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Non Beauty Favourites

I did my beauty favourites for 2017 in video form here not too long ago, if you fancy a beauty hit. There was non beauty related bits and bobs that I wanted to give a shout out to though aswell. So here I am writing a blogpost all about them 🙂

I actually scrolled through my Instagram feed for inspiration for this. I adore the beauty world, but I do have other interests too. I’m not always comfortable talking fashion for all to see. I’m not particularly comfortable within myself. But I love fashion too. Now I don’t mean keeping up with all trends or buying all the latest designer releases, (maybe one day). I mean just putting outfits together, making myself feel a bit better when I look in the mirror. My lovely friend Lorraine of the awesome blog (John It’s Only Makeup) gave me a bit of a boost and told me I should start doing ootd’s (Outfit Of The Day’s) on Instagram. I’ve done a few over the past couple of months.

These boots are definitely on my non beauty favourite list. Now I will say these are not the best quality over the knee boot out there and won’t last the test of time. But, they fit over my larger calves, have a bit of a heel, are comfortable to walk and stand in and they were a bloody bargain!

I actually picked them up my mistake. Sinéad from The Beautiful Truth was chatting about a similar pair she got from New Look, so I went on to have a look and thought these were them. They aren’t, but they were on sale for €29.99 here, originally €59.99. From a quality point of view, they aren’t worth the original price. But on sale, they are!

Another shoe favourite is from a different spectrum. I picked these up simply because they are sparkly.

I got a lot questions about these on social media. They’re from Penneys and they were €7 just before Christmas. I’ve literally worn them everyday since I picked them up and they’re lasting well. They have a rubber sole too which is handy if you need to pop out the bins or something like that. Looking at them makes me smile 🙂

Next up is another Penneys buy. I only picked this sweatshirt up for €10 a few weeks ago, so it’s probably still there.

I’ve been just using it for loungewear ( I have it on as I type). It’s so comfy, washes really well and sure it makes you a fully fledged unicorn trainer.

I have been a bit obsessed with buying costume jewellery on eBay. Specifically earrings.

They take an age to come and there is definitely hits and misses. But when something comes that you actually like and it only cost a couple of euro, you feel pretty damn smug. I always use PayPal and order from reputable sellers. I also never spend a alot.

Another jewellery fave has been this Casio watch John kindly bought me for Christmas.

I did choose it myself from Asos. I like a more masculine watch.

I also thought the rusty rose gold colouring was a little different to what I’ve had before, so I was just drawn to it. A watch to me is more an accessory than a necessity. And I think this fits my style quite nicely.

My last favourite is wine. Now if you know me, you’ll know this is a very new scenario.

For a long time, I was a vodka and diet 7up kinda gal. It’s all I drank. Since John has gotten really into the Irish craft beer scene though, I’ve become a little bit more adventurous. I’ve realised I actually like the taste of gin. It has become my tipple of choice. I’ve also acquired a taste for Prosecco. And now I am dipping my toe into wine. Just a little bit and only white or Rosé. My palette isn’t distinguished enough for red. But I find myself trying to do a little research and think more about it and I’m quite enjoying it.

And that’s it! There’s some of my non beauty related favourites of the minute. Let me know what you think.

Gemma

xxx

January 15, 2018/4 Comments/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Fashion, Fragrance, Hair, Lifestyle, Makeup

My Christmas Wishlist 2017

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 🙂

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

Another pair of earrings are haunting my dreams too.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

December 8, 2017/1 Comment/by Gem

Fragrance, Hair, Makeup, Skincare

Beauty Advent Calendars 2017

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

November 13, 2017/by Gem

Makeup

High End Makeup – My Five Most Expensive Products

I have a lot of nice makeup that’s worth a few quid. These five products though, would be my most high end makeup products in my collection.

All five, funnily enough are only from two brands. And none of them I bought myself. They were all gifts from either John, or family and friends. Thanks guys 🙂

I chose these as my most high end makeup, simply on the price of them per product. It’s crazy money and you don’t need to spend it at all. I just thought it would be fun to delve into them a little in blog post form. I do love a good makeup rummage 🙂

I will go by brand and start with Tom Ford. I have three different products from the brand. All picked out by John and by John alone. He prides himself, when he buys me makeup, on getting as little help from the sales assistants as possible. First up, is his latest Tom Ford purchase. He had made a mental note of me saying if he was ever stuck to buy me something, a fancy lip balm would always be appreciated. So for my birthday this year I received the Tom Ford Lip Balm in L’Odissea. You can see it on the Brown Thomas website here. They cost €35!

Now, I do believe he didn’t know you could get these in slightly different hues. This wouldn’t have been by first colour choice. Also, it is tiny, I am more than halfway through the bullet already. It is something I would never have bought myself though, and I do feel very fancy using it and popping it into my handbag.

I do own one Tom Ford lipstick as well. For the past few years John has gotten me a red lipstick for Christmas. He did it one year, I liked it, so made him continue it on 🙂 One year it was Tom Ford’s Cherry Lush. €48 from the Brown Thomas website here.

Crazy money for a lippie I know, but as a makeup whore, it was so lovely to open at Christmas. And it is a beautiful lipstick too. Probably a bit old to use now, but I will still keep a hold of it.

The last Tom Ford product I own, came with the lipstick. They were a package deal from Mr John. This is the Eye Color Quad in 05 Silvered Topaz.

This is €74 from Brown Thomas here.

I was very much a cool toned eyeshadow gal for many a year, until I discovered I can make warm shadows work for me. This was the perfect and fanciest addition to my makeup collection at that point. The shadows are lovely. Super pigmented and blendable (thank god). The packaging is also very fancy….and magnetic. There’s a dark purple matte, two silvery shimmery tones, and a silver glitter shade for a pop of sparkle. I got so much use out of this palette. Don’t reach for it as much anymore, but it has still been known to make it into an eye look every now and again. Oul Tom makes a lovely eyeshadow, I must admit :).

My final two fancy high end makeup products are both from Chanel. The first one was a very generous gift from a family member It is one of the Chanel Rouge Allure Glosses in 17 Suprème. They don’t seem to have this one on the Brown Thomas website anymore. But there is similar colours available here, and they retail for €33. The packaging on this is so damn fancy. You click down the top and the applicator pops up. The click is so satisfying.

It’s a really lovely magenta pink gloss, a little sticky on the lips but lasts really well as a result. I don’t always reach for a gloss, but when I do it is something like this. So, it’s always nice to have an extra fancy one to choose.

The only other Chanel makeup product I own right now was a very lovely gift from my friend Ella.

She picked this up for me in the airport really recently, I believe it’s from last Autumn’s collection. It’s a Les 4 Ombres eyeshadow quad in 268 Candeur Et Expèrience.

These are the only Chanel eyeshadows I have ever owned. And I am sorry to say they are pretty gorgeous. Their quads retail for €51 on the Boots website here. I can’t find this exact one because the collection is from last year.

High End Makeup My Five Most Expensive Products_1692

High End Makeup My Five Most Expensive Products_1693

They are such gorgeous matte earthy tones. After picking up the Urban Decay Heat Palette (review here), this is completely my jam at the moment. I am getting lots of use out of it. Unfortunately though, it just makes me want more of their shadows…I better start saving 🙂

And there you have the five most high end makeup products in my collection. Now come on and tell me yours so I can make a wish list 🙂

xxx

September 4, 2017/2 Comments/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Hair, Makeup, Nails, Skincare

Kris Kindle For Beauty Lovers

I had made the decision not to do Christmas gift ideas here on Beautynook this year. It hasn’t stopped me for sharing things on social media though. But, when I share product here, I want to be able to stand by it and share because I know I love it. I’m not in a position as the blogger I am that I get sent a whole load of press samples and I don’t have the cash to buy everything I would want to share. Maybe next year 🙂 I did have a bit of Christmas fomo though not going to lie, so I’ve done some research and compiled a list of Kris Kindle treats for the beauty lovers in your life, or yourself. These are not too pricey goodies that I would genuinely be happy to get off someone for Kris Kindle or as a stocking filler.

I am kind of going back on my word I know, don’t judge me. I thought Kris Kindle/ stocking fillers was a good middle ground though. Not too pricey and I can still talk Christmas beauty. So John, if you’re reading, take note 🙂

My first choices are from one of my favourite shopping destinations Spacenk. On a side note, European orders need to be made on the website by the 14th of December in order to make delivery by Christmas.

The Eve Lom Kiss Mix is a really well known and effective lip balm in the beauty world. It hydrates and leaves behind a lovely sheen on the lips too.

For Christmas this year, it comes in a really cute disco ball for £16.

Super cute and super practical. You can get it in store or directly from the website here.

Next up we have the Merry & Bright Christmas Cracker from Oskia.

The Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel is probably one of my favourite facial cleansers….ever! It is pricey though. This cracker is a really good middle ground. You get a pretty packaged gift with a really luxury product inside. The normal 100ml sized bottle is 30 quid, where as you get this 40ml bottle for £18.50. Not cheap, but a little does go a long way with this product. It is listed on the website here.

Emma Hardie who are also knows for their facial cleanser have a really cute Kris kindle appropriate gift set too.

For £25 you get a 50ml or their cult cleansing balm, a cleansing cloth and a 15ml of the Age Support moisturiser. All in a little toiletry bag. You can click here to see it on the Spacenk website.

My next choice is a variation of something I actually got myself for Christmas this year. This is just more stocking filler appropriate. It is the Aromatherapy Associates ‘My Treat’.

They have different ones to suit all budgets and requirements though. This is their Revive Morning Bath & Shower Oil, again already in really pretty festive packaging. This will set you back £10 which I don’t think is too bad at all. You can get it on the website here.

My last choice from Spacenk is the Glow On The Go set from Becca.

It contains a mini but still substantial ‘Moonstone’ Shimmering Skin Perfector in pressed and liquid formula. I think any makeup fan would be delighted to open this on Christmas, me included. This is £20 from the website here.

Next up I have a few choices from Irish owned website Cloud10beauty.

The Cocoa Brown Golden Goddess Collection is a great reasonably priced stocking filler.

For €14.95 you get three shimmering dry body oils including their brand new one ‘Ice Goddess’.

Shimmering skin for the party season for whoever is lucky enough to be gifted it. You can pick this up from the Cloud10beauty website here.

The Pixi Glow Tonic is such a great addition to your skin care, so this Best Of Bright Kit, would be a great Kris Kindle for you or a beauty lover in your life :).

For €25.95 you get a 30ml of their glow tonic, 13ml of the Glow Mud Mask and a 13ml or the Glow Mud Cleanser. All full of glycolic loveliness.

This set is available from the website here.

My last choice from Cloud10beauty is the Real Techniques Your Picks Berlin.

This is a limited edition brush set containing their best selling brushes voted for by the fans. You get their buffing brush, contour brush, stippling brush, deluxe crease brush and the base shadow brush, I use all of these on a daily basis (except for the stippling brush). So, I thought this was a good addition to my list. It costs €29.95 from the website here.

My last website choice is Boots. You can of course go in store too. Now Boots have a huge amount of gift ideas. I just picked four things to add to my list otherwise this blogpost would go on forever 🙂

The first one is a bit pricey and probably over the average Kris Kindle budget. I thought I would add it in in case you have a little bit more to spend though.

This is the Marc Jacobs Daisy Rollerball Gift Set, We do not have enough roller ball fragrances on sale in Ireland. They are so handy and brilliant if you just want to try a perfume or just don’t want to commit to a full size bottle. This contains 3 10ml rollerballs with three different Daisy fragrances. Original Daisy, Daisy Drea and Daisy Eau so Fres. A bit steeper than the rest at €64 here. But I thought it was lovely so wanted to include it :).

Sleek Makeup are killing it this year with their gift sets. All of them are lovely. I thought the Palette Gift Set was particularly nice though so wanted to share.

This contains their Vintage Romance Palette, two True Colour lipsticks in Liqueur (on the left), Vamp (on the right), blush in Antique Blush and a makeup bag all for €28.99 here.

I thought this Molton Brown hand Cream Gift Set was really lovely.

It’s already gift wrapped and you really cannot go wrong with Molton Brown. This is €30 from the Boots website here.

I had to add in Soap & Glory here somewhere. They just do Christmas so right. There are an abundance of sets to choose from including makeup. I went with the Clean Get Away gift set for €15.

I just thought it was affordable, small and compact, so would fit in a stocking and would be easy to bring into work on Kris Kindle day 🙂 It contains travel minis of their The Righteous Butter, Clean On Me Shower Gel, Calm One, Calm All bubble bath and a mini Hand Food.

And that is my Kris Kindle for beauty lovers done! Well I could go on and on and on, but I have to stop somewhere 🙂

Hope it’s helpful and Merry Christmas!!

xxx

December 7, 2016/by Gem

Makeup Tutorial, Youtube Video

Too Faced Makeup Look

I was lucky enough to head to the Too Faced Christmas launch in Debenhams a few weeks back. They sent home with a very generous goody bag. So, I thought I would use some of the products I got to create a simple Too Faced Makeup Look 🙂

I am not using everything Too Faced, but I do have their Born This Way Concealer, Brow Quickie, their Better Than Sex mascara, the Merry Macarons Palette and the Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick in ‘Bend & Snap’. I thought since I have just some bits and pieces, I would do a look with everything rather than individual reviews.

So, I figured that warranted me calling it a Too Faced Makeup Look 🙂

I didn’t really have much of a plan going into this video. I rarely do if I’m honest. I just kind of jump in with a rough idea of the products I am going to use and do my makeup 🙂 You could, I dare say call this a festive makeup look. I centered it around the Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick in ‘Bend & Snap’. I am in love with this formula and this colour. It’s super flattering and it will jazz up any makeup look.

Too Faced is available in store from Debenhams and from their website here too. The Christmas selection is awesome. Go have a look if you’re in the market for new makeup for yourself, or you want to buy some else a cool makeup related Christmas gift.

You can watch the video as always by clicking it up above or directly on my Youtube channel here. And sure if you like it give it an oul thumbs up and subscribe 🙂

I am fairly new to the Too Faced brand. When it first came to Ireland it was stocked in Boots and I used some bits and really liked them and then it just disappeared. I think it’s safe to say it is back now with a bang. Ok, so go on give me some recommendations. What do I need in my collection from them?

xxx

***pr sample***

November 13, 2016/by Gem