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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.EX1 Cosmetics First Impressions

However, Boots are now stocking EX1 Cosmetics officially now. I was perusing the makeup aisles in Boots in Liffey Valley. Nestled within the more well known brands, there it was. Small, but mighty 🙂

EX1 Cosmetics First Impressions

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.top beauty blogger ireland

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!

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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.

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EX1 Cosmetics Ireland

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.

xxx

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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It Cosmetics CC CreamOh I jumped on the It Cosmetics bandwagon, I jumped on it hard 🙂 I just couldn’t bloody resist it. Good coverage and really high SPF! So many people had such awesome things to say about it, and the brand is in Arnotts now. It was a no brainer really.

It Cosmetics CC Cream Oil Free Matte

I bided my time a little until the Oil Free Matte version came to our shores. I am generally oily, particularly in my t-zone. The older I get, the more dehydrated some of my skin is getting, but I still get a super oily nose, so I like oil free products.It Cosmetics CC Cream Oil Free Matte

So what is the Oil Free It Cosmetics CC Cream you may ask? Well I’ll let the brand do the specific explaining and then I’ll throw my two cents into the equation:

‘Created to improve the look of skin texture, this complexion-perfecting breakthrough provides long-wear coverage and camouflages skin imperfections including dark spots and discolouration without creasing or cracking. It’s also infused with charcoal, tea tree extract, colloidal clay and Moroccan lava clay—plus, oil-absorbing, minimising technology and an advanced anti-aging serum. You’ll see powerful results instantly and more dramatic results over time. Finally, a full-coverage CC cream that airbrushes the look of your pores while providing natural-looking matte complexion perfection that lasts!’

The other versions of the It Cosmetics CC Cream have broad spectrum SPF 50+. The oil free version is SPF 40+ which is still amazing! I love the packaging. It’s a tube with a pump, so you can squeeze every fairly expensive drop out of it.beauty blogger ireland

It Cosmetics do recommend you apply this with a brush. And that’s what I was doing, like I would with a foundation for the first couple of weeks. I liked it at this point, the coverage and pigment was great and the longevity fairly decent, especially for something that has such high protection. However I did find, it clung to dry patches as it is matte, and it was hard to blend into my giant pores.  I have the shade Fair Light.top irish beauty blog

Then, I brought it on holiday with me, and started wearing it as my SPF. One of the days I was just wanting to slap some on and used my fingers to blend it in. This was a bit of a revelation for me. It blended so much easier into my skin, it was easier to get it into all the nooks and crannies. Which makes complete sense I guess, since it is a CC Cream. It just performs like a really decent foundation.

Here it is in action on my skin in video form:

The coverage and staying power of this stuff is pretty overwhelming considering it’s good for your skin to boot. I need to get a sample of the original formula asap to see how that performs on my skin! I do get a bit of shine on my t-zone after a few hours, but I’ve yet to find anything to combat that. And a bit of blotting makes it disappear. The rest of my skin lasts really well though and I’ve found myself using less powder with this and can even skip setting spray if I fancy. Just be wary it is matte and it can cling to dryness. Once you aware of that, it does exactly what it says on the tin!

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The It Cosmetics CC Cream Oil Free Matte is available now from Arnotts. It will set you back €39.

Have you tried it yet?

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!

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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Yep, we’re over half way through the year, no need to panic, although I am kind of! Another month down means a monthly favourites round up. So here is my July favourites in all of their glory 🙂

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My July favourites for 2018 consist of a good mix of products and rambles, if I do say so myself.

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For some reason, when it comes to these roundups, I always end up talking a lot of beauty nonsense, so I apologise in advance 🙂

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As always I’ll try link everything I talk about so you can have a gander if you so choose. Please do check out the video above or here though. I go into more detail and hopefully explain in not too many rambles why everything individually made it into my July favourites.

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Missoma initial hammered disc and small bobble necklace. It’s free to get them engraved.

My little star huggie earrings are from Betty & Biddy and the second pair is from Ali Express.

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Lancôme Le Vie Le Belle Eclat. I’ve linked the Eau de Parfum, it’s always a much better investment I think. I got sent the Eau de Toilette and it’s still really nice though. As I mention, I am loving layering with other more deeper scents to ‘Summer’ them up a bit 🙂

July Favourites

Super Facialist Rose Hydrate Miracle Makeover Facial Oil is the next product in my July favourites. You can have a closer look at this here.

July Favourites

An oldie, but a rejuvenated goodie is my second last favourite, the Maybelline The Eraser Eye in Ivory. They have released more shades in the range now which is brilliant. It is good to note though the shade Ivory is the lightest. Perfect for my skin, but definitely swatch is you’re lighter than me.

My last fave for July is the Pixi Glow-y Gossamar Duo in Subtle Sunrise. I have not shut up about this, I am so sorry 🙂

And that’s it. Let me know what you’ve been loving. Thanks as always and hope you have an awesome August.

Gemma

xxx

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Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion PrimerI’ve heard and read a lot of mixed reviews about the Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer. I swatched it a while back at an Urban Decay masterclass. And from then, I was super intrigued, so I took the hit and picked it up from Debenhams.

Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer

First up, I really like the packaging of these UD primers (they come in different finishes). I always appreciate a pump when I’m spending a few bob on a product. I like that you can see how much product is in the bottle too. You get 28 mls for on average €29. So you’re getting a ml of product per euro. It contains rosehip and argan oil.Urban Decay Primer

So what does the Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer claim to do? Well pretty much that. They say it blurs pores and fine lines. As well giving a velvet like texture to the skin to help foundation go on smoother. It gives the skin a bit of a pink tint. UD say this helps illuminate the skin. I think if you’re my skin tone or lighter that might be the case. But, if you’re darker, it could give a white cast to the skin, that might not be so flattering.irish beauty blog

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I really like this primer, it works really well for me. I do tend to use it only in my t-zone though. It’s thick in consistency and takes a bit of working in to the skin. I press it into my skin with the tips of my fingers.top irish beauty blogtop irish beauty blogger

The big no no that people say about it is that it balls up as you apply. That definitely can happen with a silicone heavy product like this if you use too much, or use it over a thicker moisturiser. They’re two things I tend to avoid on a daily basis so for the most part it blends out smoothly on my skin. It definitely glides over my enlarged pores and helps fill in my more prominent forehead lines. It gives a smooth base and foundation blends well over top. I find it does help with longevity too. I do always set my makeup with powder as well though.

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It reminds me of a thicker Benefit Porefessional, with a drier finish on the skin. I find that as it is thicker, it goes further than Porefessional.

I can whole heartedly say I am happy enough that I spent the €29 on the Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer. It ticks all the primer boxes for me. My skin likes silicone heavy primers and this is definitely that with a more velvet finish. Have you tried it?

xxx