radiance Archives - Irish Beauty Blog Beautynook

Budget Contour Palettes

I am on a bit of a budget roll at the minute, I don’t know what has gotten into me…maybe the post Christmas poorness 🙂 This post is going to be about budget contour palettes, that I have and use in my makeup collection. Contouring has come such a long way in the makeup world, it used to be a drag industry secret and now most of us do some form of it on a daily basis. I know it’s not for everyone, but personally I love a bit of chiselling, anything to make my chubby chops look more defined 🙂

I chose 3 contour palettes to showcase in this post:

First up is the newest of the bunch, the Catrice Prime And Fine Professional Contouring palette.

This comes in different shades which is very handy, I have the colour 010 Ashy Radiance.

Ashy is the important word here, especially for paler skin. A powder with a grey undertone, creates more of a shadow so in theory looks more natural. I really like this palette. The highlighter is more on the subtle side, so good if you just want to add a hint of a glow to the cheekbones. The contour side is soft, pigmented and blends well in the skin.

This will set you back €4.50.

Next up is the Seventeen Define & Conquer Contour Kit

This is a little different as both of the shades in this contour palette are matte.

I like this take on it because the ‘highlight’ shade can double up as a setting powder for lighter skinned gals and then works as a subtle more brightening shade maybe under the eyes for darker skinned lovelies.

The contour shade is a little more on the warm side, so this would double up as an all over matte bronzer shade as well as getting away with being a contouring colour.

You can buy the Seventeen Define & Conquer palette in Boots and it costs €8.49, but they are always on special.

My last choice I think is my favourite and is the most pocket friendly of them all. The W7 Hollywood Bronze & Glow.

It bares a bit of a resemblance to a much more expensive contour palette, right? 🙂

This little duo resides in my handbag and it gets so much use. The contour shade does have a sheen and a warm undertone to it, but it’s soft and blends out really well on the skin so you can still get away with it for contouring. I adore the highlight shade. It’s a really pretty golden shimmer, not at all bitty or glittery. I use it on my cheekbones, on my lids even and it’s a lovely inner corner highlight too.

And the best part? It’s €3.75. Cara Pharmacy sell them online here

Three contour palettes for three decent prices. What do you think? Are you a contouring queen or not really into it? I’d love to know your thoughts.

xxx

February 19, 2016/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Makeup

H&M Makeup Haul Part 2

This is round two of my H&M Makeup Haul. The is the face products round 🙂 If you want to see the eye products I picked up, just click on the link here and you can see them up close and swatched. Again, I’ll link the UK H&M website here for all price listings as I bought these in Norway and was probably ripped off 🙂 Everything is pretty reasonable price wise .

First up in my H&M makeup haul part two is the Cover-Up Concealer.

Now, I wanted this in Ivory, but I couldn’t find one on the stand to save my life, so I got Vanilla, that’s a tad dark for my skin, but sure I’ll make it work. This would be an all over skin concealer, however I think I will chance it as an under eye one and see how it works.

It has a thin consistency and seems to blend really well into the skin. On first swatch it hasn’t a huge amount of coverage, but it definitely seems like it could be build-able.

I just blended it really softly here

Next up is their Immaculate Compact Foundation.

I chose this over one of their setting powders because I tend to like a bit of coverage with my face powders.

This is in the shade Ivory and I adore the packaging.

It comes with a mirror, the powder and than a sponge underneath.

The powder is really finely milled. There is a bit of a weird scent to it but nothing to crazy. After swatching it, the shade Ivory which I believe is the lightest shade they do may be slightly to dark for my natural (MacNC20) skin tone.

This is a bit annoying considering there are paler people than me out there.

I also got their Solar Flair Bronzing Powder. I had actually seen Lily Pebbles talk fondly of this so I knew it was something I wanted to try.

Again, I love the sleek packaging and it comes with a good sized mirror.

I got the shade ‘Sheer Tan’. I think this was the lightest bronzing shade they do. I really like that they do different colours. That is not a regular thing within a beauty brand.

I can detect a really really subtle sheen to the powder when swatched and like the powder foundation it is a really finely milled powder. I think I’m really going to like this 🙂

The last thing I have to show is one of the H&M Pure Radiance Powder Blushers.

Again, I’ll address the packaging, it’s super pretty and these have a gold bottom which I really love.

I chose the shade ‘Sunrise Pink’. I thought this was the most wearable shade for me.

It’s a dusky pink with a fleck of gold sparkle running through it. When you apply it though, the shimmer doesn’t seem to translate too much.

Personally, I’m happy about this, but if you’re looking for the sparkle you might not be.

Overall, on first impressions, I am really pleased with my H&M makeup purchases. The packaging, the products themselves and the price points are really great. I look forward to actually applying these to my mug now and seeing how they fare 🙂

Thanks for reading.

xxx

January 27, 2016/by Gem

Skincare

Trilogy Mineral Radiance Mask Review

The Trilogy Mineral Radiance Mask has fast become one of my favourites. I am on my second tub of it, so I think I have used it enough to give my honest opinion about it 🙂

Trilogy describes the Mineral Radiance Mask as a mineral rich kaolin mask that delivers instant radiance with a deep cleansing action. It contains Native New Zealand pohutukawa extract helps tone and regenerate while emollient oils, rosehip and evening primrose nourish and hydrate.

My less fancy description would be this a really lovely kaolin clay mask filled with natural ingredients. I don’t personally mind the scent, if you are sensitive to smells though try give it a whiff or get a sample before you buy. It applies smoothly to the skin and unlike other clay masks I have used in the past, dries to a nearly rubber like texture.

There’s no tightness so it’s really comfortable on the face. The mix of ingredients means it works well for drawing out impurities, but leaves your skin feeling soft and moisturised. I have pretty oily skin, and it works really well for me because weirdly enough I can get dehydrated in some areas. I feel the Mineral Radiance Mask gives me the best of both worlds.

We all know the Trilogy name for their Rosehip oil. I am a huge fan of this too, so for it to be in their mask is such a bonus. Rosehip oil is great for scars or marks on the skin, dehydrated skin and even fine lines.

I’ve never looked better, I know ha!

Trilogy says just to let the mask dry and then rinse off, I’ve been known to forget it’s on and an hour later remember and have no redness or anything as a result, so it’s not too harsh. It comes off easy enough with just warm water. I usually like to use a muslin cloth with it though makes things a bit easier.

In my humble opinion I think this is a pretty darn good mask. I have oily skin and works really well for me, but I think it would really work for all skin types.

A 60ml tub of the Trilogy Mineral Radiance Mask will cost you between 23-24 Euro depending on where you buy it. Cloud 10 Beauty sell it here

Thanks for stopping by 🙂

xxx

January 22, 2016/2 Comments/by Gem

Makeup Tools, Makeup Tutorial

Simple Makeup For When You’re Ill

I have a full blown cold, like most of the people in Ireland at the minute, right? Lovely start to the year 🙂 Life goes on though and we have to suffer through. This is my go to simple makeup for when I’m feeling a little under the weather. Let me blow my nose one last time and we’ll begin…

I have oily skin so I wouldn’t be adding radiance to my face on a regular basis, but when I am under the weather my skin does tend to dry up a little more so I can weirdly take advantage.

I added a good amount of the Botanics Radiance Balm onto cleansed skin (I have a full review of this stuff here, we all need it in our lives).

For some lip hydration I applied some of the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, literally can’t be without this. I apply it every night before bed, and when I have a cold it goes under my nose too helping with the extra dryness.

I still have to prime, so I did and then it’s foundation time, thank god! I used a damp Beauty Blender to apply a thin layer to my skin.

I think the sponge feels more kinder to your skin when you’re feeling a little rough.

I used it for concealer too.

I applied some waterproof concealer around my nose, just a light layer, it’s going to diminish pretty quickly with all the nose blowing, but if you set it with powder you’ll get a little time out of it 🙂

For the actual makeup look, I think the softer the better.

I filled in my eyebrows.

I used a skin colour eyeshadow primer to conceal any redness on my lids.

To brighten up the eyes I applied a light gold cream shadow stick all over the eyelid.

Over the top I applied a similar coloured shimmery shadow.

To add a little definition, I added a matte taupe shadow lightly into my crease.

I applied a a light shimmery shade to the brow bone.

Lastly, I added a really small amount of the taupe shade on the lower lash line too.

I needed a touch more concealer under the eyes then…those bags ain’t Chanel 🙂

To brighten up the eyes more I applied some skin coloured eye liner to the waterline. This is a great step to tackle any redness and make you look more awake.

Curl the bejesus out of your eyelashes. I know it’s simple makeup, but I never neglect the lashes.

Then, lots of mascara on the top lashes. I opt out of mascara on the bottom ones because lots of watery eye shenanigans happen and of course the compulsory sneezing…it’s not worth it even the waterproof kind.

Bronzer is a nice addition, to warm up the complexion a smidgen. There’ll be no contouring today though 🙂

I added some peachy blush rather than pink, as I already have enough pinky flush going on.

I applied some light setting powder all over the face, nothing to heavy. There’ll be alot of face touching throughout the day, no point caking it on. You can always re apply.

I couldn’t resist a little highlighter, but it’s not necessary whatsoever. A little in the inner corner of the eye always helps I think though 🙂

To finish off this simple makeup look I just applied some glossy balm to the lips.

And we’re done!

I didn’t go into depth with the products I used, because I think they’re all stuff you already have lying around or that you use everyday. This is definitely not a glam face of makeup, it’s more of a I want to look human and survive the day makeup!

If you’ve been hit with the January plague like myself, feel better soon 🙂

xxx

January 6, 2016/4 Comments/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Makeup, Product Comparison

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette V Makeup Revolution Radiance Palette

Makeup Revolution is pretty new to Irish shores. We could buy it online but never in store. Now we have a couple of stands, just in the Superdrug’s we have here in Dublin. So still not the easiest to get if you don’t live in the county 🙁

I picked up a few bits which I documented here in a blogpost a while ago.

One of them was their Radiance Palette.

This is a trio of their highlighters. If you are a makeup fiend you may be thinking these look familiar? Well you would be right there.

This palette has a remarkable resemblance to the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette which I also have in my possession.

These are being compared alot online. The Makeup Revolution Palette is being deemed a dupe for the Hourglass. They look really similar in the pan but of course the Makeup Revolution one is a hell of alot cheaper than the Hourglass palette. So do they compare?

Close up shots of both palettes

Here is the Makeup Revolution Radiance Palette swatched on my arm from left to right.

Then, here is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette swatched in the same way. Radiance Light first, Incandescent Light in the middle and then Dim Light.

I think the Makeup Revolution Radiance Palette fares ok. The palette itself is grand. It had a good sized mirror within a plastic casing and the powders are housed pretty firmly inside. The product is a little powdery and takes alot of building up in my humble opinion. It disappears as you blend it into the skin, but you can eventually get there and build up a glow with them. They have quite a sparkly finish.

As I reiterate in most of my posts I have oily skin, and I find the Radiance Palette doesn’t last very long on me. After a couple of hours of applying any of them, I can’t really see the product anymore, it’s like it just sinks in, not great 🙁 It may work better on drier skin? I don’t know.

So what about the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette?

I have this palette a long time now and really love it. I love the sleek packaging (even though it’s plastic) and then the powders inside are just so soft and buttery to the touch. They blend into the skin without much effort at all. They glide onto the skin much easier and they last much longer on me personally then the Makeup Revolution ones. They look more soft focus than the Radiance Palette, which I prefer too.

There is a pretty substantial price difference between these two. The Makeup Revolution Radiance Palette will set you back €10.35 and the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette is a whopping €68!

On comparing the palettes, it really comes down to brass tax, you get what you pay for. There is often amazing similar products (I find the word ‘dupe’ hard so I’ll go with similar ha) to be found in the ‘drugstore’, of course, and I love to hunt them out and shout them from the rooftop, but I personally don’t think I have found one this time. They definitely look similar, but they do not perform the same at all.

In conclusion, I think the Makeup Revolution Radiance Palette is OK as a shimmery highlighter palette, I don’t think I would repurchase it, whereas I think the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette is a gorgeous face powder/ soft focus highlighting palette and I would splurge on it all over again. That is my over analytic summation anyways 🙂

Do you have either? Or both? Let me know what you think.

xxx

July 6, 2015/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Skincare

Botanics Radiance Balm-Oily Skin Review

Ok I know I know The Botanics Radiance Balm is all over the blogosphere at the minute, but there is a reason for it…it’s bloomin’ good! And I own the coveted Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow!!

It says it “softens,brightens for instant radiant skin for all skin types”. It contains hibiscus which is meant to be a natural brightness booster. It also meant to have natural ahas that are supposed to act as a mild exfoliant.

I use it personally as a moisturiser as I have oily skin, but they say to use it in conjunction with one, so that’s up to you. So what is the Botanics Radiance Balm? Well it’s a really light cream (or balm) that has a slight sparkle to it. It looks pink in the tube but applies translucent and when massaged in it gives you a subtle highlight effect.

Radiance Balm Massaged Into The Skin

You apply it to help brighten up your complexion which we all know can look a bit worse for wear especially early in the morning. You can of course add more where you want more of a glow. For me, I just add a pea sized amount to my finger tips and apply a light layer all over. I give it a couple of minutes to sink in and then apply my makeup as normal. I don’t find it interferes with my makeup at all which is a big deal for me.

It smells really nice and also has SPF 15 too!

I have used the face wipes,face wash and eye makeup remover from All Bright range and I really like them all. Botanics are doing a good job in my book for a very very competitive price. The Botanics Radiance Balm can be picked up in or on Boots.ie and is always on sale or on 3 for 2 so keep an eye out. At the minute it will set you back €3.99, bargain!

Get it and see for yourself 🙂

xxx

May 6, 2015/4 Comments/by Gem

Posts

I chose 3 contour palettes to showcase in this post:

The Trilogy Mineral Radiance Mask has fast become one of my favourites. I am on my second tub of it, so I think I have used it enough to give my honest opinion about it 🙂

Makeup Revolution is pretty new to Irish shores. We could buy it online but never in store. Now we have a couple of stands, just in the Superdrug’s we have here in Dublin. So still not the easiest to get if you don’t live in the county 🙁

I picked up a few bits which I documented here in a blogpost a while ago.