Face of the Day- Punk Baby

I haven't had the chance to experiment much with make up in the past month or so. Since starting my new job I've been wearing the same minimal daily make up in order to save precious time in the morning. Weekend mornings are my only chance to play around with make up and take my time creating looks. I've gotten a few new eyeshadow palettes recently but I keep being drawn to the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette. This past weekend I decided to emulate a more pared down Gwen inspired look. 

I know you're all probably tired of hearing about this palette. It's been all over the internet over the past few weeks. I have to admit when I saw the first preview images of the palette I wasn't too sure about it. It seemed like a lot of very similar neutrals with some weird bright shades thrown in, which looked a bit strange to me. However when I saw the palette in person I was really taken aback by how much I liked it. I haven't been the only one to note that this palette has to by seen in person to be fully appreciated.

I haven't had the chance to play around with it too much, however I have already used the royal blue shade, Danger and let me tell you it is an absolute stunner of a shade. I want to write a more in depth review once I've tried a few more looks, but for now I am hugely impressed with this palette and I find myself excited to use it everyday. 

I began this look by using the YSL Top Secret Moisture Glow, a skincare/make up primer hybrid product that gives incredible hydration to the skin and prepares it for make up. I tend to save this for use under my beloved Estée Lauder Double Wear Light as I find that my skin has to be perfectly hydrated in order for the foundation to look as good as it possibly can on my skin. Moisture Glow has the most beautiful velvet texture and sinks into the skin quickly and easily giving my skin an injection of hydration and a great blank canvas to begin my foundation routine. 

I mixed two L'Oréal foundations together for my base. The Infallible 24-Hour Matte and True Match in the shades 01 Porcelain and C1 Rose Ivory respectively. I have to admit I've found both of these foundations difficult to work with. I find that less is more with both of these. I have to be very careful with the amount of product I use because both have a tendency to sit in my pores if I use too much. I've found that they work better on my skin mixed together.

To give my brows a little more definition I used the Billion Dollar Brows Universal Brow Pencil. Billion Dollar Brows is a relatively new brand to me and back in November I got the chance to meet the company's founder Natalie Plain. She demonstrated some of the brand's key products on a myself and a few of my fellow bloggers including this brow pencil. It's quite similar to my favourite brow product, the Soap and Glory Archery Brow Pencil, except the nib is a bit thinner on the Soap and Glory one making it a bit easier to do smaller strokes and gives you more precision. The Billion Dollar Brows pencil is supposed to be a universally flattering shade which I can't attest to as I haven't seen what it looks like on people with lighter coloured brows.

I think both are great colour matches for me and would recommend either if you're in the market for a new brow product, however the Soap and Glory Archery is €11 compared to €24 for the Billion Dollar Brows pencil so I'll definitely be sticking to repurchasing the former again as there isn't enough of a difference between the two to warrant the extra €13. I set my brows with the translucent Bourjois Brow design Brow Mascara which is light formula and does the job without leaving visible residue. 

For the eye look I used a few shades from the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Palette. I primed my entire eyelid first using the Urban Decay Anti-Aging Primer Potion. Under my brows I used a little bit of Blonde which is described as beige with iridescent pink shift and is a great highlighting shade. I then went in with Baby all over the lid and darkened the crease with Anaheim and a tiny bit of the gorgeous reddish brown matte shade Punk. This is such an easy eye look to achieve and the colours blend beautifully together. I added my favourite liquid liner, Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Perversion and No7 Midnight Lash Mascara which gives great volume and definition for a wide-eyed look. 

I used YSL Touche Éclat in 01 to bring light to the skin and then Clarins Instant Concealer to cover any redness and dark circles under my eyes. I've been loving this combination recently as these two products are both very light and easy to work with and they give radiance and coverage at the same time with a natural finish. 

I then used NYX HD Blush in Taupe, Urban Decay Afterglow Blush in Score and theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer to give colour and definition to my cheeks. I finished off the skin with a light dusting of No7 Perfect Light Pressed Powder in Translucent on my T-Zone just to set the foundation there as I can get a little oily throughout the day. 

Finally on my lips I used one of the sample of the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani lipstick Ex-Girlfriend that was included along with the palette. There were four samples altogether, the three others are quite bright shades but I thought Ex-Girlfriend would work well with the eyeshadow as the shade is very subtle and the finish is sheer. The formula of this lipstick feels gorgeous, it's easy to wear and feels very hydrating. I can't wait to get my hands on the full sizes of the lipsticks when they're released next year.

Let me know if there are any particular looks you would like to see when I write the more in depth review of the palette. Although I haven't used all of the shades yet I already love the palette and can't wait to continue trying it out and seeing what I can do with it.

Happy New Year to all of my readers! I hope you have a great start to 2016.

Emma x

There's A Belt Of Sun Dripping Through A Porthole

We took these outfit photos when the weather was a bit milder last month. I bought the Bow Tie from ASOS during the Summer and wanted to style a whole outfit around it. I was unsure whether I'd end up looking a bit too Western, but I think it's a really cute way to smarten up an outfit. 

Jacket- Penneys/Primark

Shirt- Monsoon (similar here)

Jeans- New Look

Shoes- ASOS Mara Leather Pointed Flat Shoes (sold out, similar here)

Hat- H&M

Bag- Accessorize Studded Tassel Saddle Bag

Bow Tie- ASOS (sold out, similar here)

Lipstick- MAC Ruby Woo

I wanted some leopard print shoes for a long time so when I saw these pointed lace up ones on ASOS I ordered them straight away. They're a great addition to an otherwise monochrome outfit like this. Unfortunately as they're faux pony skin, I can only really wear them when it's dry outside which isn't very often during an Irish Winter.

The hat from H&M was another purchase I had been thinking about for a long time. I really wanted to try out a floppy hat, again I wasn't sure how it would look on me but I really like it. It's wool too, so it's very warm.

My gorgeous haircut/bouncy blow dry is courtesy of Carolin in Preen Hair and Beauty Salon in Dublin. I've been going there for about a year now and I am always so happy when I leave. I always get people asking me who did my hair afterwards which I think is a sign that it looks great.

I hope you all are having a great Holiday season so far. I'm looking forward to the madness of Christmas in retail being over for another year and getting to spend time with my family and friends. What's your favourite thing about this time of year?

Emma x

Sephora Cream Lip Stain- 01 Always Red

When I was on holiday in Nice back in September one of the only places I insisted we go shopping was Sephora. The number one item on my Sephora shopping list was their Cream Lip Stain in Always Red. I wanted to get it ever since I saw it on Lily Pebbles last year, I loved the shade and finish of it on her and was curious to see how it would compare to my other long lasting lip products.

There are 15 shades in the range including both matte and satin finishes. They contain Avocado oil to nourish and provide comfort to the lips as well as Vitamin E which is an anti-oxidant. The formula also contains ingredients that guarantees the product won't transfer. 

I was totally blown away when I first tried this. I've never used a lip product that is so long wearing and comfortable on my lips. The doe-foot wand allows for easy and precise application. The formula is lightweight and allows for time to perfect edges before it dries. Once it does dry it doesn't feel uncomfortable at all. It also applies evenly unlike some similar products I've tried where any extra layers make your lips look patchy. 

As you can see in the photos, this shade gives beautifully rich pigmentation and the finish is more of a satin-matte which is a lot more flattering and forgiving on the lips. I can't speak for any of the other shades or the satin finish as this is the only one I have tried. 

When I went to take off my make up the first time I wore this, I was stunned as to how I needed my bi-phase make up remover to get this off my lips. It really is so long lasting, which is the only reason I can see for people not liking it. You definitely need to remove it with proper make up remover, it won't come off with a tissue or face wipe. 

For around €11, you are getting a quality lip product. I can't recommend this enough for fans of long lasting products and red lip lovers, you won't regret buying this. 

The only negative that I can think of is that this won't be easy to get if you don't live in a country that has Sephora. However you can now have a Sephora order shipped to the UK and use Parcel Motel or DPD Wizard to have it delivered to Ireland. 

Have you tried any of Sephoras own brand products?

Emma x

Ona Rex

Ona Rex is a women's clothing and accessories brand that my friend Ashley created a few years ago. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, she designs unique handmade pieces in beautiful fabrics with the focus on colour, texture and silhouette. 

Sadly, as a whole ocean separates us, I have never actually seen any of the pieces in person (although that will change very soon as I've just made my first purchase!) But I can see from the images Ashley posts on the Ona Rex Instagram account that there is so much hard work and attention to detail that goes into every piece she creates. 

Holiday Base is her fourth collection and it's my favourite yet. Consisting of metallics, faux fur, silk, tweed and lurex, the pieces in this collection would be ideal additions to your Winter/ Holiday season wardrobe. 

The Metallic Swing Dress and Ribbed Silk Trapeze Dress would both be amazing party dresses. If you're tired of wearing black, red, lace and sequins, these could be a great unique choice to set you apart over the party season. I love how they've been styled in the lookbook with sixties inspired make up and glittery boots. You could also add tights if needed, a red lip or statement jewellery. The dresses are so minimalist that there are so many ways you could style them. 

The Anastasia Button Up and Anastasia Shorts worn together would make an effortlessly cool alternative to the typical sparkly party dress, just add an amazing pair of heels and tights if you're from a colder climate and you're party ready. Both can be worn separately too if you fancy a more fitted pair of trousers or perhaps a more glitzy top with the shorts. I adore the gold piping detail and the box pleated back and collar on the top. 

I can't wait until my order arrives and I'll definitely be styling it in an outfit post once it comes. You can follow Ona Rex on Instagram and Facebook and check out the online shop too. 

It's so important to support up and coming designers who are trying to get their creations out there. I love that so many Irish designers are having success in other countries so it would be great to return the favour. 

What do you think of Ona Rex, is there anything that catches your eye? Do you ever buy from independent designers?

Emma x