pasquier.
Dress- Vintage; Bag- Vintage; Sandals- Marks and Spencers

This was on the way to watch the season premiere of Doctor Who in the cinema. Unintentionally channelling Clara Oswald.
Dress- Vintage (only €4!); Jacket- Penneys; Boots- Zara; Bag- Marks and Spencers

My hair is straight in the last photo because I had it done the day before for the Ultimate Girls Day Out weekend in the RDS. No7 were one of the sponsors this year and they asked me to be the model for the live makeup masterclass. I was so excited to work with the No7 team once more, it was a totally unexpected treat. I walked the catwalk on Saturday and Sunday and did a quick interview about how I got involved in the match made campaign. It was completely nerve wrecking to walk a catwalk and talk in front of hundreds of people. I still can't quite believe that I did it. It was a wonderful once in a lifetime experience that I will cherish forever. I'm so thankful for the confidence that I've gained from being involved with the No7 campaign, now that it's all over I have the most amazing memories and have grown so much in myself.

In more exciting news, just after I got home from France my sister told me that she was pregnant! I'll never forget such a special moment, I cried of course. In fact today, they found out that they are most likely having a girl! This week my brother in law went into hospital to have open heart surgery so this of course was a huge strain on everyone. I'm so proud of my sister and my brother in law for being so strong and brave throughout this scary time. Now they can concentrate on him getting fully recovered and looking forward to the birth of their baby in January. I am beyond excited, I cannot wait to be an Aunt!

I'm going to London in a couple of weeks to see Kate Bush and I cannot wait! If you have suggestions for things to do in London, please let me know as it's my first time there and I don't know where to start.


How have you all been?

Emma x

Energetix Jewellery

You have probably never heard of the brand I want to talk about today. I was recently introduced to Energetix, a designer jewellery brand with integrated magnets. Energetix was founded in Germany in 2002 and has since gained worldwide success with it's beautiful, high quality but moderately priced jewellery.

As you can see below, our very own Ronan Keating featured in the latest Energetix campaign alongside German model Franziska Knuppe which was shot in picturesque Connemara.

The catalogue is available to view online, there you can see jewellery for women, men, teens and children, wellness products and sports jewellery.

Having seen the pieces in person and worn them I can safely say that they are excellent quality. I've worn all kinds of jewellery over the years and I'm tired of spending my money on high street jewellery that breaks, tarnishes or leaves a green mark on my skin. Recently I've been looking for jewellery that I know is going to last and therefore I don't mind spending a bit extra on it. 

If you look through the Energetix catalogue you'll see that the collection is quite classic but there is something for everyone, silver, gold, leather, pearl and collections inspired by the latest trends. There are great charm bracelets and necklaces so you can almost create your own pieces to suit your style. The two pieces pictured have mixed metals which I think is a more modern take on the charm bracelets and necklaces trend that can sometimes be a little bit predictable. I would describe a lot of the Energetix piece as classic with a modern twist.

As you can see the jewellery is beautifully packaged, a small detail that shows the quality of this brand. I'm really impressed with what I've seen so far and if you're looking for something a bit different, you should definitely check out the catalogue to see what is on offer. 

Energetix have an impressive 65 million people working as independent direct sales distributors worldwide. The idea is similar to that of Stella and Dot or Avon where you host a home party so that potential customers can see all of the jewellery in person. They are looking for distributors for the Irish market so if you're interested you can read all about it here. It could be a great opportunity for any keen salespeople looking for some extra income.

What do you think about companies like this? Have you ever bought anything at a home party?
Tell me some of your favourite jewellery brands!

Emma x