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Try saying cranberry & copper makeup tutorial three times fast. It’s pretty impossible, but now that I have your attention, here is my rendition 🙂

cranberry & Copper Makeup Tutorial

Without even realising or trying, I used mostly affordable products to create this look. The Obsession X Belle Jordan Palette is the main component.

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All the shadows are from that with one of the Essence Melted Chrome eyeliners.

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I also tried out the €2 eyeliner stamp I picked up from Penneys before filming. Not a new concept by any means, but I’ve never tried one so I was kinda excited.

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So be sure to click on the video above or here, if you want to see the cranberry and copper makeup tutorial in action, but also see me attempt to use the stamp 🙂

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I was pretty happy with how this look turned out. The liner wasn’t my best work, but I was experimenting so hopefully you forgive me.

Cranberry & Copper Makeup Tutorial

If you want to see what I used for my base, all the products were under investigation here. I filmed a first impressions video before the tutorial.

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All affordable products were used in that too!

I am uploading this on New Years Eve, I thought it would make a nice alternative to the typical red lip or gold eye makeup looks we usually gravitate towards. It’s not exclusive to NYE, so you may read this at a later date. But, I just want to say Happy 2019 to you all. Thanks for clicking and commenting and following me on social media. I really appreciate all the interaction. 2018 was a weird year, for a lot of people, me included. Let’s hope 2019 is a upgrade 🙂

Roll on all the new beauty releases for 2019 too. Jaysis, I better start saving now 🙂

Gemma

xxx

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I am going back to old school YouTube roots a bit. Totally for a bit of fun and totally to show you my new bargain of a handbag from River Island.

What's In My Handbag

I had been eyeing up this bag for a minute. They had posted a pic of it on Instagram and it looked so up my street.River Island Handbag

I am crossbody bag kinda gal. I am an absolute brat when it comes to carrying things. Think of a five year old bringing their toys with them and then halfway through the journey deciding they don’t want to hold them anymore. That is me in a nutshell 🙂 I was previously using this backpack from Zara. It didn’t last very long though and I find I was just filling it with crap. I have a couple of Rebecca Minkoff cross-bodies and have been using them day to day, but I really needed something of decent quality that I could bash around a bit.beauty blog ireland

This bag is suede and leather and it originally retailed for €75/£55. If you buy from the likes of ASOS or River Island online, always buy in pounds. The conversion is so much better. I was holding off until it came into the shops, but kept checking up on it online. Does anyone else do that with things they really like? 🙂top irish beauty blogtop irish beauty blogger

I randomly checked on it one day and it was on sale for £25!! So I thought screw seeing it in real life first. With shipping, it cost me €31!! I thought that was a really bloody good deal for a leather bag. It’s still on sale on the River Island website here. (Update: It has just become out of stock, but they have loads of fab bags still on sale here) . Remember to buy in pounds 🙂irish beauty vlogger

Overall, I am super happy with the bag. The quality is really decent and there’s no big RI logos anywhere on the outside of it. I am not a huge fan of that. It’s a little bigger than I thought it was, but for a day time bag, I am completely ok with that. The thick strap I love, although it isn’t as long as I would like and it isn’t adjustable. I definitely wouldn’t be able to wear this crossbody over a big coat. Not ideal, but I’ll probably just wear it inside my jacket as it gets colder, or on one shoulder.beauty blogger irelandtop beauty blog irelandtop beauty blogger irelandirish beauty youtuber

In the video I give you a quick run through of what’s in my handbag. For fun, and just so you can see what it can actually hold. There is only one big compartment within it. It has a little zip enclosure for your purse/phone. And then a couple of little pockets. If you like your stuff compartmentalised within your bag, this isn’t for you 🙂Irish beauty bloggerIrish beauty blog

I know loads of you bought it. (Thanks loads for using my affiliate link). I’d love to know what you think and if you’re happy with your purchasing decision like me:)

xxx

I am completely jumping on the bandwagon I know, but it has pretty much been love at first sight ever since I got my hands on the BPerfect X Stacey Marie Carnival Palette. The colours are ridiculously fun, with pops of wearability. If it had a matte base shade, it would be close to a perfect palette for me. The colours are super pigmented and blend really well. Can you tell I love it? Ok, enough gushing. I created this super easy and (I think), wearable colourful eye makeup using it, and posted it on my Instagram.

Wearable Colourful Eye Makeup Tutorial

I got some lovely comments, (thank you). So, thought I would recreate it in video form on my YouTube channel.  My approach to colour is very much in the real world. I am not a makeup artist, nor am I a super talented Instagram makeup gal. I’m just a 33 year old who loves to play with makeup, but still be able to pop up to the shop for a pint of milk in it 🙂

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And I hope this comes across here. There is such thing as a wearable colourful eye makeup look. To me, it just has to be approached simply with some added liner and more everyday tones to ground the pop shade a bit. I’ve been having so much fun playing around with the BPerfect Carnival Palette. Whether it be full on colour like this, or just slicks of brightness along the lash line.

BPerfect Carnival Palette

The shade ‘Mint’ in-particular calls to me, so that’s the star of the show in this look, but of course you can use whatever shade you like.

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I touch on a few of the other products I used in this wearable colourful eye makeup tutorial. But, I wanted to focus on the shadows being the star of the show.top irish beauty blog

Let me know what you think. And if you have the palette, I’d love to know your thoughts on it 🙂

xxx

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top irish blogThe Clarins Summer Collection for this year has been something I’ve been waiting with baited breath for. That sounds a bit dramatic I know, but there was one product in particular that I struck up a fancy with.

clarins summer collection

The theme is Sun kissed, hot Florida vibes. The packaging is adorned with flamingoes and palm trees to get us into the Summer mood 🙂

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I have a cross section of all the products, except for two.top irish beauty blog

There is a limited edition bronzing version of their SOS Primer.clarins summer collection 2018

There is two shades to help warm up all complexions. They retail for €31.00.

There’s also limited edition shades of their Lip Comfort Oils.  This one is in Blackberry.irish beauty blog

These retail for €21.00.

The 4 Colour All In One Pen is back again! I have a post on the one from last Summer here.top beauty blog ireland

This time around, the packaging much brighter to keep within the Miami vibes, as are the pencils themselves.top beauty blogger irelandclarins ireland

It comes with three eyeliners. A matte black, plum and bright turquoise green. As well as a bright pink lip liner too. I’ve definitely been getting the most use out of the green and pink, they go really well together. The pen retails for €36.00.top beauty blogtop beauty blogger

Next up in the Clarins Summer Collection run through is limited edition emerald green Supra Mascara.top irish beauty bloggerbeauty blog ireland

I have to be honest opening this I was in awe, but trying to utilise it was another kettle of fish. For me personally it doesn’t add much colour to the lashes if any. beauty blogger irelandI’ll keep trying with it though as I know people think highly of the Supra Mascara formula. This retails for €26.00.

The last product is my very favourite from the Clarins Summer Collection.clarins summer 2018

This is the limited edition Blush & Bronze Compact for 2018.irish beauty sitetop irish beauty site

I have to be honest it was the cool flamingo and palm tree motif and packaging that made me lust after this initially. But, it’s actually a really nice natural bronzer to boot.clarins bronzerdublin beauty blog

It has three matte shades within going from a matte bronze to a deeper tone. I tend to just swirl them altogether and apply them to the high points of my face and neck. Clarins say it contains skincare so can help protect the skin from pollutants too. This compact retails for €47.00.

 

All products are available from Clarins stockists now. Any of them tickle your Summer fancy?

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summer fashion shoppingMy fashion wish list for Summer definitely has a theme. I’m still on the bardot bandwagon, I want light materials, bright colours and all the runners going. I’ve never been more happy to be able to wear trainers again and for it to be accepted. And let’s face it bloody cool!

 

I will admit it and say I don’t think my sense of style reflects my age in any way. I am nearly 33 (in June), but I have regressed to dressing like my 15 year old self and I am completely ok with it. I’m curvy with big boobs and big hips. I am also super conscious of my tummy area and I HATE the tops of my arms. These are all factors I take into consideration when I go clothes shopping.

summer fashion shopping

I actually really love fashion and it’s something I’ve always been interested in it, I’ve just never always felt worthy of it. I have gotten a little better in my 30’s though and do try to go out of my comfort zone even if it’s just with accessories. Fashion is there to be played with I think, just like makeup and my goal is to try a little more with it. However at the same time, I’m broke so when it comes to shopping, I try to think about every purchase even if I’m just dropping into Penneys for a look, I want to be able to utilise everything I purchase.

This is definitely an achievable fashion wish list, with a couple of accessories thrown in with hopes of them being added to my birthday list too 🙂

First up I really want a flattering midi bardot dress. ASOS have a plethora to choose from, from ASOS own and other brands too. The style is definitely staying around for Summer 2018. I am loving this little number in particular from River Island.

fashion summer wish list

fashion summer blog post

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I am a casual girl at heart, so t shirts are definitely a staple in my Summer wardrobe. A cool slogan gets me every time. They’re great for throwing on with jeans, shorts and skirts a like.

I am a sucker for all the 90’s throwback ones like this Fila one from Urban Outfitters.

90s fashion blog post

Co-ords are another thing I need more of in life. I am imagining a Pretty Woman moment in a shorts and blazer combo, like this one from ASOS. Love the pastel pink shade.

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I am already a Old Skool Vans wearer. They take some breaking in, but once you do that, they will be the comfiest shoes you’ll ever own. I am all over their sorbet colour offerings, particularly the mint ones. JD have a bucket load of fun ones to choose from.

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These will make it from my fashion wish list to my actual wardrobe somewhere in the very near future.

Sunglasses are a real obsession for me, particularly Ray-Bans. I wear my Clubmasters to death, so I think 2018 may be the year I splurge on a new pair. I have my eye (get it? 🙂 ) on these mirrored ones from ASOS. I don’t know if I’m cool enough to pull them off though.

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A birthday fashion wish list item is this Coach Parker Quilted Bag.

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This has popped up on my Instagram ads (they obviously work), a few times. I like that it’s multi coloured, I like that the chain is black and I like that it’s a shoulder bag. I am a bit of a brat when it comes to carrying a handbag. At nearly €600 though, I would have to see it in the flesh and hold it before I’d make a decision. A girl can dream 🙂

I could go on, but we’ll be here all day. What’s on your fashion Summer wish list?

xxx

 

affordable red lip look

I wanted to do an affordable red lip look, but with a really simple premise. I think usually,  especially this time of year. The normality is to go for a cat eye, gold or smoky eye with a bold lip.

Affordable red lip look

My vision for the affordable red lip look was a really simple olive toned eye with a matte red lip. I didn’t use any liner, just lashings of mascara. I wanted the lip to be the focal point, but also have the shadow play an interesting role too 🙂 Most of the time when I do my makeup, even for Beautynook, I just wing it! Not literally, of course 😉 But then sometimes, my imagination is so specific in what it wants. This was one of those times.

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I ended up even leaving my hair up and messy. That literally never happens either! You can of course see me waffle about it in video form above, or directly over on YouTube here.

All of the products I used are affordable of course, and they’re all items I really enjoy too. I had applied my base and brows before turning on the camera, but they happened to be all budget friendly products as well.irish beauty blog

So, the main products I used to create my really simple affordable red lip look were:

Initially the Sleek Au Natural Palette. Although I did switch it up, it didn’t quite work for what I was going for.beauty blogger ireland

Inglot single eyeshadows in 305 and 419. You can buy them in store or online here.beauty blog irelandMax Factor Creme Bronzer. Review here.

Nyx High Definition blush in Amber. You can buy online here.

Wet n Wild Highlighter in Under The Midnight Sea. You can see more info on this here.irish beauty blogger

Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in Red Diva. You can buy online here.

Bourjois Rouge Velvet Lipstick in 08 Rubi’s Cute. More info on this here.

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And there you have it! I really like this look. It’s super simple and gives me low key grunge vibes. Let me know what you think 🙂

xxx