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Budget Beauty Brilliant Buys

I am always on the lookout for brilliant budget beauty buys. (yes I love that all of the words begin with b, not gonna lie :)) Rather than do monthly faves, I think I might do posts like this so often for budget and non budget beauty. Let me know what you think?

First up in my budget beauty list is:

My very beloved Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude Foundation.

I won’t bore you with the details. I waffle about this foundation all the time and have a full review here. This stuff just does it for me. I love the finish, the longevity, it wears really well on my oily skin and the coverage. It will set you back €9.99 in Boots so at a smidgen under a tenner, not a bad price point at all.

Next up on budget friendly rambles are these Catrice Liquid Metal Eyeshadows.

I think Catrice have nine colours to choose from in the Liquid Metal range. I have three of them and they get alot of use from me.

090 Nougat it right

070 Gold leaf me

100 What do you see?

These little pots are really pigmented, go on without any fuss and when dampened pack even more punch. I love shadows like this because you can create a really cool eye look without any effort. Not sure of the exact price on the Liquid Metal Shadows but I know they cost less than 4 euro a piece.

Another Catrice fave in my budget beauty stash is their Liquid Camouflage concealer.

I go into more detail and demo this here. It’s such a fab purse friendly full coverage concealer that works well under the eyes and around the face. A must have in your makeup drawer in my opinion, and with it being €3.99, I don’t feel guilty saying that 🙂

These Penneys lashes need no introduction, they have taken on a life of their own in the beauty world it seems.

They are so handy to have around when you are looking to add a little something more to a look. They would be described as individual lashes, unlike other individual lashes they have three clusters on one band, which for me takes way less faffing about.

You can add just one of these to your outer lashes and be good to go. And the best part it? They cost €1.50! You wouldn’t even get a coffee for that nowadays (in Dublin at least) and you get glue included for that price too. Score!

The Maybelline Lash Sensational Waterproof mascara is a rediscovery for me.

I got it a while back and loved it, even gave it a full review here. Then, I started having a thing with the Catrice Glam & Doll mascara (full review here) and I forgot about it for a while. I pulled it out the other week more to see if it was time to bin it or not and gave it one last whirl. I swear it’s an even better mascara now after drying out in the drawer for a couple of months! Might buy another one and just leave it in the dark for a while 🙂 I picked this up in Boots for €11.99. Not the cheapest mascara in the world, but still a decent price I reckon, and they’re always doing offers on it.

I have been loving this Essence No Makeup Look Nail Polish in Powdery Nude so much of late.

If you just be couldn’t be bothered doing your nails, but want them to look decent, this is such a great little find. I put a base coat on, add two layers of this and I’m done.

It dries really quickly and has a cool powdery finish to it so adding a top coat would take away from that. And it lasts really well on the nails. I can get around four days out of it before it starts to move, that’s not bad at all. I picked this up in Penneys and it cost me less than €3.

I have an oldie but a goodie next. The Sleek Face Form Contouring And Blush Palette.

I brought this to Oslo with me and it’s made me fall in love with it all over again. This is the light version of the palette and you get a contour shade, a highlighter and a blush, all for €9.99.

Not a bad deal whatsoever. Sleek is such a great brand! The shades double up as eyeshadows as well which is great for travelling.

This Flormar Bronzing Powder is huge and this is one of the reasons what I love it. It will last you a life time.

It’s also a really nice soft bronzer though. It has a really faint glitter running through it, but it doesn’t translate too much when on the skin.

The fact it’s so big means you can use a huge brush to apply it so it’s quick, easy and great for bronzing up the body too. A firm budget beauty fave in my collection. You can actually buy Flormar online here from Simplyfoxy. It will set you back €9.99.

My last favourite of the minute is Botanics Soothing Eye Makeup Remover.

I am a waterproof mascara junkie, and this does a fab job of removing every scrap of it without irritating or dragging my eyes. It’s an oil in water solution, so you just have to give it a good shake before you use it to ensure the liquid is fully mixed. I apply it with a couple of cotton rounds, leave them on each eye for a couple of seconds and then wipe. It even remove Inglot Gel liner and doesn’t leave you with panda eyes the next morning. That’s impressive! At full price this will set you back €5.99 from Boots, it’s always on special though so just keep a look out. I am a huge fan of the Botanics range, they do some brilliant skincare and haircare products, that are really reasonably priced.

There you have it, a run through of some of my budget beauty favourites of the moment. What’s your favourite purse friendly product? I’d love to know 🙂

xxx

February 8, 2016/1 Comment/by Gem

Skincare

Trilogy Mineral Radiance Mask Review

The Trilogy Mineral Radiance Mask has fast become one of my favourites. I am on my second tub of it, so I think I have used it enough to give my honest opinion about it 🙂

Trilogy describes the Mineral Radiance Mask as a mineral rich kaolin mask that delivers instant radiance with a deep cleansing action. It contains Native New Zealand pohutukawa extract helps tone and regenerate while emollient oils, rosehip and evening primrose nourish and hydrate.

My less fancy description would be this a really lovely kaolin clay mask filled with natural ingredients. I don’t personally mind the scent, if you are sensitive to smells though try give it a whiff or get a sample before you buy. It applies smoothly to the skin and unlike other clay masks I have used in the past, dries to a nearly rubber like texture.

There’s no tightness so it’s really comfortable on the face. The mix of ingredients means it works well for drawing out impurities, but leaves your skin feeling soft and moisturised. I have pretty oily skin, and it works really well for me because weirdly enough I can get dehydrated in some areas. I feel the Mineral Radiance Mask gives me the best of both worlds.

We all know the Trilogy name for their Rosehip oil. I am a huge fan of this too, so for it to be in their mask is such a bonus. Rosehip oil is great for scars or marks on the skin, dehydrated skin and even fine lines.

I’ve never looked better, I know ha!

Trilogy says just to let the mask dry and then rinse off, I’ve been known to forget it’s on and an hour later remember and have no redness or anything as a result, so it’s not too harsh. It comes off easy enough with just warm water. I usually like to use a muslin cloth with it though makes things a bit easier.

In my humble opinion I think this is a pretty darn good mask. I have oily skin and works really well for me, but I think it would really work for all skin types.

A 60ml tub of the Trilogy Mineral Radiance Mask will cost you between 23-24 Euro depending on where you buy it. Cloud 10 Beauty sell it here

Thanks for stopping by 🙂

xxx

January 22, 2016/2 Comments/by Gem

Beautynook Tips, Skincare

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, a very well known skincare staple in the beauty world.

Us beauty enthusiasts go on about Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream alot, but does it live up to the hype? And exactly what can you use it for?

Elizabeth Arden will give you a list as long as your arm including using it on your eyelids and cheekbones as a highlighter, to tame fly away hairs and the likes. I don’t think this stuff is very practical in the real world, so I wanted to list my real life uses in a post 🙂

Eight hour cream has an ointment texture, although I get the fragrance free version, there is still a slight nearly medicinal scent to it, but it doesn’t linger so it’s not something to worry about too much. It is not fast absorbing so don’t be expecting it to soak into your skin any time soon. I see this as a pro rather than a con though because of what I use it for.

Here is what I use it for:

Chapped lips! It so great for hydrating the lips. It’s a great night time treatment, but it works really well to prep the lips before lipstick application as well as a giving the lips a nice shine without being sticky if you want to just wear it on its own.
I use it as a night time treatment on my brows and eyelashes. I think it helps with their condition. It also helps with softening any hard brow hairs you might have too.
It is fab for dry cuticles, it needs alot of working in, but it’s worth it.
If you wear lashes, you know the plight of left over lash glue, Eight Hour Cream massaged into the roots can help remove it gently.
Any dry skin spots you might have will benefit from a splodge of it!
If you have scrapes or minor burns it can help ease the itch and heal the abrasion.
Finally, I use it a foot treatment. I slather it on and then put some fluffy socks on before going to bed. It helps with cracked heels and any dryness that you might have from wearing stupid shoes (like me 🙂 )

Overall, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream is a brilliant product to have in your skincare arsenal. It has so many uses, probably more than I have listed, they’re just things I use it for personally. It’s not cheap you can get it in Boots, Debenhams, anywhere that sells Elizabeth Arden really. The standard price is €33. A tube of it will last you forever though. The one I have now is over a year and it’s still going strong. I did order mine from Strawberry.net where if you’re lucky you can sometimes get a good deal on it.

Let me know if you use it and if there’s any other cool uses 🙂

xxx

January 18, 2016/1 Comment/by Gem

Skincare, Tanning

Cocoa Brown Golden Goddess Oil Review

Cocoa Brown Golden Goddess Shimmering Dry Body Oil, the newest Cocoa Brown kid on the block.

Cocoa Brown already has us glittering with their Shimmering Instant Tan Bronzing Gel (you can see it up close here) and now they are spoiling us, with a shimmering body oil.

First off the packaging of the Golden Goddess is really pretty. It’s a 50ml clear glass bottle, with a pump on the top, which I always appreciate. The clear bottle lets you see the prettiness of the shimmering oil inside and keeps you knowing how much product you have left.

The product itself is a separated oil formula that you have to shake up to get the golden goddess going 🙂

A little of it goes a long way, it’s really easy to apply, has the familiar Cocoa Brown scent (which I really like) and absorbs really quickly. Because it’s a dry oil, it doesn’t leave behind an greasy residue. When massaged into the skin, it leaves behind the prettiest golden shimmer.

Without any Cocoa Brown tanning help, I am naturally a pale Irish girl and the Golden Goddess still manages to give me a hint of colour as well as a shimmer…bonus!

It looks really gorgeous applied down the shin bone, on your collar bone, anywhere you would want a shimmery sheen really. I’ve seen people are using Golden Goddess even as a cheek bone highlighter, great idea!

You can pick up the Cocoa Brown Golden Goddess Shimmering Dry Body Oil in Penneys stores nationwide and from Cara Pharmacy. It will set you back €11.99 and will last you aaaagggggeeeesssss! 🙂

xxx

January 15, 2016/by Gem

Makeup, Monthly Favourites, Skincare

Beauty Favourites 2015

I know so many wonderful bloggers have done their version of beauty favourites already so apologies if you’ve been inundated. I think it’s a really great idea though and I haven’t done monthly faves this year, so I thought I would do a yearly round of my beauty favourites 2015!

First up is an easy one. I know the Urban Decay Gwen Palette came out late in the year, but it has become one of my most reached for eyeshadow palettes.

I am completely head over heels for it. There is neutrals galore, transitional shades, fun sparkly shades and even a couple of cray cray shades to keep things interesting. Gwen, I bow down to you and can’t wait to see the new releases you and Urban Decay have up your sleeves for 2016 🙂 Full swatches of the palette can be seen here and I even did a makeup look with it here if you fancy a nose.

Next up is the very coveted Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop.

No joke I have used this pretty much everyday since I got it. When I first got my grubby little mitts on this in mid 2015 it was only available in America. Now the lovely people of Spacenk are stocking it here, so everyone can bask in the Champagne Glow. Another one of my 2015 finds was the brush I use to apply the Pop 🙂

This awesome F28 brush from Blank Canvas Cosmetics. The lovely Ashling from Total Makeup Addict introduced me to this beauty and I will forever be in her debt for it. It’s the perfect cheek bone highlighting tool.

My favourite setting powder of 2015 would have to be the Chanel Vitalumiere Powder Foundation.

I have pretty much used this exclusively for the past year.

I have a whole review if here. It’s a foundation so there is coverage with it, which I personally like. You can build it up or thin it out depending on application or what brush you use so it’s really versatile. Pricey but versatile 🙂

My next beauty faves are a little more pocket friendly.

Again I have a review of these here, but they are two of the All About palettes from Essence. Essence have a few different colour choices in these really handy eyeshadow palettes and they cost less than a fiver, bargain! Oh and they’re damn pigmented too!

2015 was definitely the year of budget friendly favourite for me. Another one is the Catrice Glamour Doll Waterproof mascara.

For the latter half of the year this is the only mascara I was (and still am now) using. And what do you know, I have a full review of it here 🙂

My favourite under eye concealer duo have been the Catrice Liquid Camouflage and the Flormar Perfect Coverage.

Cheap as chips and together for me are a dynamic duo. You can see them in action here.

My favourite blush of the year has to be the Max Factor Creme Blush in ‘Seductive Pink’.

This is just the easiest blush colour to wear. It goes with everything. I love the formula of these too. They blend so nicely. You can see it swatched here if you fancy a nose 🙂

My lip liner find of 2015 probably has to be Whirl by Mac.

This lip liner got a life of it’s own in 2015. It’s a great all round colour though that you can use on it’s own, under nudes and even under darker and brighter shades of lippie. It’s great for evening out the lip line too. I have it swatched here if you want a closer look.

The Only Lipsticks from Rimmel are another makeup find of 2015 that I am very happy with.

They came at the end of the year I know, but I’ve been obsessed with them so I had to include them. These two lighter shades have been the ones I grab for most but I own six of them and I wear all the shades alot. I love the finish, the pigmentation and the price point. (yep, I have them all swatched here 🙂

I have two facial skin care faves for 2015 that I wanted to add in aswell.

Serozinc from La Roche Posay.

I think I’ve gone through about 4 of these so far and I will repurchase! There’s a full review of it here, but I use Serozinc as a toner, to freshen up my makeup and as a finishing spray when I am finished my makeup. It’s a great all rounder.

My last fave is from the Oils Of Life range from The Body Shop.

This is their Intensely Revitalising Gel Cream. I use this as a night cream. I have oily skin, so heavy creams can sometimes clog my pores. This stuff feels so light on my skin and soaks in really quickly but still leaves behind nice soft hydrated skin. May I add it smells incredible too!

That’s my Beauty Favourites for 2015 done and dusted. Seriously, where did that year go?

Should I do below the neck beauty favourites too, as in more body orientated stuff ha. Let me know.

xxx

January 8, 2016/by Gem

Skincare

Skincare Holiday Essentials

I’m off on a little breakaway for the Christmas period 🙂 Obviously being a beauty junkie, the products I bring, are quite important to me. This post is going to cover all of the skincare with the added daily bits and pieces I will use. Basically everything other than makeup, I will cover all that in another post soon 🙂

First up the skincare and body essentials.

Deodorant:

I prefer a cream deodorant. And I think cream and roll ons travel more safely too.

Toothpaste and toothbrush:

I have a mini of one of my favourite toothpastes, the Beverly Hills Perfect White, that is actually black because it contains charcoal. I bloody loves this toothpaste and I have a matching toothbrush because I’m fancy that comes with a head cover on it which is so handy.

Bodywash:

I have a mini Wild Argan Oil Shower Gel from The Body Shop. God I love minis, don’t you?

I’m bringing three body creams…extremely excessive I know, but they all have different uses.

I have a mini Atoderm moisturiser from Bioderma. I got this in a Bioderma Christmas skincare set that I reviewed here not too long ago. I’ll keep this for using anywhere that gets really dry.

I’m going to bring one of the Nivea In Shower Body Moisturisers with me too, for everyday use.

This is the new one, that’s apparently for ‘firming’. It has little menthol massage beads in it though, so I think it will be good for the hotter weather. (we’re going to Lanzarote, so hoping it will be warmer than Ireland :).

The third moisturiser is a gradual daily bronzer from The Tan.

I do not get a sun tan, I’m freckly and pale, so this will come in handy to keep me looking somewhat alive. I really like this one, it dries quickly and doesn’t make you stink too much.

As I am a paley, I am going to bring an instant tan too.

My favourite at the minute which I have a review and demo of here is the shimmer version of Cocoa Brown’s new Instant Tan Bronzing Gel.

It’s such a handy tan and is water resistant. This will get alot of use.

I bought some fancy disposable razors because it’s Christmas and they were half off in Boots 😉

Boring and a pain but necessary if the pins are going to be on display.

Sun protection will be really important too.

It will be hopefully in the 20’s in Spain, so I’m going to bring P20 SPF in Factor 30. This is water resistant for up to 10 hours and it soaks in well so it doesn’t add to the clammy feeling…I really hate feeling clammy 🙂

For face SPF I’m bringing the Bioderma BB Cream.

I’ve never used this before so I am hoping it doesn’t melt off my face. It contains SPF 30 and is anti redness so will hopefully camouflage my red cheeks if I over heat.

To wash my face, I am bringing the Ultra Brightening Cleanser from Neostrata.

I’ve only used this a couple of times, but so far I like it, and I thought bringing it with me would let me give it a try properly.

I have a mini eye makeup remover from Thalgo.

This is an oily solution which is my favourite for eye makeup remover. I always use waterproof mascara so it’s a necessity.

For pre cleanser, I’m bringing a mini of the holy grail Bioderma Micellar Water.

Perfect travel companion 🙂

I have no night time eye cream to bring I’ll have to buy one in the airport but for daily use, The Body Shop Drops of Youth eye gel is coming.

I’ve been using this for a while now and really like it.

To tone I have a mini of one of my faves the Neostrata Oily Skin Solution.

If you suffer with spots and have oily skin like me, this is such a brilliant product.

Again, because I’m high maintenance I am bring another toner. This will double as a facial mist and makeup setting spray too though. This is the La Roche Posay Serozinc.

I have a full review of this bad boy here if you want a more indepth description of it. It has become a skincare staple for me.

For night cream, I am bringing this cute mini Oils Of Life Facial Oil from The Body Shop.

Skincare is covered I think (I hope).

There’s much less going on in my haircare regime.

I’m trying out the L’Oreal Pro Fiber Revive shampoo and conditioner.

I have a mini Moroccan Oil.

This stuff is great for nourishing the hair and great for dry ends so comes in very handy in the hotter weather.

For the evening to jazz up my hair a bit, I’m bringing my favourite texturising spray from Charles Worthington.

If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to the Oribe cult spray, give this a go. It’s great for root lift if you’re like me and you don’t like back combing your hair.

A bit of hairspray is a must for me.

I have a mini (so many minis I know) of this L’Oreal soft hairspray. My frizzy bits will thank me 🙂

And by golly I think that’s it! Too much? Probably. I was a scout for my whole childhood though and our motto was always be prepared 🙂

xxx

December 14, 2015/1 Comment/by Gem