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I already spoke about my current day time routine here. It’s only fair that I throw my night time skin care routine into the mix too πŸ™‚

night time skin care routine

I am very proud of being someone who removes their makeup every night before sleep. No matter how tired (or typsy) I might be. For me, it’s like brushing your teeth, it just has to be done! I am not really one for makeup wipes. If I am feeling really lazy, I’ll use eye makeup remover and micellar water and call it a day. But for the most part, I like to actually wash my face.

night time skin care routine

This for me, is my current night time skin care routine. I do change up products every now and then. It’s of course part of what I do. I don’t have majorly sensitive skin either so it usually doesn’t affect my skin too radically.

I do like to extra exfoliate a couple of times each week. I’ll usually use the Waxperts Wonder Pads (which I reviewed ages ago here), or the Dermalogica Daily Resurfacer Pads. These contain AHA’s so I stick to using them at night.

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If I have a breakout I use the Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, which I have a review of here. It’s a bit gimmicky, but it seems to do the job. And it dries down on the skin, so you don’t get it all over your pillow which is a bonus in my book πŸ™‚

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I wear waterproof mascara on the daily, so before I wash my face I usually remove my eye makeup with an oil based cleanser.

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I have been using the Botanics All Bright one for literally years. It does a great job at getting even gel liner off without too much rubbing. It doesn’t irritate my eyes and it’s as cheap as chips. You can buy it from Boots here.

For cleansing, at the moment. I have two in my bathroom. The Garnier Pure Active 3 in 1.

garnier pure active

This can be used as a face wash, to exfoliate or a mask. I usually use this in the shower. I can wash my face with it and then pop some on as a mask while I go about my business. It is kaolin based so it dries on the skin like a clay mask. It’s been working really well for my oily skin.

If I am just washing my face and not showering I have been using the Yonka Cleansing Gel. This feels really gentle on my skin.

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It is also like a spa in a plastic bottle, it smells bloody amazing.

For toner, it’s generally just the La Roche Posay Serozinc which I speak more about here. I always have a bottle of it in my skincare stash.

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I use the same eye cream both day and night. My go to one over the past year or so is the La Roche Posay Ultra Toleriane Ultra Eye Contour.

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I really like this stuff and it’s not super expensive either. I have a full review of it here.

Because I cannot get too heavy with moisturiser during the day because I am so oily. I usually make up for it in my night time skincare routine.

At the moment I am using (and really enjoying) the Hylamide Low Molecular HA Booster.

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It’s basically a serum that contains hyaluronic acid. It helps hydrate without weighing down the skin. It’s an extra step in my routine but my skin is reacting well from it. My skin is feeling a little plumper and more hydrated without my pores being clogged up. You can buy it directly from the Deciem website here.

After that settles in, I apply a light layer of the Image Vital C Hydrating Facial Oil.

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It just feels so nice. I pat a dropper amount into my face and neck. Although I am oily, I do have areas of dehydration so I use the serum and the oil in the evening to help with that. The Vital C is formulated for dull, tired skin but also suitable for acne prone skin that is healing. Image skincare is stocked in salons throughout the country including Millie’s here.

The final step in my night time skin care routine then is just lip balm. I usually just use some Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream.

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I have a full review of this here.

 

And then my night time skin care routine is completed and I am ready for bed πŸ™‚

xxx

 

I’m like a broken record, I know, but I have pretty oily skin and as a result of this makeup, as much as I love it, doesn’t particularly love me. It sinks into my skin, oxidizes and just doesn’t hang around too long. So, as a result, over the years, I’ve tried and tested lots of different ways to make it last longer on my visage. I’ve done a post about this in the past, but I’ve updated and added some different steps, so I thought I would put together all of my Long Lasting Makeup Tips in video form and demo them on my mug πŸ™‚

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Before Makeup

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After Makeup

There is a lot of long lasting makeup steps in the video, I don’t expect anyone to do them all, unless of course you’re really oily like me. But if you struggle with your makeup slipping and sliding, or have a special occasion, some of them might help you a little. You can click on the video up above or go to my YouTube channel here to watch.

Long Lasting Makeup TipsJust in case something takes your fancy, I’ll link any reviews I have done in the past of the products I talk about in the video.

Waxperts Wonder Pads. Review here.

La Roche Posay Serozinc. Review here.

Vichy Normaderm Anti Blemish Care Moisturiser. Review here.

L’Oreal Infallible 24 Hour Matte Foundation. Review here.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude Foundation. Review here.

Nyx Micro Brow Pencil. Review here.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer. Review here.

L’Oreal Infallible Fixing Spray. Review here.

Makeup Revolution Ultra Contour Palette. Review here.

I really really hope you find something helpful within my waffling. These are by no means my personal long lasting makeup tips. I’ve just picked them up along the way on my makeup journey and tried and tested them on my skin.

As always, thanks for watching and if you have any other long lasting makeup tips to add to the pile, please do comment. I would love to try more πŸ™‚

xxx

 

I’m a big fan of Image Skincare. I’ve used a fair few of their products over the years. It’s definitely not the cheapest out there, but with it being a salon grade brand, you do get what you pay for.

 

The Image I Conceal Flawless Foundation has gotten a bit of a a spruce up. The packaging is more modern and sleek than previously. I’ve been using this bad boy for a good chunk of time now, so I thought it was time for me to give my thoughts on it and show you it in action. Readers beware, there is some no makeup pictures below πŸ™‚

image skincare irelandI really like the new packaging. It has a brushed clear plastic casing and then you twist the top to reveal the pump.

image skincare review

According to Image: ‘I Conceal is the all-in-one illuminating, lightweight and water-resistant foundation, which heals and conceals to reveal a healthier, flawless complexion every day. It is available in 6 different colours – Porcelain, Natural, Beige, Suede, Toffee and Mocha – so there is one suitable for everybody. This daily healthy skin foundation is mineral based, paraben free, is breathable and oxygenates and heals the skin. It gives maximum coverage without a heavy appearance and gives a dewy glow to all skins. I-Conceal Flawless Foundation is SPF 30 and provides broad spectrum UVA / UVB protection. This Image Skincare Flawless Foundation is indicated for daily use on all skin types and highly effective for the following:

  • Pigmentation
  • Redness & Rosacea
  • Acne & Acne Scarring
  • Post-Cosmetic Injections
  • Bruising & Scaring
  • Post-treatment
  • Post-Laser
  • Post-Surgery

In Gemma terms the Image I Conceal Flawless Foundation is really rather nice! With my skin being on the oilier side, I find anything with a high SPF is usually too greasy for my skin and it either slips and slides on my face or makes my makeup slip and slide. This means I end up not using an SPF which is so so bad I know, or using a foundation with a much lower amount, that’s probably not really doing much for my skin at all!

Image I Conceal Flawless Foundation

I have the colour ‘Natural’ which is a shade or maybe two too dark for me, but I make it work by taking it down the neck. ‘Porcelain’ would be a better match.

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This was a press sample though so I wasn’t colour matched for it.

irish beauty blogger Although the consistency is on the thicker side, it does blend really well too so I can kind of get away with it. πŸ™‚ So here it is in action on my mug.

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My skin with no product applied

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I applied the foundation with a dense brush and made sure to take it down my neck

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I buffed it in really well

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Straight after application

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About ten minutes after application

top irish beauty bloggerThe I Conceal to me has a medium to full coverage depending on how much you apply or what tool you use. It covers redness really well and I find I use less concealer on blemishes afterwards. It has a more dewy finish, but it also sets so it doesn’t feel oily or leave a residue behind. As I do have oily skin, I tend to powder down my makeup or go for more matte finish foundations just because they last longer. I don’t mind a bit of luminosity at all if it doesn’t make the natural oils come through. And I concur that for me the Image I Conceal really doesn’t. Actually after this application, I wasn’t going anywhere so I didn’t add any more makeup after taking the photos and went about my day. It took a good few hours before what I like to call the ugly shine came through πŸ™‚

I can’t speak too much about it’s restorative qualities as my skin is not healing from anything major. I do suffer from spots though and it does seem to ease the redness and any inflammation which is awesome!

I honestly can’t fault the Image I Conceal Flawless Foundation. It’s skincare, SPF 30 and good coverage mineral foundation in one! They say it works for all skin types and usually I would kind of guffaw at a statement like that, but the fact that it gives a dewy finish, but has really great staying power…dare I say, I kind of agree with them!

I think the Image I Conceal Flawless Foundation retails for about €48 so it’s definitely a splurge. If it does interest you though, pop into a salon that sells Image and ask for a sample. Renaissance have a list of stockists here.

xxx

 

 

 

So many of you told me you love watching Get Ready With Me style videos. I love watching them too (not my own though if I’m being honest ha) So here’s a Spring Makeup one, where I am basically applying a face of makeup that I would wear for a Spring day/early evening. Myself and himself were off for some Friday eats this day so I thought it would be a appropriate because I was actually doing my makeup to go somewhere, not just for the sake of filming πŸ™‚

 

This is more of a talk through style video, which I still haven’t completely mastered, words still elude me πŸ™‚ But I thought I would give it a whirl and sure don’t they say practice makes perfect, right?

Irish beauty blogI used a mixture of more affordable and more high end makeup which is a true representation of my normal makeup routine. I like to mix it up πŸ™‚

So the products I used (including skincare) are:

La Roche Posay Serozince- Full review here

Vichy Normaderm Beautifying Anti Blemish Care Moisturiser- Full review here

thisworks Light Time Open Eyes Eye Cream

Essence Prettifying Lip Oil

Maybelline Baby Skin Primer

Image Skincare I Conceal Flawless Foundation

Soap & Glory Archery Brow Pencil

HD Brows Kit

Billion Dollar Brows Brow Gel

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Essence 2 in 1 Shadow & Liner Pencil in 06 She’s Got The Mauve

Lorac Pro Palette

By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Bronze Moon

Rimmel Exaggerate Eyeliner in Rich Brown

YSL Volume Effect Faux Cils Waterproof Mascara- Full review here

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer- Full review here

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer

Mac Full Coverage Foundation (as concealer)

Nars Laguna Bronzer

Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in medium- Full review here

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette (all three πŸ™‚ )

Ben Nye Cameo Powder- Full review here

theBalm MaryLou-Manizer- Full review here

Rimmel Exaggerate in Addiction

L’Oreal Infallible Fixing Mist- Full Review here

So there you have it all the products I used in my Spring Makeup Get Ready With Me. I would love to know what you think and be sure to tell me your favourite types of beauty videos to watch.

Thanks for watching (and reading :))

Gemma

xxx

 

 

Image Ormedic Eye Balancing Lift Gel

I am reviewing Image Skincare’s Ormedic Balancing Eye Life Gel. I love Image Skincare. It is definitely not cheap but they do some lovely products. I love their Iluma range, especially the Intense Brightening Serum.

I have the Balancing Eye Cream a while now and have been using it everyday.

Image say that this is a balancing, hydrating and lifting eye gel with organic ingredients and medical effectiveness. Multi-peptide formula reverses the signs of ageing. This eye gel is marketed towards all skin types. I am turning 30 very soon (the panic is starting to kick in, believe me) and so eye cream has become a staple in my skincare. As I am not a morning person I have been enjoying using Benefit’s Puff Off most mornings which I reviewed here not too long ago. So, I have been using the Eye Lift Gel in the evenings, it is recommended to use for both occasions though.

I love the packaging of this eye gel, the product comes out of a pump, and for me, one pump per eye is enough.

Image Ormedic Eye Lift Gel

Although it is a gel, it has a creamy consistency so does feel hydrating on the skin which some gels don’t always do. I can get dry under my eyes so I am very glad of this. It has a pleasant smell and rubs into the skin really easily, leaving behind pretty much no residue. Some eye creams can leave behind a tacky sensation, which really isn’t very pleasant. The Ormedic Balancing Eye Lift Gel doesn’t though, it sinks in really well. Although I am heading into my 3rd decade on this planet…yuck. I have oily skin, I get spots galore, but wrinkles (so far) have been kind to me. I do notice after using the Balancing Eye Lift Gel that the area around my orbital bone feels soft and nourished.

I can’t really say it reverses the signs of ageing, I don’t think any product really can, but it is a lovely eye cream and is lovely to use for more preventative measures. We can all get behind that mentality πŸ™‚

 

 

xxx

 

 

christmas_hollyImage Logo Chatterbox

I know I know it’s October and we are talking about Christmas yet again, but it’s time to get those thinking caps on!!

I am a huge fan of Image Skincare, and it is such a popular brand now, alot of salons are opting to use it for their treatments. Lets face it though, it is not cheap. So Christmas is the perfect time to splurge on it. Also, the Luxury Gift Collection is giving you money off for buying the products together…score!

If someone you love is a fan of Image Skincare or is just into their skincare in general, the brand have some lovely gift sets for the up and coming season. I was lucky enough to preview them, so thought I would share their loveliness with you πŸ™‚

There are three to choose from that are put together for the specific skin type the person receiving it might have. This takes the guess work out of it which is handy.

Image Christmas

We have the Image Selection, Vita C Celebration and Ageless Illumination to choose from and there is a saving of at least 32euro when you purchase a set!

Whether it is yourself availing of these offers (the money off is pretty impressive so why wouldn’t you) or you are buying for someone else, be sure to have a chat with the professional selling you them to find out the specifics on which set will suit which skin type and person. Image is a clinical skincare company so their products are very powerful and do what they say on the tin. Don’t waste your money on the wrong ones.

You can find a full list of stockists here and the Christmas Collections all come in a lovely cosmetics bag which is big and useful unlike some I have received through the years that you couldn’t even use as a coin purse.

Are you a fan of Image Skincare like me?

Happy October πŸ˜›

 

xxx