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top irish blogThe Clarins Summer Collection for this year has been something I’ve been waiting with baited breath for. That sounds a bit dramatic I know, but there was one product in particular that I struck up a fancy with.

clarins summer collection

The theme is Sun kissed, hot Florida vibes. The packaging is adorned with flamingoes and palm trees to get us into the Summer mood 🙂

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I have a cross section of all the products, except for two.top irish beauty blog

There is a limited edition bronzing version of their SOS Primer.clarins summer collection 2018

There is two shades to help warm up all complexions. They retail for €31.00.

There’s also limited edition shades of their Lip Comfort Oils.  This one is in Blackberry.irish beauty blog

These retail for €21.00.

The 4 Colour All In One Pen is back again! I have a post on the one from last Summer here.top beauty blog ireland

This time around, the packaging much brighter to keep within the Miami vibes, as are the pencils themselves.top beauty blogger irelandclarins ireland

It comes with three eyeliners. A matte black, plum and bright turquoise green. As well as a bright pink lip liner too. I’ve definitely been getting the most use out of the green and pink, they go really well together. The pen retails for €36.00.top beauty blogtop beauty blogger

Next up in the Clarins Summer Collection run through is limited edition emerald green Supra Mascara.top irish beauty bloggerbeauty blog ireland

I have to be honest opening this I was in awe, but trying to utilise it was another kettle of fish. For me personally it doesn’t add much colour to the lashes if any. beauty blogger irelandI’ll keep trying with it though as I know people think highly of the Supra Mascara formula. This retails for €26.00.

The last product is my very favourite from the Clarins Summer Collection.clarins summer 2018

This is the limited edition Blush & Bronze Compact for 2018.irish beauty sitetop irish beauty site

I have to be honest it was the cool flamingo and palm tree motif and packaging that made me lust after this initially. But, it’s actually a really nice natural bronzer to boot.clarins bronzerdublin beauty blog

It has three matte shades within going from a matte bronze to a deeper tone. I tend to just swirl them altogether and apply them to the high points of my face and neck. Clarins say it contains skincare so can help protect the skin from pollutants too. This compact retails for €47.00.

 

All products are available from Clarins stockists now. Any of them tickle your Summer fancy?

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Fenty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch PrimerI have been using the Fenty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer since just after Christmas on and off. It’s definitely been a hot minute. I’ve put off writing about it for ages, just because it took me this long to formulate a logical opinion on it.

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I bought this along with the Bomb Baby Mini Lip And Face Set. I really like the gloss, I can understand the hype. Although I will say loads of brands have jumped on the pretty sparkly non sticky gloss band wagon now. So there’s many a lovely gloss out there to choose from now.Fenty Pro Filt'r Instant Retouch Primer

The Fenty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer is said to be ‘A shine-stopping, pore-diffusing primer that smooths the way for better foundation application and longer wear with an instant retouch effect’. This description is basically what confuses me. Hear me out 🙂

This is obviously a description that would hook me with my skin being on the oiler side and having pores like craters in my t zone. I’ll start with the pros of this primer. The packaging is so lovely and the matte glass bottle feels so fancy in your hands. The pump is really easy to control. It has a really delicate , sweet scent. The formula is really light, blends really nicely and applies nearly like an extra layer of skincare. It dries down and leaves your skin feeling really soft.fenty beauty ireland

Ok, this is where I get confused. For me, it doesn’t really control oil. I generally use it in conjunction with another more hardy primer like Benefit Porefessional. I apply the the Fenty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer all over and the other primer in my t zone where I know it just won’t cut the mustard. Just because I like how it feels and, well I have it and spent a decent amount of money on it. It also doesn’t do anything for my enlarged pores either, so that were Porefessional comes too.

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If they had of marketed this primer towards drier skin types, I could completely concur with the consistency and how it feels. But saying it’s a pore diffusing, shine stopping primer doesn’t really make any sense to me.

Overall, I think it’s nice and it doesn’t put me off the brand at all, this was just a kind of a miss because it doesn’t do what it says on the tin.

The Fenty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer is available from Harvey Nichols in store and online here now.

Have you tried anything from the Fenty range yet? I’d love to know your thoughts.

xxx

 

 

Penneys PS Bronze CollectionI was very lucky enough to attend the launch of the new Penneys PS Bronze Collection. This collection includes a full range of tanning products. It covers prepping the skin, the tanning itself and the removal and application. They’ve literally thought of every product. I just have a few of them here to show you, including a pre tan exfoliator, pre tan primer, mousse, instant tan gel and a tan eraser. Everything is under a fiver!Penneys Tan

The Penneys PS Bronze Collection also comes with a bucket load of new makeup products too.Penneys PS Bronze Collection

You know I am ALL about the makeup, so I am going to give you a good oul look at the products I was lucky enough to take home from the event. The prices range from €1.50 up to €8.00. Penneys Beauty

First up we have the PS Bronze Shimmer Glow Powder Highlight in Golden Sands.

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There is a matte bronzer called Bronze Queen. I have the shade Sunrise.

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We have Instant Radiance Drops in Goddess.

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I have two shades of the Bronze Loose Highlighter Powder.

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Vacation and Island Life.

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I just opened the lighter one so I can keep the darker more bronzed shade to give away to someone more suited to it.

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There is Gloss Metals within the Penneys PS Bronze Range too.top beauty blogger ireland

There’s two here, Malibu and Tahiti.

One of the products I was super excited to see was the Metallic Cream Eyeshadows.

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I bought two of these from the Nudes range and really like them. These are in the shades Heatwave and Bronzed.

This collection comes with what they are calling a Dewy Glow Highlighting Face & Body Butter.

budget makeup
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We have a Contour & Shape Contour Stick. This is the shade, Shape, ironically 🙂

Penneys PS Bronze Collection

The cheapest products I have from the collection are actually two of my most used since I got them. These are the Nourishing Lip Oil Balms.

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affordable makeup

I have two shades, Cannes and Cuba. Cannes is nude, Cuba has a red tint.

There is three palettes in this collection.

penneys eyeshadow palette

First up we have the Vacay Vibes Complete Face Palette.

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It contains a peachy blush, two highlighters, a matte bronzer, four eyeshadows and four matte lipsticks.

The Bronze Me Up Highlight & Contour Face Palette contains a matte cream contour and highlight.

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Matte powder contour and yellow toned highlight. And then two shimmery powder highlighters.

Then finally, probably my favourite thing from the whole collection.

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This is the Shade & Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette. Mine got a little damaged in transit, apologies for the dent 🙂

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It contains 9 eyeshadows. Four shimmers and five mattes and smells like coconut. For €6, I am super impressed with this palette. Out of all the products, this is what I think I personally will get the most use out of.

The Penneys PS Bronze tanning products are in stores now. The makeup starts rolling in from the end of March.

Any of it tickle your fancy?

xxx

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top irish beauty blogMay I start out by saying myself and the Dermalogica brand don’t always get along. When I trained as a beauty therapist many moons ago, I was taught that it was the be all and end all of skincare brands. Then, as a beauty blogger, I’ve been very lucky to test a lot of their products along the way. The products generally just didn’t seem to do much for my skin. I never got break outs or anything like that, but I never really spoke too much about them, because I didn’t have a lot to say. Up until the release of the their new Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balm.

I actually featured the Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balm in my favourites here last month.

Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balmirish beauty blog

I was sent it when it was first released and have used it every night religiously since. It comes in a standard Dermalogica tube and then you get silicone cleansing mitt with it as well. The mitt is supposed to help gently exfoliate. I can’t say it does that. But, it does make application less messy and helps work the balm into the skin.

Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balm

There is already a Pre Cleanse on the market that comes in a pump and has more of a cleanser consistency. This new version is a balm to oil consistency and for me, is a much nicer way to cleanse. It works in the same way though. You apply a small amount to dry skin and massage it in with the mitt. As you work it in it turns into an oil and that’s why a little goes such a long way. You use it as your first cleanse. For me it dissolves waterproof mascara, lipstick the works and you can see it melt them away. It doesn’t irritate my eyes either. Add water to emulsify it further, then rinse it away and use your normal cleanser for your second cleanse. My skin does be squeaky clean, but not tight or overly dry.irish beauty bloggerThink of the same as washing your hair twice (like your hairstylist does). You clean once to get off the heavy grime and oil off, then go in again to make sure everything is gone.beauty blog ireland

I mentioned this in my favourites too, but having a cleanser that goes on dry skin initially, makes me so much more inclined to reach for it over eye makeup remover or micellar water. I sound so lazy I know, but it’s just the initial thoughts of having to go in and rinse your face in the evening seems so daunting. Once you have cleanser on though you have no choice 🙂beauty blogger ireland

According to Dermalogica it is “Powered by Apricot Kernel Oil and a Natural Biolipid Complex”. They say it’s best for dryer skin types with the original version more suited to oilier skin like mine. But I much prefer this version. It’s much easier to control.

Overall, I am a big fan of the Dermalogica Pre Cleanse Balm. Coming in at over 50 quid in most places for 90mls of product is fairly steep, but a little goes a long way with it. You can find it online here if you fancy checking it out.

xxx

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I asked on my Facebook page, would you lovely lot be interested in seeing my Christmas Wishlist for 2017. I toyed with doing gift guides this year. But, I feel a bit weird recommending things that I haven’t tried myself. I’m not really in the position blog wise or financially to get lots of lovely things together myself…maybe one day 🙂

Christmas Gift Ideas 2017

You guys were so supportive of a Christmas Wishlist post. And so was John too may I add. He’s very excited to have a list of all the bits and bobs I would love under the tree. Makes his job a bit easier 🙂 Now, I am not expecting all of these, don’t worry. And also, we’ve decided not to do really big pressies this year either. In an ideal world, I would be getting a Dyson hairdryer, an iPhone X and a new bed, but that’s a big excessive. I would also be totally sticking a Nintendo Switch down on my list too if money was no object.

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Oh and also if I didn’t have carpal tunnel from playing Mario on the DS. No, I am not ashamed of it 🙂 But we’re being somewhat sensible and going for more medium range pressies and some little bits and bobs for each other too this Christmas.

Enough jabbering on. Let’s get on to my actual Christmas Wishlist.

First up would have to be a L’Oréal Steampod.

L'Oréal Steampod

So many of my blogging friends have literally said this has changed their hair lives. I’m still using a first edition GHD which is pretty shameful, I know. This would be a lovely addition to my hair tool collection. This is the 2.0 version. You can find it currently on offer from Look Fantastic here.

The Mac Snowball Mini Lipstick Kit has been something I’ve been eyeing up for ages, but definitely do not need.

irish beauty blogMac Cosmetics Lipstick

It contains 12 mini lipsticks of some of Mac’s best selling shades. I actually couldn’t find it available online anywhere else now except John Lewis here. It’s the cheapest I have seen it in the past though. Only thing is they won’t ship it to Ireland so you would have to use Parcel Motel or Address Pal to ship it to a UK address and then get them to deliver it here. Not the worst though. It’s a very reasonable and effective way to do it.

Another beauty product on my list would be the By Terry Baume De Rose.

ByTerry Baume De RoseByTerry Ireland

I do love a fancy lip balm so I do. It’s a lovely treat. And lip balm is something I use consistently everyday. This one is full of lovely ingredients and has SPF. It can also double up for dry skin or cuticles aswell. You can find By Terry in store from Space NK or online here. They have a Christmas ornament version of it too, which is super cute.

I waffle on about the L’Occitance Almond Shower Oil all the time. (I only hauled some of it here recently).

l'occitance body oil

Well this is the body oil version of it and I really want to try it. I am currently obsessed with body oils at the minute. The colder weather definitely has something to do it it. This 100ml of the oil is actually on special at the minute from Debenhams here. Such a lovely gift to get someone.

The last more beauty related item on my list is something quite practical. An electric toothbrush!

oral b Pro 2 electric toothbrush

I have to be honest, I picked this one from Boots here for a couple of not so logical reasons. It’s currently half price at €45.99. I figured that was a good deal. And it’s an Oral B. They are the only reasons. I’ve tried electrical toothbrushes over the years and they’ve always been crap so I’ve always gone back to manual brushing. But they’ve come a long way since then and they’re meant to clean so much better than just using a standard toothbrush. Ok, I’ll shut up now, I sound like an advert.

I have my sights set on a couple of pairs of shoes this festive season. This first pair are these awesome buckle ankle boots from River Island.

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I’m not usually a fan of faux crocodile skin, but I think it just works for these. I love the buckle detailing and I also love that they have a zip for ease. They’re flat for comfort, but still look super smart. They’re current stock on the website here.

My other shoe want are some Vans Old Skool runners. top irish beauty sitedublin beauty blog

Everyone and their granny has a pair of these at the moment I know. But they’re just so darn cool. I couldn’t find the classic black and white ones in my size online. But, I came across these all black ones here and I actually really dig them! Let me know what you think?

I was never one for particularly nice jewellery. Penneys costume would do me grand. Ever since getting my engagement ring though, I’ve become more interested in investing in some nice pieces. The Missoma website has become a bit of a haunt for me. YouTube definitely makes me do it. I’ve three pieces from Missoma that my eyes are currently on.

The first ones are their Talisman Evil Eye Earrings.

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Super delicate and pretty. They’re on the website here.

Another pair of earrings are haunting my dreams too.

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Again, super small and delicate. I have my ears pierced three times and already have actual diamond studs (how fancy am I?), in the third hole. John got me them last Christmas. So in an ideal earring world these would round out my trio of ear adorments 🙂 They are the Gold Vermeil Tiny Orb Hinged Hoops if you want to check them out here.

My third Missoma love is their Tiny Horn Necklace.irish beauty website

These come in different sizes, I just like the idea of wearing the small one on an everyday basis. It’s from the Lucy Williams collection here.

Another accessory I have my eye on (John actually knows all about this already) is this Casio Rose Gold Watch.

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This has been in my ASOS Wishlist folder for ages. I often add things into it in hopes they go down in price and I can justify buying them. I love the masculine feel of this, but it’s still quite delicate and classic. You can check out more info about it here.

Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf is always part of my fragrance collection. But I thought I would add their newest release BonBon to my Christmas Wishlist for this year.

viktor & Rolf BonBon Parfum

It’s much sweeter and more girlie. I think it would be lovely layered with Flowerbomb as well as worn on it’s own. I’ve  tested it a few times in store now and really like it. It’s currently on sale from Debenhams here.

My very last wishlist item will only mean anything to you if you’re a fan of Gilmore Girls.

my christmas wishlist

I fell in love with this print after seeing it in the background of Karissa Pukas’ videos. She told me she ordered it from Etsy. I found the seller here. Unfortunately the creator is in the States so shipping to Ireland is pretty steep, but I still definitely would. I really really love this.

And….we’re done. If you got to the end of this, well done you! Let me know what’s on your Christmas Wishlist for this Christmas?
Thanks, as always for taking the time to read.
xxx

 

 

 

 

 

October Favourites

A fresh month means a fresh start…..and monthly favourites 🙂 In this post and video we are delving into my October Favourites.

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 🙂

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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 🙂
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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.

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Thank you, as always.
Gemma xxx
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