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I’m always amazed at the difference when I see my before and after makeup shots. It’s not that I hate myself without makeup, I’ve somewhat come to terms with my lot. It will just never not be cool, the things you can achieve with makeup 🙂 I was going out for my brother’s birthday on Saturday. (If you follow me on Instagram, you would have seen). I turned the camera on and created this easy as always, gold smokey eye look.

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I’ll try to list the most important products I used for this. Usually I take a photograph of them all for reference. But I was just kind of in the moment for this, so I didn’t take it too seriously, hope you don’t mind.

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I spent the entirety of the video listening to my time capsule on Spotify. It’s mainly 90’s and 00’s hip hop and R n’ B That’s why there’s music over most of it 🙂 All I knew is, I wanted to create a gold smokey eye with a bit of glitter. I think I achieved that.

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I used all Makeup Geek eyeshadows. They were just what I gravitated towards on the day. Tikki Hut and Gold Digger were the main components and I used the Penney PS Glitter Eyeshadow over top.

Revolution Conceal & Define foundation with Tarte Shape Tape were the more full coverage liquid base of choice.

gold smokey eye makeup tutorial

Blush was theBalm Balm Beach with the Pixi Glow-y Glossamar Duo in Subtle Sunrise. Two of my very faves. Lips are Mac Soar Lip Liner with Syrup lippie over top.

 

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My brows never really go to plan when I film. I think it’s because day to day I stand at the mirror doing my makeup. When I film I sit down 🙂 But sure they were grand, just nothing to write home about.

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And that is pretty much it for my gold smokey eye look and an obnoxious amount of pictures of myself ha. Click the video above or here to see the whole thing in action. And let me know what you think.

Gemma

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I definitely didn’t do any favourites for the month of September. I was too busy sunning myself on holiday and completely forgot. So we’ll scrap that month and just go into October favourites here on Beautynook. Hope you don’t mind 🙂

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My October faves are all beauty related and 100% reflect the changing of the seasons. They are definitely skincare heavy with a touch of hair care and makeup talk thrown in for good measure.

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As always, here on Beautynook, I’ll list all the products and link what I can. Just in case anything takes your fancy and you want to explore it more. I use my favourites to just have a casual chat about what I’ve been enjoying. I don’t go too deep into reviewing. Sure it’s just a bit of fun 🙂

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First up is the Alfaparf Semi Di Lino Diamond Crystalli Liquidi. That I definitely wasn’t able to pronounce in the video. I referred to it as hair oil. It is lovely though.

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I’ve been testing out more than just two products from the Alex Steinherr X Primark range. But these are the two that have been standing out for me and I’ve been using religiously since picking up.

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I have been obsessed with the Ella & Jo 3 in 1 Hyaluronic Skin Mist since getting it too. The ladies behind the brand are going from strength to strength and sure jaysis, aren’t they Irish? 🙂 It’s such a lovely product.

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I picked up the Palmer’s Coconut Body Oil completely on a whim. I wanted something extra hydrating and it was on special. What more can a girl ask for? I’ve been thoroughly enjoying it too.

Lastly, I chat about the JCat Extreme Access Pocket Eyeshadow in Walk Of Stardom. This little €9.95 beauty caught me completely off guard and I totally need the whole collection now.

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And that is it for my October Favourites. You can catch up on all the ramblings over on my Beautynook YouTube channel here. Thanks for clicking.

Gemma

xxx

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The word ‘influencer’, has just become part of our everyday lives now. Wikipedia describe it as: ‘Influencer marketing (also influence marketing), is a form of marketing in which focus is placed on influential people rather than the target market as a whole. It identifies the individuals that have influence over potential customers, and orients marketing activities around these influencers.’

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So in a nutshell, it’s marketing. A form of advertising. It has been coined to describe anyone with an online following, whether it be YouTube, social media, blogging. It all lies under the influencer umbrella. As someone who puts themselves out there somewhat online. (Don’t worry I am very aware of how small of a fish I am before you come at me 🙂 ). I am just not the hugest fan of the word.

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To me, influence can come from anywhere and everywhere. The person in front of you in McDonalds can influence your ordering decision. Your neighbour can influence your hair colour. It’s everywhere. From an online perspective, I prefer the term content creator. Someone who puts thought into creating online content, paid or unpaid, it shouldn’t matter. Once they’re doing a good job, you enjoy it and they do it with integrity.

I think that’s what we’ve lost within this online world. People creating because they enjoy it, not just solely for what they can get out of it. It’s a industry now, a very profitable industry. It a ways for average people to make a lot of money and for celebrities to make even more money. I have no problem with this whatsoever may I add. It was a logical move. It just hurts my heart that the likes of blogging and vlogging, seem to have lost their meaning within it all. Content is just churned out to keep the money rolling in.irish beauty youtuber

Now don’t get me wrong, I know there is still old school bloggers and vloggers out there. Polished and unpolished. I like to think I am one. An unpolished one that is 🙂 I write blogposts, I take my own, not very professional photographs. It’s just me rambling about makeup. Some I buy myself, some I get given for consideration. I try to be diplomatic and honest at all times. Blogging, beauty blogging in particular, became relevant because it was a way to cut through the bullshit advertising that was being shoved down our throats. It was real people giving real opinions on products.

I am all for people getting recognition for creating content. I encourage it. It can be hard work. It can be demanding. If I got a euro every time someone asked me to buy something so I could test it and tell them if it was good. There would be way more euros in my bank account. Readers/followers, can be demanding, can expect a lot for nothing. Of course, I am talking generally here, but people can be arseholes, some don’t even say thank you if you go out of your way to research something and answer questions. irish beauty blog

I think we’ve all lost our way within it all a little. People who create content and then those who choose to consume it. Now I know I’m a 33 year old, small time blogger and an avid content consumer, so I’m not preaching here as such. I can only talk on behalf of myself, here in Ireland. I feel like Ireland is having a hard time coming to terms with this ever growing online industry. What I see here is a lot of negativity (on both sides), anger, jealousy, the list goes on. My two cents? Online media isn’t going anywhere.

We have to learn to embrace it. Consume the parts we enjoy, the people we enjoy. Give kudos to the people doing a damn good job out there! Because there is so many awesome people getting lost within it all. So much content is consumed as a result of hate. People watch certain YouTube videos or scroll Instagram just so they can give out about it. Well, you may be giving out about it but you’re also giving that person reach and a platform. Kind of defeats the purpose, right?

You can only be influenced if you choose to be. I say that knowing my audience overall are adults, that can make up their own minds and make their own decisions.

Like my last rambled post, these are just the thoughts in my head which I’ve spewed out onto this page. Let me know what you think. These topics need to be discussed. We need to find some sort of a happy medium within all this.

Gemma

xxx

 

 

 

 

 

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

As per usual, I just thought of a concept for this video and then when into it and hoped for the best 🙂 This my affordable everyday makeup tutorial. It’s definitely more just me doing my makeup with affordable and easy to get hold of products here in Ireland. I call it a tutorial, just because it’s good for when people are searching for things online. A makeup enthusiast is what I am, not a professional 🙂

affordable everyday makeup tutorial

I kept things really simple for this affordable everyday makeup. The eyeshadow on the lid is the star of the show and then everything else just falls around it.  This pretty much just me wanting to look more awake and alive. How did I do? 🙂

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Some of the products I used I love and have been using for ages. Some are newbies that I am loving. And then there’s a couple I used for the first time. I talk through all of that in the video, so be sure to have a click. As always, I’ll link what I can below.

affordable everyday makeup tutorial

 

Primer: PS Beauty Matte Primer.

Foundation: Revolution Conceal & Define Foundation.

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Brows: Maybelline Brow Precise Micro Brow Pencil in soft brown. Isa Dora Shaping Gel.

Eyes: Zoeva Matte Eyeshadow Fix.  PS Nude Addiction Eyeshaow Palette. Essence Melted Chrome eyeshadow and liquid liner. Catrice Glam & Doll waterproof mascara.

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Powder: Maybelline Master Fix Loose Setting Powder.

Bronzer: PS Bronze Bronze Queen Matte Bronzer.

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Blush: Models Own Sculpt & Glow Contour Palette.

Highlighter: Wet n Wild Megaglo Highlighter in Precious Petal.

Lips: Catrice Lip Foundation Lip Pencil. Note Cosmetics Mattemoist Lipstick over top.

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Then, I finished everything off with the CYO Fixing Spray. I used this because I had it. I can’t really recommend it in all honesty.

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And there we have my affordable everyday makeup look! Let me know what you think. And as always, thanks for clicking 🙂

Gemma

xxx

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Guess what’s back, back again? You got that right, it’s favourites time 🙂 This time we’re delving into my August favourites for 2018. Can you believe we’ve gotten this far? As I’m writing this, the sun is belting in on me, so it’s not time to complain about the weather….yet!

August favourites

My August favourites, are a pretty mixed, but logical bag, I think. I cover everything from body care, skincare, haircare, makeup, with even a hint of fashion.

August Favourites

I ramble a lot as always, so I apologise in advance. But sure if you’ve been around these parts before, you know I don’t really think things out. I just go with the flow and hope for the best. Literally how I live my life everyday 🙂

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I’ll list everything in the order that I talk about them, and link what I can. But please do click on the video.

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Obvs can’t link this t-shirt, but as you can see from my face. I. Am. Obsessed!

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My other fashion fave is my new Nike Air Force 1s bought from the kids department from JD Sports.

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Dove Nourishing Care Shower Oil. It’s still on special in Boots.

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel.

Cien Dry Shampoo is from Aldi.

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My last two August Favourites are makeup related.

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I can’t find a link as of yet for the Essence Prime + Studio Mattifying + Pore Minimizing Primer with black clay. That is definitely a mouthful. This Autumn\Winter Collection was meant to be in store from the end of August though.

My last favourite I have a whole blogpost and video on here. This is just one of the shades that I’ve been particularly gravitating towards from the new theBalm Balk Jour Creamy Lip Stains.

And that is it for my August Favourites! Let me know what you think, and as always thanks for tuning in 🙂

Gemma

xxx

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