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Pixi Glow TonicAs you can see from the amount left in the bottle I have been using the Pixi Glow Tonic for a long time now. It has reached cult status and I can understand why.

Glow Tonic is an exfoliating toner. So as well as toning your skin and prepping it for moisturiser, it will gently remove dead skin cells, which in turn will help keep your skin smoother. It contains ingredients like Witch Hazel and glycolic acid (5%) to help with exfoliating along with aloe vera to help sooth the skin so it’s not too harsh. Just be sure to use SPF if you use the Glow Tonic in your morning routine as glycolic can sensitise your skin to sunlight, we should be wearing it anyway 🙂

You use Glow Tonic as you would any other toner. Wet a cotton pad with it and apply to your skin. I use it down my neck and on my chest too. You can use it both day and night after cleansing whatever you choose or whatever works best for your skin.

I feel like the Pixi Glow Tonic does pretty much what it says it does for me. It helps keep any dry patches at bay, it helps keep my pores as clear as they can be rather than me using harsh scrubs or exfoliants in my cleansing routine. My skin doesn’t feel tight after using it, it does feel softer though.

Since picking up the La Roche Posay Serozinc, which I reviewed here I love using both this and the Pixi Glow Tonic together.

Serozinc Pixi Glow Tonic

I feel the Pixi Glow Tonic clears my skin of any impurities or as many as it can do and then the Serozinc keeps them at bay and helps keep the oil away for longer. Neither contain alcohol which is good in my book.

Overall, I really love this Pixi Glow Tonic. I was never really a toner user before, I would try one for a bit and then just get bored or found it wasn’t enhancing my skincare in any way. As someone with oily skin I find the Pixi Glow Tonic fits perfectly into my skincare routine and it actually helping rather than just being a step I am being told to do. Its targeted towards all skin types though. It has a strong scent so be wary of that if you have a sensitive nose.

I get my Pixi Glow Tonic from Mise Beauty They are based in Dundalk which is a bit of a trek for me from Dublin, but it’s instant gratification and they sell so many other cool products too, it’s always worth it 🙂

xxx

 

Kevyn Aucoin

I have spoken before in passing about my beloved Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium, but I really think it deserves it own blog post!

I have not been blessed with anything angular on my face (or anywhere for that matter). I know contouring is not a necessity in everyday life, it is a complete choice, and for me it’s a choice I make everyday. I have tried many different products for the “chiselling” process and to date the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder has been the best one I have personally used. Now, I will say I only use this in the cheek bone department, I tend to use bronzer around the perimeter of my face, this is just what I feel comfortable doing. If I am dolling up for a night out, then I may put some under the double chin region to help it look less…well double chin like but that would only be if I’m really packing on the face!

The Sculpting Powder really is a luxury item, this set me back just under 42.00 euro from Mise Beauty, madness I know as it’s nearly the size of an eyeshadow, 3.10grams to be exact.

Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder

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However, I have had this for maybe 6 months, have used it everyday and there is just barely a dint in it.

This powder, unlike alot of bronzers on the market has no red tones to it at all, it has a grey undertone. This makes it perfect for contouring, particularly I think for pale gals like myself. The purpose of contouring is to create a shadow like appearance wherever you add it to the face tricking the eye and making your features appear slimmer or more angular, as highlighting is used to enhance features you want to draw more attention too.

This little box is magic, it contains the softest and most pigmented powder ever, you need such a light hand with it. It blends so beautifully and can be built upon depending on how much cheek bone you are going for 🙂

Kevyn Aucoin Scultpting Powder Swatch

I tend to use a a dense small brush with it. It is not for warming up the face, use your bronzer for that. I have been enjoying using the Nima Brush called “Blaithin” from their Artistic Collection to apply it of late, as it is tapered at the end, dense but still soft enough to blend the product in. And less face it, it’s pretty too 🙂

I do the well known “fishy face” in the mirror to myself and that shows me where my “cheekbones” are, then I add a little of the product directly under the bone concentrating most of at my ear and bringing the brush out, not too far though, I stop just around where my nostril is. Then I blend, the cardinal rule of makeup. The Sculpting Powder doesn’t disappear from blending it just gets more faint and natural looking. Add as much as you want, I usually just add a little for day to day.

Gem Chatterbox Contouring

Gem Contouring

 

And I can safely say that it lasts the whole day, it’s not something I would every bring with me in my handbag unless I was going to redo my whole makeup.

Before Contouring

Before Contouring

After Light Contouring

After Light Contouring

It’s an investment I know, but I think after buying it and using it for a long time, it was worth it.

What do use for contouring, be sure to let me know, there could be lots of hidden gems out there 🙂

Thanks,

Gemma

xxx

 

 

 

This week I went on a little mid week break to Belfast.I really enjoyed getting away from it all for a minute, and it was long overdue. Of course shopping ensued.

I thought I haul some of the bits and pieces I bought before the trip and during to get your shopping juices flowing for the weekend. Also, don’t know about you but I am a nosey sod and love looking in other people’s shopping baskets 🙂

I bought a couple of bits in the Boohoo  sale before I left.

Boohoo shoes

Coral and black heel

These coral and black beauties were only 12 Euro in the sale! Couldn’t resist, these will come in so handy with jeans and dresses alike.

Rose gold heels

Boohoo metallic heels

These heels were again 12 Euro in the sale. Little bit more “out there” than the black and coral ones I know, but I fell in love with the copper metallic colour of them. I think these will be great for Autumn.

Bohoo multicolour earrings

I got a cute pair of earrings from Boohoo as well. They are multi coloured and sparkley…what more can I say 😛

Bohoo braceletes

And lastly I got some gold little bracelets. I love to layer bracelets so I will add these to some others I have lying around to give a plain outfit a bit of interest.

I also bought something from Dunnes Stores online before I left and picked them up from the store the day before we left.

Dunnes Stores Studded Court Heel

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These Valentino rip offs are so pretty I promise you. They are 40 Euro which is a bit steep for Dunnes I know, but in the flesh these are well made. Get them quick before they’re all gone!

En route to Belfast, we made a pitstop to Dundalk, so I could go to Mise Beauty I’ve bought from them online in the past but have never saw the shop in the flesh as I live in Dublin, so to go there was a real treat. I picked up a couple of bits and pieces but will definitely be going back in the future.

Pixi Glow TonicI had to pick up the Pixi Glow Tonic . I’ve heard so many things about this in the blogosphere so “needed” to see what all the fuss was about. This is an exfoliating cleanser with glycolic acid, Aloe Vera and Ginseng in it to remove dead skin cells, soothe and nourish the skin. Can’t argue with that!

zpalette

I grabbed some Zpalettes while I was there. I love nothing more than depotting my shadows and blushes into these beauties. I’ve also  made some cheeky purchases from Makeupgeek that will need new homes, so these will come in very handy. You do not come across Zpalettes very often on shop shelves in Ireland so I admit I was very excited seeing this being stocked in Mise Beauty.

Sleek Matte Me

Sleek Party Pink

My last buy from the makeup lovers dream Mise Beauty was a Sleek Matte Lip Cream in “Party Pink”. I love these lip creams. They are matte but not too drying on the lips and last all day. This colour is a gorge red, coraly shade. I think I will get alot of use out of this in the coming Autumnal months.

I reckon I was quite reserved in Mise considering the brands they have an offer there, don’t you? 🙂

I bought a couple of bits while roaming around Belfast’s city centre. I first hit Spacenk I couldn’t resist having a look.

Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadow

I got one of the Nars Dual Intensity Eyeshadows. These are exclusive to Spacenk and are stupid money I must admit (21 pound!!!) These shadows are designed specifically to use wet and dry. I picked up the shade “Phoebe” which is a beautiful metallic purple colour.

Nars

Nars Phoebe

 

Nars Phoebe Swatched Dry

Nars Phoebe Swatched Dry

Nars Phoebe Swatched Wet

Nars Phoebe Swatched Wet

Lastly I have a couple of random buys.

Herbel Essence Dry Shampoo

I needed some dry shampoo whilst there so picked up this one that I hadn’t seen before. This is Herbal Essences offering to the dry shampoo world. It smells exactly like old school Herbal Essence which I love! And after using it a couple of times I can say it’s not bad at its job at all. The smell does it for me though I’d buy it again for that alone 🙂

Rimmel Lip Balm

I got one of Rimmel’s version of the Maybelline Baby  Lips. I actually really like this and it was cheaper than the Baby Lips. Maybelline is stupidly overpriced in Europe compared to the States. This one gives you a lovely purple tinge to your lips while hydrating them. This will be kept in the handbag forever more.

Finally, is something that is maybe a late 20’s crisis purchase.

Snap back

I bought a snap back! I have visions of being really cool and trendy and wearing this backwards and I want to so much. I am digging the 90’s revival….let’s just see if I have the bottle 🙂

I am back in Dublin now and have to go back to work on Monday and am sooooo not looking forward to it 🙁 Belfast is a lovely town steeped in culture, we had a lovely time there.

Hope you enjoyed my random purchases, if you like looking in my shopping bags be sure to let me know and I can do more of this.

Thanks,

Gemma

xxx