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This is my honest everyday Summer Makeup look! I tried to keep it as real as possible and just edited out my ‘ums’ and any long winded techniques. My brows take forever 🙂

everyday summer makeup lookeveryday summer makeup look

It’s nothing fancy or ground breaking, but this is generally what I do on a daily basis if I’m wearing makeup. The eye look might change a bit if I’m feeling fancier or lazier. The lip colour might change if I’m feeling a bold or bright lip, but the base tends to not really. I’ve found what works for my skin in the heat, so I don’t want to jinx it too much if I’m going out and about. If I know I’m staying close to home, then I can experiment and trial new products 🙂

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It all depends on what you feel most comfortable with. For me, brows and a bit of eyeshadow definition is a must. Eyeliner is not necessary so it’s not something I do day to day. Once I have a wash of colour on my lids I am happy enough. The main components of my everyday Summer makeup look, I’ve spoken about a lot before. I think this is an important aspect of this video though. You know I like these products and above all, you know I trust them.irish beauty blogger

I won’t get into everything, but some of the main products I used are in my June Favourites here. I have a review the Urban Decay Primer here, and of both the foundations I used here and here. Mac Springsheen blush has been a favourite for literally years and the highlighter from Pixi is a new, but very loved favourite.top irish beauty blog

And that is my ‘errand running’ everyday Summer makeup. If you watched the video, you’ll get the joke 🙂

Thanks for tuning it. Tell me, what are some of your Summer makeup essentials?

xxx

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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.irish beauty blog

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.Daytime Skincare Routine

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.

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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.top irish beauty blogger

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.beauty blog ireland

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.beauty blogger ireland

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

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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

 

I thought I would chance doing a review in video form. I don’t do these very often just because I am more comfortable writing my thoughts than saying them out loud a lot of the time. It’s hard sometimes to show the coverage and finish of product in pictures though. So, here are my musings on the Kat Von D Lock It Foundation in all of their rambling glory 🙂

kat Von D Lock It Foundation

I’ve already done a post on the Lock It concealer here if you’re interested in my thoughts on that too.

Kat Von D Lock It Foundation

I bought the concealer and brightening powder (and the Shade & Light Palette), when the counter first opened here in Dublin. I was lucky enough to meet up with the PR here a while back and they kindly sent me home with the Kat Von D Lock It foundation. They colour matched me to the shade 46 Cool. I wanted a cooler tone to counteract the redness in my skin. The shades come in warm and neutral tones too.

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As I say in the video, this foundation does oxidise and darken a little. I probably could have done with a shade lighter. However coming into the warmer months, I should just get away with it.

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Overall, I am a big fan of this foundation, if you are looking for full coverage with a demi matte finish on the skin. I think the longevity is really good too without it being too drying either. Click on the video above or here to see it in action properly.

You can buy the Kat Von D Lock It Foundation in store from bigger Debenhams stores or online here. Have you tried it yet? Or any of the other Kat Von D products on offer here? I need to get my hands on some of the new brow products pronto 🙂

xxx

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This was very much an off the cuff makeup video. I had just come back from a PR event with Primark/Penneys which was soooooo nice but ended up being way longer than I thought. I had decided before I went I was going to go to  Alltech with John that evening too, which is a food and drink fair. It’s on every year here in Dublin in the Convention Centre. And if you know John you know how obsessed he is with craft beer. It was literally like Christmas Day for him, so no way was he letting me make him late 🙂

day time to night time makeup tutorial

I had to high tail it home. Luckily Penneys very kindly fed me, so I just had to ‘zhush’ myself up. I say that a lot in this video ha!

I have oily skin, which I’m sure you know if you’ve been around these parts before. So my skin looked a bit like this when I sat down to sort my face out.

 

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I had this makeup on for about five hours, it had definitely started to deteriorate. I didn’t have time to re-do my makeup completely, so this was the easiest option. Just go over what I already had on. I do this quite a lot and it seems to work quite well for me. I thought I would turn the camera on last minute and show you how I do it.

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The products I used aren’t really the main focus in this video, although I do talk you through some of them. The Pixi Cosmetics Mixed Metals Palette is a real winner for me at the moment. As is the I Heart Makeup Blush in Peachy Pink Kiss.

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I did edit out my ’ems and cut down some of the processes, but for the most part the video is pretty accurate time wise. All in all, it took me about 20 minutes, hair zhushing and top changing included 🙂

Let me know what you think and if you like these types of more real life scenario videos. Thank you as always for clicking.

Gemma

xxx

Rimmel Lasting Finish Breathable FoundationOne of my favourite, more affordable foundations for a long time, before I believe it was discontinued. (Damn them!), was the Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude. It was the one with the white top not the red one. I liked it the best because it wasn’t as thick, but it still gave decent coverage and lasted well on my oily skin. Their newest member of the range is the Rimmel Lasting Finish Breathable Foundation.

Rimmel Lasting Finish Breathable Foundation

First up, I got this pretty early on, I hadn’t seen much media hype about it. It took me a long time to figure out how to open the bottle. Yes, it took me longer than necessary to realise you have to twist the cap, not pull it. It has a doe foot applicator, not a pump like it’s predecessors. Not my favourite choice of application, but each to their own. You can dispense it onto your hand or a palette and use it that way if you prefer.

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According to Rimmel, the Rimmel Lasting Finish Breathable Foundation: ‘Perfects your skin with light to medium buildable coverage. It is enriched with breathable skin technology and moisturises for up to 25h. Up to SPF 20.’

Rimmel Foundation
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If you’re familiar with Rimmel foundations, you will be familiar with the scent. The flowery aroma is something to be weary of, it can be quite overwhelming at first, although it does die down as the product settles.

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For me, this foundation definitely has a light but buildable coverage. It dries down more matte in finish than I expected it to. I’ve read other reviews and they said it gave a satin finish on their skin. Obviously all of this beauty talk is subjective. On me, it definitely has more of a semi-matte finish. I have the shade 101 Classic Ivory which matches my skin tone pretty well. It’s a little more warmer than my bare skin. I prefer this, as it makes me look less pink 🙂

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It covers redness and slight imperfections, not so great with deep pores or wrinkles. The wear time on me is pretty good, although if you have more dry skin it’ll be even better. Overall, I rate is as a grand foundation. I don’t really get the breathable aspect of it though? It’s not super heavy on the skin, but you definitely know it’s there. Also, if you have a drier skin type, and are looking for a more radiant finish, this definitely won’t work either. I’ll for sure get wear out of it as a day time foundation. But, I’m not head over heels in love with it.

You can find the Rimmel Lasting Finish Breathable Foundation available in store from Boots and online here now. And I found it for the cheapest price online from a reputable retailer from Feel Unique here.

Have you tried it?
xxx