Sunday, December 2, 2018

Steel The Look

Last month I was scrolling through Instagram as you do and I spotted this look on Emma Stone by her makeup artist Rachel Goodwin. I completely fell for the colour combination of the cool silver eyes and deep berry lips. The look Rachel created was a proper glamorous red carpet look but I wanted to tone it down a notch for myself. She used a Serge Lutens eyeshadow palette that costs €130, but the eyeshadow I used was only €3.80. Surprisingly I didn't have any silver in my eyeshadow collection and seeing as it's not a shade I'll be wearing regularly, I didn't want to spend too much money on it. 

I decided to check out the offering in Penneys as I had a voucher from a recent press event. I didn't expect to find anything but as it turns out they had four different options. I opted for a Catrice eyeshadow which swatched nicely but ended up not being great on my eyelids, and this Essence Melted Chrome eyeshadow in the shade Steel the Look. The whole idea is that they have a melted metal effect. There are six shades altogether, I can't say how the others are but Steel the Look is highly pigmented and has a soft, buttery texture. I was so impressed considering how inexpensive it was. 

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I wanted a very easy, pared back look so I applied a tiny bit of the Pür On Point eyeliner in black just lightly along my top and bottom lash line just to make it look more full. I applied Urban Decay Primer Potion and then the eyeshadow with a flat brush to give as much colour payoff as possible. I then decided to try it wet to see if it intensified the colour so I spritzed some of my Lancôme Fix It Forget It Setting Spray onto my brush and it amped up the metallic look of the eyeshadow some more, it doesn't work with every eyeshadow and I often forget to do it but when it works well it can make such a difference. I also went a bit more into my inner corner than I usually would as well as along my lower lash line.

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The eyeshadow is such a statement by itself so all I did was blend it out and add the IT Cosmetics Superhero mascara. I've been using this mascara for a few months now and it packs a lot of punch. I loved it at first, then it started to smudge on me after a couple of weeks and now it's stopped and I love it again so I'm not sure what the problem was. You can get a lot of impact from just one coat which I really like, two coats will give you proper going out eyelashes. It's the mascara I go for when I want big eyelashes in a hurry. 

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One of my all time favourite base products, the IT Cosmetics CC Cream has recently come back into my life (as a press sample) and I had forgotten how amazing it is. If you want to know more, you can read my full review here. I used the IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer for a few weeks now and I didn't think I'd like it at all at first but after playing with it a few different ways I'm a big fan. It's quite similar to the Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer in that it has a sticky texture. I find it best when you use a tiny amount and dampen a small complexion sponge and dab it onto your skin. It also stays in place all day. The less you use the better, you can always build it up if you need more. 

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I kept my eyebrows fairly natural with just a small amount of the IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil and some Glossier Boy Brow. I've really been loving using the IT Cosmetics pencil. It's great for when I want to fill in my eyebrows quickly. It's universal shade however one of my fellow Irish bloggers has black brows and she said it's slightly too warm toned for her so I'd definitely try it out first if you're looking to buy it. I finished with a touch of Glossier Cloud Paint in Dusk to give just a hint of colour on my cheeks, I didn't want anything too strong to take away from the eyes and lips. The closest lip shade I could find to the one Rachel Goodwin used (Surratt Beauty Lip Lustre in Très Chic) was Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Disturbed. It's one of their comfort mattes and I toyed with the idea of adding gloss as the Surratt Beauty shade has a high gloss finish but I preferred the look of the matte lipstick paired with the glittery eyeshadow on myself. 

I finished the look by adding a little bit of Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter to my cheekbones, the middle of my nose and cupids bow. I bought this back in September and I really didn't want to love it as much as I do. It's like no product I've ever tried before. I'd describe it as a multi-purpose liquid illuminator. You can use it under or over your base as a liquid highlighter, or you can mix it into your foundation for an all over glow. I've also been mixing mine with my Glossier Cloud Paints and it gives the most gorgeous sheen on my cheeks. This is definitely going to be repurchased once it's finished. 

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As you can see I took photos in daylight, in artificial light and with a flash to try to capture just how gorgeous this eyeshadow is in reality. I don't think any of the photos do it justice, so if you're near an Essence stand, I'd encourage you to have a look at it in person. I took a little video which you can see below in the hopes that you can get a better idea of how sparkly it is. Obviously there's no great intricate technique to this look, its fairly easy to achieve but I think you'll agree it's such a statement. I was initially a bit wary of wearing it out of the house but I quickly reminded myself that it's only makeup and it's supposed to be a bit of fun. Take a look at the recent video Violette (the Creative Director for Estée Lauder) made using silver pigment, it should give you another option of how to wear silver on your eyes. I think it would be great for a Christmas/ New Year party. 

Would you wear this look? 

Emma x


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Full Product List:

*IT Cosmetics CC Cream in Fair
*IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil
Glossier Boy Brow in Brown
Urban Decay Primer Potion Original
*Essence Melted Chrome Eyeshadow in Steel the Look
*IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara
PÜR Cosmetics On Point Eyeliner in Black
*IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Anti-Aging Waterproof Concealer in Light
*Lancôme Long Time No Shine Setting Powder in Translucent
*Glossier Cloud Paint in Dusk
Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter in Shade 1 (Fair)
*Urban Decay Vice Comfort Matte Lipstick in Disturbed

*Products marked were gifted or bought with a press voucher
(All brands are Cruelty-Free except Lancôme)


Sunday, November 25, 2018

Velvet Ribbon- Lisa Eldridge Plush Matte Velvet Lip Colour

After five long months I'm finally back to blogging. It was a completely unintentional break but one I think was needed. That being said I've greatly missed writing more in-depth reviews despite writing for Bean Magazine and keeping my Instagram up to date. So when my Lisa Eldridge lipstick order arrived on Friday afternoon, I was immediately inspired to write a blog post about it because if there's anything that can get you excited about blogging again it's a beauty release from the queen of makeup herself.

When I saw Lisa Eldridge had created her own line of limited edition lipsticks AND that they were reds AND that they were matte, I knew I'd want to buy them. She released three shades, Velvet Ribbon which is a "vibrant classic neutral/blue red", Velvet Morning, a "hot and fiery, bright orange/red" and Velvet Jazz, "a muted, earthy brick red" inspired by the 1930s reds in Lisa's vintage collection.

I love all three, and of course wanted to buy all three but I couldn't really afford it so I went for Velvet Ribbon as I tend to wear classic reds most often.

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Let's begin with the packaging, the case is a beautiful pale matte gold and the lid has the most satisfying magnetic click. The top of the lid is embossed with Lisa's signature monogram. It's sleek, modern, classy and has that weighted feel too.

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Once you open it up, it's not your ordinary lipstick bullet, Lisa has explained that she tried for a long time to have a velvet effect on the lipstick bullet. I have no idea how, but she managed to achieve it and it looks unlike any lipstick I've seen before. It's a small detail that was probably unnecessary but has taken this lipstick to another level. I love that she has that attention to detail. It makes these lipsticks incredibly special. I tried to photograph the texture as best I could with macro filters on my lens so that you can see the velvet effect. I think you'll agree it looks like actual material!

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It's supposed to be a creamy, saturated and highly pigmented matte with a slight sheen, long lasting and not drying. I'm going to be honest I've only worn it for one day, but it was enough to know it's all of those things and more. It's so comfortable and lightweight, it applies smoothly and easily and doesn't drag on the skin at all. You can achieve full opacity with just one application.

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This is hands down the best matte red liptick I own. I understand that's a hefty claim having only had it a couple of days, but it doesn't take long to figure out if you like a lipstick. As you can see above I swatched the most similar shades I could find in my collection. I think it's most similar to Ruby Woo and Red Carpet Red and a bit lighter than Elson. It's probably the most similar formula to Elson, but I actually found Velvet Ribbon longer lasting and the packaging of Elson broke on me after only a few uses so I now find it very difficult to use as it takes a lot of fiddling around to twist it up and down and for that price I'd expect more.

It works out less expensive than the Charlotte Tilbury (€32) and Pat McGrath (€35) counterparts before shipping at £26/€29.40 (€39 with shipping). It arrived within a few days of ordering and yes the shipping is expensive at £8.50, but for that you get a signed for DPD courier delivery with a text that gives you a one hour window of delivery. Much more convenient than other online retailers. Shipping is free over £40 too.

Obviously unless you're a big LE fan, these lipsticks probably won't interest you but if you have followed her for any amount of time, you'll know she's got so much experience in the beauty industry and has never sold out or put her name to anything sub par. She's clearly put her heart and soul into this collection and has done something different to anything currently on the market. I'm clearly a fan, and matte red lips are my favourite so this is my dream collection. They are also cruelty-free which is great to see from more brands.

With all the Black Friday "sales" recently it's very easy to get caught up in wanting things we don't need and can't afford. With all the excesses of the blogging and "influencer" community I'm trying to be more conscious about what I spend my hard earned money on instead of getting caught up in the never ending new releases. I'm hoping to bring you more quality content with detailed unbiased reviews to help you decide if you really need that new palette or lipstick or if you're better using what you have instead like I'm trying to do. That being said, I'm completely biased here because I admire Lisa Eldridge so much, but I'm so delighted her collection didn't disappoint me.

Let me know if you've bought one (or all three) of these or if you're thinking of it.

Emma x

Watch Lisa's video below for more information!


Sunday, June 3, 2018

Glossier Lash Slick

Well, it's been a while since I've written a blog post. No real excuse, not that most of you would be looking for one. I just haven't felt like posting anything. I've had plenty of ideas but just none that I've followed through on. I've also been working on a new project. Myself and some talented women led by fellow Irish blogger Colette (Wide-Eyed and Blind) have started a website, Bean Magazine

I'm the Beauty/Film and Tv Editor so I've been working on articles for the website over the past while which has taken up the time I would have spent blogging. However now that we've launched and I've gotten used to writing different kinds of articles I feel like I can differentiate between what I write for the blog and what I write for Bean. It's been so much fun and so inspiring working with a group of like-minded women who all have different interests, passions and areas of expertise. I hope you have time to check out the website (which is a work in progress), we'd love any feedback you have to give and we're also always looking for contributors so if you or anyone you know is looking for a creative outlet or has anything they'd like to write about that doesn't fit anywhere else please don't hesitate to get in contact with us. You can also keep up with us on Instagram

Now, let's get into the review. This is a product that has been in the making for the past few years. It's something every Glossier fan was waiting for so it already had high expectations to live up to- Lash Slick mascara.

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It's the product that was missing from my full face of Glossier post last year and now the wait is over and I've been using it for the past few weeks after kindly being sent one by the lovely ladies at Glossier (who I was lucky enough to meet recently).

I knew that any mascara launch from Glossier wasn't going to be like other brands. It would be something that enhanced your natural lashes. Nothing clumpy, no big brushes, nothing too volumising- and I was right. Emily Weiss wanted it be like lash extensions without the extensions. It took them 248 formulations to make "the perfect everyday mascara". But is it the perfect everyday mascara?

Let's begin with what Glossier claims the mascara will do. Curl, sculpt, lengthen and enhance your natural lashes without clumps. It contains tiny one and two millimetre curved fibers that create that extended look and film-forming polymers that lock the fibers in place. It also contains vegan biotin (a vitamin that helps to keep skin and hair healthy among other things) that conditions and strengthens the lashes over time. The natural shine polymers make the lashes shiny and sleek. It's suitable for anyone with sensitive eyes or those who wear contact lenses. It's water resistant but not waterproof so it can be removed with warm water (or Milky Jelly Cleanser). The tapered wand has tiered bristles that separate the lashes and give an even application. 

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Did Lash Slick live up to my expectations? I'm happy to say it's a resounding yes! The first time I tried it, I loved it. That doesn't happen with all mascaras and obviously there are many more aspects to a great mascara than just first application and appearance. Wear time, smudging and flaking and removal all heavily factor into my opinion. I've used mascaras that have applied beautifully and looked incredible (MAC Upward Lash) but have flaked so much that it wasn't worth the hassle for me despite how amazing my lashes looked. 

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Lash Slick gave my lashes length and definition and a small amount of volume, enough for me personally for an everyday mascara. The tapered brush meant that every tiny lash was coated and there was zero clumping even with a second coat. My lashes were fanned out and it held the curl from my eyelash curler which I use every day regardless of what mascara I follow up with. There was no flaking or smudging on me despite using it on my bottom lashes too. I have seen the odd rogue fiber but not enough to bother me at all. It wears perfectly throughout the day and I've tried removing it with a cleansing balm, warm water and MJC and I've never had a problem with any removal method.

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As you can see it comes in the signature Glossier Pink packaging, I've only been using it for a few weeks so I don't know how long it will last before drying out but I always throw away my mascaras after three months anyway for hygiene reasons. One of the things I love most about it is the brush, the size and shape means I don't get any mascara on my eyelid which seems to happen to be all the time even when I'm being careful. At the moment it only comes in black but I could imagine there would be a demand for a brown shade too. 

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Being completely honest, this mascara will not be for everyone. Most people are looking volume, length and definition when it comes to mascara and although I can't fault it for length and definition, it doesn't give as much volume as other mascaras I've tried. But that is exactly how it was intended, as a mascara that gives you 'your lashes but better'. It doesn't look like I'm wearing mascara, just that I have great eyelashes which I can't say I've gotten from any other mascara. But like I said, most people like to look like they're wearing makeup and have thick lashes. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. If I was going on a night out or wearing darker eyeshadow I would definitely wear a different mascara that's more volumising. But for everyday, to fit in with the kind of makeup I like to wear, Lash Slick is absolutely perfect for me.

As you can in the photo above, my lashes aren't naturally that long, but most mascaras tend to make them look good. That doesn't necessarily mean I like most mascaras, it's probably one of the makeup products I'm the most picky about, especially considering you can get such great inexpensive mascaras nowadays. It takes a lot for me to buy a mascara twice because I do like to try different ones each time. This is one I will 100% be repurchasing. 

And just in case you hadn't heard yet, Glossier now deliver to Ireland which makes me so happy! Lash Slick is priced at €16 which I think is a great price point considering some "drugstore" mascaras are the same price and even more expensive. I'm delighted that the long-awaited Glossier mascara hasn't disappointed me.

What do you think? Does this kind of mascara interest you or do you prefer thicker lashes?

Emma x


Friday, February 2, 2018

First Impressions Of Fenty Beauty- Bomb Baby Mini Lip And Face Set

When I saw my fellow Irish blogger Gemma (from Beautynook) mention this Fenty Beauty set on her Instagram, I got very excited because I figured it was a great way to try out the brand without spending too much money. I'm not usually one to give in to hype straight away and this was the case when Rihanna launched her makeup brand Fenty Beauty. Obviously being a lover of makeup I'm always curious when a new brand comes on the market. I found this launch particularly interesting because it was from someone who I would never have considered to have much experience in the beauty industry. When I actually thought about it though, there are plenty of celebrities who have come out with their own makeup and skincare lines like Drew Barrymore (Flower), Jessica Alba (The Honest Company), Kat Von D,Victoria Beckham and many of the Kardashians etc. 

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I guess it makes sense, if you work in the entertainment industry you've probably worked with a lot of different makeup artists and therefore picked up lots of tips as well as having every brand under the sun applied to your skin which would give a great insight into products that work and products that don't. Rihanna has said that she saw a void in the beauty industry for a brand that would make women  of all skin tones and types feel included, which is why she has launched with a foundation that has 40 shades, an incredible feat for any new brand. As someone who has found it difficult to find a shade pale enough to match my skin perfectly over the years I'm so impressed that Rihanna has decided to focus on "a wide range of traditionally hard-to-match skin tones". This kind of inclusivity puts other established brands to shame and hopefully it will encourage them to follow suit so that women of all skin tones will see themselves represented in the beauty industry.

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I also love Rihanna's ethos for the brand, wanting the foundation to look like "perfect skin, not makeup on skin". This is clear in the imagery for Fenty Beauty which I love because the makeup is very understated with glowing natural looking skin. The more I researched the brand and the more videos I watched including those of Rihanna speaking about the process of creating her brand, the more interested I became in wanting to try it for myself.

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I've had this set for a while now and after using the products for the past few weeks I couldn't be happier with my purchase.  It contains mini versions of the Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminzer (universal rose nude shade) and the Killawat Freestyle highlighter in Hu$tla Baby (a peachy champagne shimmer). I was unsure of both products at first. The gloss isn't something I would usually go for but several people I follow and trust raved about it and I loved how it looked any time I saw someone wearing it in a photo. I needn't have worried because it was love from the first application! I love everything about it, the packaging, the scent, the texture, the shade, the hint of sparkle. I love matte lips, don't get me wrong, but there's nothing as flattering on the lips as a gloss. Sometimes I line my lips a little first with the No7 Nude Precision Lips Pencil but mostly I just apply it on top of some balm. Obviously you could use it on top of any lipstick either. I'm so surprised by how much I've been wearing this. I don't think I've heard anyone say that they don't like it but as always check it out yourself in person if you're interested in buying it. Just don't wear it when it's windy out! 

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I was unsure about the highlighter too because I had seen some of them being applied and they seemed quite intense which isn't something I look for in a highlighter at all. I've been playing around with this for the past few weeks and I've tried it a few different ways. The first time I used it as a highlighter I applied way too much. You only need a tiny amount, applied with a light hand and blended out with a fluffy brush and it gives a beautiful sheen. It's definitely a pigmented highlighter and I probably wouldn't really wear it much during the day as I tend to keep things a bit more natural. I have worn it like in the photos below as the main focus of the makeup with no eye makeup, just the highlighter, Gloss Bomb and a little Glossier Cloud Paint in Dusk on my cheeks and I love what a fresh and natural look it gives me. I've also used it on my eyelids as you can see above. I blended it lightly on my lids and then applied some bronze pencil liner and blended it out for an easy golden smokey eye. It definitely leans more gold toned on my skin which is something to keep in mind if you prefer a more rosy toned highlighter. 

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My first impressions of Fenty Beauty are great. I like everything, the packaging, the shades, the price point and the ideas behind the creation of the brand. I definitely want to try more products, the Mattemoiselle lipstick in Ma'damn is going to be mine. I'd love to try the primer and foundation too so I'll probably get shade matched next time I'm out in Dundrum. I've read mixed thing about the foundation but I would like to try it out for myself as there seems to be some great pale shades that might work for me. 

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The Bomb Baby set is available from Harvey Nichols online and in store or on FentyBeauty.com and from Sephora for £19/€20/$23.

Have you tried anything from Fenty Beauty yet or would you like to? Are there any newer beauty brands that you've really liked recently?

Emma x

*Fenty Beauty is also 100% Cruelty Free

Sunday, January 14, 2018

My Favourite And Most Used Products Of 2017

I hadn't planned on writing any round ups of the year but after reading everyones favourites posts over the past few weeks I started to think about my own favourites and realised there were so many products I discovered and loved last year so I thought I'd share my favourite and most used products of 2017 with you all.

I had to put some sort of limit on it so I've made a list of twenty makeup, skincare, body care and fragrance favourites both new last year and new to me. Once I started writing the list I realised there were some products that I immediately knew I had to include as I'd repurchased them or had solely used that product over any other in my collection for most of the year. This is going to be a long one so let's just get straight into it with makeup favourites.

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L'Oréal Miss Baby Roll

I've only really used a few mascaras this year, most of which I have loved. MAC Upward Lash was given to me by my sister for my birthday and it is probably the best mascara I've used in a long time. However it falls down and smudges on me which is the only reason it hasn't made it onto the list. It's so frustrating because it makes my lashes look incredible but it's just so annoying having to clean it up throughout the day. I know a lot of people love this and it doesn't fall down on them so I'd be inclined to purchase it again just to see if it was a bad tube I got. The mascara I'm currently using is Lancôme Monsieur Big which is amazing too and doesn't fall down on me so I highly recommend that if you don't mind spending a bit more on your mascaras. The ones I wasn't all that impressed by were Benefit Roller Lash which was a sample I got in a goody bag at an event (not blog related) and Urban Decay Troublemaker* which just didn't blow me away although again, I know a lot of people loved it. The most inexpensive of all the ones I've tried this year and the only one I repurchased was the L'Oréal Miss Baby Roll. It's just such a great mascara especially at only €10.49, I'd gladly pay more for it but I just think because of the price it's the best option of all the ones I've tried this year. I wrote a full review of it which you can read here.

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Glossier Boy Brow (Cruelty Free)

I've written a blog post dedicated to Boy Brow so I won't go into too much detail except to say there's a reason everyone raves about this, it's just such a great product. It's a thick pomade textured formula and a small brush so it really grabs each hair and holds it in place but without getting any product on the skin around the brows. I've tried lots of these kinds of products and apart from the Lancôme one which I wrote about here, this is the only other one I've tried that has worked as well but Boy Brow is less expensive at $16/£14. It's the only brow product I use most days when I'm getting ready for work and I'm on my second tube and definitely not my last. This is one I'm going to be repurchasing for a long time.

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Glossier Cloud Paint  (Cruelty Free)

The second of three Glossier products that made my list. Again I've just recently written about these here, so I won't repeat myself but all you really need to know is that these are the only blush products I've used since April. My tube of Puff is running dangerously low so I'll have to repurchase that soon and I've been loving Dusk since I bought it in October. They are just such easy to use, natural and effortless blushes, I don't even want to use powder blush anymore. I'll definitely be completing my collection and picking up Beam and Haze at some point. At only $18/£15 you really get value for money.

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Glossier Haloscope (Cruelty Free)

I've written in more depth about Haloscope in this post but once again, like with all other Glossier products this is one for those who want a natural, effortless look. I wasn't too impressed by these when I quickly swatched them in the showroom but after seeing them in action on other people I was converted. They are not the most pigmented of highlighting products but it's more about the texture and sheen. I've found the best way to use it is to rub my middle and forefinger on the bullet (easy now) and then tap it onto my cheeks etc. It's quite a stiff product so once you warm it up it's much easier to apply. If you apply directly from the tube onto your skin it could move your base underneath. I just adore the glow I get from this, I will 100% be buying a back up of this and trying out the shade Moonstone too.

NYX Professional Makeup Epic Ink Liner (Cruelty Free)

I saw a few people recommend this throughout the year and so once my Kat Von D Tattoo Liner ran out I decided to give it a try as at €12 it's almost half the price of the KVD one. I loved the Tattoo Liner but I find this better. It's smoother, easier to use and it's waterproof too but not difficult to remove. I don't wear liquid liner as much as I used to so this has lasted me quite a while without drying out. I'll definitely be repurchasing it once it's used up.

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NYX Professional Makeup Dark Circle Concealer (Cruelty Free)

I've used this every day since I bought it earlier this year. It's the same idea as any colour correcting/brightening product. It's a peachy shade so it works really well at cancelling out my purple dark circles. I use this as a corrector by applying a light layer with my finger and patting it on and then using a concealer on top. I would make sure under your eyes is sufficiently hydrated before using this, however it does contain coconut oil to prevent it from looking cakey. If you only need a little colour correcting you might be able yo get away with using this on its own. Definitely one to try if you're self conscious about your dark circles like I am as it's only €9 so it's a lot more inexpensive than the likes of the Urban Decay or Bobbi Brown products that are similar.

Collection Precision Contouring Stick (Cruelty Free)

Another cheap and cheerful product from Boots. At only €5.49 (currently €3.99) this is one of the best value for money products I've bought all year. I've been using this every day since I got it and there's still so much of it left in the tube. It's the perfect lazy girls contouring product as it's a twist up cream contour stick that you just sweep on and blend in in seconds. I use the shade Light which is perfect for my fair skin, it's just pigmented enough that it gives a nice shaded effect without being too much. I think the fact that it's a cream products makes it easier to use as there's no way to really overdo it and if you apply too much you can always fix it  by blending it out with your foundation brush. I wanted to try the new Charlotte Tilbury Contour Wand but at more than eight times the price of this one I don't think I could justify it when I'm so happy with how this works.


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YSL All Hours Foundation*/ IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream (Cruelty Free)

I'm counting these as one because they're two different base products I use depending on what I'm doing. I use the CC Cream during the day when I know I'll be outside as it contains SPF50, the All Hours has SPF20 but I like to wear at least 30 during the day so I tend to save this for evenings or when I'm going out. I've written a full review of the IT Cosmetics CC Cream here so you can read about it in more detail. I bought it in New York in May and I've been trying to use it sparingly since because it's a bit more difficult to get hold of in Ireland, although you can buy it from Selfridges or QVC. It's such a great base that offers coverage, sun protection and skincare ingredients all in one. This is one I'll be repurchasing soon so I don't run out. The YSL is a more recent favourite. It's long wearing, matte finish, medium to full coverage, waterproof, transfer proof and oil free. I love this for when my skin is acting up and I want more coverage, but what I really love is that it doesn't look or feel heavy on my skin and it gives more of a glowing matte finish than a dry looking matte finish. Perhaps if you had dry skin it could look more matte. It's so easy to blend in and if you need or want to, you can apply a light layer and blend it out and then build it up for extra coverage. It's quite pricey at €42, but  like with most YSL products you get what you pay for. If you have more oily/combination skin and like a more medium to full coverage foundation that won't budge, this is definitely worth trying out. The shade range is also great for anyone who finds it difficult to find a foundation to suit their skin tone.

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Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette (Cruelty Free)

This is a product I had very little interest in buying even though I'd seen it mentioned a lot by bloggers and YouTubers and it always seemed to get great reviews. To be honest I have so many palettes now and although they still excite me, I know I don't need any more so I tend to avoid any hype over new releases. My sister asked me to get it for her when I was in New York and I of course obliged, any excuse to buy makeup, even if it's not for me! After a couple of months I asked her if I could borrow it to play around with and see what I thought as I'd never tried anything from ABH before. The next day I tried it for the first time and I was so impressed. Yes, there is a lot of fallout, but if you're careful you can minimise it. The quality of the eyeshadows is up there with my favourites from Urban Decay. I love the selection of shades, I've used every colour which is rare for me with most palettes. It's one of those palettes that every time I open it I feel spoiled for choice and I'm always torn over what to choose because I love all of the shades so much. Every time I wear it I get so many people asking me what it is because the shades are so beautiful and unusual. I think I would have bought the Urban Decay Naked Heat if it wasn't for this but for now this is the only warm palette I need. See me wearing it in this post (and lots more on my Instagram!)

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Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge Lipstick*

I was given two shades of these lipsticks at a press event last November and have worn both countless times over the past year. They are definitely my most worn lipsticks of the year. I was given Idôle (a coral red) and Rose Lancôme (a vibrant pink) and although I adore both shades, I am almost finished my tube of Idôle which is another rarity for me because I have so many lipsticks. I think the only other lipsticks I've finished are MAC Ruby Woo and Russian Red. I've written a full review of both lipsticks here if you want to know more about what I think but the reason I loved these so much is not only the gorgeous shades but the formula which is the most comfortable creamy matte that lasts incredibly well without feeling drying. I wear both of these constantly in work and I never have to worry about topping up or feathering. I think both shades would compliment any complexion. Lancôme's Creative Director Lisa Eldridge is responsible for these shades which is why they're so beautiful on, she knows her colours! I will without a doubt be repurchasing Idôle once it runs out which will be very soon, definitely my lipstick of the year and one of my favourites of all time. If you find true reds too intimidating I highly recommend trying Idôle as it's a coral red so it's a lot easier to wear which is helped by the formula. My other most used lip products of last year are the Lancôme Matte Shakers in the shades Energy Peach and Beige Vintage. You can read more about them here.

Molecule 02 by Eccentric Molecules (Cruelty Free)

I think 2017 was the year I rediscovered my love of perfumes. I discovered several amazing scents that have become absolute favourites already. The one I loved the most was Molecule 02. I am already a huge fan of Molecule 01 which I've worn for years now and I had actually never tried any of their other scents. One of the girls I work with wears Molecule 02 and every time she walked past me I loved the scent and had to find out what it was. Coincidentally she also wears 01 but has switched to 02 and I can see why. I definitely prefer it now, it's a scent that's almost impossible to describe because it's completely unique. All I can do is urge you to try it out for yourself. This is one that has quickly made it to my list of favourite perfumes of all time. It's also not too expensive at €38 for the 30ml size.

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Estée Lauder Modern Muse Nuit

This is my evening fragrance of the year. Although I definitely don't save it just for evenings, in fact I wore it a lot last Spring. I'm a big fan of Estée Lauder scents, Sensuous Nude is probably my favourite perfume ever. I'm always curious to try their new fragrances so when I noticed this at a counter one day early last year, or late the year before I had to try it out it. I wasn't expecting to love it as much as I did as I normally don't go for these kinds of scents but I bought it a couple of weeks later because I loved it so much. It's got notes of Jasmine, Musk and Amber so it's quite warm, rich and sexy, like my ideal man. Another fragrance I've loved this year is Burberry My Burberry Black which I first tried after getting a sample of it in Sephora New York. It was a gift with purchase kind of thing that I opted for on the recommendation of the sales assistant and I'm so glad I did. I ended up getting it in the airport on the way to Paris back in November and I've been alternating it with Molecule 02 since then. It's similar to Modern Muse Nuit in that it's more of a warm nighttime scent that also has notes of jasmine and amber but also rose and peach nectar so it's a bit sweeter.

Rituals Soothing Night Balm (Cruelty Free)

When I flew to New York in April I wanted to stay hydrated during the flight so I drank a lot of water and therefore needed to pee and subsequently wash my hands A LOT. The soap on airplanes is basically scented foam and dries your skin so much that the next day my hands were so red and  cracked. I brought a hand cream with me but I can't remember which one, all I know is it didn't do much for my hands so when I happened upon a Rituals store in the Oculus on one of our first days there I went straight in to buy my beloved The Ritual of Dao Soothing Night Balm. It completely restored my hands overnight and although I have used it for years I hadn't bought it in a while. Since April I've repurchased it several times as it's one of the only hand creams I've used that does such a good just of keeping my hands hydrated and soft. If you're like me and you suffer with dry hands, especially at this time of year, I can't recommend this enough. It's a thick balm so it's best used at night but you can of course use it during the day too. It smells incredible, as with all Rituals products and it's only €10 for a 70ml tube. While I'm mentioning Rituals I might as well add that I have used so many of their products over the past few years and this year was no different. I tried out more products than ever this year and each one was sublime. If you've never tried anything from Rituals, you absolutely must, the scents of their products are the most invigorating and uplifting of any skincare product I've ever tried. They're so good that my boyfriend, my brother, my sister, my mam and several of my friends are now fans too.

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil in Honey

My sister and I bought a set of three of the Clarins Lip Oils last Christmas in the sales and took one each (I chose Honey which is clear), giving the third to my mam. I didn't open it for a while as I was using the last of a pot of NUXE Rêve de Miel (still one of my favourites) but after beginning to use it in February, it stayed on my bedside table and I used it every night until I used it up completely in November. I will 100% be repurchasing it once I've used all of my Emile Cordon Cashmere-On Lip Pot (another favourite of last year). There are seven shades or flavours, each with its own star ingredient. Hazelnut is the star ingredient of the Honey shade and it prevents dehydration and provides protection against free radicals. It feels comforting and smooth on my lips and makes them feel super hydrated. This is another product I kept on my bedside table, I preferred using it overnight but I'd love to try some of the tinted shades for wearing during the day. At €21, it's worth every cent.

Kiehls Creamy Eye Treatment / Super Multi-Corrective Eye-Opening Serum

Both of these products have saved my eye area over the past year. I went through a period of suffering with dry patches around my eyes and I couldn't figure out why (probably because my skin wasn't being adequately hydrated). I was recommended both of these products and have bought, used and loved them throughout the year. I have even repurchased the Creamy Eye Treatment and the serum will be repurchased very soon too. The serum contains Sodium Hyaluronate which is one of the ingredients you need to look out for if you need hydration. The Creamy Eye Treatment contains avocado oil and shea butter to hydrate the skin and beta-carotene, an anti-oxidant. I haven't had any dryness around my eyes since using these, I love how hydrated my eye area feels since I started to use them and you only need the smallest amount so they lasted a long time which means you get your money's worth. 



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Pixi Nourishing Cleansing Balm (Cruelty Free/ Vegan)

I tried the Pixi and Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse earlier this year and although I loved it, I prefer removing my makeup with a micellar water or bi-phase remover first and follow with a cream/balm/oil cleanser. I saw the Nourishing Cleansing Balm when I was stocking up on Glow Tonic and decided to give it a go as it sounded very similar to the solid cleansing oil of the Double Cleanse. NCB is a balm to oil cleanser that removes makeup and deep cleanses the skin but leaves it feeling plump and nourished. I take a small amount and rub it together on my fingers to melt it slightly before massaging it all over my face. I then take a warm face cloth and remove it. I love how comfortable and hydrated my face feels after using this. I don't think I've ever used a cleanser that makes my skin feel so good afterwards. It contains sweet almond oil, cocoa seed butter, shea butter and vitamin E. It lasted me for so long because you only need a small amount to cleanse your entire face and neck. This is another definite repurchase for me an at only €23.50 it won't break the bank. 


Skyn Iceland Nordic Peel Pads (Cruelty Free/ Vegan)

I bought these from the recommendation of glowing skin expert Katie Jane Hughes. I'd seen her use them in her Instagram live videos countless times and she alway raved about what they do for her skin. Obviously I'm not going to go and blindly buy a €52 skincare product so I did my research and read up on the ingredients first. This product has a stellar list of ingredients including Witch Hazel, Lactic Acid, Jojoba Seed Extract, Papaya Fruit Extract and White Willow Bark (a natural form of Salicylic Acid). These ingredients gently exfoliate, improve tone and texture, diminish fine lines, reduce pore size, help prevent breakouts and congestion and the natural antibacterials clear pores of dirt and oil leaving the skin looking fresh, bright and clear. These work in the same way as the likes of the Pixi Glow Tonic. You sweep over your face daily or 3-5 times per week if you have sensitive skin. I tend to only use them every second or third say even though I don't have sensitive skin, or when my skin is looking dull or I'm breaking out. This is one of those products that immediately makes a difference to my skin, it looks fresh and glowing and feels smother after using one of these. I'm completely hooked and will definitely be buying another tub before this one runs out.

The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution (Cruelty Free/ Vegan)

I think anyone who has any interest in skincare has noticed the hype over The Ordinary throughout the past year. I think the main reason is the low price point and the ingredients list of the products. Of course I couldn't help but order a few things. At such affordable prices I figured it wouldn't be much of a loss if the products didn't work for me. I really liked the first few products I tried (Advanced Retinoid 2%, Natural Moisturizing Factors +HA, Salicylic Acid 2% Solution and the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5) so I bought a couple more when Arnott started stocking them. I got the Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG and the aforementioned Peeling Solution which has definitely been my favourite product so far, in fact it seems to be a favourite for a lot of people. It contains both AHAs (
Lactic Acid, Glycolic Acid etc.) and Salicylic Acid so it exfoliates while helping to clear pore congestion. It fights visible blemishes, improves the skins texture and reduces the look of fine lines with continued use. I love this product and the noticeable difference it makes to my skin straight away. You just have to be very careful when using a product like this with acids in it, the directions are to use it no more than twice per week and leave it on for no monger than ten minutes. You also need to be vigilant with sun protection after using a product like this and don't use it if you have sensitive or peeling skin. I tend to use it once a week or every two weeks as I already use acids in my skincare and I don't want to damage my skin. I always wear an SPF of at least 30 if I'm going out during the daytime after using acids. If you're thinking about trying this, I highly recommend reading more on The Ordinary website just to make sure it will suit your skin.

Too Cool for School Egg Mellow Cream

This is another KJH recommendation and I can see why. I bought this cream in Paris in November and it has quickly become my favourite daytime moisturiser of the year as it works particularly well as a base before makeup. If you haven't heard of Too Cool For School, they are a Korean brand and Egg Mellow Cream is a part of their range of products that contain egg extracts. The egg yolk and egg white extracts help to purify, tighten and nourish the skin. It also has niacinamide to brighten and collagen fiber to firm the skin. I love the scent and texture of this, although it feels rich it absorbs into  my skin quickly and easily. I love the instant tightening and brightening feel it gives my skin too. It's got easy to use plastic pump packaging and at €31.50 it isn't extortionate. The only thing I don't like is that you can't see how much product is left but it's something I can overlook because I love the product so much.
 Obviously we don't have Sephora here but if you're in Ireland or the UK you can get it from Selfridges and Beauty Bay. I'm already planning on buying a backup of this so I don't run out.


If you managed to read this far I'd love to know what your favourite and most used products of last year are and if you've tried nay of the ones I mentioned.

As you can see I decided to add whether a product was cruelty free or vegan too as I feel like it's such an important factor for so many people, if there are any changes to any of these please do let me know. The information can be quite vague in the case of some brands.

A belated Happy New Year to you all, thank you for reading my little blog, it means so much to me!

Emma x

Disclaimer- These are just some of the products I tried and loved last year, there are a lot more I tried, some I loved but couldn't include because I was already writng so much and there was some that I didn't like that much. Just because something worked for me, doesn't mean it will for someone else. I'd encourage anyone looking to spend their hard earned money on any product to read about it and do their research first, especially when it comes to skincare. I'm just an average person who happens to love beauty and skincare products and writes a blog and I get sent some products but most of these I have bought with my own money or they were gifts from family and friends. My thoughts and opinions are as always 100% my own.