moisturiser Archives - Irish Beauty Blog Beautynook

What’s In My New Handbag?

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.

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.

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.

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? 🙂

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 🙂

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.

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 🙂

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

October 19, 2018/by Gem

August Favourites 2018

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!

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.

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 🙂

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

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

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

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

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Gel.

Cien Dry Shampoo is from Aldi.

My last two August Favourites are makeup related.

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

CONTAINS PR SAMPLES*

September 5, 2018/by Gem

Skincare, Youtube Video

Daytime Skincare Routine

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.

For toner I am using the Pixi Rose Tonic.

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.

For moisturiser, I use the Vichy Minéral 89 Serum.

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?

xxx

*PR SAMPLES INCLUDED****

July 1, 2018/1 Comment/by Gem

Skincare

Lush The Man In The Moon Christmas Gift

Don’t be jealous, but last week I popped into Lush in Grafton Street to have a look at some of the new Christmas stock. Yes it’s not even Halloween yet and I’m talking about Christmas. This is the way of the retail world 🙂 I got to hang out, play with some bubbles and even got to make my own Butter Bear! I also very generously got to take home a goodie bag with me. Mine contained the new Lush The Man In The Moon Christmas Tin. Do you want to see what’s inside?

Lush The Man In The Moon comes in a really cool Christmas Tin. When I first saw it I was saying if you wrapped it up and gave it to someone, they would just assume it was a box of Roses or Quality Street. The theme of the tin is very much night time relaxing and helping you to drift off to sleep.

It comes with eight products within. Two bubble bars, one sparkle jar, three bath bombs, a shower gel and a body lotion. You can have a look at it in full on the UK Lush website here.

First up we have the gift’s namesake, the Man In The Moon Bubble Bar.

It’s very sweet and limey, but it has an underlying muskiness too. It will turn your bath green. Neroli and lime are the main components of the scent so that makes sense completely.

The Magic Of Christmas reusable bubble bar in the other bubble maker in the tin. I’ve actually had this before. I got it a couple of Christmases ago in the Lush Wonderland set here.

Cinnamon is definitely the main component for the Magic Of Christmas, which I’m sure isn’t surprising it all. The star is on top of a cinnamon stick 🙂

Almond is another scent front runner here as it contains almond oil. It’s very much Christmas in bath form. I am not usually a cinnamon fan, but I actually really enjoy this. And it looks so pretty too!

There are three Twilight related products within the Lush The Man In The Moon tin. If you like lavender, you will love these.

First up is the Twilight Sparkle Jar.

This is a massage bar, so you use it to moisturise your skin. Your body heat allows it to melt and then you can massage in the product. It contains lavender oil, cocoa butter, tonka and chamomile. It also leaves behind a gold sparkle, so probably not for everyday use. But nice for a special occasion over the festive season. You can press something pointy into the dimples of the crescent to get even more sparkle.

Next is the Twilight Shower Gel. You get a 100 gram bottle.

This again has lavender and tonka within. It also has Ylang Ylang oil.

The last Twilight offering is their well known bath bomb.

This contains all the main ingredients that the shower gel has with added benzoin resinoid. This is an anti inflammatory. This is one of my favourite bath bombs.

Next up we have the Sleepy Body Lotion. You get a mini 50 gram tub of this.

It has all the lovely ingredients of the Twilight shower gel & bubble bar with added oatmeal. It’s made specifically with sleep in mind.

The last two products are bath bombs. We have Shoot For The Stars.

This is honey scented with orange oil, bergamot and coconut cream. It turns your bath blue with golden glitter from the bath melt stars.

Last but not least is the Rocket Science bath bomb.

Mine got a bit of a bashing in transit, but he’s still lovely.

This is a slow fizzer so it’ll give you something to focus on in the bath 🙂 It has bergamot and lemon oil in it and turns your bath blue.

And there we have the Lush The Man In The Moon Christmas Gift Tin. I am a huge fan of Lush, so cannot wait to get stuck in. If I were more fancy, I would have shown you them all in action, but I didn’t want to waste anything 🙂 I’ve linked all of the goodies individually so you can see what they are priced at alone. What’s your favourite Lush product?

xxx

**********PR SAMPLE************

October 23, 2017/by Gem

Skincare, Youtube Video

Elf Magnetic Mask & Night Time Routine

The Elf Magnetic Mask is one of the coolest products I have ever tried. Does it work? I’m not sure yet I’ve only used it twice so far. I couldn’t resist putting in a video though to show you how you use it.

This concept of the Elf Magnetic Mask isn’t new to the market necessarily. There has been a few out before it. But, this is hands down the most affordable one at the moment. Unfortunately it hasn’t made it to our shores yet.

I was lucky enough to get one as a press sample. It is on their website here though and they do international shipping, if you fancy taking the plunge. For some reason the euro price is much more expensive. Hopefully if it does come over here, it won’t be as bad.

I can say my skin felt really nice both times I’ve used it. And I do feel like it drew some clogged pores to the surface. I definitely had a bit of a breakout after the first time. But in a good way, if that makes sense? 🙂

So in the video I give you a demo of the Elf Magnetic Mask. It’s so much fun to use. You apply the mask and then use the magnetized applicator to literally pull it off your skin. Sounds scary, but you can hardly feel it. There’s iron in it so that’s what makes it magnetic.

I’ve never been happier using a face mask…look at me like!

Within the video, I also gave a quick rundown on what I’ve been using to cleanse and then my bedtime moisturising concoction too.

I used:

Bioderma to take my eye makeup off. It’s in a limited edition pump bottle. If you can get your hands on it. Do! It’s on the Cloud10Beauty website here.
Nia Cleansing Balm. It’s on their website here.
Clarins Double Serum. (Review here).
Clarins Total V Contouring Serum.
Neostrata Bionic Eye Cream Plus. I found it on the Meaghers Pharmacy website here.
The Ordinary Retinoid 2%. More info on this here.
Botanics Facial Oil. It’s on the Boots website here.
Catrice Volumizing Lip Balm.

This is my current night time routine although I do alternate serums and I don’t always use an oil. I have oily skin, so it really just depends on whether I feel I need it or not.

As always you can click on the video above to watch the magic happen or you can go directly to my YouTube channel here. 🙂

Let me know what you think.

Gemma

xxx ********CONTAINS PR SAMPLES***********

September 22, 2017/by Gem

Monthly Favourites, Youtube Video

March Favourites 2017

‘Guess who’s back, back again?’ Well you know from the title really. It’s favourites time. Yay! It’s time for me to round up my March Favourites and give you an insight into why they have been floating my boat for the last few weeks.

Be honest with me, do you actually like monthly favourite posts? I, myself love reading what people have been loving. I would like to think we use and love the products for more than just the month in question. It’s really weird that you definitely gravitate towards different things though for spurts of time. Especially months that we are transitioning into different seasons, so you tend use different products.

My March favourites consist of as always mostly beauty (I am a beauty blogger first and foremost of course :))

Obviously I go into more details in the video above, so you can just click on it or go directly to my YouTube channel here.

I filmed this after a few funny days personally. It was also a few funny days in ‘blogging world’ too. So I ramble a bit and am a bit scatterbrained, I hope you don’t mind 🙂

The products I mention are:

Rayban Clubmasters. John bought me these a few years ago now from Asos here. I always buy from Asos in pounds, it tends to work out cheaper.
Jo Malone Basil & Neroli Cologne. I have a full review on this here.
& Other Stories Fleur De Mimosa Body Lotion. I got it in store here in Dublin but they sell online here too.
Vita Liberata Body Blur. Beauty Bay seems to have this for the cheapest I can find online here.
H&M Colour Essence Pencil in Raw Umber. They are on the H&M website here. I got mine in store.
Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Cream Eyeshadows. I have a full review of the two I own here.
Mac All That Glitters single eyeshadow. I got this from Brown Thomas in store. You can buy online here.

And that’s it for my March Favourites.

As always thanks for clicking, I really appreciate it 🙂

xxx

April 10, 2017/2 Comments/by Gem

Posts

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.

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

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!

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

Gemma

xxx

********CONTAINS PR SAMPLES*********

For toner I am using the Pixi Rose Tonic.

Eye cream is the Exuviance Age Reverse Eye Contour.

And there you have my current daytime skincare routine. Have you tried any of the products?

xxx

*********PR SAMPLES INCLUDED************

It comes with eight products within. Two bubble bars, one sparkle jar, three bath bombs, a shower gel and a body lotion. You can have a look at it in full on the UK Lush website here.

There are three Twilight related products within the Lush The Man In The Moon tin. If you like lavender, you will love these.

The Elf Magnetic Mask is one of the coolest products I have ever tried. Does it work? I’m not sure yet I’ve only used it twice so far. I couldn’t resist putting in a video though to show you how you use it.

So in the video I give you a demo of the Elf Magnetic Mask. It’s so much fun to use. You apply the mask and then use the magnetized applicator to literally pull it off your skin. Sounds scary, but you can hardly feel it. There’s iron in it so that’s what makes it magnetic.

‘Guess who’s back, back again?’ Well you know from the title really. It’s favourites time. Yay! It’s time for me to round up my March Favourites and give you an insight into why they have been floating my boat for the last few weeks.

CONTAINS PR SAMPLES*

*PR SAMPLES INCLUDED****