I am no stranger to the EX1 Cosmetics brand online. I’ve seen it mentioned so much over the past few years. It’s been available for us to buy here in Ireland the last while, but only online, so I never pulled the trigger.
They only seem to have four products for us to choose from here. I think they only have five products to choose from in total though, so we’re not missing out too much. They have a compact powder as well, but that wasn’t on the stand in Boots.
I was ridiculously eager to try the products I got, people have such high praise for the brand. Prices range from around €13-€17, so it’s definitely a brand that’s more on the affordable side. I know a lot of makeup artists love the foundation, so that makes it even more endearing. I filmed this video the day after I picked the products up, just because I couldn’t wait. This is not a review, it’s a first impressions video, just showing you how the three products apply and chatting about if I like them first time around. This is my skin before application, plus a ridiculous screenshot because it made me laugh ha!
Then this is my skin after applying all three of the EX1 Cosmetics base products. I used the lightest shade 1.0 in all the products. The shade range doesn’t seem to be brilliant.
They definitely evened everything out and made a blank canvas for me to apply over. Of course I go into more details in the video, but first impressions of all three products are good. I’ll give a more in depth insight once I try them more. Be sure to follow me on Instagram to keep up to date.
I love skincare, but I’m always a bit hesitant to talk about it too in depth. Just because I think it’s such a personal, specific thing. I do review products, but generally it’s because I really really love them or I really really hate them 🙂 I’m definitely no expert either, so that comes into play too. But, I figured I would just go through another updated daytime skincare routine. It’s less committal and just shows you what I am using right now and why.
My daytime skincare routine is quite basic. I like to keep it pretty simple. I have oily skin overall, but the older I get the more dehydration I get too. The two ailments are conflicting completely, luckily nowadays there’s products out there that will help with both skin concerns at the same time.
I am obviously chatting about what I use and why I use it in video form. You can watch above or click here to go directly to my YouTube channel here.
Blogging and having to research products and of course being sent product to trial has for sure helped me on my skincare journey. I have to learn what works for me and why so I can talk about and hopefully point readers in the right skincare direction. What I am using right now is my summer daytime skincare routine, things would vary a bit in the colder weather.
It’s gentle, minimises redness and also helps balance the skin’s PH balance.
Eye cream is the Exuviance Age Reverse Eye Contour.
This is a brand I wouldn’t have gotten to try if I didn’t blog, but I really enjoy this eye cream. Exuviance is created by the people at Neostrata. They say it reduces puffiness and smoothes wrinkles. I like it because it’s a thin formula that absorbs quickly, but still leaves my under eyes hydrated and smooth. A lot of eye creams can be too rich for me, this one does the job perfectly.
It’s created with mineral water and hyaluronic acid. A lot of people would use just as a serum as it’s more a gel formula. For me it works brilliantly as a daytime moisturiser. It plumps my skin and skins in really quickly without leaving a residue that might interfere with makeup application.
As it is Summer, I am using a hefty SPF. This one is new to me, but it’s literally been love at first application. This is the Eucerin SPF 50+ Oil Control. Yep oil control.
This is the first Summer I think that I’ve been confident enough to use a stand alone SPF on my face. Usually the formula is oily and would have me a shiny mess within the hour. Not this though, and it actually feels really nice going on too. I apply this in the morning and then I’ll use a spray something like the Ambre Solaire Sensitive Mist over my makeup if I’m outdoors throughout the day.
Last but not least I always apply a lip balm before I do my makeup. What one it is does vary, but as the weather is so darn nice I’m using one with a high SPF at the minute. I am really liking the Shiseido UV Lip Color Splash with SPF 30.
The tinted ones are nice too, but I use the clear one on most days. It’s not sticky and lip colour applies nicely over top of it.
And there you have my current daytime skincare routine. Have you tried any of the products?
A fresh month means a fresh start…..and monthly favourites 🙂 In this post and video we are delving into my October Favourites.
October Favourites for this year consist of all beauty products with one fashion fave! It’s been a bit of a pain in the arse of a month, I won’t lie. So I am very happy to see the end of it. Also, Halloween isn’t my favourite time of the year. Banger scare the bejesus outta me. I spent Halloween night cleaning up dog pee. Poor Rosie doesn’t like them either. I’m sure she is happy to see November come too 🙂
As always I’ll list all the products I mention and link what I can.
Missguided Babe Powder EDP. I found is cheapest from Cara Pharmacy here.
The perfume I am comparing it too is the Dior Poison Elixir. This is a really old perfume, actually I didn’t realise how old it it! I don’t actually use this bottle, I just kept it cos’ it’s fancy 🙂 I can’t seem to find it for sale online anymore. Brown Thomas have an eau de toilette version here.
I speak about the L’Occitane Shower Oil next. I have this link in my haul video here.
Barry M Liquid Chrome Highlighter Drops. I did a whole blogpost with swatches on these here.
Elf Mineral Primer. You can get your hands on this in Penneys. It seems to be the cheapest online in the EU from Superdrug here.
The Too Faced Hangover 3 in 1 Replenishing Primer And Setting Spray. Yes that is a mouthful 🙂 You can buy it from the Debenhams website here.
And then my last October favourite for this year is some very loud ankle boots from Penneys. I make no apologies, I love them 🙂
And there you have all my October favourites in a nutshell. Be sure to let me know what has been floating your boat. It definitely doesn’t have to be beauty or fashion related, I dabble in other subjects too. Be sure to click on the video above to hear me to more about everything. Or go directly to my YouTube channel here.
I wanted to create a simple Summer makeup look and I made it a bit more interesting and used all affordable makeup products!
This is about as fresh and simple summer makeup like my oilier and dare I say more mature skin will get 😛 Obviously, there is the bb cream and lip balm option too. This is more the ‘put together’ simple makeup look. After I filmed this I went out and had some dinner and felt very much put together.
On a side note, how much difference does filling in my brows make??
I managed to nab a Becca Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette. Phew, that’s a mouthful, right? 🙂
I went in to Space NK Grafton Street just to have a look and ask about them as they had had a shipment the week before. Low and behold the lovely ladies told me they were getting another shipment in the next day and I could put my name down if I was certain I could be in to collect in that very day. And so, I did just that 🙂
Completely spur of the moment really, the Becca Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette became mine.
If you don’t know already, Jaclyn Hill is a very successful American beauty You-tuber. She had previously collaborated with Becca Cosmetics and that was when Champagne Pop was born. (I have a full review of it here). The collection has now grown and includes: Champagne Splits which are a blush and highlighter combo. Liquid and cream Champagne Pop shimmering skin perfectors. There was also an eye-shadow palette that Becca controversially had to take off of the market because of quality issues and of course finally what I am showing you now, the Becca Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette.
I really love the gold and white packaging of the palette. It is smooth to the touch, is a little weighty so feels nice in your hands and contains a large mirror in the lid, which is always appreciated.
It contains 5 powders in total. 3 blushes and 2 shimmering skin perfectors i.e highlighters.
We have Rosè Spritz which is deemed a luminous blush.
Amaretto – A mineral blush.
Pamplemousse – This is also a mineral blush.
Then we have the highlighter that started it all Champagne Pop.
And then finally, Prosecco Pop.
Here are all the powders swatched together just so you can get a sense of the colour differences and finishes.
With the flash on
Without the flash on
All of the powders are as you would expect from Becca super soft and pigmented. They swatched really nicely onto the skin. The blushes are a good mix of colours and finishes. I use Champagne Pop alot already even though I think it might be a little too deep for my skin tone, I don’t care, I love it 🙂 I am foreseeing I might have the same problem with Prosecco Pop, it is very golden. But, it’s very pretty so I’ll make it work 🙂 I think it will make for a lovely eye shadow too.
The Becca Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette retails in Ireland for €54 from Space NK if you can get your hands on it. They do have it on the UK website here though if you want to get it shipped and it costs £48.
https://i2.wp.com/beautynook.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Becca-Jaclyn-Hill-Champagne-Collection-Face-Palette_3544.jpg?fit=1600%2C1067&ssl=110671600Gemhttps://beautynook.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Logo.pngGem2016-08-10 14:59:462016-08-10 14:59:46Becca Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette
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 🙂
I really like the new packaging. It has a brushed clear plastic casing and then you twist the top to reveal the pump.
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!
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.
This was a press sample though so I wasn’t colour matched for it.
Although the consistency is on the thicker side, it does blend really well too so I can kind of get away with it. 🙂 So here it is in action on my mug.
My skin with no product applied
I applied the foundation with a dense brush and made sure to take it down my neck
I buffed it in really well
Straight after application
About ten minutes after application
The 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 🙂
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.
https://i1.wp.com/beautynook.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/IMG_2261.jpg?fit=1600%2C1067&ssl=110671600Gemhttps://beautynook.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Logo.pngGem2016-06-03 13:27:162016-06-03 13:27:16Image I Conceal Flawless Foundation
