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Affordable Makeup Spring Favourites

I’ve harped on about some of these products online too much now. I thought I needed to do a dedicated post showing you them a bit more in depth. So here are my current affordable makeup Spring faves 🙂

I apologise in advance if you’re sick of me talking about the PS Bronze Shade & Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette. I did a whole post here dedicated to this Penneys Collection. I believe it’s in stores pretty much as we speak.

I didn’t swatch the palette though and I really think it deserves it now. I have honestly reached for this so much since I was given it. And not because I felt I had to if that makes sense? Being a beauty blogger, I do have to make a point to try products again and again. For €6, you get nine warm eyeshadow shades. They’re a mixture of mattes and shimmers and all compliment each other. Are they the softest, most pigmented shadows I’ve ever used? No, but for the price point they are pretty bloody awesome!

Continuing on from the palette, another affordable makeup Spring fave from Penneys, are their cream eyeshadow pots. And a disclaimer, I am only calling them makeup Spring faves because it’s Spring now. These are fine all year round ha.

I picked up two of these while I was in Edinburgh a while back from the PS Nudes Collection.

A matte and a metallic one just to try. I went to the launch of this collection and they were one of the things I was most intrigued about. Also at €2.50 each I thought they were worth the financial risk 🙂

I did however take the bloody stickers off them absentmindedly and they had the names on them, so I don’t know what they’re called. But they’re creamy and pigmented so I’ll forgive them not putting the names on the containers.

I’ve another two from the Bronze Collection too.

They’re super easy to work with and pack a real punch as a cream eyeshadow base. They’re a little slippy in texture so I don’t know how well they would fare on their own, without powder on top. I find the pots a bit of a pain. Fingers do not fit very comfortably inside them, but a synthetic brush works grand. That’s what I used to swatch them above.

The eyeshadow base I have been using for last couple of months is the Zoeva Matte Eyeshadow Fix.

Don’t let the word matte deter you. It has more of a velvet finish in my humble opinion.

I just think it’s a damn good eyeshadow primer. I have super oily lids so I’m generally a decent judge of what’s good and what isn’t in this department. A little goes a long way, it doesn’t interfere with whatever you put on top and it helps fill in fine lines too. €8.95 is a decent price for it.

The Madison M5 brush has been another firm favourite of mine over the past few weeks.

This comes as part of a 12 piece brush set available here for €39.95.It’s a super soft synthetic brush. I have been loving it for setting under my eyes. I’m enjoying quite a few of the brushes from the set, this one in-particular stands out though as I reach for it pretty much everyday.

My last affordable makeup Spring fave is a new in lippie from Essence.

This kind of shade is a no brainer for me really. I am a mauve lipstick whore. It’s called 10 Rosey Glitz.

When I’m not reaching for a matte finish day to day this is a great sheer, you don’t really have to think about applying it colour. It’s super flattering and feels really nice on the lips. I also think it retails for about 3 quid. Bargain!

And there you have my affordable makeup Spring faves 🙂

xxx

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March 26, 2018/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Makeup

LA Girl Pro Matte Foundation

The LA Girl Pro Matte Foundation landed here in Ireland before you could even get your hands on it anywhere else in Europe. I was lucky enough to go to the launch of it here in Dublin, so I got to bring a bottle of it home to try out.

According to the brand, the LA Girl Pro Matte Foundation gives a ‘suede like finish to the skin’. ‘Has buildable coverage for both day and night’. And is a ‘paraben free formula’.

I have the shade Natural.

Looking at the shades at the event, Ivory was too light and the other shades after that were a bit too yellow for my skin. Natural is a bit too dark, but it was the most suited out of the lighter colours. We have 14 shades to choose from here in Ireland.

It comes in a glass bottle and have a pump, that alone impresses me, I won’t lie 🙂

On me, the LA Girl Pro Matte Foundation definitely has a more medium to full coverage. It’s not super thick though like some more full coverage foundations can be. The formula definitely does dry down to a suede like finish as the brand suggests. So although it’s more matte, it’s not gonna crack if you smile matte 🙂

I have oily skin. I know I say it constantly, but especially for foundation reviews it’s really important to note. Generally, I use a more silicone heavy primer, as I find they are the ones that work best for my skin type. I actually used the LA Girl one here which I really like.

I use a synthetic kabuki brush to apply it and again that works well for me too. The formula is pretty pigmented so you really have to work it into the skin, so a more dense brush makes things easier. I find the formula can cling to more drier skinned areas so that is something to note. That’s why I think the more silicone heavy primers work better with it. It gives it a bit more of a slippy base. Once I use one though it glides over enlarged pores and doesn’t sit in fine lines either. I don’t apply foundation on or around my eyes.

On me, the coverage is medium, but I can amp it up to more full where I want it. It covers redness and slight pigmentation. My darker freckles come through but I am completely ok with that. I love that the finish, although matte, has a satin feel and look to it. It’s not just completely flat. I think it photographs really well too. It lasts well on my skin once I prime and lightly powder. I can get 6-8 hours out of it, with minimal shine or breakdown. It honestly competes with my very favourite L’Oréal Infallible 24 HR Matte in that department!

Overall, I am a big fan of the LA Girl Pro Matte Foundation. It has made it’s way into my everyday foundation rotation. Yes I have one of those 🙂 You can find it now in store from LA Girl stockists. Online from TRNDbeauty, and Beauty Bay. Have you picked it up yet?

xxx

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March 23, 2018/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Makeup

Catrice Lashes To Kill Pro Mascara Waterproof

When it comes to mascara I am definitely no brand snob! Generally speaking (although of course there are some exceptions), more affordable brands are where it’s at! If you’ve been around these parts before, you know I tend to favour a waterproof formula. No hate on non waterproof, just for what my lashes need the waterproof variety seems to cut the mustard more. I have straight lashes, that need to be curled and given some help with length and volume. Yes, my lashes are super boring. Catrice Cosmetics, do some of my favourite formulas. Their Glam & Doll WP is always in my makeup drawer. I did a post on it so many years ago here if you fancy checking it out and cringing all at the same time 🙂 With their new Spring/Summer releases for this year came a new mascara formula. Say hello to the Catrice Lashes To Kill Pro Mascara.

This comes in waterproof and non waterproof so you’re covered whatever your poison. I of course have been trialling the WP version so that’s the one I am going to show you in action. I gave my mam the standard formula one to road test though and she loves it. She’s already bought a back up!

The Catrice Lashes To Kill Pro Mascara comes with quite a large bristled spoolie. This applicator has quashed my logic that a plastic more narrow spoolie just works better for my lashes. I thought that for the longest time. The larger wand did take a bit of getting used to, but now I really like it and don’t poke myself in the eye….anymore 🙂

The formula is on the money for me. It holds a curl (after I use a eyelash curlers, because I have too). It gives decent length and a decent amount of volume too. I like a mascara to clump a little, especially on the tips of my lashes, to give the illusion of more. The Catrice Lashes To Kill Pro Mascara does that for me without looking spidery. It has yet to flake or transfer on me either, although I don’t use it on my bottom lashes, the eye poking would be just too major.

For me, the formula works great and stays put, but as a result it is a bit of a pain to remove. More so than the Glam & Doll. I always double cleanse in the evening. I use an oil based cleanser first and then go in with a normal cleanser. There’s still mascara residue from it in the morning! If that’s something that would bother you, maybe opt for the normal formula!

Overall though, the Catrice Lashes To Kill Pro Mascara gets a huge thumbs up for me! It ticks all my lash boxes and I will 100% repurchase it myself once this tube runs dry. Both formulas are available now in Penneys and pharmacy stockists around the country. They will set you back a very reasonable €5.50.

xxx

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February 12, 2018/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Makeup

Kiko Smart Cult Eyeshadow Palette – Matte Revolution

I hauled the Kiko Smart Cult Eyeshadow Palette in Matte Revolution here a while back. I picked up a few bits in one of their Brussels stores. (You can see a sneak peek of the store in our vlog of the city here too).

As I said in the haul, I had seen the Kiko Smart Cult Eyeshadow Palette on social media before I went, and they were on my wish list.

There is two to choose from. The Matte Revolution one that I have here and a Shocking Sparkle Shades too. I wanted both, but they only had the matte one in stock.

At first sight, this palette really is gorgeous. Obviously with a name like Matte Revolution, of course all of the shades are matte.

It comes in a sleek black palette, with a large mirror on the lid which is always appreciated.

There is 12 colours within the palette ranging from a nude skin colour to a matte black. There’s more wearable cool toned mauve shades, with a couple of more warm browns with some fun colours thrown in for good measure. The shade choices are inspired by Autumn, which I think makes complete sense.

On first swatch, I was impressed with the Kiko Smart Cult Eyeshadow Palette matte palette. The shades seemed soft to the touch and had decent pay off.

However, upon using this palette on the eyes, I have to admit, I am not overly impressed with the performance. Now, I know generally, for more affordable makeup brands, matte shades seem to be where they let themselves down. If you pack on one of the colours in a block form, so on the lash line or onto the lid, they’ll perform ok. However, if you try to blend them out, it just becomes a bit of a mess. The pigment disappears and you are left with just a muddy look on the eyelid. There’s also a decent amount of fallout.

Overall, I can’t say I could recommend the Kiko Smart Cult Eyeshadow Palette in Matte Revolution even for the price point and even with it having 30% off! I will get use out of it maybe over cream shadows or as coloured liner wet on the lash line, but as a palette it disappoints. I’m gutted as I love everything else I got in the haul, this is just a bit of a lukewarm purchase for me. You can pick it up here from the Kiko website.

xxx

February 5, 2018/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Nails

Chrome Nails Do It Yourself

It’s been a long long time since I’ve spoken nails here on Beautynook. I believe my last post was here years ago chatting about smelly Revlon nail polishes! I’m too embarrassed to click on it. But if you want to have a look and cringe at my even worse photos, go right ahead 🙂 I’m breaking the fast and coming at you with a post about doing chrome nails. At home, yourself. No salon is required here…or UV lamp, don’t worry 🙂

To create your own chrome nails, you will need: A nail polish colour of your choice, a clear top coat of you choice. You can use your finger, but it can get a bit messy, so may I suggest you rescue a sponge applicator in an eyeshadow palette you might have lying around. Then, the main thing you need is the chrome powder.

I know loads of high street brands are jumping on board with these now, so you don’t have to get the specific one I am using. But it is from Essence and it is super affordable. And Essence is readily available here in Ireland, so it might be a good one to look out for. The one I have is called Metal Shock Nail Powder in ‘Mirror, mirror on the nail’.

I would suggest creating your chrome nails on a wipe clean surface, or on something you don’t mind getting sparkly. The powder is super fine and it can get messy.

Start with clean nails. I applied a clear base coat, just in case the polish stains mine. Completely optional though.

With your polish colour of choice, apply a layer to one hand. I did a couple of nails at a time, just so I could show the process, but doing all five in one go is fine.

Let the polish dry for a few minutes. Essence suggest 60 seconds. I find that a bit too soon personally. You end up moving the polish and making a mess. I left mine for about 3 or 4 minutes.

Dip you eyeshadow sponge lightly into the powder and then begin the process of gently rubbing it onto the nails, one at a time. Don’t press too hard, remember the polish underneath is still tacky.

As you rub the powder in, the magic happens. You get the chrome nails effect!

It works in the same way as if you were doing it on gel nails, you’re just not curing anything so it might not last as long. But, you get a very similar result right?

Finish the nails off with a clear top coat. To lock everything in place, but to also help with the shine. Essence do a polish specifically for this purpose, but you could just use one you already have.

You will have a bit of overspill of powder around the nail bed. Just let them dry and you can clean everything up with a cotton bud and some nail polish remover.

And there you have my do it yourself chrome nails! Cheap, easy and pretty effective, if I do say so myself 🙂

xxx

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January 12, 2018/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Makeup, Makeup Tools

Affordable Makeup Loves Currently

I am back with another installment of current affordable makeup loves. This has just become a bit of a thing now on Beautynook. I am constantly trying out new makeup, but there is always certain products that stay in the main makeup stash!

My last installment of affordable makeup loves was here if you fancy checking it out.

I have five makeup products to talk about this time. First up is actually two products I hauled from Beauty Bay on Black Friday. (You can check out the full haul here).

They are both from the brand LA Girl. The first one is their Glide Gel Liner in Brown.

I have worn this nearly every day I’ve worn makeup since it came. It is so damn creamy and pigmented. I am going to sound really dramatic here, but it’s a dream to use. I find now since I’m getting older. The skin around my eyes isn’t as tight as it once was. I’m in my 30’s now, sad times. Some kohl pencils can drag a bit on the upper lash line.

This honestly does exactly what it says on the tin though. It glides on, lasts really well and they also come in loads of different colours as well. They are €4.70 on the Beauty Bay website here.

My other LA Girl love, that again, I’ve been using every single day is the Shade Slim Brow Pencil.

I have the shades Medium Brown and Espresso. I’ve definitely been reaching for Medium Brown more though. It’s a tad cooler in tone. I love a micro brow pencil and these are a really great one. They are €5.90, again from Beauty Bay here.

My next affordable makeup love is one of the Bourjois Rouge Velvet Lipsticks.

I literally haven’t stopped harping on about these. (I have a full video and blog post on them here). The shade 02 Flaming’rose has become my everyday lip shade in particular though.

It’s a really flattering pinky nude shade for paler, more pink toned skin like mine. These lippies are uber pigmented, apply really smoothly and last really well on the lips too. I would for sure recommend them. They are the cheapest online from Feel Unique here.

I have a eyeshadow brush for my fourth product. I actually received this in a goodie bag. It is the Blank Canvas, Rose Gold, E01 Round Eye Blending Brush from their Dimension 1 Collection.

I had this on my desk still in the package when I decided to wash and sort through the main brushes I use. My eye brushes were still drying when I had to put on a face of makeup, so I picked up this. I literally did a whole eye look with this one brush.

It’s a good size for crease work and using on the lower lash line too. You can apply product with it, but it’s also nice and fluffy so you can blend with it too. A great all rounder. You can find it on their website here.

And that leaves us with one more favourite. This is the limited edition Under The Midnight Sea highlighter from Wet n Wild.

It’s from their Midnight Mermaid Collection which is in stores now, I believe.

It’s lovely cool toned gold, soft powder highlighter. Wet n Wild have had some absolute highlighter gems over the past couple of years. This is definitely one of them. It’s gold but has like a green iridescent to it. Very wearable though and very pretty. I’ve been wearing this lots since I got it in the post.

And there concludes my current affordable makeup loves. Let me know what you think 🙂

xxx

CONTAINS PR SAMPLES

December 11, 2017/by Gem

I apologise in advance if you’re sick of me talking about the PS Bronze Shade & Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette. I did a whole post here dedicated to this Penneys Collection. I believe it’s in stores pretty much as we speak.

Continuing on from the palette, another affordable makeup Spring fave from Penneys, are their cream eyeshadow pots. And a disclaimer, I am only calling them makeup Spring faves because it’s Spring now. These are fine all year round ha.

I’ve another two from the Bronze Collection too.

The eyeshadow base I have been using for last couple of months is the Zoeva Matte Eyeshadow Fix.

My last affordable makeup Spring fave is a new in lippie from Essence.

And there you have my affordable makeup Spring faves 🙂

xxx

*******PR SAMPLES INCLUDED*******

Overall, I am a big fan of the LA Girl Pro Matte Foundation. It has made it’s way into my everyday foundation rotation. Yes I have one of those 🙂 You can find it now in store from LA Girl stockists. Online from TRNDbeauty, and Beauty Bay. Have you picked it up yet?

xxx

**********PR SAMPLE**********

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xxx

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My last installment of affordable makeup loves was here if you fancy checking it out.

And there concludes my current affordable makeup loves. Let me know what you think 🙂

xxx

*******CONTAINS PR SAMPLES*******

PR SAMPLES INCLUDED

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*PR SAMPLE

CONTAINS PR SAMPLES