irish beauty bloggerIt’s that time of the year again. Time for black Friday deals, and Cyber Monday to boot. I’m more of a Cyber Monday gal myself. I don’t tend to bother with the crowds 🙂irish beauty blog

 

As a disclaimer, I will just say. You are under no obligation to buy any black Friday deals. I am doing this just because as a blogger I get sent a lot of the codes, so it’s easy enough to put them in one place. And also to be completely transparent, some of the links I will share are affiliate links. You pay no more using an affiliate link. All it means is that if you click on my link and choose to buy something, I make a minuscule commission.black friday deals

Anyway, let’s get onto the black Friday deals. I’ll insert the ones I have already and then update this post as often as I can with more codes/links and cyber Monday deals too.

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I’ll update as I source more or things change. Happy and safe shopping 🙂 And if this was helpful, please do share. Thanks.

Gemma

xxx

Top beauty blog irelandDo you know what I like to do when I’m broke? Put potential beauty items in my basket online. It somehow makes be feel like I’m beauty shopping. Do I sound deranged? Probably, but it makes me feel like I’m kind of, sort of shopping Pander to me people 🙂

 

If money was no object right at this moment in time and I was beauty shopping online, these products would be in my baskets all across the internet. And I could actually put in payment details to proceed with order!!

Two things from Anastasia Beverly Hills are currently in my Cult Beauty basket. The first is the Soft Glam Palette. (£43 from Cult Beauty).

irish beauty blogTo think I actually call myself a beauty addict and I’ve never owned an eyeshadow palette from Anastasia. It’s embarrassing really. This one just speaks to me. I feel like it has everything you would want. Transition colours, lid crease and liner colours. It’s pretty simple, but I think that’s what gets me with it. I think it’s going to be a great palette for makeup lovers but also artists too. It would make the perfect wedding day palette.

The other thing is probably on everyone’s beauty shopping lust list at the moment. The Amrezy Highlighter, again from Anastasia. (£29 from Cult Beauty).

anastiasia beverly hills

They’ve either just marketed this impeccably or it’s the shiniest highlighter out there at the moment. Every time I see the promo videos or pictures, drool comes out of the side of my mouth.

Ok, there’s another two eyeshadow palettes on my list currently. I have a weakness for them if you didn’t know already.

First up is the Urban Decay Naked Petite Heat. (Will be available in limited supply from the UD flag shop in Grafton street. Available everywhere else from the end of April. RRP is €32).

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This is the Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette‘s little sister. Do I need it? No? Do I already own the original full sized one? Yes. There’s something about UD palettes that has me hooked though. I have a bajillion of them and still can’t get enough. This would make for a great travel companion. There, that’s my justification 🙂

My other palette want is, surprise surprise the Huda Beauty Desert Dusk. (€65 from Cult Beauty).

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Anyone who has this palette just says you need it in your life. And if EVERYONE says it, sure it must be true. After trialling the brand with the Mauve Obsessions and the Smokey Obsessions, I seriously need to try more.

There’s another highlighter on my lust list, but hear me out. This is the limited edition Estée Lauder Golden Goddess Illuminating Powder.

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They release this every year as part of their Summer Golden Goddess Collection. Every year I want it and every time I decide to bite the bullet and get it…..it’s sold out! The packaging alone has me wanting this and I see so many YouTubers using it and the want grows. I can’t find it to shop for from here currently though, I will keep hunting!

I had a voucher and nearly bought the Nars Natural Radiant Longwear Foundation (€42 from Feel Unique).

nars foundation

I couldn’t get a sample though, so that put me off. I’ve seen so much hype about this foundation online though, so it’s made it back onto my want list. It’s meant to be long wearing with full coverage but still have a radiance to it. When I have cash money to blow, this is going to checkout!

The Ordinary Glycolic acid 7% Toning Solution is not exactly a financial stretch. (€8.70 from Cult Beauty).

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The reason this is still in my basket is because it’s an enigma, it is never in stock. This is like the Pixi Glow Tonic I love so much. I have a really old blogpost on it here. The Pixi one is 5% Glycolic, this one is 7% and nearly half the price. My oily, giant pored skin needs to try this.

Last on my beauty shopping lust list is the newest member of the Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb family (€71 for 30ml from Debenhams).

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This is Flowerbomb Nectar. Now I’ve yet to sniff this, but I adore Flowerbomb. I know it can be a bit heady and overpowering for some. I love how deep but still sweet it is though. I always have a bottle in my collection. This release intrigues me immensely though. You have the flowery bergamot goodness from traditional Flowerbomb but with a Orange Flower and Osmanthus twist. They had me at nectar to be fair 🙂

And there you have my beauty shopping musings. What’s in your online shopping basket?

xxx

 

 

irish beauty bloggerI was planning on doing an overall sum up of my favourites for the year. To include food, fashion, the works. But I would literally be talking and typing until probably 2019!. So, I just decided to do beauty favourites! Hope you don’t mind.

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Beauty is my thing after all so if I was going to talk about something, this would be it 🙂

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Everything I chat about in my beauty favourites video here, I believe has it’s own blogpost. Of course, I talk about them somewhat in depth within video form. But if you want to see close ups and more put together reviews, I will link the posts below. I am much better at putting my words together when I write them down. I get a bit carried away when I am just chatting.beauty favourites

  • Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette. Blogpost here.
  • I don’t have a stand alone review for the Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Torch, but I did use it in a makeup look here.
  • Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude Foundation. I have a review here.
  • Tarte Shape Tape Concealer. Full review here.
  • Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipsticks are here.
  • Max Factor Creme Bronzer in Light. Review here.
  • Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow. Review here.
  • Clarins Double Serum. I did a full review of this here.
  • Jo Malone Basil & Neroli Cologne. I chat more about this here.

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Have you any stand out beauty favourites from 2017? It was definitely a year for so many new releases, both good and bad!

As always thanks for sticking around these parts. For reading, watching, engaging and just being a part of this Beautynook journey with me. I really appreciate it. It definitely makes all the work a bit sweeter knowing there’s people actually paying attention 🙂

Hopefully 2018 is another deadly year for makeup!

Gemma
xxx

I asked on my Facebook page, would you lovely lot be interested in seeing my Christmas Wishlist for 2017. I toyed with doing gift guides this year. But, I feel a bit weird recommending things that I haven’t tried myself. I’m not really in the position blog wise or financially to get lots of lovely things together myself…maybe one day 🙂

Christmas Gift Ideas 2017

You guys were so supportive of a Christmas Wishlist post. And so was John too may I add. He’s very excited to have a list of all the bits and bobs I would love under the tree. Makes his job a bit easier 🙂 Now, I am not expecting all of these, don’t worry. And also, we’ve decided not to do really big pressies this year either. In an ideal world, I would be getting a Dyson hairdryer, an iPhone X and a new bed, but that’s a big excessive. I would also be totally sticking a Nintendo Switch down on my list too if money was no object.

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Oh and also if I didn’t have carpal tunnel from playing Mario on the DS. No, I am not ashamed of it 🙂 But we’re being somewhat sensible and going for more medium range pressies and some little bits and bobs for each other too this Christmas.

Enough jabbering on. Let’s get on to my actual Christmas Wishlist.

First up would have to be a L’Oréal Steampod.

L'Oréal Steampod

So many of my blogging friends have literally said this has changed their hair lives. I’m still using a first edition GHD which is pretty shameful, I know. This would be a lovely addition to my hair tool collection. This is the 2.0 version. You can find it currently on offer from Look Fantastic here.

The Mac Snowball Mini Lipstick Kit has been something I’ve been eyeing up for ages, but definitely do not need.

irish beauty blogMac Cosmetics Lipstick

It contains 12 mini lipsticks of some of Mac’s best selling shades. I actually couldn’t find it available online anywhere else now except John Lewis here. It’s the cheapest I have seen it in the past though. Only thing is they won’t ship it to Ireland so you would have to use Parcel Motel or Address Pal to ship it to a UK address and then get them to deliver it here. Not the worst though. It’s a very reasonable and effective way to do it.

Another beauty product on my list would be the By Terry Baume De Rose.

ByTerry Baume De RoseByTerry Ireland

I do love a fancy lip balm so I do. It’s a lovely treat. And lip balm is something I use consistently everyday. This one is full of lovely ingredients and has SPF. It can also double up for dry skin or cuticles aswell. You can find By Terry in store from Space NK or online here. They have a Christmas ornament version of it too, which is super cute.

I waffle on about the L’Occitance Almond Shower Oil all the time. (I only hauled some of it here recently).

l'occitance body oil

Well this is the body oil version of it and I really want to try it. I am currently obsessed with body oils at the minute. The colder weather definitely has something to do it it. This 100ml of the oil is actually on special at the minute from Debenhams here. Such a lovely gift to get someone.

The last more beauty related item on my list is something quite practical. An electric toothbrush!

oral b Pro 2 electric toothbrush

I have to be honest, I picked this one from Boots here for a couple of not so logical reasons. It’s currently half price at €45.99. I figured that was a good deal. And it’s an Oral B. They are the only reasons. I’ve tried electrical toothbrushes over the years and they’ve always been crap so I’ve always gone back to manual brushing. But they’ve come a long way since then and they’re meant to clean so much better than just using a standard toothbrush. Ok, I’ll shut up now, I sound like an advert.

I have my sights set on a couple of pairs of shoes this festive season. This first pair are these awesome buckle ankle boots from River Island.

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I’m not usually a fan of faux crocodile skin, but I think it just works for these. I love the buckle detailing and I also love that they have a zip for ease. They’re flat for comfort, but still look super smart. They’re current stock on the website here.

My other shoe want are some Vans Old Skool runners. top irish beauty sitedublin beauty blog

Everyone and their granny has a pair of these at the moment I know. But they’re just so darn cool. I couldn’t find the classic black and white ones in my size online. But, I came across these all black ones here and I actually really dig them! Let me know what you think?

I was never one for particularly nice jewellery. Penneys costume would do me grand. Ever since getting my engagement ring though, I’ve become more interested in investing in some nice pieces. The Missoma website has become a bit of a haunt for me. YouTube definitely makes me do it. I’ve three pieces from Missoma that my eyes are currently on.

The first ones are their Talisman Evil Eye Earrings.

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Super delicate and pretty. They’re on the website here.

Another pair of earrings are haunting my dreams too.

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Again, super small and delicate. I have my ears pierced three times and already have actual diamond studs (how fancy am I?), in the third hole. John got me them last Christmas. So in an ideal earring world these would round out my trio of ear adorments 🙂 They are the Gold Vermeil Tiny Orb Hinged Hoops if you want to check them out here.

My third Missoma love is their Tiny Horn Necklace.irish beauty website

These come in different sizes, I just like the idea of wearing the small one on an everyday basis. It’s from the Lucy Williams collection here.

Another accessory I have my eye on (John actually knows all about this already) is this Casio Rose Gold Watch.

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This has been in my ASOS Wishlist folder for ages. I often add things into it in hopes they go down in price and I can justify buying them. I love the masculine feel of this, but it’s still quite delicate and classic. You can check out more info about it here.

Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf is always part of my fragrance collection. But I thought I would add their newest release BonBon to my Christmas Wishlist for this year.

viktor & Rolf BonBon Parfum

It’s much sweeter and more girlie. I think it would be lovely layered with Flowerbomb as well as worn on it’s own. I’ve  tested it a few times in store now and really like it. It’s currently on sale from Debenhams here.

My very last wishlist item will only mean anything to you if you’re a fan of Gilmore Girls.

my christmas wishlist

I fell in love with this print after seeing it in the background of Karissa Pukas’ videos. She told me she ordered it from Etsy. I found the seller here. Unfortunately the creator is in the States so shipping to Ireland is pretty steep, but I still definitely would. I really really love this.

And….we’re done. If you got to the end of this, well done you! Let me know what’s on your Christmas Wishlist for this Christmas?
Thanks, as always for taking the time to read.
xxx

 

 

 

 

 

I get asked every year to do a beauty advent calendar post, and I’ve always not ended up doing one. I generally always like to be able to use and give a physical opinion on products when it comes to the blog. I’ve been doing this four years now and that’s what kind of feels natural to me. To talk about products I have road tested and used. But sure there’s always exceptions and I’ve realised that now.

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I’m a little blogger fish in a big pond and I can’t buy or get sent all of the fancy beauty advent calendars every year. So, I thought I would just compile the ones that are really taking my fancy in the run to Christmas for 2017 🙂

The first one is the one I am really considering buying for myself, although I have yet to justify it. This is the Beauty In Wonderland from Look Fantastic

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This is retailing from their website here for €98. They say it contains product worth up to £300.

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It’s a mixture of all different brands and all different types of beauty products. Also the packaging is pretty gorgeous. i blame Sharon Leavy from Behind Green Eyes for making me lust after this so much 🙂

Feel Unique do their own version too here. This costs €42 which is a little more palatable, I know.

beauty advent calendars 2017

They also give you a list of the products enclosed if you don’t want to wait until the Christmas countdown.

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Clarins always do a really lovely beauty advent calendar and this year is no exception.

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This is what would be deemed the more feminine version but there is a male offering too. This will set you back £52.50 here. This has been the cheapest I’ve found it online. It contains 12 minis including one of their Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors, one of my personal faves.

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Lancôme have a ridiculously lovely one this year with a 25 day countdown.

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This costs €130 from Boots here, but you do get 25 mini products, ranging from skincare to fragrance.

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If you want exclusively skincare, L’Occitane have a beautiful 25 day calendar chock full of it.

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I actually think this is a really good deal at €59 from Debenhams here.

If Charlotte Tilbury is your go to brand, you’re in luck! She has released a Naughty & Nice Magic Box for this year.

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It contains 12 makeup and skincare goodies. This is the most expensive one of the bunch coming in at €180 here.

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If lipstick is your thing, Nyx have released their Kiss & Tell Advent Calendar again this year.

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This is €67.57 from Asos here. Although if you buy in pounds it generally works out cheaper.

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It contains 24 lip colours to suit any mood.

I know these are all pretty pricey, so if you are looking for a more budget friendly beauty advent calendar, hopefully I can cover you here.

The Tanya Burr 12 Sweet Days Beauty Calendar contains 12 products including nail polish and glitter liners.

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I included this because you can still get your beauty hit with it, and it’s on sale from Feel Unique at the moment here. They also have it on 3 for 2 if you’re shopping for anyone else.

 

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Asos have a budget friendly option too here from Mad Beauty.

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This is a range of hair, skin and nail products and will only set you back €14.85.

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My last choice is this years Makeup Revolution Calendar. This contains 25 full sized products.

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It is on sale at the moment from Superdrug here. It was £50 and now it’s £30.

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And there you have my beauty advent calendar countdown. Any take your fancy? Have you already bought one? Let me know 🙂

 

This will be my first attempt at reviewing fragrance here on Beautynook. I have always shied away from it, because I don’t think my way of writing is eloquent enough. But, I adore fragrances. I remember everything by smell, so I thought it was time I stepped out of my blogging comfort zone and just did it. Here are my thoughts on the Jo Malone Basil & Neroli Cologne 🙂

Jo Malone Basil & Neroli

I have had a few Jo Malone fragrances in my life. My favourite so far is probably their Wood Sage & Sea Salt. The fragrance doesn’t linger on me unfortunately, but it smells incredible. I was lucky enough to be gifted the Basil & Neroli very kindly by The Loop a while back now, so it wasn’t a scent I decided upon myself.

Jo Malone Basil & Neroli

And actually I am one of the few people in the world who doesn’t enjoy the scent of the Tom Ford Neroli Portofino, so I am so surprised by how much I am enjoying owning this cologne.

Jo Malone Cologne

According to the Jo Malone website here, Basil & Neroli’s heart note is Neroli which comes from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree, hence the citrus zing you get from it. The base note is white musk, which obviously provides the muskiness and then the top note is Basil which plays in with the citrus, while also giving a peppery element to it too.

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Fragrance smell different on everyone, it depends on your pH balance. On me, the Jo Malone Basil & Neroli dies down to a sweet zesty scent with a hint of musk. It’s a scent I think I would equate more with the colder months. I wear it more as a daytime scent personally and I find it lingers really well on my skin without being over powering.

It’s a unisex cologne which I can totally get on board with. I think the mixture of sweet and musk can work perfectly for both men and women. Although of course, it is completely up to you what fragrance you wear 🙂

You can pick it up in different sizes from The Loop directly if you’re traveling or you can do click and collect here. It’s obviously a little cheaper to shop duty free (€87.20). Of course can get it in Brown Thomas on counter, or from the website here. The 100ml will set you back €109. It will also be a permanent fixture from them too!

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Jo Malone Basil & Neroli launched this past September. It is the first cologne from the brand in 20 years that has basil as the top note. Lime Basil & Mandarin was the last! I thought that was a good tit bit of information to add in, to end this post 🙂

Have you tried it?

xxx

 

***sample***