Soft Peach

I very rarely wear such a subtle all over make up look, I tend to either have strong eyes or bold lips. However recently with the weather being so warm, minimal but soft and pretty make up has been my go to look for my days off. 

I usually go for my favourite long lasting foundation Estée Lauder Double Wear Light, add some powder and brow gel to my eyebrows, then some mascara, at the moment I've been loving Estée Lauder's Sumptuous Extreme mascara again, it gives the perfect amount of length and definition for during the day. I finish off the look with some cream blush and matching lip gloss. Brows, lashes, cheeks and lips. That's all you need. 

Bourjois Cream Blush in 01 Nude Velvet, €10.49

I received this cream blush in a goodie bag about three weeks ago and have been wearing it every day since then. I read about these new Bourjois blushes for a while and had no plans to buy one because I don't really need another blush, but now that I've tried it I'm so glad I have it. It's not really a nude colour as the name suggests but more a peachy shade that gives a gorgeous glow to the cheeks and is perfect for summer when you want something that looks fresh and subtle. The formula is cream to powder but I find it still looks natural rather than powdery on the skin. It's easy to blend and build up the colour if you want more of an impact too. It contains mango butter and apricot extracts to leave your skin feeling soft and to give a healthy glow. The packaging is the same as the regular Bourjois Little Round Pot powders blushes only a little smaller and more compact, so it is perfect for if you are travelling. At €10.49 they are a great price for such a quality product, I'm interested to swatch the other shades to see if there are any I can't live without.


No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in Peachy Keen, €8

I won't go into too much detail about the No7 Nail Colours because I've already reviewed a few of them so you probably already know everything I love about them. I bought Peachy Keen at the beginning of Summer because I thought it was the most perfect pastel peach shade. I think this is a shade you could wear all year round because it's not too bright. It looks great paired with '60s inspired make up.


Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector in 02 Apricot Shimmer, €17

I've already written about the Rose Shimmer shade which I've since used up. Thankfully I was given the Apricot Shimmer shade as a gift recently as I was really missing this product in my life. The two shades aren't completely dissimilar, this one is more peach than pink but it's perfect for those days when you want to downplay your lips but still want them to look nice and stay moisturised. They contain Shea Butter and Mango as well as derivatives of Vitamin A and E to repair, soften and protect the lips. They have a sweet vanilla scent which I love but if you don't like scented products, it may put you off. As you can see they leave the lips looking glossy and full. The formula is not sticky at all and feels comfortable and smooth on the lips.  I really don't have a bad word to say about these, I don't even mind the applicator which seems to be the only thing people don't like about them.


Do you ever go all matchy matchy with your make up and nails?

Emma x

This Place Is So Quiet, Sensing That Storm

It's offically Autumn! Well, at least in Ireland anyway. Donnacha and I took a trip to Wexford with my parents last weekend. We had such a wonderful time being tourists in our own country. One of the only things we had planned for our trip was a visit to Hook Lighthouse, the oldest operational lighthouse in the world at 800 years old. 

Dress and Bag- Monsoon

Sandals- Clarks

Sunglasses- Marks and Spencers

Ring- Dixi

Watch- Fossil 

Nail Polish- Barry M Green Berry (Fingernails) No7 Hot Lava (Toenails) 

Lipstick- Revlon Kiss Me Coral

I don't know if I have mentioned it here before but my grandfather was a lighthouse keeper so we all have a huge interest in lighthouses and particularly visiting the ones he was stationed at. Hook Head is not one that my grandpa worked in, however because of it's history and that it's one of the few lighthouses around Ireland that my mam hadn't seen yet, we just had to visit it. The interior of the lighthouse is quite amazing and really demonstrates the skill of the people who built it. I have a whole post planned on our trip because I took lots of photos to show to those of you who are interested and maybe won't get a chance to visit Hook Head. We also went to Loftus Hall (Ireland's most haunted house!) I had wanted to visit it for years after reading about it in a book we had when I was younger. I have a huge interest in abandoned and derelict buildings so this was really exciting for me. It actually just opened to the public in October and you can take a guided tour around the ground floor of the house (The other floors are still too damaged and unsafe). The money from the tours is going towards renovating the house as it was unoccupied for 7 years and unfortunately went into great disrepair. I'll tell you more about Loftus Hall in my next post as it has such an interesting history.

I'm totally smitten with my new watch that you can see above. It was an early birthday present from Donnacha and it's perfect, exactly what I wanted.

How is your week going so far?

Emma x

PS. A huge Happy Birthday my my best friend Lisa. Love you!

*Post Title is from Peter Gabriel's Red Rain

Dior Poudre Shimmer- Rose Diamond

When I first saw the Diorskin Poudre Shimmer in Amber Diamond I thought it was so pretty, but not really my colour. Then I discovered it also came in a Rose Diamond shade and that was it, I had to get it. 

Products Used:

Monu Illuminating Primer

Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in 100 Ivory

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair

Urban decay Primer Potion in Sin

Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Sin

Revlon Matte Eyeshadow in Rich Sable

Essence Liquid Ink Waterproof Eyeliner

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler

Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express Mascara

MAC Blush in Well Dressed

No7 Perfect Loose Powder in Translucent

Caudalie Lip Conditioner

Chanel Rouge Allure in  99 Pirate

The idea behind this product is that you can use it all over the face to illuminate the skin, however I find that can be a bit much so I just use it as a highlighter on the tops of my cheeks and a few other places on my face. What I love about this is that unlike theBalm's Mary-Lou Manizer, it's not very pigmented so it looks quite subtle on the skin. It's very hard to overdo it with this powder. I've found it looks really nice combined with a pink blush like Well Dressed from MAC. I tend to go for this when I want pretty, rosy cheeks.

You can find Poudre Shimmer in Debenhams for £32/€38. I ordered mine from House of Fraser but they are now sold out. I would recommend buying this at a counter over ordering online because mine arrived with cracks in the powder but I decided to keep it instead of sending it back.

I can't say anything bad about this product, it has quickly become my favourite powder highlighter.

What's your favourite product at the moment?

Emma x

Hot Lava

I have a quick post for you today on my favourite nail polish shade of the Summer. I was shopping with my mam recently and she told me she was looking for a coral nail polish, so we went into Boots to have a look at what was on offer. I went straight to one of my favourite nail polish brands, No7 and spotted one of their newer shades, Hot Lava. 

We both ended up buying it (for only €4 with our No7 vouchers). It's a creamy coral shade that is so perfect for both fingernails and toenails during the Summer months. I love the formula and large brush of these No7 nail polishes. They are smooth to apply, fast drying, leave a glossy finish and last really well. You can't really go wrong for €4!

You can see my other No7 nail polish reviews here and here.

What are you wearing on your nails at the moment?

Emma x

Let The Sun Wrap It's Arms Around Me

We went to Skerries last Saturday to get some relief from the heat of the city. We spent the day sitting on the beach and walking around the harbour and of course we stopped to take some photos along the way. 

Kimono, Vest and Maxi Skirt- Monsoon

Necklace, Earrings, Bracelet- Accessorize

Vintage Turquoise Matrix Large Ring and Vintage Turquoise Matrix Small Ring- Zara Taylor 

Silver Rings- Vintage (bought at an Antique's Fair)

Midi Rings- River Island and Etsy

Ear Cuff- River Island

Sunglasses- eBay

Bag- Charity Shop (best fiver I ever spent!)

Sandals- Clarks

Fingernails- Sally Hansen Gilty Pleasure and Essie Shine of the Times
Toenails- No7 Hot Lava

Lipstick- Bourjois Rouge Buzz

This kimono is something I would never normally go for but I saw it in work and I just really loved it. I thought it would be perfect to brighten up a simple Summer outfit and I've been wearing it loads so far this Summer. As you can see I'm really into rings at the moment. I love my turquoise Zara Taylor ones and my (new) vintage ones that I got with a gift voucher recently at an Antiques Fair in Dublin. I've been wearing them almost non-stop since I got them, I couldn't believe it when they fit me and they added up to the value of the voucher, I really got lucky there. I got these sunglasses back in March after searching "large white sunglasses" on eBay, they were such a steal at less than $3 with free shipping. I've seen similar pairs in a few different shops for a lot more money, I love eBay for getting great bargains.

I was just looking back at my last outfit post in May and I thought how funny it was that my style is so different in this one. That's what I really love about fashion/style, I love expressing myself and my mood through what I wear. It's so much fun! 

I've been wearing my hair up for about two weeks straight because of the heat. My hair is so thick that leaving it down is just not an option. The heatwave we had this past week in Ireland has been insufferable for me, like most Irish people I just wasn't made for this kind of heat, especially when we're not equipped with air conditioning. 

I've had such a busy week this week, starting with a picnic last Sunday with friends in the Iveagh Gardens. Our Summer sale started in work so we've been run of our feet. On Wednesday I went to the launch party for a new Irish website called Frillseeker, it's a great mix of beauty, lifestyle, fashion and other bits and pieces. It was a fun night and I got some lovely things in my goody bag that I've been trying out and loving, I'll definitely be doing some some product reviews on them soon. 

 We were in Carlow over the weekend and it was so hot, we mostly sat in the garden reading, playing with Buddy the dog and enjoying spending time with Donnacha's parents. We went to Skerries again yesterday to cool down. It was so nice to get some fresh sea air, we had ice-cream, sat on the beach, then went for a long walk on the south strand and home again for a barbecue with my cousins. The next two weeks look to be just as action-packed with some nice days off too. 

I've probably written a bit too much but I just wanted to catch up and fill you in on what I've been up to for those of you who were in any way curious. How has your Summer been so far? Are you enjoying the weather? 

Emma x

PS. I don't think I've mentioned it yet but I'm excited to tell you that I'm going back to Paris in November for a week. Donnacha and I are going with Kate, Eric and our friend Simon this time. I'm so excited to be going back, I can't wait to further explore the city. 

Five Perfumes...

... in my current collection

 

Coco Mademoiselle by Chanel

Bergamot, Orange, Jasmine, Rose, White Musks and Vanilla

I don't know anyone who doesn't like Coco Mademoiselle. I was given this as a gift this past Christmas after years of spraying it on myself every time I walked past a Chanel counter. I would describe this as a vivacious and timeless scent, almost like Chanel's little sister if that makes sense. It's very expensive and is definitely a perfume you either give or receive as a gift. I can't see myself ever getting tired of it.

Stella by Stella McCartney

Peony, Rose Mandarin Orange and Amber

This is one of the more recent additions to my perfume collection. I tried Stella after reading about it on countless blogs, it seems to be everyone's favourite perfume right now.  This grew on me gradually and now I just love it. It's such a warm, sweet, rose scent. I would say it's quite modern and grown up and I like to wear it as my night-time fragrance.

Bronze Goddess by Estée Lauder

Citrus Floral- Orange, Citron, Tangerine, Lavender Flowers and Lemon Tree Leaves, Grapefruit Tree Blossoms

This is the most recent addition to my collection. I bought it a couple of weeks ago after continuously going to Estée Lauder counters just to spray this on myself. I knew if I didn't get it I would regret it as it's a Limited Edition Summer fragrance that is part of the Bronze Goddess Collection. This scent is Summer in a bottle. I would describe is as a creamy citrus scent, very orangey and so perfect for the Summer months. I can't really imagine wearing this when it's snowing outside in December so I'm getting as much use out of it as I can whilst also trying to preserve it because it's Limited Edition. If you get a chance I urge you to try this, but beware, you will want it! 

Crème de Pistache by Laura Mercier

Pistachio nuts, Almond, Praline and Hazelnuts

 I love everything pistachio scented or flavoured, so when I saw that Laura Mercier had released a scent along with their Pistache range I knew I would love it. This is another scent I used to go to the counter just to spritz on myself. My mam actually got a Laura Mercier gift set in the Christmas sales last year with a 15ml bottle of this and she gave it to me because she knows how much I love it. It's definitely one of those love or hate ones and I for one completely adore it.

Sensuous Nude by Estée Lauder

Woody Musk, Bergamot, Rose, Black Pepper, Honey, Amber, Sandalwood and Vanilla

I first discovered Sensuous Nude two years ago when a lovely Estée Lauder sales assistant gave my mam and I some samples of it when I was getting matched for my first tube of Double Wear Light. As soon as we tried it, we were hooked. My mam, my sister Kate, my friend and I all bought the perfume in the Duty Free on the way to Italy for Kate's wedding and we all wore it on her wedding day so for us it's linked with such a wonderful memory. I would describe this scent as delicate, powdery and feminine. I adore musky scents and this for me is the ultimate musky scent. Several people have asked me what I'm wearing when I've worn this and they have told me they went out and bought it straight away. It's the perfect date night perfume.



What perfumes/scents are you into at the moment?

Emma x

Maybelline Eyes

I have tried a lot of mascaras over the years and rarely use the same one twice in a row. However I keep coming back to Maybelline's The Falsies because I know it won't let me down. 

I use the waterproof version of this because during the Summer I want something that will stay all day and not smudge or flake. It give my eyelashes length and volume but the formula is a nice medium consistency that you can put on two coats if you want more volume. I know some people don't like the spoon brush but I really like it and I find it helps keep the shape of my eyelashes after I've curled them. This is the only "drugstore" mascara that I have repurchased other than Boots 17 Wild Curls. 

I'm quite picky about mascara, I don't like a very dry or very wet formula and I really don't like big straight wands because I like to get right into the corners and on my bottom lashes too and I feel like this wand is perfect for that. I use an oil-based make up remover to take this off, as I would with any other waterproof or long lasting products.

These are €11.99 in Boots and other pharmacies, but you can usually get them on special offer if you keep an eye out.

Emma x